The Road Ahead
I came to the Internet when my own path became clouded. I joined the confusion when I knew time was needed to sort it out. Now the path is becoming clear again as this Fool is back on the precipice to begin another cycle. Another chance is recognized, and in my middle age, there most likely won't be many more like this one. I'm leaping.
No one knows what is, and what will be happening to the human race. Don't be fooled. There are no prophets, ancient or modern. No patterns, eclipses, numbers, synchronicities, sudden shifts, or anything like that to rely on for answers. The answer lies in the understanding and actualization of your own path.
When each individual comprehends the fact that s:he is the mythological hero of the story, then the collective will reflect this advancement. Not until then. Change comes gradually and no big shifts will be noticeable. At first it might appear that way, but soon the gradual progression reveals itself again. This is actually a great thing. It gives us time. The slower it goes collectively the more time we have for our self development. The story unfolds and maps itself.
Astrology is just a guideline, but it's a good one. I can't repeat enough the importance of the Ascendant in the birth chart, and the transits to both this point and the planet that rules. It has everything to do with your own path. The Ascendant in its entire configuration is the unique role you play in an earthly incarnation. Most people don't identify with themselves, and this is a large part of the group confusion, and subsequently the selection of faulty leaders who perpetuate the disorder. While it's somewhat of a comfort to identify with the group, this has its limitations, for no matter where the collective is going, you are going elsewhere to some extent within the parade. Those who have this well established, are often in a good position to join with, enjoy the comradarie, and maybe even occasionally provide a tiny bit of guidance, always knowing that where we're headed remains a mystery. Where we are is probably one too. You are your own best leader. You have the knowledge.
No one knows what is, and what will be happening to the human race. Don't be fooled. There are no prophets, ancient or modern. No patterns, eclipses, numbers, synchronicities, sudden shifts, or anything like that to rely on for answers. The answer lies in the understanding and actualization of your own path.
When each individual comprehends the fact that s:he is the mythological hero of the story, then the collective will reflect this advancement. Not until then. Change comes gradually and no big shifts will be noticeable. At first it might appear that way, but soon the gradual progression reveals itself again. This is actually a great thing. It gives us time. The slower it goes collectively the more time we have for our self development. The story unfolds and maps itself.
Astrology is just a guideline, but it's a good one. I can't repeat enough the importance of the Ascendant in the birth chart, and the transits to both this point and the planet that rules. It has everything to do with your own path. The Ascendant in its entire configuration is the unique role you play in an earthly incarnation. Most people don't identify with themselves, and this is a large part of the group confusion, and subsequently the selection of faulty leaders who perpetuate the disorder. While it's somewhat of a comfort to identify with the group, this has its limitations, for no matter where the collective is going, you are going elsewhere to some extent within the parade. Those who have this well established, are often in a good position to join with, enjoy the comradarie, and maybe even occasionally provide a tiny bit of guidance, always knowing that where we're headed remains a mystery. Where we are is probably one too. You are your own best leader. You have the knowledge.
posted by jm at 2:41 PM
28 Comments:
There's been some interest expressed in discussing this article, so I'm opening the chit-chat section here.
Please be patient while repairs, experiments and adjustments are underway at Raging Universe. Some lane closures can be expected. We will be back to normal? momentarily.
Thank goodness!
When I saw the 'comments' link missing and some posts removed and then this post I thought, "oh, she's gonna close up shop!", which made me very sad. Not that I don't want you to do what you need to do, I'm just not ready for that!
I like it here :)
And it is always so deeply satisfying and heartwarming to recognize and interact with a kindred spirit.
"Lane closures." :o)
I think you're right on about being the hero of our mythological story.
For some reason, the song from Sweet Honey in the Rock comes to mind:
We are the ones we've been waiting for.
Well, I'm reacting, as usual, to Mars in Pisces in my 12th. I did do my best to warn you, scary witches included, and I really really did try. But the whole damn thing gets to me at these times and the bullshit has sirens on it, including my own. The frippin' insanity. I always try retreat, but I got a message yesterday so powerful against this, that I'm unable to accomplish it this go round. So here we are! I WILL do better.
Meristem, you are a delight. To be completely frank with you, the oroborous image was so profound that I want to do a lot of experimentation. I got the wild impulse (Mar-Uranus square)to cut myself off from response and circulate the entire thing back to myself. Not a success, so I'll keep experimenting! Thank you so much for this concept at this time. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. As for closing shop, I've been trying to do that from the start! My half-lives are short. Off into the wilderness for something new. That, too, has been failing.
Joe, what a beautiful quote. I love gospel music. Another great one from Nina Simone is
Nobody's fault but mine
Great tune.
Speaking of kin, meristem, we share this dilemma: the female warrior and how and where to conquer successfully maintaining integrity and "physical wellness"!
There is a built-in battering ram in the Aries rising and Moon in Aries. It will seek connection no matter what, and I think this is one of our lifelong skills in development. How, where, and what targets we choose. At times like this I question the forward thrust, but it's inevitable.
With Moon in Aries like you have, there could be more confrontation with inner emotional conflicts, but they will undoubtedly express in relationships. In my case, Aries rising, the conflict is out there.
I've given it some thought and this is why the oroborous speaks. If the energy is circulated and nourishes itself, it creates a force field that protects, but still has impact in the world. It can cut a path through enemy territory unharmed, and ideally not invite counterattack. The ultimate aim being the influence of the world toward progression and people's own self-confrontation. A tall order.
This is what drives me nuts, for example.
I love the human voice in theory. It can be soothing, inspiring, beautiful, and revealing of character. A miraculous instrument. Everyone entirely unique.
The other night I went to check out a group of musicians. They started up and the drummer in the middle was pretty good. Two guitars accompanied and they also weren't bad. But then one of them started singing and the most hideous strangled voice imaginable came croaking out. Loud. I despaired, but I wasn't surprised. the universal strangulation goes on.
I connect this to the necktie closed as a noose around the businessman's neck dare he speak up. The high heels and other ill-fitting shoes tighten the core of the woman's body ending up restricting her throat. At least shoes are getting better. But the throat is so important to survival. Why the abuse? The excess? Would less intake calm down the output?
The TV's are shrieking wildly and fearfully, especially the women whose high pitched voices carry further. And the ultra dramatic pained confessional screaming power balladeering on Americon Idol and such places is really too much. And yet, the human voice can be sublime. I don't know why this is eclipsed.
This all translates to throat constipation and the Tower of Babel. The universal strangulation continues. People talking, and I wonder, "What are you really trying to say?" So I see people pretty much talking at one another with a helluva lot of strain. I keep wanting them to take a deep breath, go back to start, and try again. Try to say what they really mean. It takes thought. I think they feel so rushed, they stray and miss their points. As if they have no confidence. No turf. And have to get out of the way fast.
Because of this racing cacophony, I think many have turned to the blogs for the silence it provides. Here we have a chance to express our thoughts well, with less distraction, and maybe eventually it will be achieved. I'm waiting patiently. This is such a great opportunity.
I will add that last night within the madness I heard a recording of jazz singer Chet Baker and it was ideal. Pitch perfect, understated, elegant, full of nuance, and expressive of the love of self and music. Absolutely beautiful.
"The answer lies in the understanding and actualization of your own path."
Another great article. :-)
"The story unfolds and maps itself."
That image has great appeal for me. Years ago, when as a new godparent I was to present the next day at my godchildren's blessing ceremony, I meditated and asked for inspiration. What does it mean? What could I say? "If only," I thought, "we could, across the span of years, ask the children to look back and tell us how it had been for them."
That night, I had a dream in which their mother showed me a bookshelf she and their father had established for them. I watched as my eldest godchild, the one who had deferred the use of spoken language until just before the age of three, pulled some books off the shelf.
I opened one of the books he chose. To my surprise, unlike the others, it had no pictures. I frowned, wondering who had given it, and muttered to myself, "Oh, but can he read it?" And in the dream he promptly replied with calm assurance, as he often did in normal life to questions of similar form whether or not he actually understood the question. "Yes, I can read it," he matter-of-factly said. "Whaaaat?" I exclaimed mentally to myself. "When did that happen? HOW did that happen?!?"
We looked at the book together, and it was a funny kind of book. This book had a story, but sprinkled throughout, some of the words were printed on little tabs. We lifted the first tab and it sprang open and neatly expanded, a paper flower unfolding to reveal its hidden center, into a much bigger page with a special message to complement the main narrative. "Look at that!" I exclaimed, wanting him to take extra note.
The story spilled out from the book and into our heads. The main narrative was about an eager youth venturing out into the world. To leave the well-known territories of his youth, he had to pass through a series of gates. There were intimidating guards. He had to be clear about himself and his purpose, take things step-by-step, and then they would recognize him and let him pass. But the guards (or were they really guardians at the gates of life?) could not simply tell him that. Wrapped up in whom he was and whence he came, he had invisible means of support, and people cheering him on.
At that, I awoke. Faith, trust or confidence, I thought, is a journey's first step; it makes the journey possible, and transforms the quality of every step along the way. Not all answers come in the form of words, and we really do truth by living it.
Evocative and numinous as it was, the dream didn't dictate specifics. I don't know what the folded messages might say, nor the purpose of the journey. I think those are stories that the children will be making and telling for themselves, and whose special meanings for them they will share with their elders someday.
And that was pretty much the way I talked the next day, telling the story before presenting a set of softcovered blank books made of brown recycled paper for the children to draw and scribble in. "It feels like we are remembering," I said, "for a few spacious moments, how we are an intentional community, in which we each play roles for the young people who wake up among us to discover that they belong."
"Those who have this well established, are often in a good position to join with, enjoy the comraderie, and maybe even occasionally provide a tiny bit of guidance, always knowing that where we're headed remains a mystery. Where we are is probably one too. You are your own best leader. You have the knowledge."
I think that's a key point. Society's institutions are floundering before the challenges of our times. No religious tradition, and no school of philosophy has the precise solution. It's all hashed out by many individuals finding their own ways. What happens next? Well, we'll just have to see. :-)
"It feels like we are remembering," I said, "for a few spacious moments, how we are an intentional community, in which we each play roles for the young people who wake up among us to discover that they belong."
OMG, Kadimiros, that is incredibly touching. You've put your finger squarely in the wound I sense in many young people today, i.e., the feeling of not belonging. I felt that way for many years, being who and what I am, until around my 1st Saturn return. Then I felt like I had made my own place in my world, rather than slipping into a spot vacated by someone else.
And I created my own sense of belonging by trying to help others feel welcome, i.e., that they belonged. It's such a balm for some people, to receive acceptance wherever it's been denied.
What a great comment, kadimiros. Yes indeed. My hopes are momentarily realized. Much to contemplate here about words and pictures.
for a few spacious moments, how we are an intentional community, in which we each play roles for the young people who wake up among us to discover that they belong.
No wonder you're the godfather.
The gates. I love them.
To leave the well-known territories of his youth, he had to pass through a series of gates. There were intimidating guards. He had to be clear about himself and his purpose, take things step-by-step, and then they would recognize him and let him pass.
The Neverending Story does beautifully as well with this part of the fool's journey. The gates especially seem to mark achievement in self recognition. The monsters usually guarding them then become allies.
I think those are stories that the children will be making and telling for themselves, and whose special meanings for them they will share with their elders someday.
I think this is crucial. I'm not one to lament the passage of time and the ancient teachings. They obviously haven't worked. I've always looked to the children. The neverending story is being written as it goes.
Thanks for this inspiring comment.
It's such a balm for some people, to receive acceptance wherever it's been denied.
Welcome joe.
Sigh, such inspiration
mmmm
i need to rest with these beautiful words for a moment let all of them speak.
Tseka, I echo your sentiment.
And only have the energy to throw this one thing out:
If the energy is circulated and nourishes itself, it creates a force field that protects, but still has impact in the world. It can cut a path through enemy territory unharmed, and ideally not invite counterattack. The ultimate aim being the influence of the world toward progression and people's own self-confrontation. A tall order.
This immediately made me think of Aikido. The very very wise method of being and acting in the world (energetically, physically, philosophically) which I think is summed up by your above wisdom. I have been attracted to Aikido for many years. It makes sense to me.
And I need to hear that and meditate on it, apply it to my own life right now, too.
Kindred! Thank you for refelecting this back to me.
Joe, Kadimiros, beautiful!
The thanks go to you, meristem, for the ideas you've brought here that are so useful. Practical mixed with spiritual. A perfect recipe. Pisces-Virgo. Naturally helpful.
I'm going to be developing this circulation of energy in depth. Together with what kad said:
At that, I awoke. Faith, trust or confidence, I thought, is a journey's first step; it makes the journey possible
Aikido has been recommended for me, but I haven't tried it yet. I'm going into a brand new phase of physicality and great strength will be required in this leap, as I blend the physical and spiritual at its best.
I'm interested in hearing about your body work and the Aikido.
Many others will be experiencing this to some extent as Uranus transits Aries, which is quite soon. New directions, new applications of the physical. Since it will cross my Ascendant, I just might "fit in" a drop more than I usually do. I feel like I'm preparing, in case I stick out. Gotta be at my best.
So these ideas are wonderful. They are more than ideas now. I'm very enthused about this.
You rang my dear? Your warrior has returned to heal. I have seen much combat, and have many new wounds. But you know I heed your call. I have been in combat for a long time now, and have suffered much in this time. The last time I spoke to you and the others, I mentioned that I felt something big coming on.
I return to heal once more, and to answer to you for a time. I am never depleted enough to not answer your call that I feel in my soul. While I am here, I will give my usual comfort in return for what I receive. I have enough energy left to cover all with my protective services. I need rest, they have hit me hard this time. I am wounded bad this time. But I took more than I got!
Pull up a chair and hold my hand for a moment. I am tired. I am home on leave. Join me under the shade of a tree to relax and talk about what you need.
(((((Donnie)))))
Venus just went into Cancer and voila! The Cancer arrives to soothe the little aches. Perfect timing, my man.
What a beautiful image. holding your hand under a shade tree.
I gotta get out there, Donnie. The want is being expressed clearly, and the magnet is pulling. Any advice in dealing with the confusion, lost leadership, fear, brutal impulses, etc. would be welcomed.
I'm getting into tip top physical shape which is a start, but handling the collective agony has always been a challenge for me. Individually I always do well, but the group overwhelms me, with my Cancer spongyness. Her Royal Spongyness. What can I do? My job is to lift their spirits, and forget about the pain and the future for a tiny second, and I think I can do that if I learn how to not let it all get to me. That's why I'm working with my own energy field and self centering. My public persona.
What is attack/defend all about?
If possible, immediate advice would be helpful, as the first official event is this evening. I've been orderd to appear on time exactly.
I know. Stay out of the wine! Maybe a beer.
You are perfect JM, go fly your (astrological) kite, soar and come back and tell us all. Wish i were there to cheer, applaud or whatever seems appropriate. i volunteer with Donnie to be your shadow angel, a juldra-folk who can slips with the shadows to remind you this is your birthright.
we adore you, look how we all were stunned when we thought you were closing shop.
PS don't weat any neckties!
HA HA HA !! You are back in fine fettle tseka. I'm so happy!
The last few days have been revealing and I have major plans. I'll tell you all about it. Especially when Mars gets into Aries!
i volunteer with donnie to be your shadow angel, a juldra-folk who can slip with the shadows to remind you this is your birthright
Heavens. I can't fail.
Usually, the audience looks to the performer for direction. She or he attunes to and sounds a clear psychic tone, holds and radiates belief, idea, and feeling. The audience delights to share in the performer's delight or joy.
I just read that the psychic vibrations in a library are overwhelming. Each author affects many readers, and each reader affects the author.
It's partly a matter of focus what we experience, draw out of potential. A sculptor saw a statue trapped in a stone, and thinks he freed it, but a different sculptor, or the same sculptor at a different time, might have seen a different statue.
I'd say, Look in the mirror and smile before you sally forth.
I just read that the psychic vibrations in a library are overwhelming. Each author affects many readers, and each reader affects the author.
I know them very very well. I spend a lot of time there because of these.
I'd say, Look in the mirror and smile before you sally forth.
Ha! I won't even have to go as far as the mirror. The smile has just appeared.:o)
"You've put your finger squarely in the wound I sense in many young people today, i.e., the feeling of not belonging. I felt that way for many years, being who and what I am, until around my 1st Saturn return. Then I felt like I had made my own place in my world, rather than slipping into a spot vacated by someone else."
I understand that very well. :-) You found a place where your special vision was needed, that was right for your touch and experiential background, where you could sound your true tones. I know that this kind of thing isn't arbitrary.
"And I created my own sense of belonging by trying to help others feel welcome, i.e., that they belonged. It's such a balm for some people, to receive acceptance wherever it's been denied."
Yes. :-) You're playing an incalculably valuable role. The people that you can help are drawn to you, as well.
I think that the alienation in society, the youth feeling rootless, will go on for a while, may even seem to get worse. Part of it is natural, the quest for vision and meaning, and part of it is exacerbated by societal conditions that make the quest difficult. Every person has to find her or his identity in the scheme of things, discover what they are capable of, and that does take time and experience.
Having support makes all the difference in the world. I read recently that relatively few winners of national science competitions go on to careers in science or to make noteworthy scientific discoveries, but relatively many musicians who graduate from a school having a strong mentoring tradition go on to have successful careers in music. People who are really successful tend to have supportive environments, or they go get that support and make the circumstances that fosters their development.
"The smile has just appeared.:o)"
Beautiful. :-)
"I heard a recording of jazz singer Chet Baker and it was ideal. Pitch perfect, understated, elegant, full of nuance, and expressive of the love of " And very, very soft. I just got a CD of his last month.
There are some points you make about singing and then there are some that I don't. I agree that the current music scene is fraught with screeching, "runs", and an excess of emotion. And the music isn't very good either.
But there are a lot of singers that I adore that don't have perfect voices. Don't have the warm, beautiful tones of Ella. (Though there ARE some who do and I cherish them too.) And I love them for the imperfections of their style and voices. Van comes to mind, of course. He growls, shouts, wails, and nobody can touch him. IMO. Course, if you listen to him, you realize that his growly voice is still pretty much point-on on pitch. But he definitely has the yarrrrgh. And Bob Dylan. Lord, that man can't stay on tune, on pitch, in this universe, but he still sings songs I want to hear. Over and over again.
But then I have a whole slew of people, mostly female, whose voices I love. Patti Griffin, for one. Eva Cassidy. Madeline Peyroux. Jane Monheit!
But you have perfect pitch, don't you? It must be hard to have perfect pitch.
Haven't been here in a while. I thought you were closing up shop too when I read this post. whew. I'd miss you.
"No wonder you're the godfather."
I do enjoy chasing them through the children's museum. ;-)
but relatively many musicians who graduate from a school having a strong mentoring tradition go on to have successful careers in music. People who are really successful tend to have supportive environments, or they go get that support and make the circumstances that fosters their development.
Very very very very.
Casey, I am so glad about you and Chet baker. Really really. It was a big re-discovery for me. You have to sift through everybody's stuff, because some recordings are great, and others from the same artist can be awful. lots of changes in one career.
The one whose voice was not-so-good, but I love him more than anyone is Sonny Boy Williamson. He gives me the bumps when at his best.
I have mucho problemos with pitch. Very annoying, because I sing so low, and the low tones wobble, and are next to impossible to keep on key. One of my biggest challenges. They don't notice, but I do. I will have to learn to overlook some of the wobble, I'm afraid.
It's decided. The wobble of the Earth's axis determines the precession of the equinoxes and the great astrological ages of mankind. If the Earth can wobble so can I.
So there!!
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