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Becoming Who You Were Meant To Be

By From Our Archives

According to astrology tradition, you were born under a special star of destiny.  It will take 26,000 years for your birthday’s unique pattern of stars to repeat itself in the heavens. The secret fate encoded in your chart is a sign that, as the Jungian thinker James Hillman said, “We are each born called.” Imprinted on your soul the split second it assumed a human body is the pattern of a purpose, the secret reason of your existence. Decoding this message and living it out is the most important work of your life.

Winter is an auspicious time to draw more closely to this deep reason for being. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, nature has stripped away all that is non-essential. Do you feel it–that instinctive desire to draw closer to your core? Maybe you’re feeling cold and weary. Maybe you’re tired, but spiritually hungry. You may feel willing to act, but unclear where to go.  For all of these conditions, tuning into the inner flame of your purpose is the remedy.

Many agree that we’re each born with a mission. But discovering the nature of that calling is more like Odysseus wandering through strange lands and across wide oceans than a clarion-clear set of instructions. You might think your purpose is one thing, and then, before you’ve even grabbed hold of this, it shape-shifts into something else. That happens. For most of us purpose is more like a quality or an archetypal yearning than a specific job description. Like a magnet, your life constellates around this core quality.

According to the Sufi teacher Pir Vilayat, there is a celestial realm of archetypes, a “Divine Treasury” of qualities. The spiritual task for humans is to bring these qualities into creative form through our personalities. As a writer, astrologer, meditator,  mother, friend, and seeker, for instance, the twin flames that burn on the altar of my heart are the qualities of wisdom and inspiration. Inspiring others to see the bigger picture, to focus on what really matters, and to awaken the deeper, ancient knowledge hidden within each of our souls is the orient of my life.

So sometime during this season, take time to reflect on becoming who you were born to be. This is more contemplation than religious ritual. It’s stripped bare. Instead of reciting prayers and focusing on a specific task, simply tune into the center of your heart.  Once you’re in gentle communication with this center, ask yourself, given your experiences this past year, what has most lit you up? Open your book of memories and go further back. What most ignited your spirit as a child? As a teenager? As a young adult? Those activities that lit you up, that brightened your spirit, and that you were able to throw yourself into whole-heartedly–those are the ones your soul keeps shouting “Yes!” to.

Whatever fills you with joy is a good sign that its on purpose. Perhaps you arrived here to bring beauty, whether through art, environmental justice, or fashion. Perhaps you came to help heal the suffering of the world, whether through your writing, activism, or as a physician. Or maybe you’re here to bring insight and truth where there is confusion and ignorance. What is the central theme that runs like a golden thread through your many different experiences? Study the great weaving that is your life. Where do its threads shimmer most brightly?

Spend some time in contemplation. Once you’ve clarified the quality that is burning the brightest for you now, imagine this “idea” taking form as a warm and luminous flame within your heart. This flame empowers your heart. It builds courage, conviction, and grows the energy necessary to accomplish your purpose. As you contemplate the flame, gaze deeply into its colors and movement. If it feels appropriate, see or imagine, at the center of the flame’s red aura, a blue core of diamond clear light. Let yourself become one with this light. After some minutes immersed n this experience, take an internal snapshot of your sensations. This is how it feels to merge with the angel of your divine purpose–the person you were born to become.

If you’re so inspired, let your journal or paints (or whatever is your best form of self-expression) enter your meditation. Activity can strengthen contemplation. Your gestures matter in this altered state. Do something that affirms your whole-hearted acceptance of your life purpose. You may feel an emotion that is close to love or joy. If you don’t feel this emotion, remember a time when you did and bring those feelings into the present. Savor this state. You are making an important impression on your whole being–both your conscious and unconscious minds.

When you feel complete, close your session by committing yourself: “I vow throughout 2017 to serve my special destiny. I vow to tend the bright and purposeful flame within.”

The surest astrological indicator of purpose are the Nodes of the Moon.  You can learn more about your Nodes in my Moonprints Report, which you can order here.

Filed under: Seasonal Rituals

About From Our Archives

MoonCircles has been publishing New and Full essays, meditations, and rituals twice each month since 2000. We hope you will enjoy this piece from our archives!

Comments

  1. Joy vogel says

    Dec 29, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    That was written lovely! I will “vow to tend the bright and purposeful flame within.”Life is short. Brightest blessing in the year 2017

    Reply
  2. Syd says

    Dec 29, 2016 at 7:22 am

    You nailed it Dana! W/ NNode 0 degrees Cap this article clarified a whole stewpot. Things bubbled right to the surface and slid out my pen. Thanks once again for your beautiful resonant writing!

    Reply
  3. Janna says

    Dec 28, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    Sooooo good! Will try to do it before the new year. Love love love it!!!

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Balsamic Phase

in the
Sign of Taurus


Today's Lunar Aspects:

  • Moon sextile Neptune, 7:49am  May 29 2022
  • Moon square Saturn, 7:51am  May 29 2022
  • Moon conjunct Mercury, 11:15am  May 29 2022
  • Moon trine Pluto, 2:10pm  May 29 2022

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Taurus


Enroll in Dana Gerhardt’s Moon Workshop!
Your Venus Unleashed!
Moonshadow Eclipse Report
Moonprints Lunar Report
Steven Forrest’s Transit/Progression report
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John Townley’s Lunar Return report

© 2000 - 2022 Mooncircles.com

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.