Dike's Ascension

Life ain’t fair sometimes. We got called into the child counselor’s office.  Our five-year-old took all the classroom horses at recess and wouldn’t let anyone else play with them:  she’d given them names, she knew how they liked to run, and nobody else could touch them.  Two others who wanted to play ran to the teacher.  In that gentle, developmentally-correct language grammar school teachers now seem to use, the teacher said “It looks like the three of you need to find a new solution.” 

Our five-year-old magnanimously granted one horse to the others, keeping seven.  “Are you happy with that?”  No, the two shook their heads.  Everyone was quiet.  Then our girl gave up three more horses:  four for her, four for the two of them.  Are you happy with that?  Sensing that recess was nearing its end, the two nodded “Yes” and ran to the playground. It wasn’t fair – but it worked.  And for Libra to work, we’re often asked to soften our notion of what is fair.  Does everyone feel good about it?  Then it’s fair enough. 

I’m no longer in kindergarten, but since the Sun entered Libra, I’ve found myself in similar scenarios where I’ve variously played all three roles -- the five-year-old holding the horses, the denied child, the teacher trying to make peace.  No role is any easier than the others.  This is ancient stuff.  I recall the story of Dike, peace-loving Dike, the goddess to whom the dice of fate and the scales of justice belonged.  It was Dike’s job to see that the scales in the constellation of Libra were always in balance.  As earth became overrun with humans, or so the story goes, men and women started quarreling, fighting each other for position.  Dike pleaded with them to behave fairly and kindly to each other, but it was no use.  In the end, she left earth and went to live among the more harmonious stars.

The way I heard the tale, she just gave up.  She became so exasperated that she abandoned the scene and her high ideals.  I can certainly commiserate.  But I wondered why a goddess would behave as narrowly as a human!  As I meditated further on the story, it occurred to me that she may have done something else entirely.  When she discovered that pleading words no longer worked, she ascended.  She didn’t take sides, she didn’t fight, she left that earth-sphere and took a higher, more inclusive view of things.  She allowed the fates to take their course.  But I doubt she abandoned her ideal that we eventually learn from our fates about the beauty of peace. 

I’ve thought of Dike often this season.  And when I’ve become so exasperated I’ve considered angrily abandoning the mess, I’ve tried to follow her lead and ascend instead.  It’ been a good strategy.  I’ve been able to return to those tight situations with a larger, more inclusive frame of mind.  The result was a new that seemed to satisfy all parties.  For those of us working for global peace, especially this month, may we endeavor to do likewise! 

Your Personal Season

Where Libra appears in your birth chart suggests where you may currently be most motivated to share, or work for equality and peace.  Libra’s house adds to your cyclic agenda for the season.  (If you’d like to explore this is greater depth, you may enjoy my seasonal/new moon workshop, Twelve Moons. Email me if you’d like more information!) 

Offering to the Personal Collective

---

Most spiritual traditions suggest that we are “all one” – when we forget this, we feel “alone.”  The more we affirm the well-being of others, the more our own well-being is affirmed.  Psychologists suggest that each of us has a “sympathy group” of around 12 people, those individuals whose death would leave us truly devastated.  Psychologists also suggest we each have a larger group (around 150 people); these are ones we have social ties with, people we wouldn’t feel shy about joining if we bumped into them at Starbucks.  These groups represent your family and your tribe.  Think of them when you make your Libra group offering. 

---

Be a positive vision holder for your circle.  In a meditative state, see the whole web of individuals you know in connection.  You may especially want to bring in those with whom you’re currently in conflict, even political figures, if that’s the case.  Allow your visualized web to move in chaotic, aggressive, beautiful, or fearful ways, depending on your perception of the individuals.  Then ascend, staying with your visualization of the web until you can see it harmonizing into a singing whole.  Stay with it until you sense that all members feel equally seen and honored.