“ODYSSEY WILL GROW AS SOUTH AFRICA’S CONSCIOUSNESS GROWS!”
Throughout her life Jill was an advocate of consciousness, with reverence for the power of intention and synchronicity on our inner consciousness, facilitating guidance and providing insight on our spiritual paths. The increased awareness of meaningful coincidences became almost second nature and, in many ‘late night’ conversations, Jill added intuition… that ‘Natural Knowledge’ that was a trusted partner in everyday life, with its sense of rightness we all acted upon.
Whilst Jill and I had a familial bond through marriage our true connection was like-mindedness: Similar belief systems and a common way of thinking. Whist we didn’t always agree… we shared a deep connection and interest in the mysteries of our respective incarnations, the universe and beyond.
Odyssey’s first edition was published on 7 July 1977 – the numerology itself synchronistic: 7.7.77. The miracle of Odyssey‘s survival into the 21st century was further synchronistic and that’s where I came in… 31 October 2018… the rest is history.
Jill saw the smooth transitions from 1984 until today as being an esoteric continuum, with the ‘persona’ of the publication remaining true to itself and, in fact, had suggested an energy of its own.
Nine days before her passing over, I shared with Jill that Odyssey had found a new custodian in Christa Buthelezi, an American thought leader encouraged by Desmond Tutu to heed South Africa’s call. Jill recalled her own connection with Desmond Tutu and his support of her work prior to his being enthroned and once again highlighted the synchronicity of it all
Lynne Stevens, mia familia, Odyssey contributor and KwazuluSpirit’ s conferencing lead shares more about Jill: Mother, step mother, grandmother, great grandmother and simply ‘Mum’.
When I married into the Stevens Family in 1977, the same year Odyssey was founded, I had no idea that Odyssey Magazine would someday become an integral part of my life or that Debra Stevens, now Robins, would become my much loved soul sister or, in fact, that that in 2003 Jill Iggulden would become “Mum”. My first lesson in synchronicity!
Mum gave a simple explanation about her spiritual beliefs. She said, “When you’re sad, speak to God. When you’re happy, speak to the Universe.” It doesn’t get simpler than that.
Jill fully embraced her role as step Mum to the large Stevens family and became fondly known as Grandmother Number 3, or just G3, a much loved great grandmother who never forgot a birthday and who was capable of designing elaborate birthday cards on her computer.
Video chats with the grandchildren were always uplifting with Mum’s special brand of encouragement and her uncanny ability to turn their failures into opportunities for growth.
Treasured books were handed down to each generation, all inscribed with Mum’s firm principle,
“Unto thine own self be true.”
Mum adored Dad Stevens, a pedantic engineer, but she encouraged him to explore Europe without any planning, with just a backpack, as they booked into youth hostels and stopped at strangers’ houses in quaint villages asking about accommodation.
On Mum’s 90th Birthday, she wanted a trip up Table Mountain, but it was a very cloudy day, but as we finished lunch, the clouds lifted with a burst of sunshine. “Synchronicity” she said.
Mum was a rebel, someone who defied the constraints of the era she was born into, someone who thought differently and made others think differently.
Mum, you were, are an amazing woman and being, an inspiration, and a Mum who made us all feel loved and valued It was a privilege to call you, “Mum”.
Rest in peace, Mum. Know that you were do loved.
With wry editor’s smile I remember one of Jill’s most favoured quotes, a credo for life,
“Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it serves me well.” This, a modern reinterpretation of the proverb, speaks volumes of the way Jill wove the rich and full tapestry of her life.
