The sun moved (astrologically speaking!) into
Gemini today, at 15.36 BST. Here in my
part of the UK, it’s feeling spring-like, although it could be warmer!
 |
|
‘Gemini’
© Alison Coals
|
I’ve been seeing butterflies all over the
place, flitting from one wild flower to another. They’re such great symbols for
Gemini, which is associated with the element of Air. The butterfly darts from blossom to blossom,
sampling different nectars, much as Gemini represents the gathering of bits of
information from various sources. In
doing so, connections are made – socializing, networking...just as we do!
There are quite a few bees around, too. Bees
are also symbols of Gemini; they pollinate flowers, reflecting the way in which
Gemini disseminates information, collecting a bit of knowledge here and then
dropping it off somewhere else. It’s one
of the mutable signs, so is interested in transforming what’s already been
established. Gemini is associated with
communication (newspapers, email, telephone, etc) as well as networks for
transportation (roads, railways, vehicles) – anything that moves information or
goods (Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the god of not only communication but also
trade and commerce: Mercury-mercato - market)
from A to B. Gemini rules short journeys;
it’s is more interested in the local
environment, community, or market – so this covers trips to the shops, and
travelling to work, for example. It’s
also associated with neighbours and siblings, as well as early childhood and
education received while still living in the ‘home’ or local environment (i.e.
primary and secondary).
Gemini is often said to only be interested
in the superficial, but that’s not a fair accusation. Gemini represents
intelligence, and a desire to get the facts right, rather like Virgo (also ruled by Mercury). Gemini is interested in how things work, but
whereas Virgo might approach this on a more practical basis, Gemini does this
through thought, working it out in the head – and then communicating that
through words. Gemini loves
language. This might be explained by
looking at the myth behind Gemini.
 |
| Castor and Pollux |
The constellation of Gemini is that of the
twins, Castor and Pollux, who were separated at birth by Zeus. He placed one in
the sky, the other on earth. The twins would swap places now and then, and were
only able to meet when this exchange occurred. So there are two sides to the
Gemini nature, which may be at odds with each other. Perhaps the earthy twin is the more Virgoan approach, needing to reach a compromise with its airy,
more cerebral twin?! Duality is the key to Gemini – marrying the opposing
side.
 |
| The Lovers (trimmed): Thoth Tarot ©US Games Systems Inc. |
We can see that in The Lovers, the Major Arcana card associated with Gemini. I think the Thoth's version of this card illustrates the duality, and the idea of marrying the opposite, beautifully. Here we see the marriage of the Empress and Emperor, presided over by the Hermit. The Hermit is associated with Virgo, bringing in Mercury's rulership. The duality of Gemini appears over and over
again in this image; we all contain, as individuals, these opposites – the yin
and yang, the masculine and feminine, however you choose (!) to name them. Here we see the opposites ready to be united,
choosing
to be united, choosing to make that connection. The transformation (remember, Gemini is a
mutable sign) though the ‘wedding’ (alchemical, perhaps) is represented by the
winged orphic egg and the serpent coiled around it. Through this, we become
whole.
