27 | June | 2023 | Cognitive Ritual

Dear friends – As we continue to ride the St. John’s Tide I thought to share this interesting painting I came across many years ago: ‘John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene’ by Angelo Puccinelli – This unlikely pairing brings 2 important yet truly diverse individualities working with the Christos, together. Just as the Baptizer prepared the way for the arrival of the ‘Anointed One’, Mary Magdalene was chosen to anoint the ‘Anointed One’ & to prepare the hearts of the disciples to become apostles thru the teachings of the Risen Christ.

~El Greco – Mary Magdalene

And in her connection to The Divine Sophia, in our time now, she works to prepare the way for us to receive the Being of Love in the etheric.

St. John the Baptist and St. Mary Magdalene. Triptych Side Sash by Hans Memling ❤️ - Memling Hans — John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene ~Hans Memling

What would it be like to use our natural Summer connection with the wide expances of the etheric environment, to make an offering in the spirit of the New Mysteries?- To let stream up with enthusiasm the cosmic thoughts that have been revealed to us by the Gods & give them back as deeds of Good Will in the world…Just as the extremes of JB & MM have modeled each in their own way…?

Nativity of Saint John the Baptist,
Zechariah writing, “His name is John”.
Pontormo, on a desco da parto, c. 1526.

The Gospel of St. Luke describes the birth of John the Baptist – How The Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Highpriest Zechariah, telling him, “your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, & you shall call him John.” (Luke 1.13.) The angel also foretells the task of this being John: “… even from his mother’s womb will he be filled with the Holy Spirit. And he will turn many sons of Israel to the Lord their God again. He will be his forerunner and will pave his way, bearing within him the spirit and power of Elijah, to change men’s hearts so that fathers shall rediscover the meaning of childhood, and those who have become alienated from God shall find the meaning of Good again. So shall he make a well-prepared people ready for the Lord “(Luke 1.15-17.)

In the prologue of the Gospel of St. John the Evangelist right after we hear: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a God” – John the Baptist, as the 1st Adam is proclaimed. This Gospel, inspired by the Virgin Sophia, emphasizes the divine spark in humanity, & connects us to the Logos.

~El Greco – John the Evangelist and John the Baptist

The writter of this Gospel – The ‘Disciple whom Jesus Loved’ received the forces of the beheaded John the Baptist, at the rising of Lazarus, earning him the title John as well.

Rudolf Steiner rising from his sick bed for the last time to speak about this connection, chose for his Michaelmas Theme the lecture: THE INDIVIDUALITY OF ELIAS, JOHN, RAPHAEL, NOVALIS, GA 238

And when we choose to take up our task as the 10th Hierarchy of Love & Freedom, making oursleves worthy to work with these great helpers of humanity – as we fulfill the conditions for the conscious rebirth of our individual Higher Self – our spirit-light can shine forth ever more brightly, reflecting the Christ light – This is how the Universal Ego of humanity can be reformed into a New kind of Christened Group Soul – so we can become co-creators of the New Jerusalem.

Dear friends – Be awakened within the dream – We must change our hearts & minds! There are forces trying to distract us from these deep esoteric truths – working to prevent us from achieving our divine human destiny. May we be alert to every sign, & vigilant in our striving to practice Spiritual Science.

Blessings and Peace ~Hazel Archer Ginsberg

27 June 2023– “Speaking with the Stars”: This evening, the bright waxing gibbous moon will glow near Spica, the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden. The moon and Spica will set a few hours after midnight. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.