“…The hatred and antipathy in the world today can indeed be followed by international love with healing in its wings. This is indeed possible. But we are living in an age when all that is possible must be consciously, deliberately and freely striven for by human beings. There must be knowledge of the conditions requisite for uniting the peoples of the Earth, in order that, as a result of this knowledge, each individual people may help to make the waves of love follow those of hatred.
Human love alone has power to heal the wounds of hatred. If humankind has no wish for this love, chaos will remain. That is the terrible alternative now facing human beings who have knowledge. Those who realize its terrors know that the souls of men dare not sleep, for otherwise, as a result of the powerlessness caused by the sleep into which the souls of the peoples have fallen, the healing waves of love will not be able to flow over the waves of hatred.
Human beings who realize this will acquire the kind of knowledge that flows from a spiritual conception of the relationships between the peoples. They will take this knowledge into their feeling — love for humanity will be born. They will take this knowledge into their will – deeds for humanity will be accomplished.
The evolution of the age, with all the terrible paralysis that is appearing at the present time, places a solemn duty before the soul: to gather together all that can unite humankind in love and array it in opposition to the destructive elements that have made their appearance in recent times. This quest for loving unification, for unifying love is not merely a vague feeling. To those who understand the conditions of life today, it is the very highest duty of the human being.” ~Rudolf Steiner, ‘The Peoples of the Earth in the Light of Anthroposophy’, Stuttgart, March 10th, 1920 http://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/19200310p01.html
POD (Poem Of the Day)
~the power of the green shoot parts the earth
does it rise on it’s tender stalk by will
or does some force of love mold them
drive them up…?
in the seed lies the will to become
& the greater will gives form…
with the seed i rise…
~hag
Dear friends – I had the pleasure of particapating in ‘The Sixth Festival‘ Pageant in Buttercup Park on Chicago’s Northside yesterday. Here’s a link to all the photos I took from the pageant
“The Persephone Project is a beautiful combination of circus, science, and myth, created in a way that is responsive to its setting. The audience was swept up in the visual storytelling as we followed the familiar tale of Persephone, woven through with the truths of our new climate reality. Being outside as we heard this story only emphasized the way our natural environment deeply impacts our emotions, and reminds us how profound our connection to place really is. The multigenerational cast embodied the truth of our fight against climate change—we will have to reach across social divides, find wisdom in many places, and come together to understand how our world is changing, and to preserve our world for generations to come.” ~Chloe Johnston
The Sixth Festival – a brand new festival of all kinds of events gathering us around our common concerns and common solutions to multiply our collective power to build a better future and reverse the climate emergency.
The Persephoone Project uses the tools of the theater to create spectacular events that support community, environmental justice, and climate change activism. Through participatory pageants using story, song, drums, dance, costume, choreography, and beauty, the Persephone Project weaves together mythic tales and true stories of conservation. We invite people of all ages to create these ceremonies of place, and join in chorus with nature to address the environmental issues of today.
3 May 2021 – “Speaking with the Stars”: As the Eta Aquariid meteor shower picks up steam these next several mornings – watch for the Bella Luna to sweep past the ringed planet Saturn and then the giant planet Jupiter. On May 3, the moon passes south of Saturn, to stage a conjunction, only a few hours before the moon reaches its half-illuminated last quarter phase. A little over one day after the moon-Saturn conjunction, the moon will sweep due south of the king planet Jupiter.
Rudolf Steiner’s Lectures on this day (so thankful for rsarchive.org/)
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY (From the Calendar of the Soul by Rudolf Steiner & Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
St. Helen of Constantinople an early Christian, was the mother of Roman emperor Constantine the Great, who issued the Edict of Milan in 313 which guaranteed religious tolerance for Christians. In the year 324, Constantine sent Helena on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in search of the “Holy Sepulcher” and “The True Cross.” On this pilgrimage, it was said that Helena “followed in the footsteps of Jesus,” by performing many acts of kindness and good works. After weeks of traveling, she finally made it to Jerusalem which was still being rebuilt following the destruction caused by Titus in 70 AD. Emperor Hadrian had built during the 130s AD a temple to Jupiter. Helena ordered the temple torn down and, according to the legend that arose at the end of the 4th century, begin excavating. Helena said it was then, “with sweet smelling dust and a flash of lightning” that she pointed to the place where she instructed them to started digging. Finally, they uncovered three crosses, one thought to belong to Jesus Christ, and the others belonging to the two thieves that died alongside Him. To test and see which one of these crosses truly belonged to Jesus Christ, they brought leper at the outskirts of Jerusalem, and instructed him to touch each of the crosses. When he touched the third and final cross, the leper was instantly healed. The cross was then carried back to Constantinople, while part of the cross was placed in the hands of the bishop of Jerusalem. As the years passed, fragments of “The True Cross” were placed in the care of many Catholic churches around the world.
When visiting the Holy Sepulcher, pilgrims can descend the 29 steep steps to the underground Armenian Chapel of St Helena. This was the crypt of the Emperor Constantine’s 4th-century basilica and is therefore the oldest complete part of the entire building. Near that chapel, another steep staircase leads to the Franciscan Chapel of the Finding of the Cross. This rough-walled area has been built within part of the ancient quarry, apparently later converted into a cistern for water storage. In British folklore there are at least twenty-five holy wells in the UK dedicated to a Saint Helen. ~holylandpilgrimages.org, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Sophia Community Circle
Come together in community to explore the mystery and experience of the divine feminine, Sophia, in our time.
Click here to Register!
Registration closes May 3, 2021
Click here to apply for financial assistance.
WHAT:
- ASA Sophia Community Circle hosted by members of the Sophia Group
- Each unique 45 minute session will include a leading thought or experiential activity + breakout spaces & large group sharing.
- This program will be recorded and distribuetd to all participants.
WHEN:
- First Wednesdays of each month begins May 5
- 12:30pm Eastern/ 9:30am Pacific for 45-50 minutes
- Find the full schedule with all dates and presenters below!
- Sessions will be recorded although live participation is encouraged due to the nature of the gathering.
REGISTRATION:
- Register Here! Then check your email for a registration confirmation with Zoom link.
COST : See the registration levels below to choose what fits your ability to give at this time*.
- $60 Suggested Contribution
- $100 Supporter Level
- $140 Future Programs Supporter
- $200 Sophia Conference Supporter
*No one turned away due to lack of funds. Click here to apply for financial assistance.
Schedule of Presenters:
May 5: Signe Schaefer
June 2: Hazel Archer-Ginsberg
July 7: Michele Mariscal
August 4: Claudia Knudson
September 1: Helen-Ann Ireland
October 6: Joyce Reilly
November 3: Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, Angela Foster & Timothy Kennedy
December 1: Linda Bergh, Sandra LaGrega & Jennifer Fox
February 2: Laura Scappaticci & Tess Parker
March 2: Christine Burke, Angela Foster & Jordan Walker
April 6: All Presenters Hosting
Special Recording Notes: This gathering will be recorded each time and include all content and live attendees in the video.
The term anthroposophy should really be understood as synonymous with Sophia, meaning the content of consciousness, the soul attitude and experience that make a person a full-fledged human being. The right interpretations of anthroposophy is not “the wisdom of man,” but rather “the consciousness of one’s humanity.” -Rudolf Steiner, Awakening to Community
1. Transitions
2. Looking for new CRC members
3. Our Whitsun Festival
4. A NEW theme for our Study Group
The Central Regional Council’s ‘Great American Eclipse’ pageant in St. Louis1. Marianne Fieber is stepping down as the representative of our region on the General Council of the Anthroposophical Society in America.
We thank Marianne for her generous and warm contributions in the past several years. She will be missed but, of course, we support her decision and wish her well. See you around, dear friend!
It is time I now pass the torch of regional representation to Hazel Archer-Ginsberg. She will be stepping into this new role of service beginning in June, 2021.
With gratitude, Marianne Fieber for the Central Regional Council
2. LOOKING FOR NEW COLLEAGUES
For quite some time now we have been casually thinking about new colleagues. We cannot be casual any longer. As Marianne steps back, it will be important to find new regional members who are ready to step into a collaborative leadership role and help weave the work within our region into the future.
The future is always evolving and the work of cultivating anthroposophy throughout our vast region is dynamic and vital. Working regionally is an infinitely rewarding opportunity to serve Anthroposophia. We encourage anyone interested to join us.
What are we up to:
The CRC hosts a monthly online study group. We have been doing this long before the pandemic to cultivate connection among our members and friends both within our region and beyond. We are just completing a cycle of lectures entitled Manifestations of Karma and will be moving into a new cycle and theme (more details below).
We are currently co-creating the national Annual General Meeting conference ”Building the Temple of the Heart” 8-10 October 2021 in our region. It is being imagined as a hybrid online, streaming and in-person event with groups throughout our region. Planning meetings for that national event have begun on a monthly basis with the national leadership.
Our Festival programmingin celebration of the seasons and spiritual impulses within the course of the year continues. (see below)
Conversations have begun regarding inter-regional collaboration and initiatives toward strengthening our Anthroposophical communities throughout our continent.
If you are interested in talking about how you might be ready to step in to work with the CRC, please email Alberto Loya aloyavaca@utexas.edu
3. Save the dates for Sangraal – a Pentecost Pilgrimage & Whitsun Festival
with the Central Regional Council. an experiential ‘Pageant’ written by Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, taking us on a Quest from The Cauldron of Ceridwen, to The Holy Grail, & into The Sacred Vessel of the Sophia.
Join us on Whitsunday 23 May 2021, at 11 am PT / 12 noon MT / 1 pm – 2:30 pm CT / 2 pm ET / 8 pm CETZoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81181550712
Meeting ID: 811 8155 0712
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kBw1EgrIRMore details will be provided in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned!
4. A NEW Theme for our Study Group
After working with Karma & Reincarnation for 3 years the CRC has chosen a new Theme: The Mysteries of the Holy Grail – from Arthur and Parzival to Modern Initiation for our study group, beginning with the June 2nd session. The book is available for purchase from Steiner Books and Amazon. The lectures may also be found on the RS Archive (eLib). We will provide links to the lectures, as possible, in the emails that contain the details for each monthly session.
Note: for our May 5th session we will be reading Chapter 11 of the Manifestations of Karma book (the last chapter of the book).
The Karma Project – Manifestations of Karma Study Group May 5, 2021 – 7:15 pm Central (8:15 pm Eastern)
“This is the other aspect of the karma of higher beings — that we develop a power of love which is not confined to humanity alone but which penetrates right into the cosmos. We shall be able to channel this love into beings higher than ourselves, and they will accept this as our offering. It will be a soul sacrifice. This sacrifice in soul will rise up to those who once poured their gifts upon us like the smoke of incense rising up to the spirits in times when human beings still possessed the gifts of the spirit. In those days they were only able to send up the symbolic smoke of sacrifice to the gods. In times to come they will send up streams of love to the spirits and out of this offering of love higher forces will pour down to humankind, which will work, with ever-increasing power, in our physical world, directed by the spiritual world. These will be magical forces in the true sense.“~Rudolf Steiner, Manifestations of Karma, Chapter 11, “Individual Karma and Shared Karma”, Hamburg, 28 May, 1910 … focus of the May 5 meeting.
The lecture can be found online at the RS Archive (eLib) by clicking this link:
https://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA120/English/RSP1984/19100528p01.html
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: “Manifestations of Karma.” This book is a translation from German of Die Offenbarung des Karma (Ga 120), published in English by Rudolf Steiner Press in 1996.
Video Conference Details: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81210110113
Meeting ID: 812 1011 0113
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdBJRUquk5
If you have questions, please contact Alberto Loya aloyavaca@utexas.edu
Agenda for our Study Call
7:15 Welcome and Introductions
7:18 Verse
7:25 Study led by three volunteers
Note: CRC team will ID volunteers
Camille – pg. 202 to 207
Travis – pg. 207 to 212
Mary – pg. 212 to 218
Hazel – pg. 218 to end
8:05 Conversation
8:28 Close with verse
Living into the Spheres of Cosmic Life and Cosmic Light: Easter, Ascension, Whitsun in the Calendar of the Soul with Luigi Morelli, Hazel Archer and Geoff Norris – Zoom Host Frank Agrama
13 May 2021 Ascension Thursday 5- 6:30pm PT / 6-7:30 pm MT / 7 pm – 8:30 pm CT / 8-9:30 pm ET / 1 am – 2:30 am GMT / 2 am – 3:30 am CET
Join Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/7052931041?pwd=TStPVnpFRzlwZ0NpRURBZDNyYnpBQT09
Meeting ID: 705 293 1041 – Passcode: Ascension
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/a961qZZhF
Welcome – Frank Agrama
Verse #6 – Geoff Norris
Ascension: The Secret Teachings, The Elementals, & The Etheric Christ – Hazel Archer
Calendar of the Soul – Luigi Morelli – For those who are familiar with the Calendar of the Soul we could say that during spring and summer we follow the ascent of cosmic life, cosmic light, cosmic warmth and cosmic Word as gifts bestowed upon the human being by the cosmos. By being receptive to them we strengthen our connection to cosmos and Self.
We will briefly explore the dynamics of the year, then look at what qualities of soul we need to develop as we move into spring and summer, most particularly from Easter to Ascension and Whitsun. We will look at the verses of the calendar in conjunction with the artistic renditions of Anne Stockton and Karl König, drawn for each of the verses.
We will ask ourselves: How can we live into and grow from this time of the year? How can we deepen our inner relationship to the event of Ascension? What can we receive and what can we give?
Break-out Groups
Group Speech Work with Geoff Norris
“Angels, in the early morning
May be seen the Dews among,
Stooping — plucking — smiling — flying —
Do the Buds to them belong?”
~Emily Dickenson
Closing Thoughts– Hazel Archer
For more info. contact Festivals Coordinator Hazel Archer
Events & Festivals Committee of the Rudolf Steiner Branch
of The Anthroposophical Society, 4249 North Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618 (map)
https://donate.rschicago.org/
Sangraal: A Pentecost Pilgrimage & Whitsun Festival with the Central Regional Council an experiential ‘Pageant’ written by Hazel Archer, taking us on a Quest from The Cauldron of Ceridwen, to The Holy Grail, & into The Sacred Vessel of the Sophia.
Join us on Whitsunday 23 May 2021, at 11 am PT / 12 noon MT / 1 pm – 2:30 pm CT / 2 pm ET / 8 pm CET
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81181550712 Meeting ID: 811 8155 0712
Dial by your location
Meeting ID: 811 8155 0712
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kBw1EgrIR
After working with Karma & Reincarnation for 3 years the CRC has chosen a new Theme: ‘The Mysteries of the Holy Grail, from Arthur and Parzival to Modern Initiation’
You are also invited to get the Book & Join us for study sessions through out the year as well. contact Alberto Loya aloyavaca@utexas.edu for more info
