Ground Hog Day
Weatherman Phil Connors is a character in the movie Groundhog Day. It begins with Phil going to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the Groundhog Day celebrations held there. He is unhappy with his assignment. As the story develops, he must relive the same day repeatedly until he anticipates the events of the day and is released from his repeating cycle.
I, like most people, can appreciate that experience. As such, I like to observe cyclical patterns so they may support rather than upset me in my personal journey. So, upon waking each morning, I like to review the position of our solar system’s planets, and for the most part, the time in which I look is the same. Therefore the houses Pluto and Saturn occupy haven’t changed much, the sun is pretty much the same as yesterday, and there’s only a slight difference in the other celestial bodies as they do what they do. However, from day to day or week to week, the sign the planets are in changes, which I take note of.
While living in India, I enjoyed watching an astrologer predict the best time for an arranged marriage. Upon finishing his complicated equations, he stated, “this date would be favourable.” I instantly noted he said favourable, not perfect. How diplomatic, I thought. Now, many years later, I really appreciate what he was actually saying. He was taking into account those involved and their free will choice to do or not do something. If they followed his suggestion, the prevailing energy would support a successful union. Astrology will show us what is presenting, what is available, not what we’ll do.
Each day, the sun rises at a slightly different place along the horizon, shedding light a little differently. If we put two sticks in the ground, one to cast a shadow the other to show where the shadow is/was, we know that the second stick will be moved slightly daily. We can see examples of this support by a corn farmer looking at the sun in spring and knowing it’s very different than autumn. One is a time of planting. The latter tells of the harvest to come. These predictable cycles support the farmer in knowing what to do and when making a world of difference. Ask the farmer who planted corn in autumn how his crops did.
For those of us in Astrology, the sun’s placement throughout the day is also relevant. Radio stations figured out a long time ago that ads you listen to in the morning may not be suitable for the afternoon or evening. There are just some things best sold in the morning. The time of day and sign the celestial body is in adds hues (energies) to the outcome. Let’s say you wake at 7 am every day, with the sun in the 12th house of Spirituality. Astrologically, as you start your day, you may be spiritually considering life, looking at something ethically, religiously, or viewing the actions of others. At 6 am with the sun in the 1st house of self, you may be more self-focused. At 4 or 3 am the sun is in the 2nd house of Resources. Ask anyone who awakes from a sound sleep at 3 or 4 am what they are thinking about, and more times than not, it’s about being resourceful.
In Astrology, perspective is also important. Hanging on my wall is a painting of a rocky shoreline. Up close, it has hard lines and defined shading. Further back, the image is softer and takes on the qualities of a photograph. The painting, however, is just a painting. It’s how I choose to see it that matters.
Weatherman Phil Connors struggles within his cycles for a long time until he begins to allow predictable events to support him. Then in mastery, he finally anticipates the upcoming events and is able to put his best self forward. In so doing, he achieves his desired outcome. Are we talking about predicting the future with astrology? No. We are noticing and consciously being aware of the best time to plant our seeds and the best time to reap what we sow. Again, Astrology may suggest what we are prone to, yet we are free to make our choices. Phil’s character reminds us to know who we are, see what’s presenting, and then make good choices