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The Magick of Scorpio

Posted in Magick, The Temple of the Sun with tags Lunar, Scorpio, Temple of the Sun, Waning Dark Moon, Water on November 17, 2014 by themagickalpen

The Magick of Scorpio
Deep, Passionate and Thoroughly Transforming

The Magick of Scorpio is fueled by desire, will and all of the emotions that are associated with a nature that is intense and complex in its expression. Whatever we apply Scorpion energy towards is going to receive the opportunity to reach deeply into he introspective and intuitive self and draw from those depths what is needed to completely change everything.

Scorpio’s strength lay in being able to reshape by will and transform through the power of emotion. This means that the process itself will be intense and at times extremely uncomfortable.

The caution here is that of obsession and fixation that keeps those emotional waters from moving in a productive way and instead reek havoc on everything that is in their raging path. In Leo we found the place of drama that can ensue when too much of the “me” becomes the focused obsession. With Scorpio, the drama that ensues is One that remains in the shadows, intensely brooding and when it does erupt appears to come out of no where with no clear definitive source.

Scorpio goes straight for the heart of the matter. Workings that strive to change or transform are most successful under Scorpio’s energy. The same attention to refinement and balance to craft the most beautiful of expression now has potential to become the object of desire and with that implication everything originally assigned to the Libran beauty will now take on a different quality of life as they are adored and worshiped intensively and deeply.

Scorpio is the fourth sign of the second cycle of quadrant of Elements in progression around the zodiacal wheel. This is the second of the Water astrological signs and in the order of progression, Scorpio brings an emotional state that has ability to express itself in either state of extreme. This is the progression from the home seeking Cancerian who forms attachments by what it defines as worthy of its trust in exchange for the security achieved. By the time we arrive at the third of the Water signs, Pisces, all experience is held within the moving waters of compassion for others and self-sacrifice as an expression of that compassion.

Insight-filled

Scorpio as a sign of the Fixed Water Modality provides the quality of synthesis and structure of a suitable vessel to contain the potential overflow. Libra’s gift of change through inspired mind set the stage for collaboration between mind and the heart of Scorpios desire. When Scorpio opens its gates of insight what is released are all of the ingredients necessary for birthing something transformed. The recipe is one that has been forged through introspection and the silent observation. Taking it all in, processing it at a deep level of understanding and then formulating a response based entirely on the motivations of feeling.

Solar Month Magick

Enhances the intuitive and emotional process of transformation:

Scorpio as the Eighth sign of the Solar Year concerns itself with the cycles of endings and beginnings. Think of the number 8 and the possibility of either entering through the gates of the two circles atop one another or leaving from those Gates; drawing the experience held in that space of between as the synthesized action.

The Solar Month of Scorpio is an excellent time to begin the work of change. Although Scorpio is a water sign, many of the ways in which it works it magick is in a fiery way. Passion, drama and intensity of feeling blaze their way through any working burning off the steam and leaving dynamically changed waters that provide a clarity despite the depths into which they reach.

The energy of this Solar month of Scorpio next flows into the Fires of Sagittarius and the arrows of networking and stimulation that are shot from that archer’s bow need the softening of Scorpio’s waters of self-knowledge to ensure that their aim is true.

The Scorpion approach can be used for short-term projects, but is most effective for long-term workings. A goal, such as opening your intuitive gifts more fully benefit from Scorpio’s solar energies.

Similar to the New, Full and Waning cycles of the Lunar Month, beginning the working in the Solar Month of Scorpio would be the first phase of testing and exploring how you interact with the world in a purely organic and intuitive way. This would require some “soul” searching to find what your hidden desires are and what motivations are driven by those desires and which are informed by a Higher Self. As you move through the Solar month you will begin to recognize what are primal urges and needs and what are actions that align with a path of growth and productivity. One of the detriments of Scorpio is addictive behavior. The light of Solar energy can reveal those areas that are habitual and keep you stuck emotionally.

Using the cycle of Water and those astrological signs of that element the next point of bolstering the energy would be during Pisces’ Solar Month. The Solar Month of Pisces provides the place of forgiveness and self-compassion. Healing and the comfort of knowing that what you have revealed of a nature that is not intuitively guided is the focus of this solar month. Pisces also has the gift of empathy. When empathy and compassion align being driven by the best interest for all concerned, we are truly listening and opening to our deeper insight.

Having finally arrived in the energy of the Solar month of Cancer, all that has been drawn from previous experience can now be shared as the seeker can now acknowledge his/her part in the world family of humanity. The scorpion has risen to the place of the Eagle, keen sight and able to see where there is need and offer the emotional supports that foster growth.

Lunar Magick: Time for Change

Engages the transformation of those feelings and perceptions we have about ourselves that lay beneath the surface.

Use of Lunar energy in the astrological sign of Scorpio provides the energetic principle of providing the tools needed for permanent transformative change. When we explore the motives behind the actions and concepts we cling so fiercely to we have the opportunity to reveal not only to the world, but to ourselves what we have that is useful and what we affirm of our truths that are unfounded.

Workings that require a cleansing of false beliefs and emotions that hold us prisoner make use of the intensity of Scorpio. Workings that encourage deeper exploration of those aspects of yourself that you hide and bring you needless pain can be brought to the surface for a closer look. When we reveal those things that make us feel vulnerable, we are taking the first steps towards changing the ways we feel, think and express ourselves.
Using the Triune nature of Scorpio lends itself well doing a working that will access the triple phase of the Moon.

The New Moon of Scorpio (The Scorpion) could be used diving into those deep waters of your emotional “stuff” that you try to hide from others (and at times shun away from yourself). Call upon the opening and awakening of the intuitive self and begin a process of descent into looking at the shadows of cobwebs that hold your secrets. Look at each thing that arises and remain detached from them. Breathe deeply, taking in all that presents itself. One thing will stand out above the others. This is the focus of work for the next phases. After making selection, set the intention that you will allow yourself the space of embracing this aspect in all of its energy, but it will hold no power over you. A you move towards the Full Moon, allow more and more of this thing to come to the light of scrutiny and each time engaging the feeling and intuitive part of self.

The Full Moon of Scorpio (The Eagle) would be used to see and feel the fullness of this thing and to rise above its power over you, seeing now that it has none other than what you have given it. Allow the healing waters of Mother Moon to cleanse and soothe the efforts of your work during the waxing. Now, soar above as the Eagle, seeing what has been cleared from you and opening to a broader perspective of who you really are.

The energy of the Waning Moon in Scorpio (The Phoenix) would serve as the final point of release and the allowance of new growth from that release. Spend some time in the dark and a place of quiet. Recall what you have learned of yourself as you drew to the light what you had kept hidden. Recall the feeling of healing and weight removed in clearing away what held you captive. Recall the pain of this release and breathe into it deeply and fully. See that pain ignited by the passion for change and the need for regrowth. Allow the flames to rise burning away any last ties to what you have released. See the ashes smoldering and call forth the power of your inner desire, the flame of your spiritual self and see the fires burning anew, strong and vibrant from those ashes. See them rising into the darkness of night sky and allow your gratitude for this space of regeneration.

Some Additional Astrological properties of Scorpio
Keywords: Introspection, Passion, Emotional Power

The Archetype: The Actor is the archetype associated with Scorpio. Scorpio is the master of disguise and personas. The hidden and keeping everything “close to the heart” are natural tendencies of Scorpio. In the Actor we see one who has command of the stage, the character to be played and the audience captivated by the illusion created. So too, Scorpio crafts the projection of what it wishes, largely in effort tot protect emotions and feelings that are intense and deep. The actor slips easily from the shadows of the wings, preparing for the grand entrance, just as Scorpio emerges from the depths, soaring in the glory of the fullness of brilliant light and if successful, finishes off in a blaze of glory, the likes of which very few have seen.

Rules Astrological House:
The 8th House of the Zodiac, the House of Relationships and Sex

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 now and who we hope to become. 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 contributed to the crafting of this self. Moving on towards the Sixth House we are ready to give, to serve, to cultivate and to learn the lessons of harmonious interaction. Moving next into the Seventh House we stand ready to gather to ourselves all that we have learned on the journey thus far and use it to explore new paths, learn new ways of being and open to the partnerships forged on a new chosen path.

When we enter the Eight House we have the necessary experience to form emotional attachments that are passionate in their intensity and seeking the fulfilling of a yearning for more. Experience, however does not necessarily bring wisdom. With that being said, the eight House with the ruling of Scorpio is often considered the House of Sex. Scorpio is considered the most sexually aware of the signs of the zodiac. When we engage sexually the intent is to give oneself fully over to another as we feed our own needs and desires.

Just as the number eight refers to the cyclical nature of life, so too, sex ensures the potential of life having continuation. The physical act itself is the death of a singularity and the rebirth of a unification of dual forms. At a spiritual level the act of procreation is that of the replication of the holographic light of each being of humanity regenerated and renewed as it passes through its varied forms lifetime to lifetime.

Color:
The color Red in its darkest and richest hue is well suited to Scorpio’s energy. This is the color of life’s blood when exposed to the breath of life. This is the flush of cheek in sexual ecstasy. This is the burning flame of passion so fierce in its intensity as it flames in raging need. The red of Scorpio’s intense passion and desire of will flows through the healing blue waters of emotion. As they blend and merge creating new pathways of expression, rising from the depths and soaring clear and free of inhibition, passion and healing become the unified purple of spiritual gift and healing form.

Taking it All: Libra into Scorpio

Beauty came to rest in the
Depths of my Soul.

I yearned for its gentle caress
And desired it fill my hunger.

Balance had no place in
My desire to possess it
And excess took hold.

What I hoped to have as my own
Demanded I learn the truth
Of myself.

I sought a place of refuge
And in my yearning still
I arose renewed as I took
The beauty of my gentle
Self within.

Scorpio is the Eighth sign of the Zodiac:
Scorpio takes up the work of testing the limits of what Libra strove to balance and refine. Scorpio seeks to find the definition of itself in the emotional experiences it has. This seeking often becomes a passion to give so fully that when similar response is not received, drama and heartbreak ensues.

Seasonally, Scorpio heralds the lifting of the veils as Samhain and Beltane are the focus of celebrations in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, respectively. This is reflected again in the number eight and the eternity of endings and beginnings. The veils of Samhain reveal the mysteries of those ancestors and loved ones who have passed from human form. The call is one of receipt of wisdom and the awakening of the intuitive waters to hear the messages gifted.

The veils of Beltane welcome those soul’s that seek incarnate life and the realms of the greater Earth. The fecundity and revelry of Beltane often produces the offspring that enter this world of human form having passed through the veils and become the seeds of conception.

We have crossed the mid-point in the Solar Year and the 12 Houses of the Astrological signs. Each prior to this point has concerned itself with those aspects of our being that cultivate sense of self (Aries); sense of others (Taurus); expression of ourselves (Gemini); nurturing what we hold close to our hearts (Cancer); moving into our place of power (Leo) and claiming responsibility for taking a closer look at who we have become (Virgo); and finding that place of refinement through interaction. Scorpio marks the advent of self-knowledge and re-forming what has come before as the utterly transformed Being rises from the ashes of that self-analysis.

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: Scorpio

Sun in Scorpio- Open the Flood Gates and Lift the Veils
Full Moon in Scorpio (May 2014)
Fiery Waters- New Moon in Scorpio (2013)

Temple of the Moon:
Day Ten: Rise Like the Phoenix-New Moon in Scorpio
Day Nine: Entering Deep Waters-Waxing Moon in Scorpio

Next Post
Saturday, October 22.2014
Temple of the Sun: Transit into Sagittarius
New Moon in Sagittarius

The Magick of Libra

Posted in Magick, The Temple of the Sun with tags Air, astrology, candle magick, cardinal, celestial, cosmic, Esbat, esoteric writings, Full moon, Lunar, new moon, Temple of the Sun, Waning Dark Moon on October 12, 2014 by themagickalpen

The Magick of Libra is anchored in the concept of beauty, balance and harmony. Whatever we apply Libran energy towards is going to receive the advantage of a mental perspective that sees what needs refining and what has potential to become a source of inspiration. Libra’s strength lay in being able to take what others may perceive as coarse and turn it into something that brings pleasure at all levels of experience. This means that its energy seeks balance in all things and will mentally deconstruct what is inharmonious as a means of cutting it out of the picture.

The caution here, is one of being overly critical. Virgo’s critique was exacted in much the same manner but its focus was on what was concrete and already a “finished” product. With Libra the emphasis is one of logical and rational thinking that can be decidedly cold and objective in its criticism. If heart is not included in the equation, the overall attitude is one that can easily be perceived as snobbery and inaccessibility. The scales of Libra tip in either direction and it is all a matter of the beholder as to what form the striving for beauty takes.

Libra works directly on what we value and our philosophical approach to culture, society and the ethics imposed within that society. Workings that strive towards making themselves visually appealing and inspiring are served well under Libra’s influence. The same attention to detail that we found in Virgo is now further refined and the Pygmalion effect is applied cautiously and judiciously. What has been carefully crafted and fashioned from Libra’s delicate hand is adored, admired and life is breathed into it by its creator so it may serve to captivate all in a similar way.

Libra is the third sign of the second cycle of quadrant of Elements in progression around the zodiacal wheel. This is the second of the Air astrological signs and in the order of progression, Libra brings its own form of stability through a homogenous mental process to what preceded it in the dual and at times unsteady outpouring of Gemini. By the time we arrive at the third of the Air signs, Aquarius, the necessary unbridled brainstorming (Gemini) that is equalized and brought to a space of useable new flow (Libra) is ready to change the vision (Aquarius) the world and its many life forms has of ITSELF.

Weighing Your Truths

Libra as a sign of the Cardinal Air Modality provides the quality of catalytic bursts of beginnings. It is this ability to see the potential held in the yet to be fully realized product that Libra uses adeptly to transform. Libra’s gift of change through inspired mind, offers the space to re-conceptualize what was thought to be true about any given thing and reshape it much like an architect creates a beautiful and functional building from the complex blue prints that were rough sketches and a vision held in the inventive mind. Libra works directly on our philosophies and motivations as the conscience that monitors what we hold as being ethical and what is a gray area. This serves to further refine as the process continues towards the emotionally inspiring end result.

Creating from the directives of conscience and values is what often provides the materials for those artistically inspired projects. This is the skill of the artist in being able to evoke emotion from what the mind of skeptic or admirer perceives and the subjective heart responds to. This is the gift of the lover who makes his/her beloved feel like the most beautiful object of desire, despite excess weight, scars or what others perceive as physical imperfections. This is the skill of the arbitrator who is able to make both sides see the values and discord of their own beliefs and arrive at amenable agreement drawing the best from both and arriving at an equitable and productive outcome.

Solar Month Magick

Enhances the mental process of weighing and measuring what inequities and disparities are held as truths:

Libra as the Seventh sign of the Solar Year concerns itself with restoration of what has dipped too far in an unproductive direction. The Solar Month of Libra is an excellent time to take stock of the pros and cons in what comes to the place of light. This may be how you present yourself to others, the products that are shared and the communities you have linked yourself with. If the clutter has been cleared from the energy of Virgo’s Solar Month, there is enhanced clarity about what and where the weight of measure should be applied.

The energy of this Solar month of Libra next flows into the Waters of Scorpio and all bets are off as the scorpion lay in wait hoping for transformation into the keen sight of the Eagle and the final redemption of the Phoenix arising from the blazing waters of the subconscious. If the work of Libra is done effectively, Scorpio will open its floodgates of heart and healing will fill become the fulcrum of Divine work.

The Libran approach can be used for short-term projects, but is most effective for long-term workings. A goal, such as re-scripting and re-(de)fining who you are in the world would benefit from Libra’s Solar energies.

Similar to the New, Full and Waning cycles of the Lunar Month, beginning the working in the Solar Month of Libra would be the first phase of sorting out what you feel is supportive of the image you wish to develop and what is not; examining it from the place of what you think, rather than what you feel about each thing that is brought to light. You would incrementally fine-tune this list during the month, giving contemplative time to each as you weigh its merits and measure the extent of its detriments. As you move through the Solar month you will begin to recognize where the imbalances lay and what may need further refining and what is best let go.

Using the cycle of Air and those astrological signs of that element the next point of bolstering the energy would be during Aquarius’ flow. The Solar Month of Aquarius offers the Fixed Modality of stability to bring all of the parts into analyzing the equation. Within this mind-space there is light enough to see more clearly the vision of what these changes would look like. The concept being the primary focused that can then be fueled by engagement of the desire and heart to bring into reality what is envisioned.

Having finally arrived in the energy of the Solar month of Gemini, the flexible and agile mind now has a point of reference established within the vision of Aquarius and can modify and change as needed to project and communicate what has been refined. Remaining flexible and agile in that flexibility insures that the process of transformation may be started anew as the image becomes outdated and no longer who you are.

Lunar Magick: Cultivating Beauty

Engages the transformation of the concept of how the emotions balance and harmonize the mind and the efficacy of the outcome as a synthesized expression of the creative nature.

Use of Lunar energy in the astrological sign of Libra provides the energetic principle of providing the idea of what is appealing and is the quintessential expression of beauty that encourages more of the same. This is beauty not necessarily in the mundane sense but the quality of beauty that occurs when everything is working as it should in a way that makes sense, is logical and maintains harmony. When the emotional landscape is served in this way, emotions become the passions that create simply for the sake of expressing what lay at the core of that expression. This is the basis of artistry and a key component in the principle of love.

When we unconditionally love, we passionately love who and what we love not because of their overt beauty, but because within there is a resonance and a balance that is achieved by the very act of our loving in this way. Each becomes a partner in the relationship and although the measure of give and take is not always equilateral, there is enough knowledge of the fundamental nature of that partner that adjustments can be made and harmony is restored.

Workings that require a sense of balancing what could become excesses and then re-forming them to a place of productive and justifiable flow make use of Libra’s scales. Workings that encourage self-love and identification of one’s self as being lovable and an expression of beauty in all of your forms can be crafted to be potent and effective when processed by Libra’s artistic mind and sense of aesthetics.

The New Moon of Libra could be used to bring to the surface those feelings you hold about yourself that prevent you from feeling loved and lovable. Hold the intention of developing a perception of these attributes through the lens of offering rationale and justification for relinquishing the power of those that are less than positive and affirming the potential of those that could be reformed into becoming your strengths. See this process as one of standing as both juror and judge of how you have unjustly seen yourself. Libra will begin the process of allowing you the objectivity needed as impartial judge and the empathy of the juror who has experienced similar unfounded perception.

The Full Moon of Libra would be used to emotionally engage with what you have come to see as your qualities of strength. The showcase of the artist hanging the painting on the wall of his/her best qualities for all to see and admire is held in the fullness of this moon. The reactions and responses of all who see this painting will vary in their own perceptions of what a truly beautiful work of art is, but that is of no matter to the artist who has poured their soul into crafting what they wish to express of what feeds and nurtures their vision of beauty within. This is the time to lovingly offer appreciation for all of those qualities that you have brought to a place of Divine expression and resonance with the inner beauty held within the creative waters of inspired and harmonious action.

The energy of the Waning Moon in Libra would serve as the final removal of any masks of self that are not authentic and do not serve to create a state of balance within. These are the truths that others tell us in response to what they see. These are the falsehoods that we tell ourselves as we move from a place of balance and return to feeling unloved. These are the emotions that are disconnected with what we truly feel and if not brushed away gather as a mantle that clouds the true beauty of what lay beneath. Every flower that is tenderly and lovingly cultivated comes to the point where it requires pruning and weeding of what would conceal its value. And, so we are also the flower that is being cultivated by our own loving hand.

Some Additional Astrological properties of Libra

Keywords: Balance, Refinement, Collaboration

The Archetype: The Judge is the archetype associated with Libra. It is no surprise that the archetype of the Judge would be assigned to Libra. There is a sense of fairness, ethics and unbiased decision that accompanies the idealized image of one who would stand as judge. Note that I said “idealized” image, as none can remain entirely impartial. Every decision, every action, every conclusion will be formed by what has been personal experience and the underpinnings of how we emotionally engage.

And, although my perceptions of this archetype may evoke an image that is contradictory to what Libra’s energy is, I feel that it is exactly the personal and unbiased baseline that makes it possible for any judgment to be made. Libra’s energy requires the personal to support the outcome. Striving towards balance and then transforming that harmonious state into an expression that creatively engages the emotions through the process of mind can only be accomplished when the connection is made at a deeply personal level.

Rules Astrological House:

The 7th House of the Zodiac, the House of Higher Learning and Partnerships

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 now and who we hope to become. 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 contributed to the crafting of this self. Moving on towards the Sixth House we are ready to give, to serve, to cultivate and to learn the lessons of harmonious interaction. And, now moving into the Seventh House we stand ready to gather to ourselves all that we have learned on the journey thus far and use it to explore new paths, learn new ways of being and open to the partnerships forged on a new chosen path.

The Seventh House is often considered that of Higher Learning. The number seven is found throughout occult and esoteric studies in varied forms; seven days of the week, seven elder planets, seven subtle bodies, seven chakras and more. The harmonious double triad of the number Six gives the support, experience and courage needed to reach a little further out of the comfort zone and see what more there is to learn. Libra placed here is the expression of that reaching out and weighing the strengths and weaknesses so we can move forward on new paths in our best form.

Color:

The color Green in its most vibrant and clear forms is well suited to the energy of Libra. This is the color of the plant life of a fertile and balanced Earth receiving adequate Sun and Rain. This is the color of a rare and beautiful Emerald necklace caressing the skin of its wearer that speaks of opulence and grace. Green is the secondary color combining the soothing properties of blue (sky) and the strengthening of yellow (Sun). What is strengthened can easily heal and return to its perfected state of being that is balanced in all of its needs and expressions raising it to a place of grace and refined beauty.

Blooming into Beauty: Virgo to Libra

Her gentle hand moved
And fingers pulled this way
And that untangling what
Served no purpose.

For a time I was not whole
And I waited and watched
As more was taken and
I felt vulnerable and
Incomplete in my form.

I waited and hoped not
To be the strand that was
Would be cast aside.

I breathed into the waiting
And exhale carried me
Gently on its wings.

Others soon were added
Each more beautiful
Than the next and
Soon the field was
Bursting with fragrant
Sun kissed face.

Nature had woven
Her magick of sorting
Weighing and measuring
What would be scattered
On the winds and stirs
The seeker of Her gifts
To the grace and balance
Of the vision of Her beauty.

Libra is the Seventh sign of the Zodiac:

Libra takes up the work of refining what Virgo started and is now ready to put the finishing touches on what remains. Libra is the second of the Air signs and as such brings the expression of thoughts and ideas through the vehicle of the mental process. Libra brings this energy to a place of synthesis, eloquence and expression in a way that engages the senses and thus inspires more of the same.
Seasonally, under the scrutiny of Libra’s energy, in the Northern Hemisphere, we have connected with the greater Earth and the sacrifice of the animal kingdom to insure that animal and man will survive the coming winter. We have learned of the sharing of resources needed amongst all that is living and the place of balance in taking only what is needed, neither in excess nor in not having enough. In the Southern Hemisphere we are preparing for the festivities of Beltane, the fecundity and beauty of creating life. We have celebrated the Spring Equinox the place of pause and equilateral balance of day and night and this energy has been sustained and carried forward as Libra holds those scales of measure. Because of these strivings the beauty of the natural world will be maintained and the cycles of death and rebirth will be justifiable balanced.

We have crossed the mid-point in the Solar Year and the 12 Houses of the Astrological signs. Each prior to this point has concerned itself with those aspects of our being that cultivate sense of self (Aries); sense of others (Taurus); expression of ourselves (Gemini); nurturing what we hold close to our hearts (Cancer); moving into our place of power (Leo) and claiming responsibility for taking a closer look at who we have become (Virgo). Libra marks the advent into the unknown waters of putting that self “out there” for interaction, input and greater collaboration with others.

Resources

Other Posts to Re-read:

Temple of the Sun: Libra

Living on the Edge – New Moon in Libra
It is Truly Beautiful – The Sun in Libra
New Moon in Libra (2013)
The Manifest Refinement of Heart and Will- Full Moon in Libra

The Temple of Venus (Ruling Planet of Libra)

Temple of the Moon:

Day Eight: Refining and Polishing – Waxing Moon in Libra
Day Seven: it All Balances Out – Waxing Moon in Libra

Next Posts

Sunday, October 19.2014
Bonus Post

Thursday, October 23.2014
Temple of the Sun: Transit into Scorpio

The Magick of Virgo

Posted in The Temple of the Sun with tags astrology, celestial, cosmic, Esbat, Lunar, new moon, Temple of the Sun, Virgo, Waning Dark Moon on September 16, 2014 by themagickalpen

The Magick of Virgo is anchored in the realms of the physical and manifest experience. Whatever we apply Virgoan energy towards is going to receive the advantage of adaptation for survival of the fittest tools and most productive outcome. Virgo’s strength lay in its analytical and precise approach to all it is applied to. This means that its energy can be directed towards matters of the mind, heart or body, all remaining under the same gaze of scrutiny that gently removes and reshapes as needed.

The caution is one of becoming overly critical and never satisfied, despite the usefulness of what may be considered less than perfect. With this in mind and the image of the symbol associated with Virgo, the Virgin we can like n this energy to the youthful maiden who finds every fault possible in every suitor and thus denies herself the opportunity for a harmonious relationship. This Virginal quality is not determined by sexual experience, rather by an attitude that blocks all that would support the necessary fertile ground for receiving the seeds of potential for creating something new.

Virgo works directly on what we bring into our lives that is fulfilling, joyful and offers opportunity for the exuberance and even the naivete of youth, so workings that require a fresh, yet analytical and inquisitive approach are best served using Virgo’s steadfastness as the Moon Waxes or continually during the Solar Month of Virgo. Virgo is the master regulator of the Waning phase (Lunar or Solar) with its natural tendencies towards restructuring and release.

Virgo is the second sign of the second cycle of quadrant of Elements in progression around the zodiacal wheel. This is the second of the Earth astrological signs and in the order of progression, Virgo holds the place of foundation that has been refined and organized in a manner that will produce the most effective forms of manifestation. Taurus laid the homey foundations of stable strength of purpose and direction, so Virgo can now weave her magick of redecorating that home of foundation. By the time we reach the third of the Earth signs, Capricorn, everything will be in place so that the footing is sure and firm as the Sea-Goat scales the extremes of physical and manifest experience.

The Gentle Hand of the Virgin

Virgo as a sign of Mutable Earth Modality provides the quality of flexible expansion. It is this flexibility that offers up the potential for endings and beginnings. Virgo’s gift is the ability to take inventory of what is available as resource, categorize it and then spin it into a useful viable form. We could envision this as the gentle hand that prods movement in places where the convenience and comfort of remaining inert hold us. This is the gentle hand of the beautiful maiden that coaxes us to come out and play; to enjoy the fullest expression of what physical life has to offer and in this state of receptivity change occurs. The finished product of our experience is one who has tasted the pleasures of life and now can be more discerning in what he/she forms as their idealistic expectations.

Solar Month Magick

Enhances the dynamics of assessment and refining based on what has been excavated from deeper probing:

Virgo as the Sixth sign of the Solar Year concerns itself with creating the space of harmony where all can proceed in the most productive way. The Solar Month of Virgo is an excellent time to begin clearing away the clutter that impedes an easy way of navigating through all that you encounter and preparing the way for the next phase of weight and measure. The energy of this Solar month of Virgo next flows into the Air of Libra, the ultimate sign of balance and beauty that as received the finishing touches of a mind that has been carefully and selectively cultivated.

The Virgoan approach can be used for short-term projects, but is most effective for long-term workings. A goal, such as a working to assess the strengths and weaknesses of any given situation would benefit from beginning its cycle during the Solar Month of Virgo.

Similar to the New, Full and Waning cycles of the Lunar Month, beginning the working in the Solar Month of Virgo would be the first phase of examining each component that comprises the whole of who you are. This may take the form of sitting quietly and journaling those strengths and weaknesses you believe yourself to possess. You would repeat this practice several times during the month, each time making note of how the balance or content of that list may change and what parts of you are missing from this finely calculated equation. As you move through the Solar month you will begin to have a truer picture of what serves as your anchor of foundation and how these serve to allow you more freedom in your expression and interactions with others.

Using the cycle of Earth and those astrological signs of that element the next point of bolstering the energy would be during Capricorn’s flow. The Solar Month of Capricorn offers a new burst of energetic start to what you have begun of the culling process in mutable Virgo. This action builds foundations that aspire towards more and reach deeply into the core anchors you have established as you begin to carefully tread those paths of further reshaping on the ascent of progress forward.
The fixed stability of Taurus, serves to provide a space of coalescing and synthesizing strengthening. The firming up of this foundation and seeing the final product of your efforts come to stable manifestation is the ultimate goal from which this never-ending process of self-analysis can begin anew.

Lunar Magick: Fertile Earth

Engages the seeding of the emotional landscape with only the most viable product that can pass the test of survival:

Use of Lunar energy in the astrological sign of Virgo provides the energetic principle of cultivating and streamlining our emotional outpour towards more fruitful experience. If worked in a methodical manner the seas of emotional flow become rich and full of potential ad the life that is carried within teems in abundance.

Workings that require careful study and movement through what could be turbulent waters make use of the Virgoan energy in a highly collaborative way. Workings that encourage diving deeper below the superficiality of emotional response and facing the faulty foundations that have created this illusory state can be crafted to be potent and effective under the Virgin’s watchful eye.

The New Moon of Virgo could be used to gently assess what holds you prisoner in your emotional landscape and prevents for healthy interactions. Intention of carefully unraveling the spaces of knotting and barrier for smooth and ease of movement will loosen the grip of your own emotional sensors. See this process as one of nurturing with intent to reveal, not to unjustly critique and falsely lay blame. Try to be as objective and kind to yourself through this process as you would gladly to be another. Virgo will do her job regardless and as we know the gentle approach is one that removes those barriers of self-defense that then enable deeper probing.

The Full Moon of Virgo would be the time of having moved to a space of objective conclusion about what and where those barriers are. This would also be the time of making connections. Making connections that serve to inform your decision-making abilities and afford you the opportunity to be benevolent in what is released and strong in what you wish to anchor more deeply. This is also the space of further analysis and planning for what the desired outcome may be if you continue on this course. The goal is one of greater discernment; now is the time to envision what, where and how that outplays.

The energy of the Waning Moon in Virgo would be the final stage of filter and process. This is the space where foundations of what you wish to be so have been finely assessed, and further bolstered as the Moon’s energy peaked in fullness. Emotional attachments to non-supportive actions, thoughts and energies have been fully loosened and the barriers of their knots are no longer viable. A final and gentle sweeping away of the loose ends and remnants that leave less than a beautifully crafted frame of intent is all that is needed. And, in the darkened space of this newly tilled soil, you feel the germination of new life beginning and transformation is at hand.

Some Additional Astrological properties of Virgo

Keywords: Analysis, Discrimination, Detailed Structure

The Archetype: The Craftsman is the archetype associated with Virgo. This represents the ability of Virgo to create and refine using calculated methods and produce something of beauty and rare quality. Think of the clockmaker and the precision that is required in working with tiny parts that must be precisely and accurately aligned one to the other. The Craftsman also presents a level of detail and skill that requires patience. This energy of slow and steady progress is one that sets up the foundations for more elaborate design and expression to be anchored by.

If we think on those who fall into this category, passion for whatever they are producing is the motivating force that ensures the work will be a labor of love. This is the aspect of the Virgin. Virginal not because she has never enjoyed the pleasures of sex, but open and receptive in her attitude of approaching each experience as though it were the first. This is precisely the energy needed for creating the works of beauty that only a craftsman whose focus is the intention of creating something consistent in its quality and unique in its design.

Rules Astrological House:

The 6th House of the Zodiac, the House of Service

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. 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. Arriving, now at the Sixth House we are ready to give, to serve, to cultivate and to learn the lessons of harmonious interaction.

We have stood at the place of center and basked in the light of all responding to the magnetism we possess. Now, we turn that ability towards the benefit of others. We use that awareness of self and the recognition of its presence by others to till and prepare the fields of new growth that will feed their hunger for self-knowledge. The Sixth House is where we can express that strength of fertile mind, heart and body and re-shape it to our precise expectations.

Color:

The colors of Rich Browns and Earthy Greens are well suited to Virgo’s energy. She is the maiden who is fertile in her form and prolific in her ability to weed and sort to prepare the ground for seeds that will provide true abundance. This is the damp, most soil whose fragrance is rich and evokes images of quickening within. This is also the green of the freshest and newest growths that shoot up from the loamy earth, straining upwards towards Father Sun.

The Precision of Light: Leo to Virgo

Sun beats down relentless
In its need to uphold.

Sun waxes high as noon
Carves out exacting light
That exposes and lays all bare.

Sun streams energy and vitality
And purpose deftly wields the
Scythe that cuts away.

Sun releases its hold and
Chill of air calls out seeking
The embrace of Virgin’s
Delicately curved arms.

Sun slips deep into the fold of
Maiden Earth’s horizon
As all is forever changed
By her determined hand and
Selective eye that weaves through
The cloak of night revealing
The delicate beauty of her fertility
And grace of her re-forming.

Virgo is the Sixth sign of the Zodiac:

Having found the courage and boldness of Leo, Virgo is now ready to become the re-former of what has been revealed under Leo’s glaring light. Virgo is the second of the Earth signs and as such brings the promise of crafting what will be of most use and ultimately greatest service. Additionally it has received the stability of Fixed Leo, as the steady and reliable Father whose watchful eye reaches far lighting the way as he synthesizes what emerges as the expansive energy of a Daughter who wishes to create and reshape what is at hand.

Seasonally, under the scrutiny of Virgo’s energy we have reaped the rewards of the First Harvest and the selection of only what is the most usable and sustainable of food stores (Northern Hemisphere) or anticipating the quickly approaching pregnant pause of the Spring Equinox (Southern Hemisphere) and the promise of newly growing life. Both of these events concern themselves with the process of selection. Choosing what will bring about an abundant harvest and weeding through what is emerging so that only the most viable will be nurtured.

In its highest expression Virgo’s energies represent the point of knowing what is an appropriate sacrifice, and what is unproductive elimination. These are the continuation of the lessons of self-control begun in Leo’s domain, and the exertion of that will and power is brought into the reality of the need for discernment for the continuance of fertile and strong ground for planting.

We have reached the mid-point in the Solar Year and the 12 Houses of the Astrological signs. Each prior to this point has concerned itself with those aspects of our being that cultivate sense of self (Aries); sense of others (Taurus); expression of ourselves (Gemini); nurturing what we hold close to our hearts (Cancer); moving into our place of power (Leo) and finally claiming responsibility for taking a closer look at who we have become (Virgo).

Resources

Other Posts to Re-read:

Temple of the Sun- Virgo:

New Moon in Virgo: What Sort Are You?

Let Me Break It Down

Analyze This: Full Moon in Virgo

New Moon in Virgo: Analysis and Building

Temple of the Moon Postings:
Day Six: Still Waters All Around Me! – Waxing Moon in Virgo

Day Five: Let Me Break It Down – Waxing Moon in Virgo

Day Four: Cubism – Waxing Moon in Virgo

Next Post
Saturday, September 22.2014

Temple of the Sun: Transit into Libra
The Autumnal Equinox

Let Me Break It Down – The Sun in Virgo

Posted in Mercury, The Temple of the Sun with tags astrology, cosmic, esoteric writings, Lunar, mutable, Temple of Mercury, Temple of the Sun, Virgo on August 23, 2014 by themagickalpen

Sun in Virgo
8.23.2014
12:46 am (EDT)

Planetary Ruler: Mercury

Let Me Break it Down

Describe to me again
In detail what it is
That you want me to do.
If you can give me
Sufficient information
I can draw a finely
Tuned conclusion.

But, if you omit the
Fine points I will be
Forced to search until I
Have the information I need.

I can be impetuous at times.
And, occasionally I appear to be
The neophyte who is thought
To not have nearly enough experience.

These are the qualities that allow
Me to seek and unravel the deepest
Of mysteries. I see with the
Eyes of one who has not been
Jaded and corrupted by
Pre-conceived assumptions.

My attention to detail
Is rivaled by none
And my organizational skills
Are something that many
Wish they could master.

I am shrewd and analytical
And will stand strong if
My analytical mind
Is questioned.

Some may see me as
Inert and caught up in the web
Of over-analysis and detail
Others would praise my
Orderly and inquisitive nature.

So, next you have need
Of one whose hand
Moves with meticulous grace
Seek me out and let me
Break it down for you.

The Sun transited into the astrological sign of Virgo just 46 minutes past midnight this morning. This speaks volumes about the nature of Virgo and its analytical qualities. Barely able to contain itself and raring to go, Virgo’s energies are continually seeking to make sense of and sort through anything that comes its way.

The astrological sign of Virgo is one of the Element of Earth and the Mutable Modality. Its planetary ruler is Mercury, whose greater mystery is held in its transformative powers through the act of communication and inter-connectivity. The natural energy of the Sun, that of shedding great light on whatever is in its spectrum, is now amped up to become the spotlight that shines fully on what needs to be communicated about what deeper information is revealed when one probes and analyzes each aspect of that thing in a methodical way stripping away any falsehood.

This solar month has maximum potential for re-defining the foundations that have been set in place in your mundane and physical world. Virgo brings this energy to the place of being able to fine tune what we imagined to be so, and do it in the fullness of the Sun’s light and strength. Any conclusions we come to will have stood the test of methodical process.

The caution is one of not allowing this detailed process of sorting and sifting to allow inertia to set in. All of the Earth signs hold the potential for either being flexible and expansive in creating supportive foundations or burying the seeker under the weight of what wishes to be fertile in growth and continually moving. Actively tapping into the bolster of Mercury, as its Planetary ruler, insures that the findings of result at each step of the way will be shared and receive the benefit of more input that will inform the process anew.

The Element of Earth

The energy of Earth is that of the Physical and manifest world. We saw this energy expressed in the astrological sign of Taurus early in our Solar Year. Taurus was the expression of manifest form and concrete reality to insure that stable foundations are laid and guarded. Virgo takes this fertile ground of foundation and pulls from it those weeds that will deter growth and prepares it for receipt of viable seed. The downside to this type of weeding is the tendency, if not kept in check to also disrupt the naturally occurring order of viable matter and rip it from its roots.

A Mutable Modality

The energy of the Mutable signs is one of expansiveness and flexibility that is now able to move with assurance having had the active and dynamic will of the Fixed (Leo) energy that preceded it. This is the energy that signifies the end of the cycle of movement as well as the preparation for being acted upon again when it revisits the Cardinal Modality anew (Libra) as balance and refinement of what has been processed occurs. Virgo as a sign of the Mutable Modality expresses itself as it analyzes and methodically pores through everything that comes into its purview.

Flow moves directed
In purpose towards
What will tear it apart
Seeking out its heart of truth.

Its magick of repurposing
Is applied to what next
It encounters.

Allow the strength of earth
The foundation that manifests
All that moves through the
Filter of its delicate embrace.

Feel the increase in gain
From pillars built strong
Enabled by the delicate
Hand that seeks balance.

Stand strong in the manifest
Vessel of this potential
The physical container that
Holds the wisdom of all
That has been known.

Stand strong in the manifest
Vessel that will expand as
All is broken down and
Brought to the space of
Its true worth as endings
Flow into the manifest reality
Of tempered and finely honed
Beginnings.

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 Pisces tells its own unique story of the astrological wheel. Virgo is the sixth sign of the Zodiac. Numerologically, the number SIX (6) relates to harmonious action and synthesis. It is the higher amplification of the triad of the number 3 (the creative product of the duality of collaboration). Being of a Mutable Modality, the quality of Virgo is that of flexible expansion. It is this flexibility that offers up the potential for beginnings and endings; both of which require harmonious action to succeed. Virgo requires this stable base in order to maintain the necessary flexibility to take something apart, explore all of its components and then reassemble it in a more productive way.

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). Now enlivened by the desire to “know”, the healing and nurturing (Cancer- Water) of what no longer serves this goal is brought front and center into the Light of Day (Leo-Fire) to be strengthened as it is readied for the detailed analysis of Virgo (Earth) that seeks to create a new form for its manifestation.

Mercury is the Ruling Planet of both Gemini and Virgo and is the Lord of communication in all of its light of day. Speech, art, music, writing, etc. all are held within the energy of Mercury. These are the tools that Virgo uses to drill down to the core of what its place of focus is turned upon. Within the astrological sign of Airy (Mental) Gemini, Mercury was most at home basking in the natural speed of mind and the duality of being able to change course at a moment notice. Within the energy of Virgo, this style of informing is brought down from the atmosphere and aethers (Mind) and rooted in the physicality of earthly foundation (Virgo). This is also the point of balance where what we think can be in support of the concrete actions we take, the goals of physical expression we choose for ourselves and the impact we have on those we interact with.

Read more about the dynamics of Mercury in:

The Temple of Mercury
What’s Up?

At this time of the year in the Northern hemisphere, we see the potency of Virgo expressed as the sorting process as we approach the Second of three harvests. The weather hovers at the precipice of entering the chill of winter’s months and the last bursts of late Summer’s heat. The vibrancy of the Sun and flexibility of Virgo’s energy supports the sifting through of what stores of harvest we will bring into our homes and lives.

In the Southern Hemisphere the emphasis is the reversed as all continue in their preparation for the waxing of the Sun’s light. The equinox is close at hand and with it the visual delights of Spring and all that is promised by new growth. Virgo’s energy here is expressed as the weeding process occurs to clear away what would crowd out the beautiful blooms and fertile growth.
Both are states of earthy energy requiring the harmony and balance of choice and discernment. Both require foundational strength that holds the responsibility for whatever outcome may be. The goal is one of stimulation at the level of the physical and concrete worlds of existence. This state paves the way for the next phase of further refinement as the Sun transits next into the Cardinal sign of Libra.

Let Me Break It Down:

This solar month is one bursting with communication. This is typically the month for graduations, weddings, vacations and other venues that require communication, planning and a sharing of ideas.
In the chronology of the Zodiac, this is the space of time to gather all that you have learned from Leo’s expression of power and stand ready to dig (no Earth pun intended!) deeper into that place of power held within as we embark on a journey of self-understanding. This is the energy of the stabilized young adult who has gone through the trials and errors of false pride and come to a space of synthesis and security in maturing into the responsibilities of adulthood and all that it entails to successfully navigate the physical world.

The inquisitive mind of the pre-teen moves at a pace that is non-stop. This is the phase of the “I want to be” and “when I grow up, I can do this or that”. Everything is within the realms of possibility and holds no limitations to what is imagined. This was the companion expression of Mercury’s energy that we experienced in the astrological sign of exuberant Gemini. The inquisitive mind has returned; now poised with questions that will stimulate deeper exploration of anything queried and ripen and mature the querent through accumulated experience.

And, so in the spirit of analytical Virgo as we call forth the energy of the Sun as it continues its zodiacal cycle. Once again we repeat the invocation that opened the Gate to this Temple. As you read through it think back to the first time you gave resolution to a problem that underscored your ability to weed through all that was not viable; extract precisely what was relevant and take responsibility for the work you’d done in coming to a mature and wizened solution.

As you read through the invocation, think about what each line of reference is trying to communicate and what these words mean to you at every level of your being. What keys to the greater knowledge of RA’s power is hidden within the words put to paper. This is the power of analytical communication and its ability to stimulate deeper inquiry. Use this gift wisely this solar month as we invoke the Solar month in Virgo and awaken those fires of RA to enliven each foundation you choose to re-form.

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: Monday, August 25th
What Sort Are You? – New Moon in Virgo

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:

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.

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

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

Full Moon in Capricorn- Earth Waters

Posted in Auspicious Days, Esbat, Full Moon, The Temple of the Sun with tags capricorn, earth, Full moon, Lunar, Magick, Water on July 11, 2014 by themagickalpen

Full Moon in Capricorn
July 12.2014
7:25am (EDT)

Sun in Cancer

The Moon waxes full tomorrow morning (7:25 am EDT) in the astrological sign of Capricorn. The Full outpouring of moonlight lights up the landscape of our physical world and being and our feelings about our place within them. As with every Full Moon the astrological sign of placement is that which lay directly in opposition to the placement of the Solar Month on the zodiacal wheel. We have been exploring the energy of the solar month and Cancer’s focus towards nurturing and healing. Capricorn, as an Earth sign provides the tools and physical reality through which the realized potential of what love, loyalty and strength of home have the power to create. Its intent is one of slow and steady progress in manifesting the lengths and breaths of its dreams and desires. The point of tension between these two energies is one of nurture vs. nature. The nurture here is that of Cancer and the nature that of the responses of the greater world and community to what we have learned from the experiences of loving support. This is the definition of ourselves and the ability to be loved by those who are not part of our home life and offer their support based upon those lovable qualities we have successfully cultivated. These are the flowing waters (Cancer) of the persistent river that with time move the boundaries of earth (Capricorn) and move out to the Sea.

The image associated with Capricorn is that of the mythical sea-goat; equally at home in the depths as well as being able to deftly and precisely scale the steepest cliff. All the while, the primary source of stability emanates from the central space of physical landscape and earth’s support. Saturn is the ruling planet of Capricorn. Saturn is the Lord of Time and the energy of structure as held by the Gates of Time. This gives Capricorn a seemingly expansive perspective on time and using that broad view to set goals and with organized deliberation go about achieving them. This intent can also produce inertia and the fear of moving into unknown territory. The trick here is to recognize the opportunity that is arms reach away and then be unwavering in the intent to seize the day.

The Sun is mid-point in its energy of cycle and holds the wisdom of the parent in the maturity of Cancerian outpour. The energy of this parent is one of offering reassurance and providing the emotional support that enables the recipient of this love to move strongly and sure-footedly through the adventure of life. We have felt the flowing waters of Cancer as we have moved through this solar month and everyone has had difficulties of one sort or another that have provoked deep responses and emotional reaction.

Both Cancer and Capricorn are of the Cardinal Modality; meaning that each has a natural predisposition towards getting things started and paving the way using this energy in a catalytic way. Capricorn as an Earth sign provides a space of central point from which things may expand towards future aspirations or submerge into the safety of those full and ripe waters of the lunar tides. Using this energy in conjunction with the healing waters of Solar Cancer keeps those waters as a source of renewal and revitalization that can only be found within the space we call home. Capricorn offers the necessary strength and agility to navigate life’s hurdles and when applied to the waters of the Full Moon, this agility is that which can carefully navigate the turbulence of a rocky sea.

Energetically, this Full Moon is ripe for workings that are directed towards making optimal use of those opportunities that allow our feelings to remain anchored in the strength of those concrete realizations that keep us on the daily path while we explore how resilient we can make them as they stray further from that center of surety. Add the strength of the Solar Month and the “mothering” of Cancer and the recipe is one that will bring comfort and support to all endeavors.

Additionally, we have some other astrological refinements that make this Full Moon one that allows us to dive deeply into those waters that run below the surface and ultimately provide the sustenance that is required to support the natural greening of our physical state of being. These are the Retrogrades whose influence we have been feeling at the depths of our emotional and physical selves and for many have created drama where normally there was smooth sailing:

Saturn (Scorpio) Direct on July 20th
Neptune in the astrological sign of Pisces
Pluto in the astrological sign of Capricorn

The intensity and building up of what has out-pictured as emotional release for the past few months has had the stimulus of Saturn exacting its structure to what has needed to be drawn up into the light. This energy was directed through waters that lie submerged and often become the undertow. Scorpio has churned those waters and the healing of Cancer’s Sun has warmed what was cold and enlivened what was dead within. This re-defining and re-shaping moves forward with the product of its efforts on July 20th.

Neptune adds another level of intensity as compassion and empathy continue to carve out new modes of expression with Pisces’ intention of “feeling” your way through the life experience. And with each of these layers of watery expression added to the waxing of the Full Moon’s flow a higher level of understanding has been reforming who we believe ourselves to be.

The Moon pairs up with retrograde Pluto in Capricorn and what lay at the furthest reaches of our awareness of self now has opportunity to manifest from the deliberate and calculating energy of Capricorn. The caution is one of trusting the process and trusting that we are truly deserving of reclaiming those pieces of our true nature that have waited at the periphery for us to call them back to us.

As I write this, the rain is coming down in torrential downpour, the ending to a bright and sunny day. I am in my home, secure and surrounded by the years of love that are held in every space of it. Sheets of water are running down the streets and their shape is being changed by the boundaries and border of curb and grass that mark the sidewalks. For anyone who is out walking, there is no way of avoiding getting wet (even with an umbrella) as it is a driving and windy rain that holds no respect for shelter or cover.

For me personally this month as been one of my emotions taking the reins. For on who normally proceeds strongly under the guidance of mind, the over- abundance of water has been overwhelming at times. The lesson I have gained in this is that of my being more fully in touch with my physical state. Eating well, exercising and having fun and unstructured time have helped me to navigate some of these emotional challenges from a more human place.

This process has been neither comfortable nor comforting, but I have reminded myself of the Mother’s tough love at times and that being the only way that her child will stop, look and feel the weight of their non-productive actions. The waters that are continuing to find ways of new expression are moving out from a place of love and these are the waters of Cancer and Mother Moon. This is the gift of Carpicorn in creating those boundaries within fertile and life-giving earth that can withstand the gentle flow of calm waters and the torrential downpour of a storm of emotional upheaval.

Resources and Reflections:

Capricorn in Related Posts:

New Moon, New Year!

The Temple of the Moon:

Day 13: Rise to the Occasion: Waxing Moon in Capricorn
Full Moon : Ritual of Anchoring

Neptune Retrograde

Lifting the Veil-Neptune Retrograde

Next Post:
Temple of the Sun- Cancer
The Magick of Cancer

The Magick of Taurus

Posted in Lunar, Magick, The Temple of the Moon, The Temple of the Sun with tags astrology, candle magick, celestial, cosmic, earth, Esbat, esoteric writings, fixed modality, Lunar, Magick, Temple of the Sun, Tuarus on May 6, 2014 by themagickalpen

The Magick of Taurus is raw, sensual, grounded in the physical experience and prolific in its product if anchored by desire and emotional attachment. Whatever we apply Taurean energy to is going to receive a potent dose of strengthening and willing and complete i in earthly matters. Taurus is the quintessential astrological sign to make use of when exploring the physical nature of our being and all that is impacted by and results from that physicality . Its primary functions of grounding and anchoring address the very raw and primal instincts that are part of our physicality. Sweat from hard labor or exercise, sexual pursuits and intimate relationships, laying the foundations (literally or metaphorically) of what defines us through the possessions acquired, money and the way in which we engage in the business of our lives all are part of the potency of Taurus.

Venus as the ruling planet of Taurus adds an energy that seeks beauty, harmony and awakening of the emotional self. It is the heart that yearns for romance and connection. This energy supports social interaction and the overwhelming goal is to connect at a deep and often intimate level with those of our choosing. A love of the natural world and what treasures are available to enhance the home life and material endeavors of Taurus are the motivations for remaining strong and at times immovable in what has been decided upon. Matters of the heart are approached in a very concrete and visceral way and the interactions are ones that are very loyal and enduring in their stability. This is the basic need of one human in seeking out its complimentary mate to avoid isolation and aloneness. This expression of Venus is one that is intensely grounded in the physicality of love and relationships versus the Venusian expression through Libra (also ruled by Venus) which is much more cerebral and finds it resolution first in the idea of love.

Solar Month Magick

Enhances exploration of what makes you uniquely human and the physical experiences associated with manifest form.

The Solar Month of Taurus is an excellent time to begin to take stock of what the gifts of your human experience are and how these ultimately effect the comfort or dis-ease you have in navigating all of the challenges and joys of living in a physical state. This is also a time for testing the limits of what that physical form is capable of, taking that information, synthesizing (Fixed Modality) it and then moving forward based on what you have learned of yourself in the physical world. The energy of this Solar month of Taurus, next flows into talkative Gemini, so whatever is done during this time sets the foundations for what we will then communicate and share broadly in the upcoming month.

Taurus as the second sign of the Solar Year is still in the process of “becoming”. What was catalyzed last month in Aries fuels the desire to be fully present and fully engaged in human matters. Making use of this month’s energies to sure up and create a stronger vessel of container for that initial spark requires patience and hard work. With that thought in mind, using Taurus energy as a Solar working should be fully focused on the intent of the possibilities and future potential that the concrete and physical work of building in this phase will ultimately produce.

This approach can be used for short-term projects, but is most effective for long-term workings. A goal such as wanting to become stronger, fitter and healthier benefits from beginning its cycle while the Sun is in Taurus. The byproducts of care and tending to the physical body and its needs are the ability to work in support of maintaining a steady flow of income, which in turn is used to purchase those things that support the healthy lifestyle and those things that give you pleasure and joy.

Similar to the New, Full and Waning cycles of the Lunar Month, beginning the working in the Solar Month of Taurus would be the first phase of solidifying and seeding what will become the stable ground for future growth. This may take the form of assessing our health and the physical steps we have taken to insure that we are able to work and play in a vital and viable state. Using the cycle of Earth and those astrological signs of that element the next point of bolstering the energy would be during Virgo. The Solar Month of Virgo stands as the Full phase of the earth’s energy, and signals readiness to sort through, weed and begin careful and meticulous planning for the harvesting of what we have tended to within our physical nature.

The flexible energy of Capricorn (the last of the Earth signs) would serve as the point of gaining sure footing for what we have learned about our human nature. This would take the form of looking back into the depths of what connects us most deeply to the manifest world and then carrying those worthy products upwards towards completion of defining what makes us human. Successfully scaling this final mountain that leads to knowledge of the interface between our humanity and spirituality is achieved, only, by how strong the foundations and anchors we’ve created in the previous Solar Months of Taurus and Virgo have been crafted. As each of these Solar Months take hold the energy of the working is bolstered, concrete and well planned 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

Engages the flow of emotion and intuitive insights through the strength and container of manifest, physical and concrete forms.

Use of Lunar energy in the astrological sign of Taurus provides the energetic principle of stabilizing and infusing the emotional waters with seeds for potential life. Workings that desire the goal of strengthening prosperity, health, and all manner of physical possessions aptly make use of Taurus’ qualities of fertility and manifestation. Improvements relating to your physicality, such as exercise programs, becoming more active and more vital in those physical endeavors benefit from Taurean application.

The New Moon of Taurus could set up the foundation for beginning the process of bolstering your finances. This would be a great time to begin a prosperity working. The Full Moon would reinforce the abundance of what has been gained. Attention would be directed to and gratitude for the work’s success and acknowledgement of the concrete steps taken, in addition to the magickal work set in motion would be bolstered and reinforced. And, the Waning Moon’s energy would be used to release any habits that keep you spending in ways that are not supportive of creating abundance. Release of the attitude of lack and any challenges and barriers that you perceive as keeping you less than anchored in your intended goal would also be made.

Some Additional Astrological properties of Taurus

Keywords: Stability, Foundation, Finances, Longevity, Manifestation, Fecundity.

The Archetype: The Farmer is the archetype associated with Taurus. This exemplifies the deep commitment to Earth and all that is contained in this realm. The Farmer is caretaker and grower of what sustains life. He works the land with love and respect, knowing that his actions will either destroy or create. He/She is intimately connected to the seasons and their impact and relies on the wisdom of his own physicality to insure success. It is this ability to know so deeply the materials that are the ingredients in manifest form that make Taurus to be called upon for grounding and proliferation of what is begun.

Rules Astrological House: The 2nd House of the Zodiac, the “House of Possessions”. This is the house that defines you by what you have acquired. Those physical things that allow you comfort and pride in what you have achieved through the physicality of your own endeavors. Financial stability, strength of home and living the life you wish to live surrounded by those things that you possess. Workings that enhance and are in support of that definition of yourself crafted by what is acquired benefit from using Taurus’ energy.

Color: The rich Green of the Natural world. This is the color of the varied shades of green leaf, wet grass and damp moss that cannot be replicated in the potency of its sensorial effect regardless of how skilled the colorist may be. Green is the color of money and the association is one of the financial stability having adequate amounts can provide. Green is the healing color of herbs that are grown to vibrancy and sacrificed in the making of homeopathic and natural preparations. Using this color to align with the energy of Taurus is to re-member and to strengthen the connections we have to the verdant world around us. It is to anchor ourselves in our planetary home and to recall the opening of the senses as you walked through a lush green field of summer green grasses.

Connection and Flow: Aries to Taurus

I am patient and I am persistent
As I move through life’s course.
And within my breast beats
A heart that holds the earth’s
Wisdom and light deep within.

Taurus is the second sign of the Zodiac and following in the enthusiastic outpour of Aries, Taurus stands ready in its place of a fixed sign. The initial burst of enthusiasm (Aries) is now curbed and brought into form by the concrete solid container that is Taurus.

Seasonally, under the potent rays of the Taurus sun the call is to be outdoors and working in the garden and fields; surrounded by the blossoming of plants and new vegetation. The earth is rich and filled with what is needed to produce crops and fragrant flowers. The preparation and necessary quickening of this state of fertility was conceived under the Aries sun. Seeing all potential and enthusiastically taking action to plant the seeds and lend its growing light. The heat contained within and above the earth warms the soil so that it may be the fertile container that holds the mystery of greening life.

Physically, the flow from Aries to Taurus is one of reveling in our physical form. The anticipation of warmer days, and return to the stimulation of earthy pursuits was fired up as Spring opened a attitude of fresh perspective and the promise of thriving with each day. Aries is the infant and toddler learning of their impact on the surroundings. Taurus is the child, digging in the dirt, making mud pies and seeing everything from a sensorial approach, learning from the experience in preparation for communicating everything it knows as it flows into Gemini.

Other Posts to Re-read:

New Moon in Aries: Temple of the Sun
Dig Deep, Stand Strong and Soar

Full Moon in Taurus: Temple of the Moon
Stand By Me!

Next Post:

Full Moon in Scorpio
5.14.2014

The Manifest Refinement of Heart and Will

Posted in Auspicious Days, Full Moon, Lunar, Magick, Uncategorized, Waxing Moon with tags Air, astrology, cardinal, celestial, cosmic, earth, Eclipse, Esbat, esoteric writings, Lunar, Lunar Eclipse, polarity on April 14, 2014 by themagickalpen

Image Credit: NASA Photo Gallery

April 15.2014

Full Moon in Libra

3:42a.m. (EDT)

Total Lunar Eclipse Begins 3:07am (EDT)

The Moon is Full in the early morning hours of April 15th in the astrological sign of Libra with a total Lunar Eclipse punctuating the energetic experience. This combination offers the potential for some very powerful and deep spiritual work.

A Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the shadow of the Earth as it is lit from behind by the Sun. The usual orbit of the Moon is just far enough off the Earth/Solar plane that the Moon makes its journey avoiding the shadow of the Earth casts. The eclipse places the Sun directly behind the Earth as the Moon moves into the position within Earth’s shadow. This early morning eclipse will be a Total Eclipse meaning that the Moon passes through the entirety of the Earth’s shadow from 3:07am to 4:25am. The refraction of light occurring from the filtering of earth’s atmosphere as light shines directly from the Sun behind the earth causes a natural progression of changing the moon’s coloring from the creamy white of a normal Full Moon to a reddish brown coloring of the moon as the eclipse event takes place. The Moon returns to its milky whiteness as She basks in the full shining of Sun upon her face.

For lots of great information about eclipses and, in particular this eclipse go to: mreclispse.com. This site has everything you want to know about the astronomy of Solar and Lunar Eclipses.

If we consider the spiritual implications of the eclipse energy we are able to call upon the energies of Will (Sun), Manifestation and Foundation (Earth) and intuitive Heart (Moon). In the placement of the Lunar Eclipse, Earth receives the direct outpouring of the sun’s energy as its reflective back light of emanation towards the Moon’s surface. Divine Will (our Spiritual Sun) is brought to a place of manifest and practical use as we, as physical beings, are especially enlivened by its solar principle and dynamic of energy.

The reflection of this shadow of light emanates out towards the moon in her phase of fullness through the filter of Earth (and opportunity to bring it to manifestation). This refraction of sun’s light refines the matters of heart and quickens in a subtle yet profound way of application as it passes through the earth shadow of our form imbuing the Full Moon energy with the hidden resources of what lay at our inner sun’s core. Drawing this light shadow that holds the mysteries of our internal lunarscape into the intuitive waters that flow in the intermittent dimming (the frequency of the Lunar Eclipses) of its full potential provides the space of accessing those qualities that strengthen the aspects of our manifest nature that lay in the shadows and enliven these by emotional and intuitive insight so they may be used in a more practical manner as they are brought to the fullness of their potential. Who we are in the strength (Sun) of our manifest form (Moon) and the will we call forth empowers these deep waters of our intuitive nature (Moon).

Now, add the astrological component. The Moon is Full in the Cardinal sign Libra. Libra is depicted as the Scales of balance. Refinement and love of the intellectual nature of calibrating the scales of balance to maintain that balance is the type of mental gymnastics the Air (Intellect/mind) sign of Libra enjoys. The Full Moon ushers in the highest potential and peak of whatever energy it is reflecting, so heart infused by refined emotions and intuition honed by informed trial and error are at hand.

The emphasis of balance that Libra exerts is enhanced by this Total Lunar Eclipse. The polarities of Male (Sun) and Female (Moon) that are present in the opposition of Sun and Moon that occurs during a full moon are both subdued in their synthesis at the level of manifestation(Earth). In this case, the extremes of the natural flow of Sun and Moon are brought to the mid-point of Earth, standing as synthesizer of the two. This is the purposeful and modulated conversation between a pair of opposites (Sun and Moon) that has similar goal and each is willing to compromise (Libra) in its application and civilized assertion of its needs and desires so that something reflecting the harmonious (Libra) values of each may be initiated (Cardinal Modality) towards manifest form (Earth).

In spiritual working, making full use of these varied dynamics of a Full Moon and a Lunar Eclipse offers opportunity to reshape and refine what we think about those qualities of heart that lie just below the surface of what we normally express to inform our human experience. This action allows the calling forth of the informed intent to bring them into a state of balance and harmonious expression in our daily affairs. And, all works collaboratively in a balanced state knowing that strength of Divine Will (Sun) continually flows in support as the back lighting for the ebb and flow (Moon) of these energies as the foundational (Earth) work that the shadow of our inner creative Will to Manifest brings to the surface.

Other Resources:

NASA/Eclipses
First Total Lunar Eclipse of 2014: The Complete Skywatcher’s Guide

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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Temple of the Cosmic Spheres

Archive for Lunar

The Magick of Scorpio

The Magick of Libra

The Magick of Virgo

Let Me Break It Down – The Sun in Virgo

The Magick of Leo

Image credit: Brilliant Sun, Alternative Jazz Band

New Moon in Leo-Standing in the Spotlight!

Full Moon in Capricorn- Earth Waters

The Magick of Taurus

The Manifest Refinement of Heart and Will

Image Credit: NASA Photo Gallery

The Magick of Aries

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Robin Fennelly

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