Most of us are born with two eyes that coordinate with each other to provide an accurate picture of the world. One affliction that interferes with quality of vision is called strabismus, wherein the eyes do not align properly. An extreme example of strabismus is crossed eyes, which cause double vision.
Nearly all of us have had occasion to cross our eyes on purpose in an expression of jest. Involuntary double vision, however, is no joke for those who have to live with it.
Thankfully, medical science has developed ways to correct most cases of strabismus. It was not always so, however. For most of human history, those beset with double vision had to rely on the ability of the human brain to compensate for dysfunctional eyes.
One way the brain compensates for double vision is by ignoring the input of the deviated eye, but at the cost of depth perception. The result is one form of distortion unconsciously exchanged for another. Given the state of the world at this time, it would be accurate to aver that nearly all of us are vulnerable to (if not clearly burdened with) a metaphorical form strabismus. It’s also fair to say that the times are being reflected in the astrology.
The sheer volume of information coming at you is enough to cross your eyes all by itself. Astrology’s corollary to information (and your mind, among other things) is fast-moving Mercury.
Then, factor in the probability that a large volume of data you receive is intentionally slanted in spite of any claim to be (for example) “fair and balanced.” Finally, layer on the studied and tested manipulative psychology employed by the political, entertainment and advertising industries, and it’s a wonder you can function as well as you do.
One way you and most of the rest of us remain functional in the midst of media onslaught is to be selective about exposure to information. Shutting out, avoiding and otherwise ignoring that which conflicts with or distresses your point of view, however, has its own problems. Even new evidence, when admitted, is commonly interpreted to confirm what you already believe (a tendency known as ‘confirmation bias’).
Confirmation bias is an occupational hazard for astrologers. In an effort to overcome personal prejudice, astrologers often defer to and rely on traditional forms of interpretation. Even then, astrology can at times present a confusing picture, which, ironically, is often an accurate representation of what’s actually going on.
One could make a case for now being one of those times. Tellingly, one of the planets most emblematic of these times is Neptune in the sign it rules — Pisces.
Neptune is not to be underestimated. As the great Robert Hand put it, Neptune correlates with what is “confusing and unclear” at least as often as it corresponds to “extremely beautiful and ideal influences.” Up until about five years ago, when Neptune entered Pisces for the first time in a century and a half, nobody (nor their parents, nor even their grandparents) had any experience of living through an era of Neptune implicitly being amplified in Pisces.
Indeed, the world is still influenced by both the distorted thinking (Confederate flag and such) and inspiration (Thoreau and his contemporaries) which originated the last time Neptune passed through Pisces — basically from 1849 to 1862. Additionally, Neptune, along with complex and nuanced Chiron, is currently retrograde in Pisces, symbolically adding to the potential for confusion.
Further contributing to the potential for confusion is Saturn, astrology’s lord of order. Saturn is in a transitional year, spending most of 2015 slowly oscillating over the cusp separating two very different signs: Scorpio and Sagittarius. Even though Saturn is no longer retrograde, it is still in the same degree of Scorpio it occupied on July 4, indicative of little (if any) progress in bringing any semblance of order to your life or the world as a whole.
Finally, Uranus (which a normally circumspect Robert Hand recently referred to as “a crazy planet”) is also retrograde in Aries. At the same time, the ruler of Aries (Mars) is actually moving faster than Venus, which hardly ever happens.
Fortunately, just as medical science has its remedies for strabismus, astrology has its antidote for confusing times: patience. Everything in the sky and on the zodiac is constantly moving. As a result, no one state of affairs holds forever. And just as it is above, so it reliably is below.
In our current case, the dominant role of slow moving planets (Saturn, Uranus and Neptune especially) in fast-moving times implies that you need to be more patient than perhaps at any time in your life. The good news is that a light is visible at the end of our proverbial tunnel. Next month, Saturn will settle into Sagittarius for a long run of more than two years. After September, the eclipses of 2015 will be over, and by mid-October all the Mercury retrogrades for the year will be behind us.
Indeed, things might actually get a little boring later this year. Once you are able to see things more clearly, the stark nature of a less distorted reality might seem somehow less interesting. So, make the best of confusing times while you have them. Allow for your probable double vision to contribute to your creativity and stimulate your imagination while you still can, just so long as you are aware that seeing and believing are not what they used to be.
Offered In Service
Len is available for astrology readings. You can contact him at lenwallick [at] gmail [dot] com.
It is not uncommon for me to read one of your pieces and feel comforted, there’s another out there who hears me, sees me, understands me …and today is no different. I was born with crossed eyes, strabismus, and try as the surgeons may, these 2 eyes of mine would not cooperate. Incoming messages must be processed by one and then the other, frustrating my aquarian mercury/sun no end. The only way forward I’ve had any success with is forgoing the brain and connecting with gut.
My gut brings me here to your wise words, Len. Slow and steady. It all rings true.
M2
PS, Len & group … I end up thinking that the (healthy, working) eyes play tricks on us all, seeing separation everywhere.
So … i’m good. Slow & funky-eyed but good.
Mary: Thank you for sharing your story. If memory serves, you have been commenting here for years, sharing much of your life – and now something new to add depth perception to our sincere appreciation for you. i, for one, find encouragement and inspiration in how you have been able to live with a case of strabismus that medical science can’t correct. i am equally appreciative of your perspective that “healthy, working eyes” and other forms of sensory perception, however functional in a conventional sense, still “play tricks on us all.” Hence, you have reinforced through your own experience the astrological inspiration for this piece today.
How good and kind your reply, Len. I am heartened anew.
Hello Len,
Similar, perhaps, to Mary, I feel comforted by your posts.
I, also, have a strabismus….my left eye. Two operations, one at 3 (1951) the other at 13 served to centre the eye…somewhat. I am not cross-eyed but wall-eyed. My depth perception is fluctuating. One ophthalmologist of Indian origin said “You have an interesting set of eyes. One to see far. One to see close. Never use both same time” . I am not mocking his English syntax.. What he said, the way he said, perfectly describes my experience.
Another ophthalmologist, when I was in my 30″s considered the compensation made by my eyes so I could see was fascinating….and reasonably effective.
My Shamanic Teacher of 30 years said I just had normal vision for the clairvoyant healer I am. Gut feelings, omens, are my way of operating in this life. Has worked relatively well over the years, especially for my young students who learn in different ways from others considered “normal”.
I also have nSun Libra conj nNeptune, 6th….then there’s nUranus 0 degrees Cancer, 3rd house.
Turning 67 in October, I am finally somewhat comfortable with my way of being in this odd world. Besides, choir and fitness classes both led by people on the spiritual path…I am quite reclusive. Easier than not “seeing” the world as others do.
As tVenus Retro, crosses back and forth across the Sphinx pt of 0 Virgo…and nSaturn….I am dying and being reborn. Len, you said there were no books to guide me..I hope I quote you correctly.
The childhood god who will take care of me has …..disappeared. All to the good, I suppose as I am not a child. You had asked me to keep you all up to date on my progress on this really unknown path. Apparently, people will still keep trying to tell me what to do as Venus, I think transits through the houses and is square tSaturn, I think. NN Taurus says I’ll do it my way.
Thanks so much for your wise sharings,
Carolynkc
Carolynkc (Kansas City?) I didn’t see your comment but already have the answer to the question of an increased sense you have developed in spite of your “handicapped” vision. The world needs all the clairvoyant healers it can get these days.
be
Carolynkc: Many thanks as well for sharing your experience with (and triumph over) strabismus. It is inspiring and gratifying to know that your own, unique way of being in this world (in which you are a physical and spiritual exception to the so-called rule) has let you to being comfortable in your own skin and with your own ways. You may want to consider writing a book of your own since (as you correctly paraphrased) there are no books to guide where you have been, where you are and where you are going. At the very least, your soul knows that it has found an evolution in this life that many of us do not find in many lifetimes. As such, you have once again humbled me in the best sense of the word, and i look forward to more of the same as your rebirth furthers the evolution of your soul to a level ever more divine.
Carolynkc, nice to “meet” you! M2, as in early surgeries, etc. Perhaps we should form a club?
M2
Mary, it’s “been said” that when one is handicapped in one of his or her senses, he or she is compensated with extraordinary ability in another sense. I’ve found that to be true in short-term instances. Like when I can’t walk very far I can outdistance anyone in talk. Siilly I know, but I was wondering if you have some ultra sense (compared to others) that has developed in place of your impaired vision?
Thank you Len for trying to help us keep our sanity despite the crazy world around us. Neptune in Pisces would guarantee some chaos even if nothing else suggested such a thing. But Neptune, when he made his final ingress into Pisces had Mars conjunct the U.S Neptune, just in case the transiting one wasn’t enough. That is ingress with an attitude. Not only that but the north node at 12+ Sagittarius was conjunct the U.S. Sibly chart’s ascendant; something of a forced “live-with-it” proclamation as Mars was opposite Venus in Pisces and they were t-squared by the Moon in Gemini.
I was/am expecting something to blossom from today’s transits as so many of the planets aspect the U.S. or Pres. Obama’s chart, all at one time.
Trans. Sun was conjunct the President’s Uranus,
Venus trine the U.S. Chiron,
Uranus conjunct the U.S. Chiron,
Neptune conjunct the U.S. Ceres in Pisces and square the U.S. Uranus in Gemini,
Pluto opposite the U.S. Sun,
the north node conjunct the U.S. Sibly chart’s MC ,
Ceres conjunct the U.S. Pluto,
Saturn Sextile the U.S. Pluto and square the U.S. Moon and conjunct the President’s MC.
Add to that trans. Pallas on the U.S. ascendent in Sagittarius was trine Vesta in Aries while transiting Juno was conjunct transiting Mercury in Virgo and minding their own business if you don’t count the quintile aspect they make to the U.S Sibly chart Jupiter in Cancer, or their near perfect trine to U.S. Vesta in Taurus.
Perhaps they will all cancel each other out, or because of the dysfunction already in place, nobody will notice. Personally, I had a really good day. Bought 4 new tires on sale and was told the orange light on my dashboard does not signal anything life threatening (or as they say in auto-talk “does not affect the performance of the car”) but will cost me $100 to have “tested” and probably another 1 or 2 hundred to repair. It means though, that I am adding more pollutants into the atmosphere than I would otherwise do. That in itself is painful. An orange light to remind me of the orange river called Animus. We are being tested, aren’t we?
be
Barbara (be): Thank you once again. You are never silly. Even when your delightful humor holds sway, you are also by the way consistently saying something profound. Thank you also for your supportive words to Mary and Carolynkc, another characteristic of your comments that makes you so well loved here. Most of all, thank you for once again sharing your erudition. Your expertise with the US (Sibly) chart is world-class. Your deep understanding of the ingress astrology evinced by the outer planets is equally impressive, and how you so often derive connections from both serves to both inspire and humble (in the best possible way) my own efforts to serve here (as well as illuminate the understanding of many who read here). Perhaps it is a good thing that The President is on vacation with all the transits you describe – the better to absorb it all. Wonder if it affected his golf game. Finally, it’s comforting to know you are safer on new tires and that your dashboard light situation is more of a test than a danger to you.
Be: I’ve been madly searching for this extra-ability within for years and years; now as Len writes here, I am allowing a deeper level of stillness to allow “it” to bloom where I am. Saturn in Scorpio has helped dredge up a lifetime of anger (where my natal moon resides) so as to breathe life into this ripen soil. I will say that there are times I swear I can connect very deeply with what’s to come. Please goddess.
I am always delighted with your extraordinary posts here, Be. Such staggering insights on the sky as well the “innards” that you share so freely. Makes me happy, helps me forget the rude woman at the bank 🙂
M2
In one of his funny and socially critical novels, Tom Robbins created a protagonist who was a CIA operative who didn’t especially like the Company. But several times in the novel “Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates,” Switters clearly and triumphantly proclaimed:
“The more advertising I see, the less I want to buy.”
A good mantra for dealing with that overload of info- start with the assumption that it’s all advertising, and that you’re not in the market for anything being sold. then seeing through it all with clarity is simple.
chief niwot’s son: Wise words, thank you for sharing them.
Confirmation bias is an occupational hazard for astrologers.’ Freaking so perfect!
Great perspective, Len!
Ms. Stroop: Yes, perfect in word as well as in deed. Please accept my thanks for your kind affirmation.
I found some considerable comfort in your words today, Len – & yes, creating any kind of order in my life right now seems beyond difficult! I’ve felt the Neptunian fog (near my MH/square my sun) all over the place, & plans come to naught, people are no-shows, projects aren’t happening, & oh, my, I look forward to some light at the end of the tunnel!
Interesting that today’s discussion has offered much about vision & what we see, & how we see. As one who for years was near-sighted & needed glasses for driving & such, I’ve discovered that as I grow older, my vision has normalized, such that today I was able to buy a pair of non-prescription sunglasses & find them perfect for driving/walking on a sunny day, with no problems in seeing distances.
I was told a couple of years ago that I had the beginnings of cataracts in both eyes, & I do have an appointment next month to have my eyes checked – but I believe cataracts can reverse if we are wanting to see what we see – in short, if we love what we look upon. I can’t prove that, & I certainly won’t put myself at risk if I do have advancing cataracts, but at this point I’m working on the idea of reversing them.
In the meantime – for all of the above & a bunch more – I am cultivating patience – not always, I admit, very gracefully.
Bette,
Had cataract surgery a few months ago and it’s incredible, this new world. I was off the charts near-sighted (literally) but no longer. Crazy. Didn’t repair the strabismus but it’s wonderful not wearing contacts after 30 years. Please feel free to contact me should you wish to discuss further.
M2
Mary: Thank you so very much for being so supportive of Bette and others here on Planet Waves.
Bette: Do not underrate your grace. You demonstrate grace as few ever will. Thank you for chiming in with your own experience of Neptune. Congratulations on your rare triumph over near-sightedness. May you appointment next month come with other options and support (as well as an appropriate diagnosis).
Nice comforting astrology and comments by all. I am just days after having my breast removed and a little crossed-eyed and cross-nippled.
Ann: Thank you for taking the time and effort to comment here, especially given the demands on your time and attention. May your recovery from surgery proceed apace without complications.