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India Arie: Photo by Holly Alexander
Originally published on July 24, 2009
“Without self-love a man can do nothing. There are two qualities of self-love. One is a dirty thing. The other, an impulse, love of the real “I.” Without this, it is impossible to move. An ancient Hindu saying—‘Happy is he who loves himself, for he can love me.’” —Gurdjieff
The transiting Sun in Leo’s got me thinking about LOVE. Thoughts take me back to my experience of India Arie at the recent Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa, and the pure pleasure I felt from her energy. As she expressed herself joyfully across the stage that night, I saw this beautiful star as a Shining One, her essence a bright light, inviting us to claim ours. With Venus in Leo at 29 degrees, Arie’s expression of the feminine principle is in the degree Shamanic Astrology calls “the most comprehensive expression of the Leo archetype.”
In the Shamanic Astrology paradigm, the archetype of Leo is connected with radiant, radical, self-love, the kind of deep love that comes from a place of realizing who we are and our connection with Source. The light of us. The sheer brilliant, powerful, shining energy of us as Creator. The inherent value of each one of us, simply because we exist as this Source, this beingness.
The king/queen-ship and royalty connected with this sign, contains within its essence a message of our Divine birthright. Knowing we are this magnificent power, unique in our individual expressions of pure creation, we honor ourselves AS WE ARE. The more deeply we love ourselves at this level it naturally follows, the more deeply we can love others as well.
The shadow or imbalanced side of Leo says, “I am God/dess and you’re not.” Balanced, enlightened Leo says, “I am God/dess and so are you.” Leo gives to others by first giving to themselves, embodying their radiant Source essence. Strongly individuated, Leo empowers others by giving them permission to realize and express their own beauty and light. This kind of love is not earned by living up to some type of standard. It simply IS and feels unabashed joy for the pure expression of it.
The Queen, The King, The Leading Man or Woman with Spontaneous Will, The Star of the Show. Like the Sun, enlightened Leo gives each of us permission to re-member and re-claim our inheritance as Divine beings, and the confidence to be a leading player on the stage of life.
For a snapshot of Leo, check out these lyrics:
Video by India Arie
Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul
I’m not the average girl from your video
and I ain’t built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I’m not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
India Arie
When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it’s supposed to be
And I know our creator didn’t make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I’m lovin’ what I see
Am I less of a lady if I don’t wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady ain’t what she wears but, what she knows
But I’ve drawn a conclusion, it’s all an illusion,
confusion’s the name of the game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something’s gotta change
but don’t be offended this is all my opinion
ain’t nothing that I’m sayin’ law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson
I was sent here to share with y’all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your mind, now’s the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself
‘Cuz everything’s gonna be all right
Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don’t need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I’d rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don’t need your silicone I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine
© Holly Alexander at http://www.yourdivineblueprint, 2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Holly Alexander and http://www.yourdivineblueprint.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
