Social Studies

Heart love art abstract drawing free image

This quote from Rudolf Steiner is my contemplation for the 12th day of Lenten-Tide: “What anthroposophical knowledge enkindles in us with its pursuit of the supersensible is love of humanity. It teaches us how precious a human being is and imbues us with a feeling for human dignity…spiritual science stimulates the will to a capacity for what I have described in my Philosophy of Freedom as moral intuition….Anthroposophy is in a position to show how this love of duty goes on growing into love of humanity and thus becomes the real quickener of social life. We can gain insight into the huge, burning social problem that confronts us today only if we take the trouble to realize the connection between freedom, love, man’s being, spiritual and natural necessity.”

Stars of the Winter Hexagon explained in the March Sky Tour
https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/march-find-the-winter-hexagon/

1 March 2021 – “Speaking with the Stars”

March Comes in Like a Lion and Goes Out Like a Lamb | Flickr
Dixey Moore

MARCH in like a lion…Out like a lamb – The sun rise was particularly clear & layered with colors this blustery morning – the winds blowing the wispy clouds away to reveal hot pink & orange & a crazy yellow.

March is abundant with ‘Holy Days’, finding voice through many cultural expressions.

Nowruz Novruz Persian New Year'S - Free photo on Pixabay

The 13th is the New Moon, as well as our time to ‘Spring Forward’ for the dubious ‘Daylight Savings Time’. It also happens to be the Iranian New Year celebration, Norooz, or ‘New Day’.

In 622 AD, Mohammed led his followers from Mecca to Medina to escape assassination. According to the story, when his pursuers reached the cave where Mohammed & his followers had taken shelter for the night, they found a dove nesting in front of it & the entrance covered by a spider’s web. So the pursuers passed on, leaving them in peace. Mohammed continued on to Medina, where he & his followers were able to worship freely. Muslims consider this flight — or Hijrah — to be the beginning of their calendar year. People worship quietly on this day, which begins with the 1st sighting of the crescent moon, & in keeping with the rebirth of nature is also considered the 1st day of Spring.

14 March is Marie Steiner von Sivers Birthday

Assassination of Julius Caesar Drawing by English School

The 15th is the famous Ides of March; which we all know is the day Julius Caesar was warned by the soothsayers to beware; the day he was assassinated. But did you know that according to the ancient Roman calendar, the Ides of March was considered New Year’s Day, & marked the 1st day of Spring?

March 17, brings us the ‘wearing of the green’ for St. Patrick’s Day. This former pagan used the shamrock to teach folks about the Trinity.

We celebrate Spring  or Vernal Equinox, on 20 March this year, also known as: Alban Eilir, Eostar, the Feast of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lady Day, Festival of Trees, NawRuz, Ostara, & the Rites of Spring – when the Sun, because of the ‘precession of the equinoxes’, enters the sign of Pisces, as opposed to the lunar cycle used by the ancients.

Day & night are equal, poised & balanced, but about to tip over to the side of light. It is sacred to the twilight time of dawn, youth, the morning star & the East. The Saxon goddess, Eostre (from whose name we get the direction East & the name of the Holiday Easter) is a dawn goddess, like Aurora & Eos. Just as the dawn is the time of new light, so the Vernal Equinox is the time of new life.

The Equinox is all about harmony & balance – that brief yet eternal time of equilibrium, when day & night are of equal length.

Annunciation embroidery, St Mary's... © Julian P Guffogg :: Geograph  Britain and Ireland
Julian P. Gufogg

Two other holidays also get mixed up in this ancient symbolism of Spring’s fertility. March 25th is called the ‘Annunciation of Mary.’ – the day that the Angel Gabriel announced that Mary, the Christian version of The Sophia, was pregnant with the son of god ; who is born 9 months later, on Dec. 25th. How’s that for a nice little spring fertility symbol.

The Symbols of the Seder Plate

Passover begins at Sundown on 27 March, the eve of the Full Vernal Moon.

File:Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

The 28th begins Holy Week with Palm Sunday – look for details below about joining us in marking this time.

Rudolf Steiner’s Deathday comes on Holy Tuesday, 30 March this year. (Stay tuned for details on a Zoom gathering on this day)

Evans, Knossos and the Minoans – Facts and Forgeries – Crete

It is also fitting that March is International Women’s month, since this is the time of the rebirth of nature. It’s a gentle reminder that we give birth to the future. The future is in our hands, the hands of the midwife, the lap of the mother, & the hands of the Peacemaker.

Moody Monday Reads: Bluesy News | Sky Dancing
Sharon Molerus

So let’s honor ourselves & thank the powers of love & light, knowing, March may come in like a lion, but it goes out like a lamb – As we re-conceive of ourselves in alignment with the powers of Spring…

Peace & Blessed Bee…

~hag

Someone asked what I could possibly mean by the title of my Yip 13 Initiative Forum presentation ‘Weaving a non-gendered Feminist Reality’ – Here are my thoughts: In bringing the Being of Anthroposophia to these young people, I feel it is important to emphasize that the Divine Feminine is in all human beings no matter what sex they present on earth. I know young people think about these things & I am hoping to bring an awareness that The Being of Anthroposophia, like all spiritual beings are universal. And once we get going, what will emerge is the fact that what we are tuning into are attributes of the universal human being – The Wisdom of the Human Being which is non-gendered – But Yes, it’s important to put an emphasis on the Divine Feminine qualities because they are often overlooked or degraded. We must unveil & re-member them to achieve wholeness -to truly become Anthroposophia -To focus especially on those qualities that have been forgotten or coopted -So that we have the full spectrum of colors, & qualities to manifest our highest human destiny. We must strive to bring the Wisdom of the Divine Feminine into our humanness. 

Greetings from YIP13, We are happy to present the 2021 Initiative Forum program 
ARE YOU LISTENING 3 -7 March Check out the Program

The schedule is packed full of workshops, lectures and open spaces – we’ve made sure that there are opportunities to participate no matter what time zone you’re in. We are excited to welcome over 15 different contributors to the forum including Orland Bishop, Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, Nora Rahimian, Diane Longboat, and Helmy Abouleish. Check out the full list on our website’s contributor page!   

And of course, there will also be time in the mornings for movement workshops, and time in the evening
for open mics, pajama parties, and radioshow hangouts.

We are so excited to connect with you under the theme “Are you listening” and to co-create this worldwide community with you!

Our sliding scale tickets are available on our website.   
See you on March 3rd for day one of “Are You Listening” Initiative Forum 2021. 
Until then enjoy our pre-forum specials on our social media.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @initiative_forum_2021_.   -YIP13  

For more info. contact Initiative Forum

Weaving a non-gendered Feminist Reality with Hazel Archer-Ginsberg*Friday 5 March 2021 – 6:30 am – 8 am Central Time as part of the  The International Youth Initiative Program Initiative Forum

What are the qualities of the Divine Feminine? How can we use them to empower an innovative way of thinking, feeling & willing, to create a new world, where the human being is free?

Have paper & colored pencils at the ready for this hands-on workshop.

Here is a link to the full programand the list of contributors

*Hazel Archer-Ginsberg – Founder of Reverse Ritual: Understanding Anthroposophy through the Rhythms of the Year & the ‘I Think Speech’ Podcast. Trans-denominational Minister, Essayist, Lecturer, Poet, Anthroposopher – working as the Festivals Coordinator of the Chicago Rudolf Steiner Branch, & the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society. Past Video Recordings

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WAYS TO ENGAGE:

The ARC (Anthroposophical Resorce Center in Atlanta) is inviting you to a Six Basic Exercise Practice Group. Time: weekdays 9 am PT / 11am CT / 12:00 PM ET

Each weekday you are invited to join in a 15 minute practice group focusing on Rudolf Steiner’s foundational exercises.  We begin the time each day with a 5 minute leading thought focusing one aspect of the practice. We will follow that with a 5 minute period in which we turn off our cameras and practice on our own. After the five minute bell, we take 1-2 minutes to journal about our experience and the end the call with a 3 minute closing thought. Come when you can, and leave when you must.   

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/266986103?pwd=bXU4a0EvMmJkMDZTR0Rqcm0xZ0pUZz09 Meeting ID: 266 986 103 Passcode: 345338

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Wednesdays 9:30-11:00am CT  – True and False Paths in Spiritual Investigation, by Rudolf Steiner. We incorporate ‘The Calendar of the Soul’, eurythmy, focused discussion and seasonal artistic explorations in our study. All are Welcome. Contact Hazel Archer-Ginsberg.  Hazel@ReverseRitual.com We meet in person in the Branch Library or join via Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/98689103462’Meeting ID: 986 8910 3462

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Fridays 12noon – 1:30pm CT. The Esoteric Path Through the Nineteen Class Lessons by Sergei O. Prokofieff. A serious study for Members of the School of Spiritual Science. Contact Hazel Archer-GinsbergHazel@ReverseRitual.com

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Sundays 7-9pm CT. Our international group is studying The 5th Gospel by Rudolf Steiner. We meet weekly EXCEPT ON THE 4TH SUNDAY Contact Hazel Archer-GinsbergHazel@ReverseRitual.com, Join Zoom Meeting  https://zoom.us/j/98201185799?pwd=NUliUWw3UVAxZzI0Y2NKSnI5eHhzdz09 Meeting ID: 982 0118 5799 Passcode: peace

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3 March – 7 March 2021 The International Youth Initiative Program (YIP) invites you to the ‘Initiative Forum: Are you Listening The week is packed full of workshops, lectures and open spaces – we’ve made sure that there are opportunities to participate no matter what time zone you’re in. We are excited to welcome over 15 different contributors to the forum including Orland Bishop, Nora Rahimian, Hazel Archer-Ginsberg, Diane Longboat, and Helmy Abouleish. Check out the full list on our website’s contributor page

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March 3, 2021 – 7:15 pm – 8:30 pm CT. The Karma Project – The Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society in America invites you to join our ongoing monthly study conversation, Manifestations of Karma. If you have questions, please contact Alberto Loya aloyavaca@utexas.edu Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81681631480 Meeting ID: 816 8163 1480

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Tuesday 23 March 6:30-8:30pm Appreciating Our Differences Through Looking at Temperaments – The Center for Biography and Social Art warmly invites members of your community to attend this workshop in person or online. “How do we solve the riddle which each individual presents to us? We solve it by approaching each person in such a way that harmony results between them and us.” – Rudolf Steiner. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrdeyvrzgqE9AnBYQ3hIc5KuxMvZa0rmW_ Warmly, Kathleen, center4biography@gmail.com Center for Biography & Social Art biographysocialart.org

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28 March 28 – 4 April, 10:10 am CT – Holy Week & Easter Festival 2021 The 8-Fold Path to the Easter ElementalsStarting on Palm Sunday then thru-out Holy Week, including Easter Morning, we will meet every day on Zoom at 10:10 am CT to create together a Thought-Seed based on a Herbert Hahn Verse When I think light, my soul shines, When my soul shines, the earth is a star, When the earth is a star, then I am, a true human beingWe will then work with indications for that day from Rudolf Steiner’s/The Buddha’s 8 –fold Path, known as the ‘Weekday Exercises’ (5 min) Holy Week chart. $10 Suggested Donation.Contact Hazel Archer-Ginsberg. Hazel@ReverseRitual.com Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/95633444828?pwd=Wk56K08vK2dNQUhhK0Q2S09zQWJrQT09 Meeting ID: 956 3344 4828 – Passcode: bee

4 April, 2–4 pm CT. Easter Festival for the Elementals– Eurythmy-Mary Ruud, Hazel Archer–The New Sun, Keynote withInes Katharina (Founder of the Biodynamic Emerald Honeybee Sanctuary) Ines will connect the Easter Thought with the Elemental Beings & the flight of the Queen Bee. $10 Suggested Donation. Contact Hazel Archer-Ginsberg. Hazel@ReverseRitual.com  Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/95633444828?pwd=Wk56K08vK2dNQUhhK0Q2S09zQWJrQT09 Meeting ID: 956 3344 4828 – Passcode: bee

12 thoughts on “Social Studies

  1. Dear Hazel, Thank you for the R. Steiner Quote. Incredible, is it possible to know where I can find it.
    with gratitude for all you awaken in me . xxx Caroline

    1. Hi C – Yes I debated whether to share it since I don’t know it’s source. It was posted on a fb site & it spoke so clearly that I could resist sharing it, unfortunately I can’t state where it is from, I’m sorry. Thanks for tuning in!
      xox

  2. Dear Hazel,

    You wrote in further definition of your aim in discussing a non-gendered feminist reality these very well-considered words:

    “Someone asked what I could possibly mean by the title of my Yip 13 Initiative Forum presentation ‘Weaving a non-gendered Feminist Reality’ – Here are my thoughts: In bringing the Being of Anthroposophia to these young people, I feel it is important to emphasize that the Divine Feminine is in all human beings no matter what sex they present on earth. I know young people think about these things & I am hoping to bring an awareness that The Being of Anthroposophia, like all spiritual beings are universal. And once we get going, what will emerge is the fact that what we are tuning into are attributes of the universal human being – The Wisdom of the Human Being which is non-gendered – But Yes, it’s important to put an emphasis on the Divine Feminine qualities because they are often overlooked or degraded. We must unveil & re-member them to achieve wholeness -to truly become Anthroposophia -To focus especially on those qualities that have been forgotten or coopted -So that we have the full spectrum of colors, & qualities to manifest our highest human destiny. We must strive to bring the Wisdom of the Divine Feminine into our humanness.”

    Yet, if we look at matters from a purely objective spiritual science, aren’t we dealing with the issues of maternity and paternity as they relate to a combined evolution of male and female characteristics? This lecture, for example, does a nice job of treating the harmonization of etheric body-astral body (female), and physical body-ego (male), in order to produce the well-rounded human being.

    The Harmonization of the Inner Forces of Humanity Through the Christ Impulse

    https://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA112/English/AP1948/19090704p02.html

  3. One seemingly hidden, but prominent Feast Day, is Lazarus Saturday, which is March 27th this year. It honors the return to Bethany the day before the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Lazarus is observed now as a Disciple of Christ; the Disciple Whom the Lord Loved.

    “Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.”

    […]

    “The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.”

    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+12&version=NASB1995

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_Saturday

  4. And today is Saint David’s Day, the patron saint of Wales.
    He was reputedly born on a cliff top near Capel Non (Non’s chapel) on the South-West Wales coast during a fierce storm. Both his parents were descended from Welsh royalty. He was the son of Sandde, Prince of Powys, and Non, daughter of a chieftain of Menevia (now the little cathedral town of St Davids). His birth site is marked by the ruins of a tiny ancient chapel close to a holy well and the more recent 18th century chapel dedicated to his mother Non can still be seen near St. David’s Cathedral.
    In medieval times it was believed that St David was the nephew of King Arthur.
    Legend has it that the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick – also said to have been born near the present day city of St Davids (Britain’s smallest city) – foresaw the birth of David in approximately 520AD. He grew up to be a priest, being educated at the monastery of Hen Fynyw under the tutorage of St. Paulinus. According to legend David performed several miracles during his life including restoring Paulinus’ sight. It is also said that during a battle against the Saxons, David advised his soldiers to wear leeks in their hats so that they could easily be distinguished from their enemies, which is why the leek is one of the emblems of Wales! A vegetarian who ate only bread, herbs and vegetables and who drank only water, David became known as Aquaticus or Dewi Ddyfrwr (the water drinker) in Welsh. Sometimes, as a self-imposed penance, he would stand up to his neck in a lake of cold water, reciting Scripture!
    It is also said that milestones during his life were marked by the appearance of springs of water. Becoming a missionary he travelled throughout Wales and Britain and even made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he was consecrated bishop. He founded 12 monasteries including Glastonbury and one at Minevia (St. Davids) which he made his bishops seat. He was named Archbishop of Wales at the Synod of Brevi (Llandewi Brefi), Cardiganshire in 550. He died on 1 March 589A.D., at Minevia, allegedly
    over 100 years old. (qv. http://www.historic-uk.com))

    This is a sonnet that came to me when I was at a speech workshop in South Wales,
    and explored the pathway through woods above Cresswell Quay, S.E. from St. Davids and not far away from there. (The poem has been set to music by Gregers Brinch)

    CRESSWELL OAKS
    The woods awaiting spring are gathered listening
    to human suffering. No coin, or clerk
    at counter, figures details like these trees’ bark
    where moss might ferns’ community of nourishing,
    community of Earth’s illumination,
    make round each ivy-tendrilled-lichened-heart,
    rebuilding root to bud Natura’s part
    in soul recovery, true currency, one nation.
    The woodland overlooking river-land
    meets the winding estuary of man
    and woman’s loneliness, and into pain
    the tide and wind might move from hearts becalmed
    Natura brings the Easter of the lamb
    that ends the isolation of the brain.
    Roy Sadler

    1. How wonderful Roy! Thank you for sharing this.
      Didn’t St. David slew the dragon?
      St. George too. St. Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland. He was not a dragon slewer apparently.

  5. Hazel, I am not sure if your group email has a ‘no reply’ restriction. I sent you a message this morning regarding my alarm at the stereotypical caricature photo of an Irishman that was attached to the St. Patrick’s Day event notice. I am disappointed that you thought it appropriate to post this culturally insensitive photo (which stands in stark contrast to the photos attached to the other March events). Ireland has a rich spiritual heritage with a wealth of less offensive images to draw from. Please be mindful that you are perpetuating a derisive cultural stereotype and by posting this picture, giving a tacit approval to racial bias.

    1. Please forgive me Geraldine, I thought of it as an image of an elemental being.
      I am also Irish on my mother’s side.
      I have removed it

  6. Thank you for your updates…especially this one on all the significant “spring” dates of March.

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