Heartastrology Muse

When using astrology it is helpful to think of the planets as gods or living beings who have something they wish to do. This is a metaphor of course, but it is the base of the philosophy. We have then these gods, who are Archetype actors on the field of our life’s play. They are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Modern astrology has given us many new actors, but if we go beyond Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, the information although fascinating gets very complicated very quickly. To help understand how to time our life and the events that occur in it, we will need to understand how the actors are interacting. In astrology this is done by looking at the aspects. There are five traditional aspects. These are called the Ptolomeic sequence. They were very clearly elucidated by the philosopher astrologer Claudius Ptolomy.

These are the conjunction, which signifies that planets are empowering each other with their energy.

Then there is the Sextile, which signifies that planets will accomplish what they want by working together.

Next is the square, which signifies that planet is going to create change through struggle.

The trine signifies that the planets will easily get what they want.

Finally, the opposition, means there will be a struggle between the planets that will not be resolved.

On an inner level, Oppositions, Squares, and Conjunctions are times when our soul can grow. It is the struggle of the cauldron, and the chamber of the alchemist. It is a time push beyond your ordinary habit patterns. Trines and Sextiles are boring, they are times when your habit patterns bring ease to your life.

So on days with Conjunctions, Sextiles, and Trines, your life and intentions will flow more smoothly, because the archetype energies of the planets are working together. On days with squares and oppositions it will require more work and effort to get what you want done, because the archetype energies of the planets are working against each other. This is a very simple way of understanding how transits work in your daily life. Enjoy.

The ascendant is the point in the chart where zodiacal sign and degree was ascending on the eastern horizon at the specific place and time of your birth. In astrology it is what gives you your original personality nature. for the ascendant is different for everyone, and distinguishes us, from someone who was born at the same time in China, or India, or Brazil, at the same moment we were born. Thus, the ascendant, more than any planet defines what it is in the astrology chart that makes us a unique being in a vast sea of interdependent incarnating souls. The ascendant defines our time and place. As the ascendant defines our time, from it the archetypal zodiac which is 12 signs in number are split into twelve houses.  The 7 traditional planets then are placed into these twelve, and from this our fortune and destiny is foretold.

This point falls at a degree in the circle. That degree marks our personality, our individuality, our body type, and becomes a marker for our quest and our power in the world. Traditional astrology measures this degree in relation to its place in the circle. Which sign rules this degree. What planets aspect this degree. Is this in a feminine sign or masculine. Is it in a feminine degree or masculine. What element rules the sign that the degree is in. Also, consider that if the ascendant degree is early in a sign it is considered stronger. Thus the personality will be stronger and less likely to bend from its shape and intentions. The planet that rules the sign of the ascendant speaks a great deal about personality purpose of a person. The triplicity rulers of the ascendant speaks about the life experience of the persons chart in a way that is broken down into large thirty year swaths.

A key to living a healthy life psychologically is to integrate your personality with your soul, thoughts, emotions, and life conditions. Coming to know your ascendant, and its meaning then is a tool for integrating yourself with your circumstances.  An interesting exercise is to sit down, breath in and out a few times to quiet the mind, and then think of the archetype that rules your ascendant. Meditate on it for a few moments and then write down four qualities of this archetype that are beneficial to you and others, then four that are harmful to you and others. No need to worry about whether these are true to your personality or not. By the mere fact that they come to mind then they are part of your own matrix. Contemplate these eight modes of personality action. Do not judge them, just let it be, with acceptance for a few moments. Then rest the mind in simple meditation for a few moments. After that, vow to work to make yourself and others happy through all of your interactions.

You will find this rich, rewarding and deepening.

Here are 12 Key Polarities for the Ascendant in each sign to help with the meditation.

Aries: Initiative/ Impulsive

Taurus: Enjoyment/ Slow

Gemini: Intelligent/ Ungrounded

Cancer: Nurturing/ Self Pity

Leo: Bright/ Self Centered

Virgo: Methodic/ Critical

Libra: Balanced/ Passive Aggresive

Scorpio: Daring/ Vindictive

Sagittarius: Jovial/ extreme

Capricorn: Dependable/Pessemistic

Aquarius: Independent/Contrary

Pisces: Compassionate/ Careless

After many months of not getting to this blog, I have decided to take the opportunity of Mercury Retrograde to launch it. That may sound counter intuitive, but that is what Mercury Retrograde is really about anyways! Mercury has the highest eccentricity of orbit of all the planets in the solar system. Retrograde means going against what the tribe thinks is normal. Retrograde also means redoing things. I have now rewritten this blog 6 times during the mercury retrograde cycle.

I was born with Mercury Retrograde combusting the Sun, so it is like a native feeling for me. Communications become confused, electronics and vehicles break down, cleat thinking becomes a challenge. That is what a mercury retrograde native is used to. It feels like home. To be born with Mercury retrograde means that your ability to communicate and think is different than mainstream society. It means that you will have a heightened sense of intuition. It also means that more often than not, you will put your foot in your mouth.

What to do, if it is native, or if you are just experiencing its effects temporarily until the end of the month, the answer is the same. Slow down, become more thorough, take the time to revisit old ideas and start putting them into action. An individual with Mercury Retrograde must become very conscious of how they communicate, for they are apt to be misunderstood. This is how to make use of Mercury Retrograde.

I suppose I should put in the old adage and say don’t buy cars or electronics, or sign large contracts while Mercury is retrograde. So cheers to all of you! Be eccentric and enjoy the Retro Cocktail and Revisit some old ideas! Mercury will be retrograde until the June 1st..

Don't let the swift footed one trick you!

This Blog is meant to be of benefit to humanity, both friends and foes. I am writing it with the great intention of helping to reduce suffering in the world. My own small way of doing this is by practicing buddhism and studying astrology and feng shui. Astrology and Feng Shui are skillful means. This means that by applying them consciously in your life you can reduce your suffering and the suffering of others. This is what is meant by bodhisattva, one who acts to reduce the suffering of others. My wish is to act with such courage, in an honest and humorus way.

The master of setting perfect intention was Santideva. He was an Indian Buddhist Sage of the 7th century. His text, called “The Way of the Bodhisattva” is a master work that can guide people of any philisophical belief to a more fulfilled life. In this text he says,

“The intention, ocean of great good,
That seeks to place all beings in a state of bliss,
and engages in every action for the benifit of all:
such is my delight and all my joy.”

Thus with this blog, I aspire to benefit all who come and read it. To help myself and others find a way to enjoy this mad life, during these mad times, so in the midst of a mad world we can enjoy more peace. With that being said, I wish to express all of my appreciation for my teachers, Chagdud Tulku, Lama Drimed, Lama Padma Dorje, and Jigme Tromge, to my lovely wife, whose kind support has helped me to engage in this career. To my lovely mother and father, whose kind support gave me a body. And appreciation to all of my friends and connections, whose kind support I could not live with out.

Thus the foundation for a good blog has been laid as been reworked during a very meditative void of course moon in Gemini on May 25th 2009

May it be Auspicious

The natural ease of a generous soul.

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