Hellenic Sidereal Astrology and Classical Religion

Ophiuchus, the 13th sign - part one

2008-05-08T22:47:00.000-05:00

In my last entry, I described the difference between the Tropical and Siereal Zodiac Systems in Astrology. (I adhere to Sidereal Hellenic and Roman methods of astrology and augury, by the way).

In this installment of my journal, I will tell you all about the forgotten thirteenth sign of the Zodiac: Ophiuchus

If you'd like to learn more about Traditional Greco-Roman Astrology or the constellation and zodia Ophiuchus, read on!

The Zodia Scorpio is actually composed of TWO constellations, Scorpius and Ophiuchus.

In order to understand the above statement, you need to understand the definition of and difference between three things:
1. "Sun sign"
2. Constellation
3. Zodiac

Let's unpack each of these terms, so that we can understand what they really mean - both astronomically and astrologically.

"sun sign" - this refers to the sign or zodia against which the sun appears in the chart; it takes about a month for the sun to traverse a particular sign or zodia. This concept is based upon our view from here on Earth and is often refered to as "geocentric" because it appears as if the sun, moon, asteroids, and planets are moving around us.
NOTE: If one uses the Tropical zodiac system, the "sun sign" of the person isn't even related to the actual constellation (see below) of the same name - but rather where the constellations were hundreds or thousands of years ago!

constellation - in modern astronomy there are 88 constellations; these constellations are "official" in that the IAU declared them to be the official way to divide up the sky in 1930. Different cultures throughout history have had different constellations - and myths associated with them - but the ones used by the IAU were predominantly from the Greek and Roman cultures. If you want to learn more about the different constellations here is a good list of online star charts.

Zodiac - the imaginary belt of the heavens, which extends approximately 8° on either side of the ecliptic, within which are the apparent paths of the sun, moon, astroids and principal planets. It contains thirteen actual constellations which are divided into twelve divisions called signs of the zodiac or zodia. Each division, however, because of the precession of the equinoxes, now contains the constellation west of the one from which it took its name.

Now let's look at the constellations that compose the zodia of Scorpius.

First, here what Scorpius looks like:

See that blue line? That's the ecliptic - now look at how narrow the white area is at that point... that means that it takes only about six or seven days for the sun to move through this region of the ecliptic. This means that if you are born during the first six days of the zodia Scorpio, the constellation that the sun was in was Scorpius.

This corresponds closely to the system of Decantes which the ancient astronomer/astrologer Manilius proposed in his work Astronomica. What are decantes you ask? They are a way of dividing the zodia into 3 decans or decantes of 10° each; each of the decans is associated with a zodia sign, ruler, and particular feeling or mood.

The decan of the zodia Scorpio that the constellation Scoripus is associated with has the following qualities according to Manilius:

First Decan of Scorpio = Decan of Scorpius
constellation Scorpius
decante degrees 0°-10°
decante ruler Saturn/Kronos
decante zodia Capricorn
decante association labor, cruelty, or suffering

Now let's look at the constellation of Ophiuchus:

See how much more white area there is in Ophiuchus? Ophiuchus' section of the ecliptic is approximately twice as large as that of Scorpius. This corresponds neatly with Manilius' second and third decans of the zodia Scorpio:

Second Decan of Scorpio = First Decan of Ophiuchus
constellation Ophiuchus
decante degrees 11°-20°
decante ruler Uranus/Ouranous
decante zodia Aquarius
decante association transformation and rebirth

Third Decan of Scorpio = Second Decan of Ophiuchus
constellation Ophiuchus
decante degrees 21°-30°
decante ruler Neptune/Poseidon
decante zodia Pisces
decante association the supernatural or Numinous

In my next installment, I will discuss the myths associated with each of these signs, how those myths relate to the attributes of each constellation in astrology, and catasterism.

An Intro to Traditional Hellenic and Roman Astrology

2008-05-08T12:35:00.005-05:00

Tropical vs. Sidereal Zodiac or: "What do you mean the astrology chart doesn't match the stars overhead?!?!"

The first - and most important way that the ancient astrology practised by the Greeks and Romans (as well as the systems practised by the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Hindus) differs from typical Western modern astrology is that we look at the skies overhead in two totally different ways. We each divide the sky up differently, which is important. The systems use two different ways of dividing the skies - or zodia. This is a difference between what I call zodia and topoi in the Classical Pagan system, and what you would call "signs" and "houses" in your zodiacal system.

So what is the difference between the two systems? Let's find out!

First, if you look at an astrological ephemeris or table with the positions of the planets according to the tropical zodiac division system of the sky for today, 7th May, 2008, this is what you would see:

Sun 17 TA 18
Moon 15 GE 39
Mercury 07 GE 22
Venus 08 TA 32
Mars 28 CN 45
Jupiter 22 CP 22
Saturn 01 VI 42
Uranus 21 PI 40
Neptune 24 AQ 09
Pluto 00 CP 50

Hmmm.... now let's see what is in the sky overhead. Since most of us probably live in cities - where light pollution is a problem - or even in regions far, far apart from one another, let's find an applet to use to illustrate this point! Head over to SkyView Cafe Astronomy - an online Planetarium - if you wanna check out the positions of the planets in relation to the skies above.

Here are the planets in their actual locations in the sky above:

Sun 21 AR 57
Moon 13 TA 12
Mercury 11 TA 47
Venus 13 AR 04
Mars 03 CN 37
Jupiter 27 SA 30
Saturn 06 LE 50
Uranus 26 AQ 47
Neptune 29 CP 17
Pluto 05 SA 59 R

Whoah! There's a BIG difference there! Before you think something like "THIS IS HUGH!! I'M SERIES!!!!!" and run amok, let me explain what's up with the stars and planets - and the two zodia systems.
There are two main types of equal-sign solar zodiac. The one used by most modern Western astrologers, the Tropical Zodiac, and the one used by Classical Western and most Eastern astrologers which is called the Sidereal or Vedic Zodiac. (Oh, and this is'nt the same as the different ways of dividing the houses and topoi, one of which is called the Fagan-Bradley version... which I will discuss in a future lession).

Soooo, "what's the difference between these two zodiac systems?" you ask... Well, there's only one difference really, and that is where they begin. The Tropical Zodiac begins in the "sign" of Aries on March the 21st whilst the Sidereal systems currently start with the zodia of Aries about a month later (the actual dates can be found in form here, at a nifty sidereal astrology site). This one point makes for a HUGE difference - according to the Tropical zodiac system you may be a Sun-Sign of Sagittarius and under the Sidereal zodiac system, an Ophiuchus*! This is the effect that a simple disagreement over the zero point of Aries can cause.

Here is a graphic that illustrates the difference between the zodiac systems: Thanks to "Vedic Astrology Helpline" @ http://www.osfa.org.uk/pictures.htm (This graphic is not meant to be offensive to farmers, ranchers, or others who might use the term "cowboy" or "vaquero" to describe themself... I just liked this because I imagined the illustration being of me telling Prez Bush about sideral astrology.)

So now you are probably wondering how there can be TWO places in the sky called "Aries"... Well, the Sidereal zodiac system's Aries corresponds to where Aries is in the sky overhead. If you use a sky map or astronomical ephemeris, there will be agreement between where the planets are in the chart and where they are on an Sideral astrology chart. There is no disagreement between astrology, astronomy, and the stars overhead when using a sidereal zodiac system.

The Tropical zodiac system's sign of Aries corresponds to where Pisces is in the sky - and to where Pisces is in the Sidereal zodiac system. This is important, because (for example) the Sun is seen to be in the constellation Pisces when the Vernal Equinox occurs around March 21st each year. This is why Classical Astrologers and other people say that this is the Age of Pisces. The Sun is in Pisces at the beginning of Spring - which was the beginning of the year on some ancient calendars. The Tropical zodiac system can be seen to be from the Age of Aries since it expects the Sun to be in that constellation at the beginning of Spring... and this shows us that astrology is very, very, VERY old.
So... now that you see the difference between the two types of Zodiacal Systems, let's talk about another difference between Classical and Modern Astrology - the "zodia" or "signs" of astrology.

Zodia

The next most important concept to understand when studying or using Hellenic Astrology is that of the zodia. Zodia are what are called "signs" in modern Astrological systems - the 30 degree divisions of the Tropical Zodiac which are named Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc. I will give their full characteristics in another post, but for now it's enough to just know that "zodia" are the same as "signs".
Hellenic Astrology uses house=sign chart design. This is different from many of the house systems used in most modern Astrology. In Hellenic Astrology, the houses are called topoi or topos in the singular; this is Greek for "place" and has the same connotation as "house" does in modern Astrology... for example, the second topos is the topos of land, material goods, and talents. Because each topos = a single zodia, it becomes very easy to see the relationships between planets based upon the relationships between their polarity, modalities, and elements. It is the interactions between these qualities of the planets that provide the key to understanding and interpreting an aspect pattern within a chart (either personal or mundane).
The major difference between aspects as used in Hellenic Astrology and aspects used in Modern Astrology is that aspects are determined according to topoi and zodia as opposed to individual planets. For example, all planets within a single zodia and topoi are considered to be aspected to all of the planets in another zodia and topoi. The aspects that are discussed within Hellenic Astrology are often referred to as the "Platonic Aspects" as they were first outlined and described in Ptolemy's work Tetrabiblos.
The Ptolemaic aspects are:
The Opposition:

the planets are separated by six zodia (or 180 degrees)
the planets share the same polarity and modality
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the line

The Trine:

the planets are separated by four zodia (or 120 degrees)
the planets share the same element
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the triangle

The Square (also known as Quartile):

the planets are separated by three zodia (or 90 degrees)
the planets share the same modality, but have different elements
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the square

The Sextile:

the planets are separated by two zodia (or 60 degrees)
the planets share the same polarity, but have different elements and modalities
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the hexagon

The Conjunction:

not an "aspect" as such in Hellenic Astrology, but rather a sharing of the same Zodion by two or more planets.
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the point

The conjunction is important (even more important than all of the other aspects!) in that the planets that share the same zodion or "sign" are seen to work together and will influence each other within the life of the individual or during the event being studied.
The planets within the shared zodion may work together so well and with such a common mind that they combine their energies. Because the two planets (like the two Gods that represent them) are united in their goal and motivation - differing only in their personalities - they can become intimately connected. The closer that the two planets are to each other (based upon the number of degrees between them) added to whether or not they are applying (moving closer to each other) or separating (moving apart from each other), can cause the two planets to actually fuse into one force within the chart. This is especially important because even when the two planets separate later, they will still be acting in one force - just in two different places in the chart. (For example, consider an individual who has Venus and Neptune in the same zodia at birth... for their entire life, where ever Venus or Neptune are in their chart, it will act as Venus+Neptune. This means that they will often be feeling the influence of Venus+Neptune in two different topoi! In a future post, I will discuss polarity, the elements, and modalities - which will help to illustrate the different dynamics that each aspect will produce within a chart.
* - What? What the heck is this "Ophiuchus" you speak of? Well, that is what my next entry will be about... the 13th sign of the zodiac that you've prolly never even heard of!

'Till next time...
Peace, Blessings, and may you and yours be in Harmony with the Skies!

--Claudia Iuliania Minervina

See Mercury after Sunset!

2008-04-21T13:22:00.007-05:00

As I have mentioned earlier, we are entering a period where it will be possible for visual amateur astronomers to get a glimpse of the most elusive of the heavenly bodies, the fleet-footed messenger of the Gods, Mercury. Joe Rao, in his latest article has written an excellent overview of Mercury and how to view this planet in the evening skies for both Hellenic Pagan Astronomers and Astrologers:

See Mercury, the Elusive Planet
by: Joe Rao, SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist
(visit SPACE.com )

The planet Mercury is often cited as the most difficult of the five brightest naked-eye planets to see. Because it's the planet closest to the Sun, it never strays too far from the Sun's vicinity in our sky. It is often referred to as "the elusive planet." And there's even a rumor that Copernicus, never saw it, yet it's not really hard to see. You simply must know when and where to look, and find a clear horizon. And for those living in the Northern Hemisphere, a great "window of opportunity" for viewing Mercury in the evening sky is about to open up.
Mercury is called an "inferior planet" because its orbit is nearer to the Sun
than the Earth's. Therefore, it always appears from our vantage point to be
in the same general direction as the Sun. In the pre-Christian era, this
planet actually had two names, as it was not realized it could alternately
appear on one side of the Sun and then the other. Mercury was called Mercury when in the evening sky, but was known as Apollo when it appeared in
the morning. It is said that Pythagoras, about the fifth century B.C.,
pointed out that they were one and the same.
A bright evening "star"
Mercury just passed superior conjunction on April 16, but in the days to come it will bolt out to become easily visible low in the west-northwest at dusk. On Wednesday evening, April 23, Mercury should be visible within about 30 minutes after sunset if your sky is quite clear. Mercury will be shining at magnitude -1.6, slightly brighter than Sirius (the brightest of all stars). In fact, at that particular hour of the day, Mercury will be the brightest object in the sky!
So, if your sky is free of any horizon haze and there are no tall obstructions to your view (like trees or buildings) you should have no trouble in seeing it as a very bright "star" shining with just a trace of a yellowish-orange tinge. By April 30,
Mercury will be setting as late as 85 minutes after the Sun. That evening,
binoculars may show the Pleiades star cluster 4 degrees directly above it. (Your
clenched fist held at arm's length measures about 10 degrees in width.)
In the evenings that follow, Mercury will slowly diminish in brightness, but it will also slowly gain altitude as it gradually moves away from the vicinity of the Sun. This is just the start of Mercury's best apparition of the year for mid-northern viewers. On the evening of May 6, be sure to look for a delicately thin sliver of a 1.5-day old crescent Moon sitting just a couple of degrees above and slightly to Mercury's right.
Pinnacle: May 14
Mercury, like Venus, appears to go through phases like the Moon. Right now, Mercury is a nearly full disk, which is why it starts off appearing so bright. Mercury reaches its greatest elongation, 22 degrees to the east of the Sun, on May 14. Shining at magnitude +0.4 (as bright as the star Procyon in Canis Minor), it will set nearly two hours after the Sun. By the time it arrives at its greatest elongation, it will
appear roughly half-illuminated and the amount of its surface illuminated by the
Sun will continue to decrease in the days to come. So when it begins to turn
back toward the Sun's vicinity after May 14, it will fade at a rather rapid
pace.
In fact, on the evening of May 22, Mercury's brightness will have
dropped to magnitude +1.7; only 1/20 as bright as it was on April 23. In
telescopes it will appear as a narrowing crescent phase. This, in all likelihood
will be your last view of it, for the combination of its lowering
altitude, plus its descent into the brighter sunset glow will finally render Mercury
invisible by the final week of May.
Orbital peregrinations
In old Roman legends, Mercury was the swift-footed messenger of the gods. The planet is well named for it is the closest planet to the Sun (at an average distance of 36 million miles) and the swiftest of the Sun's family, averaging about 30 miles
per second; making its yearly journey in only 88 Earth days. Interestingly, the
time it takes Mercury to rotate once on its axis is 59 days, so that all parts
of its surface experiences periods of intense heat and extreme cold. But we
cannot say that a solar day on Mercury lasts 59 days because its highly
eccentric orbit causes an effect known as a 3:2 spin�orbit resonance. As a
consequence, because Mercury rotates three times for every two times it revolves
around the Sun, the time it takes from one sunrise to the next is equal to about
176 days.
So for 88 days, the Sun is constantly above the horizon and surface temperatures soar to nearly 900 degrees F (482-degrees C). Daytime temperatures are high enough to melt zinc and tin. Then comes 88 days of darkness, with surface temperatures plummeting to -300 degrees F (-184 degrees C) — the greatest range of temperatures of any planet.
In fact, on some parts of Mercury's surface, it is even possible to see the Sun briefly reverse its course in the sky. This happens around the time that Mercury arrives at that part of its orbit which places it closest to the Sun (called perihelion), where it's orbital speed can briefly exceed its rotational speed.
At sunrise, this strange effect would cause the Sun to appear to rise above the horizon ... then slow to a halt ... then reverse direction and drop back below the
horizon. At sunset, the Sun would drop below the horizon, then pop back up into
view before resuming its normal course, ultimately setting again for a second
time within a week.

Online Sky Maps and More
Sky Calendar & Moon Phases
Astrophotography 101

Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for The New York Times and other publications, and he is also an on-camera meteorologist for News 12 Westchester, New York.

4 Mounykhion

2008-04-07T16:40:00.005-05:00

Tetras.
Today is sacred to Hermes, Aphrodite, and Eros.

Orphic Hymns of the Day:

#55 To Adonis - Greek

#5 To Protogonus, or the First-Born - Greek

Moon in Taurus: The key words for the Zodia of Taurus are feminine, fruitful, intellectual, inflexible, of short ascention (in the Northern Hemisphere), earthy, and nocturnal. It is easy to see why Aphrodite was seen to "rule" this Zodia according to traditional Greek and Roman Astrology. This Zodia is much more amenable to fair Aphrodite, and it will provide a relief from the past two days' stay in Aries; we are to recognise what it means to be persistent in matters and to reconnect with our earthy, practical side during this period.

Moon in Taurus sextile Uranus and North Node in Aquarius: The Zodia of Aquarius is considered to be masculine, sterile (like the ocean was thought to be before scientists learned what we currently know about the variety of the benthic biome and marine biology), scientific, inflexible, giving eloquence, attuned to the path of serving, airy, and spiritual. This is an excellent space for Ouranos to express himself. The message of this aspect is that the Gods want us to begin to use our humanitarian natures, universal tolerance, scientific knowledge, and beliefs to solve the problems - such as the Iraq/Afghani occupation, the economy, global warming, pollution, and problems with the educaitonal system - that affect the entire community of mankind. This aspect encourages us - much like the commentary of Al Gore - that we can solve the problems that face us with innovative thinking and hard work.

Moon in Taurus sextile Mars in Gemini: this aspect continues.

Moon in Taurus square Neptune and Chiron in Capricorn:

Moon in Taurus trine Juno, Pluto, and Jupiter in Sagittarius: This is a modification of the aspect we experienced on the 2nd Mounykhion. Juno and Jupiter have joined Pluto in the Zodia of Sagittarius. This is a particularly powerful aspect as we have Zeus, Hera, and Hades together in a sign that has the following attributes: masculine, fruitful (a powerful placement for Chthonian and Olympian dieties), reproductive, flexible, of long ascention (in the Northern Hemisphere), fiery, energetic, bicorporeal and ambitious. These are the Gods who have rulership over the created order and the realm of the dead traversing through the Zodia which deals with the mind, religion and faith, journeys, and the environment. This aspect is the Gods' way of calling us to become aware of the importance of these subjects in our lives; the Gods are asking us to each discover who we are, what we believe, and what our gifts are so that as we enter this time we can work together to effect change in cultural and religious awareness, social justice issues, and public policy. It is crucial that we act now, or we will experience the ill effects of ignoring the promptings of the Gods.

Moon in Taurus trine Saturn Retrograde in Leo:

3 Mounykhion

2008-04-07T12:50:00.003-05:00

Today is sacred to the Birth of Athena.

The Moon is still in Aries and is sextile Mars in Gemini: This aspect placement combines the properties of Moon in Aries (which I described in yesterday's entry) with the properties of Mars in the Zodion of Gemini. The Zodion of Gemini is classified as being of short ascention (in the Northern Hemisphere), airy, spiritual, bicorporeal, communicative, and can be volatile... which is an interesting place for Ares to express himself. When Ares experiences the Gemini Zodion, he reacts in a more mental manner than we are accustomed to seeing in the God of War.

If we want to handle this aspect and be in harmony with the Gods today, we should consider how our thoughts and communications will affect others. Before we speak too quickly, it is wise to consider how the feelings and emotions of others might be impacted by our statements. If we work to balance the energies of Ares, Demeter, and Hermes in our lives today, we can enjoy quick thinking, innovative solutions to problems, creative insights and the energy to carry them out, positive communications and a drive towards intellectual achievements and goals.

If we do not seek to balance these energies and honor the gods, we will likely experience fluctuating energy levels, frustration at those around us, argumentativeness, malaise, a lack of energy to follow things through, and a possibly malicious tongue.

From the Gods' places in the skies to our lives!

2nd Mounykhion

2008-04-06T13:01:00.005-05:00

Moon in Aries: Today Selene and Demeter are in the zodia of Aries, which means that we need to be aware of what they are telling us. The Moon in Aries has the positive effects of allowing us to experience, according to which topos - or house - Aries occupies in our birth charts, strong emotional responses, the ability to react and respond to stimiuli and events, and the ability to change behaviour and habit patterns. The negative effects of The Moon in Ares are that we may be more impatient and irritable than usual - as our feelings and emotions are in danger of being affected by Ares, the God of Conflicts and Struggle.

Today it is important to identify when we want to be short or irritable with others, and then try to temper that with the kindness and understanding of Selene and Demeter. This mindfullness will help us to use the creative energies of this aspect between the Gods to our advantage.

Venus in Pisces: Let's learn what this powerful combination of Planet and Zodia means for us in light of Hellenic Paganism and Astrology; this placement encourages us to be loving and sympathetic to those around us. When Aphrodite is found in Pisces, she encourages us to do or make something artistic, musical, or otherwise creative. This is a time when we can call upon the Goddess, and the Muses along with her, to help us give birth to acts of art, beauty, creativity, and unconditional love. Venus in Pisces is a time in which we are called to serve others and to provide inspiration to those who need comforting and encouragement.

Venus in Pisces can have some negative effects however, and we must be on the guard against these excesses: seeking egotistical or narcissistic ends in serving others - as in helping others merely to recieve kudos or accolades, seeking to find spiritual comfort and fulfillment through merely physical or romantic relationships, self-deceiving ourselves in our relationships (not just romantic, but all relationships!), self-pitying, and a feeling of "poor me" during this aspect. People who have personality disorders are apt to be particularly unbalanced and/or neurotic during Venus in Pisces, as it is a particularly powerful Zodia for the Goddess to inhabit.

Venus in Pisces is square Pluto Retrograde in Sagittarius: This aspect, even though it is a square or quartile, is a good one for us as Hellenic Pagans to learn from. Modern astrology has given some aspects, such as squares and oppositions, a bad wrap. Let's review the properties of squares in Hellenic thought before we discuss the properties of this particular aspect.

Squares/Quartiles:

the planets involved are separated by three zodia and topoi (or 90 degrees)
the planets involved share the same modality, but have different elements and polarity
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the square

This means that Aphrodite in Pisces is in a Zodia that is feminine, fruitful, flexible (also called common), of short ascention (in the Northern Hemisphere), watery, and serving. This is in full harmony with the nature of Aphrodite, and allows her to express herself fully, without conflict or restraint. Pluto in Sagittarius is also in a Zodia that is especially compatable with his nature - his Zodia is masculine, fruitful (a powerful placement for Chthonian dieties), reproductive, flexible, of long ascention (in the Northern Hemisphere), fiery, energetic, bicorporeal and ambitious.

This is a good aspect - despite how "modern astrologers" view it, as both Gods involved are acting comfortably within their respective Zodia while complementing each other in terms of elements and polarity. This aspect is the Gods' way of telling us that we are entering a time when we can all work together to effect change in cultural and religious awareness, social justice issues, and public policy.

From the Gods' places in the skies to our lives!

Meditations for the New Moon in Pisces

2008-04-05T04:37:00.000-05:00

Areas where I can improve during this Moon cycle:

I want to assert myself constructively and turn my visions into reality

I want to take control of the course of my destiny

I want to find a true soul-mate with whom I can share my dreams

I want to grow in my relationship with my soul-mate

I want to develop self-confidence in everything that I undertake

I want to deal with my friends and acquaintances with compassion in my heart

Affirmation for this Moon cycle:

Listening to my inner voice will show me the way

April Evening Sky Watch

2008-04-02T00:26:00.002-05:00

If you go outside about an hour after sunset on the evening of Tuesday, 8th of April, you will see a conjunction between the Crescent Moon and the Pleiades. It will look similar to the following picture (although the sky will be less dark):
:: ::
Astronomy.com recommends using binoculars to look at the moon and the star cluster. Below is a star chart (also from Astronomy.com) that should help you to locate the conjunction for viewing through binoculars or a telescope. The Moon and The Pleiades are both found within the constellation of Taurus, which will be hovering around the horizion after nightfall.
::
::
Ptolemy states that the Pleiades have the "qualities of the Moon and Mars mixed together"; this means that we should understand the Pleiades as representing facets of both Demeter and Mars.
This is an interesting conjunction, as it is telling us that we need to process our feelings and emotions dealing with violence, war and oppression. It is no coincidence that today the Pentagon stated it will be reducing tours of duty for tours in Iraq to 12 months instead of the current 15 months while Bush promised yet more troops for support of the Occupation of Afghanistan. How is this possible in a military force that is already stretched to its limits? Will troops who leave Iraq be sent to Afghanistan for another hellish tour? It will be interesting to see how this plays out - especially in light of Ares' and Kronos' places in the zodia.

This conjunction also tells us that we should find balance between action and feeling in response to events in our lives - this is a time for us to stop and ask ourselves if what we are getting angry about is really what is making us angry. Are we really angry at the person who jumps the queue ahead of us - or are we angry that some people think the rules just don't apply to them? Ask Selene, Demeter and The Pleiades to help you learn how to balance your emotions (including anger!) and actions, so that neither rules your life. It is best for a person to know what they are feeling and what they can do with that feeling to effect change in the world around them.

Some other Planets to look for when skygazing:

On the 15th of April, the Gibbous Moon will be directly beneath Saturn in Leo. The Moon and Saturn will be especially close to α Leonis, which is called in ancient Greek Astrology the heart of the lion.

Mars is currently an evening star - look for him in Gemini shining a bright red. On the evening of April 11th and 12th, be sure to look in Gemini, as the Moon will pass 1.2 ° north of Mars.

Mighty Saturn is currently in Leo, where he shines all the way until Eos' rosy rays shine in the East. It will be easy to recognise Saturn, as he is shining at magnitude 0.4 - or 2.5 times brighter than the brightest star in the entire constellation of Leo! (Regulus or α Leonis shines at 1.35 apparent magnitude). Saturn will be particularly beautiful to behold on the 22nd, when the Lyrid meteor shower will peak in the early morning hours. (I will blog later about what I think the Lyrid meteor shower and the Moon's Void of Course on the 22nd have to say about the PA Primary!). Saturn will close out the month due south, having its ascendency at twighlight.

On the evening of the 28th and 29th, Mars will pass 5 ° south of Pollux (β Geminorum) - a fixed star which portends well. The following is a quote from Manilius on β Geminorum:

From the Twins come less laborious callings and a more agreeable way of life,
provided by varied song and voices of harmonious tone, slender pipes, the
melodies inborn in strings and the words fitted thereto : those so endowed find
even work a pleasure. They would banish the arms of war, the trumpet's call, and
the gloom of old age : theirs is a life of ease and unfading youth spent in the
arms of love. They also discover paths to the skies, complete a survey of the
heavens with numbers and measurements, and outstrip the flight of the stars:
nature yields to their genius, which it serves in all things. So many are the
accomplishments of which the Twins are fruitful.

(Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD. p.281)

Mars will close the month of April in proximity to both Castor and Pollux (this will last about a week).

April Sidereal Astrology Almanac

2008-04-01T00:02:00.000-05:00

2nd April:

The Moon is conjunct Neptune (0°.002 South of Moon) in Capricorn @ 04:00 CDT
Pluto is stationary in Sagittarius @ 00:57 CDT - Pluto, while not one of the visible (or Classical) planets, does have an effect on our lives. Pluto is an important God within the Hellenic Pantheon; even though he never sets foot on Mt. Olympus, Pluto is one of the three great Gods (Zeus, Poseidon, and Pluto/Hades). Pluto is the god of death, rebirth, and regeneration. Currently, Pluto is within the sign of Sagittarius, which is seen as being a sign of expansion, learning, and growth. This is a good placement for Dis, and his coming to a stop here before going retrograde shows that expansion is what we need right now. Wherever each of us has Sagittarius in our birth charts is an area of life that we need to look at and assess during this phase of Pluto's journey. It is likely that we have had little experience with the affairs of this house (both in this life and previous lives) and that we have experienced limitations in affairs associated with the house which Sagittarius rules. Pluto is calling us to examine those areas of our lives over the next few days while he is Stationary before going Retrograde. During this period of stasis we only need to acknowledge our limitations and boundaries - Pluto will lead us to work with them more deeply once he goes fully Retrograde on the 3rd of April.

3rd April:

Venus enters Pisces @ 20:40 - Aphrodite enters Pisces to start off the Solar Month of April. In Hellenic Astrology, Aphrodite is in Exaltation in Pisces. She is also the diurnal ruler of the sign as well as ruling the first eight terms of the sign. This means that not only is Aphrodite at home in Pisces, she is able to effect great changes within the areas of life associated with the sign. Hellenic Astrology views the sign of Pisces as the area of life where we should let our intuition guide us and where we should have faith. We should open ourselves to Aphrodite's love and feminine intuition while she is in this sign... listening to our quiet inner voice can be most fruitful during this cycle.
Mercury enters Pisces
Pluto begins Retrograde motion in Sagittarius (starting @ 06°17' )
The Moon enters Aquarius

4th April:

The Moon is 3° north of Uranus in Aquarius @ 05:00 CDT
The Moon is 5° north of Venus in Aquarius @20:00 CDT

5th April:

Asteroid Astraea is at opposition @ 20:00 CDT
The Moon enters Pisces
New Moon in Pisces @ 23:55 CDT

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is:

A prophet carrying tablets of the New Law is walking down the slopes of Mt. Sinai

This New Moon shows us that we can recieve messages from the Gods, if only we are willing to listen; in order for us to recieve the teachings of the Gods, we need to be open to them in our lives. This would be an excellent month to look within yourself to see how your relationships with the Gods are doing... are your relationships growing? Are they stagnant? Nonexistent?

Use this month to approach the Gods through offerings, mediatation, and prayer - let them know you would like to have a relationship with them, and ask them to enter your life.

As an interesting note as to the primaries, The Sabian Symbols & Astrological Analysis by Blain Bovee, contains the following admonishments about the 22nd-23rd degree of Pisces:

Apply this [Sabian Symbol] with a mind to the awareness of prevailing standards
of privilege and power; justifications that can really burn you up. Think of
tendencies to spiritually rationalise actions and one's own position of
authority; to pontificate from an out-of-touch vantage point; intense feelings
about being the chosen one; passions that champion divine right rule. Watch for
wearing authority on one's sleeve; official uniforms; badges; the smarts to see
trouble coming; readiness to take up the fight.

This may be the Lunar Month that sees Hillary Clinton finally concede the Democratic Party Nomination to Barack Obama. Hillary's campaign has become increasingly frantic, panicked and desperate over the past Lunar Month - and this month's Sabian Symbols indicate that if she does not heed the promptings of the Gods and continues to attack Obama out of hubris and her narcissistic delusions, she will pay the Karmic Debt for her actions within the next two Lunar cycles. The fact that the PA Primary (on which she is placing all of her hope for the Democratic Nomination) occurs during the peak of the Lyrids and while the Moon is Void of Course indicate that Mrs. Clinton's hopes will be unfulfilled. Obama (despite what the Clinton campaign and MSM claim) stands a good chance of achieving a "come from behind" win. I predict Obama will win by 2-3% in the PA Primary.

Because Obama will win, I feel that the PA Primary on the 22nd will present itself as the time where Hillary can either accept defeat gracefully and exit the race, or she will implode like a dying star. If she chooses the volatile path that parallels the death of a star, she will likely be left with only a cold, dark core where a bright, shining future in politics once shone. The choice is entirely up to her.

7th April -

The Moon is at perigee (or 224,365 miles from Earth!) in Aries @ 15:30 CDT
The Moon enters Aries

8th April:

The Moon enters Taurus
The Moon passes through The Pleiades star cluster (in Taurus)

9th April:

The Asteroid Iris is at opposition @ 05:00 CDT

10th April:

Asteroid Daphne is at opposition @ 05:00 CDT

11th April:

The Moon enters Gemini

12th April:

The Moon is conjunct (1.2° north) Mars @ 02:00 CDT
The First Quarter Moon @ 14:32 CDT

13th April:

The Moon enters Cancer

15th April:

The Sun enters Aries
The Moon conjunct (0.9° south) Regulus @ 22:00 CDT
The Moon conjunct (3° south) Saturn @ 14:00 CDT

16th April:

The Moon enters Leo
Mercury enters Aries
Mercury is in superior conjunction @ 03:00 CDT

18th April:

The Moon enters Virgo

20th April:

The Full Moon in Virgo @ 18:25 CDT
The Moon enters Libra

22nd April:

Lyrid meteor shower peaks (in the constellaiton Lyra - hence the name!)

23rd April:

The Moon enters Scorpio
The Moon is at apogee (252,241 miles from the Earth!) @ 05:34 CDT

25th April:

The Moon entersSagittarius

27th April:

Venus enters Aries
The Moon is conjunct Jupiter (3° south) @ 01:00 CDT

28th April:

The Moon enters Capricorn
The Last Quarter Moon in Capricorn @ 22:12 CDT
Mars conjunct Pollux (5° south) @ 16:00 CDT

Locations of the Planets in April:

Mercury - can be seen in the evening sky in the West

Mars - can be seen in the southwestern evening sky, and in the western sky closer to midnight

Jupiter - can be seen in the morning sky in the southeast

Saturn - can be seen in the southeastern evening sky, and in the southwestern sky closer to midnight

Uranus - can be seen in the eastern morning sky

Stop Religious Smears!

2008-03-31T15:08:00.000-05:00

Remember: Any time someone tries to use a "religious smear" - say "That isn't true".

The Real Meaning of 4,000 Dead...

2008-03-26T19:38:00.002-05:00

By LIEUT. SEAN WALSH Wed Mar 26, 2:20 PM ET

The passing of the 4,000th service member in Iraq is a tragic milestone and a testament to the cost of this war, but for those of us who live and fight in Iraq, we measure that cost in smaller, but much more personal numbers. For me those numbers are 8, the number of friends and classmates killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 3, the number of soldiers from my unit killed in this deployment. I'm 25, yet I've received more notifications for funerals than invitations to weddings.
The number 4,000 is too great to grasp even for us that are here in Iraq. When we soldiers read the newspaper, the latest AP casualty figures are glanced over with the same casual interest as a box score for a sport you don't follow. I am certain that I am not alone when I open up the Stars and Stripes, the military's daily paper, and immediately search for the section with the names of the fallen to see if they include anyone I know. While in a combat outpost in southwest Baghdad, it was in that distinctive bold Ariel print in a two-week-old copy of the Stars and Stripes that I read that my best friend had been killed in Afghanistan. No phone call from a mutual friend or a visit to his family. All that had come and gone by the time I had learned about his death. I sometimes wonder, if I hadn't picked up that paper, how much longer I would have gone by without knowing - perhaps another day, perhaps a week or longer until I could find the time and the means to check my e-mail to find my messages unanswered and a death notification from a West Point distro list in my inbox. The dead in Afghanistan don't seem to inspire the keeping of lists the same way that those in Iraq do, but even if they did it wouldn't matter; he could only be number 7 to me.
I'm not asking for pity, only understanding for the cost of this war. We did, after all, volunteer for the Army and that is the key distinction between this army and the army of the Vietnam War. But even as I ask for that understanding I'm almost certain that you won't be able to obtain it. Even Shakespeare, with his now overused notion of soldiers as a "band of brothers" fails to capture the bonds, the sense of responsibility to each other, among soldiers. In many ways, Iraq has become my home (by the time my deployment ends I will have spent more time here than anywhere else in the army) and the soldiers I share that home with have become my family. Between working, eating and sleeping within a few feet of the same soldiers every single day, I doubt I am away from them for more than two hours a day. I'm engaged to the love of my life, but it will take several years of marriage before I've spent as much time with her as I have with the men I serve with today.
For the vast majority of American's who don't have a loved one overseas, the only number they have to attempt to grasp the Iraq War is 4,000. I would ask that when you see that number, try to remember that it is made up of over 1 million smaller numbers; that every one of the 1 million service members who have fought in Iraq has his or her own personal numbers. Over 1 million 8's and 3's. When you are evaluating the price of the war, weighing potential rewards versus cost in blood and treasure, I would ask you to consider what is worth the lives of three of your loved ones? Or eight? Or more? It would be a tragedy for my 8 and 3 to have died without us being able to complete our mission, but it maybe even more tragic for 8 and 3 to become anything higher. View this article on Time.com

An Introduction to Hellenic Astrology - Zodia and Aspects

2008-03-19T13:55:00.015-05:00

The most important concept to understand when using Hellenic Astrology is that of the zodia. Zodia are what are called "signs" in modern Astrological systems - the 30 degree divisions of the Tropical Zodiac which are named Ares, Taurus, Gemini, etc. I will give their full characteristics in another post, but for now it's enough to just know that "zodia" are the same as "signs".

Hellenic Astrology uses house=sign chart design. This is different from many of the house systems used in most modern Astrology. In Hellenic Astrology, the houses are called topoi or topos in the singular; this is Greek for "place" and has the same connotation as "house" does in modern Astrology... for example, the second topos is the topos of land, material goods, and talents. Because each topos = a single zodia, it becomes very easy to see the relationships between planets based upon the relationships between their polarity, modalities, and elements. It is the interactions between these qualities of the planets that provide the key to understanding and interpreting an aspect pattern within a chart (either personal or mundane).

The major difference between aspects as used in Hellenic Astrology and aspects used in Modern Astrology is that aspects are determined according to topoi and zodia as opposed to individual planets. For example, all planets within a single zodia and topoi are considered to be aspected to all of the planets in another zodia and topoi. The aspects that are discussed within Hellenic Astrology are often referred to as the "Platonic Aspects" as they were first outlined and described in Ptolemy's work Tetrabiblos.

The Ptolemaic aspects are:

The Opposition:

the planets are separated by six zodia (or 180 degrees)
the planets share the same polarity and modality
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the line

The Trine:

the planets are separated by four zodia (or 120 degrees)
the planets share the same element
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the triangle

The Square (also known as Quartile):

the planets are separated by three zodia (or 90 degrees)
the planets share the same modality, but have different elements
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the square

The Sextile:

the planets are separated by two zodia (or 60 degrees)
the planets share the same polarity, but have different elements and modalities
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the hexagon

The Conjunction:

not an "aspect" as such in Hellenic Astrology, but rather a sharing of the same Zodion by two or more planets.
this aspect represents the Platonic form of the point

The conjunction is important (even more important than all of the other aspects!) in that the planets that share the same zodion or "sign" are seen to work together and will influence each other within the life of the individual or during the event being studied.

The planets within the shared zodion may work together so well and with such a common mind that they combine their energies. Because the two planets (like the two Gods that represent them) are united in their goal and motivation - differing only in their personalities - they can become intimately connected. The closer that the two planets are to each other (based upon the number of degrees between them) added to whether or not they are applying (moving closer to each other) or separating (moving apart from each other), can cause the two planets to actually fuse into one force within the chart. This is especially important because even when the two planets separate later, they will still be acting in one force - just in two different places in the chart. (For example, consider an individual who has Venus and Neptune in the same zodia at birth... for their entire life, wherever Venus or Neptune are in their chart, it will act as Venus!Neptune. This means that they will often be feeling the influence of Venus!Neptune in two different topoi!)

In a future post, I will discuss polarity, the elements, and modalities - which will help to illustrate the different dynamics that each aspect will produce within a chart.

"A More Perfect Union"

2008-03-18T11:42:00.002-05:00

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
Constitution Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"We the people, in order to form a more perfect union."

Two hundred and twenty one years ago, in a hall that still stands across the street, a group of men gathered and, with these simple words, launched America's improbable experiment in democracy. Farmers and scholars; statesmen and patriots who had traveled across an ocean to escape tyranny and persecution finally made real their declaration of independence at a Philadelphia convention that lasted through the spring of 1787.

The document they produced was eventually signed but ultimately unfinished. It was stained by this nation's original sin of slavery, a question that divided the colonies and brought the convention to a stalemate until the founders chose to allow the slave trade to continue for at least twenty more years, and to leave any final resolution to future generations.

Of course, the answer to the slavery question was already embedded within our Constitution - a Constitution that had at is very core the ideal of equal citizenship under the law; a Constitution that promised its people liberty, and justice, and a union that could be and should be perfected over time.

And yet words on a parchment would not be enough to deliver slaves from bondage, or provide men and women of every color and creed their full rights and obligations as citizens of the United States. What would be needed were Americans in successive generations who were willing to do their part - through protests and struggle, on the streets and in the courts, through a civil war and civil disobedience and always at great risk - to narrow that gap between the promise of our ideals and the reality of their time.

This was one of the tasks we set forth at the beginning of this campaign - to continue the long march of those who came before us, a march for a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America. I chose to run for the presidency at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together - unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction - towards a better future for of children and our grandchildren.

This belief comes from my unyielding faith in the decency and generosity of the American people. But it also comes from my own American story.

I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton's Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas. I've gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world's poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners - an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.

It's a story that hasn't made me the most conventional candidate. But it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts - that out of many, we are truly one.

Throughout the first year of this campaign, against all predictions to the contrary, we saw how hungry the American people were for this message of unity. Despite the temptation to view my candidacy through a purely racial lens, we won commanding victories in states with some of the whitest populations in the country. In South Carolina, where the Confederate Flag still flies, we built a powerful coalition of African Americans and white Americans.

This is not to say that race has not been an issue in the campaign. At various stages in the campaign, some commentators have deemed me either "too black" or "not black enough." We saw racial tensions bubble to the surface during the week before the South Carolina primary. The press has scoured every exit poll for the latest evidence of racial polarization, not just in terms of white and black, but black and brown as well.

And yet, it has only been in the last couple of weeks that the discussion of race in this campaign has taken a particularly divisive turn.

On one end of the spectrum, we've heard the implication that my candidacy is somehow an exercise in affirmative action; that it's based solely on the desire of wide-eyed liberals to purchase racial reconciliation on the cheap. On the other end, we've heard my former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, use incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation; that rightly offend white and black alike.

I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. For some, nagging questions remain. Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely - just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.

But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country - a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam.

As such, Reverend Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems - two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change; problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all.

Given my background, my politics, and my professed values and ideals, there will no doubt be those for whom my statements of condemnation are not enough. Why associate myself with Reverend Wright in the first place, they may ask? Why not join another church? And I confess that if all that I knew of Reverend Wright were the snippets of those sermons that have run in an endless loop on the television and You Tube, or if Trinity United Church of Christ conformed to the caricatures being peddled by some commentators, there is no doubt that I would react in much the same way

But the truth is, that isn't all that I know of the man. The man I met more than twenty years ago is a man who helped introduce me to my Christian faith, a man who spoke to me about our obligations to love one another; to care for the sick and lift up the poor. He is a man who served his country as a U.S. Marine; who has studied and lectured at some of the finest universities and seminaries in the country, and who for over thirty years led a church that serves the community by doing God's work here on Earth - by housing the homeless, ministering to the needy, providing day care services and scholarships and prison ministries, and reaching out to those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

In my first book, Dreams From My Father, I described the experience of my first service at Trinity:

"People began to shout, to rise from their seats and clap and cry out, a forceful wind carrying the reverend's voice up into the rafters....And in that single note - hope! - I heard something else; at the foot of that cross, inside the thousands of churches across the city, I imagined the stories of ordinary black people merging with the stories of David and Goliath, Moses and Pharaoh, the Christians in the lion's den, Ezekiel's field of dry bones. Those stories - of survival, and freedom, and hope - became our story, my story; the blood that had spilled was our blood, the tears our tears; until this black church, on this bright day, seemed once more a vessel carrying the story of a people into future generations and into a larger world. Our trials and triumphs became at once unique and universal, black and more than black; in chronicling our journey, the stories and songs gave us a means to reclaim memories that we didn't need to feel shame about...memories that all people might study and cherish - and with which we could start to rebuild."

That has been my experience at Trinity. Like other predominantly black churches across the country, Trinity embodies the black community in its entirety - the doctor and the welfare mom, the model student and the former gang-banger. Like other black churches, Trinity's services are full of raucous laughter and sometimes bawdy humor. They are full of dancing, clapping, screaming and shouting that may seem jarring to the untrained ear. The church contains in full the kindness and cruelty, the fierce intelligence and the shocking ignorance, the struggles and successes, the love and yes, the bitterness and bias that make up the black experience in America.

And this helps explain, perhaps, my relationship with Reverend Wright. As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me. He strengthened my faith, officiated my wedding, and baptized my children. Not once in my conversations with him have I heard him talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms, or treat whites with whom he interacted with anything but courtesy and respect. He contains within him the contradictions - the good and the bad - of the community that he has served diligently for so many years.

I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother - a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe.

These people are a part of me. And they are a part of America, this country that I love.

Some will see this as an attempt to justify or excuse comments that are simply inexcusable. I can assure you it is not. I suppose the politically safe thing would be to move on from this episode and just hope that it fades into the woodwork. We can dismiss Reverend Wright as a crank or a demagogue, just as some have dismissed Geraldine Ferraro, in the aftermath of her recent statements, as harboring some deep-seated racial bias.

But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in his offending sermons about America - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality.

The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we've never really worked through - a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American.

Understanding this reality requires a reminder of how we arrived at this point. As William Faulkner once wrote, "The past isn't dead and buried. In fact, it isn't even past." We do not need to recite here the history of racial injustice in this country. But we do need to remind ourselves that so many of the disparities that exist in the African-American community today can be directly traced to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow.

Segregated schools were, and are, inferior schools; we still haven't fixed them, fifty years after Brown v. Board of Education, and the inferior education they provided, then and now, helps explain the pervasive achievement gap between today's black and white students.

Legalized discrimination - where blacks were prevented, often through violence, from owning property, or loans were not granted to African-American business owners, or black homeowners could not access FHA mortgages, or blacks were excluded from unions, or the police force, or fire departments - meant that black families could not amass any meaningful wealth to bequeath to future generations. That history helps explain the wealth and income gap between black and white, and the concentrated pockets of poverty that persists in so many of today's urban and rural communities.

A lack of economic opportunity among black men, and the shame and frustration that came from not being able to provide for one's family, contributed to the erosion of black families - a problem that welfare policies for many years may have worsened. And the lack of basic services in so many urban black neighborhoods - parks for kids to play in, police walking the beat, regular garbage pick-up and building code enforcement - all helped create a cycle of violence, blight and neglect that continue to haunt us.

This is the reality in which Reverend Wright and other African-Americans of his generation grew up. They came of age in the late fifties and early sixties, a time when segregation was still the law of the land and opportunity was systematically constricted. What's remarkable is not how many failed in the face of discrimination, but rather how many men and women overcame the odds; how many were able to make a way out of no way for those like me who would come after them.

But for all those who scratched and clawed their way to get a piece of the American Dream, there were many who didn't make it - those who were ultimately defeated, in one way or another, by discrimination. That legacy of defeat was passed on to future generations - those young men and increasingly young women who we see standing on street corners or languishing in our prisons, without hope or prospects for the future. Even for those blacks who did make it, questions of race, and racism, continue to define their worldview in fundamental ways. For the men and women of Reverend Wright's generation, the memories of humiliation and doubt and fear have not gone away; nor has the anger and the bitterness of those years. That anger may not get expressed in public, in front of white co-workers or white friends. But it does find voice in the barbershop or around the kitchen table. At times, that anger is exploited by politicians, to gin up votes along racial lines, or to make up for a politician's own failings.

And occasionally it finds voice in the church on Sunday morning, in the pulpit and in the pews. The fact that so many people are surprised to hear that anger in some of Reverend Wright's sermons simply reminds us of the old truism that the most segregated hour in American life occurs on Sunday morning. That anger is not always productive; indeed, all too often it distracts attention from solving real problems; it keeps us from squarely facing our own complicity in our condition, and prevents the African-American community from forging the alliances it needs to bring about real change. But the anger is real; it is powerful; and to simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races.

In fact, a similar anger exists within segments of the white community. Most working- and middle-class white Americans don't feel that they have been particularly privileged by their race. Their experience is the immigrant experience - as far as they're concerned, no one's handed them anything, they've built it from scratch. They've worked hard all their lives, many times only to see their jobs shipped overseas or their pension dumped after a lifetime of labor. They are anxious about their futures, and feel their dreams slipping away; in an era of stagnant wages and global competition, opportunity comes to be seen as a zero sum game, in which your dreams come at my expense. So when they are told to bus their children to a school across town; when they hear that an African American is getting an advantage in landing a good job or a spot in a good college because of an injustice that they themselves never committed; when they're told that their fears about crime in urban neighborhoods are somehow prejudiced, resentment builds over time.

Like the anger within the black community, these resentments aren't always expressed in polite company. But they have helped shape the political landscape for at least a generation. Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism.

Just as black anger often proved counterproductive, so have these white resentments distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle class squeeze - a corporate culture rife with inside dealing, questionable accounting practices, and short-term greed; a Washington dominated by lobbyists and special interests; economic policies that favor the few over the many. And yet, to wish away the resentments of white Americans, to label them as misguided or even racist, without recognizing they are grounded in legitimate concerns - this too widens the racial divide, and blocks the path to understanding.

This is where we are right now. It's a racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years. Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black and white, I have never been so naïve as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy - particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own.

But I have asserted a firm conviction - a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people - that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice is we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.

For the African-American community, that path means embracing the burdens of our past without becoming victims of our past. It means continuing to insist on a full measure of justice in every aspect of American life. But it also means binding our particular grievances - for better health care, and better schools, and better jobs - to the larger aspirations of all Americans -- the white woman struggling to break the glass ceiling, the white man whose been laid off, the immigrant trying to feed his family. And it means taking full responsibility for own lives - by demanding more from our fathers, and spending more time with our children, and reading to them, and teaching them that while they may face challenges and discrimination in their own lives, they must never succumb to despair or cynicism; they must always believe that they can write their own destiny.

Ironically, this quintessentially American - and yes, conservative - notion of self-help found frequent expression in Reverend Wright's sermons. But what my former pastor too often failed to understand is that embarking on a program of self-help also requires a belief that society can change.

The profound mistake of Reverend Wright's sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It's that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country - a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know -- what we have seen - is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope - the audacity to hope - for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

In the white community, the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination - and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the past - are real and must be addressed. Not just with words, but with deeds - by investing in our schools and our communities; by enforcing our civil rights laws and ensuring fairness in our criminal justice system; by providing this generation with ladders of opportunity that were unavailable for previous generations. It requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare, and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper.

In the end, then, what is called for is nothing more, and nothing less, than what all the world's great religions demand - that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let us be our brother's keeper, Scripture tells us. Let us be our sister's keeper. Let us find that common stake we all have in one another, and let our politics reflect that spirit as well.

For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism. We can tackle race only as spectacle - as we did in the OJ trial - or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she's playing the race card, or we can speculate on whether white men will all flock to John McCain in the general election regardless of his policies.

We can do that.

But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.

That is one option. Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, "Not this time." This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time.

This time we want to talk about how the lines in the Emergency Room are filled with whites and blacks and Hispanics who do not have health care; who don't have the power on their own to overcome the special interests in Washington, but who can take them on if we do it together.

This time we want to talk about the shuttered mills that once provided a decent life for men and women of every race, and the homes for sale that once belonged to Americans from every religion, every region, every walk of life. This time we want to talk about the fact that the real problem is not that someone who doesn't look like you might take your job; it's that the corporation you work for will ship it overseas for nothing more than a profit.

This time we want to talk about the men and women of every color and creed who serve together, and fight together, and bleed together under the same proud flag. We want to talk about how to bring them home from a war that never should've been authorized and never should've been waged, and we want to talk about how we'll show our patriotism by caring for them, and their families, and giving them the benefits they have earned.

I would not be running for President if I didn't believe with all my heart that this is what the vast majority of Americans want for this country. This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation - the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election.

There is one story in particularly that I'd like to leave you with today - a story I told when I had the great honor of speaking on Dr. King's birthday at his home church, Ebenezer Baptist, in Atlanta.

There is a young, twenty-three year old white woman named Ashley Baia who organized for our campaign in Florence, South Carolina. She had been working to organize a mostly African-American community since the beginning of this campaign, and one day she was at a roundtable discussion where everyone went around telling their story and why they were there.

And Ashley said that when she was nine years old, her mother got cancer. And because she had to miss days of work, she was let go and lost her health care. They had to file for bankruptcy, and that's when Ashley decided that she had to do something to help her mom.

She knew that food was one of their most expensive costs, and so Ashley convinced her mother that what she really liked and really wanted to eat more than anything else was mustard and relish sandwiches. Because that was the cheapest way to eat.

She did this for a year until her mom got better, and she told everyone at the roundtable that the reason she joined our campaign was so that she could help the millions of other children in the country who want and need to help their parents too.

Now Ashley might have made a different choice. Perhaps somebody told her along the way that the source of her mother's problems were blacks who were on welfare and too lazy to work, or Hispanics who were coming into the country illegally. But she didn't. She sought out allies in her fight against injustice.

Anyway, Ashley finishes her story and then goes around the room and asks everyone else why they're supporting the campaign. They all have different stories and reasons. Many bring up a specific issue. And finally they come to this elderly black man who's been sitting there quietly the entire time. And Ashley asks him why he's there. And he does not bring up a specific issue. He does not say health care or the economy. He does not say education or the war. He does not say that he was there because of Barack Obama. He simply says to everyone in the room, "I am here because of Ashley."

"I'm here because of Ashley." By itself, that single moment of recognition between that young white girl and that old black man is not enough. It is not enough to give health care to the sick, or jobs to the jobless, or education to our children.

But it is where we start. It is where our union grows stronger. And as so many generations have come to realize over the course of the two-hundred and twenty one years since a band of patriots signed that document in Philadelphia, that is where the perfection begins.

10th Elaphebolion

2008-03-16T17:19:00.013-05:00

Good day; Holy For:
Earth, Pan, Nymphs, and the Seasons

We are unsure who exactly Pan's parents were - there are several different traditions, all of which have equal authenticity and attestation in the mythography. It seems that the predominant tale that was accepted by later Greeks and Romans was that Hermes fathered the half-human half-goat child with a mortal woman, who upon seeing her child for the first time was so shocked by his hirsute appearance, she ran away in panic. This began the god's connection with the human emotional state of panic, which continued even into the middle ages when Pan was used in medieval imagery as the basis for the popular image of "Satan" or "the devil".

Pan's personality traits and physical characteristics are similar to other half-human, half-animal followers of Dionysus. Like most members of Dionysus' retinue, Pan prefers the wilderness and "wild" regions of Greece to the settled life of urban areas and cities; Pan is not completely human in either form or behaviour. The half-man, half-goat exterior is an allegory for the inner state of Pan.

The shocking appearance and wild nature of Pan led to his being rejected by multiple women - despite the fact that he was a highly sensual, amorous, and romantic God. Many ancient images of Pan with an erect phallus survive, and these show that not only was he associated with the fertility and fecundity of nature (human beings being a part of the natural world), but he was a God who was benevolent to those who sought to make love in natural areas.

In later Roman mythography and worship Pan was often identified with, and sometimes confused with, Silvanus and Faunus - even though all three are distinct individuals, with different patronages and duties.

Classical Text of the Day
Metamorphoses Bk I:689-721

English translation:
Mercury tells the story of Syrinx

So the god explained ‘On Arcadia’s cold mountain slopes among the wood nymphs, the hamadryads, of Mount Nonacris, one was the most celebrated: the nymphs called her Syrinx. She had often escaped from the satyrs chasing her, and from others of the demi-gods that live in shadowy woods and fertile fields. But she followed the worship of the Ortygian goddess in staying virgin. Her dress caught up like Diana she deceives the eye, and could be mistaken for Leto’s daughter, except that her bow is of horn, and the other’s is of gold. Even so she is deceptive. Pan, whose head is crowned with a wreath of sharp pine shoots, saw her, coming from Mount Lycaeus, and spoke to her.’ Now Mercury still had to relate what Pan said, and how the nymph, despising his entreaties, ran through the wilds till she came to the calm waters of sandy Ladon; and how when the river stopped her flight she begged her sisters of the stream to change her; and how Pan, when he thought he now had Syrinx, found that instead of the nymph’s body he only held reeds from the marsh; and, while he sighed there, the wind in the reeds, moving, gave out a clear, plaintive sound. Charmed by this new art and its sweet tones the god said ‘This way of communing with you is still left to me’ So unequal lengths of reed, joined together with wax, preserved the girl’s name.

About to tell all this, Cyllenian Mercury saw that every eye had succumbed and their light was lost in sleep. Quickly he stops speaking and deepens their rest, caressing those drowsy eyes with touches of his magic wand. Then straightaway he strikes the nodding head, where it joins the neck, with his curved sword, and sends it bloody down the rocks, staining the steep cliff. Argus, you are overthrown, the light of your many eyes is extinguished, and one dark sleeps under so many eyelids.

Latin, 1583 text, the University of Marburg.

Tum deus 'Arcadiae gelidis sub montibus' inquit
690
'inter hamadryadas celeberrima Nonacrinas
naias una fuit: nymphae Syringa vocabant.
non semel et satyros eluserat illa sequentes
et quoscumque deos umbrosaque silva feraxque
rus habet. Ortygiam studiis ipsaque colebat
695
virginitate deam; ritu quoque cincta Dianae
falleret et posset credi Latonia, si non
corneus huic arcus, si non foret aureus illi;
sic quoque fallebat.
Redeuntem colle Lycaeo
Pan videt hanc pinuque caput praecinctus acuta
700
talia verba refert -- restabat verba referre
et precibus spretis fugisse per avia nympham,
donec harenosi placidum Ladonis ad amnem
venerit; hic illam cursum inpedientibus undis
ut se mutarent liquidas orasse sorores,
705
Panaque cum prensam sibi iam Syringa putaret,
corpore pro nymphae calamos tenuisse palustres,
dumque ibi suspirat, motos in harundine ventos
effecisse sonum tenuem similemque querenti.
arte nova vocisque deum dulcedine captum
710
'hoc mihi colloquium tecum' dixisse 'manebit,'
atque ita disparibus calamis conpagine cerae
inter se iunctis nomen tenuisse puellae.

Polimon!

2008-03-13T21:23:00.009-05:00

7 Elaphebolion - 1st Quarter Moon

2008-03-13T09:58:00.007-05:00

For the Birth of Apollo.

As today is dedicated to the birth of Apollo, I am going to dedicate this blog entry to the Sun as understood by modern Astronomy.

The Layers of the Sun

Our Sun, which is called Sol in Latin, is the star at the center of our Solar System. It is a medium size star - but even so, it is very, very, VERY large in comparison with everything else in our Solar System. The Earth and ALL of the other matter - including the other planets, asteroids, meteoroids, comets and dust - which orbits the Sun, is only 0.2% of the total mass of the Solar System! That means the Sun by itself accounts for about 99.8% of the Solar System's mass. Just as the Sun takes up most of the matter in our Solar System, so the Sun takes up most of what people know about Astrology - think of how many people you know who think that Astrology simply consists of "What's your sign?"

Within Astrology, the Sun is the source of our health, energy, vitality and ego. The Sun in our charts is our fundamental life force, and the Sun is the fundamental life force of our Solar System. Enormous amounts of energy from the Sun - in the form of both sunlight and heat -support the base of the food chains that make life on Earth possible via photosynthesis. The same heat and light from the Sun also drive the Earth's climate and weather. Without the Sun to give light and to warm her, Gaea would be cold, dark, and lifeless.

It is interesting to note that the Sun does not have a definite boundary like the rocky planets do; there is no definite "surface" on the Sun like there is on the Moon or Earth. The Sun is a giant ball of glowing gas - much like a giant nuclear explosion. The Sun has an inside and outside however, as shown in the picture above; the outer layers decrease in density the further away from the center of the sun one moves, until one is in the corona region which is basically a cloud of super-fast (which means they are VERY HOT) atoms and particles. The corona is what is responsible for the beauty of the diamond ring effect and eerie glow that surrounds the darkened Solar Disk when one watches a Total Solar Eclipse. The Sun also puts out a "wind" of charged particles that blows through the Solar System and into space; this "wind" is what gives us the Aurora Borealis.

What is interesting to note is that the Sun is a Population I - or third generation star - who was born out of the powerful, explosive, shockwaves that came from one or more nearby supernovae. This is interesting because Apollo is a third generation God; the Olympians were the third generation of Gods to rule the Universe. First were the Forces, ruled by Gaea and Uranus, then the Titans ruled by Rhea and Kronos, then finally the Olympians, ruled by Zeus and Hera.

Even though the Sun is the nearest star to Earth, scientists still have a great many questions about the Sun that remain unanswered. Some current topics of scientific inquiry include:

the Sun's regular cycle of sunspot activity,
the physics and origin of flares and prominences,
the magnetic interaction between the chromosphere and the corona,
and the origin of the solar winds.

Obama looks to win in Mississippi

2008-03-11T00:25:00.001-05:00

By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer 24 minutes ago
GREENVILLE, Miss. -

Mississippi Democrats are deciding the last in a series of presidential contests between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton before the two rivals settle in for a six-week battle to win Pennsylvania.
Mississippi's large black electorate in Tuesday's voting makes it fertile ground for Obama, who has swept the other Deep South states and has pulled huge margins among black voters. Clinton, the New York senator and former first lady, campaigned in the state last week, but by Monday was in Pennsylvania, where the primary is April 22.
Obama, making a final stop Tuesday morning in Greenville before flying to Pennsylvania, noted that the Mississippi delta area is struggling economically.
"We just haven't seen as much opportunity come to this area as we'd like," he told a small gathering at Buck's restaurant. "And one of the challenges, I think, for the next president is making sure that we're serving all communities and not just some communities." He then ordered eggs "scrambled hard," with turkey sausage, wheat toast and grits. The Illinois senator spent all of Monday in Mississippi, drawing enthusiastic crowds in Columbus and Jackson, the capital. At stake are 33 delegates and another chance for Obama to ease the sting of last week's losses to Clinton in primaries in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island. In Lowndes County, Miss., Circuit Clerk Haley Salazar said Tuesday there appeared to be good early participation at the polls despite wet conditions.
Obama's visit on Monday "spurred a lot of interest here. We've had a lot of people coming in and asking about registering to vote ... and we have a a lot of calls," Salazar said. With Clinton's camp saying she has little chance in Mississippi, the campaigning here focused largely on national issues.
Obama used his Monday morning visit to Columbus to try to squelch speculation that he might accept the vice president's slot on a ticket headed by Clinton. He noted that he has won more delegates, states and votes than Clinton.
"I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is first place," Obama said, drawing cheers and a lengthy standing ovation from about 1,700 people. He added: "I am not running for vice president. "I am running for president of the United States of America." Later, at a rally in Jackson with 9,000 people, Obama painted Clinton as part of the Washington establishment whose time has come and gone. The nation does not need "the same old folks doing the same old things, talking the same old stuff," he said, essentially lumping Clinton with President Bush and Republican candidate John McCain.
He accused Clinton's campaign of leaking a photograph of him wearing traditional African garments, including a turban, during a visit to Africa. That was "straight out of the Republican playbook," Obama said. "That's not real change."
Clinton has said she is not aware of anyone on her staff leaking the photo. For her part, Clinton had moved on to Pennsylvania, where she held a rally in Scranton and carefully sidestepped questions about the sex scandal threatening the political career of Eliot Spitzer, her home state governor and political ally.
"I don't have any comment on that," she said when asked about reports that Spitzer allegedly paid for sex with a high-priced call girl at a Washington hotel. "Obviously, I am sending my best wishes and thoughts to the governor and to his family," Clinton said. Obama's two Mississippi events on Monday drew heavily black audiences that cheered him unabashedly.
"I'm here because of the electricity, the energy that seems to form around Barack Obama," truck driver Jasper Clark, 53, said in an interview before the Jackson rally. "It inspired me, and it's been a while since I've been inspired politically."
Clark said Clinton "is a nice person," but among his friends and acquaintances, "I'd say it's an 8 to 2 ratio" for Obama.

Original article can be found here.

Sabian Symbols for the Mississippi Primary, with commentary

2008-03-11T00:15:00.015-05:00

Sabian Symbols for the Mississippi Caucus:

Sun – 20 Pis 47
“Under The Watchful And Kind Eye Of A Chinese Servant, A Girl Fondles A Little White Lamb”

Moon – 4 Tau 43 (the moon moves into Taurus on the 11th)

“A Widow At An Open Grave”

The Iraq and Afghan Wars still go on, and every day more and more Americans are affected by the ravages of war. Hundreds and thousands more in both countries suffer injury, dismemberment, or even death every day. The American people are against the war, but the Bush Administration does not hear their calls for removing troops from the areas of conflict.
It seems that Hillary is little more than Bush lite on areas of the ongoing wars, military policy and international laws. To learn more about each of these areas, visit:

Iraq War: http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4802
Military Policy: http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4811
International Law: http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4803

These facts are disturbing when you consider that most Americans favor a change in both Domestic and Foreign Social Policy – and that Hillary seems to support Republican causes and issues more than Democratic causes in these areas. I feel this Sabian Symbol being where Selene located for tomorrow’s primary is very significant; ONLY a leader whose inner motivations and emotions are in sync with those of the nation as a whole as well as Selene should be chosen by the American people. To go against this will only cause more pain and suffering for the peoples of the US, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Mercury – 24 Aqu 46
“A Butterfly With The Right Wing More Perfectly Formed”

This is an interesting Sabian Symbol, in that it symbolizes the changes that are occurring in the political landscape, as well as the current primary season. Butterflies symbolize change and transformation – many religious and spiritual groups use them as a symbol of enlightenment and re-birth. The American political system is undergoing a birth right now – both parties want to distance themselves (at least in appearance) from the Bush Administration and the corruption that has been endemic in Washington for the past eight years.

The Republican party has already chosen a candidate – John McCain, while the Democratic party is still in the throes of struggle to choose a candidate. This Sabian Symbol shows that McCain is resting right now, hoping that Hillary will win - as her receiving the nomination will make his race in November easier, and make his job of generating mud and smear simple. Hillary is trying to tear apart Obama, and thinks SHE should get to be the President on the ticket – even though she is in 2nd place… this is due to her hubris (hint: the Gods don’t appreciate hubris very much ). If Obama continues with equanimity, he will win the nomination. The strength that he will gain from battling Clinton during the Primary season will put him in top form to campaign and win the Presidency.

The Republican party is well formed at the moment, but the moment that Obama can stop worrying about attacks from Hillary and get to debating McCain, it will fall apart due to the Karmic debt of the party’s actions for the past eight years. McCain has not repudiated Bush’s endorsement – which will prove fatal in November.

Venus – 27 Aqu 35
“A Tree Felled And Sawed To Ensure A Supply Of Wood For The Winter”

People are looking to save and conserve resources at this time - not just because we are currently in a recession (that may be possibly heading towards a depression) but also from a growing concern to do more with less. This new philosophy is in response to the rampant materialism that has taken hold of the US during the past eight years. It is my belief that the Bush Administration will be seen as a decadent era of "feel-good", evangelical, prosperity-gospel mega-churches, Hummers/SUVs, materialism, Republican/Libertarian egotistical selfishness, and pollution when historians and archaeologists of the future look back at this time; those of us who have remained stead-fast and true to our principles can make a difference now.

People who looked to Bush and the Republicans are now cynical and disillusioned, as all that they worked so hard for: a McMansion in the white suburbs, two or three SUVs in the driveway, the pool in the back yard, and everything else that helped them to "keep up with the Joneses" - is now lost due to morgage scandals, credit failures and the failing economy. These people need comforting and to be taught a better way. Those of us who heed the Gods, who live in harmony with Nature and live simply can lead by example.

Venus wants us to give love and spread beauty now more than ever! Love is not a limited resource like oil... it is the most unlimited of resources... we just have to be willing to share from the store that we have within us.

Mars – 2 Can 13
“ A Man Bundled In Fur Leads A Shaggy Deer”

Jupiter – 17 Cap 16
“The Union Jack Flag Files From A British Warship”

This Sabian Symbol says that we should remember what our country was founded on. It has taken the continued sacrifice of men and women throughout the history of our nation to ensure the freedom, justice, liberty, and equality of all. Today, we have lost a sense of this equality and egalitarianism - instead conservatives’ re-written history of bigotry and hate fills blogs and news radio; people like Rush Limbaugh and Anne Coulter spend all of their time saying that the US is only inclusive for straight, white, Protestant Christians. It is time for us to put the pundits' ideology of hate behind us and to begin a revolution of love for our fellow man, including the poor, the oppressed, the victimised, the addicted, the forgotten, the lonely, and all of those embodied in the following photo and poem:

"The New Colossus"
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles.

From her beacon hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

--Emma Lazarus, 1883

We were a great nation once, and we can become great again. All we have to do is love one another, heed the Gods, and march forward together, free from fear and shame. It is time once again for us to become strong, united, and a people of the Gods.

Saturn – 3 Vir 56

“Black And White Children Play Together Happily”

This Sabian Symbol is Kronos’ way of telling us that we have the ability to begin walking towards the future that MLK envisioned in his “I Have a Dream” speech. Racism is still a problem in the US - as it is throughout the world - but having a Black President of the United States will show that finally, in 2008, a child of any ethnic group can truly say "someday, I'm going to be President of the United States".

This Sabian Symbol also shows us that most of our divisions and hatreds are learned - not inherent. We have to decide to define people as "the other" before we can hate them or fear them. It is time for us to look past our differences and to work together as a nation; the age of division and fear is ending. Let us accept a future of love and peace with our fellow men and women.

Uranus – 18 Pis 46

“A Master Instructing His Disciple”
One of the best known teachers and mystics in the west is Jesus of Nazareth - now I am not advocating a Christian view, but this particular Sabian Symbol brings to mind images of Jesus feeding the crowds and teaching them. Too often today, those who claim to follow Christ really follow greed, fame, popularity or power - not the simple teacher and wonder-worker who was the "Jewish son of Zeus" and taught his followers "love one another".

Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are practicing Chrisitans; it will be interesting to see how each of them follows their Master's teachings.

Neptune – 22 Aqu 47
“A Big Bear Sitting Down And Waving All Its Paws”

At first I didn't know what this Sabian Symbol was doing... "What is Poseidon trying to tell us?!?!" I asked myself several times... then I heard my husband mumbling and his company's stocks "going all bear-ish". I think that Poseidon is trying to tell us that the economy isn't going anywhere for a while... we are looking at a BIG, HAIRY, BEAR market that is just sitting there waving his paws around - and if we try to make him move before he is ready, we will get mauled.

Pluto – 1 Cap 1
“Three Rose Windows In A Gothic Church, One Damaged By War”

American leaders who claim to conduct a just war in the name of their God, as George W. Bush has done, will only anger their God and lead to the death of people; this is especially true when the leaders lie to lead the nation into war.

The Christian Bible, in the Book of the Wisdom of Solomon states the following, "Do not bring on your own death by sinful actions. God did not invent death, and when living creatures die, it gives him no pleasure. He created everything so that it might continue to exist, and everything he created is wholesome and good. No, death does not rule this world, for God's justice does not die."

While we as Classical Pagans have a different concept of good and evil that does not contain the Christian concept of "sin", we can identify with this passages' statement that all created things are good in and of themselves, and that death is a part of life, not a punishment from the Gods. Because all things are good, and are from the Gods, to declare war on another people or nation is to take sides against them and their Gods. To claim that one has declared war because "God told me to" is one of the greatest acts of hubris possible. The killing of both combatants and innocents does not please the Gods, therefore we the people must stop the unjust wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before they lead to the downfall of the US.

Even Southern Baptists are Heeding the Gods!!!

2008-03-10T09:43:00.005-05:00

I know, I know, is not something that you would expect to hear, but even Southern Baptists are heeding the message that Kronos is sending us about the Karma that the US has in terms of the environment and climate change. Young members of the congregation are encouraging the SBC to view Environmentalism as a social issue equal to Abortion - which seems to be their number one priority.

From the New York Times today:

March 10, 2008
Southern Baptists Back a Shift on Climate Change
By NEELA BANERJEE
Signaling a significant departure from the Southern Baptist Convention’s official stance on global warming, 44 Southern Baptist leaders have decided to back a declaration calling for more action on climate change, saying its previous position on the issue was “too timid.”

The largest denomination in the United States after the Roman Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, with more than 16 million members, is politically and theologically conservative.

Yet its current president, the Rev. Frank Page, signed the initiative, “A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change.” Two past presidents of the convention, the Rev. Jack Graham and the Rev. James Merritt, also signed.

“We believe our current denominational engagement with these issues has often been too timid, failing to produce a unified moral voice,” the church leaders wrote in their new declaration.

A 2007 resolution passed by the convention hewed to a more skeptical view of global warming.

In contrast, the new declaration, which will be released Monday, states, “Our cautious response to these issues in the face of mounting evidence may be seen by the world as uncaring, reckless and ill-informed.”

The document also urges ministers to preach more about the environment and for all Baptists to keep an open mind about considering environmental policy.

Jonathan Merritt, the spokesman for the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative and a seminarian at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., said the declaration was a call to Christians to return to a biblical mandate to guard the world God created.

The Southern Baptist signatories join a growing community of evangelicals pushing for more action among believers, industry and politicians. Experts on the Southern Baptist Convention noted the initiative marked the growing influence of younger leaders on the discussions in the Southern Baptist Convention.

While those younger Baptists remain committed to fight abortion, for instance, the environment is now a top priority, too.

“In no way do we intend to back away from sanctity of life,” said the Rev. Dr. Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala.

Still, many powerful Southern Baptist leaders and agencies did not sign the declaration, including the convention’s influential political arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

Dr. Barrett Duke, vice president for public policy at the commission, played down the differences between the declaration and the Southern Baptist Convention’s position.

The declaration says in fact that lack of scientific unanimity should not preclude “prudent action,” which includes changing individual habits and giving “serious consideration to responsible policies that effectively address” global warming.

The declaration is the outgrowth of soul-searching by Mr. Merritt, 25. The younger Mr. Merritt said that for years he had been “an enemy of the environment.” Then, he said, he had an epiphany.

“I learned that God reveals himself through Scripture and in general through his creation, and when we destroy God’s creation, it’s similar to ripping pages from the Bible,” Mr. Merritt said.

Article may be found here.

Red Phone Ad Spoof from SNL

2008-03-10T09:42:00.002-05:00

Obama 1984

2008-03-09T19:33:00.003-05:00

Tonight's Caucus

2008-03-04T20:48:00.009-06:00

Click on image above for file in .pdf (better resolution)

I just got home from the Democratic Caucus for my precinct; it was an awesome, inspiring evening. There were 61 adults (and many children of all ages) at the caucus, 17 of whom supported Clinton and the rest (44) were for Obama! Clinton recieved two of eight delegates to the state convention and Obama recieved six delegates. When it came time for each of the individuals to speak up and state why we should vote for them as delegate to the state convention - there were some very emotional and inspiring speeches.

I am so excited that people of all races and ethnicites can come out and have such a direct effect on our political system. I had become very despondent and jaded about the political system here in the US - but tonight has restored my faith. I know that come November, we the people will take the White House once again, and our eight year dictatorship will be over!

Before heading to the caucus tonight, I decided to make a chart for the caucus I would be attending tonight... and what I saw absolutely shocked me. Tonight's caucus enforced what the Gods were telling us on the previous two eclipses.... tonight's energy and emotion are a direct manifestation of the TLE in Virgo (see my blog entries for last month's eclipses to learn more) and the earlier Annular Solar Eclipse (ASE) in Aquarius. This is the beginning of the changes that are going to sweep our nation in the months and years to come.

Looking at the above chart, it is important to notice the patterns in the chart, and most of all, look at the aspect table. There are 17 conjunctions occuring! All except two of the planets and luminaries are contained within the South Eastern quadrant... the remaining two are within the North West quadrant. This is an interesting pattern of planets within the chart - without even considering the aspects (which I will discuss later) right away we notice that there is a substantial grouping of planets in Pisces and Aquarius. Standing opposite them is Mars in Gemini and Saturn in Virgo. I am going to list the Sabian Symbols for each planet, then highlight some of the more important aspects in this blog entry - and then tomorrow I will make another entry explaining further insight I gain through my dreams and meditation.

Jupiter leads the parade of the Olympians beginning at 13 Virgo 03. The Sabian Symbol for this degree is "An Aristocratic Family Tree".

Moon is at 04 Aqu 57 - "A Council Of Ancestors Is Seen Implementing Thee Efforts Of A Young Leader"

Fortuna is at 12 Aqu 29 - "A Barometer"

Mercury is at 17 Aqu 27 - "A Man's Secret Motives Are Being Publicly Unmasked" ( Bush )

Chiron is at 18 Aqu 07 - "A Forest Fire Is Being Subdued By The Use Of Water, Chemicals And Sheer Muscular Energy"

Venus is at 19 Aqu 50 - "A Large White Dove Bearing A Message" (End to the War?)

Neptune is at 00 Pis 05 - "In A Crowded Marketplace Farmers And Middlemen Display A Great Variety Of Products"

North Node is at 05 Pis 15 - "A Parade Of Army Officers In Full Dress "

Sun is at 21 Pis 53 - "A Prophet Carrying Tablets Of The New Law Is Walking Down The Slopes Of Mount Sinai"

Neptune is at 25 Pis 56 - "Watching The Very Thin Moon Crescent Appearing At Sunset, Different People Realize That The Time Has Come To Go Ahead With Their Different Projects"

Ascendant is at 29 Pis 35 - "A Majestic Rock Formation Resembling A Face Is Idealized By A Boy Who Takes It As His Ideal Of Greatness, And As He Grows Up, Begins To Look Like It".

Mars is at 26 Gem 56 - "A Gypsy Emerging From The Forest Wherein Her Tribe Is Encamped"

Midpoint (between Mars and Saturn) is at 12 Leo 12 - "An Old Sea Captain Rocking Himself On The Porch Of His Cottage"

Saturn is at 05 Vir 31 - "A Merry-Go-Round"

Midheaven is at 25 Sag 26 - "A Flag Bearer In A Battle"

Vertex is at 27 Vir 35 - "A Baldheaded Man Who Has Seized Power"

East Point is at 02 Ari 09 - "A Comedian Reveals Human Nature"

Important Aspects

Saturn and Mars are trine each other and both are inconjunct the Moon. This formation is what is called in Karmic Astrology the Yod formation. There is also a Mystical Rectangle formed between Mars, Saturn, Pluto, and Mercury/Chiron/Venus (the last three are conjunct each other) representing the elements of air, earth, fire, and water respectively (based upon the signs that each planet is in). The clumping of the Olympians is so strong that the bracketing planets form semi-square aspects (45 degree angle) to each other. This is significant.

I will present more about what I feel this chart means for the election, our country and the world tomorrow.

Peace and Be Well!

March Astrological Downloads

2008-03-01T00:04:00.001-06:00

Here are the Downloads for the month of March, 2008.

Monthly Calendar with Astrological aspects and moon info.

Aspect highlights for March.

Detailed aspect chart for March.

Void of Course for March 2008.

Planetary Hours for March 2008.

Lunation Chart for March 2008.

And finally, the Planetary Stations for 2008.

Friday, March 7th is 1 Elaphebolion, and the New Moon is in Pisces.

Another perspective of the TLE in Virgo...

2008-02-22T10:41:00.024-06:00

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I feel that the Sabian Symbols for the TLE (total lunar eclipse) in Virgo have an important message for us as Hellenistic Pagans.

For the Moon at 01:53 Virgo we have the following Sabian Symbol:
A large white cross dominates the landscape.
Keynote: The wisdom and compassion, which only the experience of suffering and isolation can bring – LIBERATING ORDEAL. (Dane Rudhyar, “An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and Its 360 Symbolic Phases”, p. 151)

This sign speaks to us, emphasizing that we must embrace the nature of Kronos, called Saturn, who is known as "the Titan god of time and the ages, especially time where regarded as destructive and all-devouring" [1]. If we refuse to embrace Kronos, and make peace with him in our own lives, we are dooming ourselves to keep repeating our Karmic lessons. There are many paths by which one may do this: subconciously - by sabotaging ourselves in our work, home, and leisure relationships, through building inner resentments that lead to angst or depressions.

Those who are aware of Kronos and his lessons are not immune however, as this eclipse has lessons for the concious as well - we must use Kronos' relationship with this eclipse as a trigger which urges us to keep moving forward in our lives and spiritual quests - and as a warning against falling into old patterns or ways of thinking. Kronos tells us that if we look to him for guidance, and trust in his teachings, he can show us how to properly integrate this TLE into our lives, and by doing so, we will experience a liberation. This liberation will parallel the liberation that he experienced when he was removed from power by his son, Zeus.

Kronos ruled the Universe and all of Creation during the Golden Age of man; Kronos came into power after he castrated and deposed his father Ouranos (the Sky Father). This set up a Karmic lesson which Kronos tried to thwart. Because Kronos feared the prophecy that he would be in turn be overthrown by his own son, Kronos swallowed each of his children as soon as they were born. He thought that this could thwart his Karmic debt... instead, it was merely a delay that caused it to build in intensity. The more that one works against their destiny, and the harder one tries to deny Karma, the greater the magnitude of the liberating event becomes. Kronos' wife, Rhea managed to save the youngest of her Divine Children, Zeus. Rhea hid Zeus on the island of Krete, where he was protected by Nymphs and nourished by the goat Amalthea. Rhea tricked Kronos and fed him a stone wrapped in the swaddling clothes of an infant.

When Zeus grew up, he made his mighty Aegis from Amalthea's hide, and placed her in the stars as Capricornus. Zeus went to Heaven, where he forced Kronos to disgorge his swallowed siblings, and led them, under their new title - Olympians - in a ten year, violent battle against the Titans. As predicted by the prophecy that he tried so hard to avert, Kronos was castrated and all of the Titans were defeated; the Titans as well as those who fought against the Olympians, were banished to the primitive and dark Pit of Tartaros. Here they experienced what it was to be imprisoned in darkness, held against thier will - just as Kronos had subjected his own children to the darkness of himself.

It seems to the pagan believer, upon hearing of the myth of the birth of Kronos, when he himself had been oppressed by his own father, Ouranos, Kronos would have tried to be a better father to his own offspring. If Kronos had been confident in his own power and rule, he would not have feared his children, and he would not have had to oppress them. A kind and supportive parenting role would likely have made everything different - Zeus could have assumed rule peacefully from his Father when he and the other Olympians were mature and ready to rule the Universe. Instead, Kronos acted from fear and hubris - the fear drove him to act in an oppressive manner - which bred resentment and hatred in his children and wife - and the hubris led him to convince himself that he was not subject to Tyche and her Three Fates. Zeus understood that he was subject to these Goddesses - who are called by men "terrible" - and by paying them the proper respect, Zeus was able to triumph over Kronos' oppression - this is reflected in our world by the proverb "Good always overcomes evil".

Because Zeus is most compassionate, and understands that everyone - even those who seek to avoid her - are subject to the dictates of Tyche, many, many, many human generations later, Zeus released Kronos and his comrades from thier dark and oppressive prison. He even made Kronos King of the Elysian Islands, home of the blessed dead. This is the true destiny that Kronos was meant to experience, but because of his fear and hubris, he had to experience darkness, isolation, and suffering before he could recieve his blessing.

The TLE at 01 Virgo 53 teaches us that we too must learn from the lessons of Kronos - if we try to act out of fear or hubris, we are only creating Karma which we must experience before we can inherit the blessings that the Gods have had in store for us since our birth. Let us use this eclipse to put right the Bad Karma we have created, and to embrace the Good Karma within ourselves and others.

For the Sun at 01:53 Pisces it is:
A squirrel hiding from hunters.
Keynote: The individual’s need both to ensure his future subsistence and to protect himself from aggressive social elements – SELF-PROTECTION. (Rudhyar, pp. 269f).

This Sabian Symbol of the Sun relates to the role of Zeus and the Olympians in the above story. Zeus and his mother Rhea did what was necessarry to ensure Zeus' future success and rule as High God. It was necessarry for Zeus to spend his youth away from his family, in protection on Mt. Ida on Krete. This isolation allowed him to be taught wisdom and compassion by the Nymphs - which is what initially seperated him from his own father. Zeus had to experience this so that he could protect himself, his mother and his siblings; when he was mature, he was able to take the knowledge and compassion he had integrated into himself to address his Father. Kronos, rather than appreciating his son and his role in the Universe, sought to destroy his children so that he could rule forever. Zeus did not attack, or merely seek revenge; Zeus acted in self-defense against his father to protect his mother and siblings. This is why Zeus and the Olympian's actions were in harmony with Tyche, while the actions of Kronos and the Titans were against her.

The professional astrologer, Verena Donath, who writes the column Celestial Notebook for The Mountain Astrologer has the following to say about the TLE in Virgo:

The succeeding Lunar Eclipse will illuminate our inner landscape. It is a subjective response that will be felt emotionally and intuitively. In the chart for the Lunar Eclipse (see chart) Vesta is conjunct the Sun in Pisces and thus opposite the Moon. This speaks of a sacrifice, whereby the individual brings himself to the altar in the face of loneliness and alienation. By confronting one’s anxieties and to some point even one’s errors there might be a feeling of helplessness emerge, but in the end the need to save oneself will aid the individual in sorting out his feelings.
Saturn Rx in Virgo in close proximity, sesqui-quadrate Eris in Aries, is an indicator of a stressful emotional situation, a test of character as well as of endurance, because the inner life of the individual is in a state of dissonance. Polarity is heightened with each Full Moon. In the case of a Lunar Eclipse it is amplified. Outer as well as inner withdrawal is needed to regain composure and to reclaim one’s space.
Pallas in Pisces is square Mars in Gemini who’s casting a trine to the North Node in Aquarius. All threats have to be thwarted to protect oneself during this challenging phase so that the individual will be freed from the past and can now embark on a new path with renewed energies.
Uranus in Pisces receives a sextile from Ceres in Taurus and a semi-sextile from Chiron in Aquarius. The latter is also engaged in a square with Ceres. Detachment is the key to emotional liberation. Change will only happen by breaking out of the cycle of suffering and letting go off illusive thinking. Security is only relative. To ensure future subsistence the individual has to rebuild his/her self-esteem.

This is a time for us to look within and make the following changes so that we cease to act out of hubris and/or fear against Tyche, the Fates, and the Gods:

Move from worthlessness, shame, guilt, and believing that everyone else embraces the Gods except us to the constant awareness of our inherent divinity and interconnection with all of Creation.
Move from helplessness, victimization, and martyrdom to discernment, harmony, humility, and true service of the Gods (Orthopraxy).
Let us embrace the sacred work which we came to this life to do.
Let us live boldly and shine our light that we offer to the world in the service of the Gods.

Sabian Symbols in Astrology

2008-02-21T14:40:00.000-06:00

The Sabian Symbols are a modern oracle; in 1925, the Sabian symbols were brought into manifestation in the physical realm during the span of a single day in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA.[1] The Sabian Symbols, which are an oracle, were channeled through the combined efforts of Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler; Jones wrote all 360 degree increments of the zodiac on notecards, which he randomly shuffled and held up for Wheeler to meditate upon[2]. Jones did not know which degree of the Zodiac he was dealing with, but Wheeler told Jones what images, visions, or sense impressions she was having associated with each card. These images and impressions were recorded by Jones, who compiled them into lists which have been distributed since[3].

The following is the complete list of all 360 Sabian Symbols as recieved by Wheeler; I view them as modern Astrological equivalents of the Delphic Oracle. If one has a question about a particlar placement of a planet or asteroid within their chart, considering which God is represented combined with the appropriate Sabian Symbol can provide a meditation tool.

For example, my own natal moon is conjunct my Ascendant, which is placed at 01 Virgo 53 - which has the Sabian Symbol of "A Large White Cross Dominates The Landscape". Because this involves my moon, Selene should be seen as participating in the image of the Sabian Symbol... which to me says that I should look to her, the Moon Goddess and symbol of my emotions, and trust her to comfort and guide me, as I journey through my life. I, like most people today, live in a country that is predominantely Monotheistic and Protestant Christian - which can create inconvinences and awkward situations for polythiests, pantheists, panentheists, and even henotheists who do not subscribe to the predominant faith paradigm. Having an oracle which provides tools for meditation such as the Sabian Symbols can hopefully help other pagans to determine what their destiny is, and how to fulfill it.

The following are the Sabian Symbols, arranged by degree and Sign.

Aries

0-1 deg Aries-A Woman Just Risen From The Sea; A Seal Is Embracing Her
1-2 deg Aries-A Comedian Reveals Human Nature
2-3 deg Aries-The Cameo Profile Of A Man, Suggesting The Shape Of His Country
3-4 deg Aries-Two Lovers Strolling On A Secluded Walk
4-5 deg Aries-A Triangle With Wings
5-6 deg -AriesA Square, With One Of Its Sides Brightly Illumined
6-7 deg Aries-A Man Succeeds In Expressing Himself Simultaneously In Two Realms
7-8 deg Aries-A Large Woman's Hat With Streamers Blown By An East Wind
8-9 deg Aries-A Crystal Gazer
9-10 deg Aries-A Teacher Gives New Symbolic Forms To Traditional Images
10-11 deg Aries-The Ruler Of A Nation
11-12 deg Aries-A Triangularly Shaped Flight Of Wild Geese
12-13 deg Aries-An Unexploded Bomb Reveals An Unsuccessful Social Protest
13-14 deg Aries-A Serpent Coiling Near A Man And A Woman
14-15 deg Aries-An Indian Weaving A Ceremonial Blanket
15-16 deg Aries-Nature Spirits Are Seen At Work In The Light Of Sunset
16-17 deg Aries-Two Dignified Spinsters Sitting In Silence
17-18 deg Aries-An Empty Hammock Stretched Between Two Trees
18-19 deg Aries-The "Magic Carpet" Of Oriental Imagery
19-20 deg Aries-A Young Girl Feeding Birds In Winter
20-21 deg Aries-A Pugilist Enters The Ring
21-22 deg Aries-The Gate To The Garden Of All Fulfilled Desires
22-23 deg Aries-A Pregnant Woman In Light Summer Dress
23-24 deg Aries-Blown Inward By The Wind, The Curtains Of An Open Window Take The Shape Of A Cornucopia
24-25 deg Aries-The Possibility For Man To Gain Experience At Two Levels Of Being
25-26 deg Aries-A Man Possessed Of More Gifts Than He Can Hold
26-27 deg Aries-Through Imagination A Lost Opportunity Is Regained
27-28 deg Aries-A Large Audiences Confronts The Performer Who Disappointed Its Expectations
28-29 deg Aries-The Music Of The Spheres
29-30 deg Aries-A Duck Pond And Its Brood

Taurus

0-1 deg Taurus-A Clear Mountain Stream
1-2 deg Taurus-An Electrical Storm
2-3 deg Taurus-Natural Steps Lead To A Lawn Of Clover In Bloom
3-4 deg Taurus-The Pot Of Gold At The End Of The Rainbow
4-5 deg Taurus-A Widow At An Open Grave
5-6 deg Taurus-Cantilever Bridge Across A Deep Gorge
6-7 deg Taurus-The Woman Of Samaria At The Ancestral Well
7-8 deg Taurus-A Sleigh On Land Uncovered By Snow
8-9 deg Taurus-A Fully Decorated Christmas Tree
9-10 deg Taurus-A Red Cross Nurse 10-11 deg TaurusA Woman Watering Flowers In Her Garden
11-12 deg Taurus-A Young Couple Window Shopping
12-13 deg Taurus-A Porter Carrying Heavy Baggage
13-14 deg Taurus-On The Beach, Children Play While Shellfish Grope At The Edge Of The Water
14-15 deg Taurus-Head Covered With A Rakish Silk Hat, Muffled Against The Cold, A Man Braves A Storm
15-16 deg Taurus-An Old Teacher Fails To Interest His Pupils In Traditional Knowledge
16-17 deg Taurus-A Symbolical Battle Between "Swords" And "Torches"
17-18 deg Taurus-A Woman Airing An Old Bag Through The Open Window Of Her Room
18-19 deg Taurus-A New Continent Rising Out Of The Ocean
19-20 deg Taurus-Wisps Of Winglike Clouds Streaming Across The Sky
20-21 deg Taurus-A Finger Pointing To A Line In An Open Book
21-22 deg Taurus-White Dove Flying Over Troubled Waters
22-23 deg Taurus-A Jewelry Shop Filled With Valuable Gems
23-24 deg Taurus-An Indian Warrior Riding Fiercely, Human Scalps Hanging From His Belt
24-25 deg Taurus-A Vast Public Park
25-26 deg Taurus-A Spanish Gallant Serenades His Beloved
26-27 deg Taurus-An Old Indian Woman Selling The Artifacts Of Her Tribe To Passerby
27-28 deg Taurus-A Woman, Past Her "Change Of Life", Experiences A New Love
28-29 deg Taurus-Two Cobblers Working At A Table
29-30 deg Taurus-A Peacock Parading On The Terrace Of An Old Castle

Gemini
0-1 deg Gemini-A Glass-Bottomed Boat Reveals Undersea Wonders
1-2 deg Gemini-Santa Claus Furtively Filling Stockings Hanging In Front Of Fireplace
2-3 deg Gemini-The Garden Of The Tuileries In Paris
3-4 deg Gemini-Holly And Mistletoe Reawaken Old Memories Of Christmas
4-5 deg Gemini-A Revolutionary Magazine Asking For Action
5-6 deg Gemini-Workmen Drilling For Oil
6-7 deg Gemini-A Well With Bucket And Rope Under The Shade Of Majestic Trees
7-8 deg Gemini-Aroused Strikers Surround A Factory
8-9 deg Gemini-A Quiver Filled With Arrows
9-10 deg Gemini-An Airplane Performing A Nose Dive
10-11 deg Gemini-Newly Opened Lands Offer The Pioneer New Opportunities For Experience
11-12 deg Gemini-A Negro Girl Fights For Her Independence In The City
12-13 deg Gemini-A Famous Pianist Giving A Concert Performance
13-14 deg Gemini-Bridging Physical Space And Social Distinctions, Two Men Communicate Telepathically
14-15 deg Gemini-Two Dutch Children Talking To Each Other, Exchanging Their Knowledge
15-16 deg Gemini-A Woman Activist In An Emotional Speech Dramatizing Her Cause
16-17 deg Gemini-The Head Of A Robust Youth Changes Into That Of A Mature Thinker
17-18 deg Gemini-Two Chinese Men Converse In Their Native Tongue In An American City
18-19 deg Gemini-A Large Archaic Volume Reveals A Traditional Wisdom
19-20 deg Gemini-A Modern Cafeteria Displays An Abundance Of Food, Products Of Various Regions
20-21 deg Gemini-A Tumultuous Labor Demonstration
21-22 deg Gemini-Dancing Couples In A Harvest Festival
22-23 deg Gemini-Three Fledglings In A Nest High In A Tree
23-24 deg Gemini-Children Skating Over A Frozen Village Pond
24-25 deg Gemini-A Gardener Trimming Large Palm Trees
25-26 deg Gemini-Frost-Covered Trees Against Winter Skies
26-27 deg Gemini-A Gypsy Emerging From The Forest Wherein Her Tribe Is Encamped
27-28 deg Gemini-Through Bankruptcy, Society Gives To An Overburdened Individual The Opportunity To Begin Again
28-29 deg Gemini-The First Mockingbird Of Spring
29-30 deg Gemini-A Parade Of Bathing Beauties Before Large Beach Crowds

Cancer
0-1 deg Cancer-On A Ship The Sailors Lower An Old Flag And Raise A New One
1-2 deg Cancer-A Man On A Magic Carpet Hovers Over A Large Area Of Land
2-3 deg Cancer-A Man Bundled In Fur Leads A Shaggy Deer
3-4 deg Cancer-A Cat Arguing With A Mouse
4-5 deg Cancer-At A Railroad Crossing, An Automobile is Wrecked By A Train
5-6 deg Cancer-Game Birds Feathering Their Nests
6-7 deg Cancer-Two Nature Spirits Dancing Under the Moonlight
7-8 deg Cancer-A Group Of Rabbits Dressed in Human Clothes Walk As If On Parade
8-9 deg Cancer-A Small Naked Girl Bends Over A Pond Trying To Catch A Fish
9-10 deg Cancer-A Large Diamond In The First Stages Of The Cutting Process
10-11 deg Cancer-A Clown Caricaturing Well-Known Personalities
11-12 deg Cancer-A Chinese Woman Nursing A Baby Whose Aura Reveals Him To Be The Reincarnation Of A Great Teacher
12-13 deg Cancer-A Hand With A Prominent Thumb Is Held Out For Study
13-14 deg Cancer-A Very Old Man Facing A Vast Dark Space To The Northeast
14-15 deg Cancer-In A Sumptuous Dining Hall Guests Relax After Partaking Of A Huge Banquet
15-16 deg Cancer-A Man Studying A Mandala In Front Of Him, With The Help Of A Very Ancient Book
16-17 deg Cancer-The Unfoldment Of Multilevel Potentialities Issuing From An Original Germ
17-18 deg Cancer-A Hen Scratching The Ground To Find Nourishment For Her Progeny
18-19 deg Cancer-A Priest Performing A Marriage Ceremony
19-20 deg Cancer-Venetian Gondoliers Giving A Serenade
20-21 deg Cancer-A Famous Singer Is Proving Her Virtuosity During An Operatic Performance
21-22 deg Cancer-A Young Woman Awaiting A Sailboat
22-23 deg Cancer-The Meeting Of A Literary Society
23-24 deg Cancer-A Woman And Two Men Castaways On A Small Island Of The South Seas
24-25 deg Cancer-A Willful Man Is Overshadowed By A Descent Of Superior Power
25-26 deg Cancer-Guests Are Reading In The Library Of A Luxurious Home
26-27 deg Cancer-A Violent Storm in A Canyon Filled With Expensive Homes
27-28 deg Cancer-An Indian Girl Introduces Her White Lover To Her Assembled Tribe
28-29 deg Cancer-A Greek Muse Weighing Newborn Twins In Golden Scales
29-30 deg Cancer-A Daughter of The American Revolution

Leo
0-1 deg Leo-Blood Rushes To A Man's Head As His Vital Energies Are Mobilized Under The Spur Of Ambition
1-2 deg Leo-An Epidemic Of Mumps
2-3 deg Leo-A Middle-Aged Woman, Her Long Hair Flowing Over Her Shoulders And In A Braless Youthful Garment
3-4 deg Leo-A Formally Dressed Elderly Man Stands Near Trophies He Brought Back From A Hunting Expedition
4-5 deg Leo-Rock Formations Tower Over A Deep Canyon
5-6 deg Leo-A Conservative, Old-Fashioned Lady Is Confronted By A "Hippie" Girl
6-7 deg Leo-The Constellations Of Stars Shine Brilliantly In The Night Sky
7-8 deg Leo-A Communist Activist Spreading His Revolutionary Ideals
8-9 deg Leo-Glass Blowers Shape Beautiful Vases With Their Controlled Breathing
9-10 deg Leo-Early Morning Dew Sparkles As Sunlight Floods The Field
10-11 deg Leo-Children Play On A Swing Hanging From The Branches Of A Huge Oak Tree
11-12 deg Leo-An Evening Party Of Adults On A Lawn Illumined By Fancy Lanterns
12-13 deg Leo-An Old Sea Captain Rocking Himself On The Porch Of His Cottage
13-14 deg Leo-A Human Soul Seeking Opportunities For Outward Manifestation
14-15 deg Leo-A Pageant, With Its Spectacular Floats, Moves Along A Street Crowded With Cheering People
15-16 deg Leo-The Storm Ended, All Nature Rejoices In Brilliant Sunshine
16-17 deg Leo-A Volunteer or Church Choir Singing Religious Hymns
17-18 deg Leo-A Chemist Conducts An Experiment For His Students
18-19 deg Leo-A Houseboat Party
19-20 deg Leo-Zuni Indians Perform A Ritual To The Sun
20-21 deg Leo-Intoxicated Chickens Dizzily Flap Their Wings Trying To Fly
21-22 deg Leo-A Carrier Pigeon Fulfilling Its Mission
22-23 deg Leo-In A Circus The Bareback Rider Displays Her Dangerous Skill
23-24 deg Leo-Totally Concentrated Upon Inner Spiritual Attainment, A Man Is Sitting In A State Of Complete Neglect Of Bodily Appearance And Cleanliness
24-25 deg Leo-A Large Camel Is Seen Crossing A Vast And Forbidding Desert
25-26 deg Leo-After The Heavy Storm, A Rainbow
26-27 deg Leo-The Luminescence Of Dawn In The Eastern Sky
27-28 deg Leo-Many Little Birds On A Limb Of A Big Tree
28-29 deg Leo-A Mermaid Emerges From The Ocean Waves Ready For Rebirth In Human Form
29-30 deg Leo-An Unsealed Letter

Virgo
0-1 deg Virgo-In A Portrait, The Significant Features Of A Man's Head Are Artistically Emphasized
1-2 deg Virgo-A Large White Cross Dominates The Landscape
2-3 deg Virgo-Two Guardian Angels
3-4 deg Virgo-Black And White Children Play Together Happily
4-5 deg Virgo-A Man Becoming Aware Of Nature Spirits And Normally Unseen Spiritual Agencies
5-6 deg Virgo-A Merry-Go-Round
6-7 deg Virgo-A Harem
7-8 deg Virgo-A Five-Year-Old Child Takes A First Dancing Lesson
8-9 deg Virgo-An Expressionist Painter At Work
9-10 deg Virgo-Two Heads Looking Out And Beyond The Shadows
10-11 deg Virgo-In Her Baby A Mother Sees Her Deep Longing For A Son Answered
11-12 deg Virgo-After The Wedding, The Groom Snatches The Veil Away From His Bride
12-13 deg Virgo-A Powerful Statesman Overcomes A State Of Political Hysteria
13-14 deg Virgo-An Aristocratic Family Tree
14-15 deg Virgo-A Fine Lace Handkerchief, Heirloom From Valorous Ancestors
15-16 deg Virgo-In The Zoo, Children Are Brought Face To Face With An Orangutan
16-17 deg Virgo-A Volcanic Eruption
17-18 deg Virgo-An Ouija Board
18-19 deg Virgo-A Swimming Race
19-20 deg Virgo-A Caravan Of Cars Headed To The West Coast
20-21 deg Virgo-A Girls' Basketball Team
21-22 deg Virgo-A Royal Coat Of Arms Enriched With Precious Stones
22-23 deg Virgo-A Lion Tamer Displays His Skill And Character
23-24 deg Virgo-Mary And Her Little Lamb
24-25 deg Virgo-A Flag At Half-Mast In Front Of A Public Building
25-26 deg Virgo-A Boy With A Censer Serves The Priest Near The Altar
26-27 deg Virgo-A Group Of Aristocratic Ladies Meet Ceremonially At A Court's Function
27-28 deg Virgo-A Baldheaded Man Who Has Seized Power
28-29 deg Virgo-A Seeker After Occult Knowledge Is Reading An Ancient Scroll Which Illumines His Mind
29-30 deg Virgo-Totally Intent Upon Completing An Immediate Task, A Man Is Deaf To Any Allurement

Libra
0-1 deg Libra-In A Collection Of Perfect Specimens Of Many Biological Forms, A Butterfly Displays The Beauty Of Its Wings, Its Body Impaled By A Fine Dart
1-2 deg Libra-The Transmutation Of The Fruits Of Past Experiences Into The Seed-Realizations Of The Forever Creative Spirit
2-3 deg Libra-The Dawn Of A New Day Reveals Everything Changed
3-4 deg Libra-Around A Campfire A Group Of Young People Sit In Spiritual Communion
4-5 deg Libra-A Man Revealing To His Students The Foundation Of An Inner Knowledge Upon Which A "New World" Could Be Built
5-6 deg Libra-A Man Watches His Ideals Taking A Concrete Form Before His Inner Vision
6-7 deg Libra-A Woman Feeding Chickens And Protecting Them From The Hawks
7-8 deg Libra-A Blazing Fireplace In A Deserted Home
8-9 deg Libra-Three "Old Masters" Hanging On The Wall Of A Special Room In An Art Gallery
9-10 deg Libra-Having Passed Through Narrow Rapids, A Canoe Reaches Calm Waters
10-11 deg Libra-A Professor Peering Over His Glasses At His Students
11-12 deg Libra-Miners Are Surfacing From A Deep Coal Mine
12-13 deg Libra-Children Blowing Soap Bubbles
13-14 deg Libra-In The Heat Of The Noon Hour A Man Takes A Siesta
14-15 deg Libra-Circular Paths
15-16 deg Libra-After A Storm A Boat Landing Stands In Need Of Reconstruction
16-17 deg Libra-A Retired Sea Captain Watches Ships Entering And Leaving The Harbor
17-18 deg Libra-Two Men Placed Under Arrest
18-19 deg Libra-A Gang Of Robbers In Hiding
19-20 deg Libra-A Rabbi Performing His Duties
20-21 deg Libra-A Sunday Crowd Enjoying The Beach
21-22 deg Libra-A Child Giving Birds A Drink At A Fountain
22-23 deg Libra-Chanticleer's Voice Heralds Sunrise
23-24 deg Libra-A Butterfly With A Third Wing On Its Left Side
24-25 deg Libra-The Sight Of An Autumn Leaf Brings To A Pilgrim The Sudden Revelation Of The Mystery Of Life And Death
25-26 deg Libra-An Eagle And A Large White Dove Change Into Each Other
26-27 deg Libra-An Airplane Sails, High In The Clear Sky
27-28 deg Libra-A Man Becoming Aware Of Spiritual Forces Surrounding And Assisting Him
28-29 deg Libra-Mankind's Vast And Enduring Effort To Reach For Knowledge Transferable From Generation To Generation
29-30 deg Libra-Three Mounds Of Knowledge On A Philosopher's Head

Scorpio
0-1 deg Scorpio-A Crowded Sightseeing Bus On A City Street
1-2 deg Scorpio-A Delicate Bottle Of Perfume Lies Broken, Releasing Its Fragrance
2-3 deg Scorpio-A House-Raising Party In A Small Village Enlists The Neighbors' Cooperation
3-4 deg Scorpio-A Youth Carries A Lighted Candle In A Devotional Ritual
4-5 deg Scorpio-A Massive Rocky Shore Resist The Pounding Of The Sea
5-6 deg Scorpio-The Gold Rush Tears Men Away From Their Native Soil
6-7 deg Scorpio-Deep-Sea Divers

Ophiuchus*

7-8 deg Scorpio-A Calm Lake Bathed In Moonlight
8-9 deg Scorpio-A Dentist At Work
9-10 deg Scorpio-A Fellowship Supper Reunites Old Comrades
10-11 deg Scorpio-A Drowning Man is Being Rescued
11-12 deg Scorpio-An Official Embassy Ball
12-13 deg Scorpio-An Inventor Performs A Laboratory Experiment
13-14 deg Scorpio-Telephone Lineman At Work Installling New Connections
14-15 deg Scorpio-Children Playing Around Five Mounds Of Sand
15-16 deg Scorpio-A Girl's Face Breaking Into A Smile
16-17 deg Scorpio-A Woman, Fecundated By Her Own Spirit, Is "Great With Child"
17-18 deg Scorpio-A Path Through Woods Brilliant With Multicolored Splendor
18-19 deg Scorpio-A Parrot Repeats The Conversation He Has Overheard
19-20 deg Scorpio-A Woman Draws Away Two Dark Curtains Closing The Entrance To A Sacred Pathway
20-21 deg Scorpio-Obeying His Conscience, A Soldier Resists Orders
21-22 deg Scorpio-Hunters Shooting Wild Ducks
22-23 deg Scorpio-A Rabbit Metamorphoses Into A Nature Sprit
23-24 deg Scorpio-After Having Heard An Inspired Individual Deliver His "Sermon On The Mount," Crowds Are Returning Home
24-25 deg Scorpio-An X-Ray Photograph
25-26 deg Scorpio-American Indians Making Camp After Moving Into A New Territory
26-27 deg Scorpio-A Military Band Marches Noisily On Through The City Streets
27-28 deg Scorpio-The King Of The Fairies Approaching His Domain
28-29 deg Scorpio-An Indian Squaw Pleading To The Chief For The Lives Of Her Children
29-30 deg Scorpio-Children In Halloween Costumes Indulge In Various Pranks

Sagittarius
0-1 deg Sagittarius-Retired Army Veterans Gather To Reawaken Old Memories
1-2 deg Sagittarius-White-capped Waves Display The Power Of Wind Over Sea
2-3 deg Sagittarius-Two Men Playing Chess
3-4 deg Sagittarius-A Little Child Learning To Walk With The Encouragement Of His Parents
4-5 deg Sagittarius-An Old Owl Sits Alone On The Branch Of A Large Tree
5-6 deg Sagittarius-A Game Of Cricket
6-7 deg Sagittarius-Cupid Knocks At The Door Of A Human Heart
7-8 deg Sagittarius-Within The Depths Of The Earth New Elements Are Being Formed
8-9 deg Sagittarius-A Mother Leads Her Small Child Step By Step Up A Steep Stairway
9-10 deg Sagittarius-A Theatrical Representation Of A Golden-Haired Goddess Of Opportuinity
10-11 deg Sagittarius-In The Left Section Of An Archaic Temple, A Lamp Burns In A Container Shaped Like A Human Body
11-12 deg Sagittarius-A Flag Turns Into An Eagle; The Eagle Into A Chanticleer Saluting The Dawn
12-13 deg Sagittarius-A Widow's Past Is Brought To Light
13-14 deg Sagittarius-The Great Pyramid And The Sphinx
14-15 deg Sagittarius-The Ground Hog Looking For Its Shadow On Ground Hog Day
15-16 deg Sagittarius-Sea Gulls Fly Around A Ship In Expectation Of Food
16-17 deg Sagittarius-An Easter Sunrise Service Draws A Large Crowd
17-18 deg Sagittarius-Children Playing On The Beach, Their Heads Protected By Sunbonnets
18-19 deg Sagittarius-Pelicans Menaced By The Behavior And Refuse Of Men Seek Safer Areas For Bringing Up Their Young
19-20 deg Sagittarius-In An Old-Fashioned Northern Village Men Cut The Ice Of A Frozen Pond For Use During The Summer
20-21 deg Sagittarius-A Child And A Dog Wearing Borrowed Eyeglasses
21-22 deg Sagittarius-A Chinese Laundry
22-23 deg Sagittarius-A Group Of Immigrants As They Fulfill The Requirements Of Entrance Into The New Country
23-24 deg Sagittarius-A Bluebird Perched On The Gate Of A Cottage
24-25 deg Sagittarius-A Chubby Boy On A Hobby-Horse
25-26 deg Sagittarius-A Flag Bearer In A Battle
26-27 deg Sagittarius-A Sculptor At His Work
27-28 deg Sagittarius-An Old Bridge Over A Beautiful Stream Is Still In Constant Use
28-29 deg Sagittarius-A Fat Boy Mowing The Lawn Of His House On An Elegant Suburban Street
29-30 deg Sagittarius-The Pope Blessing The Faithful

Capricorn
0-1 deg Capricorn-An Indian Chief Claims Power From The Assembled Tribe
1-2 deg Capricorn-Three Rose Windows In A Gothic Church, One Damaged By War
2-3 deg Capricorn-A Human Soul, In Its Eagerness For New Experiences, Seeks Embodiment
3-4 deg Capricorn-A Group Of People Outfitting A Large Canoe At The Start Of A Journey By Water
4-5 deg Capricorn-Indians On The Warpath. While Some Men Row A Well-Filled Canoe, Others In It Perform A War Dance
5-6 deg Capricorn-Ten Logs Lie Under An Archway Leading To Darker Woods
6-7 deg Capricorn-A Veiled Prophet Speaks, Seized By The Power Of A God
7-8 deg Capricorn-In A Sunlit Home Domesticated Birds Sing Joyously
8-9 deg Capricorn-An Angel Carrying A Harp
9-10 deg Capricorn-An Albatross Feeding From The Hand Of A Sailor
10-11 deg Capricorn-A Large Group Of Pheasant On A Private Estate
11-12 deg Capricorn-An Illustrated Lecture On Natural Science Reveals Little-Known Aspects Of Life
12-13 deg Capricorn-A Fire Worshipper Meditates On The Ultimate Realities Of Existence
13-14 deg Capricorn-An Ancient Bas-Relief Carved In Granite Remains A Witness To A Long-Forgotten Culture
14-15 deg Capricorn-In A Hospital, The Children's Ward Is Filled With Toys
15-16 deg Capricorn-School Grounds Filled With Boys And Girls In Gymnasium Suits
16-17 deg Capricorn-A Repressed Woman Finds A Psychological Release In Nudism
17-18 deg Capricorn-The Union Jack Flag Files From A British Warship
18-19 deg Capricorn-A Five-Year-Old Child Carrying A Bag Filled With Groceries
19-20 deg Capricorn-A Hidden Choir Is Singing During A Religious Service
20-21 deg Capricorn-A Relay Race
21-22 deg Capricorn-By Accepting Defeat Gracefully, A General Reveals Nobility Of Character
22-23 deg Capricorn-A Soldier Receiving Two Awards For Bravery In Combat
23-24 deg Capricorn-A Woman Entering A Convent
24-25 deg Capricorn-A Store Filled With Precious Oriental Rugs
25-26 deg Capricorn-A Nature Sprit Dancing In The Iridescent Mist Of A Waterfall
26-27 deg Capricorn-Pilgrims Climbing The Steep Steps Leading To A Mountain Shrine
27-28 deg Capricorn-A Large Aviary
28-29 deg Capricorn-A Woman Reading Tea Leaves
29-30 deg Capricorn-A Secret Meeting Of Men Responsible For Executive Decisions In World Affairs

Aquarius
0-1 deg Aquarius-An Old Adobe Mission In California
1-2 deg Aquarius-An Unexpected Thunderstorm
2-3 deg Aquarius-A Deserter From The Navy
3-4 deg Aquarius-A Hindu Yogi Demonstrates His Healing Powers
4-5 deg Aquarius-A Council Of Ancestors Is Seen Implementing Thee Efforts Of A Young Leader
5-6 deg Aquarius-A Masked Figure Performs Ritualistic Acts In A Mystery Play
6-7 deg Aquarius-A Child Is Seen Being Born Out Of An Egg
7-8 deg Aquarius-Beautifully Gowned Wax Figures On Display
8-9 deg Aquarius-A Flag Is Seen Turning Into An Eagle
9-10 deg Aquarius-A Man Who Had For A Time Become The Embodiment Of A Popular Ideal Is Made To Realize That As A Person He Is Not This Ideal
10-11 deg Aquarius-During A Silent Hour, A Man Receives A New Inspiration Which May Change His Life
11-12 deg Aquarius-On A Vast Staircase Stand People Of Different Types, Graduated Upward
12-13 deg Aquarius-A Barometer
13-14 deg Aquarius-A Train Entering A Tunnel
14-15 deg Aquarius-Two Lovebirds Sitting On A Fence And Singing Happily
15-16 deg Aquarius-A Big Businessman At His Desk
16-17 deg Aquarius-A Watchdog Stands Guard, Protecting His Master And His Possessions
17-18 deg Aquarius-A Man's Secret Motives Are Being Publicly Unmasked
18-19 deg Aquarius-A Forest Fire Is Being Subdued By The Use Of Water, Chemicals And Sheer Muscular Energy
19-20 deg Aquarius-A Large White Dove Bearing A Message
20-21 deg Aquarius-A Disappointed And Disillusioned Woman Courageously Faces A Seemingly Empty Life
21-22 deg Aquarius-A Rug Is Placed On The Floor Of A Nursery To Allow Children To Play In Comfort And Warmth
22-23 deg Aquarius-A Big Bear Sitting Down And Waving All Its Paws
23-24 deg Aquarius-A Man, Having Overcome His Passions, Teaches Deep Wisdom In Terms Of His Experience
24-25 deg Aquarius-A Butterfly With The Right Wing More Perfectly Formed
25-26 deg Aquarius-A Garage Man Testing A Car's Battery With A Hydrometer
26-27 deg Aquarius-An Ancient Pottery Bowl Filled With Fresh Violets
27-28 deg Aquarius-A Tree Felled And Sawed To Ensure A Supply Of Wood For The Winter
28-29 deg Aquarius-A Butterfly Emerging From A Chrysalis
29-30 deg Aquarius-Deeply Rooted In The Past Of A Very Ancient Culture, A Spiritual Brotherhood In Which Many Individual Minds Are Merged Into The Glowing Light Of A Unanimous Consciousness Is Revealed To One Who Has Emerged Successfully From His Metamorphosis

Pisces
0-1 deg Pisces-In A Crowded Marketplace Farmers And Middlemen Display A Great Variety Of Products
1-2 deg Pisces-A Squirrel Hiding From Hunters
2-3 deg Pisces-Petrified Tree Trunks Lie Broken On Desert Sand
3-4 deg Pisces-Heavy Car Traffic On A Narrow Isthmus Linking Two Seashore Resorts
4-5 deg Pisces-A Church Bazaar
5-6 deg Pisces-A Parade Of Army Officers In Full Dress
6-7 deg Pisces-Illumined By A Shaft Of Light, A Large Cross Lies On Rocks Surrounded By Sea
7-8 deg Pisces-A Girl Blowing A Bugle
8-9 deg Pisces-A Jockey Spurs His Horse, Intent On Outdistancing His Rivals
9-10 deg Pisces-An Aviator Pursues His Journey, Flying Through Ground-Obscuring Clouds
10-11 deg Pisces-Men Traveling A Narrow Path, Seeking Illumination
11-12 deg Pisces-In The Sanctuary Of An Occult Brotherhood, Newly Initiated Members Are Being Examined And Their Character Tested
12-13 deg Pisces-An Ancient Sword, Used In Many Battles, Is Displayed In A Museum
13-14 deg Pisces-A Lady Wrapped In A Large Stole Of Fox Fur
14-15 deg Pisces-An Officer Instructing His Men Before A Simulated Assault Under A Barrage Of Live Shells
15-16 deg Pisces-In The Quiet Of His Study A Creative Individual Experiences A Flow Of Inspiration
16-17 deg Pisces-An Easter Parade
17-18 deg Pisces-In A Gigantic Tent, Villagers Witness A Spectacular Performance
18-19 deg Pisces-A Master Instructing His Disciple
19-20 deg Pisces-A Table Set For An Evening Meal
20-21 deg Pisces-Under The Watchful And Kind Eye Of A Chinese Servant, A Girl Fondles A Little White Lamb
21-22 deg Pisces-A Prophet Carrying Tablets Of The New Law Is Walking Down The Slopes Of Mount Sinai
22-23 deg Pisces-A "Materializing" Medium Giving A Seance
23-24 deg Pisces-On A Small Island Surrounded By The Vast Expanse Of The Sea, People Are Seen Living In Close Interaction
24-25 deg Pisces-A Religious Organization Succeeds In Overcoming The Corrupting Influence Of Perverted Practices and Materialized Ideals
25-26 deg Pisces-Watching The Very Thin Moon Crescent Appearing At Sunset, Different People Realize That The Time Has Come To Go Ahead With Their Different Projects
26-27 deg Pisces-The Harvest Moon Illumines A Clear Autumnal Sky
27-28 deg Pisces-A Fertile Garden Under The Full Moon Reveals A Variety Of Full-Grown Vegetables
28-29 deg Pisces-Light Breaking Into Many Colors As It Passes Through A Prism
29-30 deg Pisces-A Majestic Rock Formation Resembling A Face Is Idealized By A Boy Who Takes It As His Ideal Of Greatness, And As He Grows Up, Begins To Look Like It.

*Ophiuchus is the actual constellation which occupies the 7th through the 30th degrees of “Scorpio” in the Tropical Zodiac. Scorpius and Ophiuchus were combined into a single “sign” -Scorpio. This is why there are 12 signs in the Tropical Zodiac, the Zodiac most Westerner Astrologers are familiar with, rather than the 13 constellations of the Siderial Zodiac. Individuals whom are born during the first six or seven days of the traditional dates for “Scorpio” actually have their Sun in Scorpius; this means that most people who are “Scorpios” according to Western Astrology actually have their Sun in Ophiuchus, as the sun is in this constellation for 23 or 24 days of the “sign”.

Lunar Eclipse in Virgo

2008-02-20T10:48:00.002-06:00

Today is the 15th of Anthesterion, it is Dikhomenia or Full Moon.

This evening, there is a total Lunar Eclipse that is visible from the United States. It is the last Lunar Eclipse for almost three years. This evening's eclipse will occur in 1 Virgo 53 according to the Western Tropical Zodiac. This is the Zodiac as described by Ptolemy in his books τετραβιβλου or Tetrabiblos and μαθηματικἠ σύνταξις or The Almagest, and it is different from the siderial zodiac or the observed stars in the sky. This is due to the precession of the equinoxes over time, and will be discussed in a future blog entry.

This Eclipse's Sabian Symbol is "A large white cross dominates the Landscape"... which is a symbol of the need for each of us to offer up our ego and attachments so that we can experience life and interact with the Gods on thier level - not ours. There has been a lot of talk about "God" over the past eight years in the United States -from our President, his cabinet, and other politicians. There have been reactions against "God" and "god-talk" by prominent individuals. This eclipse shows us that we need to get past the talk and begin to act.

This eclipse is telling us we need to meditate and reflect on who we truly are and what we need to leave behind - both as individuals and as a nation - as well as what we want to keep, protect, and nurture. Once we have our answers, we need to ask ourselves if we are "doing" or "being"... if we are too busy "doing", this is time during which we should shift to "being". When we are "being", we are in a place where we can listen to what the Gods are telling us, and act in accordance with their desires and actions.

Many of the problems that we see in the world today center around people who have problems with their egos - which is not surprising. This is symbolised in Astrology by the placement of our Sun... our Apollo principle. If we are too busy "doing" what we think we should to please others or to "fit in", then we are denying our inner Apollo (as well as the other Gods!). This will be felt as a tension within our inner world as well as a general malase when we interact with others in the outer world. This tension can, if ignored, become the basis for severe physical and mental imbalance and illness.

If you are feeling any tension, stress of imbalance in your life and inner world, this would be an excellent time to address that . This eclipse would be a good time to enter therapy or begin self work; it is also an excellent time to perform a ritual (or rituals) asking for the favor and input of the gods for ways that you can change... but if you do this, you MUST be committed to change. This is not a time to "fake it" or try to BS your way through life.

Finally, an interesting interfaith analogy - this eclipse occurs at a Sabian Symbol that speaks to Christians in terms of the cruxifiction of the ego-centered emotional life - this eclipse emphasizes the TRUE MEANING of the parable where Jesus told his followers to give up all their posessions and follow him. Jesus was telling his students that they needed to give up those things that owned them, the posessions that dictated their lives and emotions, the things that they felt "made them who they are", the things that the world valued - but that ultimately had no real value. Only by giving up these things, could they be themselves... and only when they were themselves could they have a relationship with God like Jesus had with God. This is something that we as pagans should remember when we enteract with Christians who try to prosyletise us or persecute us for our beliefs - they are ignoring the central teaching of their own prophet and teacher. We need to recognise that such individuals are not yet even aware that they need to give up their own Egotism (which is not healthy - egoism is healthy, Egotism is neurotic) in order to truly do the work of God, and their need to be "right" and follow "the one true way" is based upon their own fear, self-centeredness, perfectionism, and insecurity.

The Tropical Zodiac chart for tonight's eclipse:

Links for more info:

A great tutorial on the mechanics and physics of the Lunar Eclipse:
http://www.asterism.org/tutorials/tut32.pdf

The NASA page for tonight's eclipse http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html

Astronomy.com webpage for the Feb 20th Total Lunar Eclipse: http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6613

Astronomy.com podcast about Lunar Eclipses in general and the upcoming Feb 20th Eclipse in particular.
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=5911

A nice page about eclipses in Astrology:
http://www.zodiacarts.com/whatsup/LunarEclipse.shtml

Comment on the War in Iraq

2008-02-20T08:27:00.001-06:00

As the chart in the post on the Total Lunar Eclipse in Virgo shows, Mars is conjunct the IC... which is of course the same position he was in during the Annular Solar Eclipse that occurred on February 6th. It remains to be seen if the leaders of our nation will heed this placement of Ares in the chart, and bring our troops home soon; what is clear that politicians and the M$M are complicit in covering up the magnitude of the death and destruction that is occuring in Iraq.

From News 8 Austin:

Fort Hood soliders breaking the silence in war in Iraq
2/17/2008 10:53 PM

By: Chelsea Hover

A growing number of active duty soldiers or recent Iraq war veterans are speaking up about the war in Iraq.
And with the number of soldiers speaking up about their experiences in Iraq via online forums, blogs and pamphlets, some vets feel it's their duty to let the American public know the truth.
"The honest truth is that if the American people knew what was going on over there everyday, they would be raising their voices too. They would be saying, 'Hey, bring those guys home," Sgt. Selena Coppa said.
Coppa blames lawmakers in Washington for filtering the facts on the war in Iraq. She said there's no real end in sight.
"There is a cost to this war. This war is being paid in American blood, in my soldier's blood. And that is not okay," Coppa said.
"We lost really good friends, really good leaders who died in Iraq. From my perspective, it didn't make any sense, we didn't accomplish anything, and I talked to a lot of other soldiers who feel the same way," Fort Hood soldier Casey Porter said.
He started the local branch of IVAW at Fort Hood.
Porter is spending his numbered days in the U.S. passing out pamphlets before he is redeployed this summer.
He said he feels it's his obligation to his fallen brothers to take action. Local IVAW members are trying to let other soldiers know it's okay to do the same.
"This is well within the rights that service members have, but not many soldiers know that they do have," Fort Hood soldier Ronn Cantu said.
He's also home between deployments to Iraq.
"I honestly thought I might not live through my second tour, so I thought, you know if I'm going to die anyway, I need to say the things I need to say," Cantu said.
Those things are now being said loud and clear.
Sunday, a group took part in what they call a blitz, plastering busy areas of Killeen with informational pamphlets about their mission, and soldiers' rights.

http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=200673

Immanent vs. Conferred Sacrality in Greek Paganism

2008-02-16T17:05:00.009-06:00

Greetings on this, the 10th day of Anthesterion. The moon is in Taurus, and today is holy to Earth, Pan, the Nymphs and the Seasons.

Gaea is a Goddess who has gotten a lot of (well-deserved and overdue!) attention lately in the mainstream press, pop culture and even the political realm. Nobel Prize winner Al Gore has honored Gaea more (in my opinion at least) than any other politician in recent history. His speeches and action have done more to raise conciousness about what has been done to Gaea during the Industrial Revolution and Age of Empires - and even more importantly, he gives us answers and hope for helping our Earth Mother.

Who is Gaea you ask? How did the Ancient Greeks view her? A visit to the wonderful encyclopaedia of knowledge available at theoi.com tells us the following about Gaea:

She is The Protogenos - one of The First Born of all Things - one of the primeval elements to emerge during The Beginning. She herself was born of Kaos, The First Principle. All that is, was, or ever will be has come forth from Gaea, Air, Sea, and Sky. These Protogenoii mated with each other and gave rise to all that we recognise as our Universe and Reality.
She is The Great Mother of All That Is. All of the heavenly gods are descended from her union with Ouranos (Sky), all of the water and sea-gods from her union with Pontos (the sea), all mortal creatures were sprung or born from her earthy flesh, and the Gigantes from her mating with Tartaros (the great stormy Tartarean pit beneath Earth).
She is a rebellious Goddess who enjoys fomenting revolution and supports uprisings of the oppressed and downtrodden. The World's first revolution occurred when she rebelled against her husband Ouranos (Sky) who had imprisoned her sons in her womb. Then later, when her son Kronos defied her by imprisoning these same sons, she assisted Zeus in his overthrow of the mighty Titan King. Finally, Gaea came into conflict with her own son Zeus, for imprisoning her sons (The Titans) in the Pit of Tartaros - which lay beneath her - after the coup which brought Zeus to power.
Speaking of her relation to Ouranos (Sky) and Tartaros (Dark Pit) - cosmologically Gaea (Earth) was conceived of by the Ancient Greeks as a flat disk that was encirced on all sides by the river Okeanos, and topped above by the solid dome of Heaven and below by the great pit of Tartaros. She herself supported both the sea and the moutains upon her breasts.
In Ancient Greek Art and Iconography of vases, Gaea is often depicted as a voluptuous , matronly woman, who is seen to rise from or blend into the ground. This shows her connection with and identity of being the Earth itself. Gaea is often portrayed as being inseperable from her native element (Earth). In mosaic art of both Greece and Rome, Gaea is shown as a full-figured, reclining woman, who is often clothed in luxurious green garments. The Goddess is often accompanied by Vegetation and Grain Spirits who are called the Karpoi.

Since today is sacred to Gaea, who gives us a home here on Earth, I would like to comment today on the notion of how and where we should approach the Gods. Within the tradition of Greek Paganism, there are two paths, or styles of relating to the Gods in terms of geographic understanding which are called immanent and conferred sacrality.

First off, let me explain what is meant by the term sacrality, which in anthropology is used to describe or refer to sacred rites and observances. It also can refer to something that is set apart for a religious purpose, or is sacred. In these two terms, it refers to how the particular location or object itself becomes holy.

Now for the two paths:

Immanent Sacrality - Immanent sacrality believes that a particular place or location is sacred to a God or somehow allows one to gain access to the Numinous. As Luther Martin points out in his book Hellenistic Religions, "rather than building their temples and sanctuaries at some convinent locale and then consecrating them to a particular diety, the Greeks constructed them at sacred places they discovered" (47). Immanent Sacrality is recongnising sacred places as well as honoring the dieties and divinities associated with a particular place; a well known example of Immanent Sacrality in Ancient Greece was the Oracle at Delphi.
Conferred Sacrality - Conferred Sacrality believes that "a sacred order of things is no longer assumed to be immanent in a particular terrestrial realm or locale, but was elevated to the universal locus of the celestial realm (Martin, 59). An example of conferred sacrality within Greek Paganism are the various Mystery Religions. With the spread of Hellenistic Internationalism, dieties began to be seen as international, instead of geographical, in thier scope. All of the world was invited to participate in the Mystery Religions which flourished in the late Hellenistic and Roman periods.

For the Greeks who believed in conferred sacrality as the predominant mode of the Numinous, they believed that cults or epiphanies of gods and demi-gods (such as Demeter, Herakles, Orpheus or Mithras) were able to "bridge the Ptolemaic image of the cosmic abyss and overcome the separation of humans from the god" and that the "new epiphany of the diety deposed the regional cosmic rule of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades at once" (59). This mode of thinking - because it is compatable with belief in Mystery Religions, is prevalent among modern Christian believers. This is helpful to keep in mind, as it could be helpful in future inter-faith and ecumenical dialogues between our faiths.

Individuals who believe in the primary mode of immanent sacrality may have some troubles with practising thier faith in the modern world. While it is currently the case that Greek Pagans have been able to worship at ancient Greek sacred sites and temples thanks to the help and support of the Greek Antiquities Department, it is doubtful if this will continue long-term, as some within the Greek Orthodox Christian power establishment are voicing that they will try to do all within their power to make sure that the Ancient Greek faith is not revived in modern practise.

Another problem which needs to be addressed by those who prefer the immanent sacrality path is that most practitioners of the Ancient Path do not live in Greece, and cannot afford to make a trip to Greece to worship their diety. This is why I feel that we should look at the way that the Ancient Greeks themselves worshipped to see what we should do to adapt the Ancient Faith to our modern lives. The Ancient Faith, by emphasizing orthopraxy (right action or practise) over orthodoxy (right belief or thinking), allows room for both change and innovation by its practitioners. The Ancient Faith also allows for the introduction of new practices and local adaptations - this is the very essence of Hellenistic belief and practise!

It is my belief that we must incorporate both views of sacrality in our modern faith practises - immanent sacrality by supporting archaelogical research and preservation of the Ancient Greek sites associated with our faith, and supporting those who are fighting to worship as the Ancients did where the Ancients did, and conferred sacrality by creating our own home altars, sacred spaces, and finding places in our own environments which allow us to contact the numinous.

Another way that we can honor both immanent and conferred sacrality is by finding a natural park or wildlife area near where we live, which can help us to connect with the elements, and it can become our own personal temple. In nature, we can observe the heavens by night, watch Selene experience her phases, see the Planets travel through the Zodiac, watch Eos bring on the day in her orange and pink-hued chariot, listen to the breath of Notus, Boreas and Zephyrus as it blows through the trees and grasses, observe the wildlife, and more. Giving money to help keep our nation clean, to ensure we have parks and natural areas, and to try to work towards a future free of pollution and environmental degredation honors the Gods... to do your part for Gaea, here are some useful links:

The National Parks Service

National Wildlife Federation

World Wildlife Fund

The Last of the Wild Areas

Click to Give at the Rainforest Site

Redefining Progress: Ecological Footprint

20 Simple ways to use your computer to help Gaea

World Watch Institute

The Envirolink Network

The Global Warming Survival Guide + 51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment

Just a note...

2008-02-11T21:25:00.000-06:00

... as a reminder to whoever is reading this that Defense Secretary Robert Gates
announced today that beginning immediately tours of duty for all active-duty Army units in Iraq and Afghanistan would be lengthened from the current 12 months to 15 months.

"The decision comes as the military struggles to supply troops to the conflict" is the official line being given as the reason for these extended tours.

For all the men and women who are serving, prayers and offerings are made for you. We ask Athene for your protection and safe return; may Eirene return to power soon. If you are a pagan family member, or have a pagan soldier who needs someone to talk to, we are here for you.

The birth of Artemis

2008-02-11T16:38:00.000-06:00

6th Anthesterion, 2784

Today is sacred to Artemis - and specifically as a celebration of her birth.

Artemis, and her younger twin brother Apollon, were born on the island of Delos to Leto. According to the myths, Artemis was born first so that she could assist her mother in childbirth. As an adult she joined Hera (her step-mother by marriage to her father, Zeus) as co-patron of childbirth; she protected pregnant women, children ante and post partum, and girls until marriage.

Like her brother, Apollo, Artemis shot arrows that could kill instantly; whenever a young woman died a quick and painless death, she was said to have been hit with one of Artemis' silver arrows.

The Goddess Tyche and the Part of Fortune

2008-02-10T16:46:00.000-06:00

5 Anthesterion, 2784

Today is sacred to the Erinyes(the Furies), Nemesis, Dike, Melinoe, and the Horkos.

Tyche has been described by scholars as "the most important diety of the Hellenistic era because of her universal sovereignity over mortals and immortals alike"(22). As Luther Martin points out in his book Hellenistic Religions: an introduction, "a personified Fortune (Tyche) was widely worshipped by the third century BCE and possessed temples in nearly all the great Greek cities"(Martin, 22). The development of belief in Tyche, who embodied both positive and negative aspects, shows the growth of a system of ethics within Greek faith and practise.

The universal recognition of Fortune's effects is often viewed in light of what Pliny described as "the final stage in the secularization of Hellenisitc religion, in which the personification of the unpredictable and the unexplained 'take the place of God' "(22). Random and unexplicable events of life were not the result of punishment from Zeus or the other Olympians, but rather an aspect or person of the Numinous itself.

The Goddess Tyche

Tyche, which is the Greek name for this goddess, is sometimes used (especially in late Greek and Roman times) for the soley negative aspects of the Goddess - such as chance, flukes, randomness, unsteadiness, and sheer luck. During later periods, her positive aspects are given the name Eutykhia, who embodies only good fortune, luck, success, and prosperity. While they are seen as two seperate manifestations, they are always seen as a single, united Goddess.

The feelings and emotions that were associated with Tyche or Fortuna in the ancient religion are represented by the Part of Fortune in horoscopes. Looking at the placement of this lot was well known and widespread by the 1st century BCE, and was likely in widespread use for decades, if not centuries prior to the extant records we have available archaeologically. It is unknown if this lot was Hellenic, Babylonian, or Egyptian in origin, as it appears in the Astrologies and religions of all three civilizations in ancient times.

Calculating the Part of Fortune is relatively easy, especially with the aid of modern Astrological software and calculation programmes. The way to calculate this lot is based on whether the birth occured during the day or during the night:

Day chart: Ascendant + Moon - Sun
Night chart: Ascendant - Moon + Sun

Notice that for a chart where the sun is above the horizion (i.e. in the seventh through the seventh through the twelfth houses) the Moon has a positive effect while the Sun has a negative effect; for a nocturnal chart, the opposite is true.

While one's destiny is written by the Gods, the way that one goes about achieving this destiny is what determines the individual's fate. Some people today make the mistaken assumption that if one has a destiny given to them by the Gods, that they have no free will. This is not the case, as one can choose to either accept or deny their destiny and divine calling of their own free will. If one accepts their destiny and practices orthopraxy - or right living in harmony with the Gods and their wishes - then they are virtuous and have good luck. If one tries to deny their destiny or falls out of favour with the Gods through hubris or wrong decisions, then they will experience bad luck or punishment for their deeds. As Martin states, in the Ancient Greek world:

Whereas one could not escape the positive or negative effects of the moira, one might be saved from domination by a negative Tyche/Fortuna through sympathetic identity with her positive side (25).

Aphrodite in modern and ancient culture

2008-02-09T13:26:00.000-06:00

4 Anthesterion, 2784

Aphrodite, Eros and Lovers, from http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/K32.6.html

Today is the fourth day of the Lunar Calendar, and it is sacred to Hermes, Aphrodite, and Eros.

Aphrodite is an interesting, but often misunderstood Goddess; she may be more popular in modern culture under her Roman name of Venus.

There are multiple versions of Aphrodite's birth in extant texts and literature. This is common in the Ancient Greek and Roman Religions where there was no such thing as "orthodoxy" or only one, right way of thinking; rather, "orthopraxy" or right living and right conduct were what followers of the Olympians strived for.

Having a relationship with the Olympians is in many ways different from the way that many modern monotheists concieve of having relationship with the numinous. Most people worshipped all of the Olympians, but had a special devotion or following for a particular patron diety. This patron God often had a personal, special relationship with his or her followers, and helped them in thier daily lives; the patron God could be worshipped by an individual, a family, or even a whole city.

Different regions had different rituals, offerings, and relationships with the Gods during different periods of history. This allowed for an organic and adaptable faith - there was no rigidity in worship or lived practise, as the Gods understood human being's need for social, cultural, and religious evolution. We can see how cultural change affected worship of Aphrodite in both Greece and Rome.

Hesiod in Theogony 176-178 states that her birth happened in this way:

. . . and so soon as he had cut off the members with flint and cast them from
the land into the surging sea, they were swept away over the main a long time:
and a white foam spread around them from the immortal flesh, and in it there
grew a maiden. First she drew near holy Kythera, and from there, afterwards, she
came to sea-girt Kypros, and came forth an awful and lovely goddess, and grass
grew up about her beneath her shapely feet. Her gods and men call Aphrodite, and
Aphrogeneia (the foam-born) because she grew amid the foam, and Eustephanos
(well-crowned or girdled) Kythereia because she reached Kythera, and Kyprogenes
because she was born in billowy Kypros, and Philommedes (Genital-Loving) because
sprang from the members. And with her went Eros (Love), and comely Himeros
(Desire) followed her at her birth at the first and as she went into the
assembly of the gods.

This makes the birth of Aphrodite similar in nature to that of Athene - she is born of the ruling God only (actually through Ouranos' castration and subsiquent removal from power), with no input from a Goddess or female force.

In Hesiod's version of the myth, Aphrodite is born of the male principle, and only of the male; note how the Ocean which carries her has no part in her birth, but merely takes her to Cythera and Cyprus. She is transported by the feminine element of water to a place of dry land - this is why her very nature is both fully emotional and fully grounded at the same time. There is not a conflict over experiencing emotions and being overcome by them. Aphrodite illustrates the ability to fully experience one's emotions while at the same time not being ruled by them. Nor does she conform to the feminine cliche of an overly emotional, weak woman, but rather is an example of stregnth in femininity - much like Athene. This is different from how she is sometimes shown in modern pop culture.

Another story of the birth of Aphrodite can be found which states that she was born of a relationship between Zeus and Dione. This seems to come from the fact that Aphrodite and Dione both had temples in the sanctuary of Zeus at Dodona. Homer, in both the Illiad and Odyssey gave this as the birth story of Aphrodite, so even though it seems to have not been as widely believed (based upon textual citations and worship centers) it is a belief that has a long tradition.

Some modern scholars (such as Morford and Lenardon) feel that these two different stories show the existence of two different, completely seperate Goddesses. They state that Aphrodite Urania, who is also called The Celestial Aphrodite by her worshippers, is represented in the Hesiodic tradition. She springs from Uranus "alone, ethereal, and sublime". This is contrasted with the Homeric tradition which calls her Aphrodite Pandemos or Aphrodite of all the People.

Plato, who knew of both of these personalities or representations of Aphrodite, discussed them in his Symposium and explained the differences between the two Goddesses. He stated that Aphrodite Urania was older, stronger, and much more intelligent than the Homeric Aphrodite. She was also much more spiritual in nature and this is what likely lead to her greater worship than the Hesiodic Aphrodite.

Aphrodite Pandemos is often described merely in contrast to Celestial Aphrodite - she is shown to be associated with physical attraction and procreation whereas Celestial Aphrodite is The Celestial Goddess of pure, spiritual love. This distinction formed a very powerful archetype upon which Ancient Greece and Rome were built - the distinction between holy and profane love.

These myth traditions passed into the Roman Religion, where they were all taught by Cicero as follows, when he is enumurating a number of different - even rival - cult traditions about Aphrodite from different regions :

The first Venus [Aphrodite] is the daughter of Caelus [Ouranos] (Sky) and Dies [Hemera] (Day); I have seen her temple at Ellis. The second was engendered form the sea-foam, and as we are told became the mother by Mercurius [Hermes] of the second Cupidus [Eros]. The third is the daughter of Jupiter [Zeus] and Dione, who wedded Vulcanus [Hephaistos], but who is said to have been the mother of Anteros by Mars [Ares]. The fourth we obtained from Syria and Cyprus, and is called Astarte; it is recorded that she married Adonis.
(Cicero, De Natura Deorum 3. 21 - 23)

As we move closer to the secular public holiday of "love" here in the US, it might help us to remember who Aphrodite really is and what she stood for in the Ancient Greek and Roman Religion; here is a link to extensive information on her worship in the Ancient Greek World.

Further Thoughts on the Feb 6th Solar Eclipse

2008-02-09T10:39:00.000-06:00

I stated in my initial post about the Annular Solar Eclipse that when I read the chart of the eclipse and asked the Gods what they are telling us, their message was this:

"this is a time of great changes and karmic reckoning for the US"

If the leaders of the United States do not make changes, and make them fast, there are going to be real problems... For example, the latest economic analysis by the University of Michigan shows that the recession will be much worse, and last much longer than has been widely reported so far in the Main$treamMedia. This recession will last longer and affect more people that other recessions have because not only are jobs affected , but housing, food and fuel prices, as well as consumer credit are at all time highs. "Consumers must take more drastic steps to stabilize their finances in the midst of high fuel and food prices, stagnant incomes, and record debt," University of Michigan Professor Richard Curtin said.

Prf. Curtin went on to add that "a rising wealth gap will, even more than usual, lead to disproportionate pain for middle- and lower-income Americans. Growing income inequality has insulated higher income groups to a greater extent than ever before... Paradoxically, worsening economic conditions will induce families to save money, reinforcing the drag on an economy that has become largely reliant on consumer spending. "

I feel that President Bush's "economic plan" of giving certain Americans a "tax rebate" will do nothing to heal the rift in our nation, as most of the people I know will be saving the refund (if they are even eligible to recieve it) instead of spending it on consumer goods. It also does not address the key problems that have created this economic hardship in the first place: greed, hubris and a materialistic "me first!" attitude. President Bush, since he has been in power, has had great hubris - waging an Unjust War at great cost, giving tax cuts to the rich who don't need help, turning a blind eye to victims of poverty and natural disasters, and treating our soldiers and their families with disrespect. President Bush, for all his talk of God and "faith" has done more to alienate himself from the American people and the harmony of the Universe than any other President in US history. If Mr. Bush and his cabinet (as well as many other political, social and religious leaders in the US) do not wake up and have a change of heart and actions, they will be coming into a period of great Karmic reckoning. We have been living in a time that calls for responsibility for our economic and land resources as well as charity for our fellow man world wide.

This should have been apparent to our Nation's leaders since November 9th, 2003, when there was a Lunar Eclipse at 16 Taurus 13. The eclipse's duration - or period during which the shadow phase lasted from beginning to end according to the NASA eclipse page for the eclipse - was six hours and 6 minutes. In astrological belief, this means that this eclipse will have an effect for the next six years and six months - during which time we are to show that we are learning and integrating the message that the eclipse carries into our lives.

What message were we supposed to have learned from this Lunar Eclipse in Taurus that has an effect on all people until the year 2009? Well... let's look at the chart for the eclipse and see what lessons it contains.

First off, we notice that this Lunar Eclipse occurs in the sign of Taurus in the 11th house. It is conjunct the White House's Neptune -which implies that there will be considerable intrigues, mysteries, sacrifice, idealization and much confusion during this period for the White House (this could mean both for the Bush Administration as well as the Nation as a whole). The White House and all of the North East and New England states were within the region of totality - they could view the whole eclipse from beginning to end from these locations - which means that they should be especially aware of the messages that this eclipse contains.

Areas of life that will be affected by the 2003 eclipse in Taurus, if the leaders of our country ignore the messages and teachings of the Gods:

finances, property, and agriculture will be most affected

there will be religious disputes and travel hazards

the reputation of prominent persons (both political and social figures) will be in serious jeopardy from both crimes and scandals

the nation's popularity and respect among other nations will decrease

there will be issues of food shortages and a lack of humanitarian aid and benefits for those in need

disagreements over developments with allies; there are several elements surrounding the President which may cause him to make a false step

problems with commerce and shipping/transport

educational problems and disputes

strikes and lawsuits involving entertainment personalities

problems for workers and their rights

high expenditures for the military

coastal storms and unusual weather

(I checked my interpretation with that from Eclipses by Celeste Teal. They correlated almost exactly).

It is well known that the current administration has no regard for true faith or the teachings of any God - much less those of the Greeks and Romans; it is no surprise that our nation has been affected by all sorts of problems during this administration. We have seen all of these elements developing over the past five years within the US, and our nation is facing a bleak future. As I read this chart, I wanted to make sure I wasn't projecting onto it my own thoughts and feelings - so I checked other books, which confirmed that my reading and interpretation was correct. It seems that our government - especially the White House Administration - have failed to listen to the lessons of the eclipse of November 9th, 2003:

have faith in and defend your beliefs

take action for humanity's sake

accept responsibilty for your actions

take action now for the future

avoid hubris in actions to not anger the Gods

What we have seen in the eclipse of February 6th, 2008 is the result of the US not heeding the lessons from the 2003 eclipse - the people of the nation are standing up and uniting against the Bush Administration. The sign of Aquarius adds to this solidarity and stregnth in numbers. We have been given an opportunity to enact social and political change so that we will be more in harmony with the Universe and the Gods. Here are some of the areas where attempts to make changes will be especially felt:

rooting out and teaching against hypocrisy

uncovering hidden agendas and secret plans

positive changes for working people and "the common man"

loss of land, home, domicile, and other domestic concerns

troubles in government

taxation issues

changes and dramatic turning points for the "war on terror"

leaders will enact reform based upon the will of the people

a more open and honest sexuality will be expressed

again a focus on coastal areas and environments

there will be changes in the climate and weather patterns

greater respect for and care of the environment

The presidential candidates are currently speaking out on these issues, and people across our nation are taking action for themselves in many of these areas. If there is a catch phrase or slogan that could be used to typify this time, it would be the term coined in 1969 by David Brower:

"Think globally, act locally"

Downloads for Feb

2008-02-08T17:06:00.001-06:00

Here are this month's downloads:

This month's lunations: February 2008 Full and New Moon Charts.

This month's calendar: February 2008 Monthly Calendar with Daily Planetary Aspects.

This month's planetary highlights: February 2008 Aspects and Stregnths.

This month's Astrological Day Planner pages: February 2008 Day Planner pages.

This month's Almanac page: February 2008 Lunar Almanac, with MoonDates.

This month's Planetary Hours: February 2008 Planetary Hours for CST.

The Greek Pagan Lunar Calendar with Gods and Moon Phases listed.

The Greek Pagan Lunar Dates with Orphic Hymns for each day.

The Greek Daily Prayer and Meditation Guide.

Planetary Stations for 2008.

As above, so below!

Rev. Claudia Iuliania Minervina, Hiereia and Astrologer

The Annular Solar Eclipse of Feb. 6th

2008-02-06T14:56:00.000-06:00

1 Anthesterion, 2784

Today is the first day of Anthesterion and is dedicated to Apollo and the Muses. This noumenia is not only a new moon, it is part of an annular solar eclipse which is visible from New Zealand, Australia, and parts of Antarctica. The annular phase runs from 03:19:43 to 04:30:55 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)... but this is not useful for those who live in North, Central or South America, as it will be night.

The effects of the eclipse are still with those of us who live on the other side of Ge however, and we should be attentive to what those forces are, and how we should act so that we can be in harmony with them. Because this day is associated with Apollo, the God of oracles and prophecies, it might help to see if a modern oracle has anything to say about what this eclipse could mean.

The Sabian Symbol for the degree that today's eclipse occurs in is, "An ominous silence falls, as the last man at a masquerade prepares to unmask. Outside , a thunderstorm is brewing." This could accurately describe the current social and political climate in the US. Our leader, George W. Bush has often been described as being in a bubble; for the past eight years, America has been participating in a grand masquerade ball. Bush is shielded from the consequences of his actions by Dick Cheney and other members of the cabinet... but the leaders are no longer able to keep the masquerade going. The economy is failing, soldiers returning home are having to sleep under bridges and are denied adequate mental and physical health care, more and more Americans are losing their jobs, every day families become homeless because of the loan crisis and more - this is the thunderstorm that is brewing. It cannot be ignored any more...

The good thing is that this eclipse is occuring in the sign of Aquarius - a sign that denotes change, evolution, progress, the tearing down of the old and useless, building up and restoration, the pouring out of information and knowledge from the Gods for all of humanity to use, and the desire to bring about changes by seeing old circumstances and conditions in new and exciting ways. The energy and vibes that surround Aquarius are often termed "electrifying" - they are known to infuse new energy and intellectual capacity into an endeavour... which is what we need in the US at this time.

Now let's look at some specific aspects of this eclipse:
If you notice, not only are Apollo and Artemis in conjunction, but Hermes is also very close to the twins! This means that not only will this solar eclipse have the usual effect on our minds and emotions - it will also affect our commuication and interaction. This is especially important to current affairs in the United States as we are entering the primary season... yesterday saw gains for Obama and Clinton as well as McCain, Huckabee, Romney, and Paul. Both parties' candidates are defining their campaigns interms of the new ideas and changes that they will bring to Washington DC if they are elected. This is very auspicious, as they are acting in harmony with the message that the Gods are sending us - at least in their words. It is our job over the next days and weeks to see that their actions are in accord with what they are saying on the campaign trail! I will follow this and give updates of who is acting in a manner pleasing to the Gods, and who (Gods forbid!) is acting against the Gods or with hubris.

Poseidon, the watery God of the Seas, stands only four degrees away from the Twins and Hermes... he adds to the watery, emotional, and intellectual nature of this eclipse. Poseidon is at home in the sign of Aquarius, as water is his element, and Aquarius is a watery air sign - it is the stellar manifestation of Ganymede the cupbearer of Zeus who pours out cleansing waters. It is important to also remember Poseidon's title of "Earth Shaker" - as he is the God who not only rules the waters, he also rules earthquake, tsunamis, and other sorts of upheaval. As I stated earlier, this eclipse states that we as humans should be listening to what the Gods are telling us, and we MUST begin to make changes - or we will face dire consequences as a result of our actions.

Another thing that needs to be mentioned about today's eclipse is that Kronos, the deposed God of time who now lives in the Elysian Fields where he rules over the blessed dead, stands in Virgo. Kronos is directly opposite Uranus in Pisces; this shows that currently our karma is in conflict with us getting rid of old life patterns that are dissolving. In other words, we as a nation and people are trying to hold onto things that are outmoded - which is bringing us into conflict with the very nature of time and change itself. The way that we are relating to the environment could be symbolised by this pairing... we are still thinking and acting like a nation from the Age of Empires or the Industrial Revolution. We need to recognise that we are entering a new period where we can no longer consume most of the resources of the world while expecting there to be no cultural, political, or environmental consequences.

The US is currently occupying another nation in an attempt to build a puppet government and to exploit natural resources (that are non-renewable) - which is failing miserably. The Iraq War can be seen in this eclipse in that Ares is seven degrees away from being conjunct the Nadir and opposite Pluto - who is conjunct the MidHeaven. Right now, Ares is at the lowest point in the chart - in other words, he is farthest from the light and he is standing opposite Dis Pluto. There has been too much death and destruction in Iraq, and this indicates that it will only get worse. Until we bring our troops home, there will be daily IED attacks and suicide bombings, killing more and more men and women. Because Ares is at the Nadir, his very darkest characteristics - brutality, insanity, whining, deceit, hatred, torture and sadism will be evident in the news we get from Iraq, with no hope of improving - despite the propaganda that the MSM and Bush Administration keep putting out.

This eclipse serves as a lesson and warning to those who are students of Astrology and worshippers of the Olympians; let us meditate upon it tonight and over the next few days so that we may integrate its message into your thoughts and actions.

February Planetary Highlights

2008-01-31T17:37:00.000-06:00

Planetary Aspects and Influences for 25 Gamelion to 24 Athesterion

(all times listed are CST, please adjust accordingly!)

01 Feb 08 - Venus conjunct Jupiter: The month begins with fair Aphrodite in conjunction with strong Zeus, which symbolises stregnth and expansion. This aspect shows us that this is a favourable time for letting our emotions and feelings grow; now is not a time to keep things bottled up inside. This is also a period which would be good for any sort of venture concerning the arts - taking up a new interest such as painting, sculpting, or music would be in harmony with the energy of this time. It is also a good time to perform acts of charity or sharing - as both Aphrodite and Zeus are known for their love and generosity.

Moon conjunct Pluto: This aspect symbolises the feminine, emotional energy of Selene combining with the masculine, dark energy of Dis Pluto. It can represent a time of surprising or sudden emotional upheaval. During this period, events may happen unexpectedly, and cause you great upset. Be sure to watch out for blowing up over something small, when what you need to do is look inside yourself for your answer to why/what is making you angry. This is also a period, over the next few days, when you can expect to have some inner struggles about subjects where your emotions and intellect are seemingly at odds; if you use the energy of this time, you can make substantial progress in your personal growth.

02 Feb 08 - Mercury conjunct Neptune: This aspect symbolises all the mental energy and ingenuity of Hermes coupled with the watery, emotional, nature of Poseidon. This is a time when you will have the power of mind and imagination, if you will open yourself to the influence of these Gods in your life. It is possible that during this aspect you will feel especially "sensitive" and recieve psychic and mental impressions that you normally don't recieve -the lesson for you is to learn to be able to discern what these vibrations and impressions mean, and to sort out the good from the bad.

06 Feb 08 - Mercury conjunct Sun: This aspect represents Hermes, who is an intellectual God (as mentioned above) combined with the shining, enlightened outlook of Phoebus Apollo. This aspect is so integral to us as human beings, that the planet of Mercury never moves beyond 28 degrees away from the position of the Sun as we see them from Earth. This means that the Sun and Mercury can only be conjunct with each other - no other aspects, not even a sextile, can form! This is why our intellect and and mental energy influence our outlook and physical energy so much! We are both mind and body, united by spirit into a unity of human being. Now is the time to explore the connection between your mind and body, and to see if any of your mental patters or thoughts are affecting your health; if you want to excise any bad thoughts or negative "tapes" that play in your memory, ask Hermes and Apollo to shower you with good vibes and heal you!

Venus sextile Uranus: This aspect between the loving Aphrodite and the deposed sky god Kronos is a time of opportunity; it is also a time when the unusual and unique will be the norm. This is also a period when you can expect to pick up on vibes and feel extremely creative, incorporating inspiration and dream images into your life and work.

Moon conjunct Sun: Today is the day of the New Moon in Aquarius; there is an annular solar eclipse at 09:45pm (CST) at 17 Aquarius 44 (it is not visible from the US, as it is night). This is the first day of the Greek month Anthesterion, and it is called the noumenia, or new moon celebration. In Greek, this is the month of flowers; it is also the month during which (we aren't exactly sure when) the Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries took place.

Meditations for this lunar month:

I want to make more time to enjoy a full and varied social life

I want to make a positive contribution towards a happier world

I want to meet a group of people who share my interests

I want a job where my inventiveness can be put to good use

I want to embrace the unexpected with gladness in my heart

Affirmation for the month of Anthesterion: My horizions are boundless and my experiences enrich my being.

10 Feb 08 - Sun conjunct Neptune: Remember watery Poseidon from the second? Well, now he is conjunct Phoebus Apollo, who we saw interacting with Luna on the sixth through an eclipse. Phoebus Apollo is now fully back from being occulted by the Moon, who in some myths is represented by his sister, Artemis.

14 Feb 08 - Sun trine Mars: This aspect is one that our whole nation needs to learn from, as it is between the intelligent God of the Arts, Apollo and the violent, ill-tempered child of Zeus and Hera, Ares. While Athena rules strategy and the practise of Just War, Ares rules the negative aspects of war - war crimes, brutality, treating soldiers as cannon fodder, and Unjust War. This aspect is teaching us that we should apply the light of Apollo - who rules such areas of life as prophecy, healing, and the arts - to the violent and dark areas of our lives. This can be seen happening in some of the political discourse surrounding the political primaries and caucuses; the Iraq War, the economy, homelessness, health-care, and the environment are all issues that the candidates are debating. Today is a good day to do a mental and spiritual inventory to assess what you are doing in your personal life to shine the light of Apollo effectively on your "Ares areas" - such as sexuality, courage, action, and assertiveness. Having a balance between your Ares and Apollo energy can help you to develop fully in all four of these areas; ask Apollo and Ares for help achieving this balance.

17 Feb 08 - Venus enters Aquarius: This aspect represents Aphrodite coming into relationship with Ganymede, the cup-bearer to the Olympian Gods. It was believed by the Ancient Greeks that Ganymede, after he was carried to the realm of the Gods by the Eagle of Zeus, manifested in our physical world through the constellation Aquarius. This astrological sign is described as being More about the constellation of Aquarius can be read here and here.

18 Feb 08 - Mercury goes direct: Hermes is

Sun enters Pisces:

19 Feb 08 - Sun sextile Pluto: During this aspect, Apollo is in relationship to Dis Pluto .

20 Feb 08 - Moon opposite Sun: This is the 15th of the Lunar Month Athesterion, and it is marked by a total lunar eclipse @ 09:31p (CST) in 01 Virgo 53. The shadow of Apollo is casting darkness across Selene. This means that your emotional nature, which you may feel was overshadowing your "more rational" side during the eclipse on the 6th, is now no longer generating a strugle within you; the tension between heart and head that you felt during noumenia is now back in balance. This balance may have been especially refreshing on the 13th and 14th if you are more in touch with your Apollo nature than your feminine Artemis nature. Enjoy this moment and use it to see how your two natures - the physical and the spiritual - are treated by you in daily life. Do you over-emphasize one while ignoring or down-playing the other? If so, today would be a good day to do a meditation asking both Apollo and Artemis, as representatives of light and the luminaries in later Greek and Roman myths, to help you to balance your emotional and rational sides. You have experienced each eclipsing the other this month, now focus on balance; instead of seeing rationality and emotion as two competeing forces, view them as a single harmonious whole.

24 Feb 08 - Sun opposite Saturn: This symbolises the warm light of Pheobus Apollo standing opposite from the restricted, dark, and limiting Kronos. This is a time for you to look inward and to take a personal inventory - do you focus most or all of your energy towards your self alone? If so, this can be a very difficult period for you; you will encounter experiences and likely setbacks that are meant to teach you to turn your focus outwards. Do you focus most or all of your energy towards others alone? If you answer yes to this, this particular aspect period is meant to help you see that you MUST care for yourself in order to be able to care for others. Remember, aspects are given to us by the Gods so that we can see what we need to "remedy" within ourselves so that we can be happy, healthy, whole men and women.

26 Feb 08 - Venus conjunct Mercury: This aspect brings Hermes and Aphrodite into interaction with one another.

Saturn is retrograde the entire month of February 2008:

note: Mars went direct on 31st January 2008! We have just completed a period in which Ares had great influence upon us living on Ge due to his Retrograde motion - this can be seen in part in the situation in Darfur, Kenya, Afghanistan and most notedly in Iraq. Hopefully this means that conflicts in this area can begin the long, arduous path to peace. Keep the people living in these area in your meditations and offerings for the month; please remember to send positive vibes to and pray for all who are involved in or affected by armed conflict.

The New Demos Athene...

2008-01-31T16:18:00.000-06:00

Today is the 24th of Gamelion; the day is sacred to Trietericus, Amphietus Bacchus, Silenus, Satyrus and the Bacchantes. It is described in Works and Days as being "fraught with fate". Aromatic incense (except Frankencense) is recommended.

The gods that are honored today are known as the "rural" or "rustic" dieties, as they were the gods and dieties of the country side and undeveloped natural areas, as opposed to the Greek city-states. Like the untamed areas they oversaw, these gods were known for being rowdy and sometimes downright crude.

Yahoo!Geocities is no longer the home of the Online Temple of Demos Athene; on Wednesday Jan. 30th, the entire site of Demos Athene was lost. The site has now moved to:

http://demosathene.tripod.com/demosathene/index.html

The site is still under construction - I will make progress announcements here.

Astrology for Jan 1st - 5th 2008

2008-01-03T19:32:00.000-06:00

Lunations
January 1st – 5th 2008
All times are CST and accurate for Dallas Tx (96W46’ 32N47’)

1st – (24 Poseideon) Moon enters Scoripus @ 1933.

Moon sextile Pluto :
This is a day where you will likely feel emotionally sensitive in areas associated with Plutonian energies – for example grief, loss and mourning if you have lost a loved one recently. Allow yourself to feel and experience these emotions, they are part of the grieving and healing process... a meditation or ritual using the imagery of Selene or Artemis and Pluto might be particularly helpful. Light some incense or pour a libation for the ancestors and the dead.

Moon trine Retrograde Mars :
Due to the retrograde motion of Mars, there could be general feelings of frustration and unresolved anger during this period. While Retrograde Mars is trine the Moon, many people will be inclined to thoughts, actions, and verbal expressions which are not entirely thought through.
Indiscreet, rash, and tactless actions or words can cause sadness, remorse, regret, and possibly humiliation during this aspect. If you are feeling especially emotional or frustrated, be sure to think before you speak or act to avoid problems, disputes, misunderstandings, or fights.
During this period of Retrograde Mars, prepare for feelings of curtailed freedom, obstacles, opposition, lack of opportunities, and a quick temper when dealing with others.

2nd – (25 Poseideon) Moon in Scorpius.

Moon sextile Jupiter :
This is a time to analyse your emotions and feelings related to expansion, faith, optimism, openness, tolerance, acceptance, and multi-culturalism, as these are the areas associated with Zeus (Jupiter). It is important when considering these topics to remember to include how you feel about situations or people which do not embrace these Jupiterian ideals... remember, the true measure of free speech is how we treat those who say things we abhor. A meditation asking Zeus for true inclusivity and acceptance in your life is in the spirit of this aspect.

Moon sextile Retrograde Saturn :
We are currently in a period of Retrograde Saturn. This means that we will experience an atmosphere of hard work with little gain, unexpected (and unplanned for) obstacles, dealys or disappointments, and a general lack of “good luck”. Things that would normally just “fall into place” seem to stagnate or come undone... the lesson to be learned during this period is that we should accept the times such as these with as much excitement and joy as the periods when luck is on our side. The lesson of Kronos is that of “being” versus “doing”. We need to “be” in this moment and understand that we are given everything we need for this moment -- that the Gods have made this moment so we can learn from it. When we “do” – or try to “fix” what we see as a less than perfect situation, we are not only embodying hubris, we are rejecting the lessons of the Gods! This aspect tells us that we should experience our emotions relating to Retrograde Saturn, and see what they tell us about ourselves. A simple ritual that asks for enlightenment from Selene and Kronos is recommended.

Moon sextile Pluto :
This is another day where you will likely feel emotionally sensitive in areas associated with Plutonian energies – for example grief, loss and mourning if you have lost a loved one recently. Allow yourself to feel and experience these emotions, they are part of the grieving and healing process... a meditation or ritual using the imagery of Selene or Artemis and Pluto might be particularly helpful.

Retrograde Mars opposite Pluto :
As mentioned previously, Retrograde Mars will be creating an atmosphere of frustration and quick temper. While the retrograde planet is opposite Pluto, these energies will be especially strong. There will be a tendency or urge to attack people in their areas associated with the dark side of Pluto (for example: secrets, abuse, sexuality, manipulation, death, grief, and mourning)... so be especially compassionate and empathetic during this aspect. If you are a particularly strong Plutonian individual, avoid sensitive individuals, as today you will be particularly intense. This would be a good time to do self work however, and to look at unresolved issues from your past. Ask Mars and Pluto to help you to relieve and release you of your past negative energies.

3rd – (26 Poseideon) Moon enters Capricornus @ 1943.

4th – (27 Poseideon) Moon enters Sagittarius @ 0814.

Moon conjunct Venus :
This is a strongly favourable aspect; it points to happiness, emotional well-being, and satisfaction. You will likely see the beauty in the world around you and feel “in love with life”. Everything will fall into place. You will be in tune with the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of others. This is a great day to enjoy music, art, food, a movie, your love relationship, and all the other fine things in life. Give thanks to Aphrodite and the Gods for all the beauty in the world.

5th – (28 Poseideon) Moon in Sagittarius.

Moon square Retrograde Saturn :
Remember the emotions that you experienced on the 2nd? How are you feeling today? Today we have a square between Moon and Retrograde Saturn. The feelings that you (hopefully) observed and recorded on the 2nd were likely more harmonious and relaxed... while today’s probably feel more conflicted and complicated. This is because we have experienced a shift from a trine (a favourable aspect) to a square (a challenging aspect). There are no “bad” aspects – just some that have a stronger, more intense, and more complex energy to them; the square is one such aspect. This is a great opportunity for you to get out all of your anger and frustration over the limitations of Retrograde Saturn... don’t feel guilty over “hating” the way you feel. That is part of the experience of Moon square Retrograde Saturn – you can feel crappy and have a good cry or yell at a stuffed animal about it! A nice meditation calling upon Selene and Saturn while taking a nice warm bubble bath is in order.

Moon square Uranus :
Here is another square aspect to deal with today. This aspect in general denotes a period of not so good health (feeling under the weather, upset tummy, or fatigue), shifting emotions and feelings, cravings, restlessness, an overactive mind/imagination and a dislike of limitations. Coupled with the previously discussed aspect, this means that you are really pissed at the limitations of Retrograde Saturn. You are getting fed up with the energy that you have been dealing with due to Retrograde Saturn and Mars, and you can’t think of any way to “make it better”. That’s right, you can’t. You aren’t supposed to find an “answer” – this is once again an exercise in “being” instead of “doing”. Ask Uranus to help you view limitations creatively.