ursa major
in the astronomical-astrological codex for king wenceslaus iv. of bohemia, prague, shortly after 1400
source: Munich, BSB, Clm 826, fol. 34v
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Ancient Druidry: Alban Arthan. Midwinter, the Great Bear, and the Hero King.
For the ancient Astronomers of the Iron Age, Midwinter was a time to observe and celebrate the heavens as the days grew longer once again, pushing back the perils of the dark and cold. For more than five-thousand years the Druidic people have honoured the suns rising in the Eastern sky, shining its light unto Mother Earth as to conceive new life in the Spring season. While sharing some traditions with Jul such as the use of evergreens in decoration, and the burning of a Jul log, there are still many important distinctions to be made between the two Sabbats.
Alban Arthan, meaning 'Light of Winter' or 'Light of the Bear' in Brythonic, is the Celtic festival of Midwinter. Marked by the constellation of the Great Bear in the Northern Winter sky, and the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice, it is a time when the power of darkness is honoured. A time of great fear for the people of the ancient Winters, as the grounds froze and crops died leaving many to starve, ceremonies were held in the name of the Divine Mother, Womb of Creation. Believed by the ancient Druids to promote fertility in the earth, and usher in a prosperous year, these ceremonies welcomed the sun as it rose in the Eastern sky and days began to lengthen gradually.
During these ceremonies, as with many Winter traditions, candles and fires were lit to honour various deities and to warm the frozen land. Brighid, 'the bearer of the flame of inspiration', represents the reborn sun shining into the darkest days of the year, as his flame shines into the darkness of the mind and soul. The Cauldron of Dagda, the God of life and death, is held as a symbol of promise during this time as it was said he could feed each of his many followers from the cauldron, and so it would be that nature would bear fruit once again and care for all beings living on Earth.
In modern times Alban Arthan is also seen as a celebration of the Hero King, Arthur Pendragon, who was believed by the Druidic people to be the reincarnation of the Mabon, or Sun Child, who would bring warmth, light, and life back to earth in its time of greatest need. Just as the sun brings life back to earth each spring, it is said that the Mabon will be resurrected when the people need him most. A symbol for peace and freedom, the story of Arthur Pendragon shows us that nature, and magic, are forces to be reckoned with, to be understood, not controlled.
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BEAR MEDICINE FOR UPCOMING BASIC MASTER TEACHER™ CLASS OCTOBER 12-14
What does it mean metaphysically and alchemically when a Mama Bear and her two Bear Cubs show up on the classroom steps of the next Basic Master Teacher™ class of New Paradigm Multidimensional Transformation™, a curriculum of the School of Esoteric Sciences™ taking place on October 12-14, 2024?
Alchemical is a word meaning a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious…
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Mama Bear and 2 Baby Cubs Visit Today ~ Notice the Tracking Collar
2 baby bear cubs rested on the classroom porch while Mama bear checked out the classroom space.
The Keynote of Bear, according to Ted Andrews in his Animal Speak book, is awakening the Power of the Unconscious. Bear stirs our imagination so much we have a constellation named for it, Ursus Major, The Great Bear.
Seven stars of this constellation are probably the most easily recognized in the…
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A Persuasive Argument - dpxdc
"Great!" Danny says, clapping his hands together to get everyone's attention. The dinner table falls silent as everyone looks towards him. It's a full house today and, honestly, Danny's a little nervous. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I gathered you here today."
"It's dinnertime. In our house." Duke mutters, while doing a very bad job of concealing his yawn. He holds his fork poised over the braised beef, but, just like everyone else, still looks towards Danny before tucking in. It's intriguing enough to wait.
"Yeah, no one misses Alfie's dinner." Dick says, with a brilliant smile that Danny can't help but return.
"Precisely! What better time to talk to you all than when you're all actually here!"
"Wait, I thought you came round to work on our English essays?" Tim asks, blinking owlishly.
"I'm afraid I've lured you here under false pretences, Tim."
"This is where I live."
"I would still really appreciate help on that essay though, I mean, what the hell is Hamlet even about? I just don't get that old time-y language, like 'Hark! A ghost hath killed me!' - absolute rubbish, what does that even mean?"
"The ghost never kills anyone in Hamlet, he's there to tell Hamlet that he was murdered. Have you actually read it?"
"No, but it sounds like you have. Tim, I want this guy to help me with my essay instead. I know for a fact that you haven't read Hamlet, either."
"So? We don't need Jason, I've read the Sparknotes."
"Hi Jason, I'm Danny, pleasure to meet you, summarise Hamlet in three sentences or less."
"Am I auditioning to help you write your essays? I can't believe you’ve gone through your whole school life without reading it, it’s good!"
"Hamlet, along with a number of other classics, was banned in our house because it portrayed ghosts as intelligent and sympathetic beings rather than evil, animalistic beasts. I didn’t even get to see The Muppet's Christmas Carol until last year with Tim! It was surprisingly good, and I hate Christmas because everyone always argued and it sucked. But we're getting off topic. I—"
"No, no, please go back to that, because what the fu—"
"Boys, please." Bruce interrupts, looking to the world as if he wants to hang his head in his hands. "Danny, you were about to say something?"
"Oh, yeah, Mr. Wayne! Thanks!"
"Please, call me Bruce."
"Well, that very succinctly brings me to my point, because I'd actually really like to call you dad."
Nobody says a word. Nobody even blinks, all as shocked as the other, watching open-mouthed as Danny pulls his laptop out from beside his chair. Bruce can definitely feel a headache coming on.
"Before you say anything, I've prepared a 69 slide PowerPoint presentation on why you, Bruce Wayne, should adopt me, Danny Last-Name-Pending. Please save your questions, comments, and verdict until the end, thank you."
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