Our parallel world, from which to some extent we estrange ourselves. And that is the Paradise. We remain in it and we are captured in it and still there is an inexplicable force which bars us from it.
-Friedensreich Hundertwasser
The lunar mean apogee enters Taurus at the end of the week. The mean apogee is not an object, it is a theoretical point representing Luna’s furthest distance from Earth, regardless of where the Moon actually is. It is often referred to as Black Moon Lilith, or BML. It is one of at least five distinct Liliths in astrology, making it one of the most popular names in the genre; yet it is also one of the most maligned. Both the prolific use of the name and the ambivalence of its context are indicative of a great power. Black Moon Lilith’s ingress to Taurus and a consequential conjunction with retrograde Jupiter provides all of us with fresh chance to examine that energy. The examination, in turn, will give you an opportunity to exercise and expand your own power to create and distinguish yourself in the world.
It would perhaps be best to start with the mythos of Lilith. It is of primary importance to note that her story is one-sided, originating from a patrilineal construct. While there are many variations in the legend, there are some essential consistencies. Lilith was the first woman, made of the same ‘dust of the ground’ as the first man. She was fully conscious of that equal status and unwilling to accept an subservient role. That assertion of equality was somehow considered to be an offense, as if the need for a subordinate class of humans was somehow essential to order. Unwilling to compromise her autonomy, Lilith accepted responsibility for her decision, leaving paradise of her own accord. She was demonized for departing, thus creating the first criminal class.
From the Lilith myth we can glean some important information to use in the symbolism of astrology. First of all, it is clear that she was of the Earth and not derivative of another being. There is also the principle of adhering to integrity, even in the absence of support. Exposed is the fallacy that underlies every human hierarchy, wherein authority disowns part of itself, projecting that rejected part onto others and persecuting them for it, consequently denying wholeness to all. Finally, there is that fact that every story has at least two sides, of which only one is promulgated as gospel. The constructive use of mythical Lilith is therefore a quest to be whole, honest and free within and without. In astrology, that counts for everybody because everybody has Lilith in their chart more than once. The mean lunar apogee is a good place to begin.
The Moon’s orbit around Earth is an ellipse. The Sun’s gravity and that of other objects cause the Moon’s elliptical path to be irregular. In the words of Tracey Delaney (at Serennu.com), “The Mean Lunar orbit is an attempt to even out the wobbly line into a nice smooth ellipse.” Where that smooth ellipse is furthest from Earth is the mean BML, the most commonly used Lilith in astrology. The osculating BML is the true position of the lunar apogee at any given moment. Because, as Ms. Delaney further notes, “the Moon wobbles all over the place,” the osculating BML can be widely separated from the mean. Astrologer M. Kelly Hunter has named that variable separation the Lilith Corridor, giving us three Lilith choices in the lunar motion alone. The options don’t stop there.
There is also an asteroid Lilith, located in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter, named after the first woman composer to win the prestigious Prix de Rome competition. Finally, there is Dark Moon Lilith, or DML, a purported but never verified second moon orbiting Earth from a great distance. Some astrologers would delineate even more. The clear message of so many Liliths in astrology is that there are many in reality, in fact all of us who are of the Earth at this time in history.
What we all have in common with the mythical Lilith is a separation, a split, a removal from our creation. It is something we have chosen for good reason, reflecting our greatest strength in defense of our most vulnerable weakness. What all the Liliths have in common with the mean BML is an elusive link to the tangible, which remains palpable only to spirit. When the mean BML moves into Taurus this week, it will open a chance for all of us to find grounding in the spirit we may well have supposed we’d lost.
For Taurus is of fixed quality and earthly element, ruled by receptive Venus. Of all the signs in astrology, it is most symbolic of animated matter. Invested with self-awareness, the dust of the ground encounters an opportunity to become something more, and the peril of being less. In a conjunction with Jupiter that will remain exact to the degree for nearly a month, possibility itself will open as wide as the 26-degree Lilith Corridor that accompanies the mean BML’s ingress to Taurus. The only requirement of threading that potential is to remember that we are all in this together, and we are many.
Offered In Service
Burning River: Know what you mean. It takes one to a different level, does it not? Of course, the math on that level is enough to bring on a headache, but that’s the universe for ya’.
“the moon wobbles all 0ver the place”
somehow, this has altered the last vestiges of false security I havd been harboring
:>)
aword, kristel, pam, maria: Thank you
“adhering to integrity, even in the absence of support.” I have researched Lilith, written a series of poems on her, even–and this one element has never penetrated til I read it here. If no one is standing with me, it must mean I’m wrong, right? So I better sit down and fade back into the crowd. That’s the crux for me–self-doubt in solitude. And of course the poems are all about rejection.
One funny thing is how often words and images about “multitudes” show up in the fragments of Lilith myth around. Like that she gives birth to hundreds of children/demons daily. She makes her own family, tribe, political party; says “hell with y’all!” 😉
Thanks for making this show up!!!
Great post Len. Mystes
Hundertwasser!!
Embracing Lilith has been a part of everyday me for years. Thank you so much, Len for talking about her and her story here today.
Natal DML on Aries 0 and BML conj Chaos on Aries 5 – a 3 degree jump to Moon/Eris conj.
Natal DML exact sextile natal Venus at 0 AQ. Hmm I say to all that. Hmmm.
Transiting Jupiter/DML conj on midheaven should be “heavenly” in someway/shape/form; and opposing transiting Saturn they will be! Well, then.
LOL Mystes, yes. thank you. Len thanks for the quote and brilliant/thoughtful/insightful article. Be, I agree; I love the Lilith factor; I think I’m good with her wherever she roams.
xo
Huffy, jinspace, mystes, shebear and be: Many thanks to you all for your kind words
Be – yes, well you know astrology – what goes around comes around. I’m a cancerian – and we haven’t had much of a break these last couple of years.
Lovely offering today Len, like a cool drink on the desert. I feel refreshed after dealing with the Christmas crowds and, from your commenters words, take heart in the promised power of co-creation, or ‘think-it-and-it-will-appear’. I’m wondering why Huffy is delighted BML is leaving Aries, ‘cuz I’ve been loving it. ‘Specially these past few days, as she and Vesta-trine-Saturn have graced my Aries Saturn/Vesta conjunction with extraordinary self-confidence and accomplishment. What a let-down I’m bracing for when she (they) leave me!
mystes, you are a hoot! Thanks for the 2nd scoop of Fred Hundredwater.
be
Goodness, (or is that Goddess-ness), but I too have been drawn to study BML and the other Liliths, just this past w/e! Intriguing. This is obviously a timely article, so thank you kindly dear Len — and to Jinspace for your comment.
How exciting to think that BML is soon to recharge her earthy life source in sensuous Taurus, along with trining that powerful energy with Mars in Virgo. Yeah, most excellent. Gaia inviting us to the only dance that matters, encouraging us to make everyday as Beltane-like as possible perhaps? 😉
Hey Mr. Len, Please forgive me if I divert attention toward the source of this marvelous quotation that led out the article! THANK you so much for the introduction to Herr Fred Hundredwater!!
A new eccentric, architectural genius — always welcome (and fairly rare). As my residential situation is a tragicomedy of daily proportions, I have to share a quote I found on his Wiki page:
“In the Moldiness Manifesto he first claimed the “Window Right”: ‘A person in a rented apartment must be able to lean out of his window and scrape off the masonry within arm’s reach. And he must be allowed to take a long brush and paint everything outside within arm’s reach. So that it will be visible from afar to everyone in the street that someone lives there who is different from the imprisoned, enslaved, standardised man who lives next door.'”
Oh, and I hadn’t heard the word ‘osculating’ in astrology before. Osculum in Latin means ‘kiss’ of course — not the dry little Kiss-of-Peace, but the wandering, open-mouthed kiss we now call ‘French.’ So if Lilith is ‘osculating’ that can’t be bad!
The substance of your piece landed (almost inevitably) on the encouraging note. Many thanks! Lilith conjunct Jupiter in Taurus, eh? Rarely do I have the opportunity to think in Greco-Judiac. Interesting. . .
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Extraordinary, Len – I have JUST in the past few days been focusing on Lilith in my chart, wishing I knew more about it and wondering why I don’t recall ever seeing it even mentioned in these pages and here you are! So much to work out and incorporate into my own experience, but will take your words as a sign that I’ve set my focus where it should be. Thank you, thank you.
Thanks dearest Len – absolutely gorgeous piece, so good to read about the Black Moon Lilith, which is not often written about. Am delighted it’s leaving Aries at last. xx