Religious Use of Crystals and Other Stones: Part 2 of 2

As we learned last week, most cultures have used crystals and/or other stones religiously/spiritually for a very long time. This week we will seek to answer the question:  Is crystal healing spiritually acceptable? 

 

The use of crystals and/or other stones in spiritual healing, is an ancient Spiritually-based modality which utilizes Vibratory Spiritual Energy (Universal Life Energy, Prana, Chi, Ki, Holy Spirit, etc.).

 In 1150, Saint Hildegard documented how the vibrational energy in crystals works; crystals store energy in their molecules and magnify/radiate electromagnetic energy which vibrates to one, or more, of seven specific light ray frequencies found in the universe.  Each of the seven different colors of light rays (blue, yellow, pink, white, green, red, and purple), vibrate at a different energy frequency in the universe.  

Angels, like crystals and/or other stones, also vibrate to the different color/light ray frequencies in the universe.   

Many people use crystals and/or other stones, to invoke help from the spirit world.  Throughout history, people have used crystals and/or other stones, to help them connect to the Spirit Realm; e.g., angels.  Most people use crystals and/or other stones that correspond to the energy frequencies of a specific angelic being and prayerfully invoke the assistance of this angelic being, to help heal another. 

"Crystals, like angels, are a thread that unites all cultures across the planet throughout time. If angels are the golden thread that pulls all religions together, then crystals are the silver one that, if we hold onto it tightly, will pull every person and culture on mother Earth together as God intended it to be. ... Each soul on this Earth has an ancient crystal knowledge buried within them that enables them to communicate with the elemental kingdom and re-connect themselves with the powerful rhythm of life that pulses around us in cosmic and divine alignment."  (Claire Robertson, The Angel Within.)

The Bible, the Torah, and the Qur’an warn us to be very careful though, as we might connect with dark, fallen angels, instead of holy angels of light. They are not alone in their warning to us.

“The Shadows are out there: They exist, in the invisible world that parallels our own, living creatures. . . . The terms ‘Imp’, ‘Evil Spirit’ and ‘Demon’ are fairly accurate. They are very strong. . . . The most intelligent variety . . . are capable (if someone is helpful enough to open a doorway for them) of entering our world. . . . They can enter your body . . . , even asserting a degree of control over you. Yes, this is exactly like the old stories of Demon possession.” (Anonymous promoter of witchcraft).

In an effort to reduce our light, the dark does it's best to slip through the smallest of pinholes.  Its’ goal is to distract and mislead us from developing a personal relationship with the Creator/God.

When using crystals and/or other stones for healing purposes, there is no need for us to be afraid of the dark; we simply need to be aware enough to notice it, if it shows up, and stop it from succeeding in its' mission. 

A small percentage of crystal healers are involved in what is known as the occult; the occult refers to what is hidden from the physical senses, and is usually viewed as being outside of the realm of traditional scientific observation. 

Some people, hoping to gain knowledge, especially about the future, have gazed into crystal balls, hoping to find divine answers to their questions.  This is a form of divination, and is often viewed as being spiritually dangerous, and something to be avoided.  

"Many legends and tales speak of its use. Its practice is found in Greece, Rome, and throughout Mesopotamia. The Druids of England utilized gazing, as did people in Scotland, France, Germany, and elsewhere throughout Europe. Egypt, India, Babylon, and Persia also had their crystal-gazing practitioners."  (Ted Andrews.  Crystal Balls & Crystal Bowls: Tools for Ancient Scrying & Modern Seership.)

In the bible, divination is not forbidden for those who were anointed by the Creator/God; e.g., the priests.  They were exempt and performed divination rituals inside the temple, during times of sacrifice and to divine the Creator’s/God’s will. 

As noted last week, Aaron’s breastplate contained the crystals known as the Urim (lights) and the Thummim (perfections), and were used to help him discern answers, from the Creator/God, for the people.  Exodus 28:30

In Tibetan Buddhism, “the motivation for performing divinations must always be pure - done solely to bring relief for the suffering of all beings and not for one's own personal gain or fame.”  Lama Dawa Rinpoche

In the Bible and Torah, those not of the priestly class, are cautioned to never try to learn about anything in the future, as this is a form of divination.

"Let no one be found among you who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to God."  Deuteronomy 18:10-12

The Qur’an also cautions us to avoid divination practices.

"O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination; of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper."  Qur’an: Surah V. 90

The power of the Creator/God is far greater than the power of the Occult.  Developing and maintaining a direct connection with the Divine Light/Christ Consciousness, and a personal relationship with the Creator/God, is our greatest protection from the influences of the dark forces. 

“Subject yourselves, therefore, to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you ….”  James 4:7-8

Crystals and other stones are created by the Creator itself. There is nothing dark or evil about crystals and/or other stones, themselves. When they are used to bring glory to the Creator/God by helping and healing other people, they can, with the Creator's/God’s help, stimulate spiritual growth, bring about positive personal transformation and lead to a healthier state of being. 
  

Let us develop and/or maintain a direct connection with the Divine Light/Christ Consciousness.  Let us develop and/or maintain a personal relationship with the Creator/God, and if we are guided to use crystals and/or other stones, let us glorify the Creator/God by prayerfully invoking the assistance of the holy angels of light, on behalf of others, not ourselves.

So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light/Jesus. Amen.

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Religious Use of Crystals and Other Stones: Part 1 of 2

Throughout recorded history, in nearly every culture, stones have been used for religious purposes.

There is a long history of the use of crystals for spiritual purposes amongst indigenous peoples, including, but not limited to the Incans, the Mayans, and the Native Americans.  The 5,000+ year old sacred Hindu text, known as the Vedas, contains lengthy discussions regarding the power of crystals and their use.  The Islam religion strongly recommended it's adherents to wear different stones, especially during prayer, as a way to increase their faith, piety, and endurance.

 

Muslims believe that a black stone fell from heaven to Earth; they call this the Black Stone of Kaaba.

The Kaaba "is believed to be a replica of the house of God in the seventh heaven, where God’s throne is located." (Malcolm Clark, Islam For Dummies)

"Regarded by some as a meteorite, the black stone symbolizes God’s right hand, thus touching or pointing to it reenacts the covenant between God and man, that is, man’s acknowledgement of God’s lordship."  (Lloyd V. J. Ridgeon, Major World Religions: From Their Origins to the Present)

“the remains of what Muslims believe is the altar that Abraham built. Popular legends say that the black stone is a meteorite worshiped by pre-Muslims. Some believe that the ancient stone was brought from a nearby mountain by the archangel Gabriel and that it was originally white; its black color comes from it having absorbed people’s sins. In a rite called tawaf, which they perform three times during the hajj, they circumambulate the Kaaba counterclockwise seven times. ... Each time pilgrims pass the black stone they recite a prayer from the Qur’an. 'In the name of God, and God is supreme.' If they can, pilgrims approach the Kaaba and kiss it ... or they make a gesture of kissing the Ka’ba each time if they cannot reach it.” (Davidson and Gitlitz, Pilgrimage: From the Ganges to Graceland: An Encyclopedia, Volume 1)

The Bible alone has over 200 references to uses of crystals and stones. The Book of Exodus recorded the stones to be used for the breastplate of the high priest, Aaron.  The purpose of the breastplate was to help Aaron “spiritually discern answers to the people's questions that he asked God while praying in the tabernacle.”  (Whitney Hopler, Sacred Stones: The High Priest’s Breastplate Gems in the Bible and Torah) 

"They fashioned the breastplate -- the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. It was square -- a span long and a span wide -- and folded double. Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was ruby, chrysolite and beryl; the second row was turquoise, sapphire and emerald; the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings. There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes." Exodus 39:8-14

"Also put the Urim (lights) and the Thummim (perfections) in the breastplate, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord." Exodus 28:30

“Urim and Thummim of the old desert religion of the present day Jews, are actually crystals. Through its light, they know what their God, YHWH, wants to say.” (Noel Sales Barcelona)

The book of Revelation recorded the stones that were to be found in the celestial New Jerusalem (Heaven). 
 
"It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. Revelation 21:11, 18-20

Jasper: Jasper is mentioned several times in the book of Revelation, has been identified as the 1st foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). In the Greek and Latin texts it is the 6^th foundation stone. Regardless of which position it is in, it is, without a doubt, the yshphh spoken of in the Hebrew text. It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Benjamin.

Sapphire/Lapis Luzuli: The term “Sapphire” (sapphiros) is mentioned many times in the Bible. Having said that, it is important to note that the sapphire we are familiar with is most likely not, the same sapphire. Historical descriptions of the biblical stone sound much more like lapis luzuli, than sapphire. It has been identified as the 2nd foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Dan. In Buddhism, Buddha has been called the "Healing Master of Lapis Lazuli Radiance,” as he meditated on Lapis Lazuli.  Ancient Sumarians also valued Lapis.

"He who carries with him into battle an amulet of Lapis carries with him the presence of God".  (This was a popular saying amongst ancient Sumarian Priests.) 

Chalcedony/Carbuncle/Chodchod/Ruby: In the Old Testament, the terms Chalcedony, Carbuncle, Chodchod and Ruby are used interchangeably to describe a stone which sounds very much like the Oriental ruby or Spinel Ruby. Chalcedony has been identified as the 3th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven).  It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Juda.  

Emerald: Emerald has been identified as the 4th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven).  It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Levi.

 Sardonyx/Sard/Onyx:  Historical descriptions of the biblical stone Chrysolite have identified it as modern day Onyx.  It has been identified as the 5th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven).  It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Joseph. 
 
Carnelian: Carnelian has been identified as the 6th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven).  It is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Ruben. Many Muslim’s follow Muhammad’s lead and wear Carnelian, to guarantee Allah’s fulfillment of desires.

Chrysolite/Peridot: Historical descriptions of the biblical stone Chrysolite have identified it as modern day Peridot. It has been identified as the 7th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven).  It is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Zabulon.

Beryl: Beryl is generally identified as the 8th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven).  It is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Nephtali.

Topaz: In the Greek language, Topaz comes from the term chrusolithos, which literally means ” gold stone.” Although consensus has yet to be reached, it most likely refers to present day golden topaz. Topaz is the 9th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven);

Chrysoprase/Chrysoprasus/Agate: Chrysoprase/Chrysoprasus have been identified as the 10^th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). Chrysoprasus was not well known among the ancients; it may very well be the same stone as we know as modern day Agate.  Agate is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Aser.

Jacinth/Hyacinth: Jacinth/Hyacinth has been identified as the 10^th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). This stone was most likely also called Ligurus, which is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Gad.

Amethyst: Amethyst is the 12th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven).  It is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Issachar.

PEARL: The King James Version of the Bible was the first time the term pearl was used; prior to that it was known as “Margarite.”  Pearls were considered among the most precious stones in the ancient world.  Both the Incas and the Aztecs held pearls in high esteem.

CRYSTAL: Crystal/Ice has been placed in the same category as gold, onyx, sapphire, glass, coral, topaz, etc. Job 28:17  Tibetan Monks viewed Quartz Crystals as powerful holy objects.  Taoists referred to Quartz Crystals as the "Gem of Enlightenment." 

As we have just learned, most cultures have used crystals and/or other stones religiously for a very long time. Many believe that it is spiritually wrong to work with crystals and/or other stones. Is crystal healing spiritually acceptable?  Please join us next week to learn the answer to this question, and more. 

So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light/Jesus. Amen.

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The Tetragrammaton

The Creator’s/God’s name appears almost 7,000 times in the original Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament). It appears 8 times, just in the 10 Commandments.

One of the most fundamental and essential features of the biblical revelation is the fact that God is not without a name:  he has a personal name, by which he can, and is to be, invoked.”  (The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology.  Vol. 2. p. 649)

According to Biblical Scripture, the Creator’s/God’s name was used by Adam and Eve, and they knew how to pronounce it.



I have produced a man with the aid of 

 Genesis 4:1






By the time Moses was born, the scriptures imply that no one remembered the Creator’s/God’s Name.  In the original Hebrew Scriptures, the Creator’s/God’s name was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as being  .   

 (Exodus 3:14).   These 4 letters make up what is called the Tetragrammaton. 

Christians later changed the Tetragrammaton to 

(YHWH) 

And God proceeded to speak all these words, saying:“I am 

 

your God, who have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves. You must not have any other gods against my face.  Exodus 20:1-3

Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM that I AM".  And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, YHWH has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I Am, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you': this is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. When Moses first spoke with God, God said, 'I used to appear to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai  (El: One of God’s earliest names; Syrian tablets with this name have been traced back to 2300 BC; “I AM”), but I did not make myself known to them by My Name YHWH.  Exodus 3:13-15, 6:3.

The Torah conveyed the proper name of the Creator/God distinctly as YHWH to the Israelites; however, in ancient Judaism, the Tetragrammaton, was considered to be so sacred that it was not permitted to be pronounced aloud, even in prayer, without first receiving special permission. Whenever they saw YHWH in the Torah, they replaced it with the descriptive title:  "Sovereign Lord” or “The Lord" (Adonai or Adho-nai). In more recent history, this belief system has been challenged, and the prohibition of guarding the use of the Creator’s/God’s name has become much more relaxed.

Most modern day translations render the Tetragrammaton  as either YHWH or JHVH.   

The truth is, no one knows for sure how the Creator’s/God’s name is/was originally pronounced.  Although much confusion remains as to the correct English pronunciation, most modern day Bible translators render the pronunciation of  the Creator’s/God’s name as "Yahweh” or “Jehovah.” 

The Church of Yahweh renders the following paraphrased hypothesis:

Originally, Hebrew did not have vowels. Eventually the Hebrews felt it was wise to insert little dots (called vowel points) around the letters to remind the reader of the exact pronunciation. When they came to YHWH in the text, they added the vowel points for Adonai ("Lord") to remind the reader that the Divine Name was not to be pronounced. In the Middle Ages, around 1500, translators misunderstood that the vowel points were for "Adonai", not "Yahweh".  Thus, they combined the letters of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai. The result was "Jehovah" … the etymological fact is that "Jehovah" is a mistranslation based upon a historical misunderstanding.  In our modern Bibles, then, whenever YHWH is found, we usually "translate" it as LORD or Jehovah. Both are wrong, though Jehovah is certainly preferable to LORD.

Jehovah’s Witnesses support this hypothesis. 

When it came to God’s name, instead of putting the proper vowel signs around it, in most cases they put other vowel sounds to remind the reader that he should say ‘Adho-nai’.  From this came the spelling Iehouah, and, eventually, Jehovah became the accepted pronunciation of the divine name in English.  (The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.  The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever. 1984. p. 8)

Does it really matter whether we pronounce the Creator’s/God’s name as Yahweh or Jehovah?  Not at all; if it, the pronunciation, really mattered, the Creator/God certainly would have seen to it that it was preserved by at least one prophet!  The important thing is to know that the Bible does indeed, tell us that the Creator/God has a personal name and we should not only be aware of it, but also use it and share it with others.

Those knowing your name will trust in you … Psalm 9:10

Let your name be sanctified.  Matthew 6:9

I have made your name known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them.  John 17:26

So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light of Jesus.   Amen

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The Lost Art of Discernment: Part 1 of 2

We can not have lasting Unity if we do not Develop Spiritually enough to break through our "egoic" illusions, which are often too painful for many to "see."  With few exceptions, we can not Develop Spiritually enough, if we do not "Consciously" strive to Personally Grow through/from our beliefs/perceptions/experiences/traumas/etc.​

As we Personally Grow, we "let go" of what is no longer beneficial to us .  As we "let go" of our beliefs/perceptions/experiences/traumas/etc., we begin to be grateful for our pain, as we recognize it is a great teacher.  (Of course, we usually do not like it, while we are going through it.).   With this recognition, we can begin to break through our "egoic" illusions and Develop Spiritually …or perhaps it would be more accurate to say Develop Religiously.

Whoa there … Wait a Minute … Hold On … Develop Religiously?  Why would we want to do that?  Afterall, religion is tragically and shamefully responsible for a lot of pain and suffering … Isn’t it?

The answer to that question is NO … It is Religions themselves (note the plurals here), that are tragically and shamefully responsible for a lot of pain and suffering in the world.  As we learned last week, mainstream religion assists the (D)evil by functioning as the wild beast. (FMI: please refer to last week’s post: “Where are YOU Marked?”)

“Religions are an organized collection of belief systems, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values.”  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion)

Religion itself (note the singular here), has nothing to do with religions (plural).  Religion is simply man's way of having a conscious relationship with the Creator/God, as opposed to the Creator/God having a relationship with us (which is Spirituality).

“Religion is man relating to God and doing so in his terms of reference.  Spirituality is God reaching out to man in love and man responding.”   Kenneth Meyers, Berea Teologiese Kollege

So how do we learn to develop and/or improve our conscious relationship with the Creator/God? 

The key to this answer can be found in the Sacred Holy foundational texts.  These foundational texts serve as conceptual reference bricks in our very own, personal Spiritual Foundation, and Religious Development.  
   

In order for a Sacred Holy foundational text to serve as a conceptual reference brick, it needs to be completely inspired by the Creator and free of dogma (a definite authoritative point of view put forth without adequate grounds).  

These books were not written by humans, and their own interpretations, but through the inspired wisdom of the Holy Spirit which guided their tongues when they spoke and their hands when they wrote.​​

​For it was not through any human whim that men prophesied of old;  men they were, but, impelled by the Holy Spirit, they spoke the words of God.  2 Peter 1:21

These Sacred Holy foundational texts TEACH the same conceptual  “WORD of the CREATOR/GOD,”and were given to us by the same Creator/God.  Unfortunately, we often get caught up in the meaning or translation of words.  If we step out of our own individual box of definitions, and look at the overall concepts these books teach;  if we stop looking at the individual trees, and look at the forest, we will find that the Sacred Holy foundational texts have stood the test of time; they have proved themselves to be the “WORD of the CREATOR/GOD.”

Which Sacred Holy foundational text we use is irrelevant. Throughout history, religions (plural) have drawn on each others texts for material. No text is more or less true than another.  What is important, is that we pick one that resonates with us; one that will assist us in building our own, personal Spiritual Foundation, and ultimately well lead us into conscious union with the Divine Light/Jesus and the Creator/God.   

Whereas we KNOW that the Holy Bible is but one of MANY Books that TEACH the same conceptual “WORD of the CREATOR/God, we have chosen to use the Holy Bible.
  
Regardless of which text we use personally, it is wise to seek out others who are familiar with the text we have chosen.  Do not be afraid to seek advice, ask questions or ask for clarification.   

​"It is excellent to seek advice about everything, but only from those with experience. It is dangerous to ask questions of the inexperienced, because they do not possess discrimination." Saint Peter of Damaskos

Anyone inexperienced puts faith in every word, but the shrewd one considers his steps.  Proverbs 14:15

 

This where Teachers come into play … Teachers strive to uphold the pure language of truth, without dogma … Teachers help us learn “how” to think critically, by presenting more than one side of an issue and encouraging us to evaluate and scrutinize any/all information presented, make up our own mind regarding what to accept as truth, or reject as false … Teachers show us, through devotion, how to create a bond of unity with the Creator/God, and each other, that is impossible to break.

“Real devotion is an unbroken receptivity to the truth. Real devotion is rooted in an awed and reverent gratitude, but one that is lucid, grounded, and intelligent.”  The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

To be such a teacher is a heavy Spiritual Responsibility.  The words teachers use, both spoken and written, guide people’s thinking.  It is all too easy, for teachers to succumb to their own, imperfect, “egoic” perceptions (beliefs and biases) and offer explanations based on these perceptions.

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. For we all stumble many times.  If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle also [his] whole body.” James 3: 1-2

When this happens, the teacher stops being a teacher, and becomes a propagandist.  Propagandists sift through, distort and twist facts, and ‘delude us with persuasive arguments.’  (Colossians 2:4), by only presenting facts that will support their view(s).   Once they have convinced us to support their slanted view, it is easy to then tell us “what” to think.

Can a teacher avoid becoming a propagandist?  Can we, individually, avoid being fooled by propaganda?  Thankfully the answer to these questions is YES.  We are not left on our own. The Creator/God  trains us by giving us wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. (Proverbs 2:6, Acts 1:8)  

This training can be provided in two ways. The first way is via the receipt of the spiritual gift of the holy spirit. (Acts 20:28;  Galatians 5:22, 23, 1 Corinthians 12:10). The second way is via discernment of one or more Sacred Holy foundational text.

These conceptual reference bricks  provide great wisdom and serve as guides for our thinking.  By keeping an open mind to receive new information,  and weighing such new information against the Sacred Holy foundational text(s) we have chosen, we let go of old knowledge that is no longer valid, and attract new experience and knowledge  As we attract new experience and knowledge, our truth changes accordingly. 

While truth itself does not change, our perception of what is true changes.  This is because truth can only be  perceived/understood within the context of experience and knowledge.  Throughout the centuries, “truths” of all sorts, have been accepted by the masses, only to be proved wrong later. What is true today, may not be true tomorrow.  As our truth changes, we adjust our “current” pattern of thinking.

EXAMPLE:  The Teaching of Purgatory:

The doctrine of Purgatory evolved as a clarification concerning the state of souls between death and the judgement  (… humans are responsible and accountable for their thoughts and actions, and that in different ways their thoughts and actions now will affect their future outcome. [The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, 1997, p. 514]).  The doctrine of purgatory was openly rejected at the Reformation (early 16^th century ) and Protestants denied it as unscriptural. (Ibid. p. 777). 

Catholics, however, adopted the doctrine.  In the 1960’s, their own research (experience & knowledge) proved to them that the doctrine of purgatory is not, in fact, based on scripture.  As a result of this new-found truth, they humbly adjusted their pattern of thinking.

After reviewing what Catholic writers have said... the New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967, Vol. XI, p. 1034) acknowledges: “In the final analysis, the Catholic doctrine on purgatory is based on tradition, not Sacred Scripture.”  “The church has relied on tradition to support a middle ground between heaven and hell.” U.S. Catholic, March 1981, p. 7.

Let this example serve to remind us to not follow popular opinion …  Let us not be brainwashed by propaganda … Let us not be fools … Instead, let us come back next week and begin to learn the lost art of discernment.

So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light (Jesus Christ). Amen 

The Great Holy Anointing Oil Debate: Calamus or Cannabis?

This post has formatting problems; thus far, have not been able to fix them.

In the Sacred Law, the Creator/God gave Moses a recipe to make the Holy Anointing Oil.  The recipe consisted of: myrrh, sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia, and olive oil.  This Holy Anointing Oil was so sacred, that it became a major offense for anyone to make it, or use it, for common or unauthorized purposes.

Exodus 30:23-25 tells us:

As for you, take to yourself the choicest perfumes: myrrh in congealed drops five hundred units, and sweet cinnamon in half that amount, two hundred and fifty units, and sweet calamus two hundred and fifty units and cassia five hundred units by the shekel of the holy place, and olive oil a hin. Then you must make out of it a holy anointing oil, an ointment, a mixture that is the work of an ointment maker.  It is to be a holy anointing oil.

Once the measurements are converted, the recipe seems pretty straightforward; so what’s all this debate about?  The oriental plant Calamus, is Latin for cane; in Hebrew, the word is Kaneh.  It is one of the ingredients in the Holy Anointing Oil.   When we linguistically trace the Hebrew word Kaneh, we are introduced to the idea that the term Calamus was mistranslated in the earliest Greek Bible, the Septuagint.

Dr. Sara Benetowa, a Polish anthropologist (1903 – 1982), asserted that the word kaneh-bosm actually referred to cannabis. In 1980, Israel’s Hebrew University, confirmed her linguistic explanation as being a valid interpretation. 

To help us ascertain which herb was actually used, let us look quickly at what the resultant oil was used for. The Holy Anointing Oil was used during sanctification rites and/or ceremonies, e.g.,  to designate and/or dedicate something as sacred and holy, baptismal, ordination, and/or unction (healing) ceremonies.

When a person was anointed with the Holy Anointing Oil, the oil was poured onto the top of his head and allowed to run down his beard, to his collar.

It is like the good oil upon the head, That is running down upon the beard, Aaron’s beard, That is 

running down to the collar of his garments. Psalm 133:2

And you must set the turban upon his head and put the holy sign of dedication upon the turban.  

And you must take the  anointing oil and pour it upon his head and anoint him  Exodus 29:6-7

And you must take … some of the anointing oil, and you must spatter it upon Aaron and his garments

and upon his sons and the garments of his sons with him, that he and his garments and his sons and 

the garments of his sons with him may indeed be holy. Exodus 29: 21 

After that Moses took some of the anointing oil …and spattered it upon Aaron and his garments and upon his sons and the garments of his sons with him. Thus he sanctified Aaron and his garments and his sons and the garments of his sons with him.  Leviticus 8:30

Things dedicated as sacred and holy were also anointed with this oil.  The Creator/God gave Moses the following directions for its use:

And you must anoint with it the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, and the table and all its utensils and the lampstand and its utensils and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils and the basin and its stand. And you must sanctify them that they may indeed become most holy. Anyone touching them is to be holy. And you will anoint Aaron and his sons, and you must sanctify them for acting as priests to me.  Exodus 26-30

Last, but not least, the apostles, under the direction of the Divine Light, personified as Jesus, greased many that they had healed, with the Holy Anointing Oil.  Although the oil did, in fact, possess some beneficial healing properties, it is important to remember that it was the Creator’s/God’s Holy Spirit that actually healed people, not the oil.

and they (the apostles) would expel many demons and grease many sickly people with oil and cure them.  Mark 6:13

Jehovah’s spirit is upon me, because he anointed me to declare good news to the poor, he sent me forth to preach a release to the captives and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send the crushed ones away with a release, Luke 4:18

Then he (Jesus) called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to cure sicknesses  Luke 9:1 

 

So he approached him and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine upon them. Then he mounted him upon his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  Luke 10:34

Now let us briefly look at each herb in question.  

CALAMUS

To date, there is an increasing interest in Calamus as a hallucinogenic recreational drug.  Fresh or “recently 

dried” Calamus root is held as a sacred herb, by many Native Americans, and is often used in religious 

ceremonies as a Spiritual Hallucinogen. It has been said that it helps one see/enter the Spiritual World/Realm.

The structure of alpha and beta asarone molecules, found in Calamus, bear some resemblance to the structure 

of "ecstasy,"   commonly known as "Adam." Ecstacy often produces an altered state of consciousness which   

promotes contemplation of divine things, introspective personal insight and self-disclosure, together with a deep 

love of self and others. 

According to The Shulgin Rating Scale, the affects of Ecstacy produce:

A rare and precious transcendental state, which has been called a 'peak experience', a 'religious experience,' 'divine transformation,' a 'state of Samadhi' and many other names in other cultures. It is a state of bliss, a participation mystique, a connectedness with both the interior and exterior universes, which has come about after the ingestion of a psychedelic drug, but which is not necessarily repeatable with a subsequent ingestion of that same drug. 

If Calamus and Ecstacy share the same transcendental state of consciousness; it is  entirely logical to assume 

that Calamus, is indeed, the herb used in the Holy Anointing Oil.  

CANNABIS

No plant comes to mind that has been as maligned and persecuted as Cannabis (marijuana, hemp).  In present day, many/most people believe that Cannabis only has medical, industrial and/or recreational applications, but the use of Cannabis has a long history in religion/spirituality. 

The use of marijuana is as old as the history of man and dates back to the prehistoric period.  Marijuana is closely connected with the history and development of some of the oldest nations on earth.  It has played a significant role in the religions and cultures of Africa, the Middle East, India, and China.  

There are many ancient religious and spiritual uses of cannabis.  Indigenous healers (medicine men/women/shamans/shamanesses), utilized Cannabis during Sacred rites, rituals, and healings.  Sometime between 550 & 600 BC, the Zend-Avesta, a sacred text, listed Cannabis 1st out of 10,000 herbs; the Assyrians used Cannabis as an incense as early as the ninth century B.C. It appears that these healers were concerned with the hallucinogenic, trance and medicinal value of the plants. 

Researchers claim that in the 5th century BC, Siddhartha consumed only hemp seeds for six years, prior to becoming the Buddha. Cannabis continues to play a significant role in the meditation ritual of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, and has been a practice since 500 BC when cannabis was regarded as a holy plant.  A fairly recent archeological discovery of a shamanistic tomb, scientifically dating back 2,500 years ago, revealed a leather basket, containing almost 1.75 pounds of well-preserved cannabis, as well as a wooden bowl containing traces of cannabis.

Ancient spiritual healers employed the ritualistic burning of Cannabis leaves, seeds and flowering tops.  Shamans, in the Zambesi Valley, performed a ceremony in which participants inhaled Cannabis smoke; the Tepecano Indians of northwest Mexico occasionally substituted Cannabis for Peyote; some Mexican Indians performed a communal healing ceremony with a plant called Santa Rosa, also known as Cannabis sativa. This Sacred incense served as a Shamanic tool for spiritual exploration, and provided an opportunity for the user to “Commune” directly with the Creator. 

Hmmm … now things are getting a bit tricky.  Both Calamus and Cannabis can be seen as gateway drugs; that

 is, gateways for spiritual exploration, and Communion with the Creator/God; for thousands of years; both have 

been a trade item, within and across cultures.

At this point, some of you may be thinking, if both herbs are gateways for spiritual exploration, and Communion 

with the Creator/God, either one would be an appropriate ingredient to use in the Holy Anointing Oil, right? 

For the answer to this question, we must dig deeper, as there is some confusion regarding the taxonomy of  

Acorus calamus; two species have been identified: Acorus calamus, an introduced species and Acorus 

calamus americanus, the native Sweet Flag, which is often mistakenly identified as Acorus calamus.  There 

is a big difference between Acorus calamus and North American calamus (Acorus calamus americanus). 

Despite some minor safety concerns, Acorus calamus americanus, is used for a variety of conditions, e.g., as both a stimulant and a sedative, a hallucinogen, a diaphoretic, gastrointestinal disorders, and as a topical to treat some skin conditions.  Additionally, it is used as a spice.

Neither Acorus calamus americanus  nor Acorus calamus  are native to Palestine;  the Calamus used in Palestine was Acorus calamus; it was imported from either Arabia Felix or India.   

Acorus calamus is not used as a  gateway for spiritual exploration or Communion with the Creator/God. 

Acorus calamus does not share the same transcendental state of consciousness as Acorus calamus

 americanus and Ecstacy; furthermore, Acorus calamus is generally not considered to be safe. This Calamus 

does not have any alpha asarone molecules; beta asarone molecules alone are poisonous.

Typical adverse reactions to Acorus calamus include: fever/flu like sympoms, e.g., feelings of shakiness, 

weakness, headache and/or shivering, combined with repeated vomiting (every 5-15 minutes) for 4 or more 

hours.  Some become severely dehydrated from excessive vomiting and wind up in the hospital for a few days.   Additionally, beta-asarone has been shown to cause cancer in experimental lab animals.

Food for thought:  Do you believe that the Creator/God would give Moses a recipe for the Holy Anointing Oil, which was to be poured over someones head to designate and/or signify sacredness and holy dedication to the Creator/God, and also used in healing, that contained an ingredient that hampered spiritual exploration or Communion with the Creator/God, made people sick and was carcinogenic? 

So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light (Jesus Christ). Amen

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