fourhares.com
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- Welcome
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- Philosophy & Kabalah
- Anthroposophy
- Freemasonry
- Tarot
- about jmd
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Welcome
The above tabs contain introductory comments on the following areas, from which are linked further pages:
About this site
Fourhares began for content predominantly reflecting four broad fields of a more personal interest. These fields are the manner in which four impulses find expression and manifest in myself: for others these take different forms. The general fourfold impetus presented are: seeking to understand the world (philosophy); individual vivifying praxis (anthroposophy); social sacredness (freemasonry); and sacred art (tarot). These could as easily be listed (amongst other possibilities) as theology; hermeticism; worship & sacred drama; and art.
It should be apparent that people who may similarly be involved in any one of the specific fields mentioned may not develop an interest in the others as listed.
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Petroglyph from Lyon Notre Dame Cathedral, France
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Fourhares simply reflects my eclectic interests, syncretically weaved in a personal style.
Mediæval triple-hares, and why “fourhares”…
I've been fascinated by the geometry, riddle, claimed symbolic meaning, and optical illusion of mediæval representations from various parts the world that show three hares (or deer) arranged in such a way that their ears are drawn in common — resulting in three ears for three hares. In 2005, when in Lyon (France), I saw upon its Notre Dame Cathedral a petroglyph of the same concept, save that here were four hares, as photographed above.
So why 'fourhares'? when selecting a domain name that initially focussed on four areas of more esoteric and, for myself at any rate, interconnected and personal interests, the option ‘fourhares’ simply rose to the fore. So here we are!
The left-hand panel showing a repeated pattern is from a Roman era mosaïc, edited a little to feign vertical tessellation as well as to remove the menacing jaws of a wolf (L. Lupus) from near the hare (L. Lepus). In Egyptian hieroglyph (top left-hand image), the hare stands for the sound 'wn' ('un'), meaning both 'to be' as well as 'to open' – and Wepuat was an epithet for the (hare-headed) god who opened the way into the afterlife (thus closely connected, and sometimes said to be identical, with Anubis or Osiris).
The Lupus-Lepus, ie, 'wolf-hare' (or hound-rabbit) relationship is also found in later representations, such as Basil Valentinus's alchemical works – to the right is his three-hare Venus image.
Hidden and password protected pages
For participants of either my online courses or mesg, please email me if you cannot locate the appropriate pages.
Also, some pages on this site are incomplete: chances are, they were created to answer specific questions that, serving the purpose, have remained 'as is' for the present.
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Publications
Top ten recommendations:
books and tarot
For a more complete list of recommended books, tarot decks, and software, see my > recommendation page
In the classic scenario as to what I'd take if I knew I'd be stuck in some isolated location for a prolonged period, here is my short-list.
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The Occidental esoteric and spiritual tradition is grounded, first and foremost, in the Tanakh and New Testament. The difficulty for me would be to only bring one copy and translation, with so much therein inevitably missing – including a sense as to what Hebrew and Greek terms were used. Still, I'd opt for the New Jerusalem Bible as about the most accurate (as far as I can tell). What would be wonderful is to have a single text that included the Tanakh in its original, with the Septuagint translation adjacent, and its New Jerusalem adjacent that, all with annotations and footnotes, bringing various references and sources together into a single work.
I'd of course like to bring various decks along, but really, with only one choice, it would have to be this most wonderful of foundational decks.
If given the choice, I'd opt for the original copy currently in the BN in Paris. Given this would unlikely be an option, J-C. Flornoy's incredible rendition would be a most wonderful companion for further meditative-imaginative work.
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Books
arranged chronologically
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This classic reflects an essential foundation to the Western Esoteric paths.
This little classic has had more influence on the history of western Europe than possibly any other book apart from the Bible... and is well worth a periodical re-read!
With Steiner, the question is which to choose when restricted to a couple of works. With Philosophy of Freedom, however, there is an absolute essential text that presents insights into humanity's humanity. Knowledge of the Higher Worlds I'd choose above some of the others simply due to its style and as a balance to the other books I've thus far chosen.
Ideally, I'd like to bring along not just one, but the various (early) translations of Philosophy of Freedom (in both English and in French) alongside the original German work. Still, if having to choose only one translation, it's a tough call between the Wilson and the Lindeman translation of the second edition – with probably the latter winning out. Given that the first edition is now also back in print, it's extremely likely I'd take that one.
This of course is not simply a book on tarot, and in this case would take the French (original) edition.
These two books are bound to become very long-term classics, with their influence and importance inversely matching their popularity.
This book is a combination of, effectively, my notes on various things and not just, in isolation, tarot.
Not only would this enable me to recall the many things I left behind – for I know that which I left out when writing – but also give me the opportunity to improve the tome. I would not, of course, expect others to list this book, but would expect anyone else who has made an extensive study to choose, amongst their top books, their own striving.
There are a number of other books I'd really like to take along as well... and they would have been left next to the door, in a pile of last minute indecisions as to what to leave behind. Amongst this pile would lie at the very top:
• B. Lonergan's Insight and Method in Theology;
• the Sefer Yetzirah (edited with a significant commentary by R. Aryeh Kaplan); and
• R. Y. Ginsburgh's The Alef-Beit
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N.B.: This section originally started out as solely on Kabalah. I am slowly altering it to reflect my more general interest in Philosophy.
Philosophical considerations - Φιλο-ΣοΦια
Perhaps this area should be considered as the core around which the other four areas (anthroposophy, kabalah, tarot and freemasonry) emerge. Philosophy not only in its more academically inclined sense, but also and essentially as ever so central to epistemological, ethical, and metaphysical foundations out of which outpours various expressions.
Epistemology
When considering epistemological considerations, I find myself in general agreement with two dominant views: the first is what is an Aristotelean-Steiner reflection that each area has its own (near unique yet multidimentional) ways of being known. Consequentially, and as an example, methods that are appropriate to knowing the plant world will likely, when applied to either physics or ethics, simply lead us to misguided judgements or oversights.
The second is the Lockean-Deely (via a Peircean detour) contributions to epistemology from semiotic considerations. In fact, I consider that these semiotic considerations also have much to play in more deeply understanding both Steiner's concept of Vorstellung and Lonergan's concept of Insight and their role in the conscious epistemological process.
Ethics
With regards to ethics, I stand squarely in agreement with Steiner's development of ethical individualism as developed in his seminal work Philosophy of Freedom, mirrored in some ways in the works of Charles Taylor (for example, in his Sources of the Self).
Its key characteristic reflects virtue ethics, which stands in contradistinction to both Kantian deontological and various consequentialist views of ethics - these last two inadequately reflecting what makes a specific act ethical (which is always an act by a specific person in the context of a specific event).
Not only the individual's motive, but also his or her characterological disposition, and her or his insight into the situation at hand all play into the moral dimension. |
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Kabalah's development and appropriation
Over time, 'Kabalah' has acquired various spellings, including 'Kabbalah', 'Cabala', and 'Qabalah' (amongst others!).
Though it arises out of a Jewish mystical tradition, it is fair to claim that various of its important contributions transcend the soil out of which the seed has germinated and continues to also blossom. In order, however, to be better grounded in the discipline and its nuances, it is perhaps fair to state that a grounding in the Jewish spiritual traditions is desirable.
Hebrew alphabet and the Tree of Life
Some of Kabalah's important elements have for some centuries become syncretised within the occidental esoteric traditions and movements. Of especial note are the Hebrew alphabet (or 'Alefbeit') and the Tree of Life. There are some, it seems, that see in Kabalah first and foremost a particular version of the glyph of the Tree of Life as its ultimate expression.
Relationship of Kabalah to other disciplines
In the Kabalah I personally see an acute development of the spiritual faculty of Inspiration, of careful listening to, as described in other context, that still and small voice that speaks within the confines of that sacred repository: one's heart.
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With regards to Anthroposophy (also referred to as Spiritual Science), I refer to two especial things. On the one hand, an understanding of the world as essentially spiritual, from and for which knowledge (science) may be obtained. On the other hand, without contradiction to the first, that body of insights provided by Rudolf Steiner in his various anthroposophical works.
Rudolf Steiner and Anthroposophy (Spiritual Science)
Rudolf Steiner, who lived between the years 1861 and 1925, established the Anthroposophical Society and was influential in providing some of the key impulses behind Waldorf education, Bio-dynamic farming, the Christian Community, some important architectural innovations, and Eurythmy - amongst other things.
This site is not about Rudolf Steiner nor Anthroposophy, but will nonetheless provide some important considerations arising out of his work on the Spiritual Science pages. In my personal view, he encapsulates the whole Anthroposophical impulse in his seminal work Philosophy of Freedom (Cf chapter nine):
To live in love of action and to let live in understanding of the other's volition, this is the fundamental maxim of the free man.
Spiritual Science in general
In order to view and understand the world from such a perspective, a number of considerations are taken as given.
Firstly, that the physical world fundamentally arises out of a manifestation of the spiritual, in which can be said to 'inhabit' various spiritual beings. In itself, then, even the physical world is, in essence, weavings of spiritual substance.
Secondly, we are ourselves spiritual beings in temporary incarnation, having before, and will again further incarnate after some time following our next death. Our time between death and rebirth is as important as our time on earth between birth and death — during which, as Steiner was said to have inadvertently stated without awareness of its English ambiguity, 'we have the time of our life'.
Thirdly, knowledge of the spiritual realms is possible and, as for any body of knowledge, requires careful study, observations, reflections, ... and reverence.
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What is Freemasonry
Freemasonry described as a 'system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols' seems to have become no more than verbal caricature, yet remains accurate. Nonetheless, I here attempt to also provide what I consider essential characteristics as to the nature of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry provides an initiatic tradition that slowly and fundamentally improves one's character, one's participation in the world, and one's relations and acceptance of fellow human beings.
Part of its own character, having a solid framework which it imparts to those who participate, also means that it has a conservative streak, its own change taken in very slow and sure steps. Societal fluctuations and mores tend to have, therefore, a slow impact on its own structure, and only when there has been a clear and unequivocal shift does Freemasonry tend to also take the step.
This combination of sure steps and solid foundations has at times resulted in the foremost social reformers arising out of its pillars, despite the fact that the order itself may not have adopted corresponding changes. A case in point is the exclusion of women in some (but not all) Freemasonic constitutions.
Fundamentals of Freemasonry
Freemasonry, based as it is on an initiatic and progressive model, is structured according to grades or degrees. Depending on the constitution and form, it may recognise 3 (Blue or Craft degrees), 33 (Ancient and Accepted or Scottish rite), or 90+ degrees (Primitive and Memphis-Misraim rite). Various constitutions have also incorporated or annexed chivalric (such as Knight Templar) and mystical grades.
Relationship of Freemasonry to other disciplines
In Freemasonry, one is called upon to act in the world. One's Will, one's moral development, and one's faculty of Intuition, are all called to be engaged.
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From whence Tarot?
Tarot has been around since at least the 15th century C.E. in one form or another. Many of its images, however, harken back to times much earlier, including masonic carvings on romanesque and lumiere (or gothic) cathedrals, churches and other religious buildings.
Some images are also reminiscent of ancient Greek, Egyptian and Babylonian depictions in paintings, carvings, bas-reliefs and writings. These latter are not, of course, specifically tarot - but neither does tarot arise in a cultural and spiritual vacuum.
Fundamentals of Tarot
Basically, a Tarot deck reflects what a Marseille-style deck has, including twenty-two Atouts, and four 'minor' suits of ten pips and four courts each. In that sense, the Marseille-style decks provide a trunk out of which has emerged various branches to other related decks, and whose roots have drawn together yet other decks and images embedded in rich European soil - a soil that is part of the whole being of the Earth, and thus itself connected intrinsically to expressions transcending national or local cultural beings.
Relationship of Tarot to other disciplines
Tarot, as for Kabalah and Freemasonry, has its peculiar focus. In this case, its expression is one of imagery which serves to acutely develop the faculty of Imagination - or, to be precise, that which Goethe calls precise imagination, which has both a moving and flexible quality as well being a spiritual sense organ.
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consultancy
My main area of educational consultancy over the past two decades has been in the development of Steiner/Waldorf education, focussing on the secondary school.
I have presented, amongst other areas, on the following topics:
- general presentation and discussion on what characterises Steiner education
- ethical individualism and epistemological considerations (arising out of Steiner's Philosophy of Freedom)
- adolescent phases as viewed from a Steiner/Waldorf educational context
- the twelve basic human senses
- computer usage and considerations pertaining to its role in schools
- FreeMasonry and Rudolf Steiner
- The incarnation of Ahriman
- The stages after death
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Though I tend to be rather over-commited these days, I am always willing to consider invitations. Contact me by email: jmd@fourhares.com
...in my own words
If you're really curious about what makes me tick, you're more likely to find this in the other pages on this site than here. Still, I've prepared below a short personal description.
my work
I've been teaching in adult education since 1987 (including University), and in secondary (ie, high school) education since 1989. Since 1995, my main employment has been teaching and (educational) administration in Steiner (Waldorf) schools and in teacher training. Some of my responsibilities over this time has also involved the national association of Steiner schools (RSSA), as well as acting on a consultancy basis for interstate schools and the development of (secondary) Steiner streams within State schools.
other active engagements
I have been involved in various offices in Masonic Lodges and other esoteric Societies, given papers on various aspects of Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism and related esoteric impulses, and been actively involved in the development and implementation of Masonic education.
In terms of anthroposophically oriented involvement (apart from teaching in both a High School and in Teacher Education), I have presented and run workshops at conferences both in Australia and overseas on Steiner's understanding of the twelve senses, on his Philosophy of Freedom, and on the anonymously written Meditations on the Tarot. I am also actively involved with Sophia Australis – the Sophia Community in Australia.
With regards to Tarot, apart from running various courses since 1990 and my book Reading the Marseille Tarot, I was one of the principal organiser for the 2005 International Tarot Conference, the annual 2009 – 2012 ATS Conventions, and a co-founder of the Association for Tarot Studies, and of course continue to give various presentations.
about me per se...
Not much to say other than to suggest perusing this site.
A healthy society flourishes when individuals implicitly trust other individuals, rather than place their over-riding trust in amorphous organisations (and I mention this quite contra Ray Kroc, of McDonalds infamy) or bureaucracies (or documentation arising from these). Furthermore, organisations need to place implicit trust in the individual. The individual in turn needs to be authentic and true to themselves, even if, as a consequence, is a non-conformist.
I quite like the description someone else once gave of themselves, so, to very closely paraphrase his words (hopefully without thereby sounding like the crowd in Monty Python's Life of Brian):
I generally prefer to do things in my own manner, and have never been a 'team player': I can work with a 'team' and for a 'team' and still not be of a 'team'. I do not wish to bask in any 'team glory' nor take credit from collective achievement. Nor, for that matter, take the blame for others’ shortcomings (unless of course they were acting under my instruction or direction or I had trained them and fallen short in that task).
I of course do come together with others for a variety of common purposes, but in the end reserve my rights, as far as is legally and contractually possible, to follow my own judgement.
This above concept of a 'team' is quite distinct to the fructifying influence at work in a community. In the latter case, the individuality of each of its members is not subsumed to the collective 'vision statement' nor the anti-individualistic 'herd' instinct, but instead respected and celebrated. This is well expressed in one of Rudolf Steiner's verse on the social realm:
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Heilsamist nur, wenn
Im Spiegel der Menschenseele
Sich bildet die ganze Gemeinschaft,
Und in der Gemeinschaft
Lebet der Einzelseele Kraft.
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Wellness only becomes when
In the mirror of each human soul
The whole community forms,
And in the community
Lives the power of each individual soul.
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My dominant personal and professional interests are reflected in the areas covered within this website, viz., Philosophy (including Kabalah), Anthroposophy and Christian Sophianic work, Freemasonry (including various 'higher' or 'side' Orders), and Tarot (especially in the canon of the classical 'Marseille'/TdM-I deck).
For those who take delight in noting characterological dispositions, here follows some commonly used differentiations using four typological models (with of course their respective attendant limitations):
- using the MBTI, I'm pretty much an INTP;
- using the more traditional temperaments, I am primarily choleric with melancholic secondary qualities;
- using the enneagramme, a 5 with a 6 'wing'; and
- astrologically (ie., natal chart both tropically as well as sidereally): Sun in Aquarius, Moon in Capricorn.
My ethical views are entirely in agreement with R. Steiner's ethical individualism as described in his Philosophy of Freedom. My spiritual orientation is Judeo-Christian (influenced and syncretised with some neo-pagan, secular-Humanist and Hindo-Buddhist elements). I am also an ordained Priest (SPLXIII).
I may add to this page in due time — but it will continue to remain a very basic one. This site remains, after all, about areas of personal interest rather than about myself, though much about me can be gleaned from its content and tone.
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Memberships
email me
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‘A government big enough to give you everything you need is a government strong enough to take everything you have’
Thomas Jefferson
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The very beginning of a future page:
> beautiful signs of the zodiac
I have periodically used an emblemetical design for a forthcoming year. Here are two, one for 2012, and the other for 2013:
> 2012 & 2013 'emblems'
The calendar of events for our little ecumenical group.
> mesg
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software
In case you've never seen HyperCard's ultimate replacement... check out
www.fourhares.com
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Keeping in touch
In January and July, email notification of what's happening is sent. This includes news about existing or forthcoming publications, courses, and other events.
> current news online
If you're interested in receiving updates by email, do subscribe.
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