The Gemini full moon period with the power of the lunar lords waxing strong gives an added incentive to guard the solar plexus centre from its lunar ways. Gemini is about dialogue and communication. It can be forceful, rapid, garrulous, loud, raucous and unstable via the Mars rulership of the solar plexus; or it can be harmless, loving, placid and reflective through the Neptune co-rulership of the solar plexus.
The degree of forceful communication we exert reflects Mars’ control, and our attachment to ideas, thoughts and activities expressed. In this respect the solar plexus is the main residence for the Dweller, or ‘shadow’ and that which is unconscious. The solar plexus is the animal brain and a powerful expression of the concrete mind, reflecting again Mars’ rulership over the physical plane and the five tangible senses. On the other hand, Neptune, solar plexus co-ruler, represents that which is far more subtle and intangible.
The ten petals of the solar plexus chakra reflect the perfection achieved when humanity has mastered this centre as a symbol of the lower nature. The tenth zodiac sign Capricorn, finds Mars exalted. Capricorn also hides the mystery of “Makara” (the Crocodiles), a word used synonymously with Neptune. Makara is about the mystery of the relation of the soul to the personality – the lunar lords and the solar lords. The Dweller and the Angel. The Moon and the lunar lords have an ancient relationship to Gemini:
“In that far-off time when the greater round of the zodiac was started in Gemini, as now it is in Pisces, there was a relation between the waxing and the waning moon, due to the pulsating power of Gemini. This is now greatly lessened, owing to the removal of the responsive life from the Moon, but the rhythm then set up still remains, producing the same basic illusion.” (EA352)
The waxing and waning moon suggests to us the cyclic passing of time, that by which we measure the unfoldment of consciousness. Yet time is the great illusion to be transcended. Full moon periods are doorways of opportunity for meditation over a five day period. Hence tuning in at the exact moment of a full moon is not necessarily a prerequisite for moving through that doorway, although it is of course most significant. It is more the longer term process than the “event”. The Lord of Time (and Karma), Saturn, also has a relation to Gemini:
“From certain angles, Saturn can be regarded as the planetary Dweller on the Threshold, for humanity as a whole has to face that Dweller as well as the Angel of the Presence, and in so doing discover that both the Dweller and the Angel are that complex duality which is the human family. Saturn, in a peculiar relation to the sign Gemini, makes this possible.” (EA164)
The Moon and Saturn both have a more indirect relation to Gemini, but rule the respective polarities of Cancer/Capricorn; their septenary cycles closely synchronise by progression and transit. As the Moon builds the form, it has a relation to the lesser light of the solar plexus, the instability of emotion and lower mind. As Saturn represents the spiritual Law, he represents the higher light of the solar plexus, or the Gemini twin ‘whose light is waxing’. Again we see the relation of Saturn to Capricorn and Makara. Mars and Neptune also represent respectively the lower and higher “lights” of the solar plexus.
The higher point is where energies from below the diaphragm are transferred to the heart centre. Neptune is of course intimately related to the heart via its soul rulership of Sun-ruled Leo (“the heart of the Sun”), and its function as the “Second Synthesising Scheme” of our solar system.
Mars and Neptune in one respect are the Twins of Gemini: Mars as lower self and Neptune as higher self. In relation to the solar plexus, the stability sought for under quicksilver Gemini is expressed as calm communication leading to clarity of thought and non-chaotic thinking: The mind as the pure reflective mirror – the following through on ideas. Calm as the still waters ruled over by Neptune, symbol of the emotional body expressing through the solar plexus.
Gemini is about communication, communing, communion. The grail cup as a double ended symbol is Geminian. Mars rules the base of the cup and the foundation, whilst Neptune rules the top of the cup which holds the healing waters of love.
Just as the pillars of Gemini represent a gateway for forces from Sirius, so the solar plexus is a gateway to the heart in the human microcosm. The pillars are a symbol of stability and strength but that which can topple at times. Gemini rules the thymus, the endocrine gland associated with the heart. Gemini also rules the etheric body and has a relation to the two major channels which travel up the spine – the ida and pingala nadis. These nadis can also be seen as “pillars” of support.
Gemini’s ruler Mercury is also depicted as the caduceus symbol which is illustrative of the three major nadis – the ida, pingala and sushumna nadis that intertwine up the spine and culminate in the awakened eye of the soul.
The major nadis are like three sacred rivers, into which pour all the lesser ‘streams and brooks’ of the minor nadi system. Over these many ‘lesser voices’ of the etheric body Gemini rules. There is an analogy here between the talkativeness of Gemini and the big rivers that transcend all; quiet and calm, yet moving irresistably onward with power and depth.
The normally distracted and chattering Gemini mind that continually responds and reacts to its environment, becomes more reflective of the deeper processes, does not identify with the gusts of wind over the surface of mind and emotion; it observes with detachement from the shade of a tree on the river bank; its sits poised and Buddha-like. Identification with the environment is so complete and deep that it is the tree, it is the force of the mighty river.
True communion with another soul or God comes about through open-hearted dialogue. Identification with other/another; the Mercurial mimicking that walks a mile in another’s shoes. If Gemini is esoterically the major sign ruling human relationships, then dialogue and communication is the key.
Communication is also about listening. Quite often there is more interest in expressing viewpoints and being heard first via forceful expression through the solar plexus. If we enter into the spirit of true dialogue with another, then we must be willing to listen – audibly and for the more subtle inaudible keys.
This willingness to listen and perhaps modify our views and thoughts is transformative and enriching – both parties grow and gain as a result. We suspend our previously cherished beliefs for a moment and give consideration.
Dialogue is the key to the refinement of thought and the thinking processes. Another sign of the mutable cross, Mercury-ruled Virgo is drawn upon to aid this process. Gemini gathers and Virgo discerns.
Gemini is also about the pairs of opposites on the mental plane: the lower mind and higher mind. The dualism of human thinking. The response to too many stimuli in the environment that consequently dissipates and scatters energies. Mercury also has an association with the throat centre in terms of thoughts communicated.
Yet curiously Gemini has a very close association with the heart. As mentioned earlier, Gemini rules the thymus, the endocrine gland associated with the heart. Gemini also only takes one Ray through it – Ray 2 of Love Wisdom.
“Modern psychology, when allied to medicine, recognises that this gland when overactive will produce the irresponsible and amoral person.” (EH160)
The following quote relates to that which was earlier mentioned about the solar plexus centre as a gateway to the heart
“Gemini also rules the thymus gland which is inactive at present in the adult person, owing to the fact that the heart centre is unawakened in the majority. It will, however, become active when “the immortal brother floods the mortal brother with the light and life of God.” Then the heart centre, with its correlating activity of consciousness (group understanding and group love) will function freely.” (EA367)
