“In one of our concert grand pianos, 243 taut strings exert a pull of 40,000 pounds on an iron frame. It is proof that out of great tension may come great harmony.” ~Theodore E. Steinway
If we imagine the thread that binds us to this magnificent planet and at the same time provides us access to the ‘heavens’, it is a taught line of ascent that we perpetually find ourselves delicately or indelicately approaching as a means to our own liberation.
Tension is the result of two opposing forces pulling from the center. At the center is balance. All things truly exist in a perfect state of balance. That is a universal principle discussed in “philosophical, spiritual, and systemic frameworks (that) treat dynamic balance as a fundamental truth”. ~AI
At the center is stillness and absolute presence; the unchanging and timeless essence of who you are, detached from temporary thoughts, emotions and external phenomena. Until we arrive at center we navigate between both ends more or less, less or more.
“The valley is what is in the middle, what contains nothing, no form, no shadow, no obstruction…remains motionless. All things depend on it for their development, but no one sees its shape.” ~Wang Pi, from Taoteching translated by Red Pine
As human beings we are pulled hither and yon, from one end to the other all the while gaining ground toward balance that suddenly, one day is. We know we ‘have arrived’ as words will cease to be useful. There is nothing to describe and everything simultaneously. Description defies us. What is? The lotus pond without a ripple.
“That’s the way things come clear. All of a sudden. And then you realize how obvious they’ve been all along.” ~Madeleine L’Engle, author and poet
Tension experienced in the human body is not comfortable. We naturally seek the center where peaceful, calm can be found.* Meditation has been a means to this end for many centuries. Pranayama breathing can facilitateclarity of mind that is essential for realizations that dispel the illusion of association with self as body/mind.
Other forms of ‘practice’ include Qi Gong, Tai Chi, yoga. The body in motion that requires no input from the mind to execute. At some time we recognize that and move deeper into every nuance of the dance (a marvellous book, Adyashanti, Emptiness Dancing); to the place where all things cease. The eye of the storm. No movement, voice or appearance. Freedom from the incessant thrum of the details that increasingly demand attention.
What is it like to live with the details, the chaos, the drama and to be the observer not the participant? Or to participate without being distracted from the perpetual rhythm that moves us—the underneath, the underneath.
The New Moon chart on August 12, at 20 degrees Leo has many aspects that come together illuminating avenues to center. It is irrelevant where I am in relation to ultimate center, I apparently move in that direction quite organically. It has little to do with me.
1 grand trine, 3 small talent trines resulting in 2 kites plus 2 oppositions and 1 T-square—involving 8 of 10 planets. The two planets not involved in these configurations, the Sun and Moon. The only major aspect to the Sun/Moon is a trine with Saturn that is 6 degrees of separation. There is breathing room for the conscious self and the instinctive self.
The space around the personal experience during this New Moon, in this highly active moment, is a blessing. We have room to process and integrate the cornucopia of energies with which we are bombarded.
The personal planets activated involve thought processes, desire nature, action inspired impulses and the ability to grow beyond limitations; to travel wherever is necessary to accomplish our goals. Our awareness of the energies that prompt us is beneficial, say, to ‘a smoother, speedier journey’–it is not necessary that we have a clue. We will get to where we are going regardless of what we may think about that.
The outer planets, advancing deeper levels of knowing, encouraging the dissipation of worn out thoughts, structures, beliefs. Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto occupy strategic points in all of the geometry previously mentioned. Saturn trine to Sun/Moon will impress us with focus, responsibility and gritty determination to exemplify Leo’s qualities of leadership, confidence, generosity and perhaps most importantly at this time, the willingness to Be who we are and share our light and warmth for everyone.
It is a moment of grand giving and receiving.
Uranus! All aspects lead to Uranus—revolution for evolution—change is inevitable as we all know. Uranus gives us freedom to acknowledge this and be very excited about the change at the same time. Clearly, resistance is futile!
Neptune, Pluto and Uranus all involved in opportunity to rise, to shine, to transform, to transcend.
What generates tension in this chart that pushes us to seek center are the 2 oppositions and the T-square. We are challenged to consider our actions, our desires and how that contributes to the world we most want to live in or the Self we most want to be. Pluto opposition Mercury. Transformation of beliefs. Thinking in darkness and seeking the light. All types of deep pondering or occurrences that can take us down the rabbit hole.
Be prepared for ‘come what may’. Leo says, ‘bring it on!’ The strength and courage of the lion is with us. In the major arcana of the tarot is no. 8, Strength. A woman having tamed the lion has access to the finest qualities of the ‘beast’ without going off the rails. This is a momentous time in our quest for that which we seek. Let us embrace each other as we journey hand in hand to the center. We all, on some level, share the same experiences. We are all in this great bowl of soup together.
*:seeking center can be a subtle pursuit for some in a given lifetime. It can be an overt quest for others. It depends on what one most wants based on what wants remain to be fulfilled.
Be Still 