Emerald Isle

Irish Travel Railway Art Poster Ireland provences and Counties Map

Greetings freinds – In thinking of Ireland today I found this by Rudolf Steiner, given on 19 Nov. 1917 as part of ‘The Reappearance of Christ in the Etheric, XI – Individual Spirit Beings and the Undivided Foundation of the World’: “…In past times, the human beings who were familiar with Ireland brought the particular characteristics of Ireland to expression in fairy tales and legends. I would like to point out that an esoteric legend was known that expressed the essence of Ireland in relation to the earthly organism. It was said that humanity was once cast out of paradise because in paradise Lucifer had misled humanity, which was then scattered across the rest of the world. The rest of the world, however, had already been there at the time when humanity was cast out of paradise. One therefore distinguishes — so it is said in this fairy tale, in this legendary representation — between the paradise with Lucifer in it and the rest of the earth into which humanity was expelled. It is different with Ireland, however; it does not belong in the same sense to the rest of the earth, because before Lucifer had set foot in paradise a likeness of paradise had formed itself upon the earth, and this likeness has become Ireland.

You should well understand that Ireland is therefore that bit of earth that had no part of Lucifer, to which Lucifer had no relationship. That which had to be separated from paradise so that the earthly likeness of paradise could arise would have hindered Lucifer from entering paradise. Ireland thus was conceived according to this legend as a separation of those portions of paradise that would have hindered Lucifer from entering paradise. Only after Ireland had been separated from paradise could Lucifer enter paradise.

Icon of St. Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland - 20th. c - (1PA60) - Uncut  Mountain Supply

This esoteric legend that I have presented in a very incomplete way is something very beautiful. It was for many people an explanation for the unique task of Ireland throughout the centuries. In the first Mystery Drama that I have written, you find what is so often told, how the Christianizing of Europe originated with the Irish monks. When St. Patrick introduced Christianity into Ireland the situation was such that Christianity led there to the highest devoutness. It gives new meaning to the legend about which I just spoke that Ireland — called Ierne by the Greeks and Ivernia by the Romans — was called the Isle of the Saints in those times in which the forces of European Christianity originated in their best impulses directly from Ireland, from Irish people who had been lovingly initiated into Christianity. It was called this because of the great devoutness that reigned within their Christian cloisters. This is connected with the fact that these territorial forces, about which I have spoken, ascending from the earth and taking hold of the human double, are at their very best on the island of Ireland.

You will say that in that case the best human beings must be in Ireland. Yes, this is so, but not in the world. Into every region other people wander and have descendants, etc. It is not so, therefore, that man is merely the product of the bit of earth on which he stands. It can very well be that the forces ascending from the earth oppose the character of the human beings there. One must not confuse what really develops within the human being with the characteristics of the earthly organism in a definite territory. Then one would simply open oneself again to the world of illusion.

What I have just suggested, however, that Ireland is a special land, we are able to say today. From this should emerge a factor, among many factors, that could lead today in a fruitful way to social and political ideas. One must take such factors into account. What I have just said about Ireland is a factor, and one must reckon with such factors. One must gather everything together, to be created into a science of the forming of human conditions on earth. Until this comes about no true healing can come into the arrangement of public affairs. What can be communicated from the spiritual world must flow into the regulations that one encounters. For this reason I have said in public lectures that it is important that everyone concerned with public affairs — statesmen and so on — should acquaint himself with these things. Through this alone can public servants master reality. They will not do it, or at least they have not done so up to now, but it is a necessity nevertheless.

At a definite moment in time in the third post-Atlantean era a certain brotherhood made arrangements to send a large number of colonists from Asia Minor to the island of Ireland. At that time colonists settled there from the same realm in Asia from which later the philosopher Thales originated. You may read in my Riddles of Philosophy (see  Note 9 ) about the philosophy of Thales. Thales came from the same region, although later; he was born, of course, only in the fourth post-Atlantean period. Earlier, however, out of the same milieu, out of the whole spiritual substance from which later the philosopher Thales originated, the initiates had sent colonists to Ireland. Why? Because they were familiar with the characteristics of a realm of the earth such as Ireland. They knew what was indicated in the esoteric legend about which I have spoken to you. They knew that the forces ascending from the earth through the soil of the Irish island worked in such a way upon human beings that man was influenced little in the direction of intellectualism, little in the direction of egoism, little in the direction of the capacity to make resolves. The initiates who sent colonists there knew this full well, and they selected people who, through their particular karmic predisposition, seemed suited to be exposed to just these influences of Ireland. Today there are still descendants in Ireland of that old population who were at that time transplanted from Asia Minor and who were to develop in such a way that not the least intellectuality, not the least intellect, not the least capacity for making resolves, should develop but instead special qualities of the feeling (Gemuet) soul.

Through this was prepared far in advance what took place in Ireland as that glorious evolution of Christianity, the peaceful spreading of Christianity from which streamed the Christianizing of Europe. This was prepared far in advance. The countrymen of the later Thales sent people there who proved themselves equipped to become monks and who could work there in the way I indicated. Such things were often done in ancient times, and when you find historic colonizations described in exoteric history by today’s unintelligent historians (who have, however, much intelligence — intelligence can be found in the streets today) you must always understand that in such colonizations lay a deep-seated wisdom that was directed and guided by considering always what was to take place in the future, by taking into account at that time the characteristics of earthly evolution.

This was another way of bringing spiritual wisdom into the world. This should not be done today, however, by just anyone who takes the proper path; it would be wrong simply to prescribe something for people against their will in order to partition the earth; rather one should proceed in such a way that people are told the truth so that they may guide themselves accordingly.

This task consists in the struggle against evil, of transforming evil into good.

~Rudolf Steiner, The Reappearance of Christ in the Etheric, XI – Individual Spirit Beings and the Undivided Foundation of the World: Part 2

Bildergebnis für irland karte mit sehenswürdigkeiten | Irland karte,  Irland, Karten

– ‘Kiss me I’m Irish’ – Today I’m not going to give a lecture on the person of St. Patrick, but center instead on the history of this secular, worldwide, early Spring celebration. Since around the 9th century, people in Ireland have been observing the Feast Day of St. Patrick on March 17. But the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland, it was in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, of all places – Held on March 17, 1601.

Ceremonial Collar - Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, Green  Velvet, post 1870

A century later, homesick Irish soldiers marched in New York City on March 17, 1772, to honor the Irish patron saint. Enthusiasm for the St. Patrick’s Day parades in New York City, Boston & other early American cities only grew from there. Over the years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called “Irish Aid” societies like the ‘Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick’ & the ‘Hibernian Society’. Each group held annual parades featuring bagpipes & drums.

Up until the mid-19th century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. But when the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to 1 million poor Irish Catholics began pouring into America to escape starvation. The immigrants were reviled & suffered much prejudice. They had trouble finding jobs. When Irish Americans took to the streets on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate their heritage, newspapers portrayed them in cartoons as drunk, violent monkeys.

The Irish Americans soon began to realize that their large & growing numbers could give them a political power that had yet to be realized. So they started to organize, & their voting bloc, known as the “green machine,” became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick’s Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates.

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman attended New York City‘s St. Patrick’s Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish Americans whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes & racial prejudice to find acceptance in the New World.

THE HISTORY OF CHICAGO & THE GREEN RIVER | Chicago Line Cruises

As Irish immigrants spread out over the United States, other cities developed their own traditions. One of these is Chicago’s annual dyeing of the Chicago River green. The practice started in 1962, when city pollution-control workers used dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges & realized that the green dye might provide a unique way to celebrate the holiday. That year, they released 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river–enough to keep it green for a week. Today, in order to minimize environmental damage, only 40 pounds of dye are used, & the river turns green for only several hours.

Celtic Shamrock Knot Design " Greeting Card by Johndevilla | Redbubble

St. Patrick’s Day & the ‘wearing of the green’ is celebrated around the world in locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore & Russia.

Vintage Leprechaun Card From Ireland shewalkssoftly.com | St patricks day  cards, Leprechaun, Vintage postcards

Besides the Shamrock, the icon of the Irish holiday is the Leprechaun. The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is “Lobaircin,” meaning “small-bodied fellow” – fairies – who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns are cantankerous souls, said to be responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Leprechauns are known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much-fabled Pot-O-Gold at the end of the rainbow…

Vintage St. Patrick's Day - Life With Lorelai

‘Wishing you a Pot-O-Gold, & all the joy your heart can hold’

~hag

A very slim crescent moon, with the dark remaining part of the moon slightly lit up against a darker sky.

17 March 2021 – “Speaking with the Stars”: Bella Luna in her waxing crescent phase is relatively high in the west after sunset.

This Friday, March 19th at 6 pm PT, 7 pm MT, 8 pm CT, 9 pm ET
we will be speaking with Hazel Archer-Ginsberg

Click to Join the Café

“Holding the Chalice of Balance with Archangel Raphael –
An exploration of the Vernal Equinox” with Hazel Archer-Ginsberg

At the time of the Spring Equinox, Raphael, Archangel of the East & the Element of Air, is active as the great Cosmic Physician. The Easter-Tide works on us thru the spiritual healing of inspiration, provided by Raphael who is now in the etheric heights, waving a helix of shining vitality. Raphael uses the caduceus as a wand, to mingle air & fire, water & earth, transmuting them into healing forces; working & weaving in the cosmos, & entering into our conscious inspiration of light. Yes this is a goal of our human evolution, to be able to breathe light. Spiritual Science calls it ‘moral breathing’ – to ‘inhale evil & exhale the good’. Could the Corona crisis be calling us to this task? We have a powerful ally to assist us every year at this special time of balance. 

Hazel Archer-Ginsberg– Founder of Reverse Ritual Understanding Anthroposophy through the Rhythms of the Year. Essayist, Lecturer, Poet, Trans-denominational Minister, Anthroposopher – working as the Festivals Coordinator of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, The Traveling Speakers Program, & the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society. Past Video Recordings

For more info. contact Front Range Anthroposophical Cafe – Tom Altgelt altgelt@indra.com

***

Daniel Ospina


The 8-Fold Path to the Easter Elementals

Holy Week 2021 (March 28 – April 4): Starting on Palm Sunday then thru-out Holy Week including Easter Morning, we will meet every day on Zoom at 10:10 am (Central Time) to create together a Thought-Seed Egregore based on the Herbert Hahn Verse

When I think light, my soul shines,
When my soul shines, the earth is a star,
When the earth is a star, then I am, a true human being

Sophie Takata

& then we will take turns sharing the indications for that day from Rudolf Steiner / The Buddha’s 8 –fold Path, known as the ‘Weekday Exercises’ (let me know if you would like to lead one of the days? (5 min) HOLY WEEK CHART

Palm SUNDAY
Resolves or ‘RIGHT JUDGMENT.’ having been formed independently of sympathies and antipathies.

Holy MONDAY
Talking – ‘RIGHT WORD.’

Holy TUESDAY
External actions- ‘RIGHT DEED.’

Holy WEDNESDAY
The ordering of life. – ‘RIGHT STANDPOINT.’

Maundy THURSDAY
Human Endeavour. – ‘TO LET ALL THE EXERCISES BECOME A HABIT.

Good FRIDAY
The endeavor to learn as much as possible from life. – ‘RIGHT MEMORY.’ (Remembering what has been learned from experiences).

Holy SATURDAY
To pay attention to one’s ideas. – ‘RIGHT OPINION.’

The octave of the New Sun
EASTER SUNDAY
To turn one’s gaze inwards –
RIGHT EXAMINATION.’

Whoever is holding the leading thoughts for that day will tie it into some 5-10 min. artistic exercise based on the indications

Group sharing (5 min)

We close with the ‘reversed’ Hahn verse.
I am a True Human Being
For the Earth is a Star
The Earth is a Star
When I Think Light
When I think Light
My Soul Shines

*Dear friends, please join the call at 10:05 am to get settled in so we can begin the Thought-Seed promptly at 10:10 am
Topic: The 8-Fold Path thru Holy Week 2021
Time: Starting on Palm Sunday Mar 28 – thru Easter Morning, 2021 10:10 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Every day, 8 occurrence(s)
Mar 28, 2021 10:10 AM
Mar 29, 2021 10:10 AM
Mar 30, 2021 10:10 AM
Mar 31, 2021 10:10 AM
Apr 1, 2021 10:10 AM
Apr 2, 2021 10:10 AM
Apr 3, 2021 10:10 AM
Apr 4, 2021 10:10 AM

Daily: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJErdOqsqj8iGNzL8iNTwKUXyrvmVGSSXqaW/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCtqDgpHtCRuBuPRowMBIjCb-jwiClHjY1HsEfsLRRESTbOL_BUP4RYI-vo

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/95633444828?pwd=Wk56K08vK2dNQUhhK0Q2S09zQWJrQT09 Meeting ID: 956 3344 4828 – Passcode: bee

Dial by your location Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aX8X3nrr3 Meeting ID: 956 3344 4828 – Passcode: 425730

Easter Sunday – 4 April 2021, in person at the Rudolf Steiner Branch Chicago & online 2 pm – 4 pm Central Time.

Group Eurythmy with Mary Ruud

Dottie Zold – On the Buddha’s 8-Fold Path

Keynote with Ines Katharina (Bee Keeper, Founder of the Biodynamic Emerald Honeybee Sanctuary

We close with singing ‘Now the green Blade Riseth’

Potluck Social Time in the Schreinerei – Please bring food & drink to share

$10 Suggested Donation (can’t make it? or joining us online? please consider supporting this event, Thank you)

Hazel Archer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Easter Festival for the Elementals

Time: Apr 4, 2021 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/7052931041?pwd=Z0ZmT05FdDZIclE4RFBLZWNwWXJ5QT09 Meeting ID: 705 293 1041 – Passcode: Easter

Dial by your location – Meeting ID: 705 293 1041 – Passcode: 776400 – Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/a961qZZhF

Events & Festivals Committee of the Rudolf Steiner Branch
of The Anthroposophical Society, 4249 North Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618 (maphttps://donate.rschicago.org/ 

10 thoughts on “Emerald Isle

  1. Hi Michael,

    I wanted to post excerpts concerning the “Irish” migration from Atlantis in order to ask more about your intriguing question concerning alcohol consumption as a possible element in missing/skipping an evolutionary step. What step are you considering?

    Here is where it is indicated that Noah was a wine drinker who got drunk one time and his two sons refused to look upon his nakedness. So, they approached him from behind in order to put his robe on. Only Ham observed his physically naked body. Thus, alcohol has a relation to Ego- formation, but this has been achieved to a large degree.

    “Even in the Bible it is pointed out that Noah who, in a certain sense was the progenitor of his race in the post-Atlantean period, was the first wine-drinker, the first to experience the effect of alcohol. Then we come to a chapter which may be really very shocking for many people. In the post-Atlantean period an extraordinary cultus arose; this was the worship of Dionysos. You all know that this worship was connected with wine. This extraordinary substance was first introduced to human beings in the post-Atlantean period and produced a certain effect upon them. You know that every substance has some effect upon the human creature and alcohol had a very definite action upon the human organism. In fact, in the course of human evolution, it has had a mission. Strange as it may seem, it has had the task, as it were, of preparing the human body so that it might be cut off from connection with the Divine, in order to allow the personal “I AM” to emerge. Alcohol has the effect of severing the connection of the human being with the spirit world in which he previously existed. It still has this effect today. It was not without reason that alcohol has had a place in human evolution. In the future of humanity, it will be possible to see in the fullest sense of the word that it was the mission of alcohol to draw men so deeply into materiality that they become egoistic, thus bringing them to the point of claiming the ego for themselves, no longer placing it at the service of the whole folk. Alcohol performed a service, the contrary of the one performed by the human group-soul. It deprived men of the capacity to feel themselves at one with the whole in the spirit world. Hence the Dionysian worship which cultivated a living together in a kind of external intoxication, a merging into the whole without observing this whole. Evolution in the post-Atlantean period has been connected with the worship of Dionysos, because this worship was a symbol of the function and mission of alcohol. Now, when mankind is again endeavouring to find its way back, when the ego has been so far developed that the human being is again able to find union with the divine spiritual powers, the time has come for a certain reaction, an unconscious one at first, to take place against alcohol. This reaction is now taking place and many persons today already feel that something which once had a very special significance is not forever justified.”

    https://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA103/English/AP1962/19080523p01.html

    1. Hi Steve Happy St.Patrick’s Day…which used to be a very sacred day in Ireland and I hope still is. In my question I was well aware of what was once the “benefit” of alcohol…to descend further into the earth…Steiner is very clear that alcohol has long moved past serving any good purpose…in fact it obstructs re-uniting consciously with the spiritual world. Alcohol is damaging to the etheric body and we lose our memory of experiences that would carry over karmically into the next life. I really had no evolutionary step in mind or maybe I was wondering if they had not fully descended physically and retained atavistic qualities. Of course my wife reminded me of so many ethnic groups that have stereotypes of alcohol abuse…but, coming from a long line of “TRACEY s ” , I wondered. I can’t cite Steiner, but it is my impression that Ireland was where many survivors of the Flood survived and then migrated East. In another place he mentioned Native Americans being descendants of Atlantis. I was just looking for any further correlations. Thanks Steve…I hope I didn’t offend anybody…I apologize for sweeping generalization

      1. There is a good description of the Native American connection with Atlantis in the comments to “America The Beautiful”, from January.

        https://reverseritual.com/america-the-beautiful/

        I live in a state (Washington) which is very rich in “American Indian” lore and relics as a reminder of a once great culture. Yet, the high incidence of alcoholism is/was due to a kind of ‘broken spirit’ condition progressively seen with the colonial takeover of a country that was rightfully theirs to have and to hold.

        1. I’m sure you’re right…I have only been on the reservation in Oregon due east of portland and seen mountain dwellings in New Mexico…Hazel wrote about the Hopis and I am interested to know more…somrthing about the soul of America in the way Steiner broke up three parts of Europe (east,central, anglo-american) in terms of freedom liberty and equality. Of course I could just wander around Virginia where I live now! I live not too far from the Chicahominy “natural preserve” which is not technically a reservation. But i do hear that nearby they want to build a gambling site. (hominy gritz gets its name from the Chicahominy) Have a great Spring day…we’re going up to 60 today….Mike

  2. “Toward the end of the Atlantean era a group of advanced human beings was formed in the vicinity of what is today Ireland. The Great Leader chose a few from their midst who should carry on cultural life when the impending catastrophe would finally take place. However, enormous migrations had taken place a long time before to the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa, which were beginning to rise out of the sea. Many successors of the old oracles came into being on these continents, but not without gradually losing the significance of the old oracles. The Great Leader, however, chose the best people in order to lead them into a special land. They were plain and simple people who were different from most other Atlanteans in that they had almost completely lost their clairvoyance. […] The advanced people in Atlantis had begun to develop their intellect, yet they were simple people who possessed inner warmth and were deeply devoted to their leader. He took this select group East to the center of Asia, where he founded the center of the post-Atlantean culture. After the group had arrived in central Asia, it was kept in isolation from the human beings who were unsuited to the task. The descendants of this group were educated with special care, and only they developed the qualities necessary to make them great teachers.”

    https://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA109/English/AP1986/19090121p01.html

    The Great Initiate of the Sun Oracle gathered his simple people in a region approximately to the west of present-day Ireland. Now we have to get a clear picture of the situation. It took Atlantis a long, long time to come to its end. Great masses of people were continually moving from the West toward the East. In the various regions of Asia, Europe, and Africa there were tribes who had arrived at different times and had intermingled. Then the Great Leader of the Sun Oracle took His small group of chosen people and made His way to Central Asia, where he established a colony from which the currents were to emanate that would later found the post-Atlantean cultures. However, in addition to His simple people, the Great Leader has taken something else with Him. And here we arrive at one of the chapters of human evolution, the truth of which we can comprehend only if we draw on the inner assurance gained by a steadfast engagement in Spiritual Science.”

    https://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA109/English/AP1986/19090307p01.html

  3. Hazel, I recently listened to the audio book: Immortal Irishman by Timothy Egan,
    This book is full of amazing information about the Irish both historically and when they came to NYC during the famine.

  4. Hi Hazel, thanks for the write-up about St.Patrick’s Day and the esoteric legend about Ireland…Toward the end you mention how Irish catholics were described as drunks and monkeys etc.

    I wonder if you have any thoughts about the following or am I reaching too far…I have read Steiner saying that Native Americans go back to Atlantean times, I also believe he mentioned that many of the Irish were direct survivors of the Atlantean Flood, and the they starting migrating East. At one time alcohol served a purpose of bringing mankind down from the spiritual world and becoming more physical. Alcohol no longer serves that purpose in that we are fully descended in our bodies. But do you think there could be a high alcoholic rate among both groups due to missing/skipping this evolutionary step?

    1. Hi Michael – We know Dionysus served a purpose as you say to help the ego incarnate & that since the advent of Christ on Earth we don’t need this crutch any longer.
      I would be wary of pigeonholing any group as having certain alcoholic tendencies, & I’m not sure they did skip or miss a step. For my thinking alcoholism has a lot to do with enviornmental, societal & karmic factors…

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