Geocosmic Archetypal Integrative Astrology

At this Spring Equinox March 21-25 2012 the stage is set for the conclusion

of the old world cycle and the beginning of the new. Venus aligning with

Jupiter trine Pluto invokes the transforming power of Love. Love will be

king in this new world. Pluto trine Venus/Jupiter brings death/rebirth and

healing of the king and the transformation of the global order of things.

While Mars and Saturn retrograde (Mars until 4/14, Saturn 6/23) the ways

of the shadow masculine and old world order are brought to light to be

transformed. Mars sesquisquare Eris/Persephone at the Equinox evokes the

power of the death goddess to transform the shadow male. Pluto square the

Sun conjunct Uranus seeds the power to bring down the Dark Tower that

symbolizes the collective shadow of the passing Age. Energy set free from

old patterns breaking powers the new creation flowering through 2012-13.

 

Zodiacal year 2012 begins March 20th when the Sun enters Aries, first sign

of the zodiac. The Equinox extends over several days while night and day

are equal, yin and yang are in balance and the Sun is at the celestial equator,

the zero point of creation.

 

Spring Equinox culminates March 25th with the Festival of Eostre, goddess

of Spring. Eostre's magic rabbit (the March Hare) brings the “world egg”

containing all that will be unfolding in this new cycle. The scale of the

year now tips toward the flowering of a new creation. March 25th is the

Catholic “Lady Day” or Feast of Annunciation, an apt overlay for the day

that announces the birth of Spring and the Divine Spirit for the new cycle.

 

March 25th was New Year's Day before the change to the Gregorian

calendar in 1752. And March 25th becomes the New Year for the New Age

in Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" as it marks the passing of Sauron, the Fall

of the Dark Tower and the Return of the King. This date is predicted to be

the New Year for the New Age of Aquarius. Many important dates for 2012

are listed in the Chronology of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Return of the King.

 

Jupiter in earth sign Grand Trine at this Spring Equinox brings good fortune

to all who align with the progressive new Spirit emerging in the world. This

Grand Trine releasing (by sesquisquare) through Eris/Persephone and Ceres

evokes the emergence of a new dimension of the Divine Feminine which

transforms shadow Mars (retrograde in Virgo) making way for the Return

of the King, an inspired new masculine nature in accord with divine purpose

and prepared to lead the renewal of all things.

 

Spring Equinox New Year celebration begins when the Sun sets on March

24th. At this time the New Moon crescent will appear in the 7th House near

bright Jupiter in fortunate trine with Mars rising in the east.

 

Isn't there a song about this?

 

When the Moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

 

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius

The Age of Aquarius

Aquarius! Aquarius!

 

But hey wait, the Moon is in the 7th House for about 2 hours every day and

these planetary alignments happen from time to time, what makes this time

so special? Well, here are a number of reasons this is the time predicted in

the song Age of Aquarius:

 

1) The most potent Moon energetically is the new crescent, it always appears

in the 7th House just following Sunset a day or two after the New Moon

each month. This New Moon is extra special because it's the New Moon

of Aries universally celebrated as New Year in the soli-lunar calendars of

ancient indigenous societies. Jews, Hindus and Cherokees still traditionally

begin their year when the Aries crescent Moon appears. A crescent New

Moon brings new beginnings and it is reasonable that the dawning of the

Age of Aquarius will be dated from the appearance of the Aries New Moon.

 

2) By cosmic synchronicity this year the Aries New Moon crescent appears

on the Eve of March 25th, the traditional fixed solar New Year Day

(observed until 1752). March 25th also becomes the New Year for the New

Age in Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings."

 

3) Jupiter and Mars are both well visible in the sky and near their maximum

brightness. Planets above the horizon are conscious and active, Jupiter

aligning with Mars below the horizon would not fulfill the prophecy.

 

4) The crescent New Moon will be visible in the 7th House just entering

Taurus where the Moon is exalted. This is important because a heavenly

body must be in a sign where it's well disposed to be effective. So the Moon

would be in Cancer or Taurus to fulfill the prophecy.

 

5) Venus, the goddess of love, is shining brilliantly and happily in her home

sign Taurus. Venus shines far brighter than all the stars, Love steers the

stars. In the Spring Equinox (birth of the year) chart Venus is located at

midpoint Taurus, the power gate of the earth element that is symbolized

by the Ace of Pentacles in Tarot. This with the benefics Venus and Jupiter

conjunct in the heavens is great boon for creative abundance and universal

prosperity in this new time.

 

6) Jupiter, the planet of the high king, is also well placed with Venus in

Taurus in an earth sign Grand Trine with Mars and Pluto. Jupiter rules peace

in astrology and Jupiter is the planet of the 2nd ray which is love-wisdom,

This is the same ray as Christ, the Prince of Peace. The 2nd ray is ruling ray

of this creation, Peace will guide the planets.

 

In 2012 the collective shadow of the past Age is broken as the great shift to

the Age of Aquarius begins. Each Age lasts 2,160 years and the shift of the

ages takes about 100 years with most of the changeover during a 36-year

Sun Period, a renaissance time that reoccurs every 252 years. The current

Sun Period began in 1981 and it concludes in 2016 when the shift to the

Age of Aquarius will be complete. The 36-year Sun Period has 12 phases

represented by the zodiac signs Aries to Pisces. These 3-year zodiacal

phases further divide into the 36 decan subsigns, one for each year. 2012 is

the 32nd year of the present Renaissance Sun Period. This year is a center

decan Aquarius year, another cosmic synchronicity with 2012.

 

The "World Wheel of Fortune" advances one decan each year beginning

at Spring Equinox. Each year has it's own decan star sign and related tarot

card. 2012 is 2nd decan Aquarius, constellation Pegasus and 6 of Swords

tarot arcanum. Keynotes are safe passage and smooth transition. This card

shows a man steering a boat with woman and child over a shallow lake

toward Avalon, the Apple Isle. Here resides the powerful queen Cerridwen

with her cauldron of transformation and inspiration. The fire is kept burning

beneath her cauldron by the breaths of 9 maidens who are the Muses.

Pegasus opens the Fountain of the Muses bringing inspiration to the world.

At the heart of the Pegasus decan is the fixed sign Aquarius power gate

symbolized by the Ace of Swords. In one of its many forms this sword is

Excalibur, the sword given to King Arthur by the Lady of the Lake. The lake

is depicted in the 6 of Swords tarot card.

 

At this Equinox a year of fast moving Mercury ends and an even faster year

of the Moon begins. Lunar cycles will be more powerful this year and silver,

the metal of the Moon, will grow in value. All things lunar bring blessings

in this cycle including flowers of the Moon especially lotus, Moon flower,

water lilies, wisteria and poppies - also all flowers that are white or violet.

Foods of the Moon include melons, lettuce, cabbage, cucumbers, mangoes

and kiwi. Anise, camphor, galbanum, nutmeg and olibanum are spices and

precious oils of the Moon. Willow is a special tree of the Moon and its bark

is the natural source of aspirin, also lunar and useful to us. Cats, rabbits,

owls and deer are sacred creatures of the Moon.

 

The Moon isn’t really a planet, it’s part of the Earth, yet the Moon channels

the energy of Uranus, the planet of the New Age. Uranus is the Promethean

who brings the new fire of higher consciousness, global awareness and

the “New Heaven and New Earth.”

 

Welcome to the Age of Aquarius!

 

Spring Equinox is a gateway entering a new cycle of creation. This Spring

we realize who we are and what we're here to do, it's time to break free of

old ways and move into our new life story. Each of us is given a special role

to play in this time.

 

Everyone has a creative essence Carl Jung calls the os-ob. When this core

aspect of our psyche is brought to awareness, it attracts all that is needed

to realize its purpose in the world. This unique element can be awakened

through music and dance.

 

We dance the soul free!

 

The Heav’nly Spheres make music for us;

The Holy Twelve dance with us;

All things join in the dance!

Ye who dance not, know not the way of life.

~ The Hymn of Jesus

 

The true art of dancing is dancing what comes out

and not following the rules - dancing how you want.

Because if you follow rules

your soul never gets to show you

the dance you've known

ever since you were born.

~ Emily Turner, age 6

 

In 2000 and 12 the Feathered Serpent will fly,
and all our souls' dream visions come alive.

Through power of the One, two plus two sum 
shines the light of the 5th World's Re-Creation.

Quintessence, 5th element, philosopher's stone
are realized when this movement is done. 

In the 12th year of century Twenty-One, 
the World Woman's magic dance is done.

New Zeus opposed Saturn at New Year will bring  
the Fall of the Tower, Return of the King.

The  shaking of Gaia opens the way
calling Heart Warriors into the fray.

As Candlemas fires stir hearts desire
the Dragon awakens from its lair,

And Anduril, Aragorn's sword of truth, 
frees the Spirit King forsooth.

Dragon Fire rises 'neath Lenten Moon 
tamed by the magic of Othala's rune;

Energy flows where attention goes,
we seek Love's kingdom, end of woes;

So the Light of the dawning Equinox Sun 
raises the Serpent of Tenochtitlan.

And the Dark Tower falls to the rising Star 
of the Occupy legions' Avatar

While Grand Trine to Sun in Aries portends 
bright new beginnings as hearts make amends.

Moon joining the Sun will open the way 
for all to make merry in month of May.

Souls attuned in this Year of the Moon 
see wishes fulfilled in the month of June.

Then Medicine Wheels of every clime,  
begin to turn at Solstice time.

With cymbals, drums and flutes in tune 
happiness rises with Midsummer's Moon.

The Phoenix alights in the City of the Sun, 
as Mother Nature's work is done;

The 12 Tribe Nations of Inca awaken 
to the way of Sol so long forsaken;

And great Europa will likewise resound 
as the Song of the West makes its round.

The hearts of All Nations open too 
as the light of Sol is reflected true; 

So this White Horse Avatar Year will bring 
a song that every soul can sing;

And 7th ray magic dance and play 
on waters of Luna to show the way.

Liberty shines from her Island of Love 
as hearts attune to the Sign of the Dove;

And the Green Dragon led by a Fair Lady's girdle, 
brings power to the golden City of Myrtle.

The Crown Stone forgotten, chief of the corner, 
is revealed now in grain fields, Gaia's rejoinder.

As the Stymphalian birds that shaded the Sun 
give way to the glory of the One.

Then the Eagles return with the gay folk of old 
calling Souls of all ages back to the fold,

And the Ring War ends in the halls of power 
through gentle hands by wind and shower.

As Light and Love and Power unite,
the new Creation comes round right.

At Solstice the Feathered Serpent will fly
and all our souls' dream visions come alive.

                                - Steve Nelson

 

Mythic Times 2012 World View

This is the year that has long been looked toward with hope and foreboding and rightly so. The good in us is right to be hopeful and the old world shadow has reason for concern. An array of myths apply to this time and it is no easy task to see what will be. And in the end isn't it true that what will be is part fixed cycle and part what we choose. Collectively we create the future and this is our time to see possibility and to seed what is to be.

2012 begins with the great benefic planet Jupiter, the new king, rising in opposition to the malefic old world king Saturn. It's no longer business as usual as Jupiter moves forward from the pivotal first degree of Taurus bringing a great turn of fortune to those allied with the newly emerging celestial forces. The kings of the old order and the new in mystic triangle with oceanic Neptune activate the realization of global prophecies. Uranus (the higher octave of Mercury) aligns with Jupiter adding an extraordinary magic to this cosmic mix: the wizard Gandalf comes to the aid of the newly emerging king. Magical Mercury's foray through the underworld (Out of Bounds South) Jan 7-20 represents Gandalf the Gray's battle with the Balrog dragon and fall into the abyss from which he emerges as Gandalf the White. Our understanding of shadow forces is sharpened in preparation for the global transformation slated for the end of winter and beginning of spring.

Jan 6, Epiphany, celebrates the birth of the new Aeon, child of the new year. A year begins on many levels, The 2012 zeitgeist or time spirit is empowered emotionally when the Lunar New Year of the Dragon begins on Jan 24. The year begins on the natural outer world level when the Sun enters Aries and the zodiacal year begins March 20-25.

Venus Evening Star/Hesperus conducts us into 2012. Hesperus refers to the Hesperides where the golden apple tree of Venus grows. Evening Star Venus is also called Venus Cerridwen to honor the original Queen of the Apple Isle. Cerridwen keeps a Cauldron of Inspiration, rebirth and healing that is the original Holy Grail. Inspirational Venus chi is gathered by raising left palm toward her light and holding right palm over the hara chi center below the navel. Breathe deeply to absorb the subtle energies of Venus.

Uranus is the global revolutionary, Venus Hesperus shapes this revolution. Benefic Jupiter in harmonic relation with Uranus now brings a favorable turn of fortune for the year. Jupiter is the king and order of things, Evening Venus transforms the king and brings forth the true king. Venus and Jupiter/Uranus together open new dimensions of creative expression and discovery.

The Mayans saw Evening Star Venus as the sundog Xolotl sitting in a caldron "pushing the Sun into healing darkness." Long held secrets are revealed, heroes and kings are healed, leaders change or remove from the scene when Venus Xolotl is seen. So begins this prophetic year 2012.

The Mayans know Morning Star Venus as Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent. The "flying of the Feathered Serpent" predicts a time when America comes to full life and spiritual expression. When does the Feathered Serpent fly? When Venus rises before the Sun in a special time at the end of this great year. Venus becomes Morning Star again soon after her mythic Transit of the Sun on June 5 2012.

Yes, 2012 begins the time of the great Mythic Convergence and the most relevant myths for this year are:

1) The Lord of the Rings including the Fall of the Dark Tower and Return of the King that is slated to occur March 25-27. This great transformation is portended by the monstrous Serpent Storm on Saturn. The key dates for this year are listed in Tolkien's Chronology. The first of these dates was Dec 25th when the Fellowship of the Ring began their quest at dusk as the lunar crescent appeared. This was also the day that Jupiter went direct and so began the king's return. In late March Jupiter will have come back forward to 10 Taurus completing its shadow loop, then the dark tower will fall as the new king(s) come forth just as the zodiacal year 2012 begins.

2) The White Horse Avatar or Chiron King and the "sacrifice" of the shadow wolf Lupus. "The burning up of the wolf" is an important phase of psychic alchemy that is strongly highlighted in the Winter Solstice chart. It might be noted here that these myths overlap so Tolkien's king Eleazar, the centaur king Chiron and the White Horse Avatar in his many forms are all one. Prominent among these is the hero Perseus who becomes king following his rescue of Andromeda. In the chart for this Winter Solstice a great Mystic Triangle focuses energy through Saturn (Sauron) in Lupus the Wolf decan of Libra and Neptune in the Cetus decan Aquarius. Cetus is the sea monster threatening to devour Andromeda, Lupus is the shadow Wolf that Chiron must sacrifice in order to unite the gods of Olympus to defeat the old world Titans. Cetus and Lupus and Sauron are aspects of the collective shadow or the Dark Tower that is to be brought down. All the important stories of this year tell us how we're to vanquish the old world shadow and begin a new golden age.

3) Rebirth of the Phoenix, the beginning of a New Age, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The Dark Lord Voldemort represents our collective shadow with its astral minions. All the senseless violence of the past year and years comes from this shadow source. Only by remembering our natural magic can we overcome this shadow. In a related myth Persephone gives birth to a magical child named Zagreus who is born from her union with Zeus when he came to her in the form of a serpent. The child of this union has serpentine qualities (he can talk to snakes!) and he is born with the lightning bolt of his father Zeus. Zagreus is the model for Harry Potter and the magical child of this new era. Voldemort is real and must be defeated so we can get on with our true story. The new planet Eris bigger(?) than Pluto is Persephone and the dwarf planet Haumea is Zagreus her magical child. Through a very strange metamorphosis Zagreus becomes Dionysus who as heir of Zeus becomes the new king. Likewise, Tolkien's Eleazar is a healer and wizard king. It is fitting that the kingly leaders of the new Aquarian era would have these magical qualities.

4) The Flight of the Feathered Serpent following the Venus Transit of 5 June 2012. The Mayans call Morning Star Venus the Feathered Serpent. The "flying of the Feathered Serpent" predicts a Renaissance period when America comes to full life and spiritual power. When does the Feathered Serpent Fly? When Venus rises before the Sun again and most likely as the Mayans predicted, when the Sun aligns with the galactic center (the galactic godhead Hunab Ku) at Winter Solstice 12/21/2012. The Flight of the Feathered Serpent symbolizes the activation of the 7 city chakra line beginning with Mexico City where the Feathered Serpent (kundalini) is coiled. The complete 7 city sequence is Mexico City, Atlanta, Washington, New York, Boston and London. These 7 cities correspond closely with the 7 chakras of the human body. Washington is the solar plexus and here is the largest solar obelisk ever created. Renaissance begins when the Phoenix lands atop an obelisk in Heliopolis, the City of the Sun. Washington was designed to be the Heliopolis of this era. New York is the throat chakra, Boston the ajna or brow and London is the crown. There is a similar line of chakra cities on the opposite side of the world that includes Nairobi, Mumbai, Darjeeling and Tokyo. These two lines of chakra cities are conduits for the global kundalini that becomes activated at this planetary initiation. In Hindu tradition there are two serpents, Ida and Pingala, yin and yang, that ascend the spine at initiation. The western Feathered Serpent line is yang, the eastern Dragon Current line is yin. On 12/21/2012 both these lines will be activated and we will experience a great global awakening. This could be what 2012 is all about.

5) The Last Judgment of Revelation and Tarot Key 20.  The Woman of Revelation 12 is the newly awakening feminine consciousness that mediates the coming of the true king represented here by her boy child. The Woman and Child are pursed by a Dragon, here the boy child king like the new Zeus is opposed by the saurian (Sauron) shadow dragon of the age. Leviathan rises from the sea like Cetus yet we are not to fear because the flesh of Leviathan will become as food for the righteous, those blessed ones among us who learn the magic of psychic transformation and herewith will free us all. The Last Judgment Tarot Key 20 depicts the Angel Gabriel blowing a horn calling people to rise up out of the tombs of their old world ways. These are people realizing their freedom and their immortality as souls. And this is exactly what has been happening with the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street, people are rising out of the tombs of the old world. On the banner of Gabriel is the design of the City of Revelation, "the city four square." The instruction is to go to the city center and occupy it with the new spirit of the time. There is more guidance here to be scryed in future months. The Last Judgment and Armageddon have a parallel with the opening of Pandora's box. Remember the monsters that fly from this box are the children of Eris, the goddess of discord. The new planet beyond Pluto bigger than Pluto is named Eris now (not always) for this is her time. At the end of every age all that has been repressed in the course of time is released to be cleared before we can get on with the new story. At the bottom of Pandora's box is the winged angel Hope (Eleazar's childhood name). If the box had not been opened and if the 7 angels hadn't blown those trumpets we would not be able to begin anew. All is in divine order after all.

6) The Norse Ragnarok, the Age of Fire and Ice (extremes of heat and cold), when the Fenris Wolf is set loose and the Dragon comes down from the north to shake the world. Draco the Dragon is 2nd decan Libra star sign. The Ural Mountains of Russia look amazingly like a dragon wending its way down from the pole between 50 and 60 degrees east longitude, the Draco decan of Earth's Zodiac. Draco includes most of Iran including the capital Tehran. 3rd decan Libra is Lupus, the Wolf that Chiron (Centaurus) brings to the fiery altar Ara. It's important to note that each of these decans has good and shadow, positive expression and a misapplication. There is a good wolf and an evil wolf in the Native American myth regarding the 2 wolves within, the one that wins is the one we feed. Now at the end of the age the Dragon and the Wolf appear as powerful elements of the collective shadow bent on destruction. These sectors of the world (Draco = 50-60 degrees east and Lupus = 60-70 east) include some of the most troubled parts of the world (e.g. Afghanistan and Pakistan) and the areas of the world where women have suffered the worst oppression. This is more than coincidence, there is a direct relationship between the repression of woman and violence in the world. Why in this region particularly? Because it is here and in 3rd decan Virgo (40-50 east) where the new feminine spirit is emerging that will ultimately break the tyranny of the old global order. When there is peace in the Middle East there will be peace everywhere, when women are free here, women will be free everywhere. Between now and the 11/13/12 solar eclipse the shadow wolf and dragon will be vanquished and woman, the feminine soul, will be set free.

7) Bringing back the Goddess Eye, the Eye of Maat in the Golden Triangle that is source of the Freemason's symbol on the US Seal. When the Goddess Eye retreats from the world then evil reigns for a time, when the goddess eye returns evil is destroyed. Maat the goddess of Truth and Justice holds a scale in her left hand that has a human heart in one pan and a feather in the other. Maat knows what makes the heart heavy and how to make it light as the feather of Truth. In her right hand she holds an instrument with which she eliminates what makes the heart heavy and this instrument is the Eye in the Golden Triangle. The bringing back of the goddess eye is key to the esoteric Egyptian religion according to the historian E.A. Budge. The hero god Onuris (our Uranus) brings back the Eye by stradling the abyss. This occurs every 500 years when Uranus is at the celestial equator as is now and will be at Spring Equinox 2012.

 

Winter Solstice 2011-12

12:31 am 12/22/2011 New York, NY

The order of the heavens at Winter Solstice determines what will become as the year unfolds. At this Winter Solstice leading into 2012 the great benefic planet Jupiter, the new king, has risen in opposition to the malefic old world king Saturn. At their midpoint is Venus in a dynamically symmetrical constellation of points. Venus is in square with both Jupiter and Saturn. Arwen/Venus is said to weakened in the presence of Sauron/Saturn. This means all that denys love and all that resists the new creation is now highlighted as a dark spell - the dark tower - to be broken. Venus here represents the Woman of Revelation who is given the wings of an Eagle in order to escape the Dragon (Sauron), her tormenter. As a sure sign of the time Venus is conjunct with Altair the bright star of Aquila the Eagle. Aquila is the bird of Jove that wields the divine lightnings. Aquila appears in the heavens with lightning bolts streaming from its talons, these are used to destroy evil and to protect the Woman. This Eagle is the Native American Thunderbird that also carries lightnings and it is the Hawk of Egypt subject of the prophecy below that corroborates how Venus is our guiding planet in this time. This Winter Solstice seeds our transformation and the great emerging story of our time.

At this Solstice turn of the year Venus is conjunct Altair, the alpha star of Aquila while Mercury conjuncts the North Node, our soul's north compass point, in the Aquila decan of Sagittarius. Aquila the Eagle is rising in the birth chart of the USA. It is the Eagle that comes to aid the Woman of Revelation and it is the Eagles that save the day in the final battle of Middle Earth. Aquila wields the thunderbolts of Zeus, the lightnings that break the power of the Dark Tower.

The year begins with Venus as Evening Star presiding over the death/rebirth and healing of the king. Following the Transit of Venus on 5 June 2012 Venus becomes the Morning Star, this is when our great ship comes in. Morning Star Venus is "the star of the ship of the Bennu-Ausar" (Osiris) referred to in this Egyptian invocation to the sacred Sun Bird:

I am the Bennu, the soul of Ra,
and the guide of the gods in the Tuat;
let it be so done unto me that
I may enter in like a hawk,
and that I may come forth like Bennu,
the Morning Star.

from "The Book of Doors: An Alchemical Oracle from Ancient Egypt" by Athon Veggi & Alison Davidson

The most powerful Morning Star Venus / Venus Bennu or Venus Quetzalcoatl appears in the cycle that follows a Venus Transit, a rare event that occurs in pairs about every 135 years. The first of this current pair was early June 2004 and the 2nd and most powerful is 5 June 2012. The last time the 2nd transit of the pair occurred was when the great volcano Krakatoa erupted in 1883. It is during the Venus Morning Star phase that follows this transit that the Feathered Serpent flies and the Bennu (also Venus) rises from its fiery nest. This will occur in late December 2012 when Venus rises before the Sun.

Also, at this Winter Solstice just past, the comet Lovejoy made a splendid return and this is a great portent for our time, a sure sign that Arwen / Venus / Love will be triumphant. The appearance of this Sungrazing comet Lovejoy, a proverbial "horse of the Sun," at this seminal time of the year is a certain signal of the Coming of the Avatars in 2012.  

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Silmarilion were written in the early fifties for this time of transition between the era of Neptune ruled Pisces and the new Age of Aquarius ruled by Uranus. This transition is guided by certain constellations and stars that are active at this time. These include Orion (Menelmacar), Ursa Major (Tolkien's Valacirca), Arcturus (Gandalf's star) and Spica (more properly Arista), the bright star of Virgo identified with the Empress in Tarot and the Woman of Revelation with her crown of stars.

"[The Star Queen] Varda set the constellation, Menelmacar, with his shining belt, that forbodes the Last Battle that shall be at the end of days. The belt would be a sword belt warning that the Valar will join the struggle." This brings us to one of the most important alignments of our time. During this Yule season and for months to come, the Aquarian planet Uranus closely aligns with Alnilam and Alnitak, two of the bright stars in Orion's Belt. These stars (and their sister star Mintaka) stand out because of their brightness and their striking alignment with the celestial equator [Menelmacar rising]. They're also special in that these are Super Stars each over 10,000 times the luminosity of our Sun. In the medieval Yuletide tradition these stars are the 3 Magi, the astrologer kings who announce the beginning of a New Age. There is a mystery here to be revealed in March 2012.

Tolkien's writings hold clues for us now: “…when first Menelmacar strode up the sky and the blue fire of Helluin [Sirius] flickered in the mists above the borders of the world, in that hour the Children of the Earth awoke….” The Silmarillion, pg 45; "As Menelmacar rose, the elves burst into song, lit a fire, and said it was time for speech and merriment. Then Melkor [the dark power] was shaken by the laughter of Tulkas and fled from the earth." Silmarillion, The Coming of the Elves.

In Tolkien's cosmology the bright stars of Ursa Major are the Valar, the 7 great creator gods. Manwe is the greatest of the Valar. "With Manwë dwells Varda, Lady of the Stars, who knows all the regions of Ea..... Of all the Great Ones who dwell in this world the Elves hold Varda most in reverence and love." - The Silmarillion, Valaquenta, p 26 According to Tolkien, Varda created the stars, and placed them innumerable in the heavens. "And high in the North as a challenge to Melkor she set the crown of seven mighty stars to swing, Valacirca, the Sickle of the Valar and sign of doom [to the dark powers of the earth]." - The Silmarillion, p 48

It is the Valar Manwe who guides and powers the coming of the great wizard Gandalf or Mithrandir. Gandalf is identified with the "hermit star" Arcturus described as "a Lamp, translucent, set in Ilwe on the edge Middle-earth's breathable air." In Tarot, Arcturus is the Hermit standing alone on a high mount holding a lantern. Arcturus is located in the 20th Parallel North as this star casts its influence on Earth. The current eruption at this parallel of the two great volcanoes Popo in Mexico and Kilauea in Hawai'i represents an activation of this Hermit / wizard archetype. The ascendancy of the star Arcturus and the arrival of Gandalf  portends the coming of the Avatar or divine consciousness for the new era.

Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is one of the most mythically charged constellations in the heavens. In Alice A. Bailey's esoteric astrology the 7 bright stars composing the 'Big Dipper' asterism of Ursa Major are the sources of the 7 rays of creation expressed through our solar system's 7 'sacred planets' and the 7 primary colors radiating from the Sun. One of these stars (Merak) is identified with the new Avatar while another (Dubhe) is thought to be a source of cosmic evil. This teaching parallels the starlore of J.R.R. Tolkien. In his mythic cosmology Ursa Major is called Valacirca, 'Sickle of the Gods' or 'Sickle of the Valar'. "This is the mightiest of the works of Varda, Lady of the stars. It hung above the North as a threat to Melkor and an omen of his fall; the Judgment day."- The Silmarillion

Arcturus can easily be found in the early morning sky now: Follow the Arc of the Big Dipper's handle to the right eastward to bright Arcturus, the star of Gandalf. Continue this arc further on to find Spica, the lucida of Virgo and the star of Arwen, the elf queen. In the Tarot, Arcturus is identified with Key 9 the Hermit and Spica is Key 3 the Empress. Spica (a.k.a. Arista) also represents the world mother, the all provider with her abundant cornucopia.

Events of Winter Solstice seed what will be unfolding in the coming year. Never complete within themselves, these events represent potentialities to be realized. Their realization depends on what we do individually, in dyad and in the many magical working groups that will be forming in this very special year.

Mythic Times Overview 

Myths of all time are now coming to life. This is "the end time," it is the end of the Piscean Age and beginning of the Aquarian. This is the Norse Ragnarok, the age of fire and ice (extremes of heat and cold), when the Fenris Wolf is set loose and the Dragon comes down from the Pole to shake the world. This is the time of “the war in heaven and earth.” War in heaven means conflict on the psychic or spiritual plane. As this war is won on the subtle planes war and violence will be ended in the outer world. This is the magical war for which Star Wars, the Harry Potter books and Lord of the Rings series have prepared us. And regardless of the many dire predictions, a positive outcome is assured. How positive and how soon the age of peace and plenty will begin depends on what we do.

Times of greatest challenge are times of greatest opportunity. As old patterns of belief and being are challenged, the way is opened to greater understanding and more enlightened living. As limiting reality structures are broken, new worlds emerge. The old zeitgeist based on Newtonian physics is now thankfully giving way to the New Physics and the new more magical order of Aquarius.

At the end of an Age all that has been hidden is revealed, all that humanity has swept under the rug comes to light to be transformed. These astral energies merge as a collective shadow, a psychic aggregate metaphorically called the Dragon of the Age. This “dragon” embodies all that humanity has been unable or unwilling to deal with during the past 2000 years. The reclamation of the psychic energy represented by the Dragon is spoken of in Revelation as the flesh of Leviathan becoming "as food for the righteous." In psychological terms, this can simply mean bringing to consciousness an outmoded way of thinking or behaving. Once illuminated in this way, the old pattern can be broken and its psychic energy freed for new creative expression. So the “flesh of the dragon” becomes "as food.” This means undesirable psychic patterns, emotional attachments and addictions can actually be considered a psychic energy resource. As these old forms are broken, energy is freed that can be directed to serve our dreams. This process was called dragon slaying or dragon training in esoteric tradition. It can be as easy as focusing on the crown light above while breathing deeply to transform a shadow thought or emotion ("tease it up, breathe it up, fill your cup"). The breath is the mechanism through which transformation occurs and right direction of attention is all else required. Seek first the kingdom and all else is added, hope for the world and all hopes and needs will be realized.

We enter the Age of Aquarius through the Venus ruled Libra decan of Aquarius. So Venus, the goddess of Love, is our guide into this New Age. We should know too that Venus is more than those wonderful qualities of grace and love and beauty, she also brings power to train serpents and dragons and restore the natural order of the world. These are mythic times.

 

 

By the light of candles three

Golden flames reveal to me

A path, a sign, an omen fair,

To guide me to my destiny. 

 

The Candlemas/Imbolc Cross-Quarter Hora

Feb 4-18

 

The pagan festival Imbolc is generally celebrated on Feb 1 and Candlemas, on Feb 2. Both celebrations are intended to mark the winter "cross-quarter" when the Sun crosses the midpoint of Aquarius half way between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. This year the Sun crosses the seasonal midpoint on Feb 3 at 11:33 pm est (4:33 am gmt) and this begins the Candlemas Hora, a 15-day period from Feb 4 to 18 when the nature of the New Year becomes illuminated and the vital energies of Nature stir to life. 

 

Our 24 hour day includes 8 "canonical" hours ideal for prayer, for meditation and new beginnings. In turn, the year is divided into 24 horae (or half signs) and 8 of these are canonical horae including Feb 4-18. Canonical hours and canonical horae are fortunate times for initiating many kinds of activity. During these times we have more free will to create and re-create our world.

 

Each canonical hora has a unique magic that expresses the power of its inception: the equinox, solstice or cross-quarter when it begins. The qualities of the 24 horae are represented by the 24 runes in their classic Elder Futharck sequence beginning with Aries. In this sequence the Candlemas/Imbolc Hora is appropriately Inguz, the Fertility rune. Imbolc is Gaelic and it means “in the belly.” This festival marks the first stirrings of Spring in the womb of Mother Earth. The energetic qualities of Candlemas/Imbolc - purification, prediction, quickening of life force - extend over a 2 week period. This is why Winter Carnival is celebrated now: it's time to awaken the vital forces that power creation in Spring.

 

The midpoint elemental power gates are identified with the aces in Tarot and Mid-Aquarius is the Ace of Swords. Aquarius focuses the element of air (the mind, new ideas, communications, discernment, global networking) to be distributed in Spring, the season of the air element. Since winter itself is the season of the water element, the Ace of Swords here symbolizes the gleaming sword of destiny given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake. This is the sword of truth empowering us to discern the right way forward. This sword of our own essential knowing responds to the needs of the world and guides us to realize our true place in the world. And it is truly hard to imagine a more powerful instrument for discernment, decision and action than this one being forged as Mars conjuncts the Sun at the exact midpoint of Aquarius. Right now I'm feeling very thankful for this Great Blizzard of 2011 and the many home fires burning at this Candlemas turning of the year thus tempering the sword of inner truth. The next two weeks will bring new light of understanding and clear direction forward on our creative journey in this very special year.

Candlemas, Carnival and Chinese New Year (White Rabbit!)

Candlemas is a festival of purification and it brings a dramatic awakening of vital energies. Now we begin to turn outward, opening into new life as the spirit of Winter Carnival rises within us. It's time to frolic, to dance; each of us is a child of the New Year coming to be. Every cycle has 8 phases and 8 energy shift times that are key to creation and re-creation. These 8 turning times in the year mark the key festivals of the Celts and the Druids. The Druids were masters of celebration and they developed a sophisticated system of natural energy engineering by living in harmony with natural rhythms. 

A lunar cycle seeded at the New Moon becomes conscious and viable when the Crescent appears. The New Year seeded at Winter Solstice comes to consciousness during the Imbolc / Candlemas Winter Cross-Quarter Hora (Feb 4-18). The emerging New Year spirit is quickened to consciousness through Candlemas fire, Chinese New Year (2/3/11) and Carnival (until 3/8/11) celebrations.

Candlemas is a festival of purification and the purifying elements are water and fire. Water purifies emotional nature, fire purifies the mental body. Fire gazing clears shadows from the mind. Perhaps the most powerfully purifying form of water is a snow flake. Areas of the world now blanketed by snow are receiving a special Candlemas blessing.

Carnival is the season to awaken the dragon that will be tamed during Lent. The bigger the dragon awakened and trained to purpose the more creative energy is available for the New Year. Traditionally lovers are chosen on Valentine’s Day because it’s thought to be easier to awaken and tame dragons in twos. Whether this true or not, the techniques for awakening and taming dragons are pretty much the same for individuals as for dyads.  

Many celebrate Carnival and avoid Lent, others observe Lent but ignore Carnival. In general, those who ignore Carnival are given to more emotional repression while those who do Carnival but avoid Lent are more subject to obsession. Ideally both Carnival and Lent are given their due so the vital force (symbolized by serpent or dragon) can be stirred to life and then integrated for the new creation.

Carnival and Lent are important pagan fertility rites partially adapted by the Catholics. For example, placing ashes on the forehead at the beginning of Lent was an Anglo-Saxon shamanic practice performed about 2 weeks before Spring Equinox. The purpose of the ashes (think carbon rings charged with solar energy) is to stimulate the brow chakra and draw up the spine the primal energy awakened during winter carnival.

Mention should be made here about the timing of Easter and Lent because this year we have two options. Easter is traditionally the first Sunday following the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox. This year a Full Moon occurs the day before Spring Equinox and, since its influence extends more than a day, this Full Moon may be considered the first of Spring. If so the following Sunday Mar 27 would be Easter and Lent would be on Wednesday Feb 9, a month earlier than the Mar 9 date listed on the calendar. This may be significant because this is an important year for creating anew. This creative process involves choices and it's good to consider our options. Those who feel their primal dragon already well awakened might opt for an early lenten season to get a head start on Spring and those who are feeling more inhibited and low in energy may just need to party more.

For more information about the celebration of Carnival, Lent and Dragon Training visit this site http://eilight.com/pages/lenteaster.htm

The Chinese New Year, beginning on Feb 3 also signals an awakening of vital forces and this is symbolized by dragons dancing in the street. Notice too that the dragon is chasing (or is led by) a bouncing ball suggestive of dragon training or focusing on a goal. When does a year really begin? Different cultures celebrate New Year at different times because the year begins on several levels. The Lunar New Year celebrated in China adds the vital emotional dimension. Each lunar year is symbolized by an animal, element and color. 2011 is a yin metal, Silver or White Rabbit. Following the wild year of the Tiger, the Rabbit year is always gladly welcomed: “I am in tune with the pulse of the universe; in my quiet and solitude I hear the melodies of the soul. I am the Rabbit.” -Theodora Lau 

The Chinese New Year celebration culminates with the Lantern Festival on the Feb 18 Full Moon.

Keynotes for Candlemas / Imbolc and the Mid-Aquarius Hora Feb 4-18

* Candlemas is one of 8 fire festivals celebrated at the equinoxes, solstices and cross-quarter days. Candlemas fires quicken the new life that was seeded at Winter Solstice.

* Blessings and vision come through Candlemas and the Mid-Aquarius Hora Feb 4-18. Whatever is seeded now will flourish in Spring.

* Candlemas, also known as "Ground Hog’s Day," grows out of the pagan festival Imbolc. This is a time for prognostication through watching animal signs, especially birds and burrowing creatures. Events now portend what will be in the spring season.

* February comes from the Latin februa, “to purify.” Shadow fears and phantasms come up now to be cleared from our psyche. Candlemas traditions tell how to dispel these astral shadows that might obscure our way forward. Fire is key to this clearing whether through simple candle gazing or dancing around a "bonfire bright.” The Irish summon Brigid, the goddess of fire to chase away winter.

* Other methods for purification include smudging with sage, clockwise movement, magnesium salt baths, deep breathing, free form dance, stretching exercise and drinking lots of good water.

* Brigid, the Celtic guardian of the home fire and goddess of wells and springs, is honored at Imbolc. Blessings can be received at sources of fresh water; these are the gates of Gaia, channels for the vital healing power of the Earth spirit. Fresh water sources can purify and heal heart, mind, body and soul. A water filled silver bowl replicates the well or spring of Brigid.

* The lights of Candlemas also symbolize Ceres torch lit search for her daughter Persephone. The rediscovery of Persephone is the first glimmer of conscious light in the dark of winter. Now the nature of the new cycle can be gleaned, visions of the future can be seen. 

The Mysteries of Persephone are celebrated now in the Greek mystery tradition. Persephone returns from the underworld  with her torch bearing mother Demeter (America’s Liberty). Demeter and Persephone reunited bring blessings to the world. Cairleach, the Celtic crone of winter now gives way to Bride/Persephone, the rejuvenated/rejuvenating goddess of the new cycle. Persephone presides over the death, rebirth and healing of the king - and the coming forth of the true king - in this cycle. The feeling need for a true king or world champion is a collective invocation of womankind in this time. In her quiet and solitude she invokes the return.

The Candlemas Purification of Mary is the clearing of Earthly consciousness for the reception of Divine light. Candles are blessed to protect from lightning and other natural disasters. Mary mediates forces of the natural world including lightning. In her Magdalene form, she is Mary of the Tower. Psychic lightning bolts are invoked to clear shadow patterns from the psychic astral world.

What was conceived in the unconscious at Winter Solstice becomes illuminated as we, like the groundhog, come out of our winter homes to stand in the light of a new creation. All the world comes round right as the shadows of winter night give way to this new light.

“Held to mark the ‘quickening of the year,’ the theme of lighting fires to call back the Sun from its winter retreat has been consistent in all the incarnations of this festival. Imbolc falls in the Druid tree month Rowan, or ‘quickbeam.’

“On Candlemas, candles are lighted and bonfires burn outside, echoing the great ritual fires lit by Druids on this night. In wooing back the Sun we are also starting fresh both outwardly and inwardly. As the glow of fire illuminates the darkness and the Sun brings back warmth and richness of the Earth, we lighten the load of external burdens and inner attachments, looking deep into our own darkness to discover new light."  ~ Victoria Williams, Ritual Fire and Feasting                                             

In ancient Greece the Mysteries of Persephone celebrated at this cross-quarter were preparatory for the autumn Mysteries of Eleusis. Persephone is accompanied by serpents and their appearance in nature (or in dream) portends her emergence. Long before the groundhog came to represent this time the Celtic people looked for serpent signs.

The snake emerging in the natural world parallels a force rising within which, when trained and focused to purpose, can work miracles. The serpent is the kundalini which raised rejuvenates life. The stirring of new life is the rising of primal energy for a new creation. Training this energy is the purpose of the season's ritual celebrations. 

Candlemas Ritual for Scrying the Future, Forecasting the Year

The future doesn't just happen, we create the future given the energetic resources and understanding we have available. What will become is partly determined by destiny defined by laws and cycles of nature and partly by free will. A key principle of esoteric science is that the better we know and live in concert with natural cycles the more free we are to express our self and shape the future. In the words of pioneering scientist Francis Bacon, "Nature is commanded by obeying her."

Every cycle has 8 key pivotal times or turning points when what is to unfold can more readily be determined. During these times human free will is augmented. Particularly effective for initiating change are the midpoints of the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. These fixed sign midpoints focus elemental energies and shape what will be in the following season. 

The Candlemas/Imbolc ritual that follows can effectively be done any time between Feb 3 and Feb 18 when the Candlemas Hora concludes. This scrying ceremony might also be repeated in this time until the future forecast is clear and what is to be is envisioned satisfactorily.

Forecasting is both a passive predicting of influences and an active envisioning and shaping of what is to be. The more dynamic form of forecasting is beautifully illustrated in the Wendy Andrew painting above. The waters pouring from her Aquarian urn flow to the banner "Heralding the Spring." Herald means to announce, it also means to empower. This is our time to empower the future we choose to be.

This Candlemas ritual is simple and can be fun for children of all ages. First set up the center: Place a small (ideally silver) bowl filled with water in the middle of your celebration space. This bowl is best supported by a tripod in keeping with oracular tradition and the practice of Nostradamus. Place in the bowl 3 small round gems or stones perhaps from a creek, river, beach or rock shop, rounded is key. Then arrange 3 tall taper candles to form an equilateral triangle about the bowl. Finally, around the candles and bowl wind (clockwise/Sunwise) small vines or other greenery found sprouting out of the ground at this time of year. Use vervain if you can find it, this is an herb traditionally used for this celebration. The purpose is purify and protect against ill influences. Dried herb will do. 

This ceremony is most effective when done in a night time canonical hour: the hour beginning with Sunset, the Midevening Hour (starting halfway between Sunset and True Midnight) or True Midnight (starting halfway between Sunset and Sunrise). The hour half way between True Midnight and Sunrise is also good if you're an early riser. This hour is like the Candlemas hora in the year.

Now to the ritual: First light the 3 candles moving clockwise (aka Sunwise). Then turn off electric lights and begin to walk or dance clockwise/Sunwise around the center. Chanting or singing simple songs can quicken the energy and help synchronize breath with movement. Dancing 3 times around sets and clears the circle. Circling clockwise 7 times will dispel illusion and break any shadow spell. You might invoke the presence of spiritual forces and then put intentions on the air. Some may find they spontaneously speak in rhyme after setting the circle. When the dance movement feels complete sit and gaze into the water pool between the candles to gain insight regarding the future year and the role you may play. Remember that the water element connects us with our unconscious and the collective unconscious of the world. It is here we find the shape of what's to be. In focusing on the glimmering water, remember the Genesis quote "and the spirit of God moved on the face of the water." It is here at the edge of water and air that the future might be seen.

Another tradition is to wet the right forefinger in the bowl of water then hold it up high and draw a clockwise circle in the air above. This is to open a window into the future. You might also use right forefinger to put water from the bowl on the brow center to help open the inner eye. Candlemas is all about clearing and seeing the way forward. This is magic time, a time for creative imagination and visualization.

2011 Prediction Keys, Signs of the Time  

Each year has a theme the elements of which may be found in the symbolic meaning of its numbers, the planetary year ruler, lunar new year sign, decan star sign and the zodiacal chart of its inception. Another factor to consider this year is the 7/11/2010 total eclipse of the Sun as this carries significant influence until the next total solar eclipse on 11/13/2012.

Here I would like to share a few highlights regarding the elements of prediction, I'll go into detail on a few points focusing more on what is current this season. Predictions for the new zodiacal year 3/20/3011-3/20/2012 will the subject of my next Mythic Times. In the interim I would like for all of us to pay attention to dreams and to the signs of nature so we may better scry what is to be. This is a time to share our dreams and I invite you to write me if you feel you have something prophetic to share.The following information is material to work with, it is not determinative, what will be is what we make of these energetic resources.

The numbers for 2011 are 11 and 4 and the related Tarot arcana are Key 11 Justice and Key 4 The Emperor. This 11th year of the 3rd millennium augments the global desire for social justice and it implies that those who work for just causes will be empowered. 11 is a master number on the physical plane so this will be a productive year. Key 11 Justice has mysteries to reveal.

2011 reduces to 4 The Emperor identified with Jupiter, the high king of Olympus. Jupiter and the Emperor represent rulership and the order of things. During this year it is likely that many old kings will fall and many new leaders will come forward. Coincidentally, Jupiter has for many months been moving along together with Uranus the planet of revolution and transformation. This conjunction portends the death (or transformation) and rebirth of the king and order of things in the world.

The fixed star identified with the king archetype is Regulus, the star marking the heart of Leo. The 22 brightest stars in the sky are linked mythologically with the Major Arcana of Tarot and Regulus is Key 4 The Emperor. At the time of the last Total Eclipse of the Sun 7/11/2010, Venus was conjunct Regulus at the cusp of Leo and Virgo, the exact location of Tunis in the Earth Zodiac. The recent historic toppling of the autocratic ruler of Tunisia at the beginning of Virgo is causing enormous ramifications for Mid-East.

Events now in Cairo can be illuminated by studying the stars. Cairo is located in the 22nd degree of Virgo where we find Denebola, "the tail of the lion" Leo. This star is linked to Sekhmet, the lion headed goddess of ancient Egypt. Denebola is also associated with Cybele, the lion taming goddess often shown with one hand at the head and other at the tail of a lion. Cybele is the model for Tarot Key 8 called Teth the serpent in kabalistic tradition. So we come back to the awakening and training of primal forces. Interestingly too, Denebola is located in the 15th parallel north (as projected on Earth) where 4 volcanoes have become active over the past few weeks. These volcanoes are Pacaya, Santa Maria and Fuego in Guatemala and Taal in the Phillipines. All this suggests a great stirring of vital forces and the awakening of the soul of a people. It's a miracle that the protesters camped in Tahrir Square survived and triumphed through the Feb 2-3 Dark of the Moon night. But now the worst is over, the forces of liberation are awakened and it will be impossible to put the genie back in the bottle. 

Each Zodiacal Year (beginning at Spring Equinox) is ruled by one of 7 planets (including Sun and Moon) according to their apparent rate of motion in the heavens slowest to fastest, Saturn to Moon: Mars 2001; Sun 2002; Venus; 2003; Mercury; 2004; Moon 2005; Saturn 2006; Jupiter 2007; Mars 2008; Sun 2009; Venus 2010; Mercury 2011; Moon 2012..

Venus is the planetary ruler of the current Zodiacal Year that concludes with the Spring Equinox 2011, then a Year of Mercury begins. The best of this current Venus Year occurs during this winter season as Venus shines brightly in the morning sky. 2011 began with the brilliant Morning Star Venus rising above a  beautiful balsamic Moon in the predawn sky. It is a fortunate boon for 2011 to have the love and money goddess Venus in her year invoked by the crescent Wishing Moon. Venus brings blessings that can be received directly by focusing on the light of the Morning Star and breathing deeply. Venusian chi can be gathered by raising the left palm toward the light while holding the right palm over the hara or chi center just below the navel. Then breathe deeply to absorb the energies of Venus.

Venus is the planet to watch because she is the one pulling the cosmic strings. At the Winter Solstice pivot of the year, Venus was at mid-Scorpio, the cross-quarter power gate symbolized by the Ace of Cups in Tarot. This card represents the cosmic caldron or holy grail, the source of creation and transformation. Venus began 2011 in flowing trine with Jupiter and Uranus. Jupiter is the king, Uranus is revolutionary transformer and Morning Star Venus is shaping this transformation. Jupiter is the king and order of things, Venus shapes the transformation of the king and helps bring forth the true king in this cycle. Venus trine Jupiter / Uranus opens us to new dimensions of creative expression and scientific discovery. This cycle of Venus brings a rebirth of love, grace, beauty and higher truth. In 2011 Venus is empowered to restore the natural order to the world.

Astrological Ages and 36-Year Planetary Periods Key to Prediction

Plato named the 25,920 year cycle of precession "the Great Year." Many call it the Platonic Year. This long period wobble of the Earth on its axis causes the Spring Equinox to move backwards through the zodiacal signs marking the course of the Ages. Each Age is 2160 years or 1/12th the 25,920 year cycle or precession.

Each Zodiacal Age (or Platonic Month) is made up of sixty 36-year periods. These 36-year  "planetary periods" are ruled by 7 planets (including Sun and Moon) in their Chaldean sequence: Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Moon, and Sun. At the the close of each 252 year cycle a 36-year Sun period illuminates and sums up the whole.  It is during the synthesizing and integrating Sun period that social renaissance occurs. The present Sun period began in 1981 and will conclude in 2016. This is a renaissance time.

The 36-year cycle is an important key to astrological prediction. Each year of a 36-year planetary period is linked to a particular decan(ten degree part) of the zodiac and each each of these decans has its own constellation with its own peculiar myth.The current cycle began with a 1st decan Aries year in 1981. Each year at Spring Equinox a new decan begins and a new mythic story unfolds.This sytem for astrological prediction is called the World Wheel of Fortune. And, just like the roulette wheel it has 36 spokes.

2009 was a 2nd decan Capricorn or Delphinus the Dolphin year. This year world attention was given to the plight of dolphins with the release of The Cove, a film about the killing of dolphins that had been occuring each year in a cove near Taijii, Japan. This area of Japan borders the Delphinus decan of Capricorn in the zodiac on Earth (140-150E). This zodiacal zone contains some of the largest dolphin pods in the world. A beautiful video titled "Dolphins play with bubble rings" also appeared in Delphinus the Dolphin Year 2009

2010 was (and is until 3/20/11) a 3rd decan Capricorn or Piscis Australis (Southern Fish) year. Piscis Australis is called the Golden Fish because it drinks the stream from the urn of Aquarius and so symbolically makes flesh Aquarian dreams, ideals and new inventions. (Benjamin Franklin was born in this decan). Piscis Australis is the Great Fish that drinks the flood that would otherwise have destroyed the world. Piscis Australis, the Southern Fish http://www.constellationsofwords.com/Constellations/PiscisAustralis.html Quote: "According to Staal, the fish is often seen as a sign of salvation in the legends of a great deluge: 'The fish drinks the waters of the flood to save the world'." Following the flood comes the great fish. This was a prophetic for the2010 zodiacal year. Over the past month "a flood of biblical proportions" struck Eastern Australia which is located in the Piscis Australis decan of Capricorn in the Earth Zodiac. The last time a comparable flood occurred here was 36 years ago in 1974 during the last Piscis Australis year.

The bright star Fomalhaut, the alpha star (lucida) of Piscis Austrinus has long been associated with Aquarius. This star is one of the Four Watchers, 4 bright stars of the fixed signs that mark the 4 elemental directions. For astrologers, Fomalhaut portends eminence, fortune, and divine power. The 22 brightest stars are linked mythologically with the 22 major arcana of Tarot. In this set Fomalhaut is Key 5, The Hierophant connecting Heaven and Earth. Fomalhaut can be found now shining brightly in the evening sky near the horizon down low below Jupiter. 

Another angle for understanding events in Egypt is found in the decan constellations of the Earth Zodiac. While the Piscis Australis decan of the Earth Zodiac is given emphasis this year there is a triangle of influence extending between related decans of the earth element. The 3rd decan of all the earth signs are being activated including Egypt in the 3rd decan of Virgo. This also includes Chicago in 3rd decan Taurus where the Great Blizzard of 2011 just happened. In longitude Cairo, Chicago, Sydney and Rockhampton in Australia form a perfect equilateral triangle. All three areas have been experiencing Earth changing challenges that just may be preparing each region to play a role in the current social renaissance.

Equus the Horse is the 2011 Zodiacal Year decan constellation. I'll include information about this constellation's role in the coming cycle in my next newsletter. If you want to research, Anne Wright's Fixed Star site is a good resource http://www.constellationsofwords.com/

The July 11 2010 Solar Eclipse Key to 2011 Prediction

Our understanding of solar eclipses comes in large part from Druid tradition. A total eclipse of the Sun is the most important event that can happen in the heavens because it signals a renewing of the Earth's relationship to the Sun. The Sun is one of the Druids two primary celestial deities, the other is the Moon in relation to the Earth. The Earth/Moon Spirit the Druids called Cerridwen and the Sun they named Hu or Lugh. When a total solar eclipse occurs, the Sun and Moon merge as one and a new creation is seeded.

The story currently unfolding can be read in the cosmic pattern of the July 11 2010 eclipse. This total eclipse of the Sun sets the course of what unfolds until the next total solar eclipse on 13 Nov 2012. This is so because when the Sun-Moon-Earth are perfectly aligned this causes a brief break in the energetic connection between Earth and Sun that is followed by a resetting of our relationship with the Solar Logos at a higher turn of creation. So begins a new chapter in the unfolding story of our planetary life. Here's part of the story:

The July 11 solar eclipse occurred in the 20th degree of Cancer conjunct Adhara, "the maiden" star identified with Tarot Key 2, the High Priestess. This means that this archetype which includes Persephone and Mary Magdalene will be emerging powerfully in the world over the following two years. In this chart we also see a "terrible T-square" formed by a Jupiter/Uranus conjunction opposing Saturn all square Pluto in early cardinal signs. These aspects together signify challenges and tensions leading to a complete change of state, the total transformation (Pluto and Uranus) of the king (Jupiter) and the order of things in the world (Saturn). Another important pattern to note is a large M-pattern similar to the one on the cup in the Ace of Cups. This symbol and card represent Mary Magdalene the bearer of the sacred vessel of feminine nature that spans the planes of creation. The M-pattern includes Venus trine Pluto (the transforming power of love) and Mercury trine Jupiter/Uranus. Mercury is the wizard instructing how to transform the king and the old order of the world. Additionally in this chart we see many indicators of the coming "shift of the poles" as this pertains to sexual roles. The sword of truth is given into the hands of woman now because she can be trusted to restore the balance. Woman set free and self-realized mediates the birth of the new masculine consciousness that will in its own way bring new light to the world. A parallel is found in Persephone giving birth to Dionysus, now there's an apocryphal story!

Also in this chart, the eclipsing Sun and Moon squares Eris/Persephone at 22 Aries 15. This square challenges and stimulates awakening of this newly emerging feminine archetype. And note that this 7/11/2010 solar eclipse cycle (ending 11/13/2012) carries the resonances of Tarot Key 11 Justice and Key 2 the High Priestess along with every month day 11. Justice is the Tarot card of Libra, one of the two zodiacal signs ruled by Venus. The High Priestess is identified with Persephone, the co-ruler of Libra (The curtain with pomegranates behind the High Priestess signifies Persephone). These 11/2 Justice/High Priestess potencies become realized in 2011.

The Morning Star is the planet to watch this month as Venus in Aquarius bridges our way to a new cultural era. Other planets due attention are the outer planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Jupiter is plowing ahead in Aries bringing forward bold new initiatives that will bring success in Spring. Saturn in Libra works to bring balance and justice to the world while providing discipline to organize and anchor new opportunities coming through. Uranus and Neptune are the rulers of Aquarius and Pisces. All month these planetary giants are in “mutual reception” moving through each other’s sign and passing the torch of civilization from one age to the next. Insights for this new time are channeled through the arts and in signs and symbols by way of Venus, the ruler of the Libra part of Aquarius we enter now as we leave the 2160 year Piscean Age. Venus is the planetary year ruler until the Equinox (3/20/11). Until then we can expect exciting breakthroughs in consciousness and understanding as new symbol systems are energized to bridge the way to the new high culture for which our world is so ready. And there’s no better emissary to lead our way there than the goddess of Love.

Mythic Times Overview 

Myths of all time are now coming to life. This is called "the end time," it is the end of the Piscean Age and beginning of the Aquarian. This is the Norse Ragnarok, the age of fire and ice (extremes of heat and cold), when the Fenris Wolf is set loose and the Dragon comes down from the Pole to shake the world. This is the time of “the war in heaven and earth.” War in heaven means conflict on the psychic or spiritual plane. As this war is won on the subtle planes war and violence will be ended in the outer world. This is the magical war for which Star Wars, the Harry Potter books and Lord of the Rings series have prepared us. And regardless of the many dire predictions, a positive outcome is assured. How positive and how soon the age of peace and plenty will begin depends in part on what we do.

Draco the Dragon is 2nd decan Libra star sign. The Ural Mountains of Russia look amazingly like a dragon wending its way down from the pole between 50 and 60 degrees east longitude, the Draco decan in the Earth Zodiac. Draco is the Dragon that Aphrodite (or Hera) sets to guard her golden apple tree, a fitting myth for this part of the world. Draco includes most of Iran including the capital Tehran.

3rd decan Libra is Lupus, the Wolf that Chiron (constellation Centaurus) brings to the fiery altar Ara. It's important to note that each of these decans has a good and a shadow side, a positive expression and a misapplication. There is a good wolf and an evil wolf in the Native American myth regarding the 2 wolves warring within, the one that wins is the one we feed. Now at the end of the age the Dragon and the Wolf appear as powerful elements of the collective shadow bent on destruction. These sectors of the world (Draco = 50-60 degrees east and Lupus = 60-70 east) include some of the most violent parts of the world and the areas of the world where women have suffered the worst oppression. This is more than coincidental, there is a direct relationship between the repression of feminine nature and violence in the world. Why in this region particularly? Because it is here and in 3rd decan Virgo (40-50 east) where the new feminine spirit and spiritual beingness is emerging that will ultimately break free from the tyranny of the old global order. When there is peace in the Middle East there will be peace everywhere, when women are free here, women will be free everywhere. Between now and the 11/13/12 solar eclipse the shadow wolf and dragon will be vanquished and woman, the feminine soul, will be set free.

Times of greatest challenge are times of greatest opportunity. As old patterns of belief and being are challenged, the way is opened to greater understanding and more enlightened living. As limiting reality structures are broken, new worlds emerge. The old zeitgeist based on Newtonian physics is now thankfully giving way to the New Physics and the new more magical order of Aquarius.

At the end of an Age all that has been hidden is revealed, all that humanity has swept under the rug comes to light to be transformed. These astral energies merge as a collective shadow, a psychic aggregate metaphorically called the Dragon of the Age. This “dragon” embodies all that humanity has been unable or unwilling to deal with during the past 2000 years. The reclamation of the psychic energy represented by the Dragon is spoken of in Revelation as the flesh of Leviathan becoming "as food for the righteous." In psychological perspective, this can mean bringing to consciousness an outmoded way of thinking or behaving. Once illuminated in this way, the old pattern can be broken and its psychic energy freed for new creative expression. So the “flesh of the dragon” becomes "as food.” This means undesirable psychic patterns, emotional attachments and addictions can be considered an energy resource. As these are broken, energy is freed that can be redirected to serve our dreams. This process was called dragon slaying or dragon taming in esoteric tradition.

We enter the Age of Aquarius through the Venus ruled Libra decan of Aquarius. Venus, the goddess of Love, is our guide into this new era. And we should know too that Venus is more than grace and love and beauty, she also brings power to train serpents and dragons and restore the natural order of the world. In this regard, we should note that the current 19 month cycle of Venus began on 10/28/2010 in the Ophiuchus decan of Scorpio.

According to Greek myth, the doctor god Ophiuchus/Aesclepius was taught the art of healing by the serpent Serpens. Then again, Ophiuchus is said to be charming or taming the serpent Serpens. A mystery of healing and illumination is revealed in this story and this mystery is symbolized by the serpent entwined staff carried by Aesclepius. The staff of the doctor god became the caduceus symbol of the medical profession. It symbolizes healing that occurs when energy rises up the spine activating the higher chakras.

The heliacal rising of the New Venus on November 3rd coincided with the beginning of a very special Mayan Year that is known as the 7th Day and is embodied in the Dual-Creator/Divine-Couple god-goddess Ometeotl. In contrast, the passing Mayan Year was under the influence of the dark god Tlahuizcal, a shadow form of Quetzalcoatl, who is also known as the God Before Dawn. Tlahuizcal is an angry god who shoots arrows at the Sun because he is offended by its brightness. At the close of this cycle the arrows comes back to slay the dark god and he goes off the stage as Ometeotl comes on. The reign of this shadow god was a time of emotional and psychic purging for all people, our nation and the world. Following this "6th Night" Year of the Mayans we entered (on Nov 3 2010) the final year of the Mayan calendar. This 360-day Year called the 7th Day brings us into the light of a new creation. This is the time when the pieces of the dismembered Osiris, the essential myths of all time, will come to life and will be integrated in a way that leads us to a unified global consciousness. These are our mythic times.

 

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"Through celebrations in their seasons are the deeper powers of human nature realized" ~ Rudolph Steiner

MYTHIC TIMES OVERVIEW 

Every 500 years the Phoenix dies and is born anew from its fiery nest. An old world passes away and a new world is born. This is the repeating cycle of global Renaissance. The last Great Renaissance was centered in Rome inspired by cultural winds blowing through Florence, "the city of flowers." The political center for the new Aquarian renaissance is Washington DC and the cultural center is New York City, the mythic city of Liberty/Ceres/Demeter, the torch bearing mother of Persephone (goddess of flowers) whose mysteries are celebrated in this 7th Moon cycle. 

Of course, world renaissance isn't dependent on just one or two cities or places. While the 1500s Italian Renaissance was cooking up in the Old World, the Iroquois Renaissance was stirring to life in the New. 500 years before, c 1000 CE, the Norse settled Iceland and ventured to America while the Chinese sailed to Africa and the Kukulcan (Feathered Serpent) Renaissance was humming along in the Yucatan.

Each Renaissance builds on the Renaissance periods that came before, rather like pearls on a necklace connected by a single thread. The image above is one of the symbol keys connecting these Renaissance periods. This illustration also reflects the 10 lights on the Kabala Tree and the 10 Days celebrated in the 7th lunar cycle of each zodiacal year. Importantly for us, these 10 spheres and these 10 Days also represent, forecast and shape parallel time periods in the year ahead. The correspondences between these 10 days and the times ahead are detailed below. An additional analysis of the above diagram by Joseph Campbell is at Mind*Fire http://www.mindfire.ca/ under the header "The Mystery Number of the Goddess" with the subheading "The Muses Nine."

The Mayans knew Morning Star Venus as Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent. The "flying of the Feathered Serpent" predicts a Renaissance period when America comes to full life and spiritual expression. When does the Feathered Serpent fly? When Venus rises before the Sun in a special time that is unfolding these next 24 months. Venus becomes the Morning Star again on November 3rd following a conjunction with the Sun on October 28th 2010.

The heliacal rising of the New Venus on November 3rd coincides with the beginning of a very special Mayan Year that is known as the 7th Day and is embodied in the Dual-Creator/Divine-Couple god-goddess Ometeotl. This passing Year, on the other hand, has been under the influence of the dark god Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli (pronounce that one!), a shadow form of Quetzalcoatl, also known as the God Before Dawn. Tlahuizcal is an angry god who shoots arrows at the Sun because he is offended by its brightness. At the close of this cycle the arrows come back to slay the dark god and he goes off the stage just as Ometeotl comes on. The reign of this shadow god has been a time for emotional and psychic purging for all of us, for our nation and world. Following this shadow period known by the Mayans as the 6th Night we enter the 7th Day that brings us into the light of the new creation. And, we have folded within this 13th Tun (360 day Mayan year) the 260 day "9^th Wave" (2/10/11-10/28/11) when, like the pieces of the dismembered Osiris, the essential myths of all time will come to life in an integrated whole that leads us to a unified global consciousness. These are our mythic times.

Our grand opportunity now is to use these next few weeks to leverage awakening consciousness toward maximizing transformation and re-creating our world in the best possible way. This is the purpose of the 7th Moon's 10 Holy Days.

This particular 7th Moon celebration 10/8-18/2010 is extra special because the dwarf planet Ceres (a.k.a. Demeter) is currently in the 29th parallel south aligning with Adhara "the maiden," the fixed star identified with Persephone. This alignment occurs once every 4 years when the the Greek Mysteries are revealed.

 

THE 7TH MOON KEY TO THE MYSTERY OF CREATION

The appearance of the crescent New Moon on the evening of October 8 marks the beginning of a 10-day period when the world is recreated. The creation and re-creation of the world at the turn of the Autumn season is a tradition shared by the Cherokee, the Jews, Hindus, the ancient Chinese and followers of the Eleusinian Greek mystery school.

The 7th New Moon of the Zodiacal Year, the 7th after Spring Equinox, begins the lunar cycle when the world is recreated each year. The Cherokee call this the Great New Moon (Nuetiegawa) or Big Medicine Moon. Cherokee women dance from the time the New Moon crescent appears until Moonset. This dance continues for several evenings. With this dance the spirit of the new time is grounded and embodied. The world is reborn.

The shadow of the past cycle shows itself in the days and weeks before this New Moon. All that is doubtful, fearful and discordant from the past cycle crowds the dawn of each new cycle. This is more true this year due to a great convergence of cycles. The more there is awareness of personal and world shadow in the predawn time, the more spiritual power is invoked for transformation, healing and renewal.

The blowing of the shofar, a ram's horn, announces the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. The shofar is blown when the New Moon crescent appears. Rosh Hashanah begins the Ten High Holy Days also known as the Days of Awe. [Note: The Jewish Ten High Holy Days were celebrated in September this year due to a divergence in lunar calendars. These observances more often agree. This year other traditions highlight this time in October as most apt for this annual cycle of re-creation.]

At the sighting of this New Moon (Oct 8), Cherokee women begin their dance, the 9 North Star Spirits start their descent (China), Kali enters into homes to consume the past year's discord (Hindu) and initiates gather at Eleusis to receive the Mysteries. The initiating power of the lunar crescent is most strong during the time between Sunset and Moonset. This is a cosmic beginning time when the Moon is in the 7th House. The next few evenings are ideal for aligning with soul purpose and opening to new energy flow. Meditation helps to re-pattern the unconscious and recreate our personal world. Good wishes more readily take wing now. Prayers seeded in this time bring blessings for the Moon cycle (Oct 8-Nov 6) and for the New Year to be.

Revelation, awakening, spiritual renewal come through the nine nights and ten days that follow culminating on Day Ten when in the Hindu tradition the goddess Kali "slays the demon bull" (a symbol of our individual and group shadow). Spiritual union is celebrated at this time by both the Jews and the Cherokees. This is the Jewish Yom Kippur and the Cherokee Atohuna "when two are joined as one in the presence of yowa, the creator."

The ten days beginning at Sunset on Oct 8 correspond to the Sephiroth of the Kabala, the planetary spheres and the muses (hence the title of Gefurius's illustration Music of the Spheres). Each day represents - indeed shapes! - the corresponding period in the year ahead. 

These ten days / nine nights bring opportunities for realizing hopes and dreams. The way is cleared through celebration. The more our way becomes clear the more blessings flow. The more we attune and listen to our heart, the more core issues are resolved, the more empowered we become to recreate our world.

Re-creation through celebration opens the way for the New Year to be.  All fortunes turn on the tide of the Seventh Moon.

DAY AND YEAR AND THE 7TH MOON

All peoples from ancient times have recognized the life giving power of the lunar cycle and celebrated when the crescent appears. At this time the life force is renewed and all outward activities are supported by the rising lunar tide.

The early Celts, Jews, Arabs, Hindus and Native American tribes began their day at Sunset. Catholic holy days are celebrated from Sunset the evening before (e.g. Halloween / All Hallow's Eve, Christmas and Christmas Eve). Lunar holy days begin just Sunset when the crescent Moon becomes visible.

Day is born from night as yang is born from yin. The Spring/Summer yang half of the year is born from the yin Autumn/Winter. And, just as the day begins with Sunset, so the year has its beginning with the Autumn Equinox and its New Moon.

The Moons of the zodiacal year are numbered and the 1st, the New Moon of Aries, marks the natural or mundane New Year for the Cherokee, the Jews and the Hindu. The 7th New Moon, that of the Autumn Equinox, marks the spiritual New Year or source of natural unfoldment. 7 is the number of synthesis and the Eternal Return, the 7th lunar cycle is the Re-creation Moon.

HINDU NINE NIGHTS FESTIVAL 10/8-10/18/2010

Hindus celebrate Navaratri, the Nine Nights Festival, beginning on the night of October 8th. During these nine nights Kali is invited into homes and provided a place at the dinner table. Mother Kali enters in to consume the discord of the past year.

Ritual bathing, burning incense, anointing with oil, shared prayers, mark the beginning (at Sunset) of each of the Nine Holy Nights. One meal is eaten each day and this is after Sunset, following prayers. (Fasting by day and feasting at night nourish the yin spirit of creation.)

The swastika is a key element of Hindu New Year celebration. This geometric pattern is believed to quicken positive changes and bring luck and prosperity. The swastika drawn with smooth spiral arms rotating clockwise represents the energy spiral around the North Star and the North Pole umbilicus. The drawing of this symbol is believed to create connection with the center and heart of the world.

The swastika is drawn on the floor of the celebration space or on the ground in front of the home. Flour is sometimes used to make this design. On the middle of the pattern is placed an earthenware bowl or pot that may be decorated with red and white swastikas. (An old clay pot at the N.C. Cherokee Indian Museum likewise shows four spiral swastikas, one in each direction.) This vessel is filled with holy water and mango or other aromatic leaves. The whole arrangement is believed to bring prosperity and good health for the year.

Navaratri, the Nine Nights Festival, culminates (on day 10) with Vijaya Dashami  or  "Victory Day" celebrating Durga's victory. "When the nine values of life - the five senses, mind, intellect, ego and the transcendental value - have been enlivened during the nine "Days of Mother Divine", then on "Victory Day", the tenth lunar day (Dashami), the wholeness of life evolves which is more than the nine aspects together. ... Yagyas performed on this day bring victory and success to one's undertakings." [In Greek myth, Nike or Victory is born from Pallas (mind) and Styx, the river whose boundary is 7 degrees Libra corresponding to the Sunset hour in the day.] More information about Navaratri can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri .

On the 10th day, (October 18th) Kali slays the Demon Bull and evil is vanquished from the world.

 

CHINESE NINE NIGHTS FESTIVAL 10/8-10/18/2010

The Nine North Star Spirits descend to Earth during the 9 nights following this New Moon. The ancient Chinese believed these 9 nights are the most important of the calendar year. Nine North Star Spirits descend and the God of Death walks the world to help free us from our old ways. This time is observed by fasting and sexual abstinence. The conserving of ching (primal energy) for the new creation parallels the biblical parable about 'saving oil for the lamps.' The lights or chakras of the body are to be illuminated now.

Transcendent purpose is remembered by facing north in meditation and focusing attention (imaginatively, if not actually) on the North Star. This star is the pivot around which turns the mandala of creation. Meditation on the light and spirit of the North Star helps realize soul purpose and renew ancestral power. (The North Star Polaris is a giant white star far more massive and more brilliant than our Sun.)

In Chinese myth, Dou Mu is the Goddess of the North Star and mother of the 9 Celestial Sovereigns or North Star Spirits. She is the Taoist equivalent of the Buddhist bodhisattva Kuan Yin. Dou Mu is enlightened in all divine mysteries and she can move freely between the heavenly spheres. Dou Mu is keeper of the book of life and death, those seeking longevity pray to her.

Chung Yeung or "Climbing the Heights" is Day 9. Celebrants trek to a mountain top or high hill where they share a picnic that includes "top cakes" and chrysanthemum wine. This tradition parallels "the vision of the shining one" on day 9 of the Eleusinian Mysteries.

In the view of the ancients, the world is shaped and reformed by prayers made at times and places of power. By all accounts, mountaintops are among the most spiritually powerful places on Earth. The consciousness that rules the heights shapes the realm. 

 

THE TEN HOLY DAYS, KABALA AND THE GREEK MYSTERIES

Initiates were instructed in the Mysteries of Eleusis during the ten day period beginning with the Autumn Equinox New Moon. 

Candidates for esoteric training would meet on the first evening to receive verbal and written instruction for this 10 day period.

A key part of what was shared at Agormos, the day of assembly (Oct 9), was the correspondences between these days and the Lights on the World Tree. The 10 luminous spheres on the mystical Kabala Tree represent stations of the soul's journey. Each Light is related to a planet beginning with Malkuth, the Earth (the first day) and moving upward toward Kether.

The activities prescribed for each day of the Mysteries of Eleusis correspond to the planets related to these Sephira.

The sephiroth and planetary rulers with 2010 dates are: 

Oct 9 - Malkuth/Earth, Oct 10 - Yesod/Moon, Oct 11- Hod/Mercury, Oct 12 - Netzach/Venus, Oct 13 -Tifareth / the Sun, Oct 14 - Geburah/Mars, Oct 15 - Gedulah/Jupiter, Oct 16 - Binah/Saturn, Oct 17 - Chokmah/Uranus (the realm of stars), and Oct 18 - Kether/Neptune (Each day begins at Sunset the evening before.)

Pluto is Daath, the invisible Sephira. In myth, Pluto wears a helmet of invisibility. The debate in the kabala community about whether Daath is a true Sephira parallels the debate among astronomers about whether Pluto is a planet. If Daath is a sephira then what is it's number? Some say 11 and others say 0. Generally, it's the latter option chosen and, interestingly, 0 is the number of the Fool in Tarot. The Fool is the guy who appears to be stepping off the ledge - into the abyss - yet never quite does so. That's because the ledge is the edge of creation (the sword's edge path in Grail tradition) that grows out before the feet of the Fool. As long as he keeps looking up / doesn't look down, the Fool can keep moving forward across the Abyss. The higher nature of the "Divine Fool" arcanum is represented by Dionysus, Iachus and Jesus. (Myers Park Baptist Church here in Charlotte has an awesome stained glass window c. 1500 German Lutheran design titled The Tree of Life featuring the risen Christ holding a Pluto shaped chalice at the location of Daath.)

Pluto is known as the god of death, rebirth and the occult and these are also the venue of Daath. The dark side of Pluto and Daath is the dark lord of every mythic tradition: In Star Wars, the shadow of Daath is Darth Vader; in Harry Potter, Daath's shadow is is the Dark Lord Voldemorte; in the Lord of the Rings, Daath's shadow is Sauron; in the Andromeda TV series, the shadow of Daath is more aptly named the Abyss; in Heroes, shadow Daath is Siler; in The Dark Night, he is the Joker. Abyss is a name often used interchangeably with Daath though not accurately. Daath is actually the bridge over the Abyss and, in its higher nature, Daath is the way over and through, the way between physical, psychic and spiritual dimensions. Daath is the sword path followed by Grail initiates.

In the human body, Daath is a little known chakra behind the head at the top of the spine. Neck rolls before meditation stimulate the Daath chakra and help to shift consciousness into the subtle world. Daath is equated with the mythic River Styx. Ancient astrologers located the Styx at about 7 degrees Libra just after Autumn Equinox (the time of the Eleusinian Mysteries). As the day parallels the year, each Sunset is like Autumn Equinox. Generally the best time for meditation is just following Sunset when the yang of day is balanced by the yin of night. Neck rolls and meditation in the Sunset hour allow one more easily to cross the Abyss and enter the higher world.

Sephiroth with Planetary Rulers http://www.kheper.net/topics/Hermeticism/Qabalah.htm

 

THE MYSTERIES OF ELEUSIS AND CROSS CULTURAL OBSERVANCES

October 9th (from Sunset Oct 8) - Day 1 in the Greek Mysteries is a time for sharing instruction. Some of this is verbal and some is nonverbal through a revealing of the "hiera." The hiera are sacred objects that stimulate new, broader, deeper realizations. The hiera are revealed by the hierophant, a male initiate who remains silent. Further revelations come in dreams during this time. Gathering with friends who share interest quickens this revelatory process.

The Cherokee Great New Moon Ceremony begins a period of renewal and healing that culminates 10 days later in a celebration of divine union called Atohuna, the Friends Made Ceremony. The intervening days are a time for healing relationships, for making amends with friends, and opening hearts to the wellspring within. Now we are being prepared for a communion in spirit from which comes a new creation. Traditional Cherokees fast until Sundown on the night the New Moon becomes visible. The day begins with "going to water" a self immersion ritual to prepare for the new cycle that is paralleled by the Greek initiates bathing in the sea.

October 10th -  "Halade Mystai!" To the Sea Initiates! was shouted at Eleusis on the 2nd Day of the Mysteries (the day of the Moon, ruler of the Sea). Candidates wore deerskin before entering the water and donned a new white cotton robe afterward. The ritual bathing was to release the past and absolve from evil. River immersion at dawn is also customary this day among the Cherokee. Jews cast bread crumbs into the sea, river or stream to release the sins of the past year.

October 11th - Day 3 is the day of Mercury. A wake honors Aesclepius, the god of healing. Mercury with his tell tale caduceus is the Roman god of healing. Teaching is given about raising primal (serpent) energies to bring healing. Health giving fruits of the harvest are shared on this day. Seven sacred herbs were gathered this day by the Cherokee to make their purging/healing black drink. 7 Cherokee women began a 7-day fast to bring revelations to the tribe.

October 12th - Hymns to the Goddesses were sung on Day 4 (Venus), "Kathathion" in the Greek Mysteries. A solemn procession occurred during which sacred objects of Demeter were revealed one by one from a holy basket to stimulate the consciousness of the initiate. These objects are both symbolic and energetically instrumental. They included sesamum, carded wool, rock salt, a serpent, pomegranates, reeds and ivy boughs. Mysterious pyramid shaped cakes called kykeon were also prepared this day.

October 13th - The 5th Day of the Mysteries was called Torch Day. This is the day of the Sun and Tifareth. People would run about in the evening with torches in hand to light the way for Persephone. Demeter carries a torch into the netherworld to search for her daughter. This goddess of the inner world and of the heart (Kore is her other name) enters the Greek ritual drama now.

Demeter, the Great Goddess of the Eleusinian Mystery School (she who reveals the Sacred Mysteries) was the favorite of the Age of Enlightenment Freemasons and so became the prototype for America's Statue of Liberty. Ceres/Demeter is the Great Goddess, Gaia or Anima Mundi. She holds the torch that reveals the Mysteries and leads to freedom. Demeter's torch symbolizes the raising of the Fire of primal nature to become the Light of understanding and divine purpose. Demeter, Liberty, leads to soul freedom rather than just license to satisfy desire. All true desire, all true love, is realized as the soul is liberated. The Greater Mysteries are entered this day at Eleusis. Pools of purification are visited at Sunset following which occurs the Mystical Entrance.

October 14th - The Day of Iacchos / 6th day. This is called Holy Night in the Greek Mysteries. Iacchos is the child son of the Holy Mother Demeter [this is a blind, Iacchos is actually a child of Persephone]. Iacchos accompanies Demeter in her underworld quest for Persephone. Iacchos, whose name means "fish," is an ancient precursor to Jesus/Iesus as a world savior. (Jesus who comes to fulfill the prophecies and the Mysteries.) Iacchos leads a procession with singing and dancing and clashing of brass cymbals. Priests in this parade displayed the "toys of Iacchos." His toys included:  "knucklebones" in the shape of the five platonic solids, a ball, an apple, a mirror, a top, and a doll. The Day of Iacchos is also called the Day of Sacrifice.

October 15th - Day 7, Day of Jupiter, is the Day of Games. Jupiter is jovial and favors frivolity and enjoyment. Music and dancing highlight this day of merriment before the more serious (Saturn) day that follows.

October 16th - Day 8, the Day of Saturn, is a solemn occasion. The mystical drama of Demeter and Persephone was enacted. Sacred places, "the Stations of Kore", were visited. Kore is another name for Persephone. These include a Holy Well called Callichorus which translates as "Stone of Sorrow." A circular path around this well has been worn deeply in stone by millennia of spiritual seekers. This is a day to feel and release sorrow that may otherwise block the way to greater understanding and self-realization. We can emulate this ritual by simply walking clockwise around a bowl of saltwater with head bowed. Along with Demeter (America's Liberty) we now feel the sufferings of the world. Like Native America's Ghost Dancers, we let ourselves feel the pain and release it through deep breathing, chanting, and perhaps through emotive moaning as we move clockwise/Sunwise around the releasing circle. Prolonged deep breathing while feeling deeply each emotion that arises eventually brings full emotional clearing. It helps to drink lots of good water today while emotional toxins are being released.

October 17th - Day 9 of the Mysteries is called Plemo Chori or "Pourings of Plenty." A ritual drama called the Vision of the Shining One is enacted in a subterranean grotto. Day 9 is the Chinese Chung Yang, Climbing the Heights Festival. Celebrants go to the top of a mountain or high hill where they share a picnic that includes "top cakes" and chrysanthemum wine. This ritual helps brings prosperity in the coming year. During the "yin hour" between 3-5 PM local (starting halfway between true noon and Sunset) the "Spirit Star" will come down from heaven with blessing and good fortune for the year. Those who receive a vision of the Queen of Heaven (Dou Mu) are especially blessed.

Today the Cherokee Chief climbs to the top of the 7-sided Council Lodge and sings praises to Yowa the Creator who descends from above. Cherokee men chant and beat around each home and building clockwise with white sycamore rods to clear away evil spirits so the new spirit can freely enter. The way is now clear for the kindling of the sacred New Fire.

October 18th - Day 10 in the Mysteries of Eleusis is shrouded in the mystery of union with divinity. Day 10 is when Kali slays the Demon Bull and evil is vanquished from the world. Statues of Kali are then bathed in the sea to wash away the evil of the past year.

The Jewish Yom Kippur is a day of solemn observance and penitence. Fasting from Sunset to Sunset is an important part of this celebration. Forgiveness is sought for past sins. This is the Day of Atonement. Through repentance, reconciliation and surrender atonement becomes At-one-ment with God. Yom Kippur is the time for turning back to God. "Turn toward me and I will turn toward you." Women wear white today and men wear kittels, white robes, as symbols of purity. This holy day brings renewal to those who seek it in their hearts. The invocation that is spoken "Hadesh yameinu ke-kdem" literally means "Make our days new as of old."

The Cherokee call this day Atohuna, the Friends Made Ceremony. A New Fire is kindled and vows of eternal friendship are made in the presence of Yowa the Creator. As with the Jews, this is the day held most sacred in the Cherokee calendar year. The New Fire started this day was kept lit in the council lodge through the year until the following Atohuna New Fire Ceremony. The spirit of this sacred time was perpetuated by that living flame throughout the year in temple and home. The celebration of Atohuna continues each day until the Full Moon on October 22nd. So, in Cherokee tradition, we have 5 days to get this all important 10th day right.

Key observances of the 7th Moon Celebration

1) Dancing while the crescent is visible on the first few evenings 

2) Water immersion on Day 2 to purify and release attachments  

3) Evening meditation facing northward toward the North Star  

4) Fasting, evening meals only (Hindu tradition), vegetarian diet 

5) A mountaintop picnic on the 9th Day, "climbing the heights"

6) Fasting on Day 10 with reverence for the Creator "Yowa"

7) Deep breathing to energize and integrate new realizations

8) Celebrations to release tensions and open the way to Spirit

 

The Gates of Inspiration / Stations of the Muses

Muse, Gate Of Inspiration, Zodiacal Degree, Planet, Sephira

Thalia  -  March 20-21 ......  0-1 Aries .... Earth ... Malkuth

Clio  -  Apr 30- May 1 ..... 10-11 Taurus .. Moon....  Yesod

Calliope  - June 10-11 ..... 20-21 Gemini .. Mercury.. Hod

Terpsichore - July 22-23 ..  0-1 Leo  ..... Venus ... Netsach

Melpomene -  Sept 2-3 .... 10-11 Virgo ... Sun ..... Tifareth

Erato  -   Oct 13-14  ..... 20-21 Libra ... Mars .... Geburah

Euterpe -  Nov 22-23  ..... 0-1 Sagittarius Jupiter   Gedulah

Polyhymnia- 12/31-1/1  ... 10-11 Capricorn. Saturn .. Binah

Urania -  Feb 9-10........... 20-21 Aquarius.Uranus .. Chokmah

These correspondences derive from a 500 year old diagram seen in Joseph Campbell's Creative Mythology: The Word Behind Words. The above image "Music of the Spheres" is by 15th century Italian renaissance artist Gafurius. The Nine Muses are depicted  in zodiacal order from Thalia (0 Aries) corresponding to Malkuth / Earth ascending upward to Urania (21 Aquarius), Chokmah / Uranus, the realm of Stars. The planets are in order of their rate of motion. Meaningfully, the godhead Kether is identified with two figures: Apollo and the muse Thalia in her transcendent form. 0 Aries, the Spring Equinox, is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega of creation.

Each Muse is identified with a planet, the Sun or Moon. The Mysteries are revealed in the season of Melpomene the Sun sphere.

"Beyond the frightening visage of all-consuming time, the arts - the Muses - initiate us to the enduring harmony of the universe, the planes or aspects of which are controlled by the planets and their [sepherathic] spheres. Gafurius shows the signs and deities of these ...  Euterpe, the Muse of Flute Music, elevates the mind to the plane of Jupiter [Gedulah]... The rapture of the Muses will be experienced in the body of this world itself, transporting our spirit from glory to glory, to that summit of joy in consciousness where the world eye - beyond hope, beyond fear - surveys the universe..." - Joseph Campbell, Creative Mythology, pp 102-103

The Greeks celebrated the Mysteries of Eleusis in early Autumn coincident with the Hindu Navaratri or Nine Nights Festival. These Nine Nights correspond to the Nine Muses and reflect forward through the muse periods of the coming zodiacal year.

"To poets and artists of the Renaissance, the Muses were openers of the senses to the music of the Spheres and a source of creative inspiration." - Joseph Campbell, Creative Mythology 

Notes from The Muses Nine by Joseph Campbell

In Gafurius's design the symbolized stages of the transformations of consciousness are represented metaphorically as under inspiration of the Muses graded in relation to the hierarchy of the ptolemaic order of the spheres. Immediately with the recognition of the instant HERE AND NOW nocturnal silence of a wasteland of dust and toil becomes eloquent of a universal joy.

For, awake and singing, Thalia [1st Day], "Blooming and Abundance," is the Muse of bucolic poetry, telling of the innocence and blooming of a living earth. And in this function, her inspiration marks the first stage of the opening of any artist's senses to knowledge of the universal body of which his own is a part. The next Muse of the ascent is Clio (Kleio, "Acclaim"), the Muse of history, associated with the earth-shadowed sphere of the Moon [2nd Day]; and the following, Calliope (Kalliope, "of the Beautiful Voice," once chief and leader of the nine), is of epic poetry and the earth-shadowed sphere of Mercury ( = Hermes, guide of souls from the knowledge of time to that of eternity).

The next three Muses together mark the transformation of consciousness that is in yoga associated with the fourth center, anahata, at the level of the heart, and of the element air (breath, prana, spiritus). They are (1) Terpsichore, "Joy of the Dance," assigned to the earth-shadowed sphere of Venus; (2) Melpomene, the "Singer," Muse of tragedy and of the fiery sun or "Sun Door" of an opening of the heart to compassion by way of an Aristotelian katharsis, or purging of egoity through an access of egoless pity and metaphysical terror; to which (3) Erato, "The Lovely One," attuned to Mars, the first unshadowed sphere, adds lyric poetry.

The Muses of the topmost stages are then of arts suggesting raptures such as yogis at the highest centers of their discipline may know: visuddha ("purified," center of the region of the larynx), ajna ("authority, absolute power": of the inner eye, between the brows), and the sahasrara. The related Muses are Euterpe, "Well Pleasing," Muse of the sphere of Jupiter and dulcet music of the flute; Polyhymnia, "Sacred Choral Song," of the austere sphere of Saturn; and finally, "The Celestial One," Ourania, of the science of astronomy and sphere of the fixed stars.

Each Muse is shown associated with a planetary sphere, in the pre-Copernican, geocentric, ptolemaic sequence: first, the heaven of fixed stars; next, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and the Sun; then, the shadowed spheres of Venus, Mercury, and the Moon; until, finally, wrapped in its increasingly weighty elemental envelopes of Fire (ignis). Air (aer), and Water (aqua), this Earth (terra) is entered, where its Muse, unheard, underground, is known as Surda ("Silent") Thalia, and is a Muse of Nocturnal Silence.

For her voice of the bounty of nature is by her intended poet unheard, whose whole mind is so obsessed by its vision of the hovering monster, fugientia tempora signant, that, terrified of his life and of the life also of the world, he has no ear for the gentle whisper of the supportive universe - which is there nevertheless to be heard behind the tricephalous tumult of the beast.

What is therefore required of him, if he is ever to hear that supportive voice, is to forget the passing of time, "regard the lilies of the field . . . and not be anxious" (Matt. 6:28 and 31): place his head, that is to say, together with all its desires and fears for the good of himself and his world directly into the lion's mouth of HERE AND NOW.

CONNECTING LINKS

Joseph Campbell at Mind*Fire http://www.mindfire.ca/ header "The Mystery Number of the Goddess," subheading "The Muses Nine"

The Mysteries of Eleusis http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/e/eleusinian_mysteries.html 'Iacchus' was the shout uttered by the faithful .. Iacchus was considered the reincarnation of Zagreus, son of Persephone and Zeus. http://www.themystica.com/mythical-folk/articles/persephone.html For nine days and nights Demeter wandered the earth in search of her daughter ... The torches she carried in each hand guided her way. On the 10th day she met Hecate and after sought help from Apollo. Only the Sun, being "the eye of the world," could tell the grieving mother what she wished to know. http://san.beck.org/Eleusis-5.html 'I saw a white bird with outstretched wings. It alighted on the figure of a woman, clad in blue, who sat there like an antique statue. The bird perched on her hand, and in it she held a grain of wheat. The bird took it in its beak and flew into the sky again.'

The Essene Gospel of Peace, Angelic Purification  http://www.essene.com/GospelOfPeace/peace1.html 

Durga Puja or Navaratri http://www.durga-puja.org/about-goddess-durga.html "Durga, in Sanskrit means 'She who is incomprehensible or difficult to reach.' Goddess Durga is a form of Shakti worshiped for her gracious as well as terrifying aspect... She is often shown riding a lion from which comes Her august name, Simhavahini, 'She who stands astride the king of beasts'. As Shakti power, she shapes, nurtures, and dissolves names and forms, while as subtle spiritual energy called Kundalini, She lights the lotuses of the seven centres of awareness in the sacred human body. Goddess Durga killed the powerful demon Mahish and all his great commanders. When demonic forces create imbalance all gods unite becoming one divine force called Shakti or Durga."

THE WAY FROM SHADOW TO LIGHT

All that is shadow, doubtful, fearful and discordant crowds the Dawn of each new cycle. At the close of every cycle, Pandora opens her magic box and out fly the monsters, phantasms of the astral world, shadows of the cycle past. All hope seems lost and yet in the end it is the winged angel Hope who rises from the bottom of Pandora's box. The monsters flying from Pandora's box are the children of Eris, the goddess of discord. Astronomer Mike Brown slyly named his new planet "Eris" after the IAU denied his request to name her Persephone. To justify their decision, the IAU demoted Pluto to "dwarf planet" status along with his larger partner. Eris is the dark goddess who brings the apples of discord when she's not invited to the (planet) party the other gods and goddesses are attending. Ultimately - as Hope is reborn - Eris is to be given planetary status and renamed Persephone. Pluto and Persephone are planetary partners with a coterie of smaller companions.

Persephone, the goddess of the under(inner)world, has a magical child named Zagreus and his story is quite remarkable. Zagreus is Persephone's child fathered by Zeus. Reborn, Zagreus appears as the youth Iaachus in the Mysteries of Eleusis and, reborn, he becomes Dionysus the ultimate partner of Persephone. Zagreus/Dionysus represents Hope rising from Pandora's box. Pandora, Eris and the mystery goddess Persephone are one. "Persephone's wild child" Zagreus appears now in the heavens as Mike Brown's new dwarf planet Haumea, a body originally nicknamed "Santa" having been discovered near Christmas. Haumea/Zagreus is the 3rd largest dwarf planet found in the Kuiper belt beyond Neptune. Zagreus is consonant with Dionysus and Mithras, ancient gods born at Winter Solstice. Eris brings out discord yet reveals Hope, the winged angel of our time. All shadows fly before the coming Dawn.

One of the more remarkable synchronicities between astronomy and mythic astrology is found in the relationship between the Greek Mysteries and the dwarf planet Ceres. We might remember that while the 10 day / 9 night "7th Moon" celebration occurs each year, the Greeks Mysteries were revealed at Eleusis only once every 4 years. Leading the revelation of the Greek Mysteries was an Initiate representing the goddess Demeter, the Greek form of the Roman goddess Ceres. Coincidentally, Ceres has a 4-year cycle and just once every 4 years Ceres descends "into the underworld" and crosses the 29th parallel South as projected on the Earth. At this parallel we find the one bright star Adhara, "the maiden." Adhara, the 22nd brightest star in the sky, is the High Priestess in Tarot. The Priestess sits before the twin pillars at the portal of initiation. The entrance  is veiled by a curtain decorated with pomegranates arranged in the pattern of the Tree of Life, a mystical key to the Mysteries. The time when Ceres descends to join with Adhara is this October 2010. This great event is what we've all been warming up for, our time is now.