For the week of May 8 - 14, 2008

Note: We pray for the people and kingdoms in Chile (Patagonia, 4000 people evacuated due to volcanic activity, dust reaching to Argentina; volcano’s name is Chaiten and it last erupted 9,000 years ago) and in Myanmar (Burma, 7th rice growing country in the world) devastated by the recent cyclone. As of this writing more than 100,000 in Myanmar are said to have perished. We pray for them - Ohm Mani Padme Hum. And we pray that the present government (junta) allow assistance into their country. We can help by sending donations to the Red Cross, an outpost of the Hierarchy...our service to humanity and to the world in time of need. Service is a quality of the Soul. Risa

You're Simply the Best

This Sunday is Leo Moon wherein we provide (radiate from the Soul) praise, recognition and love to everyone and everything. It is also Mother’s Day and Pentecost (fiftieth day). The two are connected esoterically through Ray 3, Divine Intelligence. Pentecost represents the descent (outpouring) of the Holy Spirit (Ray 3, Divine Intelligence) as tongues of fire (Agni, our Lord is a Fire, our minds are fire) upon the disciples as they gathered in an upper room (higher state of consciousness). The Holy Spirit imparted Seven Gifts, one of which was to speak and understand all the world’s languages. The disciples were thus able to teach the new Law of Love (Pisces Age Law) anchored on Earth by Christ. In the future New World Religion, two festivals will dominate – one is Pentecost. Ray 3 of Divine Intelligence is embedded within matter (mater which means mother). Mother, matter, and our minds all contain the intelligence of God. The three are one – a trinity.

In Later Years Mothers Look To Us for Guidance
As our mothers impart to us their intelligence, so does the Earth (Ray 3) attempt to teach us. We remember the 4th Commandment (Aries dispensation) to “Honor thy Mother & Father.” Many of us have forgotten this commandment and the other nine commandments given to humanity through Moses at the beginning of the Aries Age. Last year I sent a mother’s day card to my mother with Tina Turner singing, “You’re simply the best!” She (my mother) is, and they (mothers) are (the best). As mothers age they look to their children for the love, guidance, and companionship they previously gave to us. Positions change. On this Leo day let’s have the intention to thank and honor our mothers in all ways.

For Mothers Who Have Died or are Separated From Us
For those whose mothers have died we say together Ohm Mani Padme Hum. And for those emotionally separated from their mothers, here is the St. Francis of Assisi prayer that will help re-establish Right Relations and Goodwill with mother. St. Francis of Assisi, a Libra, is the saint of Right Human Relations. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

Pentecost
It is important to understand Pentecost in today's language (sic) and way of life. In the coming "New World Religion" two festivals within the Catholic/Christian Church will predominate – the Resurrection (Easter) & Pentecost.

″Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability." -Acts 2:2-4

Pentecost (fiftieth) is the fiftieth day after Resurrection or 7 weeks x 7 days per week = 49 + the day of Pentecost), Pentecost, one of the most important holy days in the Catholic/Christian church, is the day in which the disciples are led by a man carrying a water pot (signature of Aquarius) to an upper room (high level Initiation), most likely the same room where the Last Supper took place. There, when all were assembled, the Holy Spirit (Ray 3 of Divine Intelligence), descended and tongues of fire/flames (which gave light but did not burn), resting above the heads of the disciples, illumined and enlightened the minds of the disciples.

The Comforter
The Holy Spirit (Ray 3) is also referred to as "The Comforter." Before His Ascension wherein the Christ left the physical plane (to enter into Shamballa in the Himalayas in etheric form to sit at the right hand of His Father to "prepare a place for us"), the disciples, realizing their Teacher would be leaving their physical presence, became very sad. Christ in His compassion said He would send a Great Comforter to them. This Comforter was the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire.

Tongues of Fire
These "tongues of fire" imparted to the disciples joy and inspiration, vivification and a great love for God and humanity. Then they all began to speak "in tongues", which means they spoke language other than their native Hebrew – "they spoke all tongues" (languages unknown to them). These were the many languages of humanity worldwide so that the new Laws of Christ could be taught. After Pentecost, they knew all there was to know for they were imbued with Divine Intelligence and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. What follows from understanding the hearts and minds of men (all of humanity), which the disciples' ability to understand ALL LANGUAGUES SYMBOLIZES, is Right Human Relations. Thus Pentecost is the festival today of establishing Right Human Relations in our world.

After the fires of the Holy Spirit descended and the disciples absorbed the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, St. Peter's delivered his first sermon and the church of Christ (Catholic, Christian) was inaugurated for the first time (in the Piscean Age, Ray 6, over 2000 years ago).

White Sunday, Whitsunday, the Soul, Mantle of Light
The Disciples, in the forty days since their Teacher's Resurrection (Easter) and living in close contact with Him (the Christ), were taught the most hidden and ancient mysteries and secrets which prepared them to be able to establish the "Kingdom of God on earth" (Ray 1 into Ray 7). The disciples (seen in the etheric) had taken on the mantle of a blinding white Light (the Soul). Thus the original terms for Pentecost was/is Whitsunday (White Sunday), a very high spiritual level attained on planet earth. The disciples' hearts and minds were in equilibrium, they were able to manifest polarity through which miracles occur (water into wine, walking on water, etc.) and they exhibited all the gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit (Divine Intelligence of God). See gifts below…

Shavuot & Ten Commandments
Pentecost was originally an Old Testament agricultural festival called the Festival of Weeks (Shavuot), giving thanks for the "first fruits" of the early spring harvest (Exodus 23, 34). In the New Testament era (70 AD, when the Jewish Temple was destroyed) the agricultural emphasis was replaced with the festival celebrated God's gift to humanity of the Torah (the Law), wherein the Ten Commandments were given to Moses. We know this esoterically as the shift from the Taurus Age (the Jews in Egypt) to the entrance of the Aries Age (the Jews traveling in the desert for forty years and eventually settling in Canaan, Israel).

Red for Flames, Hagia Sophia, Wisdom & Intelligence
Red, the color of fire is used in the churches only on Pentecost. The story (event) of Pentecost signifies the Holy Wisdom of God (Hagia Sophia in Greek), the Divine Intelligence of God (Ray 3) given to His people, the world disciples – humanity.

The Tibetan & Pentecost
The Tibetan refers to Pentecost many times in his blue books. "The emphasis during the Aquarian Age, the age into which we are fast entering, will shift away from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, and from the infant Savior to the Risen Christ. Pisces has seen, during two thousand years, the spreading light; Aquarius will see the Rising Light, and of both of these the Christ is the eternal symbol.

The emphasis in the Aquarian Age will be on life and freedom (resurrection) from the tomb of matter (death), and this (resurrection) is the note, which will distinguish the new world religion from all that have preceded it.

The Festival of Easter and the Feast of Pentecost will be the two outstanding days of the religious year. Pentecost is the symbol of Right Human Relations in which all men and nations will understand each other and - though speaking in many and diverse languages - will know only one spiritual speech.

It is significant that two important episodes are related in the final part of the Gospel story - one preceding and one following immediately after the apparent death of Christ. They are:

1. The story of the upper chamber to which the man carrying the water pot and typifying Aquarius led the disciples, and in which the first communion service was held, participated in by all and foretelling that great relationship which will distinguish humanity in the coming age, after the tests of the Piscean Age. Such a communion service has never yet been held, but the New Age will see it take place.

2. The story of the upper chamber in which the disciples met and arrived at a true recognition of the Risen Christ and at a perfect and complete understanding of each other in spite of the symbolic diversity of tongues. They had a touch of prevision, of prophetic insight, and foresaw a little of the wonder of the Aquarian Age.

The vision in men's minds today is that of the Aquarian Age, even if they recognize it not. The future will see right relationships, true communion, a sharing of all things (wine, the blood, the life and bread, economic satisfaction) and goodwill; we have also a picture of the future of humanity when all nations are united in complete understanding and the diversity of languages - symbolic of differing traditions, cultures, civilizations and points of view - will provide no barrier to right human relations. At the center of each of these pictures is to be found the Christ. Thus the expressed aims and efforts of the United Nations will be eventually brought to fruition and a new church of God, gathered out of all religions and spiritual groups, will untidily bring to an end the great heresy of separateness. Love, unity, and the Risen Christ will be present, and He will demonstrate to us the perfect life. (Destiny of the Nations,
pp. 151-2)

The churches - materialistic, hide-bound and submerged in their theological concepts, seeking political power or possessions, emphasizing stone buildings and cathedrals whilst neglecting "the Temple of God, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" - are occupied with the symbols and not with the reality. Now they must learn to recognize that the Lord is not with them and they too must go forth, as Mary did, and seek Him anew. If they will do so, they will surely find Him and again become His messengers.

The fact of the Resurrection will be demonstrated during the next few centuries, and the Living Christ will walk among men and lead them onward towards the Mount of Ascension. The Pentecost will become truth. All men will come under the tide of inspiration from on high, and though they may speak with many tongues, they will all understand each other.

What I have to say to you, I intend to divide into two parts:
1. The Work of the Christ Today


2. The Coming Work of Reconstruction (a Force released by the Spirit of Resurrection at the Gemini Festivals each year)

These two convey the same basic ideas and thus complement each other. They proclaim the fact that all that truly concerns us is that which takes place upon Earth in line with the "blueprints" which guide the work of the Christ. (When I use the phrase "concerns us" I refer to man's physical, emotional and mental reactions). They proclaim the fact that every state of consciousness is anchored within humanity and that all are factual here and now, did men but know it. They proclaim also the truth that Christ has never left us for a distant heaven of nebulous outlines, but that He is ever within our reach.

They proclaim also the fact that His interest, His arduous labors on our behalf and the activities of His working disciples, the Masters of the Wisdom and the Lords of Compassion, are with us, here and now. They proclaim that we are not alone, but that the Forces of Light and of Enlightenment are constantly working; that the strength and the wisdom of Those who know are being mobilized to aid mankind, and that nothing can now arrest or prevent the contact between that intelligent aspiring center, called humanity, and the inner spiritual group, the Hierarchy.

Pentecost. This event does not portray the triumph of orthodox Christianity (as the theologians believe and teach), but signifies the universal dissemination of the Christ consciousness throughout all time in the heart of every human being; to this the words and promise, "Lo, I am with you all the days, even until the end of the world," bear witness. (From Rays & Initiations, p. 356) The other two initiations (vaguely called the Resurrection and the Ascension) are related to the second so-called "door." This door is not in the same sense an obstruction as is the first door; it opens on to the Way of the Higher Evolution. The first door symbolically admits the initiate into the "heart of the Sun," whilst the second door - in a most mysterious sense - indicates the route which must be followed by the liberated initiate who seeks to penetrate to the Central Spiritual Sun - to which all the seven Paths eventually lead." (Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. 472)

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3 and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church) along with their virtues (from Summa Theologica. where Thomas Aquinas asserts the following correspondences between the seven Capital Virtues and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1. The gift of wisdom corresponds to the virtue of charity.
2. The gift of understanding corresponds to the virtue of faith.
3. The gift of knowledge corresponds to the virtue of faith
4. The gift of counsel corresponds to the virtue of prudence.
5. The gift of fortitude corresponds to the virtue of fortitude.
6. The gift of piety corresponds to the virtue of justice.
7. The gift of fear of (separation from) the Lord (or the gift of awe) corresponds to the virtue of hope.

The week: Thursday is Cancer moon. A gate opens and the spiritual world rushes into our world. It is subtle. We must be very observant to observe this occurring. Rays 3 & 7 accompany the rush of Light providing us with the Divine Intelligence and the Seven Gifts in order to be able to fortify the creation of the new culture & civilization and new world religion (all Ray 7). We are also hungry.

Thursday & Friday - May 8th & 9th at the United Nations are celebrated as a "Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the 2nd World War."

Friday Jupiter in Capricorn (22:22 degrees) retrogrades (we look back) and Mars enters Leo (passion and focus upon fulfilling our desires, seeking/giving love). At 5:06 m (Pacific time) the moon is v/c (till 6:10 am Saturday morning as moon enters Leo).

Saturday is Leo moon. We strive forward with desire and fortitude. We remember to Love more. Sunday is Mother's Day and Pentecost. In the Catholic Church as a child we called to "The Comforter" (Holy Spirit). The Sun squares (new reality) Chiron on Sunday. This gives us an opportunity to bring healing to mother and to our relationships with all that represents "mother" (our biological mother, the Earth, sisters, women, etc.).

Monday is v/c till 11:48 am when moon enters Virgo. We become serious about order and organization. Tuesday is the same. Wednesday is v/c all day from morning till night when at 9:38 pm the moon enters Libra, sign of developing Right Relations with all kingdoms and elements, with money, resources and with each other.

Jupiter Retrograde in Cap
Jupiter retrogrades until September 8th, turning direct at 12:32 degrees Cap. Also on September 8th Pluto turns direct at 28:30 degrees Sag. Travel during Jupiter retro in Capricorn can prove to be more difficult than expected. Tread (walk) with safety in mind and be careful of knees and thighs. Jupiter retrograde signifies that we will cease externalizing our goals. We will enter into an internal review of all that Jupiter rules—ideas, study, mental pursuits, justice, our philosophy and belief systems. On a personal level, the area that is affected for each of us depends upon which house or area in our charts Jupiter at 22 Cap is retrograding. With Jupiter retrograde we return (retrograde) to previous realities in order to assess their usefulness and practicality (Capricorn) for the future.

Jupiter (justice, government) retrograding (review) in Capricorn (government structure, our elected officials, the executive branch of government) allows us to review and reassess the strengths, abilities and qualities of the Presidential candidates before November's election.

Both Jupiter and Saturn are social, in-the-world planets wherein we interact with others and work within the present culture & civilization. When either Jupiter and/or Saturn retrograde we begin to assess our belief systems and the structures we both accept and live within. (Note: in a natal chart if either Jupiter and/or Saturn are retrograde, the person cannot function within the accepted systems. Jupiter/Saturn retrograde makes them function internally and not externally in the areas Jupiter and Saturn rule (culture and civilization, rules, laws and regulations).

When planets are retrograde (think what occurs when Mercury retrogrades) regular daily events tend to work backward, go awry, shift and act within rules we are unaware of. With Jupiter retrograde in Capricorn (and the upcoming Mercury retrograde) it will be interesting to see how our (United States) election process proceeds and if our present beliefs and ideals concerning the candidate we chose remains the same when October and November arrive.

ARIES: Careful how you interact with others. Don’t rely only on outer monetary realities though they are important. Rely also on instinct and then intuition to direct and guide you into knowing the quality of a person, event, resource, and investment. You will be called to courage, a virtue of the heart and to a deep calmness when one knows all’s well. Because you made it so.

TAURUS: Be aware that you make impressions on others leading them to follow your every thought and move. Therefore it is important that you complete all plans, agreements, promises and agendas. You’re attempting to initiate new projects impacting us far into the future. Proceed forward. You may be one of the only able to accomplish this. The future of humanity awaits.

GEMINI: You may feel exhausted, needing more rest. You also may not be sleeping well – either dreaming or remaining awake. The mineral kingdom is shaking underground with underwater volcanic activity. Your sensitive body may be feeling this. Maintain a light, fresh foods diet, eliminate anything excess, drink more water, love more, and expect the shifting to continue. Look to the stars for direction.

CANCER: It’s important to maintain close connections to the group(s) you identify with that have your same like-mindedness. Look to all interactions as opportunities and seek to understand what the hopes and wishes of others are. Know that no matter how your life looks now, greater levels of community will be available to you and your family. Prepare for a health situation to occur by drinking more water and taking more Vitamin C.

LEO: You may need to rearrange your work. In the past month there have been whispers of change. Perhaps your job interests, abilities and/or responsibilities have reoriented. Perhaps you’re being honored for excellence and innovation. Whatever it is, look to others around you - above and below, side by side – and emphasize their qualities and goodnesses too. As a leader would.

VIRGO: You may be creating many and various list consisting of tasks, errands - cars that need tending, accounts that need reckoning, travels that need considering, responsibilities that need completing, and problems that need easing. Spending time alone will help you complete incomplete projects. You may dream more at night as you travel about in the ethers.

LIBRA: Are you harboring a secret, perhaps one or more? Is there money or resources you share with another? Is everything clear and aboveboard in this area? It is time to arrange your finances so that debts are paid quickly. This times call you to be frugal, economically prudent, thrifty and careful, to conserve your resources with confidence. Be prepared to teach others very soon in these ways. You will be efficient, informative and brilliant.

SCORPIO: Relationships are primary now so listen very carefully to what others are communicating and have the intentions to respond with care, interest and emotional equilibrium. Should you be uncooperative a feeling of imbalance will ensue and you will feel you have neglected a responsibility. Direct attention toward others now for only from you can they feel special care, love and safety.

SAGITTARIUS: Career matters assume new dimensions, co-workers need more care, you want to improve your health, create new work methods and tend to the necessities of your life. You realize this takes balancing and so you go slower than usual, foregoing adventure in order to create a long-term plan of practical goals. Your greatest success is acceptance of everything presently in your life. Then everything shifts.

CAPRICORN: Setting out each day’s agenda and realizing what your priorities allows you to have more wisdom and brings a clarity and focus to things routine. Try not to criticize anyone or anything realizing everyone’s doing their very best and at different stages of development. New opportunities appear at first as philosophical ideas and goals. Rest more so you can imagine more.

AQUARIUS: Home and family, property, community and parents become very important in the coming weeks. Give these attention, attempting to improve relationships with family while also improving the beauty and organization of your home environment. Do nothing that unsettles your or your family’s safety or security, challenge no one, and calm tensions with exercise, prayers and adequate vitamins, minerals and herbs. Where is the love in your life?

PISCES: You may be traveling to teach and/or to study this summer in a place far away. You may be planning meetings, conferences, classrooms and/or curriculum. You will definitely be communicating with others on a grand scale, either personally or through writing, speaking, teleconferencing, conference calling. Some or all of these will occur and all the while you will gain in knowledge, in happiness and in goodness. Others too then prosper.

May Day, Ascension, Cinco de Mayo, & Taurus New Moon: Let Struggle Be Undismayed

Thursday, May 1st, is May Day, the Ascension of Christ into heaven forty days after His Resurrection. It is also Pisces moon. Venus is trine Pluto (deep review of relationships and resources) and then Venus trines Saturn in Virgo (we assess relationships, finances and resources). Kindness and care prevails due to the trines.

The Ascension
May 1st, Thursday – Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church
Between His Resurrection and His Ascension, observed by the Apostles, at Mt. Olivet (Mount of Ascension near Jerusalem, City of Peace, northeast of Bethany), Christ taught the disciples inner esoteric truths (about the Soul, producing spiritual currents of Light within the body). His teachings were preparing His disciples for Pentecost (fifty days after the Resurrection when the Holy Spirit, The Comforter, Ray 3, descends in tongues of fire [our God is a fire, Agni], illuminating and enlightening the Minds of the Apostles…) and to enter into the world to teach the new Piscean Dispensation (rule, law) to Love One Another. The Piscean Laws (concerning Love, because Christ anchored Love) were different laws given to humanity than the Aries Laws, which were the Ten Commandments. Each Age is given their laws, which build upon the previous laws. We call the Laws of each Age, dispensations. For Aquarius we have been given the new Aquarian Laws & Principles, which build upon the Piscean Law of Love and the Aries Ten Commandments.

“He was raised up and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9), “to sit at the right hand of His Father.”  “He was raised up into heaven.” Two “men” clothed in white (i.e., angels) appear and tell the apostles that Christ will return in the same manner as He was taken. “He will come on the clouds and in the air.” Before leaving the Christ said to His disciples, “I will be with you always even unto/till the end of the Age/world, time” and “I am going and preparing places for you, I will return, and greet you in where I am. Thus, you will be in the place where I will be. Do you know the way where I am going?" (John,14:1-3)..”

Christ, seated at the right hand of His Father, after the Ascension wherein He passed into the highest spiritual realms of the earthly sphere, is then able to be a channel for the downpouring of forces from the twelve Celestial Hierarchies (constellations), the Archangels (of whom the Christ is the Head), and every atom of the earth begins to be flooded with the light of Spiritual power. The Ascension leads to the Pentecost (when our minds are enlightened) and leads to summer solstice when pure light floods the earth.

The Christ, in the Ascension and in His words above, informs us that He has “prepared the Way for us” to return to our original spiritual realms after, being Spirits in matter, we journeyed to earth. We also know that in 1945 the One who has assumed the Work and title of Christ, said that He would be returning as the Teacher of the Aquarian Age. We don’t know the date or time. We know He will “return in the same manner as He left us.” We also know the signposts of the Return – wars, famines, chaos, and corruption along with a strong band of disciples called the New Group of World Servers ready to receive Him.

Fish (Pisces)
The symbol of the fish (Piscean Age), dweller of the deep, often hidden within the waters, depicted that the deepest esoteric knowledge would be taught to the “fishermen”, those who followed the Christ. In the days (it could have been months, even years of teaching), the disciples were taught divine revelations which would advance them to be able to function both on inner and outer planes (heaven and earth) as they worked in the fields of humanity teaching them the new Laws of the Piscean Age. St. John refers to these teachings “And there are also many other things which Christ did (revelations, teachings, etc.) that cannot yet be written.”

May Day
For the Druids of the British Isles, May 1, or Beltane, was the second most important holiday of the year. It was thought May 1st divided the year into half. The other half ended with Samhain on November 1 (day after Halloween). On May Day, an ancient New Year, a new fire was set for fire was thought to give life to the springtime sun. Cattle were driven through the fire to purify them. Men, with their sweethearts, passed through the fire’s smoke for good luck.

When the Romans occupied the British Isles May 1st was a very popular feast time devoted to Flora, goddess of flowers with a five- day celebration called the Floralia celebrated from April 28 - May 2. The Romans brought Festival of Floralia to the British Isles and gradually Floralia was added to Beltane until today there are the combined rituals of both.

Tradition of Maypole and Greeneries
By the Middle Ages every English village had a Maypole. The bringing in of the Maypole from the woods was a great occasion and was accompanied by much rejoicing and merrymaking. The Maypoles were of all sizes. And one village would vie with another to show who could produce the tallest Maypole. Maypoles were usually set up for the day in small towns, but in London and the larger towns they were erected permanently.

In France over the centuries the Maypole has become the May Tree, which became the "Tree of Liberty" and was the symbol of the French Revolution. Despite the new nomenclature, the peasants treated the tree in the same traditional spirit. And they would dance around it the same way as their forefathers had always done.

Maypoles and trees:
Trees have always been the symbol of the great vitality and fertility of nature and were often used in ancient spring festivals.

Roots of May Day celebration in America:

The Puritans in America frowned on May Day, so the day has never been celebrated with as much enthusiasm in the United States as in Great Britain. But the tradition of celebrating May Day by dancing and singing around a maypole, tied with colorful streamers or ribbons, survived as a part of the English tradition. Young children celebrating May day by circling around the pole (tree) with streamers, the choosing of May queen (in Catholic churches the May queen crowns Mary with flowers), and hanging of May baskets on the doorknobs are what’s left of the ancient European traditions. 
(from http://www.theholidayspot.com/mayday/history.htm)

May Day is a time to celebrate the onset of May, of springtime when the trees burst forth their green leaves. Since the ancient days in England there prevailed a custom of "bringing in the May" on May Day. People would go to the woods in the early dawn, pick flowers and tender branches of trees to decorate houses, garden, and the common areas where May Day festivities would be held.

May Day and Flowers
It has always been strongly associated with flowers and the making of May garlands, an ancient May Day custom. May garland making is meant to herald the coming of summer. Groups of small girls, crowned with garlands of leaves and flowers, went from door to door singing and offering flowers and begging for sweets.

Maypole dance
On the first day of May, English villagers woke up at daybreak to roam the countryside gathering blossoming flowers and branches. A towering maypole was set up on the village green. This pole, usually made of the trunk of a tall birch tree, was decorated with bright field flowers. The villagers then danced and sang around the maypole, accompanied by a piper.

May Queen
Also part of May Day celebration was the crowning of a May Queen. When the sun rose, villagers began to dance around the decorated maypole. A Queen was chosen from the village girls to reign over the May Day festivities. Crowned on a flower-covered throne, she was drawn in a decorated cart by young men or her maids of honor to the village green where she would be crowned and set in an arbor of flowers. Often the dancing was performed around her and around the Maypole. (In Catholic churches and villages today, Mary the Mother of Jesus is the one who is crowned.)

Morris Dances
Groups of men dance together in costumes of traditional characters, often animal-men, in ceremonial folk dances. The name Morris is associated with the horn dance held each year at Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire, England. This dance-procession includes six animal-men bearing deer antlers, three white and three black sets; a man-woman, or Maid Marian, and a fool. These dances are still performed in England and in various parts of Europe, Asia, and, America. The name Morris is also associated with groups of mummers who act, rather than dance, the death-and-survival rite at the turn of the year.

Facewashing at Dawn in May Dew
Washing the face with May dew was another May Day custom. There was a belief among the women in Great Britain and other parts of Europe that May Day dew has the power to restore beauty. This is why in the Ozark Mountains, a cradle of American folklore, girls used to nurture a belief that having their faces washed with the early dawn dews on the May Day would help them to be married to the man they loved. (sounds like early Bach Flower remedies in the Ozarks)

(continuing with the week) Friday, Aries moon, Mercury enters Gemini (everyone begins to talk more and more) and Saturn in Virgo turns direct. It is due to the Saturn in Virgo that we have food shortages. Virgo is Ceres whose daughter, Persephone, was taken into the depths of the earth (Pluto in Capricorn). To assuage her suffering and grief, she caused the plant kingdom to die (which is what we see in wintertime). The grains of corn, wheat (both gifts from Venus) and rice that fed humanity were no longer available. It took an intervention from Jupiter/Zeus, the Sun god, to bring the plant kingdom to life once again.

Findhorn
The same message was given to the founders of Findhorn (Peter, Eileen & Dorothy) in northern Scotland in our present time. The message was that humanity needed to develop a new conscious relationship with the plant kingdom (its devas, angels, guardians, builders) or earth would be in peril. Findhorn today is alive and well and prospering. The rest of humanity seems to be confused as to what to do as it faces world-wide grain shortages leading to food rationing, lack of food in some areas and food riots; ever-changing weather patterns, droughts, ice melts, two wars, an ineffective government, and the drop in the dollar leading to a US recession. What is our intervention? It says in the Ancient Wisdom teachings that many of these are the signposts of the Reappearance of the Christ!

Saturn direct…what we have planned and structured within for the last several months, now comes into form and matter. Our disciples and structures have been internal realities. We now see them externalized.

Saturday could be a difficult day with challenges, no compromises available, and some confusion. Sunday is Taurus moon. We’re more comfortable and there is kindness all around. Monday is new moon, 5:18 am (Pacific time) at 16 degrees Taurus. The meditative seed thought that allows us to understand Taurus as it builds the personality is: “Let struggle be undismayed.” Taurus receives and distributes Ray 4, Harmony Through Conflict. This phrase is the personality (with the Soul within) moving forward into matter in order to learn all lessons from being in form and matter. When we are in form and matter duality takes place (as we are spirits in matter). This duality forms within us a tension of duality. It is only within duality that we eventually learn there are choices to be made. When we consciously perceive the choices available what then emerges is discrimination, which we then use in the world of form. These are steps upon the path. Join us by reciting the Great Invocation at the time of the new moon. The theme of each new moon is “Strengthening the hands of the New Group of World Servers and men and women of Goodwill.”

Monday is also Cinco de Mayo, honoring the Battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862 honoring Mexico’s resistance to French rule. Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated in California and in the state of Puebla, Mexico as a regional holiday of food, music, and dancing.

From Wikipedia: “the date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry, respectively. As a result, the holiday is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origins, especially in cities and states where there is a large population of Mexican ancestry. Although it is not an official holiday, many cities with large populations of Mexican ancestry honor the day as a symbolic representation of Mexican pride and as a representation of a culture that blends both Mexican and American roots. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Virgin de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, such as César Chávez.[14]

In cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, San Antonio, Phoenix, Denver, Albuquerque, El Paso, and elsewhere throughout the Southwest, Cinco de Mayo is best characterized as a day of celebration to honor a culture that fuses Mexican heritage and American life experience. To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate pupils about its historical significance. Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Examples include ballet folklórico and mariachi demonstrations held annually at the Plaza del Pueblo de Los Angeles, near Olvera Street.

Tuesday is Gemini moon. We’re quiet, then disciplined, then communicative today, in that order. Wednesday evening at 6:36 pm, another v/c begins lasting till early morning Cancer moon on Thursday. We’re hungry and seek nourishment.

ARIES: Be aware this month of defining your self-identity (a good thing) in terms of what you possess (not necessarily reality). It is good for us to have what we need. Sometimes it tells us what we’re worth financially. But it doesn’t provide us with true self-value or self as valuable. That’s a spiritual lens that needs continual refreshing and remembering. What is the message here? You’re valuable not only in money but in spirit.

TAURUS: Attempt to express thoughts and feelings of love, appreciation, care and nurturance as everything you value shifts about. You’re considering ways of using resources so they become future investments. Yes, this is good. But beforehand, tend to ALL unfinished business, communications, finances, and responsibilities. This may be difficult and will call you to discipline. But you must in order to have the presence of mind for your next endeavor.

GEMINI: Working quietly and in solitude (even if working in the world), preparing to dream and to remember those dreams, asking yourself serious questions and awaiting the answers to reveal themselves is part of this week’s internal agenda. Simultaneously, something may appear that become a resource. Maybe money. Each day search for what’s hidden and valuable. Your values are becoming universal. Did you notice?

CANCER: You need to communicate what’s on your mind, share certain personal experiences, talk about aspirations, hopes, wishes and dreams. You cannot keep yourself isolated any longer. It is not healthy to do so. Who are your friends? Go to them for they provide you with safety, security and a sense that you are loved and cared for. But you must take the first authentic step and you can, will, and should. Bake first.

LEO: You have a deep strength to call upon for assistance when everything seems strange, difficult, dull or restricted. This strength holds you in safety and insures that what you need will be provided. Whatever you are accomplishing in the world now seems comforting and prosperous, valuable and purposeful. But there is one question to ask. If you are unhappy on any level, what else would you want to be doing? And where?

VIRGO: It’s possible you feel restrictions in your physical body, in how you see yourself, and perhaps in thinking of yourself as free and creative. A new sense of internal structure is about to form and providing you with a new ladder to climb which will allow you an overview of who you would like to be and in what location. It’s possible previous philosophies defining you will change. Watch for this. You’ll move up the ladder.

LIBRA: If you take the time to assess your environments, you’ll realize that by participating with others and sharing resources, you’re creating a deep connection between yourself and others and this contact (which releases Love) actually provides you with comfort, care and a sense of regeneration. You too provide this. Do you realize this? Remember there is more to life than money. There is comfort, care, support and compassion. These create spiritual joy. You long for this.

SCORPIO: Very interesting times. It’s possible you’ve become (or want to) attracted to someone (or the idea of being attracted). You want new experiences that lead to feelings of safety and security, and events or people or that one special person to offer you the Art of Living that stays around for a long while. These are good desires and aspirations. Do be aware though that if you attract what’s moody, you too become this way. Be awake and aware. Freedom is subtle.

SAGITTARIUS: Scorpio (above) applies to you, also, Sag. But perhaps instead of looking for the attraction you’re working more and waiting for that big life change (happening now or later or some day in the future, sometime! – you feel it!). While at work though do tend to those under, around and over you. Recite the Integration Mantram to soothe yourself. “I am one with my brothers and sisters and all that I have is theirs. May the love which is in my Soul pour forth to them. May the strength within me lift and aid them. May the thoughts which my Soul creates reach and encourage them.”

CAPRICORN:Here is a quote specifically for you from the film Chocolat. It is so you can “measure” yourself appropriately. “We must measure our goodness, not by what we don't do, what we deny ourselves, what we resist, or who we exclude. Instead, we should measure ourselves by what we embrace, what we create, and who we include." Print this out in large type (choose a typeface), frame it and hang it in each room. This is your meditative seed thought just for you.

AQUARIUS:You realize what you are grateful for. You see how important a home is, yours in particular, and also the importance of family and being in close contact. You look into your past and toward your future and know that what you do each day, the choice of your actions, determines the quality of your life. This is like a mathematical equation. You are the foundation of your life. You will build from this position. In the meantime, have a party, some fun, cook, and invite people over. They miss you.

PISCES: Tend to all communications and contacts that have been put aside till the right time. Now is the right time. Let everyone know how you feel about them, providing everyone with a view of their worth. You know this but others may not understand. It may be you have one good day and the next is confused and disoriented. Rest on those days of confusion. Create a journal of your perfect home. Begin now. Relationships begin to be structured differently. A new rhythm will emerge. Prepare for this carefully.

Illumination, Enlightenment, Redemption, Making Whole & Holy

We rest this week following the Wesak festival, aware always that we are holding in tension (assisting the Hierarchy & Christ) and in care the Shamballa Ray 1 Force released at the Taurus Full Moon Saturday. There are two Taurus Full Moons this year which has caused some clarifying discussions concerning when the Wesak-Vaisich (waters) Festival should take place.

Two Wesak Festivals
Our group will have two Wesak Festivals, one last Sunday on the 20th of April and the next at the 2nd Taurus Full moon on May 19th. When I consulted with other esoteric groups (particularly one in Germany following different aspects [jewels] of the esoteric teachings) I was told that they follow the astrology of Master Jupiter, eldest Hierarchical Master and Regent of India residing in the Nilgiris Hills (Blue Mountains near Kerala, India) and consider the 2nd Taurus Full Moon to be Wesak. Master Jupiter is a Ray 1 Master, who works with the Manu and Master Morya (also Ray 1). Master Jupiter is a great astrologer and teacher. Astrology is the foundational study that illumines and enlightens our minds. Taurus is the sign of enlightenment and the illumined mind. In the Pleiades, from stars Aldebaran and Alcyone, we call forth the lights that illumine our minds.

Why Does the Mind Need Enlightenment?
Why does our mind need illumination and enlightenment? I answer with both a statement (esoteric) and questions. The questions first - in our present world crisis, the effects seen now on regular news reports, how will we individually, within our community, village, state, nation and the world work with the present and more-to-come food shortages; the looming economic reorientation and present recession; our broken government; the two wars; massive migrations of humanity due to wars and poverty; and the ever accelerating shifting of the weather patterns creating droughts, melting ice, earth changes, warming waters, etc.? Do we have any answers as a (world) community? Are we in a community that asks these questions and are there answers being sought? Yes, there are answers. Who is asking and who is listening?

Mayas, Glamours, Illusions Dispelled
Why does our mind need illumination and enlightenment? Because light (enlightenment/illumination) dispels glamours (emotional distortions, beliefs, attachments that keep us from reality & truths), illusions (distortions on the mental plane of thought and ideas); and maya (distortions of the physical brain in what it thinks). What keeps us from seeing clearly the present dangers in our world and what keeps us from asking the right questions, finding answers and entering into community? The distortions (which are a developmental stage).

Buddha’s (Wesak, Taurus) Purpose
The Buddha’s presence and purpose on Earth 500 BC was to prepare humanity for the Christ message of Love (and an anchoring of a strand of Spirit Will) by bringing the Light of Knowledge (knowledge enlightens and illumines our minds) to Earth. This Light dispelled the glamours (emotional distortions), the illusions (mental distortions, and mayas (physical distortions) within humanity living at that time (us, long ago). When all personality level distortions are dispelled then we are able to: see clearly what is occurring on our planet today; ask the necessary questions to assist in safeguarding humanity; move toward Right Action, which means the creation of community discussion and thinking leading to the Art of Sharing (which is the Art of Living in the Aquarian Age); understand the message of the Christ (Soul) who came to earth to anchor Love, to inaugurate the Piscean Age of faith (after the wars of Aries), and to anchor the first strand of Will (of the Father, Spiritual Will). The Buddha brought us Light and prepared us to be disciples. The Christ brought Love and called the Disciples to Initiation. They are Brothers. They call us today at the Aries, Taurus & Gemini Full Moon festivals.

The Pope, Messenger, Redeemer
Who watched the Pope last week as he visited the United States, Washington and the United Nations (humanity’s universal home)? Did you notice that the Vatican is a permanent observer at the UN and that the Pope (Father, Ray 1) entered into the masses of humanity (Ray 3) and New York City (Ray 3) via a helicopter (He will come in the air) landing on Wall St. the financial district (Ray 3) and thus the most in-matter (on purpose) city in the world?

Pope at the United Nations
Did everyone see the Pope at the United Nations (Scorpio Sun)? He inaugurated the Wesak (Taurus) Festival and Passover; blessed the universal home of humanity (the United Nations); forged conciliation between the Jewish and Catholic faiths. prayed for those who sacrificed their lives in Iraq in the UN Meditation Room where, at the center is a rectangular block of iron ore as altar. Above the Meditation Room and the iron ore (mineral kingdom, Ray 7 of form and matter and wherever there is Ray 7, Ray 1, the Father, Spirit, must enter) is the General Assembly where great leaders of nations meet and discuss world policies.

Soul Is the Great Observer
When considering that the UN has a permanent observer role in the United Nations, did everyone remember that the Soul is the Great Observer and that being an observer (as the Vatican is at the United Nations) symbolizes identification with the Soul whose qualities are unity, synthesis, love, Right Relations, consciousness, etc.). The Pope’s message and purpose for visiting the United States (Cancer Sun and the Pope is now progressed Cancer Sun, the great nurturer and the Gate through which Spirit enters Matter – Cancer is Ray 3 & Ray 7, construction of the new culture and civilization) was that Christ is our Hope for the future. Christ is the code word for what? Who knows?

Goodwill
In all of his speeches, whether to the young or old, the grieving or the faithful, in public or private, no matter what religion, the Pope used the words “men and women of Goodwill.” These words and actions are signposts toward the Reappearance of the Christ (more on this in another column).

To Redeem Means to Make Whole & Holy – to Sanctify
The Pope visited Ground Zero, which is now a memorial to those who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom. We live in a nation created to be a model of freedom and liberty. Cancer symbolizes liberty. We have from France (Rays 3 & 5), the gift of the Statue of Liberty and our U.S. Sun is Cancer 9Rays 3 & 7). Liberty is our theme, what we are learning about; our meditative seed thought; our task and the future for our world. The Pope came to the city when our freedom and liberty were threatened and in his blessing of that holy ground, he redeemed that ground (NYC), which means he make it whole and holy.

The Week:
The relatively quiet week: Thursday Mars in Cancer opposes Jupiter in Capricorn. An integration should occur today between personal and professional, individual & collective, home and the world. A v/c begins at 2:37 pm (Pacific time), lasting till early morning. Friday and Saturday are Capricorn moon. Friday is the feast day of St. Mark, one of the Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John). Sunday Passover ends, it’s v/c from 7:18 am till 2:27 pm when moon enters Aquarius. We feel free and a bit rebellious. Monday the moon’s light decreases, it rises at midnight in the eastern sky moving through the sky till early morning. She is in her waning (disintegrating) phase or the 4th quarter moon phase where we are called to reflect back upon what we have accomplished in the last three weeks, recognize, reorganize, reprioritize, rest a bit while planning for the new moon in a week.

Tuesday we feel the multiple shifting of the planets after a relatively quiet week. Mercury squares Neptune and we’re hazy and confused. The Moon makes difficult connections to the planets – we feel hurt, veiled, challenges, uncompromised and seek friendships in the afternoon and evening. Late night (11:11 pm) the moon enters Pisces. Wednesday morning, 6:34 am, Venus enters Taurus. All of a sudden beauty, money, resources, finances are the subjects of our conversations (more so). And in 1939 the then President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to be on television. What did he tell our nation?

ARIES: You are rethinking the impact your work makes on your life and will, in the next months, consider what is best professionally. In the meantime, you must assess your health. Is it excellent? Do you need medical check ups? For the next year or so, you may (or already do) feel stiff, rickety, older than your age, and a bit grumpy (lots of time). More calcium/magnesium will be needed to ease bones and joints. A naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist would be good to consult. And your dentist.

TAURUS: What changes must be made? Who must be contacted to bring your ideas into matter and form? You have an illumined mind but sometimes cannot bring those heavenly impressions into the world. There are those around who can, would and will help. Ask them and override your Taurus feeling that you can do everything alone. You are to create community where many people work together in a sustained effort for the new culture and civilization.

GEMINI: What spiritual and then social connections needs re-establishing. What humanitarian activities are you being called to? Did you begin to study the United Nations? As I watched the Pope there last week I thought of you working at the United Nations or creating one where you live. The UN is humanity’s home. It’s possibly yours, too. Do not ignore this. The UN is an “externalization of the Hierarchy.” I know you understand this.

CANCER: How are others relating to you? Are you maintaining in all areas of your life Right Human Relations? You are to create these wherever everywhere for you are to initiate the next new developmental stage of humanity in your environments. This new stage is their realization that to create Right Relations one must have at all times the intentions for Goodwill. Then justice and human rights issues, if conflicted, dissolve. You can do this.

LEO: What are your religious and spiritual orientations these days? Does what you believe spiritually fulfill you? Have you thought of making a pilgrimage to a holy place? To a monastery or seminary or perhaps to walk Spain’s Camino de Santiago. Pilgrimages are long journeys containing great spiritual, moral and ecological significances. There are pilgrimages in all faiths. A pilgrim is a seeker. You are seeking. What deeply within you do you seek? It will find you.

VIRGO: You need to explore some serious fun that will expand your day to day life, give you something different to wake up to, provide you with a new creative structure, let you feel you’re climbing the ladder of a new self-identity, and let you know you’re part of the world, civilization and culture. You may feel strict with yourself and wake up with sore muscles. Quick, beginning now and for the next two years, create a spa and exercise schedule and make this your first priority of each day.

LIBRA: Is there a change in resources that you must soon contemplate? Is there someone you need to talk with but can’t, won’t, don’t, because it’s not safe? Is there someone you need to speak with to offer safety, care and succor? What changes in your daily life have occurred that seem to have plummeted you to the bottom of life so that all you can see is up? Great expansions of practical wisdom are coming your way. Careful when exercising or playing that you don’t hurt yourself. Just be careful.

SCORPIO: So, are you being efficient and orderly each day, especially at work? To become more accomplished in the future, having the immediate environment in a state of beauty and order will facilitate the changes soon to arrive. It’s possible bringing order to your environment becomes a wound as you’re awash in a life well lived. You may need help and assistance. Like your Taurus opposite, ask and it will be given, reach out and you will be held.

SAGITTARIUS: You’re in a time of a great amount of work to be done and done well. You’ll be called upon to stabilize others in your workplace, to give them incentives, praise, and recognition. This is an art and if you don’t know how to accomplish this you’ll learn. You’re to illumine the minds of others, which actually you always do (while also seeking your own) but perhaps you’re unaware of this. Should you take this task of illuminating others seriously how would you live your life and do you work differently? Would your work change?

CAPRICORN: Have you begun to have any fun? Soon you should and will. More than usual. Fun, games and play will actually tabularize and strengthen you. Yes, you are already strong, but there’s a weariness to constantly and ceaselessly strive to be the best (a coded spiritual task). Is there a question concerning your faith, your church, church in general, religion, or spirituality. The answer is yes, do it. The values and morals you seek are there.

AQUARIUS: Your life and health are getting better and better. There’s a quote by the French psychologist pharmacist, who introduced a new method of psychotherapy Émile Coué that reads “Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux.” (Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better). This is called a “coueism.” It applies to you, oui? Do repeat this over and over, routinely and with ritual, morning and evening of each and every day. Then do your evening renewal.

PISCES: Careful with health this week. Difficult transits could create a difficult digestive situation. It’s temporary and could be avoided if you are extremely attentive to proper foods (mostly veggies, salads, lean proteins), proper attitudes (recite what is suggested for Aquarius), rest and lots of fresh air and prana (sun) to keep you vivified. What is it that you need in the coming months and year? Tell everyone. There’s a place for you.

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