Approbrium or Rocket-Charged Elevation?
64. Wei Chi / Before Completion
I had a consultation with the I Ching last night and the 64th hexagram presented itself for consideration. The volume had this to say: The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice.
Then it went on to say:
In times of disorder there is a temptation to advance oneself as rapidly as possible in order to accomplish something tangible. But this enthusiasm only leads to failure and humiliation if the time for achievement has not yet arrived. In such a time it is wise to spare ourselves the approbrium of failure by holding back.Boy, do I get that one. The approbrium is something I'd love to miss. I feel like a primed rocket, though, but I recognize the wise advice being so generously offered here. I'm really not opposed to failure even. It's the approbrium I can do without. Not for this old fox.
posted by jm at 3:54 AM
30 Comments:
Ha ha.
My Taurus Sun looks at my Aries Mars and South Node and says "I know you want to run around the block 80 times before breakfast, dear Aries. I'll just pour the coffee and wait til you get back."
Any particular coffee your pouring this morning Chrispito? I need a strong brew this AM.
Thanks for the comment in the past thread Joe. Yes Lynn followed you with a pearl of moonie wisdom. She has way too much cream in her oatmeal this morning. Of course I couldn't resist.
By the way vrajavala has a nice piece posted on being a dhimmi.
http://starmaker.today.com/2009/04/03/barrys-narcissistic-personality-disorder/
I think it's imperative to criticize the government no matter who is in charge, but I also realize that people react from their emotional bodies, so the personal insults are kind of meaningless in trying to create change and get a better government. They have nothing to do with the real problems.
People need to believe in this man for reasons I can't determine and I also know that attacking their emotional attachments usually makes them cling harder. My Cancer feels the discomfort universally, and this is the beginning of a long haul in terms of emotional maturity in this country. But we can start now.
One by one, people are coming to their own decisions. I got a surprising e-mail today from an intimate:
Check this out. Now I'm having second thoughts about Obama.
I only talked once with her about the situation and she defended him. I left it alone, since I love her and respect her autonomy. So I was very very pleased to get this and I know she's changed her mind for good. She's a Scorp with a Cap Moon and she doesn't do or say things lightly. She's always been more critical than I. Given the space and freedom, people will realize what we're up against politically as a whole. Those who need to cling to the leaders will do so anyway, and they need to do that until they're ready to let go if they ever will. They have to have the dignity of self determination. Everyone. No one else makes that decision for them, although the reminder of the leadership wrongdoings must continue unabated.
So I don't think we can accurately say who has too much of this or that or too little. We can accurately assess the president's performance, however.
It's the same thing with Barack and all his personal problems, psychological and otherwise. They wouldn't matter at all if he were being honest and doing a good job. They're interesting to study, but as far as performance goes, there's enough evidence of fault there without the personal demolition as well as the excess unrealistic elevation. The facts tell the truth.
As far as I can see, everyone's wrong when so emotionally charged. I think politics and astrology make a problematic marriage, so the flaws remain no matter how hard we try to be good. Politics and everything make a bad match, really. But the body politic goes on.
Yeah. I think my Aries shot out of the stall prematurely, but with Venus going backward, I figure I can too! You know, corrections and all.
Let me add also that I didn't think that was a "nice" piece you posted, chiron. It was childish, catty, and presumptuous, even though there was some fact in it.
Also, since he’s so sensitive to “wealth redistribution”, I wonder if he is aware that Apple IPODs are made in China by slaves who work for about 27 pounds/month and live 100 to a dormitory, according to Legal Insurrection.
This is typical of the hypocrisy everywhere. Stupid and childishly resentful, quoting nonchalantly without study and patience in proving good points. If we were all held responsible for the oppression of people worldwide in the lust for our commodities, we would have next to nothing. Maybe that's not a bad idea.
At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice.
Hi JM: Here is a good example of an 'Old Fox'
on ice. But she is a darling
Old Fox
LOL. Now that really is an Old Fox.:)
Speaking of not so old foxes out there ahead ...
Lynn Hayes was the first one I read who predicted Obama's win way way back in a short, clear, and perfectly stated analysis. I was convinced and I commented. I think she's wonderful, and she reads like silk without overstatement.
She's a big asset to the astrological community with her illuminating articles and enthusiastic support of others.
I am a lover of oracles,may I ask who authored the I-Ching you are using? I have one interpreted by R L Wing and it is quite good,but yours sounds pretty good too.-
So true, Aries are rejected for their "cut through", oh well, you are right, our time will come.
Your comments again fascinate me, and the pictures you produce in my mind are exhilarating. And give me a great laugh too.
"At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice."
Such a great picture, that reminds me--"one step at a time". I can handle this! I can wait.
I only wanted the hypocrisy, the lies, to stop in our Gov. Neptune on my Acd., I did not imagine this to happen? Oh, what fun, these transits can be!
Thank you for the great visuals. With Venus Rx, I can have another cup of coffee too.
Anon, I use the Wilhelm/Baynes translation and I find it to be the most reliable oracle I know.
Dble A, I was hoping for some of the lies to stop, too, but that was naive. It's one of the reasons the initial betrayal with the selection of the cabinet hit me so hard. But I'm glad it did, so I know and I can forge ahead on my own.
They operate on deception and probably it's a must considering what really goes on, so that probably won't change. But what could change is our awareness.
I know they lie, but what perturbed me about this situation was the repeated promise, "I will tell you the truth. I will say what needs to be said. I will always be honest with you." I object to this more than the original lies. I have only myself to blame for falling for it. I'm kind of relieved it's back to normal and I can continue on my own search. I still believe it's happening in the right way. And we're all the wiser.
Neptune veils for a reason. Sometimes we're not supposed to see reality. But we'll see more soon.
Politics has always been based on lies, and life is based on performance for others, so I wonder what that is saying about human behavior and society. Are illusions our most dependable reality?
The caution of a fox walking over ice is proverbial in China. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of ice, as he carefully and circumspectly searches for the safest spots. A young fox who as yet has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly, and it may happen that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water. Then of course his effort has been in vain. Accordingly, in times "before completion" deliberation and caution are the prerequisites for success.
Are illusions our most dependable reality?
I'm afraid so. It would certainly agree with the Buddhist and Hindu belief in the illusions of Māyā.
I too am sick of it. It just never ends. Everything is about control and power, and thus becomes political. Even if it's not inherently political, it is turned so sooner or later, the way corporations try to control water and seeds.
Just had a thought... If it's all illusion, maybe the way to dissolve it is to refuse to take part in it. Maybe the illusion draws its power from our attention and participation in it.
People controlling people is the worst.
The G20 just about did it for me. My appetite is gone for this tragedy. The public glassy-eyed watching the show like a Hollywood extravaganza while they steal more money from right under their noses, distracted successfully by the fabricated dramas. Reminds me of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Maya, indeed.
The problem is - and you are so right - I can reroute with other people, but politics is everywhere. The unmitigated primordial cry for attention and I don't know what. We'll do anything. Any humiliation required.
The corporations exist within our minds, so removing them won't do a damn thing. The hydra.
Pluto in Capricorn. Control, power, authority. This is only the beginning. Mirror, mirror - who's the most humiliated of them/us all? It's all about obedience.
Mars is opposite Saturn today. Can you tell?
Worry not. Water will find a way.
Just had a thought... If it's all illusion, maybe the way to dissolve it is to refuse to take part in it. Maybe the illusion draws its power from our attention and participation in it.
A golden star.
And for another one. How is it done? How do we survive born into it?
How is it done. (Rhetorical question.) Living at this time is forcing us to think about that - a lot. There are paths. There are possibilities. The difficult part is being disciplined - that is - to really sit down and meditate, or - whatever the method is - instead of reading incessantly about every aspect of the chaos we're living with. Carolyn Myss lovingly screams out, "Give up your need to know." That was easier to do with other situations in other times. I was listening to Ram Dass, who really gets to my heart, talk about using all the "stuff" of your life as a vehicle for awakening. I've been thinking about that a lot. There's more - and more - and more. At the moment, I'm happy to be here in this wonderful community.
You are right, jewel. Reading incessantly about every aspect of chaos is a good habit not to have in many cases.
I live by the dictum that any information I need will come to me. Naturally, with that attitude, my education is spotty, but I've found it to work pretty well. I know a lot.
Better than cramming the brain to its outer limits with no room to explode. Pop your cataracts off.
Yeah. Disciplined intake is good.
That's a very good point. We are on info overload these days. I should know better... I came to this conclusion a long time ago and need a reminder every now and again.
Jewel, your reference to Caroline Myss reminded me of Joanna Macy, a writer with a worldview of "deep ecology", as well as Buddhism, who has written of something she calls the Great Turning. Now that I have a more astro framework, I can see this idea as a waking up from the illusion we're talking about here. There's more of a point I wanted to make but the 'net is cranky this morning. Oh well...
"Just had a thought... If it's all illusion, maybe the way to dissolve it is to refuse to take part in it. Maybe the illusion draws its power from our attention and participation in it."
Brilliant!
I keep thinking of Shakespeare who USED the minutia - never running from them - to craft works that expose the illusion, yet are compassionately and extremely human.
As in art, I think it matters that an individual gets to know him/her self and deal with illusion in a way that is essential to them. And when someone does that it is inspiring, tho it may not be the outer form for the inspiree.
Thanks!
My favorite dictionary says illusion is a sensory impression that results in a misrepresentation of the true character of an actual object. Whatever true is.
I'm pretty sure we can't apply that to people. I often think illusions are not intrinsically harmful, and they add our own personalities to experience, but the derivation is interesting.
It comes from illusio: mocking, deceit and illudere: to make sport of.
So could it be our subconscious selves having fun with us? Misleading us and Watching us wiggle. Adding sport to a dull life? The joker at work.
We get into danger anyway, with or without deception. It varies I suppose. If we see a glass of poison and it looks like a heavenly cocktail complete with an orange slice and an umbrella sticking out of it, and if we drink it down ... we're in deep trouble. So I guess we have to trust our luck in the end.:)
Nobody sees anything in the same way as another and I still don't know why we try so hard to defy that. Individuality equals alienation and loneliness in the human condition, but I suspect that if we really went there, the opposite would be true.
Common truths cross paths.
In other words, is illusion entertainment? Deception can be Fun, my next book.
The gods are mocking our seriousness and attempt to do the impossible ... figure it out. "In 2027, a dark haired woman with blond eyes and nice tits will appear and lead humanity to collective unity." Sounds nice. No one knows what's happening, I've noticed. Thank god.
Further ... that's why seers are given so much power, power they don't have. They do what the ordinary can't theoretically. Yet if we trusted life we wouldn't need to know the future, and we could trust good old illusion, knowing guidance comes from another source. Through thick and thin we go. Successfully, so far. You'd think we'd have confidence by now. I think we experience just enough reality and are prepared enough for the future. So we can keep doing what we're doing if we want. Nature calls and guides.
that's why seers are given so much power, power they don't have.
With the notable exception of Cassandra of Troy. It didn't do her any good.
Chuckle.:)
Neptune veils for a reason, is so right. I don't know yet, why I was behind that veil, but very happy that I came out of my Neptune state very quickly. The news this week-end was excruciating. The G-20 was like another campaign trip and PBS, Bill Moyers-William Black interview, concerning the Wall Street theives was too much, " to know".
Staying away from all this illusion and wanting to be informed is addictive. All of our lives get tangled in this political carnival. It concerns all of our survival needs, housing, jobs, food. If we walk away, something else is done behind our backs.
I am beginning to understand why we do not have an impact with Uranus in Pisces. The strength just isn't there right now. We cannot wrap out minds around the landslides of problems.
I just read an article in www.reasons.com by Matt Welch, The Double Talk of Obama. It is slowly getting out there in the media.
This is still all difficult to comprehend.
Thank you for all your insight.
Here's another:
The Two Faces of Barack Obama.
Omg, dble A. You tear my heart out sometimes with the cut-through.
All of our lives get tangled in this political carnival. It concerns all of our survival needs, housing, jobs, food. If we walk away, something else is done behind our backs.
I am beginning to understand why we do not have an impact with Uranus in Pisces. The strength just isn't there right now.
So beautifully stated. I wish I could help locate the strength, but time will do that. People are believing that some magic transformation is coming to them gift wrapped, and that the rich will fall, and the commoners will triumph. Really?
My friend who changed her mind did it after the Black interview. I'm glad it's out there.
I'm playing it by ear. I decided to lay off and let the crowd enjoy their happiness but the innercurrent is high with Uranus in Pisces. The two-faced problem is unevolved Gemini and there you have it. The man is so eager to please and social climb that he will end up pleasing no one in his duplicity. Just as well. No one should be pleased.
Thank you for continuing to speak up, dble A.
That's the Pisces illusion. The belief that the rich will fail and all will be nice. They keep forgetting their part. Slips the mind. No one knows where the political structure - put in place after an entire history by the whole collective - is going. Not to my knowledge.
Keep in mind that with all the double-talk and missle launches magically popping up, that war is a business relying on constantly renewed threat. So go ahead glassy eyed into paradise. Probably a good idea.
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