Mary Jo Wevers

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Developing a Higher Vision of Life

Sagittarius raises us up and gives us a broader and higher perspective. It expands our horizons, and broadens both our internal and external vistas. It helps us view our personal situation in the world in a greater context. When we do this we can understand our life experiences from different perspectives and gain new insights.

Sagittarius excites and inspires us with its spirit of adventure. It gives us the freedom to travel and explore other countries, cultures, and religions. It motivates us to venture out into the world, and discover other schools of thought and ideologies. It leads us to question our own beliefs and truths, and find greater meaning in our existence. It helps us find our purpose and direction in life. It asks us to aim high when we set our goals.

A belief is a fixation or attachment to one version of the truth. We need to examine what is it we choose to believe in. How have we structured our lives around these beliefs? Are they really true for us, or at this juncture in our life? Which beliefs, opinions and values do we need to eliminate, to let go of? How can we develop a higher, more inclusive and uplifting philosophy that guides us into the future?

How can we re-frame our worldly experiences so we can find value in them, no matter how challenging they can be? How can we envision our life in ways that changes our experience of reality? When we change our perspective, we change how we experience life events. Sagittarius helps us feel gratitude, blessed for having opportunities to learn and expand our thinking, and to connect to our own inner Truth. It gives us hope for the future as we grow and evolve.

We celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday as the Sun enters the sign of Sagittarius each year. This is a time to be generous, and to express the divine virtue of gratitude for our good fortune and blessings in life. In these times of unsettling changes we can be grateful for what we have. Aspire to a greater and higher connection to Grace in your life.

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
― G.K. Chesterton

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Rejuvenating our Vision of Life

The lunar nodes and their axis in an astrological chart describe important themes of the evolutionary path we walking, and what we must attend to in order to make progress and move forward. The Moon’s South Node describes our unconscious and potentially problematic attitudes and patterns of behavior that hold us back. These traits need to be made conscious, so we can revise their expression or release them. The Moon’s North Node describes beneficial qualities we can cultivate or express, which balance the South Node and draw us in a more productive direction. The North Node is a beacon of light at the end of our journey, which draws us towards a more positive and rewarding future.

The lunar nodes entered the signs of Gemini and Sagittarius in April 2020. The South Node has been transiting the sign of Sagittarius, and the North Node the sign of Gemini.  The lunar nodes are nearing the end of their transit of Gemini-Sagittarius and will change sign on January 18, 2022. The remaining two months of the Gemini-Sagittarius transit is time for us to finish up our work releasing attachments to old beliefs that are holding us back, and to be curious, open-minded, and explore different perspectives, new ideas and information. 

In the ingress chart for the solar month ahead the Moon is in the anaretic degree of Gemini, the last degree of Gemini before it changes sign and moves on. This is also a void of course Moon, in which the Moon makes no aspects to other planets in the chart before moving on into a new sign. The anaretic degree represents an urgent need to address matters and learn the lessons associated with the sign, or to correctly use and express the energies of the sign, in this case, Gemini. This is a further impetus for us to push forward and do the work to upgrade our understanding and expression of both Gemini and Sagittarius. 

The lunar South Node in Sagittarius suggests we need to release outspoken expressions of overly generalized, self-righteous opinions that are not based in fact. We need to be conscious of our own biases, prejudices, and beliefs, especially those we have adopted from people or institutions of traditional authority. We need to be careful believing we “know” something, and closing our mind to new information, alternative perspectives or ideas. Problematic Sagittarius can cling to impractical or irresponsible convictions, because it believes its beliefs are more important than being flexible and realistic. When rigid and dogmatic, it refuses to honor other points of view or belief systems. It is often too restless to listen to others, and prefers to escape by riding off into the proverbial sunset.

In order to move forward in the years ahead and lay the foundations for new societal systems, structures, and organizations, we need to view current conditions that arose from our broken past from a broader and higher perspective. We need a new Sagittarian vision that will take us over the horizon and into the future. Keeping our old mindset limits options, and keeps us repeating mistakes from the past, or even from realizing they are mistakes. A broader perspective allows for new ideas, innovation, and inventive new possibilities, that will carry us forward as we lay the groundwork for the future.

The North Node in Gemini refreshes and renews the South Node in Sagittarius by lending its curious, communicative and versatile qualities. Adaptable Gemini is socially adept and responsive as it gathers information. It lives in the moment, unfettered by old ideas or approaches. By sharing and assimilating ideas, details, facts and figures, intelligent Gemini responds to conditions in its immediate environment. Dexterous of mind, it can entertain different ideas and hold seemingly dualistic or polarizing viewpoints. Emulating or practicing these Gemini traits enables us to hold different perspectives and points of view, which expand our own vistas and understanding of life. It helps us prepare for and accommodate changes in our rapidly transforming world.

“…Belief is actually a fixation upon a version of the truth. When a belief becomes rigid, seeking and growth are not possible.”    

– Owen Waters

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Sagittarius: The Quest for Greater Meaning in Life

The positive polarity of Sagittarius gives it an outwardly directed enthusiasm for exploring the world and acquiring new experiences. Goal directed and far seeing, Sagittarius is the archer, setting his aim for the stars. An idealistic philosopher, Sagittarius searches far and wide for knowledge, wisdom and a higher perspective in life.

The key phrase for Sagittarius is “I Understand.” Through Sagittarius the intellect is illuminated by the light of spirit. Sagittarius asks us to expand our view, seek higher learning, and find a broader perspective. Sagittarius knows a problem cannot be solved on the level it was created. It needs to be approached from a higher level, where we have a larger and more complete point of view. When we see the bigger picture we can find answers and possible solutions.

A seeker of truth in pursuit of knowledge, Sagittarius rules religions, philosophy, and institutions of higher learning. It rules foreign countries and languages, and traveling long distances to explore other cultures. Through these avenues Sagittarius expands its understanding of the world and uplifts its personal beliefs and philosophy of life. In its search for truth, Sagittarius covers a lot of ground!

Sagittarius loves adventure, physicality, freedom, wide open spaces, and the outdoors. The natural world and animals, especially horses and deer, are symbols of Sagittarius. It rules outdoor pursuits such as hunting, natural history and the science of ecology. Sagittarius enjoy participating in sports for the physical experience and knowledge gained.

Sagittarius’ love of wide open spaces can cause it to become claustrophobic and commitment phobic if it senses it is losing the mental, emotional and physical freedom it craves. Always on the move looking for the next new adventure beyond the horizon, Sagittarius easily becomes bored and restless. Lacking patience and focus, it misses details and lacks the staying power to see a project through to completion. It prefers to see the forest, and not the trees.

Sagittarius is friendly, direct, and values honesty. It is generous and willing to share. Fun-loving Sagittarius has a sense of humor. It inspires others to lighten up and be optimistic, and to have faith and trust in the future.

The Sagittarius love of expounding on its philosophy can lead to preaching, close-mindedness and fundamentalism if unchecked. Problematic Sagittarius can become attached to being “right”, to being an expert, or a wise person or authority. In this way Sagittarius can cut itself off from exploring other points of view, beliefs or philosophies that might expand its own world view and spiritual vision of life.

Areas of life ruled by Sagittarius include our personal beliefs and philosophy, our vision of life. Religious institutions, practices, rites and ceremonies are Sagittarian. Moral and ethical standards, the law, legal affairs, and publishing are all ruled by Sagittarius. The higher mind and the ways we acquire wisdom, such as through formal education in a college or university, are Sagittarian. Venturing beyond our home to gain new experiences and long distance travel are in the domain of Sagittarius.

Archetypes for Sagittarius include philosophers, college professors and teachers, clergy, spiritual leaders, visionaries and shamans. Travelers, gypsies and wanderers, such as the cowboy riding off into the sunset are also Sagittarius archetypes. Parts of the body ruled by Sagittarius include the hips, upper legs and thighs, the pancreas and fatty tissues. The gem for Sagittarius is turquoise. Its metal is tin. Sagittarius plants are birch trees and dandelion flowers. Its animals include deer and horses. The color for Sagittarius is royal purple.

“Truth resides in every human heart, and one has to search for it there, and to be guided by truth as one sees it. But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his own view of truth.”
– Edmund Burke

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Saturn’s Ingress into Sagittarius

Planet_Saturn_ColorIn astrology we have planetary cycles within cycles marking the passage of time. This month just after the Winter Solstice, Saturn will exit the sign of Scorpio in the zodiac and begin its three year transit of Sagittarius. What can we expect during this period? What challenges will we face? In what areas of life will we be taken to task?

To comprehend what we have in store for us, we need to take a step back and view this cycle in the broader context of the Pluto in Capricorn cycle. In astrology Pluto represents the principles of death and rebirth, of destruction and regeneration. It wades into the deepest recesses of our psyche in order to bring up into conscious awareness our shadow material, so that we can eliminate or transform it. In this way we evolve.

Pluto has been moving through the sign of Capricorn since January 2008. It will continue to apply its disruptive and purging force in this sign until 2023. Pluto’s work is necessary before we can manifest new foundations, political and economic systems, societal organizations and infrastructures that will stand the test of time.

Adding intensity to Pluto’s powerful process is the relationship it has to another celestial player, Uranus, the planet of rebellion and progressive reform. Pluto and Uranus have been in a planetary configuration called a “square,” which represents two forces at cross purposes. The tension between these two planets creates conflict and explosive pressure. Because of the retrograde movement of planets, the square between Uranus and Pluto does not happen just once. Between June 2012 and March 2015 we are experiencing seven exact squares between the two planets. This has been an extraordinarily challenging, chaotic and emotionally trying time.

Against this backdrop we have a series of Saturn cycles taking place that each last about two and a half years. As the dispositor of Pluto in Capricorn, Saturn is the cosmic player that applies the deconstructive power of Pluto more specifically. Saturn is known as the Lord of Karma, who teaches us we reap what we sow. Through the Saturn principle we learn to take responsibility for what we have created in our life. It demands that we come down to earth and get real. We experience consequences for our decisions and actions and learn self-discipline. We gain wisdom over time, and mature.

Witnessing the changes in our material world wrought by Pluto generates feelings of fear, loss, and vulnerability. While Saturn has been in Scorpio we have been challenged to take responsibility for transforming our fears into courage to face our shadows. As we descend into the depths of our emotional abyss we came face to face with deprivation, trauma, anguish, termination, even death. We need to learn to contain the emotional intensity we feel with healthy boundaries and ground ourselves in the reality of the here and now. We need to assess our emotional, spiritual, and material resources and discover how to make wiser, more efficient use of them in order to move forward in life. We need to apply ourselves and do the necessary ground work.

While Saturn has been in Scorpio we very likely have felt weighed down by our heavy emotions. The chaos and suffering has been extreme, even brutal. It has been difficult for us to stay optimistic about the future. We will turn the corner this Winter Solstice as Saturn moves out of Scorpio and into Sagittarius. Being a fire sign, Sagittarius will bring more humor, lightness and buoyancy to our experience. It will help us be more hopeful, more uplifted as we work with Saturn’s principle.

Sagittarius raises us up and gives us a broader and higher perspective. It expands our horizons, broadens both our internal and external vistas. It helps us view our personal situation in the world in a greater context. When we do this we can understand our experience from different perspectives and gain new insights.

Sagittarius excites and inspires us with its spirit of adventure. It gives us the freedom to explore. It motivates us to venture out into the world and find our purpose and direction. It asks us to aim high when we set our goals. It wants us to find answers to our questions and greater meaning in life.

In Sagittarius, Saturn will turn its serious attention towards our beliefs, our philosophy of life. It will ask us to take responsibility for our view of the world. We will be taken to task to ground-truth our suppositions in reality. We will need to take responsibility for the ways our lack of connection to our inner Truth has blurred our vision, and take steps to correct them.

A belief is a fixation or attachment to one version of the truth. We need to examine what is it we choose to believe in. How have we structured our lives around these beliefs? Which beliefs, opinions and values do we need to eliminate, to let go of? The next few years will be a time for us make re-visions.

How can we reframe our worldly experiences so we can find value in them, no matter how challenging they can be? How can we envision our life in ways that changes our experience of reality? When we change our perspective, we change our experience. Sagittarius helps us feel gratitude, blessed for having opportunities to learn and expand ourselves, to connect to our own inner Truth. It gives us hope for the future as we transmute and evolve.

Saturn in Sagittarius wants us to find personal meaning and Truth that is grounded in the real world, that is practical and helps us be successful in achieving our goals. Picture an anchor dropping from a hot air balloon. That is the affect Saturn will have upon us through Sagittarius. It uses its contractive and gravitational force to condense our overly inflated ideals and bring them back to earth so they can manifest. It asks us to have integrity, to examine any unmet promises and honor our commitments. It curbs our over indulgences and wastefulness. It asks us to use self-discipline to check impatience, restlessness and procrastination.

Those of us who practice yoga are familiar with the phrase “root to rise.” This is very true for Saturn in Sagittarius. We cannot reach the heights without first being grounded in the tangible, physical world. We must establish a solid base before expanding out and up. We must mentally and emotionally ground ourselves before making decisions and moving forward toward our goals. Saturn helps us crystalize our visions with clarity and asks us to test them in reality. Being mindful of Saturn’s principles we can chart a course into the future with surety.

  “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.”
– Theodore Roosevelt