For those who have been following me, you know that I've started a new astrology course recently. I'm always learning. Perpetual student here, and this double Scorpio doesn't do things in half measures. I go all in and delve deep.
So this past week, I've been spending a lot of time with the Planets, exploring and meditating on each one. The beauty of all this is that I'm finding that I'm getting to know each one a lot better. When I first started studying astrology, I thought that I had to try and memorize everything, and I thought that I'd be good at that since that's how I learned as a student growing up...I memorized everything. Well, I discovered that I just couldn't do it with astrology. Nothing was staying in my head, even the positions of things in my own birth chart. I was constantly having to look things up, things that I had learned, but couldn't remember.
This past week has been different. I find that I'm building more of a relationship, a connection, with each one ... through using oracle cards and creating song lists for each of the Planets. I find music so powerful and songs will often evoke feelings, memories of people, places and events, and this has helped me with the Planets.
Anyone can research the facts of each of the Planets (size, shape, colour, what it does, etc.). The beauty comes when we're able to discover its purpose and meaning in our own lives.
The study of astrology goes back thousands of years, to the time of the Greeks. So it's an ancient lineage with a rich history. The word "planet" means "wandering star" and since the beginning of time, all people have been able to look up and see 7 visible Planets in the night sky. Each culture has woven stories and meaning into each of the Planets through their observations, looking at how each planet looked, moved, its size, its brightness, how it made them feel, imagining its purpose and direction, weaving these discoveries into stories, legends, myths, teachings, calendars, into the very fabric of their lives.
The 7 visible Planets are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Some people may say that the Sun and the Moon are not Planets, but for the purposes of astrology, they were considered to be Planets because they are "wandering stars". These are the Planets that formed the original astrological model. So people and cultures have had a long time to reflect on these planets and weave stories rich in meaning about each of them.
The newer Planets, also known as the Outer Planets, can only be seen with the aid of a telescope...Uranus, Neptune and Pluto...and we're just beginning to get to know them through observation. Uranus was the first to be discovered in 1781, so we don't have a huge mythological list of works to reflect on. We do have some scientific data based on observation, especially that which was collected through Nasa's Voyager 1 and 2 programs, but much of what we think about of each Planet comes through our own astrological experience.
So, one of our assignments for this astrology course asked us to meditate/journal on the planet of the day.
So I started with Sunday - The Sun, and this is just part of what came to me in prayer...
The Sun invites us to slow down, to look up, to observe, to be happy/joyful, to "be". The Sun gives life, lights the way, leading us to the Giver of all life and love...the Son, the Creator.
Reminded me of a prayer composed by St. Francis of Assisi, "The Canticle of the Sun" and that reminded me of the song of the same name, written and sung by Marty Haugen...
Enjoy!
I also pulled a card from Colette Baron-Reid's "The Enchanted Map" card deck, asking "What does the Sun want me to know about itself for my highest good?" and was gifted with...
Stuck in the Mud #24
"You're being invited to stop and savor the wonder of your life.... slow down, look around you ... need to shift your focus away from what you're doing....Now is not the time to move forward but to observe. ... Stop and find the joy in what you've been overlooking...for now, be still and know that Spirit has a plan for you."
So fitting! :)
I invite you to meditate on the Sun. What does it want to do? What is it moving toward? What is its purpose in your/our life?
This evening, I would like to share briefly about 3 more of the visible Planets...
Moon
blue, white, shiny, dark;
reflects the light of the Sun;
moves quickly;
changes (phases);
guides, directs (when to plant, harvest);
shows the way.
So because one of the colours associated with the Moon is blue, I decided to use Colette Baron-Reid's, "Wisdom of Avalon" card deck which is blue.
I asked, "What does Moon want me to know about itself for my highest good?" and was gifted with...
The Earth Faery #27
from the guide book...
"physical health, grounding, foundations
- pay attention to your health and all things pertaining to your physical body
- indulge your senses
- the sensual is an important part of the path to Avalon and must be honoured
- get into your body and out of your head
- your physical self is the house of your spirit
- get grounded...you're part of the living earth
- stay connected
- make sure the foundations of all you do are solid
- the Earth Faery always helps you when you ask"
So Moon...
stay hydrated;
go with the flow;
feelings ... get out of your head;
manifests/creates;
feelings change ... be aware of what you're manifesting;
romance, dreams, relationships.
Purpose - to guide through the darkness
My song list for the Moon ... chosen because of the themes of Mothering, Nurturing, building, bonding, relationships, feelings, romance, dreams
Barbra Streisand - Somewhere;
John Michael Talbot - Holy is His Name
(Mary's Magnificat)
(Moon reflects the light, the glory of the Sun...
Mary magnifies the glory of the Lord);
King Harvest - Dancing in the Moonlight;
Doris Day - By the Light of the Silvery Moon;
Billie Holiday - Blue Moon;
Frank Sinatra - Fly Me To The Moon;
Steve Camp - Do You Feel Their Pain?
Next we'll look at Mars...
red;
hot, burning, spicy;
war-like, bold, courageous, fighter;
likes to break, separate from, to pioneer, to individuate;
to defend, protect;
to assert, be impulsive;
get fired up, feisty.
Purpose: to embolden, to inspire action/courage
Because Mars is red, I decided to choose my card from Colette Baron-Reid's "Wisdom of the Oracle" card deck which is also red.
I asked, "What does Mars want me to know about itself for my highest good?"
and was gifted with...
Come to the Edge #36
from the guide book...
"courage, taking a leap of faith, overcoming fear and accepting risk
Spirit is present, so let go of fear. You are called to express your true Self.
Listen to your heart and soul, not your head. Come to the edge and discover that you can fly. You must step into the unfamiliar so that you may find your miracles.
Let yourself be seen - truly seen. It's important that you speak up, voice what you need, state who you are, say what you hope for.
This is not the time to play it safe but to take a leap of faith.
Take one step toward the gods and they will deliver what you truly desire."
So Mars...
- inspires us to let go of fear, take that leap of faith;
to express our true self;
to listen to our heart and soul, not our head;
to be seen.
Mars is moving toward authenticity, freedom, heart and soul, the edge, take a leap of faith, courage.
My song list for Mars...chose songs about courage, taking a leap of faith, overcoming fear and accepting risk, getting fired up, expressing your true self...
I Have Confidence from "The Sound of Music";
Miley Cyrus - The Climb;
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You;)
Colbie Caillat - Try;
Sara Bareilles - Brave;
Billy Joel - My Life;
Lady Gaga - Born This Way;
Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are.
Now, let's do Venus...
brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon;
appears in the east right before sunrise and in the west after sunset;
associated with power of attraction;
sweet, inviting, enticing;
soothing and pacifying;
longing and desiring;
sensual and tactile.
Colours associated with Venus are: white, clear brilliance, sometimes green or pink; copper.
So because green is one of the colours associated with Venus, I decided to go to Colette Baron-Reid's "The Good Tarot" card deck because it is green.
I asked, "What does Venus want me to know more about her for my highest good?"
and was gifted with...
4 of Earth
from the guide book...
"ownership, the beauty of divine order, trusting in a solid foundation
... I know for certain that divine order manifests in all aspects of my life. What I have built rests on a solid foundation so there is no need to fear. ... I find security in the existence of a divine plan. Spirit is always there to remind me that I am exactly where I am meant to be for my highest good and the highest good of all and that I always have abundance available to me."
So Venus...
heralds the rising and the setting of the Sun;
with Venus, all is as it should be in the divine order of things;
I am Divinely directed and Divinely protected, and dearly loved by the Divine.
Purpose: to unite, to reconcile, to attract, to satisfy, to bring peace and harmony,
to soothe.
My song list for Venus...
Venus is all about unity, reconciliation, harmony, love, relationships, romance, attraction... This song list was interesting to put together...brought up many memories. Funny how a song can do that ... remind you of people, places, events. The first two songs listed were the first 2 songs that were played at our wedding reception...
Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes - Up Where We Belong
(played at my wedding reception);
Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wings
(played at my wedding reception);
Aladdin - A Whole New World (love, romance, new love);
Karate Kid II - Glory of Love by Peter Cetera);
Chicago- Hard To Say I'm Sorry (to reconcile);
Phil Collins - Against All Odds/Take a Look At Me Now;
Billy Ocean - Suddenly;
Diana Ross and Lionel Richie - Endless Love;
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers - Islands in the Stream;
Peabo Bryson - If Ever You're In My Arms Again 1984 (to reconcile).
I hope you have found this interesting. I encourage you to do your own research for each of the Planets. Get to know them. I invite you to ask them to tell you more about themselves through Colette's oracle cards. Go to Colette's website at www.colettebaronreid.com and click on "Daily Oracle Card Pick". That will bring up 5 different decks that you can choose from. Her newest deck, "The Mystical Shaman", was just released and has a link just to the side on that page. I like to begin with a prayer; some may choose to do a moment of silence. Then just ask your question, "What does _______want me to know more about itself for my highest good?"
Choose a deck, and pick one card. It's meaning will appear just below the card. Remember, you can copy and paste the information into a document so that you have it to keep and reflect on. I LOVE Colette's cards because I find them soooo accurate!
I also invite you to get outside and enjoy the night sky. If you're like me, and find it hard to know what you're looking at, there's a very cool app that you may enjoy checking out. It's called "Sky View". It uses your location and your camera so that if you point it at the sky, it will tell you what the object is; and amazingly, you can use it indoors without even having to set foot outside on those cold winter nights. Just point your device towards the sky. It's amazing how it works! There's a Lite version that's free and then another version for purchase. I'm having lots of fun with it. I hope you'll check it out.
So, my friends, that's it for tonight. Happy sky watching and take the time to explore the Planets! Enjoy and have fun!
Talk to you soon!
Bye!