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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Weeks on December 30, 2010 at 6:39pm

This 2011, the closest approach to our Sun (perihelion) will be January 3 at 11 am Pacific Time.  This perihelion is what HPB had in mind (I surmise) when she gave January 4 as the average date for the theosophical New Year.

Here is some of what she wrote in Jan. 1888 issue of Lucifer:

"Every person who draws the breath of life affects the mental and moral atmosphere of the world, and helps to colour the day for those about him. Those who do not help to elevate the thoughts and lives of others must of necessity either paralyse them by indifference, or actively drag them down. When this point is reached, then the art of life is converted into the science of death... 

And let no one imagine that it is a mere fancy, the attaching of importance to the birth of the year. The earth passes through its definite phases and man with it; and as a day can be coloured so can a year. The astral life of the earth is young and strong between Christmas and Easter. Those who form their wishes now will have added strength to fulfil them consistently.

Man's life is in his own hands, his fate is ordered by himself. Why then should not [2011] be a year of greater spiritual development than any we have lived through? It depends on ourselves to make it so. This is an actual fact, not a religious sentiment...."

 

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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Weeks on December 31, 2010 at 4:50pm

A couple of other HPB quotes:

Every man or woman is endowed, more or less, with a magnetic personality, which when helped by a sincere, and especially by an intense and indomitable will - is the most effective of magic levers placed by Nature in human hands - for woe or weal. Let us then, Theosophists, use that will to send a sincere greeting and wish of good luck for the New Year to every living creature under the sun - enemies and relentless traducers included. Let us try and feel especially kindly and forgiving to our foes and persecutors, honest or dishonest. (CW XII, 67).

The 3rd day of the month was sacred to Pallas Athene, the goddess of Wisdom; and January the 4th is the day of Mercury (Hermes, Budha), who is credited with adding brains to the heads of those who are civil to him ... (CW IX, 3-5)

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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Weeks on January 1, 2011 at 2:36pm

Writing about the Theosophical New Year HPB suggests:  "Thus everything combines to make of it a festival to be held by those who study ancient Wisdom."  [CW 12, 76]

Also the Aphorisms on Karma say: "A new class of Karma may take place... through intensity of thought and the power of a vow."

One possible way for an individual or group to approach this sacred festival is:

Read or recite short, inspiring passages from any source.

Silently ponder on any personal spiritual vows for the coming year.

Group recitation of shared vows; such as:

I pledge myself to make Theosophy a living power in my life.

I pledge myself never to listen, without protest, to any evil thing spoken of anyone and to abstain from condemning others.

I pledge myself to maintain a constant struggle against my lower nature and to be charitable to weaknesses of others.

I pledge myself to do all in my power to fit myself to help and teach others.

I pledge myself to give what support I can to the theosophical movement, in time, money and work.

So help me, my True Self.

Silent meditation on some noble virtue or principle.

We dedicate all good karma from this practice, to the full spiritual benefit of every being in the universe.

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