In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Thomas Clough Daffern, a philosopher and peace activist, explores the deep meanings behind Christmas and the Winter Solstice. He reflects on personal loss and the cyclical nature of time, illuminating how ancient wisdom informs our understanding of current events. Delve into the symbolism of the Christmas tree and the traditions of gift-giving, connecting them to historical rituals like Saturnalia. Daffern's optimism for humanity shines through as he advocates for sharing wisdom and embracing collective compassion.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Personal Loss Shapes Purpose
Thomas describes 2023 as the worst year of his life after the death of his daughter, Sophie, and other traumatic events.
He recounts how her death challenged his spiritual study of death while strengthening his resolve to continue teaching and sharing wisdom.
insights INSIGHT
Sophiophobia Explains Anti-Wisdom Forces
Thomas identifies a recurring human force he calls 'sophiophobia'—an antagonism to wisdom that seeks to suppress teachers and ideas.
He argues human history is a long struggle between increasing sapience and sophiophobic powers that control wealth and influence.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Act Now To Reopen Spiritual Gates
Do actively teach and share wisdom now rather than wait for a mythical savior; act to 'reopen the golden gate' of collective spiritual renewal.
Convene and integrate diverse religious and spiritual leaders to cultivate compassion and mutual understanding across traditions.
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In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, philosopher, educator, peace activist, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders.
Dr Daffern explains the meaning of Christmas and the Winter Solstice, reflects on cyclic time and indigenous wisdom, and shares his own recent reckonings with death and loss.
Dr Daffern reveals the esoteric and mythic symbolism of the Christmas tree, mistletoe, gift giving, and even Father Christmas himself.
Dr Daffern also shares his thoughts on the current world situation, why he is an optimist about the future of civilisation, and why he believes it is the moral duty of those with knowledge and power to share it with the world.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep339-christmas-the-winter-solstice-dr-thomas-clough-daffern
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics Include:
00:00 - Intro
00:50 - How Thomas spends this time of year
03:02 - The worst year of Thomas’ life
04:19 - Death of Thomas’ daughter
07:30 - Reckoning with death
10:14 - What the traditions say about the current world situation
12:14 - Druids and cyclical time
12:52 - Increasing wisdom in the world
13:18 - Sophia-phobia
15:11 - Why Thomas is an optimist about the future
18:07 - The meaning of Winter Solstice
18:12 - Christmas and Mithraism
19:34 - Megalithic civilisations and prehistorical religion
25:39 - The Golden Bough and indigenous European wisdom
26:54 - Death and rebirth
29:21 - Rituals and symbols of Christmas
31:23 - Symbolism of the Christmas tree
33:34 - The meaning of “Christmas”
34:31 - Symbolism of mistletoe
35:40 - Symbolism of present giving
36:37 - Thomas comments on peace in the Middle East
37:59 - Is symbolism and the esoteric only for an elite minority?
41:29 - The aristocratic hippy and sharing wisdom
42:37 - The moral duty to share knowledge and power
44:52 - Symbolism of Father Christmas / Santa Claus
46:15 - Concluding thoughts
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Previous episodes with Dr Thomas Clough Daffern:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daffern
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To find our more about Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, visit:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-clough-daffern-phd-6a3463a
- https://interfaithpeacetreaty.wordpress.com/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
Guru Viking Podcast