Astrology's Present Moment by Barry D. Cowger - HTML preview

The 4 Bi-Septile @ 102.85 Degrees of Separation, or 12.85 Cancer

Emotional Truth and Awakening Through Them

Emotional truth encompasses every intensity, quality, density, and speed under the Moon. Allowing them to be or remain in awareness is not as easy or obvious as it sounds when some emotions are uncomfortable or overwhelming. Many emotions serve as a reminder that our humanity is alive and well. We know others are not so good. It takes a lifetime of work to be aware of what we are feeling and to acknowledge them truthfully. Awakening realization experience is not necessarily anti-emotional, or in the opposite direction. But its nature is unchanging, or non-becoming. This experience is different than the messy and ever-changing biology of emotion. However, when the security of a self-defined or "spiritual" self-image meets with the rough and tumble emotions of living a life, a dilemma or gulf between the two may lead to unintended consequences, physically, emotionally or socially. Awakening through this aspect portal involves moving "up" from the base or depths of one's emotional life into life experiences. Awakening through the emotional body is circular and seldom direct and is one of more more demanding paths. Emotions come and go, ebb and flow as their own truths. Awakening recognizes that emotions are not the essence of what they are, but are who they are.

Emotionally Squaring The Awakening Circle

Spiritually speaking, emotions often arise unexpectedly, like cheap yet priceless gut punches that can not be avoided nor denied for too long. To up the ante, some emotions or images emerge from beyond one's personal history. A biographical past is one beginning, but it's not where memory ends. They run deeper and farther. However, all emotions are invited to awakening's table, or to the meditation cushion. Ultimately, all memory traces, whether personal or otherwise, will eventually process or transit through the core of their emotional life. As long as they breathe, emotions of all kinds will continue to surface, that may challenge their spiritual, social, personal, or current self-image. It reminds us that awakening doesn't have to look like anything in terms of a collective image we might have of it. Spirituality starts with acknowledging the depths of one's emotional well and what comes from it. This takes strength and courage because emotions are always happening and changing. The bumps of emotional squaring into and through the changing and ever-cycling spiritual circle requires awareness, acceptance and honesty. All emotions must have a seat at the table to what is happening at any moment, even though all are states or histories without substance. Awakening is neither a state nor a process. It's why aspect portal is a difficult "crab-dance" yoga. Awakening through this aspect portal is entirely honest at deepest levels humanly possible, and awakening knows that it is none of it. By nature, this aspect portal reminds these individuals of this fact because some emotional imagery is not entirely biographical, just as "our" essential nature pre-dates the day one was born. Emotional health is spiritual health as their emotional life is entirely inclusive, just as each present or "separate" moment is entirely inclusive to the transcendent present moment in awakening.

The Anchor of The Present Moment

Oceans have many layers or qualities below surface waves including direction, quality, speed, and temperature. These are variables that land creatures are not very familiar with. But this aspect portal is not a land creature. While getting lost on land and not referring to a map is one thing, of which I plead guilty, getting lost or disoriented in actual, large and complex bodies of emotional water is another thing altogether. Navigating as a captain on water or in the air requires far more skill than it does of land creatures in motion. Lighthouses are placed on or near shorelines, or electronic beacons send their signals for obvious reasons, and all captains take notice because many lives can depend on it. When waves get too high, weighing anchor or landing until the weather changes reflects maturity, awareness, and experience. Spirituality is nothing if it is not daily, moment-to-moment present-moment awareness. The best captains who eventually get through the worst storms know that the present moment is the only safe place to be, which is why they sometimes take temporary refuge in a harbor or simply land the plane and call that home for the moment. This is the yoga. When in the middle of uncertainties that may be too high or too hazardous to proceed, it takes a captain-like awareness and courage to remain anchored in that very present moment because that may be just the beginning of a worse storm or dangerous environment brewing. Not even the best captains know where any emotional high seas or storms might take them, or how bad they can get. or how long an emotional storm may last, or whether it may change into another one. Check the conditions, but experienced captains also check in to their redundant present-moment indicator. This is fully operative for these individuals and they are here to learn how to trust the signals it's giving to them. This is also how they learn to square the emotional circle with the anchor or beacon of their present-moment awareness.

"There's No Place Like Home"

Sometimes, it begins as an image or a memory. Feelings have different qualities, like any bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, or oceans. If the quality or feeling is more mutable or changeable, one may sense a visceral pull towards falling. Follow that feeling. This force may not be coming from their biographical memory or history. In other words, one does not continually revolve in historical circles forever. There are far deeper or infinite "no-places" to discover, but not by their own means for the first time. All things come and go, but awareness or awakening has no such coming or going. And no such place may be on the verge or edge of being revealed. In a spiritual context, it points "towards" another "direction." Dorothy was right. On her way, which was by another way that was granted, "There's No Place Like Home."

Emotional Strength and Transparency

What these individuals want from themselves, and likely expect or require from others they are emotionally close to, is the strength to live and thrive through life's most challenging emotional experiences and emerge more aware, honest and emotionally stronger. Life will undoubtedly present these experiences to them. In fact, awakening wants these experiences. This is what is often forgotten. Everyone starts somewhere, and can only go so far, and that's important to remember as well. Regardless of where anyone begins, honesty is crucial in sharing the quality of their emotional lives when necessary or appropriate. They tell it like it is. Some days are better than others, both on and off the cushion. Emotions are complex and unpredictable, much like water, flowing in multiple directions simultaneously from a higher awareness perspective. Navigating rough waters while in the midst of it, and staying present throughout is the "inner" target that demonstrates significant emotional strength, awareness and transparency. This is happening all the time. Spiritually, it's important to remember where the "buttons" are also located.

No Circumstances Required

Sitting and facing a wall or the vast open plains of Kansas for any extended period of time invites every emotion of every intensity to come by for a visit. This experience, no matter where they are, reveals a profound spiritual truth: external circumstances, even though some are designed to be purposefully boring, while others may be expansive or pleasant, are in the last analysis happening within one's own field of awareness. The highest emotional seas imaginable, or some of the most anxiety-provoking "material" imaginable can happen at anytime can make the high seas of spacetime Cape Horn look like a kiddie pool. It's no coincidence that the IC (Imum Coeli) in astrology is associated with "south" or "down." In any case, emotions are both real and illusory, existing without substance yet impacting these individuals deeply. Differentiating between personal and biographical emotions and spiritually significant imagery is crucial as awareness play a key role in their process. Ultimately, the value of any experience lies in its ability to teach and guide them on life's spiritual path.

"But I'm Not Feeling Much of Anything Nowadays"

Emotional health or being okay, without doing anything in particular, is square one or "Spirituality 101" for these individuals. Remembering this will help them stay on track as a good human being, distinct from stupid human doing, or going through the motions for motion's sake. Everyone experiences good and bad days as emotional winds and tides ebb and flow or come and go, but yellow flags may begin to fly when passing through an emotional grey area for an extended period, beyond their usual threshold. Emotional lives are cyclic and complex, influenced by internal and external factors, as well as memories beyond their personal history. Every location or space, whether recent or with a longer history, emits certain "vibes," and being attuned or aware to these can help them to access how safe or comfortable they feel. It's important not to ignore these feelings, as they can indicate whether an environment and the people within them is supportive or draining. Some situations can be changed, while others can not. They should consider the impact of the people they interact with regularly or daily on their emotional well-being, as well as the role of their diet and exposure to natural or artificial light. Have they recently experienced any major, unresolved life events? Seeking support from family, friends or a supportive social network can help them navigate through difficult emotional periods or make necessary changes. Navigating this paradoxical journey of self-awareness is easier with the help and support of fellow travelers who understand the complexities of core emotional life and living, and who may also be aware of what emotions are and are not. While they are ultimately responsible for their emotional health, having a consistent and more aware support system can make all the difference. Practicing present-moment awareness can help them regain a sense of self again as well as improved situational awareness, both internally and externally.