Yesterday we experienced a partial eclipse of the Moon in Capricorn. We’re now in a two week phase from Full Moon to the next eclipse at the New Moon that’s like an isolated bubble of time. These happen about every five-and-a-half months, usually with a cluster of two (or sometimes three) eclipses. The last time was in the midst of the holiday season, in the middle of what I described as the winter whirl [note, this link takes you to premium content].
This two week phase is a time when all of the properties of the eclipses are the easiest to work with: pattern setting, break in continuity from the past, and a sense of decisions having bigger influence than we’re accustomed to.
Yesterday’s eclipse occurred in the 7th house of the Thema Mundi [note, this link takes you to premium content]. The Thema Mundi is the ‘chart of the world’ used as a teaching tool by the Hellenistic Greeks, which is a key to the system of astrology. So an eclipse in Capricorn, being in the 7th house, is about relationships. To me this eclipse is about letting go of the ‘old version’ of ourselves that is caught in any relationship and preventing us from growing.
You know how this happens, right? Someone gets used to you being someone, with certain tendencies and needs, and that’s the person you become to them. In order to grow into someone else, you need to let go of that person so you can be who you are now. Note that this can keep us trapped in personality shells for years — and the most durable one is the one that our parents set us up with.
Eclipses help shift continuity, including continuity of what we think of as a ‘self’. Here’s how this looks: Cancer is the sign on the 1st house of the Thema Mundi, so it’s the concept of self. Then that self concept experienced an eclipse in the 7th house of relationships conjunct Pluto — mandatory growth, the awareness of soul, necessary loss, transition and transformation — in the 7th house — of relationships — representing Cancer, the 1st house — self.
Do you follow me? When you think of Capricorn think of the past, of patterns, of tradition; think of obligation, think of rules and borders, consider the influence of guilt when we break the supposed rules. And Pluto is there ready to transform the whole business into something meaningful and authentic and useful.
The next eclipse is an eclipse of the Sun in Cancer. On the theme of relationships, this is conjunct Juno, an asteroid that’s all about those expectations, patterns and predispositions in relationship — and our expectations of what a relationship partner is supposed to be about. The theme picks right up, and we are now living from eclipse to eclipse for the next 14 days. This is the expanded, concentrated moment where you get to make those changes, when you get to pick some patterns you don’t like and let go of them.
“… you need to let go of that person so you can be who you are now.”
With Mimi’s account, this might not be so literal. It “sounds like” her sister is still around, albeit having fits from the apparent overnight change of Mimi (which likely took months if not years to come to fruition). It might actually be more symbolic of the need to let go of one of our many faces within – in Mimi’s case the identity that she held onto in relation to her sister. She let go of that part of herself, not necessarily her sister. At least, that’s what it sounds like.
Good for Mimi, I’m sure that wasn’t easy at all. But oh so liberating I bet!
MoonRose
“… and in that same time my relationships are much more productive and fulfilling.”
Maybe because you’ve put sex on the back burner? Would that have anything to do with it?
hypnotic, that’s a curious question you’ve raised. I wonder if it has anything to do with how unbounded a person’s energy is.
I had an energy session with a woman who gave the example of herself, that when she was younger her root chakra was “out there all over the place” and she was always approached and propositioned by men, even when she wasn’t the fairest of them all. She later did a lot of energy work and learned how to contain that chakra’s energy and that situation resolved itself in kind. I think of energy healers who have to learn how to do this as well, because of the energy exchange. They have to, or should, learn how to let someone else’s energy flow through them without being ensnared within them, or should learn some technique to discharge it. Something that works like that I would think is important.
I remember a massage session I had where the masseuse at the end went through some posture where he was standing behind me, facing me, brought his hands together like namaste, paused with eyes closed, and then let his hands and arms fall below my view, and then raised them up and back over his head, in a quick flow, as he arched backward as well. This reminded a little of pieces of a sun salutation. I watched, eyes slightly open, and could literally feel the energy moving. He turned and left the room and I started to cry. I thought that was what he was doing, discharging any energy he picked up from me. But I don’t know for sure.
MoonRose
“Remember, too, that you become like who you fuck. Sex is an exchange not just of energy but of living data. If someone’s root chakra is full of power dramas, you’re going to get that and become like that. I will tell you that I’ve cut back my sexual contact by about 90% since considering this idea (proposed by Marianne Williamson) and in that same time my relationships are much more productive and fulfilling.”
I am VERY intrigued by this theory. I keep thinking about it as a stimulating distraction from performing my mundane job responsibilities at present…
What, then about sexworkers? Might some people have an ability to transcend and potentially transform such “dramas” through sexual contact?
Nance, thanks for the book referral! I was going to look for a book to order to get my doggie poop biobags over the $25 amount for free shipping. This does it nicely! Love the topic too. It will be next on my list as I just cracked open “The Heroine’s Journey”, another book mentioned here on PW.net (thanks again to whoever that was!).
MoonRose
hearing the thunder
Eric says: “Sex is an exchange not just of energy but of living data. If someone’s root chakra is full of power dramas, you’re going to get that and become like that. I will tell you that I’ve cut back my sexual contact by about 90% since considering this idea (proposed by Marianne Williamson) and in that same time my relationships are much more productive and fulfilling.”
The book ‘Wild Feminine” is up for me again (I’m reading it for the 2nd time), and I’ve had the incredible blessing of receiving 2 holistic pelvic treatments with the author. She would agree with Eric – the energy you hold in your pelvis is the energy that manifests in your life. Pay attention to your pelvic energy!
http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Feminine-Finding-Spirit-Female/dp/061524565X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277750732&sr=8-1
By the way – the potential controversy of this idea (as quoted by Mimi below) is not lost on me. I am not suggesting that we make our relationships disposable (to the contrary – compersion is about sustainability), but rather that we recognize when they are preventing or not serving our growth.
There is only so much we can “change a relationship” if both people don’t arrive with a growth agenda. Many times growth amounts to how much vital force or happiness a person can stand; not everyone has a positive reaction to being or feeling alive. I’m suggesting we notice this about one another, and respond realistically rather than getting caught in the negative patterns, expectations and thought-loops of others.
Remember, too, that you become like who you fuck. Sex is an exchange not just of energy but of living data. If someone’s root chakra is full of power dramas, you’re going to get that and become like that. I will tell you that I’ve cut back my sexual contact by about 90% since considering this idea (proposed by Marianne Williamson) and in that same time my relationships are much more productive and fulfilling.
“You know how this happens, right? Someone gets used to you being someone, with certain tendencies and needs, and that’s the person you become to them. In order to grow into someone else, you need to let go of that person so you can be who you are now. Note that this can keep us trapped in personality shells for years — and the most durable one is the one that our parents set us up with.”
Eric, you are so amazing. I recently did it, let go of my abusive, controlling, nasty, older sister who always treated me like her idiot. She cannot accept that I won’t take it anymore! I feel immense, relief almost euphoria at the change it’s made in my life!
To see it in writing on your site is enthralling! You are THE BEST! You support us all!
Mimi
This caught my attention too:
“Someone gets used to you being someone, with certain tendencies and needs, and that’s the person you become to them. In order to grow into someone else, you need to let go of that person so you can be who you are now. Note that this can keep us trapped in personality shells for years — and the most durable one is the one that our parents set us up with.”
I took it as it applies to our most significant relationship as an adult, which is usually our spouse or similar unmarried partner where dysfunction most readily comes to surface. I don’t think it’s necessarily necessary to leave someone behind in order to “come out” but often that will be the case. Though, if the nucleus is strong then it will be very very difficult to do.
My mom said shortly before she passed that she couldn’t believe she stayed with ‘that man’ as long as she did, referring to my dad. It can be hard to get away from that which is familiar and enduring (beginning often right out of the womb, or even from within). She went right into another relationship with similar patterns, but different, so she really didn’t take full advantage of the break. So, I don’t think it’s good to suggest that just by leaving someone everything else will fall into place.
My grandma on the other hand was able to change and shift from within her relationship to my grandfather, but she was on the brink of leaving altogether. I think pertinent is probably that my grandfather started backing down as my grandmother started standing up, this often happens with bullies but not always. Also pertinent is that my grandmother was willing to do what was necessary to take care of herself: leave. But she didn’t have to.
So I think the key point is to unite our many faces and let our one true self emerge and become that one person to everyone, no matter what. This is often a long difficult process which takes courage and awareness, and a willingness on the part of others to accept the shift occurring. This will likely determine whether a relationship survives or not, and sometimes it is deeply necessary to leave the relationship first. But, not everyone can do it when they should.
Tough subject.
MoonRose
I see your point, Half 🙂
and it’s a good one
Let’s put it this way. How much of lifeguard training is about avoiding double drownings? It seems to be about half the training, from Reach, Throw, Row, Go, on forward.
As a practitioner I have spent my astrology career hearing stories of double drownings.
Logically, one’s primary commitment must be to one’s existence. It is true that narcissism is a serious illness. But that, too, can be traced to not taking care of oneself.
Part of why we are so stuck as a society is our inability to move on emotionally from situations that are not healthy for us.
KathyC I quite agree with your take on this issue of transformation not necessitating ties being cut.
However, in certain instances it IS required. The other is stuck too, more often than not, and needs the old version of a close partner in order to maintain their own false security template. Such people actively resist, or at least hinder, their partner’s liberative process.
While it is never a fait accompli it should be recognised that often old ties MUST be severed in order to retrieve one’s life force for oneself. The art is knowing when it is imperative and when not.
All the better if the process can be navigated without the loss incurred but when not well.. that’s life!
“Someone gets used to you being someone, with certain tendencies and needs, and that’s the person you become to them. In order to grow into someone else, you need to let go of that person so you can be who you are now.”
I disagree with this. I watched my children morph, and I never left their side. I’ve watched people learn things and change behavior, and I never left their side. Nobody has to leave anyone, since the only constant is change. Adapting to the change is easy for some… not so much for others. We could all be a little more flexible when it comes to loving someone who is changing, and adapting to that change ourselves. Love ! Who doesn’t change along the road of growth ?
Graffiti.. Astro.. ok.,,, so, how do we set ourselves straight?
Real question, not bull-shit.
,,I’m thinkin’, we’re gonna have to pull this sheisse together..
..What skills do you posses, where can you activate your reality,.. I’m just thinking, I’m working on my action front..
..and I’m using your words as a space to “swing around as far as energy”.
You both rock, you’re cool as shit.. I Love you..
(..Please don’t hoodoo me, [JK] {Do as you please, just remember to be cool.}) -I’ve got Mojo that will whack that shit.-
Love ya babes..
J
yes, nance, exactly.
There was something else Eric said the other day, in some discussion about creating change in the world: he said to make meaningful change, you don’ t have to get everybody on board, you just have to get ENOUGH people.
‘-) And that’s important to remember. Change can start small and stay small for a long time but still have a big impact. You don’t need everybody to make a difference; you just need enough.
Here’s a great commentary from 95-year-old activist Grace Lee Boggs who was interviewed at the US Social Forum in Detroit:
Boggs: Well, I think we have to see this as an opportunity and not just as a danger. I mean, it’s difficult to do that and look at the catastrophe in the Gulf and to look at what’s happening in Afghanistan and not think that the world has come to an end. But it’s a fantastic opportunity to–you see this T-shirt? It says, “Revolution is evolution.” It’s this fantastic opportunity to advance our humanity, to become more creative, to know that there are other ways to live and the way that we have lived has been at the expense of so much, so many other people and so many of the earth, and that we don’t have to live that way, that that only was only 300 years, that before that, people thought that the earth was more important than land and that work was more important than a job. This capitalist society has not lasted forever; it’s only a few hundred years old.
http://www.alternet.org/vision/147297/%22the_answers_are_coming_from_the_bottom%22%3A_legendary_detroit_activist_grace_lee_boggs_on_the_us_social_forum?page=entire
“This is the expanded, concentrated moment where you get to make those changes, when you get to pick some patterns you don’t like and let go of them.”
And you get to create healthy new ways of being and practice them until they become patterns you can thrive with.
Thanks for that post, Astrodem. It’s a good piece about peak oil.
The author tries to reassure us that peak oil won’t be so bad, but honestly, I think it might even be GOOD.
Mostly because we’ll have a chance to doing something MEANINGFUL and LONGLASTING in that we can start to create a sustainable world.
Imagine how f-ing good it would feel to know that you were doing something that would help to save nature — biodiversity, habitats, reduce climate change, promote clean air and water.
I think one of the main reasons people feel bad in the current mode is that they feel POINTLESS and NOT IN CONTROL of anything.
It would feel great to start living in a way that mattered.
This article is very apropos of some of the things we talk about here at Planet Waves. It’s about peak oil, but it’s really about how the future we envision shapes the present. Worth a read.
http://campfire.theoildrum.com/node/6626#more
Sorry Jere, unless you live deep in the South Pacific, this eclipse will not be visible. You can check out the path of totality here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_July_11,_2010
Eric: wonderful article as always, thank you for your illuminations and insights.
and although having read your article re: Thema Mundi when first posted/written – I could at that time not find what I was looking for….today it has more than context. Way way more. Thank you again, eric – you are indeed my greatest teacher (well, ok except for myself hahaha….laughing with pleasure….how I do love laughter and pleasure…..thank you thank you and thank you….so very much….xoxoxoxo)
So on target (as to what is revealing itself, inclusive of my work to be done) as to be uh believable. so great, Eric. So really awesome. Thank you.
..12:40 California time, 9:40 New York time, (p.m., a.m.), July 11,.. look up in the sky, there’s an eclipse. Solar, here in the states we’ll see it. (Sorry cats on the other side of the world, you’ll have to feel it!)
..I’m gonna catalogue my events between now and then,..
..chat on the other side..
Jere