Return to Goodness – Forgive Me O Lord as I too Forgive
Under the sign Virgo, the World Mother, humanity is to learn about love, forgiveness, goodness and thus be filled with wisdom. Virgo tells us to be aware and careful to be kind (ahimsa) – to refrain from criticism and judgments of self or others, to not have unwarranted expectations that others will do as we say, or to be perfect – all unskillful Virgo tendencies.
When we have criticism and judgments of self and others, we are living within a false personality perception of expectation that no one can satisfy. It only leads to loneliness and self-betrayal. Instead, as Leo asked us to identify as creative beings, Virgo calls us to continue to cultivate our creativity. Virgo shields and protects and gives life to our creativity, which is a Soul quality. And Virgo tells us to know that always we are “good.” Always, we are perfect.
As I have previously written – in our Esoteric Astrological Institute we study and participate in all religious festivals during the year. Each religion throughout the ages was/is a developmental stage for humanity. Each religion preparing humanity for its next stage. Thus, each religion and every festival had/has life and purpose.
Last week I wrote about Rosh Hashanah (shofar, apples and honey, etc.), the Jewish new year. Next week, on September 15, Yom Kippur (Atonement) begins. The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are Days of Remembering, Repentance & Renewal – days in which we seek to be forgiven as we forgive others. This is a yearly celebration and ritual. In the Catholic Church this is called the Sacrament of Confession. Both rituals bring humanity to a state of grace (mysterious something).
The Days of Repentance & Renewal, the most sacred days of the year, are known as the High Holy Days. G-d opens the Book of Life each year on Rosh Hashanah to inscribe a person’s name and fate for the coming year. But G-d does not seal that fate until Yom Kippur, “Day of Atonement.” The Days of Repentance thus offer humanity (no matter what religion) the opportunity to think, ponder, remember and atone for past misdeeds, seek forgiveness, and mend one’s ways. This is the practice of teshuvah, or “return to goodness.” A form of Goodwill and well-wishing throughout this holy time is to wish that somebody be “written in the Book of Life.”
Prayers on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as well as the intervening period, often take the form of recognizing and confessing past deeds and saying, “Forgive me, O Lord, as I too forgive.” We sing these words over and over so the heavens also may hear.
ARIES: You will be called to teamwork, perhaps by competitors and possibly by those you consider enemies. Don’t fret or fuss. Libra, your shadow side brings about Right Human Relations, balance, and fairness to all interactions. You can initiate this through your intentions and will(ingness). This will enhance your public image, create new alliances, and affect your environments (inner and outer), friendships and release of love all around.
TAURUS: It’s time to seriously consider another regimen of health, exercise, alkaline water, proper eating and a great intake of oxygen – very necessary at this time to vitalize your energy system and blood. The emphasis now and primarily needs to be on care, health, and service to self. Everyone around you, including your pets, will be reflecting your health issue. Remember to use homeopathic remedies and cell salts to create a balance in the body. Rest more.
GEMINI: What are your favorite activities? What are your hobbies and what do you do for fun? Have these changed in the past several years? Who do you love, where and how do you find freedom, and are there any children in your life? All of these questions need pondering so you can, with eyes wide open, choose your life Path as Libra balances Gemini’s polarities and duality. Do you know the difference?
CANCER: It seems your property, what you own and/or where you live, has been in a state of repair, reorientation, and transformation. At some point, emerging from your inner rooms you might consider creating a “garden room.” Perhaps it’s also time for a greenhouse and an uncluttered home office. Where is your community these days? What are you reading and studying? How is your diet and are you drinking enough pure water? You need nurturance and nourishment too.
LEO: It’s a good time to write letters, the old-fashioned way. Contact family, siblings, old friends and renew relationships, which may have been cast aside due to excess work, intense grief, or a general antipathy toward relationships. Visiting forests and glens allows you to realize that nature is the most balanced kingdom. The safest most rewarding, most balanced and healing relationship is with the plant kingdom. Begin communicating with the green and violet devas.
VIRGO: Perhaps it’s time for a resale sale, or a give-away or maybe a new look at your resources and possessions. Assessing resources with new eyes provides insight into what you truly value are, and if your values have changed in the past many years. Acknowledging what you value revitalizes your self identity and is a clue to which path of creativity to choose. Which then could also change! How does your garden grow, Virgo? Will you create a winter garden?
LIBRA: Do not be afraid of leadership for you are already a leader. However, be aware of its razor’s edged path. First one can be tempted to use power over others. That is the first temptation of leadership. It is also important to understand that others look at leaders through the lens of their own expectations, experiences, wounds, childhood needs and projections. This is not comfortable for a leader. Only the courageous who have love can truly lead. Begin soon creating new projects that will overflow into the next year. Something’s almost over.
SCORPIO: Think about helping others. Visit or offer a hand to the sick, the hospitalized, the shut away, the sad, the lonely, and the limited. This will provide you with a perspective on your own life that will lead to self-analysis, investigative study, and the ability to reorient yourself toward spiritual values. Tithe, be generous, be charitable, ask forgiveness for past omissions, and seek work that heals humanity. Big tasks for the warrior who is always triumphant.
SAGITTARIUS: What is your life like now when compared to your life several years ago? Are there several social contracts that you unconsciously adhere to? Ask yourself if there are opportunities for a new style of work or a new occupation that would benefit you. Do you share with others your immediate and far-reaching life goals? Is your financial situation stabilizing? Things are attempting to balance this month. Travel is good. It balances, too.
CAPRICORN: New creative business plans and goals and newer ways to project your creativity into the world is being implemented. Review your past work and know that it was good. Your present work is even better. Know also that you can summon all gifts from past lives into your present to be applied efficiently and skillfully. You are on a trajectory forward towards success. Ponder on possible plans and goals and patronage. You will be honored and recognized.
AQUARIUS: It’s time to create a longer-range life program. Consider needs, hopes and wishes. Include things physical, educational, professional and spiritual. Lay out a plan on paper for what you want in your future. This outline of your life needs provides you with a reflective and contemplative view of your possible future. This writing down thoughts is a serious life task and it’s possible that, doing this, everything will come to pass. Perhaps a home is first.
PISCES: Continue to eliminate debt and continue to tithe is whatever way you are presently able. Thriftiness is most important now and will, during the next few months, become an important resource. Conserve spending as you conserve your energy. A new talent arises. You have stepped into a circle of power with others. Gage your energy, observe more, allows others to be at the center and know that you are in a state of learning at this time. Everything comes in its correct timing.
Risa – writer, teacher, counselor, mentor, astrologer, esotericist. Founder & Director of
The Esoteric & Astrological Studies & Research Institute-a contemporary Wisdom School for the Ageless Wisdom teachings. The foundations of the Teachings are the study & application of Astrology & the Seven Rays. Email: risagoodwill@gmail.com Web journal: nightlightnews.org/ Daily studies post on our website. Astrological, esoteric, day-to-day news – art, literature, psychology, the cosmos, consciousness, philosophy, history, religion, economics, geography & cultural journalism.
Recognition of the unique value of every living being expresses itself in reverence for life, compassion for all, sympathy with the need of all individuals to find truth for themselves, and respect for all religious traditions. – The Esoteric & Theosophical Worldview