Groundhog Day, Esoterically

We all know the legend of Groundhog Day, or do we? 

According to the American Philosophical Society in 1888: “If the groundhog sees his shadow on the second of February, he goes back to his hole in the ground for another six weeks’ doze, as he knows that the winter will endure so much longer; per contra, if he cannot see it, he stays out, for he knows that the severe weather is past.” 

Yeah, like that will really work, especially with Climate Change. 

In Christianity, February 2^nd marks 40 days after Christmas. In Scripture, the Evangelist St. Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to the Temple as was the custom on the fortieth day after birth for all babies to be presented to the Temple, hence, the name “The Presentation.” In the West, it is referred to as Candlemas.

Only problem with this story is that Jesus was not born on December 24th, the Winter Solstice was the old pagan ritual that took place around December 24th when the sun appeared to die and return after three days.  

So what was February 2nd before the Christian takeover?

The roots of Groundhog Day can be traced to the Irish Celtic festival, Imbolc, which marks the beginning of spring. Celebrated on February 1 and associated with the goddess of fertility, now known as St. Brigid, Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a celebration of the upcoming spring and the longer days ahead. 

Celtic fertility goddess Brighid

It was said that on the eve of Imbolc, February 1, the Celtic fertility goddess Brighid was said to travel from home to home granting blessings to virtuous inhabitants while they slept.

The people even left milk and food for Brighid as she went about her travels. The goddess was believed to have had the power to shift the season from the months of darkness to the months of light, and people would light candles to symbolize this.

The Cailleach / the witch

Fire was always a central theme in this battle between winter and spring. In Celtic myth, it was said that an old woman or witch, known as the Cailleach, gathered firewood for the rest of winter.

A dark figure the Cailleach wished winter to last longer and would ensure February 1 was bright and sunny so she could collect enough wood for the rest of the winter. If the day was dark and cloudy it means the Cailleach would sleep and be unable to gather more wood, therefore spring would surely arrive soon. 

So where did the groundhog come into this story? For this, we must look back to the ancient Romans who also believed they could predict the year's weather however in their case it was linked to soothsaying. 

The Romans looked to hedgehogs for guidance. It was said that if during hibernation, he (the hedgehog) looks out of his den on Feb 2 and sees his shadow it means there is a clear moon and six more weeks of winter so he returns to his burrow.

This tradition was carried through Europe, including in Germany, with the arrival of Germans to Pennsylvania that they took up the tradition once more. However, as hedgehogs are not native to the state they turned to the now-famous groundhog for their predictions. 

The rest is history.

Here is a video I restored for this post. 

~~ Eso Terry 

Esoteric Thoughts on Prejudices with film assignment.

Esoteric prejudices are simple, the hidden thoughts some use to define others. A.I. says this about them:

"Esoteric prejudices refer to negative biases, stereotypes, and misconceptions directed toward, or existing within, alternative spiritual, mystical, and occult movements. These beliefs are often dismissed as irrational, dangerous, or "woo-woo" by mainstream society, while some practitioners may hold their own dogmatic views on "higher knowledge" or hidden truths."

So it's thought.

Rudolf Steiner said this about thought:

What is thinking actually? What thinks within me? The materialist, who denies the supersensible world, says: The body, the brain thinks. One should ask him the question: Have you ever perceived thinking with your senses? Of course he has not. No one has ever heard, seen, felt as warmth, or anything like that. Consequently, it is not physical. For what belongs to the body is perceptible to the senses. Therefore, thinking is supernatural. And the materialist must either admit the supernatural world or abandon thinking as an absurdity—which might be a good thing.

So with our thinking we are always in the supernatural world, but in such a way that we do not experience it ourselves. It is like someone sailing out to sea but not seeing himself or his boat; so it is with human thinking. We do not experience it directly, for what we experience of it, the thoughts, are the reflections of thinking on the body. Just as someone standing in front of a mirror sees his reflection, so the thinking soul sees the reflection of its thinking. The brain is the mirror. Through esoteric training, human beings should now come to experience thinking itself, not just thoughts. Just as someone standing in front of a mirror, when they step aside, sees the mirror's surface, so the soul must come to see the body from outside as a mirroring apparatus. Then the human being knows how thoughts come into being, and experiences itself in the world from which thinking protrudes into the sensory world as thought.

According to the dude at Medium.com: "Kocku von Stuckrad presented the idea that esoteric thought is a method of exploring and analyzing the world we inhabit in a manner other than is dictated by scientific principals, as such it is a subjective exploration of the exoteric without limits, where leaps of understanding are possible, spearheading advances that science has yet to catch up with. Esoteric thought can thus be central to any one individual’s life, remote and ridiculed, considered to be fundamental to the future development of humankind or a dustbin for rejected ideas that did not stick. The exoteric is an adherence to the observable and proven with no room for conjecture. We as people are consistently influenced by an esoteric narrative in the sense that we are driven by our own subjective consciousness."

Okay, that's a lot.  Basically, what he is saying...hell, watch the film I've restored for this post.  It explains Esoteric Prejudice Exoterically.  That is to say, what people said with their mouths in the 70's now say with their hearts which can be seen with all the hate towards "foreigners" or as this film points out, "barbarians," because their speak sounds like "ba, bar, ba..." to us. 

Friday 13th and the Tarot Card

It's Friday the 13th. Finally, I wait all year for this day. I've told you before how lucky Friday the 13th is for me, so I won't repeat myself. Instead, let's look at the 13th card of the Tarot, Death. 

In the Major Arcana of the Tarot, the 13th card is Death. Contrary to popular fear, when upright this card signifies transformation, endings, and rebirth rather than literal death. When reversed, it may indicate stagnation, upheaval, decay, or resistance to change.

Despite its ominous reputation in superstition, thirteen holds a positive and powerful role in esoteric traditions. It is regarded as the number of mystical manifestation and cosmic law.

The teachings of Jesus are framed around the formula 1 + 12 (Christ plus the apostles), producing thirteen. According to Pythagorean philosophy, one added to twelve creates an unlimited number, symbolising transcendence beyond completion. Through this principle, miracles—such as the multiplication of loaves and fishes—are said to occur.

Thirteen represents an all-or-nothing law of destiny:

• Death through failure and degeneration
• Rebirth through regeneration and transformation

It is also the sacred number of the Great Goddess, reflected in the thirteen lunar cycles of the year.

Pythagors in 30 Seconds.

 

Pythagoras was born around 570 BC on the Greek island of Samos.

Pythagoras made influential contributions to philosophy and religious teachings in the late 6th century BC. 

Many mathematical and scientific discoveries were attributed to him, as well as discoveries in the field of music, astronomy, and medicine, but Pythagoras is best known for the Pythagorean Theorem which bears his name.

The Pythagorean Theorem simple stated is... well, math so we're going to skip it.  

Pythagoras and his disciples were the conceives of the "Golden Ratio" which is 1.618, the perfect analogy of the universe.  More math, so we won't go into this either.

Pythagoras started a liberal school where the students weren't allowed to talk for a year or look into a mirror beside a candle.  He taught them reincarnation, and the power of numbers.

Pythagoras and his disciples were the first to use the concept of "cosmos" and point out that the earth rotates around the sun. 

Pythagoras was a vegetarian.

And most importantly for us, Pythagoras was a number freak and taught us that numbers are everywhere and in everything....

Watch the film for the complete run down.  It's only 3 minutes.  And as we know, Pythagoras thought the three was the "perfect number!"

Esoteric vs. Exoteric (Defined Using a Boxing Analogy)

Esoteric vs. Exoteric, the fight of the century. 

Esoteric Boxer

In this corner, we have Esoteric, with her  knowledge that is meant for a small, private, or inner circle of people. She comes from the Greek word “esōterikos,” meaning “inner.” Relating to or designating knowledge that is meant for a small, private, or inner circle of people. Historically associated with secret societies, religious sects, and philosophical movements. Examples: Gnostic teachings, Kabbalah in Jewish mysticism, and Sufism within Islam. Requires a deeper, often initiatory, understanding. Often seen in specialized fields or practices where in-depth knowledge is required. Not openly shared or accessible to the general public. To maintain the purity and sanctity of certain teachings, keeping them away from those not deemed ready or worthy. 

Exoteric Boxer

Her opponent, Exoteric, pertains to outward things; suitable for the public or masses. Derived from the Greek word “exōterikos,” meaning “outer.” Often associated with public-facing religious teachings or broadly accepted cultural norms. Mainstream religious practices, public educational systems, and commonly accepted societal norms. Meant for the general public without the need for special initiation or training. Information is straightforward and doesn’t require significant prior knowledge. Accepted and understood by a broad audience. To provide knowledge and understanding that’s accessible and easily shared across a wide audience.

Let the fight begin!

Ding, ding, ding. 

Winner by default, Exoteric! 

Has anyone seen Esoteric? Where'd she go?

Paracelsus As Seen by Academia - Film

The God-Fearing Paracelsus left us some good stories. In this college film played for students of medicine in the 60's, two things are apparent: 1. They were a lot smarter when it came to literature for they quote "Faust," and 2. Operations haven't changed much, a little more automated, but basically the setup.

~~ Eso Terry

Roger Bacon 101

Roger Bacon was rich. So we know his story. Please take a moment now and think about all the other esoterics of his day, who because they weren't rich, we know them not. Now on with the poop on this guy. 

Roger Bacon was born about 1214, and he grew up wanting to be a teacher. He went to Oxford University in England; and after obtaining his degree, he became a teacher on the staff of the University of Paris in the 1240’s.

The writings of the Greek thinker Aristotle had been lost to Europe for over ten centuries and had recently been rediscovered.  Bacon had studied Aristotle at Oxford and became very excited.  He believed that Aristotle was a great thinker, and he taught his students in Paris about Aristotle’s writings.

During this time, Bacon was also working with light rays and lens and doing many chemistry experiments.  His experiments were based on some things that Aristotle had written about, but these experiments were not working out. He discovered that on many topics the famous and honored Aristotle was wrong.  Years of hard work based on some of Aristotle’s false teachings had to be thrown away. Perhaps worse was his realization that he had sent students out into the world with false knowledge.

Bacon was very disappointed at having wasted so much effort by trusting Aristotle.  Although much of Aristotle’s writing was correct, the errors made it risky to trust anything.  Bacon began struggling with the problem of how to make knowledge trustworthy.

Bacon first decided that there was something fundamentally wrong in the way people judged what was true and false.  In Bacon’s day, people believed that arguing logically could prove the truth.  Everyone thought Aristotle’s arguments were logically correct so they judged Aristotle to be writing the truth.  But Bacon knew, from his failed laboratory work, that Aristotle was wrong about many things he had written – even though Aristotle had very good rational arguments to support his views.

Bacon also studied other respected writers and found many to be wrong.  When he tried to discover what had led these men astray in their writings, he came up with four central reasons for their errors – the four stumbling blocks to truth.

Some were wrong because they had relied on a supposed “expert” who was wrong.

Some were wrong because they relied on popular opinions or beliefs that were wrong.

Others were wrong because they just wanted things to agree with their pet ideas and to conceal their ignorance through pride.

And lastly and most dangerous, some were wrong because they had believed in a logical argument.

These four sources of error were to be avoided at all costs.  It is ironic that Aristotle had espoused these very points two thousand years earlier (and they are still taught today in courses in rhetoric) as the best strategies to use in winning a debate or in persuading an audience by oratory.  Sadly, Aristotle’s stated goal, however, was merely to persuade the listener – not to find Truth.

Bacon now set out to devise a systematic way of judging whether a statement was true or false and thereby obtain trustworthy knowledge.  Bacon believed that “seeing might be believing” for experiments in his laboratory, but he was even unsure about whether personal bias could sneak in unsuspectingly to sway one’s observations.  Therefore, Bacon said that several people (the more the better) should do the experiment separately and independently to see if they all got the same results.  If many different people in different places at different times could do the same experiment and get the same results, then personal bias should be ruled out.  What was seen and duplicated in the laboratory could be considered to be true.  He wrote up his experiments in detail and had his students try to repeat them before he would trust the results.

Bacon summarized his belief clearly:  “Neither the voice of authority nor the weight of reason and argument are as significant as experiments from which come peace to the mind.”

Bacon’s ideas threatened a number of the powerful teachers of his day, and he was forbidden to continue his experiments or work on his books. He sent a copy of his preliminary work to the Pope, Clement IV, who liked Bacon’s ideas and wanted to see more. The Pope liked Bacon’s view that by observing creation, one learned more about God. It is not clear whether Bacon had to continue his work in secret or whether Clement ordered that Bacon be allowed to continue his work.  In any case, Bacon did continue his work.

It is believed that some time after Clement died, Bacon, his protector now gone, was imprisoned for his outspoken criticisms of current beliefs because there is a complete absence of any record of Bacon’s activity from 1279 to 1289.  His last work dates from about 1292 and is incomplete.  We assume that he died then at the age of about 72.

It is difficult to accurately assess Bacon’s influence in bringing about that revolutionary period in human thought – the Renaissance – that began several hundred years after his death.  Whether his work was widely influential or whether the “scientific method” was independently rediscovered really makes no difference in judging the greatness of the man himself.  His ethical standards in science and his relentless pursuit of truth stand as a beacon to inspire us all to the utmost in keen, objective observation and scrupulous honesty in all of our undertakings.

~~ Dr TV Boogie

Who Is Maitreya? Short Film

Awareness,

A film on The Dharma

“We are truly alive, to the degree that we are truly aware.”

A Japanese Haiku:

“No one spoke. Neither the host, the guest, nor the white chrysanthemum.”

This documentary answers: “Who is Matireya?”

~~ Eso Terry 

The Blood Moon,

If you've been reading EsotericDaily.com over the last fifteen years, you know I love moons. All moons. And so I've written about men on the moon, a Snow Moon, a Fake Moon, a Blue Moon, a Black Moon, the Super Moon, and of course, being Mooned by a Gargoyle -- to name a few.  The moon I want to talk about today is today's Blood Moon, for it really is a continuation of the year of the Fire Horse which is going to change everything.

So what is a Blood Moon?  Simply stated, it is the total eclipse of the moon from Earth which happens because the Earth blocks all direct sunlight from falling onto the lunar surface, and so the Moon takes on a reddish color.

The Incan Empire which was a vast South American empire that flourished from the early 15th century A.D. until its conquest by the Spanish in the 1530s, called their Moon goddess Mama Quilla and thought that she cried silver tears. They believed the Blood Moon was caused by an animal or serpent attacking Mama Quilla. Their custom was to try to scare away the Blood Moon  by making as much noise as possible.

The world’s earliest civilizations believed the Moon was being attacked during a Blood Moon, and so figured that their king was being assaulted as well, and they protected their king by hiding him and installing a substitute ruler. When the total eclipse had passed, their king emerged from hiding and resumed his position as ruler.

The Christians figured it was a sign of the return of Jesus;

"And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the Earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness. And the moon into blood,
 Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord – King James Bible, Joel 2:30"

According to Joel 2:30, Jesus might be coming back tomorrow(?) but I doubt this because I think he is already here in Donald Trump who has the support of the Christian church like no other president ever.

How can we forget our beautiful Pagans, who believed the The Blood Moon carried powerful spiritual meanings, which announced a time of endings, deep transformation, and rebirth. 

Historically, both solar and lunar eclipses were often seen with awe or fear. They were sometimes read as omens of death, upheaval, or the fall of rulers, while in other traditions they were woven into myth as celestial battles. Here’s a look at how some cultures and religions felt about them.Norse mythology: Eclipses were explained as the wolves Sköll and Hati chasing the Sun and Moon. When they caught their prey, an eclipse occurred.

Although there are many traditions regarding a Blood Moon, the common factor is they all believe it brings hidden truths to the surface and closes cycles that are no longer meant to continue; which brings me back to the Year of the Fire Horse which will make this year the most interesting ever.  Yes, ever. 

Hold on to your seats boys and girls, all we can do at this point is howl. 

~~ Eso Terry