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Galactica: A Treatise on Death, Dying and the Afterlife

by Marilynn Hughes

199 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-1224; ISBN 1-4120-0856-5; US$24.00, C$28.00, EUR20.00, £14.00

A patient with a potentially terminal condition shares her out-of-body experiences in preparation for death and what she is shown about the world beyond. A grand panorama!

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About the Book Continuing the journey begun in The Mysteries of the Redemption: A Treatise on Out-of-Body Travel and Mysticism, the author takes you on an out-of-body journey into the worlds of the galactic heavens, the worlds beyond death. Traveling the road of terminal illness, you'll follow the footsteps of a soul preparing for death, learn from those who have already crossed over, and witness the after-death experience of a soul as she leaves this world. Opening the door to the ancestors, you will meet those who have gone before, hear their stories, be amazed at their watchful care over the current generation, and see how they live in the world beyond. Perhaps the most important thing you will discover in GALACTICA: A Treatise on Death, Dying and the Afterlife, is the true purpose and meaning of this life, and what is required of each one of us to fulfill the purpose of our incarnation. Having included paintings and music of that which she's seen and heard while out-of-body, the author demonstrates a grand panorama of the worlds beyond our own and the infinite meaning which underlies human existence. To read reviews about this and other books by the author, go to www.outofbodytravel.org

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About the Author Having worked primarily in radio broadcasting, Marilynn Hughes spent several years as a news reporter, producer and anchor before deciding to stay at home with her three children. She's researched, written and taught about out-of-body travel since 1987. To contact the author or for information and current prices for ordering the music CD which includes performances of the 32 pieces of music in this volume please e-mail the author at MarilynnHughes@aol.com Other Books Available by the Author: MYSTERIES OF THE REDEMPTION: A Treatise on Out-of-Body Travel and Mysticism (See its Trafford website HERE) THE FORMER ANGEL! A Children's Tale (See its Trafford website HERE) Also visit the author's website at www.outofbodytravel.org.

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Sample Excerpts

Alit by the sun, the clouds were glorious as I arrived without foreknowledge of how I'd made my journey to this abode. Two priests were calmly awaiting my arrival, wearing the robes which are normally worn for the performance of the Mass. Today, they wore the color green. Hovering in the heavens, the priests directed my gaze in another direction wherein I immediately noticed a glorious stairway from the sky into deep space. Turning towards the steps, the priests handed me a stack of 8 x 11 cardboard markers which were to serve in some manner in the journey of which I was about to undertake.

A ritual process followed, as I instinctually threw the cardboard markers up the steps, tossing them into the heavens. It was absolutely vital that a correct synchronization between these markers and the steps occur before I could continue on my way. Coming together in the heavens, the markers synchronized into the first ten steps, as an angel appeared. "You've missed a few steps," she said. Gathering up and looking at the ten markers more carefully, I noticed that several appeared to be stuck together, so I prepared them properly and again flung them towards the heavens directly at this heavenly stairway which led into deep space. Counting, I gathered that I had now acquired twenty-one steps. Very patiently, the angel conveyed, "You have still missed some steps as there are a total of fifty four." Again, I gathered up and looked at the markers, focusing more intently on the hidden meaning that they might, as I flung them again towards the heavens along this galactic stairway. Watching in awe, they magically formed into a grandiose series of fifty-four steps into the heavens, beckoning me to follow. Imprinting themselves upon each of the etheric steps, they had become deeply imbedded a beautiful heavenly image of which I was not yet allowed to see. All I knew was that they followed a sequence of events.

Standing on each side of me, the priests had approached as if to protect me from the thrust which was about to overtake us as we prepared to enter upon this pathway into deep space. As they took my hands, one on each side, the images upon the steps became clear to me and I shuddered at the import of their meaning. Upon each of the fifty four almost invisible, etheric steps, were very distinct images showing the sequence of the holy mass. Jesus Christ appeared in robes of red and white, taking the place of the priest in the performance of the Latin rite, as His sacred heart blazed forth a reddish light which glowed in heavenly proportions. Each of the stages presented, brought about an energetic thrust within the souls of those who were open to them as they attended the mass.

Without a word, my spirit was immediately swept up into galactic space, as my soul followed the fifty-four steps of the Holy Mass undergoing a voluminous transformation as I traveled at the speed of light towards the stars. A rushing torrent of influential energies filled me with a solemn knowledge of this holy rite, and transformed my spirit as I followed its pathway.

Before I had the time to ascertain the meaning of this torrential flood of energy, my spirit came to a sudden standstill. Inside a very solemn and holy cave which held reminiscences of the sacred tomb of Christ, we were hovering in deep space. Because I had been swept up in a whirlwind of white energies, my spirit could not ascertain the path I had taken to enter this tomb. But as I stood here, I felt the coming together of each step of the journey. Each unique and individual image of Christ performing the fifty-four stages of the Latin rite of the mass at the sacred altar had been thrust into my soul. Standing before me in an epiphany of light, the priests were preparing to finish this sacred ritual by consecrating the Eucharistic host into the body and blood of Jesus the Christ. Before I could ascertain any more, I noticed a holy visitor who had come to join us for this final procession of our faith. Standing beside the priests, placing his holy hands upon their shoulders, Padre Pio looked up to peer deeply into my eyes. Stunned by his entrance, I didn't know what to do or say. But before I could think, the spirits of the priests became ablaze with sparkly blue lights, permeating throughout their spiritual forms and encompassing the robes they wore. All around them, the sparkly blue lights were aglow as they began to speak the sacred words of consecration, which held within them great power now translated into my soul in a lightning-storm of power.

Huge power came from within the priests manifesting as a magnificent and large beam of blue light coming from their hands, entering directly into the sacred host which immediately came alive, bursting with blue energy and light. For a moment, I remembered long ago when I had been taken through the rites of the crucifixion and had been shown images of Christ during his passion. Interestingly, his body had been surrounded by beautiful blue energies, very similar to those which had now overtaken the Eucharistic host. Overcome with holy energy, the entire tomb was filled with an electric silence, the most notable being that of Padre Pio. My mind took note of the appropriateness of his presence, in that as a bearer of the stigmata (the sacred wounds of Christ); he had journeyed through his life as a living crucifixion. In this holy tomb, we had just experienced Christ's resurrection . . . and the most amazing thing about it was that every single soul upon the Earth could experience this magnificent moment any day of the year by attending the holy mass.

A flash of light occurred as our spirits were immediately transported into deep space, hovering amidst the stars. Padre Pio's back was turned to me, as he sat silently in a very still and meditative position. Feeling compelled to talk with the priests who had completed the mass, I was wondering if they had seen the magnificent energy and power which had come from them during the consecration. Because I'd not seen astonishment coming from their faces as all of this had occurred, I'd considered that maybe they'd experienced it in the mundane, the manner in which it is physically experienced on Earth. But gazing upon the back of Padre Pio, I had an inherent feeling that he might consider such a discussion disrespectful in regards to the holy moment of which we had just been allowed to partake.

Keeping my amazement to myself, I sat quietly in respectful obeisance to the Lord, and gazed upon the back of the holy man who was to grace my presence for only a moment more. In a flash, my spirit disappeared, returning to my familiar Earthly abode.

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Praying on my knees in the astral state, a huge torrent of energy swept me off of my feet and into the cosmos. St. Michael came this time as a huge shadowy figure, almost like a thundercloud, but in the definite form of a man. Appearing as he does in popular statues, he wore a shortened metallic skirting adorned with body armor, as his huge wings protruded explosively from his back. Sometimes he appears as a shadowy bolt of energy, and sometimes he comes in pure living color. Magnificent size not diminished; there was something unusual about this visit. Just as huge, a female stood beside St. Michael. Flowing straight brown hair caressed her shoulders, and she wore a glimmering white robe down to her feet. Energetically, she was just as powerful as St. Michael and left me in ominous awe as I understood that she was a member of his league of angels.

Placing me upon his shoulder as he'd done in the past, St. Michael was very stern with me this evening. Wishing to discuss my visions with a particular individual who was supposed to be well-versed in spiritual direction, St. Michael and I were flying all over the world at a speed indescribable as he showed me an image of this person in the heavens. "Do not discuss this with him," St. Michael said in an energetically powerful way, "you listen to me!" Conveying that this person would give me false guidance regarding the mystical realms, St. Michael allowed me to see that he could jeopardize my divine mission.

Swooping down towards a building below, I saw a demon who was trying to interfere with this eternal directive. St. Michael flew by, and he was struck dead. (I was unsure if this striking dead was a literal rendering, or if they were struck dead in energy, annihilated in their ability to render destructive force towards the work of the Lord.) As quickly as he had swept me up, St. Michael returned me to my place of prayer on the floor of my bedroom and was gone.

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Continuing the influx of eternal energies which had been heralded by St. Michael, my body began in an ordinary vibrational state and was separated from form. Intensive energies began to overtake my body, as an invisible angel beside me took hold of my soul and thrust me towards heaven. Soaring past the Earth into the universal spheres, I rode an eternal wave conducted by the angel below.

As my soul gathered celestial energy, it was immediately thrust downwards to the Earth below, but as I emptied myself of these sonic pulsations, I was again thrust into the heavens to repeat this process. Continuing into the night, with each ascent into the heavens, came a descent back to Earth to bring the energies down. While soaring towards the heavens, I instinctually shouted, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on Me, a Sinner."

Remembering the importance of discerning the spirits, I turned to the angelic guardian. "In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ," I asked, "I demand that you reveal your identity to me." Appearing as a very beautiful creature of brilliance, I finished, "Are you here to serve the light?" Swept in a thunderous energy as he spoke, he replied, "Yes."

Although I knew that he was male, he had no features like hair or eyes that were visible. Wearing no apparent clothing, he seemed to be anatomically sexless, although his essence was very clearly that of a man. Lighted and iridescent, brilliance shone outwards from his very distinctive form. This was no nebulous creature, his form was well-defined, although clearly made of light and in a splendid array of colors; pale violet, blue and white. Upon the backdrop of the stars and the heavens, this magnificent angel shone with a splendor which can only be termed stunning.

Confident in his identity, I shouted to the heavens. "Lord Jesus Christ, shall we take a journey with these eternal energies across the mountain pass, and distribute them to all who must be energized?" Shooting like lightning towards the pass, the spirit world had made my soul aware of a pocket of darkness which needed seeding in the light.

But as I came to the edge of the location in question, there was an energetic barrier clearly present which had been placed there by Satan to mark his territory. Reinforced by souls on the ground unaware of their alliance with the ogre, I shouted, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God . . . Archangel Michael, Destroyer of Demons, allow us to pass through this demonic gateway." St. Michael's thunderous presence became abundantly clear as we were allowed to pass through. Coming upon the people in this area, some of them had been filled with green sludge.

As there was no more I could do, St. Michael simply said, "NO!" as he quickly changed my direction. Able to bring the light in, we were unable to seed it as of yet. This eternal program was de-energized by mortals on the ground. Free will is a powerful thing.

Passing through the demonic boundary, St. Michael left me with the angel who'd come before, as we continued the process of bringing heavenly fruits into the Earthly mortal realm. Flying through the heavens together this time, a bold thought entered my mind and I conveyed it to my compatriot. "Perchance," I thought meekly, "I could go to the throne room of God?" No reaction to my bold request, the angel thought, "Don't ask me, ask God." Gathering my boldness to make my grand proclamation, I shouted to the heavens, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, may I come to the throne room of heaven?!" Shooting immediately through the universal beauty of space, I was given to see many tremendously awesome things.

As we'd traveled a great distance in a very short amount of time, I saw ahead a very brilliant city of light. Our souls were edging closer to this magnificent place, and on the periphery of this city of light you could see light trails leading from the outskirts of this heavenly mirage to within its sacred walls. Coming close enough to see details, I noticed that there were children playing who had distinctively human features, but yet, were surrounded by auras which made it clear that they were not physical beings. Light beings were walking down a side road near the children, as well as, other adults who looked more like the children, with physical features but distinctive auras. Happiness, serenity and bliss emanated from the city, and I felt honored to view it from such a close proximity.

As I expected, however, the Lord did not deem me suitable or worthy to go to the place I'd requested. Instead, because of my boldness which the Lord had apparently enjoyed, He'd allowed me to come to this periphery of what appeared to be heaven, and he gave leave to my angelic host to take me on a most spectacular journey through the galactic heavens.

A celestial tour ensued wherein I gave witness to visually and energetically stunning solar systems, galaxies, stars, planets, orbs, black holes, nebulae, etc. Entranced by this panorama, I shouted a sigh of thanks to the Lord of hosts, whose presence was with me, inside me, around me, and one with me as I soared through this newfound, magnificent world . . . this world was Galactica.

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Appearing with a distressed look upon his brow, the middle-aged man appeared and began speaking very rapidly as if there was not much time. Immediately, I knew that this man was a soul in purgatory and I was very interested in what he might have to say. "You have to replace all the peace you didn't make, conflicts you started, unhappiness you generated, agitation or just general discord that you put into the world." Finding his words rather profound, they seemed to generally sum up the true destiny of mankind, the meaning of life, in a way that I'd never fully thought of before.

Going on, he said, "We need to create a wall between us and the living because we have to focus on repairing for what we have lacked and what we could've done, but did not." Again, he repeated, "We have to repair for all the peace we took from the world . . . it takes a lot of energy to do that."

Beginning to ask him a question, I stopped myself as he continued speaking. "You always knew what your passion was, knowledge of God, but my passions in life were other things. I have a lot to make up for." Looking down, I replied, "I am very guilty of taking peace from the world, in many instances." Casually, he replied, "I hadn't known that."

Interruping, I asked, "What happens when you die, do you reunite with all your loved ones, do you all travel the journey of death together?" Remaining very serious, he replied, "The people you knew before are in the room 'above the bedroom.' You meet them directly after death and then go on your separate ways of purification." "But what about . . ." my words were interrupted, by a rapid yet quiet voice, fading quickly into the night. "We need to create a wall between us and the living, it takes a lot of energy . . ." Then he was gone.

We can do much in this world to make it a better place, but against the enemy of life, which is death, we shall all fail. Our powerless is complete, and we shall all share the same fate. Rather than this being sad, it is liberating, because we are then free to enjoy the moments God chooses to give us without guilt, shame or fear; or the pressure that we must solve this problem, as well.

There comes a time in every life, whether it be the oncoming plane is in view, the terminal condition has taken hold, the car is on its way over the mountain, the volcano has erupted, the tornado is here, the flash flood came too fast; when the soul sees his undeniable fate approaching - and it is death - a ripping away from all things known and seen in this creature's short life, and the soul knows that it is powerless to change the outcome.

Surrender occurs, and it is in this moment that a soul truly lives with eternal life in mind, bringing meaning to the pronouncement held by all religious faiths that we should all live our lives with its end in view.

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Having wandered through the small town and gone through several ritual passages to receive permission to enter the tiny building, my spirit was elated to finally be given the go-ahead to open the door. Another woman was with me, and had participated in assisting several souls this night, as we gazed upon a building no bigger than an outhouse with a mystical doorway.

Opening the door, we were excited to enter into a grand palace of ancient texts, much larger than the size of the entrance could have inferred. Six floors of white and gold gilded stairwells, each level filled with the ancient knowledge from throughout time. Gathering books, we slowly made our way from the sixth floor downwards. As we prepared to enter upon the first floor, we heard voices and mystical music coming from below. There was an exit available between the second and first floors, and when I heard the sounds, I said, "Perhaps we should quietly leave so as not to disturb anybody." "No, no, no," she replied, "when you hear Kabalistic music, it is an invitation. It would be considered rude if we didn't introduce ourselves." Nodding, we proceeded down the stairs to the first floor.

Astounded by the ancient sacred texts, they were huge and voluminous, the oldest in the building residing on this floor. In fact, some of them were scrolls. Standing before us were a husband and wife with their four grown sons who introduced themselves as the 'Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge.' Honored and amazed, a Jewish woman was singing Kabalistic music 'live' in the corner, and they all welcomed us with the utmost of kindness.

After sitting down with them to eat what they called a 'Pearly breakfast,' consisting of knowledge from the texts being energetically instilled within my soul, one of the sons took me over to a special section that they wanted me to see. Two huge volumes, at least three to four feet in height and a foot thick, were on the shelves next to several scrolls. The first was entitled 'Ave Maria,' and the second, 'The Mysteries of Our Lord.' Allowing me to open the second of these texts, I found mingled within the writing, a fabric banner which was a symbolic image.

As I looked upon it, the young man explained to me that the fabric banners of the cross which I made in the physical world held hidden meanings and were actually textual images. (One of my hobbies was to make fabric images of the cross with various symbols and designs.) Bouquets of flowers moved upwards through the top and above the cross, each blossom representing graces coming from the sacrifice of the cross. Placed upon each blossom were the sayings of Christ, forming a bouquet of the Word.

Showing me a set of keys, he made reference to my own library of ancient sacred texts, comparing it to this counterpart on the other side. By doing so, I realized its importance, even though it sometimes appeared to me to be just my own personal hobby. "You are also a 'Keeper of the Keys,'" he said, "Continue this task in the physical world, and when it is that you cross over, you will continue it in the next . . ." Motioning with his hands the vast expanse of the library, I was so excited that I would work here in the after-life.

Taking me to a large picture window, I was amazed to see a huge city. Skyscrapers made of diamonds could be seen off in the distance, while emeralds and pearls made up much of the rest of the expanse. Literally glowing with light, I was most entranced by the diamond skyscrapers which loomed in the distance. What a beautiful heavenly city! Handing me the keys, I began to disappear from the scene.

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Within a moment, my soul was looking upon the most spectacular light and I chuckled when I saw what lay within its confines. Although my dog, 'Joy', had died twenty years prior, she stood at the gateway to the light waiting for me, looking brilliant and joyous. Wishing to embrace my childhood pal who had been with me for about fifteen years, I knew that I could not, for doing so would irrevocably take me into the light and beyond the gateway of death. "I'm sorry," I said to my dog, "I can't come with you now because my kids are just too young."

In total understanding, she remained in the brilliance of the light as a book appeared in my hands. Looking at its title, it said, 'The Palace of Ancient Knowledge.' 'Oh, okay," I thought, as I gazed upon the cover art and its depiction of this grand place within the realms of ether.

As I gazed upon the page, it transformed itself into a written message from Christ, whose Presence could now be felt powerfully at my side. "You need to pray more for a quality of which you are lacking." Displayed on the page, the quality was written down and I recognized immediately that it was something for which I should strive. Despite this, I was unable to recall the quality upon return.

Led to a porch, I observed that the steps leading to it were of different heights. The one on the right was waist high and complete, and the one on the left was built only to the level of the bottom crossbeam. Immediately directing my attention to the one on the right, Christ conveyed, "This one represents your soul, and as you can see, it is complete." Directing my attention to the one on the left, He continued, "And this one represents the souls of those you will leave behind, which are incomplete." Looking at him, I said nothing, but questioned Him with my gaze as to what had caused this deficit. "It is incomplete because of selfishness," He said. Directing my attention to the light which still contained the essence of my childhood dog, He began leading me towards it. As He did, I heard somebody screaming at another person somewhere nearby. "Thus is the nature of this world," He said, "Even as you cross over, they will be thinking only of themselves."

Gazing at the light, I felt a sense of total peace and welcome, something which was unfamiliar in my past near-death moments. For in the past, I had encountered an energy of uncertainty, as though my dying would be premature if I were to go in that moment. But at this time there was total serenity because my soul was complete.

Because of this shift, I had an epiphany as I stared at the light. At some point, my time would truly be up, and I would go to sleep and wake in another world. Death became more real to me than it had already been due to my illness, and it really 'hit' me that I was really going to die . . . and it might be soon. In this welcoming grand gesture of God, in the light which stood before me, I was beginning to feel that my journey upon the Earth was coming very close to its end. Someday, and perhaps soon, I would no longer have a choice.

As I realized this, Christ filled me with peace about this eventuality, in that I had completed that which I had come to do, and it was just time for me to go. Before my eyes, I saw the image of the books I had written as Christ conveyed, "You must pass the torch onto Andy, and make sure he realizes the importance of this task. He must finish your work when you are no longer able."

Directing me again to the bright tunnel, Christ conveyed that He was giving me the final option of entering into the light. "I cannot go to the light, yet, Lord, for my kids are too young." Nodding, He honored my willingness to remain for their sake. In a flash, I was back.

"And five hundred and fifty days since he had risen from the dead, we said to him, 'Have you departed and removed yourself from us?' But Jesus said, 'No, but I shall go to the place from whence I came. If you wish to come with me, come!' They all answered and said, 'If you bid us, we come.' He said, 'Verily I say unto you, no one will ever enter the kingdom of heaven at my bidding, but (only) because you yourselves are full.'"
The Nag Hammadi Library, The Apocryphon of James, No. 2, Verses 20-35, (Christianity/Gnostic, Words of Christ)

"Then he said to his disciples, 'Have I not told you that like a visible voice and flash of lightning will the good be taken up to the light?'"
The Nag Hammadi Library, The Dialogue of the Saviour, No. 38, (Christianity, Gnostic, Words of Christ)

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