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Dialogues with the Masters

We’re delighted to announce the launch of Dialogues with the Masters, a project we’ve been secretly working on for over a month now. The site features Janet Attwood, co-author of New York Times Bestseller The Passion Test and her journeys throughout India learning from the great masters of our time.

Janet interviewed over 100 masters and compiled their wisdom into a DVD and CD set, as well as the newly created Daily Dose of Enlightenment program, in which subscribers can receive a video every day for a year.

This site was a milestone in my web design career, both in the extent of my abilities and the exposure this site will be receiving. It will also be the last “Design” I post on this website. Very soon my Design services will be moved elsewhere, and The Astrarium will be transforming into a true online magazine, featuring…YOU?

Apologies for the delays along this process and with the October Forecast. Hang in there!

Power of One Trailer

Photo of Toon and Biw by Michael McCracken

Is it possible for one person to make a difference?

Imagine…stepping off a plane in Thailand with students from all over the world, to volunteer at an Elephant Sanctuary, learn about Thai Culture, and make lasting friendships. Visit Buddhist Temples, participate in a ceremony to save trees from deforestation, feed and bathe the elephants, and laugh with your new friends.

All this and much more is the experience of Power of One, a once-in-a-lifetime volunteer opportunity created by the non-profit Blue Star of Hope. This annual program has changed lives and truly made a difference in our world. Now is your chance to make a difference!

This (very) rough cut is just a taste of the upcoming feature documentary that explores the Power of One experience, interviewing its participants as their worlds are transformed. Stay tuned for more clips from the film, and the full version coming in 2011.

Rough cut edited by Michael McCracken of www.theastrarium.com/archives and filmed by Shane Ernest of www.thesacredstudio.com. Expect a more polished trailer coming soon.

Music by Tina Malia, used with permission. “Lilac Blooms” and “Heal This Land” are just two of the fantastic songs by Malia. If you like what you hear, look up “Shores of Avalon” and “The Silent Awakening“, or visit Tina’s website at www.amidarecords.com.

For more information about the Blue Star of Hope and its founders Juelle and Donovan Wilkins, visit their website at www.bluestarofhope.org. Juelle and Donovan are always seeking participants, mentors, and donors to help expand the program. Please support their vision by sharing this video and their website!

Thank you to Juelle, Donovan, and the nearly 50 other participants from the 2008 Power of One trip. We love you all!

Ice Palace

Welcome to the Ice Palace. This frozen temple has been lost in the mountains for thousands of years…until now. Part of our “Earth Chakras” series, this level will be the throat chakra, center of communication, wisdom, voice, sound, clarity etc. Lara must activate the seven chakras of the Earth, each in a very different location, helping our beautiful mother Earth to heal herself once again.

This level is very much a work in progress, expect more screenshots later and a trailer for all 7 chakra levels by the end of the year, time permitting. This is just a short preview to give you a taste. I mixed the music for this video (which will be in the level), which features tracks from Deuter, Ivo Sedlacek, and the Baraka soundtrack. A lovely meditative vision. Expect more relaxing videos like this in the future!

Thailand Print Gallery

Here are some select photos from our trip to Thailand in 2008. Click to enlarge and then keep clicking to browse the gallery.

Click here to order any of these prints online!

Merlin's Mountain

I’m working on a series of Chakra themed Tomb Raider levels, each in a different part of the world representing a different chakra and element. Merlin’s Mountain, symbolizing vision, will be the mysterious third eye chakra. The level is set in Ireland, where Lara must travel through an old church and cemetery, a witch’s house, and the eerie Mountains beyond…

Copyright Michael McCracken
Copyright Michael McCracken
Copyright Michael McCracken
Copyright Michael McCracken
Copyright Michael McCracken

I’m posting this sneak preview in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. More previews to come as I explore the rest of the Earth Chakra series, and perhaps a trailer later in the year.

Cambodia Print Gallery

Here are some select photos from our trip to Cambodia in 2008. Click to enlarge and then keep clicking to browse the gallery. If you’d like to order a print, use the links below each image.

Click here to order any of these prints online!

Island of Poseidon

I’m working on a series of Chakra themed Tomb Raider levels, each in a different part of the world representing a different chakra and element. Island of Poseidon, symbolizing water, will be the second chakra. Here are some early screens:

Copyright Michael McCracken
Copyright Michael McCracken
Copyright Michael McCracken
Copyright Michael McCracken
Copyright Michael McCracken
Copyright Michael McCracken

Cosmic Journey Book

My third book I’ve created, this one was handmade for a memoir class. The book has several layers of transparency and a poem throughout. It’s about the many ways to transcend reality in many cultures around the world. This was more of a fun project.

Copyright Michael McCracken

Cosmic Dawn

The light of one thousand red suns pierces the Void in an explosion of creative energy.
All of creation becomes manifest as we begin our long journey back to the Source.

Copyright Michael McCracken

Sunrise Drums

Rhythms travel across the sky, waking the sun and inviting all creatures to join in the dance.
Duality and separation are lost as we shake to this cosmic beat.

Copyright Michael McCracken

Whirling Dervish

The dervish moves to an unseen rhythm, delivering God’s mercy to the people.
Whirling in graceful circles, we become drunk with the divine.

Copyright Michael McCracken

Forest Maenads

The maenads dance in ecstasy, their bodies surging with the power of the Gods.
Reconnected to the divine, there is nothing we cannot do in this world.

Copyright Michael McCracken

Evening Meditation

In meditation, all sense of self, old thoughts, and limiting beliefs fall away.
We are surrounded by the Universe, surrounded by an infinite silence.

Copyright Michael McCracken

Mayan Sacrifice

The cosmic calendar races ever forward, leaving death and rebirth in its wake.
Realizing that our time is past, we prepare to be reborn once again.

Copyright Michael McCracken

Cosmic Dusk

Brahma closes His eyes as His cosmic day comes gently to a close.
Complete and infinite, we rest in the transcendent void for a thousand ages.