starofsymphony

[starofsymphony]

VALUE

There’s an economy bustling in the water. Vendors, shamans, and misleading mothers-in-law are its most proficient dealers. The first time I encountered them, they thought I was noble. Dubiously, they tripled the price of their goods under the assumption I could afford it. Instead, I gave them exactly what they were worth– $2.50. I explained it would be insulting for them to receive more than they should out of “charity” (which is what it would be to allow their exploitation). 

Once, one vendor sat by a bridge, giving a gift of fruit to everyone who passed by except me. This was the first time I felt concerned about the movement of value in the water. It disturbed and hurt me that the flow came to a halt when I appeared. The generous hand receded. 

Does value move toward the abundant, like water streaming through an overflowing fountain, or is it attracted to the spaces of lower concentration, in an osmotic process? 

My value became central to understanding value itself. The basis by which it is measured, though, is especially unclear in the water. On earth it is predictable. When value is assumed, value is given. There, signs of the valuable include beauty, material possessions, relationships, exclusivity, and refinement. Most valuable are those who bear it by birth: the blue-blooded beings. They bleed blessings. (My heart is in the wallet of one). 

 Spirits on the surface oscillate around value, climbing, clawing, crawling to consume it. Even cutting and killing. It’s the summit they seek. 

In water, swimming is the skill for seeking, but the coffins of wealth sleep at depths only the most daring divers will descend. –The violence of this pressure is soul shattering.

I did not embark on a quest for value when I closed my eyes. The coins rolled right through the lines of my consciousness and carried on in their exchange. This morning, the matter was about a $200 lip balm.  A mother-in-law with bright blonde hair and a youthful glow told her daughter an exorbitant amount for the lip-balm she purchased. The daughter wished to reimburse her for it.  However, on hearing the value, she discerned her mother-in-law was lying. Upon further questioning her mother-in-law presented false and flimsy evidence in the form of a transaction screenshot on her phone, showing “$200 –Snacks.” 

When she failed like the vendors had, in her twisting trade, she transformed her. “Forget about the lip balm, I will give you much more than that is worth!” The mother’s magic changed her daughter’s raven hair into a sweeping, layered cut that shaped itself around the warmth in her eyes. Her lips were wine. The mother, herself altered, looked more aged and elegant, with her hair pulled back into a beehive. Observing them, it appeared to me they had been renewed into their rightful roles. 

Tarot & Astrological Symbolism: 

The card that appeared for the traders is The Hierophant. This archetype is a bridge between God and man. In the water, he unearths layers of our hidden knowledge, excavating gems of wisdom. For me this came through tests which focused my attention on discerning value, and how to treat things in accordance with their value. 

The Hierophant’s astrological sign is Taurus, the bull. Taurus is practical, hardworking, grounded, and prosperous (ruled by Venus). It is associated with the second house, the House of Value. This specifically has to do with personal value. One’s concept of what is valuable and value they develop for themselves in the material world, contrasted with the value they inherit from others. We come to have a better understanding of value as we carefully cultivate it our lives, an activity which requires us to access the troves of wealth within us, including our talents, knowledge, and wisdom from our unconscious mind. Without a well-developed and wise sense of what is valuable, we can be stuck in tiresome, terrible trades, from which we are left with a feeling of dissatisfaction. Throwing pearls before swine, stealing from others, or subjecting ourselves to being the objectified recipient of spiritually damaging offerings. For the latter, an excellent poem is Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti. 

Sel’s note:

 My moment of spiritual awakening on earth was catalyzed by a tale in which a father asked his daughter to return to him the pearl necklace he had gifted her, which she adored. The child was challenged to trust that by releasing what she loved she would bear no loss. As a little girl, I begun to listen closely. When the daughter received a real pearl necklace after giving her father the fake one, I felt delight. 

In astrology, my North Node or Rahu, which represents one’s reason for incarnation, is in the second house, the House of Value. In some calculations, it is the third house, or the House of Communication/Sharing. It is my wish that not only myself but anyone whom I share my visions with will be able to benefit from meditation of value. 

[starofsymphony]

New Moon in Leo, Modest Shining Love

Leo and modesty appear to contradict. Leo seizes attention, is resplendent and captivating. The New Moon is a time for the manifestations of the blooming flower to be planted. And yet, the advice of I-Ching is one of modesty and humility. The seedling that peeks out from the soil. There's so much room to grow, that she focuses on her journey, and not holding or pursuing the praise. She shines in herself, to her own happiness. The modest woman is self-assured and focused on her path. She cultivates a virtuous garden in her soul. She eats from the fruits of her reflection. And generously, she she shares her heart. Sun of Women, shining in her fields.

[starofsymphony]

“Where the Sky Meets the Sea,” Michael Parkes, 2022

[starofsymphony]

Ashwini - Star of Transport

Carrying gifts from the past, the Ashwinis sprint forward into the future, suturing illusory divides with infinite threads, uniting in cosmic consciousness.

Bringers of Dawn, they deliver new light to the dark ages. The final avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kalki, rides the white horse on his conquest to destroy darkness. This is said to occur at the end of Kali Yuga. In the second coming of Christ at Armageddon, he too appears riding a white horse. This whiteness symbolizes spiritual purity and perfection. The Ashwini are dharmic— travellers of the moral path who give healing to the world. These are the celestial surgeons, who mend wounds and cut out malignancy which causes ill-health. They are powerful, passionate, beautiful, and child-like in their idealism, yet nobly, they master control of their desires. This is similar to Surya (sun), father of the Ashwini Kumara (horse-twins) who tamed his seven horses. All born under the Star of Transport come under the rulership of the planet Ketu and are gifted with the vitality of Mars, as they journey towards perfection, ending the karmic cycle and gaining moksha — spiritual liberation.

Tarot: VII The Chariot, Knights especially Knight of Wands

Ashwini is associated with the number 7. The 7th Major Arcana tarot card, The Chariot, has Aswhini energy. Knight of Wands has the fiery, often hard to control Martian energy of Ashwini.