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a message from Lynda Hill

When a man wants to murder a tiger he calls it sport; when a tiger wants to murder him, he calls it ferocity. George Bernard Shaw

There are many humorous things in the world: among them the white man’s notion that he is less savage than the other savages. Mark Twain

Always behave like a duck-keep calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle like the devil underneath. Jacob Braude

The coward threatens when he is safe. Goethe

What constitutes a real, live human being is more of a mystery than ever these days, and men - each one of whom is a valuable, unique experiment on the part of nature – are shot down wholesale. Hermann Hesse

Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts. Charles Dickens

There is no decent place to stand in a massacre, but if a woman takes your hand, then go and stand with her. Leonard Cohen

November's total solar eclipse is going to be a big one and it marks a period that we will probably remember for a long time to come. The effects of eclipses are generally seen as lasting for several months, some say as long as nine months. My take on it is that the effect stretches into the future, and whatever is given birth to at the time around the eclipse holds the energy of that eclipse, so it's energy can be around for a very long time. Occurring on November 14 in Australia and November 13 in the United States, the Sabian Symbol is an evocative one and the symbology of it is rather extraordinary.

The Symbol for the eclipse is Scorpio 22: Hunters Protected By Heavy Clothing Are Shooting Wild Ducks. This degree sounds alarming, and it may prove to be challenging on many fronts, but there will be varying degrees of this Symbol taking hold in the world around and within us. I see first and foremost the possible ramifications on the US electoral process. It seems certain, especially with Mercury going retrograde on the day of the elections, that there has be those who are disenfranchised from voting, feeling cast adrift from having any real say in what's going on, feeling victimised or left out for one reason or another. There will also be bullies and those who feel above everything and everyone and they could be getting out the big guns in order to manipulate and control the agenda. We have already seen people waiting in line when they should be voting and then getting on with their lives, people struck off without a vote, people not able to get their ballot in for one reason or another. This is very much the feeling of this degree; those with the big ammunition control the agenda - whether we feel we live in a democracy or not.

I'm hoping that the eclipse is not a harbinger of violence, enemies emerging, difficulty or obstructions to peace and peace of mind, but there are these very difficult aspects to this degree. As I write this, President Obama has just finished his victory speech. I did a Google of the phrase 'lame duck' to see if anyone was already speaking of that in relation to the governance of the US and there it was already, an article talking about the 'lame duck' Congress.

The following is my abridged definition of this degree - Scorpio 22: HUNTERS PROTECTED BY HEAVY CLOTHING ARE SHOOTING WILD DUCKS

This Symbol implies the need for protection of those who are innocent or younger, smaller, or not able to protect themselves. Being an advocate for others, you can shield them from the more harmful elements of society. You may, at times, feel that you are the one that needs to be protected or given shelter or in need of people declaring a ceasefire and amnesty so people can come out into the open and not be afraid to show their true selves. Of course, there is a need for an outlet for aggressive emotions every now and then. Doing so in groups gives this outlet, such as “Shooting Wild Ducks” some sense of acceptability. However, picking on those that are undefended or smaller is really not right, no matter what the terms. Further this degree can reflect the idea of eating meat and the associated feelings that many have around the herding and killing of animals. As a friend of mine recently did, some will come to the realisation that they need to eat meat in order to stay healthy and there may be a need to drop any feelings of guilt around it. [I will include a personal disclaimer here: I am a meat eater, I don't thrive if I don't eat animal protein.]

Satiating one's aggressive desires. Being able to hit the mark. Terrorism in its many forms. Camouflage. The armed forces. Armaments. Hunting for meat or trophies.

The Caution: Taking unfair advantage of the innocent. Exploitation. Hormones running rampant. Bullying behavior. Polluting nature. Shooting people down. Nowhere to hide.

The 'Karmic Conditon' (the degree before) of the eclipse is a degree of going 'AWOL' Scorpio 21: OBEYING HIS CONSCIENCE, A SOLDIER RESISTS ORDERS

This Symbol shows someone who’s “Conscience” stops them from following a certain course of action, staying with a project or relationship when they’d rather leave, or, someone not prepared to compromise their values to do something that society says they must do, or, they could find themselves doing something they normally would never do. You may find yourself in situations where what you are expected to do is against your inner values, conscience or how you see your future unfolding. You may at times in your life have to make the difficult choice between allegiance to duty and your own inner truth. True freedom can only be found when one faces situations with a sense of integrity and prepared to face the consequences, be they positive or negative.

Personal morality. Doing what one's conscience dictates. Longing for a return to a state of love and innocence. Love that restrains. Not following orders. Going AWOL.

The Caution: Cowardice or lack of courage to act. Not doing what is expected. ‘Going over the top’ in a wild and crazy way. Freezing and confining emotions. Tantrums.

The 'Soldier Going AWOL' brings up thoughts of people not doing their jobs, perhaps more obstructionism in the halls of government. So, the issues here in our lives can include the sense of being bullied, having to protect those who can't protect themselves (including animals and birds), standing up for what is right, and, it can show that some will decide to say 'no' to doing something that goes against their conscience (or what is right, or 'correct' for them).

Mercury is retrograde at the moment and is on another rather 'military' degree, although of course in a world of possibilities and in many situations it won't have anything to do with the actual military. It's on Sagittarius 1: RETIRED ARMY VETERANS GATHER TO REAWAKEN OLD MEMORIES

The Symbol shows reunions and gathering together with people who have shared histories, struggles or issues. A reunion can ignite feelings of camaraderie, companionship and triumph, sometimes along with great passions. As these are “Retired Army Veterans”, it's through the passing of time and with the hindsight of age that many things can be faced, healed and laid to rest. In going over the memories of 'old battles' you may find the clues for current ones. However, this degree can show a personality that goes over and over old hurts, injuries, diseases, etc. The trick also is not to see others as the ‘enemy’, but rather to see in everyone the possibility of friendship.

Reunions. Past life memories. Fellowship. Masculine domains. Understanding the individual within an idealistic struggle. Finding comrades. Moratoriums. Tears of the past.

The Caution: Not letting go of the past. Exaggerating past successes to justify current strategies. Going over the same old ground. Jobs for the boys. Prisoners of war. Pain.

This can speak of gathering together with people who you may not have completed your mission fully with. It can mean meeting new people or people from the past and the feeling can be quite karmic, like you've shared situations or lives together.

After the eclipse, Mercury heads back into Scorpio for a week or so and will be hanging around the last degrees of Scorpio. These degrees can involve issues to do with seeing through trickery, being an advocate for those who can't (or won't) speak for themselves and finding a sense of place in the world.

Venus is on Libra 20: A JEWISH RABBI IN A TINY ROOM FULL OF MANUSCRIPTS AND BOOKS, PERFORMING HIS DUTY

This Symbol implies a person having the role of administering the spiritual and ethical laws and rituals and rules for living for their society. No matter how large or small the role is, this Symbol implies being in touch with one’s roots and studying and learning how to translate the lessons and the benefits for others. There is age old wisdom and established tradition which has survived to this day and you may need to access this knowledge though instruction or an inner search in order to deal with situations. There are “Duties” and ceremonies that need to be performed, either for your self of your community. Doing what's needed with faith and reverence.

Ancient sources of truth and understanding. Faith in abiding laws. Inherited wisdom. Books, manuscripts and written laws. Ceremonies marking life's journey. Initiations.

The Caution: Religious dogmatism. Too strictly following "the rules". Over-inflated sense of self. Distrust of people from different religions, backgrounds or ethnic origins.

This degree will feel like a welcome relief as Venus, in the few days before the eclipse, will be traversing over Libra 18: TWO PEOPLE PLACED UNDER ARREST ARE BROUGHT BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL OF SOCIETY TO GIVE AN ACCOUNTING FOR THEIR ACTIONS. This is a difficult degree that can bring up relationship issues that can involve trust, or a lack of it, or being tied to someone you may rather not be, people 'ratting on each other', people not seeing eye-to-eye with each other, relationship betrayals, etc. It can, though, show how people can be tied together in a situation that is not furthering one or both of them. It can be a freeing influence, but there often needs to be some serious soul searching. It can, of course, also indicate people actually being 'placed under arrest', although it most often doesn't mean that! (Watch the news for those kinds of stories :) )

A day before the eclipse, Venus is on the Karmic Condition of the eclipse (the degree before) Libra 19: A GANG OF ROBBERS IN HIDING. This can indicate a sense of being 'ripped off' and taken advantage of, and a feeling of being exposed, but most often it points to where we sabotage our sense of peace by worrying about issues, most often those we can't (or don't want to) do anything about. I bring these up as these are two very difficult relationship degrees for Venus to be transiting over right before the eclipse. Relationships are likely to need some adjustment - especially if you've been in a relationship for a long time without feeling fulfilled or being equals in relationship. It can be that someone is intruding into a relationship and it can be hard to know how to deal with it or manage it without collateral damage. It can also be that issues or 'ghosts' from the past need to be banished.

One thing is for sure, this eclipse is about healing relationships and getting things on a more equal or meaningful footing. People will be saying hello to new relationships and goodbye to old ones. Some will realise where they hold themselves back (the Two Men Placed Under Arrest and the Gang Of Robbers In Hiding) - this eclipse can shed valuable light on the lessons to be learnt here. Venus being in Libra makes the 'relationship issue' a triple whammy.

What it feels like is that this eclipse is giving us the opportunity to truly see where we're holding ourselves back from true relating; what stories we have swirling around our worthiness or ability to love or to be loved.

Mars is wonderfully powerful on the Galactic Center - Sagittarius 28: A SPLENDIDLY BUILT BRIDGE, A HERITAGE OF UNKNOWN AGES, STILL SPANS THE BEAUTIFUL AND WILDLY PRIMITIVE STREAM

This Symbol speaks of the ability, or the necessity, to be able to build bridges between places, people and events in order to bring them together and to add cohesion to society. The “Bridge” implies strength, dependability and passage to other places. The bridge was built many years ago and it presents the ability to be able to reach back into time, to reflect on what was important then and what’s important now. Often these values are one and the same. Traditional ways of approaching things can lead to the best solutions. There is a linking of people, places and things with clarity.

Enduring elements from past traditions providing a link with the modern. Reverence for things of worth that stand as reminders of yesterday. Permanence. Getting in touch.

The Caution: Sticking with old and possibly outworn methods. No new ideas to resolve situations. Continually traveling the “trued and true” path without deviating.

Mars on this degree is extremely powerful as it is on that part of the zodiac that speaks of the Law Of Attraction. The Karmic Condition for Mars is Sagittarius 27: A SCULPTOR'S VISION IS TAKING FORM - which totally reflects the idea that the GC holds; that the GC is in a direct line towards the 'mind of God' - an archetype that surely reflects 'A Sculptor' (to put it most simply).

Jupiter is on Gemini 14: TWO PEOPLE, AT WIDELY DIFFERENT POINTS, ARE IN CONVERSATION WITH EACH OTHER BY MEANS OF TELEPATHY

This Symbol speaks of psychic and clairvoyant communication with others and the ability to be able to pick up on what others are thinking. You can communicate with someone and it is not always necessary to be physically face-to-face, or on the phone or emailing them or the like. You can have bonds with others that are unaffected by distance or the frequency of be in touch with each other. Let your heart tell you that you are always in their company and there is no need to feel alone. Keeping others in your mind and heart will communicate something to them, and probably they back to you.

Conquering space and time limitations. Psychic and mental communication. Sharing ideas. The ‘other person’ knowing what is felt or thought. Being on the same frequency.

The Caution: Blocking out psychic awareness because it’s frightening. Manipulating others by subtle means. Mind and thought control. Being separated by time and space.

Jupiter on this Gemini degree can really feel like you, and others, are reading each other's minds or just knowing what's going on around them.

Saturn is on a degree that emphasises the difficulty of letting go of the past. It's another double whammy thing as Saturn hangs on, and Scorpio hangs on and this degree hangs on (to the past). The Symbol is very much about seeing where you're getting a pounding of energy, messages, relentless reality or realisations that you're repeating the same old patterns. It can be a degree of feeling worn down, worn out and generally over it.

Saturn is on Scorpio 5: A MASSIVE, ROCKY SHORE RESISTS THE POUNDING OF THE SEA
This Symbol often implies a relentless resistance to change, along with a strong and abiding endurance and ability to stay with things for a long time. It can show periodic feelings of being under emotional assault, like life is wearing you out or grinding you down. Perhaps the same old conversations, problems, issues keep coming up. Have faith in the fact that you are strong enough to resist and maintain – like the “Massive” shoreline, you have the ability to resist things that test or “Pound” you. The question is: How long can you hold out, especially if it's been going on for so long? Love and compassion probably need to be employed, along with knowing when to allow change to happen and when to let go when things are no longer working.

Unchanging reality. The establishment. Being strong under assault. Feeling battered and bruised. Chinese water torture. Evolution. Endurance. Strength. Having strong muscles.

The Caution: Acting out of stubbornness which can lead to inertia, not growth. Tedious negotiations of all kinds. Shooting your self in the foot. Fighting the elements.

Uranus is on a degree that allows us to transcend a lot of our concerns and worries. It's like Saturn wants to 'ground' us down and Uranus wants to 'lift' us up. It's an interesting juxtaposition and one that is bound to cause a few push-me pull-you types of situations, especially as Saturn and Uranus are in a quincunx aspect to each other... both in Mars ruled signs (Scorpio and Aries). The quincunx aspect can feel very much like the 'itch that's hard to scratch'... one has to be creative in order to find solutions, as for instance when you might have an itch on your leg that's in a cast = you find a coat hanger and straighten it and use it to scratch that itch. This equates to creative solutions that need to be employed. Still, with that quincunx between two diametrically opposed energies like Saturn and Uranus can be quite an interesting conundrum.

Uranus is on Aries 5: A WHITE TRIANGLE IS SEEN; IT HAS GOLDEN WINGS

This Symbol shows the ability to be able to lift yourself above the ordinary, using your natural gifts to find a new perspective, an uplifted view; to expand your awareness. This can picture an eagerness for spiritual integration or a capacity to escape from reality. Try to ground the vision, but allow yourself the free flight of vision. There is often a strong spiritual nature that expresses itself through purity of thought and insight.

Inspiration and zeal. Feeling elevated and inspired through spiritual or creative efforts. Flying to a greater perspective. Self transcendence. Angels and their messages.

The Caution: Not noticing your down-to-earth needs or those around you. Escapism. Forgetting about the needs and desires of the body. Losing the plot.

Neptune is on Pisces 1: A CROWDED PUBLIC MARKET PLACE

This Symbol shows the ability, or the need, to be able to advertise, market, and sell things, barter and complete the deal. People come together, bringing their talents, skills and wares to the marketplace. Being involved in the marketplace is the thing, and how much you are involved will show the things you need to do and the tempo of the buying and selling. It can indicate the issue of having ones self or goods on display and ready for sale. The “Market Place” is said to be “Crowded” and “Public”. Many aspects of the community are on display and available for the benefit of others. You may find that you are able to contribute, benefit and gain. Getting yourself or your products 'out there', where they can be appreciated can bring rewards on many levels.

Human interchange. Bartering. Products. Commerce. Business. Crowded places. Signs. Competition. The Internet. Websites. Classifieds. Consumables. Money. Publishing.

The Caution: Too greedy to share. Airing one's 'laundry', emotions or possessions in public. Not having a “shopping list”. Playing off against each other. Cheap displays.

Neptune on this 'Market Place' degree shows the issue of money, being out there in the market, having one's talents 'out there', having one's needs met, and, it also points out the enormous imbalance of money on the planet. With some owning so much while others don't have a blanket. Neptune has been on and off this degree over the last several months and it has reflected the global recession, along with the need to find a place within the market place.

Pluto is on Capricorn 8: BIRDS IN THE HOUSE SINGING HAPPILY

This degree implies the ability, or the need, to spread joy, happiness and laughter to those around you. It also shows that music can lighten people’s spirits. Further, thinking positive thoughts and being loving and accepting of others are the hallmarks of this degree. Listening to the songs of birds can be rather magical and can bring spiritual messages to you. You may feel a sense of uncomplicated contentment quite often. Even though there are a number of social rules to follow, that shouldn't bother you. This is a sign of sharing good feelings and happiness with all who enter your sphere of operations.

Being at one with everything. Music. Bird song. Birds. Happiness. Positive thinking. Singing. Entertaining others. Seeing the beauty in life. Chattering in the background.

The Caution: Idle chatter. Smug superiority. Not seeing the happiness inherent in everyday life. Loneliness. Feeling abandoned. Whining and complaining. Demanding.

Chiron is on Pisces 5: A CHURCH BAZAAR

This Symbol shows the ability, or the need, to be able to work with others for the needs of the community. In a “Church Bazaar”, people come together, bringing their home-made jams, their bits and pieces, bric-a-brac, handcrafts and things that they’ve donated. A church bazaar is a great place to meet others, find a bargain and help the community build a bigger and better sense of cohesion. Raffles and charity drives can have small donations building into worthwhile amounts to help those who in need. It’s group cooperation to benefit others. You may donate some of your time, energy or possessions for benevolent ends. This always brings some type of tangible reward. Old fashioned values can be brought to the community through commerce and the warmth of sharing.

Exchanges of spiritual knowledge. Overcoming loneliness or alienation. Selling things. The issue of worth. Collection plates. Bric-a-brac. Bargains. Pooling efforts. Fund raising.

The Caution: Spiritual or social exclusivity. Giving things smaller worth than they deserve. Fussing around about small details. People being stingy. Never enough money.

I see Chiron as not only the Wounded Healer, but also it's about The Stories We Tell Ourselves. The Church Bazaar is a fine Symbol, however, it can lead us to poverty consciousness, feeling like we have to do everything for everyone, people trying to indoctrinate others with their beliefs, issues about the church and the abuse of power and a hierarchy that lifts some and leaves others out. The up side of it is people coming together to help one another out, the feeling of solidarity of community and acceptance of people, no matter what their race or religion is (or for that matter, their financial position in the world).

As I started writing the above, I had someone on Facebook attack me because I called out Glenn Beck for his hatemongering. The guy replying on FB launched into a rant and a rave about gun laws and how no one was going to take his guns and how good Glenn Beck is, and how he's so much better than me (Beck) because he earns a heck of a lot more money than I do. It's sad how unhinged people are likely to be around issues to do with the election and there's a lot of hidden and not-so-hidden prejudices flying around about President Obama, etc.

This is very much what this eclipse is about. I'm not saying that all people who feel a need to own a gun are in this equation - far from it; many people I know, love and respect, particularly in the US (we don't talk about guns much here in Australia, it's a bit of a non issue), see reasons to own guns... it's not that, it's the unhinged ones who see those who disagree with them or are different from them as being 'sitting ducks'.

Chiron has recently (up until just now) on Pisces 6: A PARADE OF ARMY OFFICERS IN FULL DRESS

This Symbol shows the ability, or the need, to spring to attention and rally to show others their duty, honor and their protection of the community and the higher ideals. You may find that recognition needs to be given for service and dedication to the community. Dedication, discipline and duty bring their own rewards and it is often people with this Symbol that turn up first with whatever is needed in order to make people feel better, protected or recognized. Putting on your best face, and your uniform – and there are many ‘uniforms’ that can be worn - and joining with others will ensure success. There may be issues of showing one’s ‘authority’ in public, staking one’s claim as part of the broader community that works to protect and bring everyone together.

National pride displayed. Patriotism. Memories of war. Being committed to service. Being dressed up. Putting on a uniform. Medals. Stripes. Drills. Routines. Parades.

The Caution: ‘Stiff' and unfeeling. Having special privileges that other's don't. Having to do what one must do. Drills and boring routines. ‘Drill sergeants’. Sloppy dressing.

Perhaps the idea of defending one's self and patriotism and nationalism are part of the problem... I know some will disagree, but these ideas separate us from one another. There's been a lot of 'military' degrees around....

The Moon's North Node is on Scorpio 26: A MILITARY BAND MARCHES NOISILY ON THROUGH THE CITY STREETS

This Symbol shows the need for occasionally making a show for society to remind ourselves of our successes and achievements, whether they are collective or personal achievements. The “Military Band” can make an enormous amount of noise as it “Marches Noisily”, but sometimes we need to be awoken or reminded of the cohesion that a military band can show. Likewise, this degree can show a personality that likes to bang its own drum or to make a big noise for the establishment. As long as the audience is ok with the parade through their environment, one can contain the reaction from others. Sometimes, though, people get annoyed by people banging their drums a little too loudly.

Noisy announcements. Making music to rouse people from complacency. Demanding attention. Trumpeting one's agenda. Marching in time. The blast of the media. Drums.

The Caution: A lot of volume that's too pompous. The message getting lost in the noise and fanfare. Demanding to be heard. Propaganda. Threats to peace. Banging one’s drum.

Sometimes we need to be reminded to 'bang our own drum' - sometimes we need to be woken up to the calls for action for a more involved, meaningful life. This degree can show that. Are you marching in lock-step with other peoples' agendas, or, do you march to the beat of 'your own drum'?

A Scorpio eclipse is not to be taken lightly. Let's hope the violence around the world and within some people's hearts dies down and peace prevails. It's a bit of a tough call with this eclipse - but it's what the vast majority of people want... unlike the likes of Glenn Beck.

This is a long blog post - way longer than usual. I didn't do the last full Moon one as I was moving home and just couldn't get to it. I am still uncertain of where I'm going to be living, but life is an adventure. I'll be able to see 80% of the eclipse from where I will be, so that will be fun.

Please keep my lovely daughter Jess in your prayers; she is in Beirut and doing her fabulous reporting on middle eastern affairs... click here for the link... She has to have brain surgery in Beirut in the next week or so. Please send her loving and healing thoughts.

And enjoy the intensity of this eclipse! And stand up for your rights (whatever they are :) )

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