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Chiron Communiqué
Author's Occasional Newsletter
from Steven McFadden
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Vol.
6 No. 2
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© September, 2001 |
Global Holy War and
Michaelmas:
The Sorrowful 2001 Autumn Festival
Weeks ago, in the sulphurous depths of summer, I updated an old essay
on the Autumnal Equinox, and the corresponding Festival of Michaelmas
(Sept. 29). Now the essay seems urgently relevant, for the teachings
of the Michaelmas Festival bear directly and helpfully upon our violently
profound global quandry.
You can read the whole essay - and view a handsome oil painting - by clicking on Michaelmas
Michaelmas occurs each year on September 29th, about a week after the Autumnal Equinox. Michaelmas is the festival most neglected by institutionalized religion and commerce, perhaps because it is the festival which celebrates individual women and men claiming their sovereign spiritual inheritance. As such, it requires neither rigid doctrine nor hierarchical institutions to mediate between humanity and divinity. It requires, rather, that aspiring souls reckon directly with Spirit -- something that necessitates both courage and acts of free will.
The figure who is the focus of the Autumn festival - Archangel Michael - is regarded as a high, sacred being by Moslem, Christian, and Jewish faiths alike. Because of this, the festival of Michael offers unifying and healing qualities at a time when we desperately need streams of spiritual strength. Holy War has broken out on earth. Crusades are underway in every dizzying direction to destroy the infidels. God help us all.
In the very midst of the breaking clouds of this Holy War, Archangel Michael is said to dwell - radiating the forces of sure strength and justice, and wielding a potent sword of light. As it has been said in Moslem, Christian and Jewish stories for hundreds of years, with his sword Archangel Michael vanquishes hate, fear and horror.
I wrote the Michaelmas essay well before the 9/11 air attack on America. Thus, the essay does not comment directly on the brutal terrorist incident which so instantly ignited what leaders freely call a global jihad/crusade. Even though the essay precedes the war, I hope it can offer a ray of illumination for all, including Moslems, Christians, and Jews.
To read the Michaelmas essay click on the link at the start of this item, or seek the essay out in Chiron's Cave on the Chiron Communications website
LEGEND OF THE RAINBOW WARRIORS:
WAR AT A HIGHER TURN OF THE SPIRAL
To advance public discussion and understanding on the question of what it means to be a warrior in our times, Chiron Communications has been actively promoting the new book, Legend of the Rainbow Warriors.
As drawn from historical accounts, the legend of the rainbow warriors relates that "when the earth become desperately sick and chaotic, people of all colors and faiths will unite and rise to face the overwhelming challenges with insight, honesty, caring, sharing, and respect." It is that simple, the legend maintains, and that difficult.
As I understand the myth, the rainbow warriors are not scheduled to come charging onto the scene like the cavalry to save us, nor should we hold our breath waiting for them to arrive en masse from galaxies unknown. The rainbow warriors are here already, and we are they. That is, we are if we choose to be, no matter the color of our skin or the name of our religion. Out of our diversity, we find strength and unity. This is an essential part of the legend of the rainbow warriors: the understanding that every facet and shade of the rainbow is necessary for its integrity and beauty.
The future will be whatever we make of it. What myth will we follow? What dream will we pursue for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren unto seven generations? These are questions raised the legend, questions we would do well to engage right now.
If the myth of Daedalus can come to life as a human being spreads synthetic wings and soars over the sea using only the strength of his body for power, and if the myth of space travel can propel humans to walk on the moon, then the legend of the rainbow warriors can also become real. We can, if we choose, protect and defend ourselves and our Mother Earth, and encircle her with a rainbow culture of integrity, beauty and spiritual prosperity. But it will take our full measure of devotion and creativity.
Nota Bene: Saturday, September 15, 2001 was the 30th anniversary
of Greenpeace - a nonprofit, environmental group that was inspired by
the myth at the moment of its very beginnings, As many readers know,
Greenpeace's principal ship was the Rainbow Warrior - and now the Rainbow
Warrior II. To learn more, click this link:
PRIZE FOR GRASS-ROOTS LEADERSHIP
Under the "Leadership for a Changing World" program, the Ford Foundation and the Advocacy Institute are seeking nominations of Americans who are community leaders and who are successfully tackling tough social problems.
Twenty outstanding social justice leaders and leadership teams will be given substantial financial resources to advance their work, plus $30,000 for supporting activities.
Nominations will be accepted by the Advocacy Institute through January 4, 2002. Leaders must be nominated by someone who is well acquainted with their work and can attest to their qualifications.
Specific questions can be submitted via E-mail info@leadershipforchange.org Phone (202) 777-7560, or by writing to Leadership for a Changing World, Advocacy Institute, 1629 K St., NW Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006-1629.
TIME TO SET SPRING FOOD AND FARM PLANS
Families and Households interested in supporting local farms - and thus ensuring themselves and their neighbors of fresh, wholesome foods unpolluted by chemicals or genetic tinkering - should act now to find and support a local community farm.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a movement that is continuing to grow in America and elsewhere in the world. You can find out all about it - and about the benefits it will bring to your family or household - by visiting the Chiron Communications website, and clicking on Farms of Tomorrow.
CHIRON COMMUNICATIONS SCHEDULE
Sept. 14-16: "Walk Your Talk." Weekend conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Will feature Steven McFadden presenting an intensive Legend of the Rainbow Warriors workshop, and a Night Walk of the Labyrinth by torchlight. Sponsored by Prairie Visions. For information contact Phyllis Robinson at phyllis.r@sk.sympatico.ca or 306-651-1853.
Sept. 22: Autumn Equinox Celebration at Cayamungue, just north of Santa Fe, NM. Marcia Starck and Steven McFadden will facilitate the gathering - at the precise moment of the Equinox, from 4:30-6:30 pm. Special focus on peace. Ceremony to be followed by a pot luck supper. For information e-mail Chiron@chiron-communications.com
Oct. 12-13: "Roots of Astrology: Stars Alive in Santa Fe." The legendary Roots of Astrology conference will take place this year in Santa Fe, NM. The Roots conferences create opportunities for people to awaken the archetypes represented by their personal horoscopes, and "wiith drama and wit" to penetrate the core meaning of the forces at work in their lives
Conference participants need have only a general understanding of astrology, for the archetypes represented by the planets and signs are awakened through play and drama, not by lecture. At Roots conferences, everyone participates and contributes. Facilitators: Kelley Hunter, M.A., Steven McFadden, and Marcia Starck.
For information or to register contact: Adrien Gordon in Santa Fe. Goriggs1@aol.com or 505-466-8240
Oct. 17: "Legend of the Rainbow Warriors." Talk and book signing at Borders book store in Santa Fe, NM. Talk starts at 7 PM. For information call 505-954-4707
Oct. 24: "Legend of the Rainbow Warriors." Talk and book signing at Borders book store at the Winrock Mall in Albuquerque, NM. Talk starts at 7 pm. Call the store for additional information.
Nov. 9-10: "Legend of the Rainbow Warriors: A Living Myth for the New Millennium." Friday evening talk and intensive day-long workshop in Sedona, AZ. For information contact Owl Feather Studio in Sedona via e-mail: Gabe@kachina.net -- or by phone 928-204-1344.
Nov. 30: 2002: Spiraling into the Depths, with the Santa Fe Astrology Forum a the Chruch of Religious Science, 505 Camino de las Marquez in Santa Fe. The annual Forum program begins at 7 PM.
More Events Coming...
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* The Chiron Communique is now posted as a blog on the Chiron Communications home page.
For permission to quote or use images, please send requests to chiron@chironcommmunications.com
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