When we try to avoid what is unpleasant, sinful, and confrontational, we lose precisely what we wanted to keep, namely our life, dignity, freedom and greatness. Only he who confronts the dark forces and accepts their existence is connected to his roots and the sources of his strength.
Bert Hellinger
The seed point of this current cycle occurred six months ago, at the New Moon in Pisces on February 23rd 2020, bringing images of departure to the fore. A severance from all types of situations that do not serve the heart have been the mark of this particular six month cycle, which ripens on September 2nd. Overseen by the King/Knight of Cups, the journey between the Eight & Nine of Cups, the cards associated with this particular six month cycle, in essence describes the departure from emotional situations that have been unable to continue in their current incarnation. With no more to be gained through carrying on in the same way, change has been demanded so that the movement can occur.
It is often the case that all hope for the future of a situation must be relinquished…. these are cards that are very much associated with endings. It is, however, often the case that we might be mistaken in what it is that actually needs to end, for at the root of everything, is the indication that it is us, ourselves that need to bring to an end, a way of relating that no longer serves us. The departure, and the journey ahead, often relate far more to a personal unfolding that takes place through the experience, rather than merely trading a “bad” situation for a “better” situation, and like in all good myths, this “treasure” that we seek, can usually only be found in the “underworld” of uncertainty and fear, where there are no guarantees.
The figure below, shown from the Waite Smith “Nine of Cups” shows a man content with what he as, yet he is alone, apart from the 9 cups, that show the care and attention that is his to give, for his emotional store cupboard is full. This card, and its predecessor, the 8, which initiated this cycle, remind us of the hopelessness of feeding continuously, an emotional situation that can have no resolution, and to do so, is to deplete ourselves so that we have nothing left to give…. and our mirage, or fantasy collapses, the battery is flat, the power is spent.
Further work can only be done after a period of personal contemplation, and this card, like all nines, depicts a lone figure, in keeping with their Major Arcana contemporary, The Hermit. Now is the time for dreaming a new dream into being. Endeavouring to unite the “good & the bad”, the “perfect & imperfect”, the “sick and the healthy” within our own natures and to create anew from this place of unified strength, allows us closure for this current phase, that we might look towards the future with a deeper wisdom, ready for what the next cycle brings.
As can be seen from the Tarot Signature in the three cards above, there below, pictured here from the Thoth deck, there is a fine balance between the results of change, and the difficult road that leads there, for it is often not enough to yearn for a future that is hoped for. Sometimes it is only within the darkness of own loss, despair and fear that the bright sun of our own individuality can be discovered, emerging finally, like a small but persistent light, that remains, after all other lights have gone out.
FULL MOON BLESSING:
In the glory of my fullness, I speak to you, revealing the truth as I see it at this moment. There are no secrets here, for if you are brave enough to look, all will be declared. Now it is time to turn away from all that is no longer fulfilling for you. I empower you to live your authentic self, to be unashamed of your fullness, to embrace your own power, to proclaim your true self, without fear. In Pisces- I believe in the power of the unseen, the waters of the womb are my source of inspiration, to surrender to a force that is greater than me, to return to the place where I came from. Through me, all seek to return to that point of bliss, that connection with the divine, that point of creation, that seed of perfect union.”. ©JKG
The Astrologers Diary
The Full Moon every month offers an opportunity to find closure, and to let go of patterns that have outlived their purpose in your life. As an Astrologer, I find it to be a useful exercise for myself and in working with others, to use the energy of each particular Full Moon to clarify the energy of the last six months according to the Sabian Symbol that it falls on, together with the position in which it falls in the Natal Chart. Such considerations can be invaluable in steering through ups and downs, and in becoming “easy” with the ebb and flow of what life brings.
This particular Full Moon falls in the 11th degree of Pisces, which Dane Rudhyar describes as follows:
PHASE 341 (PISCES 11°): MEN TRAVELING A NARROW PATH, SEEKING ILLUMINATION.
KEYNOTE: The capacity inherent in every individual to seek at whatever cost entrance to a transcendent realm of reality.
This refers to the ancient and eternal symbol of the Path of Discipleship. The greatness of man is that he can always be greater; and the belief — deeply rooted in men’s inner nature — that if he fulfills the necessary conditions he can find “Elder Brothers” who have already attained a higher level of consciousness and will transfer their attainment and light to him. The Path is always open to the pure in heart, the mentally aware, the conqueror of emotions and the spiritually self-mobilized. Man is always in the making and remaking. He can always go further, reach beyond. But he has to take the first step. Someone can show him the Path, but he alone can do the walking. Thus the Zen injunction: WALK ON
In my own natal chart, this Full Moon falls across my own 10th 4th houses, lining up with my natal Uranus… so I will be expecting the unexpected in terms of home life/career balance, I must say, things have been warming up a little on the work front, and I have been wondering whether I should let a few things go…. I will have to wait and see what transpires! It is interesting on reflection that I have chosen a quote from Bert Hellinger, who pioneered so much work with “Family Constellations”. It is work that I have a deep trust in, as it allows individuals to work deeply with their inherited family patterns, often without the need for years of one to one psychotherapy. Through healing patterns that have been handed down through generations, we free ourselves, and our children, to lead lives less burdened with our often “invisible” past… one which is yet carried, engraved within the patterns of our own DNA, handed down from our ancestors.
With a rather tense Mars Saturn Venus T-Square in the skies at the time of Full Moon, and Mars about to station retrograde, it may well be that relationships that had been feeling like they were coming together after the hiatus in March April, finally come to a head. The faster moving Venus, who was dallying around in the spring, promising this and that, finally gets away over the next few weeks, freeing herself from Mars and Saturn in the process, venturing out of homeloving Cancer into flirtatious Leo…..
Mars’ retrograde phase in his own sign of Aries marks the autumn, as the best laid plans are held up, and new starts are put on hold. Don’t expect any fast developments until the end of November…. we are likely to be on on a go slow for the duration of the fall. Wishing you a blessed Full Moon wherever you are…..
May The Goddess Watch Over You
My name is Joanna Grant, I am an Astrologer, Tarot Reader and Writer, who lives for now in the South West of Ireland. Throughout my life, I have watched as the planets have woven their stories around me, for it is a truth that my love affair with the stars has been and will be life-long. I can often be found at home, deep in arcane research, or practising some new form of divination, usually whilst trying not to burn the dinner! My long knowledge of Astrology leads and informs my practice in offering guidance across the thresholds of life experiences as defined by the outer planet transits. Through combining Astrology with Tarot and Shamanic techniques, I work with you, the client, to open the way to self-empowerment and healing, helping you to lead a more authentic and magical life. You can read more about me here.
Joanna-Kate Grant 