Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lighting the Hanukkah & Advent Candles
We are moving closer and closer to Winter Solstice (Sunday, Dec. 21) when the Sun enters Capricorn. So, we are still in the fiery field of Sagittarius, the archer, the bow and arrow, the knight on the white steed. This week we have several festivals, Our Lady of Guadalupe and the beginning of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah (miracle of lights).
Saturday is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This is Mary, feminine archetype, Mother of the Americas. We pray to Mary to purify & safeguard the United States. Removing ignorance so the Light of truth can penetrate into the minds of humanity. The Great Ones (Hierarchy of Teachers) appear on Earth when there is a need within humanity. Mary is part of the feminine Hierarchy. Mary has many mantles, many colors, is many metaphors, providing humanity with many symbols that lead humanity forward upon the Path of Return.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Catholic name for the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her title (Our Lady of Guadalupe) refers to a series of four Marian apparitions to Juan Diego, a Mexican peasant, in Mexico, in 1531. Our altar today is filled with roses.
On Sunday, December 14, we light two candles, for two religious festivals (Jewish and Christian). As we light the 3rd Advent candle (dedicated to the birds and animals), we also light the first Hanukkah (dedication, consecration) candle on the Jewish Menorah (candelabra).
Hanukkah (eight-day festival of light begins at sunset) celebrates the miracle of light that occurred (165 BC) after the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. There was only one night left of oil for the lamps. But the oil lasted eight days, enough time to recapture and rededicate the temple.
And so, like our lighting of the Advent candles at sunset, we also light our menorah (nine-branched candelabrum), one candle each night for eight nights, reciting the blessing and prayer – “Let the Forces of Light bring illumination to humanity. Let the Spirit of Peace be spread abroad. May men & women of Goodwill everywhere meet in a spirit of cooperation. May forgiveness on the part of all be the keynote at this time. Let power attend the efforts of the Great Ones. So let it be, & help us to know, to do & to anchor our part in the world.”
ARIES: Gradually certain spiritual components and aspirations will enter your consciousness. They will work into and align with your goals, many of which are appearing now in large numbers. It’s good to give thanks for your great mind and for the transformative effect you have on those you meet in the world. Be aware that you are always a force that influences others. You must link that force with love. And gratitude.
TAURUS: It is important to conserve your strength, rest whenever possible, and economize all actions each day. This is vital for the well-being of all that you are to bring forth for the greater good. It’s also useful to consider what assets you have, especially what is hidden away and/or in storage, in boxes, room drawers, safes, or simply lying about on tabletops. These resources await your attention. They need a new home. Careful with impatience and irritation. They are poisons. Focus on gratitude instead. A kind voice is always speaking with you. Can you hear it?
GEMINI: You begin to sense a certain level of self-care, dignity, self-confidence and self-assurance in relation with others. It’s as if the sun broke through clouds and has begun to shine on all your interactions. You begin to cooperate more and hide less in the shadows. You allow changes in the environment to expand your interests and realize that even enemies and those you don’t resonate with have a certain purpose in your life. You begin to happily tend to commitments, consider suggestions and learn how to be a better friend. Goodwill becomes you.
CANCER: Daily routines and a certain new rhythms, held in the light of the Winter Solstice coming soon, begin to take precedence in terms of care of self, diet and health, scheduling tasks and chores, and utilizing your energy more effectively. You’re grateful for this new awareness. It allows you to nourish yourself and others while also ordering and organizing the environment. Perhaps your garden called you to attention and the miracle of what each plant presents has shifted your emphasis to the devas. Cultivating your garden, you begin to feel life again. You light your 2nd Advent candle.
LEO: Your talents, gifts and creative abilities are in the spotlight for everyone realizes without your heart felt presence, the work needed for the new era would not materialize. There’s praise for your ongoing accomplishments, praise for the connections you make and for the important people and events you cultivate. In return be sure to provide even greater praise for everyone around you. This brings forth trust, gratitude, pleasure, care and a love not often experienced. Soon you will tend to even greater tasks. The heart leading the Way.
VIRGO: As you tend with the greatest tenderness and care to family, parents and elders, the principle of goodwill and caring will be returned to you a hundred-fold. Perhaps you feel unrecognized or unseen during these times. However, this will not last. You will emerge out from under any shadows into the light of day in the springtime. There will be new energies, opportunities and new projects to focus on. Now the groundwork is being prepared. Like seeds planted in biodynamic soil, they will sprout new shoots, and your life settles into a secret and secure garden.
LIBRA: A new self-reliance appears and a new practicality. You reserve your energy for important matters; tend to money with confidence, firmness and decisiveness. Do not overlook your health, become overworked or let your physical body become exhausted or cold. Tend to yourself and all parts of your life very carefully. Later you will plan the winter’s holiday parties, inviting people to your home. I see flowers, ornaments, cactus, baskets, holiday wreaths and colorful lights everywhere in your home. You are at your best during these sacred and lovely festival days.
SCORPIO: Whatever you ask for seems to come your way. You simply need to state your needs and whatever it is races towards you. Be careful therefore what you seek and ask for. It’s prudent to supervise your money and all life matters carefully. With the first be sure to share generously, giving to those in need. With the second, use speech to always radiate goodwill into the world. Both take intention, dedication and discipline, all of which you possess more and more. Something secret or spiritual hovers around you. What could it be?
SAGITTARIUS: There may be new friends’ groups, acquaintances, contacts and colleagues and each one becomes a learning and lesson. Some archers and knights are seeking teachers and teachings that will bring harmony and balance into their lives. Some are becoming teachers, professors. All Sagittarians are in a state of seeking a new state of equilibrium. This is because new goals are being formed. They’re not visible yet. But in time they will appear. You will see a goal, reach that goal and then new goals appear! In the secret silence of Sagittarius, speak words of gratitude.
CAPRICORN: Assessing what you have in your life, all the abundance, and all your service to others and your gratitude creates an expansion of inner happiness and joy within your heart. Then life becomes almost overabundant. This cultivation of abundance prepares you for the transformations that have been and continues for all Capricorns. Seeing and experiencing life as abundant aids others. You become their mentor in understanding life (filled with both happiness and suffering). You become a light of hope in the world. You stand in the light of the midnight Sun. You are the unicorn.
AQUARIUS: In the months ahead, you will attempt to read more, study, learn and expand your mind. You are deeply intelligent, with an imagination that comes from the future. These magnetize new prospects, new goals and new people to your life. You recently find yourself making plans and compromises. Although it’s unusual, you feel secure enough in your willingness to help others. Aquarius is about serving humanity, and you are learning this. Everyone becomes your friend. The world itself is your companion. You become the talk of the town.
PISCES: Concerned with the future and experiencing constant change you focus intently on work in order to feel useful, responsible and to create order and consistency in your life. However the changes continue, the future is distant, things dissolve away, and health becomes something to tend to. Maintain physical warmth (don’t get cold), create a daily exercise schedule, walk in the sun’s light each day (at dawn, at sunset), and maintain a direct and constant contact with Divinity. You are walking on the path towards Shamballa.
Risa – writer, editor, educator, teacher, psychological-spiritual counselor, mentor, astrologer & esotericist, home chef. Founder & Director of The Esoteric & Astrological Studies & Research Institute/College, a contemporary Wisdom School (center for spiritual discourse & study) for the Ageless Wisdom teachings. Foundations of the Teachings are the study & application of exoteric & esoteric Astrology, the Seven Rays, Theosophy, Esotericism, all religions, art, science & Raja Yoga meditation. risagoodwill@gmail.com nightlightnews.org