Empowerment of the Artist Priestess

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Seven Planets Align To Empower The Artist Priestess

Featured in Montana Free Press, May, 2000

In previous articles, I have explained how the planets moving through the zodiac and astrological signs create, if not actual, certainly symbolic energies that affect our entire planet Earth and our individual and collective psyches. A recent article in the Billings Gazette (4-6-2000) suggested that it is totally illogical to think that the planets can have anything to do with the economy and the stock market fluctuations or anything else on Earth, for that matter. I would first point out that the stock market is not an entity unto itself; it is people and their emotional reactions. Also, what is not understood by literal thinkers is the Universal Law of Oneness which teaches that all things in the Universe are interrelated. In addition, scientifically, we already have evidence that the moon affects our tides and our emotions, and the sun and sun storms affect our communications, so why can't all the planets and cosmic happenings affect us here on planet Earth. The fact that astronomers, astrologers, newspapers, magazines, and now the general public are all talking about the dramatic lineup of planets indicates an influence, does it not? The Gazette article further suggested that a conjunction of multiple planets, such as the one coming up in May, happens about every 20 years or so, so no big deal. Wrong! What is not understood is that nothing in nature, from cells, to snowflakes, to human beings, is exactly the same. Therefore, no planetary alignment, however similar to one in the past, is exactly the same.

Keeping all this in mind, let us turn to the most significant alignment of the Year 2000, which will occur most exactly on May 3, 2000, at 12:12 p.m. MDT, although the influence extends through April and May. On that day, all seven of the inner planets, the original seven planets of astrology, the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, will line up in the sign of Taurus. Conjunctions or lineups of planets bring new possibilities; multiple conjunctions bring multiple possibilities and choices. Yes, planets do line up from time to time, but the last time all seven of the inner planets were in one sign was February 3-5, 1962, in the sign of Aquarius. In 1962, the focus was on the Aquarian pursuits: major social, political and technological change and development. Now, the seven bodies closest to the Earth are aligned in Taurus, which presents an entirely different set of archetypal or universal themes and energies.

Let us first look at the correspondences associated with the sign of Taurus, the archetype of the Artist-Priestess. These themes apply to this time of year, and to anyone with Sun, Ascendant, Moon, Midheaven, or multiple planets clustered in the sign of Taurus. Because Taurus is a yin energy, I use the feminine pronouns when describing her, although the Artist-Priestess can be inherent in both men and women. Taurus, the Artist-Priestess, is the second sign of the zodiac and the first earth sign, fixed earth, which defines her solid, grounded nature. Her time of influence lasts from approximately April 21, to approximately May 21. Her symbol/glyph, above left, represents the head of the bull and also resembles the shape of the womb and fallopian tubes and thus became a symbol of the reproductive and creative power of the Great Goddess in ancient times. The crescent horns also symbolize the crescent moon, another planet associated with the Goddess and said to be exalted (empowered) in Taurus. Taurus, the Artist-Priestess, is ruled by the planet Venus, a Roman manifestation of the more ancient "Great Goddess" of Love, beauty and nature. The Venus symbol, above right, has come to represent all things feminine.

Like the Great Goddess, Taurus the Artist-Priestess is associated astrologically and archetypally with the rich, solid, material world: land, prosperity and abundance/money, and the creative principle. As the manifestation of the temple priestess, an ancient earthly representative of the Goddess, the Artist-Priestess is very sensual and physically oriented and takes great pleasure in her body and the arts of love. Her connection to Nature and springtime manifests in an earthy sensuality and a love of beauty, music, art and unique, rich and earthy possessions. Self expression through the voice and song (Taurus rules the neck, throat and vocal cords in medical astrology) and creating with earth materials such as clay, fabric, wood, leather, fur, feathers, gems and metals are her gifts and she is highly capable of understanding the divine element in the creative process. Thus, she can be very gifted at sacred art and ritual.

There is a healing component to the Artist-Priestess utilizing the mysteries of intuition, natural, holistic and earth remedies that are manifest in the feminine healing principle. She loves working in the earth, planting and growing things, especially flowers and her deep connection to all of nature gives her a special ability to appreciate and communicate with animals. She is also family oriented, devoted and loyal and focused on providing the best abundance for her family. Her strength is in her loyal, productive and creative power. Her weaknesses include being overly emotional, overly sensual and greedy, and stubborn, controlling, aloof and hard.

When the Taurean Artist-Priestess is focused only on the greedy acquisition of money and material things or allows her sensual, feminine, creative spirit to be repressed, the shadow side of the archetype can manifest physically in neck pain and injury, sore throats, laryngitis, tonsillitis, thyroid and parathyroid problems. Artist-Priestess occupations include artists, especially those using earth materials; musicians especially singers and dancers; healers, especially body workers, holistic healers and herbalists; builders, especially architects, construction workers, brick layers and others using earth materials. Farmers, ranchers, real estate agents/brokers, landscape architects, gardeners, florists, botanists, veterinarians, forest rangers and biologists are also strong Taurean occupations.

In the modern patriarchal world, where God is a man, much of the creative and most all of the Priestess side of the archetype is repressed. The Taurean energies are most focused on economics and the environment. As the seven inner planets line up in Taurus, we must consider what we will spend our time, energy and money on now. What are the new "bottom lines"? Taurus, the Artist-Priestess deals with foundations, security and values. Notice how every other television ad is about investments, security for the future and retirement, and the importance of evaluating the worth of your assets. How will we steward the Earth and its resources? Notice all the environmental issues in the news once again from wolves and Cutthroat Trout, to Clinton setting aside more lands for protection, to all the concerns of our farming and ranching industry. The Gazette article mentioned gloom and doom prophecies about the stock market and the environment; disbelievers always focus on the dark side of astrology. It is true that Uranus is squaring some of the seven planets in Taurus which can create the sudden changes and upheavals we are now experiencing in the stock market and in the environment (odd weather patterns, erupting volcanoes, etc.), but if we tap into the solid stable side of the Taurean archetype and avoid panic, we can ride it through. It is more important to consider not what the gloom and doomers say might happen, but rather how we can use the awareness of the influences and issues at hand to do something about them. We also have free will and choices as individuals and nations to turn events to the good, if we become conscious of the right use of power, money, and natural resources.

Now that we have an overview of the themes of Taurus the Artist-Priestess, we can put everything together in a simple but valid summary statement: During this powerful transit of seven planets in Taurus, the archetype of the Artist-Priestess, there will be a gathering of power and a coming together of many potentials and possibilities (planetary energies) both positive and negative (light and shadow) around the issues of what we love and value, (Venus) how we communicate about and serve (Mercury) how we feel and nurture ( Moon) how we focus on and become conscious of (Sun) how we explore and expand (Jupiter) how we structure and mature (Saturn) and how we manifest our desires and use our power (Mars) all in regards to world economics, environmental issues, the appreciation of the physical body, beauty and creativity and the honoring of the feminine principal (much overdue), all themes of Taurus, the Artist Priestess.

Applying all this to you personally, if you were born between April 21 and May 21, or if much of the above description of the Taurean Artist-Priestess resonates with you, she is a strong archetype in your life. Now, with seven planets lined up with her energy, there is great potential for us to honor and strengthen our connection to her. Celebrate all the joys of springtime. Work in your garden, acquire a new pet, begin a new creative project, sing, dance, espouse an environmental cause, organize your finances and consider some wise investments and above all, celebrate the gift of physical existence. It just may be that if we choose to ignore, deny or desecrate our earthly abundance at this powerful time, the Artist-Priestess may retaliate with a big dose of spring fever. Remember, it isn't wise to fool with Mother Nature.

Enjoy the day. Happy Springtime,
Jaqui

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