The Stars Are Out
| The Stars Are Out Being With Taurus |  |
by Glo Daley
Here in queer Vermont, we begin to believe in the existence of spring around the time of Taurus: April 21st to May 21st. The mud has dried out a bit and the odds are against the likelihood of snow. Now the concept of gardening seems more real, and reality as perceived by the senses is what Taurus is all about. We smell earth and our deprived senses come alive. Yes! The Taurean Bull could not be happier. There is sun, running streams, buds, even flowers.
Taurus moves us from the youthful energy of Aries toward a calmer, earthier time. This can be a time to reflect on where we have come from and where we are going. In silence, from a place of quiet contemplation we are able to find simplicity, and out of simplicity comes the possibility of peace.
As Aries is challenged to be the appropriate warrior, Taurus is challenged to be the creator of peace and to be capable of seeing the difference between peace and what is merely security or stasis. Peace has vitality whereas stasis is an illusion of living, a desperate hope that we will arrive at some kind of end point where we will no longer be required to change. We who consider ourselves activists know that the road to peace means change and continual attentiveness... a life time of attention.
Yet in the words of Thich Nhat Hahn there can be peace in every step. Is my eating peaceful, mindful? My speech? My work? If I am peaceful that is a start. I am now more able to ask the questions: “Who am I? What am I doing? How am I doing it? Is this what I really want to do? What is my motivation?” We are able to get clearer about the quality of our motivation.
These big questions are more easily examined in big silence. With silent meditation and contemplation comes a strengthening of our convictions and a greater understanding of our subconscious minds. We are then better able to take responsibility for our present conditions.
More questions arise. “Does my work support the community? What am I afraid of? What are the consequences of my selfish behaviors? Who am I hurting here?” Knowing the workings of our minds leads us to greater peace. Our minds become more expansive and inclusive: “You mean it isn't all about me?” Our intuition becomes healthier leading us to further insight.
In the Buddhist view, the mind is like a horse, wild or tamed. Certainly the wild horse has its own beauty, but a tamed horse is needed to take you where you want to go. With our tamed/trained minds we are not so overwhelmed. We can see what work needs to be done. As our thinking become more refined, clearer... we notice and give authority to the spiritual qualities of life. We begin to see the bonds that connect us and the importance of the group.
Choosing our groups carefully is crucial, as they will influence us greatly. With whom do we want to align ourselves? By whom do we want to be influenced? Participation and collaboration can teach us how to trust one another. Then the stubbornness of Taurus can be transformed into a steady determination and endurance that serves the entire group. Desire can become aspiration for something greater. Selfishness and greed can transmute into a hunger for maturity and the urge to be of service. Taurus promotes stamina, stewardship, growth, and ultimately reverence. We not only live and let live but feel awed by life. The energies of Taurus have a aversion to drama, recognizing that the real thing is far more impressive.
At this time, we get to choose between being seduced by the tired and numbing materialistic tune that promises certainty, permanence and predictability. Or we may choose serenity and peace found in the silent music of a meditative opening to the reality of what is... the ever-changing moment.
Glo Daly is an astrologer living on women's land in Huntington.