Sarasota City of Light

Sarasota - The Story

About an hour south of Tampa is a beautiful city on the southwestern shores of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico. It's home to Siesta Key, a pristine, powdery, white-quartz crystal beach voted number one of the “Top-10 Best Beaches of the World.” Visitors or spiritual seekers know from the moment they arrive in Sarasota that it's a different place. Many who came to visit went home, sold their homes, quit their jobs and returned here to live.

The beaches, the old Spanish architecture, the Ringling Art Museum, the five-star restaurants and shops, St. Armand’s Circle, Selby Gardens and Myakka State Park and the art and theater communities call to visitors. Alas, those attractions and "Best of" notices swelled the population and increased vertical residential density that changed the skyline of the city. The population increases caused severe infrastructure, housing, and environmental impacts on the once quiet town. Known as a spiritual destination, there were many Yoga studios, spiritual centers, and meditation groups in the area. Unfortunately COVID took a toll and many of these centers and groups disbanded or closed permanently. And yet, there's still a spiritual community and a Spiritual History in Sarasota that should be remembered. It's told in the following segments.

History & Vision

In 2007 Jo Mooy had a series of dreams that resulted in the 2008 Prism of LIght. In the dream, Sarasota was identified "as one of 22 future Cities of Light." In subsequent dreams she was shown a "map" of SW Florida with points highlighted on the map. Jo was told to "connect the points" and saw a "diamond crystal with facets" emerging. A voice in the dream said, "This is not a crystal. It is a Prism. A crystal absorbs light. A Prism reflects it." The Prism Diamond became a focal point over the map of SW Florida (see below)

She was then told to "Gather 9 people to anchor the 9 points of the Prism at 12:00 noon on the Summer Solstice, June 20, 2008." Jo identified 9 anchors in the community who led spiritual groups or who were leaders of spiritual centers. Each responded immediately as though they too intuitively knew this was a momentous event. Each one confirmed they too had begun to get messages that "Sarasota was a City of Light."

On June 20, 2008 between 12 noon and 12:24 pm the spiritual community gathered across 65 square miles stretching from Anna Maria Island in the North to Warm Mineral Springs in the South and Myakka State Park in the East to the Vortex between South Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach. Over 350 people joined across this expanse to set an ethereal Prism of Light over Sarasota. The gathering represented 9 spiritual centers and their attendees. The Center of the Prism was a portal anchored by the director and a group of 14 at Rising Tide Spiritual Center. Video: The Story of the Prism of Light (3 minutes)

Crop Circle Confirmation

A week after the Prism of Light was set it was validated when a Crop Circle appeared in the wheat fields of Wiltshire, UK on June 30th. The circle mimicked the map design of the Prism of Light. The Crop Circle was a diamond-shaped Prism with facets and there in the center was the circular portal opening.

Jo contacted Steve Alexander Crop Circle photographer and author of Crop Circles: Signs Wonders & Mysteries. In a series of emails on July 6, 2208, Steve confirmed the diagram of the circle matched that of the Prism of Light. Steve's email to Jo said, "No staggering news on this. Most people feel it is like a diamond ... perhaps you all instigated the appearance of this formation."   The crop circle image on the right aligns with the line drawing of the Prism.

Fall Equinox & Crystal of Peace Mandala

At the Fall Equinox 2008 Peace Poles were purchased by community donations, marking the main points on the Prism of Light and the Spiritual Centers that participated. Those Peace Poles were re-dedicated in 2014 and again on 12.12.24. The photo on the right is the 36" square Crystal of Peace Mandala that was created to identify the Prism, the participants, and the work done by the entire spiritual community.

Each color was meticulously painted in a sacred ritual by each one of the Anchors. Then the Mandala was opened to the community participants who placed their prayers for Peace in the Mandala by coloring one of the facets. It was then blessed and imbued with spiritual markings of Om Mani Padme Hum by Singhe, a Tibetan Monk who served as Mandala maker for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Crystal of Peace Mandala is now part of the permanent collection of the Women's Meditation Circle. It is available by request to be shown at public or spiritual events or ceremonies. More detailed information on the Prism of Light can be obtained by contacting jomooy@gmail.com who along with Patricia Cockerill, were the Visionaries behind the Prism of Light. Please do not reproduce this material unless given permission. It is our intention to keep its purity and Vision intact and free of commercial use.

Final Ceremony Prism of Light 12.12.24

On Dec. 12, 2024, sixteen years after it was first anchored over southwestern Florida, the Prism of Light was permanently set for the next generation of spiritual workers. The date was chosen based on the Numerology presented by The Prism. It was held at the labyrinth at Unity of Sarasota which was the largest original location where it was first consecrated the night of June 20, 2008

The 9 Original Anchors were present to hold space as they did before. The children who participated in 2008 were now adults, bringing their own children. They included the ones who released the Sands of the World into the Gulf on 12.12.12. Understanding the significance, the original ceremonialists and singers, drummers and dancers joined the convocation. During the ceremony, the Mandala of Peace was presented to the leaders of the next generation who will continue the spiritual work of Sarasota' City of Light.

The Prism of Light Ceremony on 12.12.24 was recorded live at Unity of Sarasota. The Video is 5 minutes long. Click: 12.12.24 PRISM OF LIGHT

Siesta Key Vortex

There are many stories about Sarasota, the bubble of protection around it, and the Vortex at Siesta Key. Members of the spiritual community are convinced of the sacredness and healing properties of the crystal sands on Siesta Key where despite the heat, the sands remain cool. Peruvian shamans held a sacred ceremony at The Grandmother Tree, where it was blessed with herbs and crystals buried at its base. Others took a copper spiral out into the Gulf during the 2004 hurricane season to protect the area. Jo took the photo on the right fter the installation of the copper spiral. It was an unusual Vortex confirmation that the intentions had been set.

A PBS WEDU documentary called Diamonds Along the Highway - Siesta Awakening was produced by film-maker Gus Mollasis. The film features Jo Mooy and Patricia Cockerill. He also interviewed members of the spiritual community, including Dr. Marguerite Barnett a founder of the Siesta Key Drumming Circle, Mic McManus and Zan Benham. Watch the 28 minute PBS film by clicking: Siesta Key Awakening.