Martin Luther King Jr. - What America Owes Its Immigrants

As part of our social activism calendar, we are marking  MartinLuther King Jr. Day (January 19) with a short speech by Mr. King. It is a short speech, barely filling a half of a page of text, but it was chosen because it is a topic that is currently of a compelling relevance, with major wars wreaking havoc in Eurasia and the Middle East, record refugee numbers, domestic violence epidemics, and an urban homelessness crisis, we can see how far we have gone from the imperfect, utopic, yet optimistic, idealistic, 1960s baby-boom period. We can see here how many of the problems are based on an inability for peaceful, tolerant  and equitable co-existence.

 

Although short, it still eloquently and poetically shows how Theosophical values of compassion, tolerance, inclusiveness, universal brother/sisterhood, oneness of humanity, global inter-connectedness, which can form a solid foundation for equal human rights and justice for all, beyond all forms of discrimination, exclusion and partiality. Moreover, there is reference to the doctrine of karma ('If we deny justice to the newcomer today, tomorrow that denial will find its way back to our own doorstep.') As King pithily puts it:' 

“We may have all come on different SHIPS, but we’re in the same BOAT now.”

 

My brothers and my sisters, we stand again at a threshold of conscience, a place where the nation must decide whether it will live the creed it carved into stone or continue to run from the promise it made to the world. For too long, America has stretched out her hand to the weary and the wandering, yet pulled it back when the stranger drew near. But I am here to say that a nation cannot bless the earth while building walls around its own compassion. 

 

Some say close the gates. Some whisper there is not enough room at the table. But I say to you, fear is a poor architect of a house meant for freedom. This land was not shaped by one color or one tongue. It was carved by the sweat of immigrants, the dreams of refugees, and the blood of the enslaved. Together they built a nation that has not always loved them back. We are told that newcomers are burdened. But history testifies that the immigrant is the seed of renewal. The bold soul who leaves the known for the unknown. And by courage alone, it spans the boundary of what is possible. 

 

Let us never forget nobody chooses to uproot their life for comfort. People cross deserts and oceans because staying means death, despair or silence. We who preach liberty to the nations cannot turn our backs when the nations come knocking at our door. And though men draw borders with pins and fences, God draws only one circle, the circle of humanity. Within that circle, no race is foreign, no language is alien and no child is illegal. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.

 

If we deny justice to the newcomer today, tomorrow that denial will find its way back to our own doorstep. The chains forged for one group soon rattle on the wrist of us all. My friends, the question before us is not simply who belongs here, but who are we willing to become? Will we be the nation that trembles when strangers arrive? Or the nation that remembers it was once a stranger itself? Will we clutch our blessings like misers? Or scatter them like seeds destined to grow. 

 

Let us choose the courage of welcome. Let us build bridges wider than the rivers and hearts deeper than the politics of the moment. And when history turns the page and our grandchildren ask, "How did you treat the ones who came seeking refuge?" Let us answer with clear voices and clean hands. We widened the door. We stood for dignity. We believe the world is big enough for all of God's children. For that is how freedom rises. Not by shutting people out, but by inviting the world in and daring to live as one human family. 

 

See also:

https://blavatskynews2.blogspot.com/2020/06/blavatsky-american-feminist-civil.html 

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/06/in-writings-andspeeches-of-eloquent-and.html 

Peaceful Social Activism Calendar

Being an inherently philanthropic movement, I would like to humbly suggest that Theosophical efforts have had a certain influence on modern humanitarian and social activist movements. Modern technocratic capitalist society prides itself in its scientific advances and material comfort, at least for those who live in the developed western world. However, the ethical problem seems to have slipped away somehow. Religion no longer knows how to inspire morality, philosophers get lost in specialized theoretical speculations, and politicians like to legislate the loftiest ethical visions that have no way of being applied practically, whereas modern ethical works are basically concerned with how to navigate overabundance.  

  

One way that humanitarian values have managed to be encouraged, is with the United Nations calendars of special theme days, of which there are many. The United Nations (UN) centers its mission around core values like peace, justice, respect, human rights, tolerance, and solidarity, enshrined in its Charter and guiding principles, aiming to prevent conflict, uphold dignity, ensure equality, and foster global cooperation for a better world , emphasizing that these values are interconnected pillars of security, development, and human dignity. Below is a selection, one day per month, that may be compatible with Theosophical spiritual values. Would it not be beneficial to promote the values inherent in these daily reminders, in a more concerted and united way? Hashtags have been included for more cohesive on-line efforts. Moreover, for a more diverse perspective, a second list of theme days has been included that is more independent of the United Nations. 

  

Ideally, one could take some time on the specified day to develop a reflection on how Theosophical values can contribute to the healthy flourishing of the theme in question. Now if one considers that the basic ethical approach of Theosophy is based in the practical, active application of duty-based ethics, then a more enterprising approach would be to develop concrete events in one's community in order to inform, promote and encourage the values in question in each person's daily life. In the word's of H. P. Blavatsky, 'It is not enough to laud the body and branches, as sources of morality and wisdom and benevolance, for they will always be judged by the outward world by the fruits, not by the pretensions, not by what they say, but by what they do.' (The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett, p. 141)

 

Jan 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day #MLKDay 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr._Day

 

Feb. 1-7 World Interfaith Harmony Week

https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/

 

Feb 4 International Day of Human Fraternity  #HumanFraternityDay #InternationalDayofHumanFraternity

https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-fraternity

 

March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination  #AntiRacismDay #FightRacism #StopAsianHate #BlackLivesMatter

https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-racism-day

  

April 15 World Art Day

https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-art

 

May 21 International Day for Cultural Diversity #CulturalDiversityDay #WDCDDD 

https://www.un.org/en/observances/cultural-diversity-day

 

June 5 World Environment Day #WorldEnvironmentDay

https://www.un.org/en/observances/environment-day

 

July 30 International Day of Friendship #FriendshipDay

https://www.un.org/en/observances/friendship-day

 

August 9 International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples #WeAreIndigenous #IndigenousPeoplesDay

https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_the_World%27s_Indigenous_Peoples

 

Sept 21 International Day of Peace #PeaceDay

https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace

 

Oct 2 International Day of non-violence (Gandhi’s birthday)

https://www.un.org/en/observances/non-violence-day

 

Nov 16 International Day for Tolerance  #ToleranceDay

https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/international-day-tolerance-16-november

 

Dec 10 Human Rights Day #HumanRightsDay #16DaysofAction #IHRD2022

https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day

 

Variant list

 

Jan 27 International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust #HolocaustRemembranceDay

https://www.unesco.org/en/days/holocaust-remembrance

 

Feb 20 World Day of Social Justice

https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day

 

March 21 World Poetry Day #WorldPoetryDay

https://www.unesco.org/en/days/poetry

 

April 22 Earth Day  #EarthDay

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day https://www.earthday.org/

 

May 18 International Museum Day #InternationalMuseumday

https://icom.museum/en/international-museum-day-2/

 

June 8 World Ocean Day  #WorldOceansDay

https://worldoceanday.org//

 

July 24 International Self-Care Day #SelfCareDay #InternationalSelfCareDay

https://www.selfcarefederation.org/international-self-care-day-page

 

August 19 World Humanitarian Day

https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day

 

Sept 20 Word Cleanup Day

https://www.worldcleanupday.org/

 

Oct 1 International Music Day

https://imc-cim.org/international-music-day/

 

Nov 1 World Vegan Day #WorldVeganDay

https://vegan-day.org/en/

 

Dec 10 International Animal Rights Day

https://www.worldanimalprotection.org/our-campaigns/sentience/animal-awareness-days/international-animal-rights-day/

 

ps- For the more combative, tenacious souls willing to face the more virulent causes of pain and suffering in the world, a list of some of the more prevalent vices that plague society, and the days aimed at their vigorous opposition:

1^st Tuesday in April SAAM (Sexual Assault Awareness Month) Day of Action

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/saam-day-of-action-first-tuesday-in-april

Mar 4 World Obesity Day 

https://www.worldobesityday.org/ 

April 7 World Health Day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Day

 

May 31  World No Tobacco Day (WNTD)

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day

 

June 26   International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day

https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-drug-abuse-day

 

October 3 World Alcohol-Free Day

https://movendi.ngo/what-we-do/lifestyle/world-alcohol-free-day/

November 18 World Day for Prevention and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence

https://www.togetherforgirls.org/en/international-days/world-day-for-the-prevention-of-and-healing-from-child-sexual-exploitation-abuse-and-violence

  

see also:

https://www.humanrightscareers.com/magazine/human-rights-calendar/

https://www.coe.int/en/web/compass/human-rights-calendar 

https://www.sportsengine.com/blog/how-to-encourage-people-to-volunteer/ 

Astrology: The Year 2025 in Review

Astrology: The Year 2025 in Review 

For the 2025 forecast, I wrote:

In fact, February and March will be the only months with no difficult Mars aspects. But with five outer planets hovering between the high-energy cusps of two signs and 7 volatile Mars aspects (marked in red), one can expect a fair amount of convulsions in this transition year.

 

Many comments have indeed described 2025 as a difficult year, and one can point to several tough periods, such as Mars retrograde opposite Pluto (Jan 3), Solar Eclipse (March  30), Mars opposite Pluto (April 26), Mars opposite Saturn (Aug 7), Full Moon/Mars square Jupiter (Sept 8), Full Moon Lunar Eclipse (Nov 4), and Mars square Saturn exact Dec 8 (Nov. 25- Dec 29) all had many significant volatile incidents, including major fires, earthquakes, storms, and floods.

Winter 

Mars retrograde opposite Pluto, January 3, with added pressure from the Jupiter-Saturn square and the still unstable Pluto ingress into Aquarius, heralded a dramatic start to the new year. Some events, over the full period of the aspect, which ended around January 29, including the dramatic Eaton, California fires where, sadly, the Altadena Theosophical Library Center and Press was lost:   

South Korea plane crash (Dec. 29), Jimmy Carter passing (Dec. 30), Lightning strike US Capitol, Washington Monument, and Empire State Building (Jan. 2), Mass shooting (New York) (Jan. 2), Puerto Rico power outage (Jan. 2), Two US-based "terrorist" attacks (New Orleans and Las Vegas) (Jan. 3), Massive fireworks explosion in Honolulu (Jan. 6), Central US winter storm (Jan. 6), Canadian PM Justin Trudeau steps down (Jan. 6), Tibetan Earthquake (Jan. 7), Los Angeles fires (Jan. 7), Elon Musk Rotherham rhetoric (Jan. 8), Korean President arrest standoff (Jan. 15), David Lynch passes (Jan. 16), Space X Rocket explosion (Jan. 17), US Inauguration fallout (Jan. 20), Garth Hudson passes  (Jan. 21), Southern US Snow storm (Jan. 21), Turkish ski resort fire (Jan. 22), Indonesia flood (Jan. 23), Slovakia protest (Jan. 24), Germany protests (Jan. 25), Congo rebels (Jan. 27), Colombia rebels (Jan. 27), India Kumba Mehla deaths (Jan. 29), Washington Plane/Helicopter crash, 67 deaths (Jan. 29), Storm Eowyn (Feb.1), Australia fires (Feb. 3)

January 13 Full Moon in Cancer  conjunct Mars opposite Pluto, sextile Uranus, trine Neptune, a cradle pattern or trapeze, which gives good support against a strong opposition... Stern Venus conjuct Saturn opposite Jupiter. It was also close to comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) as the full Moon occulted Mars and Venus was at its greatest eastern elongation. At this time, the initial Israel-Hamas cease-fire agreement  was reached. The Israel-Hamas war began October 8, 2023 Mars square Pluto (exact) (Oct 14  New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra) Israel-Gaza cease-fire Jan 13 Full Moon in Cancer conjuct Mars rx opposite Pluto (5 degree orb).

There have been several high-profile airplane crashes, with US fatalities from crashes more than doubled in 2025 compared to 2024. It seems to coincide with the ingress of Pluto in Aquarius, an air sign. One event that can serve as a good overall illustration of the prognostic was the Washington Ukraine Minerals deal press conference on February 28. The Oscar ceremonies on March 1 featured numbers from all three great Wizard of Oz musicals, and so this very Theosophical fairy tale has cemented itself as an enduring myth maker in popular culture, with no signs of slowing down...

The Full Moon March 14, 2025 Lunar Eclipse  

Armenia and Azerbaijan agree on historic peace treaty, avalanches in Canada,  and severe storms in southern U.S. Around the same time, March 12, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live began its first tour in North America.

Spring

Spring began with United States tariff trade and expansion challenges.

The March 29 – Solar Eclipse coincided with March  30 Neptune in Aries 

Major ice storm in Ontario, causing extensive power outages, major earthquake in Myanmar, 1700 casualties, a test rocket intended to kickstart satellite launches from Europe fell to the ground and exploded less than a minute after takeoff from Norway, dangerous line of storms targets nearly entire Eastern Seaboard after killing at least 7 in central US 

 

Apr 04 – Saturn sextile Uranus (1 of 3)

Hands Off’ protests take off across US and Europe to oppose Trump agenda, thousands in Spain join nationwide march to protest against housing crisis

 

Mars opposite Pluto, April 26 saw some striking events:

April 21 -Pope Francis, committed to service, humility and healing, dead at 88

April 22  Indian-administered Kashmir attack by a group of militants saw 26 people killed, with survivors saying the militants were singling out Hindu men.

April 26  11 victims in the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy in Vancouver. Dozens more injured in vehicle ramming at Filipino event

April 28 - Surprise, rapid Canadian Federal election based on reaction to American tariff hikes and territorial designs

 

May 25  Saturn in Aries 

Russia-Ukraine, Israel/Palestine wars escalate, a spate of mass shootings in US, man drives van into crowd at Liverpool soccer game. 

 

June  9 Jupiter in Cancer

Air India plane crash with 270 casualties, a major immigration protest crackdowns in Los Angeles , a mass shooting at a school in Austria, Israel launches major offensive against Iran

 

Jun 15  Mars square Uranus

June 15 – Jupiter square Saturn (3 of 3)

Minnesota shootings, Israel-Iran, Russia-Ukraine, G7, Vaccines

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/16/us/5-things-to-know-for-june-16-minnesota-shootings-israel-iran-russia-ukraine-g7-vaccines  

 

June 18 – Jupiter square Neptune (1 of 1)

G7 leaders fail to reach major agreements on key global issues after Trump's early departure; US hit by blackouts as sun releases colossal burst of radiation... and experts warn more is to come; SpaceX Starship rocket explodes

This period was apparently fated for reclusive, sensitive, multi-talented pop music geniuses: Sly Stone June 9, Brian Wilson June 11, we also lost Serge Fiori on June 24, also Alfred Brendel June 17 Mick Ralphs June 23 Lalo Schifrin June 26 

Summer

June 23: US-Iran America’s attack on its nuclear facilities, Israel-Iran hostilities escalate, Church attack in Syria kills 20, Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil released, mandatory Ten Commandments in US school judged unconstitutional 

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/23/us/5-things-to-know-for-june-23-us-iran-israel-iran-church-attack-mahmoud-khalil-ten-commandments

 

July 4 Saturn conjunct Neptune (close, but not exact)

Much of the central and eastern U.S. has had above-normal precipitation over the three months from April 23 through July 24, 2025. For communities in Texas, New Mexico, West Virginia and New Jersey, the floods have been deadly. And many more states have seen flash flood damage in recent weeks, including New York, Oklahoma, Kansas, Vermont and Iowa. 

Why 2025 became the summer of flash flooding in America 

 

July 7, 2025  Uranus in Gemini 

Five US governments initiatives receive push back: Texas floods, Immigration, Planned Parenthood, Ukraine, Veterans Affairs  

https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/us/5-things-to-know-for-july-8-texas-floods-immigration-planned-parenthood-ukraine-veterans-affairs

July 20-24- we had Sun opposite Pluto, Moon square Saturn, Venus square Mars, Saturn Conjunct Neptune, Jupiter square Saturn (wide), Sun sextile Uranus, (and Lilith at, 13 degrees Scorpio)- 7 challenging aspects help explain high number of deaths of musicians, actors, artists that week

Deaths July 20-24 Ozzy Osbourne, Hulk Hogan, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Tamra Lucid, George Kooymans, Chuck Mangione, Tom Lehrer, Dame Cleo Laine, Tommy McLain  

The Uranus shift to Gemini saw the release of several summer fantasy film blockbusters: Superman (2025 film)  July 7, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle July 18, The Fantastic Four: First Steps July 25, and the surprise hit, KPop Demon Hunters June 20.  My Melody & Kuromi a Netflix stop-motion animated series hit the #2 spot on Netflix's worldwide TV chart shortly after its July 24, debut. Kind of like Willy Wonka meets Perceval/Fisher King tale, a tale of jealousy, obsession, collective healing and redemption that could be considered as a good illustration of the Summer prognostic. 

Aug 7 Mars opposite Saturn, Neptune Full Moon 

an interesting Full Moon in Aquarius weekend unified, symmetrical chart Mars opposite Saturn/Neptune kite & Venus T-square Mercury opposite Pluto kite 3 interlocking minor grand trines Pluto, Neptune/Sat, Uranus, Merc, Mars above also form Mystic Rectangle Venus conjunt Jupiter 

 

A week prior, the heart-breaking, tragic death of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste underscoring  Jupiter in Cancer, June 9, focus on family values. This could be considered an exemplary event that encapsulates much of the Summer prognostic. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyO5-9I8ZbE

 

The massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula last week has triggered the activity of seven volcanoes in the area; Israel Gaza offensive announced; UK Palestine protest; Russia talks with Trump announced; Floods in Asia & US; California & Canada wildfires; Trump Washington security measures; NY Times Square & Georgia shootings

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/07/us/5-things-to-know-for-august-7-tariffs-fort-stewart-shooting-ice-dc-chikungunya-virus 

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/us/5-things-to-know-for-august-8-israel-census-air-force-crime-report-california-wildfires

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/us/5-things-to-know-for-august-11-gaza-dc-national-guard-texas-redistricting-extreme-weather 

Aug 11 – Saturn sextile Uranus (2 of 3) 

Global outrage mounts as funeral held for five journalists killed in Israel

 

August 28, Uranus sextile Neptune (1/5)

A town in Japan, Toyoake, Aichi prefecture is to urge all residents to restrict their smartphone use to two hours a day in an attempt to tackle online addiction and sleep deprivation.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/28/japanese-town-toyoake-proposes-smartphone-limit-residents-two-hours-day 

 

Sept 8, Full Moon Lunar Eclipse with Mars square Jupiter

quite a powerful eclipse... 

Japan’s prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has announced his resignation; at least 19 people have been killed and dozens injured in Nepal after demonstrations against a sweeping social-media ban; Nepal's parliament set on fire after PM resigns over anti-corruption protests; Russia hits Ukraine with biggest air attack of war, sets government building ablaze; Shooting attack at Jerusalem bus stop kills 6 people; French lawmakers voted to oust Prime Minister François Bayrou; Killing of Charlie Kirk

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/08/us/5-things-to-know-for-sept-8-ice-raids-jerusalem-attack-powerball-jackpot-russia-ukraine-war-tariffs 

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/us/5-things-to-know-for-sept-9-epstein-files-apple-event-nepal-protests-french-government-collapse-gaza  

Fall

Following the September 21 solar eclipse, we had

Sep 24 Mars square Pluto

Super Typhoon Ragasa leaves devastation across China, Taiwan, Philippines, Airport cyber attacks in Denmark and Europe, a rousing UN speech was delivered by US president Trump (Sept. 23).

Oct 1 Dr. Jane Goodall passed away.  

Oct 9 Thomas Pynchon's last novel was published in 2013. Since then, the world has become a lot like a Pynchon novel...In his new novel, Shadow Ticket, he has a long bit in about asports and apports, disappearances and reappearances during séances. Big Lebowsky Gravity Rainbow prequel...

Oct 14 Gaza peace plan announced. In the Fall prognostic, I boldly declared:

Although there have been some strong efforts, I do not see the chance of the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars showing any signs of ending before next Spring at the earliest.

Perhaps I was off the mark, but the peace process, although making headway, is taking time to unfold, therefore, my prognostic for a Spring finalization might still be plausible. In any case, conditions for peace should be more favourable in the Spring, as the outer planets take a more definite positioning in the new signs.

Oct 21 Takaichi Sanae becomes Japan's 1st woman Prime Minister. On November 7, a statement about Taiwan prompted a diplomatic skirmish with China. Sailor Moon: The Super Live musical's tour of China was promptly cancelled.

Nov 4 Mars opposition Uranus Full moon in Taurus November 5 

Rio Brazil drug raids, against large organized crime ring, Sudan violence, Philippines Typhoon Kalmaegi,  Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Hamas-Israel attacks escalate, Tanzania election violence, India Religious stampede Afghanistan Earthquake, November 11: 758-metre-long Hongqi bridge collapses in southwest China, months after opening.

 

Nov 20 Uranus sextile Neptune (2 of 5) 

Nov 21 Wicked For Good debuted with a strong box office performance. 

Astronomers spotted comet 3I/ATLAS with Hubble again on November 30, when it was 178 million miles (286 million kilometers) from Earth, and using the telescope’s Wide Field Camera 3 instrument, captured an even clearer shot.  

Mars square Saturn exact Dec 8 ends Dec 29

Early possible effects noted around November 25 include, Hong Kong apartment complex fire, Over 1300 people dead & 1.2 million displaced following devastating flooding and  landslides in South-East Asia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, caused by tropical Cyclones Senyar and Ditwah.

Around December 8, we had 7.6 earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, 7.5 earthquake in Alaska, Ukraine-Russia peace deal stalled, Israel-Gaza peace deal stalled, (progressing slowly), Thailand-Cambodia border skirmishes, failed coup in Benin, violence in Congo, Sudan civil war humanitarian crisis, US seizes Venezuelan oil tanker, continuing pressure campaign, dramatic documentary about Anglican Church abuse scandal aired. Two coronal mass ejections (CME) struck Earth's magnetic field, sparking geomagnetic storm conditions and painting the night sky with vivid aurora displays as far south as California U.S., Austria, and Germany.

Around December 14, Saturn father issues highlighted with Rob Reiner and wife murder and  father-son Hanukkah shooting in Australia, 15 dead. Both events could be seen as examples encapsulating many of the elements in the prognostic for the semester (compounded by Sun square Saturn (exact Dec. 16) and Mars square Neptune (exact Dec 14)).

Astrology: The Year Ahead 2026

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2025/09/astrology-year-ahead-2026.html