Oracles - 24th March 1990

FOR the astute, there are messages everywhere - signs and signals in the surrounding world. Tea leaves and the like are but small ways in which one can interpret the welling activities - and if one can observe, and learn to listen, the tiniest fragment can give up to a much larger picture, a window, so to speak, of conditions and forthcoming events. Often the pathways are marked out ahead of time, and there is a gap between occurrence and actuality.

Not that we recommend that this is a tool for spying or trying to take an advantage of another, but simply to indicate that: the clouds, the bird-life, the people who may visit, which side the penny falls, the time of day, the spores on a dandelion puff, the colours flashing in a fragmented crystal, the words in a book randomly chosen, the music from a wind chime - all of these and more significant others, can give an insight to the beholder who questions.

Fetishes are never good at best, obsessive consultation is not desirable. Such motivation will effect the card and lay way to false reading if overused. And of course the practice of laying oneself open to all suggestion is a practice which can weaken the will.

Ask a scientist who performs a test which involves a specific positive or negative reaction, if this is hocus-pocus to consult the material itself as to its property.

More importantly, learn to observe daily and allow the signs to become clearer in the unfolding of daily life. Then the appropriate deductions can be enforced, through this constant recognition and openness to all possibilities.

Conversation- 24th March 1990

It is better to have held to the silence,
than to have spoken a joke out of place.
Pliny

WERE that our tongues were held more frequently! The spoken word is a sacred tool, and far be it for us to suggest that it is totally necessary for human consolation. The human being requires understanding on many levels, so often an understanding presence is all that has been asked for. So often those seek sanctuary and consolation from such an encounter: through the confines of a holy place, through prayer, or in the refuge of another's company.

More often than not, it is presence that is sought. The words are of very little consequence, and one has only to look at the conversations that take place in daily life, generally speaking. And when it comes to an important rendition, the words are difficult in coming and perhaps true meanings are veiled; even when effort is attempted. 

So saying this we may add that plain speech: straight and honest truth, is very hard to convey to ears that are unused to hearing. Vague innuendos and mainstream conversation has dulled the intellect yet further, into accustoming and converting to a lazy framework that issues little substance to attract aspiring thought.

The question then is: how to begin again, and renew the social art of conversation with vitality and vigor. A remedy can be of two direct courses, namely:

1. The silence enjoyed before prayer, meditation or meetings, is an excellent clearing for the possibilities of pure speech.
2. Completely objective, honest and poignant remarks have a refreshing effect of either beginning a useful interaction, or closely ending an un-useful conversation very quickly.

Of course this again must be objective. Little is to be gained by pointing out one's observation that his conversational partner has a nose like a honker!

Clouds & Etheric Fluids- 21st March 1990

THE lofty clouds that billow above the common Earth arise when the atmospheric conditions predominate. The well of the skies has a remarkable conjunct with imperial altitude, until which pressure drops and the load spills over, back down to the hungry ground below. It is the Earth itself that attracts this overflow, and the warmth above that gives rise to the endless spirals of condensation. Such interaction is dependent on the in-breathing and out-breathing of the planet herself.

Water is to the Earth, and the sustained life-forms upon the Earth, as the etheric forces, and their respective billowy vapors are to the subtle etheric world. Steeped in, and drawing down into, we attract a necessary sustainable etheric downpour, throughout our depleted system. Man's needs are somewhat more complex in his requirements and utilization of such a force. Regulation can be sporadic in comparison to the kingdoms below and their consumption of this life-renewing etheric rain.

The plant's supporting lifestream is ever constant, whereas Man himself requires a shift of consciousness in order to draw from the well of vital forces for constant renewal. By shift of consciousness, I refer to sleep - although sleep itself has many complicated modes and functions, depending on the quality of the sleep. Some factors render an individual incapable in some respects of drawing into themselves all of the necessary regulated vitality for functioning completely. And we should visualize the sickly as bathed in a warm golden sea of invigorating fluid, drawing it into themselves, permeated, refreshed and replenished by the waters supporting them.

Water translates to vapor through warmth, returning again to water when the vapour is repulsed by the atmospheric pressure of relative lack of warmth. Discharged etheric fluids translate into cosmic ether, condensing and channeling back into the world it sustains, it breathes in another inflow, and so forth.

As the watery tides are somewhat influenced by old mother Moon, the etheric masses and spirals are influenced by the reception of the Sun. When the Sun is at its highest point there is a drop in the etheric tide whilst the etheric world is as a conductor for the Sun's radiation, its function partially reaches overload at those two points in the Sun's day- the etheric breathing-in and breathing-out changeover times being midnight and midday. Most of the world functions in the light of day, but it is not only the light of the Sun that encourages us to do so.

Mediocre Pastimes- 20th March 1990

Sir Joseph Noel Paton

THE MEDIOCRE pastime of the very wealthy has been to put all of reality to one side, in order to replace it with an illusory creation of their own. This can be of particular use to us, as there are individuals, who through certain result, have set perfect conditions in which they could fill the whole of their remaining life with constant and serious study. But instead the opportunities are sorely missed, much to the grief of the frivolous when all is said and done.

One might say that there is much to experience in worldly luxuries. Frivolity does not extend only to those with feeble intellect however, much comes from a brilliant mind - a strange quirk and contradiction that is regarded as incidental to all those who can seize such indulgences; but of itself it is a distinct and definite problem- the worm in the apple. Sadly enough, it is with those who have the means to provide for a better future, community and conditions for those around them - the very souls who pledged formerly, that they would move heaven and hell to make revolutionary changes.

Charity defies the worm of the heart. Progress is surely two steps forward and one step back (8). An emperor, a ruler, a governor, a general, must look towards the material that he has, and use it strategically as best he can. Today we review the situation with those who hold keys to influence the world, and question if it is not possible to awaken them, in order to encourage some moral moves and regain their reality.

Worldly affairs have in the past, been seen to hold ground to a spiritual undercurrent war. If this is the way we view it, our best people at present are for the main part, off sleeping in the village, whoring, feasting, and intoxicating - already captive, waiting only to be strung up and stuck like the pig on their roast.

However, radical changes can be brought into action. Mutual agreement can clothe dishonesty, a dishonesty that perpetuates frivolous values. You know the pressure in everyday conversation to continually bow to others in their frivolous pursuits. If a person relates to you with great eagerness an account of their primary functions, would it not be better to gently point out some fruitful activity that you yourself, would rather partake in, explaining that although this is not perhaps possible at present, great joy is derived from such and such an experience.

Needless to say, the word 'duty' will not invoke any pleasurable sensation; it will not stimulate any profound desire for them to follow your course.

But the first remedy is honesty from one soul to another, so as not to perpetuate that particular myth any further. Secondly, worms are anything but candid and do not like attention of themselves. Thirdly, disagreement will give the feeble enough of a shake-up, in order to attract momentarily their fleeting attention, to listen to you. And fourthly, if you manage to point to an inspired and wholly moral pastime for them to focus on, and resistance then follows to these ideas, remember that resistance is better than affirmation of dead-end pursuits, and that the soul does hear what is proposed- even though the digestion takes longer.

Striking the proverbial chord! The soul knows that it is hungry to maintain a much richer existence. Wake and shake the troops! There is no need to be condescending or judgmental. That is not a position that will win any result; but to stimulate with both love and vitality, a fresh approach to the abilities that this persona before you has, and the wondrous talents that he or she has to offer the world.

Quite often, even the very talented with outstanding abilities lack the self-confidence and self-image to believe themselves worthy of bringing about wonderful changes in the world. This needs to be re-inspired in them, their dignity needs to return. This is why it is essential that our task be directed in humility and with complete regard for the unfortunate folk who are temporarily taken with the illusion of worldly self-gratification and mindless pursuits.

Self-creativity is not dead within the individual, it is just slumbering. Acknowledgment from a brother is half the problem solved. And the consequence of reaching folk one by one, can reach the world in fantastic proportions if this is consciously attempted by those with goodwill, if it be tried.

You must not lack faith, read again what has been said, look to your own achievements and your own abilities and do not get drowsy.

The bulldozer methods of the moralists do not reach souls. The closed sects for the morally perfect have preferred to withdraw; the drowning need 'an arm up', from all who are in the boat. Do not underestimate the importance, even if effort appears lost in the trying, for it is not!

Lablia- 19th March 1990

ONCE upon a time there was a young lad named Lablia. He was sent on a perilous errand. One moment he had been grinding grain with a rock for his mother. The next, he had been called away by his father to deliver a message.

He had waited for the whole of his short life to assist his father, reaching out to manhood. It was important to him to be seen with approval, and this task set before him was as though a God had sent it. Such importance rested on such little shoulders!

So great was the burden, as the few miles to be covered were ravaged by warring men. And the scenes that he encountered were a most terrible hell. He did not want to walk through those roads. Bodies, some with faces that he recognized, with eyes that stared at him, with limbs that wandered - he did not want to pass through that way. But he knew his father's instructions. 

And small though he was, it did occur to him that this might be the fate of his own little village that this message might help his parents and his animals that he loved so much. And so he ventured forward through the stink and open grave, he ran.

But before he had reached the end of that village, a large hand had caught him up and his throat was cut. He passed over with his mission incomplete, although many times afterwards he held visions of a triumphant outcome.

Such ordeal, such failure, such importance in trying - this he took with him, with great impression into his future life. This story unresolved, impressed upon the soul of Lablia.