Gemini's Moon:
Gemini Solar Festival [part 2]
Goodwill Festival at the Full Moon in Sagittarius 2009
Malvin Artley concludes his examination of the subtle meaning of the Full Moon in Sagittarius for 2009. This is Gemini's Full Moon, as the Moon is full in the sign opposing the Sun. Malvin looks at the meanings of the symbols and the action of the aspects under this powerful lunation.
It is said that Mercury rules the usual state of affairs for Gemini, but I would venture to say that Mercury would have rulership over Gemini until one reaches the full realization of the union of the opposites. The Light of Interplay which Gemini manifests is the fish of consciousness (from our previous analogy), which represents Mercury astrologically, swimming in the river of our ordinary conceptions and higher impressions. Indeed, I would also venture to say that Venus only rules Gemini after all attachments are abandoned. Venus is said to 'unite without bonds', those bonds being one's attachment to conceptual thought in the end. Gemini thus leads us onto the path to liberation and full enlightenment. In fact, the dynamics of Gemini could be said to be that path, hence its extreme importance to humanity. Gemini, then, is one's true education – the abandonment of ordinary conceptual thought. To paraphrase the words of a great protagonist of film, we must un-learn what we have learned. The Hierarchical rulership of the Earth over Gemini is the divine sacrifice which is the fully enlightened Master of the Wisdom returned to 'extend the hand downward' in order to aid us in our ascent out of suffering and into the supreme bliss of the Pure Lands.
What, then, are we to receive from our meditations on this Gemini interval, the blessings from this full moon period? Each of us has our conceptions of reality that prevent us from taking the next steps ahead spiritually. Each of us labours under some form of mental suffering or sense of restriction. In fact, all suffering, even of the body, can be traced back to some form of mental restriction or misconception. Each of us certainly has abilities and gifts in certain areas. However, there is always some area of life in which we could do with more training, more learning. There are two aspects to be gleaned from the Gemini interval, as I see it – worldly education in order to increase our cultural awareness (our place in the world society), thus improving our relations with our fellows on this world and spiritual education, with the emphasis on some form of higher mental training. As for the latter, that training could be as simple as learning to be more compassionate, for example (and that involves analysis of what it means to be compassionate) or it could be more pointed, as in taking on a more elaborate meditative regime. As with any mental training in the spiritual domain, the emphasis is always on meditation, which is the stilling and focusing of the lower mind together with the utilization of the higher intellect.
What is to be our intellectual and educational basis for this year, then? Let us have a look at the full moon figure and see what stands out. The full moon takes place on the 8th of June and 4:12 am AEST (7 June, 6:11 PM UT). The Sabian symbol for the degree of the Sun reads as follows:
“Two Chinese men converse in their native tongue in a US city.” – 18 Gemini
This symbol alludes to one being able to maintain one's sense of identity and culture in the midst of seemingly foreign experience. I say 'foreign' here because, in effect, we have done all this before in a past-life sense. In another way, this symbol can be seen as a warning not to be exclusive or insular in response to new experience. So, there are two aspects at work with this symbol – independence and self-isolation. The former can be a good thing, the latter being more negative and breeding contempt in those around one. Gemini is known, too, for its ability with language, so this symbol also points to one needing to be willing or able to learn new ways of communicating with others. It is of major interest as well that the situation in North Korea has degenerated badly, especially in recent weeks, and the need for dialog between the US and China is stronger than ever before to help maintain balance in the area.
The symbol for the degree of the Moon reads:
“Children playing on the beach, their heads protected by sun bonnets.” – 18 Sagittarius
This symbol points to the need for protection from forces outside of one's control, as well as the need to be sensible within one's environment. It is natural for children to play, but it is also necessary to educate them about the need for protection and a common-sense approach to life. There is nothing stopping them from playing. They are simply being looked after. There are two main aspects to this symbol, then: We need to get on with business as usual, but to be mindful of the risks around us and the vagaries of 'environment', and we need to be more mindful of those in our care and teach proper self-care and attention to surroundings, both physical and subjective. And....there is no reason in the world why we should not find joy in every aspect of our lives. Play is serious business, you know?
Financial Focus
To serious matters, though, the full moon axis is squared by Saturn, thus forming a t-square with a Saturn apex. This is a powerful configuration, conferring focus, ambition to succeed, the ability to objectify experience and the discipline needed to see things through. It is not a happy or playful aspect, but it is one that motivates a person to get things done and, moreover, to succeed. Thus, the cultural aspect of this Gemini full moon will be squarely on financial matters (for this is an aspect pattern that can and often does bring worldly success) and the taking on of karmic necessities. Saturn is big on responsibilities and there is much in the world that needs to be straightened out.
There is a rather interesting regular and interlaced pattern involving the full moon axis, a Venus/Mars conjunction, Saturn and the nodal axis. Included in this is a 'Hard Rectangle' (full moon and nodal axis), three 'Finger of the World' triangles (Sun/Saturn with North Node apex, Venus-Mars/North Node with Saturn apex, and Moon Saturn with Venus apex) and a series of semisquares running between Venus/Mars, the Sun and the South Node. It resembles a sort of radar dish with the Sun/South Node semisquare at the base and the Moon/North Node semisquare as the directional point. The Hard Rectangle intensifies the need for resolution of antagonisms in the world, largely brought on by old instinctual, cultural and racial tensions, as represented by the axes involved. President Obama's recent speech to the Arab world was certainly a good step in the right direction there, but there is a hard road ahead and we will see much this year in the way of events that will 'stimulate' this need for resolution and easing of old and ingrained tensions. So, the will to heal old tensions will be intensified this year, both individually and on the world stage.
Challenges to Concrete Action
The three Finger of the World triangles indicate that there will be many challenges that will force people to concrete action, but the responses must be appropriate to self-evident social needs. The three 'pointers' – North Node/Venus/Saturn – especially since these three triangles are part of an integrated pattern, indicate the need for responsible social interplay, proper distribution of resources and the bringing together of those people necessary to the task. This will be no small feat given the deep social and national schisms that have been put in place in the world through decades of war and mismanagement. This is a very tense, but focused chart, and nothing focuses the mind quite like difficult situations. The time for burying one's head in the sand is well and truly passed. If world leaders can put good systems in place now and make the work of international healing a priority then the difficulties I see coming an about a year's time can be greatly reduced or moderated.
Other than that, Mercury, the 'worldly' ruler of Gemini, is in a square to the tight Jupiter/Chiron/Neptune conjunction, but it is sextile to Uranus as well. This aspect pattern tends to indicate the necessity of letting go of posturing behaviour and covert means and taking a direct and honest approach with all communications. If Uranus had not been involved I would have said to be mindful of possible fraud scenarios and covert operations, but Uranus added to the mix forcefully pushes forth the higher good and agenda in all dealings.
Lastly, Venus and Mars are both trine to Pluto – Woo Hoo! (Excuse me, I got a bit carried away there.) Ordinarily, that would be a very sexy aspect, but we are looking at a world event chart here. Given that the Venus/Mars conjunction is 'at the bendings' of the nodal axis and involved in a rather serious aspect pattern, plus the fact that Uranus squares Pluto at the same time, then we can expect to see many international relationships experiencing dramatic change this year. Old structures are going to be swept away, especially later in the year and into next year and new relationships and ways of relating will naturally have to take the place of the old order. It is going to be one very exciting ride in the area of social structures this year, and a lot of good can come from it.
Personal Meanings and the Light of Interplay
What would all this mean for us personally? Firstly, we have to tend to our own back yards, so-to-speak and make sure we are each on a firm foundation, financially, socially and spiritually. If we try to waffle about or be untrue to our higher nature, then we will be swiftly shown the door. We need to remember this is an Earth Ox year and there are still to be many sudden and complete changes of direction. We have already seen many communities in strife. We are being shown not to take the environment or our resources for granted and we are also being shown to exhibit common sense with regard to our own safety within that environment, re: recent fires, floods and earthquakes. We need to be clever and resourceful, be willing to work together and not be too quick to jump at the first sign of trouble. We will see strained relations between local, state and federal governments within each country because times are tight and everyone is jockeying for their piece of the pie. If you are out of work and are able, this is the time to study and to bone up on skills. The world is in sore need of people with skills – especially good manual skills. There is a shortage of people with good manual skills due to the information age (too many people on computers and not enough fixing the plumbing/woodwork/a/c, etc). A good tradesperson will be able to name his/her price when the economy takes off again (and it will).
We sorely need good teachers in the world, too – those with good social conscience and wide world view. If you have a skill, see if there is some way you can pass it along. Above all, though, we need to keep our heads about us and not be buffeted about by the negative reporting on the media. Media = sensationalism = an excited, distracted and thus troubled mind. And, the key to a cool head and quiet mind? – why, spiritual training, of course. One of the best things we can do is to turn off the television and computer for a few hours every day and study something spiritual, whatever one's faith or discipline might be. Any type of meditative discipline, properly applied and done so on a daily basis will make quite a difference to one's mental state. The world becomes a better place. People are nicer. The day seems brighter. We actually feel happy within ourselves. Strange phenomenon, that. Quiet your mind and you can change your world. It does not have to be a heavy or dramatic change, either. Just sitting quietly every day and calming the mind is a great thing to do. Walking meditations are a brilliant repast as well. Many of us might be pleasantly surprised at what is just around the corner from our homes. I see something new every time I go for a walk. I also gain a lot of insight into things that way. Ideas or solutions just 'drop in' and it is nice to see them.
Lastly, if there has been something in the nature of a contribution to the greater community that has been gnawing at you for a time, get out and do it. This is a year marked by spiritual prodding. Write that book. Teach that class. Reconnect with your church/gonpa/ashram/temple/social service group. There will be plenty of opportunity to be of service, and the world wants what we have to give. Believe me on that one. I am taking my own advice on that. We are one in our Essence, regardless of our faith, nationality, race or gender. Let the Light of Interplay connect us all.
Blessings and Goodwill,
Malvin
6 Jun 09
This ends the article.
 Return to the start of The Gemini Goodwill Solar Festival
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 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 letters are sent out as a gift and a service. If you wish to be added to or deleted from the mailing list please let me know. If you feel inspired to pass them on please do so, but do so without alteration or charge. They are sent to people of many persuasions, not just astrologers. Blessings. Click here to subscribe to Malvin's periodic letters.
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