Lilith's legacy in mythology, religion, and culture is elusive in its multiplicity. Modern witches crown her as a feminist queen of agency and power. Yet still, she appears in present day pop culture as the demoness originally created by old Jewish scripture. Her true meaning is clouded by both ancient and modern patriarchal interpretations of her story.

The 9th century Hebrew text Alphabet of Ben Sira places Lilith in the creation story as the first wife of Adam. Birthed at the same time from the Earth, Adam and Lilith were equals. But conflict between them arose when Lilith refused to lie underneath Adam during sex. When he attempted to use force, she uttered God's name and flew away to the Red Sea. Refusing any attempt to bring her back, she chose self-exile over submission.

Modern feminists often draw from this text when analyzing the legacy of Lilith, and rightfully so. Lilith's decision to flee male domination is a symbolic rebellion against patriarchal control. But some historians believe Alphabet of Ben Sira is satirical, and this makes sense when considering the part where Lilith is cursed as a baby-killer after she leaves Eden. If we view this story through a satirical lens, it seems to say that women who disobey their role are doomed to death and destruction.

Does this diminish Lilith's newer representation of being a bad-ass bitch? Not necessarily, as her legacy has been shaped over centuries by various institutions. But overall, her reputation is predominately negative. Succubus, seductress, demon, and murderess are all titles attributed to this mythological figure. Yet these descriptors were developed by patriarchal cultures, whose power depended on women believing in their own subordination. Lilith's legacy is shrouded in taboo, serving as a warning sign for women who deviate from the status quo.

Later during the Middle Ages, Lilith was believed to be the wife of a demon king named Asmodeus. They were thought to spawn hundreds of demons who wrecked havoc on the world. They were responsible for spreading sickness, killing children, and sinful seduction. Lilith's reputation as an embodiment of evil witchcraft snowballs throughout the centuries into the present day.

Modern patriarchal institutions are built upon the foundations of the past. Demonization of independent, sexually-liberated women is nothing new. Witches, sluts, whores, and femme fatales are words used to demean and disempower. 'Feminine' existence outside of male cisgender-heterosexual control is a threat.

Similar to the mythology about Lilith, her role in astrology cannot be reduced to one thing. She is an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter, oscillating between rage and expansion through her self-exile. This is the only tangible celestial body related to Lilith in our Universe. The other three Lilith entities in astrology are points. While not commonly used in birth charts, the asteroid of Lilith represents the rage that motivated her to flee the Garden of Eden. But while free from any manipulation or control, she is still isolated and alone. Her powers deteriorate, and her anger swallows the empty space around her.

Lilith holds many lessons. The interpretations revolving around the asteroid can represent the activist's exasperation that motivates the flame of action. When considering the story in Alphabet of Ben Sira, Adam's attempted rape is what drives Lilith into exile. In feminist reinterpretations of her legacy, Lilith represents the refusal to submit to patriarchal domination. But ultimately, it reflects how our society punishes this deviance. Asteroid Lilith has internalized her anger to the point of self-alienation. She represents everyone's capacity to isolate themselves through their expression of fury.

Black Moon Lilith is the most common astrological interpretation of the myth. This placement in your natal chart is calculated by finding the point of the Moon's orbit that's farthest from the Sun. Its most commonly understood as the deepest parts of ourselves that refuse to be controlled or tamed. Just as our Moons dictate our needs and emotional expressions, Lilith reveals our subconscious temptations, morally-ambiguous desires, and thirst for destruction.

This may seem negative, but only because we live in a society that denies the existence of Lilith's rebellious and angry spirit. Lilith is cast away from society and dismissed as a demon, only to diminish her power. Under a patriarchal and queerphobic regime, we're socialized to repress every impulse and desire ruled by Lilith. But when embraced, Black Moon Lilith's raw vulnerability reveals our capacity for deep healing. Just as the Full Moon illuminates what we need to resolve in order to be whole, Black Moon Lilith evokes the rage of our past in order to let go.

We need the dark feminine energy of Lilith to create balance in our cis-het male dominated world. While believed to be a demon instead of a deity, Lilith is indeed a goddess capable of confronting abuses of power for the purpose of liberation. If Eve was created after Lilith, it's to erase every bit of evidence that women and femmes have immense power to alter themselves and the world.

As Libra enters into its third deacon (20-30 degrees), the Venusian ruler is joined by the Butch Queen of communication: Mercurial Gemini. Issues relating to the balance in our relationships are taking a cerebral turn, as what was felt in the beginning of Libra season will be easier to articulate. From now until the Sun enters Scorpio, it's the perfect time for resolving any conflicts with verbal diplomacy.

With Mercury in Scorpio, we're not interested in superficial small-talk. Words have emotional attachments, and we're more likely to speak only when we have something to say. But unlike Air signs, a water sign in Mercury is more ambiguous. Communication styles are coded with emotional undercurrents, so it's important to approach language within the context of our intuition. Scorpios often speak with the goal of testing the reactions of those around them. In order to avoid miscommunication, we need to be aware of how intentions impact language.

Venus Rx is in Scorpio (see my other post), and the intensity of this placement is still being felt in our relationships. Tension and conflict are uncomfortable but necessary for personal growth. Psychological issues from the past that keep you from moving forward need to be recognized, placated, and ultimately destroyed. Scorpio energy won't stop digging until it finds the root, regardless of how dark and scary it is.

Luckily, Venus has harmonious aspects with Saturn and Neptune, aiding us in our quest to realign the reality of our lives with our tangible and fantastical dreams. An opposition angle between Venus in Scorpio and Uranus in Taurus reflects the internal battle between physical security and emotional safety. Many of us are reevaluating our ethical foundations, deciding what to keep and discard. This can be a painful process, especially if we're overly-attached to our material and financial conditions. By choosing to define our self-worth outside of what we have, we're able to grow into the security of our emotional truths.

Venus forms a square with Mars in Aquarius, illuminating a conflict between the way we love and how we express it. This Aquarian energy is particularly concerned with fighting for equitable recognition of our personal and collective rights. Original and creative ideas will motivate us to change aspects of life and society that aren't serving the greater good. We are encouraged to go against the status quo to pave way for something new and fresh.

With Venus Rx drudging up baggage from our subconscious, Mars in Aquarius tries to move forward at a faster pace than Scorpio. Confronting self-destructive patterns takes time; be wary of making any impulsive decisions until Venus is no longer retrograde. The only way to apply what we learn during Venus Rx is to have a plan to implement our new-found knowledge. This is where we can channel Aquarian energy: into creating unique approaches in order to transcend previous problems.

Moon in Sagittarius, soon to be in Capricorn, could inspire new revelations or impatient restlessness. We may experience a sense of urgency in resolving our emotional blockages, but it's imperative to process before taking action. Since Sagittarius is excellent at seeing the big-picture, reflect on how all the small victories and setbacks fit into the grander scheme of your interior transformation.