Meeting At The Cosmic Tea Room
21st/22nd December 2020
I have been asked by a number of people what my take is on the Saturn/Jupiter conjunction, what it means. The whole year I have been wondering too; watching the world, learning from many and swimming in interpretations - but still pinning down what I actually think has been elusive, like an unfinished puzzle, and the puzzle is also transparent, and the table is slowly spinning.
Saturn the contemplative; I see as the elder, in ancient times the furthest star in the system. Holding the edges with knowing and observing impermanence, while looking back on all the cycles and revolutions taking place. An embodiment of Winter.
Jupiter the bright eyed; I see as the young man, in awe with a giving heart filled on hope and wisdom earned through experience. Placed amongst the stars trusting the expanse of possibility in all directions. An embodiment of Spring.
Think Gandalf and Frodo.
There is no denying that the alignment on this Winter Solstice feels significant, both in the now and in ways we won’t fully realise for many years. The fact that it solidifies a 200 year cycle shift from meetings in earth to air element does hold it’s own symbolic reverence. It’s a change that is defining and marks a moment unique within our lifetime.
This year I have witnessed the world pass through macroscopic change; 1.7 million recorded pandemic deaths at the time of writing, countless livelihoods terminated and relationships dissolved. Fractures on a global scale. Within those cracks I have also seen new growth; mass displays of morality, resilience, found faith, opportunities. Constant pivoting on all societal levels, separation and synergy in balance, following each other. I have felt and experienced these all in my personal world too, in a way that is unique but so deeply important to shaping a life.
In the same breath I have also lived a world of microscopic change. The repetitive nature that has carved out months in isolation; get up, meditate, drink tea, read. Along with moments of difference sprinkled in; swapping out habits and mindsets, walks in nature not yet explored, the 5th successful slow cooker Pinterest recipe. Also deeply important to shaping a life.
I believe this astronomical event brings with it another level of attention to the purpose of our experiencing dual aspects, simultaneously. The image of these archetypal figures coming together to sit down and exchange stories, perspectives, both learning from each other is bound by time but also timeless. Cosmically echoing the same truth we’ve seen reflected in the worldly situation; that without impermanence, possibility would not come to be. That duality and unity can be held at the same time.
’The dawning of a new age’, ‘the beginning of a new era’, ‘cosmic rebirth’. Non of these words felt right when I was trying to summarise my thoughts and after watching the saturation on social media, feeling into my aversion, I now know why I had to wait to ground them. Personally, I’ve found some of this framing unnerving, especially when used in the context that we are leaving a dark age behind with an air of ‘good riddance’ and heading towards an idealised future, for me that does not completely resonate. However, it bears the weight and projections of hope from a year of intense grief, I understand.
We will continually leave one age to enter another; both ‘light’ and ‘dark’ over and over, within those ages there will be fluctuations too, nested experiences. It’s already happening. All year I have been tumbling with the thought of how time is experienced multidimensionally. In a linear way; past, present, future. In a cyclical way; without beginning or end. Whilst also the truth that both models are occurring together. That time evolves experience and builds layers of richness and simplicity.
I wonder, can chase for the new bring with it a forgetfulness, that the value of a moment in the now is still new? Can it disassociate us from the profound humility of just experiencing?
It is beautiful to have hope, to meet in a moment to reflect on the past and dream of a future - it lets our hearts wander to places entirely of our imagination. That enthusiasm and the act of dreaming is still happening, grounded, in the here and now.
