All posts by ~hag

About ~hag

Having grown up in the wastelands of suburbia, I found refuge in the wilds of nature which sprung up in the empty lots behind the track housing. Developing a rich inner life, singing, writing plays or poetry and harvesting plants to make herbal medicines with my grandmother, helped get me through the mendacity of a public school education, graduating H.S. in 3 years at age 15. I backpacked around the sacred sites of Europe for a year, and then took my heart to San Francisco on a full scholarship to study Philosophy & Comparative Religion (with a minor in Women’s Studies) at SFSU. There in the dusty halls of dead thinking, I met Rudolf Steiner’s Spiritual Science through fate and the discovery of Owen Barfield, and began to work with the basic books on my own. (It was almost 25 years later when I finally discovered that there was such a thing as an Anthroposophical Society!) Destiny had prepped me through Rosicrucianism which came into play at an early age, (that’s another long story I would be happy to relate over coffee) but I didn’t officially join the Societas Rosicruciana in America (S.R.I.A), headquartered in Kingston NY, until I moved to NYC after college. I began applying my Midwest work ethic, and my eclectic blend of teachings in the Big Apple. I became a neighborhood leader working with disenfranchised youth. It was almost impossible for former drug addicts, run aways, and artist types to find affordable housing in Manhattan, so the focus of my community activism was with the ‘Homesteading Movement’. We became ‘squatters’ renovating several blocks of abandoned city owned buildings on the ‘Lower East Side’. Through this community I spearheaded many artistic initiatives such the experiential guerrilla Theatre Troupe, “The Valkyries.” I was also a singer, songwriter, and drummer, performing in several “No New York” genre original bands (Heal, Health Hen, Baby Boom) recording and touring extensively in the U.S. and Europe. In the 1980’s the Lower East Side was a cultural Mecca and we were featured at CBGB’s, the Mud Club, the Bitter End, the Beat Kitchen, etc. When I wasn’t on tour, I was a vegetarian chef; and diligently worked the Rosicrucian path traveling to upstate NY for the S.R.I.A workings. I also studied for 4 years and was ordained as a Trans-denominational Minister at the Spiritual Science Center, of Maryland, a school dedicated to teaching comparative religions, philosophy, & service to humanity. I moved to Chicago when my uncle was dying of AIDS. I became a Sous-chef at a Vegetarian restaurant, and started co-creating with a ‘Hermetic Order’, who had a healing center on the Northside, and sacred land in Indiana, making plant medicines again. I became the Founder & Facilitator of: The SheDrums MysteryLodge, featuring workshops, Retreats & Rites of Passage for Women. ‘the WE drum Tribe’ = “the Heart-Beat of Chicago’s Conscious Community”. E.V.A. (Divine Expressions of Vital Alchemy) A collaborative dance company that embodied the Divine Feminine through seasonal myth-telling performances. Sanctuary Dance: The Chicago facilitator for the annual International EarthDance, a worldwide dance event to promote unity across cultures. Producer, director, writer & videographer for The EarthNetwork, a monthly program focused primarily on environmental, political, & spiritual issues. Mother-Earth-Minute 8x’s a year at Lake Street Church in Evanston Classes on the Wheel of the Year for the Chicago Park District. Videographer for Richard Shay (Art Shay’s son) working with the likes of Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey and Gene Siskel. WRD Environmental Consultant for the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3). When I was almost 40 years old I had my daughter Ultra-Violet Archer, and married Chuck Ginsberg. It wasn’t until my girl was at the Chicago Waldorf School that I finally heard about the Anthroposophical Society, and discovered that the Branch was within walking distance to our house! Through the Waldorf School I Trained with Kim John Payne’s Social Inclusion Intervention & Mediation program called ‘Justice Without Blame’; and went on to do Hakomi, and Matrix leadership training in team building and consensus processes. As a Minster I started a business called “Milestones” Creating Custom Ceremonies for All Occasions: Traditional Weddings, as well as same sex Marriages, Fertility Rituals, Baby Blessings, Renewal of Vows, Home and Corporate Blessings, Crossing over ceremonies, Funerals, Memorials/Celebration of Life, and other Rites of Passage – Specializing in Coming of Age Initiations for girls and women. I studied with Susanne Down and Founded ‘Wisdom Roots Puppetry’ – Working in the Waldorf-Tradition of Therapeutic Seasonal Story, Song and Ensouled Puppetry. I have been the Cultural Events and Festivals Coordinator for the Rudolf Steiner Branch in Chicago for about 10 years; and a member of the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society for 7 years. I am a member of the First Class of the School of Spiritual Science, and of the Esoteric Youth Circle. Because I have long been inspired by Rudolf Steiner’s original Calendar of the Soul, where he commemorates feast days, and birth and death days of important individualities; about 4 years ago I founded ‘Reverse Ritual: Understanding Anthroposophy through the Rhythms of the Year’ and recently the ‘I Think Speech’ Podcast; where I strive to reveal the patterns connecting the seasonal round with human karma, great historical events, as well as repeated weather patterns, natural catastrophes, wars, and the many milestones that can help us understand the past, stand with courage in the present, and see what is wanting to come in from the future. You can find a collection of the many RECORDINGS of Presentations, Programs & Festivals that I offer or facilitate HERE I look forward to serving on the General Council of the Anthroposophical Society in America, especially at this important ‘Turning Point’ in world history as we approach the 100 year anniversary of the Christmas Conference, a true Whitsun event for the evolution of humanity. ~Hazel Archer-Ginsberg – Founder of Reverse Ritual: Understanding Anthroposophy through the Rhythms of the Year & the ‘I Think Speech’ Podcast. Trans-denominational Minister, Essayist, Lecturer, Poet, Anthroposopher – working as the Cultural Events and Festivals Coordinator of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, & the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society. I am ready to bring my Festivals, Lectures & Programs to your community once again!

Part 1: A Reason Why? – The 1st in a 12 part series

Celestial Event, Insight, Lecture, Speaking with the Stars

sun spiral to flower

Encountering the Inner Layers of the Earth as a Rosicrucian/Christian Initiation, in relation to the Beatitudes and the 9-fold human being. (Part 1, an introduction)

My Anthroposophical research, which I use to deepen my inner development, strengthening my thinking, feeling & willing, & to which I work to apply in the creation of Festivals, has taken me into many territories touched on by Rudolf Steiner. In relation to the cycle of the year, this includes the realms of the ancient mysteries up through Rosicrucianism & deep onto the path of the “New Mysteries” where Spiritual Science lays the course for our Modern Initiation.  But up until 2 years ago I really hadn’t explored the theme of the ‘interior of the earth’; in part because it seemed so overwhelming.

Then when I started working with the Central Regional Council on our ‘Speaking with the Stars’ project, I began investigating cosmic/earthly events, such as the rare tetrad series of eclipses that occurred throughout 2014 & 2015. (the spiritual significance of an eclipse an overview)

This warranted my attention as festivals Coordinator, since the dates corresponded to Easter/Passover & Michaelmas/Sukkot (the Jewish harvest festival) for 2 years in a row!

In 2014 we experienced a Lunar Eclipse on April 15th – the 1st day of Passover; it was also Holy Tuesday. Those who follow the life of Christ during Holy Week know, that on Holy Tuesday the scene is the verbal sparring  with the high priests in the temple – Christ bends the Mars spirit to His purposes, & in the evening, an Apocalyptic future is revealed. (So much to ponder when you consider that on this day we also had the 1st of a series of 4 eclipses!)

Then in 2015, in light of the fact that the dates of Easter matched the dates of the original Mystery of Golgotha (April 5, 33AD); & specifically because we experienced a Full Lunar eclipse on April 4th – again the 1st day of Passover & also, Holy Saturday; described as Christ’s descent into the inner earth – well this seemed like a powerful indication that I should look into these realms in connection with what Steiner calls the ‘Christian Initiation.’ When I saw that the Solar Eclipse of the Harvest Moon, on the 1st day of Sukkot, Sept. 28, 2015, was on Michaelmas eve, I knew I would gather with other Michaelites to hold the light during these eclipses.

And so it is that I humbly present this essay as an overview, which is meant to tie together the seemingly diverse subjects of:

  1. The Interior of the Earth,
  2. A map of the Modern path of Initiation,
  3. The practical application of the occult meaning of The Sermon on the Mount,
  4. And a picture of the 7 & 9 fold Human Being.

To bring to light the trials & great rewards on this path. What is this modern path? How is it different from the ancient mystery schools?  Well for one thing, it holds the essence & mission of the Christ impulse at its core. Following the life of Christ, we can consciously work on each stage of our 7-fold nature, advancing the evolution of humanity to reveal & live into our 9-fold being.

Of the many things the disciple discovers on this path, we learn that the past, the present & the future- which is in a process of continuous change – are inscribed into the layers of the inner earth as a living chronicle, much like the akashic records. The Earth bears in her own special way, the soul-spiritual deposits from all epochs of world evolution – from Old Saturn on…

As the disciple traverses the path of initiation, making the descent through its layers, they encounter these past eras. Meeting noble achievements, as well as confronting stunted spiritual beings that have chosen to remain behind rather than ascend.

Rudolf Steiner in his commentary on the Apocalypse of St. John describes the goal of these adversarial beings as the formation of an anti-Jupiter evolution, a division within humanity described in the gospels as the goats & the lambs – what Steiner calls a ‘cinder ball of reversed spiritualization’ – The initiate must work to counteract this division.

So even if you don’t see yourself as consciously being on the path of initiation, with every inner & outer action we are collaborating with great spiritual beings, with the so-called dead, & with each other, in creating the karma of the world; responsible with all of humanity for what occurs.

St. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, through his unique Christian initiation as Lazarus, was the 1st to enter these realms. He took Christ’s teaching to heart & put them into practice.

One of these great teachings is The ‘Sermon on the Mount’ – an occult instruction that reveals that The Beatitudes are a remedy to the inner layers of the earth; a healing medicine that can be applied by us today to counteract the adversarial powers working against the highest goals of evolution.

Of course the ‘Great Work’ of initiation is done every day, thru our every thought, word, & deed, but every year at Easter-Tide we can experience a Cosmic recapitulation of the Christian Initiation, providing impedance for our work.

It is important to remember that Easter is a movable feast, determined by a cosmic alignment. 1st the Sun must enter into the sign of Spring, then it waits for the Moon to come into its vernal fullness, then the Planetary Beings, whose names correspond with the days of the week, come into play. We are meant to connect to the Solar forces, so when the first Sun-day after the Full Moon of Spring arrives, then it is time to keep the Easter festival.  This is intended to remind us of an event whose significance lies, not merely within the course of earth-evolution, but within the whole world-order into which humankind has been placed.

Rudolf Steiner gives the Christian Initiation 7 stages (the 7-fold human being)  The 8th & 9th stages, which can be achieved in future times, are defined by Steiner in his lectures on the Rosicrucian stream as part of the 9-fold Human; & are described as advancements of the 1st and 2nd stages.  #10 is, of course, its own category.

Tomorrow we will explore the 1st 3 stages.

Until soon – Blessings & Peace

~hag = Hazel Archer Ginsberg

 

 

 

 

Ostara and The April Fool, an imagination.

Insight, Meditation, Spring

Ostara winter

You are walking in a dense forest. The sky is overcast, and the woods are gloomy, although occasionally, a feeble ray of sunlight makes its way through the clouds and the trees. The branches of the trees are bare, although the tips are just beginning to bud. Old leaves from last year’s fall scurry about your feet as an occasional gust of wind blows them about. The ground is, for the most part bare, with occasional patches of snow in the shade. Hints of new green life make their way up through the snow and dead leaves.

As you walk, you notice a grove of beautiful white birches, the pale glint of their trunks and branches, a pleasant contrast in the otherwise dark woods. You walk towards the birch grove and then deep into it. When you are surrounded by the birches, you notice a large tree that looks as if it has been struck by lightning. It’s upper trunk has been split in two, the inner wood has been exposed to the air, dead leaves have blown their way into the nooks of the tree, in every way this tree looks as dead as it can be.

Suddenly you hear a whimsical whistle from behind the fallen lightning struck branches. Out pops “THE FOOL” in his colorful patch work coat, holding his knapsack up on a stick, a white rose in his hand, with a wolf cub snapping at his heels…

“OH DON’T MIND THE WOLF FAWNING ABOUT, HE KEEPS ME HONEST.
I SEE YOU WERE LAMENTING ABOUT THE TREE. DO YOU REALLY THINK IT’S DEAD (He laughs) REMEMBER, EVERY ENDING IS BUT A NEW BEGINNING. IT’S ALL ABOUT TRUST. BELIEF, IN THE ULTIMATE GOODNESS OF CREATION – THAT LIFE HAS A POINT. THAT DEATH IS TRANSFORMATION. THAT SUFFERING CAN BE PURPOSEFUL, WHEN WE BEGIN LIVING CONSCIOUSLY, IN THE HOPE OF A BRIGHT ETERNAL NOW.

OK, I KNOW, AT FIRST GLANCE THINGS SEEM DARK, AND YES, IF YOU LOOK AT THE EVIL OF GREED AND WAR IN THE WORLD, AT THE LOSS OF YOUNG LIVES, THE FAILURE OF PRINCIPLE, BELIEVING IN PEACE, HAVING HOPE & TRUSTING, CAN LOOK PRETTY (clears his throat) FOOLISH. BUT BELIEVE ANYWAY!!! THAT’S MY MOTTO. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO RISK, TO JUMP INTO THE ABYSS OF BELIEF, TO GO AGAINST EVERYTHING SOCIETY SAYS IS SENSELESS. IT MEANS TRUSTING THE HIGHER GOOD. THE INNER FORCES. WHICH ARE AT THE HEART OF GREAT EVOLUTIONARY ENDEAVORS.
RISK LOOKING LIKE A FOOL. LIVE IN THE MOMENT, OF HOPE FULFILLED.
BE PEACE & PEACE WILL PREVAIL.

HEY WHAT’S THAT OVER THERE…(laughs,) MADE YOU LOOK…

And with that “THE FOOL” is gone. Make sure your shoe laces aren’t tied together as you walk closer to the tree.

You are surprised to see a bright light outlining the figure of a woman. She is clad in brilliant greens and sunny yellows. She holds a large golden basket. Her gaze is steady, her eyes make you think of clear streams running in the middle of old forests, her skin reminds you of the first fair flower of spring, and her hair is long and unbound. At her feet sits a small brown rabbit nuzzling the hem of her skirt. She gestures, indicating that you should come forward. You walk towards her. She points at her covered basket, and lifts the cloth. Inside, you see an astounding array of pastel eggs, all colors, all patterns. You can think of nothing better than to pick one of these beautiful eggs, and have it for your very own. Your hand reaches out, and she shakes her head. You realize that while she wants you to have an egg, she wants you to pick it sight unseen. So, you close your eyes, reach out your hand, and reach into the basket. Eyes still closed, you draw your hand back, holding an egg. You open your eyes, and look upon your egg. What does it look like?

Think to yourself what the decoration on the egg means, and why Ostara, The Goddess of The Spring Resurrection wants you to have this particular gift for the coming season.

After you have looked at your egg, you raise your head to thank the Goddess, but she is gone. You look about for her in vain. You wonder if it has all been a dream. The reality of your heart tells you otherwise, and you know you have received the blessing of the Green Goddess.

As your attention moves from yourself to the forest, you realize that the trees now have tiny, but beautifully formed green leaves at the end of their branches. And you notice that the birch tree struck by lightning, the one that looked dead, now has green shoots rising from its split trunk. As you make your way out of the birch grove, it seems that the clouds have lightened, and even as you think this, the sun comes out. Small, barely formed flowers lightly scent the forest floor, birds are singing, and the rich smell of moist earth fills your nose.

Softly at first you hear that care-free whistling coming from what seems like everywhere. As you mount the crest, you see “THE FOOL” once again. He’s playing catch with the wolf, precariously close to the edge of the precipice. He calls out to you…

“A MONK WAS OUT WALKING IN THE MOUNTAINS OF ANCIENT JAPAN.
HE ENCOUNTERS A WILD TIGER. AND AS HE IS FLEEING, HE SLIPS OVER A CLIFF, BUT MANAGES TO GRAB HOLD OF A GNARLED ROOT AT THE EDGE. HE LOOKS DOWN, & SEES SHARDS OF BROKEN ROCKS FAR BELOW. HE LOOKS UP & SEES THE WILD CAT, SNARLING AT HIM IN HUNGER. AS HE LOOKS AROUND, HE ALSO SEES BESIDE HIM A BUSH WITH A SINGLE BRIGHT, SUCCULENT BERRY ON IT. HE LOOKS UP. HE LOOKS DOWN.
HE SMILES, & PLUCKS THE BERRY, & POPS IT INTO HIS MOUTH…
HOW SWEET IT TASTES!”
(He begins to whistle, letting it swell & then fade out)

This is the way of the wise fool. He knows that a life lived in trust is sweet. Take this Zen teaching into your heart, into your mind, into your body.

As you make your way out of the forest, you wonder how you could have found this green growing place gloomy, it seems so alive, and pleasant to walk through, full of hope and positive forces, which you can call on anytime, to influence your choices, as you take the leap, into the joys of Spring.

by Hazel Archer Ginsberg

 

Lecture Series

Lecture, Spring

inner layers of the earth

Dear Friends –

I have been asked to share my lecture, Encountering the Inner Layers of the Earth as a Rosicrucian/Christian Initiation, in relation to the Beatitudes and the 9-fold human being, which I gave at our Easter Festival: A Path to the Dawning, in Chicago at the Rudolf Steiner Branch, Easter Sunday 27 March, 2016. I  am writing it up in sections, starting tomorrow, the 1st Saturday after Easter at 12 Noon. I will present it as a 12 part series, which will include a compendium & a bibliography. It is tempting to want to continue to expand this work – which I consider to be an introductory presentation of a vast series of themes. But for now I will let it stand as a spring board for others. Thanks for your kind consideration.

I owe a debt of gratitude for the work of Edward Schuldt, Adolph Arenson, & Dr. Rudolf Steiner.

Blessings & peace ~hag / Hazel Archer Ginsberg

Rudolf Steiner’s Death-Day

Celestial Event, Central Regional Council, Chicago Event, Insight, Quote, Remembering, Rudolf Steiner Quote, Soul to Soul, The Bridging Project: Life & Death

RS smile roses

Dear Friends –
Today 30 March 2016, marks the 91st anniversary of Rudolf Steiner’s death
25 February 1861 – 30 March 1925
“To create centres of peace & love in which the Christ can resurrect.”
~written on the urn that holds the ashes of Rudolf Steiner

The Central Regional Council invites you to consider the next theme for our work throughout the region: The Bridging Project:
From Soul to Soul – Between Life and Death

We begin our work with a study of lecture 2 from ‘Historical Necessity and Freewill’
Given by Rudolf Steiner in Dornach, December 9, 1917.
This collection has been republished under the title:
The Influence of the Dead on Destiny”,  Steiner Press
This will provide the background for our work together
in addition to inviting special guests
to offer fruits from out of their research and work.

Our first audioconference has been scheduled for April 27,
from 7:15 to 8:30pm CST

Special guest, Marianne Dietzel,
will share her knowledge about “Communicating with our Beloved Dead”.

We will also review the lecture.

All are Welcome to connect to the audio/video-conference:

Option 1. Click link below if you wish to connect through your computer
(a headset is recommended) https://app.gotomeeting.com/?meetingId=284737589

Option 2. Call in using your telephone.
United States: +1 (571) 317-3116
Canada: +1 (647) 497-9372
Access Code: 284-737-589

Option 3. You can use a combination of Options 1 and 2 (computer and phone)

Meeting Schedule:
27 April 2016 with guest Marianne Dietzel: Communicating with the Dead

10 August 2106 with guest Maureen Flannery: Home Funeral Alliance;
Prompts for writing poetry for the dead

26 October 2016 with guest Dwight Ebaugh:
Life between Death and Re-birth

1 February 2017 with guest Mark Miller: Spirit Parks,
an alternative to cemeteries

3 May 2017 – TBA
Each call is a Wednesday evening from 7:15pm – 8:30 pm CST

May love of hearts reach out to love of souls
May warmth of love ray out to Spirit-light
Even so would we draw near to you
Thinking with you Thoughts of Spirit
Feeling in you the Love of Worlds
Consciously at one with you
Willing in silent being.
~Rudolf Steiner

Blessings to ALL, from the members of the Central Regional Council : Dennis Dietzel     Hazel Archer Ginsberg; Raven Garland; Alberto Loya; Marianne Fieber-Dhara

Easter Joy to All –

Celestial Event, Chicago Event, Festival, Insight, Quote

spiral-sun-being

“A jubilant breath pervades the prayers of Easter, expressing itself twice, as with inward necessity, in the word “rejoice”…First, the breathing soul-sphere of the whole planet rejoices, that renewed cosmic sphere of sunlit clouds, air and wind into which the earth grows in Spring; then, the inward life of man, touched by the Risen Christ, rejoices too. We recognize the wide span of the soul at Easter: it comprises the outward and the inward world, macrocosm and microcosm.” – excerpt from “The Three Years” by Emil Bock.

Calendar of the Soul (March 27, 2016 – April 02, 2016)
Easter (First Week) SPRING

When out of world-wide spaces
The sun speaks to the human mind,
And gladness from the depths of soul
Becomes, in seeing, one with light,
Then rising from the sheath of self,
Thoughts soar to distances of space
And dimly bind
The human being to the spirit’s life.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch

Wenn aus den Weltenweiten
Die Sonne spricht zum Menschensinn
Und Freude aus den Seelentiefen
Dem Licht sich eint im Schauen,
Dann ziehen aus der Selbstheit Hülle
Gedanken in die Raumesfernen
Und binden dumpf
Des Menschen Wesen an des Geistes Sein.

veil EASTER!!!

Easter Festival:
‘A Path to the Dawning’
4pm -6pm, Easter Sunday March 27th
at The Rudolf Steiner Branch 4249 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago

Midwest Eurythmy Group to Perform:
‘Hallelujah’ & the Easter Calendar of the Soul Verse by Rudolf Steiner

Lecture: Encountering the Inner Layers of the Earth as a Christian/Rosicrucian Initiation,
in relation to the Beatitudes and the 9-fold human being. by Hazel Archer Ginsberg

Live Music: Clark Remington – Prelude and Fugue by Bach

Group Eurythmy – Hallelujah

$10 donation goes to the Midwest Eurhythmy Group

A side-dish to Share Encouraged!
(We will have our traditional Lamb Roast!)

For more info. Contact Hazel ReverseRitual@gmail.com

~ ~ ~

Rudolf Steiner Branch of The Anthroposophical Society,
4249 North Lincoln Avenue. Chicago, IL 60618 (map)
Check out our Web site!
Chicago, IL (Anthroposophical Society in America)http://www.anthroposophy.org/groups/chicago-il/