Pisces 23º: A "materializing" medium giving a seance.

11:16, 03.31.2015, Aries 09º (late posting)

p. 283     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 353 (PISCES 23º): A "MATERIALIZING" MEDIUM GIVING A SEANCE.

KEYNOTE: The ability to give of one's own vital energy to substantiate one's conscious ideals or unconscious desires.

The person who believes he or she has a mission or mandate, or any special gift that can be of value to his community, must substantiate this belief. He has to produce results. Sometimes this involves difficulties and special conditions or circumstances; it always demands to some extent the gift of some power of value which is deeply one's own. The thought of sacrifice was suggested by the "white lamb" in the first symbol of this five-fold series. Something precious involved in a deeply personal experience has to be surrendered, offered to others. The medium's psychic substance provides the materials made visible in the phenomena, if the latter are genuine. After the seance, the medium is usually exhausted. The performer gives of his very life to the performance.

This refers to the third stage in the seventy-first five-fold process. The display of psychic power that the symbol depicts can be interpreted positively or negatively according to the motives that induce the "medium" to give the seance. In its most constructive aspect it suggests the Keyword: SUBSTANTIATION. The shadowy aspect of the process is "deception."

Pisces 21º: Under the watchful and kind eye of a Chinese servant, a girl fondles a little white lamb.

09:27, 03.12.2015, Pisces 21º

pp. 281-282     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

SECOND LEVEL: EMOTIONAL-CULTURAL

PHASE 351 (PISCES 21º): UNDER THE WATCHFUL AND KIND EYE OF A CHINESE SERVANT, A GIRL FONDLES A LITTLE WHITE LAMB.

KEYNOTE: Growth in consciousness in its earliest tactile awareness of the wonders of unsophisticated living.

This symbol recalls the one for Phase 174 (Virgo 24º)––"Mary and her little lamb"––but it occupies a different position in the five-fold sequence and a new factor is added: the "Chinese servant." According to the occult tradition, the original Chinese race was an extension of the humanity (or "Root Race") preceding ours––thus the stress upon the biological factors of family and ancestors, and also on the dualism of the Yang and Yin interplay. The "Chinese servant" represents the past as a servant of the new evolution. (The "white lamb" suggests the sign of all beginnings, Aries.) This new evolution is just about to begin during the late Pisces phase of the year cycle. It is as yet an ideal, a white loveliness. The girl discovers the new feeling of the touch of wool and of animal warmth. The preceding five-fold sequence began with a symbol suggestion the inspiring revelation of new truths or facts which the creative person is seeking to formulate. Now we witness another kind of discovery––a sensuously emotional discovery, perhaps a presentiment of the mother-feeling.

This is the first symbol of the seventy-first sequence. it brings together past and future, an overlapping of levels. The Chinese kindly watching the white girl; the girl fondling the white lamb. There is charm and ingenuousness in the scene––a vision of WHITE HOPE, a hope for a future that can only be felt, almost naïvely.

Girlcapsule's 2¢:

Here is an informational excerpt from Rudhyar's introduction of the Sabian Symbol system:

pp. 16-17  (Rudhyar's italics):

In the Sabian system, the cyclic structure...is founded upon a pattern derived from the relationship between the day and the year––periods which constitute the two most basic factors in the structuring of human experience. It is true that the year contains more than 360 days, which means that the earth rotates more than 360 times around its polar axis during a complete revolution around its orbit; but an intriguing feature common to all celestial periods is that they can never be measured in whole numbers and no planetary cycle is an exact multiple of another. 

This means that one has to distinguish between archetypal and existential cycles and relationships...The 360-degree zodic is a formula of archetypal relationships; but our human experience presents to our consciousness a slightly larger sequence of days and nights. The 360-degree cycle refers to the meaning of experience; the days-and-nights sequence to the facts of experience. 

We shall see how this 360-degree pattern subdivides itself geometrically through a two-fold, three-fold, four-fold, five-fold and six-fold rational segmentation. Such interior processes of subdivision of the organic series of 360 degrees define various patterns of relationship and subsidies of degrees which, considered in their entirety, constitute the structure of a cycle of meanings. No cyclic series of symbols can be considered significant which does not reveal some definite kind of internal structuring, however interesting and apt isolated symbols may be. 

This is why, in my opinion, out of the few sets of 360 degree symbols which have been recorded in Western astrology only the Sabian symbols should be considered truly valid. Other sets might reveal an equally significant internal structure if carefully studied and reformulated, but I have not seen any work done in that direction. The issue here reaches much deeper than a superficial evaluation of this or that set of 360 symbols. It deals with the difference between a holistic and an atomistic approach to human experience and to life or knowledge in general. 

When we deal with any cyclic series of factors or phases, merely to consider the character, quality and value of the symbolic representation of any one of these factors as a separate entity without an essential (or structural) relationship to all the others makes no sense to the holistic mind. Every phase no doubt has a character of its own which can be described in one way or another, but this character should be given some kind of functional or "organic" meaning in terms of the cyclic process as a whole. If one looks at the process of growth of an organism every phase of that process has a functional meaning in relation to the preceding and succeeding phases. It does not represent an isolated occurrence. In the same way, if one studies the 22 Tarot cards or the 64 symbols of the I Ching, one is dealing with a succession of phases referring to a whole process; the 12 signs of the tropical zodiac––which as a whole refer to the annual cyclic relationship of the Earth to the Sun––likewise have meaning according to their position in the complete cycle of the year. 

Pisces 20º: A table set for an evening meal.

13:50, 03.11.2015, Pisces 20º

p. 281     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 350 (PISCES 20º): A TABLE SET FOR AN EVENING MEAL.

KEYNOTE: An indication that in the end and at the appointed time the individual's needs will be met among those to whom he is linked by a spiritual (or biological) web of energies.

The significant element in this scene is not only the meal, but the fact that it is an "evening" meal. To use traditional symbolism, after a long chain of personal existences the Soul returns to its spiritual home at the close of the day-of-manifestation. There it finds that which renews and amply sustains; the happiness of the "beyond of existence" is experienced––if all has gone well.

This last symbol of the seventieth five-fold sequence promises a satisfying or fulfilling end to whatever one has been undertaking. As the life closes, the Soul-consciousness finds NOURISHMENT in the harvest of whatever, during the whole life, has been relevant to the archetypal purpose and destiny of the Soul––one of the myriad of aspects of the divine creative word which began the cycle.

Girlcapsule's 2¢:

Here's a visual trail into my version of how this symbol made itself apparent to my perception. This image series creates the one way of demonstrating the difficulty of distinguishing the process of reading signs vs. the completely different experience of a powerful synchronicity that is immediately noticeable in the body and clearly related to one's personal experience inner and outer, and in the service of psycho-spiritual growth, it is widely believed.

all else is "pin the tail on the dragon"

Note to self: prepare a bit more for tomorrow's response, and don't respond to the word "fondle" (dead cat karma)

Pisces 19º: A master instructing his disciple.

12:57, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º

pp. 280-281     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 349 (PISCES 19º): A MASTER INSTRUCTING HIS DISCIPLE.

KEYNOTE: The transfer of power and knowledge which keeps the original spiritual and creative Impulse of the cycle active and undeviated.

The Hindu ideal of the sacred relationship between guru and chela (disciple) has of late become familiar to a vast number of young and not-so-young people. The doctrine of "the Apostolic succession" in the Roman Catholic Church has a similar significance. The Power and archetypal knowledge released "in the beginning" of any cycle (or at "Creation") must be perpetuated until the very Last Day–the Omega state of which Teilhard de Chardin glowingly speaks. This Power is the "self" of the cyclic manifestation, the unchanging Tone (AUM) of all existences within this cycle. It can be transmitted from master to disciple at the latter's "Initiation." It must be so transmitted for when the line of transmission (in Sanskrit, guruampara) is discontinued, the cyclic process begins to collapse in futility and spiritual darkness.

This fourth stage symbol give us a clue to the supreme technique necessary for the continuation of all manifestations of power and spiritual understanding. The transmission is from person to person; it follows a general, unchanging pattern, yet it operates in terms of particular and individual circumstances. Keyword: INVESTITURE.

Girlcapsule's 2¢:

I don't know what is most important to express in this moment. I am in a state of astonishment at the power this meditation has for taking tangible shape in my life. To make life like a living dream or nightmare. First: wow. Wow, Dane Rudhyar, this stuff is powerful! What is this? Some kind of adhoc secret society's initiation process? It is really brilliantly orchestrated. Truly resonant with the rhythm of the spheres. This is magic for me.

There is being forged through this process a beautiful weaving of dream images that have come up in lucid moments, such as one here that I recreated visually:

I dreamed a lucid moment of discovering my red-handled scissors stuck into my bookshelf as shown above. I stood a little ways across from it. My energy seemed mostly held by my personal Animus who is Owusu, a dark-skinned and muscle-taut warrior of the age of shamans and when the human spirit was more attuned to the natural rhythms of place. I am also Owusu, I am the joint mind of the Yin and Yang of myself, and so I strode forward into lucidity. 

Here is an account of what happened when I became lucid: I experienced the sensation of emotional guilt run through my body as soon as I made a decision to attempt to move the red scissors by magical means derived from my archetypal read of the situation. I felt guilt because I was aware of a voice that brought to mind the archetypes of Father and Wise Old Man. My awareness placed this masculine authority above and to one side of me. This voice was recalling Stan Grof's reservation in these matters. Stan once resisted the temptation of performing a telekinetic experiment during a peak transcendent moment when he experienced himself as magically projected through a kind of wormhole into his parents' apartment a continent away from his physical form, as he tells the story. We cannot know the implications of our actions in such a moment and what they might catalyze. This is a wise opinion that I truly respect. But I chose to act anyway.

I could hardly help myself once I noticed a pair of green-handled scissors down and to the side of me. They were also lodged in among a row of books on a shelf. Looking from one pair to the other it seemed obvious that the colors and positioning indicated a harmonious linking energy between them–something that could be acted upon, which is what I attempted to do.

I was the she-figure of the Green Man archetype in that moment, it was not Owusu, it was me–whole and complete in spirit. I tested the force of my will against the habituated force of the flux. I choose curiosity over caution. I grabbed hold of the green handles and pulled without thinking any further.

In my lucid dream state I was attempting to release the red-handled scissors from the bookshelf by taking an opposing and symbolic action of activating the process by pulling on the green-handled scissors just near me with my dream body's agency. 

It occurred to me only belatedly that the amount of force with which I yanked on the green scissors might be dangerously echoed in the release of the red scissors, according laws of physics and assuming the telekinetic potential of the dream's experimental set-up behaved in some variation of accordance with the natural way of things. This realization caused my dream body to react with a spasm of fear as I whipped my attention back around to the red-handled pair just six feet away and perfectly aimed to come flying straight for me.

The red scissors did not come flying out of the bookshelf, they did not move at all before the jarring effect of having to manage the fear of my dream body from being wounded drew me out of the dream altogether. I hope to be ready next time. I will prepare by revisiting this dream as a pair of blue-handled scissors watching the scene from behind a hidden screen and see what comes up. Active imagination homework!   

Pisces 18º: In a gigantic tent, villagers witness a spectacular performance.

12:42, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º (late posting)

pp. 279-280     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 348 (PISCES 18º): IN A GIGANTIC TENT, VILLAGERS WITNESS A SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE.

KEYNOTE: The collective appeal of a well-staged and exciting display of skill and/or oratory.

At first, Marc Jones interpreted the "gigantic tent" as the locale for a revivalist's meeting; later he suggested a circus ten instead. In a sense, the basic meaning is the same. Whether it is the traditional performance of skilled clowns, acrobats or animal trainers, or that of a religious fundamentalist dramatizing an old religious imagery, what takes place is the use of personal achievement and conviction to bring a crowd to a state of enthusiasm sufficient to make it forget its boredom with everyday routine or its familiar sins of commission or omission.

At this third stage of the seventieth five-fold sequence, the individual person and the collectivity are brought together in a significant performance which subtly strengthens the communal spirit directly or indirectly. The implication of the symbol, whenever it is found operating, is that the time has come for the individual to dare to present himself and his works to his community for applause, or for the purpose of attracting a following. What is suggested is PUBLIC SELF-DRAMATIZATION.

Pisces 17º: An Easter parade.

12:32, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º (late posting)

p. 279     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 347 (PISCES 17º): AN EASTER PARADE.

KEYNOTE:  The capacity inherent in all great sociocultural Images to unite the members of a community in a display of excellence.

Here we see, by contrast, the unifying power of great myths and symbols in truly organic and self-perpetuating culture. The Image of the Resurrection spurs all men within the pale of Christendom to appear at their very best and to dynamite themselves in some kind of self-renewal in response to the Christ mythos, and to the call of nature's springtime as well. Wherever found, this symbol emphasizes the value of attuning one's life and activities and moods to the ritualistic patterns of society or Earth-nature, rather than acting in complete independence from the group.

At this second stage of the five-fold subcycle the Collective dominates the Individual, Yin overpowers Yang. It is a time for conformity to what constitutes the highest ideals of one's culture and for PARTICIPATION IN COLLECTIVE PEAK EXPERIENCES.

Insertion: Cumulative Retrospective...Girlcapsule's 2¢

endlessly finding enchanted 'findings'. . . so fun.

12:01, 03.10.2015, 19º Pisces

by Girlcapsule's 2¢