A Place for the Departed
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Governance
For a brief time I lived in Santa Cruz, California, where the members of the City Council alternate serving a year-long term as mayor. I always thought that was an interesting, less rigidly hierarchical approach to governance, at least in theory.
Mars in Pisces (through December 30) takes the Aquarian democratic ideal of collective action one step further. Pisces has a dream, and it’s Mars’ job to see that it is realized; but Mars in Pisces represents an even less structured approach to achieving results. This is the Patreon model of commerce, the Little Free Library approach to public services, the SETI@home crowdsourcing search for alien life. In this paradigm, roles are less prescribed; everyone does what they can, and whatever is essential somehow gets done. (Basically, it’s the stuff of a Capricorn’s nightmares.)
Jupiter in Sagittarius works quite differently. We talk a lot about the luck and fortunes of Jupiter, and less about its role in governance. But in mundane astrology, it represents the clergy and the high courts, which uphold a society’s most cherished principles and laws. And while Sagittarius is an adaptable, freedom-loving sign, it’s also pretty opinionated. When Jupiter is in Sagittarius, folks get enthusiastic about promoting belief systems and policies that they’re passionate about – including the belief that their way of looking at things is the only true way.
As Mars in Pisces squares Jupiter in Sagittarius this week (Nov. 19, 5:30 pm PST), Pisces’ faith that people are fundamentally good and helpful comes into conflict with Sagittarius’ belief that a strong society requires good governance. Neither of them is wrong, exactly, and since both signs are ruled by Jupiter, they at least agree on one thing: laws exist and must be upheld. But how should it be done – with the honor system, or with catechism and legal briefs?
“Self-governance does not mean no one is responsible. It means everyone is.”
― Binding Chaos
Thanksgiving
Considering my parents were married and raised their family mostly during peacetime, we certainly lost our share of members too soon. My father was first to go, dying in a car accident in 1970. Then, during one memorable period between 1995 and 2002, we lost a brother, mother, and the aunt and uncle who helped raise us.
This week, we’ll gather together for the Thanksgiving holiday, as we always do; and this year, it’s on the day that the Sun enters Sagittarius (Nov. 22, 1:01 am) on the Sabian Symbol (read about the symbols here), Retired army veterans gather to reawaken old memories. The same day, the Full Moon at 0.52 Gemini (9:39 pm) is on the symbol A glass-bottomed boat reveals under-sea wonders and panoramas. Our gatherings do tend to resemble retired army veterans getting together to reminisce. We laugh together; the memories are warm. But look a little closer and you’ll see a shadow around our eyes. And look at the floor beneath our feet; it seems clear, bottomless, like the unfathomable deep of the ocean, full of beautiful mysteries but threatening to pull us under.
The Scorpio season, with the Sun and retrograde Venus tracing the contours of loss, was an exceptionally painful one. The Full Moon and Sun on this day form a square aspect Mars in Pisces; the wounds are still raw, and holidays make them ache even more. But as the Sun prepares to conjoin Jupiter in its own sign of Sagittarius—for the first time since December 1995!*—a candle has at last been lit, and is generating faint but growing warmth. It’s the day of Thanksgiving; prepare a meal and eat together, and remember the old times. Set a place for the departed, and be thankful for what you have left.
* Jupiter has a 12-year cycle, but in 2006 the Sun conjoined Jupiter at 29.30 Scorpio, just 12 hours before Jupiter entered Sagittarius.
“For every departed glory there is always a new discovery.”
―
Safe
The lumbering, outer planets are retrograde half the year, every year. Neptune’s retrograde periods are like lungs breathing in and out, or the inexorable tide, coming and going. It turned retrograde on June 18, and this week Neptune stations direct again (Nov. 24 at 5:09 pm), and the tide comes in. Here in California, where so many have lost so much in last week’s wildfires, we hope for rain. Neptune stations on 14 Pisces, whose Sabian Symbol, A woman wrapped in fox fur, we met a couple of weeks ago. She is so prosperous, so safe and well cared-for, this woman. May she represent a healing return to safety for those who’ve lost so much.
It’s only when we feel safe that we have the confidence to risk that safety, to stretch ourselves and reach for more, to embark on adventures and explore new places and ideas. As the week comes to a close, the Sun unites with Jupiter (Nov. 25, 10:33 pm), officially christening Jupiter’s year-long journey through Sagittarius. It stretches before us like recess toward the end of a long school day, a reminder that book learning can only take us so far. At some point, experience really is the best teacher. It’s time to take a chance and fly.
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”
―
©2018 April Elliott Kent
