Friday, December 31, 2010

Astro Lady Speaks on 2011

2011… a Year of Transitions…
For those of you who have read my previous Astro blogs, you may already be aware that we have just come to the culmination of a very significant Cardinal T-square, an aspect that astrologers have been calling “The Depression Era Aspect.”


Planets traveling through Cardinal signs are going though the signs that begin the seasons of Spring, Summer, Fall, & Winter. This is partly why Astrologers think of the Cardinal T-Square as a time of new beginnings.


Squares (90 degrees apart) usually suggest dynamic challenge or tension, while planets in trine (120 degrees apart) suggest points of harmony & ease. So… while there is something incredibly wonderful about beginning anew, this particular time period has been doing so with an inordinate amount of growing pains for many.


The T-square that has been approaching for the last 3-4 years culminated in late July of 2010… & corresponded with the high point of our world-wide economic crisis. Although there HAS been a slight turn around since, it is VERY recent.


During “The Great Depression” of the 1930’s, we saw Pluto in Cancer (opposite to the sign it is now), & making similar aspects to outer planets.


Basically, we are on the other side of a giant Pluto cycle. Because Pluto stays in one sign for so long, it is said to have influence over the masses as a kind of a “generational” influence. Generally, it stays in a sign for about 13 years, but it CAN be longer.


Pluto is known as “The Great Transformer.” In lore, it is also known as “The God of the Underworld.” Shedding light upon that which is dark is part of how a significant Pluto influence “transforms” things. Looking at the underbelly of things that need profound attention is a process our society is deeply entrenched in at the moment. Because Pluto is traveling through Tropical Capricorn until 2024, the area of your chart that is ruled by Capricorn would be the area that is most ripe for transformation.


------------------


The New Year… 2011


Mercury appears to go Direct on Dec 30th, allowing us to start the New Year off with more forward motion for the future. There are harmonious aspects between Venus & the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction, as well as a sweet sextile (60 degrees apart) between Venus & Mars as we begin 2011. Social & philosophical harmony help usher in the New Year.


Yet all is not exactly rosey. The first 10 days of the year, we are still living with Mars making a square to Saturn… which may give us great wishes to move forward without the ability to do it completely. Saturn tests and holds back the initiative & ambition of Mars until about January 10th, 2011. By Jan 10th, it begins to feel as though 2011 will be easier for us than 2010 was. We get a glimpse of truly moving forward.


-----------------------


In 2011, Jupiter & Uranus move into Tropical Aries…


Jupiter finishes its once every 12 year passage through Pices on January 22, 2011. In Pisces, it corresponds to increasing our compassion & understanding. In Aries, Jupiter inspires individual intiative & courageous leaps of faith.


Jupiter & Uranus come together every 13-14 years. The last time they came together was in 1997 (in Tropical Aquarius). Then, we saw the first animal cloning (Dolly the sheep) & the first spacecraft landing on Mars. To give you a more memorable reference point, Princess Diana died in an epic car crash in 1997… & my famous dog (Nakita) was born.


Although these 2 planets come together every 13-14 years, their last meeting in Tropical Pisces was in 1334. The most significant event that I found to occur in 1334 was an epidemic of The Black Death in China (reportedly killing 6 million people & later spreading to Europe as the bubonic plague). A pretty big disaster. Seems we should be happy this aspect is on its way out.


---------------------------


The Jan 4, 2011 conjunction of Uranus & Jupiter in Pisces will be the last exact conjunction in this sign until 2093. Since Jupiter rules expansion & Uranus rules innovation, the years of their conjunctions typically correspond with major breakthroughs. This aspect might assist the US Senate in changing some of their old archaic rules on Jan 5th (which is the only day they can institute such change in the next 2 years).


Generally, this aspect suggests that our current environmental, economic, & social challenges are solved through a spiritual revolution combined with advances in technology… & a shift into a more unified awareness… really working together to prevent further environmental devastation & such.


-------------------


Jupiter moves into Tropical Aries on Jan 22nd, 2011.


This would be activating the area of your own personal chart that is ruled by Aries. For the general populace, beginning to live life with a new philosophy… & starting fresh in some way could be part of this transit. Jupiter is known as the “Planet of Luck & Expansion”… so people who have Sun, Moon, or Ascendant in Aries could look forward to having a lucky or personally expansive year up until early June.


Jupiter enters Taurus on June 6th, 2011. By June, it’s the people with Taurus prominent in their charts that will benefit most from Jupiter. At this point, expansion & luck on the material plane is more likely (in general).


---------------------


Uranus re-enters Tropical Aries on March 11, 2011… & will be traveling through this new territory for about 7 years.


Uranus, mythic god of chaos, breaks down old structures in order for new ones to emerge. In Aries, Uranus can spark rebellion. It’s possible that this aspect will generate a deeper grass roots movement that challenges hierarchical organizations & the calcified institutions that have been running things for way too long. We’ll see.


Uranus highlights where we must be willing to innovate. It looks like it’s really time to question the status quo & be an agent of change in a new way.


Uranus’ last passage through Tropical Aries was from 1927-1935. It was amplified by 5 exact squares to Pluto… & corresponded with the high point of “The Great Depression.” (1933)


The present passage of Uranus going through Tropical Aries will be from 2010-2019… & will be intensified by 7 exact squares to Pluto.


Because Pluto will be traveling through Tropical Capricorn & because Capricorn rules politics & tradition… longstanding corruption & inequality are likely to become more intolerable & the calls for reform in the world, more insistent.


Individually, we will need to let go of structures that no longer serve our growth. It is a time to begin to more fully share our unique & real gifts with the world.


-------------------------


Saturn remains in Tropical Libra until October 5th, 2012… with an emphasis on ethics, equality, & justice. Saturn in Libra supports team work, reconciliation, & equal rights legislation.


The last time Saturn traveled through Tropical Libra was from September 21, 1980 to August 24th, 1983. This means that people that were born during that time period are in the midst of their Saturn Returns. Saturn takes about 29 years to make a full orbit, so when it returns to the place it was when you were born, it is called a “Saturn Return.” It usually corresponds with being tested in some way… & beginning the next phase of life. People born between 1951 and 1953 would be experiencing their second Saturn Return. In Libra, finding true inner balance is likely part of this transit. If you have Libra prominent in your chart, this Saturn transit could also be significant for you. Although Saturn is known as the planet of structure & discipline, a strong Saturn aspect can help manifest long cherished dreams in a more concrete way.


-------------------


Starting on April 5th 2011, Neptune embarks upon a 14 year passage through Pisces. Neptune rules the collective unconscious. It will be traveling through the watery healing sign of Pisces (Neptune’s home sign). This is a time when we can see that our ability to heal far outweighs our ability to hurt. It could be a time when we see ways that our world is created by our intentions & maintained by our focus.


Neptune’s orbital period is about 168 years. The last time it traveled through Tropical Pisces was 1847-1861, (a period that saw the rise of Marxism, as well as the presidential election of the US president, Abraham Lincoln). It was the time immediately preceding the US Civil War (1861-1865) & emancipation.


Neptune retrogrades back into Aquarius from August 4, 2011 to Feb 3, 2012… when it re-enters Pisces to finish off this next 14 year cycle. Neptune is known as the planet of compassion & is associated with the God of the Sea. Because it will be traveling in its home sign of Pisces for the next 14 years, I’m imagining that much of the healing that our world will undergo will have something to do with our oceans & other important bodies of water on our planet.


---------------------


Chiron (one of the larger asteroids in the asteroid belt) will also be traveling through Pisces in 2011. Chiron is known as “the wounded healer.”


Chiron made a short visit through Tropical Pisces in 2010 (from April 20th to July 20th). By chance, the Deep Water Horizon environmental disaster occurred the very day that Chiron first entered into Tropical Pisces (the sign most associated with the ocean).


With Neptune AND Chiron both embarking upon journeys through Pisces in 2011, healing & creativity in one form or another is highlighted.


----------------------



Mercury through 2011:

Mercury appears to be Retrograde three times in 2011. When a planet is “retrograde,” it appears to be moving backwards from our perspective. It’s normal for this kind of phenomena to happen for 3 weeks, 3 times a year. This year, all of the retrograde periods will be happening while Mercury travels through Tropical Fire signs (Aries, Leo, & Sagittarius).


In 2011, Mercury will be retrograde from ………………………………………………… March 30th-April 23rd ………………………………………………………………………………. August 2nd-26th ………………………………………………………………………………….. & November 24th-December 13th.


Normally, a Mercury Retrograde period has us needing to fix our cars & double check anything that has to do with communication or transportation. Statistically, the only time that major communication breakdowns have been reported to coincide with Mercury Retrograde periods are when Mercury is Retrograde AND making a square aspect to planets with much larger orbits.


In 2011, the first Mercury Retrograde is likely to be the most challenging because Mercury will be making an exact square to Saturn as we get closer to April 23rd. Mercury makes an exact square to Mars in early December of 2011, so that retrograde period might also be tricky. Generally, because the Mercury Retrogrades of 2011 will all be in fire signs, these upcoming time periods would be a time for us to re-evaluate our aspirations, our motivations, & how we express ourselves.


----------------------


Residuals from 2010, Pluto square Uranus


Squares & Oppositions symbolize significant turning points, generally. Because we have had an abundance of squares & oppositions in epic proportions leading up to 2010… & throughout 2010, this time period has been a major turning point for humanity & individuals… a time of great transition.


In 2011, the only residual of this large T-square aspect is a square between Pluto & the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction. By the beginning of April, Pluto will no longer be in square aspect to Jupiter. This will allow things to ease up further.


Yet, the last remaining vestiges will be an enduring square with Pluto & Uranus that will still be in effect until around 2016. Uranus, the planet of change… will be yanking on the chain of deep transformation… unpredictably altering things… slowly in accordance with Pluto… & most likely playing out in the land of structure & politics. Although many things will be easier than they have been, there is still quite a bit of challenge in the air with an aspect of this nature. It is a dynamic influence, though… so it is not a boring time.

----------------------


Super Moons of 2011. There are 6 Super Moons in 2011, three Full & three New.


A Super Moon is when the Moon is both at perigee (its closest approach to the earth) & at syzygy (in a new or full phase). Super Moons are said to generate stronger gravitational pulls on coastal tides, weather patterns, & tectonic plates. While not as strong as an eclipse, Super Moons can still be quite significant.

February 18th Full Moon, March 19th Full Moon, & April 17th Full Moon.

September 27th New Moon, October 26th New Moon, & November 24th New Moon.


-----------------------


The Mayan Calendar & 2012


According to the Mayan Calendar, we are approaching the end of “The Great Cycle.” About every 26,000 years, the Earth’s ecliptic (the path we travel on) goes through this dark rift in space that has high concentrations of interstellar dust. It is equivalent with a kind of galactic winter solstice. This began with the harmonic convergence on August 17th, 1987. The high point of the transition was in the year 2000. The ending of this journey is meant to be on & around Dec 21st, 2012.


The lore suggests that humanity is in a momentous transition… for it is a new beginning in a galactic sense. Potentials for this time could include evolving from competition to collaboration… & from survival of the fittest to what fits us all. Just because the Mayans did not record time past the end date of “The Great Cycle” does not mean that our world will end. It just means that we are at the end of one great cycle & are about to embark upon the next big phase.


The lore suggests that we are in a succession of major shifts in consciousness. For those of you planning big events, you might want to make note of these dates:


As of February 11th, 2011, we will begin what they say is a “Universal Unity Consciousness.” It is the age of Unity in Diversity.


By March 8th, 2011, we engage in the 2nd to last step of Unity.


Then, by October 28th, 2011, they say that it is the beginning of the establishment of the highest energy state of our collective consciousness… the “13 Ahau.”


-------------------


On July 17th & 18th of 2012, there is a time of “Cosmic Convergence,” where they say that networking & communication will reach a great height.


The high point of one of our 22 year Sun Spot cycles will also be happening in 2012. This is a time when more solar flares are produced by our Sun. The high point of Sun Spot Cycles increase electro-magnetic activity on Earth, improving communication of all kinds.


Generally, the end of “The Great Cycle” (by December 21st, 2012) is a time to re-unite matter & spirit, head & heart, nature & humanity. It is an integration time, a time where we get to experience creating more instantaneously… a period where time “speeds up” in a sense.


The metaphor that the darkest hour is often just before the dawn seems relevant in these times. This is the end of one giant phase… & the beginning of a new one. It is a time of great potentials. Doing our best to stay positive in these times has not been easy for everybody, but things will get better. Become your truth & you become the next truth that is available.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Happy New Year… 2010!!!

A year in Pre-view… rRe-view… Now View.

Let Doom & Gloom become Zoom & & Bloom!!

Dreams flying… Choose as you Create.

New Year’s Eve starts off with a Full Blue Moon & Lunar Eclipse, 4 planets in Tropical Capricorn, & Mercury in Retrograde until January 15th. It is both a culmination & a beginning time… a good time to look at the structure of what our new year might be like. Imagine it.

1000 years ago today, the date was: 01.01.1010.
Astrology is an evolving art, based on astronomical information & the observance of planetary cycles. If you like that kind of thing, read on. If not, be warned this is a many-paged document that may leave side effects of mind expansion the writer cannot be held responsible for. Ha!

Mercury

Mercury appears to go retrograde from our perspective for about 3 weeks, 3 times a year. Capricorn (a sign representing structure, tradition, & achievement) is highlighted this first time. While traveling through Tropical Capricorn… our goals could benefit from re-doing, fixing, & fine tuning our gadgets & communications. Writers… edit, thinkers think, tinkers tink. It’s the practical 3 this year (with all Mercury Retrogrades happening in Tropical Earth signs until Dec 2010…when we get a slightly different mental perspective).

Mercury is making a conjunction to the North Node in these early days of 2010. The North Node is a point in space. It is a mathematical point that takes into account the relationship between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. The Moon's nodes are the points where the Moon's orbit intersects the plane of the ecliptic. Astrologically, it has to do with our destiny, our path of growth, & spiritual integration.
Because Mercury is retrograde as it is aligned with the North Node in these first days of the year, significant communications can come from internal places as well real conversations. Uranus (the planet of change) is making a harmonious aspect to Mercury & the North Node, so pay attention to your intuition, dreams, & ideas. Allow synchronicities & insights to come from unlikely places. Woo Hoo!

And now… into the New Year…

What we do today decides our tomorrow. These days in 2010 begin some first real steps, as a people… not just theorizing, but actually doing.

Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, & Capricorn) begin seasons. They are starting points. In 2010… we’ll have a number of outer planets traveling through Cardinal Signs & making angular aspects to each other. With the configuration of these outer planets, the lore suggests that we are coming to a beginning… collectively.

Mark this as a time of intention… where we find new purpose, allow our wills to come forth, consciously re-shape ourselves, & change on a personal level.

The Past…

2010 marks a culminating period of time that is Astrologically similar to “The Great Depression” of the 1930’s. Back then, Pluto in Tropical Cancer made a square (90 degree angle) to Uranus in Tropical Aries, which made a square to Saturn in Tropical Capricorn. Astrologers call this a T-square… a very dynamic aspect.

While the 1930’s were wrought with economic hardships, many incredible things also came out of that time period. “The New Deal” put #’s of people back to work & the USA had its first & only fully funded government Arts Program (which lasted 3 years). People had to find ways to rely on each other & work together more (whether it was for food or family). The electron microscope was invented (1931), black & white TV showed up on the scene, drive-in movie theatres came into being (1933), nylon for panty hose was created (1938), & the photocopier was born (1938). “Superman” also had his first appearance in action comics & a gallon of gas cost 10 cents.

So gas is a tad more expensive, but our present time period is similar in that it has been super challenging on the world economic stage… as well as being a bit of a wake-up call to all of us (in regard to the environment & on many other levels).

Now is a time to make fundamental changes in who we are & how we live.

This is the beginning of an era that presents us with the possibility to be our own “Super People.” Oh yea…

Most Recent Now Past (2009)…

The stage for change has been set by the Saturn-Uranus opposition… in mutable Virgo/Pices (Tropically) in this past year. It has been a dance of old ways versus new ways… of wanting our new vision to happen already, but needing to make concerted effort to make real bridges from the past to the future.

The last time that Saturn & Uranus were in opposition in Virgo & Pices was early 1964 to early 1967. Those of us born in those years have been experiencing our “Uranus Oppositions” & our “Saturn Oppositions” simultaneously.

The Uranus Opposition is known as mid-life crisis by normal people… & termed “The Great Awakening” by Astrologers.

Saturn Oppositions can indicate important changes and awareness of our future goals… & embracing responsibilities on a whole new level.

In some way, the souls born in 2009 have a lot in common with those of us born in the mid-1960’s. We share a need to follow the rules, but just far enough to allow us to learn how to break them. Ha!

This is part of the process we have all been living through in the past year.

Altering our habits by shifting in small ways has been part of this painstaking process (details needing so much attention). Making adjustments in minor matters is an exercise in flexibility that enables more dramatic changes to be skillfully handled later.

We’ve been chipping away at crystallized habits now, so that we can immerge as flying wonders later.

This past year… & a bit of Now…

Jupiter’s passage through Aquarius has already opened up the collective mind, but its conjunctions with Neptune (“God of the Sea, The Dissolver, and Planet of Compassion & Illusion”) symbolize a wide antenna that is designed to gather input without narrowing it to one single point of focus. It has been a broad stream we have been swimming in. For those of us with Aquarius prominent in our charts… our “Lucky Jupiter Transit” has been like a swim through a Sea of Possibilities… hopefully with the best of realities emerging (at least, conceptually).

Up & Coming 2010…

Now, we have Pluto (“Lord of the Underworld”) in the dark winter sign of Capricorn. Pluto is about descent into the mines and the shadow worlds where metaphorical death precedes a rebirth.

Pluto will be traveling through Capricorn for 14 years (until January of 2024). Seeing Capricorn as a step toward Aquarius… is one way to see this time period as laying the groundwork for a future we can all be happy & proud to inhabit.


Saturn rules Capricorn & is also the traditional ruler of Aquarius, yet the 2 are very different energies.

Saturn’s role is to bring order. In Capricorn, we see this through structures, politics, discipline & practical matters. We don’t usually see Aquarius as orderly, but both signs are group oriented signs that seek organization and common ground.


The difference is that Capricorn initiates… & gathers collective force to apply group energy in a unified direction. Aquarius gathers (or harmonizes) collective force to apply it in every possible direction. Fun!

Capricorn is single-tracked. Aquarius is multi-tracked. Unity through diversity establishes a multi-faceted foundation for the next leap. So yes… Act Locally & Think Globally. Finding happiness & health within… & know that it helps us all.

Geek Note:

The Mayans talk about this 2nd to last phase as the phase of “Unity” which culminates on February 11th, 2011 according to their calendar. According to them, February of 2011 is when we begin our last phase of creating “Universal Consciousness” before the end of “The Great Cycle.” Now is the phase of “Unity.” So many stories making one epic world story.

Saturn in Libra…

Saturn entered Tropical Libra on October 29th, 2009 and will be there until October of 2012. They say that a key to using Saturn in Libra is the ability to accept contrast. Rather than pitting one side against another, its gift is to recognize that every pair of opposites occupies the same circle, that they are two sides of the same coin.

The centered calmness of Libra’s cool air is something we can practice by stepping back from conflict or, at least by taking a moment’s pause… and one conscious breath… before jumping in.

Accepting our own contradictions is part of this transit. See where we are so we can see where we want to be.

Libra’s need for negotiation and renegotiation is not about failing to choose or commit; it’s a means for expanding the field of choice so that polarization is less likely.

The last time Saturn was in Libra was the Fall of 1980 to the end of 1982. For people born during those years, you will be experiencing what Astrologers call, “The Saturn Return”… a testing time that provides you an opportunity to grow beyond where you’ve been. For these people & those of us with Libra highlighted in our charts… embracing the lessons of Saturn (discipline) & allowing yourself to manifest your dreams in some real way is part of this transit. Take care. Eat well. < br>
Those people born between August 1951 and October 1953 also share Saturn in Libra… a place it returns to every 29 years.

Jupiter in Pices…

Jupiter (planet of Luck & Expansion) enters Pices on January 17th 2010 , and stays there until June 5th, 2010. For those of us with Pisces highlighted in our charts, we are lucky ducks! This is a very challenging year for most people… & yet… people with Pisces energy will likely somehow benefit through this time period. We feel our way & choose well.

On September 8th, 2010… Jupiter re-enters the latter degrees of Pisces (until the end of the year).

Jupiter enters Aries (& joins Uranus)…

Jupiter travels through Tropical Aries from June 6th, 2010 to September 7th, 2010… (& again from January 22nd-June 4th, 2011). This is a time period where we will all likely be processing new & different kinds of information.

When Jupiter (the planet of the higher mind) joins Uranus (the Planet of Change) in Aries on June 6th, 2010… it will be like getting a new computer chip for our brains. We may be able to think faster, allowing us to recognize patterns and energies that previously escaped detection. Aries people, your lives are about to change!

Uranus is still in Pices…

We are now still in the process of creating the “Innernet.” For the last 7 years, Uranus has been traveling through Pices. We have been finding friends from our past… “chatting” at all hours, sharing our lives & thoughts (no matter where we live)… & doing it through electric particles.

Uranus goes into Aries…

Uranus makes a brief visit to Tropical Aries from May 27th to August 12th, 2010. It will be a preview of what’s to come.

Uranus in Aries represents a faster frequency of experience that will demand more of our nervous systems. Saturn in Libra is the insulation that will allow our wires to carry these messages without burning us out. Prepare to think faster by slowing down the pace of fear.

………………………………………………………………………..
This “inventive energy” (Uranus) will return to the pioneering sign of Tropical Aries on March 11, 2011. It will then be there for a 7-year stay.

Like a rocket ship ride of rapid or unexpected transformations, the future will be coming so fast that outdated concepts could be flying out the window at faster-than-light propulsion (beyond warp speed, Scottie).

Immediacy… Eternal Now… burning up old memories and tossing out future expectations. Develop your calm center in these early days & you are likely to be able to more easily embrace changes as they come later.

Jupiter & Uranus Conjunct in Aries… & 2010 T-square

This Jupiter/Uranus conjunction begins on June 6th, 2010… & makes an opposition to Saturn… & a square to Pluto by July & August of 2010…. completing this era’s T-square.

This is the other end of a Pluto cycle… with Pluto now opposite where it was in the 1930’s. Although Pluto has been demoted to “dwarf planet” classification, it is still considered the “Lord of the Underworld & the Planetary Body of Transformation” by Astrologers. It is opposite where is was in the 1930’s… and making significant square aspects to the same planets as it did back then.

Because Pluto is at the heart of this up & coming aspect, it is a societal transformation that we are witnessing & part of co-creating.

We are approaching a time of major transformation as a people. The answers we need our within us. The challenge is to re-evaluate who we think we are & what we call reality.

The meaning we seek will be found beyond the boundaries of the known, on the perilous edges where certainty crumbles. We are all agents of change… creating the future & the best of all possibilities.

In a regular birth chart, the pathway to resolution of a T-square is to see where the aspect would make a complete square (form stability). Look at where the sign of Cancer resides in your birth chart to find a focus for helping to personally resolve the up & coming challenges of 2010.

Jupiter/Uranus Conjunction in Pices

The last 2 Jupiter/Uranus conjunctions are in fuzzy Pisces (September 18, 2010 through Jan 22nd, 2011). This aspect may show us some interesting possibilities. The growing potential for both genius and madness can stir up extreme ideas… giving us glimpses of what could be, but not what must be.

Find a truth that includes the perspectives of both mind & heart. Go Team!

Neptune…

Neptune, the only outer planet that is not a part of the Cardinal T-square of 2010, serves as a buffer to the winds of change to come.

This ethereal planet is floating through intellectual/intuitive Aquarius until April 4, 2011. Then, it enters its home sign of Pisces until August 5th, 2011.

Neptune enjoys a retrograde return to Aquarius until Feb 3rd of 2012. By February 4th of 2012, Neptune will again enter its home sign of Pisces… & for a 14- year stay.

For now… We are still envisioning how the future can be. We have the freedom to become who & what we want to be… to salvage the grim scenarios reported by mainstream media… use our collective visionary abilities, & make the best of the cards we have in our hands. Oh yea…