September Is Here! Esoterically Speaking that is.

September, for the uninitiated, it is a time to conclude the rites of summer with a long Labor Day weekend, that weekend, originally intended to be a salute to the working people and their struggles for fair work week with time off, now, nothing more than a celebration of the end of the vacation season, signaling that it's time to go back to work.  It's also a warning to children that it's time to hit the books for summer is over and school is back.

For those of us with eyes to see who see, September is the ninth month of the year, the first month of Autumn, and it derives its name from septem, the Latin word meaning "seven," as September was the seventh month of the old Roman calendar. 

The traditional birthstone of September, is the blue sapphire, to which the pagans of old incanted:

A maiden born when rustling leaves

Are blowing in the September breeze,

A Sapphire on her brow should bind,

'Twill cure diseases of the mind.

Oh, the good old days. 

September is shared by the astrological signs of Virgo the Virgin and Libra the Scales (or Balance).  Before the Virgo sign's symbol of a virgin was co-opted by the patriarchy, the figure representing Virgo was simply an unmarried woman who chose to live by her own laws and to never, ever give it away for free.  To embrace the sign's motto, 'I serve', we must first and foremost serve with determination at the altar of the self.  As the sign that arrives just before the zodiac's midway point, Virgo marks the last moment we have solely to ourselves before we step into the wider collaborative communion of the final six signs. 

September is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Persephone, Thor, and the Wiccan Goddess in Her aspect of the Mother. The Celtic tree-calendar month of Coll ends on September 1, and from September 2 until the September 29, it is the vine month of Muin, sacred to the god Lugh (Loou-ggh).

During the month of September, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to the Autumn Equinox, one of the four Lesser Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world. 

Being the ninth month of the year, September is represented by the 9th card of the Major Arcana, The Hermit.  The Hermit is usually depicted walking with a lantern and a stick; he represents meditation, isolation and quietude.  The card also signifies crystalized wisdom and practiced discipline.  The Hermit is a taskmaster who motivates conscience and guides others on their path.  The perfect card to get things ready for the coming chills of Winter, the death of and resurrection of the Sun, the all enchanting moon goddess and her mesmerizing rights. 

Hex 12

According to Carol Anthony's book, The Philosophy of the I Ching, "the hexagram representing the ninth month is called Standstill (Hex. 12).  Here three Yin lines have advanced into the hexagram from the bottom.  Visually, this hexagram represents the mid-point between the summer and winter solstices.  Heaven is above, drawing farther and farther away, while the earth below sinks farther into the depths of winter.  "The flowing and ebbing of the earth's energies was a primary theme in early matriarchal societies.  Accordingly, the hexagrams representing the last six months of the year give counsel that accords with the time, i.e., retreat, conserve, and store up supplies to prepare for the coming time of decrease (winter)."

In Bess Matassa's book, Cosmic Year, the astrology of September asks us to kneel at our inner altars, anointing ourselves in the signature of scents of self-understanding so that we can bring our unique mystique to the world.  She goes on to  say, "Wed to witchery of the sixth sign of Virgo, this month is for letting our constituent parts come into clarity, as we take an inventory of our assets and mine our own mineral make-up for magic."

Finally, the number 9 is considered a symbol of spiritual enlightenment and completion.  It is often associated with a higher consciousness, selflessness, and compassion.  So, those of you on the path of true enlightenment, the Bodhisattvas of the earth in service to others, relax, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, trace a leaf with your souls pen, in your spiritual journal, begin that masterpiece the universe is calling you to produce, get ready for cooler days, longer nights, the Autumn reunites, the stars are bright, it's September! Enjoy! 

~~ Eso Terry 

 

August 28, and the Echos of MLK's "I Have a Dream."

Martin Luther King

On this day in 1963, Martin Luther King (MLK) gave his electrifying "I Have a Dream" speech.  Those with him that day who had seen the written speech, will tell you that the "I Have a Dream" part was not in the written speech they had seen, and that it came out of the heart of MLK, or as we like to say here on EsotericDaily.com, the Mystic Universe.  

What we don't often remember about MLK's words that day, along with the other speakers, are the words about police brutality, lynching, intimidation, beatings, and murders underpinning the American form of apartheid known as "Jim Crow," and which were not limited to the Deep South.  Case in point: as MLK was delivering his speech, two women in their early twenties were stabbed to death in their Manhattan apartment.  Seven months later, George Whitmore Jr. of Wildwood, New Jersey, an African-American drifter with a limited IQ, was picked out of a photo lineup by an assault victim.  It turned out to be a misidentification, but before the case was solved, Brooklyn police beat Whitmore, interrogated him for hours, and finally extracted a false confession to the killings.  The defendant immediately recanted, but he was convicted and put on Death row.  

Eventually, the facts were sorted out, and the real killer imprisoned.  Whitmore was found innocent based on a dozen witnesses who remembered seeing him in New Jersey on the day in question because it was the date of Martin Luther King's speech.  It was all anybody in their circle was talking about that day, because it was a dream they all shared, and still do.  

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today....)

King Cetshwayo

Coincidentally enough, on this day in 1879, King Cetshwayo, the last great ruler of Zululand in South Africa was captured by the British army; subsequently, this would result in England taking countless numbers of artifacts still in the British museum as spoils of the war, not to mention creating wealth for generations to come in mineral rights sent abroad.   

Tiger Woods at 18

On a pleasant note, on this day in 1994, the universal mystic law would have Tiger Woods, at the age of 18, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship, which opened golf up to those of us who had seen it as an old white-man's sport.  

~~ Eso Terry 

August 24 the Biggest Sick Day in the USA!

In a study by Flamingo, a firm which helps companies manage employee absences and medical leaves, August 24th is the day most American workers call in sick. And why would this be?  Hmmmm?...

Historically, Hawaii became an official state this day in 1959 and subsequently, Daniel K. Inouye was the first Japanese-American congressman to the U.S. House of Representatives, and Hiram L. Font of Hawaii became the first Chinese-American U.S. senator to the U.S. Senate.  Now, there’s a good reason for a sick day on August 24th from a long night of celebrating.  

On this day in 79 CE, Mount Versuvius erupted in Italy leaving us the Pompeii ruins of people frozen in time trying to escape death.  This reminder of how quickly life can end is another good reason to skip work for a day of leisure at the company’s expense. 

 The craziest August 24th fact of all is a personal one for me, you see, on August 24th in 1930, it was announced that the recently discovered Planet X, the 9th planet in our solar system which had been named Pluto after the Roman god of the underworld, was not a massive Jupiter size planet as promised, but in all actuality, a “dwarf planet.” Which was okay, because it remained the ruling planet of those born under the Scorpio horoscope.  That is, until August of 2016 when the International Astronomical Union- Bastards, (IAU-B), took Pluto off the list of planets in our solar system and life for Scorpio’s like me, got more confusing than ever. Fortunately, however, I am a Buddhist and understand that change is a part of life to be celebrated, and so, on August 24th in 2019 I received a gohonzon for my Buddhist altar — is it any wonder that I called in sick today to write on my blog?    

Finally, August 24 is also the Festival of Luna, the goddess of the Moon.  In her temple, Luna Noctiluca (Moon that shines by night), the cover was removed from the Mundas Cereris, the labyrinthine passage to the underworld, to allow the spirits of the dead to roam free.  

Another good reason to skip work if you ask me. 

So, brothers and sisters, if you are reading this from your “sick day” by the pool, you’re not alone, even if you think you are.  

~~ Eso Terry

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to the rescue!

It was four-years ago that I first chanted Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.  I thought it was more than four years, but guess not.  It has changed my life and so I share it with you now.  

For those of you who have been reading my blog, I've written about my Nichiren Buddhism faith a few times; I've told you about the practice, the history, and of course, how it saved my life from cancer.  Today, I want to talk about the words we chant: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is timely, because it is a lesson I will be sharing with friends at a study later this week -- we call stuff like that the Mystic Law. 

To chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is to summon forth our own innate Buddhahood.  It is the direct path to manifesting that highest state of life.  Chanting these words put us on par with Buddhist priest who have spent their whole life in a monastery, instantly -- and without the revealing robe!

Nam comes from the Sanskrit word namas, meaning "bow" or "reverence."  It means "dedication."  In Nichiren Buddhism we dedicate our lives to the happiness of self and others. 

Myoho consists of myo, which means "mystic" or "wonderful," and ho, meaning law. Myoho is often translated as Wonderful or Mystic Law, the fundamental Law of the universe that works in wondrous ways. 

Renge, literally "lotus flower," symbolizes the simultaneity of cause and effect in Buddhism because the lotus blooms and produces fruit simultaneously.  In our Buddhist practice, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the ultimate cause for bringing about the greatest effect of Buddhahood.  So, the instant we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we transform our lives into the life state of a Buddha, because, as the Lotus Sutra states, we are all Buddhas, we just don't know it (paraphrased). 

Kyo means "sutra" or "teaching."  Nichiren Daishonin teaches that our legs correspond to Kyo, indicating that the benefit of the Law spreads when we take action for the happiness of others.  Like I'm doing to you now 😇  -- I promise, you will never find another emoji in my blog ever.

So there you have it friends, take it or leave it, but if you chant it once you will spark a spark in your life that ignites your Buddhahood.  Yes, it is the secret priest knew about in ancient times but did not share until Nichiren Daishonin shared it with us, and well, almost lost his head for it.  You see, the other Buddhist priest of the day were not please with him sharing their secret with us, but that is a story for another day.  Stay tuned!  

"This is fun!"

~~ Eso Terry

August 18: Hungry Ghost and a Signed Contract With The Devil.

On or around August 18th each year the Chinese celebrate the Festival of the Hungry Ghost with offerings for the dead.  It is believed that during this time the gates of hell are opened to free the ghosts, who then wander the Earth seeking food.  The offerings are made to pay them tribute, appease them, and ward off bad luck from the prior year. 

Maybe this is why the gates of hell opened up to receive the likes of Genghis Khan on this day in 1227.  According to legend, when his Mongol troops were approaching a town a pungent stench signaled the approach of death even before you could see the clouds of dust from the drumming hooves.  When Genghis Khan conquered an enemy city he either annihilated the population entirely or sold it into slavery.  In one of his victories he ordered the massacre of all those taller than the height of a cart axle.  By the time of his death he had destroyed the Chin dynasty of China and his empire extended from Peking to the Caspian Sea. 

Another Gates of Hell story on this day in 1644, is of a French priest named Urbain Grandier who was burned alive on this day for sorcery.  According to a post in Bad Days in History written by Michael Farquhar, this was not a typical case of religious fanaticism run amok, no, this was an actual case of a man making a pack with the devil, and they had proof of this in a signed agreement with the devil himself.

The story goes that the authorities had proof of the actual pact Father Grandier had signed with Lucifer and his fellow devils -- obtained after one demon, Asmodeus, was compelled by priestly powers to snatch it right out of Lucifer's private cabinet in hell.  The signed and notarized document produced at the trial and now preserved at the Bibliothèque National de France, read:

We, the influential Lucifer, seconded by Satan, Beelzebub, Leviathan, Elimi, and Astaroth, together with others, have today accepted the covenant pact of Urbain Grandier, who is ours.  And him do we promise the love of women, the flower of virgins, the chastity of nuns, the respect of monarchs, honors, lusts and powers.  He will go whoring three days long; intoxication will be dear to him.  He offers us once in the year a seal of blood, under the feet he will trample the holy things of the church and he will ask us many questions; with this pact he will live twenty years happy on the earth of men, and will later join us to sin against God.   

Okay, it's no surprise that the folks at Columbia College in New York offer a literature class on this subject in which they believe the nuns were either tortured to give false testimony, or had an erotic vision of the Christ which probably happened a lot to sexually deprived people during the dark ages; the class also ask us to distinguish between a genuine divine encounter and a demonic possession?  For, as Descartes asks, how can we be sure that our whole reality is not merely a vision simulated by a malicious demon? 

I'll add here on EsotericDaily.com, that Monsieur Urbain Grandier may have been having a little too much priestly fun with the nuns, but we all know Satan's contracts are never in writing, he's too smart for that one. 

Finally, this historic event became the subject of a book by Aldous Huxley, The Devils of Loudon (1952), which in turn inspired Ken Russell’s film, The Devils (1971). Here is a clip from that film, a fun watch for the Hungry Ghost out and about today.  Oh, don't forget to leave them a few grains of white rice.  That will keep them happy until next year. I'll let you know how it worked for me in tomorrow's post. 

~~ Eso Terry

Stormy Daniels On Trial, Esoterically Speaking.

 

HOLD on to your seats boys and girls, today we are talking about the Esoteric Porn Star.  That's right, she goes by Stormy Daniels.  Truth is, she has a fascinating story with her clothes on and has a book I can't wait to read.  Of course there is the President Donald Trump experience which made her famous.  Yes, the president Christians love so much got himself some Stormy Daniels as she recounts in her book, also, on the Jimmy Kimmel Show if you want to watch it now.  In her book she tells how Trump had her spank him with a magazine that he was on the cover of.  

Ouch, that has to hurt, a little.  

I had a feeling Trump was one of those materialistic guys that likes to be spanked by a Dominatrix.  He is an open book when it comes to masochism.  I mean, have you seen some of the looks his wife Melania makes?  No doubt she's been in leather boots with a whip to get her way with the man-child.  

 

NOT to forget her nude shots as shown in GQ magazine before she married the Donald:

 

Yeah, Trump is a kink, and our first Fifty Shades of Gray president.  According to a paper published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, by Joris Lammers and Roland Imhoff, social power (having control over others’ outcomes) reduces inhibition. In other words, powerful men with a screw loose are more aroused by fantasies involving being submissive, than not.  

Getting back to Stormy Daniels, her real name is Stephanie Gregory Clifford, and she was raised in Louisiana.   She wanted to be a journalist in high school, but found stripping for money more rewarding. Recently, she was placed under oath in a civil law suit she has with her ex attorney, Michael Avenatti.  He is an idiot, but he did get Stephanie, I mean, Stormy to open up about her Esoteric Side, and this is my topic of the day:  the Esoteric Porn Star. 

In his line of questioning, Michael Avenatti asked Stormy:

"How do you speak to the dead?"

"I don't know, it just happens," she said. 

"How does it happen?"

"Cards, meditation."

 "Do the dead speak back to you?" he continued. 

"Yes."

"According to you, you experienced unexplained and frightening experience in you New Orleans home?" 

"Yes."

"You experienced poltergeist?

"Yes."

"And shadow figures?"

"Yes."

"You claim that the experiences have caused you to have a mass in your head?"

"An energy worker told me that."

"You had a scan?"

"Yes, a Reiki scan."

"I want to talk with you about Susan, who you claim is a haunted doll."

"Correct."

"And she can walk?"

"No, but I have seen her in a different spots, I don't know how."

"And she can talk, and she calls out?"

"Anyone who's seen the video knows this."

"You heard her call out mommy?"

"We heard a voice and we assumed it was her."

"You charge people to read Tarot cards right?"

"Technically, oracle cards, but yes."

"You believe you're a medium right? "

 "Correct."

"Can you explain what a medium is?"

"A medium is someone who communicates with spirits, non-living spirits, to be specific."

Wow, what a line of questioning from an idiot who just lost his case thinking anyone would find her answers weird.  I mean, the esoteric is everywhere in everything we do.  Right, Susan?

One of the Many UFO Sitings We've Forgotten, Again and Again....

 

Reverend William Huffman had been an evangelist for many years, but had taken the resident minister reigns of the Red Star Baptist Church in early 1941. Church records corroborate his employment there during the period in question.

After receiving this call to duty, he was immediately driven the 10-15 mile journey to some woods outside of town. Upon arriving at the scene of the crash, he saw policemen, fire department personnel, FBI agents, and photographers already mulling through the wreckage.

He was soon asked to pray over three dead bodies. As he began to take in the activity around the area, his curiosity was first struck by the sight of the craft itself.

Expecting a small plane of some type, he was shocked to see that the craft was disc-shaped, and upon looking inside he saw hieroglyphic-like symbols, indecipherable to him.

He then was shown the three victims, not human as expected, but small alien bodies with large eyes, hardly a mouth or ears, and hairless.

Immediately after performing his duties, he was sworn to secrecy by military personnel who had taken charge of the crash area. He witnessed these warnings being given to others at the scene also.

As he arrived back at his home at 1530 Main Street, he was still in a state of mild shock, and could not keep his story from his wife Floy, and his sons. This late night family discussion would spawn the story that Charlette Mann would hear from her grandmother in 1984, as she lay dying of cancer at

Charlette's home while undergoing radiation therapy.

Charlette was told the story over the span of several days, and although Charlette had heard bits and pieces of this story before, she now demanded the full details.

As her grandmother tolerated her last few days on this Earth, Charlette knew it was now or never to find out everything she could before this intriguing story was lost with the death of her grandmother.

She also learned that one of the members of her grandfather's congregation, thought to be Garland D. Fronabarger, had given him a photograph taken on the night of the crash. This picture was of one of the dead aliens being help up by two men.

Charlette Mann gave, in her own words, an account of what she knew for a television documentary. Some of that account is given here:

"I saw the picture originally from my dad who had gotten it from my grandfather who was a Baptist minister in Cape Girardeau Missouri in the Spring of '41. I saw that [picture] and asked my grandmother at a later time she was at my home fatally ill with cancer so we had a frank discussion.

"She said that grandfather was called out in the spring of 1941 in the evening around 9:00-9:30, that someone had been called out to a plane crash outside of town and would he be willing to go to minister to people there which he did."

"Upon arrival it was a very different situation. It was not a conventional aircraft, as we know it. He described it as a saucer that was metallic in color, no seams, did not look like anything he had seen. It had been broken open in one portion, and so he could walk up and see that.

"In looking in he saw a small metal chair, gauges and dials and things he had never seen. However, what impressed him most was around the inside there were inscriptions and writings, which he said he did not recognize, but were similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics."

"There were 3 entities, or non-human people, lying on the ground. Two were just outside the saucer, and a third one was further out. His understanding was that perhaps that third one was not dead on impact. There had been mention of a ball of fire, yet there was fire around the crash site, but none of the entities had been burned and so father did pray over them, giving them last rites.

"There were many people there, fire people, photographers, and so they lifted up one, and two men on either side stood him up and they stretched his arms out, they had him up under the armpits and out here.

As I recall from the picture I saw, he was about 4 feet tall, appeared to have no bone structure, soft looking. He had a suit on, or we assume it was a suit, it could have been his skin, and what looked like crinkled, soft aluminum foil. I recall it had very long hands, very long fingers, and I think there were three but I cannot swear to that."

"My grandfather upon arrival, said there were already several people there on the scene, two that he assumed were local photographers, fire people, and so not long after they arrived, military just showed up, surrounded the area, took them off in groups separately, and spoke to each of them.

"Grandfather didn't know what was said to the others, but he was told 'this didn't happen, you didn't see this, this is national security, it is never to be talked about again.'

"My grandfather was an honorable man, being a preacher, that's all that needed to be said to him. And so he came home and told the story to my dad, who was there, and my grandmother and my uncle. Now my mother was expecting at the time, so she was off in the bedroom."

"My sister was born May 3, 1941, so we are assuming this was the middle to the last of April. And he never spoke of it again. But about two weeks later, one of the men who had a personal camera that he had put in his shirt pocket, approached grandfather and said I think someone needs a copy of this.

"I have one and I would like you to keep one. So that's how it came about that grandfather had the picture to begin with. But he never spoke of it again. The other people seem to be very intimidated and very frightened and paranoid."

Other living supporting witnesses include Charlette Mann's sister who confirmed her story in a notarized sworn affidavit, and the living brother of the Cape Girardeau County sheriff in 1941, Clarance R. Schade. He does remember hearing the account of the crash, yet does not have many details. He does recall hearing of a "spaceship with little people."

There are also Fire Department records of the date of the crash. This information does confirm the military swearing department members to secrecy, and also the removal of all evidence from the scene by military personnel.

Guy Huffman, Charlette's father also told the story of the crash, and had in his possession the photograph of the dead alien. He showed the picture to a photographer friend of his, Walter Wayne Fisk.

He has been contacted by Stanton Friedman, but would not release any pertinent information.

Charlette had no luck in getting Fish to return calls or answer letters. It has been rumored that Fisk was an advisor to the President, and if this was the case, would account for his silence on the facts of the Missouri crash.

This case ends like many others, but appears by all indications to be authentic. All who have come in contact with Charlette Mann found her to be a trustworthy person who is not given to sensationalism, and has sought no gain from her account.

There is still research being done on the Missouri crash, and hopefully more information will be forthcoming to validate this remarkable case.

Surviving a Financial Crisis the Manly P Hall Way.

Economic downturns such as the financial crunch we are presently experiencing come and go, and each is driven by a force or forces debatable at best, predictable at worst.  There were the "panics" of 1785, 1789, 1792, 1796, 1857, 1873, 1893, 1896, 1907, and 1910, to name a few, and then there were the "depressions" of 1807, 1815, 1873, 1882, 1920, and the biggie of the twentieth century, 1929.  It is this "1929 Depression" that I want to talk about today, more specifically, how an article written in 1923 is so relevant today.   The article was titled, "The Economic Depression," the author, Manly P Hall.  In that article, Hall writes, "The present financial crisis is the favorite topic of conversation.  Persons in every walk of life gather in solemn conclave to explain and predict...."

Hall goes on to references the complaints of the people of 1923 who were saying such things as, "...it's the corrupt condition of the political system...,  ...machinery is not only jeopardizing jobs, but in many cases has practically destroyed the economic integrity of the individual...,  Women in the workforce has doubled the number of those desiring employment...."

As I write this article today, I see the complaints are the still the same, of course, the "political system" to blame in 1923 is the same political system we blame today, the names have changed but the players remain; and then the "machines are taking jobs" in 1923 can be compared to today's AI, or Artificial Intelligence problem on the lips of every news outlet as "taking intellectual jobs from checkout cashiers to television script writers."  And of course, the "woman taking our jobs" argument in 1923, is the same as the "immigrants  taking our jobs" today.  And as Manly P Hall wrote in 1923, "This list of causes could be continued indefinitely, but the above is sufficient to reveal the general scope of the grievances.  When it comes to the subject of cure, the dilemma is apparent.  The disease is so widely distributed and the whole body social so completely infected that a panacea is almost inconceivable.  That which would cure one phase of the trouble would complicate another.  A vicious circle exists.   

Manly P Hall

 Buddha declared ignorance to be the common disease of mankind, but it would seem that we should go still further and declare selfishness to be the most dangerous and most universal form of ignorance.  The world in general and America in particular is suffering from the fact that very few people can forget themselves long enough to think of anybody else at all."

Hall goes on to say, "We all exist in servitude to uncontrolled emotions and excesses. The only release from the present circumstances comes in release from possessions, from attachment and those factors which are the fundamental elements of the dilemma.  A philosopher was once asked what wise men did when they could no longer eat.  His answer was: 'They Starve.'  The disasters which are occurring around us today are really not as important as they seem.  It is a terrible thing to have all that we have and love swept away, yet we seldom realize that it occurs to all us at death, regardless of how successful our living seems to have been.  There is no beggar on the street who has less than the greatest financier after death has separated us from possessions.  

A wise person once said that the quickest way to get a thing is to stop wanting it.  To fortify oneself for trying periods, the realization of true values is essential.  If each individual will live as well as he/she knows, and will perform conscientiously that which is her's appointed task and divorce from heart and mind all thoughts of profits and reward, she may gain in poverty and distress a peace which she never discovered in success and power.  To paraphrase a famous Teuton:  'If we must stave, let us starve philosophically.'"

Finally, Hall writes: "A path will probably be found which will carry us temporarily through this crisis.  Realizing that this trying condition will arise again, the wise, however, will equip themselves and leave to their heirs a legacy of knowledge that will enable them to meet such future recurrences in a more rational manner.  

Manly P Hall wrote this article in 1923, since this time there have been 17 recessions, that is one recession every seven years.  Be wise, consume less, and give more.  It's the Manly P Hall way.  

~~ Eso Terry

Your, 'inconspicuous' benefit on August 10th. As Seen on TV.

This is a post about faith, you can go if you want, but I hope you will stay, for there may be an "inconspicuous" benefit here for you.  As many of you know, I am a follower of the 13th Century Japanese priest known today as Nichiren Daishonin.  I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (Daimoku) twice a day to the heavenly deities which are written on our object of devotion which is not a statue of a Buddha, (*please watch video at the end for an explanation of why we don't have a Buddha statue on our altar), our object of devotion is the Gohonzon, which was written in both kanji and Sanskrit characters, and includes, to name a few, the gods of the Sun (Nitten) and Moon (Gatten) who represent the infinite, unlimited and eternal realm in the sky without distinction of daytime and nighttime. 

Other heavenly deities written in sumi ink by the Daishonin on our Gohonzon are the Wheel-turning Kings (Tenrinjōō) and Dragon Kings (Dai-ryū-ō), who represent the infinite, unlimited and eternal world on the land and in the ocean.

Then there is Devadatta, the original Buddha's (Shakyamuni's) cousin who was jealous of him and even tried to have him killed, but the original Buddha was "inconspiciously" protected, and Devadatta, was saved by the Lotus Sutra, as we all are when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, just once. 

There are other deities who represent the infinite, unlimited and eternal world of the spiritual realm, and all express the Law of the universe, which we call the Mystic Law. 

For a complete (and difficult to read) breakdown of the deities on the Gohonzon, read "Who's Who on the Gohonzon?" written by Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick.  He offers a complete list, but in a nutshell, as described by the friendly people at Buddhability.com, "On the Gohonzon, Nichiren uses Chinese and Sanskrit characters to depict the Lotus Sutra’s Ceremony in the Air.  Down the center are the Chinese characters for Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, representing the treasure tower, the ceremony’s centerpiece, which symbolizes the world of Buddhahood."

The Gohonzon expresses the reality that all people, without exception, can reveal their inherent Buddhahood by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

So why am I writing this on a hot August 10th day here in Dallas Texas?  Because, in staying true to Esoteric Daily, on this day in 1276, Nichiren writes a letter to a lay priest in which he clarifies the relationship between prayer and its resulting benefit. "'Conspicuous prayer' means prayer offered with a clear objective or purpose.  'Inconspicuous prayer' means prayer offered without a pressing need... but will become evident over the course of time, such as the gradual purification of one's life.'"

And I am here to tell you folks, after 59 years of a spiritual journey that took me from Christianity, to Hippy Buddhism, and subsequently, Paganism, my journey has finally landed here, and so I want to share this practice with you.  It is The Secret on steroids, the Alchemist solution to the heavenly body, and the Shift in Vibrations as seen on Gaia TV.  Save time, chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and elevated your life in a spiritual awaking you will thank me for later.  Your, 'inconspicuous' benefit for this August 10th. 

Enjoy the following video explaining why you won't see a golden Buddha on my altar.  

~~ Eso Terry  

August 9th, Time for people to Relax. The Human Race is Winning!

Tarot 9: Seeking Solitude and Answers.

 

Okay, August 9th, today it is 8-9-2024.  Reduced for numerological purposes, today's number is 7 (8+9+2+2+4=25=2+5=7).  In Numerology, the 7 is Truth, Wisdom, and according to Numerology.com, "...knows that the real gold is buried deeper than the surface level stuff."

This is where we begin today's journey, for it seems to be a good day for the will of the people over the aggressors, sometimes known as the 1%'ers in today's vernacular.  

On a steamy August 9th, in 1792, the French Legislative Assembly calls for revolution and the removal of King Louis XVI, who's regime is categorized in most historical accounts as a regime of corruption, excess, and devoid of care for his subjects; as well as, how can we forget his wife Marie Antoinette, of "Let them eat cake" fame.  So the people united, won one. 

In Great Britain on another steamy August 9, the Elementary Education Act giving free education to every child between the ages of 5 and 13 was past; yes, at the expense of the wealthy tax payer.  

In 1936 on August 9th, Jess Owens becomes the first Olympian to win four medals.  Of course, this was a win for all the friendly people of the world, for the 1936 Summer Olympics were held in Berlin by Adolf Hitler who had portrayed them as the "Aryan superiority Olympics."  Hitler was so pissed that he refused to shake the hand of the first African-American champion superstar. 

In 1942 on August 9th, Mohandas K. Gandhi was arrested by the British after starting the "Quit India" movement, which used methods of non-violent resistance to demand freedom from British rule. 

Unfortunately, there is a Yang to every Yin, and so also on a hot August 9 in Nagasaki, Japan, the US drops a second bomb on Japan ending World War II.  And as in all wars, there were no real winners or losers, just murder in the name of Gods and Greed. My grandfather, a racist who wouldn't allow a Japanese made car in his driveway until he died, and who served in Okinawa where he was pelted from a grenade, once told me, "We won that war in Okinawa, there was no needs for the death bombs.  Hope it never happens again."  To which I now say: Are you listening Russia!

In 1964 on August 9, a Democratic (for those of you who say I don't pick on the donkeys enough) President named Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) orders custom-made pants directly from the company's president.  In the recorded call from the White House phone, LBJ is recorded as saying, "Now, another thing, the crotch, down where your nuts hang, is always a little too tight.  So when you make 'em up, give me an inch that I can let out there, uh, because they cut me. They're just like ridin' a wire fence."

Okay. 

I can't end on that, so let's end on a bright note:  On a hot August afternoon in 1930, Betty Boop makes her debut in Max Fleischer's animated Dizzy Dishes; of course, a few years later in 1934, Walt Disney presents his first animation film, snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  And so we're back at the number 7. 

OH gosh, I almost forgot, Early this morning, on August 9th, 2024, there was another win for the people, more precisely, woman, for voters in Ohio reject the Abortion Ban vote on the ballet in Ohio, placed there by the Conservative-Nationalist who I hope take this as a sign to join the human race.  

~~ Eso Terry

August 5: The Late Marilyn Monroe

 

Okay, it is August 5th, and esoterically speaking, a pretty typical day for those of us with eyes to see.  Of course, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Hollywood bungalow on this day in 1962.  You've heard the stories, how she had an affair with the Kennedy brothers, and the younger brother, Bobby Kennedy, who was the Attorney General and in Los Angeles on the night she died,  was recorded asking, "Is it done?" on the night she died.  

I don't know if he killed her or not, but if you look at pictures of the scene, it's definitely staged with pills thrown over the floor.  Not something an overdose victim usually does.  They usually drink a shitload of alcohol, and then pop the pills, and drown on their own vomit.  Don't ask me how I know, I know.  

Then there is the fact that Marylin had embarrassed President Kennedy a few months earlier, on May 19, when she sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President," in her heavily cleavaged voice, which, made Jackie, the president wife, turn red. 

I'll leave it there because I gave up on conspiracies because it was stunting my spiritual growth; but, well, President Kennedy and Jacqueline posed for the following public domain photo on the same day Marilyn was found dead, which seems like a pretty good alibi if you needed.  I'm just saying. 

On another hot August 4th in 1864, Admiral David Farragut gave his command, "Damn the Torpedoes."  These words have earned him a place in history, as well as all future books of quotations.  Farragut was a southerner born gentleman from Tennessee who chose to fight for the North.  On the morning of August 4th, Farragut lead his fleet into the strong Confederate area off the Alabama coast, and immediately the enemy opened fire and all hell broke loose.  The Confederates had laced the channel with mines (then called torpedoes), and the leading Yankee warship blew up and sank with all hands.  Near panic and uncertain whether to attack or retreat, Farragut refused to turn back and screamed, "Damn the torpedoes!  Full speed ahead."  

The famous victory effectively closed the last Confederate port still in use, and made a major contribution to the North's victory.  

Another, less popular statement made by Farragut, was to a group of officers before the battle, where Farragut said,  "What matters it, General, whether you and I are killed or not?” He raised his glass to room. “We came here to die. It is our business and it must happen sooner or later. We must fight this thing out until there is no more than one man left and that man must be a Union man.”

Wow, makes me proud to have been a Navy man myself.

So how is this all esoteric?  I don't know, you tell me, but, it is August 5, and the 5th card of the Major Arcana is The Hierophant, which is the interpreter of sacred mysteries, so maybe we should ask him?  Also, the 5th Hexagram of the I Ching is "Waiting," so let's wait and see if he responds anytime soon?

And while we do that, let me close by saying that on another hot August 5th in 1921, a newspaper cartoon by Rollin Kirby becomes the first cartoon ever awarded a Pulitzer Prize. The cartoon was titled, "On the Road to Moscow,"  which is a cartoon that depicts the Grim Reaper leading a line of Soviets, suffering under the 1921 famine brought on by a drought, but exasperated by the stubborn government policies which protected the rich over the needs of the poor.  Funny, but with Vladimir Putin's senseless war against Ukraine, it's a timely cartoon for today,  a hundred years later.  

 Now, that's esoteric. 

 ~~ Eso Terry

 

August 3, Colubus Begins the Pillaging, Nukes Waste Sites.

It's August 3rd and on this day in history, Christopher Columbus sets sail to begin the rape and pillaging of the Americas, and boy were the heavenly deities pissed, for as Columbus was departing his last port of call before reaching the Americas, the Canary Islands, a volcano erupted.  Seeing the eruption in their wake, Columbus wrote in his secret log that he had a bad feeling. Boy was he right! 

Then, on August 3rd in 1610, another lost sailor strikes gold, this time it was Captain Henry Hudson in search of the fabled Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans; and just as Columbus erupting volcano was a bad sign for a captain, Captain Hudson had pushed his men so hard that they mutinied and put him on a canoe to nowhere with his teenage son.  Hudson and his son were never seen or heard of again.  But he got his name on the inland sea waters they found.

All good things come in three, right?  Well, on this 3rd day of the 8th month, in the year 1958, the USS Nautilus accomplishes the first undersea voyage to the North Pole.  The world's first nuclear submarine reached the top of the world.  Sixty years later, the USS Nautilus can be visited in a museum in Connecticut, but the nuclear reactor which has been cut out of her belly now resides in a Low-Level Burial Grounds site in Washington State.  It is one of four such sites, there is one in Washington State, Texas, Utah, and South Carolina. The shit stored there will be sitting there until hell freezes over, and then another billion years.  That's progress. 

A Nuclear Waste Site Near You.

Finally, on August 3rd in Japan, they hold an annual harvest festival called Aomori Nebuta.  Its reason is simply to stay awake!  In old days it was to allow them to stay awake long enough to work the harvest; today, however, it is "Stay Awake" metaphorically.  And a good thing for all of us to do on this hot August 3rd wherever you are, for it's hot everywhere.  NOTHING to be alarmed about.  Keep reading.  As the Nationalist keep telling you, it's cyclical.

Stay esoteric!

 

~~ Dr TV Boogie

August, An Esoteric Guide

August, the eighth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the third month of Summer's rule, derives its name from Augustus Caesar.  August was originally named Sextilis, which means the sixth month, but Augustus Caesar saw July was named after Julius Caesar, and so decided to have month named after him.  A little known fact, is that August used to have 30 days in it, but out of jealousy, Augustus changed it to 31 days so his month would have more days in it than Julius Caesar's month had.  What a guy.

 

The Traditional birthstone amulets of August are the peridot and the sardonyx and the gladioulus and the poppy are the month's traditional flowers.

 

August is shared by the astrological signs of Leo the Lion and Virgo the Virgin, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities:

Ceres, Demeter, John Barleycorn, Lugh and all goddesses who preside over agriculture.

 

During the month of August, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to Lammas, one of the four Grand Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world. 

 

August 1st, is known for the Lammas (loaf-mass) festival.  This is the celebration of bread loaves baked from the first grain of harvest.  Pagans of old celebrated Lammas by weaving corn dollies and offering the first loaves to their goddess and god.

The Celtic holly month Tinne ends on August 4th, to be followed by Coll, the hazel month.  This is a time of gathering fruitfulness and joy in one's life.  Its sacred color is brown, and its ruling being is the Irish demigod, Fionn MacCumhaill (often anglicized as Finn McCool).  

 

The goddess-calendar month of Kerea runs until August 8, to be followed by the month of Hesperis.  

 

According to Nigel Pennick's book, "The Pagan Book of Days," the birthstone of August is the sardonyx, whose adage goes:

 

Wear a Sardonyx or for thee

No conjugal felicity.

Those August born without this stone

'Tis said must live unloved, alone.

 

August is also a wonderful month for stargazing! It’s the month of the Perseid meteor shower, which is one of the most prolific showers and reaches its peak viewing around August 11 through the 13.  You can still see the Perseids even if they’re not at their peak. The shower lasts from about July 23 to August 22, so be sure to keep an eye out, especially during the August new moon.

 

In many cultures, August is known as the month of the Honey Moon. This is because it is the time of year when honey is harvested from beehives. And if you are the superstitious type, plan your honeymoon to fall on this month as well.  Or maybe not, other traditions think it might be a curse, hmmm, my first marriage was on an August 4 and lasted, five weeks.

 

During the Mid-Autumn Festival which, according to lunar calendar, is celebrated in August, Chinese worship the Moon Goddess named Chang'e.  The legend goes that Chang'e was a beautiful woman, when out of nowhere, ten suns had risen together into the skies and scorched the Earth, thus causing hardship for the people. Chang'e husband, Hou Yi, was  a legendary archer and so he shot down nine of the suns, leaving only the one.  For his success, he was rewarded with two portions of the elixir of immortality, which he planned to take with Chang'e after an important hunt.  And so Chang'e was left alone while he was hunting when a man broke into the house and tried to force her to give him the elixir.  Chang'e took both portions herself rather than giving them up to the intruder.  Then, Chang'e flew upward past the heavens, choosing the Moon to be her immortal residence as she loved her husband and wished to live near him. When Hou Yi discovered what had happened, he felt responsible for Chang'e, so he displayed the fruits and cakes that his wife had enjoyed, then killed himself.  In other version, Chang'e is a Bodhisattva, like me, I like that one best. 

 

Finally, no matter which gods and goddesses are at your alter when you pray, August is a name that's often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership.  As such, it's a name that carries a great deal of spiritual importance for those of us with eyes to see; in other words, August is connected to the concept of spiritual growth and development.

 

And finally, on this day in 1942, the Jewish diarist, Anne Frank, made her last entry.  In which she said:

 

"I keep trying to find a way to become what I'd like to be and what I could be if...if only there were no other people in the world."

 

 

~~ Eso Terry