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astrology, Chiron, Jude Cowell, Jude Hill, Midheaven, Neptune, Sun, the spirit
the whole concept was too forced, too much trying to be artful. not enough about the fabric. i don’t want to be influenced by showmanship. i don’t want to be tricky or mysterious. i want to make cloth. i want to make things useful and touchable and real. i want to be true to the storyline and let it make sense for me… to help me undo the confusion that has built up in me over the last few years about what i am doing.
Jude Hill, from ‘undoing pretense’ at Spirit Cloth http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/
If we replace the words ‘fabric’ and ‘make cloth’ with ‘Soul’s intent’ and ‘live,’ then we have a graceful description of the individual effort to actualize the life, to make spirit conscious and allow it to direct our choices and actions, and all of it done seamlessly, so to speak. The final phrase speaks of the desire to move out of confusion, a state which is the antithesis of connecting the actions to spirit, and the earliest words talk of the initial attempts to create that are artificial, trying too much for an effect that reflects standards that are not one’s own; both are the experience of every Soul who looks too much outside the Self for praise, feedback, encouragement, motivation.
Where do we find the spirit in the chart? Everywhere, of course, with each aspect and placement representing the Beingness as seen from a particular angle, through a particular lens. Is any planet or planetary placement more divinely connected than another? No, though there are those who tend to see placements as more or less spiritually inclined, more or less material or physical–but if God is in all things, seen and unseen, then material needs are intertwined with spiritual ones, and we see no difference, when we look from the viewpoint of the Soul.
We can get a glimpse of the Soul’s intent through every planet and point, but there are a few that traditionally give their message more directly: the Sun, Neptune, Chiron, the Midheaven. The Sun embodies the Soul’s Purpose in incarnating, it’s sign a description of the affinity it holds most prominently in this lifetime. When we study the Sun, we must be aware that all the signs have a presence in each chart, and thus that the entire spectrum of energies and attitudes is available to each of us; it’s a mistake to say, “That’s not in him,” or “She would never,” for there is always the chance of a situation that calls the forbidden, exiled, or ignored energy forward.
Neptune represents our connection to the cosmic, and its placement and aspects describe our place within the Collective, as does the Midheaven; what we make of this concerning the spirit, though, may never really show on the outside–and it’s important to remember that those who wear their Neptune on the outside aren’t necessarily more spiritual than those who hold it on the inside. Among the circumstances of Neptune, the Midheaven, and the Sun, we can often sort out the spiritual life storyline, akin to what’s sought in the quote above, always keeping in mind that anything we see can exist on the inside (within the spirit), on the outside (in the role or function), or both.
And what of Chiron? This is at once a direct pipeline to the tenderest, most vulnerable spot in the individual, and the most absolutely unique skill and talents of the individual, and the uniqueness of the manifestation of each is such that this placement is almost impossible to define completely from outside the life; only a perspective from within the individual’s consciousness can hope to define Chiron’s role and parse it out from within the camouflage provided by other energies. Chiron among all the energies is the only one that can be best defined in detail by the person who owns it.
We work to fuse the parts of the horoscope, seamlessly, integrating them into a picture that is complete and successfully explains all that is within; are we able to? Probably not; we are too complex to have our essence picked apart, labeled, and reassembled in some semblance of completeness. But as long as we have the desire to be as true to ourselves as we are in our most natural state, true to the inclinations of the spirit, and with a recognition that the material that surrounds us may be equally of the spirit, then we have a chance to create something unique to ourselves, a life that will not be forced according to fashion or pretense, and will not fall to confusion, but will be seeded with the spirit truest to who and what we are.
Jude Cowell provides outstanding New Moon coverage here http://judecowell.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/new-moon-6pis35-feb-24-2009/
Visit Dog and Sunflower Press, read an excerpt from the upcoming JUNO IN THE NATAL CHART, and buy INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP or CHIRON IN THE NATAL CHART using our new PayPal buttons! http://dogandsunflower.wordpress.com Thanks!
And a special Thank You to Lainie for introducing me to Spirit Cloth; visit her at Red Thread Studio, link at right.
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Wow, I’m not sure of how this is tied to the forecast, but today, I am struck by a specific, unique gut message. It is a message I’ve received four times in 42 years. Each time, a MAJOR LIFECHANGING event occurred. Twice, there was not anything I could have done to influence the event – people left my world, or I was taken from theirs, abruptly.
The other two times, it seems that I received the message in time to have done something differently, but I will never know. I recall fighting the message, choosing the logical route, instead. Ever since, whenever I’ve had the more common, milder nudges from my gut, I’ve listened and followed, whether it “made sense,” or not.
But today, I don’t know what this is about. For instance, one time, it seemed to be very much tied to a decision regarding whether to stay overseas or return to the U.S. On my last day in the other country, my mentor saw how distressed I was – my gut was so cramped I couldn’t even stand. He told me I could stay. He said I could still renew my contract – it wasn’t too late. But I didn’t have the courage to make such a change, to do something so illogical, at that time.
To this day, I believe that my gut was telling me to stay overseas. I believe it was trying to protect me. And yes, I encountered a harsh, hostile environment from which I was unable to escape for years upon my return to the U.S.
Today, I don’t know what this is tied to. I only know that the feeling is unforgettable and I tremble.
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Hi Julie,
Your piece is so beautifully written, as is the quote. The simple way you described Chiron has made me think of my chart in a whole new way, particularly around my Chiron opp Uranus, wounding and friendships. This is something I’ll need to contemplate more, with Uranus forming the tip of a kite as a way out of my self contained and somewhat reclusive grand water trine.
I’ve settled into my new simple and small home, have started growing veggies and keeping chooks, feeling very grounded. As I first read the quote I first thought of my new found vocation in ceramics! I’m so excited that I’ve found a medium that truly inspires me, a way to express myself and my soul’s intent. Another way of grounding myself in the material world which I love, where I see the divine spirit in everything.
I’ve been thinking of e-mailing you to let me know my news for a while now and your writing really touched me today. My other news is that my paid working life is moving ahead nicely.
I hope that you are settling well into your new home. I’m still an avid reader of your blog and admire your prolific interpretations and writing.
Best Wishes,
Sandy
Thank you, Sandy, and I’m very happy to hear that you ‘new’ circumstances are working out so well–it all sounds wonderful!
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I forgot to add that it’s intriguing that ceramics is bringing me a whole new circle of friends too, bringing my whole comment back to Chiron and perhaps finding true friends that I’ve felt I’ve lacked in the past. The truer you are to yourself the more your integrity shines through to attract the right people into your life.
Sandy
I couldn’t have said it better, Sandy!
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Hi Julie,
Excellent article as always, yes! And your words here mesh perfectly with the ‘we are spirits on the physical plane’ concept which i try to remember esp when times are tough (and when they’re not!)
You’re so kind to add my New Moon effort here and I thank you – but mostly I thank you for your insights and clear writing style which constantly surprise and uplift, and always soothe! jude
Thank you very much, Jude! And your New Moon article is first rate (as is all your material!) Please, readers, visit Jude and avail yourself of some excellent New Moon insight!
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That is exquisitely written, thank you!
Thank you!
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