We find ourselves at a New Moon in Aries.
Which is timely. The first sign of the zodiac always ushers in beginnings. By definition, then we are also working with endings.
Both are required for the other.
Thus we find ourselves in a time of challenge and change. Where we are up against the very thing we humans tend to try hard to minimize, mitigate, or avoid at all costs.
Uncertainty. The rough and dark waters of the “I don’t know”.
I do not know what’s coming?
I do not know when this time will be over?
Which brings up our other least favorite feeling.
Powerlessness.
Which brings in fear.
And fear is an interesting force. Vital for survival and a healthy life, it is the innate power tasked with the sole purpose of, “keeping the organism (us) alive”. There is very real survival fear that is intuitive in nature and quite literally springs from the deepest and most unconscious parts of our psyche. At times like these, when things like our safety, security, and very mortality are in question, fear is a natural response. Fear, though, is finicky in its formation and action. Sometimes our fear imprint is initiated in a violent or traumatic situation, which creates a hyper-vigilant hair-trigger fear response. If uncertainty and powerless equated with genuine danger at some point in our lives, we will be especially on guard in defense of both. It is essential to have compassion and understanding if this time is especially hard for you.
Regardless of where we are on the fear spectrum, we are ALL feeling some shades of it.
It is no accident, we have a New Moon rising in Aries right now. It is the one sign that can remind us of the graces we are gifted at times like this.
One of these is courage.
By definition, courage is, “the ability to do something that frightens one” or “strength in the face of pain or grief”. Brene Brown weaves courage with the vulnerability of authenticity.
“The root of the word courage is cor – the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant “To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.” Over time, this definition has changed, and today, we typically associate courage with heroic and brave deeds.”
Courage does not mean we are unafraid and then take action. It means we do the action afraid. It means we welcome our fear, taking some space between the stimulus and response of it. We have the opportunity to study it, primal and old, feeling it vibrate in our cells. Feeling the desire to control, numb, distract, or project, we don’t. We respond and not react.
We simply allow the vulnerability of it all declaring, “I am afraid.”
Me too.
But fear does not eradicate hope. And that realization is also a gift. Fear tells us we are nearing the edges of our comfort zone, and we have been offered the choice point of change.
I am reminded of Joseph Campbell’s teaching so exemplified in the timeless stories and myths of the Hero’s Journey. Of course, these classic tales are just reflections of our personal dark nights and life quests. The villains we fight our own. A fundamental first step of the hero’s journey involves leaving what is known to venture into the unknown. Think Luke leaving his home in Star Wars, Neo leaving the Matrix, and Dorothy getting transported to Oz via a tornado. The status quo no longer exists.
“Toto, I have a feeling we are not in Kansas anymore”.
-Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz
Perhaps, this call to adventure can seem exciting when we watch in on-screen. It is something altogether different when we are living it. Especially if we are thrust into the adventure without our conscious permission. The hero’s journey always involves facing the shadows of our fears and the monsters that go bump in the midnight of our soul. It is through this experience we are initiated into a new reality with more wisdom, perseverance, clarity, and strength that can only be forged in the darkness. The journey is rarely easy, though, and the steps cannot be bypassed, or we will find ourselves right back at the beginning.
Welcome to the adventure friends.
Astrologers have been mentioning the significant Capricorn restructuring of our frameworks since the end of last year.
An excerpt from “The Astrology of 2020” written in December 2019.
“In short, Capricorn symbolizes essential structures, frameworks, leadership, maturity, mastery, systems, centers of power, authority, and masculine energy. Looking outward, that looks like government, infrastructure, laws, big business, our banking/money systems, and politics. Looking inward, that looks like the fundamental laws that govern our psyche- our beliefs, identities, responsibilities, ideals, perseverance, and goals. It is how we show up in this earthly plane.” (To continue reading, go here.)
Aries is the sign of both war and adventure, which are sides of the same coin. It is the pioneering spirit of the Fool card in Tarot, setting off to a journey unknown.
Our destiny is calling.
“The call to adventure signifies that destiny has summoned the hero.”
~Joseph Campbell
The Sun and Moon are lighting the Aries fire. Mars, the planet which rules Aries is conjunct Pluto and Jupiter in Capricorn, reigniting this intense fire of transformation and upheavel in these areas of life. Additionally, we have the goddess of discord herself squaring the stellium in Capricorn rousing all kinds of uncomfortable, but required, truths.
But battlegrounds, adventures, and quests are the chosen terrain of hero’s. They are the light conquering the dark. They are the choice points of hope, and faith overtaking despair. They are the birthplaces of grit, resiliency, strength, assertion, authenticity, and courage. They are the burning fires of passion and anger. At times of struggle, we find who we really are.
They offer the gift of clarity. We experience wake up calls to what is REALLY important, right now. Survival also has a way of offering the gift of laser-focused presence. So much can change on the hero’s quest. We are reminded to take it one day at a time.
Sometimes the enemy is a person outside of us, often though, it is a reflection of some part of us. Some belief. Some habit. Some mindset. Some structure, that is no longer working requires significant updating.
Which brings us to the helpers.
Every hero’s journey has assistance along the way. Think Obi-Wan Kenobi, Glenda the good witch, Morpheus, Dumbledore, and Gandalf. Helpers from beyond that remind us of our hope. They also remind us there is more to this journey than meets the eye. This may take the form of human graces. I have seen more acts of service and cooperation than I have seen in decades this last week. People are doing what they can to help. They are playing music together. They are looking out for each other. They are spending time with their family. The doctors, the nurses, the custodians, the teachers, the paramedics, the grocery clerks, the mail carriers- these are the ones on the front lines. The sentry’s in this fight. Let us pledge to remember that when this is over. This is part of the structural overhaul.
Help is not just of the human realm. This help can also take the form of some otherworldly expression. I have experienced that too. The point is to remember you are not alone.
The hero’s journey takes as long as it takes. Tired and spent, our job is to keep showing up to what is showing up—honoring our fear for the gifts it offers and not falling into reactive tendencies. Though uncomfortable, uncertainty is not a bad thing. Aries lives in the fire of discovery. The journey. The quest. The adventure. Nothing ever changes in our comfort zone. It is the birthplace of innovation and the very magic needed to make it through.
It means leaning into the uncertainty with curiosity.
It means courageously battling whatever dragons that arise.
We were born for this.
And to be sure, all heroes come home at some point. This journey will end. Back to the place the hero started. But the world looks different now. It is meant to. That is the whole point of the quest.
Therein lies the treasure of all. The rebirth of a new reality. The adventure of beginnings.
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.”
~ Haruki Murakami
Look at 4° Aries in your chart, and 24, 25 ° degrees Capricorn to find your personal hero’s journey during this time.
As always, reach out if I can be of help.