Sabian Symbols: Two prim spinsters
TWO PRIM SPINSTERS SITTING TOGETHER IN SILENCE.
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This universal idea is best expressed through planets in
Aries 17 (16°- 17°)TURNING WITHIN TO EXPERIENCE OUR TRUE SELVES
Poise and serenity develop when we spend time in peaceful solitude "Seclusion as a way to deepen self-knowledge" When we lack potency in the outer world it is helpful to turn within and deepen our inner world of peaceful grace. This is also an aspect of potency but strengthens a more passive aspect of self – Being rather than Doing. Engagement with others is often draining, even dangerously so; at times retreat is entirely appropriate.
Rudhyar: TWO DIGNIFIED SPINSTERS SITTING IN SILENCE |
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Two dignified spinsters sitting in silence
Divorcement
Two prim spinsters
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We must be utterly true to ourselves
It can be totally fitting to divorce ourselves from everyday living with all its judgements. The image of a couple of old ladies, having lived alone together for decades, is often considered farcical, sad and bizarre – yet such eccentricity speaks of a very private sustainment of reality, a valid personal creation of the world. The insular condition of retreat shuns the triviality of superficial relationships, which so often waste our precious energy. Society’s morality, laws and practices can be too burdensome for certain people. At what cost this support? If the price we pay for these securities and comforts is the loss of uniqueness, then the soul suffers. Better to insulate ourselves from such a corrosive influence than to live without access to the soul’s spiritual wisdom. We are who we are and, within reasonable limits, let society come to terms with that! True unfolding of our inner qualitiesGreat pleasure can be found by isolating ourselves far from the madding crowd – we feel joy when we shield ourselves from distractions. We can turn our backs upon worthless, spiritually-unprofitable relationships, and reject their lesser rewards. Mindless pretence of virtue and distinction is poor substitute for the true unfolding of our inner qualities. Being caught up in such vanities precludes the possibility of real accomplishment in life.
A moment’s wry reflection upon the quality of ordinary day-to-day conversations gives us to understand just how shallow and lacking in wisdom is the general population in its work-a-day mode of being. Yet, a lot of people find such intercourse to be the exaltation of their impoverished life experience. There is of course absolutely nothing life-denying about casual commerce – but each of us has our own unique and creative spin and, rather than conforming, we must bring this to bear in every situation. As we do so we enrich both the lives of others and our distinctive sense of self. People concern themselves with distorted perceptions of our business – we have to avoid any inclination to please them; above all else, we must be true to ourselves. To find out what we stand for involves idealisation. We raise our ideals and feel them to have a spiritual quality then we find and define our unique specialisation and allow nothing into the private domain of our personal experience that would compromise our integrity. Living according to our ideals, we become able to reject pressures to conform and implicit judgements against those who do not. Such an approach usually brings a solitude that is not easily endured by most people. Except for the very advanced, this becomes loneliness, and so is no longer life-enhancing. It’s good to find a like-minded companion so that some measure of society is maintained as the spinsters have done. |
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Commentary from Guin
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary online, "When spinster first entered English in the mid-1300s, it referred to a woman who spun thread and yarn". This calls to mind the myth of Arachne and Athena, virgins who were both known for their superior skill at spinning and weaving. Mortal Arachne's prideful boasts led to a challenge from immortal goddess Athena. A weaving contest ensued and Athena created a beautiful cloth depicting the glorious and beneficent gods and goddesses of Olympus doing good deeds. Meanwhile Arachne skillfully wove a scene displaying the gods and goddesses in disreputable drunken chaos. They both displayed great skill in their work but Arachne's was better. Angered by the unflattering image Arachne had woven, Athena ripped apart the offending cloth. Arachne hanged herself, choosing mastery of her own fate, denying Athena the opportunity to take her life. Athena quickly turned Arachne into a spider who lives out her days spinning. Where have we allowed dysfunctional self-created gods (like materialism) to wreak havoc in our world? How can we deconstruct what is not helpful? What would be good to weave in its place? Commentary from Mara To truly know ourself we must spend time by ourself. Taking time out to reconnect with the self, allows us to connect deeper with others. Accepting the truth about yourself is essential for a peaceful life. |
