Molly McCord - Awakening Astrology: Five Key Planetary Energies for Personal Transformation

Copyright 2022 by Molly McCord

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this work in any form whatsoever, without permission in writing from the publisher, except for brief passages in connection with a review.

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Hierophant Publishing

San Antonio, TX

www.hierophantpublishing.com

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2021952244

ISBN: 978-1-950253-23-4

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To Oliver, who continues to shine as the sun, moon, and stars in my life.

Imagine standing atop a tall stone tower in the Full Moon's glow, a passing wind gently caressing your cheek as you gaze up at the swirling motion of the stars in the night sky. The cool, brisk air continually opens up into a dark, endless abyss as you search for somethinganythingthat may catch your eye. Twinkling movements appear to come and go, and perhaps you see a glimpse of a shooting star. Off on the eastern horizon, you know the Sun will be returning to rise again, as it does every morning.

Yet there is much to take in during these still moments. Venus shines brightly on the darkest nights, but she appears in different places in the sky as the days and months pass by. The evening canvas is alive and evolving in a complex dance every day of the year. The mysteries of the Universe seem to be speaking to you through these heavenly bodies. But what does it all mean?

Ancient stargazers and scientists observed the night sky to find meaning, and to discover and understand how we relate to the solar system at large. Tall, massive structures called star towers were built to bring them closer to the heavens. As they watched and documented the changes in the sky, they perceived connections between human events and the patterns they saw there. In these first observatories, wise scholars interpreted the planetary movements as messages from the gods and deemed these movements significant in everyday life.

Western astrology has been documented as far back as 7,000 years, to the ancient Babylonian, Sumerian, and Egyptian civilizations. These cultures all boasted a rich tradition of keen star watchers who tracked the Sun and Moon, and the planets that were close to the Earth. Across hundreds of years, they began to make connections tying the agricultural cycles and harvests to the transiting Sun. In ancient Greece, doctors relied on birth charts to help determine their patients' ailments and subsequent remedies. When the planet Mars was prominent in the sky, it was often seen as a harbinger of coming war or some type of conflict. When an eclipse occurred and the sky went dark in the middle of the day, it was considered a message from the gods that great change was on the horizon. It was common for kings, queens, and privileged individuals to consult astrologers for guidance on political events, as well as for personal advice about when to hold weddings or significant occasions.

Astrology was first interpreted as a means of powerful communication between man and the heavensan energetic dialogue that governed what was happening in the world. The messages received from the heavens were deemed either a blessing or a curse from the gods, and were taken very seriously. The Catholic celebration of Easter, for instance, has traditionally been connected with the lunar cycle, celebrated on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon following the spring equinox. Studying the stars has been considered highly relevant over long periods of time simply because it has proven to be accurate and insightful.

In our modern era, we now tap on our phones or screens to find instant answers to our deepest questions. We have advanced in our understanding of astrology beyond the general themes of the world at large and made connections to personal development and growth. Astrology has become more focused on individuals, especially thanks to the influence of Carl Jung, and has contributed to the growing connections we make today in areas of personal transformation. There's no need to build a stone tower in your neighborhood to find meaning in what the stars are communicating. Just turn to online sources or astrology apps or an ephemeris for guidance on what themes and energies are especially strong for you now.

As you dig into astrology a bit more, however, you may start to wonder how it actually works. How can planets in our solar system, which are thousands of miles away, have any personal effect on us? How can any of these energies really influence our personalities and our lives?

Astrology is a highly dynamic energy system that is connected to the cosmosone that has continued to prove its relevance over centuries. In simple terms, astrology is a symbolic language that helps expand our personal consciousness and takes us beyond what our logical minds may grasp. Just as when we consult economic forecasts or turn to meteorologists for weather updates, astrology gives us a heads-up on what the energetic terrain will be in our lives and what to expect at specific times.

But in order to benefit from these messages, you must learn the language of astrologythe terminology, the glyphs, and the symbols that correspond to each of its particular energies. As you do so, you begin to discern what your own personal astrological chart reveals about your self-identity, your personal needs and desires, your life themes, and so much more. The nuances and particulars of this knowledge can sometimes seem overwhelming, however, now that so many sources of information are available to us. So it's only to be expected that you may arrive at a point where you wonder which parts of your astrological chart are the most essential to understand and apply. Or, if you're already familiar with some areas of astrology, you may be curious about the best path to follow to open up deeper interpretations and more intricate insights into your main energies.

Astrology can be approached from many different perspectivesVedic (Sidereal), traditional (Hellenistic), mundane, evolutionary, medical, horary, electional, and more. Each of these perspectives acts like the lens or filter on a camera; as you change the lens, you shift what you see and how you interpret it. The astrological interpretation that I offer here is based on Western (Tropical) astrology. It focuses on the perspective of soul growth and higher-consciousness energies that you as a soul are working to fulfill in this lifetime. This may or may not resonate with you, and you may have your own preferred interpretations of this ancient art.

It is my intention here to offer you new ways to look at your astrological chart so you can gain a better understanding of yourself by awakening to a new understanding of your energies. I give simple, direct insights to guide you beyond basic astrological concepts and help you reach a new level of wisdom about yourself. I hope this information helps you connect with more of your true self and your unique energy in this lifetime. Your astrological chart holds many layers of energies, themes, and connections. As you go deeper into these expressions, you awaken to even more of yourself and the gifts that await you.