Astrology – The Year in Review (2020)

The following is a list of events that occurred near the exact aspect moments of the past year. Although a more complete analysis is needed to evaluate the effects of the important aspects that occurred in 2020, this list can serve to give a general idea of the basic type of impact. Of note are January 12 (Saturn-Pluto Conjunction) and November 12 (Jupiter-Pluto Conjunction), where many striking events occurred.

The year kicked off with a bang, inaugurating a new 35-year Saturn-Pluto cycle with an eclipse on January 10.

Saturn-Pluto conjunction (January 12)

In the week preceding this, there was the tumultuous events of a US-directed assassination of a top Iranian army general closely followed by the downing a Ukrainian commercial airplane by the Iranian army. It was on the day of the conjunction that Iran declared responsibility for the downing, stating that it was accidental, after having denied involvement previously.  There was a massive winter storm in the US that stretched from Texas to Michigan. North Korean diplomats announced a desire to back away from nuclear armament discussions and the impeachment process for US president Trump was officialized on January 15^th, with an acquittal decision on February 5^th.

The week of the conjunction and eclipse was also marked by major earthquakes in Puerto Rico and a volcanic eruption in the Philippines In Great Britain, the formal Brexit process was made official. Taiwan elected a strongly anti-Chinese president while China announced a draconian ban on foreign teaching materials. In Australia, climate protests sparked by the massive forest fires reached a peak. It was at this time also that a worldwide coronavirus pandemic began to manifest itself, escalating over the next couple of months.

Jupiter conjunct Pluto (April 4)

Close to this conjunction on April 4, Ethiopian Airlines released preliminary report on the major plane crash of March, 10, 2019. Australia has passed a sweeping law to stop the spread of violent content online, following a mass shooting in a Church on May 12, 2018. The FBI has warned of a new potential privacy and security concern called "Zoombombing." President Trump fired Michael Atkinson, who informed Congress about the whistleblower complaint regarding Trump's communications with Ukraine that eventually led to his impeachment.

Eclipse (June 21)

The United States announces that it is leaving the UN Human Rights Council. The day before the decision, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights slammed the separation of children from their parents at the US border as “unconscionable.” General Electric was removed from the Dow Jones Industrial average. In Indonesia, a tourist ferry sank, 192 people were killed. Nearly half of US states are reporting a rise in new Coronavirus cases.

Jupiter conjunct Pluto (November 12)

The final of three Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions occured on November 12, some significant events at that time:

The Trump administration refuses to begin the formal transition process and cooperate with Joe Biden's incoming team. Supporters of President Trump clashed with counterprotesters in Washington, DC, leading to 20 arrests. Insurgents loosely aligned with ISIS attacks in  Mozambique, with thousands of Ethiopians are fleeing into neighboring Sudan to escape escalating conflict. At least 74 migrants died in a shipwreck yesterday off the coast of Libya. Protests in Belarus against longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko over alledged rigged elections. The US sees  single highest daily Covid count since the pandemic began. Tropical Storm Eta devastating in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala, where dozens have been killed. Azerbaijan and Armenia reach peace accord.

Jupiter- Saturn Conjunction (Dec. 21)

President Donald Trump challenges election results, with a month left until President-elect Joe Biden takes office. U.S. Embassy in Baghdad damaged in rocket attack. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed it on Iranian-backed militias in retaliation around the anniversary of the killing of a powerful Iranian military commander.

Alexey Navalny, the Russian opposition leader and nemesis of President Vladimir Putin, almost died after being poisoned in August. It was discovered that the lethal nerve agent Novichok was planted in his underwear. Israel's coalition government collapsed Tuesday night, setting the stage for the country's fourth national election in under two years, because Israel's parliament failed to meet a deadline for passing budgets, crumbling an already tenuous alliance between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israel's government.

A new, mutated form of the coronavirus that originated in England is spreading across the globe.  In the US, the first doses of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine are be administered cases and deaths are increasing in much of the US. Congress approved $900 billion Covid relief package after months of partisan gridlock. The electric-car maker  Tesla makes its debut in the S&P 500, becoming the most valuable company ever admitted to Wall Street's main benchmark index.

Jacob Boehme on the love of Sophia (Wisdom) 1

Sophia (σοφία, Greek for "wisdom") is a central idea in Hellenistic philosophy and religion, Platonism, Gnosticism, Orthodox Christianity, Esoteric Christianity, as well as Christian mysticism. Sophiology is a philosophical concept regarding wisdom, as well as a theological concept regarding the wisdom of the biblical God. Sophia is honored as a goddess of wisdom by Gnostics, as well as by some Neopagan, New Age, and feminist-inspired Goddess spirituality groups. In Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christianity, Sophia, or rather Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom), is an expression of understanding for the second person of the Holy Trinity, (as in the dedication of the church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul) as well as in the Old Testament, as seen in the Book of Proverbs 9:1, but not an angel or goddess.

Blavatsky has written about Sophia in her gnostic commentaries, such as her Notes on the Pisits Sophia and is part of her mystical explanation of the Sacred Four, or Arba-Il, of which a brief outline as follows :

India	Babylon	Ophite	Christian
1 - Brahma	Anu	Sige	Father
2 -Vishnu	Bel	Ennoia	Son
3 - Siva	Hoa	Bythos	Holy Ghost
4 - Nari	Mylitta	Sophia	Mary

 Anna Kingsford gives a good theosophical description of Sophia : She is not matter ; but is the potential essence of Matter. She is not Space ; but is the within of space, its fourth and original dimension, that from which all proceed, the containing element of Deity, and of which space is the manifestation. As original Substance, the substance of all others substances, She underlies that whereof all things are made ; and, like life and mind, is interior, mystical, spiritual, and discernible only when manifested in operation. In the Unmanifest, She is the Great Deep, or Ocean, of Infinitude, the Principium or Archë, the heavenly Sophia, or Wisdom, Who encircles and embraces all things ; of Whom are dimension and form and appearance ; Whose veil is the astral fluid, and Who is, Herself, the substance of all souls. (The Perfect Way, Lecture 1, Part 1, 34)

The Gnostic Sophia reappears in a different form in Christian Mysticism, and one of the more compelling portrayals is from Christian Theosophist Jakob Böhme in a text called The  Gates  of  the  Paradisical  Garden  of  Roses, from his essay True Repentance, part of six texts grouped under the title The Way to Christ (1624), which forms a good introduction to his writings.

The  Gates  of  the  Paradisical  Garden  of  Roses

 This is understood by none but the Children of Christ, who have known it by Experience.

WHEN Christ the Corner-stone stirreth himself in the extinguished Image of Man, in his hearty Conversion and Repentance, then Virgin Sophia appeareth in the Stirring of the Spirit of Christ in the extinguished Image, in her Virgin's Attire before the Soul; at which the Soul is so amazed and astonished in its Uncleanness, that all its Sins immediately awake in it, and it trembleth before her; for then the Judgement passeth upon the Sins of the Soul, so that it even goeth back in its Unworthiness, being ashamed in the Presence of its fair Love, and entereth into itself, feeling and acknowledging itself utterly unworthy to receive such a Jewel.  This is understood by those who are of our Tribe, and have tasted of this Heavenly Gift, and by none else.  But the noble Sophia draweth near in the Essence of the Soul, and kisseth it in friendly Manner, and tinctureth its dark Fire with her Rays of Love, and shineth through it with her bright and powerful Influence.  Penetrated with the strong Sense and Feeling of which, the Soul skippeth in its Body for great Joy, and in the Strength of this Virgin Love exulteth, and praiseth the great God for his blessed Gift of Grace.

I will set down here a short Description how it is when the Bride thus embraceth the Bridegroom, for the Consideration of the Reader, who perhaps hath not yet been in this Wedding-Chamber.  It may be that he will be desirous to follow us, and to enter into the Inner Choir, where the Soul joineth Hands and danceth with Sophia, or the Divine Wisdom.

1-When that which is mentioned above cometh to pass, the Soul rejoiceth in its Body, and saith,

PRAISE, Thanksgiving, Strength, Honour, and Glory, be to thee, O great God, in thy Power and Sweetness, for that thou hast redeemed me from the Anguish of the fiery Driver.  O thou fair Love!  My Heart embraceth thee; where hast thou been so long?  I thought I was in Hell in the Anger of God.   O Gracious Love!  Abide with me, I beseech thee, and be my Joy and Comfort.  Lead me in the right Way.  I give myself up into thy Love.   I am dark before thee, do thou enlighten me.  O noble Love, give me thy sweet Pearl; put it I pray thee into me.

O great God in Christ Jesus, I praise and magnify thee now in thy Truth, in thy great Power and Glory, for that thou hast forgiven me my Sins, and filled me with thy Strength.  I shout for Joy before thee in my new Life, and extol thee in thy Firmament of Heaven, which none can open but thy Spirit in thy Mercy.  My Bones rejoice in thy Strength, and my Heart delighteth itself in thy Love.  Thanks be to thee forever, for that thou has delivered me out of Hell, and turned Death into Life in me.   O sweet Love!  Let me not depart from thee again.  Grant me thy Garland of Pearl, and abide in me.  O be my own proper Possession, that I may rejoice in thee forever.

Upon this, the Virgin Sophia saith to the Soul,

MY nobel Bridegroom, my Strength and Power, thou art a thousand Times welcome.  Why hast thou forgotten me so long, that I have been constrained in great Grief to stand without the Door and knock?   Have I not always called thee and entreated thee?  But thou hast turned away thy Countenance from Me, and thine Ears have declined my Intreaties.   Thou couldst not see my Light, for thou didst walk in the Valley of Darkness.  I was very near thee, and intreated thee continually, but thy Sinfulness held thee Captive in Death, so that thou knewest me not.  I came to thee in great Humility, and called thee, but thou wert rich in the Power of the Anger of God, and didst not regard my Humility and Lowliness.   Thou hast taken the Devil to be thy Paramour, who hath defiled thee thus, and built up his Fort of Prey in thee, and turned thee quite away from my Love and Faith into his hypocritical Kingdom of Falsehood; wherein thou hast committed much Sin and Wickedness, and torn thy Will off from my Love.  Thou hast broken the Bond of Wedlock, and set thy Love and Affection upon a Stranger, and suffered me thy Bride, whom God did give thee, to stand alone in the extinguished Substance, without the Power of thy fiery Strength.  I could not be joyful without thy fiery Strength, for thou art my Husband; my shining Brightness is made manifest by thee.  Thou canst manifest my hidden Wonders in thy fiery Life, and bring them into Majesty; and yet without me thou art but a dark House, wherein is nothing but Anguish, Misery, and horrible Torment.

O noble Bridegroom, stand still with thy Countenance towards Me, and give me thy Rays of Fire.  Bring thy Desire into me, and enkindle me thereby, and then I will bring the Rays of my Love, from my Meekness into thy fiery Essence, and be united with thee forever.

O my Bridegroom, how well am I, now that I am in Union with thee!  O kiss me with thy Desire in thy Strength and Power, and then I will shew thee all my Beauty, and will rejoice and solace Myself with thy sweet Love and shining Brightness in thy fiery Life.  All the holy Angels rejoice with us, to see us united again.  My dear Love, I now entreat thee to abide in my Faith, and do not turn thy Face away from me any more.  Work thou thy Wonders in my Love, for which Purpose God hath created thee and brought thee into Being.

Part 2 

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso on Universal Brother/Sisterhood 2

The 14th and current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, belongs to the first generation of Tibetan Buddhists who have become more prominent actors in the globalized post-colonial modern world. In his impressively open, tolerant, cosmopolitan perspective, many a Theosophical idea has been adopted, not the least being the notion of universal brother/sisterhood, to which he gives a distinctive Mahayana touch based in a deep consideration of the value of compassion. Below are some of his reflections, taken from his Twitter page, from the year 2020.

 Wherever I go, I always feel the people I meet are the same as human beings like me. Scientists have also observed that we human beings are social animals. We have a sense of community. Right from birth we have the same feelings of closeness to those around us. (Jun 19, 2020)

What is important is not so much how long you live as whether you live a meaningful life. This doesn’t mean accumulating money and fame, but being of service to your fellow human beings. It means helping others if you can, but even if you can’t do that, at least not harming them. (Jun 22, 2020)

Regarding other human beings as our brothers and sisters can make our lives happier and more meaningful. Some people think that when we cultivate compassion and affection for others only they benefit—in fact, we ourselves derive great benefit and satisfaction from such conduct. (Jul 13, 2020)

To me, all these features that differentiate us, like wealth, position, status, and so on, are secondary. I truly believe we can learn to relate to one another on the basis of our shared humanity. And if individuals can learn to do that, there’ll immediately be a basis for trust. (Aug 28, 2020)

HHDL tells the G7 climate crisis conference we should think of the the whole world as interdependent and of the entire 7 billion human beings as one human community. Global warming is very serious. Many people suffer. We must pay more attention. (Sep 12, 2020)

As human beings we essentially belong to the same family and we have to think of each other as part of ‘us’. To develop peace in the world, we have to educate people to understand that we are all the same in being human. (Sep 18, 2020)

Today, the world is interdependent as never before, which is why we need a keen sense of the oneness of all human beings. We have to take the whole of humanity into account. We have to understand what we have in common with everyone else. (Oct 2, 2020)

Wherever you live, try to create a happy community. I pray that every human being, indeed every sentient being, should be happy. So, if you come across individuals facing problems, help them. Share their problems and try to bring them peace of mind. (Oct 23, 2020)

We are truly brothers and sisters. We all face the same kind of problems and we all have the ability to overcome them. That means putting our human brains to good use, combined with a strong sense of warm-heartedness. (Nov 2, 2020)

Ask children whether they prefer smiling faces or stern ones. Obviously, the way to bring about harmony and friendship is to smile. We need to cultivate such childlike attributes that are the basis of human values and remember that we are the same and have to live together. (Nov 6, 2020)

When you think about the difficulties you face in your life, think about all the other people who have a similar experience of suffering. We need a keen sense of the oneness of humanity, remembering what we have in common with everyone else. (Nov 13, 2020)

My dedication is to serve the 7 billion human beings on this planet and the other creatures with whom we share it. If you can, help and serve others, but if you can’t at least don’t harm them; then in the end you will feel no regret. (Nov 27, 2020)

We can learn how to cultivate peace of mind. Then, we can apply our intelligence to extend a compassionate attitude on an individual, family, community and global level. It’s our nature to be compassionate, so education can teach us to appreciate that we’re brothers and sisters. (Nov 30, 2020)

We must learn that humanity is one big family. We’re all brothers and sisters: physically, mentally and emotionally the same. But we still focus far too much on differences instead of what we have in common. After all, every one of us is born the same way and dies the same way. (Dec 14, 2020)

Wherever I go, I try to cultivate a sense of the oneness of humanity. I see everyone I meet as being essentially the same. And people respond positively to this. Animals too. Fear leads to isolation, so it's helpful to be open to others. (Dec 29, 2020)

I regard a compassionate, warm, kindhearted person as healthy. If you maintain a feeling of compassion, loving kindness, something automatically opens your inner door, through which you can communicate much more easily with other people — you'll find that they are just like you. (Jan 11, 2021)

Best wishes for the inaugural  International Day of Human Fraternity  February 4, 2021.

The UN General Assembly on 21 December adopted a resolution declaring 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity. The day is to be observed each year, beginning in 2021. The Assembly invited the Member States, the United Nations system and others to observe the annual day in a manner they would each consider appropriate to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-12/united-nations-institutes-international-day-human-fraternity.html 

Part 1

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso on Universal Brother/Sisterhood 1

The 14th and current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, belongs to the first generation of Tibetan Buddhists who have become more prominent actors in the globalized post-colonial modern world. In his impressive open, tolerant, cosmopolitan perspective, many a Theosophical idea has been adopted, not the least being the notion of universal brother/sisterhood, to which he gives a distinctive Mahayana touch based in a deep consideration of the value of compassion. Below are some of his reflections, taken from his Twitter page, from the year 2020.

I believe all 7 billion human beings alive today are part of one human family. We are born and die in the same way. And what is most precious in our relations with others is warm-heartedness. It yields the peace of mind and inner strength that are fundamental to a happy community. (Dec 20, 2019)

I believe that if we make an effort to develop peace of mind within ourselves and cultivate a proper appreciation of the oneness of humanity, we can create a happier, more peaceful world. What we need is common sense—the positive use of intelligence—and warm-heartedness. (Dec 23, 2019)

As human beings, all 7 billion of us are born the same way and die the same way. Physically, mentally and emotionally we are the same. We all want to live a happy life and avoid problems, but in a materialistic culture we overlook the importance of love and affection. (Jan 6, 2020 )

I don’t like formality. There’s no formality when we’re born and none when we die. In between we should treat each other as brothers and sisters because we all want to live a happy life. This is our common purpose and our right. (Jan 24, 2020)

Sometimes we feel we can’t do much by ourselves, but humanity is made up of individuals; we can make a difference. As individuals we can influence our own families. Our families can shape our communities and our communities form our nations. Together we can make a better world. (Mar 16, 2020)

Even more important than the warmth and affection we receive, is the warmth and affection we give. It is by giving warmth and affection, by having a genuine sense of concern for others, in other words through compassion, that we gain the conditions for genuine happiness. (Mar 20, 2020)

A deep awareness of the goodness of human beings, that they are essentially kind, helpful, and gentle, can give us courage and hope. On a personal level too, such a vision of our basic nature can help promote a greater sense of well-being and connectedness with others. (Mar 23, 2020)

In our world today, we’re heavily dependent upon each other. It’s essential, therefore, that we cooperate with one another—then we’ll be able to solve many problems. Good relations, heart to heart, are important and necessary—everything depends upon our having a good motivation. (Apr 27, 2020)

Change starts with us as individuals. If one individual becomes more compassionate it will influence others and so we will change the world. (May 28, 2020)

People face difficulties in many parts of the world, but since all seven billion of us live on this one planet we should be united and stand in solidarity with each other. When this blue planet is viewed from space, there are no national boundaries to be seen. (May 28, 2020)

Fundamentally human beings are the same. Imagine being lost in some remote place and suddenly seeing someone coming towards you over the horizon. You wouldn't care about their race, nationality or religious faith, you'd be filled with the joy of encountering another human being. (Jun 15, 2020)

Best wishes for the inaugural  International Day of Human Fraternity  February 4, 2021.

The UN General Assembly on 21 December adopted a resolution declaring 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity. The day is to be observed each year, beginning in 2021. The Assembly invited the Member States, the United Nations system and others to observe the annual day in a manner they would each consider appropriate to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-12/united-nations-institutes-international-day-human-fraternity.html 

Part 2

Astrology: Mars square Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto

Since the Mars square Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto aspects can be quite volatile and noticeable (especially the ones with Saturn and Pluto) and we are nearly finished the third and final series of these aspects (Mars (in Taurus)  square Saturn  (in Aquarius)  on Jan. 13, 2021 and Mars  square Jupiter on Jan. 23, 2021), below is a compilation of the astrological posts from last year regarding these aspects.

According to Robert Hand: ‘’Mars is an energy planet. Specifically it rules the energy that an individual uses to maintain himself in the face of pressure from his environment… Mars is also connected with work and physical energy, and often its transit signify a day when you feel very energetic and vigorous. In fact one way to ensure that a Mars transit  will not cause disputes or arguments with others, which is a sign of malfunctioning Mars energy, is to have plenty of hard work to do. The negative side of Mars most often manifests itself when there is no other outlet for its energies…The only real danger with Mars is that its energies, when sublimated to the physical level, can signify accidents, specifically from burns  or fire, and illnesses involving fever and infection. This is often the result of frustrated ego energies, although you may have to dig around in your psyche to realize this. You must learn to express your resentments and anger, for they are a legitimate part of your being’’ (217-218).

Mars square Jupiter

1-      Can be very energetic and successful, if one avoids tendencies for reckless impulsiveness and wild optimism.

2-     Forward looking, can further new projects, temptation to overextend, overtax oneself, risk of accidents

3-     Desire for expansion and growth, can lead to domineering and egotistical behavior, both qualities and flaws are amplified.

Mars square Saturn

1-      Frustration and irritation, sense of inadequacies, blocked assertion, inhibitions, overwhelmed by imaginary inner fears.

2-     Negative reinforcement and discouragement from authority figures, need to learn to act with knowledge of who you are.

3-     Not a good time to start new initiatives - need to proceed slowly and cautiously, thorough and careful.

Mars square Pluto

1-      High energy level, highly ambitious, time for creatively transforming world around you.

2-     Fierce power struggles and disagreements, opposition, ego conflicts, conflict between individual versus  group, powerful authority figures.

3-     Unfinished loose ends can cause failure and unravelling; temptation for ruthlessness and deceit. Victims of ruthless, dangerous attacks, violence.

Mars square Jupiter (Aug.4, 2020)

A huge explosion killed at least 100 people near the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut, with more fatalities feared. This provoked protests that led to the government resigning. More than 4,000 others were injured. Belarus protests and Chicago protests began. Tropical Storm Isaias pushed up the East Coast spawning tornadoes and killing at least six people.

Mars (in Aries) square Pluto (Aug. 13, 2020)

Belarus is still in upheaval after the weekend's controversial election that led to an alleged landslide victory for longtime President Alexander Lukashenko. Police have been cracking down on protesters, and authorities say 6,000 people have been arrested and one person was killed. The protests in Lebanon escalate with large street protests. Seventeen Chicago police officers were injured and at least 24 people were arrested during protests downtown that turned violent. Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to normalize relations in a historic truce.

Mars square Saturn (Aug. 24, 2020)

Protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, took to the streets to vent their anger over the shooting of Jacob Blake by police. Buildings and cars were set on fire last night. Blake, a 29-year-old Black father, was shot in the back multiple times by an officer on Sunday as he tried to enter an SUV. A 17-year-old from Illinois has been arrested and charged with homicide in a fatal shooting that left two dead during protests Tuesday night in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The police chief there said the teen "was involved in the use of firearms to resolve whatever conflict was in place." Nationwide, the unrest stemming from the police shooting of a Black father, Jacob Blake, over the weekend has crystallized into serious action.  Tens of thousands of Belarusians defied a warning from the military and demonstrated in the streets of Minsk on Sunday, demanding that the country's longtime President Alexander Lukashenko step down after winning re-election in a disputed vote.

Moreover, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has already smashed records for the number of named storms so early in the season, but the record 2005 hurricane season was much worse this early in the season in large part because of its substantial impact in the U.S. and elsewhere. The Summer season has seen record-breaking forest fires in California and many other regions.

Mars square Saturn (Sept. 29, 2020)

Protests in Louisville, Kentucky and other cities erupt after Breonna Taylor case decision, China announces repressive policies towards Uyghurs in Xinjiang, chaotic first US presidential debate, violent clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Coronavirus deaths reached one million worldwide, reports of resurgeance in Covid cases, severe wildfires in California, Yemen's warring parties have agreed to prisoner swap.

Mars square Pluto. (Oct. 9, 2020)

A  nationwide increase in vigilante and militia activity in the US, China imposes a repressive national security law in  Hong Kong, the UK, France and Germany impose sanctions on Russia after the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, Turkey launched its military offensive into northeastern Syria, a German gunman's attack on Synagogue kills two, a bus heading to a Buddhist temple collided with a train in central Thailand, killing at least 20 people,  Hurricane Delta dumped more than 15 inches of rain in the US, the United Nations' World Food Program wins the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.

Mars square Jupiter (Oct. 19, 2020)

Protesters rioted in Chile's capital, Santiago, ahead of a referendum on scrapping a dictatorship-era constitution, Muslim extremist decapitation of a high school teacher in  France, violent demonstrations in  Lagos, Nigeria, protesting against police brutality, Iran-backed militias attack north of Baghdad left eight dead and four missing. Coronavirus cases reached a new high, a wildfire spread rapidly in Boulder County, Colorado, prompting the evacuations of at least 3,000 people, NASA's Osiris-Rex spacecraft briefly landed on  asteroid Bennu.

Mars (in Aries) square Pluto (in Capricorn) (exact on Dec. 23, 2020)

This aspect brings control issues, being hard to please, a tendency to bully and confront, power struggles, suppressed matters emerge, passions run high. It is good to remain flexible and to develop compromise strategies.

Because of the retrograde, Mars will begins its third square aspect to Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter, the other exact dates are:

Mars  (in Taurus)  square Saturn  (in Aquarius)  Jan. 13, 2021

Mars  square Jupiter  Jan. 23, 2021

Top 15 posts of 2020

Here are the stats for the previous year (minus the astrology posts)- the reader's have spoken - for which we thank you. It's always interesting to see what were the most popular topics. 2020 was definitely a challenging year. We did out best to keep posting on a regular weekly basis and include posts related to the different problems society as a whole was faced with. About half of the posts on this list deal with universal brother/sisterhood, epidemics, and mortality, which were designed to address today's issues.

For 2021, we will be moving from a weekly frequency to a bi-weekly pace. Six years is a pretty respectable run for a weekly blog, therefore we think its good to slow down a bit in order to adopt a more reflexive strategy for this year, once again trying to post articles that reflect the current concerns and challenges. We feel that the idea of universal brother/sisterhood is especially relevant in today's world and we will continue with posts on that topic. All the best for 2021.

1- Blavatsky on Moral Epidemics

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/04/blavatsky-on-moral-epidemics.html

 

2- Hierocles the Stoic's Concentric Circles of Cosmopolitanism

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/02/hiercoles-stoics-concentric-circles-of.html

 

3- Theosophy Basics: What is Theosophy?

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/12/theosophy-basics-what-is-theosophy.html

 

4- The Mahatma Letters on Universal Brotherhood and Love of Humanity

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-mahatma-letters-on-universal.html

 

5- Jean-Louis Siémons on Theosophy, Reincarnation and Near Death Experiences (NDE) Part 1/2

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/02/jean-louis-siemons-on-theosophy.html

 

6- Theosophy and Family Life

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/06/theosophy-and-family-life.html

 

7- Theosophy and the Trikaya 4 (Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya, Dharmakaya)

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/03/theosophy-and-trikaya-1-nirmanakaya.html

 

8- Theosophical Basics: The Astral Light and the Astral Body

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/01/theosophical-basics-astral-light-and.html

 

9- William Q. Judge on Universal Brother/sisterhood and the Astral Plane

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/05/william-q-judge-on-universal.html

 

10- Theosophy Basics: What is a Theosophical Society?

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/12/theosophy-basics-what-is-theosophical.html

 

11- Patanjali's Yoga Sutras - Book 1 - Rama Prasad

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/09/patajalis-yoga-sutras-book-1-rama-prasad.html

 

12- Theosophy and Epidemics, Physical and Moral

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/04/william-q-judge-on-theosophy-and.html

 

13- 15 Great Christian Mystics

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/08/15-great-christian-mystics.html

 

14- Walt Whitman on Universal Brotherhood

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/08/walt-whitman-on-universal-brotherhood.html

 

15- Seneca - On the Shortness of Life

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/04/v-behaviorurldefaultvmlo.html

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras -Book 4 - Rama Prasad

Continuing a basic summary of the four books of  Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, by Rama Prasad, with some suggestive observations of an esoteric nature, from the introduction to his translation: Patanjalis Yoga Sutras with the Commentary of Vyasa and the Gloss of Vachaspati Misra (1912). See   Part 1

The Fourth Chapter deals with Kaivalya or final emancipation-the realisation by Man that he is separated from Mind_Matter. The psychic powers or Siddhis are either innate, or produced through the means of medicinal drugs, or suggestion of Mantra, or asceticism or contemplation. Some are born psychics, as Kapila, Swedenborg, &c. Temporary psychic powers may be acquired through anaesthetics, such as chloroform, hashish, &c. Psychic faculties may be developed by the recitation of certain Mantras, or the suggestion of sound. Some persons have acquired psychic powers through austerities. The fifth or contemplation is the method of this Yoga system. 

The born psychics are those who had practised Yoga in their past lives. They are like eggs in which the bird has already fully formed break the shell and the bird comes out. But ordinary men are eggs that require hatching for lives to develop the bird. The born psychics are like a field by the side of a reservoir of water on a higher level. It only requires the opening of the sluice to flood the field with water. It only requires some exciting cause to make a born psychic a developed Yoga. Ordinary men are, however, like fields, which are away from any source of water, and which require to be irrigated by bringing water from a distance, with great exertion, in this life. A Yogi having attained the power of Samadhi, sets about destroying his past Karmas. All Karma may be divided into three classes :-(l) The acts done in the past whose consequences the man must suffer in the present life : the Karmas to expiate which he has taken the present birth or incarnation. They are the ripe Karmas (Prarabdha). (2) The Karmas done in the past, but which are not ripe, and will have to be expiated in some future life. They are the stored Karmas or unripe (Samchita). (3) The Karmas which a man creates in his present life, and which have to be expiated in a future or the present life. This last kind of act- the fresh Karmas, are stopped. By devotion to the Lord and doing everything in a spirit of service, no fresh karmas are generated. The incurring of debt is stopped.

The man, however, has to pay off past debts -the ripe and unripe Karmas. The ripe Karmas will produce their effects in the present life. The Yogi does not trouble himself about this. But the unripe or stored Karmas require a future birth, It is here that the Yoga is of the greatest practical importance. The Yogi is not bound to wait for future lives in order to get an opportunity to pay off the debt of Sanchita Karmas. He simultaneously creates all the bodies that those Sanchita Karmas require -through those bodies expiates all his Karmas simultaneously. Every one of such body has a Chitta or mentality of his own. This is the Nirmana-Chitta or the Artificial mind-like the Pseudo-Personalities of hypnotic trance. These artificial minds arise simultaneously like so many sparks from the Ahamkaric matter of the Yogi's Self, and they ensoul the artificial bodies created for them. These artificial bodies with artificial minds in them mdk through the earth in hundreds they are distinguished from ordinary men by the fact that they are perfectly methodical in all their acts, and automatic in their lives. All these artificial are controlled by the consciousness of the Yogi. 

One conscionsness controlling hundred automatons. Every one of these automatons has a particular destiny, a particular portion of the Sanchita Karma to exhaust. As soon as that destiny is fulfilled, the Yogi withdraws his ray from it, and the "man" dies a sudden death-a heart failure generally. Now what is the difference between the ordinary mind and the Yoga-created mind-the natural Chitta and the artificial Chitta. The natural mind by experience gains a habit, the impressions are stored in it and they, as Vasanas, become the seeds of desires and activities. The artifical mind is incapable of storing up impressions in it. It has no Vasanas and consequently it disintegrates as soon as the body falls down.

The actions performed by the Yogi, through his ordinary or the extraordinary bodies-through the body with which he was born, or through the bodies which he gives birth to by Yoga power-are no actions in the ethical sense of the word. They are not Karmas-neither good nor bad. They are the paying up of the past debts, and not incurring of fresh liabilities. With ordinary men the actions are good or bad, or a mixture of both-white or black or gray, all such actions produce their effect --particular kind of birth, particular length of life period, particular kinds of life experiences-or produce their effect as tendencies to certain kinds of actions, Both kinds of effects constitute the fate or the destiny of man.

Tendency is memory. The essence of memory is converted into tendency. The tendencies with which a man is born are the extracts of all the memories of a particular kind. The events of the past life are not remembered, but from the tendencies of the present life one can easily infer what those events must have been to give rise to these tendencies. The surgical operation may be forgotten, because performed under chloroform, or in infancy, but from the nature of the cicatrix one can infer what must have been the nature of the operation. Therefore, the Smriti (memory) and Samskara (tendency or habit) are really one (Ekaruptava)- IV. 9.  Acts produce habits, habits lead to acts-the circle of Vasana is eternal, and beginningless. Is it possible to break this chain of habits and acts, acts and habits? Jnana is the only means. Through Jnana alone is possible to destroy this inexorable chain of causation. 

Now what is this Jnana or wisdom? It is the realisation of the distinction between the Purusa or Spirit, and Prakriti or mind-matter-energy. Purusa is pure consciousness or rather Chitsakti--power of consciousness. By his proximity to Prakriti (mind-energy-matter) it induces in the latter his quality. This induction takes place in the purest part of Prakriti in the Buddhic-essence (the mental portion of Prakriti) : Just as soft iron becomes magnetised by its proximity to iron. Thus Chit-sakti or consciousness is two-fold,-the pure consciousness of  the spirit or spiritual consciousness and the consciousness of the Buddhi-sattva or mental consciousness. The pure Buddhisattva (devoid of Rajas and Tamas) reflects the spirit and appears likes spirit and is mistaken for it. The Jnana consists in the discrimination of this difference realising that the Chitta is the instrument and not the Self. In the state of Samadhi, when this highest knowledge is realised, then arises the positive activity of the Spirit. Up to this time the effort was in a sense negative only- separating the Spirit from mind-energy-matter. When this separation is realised, then the Spirit manifests its own attributes fully. 

This manifestation of the attributes (dharma) of the Spirit on its own plane above the planes of Prakriti (mind-energy-matter) is the highest form of Samadhi. It is positive Samadhi and is called Dharma-Megha Samadhi. Dharma means highest activity, above the sphere of causation, where the actions are neither white, black nor grey, an activity that leads to the highest end of Man- an activity which is the highest end of Man. It is called Megha or cloud, because this state of Samadhi rains such Dharma -is full of Dharma and Dharma alone. It is the cloud which showers all blessings on the lower planes-while the Man himself basks in the Light of to Eternal Sun. Every Mukta Yogi is a Dharma-Megha-the Cloud  of Holiness-the showerer of good and nothing but good on all creation. A man who has become a Dharma-Megha- a Cloud of Holiness, is above all afflictions and Karmas, his mind is free from all taints, and there is nothing that is beyond the scope of his knowledge. Being the Cloud of Dharma all attributes are known to him. Then the man is in his Svarupa -this is Kaivalya, this is Self-realisation-the state of true Freedom, though full of highest activity. Such a Man, the Dharma-Megha, the Cloud of Holiness, is a blessing to the thirsting humanity-nay a blessing to the whole creation. 

Dated, 24th February 1910. 

Book 1