Forecast for Tuesday 16 August 2016

Tuesday 16 August 2016

}Service as Satisfaction{

Moon in Capricorn-->Aquarius

/moon void-of-course  ** /

until it enters Aquarius at 4:53a PT | 7:53a ET | 11:53a UT   ***

Mars and Saturn together in Sagittarius, at point focus in a T square, are having interesting correspondences. First, the Olympics. Sagittarius is the international sign in mundane (worldly, world-wide or political) astrology (the "natural ninth house"). Saturn and Mars, the two "malefics" here, suggested the wariness the world had about the home of these Olympic games in Rio, with many health concerns. Things have been going well compared to what the worries had been. So that is a credit to the human race coping with a difficult situation. There is hope for international cooperation, since it is happening there in Rio under difficult aspects. Wonderful!

Second, the seemingly endless unraveling of strange links between Donald Trump and Russia, and now his campaign manager to corrupt dealings in the Ukraine and Russia involving millions of dollars. Then, Trump's insistence on more stringent checking of immigrants' status and attitudes. One might say that Saturn and Mars, the malefics, in the international sign suggests fear of foreigners or xenophobia. That was going on in the Brexit vote also, and many commentators think there is a trend in Europe, and in America if Trump gets his way, toward nativism, which would be a more or less exact translation of Mars and Saturn in Sagittarius into public attitudes. This would be a fearful reaction rather than the "Let's face each other and compete in a friendly manner" of the Games, where this aspect is being honorably exemplified. 

Without stretching the basic meaning of the "elements" in astrology--an ancient classification of the twelve signs--one could say that the fires in California and the floods in Louisiana reflect the double square of Mars and Saturn in a fire sign to Neptune in a water sign (Pisces). This might seem superficial astrology, yet is an evident correlation. The third element involved, the earth planets in Virgo, represent the destruction of property. 

As for the Dark Hermetic Epoch, for me it has its minor but annoying side in (a) trouble with my printer and ink for it (HP has its hand in my pocket all the time it seems and I told their representative on the phone that I would never buy an HP product again), and (b) very unusual trouble with a book order, being sent the absolutely wrong book by an Amazon dealer and then being told I have to pay to return it! That is not going to happen. Amazon, on guard!

If you face some such minor hassles, you can chalk some of it up to the DHE. It helps to have something to blame. I am not quite at the point of being able to laugh about it, however.

Things may seem somewhat laborious. Let us take pleasure in our work as much as possible and think of our blessings rather than curse the difficulties.

Someone you look up to for light and guidance is not to be forgotten.

We are sometimes unconscious of powers we possess. Steadiness and persistence, with faith, make them evident.

There is a warning that someone who seems sympathetic or believable is actually harmful, perhaps even intentionally so. I do not like to say such things but one of Charubel's symbols gives this warning, for whatever it is worth. Paranoia is not good. But care in choosing one's associates is wise. 

There can be rapture through an appeal to God, and then self-dedication.

Someone alluring to you is in your mind. This person's face lights up and attracts you. It is a constant presence and good for you to rely on as inspiration. 

As a camel crossing the desert, you are adequate within yourself. 

However: Labor without profit, that is, service, is good for us and straightens out our karma, making things ultimately much happier. 

{Tuesday}  {Service as Satisfaction}

Cosmic Piper

This morning as I read the following I felt deeply I ought to share it with you:

"Then Jesus called the people to him, as well as his disciples, and said to them, 'Anyone who wishes to be a follower of mine must leave self behind; he must take up his cross, and come with me. Whoever cares for his own safety is lost; but if a man will let himself be lost for my sake and for the Gospel, that man is safe. What does a man gain by winning the whole world at the cost of his true self? What can he give to buy that self back? If anyone is ashamed of me and mine in this wicked and godless age, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father and of the holy angels.'" 

--Mark 8:34-38 (New English Bible translation)