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The common Cross or better, The Mutable Cross is made up of Gemini,Virgo,Sagittarius and Pisces. It’s qualities are  flexibility, mental acuity, adaptability, futuristic orientation, shrewdness, visionary, imaginative. To name but a few. Qualities of the mind dominate this cross. The planets involved are Mercury,Jupiter,Neptune and in the modern sense the Asteroids. That missing(?) planet between Mars and Jupiter. I have considered the Asteroids because they represent bits and pieces of the Ancient Feminine Wisdom teachings of the previous Civilizations. Mercury, in the modern sense of the planet just doesn’t fit. It is symbolic of the rational and I see Virgo and the Asteroids as more receptive and intuitive. All of the Mutable signs represent how the human organism adjusts to external stimuli and to internal functions inherent in said organism. They also represent those qualities which separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. In the ancient system Mercury and Jupiter were the rulers of the Mutable Cross and represented the Higher and Lower mind types. Now that we know about Neptune, the Asteroids and the deeper bodies of the solar system we can accurately expand our understanding of the human mind and how it works in relationship to the environmental stimuli. As we develop our visions and dreams of the future the higher power of the mutable signs will become more understandable to us. The lower aspects of the mind as indicated by the negative mutable qualities are craftiness, deceptiveness, ulterior of motive, superficial, prideful,vacillating, easily influenced, and trivial. The Mutable Signs represent the four kinds of knowing, Theoretical,Discriminative,Authoritative and Intuitive.

Whew! Thought I would never get back at it but here we go again.

The second Quadriplicity is the fixed Quad. It’s signs may be the most familiar to those of you who have studied astrology before or even Ancient Metaphysics. The Bull, the Lion, the Eagle and the Angel. They stand for Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.  They represent the four “corners ” of the universal. The Grand Square of Matter. Taurus (form), Leo ( radiant energy contained within and animating ), Scorpio ( release of  Energy within or Transformation ) and Aquarius ( Essence or Spirit ). They are considered the constants of this created Universe. The Guardians of Universal Truth. In Christian Spirituality the Sacred Four Archangels which correspond to the Four Gospels written by the Four Apostles.  They are substantial.  They signify the here and now. Presence! Where the Cardinal Cross represents the past or  Initiating Action. The subtle paradox inherent in the fixed cross is it represents “change which is constant”. Behind the appearance of solidity this paradox is always present. The four faces of the Pyramid, the Four Horsemen, it goes on and on. The four fields of the Earth’s magnetosphere are here-in represented. In personal human terms the salt of the earth types, their rulers, their liberators, and the masses are of the fixed quadriplicity.

O.K. We now want to consider the Quadruplicities in the Zodiac. The sacred Fours. They are arranged in three groups and are commonly referred to as Cardinal ( acute ) , Fixed ( grave )  and Mutable ( Common or flexible  in the old vocabulary).  These are foundational to the understanding the intent inherent in a Natal Chart. Intent is a mysterious principle partially internal and partly external. More about this in a later blog.

The Cardinal Quad consists of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. In the Natural Zodiac they are angular and relate to the equinoxes and the solstices, which of course are solar positionings. The Suns’ , which is considered the animating factor in the natal chart, apparent motion in relationship to the seasons marks the Cardinal Signs. The inference here is that the signs involved are of critical importance in disseminating solar energy to the Earth and it’s inhabitants ( us ). This in turn indicates that individuals born under the influence of the Cardinal signs have pivotal roles in humanity. They are initiators. Energy disseminaters. They function as agents of  change in the quality of the solar emanation. Each action produces a quality of being which motivates, instigates, directs and controls energy,light and vibration in some way or another. Thus, the quality of the signs are Cardinal in the sense of the agents of the Universal power of the Sun. This term has been in use since the Europeans were influenced by the Catholic Church. So it is appropriate to think of the four as the main agents of the Pope ( Sun ).  To get at the essence of the signs, one must think of the change of seasons represented by the movement of the Earth in it’s elliptical orbit around the Sun. It is easy for we in the Northern Hemisphere to visualize since we can see the results in the Natural world. More complicated for those near the equator and the poles. However, the angle of the Sun’s rays has a different quality depending on the positioning and the Signs show the way to understanding. Very Briefly, Aries Initiates, Cancer Collectivizes, Libra Harmonizes and Capricorn Directs or Focuses.

Let’s look at some of the basics of Western Astrology. First, the Zodiac. The 12 signs of the Zodiac we use are the result of  a Greek Standardization of the 12 constellations on the ecliptic. Why 12? It is part of a mathematical formula based on the 360 degree circle. This formula has become symbolic of wholeness and is arrived at by dividing the degrees, first into 30 degree increments and then into increments of 10 degrees referred to as decans. The 30 degree increments are called signs. Ten was the magic number for the Greeks.  The system is deeper than this but for now this is all we need to grasp to examine the 12 signs of the zodiac.

While the oldest zodiac’s probably predate the Sumerians we have no real evidence to speculate back further. China,India and Meso-America all had their systems and I personally believe Meso-America is the oldest system we will be able to grasp ( in the near future) but linking these to the Greek will be problematic.

These signs are linked to our solar year and are divisions of that year into seasons. The fact that the solar and the lunar year differ has always confused students because there are thirteen Lunar divisions rather than 12. I won’t go into that here but later we will examine this and look at the Lunar zodiac’s that exist.

I am going to podcast an examination of the characteristics of the 12 signs of the zodiac in the very near future but first let’s look at the elemental breakdown of the Zodiac. Fire, Earth,Air,Water. These are the four elements. Yes, if you saw the movie, there is a Fifth element. Very Yin! Very Beautiful! However, no shock red hair. No human female form. This element doesn’t enter in to Western Astrology directly. I will also get to that later.

The oldest element, the first element is fire. It’s subtle wave/particle is light and it’s grossest manifestation is magma. Vitality is it’s manifestation in living organisms. Heat and combustion are it’s sign posts while it’s constant is divided into three parts, friction,illumination,inspiration. Aries,Leo and Sagittarius are the fire signs. Energy is the key concept.

The second oldest element is earth. It’s subtle wave/particle is the essence of matter referred to as form. There is a subtle mystery concerning earth in that it is a vessel for vibrations which are held in mass by ritual.  Shape, dimension and density are it’s sign posts. It is the mother of constant change. It becomes the focal point for the five senses in all living organisms. Taurus,Virgo and Capricorn are the earth signs.  Vibration is the key concept.

The third oldest element is air. It’s subtle wave/particle is rooted in the spiritual realms and is an underlying unifying principle. Gaseous, ephemeral,constantly linking the structures of earth and fire in myriads of endless combinations it has been grossly associated with the intellect in all matter and energy. Gemini,Libra and Aquarius are the air signs. Thought is the Key concept.

The fourth oldest element is water. It’s subtle wave/particle is impressionable, fluidic and solvent. It has been called the Grand Solvent. It is the mother of the emotional body and the soul of the world of form. It requires more senses than five to operate and is considered a collectivising agent. It is the rarest of the elements and is linked to the highest and most powerful principles of life as we know it. Cancer,Scorpio,and Pisces are the water signs. Soul is the key concept. ( E-Motion is the grossest form of this element.)

The fifth element is ether. It is the “Dark Force” of modern physics. It is an element beyond all elemental. Beyond space and time but as a backdrop or maybe I should say the medium in which all space and time exist. I love the Lakota word Han in it’s literal translation, ” The Black of Darkness”.  It manifests to the living organism as a misty blue-white shape which permeates all form. You might call this phenomena its’ “shadow”. It is not represented in the Zodiac directly but is the backdrop of the star fields.  Enough said for the moment.

The new Year is under way, in a good way. Isakipkia has flown away to South Dakota amid a cloud of sweet grass and sage. Marissa is gessoing a canvas and getting back to her art. Yeah! I am working on my Astrology and Tarot notes and also on a new project which will be a surprise. Ashis is snowboarding in Canada and having the time of his life. Liz is smiling and dreaming for the future and the rest of the crew are knuckling down for the creative New Year predicted. Went to see Bolt with my 9 year old nephew, Gabe. Good stuff. He loved it. I am still awaiting to take Marissa to see Benjamin Button. Timing is everything. Michael Louis and I are going to get around to Pod-casting sometime this week. Hang Loose! This could be the BIG TIME. Marissa is also creating a killer bean soup, even as I write. I have been walking a mile every day since Jan. ONE. Have a 20 dollar bet with Melanie and I aim to collect. Three times a week, at least, from now til Valentine’s day. HEH HEH little does she know that she has lost the 20 bucks. This is a cinch. Been humming the Beatles’ song, “When I’m 64″ since the 25th of Dec. Good Medicine.

This is a sample of my chart readings. As I have mentioned, I am an Astrologer of some 45 years practice and offer chart readings. Call me at 1-502-425-3403.

A New Year!!! We made it out of 08!!Whew!! Our Soul Group got together last night and Completed our annual New Years Ceremony. A gathering of Eagles for sure!! Great Omen for 2009 for the spiritually inclined. We added Devon to the clan. Aged 5! Brown eyes, blond hair, great smile. We added Ali to the clan. Aged 14. Blue eyes, multi-colored hair,great smile. I think they got IT. Great drumming crew! We added Lawrence to the clan. Hazel eyes, black hair, great smile. Sun Dancer  of 25 years. He loved to drum. What’d  you expect??? Michael Louis came and gifted us with the movie, August Rush. I cried. I got IT. Music spontaneously from the heart joins us together and keeps us together. NO space. NO time. Nothing separates the love from our hearts when we give it. Taku Skan-Skan!! Wakan Tanka! May the love we radiate help carry you through 2009! I know it will carry us. This is a year for much creativity. Create! Just DO IT!! In the face of every thing. In the face of NO thing! Feel your way! Listen for the music of your heart! Like a drum beat. Like the meter of the Earth! Maka-Ina! Maka- Akan! You’ve heard it all your life! IT has nourished YOU for no one knows how long! May the Love of Christ enter your heart and change your life forever. Wakan! Lila Waste!!

So we ate and prayed and laughed and shared and drummed and all those planets in Capricorn were very happy. So was the moon in Pisces! So was the Saturn/Uranus opposition. Very Harmonious! Tight! Like the Miami Sound Machine! Like Tower of Power! Yep! That’s what it was a Tower of Power! A beacon of light.  The Ancestors love it! The spirits loved it! It was Lila Wakan!