The Mirage of Victory

Nov 15, 2023

There are quite a few astrologers subscribed to this Substack column, but since not everyone pays attention to the frequencies affecting us, it feels timely to mention that the intensity many are experiencing is easily correlated to the Sun/Mars conjunction that opposes transiting Uranus. This is volatile and has the kind of incendiary attributes that tend to force matters to a head. Of course, we feel this in our personal lives, but we can also see it on the big screen as explosives in war zones or volcanoes erupting. Privately, we may see the microcosm of the macrocosm at the dinner table or in the bedroom or boardroom. For me, much of the tension involves IT issues, a few of which hit critical mass yesterday and were resolved around 2:00 am after a server crash affecting around 25 of my websites. However, one link that was in development is now live. It concerns my legacy.

In between tech tickets, I caught up with what happened when I was offline for a couple of days and when tangled up with web issues. Though it was a long time ago — and it is doubtful he would remember — there was a time when Dennis Kucinich was a congressman that he would phone and we would talk. Then, as now, I found him to be a man of principle. The articulation of his convictions came as no surprise. He is devoted to peace and his words are carefully crafted.

It is not clear to me whether the actions taking place in Gaza are expressions of anger or a sinister plan that hides behind retaliation to justify its actions. The term I have used to describe people on the path of action is “skillful means”. The first chakra can spin either direction depending on whether we are on the path of action or the path of wisdom. This also affects the fight or flight mechanism. If might makes right, one may take risks to assert oneself or one’s agenda. If the odds do not favor success, it is folly to stake one’s future on means that are unlikely to succeed.

Not everyone is on the path of action, but those who are need to learn to achieve their desired outcomes without risking repercussions. All actions have reactions . . . and this is how karma teaches us to exercise restraint and foresight. Karma is not necessarily punitive. It can be educational . . . but only if one is willing to factor in consequences when unleashing projectiles. Mars is, of course, the symbol of the warrior, but there are at least two considerations to take into account when battling: is the risk worth taking and will the backlash destroy the mirage of achievement?

Politicians are, of course, generally on the path of action. For me, they become quite boring after a few speeches so by the time one is supposed to cast votes, enthusiasm has generally dwindled to the zero point. In the U.S., campaigns go on and on and on so the ennui is often reached a year before the voting. Well, I am surely at the nil point already.

On the path of wisdom, there is less movement and therefore less karma. We are generally engaged in an effort to align with truth rather than polarity which usually entails combat between perspectives. However, where religion and politics are concerned, we have here in the U.S. abundant proof that we can live among family, friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, and others in general regardless of our views. In short, there is no reason to impose our views on anyone else, but when we have situations such as in Ukraine and the Middle East, wisdom is needed. Where Ukraine is concerned, a simple plebiscite should have been offered without a single hostile action against anyone. People should have a right to choose, and no one has a right to kill another person in order to achieve his or her own ambitions.

In short, from my perspective, there is a lack of evidence of skillful means being at work in Ukraine. We do not see it on the Russian side, on the Ukrainian side, or among NATO or EU actions.

The situation in the Middle East is more complicated so sages are needed to mediate discussions that would result in everlasting peace. If a peace movement has global support, a point will come when no one is willing to target another human being. Even if one has a weapon, one would be ashamed to use it. Living the rest of one’s life with regrets is sad. If the deeds accompany the perpetrators into the afterlife, that is even sadder. If memories are embedded into the psyche and reappear in each incarnation, it is sadder yet. Are we wise enough, humane enough, and sensible enough to play it safe rather than sorry?

It is clear that opinions differ but if someone campaigning for office were to submit a plan for peace, not only would he or she deserve a Nobel prize, but the world would become a safer place. When people insist that those who want peace are naïve, are they speaking from experience or bias? Gandhi did not heed the advice of detractors and India finally shook off the British Raj. He modeled discipline and dissidence without firing a single shot.

In my view, the Flower Children of the Vietnam War era also prevailed by making war unpopular. Yes, there is more to the story, but leaders cannot hold onto their positions if support is lacking.

There are many sensible people in this world, people like Tulsi Gabbard, Dr. Gabriel Mate, even more controversial people like Dr. Cynthia McKinney and Julian Assange. We each need to understand that problems are never resolved before a win-win situation is reached. Pray for calmer heads and warmer hearts!

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