Sunday, October 31, 2010
Our Outer Appearance
Friday, October 29, 2010
Death: The Separation of the Spirit from the Physical Body
"And he will take upon him death,
that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people."
Alma 7:12
In this above photo we see a grave site, marked with a tombstone with vital information about a person.. their full name, the date of their birth and death. There is a fence surrounding the grave.. however, there is also a gate that is opened. The gate is symbolic of Christ. Only through Him can we exit out from the "fence" of death and walk through that gate ...back to life or resurrection.
On a lighter note:
Tomorrow we will be celebrating Halloween a day early... (since we want to keep the Sabbath Day holy :). Interesting since Halloween is actually a shortened version of "All Hallows' Even," the eve of All Hallows' Day. "Hallow" is an Old English word for "holy person," and All Hallow's Day is simply another name for All Saint's Day. It is a day that was suppose to commemorate all the saints, which starts at sundown on October 31. This year the fact that this holiday and the Sabbath day coinciding on the same day is interesting to me.
The origin of the holiday is typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain which celebrates the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half", and is sometimes regarded as the Celtic New Year. The ancient Celts beleived that the border between this world and the otherworld became thin on Samhain, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family's ancestors were honored and invited home while harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A Spiritual Temple: Living Water mirroring a Physical Structure
Ursa Major, the Big Dipper, on Salt Lake Temple
"Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion,
and turneth the shadow of death into the morning ,
and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea,
and poureth them out upon the face of the earth:
The Lord is his name."
Amos 5:8
Ursa Major (Larger Bear"), also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation visible throughout the year in most of the northern hemisphere. It is widely recognized as the Big Dipper or Plough, which is a useful pointer toward north, and which has mythological significance in numerous world cultures.
One of the few star groups mentioned in the Bible (see above scripture), Ursa Major was also pictured as a bear by the jewish peoples.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Stars in the Heavens: The Big Dipper
of all the stars that are set to give light,
until thou come near unto the throne of God. "
Abraham 3: 10
Just a couple of interesting things about the big dipper. It appears on the outside of the LDS temple. I am hoping to take a picture of this and post it later this week. Also there is a relationship between the big and small dipper. The small dipper is always inverted of the big dipper. It is as if the big dipper is pouring into the little dipper and/or vice versa. It is the the giving and receiving principles. In order to receive you must give. It is also from the big dipper that you can find the North Star which is also the end of the handle of the little dipper or polaris. The lip of the Big dipper points almost directly to the polaris. It is exactly the 5 lengths of that space of the two stars that make the lip and point to the direction.
Here are the notes for the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. There is a reason why we like the song and it resonates within us. It is chiastic:
C-C-G-G-A-A-G, F-F-E-E-D-D-C,
G-G-F-F-E-E-D,
G-G-F-F-E-E-D,
C-C-G-G-A-A-G, F-F-E-E-D-D-C
Monday, October 25, 2010
Animal Symbolism
· The moose is an ancient power symbol seen during Late fall/early winter before the Time of Approaching Shadows.
· This animal is viewed as a special sacred gift.
· It is a dual/contradictory animal…Awkward… yet graceful.
· Known for its invisibility; (Large/Powerful in size.. yet is able to camouflage itself)
(like the powerful magician who appears as a poor shepherd, woodcutter, or peasant)
· It has great depth perception and is known for its speed and grace negotiated through rough environment than often “trip’s up” others.
· The male moose is connected with glory/ with its crown of antlers.
· The moose itself represents the primal feminine energy.. and seen often in water (lakes and marshes).. a place of rebirth
· The female moose/ cow is very protective of their young.. it has one of the strong maternal instincts.. and no animal who knows better would attempt to get between her and her offspring.
· A moose has the ability to dive and be completely submerged in water … The moose will do this for food…representing the ability to go back into the depth of water and draw new life and nourishment. ( from life …to death and then back to life. )
· Also attributed to the moose is the ability to move from the outer world to the inner world
· Knows how to use the thin thread/veil that separates life and death to ones advantage.
· Known for the keen sense of smell.. and discernment. … represented by the large nose feature of the moose
· The Moose also represents the harvesting season, peaking in October.. a power season when a new cycle is about to begin. Mating season has already occurred.
· The moose also represents an invitation to learn to explore new depths of awareness and sensitivities within yourself and in your environment.
· Also very significant is the fact that the Baby Moose (calf) is born with her eyes open. The light has never left the baby.. but still needs to be able to trust the light.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
CONTRAST: Yin and Yang. Light and Dark. Good and Evil. Half Full or Half Empty
Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, or tranquil; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and nighttime
Yang, by contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, or aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime.
I will write more shortly.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Ascension: Lessons from a Helium Balloon
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Stretching our wings
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Personal Revelation: A Line of Communication
Friday, October 8, 2010
Mercy versus Justice: Parable of the Bed
I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God."
Alma 42: 25
Monday, October 4, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
General Conference Weekend
and we do assemble ourselves together to worship God.
We do believe that God will save all men.
Alma 21:6.