Jupiter in Aries and Saturn Retrograde

                                                               Jupiter

Well, the' full speed ahead' energy of Jupiter going into Aries has been having a tug-of-war with the 'let's stop and consider' energy of Saturn going retrograde in Libra.  And I couldn't slow down long enough to write about it until now.

Jupiter is by far the largest of the planets. It is more than twice as massive as all other planets combined; if it had been only about 100 times more massive at birth (not so much by astronomical standards) it would have become a star instead of a planet. Then the Solar System might be a double star system instead of a single star with a planetary system.

So it makes sense that Jupiter has a big personality, because he was king of the Gods of Rome.   Jupiter symbolizes all that is expansive, excessive, curious, boundless.  Zeus, who was the Greek version of Jupiter, had a boundless appetite for lovely ladies, making him (literally) the father of the Gods.  Whatever Jupiter touches, expands - whether it's your waistline or your wallet.  

On Saturday, January 22, Jupiter moved into Aries (again - it was there for a few months last summer from June 5-6 to September 8-9).   You might be experiencing a rush of energy - that full speed ahead feeling I mentioned earlier.  Expansive Jupiter in combative, adventurous 'it's all about me' Aries will certainly get the juices flowing and I get the feeling that people are finally starting those exercise regimes they intended to begin on New Year's Day.  

Jupiter will travel quickly through Aries, entering Taurus on June 4th.  So take advantage of this energy during the winter and spring months.  It's time to discover a new identity.  We are all being asked by the Cosmic Story to step into our power and purpose.  We, the People of the world, must take our destiny into our own hands and create a better future for our children's children to the 7th generation.  So open to the archetypal energy that you were born to incarnate, and step up to the plate with your part of the story.

                                                   Saturn

Saturn is Jupiter's father, and yet in the old stories, Saturn swallowed all his other children for fear of losing power.  Jupiter's mother, Rhea, hid him in a cave and gave Saturn/Chronos a rock to swallow.  So you can see, they were antagonists right from the start.  

Saturn's personality is limiting, restrictive, disciplined, testing.  Whatever Jupiter wants to expand, Saturn wants to contract.  They just have opposite points of view.  Saturn is the god of time, and the limitations of time.  Jupiter opens us to the timeless realms of possibility. 

Saturn retrograde in Libra will help us figure out just what we need to do to relate in a fair and balanced way.  Saturn first tests us, and then he gives us time to consider what we did wrong.  And you can bet he'll test us again, once he goes direct on June 12th.  A lot of us have the outer planets in Libra - there is the Neptune in Libra generation (1942-1957), the Uranus in Libra generation (1968-1975) and the Pluto in Libra generation (1971-1984) - and this Saturn transit through Libra will bring those qualities to the forefront.  Can we bring our Dreams (Neptune) into reality?  Can we learn to be free (Uranus) and equal (Pluto) in our relationships?  Only time - and our choices - will tell.


On March 28th, Jupiter and Saturn will oppose each other, letting us know how well we have integrated our new identity into our relationships.  Keep working at it.  The future is calling our names!


Keep up to date with the Cosmic Story at www.wisdom-of-astrology.com

Tunisia: A Study of Society in Transition

Tunisians made history last week by overthrowing their ruler Ben Ali and his corrupt clan of cronies.  This comes as no surprise to astrologers who have been watching as Pluto transits the sign of Capricorn.  The last time Pluto was in Capricorn was from 1762 to 1777, right before the American and French revolutions.  Capricorn is the sign that rules our social structures, including our governments and our financial structures and when Pluto, the planet of death and rebirth, enters it, we get to re-structure our society.

The corruption of the government and disparity between rich and poor is not just a problem in Tunisia but is the overriding factor in many countries.  High unemployment, unhealthy living situations, lack of food and basic essentials will drive people to revolt. 

With Pluto digging up the rot in our financial systems and governments, we are just in the beginning of a whole re-structuring of society on every level.  Added to the upcoming squares (challenges) between Uranus (revolution) and Pluto (evolution) in the next 4 years, we are entering a time period of intense change as well as resistance to change by the power structures.  The young people, especially those born in the 60s when these two planets (Uranus and Pluto) met up in Virgo, will fight for equal rights, good working conditions, the environment, and health - which includes having food to sustain everyone.  We are in the midst of a vast sea-change and it is up to us older folk to support and encourage a balanced understanding of what our world, and our people need to thrive.  Hopefully the revolution in Tunisia will serve as a positive template of change.

Astrology is still the same just as ‘A Rose by any other Name’!

When astronomer Parke Kunkle announced that the astrological signs aren’t right, all he did was state a fact known and understood by astrologers throughout the ages.  Yes, Western tropical astrology differs from what is called sidereal astrology, astrology based on the constellations (used by Vedic astrology). 

 

Most (but not all) Western astrologers use the tropical system, meaning that we base our astrological forecasts on the earth’s cycle of the year.  On Spring Equinox, we say Aries begins because Aries symbolizes new beginnings.  On Winter Solstice, we understand that the sign of Capricorn is highlighted because it’s a time (or it was before modern technology) when people have to pull together and get organized if we’re to survive the winter months (Capricorn symbolizing our social structures).  These astrological truths are a metaphor of the energies involved. Astrology is a symbolic system as well as a science – although they don’t call it astrology, biologists at Vanderbilt University have published a paper proving that the time of day and the time of year you are born affects your body and brain chemistry.

Because of the earth’s tilt, wobble and rotation, over thousands of year we got out of phase with the constellations. In fact, every 72 years or so, it moves about 1*.  It’s called precession and it has moved the sign rising on the Spring Equinox from Aries back into Pisces.  That’s why we’ve been living in what is called the Age of Pisces since around the time of Christ.  And we’re all hurrying to find the Age of Aquarius, when the constellation of Aquarius will rise with the Spring Equinox. 

Right now, there is a discrepancy of about 23* between the tropical zodiac (measured by earth seasons) and the sidereal zodiac (measured through the stars).  Which means that those of your born during the first 23 days of a tropical sign are pushed back into the previous sign.  But does it change your personality?  I don’t think so.  It’s like saying the Pluto’s realm of death, destruction and rebirth no longer has power since scientists have decided it isn’t a planet.

So how do astrologers work with this paradox?

Let’s play with this for a moment. If we put Pisces where Aries used to be, what we get is a Piscean vib to our sense of identity and our need to discover new horizons to conquer (all Aries traits).  During the age of Aries, when the constellation of Aries rose with the Sun at Spring Equinox (2000BC to 1CE give or take a century or so), warriors were harder, crueler, more focused on killing and looting and conquering. It was all about them!  During the age of Pisces, which has a more spiritual bent, warriors began to fight for God – or at least what they wanted to believe was God’s will.  And now at the end of the age of Pisces, we see our soldiers fighting to protect the weak, defend the truth and rebuild nations. 

The archetype of the Warrior has changed.  We still need warriors, but now we see them as more compassionate (Pisces) and willing to die for their country, not for gain and power, but because they believe it is right. (We’re not talking about their leaders reasons for going to war.)

So you could say that there is an underlying Piscean energy that changes how we look at each sign of the zodiac.  And it is true. When Aquarius rises at Spring Equinox, there will be an underlying vib of Aquarian idealism, group unity and independence that will influence how Aries and other signs behave.  It’s about the evolution of the archetypes.

So all of you out there who are Aries in the tropical system but Pisces in relationship to the stars, you still are working on the Aries task of finding your identity, learning to be brave and exploring the unknown.  You just do it in a Piscean manner. 

Now about those Babylonians who changed the zodiac from 13 signs to 12.

 

Most ancient cultures used to measure time by the Moon – so many of our words for time and measurement are based on the Moon.  Moon calendars use 13 months as a marker for the year.  So, those old Babylonians probably shifted to a solar calendar, since it more suited their patriarchal mindset.  It was during that time that women began to lose their powers and their equal rights, and so the Moon also got demoted as our time-keeper.  

As you all know, the myth is that 13 is an unlucky number. This is a masculine superstition, since 13 is sacred to the Goddess.  

  

So, the 13^th constellation is named Ophiuchus or Serpentarius, the Serpent Bearer and Serpens, the Serpent.  Ophiuchus means the man who holds the serpent.  It is an ancient constellation invented around 3500BC, when it was opposite the Sun at Spring Equinox and it symbolized triumphing over the darkness of Scorpio, on which the man treads. Ophiuchus was also associated with the great Greek healer Aesculapius, whose snakes symbolized wisdom and transformation.  The good doctor had power even over death.  

At some point, Ophiuchus was united with Scorpio, since the Sun moves through the constellation of Scorpio rather quickly and through Ophiuchus during the rest of the month.  Perhaps the ancients recognized that although the darkness of Scorpio and death must be faced and gone through, there was healing on the other side.  And of course, that’s how we define Scorpio today – Scorpios must face the dark dragons of their own passions and win through to higher wisdom and transformation.  

    

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. . .

The Gemini Full Moon Lunar Eclipse: 30* Gemini/Sagittarius

This week’s Winter Solstice lunar eclipse relates back to the summer eclipse on June 26, 2010, bringing the energies of the Cardinal Grand Cross into play again.  Although Saturn has moved to the middle degrees of Libra, and Uranus/Jupiter are about to have their 3^rd conjunction in the last degrees of Pisces, the energies are resonated again because of Pluto and the North Node being so close to the Solstice points of 0*Cancer/Capricorn.  See where these points lie in your chart to discover what aspects of your life will drive the change that is happening.

This eclipse also echoes the December 1991 eclipse.  Can you remember what you were doing 19 years ago?   

The December 20/21 event is the first total lunar eclipse in three years. There will be two more in 2011.

In the Americas, where the eclipse is visible, it happens overnight December 20-21. Here's the timing:

Partial eclipse begins 9:27pm Pacific December 20
Total eclipse begins 11:40 pm Pacific December 20
Mid-eclipse 12:17 am Pacific December 21
Total eclipse ends 12:53 am Pacific December 21
Partial eclipse ends 3:06 am Pacific December 21

As the Moon appears to darken, it will actually turn a deep shade of red. The entire event lasts three-and-a-half hours. Within that, the period of totality is 72 minutes. If you live in North, South or Central America and have a clear sky, you can watch from beginning to end.

Times of over North America

Event	PST (-8 UTC)	MST (-7 UTC)	CST (-6 UTC)	EST (-5 UTC)
Start penumbral (P1)	9:27 pm (*)	10:27 pm (*)	11:27 pm (*)	12:27 am
Start umbral (U1)	10:32 pm (*)	11:32 pm (*)	12:32 am	1:32 am
Start total (U2)	11:40 pm (*)	12:40 am	1:40 am	2:40 am
Greatest eclipse	12:17 am	1:17 am	2:17 am	3:17 am
End total (U3)	12:53 am	1:53 am	2:53 am	3:53 am
End umbra (U4)	2:02 am	3:02 am	4:02 am	5:02 am
End penumbral (P4)	3:06 am	4:06 am	5:06 am	6:06 am
(*) before midnight on Monday night, December 20

These simulated views of the earth from the center of the moon during the lunar eclipse show where the eclipse is visible on earth.

The moon passes right to left through the earth's northern shadow
Gamma[1]	0.3213
Duration (hr:mn:sc)
Totality	1:13:12
Partial	3:29:22
Penumbral	5:38:22
Contacts
P1	05:27:43 UTC
U1	06:32:17 UTC
U2	07:40:21 UTC
Greatest	08:16:56 UTC
U3	08:53:34 UTC
U4	10:01:39 UTC
P4	11:06:04 UTC
At descending node in Taurus

Preparing for next week's Gemini Lunar Eclipse

With Mercury retrograde, the mind (Mercury) is inwardly focused, helping us search out the inner darkness that keeps us off balance and unsure of ourselves.  In Capricorn, we look to how our society influences us.  Where do we 'buy into' our collective culture and what shadows does that create?

While we're pondering these deep issues, sometimes the 'real' world responds with chaos as life begins to change around us.    I’ve heard stories of things knocked over, spilled water, dropped objects, missed mail more often in the past few days than in the preceding months!  Mercury is traveling very fast this time, and perhaps we are simultaneously moving through our world at different speeds. Perhaps our 'phase' is off.

Pluto, Mars, Mercury and the North Node in Capricorn focus our attention on our responsibilities to our Earth and to our society.  Pluto, North Node and Mercury in a wide square to Saturn in Libra challenge us to restructure our collective life through truth, fairness and social equality.  We begin in our own lives, so personally, we are called to inner balance, so look to your relationships to show you exactly where your shadow comes into play.   

As Pluto moves through Capricorn in the next decade, we will see the end of our patriarchal culture.  Humanity must grow up and do away with both patriarchy and matriarchy and create a society of equal partnership between men and women. 

To begin this process, at the December 21st lunar eclipse, Mars will be transiting at 11* Capricorn, the same degree as the Cancer lunar eclipse last December 31, 2009. Watch for issues you were dealing with this time last year.  How have you changed?  Mars in Capricorn gets things done, and with its square to Saturn, will make sure that whatever we do, we do with integrity and truth.

The Sabian symbol for the Mars at 11* Capricorn is:  A large group of pheasant on a private estate.  This symbol tells us something about how our natural resources have been privatized by rich individuals.  This is a natural outcome of any economic or philosophical system that values one person or thing above another.  This is an attitude that gives rise to big shadows such as greed and ignorance and violence. 

It would help the world if we looked at what makes for real security.  On an international level, perhaps we need to see how our western shadow creates the very terrorists that plague us.  On a personal level, we need to break free of our worries about social status and wealth, and think about what keeps us stuck in a consumer mentality.  The question is, what can we do for our country and for our world?

 Mars grapples with things – that’s one of his functions.  So grapple with this: do only the few continue to own the pheasants or can you imagine a world where the pheasants are free to come and go as they please as we all share in the beauty of LIfe.   

The Cosmic Story: Mercury Retrograde: Speak Truth to Power

 

Each Mercury retrograde period asks us to reconsider something, probably because we’ve gotten too far ahead of ourselves!  So we have to go back and retrace our steps and see what it is we’ve been too hasty to understand.

This Mercury retrograde period is one of the shortest, lasting only 20 days because Mercury is going at its fastest speed.  But it will be potent! 

After going retrograde today December 10^th at 7:06am EST and 4:06 am PST, Mercury will join up with the North Node, Pluto and Mars in Capricorn on Monday December 13^th, and before its reverse run is over, it will connect to Uranus and Jupiter in Pisces and Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius. 

This time, Mercury has a lot of catching up to do as it makes its all- important conjunction with the Sun on Sunday December 19^th, a day before the lunar eclipse and the Winter Solstice.  What will the messenger of the gods have to say to us this Winter Solstice?

Mercury goes retrograde at 6* Capricorn: Ten logs lie under an archway leading to darker woods.   This is a call to complete unfinished tasks before embarking on a new adventure.  10 is the number of completion, and so Mercury stopping here symbolizes the need to go back and make sure our foundational beliefs (Mercury goes back into Sagittarius, which rules our beliefs) are strong.  Here we stand on the threshold of a new beginning.  If you have any planets around 6* of cardinal signs, you will be especially affected.  Watch your dreams now.

Mercury meets up with the North Node, Pluto and Mars on Monday at 5* Capricorn: Indians on the warpath.  While some men row a well-filled canoe, others in it perform a war dance.  The mix of energies is explosive.  Mars’ aggression and assertiveness coupled with Pluto’s power and intensity will hopefully be communicated (Mercury) for the good of all of us (North Node).  

This certainly is a time to speak Truth to Power.  The Cosmic Story is keeping us right on schedule as we watch how whistle-blowing Wikileaks has dominated the news, especially with the arrest of Julian Assange. 

       The release of thousands of sensitive diplomatic cables, especially the last ones that occurred in the ‘shadow’ period of Mercury’s retrograde (the first pass over the degrees that Mercury will retrograde) is bringing the subject of government secrecy up for examination. 

        Is Assange a terrorist for speaking Truth to Power?  With Pluto just beginning its work of renovating Capricorn – our governmental and financial institutions – is it any wonder that someone has stepped forward to expose the ‘dirty little secrets’ of government shenanigans? 

        So let’s watch the news on Monday to see what these explosive energies have in store for us.  

        Of course, each of us will also be affected by this powerful convergence of energies.  Watch how you interact with people on Monday, especially when you’re out holiday shopping.  Now is the time to practice inner peace and serenity, because you can bet that there will be people out there who aren’t.  Keep the balance (Saturn in Libra rules Capricorn) by shining your Light out whenever you meet the darkness of fear, pain and antagonism in the world.

        In the next blog, we’ll speculate on how Mercury will interact with the full Moon eclipse on the Winter Solstice.

               

Neptune and Mars: Practical Inspiration

Today Mars and Neptune form a positive astrological aspect called a sextile.  But Mars and Neptune are completely opposite energies.  And yet they are also very similar in their power to overwhelm you.

Mars is not just the God of War.  He is the god who grapples with things.  And he is the defender and protector of life.  Mars in astrology symbolizes our passion, our way of getting what we want, our energy and will power.  But never forget that he is a warrior and can lose his temper.

That's where he's like Neptune - they both have anger issues.  Neptune, the god of the seas, can let loose his fury in the waves he sends to destroy what has displeased him.

But astrologically, they are very different energies.  Where Mars uses his will to get his way, Neptune patiently dissolves what stands in his way.  Neptune symbolizes our fantasies, our longings, our addictions and our spiritual imagination.

So, today they are linked together in a sextile, a 60* aspect which is a mentally energizing aspect.  A waning sextile between two planets gives us the opportunity to reform ourselves and our environment through out-of-the-box thinking.  There can be a lot of insight and intuition present with a sextile.

That's what this Neptune/Mars alignment can offer us today.  Together, they give us the opportunity for Mars (taking action) to make our dreams (Neptune) come true.  Spend time doing some artistic project today to get your creative juices flowing.   And then focus your Mars grappling energy to use those intuitions to solve problems or open to creativity.