Brazil is burning
In Brazil the Amazon, the lungs of the earth, is burning and, figuratively speaking, so are cities such as São Paulo. The spiritual fire of St John provides a contrast to this.
In Brazil the Amazon, the lungs of the earth, is burning and, figuratively speaking, so are cities such as São Paulo. The spiritual fire of St John provides a contrast to this.
Particularly in the slum areas, the existing wound had been made even more evident by the pandemic and the lockdown: the most basic provisions such as water, soap, food and healthcare are lacking. Children and youngsters are often without emotional support. What used to give them joy in life – being with their friends, with those who love them, who paint, play or practise Capoeira with them – was suddenly taken away because of the curfew. All this is a trial of strength: had the children been able to develop enough resilience in the day nurseries and schools before Corona? In addition to all that, there is the political turmoil in the country. I think that is the mood the girl was trying to express in her drawing.
Looking at ‘fire’ as an image brings us to the St Johns fire. There will be no outer fire this year, no personal meetings with music, corn dishes and quadrilha dancing. But we can still ignite the fire within us, especially because we cannot meet in person, we can, thanks to the technology, connect via Zoom with people in the most remote parts of the country, and beyond, in Poland, Africa, Latin-America and other countries for a virtual Whitsun festival!
After the initial shock, people in the anthroposophical movement are wondering what Corona is trying to tell us. How can we connect even more deeply with Brazil’s open wounds and with our time? What is our task? How can the will to heal be strengthened in us so that we not only think and feel what is good, but actually do it, as Rudolf Steiner admonished us, in the spirit of Uriel?