Here We Go Again: New Moon In Virgo

New Moon @ 5 degrees Virgo

August 28, 2011

8:04 PM Pacific

11:04 PM Eastern

The flow of life seemingly contradicts our linear perception of time--sometimes we find ourselves back to a place we thought we had left behind, long ago. When the past re-emerges we can sometimes feel frustrated, because we "expected" something else entirely, and yet, sometimes our objectives must surrender to the fact that life is not linear as our minds are--it is cyclic, and it turns with the great wheel of creation and destruction which underlies the very fabric of our visible world.

The last lunation (New Moon) cycle reveled the theme of 'emerging from chaos', largely influenced by Mercury's retrograde cycle in Virgo/Leo conjoining Transpluto in opposition Neptune. This energy is not solely confined to that lunar cycle, because Mercury is carrying it further and to completion as it transits direct, and back through its shadow. When Mercury goes retrograde, there is actually a definitive three step process that is taking place, beyond the actual retrograde period itself.

When a planet goes retrograde is appears to be moving backwards, which is an optical illusion, but a rather convincing one. Before "going backwards", the planet passes through an area of the zodiac called the shadow, which is the location from which the planet will retrograde through. There are two shadow periods, and both are roughly two weeks in duration--the first introduces us to the themes and issues we will likely resolve during the retrograde itself, and the final shadow allows us a process of finishing up and resolving whatever was brought to our attention.

This lunation begins right at the tail-end of Mercury's retrograde cycle, just as it enters into the final shadow period, and so there is a pronounced blending and carry over of the process that began at the last lunar cycle. The final shadow ends on September 9th. Take a moment to review what has come up for you over the past few weeks. Who or what has re-emerged from the past? Do you see a deeper meaning behind it, what insight or perspective has it brought you? What have you needed to reconsider, have you been open to new perspectives, allowing yourself to see things differently? These are not random and meaningless events, they are deeply purposeful and have much to show us about ourselves. How are we consciously emerging from chaos and disorder, both as individuals and as a collective?

This New Moon takes place in the tropical sign of Virgo, within three degrees of conjunction with Venus. Virgo is the archetype of assimilation, which manifests as the impulse to create order out of chaos--organizing, cleaning, cleansing, purging, purifying,--and so often, compartmentalizing. Virgo likes to have everything in its proper place, not necessarily as a desire for perfection, but more as a need for functionality. Of course, on the darker end of Virgo we find all sorts of obsessive compulsive tendencies, but this is only when the energy is misdirected or blocked in some way.

This lunation presents us with some interesting aspect configurations and symbols, and all of them blend and corroborate with each other quite nicely. The New Moon itself is conjunct Venus, and forms a dynamic Grand Trine with Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn. Grand Trine configurations can be highly creative and inspirational, if we don't get caught up in an obsessive loop--the energies must be integrated and applied in some way, or they shut an individual off into their own world. This is a powerful earth grand trine, in fact, this new moon is quite earthy in nature--so we find ourselves focusing more on practical and down to earth concerns. This provides us the opportunity to gain more autonomy and self-sufficiency, and we may be presented with remnants of the past which can act as a catalysts for our growth.

We must be conscious, however, of an impulse to shut out others entirely, and focus only on our own self interests--believing that only we can do it, or that we don't need the help of others. The New Moon conjunct Venus is in an opposition to Chiron conjunct Neptune, so we are invited to reach out to a greater whole, perhaps even to larger spiritual forces for assistance. Combined with the New Moon's placement in Virgo, we see the perfect opportunity for re-organizing some things in our lives, more so relating to physical structures. This is an excellent opportunity for creative brainstorming. As Mercury slowly picks up speed, we can now begin moving forward, but again, not too fast.

There aren't a lot challenging aspects within the horoscope, we find only two prominent squares and one wide opposition. Mars in Cancer is square Saturn in Libra, and this can often have a rather irritating energy that comes with it. We are invited to move forward with caution and to do things slowly--be mindful and conscious with each step that you take, consider all the possibilities that surround you. Some unfinished business or projects from the past may emerge now, or possibly something that may not have much to do with you at all--you may find yourself doing things for other people or assisting in completing something you didn't start in the first place. This could feel like a distraction from your present course, but perhaps the purpose is to keep us from chasing our own tails and getting caught in a loop. This soon shall pass. When working on some project or important task, be mindful of resistances or others who may trigger you in some way--do what you can, but don't drain yourself either; if too much seems to be in the way, its probably best to back off and try another time.

So much of of this lunation echoes a process of building things back up, steadily and consciously, piece by piece. The previous lunar cycles may have also presented a financial dry spell, and it seems that this energy will begin to shift with this New Moon. Obviously, the nation is currently in the midst of many financial challenges, primarily because our current economic system is dysfunctional and is in process of transmutation--the reality is that many things are currently hanging on by a thread. I don't say this to be pessimistic, but merely practical--judging by the upcoming astrological configurations, there is much shifting that is about to take place, and we all have to take responsibility for ourselves and our place within this. Finding ways of becoming more self-sufficient is a good place to start, and just beginning with one step at a time toward more autonomy is the best that we can do right now.

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon reads:

06 degrees Virgo: A Merry-Go-Round

This symbol is quite interesting, because it appears to compliment the cyclic/repetitious energy of the Grand Earth Trine, and the Mars/Saturn Square. We can interpret this symbol in two ways--we can look at it quite literally for what it is, as an image of repeating cycles and repetition, and also we can penetrate to the origins of the Merry-Go-Round as an historical symbol. The latter reveals that the Merry-Go-Round as the playground version of the classical Carousel amusement ride, which was originally a device that was once used as a training mechanism, to prepare for combat and battle. According to Wikipedia:

"The earliest known depiction of a carousel is in Byzantine bas-relief dating to around 500 A.D., which depicts riders in baskets suspended from a central pole. The word carousel originates from the Italian garosello and Spanish carosella ("little battle"), used by crusaders to describe a combat preparation exercise and game played by Turkish and Arabian horsemen in the 12th century. In a sense this early device could be considered a cavalry training mechanism; it prepared and strengthened the riders for actual combat as they wielded their swords at the mock enemies. European Crusaders discovered this device and brought the idea back to their own lands. A carousel was also a training device for the ring-tilt, consisting of wooden horses suspended from arms branching from a central pole. Riders aimed to spear rings situated around the circumference as the carousel was moved by a man, horse, or mule."[1]

Looked at this way, we can interpret this cycle as a preparation for a proceeding lunation which will involve much more activity and movement, and in looking at the following energies, this appears to be so. The metaphor of repetition reveals the inevitable process of training in order to master a specific skill or ability. In another sense, the symbol of the playground, with its equipment, also represents a "training ground" for young children, where they learn to interact and communicate as a preparation for modern life. Looked at another way, we see the image suggesting that we may be going in circles, and possibly chasing our tails. Each time we confront the situation, it may be the same, but we see it differently with each turn around the wheel. Perhaps the image presents us with a question: Do we keep going in circles, or do we get off and do something else? If things aren't changing outside or within us, with each visit to the same thing, we must make a decision and take appropriate action, because the wheel keeps spinning, and we only choose to hold on.

Notes & References

Image 1: The Wheel of Fortune by Norbert Losche (as featured in the Cosmic Tarot card deck)

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carousel

Full Moon In Aquarius

Full Moon (Sturgeon Moon) @ 20 degrees Aquarius
August 13, 2011
11:57 AM Pacific
2:57 PM Eastern

As the Full Moon culminates the energies present at the preceding New Moon, we are given the opportunity to gain clarity, functionality, and objectivity. Due to Mercury's retrograde motion in Leo, opposite the Full Moon, there is a prominent energy inclining us towards the past and reflecting on where we've been in order to gain a broader perspective. The Sun conjoins Venus in Leo, and along with the symbolism of Aquarius, there is a strong 'social' flare to this full moon. This could provide us the opportunity to reflect on our friendships and relationships, and our connection to a group or community of like-minded individuals. We also get a sense of looking back at what we've created in our lives, and whether we have been effective in manifesting our desires and creative ideals. Are we fully participating in our own lives? Or do we find ourselves simply observing life, watching it pass by? What could we do to become more involved in co-creating our present and our future? Don't worry about acting on any insights or solutions you receive now, take about two weeks to play with it all--leave it suspended in the realm of potential.

Find a comfortable place, envelope yourself with beauty and enjoy the surroundings and company of those you truly care for--find solace in the fact that the universe supports us in recharging ourselves, and letting go of urgency or immediate action at times. With Mercury retrograde in full swing, this is the perfect opportunity to look at what needs to be adjusted or revised in your life. What has come up for you so far? How can you look at things differently, from another perspective? What has emerged from the past, and how has it effected you mentally or emotionally? Take a deep look at where you could make things more functional so that they operate more smoothly. Whatever challenges or obstacles we encounter at this time are there to get our attention so that we can make the appropriate changes. What have you overlooked, what really needs your attention right now? Let go of what no longer serves you, or is no longer relevant, and embrace what feeds your soul.

The most dynamic aspects in the Full Moon horoscope are Mars in Cancer opposite Pluto in Capricorn, and Uranus in Aries conjunct Ceres in Pisces opposite Juno in Libra--forming a strikingly apparent grand cross configuration. This is likely to ignite much of the "Grand/Cardinal Cross" energy within the collective field, and current events are likely to represent the energies of 'revolution' and the manifesting, or the attempt at creating, drastic social change. However, with Mercury retrograde, it wont likely be as effective as intended or as it was planned to be. In fact whatever has been brought up right now, whatever political decisions that have been made will not be permanent or have a long standing influence, for they will eventually be revised and reconsidered later on. With Mars opposite Pluto we may feel a bit paralyzed, unsure of where we should take our next few steps--and this is perfectly alright, because we don't really need to do it right now, but simply reflect on the possibilities. Don't give in to any heavy burden you feel, just go within and reflect on what changes you could make, but don't let fear overwhelm you--let it pass through and teach you.

It would be wise, however, to do something with all this energy, but to allow it to express itself organically as opposed to having a definite objective. If you feel any pressure building up inside yourself, let it out! Maybe you need to run out into a field and just scream and yell, go for a hike, or maybe go dancing and just let yourself get lost in the moment. Whatever it is, some kind of physical activity may be just the thing to ease any pressure just lying under the surface. What goes on out there is only a reflection of what's going within each of us, deep inside. Be conscious of the fact that many may be impulsed by this energy, and that could result in sudden outbreaks of anger or violence if not channeled correctly. If you feel yourself succumbing to this impulse, stay conscious, and breathe instead of acting on it, let your breath move your inner chi, get some circulation going--breathe out the stagnation or irritation. Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, or any kind of conscious movement would be an excellent way of moving through this energy right now.

The Sabian Symbol for the Full Moon reads:

Aquarius 21: "A disappointed and disillusioned woman courageously faces a seemingly empty life."

This seems like a rather dark symbol, but it invites us to look at disappointment and disillusionment as teachers as opposed to tormentors, and it ties in perfectly with the theme of reflecting on the past. Although slightly hindered by events we know nothing about, the woman is willing to face her pain and possible sadness with courage and integrity, she does not allow it to consume her--she's willing to keep moving forward despite any setbacks she's experienced. Anytime we are disappointed by anything, and especially disillusioned, it's because we made an assumption and had a specific expectation. We are invited, however, to see things differently, just as the woman in the image is willing to do. Letting go of our beliefs about life, releasing what we expect life should be, will assist us in unfolding and becoming what we are meant to be aside from our ideas about it. We can avoid a lot of pain and suffering if we are willing to surrender our attachment to outcomes, and just let the universe show us what we're capable of without any kind of intellectual understanding. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't make plans or have objectives, but that we are willing to accept that our projections may change or become something else entirely--and as long as we're not cemented to our visions, we can change along with them as opposed to holding on to what we expected the future to be. Allow disappointment and failure to be a teacher and guide, for we always emerge with more wisdom and strength from such experiences. Whatever comes up for you individually now, learn from it and let it go, because there is no need to dwell on what can no longer be changed.

Image Credits:

Image 1: Aquarius by Johfra Bosschart

Emerging From Chaos: New Moon in Leo & Mercury Retrograde

New Moon @ 07 degrees Leo
Saturday July 30, 2011
11:40 AM Pacific
2:40 am Eastern

This is the second New Moon to occur within the month of July, and will take place in the tropical sign of Leo. In general, the New Moon in Leo invites us to fully embrace and express ourselves, to connect deeply to our inner child, and to play and be spontaneous. In Leo we are impulsed to move through life more subjectively-to really immerse ourselves in the moment and to allow things to just unfold around us. As we set our intentions for this new lunar cycle, see what areas of your life could use some creativity, as greater solutions to problems can be found when we're less mental and more expressive and spontaneous, when we allow the unconscious to pour out organically- in those moments when we surprise ourselves with what we're capable of.

There are, however, several aspects within the New Moon horoscope which invite us to be exceptionally conscious of our ideas and idealizations; on the one hand to loosen up and be expressive, and on the other to be fully aware of how useful and practical such ideas are in the real world. Are we more caught up in conceptualizing things in our minds then we are of actually getting down and experiencing things first hand? Many ideas and ideologies sound great when read on paper, but how functional are they for the real world; do they really work the way we "thought" they would when actually applied to life?

This particular New Moon is highlighted by a Mercury Retrograde cycle in Leo, and because of this, there will be much revision, reconsidering, and restructuring going on in many facets of our lives, but particularly relating to areas of creative development and creative self-expression/actualization. Within the New Moon horoscope there are several intriguing aspects to consider, and some may be challenging to fully integrate- there is a lot of energy that is seemingly at odds. For one, the New Moon itself is in a rather wide conjunction with Venus in Leo, and all three planets are in a square aspect to Jupiter in Taurus. Here we may feel an impulsion to activate, or make manifest, some expansive creative ideal or solution, and yet, with Mercury retrograde during most of this lunation, it would not be wise to implement anything until Mercury has gone direct on August 26th.

This energy is then amplified by all three planets in a Trine aspect to Uranus in Aries, and here we feel a sudden and spontaneous burst of inspiration, which seems to come out of nowhere, and its intentions are highly unpredictable. The best advice for handling all this powerful energy is to simply allow it to flow through you, play with it and experiment. So much of the energy during this lunation invites us to not attach ourselves to any particular outcome, but to remain open and receptive, and simply allow these energies to take us where they want us to go. We don't always need to have a definite plan of action or even any idea of what we're doing at times, sometimes it's through the creative process that our destination will unfold and emerge heuristically.


Much of the energies this New Moon are allowing us to let go of our need for immediate action and assertion, because we've been feeling a sense of urgency over the past several weeks. Now is the time to relax a little bit, try not to be so hard on yourself, and refocus into other directions. The most interesting aspect of all within the New Moon horoscope is Mercury in Virgo, slowing down as it begins to move stationary retrograde, conjunct Transpluto on the 29th degree of Leo, and in opposition to Neptune conjunct Chiron in Pisces. This particular aspect has been quite challenging for me to penetrate, but after I stopped working so hard, suddenly it became much more clearer for me--and I feel that process has a lot do with its intention. The juxtaposition and duality of chaos and perfection emerged from these energies as an overall theme, and this is likely to be extremely prominent over the next several weeks. The universe itself is inherently chaotic, chaos is a natural part of life, and it is necessary for evolution- it keeps life fresh and open to diversity. In the words of astrologer Noel Tyl, we find this gem of wisdom:

"All of life began and begins with this chaos. It swirls through time in purposeful randomness and comes together as uncertain potential. Chaos drives science to explain all this profusion of activity, and then it continues on like a phantom force past where science stops. Yet, chaos is real, and if what is real is what is perfect in the sense that reality is meant to be-then chaos in no less perfect.[1]

Here in the third dimension there is no such thing as absolute perfection, for it will always loom before us as a potential for which we strive for, but never truly within our grasp. This does not mean that chaos overcomes perfection, for the two principles are cooperative, and like light and dark, cannot exist without the other. Perfection in an ordering principal, it is a desire which lies deep in our DNA. Idealism is the 'carrot on a stick' that fuels our desire for perfection, because it is a potential that exists higher dimensionally, and it informs us from within, to reach toward that higher state of being. This all brings to mind the concept of Morphogenesis, the theory which ponders the source from which emerges all material forms into our reality. In a higher dimension--hypothetically the sixth--there exists the code, or the root geometry of all biological life forms that exist on earth. How conscious we are determines how much in alignment we are with this 'ideal' form. "Reaching our potential" is actually a matter of aligning ourselves with this higher vibrational code, and our seeking of perfection stems from this natural process. So, in theory, all of us has an ideal form, or body: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

Evolution urges us to align ourselves with this form as much as possible, but we must also understand that this is a world of both perfection and chaos. The underlying message of this new moon, and the Mercury retrograde cycle, seems to be that we do not have to be "perfect", we are invited to be conscious of our potential and take steps toward aligning ourselves with it, but to be humble enough to admit that we will never fully be the perfect image of that potential in this life. Absolute perfection, cleanliness, and orderliness are illusions in our world. It's OK to make mistakes, that's how we learn and ultimately how we grow.

Awareness of the fact that we made a mistake is truly more rewarding than attempting to avoid pitfalls or trying to be "perfect", for it allows us to adjust ourselves and strengthen our ability to navigate life in the future. Any creative process inevitably asks that we make mistakes, because it is a process, which is a state of unfolding and of becoming. The irony is that when we fully surrender to our potential, when we immerse ourselves in humility, we actually find it much easier to align ourselves with this higher ideal or image of perfection. We need not struggle or "work hard" to attain it, we simply need to let go of our fear that we won't be good enough, or that we don't deserve it. To reach our potential, all that needs to happen is for us to just be who we are, and let go of we 'think' we are, or who someone else told us we were. This lunation asks us to just be, to just flow, and just create without fear that we're going to do the wrong thing, because it's not about the end result, it's about the process.

So, even within chaos, there is an ordered logic, a method to the madness within. Seeing that there is an intelligence within both order and chaos gives a deeper meaning to life and to our existence. Chaos is not random, nor is it truly accidental, it is deeply purposeful and truly meaningful. As we stand at the precipice of this new moon, let us look at the chaos we have experienced throughout life, and reflect on its inherent meaning. How does or did chaos propel us to become the person we are now, in this moment? How can we emerge from chaos, and begin to order things, without focusing solely on attaining perfection? The ideal of perfection we must align with is not the same as our own mental ideology, it is a surrender to a higher idea beyond our own control. It is our ability to assimilate cosmic idealism.

Let's take a look at the Sabian symbol[2] for the New Moon position, and see how it ties in, and weaves itself, with the surrounding themes we've extracted so far.......

08 degrees Leo: A Communist activist spreading his revolutionary ideals.

This image contains much information, beyond its literal meaning. It brings us the visual of someone spreading an ideology, who is an activist, someone who may be passionate or perhaps, even militant in conveying his or her message of personal truth. Dane Rudhyar, in An Astrological Mandala[3], interprets the the symbol as follows:

KEYNOTE: The emotional and ideological attempt to return to a state of non-differentiation and chaos as a prelude to a new type of order.

This symbol, beyond all present-day socio-political controversy represents the activity of destructive or catabolic forces (one aspect of the Indian god Shiva) in answer to the type of confrontation suggested by the symbol for Leo 6. The old order is confronted by the youthful drive for a new way of life and new sense of values. As the old order refuses to yield its prerogatives, this refusal polarizes violent revolutionary action. The revolutionary may have beautiful dreams of a "classless" society free from greed and harsh struggles for survival, but the first practical result of his activity almost inevitably appears as "chaos". Yet to reorganize and differentiate. Alas, such a descent most often is still based on old concepts, and one witnesses a struggle for personal and dictatorial power.

Communism is a political ideology which seeks to break down social and economical barriers to create the vision, or ideal, of a unified and classless society. Its application throughout the twenty first century has taken on some unusual and rather odious manifestations. I am not denouncing communism here, but like all political ideas, its progenitor is the same, as say, capitalism and socialism, the primary political systems spreading throughout the world. These are all mental constructs which originate from the human mind, which is limited and can become highly delusional when solely developed against other faculties. The vision of a unified society is not something new, nor was it solely born from the vision of Marx.

All these political ideas stem from a basic desire which arises within each of us, they are reflections of higher ideals that exist higher dimensionally, they are born out of our desire to emerge from chaos and find salvation within perfection and order, which is a state beyond our temporary and physical vibration here on earth. The polarized ideologies we limit ourselves with today, as the only options for 'saving' humanity from darkness, are fragments of a more holistic picture of how humanity was designed to operate, before we became enslaved by the delusion of separateness. I feel that each of them has many threads of truth, but are incomplete when they stand-alone, and especially when forced onto a unconscious populace of peoples. We experiment with such ideas because it is our attempt to return to that state of unified order and wholeness which exists eternally as our highest potential. This brings me to an illuminating quote from Psychological Astrologer Liz Greene:

"Most Marxists that I have met are very annoyed if I suggest that their political system is really a religious vision, because the Marxist is supposed to be militantly atheistic. But militant atheism is, in American jargon, a dead giveaway, because if a person is really an atheist he simply doesn't care. If he's militant, he's trying to stamp out something in himself"[4].

Marx was born under the cyclical conjunction of Neptune and Uranus, which is historically associated with the emergence of political ideologies fermented with a religious or even utopian vision and undertone[5]. This "vision" did not emerge solely from his mind alone, it was an impulsion which was being shared collectively, and it was seeded by archetypal forces which exist, again, higher dimensionally. What Marx glimpsed was only a fragment of a higher potential that is slowly reemerging since the discovery of these outer planets beginning in the 1700's, they are slowly seeping into the collective consciousness and changing the systems and structures of our world. With that aside, however, what Liz is saying, and much like the symbol we are presented with, is that by aggressively pushing an ideology onto the masses, with any kind of strict militant fervor, we are likely "stamping out" the oppression within ourselves, by projecting it onto the outer world.

When a zealous or dogmatic individual, or even society or government, takes it upon themselves to establish a crusade against "evil" in the world, what is really happening, is a form of projecting the evil within, onto others through judgement, it allows the individual to detach, and in a way, deny that evil within themselves by exploiting it externally. If someone were atheist or nihilist, like Liz is saying here, it is someone who just "doesn't care", there's a releasing of responsibility and attachment through an acceptance that chaos prevails and that ultimately there is no order, whether they truly feel this way or not, we cannot know. If that person were to grab a megaphone to preach that ideology, then they are actually, in a way, denying law and order within themselves, they are trying to stamp out their own divinity, the god within, and their own inner oppression, through trying to 'convert' others to their belief. When we rage a war on something, we end up becoming that which we are fighting, we are secretly consumed by it, because we have polarized ourselves against it, and so it grows and festers within the unconscious.

If you think the world is scary, take a look within, because the unconscious is the puppet master which directs and impulses us toward action in the outer world. We cannot FORCE peace, utopia, unity, and equality onto anyone or any collective body, we can only find it within ourselves. Until the mass majority of humanity realizes this, the application of these ideologies will forever contort, distort, and fail to actualize their full and true potential. Now, the symbol we are presented with is relatively unbiased, it is simply an image, which was seen through the eyes of a detached clairvoyant. These conclusions, are of course, my own, and so the energies we are feeling this new moon present us with the picture of an individual spreading an ideal, one that contains hope and a vision of unity beyond class and segregation. Whether communism is the solution that will provide this in the world or not is really not important here, it is the underlying theme of a revolution, a prelude to chaos and catabolism to create and establish a new type of order.

How does this apply to our own lives and to the collective at this current juncture? This particular New Moon falls less then 1 degree from the true North Node within the United States horoscope, and we can anticipate that the energies and themes emerging from it will be highly significant for the American people. Also of interest, is Mercury's retrograde passage and conjunction with Transpluto at the 29th degree of Leo, opposite the Neptune/Chiron conjunction in Pisces. The 29th degree of Leo was also the location of a rather powerful Super Full Moon which occurred on February 18, 2011, in direct opposition to the asteroid Pallas Athena in the US horoscope.

Of further interest, is the current New Moon in Opposition to Pallas Athena which currently sits on the South Node position within the US chart as well. The transiting South Node is currently approaching the US Mars in Gemini, and so we have many of the same combinations of planets connecting through synthesis. It would appear we are encountering a phase in which aggressive force and action, if applied, will exploit its darker and destructive side, it will not lead to any kind of functional result. If we follow the North Node, we are lead, through rulership, to Jupiter in Taurus, which urges us to get grounded, to slow down, to take small steps, and to be patient and consistent with our actions--this is the complete antithesis to these south nodal energies.

A new cycle is emerging, and with it, we are given the opportunity to create alongside it, with the power of our intentions. Let's be highly conscious of what we are thinking about, or what we truly want to create in our lives and in the world at this time. Whatever chaos we experience is only a reflection of the chaos within ourselves, and the more conscious we are of it, the better the opportunity we have of healing it.

Are we emerging from chaos or are we descending deeper into it? I suppose that's all a matter of perception.....

Mercury Retrograde In Virgo/Leo
August 02, 2011- August 26, 2011

Mercury retrograde can often accompany a three week period of sporadic annoyances and agitations, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a negative thing. The Mercury retrograde cycle impulses us to go back to something, to reconsider things, and to revise our perception of how things work. When we resist this current by attempting to either hold on to our previous beliefs and perceptions, or by trying to push forward with something that likely isn't ready, we will experience set backs, delays, and frustrations. Working with this cycle can actually be a highly constructive and useful process. This is the opportunity to make sure things are in place, and to be certain that they will be functional in the future. If we are aware and conscious at this time, Mercury retrograde will bring to our attention, things that need to be addressed and looked at, so that we can adjust them. This can often manifest in the "break down" of various systems and structures, because there is something missing or something faulty that we need to look at.

In Leo, we are reconsidering several things, primarily creative self-actualization and the utilization of our will. We may also reconsider or revise a leadership status or role, attachment or over-concern with pleasure and solipsistic tendencies, or possibly even matters concerning children, or our own inner child. Because of Mercury's retrograde cycle coming into contact with several outer planets, as well as an opposition to the Moon in the US horoscope, we can anticipate these themes to leak into the collective attention as well as in our own personal lives. This Mercury retrograde invites us to let go of our attachment to our expectations of how life should unfold, and surrender to a greater holistic picture as it emerges from the chaos of the collective unconscious.

Mercury in opposition to Neptune indicates that we must be very cautious about what we choose to believe at this time, we should be highly aware and conscious about what we get caught up in--there is much potential for deception and self-delusion. Before you jump on board with something, go deep within yourself, trust your instincts about what feels right or what feels wrong. Try your best to separate yourself from your ideas or judgements about the situation, and just go with your gut feeling. Avoid making big commitments or plans at this time, they will likely be faulty or unclear. Be very clear in your communications with others, as there is a high possibility of misunderstandings or miscommunication. On the other hand, this can be a excellent cycle for speculating, dreaming, and envisioning what may or may not be possible. We are given the chance to test things out, and judge for ourselves whether they work for us or not. This can also be a time when our perceptions are more heightened then usual, we may notice things we have possibly overlooked.

This cycle may also provide us an opportunity to really gain awareness of our wounds, and fully resolve or heal something within ourselves. Trust what comes to you at this time, let go of control or any sense of urgency, and just surrender to the numinous and divine flow of energy that is coming toward us from the universe. Whatever set back or irritation you encounter now has a purpose, it is not just random chaos, even though it may appear to be so. Look at whatever is brought forth to your attention, and look to how you can improve it or make it more functional. You'll be glad you did.

Notes & References

[1] Tyl, Noel, Synthesis & Counseling in Astrology: The Professional Manual, St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2004.

[2] http://www.sabiansymbols.com/sabian-story.html

[3] Rudhyar, Dane, An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and its 360 Symbolic Phases, Vintage Books, 1974.

[4] Greene, Liz, The Outer Planets & Their Cycles (The Astrology of the Collective), CRCS Publications, Sebastopol, CA: 1996

[5] Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818 at 2:00 AM in Treves, Prussia. The Uranus/Neptune conjunction in Sagittarius, the sign notorious for religious fervor and dogmatism, sits in a wide conjunction to his Midheaven, square to Pluto in Pisces in his first house.

Images

Image 1: Alex Grey, Journey of the Wounded Healer, third panel of triptych.

Pluto's New Moon

Astronomer's have recently discovered a fourth moon orbiting Pluto, and have temporarily named it S/2011, or P4 for short. This fourth addition joins the recently discovered, as of 2005, Nix and Hydra, and Pluto's well known companion Charon, which is the largest of the bunch. P4 is estimated to be about 8 to 21 miles long, which makes it the smallest of Pluto's moons. For more on all the technical jargon, check out these articles here.

From the astrological viewpoint, which is my main concern, this is quite fascinating and brings up some rather interesting questions, none of which I have the answers to-so let's ponder them! Pluto is the first planetary symbol to embody the process of evolution, but it is not the principal of evolution in its entirety, it is the gateway to the "underworld" symbolizing the inherited and surreptitious mechanization of biological evolution, churning deep beneath conscious awareness. Pluto is our initiation into the abyss within each of us we just wish would go away, all those deep and embedded patterns and complexes which run amok in our unconscious--which imprinted themselves upon us against our own conscious will. Pluto represents the principal of creation and destruction-the latter being its favorite means of expression. As a "physical" manifestation, Pluto is very much symbolic of the outer edges of our collective shadow, which we know is much larger since the discovery of the Trans-Plutonian planets-those just beyond Pluto in the deeper and colder reaches of the solar system. Pluto, currently transiting the sign of Capricorn until 2024, is currently at work dredging up the shadow side of our collective systems and structures-our ambition to reach the top and control it all, which we express through the creation of corporations and governments. Pluto's power has just expanded, and with it, our collective shadow, and our ability to process and transmute its contents. Moons serve as processing agents, meaning they absorb and transmute energies generated by the planet they orbit-so the more moons, the more capacity they have to process energy (information).

This news reaches us just months after another Plutonian discovery here. Apparently scientists are baffled by the fact that Pluto's atmosphere is growing in size. Now mind you, scientists have only been observing Pluto for a fairly short period of time, and have not been able to actually see its atmosphere at different stages throughout its entire 250 year orbit--it's distance from the Sun may have an effect in causing fluctuation of Pluto's atmosphere, but this is significant for the unconscious either way. The atmosphere of a planet is symbolic of its fourth dimension, which is where energies reside until they are processed by the Moon(s) of that planetary body. Pluto, symbolizing death, which is complete annihilation of ego and identity, seems to be preparing for some massive influx of energies- Pluto is expanding its capacity to process. What all this means, I have no definite conclusions, but we can anticipate that on a deeper spiritual level, there is some "migration" that is about to take place within the unconscious. Pluto's most well known Moon, Charon, is the ferryman who transported the souls of the dead to the underworld itself. Perhaps more people of the earth are ready to confront this shadow, an omen of an advancement in the evolution of the species. We do know one thing about all this. Collectively, we are ready to go much deeper than ever before, we are all, unconsciously, being prepared to make that journey into the underworld to face our fears like never before. How deep does the rabbit hole go? Only time will tell.

**Transit Jupiter (expansion) in Taurus is currently Trine (120 degrees) Pluto in Capricorn. Uranus (Scientific ideology) in Aries is also Square (90 degrees) Pluto. All expanding our knowledge and understanding of the mysterious archetype of the psyche we call Pluto.

Links/Sources

[1] http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=16152
[2] http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/20/pluto-has-another-moon/
[3] http://www.space.com/12356-pluto-fourth-moon-discovery-hubble-photo.html
[4] http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/04/plutos-expanding-atmosphere-conf.html

New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Cancer: Beyond The Womb

New Moon/Solar Eclipse
July 1, 2011 @ 09 degrees Cancer
4:54 AM Eastern
1:54 AM Pacific

This is the first New Moon of the Summer Season, which also happens to be a rather potent Solar Eclipse. This is the final eclipse of three, the closing of a cycle which began with the New Moon on June 1st. The theme of this particular lunation cycle has been the clearing out and releasing of the past, which will continue throughout the Summer season, given the prominent symbolism in the solstice horoscope. This Eclipse, like the eclipse which occurred in early June, is a south nodal eclipse (occuring near the south node of the moon), and again, relates to a process of letting go, releasing, and moving forward from stagnation. The predominant aspects within the New Moon/Solar Eclipse horoscope are seemingly challenging, and with this in mind we can anticipate much pressure to be imposed upon the collective and the individual, because there is much potential for growth to occur within the ensuing months, and this Eclipse is very much the catalyst for this. As we set our intentions this New Moon, there is much to be conscious of, and much to look forward to, if we can collectively let go of, what no longer serves us. What are you holding on to at this juncture? Is it a lifestyle, a belief, an ideology, an expectation, or an assumption? How can we expand our perception of what's possible so that we can allow ourselves to become more in line with the true intention for our lives? Is it a childish pattern of behavior that needs to be addressed and released? Is it a limiting and restricting perception of reality? Is it a job, a living situation, or a relationship that needs to change?

Humans are indeed creatures of comfort, and we all certainly like to have a sense of security based on routines and activities that bring us a sense of stable predictability. We must balance, however, our desire for security and comfort with that equally powerful desire for change, growth, and evolution. When we stay stuck doing the same thing, when we refuse to let go of the familiar because we fear the unknown, we stagnate evolution and we stop growing and maturing. Individually, and collectively, we are indeed experiencing the pressure to move on, to really reach out of our "comfort zones" to experience and awaken a dormant aspect of ourselves, a piece of us which lies just below the surface of our awareness. This piece is our true potential, that part we all, consciously or not, strive to become when we attempt to "better ourselves". The reality is that it's not about becoming "better", but actually, a process of simply letting go of what we are not, and conversely, embracing who we truly are. Each of us enters this world exactly as we were meant to be, and somehow, along the the way, we lost sight of that inner spark, and we stopped listening to that voice which radiates from the depths of our being. Most of the time we were pressured to stop listening because everyone else did too, or someone told us that who we are was inappropriate or inadequate. If we continue to turn our backs on this divine light within, we will only sink deeper into the darkness of collective delusion which currently beleaguers us from all sides. When doors close in front of us, when things "fall apart", it is often a sign that we are not in synch with divine timing, which means that we are trying to go where we don't belong. The truth is that there are many more doors for us to open, but we just don't see them because we are attached to a certain direction or path we "think" is the right one.

Solar Eclipses are extremely powerful New Moons, and their effects can last for several months. This means that intention is magnified more so than with other New Moons, and they are excellent times for projecting longer range goals. Eclipses in general symbolize the clearing out of energies within multiple dimensions simultaneously. We often experience this as a chronic agitation, or an inner restlessness, because unconsciously there is much that is about to shift and change. This psychic clearing is a natural and cyclic process which happens all the time, but some eclipses are more prominent and noticeable for certain people and groups then others. As a general rule, Solar eclipses tend to relate more to physical changes, and the bringing up of material from the unconscious into the conscious awareness of the individual. This shifting of energies within all dimensions often manifests within earth changes such as thunderstorms, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc, but not always. It is important to be mindful of this so that we can understand that such events are nature's way of clearing things out and releasing built up tension. Lets take a look at some of the aspects within the horoscope of the New Moon/Solar Eclipse. This Solar Eclipse is in opposition with Pluto retrograde in Capricorn, and Pluto is Trine Jupiter in Taurus. If we do not choose to reach beyond our shells of comfort, then we may be "forced" to by external events which work to pressure us out of stagnation. In reality, outer events only reflect an unconscious process within ourselves that we manifested within the outer world. The New Moon/Eclipse sextiles Jupiter, and Trines Pluto, showing us that we can create change and growth by taking things step by step, we do not have to change all at once. However, if we refuse to take these first formative steps, it may appear to us that some external force is pressuring us to do it all now. Jupiter in Taurus is giving us the opportunity to really ground and connect deeply to ourselves, and this is a time when carefully plotted action and strategic planning is highly favored. The South Node in Gemini is conjunct Venus, and the ruler, Mercury, sits at the 28th (anaretic) degree of Cancer. This indicates that there has been a rather long and possibly arduous process of considering options or alternative directions, and now comes a moment of decision, where further indecisiveness will only hinder our need for growth. The potential, the gift, which is Venus, is ready for us to bring forward into the world, we must simply let go of our fear that we'll make the "wrong" decision. When we hesitate we are not trusting our heart, and we are not listening to our inner voice which knows exactly what to do.

Follow your instincts and not your mind, the mind will only bring more confusion at this time. This does not mean that one should jump into action with each impulse, but to very consciously tune into an inner feeling of what feels right or what feels wrong. Saturn also makes a square to the New Moon/Eclipse and Pluto, indicating pressure coming from our relationships, personal or otherwise. Here we feel the need to consider some blind spots, the areas of our lives and personality that we are not consciously aware of. Are we stepping on someone's boundaries without consideration? Equally, are our boundaries being intruded upon by another from their inconsideration, demands, or agenda? How can we become more aware of our relations with others so that we don't step on someone's toes? How can we open ourselves up, come out of our limited and narrow perspective and consider that of another? If we are open to it, relationships provide the greatest lessons and reflections of ourselves, and what bothers or triggers us the most is usually something within us that we refuse to see as a fragment of ourselves. This eclipse is also providing an opportunity to create more harmony and balance within our relationships so that there is more equality and consciousness of give and take. Mars in Gemini is sextile Uranus in Aries and Trine Saturn in Libra. There is much energy for self awareness, as well as the ability to take constructive action through the activation of will, but we must act on this ourselves, because soft aspects do not force us to. We also see an opportunity for the assertion of self interest, to communicate who we are and what we need to others, and this could open some illuminating dialogue with those in our personal lives.

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon reads:

"A large diamond in the first stages of the cutting process."

This symbol compliments so perfectly the configurations we see within the rest of the horoscope. A diamond is a natural "stone", which when found in the earth is in a raw and untamed formation. The cutting of the diamond symbolizes the harnessing and shaping power of the mind, to improve upon, and make more intelligible, pure and raw potential. Here we see quite vividly a process in which we begin, collectively, and individually, of taking that first step towards "perfection", which is to say, to reach the highest potential of what's possible for ourselves and others. Dane Rudhyar, in an Astrological Mandala, has this to say of the symbol:

"The Arduous training for perfection in order to manifest an ideal."

"We are still dealing with the evolution of consciousness and of personality at a preliminary stage. The potentiality of a completely formed mind through which the light of understanding will shine brightly is already in evidence, but much work is still to be done. We may meditate upon the transformation of the "pond of water" (in the preceedng symbol) into a diamond not yet completely cut. The conscious mind must acquire solidity so it can be worked upon by higher agencies-ideally by the teachers of the community. It no doubt must be a painful operation for the rough stone, but the goal is worth the suffering, the heat, the grinding noise...provided of course the diamond cutter is an expert craftsman-a rare case amoung teachers!

As keyword we suggest CRAFTSMANSHIP, here meaning especially the training for perfection."

A lot can be gleamed upon mediation of this symbol and well as Rudhyar's interpretation. What are you striving to create in your life and in the world? How can you shape your ideal, and make it tangible, make it real in the world of everyday life? What can you do to enhance your abilities, your craft, so that you can have the best tools at your disposal to make your dreams a reality? What steps must you take now to perfect this raw and untouched potential within yourself? This may not be the moment when it all happens and comes to life, but the first stage, the first step of anything, is the most crucial to how the rest will unfold. If, as individuals, and as a collective society, we can be conscious during these first steps then we will have a much better chance for success later down the road. How we begin something is as much, if not more important then how it ends up. Like the old saying goes, "It's not about the destination, but how you get there that truly matters".

Image Credits

Image 1: Born From The Sea by Vladimir Kush

**UPDATE:

This particular eclipse isn't particularly strong by itself, however, it occured within roughly 3 degrees from the Sun and roughly 4 degrees from Jupiter in the USA horoscope, at precisely the Sun/Jupiter midpoint. Due to this, its influence is particularly stronger for the collective psyche of the United States, and will have a tremendous impact during its activations from other planets. The symbolism fermented in this article will become more clear and prominent, I feel, as Pluto transits in opposition to the Eclipse position from March of 2012 through October of 2013. Special attention should also be noted for August of 2013, as Jupiter will simultaneously conjunct this Eclipse along with the asteroid Pallas Athena, the goddess of war, intellect, and problem solving. Additionally, Uranus will be in a wide square to the Eclipse, activating it with a first pass in April of 2013. There will also be a grand trine formed between Jupiter conjunct Pallas Athena in Cancer, Saturn in Scorpio, and Neptune in Pisces. I believe this period will mark a very critical and important time for the United States, a time for manifesting and implementing a new vision for the future, one that completely separates us from the ideals of the past. This is likely to manifest as some form of event which will build progressively, whatever that may be, and will cement this realization quite strongly among the American peoples. The exact timing of this culmination is unclear, but will likely occur generally around late August of 2013. We cannot, obviously, control the outcome of these energies or its intention, but we can focus inwardly on ourselves and the processes that arose at the time of this New Moon/Eclipse, and consciously work toward their resolution in our personal lives. The more we heal ourselves, the more we heal the collective, and the more "positive" and constructive outer events in the world will become.

Love & Light

Summer Solstice 2011

Summer Solstice
June 21, 2011
10:17 Am Pacific
1:17 Pm Eastern

"A human being is part of the whole called by us, the universe, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty." -Albert Einstein

The Summer Solstice is a culminating force, bringing to manifestation intentions set at the Spring Equinox. It is here that we begin to see the seeds we've planted coming to form and growing some legs, our ideas gaining autonomy and movement. Look around you, closely, and see just what has emerged from the world of potential and into the actual, nurture and protect it, for it is apart of you, it is your creation. Embrace and love what you don't particularly like, for it is also your creation, regardless of whether it was your intention. This is a good time to gauge just how conscious you are, because what emerges will reflect what your unconscious mind is actually creating! Whether we realize it or not, all of us set intentions at the Spring Equinox, conscious and unconscious intentions, and reflecting on all the things that have sprouted now can be quite an illuminating exercise. As the Sun reaches Solar Maximum, all the life force energy of the earth is at a maximum force, all the organisms of the planet reach a culmination of growth, reaching upwards from Gaia's womb to herald the great ascension of our father Sun, the giver of light and of breath. It is indeed on Summer Solstice that we, here in the northern latitudes, experience the longest day of the year, of maximum light and illumination, and thus it is the ideal time for reflecting on all that it unveils to our naked eye. This Summer energy also ignites the telluric and elemental dimensions, creating a massive influx of fairy, gnome, and elf archetypes which seek to humble us, through the creation of events which often feel like Mercury has gone retrograde. In other words, often things break down, or go missing, or we have some minor irritation or setback, yet to these trickster entities, it's all in good fun, so just have a laugh and try to not take things too seriously. In reality, they just want us to acknowledge them, and so it is often a way of getting our attention, telling us to lighten up and play some more.

This year, once again, the Sun joins the building Cardinal Grand Cross aspect structure, grounding its energies in Cancer within a rather wide orb. Mercury in Cancer also joins this structure, and appears to be a major facilitator of the energies this Summer season, as it exactly squares Saturn in Libra, Trines the Moon in Pisces, is the ruler of the south node in Gemini, and just happens to be within one degree of conjunction with the Solar Eclipse/New Moon that will occur on July 1st. The New Moon on June 1st, which was also one of three Eclipses, ignited a process, collectively as well as individually, of "releasing the ghosts of the past", as the sabian symbol as interpreted by Dane Rudyhar so clearly and beautifully illustrated. This energy will continue this entire summer, as we collectively let go of all that no longer serves us as a species, primarily our judgements of the future, our attachment to logic and rationality, urging us to trust in the divine unfolding instead of trying to control and predict the outcome. With that said, we are likely to see many prophecies and predictions fail to materialize, especially those that are extremely concrete such as "the end of the world", the "ascension of a chosen few", "global holocaust and genocide" and even, "mass landings of UFO's". This Summer solstice is all about humbling the mind, allowing us to slowly realize that our minds are NOT in control, but rather a greater cosmic force indefinitely runs the show. This could manifest as several ideologies and systems stemming from those ideas failing and collapsing, leaving us no choice but to move in a different direction. As I have touched on in previous posts, the collective psyche projects these scenarios because there is an unconscious death wish, which means that there is much pain and trauma to process and release within the collective, and the mind would much rather "die" then have to face it. As we step boldly into the future, we must not give into this annihilating force, for it will only destroy us as a species in the end. We must step up as individuals and face our own pain and fear instead of giving up because "it's all just going to shit anyway". Such a self defeating attitude strips us of our personal power and responsibility, and when the world doesn't end the way we "thought" it would, we're left with nothing but disappointment. When things fall apart it's because something new is trying to emerge, before there is birth there must be death.

This Summer presents us with an intriguing crescendo, it reveals that on a collective level, we are finally ready to accept that the past is behind us, and realize that there is no going back to it. The future looms, currently, as this dark and apocalyptic beacon, but that is only because we are conditioned to fear death and the unconscious. Ironically, the western world is the most consumed by the very thing it fears, and if we are to survive, we must wake up from our slumber and start creating our own lives! The Moon in Pisces conjuncts Chiron and Neptune, and Trines, quite precicely, Mercury in Cancer. Jupiter in Taurus, ruler of the North Node, Sextiles the Sun, and the Sun trines Neptune conjunct Chiron in Pisces. These are such beautiful configurations, indicating that this has the potential to be a deeply inspirational and spiritually enlightening Summer for all of us. There is much potential for gaining a much greater awareness and perspective, of receiving new visions and discovering a new horizon--so get inspired, immerse yourself with the unseen forces that permeate this world, and just surrender to this profound and magnificent energy! It is clear that our world needs to embrace, once again, the spiritual, and such forces are clearly knocking at the mind's door, yet we must open it ourselves and let it in. This is also urging us, as a society, to embrace compassion and love for others, to reach out of our little bubbles and embrace the needs of other sentient beings. It would seem that with all this Neptune and Jupiter energy that there would be a risk of overt idealism, yet, Jupiter is in Taurus, and Saturn, also another major facilitator of the horoscope, squares Mercury, and so we actually have the potential of bringing the numinous into the physical world. Saturn just recently went direct on June 13th (my birthday ;), and many have felt this shift quite profoundly, as a surge of productiveness, of things finally getting off the ground and gaining some momentum. Use this energy to actualize and refine something you've been working on and bring what's been on the back burner into more focus.

Jupiter has also recently moved into Taurus, and has disseminated an energy which is slowing things down, impulsing us to take a moment and smell the roses and the sage. This particular transit is very positive for building and working on some project which requires much attention to detail and nurturing, which will likely get a much needed burst of momentum and inspiration when Jupiter Trines Pluto exactly on July 7th. This aspect between Jupiter and Pluto is apart of a process, and they will meet up again this Fall as Jupiter goes retrograde, and then they Trine again in Spring of 2012, so take your time with whatever you are working on, as it has much potential for success if you can take things step by step, and not rush it to completion. As ruler of the North Node, Jupiter is collectively impulsing us to connect more deeply with the now, and with the natural world. This force is urging us to trust deeply in ourselves, in our own intuition and impressions, and to embrace what we want and what we value. This is not the time for second guessing yourself, and comparing your impressions with everyone else, just trust what you feel is right and you can't go wrong! So, instead of being consumed by mindless gossip in the media or wherever, take some time to yourself, or with a close partner, and connect deeply to the rhythm of nature and of the cosmos, sit by a stream or river, and listen closely to the messages it gives you. As a species, and as a culture, this Summer is all about expanding our perception of what's real, and letting go of what is imagined. What is real is all around us in the natural world, it's been here all along, and it knows what it's doing because it's been doing it far longer than we have. Discover an entirely new dimension of reality for yourself, gain a greater awareness of nature and of reality. Alternately, there is much indicating the need to gather with like minds, to reach beyond our personal barriers and expand our network with those that support us as individuals and for who we are. If we are to create a new world, we certainly can't do it all alone either.

I don't pay much attention to the media, as an astrologer, it helps me to remain more objective by distancing myself from the constant influx of current events. However, I don't avoid it if the universe decides to inform me of something, either through ambiance in the background, or through someone telling me about some event directly. In other words, I pay attention and am receptive to what comes into my reality, but I don't go looking for it. I'm well aware of all "that's going on" lately, such as wars, nuclear crisis, natural disasters, and the threat of economic collapse, but to be honest, none of it surprises me. In the U.S., at least, to me, it's just business as usual. Wars are profitable for big government, any crisis really, and surprisingly, so are "disasters", whether wholly natural or man-made. The recent string of events we are witnessing is simply the result of an unconscious world, it is the crux of a collective psyche which has no intention other than to control and dominate the forces of nature. In our ignorance we have no one to blame but ourselves, and all the events currently going on will further bring this to our awareness. The current transits are bringing to our attention the atrocities done to nature, and the consequences of the abuse of Uranian technology, such as grotesque weaponry used by elitists and governments, and nuclear weapons and reactors. There is an unfolding, however, that is occurring, to slowly condition us to wake up to these realities, and we must trust that the universe knows whats it's doing, even if the powers that be clearly have no clue.

In the horoscope for the Summer Solstice, Uranus and Pluto are in a very close square, within roughly two degrees. Uranus will go retrograde, however, on July 9th, but the influence of this square will ferment the summer season. We will be getting another taste of these "revolutionary" and rebellious archetypes that will come into full swing from 2012 through 2015. This is symbolic of the prep stage for when the two outer planets will get serious and down to business, next year, really tearing down the structures, systems, and ideologies that no longer serve us from an evolutionary standpoint, and replacing them with more functional versions. If we thought that these past few years have been interesting, we haven't seen anything yet. Each of us are being called to cultivate our inner genius and visionary, as this cycle historically correlates with many astoundingly creative innovations and solutions. What was seeded at the conjunction, in the late 1960's, is now ready to reach maturity, and all of us should participate in this co-creation, otherwise someone else will, and we may not like what results. It is important to be conscious when such archetypes are active, and not get swept up unconsciously by some movement or revolution that pumps us up with psychic frenzy.

The western world is still wholly unconscious of these forces, and because of that, we still witness dysfunctional surges of mass hysteria when these unconscious and suppressed forces rise to the surface of our awareness. Many may disagree with me on this, but I feel that revolutions are not functional forms of creating social change, and the only reason we have them is because we are not participating and co-creating with these archetypes ourselves, and instead they posses us, shocking the collective, and creating radical shifts which can cause a lot of damage that must be healed later on. Due to the level of unconsciousness, we simply act these archetypes out, through a momentary catharsis which works to only temporarily relieve these forces, this inner conflict, for a passing time. Our cultural obsession with the film industry is a shining example of how we escape through a drama that is played out, and we can view it objectively, and yet be apart of it at the same time. Every movie consists of a narrative, which revolves around some form of "crisis", which reaches a climax of tension, and then reaches resolution. As the observer, we can project, unconsciously, onto the film, our own inner crisis and dichotomy, and by viewing it, we can compensate artificially, we can live vicariously, through the drama of others, instead of actually dealing with our own shadows. What we experience is a synthetic feeling of relief from tension, a tension which was never actually our own, but projected onto us from some imposing external force. I feel that the same concept can be applied to the influence of planetary cycles upon the collective, because planets in tension, symbolize, a collective psychology that is in tension as well. If we have no true awareness as to why we have such tension in the first place, how are we to resolve it?

The Uranus and Pluto cycle is apart of an unfolding, an evolutionary process that will take place over a period of time, and we must trust that it will fully implement itself when the time is right. Until then, we have brief periods of radical catharsis, which works to shake up the sleeping populace from its prosaic daydream. Evolution will always supersede revolution in the long run, whether we like it or not, and thus a revolution will always recede into the background of the psyche when the cycle is complete. This isn't to say that revolutions don't create change, it is widely apparent that the 60's changed the world forever, its effects were truly irreversible, but eventually, it was overshadowed once again by the Saturnian forces of the psyche, to become but a seed of potential to blossom forth again in the distant future.

Another interesting aspect for the Summer Solstice is Mars at 0 degrees of Gemini square Neptune retrograde at 0 degrees of Pisces conjunct Chiron. The opening degrees of any sign, and primarily 0 degrees, are infantile degrees, which means that the energies placed there are just beginning a new process of unfolding, and often there can be much naivete and uncertainty. Mars is entirely antithetical to Neptune, it seeks to dominate, initiate, take charge, and action, where as Neptune is elusive, mysterious, numinous, and receptive. When the two combine, Neptune has the upper hand in that it is a higher dimensional construct, and thus it serves to humble Mars and teach him that aggression without conscious intention, without some higher form of motivation, is useless and destructive. It is my prediction, that we will be witnessing the beginning stages of mindless war, primarily based on greed and abuse of power, beginning to fail and wane from its position of prominence within US politics. A Neptunian fog will roll in, beleaguering Mars within a sea of ambiguity. How this will come about, I have no idea, but the statement is utterly profound in the exactness of the aspect. Of further interest, Mars is disposited, or ruled by Mercury, which will be "activated" by the powerful Solar Eclipse/New Moon in Cancer. Mercury, ruler of the south node, is indicating that something from the past must be resolved and processed now, and collective events will all involve the breaking down of overt rationalization in favor of a much greater holistic perspective. Mercury in Cancer very literally symbolizes collective ideals based on a false sense of security, and the south nodal eclipse will assist us to release them. The same will apply to our individual lives. Are we holding on to something simply because in the past, it made us comfortable? How can we embrace the truth of the situation, and see that by holding on we are actually limiting our own growth and evolution? With the Mars and Neptune square, we have reached a point where we're not quite sure what next step to take, we may feel paralyzed due to fear and uncertainty. How can we align ourselves with a higher purpose, a higher energy, so that we can take action that is based on truth and is motivated by a desire to transcend personal interests and concerns?

Now, to wrap things up, let's take a look at the Sabian symbol for the midpoint of the Sun and Moon in the Summer Solstice horoscope, which is incidentally, closely conjunct Jupiter in Taurus. The symbol reads:

Cantilever bridge across a deep gorge

Dane Rudyhar, in An Astrological Mandala, interprets the symbol as follows:

The conquest of separativeness through group-cooperation

The person who has suffered deprivation and loneliness can give new substance to his or her emotional life by participating in a collective project. All great evolutionary challenges imply the overcoming of basic difficulties. A step ahead must be taken, yet an abyss confronts evolving man. It is no longer a personal void-an "open grave"-but a chasm that is an integral part of the "land" upon which man's evolution must proceed. A link must be built through the power of the collective mind of the group or of the community at large, on the basis of the legacy of the past, to make a bridge over the canyon. This is the first stage of the eight five-fold process of "Substantiation." The man-made bridge with collective skill gives substance to and demonstrates man's capacity to CONQUER OBSTACLES and to achieve evolutionary continuity as well as expansion in space.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Summer Highlights
(dates listed for Pacific Time Zone)
July 1- New Moon/Solar Eclipse @ 9 degrees Cancer; Mercury enters Leo
July 3- Venus enters Cancer
July 7- Jupiter Trine Pluto (Venus opposite Pluto and Sextile Jupiter July 8th)
July 9- Uranus Stationary Retrograde
July 14- Full Moon @ 22 degrees Capricorn
July 28- Venus enters Leo; Mercury enters Virgo (Mercury opposes Neptune)
July 30- New Moon @ 7 degrees Leo
August 2- Mercury Stationary Retrograde
August 3- Mars enters Cancer
August 4- Neptune Retrograde enters Aquarius
August 8- Mercury enters Leo
August 10- Mars Opposition Pluto
August 13- Full Moon @ 20 degrees Aquarius
August 21- Venus enters Virgo
August 26- Mercury Stationary Direct
August 28- New Moon @ 5 degrees Virgo
August 30- Jupiter Stationary Retrograde
September 8- Mercury enters Virgo
September 12- Full Moon (Harvest Moon) @ 19 degrees Pisces
September 14- Venus enters Libra
September 16- Pluto Stationary Direct
September 18- Mars enters Leo

Notes and References

[1] http://aeoluskephas.blogspot.com/2010/03/actors-as-mediums.html
[2] Rudhyar, Dane, An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and its 360 Symbolic Phases, Vintage Books, 1974.

Image Credits

Image 1: The Last Supper by Vladamir Kush

Horoscope

Mental Liquidation: Lunar Eclipse/New Moon in Gemini

New Moon/Partial Solar Eclipse In Gemini
June 1, 2011
02:03:24 Pacific



This month's new moon falls in the sign of of duality, Gemini, which embodies the initial archetype of diversity and the dispersal of information in its many manifestations. It also happens to be a partial Solar Eclipse, taking place in the south nodal direction, and thus relates to a process of letting go, releasing, and transmuting past and outgrown energies. In Gemini, we are releasing past prejudices, judgements, petty details, and overt reliance on facts and numbers in favor of a much bigger and greater holistic picture which transcends all mental constructs, indicated by the North Node in Sagittarius. Jupiter, the dispositer of the North Node, sits at the anaretic degree of Aries, thus indicating a critical karmic shift taking place within the collective psyche, suggesting the need to expand into new directions and new frontiers entirely, literally taking the road less or never traveled. The Eclipse itself isn't particularly significant in its strength, considering its wide distance from the South Node of the Moon, however, it is involved in a strikingly dynamic grand trine with Saturn in Libra and Pallas in Aquarius, as well as a rather wide, and poignant T-Square with the Neptune/Transpluto Opposition. This is a strikingly clear Air grand trine, and thus relates to the mind, creating a closed circuit construct within the collective, indicating that many may be impulsed to dwell on and even get stuck thinking about some cause or event in which they have no control, and possible obsession with problem solving and attachment to one's own ideas, especially if such ideas are rejected by others who don't see eye to eye. This can generate the archetype of intellectual snobbery, fueled by a delusional sense of superiority. Alternately, if used correctly, this can generate some great new and innovative solutions, while also being conscious others. Our way out of the structure is through the Solar Eclipse/New Moon itself, which squares the Neptune and Transpluto conjunction, and this is urging us to see deeply past our delusions, and also, to not get too caught up in overtly rational solutions or explanations for problems- seeing that reality is not static as the ego/mind complex would have us believe, but rather, reality is constantly changing based upon our collective agreement of it. The Neptune/Chiron conjunction in opposition to Transpluto, is stirring up a very deeply ingrained mythos contained in our collective memory, the myth of Christ, yet it is working to reveal the true Cosmic Christ as a spiritual and archetypal entity as opposed to a physical person who will one day return to Earth generated by the past two thousand years of a messianic/savior delusion. This all brings me to an interesting collective event which has recently transpired which got a lot of collective attention. As we know, if you're familiar with my blog and or with a Jungian perceptual lens, collective events reflect a society's collective psychology, they are tangible symbols informing us of our intangible unconscious state.


Recently a man named Harold Camping has been the object of much focus and attention, stirring many to prepare for the apocalypse in myriad ways, or alternately, to gather with others to poke fun at and ridicule what to the current "educated" worldview seems a superstitious and primitive way of thinking. Both reactions to the event, one in naive subservience, and the other in the state of patronizing mockery are unconscious responses to an archetypal current within the collective psyche seeking resolution. In other words, both positions take on the role of an authority who believes themselves superior enough to pass Judgement on others. For the believers of Harold, an unconscious Judgement process takes place in which only the "followers of Christ" are permitted access to the rapture, to ascend into heaven before the earth is annihilated completely by God. The majority of mainstream Christians appear to perceive Harold and his followers as a fringe and radical group, but Harold is only reflecting, albeit unconsciously, the very beliefs through which the followers of modern Christianity feed into and inherently give collective power to. It is only the end result of a collective psychosis seeking healing and, again, resolution. If we are to grow together as a collective organism, we must see such events as opportunities for healing, and thus projecting our own unresolved anger of being judged by someone onto Harold is really satisfying only the ego by 'numbing the wound'. Harold has come to our attention, because he serves to assist us to collectively resolve, and thus gain freedom and autonomy from the messianic/savior complex that has plagued our mass psychology throughout the duration of the "Age of Pisces". This is illustrated quite clearly in the Neptune/Chiron conjunction currently in opposition to Transpluto. He may be judged as a "false prophet", but he is simply playing a role, one that in my opinion is a highly crucial one, he is allowing us to finally LET GO of our desire for saviors, and allow us to ACCEPT our role as co-creators who are responsible for their OWN salvation. The messiah delusion is not limited to only Christians and the followers of religion, because it is an unconscious collective mythos, it permeates every facet of western society, infecting every branch of politics, science, religion, and even the new age paradigm itself. Harold is a step towards the final death of this collective psychosis, because if we are to shift into a new awareness of reality, into an entirely new worldview, all previous complexes cannot be allowed the infect the new.......

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon/Solar Eclipse reads:

A Negro girl fights for her independence in the city.

In an Astrological Mandala, Dane Rudhyar interprets the symbol as follows:

Keynote: Liberation from the ghosts of the past

While "newly opened lands" theoretically offer virgin fields for experience, in fact those men and women who reach them find themselves conditioned by their own past. They carry the ghosts of their former lives and the memories of collective social patterns with which they had identified their egos. Every new beginning is surrounded with ghosts (or personal and social karma). The racial struggle for equality of opportunity must go on, even if this equality is officially guaranteed by the Law. The struggle is within and takes many forms. The Puritans brought to the theoretically "New World" the fears, the fanaticism and the aggressiveness of their European existence, and these often grew more virulent under the conditions found in the New World. But no field of activity is ever totally "virgin". It has its inhabitants, and they cling to their possessions or privileges. Whoever seeks to be truly an individual must be liberated from the past.

Rudhyar really hits it home with this interpretation, and I don't think I could have analyzed it any better myself. This brings us the answer to a very important question, especially while being conscious of the current energies we are dealing with, such as the Uranus/Pluto square which is furthering the growth of the seeds planted in the mid 1960's, and that question is: Why do so many revolutions fail to bring true authentic change? Because they are inherently infected by the ghosts of the past, because the new form attempts to conform to the old, and thus has no opportunity for a radical break from the past. Many of the radical and revolutionary insights and visions brought on by the 1960's were eventually contaminated by the very systems it sought to break down. Yet, from a more Lucid astrological perspective, it is clear that what happened at that time was not meant to fully solidify but rather germinate until the time is ripe for flowering and culmination (theoretically in 2024). The symbolic meaning of Harold's prediction about the end of the world allows us to look at our collective fear of death, which unconsciously projects into the future the remnants or shadow of an unresolved collective trauma into the mythos of the apocalypse[1]

A more in depth look at this subject is a bit beyond the scope of this article, and will have to be covered at a later time. For our purposes here, it is important to be conscious of these energies and how they are playing out in our collective drama, as well as the drama of our own personal lives. In looking at our own lives, and as we set our intentions which are greatly amplified by the Lunar eclipse, let us look at how we can completely break from the past, how we can heal the ghosts, the past and unresolved wounds, and create something entirely new without much hindrance from these shadows. This doesn't mean that we annihilate the past, for it offers us much lessons and gifts, but we mustn't allow the past to completely condition our future, we must have the ability to let go of what is no longer functional for our lives. Looking to your own life, how do these archetypes have relevance? Are we sitting around waiting for someone or something to save us from our predicament? What is keeping us from making change ourselves? Are our wounds so painful that we wish, unconsciously, we could simply be delivered from our suffering without having to face it? It's much easier to project all our hopes for salvation onto some figure who represents the change we refuse to create ourselves. Until we as a species realize our own power we will forever be disappointed with our saviors, and our prophets. In the end, such prophecies of doom stem from an unconscious fear of annihilation, which is a fear that belongs to the mind, and to the ego, which are temporary constructs the soul chooses to use throughout its incarnation. All fear is illusion, it serves us no useful function other than to shut us down, and incapacitate our senses, leaving little energy toward the more useful fight or flight mechanism. From the occult perspective the apocalypse is the unveiling, it lifts the veil of fear to the truth of infinite bliss. Hardly the end of the world.

Harold's prediction didn't unfold, and everyone had a good laugh, or possibly a good cry, and went back to business as usual. A day later, Harold emerged from his home in California to announce he had, once again, miscalculated the date of the rapture, and that the new date would be October 21, 2011. This date is strikingly close to the proposed actual end date of the mayan calendar on October 28, 2011[2]. No, I am not proposing that Harold is right and that the world will end, but I am saying that Harold is acting as a channel, because he is highly unconscious of the archetypes which impulse him, which is informing us, through symbolism of the Judeo-Christian mythos, that something is in fact happening to us, a powerful yet subtle shift in consciousness, just as the mayan calendar indicates. The Mayan calendar does NOT predict the end of world, but rather records and predicts evolutionary leaps within human consciousness in synch with the entire cosmos. The "end of the world" scenario is projected by the mainstream media because it is an unresolved collective fear and trauma stemming from a catastrophe our species experienced long ago. What we need here is a LIQUIDATION from the past, to clear our cluttered minds and make way for new visions for the world. This clean slate allows us to step up and strive for our actual and currently hidden human potential, which is veiled by a cloak of fear. We need to let go of our dependence on prophets and saviors who take away our power, our free will, in favor of a delusional scenario in which all our problems suddenly vanish without the need for processing and resolution. Revolutions are not the objective, they serve no functional role than to shock the psyche into a new evolutionary pattern; the true objective is Evolution, which is a conscious unfolding with divine intention. This unfolding is governed by time which is mirrored in the cycles of the planets, and if we can be conscious of these cycles they will no longer possess us collectively.

As we set our intentions this Lunar Eclipse/New Moon keep in mind that your intentions are being greatly magnified, positively or negatively. The results of what we intend this New Moon will have much farther reaching consequences than with other New Moons. How can you completely break with the past to create an entirely new frontier? How can we free ourselves and find liberation from the ghosts that hold us back? What's keeping us from being who we were truly meant to be? How can we let go of our ideas of the future, our judgements and assumptions of the unfolding so that we allow ourselves to just unfold and trust in divine intention? Take some time this New Moon to simply clear your mind, get more grounded and connected to what's real, whats tangible in the now, so that we can get clear about what we want to create in this magnificent world.

"No one is so godlike that he alone knows the true word. All of us gaze into that 'dark glass' in which the dark myth takes shape, adumbrating the invisible truth. In this glass the eyes of the spirit glimpse an image which we call the self, fully conscious of the fact that it is an anthropomorphic image which we have merely named but not explained." -C.G. Jung, Flying Saucers

Notes and References

[1] For further reading on this subject and thesis I highly suggest Catastrophobia by Barbara Hand Clow

[2] See the work of Carl Calleman, www.calleman.com

Image Credits

Image 1: Gemini by Branka Brmbota
Image 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Harold_Camping_2011.jpg
Image 3: Unknown source