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Rethinking the “Lion’s Gate”
 ​​By Thea Wirsching


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For roughly the last five years, the idea that a “Lion’s Gate Portal” opens annually on the numerologically significant day of August 8th (8/8) has mushroomed on social media.  Pop astrologers, New Age healers, and their legions of optimistic followers have perpetuated the idea that this bastard mix of numerology, Sun-sign astrology, and ancient lore portends an effortless spiritual attunement.  An August 7, 2020 article featured in Bustle, titled “August 8 is one of the Luckiest Days of the Year,” is typical. The article wrongly proclaims that “the Leo Sun and the bright star Sirius will create a cosmic alignment,” and that this will be a golden opportunity to “manifest abundance and dream big.”

I will disclose here that I believe religion is an alive and fluid thing, and that if the New Age culture would like to create a lucky day out of August 8th, then that worldwide, synchronized expectation of abundance might in itself create some magical resonance, much like what the ancient Egyptians called heka. I’m not a strict traditionalist, nor out to ruin anyone’s fun. However, the reason the Lion’s Gate trend has gotten under my skin is that its themes are so counter to the ancient holiday on which it purports to be based. Wep Ronpet, which translates to “the opening of the year,” was indeed a major festival in ancient Egypt, and it was timed to the heliacal rising of the important star Sirius.

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  • HOME
  • ABOUT PRS
    • Manly P. Hall >
      • Manly Hall, A Personal Perspective
    • PRS Board & Staff
    • Contributing Artists >
      • Guy Blakeslee
      • John Bucher
      • Sandra del Castillo
      • Devon Deimler
      • Edgar Fabian Frias
      • Mandy Kahn
      • David Orr
      • Marina Pacowski
      • Stephen Reedy
      • Fahad Siadat
      • Eliza Swann
    • Press
  • EVENTS
    • Past Events
    • Online Classes
    • Videos on Demand
  • EXHIBITIONS
  • Library
  • PRS Journal
    • Past Issues >
      • India
      • Winter Festivals
      • Water
      • The Veil
      • Harvest
      • Fire
      • Moon
      • Solar
      • Rebirth
    • Journal Subscribers >
      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues >
        • December - Winter Festivals
        • November - Water
        • October - The Veil
        • September-Harvest
        • August - Fire
        • July - Moon
        • June - Solar
        • May - Rebirth
    • Journal Submissions
  • Shop
    • New Arrivals
    • Best Sellers
    • PRS Merch
    • Books by Manly P. Hall >
      • The Secret Teachings
      • The Signature Editions
      • New Editions for Contemporary Seekers
      • Vintage Lecture Notes
      • MPH Essays
      • MPH Book SALE
      • Manly P. Hall Book Bundles
    • MPH Audio >
      • MPH Collection at BetterListen.com
    • MPH E-Books
    • Reprint Series curated by MPH
    • Books and Catalogs >
      • Dr. Obadiah Harris
    • Gifts & Curiosities >
      • Gift Cards
    • Tote Bags
    • Rare and Used Books
    • Symbolic Prints and Posters
    • Tarot, Oracle, and Affirmation Decks
    • Curbside Pickup
    • Shipping Update
  • Support
    • Volunteer
    • Roof Restoration Fundraiser
  • Rentals