To Talk about the Soul

 Sun aligned with the star Dubhe of the constellation Ursa Major. The morning star is Sirius of the constellation Canis Major.

Can we describe the SOUL from an astrological chart?

Soul is a self-perpetuating, self-progressive, self-knowing energy form. Soul is moved by spirit but enmeshes into material conditions to become self-knowing; ‘to know itself’ – as the Delphic Oracle commands. 

The Delphic Oracle of Greece

This knowledge of the self comes through an encounter with the not-self, an encounter with what is opposite to self. We come to know our strengths, not merely by tensing our muscles but by straining against antagonism; by contrasting self with not-self; by pitting ourselves against the oppositions of the environment and other people’s points of view. The vehicle of gaining this soul knowledge is the physical body, challenged by a physical world.

Sunrise across the desert

The reason that we forget that we are a soul in a separate physical body, and yet all of one common origin, is that the challenges of life would be removed if this were the case. If we remembered where we came from and how all is united by thought and energy, what would be the point of fighting and challenging? It seems that real power of growth, knowledge and understanding can only come from combat – in this case by engaging in material conditions. Through the play of hate and love, we come to know ourselves. To remember our primal happiness would be a deterrent to this process. 

The blood of Sekhmet, Egyptian Lion goddess of the constellation Leo.

After a period of refreshment [called death] the impulse towards fresh experience and unfoldment becomes potent once more and the soul again descends to take up residence in a physical body, at a time and place appropriate for experiencing its wishes, choices and aspirations for growth and self-knowledge. AND this will be captured in the horoscope of birth. 

 

[Adapted from C.E.O.  Carter, ‘The Zodiac and the Soul’ 1972]

Sirius rising in Australia on the 8^th day of the 8^th month

Some call it the Lion’s Gate.

When the Sun is in the tropical zodiac sign of Leo and aligns with star Dubhe, then the great star of goddess Isis, called Sirius, can be seen rising before the Sun in the early morning light. Egyptian mythology says that the soul of Isis resides with this star. Isis-Hathor, nourisher of the world and its creatures.

Hymn of Isis

“Behold me, Lucius; moved by thy prayers, I appear to thee;

I, who am Nature, the parent of all things, the mistress of all the elements,

The primordial offspring of time, the supreme among Divinities,

The queen of departed spirits, the first of the celestials,

And the uniform manifestation of the Gods and Goddesses;

Who govern by my nod the luminous heights of heaven, the salubrious breezes 

Of the ocean, and the anguished silent realms of the shades below:

Whose one sole divinity the whole orb of the earth venerates 

Under a manifold form, with different rites, and under a variety of appellations.

The Phrygians call me Pessinuntica, the Mother of the Gods; 

The Aborigines of Attica, Cecropian Minerva; the Cyprians, Paphian Venus; 

The Cretans, Diana Dictyanna; the Sicilians, Stygian Proserpine; 

The Eleusinians, the ancient Goddess Ceres.

Some call me Juno, others Bellona, others Hecate, and others Rhamnusia.

The Aethiopians and the Egyptians, call me by my true name, Queen Isis.

Lucius Apuleius ‘Golden Ass’, Book XI.

Mother Isis

LEO

 

LEO the LION

23 July – 22 August

Spectrum:  Ruby. Yellow-Orange. Gold

LEO: The fifth sign of the tropical zodiac circle is a fixed and stable sign following on from the turn of season with the previous cardinal water sign of Cancer. That new impulse of energy can now be more readily felt and put to use. The fixed quality of expression, giving strength and endurance, is shared with the signs of Taurus and Scorpio, however that fixed quality is now mixed with the element of Fire which adds warmth and light to the character traits of Leo. Fire qualities are shared with two other Fire signs of Aries and Sagittarius. Leo is known as a positive sign in that its activity is directed out into the world, for Leo sees and pursues its heart’s desire. Vital and powerful, Leo burns with enthusiasm, and fixed determination combines this outrushing energy to produce excellent leadership and organising abilities. Regal and affection, the lion parades the success of its kingdom with justifiable pride and if working well, with a gentle hand. These are people to be relied on as faithful, trust-worthy and principled. A little time out from working, to enjoy the pleasure of games and amusement, is most welcome and helps to maintain the balance of life. And so with those who have this sign strong in their natal chart, they are leaders, generous and kind yet powerful and courageous , the lion and lioness of the celestial sphere.

The cosmic body most associated with this sign, as its ruler, is notably the SUN, the hot, fiery and shining orb of daylight and optimism. The Sun only rules one sign of the zodiac and it is the centre and king of our solar system. Woe-betide those who abuse its gifts, no one likes a despot or an inflated ego born of privilege, power and position yet lacking compassion. The Leo time of year is one in which to take a broad sweep of what is required in response to the subtly felt changes in the air. One half of the globe is enjoying the last days of a dying summer whilst the southern hemisphere can smell the excitement of spring not far away. Which-ever side of the globe you are on it is authentic to take a little pride in what you can create and not be shy of a little appreciation and public exposure. Have you something of your talents to share? Take some time out to be with friends, perhaps a party or a theatre ticket, sing and dance for a while in appreciation of all the good things of life, and where these are less than should be, send a prayer to heaven for improvements. It is a time to be joyful for what we do have.

Three together under the trees

We are now at the FIFTH LABOUR for our Sun hero Hercules, and this is to be his conquest of the Nemean Lion. With the courage of a strong heart and having overcome and slaughtered the mythical raging Lion, Hercules flays that Lion and wears its skin to declare himself as invulnerable as the lion or lioness. This is a symbol for having the courage to over-come the hostile trials in life, both external as in the wild beasts, and inwardly of our own- weaknesses, which all contributes to us becoming heroes, whether we are of the Leo sign or not. For some reason the Nemean Lion is associated with a cave of double entrance. Caves are often places of initiation where we become isolated and are forced to go inward and meet our real self in a time of meditation and quiet isolation. The number five is a symbol revealing the divine off-spring of God or the inner spiritual self. But five is only half the equation and we must search out five more virtues to make a perfect ten which symbolises a balance of spirit and matter. First Father spirit and Mother matter must meet and unite to create the Leonine individual strong in their conviction and their valour. On our travels through this stage of development we must attempt to unite the mind and emotions, or the head and heart in order to attain a better expression of our self and reign in wayward personality traits that so often work against us. Like Hercules we must unite the Sun of strength and Moon of caring, in order to become a whole and more balanced person worthy of a rebirth. In ancient Egypt the male lion was pre-dated by the lion goddess who is called Bastet, a mild and watery version of her original fiery self, known as Sekhmet.

Alchemical Lion eats the Sun

During our travels we will pass by the star Dubhe of the constellation Ursa Major. This gives us a link between Mother Bear and this ancient cat, for Egyptian temples of Bastet where aligned to this star when they were built. An ancient ‘Bear Race’ of Greek peoples were thought to have an hereditary link with this great constellation of Ursa Major who is also associated with the goddess Artemis, adored by the Druids of the long lost past.

In the neck of the sky Serpent Hydra, is the star Alphad lying close by to Regulus the heart of the Lion. This Water Serpent contrasts with the fiery heat of the Lion. A combination of Water and Fire is made in Alchemy to brew a creation. Some say that this celestial snake is the great mother serpent Tiamat of Babylonian legend. Others say it is the Kraken of Scandinavian mythology. The star Alphad, lone star of the serpent’s neck, along with Regulus of the Lion Heart, also marks our passage out of the sign Leo into that of tropical Virgo. Are we becoming more enlightened like our Heroes? 

Travelling the Fifth labour with Hercules we are still on the good ship Argo and moving towards the Golden Fleece, a Ram’s coat hung in the forest of the Lord of Aries and our journey’s goal. We are accompanied by 50 heroes and the gods who will help us to achieve our destination as we search along the path between the star Sirius of tropical Cancer and the star Spica in the tropical zodiac sign of Libra. On our way we will pass the Raven and the Chalice sitting on the back of the water serpent Hydra.

The Water Serpent

WEALTH HAPPINESS PEACE & HARMONY

 

Dove of Peace & Truce 

As the Sun moves towards and enters his domain of the zodiac sign Leo, Venus will meet Jupiter in the sign of Cancer for most of the month of August.  This meeting of two fortunate and friendly planets in the sign of the nurturer and the Moon, can only happen once in 12 years according to the cycle of Jupiter. A time therefore to make the most of moving forward to a better world and circumstances. Venus will kiss Jupiter briefly one last time mid-2026 before this cycle of these two planets moves on and Jupiter leaves the sign of Cancer for another 12 years.

Is this an auspicious time under the dominating cosmic ‘KITE’ formation, which involves all the heavy and transcendental planets?  Can we, under this influence, achieve a modicum of world peace or at least make substantial moves in that direction? Let us all put our minds to the wheel and push it in the right direction. At the very least this can be a time of happiness and healing within the family unit. 

Major Arcana ‘Wheel of Changing Fortune’

Most business enterprise should also get a boost and financial institutions feel better than they have for a while. Will they share their good fortune?

At some level this is a bountiful time. Venus brings love and good relationships based on forgiveness and tolerance. Jupiter brings expansion, growth and benefits to living, and the heart to encourage understanding and generosity.

However, keep it all under control and within sensible limits so that you don’t lose your heartfelt, hard acquired bounty to waste and over-indulgence just because there is so much ease and opportunity. Pay homage to mighty Jupiter also known as Zeus, who wishes us beneficial guidance without over-doing want. Salute lady Venus, the gentle caring Hathor of Egypt, mother goddess that brings life to fruition but keeps the physical senses under control. Bring these two great symbols together in the merry dance of life that sees the energies well channelled into constructive action.

Major Arcana ‘Sun Garden’

Bring joy and a smile to the little ones; nurture their bodies and their souls. Make peace in the family, for without a doubt this is where the pain or contentment of the world originates and drives the political choices and then the world stress. In this way we all contribute to the state of our living.

The simple sunflower of Light, Life 

And Love And endless symbolism. 

AAL’S LABYRINTH HISTORY

 

              Parmenides                   Zeno                          Melissus

c485          PARMENIDES (c515-445 BCE) The most influential of the Pre-Socratic philosophers, a native of the Greek settlement of Elea [Hyele or Velia] in South Italy, Parmenides is founder of the Eleatic school of philosophy.  He is the first philosopher to insist on a distinction between the world of appearances and that of true reality, that is of Being and Non-being. (12) Parmenides postulates a dual principle of life represented by contrasts such as light and darkness, the polarity of male and female or the contrasting elements of fire and water. From two such principles proceeds all things. Parmenides’ philosophies are the antithesis of those of Heraclitus [506 BCE] in that he believed that nothing essentially changed but rather matter just took on new and diverse forms.

                 THE ELEATICS are a trio of philosophers, Parmenides, Melissus and Zeno, from Elea, South Italy. They argued that reality is unbegotten, imperishable, a temporal, indivisible, motionless, and utterly changeless; the world as it appears is a misrepresentation of the truth. (12). Thus the theory of division between what is real and what is apparent to the senses becomes a topic of debate, the rational truth is now separated from sensory perception. The earlier Greek Ionian philosophy of material unity is shattered into the duality of static material substance and a life force. (19) This theory will lead to an exoteric belief in dual trends of naturalism and rationalism but from the esoteric perspective, all being had its counterpart of non-being.

c490            ZENO OF ELEA, born in Elea, Italy, he is a pre-Socratic philosopher of the Eleatic School. Little is known of his life, and little of his writing survives. Zeno attempted to defend his fellow philosopher Parmenides’ contentions that motion is impossible and that more than one thing cannot exist. He did this by devising “paradoxes” designed to show that the positions of his opponents (usually Pythagoreans) led to contradiction; he was the first to use the method of argument termed ‘Dialectic’ by Aristotle.  (102)

Mask for Dionysos

c480 BCE    AESCHYLUS (c525-456 BCE) together with Euripedes and Sophocles (c435 BCE) comprise a group of Greek tragedians.  They employed ancient myth to gain understanding of the human condition through the application of a more critical temperament than the previous pagan thinking. With these Greek tragedians came the growth of mythic and ritualistic drama. (19)

c465             PERICLES (c495-429 BCE) Greek statesman and general represents the age of Athens at its cultural and political peak when Hellenic culture is balanced between ancient mythological tradition and modern secular rationalism. (19)

Pericles son of Xanthippus

SIGN of the CANCER SOLSCTICE

 

CANCER

21^st June to 22^nd July

Spectrum: Peals. Silvery-blue, grey colours

CANCER: The fourth sign of the Tropical Zodiac marks the first of two Solstice points in the year. Depending on what side of the world you live, it will be the point in the solar cycle of either the longest daylight hours or the longest night-time hours; or one might say mid-summer as against mid-winter. Which-ever side of the globe you inhabit this is a changing point in the yearly cycle and you will feel it in a change of season and in the mood that it engenders. The pace of life changes in response and settles into a new way of being after the unsettled time of the previous Gemini sign. Cancer is a cardinal sign like that of Aries who began the new solar cycle in April. As a sign of cardinal qualities, it allows people and circumstances to move forward, actively working towards what they plan to accomplish but in quiet ways that others may not be aware of. It is now generally a busy time, aided with the imagery of going somewhere and doing something, but it is also an emotional time as the water quality of Cancer demonstrates and shared with Scorpio and Pisces. Water flows according to surrounding energies or conditions and can easily fit in but sometimes there is too much water and flooding occurs to upset even the best laid plans. Some Cancerians can get too caught up in their emotional life and need to train themselves to distinguish between what will contribute to their progress and what will not. For the Cancerian this will allow one to be less hampered by runaway feelings and thoughts that upset what they want to do. Cancer Crabs can be too sensitive at times and their great imagination leads them astray without the application of self-discipline. Some will with-draw into their shells to protect their feelings from hurt, others will go all out to acquire sympathy and understanding. Water needs to be channelled. Tender, maternal and moody in nature, too rational a life hampers their wonderful creative imagination. Cancer is the sign of caring and nurturing, whether family or a project or a career or a business. It is the sign of collecting and storing, of caution and economy. This is a time of the year to profitably look out for someone, something or some cause to get involved with, to nurture it and grow it to its full potential that can now be easily identified.  

The planet associated with the seaward crab is of course the Moon, that earth satellite that governs the tidal flow of the sea and even smaller bodies of water and definitely human emotions. The Moon adds changeability of these people and conditions so influenced, moving ahead to achieve something there can also be a sideways step to accommodate a disturbance, absorbing and reflecting, in the same way that the Moon does so in relation to the Sun. Pay heed to the waxing and waning lunar phases, to guide you through fluxing times; listen to the silence of the night or the soothing waves of the sea. Calm your emotions and direct your imagination, dance, swim or sail with the Sun and the Moon.

We are now at the Fourth Labour of our Sun Hero Hercules. In this Labour Hercules must capture the little Fawn, symbol of the soul and an awakening to the inner life. This is the zodiac sign of Cancer ruled by the Moon who reflects the nature of the soul, illusionary and fluctuating and reflecting the golden light of the more permanent divine spirit symbolised by the Sun. In the light of the Full Moon Hercules pursues the Fawn whom the Moon goddess Artemis considers to be her own. For one whole solar cycle, Hercules is destined to chase the doe fawn through the labyrinth forest of Artemis, before capturing the delicate creature. Does the soul need to move from being a captive of the fickle moon and return to the stability of the greater Sun Light of Spirit? The doe and the elusive soul needs to be captured and secured by the Sun Spirit. Our task is to transform the Cancerian qualities of this time, that is raw instinct, into the more subtle and valuable quality of intuition, that hidden understanding that grows out of wisdom by the development and application of intellect. A well-developed intuition allows the instantaneous recognition of the truth. Developing greater awareness will elevate our consciousness. Another symbol of the sign Cancer is that of the Egyptian scarab beetle who represents new birth for the soul in mortal life. Note that the crab easily negotiates between two elements of land and sea, symbols of Earth and Cosmos, of mortal and psychic life.

Cancer is the sign of home and mother figure, of nesting and rearing, of all that has potential, from seed phase to mature adult. It is through the influence of soul emotions that Cancer learns to understand the impacts of the material world upon its development and to turn raw instincts into intuitive knowing, just like the sensitive fawn and the skittish crab. Like the phases of the Moon or the Triple Moon Goddess, the three qualities of instinct, intellect and intuition, have their uses in the appropriate places. The Lunar function is to respond to the rhythms of life seen in the tides and movements of nature. For those who have captured the soul, the subtle and illusive planet Neptune will wash their imaginations with occult and spiritual fluxes. 

At this point of our solar journey the great ship Argo takes to the sea with its cargo of pilgrims in search of the ‘Golden Fleece’. Thus begins our journey to Colchis place of the rising Sun. we are on a journey of the Spirit, perhaps an Alchemical Journey, one in which we begin our work of transformation into something better than we were before boarding the Argo. The pilot star in the stern of the celestial ship, is Canopus. It will guide us through the celestial waters of the zodiac signs Leo and Virgo all the way to the Equinox marked by the sign of Libra.

Fawn by Charlie at ‘doodlewash’

AAL’S LABYRINTH HISTORY An Alternative Viewpoint…..contd. #66

 The Persian wars lead us into the Fifth Century BCE. These wars between Persia and Greece had a beneficial side in causing the small city states of Greece to unit for the purpose of the county’s defence. [44] The history of this war is recorded by the Greek Historian Herodotus and as a decisive conflict in the survival of the Western World. [102] 

Medes of Persia

               ARCADIA is a mountainous area in the Greek Peloponnesus under Spartan domination and an area known for its mercenaries. The capitol of Arcadia will become the ancient Megalopolis, to be rediscovered about 370 BCE by Epaminondas. It is at Arcadia, the centre of so much mythology, that the goddess Demeter changed into a mare and was pursued by the god Poseidon. From their mating were born daughter Persephone and a horse called Arion. (102)

Greek Persephone

                   In Gaul around this time, the Celtic people establish their ‘La Téne Culture’ at the site of what will become the city of Narbonne, France.

Celtic La Téne Culture’

                    The Historian Herodotus will provide evidence of the cross fertilization of Greek and Egyptian cultures, although Egyptian culture has probably been spreading for some time.

                    Annals of recorded history of the Tibet begins from this point in Time. The history of Tibet refers to the gradual penetration of Aryan Mystical teachings into this country. The indigenous inhabitants of Tibet are from a group of races called Mongolian. (19)

Avaloki Divinity of Tibet

GEMINI

 

GEMINI

21^st May to 21^st June

Spectrum: Agate Stone. Yellow, green, white colour.

GEMINI: The third sign of the tropical zodiac is Gemini which the Sun entered on 21^st of May. There is a definite change of season felt now, either towards summer or towards winter depending on which side of the globe you inhabit. 

This is an air mutable sign and as such we can feel the movement and free flow of energy as it changes from one mode of being to another. First we have the cardinal sign of Aries when things charge forward on a new cycle, this is followed by the fixed sign of Taurus, which literally ‘fixes’ the energies of the new solar cycle. Now we have a mutable sign which allows for a change over to take place between the first quarter of the cycle and the second quarter of the yearly cycle. As an indication of adapting from one set of out-going, circumstances to the next set of incoming circumstances at the Cancer Solstice, this adaptable sign of Gemini is most suited. We now return to a positive or outgoing cosmic modality or polarity yet also a mutable quality of being that is shared with the two other mutable signs of Virgo and Pisces. The air quality of Gemini is shared with Libra and Aquarius. One now start to feel the linkages that weave around and through our 12 phases of the year represented in the zodiac signs. Air quality needs to circulated and communicate between things and people, mutable qualities need the freedom to be able to adapt and be plastic in action. This is why we have two arms, two legs and two nervous systems, which for the Gemini person gives wonderful access to doing many things, sometimes all at once!

The planet associated with Gemini is Mercury which although small should not in any way be underestimated; for after all the great god Thoth is named after him. The symbol of Mercury can provide hours of meditative information for those so inclined, it is composed of three parts to reflect the name of Hermes Trismegistus.  Mercury also has rulership over the sign of Vigo and it holds the namesake of the liquid metal Mercury associated with it. A strong Mercurial influence is of great assistance to the Gemini need to communicate, trade and travel – what-ever level of the social-career scale this might be expressed. Quick and versatile in the Gemini mode of expression, to forge links and associations, this time of the year allows us to move and adjust to circumstances, more freely than was possible last month, so we should now see those things and plans that may have stagnated a bit start to free up and get on the move. However, if we go too quickly or take a slap-dash attitude then we might find ourselves with more problems than we started with. The heavy lifting should have been done under the influence of Taurus and now we can do the lighter stuff and be ready at a moment’s notice to move on from one thing to another. It is mental and communicative work that is likely to benefit from this time of year. Dexterity is the key word and adaptability the mantra. A time to learn something new, to explore more of your locality, to chat and spread the word of what is good and useful to the community. Grab a new book to fee the mind, buy a new gadget or puzzle, join the gym.

Four Doors of Thoth who is 

Triple Hermes

Following the ‘Way of Hercules’ on his journey around the solar circle we meet him at his Third Labour. This Labour is that of finding the Golden Apples of the Hesperides. There is a beautiful garden in which grows an Apple Tree, but no ordinary tree, for its apples are of gold. So valuable are these golden apples that a dragon was set in place to guard them from the approaches of the unworthy thief. Further protection of the golden treasures came in the form of five tests that needed all the strength, understanding, skill and wisdom that could be mustard. Hercules considered himself to be such a candidate for such vigorous testing and took up the challenge. First he went to the North looking for the sacred tree but failed to recognise the teacher sent to help him, and thus failed to find the tree. Hercules then went South and on his way met a serpent of illusion whom he over-came in battle, but still did not see the apple tree. Turning to the West our hero met Bersiris a false prophet and carrier of erroneous advice. Hercules thus eventually learned that true knowledge comes from within, not out of the mouth of some guru. Along the way Hercules delayed his searching in order to help Prometheus and free the god from the vultures of desire who were eating his liver. At last Hercules turned to the fourth point of the compass, the East where the great Sun orb does rise every morning without fail. Here was the location of the sacred tree standing in the light. 

In his third Labour of five tests, Hercules is paying homage to the hidden goddess or the soul of the world. Her emblem is in the Pentagram that lies within the heart of her fruit. The apple ,when cut around its diameter, reveals the sign within whose cavities lie the seeds of future apple trees. It is the emblem of mystical longing for what can be and the striving after a much sought after vision and treasure. Such a labour and search can last a life time before the peace of unity is found. In this third labour under the auspices of Gemini Twins, one realises the need of sustained effort to achieve the worthwhile rather than giving in to the short term gain or a spasmodic effort. In this sign of thinking and knowing we come to realise that thought produces our environment but at the same time we must be careful not to stay in the mind alone but to attend to the practical tasks of assisting other people as well; both levels of expression bring wisdom and help to keep us adaptable to the necessities of life and living. But we have yet to meet the cosmic twins of the constellation Gemini. This will come in the next solar month to support and confirm our present experience.

Sculpture by Philip Jackson