LUGHANASADH (LOO-has-sah) - also, known as “Lammas” and “August Eve”. This Sabbat celebrates the first harvest. The date is August 1 or 2nd depending upon tradition. (CMM)

(See also: LUGHANASADH , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Reincarnation. The doctrine of rebirth, believed in by Jesus and the Apostles, as by all men in those days, but denied now by the Christians. All the Egyptian converts to Christianity, Church Fathers and others, believed in this doctrine, as shown by the writings of several.

In the still existing symbols, the human-headed bird flying towards a mummy, a body, or "the soul uniting itself with its sahou (glorified body of the Ego, and also the kamalokic shell) proves this belief. "The song of the Resurrection" chanted by Isis to recall her dead husband to life, might be translated "Song of Rebirth", as Osiris is collective Humanity. "Oh! Osiris [here follows the name of the Osirified mummy, or the departed], rise again in holy earth (matter), august mummy in the coffin, under thy corporeal substances", was the funeral prayer of the priest over the deceased.

"Resurrection" with the Egyptians never meant the resurrection of the mutilated mummy, but of the Soul that informed it, the Ego in a new body. The putting on of flesh periodically by the Soul or the Ego, was a universal belief; nor can anything be more consonant with justice and Karmic law. (See "Pre-existence".)

(See also: Reincarnation , Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,)

Ab 'ab (Hebrew) (from the verbal root 'abab to blossom, bear fruit)

Father, hence founder, forefather, ancestor; by extension, teacher or counselor. Originally a Babylonian name.

Fifth month of the Hebrew ecclesiastical or sacred year, according to the system used after the Babylonian captivity; also the 11th month of the civil year. Likewise the 11th month of the Palmyrenes and Syrians, equivalent to July-August and the zodiacal sign Leo.

See also ABBA.

(See also: Ab , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Harmonic Convergence

New Age day of international prayer and ceremony, August 16 - 17, 1987

(See also: Harmonic Convergence , Body Mind and Soul)

Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor (H. B. of L.) A spurious "esoteric" society started about 1884 in England, which later spread to America before it was exposed as a fraud in Yorkshire by theosophists around 1887. This society "pretended to give to its members occult teaching free. In August, 1887, Mr. (T. H.)

Burgoyne, styling himself 'Private secretary,' issued to the members a secret circular, the essence of which was that he had studied Chaldean Astrology for eighteen years, but could not communicate the 'lessons' in it and Occultism without a payment to him of $60; that his teachings had the full approval of the Masters; and that the $60 subscription was a necessity to Initiation" (Ec from Or 2:183). He was 28 years old at the time. He later published the same material in a book, The Light of Egypt, sold for $3.00.

(See also: Hermetic Axiom , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

The Venus Transit will be a wonderful opportunity to plug into a major planetary shift that will have positive collective consequences for us all.

Enter the Goddess. As we glimpse voluptuous Venus, bejeweled and beguiling, we view our selves in her role. Confident, sensual, self-assured. The feminine embodiment of Divine Love, Venus takes center stage. The script for this evocative scene has yet to be written. Venus stands alone.

Read more here: » Venus Transit: Enter the Goddess - Venus Transit 2004-2012

Harmonic Convergence

An assembly of millions of New Agers gathered at spiritual sites (vortexes) around the world. to usher in peace on earth and the unity of all life and acknowledge that the New Age had arrived.

Held August 16Ð17, 1987, it was formulated by Jose Arguelles, based on Mayan prophecies and astrological conjecture. Other significant dates were 31 December 1987 and a culmination in 2012.

(See also: Harmonic Convergence , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

LAMMAS: August eve festival; one of four high festivals; also called Lughnasadh, Martinmas and St. Martin's Eve. Also see NOS CALON AWST.

(See also: LAMMAS , Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Leo

The Lion; fifth zodiacal sign (approx. July 20 to August 20); of the fire element; ruled by the Sun; keywordscreativity, courage, energy. Recognized strengthscourageous, perceptive, generous, affectionate, creative, receptive, self-confident, seeks the limelight. Potential weaknessesegocentric, selfish, domineering, proud, over-bearing

(See also: Leo , Body Mind and Soul)

Bhadra:

Bhadra: August-September

(See also: Bhadra , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Virgo

"Virgin", sixth sign of the zodiac (approx. August 20 to September 20); of the earthy element, ruler Mercury; keyword; service, discrimination.

Recognized strengths: detail-oriented, intelligent, discerning, self-disciplined, analytical, hard-working, unassuming; self-examiner.

Potential weaknesses: judgmental, negative, critical, skeptical, low self-esteem

(See also: Virgo , Body Mind and Soul)

Subramuniyaswami: Current and 162nd satguru (1927-) of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara. He was ordained Sivaya Subramuniyaswami by Sage Yogaswami on the full-moon day of May 12, 1949, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, at 6:21 pm. This was just days after he had attained nirvikalpa samadhi in the caves of Jalani. Yogaswami, then 77, ordained the 22-year old yogi with a tremendous slap on the back, saying, "This will be heard in America," and conferring upon him the mission to bring the fullness of Saivism to the West. Local devotees called the initiation a coronation.

That same year, while still in Sri Lanka, Subramuniyaswami founded the Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order and Saiva Siddhanta Church at the Sri Subramuniya Ashrama in Alaveddy. Returning to America, he spent the next six years preparing for his teaching mission through intense sadhana and tapas. He began actively teaching in 1957 when he founded the Himalayan Academy. In 1970, he established his international headquarters and monastery complex, Kauai Aadheenam, on Hawaii's Garden Island of Kauai. Five years later, he designated a portion of the 51-acre holy site as the San Marga Sanctuary, future site of Iraivan Temple, carved of white granite stone in Bangalore, India. To spearhead a growing Hindu renaissance, he founded Hinduism Today in 1979, an international monthly, full-color magazine acclaimed the world over as the the greatest advent in Hindu publishing this century. In August of 1986, the World Religious Parliament in New Delhi honored Subramuniyaswami as one of five Hindu spiritual leaders outside of India who had most dynamically promoted Sanatana Dharma in the past 25 years. He was given the title Jagadacharya, "World Teacher." In 1995 the Parliament bestowed on him the title of Dharmachakra for his remarkable publications. In April of 1988, he was selected to represent Hinduism at the five-day Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders for Human Survival, held in England at Oxford University, and again in Moscow from January 11 to 15, 1990; and in Brazil, June 5­7, 1992. At Chicago's historic centenary Parliament of the World's Religions in September, 1993, he was elected to the Presidents' Assembly, a core group of 25 men and women representing the world's faiths. In late 1996 Gurudeva transformed "Hinduism Today" to a magazine, a quantum leap that extended its global reach and impact in Hindu communities. In 1997 he responded to President Bill Clinton's call for religious opinions on the ethics of human cloning and spearheded the 125th anniversary and diaspora pilgrimage of Sri Lanka's Sage Yogaswami. In Kerala, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad honored him as "The Hindu Voice of the Century." Throughout that same year he was a key member of Vision Kauai, a small group of indigenous and political leaders meeting to fashion the island's future based on ethical values.

Over the years Subramuniyaswami has written hundreds of tracts and books, which have been distributed in the tens of thousands in many languages. Especially in the 1980s, he lectured worldwide and established the worship in numerous Hindu temples. Gurudeva teaches the traditional Saivite Hindu path to enlightenment, a path that leads the soul from simple service to worshipful devotion to God, from the disciplines of meditation and yoga to the direct knowing of Divinity within. His insights into the nature of consciousness provide a key for quieting the external mind and revealing to aspirants their deeper states of being, which are eternally perfect, full of light, love, serenity and wisdom. He urges all seekers to live a life of ahimsa, harmlessness towards nature, people and creatures, an ethic which includes vegetarianism. From his ashrama in Hawaii, Gurudeva continues to follow his satguru's instruction to bring Saivism to the Western world by teaching others to "know thy Self by thyself" and thus "see God Siva everywhere." Through the ordained swamis of the Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order, he trains young men in the ancient path of brahmacharya, enlightenment and service to humanity. Over 30 full-time monks, along with extended family groups in eight countries, have joined to fulfill this parampara's mission to further monistic Saiva Siddhanta and Hindu solidarity.

The name Subramuniya is a Tamil spelling of the Sanskrit Shubhramunya (not to be confused with Subramanya). It is formed from shubhra meaning "light; intuition," and muni, "silent sage." Ya means "restraint; religious meditation." Thus, Subramuniya means a self-restrained soul who remains silent or, when he speaks, speaks out from intuition.

(See also: Subramuniyaswami , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Devotion: Rama Nama Brings Lasting Benefits

Devotion for the Lord can be likened to the monsoon season. New crops burst forth during the monsoons. So too, in the showers of divine love for the Lord, devotees are born.

The two main rainy seasons, sravana and bhadrapada (around July and August respectively) are good for crops. These two months are compared to the Rama Nama , since chanting verses in His praise inspires deep devotion in our hearts.

Read more here: » Rama Nama: Rama Nama Brings Lasting Benefits

UFOLOGY

Nicholas Roerich (Altai Himalaya) reported seeing a shining oval speeding  across the sky over his expedition camp in Mongolia -- 9:30 a.m., August 5, 1920. Metallic disks were observed in the mountains of Tibet in 1924. During WWII "Foo Fighters" were reported as surrounding aircraft on both sides and described as "small, remote-controlled eyes." But most "modern" reports of "flying saucers," as such, began on June 24, 1947, when Kenneth Arnold observed nine "unidentified aerial objects" flying in V-formation over Mt. Rainier. They were followed by many sightings elsewhere over the month of July. Corpses from a crash in New Mexico, comprise the "Roswell Incident." At that time Uranus (planet of "the skies") occupied 22º of Gemini, an air sign. In 2001, Uranus will again occupy 22º of an air sign, Aquarius (which is the natural rulership of the planet). ET biological entities are said to have been guests of the U.S. Government in an "exchange program" since 1948.

The mythological aspect (apart from their possible "reality"), according to Jung,represents the collective 20th Century's social restlessness. But ufos also have undisputed existence in other respects. Bob Swigart's theory of cetacean projection is worth considering. And, according to Steiger, ufos are interdimensional gateways rather than space ships. According to Vall‚e, they and their etherian passengers have always been a part of our pedagogical history, but masked as mythic, religious or legendary events. And Jack Parsons, the Pasadena wizard, felt that they were an "engine" cited in The Book of the Law for converting the world to Crowley's teachings.

Other theories (some of which have been discussed at greater length in Brad Steiger's Alien Meetings) are quite fascinating in themselves. They may be a "planetary poltergeist phenomenon" (similar to John Keel's "Superspectrum") based on some as yet unknown law activated by the unconscious mind capable of reflecting or imitating human intelligence. Then there is Michael Talbot's "Protean Psychoid" theory -- they change in conformity to what is fashionable to believe and to the psychological state of the observer. Finally, there is Vall‚e's now famous idea that the ufonauts are teachers and the ufos are pedagogical devices to train the human mind.

Ufos tend to be seen between the 21st and the 24th of the month, and the most favorite month is July. Many believe them to derive from Zeta Reticuli.

(See also: UFOLOGY , Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul,)

Ganesha Chaturthi: (Sanskrit) Birthday of Lord Ganesha, a ten-day festival of August-September culminating in a spectacular parade called Ganesha Visarjana. It is a time of rejoicing, when all Hindus worship together.

(See also: Ganesha Chaturthi , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Karneios (Greek) Carneus (Latin) Title of Apollo; like Krishna, who is also mystically an imbodiment of a solar spiritual force, this deity refers to mystical matters connected with the sun and its spiritual effluvia radiating throughout the solar system. Apollo Karneios was celebrated at Sparta in the great festival of the Karneia, held during nine days of the Attic month Metageitnion (August).

(See also: Karneios , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

PAGAN HOLIDAYS

The four "Sabbats" (Summer/Winter solstices, Spring/Fall equinoxes), and Imbolc/Oimelc (Candlemas) -- Feb. 2; Beltane -- May Eve; Walpurgisnacht -- May 1; Lugnhassadh (Lammas) -- August 1; Samhein/Samuin (Hallowe'en) -- Oct. 31/Nov. 1.

(See also: PAGAN HOLIDAYS , Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul,)

Lammas

A Pagan holiday or Wiccan sabbat which takes place on or about August 1st.

(See also: Lammas , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Itihasa (Sanskrit) (from iti thus, so + ha indeed + asa it was)

Thus indeed it was; legend, tradition, history. From the custom of narrators to conclude their utterance with this phrase, it acquired the meaning of tradition. It is also "the narrative of the lives of some august personages, conveying at the same time meanings of the highest moral and occult importance" (BCW 6:42).

(See also: Itihasa , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

The newly-discovered planet, Quaoar, is an astrological key to identifying and understanding generational influences, particularly the Indigo children for whom Quaoar is a key defining astrological planet.

Like the other outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto), astrological interpretation of Quaoar by zodiac sign will be a generational indicator rather than a personal energy in the natal chart. In so doing, Quaoar begins by providing a fascinating rear-view mirror to look at 20th Century generations.

(See also: Indigo Children, What is Indigo Children, Parenting Indigo Children, Adult Indigo, Indigo Children Channeling)

Read more here: » Indigo Children: QUAOAR by sign   A generational indicator   (and a look at the Indigos)    

Magha (Sanskrit) The 13th day in the dark half of the moon in the month of Bhadra (August-September).

(See also: Magha , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

The Venus Transit of June 2004 during the Venus Retrograde phase is a rare cosmic event that this year is laden with spiritual significance. Richard Giles examines this remarkable phenomenon.

Read more here: » Venus Transit: The June 2004 transit of Venus - a Unique Harmony Event