In this reflection of an etymosophical nature, we will take our cue from a note, a particular colouring of the year we are living, which deserves to be kept in our hearts: the “craft” connected to the year 6.2 of the Table of the Plan is “the Custodian of the Sacred”.
In Asserting the Planetary Plan it is in fact explained that Goal 6.2 “Space – Infinity. Bases of the New Religion” is related to the role of the Functionary who has this task: it is his duty, as “Custodian of the Sacred”, the magisterium of personifying a flame that in this annual cycle reverberates on all those who follow the steps of the Table of the Plan. [1]
This year’s Goal, 6.2, is symmetrical, with respect to the diagonal of the Table of the Plan, to Goal 2.6, “Science of Space Relations. Astrology”, whose craft is “the Navigator of Heaven”, who “must find the route among the celestial lights” [2]: the sacredness of the infinite ways of the Heavens, recognised by all peoples, is mirrored in the sacredness of earthly paths, guarded by men who tend to know how to contain infinite space in their hearts. The line of force that vibrates between these two Goals is the compass needle that points now to the Heavens and now to the Earth, depending on the point of view, but that in any case helps us to orient ourselves in the apparent multiplicity of paths, in order to recognise in Space and in the Infinite the real and authentic way that lives on the Unity of the Whole.
As Agni Yoga suggests: [3]
The word sacred is completely out of use. Sacrilege has replaced sacredness. Many are the possible applications of the word sacred on Earth, but men have cast out the most beautiful. When thought wandered from the sacred destination of Being, the very meaning of Being evaporated. The manifestation of supreme concordance is a sacred act of the spirit. The sacred union is the foundation of all Be-ness. […]
The job of “Custodian of the Sacred” instantly triggers the idea of responsibility for such a task: let us remember that this word radiates from its core a powerful impulse that originally developed from the intent of the ritual dialogue between Earth and Heaven, since the Latin verb from which it derives, respondere is composed of the particle re, indicating action of returning, and of spondere, “to solemnly promise before the deity”, from the Indo-European root *SPEND– which expresses the concept of libation in honour of the gods – pouring a liquid, wine or honey or milk, onto the altar fire – together with the raising of a ritual chant and the attestation of an irrevocable vow.
Note the idea of “libation”, indicating in antiquity the sacrificial offering of liquid elements which, when poured onto the fire by the altar, would evaporate, symbolising the transmutation of the densest matter into a volatile substance, consonant with higher levels of creation.
The term derives from the Latin libatio, from the Indo-European root *LĪ -, which is made up of the following sound elements: “motion that dissolves and liberates [l] continuously [ī]”, “liquefy”, “melt”, “release”.
See Sanskrit lī, liquefy, dissolve; laya, dissolution, cosmic absorption; Greek leibo, pour drop by drop; loibé, libation; eleutheróô (in which the initial e is prothetic), liberate. [4]
Interestingly, the ideas of offering, liberation of the spiritual essence and transmutation are intertwined in this word: because of this assonance, the Sanskrit term Laya also indicates a particular type of yoga. [5]
Along with the symbolic value of the ancient rituals, it is worth remembering that [6]:
A particular confusion has gathered around the problem of offering sacrifices. […] What can be a worthy offering to the Highest Spirit? Verily, only the most purified spiritual striving. Such a basic link serves as the best guarantee of sincere reverence. Such sacrifice is a vital necessity in bringing the best blossom of the heart to the Altar of The Supreme. […]
The Indo-European matrix of the Latin word sacer, sacred, is yet to be identified with certainty, although the concept of a relationship with the Heavens is well established: the root could be *SAC-/*SAG-, expressing the idea of “adhering to the divine”; or *SAC-, meaning “following the divinity”; or *YAJ-, suggesting the concept of “advancing [Y] straight and forward [AJ] as a sign of offering”, “heading towards the heavens”, “offering a sacrifice”. The latter suggestion is advanced by the linguist Rendich, and stems from a comparison of ancient languages: Sanskrit yaj, “to offer in sacrifice”, “to honour with prayers and oblations”; Greek agizo, “to consecrate”; Latin sacro, “to offer to the gods”. [7]
Agni Yoga gives us innumerable exhortations to “offer”:
In its essence, the heart is an organ of higher action and giving; that is why every act of giving partakes of the nature of the heart. Every positive Teaching enjoins giving. Such an affirmation is truly practical, for without giving, the heart does not endure. Naturally, one has to understand giving in all its justice. […] True giving is of the spirit. Let every heart pour forth streams of spiritual gifts. Not without cause is it said that every beat of the heart is a smile, a tear, and gold. […] [8]
To summarise, we report here a concept developed in other pages of this blog, where elaborating on the ideas of the Lambdoma Space, we defined Sacrifice (Vortex 1.7) as the “Power of Love”, which unlocks the Mystery (7/1), the “sacred gate of Infinity”: it transmutes all that exists, freeing its divine potentiality.
Another passage of Agni Yoga assimilates the concept of sacrifice to the idea of service:
The law of sacrifice demands of humanity the offering of its best elements. When the spirit of man will grasp the fact that striving for the higher achievement is the most essential action, he will cling to the Cosmic Magnet; and the concept of sacrifice will then take on the meaning of service to the Highest Reason. […] When the affirmation of life consciousness awakens all subtle faculties the law of sacrifice is then understood as the highest achievement. [9]
[…] Why is the Service called great? Because it approaches the Infinite. […] [10]
Lastly, let us examine the word “custodian”, which expresses at its core the idea of “an embracing defence”, since it derives from the Indo-European root *(S)KEU-, meaning to defend, to cover with strength. It should be noted that in this etymon the initial consonant K […] was symbolic of the curvilinear motion of celestial bodies in space and represented the creative energy of the universe […] and that the word “sky” itself, in ancient Latin kaelum, meant “comes with curvilinear motion” [11]. The sound u, expanded into eu, in turn expresses the idea of strength: ancient languages, e.g. Sanskrit gudhami, have retained the concept of “standing on guard with energy”, while modern ones, e.g. English hide, have developed that of concealing in order to protect. After all, the spiritual essence “is hidden” in the heart of every atom.
On the necessity and energy of “defence”, a passage from Agni Yoga explains that: [12]
The flaming sword is a ray of the spiritual armor. […] Even the most peace-loving images have affirmed a sword. This does not express a desire to coerce, but it does indicate a readiness to defend the most sacred. […]
Let us recall that the first exhortation of the entire Teaching of Agni Yoga is expressed with the word “guard”, associated with the idea of holiness which, in extreme synthesis, we can define as “the testifying of the sacred”: [13]
By holiness in life, guard the precious Gem of Gems.
Aum Tat Sat Aum!
I am thou, thou art I—parts of the Divine Self. […]
Let us end on a note that is a wish: a resolute commitment to respond to the sacredness of Heaven, towards which the gaze of all peoples has always turned, consecrating ourselves to the joyful service of participating in the progress of the One Humanity, capable of guarding the spiritual essence that is a unifying factor in Creation and of adhering with intimate and smiling solemnity to the rhythmic dance of the celestial Community of which the Earth is part.
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Today, as it always happens at intervals of about three months, the heliocentric conjunction between Mercury and Neptune occurs, associated with the harmony of language.
[1] In Asserting the Planetary Plan, p. 33, you can find the Lambdoma in which the crafts related to the Goals are identified.
[2] Quote from Asserting the Planetary Plan, p. 66
[3] Agni Yoga Series, Infinity I § 95
[4] Franco Rendich, Comparative etymological dictionary of classical Indo-European languages: Indo-European – Sanskrit – Greek – Latin
[5] “[…] It might also be stated that initiation is a method whereby the circulation of energies is furthered by the opening or the awakening of certain planetary and human centres to the impact of their ray quality, potency and divine intention. It is this statement which lies at the heart of the teaching on Laya Yoga or the Science of the Centres.” (Alice A. Bailey – Rays and the Initiations, p. 557
[6] Agni Yoga Series, Fiery World II § 366.
[7] Franco Rendich, Op. cit.
[8] Agni Yoga Series, Heart § 386
[9] Agni Yoga Series, Infinity II § 501
[10] Agni Yoga Series, Hierarchy § 442
[11] Franco Rendich, Op. cit., p. 13.
[12] Agni Yoga Series, Heart § 157.
[13] Agni Yoga Series, Leaves of Morya’s Garden, The Call § 1
