Day Seventeen: Looking For Compassion
July 24
Waning Moon Enters Pisces
Sun in Leo
The morning holds the moon void before it transits into the astrological sign of Pisces at 2:22pm this afternoon. Pisces is the last sign on the zodiacal wheel and in the cyclical nature and flow of the zodiac, if compared to the human stages of development would be the Elder of the zodiac. Pisces is of the Mutable (flexibility, endings and the threshold of beginnings) modality and of the Water element. And, since one sign informs and flows into its new form as the next, the visionary mind of Aquarius now pours into the murky depths of intuitive and emotional waters in the most compassionate and empathetic of the signs- Pisces. The symbol for Pisces is that of the Fish which gives some insight into the nature of this sign and the veil through which Pisces must try to reach a point of clarity. For those born with Pisces as a driving force of their natal charts there is great capacity for compassion, empathy and depths of human interaction that causes transformation, but if they are controlled solely by their emotions and see only the murky perspectives that looking through water can produce, they can become the victim that gives all but never really is productive being unnecessarily drained. More about the energy of Pisces tomorrow.
My focus for today is on flowing with my emotions, but also doing the work needed to reserve judgment and assessment of where to spend my emotional energy until I can see more clearly. These thoughts are percolating as I wait out the void of the morning and I am allowing all sorts of images and memories to just move through my consciousness as they will.
My biggest challenge for this moon’s placement is a personal one. My natal sun is Aquarius and I have been surrounded by Pisceans continually throughout my life. My husband, my mother, 3 of our 5 children, 3 bosses and an assortment of others are all natal sun Pisces. Being very logical by nature has presented some discord, learning the art of compromise and major work to balance head and heart to ensure that these relationships are productive for all concerned. With the waning of the moon’s energies and the opportunity for letting go of so tightly holding onto the reins, I want to “feel” my way through these two days. The urgency that was felt as the moon waxed is lessening and there is a kind of calmness that is moving in.
Some of the people that I routinely encounter seem a bit softer around the edges than normally; or perhaps its my intent of projecting from a more compassionate and understanding place that is evoking these responses. Regardless, it also reminds me of the great power we hold in our affect on others. It also reminds me that having a softer side does not necessarily imply weakness or loss of control, but is actually the stronger and more courageous approach. I have seen this repeatedly in my Mother, as well as the extreme of overwhelming misplaced compassion that makes one the victim. I am looking for the balance of light and dark, fullness and void to reshape and remake the foundations I have so rigidly clung to. I am looking for just enough compassion to forgive myself for charging ahead when I should have placed myself in the other’s shoes and speaking my opinions before feeling my way through the consequences of the harshness of those words.
This was the only entry in my journal for today as I stared deeply into the flames of Silver and White candles and envisioned their beams as the twin fish of Pisces.
Open my Soul
To the understanding
Of my heart’s hunger.
Open my Mind
To the intelligence
Of a gentle embrace.
Open my Spirit
To the wisdom
Of a compassionate
Life well lived.
Artwork: Michael McGloin
Temple of the Cosmic Spheres 