Neptune | Gaye Mack

EVOLUTIONARY ASTROLOGY’S MYSTICAL 12TH HOUSE AND THE HERETICAL CATHARS

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Gaye Mack in Karmic and Self-Discovery Astrology, Uncategorized, Writer's Work 2 Comments

The other day while working on a client’s natal chart and then later on my historical fiction book, A Flight of Doves, I realized something that hadn’t occurred to me before. Through the lens of Evolutionary Astrology, there’s a connection between positive interpretations of the twelfth house, Neptune and Pisces and the guiding philosophy of southern France’s 13th century heretical Cathars. For the moment put this thought on the back burner.

In analyzing a natal chart, the Evolutionary Astrologer is bombarded by an over-kill of interpretative possibilities that’s staggering. Planetary house placements, the signs they’re in at birth, positive and negative implications, mathematical relationships and importance to the over all picture including the relationship to past karma that’s come to fruition–these are all in the mix and must be considered.

In western astrology, the twelfth house has many interpretations. Ancient astrologers called it the ‘house of troubles’ but today it has far wider application on the mundane, psychological and spiritual levels. As I have written before, Evolutionary Astrology focuses mainly on the psychological and spiritual arenas. Every chart is unique and a lot rides on the various relationships. BUT, among the possibilities(the operative word here being ‘possibilities’) with the 12th house, its ruling planet Neptune and ruling sign of Pisces, things can get very mystical and spiritual!

Houses in a chart are where the ‘action is’ and for the twelfth, one of its actions can signify ‘endings’. Taken in psychological and especially spiritual contexts, we’re talking about things that need to go in order for spiritual awakenings or awareness to happen within us as part of our soul’s evolution.

Next we consider its ruling planet Neptune. Neptune in it’s highest expression, is all about dissolution of the ego because it’s main job is to foster our connection to the Divine, whatever that means for an individual. Neptune is often referred to as the archetype of the mystic–and why not? Those who have a strong Neptune signature in their charts ARE prone to heightened imagination, psychic perceptions and mysticism. Depending on everything else in the birth chart, this cloak comes in various styles!

Finally, we come to the sign of Pisces which rules the twelfth house and Neptune. Compassion, experience of the mystical, self-transcendence and letting go of the world–these all come under the purview of Pisces. So what does this have to do with the Cathar beliefs?

The Cathars believed in Dualism. For them, the physical world and everything in it was a creation of Satan, including the body and for the ‘committed’, procreation. Purity of spirit was gained through a direct connection to God or the Divine. In their view, a belief system that supported a corrupt hierarchy and homage to a Pope was the very embodiment of Satan. Nevertheless, they were known for their universal compassion as healers, providers for the poor, sources of spiritual guidance, herbalists and yes, astrologers.

When the 220 men, women and children were burned to death for their beliefs by the church at the castle fortress of Montsegur in southern France on March 16, 1244, historical accounts report them singing their way into the flames. Despite the horrifically gruesome circumstances, for these believers reality was that they were freed of earth’s heaviness and were returning to the light of God. Twelfth house, Neptune and Pisces–their mystical pathway HOME. Is it any wonder those who had taken vows wore a silver buckle fashioned in the sign of Pisces?

CATHAR MEMORIAL AT MONTSEGUR

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EDWARD BACH’S WATER VIOLET FOR JUNE’S WATERY GRAND TRINE

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Gaye Mack in Balance, Karmic and Self-Discovery Astrology Leave a comment

As I write, we’ve just experienced the energetic embrace of Sunday’s incredible ‘SuperMoon’ in Capricorn, illuminated by the watery Cancer Sun. As with all astrological events and configurations, they symbolize a range of expressions and possibilities, not unlike those a Bach practitioner considers with each of Bach’s 38 flower remedies! While the powerful ‘shadow’ energy of this full moon reminded us that we must learn to return in favor for acquired status (Capricorn) as well as receive nurturing that’s been denied, (Cancer), there’s more to come. Today, June 26^th, the Sun forms a ‘watery’ Grand Trine with Saturn in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces.

35 years ago, the famous and well-known Chicago astrologer, Katherine DeJersey explained to me why astrologers ‘jump up and down with great glee’ when they see a ‘Grand Trine’ in a birth chart. “Traditionally,” she said, “Grand Trines indicate an ‘ease’ in the flow of energy between the three planets and their sign placement- people who have these configurations in their charts seem to always land on their feet.” However, the highly respected astrologer, Noel Tyl cautions us… ‘not so fast.’ Tyl maintains that Grand Trines are a ‘defensive function in the personality;’ but what does this really mean? As a chart is really about the flow (or not) of energy, in consideration of Grand Trines as a defensive mechanism, Tyl maintains that we’re looking at a form of emotional self-imposed isolation within the Trine’s planetary and elemental framework; ie., fire, earth, air or water.

If we apply this interpretation to the forthcoming Grand Trine in water, then we’re looking at a self-imposed defense against emotional hurt that basically says, “I don’t need, want your emotional comfort and I certainly am not extending any.” Thus, with this approaching trine we’re considering the watery energetic symbolism of Saturn in Scorpio (internal retreating to the depths), Sun in Cancer (retreating into the shell) and Neptune in Pisces(escaping into the cosmos)… all wrapped up in the concept of emotional defense. Such reactions are what bring me to think of Dr. Bach’s Water Violet flower remedy.

As I wrote in my book, Igniting Soul Fire, Spiritual Dimensions of the Bach Flower Remedies,

“…for the water-violet soul, a facet of their sorrow or grief stems from repeated experiences of betrayal. In their silent grief, the contracted Water Violet comes off as keeping ‘a stiff upper lip’, while appearing detached, prideful, and aloof. The reality is that this behavior is a means of emotional protection. Even in simple friendship, intimacy is a hardship for them. Even more of a challenge is finding a level of comfort in the intimacy of a romantic relationship. Physically, the contracted emotional state of this soul-type makes its subjects appear rigid and apart from others, as they exude an air of superiority and entitlement. Water-violet souls have the lesson this lifetime of learning the virtue of joy by sharing their wisdom of experience through participation in the environment that surrounds them. In working through emotional excavation using Water Violet as a remedy, the resulting connection to their feelings brings awareness that detachment is the source of their grief and, what was once good for them—an old defense mechanism that worked—is no longer good for them.”

Thus, with this different perspective on the meaning of the Grand Trine configuration in the heavens, if you’re feeling particularly sensitive to this watery energy and withdrawn, perhaps Dr. Bach’s Water Violet might be just the remedy for you!

GRAND TRINE BETWEEN SATURN(SCORPIO), SUN(CANCER) & NEPTUNE(PISCES)

DR. BACH’S ‘WATER VIOLET’

Photography ©Dr. Edward Bach Foundation

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FOR THE GREATER GOOD-MORE PISCES, PLEASE

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Gaye Mack in Karmic and Self-Discovery Astrology, Writer's Work Leave a comment

Last April I posted a piece that discussed one of the story lines in my medieval historical fiction book, A Murder of Crows, currently represented by Peter Miller of Global Lion Intellectual Property Management. The particular story line I’m referring to is the 1186 unusual line up of planets in Libra. The medieval astrologers of the time believed( and apparently even the Archbishop of Canterbury believed) that the planetary line up boded disaster; end times were upon them. Fortunately they misread the intent of the celestial message and we’re still here!

However, since that event nearly 900 years ago, it’s probably safe to say without plowing through astrological data reaching back through the centuries, that up until now such alignments have occurred time to time. From an evolutionary astrological point of view one suspects there’s a message for humanity in these alignments. Inquiring minds want to know…what do these configurations mean?

In the spirit of those medieval astrologers, there have likely been similar claims through the years insisting that such alignments will never happen again, especially because the end is near one more time-although not for everyone since we’re informed from time to time that those who are ‘chosen’ will be spirited away in some sort of UFO to safety.

For those of us who aren’t preparing for our seat on the UFO any time soon, we can take comfort in the fact that regarding our personal Soul growth and the global evolution, there’s something to be learned when the Sun, Mercury, Mars, Venus, Neptune and the asteroid Chiron, all meet up in Pisces on March 6th.

So again, what does this all mean? In general, one of the highest evolutionary expressions of Pisces and its planetary ruler, Neptune, is for us to shift our consciousness from focusing exclusively on self to beyond this boundary for global healing, for the greater good. What is our individual purpose in the bigger picture? In the words of Dr. Edward Bach, discoverer of the famous 38 Bach Flower Remedies, “everyone has a job in this lifetime.” In other words, each of us possesses an important contribution to make to the whole. No matter how small ‘we’ may think we are in the bigger picture, none of us is here by accident. All of us can’t find the cure for cancer or solution to the world’s hunger problems, water shortages or global warming, but…each of us has a job.

With all of these planets, especially Neptune and the wounded healer archetype Chiron, in the watery sign of Pisces we’ll need to dig down into our emotional core in order to determine how this message translates for each of us. Astrologically, clues to this translation can be found according to the zodiacal house(circumstance of life) in which this alignment falls in our own birth chart.

Perhaps this alignment refers to your skill set or health; that would be the sixth house. Is there a focus on your personal relationships or partnerships in some way, indicated by the line up falling in your fifth, seventh or eighth house? In any case, wherever this alignment falls, we’re being called to think and act beyond our personal ‘box’ for the greater good and our own Soul’s evolution.

For those who don’t have access to astrological software there are two excellent on line resources readily available to help and guide you, free of charge. At Astrodeinst, you can cast your birth chart; all you need is your birth date, location and time of birth. Deborah Houlding’s ‘Sky Script‘ is an excellent site for reading and learning about the meanings of the houses, signs and other astrological in-depth information.

As you contemplate this information, think about what’s holding you back? What is it that’s preventing you from taking ‘the road less traveled’? You might surprise yourself!

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SWIMMING WITH NEPTUNE’S PISCEAN FISHES ~DR. BACH’S CLEMATIS TO KEEP YOU IN THE GROUND

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Gaye Mack in Balance, Karmic and Self-Discovery Astrology, Writer's Work Leave a comment

At the end of November I blogged about the transiting effects of Pisces‘ planetary ruler Neptune and the benefits of using Dr. Bach’s Clematis to help dispel the predictable fog. I have to say, that post was just a morsel; a preview of what was coming down the pipeline for all of us. Now the Tsunami of Neptune’s energy is here; on February 19th, the Sun moved into Pisces joining Mercury, Mars and Neptune! And as if this lineup weren’t enough, by the end of February Venus will have also moved into Pisces’ watery world.

The good news is that Venus, Mercury and Mars are fairly fast moving planets. So, aside from the fact that Mercury is now retrograde until March 17th, by mid April much of the fog will have cleared as these speedy planets and the Sun, will have moved on. However, Neptune will stay in Pisces for some time; we need this time to assimilate Neptune’s messages (and teachings) which are core to the success of our journey into the frontiers of the bigger picture in our evolution. As I’ve said before, deciphering such messages very much depends on where the transits hit your individual birth chart, but make no mistake– there are no mistakes here, for such events are never by ‘accident’ and always have cosmic intent. Nevertheless, what to do in the meantime? What can we use to help us navigate the deep waters of emotion in a material world? What can help us understand how each of these planets relate to our own evolution? Fortunately, we can call upon Dr. Bach’s Clematis, one of his original Twelve Healers and a ‘soul type’ as I wrote in Igniting Soul Fire, Spiritual Dimensions of the Bach Flower Remedies.

This all said, I’ve re-posted an ‘edited’ portion of November’s blog as the Piscean/Neptunian energy is so important to our evolutionary growth as is the healing energy of Clematis to help us along our journey.

From an evolutional perspective, there are no accidents in a chart. Everyone’s chart is uniquely orchestrated for optimum soul growth opportunities. When a planet’s orbit ‘hits’ a sensitive point in our natal chart, such as the birth position of the Sun, Moon, Ascendant (i.e., the sign on the horizon the moment of your birth), as well as other important points, this is called a ‘transit’. Transits can be very important because the energy they carry comes with a personal agenda for us. Whether or not we take advantage of these perfectly ‘timed’ events is another matter; we can respond positively or negatively, the choice is ours. This said, for the sake of space here, I want to zoom out to Neptune and talk about what it feels like when its orbit hits a sensitive chart point.

A significant Neptune transit typically throws us into a landscape of fog and sand. At the deepest levels Neptune stands at the edge of consciousness…it’s the planet of self-transcendence. Known as the dissolver, its energy confuses the mind. Intentions become fuzzy, goals evaporate; you can’t see the way forward. Relationships dissolve or change in ways you could never have imagined. These are just a few of the effects of Neptune’s transit. Many years ago before I was leaving for a trip to India, I met someone who said to me, “India. You’ll either hate it or love it…either way you’ll never be the same.” This is how I look at Neptune’s transit through Pisces (now joined by the Sun, Mercury, Mars and soon, Venus) . Because we can’t figure it, (whatever ‘it’ is), out…we can find the experience frustrating, annoying, angering, depleting. The mental air signs of Aquarius and Gemini have a terrible time with this transit as do the ‘get things done’ signs of Aries and Capricorn. Where’s the map, where’s my compass? Forget it, you don’t have one.

The best way to navigate a Neptune transit (which can last a couple of years depending on retrogrades) is to understand there is ‘no time’. You can’t articulate specifics but you sure can feel them. The good news is that if you quiet down, go within you can perceive other dimensions for which there is no language but the experience is there; sit with it. The information is valuable and it’s there if we can just listen. For these reasons, understandably the ‘Mystic’ is the archetype of Neptune. Clematis’ vibration helps us to stay focused and grounded, but not in such a way that access to the higher realms is prohibited. As with all of the remedies, it’s about ‘balance’. In general flower remedies can be very helpful in sharpening the images of our dreams, helping us to remember them in our waking state.

Exploring the Frontiers of the Bigger Cosmic Picture

DR. BACH’S CLEMATIS

Photography ©Dr. Edward Bach Foundation

Further Reading:

Igniting Soul Fire~Spiritual Dimensions of the Bach Flower Remedies-Gaye Mack

The Inner Sky-Steven Forrest

Planets in Transit-Robert Hand

The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption-Liz Greene

“Navigating through the Neptune Fog”-Kathy Rose

(Article: April/May 2010 The Mountain Astrologer)

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CLEMATIS & MUGWORT FLOWER REMEDIES~HELP IS ON THE WAY WHEN NEPTUNE HITS YOUR CHART

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Gaye Mack in Balance, Karmic and Self-Discovery Astrology, Writer's Work Leave a comment

For today’s post I was verily tempted (as they say in the 12^th century!) to blog on the effects of the current Gemini full moon. Perhaps this is because I’m a triple Gemini with a Sagittarius full moon and partial to these two signs, who knows? However the energetic pull of Neptune just won’t leave me alone, demanding center stage for reasons I can’t quite understand (very Neptunian, by the way!) However, as Neptune’s energy is about intuition in many respects, I’ve decided to take the hint and chat about what happens to people when Neptune’s orbit hits a sensitive point in the birth chart, otherwise known as a ‘transit’.

For those unfamiliar with ‘astrospeak’, a brief side bar on what ‘transit’ means. Each of the planets in our solar system has an orbit that rotates them through the twelve signs of the zodiac; some planets for example like speedy Mercury and Venus move quite quickly. The ‘outer planets’ i.e., those furthest from the Sun take a very long time to lumber their way around the heavens. For example, Uranus takes 83.75 years, Pluto takes 248.6 years and etheric Neptune takes 163.72 years.

A significant Neptune transit typically throws us into a landscape of fog and sand. At the deepest levels Neptune stands at the edge of consciousness…it’s the planet of self-transcendence. Known as the dissolver, its energy confuses the mind. Intentions become fuzzy, goals evaporate; you can’t see the way forward. Relationships dissolve or change in ways you could never have imagined. These are just a few of the effects of Neptune’s transit. Many years ago before I was leaving for a trip to India, I met someone who said to me, “India. You’ll either hate it or love it…either way you’ll never be the same.” This is how I look at Neptune’s transit. Because we can’t figure it, (whatever ‘it’ is), out…we can find the experience frustrating, annoying, angering, depleting. The mental air signs of Aquarius and Gemini have a terrible time with this transit as do the ‘get things done’ signs of Aries and Capricorn. Where’s the map, where’s my compass? Forget it, you don’t have one.

Fortunately, there are helpful resources to support us when faced with such a transit. From a flower remedy perspective, Dr. Bach’s Clematis and Flower Essence Society’s Mugwort remedies are ideal. Clematis was one of Bach’s original Twelve Healers which I discuss as ‘soul type’ remedies in my book, Igniting Soul Fire~ Spiritual Dimensions of the Bach Flower Remedies. Clematis’ vibration helps us to stay focused and grounded, but not in such a way that access to the higher realms is prohibited. As with all of the remedies, it’s about ‘balance’. Mugwort, found in the FES repertoire, assists our ‘dream-time’– the realm of Neptune. In general Flower remedies can be very helpful in sharpening the images of our dreams, helping us to remember them in our waking state. Mugwort, according to FES’ Repertory, has the positive quality of “integrating psychic and dream experiences with daily life; multidimensional consciousness.”