Festivals of Light
Celebrations and service in the spiritual year
The great spiritual festivals of the year are part of the natural
rhythm and cyclic flow of light and energy on Earth. Many have been
celebrated for millenia through different religious traditions,
e.g., Easter in the Christian tradition, Wesak in Buddhism.
In this new age these and other festivals will be understood as
important times in the greater cycle of light on Earth that crosses
the bounds of all philosophies and religions, and belong to all
humankind.
We live in many rhythms and cycles. This is expressed beautifully
by Corinne Heline:
- The physical body and its needs are geared to the rhythm of
days.
- The soul body replenishes its forces in harmony with the seasonal
rhythm of the year.
- The Spirit, or ego, nourishes its being in accordance with the
rhythmic sweep of the reincarnational cycles.
From Star Gates, 1993, p. v
New Age Bible & Philosophy Center, California
Every day we have the rhythm of the rising and setting sun that
nourishes all our physical life on Earth. Every year we have the
rise and descent of the cosmic sun that nourishes the life of soul
and spirit - our inner life. The cosmic sun is the cosmic Christ
or Bodhisattva, a radiant sun being bringing the light of soul to
all worlds.
Each year this living light flows in and out of the
Earth. The descent commences at the June solstice, and reaches it's
deepest point within the Earth in December. At that point it commences
its ascent, and moves up through the Earth bringing renewal and
new beginning.
Throughout this inbreath and outbreath of cosmic light,
there are four major periods of work which correspond to the seasons
of the year. For each season, one of the great Archangels guards
the star gate through which the energy descends: Michael from September
to December, Gabriel from December to March, Raphael from March
to June, and Uriel from June to September. Each period has its qualities
and focus.
As this living light descends, it enters into the
physical body of the Earth in September, around the vernal equinox.
We celebrate this with all the angelic kingdom during the angel
days - one day for each of the seven rays from 23-29 September,
culminating with the first ray and Archangel Michael's day on the
29th of September.
The descent of this energy deep into the Earth from
September through to December creates a time of reflection, a time
to look within and review our life and purpose, to clear away that
which we no longer need. It is a time of preparation, to become
ready for the renewed birth of light in the heart so we can move
forward with new vitality and understanding into the coming year.
The Christmas Festival celebrates the culmination
of this period. It is the new dawn of the soul light each year;
renewing, shining light on the day to come. It is also known as
the birth of soul, or Christ, in the heart. Jesus exemplified this
living light of the Christ, and this true spiritual essence of Christmas
has become widely known over the last two thousand years through
the Christian tradition. In this festival we celebrate our own awakening
heart, and enter into the heart of that great teacher the Christ.
New Year's eve is also a major esoteric festival of
light, completing this three month period of review and preparation
for the coming year, and giving the energy and inspiration for the
year to come. This festival coincides with one of the bi-annual
meetings of the Board of Karma, who make the karmic adjustments
for the Earth and all beings.
Then, on the ascending path, this rising light is
especially felt around the March equinox when it is released from
the physical level of Earth, creating a great burst of light on
the etheric level that brings resurrection and ascension to nature
and all beings. Although not always coinciding with the March equinox,
the festivals that very strongly bring this light to us are those
held over Easter - the full moon festival, and the celebrations
on Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.
Easter is also the beginning of another major cycle
of work of the spiritual Hierarchy. This cycle commences with the
Easter full moon and continues for two months through the next two
full moons. It is an important time of spiritual growth and service
for all, and also demonstrates how closely the two great brothers
Buddha and Christ work together for humanity and the Earth.
The full moon of Easter brings the energy of upliftment
and restoration, and has the energy of the ascending cosmic Christ.
The next full moon is that of Wesak, the festival of Buddha that
brings the energy of enlightenment, the vision of the plan. The
Buddha descends from the higher spheres and comes very close to
humanity at this festival, providing a bridge and link for the call
from humanity to reach the great Masters in Shamballa, and for the
response to enter into the Earth.
The third full moon festival is Asala, the festival
of the Christ, also known as the festival of goodwill. This festival
brings the energy of reconstruction. It gives the energy to act,
to create that which the upliftment and vision given in the first
two festivals has made possible.
Many of these festivals have been brought into the
awareness of humanity through the lives of the great Avatars, Buddha
and Jesus. In this new age humankind will come to understand and
know how these Masters, and other great masters, work so closely
together for the good of all.
We actively celebrate all these festivals throughout
the year, and invite you to join with us to contribute to the greater
work of the Hierarchy for the unfoldment of peace, tolerance and
understanding within humanity, and sustainable and harmonious living
upon the Earth.
References:
The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, Alice Bailey, 1989,
Lucis Publishing Company, New York
Star Gates, Corrine Heline, 1993, New Age Bible & Philosophy
Center, California
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