The Moon
and the Implications of Its Satellite Position
22.16
page 16 of 24
Frustration and development
In this sense, the extent to which the ‘Ich’ has matured, determines the extent to which the ‘Es’ will be able to unfold. Therefore it is questionable whether an early pruning of vital urges in our youth is actually conducive to inner development later in life. On the other hand, the formative process cannot be left out either, for the ‘Ich’ develops and differentiates itself mainly through frustration. So this remains a matter of finding a good balance. On our journey over Earth (13), we saw how the Balinese approach differs from that of other cultures. In the culture of Bali, the ‘Es’ does not appear so much in the soul field of individuals, but is omnipresent in Nature, to which the Balinese are closely connected. In this context, one might ask what ‘an individual’ should be taken to mean. Although we will get back to this question in more detail later on this website, we will not reach any final conclusions in this respect.
At this point it is important to realize that for the appearance of the ‘Es’ in the individual soul field, a well-matured ‘Ich’ in the Lunar body is a prerequisite.
The Moon as midwife for expansion of consciousness
Maturing requires time. For the mirroring necessary for our Western Self-development process, we require a growth period for the subtler bodies to be connected to the physical body one by one, providing a landing ground for the Self. For the Moon, all these phases imply an expansion of consciousness. In psychology, too, we discern various phases of puberty. In these phases, the Moon functions (also in the subtler realms) not only as a womb or enveloping growth body, but also as a midwife. After a complete round of the progressive Moon, spanning 28 years (4x7), human beings have ideally become grown-ups in a psychological sense, clearing the way for a meaningful new start towards the Es.
During this latter expansion of consciousness, the Moon, apart from her vital functions, starts to act as a mirror, in such a way that the three ‘Ich’ forces are reflected in the soul as the ‘Es’. The legend of Parcival contains a beautiful description of this reversal of the Moon function.
Mirror and reflection
The Moon’s capacity to reflect images can only come into operation when the Moon is not emotionally agitated. In other words: when its waters are without stormy waves and show a smooth, unruffled surface. As we advance in years, this state of calm will be more and more frequent. The Moon will act as a mirror more often. She mirrors a Self-image back to us. In this function she is placed on the other side of Earth, on the side of the ‘Es’. From there, she mirrors us back as a manifestation of the three ‘Ich’ forces.
Reflection in the sense of contemplation
Admittedly, the Moon is quite often not calm and will mix her own undigested reactions into her reflection, which prolongs the struggle.
Yet when she is in a collected, tranquil state of mind, the ‘Es’ can really work through her so that the image that she reflects will actually help us in our inner integration process. We may provide this reflection to one another, but we can also reflect on ourselves through contemplation.
Turning around
Initially, the image that the Moon reflects back to us will be distorted and colored. This already takes place in the mirror that the mother offers her small child (20.1). Reading her face, the child learns how it should view itself, its own behavior or its environment. With her facial expression, she offers us a first hold in the unknown world.
Yet a quiet, non-mothering Moon mirror will function in a less subjective, more mature manner. After the age of 28, she is able to consciously turn around and let herself be inspired by the ‘Es’ side. Then she no longer holds us under her spell with her image, but reconnects us with our own authenticity, giving us back to ourselves. This process is supported by the aspects between the planets on either side of Earth (18.4). However, although they may support the solidity of the Self, if Saturn is too dominant, they can also lock off the Self from the mystery (20.1).
So even though the Moon initially appeared to be only connected to all that may be called subjective, she also turns out to be the instrument that can bring us into contact with a different dimension (0.2), a different face of reality.
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