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"This universe of ours, what is it really? Here we are, centres of consciousness, surrounded by a buzzing confusion which we must try to understand. But we are of the selfsame stuff of the universe -- perhaps ultimately a cloud of energy interacting with other clouds of energy -- and on that account we are in the role more of participants than observers. We cannot distance ourselves from our ambient, hold it at arm's length for impartial scrutiny. This fact has been heavily underlined by modern physics since it sets limits to our knowledge. What we experience is not external reality per se but our interaction with it, so that in a very real sense we are constructing our universe from ourselves."
"The evolution of man is the evolution of his consciousness, and "consciousness" cannot evolve unconsciously. The evolution of man is the evolution of his will, and "will" cannot evolve involuntarily. The evolution of man is the evolution of his power of doing, and "doing" cannot be the result of things which "happen."
A Bit of a Bio:
Astro Inquiry is published in Washington State -- beaming out from Vashon Island. When I was 14 years-old, I made the dogged effort to write to as many astrologers in California as I could, seeing which, if any would take me on as a student. I lucked out with my teachers Ivy Goldstein Jacobson and Margaret Latvala. continues
Book Recommendations
I read regularly. It's like eating bran, tackling superlative syntax keeps the upper system running smoothly. Unfortunately many astrology and spiritual books are poorly written (I should know, I've trawled thousands over the years, or so it seems.) With my constantly refreshed list below (categories include astrology, Tarot, Fourth Way and Gurdjieff, and A. H. Almaas' Diamond Approach and the occasional odd duck) you'll find what's captured my attention as of late, or what I consider so classic you'll want to add it to your own library too. Also, I'm always open to a good read, so please send me your recommendations.
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Happy Solstice: A Mystical View of the Christmas Tree
I’ve always put up a Christmas tree. Despite the halfhearted participation (and groaning) of my boyfriends, I’ve faithfully, right after Thanksgiving, headed out and bought (or here on Vashon, cut down) a tree to lug home. It’s a ritual I rarely miss.
I remember after visiting India some years ago I returned home in the winter and the notion of putting a tree on display seemed absurd. This is a rite of passage for anyone who ventures to India: All of your brain cells are rearranged and you never view your world, or its customs, the same way again. I know that was true for me as a Westerner. Christmas in America, after the dust and squalor of India, felt like a gluttonous indulgence. So I skipped the holidays that year — though I missed having a tree in the house. Read more
Holiday Parties: Oracles, Gin and “What’s Your Sign?”
Niffari on Turning