Forgiving, At-one-ment & Remembering – Festivals & a Shelter of Peace
Disciples (New Group of World Servers) celebrate multiple religious festivals – Jewish, Christian and the Aquarian astrological/esoteric festivals and rituals. Each religion is a developmental stage of learnings for humanity.
The two Ages, Aries and Pisces (with their religions Judaism and Christianity) and their laws were turning points in the life of humanity. Now we (our Sun) is at the end of the Pisces Age. We are entering into the atmosphere of Aquarius. So, there are now new laws, teachings, rituals and festivals given to humanity to navigate the new age. The laws and festivals of previous ages are always reflected in the next new age.
There are two Jewish Festivals occurring this week –Yom Kippur (atonement, forgiveness) and Sukkot (harvest festival).
At sunset this Wednesday to sunset Thursday, the Hebrew Festival of Yom Kippur (atonement, forgiveness) occurs. In these 24 hours, G-d looks upon humanity and asks each of us “Did you offer forgiveness?” If our answer is yes and we are truthful, G-d then writes our name (and fate, inscribed and sealed) in the Book of Life (a fresh start begins).
Five days later, the night of the full moon and the Libra solar festival… Monday, October 6, at sunset, the seven-day harvest festival of Sukkot begins, commemorating 40 years wandering in the desert, living in fragile dwellings, purifying themselves for the new age of Aries and entering the land of milk and honey. Sukkot reminds the people of God’s (Jehovah, Saturn’s) love, guidance, protection and provision (holy manna, angel’s bread) during that long sojourn in the Sinai desert.
Sukkot is a happy and joyful festival of remembrance. One builds and lives for seven days and nights in temporary dwellings (sukkah), made with branches, twigs, palm and citrus leaves. The roof is open for stargazing at night, for studying the heavens is considered a form of wisdom.
This festival of Sukkoth hearkens back also to ancient harvest festivals, when shelters of branches were built while harvesting crops in the darkening days of autumn. One lives (sleeps, eats, prays, and welcome’s guests) in the Sukah all seven days, thanking God for the harvest and blessings of the land (our lives). Sukkot inspires joy and thankfulness. Our prayer when entering the Sukah – “Lord, May Your Divine Spirit dwell in our midst. We ask that You spread over us Your shelter of peace to share with all the kingdoms.”
ARIES: Your natural fiery, risk-taking, initiating, temperamental, independent behaviors will be tempered a bit. Libra’s Venus calls you to a state of harmony. Restraint and control will enhance your ability to communicate and act with more kindness in the world. This is good. Giving you time to observe how relationships are faring, how resources are being handled, and what intelligence you must bring forth next to initiate a new step forward.
TAURUS: Some Taurus people find they are not feeling well. Some feel exhausted or ill, not feeling strong enough to get through these days. With proper training (exercise, swimming, etc.) and rest, strength and new immune resistances will develop, helping to eliminate many physical ailments. Diet should be light, eliminative, often. Old habits and ways of being will be challenged. Listening deeply to others is the only way harmony will come forth in relationships. You are to cultivate this.
GEMINI: The focus in your life shifts from ennui and inertia to seeking creativity. You seek to know what your creativity is. The answer – Love. Love is your creativity, Gemini’s very creative act. At first Gemini is focused upon the gathering and dispersing information from and to all sectors of life. Then a calming process begins and the 12 heart petals unfold and love enters all areas of Gemini’s life. Then wisdom. And your purpose comes forth under heaven’s astrological watch.
CANCER: You seek to deepen roots with family, understand them better, and then turn to contact and connections with friends. You attempt to provide a stable home, constantly looking for ways to nourish and nurture and bring forth the best resources needed for the mind, body and spirit of everyone around. Allow yourself no judgments or criticisms. Plan informative meetings with others. Many need your careful, observing knowledge.
LEO: It is good to recognize, cultivate and have pride in your gifts, abilities, talents and accomplishments. You’re often very humble about them. You work hard, always coming from the heart, and sometimes feel you haven’t done an adequate job. Let me say you always do the best to the point of exhaustion, which comes when you persevere beyond abilities. Remember also there are no mistakes. Do not judge yourself. Creative ideas from others may come forth. Listen carefully for their value.
VIRGO: Again, the questions are what is it that you value, who to you is of value, are you of value, what is your value? Create a notebook, journal of values. Begin with the letter “A” and end with the letter “Z” and fill in the pages under each letter of the alphabet. Do this until the Winter Solstice, beginning in Libra, through Scorpio and Sagittarius. Simultaneously, list under the letters what you have been liberated from and what would make your life more fruitful. Remember “G” is for gratitude.
LIBRA: The Sun is in your house of self-identity, self-recognition, how you present yourself to the world and how you’re seen in the world by others. You want to be seen as strong, kind, loving, interactive and harmonious. You become more sensitive to what pleases (and displeases) you, to personal needs generally and specifically. In all interactions support and establish a deep rapport of care for others. Make no demands. Create more beauty. It strengthens your spirit. And inspires others.
SCORPIO: Your depth of focus, research and abilities are only matched by these abilities of Pisces. Whereas you create a call to discipleship, Pisces attempts to save the world. You both work together. You are cautious, yet confident in decisions. Often you must protect yourself and not be daunted by those who oppose you. If questions come your way at this time, be sure to listen carefully and objectively. Do not react. You can be blind sometimes to certain realities. Expand your ability to carefully listen. Seek to understand others’ realities. Listen with an open heart of goodwill.
SAGITTARIUS: You ponder upon what you have gained, experienced and accomplished in the world. Life with Sagittarius is a pilgrimage, a journey, a seeking, a finding and a world of music, food and justice. Look upon your past with a sense of wonder, continuing to recognize that what we are given is what we actually shared with and gave to others. An ancient maxim says, “When we give, much more is given to us so that we may give and give again.” Continue this art of giving. It ensures good fortune.
CAPRICORN: You are busy out and about in the world. Remember to rest more, to take vitamins and minerals, to eat enough protein and drink enough water. Caps need to remember to rest. Ask yourself if there is an area (or two) that needs to rise like a phoenix from the ashes. Perhaps the coals in those ashes are still hot. Does something somewhere need rekindling? Is it possibly a level of love or spirituality? It is a good idea to dedicate yourself to the Will-to-Good, which nourishes you first and then everyone else in your life. And to rest more.
AQUARIUS: You have many ideas concerning your ways of service and aiding humanity. You see humanity’s needs and want to respond to them. Your ideal is to bring these ideas forth into form and matter so that humanity’s living can be improved. In your personal and professional life, you are sensitive to the qualities of fairness, human rights, respect, truth and freedom. You live within this framework. It’s good to think in terms of kindness. Being kind to all people in your life. Exercise is good. Exercise with fortitude and thoughts of care for yourself first.
PISCES: In your personal life, tend to all financial obligations, all bills and debts. This may be a big worry for you. Wondering how to maintain all financial aspects of your life. Explain to others when you find this difficult or impossible. Tell the truth. Truth holds us. A transformation is occurring within. A spiritual choice is being made. A health choice, too. Call forth strength and confidence when challenges arise, which they will. Pray for an intervention. Do your yogas – gentle hatha yoga combined with the occult esoteric raja yoga. Everyone joins you, the angels, too.
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