I’ve updated the site with two letters from readers, which continue our conversation about evolution and gender. It may very well be that our struggle between the sexes and with gender identity is close to the root of our worldly struggles and is the great distraction preventing us from simply cooperating and taking on much greater challenges.
Tonight is one of those modestly extraordinary astrological moments, with Venus fresh in Cancer opposing Pluto in Capricorn; both positioned in early cardinal signs aligned with the Aries Point, broadcasting the most potent personal messages to and from the millions. I suggest, as parallel with the waxing Moon (another kind of opposition) that we move through these spaces gently and with the faith that we are working toward either resolution or release, both indicated by opposition aspects. Yes, oppositions imply confrontation yet it is that energy that, taken gently, helps us rise the crest of awareness to the place where we can see what to do; and better yet the space when the energy moves and takes us with it.
The reader letters below speak to some of the deepest personal issues that we often flirt with, but which are now calling on us to accept on our path of awareness. These letters are potentially controversial; they represent strong viewpoints. By posting them I am not endorsing or ‘agreeing with’ every point that is made; some of the points that resonate with me, I would state differently. I am posting them because I think they are excellent platforms for conversation.
For those visiting Planet Waves looking for the astrological connection, some of it is mentioned in these posts, but let’s say that the subject matter described is what I try to address just below the level of astrology. In other words, the astrology is a sketch or diagram and what our two correspondents are talking about is the thing that the astrology is trying to describe. And while all the direct connections are not being made verbally, these letters vividly describe some of the most influential movements in the planets, and are synchronous with this week’s eclipse of the Moon. (That eclipse is covered in a post a few notches down.)
I leave you in their hands, and I welcome your comments. Many thousands of readers a week come to Planet Waves and there are relatively few who participate in the conversation. I would encourage you to, if you feel you’ve got something to say. All you need to do is register for this blog (it’s free) and add your thoughts. This is a direct invitation.
Thanks for visiting, and I will catch you again on a different day.
love and lovingly,
Kingston, in upstate New York
PS, I have updated Book of Blue with a new post called ‘Threshold’. I admit this is from the ‘things you can’t really write about’ files, but fools rush in where angels fear to spread their wings, or their legs.
Eric and Half,
i’ve taken some time to respond to this post because i’ve had to sit with and sort through a few things that came up. On the one hand it breaks my heart, Eric, to read or hear of your ambivilance surrounding astrology because you are (admit it) world class and have so much to offer. While i am not world class but i do love it so. On the other hand, because Planet Waves has meant so much to my life, genuine compersion makes me want you to follow your bliss, find it and be happy.
With some of my better friends initiating requests for astrological consultations i’ve used the opportunity for practice. Most of them have about as much money as i do so it’s been Pro Bono, but that has allowed me to practice with little pressure. i found it gratifying that my conscious individuation as an astrologer has been precisely avoiding telling my “clients” what to think. Rather, i try to slow things down and create a process that they participate in over a period of time as i gradually feed them chart information while at the same time asking them to observe things (like the night sky, or the progress of something they are going through) and tell me how it all fits together for them. That way they get to draw their own conclusions with me as a resource and sounding board. It has helped to strengthen the friendships of those i work with. The only drawback is that it has about the same commercial potential as the bands i was in decades ago. Oh well. i need to learn a lot more about how to play the instrument anyway.
Finally – Book of Blue. Always have enjoyed your photographs, first of all. Take the two you published with last Friday’s Weekly Edition. The one called New York City. Never been there but i was intrigued by what you selected to include (like trees!) and the human scale, and the sense of personal space lacking – really like a thousand words. Then Dina. The paint (or clay) fostered a non-photo feeling inside of me. More like how i feel looking at a sculpture. Her hands – unexpected hands, given to pause hands. The jaw set, just so. A delicate and rich composition that stuck with me through early morning walks and has caused me to contemplate about people in general in an unexpected way. How much off that was Dina? How much was you? How much was hummanity? Then there is Blue’s written subject matter that has opened me up to aspects of life that i have been closed to for so long, it’s like a chance to exercise after being sedentary – challenging, difficult to get started, difficult to sustain but some gradual payoff. It’s really big, though, and intimidating.
Well, that was rambling. Hope some of it was useful. That and thank you.
-Len
I would say that Book of Blue is my primary work at this point. The photos and the many projects that are brewing; the models; the events that are carrying the writing. I am managing to not skimp on Planet Waves. The horoscope lately has been tapping the same well. I could have stopped doing Planet Waves out of necessity had not something so creatively rich come along. The main reason I write astrology now is so I can keep up with the developments. Writing is a convenient way to process thought and take notes.
One challenge with astrology is that in written form, it’s mostly structured around this odd way of telling people what to think; which conveys the subtext of telling them that they don’t know what to think; and this is not my intention. It gets extremely boring, for a mature or at least maturing creative mind. I think that I manage to avoid it pretty well, I don’t miss an opportunity to challenge my readers. That’s meddling with you too, but hey I guess you can always watch reruns of the Superbowl if you need a break from my relentlessly curious mind.
I think the discussion could be happening on a much higher level. Most of you could be doing this by now, if you applied yourselves…you don’t really need me, though I am happy to be in the conversation.
Then sometimes I underestimate how difficult it is to learn/earn. You definitely have to make a large investment to get a return, but you can. Along the way the world becomes more poetic.
This is off topic. Book of Blue is a relief and such a pleasure because I get to work in aesthetics and in a framework much larger and looser than astrology: and I am not married to the language of astrology. The story is closer to my core. And the story does spiral. I am about to end the current thread (they all go for about six weeks), and I have no idea where to take it – but something always cums to me, and I’ve been photographing some exceptionally interesting women the past few weeks, who have stories to tell.
de Witte,
in your view – vis a vis Blue – what would I do differently except keep telling the story?
e
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THE story? You know there are many! And on how many levels would folk be able to enter into each one, bringing different treasures back to their waking world?
Maybe you are tuned in to “the story as I see it now”. Of course, that is a question of current vantage point and perceptions e.g. “this is my mission, the corrective I must bring in service to the collective” Fair enough. Yet, as you many times correctly emphasise regarding the creative impulse, letting that particular fountain begin to flow changes many things, aligns you with another strand of your purpose/possibilities.
So, each story becomes part of a collection of stories and the larger story evolves beyond the original starting point.
Spirals not circles!
Still, you’re a busy fella and I’m sure things like this (were they to eventually see the light of day), can wait..
de Witte,
in your view – vis a vis Blue – what would I do differently except keep telling the story?
e
Eric,
Mercury moving into Virgo is not exactly chopped liver, yet i have not seen it addressed in PW (at least not explicitly) this weekend. The energy has expressed itself, however, in the tone and content of reader responses posted here today (Sunday), wouldn’t you say? Perhaps Mercury in Virgo is more of a Monday thing (back to the grind as such)?
-Len Wallick
Hi Eric,
I would make a plea for ‘literature’ here. ‘Fiction’ has an ingrained decoder within us that dichotomises as ‘not fact’. However, building upon the literature theme, what you are telling is a good story. Once the notion of story is central rather than fact/fiction, veracity becomes less the point than meaning.
It seems to me that you have a great deal of meaning to get across and this is highly conducive to a story-telling format. The *fact* that the market just happens to be embedded in a fact/fiction polarised oikonomia, is maybe just a plausible *fiction* we’ve all assumptively bought into – so why can’t efc re-write that particular boundary? I suppose the interesting point is not so much ‘would it sell?’ as ‘would it gain currency?’
I’m sure it’s the latter that interests you and I feel the answer would be in the affirmative.
HdW
Half,
I love the idea of writing fiction and have tried to do so many times over many years; but I keep running into the feeling that I am lying; and I have a lot to learn about distinguishing characters in dialog.
I am much better at personal narrative; at literary nonfiction, which is basically what Book of Blue is. At least I can bring my own feelings and vulnerability into a real experience.
In truth I absolutely needed and need to experience the actual expression of female prerogative; even if it hurts; and to hold the space of wholeness within myself as it happens, so as not to disturb her freedom. So as not to draw her back with guilt, or draw her into conflict.
In part I wanted to reach this awareness so that as I am chosen by one who loves me, I have every faith that it is an expression of freedom. Lack of faith in love, in any form, attests to chaos as reality.
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This gets to the heart of the matter. Of course, you are a ‘publisher’, Eric. However, such could become a really *novel* take on the erotic fiction genre, maybe as a series of short stories? Love it! And please keep it going strong.
HdW