Libra - Full Moon Meditation

«I choose the way which leads between the two great lines of force.»
(September 22 - October 21)

Introduction

This full moon meditation series is based on an astrological interpretation of the twelve labors of Hercules from the Greek myth.

The twelve tasks of Hercules are symbolic lessons for every human from the way of selfishness back to the Heart of God. As mortals we do not exactly know the way to the higher worlds but the path itself knows and leads us through sometimes dramatic experiences to our goal. So we travel "on the path until we become that path", from Aries to Leo, Virgo and Libra - and further through all the astrological signs to Pisces.

Abstract

In the seventh sign of the astrological year, Libra, Hercules is called to work again:

Go forth, my son, and capture the wild boar; salvage a ravaged country, yet take the time to eat!

Remembering his last labor, Hercules says to Apollo before leaving: "I will not take your brand-new bow with me, for fear I kill. At my least labor, upon the shores of the great sea, I slew and killed. This time I slaughter not. I leave the bow".

So he begins to search for the boar which is spreading so much fear and terror all around. On his way to the mountains Hercules meets Pholos and they instantly become friends. When Pholos invites him to share a cask of wine who belongs to a group of Centaurs they are joined by Cherion. Other Centaurs hear the feasting and the noise of the three and remember the word that the cask must not be broached, save all Centaurs are present. But the cask gets opened by Hercules and Pholos in the absence of their brothers. So the Centaurs come in wrath and a fierce battle takes place in spite of the wise resolutions of Hercules. During this battle Hercules kills his friends Pholos and Cherion and escapes into the mountains.

Again Hercules has failed and follows anew the tracks of the fierce boar through bitter cold heights of mountain snow. As Hercules can not come close to the boar he decides to set a trap. After waiting many hours the boar emerges at dawn, seeking for food, and falls into the snare. Hercules ties the hind legs of the boar and pushes the tamed animal like a wheelbarrow down to the valley. Wherever the couple comes, onlookers show great joy and much laughter seeing the staggering, weary boar and the singing and dancing Hercules.

Returning to the teacher Hercules is asked to ponder upon the lessons of the past. "Twice you have slain those which you should love. Learn why."

Explanation

Instead of resting Hercules accepts the invitation of his friends Pholos and Cherion to have an orgy. Cherion is a symbol for good thoughts and Pholos that for physical strength. The story tells that Hercules kills his friends rather than mastering his basic nature. Taking the boar, as a symbol of desire, into the high mountains brings about the revelation.

In Libra we meet many paradoxes and extrems. Always the need to balance the pairs of opposites arises. The most compelling problems of the sign in everyday life are the questions of sex and money. The double test for Hercules consists in the recognition of a rare friendship with Pholos and the fearless courage to search after the fierce boar. The test of balance is often triggered through a high visionary light experience and the realisation of the dire needs of humanity in the valley of life. High ideals often lead to the abstention from contact with the ordinary things of life and every activity on the outer plane seems to darken the valuable inner perceptions. At this point on the path, one has to acquire the comprehensive understanding that compassion is needed as a means to balance high and low, good and bad, significant and insignificant.

The keynote of Libra indicates the path of balance between negative and positive energies or forces - we have to learn to walk on the "razor's edge" to gain sound judgement. Libra is the only sign without a human or animal symbol, although it is sometimes represented by a figure of justice with bound eyes carrying a set of sacles. Could this mean that being blind to outer opinion we gain in capacity to judge fairly?

Meditation on the seed thought of the month

• Remain in silence for some minutes.
• Sing three times: OM.
• Ponder upon the seed thought for 3 to 5 minutes:
  «I choose the way which leads between the two great lines of force.»
• Recite the following mantra:
  I am a point of light within a greater light.
  I am a strand of loving energy within the stream of love divine.
  I am a point of sacrificial fire, focused within the fiery will of God.
  And thus I stand.
• Sing again three times: OM.
• Recite three times: May all living beings in all the worlds be happy.
• Remain in silence for three minutes, than end with:
  Peace, Peace, Peace.