Aquarius New Moon Mandala
February 15, 2018
Awaken
“Unable to perceive the shape of You I find You all around me.
Your presence fills my eyes with Your love…
it humbles my heart…
For You are everywhere.”
~ “The Shape of Water”, Oscar for Best Picture
Capitalization of the word You, mine.
The Mandala
As an odd number thirteen might be considered a masculine number or a feminine number as there are 13 lunar months in a year. Thirteen is also a testing number whose slogan is WORK on the material plane (“Your Days are Numbered”, Campbell) These thirteen hearts are presented and expressed as 7+6.
Heart, a feminine symbol derived from the inverted triangle, is known culturally as a symbol for love.
Seven: Completeness and Perfection
Associated with Neptune
Primary Meaning: Connection to something greater than the self, awareness of soul
Positive expression: Sees larger perspective, is able to detach from life’s dramas
Negative expression: Confused, lazy, lost in fantasy or escapist activities
This seven creates a seven-pointed star or flower – points are facing the boarder. A feminine symbol (heart) expressing a masculine energy (pointing out). These hearts seem to have a powerful energy and have something to say/express.
Magenta: The Authentic Self
These seven interlocking hearts create seven mandorlas. These almond shaped architectural features are often seen in religious art around the Jesus the Christ or Mary. Colored in light grey with just hints of color from the surrounding hearts. Light, airy, unknown, mysterious, other-worldly.
Six: Perfect Number (Pythagoras)
Associated with Venus
Primary meaning: Relationships with people and things of personal value.
Positive expression: Relates well to others, has healthy relationships appreciates aesthetics.
Negative expression: Manipulative, vain, spineless, materialistic.
This Six seems to support the seven by creating a vortex of love as it swirls round and round – energetically feminine.
Teal: The High Heart
Five circles ground the mandala but express themselves as 4+1. The central circle is bound tightly to the mandorlas.
One associated with the sun
Primary meaning: Self-image, personal identity
Positive expression: Strong sense of self, without being self-centered
Negative expression: Selfish, insensitive, vain, inflexible, controlling
Four, circling the outer spaces of the mandala is associated with Uranus
Primary meaning: Independence, individuality, originality
Positive expression: Lives according to own truth, walks own path, stands up for own beliefs
Negative expression: Contrary, stubborn, selfish, unreliable, insensitive, eccentric
~ http://www.northpointastrology.com/planets.html
~ The Illustrated Signs & Symbols Sourcebook, Adele Nozedar
Violet: Spiritual Connection, color of the spectrum for Aquarius.
Over all, a cross, an instrument of torture and death, but for many throughout the world a symbol of Resurrection.
Silver is a precious metal and often symbolizes riches and wealth, presented here as a paradigm shift. ~ https://www.bourncreative.com/meaning-of-the-color-silver/
~ Planet symbolism: http://www.northpointastrology.com/planets.html
~ Numbers: www.whatsyoursign.com
~ Ruling planet: www.jumaani.com/numerology/number.asp
The Month
So much going at the close of the Capricorn cycle and as this cycle began: Fat Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, Chinese New Year – year of the earth Dog AND Prayer Shawl Ministry General Meetings. At this meeting we discussed the new communication protocol regarding prayer requests and an individual’s privacy.
Lent typically starts early for me. Two weeks before the start of this cycle I had re-established a Centering Prayer Practice, a Christian style of meditation, and by the start of this season of discernment and purification began delving into my companion for Lent – a gift from Abbey of the Arts: “The Book of Hours: An Artist Book for the Anthropocene” by Rebecca Clark.
~https://abbeyofthearts.com
“Anthropocene is a proposed epoch dating from the commencement of significant human impact on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems.” (Wikipedia)
With my love of nature and contemplating God through it, it’s a perfect fit. I also continue my experience with Tools 4 change with Donna Iona Drozda. She is proving to be such a gift at such a challenging time in my life. (http://www.donnaionadrozda.com/lifecycle/tools-for-change/ )
But the being that captivated me at the start of this cycle was small…tiny really though large for her “people”. 😉 She caught my eye…then I saw her again the next day standing before me on the window as if saying, “See! Me!” The next day I saw her body but she was gone. God in and through all things… and so now to contemplate what the Divine Beloved was communicating through this encounter. Interestingly enough it’s not a bad Lenten examen – an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience or perhaps an interesting examination of conscience.
Photo by Peter Webber/Photographer’s choice/Getty Images
I learned that Fly typically lives for 21 days to 3 months. (Mayflies live only 24 hours…)
The lesson: Live life! As the saying goes, it’s fleeting.
Eggs are typically laid on decaying organic matter – dying plants, dead animals, dung…
Lesson: Bloom where you’re planted – even if it’s unpleasant. This requires maturity… or bliss-filled ignorance. As much as you can, enjoy the journey.
This one can also be about perception… one being’s food is another being’s source of disgust. So be kind… to yourself and others who are traveling this path.
Fly has mosaic eyesight seeing left, right, front and above (but not behind.)
Lesson: With gratitude for all that has transpired, leave your past in the past and stay focused on the now, moving forward.
Fly navigates by keeping track of and moving towards sunlit areas.
Lesson: Stay connected to The Light. Pray. Meditate. Read spiritually uplifting or, better yet, spiritually challenging material.
Fly has a second set of wings called halters that help with balance. If one is missing, Fly can only move in circles.
Lesson: If you feel yourself going ‘round and ‘round about an issue, you’re missing a halter! Find your balance. Pause. Breathe. Meditate. Contemplate the issue from a mature state.
Fly tastes with her feet.
Lesson: Find alternate/non-food ways to nourish yourself, like crochet, long walks in the woods, a hot, bubbly soak, massage, talking to a friend.
Fly has no jaw or teeth with which to chew so she “cleans” her food by removing debris and then digests her food outside of her body by liquefying it.
Lesson: As an ambassador for Spring, her sighting is a sign of things to come. Time to clean up or lighten up your diet. Choose simple foods that are easy to make, easy to digest and are nourishing to your body. I have been gravitating to one pan roasting method….chicken and roots for example or dishes that have a lot of vegetables in them, especially greens – they help clean the liver and Spring is liver season.
As the saying goes, “Oh, to be a fly on the wall…”
Lesson: Usually this speaks of gossip, but, in a round about way this one speaks to me of Humility – to be in a room and be unnoticed/unseen.
Fly: Carrier of disease
Lesson: Victim of circumstance and necessity. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover and don’t recoil. Love her anyway and do what you can to relieve her suffering.
Though very small, Fly and her larvae play an important role in the environment as scavengers.
Lesson: Everything has its role to play… “Be thou a joyful player.”
(“Maya”, Robin Williamson)
~https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/housefly.htm
I don’t think I’ll ever look at a fly the same way again…as well as people. May practices such as these awaken us to a new, kinder, more compassionate, joyful and wonder-filled reality.
Much Love and Blessed Lent,
Lynn xoxxx
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