The End of the World?

There is a wonderful astrology book called The Gods of Change, by Howard Sassportas. I love the subtitle: "Pain, Crisis and the Transits of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto." This seems like a good subject to talk about since we narrowly missed the end of the world on the 21st of May and as every astrologer knows, the gods are restive of late. Okay. I'll admit, I'm iffy about the Rapture saving me . . . so I'll just have to deal with bumptious gods and worlds ending.

I've been roughed up by these gods more than once and I have the utmost respect for their powers. I've learned that I'm such a speck that I can curse them at will and affect nothing except my state of mind. It feels good to vent sometimes. But then I still have to get on with the dirty work of cleaning up the mess and righting my upside down world. From it, I've gotten a bit wiser. For starters, I do less venting and more getting on with it.

And here's what else I've learned about those harbringers of Pain, Crisis and Change.

First, they are going to do what they are going to do. The gods will take you to task at some point in your life. Maybe several points. Scan your chart horizon and prepare for it as best you can, knowing that you still may not see it coming . . . and that it too, shall pass.

Second, understand how they operate and don't expect anything else. When they are through with you, they will move on, winds howling down the canyons of life. They've done their job which is messing with your known world. Demanding your own terms is like trying to negotiate with the Japanese tsunami or the Joplin tornado. They don't listen.

Third, it's truly impersonal. Don't take it personally. Just get out there and get on with life as it is. Even wasps and toads do as much.

Fourth, never argue with the gods (or What Is.) It only makes you crazy and annoys the gods. Your job is to clean up the debris and build a new life. It won't be the same and you will never again take things for granted, believing you are impervious to the vicissitudes of life. Be grateful for the tempering of your character. You probably needed it.

And last, it is for your own good. I need to believe that one or I'd have to shoot myself as a logical response to the alternative. Through these god adventures (a euphemism if I ever used one), I've noticed that certain outcomes can and may happen:

A. You may never recognize the gift you were supposed to dig out of the rubble. So, you cower before life believing yourself a helpless victim rather than the responsible party. (Just remember that the gods don't mess with things that are working for your growth. But crystallize and get inertial, live with situations instead of dealing with them and you step into the target zone.)

B. You may realize you've been set free and see yourself a feisty survivor who dives into life because you know tomorrow you may die, and you don't want it happen with you hiding in a hole, your hind parts foremost.

C. You may recognize we're all in it together and gain a new appreciation of your fellow beings. Ultimately, the choice of perspective is yours. That, the gods can neither grant nor take away. It's all on you.

So, join me and lift your cup to the gods of change, to ending worlds, and the growth they induce. To Life.