"A Word to the Wise" is written periodically by Misty-Eve, of the American Rite of the Druidic Craft. They are "Astrological Messages reflecting on the Druid Perspective of the Sun's current influence. Based on the teachings of Father Eli (1913-1983): Cherokee Medicine Man and Grand Master of The Druidic Craft of the Wise in America."

In the study of the Druidic Arts, we are taught that All the characteristics of the Perfected Man can be found in the study of the Zodiacal Signs. In Pisces, we are influenced to work on perfecting the characteristic of "Belief".

"A Belief is just a thought you keep thinking."
~ Abraham-Hicks

A BELIEF is a thought we have been taught to think, but have no personal experience with that points to it's validity. Here then, we must say "I don't know", because when we "Know" from our own personal experience, then we can no longer "Believe". When we test out a belief, then we Know for ourselves, and no one can tell us otherwise.

The three decans are most often seen as:
1. CARDINAL ....... charging into the month
2. FIXED ............... standing firm with what's been learned
3. MUTABLE ........ making needed changes

In Pisces, we charge into the month of "I Believe" with the cardinal, or first, decan of OBEDIENCE. Some call it "Blind Obedience", but we are given the task of opening our eyes to consider to what we should be obedient. During the consideration of this we lay down some rules for ourselves, and might display a bit of watery coldness to those who don't adhere to those rules.

Then in the 2nd decan we become "Fixed" upon COMPASSION... because, oh my goodness, the world sure needs a lot of it! But our arms cannot reach the world around, so we are forced to consider WHO is deserving of our compassion. We find it difficult to extend our love (even to ourselves) when we find that the Rules we've set down need adjusting. Oh the woes of the two fish tied together at the tails… continually confused in the inner turmoil, unable to reach a conclusion while debating the good and bad of both directions. We, ourselves, could use a little of that compassion!

At last we come to LIBERATION. Road blocks are released because we slip out of the "Fixed" part of the month into the "Mutable" decan, and we find that the decision we couldn't make before, is more easily made. We are now free to liberate ourselves from our turmoil! Ahhh…

Sometimes Liberation comes to free the tongue, and that which we have wanted to say for so long, finally comes out and is said. We would be wise to hold tightly onto the reigns of our emotions, though, as this watery month of emotions can get a little stormy. Hang in there, everyone!! Try to find a way to enjoy the rollercoaster ride, and remember... this, too, shall pass...

In the meantime, we would all benefit during this influence by remembering the peace and clarity that comes from daily Meditation.

MEDITATION

Here's a guided meditation I found that seems very appropriate for the decan of Liberation. It's been beautiful here recently! With temperatures warming into the 60's the trees and spring flowers are beginning to bloom. My landscape of Truth had a slowly passing river upon which I was floating past beautiful flowering plants and trees. I think it means to just get back into the stream of things, going with the flow, and to look for, dwell upon, and enjoy the beauty of the journey.

Try it yourself...

NEED ANSWERS? VISIT THE LANDSCAPE OF TRUTH
~ Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air Skylight Paths

Whenever we find ourselves going round and round with the pros and cons of a matter, or feeling emotionally ambivalent or conflicted, there is a place we can go in visualization that will give us the answers we need, clearly, sometimes even humorously, but always with compassion and deep wisdom.

When a friend of mine was faced with a decision about whether or not to take a new job, she tried this visualization exercise. Her Landscape of Truth was a narrow rocky mountain path--very challenging and even a little scary, but when she persisted and climbed up to the summit, the expansive view was completely exhilarating and uplifting to her whole being. She realized that her deeper self knew that the challenges of the new job--even though they might bring up her fears--would be stimulating and more than worth it. And she was right!

TRY THE FOLLOWING GUIDED VISUALIZATION

This will help you see your issue or question from the perspective of the Deeper Self that knows all our answers. Take a stroll through the Landscape of Truth, here: (have a friend read this to you, or make an audiotape, or simply read it and remember.)

Find a time and place where you can have a few minutes to yourself. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. First, bring your awareness to your breathing, without trying to change it in any way. Simply notice it for a few breaths.

As you breathe, become aware of any place in your body where a feeling or sensation is coming up. Itching, heaviness, tingling--anything. Go to that place in your body with your consciousness and be with it, without trying to fix it, simply giving it your mindful attention.

Now bring gently into your conscious mind the issue that is facing you. Stay open and curious: you are about to do an exploration. Bring your awareness down from the place behind your eyes, where most of us keep it, down through your throat, down to your heart, where it can rest for a moment. Now bring your conscious awareness down through your solar plexus, down into your belly. This is the place of deep, gut-knowing. Imagine it as a warm, safe cave where you have everything you need.

Take a moment to imagine your cave. Is there a fire in the center of it? Soft cushions to lie on? There may be paintings or words on the walls. Here you are absolutely safe and secure. Enjoy your cave for a few moments.

Now you see an opening in your cave wall that leads out into nature. Stand up inside your cave and begin to walk toward this opening. As you approach it, you can see light from the outdoors. You are approaching the Landscape of Truth, that will tell you something about your issue or question.

Walk through the opening now and look around. What is this landscape like? What season is it here? What time of day? What is the terrain like? What plants are growing here? Do you see any animals? What colors do you see? What feelings does this place give you? Take a few moments to explore it, noticing any details as you go.

Allow yourself to experience your landscape in any way that feels right to you. When you have finished, thank it for showing itself to you.

Now walk back the way you came, back into your safe cave. Now bring your awareness up from your belly to your solar plexus, then up to your heart, then up again to your throat, and finally back up into the place behind your eyes where we mostly keep it. Pay attention to your breathing for a few breaths, then open your eyes, and write down everything from your Landscape of Truth that you can remember.
~ by Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air Skylight Paths
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TIME FOR STILLNESS

"We're so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget that the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it's all about."
~ Joseph Campbell

The sages all say that the path to liberation is found in entering the stillness within. To experience that stillness, we need to be willing to regularly stop the activity for a while.

How do we do this in a busy life? We set our priorities. Perhaps it means giving up a TV program or using a coffee break to grab a few moments of solitude. Perhaps we have to ask our partner, relative or neighbor to give us 30 minutes of time away from the kids. If we really want something, we can make it happen.

"Learn to pause... or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you."
~ Doug King
© Reproductions Permitted http://www.DailyGuru.com/

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LIBERATION: QUOTES OF THE DAY
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"However a man works to right his world, it will never be righted until he has put himself right."
~ James Allen

"The old people say, 'Learn from your mistakes'. So I try to accept everything for what it is and to make the best of each situation one day at a time."
~ Dr. A.C. Ross (Ehanamani), Lakota
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It was Father Eli's habit to persuade his students to meditate on the current decan of the astrological month. During this time of Liberation he asked several students to specifically meditate on the word "Bound". These are the lovely thoughts from one student's meditations expressed in poetry (later turned into a song)…

Enjoy! ~ Misty-Eve*

OUR MOTHER IS BOUND

As our Mother is bound, by Her choice, to the Earth
For a moment, Celestial Time…
And although She has freedom to do as she'll choose,
So embodied, She's surely confined.

Tho' Her bonds be of love, to be useful, while here,
The physical bound'ries must be.
The spiritual aspect of Love, bound to Earth
Is hard for us mortals to see.

We react with emotion to all of Life's waves,
And we're bound to our ship on this sea.
We add power to Her waves, as we flow with the tides
Or, against them, we fight, uselessly.

Our emotional ships are battered by storms.
Bewildered, we ask ourselves, "Why?"
Could it be, we've forgotten the Peace of the Love
That is sent us from up in the Sky?

As our Mother is bound to the Earth in this time,
So are we, and placed by our choice.
As She lovingly reigns o'er Her mortal domain,
So can we, if we'd just hear Her voice.

We're the children of Gods! Let's not let mortal bonds
Trap our spirits in all of their strife.
Let's be free of the cares that are holding us here ~
Give attention to spiritual life.

For we're bound `til we do all the teachings we're taught.
To escape, we must grow, mentally.
Leave the mortal behind, by serving, with love,
All the younger ones, coming to see.

Relieving the pain; bringing happiness, too,
Is the way to show God's love on Earth.
Thus, by serving the mortal, we mentally grow ~
And we'll spiritually gain a new birth.
~ Author wishes to remain anonymous
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Pisces: "I BELIEVE"
3rd Decan Influence: "LIBERATION"

March 11th – March 20th

In their efforts toward their goals, the usual Piscean leans too heavily on Virgo, the opposite sign in the zodiacal wheel, and creates rules and laws that lead toward their personal objectives. It is in the interpreting of these laws that the Piscean needs to learn compassion for others. And don't we all need to have more compassion for others? Once these laws have been established, we will often hew to the line with little or no kindness or compassion for those who are to the left of the line. The solution to almost all problems is "If thine arm offend thee, cut it off."

Pisceans are cold-blooded, but so are the other water signs: Cancer, and Scorpio. This merely means that their bodies take on the temperature of their surrounding environments.

Piokolothermic (the scholarly term for cold- blooded) animals in cold water are cold and the same fish in warm waters becomes warm. When these cold-blooded people are surrounded by warm, loving conditions and people, they tend to be the same way. And doesn't it apply equally to us all? When our environment becomes cold and tense, we all tend to become so as well.

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For more on the lessons of Pisces see: http://druidcraft.net/astrology.html
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DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?

To learn more about the teachings of the Druidic Craft of the Wise, visit us the "Courses" page on the web: http://druidcraft.net/

Bright Blessings!

Misty-Eve*
Druidic Craft of the Wise
The American Rite
http://druidcraft.net/

"Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true."
~ Buddha
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A WORD TO THE WISE
A Newsletter of Astrological Reflections from The Druid Perspective
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