The Festival of the Ashram: part 1 | part 2 | The Imperial Astrologer | Mercury Cycles | The Zodiac

Malvin Artley has been a practising astrologer for the past 10 years. He is an accredited member of the American Federation of Astrologers.
Malvin is the author of Bodies of Fire: An Exploration of the Lesser Chakra System. He has authored numerous articles and was a member of the faculty of the University of the Seven Rays, a non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching of the Trans-Himalayan tradition as expressed through the books of Alice Bailey, Helena Blavatsky and others.
His primary focus over the past 25 years has been on the sciences as they express occultism and with bridging work between the two. His special interests are the human subtle energy system and all the chakras, or energy centres, physics and technology, astronomy and all aspects of Chinese occultism. He has done extensive work with Chinese astrology and the cycles they use and seeks to synthesize the great Western and Oriental systems on such matters.
Malvin lives in Adelaide, South Australia. He also works in the engineering trades and sends out periodic emails about astrological happenings and developments. Click here to subscribe to Malvin's periodic letters.

The Festival of the Ashram
The Subtle Meanings of the Full Moon in Capricorn [part two]

Malvin Artley continues his discussion of the powerful Full Moon Festival. The Full Moon in Capricorn is the Full Moon period for Cancer, because the Full Moon is always in the opposite sign to where the Sun is placed on that day. He publishes a regular astrological newsletter, to which you can subscribe by clicking the link at the end of this article.

So, in our spiritual Home we practice and learn skill in action--virtuosity in the work of Liberation. We amass our hidden treasures for the time when we are called upon to manifest them in service to the greater Good. We work toward certain well-known ends (known within the Home). The 4th house also rules conclusions and the end of enterprises or life. All experience in the home and Home should prepare one for life in the world at large. The person who sits at home all day never contributes to his/her neighbors. Treasures left unused are only treasures to those who amass them. A true treasure is a gift to all humanity, as is all virtuosity, and should be shared. "Hide not your light under a bushel", as the aphorism goes. The Lighted House is the springboard and beacon to all who seek to serve the greatest Good.

This full moon occurs at 5:21 AM Australian Eastern Time on the 14th of July.
The symbol for the degree of the Sun (21 Cancer) is as follows:
"A famous singer is proving her virtuosity during an operatic performance."

The opposite, or lunar degree (21 Capricorn) is as follows:
"A relay race."

With both of these symbols together we have the combined symbolism for this full moon--a dynamic interchange which produces the necessity for displaying or manifesting the results of one's inner works or training to a watching and waiting world. Of course, there are many ways of interpreting the symbols just given, but the basic idea here is that there is a collective movement, as represented by the lunar degree, which is moving toward a more cooperative outcome in world affairs than has been evidenced in the past, even though there is still the element of competition between rival factors. This is being accomplished through the agency of the solar degree, which demands a virtuosity and talent in that quest which can only come from a source which has done all the necessary hard training and accumulated the requisite virtuosity and wisdom as a result. To see a virtuoso away from a performance, one would never know they had done all that rigorous training. They simply appear to be another person in the crowd, if one does not know them. But, they have many talents hidden just below the surface, always ready to shine forth as the need, desire or demand arises. This is somewhat representative of the Cancerian native, who says "I build a Lighted house, and therein dwell", which is the key phrase for the sign Cancer.

The preceding paragraph marks the main line of approach to and demands of the various Ashrams throughout the world for this year. It very much feels as though there is a race on the in the world at large, and also that there has to be a more cooperative effort between the various players in the divine unfolding Drama in order to ensure the most efficacious outcome for the greater Good. There cannot be any half-measures. Nothing less than the full exhibition of talents from all quarters is acceptable on the world stage at this time in human history. This will be particularly true of people born in Cancer or who have Cancer rising. I know of several Cancerians who are having to come to terms with that very fact. This is especially true since Saturn has made its excursion into that sign. There is a karmic and timely imperative now (and for the next two years) to put one's cards on the table and play the hand one has been dealt with all the skill one can muster, to use the worldly example. The wealth of one's experience has to be brought to bear on the world's current and one's own personal crises.

The "race" is represented in this horoscope by the Mars/Uranus conjunction, denoting dissatisfaction, extreme impatience, and displays of temper. It also denotes a "right now" mentality, in that it wants everything straight away and has no patience with things outside the context of the desired outcome. Speed and suddenness is of the essence of this aspect. This conjunction is also in a sesquisquare to the Sun, which further aggravates the situation and denotes a general sense of irritability and frayed nerves. Most people to whom I have spoken have noted this very dynamic. It is making for tension, loss of sleep and general dissatisfaction with life.

Added to this is a Venus/Saturn conjunction, which gives a general sense of depression, over-sensitivity to perceived emotional slights, self-pity and emotional hardness--but also instances of extreme loyalty and ability to see relationships through, more out of duty than from love. Of interest here is that Venus and Saturn are the esoteric and orthodox rulers of the moon-sign of Capricorn in this Chart. This indicates the increased sense of duty which underlies the work of all the Ashrams in the world at this time and the initiatory impulse which is causing so much stress in people. The conjunction of rulers shows that the energies of Capricorn--Initiation and liberation, but also extremes in materialism--are most potently channeled into the outer world now. This conjunction is trine to the Mars/Uranus conjunction, which serves to stabilize the normal volatility of Mars and Uranus, and brings the new impulses represented by the latter to their rightful conclusion.

The Sun is also conjoined to Venus, which is excellent for a united effort in any sphere of activity. It shows that people will indeed come forth under the mantle of the Ashrams and display their learned and accumulated skills. All who have such skills should thus be aware that they will be called upon to use them in service to a greater need. In all, this entire configuration with the four planets and the Sun sets up the dynamic wherein the extreme virtuosity and skill-in-action needed can be most forthrightly brought to bear. It is a most powerful configuration and will serve to magnificently facilitate the externalization and outer work of the various Ashrams. But, if you are looking for an easy time personally, forget it. The effect of a clearing on a planetary scale is only more potently emphasized now. Liberation also entails a setting aside of personal concerns. It is often not a kind or easy process from a personal standpoint.

Jupiter is trine to Pluto in this figure, which aids in the steady expansion of consciousness in people and the beneficent work of clearing which is taking place. It also helps to ease the strain on the collective subconscious which the work of externalizing the Ashrams will surely bring about. The emergence of greater Light invariably exposes all the muck that has accumulated over the years, which can be a bit disturbing when first seen. But Jupiter in trine to Pluto will go a long way toward easing that sort of realization and expand people's concepts of the matrix of the subconscious and how to deal with it. The inconjunct between Venus and Neptune denotes an over-eagerness in approach to matters of the heart and Home as well as an increased sensitivity to these matters. The indication here is to not try and do everything at once--not to wear one's heart on the sleeve--and to give things their proper time and place to work out. Love is ever patient and wise, regardless of how we might perceive it.

These are the major indications for this figure. We should keep clearly in mind that this figure shows one's approach to the Ashrams and the externalization of the same. It shows our approach to building a lighted place for ourselves and our loved ones, and it does so for the entire year from this date.

We are all like unhappy little children sometimes--dissatisfied with our lot, being anywhere other than where we would rather be, bemoaning the tedium and supposed harshness of our existence. Kids just want to have fun and be joyful in their magical existence! And so should we, amongst all of our contrived seriousness of life. So, the next time we find ourselves in a situation where we would rather not be, spare a thought for the little girl in the laundry and realize that, soon enough, our "Parents" will say "OK. We're done here. Time to go.", and we shall get our wish and begin the next magical phase of our existence, whether it is another life or simply a change in circumstance. Everything ends and ceaselessly changes, beginning thus anew. But, our Home is always there--incorruptible, always loving and full of Light, and from it springs the strength and security we all need to carry on through this life. God bless our Homes and all who live in them. May they warmly welcome and shelter all comers and show us to be the good hosts and loving, wise Souls that we are. Spend some time and play at home each day and come to know your own true Home.

God bless you all,
Malvin.

Read part 1 of The Festival of the Ashram

Malvin Artley is an accredited member of the American Federation of Astrologers. His primary focus over the past 25 years has been on the sciences as they express occultism and with bridging work between the two. His special interests in those fields are the human subtle energy system and all the chakras, or energy centres, physics and technology, astronomy and all aspects of Chinese occultism.
He sends out periodic emails about astrological happenings and developments. These email messages are sent as a gift and a sharing. They are sent to people of many persuasions, not just astrologers. Blessings. Click here to subscribe to Malvin's periodic letters.

The Festival of the Ashram: part 1 | part 2 | The Imperial Astrologer | Mercury Cycles | The Zodiac

The Festival of the AshramThe Subtle Meanings of the Full Moon in Capricorn [part two]

The Festival of the Ashram
The Subtle Meanings of the Full Moon in Capricorn [part two]