Festival of Libra
Keynote for Festival of Libra:
"I choose the way which leads
between the two great lines of force."
Recommended Reading
Remember the Mother of the World, by Steve Nation, is a 5 page article on the Festival of Virgo, found on the www.worldservicegroup.com web site.
The following extracts from Esoteric Astrology by Alice A.Bailey and other titles may throw further light on the subject.
The Sign of Balancing of Desire
It is the sign of achieving the right equilibrium between the pairs of opposites
"[Libra] is a sign of balancing, of careful weighing of values, and of achieving the right equilibrium between the pairs of opposites. It might be regarded as the sign in which the first real vision of the Path appears and of the goal towards which the disciple must ultimately direct his steps. This Path is the narrow razor-edged Path which runs between the pairs of opposites and which - if it is to be safely trodden - requires the development of a sense of values and the power to utilise rightly the balancing, analytical faculty of the mind. It is also the sign of intuitive perception ..."
"In Libra, the point of balance or equilibrium is attained between material personal desire and intelligent spiritual love, for the two qualities of cosmic desire are brought to the fore in the consciousness in Libra and balanced one against the others. [pp244-245]"
- extract from Esoteric Astrology p.255-256
The Sign of Balancing of Desire
"There is therefore the individual expreience in Libra of the balanced life wherein experiment is made nand the consequent tipping of the Scales in one direction or another unit either desire of spiritual aspiration weights the balances down sufficiently so as to indicate the way that the man must go at the time." [p.232]
"... it is in Libra that the balancing of The pairs of opposites must take place and reach solution through the activity of the judicial mind and the establishing of a point of equilibrium between the male and the female principles. This again (for it is a piece of recurrent symbology) is the problem existing basically between the Sheep and theGoats, between negative and positive, and between those who blindly follow either instinct or custom and those who climb freely where they choose and are self-directed in conduct and attitude. This self-direction may lead them in either direction upon the wheel of life, following either selfilsh desire or spiritual aspiration, but the point to have in mind is that, judicially and with intent and after due reflection and balancing of the various ways, they then do as they will and as seems to them right and desirable. This is of itself of a basic usefulness and thereby they learn; for all action produces results and the judicial mind weighs cause and effect more correctly than any other.
Libra and the Law
The law must become the custodian of a positive righteousness
Libra, as you know, governs the legal profession and holds the balance between so-called right and wrong, between negative and positive and also between East and West. ...
Libra has been the "sponsor of the law." Legislation has hitherto been engrossed with the enforcing of those negations and those attitudes of fear which have been preserve for us in the Moasaic code and imposed through the medium of punishment for infringement. This has been a probably necessary stage for child races and for the preservation of a "nursery regime" for men. But mankind is reaching maturity and a different interpretation of the purposes and intents of Libra through the medium of law is now required. The law must become the custodian of a positive righteousness and not simply the instrument of enforcement." [p236]
"It is in this system that the Christ Child, the expression of the divine consiousness and the result of the relationship of Father-Spirit and Mother-Matter, must be brought to birth."
- extract from Esoteric Astrology p.255-256
What Virgo symbolises
It is the "blinded stage" which is found in Masonic rituals and which ever precedes the gift of light.
'Virgo symbolises depths, darkness, quiet and warmth; it is the valley of deep experience wherein secrets are discovered and eventually "brought to light"; it is the place of slow, gentle and yet powerful crises and periodic developments which take place in the dark and yet which lead to light. It is the "blinded stage" which is found in Masonic rituals and which ever precedes the gift of light. Virgo stands for the "womb of time" wherein "God's plan (the mystery and the secret of the ages) is slowly matured and - with pain and discomfort and through struggle and conflict - brought into manifestation at the end of the appointed time.'
- extract from Esoteric Astrology p.260
Woman - the Mother of the World
In the hands of woman lies the salvation of humanity and of our planet.
From the writings of Helena Roerich:
In the hands of woman lies the salvation of humanity and of our planet. Woman must realize her significance, the great mission of the Mother of the World; she should be prepared to take responsibility for the destiny of humanity. Mother, the life-giver, has every right to direct the destiny of her children. The voice of woman, the mother, should be heard amongst the leaders of humanity. The mother suggests the first conscious thoughts to her child. She gives direction and quality to all his aspirations and abilities ...
- extract from Letters, Volume I p.6
The Era of the Mother of the World
It is precisely woman alone who can solve the problem of the two worlds.
From the teachings of the Master Morya:
... why are women often awakened to the Subtle World? Because the work of the heart is most subtle, and thus transcendentalism appears easier for them. Verily, the Era of the Mother of the World is based upon realization of the heart. It is precisely woman alone who can solve the problem of the two worlds. Thus, one can summon woman to understanding through the heart. That will also be useful, primarily because the quality of the heart is eternal. Already there are many heroic deeds among women, but now instead of the stake woman has been accorded the flame of the heart. Let us not forget that for each importannt achievement the Feminine Principle is essential as a foundation and essence. The heart cannot open to the Subtle World if it is not understood through a special achievement.
- extract from Heart sutra 106