Servants, Old Masters, and Animal Instincts
Dates and times are given for U.S. Pacific Time zone.
The Fullness of Character
The Sun’s trine to the Moon’s North Node (Sep. 7, 2022, 3:57 pm PDT) shines a spotlight on the easiest path toward growth and joy. While the North Node is in Taurus, that path lies in seeking security and embracing the blessings of the physical world. The Sun in Virgo suggests that this security can be attained through the love of service and gentle stewardship. But the Sun’s Sabian symbol, 16 Virgo: An orangutan, speaks to the wildish side of human nature (and Virgo’s earthy side). Sometimes, we have to use our animal instincts to get where we want to go.
With the North Node at 16 Taurus, An old man attempting vainly to reveal the Mysteries, it seems clear that old knowledge and tools alone are inadequate in a time of great change. To find security in challenging times, it’s necessary to embrace the fullness of our human character – not just the humble servant, but our keen, wildish instinct for adaptability as well.
Three Old Masters
Mercury’s retrograde times can be vexing if we forget that they’re times for catching up rather than hurtling forward. When our Mercury minds are racing ahead of us, the way we take in information can be like eating a meal without noticing the bites. When Mercury turns retrograde (Sep. 9, 2022, 8:38 pm PDT), it’s time to slow down and pay attention to what we’re feeding our minds.
These are generally favorable periods for hindsight. Mercury stations at 8º55’ Libra, on the Sabian symbol 9 Libra, Three old masters hanging in an art gallery. I know this refers to paintings by old masters, but it makes me think of “old masters” who’ve inspired us in our work, our craft, our lives. During this Mercury retrograde period (through Oct. 2), take a moment to look back and acknowledge the mentors who’ve guided you along your personal path to excellence – even if you’ve never met them.
The Attention of the Group
On a recent morning, I found myself at 7:30 am Mass for the first time in many years. The service was delayed, and at 7:40 the priest still hadn’t arrived. A modest lay person stepped up and offered to lead what I believe was called (she was soft spoken and the church has a heck of an echo) a Liturgy of the Word. The handful of us present nodded our assent, and she began with the opening responses and the day’s reading.
About ten minutes later, just in time for the gospel, Father showed up with apologies for the wait. Ironically, the day’s reading was one he interpreted to mean that the person who preaches the word is not as important as the word itself. In this faith tradition, only a priest can celebrate the sacramental functions of the Mass; but for someone like me, who was just looking to begin my day with some uplifting thoughts in a peaceful environment, that quiet lay person was doing just fine.
The Full Moon in Pisces (Sep. 10, 2022, 2:59 am PDT, 17.41 Pisces), a sign of spiritual questing, falls on the Sabian symbol, 18 Pisces: A gigantic tent. Under a gigantic tent, we might find everything from circus performers to an old-time revival meeting headed by a fire-breathing evangelist. What any kind of performance or leadership shares in common, Sabian symbols specialist James Burgess points out – be it as an entertainer, a teacher, or a priest – is that requires that we first win the attention of the group. This doesn’t have to be done dramatically; often, it just requires that you have something compelling to share and the courage to step forward. At the Full Moon in Pisces, you may be the quiet, assuming lady of a certain age who stands up in front of the congregation with an offer to be of service; and if you’re offering something inspiring, the group under the giant tent will be your willing audience.
The Race
I’ve got a large Virgo presence in my birth chart, including Mars in this sign. I’ve always driven myself hard to do the best I can, in whatever I do. As a young singer, I never understood why other kids in our high school music groups balked at the ambitious rehearsal schedule set forth by our director. Didn’t they want to be the best they could be? Didn’t they understand the thrill of doing something exceptionally well?
The Sun trines Uranus this week (Sep. 11, 2022, 6:09 am PDT) at 18º47’ Virgo, on the Sabian symbol 19 Virgo, A swimming race. The swimmers in this competition certainly know the satisfaction of performing at their peak, and the value of the training that’s made it possible.
Uranus is on the symbol 19 Taurus, A newly formed continent. A new “world” is emerging in your life, and this week you realize that your training and excellence have prepared you not just for the race you thought you were running, but for something altogether new, as well.
Writing and collages © 2019-2022 April Elliott Kent
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