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Editorial
By Jason Rath
Early today I watched a news report on East Germany opening its gates to allow
thousands to leave the country. At the time, I was reading a book I highly recommend:
David Hoffmann's The Holistic Herbal. On pages 13-15, David discusses Gaia and Holistic
thought. It seems very appropriate for these times so I quote several passages:
The word (holistic) has its roots in the Greek holos or whole. Arthur Koestler used it
to coin the word `holon' in his attempt to explain how subsystems can act as wholes,
though they are parts of larger systems. These subsystems are holons. They may be people,
ecosystems or individual cells. Each holon has two opposite tendencies: an integrative
tendency to function as part of a greater whole, and a self-assertive tendency to preserve
its individual autonomy. The health of any level of organization demands that these
opposite but complementary tendencies be in dynamic balance. There must be a harmony
between integration and self-assertion that makes the whole system flexible and open to
change.
It becomes clear that when one considers the whole topic of healing, whether medical or
societal, one must view the needs of the individual, or the organ, in context of the
greater whole in which they exist. One must focus on the relationship between the
individual and society, between organs and organism . . .. A wind of change is blowing
from deep within the spiritual roots of humanity, moving us forward, waking us up . . ..
While the problems remain the same the quality of viewing them as wholes within wholes
will enhance our approach to them.
After reading these words, I heard what Ronald Reagan had said about the Berlin Wall:
As long as the great wall in Germany divided the German people, it divided the world, and
freedom for all people in this world was still at risk. This made me think about what the
New Age in all its forms represents: a struggle for life against total death.
Religion and politics which divide man against man and Man against nature continue to
exist, we will still live in a world of hatred, fear and greed. We need to remind
ourselves that we are brothers and sisters. We are not separate from nature, or from
Divinity. Man is one with divinity and nature. Slowly more and more are realizing this. We
must actively seek out and destroy "division."
Unnatural division is the seed of evil in all things. I believe this is Satan—the
unnatural division between humans and nature, man and woman, divinity and life. Unnatural
division destroys compassion and natural equality. Anything which encourages unnatural
division encourages what some call evil. Only by realizing the needs of the individual in
context with the needs of the whole (the whole within the whole) can life continue. This
is not to say that we all must act and believe identically. We must allow the freedom to
act and believe as each of us chooses; yet we must also consider needs of the whole,
mankind and nature itself.
In politics a great step towards wholeness has be taken. The wall which separated human
from human in Germany has been removed, at least for a time. But we must also tear down
the walls that encircle each one of us—envy, hatred, religion, sex, money, pride,
ignorance. They all must be torn down in the individual as well as those between Man and
nature. These walls are but illusions which threaten the existence of life itself.
Welcome to the fifth issue of the Rose & Quill. The 80's are behind us; now we move
into a new era. Let's all help make the 90's a time of peace and compassion; a time to put
down our fears and look into the future with courage and faith; a time to heal the wounds
of the Earth. A time to restore the balance that we have lost for so long. Let all the
peoples of the Earth may live in harmony.
I hope you will continue to support the Rose & Quill with your donations of
artwork, news and articles. Right now we especially need submissions on magickal and
hermetic topics such as ceremonial and ritual magick, Golden Dawn practices, yoga,
Egyptian magick, Qabbalah and laboratory alchemy, alchemy, alchemy! As of yet, we have not
published much material related to magickal or alchemical topics. If you or someone you
know would care to take the time to sit down and type an article or two we sure would
appreciate your help. If just three of four of our readers would do this it would help us
out a great deal. Please address your submissions care of the appropriate topical
department (e.g., an article on magick addressed "attn. Magick"). Right now we
are trading business card size ads and free issues for your submissions. We hope to be
able to pay $ soon.
I many have answers which could greatly aid others on the path. But some hold on to
these answers unless you pay them a large sum of money, or have green eyes, or like what
they like. I have never agreed with this form of teaching. Help us to drop the dollar
value of their so called secrets. I have many questions and many answers, so do you.
Working together we can help each other along a noble path. We can start by sharing.
Thank you and Blessed Be!
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