«I leave my father's home and returning back, I save.» 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 Pisces. On his journey Hercules has to learn many lessons: Hope in Aries, Light in Taurus, Active Work in Gemini, Power to Choose in Cancer, Courage in Leo, Unity and Love in Virgo, Harmony in Libra, Self-Confidence in Scorpio, Harmlessness and Right Speech in Sagittarius, Purity in Capricorn, Unselfishness in Aquarius and now Obedience in Pisces. The sequence of the labors is like a picture in time and space for the working out of human evolution back to its source. Abstract Hercules is called to his twelfth task:
Hercules goes to a temple and meditates before Helius, the god of fire in the sun. After seven days a chalice falls before his feet allowing him to cross the seas and reach the land of Erytheia. Not long after the disembarkation Hercules finds the herd of read-hued cattle. He is immediately attacked by Orthrus, the double-headed dog but Hercules lays down the monster with one decisive blow. Fearful shepherd Eurytion asks that his life be spared. Hercules concedes and drives the cattle away, turning his face towards the Sacred City. Hearing the news Geryon decides to pursue Hercules. Soon they stand face to face. When Geryon hurls a spear at Hercules, the son of god steps agilely aside and answers with an arrow that seems to burn the air as he releases it. The impetus of the shot is such that all three bodies of fierce Geryon are pierced and the monster fells down with a despairing groan. Driving the sleek, red cattle towards the Sacred City is a difficult task. Again and again some cattle stray and Hercules has to leave the herd in search of them. At times he loses his way, but always returns back, retraces his steps and journeys on. Though wearied by this most exacting labor, Hercules at last returns. "Welcome, O Son of God who is also a son of man," the warrior is greeted. "The jewel of immortality is yours. By these twelve labors you have overcome the human, and put on the divine. The human labors end, your cosmic tasks begin..." Explanation Hercules, the servant obeys; he drives home the herd of monster Geryon's dark red cattle which can easily be recognized as humanity with its many desires. Geryon is a symbol of the three-fold personality (mental, emotional and physical), imprisoned in the dark land of Erytheia, the land of illusion, glamor and maya. The shepherd stays for a simple human being, who is for a long, long time closely attached to "the two-headed dog Orthrus", e.g. his emotional and physical nature. Through virtues, right thinking and good deeds we have to transform ourselves that we may safely arrive at the "Sacred City of Wisdom" like Hercules who "sailed the herd of cattle home through the tossing sea". The symbol of Pisces is often pictured as two dishes joined by an indestructible bond which could be interpreted as the duality of our three-fold personality and the soul held together by the "spine". Meditation on the seed thought of the month
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Pisces - Full Moon Meditation