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Astrology:
Excerpt from Donna's e-book:
An Astrological Guide to Self-Awareness: 2005 Edition
© Moon Maven Publications
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Absence of Light:
Flower Remedies for the
Neptune-Saturn Opposition
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by Donna Cunningham, MSW |
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My telephone woke me early this morning—a woman calling from abroad who had no idea what time it was here. Like so many people who are calling lately or are writing to my “Dear Abbey” type advice column in Dell Horoscope Magazine, she was in the depths of despair. Life had never seemed bleaker or more devoid of hope—painful issues she had struggled with throughout life without improvement now seemed too much to bear any longer. What moves me about these individuals is that they are not drama queens, and they are not indulging in self-pity and bitterness. They are earnest, honest souls who have done all they can to contend with crushing, seemingly immutable circumstances and patterns, and now they are at a breaking point.
How do I approach them? WITH HUMILITY, for I am old enough now and have worked with enough healing tools long enough to know there are no simplistic, magic bullets to resolve such complex, seemingly-immutable, and deep-seated wounds. WITHOUT JUDGMENT, and Without Blaming Them for their mistakes, for I am clear enough now to know that, despite all my own struggles for healing, I have not walked in their shoes and do not know the karmic and spiritual truths behind the choices they have made. WITHOUT EGO, for the answers they seek and the healing they need are well and truly beyond me—beyond any of us who are honest enough with ourselves to no longer be grandiose. Only God and the higher realms hold the grace that can uplift this world out of the hopelessness that so many are feeling.
What Light Can Astrology Shed on the Situation?
This sudden upsurge of despair does seem related to the current astrological conditions. As an astrologer who has studied and observed planetary patterns these past 38 years, I am sensitive to the prevailing cosmic winds, especially those shown by the major connections that form between various planets in our solar system. These transiting positions, some lasting as much as two years, affect and shape our collective experience, and through the changes in the collective, have a profound impact on individuals whose birth charts are affected as well.
The current challenge that is facing the collective is that Saturn and Neptune are opposite one another—in Leo and Aquarius—in the 360 degree circle of the zodiac. Astrologers of a historical bent find that various angles formed by this pair of planets have been associated with very difficult world conditions, including the fuel shortages and flu pandemics that already seem likely to happen. (Neptune and Saturn were standing together in the sky in 1916-18, when there was a devastating world-wide epidemic.) My theory about outbreaks such as these is that world conditions of the particular era can lead to a pervasive sense of despair and powerlessness that, unless counteracted, tends to weaken the immune system.
AN IMPORTANT ASIDE: Please note that the majority of people will not be affected by this astrological condition, only those with planets in about the 17-23 degree range of the fixed signs—Leo, Aquarius, Scorpio, and Taurus. If your chart contains important positions--one or more of the planets, the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, or Midheaven--in this range, you would do well to consult an astrologer for more personalized information. You may also write to me by email at moonmave@spiritone.com and request a copy of an article I wrote on how to meet its challenges. (Please understand that I cannot comment on your individual chart by email, only with an appointment, because to do so responsibly would require careful study.)
To be technical, this opposition is exact three times:
on August 31, 2006 at 17 Leo 53-17 Aquarius 53;
on February 28, 2007 at 20 Leo-15-20 Aquarius 15;
and on June 25, 2007 at 21 Leo 47-21 Aquarius 47. However, its effects can be felt to a greater or lesser degree throughout much of this time span by those whose chart it touches.
Sweet Chestnut—THE Remedy for the Dark Night of the Soul
What did I suggest to the woman who called me in such desperate straits this morning? Since we could not arrange an appointment for several days, I told her to go to her local health food store this very day and pick up a bottle of the Bach Remedy Sweet Chestnut. Over the years, I have found that this balm in a bottle has helped to uplift so many of the people who call me in the depths of anguish. Dr. Bach described it as the remedy for The Dark Night of the Soul, but cautioned strongly that it was not for suicidal people because those individuals need immediate medical attention. If you’ve ever experienced the Dark Night of the Soul, you know exactly what that term means and you can E those who are there. If not, take your bleakest hour, raise it to a power of ten, and get a glimmering.
Even knowing the description, I have been amazed at the immediate difference this remedy makes for those who need it. Within a matter of days, the despondency has begun to shift, and they begin to see that something can be done with their situation. They still need the support of an experienced counselor/healer to work through the issues and situations that brought them to the brink, but the light of hope has begun to penetrate their hearts and souls. I, myself, have taken it from time to time, and it provides such a sweet solace.
Some time ago, Vibration published an article on the effects of long-term use of Rescue Remedy, written anonymously by a woman who took it for several months because of a very serious financial crisis. Not only did it keep her calm in the emergency, it brought to the surface and helped her to release some childhood wounds due to family dysfunction. Of late, I have been remembering that article and wondering if a similar deep-level healing might result if Sweet Chestnut were taken for several months by someone in this type of dark passage. What would be the results of taking it over the long haul—not just for the few days this seeming miracle worker takes to shift people out of their current state of despair? I intend to recommend that to the woman who called me this morning, as well as to others I encounter along the path of this current cosmic current. If anyone who reads this tries it, I would appreciate hearing what happens.
Other Bach Remedies to Counteract Despair and Inertia
There are, as you will have learned by perusing this and other issues of this ezine, many different brands of essences with important contributions of their own to make to our field and our times. What I am about to say, I say as an individual and a long-experienced clinical practitioner, not as the editor of Vibration Magazine, and so you should not take this as representing Vibration’s editorial policy. I am focusing in this article on the remedies developed by Dr. Edward Bach for several reasons. (The version of these 38 remedies I personally prefer is made by Healing Herbs).
First, they are the most widely available to the public and can be found in most health food stores and New Age shops. Second, they were developed and extensively researched during the Great Depression of the 1930s—another historical era when there were Neptune-Saturn aspects—and thus, this set of remedies arose out of the climate and needs of a time of widespread despair and anxiety not unlike our own. Thirdly, the clinical application and documented case studies of Dr. Bach’s individual remedies is the most extensive of all the vibrational products available, and in my estimation best addresses the most serious levels of emotional difficulty.
Here, very briefly are some other remedies that Dr. Bach and those in his lineage have found helpful in extreme emotional distress of the type we are discussing here. Naturally, Rescue Remedy (and the crisis formulas developed by various other makers) is useful in an immediate crisis, helping those affected to center themselves and calm down enough to function. (See articles on Rescue Remedy here and here.) I never leave home without it, for I often seem to come across people who need immediate help.
Vibration’s special theme issue in November, 2005, on the power of intention contained much that is useful in moving out of places where you are stuck, but you might particularly read my article on Bach’s Wild Rose, as it is amazingly helpful in offsetting despair and apathy that has grown out of long-standing obstacles. This, like Sweet Chestnut, is an essence you might consider taking on a longer-term basis and perhaps as a single essence, rather than in combination. (See an article <link>here</a> on why an essence taken singly can prove surprisingly potent.) If the situation accompanied by despair is complicated by the tendency to do things that are harmful to oneself, read detailed descriptions of Bach’s Cherry Plum to see if it applies to the urgency of the situation. (Understand, no practitioner should ever claim that flower essences alone will stop someone who is suicidal. Know when you are in over your head, and insist that the individual seek medical help.)
What Other Vibrational Essences and Lightwork Have to Add
While Bach remedies like the ones discussed in this article can help bring someone out of that Dark Night of the Soul, what comes next? In my estimation, lightwork does a great deal to clear out the toxic emotional residues most of us have accumulated in our lifetimes. Additional forms of vibrational healing like essences and energy work like Reiki, Mariel, or The Reconnection help move these residues out of our energy fields and bodies more quickly and gently. Vibration Magazine’s August, 2006, issue focuses on the ways lightwork and vibrational essences like flower remedies can support one another to bring about deeper levels of transformation. (See this free online-educational journal at: http://floweressencemagazine.com/aug06/ after August 15.) In the articles in this issue, you will meet many essences based on light and hear about how their makers have combined these two modalities to boost their healing powers. Do come and read the issue, and if you like it, sign up for a free subscription and pass it along to others.
©2006 by Donna Cunningham, MSW
Note: This article is reprinted with permission of Vibration Magazine, a free, online educational quarterly about flower essences. It comes from a special theme issue about essences and lightwork, which can be seen at http://floweressencemagazine.com/aug06/. Vibration also has a collection of articles on how essences can enhance astrological work, which can be seen at http://www.essences.com/vibration/astrology/.
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Donna Cunningham,
Astrologer
& Healer |
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Donna Cunningham is an internationally respected astrologer and the author of 13 books on metaphysical topics.
Donna Cunningham has a dual background in astrology and psychotherapy, with a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University and over 30 years experience as a professional astrologer. She considers doing the astrology charts of children to be a sacred trust. It is a way of knowing who these Indigo children are on their own terms rather than as their families, teachers, and society expect them to be.
In these sessions, she focuses on typical childhood concerns such as family and peer relationships, the best educational approaches, and the child's special gifts and abilities. She can be reached for consultations at (503)291-7891, by email, or at her web page. Ask about her special rate for children's charts.
Donna is also co-editor of Vibration and a frequent contributor. She has written fourteen books on astrology and other metaphysical topics, including her Flower Remedies Handbook. Astrologers who want to know the special considerations involved in doing children's charts can read the chapter on this topic in Donna's text, The Consulting Astrologer's Guidebook.
Listed in several Who’s Who volumes, she has given seminars on astrology around the world and won the prestigious Regulus Award at the 1998 UAC.
She teaches astrology classes online at: astrocollege.com
You may reach her for long-distance astrology consultations at her web site:
DonnaCunningham
MSW.com
by email:
moonmaven @spiritone.com
or by calling:
(503)291-7891.
For the past 20 years, she has worked with the flower remedies, and she is co-editor of Vibration Magazine, a free online educational quarterly at:
essences.com/
vibration/
For information on Donna's online classes about flower essences, visit her website:
DonnaCunningham
MSW.com
"Donna's first astrology ebook will be available in March.
For more
information go to her web page:
http://www.donna
cunninghammsw.com
This series is reprinted with gracious permission from Donna Cunningham.
©2002 Vibration Magazine/The World Wide Essence Society
PO Box 285
Concord, MA 01742
978 369-8454
If you are interested in ordering a copy of Donna's new ebook:
"Flower Remedies--How Plant's Energies Can Heal Us,"
It is $15, available at Moon Maven Publications:
www.moonmaven
publications.com
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