The Resiliency of Stardust

Though scientists and mystics are often at odds with each other, one thing we can agree on is that “we are made of stardust.” The mystic (and especially the astrologer) will take this idea much further than the scientist, but — taken at face value— we can probably shake hands on this phrase.

The idea that we have such an intimate connection with the heavens brings me great comfort. The universe is billions of years old and has been through a LOT.

Each one of us is made of the materials that have persisted throughout time and endured hardships, challenges, and triumphs. We are built of tough stuff!

It is easy to become discouraged and to lose heart, especially during times of great challenge and trials. The world seems to be falling apart around us, and that is frightening. During this Sagittarius season, when Jupiter wants to remind us to keep the faith, I would like to exhort all of us (including myself)—

Life is hard. But WE CAN DO HARD THINGS.

Something struck me today, as I was thinking about various ways that planets in astrological charts can be “afflicted.” Detriment, fall, peregrinity, combustion, squares, oppositions… the list goes on.

But! Every planet has seen every possible negative configuration throughout time and has lived to tell the tale. Isn’t that amazing!

Whatever transit or astrological setup I’m seeing in a chart… it has happened before. And the world did not end. Wow!

Some of humanity’s greatest figures have incredibly challenging features in their astrological charts. They endured struggles, they were handed many raw deals, they suffered. And they made beautiful things nevertheless. None of us gets through life without some wounds and scars. I wish that were not the case, but it is. But we can take heart in the fact that we are not alone. The stars live inside us. The millennia of experience of the stars lives deep in our bones.

To give an example— maybe your moon is currently being afflicted by a rough transit. There are two ways to look at this:

1. Oh shit, oh damn, I’m doomed, woe! [faint]

or

1. The moon has been afflicted before, and she’s still here! This is not fun— in fact, it downright sucks, but I’m going to persist. The Moon and I will get through this together.

It’s OK to take some time to wallow in self-pity every once in awhile. Get those emotions flowing, and get them through you. But then, find a way to dust yourself off, wipe those tears, reach out for help, and push through in whatever way you can.

Even if you “fail” (by whatever standards you use to judge that term), the stardust by which you are made will continue on. The lessons learned from your experiences will ripple forward, bringing greater wisdom and maturity into the world. The story will be redeemed.

I know that this can come across as saccharine and glib. I apologize, as I do not want to sound like I dismiss anyone’s pain. However, like all writers, I write what I need to read! Saturn is, by far, the strongest planet in my chart. I am a very Saturnian person by nature. This has its pros and cons, but one of the cons is that I can be very negative. I must regularly remind myself to look at the positive. It is a survival tactic!

But one of the pros of a strong Saturn is a deep authenticity and sincerity. I say what I truly believe. And I’m saying this now:

I believe in the stars. And that means I believe in myself, and I believe in you!