Fall 2011 Column

Neptune backs into Aquarius

Between April and early August 2011, Neptune tested the waters of Pisces before fully moving into Pisces in February 2012. From Aug. 4, 2011 until February 3, 2012, Neptune is moving backwards into Aquarius where it has been since early 1998.

Because Neptune is very slow, having a 165 year orbit, it spends a long time traveling through a sign (about 14 years, on the average). This means that a big piece of your life is coming to completion in the months ahead. Have you been holding a vision for the last 14 years that has lost its passion? Maybe you just feel tired, like the things that used to stimulate you are energetically flat?

Think of changes in the world. Neptune is associated with spirituality, drugs, intuition, the ocean, fish, your immune system, and feet. For the years prior to 1998, music was purchased on a CD, audio cassette, or vinyl record. Neptune is very intangible and Aquarius rules the ethers, so music changed to being downloaded through the internet.

In archaeology, important new techniques were discovered and developed to find old artifacts under the sea. Neptune rules the sea, and Aquarius rules technology. Neptune also rules illusions and the bursting of illusions. Many of these archaeology discoveries have disproved ideas that we have held sacred (for example, the parting of the Red Sea now appears to be a ms-translation where the escape was through the "sea of reeds.")

NASA also discovered water on Jupiter's moon Europa, the moon, and in various forms on other planets/moons. Early experiments in using ocean waves to produce power came into being. The film industry (ruled by Neptune) brought forth a whole new technology for movies like Avatar.

In esoteric astrology, Neptune is associated with the Sixth Ray of devotion and idealism. It is the energy of manifesting the goal in your mind's eye before you begin to work on it. The masters in The Kybalion (Hermetic Philosophy by Three Initiates) advise that you can polarize yourself at a higher frequency of vibration, then the object of your desires is magnetized to you.

Neptune can show you the highest frequency or it can show you the lowest frequency. It rules enlightenment and drug addiction. It is your choice where you will focus your energies. In the coming political elections, you can choose to buy into the fear that many candidates put forth, or you can see the higher purpose of the changes going on in the world.

Because Neptune is in transition between signs for the next several months, it can be difficult to see the path ahead- so don't make yourself crazy if you are looking into the fog. Take some time to consolidate energy from the past 14 years. Also look at aspects of your life that started 14 years ago, and look at where they are now.

For example: at the beginning of the Neptune in Aquarius cycle, I was invited to speak at a particular conference. Now that the cycle is ending, I have been asked to speak at the same conference again. Although the meaning of the 14-year gap still eludes me, I can definitely mark the beginning and ending of this period by this and other events. .

So do invest a few moments thinking about the time line of your life, because you are in the gap between the past 14 years and a still intangible new vision getting ready to enter your life.

This is from the summer column, seems appropriate given all the internet posts going around:

Comet Elenin: There are a lot of rumors and speculation going on about a comet called Elenin. Please do not get sucked into the rumors and fears going around the web. Yes, the world is changing, and it certainly seems to be changing at a quicker pace.

Instead of buying into the fear, it is important to remember that you chose to be on the planet at this time of great change. If you accept this statement as true, then you can view this as an opportunity to help earth and her resident to evolve. You can remember that many souls just like you came for the same reason, so why not step up into the higher service that you came here to provide? There is abundant help available here.

Elenin has a 10,000 year orbit and will be passing through our neighborhood in September and October. At its closest point, it will be about 100 times away from the earth as compared to the distance from the earth to the moon. There is a good commentary at a NASA web page. There is also a good page from NASA Jet Propulsion Labs to explain Near Earth Asteroids. Numerous orbiting bodies pass less than 1 AU every month. (An Astronomical Unit is the distance from the earth to the sun). Please do not buy into the uneducated ideas about it hitting the earth or having a magnetic field that will shift our poles. It just isn't true.

In astrology, comets do bring new information from outside our solar system. The ancients believed that dire things happened to kings and leaders. From my experience, there do seem to be world changes in leadership when comets are around. Comets do help us see outside ourselves to a larger collective good.

It will be interesting to see what comet Elenin brings to us starting around September-October as it gets closer to earth. Elenin has certainly generated a lot of interest on the internet, much of it false information. But it is in the collective consciousness on some level now, and in a bigger way when the media starts to announce it later this summer. The youtube video that has been going around suggesting it is the cause of many of our earthquakes is in error, even though the timing fits the author's story well. Since summer of 2010, big planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and even small bodies like Pluto have been making big challenges in their relationship to each other(you may remember articles by me on the T-Square pattern last August). These have a big impact upon forces triggering the earth shifts and political changes we have seen in recent months. So please be smart when reading all of the farfetched web information. It seems like every couple years, someone tries to fulfill the idea that Nibiru is coming through. It isn't Elenin.

Regarding earthquakes: Certainly there are possibilities for earthquakes during the later half of September. The sun will be on the opposite side of the sky from Uranus (a planet very much tied to the Japan earthquake earlier this year). The sun will also be in a challenging ninety degree square relationship to Pluto, the planet of death and destruction (In August 2011, warrior Mars was in a similar relationship and London went wild as did Syria and escalation of rebellion in Tripoli.). But to associate all of this with a comet (or three and a brown dwarf that nobody can see) is a bit too much speculation for me. Everyone uses their own bias when interpreting prophecy, so remember this when you see all the web site activity.

What does it all mean? Begin by looking within yourself. Are you buying into fear? Do you secretly want the whole system to fall so we can rebuild it (even though those people most able to rebuild it are likely to be working from a personal agenda that is self-serving.) Yes, the world is changing, and yes, the illusions of the world are showing themselves in dramatic ways. Certainly, world economies based upon sucking up more resources, or allowing the gap between rich and poor to increase, are not able to sustain themselves. It is important to act in integrity with your wise place of inner knowing. However, you must be operating from a high frequency of vibration in order to make wise choices. So please do use caution in the days ahead. Just because there is an earthquake, terrorist attack, or political overthrow, it doesn't mean a comet caused it. It is the consciousness of the planet that creates outer events. The only way to improve the outer world is to operate yourself from a loving and enlightened state of mind.

On another note, I just wanted to put something out there so that you can start thinking about it.

The planet Venus transited across the face of the sun back on June 8, 2004 and will do it again on June 6, 2012. Venus moves across the face of the sun in pairs like this, then doesn't do it again for one hundred year periods. although it is a fast moving transit, it does seem to have importance through history. My friend Araline and I did a workshop on this in 2004, and found it to be a good time to gather people. I shall have more to say on this later, but just wanted to start putting the information out there now.

A Super Moon is a term coined by astrologer Richard Noelle to explain when the moon is very close to earth in its orbital cycle, and occurs at the new or full moon. At this time, there is a relationship called syzygy, which in the case of a super moon, means that the sun, moon and earth are in alignment. At such a time, tidal forces are considered to be stronger, and various earth effects seem to be amplified. However, there remains the question of why one super moon seems to be stronger than another. In the case of the Japan earthquake,  expanding Jupiter and aggressive Mars are also very close to the earth in their orbit. The planet Uranus also exited Pisces and moved into Aries on March 11th. Uranus is associated with earthquakes and explosions.  Pisces rules the oceans, and Aries is fiery, and attack-type events. So there was an earthquake at sea that attacked the land. Uranus is also beginning to make a challenging square relationship with Pluto, and Pluto is associated with nuclear events. This latter part will be going on through 2015, and will have effects beyond Japan's nuclear plants, including the rebellion in the Wisconsin government. So a Super Moon does have an amplification effect on the planet, but there are numerous other factors that are involved when we see cataclysmic events.

A complete listing of Super Moons is at Richard's web site http://www.astropro.com/homeNS45.html  but here are the upcoming ones

MAR 19, 2011 | 06:10 PM | FULL MOON | 28VI48 | 
| APR 18, 2011 | 02:45 AM | FULL MOON | 27LI44 |  
| SEP 27, 2011 | 11:10 AM |  NEW MOON | 04LI00 |   
| OCT 26, 2011 | 07:57 PM |  NEW MOON | 03SC03 |   
| NOV 25, 2011 | 06:10 AM |  NEW MOON | 02SA37 |   
| APR 06, 2012 | 07:19 PM | FULL MOON | 17LI23 |  
| MAY 06, 2012 | 03:36 AM | FULL MOON | 16SC01 |   
| JUN 04, 2012 | 11:13 AM | FULL MOON | 14SA14 |   
| NOV 13, 2012 | 10:09 PM |  NEW MOON | 21SC57 |  

Fall 2009 Esoteric Column

I am leaving the autumn 2009 column up since it is still valid. On July 21, 2010, restructuring Saturn fully stepped in relationship-oriented Libra. Saturn will be in Libra until October 2012. So, think about how your relationships have been restructured during this time period. Think about how your boundaries have changed in all types of relationships.

In my practice, I have seen a variety of changing relationships going on in all phases of clients' lives. Naturally, an astrologer sees relationship issues all the time, but they have intensified. This is not just about a person's love life, but I have also seen a lot of work and family relationship dynamics in flux-not to mention people dealing with annoying situations. Think of the changing relationships in Congress regarding the debt ceiling crises. Even the relationships within the Republican party are strained since Tea Party members are not cooperating within their own party.

So now, Saturn will run through Libra until just before the end of the Mayan calendar in 2012. Perhaps the autumn 2009 column below will help you look at your changing relationships.

Saturn enters Libra

October 29, 2009-October 2012

with a short return to Virgo April-July 2010

Think back to your life in the autumn of 2007. That is when restructuring Saturn entered purifying Virgo. During that time, we saw the purification (we hope) of bad loan practices in the real estate market, crazy derivative financial investments that were doomed to fail, and the uncovering of schemes like the Bernie Maddox Ponzi scandal.

On a personal level, you have been simplifying your life, and not just because the economy made you. Most people have been cleaning their closets, be they physical or psychological. Many people reviewed what they are doing in the world, looking at issues of where they feel they are serving a greater good in this world, and where they were just working blandly for a paycheck.

Well, the tone changes just before Halloween 2009. Saturn moves into one of its favorite signs, Libra. The term we use for this combination is exhalted. It means that the planet and sign work well together, helping open your creative mind and improve your sense of timing. You have your natal Saturn in Libra if you were born between Sept. 21, 1980-Nov 29, 1982; May 6-Aug.24, 1983, or Nov. 20, 1950-March 7, 1951; Aug. 13, 1951-Oct. 22, 1953; Oct. 7-Dec.20, 1923; April 6-Sept. 13, 1924. And if you had Saturn in Libra, it means that you are about to have your Saturn return.

Even if you do not have Saturn in Libra, you can think back to your life in late 1980-82 to get hints about what may be recycling in your life. It may be that old issues, yet unresolved from that time period, come back for completion. It may be ideas that you long ago abandoned come back. One client had her high school prom date come back from out of state to marry her at such a 29 year interval. Both had had another marriage and raised a family with other partners between the prom and the second time around.

Libra represents relationships, living in balance, peace, harmony, beauty, kidneys and adrenals. In the coming 2 1/2 years, you will take steps to put your life into balance. Saturn represents boundaries, restrictions, sacrificing in the short term for the long-term good.

Saturn is often described as a difficult planet, but it actually is a friend who helps you accomplish your goals. The issue is that you must be willing to roll up your sleeves and put constructive, disciplined, and ongoing effort into manifesting your goals. If you just want to win the lottery and be done with it all immediately, then I wish you luck. Most of us need to decide what we want and act upon those choices in a concerted effort over a period of time.

The joke about Libra's not being able to make decisions is only superficially true (except when you take me to a Chinese restaurant with an abundance of choices). In the night sky, the constellation Libra is actually caught up in the constellation Virgo, because Virgo is a big constellation and Libra small in comparison. So some of Virgo's excessive analytical skills get caught up in Libra. So Libra looks at every facet of the situation before making a decision, which often takes longer. It gets even worse when they are in their "I want to make everyone happy" mode, because they can go into a mental lock down mode not knowing which choice to make. But once they do make up their mind, it is like a locomotive gaining full power.

We can often receive hints about what is coming if we look back to the previous times Saturn was in Libra. In the most recent 1981-82 cycle, ex-Vice President Spiro Agnew was found to have taken bribes and required to pay them back. Will ex-VP Dick Cheney get caught up in the CIA assassination squad cover up during the incoming cycle? The Camp David accords were very active with Yassar Arafat recognizing Israel's right to exist while Israel returned the Sinai to Egypt. The UK started its fourth television channel and targeted it to minorities.The Law of the Sea took place to protect sea beds from exploitation. Sinn Fein won 5 seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In the 1951-53 Saturn in Libra cycle, the Korean War was in full swing and dealing with boundary issues between North and South. Now we see relations between North and South Korea beginning to show progress. "The Seven Year Itch" was produced by George Axelrod (seven years is a Saturn stage, and it was about restlessness in relationships). The US Congress established the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

On the personal level, the Saturn in Libra will help bring life back into balance after the challenging times of Saturn in purifying Virgo. This is not to say that the economy will return to the way of old days. Saturn in Virgo helped uncover things that were out of order, such as unhealthy real estate loan programs or financial derivatives that were unsound. However, people will begin to beautify in a more simple way. For example, I have been postponing the painting of my house, so this is a project that will be accomplished during Saturn in Libra.

This cycle is also about putting your relationships into balance. Those who are in unhealthy relationships will find their balance or end the relationship. People who have not been in relationship and desire them will begin to take steps to bring that into their life. Saturn is a pragmatic and slow, but sure planet. So people who are looking for the passionate fireworks in romanticized relationships are likely to be disappointed.

There are also opportunities to create business relationships that are mutually beneficial. Family relationships need to find their balance point, or people will begin to back off. There are lessons in communicating firmly, yet diplomatically.

Overall, Saturn in Libra is a generally favorable cycle. There is a big and challenging T-Square coming up in the summer of 2010. This pattern in the sky is like a hurdle in a track meet. Pace yourself and you get over it easily. Hurry up and you fall and skin your knee (Saturn rules knees, bones, skin, teeth, and hair). Overall, there is help in making new starts by the time we get into summer of 2010. However, there will be some shaking and rattling going on, ranging from personal needs to make changes to earthquakes. More on this in future columns here.

Simply stated, the incoming cycle requires that you put your life into balance. That means taking care of your responsibilities, yet also taking time to enjoy the beauty and harmony of life.

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Following is the article from Fall 2008. It is still valid through July 2010. It discusses the opposition between conservative Saturn and revolutionary Uranus. The part that changes as we get into July 2010 is that the final opposition of these two planets moves into the action oriented signs of Saturn into Libra and Uranus entering Aries. The shift from Virgo-Pisces , which are adaptable signs- now moving into Libra-Aries, signs that make things happen from an action perspective.

This topic is a bit abstract for non-astrologers, but I think you will find it to be worthwhile if you give it a chance. Astrologers like to look at the bigger cycles of life to understand how a person develops over time, or how a country or collective consciousness of humanity grows.

Begin by thinking back to the activities, ideas, desires, and emerging plans of your life in the autumn of 1988. This is when Saturn aligned with Uranus in the sky. It marks the beginning of a larger cycle that runs until 2032.

Think of it like a moon cycle where you go from the seed planting of the New Moon to the Full Moon, then the moon wanes, or gets darker, until the next New Moon. In this example, Nov. 2008-July 2010 would be like the Full Moon- except of course, that it is Saturn on the opposite side of the sky from Uranus.

Saturn represents sacrificing in the short term for long term gain. The ringed-planet is associated with boundaries, restrictions, hard work, certification, foundations, and stability. In the body, Saturn is associated with knees, skeletal structure, bones, teeth, hair, and things like back issues. Uranus represents freedom, rebellion, innovation, friends, organizations, and doing things your own unique & eclectic way.

On one side you are seeking creative freedom, as in buying your sailboat and sailing off to the South Pacific. On the other side, you want to pay your bills and be responsible in the world. Together, you must find a way to have your stability while still having the ability to have a personal, spontaneous revolution.

It began on Nov. 4, 2008 (an interesting opposition for a presidential election) in the signs Virgo and Pisces. Virgo asks you to cleanse and purify your body, mind, emotions, closets, and clutter. Pisces just wants to go out into the cosmos and drift with all the interesting visions and esoteric dreams. Pisces opens to psychic visions and Virgo makes certain they will work in the mundane world.

This means that it is a good time to go off on a vision quest. Consider not just what you have to do in this life, but also what your heart calls you to do. Now you may not be able to chuck it all, but maybe you can create a space to give your freedom loving side a chance. In Mark's example of the sailboat, maybe I can tack on an extra week to the upcoming group trip to Greece to do a bare boat charter in the Mediterranean.

Whatever your vision, you must begin to make clear space for it to manifest. You cannot wait until the time opens up, because the world is kicking into high gear. Jupiter in Aquarius in 2009 will pick up the pace dramatically (See the winter 2009 column).

In August 2010, the tone will change. The opposition of these two planets will be in Libra and Aries. This has to do with balancing your relationship needs with your individuality needs. These two signs are also called, Cardinal Signs, meaning that they are more action oriented. Virgo and Pisces are called Mutable Signs which means adapting and flexing.

The key for now is to create a way to balance stability and freedom. To do this, you must simplify and purify your world. What are your priorities? Are you putting energy into them, or are you doing a lot of little things that keep you busy in a distracting way?

Just like a full moon, an opposition pulls you apart to put you back together in a better way. The opportunity is to open your creative and visionary side to put the spontaneous freshness back into life. It allows you to be responsible while giving yourself more freedom. The increasing frequencies of the world is not going to give it to you, so you must give it to yourself.