“In the mundane, nothing is sacred. In sacredness, nothing is mundane.”
Dogen
The asteroids come and go for me. I’ve always been interested in the ladies, yet they cycle in and out of my charts like beautiful travelers. Recently, on the podcast I did with Joe Landwehr, he mentioned his love for Vesta and how she is self-illuminating (I cannot confirm this). Prompted by this interesting idea, I then noticed her proximity to Mercury at the beginning of this cycle we are in; I then couldn’t help but notice her distance from this Virgo New Moon. So, I started doodling and thinking and dreaming about her and this is where I’m at in my current understanding:
With her symbol—a dancing flame—we think about what it takes to keep it going; we think of the warmth, the food to be cooked, and the conversations to be had around it. The flame is life-giving and Vesta is devoted to keeping the fire going for the sake of the home. But what about her involvement with these two cycles we are now in? How does the flame speak to our moment? And what can we do to ensure that we are feeding the right fire?
Starting with the Mercury cycle that began on August 19th, we can be sure she has a major influence on the big Idea that is now leading the way for us. As I’ve shared in a previous piece, for myself, it is the return of art. It was an interesting journey to conjure her above. It was drastically different than the Chiron or Mercury pieces I shared. I kept getting stuck. My lack of skill and practice was revealed. The beginner’s luck had run out, yet I remained devoted. I started over twice. I changed the entire color scheme more than twice. And by the end, I still hate it. But I learned something, and that something has only strengthened my devotion to the craft. Devotion is really the heart of the Vesta matter. If we want health and hearth, we cannot lose the focus. Daily practice is key.
With the Virgo New Moon on the 3rd, we are still waxing and the light of this flame is but a flicker in the West. Being that I’m exploring two cycles here—one Leo, the other Virgo—it offers a valuable insight into the progression of this part of the zodiacal story. In Leo, we attempt to express the Spirit which moves us; In Virgo, we begin the long and selfless journey of taking care of others. Whether it be pets, plants, patients, or the bacteria in our guts, Virgo turns our awareness outwards so that we can tend to life, helping it grow and sustain itself. Also, there seem to be lots of similarities between Vesta and Virgo (virginity is but one), thus creating quite the signal for this lunar cycle being infused with themes like those mentioned above. How exactly are we to hold it all together?
And so, we have two cycles here, overlapping like a Venn diagram with an asteroid in common. In these choppy waters we find ourselves in, it’s not easy to carry the wood. The deck is shakey and wet, and if we were to say the waters are symbolic of the world at large, we just can’t seem to stop talking about them. These conditions can only be remedied with Vesta=like wisdom: focusing on keeping the family warm, keeping those around us close, and making sure that all we are devoted to keeping the flame dancing below deck. To be pulled too much into the political waters almost guarantees drowning, and eventually, the fire going out. Families fragment and our health wanes when we stop tending the fires. We get caught splashing around in these murky waters where we can’t even see our reflections. It’s a swamp scene where it’s always hard to start one, no matter how much dry kindle, no spark to flame. Our goal should be simple: don’t let it go out! Simple. Mundane. Sacred. Constant, unbreakable devotion.
Being that we are still at the beginnings of these cycles, there is much more to be illuminated—about Vesta, the two Signs, and about how easily we are distracted from our commitments, and the consequences therin. Find these degrees in your chart to begin. Contemplate them often throughout these phases. If you need help, I’m at your service….
-adam
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Ever since the beginning of the Mercury cycle she's been on my mind as well. And given what my current project is - moving out of my house within the lunar cycle to find a home that's actually a sanctuary, and given my natal Vesta in the 4th house conjunct Venus, this is all very resonant to me. It also seems to align with the extra special (and long) Mars in Cancer transit. Lots of energy in the air right now around home, family, and tending the needs of body and mind. For me, with my 6th house Cancer and my health issues, it all aligns perfectly.
Vesta’s attendance at the cazimi was rich for me. Her solemn presence a reminder of the importance of priorities and tending to the fire within. Not letting our passions go out for lack of attention. So your art journey story resonates. Despite my own reflection I’d somehow overlooked my imminent Vesta Return, as she separates from my Progressed Sun. So thank you Adam. I have more to unpack 🌙✨