Sabian Symbols: A woman holding a bag out of a window

A woman holding a bag out of a window

This universal idea is best expressed through planets in

18th degree of Taurus (17°- 18°)

​EMPTYING THE MIND
Distortions of thought, belief and habit purified
​through meditation and open-mindedness

A mind that is conditioned to make judgements about right and wrong creates a prideful ego that limits the soul's evolution. It must become open and then cleansed of bigotry and prejudice.

Rudhyar:
WOMAN AIRING AN OLD BAG THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW OF HER ROOM

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​A woman airing an old bag through the open window of her room

Facilitation

​A woman holding a bag out of a window

Neither visionary intention nor mundane effectiveness should be seen as more spiritual than the other

If we are dissatisfied with the way things are, we can set about bringing about change. This image – a woman and a bag – is very commonplace, rather like shopping, and shows someone in the process of fulfilling her needs. Many things in life are straightforward enough – yet we must not mishandle them if we are to deal properly with matters at hand. If there is no food in the larder, we need to go shopping rather than just hang a bag out of the window.

Every single purpose we have in life is of some consequence. The functionality of living is multifaceted, and so often seemingly trivial and mundane. Yet the soul’s ministry is universal, and every activity is a spiritual experience to the developed being.

Sharing this awareness with other people, and noticing that they are engaged in a soulful act – as indeed we are ourselves – actually creates love, harmony and beauty. It is a very high achievement to bring spirituality into normal daily routines.

Personal effectiveness

For any particular purpose, of greater or of lesser consequence, personal effectiveness is optimized when we maintain awareness of soul consciousness. All the elements of our experience are then commandeered in service towards our highest life attainments. At this level of complete commitment, body and soul level, life is zestful and meaningful.

The facilitation of our life’s dream comes down to negotiating the nuts and bolts in real terms. The distance between where we are now, and where we want to be, is transited by a combination of visionary intention and mundane effectiveness. Neither should be seen as more spiritual than the other because worldly matters can be made into spiritual expression by having awareness that they are.

A visionary ideal is emblematic of the soul’s aspirations towards self-perfection. Such visionary dreams can find no place in real life except to the extent that they fulfil the needs and hopes of our community as much as our own – and this is achieved only by interaction at the level of the mundane.
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The true identity of any entity, including the soul, is only ever relational and has no meaning unless there is interaction. These interactions inevitably facilitate further self-expression and achievement of purpose – so being open to other ideas and ways of being is always helpful.

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