2012

While there is not a significant planetary alignment with other planets in 2012…there IS a significant Alignment with the Sun’s Winter Solstice …& the Galactic Center of our galaxy…a kind of Galactic Winter Solstice.

We are approaching the end of The Kali Yuga. In the Vedic Doctrine of World Ages, The Kali Yuga is the Final Age…the Age of Greatest Spiritual Darkness. Its end signals a shift to a New World Age. It is a real Astronomical Event. It is an alignment of OUR planet in relation to the Sun, the ecliptic it travels on, & us. This is my understanding.

According to the Mayan Calendar, the end of "The Great Cycle" is happening from 1987 (The Harmonic Convergence)…to 1999/2000 (the actual  Solstice/Galaxy Alignment)…'til 2012 (Culmination of Galactic Alignment). It is the end of an era…an end of an age…or in Mayan Cosmology, the end of the 13th Baktun Cycle.

This alignment is considered to be the moment of Greatest Spiritual Opportunity for human beings on Earth…a time to be connected with Supreme Source. Eras of Galactic Alignment are believed to somehow contribute to the Unfolding of Consciousness on Earth. This alignment is said to offer a time of Spiritual Renewal for Humanity.

A major feature of The Milky Way is a Bright Band & a Dark Rift in The Galactic Center. It is caused by the thick accumulation of interstellar dust in the dense region near the center. It’s poetically labeled in many ways (“The Great Mother’s Birth Canal,” “The Cosmic Ball Court,” “The Goal Ring,” “The Cosmic Temple,” “The King’s Throne,” “The Nuclear Bulge,” “The Dark Rift Road to The Underworld,” and “The Mouth of the Cosmic Serpent of Death & Regeneration”). Death precedes Re-birth…& early Mayans saw this alignment as a Re-Birth.

This event that is determined by procession & culminates in the year 2012…is a full procession cycle of 25,627 years…It happens approximately once every 26,000 years.

This is what we are approaching by the end of 2012…in addition to a “Sun Spot Cycle High.” Sun spot cycle highs happen every 22 years. The last one happened in 1989. This is when the sun puts out a large amount of sun flares. The sun flares increase electro-magnetic activity on earth …allowing for greater radio reception (&…in theory… possibly a greater degree of psychic communication).

There is an idea that these periodic alignments to the Galactic Plane & to the Galactic Center can stimulate consciousness on this planet in an intriguing & profound way.

They say that we have a resonant relationship between our DNA molecules & the Galactic Center, that there is great potential for spiritual & social transformation during our impending alignment…& that our changing relationship to the larger galaxy changes us.

Where to Be:
December:

In terms of where to be in 2012, it is a question. I think we could be anywhere. “The timing of the world’s end is a function of one’s latitude of observation” (says John Major Jenkins, authority on the “Mayan CosmoGenesis 2012”).

Any Temple, Pyramid, Vortex Area, or Sacred place on Earth would be great.

Intihuatana…or “The Temple of the Sun” (Machu Picchu…The Urumbamba Valley, Peru) is an ancient Solar Clock…& a stunning place on Earth that would be really cool to see. It is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Stonehenge in England is an interesting choice if you have never been to it.

The Ganga Mela is a Winter Solstice Festival on Sagar Island in The Bay of Bengal, India…150km south of Kolkatta.

The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is also a Solar Clock. It is on the West Bank of the Nile River…20km south of Central Cairo. It was once the tallest human-made structure on Earth…. One of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.

Pyramid Mounds in Xi’an, China are ancient grown over pyramid shaped hills… as big & old as the ones in Egypt.

Being that many of these places are in high places, it gives new meaning to “Run for the Hills.” Ha!

Local Wonders:

There are all kinds of local wonders with unique geological features too…places (vortex points) that connect to geometric points around the globe. The Grand Tetons in Wyoming have 19 mountains & bodies of water forming a perfect circle around the area…Sedona has 4 major Vortex Mounds, Mount Shasta is another vortex, Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake in Oregon, Mount Ashland, the area around Port Townsend & Puget Sound, Mount Rainier in Washington…& even the area surrounding The Golden Gate Bridge. We don’t necessarily have to travel internationally to feel something cool. There’s likely to be special places local to whatever area you live in…so consider hunkering down nearby your home as a really great option.

During the Spring or Fall of 2012:

The Pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza shows a famous shadow of a serpent down its steps every Spring & Fall Equinox. (This Pyramid is also constructed to align with the Galactic Center & the Zenith of the Pleiades.) It is in the Northern Center of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a Processional Star Clock in stone. The Pleiades (a cluster of hot blue stars also known as “The Seven Sisters”) are roughly opposed to the Galactic Center (an approximate indicator of the “Galactic Anti-Center”). Between March 21st and May 20th, 2012 (60 days), the alignment of the Sun & Pleiades will be directly over head at Chichen Itza.

The Mayans calibrated death & re-birth according to events in the opposite direction. May 17th is when the Pleiades emerge in the pre-dawn skies after being lost in the rays of the Sun for almost 2 months. This period is generally referred to as “The Sun-Pleiades Conjunction.”

It will be at the latitude of Teotihuacan on May 17th. Only once every year, the Pleiades arrives at the zenith precisely at mid-night. This could be an interesting place to be for the New/Old Fire Ceremony …worshipping the deities of death & re-birth …on May 17th, 2012….a pre-curser to the December rituals. Teotihuacan is 25 miles North East of Mexico City.

The origin place of the Mayan Long Count Calendar (& the Mayan Creation Myth) is Izapa (in Chiapas, near the base of the Tacana Volcano)…so that might also be a fun place to check out. In Long Count notation, Dec 21, 2012 is written as 13.0.0.0.0 (the end of the 13 Baktun Cycle)…an end of a World Age.

Metaphysically, they talk about the earth as being part of a greater Galactic Chakra System…with evolutionary energy (or Shakti) being funneled through the Earth as a result of the alignments identified in ancient Mayan Cosmology.

A long answer to the 2012 question, but short…considering all the information there is to wade through. There are a lot more details you could learn if you were interested, but this is the basic idea. An interesting time to be alive.

Astrology Forecast 2008

2008 marks a real Energetic Shift for us because we have a significant number of planets beginning to travel through Earth signs. Jupiter (the Planet of Luck & Expansion) entered Capricorn on December 19th, 2007...& will travel through Capricorn for the entire year in 2008. Jupiter’s journey through Capricorn suggests that our expansion comes most from honoring the Practical side of life. We are able to Expand upon our Ambitions. This is a year to Lay the Groundwork that is needed to help us Achieve our Goals (both personally & for our planet).

Pluto (Dwarf Planet of Transformation) also enters Capricorn this year on January 25th, 2008. This transit marks the beginning of a Massive Structural Upheaval in Politics…a deep process that goes until the end of 2024…worldwide.

When Jupiter & Pluto conjunct in any sign, there are big stories to tell. We should see a dramatic turn in the world economy & world politics…the beginning of a Major Shift in Political Structures. Pluto has an orbit of 248 years. The last time Pluto was in Capricorn was from 1762-1778, the period that saw “The Boston Tea Party” & “The American Revolution.”

This transit coincides with the eradication of whatever has outlived its purpose. Allow our new sense of ethics & ambitions to reflect where we’re really at. The Transformation of Governments, Corporations, Organizations, & Institutions of all kinds is highlighted.

Politically, it is a time to challenge our social ideas around blame & liability. Is it our government that is responsible for our world problems? Or is it us? There are many questions to ask ourselves. It is also a good time to take a serious look at power & responsibility… to see the Real Power we all have to affect things for the better in the world…in our lives, & in ourselves. Imagine possibilities & let your wild brain work on creating incredible solutions.

Approximately every 12 years, Jupiter meets up with the deep, dark, & penetrating Pluto, Lord of the Underworld. Symbolically, there is virtually no limit to Jupiter’s boundaries or Pluto’s depth. Great wealth, regenerative power, an ability to manifest (& hypnotize) are said to accompany this conjunction. Babies born in January this year may be particularly powerful as adults. For example, Bill Gates has a Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in his 2nd house of finance.

It could be a challenging year for those born in the early part of Capricorn (& the latter part of Sagittarius)…due to Pluto’s transit to their Suns. Most Capricorns are likely to just feel the expansive lucky influence of Jupiter’s transit. Generally, it is a very Auspicious Time for Most Capricorns (& for those w/Capricorn energies prominent in their charts).

A Jupiter-Pluto combo could galvanize tremendous personal drive in us. We may even see the beginnings of the re-distribution of wealth & power in ways that have been needed for some time. Overall, it should be an interesting year in the world… fascinating to watch a presidential election play out in the US.

On personal levels, wherever Capricorn falls in your chart is the area of your life that is most ripe for the biggest & most auspicious structural transformation.

Pluto goes Retrograde from June 1st-September 8th…sending Pluto back through Sagittarius til’ November 11th, 2008. Getting a large degree of Perspective as we transition will become part of the process as we move forward into this next big phase of political & world transformation.

Saturn (the planet of Form, Structure, & Discipline) entered Virgo (another Earth sign) in early September of 2007. It will travel through Virgo for about 2 ½ years…inspiring us to set up new Systems to help us with our Structures. Thinking about how things can specifically work over the longer term (in a systemic way) is part of the energy of this aspect. We need to square our beliefs with some facts with this aspect. Participate in our Dream in Real Time…& in Specific Ways. Clean out the closets of our minds. Make use of the skills & talents we have. Allow ourselves to Get Serious about our Health & Abilities in deeper ways.

Saturn’s Retrograde period goes from Dec 19th, 2007 until May 2nd, 2008. This phase supports simplifying, improving, or eliminating anything that has become unessential and unproductive. The message here is “Less can be more.”

There is a New Moon in Capricorn on January 8th, 2008. With this moon, we are in the dark (the void between the past & the future). It is our choice as to what we decide to create. Keeping our highest principles as strong intentions may serve us well in this new phase. Love & respect yourself, love others, & love what we do. New moons mark new beginnings.

We have our first Full Moon of the year on January 22nd, 2008. Although we start out with a lot of practical energy at the outset of this year…our first Full Moon is a Leo Moon (opposing an Aquarius Sun). It encourages us to join forces with like-minded souls & allow for innovations. Albert Einstein suggested that a problem cannot be solved at the level at which it was created. This full moon highlights intuition, idealism, & vision. Bring in some new vision & unusual ideas to help with the practical wishes that began with this year’s first New Moon.

Mercury (the planet of communication) enters a retrograde period from January 28th-February 18th. Mercury appears to move backward from our perspective about 3 times a year (for about 3 weeks each time). Lore generally suggests that when these Mercury retrogrades occur, it’s prudent to double check your communication & transportation plans, but there are many variables to this basic theory. During this retrograde period, Mercury will be making a Conjunction to Neptune (the planet of illusion, dreams, & compassion). They say that this conjunction makes Divine Intelligence easier to access for many of us (especially from February 2nd-March 9th).

Mercury’s retrograde passage through Aquarius doubles its time in Aquarius (January 7th-March 14th) . Reconsider alternatives & reinforce natural alliances. Think of the bigger picture…& think outside the box.

February 6th is a New Moon in Aquarius …& the Chinese New Year (Year of the Rat). It is said that it’s a time of hard work, activity, & renewal. There are opportunities for those who are well prepared & resourceful. Let things develop as they will & make the most of what you find. See the little things as gifts.

March & April have Mars traveling through Cancer …possibly inspiring a lot of intense emotion. In April, Mars will be making a square aspect to Venus. This is a challenging aspect, theoretically inspiring some hot-headedness (or impulsive inclinations) with Venus traveling through Aries. Watch tempers & taking things too personally. This Venus/Mars square forms a T-square to Jupiter through April. The resolution to this challenging energy is utilizing a diplomatic approach by looking at the other side of things. Hopefully, humor can help you from losing your good humor. Ha!

May is likely to feel easier in regard to communication & everything else. Mars enters Leo on May 10th …bringing some added warmth & generosity to the picture (& maybe some needed dramatic changes, personally).

Mercury begins another retrograde period in late May (May 26TH –June 19TH). Because this Mercury Retrograde will be in Gemini, communication & transportation issues should be particularly interesting (especially if you’re traveling). Double check your plans & things will likely go more smoothly.

Mars enters Virgo in July, starting the work that gets culminated by mid August.

Aquarius Full Moon on August 16th is also a Lunar Eclipse…dreamy & dynamic. Celebrate diversity & create community…wherever you are.

For friends attending “Burning Man,” it looks like this year is another kind of purification year there with “The American Dream” theme and 3 planets (Mercury, Venus, and Saturn) travelling through Virgo during the time of the festival in late August. A body-focused purification could be spiritually strengthening for the collective psyche. Some of you have expressed issues with this year’s theme, but it is actually the kick-off to a greater political transformation (energetically).

Partnership, diplomacy, & balance are also highlighted with Mars entering Libra on August 20th. Purification in relations & the powerful force of Balance & Justice are both at play. Although I first saw the “American Dream” theme as a main-streaming of the festival, when I look deeper into the energies of now, I don’t actually see it that way. For those who are going, allow your Art to reflect the biggest ideals you can imagine. As a way to put out a revolutionary energy for our future, Go “Green,” “Go The Fall of Patriarchy,” “Go Specific,” “Go Beyond what you think is currently possible,” “Go the Wish for Balance,” “Go Wild!”

September of 2008 is likely to bring about some greater sense of balance …with bridges between people becoming more possible than before. 3 planets will be traveling through Libra…(Mercury, Venus, and Mars ). Our politicians might be working harder to be diplomatic at this time. Debates should be interesting…for all the sides of things that are presented. The last Mercury Retrograde period of the year goes from September 24th-October 15th . Re-think relations…& balance.

October brings some depth & regeneration (with Venus & Mars in Scorpio ). A sexy, passionate time for some…deeply challenging for others.

Election Day in the USA is on November 4th, 2008 . This is a day to expect the unexpected. People may throw Saturn’s caution to the winds & vote by intuition. Uranus (planet of change & revolution) has been travelling through Pices since 2004…helping us to develop a greater degree of emotionality, compassion, & depth. Being that Saturn & Uranus will be exactly opposite one another by Election Day, there will be an interesting play of opposites between our wishes to honor “the rules” & our wishes to rebel. People might not do what they are supposed to do (or what we expect).

With so many of the outer planets traveling through signs that are in the later part of the zodiac, there’s generally more of a focus on collective consciousness now. With Mars traveling through Cancer in March, April, & part of May…our personal lives may feel much more important than whatever is going on in the world (or collectively). In the words of Mr. Spock from Star Trek, “There are times when the needs of ‘the One’ outweigh the needs of ‘the Many’.” Springtime may feel like that to many of us. Overall, though, the energies are more focused on the Bigger Picture . This is a year to watch the Seeds of Revolution Grow within us all. Watch as it all goes on by…& enjoy. After November 11th, 2008…there is no turning back from the tides of change that have been inevitable for decades. Yay!

More on the Mayan Calendar later.