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Newspaper Articles Regarding Annuities
Collected Newspaper Articles
"The Illustrated London News article regarding the Government Annuities Bill. Nothing so easily and effectually puts the optimist believer in the English character into a passion as an insinuation that the people of this country are not absolutely capable of self-government. If a too-watchful Minister hits an administrative blot in any matter not under the immediate supervision of the State, he is as nearly as possible denounced as a traitor to one of the great principles of British liberty, and he is accused of endeavouring to bring about a system of centralisation, and to be a secret but active agent on behalf of something like despotism. The latest offender in this sense is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who, having brought in a bill of very modest dimensions which enables the Government to hold out to the purely industrial classes the means of obtaining annuities and the advantages of life insurance on the most moderate scale, for which the State gives security, has suddenly found himself in the very centre of a horde of supporters of certain alleged vested interests. The minor insurance offices and the friendly societies are up in arms against an attempt on the part of the Government to do well and securely for the working classes that which they have attempted to do for themselves, and in too many instances lamentably failed to effect, if nothing worse. An organised opposition?a suggestive phrase, and well understood by a certain class of agents of the most general capabilities?has been pitted against the scheme of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who, finding himself at bay, has turned and literally ripped up the system with which he proposes to compete.
On Monday last Mr. Gladstone stated his case, and in a speech which was cognate to that famous intellectual effort last year in which he laid bare the weaknesses and the iniquities which have intruded themselves into the system of endowed charities, left to the most assured of his opponents but one argument, and that almost ad misericordiam?namely, that in a matter of such importance time and opportunity for the most ample consideration of his measure should be given. The object of the bill is to afford to the purchaser of a small an?nuity, or to the provident working man who seeks the benefit of life insurance, a security which is now attainable only by the comparatively wealthy. Even at the present time, when societies for life insurance are included practically, if not avowedly, in the speculative schemes of the day, it is in the power of a man of comparative wealth to select from a goodly-number which are in existence an association for the insurance of his life, which has been for many years go managed that it counts its accumulations by sums which stand for hundreds of thousands, and even of millions, and therefore holds out as good a security to its policy-holders as is possible in insti?tutions established on commercial principles. With ordinary circumspection, no member of the highest or the middle class need incur any risk in the matter of life assurance. It is, unhappily, far otherwise with those whom, for want of a better phrase, we call the poorer classes. They, as a body, are far from insensible to the benefits derivable from associations which enable thrift and providence to reap their ultimate reward. Accordingly, friendly societies and benefit clubs, applicable to old age, sickness, and burial, ramify through the country, and, on the face of them, seem to supply a demand which is highly creditable to those who make it. A class of smaller insurance offices, which operate by a wide-spread system of local agencies, comes in to afford facilities for such provision as prudent men of industrial pursuits are able to secure for their families ; and it would thus appear on the surface that all that is needed is in actual operation ; and that it is only the careless, the unthoughtful, and the spendthrift, in every rank of life, who do not acknowledge in practice the philanthropic efforts of a number of more or less disinterested persons to bring peace of mind and hope for the future to every homestead in the country. What the real state of the case as regards the humbler classes is let the speech of Mr. Gladstone tell.
Into the painful details of that remarkable exposition it is not necessary to enter. Suffice it to say that it was shown to demonstration that the majority of the associations which hold cut inducements for the investment of the savings of the humbler classes are based on fallacious principles and unsound calcu?lations; and the fact is patent that every year some?in truth, a great many?of them collapse, with results to the confiding members that are only too obvious. No one ventures to deny this; not even those half-informed members, who prate loudly about interference with the right and the capability of the working classes to manage their own affairs in reference to a matter in which self-government is positively absent?for all these associations are really managed by a few officials?can deny that a state of things exists which demands a remedy. It may be that the measure proposed by Mr. Gladstone is not the best remedy; but, whether it come into operation or not, its introduction will have done a vast deal of good. The comparatively feeble opposition to the bill in its discussion on Monday night was based on the ground that its immediate operation?nay, the effect of its discussion?would be the destruction, prompt and sudden, o? a number of friendly societies and insurance associations. It seems to us that this is an admission of the whole case against these institutions. Their innate weakness and fallibility are therefore not gainsaid. It cannot be said that such of them as will topple over before the blast of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's speech are not practically fraudu?lent recipients of the poor man's hard earnings, which in process of time, more or less short, will disappear amidst the crash o? associations to which they are committed. Is it not, then, an absolute, mercy to make quick work of such unstable concerns, and to prevent their going on ''rotting half a grain a day"" towards ultimate dissolution. At least there would be gained this advantage, that the loss of the contributors would stop where it is; and those who have the heart and the courage to retain their provident habits under circumstances of such less and discouragement as must inevitably come upon them would have an opportunity of beginning again in a new insti?tution which not only holds out but positively affords the blessing of security.
As we have already intimated, it is possible to argue that the proposition of Mr. Gladstone is not perfect as a cure for an acknowledged evil of no common magnitude. It may be open to the charge of being a violation of that common law of political economy, non-interference by the State in personal transactions; but the question is, whether the interference of Government is not as justifiable in this instance as in some few others?the Factory Act, for example, where the necessity of helping those who were unable to help themselves has induced Parliament to interpose and to set aside a principle which is justly dear to all Englishmen? It is clear that a great social and moral evil exists which can only be met by legislation; and, certainly, the legislation which is proposed in the bill of Mr. Gladstone is of the gentlest and least aggressive character. To use his own language, the measure prohibits nothing and enjoins nothing, but only furnishes facilities for that ""self-help"" which so eminently characterises our industrial classes, and which at present is in too many instances neutralised and frustrated. It is a refuge to which the provident man amongst the humbler classes can resort when he becomes conscious that he has been the victim of a fallacious and delusive system of investment.
With the sound, safe, and long-established assurance societies the Government measure cannot possibly interfere. It cannot affect or influence legitimate transactions in the least degree; but it can do much to diminish the confessed evils connected with institutions spread over the country, which are ignorantly, carelessly, and even fraudulently conducted, which absorb the contributions of the members in agency and expenses of management, or a few practically irresponsible managers of which, as has been shown in several instances, squander them on their feastings and pleasures. We believe the time which has been granted for consideration and inquiry, and, as it has been said with a certain grim humour, to produce an answer to the statements of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, will give opportunity for proof of the monstrous evil which is spread over the whole country; and that in the result the main objection to the measure of the Government will be, not its sweeping character, but its actual inadequacy to the necessity of the case."
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Support Bundoran Press' new anthology Second Contact
I know I have asked you before to support a publisher's Kickstarter campaign. Luckily, it succeeded and I thank those of you who contributed.
Now I'm asking you again to support another campaign, this time an Indiegogo campaign from Bundoran Press for its anthology Second Contacts.
So what is Second Contacts?
The description on Indiegogo says:
Second Contacts will seek stories, from the best writers in the field, which explore the consequences of first contact, for us, for them, for our shared future. The possibilities are endless — conquest, collaboration, assimilation, or separation. On earth, in space, or on alien planets, what will happen to individuals and societies after two generations or more of staring into alien eyes?
First Contact stories and novels are a staple of science fiction but few SF writers have explored the long term consequences of meeting ET. Second Contacts will explore a multitude of outcomes and, maybe, by doing so, find new ways to understand our history on this planet and how we might build a better future.
Bundoran is running an Indiegogo to fund a marketing campaign as well as offer professional payment rates to attract top talent to the project. Like all the anthologies Bundoran has done so far, there will be an open submission process, which means anyone can submit.
Why are you supporting Second Contacts?
I support this anthology because it deals with one of my favourite themes: the spaces in between.
One of my favourite novels is It by Stephen King. It's long, overwritten in spots and has more unneeded subplots than The Towering Inferno, but I love it because of the 30-year gap in the Losers' memories. Who were they between the time they were scared kids and terrified adults. What stories would they tell about changing, growing, learning?
Brent Hayward's Filaria is similar. It follows four characters as their world falls apart, none of whom fully understand what's happening. But if the reader can put the pieces together, they can find the true story in the spaces between these characters.
Michael Marshall Smith's "This Is Now" falls into this space as well, where four 40-something friends reminisce about their past, and how the terrifying moment that defined their lives is long past. And the horrifying realization this brings.
Second Contacts takes a look at the space in between. Most alien contact stories deal with a mysterious first contact, violent invasion, or are set years later when things have normalized. Second Contacts looks like it will explore the disruption that a second contact with alien life will bring. The ripping away of a comfortable denial that first contact was an isolated incident. Or, the boundless joy of the return of wondrous creations the current generation was not yet born to see.
For me, this theme could present disruption, panic, thwarted utopias, power-hungry villains, and the face of humanity as noble, brutal or both.
Why do they need the money if anyone can submit?
Today's top writers of science fiction are professionals, meaning they make their living writing. Short fiction usually doesn't pay as much as novels, so to attract the best writers it needs to be worth their while. Lower payment rates won't attract these writers.
As for why top writers still need to submit like everyone else, I will assume that it is an issue of fairness for award-winning editor Hayden Trenholm. The best fiction will be published at rates it deserves.
Aren't you and Hayden friends?
Yes we are. I have known Hayden going on five years.
So doesn't this benefit you?
No, probably not. I have submitted to Hayden's previous two anthologies: the Aurora Award-winning Blood and Water and then Strange Bedfellows. Both stories were rejected. I tend to lean toward horror, even when writing science fiction, which doesn't line-up with Hayden's vision.
Based on its description, Second Contacts is likely to focus on hard science fiction, which I tend not to write. I will likely not even submit to Second Contacts.
But I have contributed. I hope you will, too, so we can attract the best stories we can.
Writing Workshop: Keeping Readers on the Edge of Their Seat (June 22, Ottawa)
More About my Writing Workshop on Narrative Tension

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The Golden Dawn Library Project
Whare Ra Papers
Syllabus 6 = 5
A4 pages in cardboard cover.
Study the obligation and plan how to carry out the Twofold life literally. This is a Mystical Grade and has no lectures or Examinations.
2. Copy 4 Trees in their Appropriate Colour Scales.
3. Copy and practise 6 = 5 Exercises.
4. Try to find your own Path for the Inner Life.
5. Now is the time to fill in gaps of the 5=6 syllabus and to choose your special subject in which to qualify.
6. Study and work at the Auric Egg.
7. Climb the Tree, i.e. Meditate on each Sephira and Path in order beginning with Malkuth, clairvoyantly if possible.
8. Paint Tarot Pack and Consecrate same.
9. Paint Telesmatic Figure of Rising Sign or Sign of Sol, see Schemahamphorasch.
10.Practise Prithivi Akasa Tatwas to find out your past lives so as to gain a sense of continuity.
DAILY RHYTHM FOR THOSE OF THE GRADE OF GEBURAH.
On awakening make this affirmation.
I will arise and shine for my Light has come, and the Glory of the Lord has risen upon me.
Before leaving the room in the morning say:-
The Life of the Trees is mine, I will arise and walk,
The Life of the Man is mine, I will receive and give,
The Life of the Word is mine, I will utter and love,
The Life of the World is mine, I receive the Spirit,
The Life of the Stars is mine, I am filled with joy,
ELOHIM GEBUR guards me, ELOHIM GEBUR strengthens my hands, yea He guards my feet.
About Noon, as an intercession for the dying, especially those in zones of war or catastrophe say:-
O Lord of strength, Elohim Gebur, in all humility of spirit I invoke Thy Blessing. Look down I implore Thee upon those dying in warfare or catastrophe, & knocking at the gate of the grave. Grant Thine aid, O God of Israel, who givest power unto Thy people. Pour forth Thy benediction we beseech Thee. O Thou Fire-hearted One who does send death that we attain unto Life everlasting: Thou at Whose Word the thunders roll and the lightning flashes forth, grant that in the midst of storm we may find peace. Master of the Diadems of Fire crown them with Light that emerging from the darkness of the Tomb they may enter upon the Dawn of Endless Day.
Alternative for those undergoing operations.
O Thou who makest perfected souls to enter into everlasting glory, cause now we beseech Thee the perfected Soul of & & & & to be victorious over death. Having ears may he hear with understanding, having eyes may he perceive with the Spirit: having lips may he speak the truth: having a heart may he love righteousness. Quicken in him O Divine Creator. the Life Divine: draw him with cords that he may run after Thee: bind him to the Altar that he may evermore serve Thee.
On going to bed repeat:-
Mother of Life, Mother of all, Matrona, we would be even as the Burning Bush which was not consumed - a sign to those who have eyes to see. Star of the Sea, in Thy hands is the Lamp of Understanding, show us if for an instant Thine ineffable fragrance. Tower of Ivory enclose us in Thy protecting Purity. Strengthen me who seek enlightenment. through the gates of darkness that passing through the valley of bitterness I may find therein the Well of Living Water. Reflect upon my soul those visions of the Spirit which awaken the understanding and beckon us to the Pisgah Heights of Holiness. There may I find the Pearl of great price which is also the loadstone of the wise.
SHEKINAH THE FOUR SCALES OF COLOUR.
SEPHIRA ATZILUTH BRIAH YETZIRAH ASSIAH
KING QUEEN PRINCE PRINCESS
Kether White White White White, rayed with gold.
Chokmah Pure soft blue Grey Pearl grey White, flecked with red, blue & yellow
Binah Crimson Black Crimson with Black edge & rays Grey flecked with pink.
Chesed Deep violet Blue Deep purple Deep azure, flecked yellow
Geburah Orange Scarlet Bright Scarlet Red, flecked with Black.
Tiphareth. Clear Rose Pink Daffodil Yellow Rich Salmon (Pink) Golden Amber
Netzach Amber Green Bright yellow-green Olive, flecked golden.
Hod Violet purple. Persimon (tawny orange) Red-russet Yellow-brown, Flecked-white.
Yesod Indigo Dark petunia Very dark purple Citrine flecked azure.
Paths.
Malkuth Yellow Tertiaries Tertiaries Flecked Into glowing gold Black, rayed with Yellow
Saturn Dark Indigo Black Blue black Black, rayed blue.
Jupiter Violet Blue Blue purple Bright blue, rayed yellow.
Mars Poppy red Red Rich scarlet Scarlet, rayed amber.
Sun Golden yellow Golden yellow Rich amber Amber, rayed red.
Venus Emerald green Sky blue Pale blue green. Cerise, rayed with pale green.
Mercury Primrose yellow Violet Grey Indigo, rayed violet
Luna Pale silvery blue Silvery white Very cold pale blue. Silver, rayed sky-blue.
THE FOUR SCALES OF COLOUR PAGE 2.
Paths of Elements.
Deep blue Olive green Greenish lemon White flecked With black.
Pale yellow Pale blue Greenish grey Yellow-green, Flecked with yellow.
Orange red Scarlet Red Red, flecked with green
ZODIACAL PATHS.
Aries. Blood red Dark rose red Rich red Crimson.
Taurus. Red orange Maroon Red-grey-brown. Rich brown.
Gemini. Marigold Violet RED-grey-violet Very pale grey white tinged purple
Cancer Dark amber Deep blue purple Silver grey neutral Dark blue grey
Leo. Greenish yellow Black Yellowish grey Reddish amber (brown)
Virgo. Yellow green Indigo Grey-blue-green Livid indigo (like Back of live lobster)
Libra. Grass green Blue Blue green Light pale green
Scorpio. Blue green Sky blue Pale greenish blue. Dk. vivid blue.
Saggit Deep blue with hidden red Pale slate grey Pale grey blue. Red-grey to mauve
Capri. Indigo Yellow Pale grey Dark greenish brown
Aquar. Amethyst Dove colour Mauvish grey Buff flecked with white.
Pisces. Crimson Warm golden brown Brownish crimson Violet, or plum colour.
NOTE.
The 5=6 Tree gives Sephiroth in the Queen Scale and Paths in the King Scale.
The Prince Scale is usually a blend of King and Queen.
The Princess Scale is very often flecked or rayed.
LECTURE ON THE FOUR SCALES OF COLOUR.
By G.H. Chief M.C.
You have in the Order notes a list of the 7 rainbow colours & their corresponding notes in the Scale, but I would like to suggest that while the King Scale of Colour is cognate to the Major Scale of sound, the Queen Scale is akin to the Minor, and the Prince to the chromatic. That leaves the Princess unaccounted for unless we seek out the half or quarter tones of the East; are they not related to the flecked and rayed colours of the Princess, blurred let us say one imposed on the other.
In actually depicting this scale the colours are represented as sharply divided, but if you consider them clairvoyantly you will see that they waver and mingle as the colours of moving water shift and blend as you look at them, or as lights interplay with the movement of clouds.
So on a windy day in Spring have you seen colours interchange in a wood as the young leaves rustle, and the shadows play over a mass of wild hyacinths or primroses.
The Princess must always be taken as something changing, unstable, evanescent; the flecked and rayed colours should actually be so cunningly interwoven that they would change with each movement of the canvas like shot silk.
Now as you consider the Four Scales of Colour, passing imperceptibly from one to another, so must you also learn to pass from one Plane to another, gradually raising and transmuting that upon which thoughts and desires dwell.
As the colours of the Princess scale are mingled, and those of the Prince clear, the Queen Scale soft and negative, but those of the King deep and rich, so it Is with other things. If, for instance, you concentrate on Love, you will see how mixed and doubtful a thing earthly love is. But if you raise it up through the aspects of loyalty and devotion, you presently become aware that above all these lies the pure and selfless ardour of Divine Love.
Of the Four Trees you must further consider that two are positive, two negative, two masculine, two feminine. Therefore it follows that two correspond to the waking consciousness, two to the sleeping. But while at the first glance that seems perfectly simply and clear, a little reflection will show you that it is less so than you thought.
We have already seen that the Princess scale which belongs to the lowest of the four is negative, must therefore belong to the sleeping consciousness.
Let us examine this statement more clearly, closely. The Princess in the Taro is represented as a young person; but a young person from the Occult standpoint is one who is yet unawakened, therefore the Princess Scale and lowest Tree must correspond to one who is as yet immersed in the material.
From that it will follow that the Scale of the Prince signifies on one who has awakened, how are we to interpret the Queen Scale? This takes us a step farther into psychology. An ordinary undeveloped man dreams very little, his dreams are fragmentary; they have no spiritual significance. But when a man awakens to the underlying realities of life, he becomes sensitised, his soul is set free, and he begins to stretch out groping hands in search of guidance.
The response comes through dreams, and though he may be unable to bring through clear consecutive memories of his sleep experiences to the physical brain, yet he can and does receive as much teaching as he can assimilate. This is the vitalising of the Queen Scale.
Therefore when you wish to receive teaching on a particular subject during sleep, it is a good plan to dwell upon the appropriate Sephira or Path in the Tree of the Queen.
Of the King Scale it Is more difficult to speak, for it belongs to the region of pure light, the source of all colour and music. To that region only the Initiate has access, and that which he receives is in the nature of light and life.
LECTURE ON MEDITATION AND CONTEMPLATION
You do not practise rising in the planes sufficiently, you should form the habit of doing this daily, until it becomes so natural as to be spontaneous. Learn to look, not only at daily life, but more especially at ceremonies, from this point of view.
But to do this you must fully understand that . rising in the planes. is not a kind of mental aeroplane; if you are in an aeroplane the higher you go the flatter the landscape appears, until it is veiled by clouds or becomes indistinguishable through the layer of atmosphere; your horizon widens, but to all intents and purposes your view becomes two dimensionable.
But where you . rise in the Planes. you do not go up in the sense of looking down on things, you move into the midst, and enter upon multi-dimensional consciousness.
Remember that when Christ appeared to the Disciples after His Resurrection, He was in their midst. From this viewpoint you perceive the interior life and meaning of all things; instead of becoming small and flat they gain an entirely new significance; and this is true, not only in relation to space and life, but also to time, and what we are accustomed to calling inanimate objects.
The 1st. Exercise: To begin with polarise your own sphere of sensation; visualise as clearly as you can the four Trees, one within the other, but all with the axis coinciding with your own plummet line.
Now gradually withdraw your consciousness into the centre of Tiphareth and hold it there while you breathe 6 times; then rise up into Daath (coincides with the pineal gland) and from there look out as from a watch tower through the rainbow network of your sphere as it revolves slowly round you. Do this each day until it ceases to demand effort. That is the 1st. exercise.
2nd. Exercise (not to be attempted until you have attained to a degree of ease in the 1st.)
Look at an inanimate object (table) seek for the inner force which holds it together, and see with your inward eye the tremendous unceasing movement which is necessary to produce the apparent immobility of the outward form.
Stand in the garden and look at the house with the same inner vision. If that ordered activity should cease or no longer co-ordinate the whole would crumble to dust before your eyes, as our bodies crumble when the governing soul withdraws.
Learn to look through the external form to the interior force. The true craftsman does this unconsciously, and uses this internal force to guide his hand in sympathy with it, so as to produce the harmonious expression; that is why the great craftsman select certain woods to work with. The activity of each wood is fitly expressed in certain lines and types.
3rd. Exercise: A natural sequence to the last.
Concentrate upon a series of living things one by one. A tree, a flowering shrub in bloom, an animal, an insect. In each case try to follow out the life processes, first from without then from within, so that you look at the world from their point of view.
When you have done this say for one month, return to the 1st. exercise of folding up into your own Tiphareth, and rising into Daath, only now you must look out from Daath and reach out to all these other forms of existence until you fully realise the unity in diversity that exists in all around you; not to lose yourself in them but so that you are in perfect harmony with their rhythm, just as you instinctively keep in step with a passing band.
When you have caught the cadences of life immediately surrounding you then you can reach out further.
The next step is more difficult for now you have to reach out from the known to the unknown. Just as you begin by formulating the four trees in your own sphere, so now you must formulate them in the sphere of the earth. In doing this you should be conscious of other Trees beyond those with which you are familiar. You cannot see them for they belong to planes as yet beyond your knowledge, and their range of colour is beyond your vision but you may be dimly aware of their presence.
Polarise your own central pillar with that of Earth; conceive Earth's Tiphareth to correspond to the equator while Daath lies within that zone which we call temperate. When you have done this, then as before withdraw into Tiphareth and thence ascend to Daath and look out, not through your own personal sphere, but through the sphere of earth, and gaze abroad till the inner sight penetrates to the depths of space, then turn to your text books and assure yourself of the direction in which the particular fixed star you seek lies. Be sure you have a clear general idea of the relative positions of earth and star, at what ever time you propose to follow up this step in our series.
Find the position of earth, sun and star in relation to each other from the point of view of Daath of Earth. Having this clear in your mind then at the appointed time withdraw as I have described into Tiphareth of Earth, pause there breathing quietly and rhythmically while you count 36, then ascend to Daath, breath quietly counting 12, and turn your vision toward that Path which corresponds to the Sign through which we must travel to reach the Star.
Project your consciousness along that Path, first in the Princess then the Prince, then the Queen, then the King Scales. Then bid your consciousness pursue the same Path through the successive Scales beyond your vision but not altogether beyond your comprehension, since they exist also in your own finer Sphere.
Do not attempt this all at once, go slowly step by step, practise Princess Scale until you have mastered it, then going through that attack the next, each day a little farther, until at last you can speed along swiftly and surely beyond Earth's Sphere & cast your vision out to the Star itself. Then reverse the process & penetrate further and further to the heart and essence of its life.
THE CROSS.
0=0. P.1.
Rejoicing I come to thee, thou Cross, the Life-Giver, Cross whom I now know to be mine. I know thy mystery, for thou hast been planted in this world to make fast things unstable.
Let us strive to understand the divine Ideas underlying these ceremonies, and the use of the Cross as the Master-Symbol by which all transmutation is effected. Our Lord said: 'Ye must be born again of water and the spirit, and He referred, no doubt, to Initiation, and the great Master-Symbol of initiation is the Cross.
As a symbol it is as old as the planet for it has been used in one form or another by almost every nation, in every civilisation. The 3rd Root Race formed it from the ash-tree, whence issued the men of Bronze. They called it the Tzite Cross. There was also the Swastika, the most sacred symbol of India, sometimes called by the Masons the Jaina Cross, the Greeks the Tau Cross.
In our Order in the 0=0 Ceremony, we see the cross of the four elements in perfect balance. It is balanced because it holds at its centre the spiritual power of the Hegemon, the symbol of balance in the Piscean Age as shown by the fish-headed sceptre - in Egypt by the feather of Truth head-dress, in the Aquarian Age no doubt, by the symbol of balance.
There are four lustrations, markings of the Cross upon the candidate; his bodies, physical and psychic, are consecrated simultaneously. Eventually, the lustrations flower upon the altar, for he himself handles the Cross of the Four Elements. There are four lustrations, and in the middle of the Temple is the Cubical Cross: the Candidate as yet unfolded for service - nevertheless he flowers In the Mystic Repast.
The Order by Its drama, enacts the evolution of the race - from animal man to divine man, and its magic is in the Tree - the Cross, by the Cross, which in a certain sense represents the personality of man, the slow emergence of the useful and proper faculties takes place.
After the first purification, we rise from our knees and seal our promises by the oblation of salt - the emblem of purified earth. We are beginning to grow the wood of the Cross - its upright beam; in the choice of the central pathway we know that the arms of the Cross are still beyond our ken.
The Master Symbol junctions in the 1=10 by means of the whirling Cross, the Swastica, the Hermetic Cross, which bears upon its arms 17 squares as the ritual explains; the Sun, the Four Elements and the 12 Signs of the Zodiac - all the powers requiring integration by the initiate on his long journey. Such a symbol, by its whirling brings to life the latent powers within those who contemplate it. And so we start our journey.
Therefore, with Jesus Christ, true God, ascend the Cross, the One and only Word.
The Word in truth is symbolled forth, by that straight stem on which I hang.
Lo! The Central Cross, the cubical Cross is unfolded, it bears upon it all the signs and powers for thy redemption!
The Candidate has within him a stirring, a budding of life, he has purified the soil where the tender roots of the cross shall sojourn and grow. He can be trusted to contemplate a glyph of its perfected man, his powers unfolded, to which he is pledged to attain; his mind therefore must be purified before a further step on the journey can be attempted. The Light-bearer, therefore, guides him to the abode of the Kerubim, the guardians of the arms of the Cross, with whose symbols he is sealed. He begins to hear the sweet voice of the Master as he chants the litany of the Cross: 'Thy head stretched forth and up into heaven that thou mayest symbol forth the Heavenly Logos, the Head-of all things. Thy middle parts are stretched forth as it were hands to right and left, that thou mayest gather together into one thoses that are scattered abroad.'
Thy foot is set in the earth, sunk in the deep, the abyss - that thou mayest draw up those that lie beneath the earth, and mayest join them to those in heaven.
Hear, therefore, my brothers, the Truth expounded; the path Tau is the Ladder of Jacob, and the sure testimony that man was made for the heights.
In the Cubical Cross the whole destiny of man is revealed, every path is indicated, every Sephirah named.
So by the Path Tau does the candidate finally emerge from Malkuth, and begins his outward and upward Journal.
Our candidate has become the poet, the artist, discovers in himself hidden faculties; from the solid Greek Cross he gains balance, from one arm power, another vision, another strength, another energy, from the Sun in the midst he rises like Casmillos to the trumpet call of the Archangel; on the bitter Cross of his personality he may place the great symbol of the Star of the Grade, the Planet Mercury - he must learn to hold his soul sup-like to receive the divine-love, that he may give of its fulness to others, From the portals of Shin, Tau and he gains balance in diversity, he begins to hear the voices of the elementals: the organ-like notes of the water, the flute-like notes of air, the sibilant sighing of air, the drum-like beat of the heart of the Mother of the earth.
He has a great vista before him, for in this grade he can find power in perfect balance, but he must hold the Cross with both hands! 'For power in no way differs from thought, and yet are one; from the things above is discovered power, from those below Thought.' We presume that the candidate can now be trusted with power, for he is given the first of the planetary symbols to contemplate, the planet Mercury - the Messenger of the gods. Upon the Cross of his own weak personality is superimposed this mighty symbol. Dedicated power is of the armour of God.
Light looked down and beheld darkness, Thither shall I go said Light. Peace looked down and beheld war; Thither shall I go said Peace! Love looked down and beheld hate, Thither shall I go, said Love! So came Light and shone, So came Peace and gave ease, So came Love and brought Life! And the Word was made flesh And dwelt among us.
The Candidate has become the Warrior, he is one of the great company of Warriors; those who wrested from the Tree, the Cross, the Sword, to fight for righteousness. He aspires to be one with the Warriors of the past.
Arthur and his gallant company, the Black Prince, Baldwin, first King of Jerusalem, whose body was buried near the Holy Sepulchre, Coeur-de Lion, who is entrusted with the Sword Excalibur, which he gave to Tancred - the Maiden - Knight Sir Galahad. ALL those who fought for the Cross, with Divine fire.
The Calvary Cross of 12 squares to my poor mind the symbolism is lost in the Waters of Nu! Perhaps the ancients juggled with the Zodiac, and the symbol settled hap-hazard!
The Calvary Cross of 10 squares refers to the ten Sephiroth in balanced disposition as the ritual sets forth - therefore, we assume that the candidate's Sephiroth, those peaceful Chakras are in active motion - the candidate is ready for service because he has attained to a certain degree of equilibrium.
There is much profound teaching hidden in this symbol, and the Candidate has now access to their treasures, and it is a very beautiful Cross for contemplation.
I kneel at its feet and feel the stability of our Lord In Malkuth; in Yesod I see His exalted Vision; in Hod I gather His tears for the purification of mankind; in Netzach I bathe in His purifying fire, in Tiphareth I feel the beat of His Heart, in Kether I am filled with the perfume of roses - therefore I say:
O fairest Queen of Roses! flower
Bedew our parched ground from out Thy Heart
Whence soul-reviving Waters flow increasing
Till Mercy. s dower makes each of as a part
Of Thy true Self - each soul a pure reflection
Of Love's red, flaming Rose, its own Perfection.
The Calvary Cross of 6 squares is a tremendously powerful symbol containing as it does, the old form of the Cubical Cross and the unfolded Calvary Cross. This grade is a synthesising of the Candidate. s powers in the fires of the Spirit, enabling him to lift the small cross of his personality to receive the exalted symbol of Venus, for only through the door of Love can he pass into the heights. All the great mystery traditions set forth chiefly the mystery of Man; and the Order in its wisdom chooses the greatest of the four great Initiations: the Egyptian, Jewish, Chaldean and Persian to bring the Candidate from darkness to light, to give him a glimpse of his past, and by the power of the Cross to correct those ancient failings - by the power of the Cross to overcome them. By the fire in the heart which purifies the fires of the mind which enlightens the fire of the will when the Spirit is turned to God, may you be carried up the Holy Mountain.
THE PORTAL.
The candidate. s Cross has budded, put on colour, turned inwards for service - he carries the dedicated Cross of the great human Orders the Knights of Malta, of St. John of Jerusalem - the Maltese Cross.
He advances alone, he is ready for his personal Gethsemene, he sees three strange officers, and one Valiant one the Hiereus, his own dedicated self.
By the power of his Cross he is permitted to invoke the Deity Names of the four Elements, and be sealed by that great ancient form of the Cross, the Qabalistic Cross - to have the 4 Elements of his body consecrated and strengthened for service. He is ready in the Spirit of Sacrifice for service, but can he face the World Karma, the world Gethsemene?
Slowly the great monsters of the world's subconscious arise - with such he must be willing to cope.
He who would dare beyond his strength, the Path of Kaph - Beware! thunders the Valient One, his own purified lower self. He who would dare beyond his strength the Path of Nun. Beware! Again - He who would dare along the middle path armed with a bright and glowing Cross, the Spirit in its centre, receives the confirmation of his aspirations, buries his old self beneath the Cross' shadow.
The-5=6.
And then at the dawn of the cosmic year, when the Cross of wood has become the Cross of Light, we shall discern them - on not only the radiant figure of our Lord, but our own features mingled with His, and the features of our friends; then the divine secret shall have been revealed, and the Cross of transmutation become the weapon of the Warrior of Christ.
This is a stark drama, this drama of the Cross; men flee from it in horror because they cannot bear this tragedy of love. Let as learn the secret of this divine alchemy.
We see the sins of the nations before the judgment seat of Pilate, staggering along the Via Dolorosa, becoming absorbed in a multitudinous figure, even you and I my brothers, and countless brothers and sisters, striving to mount Golgotha, striving to lay ourselves upon the Cross.
This meditation upon the drama of the crucifixion is no new philosophical speculation, it is a preparation we are receiving, those added spiritual powers enabling mankind to pass from the state of self-seeking to the stage of enlightenment. By the contemplation of the life and passion of Christ the divine Love is engendered in the crucible of the heart, and in that crucible all that is unworthy perishes. - In therefore the secret of transmutation!
But we, who have been in turn the mystified women, the careless onlookers, the blaspheming thief, if we be content to bear our burdens to carry our Cross, shall see, when that Cross is lifted up on the Golgotha of our woe, our own dear shining Christ appear, and shall pass, with Him into the Paradise of a new day!
Gethsemene.
Four timid disciples went to the Mount of Olives - they had an Arab guide, a tall, quiet, dignified man who had a special devotion to our Lord.
They passed by the sleeping disciples, penetrated deeper into the wood, where the young olive trees blustered about a large stone, and there they saw Him lost in an agony of prayer: 'Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from me!' Whereon a great multitude arose, the poor, the forlorn, the forsaken, the sinner, the criminals, and a great murmuring, a great cry met our ears - and then - the Golden Voice: 'Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done.' And He was among them - the Healer, the Comforter.
There was a flash of light and a drawn sword: 'Come no closer said a voice,' Your Lord has conquered.
We saw no more - not the bewildered disciples, nor the miracle of the High Priest's servant, nor the trial, nor the scourging - but we saw the Cross being lowered, and Jesus received into His Mother's arms – then the slow descent along the stony path to the Garden - and we heard the piercing wailing of the Magdalene.
Once more we were In the Garden - the moon was rising serene and milk-like, shadowy and gentle like the early Church, and the almond trees were in bloom.
Presently there arose a little gurgle of water from the brook near by, the birds stirred, there was a sound of running feet, and the great stone moved away.
This then, fratres and sorores is the ardour and the vision the Order gives its children, and those who form His bodyguard in the past, the present and the future have in their hearts the passion and pain of the Cross, the triumph and the majesty of His Resurrection - for all such we give thanks.
To us, Fratres and Sorores, we who are cross-bearers, await the touch of Pentcostal Fire, that Fire which touched the Tree, the Cross, and turned it to a Rose - whose shining petals are the adoring saints; Whose stem we are, Whose thorny stem mayhap - yet carrying the sap of everlasting Love.
We have studied the Fatherhood of God, speaking. through the Cross - now let us picture the Method of God on the descending Cross-bearers.
ARRANGEMENT OF CANDLES. In Second Point 6=5
One White
(I)                  (III)                 (II)                  (IV)                  (V)                 (I)
One Blue                  Two                  Four                  Four                  One                  Green                  Brown                  One
Brown                  Green                  Red                  Red                  Four                  Two                  Blue
(VI)                  (V)                  (VI)
Three Yellow                  Seven Violet                  Three Yellow
Note. The Roman figures above each set indicates the order of extinguishing.
Behold now, the mystery of the thirty-three lights upon the white and gold Altar. The Altar itself you may perceive is of rhomboidal form, implying thereby that you have consecrated your whole being to the Divine inspiration. The five lights in the midst are the five senses and their red colour denotes the passions of which in the past they have been the vehicle, while their exalted position signifies their purification through sacrifice.
The two pairs of brown candles are the four somatic divisions while the two sets of four are the four Zoa and the Four Archangels of the Revelation which are their counterparts in the Yetziratic and Briatic Worlds, as green is the etherial counterpart of Earth.
The two threes symbolise the six divisions of Ruach in the Kabalistic divisions of the soul, the Logos or Microprosopus.
The seven are the seven chakras, the seven steps to the Throne. And finally the three single lights are the three divisions of the Higher Soul or Spirit - Neschamah, Chiah, and Yechidah.
6 = 5 ADDRESS BY M.C. 6.8.25.
I want you to consider the preparation of the Light which the Shekinah carries. Before the Shekinah comes at all into the Rubric she has to prepare the Light. She has to pour forth the oil; she has to mingle the oil with her own blood, and kindle the light in the oil. As she pours forth the oil she says: 'The oil is the life of the Tree, let the Tree give its Life.' As she mingles her blood with the oil she says: 'The blood is the life of the Man, let the Man give his Life..' As she kindles the light in the oil she says: 'The Light is the Life of the World, let all the living rejoice.
Consider the sequence of those three aspects of life. First, the Life of the Tree is the symbol of the whole visible world. Second, the Life of Man represents all living beings on the Earth. Third the Light which enlightens every man coming into the world. In each case life must be given, must be poured forth in holy sacrifice. For only through giving can we reach joy.
Now consider what Shekinah says as she administers the oil to the Postulant. She touches his feet and says: . The oil is the Life of the Tree, arise and walk.. She touches his solar plexus which represents the whole life of man, and says: 'the life of the man is thine, receive and give.' She touches his lips and says: 'The Life of the Word is thine, receive the Spirit.' And last, she touches his upraised hands and says: 'The Life of the Stars is thine, be filled with joy.' So you have the giving from the lowest up to the highest blossoms out into joy.
We are all accustomed to the thought that oil is the symbol of joy and peace: and the the cup, the Alabaster cup, which the Shekinah carries, is the essence of the peace which passes understanding. But if we are truly receiving the Ritual, if we are not only passing through it as a curious and interesting experience, we must take the peace of the Shekinah into our hearts and out into the world, it is only for a little time that We can stay withdrawn in the Palace of Mars, in the absorption of the Pastos: we must go forth again: we must arise and shine because the Light has come to us. We must be the alabaster lamps of joy, bearing peace and the light of holy living. It is not the mere passing through of a Ritual which can enable any of us to do these things. We do not in the vault end the old and begin the new. Each ceremony, each Ritual we pass through on the Path of initiation marks the awakening of a new Chakra, a stage in the rising of Kundalini. And as the seed takes weeks, or even months to germinate, so these rituals must germinate in our hearts and thoughts before they can grow up and blossom. Yet if we pass through with understanding, that seed is -planted: it is watered, and it lies with us to cherish its growth. A seed can only grow if it is given peace, quiet and nourishment. If it is too roughly stirred about, if neglected and left dry and unwatered, it will perish. So with us, we must cherish the growth. We must remember that the alabaster lamp is within us as it is within the hand of the Shekinah.
The path of Mars is war, but the Palace of Mars is Peace. It is only when we are ready to fight that we are also ready to dwell in peace. The man who says he is too proud to fight, the pacifist who refuses to fight, while profiting by the battles of others, has no true peace within or without. 'I came not to bring peace, but a Sword.'
We must fight with the Sword of the Spirit before we can enter the Peace of the Lord. Only when we are ready to fight, to pour out our own blood it need be, may we dwell in perfect peace. Then the sword of the spirit becomes a shaft of Light, no longer for the wounding of others, but for their enlightenment. The sword must pierce our own hearts if we are to become truly sanctified. Each of us is not only a son of God, but the Mother of God, for within each of us the Christ must be born. Therefore, when the Shekinah withdraws, the Postulant is raised up his bonds loosened, he is brought out of the Pastos, he is drawn forth from the Palace of Peace. And that he may have strength and wisdom he is given the secret food of the Spirit, milk, honey and butter. It Is not only by bread and wine that man should live but by the Word of God and the Holy Wisdom.
Bearing that Light within him, the Postulant goes out into his daily life prepared to grow into the fulness of the stature of Christ.
Sunday 4 November,_34.
To go more slowly, to think more kindly, to speak more truly, are the prerogatives of old age. 1 say prerogatives for when old age has arrived one should be free to choose what is best. To hurry is to miss the tiny things of beauty which strew the way: To think other than kindly is to inflict upon others little pinpricks of pain: Not to think more truly is to deface the wonderful form of Christ which old age must at least begin to build up in itself.
This is a vignette, of old age - a cameo beaten out of the solid rock of the life now fading behind you. There are some lives beaten out of the rock, some wrought and chiselled in gold and there are some others of each exquisite beauty that it takes a magnifying glass to see their manifold attractions and of this last the mystic is the best exponent. Despise not the contradictions of life - its lights and shades which make character. Seek rather to see in every individual the great personal ideal towards which he is striving and if you do so your own idea of GOD will become more and more many sided and with that appreciation will come a variety of power which you did not before possess. For you must apprehend before you can use, you must see before you can transmit, you must feel before you can love.
During this week look upon the tomb as a well of water into which you can plunge not only your bodies for cleansing but your souls for regeneration. Look upon this 6=5 ceremony as a great cleansing breath of GOD sweeping away all difficulties in your lives with the impact of that cleansing springlike freshness which the Shekinah brings in her two hands and be ready to receive each day and every day all along the line the blessing of the moment. The Shekinah moves, spring is here, the Shekinah speaks, the buds burst, the Shekinah shows her lamp and the celestial fires and the terrestrial fires begin to glow in unison. Who are we to be out of focus - out of harmony with the Divine Plan? Gather round our frater, like a close band of brothers that he may feel the impregnable wall of your friendship and your love, in this journey to the grave and let the Chief remember that though he is small and weak, yet he is great and strong; though he is tired and old yet he is young and virile. He has cast about him the cloak of Christ and upon his head is the seal of Knowledge and Understanding. He is no more the lower personality, he is one with the Gods, not in a spirit of vaunting, but in a spirit of loving fellowship. The 2nd. Ad. is as the Chief though different in that he fixes forever in the candidate's sphere of sensation the clearest truth. The 3rd. Ad. bears the trembling body, sealing it to the triumphant Ego.
Now this fresh influx of power which you will receive at dawn will be different in character and you must ray it forth as a child scatters blossoms - a subtlety and fragrance about it which will act as a compelling attraction drawing those who seek to the feet of the Teacher. Strive therefore to scatter its fragrance and its beauty as a child scatters flowers. The Christ of the new age is the eternally young & the eternally beautiful - the Apollo of the Christian faith. One to whom the young will be able to turn in adoration and joyous service.
Sunday 29th November,_36.
With the approach of the 6=5, the thought of transmutation must be present in the minds of the initiates. Year by year as the soul advances on its quest it is more and more aware of a change of vibration which occurs within the psychic aura of the initiate.
The first bell sounding at the beginning of the Ceremony is an indication that the vibrations of Earth have ceased and the vibrations or the abode between Tiphareth and Geburah are stealing over the consciousness of the disciple. It is with something of a shock that the bell reaches the conciouness of the waiting postulant. He feels it within the heart because the heart centre is the abode of Tiphareth, and with St. John of the Cross he ventures forth alone unseen, upon the purgatorial path which is also the path of balance, towards the unexpected goal. There are great saints who have trodden this path who have made it their special abode, and a study of St. John. s writings will reveal to you that he was one of the guardians of this exalted path.
In fear and trembling he leaves his cherished abode. He leaves his known surroundings: he ventures forth unseen, unknown, but within him his heart has become a lantern - a burning light of love which lights his way. It is with anguish that he tries to find familiar landmarks. He is, as it were, disintegrated. There is only a shadowy part of him which treads the path. He is, as yet, unaware that this great drama is the enactment of a secret play between himself and GOD. He sees before him only dimly his other higher bodies, and it is only when he has time to reflect in the silence of the pastos that these other parts of him return and become unified. lt is a painful and at the same time a great experience. Slowly the lights are dimmed and the centres of life are muted. There is a little thread only of consciousness which responds to the increasing urgency of the sounding, clanging bells. But with the first sentence the sound of which is wafted to him from Earth as he speeds on his celestial journey he realises that there is for him no way of escape into this bliss, but rather that he must ponder upon the urgency of the tasks he should accomplish on his return. It is only when the soul has made that supreme renunciation that the MOTHER appears. It is only then he is fit to receive the Divine Food. So slowly and silently she withdraws, and he returns to life and to the task of living.
The swathing bands go back to the ancient custom of the embalmers, but they have a deeper significance for they protect the body from too rapid disintegration which would follow it the etheric body were severed too rapidly. They are the shadow of the etheric and serve to affect a more gradual severance than would occur were it ommitted. In Egypt the bands were dipped in herbs, spices and gums on which the etheric was fed, for we are dependent on the purity of the atmosphere than you have any conception of. Therefore is the binding a bar to disintegratlon as are also the sentences. The Lantern contains a light that can never be extinguished. Hold it high in your hands that its light my fall on all and sundry that more may follow the gleam.
Sunday 14th November,_1936.
Every Secret Order expressed some aspect of the Earth's consciousness. As the years advance the aspect may gain deeper and more varied scope, but it is always confined to one aspect, that is the undertone to that great sea of consciousness which is the Divine. The work of this Order is to illustrate demonstrate the varied and many wonderful characteristics of the four elements & the countless influences bearing upon them. To do this it is necessary that the member should in his path of initiation be content to learn, not only humbly, but patiently, the elementary knowledge to do with the scientific aspect as well as the more profound Kabalistic and esoteric. When the esoteric knowledge is superimposed upon an already trained and equipped member we have as a rule a balanced and useful adept, but when this is not so, the result is slow and only painstaking care can accomplish much in this incarnation. It may be that the technical knowledge, such as a professional man acquires, is purposely withheld so that more sympathy may be engendered, but whatever the mental equipment, the adept can always, if he strives, attain to a high degree of spiritual light, and that is a treasure which he acquires in this treasure house. From the many coloured planes the Light is focussed upon each candidate at a certain grade and especially after the 6=5, and the spiritual power attained there is so blended and scintillating that thereafter the adept needs to be a centre of life in whatever assembly he chooses to enter. This state of spiritual radiation is always present, but can be increased at will, but there comes with it a great responsibility for it must always command the attentive attitude of the adept. You have been told that the sentences are as spirals in the ascending consciousness of the postulant, in reality, they are knots in the rope ladder on which he mounts to spiritual realms, and at each group of sentences the consciousness alters and becomes more illuminated with the Divine, less responsive to the human, so that when the least sentence is proclaimed the postulant is in the proper spiritual condition to contact the Divine Mother.
This ceremony is elaborate and carefully worked out, and you will notice there is nothing left to chance, in other words, the postulant's interior powers are so carefully externalised that the proper results must accrue from such an initiation. The experience of the postulant in the pastos is a foretaste of the experience of the soul at death, when it passes on to that place which has been prepared for it, hence the soul treads no untried path, but when called upon to leave the body swiftly ascends to its rightful place in peace and gladness.
To some is given the vision of St. Stephen, to others whose eyes are not sufficiently opened on the Spiritual Plane is given nevertheless a consciousness of life after death in realms beyond this Earth, which sinking deep into the sub-consciousness remains for ever there.
May the Peace of GOD which passes understanding fill the hearts of all who have passed through this valley of the shadow of death and bring to them illumination and enlightenment.
8th November,_1936.
Peace profound. In the profound gloom of the tomb the candidate undergoes a complete transformation. Indeed, in that short space of time a recapitulation of all his former deaths is undergone, nay more, for he feels in himself the death of all humanity on this planet. Therefore is the 6=5 Grade a much greater and deeper experience than would appear even to the eye of one who views in it the death of the self and resurrection of a new type of Life. The 6=5 grade actually accomplishes the flowering of life on this planet - it is the apotheosis of initiations on your earth. The higher grades can only be given to older initiates because they are, as it were, the habiliments which would only fit on the shoulders of those initiates who have borne them before. The 7=4, the 8=3, the 9=2 do not belong to this Earth as we understand it, but are suggestions great and beautiful, portrayed in ritual as an illustration to which the flower of humanity its pressing.
Therefore, when the candidate enters the pastos, strive if you can to help her, that against the retina of her aura may be etched the profound lessons which not only she has learnt in the past, but which she has been previewing in the dim ages of the Earth. s history. It is a great expansion of consciousness, also a tremendous restriction of consciousness in a sense - it is both and then with the aid of and through the power of Elohim Gebur she is given the strength to return to Earth, which she would not do of her own volition, and to take up the new resurrection life. Elohim Gebur mighty and terrible, that intangible backbone of personality which defies dissection, is potent to help, but difficult of understanding, and his work in this grade is purposely veiled that it may become an inner secret intercourse between Him and the candidate, that not even a sign or a regretful feeling may cloud the mirror of the candidate's mind and soul.
There are two forces operating in the Vault representative of the Fatherhood and Motherhood of God, without which no birth on any Plane can take place. But the MOTHER is the deliverer from darkness and the MOTHER must nourish the child with the Divine food and mystery of mysteries, the MOTHER is purposely veiled. Why? That veiling sets the trail for a long process of meditation. Strive, therefore, to lift yourselves from the things of Earth with its restrictions and its inhibitions and move freely and graciously in the beautiful plane which the 6=5 symbolises.
DEDICATED TO THE DIVINE MOTHER
With my mantle I compass the Earth,
I am the Star of Night,
I am the Pearl of Ocean:
I am the Sea:
By my compassion
I fill the seas and the rivers,
The brooks, lakes and rivulets.
I have gathered from the swelling tides, -
From the ebbing, fainting tides, -
From the passionate, raging waters, -
Billow heaped upon billow, -
Wave shattered against rock, upon shore, -
Roaring, thund. ring flood echoing unto flood:
I have gathered all my children to my breast,
Soothed them to the rhythm of a lullaby,
E'en by my down-stealing, soft-distilling tears.
All the griefs and patient suffering,
All the hopes and hidden birth-pangs,
I have drawn up as a cloud mist,
Melting into gladness in the sunlight:
Till my joy is consummated
My cup runs over with the crimson wine
Of my heart-blood, for lo! The Spirit's sword
Pierced through and through - a gleam of Light!
Whence spring the vital Flame, the Heaven born SON.
G.H.S.M.C.MEDITATION 6=5 Dec. 5th, 1939
I will ask you to try to trace the correspondence between the Postulant passing through this Grade and the World to-day.
Look back on the immediate past and compare the nations to the Postulant preparing for the Initiation of Death; not knowing what to expect, but feeling that the inevitable experience must be Death and the Grave.
Look at the Earth itself and see how in every direction are floods, fire, earthquakes, tidal waves. Every catastrophe to which Earth is subject, she has been and is passing through. Trials by fire and water, the two pillars on either side of the entrance.
Compare the attitude of those nations we call Democracies - the British Empire, U.S.A., France - with the Candidates seated before the two Keys; The Hanged Man - enforced self-sacrifice - submerged of all self-will in the great Ocean, and the Key of Justice - holding the balance and seeking a just way.
Even if you come to individuals, what an extraordinary parallel between the Queen on the throne holding the seals, with the British Premier with the ultimate decision in his hands, who strove, and strove in vain for peace.
We are apt to put the whole blame on the shoulders of the German Nation, and especially on their leader; but remember that we ourselves must bear a share; such a state of things could not be if we, and other nations, had not again and again shown indecision when we should have gone straight forward.
Who knows what Karma of the nations are working out if we look back, or how they are interwoven!
If we are to establish Right and Liberty in the World, we must see that we have our foot on the neck of Covetousness and Desire. We can hear if we listen attentively, the sound of the bell marking the passing of Time, and that bell is in the hands of the recording Angels. We have to look out on one conflict after another and compare them - the destroying of nation after nation, and people after people - compare them with the extinguishing of Lights on the Altar.
It is said that every nation represents a Principle of Humanity; and each Principle must be first evolved, then established, and then extinguished. It is only by the extinction of the Lower that the Higher can burn with a clear uninterrupted light. No one nation can stand alone, no one nation can dominate the others. We must learn that Humanity is One. There may be Head, Hands and feet; but the head cannot carry out work if it is not obeyed by the hands and feet, and taken where the work is to be done.
St. Paul said: 'That which is least honourable is given the greatest honour.' Little nations of to-day - Poland, Finland, Abyssinnia, have been given the privilege of suffering for the whole of humanity.
Surely we must compare these with the extinction of the dark candles of the Flesh, and the scarlet candles of Passion and the green candles of Psychic Vision. We have still candles of the Mind (Lower and Higher), the candles of the Soul, and those of the two great Principles which are symbolised by the Twin Serpents.
It may be that we must yet watch the extinction of at least the Candle of the Mind.
Looking today, we cannot fail to be impressed by the lack of any great outstanding intellectual Leaders in every country.
Yet the three candles of the great forces and the Christ Principle are left unextinguished and inextinguishable. Not even when the Candidate is laid in the Pastos, not even when the salt of the sublimated Body is sprinkled on him, not even then are these three lights put out. The Light of the Spirit goes with him to the grave itself and bums there. We are to remember that Christ descended to Hell, and while there His Spirit illumined Hell itself!
It would seem that we must be very near to the moment when the Candidate is laid in the Pastos and waits the Coming of the Great Mother. Therefore, I ask you all to look forward to the time when the Great Mother will come with the Word of Power on her lips . Arise, shine, for thy light is come. . And then it depends on us to see we are ready to obey.
Remember, we are but one small group of' an organism far greater than we know. We have been told that even now those great Masters in charge of the destiny of humanity are preparing for coming forth by day. If the Work is to be efficient, those privileged to partake of training and preparation, whether in this Order or in others must be ready to obey and co-operate when the sign comes.
The Masters are human, though far in advance of us, but they require and demand the help of all able and willing to work for and with them. They ask :for no enforced service, but all who are willing may now proclaim their allegiance and willingness.
I will ask you to study the 36 sentence which mark the passing of the Hours whilst the Postulant remains in the Pastos and apply them to our work in this time of preparation.
Remember the four statements made as a warning and an injunction.
Before the eyes can see they must be incapable of tears
Before the ears can hear they must have been desensitised.
Before the voice can speak in the presence of the Masters, it must have lost its power to wound
Before the feet can stand in the presence of the Master, they must be bathed in the heart's blood.
Die Sol 7-5-16 Michael Sothis Baldur Persis Hyacintha.
A.B.S. came in a grey-blue cloak and hood that he has worn once or twice before.
Can he give us any teaching about the 6=5?
He speaks of the whole system of the Order as it corresponds with the Life Cycle. Of the 0=0 as being the first awakening; and the four minor grades as corresponding to the four seasons of the year. But those grades are all as it were bringing things to the candidate. All given to t he candidate on this material plane. The Portal and 5=6 are so to speak the opening of a door or window and showing the Candidate something which he looks at. But the 6=5 is the actual raising of the candidate to a different plane himself.
Persis got a picture of the candidate looking two ways. In the 6=5 he looks a different way for the first time.
The 33 Lights correspond to some Cosmic process. As the 33 lights on the Altar correspond to the 33 segments of Kundalini and the corresponding divisions of the man, so also they correspond to each 33 centres of Life in the Cosmic Man, Adam Cadmon, Adonai, and those also govern the 33 Races and Geographical divisions of the Globe.
Psychically as the lights of the lower divisions are extinguished their light passes on to the higher ones, so that if we could see the process on the higher plane we would see that whereas to begin with the White Light burned dimly smothered underneath the others, and the two blue ones only glimmered faintly, as the others were voluntarily extinguished by the Will which is the third Adept, so the higher lights burn more and more brightly and steadily and the Second Adept who corresponds to the Soul responds to the demand of the Will by helping.
The 3rd Ad. is the Will and gives the command to extinguish, and the 2nd Ad. is the Soul or Desire who passes it on and vivifies it. The Chief is the Higher Genius the Christ Principle, but also the Great High Priest who with the swinging incense consecrates the offering of the lower Principles. The Cosmic correspondence of the Three Adepti is Sandalphon, Michael and Metatron the whole being Adonai just as the three Adepti form the one whole Candidate.
The Ceremony could be done in a way to effect the Cosmic Process.
We five are sitting here moving as one to some point - moving cosmically as it were. This is in the Adam Cadmon form. Stand in Vault in 5 Pent. The person in this grade is beginning for the first time to entering into the pastos, being the conscious muting of humanity which therefore the candidate is then in the position of the Blessed Virgin when she said . Behold the Handmaid of the Lord,. therefore the next process is the preparation for the Divine Birth which will no longer react upon the Candidates themselves but on those who come to them as disciples not of themselves but of the Divine Child of Whom they are the spiritual guardians. It is the dim and confused perception of this spiritual truth which is manifested in those high grades, which is continually being distorted by those clairvoyants and psychics who have neither the intelligence, intellectual training nor the spiritual development to be able to grasp the true signification, and try to give it a material interpretation, which may become an obsession. For this reason it is necessary to be careful as to those to whom the grades are given.
— fileinfo: path: '../hermetic.com/gdlibrary/whare_ra/6-5_preparation.html' created: 2016-03-15 modified: 2016-03-15 …


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Formula shortages stressing out some Minnesota parents
Like many recent product shortages, this one also appears to be tied to pandemic-related supply chain problems. The formula shortages are not widespread, but they can mean multiple trips to stores for parents.
Felon brought gun to Minnesota jail, charges say
The man told police the mafia was chasing him and he had last used methamphetamine two days prior.
Minnesota man tries shoeless approach in latest attempt to flee police
Over the years, Jacob Friedrichs has led police on chases from behind the wheel, as a passenger in a vehicle and on foot. This time, he tried the shoeless approach.
Mankato man charged with murder, manslaughter in death of infant
Kristopher Dale Arlando Henderson, 39, is charged in Blue Earth County District Court with second-degree murder-without intent, first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and three counts of a malicious punishment of a child.
Minnesota's Backyard: Welcome to southern Minnesota's version of lake country, Sakatah Lake State Park
The 14th stop on our tour of 20 Minnesota State Parks brings us to the heart of lake country -- no, not the prototypical northern Minnesota kind with pines and deep lakes, but the southern Minnesota version with tall hardwoods, shallow lakes, lots of nearby cornfields and some of the best biking in the state.
By Jess Myers
New effort aims to hold back water to slow 'flashy' Minnesota rivers
Most of Minnesota is in a dry period now, but wet years happen, too. "Flashy" flows, as scientists call them, are an increasing problem in the Minnesota River valley and elsewhere in the state. Scientists attribute them to more intense rain events and the loss of wetlands that act as natural sponges.
Minnesota university takes video gaming to the next level
Esports are video game competitions that can be played at the high school, college, casual or even pro level. Most games are between two teams, made up of five to six players.
By Hannah Yang / MPR News
People with memory challenges are making lasting impressions in an unlikely place — a Minnesota community garden
Dementia friendly gardens engage the five senses and are modeled after gardens in the United Kingdom that are accessible to those with memory challenges.
Southern Minnesota community garden expands to community farm, gathering place
Over the years, the Living Earth nonprofit grew from a small community garden and advocacy group to a larger network of gardeners, volunteers and community members who attend classes about gardening.
On an outdoor rink in St. Peter, Don Brose planted the roots of Mavericks' success
More than 50 years ago, Don Brose was tasked with starting a college hockey program in a southern Minnesota community that didn't have an outdoor rink, let alone an arena. Today, with Minnesota State University-Minnesota is practicing at its first NCAA Frozen Four, he looked back at those humble beginnings.
Minnesota college addresses hunger on campus with free groceries; food pantry coming in the spring
Nationally, 1 in 3 college students experience food insecurity.
As Democrats' convention begins, Trump promises economic turnaround at Mankato campaign stop
MANKATO, Minn. — President Donald Trump made campaign stops in Minnesota and Wisconsin on Monday, Aug. 17, in an attempt to woo Midwestern voters into supporting his re-election bid with promises for a thriving economy and job growth in a second term.
By Dana Ferguson
Photos: President Trump speaks in Mankato
MANKATO — President Donald Trump made a stop in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Monday, Aug. 17. He visited Mankato, Minn., as part of a campaign swing in his bid for re-election. Read the article about the event here.
By Joe Ahlquist


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0121 477 0003 hello@stdavidsshenleygreen.org
Prayers & Reflections
All age resources
Notice Sheets
Raising funds for St David's is easy with…
Sunday 31st January 2021
More and more people are shopping online– did you know that you could raise funds for St David's while doing so? easyfundraising turns your everyday online shopping into free donations. Just start your online shopping first at easyfundraising, then shop as normal. Retailers will then make a small donation to say "thank you".
Get started by signing up for free either online or via the mobile app. This link takes you to the St David's page so you can choose us as your cause: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stdavidssg/
There is more information and help on the easyfundraising website. Thanks for your support!
Passing of Pauline Lewis
It is with sadness that on the 7th November, a dear and long standing member of the St David's family, Pauline Lewis passed away. She was was a deeply spiritual and prayerful woman who touched the lives of so many. Her wisdom, sense of fun and obvious love of Jesus will be sorely missed.
Her funeral will be on Wednesday 2nd December at 12.30pm. Due to current restrictions, attendance at Pauline's funeral is by invite only. Pauline will be making her final visit to St David's via Shenley Lane at 12.20pm, and the family have invited those who wish to pay tribute, to join them along the route.
Her husband, Geraint has requested that those who wish to make a donation in Pauline's memory do so to the church, "St David's has led me down many paths both social and Godly. My love of the church leads me to ask for funds not merely for upkeep of buildings but to ensure there is a place here where all are welcome and will fit in at all levels young and old".
Donations can be made in Pauline's memory here: https://www.give.net/inmemory_paulinelewis/
Our thoughts and prayers are with Geraint, Sue, Geoff, David and all their family and friends at this time.
Acts 435…giving to anyone who has a need
St David's became an Acts 435 church 2 years ago. This week I submitted our first two requests for money. Both were fulfilled within two days. Two people who reached out for help when they were really struggling, have found Christ's love in the form of generosity from strangers. Two lives have been improved. Two links with our Christian fellowship have been strengthened. And an unknown number of people have been able to give their money quickly and efficiently to where it can make most difference.
If you would like to support the work of Acts435 there is plenty of information on their website. Regular giving, or one-off donations are equally welcomed. Unsurprisingly, there are more requests for help than ever before. If you want to refer someone who needs help, then please give them my phone number 07817 167690. All enquiries are dealt with swiftly and in confidence.
Thank you for reading this and bless you if you are moved to help make this a fairer world.
Acts 4:35 "… it was distributed to anyone who had need"
Kathryn Groombridge
Annual Parochial Church Meeting: Results of Elections & Reports
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting and the Annual Meeting of Parishioners were held on: Sunday 25th October
We were delighted to reunite with members of the wider St David's family for our annual meetings via Zoom and in limited numbers in person. Below are the results of the elections for Churchwardens, Deanery Synod Representatives and Lay members to the PCC, as well roles appointed during the PCC Meeting that followed.
The Annual Report, including the annual accounts can still be downloaded as a PDF here, or please email us to request a hard copy.
Results of Elections:
Churchwarden Clare Gladstone (Health & Safety)
Mike Morton (Health & Safety)
Deanery Synod Clare Gladstone
Jenny Shardlow
Pauline Pallavicini
PCC Clare Gladstone
Pat Kendrick
Mike Morton
Geraint Lewis
New 'Lockdown' Lantern
Friday 16th October
The latest edition of the 'Lockdown Lantern' has been published. In this month's issue:
Mark reflects on the changing seasons
Harvest at St David's
Emerging mission and fellowship
Details on our digital worship
Click on the image left to download a PDF or if you would like to go on our mailling list to recieve a hard copy, send us an email.
Latest from Bournvile Village Trust
Thursday 23rd July
Here's the latest edition of "Village Voices" from the Bournville Village Trust.
Village Voices Update 16th July 2020
Estate Design Proposal
Passing of Brian Powell
It is with sadness that on the 22nd June, a dear and long standing member of the St David's family, Brian Powell passed away. His funeral will be on Wednesday 8th July at 1.30pm. Due to current restrictions, attendance at Brian's funeral is by invite only. However, the family are aware that Brian was loved by many who will wish to be a part of this service of thankgiving. As such arrangements are being made to share the service in some way, of which further details will follow shortly.
Brian will be making his final visit to St David's via Shenley Lane at 1.10pm, and the family have invited those who wish to pay tribute, to join them along the route.
Brian's family have asked that people, should it be desired, make donations in his memory to St David's Church. Donations can be made via https://www.give.net/stdavids_brianpowell.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Jean, and all of his family and friends at this time.
Prayer phone line
Monday 22nd June 2020
At the end of April we launched the 'St David's Prayers and Reflections Phone Line'. Costing no more than a local call, we hope that the phone line gives those without the technology to join online services the opportunity to participate in worship. If you know anyone who doesn't have access to the internet and may wish to listen to services by phone, pass on the number:
0121 22 77 095 (calls cost the same as a local call from UK landlines and mobiles)
Funeral of Marilyn Thompson
Sunday 17th May 2020
It is with sadness that on the 8th May a dear member of the St David's family, Marilyn Thompson passed away. Her funeral will be on Thursday 21st May at 11.30am. While we hope to celebrate Marilyn's life when we can all meet again, her funeral will be webcast for family and friends to view via https://wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast Login ID: 29981 Password:gyzmrdma
Marilyn's family have asked that people, should they wish, make donations in her memory to Small World at St David's Toddler Group, of which Marilyn was such a beloved member. Donations can be made via https://www.give.net/smallworld.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Errol, and all of her family and friends at this time.
50 years to present day
Today we were joined by the Bishop of Birmingham, Rt Revd David Urquhart to celebrate 50 years since the consecration of St David's Church. On the left is a short film showing original footage of the consecration and what St David's ministry looks like now. The full service is available here. Audio of Bishop David's sermon is available here.
Archbishop of Canterbury to lead first national virtual Church of England service
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is to lead a national broadcast as the Church of England responds to the challenge of becoming a "different sort of church" in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
The service, including prayers, hymns and a short sermon, will be broadcast online by the Church of England and broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Sunday Worship and 39 local BBC radio stations this Sunday as congregations across the country find new ways of sharing worship together after public church services were put on hold.
The service will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Sunday Worship at 08.10am and all local radio stations in England at 8am and will premier online at 9am on Sunday 22nd March.
You can listen live online to BBC Radio 4 here
"On yer bike!"
Congratulations to Mark and Errol Thompson for completing this year's Ride the Reservoir in aid of St Mary's Hospice. By the time they finished a distance of 25km, they were a little soggy after braving the wet conditions. They would like to thank all those who sponsored them– together they raised over £400.


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Youngsters 'delivered' in friendly - academy manager
Academy manager Richard Cooper says that tonight's youthful Mansfield lineup 'delivered' in what he describes as an 'important game' away to Retford United.
The 2-0 victory over the Badgers was preceded by a 'meet and greet' session with the Stags' first team players and staff.
Cooper says that due to Stags' first team boss John Dempster being present at the game, it was important that Mansfield's youngsters displayed a positive performance.
"It was a great test," he began. "It was very physical at times. We challenged the boys before the game to try and use the ball correctly.
"I think we did that for large parts of the game – we controlled the possession, and we were really pleased with it [performance].
"I think there were a few frustrations towards the end of the game, but credit to our young lads.
"It was good to see a few of our new scholars out on the pitch as well.
"I thought he [Jimmy Knowles] took it [goal] really well. It was probably the move of the game.
"We switched the play quickly and managed to get a little slide pass into Jimmy, who did the rest. It was a great finish from him.
"We had a great pre-season tour in Portugal, and the under-21s were a large part of that.
"The gaffer [John Dempster] had a great chat with the boys before the game, so it was an important game. I think the boys have delivered tonight."
Former captain and current academy head of recruitment Jamie McGuire completed 90 minutes in the match, someone that Cooper describes as a 'vital' character to have at the club.
The academy manager also confirmed that former youth team scholar Jack Hawkins – who came on as a late substitute in the game at Cannon Park – has joined the Stags' academy coaching staff.
"Having Jamma [Jamie McGuire] is vital," added Cooper. "It's great to have him in and around the younger lads.
"He captained our football club for so many years, so for this type of fixture we thought it was a good idea to get some experience in the middle of the pitch.
"Jack [Hawkins] has joined the coaching staff, and he's obviously an ex-player. He was a young pro' at the football club as well, so it was great to get another experienced head on near the end [of the game]."
Cooper also gave an update on defender Aiden Walker, who was replaced midway through the first-half.
"We've tried to look at it back a few times to see where he's banged his head. But he's definitely showing some signs of concussion.
"We'll know more in the morning."
Skipper sets clean sheet target
Mansfield Town skipper Krystian Pearce marked 25 clean sheets as his target for the upcoming 2019-20 campaign following impressive defensive displays last season.
We gained 'a lot' from friendly - manager
Stags' boss John Dempster says his players gained 'a lot' from this evening's friendly against Blackburn Rovers, a match he described as a 'good exercise against strong opposition.'
Glover hails 'fantastic' facilities
Assistant manager Lee Glover says that Stags' 'top drawer' facilities emphasise that the club is on an 'upward trajectory.'
Alfreton win a 'really good exercise' - Dempster
Stags' manager John Dempster says that alongside being pleased with Mansfield's 'combination play' in today's 1-0 win over Alfreton, he confirmed his men came through the game 'unscathed.'


Quality fabric, impeccable craftsmanship, and modern silhouettes are all hallmarks of The Regal Group. Creating clothing inspired by their West African roots, founders Akos Regal, Ola Faleye, and Stacey Dice offer high-quality fashion garments their customers can wear with pride.
The team at Regal Group met with us at Motor House, a performance venue and cafe in Baltimore's Station North neighborhood.
So tell us, what is Regal Group?
Stacey Dice: We are a partnership of clothing and accessory designers whose focus is on using authentic African materials. The idea is to promote the African diaspora through fashion. Our work ranges from ready-to-wear to bespoke clothing to accessories and each team member has their own specialty: I work in jewelry and accessories.
Ola Faleye: I do custom works.
Akos Regal: And I work with ready-to-wear contemporary pieces.
How did you all come together in this creative journey?
Stacey: We are a relatively new group that came into collaboration actually through the BCAN fellowship program. Of course, we had all known each other previously and had partnered on projects along the way so a more official partnership seemed inevitable. But the program was a catalyst for us working as an official team.
Now that you're a team, where do you all feel you're at and where would you like to see yourself in the next few years?
Akos: Well, we are very young as a group so we are still figuring out exactly what that means for us as a team and individually. We've discussed doing several projects on an annual basis.
Stacey: For the three of us, we want to see the Regal Group as being the go-to for modern Afro-centric wear and accessories in Baltimore, to make these designs and textiles ubiquitous and part of the everyday.
What inspired each of you in your individual practices?
Stacey: Years ago, I had a hard time finding jewelry that I felt suited me. I knew I had some crafty inclinations so eventually, I decided to try my hand at creating pieces I would like better. I love African textiles and natural materials like gemstones, leather, and I incorporate them into my design. It started as a hobby. Then other people started to take notice and the project became a small business endeavor as well. I actually had my first showing at my office. I was asked to bring in some of my work and I thought, "Why not?" So I lugged my things in, set up a little display, and actually made a good amount of money! I was like, "Oh! This might be a thing! Let me try it!"
Ola: I come from a family of tailors. My grandmother was a tailor and we grew up around her, learning her craft. But I didn't take it seriously until a friend of mine had an event and wanted us to be a part of it. It was a mini fashion show. And it was very successful. Everyone wanted a part of it! And the fact that you can create things from scratch, you can dream along with a person and give them exactly what they want, that's very satisfying.
Akos: My inspiration came from growing up in different cultures. I was born in Ghana but raised in French Canada, Montreal and Paris. Two fashion capitals. I always loved to see people there walking around with haute couture and elegant fashions. My mother would wear these styles but she would always wear them with our beautiful prints. French women would even come to my mother to dress them in our prints. Because the fabric speaks. Every fabric has a name, has a meaning, has a story. I want people to know that, to use that.
Akos: This is where we are! The city is really promoting its makers. There are so many maker spaces and opportunities for people to build something upon their natural talents. Baltimore is the right place and we're here at the right time. I tell people I actually grew up in Baltimore. My eyes opened to so many opportunities and I definitely appreciate that.
Ola: As strange as it might sound, Baltimore to me is now home. So the question would be, "Why not Baltimore?" There's a feeling in Baltimore. I can't explain it, really. But it's... Baltimore is kind of addicting. I think that's the simplest way to put it. Baltimore supports its own and you can see the love and feel the love. It also feels like Baltimore is going through a kind of rebirth, a renaissance, and this seems like the best time to plug into it.
Stacey: Baltimore has been home since middle school. It is a crafty city, resourceful, hard-working, and when Baltimore loves you, they LOVE you and they will come to find you and stand for you. Where else would I go? Why would I start anywhere else?


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About the Company | Services | Projects | Press Center | Contacts
The Power of Siberia
The Power of Siberia gas trunk line completed ...>
The Northernmost Station
ZEYA CS
Slavyanskaya Compressor station: the main construction and installation works of stage 2.1 completed
At the site of the Slavyanskaya compressor station, the basic construction and installation works of stage 2.1 has been completed. The transfer of systems to commissioning and the elimination of corrections are still underway. ...>
Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the builders of the Crimean bridge commemorative medals
In 2019, the largest construction project of the century was completed – the Crimean bridge, which connected the shores of Taman and Kerch. This very complex project was implemented within the shortest possible time using unique technological solutions. President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed a decree establishing a commemorative medal "For the construction of the Crimean Bridge". Among the awarded there are 92 employees of STROYGAZMONTAZH. ...>
Main works on the second line of "Gryazovets – Slavyanskaya CS" section completed
STROYGAZMONTAZH have completed a complex of main construction and installation works on the second line of the "Gryazovets – Slavyanskaya CS" section, which is being built as part of a project to develop UGSS gas transmission capacities in the North-West region. The gas pipeline passed through the Volkhov, Kirishi, Tosno, Gatchina, Luga, Volosovsky and Kingisepp districts of the Leningrad Region. ...>
The Power of Siberia gas trunk line completed
On December 2, at the Atamanskaya (Zeyskaya) compressor station, an official ceremony was held to launch gas through the Power of Siberia gas trunk line. President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee Alexey Miller took part in the event in a teleconference mode. ...>
JSC «Stroygazmontazh»


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The Weeknd – Twenty Eight
Submitted by Mark / 9 years ago / New Album Releases
Surprisingly dropped earlier this evening on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show, here is the full version of The Weeknd's brand new track called "Twenty Eight".
Produced by Doc McKinney & Illangelo (who were responsible for the majority of production on "House of Balloons", "Thursday" and "Echoes of Silence"), this one doesn't stray too far away from the formula that has brought The Weeknd within touching distance of becoming a household name.
Take a listen to the full version below, and make sure to grab the album from iTunes on release, November 13.
Doc McKinney, Illangelo, The Weeknd
The Weeknd – Can't Feel My Face (Keljet Edit)
The Weeknd – I Can't Feel My Face
Movement – Like Lust


Treat the golf enthusiast in your life to a day of golfing at Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel on the sweeping Suffolk Heritage Coast. Enjoying both picturesque surroundings and a mild microclimate, with less rainfall and more sunshine than the rest of the UK, this highly regarded venue offers excellent playing conditions all year round. Take on an 18-hole course nestled between heather, gorse, pine and silver birch trees as you swing from firm quick drying soil and breathe in that fresh sea air. You'll stop for lunch at the welcoming Clubhouse Bar, before heading back onto the course to complete your game!
Upon arrival, you and your guest will be welcomed before enjoying access to the golf facilities, as well as a two course lunch from the bar menu.
This voucher entitles two people to access to the golf facilities and a two course lunch each from the bar menu at Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel. This voucher is valid for 10 months, for two people. This experience is available from 12pm on weekdays and from 2pm on weekends from April 1st-October 31st, and from 10am on weekdays and from 12pm on weekends from November 1st-March 31st. All dates are subject to availability. Please inform the venue of any dietary requirements at point of booking.


Saffron is a new, excellent Indian restaurant with a family atmosphere in the Northland just south of Zona Rosa.
In a strip mall off I-29 near Barry Road, it does not look like much from the outside. Looks can be surprising because the interior is clean and tastefuly, although sparsely, decorated.
The staff welcomes you warmly and quickly, providing a menu that is almost overwhelming. There are far too many options to choose from, but based on our experience, you will not be disappointed no matter the choice. Vegetarian, chicken, and lamb options dominate the menu. You will not find beef here because India is a predominantly Hindu nation and cows are sacred...SO YOU CANNOT EAT THEM!
The dishes are well prepared and presented, offering reasonable quantities at less than reasonable prices. Not extremely overpriced, the restaurant was empty at 8PM in a Friday night, so shaving a few dollars of the completely ala carte menu would probably draw more customers.
Our hostess and server was delightful, dressed in traditional Indian fashion and an accent to match. She quickly took our order, asking if we had any questions. Having lived in England for three years while in the military, I became quite familiar with Indian cuisine, so we did not need the help. She brought the traditional papadum (crispy spiced lentil wafers) accompanied by two relishes, one green and one red. I ordered the lamb vindaloo combination plate ($18.99 – lamb rogan josh, a classic curry, and pasanda, served in a mild walnut cream sauce, were other options), including a generous copper bowl of lamb vindaloo (lamb and potato in a spicy sauce) accompanied by dal (a lentil stew), raita (a creamy sauce similar to Greek Tzatziki used to temper the spiciness if desired), and nan (traditional handmade, baked flatbread). My wife, preferring vegetarian dishes and not a fan of lamb in particular, had the sag paneer ($11.99), a copper tureen of creamed spinach baked with chunks of white farmers cheese inside.
My combination plate was delicious and a fair value for the amount and quality of the food. It could have been priced a dollar or two less if they hope to generate more business, but I was not disappointed. The vindaloo was delicious although the chunks of lamb were not abundant, the dal was a little dry, but delicious, the raita was creamy and a nice compliment to the spicy vindaloo, and the nan bread scrumptious. The sag paneer was also delicious and plentiful, but at $11.99 ala carte, quite a bit overpriced for some creamed spinach, a few chunks of cheese, and spices. We ordered the kabuli bread ($3.99) for my wife, a leavened bread stuffed with nuts, cherries, raisins, and coconut, which was tasty, but a little to sweet for a main course accompaniment. There are 13 bread choices, so I think we will pick a more savory option next time if ordering ala carte.
In all, the meal was delightful even if they have not received their liquor license yet, beer and vindaloo were born for each other, but staff says they should have it "any day".
CombatCritic gives Saffron a fair 5 out of 10 BOMBS ... more bombs are good ... leaving room for improvement in the decor, pricing, and liquor options.


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Q: How to add classes using less from external css file I am relatively new to programming and markup languages.
Is there a way to add classes in less from an external css file?
/* this is in a single less file */
.foo {
     color: blue;
}

    h1 {
        .foo;   /* works just fine and turns my h1 html tag blue*/
    }

    /* now if want to add (for examlpe) a bootstrap class in my less file like so*/

    @import "bootstrap.css"; /*it is in the same folder as my less file */

    h1 {
       .text-danger; /*throws an error */
    }

This should make my h1 tag red, as I imported the bootstrap.css file.
Now I tried this with creating my own css file and import that to my less file and do the same thing but it doesn't work either.
What am i doing wrong?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange