Morning Journal #2

Ermopolis, Greece, January 23rd 2025

Something is ‘off’ this morning. The aches and pains from travel and health issues niggle through my spine, but I conclude it’s not just my body but something culminating in the air. I can see something forbidding in the weather this morning out on the horizon. A god-like ray of pure yellow light illuminates Mykonos across the water from us. The light cuts a wide ray very precisely and clearly so I can see the outlines of buildings, cliff edges, and the port from the turret, which isn’t usual; it’s often too hazy to make out. Theatrical, bosomy gray clouds aren’t moving, and the sea chops and storms without reticence.

The Sun entered the sign of Aquarius recently, and yesterday, Pluto made a Cazimi* with the Sun. This is an intense aspect, and I am growing curious about what is in store for this week. Aquarius rules groups and friends, and I wonder what will move through our intimate cohort here in Greece?

I wouldn’t claim to have visual psychic skills, but I do have a powerful intuition, and in my heart space, I can sense the tone of a future event. In these times, astrology is a helpful tool, not because of its predictive nature but because it has revealed personalized answers in derailing situations. Routine, as much as I have dismissed it in my twenties, helps me to stay grounded. I need to stick to the dependable routines and rituals I have collected over the years, like well-handled beads . My morning routine has taken me years to consolidate and commit to. As a Gemini rising/ascendant, consistency can be an effort! Yet my Sun and four of my other planets are in the 6th House of work, service, routine, daily rhythms, and health, so when I’m aligned with a trusty routine, the energy of my Sun sign, the life force energy, is in its highest function. 

In traditional astrology, the 6th house isn’t favourable; it is seen as one of the ‘hard’ houses. It is not a place of glamour, and it is not a place of ease, but it is dependable and full of integrity. I’ve grown to like and accept this house. I’ve come to understand how it functions and how it functions through me. I could say so much about the 6th house, but this morning, I contemplated, once more, how important it is for 6th-house folks to find their unique routines, rituals, or rhythms. I like to do a little bit of movement and stretching, prayer, EFT tapping, writing, drinking warm lemon water, and savoring a quiet, strong cup of tea, preferably all before the kids wake up. And if I’m lucky, I can do all of them; if not, I have to get what I need from one.

I was ordained as a Reverend Minister of Walking Prayer in 2022, and the title is exactly what I do: I walk my prayers from my heart, through my feet and into the earth; it is a beautiful practice, especially for someone like me, who I predict has late diagnosed ADHD, and sitting meditation never found its natural place in my body. Based on the mood of the day, Zach and I decided we should hike. Move our bodies. Move the dense energy. Move a prayer through our feet. We have a newfound freedom with the boys in school, and the joy of exploring a new place makes me feel content, despite being pretty sure I have a case of lice. In particular, Zach and I are geeking out on the native plants and trees.

We started climbing up the steep steps towards the hilltop village of Anos Syros. But as we walked out of town, a tragedy occurred. We received news that the oldest child of a family in our cohort tried to take their life. Their parents awoke to a profound horror, and it reverberated through the community. Zach and I, on the move as the news broke, found rhythm in climbing up and up those well trod marble steps and in that rhythm we put all our sadness and heartache.

I wanted to take action through ritual, I needed to make a prayer for this beautiful human and their family. “It’s how to stay grounded” I thought, in this situation, no-one needs ungrounded humans, even if they are miles apart energy gets trasmitted. We timely found a beautiful little chapel built into the cliff face. I turned the key, went in, and lit a candle for the teen and each member of their lovely family. It didn’t take me long to drop in; the tiny chapel was thick with prayer energy. I sent love to the teen again and again and again. I wished them to know how much they are loved and their worth to stay in the world.  I saw them surrounded by glowing red and orange light, a warm, positive red/orange, like a fire burning up around them. I don’t know what that means, but it felt like a helper energy; fire spirits were doing everything they could to burn up unwanted energy. Or perhaps a warm glow of fierce love and willpower for recuperation?

I was asked to join a small task team of therapists, counselors, and nurses. Together, we devised a plan to support the community. I am always amazed at how a tragedy brings everyone together, their best skills coming on board. Although we’ve only been here for three weeks, the concern, care, and love quickly rippled out.

We all know we’re in a new epoch, a new realm of what it is required to be human. I framed this whole day with the ripe themes of an Aquarian flavour. Pluto brought tragedy, but Aquarius brought humanity, altruism, intuition, quick thinking, and social connection.

* ‘Cazimi is a Medieval astrological term that is used to refer to planets that are so close to a conjunction with the Sun that they are “in the heart” of the Sun’ ~ the astrology dictionary.