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Points of Light Newsletter - Volume 4, Number 3
POINTS OF LIGHT
928 EAST FIFTH STREET VOLUME IV #3
Brooklyn, New York 11230-2104
Published by: Temple of the Eternal Light
(718) 438-4878
An "Omni-Denominational" Religious Fellowship
_____________________________________________________
WELCOME ALL READERS.
POINTS OF LIGHT is the monthly newsletter of TEMPLE OF THE ETERNAL LIGHT. It is
an open forum for anyone to send in articles, poetry, short, short, stories,
advertising or anything else. We desire it to blossom into a cornucopia of fact,
or fantasy relating to modern magickal living, spiritual growth and a network
linking all members of our human family by a chain of fellowship.
With wishes for Love and L.V.X.
Rt. Rev. Jerome Peartree, Publisher Rev. Karen DePolito, Editor
******************************************************************************
OPEN INVITATION TO ALL
This event is open to both members and non-members. Please call a day in
advance and let us know you are coming.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, at 7:00 P.M., Spring Equinox Celebration..
Donation: Bring yourself and some food or drink. $1.00 OPTIONAL
This is it, friends! Come and celebrate the open sabbat with us.
................................................................................
REPRINTED BY POPULAR REQUEST
SPRING EQUINOX - MARCH 20
(also called Eostre or Ostara, around March 21st) by: Rev. Karen DePolito
It's time for the earth to "spring" into action, as it were -- a time to
celebrate beginnings in general. The most important symbol here is the planting
of the seed, and the sprouting of new life from the womb of earth. Nearly every
spring Sabbat I know of involves a ritual seed-planting of some kind, either
literal or symbolic.
The vernal equinox marks the beginning of the "light half" of the year,
when day becomes longer than night. From now till fall, the power of the Goddess
dominates the earth with light, warmth and fertility.
The new Sun God, first perceived at Yule, has grown to young adulthood, and
stands with the Goddess no longer as her child, but her consort. And with
daylight and darkness being of equal length, this is an appropriate time for
focussing on the balance of male and female forces within ourselves, and on the
equilibrium of the universe as a whole.
At this time, the sun moves into the sign Aries, marking the start of a new
astrological year. The mutable water sign Pisces -- which the sun is leaving --
represents the watery aspect of water, symbolized by a stagnant, reflective
pond. Here we see the element at its most fully receptive: a profound stillness
in which all impressions are accepted. (To the Caballists, this is the
"Silence" that is the virtue of Binah.) The earth in late winter appears at
rest, having completed a cycle -- but of course any ending is really a
preparation for the start of something else. She has become, as Aleister
Crowley writes about the Moon card of the Tarot, "Yoni stagnant and waiting."
Waiting for what? For the fire about to descend! The cardinal fire sign
Aries represents the fiery aspect of that element -- the initial, violent onrush
of energy suggested by lightning flashes. While not a sustained force, fire of
fire indicates a tremendous burst of magical will. This is exactly the sort of
energy the earth needs to rouse it from its winter slumber, to open buds on the
trees, to push seedlings up through the soil.
The familiar Easter eggs and bunny rabbits got their start in Earth
Religion cultures as symbols of birth and fertility. In fact, the word "Easter"
is itself a derivation of Eostre, a Teutonic goddess traditionally associated
with this season.
It is interesting, although embarrassing to many of the less fun-loving
Christian sects, to note how much of springtime's imagery has survived thru
celebrating the resurrection of Christ. It would appear that the early Church
recognized it had its own variation of a theme (new life rising up from death)
that their Pagan neighbors had been celebrating all along, and scheduled its
Easter holiday accordingly.
I have heard some Christians argue that Easter actually corresponds, not to
any Pagan holiday, but to the Jewish Passover celebration. Consider, however:
the Israelites in their exodus were seeking change, to begin new lives. Their
struggle out of Egypt and into the desert was a major effort of will -- not
unlike that of the seedlings mentioned above.
And hadn't Egypt, with its series of assorted plagues, become a place of
darkness and death -- not unlike the earth at winter? Selah.
Now shut up and eat your eggs.
A RELIGION OF THE EARTH by Jerome
There is so much confusion regarding earth religions since the growing
renaissance that it is virtually impossible to perceive a clear picture of
paganism today. This is particularly true in the Big Apple, where I am familiar
with many of the hundred-odd groups growing under the title of "Neo-pagans",
and, I am told, in California. It is not my intent to denounce any or to
illustrate some are more worthy than others. But, to endeavor to clarify the
meaning of religion and the intrinsic need for each individual to find, often
groping or grouping, the way back to the light within. I am primarily a student
of Caballa and in times of doubt tend to fall back upon the definitions
expounded therein. Yet, even Caballa falls short where memory relives the past
when Grandma lit the Shabbos (Sabbath) candles and Grandpa sang the Friday
evening Blessings. Whether it be shabbos candles or votive lights the
remembrance of childhood days watching the elder folks invokes the beauty of
these times and an odd longing for similar pleasures within my own life today.
Religion, by definition, is an aligning with inner spiritual divinity. The
"Re" as a prefix, indicates we were once there and now seek to return. The
biblical lesson of the "Tower of Babel" or the Tarot, "Lightening Struck Tower",
clearly illustrates the futility of venturing toward Divine realization solely
through intellectual endeavors. In short, study alone will not do it. There
needs be a harmonious balance between knowledge and emotions, ie: the right and
left sides of the brain, to find the shortest path from our earthbound "egos" to
the entrance lying past the astral, three steps off the cliff edge, where the
spirit is alone. Yet, many have passed the point before and many will follow.
Therefore, finding a sense of fulfillment through the practice of an earth
religion is easily as elusive as fulfillment through membership in traditional
religion. Lack of insight and spiritual vagueness of the individual majority
interested in earth religions offers "carte blanche" to anyone who can lay claim
to nebulous, yet, appealing, titles or claim initiation into some as yet
unrevealed, mystery society. Anyone, including myself, with some charisma and
salesmanship ability can memorize heretofore "unknown" arcane jargon and master
the mundane principles of religious incorporation.
There was a Monk living in a cave accompanied by half a dozen disciples
caring for his needs. The Monk spent most of his hours in silent meditation
while the disciples gathered around him gazing at his visage reverently.
Suddenly, the Monk leaped up from his seat, ran to the rear of the cave and
began to draw many squares and circles on the walls. After, covering the entire
rear and side walls of the cave with his drawings, he again retreated to his
seat and meditations. Whereupon the disciples scurried to every part of the
cave filling walls, ceilings and floors with drawings of squares and circles.
The old Monk watched silently and thoughtfully whispered, "They are doing it all
Backwards."
So it has been for the many seekers. (Seekers only seek..Seekers do not
find....Only Finders find.)
How comforting it would be to know one could turn to the "Self-Proclaimed"
True Wiccans for a truthful view of their religions. But, many Wiccans are
hiding their small light under the proverbial bushel. Few dare to openly tread
upon the heels of Christianity or to accomplish more than a superficial
revelation of the intrinsic beauty of their own practice.
Perhaps, Wicca today is not the honest emulation of the "Old Religion" as
it is often called. Let not our daydreaming lull us into complacency where we
fail to recognize our reformed paganism ...with all the bickering and chintzy
inter-group criticism... is leading us down the same path as organized
religions. It was never the intent of pagans to practice solitary magick except
in times of oppression or when suitable partners cannot be found. We are by our
very nature gregarious people seeking fellowship, warmth, knowledge and
enlightenment.
Therefore, now is the time to cast aside superfluous Dogmas. Now is the
time to unite under the common aim of spiritual fulfillment, harmony and unity.
Let all groups, regardless of personal preferences, recognize the intrinsic
beauty and wisdom of Wicca or any of the other Pagan Earth religions for the
benefit of all. Let us propagate honest concepts of Universal concern for our
Mother Earth, and for each other. Let us offer more than lip service to the
ancients precepts of fellowship and unity under natural laws.
Then will our light SHINE! BLESSED BE!
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