Aquarius 03°: A deserter from the Navy.

17:41, 01.25.2015, Aquarius 03°

p. 250     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 303 (AQUARIUS 03°): A DESERTER FROM THE NAVY.

KEYNOTE: The individual's self-realization through a crucial repudiation of a collective status which has become unreliable.

This symbol recalls the one for Scorpio 21°, but the fact that actual "desertion" is emphasized and reference is made to "the Navy" suggests that the crisis symbolized here is one implying an irrevocable change of status. Man refuses to accept the type of cultural patterns derived from his society's specific approach to local circumstances and to the universe as a whole, and in another sense, from its particular relationship to the all-human collective Unconscious. (The Navy refers to the ocean of primordial and unconscious evolutionary forces.) He not only refuses to obey orders, he deliberately turns his back on his collective social status; he becomes an outcast, and through this decision he may definitely individualize his consciousness.

This is the third stage of the sixty-first five-fold sequence. Something with collective social value is being potentially  destroyed, but nature is not the destroyer (as in the preceding symbol). Man, the individual, steps out of his bondage to collective patterns and ideals. He may thus "find himself" by means of a sharp renunciation of his social birthright, i.e. by a crucial process of DESOCIALIZATION.

Girlcapsule's Response:

Note: the symbol that Rudhyar makes reference to (Scorpio 21°) is: OBEYING HIS CONSCIENCE, A SOLDIER RESISTS ORDERS, with a the KEYNOTE: A readiness to face the results of a refusal to follow the authoritarian patterns of an aggressive society.

Aquarius 02°: An unexpected thunderstorm.

09:03, 01.24.2015, Aquarius 02°

pp. 249-250     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 302 (AQUARIUS 02°): AN UNEXPECTED THUNDERSTORM.

KEYNOTE: The need to develop the inner security which will enable us to meet unexpected crises.

An interesting connection can be made between the symbols for Taurus 01° and 02°—"A clear mountain stream" and "An electrical storm"—and those for Aquarius 01° and 02°, two hundred and seventy degrees apart (a "waning" square, in terms of a cycle of relationship such as the lunation cycle). In the first case we deal with energies or activities that can be related to the natural development of the individual. But here we are primarily concerned with social, collective processes and the function of the individual within them. The symbol itself—"An unexpected thunderstorm"—could be given a very positive meaning in an arid environment, but the emphasis on "unexpected" tends to accent the sudden and dangerous character of the event. Such a thunderstorm in a region of dry hills can cause a devastating flood. At any rate, it refers to an event for which one is not prepared—a menace to men's works.

Seen as a second stage symbol—thus in contrast to the preceding one—this scene stresses the fact that nature may reduce to impermanence the seemingly most permanent endeavors and constructive activities of men. Under a downpour of rain, adobe brick can return to mud. All human institutions and their achievements can be washed away, even in their day of great glory. "Dust you were, dust you must become."  This is NATURE'S CHALLENGE.

Girlcapsule's Response:

The nature of the evolutionary process will always include cataclysm and metamorphosis. My question is: what more is possible that we have yet to entertain?

Also, I want to apologize for anyone following this series in chronological order...I realize lately the quality of my responses is suffering since I'm still between homes and traveling. I can only trust this process to hold true to itself while I work through this state of limbo.

Aquarius 01°: An old adobe mission in California.

18:48, 01.23.2015, Aquarius 01°

pp. 248-249     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

SCENE TWENTY-ONE: CONTRIBUTION
(Aquarius 01°—15°)

FIRST LEVEL: ACTIONAL

PHASE 301: (AQUARIUS 01°): AN OLD ADOBE MISSION IN CALIFORNIA.

KEYNOTE: The power inherent in all great human works to endure far beyond the workers' life spans.

The works and spirit of the Spanish priests who directed the building of the California missions have had a lasting influence on the development of this land; these remain as a monument to the men who were able to make their mark upon this alien environment. While the zodiacal sign Capricorn begins with a symbol of socio-political power, Aquarius at its start presents a more spiritualized and idealistic or creative picture of the social forces at work. Moreover, it stresses the enduring character of human achievements ensouled by a great vision. At least within the frame of reference of our Western civilization, the symbol speaks of the projection of a noble ideal into concrete forms of beauty and significance, thus of the radiation of a "civilizing" power into an institution offering to primitive men the opportunity to reach a higher, more organized and productive, level of activity.

This is the first stage in the sixty-first five-fold sequence. It speaks to us of the CONCRETIZATION OF AN IDEAL. This also implies the "immortalization" of an individual within a great collective and cultural enterprise.

Girlcapsule's Response:

Today I encountered these guys interacting peaceably.

Capricorn 30°: A secret meeting of men responsible for executive decisions in world affairs.

07:55, 01.22.2015, Capricorn 30°

p. 248     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 300 (CAPRICORN 30°): A SECRET MEETING OF MEN RESPONSIBLE FOR EXECUTIVE DECISIONS IN WORLD AFFAIRS.

KEYNOTE: The power to assume responsibility for crucial choices arrived at after mature discussions with those who share this power.

We are all aware now of the work of secret committees in the White House and at all levels of the government. The student of esoteric philosophy believes in the existence of what has been called an "inner Government" which has the power to direct or guide the evolution of our planet and of mankind. Some people speak of "occult Hierarchy," or of the "White Lodge." Here again what is at stake is a "seeing through" the facts of telluric processes and human history—assuming that these facts are at least in part the outcome of the decisions of a supreme Council of quasi-divine Beings. Obviously the symbol can also refer to what occurs at the more ordinary level of business and politics. At any level, it refers to the highest form of social interaction.

This is the last symbol belonging to Scene Twenty and related to the zodiacal sign Capricorn. We see in it the culmination of social responsibility and a reference to EXECUTIVE POWER.

Girlcapsule's Response:

Today I visited the Kennedy Space Center.

Capricorn 29°: A woman reading tea leaves.

09:51, 01.21.2015, Capricorn 29°

p. 247     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 299 (CAPRICORN 29°): A WOMAN READING TEA LEAVES.

KEYNOTE: The ability to see the Signature of hidden meaning in every occurrence drawing one's attention.

Man has always sought to interpret the meaning of events or situations which baffle him in terms of specific omens or "Signatures." The reading of tea leaves is only a commonplace modern version of a certain type of procedure used by priests of all ancient religions. The practice is based on a realization of "the relation of everything to everything else"—a definition of astrology given by Marc Jones. Dream interpretation in depth psychology belongs to the same category, as it is based upon the establishment of a close connection between the unconscious and the conscious. But in dream analysis the individual unconscious, at least at first, is mainly referred to, while in omens (or modern fortunetelling at its best) one relies upon the power of occult forces or entities to convey the information that will clarify confusing situations.

This fourth stage symbol can be referred to a specific "technique" of understanding or evaluation. What is implied is the ability not only to perceive the facts of everyday existence, but to see through these facts and discover how they are related to the realm of basic meanings or archetypal processes. This is essentially what is meant by true CLAIRVOYANCE, the capacity to see in everything the Signature of deeper realities.

Girlcapsule's Response:

Capricorn 28°: A large aviary.

09:39, 01.21.2015, Capricorn 29° (posting one day late from current Sabian symbol)

pp. 246-247     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 298 (CAPRICORN 28°): A LARGE AVIARY.

KEYNOTE: The enjoyment of spiritual values by the soul able to familiarize itself with their implications.

Birds symbolize spiritual forces, and the aviary presents us with a picture of these forces or desires contained within a mind open to the light of psychic or Soul realities, and bringing joy and harmony to the consciousness. The strenuous ascent represented by the preceding scene changes into a picture of familiarity with inspiring experiences. Yet this familiarity may also suggest a lack of spontaneity and of the thrill of discovery. To use modern terms, the peak experiences have become those of a high plateau, at which level one may lose one's sense of direction at times.

This is the third stage in the sixtieth sequence of phases which lead to group mastery of cosmic energies. The youthful effort to reach the summits of cultural and spiritual attainment has settled down into a complex state of inspiration—a state which at times may bring confusion because of the multiplicity of the voices to which one has become open. One may speak here of CLAIRAUDIENCE, meaning a capacity for being responsive to many inner voices.

Girlcapsule's Response:

Capricorn 27°: Pilgrims climbing the steep steps leading to a mountain shrine.

19:07, 01.18.2015, Capricorn 27°

p. 246     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA,  by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 297 (CAPRICORN 27°): PILGRIMS CLIMBING THE STEEP STEPS LEADING TO A MOUNTAIN SHRINE.

KEYNOTE: The ascent of the individualized consciousness to the highest realizations reached by the spiritual leaders of its culture.

We hear a great deal now about "peak experiences," but this symbol tells us that they depend to a very great extent upon following a path which many have trod before, under the inspiration of the great Teachers and Sages of our race. The shrine is built by the unceasing dedication of perhaps generations of men. The pilgrimage is hallowed by the devotion of many, even though each person finds on his own mountaintop what to him seems a unique and transcendent revelation.

In this second stage symbol we witness the rise of the human consciousness; the preceding symbol spoke of what one may picture as the "descent" of the energies of nature which, like  water, flow down toward a lower level of intensity. It is man's supreme task to rise like fire, impelled by a vision he shares with his companions. The Keyword: UPREACHING.

Girlcapsule's Response:

Ok, this turned up by the artist-activist Dallas_Clayton

I am also happy to report that the theme of my evening with friends turned to a discussion of transdimensionality and the possibility of "contact" (à la Carl Sagan...or Interstellar, or Conception). Something like this is on the archetypal horizon, so it seems.