The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm - that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony. Leonard Bernstein
A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness. Chinese proverb
It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. Harry S. Truman
Freedom - to walk free and own no superior. Walt Whitman
Have you felt the tension and the pressure? Many are saying they have felt pushed and rather drained from their responsibilities and the energy has been pretty full on. There's so much to say about this new Moon that it's a bit hard to know where to start...
The Saturn Uranus opposition last year was smack on November 4, the day of the US elections when Barack Obama won. The opposition then was surely about the titanic struggle between the old and the new, the tried and untried and in many people's minds, the good and the bad. Indeed, for many, it felt like the possibility of a new beginning and it certainly felt that way; many felt euphoria and release as Obama won the election and the old guard fell quickly into obscurity. Of course, the old guard is trying to scramble their way back - almost using 'castration techniques' (if you're interested, Google it and read the myth of Saturn castrating Uranus) in an effort to destabilize and undermine the new President, to discredit, defame and generally teabag and deflate. Naturally, as happens, things haven't magically become better and a lot of people have been, and still are, feeling a sense of disillusionment. The birth of the new can be painful and it takes time. Of course, the castration of Uranus lead to the birth of Aphrodite (Venus) and it seems to me that a good, considered dose of Venus is the way to soften the edges of this opposition.
Well, this new Moon is a doozy - exactly conjunct Saturn and opposing Uranus = it is a new Moon largely defined by and constrained by the current Saturn Uranus opposition. The new Moon occurs on September 19 in Australia and September 18 in the United States. The Sabian Symbol is Virgo 26: A Boy With a Censer Serves Near the Priest at the Altar. The 'Boy' doesn’t have the experience or social position of the 'Priest', but that shouldn't put him off his duties or what needs to be done. His position and responsibilities are still important. In a Catholic church service, wine is drunk as a symbol of the blood of Christ. Wafers are placed on the tongues of the believers as the representation of the body of Christ. How the 'Boy' reacts to the ritual or ceremony will depend on his upbringing, beliefs or temperament. He could be rapt with fascination at what is being played out or he could be indifferent, bored and really preferring to go home. It is unclear whether the 'Boy' wants to eventually take the position of the older 'Priest', or colleague, or not. He may grow up to do other things, but right now he's got his position or duty to fulfill. This may be less than he's actually able to do or is truly "qualified" to do.
This Symbol brings up feelings of being second best, playing second fiddle; feeling like one has no authority. Of course, one can be 'The Priest' - you don't have to be 'The Boy With the Censer', however it is very likely that issues of having a position will come up. Are you fulfilling your duties, your karma, your desires, so completely that you will be able to take your position as the authority in your life? Are you living your life with people that talk down to you, abuse you, don't give you credit, don't listen, don't care and are only there to fulfill their own feelings of aggrandizement and glory? It could be time to stake your claim to those things that will reward you. I would be remiss if I didn't bring up the Symbol of Virgo 27 as the new Moon falls right on 25Virgo59 = the very last minute of Virgo 26. The Sabian Symbol for Virgo 27 is Aristocratic Elderly Ladies Drinking Afternoon Tea in a Wealthy Home. This definitely has the spirit of feeling 'at home', feeling amongst your peers, taking time out, being able to relax, handing responsibilities on to others. So, this is a fine mix of having to do and finding time to just relax and catch up with others. The pic to the left is my interpretation of this degree ;) (love it!).
The Saturn Uranus opposition is asking for big changes, big let goes and for us to take charge of a sense of personal authority that can (and will) move us into new life, new possibilities, new realities. We must accept the rewards that personal authority can bring, of course, and we may have to stand up and be firm about it. This is made more manifest by Pluto's placement at Capricorn 1: An Indian Chief Claims Power and Recognition From the Assembled Tribe. This clearly speaks about claiming power and recognition from those around you. Still, we often find that others are doing this at our expense. How to rectify this? Check out the parameters of your own influence, your own sphere and stick to those with a sense of authority, grace and strength. Your 'Assembled Tribe' can be the disparate parts of yourself that can contain differing messages; your career self may feel very much in charge while your relationship self is floundering (or vice-versa). You may be quite strong when it comes to issues to do with your family and those close to you, but like a fish out of water in social situations (or vice-versa). This placement of Pluto asks that we line up the various parts of our personalities and get them to work in concert. This is an empowering placement for Pluto, but we sometimes have to face what we fear before the rewards come flooding in.
Mercury is retrograding back into Virgo now. The Sabian Symbol for Mercury on this new Moon is Virgo 30: Having an Urgent Task to Complete, A Man Doesn't Look to Any Distractions. We all feel 'distracted' from time to time, this is quite normal. Distracted is an interesting word; going off the tracks, going off the rails, not being on target. We need one pointedness of application with Mercury here, staying true to yourself and remaining on the path or on the job. Mercury asks that we don't look to things that derail us. There's a reward here as well - Mercury will very soon head back to Virgo 29: A Man Is Gaining Secret Knowledge From an Ancient Scroll He Is Reading. This is a wonderful degree, particularly for Mercury to be going over. During the coming week, Mercury will retrograde over the degrees that Saturn is currently highlighting: Virgo 25: A Flag at Half-Mast in Front of a Public Building and Virgo 26: A Boy With a Censer Serves Near the Priest at the Altar. It's certainly time to be letting go - big time! Along with letting go is the acceptance of personal authority.
All of the above can relate to your relationships, of course, and the issue of relationships comes up pretty quickly with Venus on Leo 29: A Mermaid Has Climbed to the Rocky Shore of a Bleak Coast; She Awaits the Prince Who Will Bring Her Immortality. This speaks of coming into conscious form, new ways of being, transformation, looking for love and a relationship that confirms rather than denies your sense of integrity. This is particularly interesting because in this last week Saturn has been on Virgo 24: Mary and Her White Lamb. This speaks of dependence and co dependence and asks you to examine the spaces you have between you and others, particularly significant others and close friendships. Allowing that space for everyone to be more authentically who they are meant to be can bring wonderful rewards and realisations.
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