September New Moon; and the Eight Pieces of the Silk Brocade

“I was sitting by the ocean one late summer afternoon, watching the waves rolling in and feeling the rhythm of my breathing, when suddenly I became aware of my whole environment as being engaged in a gigantic cosmic dance...

I "saw" cascades of energy coming down from outer space, in which particles were created and destroyed in rhythmic pulses; I "saw" the atoms of the elements and those of my body participating in this cosmic dance of energy...”

~Fritjof Capra 

This quote I came upon recently describes perfectly how I was going to begin this article—with my experiences of doing Qi Gong (the Eight Pieces of the Silk Brocade) by the ocean. Fritjof Capra is a physicist and ‘deep ecologist’ who promotes the inherent worth of all living beings…

While I move slowly and from a place of deep knowing the mind is still, giving space for feeling into life that is everywhere. Time does not exist. There is openness. Sense of self vanishes. ‘I’ am the ocean, sand, cliffs behind and the pelicans gliding in platoon. Quiet, peace, swirling, unfolding, the universe flows—we flow—without focusing on our numerous thoughts, time and reference to the many details that define our reality cease to exist. There is freedom. Freedom from the relentless way in which we can drive our selves. Freedom to, just Be. 

The Eight Pieces of the Silk Brocade (the 8 brocades) is a Qi gong practice a thousand years old that a young Chinese general developed for his troops to enhance all of their abilities. This practice is based on finding a graceful and fluid rhythm among your own integral energies. Each movement relates to an organ encouraging harmony throughout the body and a positive flow of energy. When the body is in harmony it is one with the universal flow of energy. We are one with that. There is no separation. 

“Qi Gong is a strategy for freedom from our cage of isolation.”

~Garri Garripoli, Qigong: Essence of the Healing Dance

Qi Gong is empowering and stilling. As our fears subside, confidence increases and we are able to move through life with grace just as we do with the movements of Qi Gong. A knowing is instilled through repetitive practice that cannot be defined by the mind. It feels so ‘right’ that it cannot be denied.

Qi Gong practice is perfect to consider during this New Moon in Virgo. The natural characteristics of Virgo, quiet, patient, observant, skilled, focused and dedicated are qualities that contribute to the mastery of such an art. And in the process of relieving our selves of old resistances we notice a lightness and peace that takes up residence. Feeling good is associated with the letting go and releasing that happens during practice.

New Moon in Virgo

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This is an active New Moon chart as it includes an exact trine with the evolutionary giant Uranus. Will of the people, less focus on the individual. Universal causes, unity, no separation, equality, freedom. The energy of Uranus is electric, shocking, rebellious in its quest to liberate and wake us up! Therefore it would not be unusual for the individual to be feeling an extra level of tension cultivated by the tendency toward resistance that most humans feel when urged to change and the high voltage insistence of Uranus. 

“Uranus brings with it a new way of looking at things, and its approach is best met with an expanded consciousness.”

~www.astrology.com

Seeing beyond the habitual is easier with Uranus in play. As the higher octave of Mercury, Uranus is about insight and knowing rather than thinking and defining. It’s view is of the big picture and so demands that we open up to what is outside of our normal range of view. This might be a challenge for Virgo who prefers to deal with what is observable and practical. 

This is where Qi Gong is a powerful tool for transformation and can be appealing to Virgo—taking practical steps through Qi Gong movement is all that is necessary. The rest happens without our interference. There is nothing more to do. 

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Doing is the realm of Mars, also found in Virgo currently. This combination is action with precision and very beneficial for focusing the energy during a Qi Gong routine. 

“Mars is the planet of "do" and Virgo is the sign of "do it efficiently." While Mars moves through Virgo, we’re able to figure out where to cut the fat…” 

~www.tarot.com

There is the additional energy of Neptune to consider here as the planet of dissolution, no boundaries is in opposition to Mars in detailed and delineated Virgo. 

“Mars in Virgo...is a powerful healer who goes inside the inside to heal you. Mars in Virgo... opposing Neptune is the healer healing the healer. Hands-on, hands-off, doesn’t matter. And the message that heals is nothing you can grasp with the mind which Virgo finds… uncomfortable.

~www.moonplutoastrology.com/mars-opposition-neptune-and

It may feel uncomfortable, the lack of definition, however through Qi Gong the purpose of not being able to grasp ‘it’ with the mind becomes evident as we have mentioned all along. Let go and trust. One step at a time, one movement at a time and all questions become irrelevant even for the short time one is immersed in the Qi Gong dance. 

With Jupiter in Aquarius inconjunct or quincunx Mars, when the action is for expansion and moving with the Universal flow, it feels balanced, harmonious and ‘perfect’. If there is doubt and deliberation about any ‘this or that’, the discomfort will be noticeable. 

The trine to Mars from Pluto is a powerful energy to eliminate any tendencies that are limiting action toward greater self awareness. All the planetary players are in alignment to help us reach our most desired goals. There isn’t much that needs to be done except follow the movement and relax!

Click here for a video with Mimi Kuo-Deemer demonstrating the Eight Pieces of the Silk Brocade. Her mastery is evident. She is wonderful to learn from.

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