Beginning with the Easter Festival when the moon is full, through the wonderful days of Wesak and the Taurean full moon, approaching now, and then the Christ Festival in June, there is a sense of magic and expectancy as, every year, the great Masters make their presence known and felt in ways that we cannot experience at other times of the year. The celebrations, one way or another, are always significant and in this pivotal year of 2012 they are particularly so.
Like many parts of Britain and Europe, and elsewhere in the world too, we have had an extreme of weather for a few days here in my ancient homeland of Wales. Torrential rain and strong winds with icy temperatures have halted nesting and driven our bird visitors from abroad, just returned, to find shelter where conditions are kinder. My overflowing ponds have caused many tadpoles to be washed away, necessitating a major rescue operation to return them to safety while the great River Wye is so full that ducks breeding there are bringing their chicks to us for refuge.
I walked outside late last night: despite the dark skies heavy with racing clouds the light was extraordinary, a supernatural glow illuminating the countryside though the moon and the stars were hidden. Apart from the call of the wind and the water it was silent and, unusually, many sheep were gathered in the field next door but they were all lying down in neat rows like children in a dormitory, side by side not eating, not sleeping, just watching and taking no regard of my nearness. It felt as if I had jumped to a different reality – and perhaps I had.
It is no coincidence that these extraordinary times are happening as Wesak beckons this weekend. Change is in the air, change of a dynamic and pivotal nature, and change will demonstrate itself by the Christ Festival in June for the world and perhaps for you also. It is not to be feared, ever, for it is why we are here, you and I, but to be welcomed for the blessings it will bring. Life is never dull.
I will write more about Wesak when its time comes, at the ending of this week.]]>
