|
Holidays of the Church of
Celestine Light
There are four major holidays (Holy Days) in the church, which
coincide with the equinoxes and solstices.
Spring Equinox: Excelsior: Celebration of Renewal
Summer Solstice: Vitalta: Celebration of Life
Fall Equinox: Majakpler: Celebration of Abundance
Winter Solstice: Luminaire: Celebration of Light
Spring Equinox: Excelsior - Celebration of Renewal
During the spring time, in the northern hemisphere, new life
begins to come forth. Buds prepare to blossom; young grasses and
plants begin to peek through the soil and shoot up into the
sunlight, bees are starting to stir, the eggs of insects laid in
the fall are getting ready to hatch, and birds and animals are
preparing for the births of the newborns.
In the church this is a time we set aside to consider our own
renewal. During the week preceding the Equinox we fast during
the day and eat only a simple meal at sunrise and a simple
dinner after sunset. We refrain from sexual activity and look
introspectively at our life as we seek a closer communion with
God. We recognize the mistakes we have made during the year and
through prayer and the righting of wrongs, seek to repent of our
errors of the past, casting their weight off of our backs, and
are able to go forth in our lives with our heads raised higher,
in greater virtue and with better character.
On the day of the Equinox we celebrate with a feast, and to our
friends and family who are present, ask forgiveness for our
imperfections and mistakes, proclaim our love and affection, and
promise to be a better father, wife, son, daughter or friend as
appropriate.
Summer
Solstice: Vitalta: Celebration of Life
Vitalta
celebrates the birth of Yeshua of Nazareth, the greatest light
unto the world, who was born on the day of greatest light in the
northern hemisphere, the summer solstice. This is a time amidst
all of life's challenges, to reflect upon our journey in
mortality. Vitalta is a time to remember our purposes in life,
to recommit ourselves to becoming a better person in every way.
It is also
a time of joining together with family and community in joy,
laughter, music, dance, games and watching and participating in
performing arts.
There is a
feast on Vitalta where extra effort is made to produce
outstanding foods that are both nutritious and delicious, to
remind us that good food should also be a part of a fulfilling
life. This is a day of true celebration. The birthday party for
Yeshua.
Part of
the tradition is for each person to make or offer something of
their creativity or talents: art, food, clothing, jewelry, a
massage, etc. All the gifts are numbered and pieces of paper
with each gifts number on it are put in a bag. Then each person
who is contributing a gift, draws from the bag to discover their
surprise.
Fall
Equinox: Majakpler: Celebration of Abundance
At the
time of the fall equinox we celebrate the local church Family of
Light we are a part of, as well as the blessings of abundance of
all types that we enjoy, even though we may live in humble
means. There is a great feast to celebrate the harvest and we
give thanks in word and celebration festivities to Elohim for
the beautiful world that was made for us to live upon and we
consider how we can be better stewards of the Earth.
During
Majakpler we have talks and demonstrations elaborating on some
of the principles of health and longevity revealed in our
church.
This
celebration is also a time of sharing with those less fortunate
and to reach out to the larger community around us. A special
effort is made to invite non-members to come and share in the
joy, food and festivities of Majakpler. We take special note of
the examples Yeshua gave in his life and make special efforts to
be of service to mankind, beginning with our local Family of
Light, and then our larger church family, and finally our local
community. As it is a time of equal day and night, we reflect
upon our own dual nature, how we desire the light but are
tempted by the darkness; how important balance is in our lives,
to be well-rounded and non-fanatical; and how to make good
choices and take wise actions that increase our light and
restrain our temptations, making us greater masters of
ourselves.
Winter
Solstice: Luminaire: Celebration of Light
Luminarie
ends on the day of the winter solstice and begins 30 days before
that date. It is a celebration and reflection upon the marvelous
light Yeshua of Nazareth brought into the world. It is a
symbolic time as in the northern hemisphere the solstice is the
time of greatest darkness, like the darkness the world was in
before Yeshua came and showed by his life and teachings the
brightness of the light that can be. We put up many lights,
especially inside the house, and of many colors to remind us
that Yeshua brought not only great light into the world for us
to live by, but also a fullness and balance of light.
During
Luminaire members twelve and over participate in a modified fast
to help attain a greater personal spirituality and communion
with God and to be more cognizant of the poor who often must go
without meals every day of the year. We eat two simple meals a
day; one before or shortly after sunrise, and one after sunset,
eliminating all snacks and desserts during this time. We also
refrain from any type of sexual activity during the fast. Along
with the fast, this restraint helps us to focus more intently
upon our spiritual needs and energy. This is an important time,
not only to establish a closer relationship with God, but also
to make a concentrated effort to better develop our personal
spiritual gifts and abilities. It is a time to learn greater
patience and humility. It is also a time to make extra efforts
individually and as a church family to help the poor and less
fortunate.
Luminaire
ends with a feast among family and close friends on the day of
the solstice and an exchange of gifts with our loved ones,
symbolic of the gifts Yeshua gave to all of us by his teachings,
the example of his life, and his resurrection.
Send
This Page To a Friend
|
