A Michaelmas Conversation: In Search of a New Approach

MICHAELMAS 2024 BY THE FESTIVAL GROUP, ANTHROPOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, GREATER WASHINGTON DC BRANCH (ASGWB)

During the past year, we have journeyed with Parzival from King Arthur’s Round Table to the Grail Castle, exploring their connection to the yearly festival cycle. This Michaelmas, we shall journey into uncharted territory, seeking to create a new model of conduct, in order to transform the combative model of knighthood and the Grail Castle into something more appropriate and uplifting for our challenging times.

We will take up the symbols of Michael, his sword and shield, which he uses to combat the Dragon, and his balance, which he uses as a judger of souls. In the preparatory work of the Festivals Group, we noted the interplay of both individual work and the striving for community. Three images have emerged from our conversations: the image of a Chalice, the image of a Fountain, and the image of a Balance. Each of these images is filled with movement – the inner activity that each individual contributes to a community, and the spiritual sustenance it offers to us.

This Michaelmas, we invite you to participate in an exploration of community building, as we strive to create a new model for our times, and let us be mindful of the line in the song “Michael Hero of the Sun” that goes “Teach Us to Listen and to Speak.” For when we are truly able to listen to what the spiritual realm is saying to us, then we are able to speak out of that which is spiritual in ourselves and in each other.

Please RSVP to Eileen King at kingeil656@aol.com for the Zoom link.