On these magic shores, children at play are forever
beaching their coracles. We too have been there; we can
still hear the sound of the surf, though we shall land no
more.
Because Pisces is linked with the mystical truth behind all religion - and Libra is linked with the balancing of justice and compassion that equals Peace - this is often (not always, but often) a strangely soothing association. There is sometimes a far-reaching influence over not just the two lives of Libra and Pisces, but over those of others, in various ways, depending on the individual Librans and Fish involved, the way they live, their goals and ambitions . . . their dreams.
In the Libra-Capricorn chapter, we discussed in particular astrology's centuries old claim that Libra is The Peacemaker by using, as only one of countless examples, Libran Jimmy Carter (he, of the flashing smile) and his historic role as Libra "Peacemaker" in the September 1978 Camp David Summit meeting with Israel's Menachem Begin and Egypt's Anwar Sadat. But in every Libra chapter in this book (and in my first book, Sun Signs) is the ancient astrological reminder that all Libran people, every single one of them, possess the dazzling Venus smile, with its awesome ability to melt all opposition. This isn't just an observation of astrological symbolism, but a literal adage regarding the invisible yet powerful stamp of the planets and the Luminaries (Sun and Moon) on the physical appearance (as well as the behavior) of humans - a stamp so unmistakable that even the skeptics who refuse to recognize the holiness of astrology are forced to notice and admit its presence, however grudgingly. Now, they must once again notice.
Like Paul before him, Pope John-Paul, who reigned for a sadly brief span of but 34 days as Catholic Pastor, in the late summer and early autumn of 1978,was a Sun Sign Libran. Among other particular matters, the sign of Libra is traditionally associated with libraries, books and publishing (sharing these with Gemini and Sagittarius, to a lesser degree). Only days after John-Paul was made Pope, he rather timidly released to the world his tiny personal treasures of literature - small, but eloquent, wise and witty letters, addressed to everyone from Mark Twain to the Beatles, Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. Throughout the years of his busy, dedicated life, Libran John-Paul had written these little letters to the achievers of yesterday and today, with the typical Libran love of the literary, and Libra's flair for "belles lettres." I was both touched and amused to see them printed simultaneously with the attainment of his new temporal power over his own affairs, as well as over those of millions, because I knew the joy the Pastor felt (he preferred this title to Pontiff or Pope) as a Libran, to finally be given the opportunity of allowing the public to take a peek at the subtle humor and philosophical observations of his beloved "creative children."
Of course, he never expected his modest letters to constitute a bestseller or anything so grand as that. He was simply as delighted as a boy to see them at last in print, and so widely read - a private dream come true. The release of his letters to the press was very nearly the first thing he did upon becoming Pope,and I'm sure it was with deep inner satisfaction that he saw his humble secret wish granted. Those many Librans of both sexes and all faiths, who secretly write lovely poems or prose, and never have the chance to share them with any wider audience than a few intimates, will understand the gentle John-Paul's shy happiness.
But what touched me even more concerning Libran John-Paul was the first newspaper account I saw of his death, following the sudden heart attack on September 29th, that ended in less than two months, his cheerful, benign reign of goodness, and plans (no doubt) of Venus Peace and Justice. On the front page of the Los Angeles Times that day, within the article describing the mourning in Rome, in one column alone there were three clear references to Pope John Paul's Sun Sign. The Times article, in referring to the discovery that the Pope had died in bed the morning after his 11 PM heart attack, said: "The light was on, an opened book of meditation lay nearby, and a senior Cardinal noticed that his face still bore its usual smile."
A few paragraphs further on in the story, readers were informed that: "A tearful woman, who was praying in St. Peter's Basilica, said gently, his whole life was in his smile."
Then, at the close of the article, were the quoted words of Archbishop Aurelio Sabattani, as he told thousands attending the Pontiffs mass in St. Peter's,that: "John-Paul was a man who carried with him the smile of God his smile will remain like a beam of light."
Yes. Libra's Venus smile, its powerful force of energy and light, can be seen by the faithful, the believers and the skeptics alike. No one can resist it. No can deny it. No one can fail to be moved by it. The Venus smile is what made Libran Eleanor Roosevelt a beautiful woman, despite her plain features. It won Libran Eisenhower the Presidency, and also had a great deal to do with the same achievement of Libran Jimmy Carter. It floods and brightens the memories of all those who grieve for the cheerful, kind John-Paul. The Venus smile of Libran Pope John before him was used more sparingly, but was, nevertheless,always there, ready to flash its startling light when it was needed to gently persuade.
The Libra smile . . . and the dreamy Neptune eyes of Pisces, the Fish. Both indications of the indelible stamp of planetary influence upon the features of Earthlings. Speaking of the Fish, in passing, I meant to comment that St. Peter's Cathedral, where Archbishop Sabattani eulogized the late Pontiff's smile,is of course named after the apostle Peter - who (though he was a Sun Sign Aries) is traditionally called "the Big Fisherman."
Libra and Pisces form the 6-8 Sun Sign Pattern, which means that neither one has the foggiest idea why the other thinks and acts as he (or she) does. Libra's motives and attitudes, character and personality are totally foreign and perplexing to the Fish - and Pisces, to Libra, is likewise one huge puzzle. As with all other 6-8 influenced people, the Venus-ruled, dimpled Libran and the Neptune-guided, dual-natured Piscean would probably never even get so far as the first "hello" if they weren't somehow brought together by "outside forces" - outside forces being a job or career, a matchmaking friend or relative,the non-optional accident of being born within the same family circle - or the unplanned (consciously) situation of just happening to live near one another as neighbors. All these influences manage to move Libra and Pisces into close enough proximity to be at least introduced. After that, they're on their own.Although they would seldom deliberately choose to form an association, once"fate" has nudged them into a tentative exploration of each other's strange behavior
patterns, a fair number of them are so fascinated by the differences between them that they linger awhile, and finally decide to make the investigation of the mystery a permanent hobby.
One of the things responsible for such a decision is that Libra notices rather quickly the willingness of the Fish to serve Libra in some way. Not necessarily as a butler, a maid or a footman, but in some subtle manner, the Pisces will provide a "service" to Libra people, whether actual and tangible, or subtle and invisible.It is distinctly felt - and it's always needed. The "service" syndrome is even stronger between Pisces and Libra than with the other 6-8 combinations,for the simple reason that Pisces, even without the 6-8 influence, is inclined to provide a helpful service to all Sun Signs. When the Fish meets Libra, therefore,representing as they do the 6th astrological house to the Venus people, and representing also humility and submission to generally everyone, the tendency to be a helpful and beneficent force in Libra's life is strengthened. But unfortunately,the tendency for a bit of masochism may creep in too - for obvious reasons.Too much of a good thing, you know? And so the Fish must be on guard with the normally kind and fair Librans, lest Libra (unconsciously) takes advantage of this double "service" vibration and keeps the poor Fish swimming around in circles, making Libra's existence a great deal more pleasant and easier perhaps, but ending up on the short end of the wishbone. As I recall, the short end of the wishbone doesn't grant your wish. The one who gets the long end receives first dibs on his (or her) wish, while the one with the short end gets married first.
That isn't fair. Because Libra, not Pisces, is the one who has the burning desire to marry, and balance his or her life with that of another. In fact, Librans rhyme so melodiously with orange blossoms and Lohengrin's "Wedding March"that they suffer from tipped Scales and severe depression if they're forced to live alone for uncommonly long periods. On the other hand, marriage is usually something the typical Fish view as a dangerous, glittering hook to stifle freedom,and they either successfully avoid it - or if not, then manage to slip in and out of the marital net each time they're hooked. Many Pisceans are either unmarried meditative loners (by choice, because both the girl and the boy Fish are alluring to the opposite sex) or instead chalk up an amazing number of multiple ventures into matrimonial waters. It's a rare Piscean who marries only once.They exist, naturally, but they're like the exotic "Butterfly Velvet Crimson"species of Nature fish, as compared to the minnows and trout. Relatively speaking,a once-in-a-lifetime wed Fish is as uncommon as a once-in-a-lifetime wed Gemini. To repeat, so as not to hurt those Pisceans who are happily and permanently wed - it happens, but not often.
So here they are, both of them disappointed. Pisces got the short end of the wishbone, Libra got the long end - so it's Pisces who's going to be the first one married, which is probably the last thing Pisces wants. And it's likely what Libra wished for, but although Libra gets the wish, it won't be first, you see. Libra will have to wait a while longer. Oh, fudge! (Libra is frustrated at having tugged so hard, therefore getting the longer end.) It serves them both right, because neither of them should have been fooling around with a wishbone anyway,since chickens were not placed on this planet for humans to eat. Seeds, nuts,herbs, grains, fruits and vegetables are all for eating. Fish, fowl, birds and animals are not. So it's karmic justice. Although we're being somewhat light, astrology is serious in counseling against the eating of flesh. But matters of sincere concern and serious disagreement will never be solved by everyone crossly scowling at one another. They are better broached with the combination of Piscean compassion, a Libra smile or two, a dash of humor (and maybe a pinch of Aries directness).
The vegetarian controversy is one of the topics these two might choose, now that we've introduced it as a conflict, to become the subject of their next argument(that is, discussion) on Thursday next. It's the perfect platform for this debating team. Pisces can talk about the religious aspects of it, while Libra plays Judge and weighs on the Libra Scales the moral right of fish and fowl,birds and animals to exist without being forced to become part of the food chain, since they aren't necessary to human nutrition. It will be a heavy issue for them to handle. The Piscean religious viewpoint alone contains multiple facets, a dozen controversial pros and cons. Libra's Scales will swing back and forth, trying to sort out all the arguments for and against, to achieve a fair balance and Pisces will help by adding first a sprinkling of this viewpoint to one tray, then a sprinkling of that to the other tray, assisting the Libran friend, business associate, relative, lover or mate in the task of arriving at a decision. They may begin the religious-spiritual-vegetarian discussion on Thursday next, but they may not finish it until a considerable length of time later.
Meanwhile, while they're arguing (discussing) the issue, Libra will win a few strategic points by flashing the dimpled Venus smile, Pisces will make carob fudge balls to renew their energies, serve them to Libra on a delicate, hand painted china plate, with a sky-blue napkin - and everything will be smooth and harmonious, gentle and soft-spoken. Unless some Taurean friend of the Fish happens to drop by, and innocently suggests that everybody take a break and go out for a steak. The Bull will back off (it takes a lot to cause a Bull to back off) when he sees the shock on the faces of Pisces and Libra. Then Libra will laser Taurus with a Venus grin, the Fish will sweetly offer the Bull a carob fudge ball - and what do you want to bet that, between them, Pisces and Libra will soon be baptizing a new convert
