Freya’s Day

Celestial Event, Festival, Insight, Quote, Rudolf Steiner Quote, Speaking with the Stars

Friday the 13th July 2018

What is at the root of “triskadekaphobia” (the fear of the number 13)?

Well it could be because all numbers have their own cosmic vibration, & “13” is considered an unstable number. From the time when humans first used numbers to measure things, the number 12 has represented a common cosmic standard. There are 12 months of the year, 12 hours on the clock, 12 signs of the Zodiac, 12 Tribes of Israel, 12 Apostles, 12 Knights of the Round Table & so on. The number 13 represents disruption to the established order.

Perhaps the modern basis for the aura that surrounds Friday the 13th stems from Friday October the 13th, 1307. On this date, the Pope of the church in Rome, in Conjunction with the King of France, carried out a secret death warrant against “the Knights Templar”. The Templars were terminated as heretics, never again to hold the power & riches that they had stewarded for so long. Their Grand Master, Jacques DeMolay, was arrested & killed on that Friday the 13th.

In the Christian faith, 13 is the number of people at the Last Supper, with the 13th guest at the table being the traitor, Judas. Also legend has it that Adam & Eve ate the forbidden fruit, on a Friday, & later died on a Friday, & in Christianity, Good Friday is always a solemn occasion.

Olga Zelinskaya

The Scandinavian belief that the number 13 signified bad luck sprang from their 12 demigods, who were joined by a 13th, Loki, an often cruel trickster god who brought humans great misfortune.

Robert Brooks

Whether or not a person considers Friday the 13th unlucky, belief in superstitions is thought to offer a sense of control in stressful situations. Today’s beliefs may very well be tomorrows superstitions.

Thorskegga

But, let’s consider that in pre-Christian societies, reliance on a lunar calendar meant that Friday the 13th could coincide with the Full Moon or New Moon. And Friday named after the Goddess Freya, was a day to honor the goddesses & planet Venus in a day-long love-fest! Friday the 13th symbolized a day for everyone to let go, revel, sacrificing routine. Such breaks in the usual order allowed for the restoration of balance & harmony.

So maybe we will choose to take a cue from our forebears. They saw the number 13 as a lucky omen, a time to make a fresh beginning, seeking new roads to success & satisfaction. What if we took today to consciously open our heart & mind to new opportunities, luck & love?!

But just to be safe, don’t step on a crack!

~hag

From Jonathan Hilton of the Astrosophy Center: …on the 12th we have an exact alignment of Earth, Sun, and Pluto.  This alignment has not occurred since 1931 (we can think back in history to both the political situation then and to what Steiner spoke of about the etheric Christ event in early 1930’s).  Sun in Twins opposite Pluto in Archer aligns along this great vertical axis of our cosmos seen from two perspectives.  Geocentrically it is the line of the Solstices, winter/ summer, when the Sun reaches its highest point of the year and its lowest point of the year.  It is related to our consciousness and thus our sense of Selfhood.  This line is also the line of our galactic center, the belt of the Milky Way runs thru these constellations.  In fact our galactic center is just at the point of the arrow in the Archer, a significant imagination!

So now we have the Earth/Sun/Pluto aligned in Archer and we also have Saturn in Archer.  Pluto, is a planetary sphere, that according to the research of Willi Sucher, is connected both with the highest and lowest in humanity, particularly with regard to the new faculties to be developed out of the consciousness soul. It is often associated with explosive, earth-shaking, but often transformative world events, such as revolutions and natural disasters. It is also connected to the nuclear realm.  Its potential is to ultimately lead to the transformation of the physical body and physical earth as we ultimately develop Spirit-Man.  The shadow of Pluto is that it can become a tool of the most destructive forces of the third evil realm which is just beginning its real activity in our times; these are the Asuras, the fallen spirits of personality or of egoism.

This alignment and Saturn also in Archer, point us to a very significant time in world karma in which the very nature of our identity as a human being is being challenged yet also hopefully inspired.  We are answering the question, What truly is the human being?  Who are we?  Animals, machines or spiritual beings? In the Archer we have the very image of the human being who is striving to transform the animal nature (the horse) which represent the old forces of clairvoyance and instinct from the past which no longer work as well as the impulse and passions of the lower animal nature which hold us back from our true nature.  Arising out of this half animal is the human being who is aiming with the bow and arrow for the goal of our true spiritual nature.  Archer represents this struggle and challenge which we must work out on our own to discover who we truly are.

Now there are great forces at work in the world which would divide, which would lead to destruction and polarization; which want to keep us from recognizing our shared spiritual humanity.  The world is being “shaken up”, even convulsed, but this can lead to our higher awareness…out of the challenge of this evil we can find the good.

 Saibel

“Men speak of good and evil, but they do not know that it is necessary in the great plan that evil, too, should come to a peak, in order that those who have overcome itshould, in the very overcoming of evil, so use their force that a still greater good results from it….The good would not be so great a good if it were not to grow through the conquest of evil. Love would not be so intense if it had not to become love so great as to be able even to overcome the wickedness in the countenances of evil men. Therefore you must not think that evil has no part in the plan of creation. It is there in order that through it may come the great good”. ~Rudolf Steiner, Lecture 8, Apocalypse of John

Rudolf Steiner’s Lectures on this day 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

587 BC – Babylon’s siege of Jerusalem ends following the destruction of Solomon’s Temple.

1218 – Deathday of Jacopo De Fazio, best known as the blessed Jacobus da Varagine, an Italian chronicler & archbishop of Genoa. He was the author, or more accurately the compiler, of Legenda Aurea, the Golden Legend, a collection of the legendary lives of the greater saints of the medieval church that was one of the most popular religious works of the Middle Ages.

EPSON scanner image

1527 – Birthday of John Dee, English-Welsh mathematician, astronomer, & astrologer

1863 – New York City draft riots: In New York City, opponents of conscription begin three days of rioting which will be later regarded as the worst in United States history.

1889 – Deadday of Robert Hamerling, Austrian author, poet, & playwright

1963 – Deathday of Albert Steffen, a poet, painter, dramatist, essayist, & novelist. He joined the Theosophical Society in Germany in 1910, & the Anthroposophical Society in 1912 & became its president after the death of its founder, Rudolf Steiner, in 1925. Steffen was chief editor of the society’s journal, Das Goetheanum, from 1921-1963. His earliest works, predating his encounter with anthroposophy, already manifest a spiritual awareness. His later works, which reflect a vision of the world permeated by metaphysical powers of good & evil, draw on a wide range of esoteric European & Asian traditions. A Glimpse in to his life

1973 – Alexander Butterfield reveals the existence of the “Nixon tapes” to the special Senate committee investigating the Watergate break-in.

***

POD (Poem Of the Day)

~Mine is
A heart of ruby-red
Crimson hot
& dark as murder on a Holy Day…
Mine is a heart of emerald,
The gnarled roots
Of a rosewood bursting with thorns
& bright blossoms in the Sun...
~hag

***

How To Know, Confront, and Work with Evil

A Weekend Workshop with Rev. Bastiaan Baan

At the Christian Community, 2135 W. Wilson Chicago, Il. 60625

Saturday 4 August 2018, 10 am – 8 pm

Sunday 5 August 2018, 11:45am – 5 pm

Fee is a Sliding Scale $25 – $100

Please RSVP to Rev. Ann Burfeind 

***

by Grace KahnBy Sophia Karris

20 August 2018 ~MORAL MONDAY~ CHICAGO 7 pm – 9 pm 

“When The Trees Melt Away In A Sun Soaked Cotton Dream”

A Going Going Gone Party for the CWS Class of 2018 – an Art Exhibit with Musical Performances from the Youth at Elderberries Chicago 4251 N. Lincoln Ave.

Illustrations by Grace Kahn, & Sophia Karris.

Work by Shanti Rogers, Art booth by Liz Rosu-Rosenberg

Songs from “Beyond Blue and Red” by Ultra-Violet Archer 

Chance Schneider & DJ Grapefruit Effect

$10 Donation –MORE or less (Youth under 21 FREE)

***

How We Will: Organizing a Bare Bones Threefold Cultural Revolution

Hosted by Urban First Aid – Art As Medicine & The Elderberries 3Fold Cafe Chicago 4251 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618-2953, United States

31 Aug. 2018 at 12 PM to 4 Sep. 2018 at 2 PM

The Cultural Revolution continues! Organizing for systemic change – a separation of powers into three different spheres of action:
Culture – Economics – Political
Freedom – Kinship – Equality

2018 is a pivotal year in the United States and also around the world. We will step into organizing the three spheres particularly, through what lives already in our community and then seeking beyond to allies and partners.

Step by step organizing strategies and tools will be at the forefront of this bare bones session of How We Will – 3folding our Cultural Revolution. We will strategize together as to how to bring about a community of like-minded organizations working in agriculture, education, medicine, art and more which can open up a conversation on Rudolf Steiner’s work for a threefold consideration.

First up Kait Zielger for our How We Will: Threefolding our Cultural Revolution strategy sessions. Mid July Kait will be at the Goetheanum in Dornach where she will present her work on Theory U at the Youth Section gathering and then will co present with Gerald Haefner at YIP in September.

Elizabeth Roosevelt Weeks will co lead a conversations throughout the Labor Day weekend in Chicago: Periphery & Center – The work at Elderberries Threefold Cafe in Hollywood has specifically been around how to create a culture of selflessness where we make room to the ninth degree for the other.

Rudolf Steiner shares: ‘He who would be a true member should strive in the deepest places of his soul for inner tolerance towards his fellow-men. To understand one’s fellow-man ? even where he thinks and does things which one would not like to think and do oneself ? this should be the ideal.’

Strategizing a way forward no matter what country you live in! Nathaniel Williams and his community are working on a new form of economics in their upstate New York neighborhood and we are aiming to hear about this and to really break down into groups along the lines of the Economic, Cultural and Political spheres to find a way forward.

In times like this, when ALL is falling down around us, we need a full on systemic change. Our time is asking for a separation of powers where the rights gained are not just taken away at whim by whoever is ‘in charge of’ the government and depending on their own political/economic/religious ideology.

The way we are battling for our rights is putting money at the forefront versus our values. We need our values in the front first. What are our values as citizens of the United States? Do we value human beings and the earth and all living beings or do we not? It feels like the last ball has dropped and the judiciary can really no longer do it’s job as it’s the last bastion that would uphold Equality and it is so polarized along political lines that it no longer serves rather it serves the smallest percentage of human beings who are able to buy more Rights for themselves. In a Threefold system you cannot buy more Rights for yourself as there is no money in politics.

Economic system is dead. Here we would raise up a Beloved Community

Political system is dead. Here we would establish in our societal laws Equal Rights for all

Civil Society yet to be born. here we would honor Freedom of the individual.

Not about Socialism or Communism or Capitalism but a time for a fourth way which honors moving away for me me me and me and mine a 4.0 Economy – from Ego to Eco.

Our team here in Hollywood will also share the tools we have learned working with the Poor People’s Campaign around Fusion Coaltions.

More Presenters TBA so stay tuned

We will also be building out the cafe space two weeks before and two weeks after for those who can stay and help get this Elderberries 3Fold Cafe Chicago up and running!

WE NEED HOUSING!

For more info. Contact Frank Agrama

***

Poetic Imagination, Metamorphosis and the Evolution of Consciousness with Luke Fischer

Sunday 16 September 2018, 2 – 4pm

In this lecture, poet and philosopher, Dr Luke Fischer will discuss ways in which the poetry and thought of Goethe, Rilke, Barfield, and Steiner contribute to an understanding of the evolution of consciousness and of the particular significance of poetic imagination. He will also shed light on how his own poetic and philosophical writings have addressed these topics.

Poetry Reading and Piano Recital

Poet and philosopher, Luke Fischer, will share poems from his poetry collections A Personal History of Vision (UWAP Poetry, 2017) and Paths of Flight (Black Pepper, 2013). Pianist Ryan Senger will perform classical piano works.

Bio: Luke Fischer is a poet, philosopher, and writer. His books include the poetry collections A Personal History of Vision (UWAP Poetry, 2017) and Paths of Flight (Black Pepper, 2013), the monograph The Poet as Phenomenologist: Rilke and the New Poems (Bloomsbury, 2015), and the children’s book The Blue Forest (Lindisfarne Books, 2015). He has co-edited a number of works, including a special section of the Goethe Yearbook (2015) on “Goethe and Environmentalism.” He won the 2012 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize and his poems have been anthologized in the Best Australian Poems (2014, 2015, and 2017). He holds a PhD in philosophy and is an honorary associate of the University of Sydney, Australia. For more information see: www.lukefischerauthor.com

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Veil Painting Workshop with David Dozier

Friday Sept. 21, 2018, 7 -9pm

Saturday Sept. 22, 10 am – 5 pm

Sunday Sept. 23, 10 am -1pm

Workshop fee: $135.00 for RSB members, $160.00 for non-members Supply fee: $135.00*

Veil Painting is a watercolor technique special to artists working with the writings of Rudolf Steiner. Transparent watercolors are thinned far more than usual and glazed over one another on white paper to achieve subtle color washes, or ‘veils.’ The colors are never mixed anywhere but on the paper, and then only one at a time in a wash over dry colors. To avoid loss of time to stretching watercolor paper and waiting for it to dry overnight, students will use 300# cold pressed watercolor paper or heavy illustration board for wet media. We will focus on technique and work with painting motifs using Goethe’s Luster Colors (red, yellow, and blue) and Image Colors (white, black green, and peach), also exploring Goethe’s use of Characteristic Colors, Non-characteristic Colors, and Harmonious Colors in varying combinations on small panels, the Goethean color wheel on a larger panel, with space for a free painting to try and find an image out of the color itself. Supplies: All supplies will be provided for participants out of the supply fee, and will become their personal materials to take home including; brushes, paper, color, jars, rags, tape, ruler, pencil, sharpener, eraser. Participants will be completely equipped to work at home after the workshop, including colors and where to buy additional supplies when needed.

To Register Send check by September 7th to: David Dozier 1050 Columbia Ave. #3E Chicago, IL 60626

*Anyone taking the workshop that believes they already have all the tools and materials they need and wishes to avoid paying the supply fee should speak to Mr. Dozier personally at 773-627-0060, and review their tools and materials against the supply list with him by September 1st, since supplies have to ordered at least two weeks in advance.

Bio: Since 1997 David A. Dozier has taught art history, digital art, painting in oils, pastels and watercolor, black & white drawing, calligraphy and block printing at the Chicago Waldorf School, as well as drawing skills to adults in the Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Education program. He has a Master’s degree in Education (with a Certificate in Waldorf Education) from Antioch New England Graduate School, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication from Layton School of Art and Design with academic accreditation from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.

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Saturday 20 September 2018 MICHAELMAS Festival at the Rudolf Steiner Branch Stay Tuned For Details

***

AGM 2018 Friday, Oct 5 – Sunday, Oct 7 in New Orleans, Louisiana

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!

First Grace United Methodist Church 3401 Canal Street, New Orleans (Check out their amazing history here!)

Pre-conference: Thursday, Oct 4: Living in the Branches National Branch and Group Gathering

Free event! $25 lunch/refreshments fee.

Some travel scholarships available.
Email with questions.

National Youth Conference (Wed pm, Thurs, Fri am October 3-4-5):
MY HEART’S VOCATION: Finding Ourselves within Community

Click here for Youth Conference schedule and registration!

$250 Early Bird (until September 5th), $275 Standard

$375 Sponsorship (supports financial assistance) $60 Youth

Includes Friday light reception, snacks, beverages, and Sunday light brunch! Limited financial assistance available. Email to find out more. 

Conference Schedule

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!

Thursday, October 4

9:00-3:30 First Grace Methodist Church
Living in the Branches: National Branch and Group Gathering
National Youth Conference (Details coming!)

4:00-9:00 Central Region Gathering

Friday, October 5

7:45-9:30 am – Bayou St. John Songtrail: meet under the McDonough Oak.

10:00-12:00 – Class Lesson and Conversation with Joan Sleigh

1:00 pm Opening

1:30-2:30 Keynote Conversation with Orland Bishop

2:30-2:45 Trio Sharing

2:45-3:30 Here and Now with the General Council

4:00-5:15 Concurrent Sessions (Choose on site)

Cain and Abel: Building a bridge between the Two Streams, with Hazel Archer-Ginsberg

Exploring Transformation Through Our Own Biography, with Janey Newton

5:30-6:15 Central Region Interactive Panel

6:30 DINNER

8:00 Momento Mori Ritual (Stay tuned for details!)

Saturday, October 6

8:00-8:45 Singing or Speech

9:00-10:00 Keynote Discussion with Joan Sleigh

10:00-10:15 Trio Sharing

10:45-12:00 Concurrent Workshops (Choose on site)

Initation of the Heart: The Fifth Gospel, with Patrick Kennedy

General Council Annual Update Session

Transforming Community – Creating the Future: Young People Discovering Their Purpose and Place, with Bart Eddy

12:00-1:30 Lunch (Table Topic Discussions)

1:30-2:30 Youth-Led Panel

3:00-4:15 Participant Research and Initiative Sharing Sessions
(Click here to submit your research/initiative sharing proposal.)

OR

3:00-4:15 Pageant Participant Preparation with Marianne Fieber-Dhara (Details at the conference!)

4:30-6:15 Concurrent Sessions (Choose on site)

Orland Bishop: The Seventh Shrine

House of Hope, with Thea Lavin

Anthroposophical Contemplative Practices in Everyday Life

6:15-7:30 DINNER

8:00-9:30 Confluence of Karma: A Pageant Of Dedicated Service

Sunday, October 7

8:00-8:30 Group Speech

8:30-8:45 Trio Sharing

8:45-10:00 Now and Next (Art, Reflection, Closing Plenum, Singing)

11:00-12:30 First Grace Church Service, or Tour of Raphael Village [link]

Lunch on your own!

Post Sessions (Included in Conference Fee)

2:00-4:00 Lisa Romero: Contemplative Practices

2:00-4:00 John Bloom and Laura Scappaticci: “So That Good May Become”–Working with the Foundation Stone

See you in New Orleans!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!

Schedule subject to minor changes.

Limited Financial Assistance Available.
Email community@anthroposophy.org for an application.

 ***

Solar Eclipse Natal Return!

Celestial Event, Rudolf Steiner Quote, Speaking with the Stars

12 July 2018 – Astro-Weather: New Moon (exact at 9:48 p.m. CST) with a partial Solar Eclipse! At its New phase, Bella Luna crosses the sky with the Sun & so remains hidden in our Daystar’s glare. At least, that’s what it will do for more than 99 percent of Earth’s population. But if you find yourself between southeastern Australia & Antarctica, you can watch the Moon pass in front of the Sun & cause a partial solar eclipse. From Hobart, Tasmania, the eclipse lasts from 2 hours 52 minutes to almost 4 hours UT.

Today also marks the peak of Pluto’s 2018 appearance. The distant world reaches opposition, which means it lies opposite the Sun in our sky & remains visible all night in northeastern Sagittarius.

Rudolf Steiner’s Lectures on this day 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

100 BC – Birthday of Julius Caesar, Roman politician & general

Mattia Preti

Feast Day of St. Veronica – According tradition, Veronica was moved with sympathy when she saw Jesus carrying his cross to Golgotha & gave him her veil that he might wipe his forehead. Jesus accepted the offering, held it to his face, & then handed it back to her—the image of his face miraculously impressed upon it.

This piece of cloth became known as the Veil of Veronica.The name “Veronica” itself is a Latinisation of Berenice (Greek: Βερενίκη, Berenikē, with a secondary form Beronike), a Macedonian name, meaning “bearer of victory”. The woman who offered her veil to Jesus was known by this name in the Byzantine East, but in the Latin West the name took a life of its own as a designation for a relic venerated in Rome as the true image of Jesus. Since the Latin word for “true” or “authentic” happens to be vera, the theory emerged that the name itself is derived from the Latin phrase “true image”, vera icon (one Latin word for image is icon, derived from Greek: εικόνα, eikona). In the 13th-century text & also in some later sources the term Veronica was used for the veil, not the person, but for centuries it has been better known as the name of the woman.

Eusebius in his Historia Ecclesiastica (vii 18) tells how at Caesarea Philippi lived the woman whom Christ healed of an issue of blood (Matthew 9:20-22). Legend was not long in providing the woman of the Gospel with a name. In the West she was identified with Martha of Bethany; in the East she was called Berenike, or Beronike, the name appearing in as early a work as the “Acta Pilati”, the most ancient form of which goes back to the fourth century. The fanciful derivation of the name Veronica from the words Vera Icon (eikon) “true image” dates back to the “Otia Imperialia” (iii 25) of Gervase of Tilbury (fl. 1211), who says: “Est ergo Veronica pictura Domini vera” (translated: “The Veronica is, therefore, a true picture of the Lord.”)

1804 – Former United States Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton dies after being shot in a pistol duel by Vice President Aaron Burr

1895 – Birthday of Buckminster Fuller, American architect & engineer, designed the Montreal Biosphère

1895 – Birthday of Oscar Hammerstein II, American director, producer, & songwriter

1904 – Birthday of Pablo Neruda, Chilean poet & diplomat, Nobel Prize laureate

1948 – Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion orders the expulsion of Palestinians from the towns of Lod and Ramla.

1967 – The ‘Newark riot’ was one of 159 race riots that swept cities in the United States during the “Long Hot Summer of 1967”. This riot occurred between July 12 & July 17, 1967. Over the four days of rioting, looting, & property destruction, 26 people died & hundreds were injured.

***

Virtue for July – Selflessness becomes catharsis
(June 21 to July 21)

Such true perseverance is selfless. True selflessness is equally far removed from hardening and dissolution. Adulating dependency is no less self-centered than rigid consistence on one’s own prejudices and interests. True selflessness defends neither the narrowness of the subjective personality nor loses itself in other people and things. It is rather the golden mean between these two deviations and temptations. Not obscured by the selfishness of fear or by that of greed, it is therefore pure. Purification is the path that overcomes fear through the truth that unites all beings and through an inner life that liberates one from the dependency of desire, accepts the twists and turns of fate. This selflessness that through considerateness and renunciation finds itself, is self-assured. With his idea of purification (catharsis) Aristotle denotes initiation into the path of destiny as being the task of the poet. This catharsis is achieved by overcoming and transforming the dangers that threaten the human center.
Selflessness, as the path to the human center, becomes catharsis.
A meditation on such selflessness is the saying: “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”

***

Rudolf Steiner tells us:

“An eclipse of the sun is due to the fact that the moon comes between the sun and the earth, cutting off the rays of the sun.

At the time of a solar eclipse, for instance, something totally different takes place in the part of the earth affected from what is happening when there is no eclipse. When we know that on the one hand the rays of the sun penetrate down to the earth and on the other hand the forces or rays of will stream out to meet the sun.  At an eclipse, these forces radiate into the darkness, and there ensues a period of time, short though it may be, in which all that is of the nature of will upon the earth flows out into universal space in an abnormal way. It is different altogether from what takes place when there is no eclipse. Ordinarily, the physical sunlight unites with the radiations of will streaming towards it. When there is an eclipse, the forces of will flow unhindered into cosmic space.

The old initiates knew these things. They saw that at such a moment all the unbridled impulses and instincts of humanity surge out into the cosmos. And they gave their pupils the following explanation. They said: ‘Under normal conditions the evil impulses of will which are sent out into the cosmos by human beings are, as it were, burned up and consumed by the rays of the sun, so that they can injure only man himself, but can do no universal harm. When, however, there is an eclipse of the sun, opportunity is given for the evil which is willed on earth to spread over the cosmos’. An eclipse is a physical event behind which there lies a significant spiritual reality.” ~ Rudolf Steiner, Human Questions, Cosmic Answers.

Interesting that this cosmic reality is occurring today on my Birthday! I take it as a sign to make the intention (today & everyday) to endeavor to align my will with the Divine Will. To be awake to my every thought, word & deed – To consciously stream out only the will impulses of my Higher “I”.

For this I can strive, knowing that these often uncomfortable cosmic realities occur to give a change to put Anthroposophy into practice.

May we meet our obstacles in love, strengthening the etheric rays of the Sun with our good will.

Peace

~hag

***

How To Know, Confront, and Work with Evil

A Weekend Workshop with Rev. Bastiaan Baan

At the Christian Community, 2135 W. Wilson Chicago, Il. 60625

Saturday 4 August 2018, 10 am – 8 pm

Sunday 5 August 2018, 11:45am – 5 pm

Fee is a Sliding Scale $25 – $100

Please RSVP to Rev. Ann Burfeind 

***

by Grace KahnBy Sophia Karris

20 August 2018 ~MORAL MONDAY~ CHICAGO 7 pm – 9 pm 

“When The Trees Melt Away In A Sun Soaked Cotton Dream”

A Going Going Gone Party for the CWS Class of 2018 – an Art Exhibit with Musical Performances from the Youth at Elderberries Chicago 4251 N. Lincoln Ave.

Illustrations by Grace Kahn, & Sophia Karris.

Work by Shanti Rogers, Art booth by Liz Rosu-Rosenberg

Songs from “Beyond Blue and Red” by Ultra-Violet Archer 

Chance Schneider & DJ Grapefruit Effect

$10 Donation –MORE or less (Youth under 21 FREE)

***

How We Will: Organizing a Bare Bones Threefold Cultural Revolution

Hosted by Urban First Aid – Art As Medicine & The Elderberries 3Fold Cafe Chicago 4251 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618-2953, United States

31 Aug. 2018 at 12 PM to 4 Sep. 2018 at 2 PM

The Cultural Revolution continues! Organizing for systemic change – a separation of powers into three different spheres of action:
Culture – Economics – Political
Freedom – Kinship – Equality

2018 is a pivotal year in the United States and also around the world. We will step into organizing the three spheres particularly, through what lives already in our community and then seeking beyond to allies and partners.

Step by step organizing strategies and tools will be at the forefront of this bare bones session of How We Will – 3folding our Cultural Revolution. We will strategize together as to how to bring about a community of like-minded organizations working in agriculture, education, medicine, art and more which can open up a conversation on Rudolf Steiner’s work for a threefold consideration.

First up Kait Zielger for our How We Will: Threefolding our Cultural Revolution strategy sessions. Mid July Kait will be at the Goetheanum in Dornach where she will present her work on Theory U at the Youth Section gathering and then will co present with Gerald Haefner at YIP in September.

Elizabeth Roosevelt Weeks will co lead a conversations throughout the Labor Day weekend in Chicago: Periphery & Center – The work at Elderberries Threefold Cafe in Hollywood has specifically been around how to create a culture of selflessness where we make room to the ninth degree for the other.

Rudolf Steiner shares: ‘He who would be a true member should strive in the deepest places of his soul for inner tolerance towards his fellow-men. To understand one’s fellow-man ? even where he thinks and does things which one would not like to think and do oneself ? this should be the ideal.’

Strategizing a way forward no matter what country you live in! Nathaniel Williams and his community are working on a new form of economics in their upstate New York neighborhood and we are aiming to hear about this and to really break down into groups along the lines of the Economic, Cultural and Political spheres to find a way forward.

In times like this, when ALL is falling down around us, we need a full on systemic change. Our time is asking for a separation of powers where the rights gained are not just taken away at whim by whoever is ‘in charge of’ the government and depending on their own political/economic/religious ideology.

The way we are battling for our rights is putting money at the forefront versus our values. We need our values in the front first. What are our values as citizens of the United States? Do we value human beings and the earth and all living beings or do we not? It feels like the last ball has dropped and the judiciary can really no longer do it’s job as it’s the last bastion that would uphold Equality and it is so polarized along political lines that it no longer serves rather it serves the smallest percentage of human beings who are able to buy more Rights for themselves. In a Threefold system you cannot buy more Rights for yourself as there is no money in politics.

Economic system is dead. Here we would raise up a Beloved Community

Political system is dead. Here we would establish in our societal laws Equal Rights for all

Civil Society yet to be born. here we would honor Freedom of the individual.

Not about Socialism or Communism or Capitalism but a time for a fourth way which honors moving away for me me me and me and mine a 4.0 Economy – from Ego to Eco.

Our team here in Hollywood will also share the tools we have learned working with the Poor People’s Campaign around Fusion Coaltions.

More Presenters TBA so stay tuned

We will also be building out the cafe space two weeks before and two weeks after for those who can stay and help get this Elderberries 3Fold Cafe Chicago up and running!

WE NEED HOUSING!

For more info. Contact Frank Agrama

***

Poetic Imagination, Metamorphosis and the Evolution of Consciousness with Luke Fischer

Sunday 16 September 2018, 2 – 4pm

In this lecture, poet and philosopher, Dr Luke Fischer will discuss ways in which the poetry and thought of Goethe, Rilke, Barfield, and Steiner contribute to an understanding of the evolution of consciousness and of the particular significance of poetic imagination. He will also shed light on how his own poetic and philosophical writings have addressed these topics.

Poetry Reading and Piano Recital

Poet and philosopher, Luke Fischer, will share poems from his poetry collections A Personal History of Vision (UWAP Poetry, 2017) and Paths of Flight (Black Pepper, 2013). Pianist Ryan Senger will perform classical piano works.

Bio: Luke Fischer is a poet, philosopher, and writer. His books include the poetry collections A Personal History of Vision (UWAP Poetry, 2017) and Paths of Flight (Black Pepper, 2013), the monograph The Poet as Phenomenologist: Rilke and the New Poems (Bloomsbury, 2015), and the children’s book The Blue Forest (Lindisfarne Books, 2015). He has co-edited a number of works, including a special section of the Goethe Yearbook (2015) on “Goethe and Environmentalism.” He won the 2012 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize and his poems have been anthologized in the Best Australian Poems (2014, 2015, and 2017). He holds a PhD in philosophy and is an honorary associate of the University of Sydney, Australia. For more information see: www.lukefischerauthor.com

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Veil Painting Workshop with David Dozier

Friday Sept. 21, 2018, 7 -9pm

Saturday Sept. 22, 10 am – 5 pm

Sunday Sept. 23, 10 am -1pm

Workshop fee: $135.00 for RSB members, $160.00 for non-members Supply fee: $135.00*

Veil Painting is a watercolor technique special to artists working with the writings of Rudolf Steiner. Transparent watercolors are thinned far more than usual and glazed over one another on white paper to achieve subtle color washes, or ‘veils.’ The colors are never mixed anywhere but on the paper, and then only one at a time in a wash over dry colors. To avoid loss of time to stretching watercolor paper and waiting for it to dry overnight, students will use 300# cold pressed watercolor paper or heavy illustration board for wet media. We will focus on technique and work with painting motifs using Goethe’s Luster Colors (red, yellow, and blue) and Image Colors (white, black green, and peach), also exploring Goethe’s use of Characteristic Colors, Non-characteristic Colors, and Harmonious Colors in varying combinations on small panels, the Goethean color wheel on a larger panel, with space for a free painting to try and find an image out of the color itself. Supplies: All supplies will be provided for participants out of the supply fee, and will become their personal materials to take home including; brushes, paper, color, jars, rags, tape, ruler, pencil, sharpener, eraser. Participants will be completely equipped to work at home after the workshop, including colors and where to buy additional supplies when needed.

To Register Send check by September 7th to: David Dozier 1050 Columbia Ave. #3E Chicago, IL 60626

*Anyone taking the workshop that believes they already have all the tools and materials they need and wishes to avoid paying the supply fee should speak to Mr. Dozier personally at 773-627-0060, and review their tools and materials against the supply list with him by September 1st, since supplies have to ordered at least two weeks in advance.

Bio: Since 1997 David A. Dozier has taught art history, digital art, painting in oils, pastels and watercolor, black & white drawing, calligraphy and block printing at the Chicago Waldorf School, as well as drawing skills to adults in the Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Education program. He has a Master’s degree in Education (with a Certificate in Waldorf Education) from Antioch New England Graduate School, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication from Layton School of Art and Design with academic accreditation from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.

***

AGM 2018 Friday, Oct 5 – Sunday, Oct 7 in New Orleans, Louisiana

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!

First Grace United Methodist Church 3401 Canal Street, New Orleans (Check out their amazing history here!)

Pre-conference: Thursday, Oct 4: Living in the Branches National Branch and Group Gathering

Free event! $25 lunch/refreshments fee.

Some travel scholarships available.
Email with questions.

National Youth Conference (Wed pm, Thurs, Fri am October 3-4-5):
MY HEART’S VOCATION: Finding Ourselves within Community

Click here for Youth Conference schedule and registration!

$250 Early Bird (until September 5th), $275 Standard

$375 Sponsorship (supports financial assistance) $60 Youth

Includes Friday light reception, snacks, beverages, and Sunday light brunch! Limited financial assistance available. Email to find out more. 

Conference Schedule

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!

Thursday, October 4

9:00-3:30 First Grace Methodist Church
Living in the Branches: National Branch and Group Gathering
National Youth Conference (Details coming!)

4:00-9:00 Central Region Gathering

Friday, October 5

7:45-9:30 am – Bayou St. John Songtrail: meet under the McDonough Oak.

10:00-12:00 – Class Lesson and Conversation with Joan Sleigh

1:00 pm Opening

1:30-2:30 Keynote Conversation with Orland Bishop

2:30-2:45 Trio Sharing

2:45-3:30 Here and Now with the General Council

4:00-5:15 Concurrent Sessions (Choose on site)

Cain and Abel: Building a bridge between the Two Streams, with Hazel Archer-Ginsberg

Exploring Transformation Through Our Own Biography, with Janey Newton

5:30-6:15 Central Region Interactive Panel

6:30 DINNER

8:00 Momento Mori Ritual (Stay tuned for details!)

Saturday, October 6

8:00-8:45 Singing or Speech

9:00-10:00 Keynote Discussion with Joan Sleigh

10:00-10:15 Trio Sharing

10:45-12:00 Concurrent Workshops (Choose on site)

Initation of the Heart: The Fifth Gospel, with Patrick Kennedy

General Council Annual Update Session

Transforming Community – Creating the Future: Young People Discovering Their Purpose and Place, with Bart Eddy

12:00-1:30 Lunch (Table Topic Discussions)

1:30-2:30 Youth-Led Panel

3:00-4:15 Participant Research and Initiative Sharing Sessions
(Click here to submit your research/initiative sharing proposal.)

OR

3:00-4:15 Pageant Participant Preparation with Marianne Fieber-Dhara (Details at the conference!)

4:30-6:15 Concurrent Sessions (Choose on site)

Orland Bishop: The Seventh Shrine

House of Hope, with Thea Lavin

Anthroposophical Contemplative Practices in Everyday Life

6:15-7:30 DINNER

8:00-9:30 Confluence of Karma: A Pageant Of Dedicated Service

Sunday, October 7

8:00-8:30 Group Speech

8:30-8:45 Trio Sharing

8:45-10:00 Now and Next (Art, Reflection, Closing Plenum, Singing)

11:00-12:30 First Grace Church Service, or Tour of Raphael Village [link]

Lunch on your own!

Post Sessions (Included in Conference Fee)

2:00-4:00 Lisa Romero: Contemplative Practices

2:00-4:00 John Bloom and Laura Scappaticci: “So That Good May Become”–Working with the Foundation Stone

See you in New Orleans!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!

Schedule subject to minor changes.

Limited Financial Assistance Available.
Email community@anthroposophy.org for an application.

 

 

 

‘Southern Tour’

Celestial Event, Insight, Poetry, Summer

10 July 2018 – Astro-Weather:

Venus & Regulus are in conjunction, 1° apart in the western twilight. Watch for Regulus coming into view just to Venus’s lower left.

Last occultation of Aldebaran. Early Tuesday morning, the thin waning crescent Moon will occult 1st-magnitude Aldebaran for parts of Canada & the uppermost Midwest.

“The brightest star (other than the Sun) that can be occulted by the Moon will be occulted one last time during the current series, for observers in the western Great Lakes region. It will be a good event, with the crescent Moon only 11% sunlit, so those with clear skies might see the reappearance [of Aldebaran on the Moon’s dark limb] even without optical aid. But the Moon will be low; you will need an unobstructed horizon in the east-northeast where the Moon will rise.”

Not until 2033 will we get another good Aldebaran occultation.

If you have a dark enough sky, the Milky Way now forms a magnificent arch high across the eastern heavens after nightfall is complete. It runs all the way from below Cassiopeia in the north-northeast, up & across Cygnus & the Summer Triangle in the east, & down to the south behind Saturn &the spout of the Sagittarius Teapot.

Kari Marie Olson

Rudolf Steiner’s Lectures on this day 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

138 – Deathday of Roman Emperor Hadrian, thought by TH Meyer to have reincarnated as Ludwig Polzer-Hoditz see his book published by Tempe Press.

1212 – The most severe of several early fires of London burns most of the city to the ground.

1509 – Birthday of John Calvin, French pastor & theologian

1856 – Birthday of Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, physicist,& futurist who is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system, but also for his mystical application of magnetism, advocacy of wireless solutions & much more…

1871 – Birthday of Marcel Proust, French novelist, critic, and essayist

1875 – Birthday of Mary McLeod Bethune, an American educator, stateswoman, philanthropist, humanitarian & civil rights activist best known for starting a private school for African-American students in Daytona Beach, Florida. It later continued to develop as Bethune-Cookman University. She also was appointed as a national adviser to president Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of what was known as his Black Cabinet. She was known as “The First Lady of The Struggle” because of her commitment to gain better lives for African Americans.

Born in Mayesville, South Carolina, to parents who had been slaves, she started working in fields with her family at age five. She took an early interest in becoming educated; with the help of benefactors, Bethune attended college hoping to become a missionary in Africa. She started a school for African-American girls.

She was president of the college from 1923 to 1942, and 1946 to 1947. She was one of the few women in the world to serve as a college president at that time.

Bethune was also active in women’s clubs, which were strong civic organizations supporting & other needs, becoming a national leader. After working on the presidential campaign for Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, she was invited as a member of his Cabinet. She advised him on concerns of black people & helped share Roosevelt’s message & achievements with blacks, who had historically been Republican voters since the Civil War. At the time, blacks had been largely disenfranchised in the South since the turn of the century, so she was speaking to black voters across the North. Upon her death, the good doctor.”

1921 – Belfast’s Bloody Sunday: Sixteen people are killed and 161 houses destroyed during rioting and gun battles in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

1925 – Meher Baba begins his silence of 44 years. His followers observe Silence Day on this date in commemoration.

1925 – Scopes Trial: In Dayton, Tennessee, the so-called “Monkey Trial” begins of John T. Scopes, a young high school science teacher accused of teaching evolution in violation of the Butler Act.

1966 – The Chicago Freedom Movement, led by Martin Luther King, Jr., holds a rally at Soldier Field in Chicago. As many as 60,000 people attend.

1975 – Deathday of Eurythmist Marie Savitch : ihr Leben und Wirken für Rudolf Steiners eurythmischen Impuls

1985 – The Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior is bombed and sunk in Auckland harbour by French DGSE agents, killing Fernando Pereira.

1991 – Boris Yeltsin takes office as the first elected President of Russia.

1992 – In Miami, former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega is sentenced to 40 years in prison for drug and racketeering violations.

1998 – Catholic Church sexual abuse cases: The Diocese of Dallas agrees to pay $23.4 million to nine former altar boys who claimed they were sexually abused by Rudolph Kos, a former priest.

***

POD (Poem Of the Day)

Susan Seddon Boulet.

~O Soul of an ancient creature
Come here to drink at our great inland sea
Let me caress your velvet horns of sense & reason
Implanted in your forehead like lightning rods to the sky…
O King, your dusty hoofs tramp a new trail
Worn smooth by my ritual dance to you…
~hag

***

ANTHROPOSOPHY IS ALIVE & KICKIN’ IN THE SOUTH!

Dear Friends – I am just now landing back in Chicago after a magical family road trip which we have dubbed our ‘Southern Tour’. I will attempt thru this little travel-loge to re-acclimatize, digest & share this amazing journey. (Friends- please fill in any details I may have neglected)

It started out being a pilgrimage to visit our daughter Ultra-Violet’s godfather Papillion De Boar, & his family, who live in Asheville NC. Of course, whenever I travel I always reach out to try & connect with other Anthroposophers along the way. I remembered that Barbara Bittles lived in Nashville, since I almost drove out there when Margret Shipman came in to do a workshop there a while back. So, I sent Barbara an email,  & the next thing I knew she was inviting me to come do a program for St. John’s.

Her friend Charlotte Brakebill & her husband Don were going to drive up from Maryville, but then asked if I would come out there instead to offer the program to her long standing group as well. What a blessing!

Leonardo da Vinci

So interesting how destiny works, I have been envisioning that when my daughter went off to college, I might start to do more touring with the intention of sharing my spiritual scientific research, lectures & festivals…& here it was, already happening!

Our 1st stop was Fox Hollow, a thriving Organic & Biodynamic farm, in Crestwood, KY. We were met by Maggie Keith, co-founder with her mother Janey Newton who call themselves 3rd & 4th generation land stewards. And even though it was 90 degrees in the late afternoon, Maggie graciously took us on a personal tour, since Janey was away attending the Renewal workshop.  Maggie’s love of literature & mathematics landed her a degree in business, & thru her efforts the farm has become sustainable.

Folks were coming in to pick up produce from the four ASA’s run by farmers who lease parts of the land to grow their own crops, as well as interns learning the biodynamic protocols.

Butterflies & bees, birds & cows were everywhere. Along with the pastures & plots of growing veggies, here & there on various sacred spots over the 1300 acres stand these amazing stone sculptures, intense & upright, like hewn acupuncture needles enhancing the power of the land. Thru workshops over the years folks have worked with anthroposophical sculptor Marco Pogacnik to create these inspiring mineral lightning rods to the spirit.

I could write a whole post on this working paradise, but to save time, I encourage you to checkout their website for yourself.

After exploring the prep barn; the grounds where they hold concerts; the cultural center & library; we went into Louisville to sample some food grown at Fox Hollow, featured at a local restaurant. We arrived just in time to avoid a wild thunder-storm that cut the electricity for a bit. After dinner we ran across the street to take in some great Jazz music from a local band. When we emerged, we were greeted by a rainbow.

The next morning we drove to Nashville, where it was 100 degrees! What a joy to be welcomed into the home of Barbara Bittles. She shared with us the story of how two days after Margret Shipman had done a program there a few years back, a tree was struck by lightning, which fell on the house & burnt it to the ground! We reflected at how powerful the Hierarchies are, which was the subject of the program! She can tell the story with awe & wonder, since after the fire she was able to build a house, which is a suitable home to so many anthroposophical endeavors, including services for the Christian Community.

We had a little time, so we took a field trip to see ‘The Parthenon’, which is a full-scale replica of the original Temple in Athens, & all I can say is WOW. Alan LeQuire’s 1990 re-creation of the Athena Parthenos statue is the focus of the Parthenon in the ‘Athens of the South’ just like it was in ancient Greece.

So even though I was hot & hungry,  I was super charged: 1st by the rainbow in Louisville; & of course Barbara’s story of the lightning struck house, with its rising from the ashes; & then the powerful image of Athena. I felt touched by the gods.

Matthias Grünewal

I love how karma & destiny unfolds. I was now set to bring in the New Mysteries of St. Johns-Tide for the Nashville group.

Soon about 20 local folks gathered for a potluck before our Festival. My dear friend Lori Kulik drove all the way in from DC with her friend Marlisa for the program, & to visit another friend in the area. Cathy Green brought a song, so we began in the parlor to hear the Calendar of the Soul verse & sing together; then we went into the library for the Festival.

Such a wonderful diverse group; some folks like Martha Bartles, who played music for the eurythmists in Stuttgart, have been working with Anthroposophy for over 50 years! Everyone was so present & willing to participate, & join in on the lively discussions. We ended with a song led by my daughter Ultra-Violet about fire-flies; then a delightful story from “The Wind in the Willows” shared by Cindy Turner, & a spirited question & answer time.

Since my family & I had never been to Nashville before, a group of us went out afterwards to take in the local night life.

The next morning, I awoke just before dawn – it was the 4th of July – & there shining in from the window was the bright red Being of Mars calling me to the day!

And what a glorious fiery day it was, heating up to over 100 degrees. Before we set out, we got to have a great conversation over coffee with Barbara, where she shared a bit of her biography. These are the kind of interactions that are so heart-warming & important for human connection. If it wasn’t for the holiday we could have talked all day!

We made our way to Broadway before the crowds, to celebrate Independence Day – or as I like to call it our Inter-dependence Day! We took in band after band of everything from funk & rock, to good ol’ Country music, the atmosphere teeming with a joyful festive atmosphere. In the evening after it cooled down a hair we took in another show & I danced & danced with the sheer joy of Summer.

I won’t even go into all the great food we sampled in ‘Music City USA’, before we hit the road to Asheville NC the next day.

The Great Smokey Mountains are breathtaking, with waterfalls & cool mist, a welcome change of climate for sure. Along with our visit with Ultra’s godfather Papi & family, Ko’alani, Oriah & little Waken, I met up with Marnie Muller, a local Asheville Anthroposopher. We spent the afternoon talking Steiner & taking in the sights. Many other Anthro. friends were out of town for the holiday weekend, so I hope to return another time to do a program in beautiful Asheville.

Chuck found an Elderberry tree, which we thought was a good sign. After more music, some clog dancing, & a sprig of St John’s Wort from Ko’alani’s garden, we were on the road again, this time to Knoxville TN, where Bill Rogers met us off the highway, to guide us to their homestead on the peninsula. Bonnie Rogers served us up some iced tea & we all shared how we came to Anthroposophy. Charlotte & Don came by early, & she shared her thoughts on how important communication is, & asked what we can do to bring folks together more effectively in the Anthroposophical Society?

After more biography stories, folks starting come in with loads of food for the potluck. We had a lovely time breaking bread, with intriguing conversations & lots of laughter.

The participation & discussion during, & after the festival was so enriching. Jennifer Stamper spoke to her gratitude in seeing the divine in nature. Gina Tullock shared her insights into the Christ Impulse. Jim Gray gave us the math for the procession of the Equinoxes. Angela Grillingham’s face was glowing whenever we sang. Michael Kull helped hold the singing, read a lot of the quotes & took pictures to capture the event. Charlotte led the question & answer time, & her request got us outside to experience the Halleluiah in eurythmy (Thanks Mary Rudd for your insights which I shared)

After some desert, our family went into Knoxville to experience Market Square; what a great town. During the festival Michael Kull mentioned the amazing coincidence of seeing a mural downtown with the word Metanoia on it along with its definition.  Well, by chance while we were walking around, we ran across it!

A few folks also said there was a mural with dragon-flies there as well, which we also talked about in the presentation! I felt like it was an affirmation from the Spiritual World. Another powerful blessing in deed. (I hope to post my art presentation with the Steiner’s quotes & poems etc. tomorrow)

When we returned, after seeing a red fox on the way, Bill got out some lemon bars that he had forgotten to serve & we had another round of desert, staying up talking till almost midnight. When we finally went to our lovely room, I could hear Ultra playing the ukulele upstairs, sending us off to a good sleep.

Bill was up bright & early the next morning, he set a beautiful table complete with his great grandmother’s colorful china. Bonnie & Bill treated us like the royal family. We had a wonderful breakfast with fruit & home-baked bread, & a delicious egg casserole thoughtfully made ahead of time by Vicki Owenby. And that set us up for the road trip home.

Since highway 65 was under construction we took the scenic route, stopping to visit a goat farm, & made it to Chicago as the sky was turning bright pink & orange – The great inland sea welcoming us home.

Dear Friends, Thank you all for sharing your spirit. I don’t have the words to express my gratitude & the honor I feel having met you. I am a ‘glowworm’ alight with the warmth of all y’all’s generosity & good will. May our connection ever ripen & grow thru many seasons to come.

~hag

Here, as promised are the art collages from the presentation
https://reverseritual.com/…/Summer-2018-Cosmic-rapture

***

How To Know, Confront, and Work with Evil

A Weekend Workshop with Rev. Bastiaan Baan

At the Christian Community, 2135 W. Wilson Chicago, Il. 60625

Saturday 4 August 2018, 10 am – 8 pm

Sunday 5 August 2018, 11:45am – 5 pm

Fee is a Sliding Scale $25 – $100

Please Rsvp to Rev. Ann Burfeind

***

by Grace KahnBy Sophia Karris

20 August 2018 ~MORAL MONDAY~ CHICAGO-STYLE: 7 pm – 9 pm 

“When The Trees Melt Away In A Sun Soaked Cotton Dream”

A going away party for the Class of 2018 & an PDF Art Exhibit PDF with PDF Musical Performances from the Youth at Elderberries Chicago 4251 N. Lincoln Ave.

Illustrations by Grace Kahn, & Sophia Karris.

New works by Shanti Rogers, Art booth by Liz Rosu-Rosenberg

Songs from “Beyond Blue and Red” by  Ultra-Violet Archer 

Chance Schneider & DJ Grapefruit Effect

$10 Donation –MORE or less (Youth under 21 FREE)

***

How We Will: Organizing a Bare Bones Threefold Cultural Revolution

Hosted by Urban First Aid – Art As Medicine & The Elderberries 3Fold Café Chicago

Aug 30 at 12 PM to Sep 3 at 2 PM

Elderberries 3fold Cafe 4251 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618-2953, United States

The Cultural Revolution continues! Organizing for systemic change – a separation of powers into three different spheres of action:
Culture – Economics – Political
Freedom – Kinship – Equality

2018 is a pivotal year in the United States and also around the world. We will step into organizing the three spheres particularly, through what lives already in our community and then seeking beyond to allies and partners.

Step by step organizing strategies and tools will be at the forefront of this bare bones session of How We Will – 3folding our Cultural Revolution. We will strategize together as to how to bring about a community of like-minded organizations working in agriculture, education, medicine, art and more which can open up a conversation on Rudolf Steiner’s work for a threefold consideration.

We will make a beginning state by state to see what is possible. This organizing consideration can be brought about anywhere in the world. As Dr. Barber says for the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival – ‘we’re building a movement not a moment.’ This means we will continue to be connected throughout the year with ideas of implementation and the shared experiences of what we are learning in our own region of the country or world.

Elderberries 3fold Cafe community went from mustard seed to tree this past year. Standing at the forefront of the California Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival we recognize and experience the time is at hand for a systemic change whereby three separate spheres come forth to turn the tide to a more beautiful humanity in all its complexities.

For more info. Contact  Frank Alephagrama

 ***

Healing Thorny Roots

Insight

Greetings Friends –

I will be offline till 11 July 2018. My family is making a trip to see 1 of UVA’s godfathers, Papillon DeBoer, who uses his shamanic healing to work with  Our VOICE serving all individuals affected by sexual assault & abuse, through counseling, advocacy & education, in Asheville NC.  On the way I will do a St. John’s Festival at Foxhollow, a Bio-dynamic Farm; at the Nashville TN Branch,  & in Maryville TN.

This morning I woke up thinking of my mother Betty Mae, whose people originally came from Ireland, & settled in Milan TN… I never really knew that side of the family, I was raised by my father’s Italian side outside Chicago, but back in my NYC band days, while on the road, my guitar player Philip Armetta & I went to a family reunion in TN when mom was still alive… As city folks we walked around barefoot in the creeks taking in the beauties of nature, until they told us ”O darlin’ I wouldn’t be wading up in there if I was you, that creek is full of run-off from years of industrial farming…” gulp…

My grandfather R.P. Pounds was still alive then. He was a poor cotton farmer who knew the name of every tree, & the art of cooking a pig in a pit. He cut & gathered all the wood, dug the pit, & basted that piglet all day; taking the drippings to make what they called ‘doodle soup’. I was a hard-core vegetarian then & never got to taste this concoction that everyone loved so much.

While in Milan we were told to make a trip down the street to the next town over, Skullbone, TN. We went into the local store made famous by its old fashioned street sign, now worn & falling down, that had wooden arrows pointing in all directions, supposedly to all the great cites of the world. In the store, along with lots of fun tourist junk, I found a book written by one of my relatives giving a genealogy of our family tree. It spoke about the Pounds family coming from County Cook Ireland to TN & “marrying in to the Chickasaw tribe”…I had remembered my uncles speaking of us having ‘Ingin blood’ & when I was a kid I thought that was cool. But as I stood there in the heat of that 4th of July family reunion, I suddenly felt sick to my stomach picturing what this “marrying into” might really mean. Especially as I read on to learn that my family was proud of their ties to the KKK. From that day on, I vowed to try to bring healing to the ‘sins of the fathers’.

It sure will be interesting to go back after all these years to do Anthroposophy…& bring the Christ Impulse to bare in this place which has held such pain for me.

From Summer Solstice to St. John’s Festival: Cosmic Rapture Grounded in Jubilant Hearts With Hazel Archer Ginsberg
http://www.rudolfsteiner.org/…/Summer_solstice_2018_poster.…

Tuesday 3 July 2018 – At the Nashville Branch – 4804 Sewanne Road Nashville TN, Pot Luck Dinner: 6 pm, Festival: 7pm-9pm, Please RSVP. Barbara Bittles blbittles@comcast.net

8 July 2018 in Maryville, TN, Potluck at 5 pm, Festival at 6:30pm Contact Charlotte Brakebill 865- 567-1812 or William Rogers wmerogers@gmail.com

Come join our Initiatory Workshop/Ritual, to discover the New Mysteries of St. Johns-Tide. To pass the test of Summer we will explore many questions. Together we will work to strengthen our true “I”, enlivening our will forces with various social-artistic exercises.

https://reverseritual.com/look-with-new-eyes/

***

How To Know, Confront, and Work with Evil
A Weekend Workshop with Rev. Bastiaan Baan

At the Christian Community, 2135 W. Wilson Chicago, Il. 60625

Saturday 4 August 2018, 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday 5 August 2018, 11:45am – 5 pm

Fee is a Sliding Scale $25 – $100
Please Rsvp to Rev. Ann Burfeind annburfeind18@gmail.com

***

“When The Trees Melt Away In A Sun Soaked Cotton Dream”
The farewell event – a going away party for the Chicago Waldorf School Community Class of 2018!

20 August 2018 ~MORAL MONDAY~ CHICAGO 7 pm – 9 pm

Art Exhibit with Musical Performances from the Youth at Elderberries Chicago
4251 N. Lincoln Ave.

Illustrations by Grace Kahn, & Sophia Karris.

Works by Shanti Avalon Rogers, Art booth by Liz Rosu-Rosenberg

Songs from “Beyond Blue and Red” by Ultra-Violet Archer
https://itunes.apple.com/…/beyond-blue-and-red-ep/1357968825

Chance Schneider & DJ Grapefruit Effect

$10 Donation -MORE or less (Youth under 21 FREE)

***

How We Will:
Organizing a Bare Bones Threefold Cultural Revolution
Hosted by Urban First Aid – Art As Medicine & Elderberries 3Fold Cafe Chicago

Aug 30 at 12 PM to Sep 3 at 2 PM

The Cultural Revolution continues!
Organizing for systemic change – a separation of powers into three different spheres of action:
Culture – Economics – Political
Freedom – Kinship – Equality

2018 is a pivotal year in the United States and also around the world. We will step into organizing the three spheres particularly, through what lives already in our community and then seeking beyond to allies and partners.

Step by step organizing strategies and tools will be at the forefront of this bare bones session of How We Will – 3folding our Cultural Revolution. We will strategize together as to how to bring about a community of like-minded organizations working in agriculture, education, medicine, art and more which can open up a conversation on Rudolf Steiner’s work for a threefold consideration.

First up Kait Zielger for our How We Will: Threefolding our Cultural Revolution strategy sessions

Nathaniel Williams and his community are working on a new form of economics in their upstate New York neighborhood and we are aiming to hear about this and to really break down into groups along the lines of the Economic, Cultural and Political spheres to find a way forward

Elizabeth Roosevelt Weeks & Dottie Zold shall co lead a conversation throughout the How We Will: Threefolding our Cultural Revolution over the Labor Day weekend in Chicago: Periphery & Center – The work at Elderberries Threefold Cafe in Hollywood has specifically been around how to create a culture of selflessness where we make room to the ninth degree for the other.

Rudolf Steiner shares: ‘He who would be a true member should strive in the deepest places of his soul for inner tolerance towards his fellow-men. To understand one’s fellow-man ― even where he thinks and does things which one would not like to think and do oneself ― this should be the ideal.’

We are creating a panel of Against All Odds – Standing for the future.

We also will have an interactive play with The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily meets The Peace Maker play and some direct action which involves what looks like opposites , for example, eurythmy and hip hop

More details to come!!!

For more info. Contact Frank Falephagrama@gmail.com

 

Look with new eyes

Celestial Event, Insight, Poetry

28 June 2018 – Astro-Weather: The Moon in June is called the Honey Moon, the Strawberry Moon, the Strong Sun Moon…This evening Saturn leads Bella Luna up across the sky — glowing to Her upper right at dusk.

Rudolf Steiner’s Lectures on this day 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

Feast of Saint Vitus, a Christian saint from Sicily. He died as a martyr during the persecution of Christians by co-ruling Roman Emperors Diocletian & Maximian in 303. Vitus is counted as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of medieval Roman Catholicism. Saint Vitus’ Day is celebrated on 28 June on the Gregorian Calendar.

In the late Middle Ages, people in Germany & countries such as Latvia celebrated the feast of Vitus by dancing before his statue. This dancing became popular & the name “Saint Vitus Dance” was given to the neurological disorder Sydenham’s chorea. It also led to Vitus being considered the patron saint of dancers & of actors, comedians, dancers, of entertainers in general a& epileptics. He is also said to protect against lightning strikes, animal attacks & oversleeping.

Allan Ramsay

1712 – Birthday of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Swiss philosopher & polymath

1831 – Birthday of Joseph Joachim, Austrian violinist, composer, & conductor; friend of Herman Grimm.

1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria & his wife Sophie are assassinated in Sarajevo; this is the casus belli of World War I.

1919 – The Treaty of Versailles is signed, ending the state of war between Germany & the Allies of World War I.

1950 – Korean War: Suspected sympathizers (between as many as 100,000 to 200,000) are executed in the Bodo League massacre.

1950 – Korean War: Packed with its own refugees fleeing Seoul & leaving their 5th Division stranded, South Korean forces blow up the Hangang Bridge in an attempt to slow North Korea’s offensive. The city falls later that day.

1950 – Korean War: North Korean Army conducts the Seoul National University Hospital massacre. Over 900 doctors, nurses, patients & wounded soldiers, were killed. The Korean People’s Army shot or buried the people alive. The civilian victims alone numbered 1900.

1964 – Malcolm X forms the Organization of Afro-American Unity.

1969 – Stonewall riots begin in New York City, marking the start of the Gay Rights Movement.

1973 – Elections are held for the Northern Ireland Assembly, which will lead to power-sharing between unionists & nationalists in Northern Ireland for the first time.

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POD (Poem Of the Day)

~From our own
Bodies we give
Birth to all time
In its season…
Look now
With new eyes
& see the wise star within…
~hag

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Native American Lore: How Looska Found the Summer

Long ago a mighty race of people lived near the sunrise, & they called themselves Wawaniki—Children of Light. Looska was their mistress. She was kind to her people & did many great deeds for them.

Once in Looska’s day it grew extremely cold. Snow & ice covered everything. Fires would not give enough warmth. The corn would not grow. Her people were perishing from cold & famine. Looska set forth for the far north where all was ice. Here in a wigwam she found the great giant Winter. It was Winter’s icy breath that had frozen the land. Looska entered the wigwam & sat down. Winter gave her a pipe, & as they smoked the giant told tales of olden times when he reigned everywhere & all the land was silent, white, & beautiful. His frost charm fell upon Looska, & as the giant talked on, Looska fell asleep. For six months she slept like a bear, then the charm left her. She was too strong for it & awoke.

Soon now Looska’s talebearer, the Loon, a wild bird who lived on the lakeshores, brought her strange news. He described a country far to the south where it was always warm. There lived the all-powerful Summer who could easily overcome the giant Winter. To save her people from cold & famine & death, Looska decided to find her.

Far off to the southern seashores she went. She sang the magic song which whales obey, & up came an old friend—a whale who served as her carrier when she wished to go out to sea. This whale had a law for travelers. She always said: “You must shut your eyes while I carry you. If you do not, I am sure to go aground on a reef or sand-bar & be unable to get off. You could be drowned.” Looska got on the whale’s back & for many days they traveled together. Each day the water grew warmer & the air softer & sweeter, for it came from spicy shores. The odors were no longer those of salt, but of fruits & flowers.

Soon they found themselves in shallow water. Down in the sand, clams were singing a song of warning: “Keep out to sea, for the water here is shallow.” The whale asked Looska, who understood the language of all creatures: “What do they say?” But Looska, wishing to land at once, only replied: “They tell you to hurry, for a storm is coming.” The whale hurried on accordingly until she was close to land. Now Looska did the forbidden; she opened his left eye, to peep. At once the whale stuck hard on to the beach so that Looska, leaping from her head, was able to walk ashore on dry land. Thinking she could never get away, the whale became angry. But Looska put one end of her strong bow against the whale’s jaw &, taking the other end in her hands, placed her feet against the high bank. With a mighty push, Loopska sent the whale out into the deep water.

Far inland she traveled & found it warmer at every step. In the forest she came upon a beautiful woman, dancing in the center of a group of young girls. Her long brown hair was crowned with flowers & her arms filled with blossoms. She was Summer. Looska knew that here at last was the one who by her charms could melt old Winter’s heart. She leaped up to dance with Summer & together they journeyed the long way back to the lodge of old Winter. Winter welcomed Looska but he planned to freeze her to sleep again. This time, however, Looska did the talking. Her charm proved the stronger one & soon sweat began to run down Winters face. He knew that his power was gone & the charm of Frost broken. His icy tent melted away.

Summer now used her own special power & everything awoke. The grass grew green & the  waters ran down the rivers, carrying away the dead leaves. Old Winter wept to see his power taken away. But Summer said, “Now that I have proved I am more powerful than you, I give you all the country to the far north for your own, & there I shall never disturb you.

Six months of every year you may return to Looska’s country & reign as before, but you are to be less severe with your power. During the other six months, I will come back from the South & rule the land.”

Old Winter could do nothing but accept this. So it is that he appears in Looska ‘s country each year to reign for six months, but with a softer rule. When he comes, Summer runs home to her warm south land. At the end of six months she returns to drive old Winter away, awakening the north, giving the Earth the abundant joys that only she can bestow.

xox

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Friday 29 June 2018, 7-9pm & Saturday 30 June 2018, 10am-12:30pm

Social Renewal with Robert Karp,  Founder and director of New Spirit Farmland, facilitating partnerships with social impact investors; also serving as executive director of the Biodynamic Association and Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Embedded in the Christmas Conference event for the renewal of the Anthroposophical Society in 1923/24 lay profound social mysteries and impulses. Realizing and embodying this potential, requires us to call forth new capacities for working with the spiritual world and with our fellow human beings in groups and in community life.

The Friday talk will seek to shed light on these mysteries, and at the Saturday morning session we will practice a host of social-artistic exercises designed to help awaken and strengthen in us the capacity for spiritually conscious work in groups and in larger social organisms.

 $15 more or less per session, For more info. contact Hazel

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From Summer Solstice to St. John’s Festival: Cosmic Rapture Grounded in Jubilant Hearts

Tuesday 3 July 2018 – At the Nashville Branch – 4804  Sewanne Road Nashville TN, Pot Luck Dinner: 6 pm, Festival: 7pm-9pm, Please RSVP. Barbara Bittles

July 2018 in Maryville, TN, Potluck at 5 pm, Festival at 6:30pm Contact Charlotte Brakebill  865- 567-1812

 Come join our Initiatory Workshop/Ritual, to discover the New Mysteries of St. Johns-Tide. To pass the test of Summer we will explore many questions. Together we will work to strengthen our true “I”, enlivening our will forces with various social-artistic exercises.

Hazel Archer-Ginsberg –Spiritual Midwife, Trans-denominational Minister, Essayist, Lecturer– Anthroposopher, working as the Festivals Coordinator & Council Member of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, and the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society. Founder of Reverse Ritual –Understanding Anthroposophy Through the Rhythms of the Year

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20 August 2018 ~MORAL MONDAY~ CHICAGO 7 pm – 9 pm 

“When The Trees Melt Away In A Sun Soaked Cotton Dream”

 Art Exhibit  with  Musical Performances from the Youth at Elderberries Chicago 4251 N. Lincoln Ave.

Illustrations by Grace Kahn, & Sophia Karris.

Work by Shanti Rogers, Art booth by Liz Rosu-Rosenberg

Songs from “Beyond Blue and Red” by  Ultra-Violet Archer 

Chance Schneider & DJ Grapefruit Effect

$10 Donation –MORE or less (Youth under 21 FREE)

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Join us this fall to deepen your spiritual practices, connect with others on the same path, and be inspired to transform yourself and our world.

What: Here and Now Transforming Ourselves, Transforming Our World – The Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Anthroposophical Society in America

When: October 5, 6, 7 2018 (Click here for the full schedule, including pre and post conferences!)

Where: First Grace United Methodist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana

Who: Keynote discussions with Joan Sleigh and Orland Bishop. Workshops with Patrick Kennedy, Lisa Romero, Bart Eddy, Janey Newton, Hazel Archer-Ginsburg, Thea Lavin and more

Why: Now is the time to come together, grow together, and affect change

Sign up to share your research and initiatives during our participant research sessions. Join us for a Friday night interactive ritual and Saturday night pageant.  

Attend Living in the Branches, our national group and branch gathering
and our national youth conference both on October 4–details coming soon!

Check out the full schedule and register here.

Can’t wait to see you in beautiful NOLA!

Warmly,
Laura Scappaticci

PS- It’s the 300th year of this great multicultural city. A wonderful time to connect with its spirit and each other.