Gemini and The Lovers

On May 20^th, the Sun enters Gemini, The Twins, the sign of the zodiac associated with The Lovers Tarot card. The Sun moving into airy Gemini signals a lighthearted time to meet new people, explore new ideas and learn new things. Gemini is a curious and intellectual zodiac sign, ruled by planet Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods, this connects Gemini to ideas, information and communication, which is why so many of us do a lot of extra thinking, analyzing, learning and chatting this time of year. Gemini is also restless; preferring to do several fantastic things at once instead of focusing on just one and this can cause Gemini to seem scattered. More than anything, Gemini brings an affectionate, playful and fun energy to everyone this time of year. If you can learn to enjoy it all without overextending yourself during this time, the bright, playful energy of the Gemini Sun will light up your life.

The Lovers Card, numbered six, the twins represented were Castor and Pollux born to Queen Leda who slept with the god Zeus and also with King Tyndareus of Sparta in quick succession. Castor is the immortal son of Zeus and Pollux is his mortal "twin" brother. The boys so loved each other that they were inseparable. When Pollux died in battle, immortal Castor begged Zeus to allow him to join Pollux forever in the afterlife. As a result, the two boys were placed in the heavens as the constellation Gemini. The mythology of Gemini is replete with difficult decisions. The card pictures a representation of Adam and Eve before their decision to eat the forbidden fruit. Behind them stands an angel. Eve stands next to the Tree of Knowledge and around that tree is coiled the snake that circles the waist of The Magician. Adam stands next to the tree with its twelve fruits, one for each sign of the zodiac. The two figures in the Lovers card are blessed and protected by the Archangel Raphael, the angel of Air. One of the associations of Air is communication, necessary for a healthy relationship. The flames behind the man represent the flames of passion, indicating the primary concern of the man. There are twelve flames, representing the twelve zodiac signs, the symbol of time and eternity. The man looks to the woman, who looks to the angel, indicating the path of the conscious to the subconscious to the super-conscious, or from physical desire to emotional needs to spiritual concerns. The mountain is a phallic symbol, while the water is a feminine symbol, indicating balance between the two.

Tarot Meditations While the Sun Is in Gemini

The period when the Sun transits through Gemini is an excellent time to meditate on tarot's The Lovers. Ponder the myths of Castor and Pollux. Do you show your loved ones how much you really care? What are the important decisions you are facing in your life? Can you live with the consequences of your choice? What are you willing to sacrifice or compromise to maintain your relationship? Is that healthy for you?

To prepare for mediation, sit or lie in a comfortable place and allow your body to be free of tension and distractions. Pay attention to your breathing. Feel your breath go in and out as you inhale and exhale. If distracting thoughts enter your mind, simply observe them and allow them to float by as you gently return your attention to your breathing. When you have established a steady, comfortable rhythm of breathing rhythmically in and out, turn your focus to the tarot card. Observe the card and contemplate its images. Let your mind be open to the messages you receive from it. When you have completed your meditation, you may wish to record your observations in a notebook for review later on.

Sun enters Libra

Sun in Libra September 23rd to October 23rd

Fall arrives in the northern hemisphere as the Sun moved into Libra on September 23, and remains there until October 23rd. Libra is ruled by Venus, it’s symbol is the Scales so this will be a time of seeking balance in life. Justice, fairness and relationships will be highlighted. How are our light and dark aspects working?  Are we in harmony with ourselves or are we our own worst enemies?

The Libra Sun encourages harmony between the individual self and the shared self. Accommodation and compromise are its primary ways of creating harmonious duos.  But many people find intimacy difficult. It feels suffocating, confining and limiting to them, which is a high price to pay for sharing one's life with another person. Limits on personal freedom come with every relationship. There are general rules of behavior and individual preferences in play with every connection we have. Some people are very comfortable with compromise; others shrivel at the thought of giving up any authority to a partner. The balance of Self and Other is the crux of relationships – the dance between I and We.

While the Sun is in Libra, our challenge/opportunity is two-fold. Part one is to open our hearts to the romantic images of joyfully shared experience. It is a vision of liberating compromise that happens when what we give up of ourselves is multiplied in return by what we receive from another. Part two is recognizing that relationship is a process in which we move toward and away from each other, an ebb and flow of combining and separating that is completely natural. Accepting the variability of our emotions gives us the flexibility to find happiness within ourselves and when shared with others.

Sun enters Gemini

Sun enters Gemini - May 21^st to June 21^st

Normally, when the Sun enters Gemini, the energy shifts to light and airy.  But the Sun amplifies what it touches, so the already chaotic energy in place with Mercury Retrograde in Gemini as well, will make it hard to take advantage of the positive side.  While this is the time to stretch yourself socially and intellectually, be cautious as to not put too much on your plate.  And the downside here is Gemini's energy can cause a lack of focus and a tendency toward superficiality.  Gemini is also restless, preferring to do 20 fantastic things at once instead of focusing on just one. All of this unfocused energy can make Gemini seem scattered and fail to finish what they start. Make a plan and stick to it. Adding Mars in Gemini to the mix can leave you exhausted and more than a little bit frustrated at yourself so take care not to fall into this trap. Also, with Mars in Gemini, you'll have a strengthened ability to communicate. But watch out. When you're angry you'll also have an indomitable capacity to use your words as a weapon.

Sun Enters Aquarius

January 20th to February 18th

In modern astrology, the fixed sign of Aquarius rules the 11th House, which is said to be that of “Hopes and Wishes” and also “Ideals and Aspirations”. The glyph for Aquarius is the Egyptian sign for “water above and below”. Therefore, Aquarius is said to symbolize the realm where the invisible waters of heaven pour down onto mankind, in the same way that a soul is poured into a human body. Aquarius has always been linked with Ganymede, who according to the Greek myth was the first mortal to become immortal. He was taken to Mount Olympus to become a “Cup Bearer” for the gods. When we see a symbol for the sign of Aquarius, we see a “water bearer”, which is Ganymede, pouring nectar for the Gods. He was the first man to understand the waters above and bring them down to others, the modern notion of “ideals”.

What is “above” is immortal and what comes from “below” is mortal and the waters of Aquarius are said to transcend both. When we tap into this flow our ideas, thoughts and requests flow up into the heavens where the Gods can look on them favorably. When the Sun moved through Aquarius, it was the coldest time of the year. However, as the earth reaches its darkest point, it holds the promise of future life. Underneath the ground, the roots are starting to prepare for new life. Everything in nature has to be self sufficient. Aquarius, as a sign, is infamous for non conformity. Uranus, its ruling planet shows the same traits. While most of the planets spin on an axis that is almost perpendicular, Uranus’ axis is almost parallel to the ecliptic. Aquarius is a sign of individuality and of looking to the future. The past has gone in exactly the same way as the old year has gone and Aquarian energy can only look to what is happening now and what will come in the future. Nothing practical can be done, but it is a time to give birth to ideas. It was a time when innovations and inventions were devised. During the darkest part of winter, the light comes from within. Anything that doesn’t serve will show itself and be corrected in spring. One of the greatest qualities of Aquarian energy is independence and it’s during the middle month of the winter that life itself is developing independently.

In Aquarius we find an energy that is “above” all the other signs. This is air energy, but unlike Gemini and Libra, this is energy that goes beyond the individual, to encompass humanity itself. Aquarian energy lifts above the mortal realm and the drudgery of daily life and taps into something higher. Therefore, Aquarius energy is always on the cutting edge, able to see further into the future and to greater heights than the other zodiac signs. It is a sign that is forward thinking; it is non conformist, balks at tradition and celebrates originality and individuality. It will rebel against repression of the human spirit. Thus Aquarius, as an air sign, is more exulted. Aquarian energy is often concerned about the plight of humanity. When people stage protests or speak out against oppression, they are using Aquarian energy. Where other signs may see what “is”, Aquarian energy sees what “can be”.

Sun Enters Libra

On September 22, 2014, the Autumn Equinox, the Sun enters Libra.  Libra is the seventh sign of the Zodiac is a Cardinal Air sign, ruled by Venus and marks the midpoint in our journey around the zodiac, peering at Aries from the opposite side. The Sun enters Libra around the time of year as the Autumn Equinox and the origin of the word Libra derives from the Latin meaning, “balances” or “scales”. Libra is the natural ruler of the Seventh House of the Zodiac, commonly referred to as the “House of Marriage and Partnerships”.

Libra represents our ability to relate to other people, but this is actually a very complex task. Before we can relate to others, there must be a sense of self to relate from. In Aries we saw the emergence and formation of our spirit essence in the form of the conscious ego, the basic building block of identity and ground that spirit essence in the physical world of Taurus.  We developed self-awareness through mutual communication with our immediate surroundings in Gemini.  The next building block of relationships, the basic ability to bond with another was accomplished by our work with Cancer and provided the foundation needed to express oneself as a separate entity through Leo.  Having a strong sense of self enabled us to reach out beyond that Self, to others and thereby stretch the potential of who we can be was explored in Virgo. Now we arrive at Libra, in which we continue the exploration of our relationships with others from a more objective perspective. Libra teaches us that we are both connected and separate beings, being both intimately attached to others and isolated as distinct individuals. However, distances can also be deceiving and we must ask ourselves if we’re really seeing what we think we see. The danger to avoid is what we perceive is the other person, can often be what we project our own desires, needs, issues and agendas onto that person. This can mean we’re seeing only a glimpse of the real person, while filling in the blanks with our own hopes, fears and expectations. In Libra we must learn to navigate through this and decipher which is the reflection and which is the real thing. The best way to do this is to keep relating to others until we find a way that works.

Ultimately, we must honor and experience both sides, just as the scales of Libra must be balanced from both sides. Libra represents this kind of objectivity, based on distance and separation. When we view other people as separate beings, we can see them clearer than when we’re up-close and intertwined.