25 February 2020 – “Speaking with the Stars”: At twilight, look far below Venus for the thin crescent Moon.
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1861 – Birthday of Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner.
Rudolf Steiner’s Timeline I created this PowerPoint to give the highlights of this great Initiate’s life. And here is My humble attempt to create a more extensive Biography
138 – The Roman emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, to be his successor
777 – Deathday of Saint Walpurga The earliest representation of Walpurga, in the early 11th-century Hitda Codex, made in Cologne, depicts her holding stylized stalks of grain. The grain attribute represents the older pagan concept of the Grain Mother. Peasant farmers fashioned her replica in a corn dolly at harvest time & told tales to explain Saint Walpurga’s presence in the grain sheaf. St. Richard, when starting with his two sons on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, entrusted Walburga, then 11 years old, to the abbess of Wimborne. Walpurga was educated by the nuns of Wimborne Abbey, Dorset, where she spent 26 years as a member of the community. She then travelled with her brothers, Willibald & Winebald, to Francia to assist Saint Boniface, her mother’s brother, in evangelizing among the still-pagan Germans. Because of her rigorous training, she was able to write her brother Winibald’s vita & an account in Latin of his travels in Palestine. As a result, she is often called the first female author of both England & Germany. Walpurga became a nun in the double monastery of Heidenheim am Hahnenkamm, which was founded by her other brother, Willibald, who appointed her as his successor. Following his death in 751, she became the abbess
1631 – François de Bassompierre, a French courtier, is arrested on Richelieu’s orders
1841 – Birthday of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, French painter & sculptor
1848 – Provisional government in revolutionary France, by Louis Blanc’s motion, guarantees workers’ rights
1856 – A Peace conference opens in Paris after the Crimean War
1861 – Birthday of Dr. Rudolf Steiner.
1870 – Hiram Rhodes Revels, a Republican from Mississippi, is sworn into the United States Senate, becoming the first African American ever to sit in the U.S. Congress
1901 – J. P. Morgan incorporates the United States Steel Corporation.
1921 – Tbilisi, capital of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, is occupied by Bolshevist Russia
1932 – Adolf Hitler obtains German citizenship by naturalization, which allows him to run in the 1932 election for Reichspräsident
1948 – The Communist Party takes control of government in Czechoslovakia & the period of the Third Republic ends
1956 – In his speech On the Cult of Personality & Its Consequences, Nikita Khrushchev, leader of the Soviet Union denounces the cult of personality of Joseph Stalin
1968 –135 unarmed citizens of Hà My village in South Vietnam’s Quảng Nam Province are killed & buried en mass in the Hà My massacre
1986 – People Power Revolution: President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos flees the nation after 20 years of rule; Corazon Aquino becomes the Philippines’ first woman president
1991 – The Warsaw Pact is declared disbanded
1992 – Khojaly massacre: About 613 civilians are killed by Armenian armed forces during the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan
1994 – Mosque of Abraham massacre: In the Cave of the Patriarchs in the West Bank city of Hebron, Baruch Goldstein opens fire with an automatic rifle, killing 29 Palestinian worshippers & injuring 125 more before being subdued & beaten to death by survivors
February 23–March 1: Fasching/Fasnacht – a German carnival season, celebrations, dances, & parades in the nights leading up to Ash Wednesday
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POD (Poem Of the Day)
~Hail architect of Freedom Grant me thoughts of power That I may create myself with sharpened tools For the becoming… ~hag
Percy Bysshe Shelley praises the wind for the role it plays in the cycle of life, death & rebirth, & implores it to scatter his poetry over the earth in order to aid humankind. Shelley uses stark imagery to portray vivid scenes of the natural world, & demonstrate the wind’s unrivaled power to both destroy & preserve. Though the ode has a plangent, slightly ominous tone, Shelley ends the poem with the promise of spring.
The first stanza opens with an incantation. Shelley proceeds to paint a scene of fall leaves & dried seeds being blown by the wind, made wonderfully eerie by a palette of colors: “yellow, black and pale, hectic red.” In this stanza, death is referenced multiple times; Shelley refers to the leaves as fleeing dead ghosts, before describing the seeds as corpses inside their grave. The first stanza, like the next two, ends with Shelley calling for the wind to hear him. In the second stanza, the wind is depicted whipping up a mighty storm, likened to a “dirge of the dying year”, furthering Shelley’s reference to death. Curiously intriguing is Shelley’s references to both Christianity & Greek mythology throughout this stanza; the storm clouds are described as being, “shook from the tangled bough of Heaven, Angels of rain and lightning”, & the ending line of the stanza, “Black rain, and fire, and hail will burst!” likens the approaching storm to doomsday. Yet Shelley also uses an image of a Maenad’s hair to describe the lightning. In the third stanza, Shelley writes of the Mediterranean being awoken from its blissful summer sleep by the west wind. The first half of the stanza is filled with images of the calm blue ocean & the azure moss, the sweet flowers & the sea blooms. However, this is then contrasted by the ocean’s power, which causes the serene foliage to grow “gray with fear”.
Stanzas four & five introduce the speaker’s motives for the first time. Shelley longs that he might feel the wind’s power in the way that the clouds, waves & leaves do. Conforming to the standard of the Romantic period, Shelley also references his childhood & loss of innocence by lamenting that the passing of time has hindered his ability to feel as “tameless, swift, and proud” as the wind. The last stanza implements another common Romantic symbol: the lyre. Shelley implores that the west wind take control of him in order to, “drive his dead thoughts over the universe” in order to fertilize the birth of new ideas, as dead leaves fertilize the new growth of plants. Shelley goes on to compare himself to a slowly dying hearth whose ashes & sparks are scattered among mankind. It is fitting that, after illustrating the power of the earth, the water, & the mighty west wind, Shelley ends the poem with a vivid image of fire. After all, though fire can be seen as the epitome of destruction, fire ultimately represents rebirth, like the flame of the phoenix, & a clean slate, like fertile, soot-blackened soil. Out of Shelley’s fiery metaphor comes his hopeful question, “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”
Ode to the West Wind BY PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY I O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being, Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing,
Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red,
Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou,
Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed
The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low,
Each like a corpse within its grave, until
Thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow
Her clarion o’er the dreaming earth, and fill
(Driving sweet buds like flocks to feed in air)
With living hues and odours plain and hill:
Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere;
Destroyer and preserver; hear, oh hear!
II
Thou on whose stream, mid the steep sky’s commotion,
Loose clouds like earth’s decaying leaves are shed,
Shook from the tangled boughs of Heaven and Ocean,
Angels of rain and lightning: there are spread
On the blue surface of thine aëry surge,
Like the bright hair uplifted from the head
Of some fierce Maenad, even from the dim verge
Of the horizon to the zenith’s height,
The locks of the approaching storm. Thou dirge
Of the dying year, to which this closing night
Will be the dome of a vast sepulchre,
Vaulted with all thy congregated might
Of vapours, from whose solid atmosphere
Black rain, and fire, and hail will burst: oh hear!
III
Thou who didst waken from his summer dreams
The blue Mediterranean, where he lay,
Lull’d by the coil of his crystalline streams,
Beside a pumice isle in Baiae’s bay,
And saw in sleep old palaces and towers
Quivering within the wave’s intenser day,
All overgrown with azure moss and flowers
So sweet, the sense faints picturing them! Thou
For whose path the Atlantic’s level powers
Cleave themselves into chasms, while far below
The sea-blooms and the oozy woods which wear
The sapless foliage of the ocean, know
Thy voice, and suddenly grow gray with fear,
And tremble and despoil themselves: oh hear!
IV
If I were a dead leaf thou mightest bear;
If I were a swift cloud to fly with thee;
A wave to pant beneath thy power, and share
The impulse of thy strength, only less free
Than thou, O uncontrollable! If even
I were as in my boyhood, and could be
The comrade of thy wanderings over Heaven,
As then, when to outstrip thy skiey speed
Scarce seem’d a vision; I would ne’er have striven
As thus with thee in prayer in my sore need.
Oh, lift me as a wave, a leaf, a cloud!
I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed!
A heavy weight of hours has chain’d and bow’d
One too like thee: tameless, and swift, and proud.
V
Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is:
What if my leaves are falling like its own!
The tumult of thy mighty harmonies
Will take from both a deep, autumnal tone,
Sweet though in sadness. Be thou, Spirit fierce,
My spirit! Be thou me, impetuous one!
Drive my dead thoughts over the universe
Like wither’d leaves to quicken a new birth!
And, by the incantation of this verse,
Scatter, as from an unextinguish’d hearth
Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!
Be through my lips to unawaken’d earth
The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
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24 February 2020 – “Speaking with the Stars”: Under the feet of Orion, & to the right of Sirius in early evening now, hides Lepus the Hare. Like Canis Major, this is a constellation with a connect-the-dots that really looks like what it’s supposed to be – a crouching bunny, with his nose pointing lower right, his faint ears extending up toward Rigel (Orion’s western foot), & his body bunched to the left. His brightest 2 stars, Beta & Alpha Leporis, form the front & back of his neck.
Feast Day of St. Matthias, who, according to the book of Acts, was
chosen by the apostles to replace Judas Iscariot following his betrayal &
his subsequent death. This calling is
unique, since his appointment was not made personally by Jesus, who had already
ascended into heaven, & it was also made before the descent of the Holy
Spirit.
For superstitious reasons, when the Romans began to bring their calendar into line with the solar year, they chose not to place their extra month of Mercedonius after February but within it. February 24—known in the Roman calendar as “the sixth day before the Kalends of March”—was replaced by the first day of this month since it followed Terminalia, the festival of the Roman god of boundaries. After the end of Mercedonius, the rest of the days of February were observed & the New Year began with the 1st day of March. The overlaid religious festivals of February were so complicated that Julius Caesar opted not to change it at all during his 46 bc calendar reform. The extra day of his system’s leap years were located in the same place as the old month but he opted to ignore it as a date. Instead, the sixth day before the Kalends of March was simply said to last for 48 hours & all the other days continued to bear their original names. Although February 29 has been popularly understood as the leap day of leap years since the late Middle Ages, no formal replacement of February 24 as the leap day of the Julian & Gregorian calendars has occurred. The exceptions include Sweden & Finland, who enacted legislation to move the day to February 29. This custom still has some effect around the world, for example with respect to name days in Hungary.
1582 – With the papal bull Inter gravissimas, Pope Gregory XIII announces the Gregorian calendar.
1831 – The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, the first removal treaty in accordance with the Indian Removal Act, is proclaimed on the Choctaws in Mississippi.
1919 – The 1st public performance of Eurythmy in Zurich.
1920 – The Nazi Party (NSDAP) was founded by Adolf Hitler in the Hofbräuhaus beer hall in Munich, Germany
Today, 13 February 2020, God willing & the snow doesn’t cause delays, I am going to The First Class Intensive Weekend at the Threefold Center in Spring Valley New York – so I wanted to make my V-Day post today in honor of the anniversary of Rev. Richard Dancey’s Valentine’s death day.
And so it is, that now it’s three years since Richard Dancey died, & Valentine’s Day has taken on a much deeper dimension. He comes up in my thoughts at all the obvious times, when I’m at the Christian Community where his picture graces the sacristy, & many times when I am writing my blog. He always encouraged me to write & inspired me so much over the years with his amazing storytelling.
This morning when I woke, this picture of “The Path of Shambhala” by Nicholas Roerich was in my mind’s eye.
Shambhala =”the golden place of peace/tranquility/happiness/just-so”.
In Tibetan Buddhist & Hindu traditions, Shambhala is a mythical kingdom hidden in the Hollow Earth.
Hindu texts such as the Vishnu Purana mention Shambhala as the birthplace of Kalki, the final incarnation of Vishnu who will usher in a new Golden Age (Satya Yuga)
The Kalachakra, a Buddhist text, prophesies that when the world declines into war & greed, & all is seems lost, the 25th Kalki king, Lord Maitreya, will emerge from Shambhala with a huge army to vanquish “Dark Forces” & usher in a worldwide Golden Age. Using calculations from the Kalachakra Tantra, scholars put this date at 2424 AD.
The legends, teachings & restorative practices associated with Shambhala are older than any of these organized religions. Shambhala may very well have been an indigenous belief system, of ‘sun worshipers’ yet to come, with amazing healing abilities, wisdom & long life.
The idea of Shambhala is said to have “outer”, “inner”, &”alternative” meanings. As the 14th Dalai Lama noted during his 1985 Kalachakra initiation, Shambhala is not an ordinary country:
“Although those with special affiliation may actually be able to go there through their karmic connection, nevertheless it is not a physical place that we can actually find. We can only say that it is a pure land, a pure land in the human realm. And unless one has the merit & the actual karmic association, one cannot actually arrive there”.
During the late-19th century, Theosophical Society co-founder HP Blavatsky alluded to the Shambhala myth, giving it currency for Western occult enthusiasts. Madame Blavatsky, who claimed to be in contact with a Great White Lodge of Himalayan Adepts, mentions Shambhala in several places.
Later esoteric writers further emphasized & elaborated on the concept of a secret land inhabited by a hidden mystic brotherhood whose members labor for the good of humanity.
Alice A. Bailey claims Shamballa is an extra-dimensional or spiritual reality on the etheric plane, a spiritual centre where the governing deity of Earth, Sanat Kumara, dwells as the highest Avatar of the Planetary Logos of Earth, & is said to be an expression of the Will of God.
Nicholas and Helena Roerich led a 1924-1928 expedition aimed at Shambhala.
French Buddhist Alexandra David-Néel associated Shambhala with Balkh in present day Afghanistan, also offering the Persian Sham-i-Bala, “elevated candle” as an etymology of its name.
In a similar vein, the Gurdjieffian J. G. Bennett published speculation that Shambalha was Shams-i-Balkh, a Bactrian sun temple.
And of course our beloved Dr. Steiner spoke about Shamballa many times, especially in regards “The Reappearance of the Christ in the Etheric”
But none of all that really mattered when Richard Dancey stood in the Upper room at the Rudolf Steiner Branch & told us the legend of Shambhala on Easter 4 years ago .
And now Today I relive the tale of this mythical place that he told us that bright Easter afternoon, & the feeling it invoked in me resonates still – fuel for the journey into this inner realm that lives within each of us – A spiritual reality illuminated by his enthusiasm & magical ability to carry us all along in the telling. I will continue to follow this journey with you Richard, knowing you are living into this future reality in the spiritual world today, paving the way for us all.
Blessings dear friend
‘May my heart-love reach to soul-love. May my love’s warmth shine to spirit-light. Thus, I draw near to you. Thinking spiritual thoughts WITH you, Feeling cosmic love IN you, Willing in spirit THROUGH you – Weaving with you One in experience’.
~Rudolf Steiner
~Walk willingly between fire & ice… Where the shadows of forever & the light of Now Clutch & release the world… The empty filling & the full emptying… So live with the certainty That your Yin loves your Yang Over & over, in to the out… & dance the joy of movement ever changing… ~hag
The Truth about Valentines’ Day ~According to hag
The eve of the ides of February is the time when St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated. Have you ever wondered where this hearts & flowers frivolity came from? Well it wasn’t always about chocolates & sappy hallmark cards. Let’s look back to the origins of this Holiday & set the record straight. For one thing, Valentinus was a very common Roman name meaning strong, effective fertility. Please excuse me if I must commit a little history here, but basically the church fathers were trying to replace a very potent ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia with a Christian martyr named Valentinus, to usurp the power of this rite of great antiquity. Now don’t get me wrong, frivolity has its place, & so it was in the festival of Lupercalia, a ritual of purification & fertility, sacred to the Wolf-Goddess Rumina. Maybe you’ve heard of Her, the She-Wolf & founder of Rome?
The festival of Lupercalia was celebrated on the ides of February (the 15th)…& name ‘February’ comes from the Latin word ‘februare’, meaning tools of purification.
The rite began in the cave of the She-Wolf, where legend has it, the founders of the city, Romulus & Remus, were suckled by the Wolf-Goddess. As fate would have it a sacred fig tree (symbol of the feminine sex) grew outside the cave & vestals would come, with cakes made from the corn of last year’s grain harvest, laying them beneath the fig tree as offerings.
Meanwhile Rumina’s priests would preside over the sacrifice of a goat. Now this was a pretty big deal since this was the only time of year a goat was used as a sacrifice. It was an offering given to the guardian angels associated with the crops, & the ancestral guardians, as well as the guardians of the city & community. The priests would mark their foreheads with its blood, which was then ritualistically wiped clean with a ‘Februare’ or tool of purification, which was, in this case, wool, dipped in the milk of the goat. The priests would then dress themselves in the skin of the sacrificial animal, & using strips of the hide they would fashion a scourge, another tool of purification. They would then jog around in their little loincloths, running up & down Rome’s seven hills, wielding their strips of hide, ‘purifying’ anything & anybody in their path.
Women seeking pregnancy & easy childbirth lined the streets, extending hands, or baring their bodies, to afford a better target, to be briefly & symbolically ‘purified’ as they passed by.
Fertility, of course, is worthless without sex, so as time passed, sex became the festival’s primary focus for the average Roman citizen, & the occasion took on a character much like carnival.
When the church tried to ban it, the people needless to say, stubbornly resisted. Hence the substitute of St. Valentine’s Day emerged, with its more innocent version of love.
And let’s face it folks, the real Cupid was not the cute little cherub he is today, but rather, a very randy Roman God responsible for a more tangible fertility.
So all the frivolous frivolity aside, let’s take ourselves back to the days when the Wolf Goddess Rumina, was at the heart of this time of celebration, as we purify & purge all of our afflictions & ills before we begin to plant the new seeds of creativity. For by the ancient calendars, Winter is ended by the ides of February, & Spring, a season of new beginnings, has arrived.
So on Valentine’s Day, let’s remember the potent powers of the Wolf, asking Her to spare the herds, taking only what She must, to keep us free & fertile & abundant, like the crops – as fruitful, & as wild as we want to be.
Peace & Blessed Bee…
~hag
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KNOW THYSELF – Karma and Anthroposophic Psychology — an Easter-Tide Retreat 9 -12 April 2020,
April 16 – 19, 2020 Detroit Waldorf School, Detroit, MI
Bring a new consciousness to your own life and death
Support those who are crossing and who have crossed over
Expand your practice and knowledge of working with the dying
Through interactive workshops, triad sharing, keynote discussions with Rev. Patrick Kennedy, Sandra LaGrega and Jennifer Fox, Dr. Melinda Toney, and Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, and more, as well as experiential and artistic activities, we will consciously explore the spiritual and practical aspect of human life and death.
7pm Screening of a Will For The Woods Detroit Waldorf School Auditorium- Open to the public! $10 Suggested Donation
Friday, April 17
10:00-1:00p Registration Opens 10:00-12:00p Choose from two pre-conference activities at the Detroit Waldorf School
Exploring the Beauty of home funerals and green burial: Photo essay and Q&A with Merilynne Rush, MS, End-of-Life Doula Trainer and Home Funeral Guide (Open to the public. Donation accepted at the door)
The Story of Detroit: A Walking Songtrail (Meet in the school playground. Approx. two mile walk)
12:00p Bag Lunch (For Purchase) 1:00p Conference Opening 1:45-3:00p Keynote Discussion with Rev. Patrick Kennedy: Befriending Death 3:00-3:30p Break 3:30-5:00p Three-Day Themed Workshops (Chosen on site. Choose one theme and attend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) ALL WORKSHOPS CHOSEN ON SITE Fuller descriptions coming soon!
From Loss to Connection Through the Arts: Reading, Writing and Drawing with Marianne Dietzel and Maureen Flannery Together we will invite our loved ones across the threshold to join us in experiencing practices thet connect and heal. We will read to the dead, write prose and poetry, and draw from gestures of nature.
BIOGRAPHY: GIFTS OF REVIEWING LIFE AND CONNECTING TO LIFE AFTER DEATH Sandra LaGrega and Jennifer Fox
A HOME DEATH CARE STORY: CONSCIOUS DYING AND THE HOME VIGIL~BASED ON DYING OF WAYNE TONEY Dr. Melinda Toney, Carole Schoaf, and Katherine Blackburn
MULTI-CULTURAL APPROACHES: ANCIENT AND MODERN/ SACRED AND ESOTERIC: FESTIVALS FOR THE DEAD. THEN AND NOW. RENEW OR CREATE YOUR OWN TRADITION Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, Julia Torres and Guests
5:30-6:30 Choose: Eurythmy (Movement), Singing, or Poetry 6:30 Evening Appetizer Reception (Included in registration fee) 7:30-9:00 Evening Performance
Saturday April 18 – All workshops chosen on site/Saturday Lunch and Dinner for purchase
7:30-9:00 Evening Performance with Sarah Putnam: Little Gidding by TS Elliot followed by Memento Mori Ritual
Sunday, April 19 – All workshops chosen on site
8:00 Coffee/Tea/Breakfast Snacks (Included in Registration Fee)
8:30-9:15 Choose: Eurythmy (Movement), Singing, or Poetry
9:30 – 11:00 Three Day Themed Workshops
11:30-1:00 Green Burial Ceremony and Closing
Full conference: $280 Supporter (This level provides scholarships for other attendees!) $195 Standard ASA Member Rate/$215 Non-Member Rate/$60 Youth CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Please Note: Cancellation fee of $35 before April 9. No refunds after April 10.
Comfort Inn Detroit at 1999 E Jefferson Ave has a block of rooms available for us. Please go to this link for the $124.00 nightly rate. Breakfast is included, as well as shuttle rides to and from the Detroit Waldorf School. You can also call 313-567-8888 and say that you are with the Sacred Gateway group.
Festivals for the Dead. Then & Now. Renew, or Create Your Own Tradition.
with 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 & Council Member of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, The Traveling Speakers Program, & the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society.
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~Vitae Sophia~ A Whitsun Festival of United Soul Endeavor
Eurythmy: AUM = A – I stand for myself, U- I stand for humanity, M – I stand for Life
Social Sculpture: Steiner’s ‘Blue Dot Exercise’- Through Art, the bridge between science & spirit, we warm the ‘I’, to open the heart, in support of healthy community.
What are my gifts-What are my tools? How can I place them in right relationship within the social realm? How can I hone them to strengthen and enhance the world?
Enter the Labyrinth of Vitae Sophia – Human hearts, once warmed, can rise up to meet the source of wisdom, like flowers turning toward the sun.
Living into the Foundation Stone of Love – How can we take our individual Inner Whitsun & expand it, into what Steiner calls the “World Festival of Knowledge” a path leading from ‘Sprit Recollection’, to ‘Sprit Sensing’, to ‘Sprit Beholding’?
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 & Council Member of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, The Traveling Speakers Program, & the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society.
3 June 2020 – a Round Table Discussion 7 pm – 9 pm on ‘The Sophia’ with John Bloom, Joan Sleigh, Hazel Archer-Ginsberg & Carrie Schuchardt at The House of Peace in Ipswich, MA.
8 February 2020 – “Speaking with the Stars”: Full February Supermoon of many names: Last Snow, Hunger, Wolf, Quickening or Brigid’s Moon tonight (exactly so at 1:33 a.m. Sunday morning CST). It’s “super” because it’s only a day & a half from perigee.
Snow Moon all aglow Hunger Moon watch us grow Wolf Moon howling low Quickening Moon help us know
~hag
Burli Konge
After dark, look for Castor & Pollux high above Bella Luna, Procyon & then brilliant Sirius way off to the Moon’s right, & Regulus below Her
Today is Tu B’Shvat – the “New Year for the Trees ” which occurs every year on the eve of the Full Quickening Moon, around the time of the Cross Quarter between Winter Solstice & Spring Equinox. This is when the sap begins to rise.
Kabbalists have used the tree as a metaphor to understand the relationship between the spiritual & physical worlds. Spiritual Science tells us that the human being is a reversed plant. Our head is the root. The higher spiritual realms are where these roots come from, which then ultimately manifests their influence through branches & leaves – our heart & lungs & limbs, our thinking, feeling & willing in the world.
In the 16th century, the Kabbalists compiled a Tu B’Shvat “Seder*,” similar to the Seder for Passover. It involves enjoying the fruits of the tree, & discusses philosophical & Kabbalistic concepts, like the idea that by eating with the highest intention we can repair the ‘fall’. The ‘sin’ against the Tree of Knowledge was that Adam & Eve ate its fruit before it was ripe.
Paul Rubens
So, what is it about waiting (perhaps, wading) that
transforms knowledge from hurtful to healthy? Do we have faith that the spring
will come & everything will grow & ripen in its season?
Through conscious eating, we have a daily opportunity to correct a part of our soul, so deep & intrinsic that it reaches back into the Garden of Eden.
The custom on Tu B’Shvat is to eat fruits from the
seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised: “…a land of wheat and barley and (grape) vines and fig trees and
pomegranates, a land of olive trees and (date) honey” (Deut. 8:8).
On Tu B’Shvat, it is also customary to eat a “new fruit” something we have not yet tasted this year.
This festival lets us ask: Am I
getting the spiritual food I need, to truly live with grace, or is my tree
being blown down by the forces of information overload & rampant
materialism?
Am I part of a strong community,
providing a warm & nurturing environment? Or am I cast into the pale bleak
anonymity of urban life & cyberspace?
Am I looking to future generations knowing that I am providing them with the proper foundations for their lives?
The word “Shvat” is also
related to the Hebrew word for a staff or rod. A staff can be used as a symbol
of power; or as a cane to lean on. This is an underlying theme of the month.
So as we open our thinking, feeling & willing to align with the rising sap, in gratitude for the fruits of life; we can use this time to focus on the idea of consciously using our daily behavior as a medium for spirituality.
*Tu B’Shvat seder
PREPARATIONS:
lots
of fruit, including: The seven species:
Figs, Dates, Pomegranates, Olives, Grapes(or raisins) wheat = Challah bread and barley, various nuts with the shells (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, coconut), and fruits with peels (oranges, pomegranates, avocado) Other fruits with edible seeds (e.g. blueberries) Other fruits with inedible pits (e.g. peaches, plums) Wine or grape juice, both white and red. Charity box
THE
SEDER BEGINS
The
leader asks: Why do we celebrate the New Year for the trees on Tu B’Shvat?
All
say: Since
the Holy Temple was destroyed, farmers could no longer bring the First Fruits (Bikkurim)
as an offering. So on Tu B’Shvat we offer the “fruit of our lips,” in
praise for all the fruit trees in the world.
A
participant says: Tu Bishvat marks a new period for taking tithes, a portion of
which is given to the poor. Therefore: “When a person is privileged to eat
in the presence of Love, they must show appreciation by giving charity to the
poor and feeding them, just as The Source in Her bounty feeds them.” (“Zohar”
– Parshat Trumah) At this point it is appropriate to pass around a ‘pushka’
to collect tzedakah. After the seder, the money should be donated to a worthy
cause.
A
participant says: The Mishnah in Tractate Rosh Hashana says that Tu B’Shvat is New
Year for the TREE (singular). This reference to a singular tree alludes to
“The Tree” — the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. “And
The Divine said: ‘Let the earth put forth grass, herb-yielding seeds, and fruit
trees bearing fruit of its kind.’ ‘Fruit tree’ means the Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil, which put forth blossoms and fruit. ‘Bearing fruit’ is the
tzaddik, the basis of the world. ‘Of its kind’ means all the human beings who
have in them the spirit of holiness, which is the blossom of that tree. This is
the covenant of holiness, the covenant of peace — and the faithful enter into
that kind and do not depart from it. The Tzaddik generates, and the tree
conceives and brings forth fruit of its kind.” (“Zohar” –
Bereishit 33a)
Meditation:
“One
should intend that they are eating at the celestial table, in the Garden of
Eden before the Divine Presence.” (“Raishit Chochma” — Shar
HaKedusha)
Take
a few moments and think deeply about being in the company of The Divine…
sitting at the table of The One… experiencing the sublime spiritual pleasure
of a relationship with the Creator Herself.
A
participant says: humanity’s name — “Adam” — is derived from the word
Earth, adama. And Eve = “a living being’. While humanity is at once the
pinnacle of creation, we are also dependent on the earth for our most basic
needs. The Torah, refers to the human being as a “tree of the field”
(Deut. 20:19). Our sages learn from this verse a prohibition against any
needless destruction. In other words, fruit trees serve as the archetype for our
relationship and responsibility to our environment. It was through a mistake in
eating unripe fruit that caused Adam and Eve’s exile from the Garden of Eden.
Eating fruit is a metaphor for our interaction with this world. Correct usage
leads to a perfected world and spiritual bliss. Misuse can lead to destruction
and spiritual degradation. The seder of Tu B’Shvat is our opportunity to
rectify the past iniquity and return once again to our rightful place within
the Garden.
All
say: Adam
and Eve by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil created
consequences. To get back to wholeness we eat our fruit today with pure
intentions, as if from the Tree of Life.
A
participant says: In the Talmud, Rabbi Abbun said: “Each life form, especially
fruit, is entrusted to a specific angel”. By saying a blessing over a fruit, we
empower that angel to reproduce more of that fruit. The Talmud says that
someone who eats and doesn’t say a blessing is considered a thief. Why? Because
every aspect of God’s creation is inherently holy. A blessing re-infuses the
world with holiness. Eating without a blessing, however, lowers the level of
holiness in the world without replacing the loss — and is regarded as theft.
A
participant says: The Baal Shem Tov, was once visiting the home of Rabbi Yaakov
Koppel. When Rabbi Yaakov danced in front of his Shabbos table for an hour, the
Baal Shem Tov asked to explain this unusual custom. Rabbi Yaakov replied:
“Before I taste physical food, I absorb the food’s spiritual essence. In
doing so, I become so excited that I sing and dance!”
The
leader says: Everything in the physical world is a metaphor for a deeper
spiritual concept.
Eating
is to the body, what knowledge is to the soul. When we eat, we internalize the
good part of the food — and through that we grow and develop. Similarly, when
we learn a new piece of information, we must “chew it over,” digest
it, and integrate it into our very being. Only then can we truly grow in wisdom
and spirituality.
GRAIN
PRODUCTS
Now comes the part we’ve been waiting for: drinking wine and enjoying other delicacies! Wheat and barley are the first two of the seven species. “A land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olives and honey” (Deut. 8:8).
The
leader says: Before saying the blessing, let us pause and reflect on our good
fortune. A blessing is a
“thank-you note” to our Creator. The sages say: “Who is the
wealthy person? The one who is happy with what they have.” The more we
appreciate our gifts, the more sincere is our thanks, and the more sublime is
our pleasure. Recite the blessing on the bread: “Baruch Ata Adon-ai,
Elohai-nu, Melech HaOlam ha-motzie lechem min ha-aretz.” “Blessed are
you, Creator of the Universe, who fashions bread from the Earth.”
Meditation:
Savor
each bite of the cake or bread. Appreciate that The Divine loves us and created
everything for our good.
FRUIT – On Tu B’Shvat, we eat the fruit by which The Divine praises the Earth. As the verse says: “The trees have borne their fruit, fig tree and vine have yielded their strength. Children be happy & rejoice”.
The order of eating will be:olives, dates, grapes, figs, pomegranates.
“Baruch Ata Adod-nai Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam boray pri ha-aitz.” “Blessed are you Creator of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.”
If
there is a seasonal fruit at the table which you have not yet tasted this
season, say the following additional blessing before eating the fruit: “Baruch
Ata Ado-noi, Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam, sheh-he-che-yanu vi-kee-yimanu
vi-hee-gee-yanu laz-man ha-zeh.” “Blessed are You Creator of the
Universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this
season.”
Take
each fruit one by one, as the appropriate paragraph below is recited. Enjoy the
many unique flavors and textures. Reflect on the reality that the Creator of
time and space wants us to take pleasure in everything that is in the world.
Participants
take turns saying the following paragraphs:
Olives:
“The
Divine called your name ‘a green olive tree, nice and beautiful fruit.'”
(Jeremiah 11:16)
“Your
children shall be like olive plants around your table.” (Psalms 123:3)
The
Sages taught: “Just as olive oil brings light into the world, so do the
people bring light into the world.” (Midrash — Shir HaShirim Raba 1:2)
& so may it be
Dates:
“The
righteous shall flourish like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13). The righteous
are fruitful and sweet, just like a date palm. “Your stature is like a
palm tree” (Song of Songs 7:8). “No part of the palm tree is wasted.
The dates are for eating; the Lulav branches are for waving in praise on
Sukkot; the dried thatch is for roofing; the fibers are for ropes; the leaves
are for sieves; and the trunk is for house beams. So too, every one us is
needed
Grapes:
“Just
as a vine has large and small clusters and the large ones hang lower, so too
the people: Whoever labors in Torah and is greater in Torah, seems lower than
his fellow [due to his humility].” (Midrash – Vayikra Raba 36:2)
Figs:
Rabbi
Yochanan said: “What is the meaning of ‘He who tends a fig tree will eat
its fruit’? (Proverbs 27:18) Why is the Torah compared to a fruit tree? Figs on
a tree do not ripen all at once, but a little each day. Therefore, the longer
one searches in the tree, the more figs he finds. So too with Torah: The more
one studies, the more knowledge and wisdom one finds.” (Talmud – Eruvin
54a)
Pomegranates:
“Let
us get up early to the vineyards. Let us see if the vine has flowered, if the
grape blossoms have opened, if the pomegranates have budded. There I will give
you my love.”
“If
the pomegranates have budded.” These are the little children who are like
the many seeds of a pomegranate.” (Midrash – Shir HaShirim Rabba 6:11)
For
discussion: Rami
Bar Yechezkel once came to Bnei Brak and saw goats grazing under a fig tree.
Honey was dripping from the figs and milk from the goats — and they became
intermingled. He said: “Behold, a land flowing with milk and honey!”
(Talmud – Ketubot 111b) Share a story or experience
where life flowed with the sweetness of milk & honey.
WINE:
At
the Tu B’Shvat seder, it is traditional to drink four cups of wine, similar to
the Passover Seder.
First Cup – pure white
Second Cup – pale pink (white with a drop
of red wine)
Third Cup – darker pink (with more red
added)
Fourth Cup – almost totally red (with
only a drop of white)
A
participant says: White wine represents nature in potential. Red wine represents
nature in full bloom. On this day, we begin to leave the winter behind and move
into a period of renewal and the fullness of life. It is stated in the Zohar:
“Wine has two colors — white and red. White is from the right side [of
kindness]; red from the left side [of strength and judgment].”
As we
progress from white to red, we move from potential to actuality. We are able to
appreciate The Divine discernment as well as kindness. We see The Divine design
and goodness in the world with increasing clarity.
A
participant says: “Wine rejoices the heart of man.” This refers to the
wine of Torah. Yayin (Hebrew for wine) equals 70, the numerical value of
Sod, meaning “secret.” [Wine represents the hidden aspects of
the Torah.] (“Zohar” — Parshat Pinchas).
A
participant says: The Talmudic section dealing with agriculture is called
“trust in The Divine.” When a farmer plants a seed, trust in The
Divine gives him the strength to survive the winter. On Tu B’Shvat we
begin to see that trust rewarded.
Similarly, when we plant a seed for personal growth, it requires trust and
patience to survive the ‘cold,’ before we see the fruits of our labor.
We
will now drink four cups of wine (or grape juice) in conjunction with four
different categories of fruit. Each of these pairs correspond to each of the
four spiritual realms (from lowest to highest):
action — asiah
formation — yetzirah
creation — briah
emanation of pure Spirit — atzilut
Each
level becomes more spiritual and connected to the Creator. As we eat, we
elevate the fruits — and ourselves — through the various levels, rising
higher and higher.
A
participant says: The Almighty said: “Although wine can be a source of trouble
in this world, in the future I shall make it only a source of joy, as it says:
‘And it shall come to pass on that day, that the mountains will drip with sweet
wine’ (Yoel 3:18).” (Midrash – Vayikra Raba 12:5)
Pour
the first cup of wine (all white):
All
say the following blessing, and then drink from the wine
“Baruch Ata Adon-ai Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam boray pri ha-gafen.” “Blessed are Creator of the Universe who creates the fruit of the vine.”
Slow
down and really enjoy the taste of the wine. The most prestigious universities
offer courses in wine tasting. There’s a lot to appreciate in life. Be a
connoisseur!
The
leader says: We now eat fruits with inedible shells or peels. For
example: nuts, pomegranate, oranges, avocado. The edible part of the fruit
corresponds to perfection and purity, while the inedible is connected to
deficiency and impurity. This is parallel to the realm of action (asiah),
the lowest of the spiritual worlds — a world which is enveloped by
materialism, just as the fruit is enveloped in its peel/shell.
A
participant says: Rabbi Tarfon compared people to a pile of walnuts. If one walnut
is removed, each and every nut in the pile is shaken and disturbed. So too,
when a single person is in distress, every other person is shaken. (Midrash –
Shir HaShirim Raba 6:11)
A
participant says: “As it is the virtue of a nut to be closed in from all
sides, so too the Heavenly Chariot which goes out of the Garden of Eden is
hidden on all sides. And just as the four sections of a walnut are untied at
one side and separated on the other, so are all parts of the Heavenly Chariot
united in perfect union — and yet each part fulfills a specific purpose.”
(“Zohar” – Shmot 15b)
Meditation:
As
you toss away the peels and shells, see one of your bad character traits
(anger, impatience, etc.) being tossed away. In your mind’s eye, picture the
bad trait as the shell. Then, as you toss it away, feel the trait leaving you.
That’s not the real you. The real you is the fruit… delicious and nourishing.
See the trait going into the compost to release that energy & create a
fertile loom for your true fruit.
CUPS
2, 3,4 – Drink the second cup — pale pink (white with a drop of red).
The
leader says: We now eat fruits with inedible pits. For example: dates,
olives, peaches, plums, cherries. This stage is comparable to the realm of
formation (yetzirah). The edible parts of the fruit represent holiness.
Pits represent impurities which have penetrated the holiness. As the color of
the wine begins to gets darker, we can start to see potential turn into
reality. The inedible part has now moved from the outside to the inside of the
fruit. This is an advancement toward purity. In addition, the inedible part is
no longer waste; it is a seed with potential to grow.
Meditation:
Imagine
one of your bad traits as this seed. Really see it. Then, see that trait
growing and developing into something great. This trait no longer holds you
back, but propels you forward. Many great people have turned their faults into
assets. You too can become great.
Drink
the third cup of wine (dark pink).
The
leader says: Now we eat fruits that are completely edible: blueberries.
This is the realm of creation (briah), the highest level in the created
world. (The three lower worlds — asiyah, yetzirah, and briah — are
referred to as ma’aseh bereishit, “the act of creation.”)
Meditation:
Things
are coming close to their full potential. Even the seeds are now edible. They
not only have future potential, but are also delicious and ready to eat right
now. Think about an area of life you would like to improve. Picture your ideal
self. Realize the real you. Now, for the rest of Tu B’Shvat, actually be that
person. Act as if you’re already there. The experience can be transformational.
Drink
the fourth cup (red with a drop of white).
The
leader says: We now taste the fruit on the table with the best fragrance.
This is comparable to the realm of pure Spirit (atzilut). This level is
called the ma’aseh merkava, “the act of the Chariot.” The
prophet Ezekiel saw a Chariot in his vision relating to the mysteries of
creation.
A
participant says: In Leviticus 23:40, the Etrog is described as pri aitz hadar
— “fruit of the majestic tree.” The Etrog is the most spiritual of
all trees, as it’s fruit and bark both have fine taste and smell.
On Tu
B’Shvat, it is fitting to pray for a beautiful Etrog during the coming Sukkot.
A
participant says: The sense of smell is the purest and most elevated. It is through
the nose that The Creator invested Adam with a soul, as it says, “The Divine
breathed into man’s nostrils a breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). Since there
is no perceptible physical matter to smell, it is the most spiritual of the
five senses. Burning the fragrant incense was designated as the holiest act of
the Jewish year — performed by the Kohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies on Yom
Kippur.
CONCLUSION
– The leader says: Eating 12 different fruits is significant, since this corresponds
to the 12 different arrangements of the four-letter ineffable Name of The Divine.
Upon eating the 12th fruit, we recite the verse: “And they shall beat
their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall
not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more. But they
shall sit each person under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid, for
the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Micah 4:3-4)
After-blessing:
After
enjoying all the wonderful pleasures that The Divine has given
us, we complete the process with a meaningful, heartfelt thanks to the Creator.
Let’s
all go around a say what we are grateful for.
A
participant says: “Rabbi Abba taught: There is no greater indication of the
impending redemption than that which the verse (Ezekiel 36:8) states: “And
you, mountains, you shall give forth your branches and you shall bear your
fruit for all people, & love will come.” (Talmud – Sanhedrin 98a)
Conclusion:
And
so with that we come to the end of the Tu B’Shvat seder. We have only touched
the surface of the true meaning of the holiday and of the significance of trees
and fruit in The Divine creation. That is the beauty of the wheel of the year.
Each turn of the wheel we celebrate the same holidays, yet each year we grow
and develop many new insights.
The
rest of the evening is spent singing and dancing. Next year in a whole &
peaceful World!
Karma and Anthroposophic Psychology – An Easter-Tide Retreat
April 9 – 12, 2020 – Rudolf Steiner Branch 4249 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL
AAP: James A. Dyson, M.D., Roberta Nelson, Ph.D., and David Tresemer, Ph.D. with Susan Overhauser, Ph.D.
CRC: Marianne Fieber, Alberto Loya, Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, David Howerton, Lisa Dalton
Eurythmist: Mary Ruud
A popular view of karma is cause and effect or tit-for-tat. Karma, however, is so much more complex, interesting, and important. The soul work of karma has to do with the unfolding of our individuality through the elements, through the ethers, and very much through relationships.
Rudolf Steiner named his core mission as bringing karma and reincarnation to the West; his teachings deserve interpretation and practical enlivening. The Central Regional Council has been exploring this theme for many months. Anthroposophic Psychology gives a unique contribution to the soul work of karma. For this conference the CRC is partnering with the Association for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP of North America) to present ideas and experiences concerning karma—and how it impacts upon personal psychology.
Conference Fees (includes 1 meal per day & art supplies):
2:00-3:15Welcome and ArtActs (Interactive Artistic Activity)
3:30-5:30Star Wisdom and Karma – David Tresemer, Ph.D.
5:30-7:00 Dinner (on your own)
7:00-9:00 (Evening Presentation) “The Karma Exercises” – Susan Overhauser, Ph.D.
Friday April 10
9-10:15 ArtActs
10:30-12:30Living into Karma—through the Senses —James A. Dyson, MD.
12:30-2:00 Lunch (on your own)
2:00-3:15 ArtActs
3:30-5:30How to Find the Self in a Sea of Karma – Roberta Nelson, Ph.D. This is part 1 of a deep inquiry into finding one’s self.
5:30-7:00 Group Dinner (provided)
7:00-9:00Unfolding the Enigma of the Saturn path — James A. Dyson, MD.
Saturday April 11
9-10:15 ArtActs
10:30-12:30How to Find the Self in a Sea of Karma – Roberta Nelson, Ph.D. This is part 2 of a deep inquiry into finding one’s self.
12:30-2:00 Lunch (on your own)
2:00-3:15 ArtActs
3:30-5:30The Gesture of Karma – David Tresemer, Ph.D. Guest to this presentation will be Lisa Loving Dalton.
5:30-7:00 Group Dinner (provided)
7:00-9:00 PAGEANT: ‘Know Thyself’ by Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, the CRC, and consultant Margot Hodgson, LPC
Sunday April 12
Easter SunriseSongtrail at the Lake with Marianne Fieber
At the Christian Community 2135 W. Wilson Ave · Chicago, Il 60625
9:30 Children’s Stories
10:00 Children’s Service
10:30 Adult Easter Service
11:30 Potluck Feast
12:30LEADING THOUGHTS: Christ as Lord of Karma—how do I access this in terms of my personal psychology? – James Dyson, MD.
1:30Gatheringexperiences and reflections.
2:30CRC business
3:00Closing
CRC: Marianne Fieber, Alberto Loya, Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, David Howerton, Lisa Dalton
AAP:
James A. Dyson, MD, Senior Faculty, Assoc. for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP), North America; Faculty Member, English International Training in Anthroposophic Medicine
Roberta Nelson, Ph.D., licensed addiction and clinical counselor; Faculty Chair for Assoc. for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP), North America. Contributor to The Counselor … as if Soul and Spirit Matter.
Susan Overhauser, Ph.D., licensed psychologist, California; Associate Presenter for Assoc. for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP), North America.
David Tresemer, Ph.D., President, Assoc. for Anthroposophic Psychology. Editor and contributor, The Counselor … as if Soul and Spirit Matter; editor, Slow Counseling; column in Lilipoh for the last seven years. Author of Star Wisdom & Rudolf Steiner.
About AAP: The foundation course in the Association for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP) is a three-year (three times a year) training, starting up again in April 2021. See www.AnthroposophicPsychology.org
P.O. Box 2180, Boulder, Colorado 80306
E: Admin@AnthroposophicPsychology.org
Web: AnthroposophicPsychology.org
Activities:
Art-Acts
Star Wisdom
The Karma Exercises
Experiential PAGEANT on Holy Saturday: ‘Know Thyself’
Easter Sunrise Songtrail
Optional service at the Christian Community
Communal meals and time for Conversation
Lectures:
‘Living into Karma through the Senses’
‘How to find the Self in a Sea of Karma’
‘Unfolding the Enigma of the Saturn Path’
‘The Gesture of Karma’
‘Christ as Lord of Karma — how do I access this in terms of my personal psychology?’
April 16 – 19, 2020 Detroit Waldorf School, Detroit, MI
Bring a new consciousness to your own life and death
Support those who are crossing and who have crossed over
Expand your practice and knowledge of working with the dying
Through interactive workshops, triad sharing, keynote discussions with Rev. Patrick Kennedy, Sandra LaGrega and Jennifer Fox, Dr. Melinda Toney, and Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, and more, as well as experiential and artistic activities, we will consciously explore the spiritual and practical aspect of human life and death.
7pm Screening of a Will For The Woods Detroit Waldorf School Auditorium- Open to the public! $10 Suggested Donation
Friday, April 17
10:00-1:00p Registration Opens 10:00-12:00p Choose from two pre-conference activities at the Detroit Waldorf School
Exploring the Beauty of home funerals and green burial: Photo essay and Q&A with Merilynne Rush, MS, End-of-Life Doula Trainer and Home Funeral Guide (Open to the public. Donation accepted at the door)
The Story of Detroit: A Walking Songtrail (Meet in the school playground. Approx. two mile walk)
12:00p Bag Lunch (For Purchase) 1:00p Conference Opening 1:45-3:00p Keynote Discussion with Rev. Patrick Kennedy: Befriending Death 3:00-3:30p Break 3:30-5:00p Three-Day Themed Workshops (Chosen on site. Choose one theme and attend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) ALL WORKSHOPS CHOSEN ON SITE Fuller descriptions coming soon!
From Loss to Connection Through the Arts: Reading, Writing and Drawing with Marianne Dietzel and Maureen Flannery Together we will invite our loved ones across the threshold to join us in experiencing practices thet connect and heal. We will read to the dead, write prose and poetry, and draw from gestures of nature.
BIOGRAPHY: GIFTS OF REVIEWING LIFE AND CONNECTING TO LIFE AFTER DEATH Sandra LaGrega and Jennifer Fox
A HOME DEATH CARE STORY: CONSCIOUS DYING AND THE HOME VIGIL~BASED ON DYING OF WAYNE TONEY Dr. Melinda Toney, Carole Schoaf, and Katherine Blackburn
MULTI-CULTURAL APPROACHES: ANCIENT AND MODERN/ SACRED AND ESOTERIC: FESTIVALS FOR THE DEAD. THEN AND NOW. RENEW OR CREATE YOUR OWN TRADITION Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, Julia Torres and Guests
5:30-6:30 Choose: Eurythmy (Movement), Singing, or Poetry 6:30 Evening Appetizer Reception (Included in registration fee) 7:30-9:00 Evening Performance
Saturday April 18 – All workshops chosen on site/Saturday Lunch and Dinner for purchase
7:30-9:00 Evening Performance with Sarah Putnam: Little Gidding by TS Elliot followed by Memento Mori Ritual
Sunday, April 19 – All workshops chosen on site
8:00 Coffee/Tea/Breakfast Snacks (Included in Registration Fee)
8:30-9:15 Choose: Eurythmy (Movement), Singing, or Poetry
9:30 – 11:00 Three Day Themed Workshops
11:30-1:00 Green Burial Ceremony and Closing
Full conference: $280 Supporter (This level provides scholarships for other attendees!) $195 Standard ASA Member Rate/$215 Non-Member Rate/$60 Youth CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Please Note: Cancellation fee of $35 before April 9. No refunds after April 10.
Comfort Inn Detroit at 1999 E Jefferson Ave has a block of rooms available for us. Please go to this link for the $124.00 nightly rate. Breakfast is included, as well as shuttle rides to and from the Detroit Waldorf School. You can also call 313-567-8888 and say that you are with the Sacred Gateway group.
Festivals for the Dead. Then & Now. Renew, or Create Your Own Tradition.
with 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 & Council Member of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, The Traveling Speakers Program, & the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society.
***
~Vitae Sophia~ A Whitsun Festival of United Soul Endeavor
Eurythmy: AUM = A – I stand for myself, U- I stand for humanity, M – I stand for Life
Social Sculpture: Steiner’s ‘Blue Dot Exercise’- Through Art, the bridge between science & spirit, we warm the ‘I’, to open the heart, in support of healthy community.
What are my gifts-What are my tools? How can I place them in right relationship within the social realm? How can I hone them to strengthen and enhance the world?
Enter the Labyrinth of Vitae Sophia – Human hearts, once warmed, can rise up to meet the source of wisdom, like flowers turning toward the sun.
Living into the Foundation Stone of Love – How can we take our individual Inner Whitsun & expand it, into what Steiner calls the “World Festival of Knowledge” a path leading from ‘Sprit Recollection’, to ‘Sprit Sensing’, to ‘Sprit Beholding’?
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 & Council Member of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, The Traveling Speakers Program, & the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society.
3 June 2020 – a Round Table Discussion 7 pm – 9 pm on ‘The Sophia’ with John Bloom, Joan Sleigh, Hazel Archer-Ginsberg & Carrie Schuchardt at The House of Peace in Ipswich, MA.
Yes, my friends I am a city girl at heart – but I discovered this weekend that I officially have a BD soul. Since childhood I have been seeking beyond the electric glare, noisy leaf-blowers & traffic, to work with the elemental beings who live in every so-called weed, parkway, garden, & green-space, calling out to be acknowledged. So I was thrilled to be asked to make the short road trip to East Troy WI, where I have been many times to visit Zinniker Farm, the oldest BD farm in America, just 2 hours from the city lights, for the 2020 Fellowship of Preparation Makers Conference.
Photo by Ron MacKenzie *Michael Fields Agricultural Institute = In my mind the ideal of this name, keeping the spirit of Christopher & Martina Mann alive, would be = The Biodynamic fields where the Countenance of Christ are a cultured. Photo by Ron MacKenzie
When I arrived at the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute,Ryan Herring was leading a full on science project with soil chromatography; a qualitative method used in biodynamic agriculture to reveal the hidden qualities of soil, crop quality, bio-fertilizers, & health.
Folks brought in samples from their farm or garden for assessment. The process creates these amazing circular images – making visible the etheric formative forces within the soil. The sacred geometry was evident, producing beautiful works of art, as well as allowing folks to diagnose & analyze their soil quality thru applied science.
Photo by Jen SilvermanBenji KennerPhoto by Lloyd Nelson
After an amazing dinner (all the food was locally sourced & cooked. Allison Pratt-Szeliga was our amazing hostess!) the evening program commenced & I was introduced by my dear Petra Zinniker who had asked me to bring a ‘Candlemas’ offering to kick off this year’s theme “Tools to Bring the Cosmic Light into the Earth”.
~hag
I presented an overview of the energies of this Cross-Quarter time, holding the indication of quickening, exemplified by the rising sap. I brought Rudolf Steiner’s Seed Exercise in as the main activity, which folks delved into with good humor & earnestness.
We ended with ‘St. Brigid’s Song to Christ as the Lord of the Elements’; & a homemade chant for the blessing of the seeds, in the fires of purpose, -Brigid’s eternal flame, brought from Kildare Ireland, which sparked singing & comradery in the light of the promise of Spring. What a glorious evening. We all went into the night with a collective glow.
1st thing the next morning, we invited those on the other side who were founders of the Fellowship & influential to the Biodynamic movement. Then we enlivened the social realm with individual intros, & got a glimpse into the work of the Fellowship & their primary ‘shapers’ who refer to themselves as SG2 = ‘Subgroup 2’– a noble, yet truly humble collection of dedicated prep makers from around the country. Wali Via set the tone by sharing the groups motto: ‘We agree to disagree, but not to be disagreeable‘.- which I have taken to heart.
Mac Mead gave a captivating lecture on ‘Why Biodynamics’? He has been practicing this powerful earth healing for over 40 years, primarily in Camphill communities, & is the program director of the Pfeiffer Center.
Photo by Jen Siverman
Respected Elder Hugh Courtney shared his insights on ‘How the cosmic works into the earth’. Years ago, after his fateful mentoring by Josephine Porter, he created The Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics (JPI) a non- profit organization dedicated to making biodynamic preparations of the highest quality, & conducting research & education, which is accomplished by emphasizing the spiritual, as well as the practical aspects.
The afternoon was buzzing on a high vibration when Marjory House & Lloyd Nelsontook us on a hands-on journey, focusing on the different ways to make & use BD 501 & BD 508. By combining these 2 preps, the earth receives a balance of ‘As Above, So Below’.
Photo by Jen Silverman
We experienced a real alchemical process by employing an innovative stirring method to potentize equisetum & other plant & mineral substances, by tipping a large kombucha bottle in a leminscate back & forth chanting ‘Matter to Spirit – Spirit to Matter’.
Photo by Jen Silverman Photo by Jen Silverman Photo by Jen Silverman Photo by Jen Silverman
Dawn Rains assisted by adding 22 kt gold leaf into the fine quartz powder, blending it to make a stunning white paste, with which they filled the cow horns. This was pure magic.
~hag
In the evening, mover & shaker Brian Wickert, led us in the ‘Journey of the Prep Maker’, by putting folks in the inner circle 1 by 1 according to years of experience, so we could hear a bit of their fascinating biographies & how they came to this important work. The many stories of their experience in the field, was captivating & enlightening.
Many of the folks expanded the dialogue over at the ‘party dorm’ across from Michael Fields, which used to be the dairy barn; having animated discussions late into the night. I was grateful to hear more about Demeter from my roommate Jen Silverman who is a certification specialist.
The next day Mac Mead took us from Lemuria to today, showing the history & mystery of silica in relation to human & cosmic evolution – bringing in easy to digest snippets of Steiner’s various works, tying it all together with grace.
Dr. Mark Kamslerof The Lili Kolisko Institutebrought in the perspective of anthroposophical medicine from his experience treating children with silica.
And then we did a whole investigative session with Wali Via on the quality comparison of 18 samples of BD 501 & BD 508 – set out for us to evaluate, writing up our analysis based on sense impressions as well as whatever else arose – So interesting to hear the various descriptions & insights. I was fascinated with how deeply Ines Kinchenlived into her experience, sharing many unique perspectives as a Waldorf teacher & mom, biodynamic gardener, beekeeper & healer.
I bought a bunch of bio hemp products donated by some of the farmers at the Silent auction. Angela Curtesfounder of ‘Angie’s Gold Premium Compost’, integrating hot fermentation with biodynamic principles, is also the founder of ‘Grounded’, where she makes a Full Spectrum Hemp Oil with the same thoughtful integrity & scientific rigger with which she does everything in her life. And also, to help with chronic pain, I got ‘Permission organic CBD cream’ (Molly Cronk gifted me one too!), & a tasty jar of ground hemp flowers in coconut oil made by Brian Wickert. Uriel Pharmacy, who has their headquarters in East Troy, also set up a booth with free samples, & a 20 per cent discount, which I took advantage of – buying a bag full of amazing products which I have been using for years with the best results.
Photo by Jodie Janovec
The evening ended with some bluegrass music & dancing with the Brew City Drifters, led by my old pal Chester, who I met many years ago during my Waldorf Pentathlon days. We started out with the hilarious game of musical chairs, (a tradition at these gatherings I was told) & then gleefully did some Contra Dancing led by Chet. So fun. The party continued late into the night at the dorm.
Frank, Joseph, Jeff & Kelly, & Dottie – with a light root that Jeff & Kelly grew, which they gifted to the Elderberries ‘Have Seeds House’ in LA~hag
02-02-2020 – On this magical Sunday morning (Brigid’s Day, Ground Hog’s Day, Candlemas…) we had an eye opening round table discussion on “peppering for pests & weeds” – a practice that was new to this city girl. During certain astrological alignments having to do with reproduction (Sun & Moon in Scorpio) invasive plants, insects, or the hides of pests like gophers or rats (or ground hogs, ha) are burnt, & the ash made into a prep that is spread around the periphery of the property, spiraling into the center. Folks shared their amazing stories of how powerful this humane method is, giving off the essence of the group soul, so that the pests feel that they don’t need to take up residence in the protected area. I loved hearing the farmers compare results & insights – a practice of collegial sharing of spiritual scientific research in true fellowship! And also a deep lesson in intention, & the patience to experiment over many years.
Photo by Jen Silverman
The traditional closing circle led by Wali Via was a much anticipated event. We each received a packet with the combined BD prep samples that we had analyzed during the weekend. We connected with the 4 elements; & then we ‘stirred ourselves’ – moving in a spiral into the center, where we poured our individual packets into a ceremonial bowl, singing the chant from the Candlemas opening:
~hagPhoto by Jen Silverman
Then a youth, Lydia Noble, & an elder Dewane Morgan, were chosen to carry the bowl with our combined offerings around the circle, where we were each gifted a portion to take home. At the culmination Wali Via got us singing ‘Halleluiah’ in 3 part harmony, a tradition that stirred our hearts.
After another stellar lunch, folks took a field trip to the Mandaamin Institute to experience the magic of Walter Goldstein’s research lab, where he works with the Spirit of Corn, to co-create & breed the best possible seed.
It was hard to leave the gathering where so much fellowship was fostered, to travel back to the City by the Lake. But the good will is potentizing in me, & will continue to grow & shine forth like the warmth & light of the Sun.
Photo by Jen Silverman
Lloyd Nelson, who I felt a deep connection with, gifted me his potent BD 501 & BD 500(X) which we will stir & make into a prep along with the mixed silica prep we all received at the closing, on Easter Sunday during our Song Trail, as part of Our Karma and Anthroposophic Psychology, Easter-Tide Retreat.
~hag
We will spread this healing elixir by the Great Inland Sea of Chicago & the Rudolf Steiner Branch, in Lincoln Sq. which will connect us here in the Heart-land to the heart-beat of the Fellowship – all those amazing human beings putting Anthroposophy into practice, shoring up the Foundation Stone, to ensure that our Earth & Every Human Heart Becomes a Sun.
Photo by Jen Silverman
I have to say, these folks really won my heart. I feel as if I have finally found ‘my people’!
Watch out Chicago – I am
so fired up that I am going to start a local chapter of the Merry Prep-sters = a BD guerrilla group – like a flash mob, spreading healing preps in
urban settings! Come join me, as we enact the New Mysteries – to Renew the
Earth & set the Human Being Free – practicing with Love, the teachings of Rudolph Steiner’s “Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of
Agriculture” (referred to as the ag. course) in all aspects of modern
life!
“Now the fact that karma has united a very wide range of different souls in the anthroposophical movement, from such varying antecedents and prior circumstances, makes this movement into a Michael movement in the true sense — a movement which truly renews Christianity. This lies in the karma of the anthroposophical movement. But it also lies in the karma of many individuals who sincerely enter the Anthroposophical Society. It is the particular task of the anthroposophical movement to carry into the world this Michael impetus, which can be grasped and realized more specifically in this way. many signs and reminders of this impetus can still be found here on earth today, for instance when one sees the wonderful play of nature around the ruins of Arthur’s castle. As the centuries pass this impetus must increasingly enter civilization if the latter is not to degenerate entirely.”
~Rudolf Steiner, The Karma of Anthroposophy, Chapter 10, “Christ of the Elements, Christ in the Heart”, Torquay, 21 August, 1924 … focus of the February 5 meeting.
The Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society in America invites you to join our ongoing study conversation. The study has been divided among four volunteers who will summarize their section to rebuild it as a foundation for our conversation. Please familiarize yourself with the lecture if possible so you will feel comfortable sharing your reflections and thoughts with the group.
This collection of lectures has been republished by Rudolf Steiner Press under the title: “The Karma of Anthroposophy.” These lectures corresponds to GA 237, and were included in the series titled “Karmic Relationships“, Volume III, published in English by Rudolf Steiner Press in 1977.
This will be a “Zoom” conference call allowing us an opportunity to see one another while conversing (or audio only if you prefer). To connect to the audio/video-conference: Option 1. Click link below if you wish to connect through your computer (a headset is recommended) https://zoom.us/j/583606003 Option 2. Call in using your telephone. United States: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 646 558 8656 Access Code: 583-606-003 Option 3. You can use a combination of Options 1 and 2 (computer and phone). If you use the phone, please turn off the audio on your computer to prevent audio feedback.
Please join us!Agenda for our Study Call
7:15 Welcome and Introductions 7:18 Verse 7:25 Study led by five volunteers Note: CRC team will ID volunteers Laura – pp 134 – 137 Christine – pp 138 – 141 Stefano – pp 142 – 145 Chris – pp 146 – 149 8:05 Conversation 8:25 Identify volunteers for our next study call: March 4 8:28 Close with verse
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Karma and Anthroposophic Psychology — an Easter-Tide RetreatMaundy Thursday 9 April 2020 Noon thru Easter Sunday at 3 pm Rudolf Steiner Branch 4249 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, ILAAP: James A. Dyson, M.D., Roberta Nelson, Ph.D., and David Tresemer, Ph.D. with Susan Overhauser, Ph.D. CRC: Marianne Fieber, Alberto Loya, Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, David Howerton, Lisa Dalton – Eurythmist: Mary RuudA popular view of karma is cause and effect or tit-for-tat. Karma, however, is so much more complex, interesting, and important. The soul work of karma has to do with the unfolding of our individuality through the elements, through the ethers, and very much through relationships.Rudolf Steiner named his core mission as bringing karma and reincarnation to the West; his teachings deserve interpretation and practical enlivening. The Central Regional Council has been exploring this theme for many months. Anthroposophic Psychology gives a unique contribution to the soul work of karma. For this conference the CRC is partnering with the Association for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP of North America) to present ideas and experiences concerning karma—and how it impacts upon personal psychology.Conference Fees (includes 1 meal per day & art supplies):$190 Supporter Level$140 Standard Rate$60 Youth Rate (Age 35 and under)Limited scholarships available. Click here to apply.Tentative Schedule (subject to change) *Thursday April 9Noon: Registration & Group Lunch (provided)2:00-3:15Welcome and ArtActs (Interactive Artistic Activity)3:30-5:30Star Wisdom and Karma – David Tresemer, Ph.D.5:30-7:00 Dinner (on your own)7:00-9:00 (Evening Presentation) “The Karma Exercises” – Susan Overhauser, Ph.D. *Friday April 109-10:15 ArtActs10:30-12:30Living into Karma—through the Senses —James A. Dyson, MD.12:30-2:00 Lunch (on your own)2:00-3:15 ArtActs3:30-5:30How to Find the Self in a Sea of Karma – Roberta Nelson, Ph.D. This is part 1 of a deep inquiry into finding one’s self.5:30-7:00 Group Dinner (provided)7:00-9:00Unfolding the Enigma of the Saturn path — James A. Dyson, MD.*Saturday April 119-10:15 ArtActs10:30-12:30How to Find the Self in a Sea of Karma – Roberta Nelson, Ph.D. This is part 2 of a deep inquiry into finding one’s self.12:30-2:00 Lunch (on your own)2:00-3:15 ArtActs3:30-5:30The Gesture of Karma – David Tresemer, Ph.D. Guest to this presentation will be Lisa Loving Dalton.5:30-7:00 Group Dinner (provided)7:00-9:00 PAGEANT: ‘Know Thyself’ by Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, the CRC, and consultant Margot Hodgson, LPC*Sunday April 12Easter SunriseSongtrail at the Lake with Marianne FieberAt the Christian Community 2135 W. Wilson Ave · Chicago, Il 606259:30 Children’s Stories10:00 Children’s Service10:30 Adult Easter Service11:30 Potluck Feast12:30 LEADING THOUGHTS: Christ as Lord of Karma—how do I access this in terms of my personal psychology? – James Dyson, MD.1:30Gatheringexperiences and reflections.2:30CRC business3:00ClosingCRC: Marianne Fieber, Alberto Loya, Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, David Howerton, Lisa DaltonAAP:James A. Dyson, MD, Senior Faculty, Assoc. for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP), North America; Faculty Member, English International Training in Anthroposophic MedicineRoberta Nelson, Ph.D., licensed addiction and clinical counselor; Faculty Chair for Assoc. for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP), North America. Contributor to The Counselor … as if Soul and Spirit Matter.Susan Overhauser, Ph.D., licensed psychologist, California; Associate Presenter for Assoc. for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP), North America.David Tresemer, Ph.D., President, Assoc. for Anthroposophic Psychology. Editor and contributor, The Counselor … as if Soul and Spirit Matter; editor, Slow Counseling; column in Lilipoh for the last seven years. Author of Star Wisdom & Rudolf Steiner.About AAP: The foundation course in the Association for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP) is a three-year (three times a year) training, starting up again in April 2021. See www.AnthroposophicPsychology.org P.O. Box 2180, Boulder, Colorado 80306E: Admin@AnthroposophicPsychology.org – Web: AnthroposophicPsychology.org
The Sacred Gateway: Conscious Living, Conscious Dying, and the Journey Beyond 2020
April 16 – 19, 2020 Detroit Waldorf School, Detroit, MI
Bring a new consciousness to your own life and death
Support those who are crossing and who have crossed over
Expand your practice and knowledge of working with the dying
Through interactive workshops, triad sharing, keynote discussions with Rev. Patrick Kennedy, Sandra LaGrega and Jennifer Fox, Dr. Melinda Toney, and Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, and more, as well as experiential and artistic activities, we will consciously explore the spiritual and practical aspect of human life and death.
7pm Screening of a Will For The Woods Detroit Waldorf School Auditorium- Open to the public! $10 Suggested Donation
Friday, April 17
10:00-1:00p Registration Opens 10:00-12:00p Choose from two pre-conference activities at the Detroit Waldorf School
Exploring the Beauty of home funerals and green burial: Photo essay and Q&A with Merilynne Rush, MS, End-of-Life Doula Trainer and Home Funeral Guide (Open to the public. Donation accepted at the door)
The Story of Detroit: A Walking Songtrail (Meet in the school playground. Approx. two mile walk)
12:00p Bag Lunch (For Purchase) 1:00p Conference Opening 1:45-3:00p Keynote Discussion with Rev. Patrick Kennedy: Befriending Death 3:00-3:30p Break 3:30-5:00p Three-Day Themed Workshops (Chosen on site. Choose one theme and attend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) ALL WORKSHOPS CHOSEN ON SITE Fuller descriptions coming soon!
From Loss to Connection Through the Arts: Reading, Writing and Drawing with Marianne Dietzel and Maureen Flannery Together we will invite our loved ones across the threshold to join us in experiencing practices thet connect and heal. We will read to the dead, write prose and poetry, and draw from gestures of nature.
BIOGRAPHY: GIFTS OF REVIEWING LIFE AND CONNECTING TO LIFE AFTER DEATH Sandra LaGrega and Jennifer Fox
A HOME DEATH CARE STORY: CONSCIOUS DYING AND THE HOME VIGIL~BASED ON DYING OF WAYNE TONEY Dr. Melinda Toney, Carole Schoaf, and Katherine Blackburn
MULTI-CULTURAL APPROACHES: ANCIENT AND MODERN/ SACRED AND ESOTERIC: FESTIVALS FOR THE DEAD. THEN AND NOW. RENEW OR CREATE YOUR OWN TRADITION Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, Julia Torres and Guests
5:30-6:30 Choose: Eurythmy (Movement), Singing, or Poetry 6:30 Evening Appetizer Reception (Included in registration fee) 7:30-9:00 Evening Performance
Saturday April 18 – All workshops chosen on site/Saturday Lunch and Dinner for purchase
7:30-9:00 Evening Performance with Sarah Putnam: Little Gidding by TS Elliot followed by Memento Mori Ritual
Sunday, April 19 – All workshops chosen on site
8:00 Coffee/Tea/Breakfast Snacks (Included in Registration Fee)
8:30-9:15 Choose: Eurythmy (Movement), Singing, or Poetry
9:30 – 11:00 Three Day Themed Workshops
11:30-1:00 Green Burial Ceremony and Closing
Full conference: $280 Supporter (This level provides scholarships for other attendees!) $195 Standard ASA Member Rate/$215 Non-Member Rate/$60 Youth CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Please Note: Cancellation fee of $35 before April 9. No refunds after April 10.
Comfort Inn Detroit at 1999 E Jefferson Ave has a block of rooms available for us. Please go to this link for the $124.00 nightly rate. Breakfast is included, as well as shuttle rides to and from the Detroit Waldorf School. You can also call 313-567-8888 and say that you are with the Sacred Gateway group.
Festivals for the Dead. Then & Now. Renew, or Create Your Own Tradition.
with 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 & Council Member of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, The Traveling Speakers Program, & the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society.
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~Vitae Sophia~ A Whitsun Festival of United Soul Endeavor
Eurythmy: AUM = A – I stand for myself, U- I stand for humanity, M – I stand for Life
Social Sculpture: Steiner’s ‘Blue Dot Exercise’- Through Art, the bridge between science & spirit, we warm the ‘I’, to open the heart, in support of healthy community.
What are my gifts-What are my tools? How can I place them in right relationship within the social realm? How can I hone them to strengthen and enhance the world?
Enter the Labyrinth of Vitae Sophia – Human hearts, once warmed, can rise up to meet the source of wisdom, like flowers turning toward the sun.
Living into the Foundation Stone of Love – How can we take our individual Inner Whitsun & expand it, into what Steiner calls the “World Festival of Knowledge” a path leading from ‘Sprit Recollection’, to ‘Sprit Sensing’, to ‘Sprit Beholding’?
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 & Council Member of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, The Traveling Speakers Program, & the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society.
3 June 2020 – a Round Table Discussion 7 pm – 9 pm on ‘The Sophia’ with John Bloom, Joan Sleigh, Hazel Archer-Ginsberg & Carrie Schuchardt at The House of Peace in Ipswich, MA.
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