LIGHTGRID - Lichtnetz - REDDELUZ
2024-03-29T10:39:09Z
natasha Richards
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Twelve Holy-Days/Nights of Christmas - and the 13th NIGHT culminating in Epiphany
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2015-12-28:4024228:Topic:472316
2015-12-28T21:18:09.440Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
<h1 class="art-postheader entry-title"><span class="date" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://grailproductions.com/twelve-holy-daysnights-of-christmas/" target="_blank">Twelve Holy-Days/Nights of Christmas</a></span></h1>
<h1 class="art-postheader entry-title"><span class="date" style="font-size: 13px;">Published</span><span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="entry-date updated" style="font-size: 13px;" title="3:19 am">December 26, 2015…</span></h1>
<h1 class="art-postheader entry-title"><span class="date" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://grailproductions.com/twelve-holy-daysnights-of-christmas/" target="_blank">Twelve Holy-Days/Nights of Christmas</a></span></h1>
<h1 class="art-postheader entry-title"><span class="date" style="font-size: 13px;">Published</span><span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="entry-date updated" title="3:19 am" style="font-size: 13px;">December 26, 2015</span></h1>
<div class="art-postcontent clearfix"><p><strong>With the popularity of the Christmas Eve talk at Unity of Sedona, we’re passing along this article on that topic</strong>–which focuses on co-creating what we will experience for the twelve months of this coming year by remaining in alignment with Spirit for the next twelve days.</p>
<p>Let’s begin by reviewing the fact that, as we approached the end of the year, <strong>we were asked (via the symbolism of the sequence of the Holidays) to honor, during Halloween, the people and things that have died or passed away, followed by giving thanks, during Thanksgiving, for all we gained in our lives and from the past year</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Once we’ve properly brought the best closure to the past, it’s time to prepare ourselves to birth our Inner Christ and to receive some new gifts from God that we can use as we move into a new year</strong>. The Christmas Holy-Day/Holiday is obviously followed by New Year’s, which is perfect, considering we’ve just thoroughly bid farewell to the past and given birth to a new self. We now can expect to see a new life, mirrored to us through the coming new year.</p>
<p>Shortly into the new year, the final Holy-Day of the season is that of Epiphany (which means “insight”)–lasting from January 6th (the day<em> after</em> the Twelfth Day of Christmas) to January 13th (eight days later). <strong>The Holiday of Epiphany commemorates the major insight or “Divine Revelation” experienced by the “Three (pagan) Wise Men” or “Magi” who were able to foretell (through the use of astrology) the birth of the Christ Child.</strong></p>
<p>The Holiday of Epiphany is unique in that it is traditionally referred to as an “Octave Holiday” or the “Octave of Epiphany.” An Octave Holiday is generally a Holiday that follows another Holiday specifically for the purpose of raising the vibrations of the earlier one to a whole new level–the way a musical <em>octave</em> takes the previous musical note to a whole new level/octave. This means that<strong> the Holiday of Epiphany is meant to take the vibrations of Christmas to an entirely new level</strong>.</p>
<p>In general, <strong>during the Fall and Winter seasons, life seems to fall into a slumber and mankind’s outer perception turns inward, away from the physical world</strong>–although most people are unaware of such spiritual subtleties. At this time, the soul is organically compelled to feel, navigate, and experience its own depths. To do otherwise, is to not be aligned with nature–which is one of the reasons for seasonal related illnesses–such as colds.</p>
<p>The oft-forgotten symbols of Christmas, such as the Christmas tree, are/were meant to remind us of the depth of this wonderful Holiday. The tree reminds us that life goes on–even during our darkest times. Also, the tree symbolizes us, as we are the Kabbalistic “tree of life.” The trunk represents our spine and the branches represents our nerves, as they grow off and away from the spine. The Christmas lights and the electrical current running through them symbolize our energy-systems and meridians as they follow the route of our nerves/branches. And the gifts under the tree symbolize the gifts of God that should be a part of our foundation. And <strong>the Christmas <em>present</em> that people so often long for is really meant to be the Christmas <em>Presence</em> of God, which should be of foremost importance on this sacred day</strong>.</p>
<p>Just as important as Christmas <em>Day</em>, however, are the “Twelve Holy Days & Nights of Christmas,” which begin on Christmas Day on December 25th and last through January 5th. <strong>On these Twelve Holy Days/Nights, we are given a chance (unsurpassed by any other days of the year) to step up and create a new life</strong>. It’s part of the magic of birthing a new self, combined with the timing of starting a new year. But the twelve Holy Days/Nights also have their own sort of magic or power. You see . . . Christian Mystics know how to combine the Holidays with cosmic or planetary symbolism and alignments to further attune themselves with zodiacal forces released upon the earth and into the consciousness of mankind. <strong>Mystics (past and present) know that each of the Twelve Holy Days/Nights of Christmas relate to one of the twelve Apostles and are under the direct influence of one of the twelve zodiacal Hierarchies</strong>–each projecting its cosmic ray through our planet and into our twelve energy centers.</p>
<p>The magic of this time-period dates back to a time, long before Christ. The ancient Ptolemaic calendar is based on a 365½ day orbit of the<em> Sun</em>. However, some early cultures followed the <em>Moon</em> phases as their yearly calendar. But the Moon calendar does not fit into the solar year. Instead, a lunar year is made up of twelve full-moon cycles, which are 354 days. This is twelve days shorter than our solar year–which is then a difference of twelve days between the two calendars.</p>
<p>Our Twelve Holy Days & Nights could be referred to as these “missing” days/nights. But during this time, the moon forces are absent on the Twelve Holy Days/Nights because the 12-cycle lunar year has ended, which means the forces of the sun are unopposed. So the sun is at its physical weakest but is cosmically at its strongest. During the lunar 354 days of the year, the sun simply shines down upon the earth and upon us to give us life–in the form of light and warmth. But<strong>during the unimpeded Twelve Holy Days/Nights, the spiritual energy of the Sun shines, not merely on the earth’s crust nor on our skin but instead shines into the heart of the Earth and into <em>our</em> hearts and souls.</strong></p>
<p><strong>The cosmic rays of the Sun call to the heart of the earth (and of mankind) to arise and awaken from our spiritual (and Winter) slumber</strong>. It’s as though it’s granting us twelve wishes–each related to one of the Holy Days/Nights and to one of the 12 zodiacal signs. And since each of these Twelve Days/Nights are a microcosm of the coming twelve months, <strong>whatever we focus on for these twelve days will determine the general theme of the next twelve months</strong>. Again, whatever we give birth to during the Twelve Holy Days/Nights will live on for the next twelve months.</p>
<p>During these Twelve Holy Days/Nights, it’s as though instead of the rays of the planets beaming their energy out toward our planet, it’s more accurate to say that<strong>there are rays streaming forth from <em>our</em> hearts and souls toward each star, planet and constellation–“placing an order” from each as to what we choose to experience from them for the next twelve months</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>PROPERLY INTEGRATING THE TWELVE HOLY NIGHTS:</strong></p>
<p><strong>If we choose to use the Twelve Holy Days & Nights of Christmas as a means of activating the highest level of initiation and awareness, then we have to move through each of the days with as much consciousness as possible</strong>. This means being consistent with our spiritual practices (prayer and meditation) and seeing to it that our internal and external environment is kept as clear and loving and balanced as possible. In other words, it means creating sacred space inside and out. Remember, these Twelve Holy Days & Nights are a microcosm of the macrocosmic twelve months that will follow. So <strong>whatever we experience in any of the Twelve Holy Days & Nights can expect to be met in a larger form in the corresponding next twelve months</strong>. And if you happen to start (or discover) this process later than on these days specified, you can still do your best to follow the guidelines and put your intention into the process, thus creating similar results.</p>
<p>The following is a historic and metaphysical perspective of each of the coming twelve days/months:</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 1</strong><br/> <strong>December 25th – Virgo</strong>: The Virgin constellation. This night commemorates the virgin birth of Jesus. This constellation is symbolized in the<a class="axgjnzset" href="http://grailproductions.com/twelve-holy-daysnights-of-christmas/#24933699" title="Click to Continue > by DNSUnlocker">BOOK<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png"/></a> of Revelation as a woman giving birth to the Sun. <strong>On this day/night, the soul must ask itself if it can be redeemed and forgiven despite all its imperfections. It must also find itself authentically humble and meek enough to be born in a stable/cave as an innocent child</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 2 </strong><br/> <strong>December 26th – Libra</strong>: This is St. Stephen’s Day. St. Stephen is believed by some to be the first Christian martyr who demonstrated great depths of faith and conviction. <strong>This Libran day/night is for learning to improve our ability to discern and make decisions with clarity and in alignment with our higher good</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 3 </strong><br/> <strong>December 27th – Scorpio</strong>: This sign is commonly represented by the eagle or phoenix. This day is also known as the Day of St. John, who wrote both the<em>Gospel of St. John</em> and the <em><a class="axgjnzset" href="http://grailproductions.com/twelve-holy-daysnights-of-christmas/#61757916" title="Click to Continue > by DNSUnlocker">BOOK<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png"/></a>of Revelation</em>. And of all the Apostles, he is known to have been the mystic Apostle. The Scorpio can see the deepest mysteries, partly because of its ability to soar higher than others and see everything with a “spiritual vision,” using its bird’s eye view. <strong>The Scorpion day/night is one of soul-searching to release any and all grievances–knowing that the spiritual heights cannot be reached while still holding the weight of unhealed wounds</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 4 </strong><br/> <strong>December 28th – Sagittarius</strong>: This is the day when Herod is thought to have murdered the innocent newborns in the region. The Sagittarian day/night asks us to focus our arrow (mind) on the grand plan, rather than on the temporary setbacks that usually call for “sacrifice.” Of course the ultimate lesson related to sacrifice is to learn that: 1) There really is no sacrifice if we understand that we never truly lose anything of value 2) That which is of no value cannot be called a “sacrifice.”</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 5 </strong><br/> <strong>December 29th – Capricorn</strong>: This day and sign are connected to the Prophet Nathan, who was connected to many prophecies related to the coming Christ. The ancients often referred to Capricorn as the “Gate of the Gods” because it was believed that if we were evolved enough to walk through this gate, we could achieve anything. <strong>This day/night is related to the need to cleanse ourselves and our addictions on as many levels as possible. In so doing, we might then walk into a new life</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 6 </strong><br/> <strong>December 30th – Aquarius</strong>: This sign is connected with King David, who was every bit the physical king that Jesus would be–spiritually. He was a great king and well symbolizes the “Aquarian man.” <strong>The Aquarian day/night calls us to discover how to be the perfect and balanced god/goddess–a blend of Jesus and David (or Mother Mary and Magdalene). We are also called to follow only the love of God, self, and others–as well as the greater good for all–as our guide</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 7 </strong><br/> <strong>December 31st – Pisces</strong>: This day is literally the end of the calendar year, as well as the end of the signs of the zodiac. So this is clearly about endings and the preparation for new beginnings. Religiously speaking, this is historically the “Day of St. Sylvestrus,” an early Pope of Constantine the Great, credited for<a class="axgjnzset" href="http://grailproductions.com/twelve-holy-daysnights-of-christmas/#57892605" title="Click to Continue > by DNSUnlocker">HELPING<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png"/></a> Christianity to get its start. <strong>The Piscean day/night calls us to move through the early, clumsy stages of our beliefs and into spiritual adulthood. This involves being courageous enough to speak up against that which we find to be harmful</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 8</strong><br/> <strong>January 1st – Aries</strong>: This is New Year’s Day and the day of new beginnings–especially with Aries being the first sign of the zodiac. This is also the day when Jesus was baptized and circumcised, as well as the day when his name was announced. <strong>The Aries day/night calls us to prepare for new beginnings but to do so in a form that is Guided by God–rather than jumping in “head first” on our own accord</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 9</strong><br/> <strong>January 2nd – Taurus</strong>: The next three nights represent the “Three Wise Men.” The Taurian constellation represents Melchior, the king who brought a gift of gold-honoring Jesus as a king. But, the Holy Night of Taurus also represents our ability to manifest gold out of thin air. Therefore, <strong>the Taurian day/night calls us to release our attachments to material things, as well as letting go of our limiting beliefs that abundance comes from material means, rather than from God. We now are to learn to trust God to supply our daily bread and an abundance of miracles</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 10</strong><br/> <strong>January 3rd – Gemini</strong>: The next of the three wise men is Caspar, who brought the baby Jesus a gift of Frankincense–honoring him as a priest. But Frankincense also symbolizes duality, in that it liquefies into a molten–like resin and yet its essence rises to the heavens as smoke. The gift of Frankincense was acknowledging Jesus’ ability to make a difference in the material, while also open the doorway to the highest Heaven. <strong>The day/night of Gemini calls us to heal and release all forms of duality–particularly the dualities that most appear in our own lives–including the dualities that separate us from God, Self, and Others.</strong></p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 11</strong><br/> <strong>January 4th – Cancer</strong>: The last of the three wise men is Balthazar, who brought myrrh–foretelling of death/crucifixion of Jesus–as myrrh is used to anoint the dead. Myrrh is considered valuable, yet bitter. <strong>The Cancerian day/night asks us to get our priorities straight by recognizing that God (and our spiritual life) must be of primary importance–even more so than our families (as Cancerians tend to love family above all else-almost obsessively). And so we are asked to face the bitter truth that some people will not appreciate our commitment to Spirit and that “Those who do the will of God are my family.”</strong></p>
<p><strong>HOLY DAY/NIGHT 12</strong><br/> <strong>January 5th – Leo</strong>: This day is also known traditionally as Simeon’s Day. He is the man who, when Jesus was brought to the Temple, cried out, “All is fulfilled. Now I behold the One Who is the Bearer of the Sun.” This day symbolizes the constellation of Leo the lion and the king/queen of the universe. <strong>This day/night calls us to recognize that the “last shall be first and the first shall be last”–meaning that we are only a great king/queen as much as we are able to surrender to God as our crown or glory. Remember . . . God is our source of all good!</strong></p>
<p><strong>SUMMARY:</strong><br/> To align ourselves with the Twelve Holy Days and Nights of Christmas is to align ourselves with the vibrations of the highest Holiday, as well as aligning with the planetary and cosmic forces of the universe. To best accomplish this <strong>during the Twelve Holy Days/Nights, it’s wise to live these Days/Nights with as much conscious intention as possible</strong>, as well as maintaining as much internal and external equilibrium as possible. Also, <strong>it’s advisable to keep a journal to note the ups and downs so you can prepare for their manifestation in the coming twelve months and to make necessary corrections.</strong></p>
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<p><strong>SOURCE: <a href="http://grailproductions.com/twelve-holy-daysnights-of-christmas/">http://grailproductions.com/twelve-holy-daysnights-of-christmas/</a></strong></p>
</div>
Lion's Gate and 8 : 8
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2015-06-27:4024228:Topic:441260
2015-06-27T18:19:40.999Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
<p>The following are EXCERPTS from various pages with due links to the entire posts and information in order to shine some light on the 8 : 8 quality, a recurring theme every 8th of August:</p>
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<p>First of all, Eileen's picture:</p>
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<p><a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/photo/lion-gate-in-oils" target="_self"><img class="align-full" height="540" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655691242?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="720"></img></a></p>
<p>Click on the image to be brought to the original post</p>
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<p>Next: a link to Amoran's post last year, 2104:…</p>
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<p>The following are EXCERPTS from various pages with due links to the entire posts and information in order to shine some light on the 8 : 8 quality, a recurring theme every 8th of August:</p>
<p></p>
<p>First of all, Eileen's picture:</p>
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<p><a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/photo/lion-gate-in-oils" target="_self"><img width="720" height="540" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655691242?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Click on the image to be brought to the original post</p>
<p></p>
<p>Next: a link to Amoran's post last year, 2104:</p>
<p><a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/group/cosmic-consciousness/forum/topics/gaia-s-gift-for-8-8-the-cosmic-node?commentId=4024228%3AComment%3A385496&groupId=4024228%3AGroup%3A356314" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655680435?profile=original" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>Click on the image. You will find a link in this post to Amoran' perceptions of the number 8 - infinity - and how it relates to the Creator's Chariot.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And here an introduction:</p>
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<p><img src="http://www.laurapieratt.com/home_wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/wpid-solar-radiation-1-2013-08-5-12-39.jpg" alt="wpid-solar-radiation-1-2013-08-5-12-39.jpg" width="341" height="222"/></p>
<p><span>The Lion’s Gate Portal is a stargate that opens each year from July 26th to August 12th. This powerful portal of light code transmissions reaches its peak on 8/8. Please take some time during this powerful activating portal–and especially on 8/8–to sit in stillness, breathe deeply and meditate on the The Light behind the light, the Radiance of the Pure Light of the Source of All That Is.</span></p>
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<p><span>...</span></p>
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<p><span><span>I’m asking about the purpose of the Lion’s Gate portal on 8/8 and receiving information about it being about a frequency that fosters and enables more radiance and harmonization. </span><strong>So there is light and there is Light. It is about being able to access and utilize the Light behind the light, the Light of the Great Central Sun, the Light that truly inspires us to awaken, to remember who we are, to be that which we are–which is the Light that is beyond the light, the knowing of The Presence of the divine of which we are. So it’s about peering through the surface and the layers that we have become enamored with and blinded by to allow a greater radiance, a truer light, to filter through that which we thought was all there is.</strong></span></p>
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<p><span>...</span></p>
<p><span><strong>So focus in your meditation on the Radiance, NOT on some problem, agenda or other purpose. Simply be in stillness, with slow deep breathing, with your attention on Radiance–The RADIANCE of the Solar Sun, the Sun behind the sun, the true Light, while KNOWING that is what you are.<br/></strong></span></p>
<p><span>...</span></p>
<p><span>To access the ENTIRE message, please click: <a href="http://www.laurapieratt.com/lions-gate-88-portal-channeled-message-and-language-of-light-support/" target="_blank">http://www.laurapieratt.com/lions-gate-88-portal-channeled-message-...</a></span></p>
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<p><span>Now, THIS year, 2015, is a TRIPLE 8 year:</span></p>
<h1><strong><em>The Month .. is an 8</em></strong></h1>
<h1><strong><em>The Day.. is an 8</em></strong></h1>
<h1><strong><em>The Year.. is an 8</em></strong></h1>
<p>Core 8 means.. Manifesting</p>
<p>Master 88 means.. Master of Manifestation Creation.. Empowered..</p>
<p>Trinity 888 means.. Trinity Master of Manifestation with Triple Power with the Force of Benevolent Higher Power, Merged within you.. the Holy Spirit, Angels.. Higher Dimensional Heavenly energy working with you!!!!</p>
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<p>And here is the link to dear MamaFoo's blog which made me create this one here :-)</p>
<p><a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=4024228%3ABlogPost%3A440879">http://lightgrid.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=4024228%3ABlogPost%3A440879</a></p>
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<p>One more interesting aspect, channeled by Gillian MacBeth-Louthan:</p>
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<p><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2044660116?profile=original"/></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><font color="#800000">August 8 ( 8:8) has always been experienced as the Lions Gate doorway opening up a time portal to ancient Egyptian encodings that are precariously balanced between the sphinx and the great pyramid of Giza. This center point of decision commands undivided attention and energy.</font></font></p>
<div><font face="Arial">These time coded records are held within a crystalline code in the form of a tetrahedron (3 sided pyramid) which exists within the codex and codon of each strand of DNA, within each cell of the body, as well as each cell in the Universe.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial">In Records of Remembrance are hidden deep within the earth physically. The Mother Matrix of these encodings lives within the great Pyramid of Egypt and the Sphinx. When the ancient skies were aligned in a stellar configuration that opened a doorway the sacred sites with these encodings would then be used to download to earth and humans new levels of truth and wisdom.</font></div>
<p><a href="http://silverdovenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/88-lions-gate">http://silverdovenetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/88-lions-gate</a></p>
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<p>Wishing you all a most BLESSED Lion's Gate ahead, </p>
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<p>Myriel RAouine</p>
Gemini ~ The Festival of Humanity
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2015-06-06:4024228:Topic:435111
2015-06-06T00:22:26.984Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
<p></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-6">Gemini ~ The Festival of Humanity</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-6"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655690858?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655690858?profile=original" width="500"></img></a></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5">Please join me in celebrating the energy of Gemini.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5">The first three full moons of the astrological year are known…</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-6">Gemini ~ The Festival of Humanity</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-6"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655690858?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655690858?profile=original" width="500" class="align-center"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5">Please join me in celebrating the energy of Gemini.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5">The first three full moons of the astrological year are known as “Three Linked Festivals” by many meditation groups. Aries is the first, which brings a fresh impetus of energy and ideas. This annual gift-wave pours into the mental plane in Aries, into the upheld chalice of humanity’s spiritual desire in Taurus, and into the etheric body of humanity in Gemini. There it is contained and assimilated so that in Cancer the new energy may find proper forms in planned service to the common good.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5">Gemini, the constellation of the twins, stimulates relationships. Legend tells us that our two Great Brothers, The Christ and The Buddha, channel it for us at this time when the sun is in Gemini and the moon is full. This year the full moon occurs shortly after our Lightgrid connection, providing a perfect time to invoke and direct this “Christ Light” into human relationships. </span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>The influence of the full moon spreads over a three day period. The dates and exact times for the full moon when the energy is at its peak are as follows:</i></b></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>Please Note: The first time given below is Pacific Standard Time. The second time is GMT time. Where Day Light time is in effect please add one hour to the times shown.</i></b></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i> </i></b></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>June 2, 2015 @ 8:20 AM PST, </i></b></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>June 2, 2015 @ 4:20 PM GMT</i></b></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>If you are living in another part of the world, please use the world time clock to find your time:</i></b></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><i><a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html">http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html</a></i></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>Gemini:</i></b></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>Ray II</i></b></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>Exoteric Ruler, Mercury (Ray IV)</i></b></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>Esoteric Ruler, Venus (Ray V)</i></b></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i>Hierarchical Ruler, Earth (Ray III)</i></b></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><b><i> </i></b></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5">May the CHRIST LIGHT be present in EVERY HUMAN RELATIONSHIP ON EARTH, - between EVERY brotherly/sisterly alliance: between nations, between races, between religions, between groups, between friends and family members. Let us direct the CHRIST LIGHT into the etheric body of humanity!</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655691265?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655691265?profile=original" width="414" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-5">The energy of Gemini is with us for most of the month of June, until June 21st, when the Earth passes through the constellation of Cancer. The full moon is a highpoint when its energy is augmented by a more precise alignment. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-5">With Love,</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-5">Ishema</span></p>
Gaia the Great!
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2014-07-08:4024228:Topic:381342
2014-07-08T17:46:19.080Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
<p>Gaia the Great!<br></br> by Owen K Waters<br></br><br></br> You may wonder why human consciousness suddenly started to rise in frequency in the 1960's. People started to question the old ways of corruption and conflict and many began searching for spiritual answers in the teachings of the East. The actual start date of this renaissance in human consciousness was July 8th, 1964.<br></br><br></br> On that day in 1964, the Mother Earth was imbued with an enormous amount of cosmic energy. Now, because she has…</p>
<p>Gaia the Great!<br/> by Owen K Waters<br/><br/> You may wonder why human consciousness suddenly started to rise in frequency in the 1960's. People started to question the old ways of corruption and conflict and many began searching for spiritual answers in the teachings of the East. The actual start date of this renaissance in human consciousness was July 8th, 1964.<br/><br/> On that day in 1964, the Mother Earth was imbued with an enormous amount of cosmic energy. Now, because she has billions of human beings under her care and protection, she chose to store this cosmic energy within her body and then release it gradually over an extended period of time so that we could adapt to it. For the sake of humanity, she metered out this uplifting cosmic energy in a way that enabled us to adapt to higher frequencies in a balanced fashion. She could see that we needed to be able to upgrade our consciousness in preparation for the new, positive cycles that would begin to unfold after 2012.<br/><br/> Gaia, the Mother Earth, is a highly advanced soul based in seventh density existence. She maintains bodies as spheres of consciousness in fifth and sixth density as well as physical bodies in fourth density and our third density realm. At our physical level, her body seems tiny in the vast blackness of space and yet, at her soul level, the picture is very different. Gone is the blackness of space. There, she is a shining jewel within the solid body of light that fills our solar system.<br/><br/> Long ago, when mankind needed a home in space, Gaia offered to hold back her spiritual light so that our human race could exist comfortably upon her back at their own level of consciousness.<br/><br/> July the 8th is the ideal day to remember the greatness and compassion of this goddess of light, and to express our deep-felt gratitude for the home that she selflessly provides us.<br/><br/> On that day, have your calendar set for some quality time: Go within, connect with the spiritual soul of Gaia and send her your love, light, and gratitude.<br/><br/> Breathe in universal life energy with each inbreath. On each outbreath, send your love, light, and gratitude as a beam of white light from your heart into the heart of the Mother Earth.<br/><br/> Take the time to make the connection well and you will be surprised at the quality of uplifting energy that comes back to you from the Mother Earth.<br/>Gefällt mir nicht mehrGefällt mir nicht mehr · · Teilen</p>
<p></p>
<p>It Was 50 Years Ago Today <br/> by Owen K Waters <br/> <br/> Fifty years ago today, on July 8th, 1964, the Primary Initiation of the Mother Earth took place. <br/> <br/> Lords of Karma managed the enormous amount of energy that was transferred into her very being on this monumental and momentous occasion. <br/> <br/> The energy that She received is more than sufficient to transform her physical structure from a third-density to a fourth-density existence. It is also sufficient for Her to release it in slow stages so that humanity can adapt to the ever-increasing frequency of physical existence. <br/> <br/> Today, many people talk about The Shift because of the enormous changes that have occurred in human consciousness since that day in 1964. There are still more changes and more preparation that will be needed before humanity is ready for the primary transformation into physical fourth-density existence. <br/> <br/> Some people claim that we are already in fourth density (or the fourth 'dimension') and, at a conscious level, many of us are. However, the planet and our physical bodies are still physically located in the frequency band of third-density existence. <br/> <br/> When the physical shift to fourth density occurs, it will be obvious to everyone because... <br/> <br/> 1. There will be more stars visible in the night sky. Many stars exist in fourth, but not third, density, so more stars will be visible. <br/> <br/> 2. The speed of light will increase. The fabric of space is less dense in fourth-density existence, therefore the speed of light will increase as there is less resistance to its rate of travel. <br/> <br/> After the physical shift to 4D, most people on the planet will likely be surprised that there is more than one level of existence in the universe. Those who understand these things can bring calm to the surprise experienced by the majority. <br/> <br/> When will the physical shift to 4D happen? The Biblical prophecy still holds true - that no one will know the time or date of the change. <br/> <br/> What we do know is that the facets of the Creator's consciousness known as the Supreme Lords of Karma, who maintain Creation from a tenth-density existence, have a very definite plan to bring us all into the New Reality in a smooth and graceful way. The Primary Initiation of the Mother Earth on July 8th, 1964 is one such example of their wisdom and compassion for all life. <br/> <br/> Today, the 50th anniversary of this momentous event, is a wonderful time to go into the silence and give thanks to the Mother Earth for her tireless efforts to help humanity step forward into the next level of experience in the beautiful New Reality of fourth-density existence.</p>
Eve of Saint John's Day- June 23 / 24
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2012-06-22:4024228:Topic:219644
2012-06-22T21:25:46.347Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
<p><img alt="Saint John's Eve" border="0" src="http://www.vilaweb.com/media/imatges/diariescola/imatges/2003/06/stjoan/stjoan_portada.gif"></img></p>
<div class="quadre_llistatcomentarisprincipal"><p><span class="taronja">> </span>Symbolic Elements</p>
<p><span class="taronja">> </span>A Night Full of Magic</p>
<p><span class="taronja">> </span>Other Traditions</p>
</div>
<p></p>
<table align="right" width="135">
<tbody><tr><td><img border="0" src="http://www.vilaweb.com/media/imatges/diariescola/imatges/2003/06/stjoan/stjoan_portada_petit.gif"></img></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="datanoticia"></div>
<div class="textnoticia">The night of June 23rd [in Austria it is the 24th], or …</div>
<p><img border="0" src="http://www.vilaweb.com/media/imatges/diariescola/imatges/2003/06/stjoan/stjoan_portada.gif" alt="Saint John's Eve"/></p>
<div class="quadre_llistatcomentarisprincipal"><p><span class="taronja">> </span>Symbolic Elements</p>
<p><span class="taronja">> </span>A Night Full of Magic</p>
<p><span class="taronja">> </span>Other Traditions</p>
</div>
<p></p>
<table width="135" align="right">
<tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.vilaweb.com/media/imatges/diariescola/imatges/2003/06/stjoan/stjoan_portada_petit.gif" border="0"/></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="datanoticia"></div>
<div class="textnoticia">The night of June 23rd [in Austria it is the 24th], or <a href="http://www.vilaweb.com/especials/santjoan2003/" target="_parent">Sant Joan</a> as it is known in our country [Catalu~na - Spain], is a huge celebration, without a doubt one of the most traditional and popular among the holidays celebrated there. Since ancient times, just at the arrival of the <a href="http://www.edu365.com/eduradio/pla/pla24.ram" target="_parent">summer solstice</a> on the evening of June 21st, people have welcomed in the warmer weather with celebrations of fire, the ritual flames consuming all as a sign of rebirth and renewed life. <br/><br/>The <a href="http://cat.lleida.com/especials/santjoan/origens.html" target="_parent">origins</a> of the celebration are indeed ancient; however they are also equally mysterious. There are some who believe it goes back to the <a href="http://www.xtec.es/aulanet/viatge/credit4/01/repro41d.htm#4neol0" target="_parent">Neolithic Age</a>, when pagan celebrations were held to give strength to the sun god and thank him for the year's harvest. One important aspect of the summer solstice is that it marks the longest day of the year and is therefore followed by the shortest night, so from that moment forward, the daylight hours begin to wane. <br/><br/>Over time, this so-called pagan tradition became christianized by the Church of Rome, who had it coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Saint John the Baptist. This adaptation to Christian ritual occurred in the 5th century of the Christian era. <br/><br/>Although varying in specific regional traditions, the celebration has remained constant to the verve and popularity for which it became known, bringing together communities and groups of families and friends to participate in the annual holiday. For centuries now, places near and far all over the <a href="http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/europe/europe_ref02.jpg" target="_parent">European continent</a> have glowed luminously with fire, one of the most essential, yet one of many equally important elements associated with this celebration. <br/><br/>As it happens, it is in <a href="http://www.xtec.es/~ealtimir/stjoanca.htm" target="_parent">our country</a> where the evening celebrations of Saint John have remained true with the passing centuries, being celebrated with particular intensity in its towns and cities. Traditions such as <a href="http://www.firesifestes.com/Fires/F-Falles-Isil.htm" target="_parent">Les Falles d'Isil</a> in the <a href="http://www.pirineus.org/" target="_parent">Catalan Pyrenees</a>, <a href="http://www.firesifestes.com/Fires/F-Haro-Les.htm" target="_parent">La Crema deth Haro</a> in the <a href="http://nosaltres.vilaweb.com/jvilaweb/GetHTTP?p=810&f=1&pa=p_idcmp&va=707728">Vall d'Aran</a>, the unique celebrations held in<a href="http://www.ciutadella.org/santjoan/" target="_parent">Ciutadella</a> and the <a href="http://www.alicante-ayto.es/fiestas/hogueras2003/hogueras03.html" target="_parent">Fogueres in Alacant</a>, all intensified with the arrival of the <a href="http://www.geocities.com/flamacanigo/iglesis" target="_parent">flame from El Canigó</a>, symbolizing the united cultural identity of Catalan-speaking lands. </div>
<ul class="llistadescola colorvermell">
<li><strong>!</strong> Actualització <span>el 24/06/2003 a les 13:14</span></li>
</ul>
<ul class="llistadescola colorvermell">
<li><a href="http://www.vilaweb.com/ep/20030624131423.html">La Generalitat de Catalunya mantindrà el Pla Infocat d'incendis durant tot el dia de Sant Joan</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.vilaweb.com/ep/20030624104528.html">Els Bombers de de la Generalitat de Catalunya realitzen 964 actuacions durant la revetlla de Sant Joan amb només tres ferits</a></li>
</ul>
<ul class="llistadescola colorvermell">
<li><strong>+</strong> Especial VilaWeb: <a href="http://www.vilaweb.com/especials/santjoan2003">Sant Joan 2003</a></li>
<li><strong>+</strong> Secció de Nosaltres.Com: <a href="http://nosaltres.vilaweb.com/info/vilaweb/vilaweb.fer_directori?p_idint=284913&p_local=&p_tipus_sec=D&p_tipus_fit=F" target="_parent">Sant Joan</a></li>
</ul>
<div id="menunotis"><span class="mes"><a title="Versió per imprimir" class="text" href="http://www.vilaweb.cat/www/diariescola/noticia?id=711338"><img src="http://www.vilaweb.cat/media/imatges/versio_imprimir.gif" alt="Versió per imprimir" align="middle" border="0"/></a></span><span class="mes"><a title="Enviar a un amic" href="http://www.vilaweb.cat/www/enviar?tosend=http://www.vilaweb.cat/www/diariescola/noticia?id=711338&idcmp=711338" class="text"><img src="http://www.vilaweb.cat/media/imatges/enviar_copia.gif" alt="Enviar a un amic" align="middle" border="0"/></a></span></div>
<div class="boxlatyeral withoutspace fonscentral"><h3 class="barracolor">SYMBOLIC ELEMENTS</h3>
<div class="quadrecolor"><div><img src="http://www.vilaweb.com/media/imatges/diariescola/imatges/2003/06/stjoan/festa_petit.gif" border="0"/><br/><div><span class="pisquis">+ </span>Fire is the most fundamental element associated with the Saint John's Eve celebration.</div>
</div>
<div><a href="http://www.santjoan.org/interior/simbologia/article.asp?id=17467" target="_parent">Fire</a> is the most fundamental <a href="http://cat.lleida.com/especials/santjoan/elements.html" target="_parent">element</a> associated with the Saint John's Eve celebration, as since ancient times it has symbolized renewal and the giving of thanks for bountiful harvests. However it isn't the only symbolic element, as there are many more. One other element is <a href="http://www.santjoan.org/interior/simbologia/article.asp?id=17469" target="_parent">water</a>: a magic and purifying element which is inevitably linked to the Christianization of the celebration. Saint John, according to Christian tradition, was the hermit who baptized <a href="http://nosaltres.vilaweb.com/jvilaweb/GetHTTP?p=810&f=1&pa=p_idcmp&va=677567">Jesus</a> in the waters of the Jordan river. You will find as you read ahead that the magical properties that have been popularly attributed to water on Saint John's Day are endless, which is in sharp contrast to the Catholic Church strictly forbidding contact with water or even washing oneself on Saint John's Day. Lastly, one other important element worth mentioning belongs to the<a href="http://www.santjoan.org/interior/simbologia/article.asp?id=17470" target="_parent">plant kingdom</a>: the group of plants known in our country as 'Saint John's herbs', which include Saint John's Wort, Carline thistle, vervain, lavender, thyme…all these plants are in full flower at this time of year, and are known for their healing properties, particularly during the celebrations held on Saint John's Eve.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="boxlatyeral withoutspace fonscentral"><h3 class="barracolor">A NIGHT FULL OF MAGIC</h3>
<div class="quadrecolor"><div><a href="http://www.vilaweb.cat/www/diariescola/noticia?id=711338"><img src="http://www.vilaweb.com/media/imatges/diariescola/imatges/2003/06/stjoan/berbena_petit.gif" border="0"/></a><br/><div><span class="pisquis">+ </span>The word 'verbena' comes from the Catalan name for the vervain plant.</div>
</div>
<div>As we previously mentioned, in our country, Saint John's Eve is one of, if not the most <a href="http://www.arrakis.es/~pepriera/magica-sortilegios.htm" target="_parent">magical</a> of all nights. A myriad of <a href="http://cat.lleida.com/especials/santjoan/rituals.html" target="_parent">rituals</a> associated with fire and water have been passed down over the ages that still exist today. There are traditions such as leaping over the bonfires to free oneself from sicknesses and bad omens; or the healing properties associated with the morning dew and a wide variety of summer herbs and plants that cause warts, herpes and skin diseases to disappear, while at the same time bringing good luck and fortune. Besides, according to the tradition, Saint John's Eve is the night when the wishes of those in love are brought into being by way of ancient spells and incantations. Also a number of rituals to enhance fertility abound on this day. And to top things off, witches gather and plot a myriad of twisted events, as well as share rituals using magic potions known only unto them. As you can see, there is no lack of magical elements associated with Saint John's Eve.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="boxlatyeral withoutspace fonscentral"><h3 class="barracolor">OTHER TRADITIONS</h3>
<div class="quadrecolor"><div><img src="http://www.vilaweb.com/media/imatges/diariescola/imatges/2003/06/stjoan/coca_petit.gif" border="0"/><br/><div><span class="pisquis">+ </span>'Coca de Sant Joan' is eaten on Saint John's Eve.</div>
</div>
<div>Saint John's Eve and the following day of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist are full of ancient traditions, some of which we have already mentioned. Obviously the celebration held on the night before the Saint's Day, also known as the 'verbena' is the most popular. People build and burn<a href="http://www.osona.ca/foto/anell.htm" target="_parent">bonfires</a>, light firecrackers right and left and make use of all sorts of fireworks, while also decoration their balconies, squares and are out on the town until the wee hours of the morning. One other tradition that finds its origin in ancient times are the '<a href="http://www.santjoan.org/interior/simbologia/article.asp?id=17471" target="_parent">ordalies</a>', or a sort of trial by ordeal, consisting of a ritual closely linked to the young unmarried women living in rural areas. In order to predict the identity of their future husband, they follow such rituals as breaking an egg into a container full of water. The young women use the shape taken by the egg white to sense what tools their future husband will use to work the land. As regards gastronomy,<a href="http://www.santjoan.org/receptes.htm" target="_parent">traditional foods</a> eaten on this day were ring-shaped cakes made using eggs, gradually popularized into the tasty fruit and suit '<a href="http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/2216/Cuina_Catalana/cocajoan.htm" target="_parent">coca</a>' pastries eaten today. There are even cocas filled with creams and 'cabell d'àngel' (a sweet pumpkin filling). Common beverages include 'vi ranci', literally 'rancid' wine, as well as sweet wines, popularized by the Catalan cava consumed today.</div>
</div>
</div>
Yule - Winter Solstice
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2011-12-02:4024228:Topic:162481
2011-12-02T12:09:57.965Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="auto-style2">A very simple solitary ritual by Kate West, found in The Real Witch's Handbook.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="auto-style2">The main themes of this festival are the rebirth of the Sun, the start of the days of increasing light and the rise of the Oak King.</p>
<p class="auto-style2"><b>The simplest way to celebrate Yule is to rise before dawn to greet the rising Sun. Many diaries and almanacs will give the time of the rising and…</b></p>
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<p class="auto-style2">A very simple solitary ritual by Kate West, found in The Real Witch's Handbook.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="auto-style2">The main themes of this festival are the rebirth of the Sun, the start of the days of increasing light and the rise of the Oak King.</p>
<p class="auto-style2"><b>The simplest way to celebrate Yule is to rise before dawn to greet the rising Sun. Many diaries and almanacs will give the time of the rising and setting of the Sun, and for that matter, the Moon. If you live near the sea, tide-tables will perform the same function. If it is possible, go out, preferably to a high place, to watch the Sun rise. Alternatively, choose a window facing the direction of Sunrise. As before, call upon the elements, the Goddess and God to be with you. As the Sun rises above the horizon, give thanks for the return of the light and warmth that it brings.</b></p>
<p class="auto-style2"><b>This is the very beginning of the return of new life to the land, the spark of light which brings promise with it. As a time beginnings it is also a time to reflect upon any new starts you may wish to make and perhaps dedicate them to the returning Sun. If you are outside, look around you for a stone, pebble or twig – you are sure to see something which catches your eye – and take this as a reminder of the promise you have decided to make.</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/angelline/yule_rituals.htm">http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/angelline/yule_rituals.htm</a></p>
<div class="content"><div class="col-right"><strong><span class="font-size-4"> </span></strong></div>
</div>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-4">The Celebration of Yule,</span></strong> <br/><strong><span class="font-size-4">Winter Solstice and Christmas</span></strong></p>
<p>The true Yule celebration does not involve Jesus, a manger or angels. Those traditions were <br/>added many years later. The original Yule celebrations involve much more ancient rituals and beliefs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Other names for this festival are: Winter Solstice, Alban Arthan, Finn's Day, Festival <br/>of Sol, Yuletide, Great Day of the Cauldron, and Festival of Growth.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As we learned in our previous study of Samhain, ancient peoples celebrated the time between <br/>Samhain (October 31) and Imbolc (February 1) as the winter quarter, seed-time of the year. <br/>While at Samhain the aging God died, at Yule he was reborn through the Goddess each year. <br/>Incidentally, this is where Christians got the idea that God came down and was born on earth <br/>at Christmas and that Mary was the "Mother of God"....you see, almost all Christian traditions <br/>are rooted in the rituals and traditions of more ancient cultures.</p>
<p>On the Winter Solstice, the darkest of nights, the Goddess becomes the Great Mother and <br/>gives birth to the new Sun-king or the Son of God, or whatever you choose to call him. And on <br/>this dark night, there springs a new spark of hope, The Sacred Fire, the Light of the World, the <br/>Coel Coeth. To read about the cult of Mithras as the origin of Christianity, Click Here.</p>
<p>On the eve of the Winter Solstice, normally around December 21, the Yule log is the center of <br/>celebration. All light and power is extinguished just before midnight. We meditate together <br/>with each other about the meaning and great gifts of the dark to nourish our dreaming, heal our <br/>fatigue, etc. Then we each make light again. Then the Yule log is brought inside, lighted on the <br/>first try with spliters saved from the previous year's log, and must continue burning for twelve <br/>hours for good luck. It should be made of ash.</p>
<p>Later, the Yule log was replace by the Yule tree, but instead of burning it, candles were lit on it. <br/>The evergreen, holly and mistletoe all symbolized fertility and everlasting life. Winter, honours the <br/>body sacredness, wisdom, strength, and the capacity to survive and renew/ rebirth. <br/>It is where we remember to respect and honour the gift of life itself, especially in its material <br/>blessings, and simple happinesses.</p>
<p>After the Christian takeover of the Yule traditions. the master of the house would place the <br/>Yule log on the hearth, sprinkle the trunk with salt, oil and mulled wine, and make the <br/>appropriate prayers. Sometimes young girls would have the privilege of lighting the log <br/>with the splinters from previous years, sometimes the mother of the house had that <br/>privilege. It was said that the cinders of the log would protect the house from lightening <br/>and the malevolent powers of the devil.</p>
<p>In pre-historic times, winter was a very difficult time for Aboriginal people in the <br/>northern latitudes. The growing season had ended and the tribe had to live off of <br/>stored food and whatever animals they could catch. The people would be troubled <br/>as the life-giving sun sank lower in the sky each noon. They feared that it would <br/>eventually disappear and leave them in permanent darkness and extreme cold. <br/>After the winter solstice, they would have reason to celebrate as they saw the sun <br/>rising and strengthening once more.</p>
<p>There have been many and varied rituals and celebrations formed over the centuries <br/>in connection with these times of year. I encourage you to either use these, or form <br/>your own traditions which are meaningful to you. There is no one tradition that is more <br/>holy, righteous, or "correct" than others. Rituals are designed to pass on from one <br/>generation to the next the values and beliefs that are important to you. As such, you <br/>are entitled to celebrate that which brings you joy, happiness, and communicates a <br/>sense of hope and connection to the next generation.</p>
<p>The word Yule comes from the Germanic "yula" meaning "wheel", the wheel of <br/>life, represented by the changing seasons and the cycle of light and darkness, <br/>death and birth. It is a time of celebration that, though we have reached the <br/>lowest, darkest time, things are looking up, starting over. It is a time of great <br/>hope and joy, no matter what your personal spiritual beliefs are.</p>
<p>Yule incense and oils appropriate to this time of year: rosemary, myrrh, nutmeg, saffron, <br/>cedar/pine, wintergreen, ginger, bayberry.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.unhinderedliving.com/yule.html">http://www.unhinderedliving.com/yule.html</a></p>
<h3>Overview:</h3>
<p>Religious folk worldwide observe many seasonal days of celebration during the month of December. Most are religious holy days, and are linked in some way to the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. On that day, <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_conflict5.htm">due to the earth's tilt on its axis</a>, the daytime hours are at a minimum in the Northern hemisphere, and night time is at a maximum. (In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice is celebrated in December, when the night time is at a minimum and the daytime is at a maximum. We will assume that the reader lives in the Northern hemisphere for the rest of this essay.)</p>
<p>People <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_othe.htm">view other religions</a> in various ways, and thus treat the celebrations of other faiths differently:</p>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">Some people value the range of December celebrations, because it is evidence of diversity of belief within our common humanity. They respect both their own religious traditions and those of other faiths for their ability to inspire people to lead more ethical lives. Religious diversity is to them a positive influence.<br/> </td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">Others reject the importance of all celebrations other than the holy day recognized by their own religion. Some even reject their religion's holy days which are seen to have Pagan origins (e.g. Easter and Christmas).<br/> </td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">Some view other religions as being inspired by Satan. Thus the solstice celebrations of other religions are rejected because they are seen to be Satanic in origin.</td>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topruled.gif" width="600" height="10"/></p>
<h3>Origins of solstice celebration</h3>
<p>The seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5© tilt of the earth's axis. Because the earth is rotating like a top or gyroscope, it points in a fixed direction continuously -- towards a point in space near the North Star. But the earth is also revolving around the sun. During half of the year, the southern hemisphere is more exposed to the sun than is the northern hemisphere. During the rest of the year, the reverse is true. At noontime in the Northern Hemisphere the sun appears high in the sky during summertime and low in the sky during winter. The time of the year when the sun reaches its maximum elevation occurs on the day with the greatest number of daylight hours. This is called the <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/summer_solstice.htm">summer solstice,</a> and is typically on JUN-21 in the Northern Hemisphere -- the first day of summer. "<i>Solstice</i>" is derived from two Latin words: "<i>sol</i>" meaning sun, and "<i>sistere,</i>" to cause to stand still. The lowest elevation occurs about DEC-21 and is the winter solstice -- the first day of winter, when the night time hours are maximum.</p>
<p>In pre-historic times, winter was a very difficult time for Aboriginal people in the northern latitudes. The growing season had ended and the tribe had to live off of stored food and whatever animals they could catch. The people would be troubled as the life-giving sun sank lower in the sky each noon. They feared that it would eventually disappear and leave them in permanent darkness and extreme cold. After the winter solstice, they would have reason to celebrate as they saw the sun rising and strengthening once more. Although many months of cold weather remained before spring, they took heart that the return of the warm season was inevitable. The concept of birth and or death/rebirth became associated with the winter solstice. The Aboriginal people had no elaborate instruments to detect the solstice. But they were able to notice a slight elevation of the sun's path within a few days after the solstice -- perhaps by DEC-25. Celebrations were often timed for about the 25th. </p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topruled.gif" width="600" height="10"/></p>
<h3>December celebrations in many faiths and locations - ancient and modern</h3>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>ANCIENT BRAZIL:</b> Brazilian archeologists have found an assembly of 127 granite blocks arranged equidistant from each other. They apparently form an ancient astronomical observatory. One of the stones marked the position of the sun at the time of the winter solstice and were probably used in religious rituals. <sub><font face="Trebuchet MS"><b>20<br/> </b></font></sub></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>ANCIENT EGYPT:</b> The <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcpa.htm">god-man/savior Osiris</a> died and was entombed on DEC-21. "<i>At midnight, the priests emerged from an inner shrine crying 'The Virgin has brought forth! The light is waxing" and showing the image of a baby to the worshipers.</i>" <b><sub>1<br/> </sub></b></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>ANCIENT GREECE:</b> The winter solstice ritual was called <i>Lenaea</i>, the <i>Festival of the Wild Women</i>. In very ancient times, a man representing the harvest god Dionysos was torn to pieces and eaten by a gang of women on this day. Later in the ritual, Dionysos would be reborn as a baby. By classical times, the human sacrifice had been replaced by the killing of a goat. The women's role had changed to that of funeral mourners and observers of the birth.<br/> </td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>ANCIENT ROME:</b> <i>Saturnalia</i> began as a feast day for Saturn on DEC-17 and of Ops (DEC-19). About 50 <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/ce.htm">BCE</a>, both were later converted into two day celebrations. During the Empire, the festivals were combined to cover a full week: DEC-17 to 23. <br/><br/>By the third century <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/ce.htm">CE</a>, there were many religions and spiritual mysteries being followed within the Roman Empire. Many, if not most, celebrated the birth of their god-man near the time of the solstice. Emperor Aurelian (270 to 275 <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/ce.htm">CE</a>) blended a number of Pagan solstice celebrations of the nativity of such god-men/saviors as Appolo, Attis, Baal, Dionysus, Helios, Hercules, Horus, Mithra, Osiris, Perseus, and Theseus into a single festival called the "<i>Birthday of the Unconquered Sun</i>" on DEC-25. At the time, Mithraism and Christianity were fierce competitors. Aurelian had even declared Mithraism the official religion of the Roman Empire in 274 CE. Christianity won out by becoming the new official religion in the 4th century CE.<br/> </td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>ATHEISTS:</b> There has been a recent increase in solstice observances by Atheists in the U.S. For example, The <i>American Atheists</i> and local Atheist groups have organized celebrations for 2000-DEC, including the <i>Great North Texas Infidel Bash</i> in Weatherford TX; Winter Solstice bash in Roselle NJ; <i>Winter Solstice Parties</i> in York PA, Boise ID, North Bethesda MD, and Des Moines IA; <i>Winter Solstice Gatherings</i> in Phoenix AZ and Denver CO: a <i>Year End Awards and Review Dinner</i> (YEAR) in San Francisco, CA.<br/> </td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>BUDDHISM:</b> On DEC-8, or on the Sunday immediately preceding, Buddhists celebrate <i>Bodhi Day</i> (a.k.a. <i>Rohatsu</i>). It recalls the day in 596 <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/ce.htm">BCE</a>, when the Buddha achieved enlightenment. He had left his family and possessions behind at the age of 29, and sought the meaning of life -- particularly the reasons for its hardships. He studied under many spiritual teachers without success. Finally, he sat under a pipal tree and vowed that he would stay there until he found what he was seeking. On the morning of the eighth day, he realized that everyone suffers due to ignorance. But ignorance can be overcome through the Eightfold Path that he advocated. This day is generally regarded as the birth day of Buddhism. Being an Eastern tradition, Bodhi Day has none of the associations with the solstice and seasonal changes found in other religious observances at this time of year. However, it does signify the point in time when the Buddha achieved enlightenment and escaped the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth through reincarnation -- themes that are observed in other religions in December. <br/> </td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>CHRISTIANITY:</b> Any record of the date of birth of Yeshua of Nazareth (later known as Jesus Christ) has been lost. There is sufficient evidence in the Gospels to indicate that Yeshua was <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_dir.htm#month">born in the fall</a>, but this seems to have been unknown to early Christians. By the beginning of the 4th century CE, there was intense interest in choosing a day to celebrate Yeshua's birthday. The western church leaders selected DEC-25 because this was already the date recognized throughout the Roman Empire as the birthday of various Pagan gods. <b><sub>1,2</sub></b> Since there was no central Christian authority at the time, it took centuries before the tradition was universally accepted:<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
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<td valign="top" width="100%">Eastern churches began to celebrate Christmas after 375 CE. </td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">The church in Jerusalem started in the 7<sup>th</sup> century.</td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">Ireland started in the 5<sup>th</sup> century</td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">Austria, England and Switzerland in the 8<sup>th</sup></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">Slavic lands in the 9<sup>th</sup> and 10<sup>th</sup> centuries. <b><sub>3</sub></b></td>
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<p>Many symbols and practices associated with Christmas are of Pagan origin: holly, ivy, mistletoe, yule log, the giving of gifts, decorated evergreen tree, magical reindeer, etc. Polydor Virgil, a 15th century British Christian, said "<i>Dancing, masques, mummeries, stageplays, and other such Christmas disorders now in use with Christians, were derived from these Roman Saturnalian and Bacchanalian festivals; which should cause all pious Christians eternally to abominate them.</i>" In Massachusetts, Puritans unsuccessfully tried to ban Christmas entirely during the 17th century, because of its heathenism. The English Parliament abolished Christmas in 1647. Some contemporary Christian faith groups do not celebrate Christmas. Included among these was the <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/anglo_is.htm">Worldwide Church of God</a> (before its recent conversion to Evangelical Christianity) and the <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/witness.htm">Jehovah's Witnesses</a>.<br/> </p>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>DRUIDISM:</b> <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/druid.htm">Druids and Druidesses</a> formed the professional class in ancient Celtic society. They performed the functions of modern day priests, teachers, ambassadors, astronomers, genealogists, philosophers, musicians, theologians, scientists, poets and judges. Druids led all public rituals, which were normally held within fenced groves of sacred trees. The solstice is the time of the death of the old sun and the birth of the dark-half of the year. It was called "<i>Alban Arthuan by the ancient Druids. It is the end of month of the Elder Tree and the start of the month of the Birch. The three days before Yule is a magical time. This is the time of the Serpent Days or transformation...The Elder and Birch stand at the entrance to Annwn or Celtic underworld where all life was formed. Like several other myths they guard the entrance to the underworld. This is the time the Sun God journey's thru the underworld to learn the secrets of death and life. And bring out those souls to be reincarnated.</i>" <sub><b>14</b></sub> A modern-day Druid, Amergin Aryson, has composed a Druidic ritual for the Winter Solstice. <sub><b>15<br/> </b></sub></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>INCA RELIGION:</b> The ancient Incas celebrated a festival if Inti Raymi at the time of the Winter Solstice. Since the Inca Empire was mainly south of the equator, the festival was held in June. It celebrates "<i>the Festival of the Sun where the god of the Sun, Wiracocha, is honored</i>." <b><sub>16</sub></b> Ceremonies were banned by the Roman Catholic conquistadores in 1572 century as part of their forced conversions of the Inca people to Christianity. A local group of Quecia Indians in Cusco, Peru revived the festival in 1944. It is now a major festival which begins in Cusco and proceeds to an ancient amphitheater a few miles away. <br/> </td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>IRAN:</b> <i>Shabe-Yalda</i> (a.k.a. Shab-e Yaldaa) is celebrated in Iran by followers of many religions. It originated in <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/zoroastr.htm">Zoroastrianism</a>, the state religion which preceded Islam. The name refers to the birthday or rebirth of the sun. People gather at home around a korsee -- a low square table -- all night. They tell stories and read poetry. They eat watermelons, pomegranates and a special dried fruit/nut mix. Bonfires are lit outside. <sub><b>17<br/> </b></sub></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>ISLAM:</b> During the period 1997 to 1999, the first day of the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan occurred in December. The nominal dates were 1997-DEC-31, 1998-DEC-20 and 1999-DEC-9. The actual date for the start of Ramadan depends upon the sighting of the crescent moon, and thus can be delayed by a few days from the nominal date. This is the holiest period in the Islamic year. It honors the lunar month in which the Qura'n was revealed by God to humanity. "<i>It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.</i>" <b><sub>4</sub></b><p>Because Ramadan is part of a lunar-based calendar, it starts about 11 days earlier each year. In the year 2000, the nominal date will be NOV-27. Ramadan is thus not associated with the winter solstice as are other religious celebrations. It is just by coincidence that it has occurred during December in recent years.<br/> </p>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>JUDAISM:</b> Jews celebrate an 8 day festival of <b>Hanukkah, (</b>a.k.a. <b>Feast of Lights, Festival of lights, Feast of Dedication, Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanukah</b>)<b>.</b> It recalls the war fought by the Maccabees in the cause of religious freedom. Antiochus, the king of Syria, conquered Judea in the 2nd century <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/ce.htm">BCE</a>. He terminated worship in the Temple and stole the sacred lamp, the menorah, from before the altar. At the time of the solstice, they rededicated the Temple to a Pagan deity. Judah the Maccabee lead a band of rebels, and succeeding in retaking Jerusalem. They restored the temple and lit the menorah. It was exactly three years after the flame had been extinguished -- at the time of the Pagan rite. <br/><br/>Although they had found only sufficient consecrated oil to last for 24 hours, the flames burned steadily for eight days. "<i>Today's menorahs have nine branches; the ninth branch is for the shamash, or servant light, which is used to light the other eight candles. People eat potato latkes, exchange gifts, and play dreidel games. And as they gaze at the light of the menorah, they give thanks for the miracle in the Temple long ago.</i>" <b><sub>5</sub></b><br/><br/>Modern-day Jews celebrate Hanukkah by lighting one candle for each of the eight days of the festival. Once a minor festival, it has been growing in importance in recent years, perhaps because of the pressure of Christmas.<br/> </td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY:</b> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
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<td valign="top" width="100%">The Pueblo tribe observe both the summer and winter solstices. Although the specific details of the rituals differ from pueblo to pueblo, "<i>the rites are built around the sun, the coming new year and the rebirth of vegetation in the spring....Winter solstice rites include...prayerstick making, retreats, altars, emesis and prayers for increase."</i> <b><sub>6<br/> </sub></b></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">The Hopi tribe "<i>is dedicated to giving aid and direction to the sun which is ready to 'return' and give strength to budding life.</i>" Their ceremony is called "Soyal." It lasts for 20 days and includes "<i>prayerstick making, purification, rituals and a concluding rabbit hunt, feast and blessing...</i>" <b><sub>6<br/> </sub></b></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">There are countless stone structures created by Natives in the past to detect the solstices and equinoxes. One was called <i>Calendar One</i> by its modern-day finder. It is in a natural amphitheatre of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and natural features in the horizon which formed the edge of the bowl. At the solstices and equinoxes, the sun rises and sets at notches or peaks in the ridge which surrounded the calendar. <b><sub>7<br/> </sub></b></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>NEOPAGANISM:</b> This is a group of religions which are attempted re-creations of ancient Pagan religions. Of these, <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm">Wicca</a> is the most common; it is loosely based on ancient Celtic beliefs and practices. Wiccans recognize eight seasonal days of celebration. Four are minor sabbats and occur at the two solstices and the two equinoxes. The other are major sabbats which happen approximately halfway between an equinox and solstice. The winter solstice sabbat is often called <i>Yule</i>. It is a time for introspection, and planning for the future. <font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">Wiccans may celebrate the Sabbat on the evening before the time of the actual solstice, at sunrise on the morning of the solstice, or at the exact time of the astronomical event.</font><br/><br/>Monotheistic religions, like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, tend to view time as linear. It started with creation; the world as we know it will end at some time in the future. Aboriginal and Neopagan religions see time as circular and repetitive, with lunar (monthly) and solar (yearly) cycles. Their "<i>...rituals guarantee the continuity of nature's cycles, which traditional human societies depend on for their sustenance.</i>" <sub><b>8<br/> </b></sub></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>NEOLITHIC EUROPE:</b> Many remains of ancient stone structures can be found in Europe dating back many millennia. Some appear to have religious/astronomical purposes; others are burial tombs. These structures were built before writing was developed. One can only speculate on the significance of the winter solstice to the builders. Two examples of passage tombs are: <br/> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
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<td valign="top" width="100%">At Newgrange, in Brugh-na-Boyne, County Meath, in eastern Ireland. It is perhaps the most famous of the 250 passage tombs in Ireland. It covers an area of one acre, and has an internal passage that is almost 60 feet (19 m) long. The tomb has been dated at about 3,200 <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/bce.htm">BCE</a>; it is one of the oldest structures in the world -- and the roof still doesn't leak after 5,200 years! Above the entrance way is a stone "roof box" that allows the light from the sun to penetrate to the back of the cairn at sunrise on and near the winter solstice. The horizontal dimension of the box matches the width of the sun as viewed from the back of the passage. In the years since the tomb was constructed by Neolithic farmers, the Earth's tilt on its axis has changed from about 24 to about 23<font face="Trebuchet MS">©</font> degrees now. As a result, the sun rises about two solar diameters farther south today. The monument is surrounded by a circle of standing stones that were added later during the Bronze Age. <sub><b>9</b></sub><p>Archived video of the 2007 solstice at this site are available at: <a href="http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/Solstice2007/">http://www.heritageireland.ie/</a>.<br/> </p>
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<td valign="top" width="100%">At Maeshowe, (Orkneys, Scotland). It is a chambered cairn built on a leveled area with a surrounding bank and ditch. It has been carbon dated at 2750 <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/ce.htm">BCE</a>. Inside the cairn is a stone structure with a long entry tunnel. The structure is aligned so that sunlight can shine along the entry passage into the interior of the megalith, and illuminate the back of the structure. This happens at sunrise at and near the winter solstice. Starting in the late 1990's, live video and still images have been broadcast to the world via the Internet. <sub><b>10<br/> </b></sub></td>
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<td valign="top" width="100%"><b>VAMPYRES:</b> We use the term "<a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/vampire.htm">vamp<b>y</b>res</a>" to refer to real individuals who have a need to ingest small quantities of blood in order to maintain their strength. They are often confused with those to which we refer as <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/vampire.htm">vamp<b>i</b>res</a> -- imaginary beings who exist only in religious legends, creative fiction and horror movies. Vampyres celebrate "<i>the Long Night</i>," a festival at the Winter Solstice. Many groups of vampyres gather together at this time to celebrate. "<i>It is a festival of community where everyone relaxes and socializes. It is also the traditional night to recognize new members of the community or a coven, or to perform rites of passage.</i>" <sub><b>18</b></sub></td>
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<p><a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/winter_solstice.htm">http://www.religioustolerance.org/winter_solstice.htm</a></p>
Gilligan's Halloween
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2011-10-31:4024228:Topic:152494
2011-10-31T12:23:46.042Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
<p>October 31 is the night the veil is thinnest. Many people hear that and they don’t know what it really means. The veil refers to the veil between the seen and the unseen. This is the beginning of the Wheel of the Year and a night to honor ancestry. In Italy it was always customary to set a place at the dinner table for those ancestors who have passed, for on this night they can be seen and felt by those who can walk between worlds. It was also customary to make fava bean soup because…</p>
<p>October 31 is the night the veil is thinnest. Many people hear that and they don’t know what it really means. The veil refers to the veil between the seen and the unseen. This is the beginning of the Wheel of the Year and a night to honor ancestry. In Italy it was always customary to set a place at the dinner table for those ancestors who have passed, for on this night they can be seen and felt by those who can walk between worlds. It was also customary to make fava bean soup because the fava flower was a traditional funeral flower. But aside from the known customs and traditions, this night has been celebrated as far back as Homo erectus as was told by cave drawings and recorded in ancient Italy though those libraries were both burned between 395 and 425 A.D.</p>
<p>This year I was handed a situation that made me rethink this whole day. Since we live on my husband’s disability and it has been an exceptionally difficult month, we have no money for candy and the usual decorations. Now it is tradition in our family to bury each human member during this month. Not in the literal sense of course, but we make fake graves to represent each one that lives in our house. So that is the extent of the decorations we have this year. At first I was really depressed, wondering what I could do for this year, then I realized that I was not given this situation to mope and cry over, but to remember. What was it like for the first ones who figured out this night? How did they honor this night? What was the true beginning of this night as far as celebration goes?</p>
<p>I figure the early man would have had fire, first and foremost. That I can do. That is simple. So in our little trailer park, we decided to have a bonfire tomorrow night out in the center where I have built a small fire pit. We will keep it going as long as we are out there, just like early man. Then I wondered how they would have known? I suppose they would have been more in touch with the side that sees through the veil since way back then mankind was more an instinctual creature than not. Stop and really see for a moment a bit into the very ancient past, before the advent of lights or even basic housing structures. They would have lived much like the feral cats around here, in a pack full of instinct as hunters. There would have been nothing to obstruct the view of all of the lights in the heavens because all on this planet was still raw and unused.</p>
<p>Maybe call this my Gilligan’s Island Halloween. You know no phone, no lights, no motorcar, not a single luxury. Like Robinson Caruso, it’s primitive as can be. Of course we do have all those things, so perhaps it is more a lack of the traditional candy and trick or treater supplies. Fortunately we never get trick or treaters where I live so it will make it that much easier. I do have some night fairy wings from several Halloweens ago and a 3 ½ foot tail from the first Anime convention I took the kids to, so I guess that will be my costume. But it begs the question why? Or perhaps, where? Where did the first humans get the idea to dress up? If I were to take an educated guess, I would postulate that being very primitive and living in packs like wild pack animals and being in tune with instinct more than any other faculty would have made them much like wild lions or tigers. I know my cats see through the veil easily and this month has been enlightening to say the least. We have a kitten running around the house this year and he makes you ultra-aware of how thin the veil is getting. I suppose the first ones to celebrate this day had the same enthusiasm as my kitten is showing as I watch him grow in curiosity at the odd nature that fills the air.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have also noticed a time issue this particular year. I don’t know if anyone else has had this, but around here everyone I know has noticed that this October seems to be dragging along unusually slow. It is as if time has slowed or been tweaked somehow. What is even stranger is that at the beginning of this month, first the clock on the stove went out, the next day the clock on the stove was on and the microwave clock was out and the day after that the clock on the stove was back out and the microwave was working and it has stayed that way ever since. Is this kind of thing how the first humans figured out this day? Was it a year like this one for them and things this month just seemed off in some way that they finally discerned much like I am while writing this? I mean, this is the first time I have really figured out the significance of the two clocks. That is exactly how time seems to have worked with this whole month, like it started to go forward and then stopped and went backwards so time could slow again.</p>
<p>So perhaps the first time they dressed up, the veil was thinning slow and deliberate like it is this year and just maybe they started seeing through the veil a day early and in some quest to blend in to this world that was opening before them, they saw a sudden need to dress the same as the beings they were noticing encroaching upon their world. After all, camouflage was a known for hunting and hiding from predators. Something unknown would surely have been counted as a potential predator, at least enough until you could blend in and discern whether it was to be hunted or hidden from. And so we have a possible, at the very least plausible, scenario in which the first ones to dress up would have had for doing so.</p>
<p>So we have the reason potentially for them to have begun the tradition of costumes on this night. The tribute to ancestry is easy to figure out. They saw the dead through the veil and perhaps even talked to them, seeing as how a primitive mind would be more likely to accept such a thing. As for the giving of offerings, well that was a natural part of early man’s understanding of Divinity, both sides. So once they figured out, dressed in like coverings, that these beings were from an origin they would have considered Divine, they would have thought to give offerings if for no other reason than to appease the restless shadow side of Divinity. Early man at least understood that the year ran in cycles and that there was two sides of Divinity, two polarities of beings that held more ability to manipulate the seen and the unseen. And the fact that they understood there were cycles would have been how they knew to do this every year following, not because they counted days or it was on some calendar, but because they saw this cycle repeat itself, all on instinct and from watching the world and its natural cycles and being aware of repetition. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>So there you have it, a retelling of a Halloween never before written down. So maybe you will walk with me this year and recall the meaning of this day instead of just blowing it off to candy and scary movies. After all, it is all about ancestry and if it weren’t for those ancient ancestors being aware of the changes, what would this be but another meaningless Monday night?</p>
NATIVE AMERICAN MOONS
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2011-05-17:4024228:Topic:86562
2011-05-17T16:23:20.547Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
<h1>NATIVE AMERICAN MOONS</h1>
<p>With THANKS to El* and MOSangels!</p>
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<h1>NATIVE AMERICAN MOONS</h1>
<p>With THANKS to El* and MOSangels!</p>
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<li><a class="nolink">Posted by</a> <a href="http://mosangels.ning.com/profile/El">El*</a> <a class="nolink">on January 15, 2011 at 2:27pm in</a> <a href="http://mosangels.ning.com/group/odetogaiasmoon">ODE TO GAIA'S MOON***</a></li>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655660821?profile=original"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655660821?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align"/></a><br/><br/>Native American full moon names (below listed) were established by eastern and northern tribes such as the Algonquin & the Iroquois Confederacy.<br/><br/>These remarkable people assigned attributes to each of the full moons according to the seasonal characteristics. The symbolic Native American full moon names are as follows:<br/><br/><br/>* January<br/>Wolf Moon: The full moon in January. Said to be called the Wolf Moon because the wolves are out in the bright light this time of year - anxious and hot on the the trail for a feast to slake their hunger in the lean winter month. Also see my blogpost on January Wolf moon symbolism.<br/>* February<br/>Snow Moon: The full moon of February. At this time the northeastern regions can give up their most heaviest of snow falls. This full moon is also called the hunger or hungry moon because the grips of winter can make it another lean month for the belly of both man and beast. See also February Meaning & Symbolism<br/>* March<br/>Magpie Moon: Or Crow Moon. The Native American full moon names for March are largely based on these being considered the last full moons of winter; the crow caws its farewell to the season. Also known as the Worm Moon because they start to surface at this time, also signaling retreat of winter and the marching in of springtime. Also see my page on March Meaning & Symbolism<br/>* April<br/>Egg Moon: The full moon of April. Also known as the pink moon. Both names indicate the sprouting of seed and the explosion of bright beauty found in the phlox (pink) and other flowers rising for the spring debut.<br/>* May<br/>Flower Moon: Full moon name of May. Quite simply, May brings bright brushes to paint the earth canvas with infinite flowers. In the full moon light of this month, the flowers are said to grow at night, and even dance in honor of the moon.<br/>* June<br/>Strawberry Moon: The Native American full moon names for June is also easy to understand. June is the picking time for strawberries, when their at their ripest and fullest. Picking by moonlight is said to honor the crops, and insure bigger bounty next picking season.<br/>* July<br/>Thunder Moon: Full moon of July. For these tribes, it was observed that this month is notorious for big booms of thunder and storms. Thus, the symbolic full moon name of "thunder moon." Also referred to as Buck moon because deer begin forming their antlers at this time of year.<br/>* August<br/>Red Moon: The full moon name for August. Those lazy days of summer when the moon is watched in its fullness and widens herself to the admiring sun. This is the month when summer kisses the moon most tender and we most often see a blush-colored or reddish hued moon. To the tribes of the Great Lakes it is a Sturgeon moon because this is when they are caught most.<br/>* September<br/>Harvest Moon: The Native American full moon name of September is the famous "harvest moon." It represents the most adventageous time-frame in which we can pick (harvest) crops from the garden. The Native Americans knew this - they knew they would have almost a half hour more time to harvest their bounty beneath the helpful luminosity of the moon.<br/>* October<br/>Hunters Moon: The full moon of October. This is another symbolic moon name that's obvious. This time represents the onset of prime hunting season. Heavy foliage is drifting away as quick as the season, and deer are a bit buggy this time of year. That means their easy to see clearly and easily downed for the First People's purposes.<br/>* November<br/>Beaver Moon: The full moon name for November. As we've seen in the prior months, each symbolic name references a point within the epitome of the month. Beavers are coming into their fullness in November. So much so that the Natives knew to set traps early in the month because the beaver would be in her glory.<br/>* December<br/>Cold Moon: The symbolic full moon name for December. Also known as the "Long Night Moon." Coming full circle, we find ourselves again in the frigid realm of winter. This is the month when some of the coldest and the longest nights live. Hence the Native American full moon names for this full moon of December.<br/><br/>Consider the month in which you were born, and liken it to the Native American full moon names available here. Perhaps you can resonate with some of the symbolic meanings our Native lineage identified with. We can use these symbolic monthly-markers as a method of self-exploration, growth and grounding.<br/><br/>Take the time to step into the sacredness each month provides in the glory of her own fullest moon. Better yet, take a few moments to honor the full moon as she reveals herself each month. In doing this, we gain expanded awareness - widening our psychic view to a broader setting.<br/><br/>The moon holds great mysteries in her silvery depths. Our Native American kin understood this and most if not all tribes had their own set of fulll moon names (this is just one tribal version). I encourage you to continue your ruminations</div>
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SAMHAIN & BELTAIN
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2011-04-29:4024228:Topic:82798
2011-04-29T07:39:17.359Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
<h1 align="center"><a href="http://www.feritradition.org/witcheye/andrada.html" target="_blank"><font color="#CCCCCC" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">SAMHAIN & BELTAINTHE TWO GATES OF THE CELTIC YEAR</font></a></h1>
<p align="center"><font color="#CCCCCC" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>by Andrada of Vanthe</b><br></br></font><font color="#CCCCCC" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">copyright 1999…</font></p>
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<h1 align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.feritradition.org/witcheye/andrada.html"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#CCCCCC">SAMHAIN & BELTAINTHE TWO GATES OF THE CELTIC YEAR</font></a></h1>
<p align="center"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#CCCCCC"><b>by Andrada of Vanthe</b><br/></font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#CCCCCC">copyright 1999</font></p>
<p><font size="6" color="#CCCCCC"><b>T</b></font><font color="#CCCCCC">hose of us who follow the traditions of Northern and Western Europe are aware of the ancient two-fold division of the year, named Samhain and Beltain by Celtic peoples. We often think of these festivals as contrasting sharply with each other. November Eve heralds the Dark or Black Months, as they are called in Celtic countries today, the time of death and dying, whereas May Eve and May morning we associate more with light, gaiety and new life. While these associations are supported by surviving customs, I have discovered some interesting similarities and resonances between these two turning points of the year, both from research and in my inner experience of them.</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">All accounts of Samhain, which means “end of summer,” speak of the veil between the worlds growing thin, allowing spirits, the faeries and the Sidhe of Ireland to come through and visit mortals. The Sidhe, named after the burial mounds under which they lived, are also identified with the Tuatha de Danaan, portrayed as heroes and gods in Irish legend. A number of scholars have concluded that the Tuatha De, the faeries of later tradition, and the ancestral spirits of the dead were one and the same in ancient Celtic religion (see Bibliography).</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">On Samhain Eve, the “sid,” or burial mounds, were said to open, allowing all inhabitants of the Otherworld free passage into this one. On this night, gifts of food were left out for the dead, blood sacrifices were made in holes dug into the mounds, and doors were left unbolted so the spirits could pass freely and come back to visit the mortals they had left behind. In modern times, throughout Celtic countries, mummers with faces painted black to represent the dead visit houses asking for wine and food, and sometimes playing tricks on the countryfolk. These mummers are often called “New Year’s visitors,” reminding us that Samhain did, indeed, begin the Celtic year.</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">Also at Samhain, the Dagda, chief god of the ancient Irish pantheon, mated with the Morrigu, the three-fold battle-goddess who embodied the Sovereignty of the land, and whose name means “Great Queen.” In other words, they performed the Great Rite at the very moment when the two worlds of mortal and non-mortal came together and touched. There are indications that this symbolic mating was accompanied in the human world by a ritual mating of the High King and the High Queen of the Celtic tribe or nation, as well as by young people out all night with the mummers. This comes as a surprise at first, if we have thought of Samhain as being about the dead, and Beltain as being about fertility. However, it is interesting to note that this Great Rite at Samhain was seen as a means of placating the dead, who could impair fertility by refusing to be born again. In this context, the rituals of Samhain can be seen as an overall offering to the dead of food; wine; sacrificial blood, the stuff of life; the fruit of the recent harvest; and the literal seed of human beings, as well as a connection to the kundalini-like life-force, the energy and power raised by the sexual act itself. From these offerings, Celtic peoples hoped to nourish and persuade the dead to be reborn, to come back and join them again in the world of mortals.</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">The second half of the Celtic year is ushered in by the festival of Beltain, and begins with the month named Giamon, just as the dark half of the year begins with the month named Samon (from which the word Samhain is derived). Both Samhain Eve and Beltain Eve are known today as “spirit nights” in Wales and other Celtic countries. On May Eve, also, faeries and the dead are unusually active, and the future may be read by the taking of omens, as it can at Samhain.</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">Rees and Rees remark, “The customs of both Eves have features characteristic of New Year celebrations in general” (page 89). But in contrast to Samhain Eve, on May Eve spells are cast and actions taken to keep the faeries and the spirits of the dead away from the living. Doors are barred on that night, and by refusing to give away food, fire or water to one’s neighbors, one can symbolically refuse the same to the dead.</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">Fertility rituals are, however, also common at this time. In particular, lighting bonfires and driving the cattle through the flames at Beltain was a protective measure to preserve the fertility of the herd and ensure good harvests in the coming season. Young people stayed out all night on May Eve, carousing and apparently engaging in “unlicensed” sexual activity—meaning not with a legal spouse—according to the early Christian priests in Northern and Western Europe. I hypothesize that this is the time of year when the power of life is returned to the mortal world, and that the dead, who have been fed so well last Samhain, are now being encouraged to be reborn through the bodies of the living—through the sex which provided the actual door through which the dead could return—rather than being welcomed in their incorporeal nature as spirits or ghosts. At Beltain the dead can give back to the living by giving us their spirits in the form of new human, animal and vegetable lives, which was the essence of fertility to our agricultural ancestors.</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">Before I began working in the Craft, my own experience of the round of the year was oriented more toward the solstices and equinoxes, partly because I was born at one of those points, and partly because, except for Samhain, I was not aware of the cross-quarter days. As I spent year after year orienting more closely toward the four festivals of Samhain, Brigit, Beltain and Lammas, my inner rhythms began to change, and the secular calendar beginning in January had less and less meaning. After awhile, Samhain and Beltain became the turning points of my own inner cycle as a natural change from within. Events in my outer life now seem to fall within a bright half and a dark half of each year, and I find myself taking a 6-month spiritual/magickal “inventory” at each of these points.</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">At Samhain, as the veil grows thin, I vision and feel the spirits, the deities of land and water and growth, and the shining ones above, growing closer and closer, until, for a few days, the Gate stands open before me and there is a strong sense of communication between the dead/non-mortal/Other and the living. At Beltain, I can feel the power of new life like living flame rising up in every organic being—people, trees, animals—as that power flows back into the mortal world.</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">The Janus-head comes to mind, the double-faced god after which the Roman month of Januarius was named, with one face looking back and the other looking forward. This motif is common in Celtic sculpture. It may represent an understanding of the God as two-fold, as bright Lug, Lord of Life, and dark Cernon, Father of Death, just as the Goddess is three-fold in Celtic tradition (1). It may also represent the Gate between the worlds. To our Celtic ancestors, neither side of the Gate was the “right” or most important, or permanent one. At any given time, a particular spirit could be dwelling on the mortal side, or the non-mortal side. Continuous interchange between the worlds, in terms of gifts and life-energy and the passage of beings, was the way in which the ancient Celts envisioned the universe. The Janus head—or rather, the Lug/Cernon head—gazes with equal apprehension and desire into both worlds at the same time.</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">NOTES</font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="#CCCCCC">(1) The fact that this adds up to five is interesting. Five is the number of the pentagram, the number of the human being (from the hand with its five fingers) in medieval metaphysics, and the number associated with the Druid symbol of the goose-foot which marks the sacred path tread by the Goddess at Brigit. Of course, sometimes the God had three faces in Celtic sculpture...</font></p>
<p><font color="#CCCCCC">BIBLIOGRAPHY</font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="#CCCCCC">1) MacCulloch, J.A., <i>The Religion of the Ancient Celts</i>, originally published in 1911, reprint 1977, Folcroft Library Editions, hardbound</font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="#CCCCCC">2) Rees, Alwyn and Rees, Brinley, <i>Celtic Heritage Ancient Tradition in Ireland and Wales</i>, Thames and Hudson, paperback reprint, 1989</font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="#CCCCCC">3) Wentz, W.Y. Evans, <i>The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries</i>, co-published by Colin Smythe, UK, and Humanities Press, New Jersey, paperback reprint, 1981</font></p>
The Legend of The Wesak
tag:lightgrid.ning.com,2011-03-16:4024228:Topic:68797
2011-03-16T12:09:12.193Z
natasha Richards
https://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/natashaRichards
<h1 style="text-align: center;">I would like to invite you to begin your WESAK Ceremony tomorrow, </h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><i>Thursday, April 25 at 12:45 pm PDT</i></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3"><i>19:45 <a href="http://www.souledout.org/nightsky/time/ut.html" target="_blank">UT</a></i></span></h1>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3"><i>21:45 CET </i></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3"><i>15:45…</i></span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">I would like to invite you to begin your WESAK Ceremony tomorrow, </h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><i>Thursday, April 25 at 12:45 pm PDT</i></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3"><i>19:45 <a href="http://www.souledout.org/nightsky/time/ut.html" target="_blank">UT</a></i></span></h1>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3"><i>21:45 CET </i></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3"><i>15:45 New York</i></span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">with the</h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">GREAT INVOCATION</h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">as shared here by <a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/CarolSuchecki" target="_self">Ishema</a>:</h1>
<p><br/> <img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655653725?profile=original" width="458" class="align-center"/></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">HOLD the FOCUS for half an hour.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This half hour is the exact time of the Maximum Eclipse</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">which coincides this year with the Wesak Full Moon.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">INTERESTINGLY,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">some will celebrate the Wesak Full Moon on May 25, as the Wesak Full Moon is usually in MAY - and this is the date of another Lunar Eclipse!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">We shall meet in the ethers above Wesal Valley - and then SPREAD THE BLESSINGS</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br/> through our lightgrid connexion which follows one hour and 45 minutes later,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">at 10 pm UTC</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">midnight CET</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">18 pm NEW York</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">15 pm PDT</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">when the last bit of Earth'S SHADOW vanishes from the surface of the moon. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="font-size: 13px;">I am sharing the Great Invocation here as these are the original words, given out by Djwhal Khul. I continue to use the original words of the mantra as I believe there is a carefully constructed energy pattern in them that may be lost when the words are changed. </span></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Blessings, Ishema</strong></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-festival-of-wesak-1" target="_self" style="font-size: 10pt;">HERE</a><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> is a link to Ishema's discussion on WESAK:-)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-festival-of-wesak-1">http://lightgrid.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-festival-of-wesak-1</a> </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">And this an excerpt:</span></p>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><div class="xg_user_generated"><div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><h1><span class="font-size-7">The Festival of Wesak</span></h1>
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<li><a class="nolink">Posted by </a><a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/profile/CarolSuchecki">Ishema, Carol Suchecki</a><a class="nolink"> on April 23, 2013 at 6:00pm</a></li>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="postbody"><div class="xg_user_generated"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><span class="font-size-5"><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/kbzCJdfD8E7NgqfMY-ijhsPn6KAdvPeQq8FZYKAi28E83PWeEHel-bzVt1xkl8aZy-THLbi4dyua4BVd4HKi5*SaHPY-Z*9-/" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/kbzCJdfD8E7NgqfMY-ijhsPn6KAdvPeQq8FZYKAi28E83PWeEHel-bzVt1xkl8aZy-THLbi4dyua4BVd4HKi5*SaHPY-Z*9-/" class="align-center"/></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">From ancient times, people have timed their ceremonies to the rhythm of the full moon and worshiped the celestial bodies within them. The full moon has always captivated our attention and been a good way to mark time and know when to meet.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The Ancient Wisdom Teaching, interpreted in the Alice Bailey books, tells us that each celestial body has its own Director informing and sustaining it. All of them are working in harmony with each other. When the Sun , Moon, and Earth are aligned at the full moon, these Great Informing Beings are aligned and in communication, also.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The Masters of the Wisdom, sometimes called "The Spiritual Hierarchy," are beings just like us who have walked a little farther on the path to perfection and taken greater responsibility. We are told that They meet at the time of the full moon and are able to tune into the telepathic conversation that is taking place between the Greater Guiding Beings. We too, can tune into this great alignment and telepathic conversation by aligning with our higher self and being receptive.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Every month has its full moon, but only one of them is Wesak, occurring when the moon is full and the sun is in Taurus. The impulse to create starts at the full moon when the sun is in Aries, takes the form of enlightenment in Taurus at Wesak, and is more available to humanity as concrete thought, at the full moon when the sun is in Gemini. In Cancer, the following month, it reaches mass consciousness. </span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">The legend of Wesak says that all who are seriously drawn to the ceremony, will find their way to the valley in the Himalayas at the exact time of the full moon. And, that local people who need to be there, migrate to this place at the right time. For those living far away, this may take place during meditation or out of body during sleep time.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">As millions of people raise their vibration and tune in across the globe at the time of the full moon, this melding of minds creates a powerful planetary alignment with our Source.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 16pt;" class="font-size-3">Toward the enlightenment of Wesak,</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Ishema</span></p>
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<h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/group/patricia/forum/topics/4024228:Topic:294044" target="_self">Clarity About the Three Full Moon Festivals of Spring</a></h1>
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<p><span class="font-size-5"> </span><span style="font-size: 2em;">Thanks to</span> <a href="http://lightgrid.ning.com/group/childrenofthesun?commentId=4024228%3AComment%3A293946&xg_source=msg_com_group" target="_self" style="font-size: 2em;">Steven</a><span style="font-size: 2em;"> for this video :-)</span></p>
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<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 2em;">The Legend of The Wesak</span></h1>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><p>Wesak is the celebration of Buddha's birth & enlightenment, & in some traditions also his death. As the most important figure in Buddhism his life is celebrated and revered. Gathering to chant and pray are an important part of a traditional Wesak celebration.</p>
<p>It is said that Wesak is that time at the Full Moon of May in which the Christ gathers the entire Spiritual Hierarchy together in meditation to invoke the forces of Shambhalla. The Buddha, representing those forces, appears and blesses humanity.</p>
<p>The ceremony of Wesak is held in the actual Wesak Valley in the Himalayas at the time of the full moon of May (which is actually the full moon of Scorpio). A vast crowd assembles in the valley, in front of the great rock table at the end of the valley. Alice A. Bailey describes this event in The Unfinished Autobiography. It is said that the Christ and the Buddha conduct the ceremony of Wesak from a rock table at the end of the valley described by Bailey as "...an immense rock, rising out of the floor of the valley like a great table."</p>
<p>The second of the three major spiritual planetary festivals is The Wesak Festival, The Buddha's Blessing, and is celebrated in the eastern hemisphere at the Taurus full moon. (The first, in April, is the Festival of the Christ and the third, in June, is the Festival of Humanity.) Wesak is the festival of The Buddha, divine intermediary between the highest spiritual center, Shamballa, and the Hierarchy.</p>
<p>The Buddha is the expression of the Wisdom of God, the embodiment of light and the indicator of divine purpose.</p>
<p>Wesak - the Sun in Taurus Full Moon, is the most powerful Full Moon of the year. The Sun's transit through Taurus exalts the Moon and Taurus is ruled by Venus, the spiritual ruler of Earth. Venus is identified with Mary, the World Mother. May, the month of Taurus, is the month of Mary. Venus appears in the west as the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl who brought enlightenment to the Mayans; in the east she is Maya, mother of the Buddha.</p>
<p>The lunar cycle is a wave of creation that comes to fruition when the Moon is full. Each Full Moon brings revelation and possibility for healing body, mind, and soul. The Moon is the Mother whence comes reflected Light of the spiritual Sun to nurture, support, protect, and bring to flower the seeds of creation.</p>
<p>The Full Moon is like a pitcher pouring out a healing elixir. The celestial dispensation continues for three days following the day of the Full Moon. Calm and balance, deep breathing, meditation, yoga, rhythmic music and dancing help for receiving the blessings of heaven.</p>
<p>Locally the Full Moon has strong effect in the hour following Sunset when the Moon is rising and at local Midnight when the Moon is directly overhead. This Sun in Taurus Full Moon is called Wesak (WE-sock). Mystics say that the Buddha returns now to help regenerate the Earth.</p>
<p>According to metaphysical tradition, the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and left Earthly incarnation under the Full Moon of Taurus. And the Buddha returns at this time each year to bring new light to the world. Spiritual leaders gather in Wesak Valley, a mythic place high in the Himalayas. Here initiates led by the Christ arrange themselves into a great pentagram (the Venusian emblem of world soul) while the Buddha hovers over those gathered radiating light. This cosmic alignment occurs during the eight minutes centered on the moment of the Wesak full moon.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655654956?profile=original"/></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Wesak Valley</p>
<p align="center"><strong><u>The Legend of The Wesak</u></strong></p>
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<p>According to tradition, at the time of the full moon in Taurus, the Buddha comes to the Wesak Valley of the Himalayas to bring the powerful spiritual energy of Shamballa to the assembled masters, initiaties and disciples of the Hierarchy, for the assimilation and eventual distribution of this Shamballa force throughout the world.</p>
<p>The Wesak Valley, lying at a rather high altitude in the foothills of the Himalayan-Tibet ranges. It is surrounded by high mountains on all sides except towards the northeast, where there is a narrow opening in the mountain ranges. The valley is bottle-shaped in contour, with the neck of the bottle to the northeast, and it widens very considerably towards the south. Up towards the northern end, close to the neck of the bottle, there a huge flat rock. There are no trees or shrubs in the valley, which is covered with a kind of coarse grass.</p>
<p>Approaching the time of the full moon of Taurus, pilgrims from the surrounding districts begin to gather. The holy men and the lamas find their way into the valley and fill the southern and the middle parts, leaving the northeastern end relatively free. There, so the legend runs, gathers a group of those great Beings Who are the Custodians on Earth of God's Plan for our planet and for humanity.</p>
<p>This group of knowers of divinity are the main participants in The Wesak Festival. They arrange Themselves in the northeastern end of the valley, in concentric circles, and prepare for a great act of service. In front of the rock, looking towards the northeast, stand Those Beings Who are called by Their disciples The Three Great Lords. These are The Christ, Who stands in the center; the Lord of living forms, The Manu, Who stands at His right; and The Lord of Civilization, who stands to His left. These three face the rock upon which rests a great crystal bowl, full of water.</p>
<p>Behind the grouped Masters, adepts, initiates and senior workers under God's Plan are to be found the world disciples and aspirants in their various grades and groups (either "in the body" or "out of the body"), who at this time constitute the New Group of World Servers. Those present in their physical bodies have found their way there by ordinary means. Others are present in their spiritual bodies, and in the dream state. The "dream," which they later relate, has been uniformly registered by people throughout the world, and bears the testimony to the recollection of an inner spiritual happening.</p>
<p>As the hour of the full moon approaches, a stillness settles down upon the crowd, and all look towards the northeast. Certain ritualistic movements take place, in which the grouped Masters and Their disciples of all ranks take up symbolic positions, and form on the floor of the valley such significant symbols as the five-pointed star, with The Christ standing at the highest point; of a triangle, with The Christ at the apex; or a cross, and other well known formations, all of which have a deep and potent meaning. This is all done to the sound of certain chanted words and esoteric phrases, called mantrams.</p>
<p>The expectancy in the waiting, onlooking crowd becomes very great, and the tension is real and increasing. Through the entire body of people there seems to be felt a stimulation or potent vibration which has the effect of awakening the souls of those present, fusing and blending the group into one united whole, and lifting all into a great act of spiritual demand, readiness, and expectancy. It is the climax of the world's aspiration focussed in this waiting group. These three words - demand, readiness and expectancy - best describe the atmosphere surrounding those present in this secret valley.</p>
<p>The chanting and the rhythmic weaving grows stronger, and all the participants and the watching crowd raise their eyes towards the sky in the direction of the narrow part of the valley. Just a few minutes before the exact time of the full moon, in the far distance, a tiny speck can be seen in the sky. It comes nearer and nearer, and grows in clarity and definiteness of outline, until the form of The Buddha can be seen, seated in the cross-legged Buddha position, clad in his saffron-colored robe, bathed in light and color, and with his hand extended in blessing.</p>
<p>When The Buddha arrives at a point exactly over the great rock, hovering there in the air over the heads of The Three Great Lords, a great mantram, used only once a year, at The Festival, is intoned by The Christ, and the entire group of people in the valley fall upon their faces. This Invocation sets up a great vibration or thought current which is of such potency that it reaches up from the group of aspirants, disciples and initiates who employ it, to the Being we know as God. It marks the supreme moment of intensive spiritual effort throughout the entire year, and the spiritual vitalization of humanity and the spiritual effects last throughout the succeeding months. The effect of this great Invocation is universal or cosmic, and serves to link us up with that cosmic center of spiritual force from which all created beings have come. The blessing is poured forth, and The Christ, as the representative of humanity, receives it in trust, for distribution.</p>
<p>Thus, so the legend runs, The Buddha returns once a year to bless the world, transmitting renewed spiritual life, through The Christ. Slowly then The Buddha recedes into the distance, until again only a faint speck can be seen in the sky, and this eventually disappears. The whole ceremonial blessing, from the time of the first appearance in the distance until the moment The Buddha fades out of view, takes just eight minutes.</p>
<p>The Buddha's annual sacrifice for humanity (for He comes back only at great cost) is over, and He returns again to that high place where He works and waits. Year after year He comes back in blessing; year after year, He and His great brother, The Christ, work in the closest cooperation for the spiritual benefit of humanity. In these two great Sons of God have been focussed two aspects of divine life, and They act together as Custodians of the highest type of spiritual force to which our humanity can respond. Through The Buddha, the wisdom of God is poured forth. Through The Christ, the love of God is manifested in humanity, and it is this wisdom and love which pour forth upon humanity each Wesak full moon.</p>
<p>When The Buddha has again disappeared, the crowd rise to their feet; the water in the bowl is distributed in tiny portions to the Masters, initiates and disciples, and they then go their way to their place of service. The crowd, who have all brought their little cups and vessels of water, drink of them and share with others. In this beautiful "water ceremony of communion" is portrayed the symbol of the new age which is upon us, the Aquarian Age, the age of the Water Carrier.</p>
<p>In this ceremony is perpetuated for us the story of the universality of God's love, the need for our individual purification, and the opportunity to share with each other that which belongs to all. The water, which has been magnetized by the presence of The Buddha and of The Christ, carries certain properties and virtues of a healing and helpful nature.</p>
<p>The day of the Festival is to be known as the "day of safeguarding" whilst the two succeeding days are called the "days of distribution." These words mean something different to the Hierarchy of Masters than they do to us and it is fruitless (as well as forbidden) to elucidate them in their deepest meaning. They mean, however, five days of a most intensive effort in service, leading to the renunciation of all which could hinder our usefulness as channels of spiritual force. It means that after due preparation, dedication and upward striving for the first two days, on the day of the Festival itself we simply regard ourselves as the recipients of, or the custodians of, as much of that inflowing spiritual force as we can possibly hold. As channels, we must be prepared to forget ourselves in the service of touching, containing and holding force for the rest of humanity. We must regard the Festival itself as a day of silence (I refer to an inner peace and silent solemnity that can be preserved unbroken though the individual may be serving through speech and spoken interest), a day of service carried forward entirely on esoteric levels, and of complete self-forgetfulness in the remembrance of humanity and its need. During that period, two thoughts only will hold our constant attention-the need of humanity and the necessity of providing a group channel whereby the spiritual forces can be poured through the body of humanity under the expert guidance of the chosen members of the Hierarchy.</p>
<p>For two days prior to the full moon, we will hold the attitude of dedication and service and seek to assume that attitude of receptivity to that which our soul will impart which will make us of use to the Hierarchy. The Hierarchy works through groups of souls, and the potency of this group work is to be tested out. These groups in their turn contact and feed the waiting dedicated attentive personalities. On the day of the full moon, we attempt to hold ourselves steadily in the light. We will not formulate to ourselves what will happen nor will we look for results or for tangible effects.</p>
<p>On the two succeeding days, the focus of our attention will be steadily turned away from ourselves but also from the inner subjective planes to the outer world, and our efforts will be to pass on, or to pass through, that measure of spiritual energy that may have been contacted. Our work then in this particular and peculiar field of cooperation will then be ended.</p>
<p>This effort of the Hierarchy is a five days' effort, preceded by a most intensive period of preparation. The work of getting ready for the opportunity starts for the Hierarchy exactly at the hour when "the sun began to move northward." But They tire not as do human beings and it is not possible for the human aspirant to keep up so long a period of preparation, no matter how deep his devotion.</p>
<p>When the Great Lord was on Earth, He told His disciples that successful spiritual effort of a healing nature went not forth except by prayer and fasting. Will you ponder on these words? This is a group effort towards a vast group healing and by prayer (sanctified desire, illumined thought and intense aspirational longing) and by the discipline of the physical body for a short period and for a definite objective, the work can be done.</p>
<p>What is it that should be accomplished at each momentous full moon in May? I shall state the objective sequentially and in the order of their importance, and with as much clarity and brevity as this abstruse subject permits.</p>
<p>1. The releasing of certain energies which can potently affect humanity, and which will, if released, stimulate the spirit of love, of brotherhood and of goodwill on the earth. These energies are as definite and as real as those energies with which science occupies itself and calls the "cosmic rays." I am speaking of real energies and not of emotionally desired abstractions.</p>
<p>2. The fusion of all the people of goodwill in the world into an integrated responsive whole.</p>
<p>3. The invocation and the response of certain great Beings, Whose work can and will be possible if the first of the objectives is achieved through the accomplishment of the second objective. Ponder on this synthesis of the three objectives. By what name these Living Forces are called is entirely immaterial. They can be regarded as the Vice-Regents of God, Who can and will cooperate with the Spirit of Life and of Love upon our planet, the One in Whom we live and move and have our being. They may be regarded by certain thinkers as the Archangels of the Most High, Whose work has been made possible through the activity of Christ and His body of disciples, the true and living Church. They may be regarded by others as the guiding heads of the planetary Hierarchy, Who stand behind our planetary evolution, and Who seldom take an active part in the world activity, leaving it to the Masters of the Wisdom except in the time of an emergency such as this. By whatever name we call Them, They stand ready to aid if the call comes forth with sufficient strength and power from the aspirants and disciples at the time of the May full moon and the June full moon.</p>
<p>4. The evocation from the inner side of a strenuous and one-pointed activity on the part of the Hierarchy of Masters, those illumined Minds to Whom has been confided the work of world direction. A responsiveness is desired and can be effective between the following three groups:</p>
<p>1. The waiting and (at this time) anxious Hierarchy-anxious because even They cannot tell how humanity will react and whether men will be wise enough to avail themselves of the proffered opportunity. They stand, organised under the direction of the Christ, the Master of all the Masters, and the Teacher alike of angels and of men. He has been constituted the direct intermediary between the earth and the Buddha, Who is, in His turn, consecrated intermediary between the entire waiting Hierarchy and the attentive Forces.</p>
<p>2. The New Group of World Servers, composed at this time of all those sensitive and consecrated servers of the race whose objective is world peace, who aim at the establishing of goodwill on earth as the basis for future living and world expansion. Originally, this group was composed of a handful of accepted disciples and consecrated aspirants. Its ranks have been opened - . . to all those people of goodwill who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the helping of humanity, and who see no separating bar of any kind, but feel alike to the men of all races, nationalities and religions.</p>
<p>3. The masses of men and women who have responded to the ideas which have been set forth, and who react favorably to the objective of international understanding, economic interdependence and religious unity. When these three groups of thinkers and servers are brought en rapport with each other, and when the three groups can be aligned, even momentarily, much can be accomplished; the gates of the new life can be opened, and the inflow of the new spiritual forces can take place. Such is the Group objective and idea.</p>
<p>May I now make an inquiry? Of what importance is this full moon of May to you personally? Does it seem to you of sufficient importance to warrant your utmost effort? Do you really believe that on that day there can truly come a release of spiritual energy of sufficient potency to change world affairs, provided that humanity plays its part? Do you really believe, and can you stand practically to that belief, that the Buddha on that date, in cooperation with the Christ, and with the Hierarchy of Illumined Minds, plus the proffered aid of some of the Thrones, Principalities and Powers of Light, Who are the higher correspondence of the powers of darkness, stand waiting to carry out God's Plans, when given the right and the permission of men? Your major job at this time is not to wrestle with the powers of evil and the forces of darkness, but to awaken an interest in and mobilise the forces of light in the world today. Resist not evil, but so organise and mobilise the good, and so strengthen the hands of the workers on the side of righteousness and love that evil will find less opportunity.</p>
<p>If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed in what I have told you, if you have staunch belief in the work of the spirit of God and in the divinity of humanity, then forget yourselves and consecrate your every effort, from the time you receive this communication, to the task of cooperation in the organised effort to change the current of world affairs by an increase in the spirit of love and goodwill in the world during the month of May. (Esoteric Psychology, Vol. II pp. 687-692)</p>
<p><i>(Article on Wesak, by Alice A. Bailey)</i></p>
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<dd><div><u><b>Djwhal Khul here. Tashi Delek!</b></u><br/> <br/> Wesak is once again upon us! It is a Spiritual New Year, the most sacred day for World Servers and Light Workers. Wesak calls forth the commitment of service from Humanity to Spirit, and the return of Spiritual support for those willing to Serve.<br/> <br/> You are invited to join a very special group journey in meditation for Wesak 2010.<br/> <br/> Each year, we take the original and authentic journey in a Merkabah vehicle especially constructed for this purpose. We experience Shamballah. We commune with other high level beings which strengthens the resolve. We feel the cool, thin air in Tibet and visit with other pilgrims who have made the journey. We share of ourselves and our bounties in the Tibetan pilgrim way.<br/> <br/> We go before the three Great Ones. Please do not be fooled by popular or modernized information. The three Great Ones remain the same as experienced for thousands of years and as written in the Alice A. Bailey material and also documented by Madam Blavatsky and The Theosophical Society. The original teachings of the Great White [Light] Brotherhood [Humanhood] stand as truth today. Our planetary logos, Sanat Kumara, is joined by The Christ and The Buddha in ceremony to Humanity.<br/> <br/> The purpose of this gathering is to offer one’s self to greater good. It is not to achieve recognition, initiation or praise. The ego desires these things, and this sacred experience is not ego based. It is the expression of the Soul and the Monad that earnestly seeks to serve. Although a Third Level Initiation is often transmitted to Humanity at this event, it is not the goal of the seeker. Those who have already achieved Soul Merge are renewed or refreshed, and sometimes receive new direction or clarification.<br/> <br/> Now I guide you to “The Nature of the Soul” by Lucille Cedercrans. A complimentary download of her book is available at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thenatureofthesoul.com/english/index.html">http://www.thenatureofthesoul.com/english/index.html</a>. Here, you can read about Inner Government which some of you will recognize in The Great Invocation.<br/> <br/> Gaze upon this photo of the original Valley of Wesak. Ask your body, “Have we been here before?” Attune to the energies of the most holy days of this place. It holds so much for Humanity and the Planet.<br/> <br/><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2655654956?profile=original"/><br/> Wesak Valley with Ceremonial Table Rock and snow-capped Mt. Kalaish<br/> Photo by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.esotericpublishing.com/">www.esotericpublishing.com</a> with gratitude<br/> <br/> <b>If you are not able to participate within the safety of a group meditation, please ask for assistance from the Ascended Masters to take you there.</b></p>
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