As you chAnge yourself, you chAnge the world! issue 11: december 2010/jAnuAry 2011

LL great world movements, religions and activities, ancient and modern, have been inspired by some member of the Great White Brotherhood, in co-operation

with a spiritually sensitive individual in physical

embodiment at the time of its inception. The evolution of the individual God-ego from infancy to spiritual maturity is the underlying purpose of all life experience.

The Great White Brotherhood is the spiritual

about ‘tat’: The Ascension Times is published online every month. Our mission is to impart knowledge that is positive and truthful, and that will assist people to live in more gentle and harmonious ways. We are not affiliated to any religious, political or philosophical association but do impart knowledge directly from The Ascended Masters via Bridge to Freedom and St Germain Press material. Our ethos is one of sharing and co-operation. We therefore actively encourage you to reproduce and share the information in this publication, as we adopt a “copy-left” policy. We do however ask that all material be referenced and the information not changed in any way.

EnquiriEs: Coral McCallum 021 709 0391, coral@theascensiontimes.com or Anthea Torr (Editor), fax 086 569 4085 or anthea@theascensiontimes.com • Fax: 021 709 0392 • Address: P. O. Box 39277, Capricorn Square, 7948. •Web: www.theascensiontimes.com

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A

9develop A strong ‘I am’ presence

A gArden full of beAns!5

‘The

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d of the hour’

thomAs printZ (journal

one, bridge to freedom) looks at god-development for the planet and each

individual.

sweet & soothing

7rAw chocolAte feAst! 4

representative of the God-will for the planet, Earth, and, through its members, provides the stimulus towards God-development for the planet and its people, through the release of tremendous cosmic forces that are consciously directed and sustained in the lower atmosphere and then embodied in man.

With the evolution of man, the type of spiritual force requires changes, just as in the growth of nature, the seasons provide the natural conditions most beneficial to prolific expression. You might consider the release of these great cosmic outpourings like the playing of a universal symphony — each religion or activity, with its constituents, representing one chord or passage in the great whole.

To provide channels for the release of these rhythmic pulsations, the Masters have inspired the founding of the various religions and types of worship from the beginning of time, always designing the ceremonials and beliefs around the spiritual requirements of the age.

The Master chooses those lifestreams who are, by nature and inclination, best suited to conduct the spiritual forces of that particular world hour, and these people, together with their spiritual Leader, become a radiating centre, through which the cosmic forces designed to bless the race, flow. The force is absorbed by the souls of men/women and when that element is sufficiently provided, a new

centre of vital forces is prepared, a new religion instituted, and a different type of lifestream is given an opportunity to become the conductor of world blessing.

Thus, each religion and faith is a rhythmic part of the great symphony, but it is regrettable that,

although the Masters work in

perfect harmony, the dispensers and recipients of their life force are often unable to recognise the unity of purpose behind the main chords of the universal song. Were the notes and themes in our musical compositions as unwilling to relinquish their place in the following chords, we would experience the same discords in musical expressions that man has experienced through

2 spirituAl/Ascension mAtters• teAchings from the Ascended mAsters • the very interesting history of eArth • chAnneling

‘Each religion and faith is a rhythmic part of the great symphony.’

illustration: robErt DonaGHEYthe Masters have inspired the founding of the various religions and

types of worship from the beginning of time.

religious bigotry, intolerance and misunderstanding.

The master musicians, playing through all the chords of modern spiritual endeavour, constantly work towards the blending of the various scores into a harmonious whole and the people of earth, who are, but a part of the great universal song, would do well to emulate them in their lives.

In modern times, the Masters Kuthumi and El Morya were the pioneers who succeeded

in piercing the veil of human ignorance and convincing a certain number of mankind as to the actual existence of these elder brothers of the race, using the late Madame Blavatsky (The Secret Doctrine) as their mouthpiece.

However, it is not enough that people become aware of the living presence of these Masters. They must realise that these emancipated ones have dedicated themselves to the redemption of mankind through an awakening of the individual consciousness, which will bring liberation from every kind of human limitation, including disease, poverty, wars, and yes, ultimately even death itself.

As in all educational activities, it is logical to assume that there must be co-operation between student and Master. The old saying that “God helps him who helps himself ” holds true in this instance and when man

is privileged to be shown God’s divine plan for the Earth and its humanity, it would be a part of the wisdom for him to enrol under the banner of these great benefactors and thus help to promote the speedy evolution of not only himself, but the planet and its inhabitants.

‘The man of today is mature enough to bear enough cosmic truth.’

The Master Jesus told his disciples 2000 years ago: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” (John 16:12)

The Masters of Wisdom apparently consider (as per their revelations) that the man of today is mature enough to “bear” enough cosmic truth. It will

enable him to open his mind to the more advanced doctrine of the New Day, thus enabling him to step boldly through the door of knowledge and enlightenment, into the glory and freedom of the prophesied Golden Age, the dawn of which is even now illumining the horizon of this too-dark world.

The time has arrived, therefore, when it is not sufficient in itself to accept the existence

of the Masters of Wisdom; it is not sufficient to gratify the feeling nature in reading and re-reading their words; it is not

sufficient to invoke the Light to dispel the darkness of

human ignorance — THE NEED OF THE HOUR is to apply what has been taught, not only in recent years, but during past centuries. THE NEED OF THE HOUR is to develop man’s latent powers, in

order to establish a direct and conscious contact

with these divine teachers. THE NEED OF THE

HOUR is for man to acquaint himself with the present activities of the Great White Brotherhood. THE NEED OF THE HOUR is for each man to turn within, consciously contact and connect his outer consciousness with his own Christ Self, thus becoming, not only a receiving but a radiating centre, to all life he contacts in his daily living.

Satisfying this requirement is the service that THE BRIDGE has come to render.

spirituAl/Ascension mAtters 3• teAchings from the Ascended mAsters • the very interesting history of eArth • chAnneling

4 ‘tat’ recIpes• our reAders write • hAppenings • competitions

ingredientsTRy to buy organic whenever you can — it is kinder to you and the Earth.1 cup oats soaked for a few hour1 cup dates, remove stones (if they are not soft like Madjool dates, soak them until they are nice and soft).½ cup raw organic cocoa powder1 vanilla pod.½ cup coconut oil (the oil needs to be in its liquid state, so if it is hard, place it in warm water until it liquifies).

MEtHoDPlace all the ingredients into a blender and

blend until smooth, then bless it and all the beloved elemental life that brought it into form, and place it in a flat dish and put into the fridge to set.

Decorate with fresh organic strawberries or some other fruit.

This is simply delicious! Before eating it, again send so much love and gratitude for the food.

This can be eaten with a nut cream such as a blend of cashew nuts, with a vanilla pod, honey or maple syrup, a pinch of pink salt and pure water. The creamy consistency will depend on your personal taste and the amount of water added.

A RAW CHOCOLATE CAKE

this tasty cake can be eaten with a nut cream such as a blend of cashew nuts,

with a vanilla pod, honey or maple syrup, a pinch of pink salt and

pure water.

“We are at the beginning of a New Age, in which, through the courtesy and kindness of life, I am the Chohan, and will assist you in the religious service that will be manifest in the worship of

the next two2000-year period. This is the activity of the VIOLeT RAY, the Activity of Ordered Service and Ritual, the activity where mankind, angels and elementals will again be drawn together in conscious co-operation, and hand-in-hand, walk together along

the path of evolution, where they will serve and build together, the kingdom of heaven on earth, and worship together in the ceremonies that your mind is unable to conceive as yet.

“DO NOT LIMIT YOUR POWeRS OF YOUR ‘I AM PReSeNCe,” beloved ones. Become acquainted with that glorious Presence, its omnipotent power and its willingness to act in and through you, at all times.

“Personally, you could not possibly attempt to

Don’t limit the power of your ‘I AM’ presence

A discourse by beloved saint germain.

spirituAl/Ascension mAtters 5• teAchings from the Ascended mAsters • the very interesting history of eArth • chAnneling

rehabilitate the entire human race, BUT YOUR ‘I AM PReSeNCe’ CAN!

“Your I AM Presence is not limited in any way!

“Your Presence is ALL-KNOWING and is capable of directing, instantly, from itself, a billion ray of blazing Light into whatever condition, place or person requires assistance.

“I would like to thank you for giving yourselves so freely and so completely to the cause of freedom, for investing your

energies in that freedom through the centuries — not only in this embodiment, but also in almost every era and every age in which you have lived.

“Now, as we enter the door of a New Day, I shall remember those of you who have stood by me, and you shall be part of that spiritual court that lives forever.”

• This discourse was taken from 21 Essential Lessons – ‘Bridge to Freedom’, Vol. 2, compiled by Werner Schroeder.

decreeAFFIRMATION OF THE VIOLET FIRE

My world is a world of Violet Fire!

My world is the God-World I desire!

My body is a pillar of Violet Fire!

I AM a being of Violet Fire!

I AM the purity God desires!

I AM the perfection that God desires!

Our Earth is a planet of Violet Fire!

Our Earth is all that God desires! (3x)

Our Earth is a planet of Violet Fire (3x)

Our Earth is all that God desires! (3x)

6 spirituAl/Ascension mAtters• teAchings from the Ascended mAsters • the very interesting history of eArth • chAnneling

eAr thly mAtters 7• gArdening tips• grow your own veg • composting • cAring for fruit trees

THE vIOLET: soothing & sweet

mArgAret roberts writes about the sweet violet, once the favourite flower of ancient Greece, in her popular book, ‘edible and medicinal Flowers’.

8 eAr thly mAtters• gArdening tips• grow your own veg • composting • cAring for fruit trees

he sweet violet is an ancient plant that has been grown and loved all over the

world for centuries. It is native to Britain and widespread throughout europe and Asia, and records of sweet violet from the first century AD in Turkey, Syria and Persia suggest that it is native to these areas as well.

The violet was a favourite flower in ancient Greece and became the symbol of Athens, the flower of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and also the flower of her son Priapus, the god of gardens and the male procreative power.

homer relates how the Greeks drank violet tea to “temper their anger”, made crowns and garlands of violets to save themselves from drunkenness and added the flowers to wine to add an extra bouquet.

Medicinal usesThe violet was used medicinally by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and later, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, violet syrup was prescribed for coughs, colds, pneumonia and bronchitis.

A tea of violet flowers and leaves soothes a headache and helps one unwind after a heavy and demanding day, and was popular as an after dinner tea in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Violets have a relaxing and calming effect on the nervous system and a tea made of violet leaves and flowers will expel mucous from the nose, chest and lungs, clear mouth and throat infections, open blocked sinuses and will alleviate whooping cough

and postnasal drip. To make violet tea, use half a cup of flowers and leaves and pour over this 1 cup of

boiling water. Stand for 5 minutes and strain and sweeten with honey if liked. A strong tea can also be used as a wash for eczema and rashes.

The flowers and leaves can be chewed to relieve a headache — chew 5 at first and take another 3 an hour later. Violets also have a gentle laxative effect, and bruised violet leaves make a soothing poultice for skin infections and inflammations.

In Africa, violets are used as a cancer remedy and crushed leaves are used as a poultice for

skin cancer and growths. This remedy has also been used in europe since the twelfth century!

CultivationGrowing violets is rewarding,

as they demand little and give so much in return. They thrive in cool, partially shady positions in rich, well-composted, moist soil.

The clump spreads by runners, which can be separated from the mother plant and planted elsewhere, 30 centimetres apart.

Keep them moist and shaded until they establish themselves. They reach a height of no more than 10 cm and so make a lovely border or groundcover. The flowers are at their best at the end of winter and early spring, and the more you pick the more they bloom.

Water deeply twice a week and give them the occasional spade of compost.

• Recipes for Chocolate and Violet Cheese Cake, Violet Liqueur and Violet Syrup appear in “Edible and Medicinal Flowers”, which is published and distributed by Random House Struik.

t

d‘A tea made of

violet leaves and flowers will expel

mucous from the nose, chest

and lungs, clear mouth and throat infections, open blocked sinuses

and will alleviate whooping cough

and postnasal drip.’

d

eAr thly mAtters 9• gArdening tips• grow your own veg • composting • cAring for fruit trees

SOW plenty of seeds for a late summer harvest. Beans provide you and your family

with a good, cheap source of protein, vitamins (especially the

Bs), minerals (including iron) and fibre.

Green beans are legumes or pod plants — as are peas, broad beans, Lucerne, lentils, chickpeas and soyabeans. For the gardener,

they are the most valuable crops as they contribute nitrogen to the soil and should be included when you plan your crop rotations.

You can also be sure that your own home-grown beans will

A bounty of beans!plant beans to build soil fertility, to give you protein and to add a third dimension

to your garden, writes pat FeatHerstOne of ‘Food for Life’.

10 eAr thly mAtters• gArdening tips• grow your own veg • composting • cAring for fruit trees

taste better than the ones you buy from the shops. Beans are a warm-weather crop. They grow in almost any kind of soil but will give the best harvests when the soils are well drained and have plenty of organic matter. This is why mulched trench beds are ideal.

Although beans need sunlight, they are not happy in intense heat; temperatures between 20°C and 28°C suit them well.

Green beans are classified into two distinct groups:

Bush or dwarf beans are preferred by some gardeners because, although they take up more space, they require less work in planting, staking, weeding and watering.

Climbing or runner beans (also known as pole beans) grow easily up single poles, trellises, “tepees” of 3 tied-together sticks, and maize stalks. They produce

heavier yields than bush beans and take up very little space.

PlantingWork the top of the soil three or four times over a period of several days to destroy germinating weeds. Then rake the soil fine and very smooth. Try wide row planting for bush beans. In a space the width of a rake, drop seeds about 10cm apart in all directions. Firm the seeds in the soil with your hand or a plank,

Climbing or runner beans grow easily up single poles, trellises, ‘tepees’ of three tied-together sticks, and maize stalks.

eAr thly mAtters 11• gArdening tips• grow your own veg • composting • cAring for fruit trees

and then cover them with 3cm of soil. Firm again. If the soil is dry, water after planting.

Climbing beans like to climb straight up, so avoid using chicken wire or horizontal strings, as these cause the vines to wind around each other and choke. here are some different ways that work:

Plant five seeds around each support, thinning out to the best three plants. If you grow climbing beans up maize or sunflower stalks, plant one seed at every third stalk when the plants are about 30-cm high.

Climbing beans need more water than bush beans and also extra feeding. Just after the first pods have developed, dig in a little compost or well-rotted manure. To ensure a continuous supply of beans, plant every two to three weeks and stop about two months before frost is expected.

harvest as soon as the pod is nearly pencil-thick, but be careful not to damage the vines or bushes. Young and tender beans have the best flavour and nutritional value when eaten soon after picking; that’s also a good reason for growing your own! Beans are a cut-and-come-again crop; the more you pick the more you get. So don’t leave the beans to get tough and fibrous on the plant. Pick them when they’re young and delicious.

Chop up the bean plants immediately after the last picking and work them into the soil — thereby adding valuable organic matter and nitrogen to the soil. Nitrogen-fixing legumes should have nodules scattered throughout the root system. The

more nodules the better. These are little fertiliser factory sites that fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into a soluble form that can be taken up by plant roots.

Disease preventionKeep a heavy mulch of leaves or dry grass on paths and walkways, as well as on beds, to avoid soil splash from rain and watering. Do not wet the leaves if watering at night and make sure that:• you don’t walk among your plants in wet weather;• you rotate the bean crop each year; and• the soil is well drained. If the soil stays too wet, plant your beans in raised beds.

Good companionsBeans grow well with most vegetables, especially beetroot, carrot, celery, mealies, potatoes and strawberries. Try growing marigolds and petunias in the bean patch as these plants chase beetles away from the crop.

Onions, garlic and chives interfere with the growth of beans (and peas) and should therefore not be grown with them.

Rules of thumb for planting:• Use fresh seed that has been stored in a cool dark place.• Sowing depth is usually three times the seed width.• Soak large seeds (beans, peas, marrow and squash, mealies) in water overnight. They will germinate faster.• The top five centimetres of soil should always remain moist and never be allowed to dry out. This will severely affect seed germination. • Growing your own food is the simplest way to good health. Soil for Life is a Cape Town-based NGO that teaches people how to grow good, safe food. For details about membership and workshops, phone Pat on (021) 794 4982 or look at www.soilforlife.co.za

aboVE: nitrogen-fixing legumes should have nodules scattered throughout the root system. LEFt: use fresh seed for planting.l