Monday, 21 September 2026

Miguel de Molinos on Inner Peace

When William Q. Judge wrote:
If the duty grows hard, or you faint by the way, be not discouraged, fearful or weary of the world. Remember that "Thou may'st look for silence in tumult, solitude in company, light in darkness, forgetfulness in pressures, vigor in despondency, courage in fear, resistance in temptation, peace in war, and quiet in tribulation." 
he was quoting Christian mystic Miguel de Molinos. Molinos was arrested in Rome in 1685, publicly abjured in 1687, and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Pope Innocent XI ratified the condemnation in the apostolic constitution Coelestis Pastor, which condemned sixty-eight propositions associated with Molinos and the Quietists.
Prior to this, his book, The Spiritual Guide, 1675, had orthodox approval and it's publication met with widespread success. Today, he could be considered as simply one of a long line of martyrs for the cause of spiritual freedom.  
In The Crisis of Mysticism: Quietism in Seventeenth-Century Spain, Italy, and France, Bernard McGinn  considers that 
the condemnation of Quietism marked a decisive rupture in the history of Western Christian mysticism. The crisis did not merely suppress a few suspect mystics; it undermined confidence in the contemplative tradition itself. Vast numbers of spiritual books were censured or placed on the Index, mystical theology became increasingly suspect, and the church’s distrust of interiority coincided with the rise of Enlightenment rationalism. The Quietist controversy was a turning point in which Catholicism largely lost faith in one of its own deepest spiritual inheritances. The result was a self-inflicted wound whose effects shaped the subsequent history of Christian spirituality for centuries. 

 

THE
Spiritual  Guide,
Which leads the Soul to the fruition of Inward Peace.

The First Book

Of the Darkness, Dryness, and Temptations wherewith God purges Souls, and of Internal Recollection.

CHAP. I.

To the end God may rest in the Soul, the Heart is always to be kept peaceable in whatsoever Disquiet, Temptation and Tribulation.

1. THOU art to know, that thy Soul is the Center, Habitation, and the Kingdom of God. That therefore, to the end the Sovereign King may rest on that Throne of thy Soul, thou ought to take pains to keep it clean, quiet, void and peaceable; clean from guilt and defects; quiet from fears; void of affections, desires, and thoughts; and peaceable in temptations and tribulations.

2. Thou ought always then to keep thine Heart in Peace; that thou may keep pure that Temple of God, and with a right and pure intention, thou art to work, pray, obey and suffer, without being in the least moved, whatever it pleases the Lord to send unto thee. Because it is certain, that for the good of thy Soul, and for thy spiritual Profit, he will suffer the envious enemy to trouble that City of Rest, and Throne of Peace, with temptations, suggestions and tribulations, and by the means of creature, with painful troubles and grievous persecutions.

3. Be constant, and cheer up thine heart in whatsoever disquiet these tribulations may cause to thee. Enter within it, that thou may overcome it; for therein is the Divine Fortress, which defends, protects, and fights for thee. If a man hath a safe Fortress, he is not disquieted, though his enemies pursue him; because, by retreating within it, these are disappointed and overcome. The strong Castle, that will make thee triumph over all thine enemies, visible and invisible, and over all their snares and tribulations, is within thine own Soul, because in it resides the Divine Aid and Sovereign Succour. Retreat within it and all will be quiet, secure, peaceable and calm.

4. It ought to be thy chief and continual exercise, to pacifie that Throne of thy Heart that the Supreme King may rest therein. The way to pacifie it, will be, to enter into thy self by means of internal recollection; all thy protection is to be Prayer and a loving recollection in the Divine Presence. When thou seest thy self more sharply assaulted, retreat into that region of Peace, where thou'lt find the Fortress. When thou are more faint-hearted, betake thy self to this refuge of Prayer, the only Armor for overcoming the enemy, and mitigating tribulation: thou ought not to be at a distance from it in a Storm, to the end thou mayest, as another Noah, experience tranquility, security and serenity, and to the end thy will may be resigned, devout, peaceful and courageous.

5. Finally, be not afflicted nor discouraged to see thy self faint-hearted, he returns to quiet thee, that still he may stir thee, because this Divine Lord will be alone with thee, to rest in thy Soul, and form therein a rich Throne of Peace; that within thine own heart, by means of internal recollection, and with his heavenly Grace, thou may look for silence in tumult, solitude in company, light in darkness, forgetfulness in pressures, vigour in despondency, courage in fear, resistance in temptation, peace in war, and quiet in tribulation.

Sunday, 20 September 2026

Astrology: Fall Equinox, September 23, 2026- Part 2 - Chart

Controlled Chaos

The chart is very intense and complex, with four oppositions and four squares. However, if one considers that three patterns, a mystic rectangle, a kite, and a T-square are inter-connected, and that the two remaining oppositions are both part of easy opposition triangles, then that leaves just two squares and one trine, two of them connected to the moon, and all three are inter-connected as well, though not in any particular pattern.

1- Mars , Venus, Pluto T-Square
T-square stimulates drive and courage, but also tension and conflict. The native can be very active and achievement-oriented, especially if this aspect pattern falls in cardinal or fixed signs, but much energy can be squandered in needless conflicts and frustrations. With 
Mars in Cancer opposite Pluto in Aquarius (Exact October 5) we have a powerful, volatile A fixed sign aspect that brings passionate, competitive, conflictual, obsessive, intensity involving power struggles, with a rigid tendency. Venus in Scorpio square Mars increases the passionate nature and adds relationship issues. Venus square Pluto adds yet more intensity and brings dimensions of jealousy, possessiveness, manipulation and could bring changes in relationships, related to deep insights in socio-political issues.

 2- Sun, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto kite

 

The Kite is a big driving force: it combines the abilities and stability of the Grand Trine with the skill inherent in the Bisextile to reap results. Possibly there could be ongoing external problems that require attention, or simply inner discontent. The biggest problem of the Kite is that the strong positive aspects can make it too easy to avoid the challenges that the opposition brings.

Sun in Libra opposite Neptune in Aries brings tendencies to get lost in fantasies, lose direction, low will power in a passive aggressive way. Here it is in direct opposition to the apex of the magic triangle (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) with the core personality aspect of the sun, with a concern for balanced relationships.

With the focus and proactive energy that the mystic rectangle brings, is added Sun trine Uranus in Gemini, which brings an openness and inclination to explore, original, unconventional paths, with a focus on communication and transportation technology. Sun trine Pluto brings decisiveness, focus, endurance, ambition and progressive problem solving aptitudes. 

In a way this kite represents a kind of reality check to the progressive, original, revolutionary energies of the magic triangle, which can be overwhelming and lead to dispersion, escapism, delusion. The supports can help faces these issues realistically, practically in order to adapt to them according to one’s capacities and resources.

3- Pluto, Sun, Mars, Neptune mystic rectangle 

The Mystic Rectangle, or Rectangle, is comprised of two opposition aspects, connected with two trine and two sextile aspects. The harmonious trine and sextile aspects can be considered release points for the tension of the oppositions. The native can be attracted to important causes. There is a strong chance that the native will put his or her talents to work, or to good use. 
This rectangle emphasizes the importance of the two main oppositions. We have seen how Sun opposite Neptune in Aries has strong supports, and how Mars opposite Pluto had extra intensity (both of both planets are connected to five aspects), with this mystic rectangle, there is added support for both oppositions. To the focus of Sun trine Pluto, is added Sun sextile Mars in Cancer, which gives an impetus to take action in a constructive, with a courteous assertiveness. Moreover, Mars trine Pluto brings a tendency for intuitive, creative, relaxed constructive action while Neptune sextile Pluto inspires deep insight into socio-political issues, scientific innovation and spiritual progress. These aspects help bring needed support to the intense power struggles that Mars opposite Pluto brings, and the unfocused, fantasizing tendencies of Sun opposite Neptune.
Next wehave a Jupiter and a Saturn opposition, with qualities that tend to balance each other out. The Single Ambivalence aspect pattern is also called an Easy Opposition   It is a right-angled triangle formed from a red opposition, a blue sextile, and a blue trine. This not only relieves tension but also gives a sense of balance and direction. The skills and determination provided by this aspect pattern can then lead to great achievements.
4- Moon, Jupiter, Mercury easy opposition
Mercury in Libra opposite Saturn in Aries has a negative, pessimistic, taciturn, critical nature and can bring delays, of of an administrative type, related to relationships and communication. It benefits from good tools for dealing with this challenge. Jupiter in Leo trine Saturn favors practical accomplishment and realistic, sound judgment. Mercury sextile Jupiter inspires positive thinking, a desire for learning, and a philosophical outlook.
5- Sun, Neptune, Mars easy opposition
Moon in Aquarius opposite Jupiter brings an exalted, spendthrift mood. There is a tendency for excess and hedonism with elevated moods. Mercury sextile Jupiter brings a positive attitude and Moon trine Mercury can bring communicative, sociable, studious tendencies with an alert mind and good memory, good tendencies to allow one to avoid the excesses that the opposition can bring.
 
6- Squares and trine
Three aspects round out the chart, with some qualities that would tend to balance them out.
Moon square Uranus can bring sudden minor changes in unusual circumstances and rebellious, erratic relations. Mercury square Mars can make one impatient, irritable, and argumentative. Moon trine Venus has a warm, friendly quality with a vulnerable, open tendency with aesthetic appreciation. 
 
Analysis 

Neptune, Pluto and Uranus have entered a more stable position in Aries, Aquarius, and Gemini, as we become more settled in the most optimistic quarter of the 20-year Jupiter-Saturn cycle. We’ve experienced several powerful initial outer planet aspect, including the famous Barbault Basket 

At the center of this pattern is an opposition between Jupiter in Leo and Pluto in Aquarius. Jupiter speaks to growth, belief, and meaning. In Leo, it highlights creative leadership, self-expression, and the sovereign heart. Pluto speaks to deep transformation, power, and the hidden mechanics of systems. In Aquarius, it turns that focus toward networks, communities, technology, and collective structures. (Sage Goddess)

 

We can bear witness to the high-tech, environmentally challenged, authoritarian-oriented world that has emerged, with a mixture of systemic breakdowns that show a need for change, with many signs of new possibilities for more a more fluid social organization and outlook, positioning us to see how this new planetary configuration will evolve over the coming years

 

A mystic rectangle and kite are fairly positive patterns, with tensions and challenges, but productive. A T-square is difficult, but can lead to energetic 
accomplishment. The chart is similar to the Summer Chart, only more intense, although it doesn’t have the eclipses and the exceptional amount of major aspects. The upcoming Winter chart is similar, only slightly less intense, leading into a more uncomplicated Spring chart. In relation to the magic triangle, we have a good potential to accomplish goals, the major obstacle being a lack of realism and a tendency for fantasizing escapism. The kite could attenuate this. In relation to the mystic rectangle, there is a strong impetus for practical, proactive, efficient, well-conceived accomplishments, the main obstacle being having to overcome conflicts, power struggles and dealing with passionate, even obsessive relationships with people, places and things (T-square) 
Moreover, there could be a tendency for exaltation, flamboyant theatrical and hedonist excursions (Jupiter in Leo). But a more taciturn, pessimistic tendency could attenuate this. There can be irritations at surprise minor, quirky changes and a general impatient, argumentative tendency, although a warm, friendly, creative disposition helps temper these inclinations. Possibly the challenge could be that, since the difficulties can be met with aptitudes and inclinations to withstand them, there could be a tendency of ignoring, avoiding or being apathetic to the challenges, whereas the tools available can present a good opportunity to deal with repressed issues that emerge and solve difficult relationship conflicts. There is a general theme of traditional family values (Mars in Cancer) versus progressive societal change (Pluto in Aquarius).
 
Prognostic 
 
With the Uranus (narrative and information), Neptune (spiritual action), Pluto (technology and community)grand trine settling in and stabilizing, we can experience a new emergence of humanitarian ideals, spiritual seeking, altruistic and compassionate feelings, as well as meeting different people, along with openness to new ideas, innovations, originality, alternative lifestyles focused on creative pursuits, with innovative communication and transportation technologies.
 
This semester offers a strong potential for practical accomplishments or progress, but the strong, pro-active inclinations can be met with intense resistance and passionate power struggles, (which could see relationship changes or ruptures), as well as reality checks to overly idealistic, impractical or fantastic visions. There is a risk of escapism, delusion or stoic apathy. There can be tendencies for flamboyant exaltation versus bouts of taciturn, pessimism; and argumentative irritability over surprise quirky minor changes versus warm, friendly, creative feelings.
 
 Planets in Signs  

Sun in Libra (Sept 22-Oct 23) Meeting yourself in another person is the keynote of a new cycle which begins for you now. Relationships – romantic, business, social – are the arena where this drama is played out.
Moon in Aquarius favors : Unusual or radical undertakings, social pursuits, group projects, trying something new, joining a group.
Mercury in Libra (Sept 10-30) Interest in relationships, social connections, and the arts – on a more intellectual level than in the past, most likely. Seeing both sides of an issue, and figuring out resolutions to opposing views: these things take on more importance in your life.
Venus in Scorpio (Sep t10-Oct 25) Passion, jealousy, possession: these are the kinds of experiences that can flow from the intensity that courses through you at one level or another now – voracious.
Mars in Cancer (Aug 11-Sept 27) A sensitivity to the needs and wants of others and an appreciation for their frailties (as well as your own) makes you more cautious and conservative … you pick your battles with care.
Jupiter in Leo High drama, big romance, a creative bonanza: this is the stuff dreams are made of now. The world is your stage, the spotlight is your goal, and the love and appreciation of others is the air you breathe.
Saturn in Aries You are resourceful, and capable of applying new methods in a practical manner. Your lessons are in patience and self-reliance.
Uranus in Gemini stirring up our ideas, learning, and communications. It revolutionizes our transportation and communication systems and sense of connectedness. There can be great progress and unpredictability.
Neptune in Aries the potential to be spiritual pioneers. They take risks in exploring the mystical realms. This generation may also boast many pioneers in the arts.
Pluto in Aquarius Reform, revolution, a rejection of the past and a focus on the future. People in this generation have the ability to make scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity, and may be forced to change the way science is viewed.
 
Upcoming
Oct 3 Mars opposition Pluto  
Nov 29 Uranus trine Pluto
Dec 4 Mars square Uranus
 

Friday, 18 September 2026

Astrology: Fall Equinox, September 23, 2026- Part 1 - Review

The Fall prognostic was (similar to the plot for 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie - Walpurgisnacht: Rising' or perhaps The Odyssey) :

 With a triple trinity of potentially very progressive and productive aspects:

1-mystical, humanitarian impetus of social and technological innovation, reform and transformation

2- inspired creative, artistic, mystical, compassionate, practical sense of cooperation with elders and friends

3- bold, idealistic, ambitious, comprehensive productive sense of original discussion, negotiation and collaboration based on productive, stable work ethic, involving family, home values, and traditions.

These inspiring opportunities of productive change growth and progress inevitably entail challenges of overcoming obstacles and resistance. Collective projects could be hampered by personal relationship issues of an intense obsessive, passionate nature bringing along drama, power struggles, deception and deep revelations (general tensions between progressive, collective projects and personal, family issues). Chance or new encounters could prove be to be significant. Emotional turmoil can make things insecure, blocked, unfocused, undisciplined, and disorganized. However the impetus of spiritual intuition and creative solutions can bring good support to overcome and resolve difficulties.

The Summer had a large number of important aspects over a brief period of intensity.

June 30 Jupiter conjunct Leo 

 

July 6 release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, shares 4 striking similarities with the Ramayana - (Homecoming, captive wife, bow stringing, deer chasing) which is also subject of a film release for November 6.

July 15 Uranus sextile Neptune

Jul 15 ‘Unprecedented’ changes in UK climate are normalising extremes, report says Annual State of the UK Climate analysis finds last four years in UK are in top five hottest on record

Jul 16 Wildfiresin Ontario make Toronto air quality worst in world

Jul 16 Trump’s Board of Peace drops full Gaza recovery plan in favour of tiny pilot scheme

Jul 16  Political crisis and protests in Ukraine as Zelenskyy defends sacking defence minister 
 
Jul 18 Hungary’s president agrees to stand down after law change ends his term 

Jul 18 Cuba edges toward breakdown as power cuts and US meddling push society to brink 

Jul 19 Burnham to say UK must be honest about its challenges as he prepares to become PM 

July 20 Jupiter trine Neptune

July 20 Jupiter opposition Pluto 

July 18–19: Uranus trines Pluto, setting off the initial energy. July 20: Jupiter opposes Pluto and trines Neptune, peaking the tension and bringing the Cradle into full visual formation on the zodiac wheel. July 20 Barbault’sBasket (or Cosmic Cradle) is an ultra-rare astrological configuration formed by the outer planets. It signifies a major turning point in history, balancing intense oppositions with harmonious support to act as an incubator for global societal shifts. Chart has an amazingly tight cradle- the sideways trapeze pattern with the red line as the base (Jupiter opposite Pluto), the red triangle within the pattern is a T-square with Chiron at 0 Aries (very high energy, with lots of potential) (For a brief moment, the moon at 4 degrees Libra on July 19 creates a mystical rectangle with the cradle and forms a 5-pointed star pattern with Uranus as the top point). 

Jul 
20 
Tens of thousands of Cockroach movement protesters defy police with Delhi march 

Jul 20 Canada issues air quality warnings over US wildfire smoke after Trump tariff threat 
July 20 US launches 10th round of strikes as Iran says it is in ‘full-scalewar’

July 20 Six highlights from Andy Burnham’s first Downing Street speech  for Britain’ to 10-year plan, new prime minister sets out his stall
July 20 Zelenskyy fires Ukraine’sarmy chief and offers Fedorov ‘prominent position’  
July 20 Fires, floods and record heat: This is the summer of compounding disasters

July 22 An OpenAI test model escaped and broke into a real company’s servers
July 24
 
Thousands flee wildfires in France and Spain as temperatures reach extreme levels in southern Europe

July 25 As 'The Odyssey' thrives at the box office, franchise fatigue hits summer with bombs like 'Supergirl,' 'Moana'

July 27 New Spider-Man film, Brand New Day, has a dark order of Ninjas, which has Theosophical elements. In Daredevil #190, Resurrection, as their counterpart, Stick is the leader of a secret order of good martial arts adepts... 
July 28 A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes Kumamoto Prefecture with a focal depth of 10 kilometers. The Japan Meteorological Agency reports the maximum seismic intensity of 7 in Uki City and Hikawa Town. At least 38 people were killed and more than 368 were injured.

August 10 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes Colombia, killing more than 100 and trapping people in collapsed buildings

Aug 12,Total SOLAR Eclipse 

There's a mystical rectangle, connected to a minor grand trine (Uranus apex) like a house, a pyramid, or a 5-pointed star - the actual Moon/Sun conjunction is close to Mercury (and Jupiter) 11 degrees away, not quite connected... but strongly embedded in the Uranus-Neptune-Pluto magic triangle; also, skywatchers get a planetary parade of Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune before sunrise. The Perseid meteor shower peaks after dark with up to 100 meteors per hour from dark sites, enhanced by the new moon's minimal light.

Aug 16 Hayden Panettiere's  untimely death at 37 inspiring celebrities to protect child actors in Hollywood, following recent deaths of Daveigh Chase, Michelle Trachtenberg.

Aug 26 Major flash flood- more than 3000 people are missing and at least 780 have died in Nepal and Tibet. The US Geological Survey says "glacial collapse and debris flow" triggered the deluge - and there are risks of more floods

Aug 28 Partial LUNAR Eclipse

Sun conjunct Mercury square Uranus  Mars square Saturn adds a volatile dimension. On August 31st, 2026, the Jupiter-Saturn cycle begins to mark it's one third mark on the trajectory. There is a Sun/Mercury-Neptune-Pluto Yod, which is aligned with the lunar eclipse, a rarity that seems quite significant.

Sunspot region AR 4513 produced the flares, with SolarHam confirming the M7.0 event around 10:02 UTC on August 25 and possible coronal mass ejection. Models predict a glancing CME blow to Earth around August 28 at 10-11 UTC, potentially sparking minor geomagnetic storms and auroras timed with the partial lunar eclipse on August 27-28.

Aug 31  Jupiter trine Saturn

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie - Walpurgisnacht: Rising' No. 1 in Japan Weekend Box Office 890 Million Yen ($5.5M); premiered on August 28, 2026. Maybe you could call 2026 the "Year of the Magical Girl" in Japanese anime. The titles listed highlight why 2026 could be considered a renaissance era for the genre (I consider this to be trend related to Neptune in Aries): 
 

Sep 1 Mars square Saturn  

Sept 16 Neptune sextile Pluto 

Sept 10 AI doomsday warning from former Anthropic researcher sparks debate.

Thursday, 27 August 2026

Jupiter trine Saturn, August 31st, 2026

With Jupiter square Saturn, we completed the first quarter of the Jupiter-Saturn cycle, (5 years), now we enter the beginning of the completion of the first third of the cycle (7 years).

Jupiter trine Saturn dates:

  • on August 31st, 2026, Jupiter at 13º Leo 41′ and Saturn at 13° 41′ of Aries (first)
  • on April 3rd, 2027, Jupiter at 17º Leo 08′ (second)
  • on July 11th, 2027, Jupiter at 27º Leo 10′ (third)

Jupiter, at 13° Leo 41’, forms a trine aspect with Saturn at 13° Aries 41’ in August 2026. This is the first of three such aspects while Jupiter is in Leo and Saturn is in Aries. [Note: Often, aspects formed between outer planets and slow-moving points occur three times in a set due to retrograde motion.]

When Jupiter and Saturn connect, we tend to make things happen. This combination favors concrete accomplishment.

With Jupiter trine Saturn, we’re ready to put in the effort to achieve our practical goals. We are pragmatic, realistic, and our judgment is especially sound–and we derive much satisfaction from practical accomplishment.

The key to harnessing this incredible energy is to identify and find pleasure in the simple things that make us happy. At the same time, we may notice areas where small, incremental improvements can be beneficial. We see opportunities where we previously saw limits, but we’re not going overboard. It’s a fine time for setting and pursuing reasonable goals. Being even-tempered can be a successful approach now.

https://cafeastrology.com/events/jupiter-trine-saturn-1st/

Jupiter trine Saturn transit gives patience and endurance for sustained effort. You will stay focused on your long-term goals and avoid distractions from day-to-day dramas. Your broad perspective and strong sense of duty mean you will be productive and efficient. Your efforts will enhance your stability and security, serving as a source of pride and satisfaction.

A practical approach makes this a good time to start or expand a business or any other project. You will be clear about your goals and purposeful. If any challenge arises, it will be easy to find a practical solution. You will be willing to take on responsibility and should earn respect, recognition and success. This is an excellent transit for increasing your wealth through real estate transactions, home renovations and extensions, and home relocation.

https://astrologyking.com/jupiter-trine-saturn/ 

More specifically with Jupiter in Leo, we attract the most good fortune when we express magnanimity, are generous with others, inspire confidence in others, conduct ourselves with dignity and sincerity, and avoid the pitfall of excessive egotism. With Jupiter in Leo, we prefer learning programs that focus on excitement, drama, show, dignity, and pride. Belief systems that emphasize love, honor, and loyalty are more appealing. We see opportunities to grow and succeed through self-expression, self-respect, generosity, and honor. We are more inclined to believe that generosity of spirit is the major key to solving problems.  

https://cafeastrology.com/jupiterinleo.html 

Saturn in Aries You are resourceful, and capable of applying new methods in a practical manner. Your lessons are in patience and self-reliance.