Cosmic Journal #037
Becoming a Vessel of Love & Wisdom through Advent, Christmas & the 13 Holy Nights
SURRENDERED to the Spirit’s revelation
I’m vouchsafed the firstborn gift of Light;
the waxing power to think within me strives to waken
preparing me my self to give,
like falling snow that free from clouds of thought is shaken:
the I that knows itself to live.
Liturgy of the Seasons, Week 39, translation by Max Leyf
Happy Holidays friends,
We find ourselves today in deep inner reflection, continuing to bring the illumination of Advent into our hearts and Souls, fostering Warmth from within, as we prepare for the Holy Nights, Christmas and Epiphany which lie ahead of us on our Winter journey.
Under the guidance of Archangel Michael, we have spent time over the last 3 months confronting our own inner dragons, those materialistic thoughts, fears and desires that keep us separate from one another, disconnected from Spirit in its purest form. Through the unfolding of Advent, we have given thanks to the Mineral Kingdom, the foundation of our physical bodies here on Earth, the Plant Kingdom which brings Life to our world, and the Animal Kingdom that begins to call our attention to the necessity for us to align our thinking, feeling and personal will in order to discover true freedom, that which is in accordance with Love.
This week, we bring our focus onto Humanity itself, as we continue to evolve as individuals, finding the courage to stand upright against all forms of oppression and distraction, as we move forward into the New Year. Guiding our meditation this week, we are invited to bring the following Waldorf verse into our Being, continuing to surrender to absolute Love - that which connects and creates us all, here on Earth and beyond.
The fourth light of advent is the light of humankind,
The light of love, the light of thought to give and understand.
Letting these words settle into our body, heart and mind, we spend the next few days before Christmas in inner contemplation, bringing Life to the important Earthly event of Jesus’ birth. This week, we might feel some level of separation from the other Kingdoms, coming into self realization that we as Humans have been tasked with bringing Spiritual Love back-into all of the physical forms of our current reality and cultural epoch that we are a part of.
Unlike animals who are driven by lower metabolic desires and direct impulses of the Divine, we as Humans have the opportunity to develop our own higher forms of cognition, bringing compassion into each of our interactions since we now can understand that God/Goddess is within each of us. In order to embody this though, we must consciously make decisions each day that are grounded in moral righteousness, choices that are beyond our personal egos and petty desires that create division, a challenge that is often in opposition to the current Western culture we live in.
As we work to bring soundness to our thoughts and feelings, we are blessed by many gifts and great opportunities this Season which can help serve as gateways to this deeper understanding. I cannot express the immense level of gratitude I have for the ongoing Anthroposophical work of Cynthia Hovan, the Spiritual teachings of Hazel Archer Ginsberg, and the collaborative work of JPI and Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary that has been organized over this past year, which aids us in our exploration of Rudolf Steiner’s most vital teachings. The archived videos and discussions available in the links above shed light onto the importance of each of our individual lives, the work we do as Biodynamic farmers and the Hope that exists for the future evolution of Earth and Humanity.
As we begin our Journal work this week on Monday, December 23rd, the Moon can be seen backed by the large constellation of Virgo. As discussed last week, the Moon is also descending along the southern horizon for another week, while it also decreases in brightness, presenting us with a great opportunity to offer BD 500 Horn Manure, the Pfeiffer Field Spray or Barrel Compound out to our farms and gardens since the Mineral and Plant Kingdoms are in close communication. Similar to the work we put into preparing our homes for Holiday dinner guests, we take time today working closely with the Earth and its Elementals, recognizing that this Kingdom serves as the foundation for our current life here on Earth.
Today, as well as Tuesday the 24th and Wednesday, December 25th the powerful influence of the Virgin assists us in our work, guided also by Archangel Gabriel, both externally in the fields as well as internally in our meditation. This Winter, our focus is to prepare for the Season ahead, fostering a healthy process of inner gestation, sowing the seeds for what is to come. Like the Virgin Mary carrying baby Jesus, we too carry this Warm inner Light of Love inside our own Being, as we too are given the ability to birth the impulse of Christ into each moment of our lives.
This week, beyond densified marketplace consumption, we are invited to practice connecting our feelings, thoughts and actions, finding unique ways to share our compassion with others, those that are easily seen in front of us and those Beings that remain hidden. As we work in our gardens and offer our Biodynamic Soil sprays out to the land, we practice selflessly giving back, without any expectation, presenting ourselves before the altar of Earth as servants of the Spiritual World.
On Christmas Eve, the 13 Holy Nights begin, as we enter into another important process of inner evolution that carries us from the physical birth of Jesus to the Spiritual descent of Christ into Jesus on January 6th, Epiphany. Active participation in the 13 Holy Nights takes us on a journey through Human evolution, the path of Cosmic Wisdom, giving us an opportunity to go even deeper inwards while also expanding our consciousness outwards to the edge of creation.
In the December 21st, 1911 lecture, Christmas, a Festival of Inspiration, Rudolf Steiner shares:
“If only humanity will have the will to allow itself to be inspired by that wisdom, which in the twelve… holy forces, penetrates into the universe; this is symbolically portrayed in the twelve signs of the zodiac, which in truth just portray spiritual wisdom.”
Again, we are met with a choice this season, to allow Divine imagination into our hearts and minds, or to ignore that which has been given to us in preference to the dead material world of Ahriman which so strongly tethers us down. The daily extent of these teachings extend far beyond the scope of this Journal and we are luckily blessed this year with the Anthroposophical Society of America’s guided series, Our Paths Among the Stars. These daily, 15 minute meetings invite us to explore the forces of the zodiac, expanding our imaginations as we allow each aspect of Holy Wisdom to penetrate our inner Being.
As we greet the day on Wednesday, December 25th, we celebrate Christmas with our friends and family, remembering the important moments that occurred a little over 2 millennia ago when the Jesus babies were gifted to us. Today, we give thanks for both the ancient Wisdom given to Humanity by the Solomon Jesus, described in the Gospel of Matthew, as well as the Earthly purity of the Nathan Jesus, he who was pure and without an individual ego, described in the Gospel of Luke.
The recent lecture series, At the Turning Point of Time presented by Cynthia Hovan beautifully explored the importance of these two children, illuminating the Cosmic evolution and the important impact these events have on Humanity as we further develop our freewill.
Through these Christmas miracles, we are reminded today that we too can become a vessel, through ongoing inner reflection and liberation from the influences of Ahriman and Lucifer - allowing the Wisdom of Sophia and the Love of Christ to enter into our own Being. As brought forth in Rudolf Steiner’s teachings, Humans now hold the capacity to give birth to this impulse, each and everyday, through our actions, conscious thoughts and clear recognition of our inner feelings. This is the underlying task of Humanity and we are given this Divine opportunity in every moment here on Earth.
On Thursday, December 26th, we carry the inspiration of Jesus with us as the Moon enters into the Air constellation of Libra, a symbol of the stillpoint, the fulcrum, that stands in balance between polarity. Waking up before sunrise, we gather together to offer the Gold Potentized Horn Silica BD 501G out to our farms and gardens, bringing Cosmic Light down to the Earth. Through this action we become a bridge between Heaven and Earth, giving this special prep out to the land without expectation, similar to the gift brought to Earth by Mary which was in direct alignment with the Higher Spiritual worlds.
Throughout the day on Thursday and in the morning on Friday, December 27th, we work with the element of Air and the ether of Light while the Moon is in Libra, caring for flowering plants as applicable. At 11am on the 27th, the Moon transitions into the Water sign of Scorpio bringing our attention to leafy plants.
In the afternoon on Friday and through the weekend until Sunday, December 29th spend time caring for the plants growing inside your greenhouses and those that might still be alive outside here in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Moon moves through the great constellation of the Scorpion, a symbol of procreation and the Cosmic source of Carbon, it will also reach its lowest point in the sky this weekend marking the end of the Biodynamic Transplanting Time.
At 10pm on Sunday, the Moon moves into the Fire sign of Sagittarius and for the next two weeks water, sap and other Life forces will begin to ascend, pulled upwards in the soil and plant structures by this strong Lunar influence.
On Monday, December 30th we invite the Warmth of Spirit into our lives and gardens, feeling the upward draw brought forth by Sagittarius. While most fruiting plants remain dormant, we are invited to find creative ways today to connect with the element of Fire, recognizing that the constellations of Sagittarius, Aries and Leo rhythmically provide us with opportunities for personal growth and celebration.
In the afternoon at 5pm, the Moon reaches its New Moon position, a point of darkness in our monthly cycle. Tonight, and into tomorrow, Tuesday, December 31st we bring our own inner Light to the world, celebrating our successes and moments of personal development over the past year. Like the daily, backward review exercises mentioned in Journals before and taught by Steiner, we can close out 2024 tonight by reflecting on our own actions over the last 12 months, making an inner commitment to ourselves to find more ways to Live in harmony with all that surrounds us in the next year ahead.
For those planning to offer Hugo Erbe’s #8 Three Kings Preparation on January 6th, we will also spend time this evening preparing this special prep which serves as an extended offering of our gratitude to the Elemental Kingdoms and a protective prayer for all Beings. As noted by Rudolf Steiner, and further highlighted in The Influence of the 13 Holy Nights lectures by Enzo Nastati, the Mineral and Plant Kingdoms are in close alignment right now, increasing the potency of our Biodynamic offerings and the intentions carried through by our actions.
To explore the Three Kings offering in more depth, please check out Stewart Lundy’s recent article Giving Gifts to the Elemental World on Substack.
As we enter into a New Year on Wednesday, January 1st the Moon moves into the Earth sign of Capricorn at 4am encouraging us to let go of everything that no longer serves the good of Humanity. Let negative thoughts and feelings burn away, transforming into ash, as these tendencies return back to the Earth where they can serve as the foundation for new beginnings.
Today, and tomorrow, Thursday, January 2nd work alongside the Mineral Kingdom, caring for root crops and the soil life of your gardens that will soon be visually alive again this Spring. In the afternoon, or before cultivation, we can take time to kneel before our crocks, pouring our Love and compassion into the water which we ceremonially stir.
By offering BD 500 Horn Manure, the Pfeiffer Field Spray or Barrel Compound out to our gardens, we can clearly communicate our intentions to the Earth, giving back more than we take as stewards. In our prayer today, we give endless gratitude to the physical world on which we have the opportunity to learn to stand upright upon, the foundation that grants us the ability to find freedom.
Carrying this deep appreciation into Friday, January 3rd the Moon transitions into the Air sign of Aquarius, a constellation connected to Oxygen, the element that enlivens our Earth - the Cosmic force that transforms an idea (rooted in Hydrogen) into formable action.
As we greet the Sun today, we again offer the Gold Potentized Horn Silica BD 501G out to our farms in order to balance the forces of yesterday’s gifts. As we stir, the Sun begins to illuminate the Eastern horizon and we are invited to tune into each breath we take. Feel the cold air become warm within you, meditating again on the important role that we serve here on Earth as stewards. We give thanks to the Animal Kingdom through our ritual, giving recognition to creatures of all sizes, seen and unseen, that pollinate, care for and protect our gardens.
As the day progresses, continue to work with the element of Air and the ether of Light, bringing attention to flowering plants, which in most cases remain externally hidden in these short, dark days. On Saturday, January 4th, the Moon remains in Aquarius and we again are invited to connect with the Spiritual Light which has been strongly fostered through Autumn and Advent, and then brought into being through Christmas, the Holy Nights and, soon, Epiphany.
Early on Sunday, January 5th the Moon transitions into the Water sign of Pisces which serves as a strong reminder of our past when our bodies were just beginning to materialize here on Earth. As we work today with leafy plants, we give immense thanks to all of our ancestors and mentors who have come before us, as well as the Water that continues to sustain the world we live in.
As we prepare for Epiphany tomorrow, the suggested moment to offer Hugo Erbe’s #8 Three Kings Preparation, we take time to check in with our own emotions and feelings, remembering the important work and evolution that has occurred over that last month, the preparatory process of Advent, the Earthly birth of Jesus and the Spiritual Wisdom that has poured down upon us by the Stars through the Holy Nights.
Tomorrow, January 6th, with the Moon in Pisces, we are encouraged to surrender to Love, setting aside all of our fears and desires, placing ourselves into the Cosmic river in which we are born from. This will be the focus of our next Journal and until then we focus our current daily work on deepening our connection to ourselves and the world around us, bringing more clarity to our understandings of what it means to be Human.
For those needing an updated calendar for 2025, the Stella Natura Biodynamic Calendar, the Celestial Planting Calendar and the Maria Thun Biodynamic Almanac are all currently in stock at JPIBiodynamics.org. These resources can serve as a daily guide, providing us with aspects of Cosmic Wisdom that bring us closer into alignment with the Divine and all of its Kingdoms.
Many blessings to you.
May the New Year be birthed in Love & Light
- Russell
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Grateful for this GIFT. Blessings as we enter these special, potent times.