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Malvin Artley has been a practising astrologer for more than a decade. 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 Redemption [part three]
Subtle Meanings of the Full Moon in Pisces

Malvin Artley here concludes his examination of the esoteric meaning of the Full Moon in Pisces for 2004. This is Virgo's Full Moon, as the Moon is Full in the sign opposing the Sun. Malvin argues that we are all travelling our own version of the Yellow Brick Road, and the evolution of the divine spark within each of us is the very purpose of incarnation. This is the concealed meaning of our sometimes painful journey towards wholeness and liberation.

From the preceding perhaps we can see that we encompass and express in fullness a little spark of what is called in the Bible “the Holy Trinity”. We are at one and the same time Father, Son and Matter/Mother (Holy Spirit). In the grand play that is evolution we start as matter, eventually become the Son and then the Father, only then to realize that we are Mother again on a higher turn of the spiral. Christ was born of Virgin birth (both allegorically and astrologically), as were we all, and we all take the same journey as have the great examples of spiritual Life that have walked among us throughout history. All paths lead to the same figurative destination — the full overshadowing of and union with the Mother by the Father. Our literature and media are full of expositions of this idea of the journey toward wholeness and liberation. In The Wizard of Oz, for instance, there were many yellow brick roads on the way to the Emerald City (heaven worlds), but it was never specified which one to take and Dorothy (which means “gift from God”) was told only to follow the road, the Good Witch knowing full well Dorothy would reach her destination and fulfill her destiny no matter which direction she went. We are all a little like Dorothy, and all very definitely gifts from God.

Now, this brings us up to one of my favorite topics — the stars of the universe and the life that evolves throughout the solar systems that greet our gaze on most evenings upon venturing outside. I can only but give certain indications and key ideas here, but it may help to expand our understanding both of Virgo and of the evolutions taking place in other solar systems. In certain occult books we are told that each solar system has as its purpose the evolution of a certain aspect of the divine trinity, whether Will (Father), Love (Son) or Activity (Mother/Matter).

Evolution of Love

Our own solar system is said to be evolving the fullness of Self-consciousness, or what we know as Love. When we say that “God is Love” we are, in fact, speaking of the plan of God for our solar system. But, in the solar systems preceding ours (Our solar Lord — our God — reincarnates through solar systems just as we do through physical bodies.) it was the material aspect that was under development. This was recapitulated for us in our Earth history in the days of Atlantis, which is from where most of our mythology about goddesses has descended. It was a matriarchal society. The Mother was the dominant principle then as in the previous solar systems, whereas it is the Son that is receiving the impetus to development now.

The preceding paragraph brings up some very interesting points. To begin with, those familiar with esoteric lore know that matter takes much longer to evolve than does Spirit, due to matter's much slower vibratory rate. To use an analogy, it takes much more effort and longer to move a boulder than it does to make a breeze, if one can see the correspondence. In solar systems wherein it is matter that is receiving the attention of the solar Lord, one would thus expect the evolution of such a system to take much longer than a system such as ours wherein the material aspect has already been highly developed. The light of such a sun would be dimmer and its life-span long due to the work being undertaken. These suns would correspond to the myriads of small red and orange stars, the vast majority of which we cannot see with the naked eye. It might be of interest to note that most of the naked-eye stars in the heavens are actually developing the Will aspect of divinity, and their life-spans are generally much shorter than that of the little red stars. It might also be of interest to note that there are around 40 such reddish stars in close proximity to our own solar system, so there is a lot of goddess energy taking shape in our immediate little universe and humanities in those systems would have qualities very different to our own. I am talking of a distance of 40 light-years radius to our Sun, which is but a stone's throw, astronomically speaking.

To get some idea of the ratios of all the types of solar systems that I am speaking of here, the ones evolving matter are far more numerous than the other types. As well, the “Love systems” (don't you love it?) are more numerous than the “Will systems”. This is always the case. We know of the great stars such as Regulus, Sirius, the Pleiades, the Rishis of the Great Bear, Betelgeuse and so forth. All those great stars and others like them are formidable expressions of some aspect of the Will of God and highly exalted cosmic Beings in their own right, having passed beyond the evolutionary status of our Sun many long eons of time ago in what would seem an infinitude of time to us. But, in point of fact, they number among the fewest of the stars in the firmament, comparatively speaking. We know about them because we can see them, but there are countless other stars around us about which we have no knowledge — many like our own — and a far greater number even less advanced than our own Sun. I wonder how many people have ever thought about this? In the manifested universe, it is the Mother Who is most potent and Who holds the greatest sway. She guides the development of all those lesser suns and slowly evolves the material which goes toward the creation of ever greater and more refined Lives as the numberless solar systems live, pass on and are reborn.

Intelligence versus Wisdom

Every solar system responds to its own version of the constellation of Virgo and, in our neck of the cosmic woods, the Virgo we know presides over the development of quite a few suns and Sons. Do we realize the full impact of the statement that the majority of the humanities in the universe come from solar systems wherein the development of intelligence is the norm, rather than wisdom which is the case in our own system? Intelligence and wisdom are two very different things. Wisdom is born of love and Self-knowledge, whereas intelligence is inherent in matter itself. Well, there is a little bit to think about there. To put the last point about humanities more succinctly, we are told that disciples (those in whom the Son aspect is very strong) may not always be highly intelligent — but they are always wise. Wisdom supercedes intelligence, and our solar system is evolving wisdom rather than intelligence, little as our Earth humanity may express it at times. Our Sun is a disciple of cosmic standing, as well as is our own planet. Not all solar systems or planets are thus. I know I have given out a lot to chew on here and I haven't even touched on goddesses yet (They will have to be the subject of another letter, which would probably work out better anyway.), but the main intent was to give a clearer understanding of this grand sign and constellation, which I hope has been done.

This year's Virgo full moon occurs on the 30th of August at 12:23 PM AEST. The planetary aspects are most potent and intense this time around and there will be ample opportunity for us to renew our sense of purpose for the material side of our being and to assure the purity of our vehicles so they can do their needed work and provide proper support to the needs of the Soul. The symbol for the degree of the Sun in this figure tells the tale and the primary lesson for this full moon. It reads thus:

“A 5-year-old child takes a first dancing lesson.”8� Virgo

We are all as little children learning to dance in the realms of Spirit. Many times we miss our step and stumble, stepping on the feet of our partners in the dance of life and discipleship. But, practice makes better and effort eventually pays off. We grow in grace as we do our work, and the work of the dance between Spirit and Matter goes on unabated. Through our learning we are eventually initiated into the greater mysteries of life, but we have to get the footwork down first, so-to-speak, before we can master the form of the dance.

Expansion of Consciousness

Expansions of consciousness only come when the density of the matter of the bodies gets light enough and this only comes about through the structured work we do every day at making our bodies more fit receptacles for spiritual Light and Love. The implication with this symbol is that there is a new potentiality to be presented this full moon that can lead to new expressions and structures in society and within ourselves in the future if we are willing to attend to the details of the process (learn the dance steps). The degree of the Moon will show us the means to do so and indicates the polar opposite that is needed to balance the energies of the Sun. It reads thus:

“A girl blowing a bugle.”8� Pisces

The call is going out to rally the forces within our nature and to rise to the work at hand. The material forms, as represented by the girl, are sending the call upward to the Soul that the time for change has come. We are being summoned to greater work on these material densities than has heretofore been the case. In short, this full moon carries the energy of beginnings and a rallying of efforts toward a future goal. What that goal is will be different for each of us. New structures need to be introduced, and many people have reported feeling such as late. This is further highlighted for us by the conjunction of Uranus with the Moon. Uranus always confers the urge toward better conditions, the shattering of the old and the establishment of a new order in one's life. Mars conjoins the Sun in this figure, indicating an intensity purpose, a fiery desire to succeed and the courage and stamina to persist in the decided efforts. There is a risk of pushing things too far too fast with this setup, though, because Mars opposes Uranus through the full moon. It can indicate recklessness and too much independence, but it can also bestow the daring sometimes needed to just step off the edge and take a risk every now and then. In all, this is a very powerful planetary alignment and it promises results and many new starts.

Jupiter sextiles a Venus/Saturn conjunction and trines the asteroid Chiron, indicating that old karmic associations with people will bring very useful things to the table in our mutual efforts. Though the Venus/Saturn energy can be a bit depressing on its own, the sextile to Jupiter brings in a lightness and expansiveness that would otherwise make for a more difficult and somber period. There is still a fair amount of old scar tissue from past emotional wounds to be cleared away as indicated by the Chiron/Saturn opposition, but Jupiter brings about a united effort to do so and brings people together in general. Relationships may be tested during this period, but in unity and dialog lies the overcoming of obstacles. With Jupiter in the sign that it rules from the hierarchical perspective expansion comes through attention to the fine details of problematic matters and of life in general. There are no little things, and Jupiter in Virgo brings all the disparate pieces together and from the seeming chaos builds a firm foundation.

Mercury trines Pluto in this figure and it confers the ability to divine deeply the needed information in order to get things done. Information and insight will come from hidden sources and through research. It indicates a special ability to focus long and in depth and, indeed, all meditative work is strongly indicated in order for the energy of this full moon to be of great benefit. Jupiter squares Pluto and warns against imperious behavior, pride and old prejudices rearing their head. The only planet not in a major aspect in this chart is Neptune, which means that we may have to work a little harder for our insights, but they will come. The quincunx by Mars to Neptune warns against letting emotions get out of hand, of not looking overly hard for results lest disappointment occur, of avoiding unhealthy relationships that cause undue strain on the system and is a flag that we should keep the immunity up to avoid infections. We are talking about the body here, since it is the Virgo full moon. In all, this full moon will be a very powerful catalyst to action and for clearing of obstructions to higher understanding. A great capacity for inner work is indicated and incisive and decisive actions will yield results, so long as proper research and due care is taken in the process.

A Cosmic Opportunity

Every once and a while an opportunity comes along that is just too good to pass up, yet we hesitate and want to stay in the old, comfortable ways. Now is just such a period of time. Throughout the coming year, but especially at this full moon, we should listen carefully to what the Mother tells us — the Mother being our own bodies and the wider world of Nature. There are some unusual and special things afoot on our world and within us at the moment, and we must be as one with each moment in time as we can possibly be in order to seize upon the gifts on offer. The Mother offers up beautifully and bountifully. And in the stillness of the bosom of the Mother we are given pause and space to listen for the call of the Father as we daily attend to our spiritual rites.

I get another chance to fire-gaze tomorrow night and look out over the lights of Adelaide from the hills. It promises to be a good show with clear skies and warm temperatures. One of my Virgo friends is having her 50th birthday bash. Sometimes I wonder how my own Light appears in the city of our world to onlookers. Upon what string am I cast and to where does that thread of consciousness lead? Someday I will know. But, for now I do my bit upon this stage of living substance and decide at each moment as consciously as I can which yellow brick road I will next take.

May all of us shine more brilliantly with each passing day and add to the growing Light and Love within our world Mother. She is expecting and she wishes us fullness of life and has great dreams for our success. Let us see to it that every day we add to the beauty of our world and that each step brings us ever closer to the destiny that is our birth right and the promise of the liberation both of ourselves and of the great Mother. This is a beautiful world, yet it is because of us that it is even able to be here at all. May the great Mother bless your lives richly.

Much love to you all,
Malvin.
26 Aug 2004

This completes Malvin's article.
Return to the start of The Festival of Redemption

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.