Messages

16

Astrology / Astrology and the Sage

« on: June 08, 2011, 09:48:46 PM »

SAGE

Sages seek both wisdom and self-expression. Because they are after truth and wisdom, they involve themselves in study - not in the way Scholars do - but in the study of life itself, with themselves as the main subject. One way they do this is through acting. The stage is a place where they can try out the various characters, experiences, and emotions they come across in their explorations. It allows them to examine the nuances of the emotions and the human condition without living the emotions, which would not suit their style or their goals.
   Fire and air signs, especially Gemini and Sagittarius, are most suited to them because Sages require the freedom to explore their environment and themselves independent of the needs of others. Fire and air signs are useful because they help them to observe life freshly and objectively. Leo is a favorite sign, too. It encourages them to explore their creativity and expressive potential, which is another way they come to understand themselves and others. Aquarius is also favored because its independent, tolerant, and progressive outlook suits their goals. However, Aquarius’ group orientation does not appeal to them.
   Sages invest little time in exploring relationships and the emotional side of life because they need freedom to accomplish their goals. They leave this side of life to others, except as it relates to their goals. Nevertheless, they frequently choose Scorpio because it allows them to study others and themselves. However, the side of Scorpio that becomes entangled in relationships is not for them. Once they have learned the watery lessons, they usually stay away from water signs, though they may continue to choose Scorpio to hone their psychological understanding.
   Occasionally, Sages choose earth signs to foster stability and responsibility. They need to learn to handle everyday responsibilities. This is usually accomplished in early lifetimes so that later they can devote themselves to their explorations.
   The Sage’s North Node is most frequently in Sagittarius or Gemini, sometimes in Scorpio, and less frequently in Aquarius or Leo. Their life tasks are likely to involve teaching, speaking, writing, or drama.

Signs Most Frequently Chosen by Sages (air and fire):
Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, and Aquarius

Talents of Sage: wisdom, cultural erudition, acting, speaking, teaching

Tendencies That May Need Balancing: lack of practical expertise; needs to develop practical skills and be involved in service and in the ordinary aspects of life"

17

Astrology / Astrology and the Artisan

« on: June 08, 2011, 09:47:57 PM »

ARTISAN

The Artisan’s goal is creativity and self-expression. Their creations take many forms: art, music, dance, poetry, pottery, crafts, decorating, design, fashion, jewelry, and anything else that incorporates a new, fresh approach or style. The Artisan’s urge to create comes from deep within and does not let them rest until it has been expressed. They see life through different eyes than most and catch subtleties that others without their keen sensitivities miss. Their fresh viewpoint, which they bring to others through their creations, renews us. Their work could be considered spiritual, for their creations reflect the transcendent and sublime aspect of life. Thus, they have an important mission, though it is not always recognized as such.
   Artisans usually have charts strong in water and fire, the creative elements. Water provides the sensitivity to capture creative inspirations from the unconscious realm and beyond, and fire provides the drive to express them. Earth is needed in their early lifetimes to develop the skills and discipline needed to materialize their creations. However, later on it is likely to add too much practicality and conventionality to be useful. Whether or not air is present depends on what form the creativity takes. It will be present if the creations call for it, as they do in creative writing or poetry; otherwise, it may not.
   Any placement of the Moon’s nodes is possible with Artisans. However, the North Node in Cancer (water), Pisces (water), Virgo (earth), Taurus (earth), Leo (fire), or Libra (air) is more likely than other placements. These are also their favorite signs. Taurus and Libra, because Venus rules them, are favored, as is Virgo for its craftsmanship and attention to detail, and Leo for its urge to create.

Signs Most Frequently Chosen by Artisans (water and fire):
Cancer, Pisces, Leo, Taurus, Libra, and Virgo

Talents of Artisan: creative inspiration and expression, artistic talent, craftsmanship, manual and physical dexterity

Tendencies That May Need Balancing: lack of skill with relationships and dealing with the world; needs to learn social skills and conformity

18

Astrology / Astrology and the Scholar

« on: June 08, 2011, 09:47:04 PM »

SCHOLAR

Scholars contribute to society intellectually by analyzing and compiling existing information. They are key to the maintenance of civilization, but generally are not involved in the creation of new ideas. Their life tasks usually involve research, teaching, writing, lecturing, reporting, establishing and maintaining libraries, editing, publishing, and scholarly studies. Their contributions are likely to be in the form of ideas, plans, abstractions, analysis, observations, comparisons, and statistics.
   Air is likely to be the strongest element in their charts, with earth being the second. Air gives them the ability and desire to explore the realm of ideas objectively and analytically, while earth gives them the patience and persistence to pursue their intellectual endeavors. Scholars enjoy the exchange of ideas, whether or not they personally support those ideas. They rarely become involved in causes because that would detract from their goal of compiling and analyzing data. For the same reason, they choose water signs as infrequently as possible, relying on others to provide the emotional element in their lives. Although this can be frustrating for their partners, who may not get their emotional needs met, emotional people gain objectivity through their relationships with Scholars, which may be the purpose of such a relationship.
   Because fire is not particularly necessary or helpful to Scholars, it is not usually chosen except to balance their overly intellectual approach with physical activity. Fire would add restlessness and impatience to their personality, which might interfere with their need to persist during the dry, unexciting moments so common to intellectual pursuits.
   Virgo (earth) is a favorite sign, along with Gemini (air) and Aquarius (air). Virgo provides the mental discipline and attention to detail that their work requires. Capricorn (earth) and Taurus (earth) are helpful as well, supplying the drive to accomplish something for society and the ability to wade through endless piles of information. Because its sociability outweighs its intellectuality, Libra (air) chosen too frequently is likely to interfere with their work, which mostly takes place in isolation.
   Their North Node is often in Gemini or Aquarius, and less frequently in Libra. When it is in Gemini, it is likely to indicate a lifetime of study, teaching, writing, speaking, or accumulating data. In Aquarius, the North Node is likely to indicate a life task involving a team or scientific research or both. The North Node in Libra might mean that a partnership is significant to the life task. The Scholar’s North Node is not found in Virgo as often as you might think because this nodal axis is most common to life tasks involving healing or service.

Signs Most Frequently Chosen by Scholars (air and earth):
Gemini, Aquarius, and Virgo

Talents of Scholar: academic expertise, writing, speaking, logical analysis, teaching

Tendencies That May Need Balancing: lack of common sense and practical know-how; needs to be involved in the ordinary aspects of life, especially in practical tasks and relationships

19

Astrology / Astrology and the Warrior

« on: June 08, 2011, 09:46:17 PM »

WARRIOR

Because Warriors and Kings are alike in their goals and styles, they choose similar charts. However, the Warrior’s purpose is not leadership but conquest and exploration. For them, leadership is merely a means to an end. Both Kings and Warriors are dynamic, assertive, confident, courageous, and unrelenting. Warriors apply these traits to exploration, adventure, and conquest for its own sake. Kings do these things only if they apply to the goal of rulership.
   The purpose of the Warrior’s many lifetimes is to build strength, courage, stamina, and physical prowess. Their life tasks may involve daring business ventures, athletic achievements, championing the weak, and courageous feats that inspire excellence in others. They stretch the limits of what humankind can accomplish, thus inspiring further achievements and expanding human capacities.
   Warriors’ charts emphasize fire and deemphasize water. Water does not help them attain their goals, nor do they particularly enjoy lifetimes with the water signs. Water requires involvement with family, friends, and emotional issues, which goes against their restless, independent, and conquering nature. To them, emotions are something to be overcome so that they do not interfere with their goals. Therefore, they spend as little time as possible developing this side of themselves. Instead, they devote themselves to strengthening the traits that will further their goals.    
   Air is helpful to them because it provides the objectivity and extroversion they need to disengage themselves from the emotional realm and from people whose fear may inhibit their courage. A strong Uranus, characteristic of Warriors, is often chosen to enhance their daring and adventuresome spirit.
   Earth is not often found in Warriors’ charts except in their early lifetimes, when it provides the common sense and stability needed for good judgment and the physical skills needed for their later life tasks. Once enough lifetimes have been spent with the earth signs, Warriors avoid them. Earth signs provide too much caution and practicality, which can interfere with their achieving their superhuman goals. Nevertheless, sometimes earth is just what they need to balance their overly zealous nature and sense of invincibility, and to keep them from overstepping the bounds of good judgment.

Signs Most Frequently Chosen by Warriors (fire and Uranus):
Aries, Sagittarius, Leo, and Capricorn

Talents of Warrior: military expertise, leadership, courage, strength, self-assertion, championing causes

Tendencies That May Need Balancing: lack of compassion and sensitivity to others; needs to develop compassion, empathy, and cooperation

20

Astrology / Astrology and the Seven Roles: Introduction

« on: June 08, 2011, 09:45:24 PM »

Astrology and the Seven Roles

For the benefit of the Michael community at this forum, I would like to present some excerpts from the book, Symbols of the Soul: Discovering Your Karma Through Astrology (2000), to highlight some of findings by its author, Gina Lake, who is a counseling psychologist and author of ten books. Gina has very generously given permission to use excerpts from her book for our group discussion. You can find her book at this link: Amazon.com: Symbols of the Soul: Discovering Your Karma Through Astrology (9781567184075): Gina Lake: Books
 
NOTE: The premise of this book is NOT that astrology charts would be "interchangeable" with MT. Gina's book is trying to show that each ROLE favors certain SIGNS at different SOUL AGES. For years now, I've been interested in studying different personality typing systems (including the enneagram/natal charts/numerology/human design profiles/archetypes and other systems). This book is the first to describe how the Michael roles (based on MFM and The Michael Handbook material) and soul ages fit into modern astrology, which is yet another tool for understanding the soul’s path and the personality.

As Michael says: "The Grand Cycle is to your Essence/Spark, what each Personality is to your Role. Essence does not evolve without the Role and the Role does not evolve without the Personality." (channelled by Troy Tolley)
 
"CHOOSING THE CHART
by Gina Lake
 
When we choose a chart (by choosing a moment and place of birth), we choose it to balance karma, learn lessons, develop talents, and fulfill a life task, but also because we have a desire to experience life through certain signs. We do not experience the signs in any set order and we are free to choose some signs more than others. Where does this desire come from? Why do we have certain preferences?
 
THE SEVEN ROLES
 
Why we each have our own preferences of signs is not such a mystery if we understand that we are sent from the godhead with general inclinations and goals. I am referring to what some call “Roles.” Before its set of physical incarnations, each soul takes on a Role that pertains to a goal for all its physical incarnations. The incarnations and the life tasks, in particular, relate to this Role.
 
Each Role favors certain signs because some signs suit the Role’s task and its way of being. There are seven Roles, thus, seven goals, each exhibiting its own style and each favoring certain signs. This helps explain why some signs in a chart may be more advanced than others: they have been chosen more often because the person’s Role favors them. Those who are advanced enough to have the freedom to choose their charts usually express their Roles in the charts they pick. Thus, the Role can often be surmised from the chart. However, sometimes a chart is chosen to balance the characteristics of a Role.

If our chart is very different from our Role, it won’t feel natural. A Warrior, for instance, would feel frustrated in a watery chart, but the chart would deliver some important lessons. The usual reason for this is to balance the negative tendencies of a certain sign, which may have become ingrained by choosing that sign over many lifetimes.
These energies are like a costume donned for one lifetime to experience the lessons and develop the talents of those energies. Still we are more than these energies; we are more than our charts. We are the sum total of all our previous lifetimes of experiences and their energy patterns (charts). In many ways, we are like actors on a stage: we know that we are more than the character we are playing, but for the time being we dress up in our costume and play our part. The difference is that the actor has no freedom to choose his lines and actions, and we do. We create the play as we go along. Our future, our story, is created by our choices and by the choices of those close to us.

The lessons of each of the twelve signs must be experienced and mastered before our evolution is complete. When a sign is first experienced, it will be awkwardly and more negatively expressed. Later, with more experience, its positive attributes are more easily expressed and its talents develop. Gradually, over many lifetimes, the expression of the signs evolves. We do not experience the signs in any set order and we are free to choose some signs more than others. This allows us to focus on certain talents, lessons, or tasks. Each of us is unique, and we evolve uniquely as well. The descriptions of the signs apply not only to people with that Sun sign, but also to those who have that sign prominent in their chart" [as Ascendant, angles, aspects, etc.].

21

Astrology / Astrology and the King

« on: June 08, 2011, 08:07:27 PM »

KING

Kings have life tasks that involve leadership and enterprise. Their goal is self-expression and the advancement of new projects or ideas. Their accomplishments are varied, but the experience of leadership underlies them all. Their charts are chosen to develop self-confidence, self-assertion, proper use of power, organizational ability, foresight, and understanding, all qualities necessary for good leadership. Over the course of their lifetimes, Kings learn that good leaders promote what is best for the majority, and they develop the foresight to know what that is.
   Kings are fiery and cardinal, and they choose charts that reflect these qualities. The cardinal signs most suited to them are Capricorn (earth) and Aries (fire). They also favor Leo (fire) and Sagittarius (fire).
   Unless they find themselves leading in intellectual spheres, air is not likely to be prominent in their charts. This is true even though intelligence, education, and diplomacy are important in most leadership tasks. When diplomacy is important, Libra (air) is chosen.
   Earth signs, however, are likely. Earth signs give the practical know-how, logic, and realistic approach that form the basis of sound judgment. The earth signs, especially Capricorn, give the determination and desire for power and prestige, which stimulate the development of traits needed for strong leadership. The King’s least favorite signs are Cancer, Libra, Pisces, and Virgo. Sometimes Kings have to choose these signs for a few lifetimes to learn to share power, to develop compassion, or to learn humility or other basic lessons. They may have difficulty with humility in particular. It is easy for them to assume that they are superior when they attract power so easily. The lesson of humility is their biggest challenge, one they may not entirely master, even in their later lifetimes.
   The King’s North Node is likely to be in Leo or Capricorn, occasionally in Aries, and less frequently in Taurus, though a Taurus placement is favorable for the King because of its ability to accumulate wealth, which gives Kings power in most societies. Taurus also supplies the persistence and determination needed to accomplish great deeds. When the North Node is in Aries, it usually symbolizes the need to develop ego strength before being ready to lead. This is more of a preparatory placement for Kings than one chosen in later lifetimes, when they are actually in positions of authority. In later lifetimes, the North Node is often in Leo or Capricorn. However, if their life task involves spiritual leadership, for instance, the North Node may be in Pisces. Obviously, the particular life task influences the nodal placement.

Signs Most Frequently Chosen by Kings (fire and cardinal):
Leo, Aries, Capricorn, Sagittarius, and Libra

Talents of King: leadership, political prowess, speaking, executive ability, a flair for drama

Tendencies That May Need Balancing: lack of compassion and sensitivity to others; needs to develop compassion, empathy, and equality in relationships

22

Astrology / Astrology and the Server

« on: June 08, 2011, 08:06:20 PM »

SERVANT

Servants, also known as Slaves, have a goal of service, too. However, their service is not limited to serving the spiritual needs of others as it is with Priests. In early incarnations, their service is likely to entail menial duties and subservient roles, which teach them to love service for service’s sake. In later incarnations, after they have learned to serve humbly and happily, they serve by choice and may even become famous for their selfless acts. They never seek notoriety, however, unless it helps their life task by allowing them to reach more people.
   Virgo (earth), Pisces (water), Cancer (water), and Libra (air) are common in Servants’ charts. Their charts usually have both earth and water signs. The earth signs afford them the practical know-how and determination to dedicate themselves to helping others. If their service depends on mental activity, air signs will be highlighted as well. Because water signs develop the compassion, love, and kindness so necessary to service, they are the cornerstones of this Role.
   It is rare for Servants not to have water in their charts. If it becomes necessary for a Servant to balance an overly watery nature by eliminating water signs from the chart for a while, the qualities of water will still be apparent in the personality. When a balancing life is chosen, it is usually to gain more self-confidence and independence, for which the fire signs are useful. Otherwise, fire signs are not helpful to them.
   The Servant’s Moon’s nodes are most often in Pisces/Virgo, but Cancer/Capricorn is fairly common as well. The Pisces/Virgo axis represents service, and these are their two favorite signs. However, Cancer/Capricorn nodes also allow them to serve others, particularly family members. When the North Node is in Capricorn, which is rare, it is usually to balance overly dependent and self-sacrificing behavior. Giving too much of ourselves to others is not service, but dishonoring ourselves. This is one of their major lessons, which even advanced Servants may struggle with. Shifting the North Node from Cancer to Capricorn and adding fire signs to the chart are the methods most often used to overcome this tendency.

Signs Most Frequently Chosen by Servants (water and earth):
Pisces, Virgo, Cancer, and Libra

Talents of Servant: efficient and thorough service, dedication to a task, humility

Tendencies That May Need Balancing: lack of identity and self-esteem; needs to develop an identity, confidence, and assertiveness

23

Astrology / Astrology and the Priest

« on: June 08, 2011, 08:04:41 PM »

There are seven Roles: Priest, Servant (Slave), King, Warrior, Scholar, Artisan, and Sage. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro first presented this concept in her book Messages from Michael. The brief descriptions for each role will follow:

PRIEST

When allowed to, Priests choose incarnations that enable them to explore the unconscious and the emotions. They are interested in religions of all kinds, meditation, psychology, dreams, psychic phenomena, and other areas that take them beyond the five senses and the material world. Because of their drive to explore other realms, some find themselves in trouble with drugs and alcohol, but usually only in their early incarnations. They eventually share the insight and understanding that they gain in their explorations with others as spiritual leaders, healers, counselors, ministers and teachers. They are rarely found in subservient positions, since these do no provide the freedom to pursue the understanding and wisdom they crave.
   Pisces (water) is a favorite sign, but only in conjunction with the fire signs, which help Priests develop the leadership skills they need to act as spiritual guides or teachers. Sagittarius (fire) is their other favorite sign. Leo (fire) and Aries (fire) are frequently chosen as well, but only to aid their search for understanding and the acquisition of spiritual strength and leadership, not for gaining power in a material or mundane sense. Virgo (earth) is not a favorite sign, nor is it particularly needed. A lack of humility is not usually a problem with this Role, since the ego’s desires don’t hold as much sway for Priests as they do for the other Roles.
   As for the elements, Priests’ charts are most often composed of fire and water signs, some air, and little earth. Occasionally, these charts contain earth to help Priests acquire the following that they need. For the most part, Priests gain their following because of their spiritual power and not because of material success.
   Besides an abundance of fire and water, another clue to identifying this Role is in the Moon’s nodes. The nodes are most often in Gemini/Sagittarius, although Leo/Aquarius is common, too. Since the life task and Role are often related, analyzing the nodes is helpful in identifying the Role.
   The life tasks for this Role can take many forms and usually pertain to providing spiritual guidance and understanding.
   Depending on the culture, this may mean psychological guidance or even medical guidance, as with shamans. Although some people who perform these functions have little traditional training, all but the most undeveloped Priests involve themselves in stringent mental and spiritual disciplines to attain the caliber of understanding required of them. Consequently, air signs are important in acquiring the educational training and social skills they need to fulfill their tasks. Of the air signs, Libra and Gemini are most frequently chosen. Libra provides counseling skill, while Gemini supplies the curiosity and motivation to learn what is needed to be a spiritual teacher. Aquarius is chosen least because it doesn’t allow them the leadership and authority they enjoy. Priests give comfort and healing to those they serve, but they are not one of them.
   Scorpio is the water sign most favored by Priests, after Pisces. Cancer is chosen the least. The dependency, emotional involvement, and responsibilities entailed in family life do not foster leadership skills nor allow them enough freedom. Likewise, Scorpio is not as ideal as Pisces. Yet the lessons pertaining to dependency, intimacy, and relationship cannot be entirely avoided even by Priests.
   The earth sign most favored is Capricorn because it fosters leadership and initiative. Taurus and Virgo, on the other hand, are two of the least chosen signs. These signs rarely aid the Priest’s work, and their lessons are not particularly difficult for them to master.
   The other fire signs, Aries and Leo, are helpful and favored as well. Rarely do Priests lack strength in the element of fire, since the life task is likely to need fire. If little fire is present in the Priest’s chart, the individual may have developed the fiery gifts so completely in other lifetimes that fire needs to be represented only minimally. Because an element that is totally absent is a clue to characteristics that are not important to the life task, this information should be used in delineating the Role and the life task.

Signs Most Frequently Chosen by Priests (water and fire):
Pisces, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Leo and Aries

Talents of Priest: counseling, speaking, spiritual healing, religious leadership

Tendencies That May Need Balancing: too much introspection; needs to develop relationship skills

24

Astrology / Astrology and the Seven Roles: Introduction

« on: June 08, 2011, 07:59:01 PM »

For the benefit of the Michael community at this forum, I would like to present some excerpts from the book, Symbols of the Soul: Discovering Your Karma Through Astrology (2000), to highlight some of findings by its author, Gina Lake, who is a counseling psychologist and author of ten books. Gina has very generously given permission to use excerpts from her book for our group discussion. You can find her book at this link: Amazon.com: Symbols of the Soul: Discovering Your Karma Through Astrology (9781567184075): Gina Lake: Books
 
NOTE: The premise of this book is NOT that astrology charts would be "interchangeable" with MT. Gina's book is trying to show that each ROLE favors certain SIGNS at different SOUL AGES. For years now, I've been interested in studying different personality typing systems (including the enneagram/natal charts/numerology/human design profiles/archetypes and other systems). This book is the first to describe how the Michael roles (based on MFM and The Michael Handbook material) and soul ages fit into modern astrology, which is yet another tool for understanding the soul’s path and the personality.

As Michael says: "The Grand Cycle is to your Essence/Spark, what each Personality is to your Role. Essence does not evolve without the Role and the Role does not evolve without the Personality." (channelled by Troy Tolley)
 
"CHOOSING THE CHART
by Gina Lake
 
When we choose a chart (by choosing a moment and place of birth), we choose it to balance karma, learn lessons, develop talents, and fulfill a life task, but also because we have a desire to experience life through certain signs. We do not experience the signs in any set order and we are free to choose some signs more than others. Where does this desire come from? Why do we have certain preferences?
 
THE SEVEN ROLES
 
Why we each have our own preferences of signs is not such a mystery if we understand that we are sent from the godhead with general inclinations and goals. I am referring to what some call “Roles.” Before its set of physical incarnations, each soul takes on a Role that pertains to a goal for all its physical incarnations. The incarnations and the life tasks, in particular, relate to this Role.
 
Each Role favors certain signs because some signs suit the Role’s task and its way of being. There are seven Roles, thus, seven goals, each exhibiting its own style and each favoring certain signs. This helps explain why some signs in a chart may be more advanced than others: they have been chosen more often because the person’s Role favors them. Those who are advanced enough to have the freedom to choose their charts usually express their Roles in the charts they pick. Thus, the Role can often be surmised from the chart. However, sometimes a chart is chosen to balance the characteristics of a Role.

If our chart is very different from our Role, it won’t feel natural. A Warrior, for instance, would feel frustrated in a watery chart, but the chart would deliver some important lessons. The usual reason for this is to balance the negative tendencies of a certain sign, which may have become ingrained by choosing that sign over many lifetimes.

These energies are like a costume donned for one lifetime to experience the lessons and develop the talents of those energies. Still we are more than these energies; we are more than our charts. We are the sum total of all our previous lifetimes of experiences and their energy patterns (charts). In many ways, we are like actors on a stage: we know that we are more than the character we are playing, but for the time being we dress up in our costume and play our part. The difference is that the actor has no freedom to choose his lines and actions, and we do. We create the play as we go along. Our future, our story, is created by our choices and by the choices of those close to us.

The lessons of each of the twelve signs must be experienced and mastered before our evolution is complete. When a sign is first experienced, it will be awkwardly and more negatively expressed. Later, with more experience, its positive attributes are more easily expressed and its talents develop. Gradually, over many lifetimes, the expression of the signs evolves. We do not experience the signs in any set order and we are free to choose some signs more than others. This allows us to focus on certain talents, lessons, or tasks. Each of us is unique, and we evolve uniquely as well. The descriptions of the signs apply not only to people with that Sun sign, but also to those who have that sign prominent in their chart" [as Ascendant, angles, aspects, etc.]."