Montreal Theosophy Project: 2023

Tuesday 26 December 2023

Astrology: The Year 2023 in Review

March 7 Saturn enters Pisces

brought a lessening of restrictions and more discipline in holistic views

March 24 Pluto enters Aquarius

brought a foretaste of more socially-conscious power structures

April 20 Total Solar Eclipse in Aries

Highlighted Pluto control issues

May 5 Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio

Highlighted the volatile nature of social change

Brought a slower, more practical outlook

Increased ambitious tendencies, with problems of dogmatism and fanaticism

June 11 Pluto Retrograde re-enters Capricorn

Favours more conservative, strict, rigid tendencies

June 19 Jupiter in Taurus sextiles Saturn in Pisces

Brings a period of focused, balanced productivity

Winter Review

To give a few examples of how that general mood played out, we have Greta Thunberg, who was involved in some curious incidents over the semester. There was a curious Twitter exchange with MMA practioner David Tate. There was also a most curious ‘staged police detention’ theory, and an equally curious exchange with Rebel News reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Curiouser and curiouser indeed, although I do think the police have improved their Greta removal techniques in a recent Norway protest.

Moreover, the ever-quixotic Peter Gabriel, ended speculation about an oft-announced new album by releasing first new material in over two decades. No exact date release date for the album has been given, but three songs have been released so far, all released on the day of the full moon. Additionally, Prince Harry released his autobiography, which could quite possibly be the weirdest book ever written by a royal. In the US, another president has been leaving his files at home.

Although not as numerous and dramatic as the previous semester, there were still a few significant protests, notably in Peru (over deposition of former president Castillo), Israel (over 80,000 Israelis protest against Supreme Court reform), Brazil (Bolsonaro supporters), France (retirement age pension eligibility), and Greece (major train derailment). In Canada, the results of an inquiry into the Ottawa trucker convoy occupation revealed a comedy of errors.

March 7 Saturn enters Pisces

A rare 50, 000 year-cycle comet appeared in the skies and a major earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria. As Saturn entered Pisces on March 7, 200 countries agreed to a legally-binding treaty, the UN High Seas Treaty, to protect marine life in international waters, which cover around half of the planet’s surface, have long been essentially lawless. There was also some recent heavy flooding in California and Australia, as well as a major storm, cyclone Freddy, in Malawi.

Spring Review

March 24 Pluto enters Aquarius

Near the Spring equinox, March 21, Russia and China had an important meeting, Xi,Putin reaffirm partnership in 2nd day of talks. and there was an earthquake in Pakistan and Afghanistan. For March 24, Pluto entered Aquarius, there were major tornadoes in midwestern, southern U.S, and ex-US president Donald Trump was arrested. Also, there were U.S.airstrikes on Iranian targets in Syria.

April 20 Total Solar Eclipse in Aries

There was a civil war flare-up in Sudan that began a week earlier. Moreover, a rocket ship blew up. Super Heavy's 33 powerful Raport engines malfunctioned on ascent. Some more positive events during this period include, on April 10, Saudi Arabia makes peace proposal for Yemen after Houthi talks and on April 15, in Canada,

May 5 Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio

For the May 5 Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio, the end of the COVID emergency was declared, and there was a shooting incident in Allen, Texas

May 17 Jupiter square Pluto

May 20 Mars opposite Pluto

May 22 Mars square Jupiter

Some typical events could include a terrible India train crash and widespread forest fires in Canada. For more examples, all of the main news events for May 25 could correlate to these aspects. The Nato Resource Conference was held in Ottawa on May 23-25, 2023.

June 11 Pluto Retrograde re-enters Capricorn

We've seen an escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war and an indictment of an ex-US president. Some spectacular water disasters, a Greek migrant boat sinking with 700 casualties on June 14, and a Sub-Marine exploring the Titanic wreckage had an accident causing five fatalities, June 18. These could be related to Saturn In Pisces, also Pluto on cusp of Aquarius & Capricorn, I would relate it also to Mars square Uranus, June 26, & fading Mars opposite Pluto-themes: meltdowns, watery depths, unusual, tragic

June 19 Jupiter in Taurus sextiles Saturn in Pisces

Nato works on first defense plans since Cold War. Another Saturn in Pisces related-theme of water regulation awareness occurred on July 11 when a growing list of countries have also called for a halt to deep-sea mining, at a key moment for the fledgling industry as the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meets to determine rules for mining

Summer Review

June 26 Mars square Uranus

Around June 24, reports began to emerge of major militia conflicts in Sudan, which broke out in April.

July 20 Mars opposite Saturn

A third very volatile month-long Mars aspect in a row occurred with was Mars opposite Saturn, July 20. Circumstances or people tend to thwart our will, feelings of resentment or frustration; difficult to assert ourselves; action & expressing our urges blocked; difficult to complete tasks. There was also Sun opposite Pluto, July 21, bringing issues of power and competition.

Various incidents around that time included: A mass shooting in Australia, a third indictment for Donald Trump, a big Tornado in South Carolina, a UPS and Hollywood writer’s strike occurred, as well as major Russian attacks in Ukraine and a big heat wave in the US.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/20/us/5-things-to-know-for-july-20-auckland-shooting-trump-tornado-ups-netflix/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/21/us/5-things-to-know-for-july-21-ukraine-extreme-heat-strikes-ai-e-cigarettes/index.html

On July 17, Russia suspended its participation in a crucial deal that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain, once again raising fears over global food supplies and scuppering a rare diplomatic breakthrough to emerge from Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Record Forest Fire outbreaks in Canada were announced, July 24. There was a military coup in Niger on July 25. On August 4, Ethiopia declared a state of emergenc y due to militia conflicts.

We lost several important musicians:

Singer and social rights activist Tony Bennett passed away on July 21. Singer and social rights activist Sinéad O’Connor passed away on July 27. Singer/songwriter and social activist Sixto Rodriguez passed away on August 9. Robbie Robertson, the string-bending guitarist and principal songwriter of The Band, and indigenous rights supporter passed away on August 9.

There were a lot of interesting cultural events over the Summer that had Theosophical connections:

OZ: A New Musical freeFall Theatre Company Florida Musical about L. Frank Baum with Matilda Joslyn Gage, good run. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was released. HayaoMiyazaki's fantasy epic The Boy and the Heron. Barbie film has Gnostic Wizard of Oz elements. Oppenheimer film, he was into the Bhagavad Gita.

Several major esoteric theosophical painting exhibitions:

Embracing the Esoteric-Inside Mystical Realm of Occult Art June 19,2023 Eli Anapur Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid Rubens Chagall Miró Munch Dalí Kandinsky Ernst. In London, another exhibition that brings together two artists in dialogue opened at the Tate Modern. Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian: Forms of Life. “Another World: Transcendental Painting Group, 1938–1945” opened for the final stop of its multi-museum tour at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, where it will remain through June. The current Charmion vonWiegand show at the Kunstmuseum Basel is her first solo institutional show

Fall Review

October 8 Mars square Pluto

The oncoming Russia-Ukraine conflict was easier to predict, because the buildup was highly mediatized. I think that this is the first time that I was surprised at what occurred in the semester, as I didn't really see a Sun opposite Neptune (a T-Square with a Moon square to it) as particularly volatile (although I do find that difficult Moon aspects can be powerful in event charts). Although the Hamas attack occurred a day before an exact Mars square Pluto on October 8, a volatile aspect where pretty much anything can happen.

Perhaps the meaning of 'conflicts of a more deceptive, illusory, fantastical nature could occur' could be related to the surprise, unforeseen nature of the attack (regardless of whether it was really that unforeseeable). Moreover, a very surreptitious, mobile and swift attack on a rave music festival could be considered to fit with the Sun opposite Neptune aspect. It was a strange twist of fate that a German-Israeli woman with esoteric interests, Shani Louk, would become an iconic figure in the Hamas-Israel war, her final IG post had Hermetic axiom 'As above, so below'. A "convinced pacifist", she refused to undergo compulsory military service. Moreover, ' seeing through any illusions, smokescreens, halls of mirrors, moon mist and gaslight' could correspond to the complicated history of the Israel-Palestine conflict in general and the massive Anti-Semitic and Islamophobia sentiments that the outbreak provoked. There's also the underground tunnel network apparently being used in Palestine.

Another possible effect of the Mars square Pluto aspect was a major Earthquake in Afghanistan. Two more events in Canada, related to problems in discerning identity, with longstanding links to past events occurred around the same time. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, B.C.. and a former Nazi was somehow applauded in Canadian parliament in the presence of Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Oct 14 New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra

(Mars in Scorpio, water domicile,fully resourced to strive after desires; Venus in Virgo, scrutinize interactions, pinpoint problems, researching solutions).

Also in this amazing two-week period, elections in Poland, Switzerland and New Zealand brought in right-wing governments, with a left-wing candidate coming in in Argentina. In the area of artistic fantastical mysteries, on October 14, the long, mysterious saga of the theft of the red slippers from The Wizard of Oz film came to a conclusion as the accused pleaded guilty, but with many unanswered questions remaining. Moreover, the litigation that delayed Dorothy's dress has been cleared up (sort of) and now the dress can go to auction (maybe). One of my astrological questions this year was, after years of announcements of imminent release, will a new Peter Gabriel album finally happen? It did. And it hit no. 1. Coincidentally, a very astrological release scheme, which was punctually maintained up to December 1. Morevoer, the Vancouver Art Gallery has declared that 10 oil sketches supposedly done by the Group of Seven’s J.E.H. MacDonald and donated to the gallery in 2015 are fake.

The COP 28 meeting was marked by controversy and confusion as, ' many countries walked away from the talks frustrated at the lack of a clear call for a fossil-fuel “phase-out” this decade – and at a “litany of loopholes” in the text that might enable the production and consumption of coal, oil and gas to continue, although a last-minute breakthrough agreement was achieved, with "nearly every country in the world has agreed to “transition away from fossil fuels” – the main driver of climate change.'One has to wonder about the timing of finalizing an agreement on the beginning of a Mercury retrograde period, December 13. Coincidentally, at the same time, US Congress voted to launch an impeachment inquiry against the president.

Sunday 24 December 2023

Saturday 23 December 2023

The Anugita and the Sevenfold Principle

When the adventurous pilgrim resolves to enter the great forest, who knows what wonders they may encounter there? As the Anu Gita states: 'In that forest are seven large trees , seven fruits, and seven guests; seven hermitages, seven (forms of) concentration, and seven (forms of) initiation.' Moreover there 'always dwell seven females there'. One may also encounter 'the seven perfect sages, together with their chiefs'. It is said that 'these seven rays follow after this same sun. Hills and mountains also are there collected together, and rivers and streams flowing with water produced from the Brahman.' The following passage is from chapter 12 of the Anu Gita (Kashinath T Telang (1882). Max Muller (ed.). The Bhagavadgîtâ: With the Sanatsugâtîya and the Anugîtâ. Clarendon Press)

p. 285 The Brâhmana said:

I have crossed beyond that very impassable place, in which fancies are the gadflies and mosquitoes 3, in which grief and joy are cold and heat, in which delusion is the blinding darkness, in which avarice is the beasts of prey and reptiles, in which desire and anger are the obstructors, the way to which consists in worldly objects, and is to be crossed by one singly 4. And I have entered the great forest 5.

285:3 Cf. as to all this Gîtâ, p. 101.

285:4 This is not the forest spoken of before. but what has been before called the 'impassable place,' but which also at p. 286 is by implication called a forest, viz. the course of worldly life.

285:5 Viz. the

1. eye,

2. ear,

3. tongue,

4.skin, and

5. nose, and

6. the mind, and

7. understanding--

these are called trees, as being producers of the fruits, namely, the pleasures and pains derived from their several operations; the guests are the powers of each sense personified--they receive the fruits above described; the hermitages are the trees above mentioned, in which the guests take shelter; the seven forms of concentration are the exclusion from the self of the seven functions of the seven senses &c. already referred to; the seven forms of initiation refer to the initiation into the higher life, by repudiating as not one's own the actions of each member out of the group of seven. Cf. as to this Khândogya, p. 219, and commentary there.

285:6 Cf. for these different numbers of colours, Yoga-sûtra II, 19, and commentary, p. 105, and Sânkhya-sâra, p. 18. The trees here meant are the Tanmâtras, or subtle elements, and the theory is that the Gandha-tanmâtra, or subtle element of smell, has five qualities, its own special one, so to say, and the four special ones of the others; the next is taste, the next colour, the next touch, and the last sound; each has one quality less than its predecessor. See Yoga-sûtra, p. 106, and gloss; Sânkhya-sûtra I, 62; and Vedânta Paribhâshâ, p. 45.

The Brâhmana's wife said:

Where is that forest, O very intelligent person! what are the trees (there), and what the rivers, and the hills and mountains; and at what distance is that forest?

The Brâhmana said:

p. 286 There is nothing else more delightful than that, when there is no distinction from it. There is nothing more afflicting than that, when there is a distinction from it 1. There is nothing smaller than that, there is nothing larger than that 2. There is nothing more subtle than that; there is no other happiness equal to, that. Entering it, the twice-born do not grieve, and do not exult 3. They are not afraid of anybody, and nobody is afraid of them. In that forest 4 are seven large trees 5, seven fruits, and seven guests; seven hermitages, seven (forms of) concentration, and seven (forms of) initiation. This is the description of the forest. That forest is filled with trees producing splendid flowers and fruits of five colours 6.

286:1 These are mind and understanding; the fruits and flowers are here of 'undistinguished colours,' as the text expresses it, since they include the colours of all the fruits of all the other five sets of trees; that is to say, the subject-matter of their operations is sound, taste, &c., the subject-matters of all the senses together. 'Undistinguished colours' is, perhaps, more literally 'of colours not clear.' Arguna Misra paraphrases it by 'of variegated colours,' which is no doubt the true ultimate sense.

286:2 The self, Nîlakantha. See p. 279, note 7 supra.

286:3 I. e., I presume, devoted to the Brahman.

286:4 I. e. true knowledge, Arguna Misra.

286:5 See note 5, p. 285.

286:6 I. e. when the senses having worked, as unconnected with the self, are finally absorbed into it. Cf. Sânkhya-kârikâ 49 and Katha, p. 151.

p. 287 That forest is filled with trees producing flowers and fruits of four colours. That forest is filled with trees producing flowers and fruits of three colours, and mixed. That forest is filled with trees producing flowers and fruits of two colours, and of beautiful colours. That forest is filled with trees producing flowers and fruits of one colour, and fragrant. That forest is filled with two large trees producing numerous flowers and fruits of undistinguished colours 1. There is one fire 2 here, connected with the Brahman 3, and having a good mind 4. And there is fuel here, (namely) the five senses. The seven (forms of) emancipation from them are the seven (forms of) initiation 5. The qualities are the fruits, and the guests eat the fruits. There, in various places, the great sages receive hospitality. And when they have been worshipped and have disappeared 6, another forest shines forth, in which intelligence is the tree, and emancipation the fruit, and which possesses shade (in the form of) tranquillity, which depends on knowledge, which has contentment for its water, and which has the Kshetragña within for the sun.

The good who attain to that, have no fear afterwards. Its end cannot be perceived upwards or downwards or horizontally 1. There always dwell seven females there 2, with faces (turned) downwards, full of brilliance, and causes of generation. They absorb 3 all the higher delights of people, as inconstancy (absorbs) everything 4. In that same 5 (principle) the seven perfect sages, together with their chiefs, the richest 6, abide, and again emerge from the same.

1. Glory;

2. brilliance, and

3. greatness,

4. enlightenment,

5. victory,

6. perfection, and

7. power 7--

these seven rays follow after this same sun. Hills and mountains also are there collected together, and rivers and streams flowing with water produced from the Brahman 8. And there is the confluence of the rivers in the secluded place 9 for the sacrifice, whence those who are contented in their own selfs repair to the divine grandsire himself.

287:1 It extends on all sides, its end cannot be perceived on any side.

287:2 These are, according to Arguna Misra, the Mahat, Ahankâra, and five Tanmâtras. Their faces are turned downwards, as they are obstacles in the way upwards, viz. the way of final emancipation; they are brilliant, as they light up the course of worldly life; and hence, too, they are 'causes of generation.' They give birth to the universe.

287:3 They conceal the higher delight of final emancipation.

287:4 I follow Arguna Misra, but the text is doubtful.

287:5 Viz. the Brahman.

287:6 Cf. Khândogya, pp. 295-300. The word sages here, as before, means the various organs. See Brihadâranyaka, p. 415.

287:7 Glory = renown; brilliance = Brahmic splendour (Brahmategas); perfection = obtaining what is desired; power = not being conquered by others, Arguna Misra. About the sun, see line 3 of text above.

287:8 I. e. contentment. See the second line in the text above.

287:9 I. e. the space in the heart, the sacrifice being that of 'concentration of mind,' yogayagña,--Nîlakantha. A confluence of rivers is very sacred--here the meaning intended seems to be the absorption of all desires by contentment into the heart.

p. 288 Those whose wishes are reduced 1, whose wishes are (fixed) on good vows, whose sins are burnt up by penance, merging the self in the self 2, devote themselves to Brahman. Those people who understand the forest of knowledge 3, praise tranquillity. And aspiring to that forest, they are born so as not to lose courage 4. Such, indeed, is this holy forest, as understood by Brâhmanas. And understanding it, they act (accordingly), being directed by the Kshetragña.

288:1 Literally, 'lean.'

288:2 I. e. the body in the soul, Arguna Misra.

288:3 Knowledge is Brahman, which is described as a forest here, Arguna Misra.

288:4 Cf. Gîtâ, p. 70.

Sunday 17 December 2023

Astrology: Winter Solstice December 21, 2023, Part 2 Chart

Dangerous Liaisons

As Pluto returns to Aquarius on January 21, 2024, a major shift that begins a new dynamic in the skyscape. But Pluto will stay around the cusp of Aquarius, returning to Capricorn briefly in September-October, so 2024 can be viewed as a final transition as we move further into Jupiter-Saturn cycle.

1- Venus in Scorpio opposite Uranus in Taurus (Triangle of Potential)

Unusual attractions and passions. Freedom versus closeness issues in your relationships, unexpected changes in your income. This is the main aspect of the chart. It also forms part of Venus, Uranus, Neptune triangle of potential, meaning that the opposition has good support for resolution from: Venus trine Neptune in Pisces You are more attuned to the world of beauty, the arts, and the imagination. Compassion, harmony, kindness, and openness; and Uranus sextile Neptune: The flamboyant individualism that connects this pattern to a widespread level.

2- Moon in Taurus square Pluto in Capricorn

Another passionate, sensual aspect, brings messy, emotional struggles, financial disagreement. beating a dead horse, obsessions, trying too hard to find the “truth”, suspicion, jealousy or manipulation. There is intensity in relationships and there could be endings, crises, or transformations in your personal life. Moon conjunct Jupiter. Elevated moods, desire for pleasure.

3- Mars square Neptune

Here there can be inspiration from unusual sources, difficulty staying focused and organized. variable energy and neven Intuition. New projects are unadvisable. This aspect is alleviated somewhat by Sun conjunct Mars. where passionate, aggressive, and courageous natures come to the fore. Good for problem, instinctively taking action, bold assertiveness, but also short-tempered and impulsive.

4- Mercury Saturn Moon minor grand trine

On a more positive side, with Moon trine Mercury, head and heart are in tune. Honest and sociable outlook. Mental alertness, perceptive, and memory retention is strong. Negotiations, trades, and communication is favored. Moon sextile Saturn in Aquarius favors reliability, self-reliance and responsibility.

Connections with older people or authority figures are positive. Mercury sextile Saturn is helpful for organization, detail work,and planning. Favorizes practical clear and realistic thinking and decisions. Sun in Sagittarius conjunct Mercury in Capricorn gives extra strength to this pattern and favorizes problem solving and Moon conjunct Jupiter brings an added lucky, expansive, happy, and prosperous attitude. The cool, cerebral energy of this triangle can help balance the more intense, passionate aspects.

Summary

With Venus opposite Uranus, there is a desire to escape routines or tensions via impulsive exotic passionate relationships or pursuits, often short-lived. By channelling these impulses into creative, artistic projects and altruistic pursuits can bring good results. With Moon square Pluto there can be psychological tensions with tendencies for control, deceit, abuse and manipulation, balanced by a sense of assertive courage. It can be favorable for constructive introspection into past trauma. Problematic relationships or situations could end. As both the Moon and Pluto are on the cusp of two signs, it is a highly charged aspect, therefore volatile confrontations are possible. With Mars square Neptune, there can be feelings of self-doubt and guilt, leaving one unfocused and wavering, with unstable health.

With this exotic passionate escapism and psychological insecurity, deception and manipulation, things should still be quite functional with a Moon, Mercury, Saturn minor grand trine, which could make tendencies for deceitful manoeuvres even more effective or better help to prevent them. The unstable tendencies can be balanced by a stable mind, a strong sense of practical organization and efficiency along with a facility for articulate, focused, open communication. With Mercury retrograde however, it could be difficult to arrived at finalized agreements.

Prognostic

Overall, passions can run high with a need for exotic escapism, with psychological insecurities accompanied by deceit and abuse. Volatile confrontations are possible, with possibilities for introspection into unresolved past difficulties bringing personal change. Channelling these energies into creative pursuits can bring good results. Despite the unusual, passionate fascinations and partnerships, there is a general sense of efficiency, practical organization, with articulate open communication. It is a good time for laying the groundwork and negotiating for productive solutions, and resolving personal difficulties, but it can be difficult to finalize lasting agreements.

Part 1