23 Libra – Chanticleer

Balancing the attachments of fate and free will brings freedom

In the dialogue between whether humanity operates with free will or under fate, the truth is that the two require balance to realize freedom. Astrologers know that if we move through life unconsciously, the stars will rule us and fate will prevail. Predictions come true and cards can be read. Fate exists. On the other hand, when faith is put in the self over the Self (distinguishing between the ego and the High Self) and free will is pushed too hard, disastrous consequences can result. Paying too much homage to the self is a push towards density, and can result in a product that lacks spirit. Working with awareness and in conscious cooperation with “God”/“Self” brings balance to the poles of fate and egotism. Aligning with the high ground between the two allows one to be free.

23/5 Libra and the free will/fate debate

The 23/5 is a more complex concept than the 5, because of the foundational base numbers. 3 is stable. 2 can swing both ways. There’s a duality and an attachment energy to the 23/5. The 23/5 is shift and movement between poles with attachment; the combination resulting in freedom. Libra is discussed in the Libra 8 article. To expand in relationship to this degree, it is the social sign of marriage and wants to find balance between self and the other. Libra is in a dilemma because it stands in opposition to Aries but yet wants to stand in the middle. Where Aries is free will (what the self wants), Libra is fate (what the other wants). The marriage of the two is when free will is applied to fate to change fate – but then could that not also be predestined? Is it possible that we continually change things through our free will to whatever is destined to be? Do we really have free will or is not God ultimately in control, even of our free will? But are we not God? Is this not the ultimate freedom? Be one with God (or Self) and there is no need for free will. But yet when we are not (and after all, we are human), free will is our great love. “Thy will be done” is freedom.

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales tells the story of Chanticleer

Why “Chanticleer” and not “Rooster”? Chanticleer is the translated name of a rooster character in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (It is “Chaunticleer” in middle English). “A chanticleer” would be any old rooster. “Chanticleer” is a specific rooster. The story of Chanticleer is told by a priest and is called The Nun’s Priest’s Tale. Whether the tale is told to deliver a moral or to put forward a debate about free will versus fate is the topic of scholars. There is evidence that it serves both purposes.

In synopsis, the story is about a rooster who lives very well in a widow’s chicken yard (Libra). Chanticleer is a lively, social rooster and he is married (to seven wives! Libra) - but has one that he is particularly fond of, whose name is Pertelote. Chanticleer’s name is a pun on chanting clearly (Libra). He dreams he sees a fox in the yard who would take him and have him dead (2). Pertelote shames him for being afraid and tells him that the dream results from stomach troubles (attachment to free will – 23/5). Chanticleer believes that the dream has come to predict the future (attachment to fate - 23/5), but releases it in his love for her (Libra). He goes to the yard the day of the dream and encounters a fox who has been lying in wait. The fox tricks him into singing for him, flattering him by comparing his voice to his father’s (attachment to identity – 23/5), and grabs him by the neck. Chanticleer, in turn, tricks the fox into opening his mouth, and escapes (freedom – 23/5).

The first issue is the old astrologer’s question of whether free will or fate is operating in this world. Libra wants balance (but can err on the side of determinism). Too much dependence on either spells difficulty. Chaucer is saying the same thing by the dream coming true but Chanticleer is informed and subconsciously prepared enough to get away from a tragic end. This lesson warms the heart of any prognosticator.

The second piece is the moral of the tale. Chanticleer learns that egotism has a bad end, and there is a more subtle lesson regarding the exercising of free will.

“Thus fools contraiously do all:
They chatter when they should be dumb,
And when they ought to speak, are mum” (Source 1)

It is of interest to note that the tale says that Chanticleer is ruled by Venus, as Libra rules Venus.

3338 O destinee, that mayst nat been eschewed!
O destiny, that may not be escaped!
3339 Allas, that Chauntecleer fleigh fro the bemes!
Alas, that Chauntecleer flew from the beams!
3340 Allas, his wyf ne roghte nat of dremes!
Alas, his wife took no heed of dreams!
3341 And on a Friday fil al this meschaunce.
And on a Friday befell all this misfortune.

3342 O Venus, that art goddesse of plesaunce,
O Venus, who art goddess of pleasure,
3343 Syn that thy servant was this Chauntecleer,
Since this Chauntecleer was thy servant,
3344 And in thy servyce dide al his poweer,
And in thy service did all his power,
3345 Moore for delit than world to multiplye,
More for delight than to people the world,
3346 Why woldestow suffre hym on thy day to dye?
Why wouldest thou allow him to die on thy day? (Source 2)

Note that this excerpt of translation does not translate Chaunticleer to Chanticleer, but twice in other places within the translation, it is done, and other translations do liberally. Most frequently, when scholars write about the tale, they refer to “Chanticleer”.

There is also an astrological reference embedded within the tale, specifically to 22 degree Taurus Sun rising at 3 degrees Cancer (line 3194-3199).

If this degree is significant for you, it is suggested you read The Nun’s Priest’s Tale. http://icg.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/teachslf/npt-par.htm provides an excellent interlinear translation. Not only might it provide insight to your life, but it is also highly entertaining reading.

(Source 1) The Cock and the Fox, Marie De France, c. 1190, This translation of Marie's fable, by W.W. Skeat, was printed in The Academy, July 23, 1887 (p. 56) and reprinted in Vol III, pp. 434-35, of his edition of Chaucer.

(Source 2) The Nun’s Priest Tale, Geoffrey Chaucer, interlinear translation contributed by Harvard University , The Middle English text is from Larry D. Benson., Gen. ed., The Riverside Chaucer, Houghton Miflin Company