December 2024 - Destruction First, Then Creation
/In the Heart of Midwinter Darkness . . . .
When the Wolves of Winter are roaming free…..when nothing except grief, anger, loss makes sense…..when the only possible response to a world in pain is to howl, these beautiful words by David Whyte speak straight to the soul:
“When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.
When your vision has gone,
no part of the world can find you.
Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.
There you can be sure
you are not beyond love.
The dark will be your home
tonight.
The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.
You must learn one thing.
The world was made to be free in.
Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.
Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
is too small for you.”
Destruction First – Then Creation
Many of us have recognized we are in a time of history that seems chaotic, reactionary, and fraught with conflict. Humanity seems broken. We are polarized politically, socially, economically, and yes, perhaps spiritually. Gurus and way showers have shared that we may be experiencing a huge transformational shift. However, if this is an accurate assessment of the evolution of humanity, what evidence can we bring to our consciousness?
Transformational change is both a personal and collective evolution. Humanity has a collective consciousness, an agreement which validates what our reality is or is not. Each person’s individual consciousness contributes to the greater whole. Our personal awareness is the start. When we are born, we are very Cartesian: “I think, therefore, I Am”. We define our reality via this lens, our individual consciousness. Yet, there is an element of the psyche, the unconscious, that subjugates our perception and may tie us to the collective psyche. The “I” reality may become the “We” as we involve the transpersonal forces that form how we perceive reality. Our perceptions are formed inevitably from a metaphysical level. While we live in a three-dimensional world, we live as well in a multi-dimensional universe.
We are individual beings existing in a sea with other beings surrounded by elements and what they symbolize: earth (physical), water (emotions), air (mental), and fire (energy, spirit). We can touch and sense aspects of our environment, we can feel a response to this world, we can think about and communicate our experience, and last, we can know and move with the energy of life. More than ever in the history of humankind, we are aware of the elements that are influencing our changing reality. First, we experience this as individuals, then as we sense, feel, express, and live this reality, we transcend to a collective and shared reality in the “We” space.
For me, access to this collective space comes from being in tune with nature, having rich and meaningful relationships, meditating, paying attention to my intuition, and using the affirmative prayer process. One interesting experience that opened new dimensions for me was practicing Shamanism. Also, the use of oracular cards (Tarot) and the study and practice of astrology are some of the tools that can induce a transpersonal experience (going from “me” space to “we” space). For the sake of this message, I will use the archetypes of the Tarot to describe how I see the current state of humanity.
Since the U.S. Presidential Election, I have been in a significant funk. The power of the MAGA movement and the success of Trump to gain power has me confused and angry. My idealistic beliefs in the goodness of democratic ideals of freedom, liberty, and equality have been given a reality check. While I still have these foundational ideals, I wonder if any nation can achieve these? Granted: I can accept that we can “hold these truths” and work towards this ideal. However, I do not see this happening. Instead, for some time in America, I have witnessed a profound reactionary movement to maintain a white, Christian, corporate-ruled nation, instead of the vision of a democratic republic.
I am grieving as I feel powerless to effect any changes. I am still trying to understand what is taking place and what I can do to be part of a significant movement to bring greater equity and liberty to the workings of this country and others, as there are global reactionary movements as well that give me pause. Looking at the various elements taking place in this current era, I look to the Tarot archetype of the Tower Card. This card seems to describe today’s period of history.
The number 16 Tower Card in the Tarot from the Voyager Deck evokes the image of destruction in many of the images and messages contained in this card. It could describe today’s reality (at least one significant part of 3-D reality). The image of the Tower represents the structures that have been created that may no longer serve us. Think of the “Tower of Babel” as a biblical warning that humanity has built a structure to support its vanity and egoic nature. The corporate skyscraper in the card’s central image represents the belief that humankind can build a bridge to the heavens and become gods themselves. It symbolizes that “man” thinks “they” are mightier than the nature they live in and with. I believe, however, that nature wins in the end. Let’s consider the elements of destruction we see today:
Matter and the physical world: Humanity has attempted to conquer its world by building structures to protect against the natural world. Buildings, bridges, vehicles, and edifices in the guise of systems. Think economies and governments. But nature has worked to destroy these edifices that have been built on top of the instability of earth. Recently, we witnessed earthquakes destroying some of humanity’s living spaces. The physical metaphor as a destructive force can also be represented through the collapse of economies and government due to greed, corruption, and misuse. The image above shows the Tower and above, the Sun’s Eye, the building falling apart, the sun providing clarity at what needs to be removed.
Water symbolizes emotional elements: We need the nourishing element of water. This force in nature is powerful; drowning the existence of life when unleashed through storms, tsunamis, and floods. The dam that controls and monitors water is breaking. Climate change has impacted the landscape of the globe via floods and droughts. Water in the Tarot represents feelings and emotions. Using this element to symbolize humanity’s emotional expression, we witness the fear overtaking our rational thought. The Tower card shows darkness and feelings of angst that block out joy.
Air is the element of the mental universe: We experience this element through the air we breathe. Like water to drink, clean air is necessarily to live. Wind is a powerful force that influences the other elements of earth (erosion), water (hurricanes), and fire (air and wind feeds fire). If we look at the symbolic meaning of this element, we can see that air translates into humanity’s mentality and beliefs. Dark and misguided thoughts are rampant these days. Reading the messages on social media brings us into the experience of the power of communication. Today’s toxic communication creates another “Dark Age” of superstition and illiteracy. The Tower card illuminates the destructive power of beliefs and communication via the picture of the Sun above the Tower.
Fire is the element of energy and spirit: Humanity’s psyche is full of images and experiences of fire. We greet the powerful Sun each day knowing that without this force all life would cease to exist. We can see the powerful destructive force of fire. California is the perfect example of forest fires, due to the dry climate. What remains after a fire is ash. Fire is also associated with hell in the Christian world. Also, his element symbolizes war and conflict. Fiery Mars, god of war is part of humanity’s psyche. Yet, looking at the symbol and imagery that fire represents, we see the energetic force of purification. In the Tower card we see overwhelming images of fire, striking and burning down the edifice of the Tower. In the message of this Tarot card, the element of fire is burning away the toxic parts of humanity. There are images of self-cleansing. The Kabbalah letter name for the Tower is “Peh” which means mouth and speech. Like the element of air which feeds fire, the actions (fire) generated by words and more words (air) destroys and then purifies when it cleans away the toxic. The Tower needs to be destroyed, so that a new world, a new reality can be created.
Purification is the key to bring a release of evil so we can live. There has been so much separation from nature, we may have forgotten the Sacred. Humanity has built a world that disconnects us from our Spirit and our higher consciousness. Yet, there has been an awakening taking place. Transmutation is taking place. Humanity is evolving, rising from the ashes of destruction to rebirth a new world.
This last comment may be hyperbolic to many, but I have faith that in the midst of so much corruption, collapse, and destruction in this world, that we are clearing the way for evolution. Maybe a revolution will happen to get us there. Or maybe we will fall apart into more simplistic lives and small communities of friends and families, getting back to the basics of what is truly valued and sustainable. I can lift myself out of my despair to realize that renewal and transformation is available and always present for me. Integrating body, emotion, mind, and spirit saves my soul.
This brings me to another aspect of the “First Destruction, Then Creation” theme. This can be explained through the significant astrological transit of Pluto entering the sign of Aquarius on November 19th, this year 2024. Pluto is likened to the Hindu God Shiva who represents the transformation of the soul by destroying the parts of the psyche that no longer serve us to transcend to a higher consciousness. As a message to all of humanity, Pluto leaving the sign of Capricorn (2008 to 2024) may have brought the possible destruction of governmental systems and economies to allow for an improved form and process. Pluto in Aquarius could continue to destroy old social forms and beliefs that do not serve the highest good of humanity AND the world.
Pluto takes a long time to go through the twelve signs of the zodiac. Pluto's last transit through Aquarius occurred between 1778 and 1798. Here are the summary points and themes of this time in our history.
Revolutionary Change: Pluto's transit through Aquarius marked a time of major political and social upheaval (e.g., the American and French Revolutions).
Technological Innovation: The Industrial Revolution and other technological advancements that began to shape the modern world.
Political and Social Movements: The emergence of Enlightenment ideals, human rights, and the rise of movements advocating for social equality.
Science and Discovery: Important scientific breakthroughs, including the discovery of new elements and advances in chemistry and physics.
With 2024 marking the beginning of Pluto in Aquarius until 2044, we may find ourselves involved in a time of profound transformation in many areas of human life. Our past history in this sign experienced the birth of modern democracy, industrialization, and scientific progress. This time, Pluto's transit through Aquarius could represent both the destruction of old societal structures and the transformation of human understanding of power, technology, and equality. Aquarius is the archetype of the water carrier, bringing new ideas and paradigms to nurture humanity, raise our consciousness, and transform the world. Pluto as a symbolic force, first destroys what does not serve us to create a world that works for all.
In the meantime, to manage your body, mind, and soul during this volatile time; please consider the following actions:
go inside, within your psyche focusing on the reactions and actions you can control versus everything and everyone you can’t.
revisit, reassess and rejig your previous progress, plans, or relationships -either fine-tuning them or deleting them entirely.
identify contradictions between what you think you want to do and what you need to do.
update your belief systems.
Practice simplicity, uncomplicate issues in your life.
master the art of active waiting
don’t try to impose your personal agenda on others by pushing for answers
One way to make good use of a particularly strong transit is by focusing on the habits that limit or sabotage you. Break bad habits.
The December 21st solstice is a great day and time to reflect, review, and bring in the light of a new season. Remember: THE FUTURE IS HERE NOW.