A Ritual For The Aquarian Age

It has been said that "Progress depends upon change, and change is a rearrangement of the Thinker, the Thought and the Thing. Change is sight from another angle - that is all. "Humanity is experiencing what may be termed an unfoldment in human understanding - there is an emerging new consciousness and culture which is based upon the underlying unity that binds all men.

Until quite recently the basic oneness of the major religions and philosophies of the world was recognised by only few. But today millions share the conviction that there is an inner spiritual unity transending all outer differences of faith and belief. It is as an expression of this recognition that people throughout the world have been joining together in a group meditation on the occasion of three spiritual Festivals: the Christian festival of Easter, the widely celebrated Buddhist festival of Wesak, and a universal festival of Goodwill. Their work is based upon the fact that in the incoming Aquarian age humanity's use of prayer is undergoing fundamental changes. There is a general tendency amongst new age thinkers to ignore prayers for personal salvation. Increasingly the emphasis is coming to be placed on the welfare of humanity and the invocation of divinity as an active force in world affairs. The way of aspiration and the heart and the way of mental prayer or meditation are being combined in a new science of group invocation. Group invocation involves the united use of group thought to focus and give clarity of direction to massed aspiration and desire. "The truth lying behind all invocation is based upon the power of thought, particularly in its telepathic nature, rapport and aspect." Religion is coming to be the name given to the invocative appeal of humanity and the evocative response of the greater Life to that cry. As more and more men of spiritual inclination and intention join together in a unity of selfless motive there will occur a pooling of spiritual resources and a united spiritual effort.

There is an acceptance by those who share a conviction in this underlying unity of religions that humanity is not following an unchartered course; that there is a Plan (an evolutionary pattern) i in the cosmos of which we are a part. At the end of an age human resources and established institutions seem inadequate to meet world needs and problems. It is at just such a time that the advent of a Teacher, a spiritual leader or Avatar, is anticipated or invoked by the masses of humanity in all parts of the world. The reappearance of the world Teacher the Christ - is anticipated or invoked by the masses of humanity in all parts of the world. The reappearance of the world Teacher - the Christ I is today expected by millions, not only by those of Christian faith but by those of every faith who expect the Avatar under other names. - the Lord Maitreya, Krishna, Messiah, Iman Mahdi and the Bodhisattva.

The Three Spiritual Festivals:

Easter: The great western festival and spiritual high point of the Christian year has the keynote of love and is always fixed by the date of the full moon of Aries, the first full moon after the vernal equinox.

Wesak: The great eastern festival of the Buddha, expresses the keynotes of wisdom and divine purpose, and follows one month after Easter at the time of the Taurus full moon.

Goodwill: This festival follows one month after Wesak, at the time of the full moon of Gemini. It has the Keynote of "humanity, aspiring to God" and blending many different spiritual approaches in one united act of invocation. It has been observed since 1952 as World Invocation Day.

Each festival covers a period of five days with the climax on the third day, the day of the full moon itself. The dates of the festivals this year are:

Easter 29th March Wesak 27th April Goodwill 27th May.

The Great Invocation

From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the of men.
May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells
Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.