e·piph·a·ny
/əˈpifənē/
noun
noun: Epiphany; noun: epiphany; plural noun: epiphanies
1. the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).
2. the festival commemorating the first Epiphany on January 6.
3. a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being.
4. a moment of sudden revelation or insight.
The concept of the Epiphany we Christians commemorate on January the 6th has previously revolved around the first three definitions. We Americans, Christian and otherwise, have been recently introduced to the fourthand most currently relevant definition of the word.
The Insurrection at the Capitol was in fact a clear epiphany. It was in fact ‘a moment of sudden revelation and insight’ to the citizens of our nation. In fact, the willful violence, vitriol and hatred displayed was a shock to the entire world. At the surface there were hordes of mostly privileged armed and angry White men intent on having their way and willing to do damage and defy authority in order to make it happen.
As time has elapsed since what has been defined as an attempted coup, it has become clear how intentional, in depth and well prepared these White nationalist terrorists were.
These Insurgents built upon and displayed their radicalized extremist actions, philosophies and mores that fly in the face of American values and laws. The basis of their action was their claimed superiority and because of this notion of superiority it is their position that they could impose and inflict their will over the will of the nation.
This behavior was a shock to many. Not all, but many. Black Americans were not shocked or surprised by the storming of the halls of our democracy as we have lived our lives in this land subject to the tyrannical rule of those laws and mores which reflect this poisoned philosophy.
Blacks have lived lives in this nation subject to the rule of a power structure designed to oppress and punish at every opportunity.
And if anyone ever had a question about the existence of inequality of treatment in America, The Epiphany at the Capitol made it abundantly clear. There is a completely different set of rules and consequences for misbehavior and rule breaking in America for White men and Black men; even if it is the perception of rule breaking.
Bookended by January 6, 2021 and the violence leashed out upon Black Lives Matters protesters throughout the summer of 2020 the official responses couldn’t have been more obviously appalling in their disparity. Inequality doesn’t even define it.
But, being subject to an unequal, irrational, unpredictable, often cruel and violent and always depreciative, power structure has been the ongoing case for Black folks in America from the beginning. Subject to a continual denial of rights, privileges, opportunity and access to Blacks is the unfortunate and very real system under which the US operates.
Our country was developed by White men with the belief that Blacks were inferior to Whites and women were inferior to men. America is currently in the midst of wrestling itself out of that notion.
The first definition of the Epiphany was established when the Three Wise men from the East followed the Star of Bethlehem as they were foretold to seek by ancient prophesy. They arrived at ‘the sight where He lay’ guided by the ‘Star’ on January 6, the 12th Day of Christmas, some call 12th Night.
The Wise men brought to the Christ child their precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh thus establishing Epiphany which is celebrated by many cultures as the time of the gift giving of the Christmas season.
Back to the fourth definition, this recent January 6, this ‘moment of sudden revelation or insight’ at our nation’s Capitol, delivered a precious gift for the many deniers and unbelievers of our country. Delivered on the 12th Day of Christmas correlates with the visitation by the Three Wise men, who brought precious gifts, to the Messiah.
The Star of Bethlehem has been determined to have been a conjunction of 3 planets, so bright it was said to have ‘continued both day and night’ and lead the three to the Manger.
The Winter Solstice, December 21st heralds the three darkest days of the year. The Ancients recognized that the 24th marked the eve of return of the Sun once again increasing its light upon the Earth. The Solstice brings the Earth out of the darkness and into the light.
Winter Solstice 2021once again brought us planets in conjunction while heralding the emergence from the darkness into the light. This time two planets, Jupiter which represents blessings, good luck, expansion, growth and fulfillment moved into conjunction and Saturn which represents limitations, hurdles and challenges. And both of these planets moved from the Astrological sign of Capricorn to the sign of Aquarius.
Some will recall that the coming of the Age of Aquarius is expected to bring with it a great positive change for all humanity. A change, from the old ways to the New Age where revelations of truth and the expansion of consciousness unfold for humanity, and where some people will experience enlightenment and new leaders will come forth to bring us out of the darkness an into the light.
The good news is that change is underway. And the forces of the New Age are continuing to mount. By February 11 which brings about the New Moon in Aquarius, several other planets will move from Capricorn into Aquarius moving further away from the old order and conjunct these powerful planets set to assist us into seeing new visions for the future.
The entire planet is subject to the new forces of planetary influences. Look at what is going on in Russia. This move calls for a transformation in our understanding of reality and a paradigm shift to create new and better world based in compassion, love, understanding, justice and peace.
Today many of those who supported Trump are beginning to realize that they have been played. The Big Lie has become apparent. They are confused and disoriented because their expansion of consciousness is underway.
Republican legislators with any sense of righteousness who experienced the mob violence are turning their thoughts to new leadership and leaning towards cooperation.
So, although the Insurrection at the Capitol was and is disturbing with the carnage, destruction, violence and hatred it showed, it needed to be displayed.
We cannot change what we cannot see, what remains hidden will not and cannot be changed. So, January the 6th, The New American Epiphany, was in deed a gift of revelation. It is now our turn to accept the gift and make the change. But it won’t happen overnight and it must be intentional.
We must choose Truth over Lie, Light over Darkness, Good over Evil and we must choose again and again. It won’t be easy or comfortable.
We have to expect it. Embrace it. Recognize it. Express it. Encourage it. Enhance it. Maximize it. Own it. Dream it. Live it. Love it. The Age of Aquarius.
