The sacrifice of Joan of Arc

May 30, 2023Celestial EventHazel

Here on this Deathday of Joan of Arc, Receive this recording of our Pentecost Festival for 2023: Anthroposophia & the Redemption of Lucifer with Velsum.

The Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc, born in the Epiphany of 1412 – A sublime individuality that came to be embodied in the small village of Domremy, where a Druidic legend foretold the coming of a maiden, a virgin, chosen by the fairies – was burned alive today, May 30, 1431.

What is the mission of The Maid of Orleans?

Jehanne or Joan is the feminine form of Joannes or John, which is, in the case of John the Baptist & St. John the Divine, a title of initiation – so right there we have a mighty clue.

The powers working thru her directed her to battle against the inflammatory Luciferic forces of deception prevailing in humanity at that special time, right before the beginning of the Consciousness Soul Age.

Joan of Arc, with the aid of Michael, (& other spiritual helpers) was able to harness & vanquish the seductive Luciferic forces which were vying to prevent this shift in human consciousness.

Steiner describes the miracle of her birth, how she went thru a sort of pre-earthy initiation during the potent time of the 13 Holy Nights, incarnating on Epiphany, the day the Christ came into a human being at the Baptism.

And we can also point to her equally auspicious death. Yes it was gruesome, she endured so much, not unlike like the sacrifice of The Cosmic Being of Love at the ‘Turning Point of Time’.

In her case, it occurred because all the selfish Luciferic forces of her enemies joined together to bring about her death by fire.

At her witch trial she prophetically said that within 7 years after of her death: “the English would meet with a much greater reversal of fortune than any they had known before”.

Spiritual Science tells us that the soul of Joan of Arc continued working across the Threshold to shape these events after her death. What the spiritual powers want to bring about, will occur, whatever the external conditions may be.

The Maid’s adversaries were able to bring about her death, but they were not able to prevent her mission. The power behind the will of the Maid of Orleans, the forces of Michael, are working still against the immoral Luciferic forces that rage in the world.

And, of course, dear friends, we are also having to deal with hostile forces in our time, but now-a-days these are predominantly Ahrimanic forces, not inflaming, but hardening, materialistic forces, that came up with the industrial age. These forces are in evidence everywhere, especially if we turn our attention not only to the electric or mechanical element, but also thru-out cyber space; which can be a distractive shrouding for the reappearance of Christ in the etheric realm, if we are not awake & consciously consecrating this medium in the name of Christ.

Spiritual science tells us if we remain unconscious of these forces working into our sense impressions, these elemental beings that have become enslaved by Ahriman – if we don’t meet the spirit behind every sense impression – we are offering an abode to the dragon that seeks to stupefy us. These sclerotic forces influence our entire earthly life, creating the fearful events happening now all over the globe.

And so as we remember the deeds of Joan of Arc on this her deathday, we are also reminded of our current task, to name & tame the modern beasts, to take our will forces in hand – to be spiritual warriors for peace, & the light of truth.

~hag

30 May 2021 – “Speaking with the Stars”: 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 before dawn.

Rudolf Steiner’s Lectures on this day (RSarchives) The Gospel of St. John, Lecture 10, THE EFFECT OF THE CHRIST IMPULSE WITHIN HUMANKIND. Lecture 11, The Christian Initiation 30 May 1908

Joan of Arc - Maid of Heaven - Joan Burning Postcard | Joan of arc, Saint joan of arc, St joan

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY (Rudolf Steiner’s orginal Calendar of the Soul, The Present Age magazine, Wikipedia Commons)

Joan of Arc is back for one night and one night only. This legendary Chicago band is teaming up once again to perform their original score to Carl Dreyer’s classic silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928). Come out to the historic Music Box Theater to experience their haunting music live with one of the true masterpieces of silent cinema. You won’t want to miss this unique performance by this beloved Chicago band
https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/joan-arc/

“I turn to history not for lessons but to confront my experience with the experience of others and to win for myself a sense of responsibility for the state of the human conscience“. ~ Zbigniew Herbert (Poet) 1924 – 1998

Jeanne dArc by François Nicolas Chifflart

1431 – Deathday of Joan of Arc, French martyr & Saint, burnt at the stake by the British under Duke of Bedford.

1593 – Deathday of Christopher Marlowe, English poet & playwright

1672 – Birthday of Peter the Great Czar of Russia. He led a cultural revolution that replaced some of the traditionalist & medieval political systems with ones that were modern, scientific, based on The Enlightenment.

1778 – Deathday of Voltaire, French philosopher & author. Rudolf Steiner speaks of him as being a former pupil of the mysteries in Karmic Relationships Vol. 2.

1806 – Future U.S. President Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel

1935 – Deathday of Daniel Nicol Dunlop , a Scottish entrepreneur, founder of the World Power Conference & other associations, a theosophist-turned-anthroposophist. Thought to have been a Templar in a former life. Dunlop saw Rudolf Steiner for the first time when he was still General Secretary of the German Section of the Theosophical Society, both of them expressed their intimate spiritual connection &respect for one another. Dunlop started the anthroposophical “Human Freedom Group & anthroposophical Summer Schools. In 1928 he organized the first & only World Conference on Anthroposophy & in 1929 he was elected General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain. He had a deep friendship with Eleanor Merry, who supported his work, especially after the death of his own wife, Eleanor in 1932. As a result of conflicts & power struggles within the General Anthroposophical Society, leading to its splintering in April 1935, Dunlop was expelled together with a number of other leading members. He died shortly afterwards of an appendicitis. Dunlop enlisted the help of fellow anthroposophist Walter Johannes Stein in the hope of founding a World Economic Organization, but his death prevented this.

1936 – Ludwig Polzer-Hoditz resigns from the General Anthroposophical Society on the 1 year anniversary of his friend D.N. Dunlop’s death, in protest after many of his contemporizes were expelled from the Society.

1937 – Memorial Day massacre: Chicago police shoot & kill 10 labor demonstrators

1989 –The 33-foot high “Goddess of Democracy” statue is unveiled in Tiananmen Square by student demonstrators

~i am a form in the flame
seen only if one gazes long into the fire…
clouds of smoke tear like a shroud & i see the shine of other hidden ones,
faces aglow with heat
flashing like lightning, speaking with thunder…
rising in the smoke
the scent of my prayer
an incense of hope & wonder…
~hag

‘The full power of the “I”

May 29, 2023Biography, Festival, Rudolf Steiner QuoteHazel

Since time immemorial, the Divine Feminine has been connecting humanity with the inspiration to acquire wisdom.

This year during the 10 days between Ascension & Pentecost, I took up again the 3rd-century Gnostic text known as the Pistis Sophia, a compelling fav. of mine, like the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.

The name Pistis Sophia means ‘Faith in Wisdom’ – One of the inspirations for Velsum’s Pentecost song. In her story, we hear how Wisdom is a co-creator with the Creator beings; & how she takes a fall after being seduced by a false light.

And like Parzival the Holy Fool, the trial of ‘Faith in Wisdom’ embodies the cosmic drama of the human soul – a hero’s journey giving birth to Love in freedom. The theme of renunciation is part of this path.

In some versions of the battle between Lucifer & Michael, a brilliant green stone, a jewel in the crown of Lucifer, fell to earth when he was cast out of heaven. This stone was taken up by the angels; who fashioned it into a chalice; & guarded it in ethers between heaven & earth.

Then when Christ came to earth – the star-chalice came with him – & became the cup at the Last Supper. This stone became the Holy Grail after the blood of Christ filled it.

This, my friends is a parable revealing the beginning of Lucifer’s redemption.

Rudolf Steiner explains: “A wonderfully beautiful legend tells us that when Lucifer fell from heaven to earth, a precious stone fell from his crown…This precious stone is, in a certain respect, none other, than the full power of the ‘I.’

ok folks let’s let that sink in … This precious stone from the crown of Lucifer is ‘the full power of the “I”. What’s going on here?

In Eschenbach’s Parzival, the stone is called the Lapis Exillis – which in alchemy is the name of the Philosopher’s Stone. This secret was guarded by the Templars.

When we reclaim “the full power of our ‘I’” each human being will live for the other, creating a shared life on Earth that nourishes the soul just like the Holy Grail is able to feed every questing Templar knight providing them with their most desirable meal. Love feeds all.

This now, & future task for humanity, takes us on our own transformative Parzival journey, enabling us to achieve ‘Faith in Wisdom’ thru crystalized pain – Our faith leading us to the Joy of purpose. Thru trial & error we strive to become worthy to receive the Holy Grail – to foster the Philosopher Stone.

This will eventually allow us to sanctify the gemstone that fell from the crown of Lucifer, bringing a healing redemption, that re-claims the true forces of this Sun-Being – to be used in service of the Christos.

On this WhitMonday, this Memorial Day, may we re-member the Holy Spirit as the Physician of all worlds…

~hag

I’m still waiting for the recording of our Pentecost festival from zoom…

29 May 2023 – “Speaking with the Stars”: We were contemplating & communing with this last night around the bonfire! The waxing gibbous moon along the western side of the Spring Triangle – an asterism made of the bright stars Arcturus in Boötes the Herdsman, Spica in Virgo the Maiden and Regulus in Leo the Lion – at its corners. Bella Luna & the Spring Triangle will be visible up until aroun 2:30 am CDT.

Whitsun Congress

May 28, 2023Calendar of the Soul, Community, Festival, Speaking with the Stars, Upcoming EventHazel

Greetings friends on this WhitSunday 2023 –

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.

We can think about the ‘7 gifts of the Holy Spirit’, and ask ourselves: What are my gifts? How can I place them in right relationship within the social realm? How can I hone them, to strengthen and enhance the world? How do we turn the ME into a WE?

In 1907 Steiner created the ‘Whitsun Congress’ in Munich as a new Rosicrucian impulse, displaying the 7 seals of St. John’s Apocalypse, a representation of the 7 stages of Christian initiation. The Whitsun spirit came alive again, through Rudolf Steiner for the 3rd time in history with the re- founding of the Anthroposophical Society at the Christmas Conference.

When we take up the mantric expression of the Foundation Stone Meditation, it becomes the key in which the individual and social principles are harmoniously united – Lifting us out of the ‘ME’ into the ‘WE’, so that the spirit flame can enter and spread out through us, creating a radiating vessel for the Christ – Anthroposophia – and the powerful Michaelic forces wanting to be employed by us.

Our job as Michaelites is to take our individual Inner Whitsun and expand it, into what Steiner calls the “World Festival of Knowledge” a path leading from ‘Sprit Recalling’, to ‘Sprit Sensing’, to ‘Sprit Beholding.’

Through Steiner’s profound mystery deed at the Christmas Conference, an altogether new relationship between the spiritual world and the human being was conceived. If, today, together, we will to turn our hearts towards a higher wisdom in Love, to set fire to the forces of knowledge in our souls, redeeming our intelligence, our Anthroposophical angel, if you will, can anchor and embody itself in the environment we prepare for it.

Schiller once said “Take the divine into your will & it descends from its cosmic throne.”

We are called to create an Ecclesia, a vessel, a chalice, a sheath for The Sophia. Then the spirit flame can spread out to become what Steiner called a “World Whitsun”, which began in earnest at the Christmas Conference, where the ‘inverted Whitsun’, was born. The idea of taking the spirit that has flowed through the head into the heart, and then out from the heart, back as a gift to humanity, to redeem the Cosmic Intelligence of Michael.

In this sense the Christmas Conference, in all its spiritual reality, reveals itself as the true Whitsun for those who strive to take into their souls the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit concerning the human being – Anthropos-Sophia, which is the knowledge of the grail held aloft by Michael in this present age of the consciousness soul.

~hag

Here are some Whitsun presentations for your inspirational viewing:

Sangraal: A Pentecost Pilgrimage with the CRC

Whitsun: ‘The Festival of United Soul Endeavour’ – All Region’s

~Vitae Sophia~

This years offering: Anthroposophia & the Redemption of Lucifer, featuring Velsum, coming soon! Stay tuned…

28 May 2023 – “Speaking with the stars”: Shortly before sunrise tomorrow Mercury (occult Venus) will reach greatest distance from the Sun and will be very low in the east. To its upper right shines the brighter planet Jupiter.

RUDOLF STEINER’S CALENDAR OF THE SOUL
translated with added titles by Roy Sadler
WHITSUN
DREAM LIFE’S PRESENCE
v8
In concert with the spirit’s birth
the senses’ power grows;
it presses thinking down
to dimness of a dream.
When Holy Spirit
would bond with soul;
the mind must rest
in dream life’s presence.

the mirror verse
CANDLEMAS II
THOUGHT’S LIGHT
v45
In concert with the spirit’s birth
thought’s power grows;
it lights up senses’ vague allure
to vivid clarity.
When soul would bond
with springtime’s coming,
thought’s light must shine
on sense revealing.

TODAY: Whitsunday 28 May 2023

NEW TIME: 7 pm – 9 pm

50 Days after The Resurrection =
Our Community Pentecost Gathering –

Social Sculpture with Rev. Jeana Lee & ~hag

Pot-Luck, Bonfire & Prep Stir

at the home of Hazel & Chuck Ginsberg

Please bring food & drink to share –

RSVP to Hazel@ReverseRitual.com

First Fruits

May 27, 2023Community, Festival, HistoryHazel

Listen to the Story of Ruth & Naomi on the ‘I Think Speech’ Podcast.

Then join us online today at 1 pm for our Pentecost Festival (see below)

Dear Friends, With all the struggles going on in & around Israel, I would like to tell the story of Ruth & Naomi – a Jewish woman & an Arab woman, who shared a deep karmic connection, giving us a message of unity we need so much today. Their story is mixed in with the Holiday called Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, Feast of The First Fruits, or Feast of the Giving of the Law; a Spring festival that celebrates the grain harvest, & the ripening of the first fruits, as well as the anniversary of the giving of the Torah. Remember that this is the time that Moses meets the ‘I AM” of Christ in the burning bush! A precurser to the tongues of fire on Pentecost.

According to tradition folks overslept the day that Moses came down from fiery Mount Sinai. So to atone, many folks hold an all-night vigil on the eve of Shavuot. They light candles, decorate with flowers, eat dairy food, study Torah, & read the Book of Ruth- an integral part of the Jewish & Christian liturgical year. Sections of Ruth are also used in the Protestant Wedding ceremony

A number of biblical scholars have speculated that the Book of Ruth may have been written by a woman – its story is not only expressed entirely from a woman’s point of view, the name “Ruth” literally means, “woman friend.” And the grammar of the original Hebrew shows an unusual content of gender equality. There is also a hidden teaching in Ruth, a kind of women’s mystery that we can contemplate, & also an allegory for a karmic, or spiritual union.

Here’s a synopsis: The widow Naomi & her 2 sons left Israel, because of a famine, traveling thru foreign lands. They settled in Moab which today is an Arab country on the East Bank of the Jordan River, bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria & Palestine. The sons married Ruth & Orpah, 2 non-Jewish women from that place. During this time in exile, the 2 sons died, & the 3 woman became very close.

The tender friendship was especially strong between Ruth & Naomi, so unusual with a mother-in-law; which has been celebrated in poetry, prose & in art, the world round. After a time, Naomi gets word that Jerusalem is fertile again, & with her 2 sons gone, she desires to go back to her homeland, telling her 2 daughters-in-law that they should go back to their families, since life with her would be one of poverty, in a strange land, & she didn’t want them to have to sacrifice all the pleasures of their young lives for her. Already sad & lonely with the loss of their husbands, the thought of parting with Naomi really intensified their grief. United in common sorrow, the 3 women stand at a crossroads. Naomi’s words made a deep impression on Orpah; & at last she decides to take her advice; –

But not Ruth, who felt a special destiny with Naomi; so they journeyed on together & made a home in Bethlehem, where Naomi’s family owned a small house, with a spring on the outskirts of town, but little else.

Ruth wanting to earn her keep, heard that laborers were needed in the fields. And Naomi remembered that she had a kinsman, Boaz, whose name means strength -a man of great wealth, as well as wisdom. And so it was that Ruth became employed in the fields of Boaz; where she worked hard & proved a blessing to her mother. Boaz took note of the integrity of the woman from Moab. At harvest time he needed many extra hands, & he often went among the reapers to see how the work was going forward. He heard such good accounts of Ruth’s industry, dignity & discretion that he ordered his men to leave plenty for her to glean & to carry home in the evening. This she often sold on the way, in order to buy something that Naomi needed.

The 2 woman enjoyed their evenings together. Naomi had her spinning-wheel & loom; she also worked in the garden, raising vegetables, herbs & chickens. They often talked over their day’s labor as they enjoyed their simple supper of herb tea, bread & watercress.

One night Naomi was told by the spirit of prophecy, that from Ruth would descend 6 of the most righteous men of the age, notably, the prophet Daniel, King David, & what we would call ‘the Luke Jesus’. Boaz prized Ruth for her virtues, & her great moral qualities of head & heart.

In due time they were married; & Ruth bore a son whose name was Obed, which means: ‘One who Serves’. Obed became the father of Jesse, the root from which sprung the Virgin Mary. And Obed, Ruth’s son, was also the father of King David.

And so that is how this ‘Old Testament’ story ends, but we know this is just the beginning…

~hag

TODAY: Saturday 27 May 2023 on zoom
1 – 2:30 pm Central Time

Anthroposophia & the Redemption of Lucifer –
A Pentecost Festival for 2023

with Hazel Archer-Ginsberg

& Velsum Voices Lucien Dante Lazar & Ultra-Violet Archer

Experiential Break out led by Lucien & Ultra

Hazel Archer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Pentecost Festival
Time: May 27, 2023 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7050174041?pwd=WkNaNDlPS0VIMTJUUkE1ZkFMaDh5dz09

Meeting ID: 705 017 4041
Passcode: Whitsun

& then Tomorrow Whitsunday 28 May 2023

NEW TIME: 7 pm – 9 pm

50 Days after The Resurrection =
Our Community Pentecost Gathering –

Social Sculpture with Rev. Jeana Lee

Pot-Luck, Bonfire & Prep Stir

at the home of Hazel & Chuck Ginsberg

Please bring food & drink to share –

RSVP to Hazel@ReverseRitual.com

Faith in Wisdom

May 26, 2023Biography, Community, Festival, History, Poetry, Speaking with the Stars, Upcoming EventsHazel

‘Wisdom is calling.
Truth is raising her voice.
In the heights & in the depths she takes her stand’.

Seek understanding, digest knowledge,
Become the Sophia of Christ.
We are She – She are We –
Embodying Love in Wisdom.

‘Love is the result of Wisdom reborn in the I’.
‘Wisdom Radiates in light’.

Reclaim the chalice-crown of the Light-bearer
‘Faith in Wisdom’ ‘The full power of the ‘I.’

The Rose of the World flowering
The Tree of Knowledge & of Life,
a ripe resounding…

‘For the time is at hand’

~hag
Lyrics for Velsum
Pentecost 2023

Anthroposophia & the Redemption of Lucifer – A Pentecost Festival for 2023

with Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, & Velsum Voices Lucien Dante Lazar & Ultra-Violet Archer

Experiential Break out led by Lucien

1 – 2:30 pm Central Time Saturday 27 May 2023 on zoom

Hazel Archer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Pentecost Festival
Time: May 27, 2023 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7050174041?pwd=WkNaNDlPS0VIMTJUUkE1ZkFMaDh5dz09

Meeting ID: 705 017 4041
Passcode: Whitsun

26 May 2023 – “Speaking with the Stars”: The near first quarter moon will glow above the star Regulus in Leo the Lion this evening, & near the asterism known as the Sickle. You can catch the moon and the Sickle until around 1 am CDT.

Rudolf Steiner’s Lectures on this day

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

National Paper Airplane Day

604 – Deathday of St. Augustine of Canterbury

1293 – An earthquake strikes Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan, killing about 30,000

Called for the burning of his books and called for his arrest. Frederick the Wise of Saxony protected Luther by hiding him in Wartburg Castle. Luther worked tirelessly on a complete translation of the Bible into German. Luther answering charges of heresy before the Diet of Worms in 1521.

1521 – Luther outlawed. Called for the burning of his books and called for his arrest. Frederick the Wise of Saxony protected Luther by hiding him in Wartburg Castle. Luther worked tirelessly on a complete translation of the Bible into German. Luther answering charges of heresy before the Diet of Worms in 1521.

1805 – Napoléon Bonaparte assumes the title of King of Italy and is crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy in Milan Cathedral, the gothic cathedral in Milan.