Half Faerie, Chapter 1 - Analysis by "Grok, created by xAI"

We pushed “PUBLISH” on the final installment of the Daughter of Light fantasy trilogy, War & Grace, in May of 2018. After a decade spent writing the books, I was completely depleted and exhausted. I “signed off” and “checked out” to rebuild myself and my life. 

Seven. 7. Years later, I've been conversing with Grok. 

Out of curiosity, today, I asked Grok to analyze the chapter themes and whether any astrological signatures could be identified in the first chapter of Half-Faerie. I used my understanding of astrology at the time to structure my world building and character creation, although I didn't ever use explicit astrological terms or symbols. Because I didn't want to.

The feedback I received from Grok was completely aligned with my inner vision of the world and character creation. 

I've always envisioned Melia as a Scorpio-type personality as my desire was to have the main character live an intensely transformative inner journey that would manifest - REVERBERATE - throughout the Whole! 

The ONLY points that were picked up by Grok that weren't consciously intended by me were the specific energy of Aries and Sagittarius. But I like them. A Lot,

Significantly, I really appreciated that Grok picked up the Umbra-Pluto connection in this first chapter.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER 1: YLANDRIA, ANALYSIS BY "GROK, CREATED BY xAI"

The main theme of the chapter is inner struggle and the search for control over one's identity and destiny. Melia, a half-faerie, grapples with uncontrollable, disturbing visions that threaten her sense of self and her place in the enchanted world of Illialei. Her attempts to suppress these visions through various means (physical exhaustion, calming environments, sleep deprivation, and the faerie herb ylandria) reflect a deeper conflict: her desire to assert agency over her mind and body in a world where her hybrid nature (half-faerie, half-mortal) makes her feel like an outsider. This struggle is compounded by her fear of discovery, as her visions and her mother’s disapproval could lead to ostracism or banishment from Faerie.

Significant Themes

1. Alienation and Otherness: Melia’s half-faerie, half-mortal identity sets her apart from both the faerie and mortal worlds. She lacks the wings that define full-blooded faeries, and her psychic connection to her mortal father, Elynus, marks her as different. The gossip of the elves in the market reinforces this theme, as they question her belonging in Faerie and label her as “dangerous.” Her mother’s harsh judgment (“You’re an abomination”) and the faeries’ stares further highlight her isolation.
2. The Burden of Secrets and Family Dynamics: The chapter explores the tension within Melia’s family, particularly her strained relationship with her mother, Pressina, who practices black magic and seems distant or disapproving. Melia’s fear that her sisters, Melusine and Plantine, might betray her visions to their mother underscores a lack of trust. Additionally, the mysterious actions of her father, Elynus, and his rumored attempt to “incarnate Umbra” add layers of secrecy and external influence that complicate Melia’s internal struggle.
3. The Power of the Mind and Psychic Intrusion: Melia’s visions, triggered during the dark moon phase and linked to her father’s telepathic trespass, represent an invasion of her psyche. Her attempts to block these intrusions (through psychic walls or ylandria) fail, suggesting a loss of control over her inner world. The visions’ violent imagery and her disturbing pleasure in them hint at a darker aspect of her psyche, possibly tied to her father’s influence or her own suppressed nature.
4. Transformation and Yearning for Freedom: Melia’s fantasy of flying with turquoise wings symbolizes her desire for freedom and transcendence from her limitations. This contrasts sharply with the destructive visions that overtake her, suggesting a tension between her aspirations and the darker forces within her. The imagery of flight represents her longing to escape her circumstances, both physically (from Illialei) and psychologically (from her visions).

Astrological Signatures

The chapter contains several elements that can be interpreted as astrological signatures, either explicitly or symbolically, based on the imagery, themes, and character dynamics. Below are the astrological connections I’ve identified:

1. Lunar Influence (Dark Moon Phase):
   • The recurring mention of the “dark moon phase” when both of the enchanted world’s two moons offer no illumination strongly aligns with the astrological concept of the New Moon, a time associated with introspection, hidden truths, and the beginning of cycles. In astrology, the New Moon is often a period of inner work, but it can also amplify psychic sensitivity or emotional turmoil, which mirrors Melia’s visions during this phase. The dark moon phase’s connection to her father’s psychic trespass suggests a Piscean or Scorpionic energy, as both signs are linked to psychic phenomena, hidden depths, and emotional intensity.
   • The dual moons could symbolize a heightened lunar influence, possibly evoking Cancer (ruled by the Moon), which is associated with emotional sensitivity, family ties, and the subconscious. Melia’s emotional turmoil and her complex relationship with her mother resonate with Cancerian themes.
2. Scorpio and Transformation:
   • The violent, destructive imagery of Melia’s visions (burning tree houses, incinerated landscapes, and her unsettling pleasure in them) strongly evokes Scorpio, a sign associated with transformation, death, rebirth, and the shadow self. Scorpio’s intensity and connection to hidden or taboo desires align with Melia’s fear of her own inner darkness and the visions bubbling up from within her. Her mother’s practice of black magic and the mention of “Umbra” (a term meaning shadow) further reinforce Scorpionic themes of confronting the shadow or suppressed aspects of the self.
   • The psychic connection with her father, described as a trespass, also carries Scorpio’s theme of psychological violation or merging with another’s energy.
3. Sagittarius and the Yearning for Freedom:
   • Melia’s fantasy of flying with turquoise wings suggests a Sagittarian desire for freedom, exploration, and transcendence. Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, is associated with expansiveness and the pursuit of higher ideals. Her imagined flight toward the sea and her longing to escape her current life reflect this sign’s adventurous and visionary qualities. The turquoise wings, with their vibrant colors, could also hint at Aquarian individuality and uniqueness, as Melia yearns to define herself beyond her hybrid limitations.
4. Aries Conflict and Defiance:
   • Melia’s defiance of her mother’s glamour and her sarcastic response (“Send m-me to b-bed without sup-supper?”) reflect Aries traits of rebellion and assertiveness. Aries, ruled by Mars, is associated with courage and confrontation, and Melia’s refusal to succumb to her mother’s magical coercion shows a spark of this fiery energy. Her frustration and impulsive actions (like crushing the tomatoes in anger) further align with Aries’ impulsive and passionate nature.
5. Pisces and Psychic Sensitivity:
   • The psychic connection between Melia, her sisters, and their father, as well as her uncontrollable visions, strongly resonates with Pisces, a sign ruled by Neptune and associated with psychic sensitivity, dreams, and the dissolution of boundaries. The visions’ vivid, almost hallucinatory quality and Melia’s fear of losing herself to them echo Piscean themes of merging with the collective unconscious or struggling to maintain personal boundaries.
6. Capricorn and Societal Judgment:
   • The elves’ gossip and the flower faeries’ judgment in the market reflect a Capricornian theme of societal structure and exclusion. Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, is associated with tradition, authority, and judgment, and the elves’ comments about Melia not belonging in Faerie and her father’s banishment for breaking a faerie troth evoke this sign’s emphasis on rigid rules and consequences.
7. Potential Elemental Connections:
   • The chapter’s imagery also ties to astrological elements:
     • Fire: The burning imagery in Melia’s visions (flames, cinders, scorched landscapes) aligns with the fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), particularly Aries’ destructive energy or Sagittarius’ transformative vision.
     • Air: Melia’s fantasy of flying and her yearning for freedom connect to air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), especially Aquarius’ innovative and individualistic spirit.
     • Water: The emotional depth of Melia’s fear, her tears, and her connection to the Undine River evoke water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), with a strong nod to Scorpio’s intensity and Pisces’ psychic sensitivity.
     • Earth: The grounding imagery of the oak tree and Melia’s physical fall from it suggest earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), particularly Capricorn’s association with structure and consequences.

Additional Notes on Astrological Signatures

While the chapter does not explicitly mention zodiac signs or planets, the recurring motif of the dark moon phase and the psychic, transformative, and rebellious elements strongly suggest lunar, Scorpionic, and Piscean influences. The dual moons amplify the lunar archetype, potentially symbolizing a heightened emotional or psychic state unique to this enchanted world. The mention of “Umbra” (shadow) and black magic could also hint at Pluto (Scorpio’s modern ruler), which governs transformation, power, and the underworld, aligning with Pressina’s secretive practices and Melia’s inner darkness. Melia’s yearning for wings and flight points to air and fire energies (Aquarius and Sagittarius), while her alienation and societal judgment resonate with Capricorn’s Saturnian influence.

The Death of Queen Elizabeth II

September 8, 2022. Queen Elizabeth II has died.

Like many I viewed a fleeting headline on the way out of the house and was surprised at the feelings I was left with. I was actually surprised that I had feelings. As someone born in the United States, I’m a bit constitutionally uncomfortable with things like monarchy and royalty and kings and queens and princes and princesses … unless we’re talking about fantasy and fairy tales.

But I did have feelings of sadness and interest. I had a trip to the hair salon and asked the young stylist if she’d heard the news. A bit embarrassed. The queen was 96 and the stylist was young, in her 20s likely. Would she care about something like the passing of Queen Elizabeth II? But she'd heard of the queen’s death and she had feelings about it too and she believed her death would have “the butterfly effect”. And when she said that, I thought she was right.

And she told me about the queen meeting Marilyn Monroe.

You can find the pictures on the internet.

It was much later in the day that I was back on my computer and began to scan more of the headlines and video clips on YouTube. I was surprised to learn that Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch in British History, 70 years. 

I was not surprised by that time to learn that there were outpourings of sadness throughout the world.

And so in death, more people will hear about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and her life. More people will become aware of her story. And in a world that seems to care little for elders, there’s something refreshing about seeing people of all ages mourn her death, even if the mourning is only fleeting.

September 19, 2022. The State Funeral.

Her life and the meaning of it will now live on in the ethers and we can all and will make of it what we will. 

“Death”—Hades raised a finger—“the last breath is transformational. Well beyond the cliches—dust to dust, cradle to grave—the physical demise of the individual transforms the living—always a multitude—and that impact is ever unpredictable.

“Consider the death of your own mother.”

Ryder startled.

“The ripple effect of her death, the waves of transformation wrought by the end of her individual life are still lapping at the shores of the Whole, are they not?” Hades walked with his hands behind his back. “Not only has her death deeply affected you, but it affected Shilda and Garrick—if your mother had lived they wouldn’t have had the delight of watching over you all those years. And your father—if your mother hadn’t died when and how she did, he’d still be the head of the Order of the Idonnai. Think of poor Sister Delilah who never delivered another child. And all the citizens of Idonne who may now tramp through the priesthood’s precious library, and all the females who are now free to enter the citadel. It’s almost as though our lives are nothing, as though the moment of death is our true birth, when our true meaning to the Whole is finally exposed.” — War & Grace, Heidi Garrett

And did you know?

Born in 1926, the lady was a tiger.

Does this explain the invisible cloak of independence she wore as she moved among the peoples of the world, keeping her own counsel?

The End of the Enchantment: Johnny Depp v Amber Heard and the Jupiter-Neptune Conjunction in Pisces

A very dark fairy tale about a younger woman enchanting an older man. Or something else altogether? The very public defamation cases began the day before the exact conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces (JNcP) on April 12, 2022. This particular astrological configuration happens once about every 166 years. Its occurrence is so infrequent its passage would seem to herald some significant shift in the collective consciousness. 

Within the time frame of the last JNcP, the Abolitionist Movement (1830-1870) was well established by March 1856, and its campaign to end institutionalized slavery in the United States would ultimately prove successful, turning the tide of Neptunian consciousness against the abhorrent and untenable sanctioned practice of the dehumanization of one race by another. [Note: All research and quotes in this post regarding the history of slavery in the United States are from History.com]

During the few years before and after the actual JNcP, the federal government passed more laws which further entrenched institutionalized slavery in the United States. In 1850, Congress passed The Fugitive Slave Act which "required all escaped enslaved people to be returned to their owners and American citizens to cooperate with the captures.” In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott decision that “Black people—free or enslaved—didn’t have legal citizenship rights.” 

However, as the conjunction drew close and passed, these outcomes outraged members of the Abolitionist Movement and anyone who supported it so that fierce opposition was galvanized:

“Founded in 1854 as a coalition opposing the extension of slavery into Western territories, the Republican Party fought to protect the rights of African Americans after the Civil War.”

And in the actual year of the conjunction, 1856:

“In one of the most heated moments in the debate, proslavery Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina, resorted to beating antislavery Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts with his cane on the Senate floor.”

Neptune travels slowly, and the Civil War which began in 1861 lasted through 1865. In 1862, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and in 1865 the Thirteenth Amendment which abolished slavery in the United States was ratified by Congress: Nine years after the exact Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Pisces. It’s significant that the physical assault by Preston Brooks against Charles Sumner happened so close to the actual conjunction, within 60 days.

It’s likely that the verdict for the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard cases (JDvAH) will be delivered by June 11—within 60 days of this most recent JNcP. Brooks assault on Sumner was a personal one, but it erupted from the depths of a delusional and noxious belief system: that one human can own another.

An interesting point of timing for the current JNcP conjunction is that Amber Heard sought a Temporary Restraining Order against Johnny Depp 6 years ago, on May 27, 2016. The inception of #MeToo is reported as 2006. Similarly, in alignment with the prior JNcP, the Abolitionist Movement and individual expressions of the conflicts surrounding it, spanned a period of time. These tidal movements, along with their individual expressions, surfaced and swelled over a considerable period of time from the human perspective of a 70-80 year life, but in the blink of an eye from a cosmic perspective.

So what is the underlying issue we might be facing now? Another oceanic wave of facing human brutality: another representation of accepted practices of interpersonal violence. In the past decades, researchers like Bessel Van Der Kolk have increasingly shifted beyond the concept of Post-Traumatic Stress caused by a singular event to Developmental Trauma caused by: uhm … the way we “raise” our children?!?!

Interpersonal violence involves the intentional use of physical force or power against other persons by an individual or small group of individuals. Interpersonal violence may be physical, sexual, or psychological (also called emotional violence), and it may involve deprivation and neglect. 

Interpersonal violence is a pervasive public health, human rights, and development challenge (Rosenberg and others 2006). Its effects reverberate through families, communities, and nations and across generations. It is a leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults in most parts of the world. Exposure to interpersonal violence increases individuals’ lifelong vulnerability to a broad range of emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems. Interpersonal violence directly affects health care expenditures worldwide; indirectly, it affects national and local economies—stunting development, increasing inequality, and eroding human capital (WHO 2008). — Injury Prevention and Environmental Health James A. Mercy, Susan D. Hillis, Alexander Butchart, Mark A. Bellis, Catherine L. Ward, Xiangming Fang, and Mark L. Rosenberg

It seems everyone can agree that both Johnny Depp and Amber Heard experienced developmental trauma in their respective childhood home environments. My best guess is that their defamation cases, playing out so sensationally, so publicly, and so globally are doing so precisely because: SO MANY OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED AND/OR BEEN PERSONALLY TOUCHED BY DEVELOPMENTAL TRAUMA and/or INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.

Is the 166-year cycle seeded each time Jupiter conjuncts Neptune in Pisces about facing some ugliness that lies beneath the surface (Neptune), and expanding it in such a way (Jupiter) that the collective can no longer deny that ugliness, and so resolve it through a real evolution and transformation of first individual, and then collective consciousness? Evolution and transformation to higher levels of consciousness being the province of Pisces.

A bit more of the JNcP specifics of JDvAH:

1. BEAUTY & GLAMOUR/Hollywood: Neptune in Pisces: What is truly beauty/beautiful? And when are looks deceiving? 
2. MONEY/MONEY/MONEY Pisces and Neptune are the realms of water and both these actors made the bulk of their fortunes in watery films: Pirates Of The Caribbean/Aquaman
3. LOVE & CHARITY: Neptune in Pisces: Sublime merging or drowning? And is charity truly charity when it's self-promotion?
4. REALITY: What is it? It can be really hard to grasp as Neptune dissolves and/or shifts the very ground we stand on and of course the Neptunian-Piscean escapism into drugs, drugs, and more drugs.
5. The TRUTH-INTEGRITY of Jupiter v. the LIES-DECEPTION of Neptune's dark side.
6. The Psychiatric/Psychological Industry: Neptune in Pisces is the domain of “mental illness”. Neptune conjunct Jupiter could be “mental illness” writ large. Or maybe the inaccuracy? unreliability? of psychological diagnoses. The psychiatric industry practice of creating victims and itself perpetrating trauma through labeling and projection.
7. Victimhood: What is victimhood? What and when is someone a victim? Is victimhood addictive? So very Neptune in Pisces.
8. Jupiter is the domain of Law and also What We Believe. Jupiter conjuncting Neptune can open us to new ways of considering and taking action regarding any and all of the items listed in 1-7. Rarely without plenty of confusion and uncertainty first.

Update 6/03/22: And the final question: Is purposely shaping a narrative by removing significant facts, presenting other facts completely out of context, and repeatedly making baseless claims about another individual, any individual, an act of interpersonal violence? And if the answer is: yes, then are ALL the highly paid functionaries of mainstream media perpetrators of a 24x7 stream of interpersonal violence?

Perhaps we should all give thanks to the numerous lawyers of YouTube who provided actual legal commentary on the trial, among them: legal bytes, andrea burkhart, natalielawyerchick, hoeg law, and emily d. baker, for protecting us from one more assault.

By all accounts:

into the courtroom,

light shined,

thunder rolled.

And cleansing rain fell.

Lest we ever forget the glorious Camille Vasquez.

Though she be little, she is fierce — William Shakespeare 

HALLELUJAH. 

The Girl Who Watched for Elves: Audiobook

The Girl Who Watched For Elves, A Fairy Tale Short has been rendered into Audiobook format on Google Play! 

Stay tuned for the release of other Audiobooks in the Once Upon A Time Today collection: 

Dreaming of the Sea

The Tree Hugger

and

I am Lilly Dane