Chapter 1: Nostalgic Reflections

It’s Saturday morning, my preferred day of the week. I’m engrossed in the latest news, checking the weather (anticipating 3–5 inches of snow today), and planning mundane tasks like laundry and cooking (perhaps some chili?), all while working on my grocery list, cleaning up, and managing my budget. It’s a moment of getting comfortable and settling in.

While browsing, I stumble upon a Medium article by Katie Jgln titled “How the ‘Manosphere’ Misuses Science to Brainwash Men into Hating Women.” My reaction? Frustration. It seems like the animosity towards women is relentless.

As I reflect on my dating years prior to marrying at 23, a flash of ZZ Top’s album Deguello appears on my television screen. I'm currently watching a YouTube video about rock stars for research purposes.

This particular album holds a special place in my heart. I first experienced it on a sweltering summer day with a friend, basking in the sun while sipping beer. The song “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” plays, and I’m reminded of a man I was intermittently dating at that time. Whether it was the beer, the sun, or the music, I felt a nostalgic warmth thinking of him.

He had a knack for attracting trouble—particularly with the law. It was during these moments that I decided the relationship was off. When he appeared, it mirrored the sentiments of Karen Carpenter’s “My Body Keeps Changing My Mind” or Walter Egan’s “Magnet and Steel.” Yet, before long, we were back together again. This emotional rollercoaster is the best way I can convey the complexity of that time.

(Note: I refer to my emotional ups and downs. At around the age of 21, we both should have reached a certain level of emotional maturity. I was grappling with “energies that conflict within the human frame.” I also have Pluto in Virgo, which, as Master D.K. describes, signifies a journey through depths and crises that eventually lead to enlightenment. Yes, I was in a state of desperation.)

This dynamic had little to do with biology or genetics, as suggested by the ‘manosphere’. Biologically, yes, he was male and I was female. But there was a deeper layer of duality at play—’bad boy’ versus ’good girl’ or even ‘good boy’ versus ‘bad girl’.

Does this relate to the ‘dual mating strategy hypothesis’? I doubt that strategy played a role in our attraction.

While I could delve into the thoughts and circumstances surrounding the inception of our relationship, I will reserve that for a future piece.

My insights from this love experience resonate with Judith Bennett’s observations in her book, Sex Signs:

“She does not preclude romantic love, but she recognizes that the special circumstances that produce it are rare indeed. Love is a mutual response, requiring giving and sharing from all parties involved; otherwise, the effort isn’t worth the cost. She has little patience for the entirely selfish or self-centered.”

This perspective likely reflects the sentiments of many women today, myself included.

The essence of these ‘rare circumstances’ intrigues me. I believe they stem from intrinsic qualities within individuals, rather than external pressures or manipulations.

What Connection Does This Have to the Seventies?

Until I began writing this piece, I was unaware of the dualities I navigated during that era. Within the relationship, I wrestled with decisions about staying or leaving, questioning his sincerity and my own intentions. Were our present issues harbingers of a brighter future?

Our expectations often clashed. Yet, in our most intimate moments—listening to Boston’s “More Than a Feeling”—I was convinced that we were destined for forever.

Simultaneously, I was becoming part of a larger community, as Master D.K. might say—working full time while navigating workplace relationships and their rigid belief systems. The most challenging were the men with their misogynistic views and the women aligned with the Moral Majority of that time.

The divide between science and religion also haunted me. Even back then, I sensed that science lacked soul, while religion had devolved into authoritarianism. Today, I perceive both as forces aimed at controlling our behaviors across all facets of life.

I have always walked a middle path, never fully committing to one side over the other. For me, the music of the seventies and early eighties represented a fusion of science and spirituality—a refuge for solace and inspiration.

Maintaining Equilibrium

My morning continued with research on this phenomenon. It seems my upcoming writings will explore the seven rays and astrology, so I started by examining planetary positions during that time. Pluto was in Libra from July 1972 to November 1983.

What does Master D.K. say about Libra? “It symbolizes balance, careful consideration of values, and achieving equilibrium between opposing forces.” He further suggests that Libra presents the first true vision of the Path that the ‘disciple’ must follow. This Path requires the development of analytical abilities to navigate the complexities of life.

While I’m not fond of the term ‘disciple’ due to its religious connotations, I do acknowledge my efforts to maintain discipline in my thoughts and actions.

Master D.K. classifies the evolution of consciousness into three stages: the Path of Probation, the Path of Discipleship, and the Path of Initiation.

What else does he communicate? Much that resonates with our current times. Libra embodies the balancing act of desire. The opposing force to desire is represented by scales.

Esoterically, Libra is where the question of balancing opposites emerges—where the judicial mind must establish equilibrium between male and female principles. The individual learns to rule their impulses wisely and achieve a harmony between material desires and spiritual love.

I believe it’s crucial to understand that material desires are not suppressed but balanced with spiritual love, which could ideally represent a healthy partnership.

While I found the entire chapter on Libra insightful, I highlighted the most relevant points concerning contemporary male-female dynamics.

In terms of childhood influence, he notes:

“The principles of Libra should be instilled in youth through spiritual guidance. Crime will diminish when the conditions surrounding children improve, encompassing not just physical care but also proper nutrition and time management. Knowledge from esoteric psychology and astrology should enrich the upbringing of young people.”

He adds, “Libra will gain prominence, and by the century's end, its influence will be undeniable. Thus, there is no need for genuine concern.”

This text was published in 1951.

Pluto in Libra and Scorpio

The period of Pluto's transit through these two signs spans over two decades, with twelve years in Libra and eleven in Scorpio, leading us to the dawn of the millennium.

Astrologers Frances Sakoian and Louis S. Acker explain:

“Libra embodies justice, human relations, social expression, and psychology. During Pluto’s time in Libra, humanity must renew its sense of responsibility to avoid global destruction. If regeneration in personal, national, and international relations fails to materialize, chaos and war will follow during Pluto’s transit through Scorpio.”

(Pluto in Libra — 1971–1984)

“With Pluto in Scorpio, worldwide conflict could reach an unprecedented peak. Humanity will be compelled to regenerate itself in preparation for the Aquarian age and the year 2000.”

(Pluto in Scorpio — 1984–1995)

Having lived through this era, I can attest that chaos aptly characterizes the waves of violence against women, stock market fluctuations, political turmoil, and various scandals.

The attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, served as a stark wake-up call.

They also assert that Pluto signifies a fundamental will or energy capable of elevating or transforming life quality, dependent on whether its application is constructive or destructive.

According to Master D.K., Pluto is associated with the first ray, which embodies Will/Power.

This leads me to my next article, where I will delve into the implications of harnessing or misusing this energy.

Notes:

Esoteric Healing, Alice Bailey, copyright 1953, by Lucis Trust, page 37, Alice Bailey books are available online at Lucistrust.org.

Ibid., page 40

Sex Signs, copyright 1980, by Judith Bennett, page 320

Esoteric Astrology, Alice Bailey, copyright 1951, page 227

Ibid., page 228

Ibid., page 232

Ibid., page 233

Ibid., Page 234

Ibid., Page 240

Ibid., Page 244–5

Ibid., Page 237

Ibid., Page 238

The Astrologer’s Handbook, copyright 1973, Frances Sakoian, Page 226

Ibid., page 227

Ibid., page 260

Chapter 2: The Musical Legacy of the 70s

The first video titled The Great Musicals of the 70's: Part One - Wellesley COA captures the essence of that vibrant decade, showcasing the iconic musicals that defined the era.

The second video, Time Life 70s Music Explosion (part), revisits the explosive musical trends that characterized the decade, highlighting key artists and cultural moments.