Moonteachings, by Dana Gerhardt - from Mooncircles.com

Season Teachings for April 2005:

Ask the Oracle
by Julia Bondi

The moon……..she is the feminine, the priestess, the intuitive, the seeress……..the gifts of insight, instinct and intuition are the magic of the feminine as she waxes and wanes from full to new to crescent phases of knowing. The ancient oracles were sources of hidden knowledge, spiritual guidance and wise advice. The word "oracle" was derived from the Latin "to pray". To pray is to open and seek greater knowing and union with the sacred. There is great value in consulting the divine within and those who can be a source of wisdom. This column is an opportunity to seek wise counsel and through the question and answer exchange to deepen one’s own awareness by asking the questions that stir the soul, to open to trusting the oracle within.

QUESTION: Some astrological cycles seem to almost force the soul to go through times of purging, suffering and "refining". How does one gain the mastery to walk through those times without pain?

ANSWER: There are astrological aspects, natally and by transit and progression, that do indicate purging and transforming. You are asking if this process requires pain. In all but the most enlightened of us the answer is; yes, it does include pain. As pain in the physical body warns us of a problem, this is equally true emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Solving the problem will eliminate the pain. It can be helpful to consider that much of the content of our pain and suffering is created by our minds and emotions as we resist that which we fear and do not understand. When we succeed in integrating new and healthy behavior and awareness we can rejoice in the gain and the pain is forgotten much as the new mother focuses on her baby after her labor pains. Embracing the process rather than fearing pain is healing and fulfills the intent of the aspects that catalyzed the transformation.

QUESTION: When your heart truly wants to forgive but deep down you feel "frozen" in hurt and pain that is too great, how do you proceed?

ANSWER: Forgiveness is a spiritual goal to be sought and at the appropriate stage of growth it becomes natural and feels right though not always easy. When you feel frozen and still deeply wounded then you are not ready to forgive. Be present with the hurt and pain and find a good spiritual guide, a therapist, supportive friends and all the people who can be important components on your journey to forgiveness. Never try to short-circuit your healing, find support and expression for your feelings where you are and seek understanding which leads naturally to compassion. Out of compassion is born forgiveness. Keep asking, listening and trusting that you will reach forgiveness at the right and perfect time.

QUESTION: Does the lack of earth in ones chart mean that one should devote significant attention to the earth qualities or the opposite, i.e., that it is not the emphasis this time around and that we are meant to celebrate the self the chart reflects?

ANSWER: Astrology reflects life so it always operates in both duality and balance. Thus the chart is pointing out the need for both approaches. It is important to find "earth" in nature, in physical presence in ones body, in exercise, in chosen and appropriate structures in daily life and in stable relationships. However, don’t force yourself to become a tax accountant or a technician when you can hire people with those specialties to support you. Spread your intuitive, intellectual and imaginative wings and be the creator and visionary that you are meant to be. Use the groundedness you have developed to manifest all that you create from feeling, intellect and intuition. This is the way to fully succeed as a fire, air or water individual.

QUESTION: Do you believe there is a "divine plan" for each of us? Are we each born with a specific calling we are meant to fulfill? And, if so, why does it seem so difficult at times to discern?

ANSWER: Yes, there is a divine plan for each of us and our astrological charts are meant to be a guide to our individual destiny. Our charts are our personal instruction book for the what, how and when of our life path. This plan can often seem difficult to discern because we have so many ingrained notions of what that plan should be, or what we have been told is right for us. We need to grow, deepen our awareness of ourselves and life and be attentive to the synchronicities in our lives to facilitate our discovery of our unique destiny. And, there is the further question of timing. Some plans are revealed early in a life, others develop more progressively throughout a life. Here our astrological chart can also help us to understand, accept and trust our personal timing.

Julia Bondi began her study of Astrology and Metaphysics in 1973. Julia has been an accomplished counseling astrologer, intuitive, teacher and writer for more than 30 years. With degrees in clinical psychology and esoteric philosophy Julia brings insight, clarity and caring to her work. As a seeker, intuitive and teacher Julia draws her wisdom and dedication to spirituality from her moon rising on her ascendant, her 12^th house stellium in Gemini and her Pisces midheaven.

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