One of the rules of caution is not to be too cautious. Bahya ibn Paquda.
There is perhaps nothing so bad and so dangerous in life as fear. Jawaharlal Nehru
Fear defeats more people than any other thing in the world. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Never feel self-pity, the most destructive emotion there is. How awful to be caught up in the terrible squirrel cage of self. Millicent Fenwick.
Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is? Frank Scully.
Of all the thirty-six alternatives, running away is best. Chinese Proverb
August's full Moon, falling on August 25 in Australia and August 24 in the United States, is one that has some fairly strong emotions attached to it - and not only because it is a Pisces full Moon. The Sabian Symbol is Pisces 2: A Squirrel Hiding From Hunters. This is a very interesting, and, at times, rather confronting Symbol. It speaks of things such as using tactics to ensure survival, 'hiding' one's self away, not stepping out into the big wide world for fear of making the wrong move, security systems, caution and reserve, using commonsense, things that feel tiny, uncertain or insecure, refuges and the need for them, staying out of people's way, staying home, locks and keys, stockpiling for harder times.
The following is my take on this degree from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle.
Is someone fretting about their position or future? There may be a sense of aggression in the air where you, or someone you know, may be one of the smaller players. Sometimes the "enemy" is actually not really there, and we make it up through fear or paranoia. To be cautious is wise, but hiding oneself away can lead to missed opportunities for any kind of nourishment and the possibility of freedom, sunshine and basking in the light. The provision of nourishment and sustenance may be difficult if one feels somehow threatened. This feeling of "threat" can happen on any level. It may have been a necessary process to go through the fright, care and worry facing you, but the time has to eventually come when you can feel safe and able to enjoy life. Is your neighborhood threatening or unsafe in some way? Although we may not like to admit it, sometimes 'Hiding' away is the best option, whether your fears are real or merely imagined. This can give you time to sort things through in your heart and mind to decide what your next move will be. This Symbol can bring nervousness and a lack of sleep. If you feel victimized and "holed-up" in this matter, perhaps a safer home, or living environment, would make things easier. It is true that if we project fear out into our environment, it will most likely manifest in a reaction or event somewhere. What creative solutions can you employ to ensure a safe (or satisfactory) outcome for all concerned?
Obviously, not everyone is going to be feeling the above...one of the ways I've seen this degree operating around me is through people just wanting to spend more time at home enjoying their own space, concentrating on their needs and enjoying some 'down time' when they can.
As always, I look at the degree of the Sun at the full Moon as it's very telling about what's unfolding. This is a curious degree and one that had me thinking that, in Australia, the recent election for Prime Minister would return the conservatives to government as their head, Tony Abbott, has strong Catholic views. It seems that as it seems clear that Labor will regain power, we may be spared having to look at or listen to Tony Abbott just by the skin of our teeth, or, perhaps we'll have a hung parliament. But I digress...
The degree of the Sun is Virgo 2: A Large White Cross, Dominating The Landscape, Stands Alone On Top Of A High Hill. This degree can speak of feelings of loneliness or loss which can be healed with signs of hope and faith for a brighter future. A religious experience can change one's life and lead to spiritual fulfillment and the highest sense of joy. However, some may feel that they are being treated like a 'scapegoat' - hung out to dry, having a cross to bear, being a sacrificial lamb - the black sheep of the family, or that one has to shoulder too many responsibilities and live up to society's cultural norms. The controversy of the mosque (it's actually a community center and mosque) that's planned to be built near ground zero in New York would be one example. What a frenzy that project has built up in the last few months - tolerance, acceptance and love works far better than screaming about terrorists. Again, I digress, but truly, people speak about love and then scream profanities and slurs of innocent folk being terrorists -the very people who just want to live a peaceful life...
So, you can see that this degree could get some arguments happening or blood boiling or bigoted or scapegoating actions going on.
Keywords for Virgo 2 include: Religious ideals dominating, 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, Christianity and other religions, martyrdom, the Inquisition.
Without wanting to put the fear of God into anyone, this full Moon could be a very testing time. Certainly it will be for many, but not all. All full Moon's have challenges - although this one is a bit of a doozy. My take on it is that we're in a time of adjustments and finding a more level playing field.
Not wanting to sound like the Inquisition is about to arrive, but Venus and Mars are going to be holding a few people up to scrutiny. Venus is on Libra 18 and Mars will pass over this degree the day or so after the full Moon. The Sabian Symbol for Libra 18 is Two Men Placed Under Arrest Give An Accounting For Their Acts Before The Tribunal Of Society. This is a very interesting degree, especially as it's Venus on a Libran degree (with Mars following closely on Venus' heels). This Symbol speaks of having to plead one's case, the need for "legal help", unacceptable principles, blowing the whistle, people unable to relate, karma to be worked out, being framed, restrictions, people in handcuffs (stuck together?), identification parades, the law, tribunals, breaking laws. It can speak of shutting off to cope, not having one's point of view heard, losing authority, being bound karmically, feeling stuck, unable to move.
Yes, that's a big placement for Venus and Mars to be occupying, especially as the degree following is another difficult Symbol. It's Libra 19: A Gang Of Robbers In Hiding. Both Venus and Mars will travel over this degree in the few days after the full Moon. Now, I don't want people worrying about this degree. I find it most often (more often than not) brings up issues of a subconscious nature - those ideas, thoughts and emotions that run through our minds that are not useful, that hurt and restrict yourself and others. The best bet when this degree is around is to identify what's going on - undermining of confidence can be around and suspicions can get out of hand with no real basis to support them. Identifying where you sabotage yourself or others (or where others are doing it to you or themselves), where you step over the line when talking about, thinking about or dealing with others, where you may be a bit off track in your responses. Of course, you may not be doing any of these things, but this degree will come up in some measure.
The actual degree of Mars is Libra 17: A Retired Sea Captain Watches Ships Entering And Leaving The Harbor. This degree seems to imply the need to take some time out to sit and contemplate what's going on in your life. The 'Ships' can be people passing each other by, people moving around, or it could be speaking of the commerce of life with people coming and going. Even though you may want (or need) to get going with something, Mars might be saying to take time for yourself - to be a bit like the 'Retired Sea Captain'.
Saturn is on Libra 4: A Group of Young People Sit In Spiritual Communion Around A Campfire. With Saturn on this degree, there could be the feeling of the need to find those of like mind to share your time with; companions on the path. It could also be, for some (seeing it's Saturn on this degree) that as the years progress the yearning to be with spiritually like-minded others is becoming more of an issue. It can also show people feeling their age and wanting to fling off responsibility and get away (perhaps to the wilderness - the 'Campfire') and spend time with people younger than themselves (or young at heart).
Pluto is squaring Saturn from Capricorn 3: The Human Soul, In Its Eagerness For New Experiences, Seeks Embodiment. This is a wonderful degree that speaks of wanting to manifest the self and one's creative urges, the desire to make a contribution, be noticed, drop into the self in an authentic way. This is a great degree for writing, being creative, getting published, finding what one really wants to do. Pluto is retrograde and has been on this degree a few times over the last few years. Many are feeling more and more that urge to create, to write, to contribute, to leave some type of lasting legacy. With Pluto squaring Saturn, many are likely to be finding a scarcity of time, energy or resources. The trick is to push through limitations to find creative ways to manifest your desires; to manifest the self.
Mercury is retrograde on Virgo 19: A Swimming Race. There will be issues of having to get things done, no slacking, no slowing down, just racing towards the main objective. This can speak of the striving for first place or greatness, swimming, sports, competition, wanting to be first at everything, concentrating on one's goal, medals and awards, training and practice, showing your abilities in front of others. Mercury is clapping his hands and saying "hurry up!", but we're hurrying as fast as we can. Besides, who is Mercury to talk (excuse the pun) when he's retrograding? I'm reminded of the Goon Show song (Google it, it's fun) I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas (Across The Irish Sea). Singing that loudly may bring some much-needed levity.
We definitely need levity and fun and to be able to make light work out of difficult times. Both the Moon's south node and Jupiter have something to say about our ability to laugh, joke and enjoy. The south node is on Cancer 11: A Clown Is Caricaturing Well-Known Personalities. This is a degree of wanting to entertain, to enjoy, to make light of life. It can be parodies of personalities, making fun of someone (or people in general), life imitating art (we see it in our political systems all the time). Jupiter is on Aries 2: A Comedian Entertaining A Group Of Friends. This speaks of seeing the funny side of things, having insights, always being on the go mentally, putting on a show for others, cracking up with laughter, ragging on each other, inside jokes, the jester, etc.
Soon after the full Moon, Mercury moves back onto Virgo 18: Two Girls Playing With A Ouija Board - seems we need to be listening to our intuition and psychic selves (and reliable others) in order to grasp what's going on.
I like the message of Jupiter and the Moon's south node; to be able to joke, enjoy, have fun and see the light side of life. I reckon that's a prescription for getting us past the more difficult aspects of this full Moon. It's a meaningful time, but then it always is.
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