Happy Holidays in the Season of Light

Wishing each of you the “Birth of Christ” in the “Cave” or “Grotto” of “your heart.”

From this Virgin, or essential purity, we are able to realize our inner possibilities even at the darkest time of the year, in the most material of astrological signs, or aspects of life. In this, let us remember that it is easy to forget what the importance of this ‘birth’ is: a reminder to turn inward, towards the inner light that is ever present and moving outwards into our awareness. Contact with this light varies, and it is easy to turn it into a vision of holistic reformation: that is, something wherein the experience becomes too concrete. Instead of being led by the experience we seek to lead it, or to have it become something it is not. It is common to see Jesus as a social reformer, a rebel of sorts. Yet, he said little about the culture of the day and kept telling people that they are the one’s responsible for their lives. He told those who were healed that their faith made them well. He stated that the Kingdom of Heaven is both among them, and within them, and “not of this world.” He clearly stated that we are to “render unto Cesar what is Cesar’s; and unto God what is God’s” but made no mention of what the distinction was: each has to figure it out for themselves.

Thus, we see, that the Light, once experienced, must be gently cultivated like a child so that it can grow into the fullness of its adulthood. It cannot be rushed, nor forced, and is easily ruined through impatience. So take your time in nurturing your inner Christ child. Be the ‘mother’ and ‘father’ to it that Mary and Joseph symbolize. Let it grow by hiding it away from the “Herods” of the world, and by that we mean in silence. When it is ready to speak to the world, as Jesus did at the age of twelve, you will know. When miracles are needed you will know and it will respond: as Mary asked Jesus to turn water into wine for the wedding. This inner light, this Christ Within, will shine and some will see it and some will not, and that is the way of things. If there is a message, it will be said like this, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” It is that simple. Our awareness of the potentiality within come forth into the world in its own time. Relax and trust in the process, simply nurture it, and when it is done, it will be done.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Institute for Hermetic Studies