December 21, 2012 and the Rich and Powerful Symbolism of Zero Point

That date, December 21 is getting a lot of Press these days and rightly so. Winter Solstice is the official beginning of winter season, of course and ironically, the actual beginning of the year, as far as the authority of the Sun’s light goes. How much authority does the sun’s light have? The Mayan’s actually have a name for that date and they call it “One Hunahpu”. Not to be mistaken with Hunab Ku – the name the Mayan’s give to the black hole at the Galactic Center itself. But the wise Mayans recognized a connection between the two and this associative link is part of the big 12/21/2012 theme. According to popular Mayan cosmology expert, John Major Jenkins, the Mayans also revere the Zenith in the sky, where they placed the Pleiades (according to the latitude in Mexico and perhaps a millennium or so ago) which they refer to as Quetzalcoatl. The other is the Pole star itself, Polaris, and the Big Dipper that points to it which they name Seven Macaw. All of the above mentioned point to yet another expression of a zero point indicator. Yes, the understanding of the Mayan’s (and symbolism in general) recognizes more than one expression of the same fundamental archetype, which in this case is zero. Much has been written about zero and it is said to not have existed before the middle ages when the Arabs introduced it. However, the ancient Egyptians certainly knew all about zero so such claims are highly interpretative. The Vesica Pisces, for example illustrates two perfect spheres overlapping at each others midpoint, so the one made into two, like the natural process of cell mitosis. This mystical image is the basis of sacred geometry and the flower of life, or the other way around to be more precise. The ancient Egyptians may not have used zero the way the Arabians eventually did, but the inner meaning of the O was well established.

That zero is symbolic of infinity – without beginning or end -- cycles, wheels, spheres and portals lends some further credence to the significance of zero. In Astrology it is referred to as the Aries Point, but this fact is less known among Astrologers than might be otherwise considered. Not all Astrologers are as interested in the deeper mechanics of how and why Astrology works. Many are more interested in the fact that it works and the numerous techniques and applications of it. I am one of those that is so inclined partially because I realize well that it does work and understanding how and why contributes greatly to being able to assist my clients to a much deeper understanding of their core nature that it seems that many others are interested in emphasising. I am actually a Humanistic Astrologer which means that I am more focused on a person-centered perspective, at least as the foundation for future work, than I am on event-oriented perspectives. This latter approach more fully emphasizes prediction and I do certainly focus on future trends, themes and dates, but not before first addressing the core themes and aspects of people’s destiny. Core is yet another expression of zero. The point at the very center of a sphere can be understood to be the core, the zero point, the portal.

So, there is much more to Winter Solstice and therefore to 12/21/2012 than is commonly recognized. It is a point of departure, an alpha point at the root of omega. The New Moon is also symbolic of this beginning or zero point themes as well, by the way. That is the main reason why I write a New Moon Newsletter. Although Western Astrology is a Solar based system, it does not mean that Astrologers dismiss the importance, power and significance of the New Moon and the fact that 13 x 28 = 364. Some people seem to think that the Moon is ignored in modern Astrology. Such may be the influence of Sun Sign Astrology and popular thinking about it. It is not arbitrary that the point at the center of the Sun in the Sun symbol also represents this zero point. On the whole chart in Western Astrology, the earth occupies this central position because Astrologers know that while the Sun is the center of the Solar System, we do not actually experience it that way. Thus, both the Helio-Centric perspective and the Geo-Centric perspective are both valid. That branch of Astrology that works with the Helio centric perspective can certainly be said to work and offers some valuable insights, yet these do not yet, at least, offer as much insight as the Geo-Centric-perspective. In Helio-Centric charts, the Moon and the Earth are seen as one in the same, due to the size of the Moon and from the Sun’s perspective. So the Moon may be said to be absorbed by the Earth and therefore the all important phase of the Moon is not brought into consideration. The Moon may seem to be a romantic and arbitrary satellite to more linear minded types, yet its significance to us is intrinsic to our very nature and being.

The other point to mention regarding the center of the chart, representing the zero point or center, the dot in the middle of the Sun symbol, is the Ascendant or rising sign. By extension, the center or zero point of the chart is also symbolic of the rising point of the Sun. One might imagine a radius line drawn from the center point, the zero point, to the left, which marks the direction of East, remember we are speaking of a sky map so East and West get inverted as do North and South. So, that radius line from the center to due East or left can be understood again as yet another zero point. The Ascendant is the rising point of the Sun. You may by now be getting a sense that the chart Mandala itself is very symbolic and finds it’s foundation in the circle, the shape of cycles and spirals and spheres and portals and… I trust you get the idea. But if you take some time to contemplate these facts it can prove very enlightening indeed. That Astrology works, and it certainly does, on the basis of these symbolic facts and the mystery of zero and portals and origins and so on you can begin to more fully appreciate its incredible importance towards a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of how and why Astrology does work. Now this radius line drawn from the center left or to the East of the Natal chart brings us to zero Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac, the sign and exact degree that is symbolic of spring and of Spring Equinox and of First Quarter or half waxing Moons.

Zero Aries is also the beginning point of the Natural Zodiac (where Zero Aries mark the first sign and house and each subsequent sign and house also begin at zero degrees of the next sign, like Taurus after Aries and on through to Pisces, the last or 12^th sign) and from which emerges the anchor or starting point for aspects, naturally. The aspects in Astrology are generally based on 30 degree multiples and they are hardly arbitrary in terms of why they means what they means. So, conjunctions represent two points at the Ascendant or zero Aries. The Square aspect or 90 degrees is symbolic of either Cancer or Capricorn, both of which at zero are 90 degrees from zero Aries. Libra is the sign opposite Aries and is therefore symbolic of the 180 degree Opposition Aspect. Collectively, these points are symbolic of the beginning of the Cardinal Signs which, in turn, mark the beginning of each season and the Solstices and Equinoxes. I have created a slide show on this symbolic representation of zero, the Sun and the center point and it is called a Journey into the Heart and Soul of Astrology.  You have just gone on the beginning of it here but the visuals are that much more exciting and revealing to both hemispheres of the brain.

So the Sun at zero Libra marks the Autumn Equinox. Saturn will enter Libra on October 29^th and so can be seen to be in the sign of autumn. It is worth noting that Saturn is actually ‘exalted’ in Libra, or in one of its most favourable positions. With Pluto at zero Capricorn  now, Saturn is approaching the ‘upper square’, aspect which means that it has already formed an opposition aspect and now is in the waning phase or upper square, otherwise referring itself to zero Capricorn in the aspects, but to Autumn Equinox from another perspective. Some of you will notice what might appear to be a slight contradiction here. You see, the Upper Square pertains to zero Capricorn in the Natural Zodiac stemming from zero Aries. However, in the seasonal round it refers to zero Libra. This overlap has and continues to be a point of confusion, even among Astrologers. The solution to the riddle, the apparent contradiction, is that the Aries Point simultaneously, the center point of the circle, the circumference of the circle itself and it is also the 1st House in the Natural Zodiac, the 10th House and the other Cardinal points and signs – Cancer and Libra, 4^th and 7^th Houses as well. The notion of multi location simultaneously is very ancient. Modern physics may assume that it has newly discovered it, but it is ancient. After all, the point and by extension the circle or zero represents the spirit and it is all pervasive in the material, manifest dimension which we generally called ‘reality’.

Notice the link between the first and 10^th Houses primarily. Both have 1 and 1 + 0 = 1. Further, as the planets travel counter clockwise, we might for a moment read the numbers the same way. Thus 10 read from right to left, like reading Hebrew, is 01, so to speak. In other words, the zero in Capricorn is its own zero point or alpha. Not surprisingly, Capricorn is symbolic of the Midheaven or Zenith or M.C. (Medium Coeli = Latin). It is also symbolic of high noon, thus the zenith of the Sun crossing the sky in its ‘apparent’ motion based on the earth turning on its axis. And, as mentioned it is further symbolic of Winter Solstice, the natural New Year and New Moon. Yes, it is rather ironic also that the New Year naturally begins at the onset of winter! But the Sun’s light having reached its furthest reach to the Tropic of Capricorn and thus the shortest hours of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere is the root cause so to what authority will you bring your complaints? Following from the 10 mirrored when read right to left or counter clockwise to be seen as 01, in effect, the 11^th and 12^th house cusps also take on a special significance, the houses of Aquarius and Pisces respectively.

Not surprisingly, Capricorn also represents a very spiritual point in the chart. First, because it is the zenith of the noon day Sun; second, because it marks winter which is about turning inward; third, because it is symbolic of Winter Solstice and New Moon and finally, for now, though the list goes on, because it is said to be the point from which the soul is said to depart or graduate based on diligence, discipline of spiritual effort and focus. That the M.C. or Midheaven, the 10th house cusp is generally understood to be the point that symbolizes ones public standing, reputation and career, we get a hint of the spiritual link between one’s vocation and their spiritual life. Yes, right vocation is important. This should not be seen to be a static expression, by the way. In other words, each symbol can and does have many layers of expression so there can be many interpretations and choices regarding right vocation. This may seem like a contradiction but it is not, it is based on the many layered realities of symbols. I hope that what I am saying here is helping you to better understand some of this multi layered principle as with the zero point. I realize that this can be a lot to understand and it takes time to really digest it but I can assure you that the authority of how and why Astrology works is linked to it. The Mayan’s certainly knew this and it brings us back to the 12/21/2012 date. Winter Solstice, New Moon and Zero Point, (it should be capitalized due to its proper authority) are all symbolically linked. Together they represent endings and new beginnings simultaneously. A new day is dawning alright! It can also been seen a as a new season and a new year and these terms are fractal representations themselves. 12/21/2012 is likely to usher in an entirely new era and it will occur very quickly. We can safely say it is already happening yet when the official day actually occurs, there will certainly be some very powerful indicators that something new has been born. What will be born is another question. Some will say an entirely new consciousness, and I would agree. Some will say a new humanity. Yes, that too. Others will assert that it will mark the dawning of a much more conscious awareness of the multitude of other beings that inhabit our galaxy and universe in general. I could well imagine that. Many see this turning point as the birth of a reunion of the male and female as equal in every respect. Let us pray that this is true and let us engage consciously with our co-creative will and intention to make it so.