Voices of the Dead by Candy Cribbs Rosemary Altea has the rare gift of being able to communicate with the dead, Working professionally for over 15 years as a psychic medium, she observes that people do not "die," but transform and continue on after death with their journey of the soul. Rosemary is from Worlaby, England. In contrast to her British background, she is guided by the spirit of an Apache Indian chief, Grey Eagle. Her autobiography, The Eagle and the Rose, is newly released by Warner Books. In the book are several fascinati ng stories of her communications with those on the other side. I found myself immersed and intrigued with it. One morning, before the interview date, I was driving to work. I imagined the interview as a possible opportunity to get in-touch with a deceased loved one. Knowing a number of deceased souls, I wanted my choice to be one the readers could appreciate. At that moment, magically, the windshield wipers swiped the window on their own. It's a secret sign. That always happens when Ron Lane, my friend in spirit, wants my undivided attention. I burst out laughing. "Okay, Ron. I'll see if Rosemary is willing." Readers, if you remember the Harmonic Convergence, there's no doubt you'll remember Ron Lane. He helped bring it to life in Seattle. He owned the Crystal Connection store in Ballard, and was well-known from here South America. He was magical then, and he's magical now. The only difference is that I can't see him. But I always know when he's around. Without further ado, The New times presents the following interview with Rosemary Altea. And a visit with and old friend... and then some Candy: Would you like to describe Grey Eagle, your spirit guide? Rosemary: Grey Eagle is tall very broadset, and handsome. He has incredible almond-shaped eyes. His presence exudes real power and strength and at the same time, an incredible gentleness. Most importantly, he is my best friend. He is always with me, a nd assists me in what I do. Candy: What do you see when you commune with the deceased? Rosemary: I see people! I don't see ghosts or apparitions, only people. I might see them from a distance, or up close. There are times when I might see them as a shadow - it depends on how clear the connection is. I suppose it depends on how much I'm concentrating and how much I'm listening. Sometimes I don't see them at all - I hear them, or feel them tapping me on the shoulder. But, mostly, I see them just as I see you: real and solid, living, breathing, and feeling. I don't see them as "dead" or "deceased." I see them as continuing their lives. They're carrying on with their journey. We were before we came here, and now we are. And we continue when we leave here. Candy: What exactly do the departed souls do on the other side? Rosemary: Well, that's a bit like asking what do we do here? There are those of us who never had the time to learn or explore. I think, basically it's a journey of exploration. Wherever that kind of learning takes place is where they will be. Candy: Do they discuss much along the lines of reincarnation? Rosemary: Yes. I think the reason why we are here is for the growth of the soul and the enlightenment of the spirit self. People may ask me, what's the difference between the soul and the spirit? I liken the difference to that of the aura of the human form. The "spirit" is the energy field or the soul, full of light and color. Depending upon the soul, if it's growing, the energy field is very powerful, very positive, and full of light. If the soul is dull or deadened, - just as the physical form is dull or deadened, the aura dims, and the spirit so dims. Candy: So, what determines where the soul goes next? Rosemary: Most people I talk to about reincarnation speak as though there is nowhere else to go but the earth plane, then back and forth between living and dying. I believe that when we die we have a choice. It's the same choice we had before we came he re. That choice is where do we need to go now, what experience do we need to have now, what more growing and how much more enlightened do we need to become? I believe that some people choose to come back here again and live in a new form, in ano ther way. But there are many who choose to go on. There are many universes. Candy: You mentioned in the book about how babies and small children who die continue to grow and mature on the other side. What kind of aging process takes place there? Rosemary: It's different for each soul. Each soul chooses. I have seen young men 20 or 30 years old who had died at five or six. I've seen little girls who died when they were two months old who are now seven or eight. In the book; I t a story about a man who died when he was four days old. His twin sister was 56 when I met her. He had followed her in growth all along. If you're talking about physical form, it's not the same. We choose the form. I often see people who have died very tragically of illness that had aged them looking ten years younger they were "alive." I've also spoken to children who died many, many years ago, who are still children. Candy: The million dollar question is: "Is there a hell?" Rosemary: Many people would say that this earth is our living hell. In some ways, I would agree. I think what you're asking is, "Is there a dark place?" I would have to say "yes." There are many of us who walk on this earth who are evil. They have evil thoughts and are evil doers. When we die, every one of us has a choice: we can go to the light or not. I wouldn't say the dark is an evil place, just dark, and narrow and becoming narrower. It is a place of discontent, anger, and bitterness. I can think of no worse place to be than with other people who are like that. When we die, no matter we did, each of us has the opportunity to go to the light. Let's say there was a man who did evil things, and when he died he had a chance to stand in the light and be embraced by it. If he chooses to stand in the light, he ch ooses to see his own soul as most truly evil. He will feel ten, twenty, fifty-fold times the pain he has caused to others. He will see that his soul has wizened. And, if he steps into the light it will be because finally he would realize that ther e would always be someone there to help him. On this earth plane, we have the physical form that hides who we really are. There (on the other side), there is no physical form to hide behind. Who you are and what you are shines through when you go over to the spirit world. There are no disguises. Everyone sees everything you are. Candy: Have you communicated with spirits from planets or galaxies other than our own? Rosemary: I have visited other worlds, I have traveled the universe, and I have seen many things. That's not a "yes," and it's not a "no." I have never seen little green men. I have always talked to "people." Candy: What is the most important message you can give us at this time? Rosemary: My guide, Grey Eagle, states that we are here primarily for the growth of the soul, for the enlightenment of the spirit self. We have a responsibility to the world, to our friends, to our neighbors. Responsibility starts with us. I would say, each man, each woman, and each child is the "mother" of the world. We hold the world in our hands. We must recognize that we are all human, we have faults and failings. We can't attain such great heights. We're not totally pure, although we may strive to be. Grey Eagle would say that as long as we try, even if we fail, it doesn't matter. just try. I have asked my guide, what is the key to our producing a world which is good? He answers simply, "Your world needs gentleness. Only with; gentleness will your world survive. There are many people who see gentleness and perceive it as weakness, but my guide - who is a warrior would say, "Use your gentleness as a warrior may use his sword. Raise it above your head and wield it, unafraid, willingly, positively in a direct way. Use that gentleness and go forward." Candy: Would it be appropriate for us to ask if you could contact someone for us? Could you do that? Rosemary: Who would that be? Candy: Someone from our common here, Ron Lane. Many of the leaders know him. Rosemary (searching; change in eye movement): I'm just aware of someone who died of cancer. I'm connecting with a lady who had cancer in her chest, her lungs, and had great difficulty in her breathing. (Rosemary looks at me) Sorry, it's not someone from the community you speak of. She's here for you. Candy: (shaking my head and trying to keep my composure): She is, I know. (It's my mother.) Rosemary: I'm aware of her standing behind you, playing with your hair. Over and over, she tells me to tell you that her cancer is all gone. And she's with you. On your other side is a man of slight build. He has dark hair. He appears better than he did during the dying process. I think this is the man you are asking for. He died of AIDS. Candy: Yes, that's Ron Lane. Rosemary: He's giving me a thumbs-up! Rosemary (searching both sides of me, laughing): Ron is asking me to say I have to do the two of them! They'll have to take turns! (Rosemary looks to Ron) He tells of his pain and his tears, but they are tears of joy. for some reason he is talking a bout his writing. He's been doing writing there. He says you have to keep going, you have to keep writing, for all of us, every one of us. He is talking about the office being moved. He says you've moved -- moved it all around! It looks so much nicer now, so much better now. You have more space, more elbow room. He says, "Don't think that you've moved without me. I'm still watching - and I'm still running things from my end." (I burst into laughter - this was so typical of Ron). He'd like to give a message to all of you. He's got the most wicked eyes and he's laughing at me. (Rosemary snickers) He says he'd like to leave a message, but only if you'll print it.. So, you'll have to print it! He says, "Tell them it's wonderful here! My illness is gone, I am made whole again! And, everything we've believed and more than you can imagine - is possible, and so joyful! I stand in the light. The words I say to you come out of my mouth like fire, like a torch. Use it to light the way, burn a path. Burn a path through the pages and let them know I am alive! Please, let them know I am alive. (Rosemary turns to my other shoulder) Your mother is waiting. There's a birthday coming up. She tells me, "Happy Birthday! "(My daughter, Lisa, is 4 turning 18!) She wanted to be sure to say that. She's blowing kisses. She smiles and says "Write this down, too. All of those who don't get this opportunity, tell them about us." She points to you and says, "For she is our voice." (Rosemary's voice begins to fade out) Ron is crying, but he wants me to tell you, "Tears of joy, my dear, tears of joy." Comments from Candy Mom died of cancer in 1989. I had a feeling she'd show up. As for Ron, he validates everything I else here. He is slight of build, dark hair, and yes, wicked eyes when he's laughing or up to something. He died of AIDS in 1991. Ron was very familiar with the former location of The New Times, which has very recently moved to a more spacious office. And he always called me "my dear." This was an incredible experience. There is no question that they are blissfully alive. The address for the Rosemary Altea Association of Healers is P.O. Box 25, Brigg, South Humberside, DN20 OSU, England.