«I see the goal. I reach the goal and then I see
another.» 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 Sagittarius - and further through the astrological signs to Pisces. In Sagittarius harmlessness and right speech set the standard tone. They are based on self-control and silence. Abstract Hercules is called to his ninth task in the sign of Sagittarius:
It takes Hercules a long time to find the marsh of Stymphalus. At nearer view he sees a multitude of large and fierce birds crying in a menacing and dissonant chorus. Each of the birds has an iron beak sharpened like a sword. The feathers, too, seem like steel shafts. Three birds, perceiving Hercules, sweep down upon him. He stands his ground and wards off the attacks with his heavy club wondering how he might achieve the task assigned to him to clean the place of these predacious birds. He tries to kill them with a quiverful of arrows, he tries to set traps within the marsh but nothing seems to work. Pondering upon the counsel that "the flame that gleams beyond the mind reveals direction sure" a method comes to mind: Hercules returns to the marsh and starts to sharply clash cymbals, again and again. Never before such an ear-assaulting dissonance was heard in Stymphalus and Hercules has to cover both his ears with pads to stand the intolerable noise. Bewildered and disturbed the birds rise in the air and screech in hoarse dismay. Utterly confused they flee in frantic haste, never to return. Finally silence spreads across the marsh and Hercules hears his inner voice "The birds of slaughter have been driven off. The labor is achieved." Explanation To succeed in his ninth labor Hercules cannot use everyday weapons. He has to ponder deeply and call on powers beyond the mind to get rid of his deep-seated black character spots which are symbolized for us in the birds. The use of sound indicates the advancement of Hercules and at the same time a need of silence and peace before going further to the next task. All that we work for and gain is part of the great achievement of mankind. Our inner light illumines the path in front of us and behind us, so we reach out our hands to those who need help. The correct use of the power of mind has to result in right thought, right speech and right action. These are the three gifts of Sagittarius when the "three birds" are beaten and chased out of our character. Then it is possible for us to stop thinking so much about what to do and to learn more simply "to be". The sign of Sagittarius is often pictured as a half-horse, half-human creature where the human part is closely bound to the horse. As humans we need to free ourselves from this "animal nature". Let us look back for a moment as the journey of life brings us foreward from station to station. With every new stage in the zodical cycle a new goal lies far ahead and our efforts appear to darken the view. The goal however, we have to remember, stands always in the light. Sagittarius as the ninth sign can be regarded as the completion of the pre-birth period. Our efforts to control thinking started in Aries. We confronted ourselves in Taurus with the laws of attraction of the emotional plane. In Gemini the goal was to recognise the characteristic duality of personality and soul. In Cancer we have to achieve a certain measure of mass consciousness as a preliminary for intuition. In Leo we have to become mighty individuals and in the sign of Virgo, our inner life awakens because "the child" wants to be born. In Libra, the opposites must be brought into balance and a choice must be made anew. In Scorpio we have to return to take up again the work on the emotional plane which we began in Taurus. Now in Sagittarius this should all melt together to a synthesis; the longed for goal is near and will be recognised for the first time when the door of initiation opens in Capricorn. The message of Sagittarius encourages us to reach goal after goal on our way back to the heart of god. Meditation on the seed thought of the month
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Sagittarius - Full Moon Meditation