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Branch Library For information, to take out a book or to arrange a visit, contact Valerie Hope, info@portlandbranch.net The Book Catalog is now on our website – the ‘search’ function is really helpful. You can now return books at any time to the box on the porch at 2606 SE 58th Ave. To schedule the space for an event or meeting Contact James Knight, j365@yahoo.com Contact the Branch Council: info@portlandbranch.net Website: portlandbranch.net |
| | | | | PORTLAND BRANCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2025
Save These Dates!
All events at the Branch Library unless otherwise indicated, 5415 SE Powell Blvd, 2nd floor, parking behind the church.
Saturday, August 9, 6pm 1st BIODYNAMIC STIR Sunday, August 10, 8am 2nd BIODYNAMIC STIR September 26, 27, and 28 MICHAELMAS FESTIVAL Sunday, November 2, 6:30 pm ALL SOULS OBSERVANCE Sunday, December 7, afternoon ADVENT TEA PARTY
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| | Thank you for your membership! Here are our current members. |
| If you enjoy our newsletters and like being informed about all we have going on please consider becoming a member. We would love to have you join our community. (Update as of June 2025) |
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| You are invited! Please join the Portland Stirrers and Spreaders for a sequential stir on Saturday, August 9th and Sunday, August 10th. A sequential stir is simply applying the biodynamic preparations one after the other, in a sequence, usually on a series of days. This can help enhance their activity, building a synergy that isn’t available when they are applied in isolation to each other. We will be gathering at the home of Denise Tester at 6 pm on Saturday to stir Horn Manure (BD 500) and at 8am on Sunday to stir Horn Silica (BD 501). Please join us for one or both. No experience necessary, all materials provided. Fair weather only. Please contact Denise at deeprootsfarm@harbornet.com for more information and to RSVP. You do not need to have a farm or garden to use and benefit from the preparations. If you can’t participate in stirring, but would like the preparations spread on your land/tiniest patch of soil/potted plants, please contact Denise at deeprootsfarm@harbornet.com and we will try to arrange delivery of the activated preparations to you.
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A Michaelmas Festival at the Portland Branch
A Call to Action Rooted in the Power of Human Hearts!
2025
*** Friday, September 26th 6:30-8:00 PM
Opening theme:
What practices prepare us to meet the challenges of our time?
In the Branch Community Space
Introduction followed by conversation guided by Timothy Kennedy.
*** Saturday, September 27th 10:00am - 5:00pm
A day of engaging with a variety of group exercises and activities strengthening body, soul, and spirit toward service.
In the Branch Community Space
The golden thread weaving through the heart of this festival are the six essential exercises. These have been suggested by Rudolf Steiner to activate the twelve petalled lotus flower and offer a supportive foundation for meditation. Accompanying our exploration of these exercises we plan to sing together, move in eurythmy together, sound in speaking together, eat a festive meal together and awaken to each other. *** Sunday, September 28th 6:30-8:00pm
Michael in the Light of the Prince of Peace
Artistic evening program
in Bothmer Hall
Rudolf Steiner’s Last Address given on Michaelmas Eve 1924 read by Diane Rumage, followed by a sequence of Madonna images and a selection of poetry by Novalis.
The Portland Branch wishes to invite all who are seeking to explore and grow their relationship to Michaelmas!
We will benefit from everyone’s sharing to begin to answer what R. Steiner was pointing towards in emphasizing the importance of the two festivals, Easter and Michaelmas. |
| | The Six Essential Exercises A series of qualities
First, we put attention to directing the sequence of our thoughts - this is the so called “practice of the control of thoughts.” Just as thinking true and meaningful thoughts develops the sixteen-petalled lotus flower, so inwardly controlling our thinking processes develops the twelve-petalled flower. Thoughts that flit about like will-o’-the-wisps and follow each other by chance rather than in a logical, meaningful way distort and damage the form of this flower. The more logically our thoughts follow one another and the more we avoid all illogical thinking the more perfectly this organ develops its proper form.
Therefore, whenever we hear an illogical thought, we should immediately allow the correct thought to pass through our mind. But, if we find ourselves in what seems an illogical environment, we should not for that reason withdraw in order to further our development. By the same token, we should not feel the immediate urge to correct any illogicality we witness around us. Rather we should inwardly and very quietly give the thoughts rushing at us from the outside a logical and meaningful direction. We should always strive to maintain this logical direction in our own thinking.
Second, we must bring an equally logical consistency into our actions-this is the practice of the control of actions. Any instability and disharmony in our actions injures the development of the twelve petalled lotus flower. Therefore, each of our actions should follow logically from whatever action came before. If we act today out of different principles than we did yesterday, we shall never develop the lotus flower in question.
Third, we must cultivate perseverance. As long as we consider a goal, we have set ourselves to be right and worthy, we should never let any outside influence deter us from striving to reach it. We should consider obstacles as challenges to be overcome, not as reasons for giving up.
Fourth, we must develop forbearance (or tolerance) toward other people, other beings, and events. We must suppress all unnecessary criticism of imperfection, evil, and wickedness and seek rather to understand everything that comes to meet us. Just as the sun does not withdraw its light from wickedness and evil, so we, too, should not withdraw our understanding and sympathy from anyone. When we meet adversity, we should not indulge in negative judgements but accept the inevitable and try, as best we can, to turn it to the good. Similarly, instead of considering the opinions of others only from our own standpoint, we should try to put ourselves into their position.
Fifth, we must develop openness and impartiality toward all the phenomena of life. This is sometimes called faith or trust. We must learn to approach every person, every being, with trust. Such trust or confidence must inspire all our actions. We should never say, in reply to something said to us, “I don’t believe that because it contradicts the opinion I have already formed.” Rather when faced with something new, we must always be willing to test our opinions and views and revise them if necessary. We must always remain receptive to whatever approaches us. We should trust in the effectiveness of whatever we undertake. All doubt and timidity should be banished from our being. If we have a goal, we must have faith in the power of our goal. Even a hundred failures should not be able to take this faith from us. This is the “faith that can move mountains.”
Sixth, we must achieve a certain balance in life (or serenity). As esoteric students, we should strive to maintain a mood of inner harmony whether joy or sorrow comes to meet us. We should lose the habit of swinging between being “up one minute and down the next.” Instead, we should be as prepared to deal with misfortune and danger as with joy and good fortune.
…. If we ignore the cultivation of these qualities, then this organ [the heart chakra] will be distorted into a caricature of itself.…We may become intolerant, fearful, and negative toward our surroundings. For example, we may become sensitive to other people’s soul mood and mentality and for this reason avoid or dislike them. This may even go so far that coldness floods our soul whenever we hear opinions contrary to our own with the result that we cannot listen to them or respond belligerently. Extract taken from How to Know Higher Worlds,
by Rudolf Steiner, Pgs.120-123 |
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Steiner Books Study Group Ideas and Book Discounts Multiples of Some Books Available at the Branch Library
When a group of people join together to study a particular book and wish to purchase that book in quantities of five copies or more, Steiner Books will give a 20% discount for that order. You must purchase five copies or more of a single title, and payment in advance is required. Order using the offer code STUDY at checkout.
In addition, the Branch Library has multiple copies of some books, which you can look up on the searchable catalog on our website here: https://portlandbranch.net/community-library-1/
Steiner books also has suggestions for how to organize study group discussions here: https://steinerbooks.org/pages/study-group-guidelines?_pos=7&_sid=1fa05784a&_ss=r
If you have outstanding books it would be helpful to complete the process by returning them when you are finished. They can be returned 24/7 to the book box located on the porch at 2606 SE 58th Ave. Portland, Or. Books can be checked out during all our events. For more information you can call Valerie Hope at 503-775-0778 |
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| MATCHING GRANT
The gift of our 2025 matching grant is intended to go towards paying $8,000 per year for the beautiful space that is our Portland Branch of the Anthroposophic Society. Our community donates $4,000 and the grant matches the $4,000 hence we can look forward to our lovely events knowing the rent is paid. This has been a blessing to us and may not always be available. Fundraising is always the nature of nonprofits and ours is a unique one in that our whole community supports making anthroposophy available to everyone. How nice is it to have a place to go, listen to lectures, have workshops, pick a book or six from the library shelves? We are grateful for all your gifts to the branch. Please specify if your donation is intended to be put towards the matching grant. This allows us to reflect your wishes more accurately.
With gratitude for your support,
Kathy Rem Treasurer for the Portland Branch of the Anthroposophic Society Update as of June 2025 |
| | | The Artist’s Corner
We invite you to contribute a photograph of your art in any modality you work in. Please contact Pablo Feliz at felizpablo@gmail.com
Sharing with us this month is Dr. Alicia R. Marroquin PhD
"Cosmos III"
Manifestations in light and darkness. Sunrise gesture germinating future seeds of power and life where the "I" connects to the World's Becoming. |
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| | | | | | | | ON-GOING STUDIES/GROUPS/MEETINGS |
| First Class of the School of Spiritual Science. September 14th. 9:30 am sharp • (no admittance after the class starts) • Bothmer Hall, 5915 SE Division St. • Remember your Blue Card. For more information contact: Cheri Munske cherimunske@gmail.com, Diane Rumage drumage@comcast.net or Rebecca Soloway rrsoloway1@gmail.com
Portland Branch Council Meeting: Monday, August 11th, 6:30 pm, Branch Library/Community Space, 5415 SE Powell Blvd, entrance off parking lot in the back. All Branch members are welcome to attend, and/or call us with agenda items, proposals, suggestions, or to observe. Please contact us at info@portlandbranch.net to let us know you are coming. Meetings are normally held on the second Monday of each month.
First Monday Study, we will read together, The Michael Mystery (GA 26) which includes Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts (leading thoughts 79 through 185) Please join us for lively discussions. • First Monday of the month, August 4th, 7:00-8:30 pm • In person (with zoom option TBD) • Contact Heidi Sheppard, HSHEPPAR@LHS.ORG Free
Opportunity for Speech Work Miriam Ward would like to explore together with anyone interested, ways of speaking texts of your choice (poetry or prose) with enhanced expression by unlocking its natural beauty. These 45 minute sessions would be offered in the Branch Library. Donation will be accepted for using the space. Call Miriam and let her know if you are interested at 503-459-3423.
Astrosophy Class First and Third Wednesdays, 7-8:30 pm • 8654 NE Boehmer St. • Contact Diane Rumage, 971-271-7479 drumage@comcast.net This class will introduce participants to the basic principles of Astrosophy in a study of the works of Willi Sucher and Diane Rumage’s work with the stars, with indications that Rudolf Steiner gave for those interested in the cosmos. No previous knowledge necessary. Please bring blank paper and colored pencils to the class in case we need to use them. If you are just curious if you’d be interested, please feel free to come and check us out. Free
Speech Formation and Mystery Drama Group 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm • 8654 NE Boehmer St, Portland, OR 97220 • Contact Diane Rumage drumage@comcast.net or 971 271-7479. Free. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm and a love of the Word. Besides speech formation and acting exercises, we are currently reading and discussing Rudolf Steiner’s book of lectures, Speech and Drama, copies of which are available in the Branch Library. Free
The Tarot in Light of Spiritual Science • Presently once per month For more information contact James Knight (j365k@yahoo.com) Registration for the class happens through Meetup (meetup.com) where you can learn more about the class and RSVP at this page: https://www.meetup.com/experiences-in-spiritual-science/. Free |
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| Embryo in Us & Embryo in Motion: Two Seminars with Jaap van der Waal. Two separate DVD sets recorded live in Portland in 2010 & 2017, available only here. These two seminars explore human prenatal development and show how biology is expressing the essence of human spiritual enfoldment. Jaap van der Wal, PhD, MD now retired, was an associate professor for anatomy and embryology at the University of Maastricht, Holland. Contact the Portland Branch. |
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