Anita Ashland, Author at Anita Ashland

Subscribe to the Reading in Depth monthly newsletter

Writing:

Get Blog Po

sts by Email

Wounding of the bright

Post author:Anita Ashland
Post published:March 12, 2024
Post category:Symbols

Sometimes it is necessary to hide your light.

That is the message of Hexagram 36, Darkening of the Light, from the I Ching, which is our hexagram host for this final week of Pisces season.

But wait a minute. Isn’t it good to let your light shine and be authentic?

The poet David Whyte’s brief essay on Hiding describes the necessity of hiding:

We live in a time of the dissected soul, the immediate disclosure; our thoughts, imaginings and longings exposed to the light too much, too early and too often, our best qualities squeezed too soon into a world already awash with ideas that oppress our sense of self and our sense of others. What is real is almost always to begin with, hidden…What is precious inside us does not care to be known by the mind in ways that diminish its presence.

Per Wilhelm’s translation, in times of darkness “it is essential to be cautious and reserved.”

One should not engage in “inconsiderate behavior,” fall in with the practices of others or, conversely, “drag them censoriously into the light.”

When there are difficulties in your immediate environment, one must remain steadfast. Per Wilhelm, you can do this by maintaining your “inner light, while remaining outwardly yielding and tractable.” With an attitude like this you can “overcome even the greatest adversities.”

Furthermore, “In social intercourse one should not try to be all-knowing. One should let many things pass, without being duped.”

We turned the clocks ahead one hour this past weekend, and waking up in what is now darkness, it feels blinding when I turn on the light. My eyes and body aren’t ready to be dragged into the light.

Metaphorically speaking, that is what it is like when we shine our light at inappropriate times.

There is a quote from Ashok Bedi that comes to mind:

As we continue to individuate, we come to terms with…our formative, life-defining influencess and experiences…We accept ourselves as we are, and consequently are better able to accept others as they are. We are detached, but remain caring.

I like that phrase of detached caring. That seems to be the kind of equanimity this hexagram describes and it requires some hiding to cultivate that.

As we enter this final week of Pisces (and winter) with its wounded light, keep in mind the bright light of the exalted Aries Sun is right around the corner.

Don’t hesitate to hide a little longer in the waters of Pisces. David Whyte again: “Hiding leaves life to itself, to become more of itself. Hiding is the radical independence necessary for our emergence into the light of a proper human future.”

REFERENCES:

I Ching or Book of Changes translated by Richard Wilhelm

Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David Whyte

Path to the Soul by Ashok Bedi

WHAT I OFFER:

Writing:

Choosing to choose

Post author:Anita Ashland
Post published:March 6, 2024
Post category:Astrology I Ching

Grace has been a favorite word of mine since childhood.

When I was born my grandmother gave my parents a framed print of an explanation of what the name Anita means and it hung on the wall of my childhood bedroom. Anita means grace and that resonated with me.

So I was happy to see that Hexagram 22, Grace, of the I Ching, is our hexagram host for this next week. It describes grace as “beauty of form” and that which brings order and pleasantness.

The image is of fire at the foot of the mountain. This shows how grace has limitations, however. Fire here does not shine far; grace only brings success in small things and should be used sparingly. It’s the strong element of the mountain that takes the lead and is the decisive factor.

I’m reminded of one of my favorite James Hollis quotes:

I sometimes call myself “a recovering Nice Guy.” We were all raised to be nice, really nice. A reflexive “niceness” is a pathogenic loss of connection to the soul, and is not nice. The opposite of such a reflexive niceness is called authenticity, or integrity.

The planetary archetype associate with grace is Venus. Appropriately, Venus is exalated in Pisces and will be joining the Pisces party in about a week.

The opposite of Venus is Mars, which will enter Pisces at the end of the month.

The combination of Mars and Venus can help us turn niceness into authenticity and integrity. If you look at where both planets are in your natal chart, you will see what that specifically looks like for you.

From a typology perspective, developing a stronger connection between your hero (dominant) functon and inferior (anima/animus) function creates more integrity and authenticity. Jungian analyst John Beebe, my favorite typologist, says individuation is ultimately about integrity, not about the transformation of character.

With Saturn, the planet of responsibility, in Pisces for two more years or so, and soon Venus and Mars to join Saturn and the Sun there, it seems fitting to close with what Jungian analyst and astrologer Christina Becker says:

In life, being authentic means that you own your life and take responsibility for it, and this bears a striking similarity to the definition of integrity. Being inauthentic suggests an “unowned” life. The German philosopher Heidegger suggests that “authenticity is a matter of choosing to choose, that is, of making one’s choices one’s own and so being answerable and responsible for one’s life.

Remember it’s OK, though, to add a dash of grace once in a while.

REFERENCES:

I Ching or Book of Changes translated by Richard Wilhelm

The Broken Mirror by James Hollis

The Heart of the Matter: Individuation as an Ethical Process by Christina Becker

WHAT I OFFER:

Writing:

A watched pot always boils

Post author:Anita Ashland
Post published:March 1, 2024
Post category:Astrology I Ching

Have you ever put on a pot of water on the stove to boil, walked away for a bit, then totally forgot about it until the pot boiled over? It’s possible I’ve done that a time or two (ahem).

That metaphor is inherent in Hexagram 63 in the I Ching, which is called “After Completion.” It consists of the trigrams Water over Fire, which symbolizes the image of water rising above fire. This hexagram represents the idea of reaching a state of completion or fulfillment after a period of effort and struggle.

Conditions are perfect and there is equilibrium. That also means, however, the slightest inattention can cause disorder to begin again, so caution is warranted. As Wilhelm says in his translation, “…it is only in regards to details that success is still to be achieved.” Constancy bears fruit.

This is similar to when a pot is above the fire waiting to boil and there is a meeting of opposites: water and fire. In the best scenario, a small amount of the water is transformed into vapor, and the rest remains behind to cook whatever is inside the pot. But if you get bored and stop paying attention even for a few minutes, the pot overflows, there is a noisy splashing of water, and the pot and food can get scalded.

This resonates with the end-of-cycle energy of Pisces, where one might reflect on the lessons learned, the growth achieved, and the closure of certain chapters of life. Pisces is the end of the astrological new year; the new year will begin with Aries.

Pisces is a time when emotions may run deep, and its energy encourages introspection, spiritual exploration, and connection with the unconscious. It favors embracing the endings and transitions that come with the conclusion of a cycle, while also looking forward to the possibilities of new beginnings as the wheel of the zodiac turns.

I’m reading Marion Woodman’s book Addiction to Perfection and she writes about how journaling “fulfills the need to pour out the heart” and is “crucial to recognizing those parts of ourselves that we have shunned.” Pisces season is a perfect time to start looking at those neglected parts of us, so that we don’t have a boil over, so to speak.

“Journal writing is a way of taking responsibility for finding out who I AM.” There’s no better time to start doing that than now, before the astrological new year begins. May your cup runneth over (instead of your pot).

REFERENCES:

I Ching or Book of Changes translated by Richard Wilhelm

Addiction to Perfection by Marion Woodman

WHAT I OFFER:

Writing:

We are family

Post author:Anita Ashland
Post published:February 24, 2024
Post category:Astrology I Ching

Once again we have a perfect pairing of an I Ching hexagram with Pisces season: Hexagram 37: The Family.

This hexagram represents harmony within a group or family, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and mutual support. As Wilhelm says in his translation: “When the family is in order, all the social relationships of mankind will be in order.”

Pisces is a mutable water sign ruled by Jupiter. Pisces highlights the significance of emotional connections, understanding, and nurturing relationships. Host Jupiter is currently in Venus’ sign of Taurus, which encourages this all the more.

This time period encourages us to focus on our connections with others, and to cultivate empathy and understanding within our social circles and communities.

Last night I was reading about how each year around 100,000 Japanese tourists visit Prince Edward Island in Canada because it is the home of the fictional character Anne of Green Gables. According to Japanese Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda, Japanese people love these novels because Anne is an orphan who gets adopted by an unmarried middle-aged brother and sister who live together on Prince Edward Island. The Japanese are moved by her efforts to form a real family and community:

The Japanese identify so strongly with her efforts precisely because they invest so much energy in the same cause: forging strong familial and communal bonds. That Anne was able to accomplish this in the absence of underlying biological ties is what endears her so much to the Japanese. To them, she is a true heroine.
The Power of Dao, p. 134

Venus and Mars are currently still conjoined in Aquarius. At the collective level or in your personal life, themes of justice for women, self-assertion, and/or emotional discord and disharmony may be noticeable. This can help us to maintain our individuality, which is a reminder that there is always some sort of interplay of opposites going on in our lives. Mercury, the Sun, and Saturn are all in Pisces currently and that energy is here to support us in a hexagram 37 “we are family” kind of way even as we experience Mars-Venus.

Take a look at the Aquarius and Pisces areas of life in your chart, as those are activated for you now (I can help you with this kind of analysis if you’d like).

Then reflect on the following during this next week:

Reflect on the dynamics within your family or close social circle. How do you contribute to the harmony and unity within these relationships?

How do you maintain your sense of self within the context of your relationships and social responsibilities?

How can you strengthen and nurture connections with those that are part of your “chosen” (as opposed to biological) family?

REFERENCES:

I Ching or Book of Changes translated by Richard Wilhelm

The Power of Dao: A Timeless Guide to Happiness and Harmony by Lou Marinoff

WHAT I OFFER:

Writing:

Be like the sun at midday

Post author:Anita Ashland
Post published:February 19, 2024
Post category:Astrology I Ching

It couldn’t possibly be more appropriate that Hexagram 55: Abundance of the I Ching is the one greeting us as Pisces season begins.

As this hexagram says:

“ABUNDANCE has success.

The king attains abundance.

Be not sad.

Be like the sun at midday.”

Hilary Barrett says in her translation:

In a time of Abundance you find that, despite what you have lost, there is a new charge given to you that leaves no place for sorrow or anxiety. It is not the time to hide yourself away and grieve the past. Decide what you will do, take it on, make the practical preparations and march out.

Well, then. After the Saturnian, wintry, hermit-y seasons of Capricorn and Aquarius, this is a welcome message.

Pisces is a mutable water sign ruled by Jupiter, the planet of abundance, faith, and hope.

This hexagram is comprised of the trigrams Water over Fire. Water is fluid and adaptable, while Fire is dynamic and transformative. This combination suggests a time of flowing with the currents of life, embracing change, and surrendering to the natural ebb and flow of existence – a theme that aligns with the mutable nature of Pisces.

Mercury, Mars, and Venus are still in Aquarius. Saturn is in Pisces for the next couple of years. There still is plenty of Saturnian grounding in the air to help us make those needed practical preparations prior to marching out. But as Mercury, Mars, and Venus gradually enter Pisces, you should see greater emotional depth, creativity, intuition, and compassion in the Pisces area of your life.

I know the word “abundance” is overused to the point of being trite. Phrases like “abundant mindset” can be eyeroll-inducing. Abundance, however, isn’t a quantity of anything – rather, it is a knowing that there is enough and that you are enough.

REFERENCES:

I Ching or Book of Changes translated by Richard Wilhelm

I Ching: Walking Your Path, Creating Your Future by Hilary Barrett

WHAT I OFFER:

Writing:

Clarity without sharpness

Post author:Anita Ashland
Post published:February 14, 2024
Post category:Astrology I Ching

It’s time for the “Clinging Fire” of Hexagram 30 from the I Ching, which symbolizes the brightness, clarity, and persistence of life.

This hexagram has double the fire – in other words, a doubling of the fire trigram. There are eight times per year we get a hexagram that is a doubling like this.

Fire has no defined form but must cling to an object in order to be made bright. As Richard Wilhelm says in his translation:

Everything that gives light is dependent on something to which it clings, in order that it may continue to shine.

Thus sun and moon cling to heaven, and grain, grass, and trees cling to the earth. So too the twofold clarity of the dedicated man clings to what is right and thereby can shape the world. Human life on earth is conditioned and unfree, and when man recognizes this limitation and makes himself dependent upon the harmonious and beneficient forces of the cosmos, he achieves success.

Wilhelm goes on to talk about cows, which I appreciate as a Wisconsinite (Wisconsin is known for its dairy farms). He describes cows as “the symbol of extreme docility.” If we cultivate docility we acquire “clarity without sharpness” and find our place in the world.

We’re in the last stretch of Aquarius season. Aquarius is a Saturnian air sign, which might not seem fiery, but air signs do have a hot quality. It’s perfect timing that Mars entered Aquarius yesterday and is conjunct Pluto. This energy of Mars in the coming weeks should help encourage the Aquarian themes of innovation and progressive thinking and shed some light on new ideas. Venus will enter Aquarius in a few days, which will take some of the edge off the Mars effect.

Take care of your cows. Notice what you see in this brighter light ahead. Tend to the new insights you receive and your inner clarity will cause your light to spread farther “and penetrate the nature of man ever more deeply.”

REFERENCES:

I Ching or Book of Changes translated by Richard Wilhelm

WHAT I OFFER:

Writing:

How can you break the mold?

Post author:Anita Ashland
Post published:February 8, 2024
Post category:Astrology I Ching

Aquarius symbolizes the need for radical change and transformation. Therefore it’s appropriate that Hexagram 49: Revolution (Molting) from the I Ching is our hexagram host for the next week of Aquarius season.

Fire is included in the image, just like last week, but this time we find fire situated in the middle of a lake. Fire and water are opposites, so the two destroy each other in order that revolution may occur. Per Richard Wilhelm’s commentary:

So too in the course of the year a combat takes place between the forces of light and the forces of darkness, eventuating in the revolution of the seasons. Man masters these changes in nature by noting their regularity and marking off the passage of time accordingly. In this way order and clarity appear in the apparnetly chaotic changes of the seasons, and man is able to adjust himself in advance to the demands of the different times.

That right there makes a case for astrology; seeing what lies ahead for us archetypally helps us adjust ourselves to the situations we will face both as individuals and collectively. Just as the seasons change, so do the demands of the times, which call for social transformations.

We have three pet cockatiels, so I like that this hexagram is also called “molting.” Birds molt at least once a year, usually during the spring. It’s uncomfortable for them sometimes as the new feathers grow in. And their flying skills can be diminished as they wait for the growth of new flight feathers.

The other day we noticed that our oldest cockatiel has a fresh growth of new feathers on his head, which we found encouraging. He is still aligning himself with the energies of the seasons even in his dotage and bringing forth his best self.

Which “feathers” do you need to shed so that you can avoid stagnation and make your essence more visible?

WHAT I OFFER:

Writing:

REFERENCES:

I Ching or Book of Changes translated by Richard Wilhelm

Strength and energy in alliance

Post author:Anita Ashland
Post published:February 3, 2024
Post category:Astrology I Ching

We are about halfway through Aquarius season already and have now arrived at the Hexagram 13: People in Harmony section, which represents the essence of Aquarius.

Yesterday I heard a YouTuber mention that a formerly popular YouTuber is getting less and less views these days because the algorithm is now more egalitarian and doesn’t favor people with large number of followers. It’s more of a challenge for one single individual to stand out in a Leo-like way, which is how Aquarius, the opposite sign from Leo, prefers it.

With Pluto in Aquarius for the next 20 years, expect that egalitarianism to continue.

Aquarius is a fixed air sign ruled by Saturn. It is future focused and not about conforming to something in the past like Capricorn, the other Saturn-ruled sign. It emphasizes the new future we are pushing towards and, being an air sign, likes to expand our horizons. The Aquarius downsides are a tendency to be too ideological and feeling like an outsider. I saw a funny poll on Instagram asking which of the air signs are the most difficult to argue with: Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio, or Taurus. Aquarius was running a close second behind Taurus. I voted for Aquarius!

The image of this hexagram, after what seems like endless lakes and mountains, finally brings some fire to the situation: it is Heaven over Fire. This seems appropriate for an air sign like Aquarius. As Richard Wilhelm describes it in his translation:

Just as the luminaries in the sky serve for the systematic division and arrangement of time, so human society and all things that really belong together must be organically arranged. Fellowship should not be a mere mingling of individuals or of things – that would be chaos, not fellowship. If fellowship is to lead to order, there must be organization within diversity.

Here is some of Hilary Barrett’s commentary about the image:

Harmony btween people will not come about by forcibly amalgamating the clans; to disarm their natural defensiveness, the noble one needs first to recognize and respect identities different from his own.

Hopefully we will see a lot more of that respect during the next 20 years.

To bring this closer to home, I’ll close with a few journal prompts to consider:

*Reflect on a recent challenge and consider how collaborative efforts or a sense of fellowship could have positively influenced the outcome.

*How will your life change if the group(s) you are in expands?

*Explore ways to foster unity in your community or social circles.

Keeping the soul in the middle

Post author:Anita Ashland
Post published:January 28, 2024
Post category:Astrology I Ching Jungian Psychology

Phrases like “slow productivity” and “unambitious goals” are popping up more frequently during my perusals of the internet and podcasts. That came to mind when pondering Hexagram 19: Approach of the I Ching, which is our hexagram host for this next week of Aquarius.

This hexagram speaks to situations that demand tangible results too quickly. Or those that focus exclusively on results rather than on patience and process. When expectations are unrealistic, then there is misfortune. If you have ever worked in the business world, you have probably experienced situations when an intense focus on data, goals, and KPIs has been detrimental and resulted in missed opportunities.

As Hilary Barrett says in her translation of Hexagram 19:

Having something to show for a process of growth doesn’t mean you’ve arrived at its outcome: harvest is not the end. As each harvest is gathered in and stored, the seasonal cycle of growth continues; you need to stay present to its ongoing changes, wherever they might lead.”

The image of the hexagram is of the earth above the lake. This alchemical combination represents a noble leader instructing, protecting, and being accepting of their people. As Barrett says,

A noble one has the inner reflective depths of the lake, contained within the protective, accepting qualities of the earth. She is the one with endless capacity to reflect, interact, and explain, to shelter and nurture people as a parent protects a child. She has the strength and maturity, and so naturally she becomes responsible.

And speaking of earth, I love how James Hillman describes earth:

Our heads are alreays reaching up and out to the celestial earth. And the problem of head trips is not that they are trips or that they are heady, but that they are not grounded. To ground these flights of fancy and ideational excursions, psychology sends the head down again to the material earth, insisting it bow down to the dark madonna of tangible concrete existence.

If you work with clients as a therapist, astrologer, coach, or in any other capacity – or simply in our everyday one-on-one interactions with others – we can also think of this as trying to “keep the soul in the middle,” as astrologer Clare Martin so eloquently states:

One of the main tasks of alchemy is to keep the soul in the middle, not allowing it to disappear either in the ethereal heights of spirit or in the dense materialism and overwhelming atractions of the body and its world.

Embracing the energy of Hexagram 19: Approach during Aquarius season invites us to navigate life with open-minded curiosity and innovative thinking. Approach situations with flexibility and adaptabilitly; Aquarius encourages us to break free from conventional norms. Keep the soul in the middle as you approach with sincerity and let authenticity be your compass as you shape yourself to the contours of change.

WHAT I OFFER:

Writing: