In your life right now, there is a picture that will express as two unlikely but ultimately sensible events. One will make you aware of unity where before you had seen only difference. The other occurrence will reveal distinction where before you were conscious only of unity. While the details will vary from one person to another, the substance coming through Monday’s window will serve to connect us all.
On Monday, the Taurus Moon will conjoin its own apogee while in aspect to Mercury in Aquarius. The lunar apogee was discussed in this very blog precisely seven weeks ago (December 12, 2011 “We Are Many – Lunar Mean Apogee Enters Taurus”). A hypothetical point on the zodiac representing the part of the Moon’s orbit furthest from Earth, the apogee itself has two values, both referred to as Black Moon Lilith, or BML: the osculating apogee and the mean apogee.
The osculating apogee is BML’s precise location at any given time. The mean apogee is, as Tracy Delaney put it, “an attempt to even out” the BML’s fluctuating position. The mean and osculating values can be up to 30 degrees apart, and they have been, as recently as December 18. This coming Monday, however, both Black Moon Lilith’s will be conjoined to the degree in Taurus when Moon sweeps in to make to make it three. That will, by definition, be a stellium that is at once unusual, rare, distinctive, and auspicious.
To understand the powerful opportunity symbolized by that particular arrangement, it will be necessary to examine the particulars, one at a time. The triple conjunction of Moon and both of its apogee points is unusual and rare because Luna touches both only once a month and far less often both at the same time. It is distinctive because a stellium originating from one object and the orbital values of that same object merges several facets of one origin. Finally, it is auspicious because that merger unites three archetypes normally treated as separate in astrology.
Astrology has a very broad range of interpretations for the Moon. Most of those explications, however, have to with the lunar in complement to the solar. Seeing the Sun defines the day, whereas the brightest exposure of the Moon is always at night. Daytime is when most of us are most likely expressing our conscious thoughts. Night, on the other hand, is usually the realm of intuitions felt. The BML is a special case of both intuition and feeling.
Two days ago, the Daily Astrology blog referred to “the hairs-breadth moment” when an internalized other, most often a parent, “grafts itself onto a glimmer of authentic Self.” The legendary figure of Lilith corresponds to that authentic Self. Lilith had no mother. She was the first woman, made of the same clay as the first man, and she knew it. Lilith cleaved to that knowledge of autonomy and equality and was true to it above all other things. She did not allow anyone or anything to graft itself over her self-assured identity. For that act of integrity she was deemed the first human criminal. In spite of that, she was strong enough to leave paradise of her own accord. Yet, even at the farthest orbit of our Earthly culture, faded into the black void and obfuscated by an oppressor’s divided story, she remained as present and undeniable as male pattern baldness. This coming Monday, the undeniable but fragmented unifies for a day with what we intuit and what we feel. Part of that feeling will be an internal tension with how we think, especially under the influence of convention.
Mercury, among other things, represents how we think. About to enter Aquarius, where the individual confronts the collective, Mercury will be concerned with how our thoughts are shaped by social pressure and conditioning. If you have ever been told that there is only one correct answer to a subjective question, and placed under duress to accept that, you have lived a Mercury-in-Aquarius theme. On Monday, that theme will be tested inside of you when the lunar gang of three in Taurus forms a square to Mercury.
Geometrically, a square is an aspect between signs of the same quality. Taurus and Aquarius, for example, are both of fixed quality, denoting their common position between differing cardinal and mutable modalities. Symbolically, a square represents an emotional knot in your gut, or an intellectual conundrum that keeps you awake at night. Whether felt or conceptualized, a square between fixed signs is bound to be something that persists stubbornly. In other words, it will not go away by itself; you must act.
In the case of Luna and its conjoined BMLs confronting Mercury, the indicated nature of that action is clear. Before the “hair-breadth moment” of the Moon’s own day has past, do more than glimpse. First, act on the opportunity that will surely present itself for a good look and discern your “authentic Self” by your own recognition of it and not through the fragmented stories you have been given. Next, find a way to sustain that recognition so that you can forever distinguish between the gift you were born with and the burden you have been coerced to accept. If you can do that, it will be a good day and you will be prepared for another day, perhaps soon, when courage calls to build on your Lilith connection.
Offered In Service
“The legendary figure of Lilith corresponds to that authentic Self. Lilith had no mother. She was the first woman, made of the same clay as the first man, and she knew it. Lilith cleaved to that knowledge of autonomy and equality and was true to it above all other things. She did not allow anyone or anything to graft itself over her self-assured identity. For that act of integrity she was deemed the first human criminal. In spite of that, she was strong enough to leave paradise of her own accord. ”
Wow, thanks for this interpretation of Lilith, Len. I’m going to find a way to put it into a poem. Imagine not having a mother. Imagine being born without baggage. But it seems like the baggage begins to be loaded up the instant we take our seats in Airplane Mom. But would I rather come out of a petri dish and artificial womb? What would that baggage be like? Is it possible to come into physical reality without baggage? What would there be to do if we didn’t have some unpacking to do in this lifetime?
I’m settling into the State of Unemployment and things are starting to happen. Awarenesses are starting to develop:
1. I’ve often chased after jobs. This time I want jobs to chase after me.
2. I don’t want to be driven into taking a job out of fear.
3. I want whatever I do to be a gift. A gift of my authentic self and all its talents and skills expressed as gifts to the world as recognized, supported and guided by all loving and creative powers of the universe.
My husband has just been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. I don’t know what this diagnosis holds for him or for us. But I know it’s a potential temptation for me to let it derail this time I want and need to take on my own behalf to look inside and find my path. Not this time.
And while we’re on the theme of words, Len – you wrote to Maeve: Einstein said “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know it well enough”. But there’s also the famous expression “Sorry I didn’t have the time to keep it short”! One of my jobs involves a lot of writing – so I know how tough it is to be clear and succinct at the same time. All of you PW astrologers and editors do an amazing job!
No, I didn’t dear Len. And it’s a word that I don’t use often. Interesting…xx
I think I have waited for this moment all life, more often than not I feel like a square peg in a round hole. My salvation has been my mother who will defy anyone that does nor believe that women are equal to men in every way. To her I owe so much. More so, as a Sun Scorpio, my Virgo mum has been my biggest ambassador and cheerleader
Oh? Are the astrologers still dancing today? I thought that was yesterday or the day before….well, then, we shall all have to spin a dance in Maeve’s First since Taurus is such a good house for dancing – and your head can take a break, we’ll use the stars. lol! xo
Len,
Apology quite accepted, though I’m not certain you did me wrong at all. 🙂 But I appreciate the sentiment anyhow.
So, now that I know my natal and solar begin in Taurus… I’ll read the rest of the comments with that in mind.
According to the navy.mil website, on the day of my birth, the sun rose at 5:15a. I was born at 5:29a, after some trial and tribulation.
++
Time to make dinner, then come back here and do more reading. 🙂
Maeve,
My fault, please forgive me.
To simplify: Your natal and solar first house both begin in Taurus.
Please disregard the whole natural wheel thing, it was a mistake for me to mention it.
Einstein said “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know it well enough”. It is my job to make sure you don’t have to do any translation. Clearly, i failed you today. Next time i will do better.
Thanks, Len.
I’ll check out Eric’s posts from December 30th when I get home tonight. I need to re-read through your first paragraph in your most recent reply a few times… my brain just ain’t tracking it right, right now. I think I need to do some research on the difference between solar and natal. I think I might be thinking they’re the same thing. (at least my words are doing a lot of thinking!)
As far as natal + natural wheel stuff… I looked at my chart, and it said I had Virgo in my sixth house. So I went to look up info about the sixth house, to see what the sixth house dealt with. Lo, it’s health stuff (and other things certainly), so no big surprise there. Then I read that it’s ruling sign was Virgo. So I checked out what the ruling signs of all the other houses were, whereupon I discovered that for my houses 3-6 and 9-12, the sign I had in that house was the same as the “ruling” sign for that house. Perhaps I’m explaining it better this time? That’s the synchronicity I had been looking at originally. So maybe when you say “natural wheel”, it’s not the same as what I was thinking. Or, perhaps, I just have bad info. Admittedly I didn’t double check it.
I’m guessing we’ve got a bit of info lost in translation, as I might not be calling things by the right names. I’ve got some research to do when I get home. 🙂
aword: Yes, perhaps pinhead is a fitting description for me today, having just stumbled over too many words with Maeve. Wondering now about how many astrologers can dance on my head.
Mave,
Also – with your Sun so close to your ascendant, that means you were born close to dawn. In other words you and the Sun popped over the horizon very closely to each other. Therefore means your natal and solar charts have the same ascendant – Taurus. That would mean that solar sign horoscopes resonate with your natal chart and Eric’s horoscopes would be a good investment.
oh wowowowow!
Thank you Len, as always. Was just going to say, “oh wowowowow!” but I’ll add this: you are on one of my favorite pinheads (that is, the subject of Lilith and who/how/what she is to me)….
Transiting Merc conjunct natal Venus square ye olde stellium on IC in Scorpio (Jupiter/NN/Neptune) (which then obviously opposes the transiting Moon/DML/OscL party on or near my MC. Which, of course “as always” is only part of the fun.
Well then. I do know this; my “what the f am I here for” seems to be stirring – maybe my stories/writing will find strength yet. (or I will find my strength in them or -? I do know that “Lilith” is at the core.)
Much love and many thanks.
Maeve,
On December 30, Eric re-posted his previous publications that address your question. They should still be available if you scroll back to that date. Best to read his words. Briefly, your natal ascendant (the beginning of your first natal house) corresponds to what degree is rising along the ecliptic on the East horizon for the day, time and place of your birth. Think of it as you coming up like the Sun, popping over the horizon at the same time you popped out of your mother. Your solar houses, on the other hand begin with the sign where your natal Sun is. Big difference for most folks. Yet, both approaches provide valuable information for most folks too.
Separately, with your natal ascendant in early Taurus, your chart does not track with the “natural wheel” – it would take an early Aries ascendant to do that. However, (once again, if i am understanding what you are saying) with your 6th house beginning in Virgo, there is some of that through-line consistency because Virgo and the 6th house are “related” in theme.
How does that work for you?
Hey Len. Thank you for responding, and quickly to boot!
Yeah, I think you’ve got it. I’ve got my Ascendant in Taurus, but just barely. My Sun is 1 degree into Taurus, my Ascendant is 4 degrees into Taurus. I seem to line up Houses 3-6 and 9-12 with the ruling signs.
I’ve been thinking about subscribing to Eric’s horoscopes… I probably will. Not sure what’s been stopping me. Must look into that.
You said “natal house arrangement seems to follow the “natural wheel”” and “it means that your solar and natal houses track closely with each other”. I thought we were comparing two things, my natal chart and the “natural wheel”. But then you mentioned my solar and natal. What’s the difference (or the same) twixt all of those? (feel free to send me to a link if you’ve not the time/inclination to explain… the internet’s good for things like that 😀 ).
I thought about posting all my planetary positions, but didn’t want to info-dump your lovely post. 🙂
The only big thing I can remember about my chart, when I actually drew it out ever so many years ago, is that trines were a big deal. Past that, it’s half-Greek to me. Hrmph. Two birds with one stone there, I’m going to guess. Subscribe to Eric’s other horoscopes, learn more about astrology.
And you’re right. Many of these posts, since I started reading, really do feel like an explanation of what’s going on in my head and behind my head. It’s always nice to come across those resonating posts and have things *click*.
Huffy: Thank you for your kind words. Did you know that the word “fabulous” is derived from the word “fable”?
be: Thank you for the supplemental hyperlink to Richard Nolle’s perspective for another point of view. Thank you specially for the the astute observation of Persephone precipitating a fixed T-square. Expressing one’s Lilith is not inherently a “who cares” action (whether it be in reference to what mom thinks or not), it is part of figuring out what you think. There is no malaise in discovering your authentic Self.
Hugging Scorpio:
You are not off topic at all. Also, BML is not so much challenging as neglected. That’s my purpose in writing about it, to get it some exposure and discussion going. Perhaps i’m motivated my my own natal Lilith Corridor (the degrees between osculating and mean lunar apogee in my natal chart) is being intercepted by the orbital travel of this current Mars retrograde cycle.
Maeve,
Thank you for your question. Please forgive me if i’m not entirely clear, but if i understand correctly, your natal house arrangement seems to follow the “natural wheel” with Aries rising. As far as what it means. First of all (if i am correct in my assumption of house arrangement), it means that your solar and natal houses track closely with each other. Am i right about that? If i am correct, the Uranus-Pluto cardinal square (what Eric called “The defining aspect of our era in history,”) must be something you can feel down to your toes. Also, Eric’s weekly, monthly and annual horoscopes would find an unusually resonant connection with your natal chart. There is also a consistency in having your natal houses track with the “natural wheel” that helps you to see connections where others do not.
“Next, find a way to sustain that recognition so that you can forever distinguish between the gift you were born with and the burden you have been coerced to accept.”
Wow. That’s big. Thank you.
—
Based on one of yesterday’s posts about which house holds one’s Virgo, I looked up all my houses and stuff (which happens to be my sixth house). What does it mean when the sign you have in the house is the same as its ruling sign? Figured you guys would know this kind of stuff…
Thanks so much Len,
I must admit, this is a new and challenging aspect of astrology I’m getting acquainted with. It feels really profound and I will need better footing. A podcast with you and Eric talking about this in conversation would be amazing.
I have a natal full moon in Taurus, and my Lilith is 9 Cap. I’ve been picking up on vibes indication some new opportunity that will present itself out of internal questions, healing, and amazing progress I’ve done these past several months. This aspect you’re describing seems to be hovering over the degrees involved in my natal Pluto square in Nov/Dec and my full moon metonic return on my b-day.
You write, “find a way to sustain that recognition so that you can forever distinguish between the gift you were born with and the burden you have been coerced to accept.” This has been a theme I’ve been smashing to death, breaking apart to find my new self, bring to light and awareness a greater energy capacity – and the ability to actually handle that power. On top of this, as I’ve released a ton of anger about my past isolation, I’ve also realised that my past has shaped me into who I am today, that actually my past was perhaps THE most constructive use of my time and creative talent – that has given me solid tools to steer me away from destructive tendencies. So, the burden has lifted, is lifting. And I am still the creative individual underneath that has retained my genuine care and affection for people whom I build relationships with. That I can slowly learn to love intimately without loosing myself to the isolation and burden that was shutting me down to an inherent gift of life. To see myself as not separate from that energy that actualizes our dreams, that allows me to feel worthy and confident in its radiance.
So, I’m off topic maybe. Or right on it? This is simply where I let go and feel the celestial bodies weave their energy and gifts, where I don’t have the answer.
Cheers Len,
Hugging Scorpio
Well, lucky for Mercury he squares the Moon and BML’s in the daytime then, huh? Maybe that’s why all 3 symbols had to come together at the same time, so as to get the message through; subliminally. Richard Nolle says about lunar apogee’s that they may indicate a sense of calm, listlessness or even malaise. http://www.astropro.com/features/tables/cen21ce/mo-ap-2012.html
Poor Mercury (or poor us!), even though Mother Moon is as far away as possible, she is going to get her message across. From Taurus, she might be telling us, subliminally of course, maybe you shouldn’t eat that double cheeseburger with fries for lunch at the Paradise Cafe. Good luck with that Mr. Mercury-in-Aquarius, because Persephone in Leo is opposing you at the same time the 2 Liliths and the Moon square you. Ouch. There may be hell-to-pay if your (our) authentic self is too much at variance with mom. Make sure it’s not just a “who cares what mom thinks” moment, else that apogee effect might just be a malaise in the belly. You better remind us again on Monday Len, but just to be sure, I am putting a Post-It on the bathroom mirror, and thanks alot for the heads-up.
be
Thank you dear Len. Simply fabulous! xxx