Leo - Full Moon Meditation

«I am that and that I am.»
(July 22 - August 21)

Introduction

This full moon meditation series is based on an astrological interpretation of the twelve labors of Hercules from the Greek myth.

The twelve tasks of Hercules are symbolic lessons for every human from the way of selfishness back to the Heart of God. As mortals we do not exactly know the way to the higher worlds but the path itself knows and leads us through sometimes dramatic experiences to our goal. So we travel "on the path until we become that path", from Aries to Cancer and Leo - and further through all the astrological signs to Pisces.

In Leo courage sets the standard tone. Its fundament is self-confidence, right choice and wise action.

Abstract

In the fifth sign of the astrological year, Leo (the Lion), Hercules is called again from his own inner light to go further and accept the next task:

Go seek the lion which ravages the land lying upon the further side of the fifth Gate. The people there live silently, trembling behind locked doors. Forth to their tasks they venture not, nor till their land, nor sow. What will you do, o Hercules? What will you do?

Hercules hears the roaring of the lion and responds to the peril. He divests himself of all weapons but his arrow and bow and seeks for the lion. Everybody he meets points him in a different direction. His intuitive heart however tells Hercules to seek the lion in its den. Alone but fearless after countless hours of search he finally stands before his enemy. The lion starts roaring and Hercules bends his bow and shoots but the lion is impervious to the arrows and they bounce off. So weaponless he rushes towards it. The lion stands astounded by so much courage, turns and disappears into the undergrowth. Hercules ponders: he must find the lion and make it harmless. He enters the lion's cave only to discover that it has a second exit. He hears the lion roar behind him and decides to block both exits of the cave. Then he turns to face the lion, grabs it by the throat and doesn't let it go. Feebler and feebler grow the lions roars of hate and fear. Thus Hercules kills the lion with his two hands, without his arms and through his own great strength.

Explanation

The sign of Leo is portrayed symbolically as a curved arc-line whose form can be seen as the tail of an animal. Leo (the king of animal life) symbolizes the coordinated, strong, dominating personality, which each of us is building up over many incarnations. Every human rises up from the masses of men to develop individuality. Emotions and the capacity for thought become, once grown together, a mighty instrument. With this instrument one has to become aware of oneself as the Self and to turn towards the suffering humanity to help and bring the light to people in dark places.

The keynote expresses the defined self-confidence of the integrated personality who knows to be part of a greater whole, and at the same time to be subordinated to the higher laws of this greater whole.

Meditation on the seed thought of the month

  1. Remain in silence for some minutes.
     
  2. Sing three times: OM.
     
  3. Ponder upon the seed thought for 3 to 5 minutes:
    «I am that and that I am.»
     
  4. Recite the following mantra:
    I am a point of light within a greater light.
    I am a strand of loving energy within the stream of love divine.
    I am a point of sacrificial fire, focused within the fiery will of God.
    And thus I stand
    .
     
  5. Sing again three times: OM.
     
  6. Recite three times: May all living beings in all the worlds be happy.
     
  7. Remain in silence for three minutes, than end with:
    Peace, Peace, Peace.