Sophian.org

[Tau Malachi]

The Feast of John the Baptist

Following the Feast of the Mother and Child at winter solstice, on February 2nd we celebrate the Feast of John the Baptist or Feast of the Baptism. This is the time in the solar year of the increase or extension of light, which represents the dawn of Divine Illumination in Master Yeshua, the movement of his earthly ministry and preaching of the Gospel of Truth – the Path to Enlightenment. According to the Sophian Gnostic tradition Yeshua is not born the Messiah, but becomes the Messiah at his baptism in the Sacred Jordan by John the Baptist, when the Spirit of Messiah enters into him and he becomes enlightened. It is said that he had two teachers, one who taught him the law and scriptures and another who taught him the mystical tradition, but it is said that the prophet John was his holy tzaddik, the spiritual teacher and guide who completed his spiritual training and who initiated him. The baptism represents an initiation or empowerment through which the spiritual life and practice of Master Yeshua is brought to fruition; hence, the reception of Light Transmission, the integration of which is represented by his spiritual retreat and temptation in the desert.

On one hand, in this Solar High Rite we celebrate John the Baptist as the reincarnation of the prophet Elijah, as the prophet of the Gospel and tzaddik of the Messiah. It is viewed as the fulfillment of the promise made by Elijah to Elisha in a previous incarnation of “twice the power of the prophet,” the fruition of discipleship. On the other hand, we celebrate the enlightenment of Master Yeshua, the coming into being of the Messiah and the reception of the Gospel of Truth. Essentially, we are celebrating the mystery of a new gradation of Light Transmission made manifest through John the Baptist and Yeshua Messiah – the Supernal Light Transmission, which supersedes the succession of the prophets and becomes the foundation of the Gnostic Apostolic Succession. Thus, John is as the midwife in the birth of the Messiah within Yeshua and the ministry of Lord Yeshua emerges from the sacred circle of John the Baptist – the Continuum of Light Transmission manifest at a higher grade.

This reflects the Sophian Gnostic view of Yeshua Messiah – he is a realized or enlightened being, embodying Supernal or Messianic Consciousness, recognizing the innate unity of the Human One with God and Godhead; he is a *Gnostic Revealer* who opens the way to enlightenment and liberation, and who imparts teachings and initiation through which the enlightenment experience transpires, the Gnostic experience.

In the Sophian view the prophetic succession was founded upon the realization of higher grades of mental consciousness and, specifically upon the experience of cosmic consciousness and the corresponding grade of Light Transmission. Although a very lofty grade of realization within the present condition of humankind, it is not full enlightenment and therefore does not liberate the soul-stream from the gilgulim and Entirety. The Supernal or Supramental Consciousness, however, is beyond the mental and vital consciousness, and represents full enlightenment that liberates the soul-stream; hence, the fruition of Divine Gnosis, the Human One of Light, embodied in Master Yeshua, Yeshua Messiah.

This is the mystery we explore and celebrate in the Feast of the Baptism, and within this mystery there are many mysteries, so from year to year the mysteries we focus upon can change. Yet, the very essence of this High Rite is found within a simple practice given to every novice in the Sophian lineage: we go within and abide within, holding a conscious intention to open to the Mother’s Force, the Light from above – we invoke and we celebrate our own experience of Inner Baptism by the Divine Light and Fiery Intelligence, the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps we might focus upon John the Baptist and his teachings, or perhaps we might focus upon the mystery of discipleship; perhaps we may focus in the event of the baptism in the Sacred Jordan and associated mysteries, or perhaps the retreat into the desert and temptation following – we may even focus on mysteries of the preaching of the Holy Gospel and the spiritual labor of the Master’s earthly ministry. Whatever the focus may be in a given year, inwardly we invoke and remember the reception of the Light from above and the awakening of the Fiery Intelligence in us – the Initiation imparted by the Holy Spirit through which enlightenment and liberation transpires.

According to the masters of the tradition there is an outer, inner and secret baptism, corresponding to the baptism of water, fire and the spirit; the mystery of the baptism can be very different, depending upon the gradation of baptism being explored. Yet, truly, these “three baptisms” are as cycles of one baptism, for as we see with Master Yeshua all three may transpires simultaneously, as one movement of the Holy Spirit.

As with all of the Solar High Rites in the Sophian tradition there is no set liturgy or formula of ritual for this holy feast; but rather, following the general theme, we focus upon one or more aspects of this mystery of the Holy Gospel, and fashion a ritual or psycho-drama based upon it, and as in all Solar Rites, at some point, we celebrate a Wedding Feast of bread and wine.

This is the second holy feast of the solar year, which is followed by the Feast of the Crucifixion and Resurrection on the vernal equinox, our “Easter” in the Sophian tradition.

May we be blessed to receive the Light from above and to bring our baptism to fruition in Divine Gnosis, the Risen Christ; amen.

Blessings & shalom!

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Tau Malachi
Sophia Fellowship
Ecclesia Pistis Sophia