Pic by http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/
Tonglen is a Buddhist practice that involves taking in the pain of others and sending them relief. Pema Chodron has written an elegant, straightforward article on it here. She describes the process (it’s a meditation) of embracing, rather than pushing away, pain as something that “…dissolves the fixation and clinging of ego”.
Doesn’t this scream Neptune in Pisces? I’ve written about the highest manifestation of this energy (transcendence, compassion) here and here. But really, tonglen sums it up better than I can. It’s channeling Piscean energy. Letting go of your attachment to happiness (and your ego) so you can confront pain. And by confronting pain, you learn that it’s not the end of the world. You gain courage for yourself, compassion for others. Note: this is not the same as sacrificing your self esteem. Consider the difference between ego and self esteem. See how slippery Neptune can be?
Just so you know, I’ve tried this. It’s uncomfortable. I fully admit to being attached to my moments of happiness. But I’m currently undergoing a Neptune opposition to my Mars in Virgo so I’m drawn to this subject matter.
Hi Nadia,
)
I have Mars in Virgo as well in the 11H and am due for this transit in about 5 years. I am very interested to learn about your experience of this transit, so I will follow your posts on Neptune transits for sure!
Yes, my Mars is at 10 Virgo so I am also interested. Nadia, you are definitely not alone in this!
I’ll doing more posts on this topic…stay tuned.
I have an unrelated question, but can an individual be drawn towards their north node by external circumstances? I ask because I don’t think this happens to everyone, since many older people I know exhibits the tendencies of their south node.
Absolutely. Actually, this happens frequently. But most people shy away from the external circumstances or ignore them.
Nadia you are not alone. My Mars in Virgo is at 2.42 degrees. When Mars stationed retrograde at 3 degrees, it was interesting. It felt like treading water. I have two job interviews this morning. Gotta admit the Neptune opposition has made me wonder if all will not be above board/hidden. Neptune has opened possibilities that I had not considered. Venus in Gemini has me curious and willing to listen.
I am also coming up to a Jupiter return as well. This should help, I think. When Venus goes retrograde, she will be stationing directly on my North Node. I will be paying attention to this transit because I will also be experiencing a north/south node opposition.
I have also been experiencing Pluto crossing my IC and squaring my Venus/Asc conjunction and add Uranus as well.. Two more passes to go. This transit has been a story by itself. It is almost like Mars, Venus, Neptune, Uranus and Jupiter have been assisting Pluto to make the transit easier. My moon is in Aquarius and trines
my Venus/Asc ; my moon is just going along for the ride.
I am not sure at this point if I recognize me so I must be doing the Pluto work, It is both sad, happy and reliving at the same time. I still have the upcoming Mars transit to my Pluto/Uranus conjuction and my Chiron return to look forward to as well.
Natally I have Sun/Neptune conjunct in Scorpio which sextiles my Pluto/Uranus conjunction in Virgo. I have worked with the outer planets my whole life and I feel comfortable and capable with their transits.
“Going deep and embracing the pain” is one of those things that I have done instinctively my whole life. I never realized others did it too. There is my sun/neptune conjunction for you. Lol
Thank you. It’s good to know others out there are feeling Neptune’s pull.
Your natal Sun/Neptune conjunction will definitely help familiarize you with Neptune’s energy. Case in point: your statement that Neptune has opened up possibilities. Very healthy way to work with it.
Sun in Scorpio/Neptune has similar (although not exactly the same) energies as Mars opposite Neptune. Mars is co-ruler of Scorpio and of course the Sun is fiery, masculine energy. So that sense of focused, masculine energy being softened by Neptune. Will/ego is sublimated and the resulting possibilities are tremendous.