Following the Star

I have been working with the symbol of a shining six-pointed Star for nearly fifty years now. Year by year I have found great personal help from it and help in focusing my thoughts and prayers and healing meditations. Obviously, it feels a particularly significant symbol at this season of the year. The traditional Christmas story tells of the Wise Men following a Star to find the birthplace of Jesus, the Christ child. Each aspect of the Christmas story is symbolic (as White Eagle explains in his teachings) and we could interpret the ‘Wise Men’ as pilgrims on their spiritual journey, seeking their goal of heavenly wisdom and illumination. The Star guides them on their way, as it guides us all if we open our hearts and lift up our eyes to heavenly things.

In Healing the World White Eagle says: ‘We in the world of spirit could weld you closer together! We would unite you heart to heart, so that you work as a great Star of light. When you visualise the Star and send it forth, you are sending out pure light into the world. You are truly healing the world. Nothing but good is accomplished by your linking with the Star). Train yourself to concentrate upon that symbol of the Christ-life, the shining six-pointed Star, for it will guide you, unfailingly, to the place of perfect healing.’… and in the book Festivals & Celebrations he says in ‘A Meditation for Christmas’: ‘In the silence…with the Star shining from above, and the angel choirs singing their song of love, peace and goodwill, the Child in everyone stirs.’

And so, my personal wish to you this Christmas time is that the thought and image of a shining Star of great light and love will help lead you to your own inner ‘stable’ (or temple) where you will re-experience the magic of the Christ birth and receive a blessing of renewed faith, love, reassurance and peace of heart.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS WISHES AND LOVE FROM

Jenny

Nelson Mandela

David Cameron is quoted as saying (on hearing of the death of Nelson Mandela), ‘A great light has gone out in the world’. I would say that a great light has shone upon the world through his physical lifetime, and that light will continue to shine and inspire generations to come. He is indeed a great torch bearer for humankind.

As the tributes to this amazing man pour in from around the world, we must all be touched by his extraordinary example of courage, forbearance and unconditional love. After twenty-seven years of imprisonment, his thoughts were of forgiveness and how to help South Africa forward in a new era. His vision was and I believe always will be, a vision of universal brotherhood, race with race, religion with religion, country with country.

In some ways maybe in his death, he will be giving the world as much as he gave in his lifetime, as the new generations hear afresh about what he thought and what he achieved, as the media put their spotlight upon him. ‘All nations have to learn to live together in harmony’ was his message. ‘He was prepared to die for his cause’ was a quote from a close associate. Maybe, indeed, in his dying, his vision will be fulfilled.

Advent's Inner Blessing

I always feel this time of Advent is very special. We have just held our ‘Advent Spiral Celebration’ here in the Temple at New Lands for families, children and indeed everyone who wished to join in and it was quite magical—the Temple in semi-darkness, the ad hoc choir singing and the children one by one lighting their candles and gradually creating a beautiful spiral of light on the Temple floor. And at the London Lodge we held our traditional Advent Service following this year our community day of celebration and thankfulness as we prepare to move our Lodge at the physical level.

Although Christmas can be a joyously anticipated time of festivity, I know that for many it is very poignant. Perhaps it is the time of year more than any other when loved ones who have passed on are missed. It is also a time which may be particularly lonely for those without (or separated from) their families.

White Eagle’s teaching brings great comfort. He reminds us that our dear ones are only separated from us physically and that we can all learn to feel their never ending love surrounding us, if we put aside the doubting mind of everyday and ‘open our hearts’. For me, advent time is about ‘opening our hearts’. Life in the physical body is so often about change, surrender and acceptance. (This is the Wise Men’s gift of myrrh!). But the Wise Men also brought frankincense—the holy incense which awakens the consciousness to heavenly wisdom and allows us to accept into our hearts the gift of gold. The gold is the absolute certainly of God’s love and care for all of us and the knowledge that ‘nothing happens by chance’. God’s love is perfect. God’s timing is perfect. I believe that the more we can hold onto our faith no matter what, the more we can accept in our hearts the inner blessing of this special time of year.

White Eagle says this of those who have passed into the world of light: 

When you are happy at the Christmas festival wherever you are you can be quite sure that you have with you those you love. At Christmas time your friends come to you and talk to you in their own way. Do not reject impressions which they give to you of their presence and their love.