“The path to divinity is through one’s shadow.”
– Dane Rudhyar
Two seemingly divergent astral configurations unfold this week. One archetypally symbolizes a relaxed nature that is harmonically immersed in love and connectedness; the other challenges our precious beliefs with new ways of thinking. Jupiter featured in both patterns provides significant opportunities to find the philosophical key to linking the qualitatively different energies into a unified force.
July 5 to 8, the Sun in Cancer moves into penetrating grand water trine with retrograde Jupiter in Scorpio and retrograde Neptune in Pisces. Due to the long term trine between Jupiter and Neptune in effect this year (with peak periods in May and August), both Venus and Mercury moved through this space over the past month so we’re well primed for the Sun King to fill our hearts with this joyous and loving feeling. The calm lake of Cancer, the rapids of Scorpio and the ocean of Pisces working together in a sacred geometric pattern, is the sublime symbol of expressing tremendous strength and compassion under pressure with grace and ease. The water signs represent an uncanny ability to permeate even the smallest of cracks in surface physical life, which opens us into the wondrous otherworld that exists all around it. The Sun in Cancer’s purpose is to overcome its fears of connection and emerge into a sense of belonging. Jupiter in Scorpio takes it to the next stage of overcoming fears to find understanding and wisdom in total, passionate immersion with others in all life’s experiences. Neptune in Pisces, the sign it rules, reveals the existence of unconditional Divine Love as the force that connects us with each other and with all of creation. With the latter two planets in retrograde motion, these movements are focused internally to relax the harder parts of our nature so we can sense the Love infusing all creation. This configuration offers an opening to the Akashic database wherein one can access cosmic wisdom and in a state of quiet receptivity, even if just for a moment, download the code to the mystery of life. As the Sun/Jupiter/Neptune configuration unfolds we may be more likely to engage with the many opportunities there are to create meaningful connections that deeply resonate in our heart.
July 5 to 9, Mercury in Leo forms a tense T-square alignment with retrograde Jupiter in Scorpio and retrograde Mars in Aquarius. Under this influence, communications are likely to be vociferous and focused on creative ideas, the bigger the better. There is a daring quality to this configuration that can express in challenging ways to push beyond boundaries that appear limiting. Again, with the retrograde planets, pressure may build internally and thus we could easily be triggered into angry fighting words projected outward. Any outworn beliefs that come into attention-grabbing view at this time are up for review. Whereas the grand water trine offers an understanding of Divine Grace, this fixed T-square may get us to rage against our own programming. If we can finally see how we are at war with where our life is in this very moment because it is incongruent with the future we want, then and only then can we begin to ask the questions needed to deconstruct the dark thoughts, limiting beliefs and consequent choices that brought us to this state. The self-propelling, breakaway force of Mars in Aquarius opposing the creatively thinking Mercury in Leo in square to the “all in” philosophy of Jupiter in Scorpio can correlate to significant leaps into new territory if we’re able to channel this energy in productive ways. Gaining insight into those things we cannot tolerate in others is the necessary starting point to discover our chronic attachment to pain and suffering. To Jupiter in Scorpio the real treasure of life is buried within and it is well worth the effort to dig through the ego muck to get to it no matter how repulsive it may seem. Rather than compulsively hiding from our inner darkness, if we practice observing it without evaluating we will develop an ability to tolerate more and more of the alchemic heat the process generates for transforming our nature.
Venus enters Virgo on August 6, echoing the message to move into a state of “Tolerance.” That is the gift of Virgo according to Dane Rudhyar for this analytical earth sign that is known for its critical nature. Venus in Virgo at the human nature level can correlate to irritated reaction to every little thing that does not comply with Virgo’s highly refined sensibility. Virgo’s dharma in the progression of individual development through the signs of the zodiac is to be in a “critical state” of readiness to jump into the “world of total relatedness” between self and other that the last six signs represent. Venus here easily sees what isn’t right in a relationship or thing of value, but a narrow-minded focus on this distracts from the need to “simply be still and silently bear the pressure of evolution, the inevitability of the metamorphosis.” Moving into a state of tolerance is what will open one’s heart so Other can be seen as part of oneself. While humanity has progressed light years in science and technology over recorded history, we have yet to collectively overcome our inability to embrace that which we do not like in others, to be in a state of total compassion rather than total war against our differences. To change this we must first embrace our own shadow.
“To be tolerant is to bear the responsibility of an incessant quest for broader knowledge, less constricted feelings, and a more adjustable behavior. It means the ability to stand up in readiness and with open heart when God knocks at the door and summons the individual – and the nation – to their greater destinies. It is the ability to grow by becoming ever more inclusive.” – Dane Rudhyar
Here’s the data (Pacific Time, rounded to the nearest whole degree unless otherwise noted):
July 5 – Sun trine Jupiter at 13°Cancer/Scorpio at 4:04 a.m.
July 5 – Mercury opposite Mars at 9°Leo/Aquarius at 4:49 a.m.
July 8 – Sun trine Neptune at 16°Cancer/Pisces at 7:42 a.m.
July 9 – Mercury square Jupiter at 13°Leo/Scorpio at 2:14 a.m.
July 9 – Venus at 0°Virgo at 7:32 p.m.
Leave a Reply