“It is more important to out think your enemy, than to outfight him”
Sun Tzu
I love using the Sabian Symbols as a focus for the lunar cycle. The huge variety of images seems to marry extrordinarily well with the shifting cycles of the Moon as it weaves itself through the signs of the zodiac fulfilling its phases of fertilisation, growth, blossoming, death and decay. The next New Moon is in a few days time, on the 19th/20th of February.
PHASE 332 (PISCES 2°): A SQUIRREL HIDING FROM HUNTERS.
The individual’s need both to ensure his future subsistence and to protect himself from aggressive social elements.
“The squirrel not only has to hide and store food for the winter, but to be on the lockout for the dangers involved in gathering this food supply. Social processes always cast strong shadows, The individual is never certain of being safe among his fellowmen, once the process of individualization — with its negative aspects, competition, social aggressivity and greed — forces the breakdown of the organic tribal state of mankind during the archaic ages. This second stage symbol contrasts with the first. It warns of the dangers of life in society during an era of exacerbated individualism, when violence is a possibility never to be dismissed. The need for SELF-PROTECTION and caution is ever present”. Dane Rudhyar.
The culmination of this particular cycle is the Full Moon in Pisces which takes place on the 31st of August in the 8th degree, the symbol for which is as follows:
PHASE 338 (PISCES 8°): A GIRL BLOWING A BUGLE.
KEYNOTE: A call to participation in the service of the race, as an evolutionary crisis approaches.
“This symbolic picture presents another aspect of the emotional relationship between the individual and the collectivity of human beings. It can also be related to the old feminist movement or the present women’s liberation. In traditional symbolism the woman refers more specifically to the biological and psychic aspect of human life; she is seen primarily as the mother, and/or the intuitive or “psychic” type of person. A new race of human beings may well be slowly unfolding some of its potential of consciousness and fulfillment. The individual who envisions this evolutionary development “sounds the call.” He or she is both seer-herald and mutant. In that sense such a human being is both an individual true to his original nature and a dedicated person — dedicated to the future he or she holds in latency as does a seed in mutation.
At this third stage of the sixty-eighth five-fold sequence the two preceding phases blend in a new form of consecration of the individual to the Whole. Tomorrow acts through today; it SUMMONS men to rebirth”. Dane Rudhyar.
The mythology of Pisces is symbolised by two fish swimming in opposite directions, giving this sign its reputation for vacillation and being unable to make up its mind. As the fish, swimming in the boundless ocean, Pisceans are open to all the influences surrounding them; maintaining firm boundaries is likely to be a harsh life lesson for them. Saturn’s upcoming transit through their natal sun sign is expected to prove instructive on that level, with life lessons in the importance of preserving structures and not giving away energy unconditionally to others.
The fish is a highly fertile creature, and Jupiter-ruled Pisces is associated with abundance, fertility and expansion. Never short of creative ideas and possibilities, the problem can be one of dwelling on endless permutations rather than choosing a particular course of action. Often wanting it all, Pisces abhors limitation, hence its connection with addiction and self-indulgence, often as a way of escaping the fact that they have not actually got around to starting any of the myriad of wonderful possibilities they have dreamed of so vividly.
This particular lunar cycle completes in the first face of Saturn, a place associated with leaving what has thus far provided structure and containment to seek something more sufficient for your needs. Saturnian through rulership and also by transit, this cycle will reflect Saturn’s ingress into the sign of Pisces, where it will reside for the next two years. The essence of the coming six months will be very much connected with leaving what has thus far provided structure and containment so that something new can be discovered, more sufficient for your needs. In the tarot, the card associated with this face is The 8 of Cups, a card often represented by a figure walking away from what is known, what provides stability and containment, into a bleak landscape and under the guidance of a new moon.
There will be an increasing need to prepare for what lies ahead, including the need to take stock of the prevailing conditions around you. Like a squirrel preparing for winter, thinking forward and deciding what is necessary for the future and what is better left behind is essential. Refining your focus on what is truly relevant in your life will likely be a significant part of this. Like the nuts a squirrel stores, only the longest-lasting and most robust elements will last the course and provide the nourishment you need in the challenges ahead.
Extraneous habits, associations, connections and protocols must be examined and perhaps left by the wayside; you cannot take everything with you. To be fighting fit and able to PROTECT THE SELF, it may be necessary to take a ruthless inventory of what needs to be shed from your life. Saturn is a hard taskmaster but usually fair. To develop the ability to embody the image for the cycle’s culmination, the SUMMONING, you will need to travel light. This cycle has also been referenced as a place of “going home” where the call is heard to return to the source, but there may be some confusion as to where the source actually lies. Deception and confusion can occur, the siren songs that lead to the way being lost. But, again, the importance of refinement, focus, who you actually are, and what you want to stand for in the world will lead you to your source.
For this New Moon I have laid two cards from the Thoth Journey Tarot to give us focus for this upcoming cycle: What is in the dark? and What will come to light?
Air 3 comes to acknowledge sorrow. The path has been chosen, and all other options are closed for now. As my mother used to say: You have made your bed; now lie in it! Harsh words perhaps but wise too, for through accepting the losses and grieving them to the full, the way ahead is cleansed and ready for whatever will present itself in due course. The sorrow associated with this card relates strongly to the loss of potential that results from a definite course of action, the mourning for what did not happen. The number Three relates to creativity and productivity, where the union of two makes a third. In Air, pure intentions and good conduct win the day; decisions must be made to cut through a difficult or confusing situation that has gone on too long.
Fire 6 is a spiritual hinge between past and future, helping to develop the inner balance required to facilitate purposeful forward progress. The creative voice helps to form realistic but optimistic goals, fostering confidence and allowing the forgiveness of perceived past failures. This practice helps to resolve self-judgement and frees the creative spirit. Six is a number of balance, where the past meets the present and informs the future. In the suit of Fire, this card suggests a compromise, a working collaboration or a sense of achievement after a struggle, a feeling that ‘it was worth the battle’. Sixes are generally positive, bringing a sense of peace with one’s position.
There is a certain amount of sorrow lying in the darkness this month. Air 3, or the Three of Swords, is itself associated with Saturn and defines the loss experienced when you have to choose a particular course of action…. sorrow because you are leaving things behind, things that matter. Perhaps, at this New Moon, take the time and the opportunity to acknowledge those losses one more time before letting them go; otherwise, they will only hold you in the past. What is coming to light is Fire 6, a card associated with Jupiter in the sign of Leo and deeply connected with a sense of spiritual connection, surety and the sense that you are doing right by yourself and by others. This is an excellent card for strength and energy; I can already feel it powering me forward into the next cycle!!
I will be celebrating the New Moon by planning… there is a great deal I need to accomplish between now and the end of August, so I will be engaging Saturn’s strategies along with Pisces vision, to ensure that to the best of my ability, those dreams will manifest.
A blessed New Moon to you all ❤
coming soon
THE THOTH JOURNEY TAROT
AQUARIUS EDITION
“A new age is dawning, with a need for a new wisdom, one that comes from the heart. This book is dedicated to all those who find themselves, for whatever reason, in darkness; given with love, this work, is a product of our times.”
Joanna Grant is an astrologer of some 30 years and gained her Diploma at the Faculty of Astrological Studies in 2012. Weaving her knowledge of the stars together with intuitive tarot techniques, she crafts highly personalised guidance for clients who are often navigating difficult life transitions. Lately, she has been very excited to breathe new life into her astrological practice through her study of Horary, where the traditional techniques of the ancients have helped her to interpret her knowledge in a whole new way. Having recently completed the STA Advanced Level Horary Diploma, she feels that in an uncertain world, the integrity of this tradition is an essential tool in giving clients the guidance they seek.
You can read more about her here.
Joanna-Kate Grant 