Leo New Moon – Solar Eclipse
August 21, 2017
A New Creation
As I mentioned in the previous post, we have two New Moons in Leo this year, this one occurring in the final degrees of Leo. I don’t know what it is about this time of year. There seems to be a call to become our best selves… our most loving selves… to put our best foot forward… and if we can’t seem to muster it, events occur to help us find our way there. Several events occurred this cycle to guide us to our best efforts. On the day of the new moon we had a total solar eclipse. I shared on Facebook how this remarkable event drew a line across a divided country and brought us all together in wonder, awe and joy. A week later hurricane Harry arrived, devastating Houston. The country rallied, this time in compassion and empathy. I shuddered at the time to think of what other force might present it self on our behalf – a force to assist in redirecting our course… to melt our angry hearts and re-forge us anew. In the coming week, Irma made her way to the eastern seaboard, along with the continuation of devastating forest fires in the west. As I write, hurricane Jose makes his way up the coast and Maria ramps up to strike an already devastated area. In crisis, Americans will rally, will come together to assist, to help, to aid, to do what we can to ease the suffering of another. It’s who we are at our very core. Throughout this cycle we were urged to come together… to lift up and hold one another in love, charity and peace.
Interestingly enough, I came across an article this cycle by Fr. Richard Rohr regarding Noah’s ark of forgiveness and how God held “all the opposites” in the ark:
“Most people never note that God actually closed them in! God puts all the natural animosities, all the opposites together, and holds them together in one place. I used to think it was about balancing all the opposites within me, but slowly I have learned that it is actually ‘holding’ things unreconciled that teaches us — leaving them partly unresolved and without perfect closure or explanation. How to live in hope has not been taught well to Christians. The ego always wants to settle the dust quickly and have answers now. But Paul rightly says, ‘In hope we are saved, yet hope is not hope if its object is seen’ (Romans 8:24).
The ark therefore is an image of how God liberates and refines us.”
The article is well worth the read: http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/excerpts/view/18341
The Mandala
What a beautiful, radiant sun this mandala makes! LOTS of overlapping! This mandala shines with:
Love: 6 hearts – “home” is where the heart is” comes to mind – outlined in thin magenta – only the tips of these lovelies are colored in.
Kisses: Eight pair of lips individually rather remind me of a good smooch! Mmmmwah! Combined and overlapping you’ll probably see them as tulips (two-lips?).
8, the number of the Cosmic Christ and the 8th day – a day of rest and communing with the Divine One. “We become the company we keep.” Adaptation of Proverbs 13:20
Eight is also found in the outer ring pointing outward.
Stability: Four circles radiate – four resonates with earth and stability. This is an anchor in this highly energetically charged mandala.
God: represented by the eight AND the triangle – the underlying central figure which once again in this cycle is “birthing” something new.
Central Portal:
The central figure could be seen as four pair of full, closed lips creating an eight-pointed blossom – more easily seen up close and personal.
Redemption/Regeneration: Laying over the blossom at the very center, is an eight pointed star:
“The eight-pointed star is the Star of Redemption or Regeneration and represents baptism. Eight is traditionally the number of regeneration, and thus many baptismal fonts have an octagonal base… Finally, eight persons were saved in Noah’s ark, which is another Old Testament parallel of baptism.” http://www.religionfacts.com/eight-point-star
As inspiration for the coloring of this mandala, I picked up these roses at the market one Friday – or maybe they picked me.? Ablaze!
The Month
Friends have a wonderful way of stretching our boundaries and introducing us to new and life giving ways. I was visiting my dear friend Linda the week of this new moon. Lovie and I had moved our youngest back to college for her Sophomore year. Linda met us there and picked me up to visit with her for a few days. She moved to another state a year or so ago and I so enjoyed my time with her…catching up and all. On Monday evening she invited me to attend her small faith sharing group. They were exploring titans of the Catholic faith through a Fr. Robert Baron video series. That Monday they were learning about G.K. Chesterton who is arguably one of the greatest thinkers and writers of the 20th century and as such was a force for good to be reckoned with. One of his quotes:
“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting;
it has been found difficult and left untried.”
The BBC series, Father Brown, is based on a one of G.K Chesterton’s characters. I find myself devouring this show. The kindness and graciousness of this curious and clever (and albeit fictional) Reverend makes one want to be a better person. Watching this show is definitely having an impact on me. You can find the whole series on Netflix as well as PBS and read up on G.K. Chesterton here: https://www.chesterton.org/who-is-this-guy/
During my visit we also toured a stunningly beautiful Greek Orthodox Church – the interior entirely written in Icons. So inspiring and moving…brought me to tears. Pictures truly do it no justice! The artist used egg fresco to write the icons. I am amazed that the process survives to the modern day. See this church gave me a new perspective on art in the worship space. (More on fresco painting here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresco) But even more touching was the graciousness and kindness of one of its members, Tony Filis. Though he was working tirelessly for their upcoming festival on the weekend, he took the time to show us the interior of the church and explain some of their customs. Again, so moved.
Linda also invited me to attend a couple of water aerobics classes which inspired me to add this type of exercise to my schedule. So. Much. FUN! I miss her dearly and am always grateful to spend time with her. She is a remarkably, sweet, kind, and considerate woman and I am so honored to be called her friend. No surprise, she’s a Virgo! 😉 Happy Birthday, Linda! xoxxx
Upon my return home I found myself drawn to the quiet… The kids were now out of the house and doing their thing, Lovie started his new job (which is going famously! Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes!) and I find myself absolutely EXHAUSTED! The stress of the past year has taken its toll. The still small voice whispers and I want to literally retreat from the world. But, rather than removing myself from everything I have made a decision to only add things to my calendar that will nourish me, mentally, physically and spiritually, not adding things that drain me… and to start pulling back on responsibilities, asking for help where I can and saying “no” when I really don’t have the energy to accomplish something. The need for self care is great! It is past time to fill the tank! Mine seems to be running on empty. Balance, more than ever, seems to be required. The terrain is changing, the energy shifting and I am drawn to the hibernating cave or better yet the dark, womb-like chrysalis of change – all the while holding in hope all the opposites within myself and in my relationships rather than fighting or trying to eradicate them – truly fruitless! To the best of my ability, I am focused, in the present moment, resting in God and in the unknown, yet, new creation I am becoming.
Love, Hugs and Blessings,
L xoxxx
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