NMR ISSUE 28

Astrological Forecast 28
Condor
Dancing with Him
Dog
Editorial 28
Esoteric Symbology of the Tarot
Interpreting Dreams
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Magickal Teachings
Moon Song
Revelations from Gnosticism
Rite to Heal the Women of Yugoslavia
Sex Magick 101
She Who Walks in Lightness
The Resolute King Ritual
The Silly Season
Whose Holiday is It, Anyway?

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Astrological Forecast

November December, 1993

Terry Lamb, M.A.

By now, you may have the sense that 1993 is one heck of a year! Even though I know what the planets are doing and I quite thoroughly understand the forces that they symbolize, I have been continually amazed at the profundity of the processes taking place internally in myself and others on a spiritual path. Inevitably, the forces work differently for those who are less conscious of their nature or who have done little to develop their mastery of those forces. For some it seems to be wake up call, while others can't understand why their lives have taken a turn for the worse.

You may also be aware that we lie at the threshold of a new era, one lasting 171 years. Furthermore this era is a stage in a much larger cycle lasting 1542 years. The era challenges us to re-invent ourselves as humans. The consciousness we must attain as a species is very familiar to most of those reading these words, yet the culture virtually forces us in many ways to compromise that consciousness and the lifestyle it suggests.

The dilemma that faces us is how to live a lifestyle that suits our consciousness within the culture. In establishing this, we may be pioneers and innovators, creating new patterns that others may want to emulate. We may be popularizers, following someone else's lead in their new idea; or we may lag behind, only making changes grudgingly as they are forced upon us. Chances are, we will take all three approaches, because we each have our unique perspective to which we will attempt to remain true. We must, however, change, and the challenge is to make the right changes. We can reinforce our efforts to change and increase our capacity to deal with change by developing community. This means forming support groups or families or professional, religious or interest-oriented organizations. Forming these organizations gives us a sense of identity and shelter in these times of dramatic change. Once we have community, however, we must not be blind to the solutions and identities developed by others. Our idea is not necessarily right for another, but it could be. We must be willing to share with and be open to a wide variety of other people.

One of the dangers we face all over the world is that of losing touch with (or never having) a sense of unity with others beyond the purely local or beyond those with whom we closely identify as being like us. Yet we must form alliances with those who are not like us precisely because they are different; our survival as individuals and as a species may depend on it. For, if we are to remain separate, we misunderstand, then grow to fear, then hate each other. The biggest problem with ever finding peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians was that they refused to officially recognize (respect) each other and they refused to talk to each other. Once they began to talk, agreement and peace could not be far off. They don't have to love one another at first, just get along. Common ground precedes camaraderie. This is a fine example of the process we must all embrace in order to meet the challenge of developing new forms of group consciousness, a major part of what this new era requires.

Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin are clearly feeling the winds of these changes within them and setting an example in creating a paper resolution to a 50-year conflict. Although I am writing this in mid-September, I feel confident that November and December will provide more carry-through than newness. This will be an appropriate denouement to the Year of the Great Mississippi Flood, the trials of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and peace for the Palestinians and Israelis.

NOVEMBER: The first part of November will seem like a chunk of October, as far as the energies are concerned. With only Halloween to demarcate the month's end (a notable enough event!), your internal processes and the events in the news will flow without a break or resolution until mid-month.

Specifically, although life may have seemed as though it were coming to a standstill around October 27th, events slowly pick up again. This is a good time to take a breather, to get caught up. If you can't use a breather, or worse yet, can't tolerate one, this could be a period of breakdown for you. You may experience an enforced break in the rhythm of your normal focus if you refuse to go with the flow—the car breaks down, that virus finally gets you, or you can't find that important document and you don't find it until all the filing is done. The chances are, you need the time, since this is only a brief respite from the usual rush of activity. Typically in this type of period (a Mercury retrograde) you may be busy, but not doing the things you thought you would—a time out due to unforeseen circumstances. If you can keep your life organized enough during the previous 4 months, you may be able to choose how you take the time out; but all too often the trickster emerges to play a wild card. In fact, during this cycle, we are more likely than usual to experience the wild card factor. Not everyone will be triggered at this time, but if you were triggered around February 9th, June 9th and August 19th, I would be planning for whatever contingencies might arise. Then be ready for the unexpected from October 25th through November 13th. It won't last forever; you can expect things to loosen up somewhat on the 5th, with clear forward motion resuming after the 13th.

Within that time frame, an exertion of power or force may become evident on or about the 1st of November. There may be a frustration of verbal expression during this time (or previously frustrated verbiage may come streaming forth!). Emotions may be volcanic now, and if you can possibly verbalize them, you will experience the best of this time—which is surprisingly harmonious from the 1st until the 30th, with disruptions possible on the 14th, 17th and 28th.

On the 1st, we begin a new two-year cycle, which promises to be the breakthrough time to equal the breakdown time we've been experiencing since the last of these cycles began around November 15th, 1991. During this time, we've seen the global economy crash and burn, and watched Balkan unrest grow increasingly menacing. We have also seen the American populace turn away from Bush and the Reagan era mentality in favor of a commitment to renewal based upon responsible leadership.

The new cycle carries the promise of true peace based upon open communication. This should be felt in a mood of peace making seen around the world. Not that everyone will reconcile to some greater good, but that more and more, people of both small and great importance will take advantage of the opportunities for peace which have always been there. The difference is attitude and choice.

Just after November's time-out period, we experience a solar eclipse, signaling a shift in the focus of our activities, a shift that began last May 21st. You may want to look back over the past 6 months to see what you have accomplished, for this is one way to provide yourself with the little rewards that give strength and sustenance in hard times. This 6-month cycle may carry deeper implications and the promise of transformative change, for the forces at work at the time of the eclipse and during the 6 months of its reign are conducive to change in a big way.

On the 17th we begin a new yearly cycle governing deep transformative processes. Since this is the beginning point for the yearly process, observe what is happening around this date and the full moon immediately following it. These will be the seed events and experiences which will be felt throughout next year, with particular emphasis on March 1st, May 17th and August 5th. You may also want to think about the big changes you want to make in your life. While it takes more than one year to effect some changes, chances are you will be able to bring about those transformations for which the proper foundation has been laid.

If you are going through overt spiritual growth phenomena, the 20th of the month may be noteworthy, as it is a day of spiritual activation. The energies should be somewhat easier to digest than they have been from the end of last year until the beginning of November, when the acceleration-without-assimilation tendencies began to ease.

On the 22nd, the Sun enters Sagittarius, that sign of jovial jollity and fun! Our senses of humor should be sharper (or at least our sense of irony) as the Sun enters the realm of the King of the Witless and Tacky (no, that's Tactless and Witty)! The energy to transcend—or just flat-out escape—the slow building processes of life which creates progress will never be stronger. However, the only way we can truly transcend the mundanities of the earth plane is to rise above the mundane emotions, expectations and fabrications of the ego. This is the time of year when holiday celebrations and obligations overwhelm us to an extreme inimical to human nature. (This is why the viruses of the winter find such fertile ground in which to plant themselves now.)

On the 28th, we get a full moon that is also a total lunar eclipse visible throughout the Western Hemisphere. Relationships may be going through a crisis in trust right now, and verbal communication may not work until after the new moon on the 13th of December.

DECEMBER: December's energies are a bit more bristly than November, but without the major planetary contacts that mark the events worth remembering from one year to the next. Blessedly, this Yule season may be more notable for its calm, uneventful passage than for any strife or problems that arise. If you were able to clear the decks with the family in some way last year, you'll reap the rewards of that growth this year and in years to come.

The first half of December is full of the potential for irritation that could move beyond annoyance if you fail to inject a healthy dose of humor into those moments (or at least afterward). Don't let anger or frustration override your sense of the holiday spirit. A spirit of calm, cheerful celebration is assisted by a focus on the here and now rather than what's coming next or what you're missing.

On the 13th, the tensions ease considerably. We may lose that edge of impatience on the 19th. On the 21st the spirit of Christmas seems stronger than at other times. It is a good time to pause, be thankful and appreciative for who we are and what we have in our lives.

On the 21st, the sun enters Capricorn, and we get to celebrate Yule! Don't forget (how could we?) that this is the beginning of a new yearly cycle and a time to regenerate for the more active times of the upcoming year. Give yourself until the 2nd of January if you can to hibernate and refuel. These twelve days of Christmas can provide an important boost to the energizing of your yearly harvest cycle.

You may feel a subtle transition period beginning on the 23rd, one that focuses on quality and efficiency in life. Everything from health to our higher purpose will come under scrutiny during the coming 5 months.

Opportunity and practicality will be the core energies for the rest of the year. Although you may not accomplish anything more than a wonderful vacation during the few days that remain in the year, that is enough. Give yourself a break, for you richly deserve it with all that is required of you in these challenging times!

Blessed Be!