Circular Paths

We are half way through the astrological year which begins in March with the Sun’s entry into Aries.  Monday, Sun and Moon meet in the 15th degree of Libra, half way through that sign.  We are once more at a place of balance between dark and light, but headed towards the darkest moment of the year.  We feel it in our bodies, and in the rapid approach of evening.

                         photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Persephone, the wife of Hades returns to her kingdom in the Underworld.

Hades

Upon her sudden entrance

to the Kingdom of the Dead,

the childlike Persephone

was transformed,

her light stripped away.

 

For no maiden

may walk the halls of Hades.

Yet the story does not end here,

in shame and loss.

 

While the gateway was harsh,

the castle was full of pleasures,

and Persephone came to cherish

the shadowless towers,

the rolling dark meadows,

and strange fruit and flowers.

 

Those who have not traveled these lands

should not speak of their imagined gloom.

 

She who had once run carefree,

a flower by her mother’s side,

now walked with purpose,

her household in awe

of her quiet gaze.

 

poem: Sarah Fuhro

Today Venus begins to travel in retrograde.  She starts the journey in Scorpio, a location full of deep feeling and intensity, and then reenters Libra, a place of balance.  She visits a sign ruled by Mars (Scorpio), and then settles back into a sign ruled by Venus (Libra). With Venus in retrograde we all have an opportunity to see ourselves in  relationships as our lovers and partners see us.  Venus retrograde holds the mirror up to us.

                               photo: Sarah Fuhro

 

Persephone’s mother, Demeter/Ceres is one degree from the new Moon.  Perhaps the relationship we must reflect upon during this Venus retrograde is a connection to our mother, the Earth.  But we are interwoven with Earth.  How can we ‘relate’ to her?   Perhaps through the relationship of the Moon and the Sun we can understand the way to live in harmony with our planet.  The Sabian Symbol for the degree where Ceres is located is:  ‘Circular Paths.’   ‘It is only when the individual has become fully attuned to, and in a sense identified with the vast planetary and cosmic rhythms of the universe, and thus free from emotional and group tensions, that he can act serenely and at peace along ‘circular paths.'” Dane Rudhyar, The Astrology of Personality.

 photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Sarah Fuhro is an astrologer, flower essence practitioner and Tarot reader.  She consults with clients and teaches these ancient arts as well. You can reach her at Sarahfuhro@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

Intensely Small Planet

 

 

Dark planet of the dark Lord,

where all is tightly bound,

a small pond reflects darkness.

 

But we flock there, to rest,

to meet Him, Pluto, the key,

the king of gold and oil.

 

The place of his kingdom

is not a cave, nor a dungeon,

but a garden of dark vines.

 

And when we leave,

we are refreshed, as the Moon

after her dark confinement.

 

poetry: Sarah Fuhro

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Moon Dance

                                              photo: Bruce Lhuillier

It’s under the full Moon we see our shadow self projected where we stand. And while this is true of every full Moon, this full Moon with its Aries/Libra energy casts light on the basic polarity of male and female interaction.   Some very important truths remain hidden until the time is right.  This full Moon may be that moment of revelation.  Saturn is in an exact square to the Sun and Moon.  Saturn injects time, and unavoidable responsibility to manifest into this moment. His Sabian Symbol is ‘a human soul, in its eagerness for new experiences, seeks embodiment.’   As much as Saturn is about the past, he also is about incarnation of spirit into material form.  Like this image of an ancient megalith  from Brittany growing amidst a young forest, there is a huge amount of energy  from the past mixed with the dynamic energy of the present in this full Moon, which will occur on Monday!  The young trees hide the stone from the casual eye, and yet seem to enhance its meaning!

 

 

The Libra Sun and Aries Moon always make this opposition around this time of year.  The moment of the fall equinox has taken place with a momentary balance of dark and light.  The sign of Aries is also about equal amounts of dark and light, yet the fiery energy of spring has a very different feeling, not so much balance, as a revelation of life’s persistence after winter quiet.

                                                photo: Bruce Lhuillier

There is an aspect of emergence in this chart and this moment which might be best understood in light of the Kavanaugh revelations.  Events long considered, ‘just the way things are,’  are no longer hidden below the surface of time.  The natural privilege of men to subdue and silence women has been challenged.  The way we think about men, women, and physical power is under judgement.  The degree image of the Sun, ‘the dawn of a new day reveals everything changed’ says we are beyond compromise.

The symbol for the degree of the Moon, ‘the cameo profile of a man, suggesting the shape of his country,’ is there for all to see.  This is the shape of power challenged by all those who have had enough.  Chiron, the wounded healer is the companion of the full Moon.  Mercury and Demeter are traveling with the Sun.  Sometimes tenderness and compassion win out.

                     photo: Aaron Greene

Mars and Venus are in opposition in these two signs, Libra Sun and Aries Moon.  The vital masculine energy of Mars and Aries are held in the Moon’s embrace, and weighed in the scales of Libra Sun.    Saturn with the companionship of the asteroid Vesta sees and reveals an old and hidden  wound between men and women.   Note that Chiron the healer is very close to the Moon.  Vesta,  at the same degree as Saturn is goddess of hearth, and the sacred aspect of women’s rites, (and rights).  Of course this chart applies to everyone on earth, not just the characters in the drama in Washington.

                                                      photo: Bruce Lhuillier

And there is more in this dramatic full Moon.  Typhoons, hurricanes and massive gas explosions are nature’s expression of the power that is building.  Mars and Uranus are locked in a square which corresponds to elements of their signs.  Uranus, always the planet of unexpected and highly electrical energy, is inTaurus.  Taurus is an Earth sign ruled by Venus, who, by the way, is in Scorpio, great revealer,  right across from Uranus and square to Mars.  What does this all mean, you say?   The planet earth is no long suffering in silence while humans deny her pain.   The Sabian symbol for the degree of Uranus is: ‘an electrical storm.’  Mars is in close contact with Black Moon Lilith, a representation of the fury of the disrespected woman.  For most of us this will play out internally.  We will feel male and female aspects of ourself in conflict, restless and eager for new relationships, where we no longer deny emotions or visions.

                                              photo: Bruce Lhuiller

We all have  work to do.  This full Moon will give us a clear definition of where we need to develop balance, and honesty about how we dispose of our our garbage,  which never goes ‘away,’  but has the potential to become compost.  In all this storm and chaos, are the seeds of a new spring, whirling in the wind.   I’m tired of astrology which does not embrace the life force which is held in conflict, because these conflicts are always pieces to make up the whole.  This full Moon gives us each the opportunity to accept both sides of old polarities we have been taught to fear, to embrace and laugh as we watch our shadows dance under the full Moon.

Keeping our Ancient Wisdom Alive
The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present.  To learn more, please visit www.sarahfuhro.com.  sarahfuhro@gmail.com.

 

 

The Pilgrim’s Progress

                                                photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The New Moon in Virgo, which we  celebrate this Sunday has an intriguing Sabian Symbol: A Ouija Board!  A Ouija Board is symbol of intuitive communication, a way to connect to spirit guides.  It’s time to travel,  perhaps to travel alone, inward.  Virgo has a solitary thread which is often hard to discern in our sociable nature.  After all, the ‘ruler’ of Virgo is Mercury, lord of communication.  But a Virgo must listen to inner guides, and must do this alone on an inward spiral.

                          photo: Bruce Lhuillier

This new Moon which takes place in Virgo marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hoshannah.  By tradition, a spiral  bread is eaten on this holiday.

A spiral is the way of the underground water pathways.  Surely, if the earth has underground water patterns, we must as well.  And the solitary journey inward  will be very significant for this new Moon, because Sun and Moon are exactly opposite  watery Neptune in Pisces. At the last full  Moon, August 26 we celebrated the Virgo Pisces axis,  a representation of the healer and healing. https://sarahfuhro.wordpress.com/2018/08/24/medicine-of-water-and-snakes/.

The Sabian Symbol for this degree continues the theme of healing through solitary travel inward.  Neptune’s degree is symbolized by: In the quiet of his study, a creative individual experiences a flow of inspiration.’  The individual aspect of the creative process is emphasized as is the individual’s need for concentration and at least inner quiet. He must have faith in his own SUBJECTIVE STRENGTH.’    

The healing theme continues with the Virgo Sun and Moon in concert with Neptune in Pisces.  Music (Pisces)  might be an important theme as you find a quiet moment to celebrate this tender beginning.

But why call this Moon chat, Pilgrim’s Progress?  All new Moons suggest a fresh start, a release of old stories and anxiety, a transformation of identity.  This Moon seems to suggest sacred travel.   Maybe, because the Virgo Pilgrim has to settle her affairs before she sets out?  A Pilgrim has to travel light, to be resourceful, to accept the ups and downs of travel, the need to acknowledge that he is vulnerable.  Looking at the chart, over and over again, I came upon a possible impetus for the pilgrimage, theme.  Uranus is opposite Venus.   A deep and mysterious love (Venus in Scorpio) is shaken by a Uranic thunderstorm.   The pilgrimage site is underground (Uranus in Taurus).  Here is a place of absolute renewal, a death and rebirth, which cannot be experienced except through a dynamic and electric experience with the earth!

 photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Sarah Fuhro is an astrologer, flower essence practitioner and Tarot reader.  She consults with clients and teaches these ancient arts as well. You can reach her at Sarahfuhro@gmail.com.

Medicine of Water and Snakes

                                       photo: Sarah Fuhro

We all have our own way to heal ourselves.  This heron is my doctor.  He is the gate to the Otherworld, a place of peace and stillness, with an unlimited potential for surprise and adventure.  When I see him, I know I have permission to enter a transformative place.

                                                     photo: Becca Burkett

Yesterday morning, when I opened my mail,  I found  this picture!  A friend stepped out her door and onto a a water snake.  The picture is a perfect symbol of the healing power of the Pisces full Moon on Sunday!  In snaky fashion he wrapped himself around a staff, like the Rod of Asclepius, healer of the Greeks.   Snakes undulate, they leave behind their old suits, they represent the process of healing.  Below is a picture of Asclepius and Hygeia with a snake doctor!

                                     

Virgo and Pisces work together to heal.  Virgo diagnoses the problem with her analytical, Mercurial  skills.  She ruminates on the herbs, or energetic medicine she might offer the patient.   She is the recognized healer, the doctor, herbalist, acupuncturist.  Pisces is the nurse, who watches over the progress of healing with love and compassion.   She changes the bandage, and tenderly applies salve to the wound.  Virgo is considered a sign of the Earth element, Pisces, a sign of the Water element.  Together they bind up our wounds and transform our pain.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Here is a shrine to Water, which can wash away the pain of trauma.  Kneel on the mossy granite and celebrate the spirit of the pool and the ferns, light the candle and feel the work of hands on stone, hands which carved this small temple. Maybe you will make your own water temple as the Pisces Moon approaches!   Or visit a place of sweet water, a fountain, a pond, or the ocean.   How delicious is this moment of Pisces; love, and release.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbit

A rabbit is leaping about in me,

now in my heart, now in my throat.

 

This rabbit is the moon rabbit,

and she is covered in blue, white fur.

 

The rabbit tells me summer

is finished and  harvest is next.

 

The sound of her little forest feet

is like the beating of my heart.

 

Sojourner rabbit,

moves like the wild grape vine,

travels in a zig zag  rythm.

 

So soon, the dusty grape

takes precedence over the berry,

 

Meanwhile the troubled salmon

bumps his anxious nose

along the narrow drying stream

near the bunny’s retreat,

and remembers the deep pool

bowed over by hazel nuts,

which has called out his spiral return.

 

poetry: Sarah Fuhro

photography: Robert Fuhro

A Party on a Houseboat

                                          photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Perhaps you  already feel the unsteady motion of this moment.  The whirling energy of eclipse season can be delicious or overwhelming.  Either way, you can still celebrate,  Leo style.  Sometimes we just need to rock and roll with the waves of time and space.  After all, nothing is permanent, which is probably a good thing.  But a party on a houseboat has two kinds of motion, the water beneath our feet and the joyous human energy of a special occasion under the stars.   ‘Party on a Houseboat’ is the Sabian Symbol for the new Moon on Saturday, which will eclipse the Sun.  You have to live in far northern lands to see this one, but, as always, the energy of the solar eclipse is an opportunity for a fresh start.

 

And we are in the middle of the Perseid meteor shower, another reason to look up from the ‘party on the houseboat’ into the summer night sky.   If we are sensitive to all this movement, there are many ways to keep our balance.  The Two of Swords is one way:

By sheer force of will and the discipline of the sword, she holds the moment still.  Yet the tiny crescent Moon says this will be a very short exercise, her blindfold keeps her from disorientation,  and she must remain seated to keep her balance.

In contrast, the Two of Pentacles pictures a way to keep in balance as an eternal dance,  equilibrium through movement, the Lunar cycle set to music, a sailor’s hornpipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff0X8blt3Ks.  

Featured in this new Moon and eclipse is an opposition between the lovely Venus in her sign of balance (Libra), and the warrior version of Chiron in Aries.  Can love only be learned through heartbreak as pictured in the Three of Swords? This final eclipse of the year sets in motion a heart opening  with Venus in Libra and Chiron in Aries.  Leo rules the heart as well as the spine.  Aries rules the head.  All this Leo eclipse energy might release through the opposition between these two points….

I felt some of that Chiron healing recently after listening to an interview with novelist and philosopher Alain de Botton.  I feel better about my imperfect marriage, my flawed attempts to be a good parent, and my lackadaisical career.  Perhaps he’s right: we’re here to learn from all of these heartfelt attempts rather than to perfect them. The dance on the houseboat continues, and we can participate as in the Two of Pentacles or hold tight as in the Two of Swords.

” Love is a painful, poignant, touching attempt by two flawed individuals to try and meet each other’s needs in situations of gross uncertainty and ignorance about who they are and who the other person is, but we’re going to do our best…. the acceptance of ourselves as flawed creatures seems to me what love really is. Love is at its most necessary when we are weak, when we feel incomplete, and we must show love to one another at those points.”  https://onbeing.org/programs/alain-de-botton-the-true-hard-work-of-love-and-relationships-feb2017/

The wisdom of the Tarot  pictures the moment  of the Alchemical marriage under the sign  of the caduceus and the winged Lion’s head.   Caduceus is the wand of Mercury, and yes, at this moment, Mercury is in Leo within a few degrees of Sun and Moon in Leo, the Lion.  This card speaks of love between two people, or an internal moment when a painful opposition is accepted in wholeness. Clearly these lovers are taking part in a sacred ritual of healing.

Leo is the Sun’s happiest location.  Yet this is at a time of year when the Sun in the Northern Hemisphere is headed South, and we who live here are losing daylight hours.  Leo is the sign of theatre, actors, the heart and grand gestures.  It’s the sign on my Ascendant, my soul’s entry point.  People with a lot of Leo energy in their chart struggle between the desire to manifest their soul’s fire, and to find a way to channel that energy without singeing themselves or those around them.  The ego needs to be acknowledged and then released.

Many powerful planets line up to participate in this moment.    We won’t see the new Moon, and most of us won’t see the eclipse of the Sun created by the Moon’s shadow.  Yet it takes place in each of us.   Don’t be afraid to rock the boat as you dance under the stars.

Keeping our Ancient Wisdom Alive

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. For an appointment call 508 652 9880 or email her at sarahfuhro@gmail.com.  In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present.