Month: October 2025

“The Natural” Way of the Tao

/ Papa Gringo / Leave a comment

The recent passing of screen-legend Robert Redford got me thinking of his understated performance as Roy Hobbs in the 1984 film The Natural.

Redford as Hobbs, a mysterious baseball prodigy, embodies the Taoist practice of wu wei — the art of unforced action. Hobbs’s natural talents flow effortlessly; and when he plays ball, he flows in harmony with the rhythms of the universe. He doesn’t chase fame or fortune; he simply plays the game he loves.

Taoism teaches that, when one aligns with the Tao, life unfolds with ease. Hobbs’s journey to the major league, though interrupted by tragedy, resumes with quiet determination, not dogged ambition.

Nature as Natural Teacher

The film’s visual language, photographed by Caleb Deschanel with Barry Levinson’s direction, is steeped in nature — golden fields, twilight skies, earth-toned fashions, plus the crack of a bat in the open air.

Taoism reveres nature and its pastoral simplicity. Hobbs, a rookie to big-city corruption, finds ultimate solace and peaceful healing far from the stadium roars, farther still in the quiet countryside with his childhood love and their future dream.

Taoism urges us to live in accordance with nature, and Hobbs’s redemption is only possible when he reconnects with the natural flow.

Characters of Yin & Yang

The film’s characters are rich with duality: good and bad, youth and age, shadows and light. Hobbs’s off-field opponents — gamblers, a manipulative team owner, a blonde femme fatale — represent imbalance and greed. Iris, in contrast, Hobbs’s childhood love, symbolizes light, balance and truth.

Taoism teaches that life is a dance between opposites, that harmony arises when these forces balance out. Hobbs’s own internal struggles — tragedy and redemption, humility and ambition — mirror this Taoist tension. His final triumph is more than athletic; it’s spiritual. Hobbs opts for integrity over fame, restoring balance to his life and the game he loves.

Transcendence & the Tao

The film’s climactic moment, Hobbs’s game-winning homer, means more than victory: It represents transcendence. The ball shatters the stadium lights, raining sparks like stars, a visual metaphor for enlightenment.

In Taoism, the Tao is the eternal Way that underlies all existence. Hobbs’s final swing is a moment of pure alignment with the Tao — no thought, no effort, just being; his eyes on the ball as it cracks off his bat and sails into the sky.

What Do You Think?

Have you ever seen The Natural? What were your thoughts on Redford’s performance? Redford himself, always aligned with nature, surely followed the Tao to success.

Birthday Portrait: 10/7/1952 Vladimir Putin

/ Papa Gringo / Leave a comment
An illustration of a narrow-eyed Vladimir Putin leering off at something suspicious to his far left.

Tomorrow, October 7th, Russian President Vladimir Putin turns 73. Typically, Libras are known for their diplomatic finesse, charm, and strategic thinking. They often seek balance and harmony; but in leadership, this can manifest as a calculated approach to maintaining control and equilibrium. Even so, Putin’s complete astrological chart reveals a complex interplay of planetary placements that deepen and sharpen his Libra traits, shaping a persona that is both enigmatic and formidable.

Saturn in Libra

Putin’s planetary influence of Saturn is exalted in Libra, granting this ex-KGB agent a disciplined sense of justice and responsibility. This placement suggests a strong commitment to order and structure, often expressed through legal or institutional frameworks. He values both loyalty and tradition, but with a strategic twist: Using rules to reinforce authority. Saturn here also implies a cautious approach to relationships, preferring alliances that serve long-term goals rather than emotional bonds.

Jupiter in Taurus

Putin’s Jupiter in Taurus brings a pragmatic and materially grounded worldview. As a result, Putin possesses a deep appreciation for stability, wealth, and tangible assets. This placement often correlates with a conservative expansion style—favoring slow, deliberate growth over risk. It also suggests a sensual side, with indulgence in comfort and luxury. Jupiter in Taurus reinforces the tendency to consolidate power through economic control and resource management.

Mars in Sagittarius

Putin’s Mars in Sagittarius fuels ambition with ideological fervor. This placement suggests a bold, adventurous energy, often expressed through expansive goals and international pursuits. Putin may be driven by a vision of national destiny or cultural pride, using assertiveness to push boundaries. Mars here can also indicate a love of strategy and competition, with a tendency to act decisively when opportunities align with broader philosophical aims.

Venus in Scorpio

Putin’s Venus in Scorpio intensifies emotional depth and relational power dynamics. Putin likely approaches relationships with intensity, secrecy, and loyalty—but also with a keen eye for leverage. This placement suggests a magnetic charm paired with a penetrating insight into others’ motives. Venus in Scorpio can also manifest as a love for mystery, control and transformation, especially in personal and political alliances.

Mercury in Libra

His Mercury in Libra enhances Putin’s communication skills with tact and diplomacy. He likely excels in negotiation, persuasion, and balancing competing interests. This placement favors intellectual refinement and strategic dialogue, often masking deeper intentions behind a polished exterior. Mercury in Libra also suggests a preference for harmony in discourse, though not necessarily transparency—he may use charm as a tool for influence.

Moon in Taurus

His Moon in Taurus provides emotional steadiness and a strong attachment to security. Putin may have a calm, composed demeanor, with a deep need for control over his environment. This placement favors loyalty, consistency, and resistance to change. Emotionally, he may be slow to trust but deeply committed once bonds are formed. The Moon in Taurus also reinforces his appreciation for tradition, comfort, and the preservation of power.

How About You?

Curious how your own astrological natal chart may influence your own personality and, by extension, your own experience of life? If so, contact me directly and let’s set up a reading over Zoom.

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