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We think that anthroposophy can connect us around the world in this challenging time, even if travelling is restricted – and that it can be a source of hope, strength, confidence and initiative.
An open letter to the Council of the Anthroposophical Society in New Zealand
The following open letter, sent from New Zealand, comes to us because of its relevance to the shared Covid situation in America. Links to referenced publications in America are also provided.
Recently two articles in our national magazine, Scope, (A Pandemic of Blame by Dennis Klocek and Anthroposophy, Politics, Science: A Warning by Richard G. Fried, MD) gave a one-sided picture of what is happening regarding covid. It was as if we were being told what it was acceptable to believe. Many people I know took objection to these articles. Things always go badly wrong if they can’t be discussed openly and different views aired, and I am disappointed that, judging from the choice of those articles, freedom of thought is not being encouraged in the New Zealand Anthroposophical Society. For this reason I’ve decided to write this open letter to the Council of the Society and ask that it be sent to as many members as possible. I believe that free discussion over what really is happening in our land and overseas is vital, and I believe that the institution of the Anthroposophical Society has a special role to play in meeting the present situation and uncovering truth amidst propaganda and lies.
Festival of the Holy Spirit – Whitsun
Sunday May 23rd Observance
What are my gifts? What are my tools? How can I place them in right relationship within the social realm? How can I hone them to strengthen and enhance the world?
Through leading thoughts and conversation we are called to redeem the ether spheres to create an Ecclesia, a chalice for The Sophia. Then the spirit flame can spread out to become what Steiner called a World Whitsun which began in earnest at the Christmas Conference.
The Whitsun Festival highlights one of the greatest challenges of being human: placing our individual gifts in right relationship within the social realm. This challenge is especially strong now during this “pandemic.” Our groups, striving to know Spiritual Science, must work together as a community to create a new culture where a sacrament is possible in every encounter. Our individual strength is enhanced by weaving our gifts together, kindling our social world in conscious community.
Rudolf Steiner calls Whitsun variously: Festival of the Holy Spirit; Festival of Flowers…
Eurythmy Hallelujah
Dear Community members, For the last two months several of us, Eurythmists and friends of Eurythmy have been gathering on Pioneer Square Mondays at 2 pm (rain or shine) to share a Eurythmy Hallelujah with our fair city. If you have an interest in joining in this activity please show up on any given Monday a few minutes prior to 2 pm and you will be welcomed into our routine.
In Gratitude, Don Marquiss
Conversations with Steiner
Current Events through the Lens of Anthroposophy
Over one hundred years ago, Rudolf Steiner presented the lecture series compiled in the two volume set titled The Karma of Untruthfulness: Secret Societies, the Media, and Preparations for the Great War. You are invited to a modern day salon to explore with fellow anthroposophists the challenges of our time. In collaboration with one another and drawing from the studies of Rudolf Steiner, we will attempt to penetrate world events and culture from a deeper occult understanding. We will be guided by Marjorie Spock’s The Art of Goethean Conversation.
Preparing More Space for Anthroposophy
A feeling of deep gratitude for one another, and for all that each one has generously contributed has been warming both the space and our hearts! Teams of members have been hard at work since the middle of March, bringing their talents, with enthusiasm, grit and grace, to the work of preparing new space in the world for Anthroposophy. The church gave us the go-ahead…
Easter – The Festival of Resurrection
Those of us who were surrounded by stacks of Anthroposophical books and journals as we entered titles into the catalog for the new library found ourselves enthusiastic, energized, and interested in what we were seeing! The challenge was to keep to the task at hand and not just dive into each piece we picked up.
Still, treasures were uncovered. I was particularly intrigued by an address1 that had been given by Emil Bock, one of the priest founders of the Christian Community in 1921…
You Radiance – for Rudolf Steiner
You radiance in wind, concentrically weaving in and out of window frames in concrete and steel skeleton structures, whirl
toward my ruined orbit.
Help me to sprout coral branches of light
antennae of the Eternal, through the prison
of my skull. Lead my
resurrected INsight toward that mercurial
Sun-abyss where Archangels are holding council;
let me know those plans they’re
concocting for us down here. Let the eyes in your
photograph pasted to my wall, transmute to mine,
balance between Here and There.
Sweep, golden-angel-winged, into my monotonous
opacity, and spark that luminous
region near my heart
which, you say, moves to understand the stars,
that I may perceive Man’s spidery ties
to constellations:
And let my footsteps glide in tranquil three-time pace, during the earthly sun-period of my brain;
for they are restless
as a broken radiator; and I am angry,
and gossip about my friends, and write popular songs.
Let the squealing tones
of my voice deepen, and my tongue learn the folly
of useless chatter. Make me wise to choose
to shun the Trap of Fame
whose prize is a great hunk of putrefacted cheese:
For I sniff at the plastic lures of the senses
and forget it is enough
for God to mouthe my name. Let Promethean fire
fill me, though chained to a rock; symmetry not entice,
nor the rectangles of Albers*.
Beholding, let me face the blind of back alleys:
And guide the words I write to join your beacon to the Gods!
(*a reference to the work of German-American artist-educator Josef Albers.)
Urban Biodynamic Gardening Matter and Spirit
Here we are starting on the fourth month of the year – April. We have already welcomed Spring with the Equinox in March. A year ago we were getting used to saying the word coronavirus and wondering what the future would bring. Who would have thought that something invisible to the human eye, could change our lives so thoroughly?
My Favorite Drug
A 2019 Statista survey of nearly 2 thousand US voters found that only 72% agreed that vaccines should be mandated for children. A very similar percentage was announced in December 2020 in a KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor survey showing that 71% would “definitely or probably get a vaccine for COVID-19 if it was determined to be safe by scientists and available for free to everyone who wanted it.” But surveying