One spring night in 1968, 21-year-old Patti Smith went with some friends to see The Doors live at the Fillmore East in New York City. A recent college drop-out, Smith was working in a bookstore and wondering what to do with the rest of her life. Little did she know that an unexpected vision of her future was about be catalyzed. As she later wrote in her memoirs:
“I had a strange reaction watching Jim Morrison. I observed his every move in a state of cold hyper-awareness. I felt that I could do that. I can’t’ say why I thought this. I had nothing in my experience to make me think that would ever be possible.” Yet the future punk rock queen was galvanized. As described by Mitch Horowitz in an article in Science of Mind magazine, Smith soon found her voice as a poet, playwright, and songwriter-vocalist. And over 50 years later, she’s still electrifying audiences with her strikingly original work.
As an astrologer, I find it fascinating that Morrison’s fiery Sagittarius Sun illuminates Smith’s Mercury and Ascendant in the trailblazing sign of the Archer. He enabled her (albeit unwittingly) to find a sense of direction that had eluded her up till that fateful night. Morrison’s example emboldened Smith to trust her instinctive nature, and to move toward her higher destiny.
In this increasingly unpredictable world, many of us are scrambling to find our True North. This is especially true for those with any significant planets or points in Sagittarius, a sign which lives for meaning and purpose. I once heard Jan Spiller, author of New Moon Astrology, state in a lecture that those of us with North Node in Sagittarius must stop trying to find meaning and instead begin to make meaning for ourselves. This was a major lightbulb moment for me – I saw that there is no fixed purpose in life. It’s up to us to determine our direction, whether or not we have Sagittarius placements.
The upcoming Sagittarius Full Moon (June 14, 4:51 a.m. PDT) wants to shed some light on what’s most meaningful for you, and how best to pursue it. Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, in his brilliant book Man’s Search for Meaning, identified three potential sources of meaning in life: purposeful work, loving others, and bearing difficult situations with dignity. Since this Full Moon is square Neptune, which mirrors the depths of the sea and the subconscious mind, a cursory glance at meaning will not suffice. Neptune wants us to dive into a more emotional, heart-centered exploration of what we deeply long for.
Sagittarius is an enthusiastic sign, but can sometimes go overboard. During the time leading up to this Full Moon, as the Moon in righteous Sagittarius opposes the Sun in info-obsessed Gemini, with both of them squaring nebulous Neptune, we’ll no doubt be seeing an even thicker than usual barrage of opinions masquerading as facts, and social media “holy wars.” This may be a good time to take a break from the news and do some inner, spiritual exploration instead.
Rev. Michael Beckwith of Agape International Spiritual Center notes that we are currently at the apex of an outmoded form of evolution. “Though humanity has been driven to grow via pain and adapting to external situations,” he says, “we now have the capacity to grow and unfold not necessarily based on what’s happening externally, but through intention, willingness, deep purpose, and vision. This is a great leap for humanity and for those who have released the old clothes of fear-based religiosity and are realizing that within each of us lie infinite potential and limitless possibilities; we are free to participate in our own evolution and unfoldment.”
Amen to that! If possible, visit the Archer’s favorite realm – green mountains and trees – at this Full Moon. Open your mind and spirit to messages from Above. Pay attention to any dreams or callings you may receive. If you’re lucky, you might even have an “I can do that” moment, whether inspired by someone else’s example or the spark of an inner knowing that illuminates the path to your higher purpose.
Thank you, Simone, for this beautifully, inspiring piece. You truly have a gift.