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.
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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.”
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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
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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
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by Grace Kahn
By 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)
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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
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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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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.
by Grace Kahn
By Sophia Karris
Art Exhibit 
Ultra-Violet Archer 
Frank Alephagrama
