Heartastrology Muse

The moon, considered by the ancient western astrologers as the gateway of the soul to the earth, has always been an object of veneration and mystery for humanity.  The moon’s movements through the archetypal zodiac signs creates a monthly pulse that a person can use to develop their sensitivity to the natural flow of the world around them. This subtle dynamic energy of life and personality which is observable as the moon travels through the archtypes of the zodiac, has a pause points. We call these pause moon void of course. A void of course moon is when the moon is in one of the Zodiac signs, but will make no further aspects to a planet while in that sign. This  can occur for only a few minutes, or can even last a couple of days. It usually occurs every two days.

Western astrological thought at its roots is influenced by the aristotilian idea that as the soul descendeds from the divine it picks up pure energy from the planets and then this energy in its natural divine order is scrambled as the soul travels through the moon on its final descent to earth. It is inferred that the moon is the translator of the energy of the planets. Sahl, a Persian astrologer who lived in the 9^th century, stated it thus, “Know that the Moon, whose circle is closer to the earth than the circles of all the planets, is similar to the things of the world more so than all the planets. Do you not see that man begins being small, then he grows until he is finished? The moon does likewise. Therefore, consider the Moon as significatrix of all matters: Because her soundness is the soundness of every matter: and her detriment is the detriment of every matter. And she pushes her own disposition likewise to him to whom she projects her own rays, and to whom, of the planets, she is joined: and she changes her own being to that planet( and this planet is called the “receiver of the disposition” because he receives what has been committed to him)> Therefore the moon herself is these planets’ bearer of information, and she reconciles them and bear off from certain ones of them to others.”1 The implication here is that it is the moon which translates the energies of the planets.

So what happens when no planetary energies are left for the moon to transmit when in a given sign? The moon is void of course. There is no direction left for a matter to undertake. Traditionally void of course moon was used in Horary and electional astrology. It has also come to be associated with the idea that actions undertaken when the moon is void of course will come to not. In other words, there is no planetary energy to drive an action to fulfillment.

This is why in l we would avoid signing contracts, starting projects, initiating stock trades, initiating new relationships and planting seeds when the moon is void of course. During this time unexpected events occur, or plans go awry.  Because of this, the general recommendation of astrologers is during a void of course moon, is to stick to routines or projects that are already under way. It is thus the time to indulge your laziness and rest. If you try and push through that term paper or grant proposal when the moon is void of course, it is probably going to be frustrating and need a rewrite anyways, so instead take the opportunity to be nurturing to your soul, enjoy some tea and think about things. People do this naturally anyways, and it can be observed that during void of course moons less people eat out at restraints, go to movies, or engage in social activities.

The most common recommendation for a void of course moon is that you do something spiritual. Like yoga, or tai chi, or meditate. Certainly watching Lost or Battlestar Galactica can be spiritual, why not? The point is that you can take advantage of the void of course moon to relax. Our society is mad with accomplishing, so allow the void of course moon to help inform your nurturing still side. There is another implication, which is it is easier to perceive the spiritual when the moon is in this passive moment.

A spiritual practice can be very potent during void of course moon, Michal Mugrage, a healer and soul worker in Arcata, has noticed that she can see  subtle energies and spirits more clearly when the moon is void of course. For those who practice sitting meditation, thoughts will be less disturbing. The moon is not pushing a planetary energy into the atmosphere at this time, so we can reflect more clearly on where our own hearts are. It is a time when we, as confused humans, with very scrambled energies, can go deeper into the stillness of our souls. When we are there, in that stillness, we will find a peace that is not in need of any material goods, or cravings. We will be free of our habitual patterns of anger and desire, and completely satisfied. Then, when we come out of our void of course meditation, back into coursing action, we will be clear, and have a pure heart.

This is the best way to work with Void of Course moon. Using it as a tool to help enrich and purify our hearts, so that we can be better human beings.  When the moon is direct, channeling a planets energy, then it is upon us to use that planets energy in a conscious way. As an example, take when the moon is squaring mars in Capricorn. Well, this planetary energy could be used to wage war (Mars) to define state boundaries (Capricorn), as Isreal doing in Gaza at the writing of this article. It may have served the state of Isreal better to engage in aggressive (Mars) statesman diplomacy (Capricorn), as a use of this planetary transit. The nature of mankind though, is one of unconscious impulses propelling action. When we use the moon void of course as a time to reflect on our emotions and souls, then we are bringing consciousness to our lives, as well as humanities.

If you reflect upon it, there are many examples of how we react impulsively, and hurt ourselves, others, and the environment through these reactions. Were we to use the void of course moon times to reflect on how we use our lives and what our emotional and spiritual nature is truly like, then conscious directing of planetary energies and impulses becomes more likely.  This is the gift of when the moon is void of course and pure spirit.

“The all seeing Sun, then, being truly fire-like and the light of the mind is the organ of perception of the soul”-Vettius Valens

The Sun. In astrology the sun is the center. That is, a symbol which represents the soul. The soul, your soul, an immaterial, unlocatable, empty phenomena, which has the nature of ongoing unending awareness is represented by the Sun. As such, it is the place, around which all the other planets, a great cosmic display dance. The Sun is externalized by  all cultures throughout history, which have worshipped the Sun as a principle deity. This is rightly so, as life on earth could not exist without the Sun maintaining its constant and steady presence. Its warmth chases away darkness on a daily basis, allowing all plants and beings to thrive on our unique and beautiful planet full of life. The idea of a solar deity is that the Sun itself is a living being, with its own consciousness, It is not just a mass of atoms, but has its own embodiment. Some suggest that Christ is a representation of the Solar Deity in a Christian form. In our own charts we look at the Sun as a place where we gain illumination. Where our soul is revealed and naturally emanates.  Whichever house it falls into, that is a house which will receive its warm benefit, a place that will feel natural to our soul, and what our soul will naturally express to the world.

The planets revolve around the Sun. The Sun is considered in general benefic, it illuminates the house it is in. It signifies the father in daytime charts (Saturn signifies the father in nighttime charts.) It also signifies life force, or the king and ruler. It rules all other planets, and has power over them. This concept is related to visual astrology. In visual astrology when a planet is conjunct the sun, it is combust, which means that it can no longer be seen. The empirical art of astrology is based upon visible light that reaching the earth. Thus, if a planet can not be seen, it is weak and, it can not fulfill its purpose. Perhaps a better way to think of is that a combust planet, that is a planet within 6 degree orb of the Sun in both directions, is hidden. It is in what we might call the fairy world or the other world. Its activity and purpose cannot be seen clearly in the male solar linear world in which we live. Thus, whichever planets we find in these places in our natal charts, that is where we have intuitive psychic gifts, and also shadows that need our full awareness to become useful energies in our lives.

How we do that is a personal but essential question. The indication is that we need to bring our awareness into that underworld place. For example if Mercury is combust we may not be so good at communicating and thinking in a clear logical way, however, our intuition and insight can be outstandingly powerful. Such a person very well may be able to communicate with fairies or gods. Initially though, before a person with such a natal aspect engenders that planet with aware insight, they may be often misunderstood, or act in detriment to their benifit. Likewise, because it is combust, the areas of the chart ruled by that planet, will be approached in an alternative manner, one which differs from the approaches mainstream society would take. Thus when a planet is combust it is empowered and engaged  through alternative approaches.

If the planet is even closer to conjunct the Sun, that is within 30 minutes or half a degree, it is then what was termed Cazimi which is an Arabic term for “in the heart of the Sun.” This planet is then imbued with the life giving rays of the Sun and becomes more potent and powerful, a super planet, capable of excelling and illuminating far and wide its interests. An example of this would be Oprah Winfrey who has Venus Cazimi. Venus embodies womanhood, and so Oprah has embodied the Venusian ideal of woman. In her chart, Venus rules her ninth house, thus we see Oprah’s powerful reach in publishing, spirituality, and educating the tv watching American public. It also rules her 2^nd house, and we thus see her immense capacity for wealth, becoming one of the richest entertainers in the world.

The only object in the sky that has this power is the Sun, that is why it is considered the ruler of all planets. Likewise, it is considered the most noble of all planets. It is the only one that does not go retrograde, that is reverse its course, and fall back within its trajectory. We can say thus that the Sun is symbolic of true integrity, it never hides its intentions, and it never deceives in its path. The Sun becomes malefic, that is capable of creating harm in the world and one’s personal psyche when it is squared, conjunct, or opposed Mars. In this case the Sun will overheat Mars. We all know what happens when Mars, the warrior gets over heated! If one has this aspect in the chart, then it is essential to learn how to calm down when heated.

As the Sun moves through your birth chart on a monthly basis, it will occupy all twelve houses and signs of the zodiac. When it goes into each new sign it is an opportunity to invoke in your experience understanding of that archetype. For instance, when the sun moves into Aries, recognize the initiating, bold, and enthusiastic energy that is invoked. Likewise, If the Sun moves into your second house, that is a time to take advantage of its illuminating rays and look at your financial situation, and what your possessions which are usable to you are. If you need to make changes, this is the perfect time to evoke them. This can be applied to all the houses, and all of the signs.

Using the Sun in this way, on a yearly basis, to become aware of different aspects of your personality and your environment, is a very good way of honoring your Solar Deity and coming to learn how it illuminates your life and being.