Seasonal Soulcraft

Wisdom in the Stars

Virgo

23 August – 22 September

Our Wisdom in the Stars series is taken from Wisdom in the Stars – Joan Hodgson, White Eagle Trust

The traditional symbol of the sign of Virgo is the Maiden bearing in her arms a sheaf of corn.  This seems particularly appropriate in the northern hemisphere where, at the time when the Sun is passing through this sign the corn harvest is being gathered.

In Virgo the element Earth manifests in its mutable or adaptable phase.  All the Earth signs teach the spirit of man the lesson of service; and the specialised form of this lesson, taught by the mutable phase of the element, is knowledge gained through investigation, which will in turn lead to wisdom in service.  Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of mind; and we find that the children of the sign bring their minds to bear on the manipulation of earth (the physical life and its problems,) and thus are naturally drawn to the mathematical sciences which bring matter under the control of mind.  An idea or mental concept brought into physical manifestation (if only in some simple piece of carpentry) demands mathematical accuracy in its execution, if the finished product is to work smoothly and be a good representation of the mental picture.

To use the mind to shape and mould matter is instinctive with Virgo natives, as is care over detail and desire for absolute accuracy, without which it is impossible to achieve perfection.  In the course of the growth and unfoldment of the spirit, one of the important lessons which must be mastered is accuracy and perfection in every detail of life.  If we are eventually to become godlike, we must gradually unfold our understanding of the precision of the Law, which governs not only the motion of the planets round the Sun but also the minutest detail in the life cycle of the smallest wayside flower.  Souls coming into incarnation when the Sun is passing through Virgo are, through the Earth devas, receiving training in this quality.  Much experience is needed in many life cycles before full knowledge of the perfection of God’s laws can be attained; and when the soul first attempts to learn this lesson it finds difficulty in keeping a sense of proportion.

Because of the connection of the planet Mercury with Virgo, all the children of the sign are mentally active, and constantly seek knowledge which will bring matter under the control of mind.  They are drawn to all types of scientific study and often become clever and agile mental, apt at comparison, criticism and argument.  Their interest in detail causes them to subject small sections of life to microscopic analysis rather than to consider first the relationship of each part to the whole.  This applies to many of their problems also, and the striving after perfection in trivialities may blind the soul to the main issues of life, causing muddle and confusion.

The mind of man, while a good servant, is a bad master; and when it usurps rulership from the spirit, sorrow and anarchy reign in the kingdom of the soul.  For the spirit, even when incarnating in matter, retains a memory of the illimitable, which the mind, with its limited horizons, cannot hope to share.  The mind by analysis, criticism, and comparison can study the laws governing matter, and master life’s practical details; but if it becomes powerful and arrogant, ignoring the promptings of the spirit, these practical details assume unwarranted importance and blind the soul to its divine destiny.  The vision of heaven which is the birthright of the spirit can be destroyed by the process of dissection, criticism and analysis accorded to matter.  Man cannot hope to scale the heights or plumb the depths of the infinite with his mind alone, and because of this, seeks refuge in denial of their existence.

This state brings chaos and mental hell.  But as soon as the mind acknowledges the direction and guidance of the King within, instead of being fettered and blinded, it becomes illuminated and vitalised by the sunlight of the spirit.  It dissects, weights and analyses matter with quickened vision and understanding, so that where before it saw merely dry dust is now discerns living gold.  Even in mathematical formulae can be discovered a hidden number, a magic key which gives the secret of transmuting base metals into find gold.

The gift of the spirit to the mind which faithfully obeys its dictates is discrimination; discrimination between the essential and the trivial, the real and the unreal, the true and the false. Without this gift the soul must wander long in the wilderness of illusion, mistaking a brilliant intellect, with its faculty of criticism, for heavenly wisdom, and becoming ever more bewildered and unhappy.  Discrimination causes destructive judgement to be forgotten, for the radiant spirit shining through the mind lights up the grains of gold within the dust of earthliness; and the Christlike soul sees only the Christlike qualities in others.

In the horoscope, Virgo is associated with the sixth house, which rules service and employment as well as health.  As mind should serve spirit, faithfully executing the tasks which the Master, the Sun within the universe of the soul, commands, so in the outer world the child of Virgo can express his gifts most harmoniously when working under the direction of a leader who will assign to him those tasks which require patience, precision and exact attention to detail.  For this sign does not give its children self-confidence, and they are liable to become over-anxious if forced to accept the responsibility of taking far-reaching decisions.  Being perfectionists, they are over-critical of themselves as well as of other people.  They doubt their own ability to cope adequately with difficulties which may arise and therefore vacillate and are quickly daunted by opposition.  This state of fear and tension can only be overcome by the realisation of divine strength.  Man of himself alone is powerless to achieve anything, but with God all things are possible.  If mental arrogance is laid aside, and the issue humbly surrendered to divine wisdom, light and help will flow freely to that soul so that his powers will be adequate for the task.

The sixth house, which Virgo rules, is also the house of health.  It indicates to the astrologer the state of our health, the complaints to which we are liable and our general interest in health matters.  In Greek Mythology, the health Goddess Hygeia was often identified with the Maiden who forms the symbol of this sign; while in our own times the symbol of the medical service is the caduceus, the magic staff of Mercury, ruler of Virgo.  From these facts, it would seem that the ancient sages were well aware that the mind has an intimate and indissoluble connection with the health of the body.  As the matter composing the world outside man must be studied, analysed and brought under the control of the mind, so also must the matter which composes the physical body.  For this reason Virgo gives it children an interest in health and hygienic.  This may take a negative form, so that they are continually thinking about health, wanting a scientific knowledge of the construction of the body in order to bring it under the control of the mind.  If however the mind in its turn is not under the control of the spirit, the interest that should lead to wise care, purity, and wholeness or holiness, leads instead to foolish fears and apprehensions which can result in semi-invalidism.  Where the interest takes a positive form, we find children of Virgo drawn to the medical profession, to nursing, massage, chiropractics, dietetics and other forms of healing.

The secret of perfect health is indeed contained in the mystery of Virgo, the sign of service.  Under it influence we learn that the body must serve the mind, the mind must in humility and simplicity serve the spirit, while the spirit serves and obeys the Great Architect of the Universe.  The light of the spirit illumining the mind gives wisdom.  A wise man does not wear out the body’s energies with worry, fret and overwork.  He studies the needs of the body and is wisely moderate and discriminating in his demands, while not tolerating laziness or over-indulgence.  When the mind serves only the Great White Spirit, it becomes tranquil and confident in the eternal love and wisdom, in the cosmic law which transmutes evil into good, and  ugliness into beauty.  The body in turn responds to this peaceful mental state by being relaxed and restful, yet ready for action.  Thus polarised, the whole being is open to the universal life force, which can flow through every vehicle, cleansing, purifying, healing and re-creating, so that the soul can indeed worship the Lord in this beauty of holiness.

In myth and fairy tale we may compare the Virgin of the zodiac to the pure and innocent princess whom the knight (the spirit of man) with his magic sword of light must rescue from the monsters of ignorance and arrogance.  The golden sheaves she carries are the sheaves of wisdom garnered in the fields of experience; for purity is neither the blindness or ignorance nor the fear of contamination.  It is full and comprehensive knowledge, transmuted by the power of love into the simplicity of wisdom.  The soul thus cleansed and clad in a garment whiter than snow, approaches the mystery of life – no longer with criticism and doubt, but with a childlike wonder and reverence.  It sees in all things a manifestation of divine love, truth and beauty; and knows that the humblest service to the least of God’s creation is an act of praise, of worship, and of thankfulness to the Most High.

Listen to this article

Wisdom in the Stars

Leo

23 July – 22 August

Our Wisdom in the Stars series is taken from Wisdom in the Stars ~ Joan Hodgson, White Eagle Trust

The sign of Leo, coming directly under the influence of the sun, its ruler, has long been known as the ‘royal sign’, for it bestows on its children the vitality, warmth, radiance and will-power which make them natural leaders.  The sun enters this sign approximately on 23 July each year, and during the month which follows summer is still at its height.  It is interesting that many of the flowers which bloom in English gardens at this period display the flaming gold, orange, and warm tawny colours which belong to the sign of Leo; interesting also that August is the children’s holiday month, since in the horoscope Leo is associated with the fifth house, ruling children and pleasure as well as love affairs and speculation.

In Leo the element Fire manifests in its fixed quality, and if we can by the exercise of our imaginative powers correlate the characteristics of a steadily glowing fire (or of the Sun itself) to human life and conduct, we shall gain an idea of the nature of the sign.  Children of Leo respond simply and unquestioningly to the dictates of a warm, ardent, impulsive heart, which is the mainspring of their activities.  All the Fire signs stimulate and intensify the affections, but Leo, which rules the heart centre, is pre-eminently the sign whose influence unfolds consciousness of the power of love as the controlling centre of the Universe.  Within the heart of every man is the spark of God, which must eventually wax and glow until it becomes first a steady flame and finally a glorious star or sun.This spark of God, the infant Christ established within the heart, is influenced and guided by each zodiacal sign in turn.  In the process of its education sometimes the ‘child’ must struggle so hard with the limitations of matter that it can find small opportunity for full expression of its powers, while at other times it is given more freedom.  When the soul incarnates under the influence of Leo, it has reached a period at which the Christ, or the Sun within the heart, is allowed some freedom of expression, and can demonstrate in creative work how well it has assimilated its previous lessons.  Always the heart of man has direct access to the divine Light, the Source of Life; but not always can this power be brought through into physical manifestation.  When we are born strongly under the influence of Leo, however, our whole being is set to obey the dictates of the heart, and during that incarnation the spirit has an opportunity for creative self-expression.

The fact of being consciously or unconsciously en rapport with the heart of the Universe gives to the soul a sense of security and self-confidence, so that it does not need to look to human authority in action and belief.  In fact, it usually objects to doing so, and only feels happy when allowed to work on its own initiative.  Children of Leo are never so contented as when working out an idea or project in their own way, and is so doing draw around themselves a band of helpers who, fired by their Leader’s enthusiasm, and under his instruction, are willing to undertake various aspects of this work, particularly those connected with laborious detail.  In this way the Sun-power, shining through the heart, attracts to itself satellites to form a group of small universe, and rules the whole with benevolent despotism.  Souls working under zodiacal influences which deny self-confidence are attracted to such natural leaders, who give them strength, support and warm, affectionate encouragement – usually not unmixed with patronage!

The fact that the Light within the heart is stimulated and allowed expression causes children of Leo to be simple, wholehearted and sincere in whatever they undertake.  The soul will thus respond to the influence of the sign, no matter what its age and experience, for the heart of man is fundamentally incapable of subterfuge.  The joyous send of power and well-being given by this inrush of vitality and sunlight may cause a feeling of self-importance in the inexperienced soul, who may become bombastic, boastful and inclined to over-ambition; much as a child given the materials and freedom will cheerfully attempt to draw a picture that would tax the powers of a trained artist.  Fully believing in its own ability, when its efforts come to nothing, the soul will be more astonished than any once at its own failure.

This essential vitality also finds expression in the inexperienced soul through love of luxury, display and the use of gaudy colours with showy ornamentation; while the sense of inward freedom and powers of creation turn more towards pleasure and self-indulgence than to constructive work.  The soul may then use its powers of leadership purely in the idle pursuit of pleasure instead of in service to humanity. Even the affection characteristic of Leo is often marred by being indiscriminately and over-lavishly bestowed; the ardour and generosity of souls under the Sun’s sign often overpower those who receive them.  Many are the heartaches and disappointments suffered before wisdom is blended with love, and the lesson mastered.

Here it is interesting to consider the Greek myth of Phaeton, the son of Apollo the Sun-god, who claims his privilege to drive the Sun-chariot across the heavens.  When this privilege is grated he finds himself unable to control its fiery steeds, so that they bolt, and flung out of his chariot, he perishes.  This story illustrates the tendency towards over-confidence in its own powers, which tempts the soul to choose the path of self-will instead of obedience to the God-will within.   When the ‘child of the Sun’ thus claims his birthright, the Sun-powers released within him may prove too strong for his control, and the creative fire is squandered in foolish self-glorification and indulgence.  Instead of enthusiastic friends and co-workers, he draws around him flatterers and sycophants who will desert him in time of trial, and bitter is the sorrow and disillusionment which he much face.

Leo, the sign of kingship and royal authority, teaches the soul the lesson of obedience to the God within, for it is only by itself becoming obedient to divine Will that it can learn to control the first kingdom which it must rule, the kingdom of the self.  Through this aspiration and the exercise of the divine Will, all the vehicles are gradually drawn into alignment with the magnetic forces of earth and heaven. Mind and emotions, warmed and irradiated by the divine Love, will be guided and restrained by divine Will and Wisdom; while the physical body will manifest the harmonious government of the Fire within by its poised erect carriage and by radiant health and magnetism.

The white light of the Sun contains within itself all the colours of the rainbow; so the soul when incarnating under Leo can, according to its age and experience, understand and harmonise with each of the seven rays of progress.  Apollo was patron of all the arts and sciences, and the released sun-powers within the heart enable a soul successfully to devote its attention to government, teaching, science, art, healing, philosophy, or mysticism and ceremonial; but it will always claim freedom to work independently along the lines chosen to lead and organise those who wish to follow its example.

Children of Leo are simple-hearted, having an innate faith in God, in themselves, and in the honour and good-will of other souls towards them.  For this reason they are often hoodwinked by those unscrupulous enough to take advantage of their simplicity and somewhat artless vanity.  In the experienced soul such deception occasions much sorrow and bewilderment and a temporary if somewhat half-hearted attempt at cynicism.  But even after such setbacks the sun soon shines again, and more wisdom has been stored for future use.

Leo teaches the soul the true meaning of love.  By means of many experiences the soul’s vision increases, unit it learns that while the real self, the spirit within all men, is constant and trustworthy, often the outer or lower self fails.  With this realisation comes knowledge of its own true function as a leader, which is to search for and encourage the good, the spark of divine Fire in others; or to discover the crock of gold hidden at the end of the varied rainbow manifestations of the outer self of men.  Thus is will find justification for its faith in the innate goodness in others; and know that however often the outer, lower self denies its master, the real self will rise again and again with renewed effort to become worthy.  It then endeavours to lead and inspire by example and by unquenchable faith in the ultimate victory of that nobler self, a victory which will lead every soul through the valley of the shadow and onward in the Land of Light.

Listen to this article