THE QUINTESSENTIAL QUESTION
Word Of The SEASON
Quintessence
noun
the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form
noun
the fifth and highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that permeates all nature and is the substance composing the celestial bodies
You may be familiar with the word “quintessence,” if not in the noun form, perhaps in the adjective “quintessential”. While writing the newsletter for this week, the definition and etymology of this word intrigued me. Today, the word is commonly used to express the emphasis of a specific quality in a subject. However, the word’s origins date back to medieval philosophy and alchemy practices, and carry a bit more depth than you might expect. Derived from the Latin term quint-essence, meaning “the fifth essence,” quintessence was thought to be not quite an addition to the four elements, but rather the pure essence that united the four elements and everything else together, in other words, the essence of God. Greek mythology had the same idea, but used a different word. Their word for this mystical phenomenon was aether, later ether, which translates to “pure,” “clear sky,” or “fresh air,” and referred to the formless, perfect, pure essence that surrounded the gods, of which they breathed. Philosophers throughout history seem to have a shared understanding that some sort of quintessence not only exists, but that it permeates and orchestrates our entire reality (an example would be the force of gravity). What exactly it may be, however, sparks many different theories. I’m going to share an excerpt from the Wikipedia article about “aether” because I find it to be so fascinating and resonate for the start of this Libra season and eclipse portal.
“In Plato's Timaeus (58d) speaking about air, Plato mentions that "there is the most translucent kind which is called by the name of aether (αἰθήρ)" but otherwise he adopted the classical system of four elements. Aristotle, who had been Plato's student at the Academy, agreed on this point with his former mentor, emphasizing additionally that fire has sometimes been mistaken for aether. However, in his Book On the Heavens he introduced a new "first" element to the system of the classical elements of Ionian philosophy. He noted that the four terrestrial classical elements were subject to change and naturally moved linearly. The first element however, located in the celestial regions and heavenly bodies, moved circularly and had none of the qualities the terrestrial classical elements had. It was neither hot nor cold, neither wet nor dry. With this addition the system of elements was extended to five and later commentators started referring to the new first one as the fifth and also called it aether, a word that Aristotle had not used.
Aether differed from the four terrestrial elements; it was incapable of motion of quality or motion of quantity. Aether was only capable of local motion. Aether naturally moved in circles, and had no contrary, or unnatural, motion. Aristotle also stated that celestial spheres made of aether held the stars and planets. The idea of aethereal spheres moving with natural circular motion led to Aristotle's explanation of the observed orbits of stars and planets in perfectly circular motion.” (full wikipedia page here).
So how does this relate to astrology, and specifically to this approaching Libra season? The past month, during Virgo season, we had the opportunity to brace ourselves for the changing season, physically and energetically. Virgo triple checks the to do list, reads the fine print, stocks up on supplies and purifies. This stabilizing preparation was necessary, for as we enter into Libra season, the sign of cardinal air, we also enter fall. And as an added bonus this year, we also enter eclipse season. So with the eclipses in Aries and Libra this year, the themes feel especially focused on our mirrors with one another. On October 14th, we have our first (of the season) solar eclipse in Libra, which to me, just screams of quintessence. Aries is the first on the zodiac wheel. It represents the impulse to be separate, the pure individual, instinct, individuality and independence. Directly opposite of Aries is the sign of Libra, representing the pure other, partnership, relationship, comparison, diplomacy, and compromise. Seasonally, they respectively represent the Spring (beginnings, birth, germination, potential) as well as the Fall (completion, fulfillment, the harvest, the process of dying -though not quite death- and endings). These can also be compared to the New Moon phase vs the Full Moon phase – you may see where I’m going with this. These signs are inherently cyclical, and in my opinion are two that most represent the cycles within which we collectively participate.
I think this Libra season pulls focus on our cycles and patterns, and asks us to reflect on ourselves, as seen through others. We’re being asked to be brutally honest with ourselves, to cut the BS, and see our very own quintessence. That is, what is our purest essence? How do we uniquely shine in this Earthly experience, and what are we being shown about this through our cycles? Our cycles are often best observed through our relationships. This is what I mean when I say relationships are mirrors – they pull focus to our patterns, and highlight anywhere we are out of alignment with our aether. While I do believe that quintessence is truly one, all encompassing essence that is everyone and everything, and that saying “your own unique aether/quintessence” is a paradox, I also believe that the expression of the aether that you currently embody is equipped with unique tools that are aligned with the one pure intention of the whole quintessence. What is this for you? Do you know when you are embodying your quintessence, versus living in illusion? For me, this alignment feels like being deeply grounded, with roots shooting miles into the Earth, while simultaneously like I’m light as air, and floating through space. What does this look like for you? What does it feel like for you when you are embodying it, and what does it feel like when you are not? What are the patterns and cycles in which you find yourself, and what do you feel is the intended lesson? A solar eclipse is kind of like an energetic power outage; so don’t expect to have loads of energy to direct to this on the actual day of the eclipse. Rest, observe, and reflect on your observations in the week leading up to the eclipse as well as the week after. The cycles you notice may be exaggerated over the next year or so, forcing you to pay attention.
LOVE, JENNA
