Agitation and Satyagraha
Agitation is described as a state of anxiety or nervous excitement, brisk stirring or disturbance of a liquid. The waning quarter moon in Aries, prior to a New Moon in Leo, describes just that. The Moon is not comfortable in the hot, fiery sign of Aries – emotions prefer to be in water and in Aries they are boiling and bubbling in steam. Additionally, the Moon’s ruler, Mars, is fast approaching disruptive Uranus and the North Node (karmic destiny).
When Mars, Uranus and the North Node meet at the end of July/beginning of August we may experience some ‘brisk stirring’ in many guises - disruptive weather, disruption within the earth, disruption on the political front – all are possible. Certain government leaders have already found themselves suddenly unpopular and the people are beginning to protest at rising prices and shortages that are simply being shrugged off by their governments. When the mob grows ugly, leaders cannot be assured of a safe place to hide.
Mahatma Gandhi, at the time of what he viewed as an unjust occupation of India by the British, coined a new method of ‘mass agitation’ called Satyagraha, which promoted the principle of truth and tolerance, alongside non-violent and peaceful protests. The main focus of Satyagraha was the consideration that standing up against an oppressor did not require physical force. For starters Gandhi believed that improvement had to begin with the betterment of the self through self-restraint and self-growth, since the self is the only place in the universe that one can be sure of improving.
Satya means truth and Asatya untruth or non-existent. So, if untruth is non-existent then it follows that untruth can never win. Truth implies love, and agraha firmness so we see force based on love.
The second manifestation of mass Satyagraha was non-co-operation. Non-co-operation was demonstrated by refusing to submit to injustice. Action took such forms as strikes, economic boycotts, and tax refusals. Gandhi believed that the power of any tyrant was entirely dependent on the compliance of the people. When the people cease to be afraid of prison, are willing to die for their beliefs and above all will no longer comply, the tyrant has no power. Gandhi said, "I believe that no government can exist for a single moment without the co-operation of the people, and if people suddenly withdraw their co-operation in every detail, the government will come to a standstill."
When matter is agitated it transforms in some way, just as when you agitate cream you get butter. So, as we enter the future, if you feel agitated by events remember the profoundness of Gandhi’s words and remember that it is also an opportunity for transformation.