Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with throwing open the cabinet of curiosities and wondrous things I call my brain and leading you on a tour of what actually resides in there – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words.
G is for…
genethliac – (adj) of or relating to birthdays; or to the position of the stars at one’s birth.
Here’s the thing about birthdays – I love them, and I hope you do as well. They should be celebrated as special. Our appearance here on the planet, bringing our unique gifts to share, is certainly worthy of reflection and celebration. My birthday is in July, at the exact midpoint of the calendar year – 182 days preceding it and 182 days following it. That external, personal reminder of balance always delights me.
I absolutely believe we are each a unique constellation of patterning. And I believe there are a number of “maps” available to us to help remember and understand the soul agreements we carry. One thing to consider is an astrological birth chart, also known as one’s natal chart – a map of where all the planets were, as seen from Earth, at the exact moment of your birth.
I want to be clear that I consider these genethliac charts as maps, but not the actual territory. Reminders of the epic tale about us, but it is always understood that we are the emergence of our story, given a free hand to interpret and experiment with the narrative as we navigate choices and events.
I especially love this explanation by evolutionary astrologer Steven Forrest:
“This, then, is the real purpose of astrology: to hold a mirror before the evolving self, to tell us what we already know deep within ourselves. Through astrology we fly far from the mass of details that constitute our lives. We stand outside our personalities and see for a moment the central core of individuality around which all the minutiae must always orbit. We witness ourselves.”
I adore this celestial image from 1844. Although it is meant to depict a comet, I love imagining it as one’s grand entrance from the celestial realms into the moment of our birth upon Earth for this lifetime.
It is for me the perfect illustration of Shakespeare’s words that I think about on every birthday:
“There was a star danced, and under that was I born. ”
The remark is of course from his play Much Ado About Nothing. For the past few years I’ve been on a mission to re-explore Shakespeare, devoting myself to one play and watching as many adaptations as I can. Last year I was immersed in A Midsummer’s Nights Dream, and this year it’s Much Ado about Nothing. So likely I will be thinking about the above quote even more than usual.
But in truth, the idea of stars and planets and our unique embodiment in this beautiful cosmic dance is never far from my mind. Here’s an photo of a simple gathering of objects, a wall altar of mine.
I love Haitan art done from reclaimed metal and this star-placing angel is one of my favorite pieces. It only seems right that this angel should also keep track of some of my other treasures as well, like the jeweled flaming heart, a tiny locket with the Crab constellation (my Sun sign being Cancer), and a locket with a pressed pansy (the word pansy is from the French verb pensée which means to think, and so it is often used as a symbol of reflection.) Propped on the painting are a few more treasures, including a piece of jewelry from South African artist Heittiene Grobler called House of Heart.
I’m intrigued by the genethliac markings of our lives, and believe we should all unabashedly celebrate ourselves and one another as beautiful gifts birthed here in materialized form.
What do you think? Love birthdays? Are you familiar with your astrological birth chart? Love the vintage comet image as much as I do? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Thank you for bringing a new view of birthdays… I’ve tended to ignore mine, but this may change part of my thinking. The other consideration is the gratitude I’ve been feeling about having another birthday…being here, still, for both me and my loved ones.
I do hope you accept the invitation to celebrate you Beth. And yes to to gratitude – it is such a powerful attitude and energy.
It makes me want to look into my sign more. All I know is that I am a Pisces and that water is my element but other than that, not too much. My birthday tends not to be too big a deal anymore but maybe I should make it one!
Well you know I’ll encourage you to make it a bigger deal Janet – you deserve nothing less.
Oh gosh that is so lovely Deborah thank you! I think it was 1985 that I saw Halley’s Comet. We were driving down to the sea to undertake a hike and it was nighttime and we saw it! I know that my late father-in-law has seen it twice. Anyway, your celestial image is truly lovely as are your other artefacts.
The idea of an astrological chart being like a mirror from which we can discern our evolving selves and whereby we can witness ourselves is very intriguing –
Comet watching is a serious fabulous undertaking in my opinion, and your experience sounds wonderful.
I’m also reminded of one of my favorite books I read last year: The Comet Seekers: A Novel by Helen Sedgwick. Given the magnitude of my to-read list and piles of books on the ready I almost never re-read things, and yet now I feel the call to return to this one. We’ll see.
This post has helped me appreciate my birthday much more. Since it’s in August, many people are on vacation and when I was a child, I was never in school for my birthday and missed out on that fuss. Love the comet picture!
Being unbearably shy I was always grateful to miss out on the attention from school mates by having a summer birthday. But I’m glad you’re ready to appreciate your birthday more now – yay!
And yes – that comet image from the 1800s really is fabulous isn’t it? It totally delights me.
I never thought much about my birthday, other than when I was a child. As with Margaret, it’s in August, and I too missed sharing cupcakes at school like the other students.
I say I don’t put much faith in horoscopes, but I’ll tell you, my daughter is a Gemini through and through! It’s scary how perfectly she fits it. Even born on the day that can be either Gemini or Cancer (usually Gemini, although I am not sure how it works), her time of birth makes her always a Gemini.
I’m a Leo, but usually say a “closet Leo,” as I do not like the center stage, but do want my own way! There’s a lot more to it than that of course…
I’ll happily eat a cupcake in honor of your summer birthday Lisa. 🙂
It’s always fun to have quintessential “types” in our world, and how fun you have a true blue Gemini to delight you.
Yes, she’s a delight, but you know it’s not all delight with a Gemini! Let’s just say she keeps us on our toes!
LOL – indeed I do know.
I loved the star placing angel!
My birthday is quite lopsided in Nov end, but autumn is my favourite season, so I’m not complaining 🙂 According to my Indian horoscope I am Piscean but in the regular scheme of things I’m a Sagi. I’ve never quite figured out why there’s this difference…
How interesting about the different perspectives! I know almost nothing about Indian astrology, although I have had a Jyotish gemstone reading which I found fascinating.
Yes, I like birthdays, the more the merrier. As my grandmother used to say, better over the hill than under it…
A wise woman indeed. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by John.
Love this, “genethliac – (adj) of or relating to birthdays; or to the position of the stars at one’s birth.” I am not familiar with my your astrological birth chart, but I would like to be.. Great post!
https://writingiscommunication.wordpress.com/2019/04/08/galao/#comment-2515
If you know your birth time it’s easy enough to have a free chart calculated for you online and then you can explore.
You’ve probably mentioned that about your birthday being at the year’s midpoint before but I guess it didn’t totally register with me. That’s pretty cool.
I know my mom always told me when I was little that I was lucky to have a July birthday since it would spread out the gift-receiving.
I agree that comet image is pretty spectacular.
Winter holiday gifts and summer birthday gifts – sounds like a perfect plan to me. 🙂
I really do love that image as well – it absolutely delights my heart.
hmmm. I am glad to hear you like Game of Thrones as I do.
I used to like birthdays but for me personally, I don’t like celebrating birthdays anymore as I tend to think they should be a private affair. They also just remind me how old I am and I think birthdays, like Christmas, are for children. Although thank you for reminding us to celebrate it. I might make it a thing again, Idk. It’s enough I buy myself something on my birthday. Thanks for visiting and I hope your day is a good one! Jackie’s Bookbytes Letter G
Let me gently encourage you to make celebrating you a thing again. Give it a try and see how much fun you can have with it.
I’m happy to have found my way to your challenge series Jackie – it’s always a delight what treasures A-to-Z bring.
That’s pretty much what I generally say about astrology–it isn’t predictive, it’s more of a road map. I have only recently come to appreciate my birthday again. I hated it for years. (Not the day itself, just the reminder of another year not going as I would have wished.)
I’m happy to hear you’re back into appreciating your birthday again Liz, and I’ll make a wish for you that every year exceeds what you wish for it.
Hello Deborah,
A beautiful piece of writing. In essence what you have written about is very integral to Indian tradition. A learned pandit (priest) prepares a chart known as ‘Janam Kundali (birth horoscope). This is exactly about position of stars, moon, sun and different planets at the time of birth of a child! It is very scientific and can accurately predict a lot of things related to life, career, Marriage etc. With the advent of modernisation less people now refer to it!
Even my zodiac sign is cancer like yours, in Hindi that is known as ‘Kark rashi’!
But the fact about your birthday falling in the mid is very amazing! The balance must truly delight you.
I must say you have unique collection of artefacts…very aesthetic!
You can read my G post here – http://evergreenleaf.blogspot.com/2019/04/g-grow-up-atozchallenge.html
What a lovely reply Kislaya – thanks for sharing that information!
Hi Deborah ~ How interesting about you being born exactly mid calendar. I’ve been reading some of your other posts and symbolically this seems to tie in with your J word and Janus. In addition to transitions, endings, and doors (all things you mentioned in your post, which I enjoyed, btw), I also associate Janus with trickster wisdom, synchronicity, and the astrological sign Gemini.
If you feel comfortable sharing, I’m curious if Gemini is prominent in your natal chart. I’m asking because Gemini energy sometimes acts as a messenger or channel, especially in combination with sensitive water signs or water houses. Or maybe you have strong placements in the 3rd?
And yes, I am curious. Which is why I visited your “About Deborah” page and then some. I love what you said in your “Dreaming Art” interview about art being “soul speak”.
What interesting insights LB. I’m fascinated by your Janus associations, and the connection with my mid-calendar birthday. You’ve given me lots to think about.
I have nothing in Gemini, my 8th house; only Chiron in my 3rd in Capricorn; but Mercury in my 10th in Leo, which I think perhaps says something about my messenger/channeling.
I love meeting meeting kindred curious folks, and thank you stopping by.
Thanks for sharing, Deborah. Hope you won’t mind if I share some of my thoughts, which are only thoughts and may or may not resonate with you or fit. Once you’ve read it, please feel free to leave my comment unposted if you’d rather. I’ll understand and won’t be at all offended.
The dark, murky waters of the 8th house run deep and can be hard to navigate, so having intellectually-open and curious Gemini the messenger on the cusp makes sense, though it can also describe both the challenge itself and the mechanisms we use in resisting our greatest losses and most transformative experiences.
Having the ruler of your 8th, Mercury, in expressive, intuitive, and generous Leo, in the 10th house of career and calling, also ties in with my sense of what it is that calls you ~ which is to validate and encourage others, to love and be loved.
3rd House Chiron in Capricorn is interesting too, especially if it opposes anything in Cancer 9H, the house where we search for meaning in relationship with the divine or whatever larger force, truths, or ideology we believe in.
3H Chiron in Capricorn can describe a calling (via Capricorn’s natural association with the 10th house of calling, vocation, reputation, and outer authority) to embody our ideas and to heal and be healed through gaining a better understanding of and (inner) authority over the world of the mind. It’s where and how we communicate and learn and are shaped by our early environment and daily exchanges with siblings, neighbors and childhood classmates ~ in our homes, neighborhoods and early schooling.
A 3rd house Capricorn can sometimes take on, be wounded by, or feel a deep sense of responsibility for others early in life, as well as by a sense of not-enoughness associated with 3rd house matters. What wounds us often becomes our greatest gift, our calling.
Though I’m not an astrologer (and I realize maybe you are), I appreciate the additional insights astrology has given me into my own psyche and unconscious, using the ancient language of symbols. For myself, I’ve found the Draconic chart, which adds another layer of understanding when compared to the natal, to be a useful tool too.
Enjoy your weekend. Looking forward to more of your posts.
I’m delighted and appreciative of your generous sharing LB – thank you.
I am, in fact, not an astrologer, but am deeply dedicated to the maxim “know thyself” as I strongly suspect you are. I find much to be gained by working with symbolic language – there are many gifts offered.
I haven’t explored Draconic astrology, but you’ve piqued my curiosity, so thank you for that as well.
Right after I submitted my comment, I immediately had another thought, which is that your 3H Chiron might be connected to a father, father-figure or authority, and either the way that person communicated with you, or the language they used. Hope that makes sense!
It does, and thank you for that addendum as well.