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?).
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