 Mt Kailash by Rod Georgiu
Cancer's Moon:
Cancer Solar Festival
Festival of the Ashram at the Full Moon in Capricorn 2008
Malvin Artley, our regular esoteric commentator examines the subtle meaning of the Full Moon in Capricorn for 2008. This is Cancer's Full Moon, as the Moon is full in the sign opposing the Sun. The full moon of Cancer (the full moon at Capricorn 26º04') takes place on the 18th of July at 08:00 UT (03:00 AM EST in the US; 06:00 PM AEST in Australia).
Greetings Friends!
I was sitting at the kitchen table of a good friend of mine a few days ago reading the astrology column in the local paper (It's always good for a laugh.), thermos of tea at hand, getting ready to have a bit of conversation and a sizable slice of Turkish burek. I was in between jobs for the day and had stopped in to have a chat about some work that needed to be done for the center he runs. He was to have a birthday in a few days, and when he saw that I was reading the astrology section he asked me what the stars had in store for him on the day. I knew what was really going on with him because I have his chart, but it is fun to have a look at what the forecasts for the general public are as well and to see if, somehow, we fit in.
So, his interest piqued, I duly read out his 'stars'. He sat in rapt fascination as his forecast unfolded, with the biggest smile on his face. “Having finally accepted that you must tackle certain complex misunderstandings, you're now struggling to find a way to put them to rest without upsetting others. (Cancerians don't like rocking the boat.) This simply isn't possible. Only when they realize you are ready to confront them head-on, if necessary, will they understand that you mean business and adopt a more reasonable attitude.” There was a long pause after the reading and a knitted brow soon creased his otherwise usually happy countenance.
After a few moments, he looked at me quizzically and said, “What does it mean?” (He has a bit of trouble sometimes with western vernacular.) I said, “Basically, certain people have no idea what you're on about and think they can just do what they want, given your good nature. It is time to stand up for yourself and say things have to be done in a certain way. They won't like it, but they will get the message and change the way they act.” Another long pause......
“I don't know about all this astrology stuff.” he said. “I thought things were pretty straight-forward” (He is in the midst of planning an event.) “Astrology – Why do people need it? People should be able to just get on with things without relying on what the stars say. It is all just a matter of letting go, trusting and doing one's practice every day.” he said. I looked at him and smiled. “Yes, that is true to an extent.” I said. “If you can see what is coming ahead on the road, though, is a little warning not helpful?” I added.
“No!” he said. “I live in the moment and things usually work out OK. I have faith.” I was happy he has his 'faith', but faith usually needs a bit of application to work out properly and a little fore-knowledge can be a big help. I wasn't going to belabor the point with him. I could see what was coming for him. In the end he thought the whole business about astrology was pretty hilarious. I would see how he felt in six months and then speak to him again about astrology.
His comments brought to mind another conversation I had with another friend a week before, however. “Just be in the moment.” I thought. What a novel concept! The whole world should know about that one! (My other favorite is “Go with the flow!”) “OK” I thought to myself. I wonder how many people are actually 'being in the moment' and 'going with the flow' when the 'flow' is going down the toilet. He would be alright with his project, but I did see some 'challenges' coming later in the year for him on other matters – not that he wanted to know about that. Our conversation was all in good fun. We enjoyed our respective repasts and a bit more conversation about the state of the world. The burek went down a treat, topped off with a good cup of tea. I wonder how many of the world's problems would be better solved at the kitchen table? Soon it was on to more important matters. I said to my friend, “Let's see what Calvin and Garfield are up to today.” (The 'stars' are usually right there with the comics, if that is not an indication of what the media thinks of astrology!)
 “Go with the flow."
“Be in the moment/Now.”
“Just offer it all up to the Universe.”
“Don't worry. Be happy.”
“It's all empty, anyway. No point in worrying about it.”
“Just let go (and let God, if you are Christian)”
Had enough? You know, there is profound wisdom behind every one of the sayings just mentioned. The only problem is that the vast majority of people who use them have no idea what they are saying, aside from the fact that such platitudes annoy the crap out of someone who is stressed about life.
Basically, people offer sayings such as these when they have nothing better to offer or want to skirt the issues at hand. I am not on a soap box here. Every one of these sayings could be a good Cancerian aphorism, if one knew the deeper aspects of the sign, and we will have a look at why in a moment. I look at the state of the world now and wonder what people are going to say and think since our sense of security is beginning to be eroded. We just had the solar festival in Cancer on the 18th and we are going to have a closer look at the deeper dynamics of the sign anon. Other than that, we are about to enter another eclipse cycle, with one to take place at the next new moon (total solar eclipse on the 1st) and another at the next full moon (lunar eclipse on the 17th of Aug). We will have a look at the former in this letter, leaving the latter eclipse for the next full moon letter. Both of those eclipses take place when the Sun is in Leo. For now, however, let's have a look at what has just happened with this Cancer solar festival and just 'be in the moment' with it.
Deep Connection
The sign Cancer has a very deep and abiding connection with the human race. It is said to be the sign that was the doorway for the appearance of human beings on this globe* and it is the orthodox ruler of mass consciousness as a result. All Cancerian types have an affinity with 'the common man/woman' and they generally do very well when it comes to understanding people's basic needs and motivations. In orthodox astrology, Cancer rules the home, the mother, the birth family, childbirth, housing, the sea, women (in general), one's inherited tendencies, land, domestic life, cooks and kitchens, basic nurturing, gestation, protectiveness and places of rest. In its essence, it is a sign that should denote a state of great emotional and mental stillness and rest. It marks an interlude wherein a process of 'growth around seed' (or in response to seed) takes place. It rules the womb and, as such, should be a place or state of the most profound peace and quiet growth. The womb is the place where the seed idea (conception) of the coming human being is given its arena of development. Hence, the sign Cancer is the interlude that most greatly favors the introduction of new ideas into the human mass consciousness (more often subconscious, for the subconscious is the primary realm of operation for the sign). Cast into the great sea life, the idea that we are takes root and gradual form in the outer world. Cancer transmits the 'Light within the form' – the Light that will gradually and inexorably rouse us to activity, action and eventual birth as Souls, in the true sense of the word. 'Being in the moment/Now' is this very Cancerian state of consciousness, but there is much more to it than that.
The Festival of the Ashram
Perhaps the more revealing aspects of the sign in question come from its association with the fourth House in astrology, Cancer's natural abode. The fourth House rules all things Cancerian mentioned previously, but in addition it also rules hidden things and treasures, one's private life, conception, heredity, one's spiritual security (the Ashram or Sangha) and the conclusion of undertakings (the means to the end of life). Thus, Cancer as a sign is a sort of Alpha and Omega in its own way – the potency of all that is to be and the means of its end as well. As is so true in occultism, the end is always inherent in the beginning. Above all, Cancer is the one sign that most masks hidden potential within people (as does the fourth House in astrology) and eventually gives it birth when properly activated. Anyone with strong Cancer or fourth House activations in a chart has the potential to discover the unrealized gifts within them – and this brings us to the meanings behind the solar festival just passed – the one I call 'The Festival of the Ashram'.
In part two of this article, Malvin Artley continues his exploration of the esoteric meanings of the Full Moon in Capricorn for 2008.
 Read part two of The Cancer Solar Festival
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 Malvin Artley is an accredited member of the American Federation of Astrologers. His primary focus over the past 25 years has been on the sciences as they express occultism and with bridging work between the two. His special interests in those fields are the human subtle energy system and all the chakras, or energy centres, physics and technology, astronomy and all aspects of Chinese occultism.
He sends out periodic emails about astrological happenings and developments. These letters are sent out as a gift and a service. If you wish to be added to or deleted from the mailing list please let me know. If you feel inspired to pass them on please do so, but do so without alteration or charge. They are sent to people of many persuasions, not just astrologers. Blessings. Click here to subscribe to Malvin's periodic letters.
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