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This
volume is the long-awaited companion to Darby's earlier CPA
Press volume, Water and Fire, completing her dynamic and imaginative
exploration of the four astrological elements.
Part
One: Earth. Beginning with the importance of the earth
rituals of archaic cultures, this seminar goes on to examine
in depth the nature and meaning of the element of earth, covering
in a richly poetic but thorough and comprehensive way not
only planetary placements in the three earthy signs, but also
the qualities and attributes of the earthy planetary rulers.
The complexity and subtlety of earth is further explored through
an analysis of the chart of Teilhard de Chardin, the remarkable
Christian mystic and scientist who in his own life managed
to integrate two apparently disparate yet intimately connected
dimensions of earth which form the great paradox of this element
- its rationality and respect for facts, and its profound
sense of the magic and transpersonal mystery inherent in the
heart of material reality.
Part
Two: Air. The element of Air is often mistakenly thought
to be "merely" rational. In this seminar Darby takes us on
an extraordinarily imaginative flight into the upper regions
of the mind, exploring first the meaning and nature of air,
and then examining planetary placements in the three airy
signs and the attributes and mythology of the airy planetary
rulers - which, according to traditional astrology, each
govern both an earthy and an airy sign. The fluid and effervescent
spirit of air is further revealed through an examination
of the chart of the great poet W. B. Yeats, whose vision,
fertility of ideas, and love of beauty in form and idea portray
the essential nature of this most elusive of the astrological
elements. |
