Lynda Hill's Sabian Symbols

Listening To And Acting Upon Dawning Truths: July's Aquarius Full Moon

There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; and the true, where he is free to do what he ought. Charles Kingsley 

A man must consider what rich realm he abdicates when he becomes a conformist. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I had examined myself pretty thoroughly and discovered that I was unfit for military service. Catch-22

I was court martialed in my absence, and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence. Brendan F. Behan

Just because your doctor has a name for your condition doesn't mean he knows what it is. Anon

The doctor is to be feared more than the disease. Latin Proverb

You already have the precious mixture that will make you well. Use it. Rumi

July's full Moon, falling on July 26, is an Aquarian full Moon which seems to be bringing an opportunity to make sense of where your life is heading, with whom and how and why. The Sabian Symbol is Aquarius 3: A Deserter From The Navy Stands Suddenly Aware Of A Dawning Truth: Freedom Is Never The Result Of Compromise. 

This can speak of sudden realizations, rebellion, leaving although allegiance had once been pledged, opting out because of pressure, harassment or bullying, taking risks to get out of a dangerous/destructive/alienating or boring situation, being left behind by someone who's "jumped ship", going AWOL, standing by personal truths, refusing to compromise, knowing when to give up or leave.

It could be that in some situation in your life, the rigorous restraints and rules are no longer comfortable, desirable, bearable or tolerable. This can be about you, or it can be about someone (or something) in your life. Being "signed up" to some commitment can be restricting, limiting and sometimes confronting. There can be a feeling of being taken away from loved ones, home and family, for a reason you don't really understand and not wanting to accept the pressures of separation. However, it could be the exact opposite - home and family life can be too constricting and there may be a desire to leave to pursue another, more independent life. Following your heart's desires or adjusting to what's going on around you can be demanding and there are always consequences for opting out, running away or not playing the game. Are you prepared for them? Is there a 'sudden' realization, a 'dawning truth' that what you've been doing is not necessarily what you want to be doing?

The Cautions for this degree include: Not playing by the rules of socially structured games, being contrary for the sake of it, refusal to face social consequences, not turning up, withdrawing support in a physical, emotional or spiritual way, blowing security, rats deserting the sinking ship.

As you can see, this full Moon, especially as it's in Aquarius, could have some interesting, and, possibly, life changing consequences. This full Moon is at 2.59 Aquarius, meaning that it's right on the brink of the next degree - just one minute of degree off the next one. Hence, the following degree is especially strong. It's Aquarius 4: A Hindu Healer Glows With A Mystic Healing Power. 

The 'Hindu Healer' could be you or someone close to you or someone you meet. The 'Hindu Healer' can pass on the benefits of knowledge to the unwell through healing and purification. The message is to look to your spiritual center for genuine, lasting and healing solutions. This may require focus, practice and determination. You can heal yourself and/or others in some way. Perhaps someone will offer this healing to you. There may be a need to leave the pressures of modern society for spaces that are much calmer, more spiritual or self-focused. Take some time and effort to tune in as the healing experience is occurring. Indeed, a 'Mystic Healing' experience could descend over you and change your life in some way forever.

Keywords for this degree are: Divine healing potency, natural healing methods, going on faith, humility in the face of greatness, yogis and fakirs, finding one's center, healers of all kinds, glowing health, issues of love, spirit and calm, tapping vast reservoirs of healing forces, auras that radiate, pranic energy, urine therapy, reiki healing. 

As always, I look at the degree of the Sun on the full Moon. It's Leo 3: A Mature Woman, Keeping Up With The Times, Having Her Hair Bobbed. Although we cannot really become different by changing our appearance, feeling good about the image we display does radiate both inwardly and outwardly. When the Sabian Symbols were given birth in the 1920's, a woman showed her independence, sassyness and readiness to take on the world through getting her hair 'bobbed'. This degree speaks of keeping up with trends, asserting one's independence from social constraints, wanting to shrug off the years, adopting a younger attitude, changing appearances, hairstyles and hairdressers, hats and scarves, meeting the challenges of age, radiating sexuality, bad hair days, midlife crisis, being a trendsetter, feminism, etc. 

Just as with the Moon, the degree of the Sun at this full Moon is smack on the last minute of the degree. This means that the next degree is going to be very strong. It's Leo 4: A Man Formally Dressed Stands Near Trophies He Brought Back From A Hunting Expedition. This degree is especially interesting following on the one previous to it. Thinking about this, my mind went to the term "trophy wife" - gotta be slim, taut, terrific, pretty, well dressed and presented. Of course, that's not what this is necessarily about, although for sure this will resonate for some. Are you appreciated for your true values? Or, are you fulfilling a role that doesn't really show your talents, depths or abilities? Perhaps this degree is saying that it's definitely time to show your own 'trophies'; your skills, your abilities, what you've accomplished and what you hope to accomplish in the future. Perhaps there's someone in your life who's only ever interested in what they've accomplished, with you standing in the shade.

Keywords are: Trophies of conquest, the desire to show one's self, proving one's animal instincts for the benefit of social position, displays of manliness, the spoils of daring and courage, notches on the belt, victories over another, trophies for one's club, social standing or country, looking for pats on the back, diplomas, guns, rifles, ammunition, Academy Awards, animal liberationists.

There seems to be loads of insight, clairvoyant messages and intuition in the air as Venus is on Virgo 18: Two Girls Playing With A Ouija Board. This can bring through all kinds of energy, especially on the intuitive level or from the spirit world. Stay tuned for messages of all kinds, whether you overhear something said, or see an advertisement or catch a line in an open book. Messages are around for sure. Friends can provide answers that have been sought.

Mars is on Virgo 28: A Bald-Headed Man In Uniform Has Seized Power. This speaks of dominating other's space, taking positions of power, proving one's virility, strutting one's stuff, wearing the pants in the family. Mars may be playing the upper hand for now, although he may not be so cocky when he meets up with Saturn late July/early August. Saturn is a little stuck and Mars will be too when they're together, especially around July 31. The Symbol for Saturn is Libra 1: A Butterfly Preserved And Made Perfect With A Dart Through It. This speaks of holding onto things or events from the past, feeling pinned to the spot, stuck to something and unable to let go... it can be perfection and beauty made immortal and the sacrifice of one's self for an ideal or to be able to keep one's position, even if it means one can't fly free or do what is truly wanted. Here is a bit of a dilemma as Saturn's message is quite different from the full Moon's Deserter From The Navy.

It seems there's a pull between deserting ship and being pinned to the spot, at least in terms of the Symbols for the Moon and Saturn. This certainly seems to be a prime time to get a handle on getting one's life in order as Saturn is providing support by being in good aspect to the Sun and Moon. Further adding fuel to getting life sorted is the good aspects from Uranus and Jupiter. Uranus is on Aries 1: A Woman Has Risen Out Of The Ocean, A Seal Is Embracing Her (finding your voice and your feet) and Jupiter on Aries 4: Two Lovers Are Strolling Through A Secluded Walk (which can speak of walking love's path = together with someone or alone). 

Being clear and keeping lines of communication open may prove to be a bit of a challenge, though, with Mercury smack opposite Neptune. Mercury is on Leo 28: Man Little Birds Chirping On The Limb Of A Large Tree. This can be about gathering with people of like mind, sharing ideas, databases, the Internet and chat groups, books, tapes and CDs, publishing houses, telephone switchboards and the battle to gain attention. All this is great, but there could be a lot of twittering (the 'Birds') going on without much actually being accomplished (all talk no action?). It could be that some are judging, talking about or downright gossiping about others and what they're doing in their lives. Gossip in society is good to a point; it's part of the cohesion of society - without catching up on the stories about others, our lives would have less color and depth. However, when there's a lot of chattering that just ends up being no information but a lot of noise, this can get irritating, time wasting or downright hurtful to others.

With Mercury directly opposing Neptune, communications can be lost, misplaced in some way or just plain scrambled. It can help to follow up on agreements or conversations if things are not as clear as they should be. Interestingly, Neptune is on another tree degree (it's amazing how Elsie Wheeler, the spiritualist medium who gave birth to the Sabian Symbols in 1925 came up with these Symbols). The Symbol for Neptune is Aquarius 28: A Tree Felled And Sawed To Ensure A Supply Of Wood For The Winter. This speaks of gathering resources, being prepared for any eventuality, stocking up and stockpiling, log cabins, open fires, provisions, money, logging, timber, wood for burning, oil, petrol, fuel of all kinds, woodchips, storage. 

The question of this full Moon seems to involve issues of staying or leaving, being persevering or knowing when to cut your losses, choosing happiness over duty, etc. Listening to your 'conscience' could bring some very interesting realizations.

Solar Eclipse! Venetian Gondoliers In A Serenade: July's Cancerian New Moon

Love is like a violin; the music may stop now and then, but the strings will remain forever. Anon 

If music be the food of love, play on. William Shakespeare

The French are true romantics. They feel the only difference between a man of forty and one of seventy is thirty years of experience. Maurice Chevalier

If you describe things as better than they are, you are considered to be a romantic; if you describe things as worse than they are, you will be called a realist; and if you describe things exactly as they are, you will be thought of as a satirist. Quentin Crisp

Beware of over-great pleasure in being popular or even beloved. Margaret Fuller

He must have a truly romantic nature, for he weeps when there is nothing at all to weep about. Oscar Wilde

Tis not the many oaths that make the truth; But the plain single vow, that is vow'd true. William Shakespeare

Anything too stupid to be spoken is sung. Voltaire

July's new Moon is a total solar eclipse. Happening on July 11 in the United States and July 12 in Australia and lasting for 5 minutes and 20 seconds, the path of the solar eclipse cannot be seen unless you are in the Pacific, perhaps at Easter Island or the Cook Islands, although it does extend to the tip of southern Chile and Argentina. It's interesting that this is another 'boat image' as the lunar eclipse two weeks ago had strong boat influences. Click on the eclipse image and you'll see where the path goes (the speck in the middle is the exact path). 

The following is from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle. This is a rather romantic eclipse as the Sabian Symbol implies. It's Cancer 20: Venetian Gondoliers In A Serenade. This speaks of the ideals of romantic fantasy. Although it can sometimes sound like an old cliché, the ‘Gondoliers Serenading’ is the sort of fantasy or special event that many people long for or desire. To be pampered, cared for and transported to a place of romance can be just what is needed, though there may be a need for caution if the romance is really just a fairytale.

This Symbol encourages the breaking away from any restriction of expectation and letting yourself float on the pleasure of romance. Someone (and this may be you or another) may be a little frustrated or bored, and looking to find ways to satisfy their emotional needs. Although this is not the time for seriousness, don’t be fooled by any insincere charades. You may need to develop trust in those around you to be able to surrender to your feelings spontaneously. If the circumstances are right, surrendering to romance should be enjoyed to the hilt. Don’t let doubts get in the way of love or passion; but, do be cautious that you’re not being used for someone’s imaginary or idealistic life. Look to see if you are ignoring the truth in order to satisfy needs. Read between the lines of what’s being said, or the emotions that are conveyed. Look for anything misleading or overblown. Someone may try to convince others of how good they are, or compete with others for love. Be wary of reacting to others who have recently come into the picture, especially those that are vying for affections. Those working hard at winning others over can lead to not being taken seriously. In the end though, people reveal who they really are. Seek out honesty and truth and love will fill your life.

Keywords: Romantic fantasy. Singing and music. Performance. Public speaking. Impressing people with joy, romance, fun and the wonder of life. Venusian displays. Issues of the truth. Ease of communicating. Working to win people over. Appealing to the beloved. Elegance. Floating on the emotions. Festive atmospheres. Nostalgia. Boats. Water.

The Caution: Insincere charades. Retreating into one’s self. Saying whatever it takes to get what one wants. Superficial displays. The delusion of being beyond criticism. Emotional manipulation. Sucking up to others. Misplaced trust. Competing for affections or attention. Losing one’s self.

The 'Karmic Condition' (the degree before) is Cancer 19: A Priest Performing A Marriage Ceremony. The idea of 'marriage' - partnering up with someone, finding the 'ideal mate', staying because one is 'throthed', the issue of vows and keeping them (or not), commitment to a person or a project, marriage guidance, handclaspings, ceremonies, celebrants, sanctified unity, expressions of loyalty and allegiance. So, issues to do with relationship, fidelity, being true to one's self and the other, commitment and staying on course are a big part of the issue of this solar eclipse. Please note that the day before the eclipse, the Sun is on this degree and for about two hours before the eclipse, the Moon is on this degree. 

Further emphasizing singing, romancing and emotional dramatizations is the Quest Symbol -the degree following - please note that this is the degree of the Moon for a few hours immediately after the eclipse and it's the degree of the Sun on the day after the eclipse. The Sabian Symbol is Cancer 21: A Prima Donna Singing. This speaks of having a powerful voice, emotional dramatizations, talent, taking center stage, messages that need to be heard for social reasons, playing out a story or the myths of society, makeup, hairstyles, wigs, costumes, feeling important or special, flowers or brickbats, charisma and presence, commanding attention, having control and good timing, years and years or training or improvising on the spot. Obviously, the 'prima donna' may be horridly demanding, controlling and narcissistic. 

So, this eclipse is about romance for sure with a need to see through what's being said or conveyed. Is there truth in what's going on, or is it merely a momentary illusion?

Venus has something to say about about how many are feeling about life, the universe, romance, everything. It's on Virgo 2: A Large White Cross, Dominating The Landscape, Stands Alone On Top Of A High Hill. This speaks of ideals dominating (often religious or spiritual), the fear or the wonder of God, following a mystic path, the need to find a savior, being alone and forgotten, monuments to pain and suffering, tributes or memories of those lost or gone before, reminders of salvation, images of redemption, the Church, martyrdom, the Inquisition, aloneness and/or sacrifice or the yearning for it, dogmatism, scapegoating, days in the wilderness alone, symbols that inspire guilt and anguish instead of love, acceptance and forgiveness, bullying under the guise of religion, etc. 

Venus is not particularly happy in Virgo on this particular degree. One can benefit by seeing how you may be pinned to the cross. 

As Leonard Cohen sings in his wonderful song The Sisters of Mercy:

Well I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned: When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned.

Neptune, Chiron and Lilith are smack opposite Venus, bringing a certain amount of confusion, sacrifice, the need for healing and the need for standing strong and tall and finding the powerful feminine voice in amongst all that's going on. Neptune is on Aquarius 29: A Butterfly Emerging From A Chrysalis = time to spread your wings, break free of confinement, to find your feet. Chiron is on Pisces 1: A Large Public Market. How are you out there in the 'market place'? Are you available and willing to get out there? Lilith is on Pisces 2: A Squirrel Hiding From Hunters - perhaps hiding away is what you're wanting to do at the moment. But, are you missing your chance to be 'in the Sun', or finding real nourishment, friends, compatriots, etc. 

There's redemption available though (there always is), in the Quest Symbol of Venus (the degree after) of Virgo 3: Two Guardian Angels Bringing Protection. This is the degree of Venus on the day following the eclipse. This speaks of connection with a sense of inner guidance, visible or invisible protection, people appearing when they're needed, being saved in the nick of time, creative solutions to problems that seemed hopeless or lost. Call on your angels!

The Sabian Symbol for Mars is another Symbol of movement or traveling (as is the boat of the Venetian Gondoliers). It's Virgo 20: A Caravan Of Cars Headed For Promised Lands. This speaks of venturing into life with like minded companions, seeking new territory, leaving behind the known for the unknown, gypsies, Hollywood, California, "boom" towns, the "magic bus". It can be forsaking the individual path in favor of a more secure, common one, perpetual restlessness, constantly seeing the "pot of gold", far-off lands, inability to settle anywhere, being a rolling stone.

Mars seems to be implying that there's a need to get out of your own way, to find those that support your journey, being with those of like mind, getting out of a rut perhaps. 

Saturn's message seems to be to concentrate on issues that are vitally important and need attention. The Sabian Symbol is Virgo 30: Having An Urgent Task To Complete, A Man Doesn't Look To Any Distractions. This shows staying true to yourself and remaining on the path or on the job, one-pointedness, focus on a situation or state of mind, seeing something through to completion, taking the phone off the hook, one-eyed behavior - it can be letting the slightest excuse take you away from what needs to be done.

Saturn could also have many finding it boring, uninspiring or unfullfilling to have to do what they have to do. Mars could bring dreams of what's possible somewhere else and Venus could show feeling lost, alone or forgotten. As these three planets are in Virgo, analyzing things will help, but only to a point. Action may be the thing that pushes you forward to pursue your dreams. Where are those 'promised lands'?

Mercury may be asking the same question. It's on Leo 5: Rock Formations Towering Over A Deep Canyon. This speaks of old structures and deep hazards and the choice of taking chances or standing still. This degree can push people to realize where their backs are against the wall. There can be no going back, forward is the only way as painting one's self into a corner is not going to help. Perhaps there's a need to do a Geronimo and just leap into the unknown. 

Jupiter is on Aries 4: Two Lovers On A Secluded Walk. Jupiter is on this degree for quite a long time as it retrogrades on it. This Symbol can show lovers together and the need to spend time together alone or undisturbed, but it can also show people alone, having to find the lover within themselves. It's a beautiful degree but it can show loneliness. I hear of many people alone and wondering where 'the other' is. 

Perhaps the final word comes through Uranus on Aries 1: A Woman Emerging From The Ocean, A Seal Is Embracing Her. This speaks of finding your feet and your voice - mermaids don't have feet or a voice but as they come ashore they transfigure. Who, or what, do you want to embrace? Where will your voice and your feet take you? What is that serenade you're hearing (or projecting?).