White Dove Over Troubled Waters

By MELANIE REINHART

During May 2002 several planets line up in a formation that is spiritually significant and visually exquisite

Planetary movements over the forthcoming weeks reach something of a climax during May. Our values, intentions and beliefs will be challenged, and there is the opportunity to re-orient and re-focus. This is the time, then, to review the last couple of years, make peace with the changes, reflect on where we are, consolidate our values, make plans for action. This article offers some symbolism which I hope you may find useful as a contemplative focus.

In May 2000, there was a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, signalling a time of endings and new beginnings in the area of beliefs, hopes and visions. We entered a period of darkness within which the seeds of renewal were nurtured, but hidden from view. Just as the Moon is not visible just after a New Moon, and we dwell in darkness awaiting the arrival of the newly-born crescent, at the beginning of the Jupiter-Saturn cycle, the feeling is similar. However, being a much longer cycle, it takes about two years for the new impulse to begin shaping itself.

New Moon in Taurus

On May 12th 2002 the New Moon falls in Taurus, very near the precise point where the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction occurred in May 2000. Here is the herald of new beginnings coming to light and showing their forms more clearly, needing careful nurturing. The metaphor of re-alignment is perhaps a useful one to consider. During May, many planetary aspects become exact, and contemplative activity is strongly favoured.¹ The ‘invisible actions’ of intent, prayer, meditation and inner re-orientation receive strong support. Because the global situation is so volatile at present, polarizing situations may intensify, but equally there is hope for radical truths to be spoken and also heard, and for impulses towards renewal and rebuilding to be energized. In both the inner and outer worlds, the planetary activity during May 2002 demands compassionate awareness of conflict, and asks us to transcend side-taking and partisan opinions, and to reformulate our own beliefs in such a way that they empower us. Our attachment to thoughts that engender fear and judgement will be challenged. This is a time to search out the good news that often gets ignored in the mainstream media, and to remember that it is ‘better to light a single candle than to rail at the darkness’. This New Moon falls in the earthy sign of Taurus the Bull, on a degree which carries this symbol: A white dove flies over troubled waters.

This is the time to consolidate our values and make plans for action

The interpretation of this symbol speaks of the ‘spiritual inspiration that comes to the individual in the overcoming of crisis’.² The dove has long been associated both with peace, and also with the descent of the Holy Spirit, as in the classic portrayals of the Annunciation. After several fruitless journeys, a dove brought to Noah the welcome sign of land, flying back to him with an olive leaf in its beak.³ A sign of relief, of nearing the goal. The dove is associated with Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, who is the astrological Venus, ruler of the sign of Taurus. We await inwardly the arrival of the Dove of Peace, not knowing how long it may take, but knowing that within our own hearts the future is created.

Third Eye of the Bull

On May 12th, low near the NW horizon Saturn, Mars and Venus will be visible. They will set one by one in that order, from about 9.15pm until 11.20pm BST when Venus disappears. They cluster within the V shaped formation of stars called the Hyades, envisaged as the head of the Bull. On May 14th, the Moon will pass in front of Saturn, Mars and Venus in turn, making a rare series of ‘occultations’, or planetary eclipses⁴ occurring right in the forehead of the Bull, its third eye. This implies the courage to see things as they are, and not flinching from the truth of a situation. Wrong thinking, where we are ‘bull-headed’ is revealed and harshness released in the soft light of the Moon. Fundamentalism in religions is in focus at present; this planetary sequence suggests to me the recognition of prejudice, rigidity of thought and negative judgements. How we ‘bully’ ourselves and others, or how we get bullied, can be discovered and thus healing begun. These are qualities easy to see in other people or nations, and not so easy to see in oneself.

Star and crescent

By May 14th, a delicate crescent Moon will be seen approaching Venus between the ‘horns of the Bull’, and will cover her completely by around midnight. The ‘horns of a dilemma’ refers to a painful situation of choice pending, and this celestial event may symbolize resolution of intractable situations through adopting the Middle Way, being able to embrace paradox and contain differences.

At Northern latitudes of less than about 40 degrees, this crescent appears as a bowl upturned to the sky, and at times Venus appears to sit cradled within it, as if gently carried along by the Moon.⁵ This image appears on the flag of Islam, perhaps recording the fact that this very configuration appeared in the sky on the last night of the hejira, Mohammad’s journey to Medina in July 622AD, from which is dated the founding of Islam. The spiritual impulse on which Islam was based is being brought into global consciousness very rapidly, and indeed, many are questioning the very foundations of other major world religions. Sky portents featured at the birth of Christ, and also at the founding of Islam. The patterns in the sky shift slowly while here on Earth religions come and go; the night reminds us that we participate in a vast unknowable universe of awesome majesty and beauty. It will speak if we care to listen. ++

References

For a list of exact dates and times, contact Melanie: MReinhart@compuserve.com

There are several systems which attribute symbols to each of the 360 degrees of the Zodiac. This one is from Dane Rudhyar’s book An Astrological Mandala, Vintage Books, NY, 1974, p84.

Genesis 8:6.

This particular occultation of Saturn is the final one in a long series of 14 such events that have been taking place each month since May 2001.

This can occur up to twice a year, although in some years it will not be seen.

(Caduceus Issue 56 - Spring 2002)