Hello, welcome to our Autumn 2019 / Winter 2019-2020 newsletter.
Contents
- The Heart of Nature
- The Winter Solstice Celebration
- Support for the Local Community
- Autumn Fruits
- Wildlife update in Sandhill Wood
The Heart of Nature
The following quotation is part of a trance address given by the Minister Frank Morley at a special ceremony held in the open air in the woodlands of Kent in 1958. It is a beautiful and powerful expression of the value for humanity when groups create the conditions for reconnection with nature. The quotation is clear that when this connection with nature takes place, we are re-establishing ancient practice and rekindling the light given to this country in ancient times.
In establishing our connection with nature, we are healing the separation from nature which has ruled in the West for so long. This was our intent in having a Winter Solstice Ceremony, described in the following article.
“You have indeed truly evoked the higher forces behind the natural world, in gesture, thought and music. This is one of the activities which is so essential if the world is to be led into a new order of life. The human race has alienated itself from Nature. If all manifestations of harmony are to be restored we must begin with each other and then with the world in which we live.”
“You have called on the elementals, which are forms of Mind, and turned to Nature and said: Here is one Centre which wants to be in harmony with you! And you have made a visible link between the spiritual aspect of Nature and the spiritual aspect of the human family. You have thus affirmed the spiritual powers behind all creation, working in harmony with the spiritual aspect of the human world. This affirmation will have its repercussions in the coming months. For a moment, when you sang your chant, the whole of creation responded, and a voice went forth saying: harmony is going to be restored.”
“Your gathering reminded us of how your forefathers, 3,000 years ago, linked with the Druids, and marched in their sacred circles of stones or trees, performing rites very similar to yours. You have called up again the spiritual and occult forces given to your country thousands of years ago; you have called into manifestation the light of your ancient land, to send a message of the new age to the whole world.”
“Each one of you is linked with the ancient past, but today you are forging links which unite you with the future – the golden age – when war in the natural as well as in the human world will have been abolished, and man will live at peace with himself and all creatures.——–The harmony you have given forth by song and instrument is a token of the harmony yet to come, when the music of the spheres shall be heard by all.”
(Ref: Kosmon Unity Spring 1959)
The Winter Solstice Celebration
The Winter Solstice celebrates the time of year of the shortest day and the longest night. It is the time when we celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the anticipation of ever increasing light, a celebration which connects us with the practice of ancient times in this country. The Christian tradition celebrates Christmas at the time of the Winter Solstice. Christmas honours the coming of light in the birth, nativity, of Jesus, so that at the Winter Solstice, light is the theme of both ancient practice and Christianity.
At our Winter Solstice celebration at The Kosmon Sanctuary we combined aspects of ancient practice with the symbolism of the nativity. In the centre of the room was the traditional nativity scene with the baby Jesus in the manger, Joseph and Mary, the three kings and the shepherds. A spiral of light flows out from the manger, meeting the elements of earth, water, fire and air, cosmic energies which combine to manifest the forms of creation, under the direction of the light, as shown in the following illustration:
The Winter Solstice and the Elements
An understanding of the elements, earth, water, fire, air, and ether, give us a way of appreciating the creative qualities within us at this time. The elements help us to penetrate the qualities present at the Winter Solstice and how these qualities can help us in our journey of spiritual development. The quotations which follow are from the work of Glennie Kindred (Sacred Celebrations. A Sourcebook)
Earth: Earth is the quality of materiality and physicality. It is practical, grounded, stable and reliable. People in whom earth is strong love working with nature and materials, and love tradition.
“At this time of the Winter Solstice, we give thanks to the Earth for this period of rest and darkness which has led us to explore the deep wisdom within ourselves. Like the earth, we have strengthened our roots by understanding ourselves and our experiences better. Through this inner exploration, we can contact the source of our being and find spiritual meaning in our lives. Now, as the sun is reborn, we begin to make ready for a new phase of life, to manifest a new set of possibilities and experiences in the material world.”
Water: Water is the quality of flowing, bonding, connecting and nurturing. This is expressed in our emotions, in love, heart connection, and inner flow towards the unknown.
“At this time of the Winter Solstice, we thank the gift of water which has brought us contact with deep mysteries, subtle energies and inner perceptions. During the winter darkness we have touched our souls and the deep emotions hidden inside ourselves. Now, with the rebirth of the Sun can come release through outward expression, art, poetry, music and dance, which lead us to follow our hearts, love and compassion?”
Fire: Fire is the quality of transformation, whether of creation or destruction. Its energy promotes change and cleansing, and is expressed in power and passion.
“At this time of the Winter Solstice we give thanks for fire, the vital energy source, the life force which both creates and destroys. At this time, fire is being reborn. As the Sun increases in strength, we look forward to expressing ourselves again with spontaneity, expansion, growth and passion.”
Air: Air has the quality of movement. It is light, and without form, and is the breath of life. It is the realm of the mind, expressed in intellectual and mental processes.
“At this time of the Winter Solstice, we give thanks for the Air for its inspiration and inner knowledge which brings us new ideas and creates new beginnings. We give thanks for Air’s gift of the ability to communicate at all levels. Here at the Winter Solstice, with the first new breath of the new cycle, we ask that our communications be direct and clear, that we listen to the messages from within, and act upon them during the active phase of the year.”
Ether (Spirit): Ether is the fifth element and stands outside time and space. It is the realm of primary consciousness from which the four manifested elements: earth, water, fire and air, arise. Our desires and thought forms manifest here and are expressed first in the aura and ultimately in the physical body.
“Spirit is the connecting force, the hub of life itself, within us and outside of us. Through it we are part of all life and all existence on all levels, seen and unseen.”
The Winter Solstice and the Nativity
The Nativity celebrates the birth of Jesus, The Light of the World. The traditional Nativity scene, as described in the bible, is full of profound symbolism, described beautifully in the transmissions of White Eagle (The Way of the Sun), quoted below.
The Three Wise Men
The three wise men (kings; Maji) are guided by a star. They knew it told them of the birth of Christ, and are guided by it to the manger in Bethlehem.
“The star, which they saw in the east, went before them till it came and stood over where the young child lay” (St. Mathew’s gospel).
White Eagle explains that the star is the symbol of our inner guidance:
“Remember, as you step forward on your journey through life, that above you is the illimitable star of heavenly light, like a ray from God’s heart shining into you, and it will guard and guide you until your journey’s end.”
The three wise men bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, tree resins highly valued in ancient times for their medicinal and spiritual qualities.
“The treasure which mystics of all ages seek is the gold within the soul. All true aspirants seek to transmute the base metal within their being into pure gold of the spirit. The wise men bring to you the gold, which enables you to transmute the base metal in your souls into pure gold.
They bring you frankincense too, the gift of gentleness and sweetness. This sweet fragrance the wise teachers, the radiant ones, bring to you to absorb into your soul.
They bring yet another gift, the gift of myrrh: bitterness – some people call it sorrow and pain. All brethren, at some time, feel pain, and this brings understanding and sympathy; pain is necessary for the soul, so that it may grow spiritually and emotionally. Through what you call sorrow, the soul enters into joy.
These beautiful gifts the wise men bring to the Christ child which is born in the cave, the chakra of the heart. In the cave of the heart the Christ child is born, deep, deep within your own soul. There follows the visitation of the Wise Men with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Therefore, my children, we welcome with deep gratitude these gifts, which bring us to the way of illumination, the way of life, the way of happiness.”
The Significance of the Shepherds
In the biblical account we are told that in the fields outside Bethlehem there were Shepherds “keeping watch over their flocks by night”. They received the message of the angels:
“Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ———The shepherds came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.”
White eagle comments on the inner meaning of the shepherds and the flocks they cared for, and the lesson of this story for us today:
“The shepherds are those who are the spiritual leaders of humanity, those who have risen a little above the plane of the earth, who have begun to open their spiritual vision and are trying to lead their human flocks to the hilltops of life. They are very still, these shepherds, watching, waiting, meditating, as you must watch and meditate, for if they had not been quietly communing with nature and with God, they would not have been ready to receive this visitation of the angels. This is a lesson for people on earth who are mostly so busily engaged with earthly thoughts and activities that they cannot find time to enter into the silence of the spirit within, and can therefore neither hear nor see the heavenly hosts.”
Anthony Deavin
Support for the Local Community
The trustees of the Kosmon Sanctuary regularly support charities.
It is profoundly encouraging that many so charities exist; wherever there is a need, one or more concerned people take on the responsibility of doing something about it, providing stability and hope in these troubled times.
During the past 6 months we have donated to the following charities:
The Book Trust
The Book Trust transforms lives by getting children and families reading. Each year the trust reaches 3.9 million children across the UK with books, resources and support.
The Brigitte Trust
The Brigitte Trust is a charity offering free emotional support and practical help at home to people and their families facing cancer, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, heart and lung failure, and other life-threatening illness.
Centre Point
From housing and health, to learning and engagement, Centre Point aims to help vulnerable young people to move on from homelessness, and to become able to build a future they can believe in.
SSAFA. The Armed Forces Charity
Whatever challenges they are facing, members of the Armed Forces community can rely on SSAFA for support in many areas, e.g. for mental wellbeing, disability, and the challenges they meet in joining civvy street.
StreetVet
StreetVet is a not for profit animal welfare charity in the UK founded in 2016. The organisation provides support for homeless pet owners who cannot afford private veterinary treatment, and educates them on the responsibilities and care incurred in animal ownership.
Lucy Rayner Foundation
The Foundation is concerned to raise awareness of young adults with mental health challenges, and to provide the support they need for recovery.
The Diamond Centre
The Diamond Centre, part of the Riding for the Disabled Association, provides riding and carriage driving for children and adults with disabilities.
Autumn Fruits
The Oak
The oak was sacred to the Druids. It is the doorway to your inner spirituality and the power of Love within.
Sandhill Wood has both English and Sessile oaks.
The Holly
It helps the heart to open to Unconditional Love.
The Blackberry
Wildlife Update in Sandhill Wood
16/02/2020
At the beginning of the woods, Roger and I have cleared some of the area of old fallen trees and lots and lots of brambles. This has increased the light and helped the Bluebells and Wild Garlic to re-establish itself.
A flock of 40 – 50 Bramblings has been sighted. Bramblings are a winter bird which migrate from northern Europe to southern parts of Europe. They arrive here September on their way south and they can then be sighted February to March on their way home.
Another sighting was a flock of Redwings which was a stunning colourful sighting as the sun was low in the sky and when they flew off their lovely red under wings was so accentuated. One of the times you wish you had a decent camera handy.
Last year we had a pair of nesting Bussards. They raised 3 young and sightings of them flying about as a family of 5 was lovely. Later the sightings of them had reduced to 3 -Mum, Dad and one young. This was probably the weakest of the litter not yet ready to make it on their own and we believe the young has become a resident of the woods as we hear it at least once or twice a week.
6 wooden feeders made by Roger to try and encourage Nuthatches were placed in the woods but unfortunately the holes were made bigger and on closer inspection the teeth marks indicate the Squirrels are the culprits. Maybe looking for new homes!
A hedgehog has been sighted on the wildlife camera around Spinney Cottage. There have not been so many sightings of the deer as last year.
To try to encourage more Greenfinch, Goldfinch and bullfinch we have put up a separate bird feeder with specialised Finch food and there has been some response.
Steve Cox