Woman having her hair bobbed

This universal idea is best expressed through planets in

3rd degree of Leo (2° - 3°)

REFUSAL TO CONFORM TO INAPPROPRIATE RULES
Some of society's constraints are life-denying and are to be resisted by those who claim freedom of expression

There are good and necessary reasons why society imposes limitations on individual self-expression; it has to do so in order to protect itself from the fiery dangers of passion. Yet that must not stop us from finding a harmless way to express our nature, our desires and our sense of style, even if we become marginalised by doing so.

Rudhyar:
A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN, IN HER LONG HAIR FLOWING OVER HER SHOULDERS AND IN A BRA-LESS YOUTHFUL GARMENT

A middle-aged woman, her long hair flowing over her shoulders and in a youthful garment

Decision

The goal in life is to experience the perfection of self-expression

The self is required to examine itself if it is to hone its uniqueness of being. In Sufism this process, considered of key importance for the disciple, is given the sacred name ‘muhasaba’, which can be translated as ‘self-reckoning’ or even ‘accountability’.

The seemingly trivial decision about how to style our appearance is in fact a significant statement about the extent to which we conform or rebel. The evolution of society is evidenced by the waves of change in culture and fashion, which subtly indicate shifts in morality and levels of awareness. We need to choose our life path according to our degree of participation in these trends or indeed our challenges against them.

Adherence to popular, contemporary convention indicates compliance to the tides of collective values. However comfortable or comforting they may be, we need to be aware that we have our own values too, and that inadequate self-appreciation may well threaten the fulfilment of our personal destiny.

The goal in life is to experience the perfection of self-expression. To some significant extent this goal is well served by community compliance, yet we also need to strike out independently. This necessitates firm and clear decision – because to buck the trend is to question the status quo, and the sleeping masses become restless and agitated when their values are confronted.

Self-mobilisation through personal ambition is what enlarges personal significance, and this requires us to grasp opportunity early and decisively. It may be that, in our circle, it is our hair that is the first to be bobbed, and we become trendsetters.

The soul has no investment in the status quo – all external changes, minor or major, are of no real consequence – but on the inner level, even the smallest self-betrayal should be poignantly felt.

At this level of spirit, each individual remains entirely open to anything and everything. This knowledge, when fully understood and trusted, will empower all our choices, so that we can easily decide big and small questions with an easy heart. Indeed, it is by feeling what eases the heart that we need to make our decisions.