I chose to experience the time of the solar eclipse yesterday sitting out in my little stone circle. For us, here in North West Wales, it was early evening. Not much chance of actually seeing anything, as we have had rain and high winds for several days now. The skies were dark and lowering with heavy grey cloud, yet thankfully, the gales had calmed to a warm if boisterous breeze and only a soft drizzle fell fitfully.
The new moon and solar eclipse of the 8th April 2024 is a pivotal event in the progress of the human race and the Earth as a whole. As a Theosophist, we refer to the energetic changes we are all experiencing as Shamballa, which culminate in 2025. The effects of the current solar flares and magnetic storms upon our planet are just one contribution to the many challenges and difficulties we are all feeling and reeling from at present.
And it is not just we humans who are being subjected to such inter-stellar effects. Everything upon the earth and the Earth herself are being shaken up, stripped and renewed, hence all the earthquakes, floods and extreme weather this past few weeks – the earth is having quite a time of it too.
For years now, we have been impressed by the dire results of our careless, thoughtless way of life and have been made to view the bigger picture, globally, universally, and take responsibility collectively for our actions as members of the human race. While it is extremely important that we don’t lose sight of this bigger picture, it has been made clear to me that right now, we all need to focus on the little things in our lives… the myriad tiny occasions when ordinary life lifts our spirits with some of the millions of miracles which constitute our day-to-day lives, and which we are frequently oblivious to. The comforting sensation of hot water on your skin; the soft caress of clean clothes or a favourite jumper; that first mouthful of tea or coffee in the morning which is so good; the sight of a fuzzy bumble bee buzzing about it’s all-important business; the deep blue of a forget-me-not flower growing in the cracks of a path.
We need to take particular joy in all that we have to be thankful for and focus on our blessings, not our problems and woes. As humans, it is all too easy to only acknowledge what is wrong or missing in our lives, and not actually see all that we actually have. Now is the time to change all that, and to revel in every tiny moment of beauty, of comfort, of good fortune, no matter how transient, and to laugh… we really do need to laugh more and truly begin to feel the exuberant joy of being alive. After all, we are tremendously privileged to be alive today, at this crucial time in the history of our World.
What I am suggesting goes a little beyond the Mindfulness so many of us aspire to. I am trying to convey the feeling of living one’s life in actively positive joy and gratitude for everything, no matter how microscopic or insignificant. From these infinitesimal moments, we can birth a new and much more loving, peaceful and beautiful world. This is what is being asked of us. Our success is in the detail… the minutiae of our own everyday life.
Please share this message – by reposting links or sharing on Facebook, or whatever, but mainly by your own actions – amazingly, our collective future is in your hands, and the level to which you are prepared to allow yourself to be happy – set aside the habitual emotions of guilt and unworthiness which we all tend to suffer. This is your birthright! Try it. What is not to like? After all, you are hardly being asked to participate in something unpleasant.
And if, every time you celebrate a moments joy, you can send out a flash of loving gratitude, think how, when multiplied millions of times, this could change everything.
Have an absolutely brilliant day, and many days to come – smile, love, laugh, and enjoy life… your life.
Easter and the Vernal Equinox are a time of new beginnings, of rebirth, regeneration and the upsurge of spring and the new cycle of the growing season… of the light, bright, active half f our year. Here is a gentle suggestion as to how we can all become involved in creating a new world truly fit for our children and grandchildren to inhabit.
Who remembers this popular song from the musical ‘Oliver’ back in the 1960’s? Harry Secombe belting out “Every day would be the first day of spring…”
Greetings to all my dear ones and friends in both real time and via electronic devices – each and every one of you is deeply appreciated and cherished.
The kindness and support I have received from friends, family, acquaintances and medical staff alike over the past few weeks has been a constant source of delight, wonder and amazement to me.
For many of us, this isn’t just the darkest time of the year in physical terms – it is a veritable dark night of the soul as many of us struggle to adjust to yet more government restrictions and Covid-driven changes of plan which threaten to turn our family and friends focused Midwinter celebrations into a cold and hollow sham.
When we are children, we talk about Father Christmas. Who is he? A sacred being? A god? A real person? A figment of our fertile imaginations? Contrary to many varying – and sometimes quite outrageous – suggestions, it is most likely that this figure of sacred folk memory has evolved out of an amalgamation of northern deities such as the god, Odin, and the Wild Man of the Boreal Forest of Eastern Europe.
