Sun, Earth, Venus - POV Mars

‘WHEN I LOOK INTO THE STARS”
edited from post – October 26, 2013

  JJ’’s response to something I’d said about “stars in the sky” at one of his extraordinary videos (“Fanvids”)  – JJ: “When I look into the stars my thoughts are more imperial fleet fighting against the rebel fighters . . . than deep meaning thoughts like yours.” This was part of a dialogue with LL who told me about his interest in science—the Hadron Accelerator at CERN, etc.

  Last night (2013), I awoke thinking about the astrological chart constructed for the moment tapped on the head with the Mandala, first connection with the teachings of the Buddha on October 24, 1976. The chart is a picture of actual positions of Sun, Moon, and planets in the sky at that particular moment, thinking especially of the place in the sky in the northeast part of the chart known as the “11^th House of human experience,” reminding me of JJ’s looking into the stars “to see imperial fleets fighting against rebels.”

  The 11^th House of human experience concerns the use we make of becoming part of society. It’s the “Aquarian” house (Aquarius is the 11^th Sun Sign in the Zodiac, the “Water Bearer.”) – working with communities for betterment of humanity—whether as warriors of imperial fleets fighting rebels, or being part of a community to bring good things into our worlds—joy, happiness, and all that stuff—expressions of compassion, gaining freedom to live life more fully.

  As it happens when we look into this part of the sky at the moment, 10/24/1976, we find a gathering of the Moon (nurturing, adapting), Uranus (challenge to transform), Mars (aggressively acting upon our hopes and dreams), the Point of Transformation, and the “Karmic Heart” midpoint between Sun and Moon where lessons are learned.

  These astrological symbols are meaningless if not related to events and experience. As messages they invite us to participate, become involved. They are not forces zapping us. If they are to have meaning, we need to accept their invitations and act upon them. Considering the nature of the moment (connecting with Buddhism), these invitations are extraordinary: Uranus transforming – “A Calm Lake Bathed in Moonlight.” Mars acting on hopes and dreams – “A Drowning Man is Being Rescued.” Saturn – identifying and recognizing need for action to overcome limitations (found in 8^th house, working with others to accomplish what can’t be done alone): “The Storm Ended All Nature Rejoices in Brilliant Sunshine.” Do these symbols also invite us to join JJ’s fleet of imperial fighters? If so, it sure has taken me a long time to fulfill their promise; perhaps I never shall, but there are indications. . .

  Today, October 4, 2017: Recent discussions elsewhere regarding religion and science remind me of how important it is to be open to the interrelatedness of science, astrological symbolism, and the teachings of the Buddha in the Lotus Sutra. Naturally, it is required to be open to accepting the concept that all things in the universe are interrelated. This in part characterizes my own spiritual journey beginning at age fifty, continuing now for forty-one years. And still discovering, learning.

  “One never hears without opening one’s mind . . .” (Sutra of Innumerable Meanings-first part of The Threefold Lotus Sutra.