Excerpt from...
Realms of Freedom: The New Astrology of Action
By J. E. Wallace
Forward
Timing and Knowledge
"Timing is everything" the saying goes. But exceptional timing involves the intersection of two things: the right time and the right information. In other words, the crucial question is: When the right time comes along, will you know precisely what to do? Will you have the best information upon which to act? Or, will you end up looking back and saying, "But, I didn't know such and such...'" This deceptively simple nexus or cross-section of opportunity is where the excellent rise above the mediocre, where ‘the elect’ rise above the masses, where the winners out-pace the losers. In essence, this is the place were true growth takes place. But how do gain this valuable information, timing and knowledge? How do we access the axis?
Time has been studied since the dawn of history. Astrology, and its rationalistic identical twin, astronomy have tirelessly explored every aspect of time. This is shown from the earliest known astronomical records of ancient Chaledea, right up to Albert Einstein’s redefinition of time as "the relationships of bodies in space." So, we have all sorts of cosmological, scientific information at our disposal. This includes answers to questions such as, whether the universe itself is expanding or contracting, or what is the nature of those most minute “particles” that comprise the “quantum field.” We possess timers, watches, atomic clocks, calendars, schedules, and instruments that measure the relative motions of every swirling thing around us, as we stand apart pretending to be detached observers, which, we know now, is a mental illusion. To put it in the poetry of urban slang, “time is
our bitch” intellectually, at least. We stand masters of the wheels and gears of time. But it only begs the question, doesn’t it? Now What? There is understanding, but is there action? Or as someone wise said, “To know the way, is not to go the way.”
Where is the other crucial information, the knowledge of what to do at the right time? Surely the basic techniques for living a life to the fullest have evolved through mankind's vast history. The skills are all there somewhere, however, they are not always so accessible. Nor are they well organized. Are the effective ways of living handy when you need them? I think the answer is not always. Think about stock traders or pro-athletes whose success depends on quick decisions. And note how handsomely they are rewarded! Society, or our very universe itself, rewards the being who displays great timing and the ability to act on effectively or wisely!
How do we achieve the flowering needed to fill in the spaces of life? How can we find the the jewel in the lotus, the “heart of the issue”, the elusive moment of Zen? Well, that is the trick, isn't it? The secret to life: what to do when opportunity knocks.
When it comes to timing and knowledge in astrological symbolism, we are speaking of two domains represented by Saturn and Uranus. Saturn is the classic symbol of time. Yet, Uranus, is the sky god who hurls a lightening bolt of pure knowledge. These planets together are the standard (yet contradictory), rulers of the ingenious, brilliant, eccentric sign, Aquarius. We can see that the skillful interplay of these two archetypes reveal the true meaning of genius. Aquarius is also a sign strongly associated with individuality, so we begin to see that effective action also awakens our lives and unleashes our true individuality. But how do we personally harness these energies? How do we employ these archetypes in a masterful way?
Before one can apply these gifts, one has to understand the structure of life, the layout or “lay of the land”, so to speak. Then, one needs to see where they are at amid this landscape, regain their center, hence be centered and aware. One also needs then to posses the courage to take action, to venture outward. into the world of adventure. It seems we are describing a some type of map. But, where do we find such a powerful, personal map?
For centuries, astrology has provided us with just such a secret map. It has lain there, right before our eyes, but we have been unable to see the forrest for the trees. The true nature of the landscape has alluded us. The landscape is life, and its nature is whatever we understand to be possible. We, in the astrology field, are like visitors from another world descending upon a new planet. As we observe through our glass portal, surveying the land below, we have had a very general idea of what lay below, However, as we get closer, the details have become more and more clear, the mountains and rivers reveal themselves with more stark relief. It has taken centuries for this arrival! This event coincides with the quest of modern man to understand what it is to be a human being, (Truly what is meant by “humanism.”) In astrological terms, it represents an enhanced understanding of what is the nature of this landscape, the mysterious 12 houses of life.
In this analogy, the 12 house natal chart has been our window on this new world. It is the secret map that we have been unable to decode fully. It is an obvious fact that the pattern of houses in the natal chart have been sorely neglected Astrologers have had a basic working definition of the 12 houses, but beyond that, we have all been scratching our heads, wondering, “is there more?” I believe that this map is a blueprint to the riches of our individuality. Although the first installment of this book will focus on the actions that should be taken when the houses are energized by transits, a exiting new type of chart interpretation, based on this approach, is in the works which will provide a chance to “rewire” our selves in line with our unique purpose.
Recently I received an email saying, "I have the north node in Aquarius, but in the 7th house. Does it matter what house? Does it at all? " I replied: 'Does it matter what house it is in?' This common question is why I wrote my book about the houses. Generally, the entire astrological community and its students have so overlooked the true meaning and importance of the houses. I think the house is MORE important in what it says about YOUR north node or ANY planet. It is WAY more personal. You need to take advantage of the opportunity of each house by taking effective action there in this lifetime. That is precisely what they symbolize. The signs are collective karma, a more general energy, but the house is the key to individualization. Another way of seeing the difference between signs and houses is like the difference between the weather report and your to-do List. One is general and speaks to millions and the other is highly specific and personal!
We astrologers like to say that knowledge of your chart initiates a kind of awakening to yourself, and it certainly does. But, there are many levels of awakening. When we become aware of karmic patterns that at times enslave us, accept them and refine them, we are certainly evolving in our consciousness. But,when we focus on Aries, Taurus, etc., we have yet to break through our own illusion. We are still sleep-walking, in a sense. This is reinforced in the many columns, from basic to highly advanced publications, that lock us into large collective groupings. Sorry to say, this is still basically a giant leap backwards. There, I said it. I do realize, however, that more advanced students will always refer to the structure of their houses.
Yes, we are more awake than some. But, remember Plato's cave? As the fire of astrology burns, are we playing with our "shadows on the wall". The fact remains that here may be a greater reality outside the cave itself! An even greater potential that we are unaware of! And I am not speaking of a more esoteric level. I am pointing to a practical place where the real work begins. It is the world (your world) of the houses! This is why I call them the 12 realms of freedom.
This lack of proactive stance, is a reason why astrology has never “caught fire”, like other motivational or self-transformational techniques offered in the modern world. I believe there is too much of a disconnect between the ancient symbolic yet precise portrait presented in astrology and such modern offerings. Astrology is hugely popular as a form of entertainment, an occasional novelty, and at best a for of basic self-understanding. But the ideas for change are to scattered and diffuse. In other words, It gives us our baseline, but doesn’t clearly motivate us beyond it.
Midway through life, one may think, "Well, that went by fast. And the next 40 years, well I suppose that will go by fast as well.” But, all that will matter in the end is that I can look back and say that I have lived a unique life, an individual life, and one that was my own. Not a cookie-cutter life, one manufactured for me by my society. Helping you arrive at this unique experience is what this book is about. It is a fact that "you can't take it with you" ; all the material accumulation, riches, attachments to people, places and things. You leave the way you came in: with hardly the shirt on your back! So, the only way one could look back at life in a disappointed way, would be to think, “But I didn't know I was an individual, that I had free choice in the matter." Unfortunately, the epidemic confusion surrounding life itself, surrounding astrology and free will, only helps perpetuate this fundamental misunderstanding.
So, in this age of “just do it” slogans, high-grade, extreme-adventure, where people want the best, most effective information in which to live the best possible life RIGHT NOW, astrology needs a more existentially based attitude. For, in the end, the only thing to miss out on is living YOUR life. Jung said. "Nothing affects a child more than the unlived life of his parents." Join me as we take a fresh look at the map of possibilities described in your natal chart. See this book as a handy tool to prevent you from sleepwalking through life. The actions suggested here will serve to sharpen your focus on your unique high-flying adventure, to help you live that ”unlived life.”
