Sabian Symbols: A bareback rider
This universal idea is best expressed through planets in
Leo 23 (22° - 23°)FLAIR
The spiritual journey is by no means structured and clear, we need to approach our life experience with subtlety and ability "Audacity and daring" The balance of skills and qualities needed to progress higher levels of integrated consciousness are comparable to that of a virtuoso, one who has mastered a number of quite different abilities and can demonstrate that mastery at will. The seekers path is by no means safe or easy; it requires us all to occasionally put ourselves in harm's way as a normal condition of life.
Rudhyar: IN A CIRCUS THE BAREBACK RIDER DISPLAYS HER DANGEROUS SKILL |
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In a circus the bareback rider displays her dangerous skill
Audacity |
A daring spirit will search for new challenges to escape ordinariness
The bareback rider is not showing off; rather he is testing his audacity so to keep alive his courageous spirit. The problems of a modern life need not trouble us if we learn to behave with such a carefree, assured disposition. Coping with the immediate world of our experience is totally within our ability, in fact we each have the capacity to master situations at all points. This may well require that we become audacious at times in order to overcome a stagnation of vision and confidence – which leads to capitulation and reluctant acceptance of imposed constraints. We are exactly designed to be a perfect fit for all we encounter – although in fact the reverse is a more appropriate way to see this – our circumstances are made for us, and no-one else, because we, and no-one else, are the best person to deal with them. The special functions in life with which we engage need to be faced with uncompromising courage and undiminished skills. What at first may seem daunting and beyond our reach, is instead to be seen as the next stage of our evolutionary journey. We must rise to the task at hand. Nothing is beyond our reach when we approach life like this. We have the ability to capitalise on every opportunity, to potentially bring form to our aspirations and achieve the goals we set ourselves. We are not static beings, dead and having no room for expansion. We are constantly in the process of self-refinement and we may expect to improve, provided we overcome an intemperate desire for self-display and applause. Without becoming irresponsibly inadequate in coping with our adult duties and aspirations, it is a question of finding the best way of allowing the wild side of us an appropriate degree of audacious freedom. |
A bareback rider
Commentary from Kaylene Liebenberg
Bare-back riding was once done by Native Americans. Could this symbol perhaps not also refer to the simplicity we've lost somewhere along the line? In bare-back riding you're completely in touch with a horse, tapped into a natural phenomenon, the magical spirit of the horse itself. It opens a clear path of communication based on touching and feeling through your hands on its mane, and your legs wrapped around its body. It creates a perfect synergy: your energy is flowing along with that of the horse, and the horse is listening to the signals you're giving him to find a direction and a path. Bare-back riding a horse requires specific skills we are lacking as modern human beings. |