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Fierce Compassion: The Great Mother & the War Machine

By Dana Gerhardt

 

An assembly line of Ukrainian grandmothers is making Molotov cocktails, as fathers and sons leave mothers, daughters and wives at the border. The men must stay and fight for their homeland. In basements and subway stations, families huddle on blankets, children are hungry. The sound of air raid sirens soars through empty streets.

A western journalist interviews three young women sitting in the dark. Each holds a rifle. “Do you know how to use these guns?” he asks them. The women look at each other and shake their heads; one bursts into tears. “No, we don’t. But this is our home. The only thing we want in life is to live in our home. We will learn to shoot.”

At Polish border crossings there is the constant sound of luggage wheels rolling across the asphalt, as hundreds of thousands of refugees cross with the few belongings they could hurriedly pack. Most are expressionless, still in shock.

What is the astrology of this moment?

Perhaps you remember that remarkable solstice two years ago—when Jupiter and Saturn joined in Aquarius. When Jupiter and Saturn meet (this occurs every 20 years), astrologers take notice. Their conjunctions signal great shifts in collective power. This one was particularly notable–it was the first in an air sign for over 200 years. Plenty contemporary astrologers jubilantly declared that this solstice conjunction would officially launch the Aquarian Age.

But it was a seed moment. And now the seed is growing. Aquarius is a progressive, futuristic, humanitarian sign. But its shadow is quite the opposite. It’s cruel and controlling, dictatorial, inhumane. Since the conjunction, dark and light forces have been battling for control of our global shift. This was pictured in 2021’s Saturn/Uranus square—a fight between Aquarius’ two rulers, the old one and the new.

Around the globe countries became ever more polarized, stirred by the devastating sorcery of a peculiarly air sign phenomenon:  social media. Its profit models rely on triggering limbic brain emotions like hate and fear on an unprecedented scale.  In such an irrational environment, lies and propaganda choke out truth. Also in such an environment, democracies decline. Autocracies gain strength.

How will our new social contract be defined?  That’s where we find ourselves now. Will humanity enter the light? Or the dark?

The Great Mother against the war machine

Home, family, mothers, children, safety, food, comfort, clothing & personal belongings—these are moon words.

Of course, by “moon” I mean more than the rocky satellite that circles our planet. I mean the Great Mother—that fluid, living, archetypal principle that womb-like, contains all of life; that binds us in community; her roots in the collective unconscious stretch back thousands of years to humanity’s first stone circles and bone carvings recording her cycles.

The archetypal moon runs deep. In my lifetime, it’s been moon people, mothers around the globe, who have stood courageously on the steps of state capitols. protesting violence for years before anyone bothers to listen. It was the steadfast mothers of dead Russian soldiers who eventually helped end Russia’s long Afghan War.

Mostly, the world does not heed the Great Mother’s call. But this time it’s different. Mother roots have become a powerful force. How fiercely and swiftly the Great Mother has been moving through hearts around the globe—uniting individuals and Western democracies in an astonishing way. It’s a remarkable unity—one that has seemed impossible for years. The splintered NATO community has solidified. The always neutral Switzerland has taken a stand. Tech companies are finally moving against disinformation.

The Ukrainians’ passion for their homeland has inspired the world.  Global outcry–an unprecedented togetherness–has demonstrated there are ways other than violence to exert force.  We have financial and social powers, if we use them consciously and well.  May the Ukrainians’ peril re-awaken our passion for democracy, which even now appears to be slipping through our collective fingers in my homeland.

But I’m crying all the time

If you’re an energy sensitive—and many moon lovers are—times of global crisis can be quite destabilizing. Terror agitates the collective field and pervades your subconscious. Life feels off. Things aren’t right. And if you watch the news, the anger and helplessness can be overwhelming.

So first things first. If you want to be a soldier in the Great Mother’s army it’s important to strengthen  your boundaries. Establish your own roots. Don’t skimp on self care. You can’t ease the suffering of the refugee if you’re floating or drowning yourself. Close your eyes. Breathe. Settle your insides. Do this until you feel strong and calm. Maybe this takes a while. Be patient.

Once you’re settled, you can begin to do what energy sensitives do best. You can open yourself to the Great Mother and allow your heart to be engaged as a cleansing vessel for the world. Breathe. Don’t fear or cling to the sorrow pouring through the collective field. Don’t personalize it. Grief is the Great Mother’s healing balm for trauma. First there’s shock. Then there’s Her grief. Rebirth follows. Like new moons follow the dark.

Do not fear your empathy. It blesses you as it blesses the ones you hold in your heart. Be willing to be engaged. Aquarius is the sign in which we honor our social contracts. Let the emotions of the social fabric move through you. But energetically, be like a screen door in a windstorm.  Let the energy pour through you without your flailing or resisting it.

The Pisces New Moon is all about compassion. Breathe and let its sweet healing energy wash through the darkness. Stay awake. Know that more will be revealed.

 

Inspire yourself by diving into your own Divine Feminine roots. Explore these two Goddess archetypes with my Moonprints and Venus Unleashed reports.

 

More on Mooncircles:

How to Process World Grief without Drowning

The Deeper Meaning of Covid 19

A Nation Dying or Being Reborn: The US Pluto Return

The Jupiter/Saturn Conjunction Still Mingles Inside You

2021’s Saturn/Uranus Square: The Shattered Mirror

Filed under: Chart Play Tutorials, Home New Moon Featured Article

About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

Comments

  1. Precious Styles says

    Feb 12, 2023 at 12:10 pm

    Wow wow wow

    Reply
  2. Valerie W Mihaylo says

    Mar 2, 2022 at 7:19 pm

    Hi Dana. I love your articles! They are always informative and give one various insights to ponder. I have also greatly enjoyed the reports you offer. I’ve been a follower for a few years. I’m curious as to what you meant by, “Tech companies are finally moving against disinformation.” ?

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Mar 3, 2022 at 11:23 am

      Thanks Valerie, and everyone for your kind comments. As for “tech companies finally moving…” this alas is just in reference to the Ukrainian conflict, as techs are now cracking down on posts from Russian State Media.

      Reply
  3. JoEmma says

    Mar 2, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    Thank you Dana,
    Your words are so comforting and exactly on the mark! Yesterday I was in such a bad mood after watching the news about this war.
    Then today I read and totally agree with what
    your followers said.
    They are so grateful for your words as am I.
    This too, is the most comforting thing I read bringing my heart back to knowing all this will be over sooner than we think. The world is uniting. Everything you said is true how people, governments, ,countries are coming out to help.

    Thank you, many blessings

    Reply
  4. Marie Helene says

    Mar 1, 2022 at 8:15 pm

    This is the most comforting thing I’ve read since the Ukrainian crisis began. Thank you for your right-on insights.

    Reply
  5. Nicole Alexander says

    Mar 1, 2022 at 1:32 pm

    It’s exactly how I feel. Your words always ring true.

    Reply
  6. Naima says

    Mar 1, 2022 at 11:28 am

    Thank you. It is just , what I feel. Loving the great mother (with AC cancer, moon in pisces and sun in aquarius) living in Berlin near to the tears, near to what happens and knowing about breathing. Remembering the breath, the Breath of Compassion helps.
    And in the breath we are connected. thank you

    Reply
  7. Alicia Eisenstadt says

    Mar 1, 2022 at 6:29 am

    Love and blessings to you !

    Reply
  8. mary says

    Mar 1, 2022 at 5:02 am

    thank you for your wise words……………..

    Reply
  9. John Sameluk says

    Mar 1, 2022 at 4:21 am

    Thank you Dana.

    Reply
  10. Liz Garrett says

    Mar 1, 2022 at 4:18 am

    This is a very helpful perspective, much needed at this time. Thank you.

    Reply
  11. Lydia says

    Mar 1, 2022 at 4:02 am

    Thanks for this. When I watch the news, I’m crying all the time. I was born 1939 in Frankfurt, Germany, and my hole childhood I had to cope with 2nd ww.. My Uranus is in Taurus, 2nd house, in conj. Venus….. and I expected I’ve get through a war a second time in Europe. My trauma hasn’t left me so far …

    Reply
  12. Nafia Dawn says

    Feb 28, 2022 at 10:35 pm

    Absolutely excellent truthtelling!

    Thank you Dana.

    May the Divine Mother within
    us all, unite as we welcome in
    this New Moon cycle.

    Reply
  13. Manuela Leite says

    Feb 28, 2022 at 8:25 pm

    Dana, folowing you, we´ve to feel strong before to go ahead.
    Thanks for all advisesI´m

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
New Phase

in the
Sign of Aries


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon sextile Mars, 5:13pm  Mar 23 2023
  • Moon square Pluto, 6:42pm  Mar 23 2023
  • Moon sextile Saturn, 9:57pm  Mar 23 2023

Venus is currently
The Evening Star

in the sign of Taurus


Enroll in Dana Gerhardt’s Moon Workshop!
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© 2000 - 2023 Mooncircles.com

Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

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.