Past Articles

AR 69 Venus The Mysterious Magic of the Morning Star

AR 68 Astrology and the Fixed Stars

AR 67 Jupiter in Capricorn

AR 66 Lord of the Rings Enters the Realm of the Celestial Virgin

AR 65 The Asteroids

AR 64 Chiron, Wise Centaur or Rogue Comet?

AR 63 Astrology and the Hero's Journey

AR 62 Aquarius Ascending

AR 61 Dwarfing Pluto

AR 60 Jupiter in Sagittarius

AR 59 Neptune in Aquarius

AR 58 Mercury, Messenger of the Gods

AR 57 Moon Signs

AR 56 Chinese Astrology

AR 55 Circular Logic

AR 54 Jupiter in Scorpio

AR 53 The Lion in Winter

AR 52 As Above, So Below

AR 51 The Ancient Quest

AR 50 Astrology and Alchemy

AR 49 Star of Wonder

AR 48 Jupiter in Libra

AR 47 Once in a Blue Moon

AR 46 Sedna Enters the Arena

AR 45 Royal Stars of Persia

AR 44 Ancient Formulas for Immortality

AR 43 Twelve Gates of Heaven

AR 42 Jupiter in Virgo

AR 41 Geometry of the Spheres

AR 40 Saturn in Cancer, June, 2003 to July, 2005

AR 39 The Poles of the Zodiac

AR 38
Uranus In
Pisces
2003-2011

AR 37
Twelfth Planet, Plutinos or
Planet X

AR 36
Eclipses – Promise or Peril?

AR35
Solar Fire

AR34
The Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology

AR 33
Children of the Gods

AR 32
Wheels Within Wheels

AR 31
Horoscopes of Destiny

AR 30
Zodicac of Dendera

AR 29
A Star Is Born

AR 28
Age of Aquarius

AR 27
Persia's Royal Stars of Ancients

AR 23
The Lore of a Shaman

“Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and for years.”    Genesis 1:14

The practice of Astrology dates back thousands of years, and the perceived relationship between what happens in the sky and a resulting resonance on Earth remains perennial. Humanity has long observed the changing and recurring patterns in the sky, correlating these in terms of meaning in the lives of individuals and collectives. Astrological records date back to 1645 BCE in

Babylon, and the earliest horoscope dates to 410 BCE. Astrology's origins can also be traced to several other cultures, including Egypt, which developed sophisticated calendars and sky watching traditions. Astrology was also popular in Greece, where Ptolemy authored influential astrological and astronomical texts, and in Rome, where many learned scholars, including two emperors, wrote laws and counseled citizens based on the stars.

The earliest surviving Babylonian astrology text is the Enuma Anu Enlil, which means "When the gods Anu and Enlil ...” This text describes various astronomical omens and their application to national affairs. A segment of the text says, "If in Nisannu the sunrise appears sprinkled with blood, battles will follow." Nisannu is the Babylonian month corresponding to March/April in the Western calendar.

Signs and Seasons

Every year the Earth makes a full circle around the Sun. Earth’s orbital motion causes the Sun to appear to move in a path that is called the ecliptic. Astronomically the Zodiac is a circular band of sky, eight degrees above and below the ecliptic, which contains the familiar constellations from the Ram to the Fishes. Temporally the Zodiac is a division of time based on our motion relative to the Sun which has the four main divisions of the seasons, the so-called Cardinal Points of year, which are the equinoxes and solstices, as primary anchors.

Symbolically, the Zodiac is a cycle of experience which provides the template of evolution through which Earth receives the influences of the Sun and planets. This circle of the year is separated into twelve equal divisions which represent successive phases of experience. The Zodiac signs have been described like stained glass windows which “color” the solar and planetary influences.

Ancient cultures drew meaning from the stars. Egyptian temple axes, and megalithic monuments around the world, were aligned with bright stars and constellations. Cultures also related to the part of the sky which provided the stellar stage relative to where they lived. People in northern latitudes watched the circumpolar stars overhead. If a civilization lived where an unobstructed view of the horizon was available their orientation was directed toward the ecliptic. Cultures in the southern hemisphere looked to the opposite pole and the different stars which appeared in southern skies. Southern stars offers a different stellar canvas so the myths and star lore tell different stellar stories.

But Earth’s relationship to the stars changes slowly over time due to Precession, an apparent backward motion which astronomers believe is caused by a wobble of our planet’s axis. So some calendars and prevailing astrological systems have shifted to a solar or seasonal orientation.

Test of Time

What makes Astrology work is difficult to explain as occult tradition holds that this ancient discipline actually operates beyond the third dimension in the realm of the fourth, fifth and sixth. Our science has not ventured very far into those dimensional realms, although Quantum Physics is blazing new trails. That astrology does work is evidenced by its continued existence for thousands of years. Science really doesn’t understand how gravity or electricity work either, but we know they do.

From the spiritual perspective of astrology we are eternal souls who move through time and space on the wheel of existence. In this light we first circle around the outer perimeter of the Zodiac where our experiences occur in the mundane realm. To admittedly oversimplify, this boils down to questions of love and money. At some point however, symbolically in the sign of Capricorn, we turn inward. We then move toward the center of the wheel where the energies of the six pairs of opposite signs become balanced and blended. Life’s lessons then become more spiritual in nature and our responses yield a synthesis of meaning rather than the antithesis of getting, or not getting, what we desire in the material world.

The twelve signs of astrology are organized into four “elements,” or phases of expression, and three ways these elements act: initiating, consolidating or alternating. Ancient Chinese and Hindu systems are organized in the same manner using different vocabulary. Four elements express in three modes to produce twelve signs which are linked in time to the seasons or cardinal points of the year. The first six signs are personal and the second six are collective, and we have all of these components in our horoscopes in varying degrees. According to alchemical sequence the elements are Fire, Earth, Air and Water, and the modes are Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. The elements form triangles of energy and the modes become squares or crosses of movement. These combine and create the basic energetic signature of the signs.

Esoterically every sign is said to trigger influences in the sign which follows, resulting in affects in the material world. Each sign also reacts to the energies of the one preceding, releasing energy which radiates through the circumference of the zodiac in successive waves.

Zodiac Signs

Aries is a Cardinal Fire sign which begins at spring equinox in the northern hemisphere. The quality of Aries is the outrushing force of spring emerging out of the collective dissolution of the twelfth sign Pisces. Aries is irresistible force and represents the principles of resurrection and individualization and the symbolic point where the wheel begins. Aires is represented by the ram, and its energy tends to be pioneering, initiating, headfirst, impulsive and adventurous. Slowing down to make a prudent choice can be difficult.

Taurus is a Fixed Earth sign and embodies the principle of pure substance. Taurus is the matrix which absorbs the impact of the energy projected outward by Aries. Energy is action. Matter is reaction. Alchemically the matter of Taurus is precipitated from the water of Pisces (the twelfth sign), by the fire of Aries. The nature of Taurus, symbolized by the bull, expresses stability and permanence and the path involves cultivating higher values versus seeking purely material motives. Taurus natives tend to be builders and sustainers and rarely act without reflection.

Gemini is a Mutable Air sign which embodies the principle of motion. The energy of the third sign is the result of the irresistible force impinging on the immovable object. Spinning motion on an axis is the result. Gemini’s expression is to adjust and adapt in an ever-wider collection of data and search for meaning. Learning to tame the mind is their quest. Geminis are curious and social, desiring to make connections and form relationships, and they are rarely still.

Cancer is a Cardinal Water sign which marks the summer solstice and adds the powerful quality of emotion to the mental nature of the preceding sign. Cancer acts like the womb and is the Universal Mother principle, providing the vessel from which all forms are born. Cancer energy is highly instinctual, nurturing and protective, making a home and building emotional connections. Learning to stabilize and steady the emotions is the path of Cancer.

Leo is a Fixed Fire sign which adds the element of fire and brings about the process of individuation. Leo energy is creative and proud, loyal, loving and eager to display prowess. Leos see themselves as the creative center of their circle of influence and need to cultivate the quality of personal spiritual dominion, not ruling over others. Leo radiates light and warmth and must learn loving detachment which springs from an understanding heart.

Virgo is Mutable Earth and brings the idea of differentiated matter into forms that become highly specialized. At this phase of the Zodiac matter becomes organized and plans can be carried out in detail. Virgos have a highly developed sense of discrimination and tend to be technical in nature and can be overly critical. Virgo energy is suited to facts and figures but is generally also oriented to service. Virgos often struggle with an impossible quest for perfection which can lead to a sense of inferiority.

Libra is Cardinal Air which holds the place of autumn equinox. Libra embodies balance and the principle of equilibrium which results from the interaction of Leo and Virgo, a marriage of spirit and matter. Libra energy seeks to harmonize and is inclined toward cooperation, compromise and partnership, bringing potential problems from trying to be all things to all people. Libras seek the mirror and lessons of relationship but can have difficulty standing up for themselves as they sometimes try to maintain peace at any price.

Scorpio is a Fixed Water sign which represents the idea of dynamic power. This energy can be used in construction or destruction, death or resurrection, and is characterized by great intensity. In Scorpio we are dealing with issues of power, temptation relating to the use of power, discipline and an urge for emotional control. Scorpios are reserved and more happens internally than what is expressed on the surface. This is a path of regeneration of the desire nature and an orientation toward service releases the coiled energy in a positive manner.

Sagittarius is Mutable Fire and embodies the idea of illumination which results from the joining of balanced power in the two prior signs. Sagittarius energy is philosophical in nature, seeking wisdom and an understanding of first principles. While Gemini tends to gather information Sagittarius looks for wide and varied experiences which will ultimately lead to spiritual understanding. The path of Sagittarius is learning the patterns which lie at the route of our problems and challenges.

Capricorn anchors the winter solstice and combines the principles of Cardinal Earth. In Capricorn matter organizes itself into “perfect” forms. Capricorn represents the crystallization of matter into the Father principle and is the opposite sign to Cancer, the Mother. Capricorn’s energy is governing and conserving, focused on achievement, integrity, recognition and responsibility. Capricorns are fueled by tremendous ambition and their lessons stem from learning the motive which underlies their drive to climb. Aquarius is a Fixed Air sign where the unfolding sequence now expresses in group consciousness which is unified by a common ideal.

Aquarius looks for truth in all things and desires to unite with others on a universal level. Aquarians are forward thinking and they can be mental pioneers. However this energy is mentally fixed so Aquarians can also rebel at the status quo or object in principle to structures which don’t seem to work, or appear to them to be outmoded.

Pisces is a Mutable Water sign and can be seen as the universal solvent which both dissolves the boundaries of separation created by all the preceding signs and creates the fluid environment in which the seeds of a new cycle can germinate. In Pisces the sorrows and joys of others are keenly felt and this is the sign where compassion is born. More than any other sign Pisces must lose a sense of the personal self in service to something higher. Pisces contains the knowledge of the underlying unity of all things which is the reality behind the world of manifested forms.

Julie Gillentine
Queen of Cups, LLC
PO Box 1679 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World
http://www.queenofcups.com
970-264-7474