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The Magick of Leo

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Solar, The Temple of the Sun with tags astrology, celestial, cosmic, Esbat, esoteric writings, fire, fixed modality, Leo, Lunar, mutable, Temple of the Sun on August 18, 2014 by themagickalpen

The Magick of Leo is based in the realms of will and creation of an outcome that is oriented to action and attracting what is desired. Whatever we apply Leonine energy towards is going to receive the advantage of strengthening and receiving the bolster of illuminated interest. You will draw attention and the choice lies in what type of attention you wish it to be. Its strength lay in being able to gather to itself what is most desired; its detriment is that what it gathers may not be in the best interest of all concerned if not carefully selected.

Remaining in this pattern of attracting what does not serve well can overload the confidence in the dynamic appeal of what is being exerted and effort is replaced by apathy assuming that every sought after goal will be achieved just because. Despite this any workings that require the extra boost of magnetic attraction and brilliance of spotlight on the results are well suited to Leo’s application.

Leo works directly on our will and the courage we exhibit as we express ourselves and make our presence known, so workings that require a huge boost of energy and confidence are best served by using Leo’s exhilarating dynamics as the Moon Waxes or continually during the Solar Month of Leo. Conversely, using Leo’s magick during a Waning phase (Lunar or Solar Month) can serve to shine a light on those things that hold us captive in self-doubt and need an extra dose of renewal and enlivening.

The Brilliant Sun

Image credit: Brilliant Sun, Alternative Jazz Band

Leo begins the second cycle of quadrant of Elements in progression around the zodiacal wheel. This is the second of the Fire astrological signs and in the order of progression, Leo is the full blaze that has taken hold that was ignited in Aries as the first striking of the fiery match. The caution here is being mindful that this blaze remains shining brilliantly and is able to be controlled and contained in a productive way. If this state is achieved than the blaze that grows brighter and brighter as it draws to itself the necessary fueling of Air and desire has no equal other than the Sun itself.

And, what of this physical Sun that we compare the Leonine quality to? This is the overt attribution and image associated but another and potentially more powerful expression of Leo’s light is what is held in the darkness. Think of the stealth of the Lion prowling under cover of brush and night seeking the suitable prey that will sustain the pride. From this darkness a beast of power, courage and strength springs forth and in a flash of bared teeth and flicking claw, the prey is taken and life will survive.

This is the energy of Leo as the Sun sets and the Midnight Sun that is hidden from view (as the Northern Hemisphere turns away from the blaze) still shines in brilliance on the opposing side of the world. This is the energy that can be called upon, the inner sun that burns brightly although hidden and obscured in the darkness. It is from this space that the true magick of Leo is revealed and the transformative quality that emerges sustains and fuels our will to action.

It’s Too Bright

In keeping with these thoughts, Leo can be used effectively in the magick of healing. We normally associate the Water signs with healing qualities; but Fire penetrates deeply and as it removes it cauterizes what it has inflicted its fires upon. Workings that are focused on strengthening the physical body, dispelling weakness and lethargy and stimulating the healing process of wounds, abrasions, etc.. are well suited to Leo’s energy.

If we engage our heart center in the process as intuitive guide, this healing process is one that works much like Reiki, acupuncture and energetic healing modalities. Their goal, being one of stimulating the appropriate and productive flow of chi or prana;which moves like electrical impulses throughout the meridians of the body. Leo’s energy could also act a support for those battling fatigue. Drawing these fiery and electromagnetic energies into our core center and circulating them is much the same as sitting in the Sun, breathing in its healing energies and returning to our tasks renewed and refreshed.

Solar Month Magick

Enhances the dynamics of active will and how we present ourselves in the greater world:

Leo as the Fifth sign of the Solar Year concerns itself with action and the transformative effects that action has. The Solar Month of Leo is an excellent time to begin the process of polishing off the outer projection of who you are as you bolster the courage to step fully into that image you are projecting.

The energy of this Solar month of Leo next flows into the Earth of Virgo and the call to restructure, organize and analyze what has come before. In order to stand the test of this type of scrutiny, you must be confident and secure in who you are, your place in the world and more importantly, the effect you have on others. This is the work of Leo, preparing and shoring up the self so that new foundations can be built from what is truly viable and worth holding on to.

The Leonine approach can be used for short-term projects, but is most effective for long-term workings. A goal, such as a working to re-form and strengthen your gifts and natural qualities that bring attention to the productive nature of your work benefit from beginning its cycle during the Solar Month of Leo.

Similar to the New, Full and Waning cycles of the Lunar Month, beginning the working in the Solar Month of Leo would be the first phase of courageously facing the image that is reflected back to you as you step into the fullness of the light. This may take the form of sitting with a mirror in meditative practice and calling forth the image that you project to the world. You would repeat this practice several times during the month, each time making note of how that image may change and what new attributes and emotions are revealed in the process. As you move through the Solar month you will begin to see more and more of the true you.

Using the cycle of Fire and those astrological signs of that element the next point of bolstering the energy would be during Sagittarius. The Solar Month of Sagittarius stands as the expansive phase of will-filled (Fire) energy, and signals the readiness to reach out and gather more information about what effects your energy has in the greater world. In this state of outreach, you can fuel the flame of stepping into the power of who you are. Here, there is opportunity to stretch in the brilliance of who you are becoming.

The catalytic energy of Aries (the last of this cycle of Fire signs) would serve as the point of catalyzing what has been flexibly created and allow the rebirthing of a transformed image of yourself. These are the incremental steps of progressively evolving and dynamically changing in accord with the brightest version of your own inner flame of light.

Lunar Magick: Radiant Waters

Engages the will to action expressed through the waters that hold the spark of flame that flows through the creative process:

Use of Lunar energy in the astrological sign of Leo provides the energetic principle of electrical discharge. Imagine an exposed wire placed in a pan of water. A flash of electricity and burst of Light are the products of this interaction. Leo provides the opportunity for experiencing this dynamic catalytic state. The seas of emotion become electrically charged and fuel the passions in a way that pushes the intended goal towards active and creative product.

Workings that have desire of goal to activate emotional response that is courageous and dynamic in its resultant creations benefit from lunations in Leo. Work done that encourages productive action that aligns with what is felt in the emotional center is well suited to Leo’s energies. These are the emotional outpourings that produce great works of art, passionate relationships and creation of what the heart most desires.

The New Moon of Leo could be used to draw up those goals that have been held in the dream-state because they lack the confidence and/will to or be acted upon. Allow yourself to be bold in what you envision as the creative product of these goals. Filter them through the test of how much energy, time and effort you are willing to dedicate to their birthing. Narrow it down to one singular goal that is infused with emotional commitment and engagement. See this goal as a pool of deep and dark waters of creation (the waters of the primordial womb – Nun). Now envision the intent of your will and the power of your desire as a flame held within your central core. Breathe this ember of flame into those waters as the initial and beginning state of catalyzing what you wish to birth.

The Full Moon would be the time of active effort taken to bring what you desire into creation. Envision the quickened waters that flowed at the New Moon now as a vast sea; ablaze with flaming and brilliant Light. This sea shines brightly and the light and Fullness of Mother Moon looks down lovingly on the quickening of you, Her most precious creation. What actions will you take to insure that these waters continue to flow strongly? What actions will you take that will support the fires of will that flow within?

The Waning Moon’s energy would be the point of the receding waters and the revealing of what actions were fruitless in support of your goal and what sparks that may rekindle the flame anew are worth retrieving. This release is one of allowing the falling away of what remains that would keep in the shadows the efforts of your will. This time of waning is also the cooling period so that what has been heated and tempered can now cool and solidify as it awaits a new bolster of active will at the next New Moon.

Some Additional Astrological properties of Leo

Keywords: Courage, Strength, Dominance

The Archetype: The King is the archetype associated with Leo. This exemplifies the aspect of Leo that claims dominance and has the confidence to demonstrate leadership, even in the most challenging of circumstances. The King stands in a place of authority and has the ultimate control of what occurs in his kingdom. This archetypal energy, if well used can shore up the confidence of any who must rise to a role of leading.

The reminder here is that all kings are remembered for the way in which they exerted the natural power given to them. The lessons of history are full of the tyrannical ruler as well as the beneficent one. Aligning this power with right action and tempering it with the appropriate amount of merciful understanding and humility will insure that what is remembered historically will be a ruler who served rather than only received.

Rules Astrological House: The 5th House of the Zodiac, the space of creative outpour:

Moving through the Zodiacal Wheel’s energy, the First House is the singular “you” identified by your personality and who you are presently and who you who hope to become. The second House holds the possessions and things you have acquired that further define you. The Third House represents how you express yourself based on what you have learned of yourself (1st House) and what you have chosen to surround yourself with in the material world (2nd House). The Fourth House has taught the lessons of home and family; commitment and unconditional love for who we are. Arriving at the Fifth House we are now ready to emerge from the security of friends and family and stand courageously in the Light of the choices we have made that have crafted this self.

Moreover, we are ready to actively engage in the dance of Life as we become more confident in our personal power. The Fifth House is the space in which we enable ourselves as creative beings. We try and succeed, we revise and we fail; but we always continue on. Each creation begetting another, and what we claim as our own becoming the catalyst for a new creation.

Color:

The vibrant Yellow of the sun and Orange-Red glow of the sunset are the colors associated with Leo. There is nothing pale and demure about Leo’s energy and these colors are bold and dynamic in the response they evoke. This is the goal, after all, of Leo; to attract attention to itself and boldy move forward.

The Heated Waters: Cancer to Leo

The tides churn as they keep
Pace with their eternal cycle.

Sun pours down on cooling
Heart and what lay dormant
Stirs and bubbles up to the surface.

Vapors of steam coil heavenward
And what flows beneath is potent
And purposeful in its flaming path.

Will coils around passion’s heart
Serpent-like in its energy and path
And in the low rumbling of throat
Poised and ready to bellow out its roar
The waters rise up
The fire spews forth
And all is forever
Transformed.

Leo is the Fifth sign of the Zodiac:

Having found the security of emotional support under the nurturing care of Cancer, Leo is now ready to burst on the scene and stand on its own. Challenge is welcomed as each opportunity offers a lesson about how our active nature can best be used. Leo is the second of the Fixed signs, following the Cardinal energy of Cancer and the second round of the modalities. Just as Cancer serves as the beginning of a more mature and supportive expression of the emotions, Leo holds the stable container for the intense heat of will fueled by passion and desire acted creatively upon.

Seasonally, under the potent rays of the Leo sun we have enjoyed the rewards of the First Harvest of grains (Northern Hemisphere) or are enjoying the first budding of Spring’s growth (Southern Hemisphere). Both of these events are about creation and the spark of life that is contained within. The grain that is now ripe for the taking and will sustain and fuel the family through the winter months and the burgeoning life that stretches upwards drinking greedily from Father Sun’s energy.

In its highest expression Leo’s energies become the tool’s that we use as we claim dominance over what path of expression we choose in exerting our will and power. These are the lessons of self-control and strength that can be relied upon to be unfaltering in its loyalty.

As we move through each of the Solar Temples in the coming year, it will become more apparent how interconnected they are. The story that is woven is one of growth and evolution that is just as relevant today as it was to the ancients. We learn from these natural cycles and their application is profound mundanely and spiritually.

Resources:

Other Posts to Re-read:

Temple of the Sun- Leo
Hear Me Roar

New Moon in Leo: Temple of the Sun
Standing in the Spotlight

Full Moon in Leo: The Lion’s Share

Temple of the Moon:

Dark Moon in Leo
Day Twenty-Nine: The Midnight Flame

New Moon in Leo
Completion: Standing Naked in the Light

Next Post
Saturday, August 23.2014
Temple of the Sun: Transit into Virgo

Full Moon in Aquarius-Breath of Liquid Flame

Posted in Auspicious Days, Esbat, Full Moon with tags Air, aquarius, Aries, candle magick, capricorn, celestial, cosmic, earth, Esbat, esoteric writings, fire, fixed modality, Full moon, Leo, Magick, Pisces, Retrograde, Scorpio, Temple of the Sun, Water on August 9, 2014 by themagickalpen

August 10.2014
Full Moon in Aquarius
2:09 p.m. (EDT)

Sun in Leo

The tension has been building and tomorrow afternoon the Moon waxes full in the astrological sign of Aquarius. No doubt, you may have noticed that people are a little more “hot-wired” than usual with nervous energy flowing like water. Uranus (now retrograde and potent as an exposed electrical wire) is the master of electrical impulse (and the physiologic neurologic system) and is the ruling planet of the astrological sign of Aquarius. Add the expansiveness of the Full Moon and flowing emotions, mind (Aquarius) and the nervous energy (Uranus) and you have electricity discharging at an emotional level.

Fire and Water is the theme throughout this Moon’s waxing with Airy Aquarius churning up the waters of Mother Moon. Additionally, the Fixed Modality of Aquarius is prevalent in the planetary energies and offers the necessary guidance and stability to hold the blast of this phase. This potent phase of transition that we have been feeling for quite some time now is ready to co-mingle, interweave and establish a place of pointed balance where the vision of a new collaboration may be realized.

(Photo taken as I was driving home tonight)

As though this were not complicated enough, there are multiple planetary energies that are weighing down the acceleration pedal of a fixed and stable vehicle that would otherwise move in a relatively smooth course from A-Z in lightning speed. This is the routine process of Aquarian energy having the greatest strength in matters of the mind and the ability to process large quantities of information quickly and reduce it to a single logical summary in a very short period of time. Apply this information processing style to matters of the heart and the flowing waters of emotion (the Lunar qualities) and you have rapidly moving and expansive waters that open out to many smaller streams of potential for expression as mind (information) carves out various open-ended options.

Something to Fix-ate On:

The Moon is not the only planet being held in the grip of an astrological sign of the Fixed modality. The stable nature of the Fixed modality can also become the rigid controller that serves as a pressure cooker, if appropriate release does not occur at some level. In this case, the focus of this pressure and the resultant pent up nervous energy is the felt from the effects of six planets in Fixed astrological signs. These are:

Sun, Mercury and Jupiter are in Fixed Fire – Leo
Moon in Fixed Air – Aquarius
Mars and Saturn are in Fixed Water – Scorpio

This is the Triad of Creation, the breath of life igniting the flame of form in the birthing waters. This fixed energy provides the container for manifesting, but can also give the feeling the feeling that there is very little wiggle room and that the flexibility of options are not at hand.

Mars and Saturn both in Scorpio

Mars in Scorpio produces an assertive and /or aggressive way of expressing your emotions. This is the energy that is punctuates by those “zingers” that come out of nowhere and are often the dredging up of long held emotional issues that have gone unsaid. Saturn then attempts to regulate and organize in cleaning up the aftermath of depth charges that have exploded. Remember I said “nervous energy” in the beginning? Most of this type of interaction is from the accumulation of pressure building until just the precise time, just the precise audience and just enough tension is gathered and nervous energy spews out what could not ordinarily have been said.

The Sun, Mercury and Jupiter in Leo’s Fires

Jupiter in Leo calls into action those sweeping fires that consume and gather into their light everything. This is the expansive nature of Jupiter and the wildfires of Leo’s need for acknowledgement can soon blaze out of control if not purposefully directed and contained.

Mercury is in the astrological sign of Leo as well. Bold, in your face and filled with passion and determination. Moon in opposition to Mercury. So, although you may be bursting at the seams ready to communicate the wisdom of your new experiences, what you say and do may be in conflict with what you are actually feeling making for frustration and difficulty making your needs known. Nonetheless, everything is drawn into the spotlight and the scramble is on to produce and perform.

The Three Outer Planets are Watching!

The three outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto remain retrograde. These are the planets that were discovered in more modern times and are considered to be the higher amplifications (esoteric expression) of three of the Seven Elder Planets:

Electrically Charged Uranus adds dynamic awareness to talkative and head strong Mercury

Veiled Watery depths of Neptune (and His Trident of Fire) lifts the loving refinement of Venus to a place of compassion

Pluto finds the cyclical wisdom of peace and regeneration in the brutality of Mars’ aggression and wielding of death’s mark

The slowing of their orbits and seeming pause invokes a vision of being under the watchful gaze of developed mind (Uranus), heart (Neptune) and Will (Mars) to act. I would encourage you to re-read the posts about Uranus and Neptune’s Retrogrades.

Uranus Retrograde: Deflecting the Light

Lifting the Veil: Neptune Retrograde

Pluto’s Extremes

The Pluto retrograde in the astrological sign of Capricorn continues its efforts to bring into realization the mistakes and successes of past efforts. The goal is one of strengthening what moves forward from this point in a way that will insure that the resultant action taken will stand the test of successfully navigating future challenges. Pluto, in its form as the planet associated with Death and ancestral knowledge offers great potential for acceptance of the frailty of what we build if we only see its permanence defined in the present moment. The gift of Death is in the ability to reach back into the reserves of what created the being that we currently are and realize the impermanence of that vision as ever changing and reforming into what is continually in the process of being birthed anew.

The implication here is that accessing the Plutonian wisdom of all time and all space and using this as the tool of grounding (Capricorn is an Earth sign very much aligned with the mind-space of physical and spiritual vessel of self) can help to soothe the fiery flow that is agitating and ultimately stretching us- ready or not- towards a broader emotional perspective.

An Image of Transformation

When I was searching for an appropriate image (and title) for this post I had a specific vision in mind. As I went through multiple fields, none seem to speak to what I wanted to visually capture – until I came across the image of a Mudra. The depiction is a variation of the Jnana Mudra; most commonly seen in depictions of the Buddha and hands resting on each top of the thigh.

In the practice of using Mudras, the thumb indicates the Cosmic (Divine) principle of consciousness and the index finger represents the Individual (human) consciousness. The Jnana Mudra is considered the Mudra of Wisdom and is most commonly recognized as the position of the hands seen in support of a sitting meditation practice. In its simple form the fingers are relaxed and point downward (as in seated Buddha) and not interlaced.

In its expression of reaching towards Spirit the hand is placed with extended fingertips pointing upward (heavenward) at heart level. In the image I selected we have the interlacing of the circle of finger and thumb and the tips of both hands touching forming a triangular point heavenward. Wisdom is held within wisdom. The Divine and the human centered and finding the space of common ground(ing). Fire and water, sun and moon overlapping and becoming as one as the breath of air fuels the flame, moves the waters and is gently held in the circle of continuum that serves as foundation for the apex of Spirit arising.

The Breath of Liquid Flame

On the evening of the Full Moon our coven will be celebrating this Full Moon doing a working of pouring candles that each member uses in their personal work to connect with the energy of the coven. We chose this Aquarius Moon as the bringer of the charge of inspiration and mind to infuse our candles. We are an Air coven (meaning that our coven tool is a sword). Using the energy of this Full Moon we are calling on the flame (the heated wax) of potential to flow (melted wax) bringing us into the Light of our own Divinity (the work of solar Leo). We breathe into this liquid flame our energy to coalesce within the vessel of stability that we have crafted (hardened candle). And, the intent and subsequent use as a tool of connection when we are physically unable to be present honors the universal and visionary perspective of Aquarius as it seeks to unify and network for the future of humanity.
Blessings of this Full Moon!

Resources and Reflections

Aquarius in Related Posts:

Sun in Aquarius
The Lion’s Share

New Moon in Aquarius
The Speed of Light

The Temple of the Moon:

Waning Moon in Aquarius
Day Sixteen: Looking Further

Full Moon in Aquarius
Day Fifteen: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever

Neptune Retrograde
Lifting the Veil-Neptune Retrograde

Uranus Retrograde
Deflecting the Light

Next Post:

Temple of the Sun- Leo
The Magick of Leo

A Light in the Tree – Sun in Leo

Posted in Solar, The Temple of the Sun with tags Air, astrology, celestial, cosmic, fire, fixed modality, Leo, Temple of the Sun on August 3, 2014 by themagickalpen

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Morning calls and my Light
Begins its arc across blue sky.

Tender leaf and woody branch
Glow as my Light fills the spaces between.

Noon reaches apex of sun drenched Tree
And in that time all intent flows
Into radiant verdant beauty.

As we enter the Temple of the Sun, Qabalistically we are entering into connection with the central sphere on the Tree of Life, Tiphareth. The name given this sphere is Beauty and the energy is one of synthesis through sacrifice and integration through refinement of the sum of all of its parts. This is much the same energy that we experience in the course of a Solar year. The energy of each of the Zodiacal signs, their element and modality are modified and expressed through the brilliance of the Sun. And, in keeping with the evolutionary process of movement from one sign to the next, each is informed by the previous sign’s energy and contributes a part of its dynamic into the sign that follows. Please see the end of this post for recommendations about learning more about the Tree of Life.

Tiphareth and the Sun

Each of the Sephiroth and connecting Paths of the Tree of Life, holds correspondence with a planetary and/or zodiacal energy. The physical Sun stands centrally within our solar system, providing light and heat. Tiphareth provides the space of transformation and the full force generator that distributes what is processed so it may be utilized and transmuted by whatever it emanates its energy into. This is the sacrificial aspect of this sphere. This is the action of enlivening within its own source to ensure the continuation of the creative process begun within the other components of the Tree.

Leo and the Sun on the Tree

Astrologically, we have learned that Leo is ruled by the Sun. His planetary energy is found in three places – the sphere of Tiphareth, Paths 19 and 30. We’ve spent some time now in the energy of the Sun/Tiphareth and learning of its relationship so far to the astrological signs of Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer. Now, the focus is entirely on the brilliance of this sphere and the energy of its sign Leo. The sun sits at the center of our Solar System and within the sphere of Tiphareth. The Lion’s roar of Leo reverberates out from the center point of the Tree and emanates out in dynamic and magnetic flow in all directions towards the other paths and spheres of the Tree.

One of the goals of Leo, and its ruling planet, the Sun on the Qabalistic Tree is to attract to itself what is the necessary place of anchor from which all can flow and into which what needs greater light can be refined and transformed in its fiery core. Tiphareth is the sphere if sacrifice and as such this sacrifice takes many forms. Ultimately it is the sacrifice of what we think, feel and consider to be of highest value so that something greater may stand in its place. The companion to this sacrifice is regeneration and it is this process of regeneration that ensures that what comes into the light can withstand the judgment of scrutiny that stands courageously in its new found strength.

The 19th Path of Connection: Leo/Sun

There is a place of balance
Held between Mercy and Might
Held between Force and Form.

From its coalescence emerges
A power of rare sight cleaves
The way for rendering material
Ripe with possibility and potential.

The 19th Path is one of initiatory experience and the lesson is one of navigating the challenges of the self. This is the path of resolution of the baser nature that seeks to control our actions and the pause that is given in considering the results of those actions. This is the guidance of the connecting sphere Chesed’s (Mercy) downpour as the merciful conscience that holds accountability for what enters wounded and willful so it may move forward healed and with Higher intent. Any form of initiatory experience demands that there be a sense of clarity and will of purpose in what the intended desire may be. Even in the case of pure faith there is the dynamics of will that trusts that what is attracted will be transformative.

This energy requires the application of self-control of will and discipline of spiritual endeavor. This is the state of sacrifice that is inherent in the Sun of Tiphareth. The ability to see greater perspective in all endeavors and the more consistent the spiritual practice that brings the seeker to this realization reveals the Divine potential held in all creative acts and all products of that creation.

The 19th Path is assigned the element of Air. On this path the presentation of Air is one of keeping steady and strong flow of communication between Mercy and Might. The placement of Leo and its ruler the Sun on this path reflects the courage that is required to maintain the proper mindset of balance between what can become tyrannical and what holds potential of being ineffective. When dialogue remains open and each affirms or negates the other’s actions based upon clarity of reason the chances are more in favor of successful resolution. Note, that I did not say positive or negative. In this case what by all appearances may seem negative may be the best outcome and vice versa. This is the precise and selective nature of the Lion in assessing what is viable prey and what is simply not worth the expended energy.

The 30th Path: The Path of Sun/Air and Fire

What brilliance shimmers
In minds labyrinth of logic?

What illusions will dreamtime
Reveal without reason?

Let the inspiration flow like water
Let the dreams fuel the desire to create
Let the inventive nature unfold
Let manifest creation take form.

The 30th Path is one of inspired movement merging with what will sort and categorize effectively to produce a viable product. This is the fusion of reason acting as catalyst for the visions and memories held within the storehouse of Yesod’s dreamscape. This outpouring acts to inform what will come to a state of its own glory; albeit not necessary in a manifest way. The seeds of this inspired mind continue in their potent flow without the benefit of censor or filter of emotion.

The elements of Air and Fire are placed upon the 30th Path. As we move closer to the sphere of Malkuth and the final realization of manifest form, the collaboration of the elemental forces of the physical world have greater opportunity for interplay. Air either serves to feed the flame of action or extinguishes what has built up momentum. It is this energy that is required to sort through the stream of thought issued in fiery flow from Hod. The air provides the fueling of what is to be drawn forward and the air extinguishes anything that would draw attention away from what should be processed.

Placing the Sun on the 30th Path gives indication of the dynamic exchange that occurs when pure mind, reason and idea are coupled with memory and the ability to dream your creation. The sun here is corroborator of that flash of brilliant idea. It is the illumination needed to bring to the foreground and draw out from the shadows what is inventive and what needs application of a bit more creative filtering. It is the law of attraction in action. The more you think the more you dream and the more you dream the more creative the thought.

In Conclusion:

As we consider the attributes of Leo and its ruling planet the Sun and their impact on the Tree of Life the prominent focus is one of attraction to infuse with the dynamic energy of Will. Leo offers the vehicle of synthesis and center stage to exact the magick of drawing to itself what needs benefit of its potent rays as the work of involution and evolution occur. The Sun becomes the Temple of devotion that creates flow and movement strengthened by the cycles of rise and fall that incrementally carries everything forward on its solar tides.

The connection of the element of Air to energies that seem solely suited to that of Fire speaks of the interaction between flame and air. Each needing the other for viable action in either burning away or fueling what becomes the informed catalyst of change.

As the light of Tiphareth (Sun) shines brightly and radiates its vision of magnetic attraction throughout the multilayered branches of a tree that reaches far and wide in its expanse we are all the recipients of an illumined path of Light and life that calls to us to come stand in the flames of its beauty.

Next Posts:

August 10.2014
Full Moon in Aquarius

August 17. 2014
Temple of the Sun: The Magick of Leo

Resources:

If you are not familiar with the Qabalistic Tree of Life, I would recommend reading through the article posted in my other blog, The Magickal Pen entitled The Might of Geburah to give you the necessary overview for an introductory base of working knowledge about the Tree. It can be found here:

The Magickal Pen: Geburah’s Might

WitchVox: 13 Keys: TheBeauty of Tiphareth

13 Keys to the Qabalistic Tree of Life

Reading:

The Inner Chamber Series. R. Fennelly
Volume One: It’s Written in the Stars (2013)
Volume Two: Poetry of the Spheres (2013)
Volume Three: Awakening the Paths (2014)
Order at author’s website: Robin Fennelly

New Moon in Leo-Standing in the Spotlight!

Posted in Lunar, Magick, New Moon, The Temple of the Moon, The Temple of the Sun, Waxing Moon with tags astrology, celestial, cosmic, Esbat, esoteric writings, fire, fixed modality, Leo, Lunar, new moon, Retrograde on July 26, 2014 by themagickalpen

July 26.2014

New Moon in Leo
6:42 p.m.

The Moon enters its Maiden (New) phase early evening in the astrological sign of Leo. The heat is rising as the Sun and Moon offer the exchange of transformative (Sun) healing (Moon) Fires that are lit both in the brilliance of the Sun and the cooling darkness of the Moon. This is the Fire off quickening within the birthing waters that carry life.

The overall feeling is one of stimulating and dynamically charged energy that makes for nervous tension and unpredictable action. On the surface this may seem like a negative impact, but the proof of its power is largely held in what course of response (not reaction) you choose to undertake when confronted with over-stimulation. This Moon offers the opportunity to align heart and what we “feel” with a goal of dynamic and transforming action. Will is the fire that lights the way on the path to self- awareness. And, self-awareness is the first step towards stepping fully into the Light of that awareness boldly and intentionally.

Fire in the Whole

Additionally, we have the influence of two (2) other planets in Fire signs, one of which just stationed Retrograde:

Jupiter is in the astrological sign of Leo. Expansion of what stirs our Will to action and what fuels our desires is at hand. Jupiter is strongly related to abundance and financial gain, so optimizing its energy to direct us towards action that will stimulate the flow of money or abundance in any area is a working that could be started at this New Moon. The timing of Moon phase as catalytic and beginnings and the Solar Month of Leo having just begun brings an abundance of light to “see” what we are doing, where we are going and the potential of what the outcome may be.

Uranus just began its Retrograde in the astrological sign of Aries and is slowly and incrementally turning up the volume on our neurological receptors. With the advent of this New Moon, the opportunity lies in being able to surrender to this process of fine tuning and go with the organic flow of this stimulating current. The Moon as She waxes offers those respites of cooling the circuitry but we must heed our body’s wisdom and give adequate time to relaxing and non-stimulating activities.

Read more about the Uranus Retrograde here:

Uranus Retrograde: Deflecting Light

The alchemical element of Fire is represented by Cardinal and Fixed modalities; so the potential is to harness the first sparks and draw them into something usable, potent and contained . The Cardinal (Aries) energies of initiating and stimulating the aspects of will are held within the circuit board of Uranus giving that initial strike of the match to fuel the blaze. And Sun and Moon are balanced in the Fixed energy of Leo as Jupiter opens the way for broader reach and impact.

The New Moon is an excellent time to begin workings that require the energy of the initial flow needed for beginnings. One of the correlates would be the energy of the sunrise or dawn. A new day is a beginning that is packed full with the potential to become whatever you desire most by the time it reaches the fullness of mid-day. So too, the lunar cycle of the New Moon offers the opportunity to harness the energy of expansion towards the fullest expression of what you wish to bring into manifestation at the Full Moon.

The energy of Leo is one of strengthening. Courage and confidence in actions are supported by Leo’s energy and finding the aspects of self that are magnetic, compelling and inspire are all illuminated by the energy of Leo’s Sun. Workings that have the intended goal of bringing attention to one’s gifts and thus being able to share these with the larger community thrive in this energy. Additionally, work towards bolstering your confidence and shining greater light on your strengths are bolstered by Leo’s Moon.

Standing in the Spotlight

On the eve of this New Moon I’ll be re-calling to myself the energy and strength I felt as a dancer many years ago. The heat of the lights and being center stage stripped bare of everything but the artistry you infuse with your passion for it and the command of be fully present and recognizable in that moment. This is a space of time when I felt confident and strong in my presence in this world and the satisfaction of being able to reach out and touch the heart and soul of those in the audience connected me more deeply to the impact of my actions. This is what fueled me and carried me forward in the art and was the overlay of discipline and memory I have applied to my working of the Craft.

Standing in the spotlight is not something to fear rather it is something to embrace in recognition of the uniqueness we each carry. Whenever we claim our power and strength we are affirming the brilliance of Divine Light we hold within. Re-tooling this strength carried on the fiery flow of Moon’s waters of quickening towards its fullest expression of heart felt passion insures that the Fires of change and deep transformation will occur.

Next Post:
Sun in Leo – A Light in the Tree
Sunday, August 3.2014

Read More About Leo Here:

The Lion’s Share-Full Moon in Leo

The Midnight Flame-Dark Moon in Leo

Temple of the Moon Postings:
Day Two: Opening-Waxing Moon in Leo

Day Three: Fire in the (w)hole-Waxing Moon in Leo

Hear Me Roar- The Sun in Leo

Posted in Solar, The Temple of the Sun with tags cancer, Cardinal Modality, celestial, fire, fixed modality, Leo, Neptune, Pluto, RA, Retrograde, solar deity, Temple of the Sun, Uranus on July 22, 2014 by themagickalpen

Sun in Leo
7.22/2014
5:41 pm (EDT)

Planetary Ruler: Sun

The King

I am Leo
I am the King of the starry
Heavens and beware
The flick of my tail in
Exasperation or the
Ferocity of my roar.

They are but warnings to
Keep your distance
From those people and
Things I nurture and protect.

I stand in rapture as
The flame of sun’s rays
Ignites my varied passions.

Resolute will and determination
Guide my unyielding course
As I move with power
And courage to claim
My place of leadership.

The Sun transits into the astrological sign of Leo, at dusk tonight (EDT). Wherever you are in the world you have felt the Sun’s light at some point in your day and known the beauty of being lit by its powerful rays for all to see. Even if the day has been cloudy and grey you know the Sun has not retreated and is simply hidden in cloud cover. The light always remains. The heat always burns full and strong and the life giving energy it imparts, flows in its dance of nocturnal hiding and diurnal brilliance.

The astrological sign of Leo is one of the element of Fire and the Fixed Modality. Its planetary ruler is the Sun, whose qualities of brilliant light, heat and strengthening are overt in our mundane lives as the daily cycle of sunrise to sunset sets the course of our day. The Sun is the Great Father and together with Mother Moon are the luminaries of sky and spiritual being.

This solar month offers an opportunity to bask in the full glory of your achievements and stand in the light of full disclosure as the Sun breaks through and into those shadowy corners of comfortable hiding. There is maximum potential for using this month’s solar energy to bolster your self-awareness and confidence and to promote a different type of healing that is cauterizing in its effects after having transited through the healing and temperate waters of Cancer’s solar arc. This healing is what is most needed to begin building the foundations of confidence and vibrancy.

The astrological sign of Leo brings the spotlight to whatever its touches. This is the Lion who roars claiming his domain and fiercely protects her young. Couple this with the Sun being the ruling planet of Leo and you are center stage with adoring fans ready to receive You and your gifts. The Fixed quality of Leo’s sign helps to organize all of this glitz and glam so that what is presented is nothing less than fiery in nature.

Additionally, this Solar month is another opportunity for alignment of the polarities of Sun (ruling the sign of Leo) and the Moon when she waxes New in the same sign as Her lover, Leo Sun. This alignment occurs at the level of the mundane as well as the spiritual. When we feel confident and strong in our energy and impact (Leo) we go on to display these same qualities to all we meet, shining brightly and magnetically attracting more of the same (Solar). The potential for being the catalyst that stimulates change in others is high and with focused intent the success rate is assured.

The caution is one of fueling your light so abundantly with grandiose claims and boasts that ego steps in and the natural born leader becomes the tyrannical ruler who sees nothing but his/her own reflection in the glowing orb of the Sun. The Sun has its strength in a refined and intention filled will. Leo bodes well with a Will that has been cultivated to see from a central position that also takes into consideration what lay at the outskirts of that circle that is holding the space of central hub.

All of the Fire signs fully embrace the space of action and claiming the gifts of that action. Leo not only embraces, but wants to announce and show the results of those successes. It is in this way that that Leo becomes self-aware. If this self- awareness is achieved through efforts that are pure of intent and positively focused, whatever fame or status that is achieved by the individual can then be used to make others aware of the greater needs of humanity. This quality is exemplified by those celebrities who use the attention and persuasiveness of their fame to bring attention to the atrocities and mistreatment of those who cannot fend for themselves or lack the means and education to rise above their negative conditions. In their most altruistic form of brilliance, these are those that create charitable foundations or make personal donations to those that champion the rights of others. This is the sacrificial nature of Leo’s energy and the maintaining of synthesis and balance in its universal outlook (more about this in Qabalah post).

The Element of Fire

The Fire signs are those of action, determination and catalytic energy. Their nature is that of inspiration and igniting any situation with enthusiasm and creative solution. The sun shines ever so brightly on all who come under the energy of the Fire signs and non-is more brilliantly lit than that of Leo, the Lion and heart of the Sun.

The Fire signs express themselves through active will and transformation. These are the signs that can most readily “burn themselves out” or those around them. Similar to physical fire, if that enthusiasm and drive is not carefully tended and guided it will destroy everything in its path in a non-productive volatile nature. Expressed through the sign of astrological Leo, Fire is most at home when turned towards public recognition and expression. Those born under the Sun sign of Leo are generally extroverted and like the attention received from others. This is not necessarily a negative attribute (as most tend to deem it), since we all crave to be recognized for our strengths; but for the Leo they feed and fuel themselves from the input. And, if well directed constructive criticism becomes the vehicle for great transformation and praise becomes the step-ladder towards achieving even greater accomplishments that benefit all who come under the warmth of their shining light.

A Fixed Modality

As we have seen, the energy of the Fixed signs is one of gathering magnetically, sorting through exciting and agitating, refining through synthesis and then disseminating the purified product of what has been taken in. The Fixed nature is one that becomes the container of both receipt and release and as mid-point between the catalytic flow of the Cardinal signs and expansive reach of the Mutable signs, it is the space of pause where positive and negative meet in neutrality.

Leo is the second of the Fixed signs, the first being Taurus. Appropriately the dynamics of the Fixed signs would begin with manifest form and earthly boundaries (Taurus) that may then serve as container for the Fires (Leo) that reshape those forms. Taurus gave form to that initial striking of the match (and beginning of the Zodiacal and Solar Year) that Cardinal Aries offered. Now, having arrived at the Fifth (the number five relates to change) astrological sign of Leo, creation can only occur by shining the spotlight intently upon what will feed and quicken it.

Read more about the Esoteric Meaning of the Numbers here:

Numerology: The Art and Science of Numbers

0-9: The Esoteric Meaning of Numbers

The Fixed energy expressed through a Fire sign initiates the will in a way that is similar to the pot coming to a boil. Its action is purposeful and as the heat increases the temperature reaches higher degrees. This fire is contained within the vessel that holds it and must adapt and conform to the constraints. Having this structure allows the distribution of the heat and the culmination of something with the ability to change (or cook) whatever is placed within it.

Hold steady
Stand strong
Be the container.

Hold fast the
Energy that pours
Forth relentlessly.

The Middle Way
Proves firm and true
What generates inside
Soars above and
Reaches deeply below.

Draw up its strength
Pull down its light
Draw in its anchor of center
And allow to pour forth that
Which will be renewed.

The Next Step

Knowing how each sign moves to the next and the interaction between each as they evolve towards completion (and threshold of renewal) of the wheel in the astrological sign of Pisces tells its own unique story of the Wheel of Time. When we reach the last sign of the zodiacal wheel, Pisces, we will have experienced four (4) rounds of the three forms of energy expressed as the modalities (Cardinal-Fixed-Mutable).

Maintaining the idea of the evolving dynamics of each of the Zodiacal signs as we move through the solar year, so too, the Triad of Modalities gains more momentum, maturity and focus of application as we move through each of these rounds. If we look at the dynamics of energy thus far, beginning with the Cardinal sign of Aries, we could think of the three signs that begin the astrological wheel as the quickening fires (Aries- Fire) within the body of manifestation (Taurus- Earth) that gives rise to aspiring towards the heavens (Gemini- Air). Beginning the next iteration of a new cycle of the Triad of Modalities in the sign of Cancer aligns the mind of Gemini with the heart of Cancer. And, emerging from these healing and Divinely informed waters rises the blaze of light that heralds the realization of the Divine Light of Self.

Leo as the second round of the Fixed signs provides the fuel that is concentrated energy that has received the benefits of what has preceded. This is the Fire that is magnetic and whose current is strong and direct in its ability to energize. These are the first stirrings of passionate and lustful desire. This is the Fire that prods you toward a goal that has completely and utterly claimed you as its own. This is the energy that keeps you moving when there is nothing left of your energetic reserves. And, this is the Fire that burns away all doubt leaving you raw from its heat but nearer to newly transformed and vibrant confidence.

The Sun is the Ruling Planet of Leo and center of our Heliocentric world. Power, light, heat and sustaining of life are all held within the energy of the Sun. Just, as the Sun is the center of our Universe, the energy of Leo is one that enjoys being the center of all activities. The Sun is electromagnetic in its form and once in its field draws everything into its fiery center. This is Leonine energy that is potent and strong as it too has an innate quality that attracts attention whether it is driven by curiosity or fueled by notoriety.

Re- Read what has been posted thus far about the energy of the
Solar Year and the Sun in His many faces.

Preparing the Way

At this time of the year in the Northern hemisphere, we are preparing for the First Harvest of Lammas. This is the space of the year where we plan those last summer vacations before the business of school and dedicated work time replaces summer’s freedom. We settled into the interaction with friends and family last month and now the last dog days of Summer can be filled with the focus on what we hope to extend of this connection before Fall’s waning light takes hold. The vibrancy of the Sun and the supportive energy of Leo bolster this last hurrah with the promise that Father Sun’s heat may still maintain its potency as August sets in.

In the Southern Hemisphere the emphasis is on the increasing light of the Waxing year and the promise of balmy summer days just ahead. As the Solar Year transits into the boldness of Leo what was soothed from Winter’s chill last Solar month in the sanctuary of home and family is now ready to come out and play in the fullness of Father Sun’s light. Imbolc is close at hand and the light warms and offers strengthening as the world awakens from its slumber and new life is birthed.

Both are states of awakening and quickening. Just as the energy of Mother Moon and her sign of Cancer offered the cycle of ebb and flow within the birthing waters, now this cycle is energized and replicated by Father Sun in his daily offering of light, warmth and the promise of rest at the end of the day.

The lessons of relationship gained by igniting those flames of Creative Fire as we prepare to reap the harvest of what we have grown (Lammas) or the turning of our Light towards the growth and healing of the world surrounding (Imbolc) are designed to transform and change everything we imagined to be true. Hope has now become reality. The goal is one of transformation as we prepare for the Mutable (expansive) energy of Virgo and the reassessment and analysis of the work we brought into the light.

Read more about Lammas and Imbolc and their dynamics of Light:

WitchVox: Sabbat Articles and Poems

Fiery Waters

Uranus Retrograde in the astrological FIRE sign of Aries
Neptune Retrograde in the astrological WATER sign of Pisces
Pluto Retrograde in the astrological EARTH sign of Capricorn

As we transit into the Solar month of Cancer, the planets Neptune and Pluto remain retrograde with yesterday’s addition of electrical Uranus.

The emphasis this Solar month is on the Uranus Retrograde and its fiery connection to Leo. Leo is the second of the Fire signs and in thinking chronologically, the enthusiastic and contagious energy of action and first experiences that played out in Cardinal Aries has now matured into the full burning passion of youth. We now have the potential for a steady stream of application of transformative energy that will carve out its own inroads as it moves of its own accord and creates his/her own life experiences.

Neptune is the ruler of the third of the Watery astrological signs, Pisces. Pisces is the elder, who has memories of lovers and loves past, knows the expanse of their emotions and freely gives those healing waters to all in need. It is the guide that if sought out will help you realize the distinction between giving selflessly and flooding all that would be viable. Neptune provides the direction for that flow and anchors deeply in the current of experience that will ultimately act as the filter of refining how far and how wide that expanse of change will be.

And, Pluto in the astrological sign of Capricorn provides the boundary of container that builds in its strength and detachment a strong, yet flexible shoreline to contain this fiery path. Pluto as the furthest planet in distance from the Sun provides the subjective coolness that comes with the cumulative memory of past experiences with one foot at the threshold of future potentials. These are the Triad of growth and change. The Fire of Will flowing through the Waters of Emotion held within the manifest (and physical) form of Earth that re-members.

Read more about the Neptune and Uranus Retrogrades:

Lifting the Veil- Neptune Retrograde
Deflecting Light- Uranus Retrograde

Hear Me Roar:

This solar month is one of putting yourself out there and seeing what and who you attract in support of who you will become.

In the chronology of the Zodiac, this is the space of time to explore who we are, what motivates and impassions our physical and spiritual nature. This is also the time to willingly surrender yourself to the burning away of what is false pride and success that was achieved at the expense of another. This is the changeable energy of the young adult who postures, struts and commands attention. This is the space of making bold declaration of your opinion, wants and needs, although not yet tempered by the balance of mature experience. This is the time of the proverbial “blazing new trails” and life is waiting with bated breath for You to “arrive” and make the grand entrance that signals authority over all they command. This is the space of enthusiasm that has matured to become passion and from this passion the lessons are learned of both the positive and negative attributes of one who claims his/her mantle of Kingship.

And, so in the spirit of Leo’s bold intent and style we call forth the energy of the Sun as it continues its zodiacal cycle and once again we repeat the invocation that opened the Gate to this Temple. As you read through it allow the natural resonance of these words of invocation that are twice blessed in this Solar month to fill you with the ecstatic fires of the Sun’s Light and gifts. Think back to the glory of your youth and the young adult who feels invincible. Think back to the fires of sex as they rose in hunger and desire for your lover, at times insatiable in their intensity and fierce in their orgasmic release. Think back to your first act of creation in beginning your own life’s path, free of parents, restrictions and responsibilities other than to self. Think back to staying out all night and still having enough energy to get through the next day’s activities barely missing a beat in the hunt for the next conquest to feed your striving towards victory.

What keys to the greater knowledge of RA’s power of sustained light is hidden within the passions of action and will? This is the gift of finding yourself and having knowledge of what burns brightly at the very core of who you are. Treat this gift as the rarest of jewels as we invoke the Solar Month of Leo. This is the Solar Month that sings the praises of RA and all of the Solar Deities, so stand proudly as a child of the Sun and bellow out the roar of command that call’s the Solar Fires to awaken every cell of your being and fill it with eternal Light.

Hymn to RA

All Hail to Thee, Mighty RA
Blaze of noon day sun.
Your fiery orb high in the
Sky above as we kneel
Beneath the heat of
Your radiance.

All the Gods bow to your radiance
All the Goddesses sing hymns of praise
To Your glory and man
Lays prostrate in humility
And devotion at the altar of
Your making.

Sweet music of adoration and offerings
Brought forth from the Black Land
Rise up in praise and thanks for
Your Sustaining Light.

All darkness flees at the touch of Your hand
All ceases its movement as Your expansive
Rays stretch across the morning sky.

The lotus opens to receive Your Touch
And the sands glisten as rare jewels
As You gaze upon each grain washed
Clean in the boundless ocean that
Reflects the brilliance of your face.

All Hail to Thee
Amun-RA
All Hail to Thee
Who sits high
Above the world.

Khepra in the East
Atum in the West
Whose eye holds the
Point of Life and the
Trifold Arc of Power.

Your eyes see all and
You are the place of return
Within the glowing blackness
Of the Midnight Sun.

All Hail to Thee
All Hail to Thee
Amun, Amun, Amen!

Next Posting: Saturday, July 26th.
Standing in the Spotlight – New Moon in Leo

Uranus Retrograde: Deflecting Light

Posted in Auspicious Days, Retrogrades, Uranus with tags cardinal, celestial, esoteric writings, fire, Leo, Retrograde, Uranus on July 21, 2014 by themagickalpen

10:53 p.m.
Stations Direct: December 21.2014*

By definition deflection is… the act of changing or causing something to change direction (Merriam Webster Dictionary). I’ve chosen this analogy for the Uranus Retrograde as a way of defining the potential held in being able to actually feel the impact of an energy that normally moves rapidly and transparently through our being. We flip the light switch in our home and the room is illuminated. We don’t think about the process that has gone into the efficiency of that action and at times we even perform that action as transparent habit. But, everything that goes into the speed of connect between transformer, wiring, switch and hand transforms the space we are in and thus our perception and abilities to perform optimally in that space. This is the energy of Uranus.

Uranus Stations Retrograde in the astrological Fire sign of Aries of the Cardinal modality at 10:53 pm (EDT) tonight. Being expressed through the energy of an astrological Fire sign adds to the intensity of this planet’s energy and the pulsing of electrical current that runs much like high amp voltage throughout. Uranus is the planet of upheaval largely because the energy and inspiration from it comes quickly and seemingly unexpectedly. The key word here is “seemingly” because in reality the groundwork has been laid, although often in a transparent way, and once the path is open for use energy pours through effectively and efficiently. The rebellious attribution associated with Uranus refers more to the natural byproduct of disruption that will occur pushing us out of our comfort zone and/or apathetic state and less to it being the youthful upstart that simply wants to reek havoc because he/she can. There is purposeful action in Uranus’ breaking through and the end goal is one of making sure that all lines of communication are open, ready to receive and disburse and respond quickly when needed.

Uranus is the great electrifying current that rebelliously stirs up whatever its force is put upon. This planet is considered the higher octave of the planet Mercury, the great communicator. The communication set into motion with Uranian energy is that of blazing its way through the circuit boards and enlivening and quickening instantaneously. During this retrograde everything will feel slightly off-course, primarily because of the build-up of energy that has now slowed its speed and exerts pressure wherever an obstruction is found. If it can’t get through, it will most definitely go around, which will feel like additional pressure in areas that may have ordinarily been the outliers. If the electricity can’t go through the wire directly it will back up and short-circuit or disperse fiery charges all along the path.

Additionally, Uranus acting as a motherboard of communication moves at the speed of light, which means this energy quickens and transforms by agitation and exciting the “cells” of whatever it is placed upon. Physiologically, this out pictures as an over stimulation of neurological function. No doubt you may have felt particularly “ansy” for no reason. Because Uranus will for the next several months be hovering in its focused intent it will have the feeling similar to that of pent-up energy that is held in a container that must remain still. Think back to how you felt as a child wanting to ask a question of a parent who was busy at the moment, and you were told to sit quietly and wait until Mom or Dad were off the phone!

Saturn stationed Direct yesterday, July 20th so the rigid container and need for ultimate structure that Saturn has imposed begins its process of loosening as it returns to its forward movement. That doesn’t mean that there still won’t be the tug of war between organized Saturn and scattered Uranus, but the responsibility will now lie within the prevue of Uranus to hold firmly on to what it ignites and allow focused will to form the suitable container for it to be released in time.

Neptune in astrological Pisces and Pluto in astrological Capricorn still remain in their retrograde pattern so we can, if desired, apply the Uranian charge to the deep waters of Neptune as use them to cauterize and heal wherever e feel an overload of electrical discharge. Additionally, Pluto in earthy Capricorn can bolster those over heated wires with re-calling into our physical mundane activities the memories of strategies and coping skills that kept us moving with confidence and assuredness even when we were the most energetically challenged.

Bottom line is that there is lots of shuffling and shifting of emphasis as the planetary energies move into their next dance of interaction. Where you choose you focus these energies depends greatly on what you are hoping to gain by way of change. If you wish to clearing those blockages (of mind or will) that keep you from feeling the energy and pulse of quickened life use the cobalt blue streams Uranian electrical fires. If you want to focus on stirring up what fuels your compassionate and healing nature work with the intention of green flow of Neptune (stations Direct in November).

And, if you wish to manifest the forgotten pieces of your existence move through the yellow stream of Pluto’s(stations Direct in September) synthesis of form. And, the life’s blood that carries the DNA and collective memory of you as a being of Light flows through the red stream. These are the multiple streams of light that are refracted through the prism of your energetic and physical fields. How that light is deflected into the singular beam of pure brilliant Light depends on how we choose to use these retrogrades of transformation. Be kind and gentle with yourself during these next few months, offering the least resistance so that the opening to a new way of shining that inner light can take hold.

Tomorrow the Sun enters the Fixed Fire sign of Leo and things
are going to heat up even more during this Solar Month.

* Triple Header: Uranian energy begins to awaken from its pause of intensity on the date of:

The Winter Solstice

This will be the longest night of the year as we stand ready and waiting the glimmer of dawn’s Light and the beginning of the waxing of the Sun. This is the point where we are able to gather to ourselves what we wish to bring forward from the dark landscape within for closer scrutiny and what we choose to remain behind. This would include those catalytic impulses that have been building up steam and readying to be propelled forward in typical Uranian style.

New Moon in Capricorn and Sun Transits into Earthy Capricorn

Bear in mind that Capricorn is an Earth sign of the cardinal Modality. Its prime directive is that of manifesting in the earthly realms. This is a sign of physical and very concrete realities, so with the boost of New Moon (beginnings) energy and a Cardinal (catalytic components for beginnings) Earth (physical) astrological sign of Capricorn holding the space for Uranus’ energy to push through any blockages we have created for ourselves using whatever we have energized during the retrograde to be brought into our physical and manifest existence.

The Magick of Aries

Posted in Magick, Solar, The Temple of the Moon, The Temple of the Sun, Uncategorized with tags Aries, candle magick, celestial, Esbat, esoteric writings, fire, Leo, Lunar, new moon, Waning Dark Moon on April 13, 2014 by themagickalpen

We conclude our time in the Temple of the Sun with some suggestions of how to use the astrological sign of Aries in magickal endeavors. Whatever we apply Aries energy to is going to receive a fresh push, a burst of life and stimulating flow.

Solar Month Magick

Enhances new endeavors, catalyze to action what has been inert and create a dialogue between the
spark of flame and what becomes the blaze that stands in the spotlight

I am currently teaching a class on operative Magick and one of the timelines discussed was that of using a solar month to enliven the workings of a spell. Harnessing that solar energy in a specific astrological sign can be used effectively to strengthen and focus on the light bearing qualities of the astrological sign it is in.

Making use of Aries energy in this way is bi-fold in its application. It is the starting sign of the Solar Year and brings its fiery energy in harmonious sync with lighting the flame under any action that needs more fire. This approach can be used for short term projects, but is most effective for long term workings. A goal such as wanting to become more courageous and spontaneous in actions taken benefits from beginning its cycle while the Sun is in Aries.

Similar to the New, Full and Waning cycles of the Lunar Month, beginning the working in the Solar Month of Aries would be the burst of newness, the dawn of awakening and the action of a fresh start. Using the cycle of Fire and those astrological signs of that element the next point of bolstering the energy would be during Leo. The Solar Month of Leo stands as the Full phase of the Fiery energy, ripe and full with warmth, heat and brilliance of light and vitality. The waning and flexible energy of Sagittarius (the last of the Fire signs) would serve as the point of networking, reaching out in a more dynamic way and stepping fully into the action of expansive outreach. As each of these Solar Months take hold the energy of the working is bolstered, active steps would be taken towards its end goal and progress made is seen through the lens of the changing cycles of flow of solar dynamics.

Lunar Magick

Enhances the healing and cooling properties of Aries catalyzing action

Use of Lunar energy and the astrological sign of Aries provides a principle of firing up the emotional waters. Workings that desire the goal of greater independence within a situation that often feels oppressive and limiting aptly make use of Aries’ qualities of individualism and dynamic expression. Although healing is not the first thing that comes to mind with Aries energy, working under the care and movement of the Moon cycles the healing that occurs is similar to revealing the fresh pink skin underneath a wound that has been cleaned and cauterized.

The New Moon of Aries can set up the foundation for beginning the process of strengthening your will and the assertion of it in a productive way for Self (Aries rules the house of the Self). The Full Moon in Aries can be called upon to light the way and for the correct actions to be taken to fully envision yourself standing in a place of greater power and authority over your life. And the waning moon’s energy may be drawn upon to release those false starts, and unproductive tantrums of aggression that may occur as you struggle to free yourself from feeling bound.

Some Additional Astrological properties of Aries

Keywords: Initiator, Pioneer, Head-strong, Active, Assertive, Impulsive, Dynamic, Enthusiasm, Independence

The Archetype: The Warrior is the archetype associated with Aries. This is the action of persistence and pushing ahead as new paths are carved out.

Rules Astrological House: The 1st house of the Zodiac, the “House of Self”. This is the house of the Ascendant and represents the persona you allow others to see. In keeping with the attitude of Aries youthful nature, this is the space of first impressions that sets the tone for what follows. Workings that relate to the singular individual and transformation and expression of who you perceive yourself to be are enhanced using Aries’ energy.

Color: Red, clear, vibrant and pulsing with light. “Seeing red” calls to mind quick response, readiness to charge ahead and a rising of the emotions (often equated with anger) to the boiling point of reaction vs. response. We can also make use of the vibrancy of this color as correspondence for Aries in remembering the life sustaining properties of blood, the history and story it carries and the encoding that connects us with all of humanity. We can experience the flush of red on blushing cheek and arousal of red beating heart and stimulated sex in the state of orgasmic release.

Other Posts to Re-read:

New Moon in Aries: Temple of the Sun

Fire it Up

Waning Moon in Aries: Temple of the Moon

Day Twenty: It’s Getting Hot in Here

Day Nineteen:A Quick Step

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Completion: Standing Naked in the Light

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags astrology, celestial, cosmic, esoteric writings, fire, Leo, Lunar, Magick, new moon, Water on August 6, 2013 by themagickalpen

August 6

New Moon in Leo

Sun in Leo

Posted during the planetary hour of the Sun

Today marks the official ending of the Temple of the Moon journey and the start of a New Moon in the astrological sign of Leo. This is a natural flow of the existing and primed waters (Cancer) receiving the fires (Leo) that will birth their own mound of manifestation (think of the Primordial waters of Nun).

This journey has taught me a lot about not only myself, but also others and the quality of being more receptive to the emotional flow surrounding. I am comfortable in my head and in a state of analytical scrutiny and feel most vulnerable when that guard must be lowered and compassion and understanding are the needed driving forces. It feels very much like standing naked in the full light of day, flaws and imperfections etched deeply ad on display for all to see. There is anxiety that seeps in that perhaps another will see those things as weaknesses. I realize that none of this is true and that the only one really standing in judgement and scrutiny is myself. Which, calls for more compassion in the more complex form of self-love. And, this is the biggest leap of faith and trust in that you have to acknowledge your own weaknesses and strengths and see them as neither detriment nor support, but in truth the synthesis of both and accessible in either form as you Will it to be.

I hope you have enjoyed this journey and found useful insights and new streams to be explored within your own emotional make-up.

I hope that each day has brought a deeper connection to the cycles of the Moon and the abundance of Her outpourings of healing, change and the need for intent-filled flow and movement.

I hope you have revealed a softer more compassionate way of being and strengthened the raging waters that are also necessary for productive outcome in clearing away.

Waters flowed within
The darkness of foundations
Firmly wrought.

Will found its space of opening
As flow came bubbling up and
Expanding with new life.

The droplets gathered
Breath of full force
And Geyser sent
Watery tendrils
Upward towards
Sunlit sky.

Fire and Water showered down
Returning to their source
And, descent brought
Openings of new found wells
Of pristine clear flowing heart.

Blessings in your continued journey!

If you have enjoyed the style of these postings and would like to know more about Astrology and Qabalah please take a look at the resources below:

Traveling Through the Stars: An Exploration of the Basics of Astrology

The Inner Chamber, Vol. One
Its Written in the Stars (Astrology)

The Inner Chamber, Vol. Two
Poetry of the Spheres (Qabalah)

Beginning next week, I will also be posting regularly to The Sacred Vessel Mysteries blog. It took a back seat to this work, but ready to now implement in energetic practice what I started with this project.

Upcoming in The Temple of the Cosmic Spheres:

The Temple of Mercury – October 2013

The Temple of Venus – December 2013

The Temple of the Sun – Aries – March 2013

Day Twenty-Nine: The Midnight Flame

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags candle magick, celestial, cosmic, esoteric writings, fire, Leo, Lunar, Magick, planetary hours, polarity, ritual, void of course, Waning Dark Moon, Water on August 5, 2013 by themagickalpen

August 5

Dark Moon Enters Leo

Sun in Leo

12:58 pm

Posted during the planetary hour of the Sun in preparation for the New Moon’s energy in Leo tomorrow afternoon

The Moon entered the transition of void at 2:49am and enters the astrological sign of Leo at 12:58pm. The early morning hours held a steady flow and integration of what will be in the solar light of center stage shortly after the noonday hour.

There is already a change in the atmosphere and the soft flow that I noted yesterday gave way to a pricklier dynamic. The ritual last night had the feel of loss, but more of the nature of a great weight being lifted than sorrow at what was left behind. The dual energies of both Sun and Moon being in their signs of rulership (noted on previous day’s post) worked collaboratively and what non-productive emotions that were stirred into action, flowed in a gentle stream into a place of release. The trick is to not reabsorb and draw up the mist of that release, but to let it move steadily and smoothly into the belly of the great deep.

With the completion of this cycle, and the movement of the Moon into Leo through the hours of sleep, I am reminded of the midnight sun, or flame of reflection of sunlight that penetrated the darkness of night. This is another of my favorite pictures (of an eclipse) that I use as a frequent reminder of the merging of the energies of water and fire, heart and will, Soul and Spirit. It also speaks of the exchange of the polarities of light and dark and their powerful expression in the uniting of the two extremes, each acting upon the other, to create a third that is the sum of their combination.

As you light your candles this evening and enter your final post of the journey, take a moment to meditate on this picture. Remain open to what more you can receive with its visualization and how its energy has streamed like black and golden strands of alchemical blood throughout this journey. Blessings of the Midnight Flame!

A Point of Numerology:

Today is the 29th day or 2+9= 11

11 is considered a master number; resonating with the energy of the iteration of itself. One is the singular form, the prime from which having been manifested all else flows. The double 1’s could be considered the point of self and SELF, i and I in communication and support of one another.

In fact, if you reduced the 11 to: 1+1= 2

you would have the number 2 of collaboration with another. It is this energy that establishes transformation and clarity of intent and purpose.

Applying these thoughts to this 29 day journey offers insight into how we started – self/i and the end goal we have moved closer towards- SELF/I

Tomorrow will be the final daily post to wrap up this journey to the Temple of the Moon.

Day Sixteen: Looking Further

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags aquarius, astrology, celestial, cosmic, esoteric writings, fixed modality, Leo, Lunar, Magick, void of course on July 23, 2013 by themagickalpen

July 23

Waning Moon in Aquarius

Moon Void at 10:01 am.

Sun in Leo

Today has been a rather odd day. I arrived at work very early greeted by seven or so crows on the roof of the building. The air had the quality of Fall and the whole day has felt like the pressure that existed for the days prior had suddenly been released. As I was driving to work I was thinking about the next transit of the moon into Pisces tomorrow at 2:22p.m. and what emotional stirrings that would evoke. Apparently there was a huge thunder storm (and lightening) last night which I slept soundly through. Usually the air feels clean and vibrant the next day, but not the case. Although there was less a feeling of pressure, the air seemed denser as though consisting of finer particles.

The moon went void today at 10:01am and so I am just trying to relax my usual pushing to make breakthroughs that accompanies an Aquarius Full Moon (Aquarius is my natal Sun) and see how much further and more clearly I can see without the unnecessary pressure. Not much to write- it’s just one of those days!

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Temple of the Cosmic Spheres

Archive for Leo

The Magick of Leo

Image credit: Brilliant Sun, Alternative Jazz Band

Full Moon in Aquarius-Breath of Liquid Flame

(Photo taken as I was driving home tonight)

A Light in the Tree – Sun in Leo

New Moon in Leo-Standing in the Spotlight!

Hear Me Roar- The Sun in Leo

Uranus Retrograde: Deflecting Light

The Magick of Aries

Completion: Standing Naked in the Light

Day Twenty-Nine: The Midnight Flame

Day Sixteen: Looking Further

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