OUR LOCAL COSMOS – T’SHUVAH

ASK THE HEAVENLY WOMAN GUIDE YOU TO GOODNESS

ELUL 5784

The month before the High Holy Days, Elul is uniquely powerful.

The Letters of Elul—Alef, Lamed, Vav, and Lamed (אלול)—are an acronym for “Ani L’dodi v’Dodi Li” (I am for my Beloved, and my beloved is mine) from Song of Songs. Spiritual intimacy is in the local cosmos: intimacy with the Beloved on high and intimacy with the beloved on Earth. 

Sefer Yetzirah teaches that Elul cannot be separated from the constellation Virgo, the woman in the Heavens. They both manifest through the Hebrew letter yud (י), which rules this month.

Heavenly Mother Virgo is here now, guiding humanity to find true goodness. The letter yud is the smallest in the Aleph Bet and the first in the Four-Letter Name. It represents the spark of the Divine found in all matter. Since it rules this month of Elul, showing The Creator’s Presence, Sh’khinah, is accessible during this time.

T’SHUVAH AND RETURN

Elul is the time for T’shuvah (תשובה), often translated as “repentance.” The root of the word includes shin bet (שב), which translates as return, sit, rest; it is the root for Shabbat. T’shuvah, then, points to “Returning to Source.” Returning to our spiritual roots is a guiding light, providing us with support and direction. 

Returning to Source is an invitation to reconnect with our essential selves and strip away the distractions in our lives and environment. It’s a journey that brings us back to our spiritual roots, grounding us in our true essence. 

Finding the dominant noise sources is critical. This noise can manifest from many sources: The constant presence of high and lower frequency electrical signals in our homes and worspaces, the ongoing deluge of information and disinformation, and the yearnings of our hearts can get distorted if left unchecked.  

Many people do not know what their work is in this lifetime or what brings them joy. Too often, happiness and success are linked in the human psyche to money. Consequently, it is common for people to spend a considerable part of their lives chasing after money. This mindset can dominate, and holy souls can forget why we earn a living.

A lucrative job has benefits for sure, and It can also distract us from our life’s purpose.

LESS IS MORE

Ideally, we recognize our calling because it brings us joy and satisfaction. Then, we can work it, grow meaning, and cultivate relationships. Less, most often, is, indeed, so much more. Balance is not just a concept; it’s a tool that can help us navigate our lives with reassurance and control.

ELUL, VIRGO, AND THE HEAVENLY WOMAN

Virgo, the heavenly mother, is here to help us discern true goodness. In classical Kabbalah, T’shuvah is linked with Binah (Understanding), the heavenly mother.

When we work with Binah Energy, we work on the level of intention. When we shift intention, change in action follows naturally.

Binah is one of the upper three S’firot. She sits just above the lower seven, like a mother bird nourishing her young. She loves, guides, and nourishes her eggs. We and all creation are “her eggs”, as it were.

BINAH CONSCIOUSNESS, ELUL, AND INTENTION

Binah is an aspect of The Divine that deeply resonates within me. I envision her as a wise female presence, endlessly patient with a gentle smile. My goal is to deepen my connection with her, and while I may not always succeed, her love and acceptance inspire me to keep trying.

Twenty-plus years ago, I decided to leave my lucrative day job. I yearned to immerse myself in the wisdom of the Torah and the ancestors, bringing their essence into daily life for community and myself. This choice was scary. It meant a significant lifestyle shift. Yet, this decision has been pivotal to my journey. The benefits living more simply and infinitely rewarding.

I hope you, too, find connecting with the aspect of Binah, High understanding, Virgo that is ruling the heavens now, and Elul not only elevating, but useful onyour journey.

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