Veronica Childe, HBA, Dip. MISPA, Member APAI, is a lifelong student of philosophy, religion, art, and the occult. She was raised in the old traditions of Eastern European Pagan Catholicism and has over thirty years' experience with astrology and yoga.
Veronica holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Religious Studies from the University of Toronto, with special focus on Buddhism, shamanic religions, and social theory. In 1998 Veronica took a life-changing trip through South India to study Jnana and Bhakti Yoga, visiting temple towns, ashrams and archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu. In 2004, she completed Ashtanga Yoga teacher training with Ron Reid, Diane Bruni and Meenakshi Joy at Downward Dog Yoga Toronto and from 2008 - 2009 she had private Sivananda Yoga and Vedanta teacher training with Swami Nityamuktananda of Kerala. He was trained at the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy in Rishikesh, in the direct lineage of Swami Sivananda Saraswati and Swami Vishnudevananda. Veronica's formal astrology studies began in 1995, with Robin Armstrong (RASA School of Astrology) of Toronto. She has also studied with the American Federation of Astrologers, has a certificate in Psychological Astrology from the London Centre for Psychological Astrology, and holds a Diploma in Psychological Astrology from CPA's offshoot, MISPA (Mercury Internet School of Psychological Astrology), run by the esteemed John Green.
As a student and analysand of Jungian psychology, she is fascinated with the interconnections of spirit and culture, the power of symbolism and the impact of art and imagery on the process of human development.
I visited Art Gallery of Ontario yesterday and spent some time looking at a wonderful exhibit called “Meditation and the Medieval Mind.” I took many photos, and thought I would share some here for those who may be interested. Reflection on death through contemplation of what are known as “memento mori” has been an important source of religious, philosophical and spiritual art throughout European history. This exhibit looks mainly at miniature art, as well as some larger religious pieces, all reflective of the undeniable fact of mortality and our inevitable appointment with Death.
“Death Triumphant” carved lindenwood, Germany (Bavaria), 1670. Thompson Collection of European Art at Art Gallery of Ontario. Photo: Veronica Childe.
Coffin pendant and case, gold, hair, crystal and sharkskin, England, 1721 Thompson Collection of European Art at Art Gallery of Ontario. Photo: Veronica Childe.
“Saint Michael Triumphant Over the Devil”, carved fruitwood, Southern Germany, 1742. Thompson Collection of European Art at Art Gallery of Ontario. Photo: Veronica Childe.
Left to right: Death, carved boxwood, late 16th to early 17th c Germany; Death, ivory, early 17th century Germany; Skull with crown of thorns, ivory, 18th century Germany Thompson Collection of European Art at Art Gallery of Ontario. Photo: Veronica Childe.
“The Dance of Death”, Circle of Leonhard Kern, ivory, mid 17th century, Germany Thompson Collection of European Art at Art Gallery of Ontario. Photo: Veronica Childe.
Skull Pomander, silver, 17th century. Thompson Collection of European Art at Art Gallery of Ontario. Photo: Veronica Childe.
“Allegory of Youth and Death,” ivory, early 17th century Germany (Augsburg or Munich) Thompson Collection of European Art at Art Gallery of Ontario. Photo: Veronica Childe.
“Skeleton Arising from the Tomb at The Last Judgement” ivory and paint, 16th century Germany or France Thompson Collection of European Art at Art Gallery of Ontario. Photo: Veronica Childe.
Henrich Aldegrever, Saturn Holding an Infant and a Scythe, Germany, 1533, engraving. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (not on view).
“If the Devil doesn’t exist, but man has created him, he has created him in his own image and likeness.”
Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov, 1879-1880, bk.5, ch.4.
Saturn represents our basic capacity for structure, discipline, faithfulness and tenacity. Saturn’s energy is somber, mature and immovable. A strong Saturn provides us with the ability to actualize our creativity, manifest our will and weather periods of difficulty. There is a certain solidity to an individual with a sound Saturn function; they seem responsible and capable of doing the right thing when required. Ever attentive to duty, Saturn does not suffer fools gladly, and an excuse of presumed innocence is no excuse at all to the Lord of Time. He has seen all, and is pitiless in his summations. A diminished Saturn often results in deep insecurities which can be difficult to overcome a fearfulness and inability to take part in the parade of life in a functional, beneficial capacity. It often takes many Saturn transits to comprehend how to work with his energies in a positive, productive manner, especially if there are negative aspects between Saturn, the personal planets or points in the chart.
The outermost planet in the traditional zodiac, Saturn was eventually surpassed by Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Second largest planet in the solar system and sixth from the Sun.
Domicile: Capricorn (December 21- January 21) and Aquarius (January 21- February 21) (though modern astrology has assigned rulership of Aquarius to Uranus). As ruler of these signs, Saturn is considered “at home” here, comfortably, and powerfully expressed. Note his rulership of signs which are associated with Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Saturn is cold, dark and constraining, much like Winter.
Detriment: Cancer (June 21- July 21) and Leo (July 21- August 21). The planet’s energies express themselves with difficulty in these placements. In Cancer, Saturn has difficulty living with the emotionalism, unconsciousness and sensitivity of the sign. In Leo, Saturn is compromised by the sign’s tendency to pride, ego gratification and self-adulation.
Exaltation: Libra (September 21 – October 21). The planet is at his best in this sign, at his most effective and full embodiment. Libra offers Saturn a rejoicing in the cool aridity of its sign, seeking harmony and balance in all endeavors. Consider the perfection of great works of architecture or diplomacy.
Fall: Aries (March 21 – April 21). The planet is weakest here, operating under a condition of handicap and thwarted expression. Saturn in Aries has difficulty managing the sheer willfulness and impetuosity of the sign. Saturn’s essential nature, tending towards containment and discipline are at odds with Aries’ impulsiveness and lack of constraint.
Natural house rulership: 10th house. The tenth house is our public face, and is associated with our most visible societal station, reputation, achievement, ambition and career aspirations.
Associated with works of malediction, the dead, darkness, old age, loneliness, animosity, grief, hiding, inferiority, chronic illness, rudeness, land and land ownership, art, architecture, construction, industry, Lucifer, mountains, obedience, pain, orderliness, the past, persecution, the police, prison, punishment, repentance, resistance, retreats, rigidity, sadness, solemnity, severity, servitude, selfishness, scruples, spite, stagnation, starvation, studiousness, suspicion, terror, thinness, tombs, ugliness, twilight, the vagus nerve, wealth and miserliness, woes and worries.
Astrological glyph ♄ represents a sickle, traditionally used for hand threshing and reaping.
Saturn’s colors: black, dark blue, dark green, grey, brown.
Plant associations: aconite, asafoetida, aspen, barley, beech, belladonna, blackthorn, cannabis, comfrey, hemlock, hemp, henbane, indigo, ivy, pansies, pine, poplar, poppy, as well as violet, willow, witch hazel and yew.
Mineral associations: asbestos, bismuth, black tourmaline, gypsum, jet, lead, obsidian, onyx, smoky quartz, smoky topaz.
Saturn during equinox, natural color. Cassini Equinox Mission, July 2008
Leonardo da Vinci, Salvator Mundi,oil on panel, 1490-1519. Private collection. (Photo by VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images) courtesy of Wikipedia. Da Vinci was an Aries, born 15 April 1452.
“Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor fire.”
Robert Frost, Fire and Ice, 1923. Frost was an Aries, born 26 March 1874.
The Sun travels through the astrological sign of Aries from ~March 21st until ~April 21, and in the Northern Hemisphere, this corresponds with the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring. As such, traditional astrological texts focus on the factor of increased sunlight during this time, when the primordial power of the Earth awakens, and as light equalizes the world is nourished with the return of the Solar power, which quickens life from its deep slumber, shaking away the dust and inertia of the long, cold winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, though, this is the Autumnal Equinox, and that heady solar force is on the wane, its power directed down into the earth, the potency stored for later days. Sun in Aries is energy personified, Cardinal Fire at it’s most direct and combustible. Aries prefers to initiate and move on to the next conquest, leaving the execution and finishing off to the Fixed and Mutable signs. Ruled by Mars, the God of War, Aries is direct, ambitious, courageous, enthusiastic, impatient, lusty, combative, incisive, confident and humorous. At its worst, Aries is violent, coarse, hasty, insensitive, brutal, demanding, and mercenary. Not known for subtlety, and ever-assuming agreement and obedience from those around them, Aries people love a good fight, and will go to great lengths to ensure that their efforts at obtaining one are successful. Sporting, independent and quick to assess and take advantage of a situation, Aries is the original fire brand.
Aries Tarot Correspondence – Major Arcana IV: The Emperor (Rider Waite Smith Tarot)
People born under the sign of Aries are typically very active, and their high level of energy can express itself through any route – physical, mental, or emotional. Aries people are typically known as bossy, busy-bodies, bombastic, pushy, direct, ruthless, insensitive, martial, impatient, and lacking in subtlety. These folks prefer to get to the heart of a matter as quickly as possible, regardless of any hurt feelings in those around them, and when you call them out for their insensitivity, they will be surprised, as they sincerely feel that they are doing you a favor in getting things done as quickly as possible. Likely to take the lead in any given situation, and usually convinced that they are correct in doing so, Aries have little patience and do not suffer fools gladly. You will never be smart enough to really impress an Aries, and even if you are occasionally correct, you may be allowed to express your opinion, but usually only in the midst of an argument, in self-defense. If you happen to be wrong, or wishy-washy, or otherwise prove yourself weak or somehow reproachable, prepare to be dispensed with so fast that your head will be spinning. If you need to get something done and over with, if you want a firm opinion or someone to back you up in a fight, go to your Aries friend and your job is done. If you need a shoulder to cry on, or someone to shop for bed linens and listen as you wax philosophical about the merits of Egyptian cotton versus Turkish weave, move on as quickly as possible and spare yourself the hurt feelings. Aries won’t feel snubbed – in fact, they probably just won’t notice or care at all. They are busy, you are in the way, so move on and see you later.
Aside from all the domineering, impetuous, high-level energy, Aries also has a tender side which they may or may not be aware of. Aries’ polarity point lies in the sign of Libra, and it is in the realm of relationships, give-and-take, acquiescing to the wishes or needs of others that Aries can find development. To help cultivate breadth of scope and depth of character, Aries would do well to consider the idea of “other” every once in a while by asking themselves – what do others feel, think, need or want? Having that scope of vision will help Aries achieve even greater accomplishments, for in cultivating a sense of balance Aries will find their executive capacities even further enhanced, and let’s be honest, what Aries out there doesn’t want to be the best that they can be?
Metal: iron, all metals in general are ruled by Aries
Tarot: The Emperor
Color: Red, scarlet, hot orange, bright white.
Deities: Isis, Athena, Minerva Mars, Shiva
Flora: honeysuckle, peppermint, cayenne, onions, garlic, radish, hops, mustard, thistles, aloes, holly and other spiked plants
Fauna: ram, owl, sheep, lamb
Famous Aries personalities: Lady Gaga, Jessica Chastain, Alec Baldwin, Elton John, Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender, Mariah Carey, Eddie Murphy, Marlon Brando, Robert Downey Jr., Rene Descartes, Seth Rogen, Emma Watson, Chance the Rapper, Kourtney Kardashian, Rooney Mara, Ewan McGregor, Cosimo de’ Medici, King Charlemagne, Kofi Annand, Colin Powell, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonardo Da Vinci, Max Ernst
Salvador Dali, “Anticipation of a Bullfight” (Carmen Suite), lithograph, 1970
“There are some days when I think I am going to die from an overdose of satisfaction.”
Salvador Dali, Spanish artist, Taurus, b. 11 May 1904 – d. 23 January 1989
The Sun travels through the astrological sign of Taurus each year from ~21 April until ~ 21 May. In the Northern Hemisphere, we find the power of springtime courses through the world, as light grows greater, the air becomes ever warmer, and nature quivers with fecundity. Go into a garden on a late spring day, preferably sunny, and make sure it’s a day after a thorough, drenching rain. Get down onto the ground, with a little shovel (or even better, bare-handed) and dig deep into the soft, warming soil. Inhale deeply and smell the scent of fertile Earth. Feel the texture of the soil, dense and lush, and observe the little creatures going about their business all around. You will find the wonders of the Earth in that moment, warm, rich and soft, bursting with life, fertile and steady. If you are not interested in gardening, and consider yourself more of a city mouse, then take the afternoon and spend it at a museum or art gallery, and top off your day with a fine meal at a posh bistro or restaurant, ensuring that you have all the courses available, including drinks and dessert. This is Taurus.
Sun in Taurus expresses the essence of Fixed Earth. Taurus people are Venus ruled, sensual creatures of comfort, pleasure and dependability. They prefer to know where their next meal is coming from, when they are going to have it, exactly how it will be prepared, how it will be paid for, and by whom. They do not like deviation from routine, preferring to cultivate a sense of security and foreknowledge in their everyday lives. Venus ensures that Taurus people are typically quite pleasant and refined; these folks do not like anything vulgar or upsetting rocking the course of their placid days. At their best, Taurus is sophisticated, elegant, pampered and urbane, appreciative of fine art and all things of beauty and comfort. They know which are the best restaurants, and which dessert is worth the calories . Scheduled pleasure is the best pleasure, as far as they are concerned, and if you want to understand your Taurus friends, just see what happens when you try changing plans on the fly. It won’t go over well, and you will slowly be edged out of their social graces, which, given how seriously they take the cultivation of pleasure, won’t be a very comfortable position for very long. At their worst, Taurus can be jealous, possessive, selfish, belligerent, lascivious, hedonistic, obstinate, petty and crude, and while it takes a lot for Taurus to degenerate to a negative state, the Venus-ruled are not completely innocent of succumbing to debauchery every now and again.
Taurus Tarot Correspondence – Major Arcana V: The Hierophant (Rider Waite Smith Tarot)
Taurus people like to feel loved and admired, they want to smell good, taste delightful things, touch things that are soft and secure, and ultimately, always know that there is money in the bank to keep the good times rolling for as long as possible. Taurus rules money, art, and wealth, and they expend their energies ensuring that they have enough of everything. Not quick to get upset, they will put up with a lot just to keep the peace, because peace is pleasant and why bother expending any of their carefully stored resources in a fight, when deep down they know that things rarely change. Get a Taurus upset, and you will be very sorry. They will explode, and all the strength of that finely honed patience will come crashing down in a blow out that will at the least, be memorable, at the worst, a complete deal-breaker. Getting angry is a large energy expenditure, and a Taurus is grudging with any expenditure, energetic or otherwise. When Taurus gets to a place of anger, you had better believe that they mean it and if you are on the receiving end, like it or not, you will surely remember the thrashing you receive, Taurus outbursts often becoming the stuff of legend: “Remember when Uncle Steve got SO MAD…” If anyone can teach a lesson so that it will stick, it’s a Taurus native. Some of the very best lessons they teach, though, are of generosity, patience, dependability, and loyalty. If you are looking for a true, blue friend who will help you out when you really need it, Taurus is a great bet, as they are, at heart, gentle, sensitive, caring souls who truly believe in the power of love and friendship.
While great lovers of all things fine and placid, Taurus has its polarity point as well, which is embodied in the sign of Scorpio. If Taurus finds themselves getting a little too predictable, things are a bit too easy going (read boring), let them look to their Scorpio alter-ego to shake things down a bit. Taurus would do well to remember that it’s not all sweetness and light, and that while they are enjoying their stable, pleasant existence, there is a whole world festering and seething deep on the down-low. Scorpio can teach Taurus what power, ownership and dominance of the material really means, for they have travelled all the darkest paths to get to the very bottom of things. For true security, Taurus sometimes has to explore and remember the depths as well.
Famous Taurus personalities: Queen Elizabeth II, Salvador Dali, The Rock, Adele, Tina Fey, David Beckham, Henry Cavill, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Jerry Seinfeld, Bono, Adolf Hitler, Karl Marx, Gal Godot, George Clooney, Sid Vicious, Malcolm X, Liberace, Daniel Day Lewis, Nicolo Machiavelli, Vladimir Lenin, Marcus Aurelius, Ho Chi Minh, William Randolph Hearst, Stephen Harper, abolitionist John Brown.
