I have considered recently while musing on this meditation, what constitutes the Fixed modality and Air element of the Aquarius signs' combined nature. On further investigation, Fixed Air was the term used by the chemist and physicist Joseph Black to describe his ‘discovery’ of carbon dioxide, a gas that is expelled from the lungs as we humans and other land-dwelling creatures exhale. It is this gas, this ‘Fixed Air’ that at this time in our human history threatens our existence in the form of one of the main greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the antidotes to excess carbon dioxide is the cultivation of plants. As a product of photosynthesis, the plant takes in the carbon dioxide and in turn, releases oxygen. Even better, plants, like hardwood trees, can absorb carbon and store it long term. However, everything, as Saturn decrees, has its time to die, and once felled the plant life again releases its carbon store, some into the earth below and the rest back into the atmosphere.
Amber
Amber, a fossilised resin, not a mineral, is the oldest known ‘gemstone’ and has been used for multiple millennia as adornment.
As the product of ancient trees, the resin (which is part of the trees' defense mechanism against attack) over time loses its water content and solidifies. When I say over time, that is millions of years. The oldest known to date comes from a coal seam in Illinois USA, dating to 320 million years ago with the oldest commercial amber 79-125 million years old. Baltic Amber is the most common source.
Saturn as Father Time is the sole Lord of the sign Aquarius and is said to be happiest here in His airy mountainous temple, far away from the civilised world. Contemplating how humankind in conceptual perfection, ‘could and should’ be without the personal connection of intimate relationship.
Amber is a crystal that has an association with both Aquarius, due to its great age as a fossil of the distant past, and Leo for its warmth, sunny colour, and ability to attract, as friction creates a slight electromagnetic force. Amber is the perfect way to bring the clear-thinking, contemplative yet sometimes dispassionate nature of Aquarius and Saturn to greater connectedness with its zodiacal opposite, the Sun, the ultimate symbol of the Leo heart-centred, generosity of spirit.
An Aquarian Meditation
Before settling into a quiet space (I highly recommend a safe place outside, where you can be alone, with no digital or other distractions) take yourself for a brisk walk to get into the Aquarian mindset.
Fresh air and quiet contemplation with just your thoughts to accompany you is, itself, a beautiful meditation. We are often so caught up with other people's influences, that we lose ourselves in the noise.
You will need:
A piece of amber, either jewelry containing the crystal or a standalone piece. If you do not have a physical piece on hand, an image firmly held in your mind or printed to gaze at will connect you to the energy of amber.
Incense – Amber fragrance would be ideal. (Amber itself was used in the past as an incense, but now you will find fragrances marketed as amber that are manmade.)
An orange candle if you like to use fire in your rituals, but in this case I don’t find it necessary.
To begin…
After your walk (and if at all possible, have no connections to others between the walk and the ritual) find a place that is as free from distractions as you can. Wrap yourself in a scarf or shawl as a symbolic protection against the elements.
Light your incense (and candle if using one) and hold the amber piece in your hand or the image in your mind. Let the smoke from the incense fill your senses, watch the gentle swirling patterns in the air help your mind drift into a meditative state.
Imagine yourself on a hill or mountain; a fresh cool breeze dances around you but you are protected and warm tucked into a safe nook, wrapped in your protective outerwear.
Place a hand at your heart chakra and focus on your breath, being mindful of the oxygen you take into your lungs and the carbon dioxide to be fully expelled. Take three full deep breaths in and out totally exhaling before drawing the next breath and then let your breath take its natural rhythm.
As the amber warms to your body temperature picture the process that has transformed the amber from ancient tree sap, sticky and viscous into the solid piece you are currently holding. Imagine watching safely from your vantage point the plant and animal life that would have roamed the planet at the time this substance was created.
Keep your breath in mind as you timelapse the process from sap to solid form, watch the landscape change slowly, the trees and creatures that come into being and move out of existence, and be a detached witness to this process. Rather than feeling the loss, know that life and death have time and meaning. As one species passes away, another invariably takes its place.
As you witness the first humanoid figures moving below you, wish them well for their future and acknowledge them as your beloved ancestors. As the world below becomes further inhabited by humanity, feel the amber’s warmth as it summons you to leave your solitary vantage point.
Walking down, you come to an inhabited area below, where fire and candlelight dance in the windows of the occupants. As you reach the centre of the settlement you come across the villagers enjoying a social gathering around a cheery bonfire. As soon as you are spotted, you are welcomed with open arms and friendly smiles into the heart of their community.
Once you feel the warmth and love that is available to you from being part of the community of humanity, place your hand back on your heart centre. Sit and let the love envelope you and radiate from within, a love that you allow yourself and then pass on to others.
When you are ready, repeat the three full breaths in and out and then open your eyes.
Have something to eat and a glass of water to drink to get you firmly grounded. If you have family members or a pet in your home, go and connect with them, share a hug, or a joke, and just enjoy being in their company. If you live alone, contact a friend or family member, and make a date to spend time where fun is on the agenda.
Saffron Dennis is an astrologer, crystal therapist, horticulturalist and tarot reader based in the East Anglia region of the UK. You can book her for a reading or as a speaker at your local or online event at divinebaytree.com
I have a story to share with you, Saffron. I have a lovely old amber necklace that I bought at a flea market; I never really wore it, but I took it out for the February's lunar cycle. It's a long string of amber gems with the option to wear long or as a choker. I chose the choker option. It felt good and looked beautiful. I wore it to bed.
In the middle of the night I woke from a bad dream. Ticks were attacking me, so many of them, some even appeared to be flying, and we know ticks don't fly. I awoke in horror. I felt itchiness on my legs and my neck. I thought of the amber resin with fossilized insects trapped inside. I sat up and took off my amber necklace. In the morning, I looked at my lovely amber necklace with a jewelers loupe and found inclusion bodies of foreign matter that looked like they could be tick bodies.
I searched the internet and found "Ticks were spreading pathogens for millions of years before humans evolved. Biologist George Poinar, Jr., has found evidence of Borrelia, a type of spirochete-like bacteria that causes Lyme disease, in fossilized ticks preserved in 5−20-million-year-old amber. Much older fossilized ticks have been found in 99-million-year-old amber." I continued to find many accounts of Borrelia found in amber resin.
I also read this recent discovery about ticks taking flight "Even if you find ticks repulsive, your skin's electrical charge may find them positively attractive. Previously assumed to require direct contact to spread, scientists at the University of Bristol have found that ticks may be able to 'fly' across short distances using the power of static electricity."! Amazing huh?
I've had lyme disease many years ago, now I am completely recovered or so I think. What a nightmare. I'm happy to say I'm back to wearing my amber necklace but not as a choker, and I will take it off when sleeping, so it doesn't break or trigger bad dreams. Gemstones are powerful! Oh, before wearing my amber necklace again, today I washed my necklace with gentle soap, polished and blessed it. I actually thought about doing this when I initially put it on...I should have listened!
I love the gemstone portion of Roots and Spheres so much. Thank you, Saffron you are really gifted.
Warmly, Donna
Dear Saffron, your meditation was so powerful and beautiful. I didn't realize you wrote this. It moved me so much. Tears, gratitude and love, always love. Thank you blessed one, I'll be returning to this meditation over and over.
Donna