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in this issue:
- Events and Classes in September have been postponed
Spiritism In Ancient Times
by Bruce Johnson
Modern Spiritualism describes itself as a science; philosophy and religion that began in Hydesville, New York in 1848.The two primary tenets of Spiritualism are that the human soul survives the death of the body, and that contact and communication between terrestrial people and those living in a spirit world is a historically proven reality. The philosophy of Spiritism taught by the French Spiritist Allan Kardec was similar in many ways to that of Modern Spiritualism, but unlike many early Spiritualists, absolutely recognized reincarnation as well. Upon investigation, we can see both Spiritualism and Spiritism manifesting throughout antiquity.
Recognizing that ancient civilizations often combined Spiritualism with magical practices, we see Spiritualism as a religion flourishing in Atlantis before it’s sinking. I suspect the popularity was due in part to the strong tradition of worshiping dead heroes like kings, Titans and giants from their history. Many on Atlantis sought the guidance and protection of these mighty beings as well as other human spirits through Spiritualistic meetings. Atlantean Spiritualists knew of good and evil spirits, had a hierarchy of angels and demons, and taught that the spirit world had multiple levels. Mediumship, prophecy and the interpreting of dreams and omens were often practiced by the spiritually gifted of Atlantis. Spiritually educated mediums were more likely to adopt reincarnation into their philosophy, and might be called Atlantean Spiritists.
The Egyptians believed in a spirit world containing positive and negative spirits of varying levels which the Egyptian medium could discern. Lying and impersonating spirits had to be avoided in olden times, and need to be shunned today. Egyptians believed the spirits of the dead knew what was taking place on earth and could cause benefit or harm to humans. Charms and amulets were commonly used as protection from evil spirits. Spiritualist gifts frequently demonstrated in Egypt include- dream interpretation, various forms of divination including crystal divination and mirror gazing, and the widespread custom of writing letters to deceased spirits on papyrus to communicate with them. The Egyptian priests practiced an early type of “direct voice” phenomena when they communed with spirits through wooden statues that could speak, nod and move.
Babylonian Spiritualism was similar to Egyptian Spiritualism in that both recognized two levels of mediumship in their cultures. The higher level of mediumship was acknowledged by the state in both countries and rarer. The lower level rated medium was more common, unofficial, unsanctioned and often less developed than the most gifted mediums. The Babylonian understanding of and communion with spirit world residents had parallels and differences to Egyptian Spiritism. Both civilizations were familiar with human and non-human spirits.
Chinese Spiritists have practiced a wide variety of Spiritualist phenomena for many centuries. These include-trance mediumship, mental mediumship, direct voice, inspired art, direct writing, spirit materialization, clairvoyance, telepathy, exorcism, and telekinesis. Like today, Chinese Spiritism had to occasionally deal with poltergeists or “noisy ghosts”. The Bible is brimming with all types of Spiritualistic phenomena. These include-spirit materialization, trance mediumship, glossolalia, contact with angels, fire immunity, luminous phenomena, clairvoyance, lying and impersonating spirits, direct writing, levitation, visions, apportation, dream interpretation, independent voice, prophecy, clairaudience, healing, inspired speaking, casting out evil spirits, and multiple physical phenomena to name a few.
Bruce Johnson has over 30 years of study in the fields of Ancient Wisdom and occultism. He has taught classes on a wide range of topics, from Atlantis to mediums to Zoroaster. He is also a spiritualist minister, with a background in spiritual astrology. He lives in Colorado with his wife and their cat.
The Joy Of Babies
by Bob Romero
Have you ever noticed that when a baby smiles, the pure joy that he or she brings to everybody that is present? Everyone smiles and enjoys the pure radiant energy coming from the baby. You don’t have to be a parent or a grandparent to experience and enjoy this bliss. Everyone is uplifted and so that at that moment, all negative thoughts disappear. The room just lights up. Four years ago, when I visited my mother in the rehab/nursing center, and she was in a bad mood, I would show her pictures on my phone, of my newly born granddaughter. Immediately her mood would change, and she would smile. It worked like a charm.
As a student of metaphysics, I’m becoming more aware of positive energies, and the factors that cause our vibrations to rise. They also help our bodies heal. It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine, and with a baby smiling or laughing, it will cause everyone to smile. Then as a result, everyone will start to heal. And now that I also have a grandson, and I’m around babies and toddlers more often, I feel that, this experience is just as good as other metaphysical practices that raise our vibrations. I can feel the warmth and joy that they bring to us. The first Mysteries of the Rosary are called the Joyful Mysteries, because they are about the birth and the boyhood of Jesus. I’ve been told that babies can see angels because they haven’t had any limitations placed on them. Maybe that’s what causes them to smile.
I’ve recently been converting family VHS tapes to DVDs. Some are converted from 8mm films that were made when my wife and her siblings were born and were growing up. You could see the joy and love in all of the faces of the parents, grandparents, and other friends and relatives, for the children. Most of the VHS tapes are also of when our son was little. I noticed that he was always the center of attention at family gatherings, and how everyone there smiled and made a fuss over him. Then, as he grew up, each age was special to us, and it’s still true today even now that he is a grown man. The love and joy never end.
All of us have been babies. So, think of the joy that you brought to your parents, grandparents, and others. Some of us may not have the opportunity to be close to babies and children, and some may not have had a happy childhood, but we are all God’s children. We all bring joy to Spirit. It’s estimated that close to 110 billion people have lived on earth with over 7.8 billion living now. But the infinite love from an infinite Being is more than enough for every one of us, and the love is unconditional. So, no matter what we do, God loves each of us for who we are, even more so than a loving parent or loving grandparent does. So, know that when you smile, you bring great joy to Spirit.
Bob Romero has been a diligent student of esoteric spiritual subjects and metaphysics for many years, with a life-long quest for answers. He has submitted new and original articles that focus on life lessons and experiences he wishes to share with our readers and the world.
I Dreamt I Was A Butterfly…
by Mario C. Veo
© 2018 Mario C. Veo – Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter January 2018
It was an early Spring morning, one of those glorious days when the Sun begins to warm the world, and the morning dew has not yet fled away to parts unknown. I could hear the birds waking, their joyful songs taking roll-call “I’m here… I’m here… Me too …” they all seemed to say…
All is fresh, all is yet undecided… Oh, the excitement of new beginnings “What shall today bring… What shall we do in this radiant day …?” And the breeze answered “Whatever your heart desires, little ones… Look out there – the whole world is waiting for you… go… explore… be free …” With wings aflutter they all took off, racing in their youth, to find the nectar of this new day.
The same yearning woke within me – the desire to spread my own wings, to go and be part of this carefree day, to drink the golden light of the sun, and commute with the morning breeze… Encouraged by such happy thoughts I valiantly struggled against my cocoon, pushing and tearing away at the remnants of my old self, struggling against the very safety I’d created, and no longer needed… until – finally – I could feel the kiss of the Sun on my newly formed self… With one final push I emerged, still trembling with exertion, I hung there to drink in the day… to warm my flesh, and feel this new Life I’d dreamt of…
Gently my wings spread out… and for the first time I saw the beauty of my colors… beyond the simple brush of Nature, I shine with iridescent glitter and sparkle with effervescent light… Oh, I’m glorious…
All around me is new and joyous and full of Life… and so I too launch myself to this new day in search of my own beginnings…
…and the wise breeze looks on with tenderness “Enjoy every moment, every instant of your Life, little one – never fear that a Life as short as yours need be constrained in any manner… Love, live, embrace all that you are, and with each moment declare yourself – ‘I live in the fullness that is myself !’… and when the too quick an end comes, then know that you’ve lived well and lived fully… and that is all that truly matters…” lay in bed, my eyes barely open, the sun not yet lighting the sky, as I pondered the teachings of this dream… how such a simple being – whose life may be as short as two weeks, but never longer than a year – could embrace Life with such fervor, see the beauty of a new day, and be so passionate about all that was to be found… I dreamt I was a butterfly… and for the first time knew Life to be joyous and free…
Mario C. Veo is in private practice in Denver where he teaches Spiritual and Metaphysical classes, and guides Seekers on their personal Path of Transformation and Empowerment.
He can be reached at 303-525-7223 / email pathtospirit@gmail.com / website YourPathtoSpirit.com
Planets and Possibilities: A Look At The Astrology Of September 2020
by Sally Shotwell
As we prepare for the oncoming of Fall on September 22nd, we sense the influence of several retrograde planets signaling us to continue our inner work of reviewing and recalibrating what’s going on in our lives. Even though this is inhibiting, we’re certainly expanding our self-knowledge which, in turn, will fortify our future efforts. We have the Sun (our consciousness) and Mercury (our thought processes) in earthy, practical Virgo, grounding us as we sift the wheat from the chaff. The September 1st bonding of Mercury with psychoanalytic Pluto, in realistic Capricorn, promises revealing communications which offer deep insights. They set the stage for the Full Moon (culmination) in watery, psychic Pisces, which takes place after nightfall. When the practical Sun and this mystical Moon can commingle their complementary aspects of service and universal empathy, we’re enriched. The Sabian Symbol states “Men traveling a narrow path, seeking illumination: The capacity inherent in every individual to seek at whatever cost entrance to a transcendent realm of reality.” Brilliant Uranus, in earthy Taurus, also gets in on the act, helping us segue into unknown territory.
September 2 warm-hearted Venus, coming to the end of her stay in watery, protective Cancer, clashes with authoritative SaturnRx in earthy, dominating Capricorn, and our duties may seem overwhelming. Let’s be gentle with ourselves and prepare to take advantage of the excitement the Sun and Uranus create when their energies meld. Can we find time to enjoy Nature or a good book? The 3rd, Mercury and SaturnRx create a serious atmosphere which permeates our communications.
September 6 Venus, Goddess of Love, Beauty and Finances, enters fiery, exuberant Leo and our outlook brightens considerably. We’re ready for this since on the 4th she’s subjected to the acting out of Mars, in fiery Aries. He’s triggered by the restrictions imposed upon him by SaturnRx. Fortunately, Mercury comes to our lady’s rescue and a calm is reestablished, allowing her to swish into Leo in style. He, himself, moves into airy, Venus-ruled Libra on the 5th, further heightening an emphasis on graciousness. We all need a balm to soothe our frazzled nerves so let’s be open to charm wherever we come across it!
September 9 Mars (our vital energy) turns retrograde (until 11/13) and offers us the opportunity to reassess our past actions and goals. We review what’s been beneficial and what hasn’t, the lessons learned, and grasp that we’re evolving. The Sun and benevolent JupiterRx, in Capricorn, commune and share with us the promise of good fortune as we persevere. The 11th, the Sun and dreamy Neptune, in transcendent Pisces, oppose each other and create a situation which promotes idealism which can dissolve into escapism and foggy focus.
September 12 beneficent Jupiter, modern ruler of Sagittarius and traditional ruler of Pisces, turns direct and we reap the rewards of our four-month reconsidering our world view. We may now find clarification regarding what truly gives meaning to our lives, opening up new avenues to fit our changing circumstances. The 14th, The Sun and PlutoRx team up to inspire us as we ponder progressive changes and the 15th fun-loving Venus and unpredictable Uranus intrigue each other. We may fall under their spell even though it’s disruptive so let’s employ restraint in our interactions. This also applies on the 17th when, prior to the New Moon, Mercury and Jupiter, in the cardinal signs of Libra and Capricorn clash, and we must beware of jumping to erroneous conclusions.
This New Moon (new beginnings) in service-oriented Virgo, ruled by Mercury at his most discriminating, is supported by SaturnRx, lending his gravitas as we venture into new emotional and spiritual territory. The Symbol states “A boy with a censer serves the priest near the altar: The first stage of actual participation in the great ritual of planetary evolution… Whether we think of the ancient mysteries, or of the Catholic Mass… we are dealing with a type of archetypal activity…” Astrologer Maggie Hyde defines archetypes as “primordial ideas, common to all mankind… They are charged with emotion and function autonomously from the unconscious.” So much of the work that Pluto has been assigning us involves the unconscious and it’s extremely helpful that this New Moon assists us in processing this profound material.
This particularly applies the 21st/22nd when communication becomes extremely intense as Mercury and Pluto clash (Libra/Capricorn) and our attention moves from the superficial to the disconcerting. Pluto is unrelenting in revealing what has been concealed, triggering reactions we may be surprised by. The Autumnal Equinox moderates this tension by the balance it represents between light and darkness (day/night). The Sun’s placement in airy, relationship-oriented Libra, lends Mercury moral support, opening up communication channels with others. The sign’s symbol is The Scales and justice for all is one of its mottos. Diplomacy is the name of the game and social events more gracious than usual. However, the 23rd, SaturnRx tries Mercury’s cordiality (Capricorn/Libra) as his bossy side intrudes. Let’s not succumb to ire, ourselves. The 24th, the Messenger of the Gods must continue his diligence in being tactful when dealing with MarsRx (Libra/Aries) and his aggressiveness. Again, let’s avoid confrontative circumstances.
September 27 Mercury leaves intellectual Libra for intense Scorpio, the sign in modern times ruled by Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, where emotionality holds sway. We feel compelled to delve below the surface of issues which need healing. This can also lead to subtly of thought and interesting interactions but we need to avoid letting obsessing about an idea, belief, or person sneak up on us. The 28th, Venus and MarsRx connect and it’s a happy pairing, their combined energies stir up our desire to combine our creativity and enjoy ourselves. We need this!
September 28/29th Saturn, Lord of Karma, moves forward and we’re able, after over four months, to gradually become clear concerning the many challenges we’ve been facing and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. He demands much but is noted for teaching us how to grow and mature in living up to our responsibilities. However, MarsRx, after a happy interlude with Venus, is now bothering him (Capricorn/Aries), still thwarted from forging ahead. We can avoid getting hooked into someone else’s agitation if we pay attention to what’s transpiring around us. Let’s nurture ourselves by finding time for stillness to find clarity of vision in these bizarre times. We’ve come a long way!!!
Blessings and Happy Labor Day!
Sally Shotwell is a life-long student of esoteric spirituality whose focus on studies in Astrology have spanned decades. She has entertained and informed our readers with her articles for a few years now.
