Homage to Amun-Re, the brilliant Sun god who sailed his boat across the hot Egyptian sky every day. By night, when the Sun set (or died) Amun-Re continued his nautical journey through the underworld and 12 hours of darkness. The doorway into each hour of the underground was guarded by frightening demons which Amun-Re hads to overcome in order to realize his sacred mission; to be reborn with the next dawn.
The Sun has been honored throughout history as a force of life and vitality. Equally important is the Moon, which brings mystical light to the night sky. The Sun and Moon are considered primary “lights” of the astrological chart. Indeed, Sun sign astrology has spawned an industry of daily nestylepaper columns and livened up many party conversations. The Sun sign is an important part of astrological interpretation, though not the only one. A complete astrological portrait includes all of the known planets in our solar system, and is a synchronistic interplay of time and space on a human soul. This article is to honor our primal movers, the Sun and Moon.
The Sun represents a focal point, or center for personality. Consider how the planets of our solar system circle around the blazing light, held in orbit by its powerful gravitational pull. Instinctively, we all know that the Sun gives life. The inner core of the Sun contains hydrogen atoms which fuse into helium and send out energy in the form of blistering gamma rays, just as the soul pours out an inner drive for expression. The Sun illuminates archetypical drive and focus represented by each astrological sign. Key words for Sun are; vitality, creativity, exhibition, and dignity.
The ruling element of the Sun is fire. Picture a camp fire at night; flames leaping hungrily into the sky. The fire is fueled by air and wood, and sustained on earth. Fire is considered to be representative of Spirit. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac is a cardinal, or action starting fire sign. The focus of Aries is “I Am”. Aries represents the primal burst of spirit into human form. Sagittarius, the 9th sign of the zodiac is a mutable fire sign which seeks expression through the keynote phrase “I Am- Free”. Personal freedom to expand consciousness is the lifeblood of a Sagittarian. Spirit develops wisdom through travel and an unencumbered outlook in Sagittarius. Vibrant Leo seeks expression through creativity and charisma. This fixed fire sign says “Look at – Me”. Leo wants recognition and refines the energy of fire through development of personality and ego. The ruling planet of Leo is our glistening mentor, the Sun, or Amen – Re sailing his vessel across the bright sky.
All Sun myths share a common storyline telling of the time when Sol disappears into the cold night and of resurrection to a new day. At night, Amen -Re enters the mysterious domain of an equally powerful light, the Moon. Notably, the Sun is 400 times larger than the Moon. However, because the Moon is 400 times closer to the earth, they both appear to be of equal size. The Moon rules a labyrinth of emotions and hidden fears. This ever changing luminary even moves the oceanic tides. How can it not influence human beings, the children of earth? The Moon represents our instinctual drives; primarily how we FEEL.
In Hindu (or Vedic) astrology, the Moon is the single most important influence on a chart. The Moon takes top priority because it responsible for the overall happiness and well being of a person. The Vedic Sun also rules confidence, authority, power, and status, but is considered a malefic, or negative planet because of its intense heat. The Moon rules peace of mind, comfort, ease of life, affluence, and fame. Both Western and Vedic astrology agree on elemental assignment of the Moon, that of water.
One element that can totally dampen the pure energy of fire is, as we all know – water. Emotions are the domain element water. Campfires are most beautiful beside a lake or the ocean. Clear water reflects the rising flames, day or night. We frolic and immerse ourselves in its fluid release; return to the primal womb. Late at night, before retiring from the day, we dostylee our campfire with the nurturing fluid to insure that the unpredictable fire will not resurrect and burn out of control when unattended.
Consider the changing forms of water; it can be contained in a vessel, frozen, or constantly moving as a river. The sign Scorpio is represents fixed (or frozen) water. Betray the intense Scorpio, and you will know the meaning of being “frozen out” of his or her life. Dreamy Pisces portrays mutable or moving water. The two fishes, here, there, everywhere; but you cannot catch them easily. Pisces is the inspirational Mystic – ungrounded, and unfathomable. Cancer, the sensitive shy crab is assigned the cardinal, or action starting qualities of the emotional water element. Cancer is the “moonchild”, silly, changeable and always busy. One of the body parts ruled by the Moon and Cancer is the stomach. Have you ever noticed how people with a Cancer Sun or Moon are strategically planning their next meal?
Western and Vedic astrology both agree in assignment of female gender qualities to the Moon, and place masculine association with the Sun. Nonetheless, there have been many female Sun goddesses throughout history. One notable deity is the Japanese Sun Goddess Amaterasu. The best known story of Amaterasu is about the day she fought with her unruly brother the Storm god and withdrew into a cave, causing the world to become dark and uninhabitable. Only Uzume, the Goddess of mirth was able to entice her interest with a bawdy show of dancing and singing. When Amaterasu curiously looked out her cave door, she was dazzled by her own beauty reflected in a mirror, and came out again to shine her light on the world.
