The Buddha (whose name means: *The Awakened One* or *One who Knows*) was born in 563 BC on the Full Moon of May. Traditionally, Buddha’s Birthday is known as ‘Wesak’, the major Buddhist festival of the year. It celebrates the birth, enlightenment & death of the Buddha on one & the same day.
This year we will experience a total lunar eclipse of Buddha’s Moon beginning in the stars of Libra (quickly moving into Scorpio) opposite the Sun in line with the star Algol, Medusa’s forehead in the constellation of Perseus, above Taurus. Sun & Moon will form a T square relationship with Saturn, still in the stars of Capricorn (Same as during the great conjunction of 2020)
This eclipse will occur in the Descending/South Lunar Node, Cauda Draconis—the tail of the dragon, in the stars of Libra. The lunar nodes are connected to karma & past lives. The descending node carries the unconscious karmic forces & patterns from the past which often appear in life as destructive forces.
In the heavens the constellation most associated with Michael is Libra, the Scales. Libra stands between the cosmic Sophia/Virgo & the Dragon/Scorpio, defending the Sophia against the dragon who seeks to devour the Child she is birthing. This picture comes from the Revelation of John. So, we can see in Libra, the imagination of Michael, holding the sword of truth & the scales of justice, the defender of cosmic intelligence who earnestly awaits our efforts to unite with the redemption of the fallen earthly intelligence.
Libra is the constellation of the threshold in the human being in the region of the hips, the realm of balance, which is the boundary between the upper & lower human being; the threshold into the lower will – the more unconscious realm.
How does Rudolf Steiner speak of eclipses? In ‘Human Questions and Cosmic Answers‘, he describes the lunar eclipse: “…Now the earth comes between the sun and the moon; hence we see the shadow cast upon the moon by the earth. That is the physical explanation. But a spiritual reality is behind the physical fact. When there is an eclipse of the moon, thoughts stream through darkness down upon the earth; and such thoughts have a closer relationship with the subconscious life than with the conscious life of the human being…”
Steiner continues to describe these eclipses as necessary – provided by the higher beings as “safety valves”, as a kind of needed outlet that helps keep cosmic order.
“The lunar eclipse exists for the purpose of allowing the evil thoughts which are present in the cosmos to approach those human beings who are desirous of being possessed by them. In matters of this kind people do not, as a rule, act in full consciousness, but the facts are nevertheless real.”
So, we have this picture of the lunar eclipse as allowing the evil thoughts in the cosmos to stream into human beings – taking place in the the dragon’s tail, carrying the untransformed forces from past karma. The Moon is in the stars of Libra, the stars of the powerful being Michael, on the threshold between the higher & lower in us. The Sun is blocked by the earth, standing at the beginning of the stars of Taurus, the constellation of the ‘Word’ in its macrocosmic aspect. Above Taurus in the constellation of Perseus (a Michael figure), is the star Algol, which is eye or forehead of Medusa, a beautiful gorgon maiden who became a dark creature, with serpents for hair, whose gaze turned all who looked upon her to stone.
In one story Medusa was the mother of Pegasus when she was a beautiful maiden. In another version it is told that from her decapitation by Perseus, Pegasus arose from her blood. In either case, there is this fascinating relationship between the gaze that turns all things to stone – a type of a thinking that kills living thought – & the winged intelligence of Pegasus.
Algol, in astronomy, is a binary star- two stars that rotate around each other, one larger & brighter than the other, so that it appears to “wink” in the sky, going brighter then dimmer in a cycle lasting about 3 days. This has been called the Winking Demon. Its name Algol, comes from the Arabic, Al Ghul which literally means: a mischief-maker, but later came to mean the Demon’s Head. The Hebrews knew it as “Rosh ha Satan”, Satan’s Head. The Chinese name for Algol meant “piled up corpses” It has been viewed by astrologers throughout history as the most evil & dangerous star in the heavens, often associated with violence, brutality & sudden death or murder. (Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen)
To add to this Saturn’s stand at a 90-degree square during the eclipse, creating the bottom line of the T. This square aspect is a Martian aspect of war, confrontation, aggression, as well as materialism.
Saturn is the bearer of world karma, the memory of all the past, & how it must be taken up. It is the realm of the Father, the will of the Divine Plan for evolution, from which we have wandered, but which must be reckoned with, which is the purpose of karma, to bring us again in line with our higher plan, both as world & individual karma.
So, at this precise moment the Moon, Earth & Sun line up in a lunar eclipse in a square with Saturn in Capricorn, where it was at the Great Conjunction of 2020, the constellation of initiation & catharsis.
Here we have a cosmic statement to humanity. We are being challenged by this word: “Come to terms with the consequences of the past, the descent into materialism, the darkness and destruction that have resulted from our failure to awaken to the spiritual realities!” This word rings out in many manifestations which are clearly visible in our world today.
The binary demon star & the darkened Moon in the stars of the threshold, are in a square, a confrontation with world karma. Without anthroposophy & the knowledge of Michael – Sophia – Christ, this is a dark & violent configuration. But by Being forewarned we are forearmed. We can consciously meet this eclipse so that the new thinking, the living winged intelligence can be born. This can lead to inspiration & christened thoughts that can meet the dark will impulses streaming in. If this is done even by only a few, it will have power over the many who seek the darkness.
In the Gospel of John, Chapters 15 – 16, Christ is speaking to his disciples at the last supper about the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit; about the suffering & attacks that will come, & how he must leave them so that the Holy Spirit can descend – so that they can experience the Christ within themselves. “In the world you have much hardship and tribulation, but take courage, I AM has overcome the world.”
We are in the 40 days between Easter & Ascension when the risen Christ gave the Disciples His most esoteric teachings, to make them ready to receive the awakening of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
We can enkindle the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit & bring that light into the night of this eclipse. We can read Chapter 16 of John & meditate on the ever present help of Michael.
And we can remember that The Full Moon in May is a mystically auspicious time – This ‘Buddha Moon’ is considered to be the greatest moment of spiritual contact for the entire year. Great polarities are said to be synthesized & consequently united at this festival. Hope is revived in the world, & great seeds of beauty, truth, & goodness are planted within us — qualities needed for the unity of humankind.
The Wesak Festival provides us each year with a reception of the tools of love & wisdom, to fulfill this ancient prophecy. What all the higher beings have done, we can do also, taking up our responsibility as the 10th hierarchy to radiate the Christ Impulse out to all the kingdoms of Earth – becoming like little suns – emanating rays from the very core of our “I”, through the vehicle of our bodies, from our purified hearts, & specifically from our forehead, where our third eye is located. This is the Bulls Eye of Taurus – to reclaim the Sun of May & redeem the winking demon in the mystery of transformatation.
~hag
With thanks to Astrosopher Jonathan Hilton for his many insights quoted here. astrosophy.com
Visit Timeanddate.com to get an exact timing of the eclipse from your location.
| EVENT | UTC TIME | TIME IN CHICAGO* | VISIBLE IN CHICAGO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penumbral Eclipse begins | May 16 at 01:32:05 | May 15 at 8:32:05 pm | Yes |
| Partial Eclipse begins | May 16 at 02:27:52 | May 15 at 9:27:52 pm | Yes |
| Full Eclipse begins | May 16 at 03:29:03 | May 15 at 10:29:03 pm | Yes |
| Maximum Eclipse | May 16 at 04:11:28 | May 15 at 11:11:28 pm | Yes |
| Full Eclipse ends | May 16 at 04:53:55 | May 15 at 11:53:55 pm | Yes |
| Partial Eclipse ends | May 16 at 05:55:07 | May 16 at 12:55:07 am | Yes |
| Penumbral Eclipse ends | May 16 at 06:50:49 | May 16 at 1:50:49 am | Yes |
Visit Timeanddate.com to get an exact timing of the eclipse from your location.
RUDOLF STEINER’S CALENDAR OF THE SOUL
translated (with added titles) by Roy Sadler
EASTERTIDE V
The Resurrection of the Soul
v5
In light, whose fertile weaving
from depth of spirit into blossoming
reveals the beauty of the gods’ creating,
the being of the soul is shining, widening,
enlivened in the presence of the world
and resurrected
from narrow selfhood’s inner power.
Karl König describes this as the voice of the Tenor,
uniting with the spirit through the senses.
It is part of the Light quartet.
The mirror verse is the voice of the Alto,
intuitive love at the full moon in Leo
(Rudolf Steiner’s birthday week).
LENT III
The Light’s Awakening Of Love
v48
In light, whose flowing from the heights
would be the world’s empowering of soul,
let shine the certainty of cosmic thought
that solves soul riddles
and focusing its radiant power
in human hearts
awakens love.
The opposite verse is the voice of the Soprano,
the inspired will for the spirit’s birth.
ALL HALLOWTIDE II
The Ripening Of Creative Powers
v31
The light from spirit depths
strives outwards like the sun,
becomes life’s strength of will
and shines in senses’ dullness
to free the forces
that ripen creative powers
in human work the soul initiates.
The mirror of this is the voice of the Baritone,
incarnating spirit with imaginative power.
AUTUMN PRELUDE II
The Ripening Of Self
v22
The cosmic light lives on with inner power,
becomes the light of soul
and shines in depths of spirit
to free the fruits of cosmic self
that from them in the course of time
the human self will ripen.
Rudolf Steiner’s Lectures on this day (god bless the RSarchives)
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY (Sourced from RSarchives, Wikilinks, astronomy.com)
According to T.H. Myer & the ‘Present Age’ TODAY in 1922 – there was a ‘Nationalist’ assault on Rudolf Steiner as he was giving a public lecture in Munich.
Announcing an exciting Event on Ascension Thursday, May 26th 7 – 8:30 pm Eastern time.
Climbing Jacob’s Ladder – Celebrating the Festival of Ascension with Hazel Archer-Ginsberg
“In heavy clouds let Him ascend
And so also let Him downward tread.
In cooling streams let Him be sent,
In flames of fire blaze His descent,
In air & essence, sound & dew
To permeate our whole earth thru” ~Novalis
Ascension is a Festival of the Elements, & of the Hierarchies, it relates to the Transfiguration & the fulfillment of the promise of the ‘Second Coming’. Together we will explore the mystery of ‘As Above so Below’.
Hazel Archer-Ginsberg is a trans-denominational minister, essayist, lecturer, performer, and poet. She writes and curates ‘Reverse Ritual, Understanding Anthroposophy Through the Rhythms of the Year’ and the ‘I Think Speech’ podcast. Hazel’s been the Cultural Events and Festivals Coordinator for the Rudolf Steiner Branch in Chicago for over 10 years. She is a member of the Central Regional Council, the School for Spiritual Science, the Esoteric Youth Circle, and the General Council of the Anthroposophical Society in America.
Register by contacting Diane McGary, mcgary.family@comcast.net, by Sunday, May 22nd. You will receive an email with the zoom link on Tuesday May 24.
Hope to see you there!! – YES! Please feel free to spread the word!
Yours, Diane McGary, mcgary.family@comcast.net, for the the Eastern Region
A Whitsun Festival of United Soul Endeavor & Spirit Community
with the Eastern, Central and Western Regional Councils of the Anthroposophical Society in America
Sunday 29 May 2022 – 3 – 4:30 pm PT, 4-5:30 MT, 5-6:30 pm CT, 6-7:30 pm ET
We will be working with Rudolf Steiner’s THE FIFTH GOSPEL GA 148, Lecture II, 2 October 1913, Oslo
The Whitsun Festival highlights one of the greatest challenges of being human: placing our individual gifts, our individual “I”, in right relationship within the social realm. This challenge is strongly felt during this time of the consciousness soul age. Our groups striving to know Spiritual Science must work together as a community, to have the possibility to create this type of culture, and the opportunity is here for each of us to meet, human to human, where a sacrament is possible in every encounter. Our individual strength comes from our personal development and is enhanced by weaving our gifts together with others, knitting our social world in conscious community.
For more info. contact Hazel@ReverseRitual.com
Topic: All Regions Whitsun
Time: May 29, 2022 05:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7050174041?pwd=WkNaNDlPS0VIMTJUUkE1ZkFMaDh5dz09
Meeting ID: 705 017 4041
Passcode: Whitsun
| The Holy Grail Study Group with the CRC Mysteries of the Holy Grail – from Arthur and Parzival to Modern Initiation June 1, 2022 – 7:15 pm Central (8:15 pm Eastern) “Anyone who approaches these mysteries today must feel that they are confronting and challenging themselves by striving for the virtues of Parzival, while knowing that — because of modern conditions — they are in fact someone else also, the wounded Amfortas. Today we bear this divided nature within us: aspiring Parzival, wounded Amfortas. That is what self-knowledge must lead us to feel. From this recognition will flow the forces which make a unity again of this duality, and will thus advance us a little further in world evolution.”~ from Chapter 15, Rudolf Steiner, The Mysteries of the Holy Grail, Chapter 15 “Acknowledging Amfortas,” excerpts from Steiner’s lecture given at Berlin on 7 February 1913 (GA 144, lecture IV), will be the focus of the June 1 meeting. A transcript of the entire lecture can be found on the RS Archive by clicking this link. * Please consider giving to the development and maintenance of the digital library of Rudolf Steiner’s work. Scroll to the bottom of this message to read more about the RSArchive.org and SteinerLibrary.org |
| The Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society in America invites you to join our ongoing study conversation. The study has been divided among two volunteers who will summarize their section to rebuild it as a foundation for our conversation. Please familiarize yourself with the lecture if possible so you will feel comfortable sharing your reflections and thoughts with the group. This collection of lectures has been republished by Rudolf Steiner Press under the title: “The Mysteries of the Holy Grail — from Arthur and Parzival to Modern Initiation.” The book was compiled and edited by Matthew Barton, published by Rudolf Steiner Press in 2010. This will be a “Zoom” conference call allowing us an opportunity to see one another while conversing (or audio only if you prefer). To connect to the audio/video-conference: Video Conference Details:Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88210505106 Meeting ID: 882 1050 5106 One tap mobile +13017158592,,81116556762# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,81116556762# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcHr5EVwrv If you have questions, please contact Mary Mertz mary.mcginnis@juno.com or Alberto Loya aloyavaca@utexas.edu. There is a knighthood of the 21st century whose riders do not ride through the darkness of physical forests as of old, but through the forest of darkened minds. They are armed with a spiritual armor and an inner sun makes them radiant. Out of them shines healing, healing that flows from the knowledge of the human being as a spiritual being. They must create inner order, inner justice, peace and conviction in the darkness of our time. ~Karl Konig Agenda for this meeting (CST) 7:15 Welcome and Introductions 7:18 Verse 7:25 Study led by volunteers Note: CRC team will ID volunteers Mariarosa – pages 117-123b Marianne – pages 123b-129 7:50 Conversation 8:25 ID volunteers for next meeting 8:28 Close with verse |
