Thanks to Ursi for the link to Francene Hart’s beautiful artwork. This is “Tornado Woman.”

I’ve been reading up on some of the early gnostic gospels that I haven’t read for a while, and this passage from the Gospel of Thomas struck me:

“If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not bring it forth, what you do not have within you will kill you.” v. 70

The term “afflicted planets” is a classical and vedic astrological term that refers to personal planets that are weakened by aspects to “malefic” planets. This is considered “bad” in the more traditional modes of astrological thinking, but in transformational astrology the “bad” aspects are often the most powerful agents for change and evolution.

Our birthcharts are our fate, but every day we make choices that determine our destiny. The woman with this powerful planetary combination has become a powerful individual who learns from every action that she takes and uses the knowledge gained to become more empowered on a deep and personal level. She confronts her fears (Sun/Chiron) and consciously strives to express her power (Saturn/Mars/Pluto) in a positive way.

The words of Jesus as quoted above are a powerful reminder that we must bring forth all that is within us in order to utilize these powers for our highest good. If they are left to fester in the unconscious they can become powers for destruction instead. The most difficult planetary aspects contain within them the seeds to personal empowerment if we make the choice to seek the road of personal growth and evolution. As Shakespeare said, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves.”