UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD--FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE----Wisdom Is

Knowing That We Are All One----Love Is What It Feels Like----Compassion Is What It

Acts Like----

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: THEOSOPHIST@webtv.net (THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY)

To: Theosophist@webtv.net

Date: Sun, 26 Nov 2006 04:33:04 -0500

Subject: Theosophy Today #31

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~~~ THEOSOPHY TODAY ~~~

The Theosophical Society In Orlando,

School of Theosophy, Orlando.

Celebrating 71 Years of Continous Activity In The Central Florida

Community

1935 == 71 == 2006

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~ INTERNET NEWSLETTER ~

December 2006 - January - February 2007,

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Send all comments and literary

contributions to:

Editor: Theosophy Today Theosophist@webtv.net

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~~STUDY~~MEDITATION~~SERVICE~~

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The Theosophical Society Welcomes you to it's 71st season of continuous

activity in Central Florida....

Theosophical Meetings are held on the 1st & 3rd Friday each month 8:00

to 9:30 P.M.

Healing Group on the 4th Friday at 8:00 P.M.

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THEOSOPHICAL MEETINGS

December...

1st...Meditation On Life...Nilkanta Sri Ram

15th...The Ancient Wisdom...Dr. Annie Besant

22nd..ANNUAL LODGE YULETIDE CELEBRATION.

Be With Us For A Festive Evening of Yuletide

Cheer and the Lighting of The Yule Candle.

January 2007,

5th... Meditation On Life...Nilkanta Sri Ram

19th...The Ancient Wisdom...Dr.Annie Besant

26th...The Healing Center...

February

2nd...Meditation On Life...Nilkanta Sri Ram

16th...Special Adyar Day Program

23rd...The Healing Center

Public Is Cordially Welcome To All Listed Programs.

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~ A MEDITATION FOR THE LODGE ~

Grant, O Loving Kindness within us all, that those who work and study in

the Lodge may never mistake numbers, praise, or publicity for success;

may never strive for position when all service is valued and all are

equal; may never seek for self; may preserve a kindly humor and go their

way content to serve.

May such a Spirit of Fellowship abide as to silence all gossip and

destructive criticism, so that all who enter find enduring peace, true

kindliness and understanding.

So May It Be !

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LODGE OF THE AIR

Home Study Program

While nothing can replace the value of personal interaction, discussion

& dialogue experienced at a Theosophical Meeting we realize that

sometimes circumstances prevent one from

being physically present with us.

In these cases you can still derive a benefit of Theosophical Study with

us by participating in our Lodge Of The Air Program.

If you would like to participate in this seasons study of Annie Besant's

ANCIENT WISDOM and cannot attend our meetings, we have included the

online version of this classic Theosophical text for your convenience.

All that is required is that you send us your name and e-mail address so

that we can include you in our thoughts.

As a participant in the Lodge Of The Air Program you can send us your

questions and discussion ideas to share with the meetings.

THE ANCIENT WISDOM

by Dr. Annie Besant

Online Version

[click link]

http://www.theosophical.ca/AncientWisdom1.htm

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~ ORLANDO LODGE ~

Orlando Lodge is an intentional community of Theosophical Students

serving the objectives of the Theosophical Society, and is dedicated to

the creation and maintainance of a Spiritual Center where the

Theosophical Philosophy, the Ancient Wisdom, may be studied and lived.

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THE WINTER SOLSTICE

We are in the Winter Solstice, the peroid at which the Sun entering the

sign of Capricorn has already, since December 21st, ceased to advance in

the Southern hemisphers, and, cancer or crablike, begins to move back.

It is a this particular time that, every year, he is born, and December

25th was the day of the birth of the Sun for those who inhabited the

Northern hemisphere. It is also on December 25th, Christmas, the day

with the Christians on which the "Savior of the World" was born; that

were born ages befor him the Persian Mithra, the Egyptian Osiris, the

Greek Bacchus, the Phoencian Adonis, the Phrygian Athis.

And while at Memphis the people were shown the image of the god "Day,"

taken out of his cradle, the Romans marked December 25th in their

calendar as the day "Natalis Solis Invicti."

--- H.P. Blavatsky

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THE ESSENTIAL CONVERSION

By Radha Burnier

With time, all religions degenerate.

The original profound teaching given by an envoy of the great

Brotherhood of Sages and Holy Ones who guide human destiny is turned

into a conventional religion and used to promote superstitious customs

and creeds and maintain the authority of clergymen. In this process, the

essential meaning of such concepts as conversion has been suppressed and

made into a tool of politics and religious fanaticism.

Brutal conflicts between religions arise owing to misinterpretation of

the significance of conversion. People are forced to transfer their

allegiance from one religion to another by conquest, coercion, bribes

and other inducements.

Relatively rarely do religious conversions take place voluntairly due to

conviction or liking for a particular presentation of religious

doctrines and guidelines for spiritual living. The fanatics not only try

to convert others but oppose the possibility of voluntary conversion,

thus denying personal freedom to individuals either to stay in a

religion or chose another.

In India, centuries ago, large numbers of people were converted by

Muslim invaders either by compelling them to pay special taxes or by

instilling fear. Later, missionaries converted poor people of low caste

to Christianity by promising financial rewards and escape from the

indignities of an oppresive caste system. In these cases, there was no

real change of heart or understanding of the teachings of the newly

acquired faith.

Much light on what is conversion is thrown by a publication brought out

early in the twentieth century by the Theosophical Publishing House,

Adyar, and recently reprinted. It is an English translation of extracts

from letters written

in Persin by a Sufi teacher who lived in the latter part of the

fourteenth century in North-East India. Annie Besant recommended these

letters by Shaikh Sharfuddin Maneri, saying: " They are penetrated

through and through with the theosophic spirit -- the same in every age

-- and all who read thir practical directions, their pregnant hints,

their wise sayings, will feel that they are in the presence of a Teacher

who has himself learned the Supreme Wisdom."

In a short section of this publication, Shaikh Sharfuddin points out

that "conversion", or "taubah" in Persion, literally means "turning

back". This seems to corrospond very much to the Hindu concept of

"nivrtti", or Path of Return, signifying a turning back from worldliness

and maerialism (pravrtti) towards the Eternal and Imperishable Source of

all existence Similiar also is the content of the Christian parable of

the Prodigal Son, who after many wanderings returns to his Father's

home.

Turning back toward the Divine takes different forms and occurs at

different levels, according to the conditions of the pilgrims who

undertake to tread the hard "uphill" way. Here we are reminded of the

Hindu concept of levels of worthiness (adhikari-bheda). Some start the

journey out of fear of the afterlife consequences of their own misdeeds

or sins, committed willfully or in a state of "avidya" or foolish

ignorance. They perform formal religious acts, but the spiritual life

does not begin by simply muttering prayers, or attending church, mosque

or temple; or when fear of what may happen in the afterlife induces a

person to adopt external symbols such as religious robes or a shaven

head.

The real pilgrim turns away internally from all worldly objects and

satisfactions of this and other worlds, realizing their insignificance

and transient nature. Such turning away from the innumerable illusions

in the worlds of "maya" may take many incarnations. Steadfastness is

difficult to achieve in the early stages, and the words of an Islamic

saint are quoted in our text: " I turned back seventy times and failed

each time, but my seventy-first turning proved steady and I failed no

more." We are reminded here of the advice given by a Mahatma to Col.

Olcott:

"Try, try, --- try!"

An illuminating statement in this text on authentic conversion points

out that ordinary people turn away from sins, but the Elect turn away

from heedlessness.

The hedonistic pursuit of pleasure and satisfaction of a material,

emotional, or intellectual kind is a state of forgetfulness of the

direction that the human being needs to take for the unfoldment of

spiritual knowledge and virtue. All sinful acts are the result of the

veiling of the perceptive powers by contact with matter, which makes the

objects and events glitter and appear attractive for a time. Heedfulness

is the kind of attention that shatters the illusion and shows that the

appearance is not the reality.

The Dhammapada has a whole chapter on the subject of heedlessness and

mindfulness. The acquisition of right memory is of crucial importance,

as it guides the pilgrim to choose the right direction, right memory

being recollection, however dim, of the Source, the Father's home.

Two views are mentioned in regard to "taubah," the only conversion of

significance: one speaks of remembrance of past transgressions and

repentance; the other advocates expunging from the heart every impress

of the past until it is absolutely pure, as if no transgression ever

took place. The consciousness of such a pilgrim spiritually refreshes

itself all the time and nothing of the past touches it any longer.

After long slavery to the illusory attractions in the material worlds, a

person must be resolute in order to make a right-about turn. No one's

destiny is completely pre-determined. Effects are, of course, the

products of causes -- which is the gist of karmic law. But before the

causes turn into effects, other forces flowing in could alter the course

of a person's life. In the case of twins growing up in sililar

circumstances, if one of them exercises the will to act in a particular

manner, the external circumstances no longer remain parallel. Initiative

is always the individual's perogative, and though the spiritual path is

uphill, the pilgrim with strong resolve steadily overcomes the obstacles

that beset his path.

Human life is turbulent because only at this evolutionary stage can the

"animal-man" be destroyed by the "Divine-man". Conversion is hence an

abdication of our irrational, sinful, and disorderly tendencies,

permitting growth as selfless, altruistic, holy persons. The Sufi text

says: " When the disciple turns from his nature he becomes another,that

is, he does not become another man, but his qualities change."

Then peace, faith, and clear moral direction unfold, which sweeps away

many-ness and leads to unity. The question is asked: " So long as thou

dost not become a Muslim from within, how can thou be a Muslim merely

from without?" The same applies to Christian, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist and

any other faith. True conversion is a transformation that takes place in

consciousness; it is not just baptism or any external act or rite.

Conventonal faith and lip-service are compared to the lame ass.

The Path of Return demands of the pilgrim that he should journey on it

with no motive, no asking, no desire for reward. As "Light on The Path"

says:

" Learn now that there is no cure for desire, no cure for the love of

reward, no cure for the misery of longing, save in the fixing of the

sight and hearing upon That which is invisible and soundless....Live In

The Eternal."

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Radha Burnier is the International President of The Theosophical

Society, (Adyar ).

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Special Feature:

Spiritual Ecology.........

LOVE AND THANKS TO WATER

Explore the fascinating research on the consciousness in Water by a

Japanese Researcher.

(click links)

http://www.hado.net/index2.html

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http://www.thank-water.net/english/index.htm

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http://www.water-consciousness.com/

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We THANK YOU for helping to Light The Candle of Theosophy by forwarding

Theosophy Today to your online friends.

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PAGAN YULETIDE TRADITIONS & LORE

The Simple Facts

Yule: the Winter Solstice, Yuletide (Teutonic), Alban Arthan (Caledonii)

Yule coincides closely with the Christian Christmas celebration. The

Yule tree is perhaps the most common tradition still in existence from

times of old. Garlands of popcorn, dried rosebuds and cinnamon sticks

are traditional decorations for the tree. Pagan families would bring a

live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep

warm during the cold winter months. Bells were hung in the limbs so you

could tell when a spirit was present. Food and treats were hung on the

branches for the spirits to eat and a five-pointed star, the pentagram,

symbol of the five elements, was placed atop the tree.

The colors of the season, red and green, also are of Pagan origin, as is

the custom of exchanging gifts.

A lesser known tradition is the burning of the Yule log. Magical symbols

are carved into the log prior to it being set ablaze on the evening

before Yule, to be burned until morning. A solar festival, Yule is

celebrated by fire and the use of a Yule log. A piece of the log is

saved and kept throughout the year to protect the home. That piece is

used to light the next year's log.

Failing this, a Yule candle can be used. Choose the largest red candle

you can find, and carve symbols into its side. Surround with holly,

mistletoe, cedar or rosemary and light it to burn through the night to

ensure a prosperous year of warmth and light.

Yule is a celebration of the rebirth of the sun. The God who died at

Samhain is born from the virgin Goddess. This is the time of the new

year when the Goddess turns the Wheel of the Year to its beginning

point. This is the shortest day of the year and it celebrates the return

of the God as seen in the lengthening of daylight. Here, on the longest

night of the year, the Goddess gives birth to the Sun Child and hope for

new light is reborn. Yule is a time of awakening to new goals and

leaving old regrets behind. The Winter Solstice or Yule is one of the

Lesser Wiccan Sabbats, and it is also the shortest day of the year, and

hence - the longest night. This usually takes place on December 20th or

21st, although it does sometimes occur on the 22nd or 23rd (check your

calendar as it changes from year to year).

Other than the most common name of Yule, various other names for the

Winter Solstice include Midwinter, Yuletide (the Teutonic version),

Alban Arthan (Caledonii Tradition, or the Druids), Feill Fionnain

(Pecti-Wita Tradition, which falls on December 22nd). Yuletide lasts

from December 20th through December 31st. It begins on "Mother Night"

and ends twelve days later, on "Yule Night", hence the "Twelve Days of

Christmas" tradition. Alban Arthan, unlike all the others, is not

considered a fire festival. Some other names for this Sabbat that are

used less commonly are: Sun Return, Pagan New Year, Saturnalia (Roman),

Great Day of the Cauldron, and Festival of Sol.

Yule is a time of the Goddess of the Cold Darkness and the birth of the

Divine Child, the reborn Sun God. It is a time of renewal and rebirth

during Winter, and the turning of the Earth force tides. A time when the

waxing Sun overcomes the waning Sun. In some traditions, this is

symbolized by the struggle between the Oak King and the Holly King. The

Holly King, represents the Death aspect of the God at this time of year;

and the Oak King, represents the opposite aspect of Rebirth (these roles

are reversed at Midsummer).

This can be likened to the Divine Child's birth. The myth of the Holly

King/Oak King probably originated from the Druids to whom these two

trees were highly sacred. The Oak King (God of the Waxing Year) kills

the Holly King (God of the Waning Year) at Yule (the Winter Solstice).

The Oak King then reigns supreme until Litha (the Summer Solstice) when

the two battle again, this time with the Holly King victorious.

Examples of the Holly King's image can be seen in our modern Santa

Claus. He dons a sprig of holly in his hat, wears red clothing, and

drives a team of eight (total number of Solar Sabbats) reindeer, an

animal sacred to the Celtic Gods (deer). Mistletoe and holly came into

modern Christmas celebrations through the memorializing of this battle.

The holly with berries are hung in honor of the Holly King and mistletoe

in honor of the Oak King. Although the Holly King and Oak King are

mortal enemies at the two Solstices - Yule and Litha - it should be

remembered that they are actually two sides of one whole, and neither

would exist without the other. Since this is a Solar Festival, it is

celebrated by fire and the use of many candles or the Yule Log.

The colors of the season - red and green - are of original Pagan

descent. Symbols representing Yule include an eight-spoked wheel symbol,

evergreens, wreaths, holly, mistletoe, Yule Trees (very similar to the

familiar "Christmas Trees"), or a small potted tree, and Yule Logs.

There are a couple of different versions of Yule Logs:

1) Many enjoy the practice of lighting the Yule Log. If you choose to

burn one, select a proper log of oak or pine. Carve (with your Bolline)

or chalk upon it a figure of the Sun (a rayed disc) or the Horned God (a

horned circle). Set it alight in the fireplace at dusk, on Yule. This is

a graphic representation of the rebirth of the God within the sacred

fire of the Mother Goddess. As the log burns, visualize the Sun shining

within it and think of the coming warmer days. Traditionally, a portion

of the Yule Log is saved to be used in lighting next year's log. This

piece is kept throughout the year to protect the home.

2) The second type of Yule Log is not burned up, but rather holds three

candles for burning. Find a suitable log of oak or pine and flatten one

side of it so that it will lay flat. Drill three holes in the side that

is up, the correct size for holding three taper candles. The candles

should be red, green and white (to represent the season), or green, gold

and black (to represent the Sun God), or white, red and black (to

represent the Great Goddess). You can further decorate your Yule Log

however you choose to - using holly, mistletoe, red ribbons and bows, or

whatever you prefer.

The act of decorating the Yule Tree, wreaths of holly, and the exchange

of gifts are also Pagan derivatives. The Yule Tree can be a living,

potted tree which can later be planted in the ground, a cut one, or even

an artificial one. The choice is yours. Appropriate Wiccan decorations

range from strings of dried rosebuds, cinnamon sticks, popcorn or

cranberries for garlands to bags of fragrant spices hung from boughs.

Quartz crystals can be wrapped with shiny wire and suspended from sturdy

branches to resemble icicles.

Apples, oranges, lemons, nuts of all kinds and cookies hanging from

boughs and branches are strikingly beautiful; and can be real or

artificial, depending on your taste. These natural decorations were

customary in ancient times.

The reindeer stag is also a reminder of the Horned God. You will find

that many traditional Christmas decorations have some type of Pagan

ancestry or significance that can be added to your Yule holiday.

Deities to honor at this time of year include all Newborn Gods and Sun

Gods, and all Mother Goddesses and Triple Goddesses. Appropriate Yule

Gods include Apollo (Greek), Ra, Osiris, Horus, (all three are

Egyptian), Lugh (Irish-Celtic), Odin (Norse), Father Sun (Native

American), and Jesus (Christian-Gnostic), to name a few. Goddesses might

include the Morrigan, Brigit (both Celtic), Isis (Egyptian), Demeter,

Gaea, Pandora, Selene, and Artemis (all five are Greek), Juno and Diana

(both Roman), Astarte (Middle Eastern), Spinning Woman (Native American)

and the Virgin Mary (Christian-Gnostic).

Ritually, you may want to light fires within the Circle (in the

cauldron, for instance), light candles and carry them around the Circle

or bring the Yule log into the Circle and include it in your ceremony.

Bayberry candles can be burned to ensure prosperity, growth and

happiness throughout the following year. These can be inscribed with

runes for health and money, or whatever is desired before lighting.

They shall be lit at sunset and allowed to burn until they go out by

themselves. An old Germanic poem says "A bayberry candle burned to the

socket brings food to the larder and gold to the pocket." Spellwork for

balance, beauty, peace, and harmony are great to perform at this time of

the Pagan year. Love spells and spells to increase happiness are also

appropriate. Key actions to remember for Yule are introspection and

meditation.

The most common colors used at this Sabbat are red and green, but gold

and white are also quite appropriate. Stones to be used at this

celebration include bloodstones, rubies, and garnets. Animals associated

with the Yule Sabbat are stags, squirrels, wrens and robins.

Mythical creatures associated with Yule are the Phoenix, and trolls.

Herbs and plants that can be used include holly, mistletoe, evergreens,

poinsettias, bay, pine, ginger, valerian, and myrrh. The foods of Yule

include nuts, fruits such as apples and pears, cookies and cakes of

caraway soaked in cider, and (for non-vegetarians) pork are all

traditional fare. Fine drinks for the Yule celebration or meals include

Wassail (a hot drink made from wine, beer or cider, spices, sugar, and

usually baked apples---served in a large bowl), lamb's wool (ale mixed

with sugar, nutmeg and the pulp of roasted apples), hibiscus or ginger

tea, and apple cider

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WHEN YOU ARE ALONE

When no-one is looking,

When no-one can see,

Do you learn to make friends

With the dark side of thee?

Do you turn all the lights on,

The music too loud,

The phone in your hand,

Do you call in the crowd?

All kinds of NOISE,

All types you can find.

Anything now!

To escape from your mind.

Sometimes I can't identify

What is how? Or which is why:

So through the mystery I see

A thousand faces

All is me.

Yet is it right to separate

The gate-post from the garden gate?

Nor yet the garden from the rose?

Nor yet the known

From he who knows?

Within the picture of the whole

In which you play a vital role,

Don't let thy focus rest on thee

A fragment of infinity.

~ Wendy Paget

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Recommended Study:

CONCENTRATION: AN APPROACH TO MEDITATION

By Professor Ernest Wood

Anyone who is serious about learning the art of Meditation will be

greatly benefitted by a study of this perennial best seller and

favorite. Professor Wood tells us that the ability to focus and

concentrate the mind is our greatest human asset. A lifelong scholar,

teacher, writer and lecturer, Ernest Wood was also C.W. Leadbeaters

private secretary, and collaborated with him on his occult

investigations.

We are happy to present the online version of this book:

(click link)

Concentration - A Practical Course- with a Supplement on Meditation - by

Ernest Wood

http://www.theosophical.ca/ConcentrationEW.htm

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WINTER SOLSTICE -- GIFT OF ILLUMINATION

By Dorothea Hamann

Christmas is here again, and there is good reason for joy because the

sun, now far away in the south, begins to travel north at the winter

solstice, bringing the wintry earth a new promise of light and warmth.

On the night of December 21/22, the sun reaches its southernmost point.

Were it to remain in the south, it would mean death for living beings in

the northern hemisphere. Thus we greet the returning sun as a "savior."

On the night when it begins its northward journey, the constellation

Virgo, the celestial virgin, appears on the eastern horizon at midnight

and is therefore, astrologically, the ascendant. This coordinates with

the myth of the various saviors of humanity, immaculately conceived and

born from a virgin.

Later, the sun symbolically sacrifices its life on the cross when it

passes over the equinoctial point at the spring equinox, an apparent

descent as seen from the southern hemisphere and an ascent in the

northern sky. The focal points of the year -- the four sacred seasons of

the solstices and equinoxes -- affect the consciousness of all humanity;

and no matter on which day the festivals fall, they can provide gateways

for the properly attuned heart and mind, allowing us to enter the

forecourt of the temple of learning and life.

The word "solstice" means "the standing still of the sun." From December

22-24 the sun seems, astronomically, to stand still. As a result of the

inclination of the earth's axis, the sun reaches at a certain time of

the year its southernmost point, when it rises in the southeast and sets

in the southwest. The poles of the earth and sun then lie in the same

vertical plane, as they do at the summer solstice in June, when the sun

reaches its northernmost point, and rises in the northeast and sets in

the northwest. At the two solstices the sun appears to stand still for a

day before beginning its return journey in the opposite direction.

At the winter solstice the universal currents of life help human

consciousness to enter divine spheres. At the same time spiritual energy

can descend from higher worlds into the human arena: the gods "descend

into hell" to garner experience in their underworld -- our own world --

thereby bringing inspiration and enlightenment to humanity. At this time

each of us also may undergo a new birth. Nature has opened the door, and

it is up to us to recognize this and take a step further.

At this solstice two different initiations can take place, depending on

the time and individuals in question. (For a fuller exposition, see The

Four Sacred Seasons by G. de Purucker, Theosophical University Press,

Pasadena, 1979.)

The lesser initiation allows the initiant to travel to the portals of

the sun and, if successful, to catch a glimpse of the essence of the

solar divinity before returning after three days. By analogy, there must

surely be initiations of less intensity extending down to ourselves.

These lesser initiations, nevertheless very influential, are part of

nature and of ourselves. In our everyday life we are preparing ourselves

for initiation and so participate to some extent in the experience of

those who have been chosen for greater tests at one of the sacred

seasons.

The more we understand the wonderful opportunity of these grand

initiations, the more we shall recognize -- in the thoughts flowing

through our consciousness that our higher self or divinity within is

preparing us to take that step one day.

The higher initiation, which occurs once in a Messianic cycle of 2,160

years, is one of the sublimest experiences imaginable. In the lesser

initiations the initiant frees himself from his psychophysical

principles so that his spiritual-human principles can advance to the

portals of the sun and then return. In the higher initiation the

initiant has gained the ability to consciously free his divine self so

that it can follow the spiritual-magnetic pathways through the planetary

spheres. After fourteen days the initiant returns as a bodhisattva,

savior, or christ.

On January 5/6, about two weeks after the winter solstice, Christians

celebrate Twelfth Night or Epiphany, in which the "wise men" bring their

gifts to the newborn initiate, the christ child, born from the awakened

human soul. Each of the three wise men gives his own particular quality

to the soul experiencing the mystic birth of the higher self at the

darkest hour of the year. They are a veiled reference to a planetary

alignment connected with the "virgin birth" of a savior or avatara. It

is an alignment of Mercury and Venus with the sun, moon, and earth -- a

recurring event which marks a critical point in human evolution.

Interestingly, when Venus and Mercury lie between the earth and sun, the

side of the earth facing them is also facing the sun. It is therefore

daylight and the planets cannot be seen. The new moon is also invisible,

unless it causes an eclipse of the sun. The Biblical wise men are said

to correspond to the moon, Venus, and Mercury, which at rare intervals

lie in a straight line with, and provide a pathway to, the sun. The

liberated soul is then able to pass through these planets and, if

successful, to enter the heart of the spiritual sun -- the culmination

of the initiation experience.

It is also said that if a new moon occurs at the solstice -- i.e., if

the moon is between earth and sun, and a full moon therefore occurs at

Epiphany -- another door is opened which makes the time of this

initiation even more effective, especially if a solar eclipse occurs at

Christmas and a lunar eclipse follows Twelfth Night. Such an event is

extremely rare because the moon's orbit is inclined to the earth's orbit

(the plane of the ecliptic) at an angle of 5°, so that the new moon is

usually above or below the sun. If an eclipse occurs at the solstice, a

higher initiation can take place which provides the opportunity for a

breakthrough in the thought-life of the human race.

If an avataric influence manifests through a human being whose purity

and strength has brought him to the point of enlightenment, there is a

transfer of divine power from the spiritual intelligences imbodied in

the celestial universe. The initiant who has passed through the

crystalline spheres of life surrounding the divine center of our solar

system and discarded at each planet the qualities belonging there, has

now become pure consciousness and enters the sacred realms of the sun.

On his return journey, he receives a gift from each planet: the gold of

immortality, born from the soul's ordeal by fire; fragrant incense,

released by the trial by fire; and myrrh, the willingness to return to

the world of suffering. The "new born" reenters the earth-sphere radiant

with solar splendor -- the cycle is ended, the vessel broken, the light

unlimited.

The Smaragdine Tablet, reputedly found in the tomb of Hermes

Trismegistus, is a slab of emerald inscribed with thirteen precepts (in

Phoenician characters), centering around the theme "What is below is

like that which is above." In 1650 the learned divine, Dr. John Everard,

published an English version from the Arabic, whose eighth precept

reads:

Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to heaven, and then

again descend to the earth, and unite together the powers of things

superior and things inferior. Thus, you will obtain the glory of the

whole world and obscurity will fly away from you -- (quoted by Hargrave

Jennings in his Introduction to The Divine Pymander of Hermes Mercurius

Trismegistus in XVII Books, p. ix.

=================================

Special Holiday Features:

THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF WINTER

http://www.camasnet.com/~elkcity/su.JPG

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http://www.camasnet.com/~elkcity/s8.jpg

http://www.camasnet.com/~elkcity/s13.jpg

http://www.camasnet.com/~elkcity/s12.jpg

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CLASSIC HOLIDAY STORIES:

*A Delightful Version of Christmas

http://wilstar.com/xmas

~ ~

*The Story of "Silent Night"

http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Choir/9833

~ ~

*The True St. Nicholas

http://www.stnicholascenter.org

~ ~

* "A Christmas Carol"

http://www.stormfax.com/dickens.htm

~ ~

* "T'was The Night Before Christmas"

http://www.christmas-tree.com/stories/nightbeforechristmas.html

~ ~

* Virginia's Question

http://www.barricksinsurance.com/virginia.html

~ ~

===============================

WE INVITE YOU TO DISCOVER

THEOSOPHY:

Theosophy As A Guide For Life:

(click link)

http://www.teosofia.com/Mumbai/7203life.html

-----------

To Light A Thousand Lamps

(click link)

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/gfk-lamp/lamps-hp.htm

===============================

NATURE

Nature is very close to God, closer than man is, for in man there is a

veil of ignorance clouding his vision and marring his sight. But nature

is the purest handiwork of God.

If you are able to love nature and feel in tune with it, you are much

closer to God. It is very easy to know God through nature, for in nature

there is goodness, simplicity, pu-rity and selflessness.

A tree gives shade to others and takes nothing for itself. It gives

fruits to others but does not itself partake of them. A plant sprouts

beautiful flowers and gives joy to others but does not enjoy the beauty

by itself. The sun is constantly at work, giving Life, light and

en-ergy to the world. These are ex-amples of the selflessness of

nature.

If only man watches and studies nature carefully, he can imbibe a lot of

philosophy from it which will help to make him a better person, for:

NATURE IS THE MIRROR IN WHICH THE IMAGE OF GOD CAN BE SEEN

================================

A GLEAM OF LIGHT

By Ingrid Van Mater

A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes

across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of

bards and sages. . . . We but half express ourselves. . . . -- Ralph

Waldo Emerson

At the Christmas season a joyous atmosphere, like a gleam of light,

touches with its warmth and radiance all who are receptive. The magic

that takes place in those who feel this -- however momentary, whether

alone or in a family or other gathering -- suggests that we are so much

more than appears on the surface and that deep within we are one.

The mystical origin of this celebration stems from a recognition of the

winter solstice as a time of spiritual rebirth, traditionally associated

with the birth of Saviors. Therefore, the Christmas period has always

been revered as a sacred occasion, a meaningful inner experience.

We have before us much to reflect on. What will we bring to this

dynamic cycle? Hopefully a broader outlook, more thoughtful concern and

deepening perception, so that we may add dimension to our understanding

of the day-by-day unfolding of our lives as well as of world

developments.

The question then arises: How can we awaken to the magnitude of life's

divine purpose? Each of us varies in our thinking, background, and inner

awareness, yet we are all involved in a never-ending search, endeavoring

to discover who we are, and what our goal as a human being really is.

The deeper we penetrate into the mystery of ourselves, the more we

recognize that there is untold wisdom within waiting to be expressed as

our awareness grows and, along with it, our readiness to understand.

We benefit immeasurably by a season of this quality crowning the year.

At such peak times it is possible to become more attuned to the

universal pulse of life than ordinarily. This heightened feeling is no

doubt fostered by thoughts of great ones such as Jesus who, through

their compassion, have appeared at cyclical times to share their

inspiration of truth with struggling mankind. But it is also generated

by the pervasive expression of good will and genuine aspiration

throughout the world on this occasion.

Is it not remarkable that although we are billions of individuals on

this earth, each with a destiny we created through lifetimes of

experience, we share the common heritage of divinity, expressed by each

one in a slightly different way? The gleam of divine light is in every

human heart, transcending manmade barriers of race, creed, or color. And

it is this light that sparks each living thing, consciously or

unconsciously, to pursue the quest of unending inner unfoldment and

discovery.

=================================

THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA ( Orlando Lodge)

The Theosophical Society In Orlando was chartered in January 1935 and

has been active in the Central Florida community since that time.

Theosophical Meetings are held on the first and third Fridays at 8:00

P.M. September thru May.

The Society maintains a lending library, nature sanctuary, and

Meditation Room open weekly to the public, September thru May.

The School of Theosophy,Orlando presents classes in Basic Theosophy and

Meditation twice a year, in the Spring and Fall Semesters. A school

catalog and class syllabus are available upon request.

Theosophy is the Perennial Wisdom which lies at the root of all

religion, yet is the exclusive possession of none. Members of the

Society seek to promote a sense of tolerance, understanding, and

universal brotherhood among all people.

The aims and objectives of the Society are purely altruistic in the

highest sense. The Society does not involve itself in sectarian or

political causes whatever.

Theosophy is non-dogmatic and does not promote any creed or specific

belief. Rather, through Study, Meditation, and Service members attempt

to gain a greater understanding of themselves and their purpose in the

universe.

The Society is not authoritarian and has no clergy or leaders, other

than democratically elected officers. It promotes complete individual

freedom of thought and conscience, and refers the individual back to his

own conscience as the only ultimate authority in regard to spiritual and

moral decisions.

The Theosophical Society In Orlando is a local branch of a national and

international

organization with headquarters in Chennai, India.

We invite your interest and participation in our programs.

----------------------------------------------

The present campus of Orlando Lodge was

acquired in 1970. In October of 1996 the members dedicated the campus as

a

designated Nature Sanctuary.

==================================

=================================

THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY ( Adyar)

LINKS

Further Detailed Information about Theosophy, and/or The Theosophical

Society....

International Headquarters, Adyar, Chennai, (Madras) India

http://www.ts-adyar.org

~

National Headquarters,

Theosophical Society In America,

Wheaton, Illinois

www.theosophical.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ORLANDO FLORIDA LODGE

Theosophical Society In Orlando

1606 New York Ave.

Orlando, Florida, 32803-1838

407-898-1064

E-Mail Theosophist@webtv.net

~~

The School of Theosophy, Orlando

We Invite You To Visit & Join Our

Online Discussion Group

T_S_THEOSOPHIST

(click link)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/T_S_THEOSOPHIST/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

=================================

=================================

~~~~ THE GOLDEN STAIRS ~~~~~

A clean life, an open mind, a pure heart, an eager intellect, an

unveiled spiritual perception, a brotherliness for all, a readiness to

give and recieve advice and instruction; a courageous endurance of

personal injustice, a brave declaration of principles, a valient defense

of those who are unjustly attacked, and a constant eye to the ideal of

human progression and perfection which the sacred science

depicts---these are the Golden Stairs up the steps of which the learner

may climb

to the Temple of Divine Wisdom.

----H.P. Blavatsky

================================

================================

~ YULETIDE GREETINGS ~

With Hearty Good Wishes The Members of Orlando Lodge extend our

Blessings and Goodwill To All for a Blessed Holiday Season.

===============================

===============================

UNTIL NEXT TIME.....

We Will Be Back With You In March with the Spring issue.

We hope that you have enjoyed this issue of Theosophy Today and always

invite your

inquiries, comments and suggestions.

And We THANK YOU for helping to

Light The Candle of Theosophy by forwarding Theosophy Today to your

online friends.

Visit and Join our online Theosophy Discussion Group..T_S_THEOSOPHIST (

click link)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/T_S_THEOSOPHIST/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Address all corropsondence to:

Editor,

THEOSOPHY TODAY

Theosophist@webtv.net

------------------------------------------

Postal:

The Theosophical Society In Orlando

1606 New York Ave.

Orlando, Florida, 32803-1838

U.S.A.

-----------------------------------------

Phone--407-898-1064

E-Mail: Theosophist@webtv.net

----------------------------------------

Locate us: Use Mapquest zip code

32803

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~~ THEOSOPHY TODAY ~~

Theosophist@webtv.net

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