Uranus in Aries ~ Activating the ‘Central Spiritual Sun’

“Now is the first day of the rest of your life.”…

Last night’s Full Moon commemorating Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree – Saka Dawa Duchen, coincided with a mega astro event, which happens only once every 84 years, as Uranus crossed zero point of 0 degrees Aries – an indication of how we are now collectively up for something completely new and different, which will put fire in our soul adding a spark to intuitive wisdom.

As it traverses the zodiac in its 84 year cycle, every seven years planet Uranus shifts sign. Uranus is a transpersonal, generational planet known in astrological circles as ‘The Great Awakener’. At its most illuminated electrical vibration it represents the alternative viewpoint and the altruistic mind; as well as having evolutionary spirit Uranus can also be disruptive chaotic rebel, with or without a cause. Uranus is totally unpredictable and often symbolically present at accidents. I find it interesting that during the last weeks of Uranus in oceanic Pisces, as it conjunct magnifying Jupiter (traditional ruler of Pisces), we witnessed an oil spill in the ocean, the likes of which we have never seen.

The impact of Uranus changing sign is often witnessed and felt suddenly, in a matter of weeks, especially if we look among our peer group and see how we as an individual relate to those we consider helpful and/or influential. How the unexpected manifests, as a bolt from the blue, an abrupt shift, a hasty retreat or rapid rise will be shown through house and sign placement in the horoscope, as well as by natal generational archetype and aspects they make to the current Uranus placement.

For the past seven years Uranus has been in spiritual Pisces; where a noticeable evolution of the heart-mind is evident, especially through technological networking – Uranus rules all things scientific and cyber. And, unless operating from the lower end of a potentially totalitarian Uranus in deceptive Pisces, the company sought was sensitive and supportive when going beyond the boundaries of traditional or conservative faith, to elevate one’s soul with utopian dream peopled with kindred spirits. We will touch base with our beloved brethren again, from August to March ‘11, when Uranus retrogrades back in Pisces (to clear up the oil spill some more perhaps) but until then, for a few short months, we are going to get a taste of things to come, as Uranus moves into Aries and a whole new era begins. Because Uranus is visionary, one eye will be firmly fixed on self, the other on how the team plays. And, unless one is mindful, the two are not necessarily mutually inclusive.

The move of Uranus into Aries brings into focus all things vibrant and exiting – new directions, new friends, and a new cause to champion. Summer thrills double in intensity, as Jupiter, the planet that magnifies swiftly follows into Aries on June 7th. These two planets, Uranus and Jupiter, at the zero point of Aries galvanize group action. It may be worth noting how Uranus rules space and new technology, while thunderous Jupiter rules the Sky and truth. We may not see any mass mobilisation of awakened spirits until the lunar eclipse of June 26^th and the solar eclipse July 11^th, when ‘Thunderbirds are Go’, and the mission is nothing short of activating the ‘Central Spiritual Sun’ with the Grand Cardinal Cross of 2010 to awaken us to Divine Consciousness. Note: Aries rules the head and Uranus the pituitary gland.

On a relative level a Cardinal Cross is challenging in so many ways, with Cardinal signs especially feeling the pressure to move into a new dimension and leave behind the old paradigm. This Cardinal Cross at the equinox and solstice 0 degrees points, so finding the loving balance between autonomy and relationships, stability and status, at the same time as dealing with negative outside influences.

Even in the midst of the trying Uranus Saturn opposition, we have been urged to take personal responsibility in order to have the freedom to create positive change. This is because Uranus and Saturn have been locked into a long-drawn out opposition that started way back in October ’08, with no less than five exact hits of this 45 year cycle, which I have mentioned more than once. And now we have one last exact polarisation to come: on 26 July Uranus and Saturn line-up and call for a careful balance of independence and reliance and confidence in governing relations. As Saturn is also about to go forward in a couple of days, on 30^th May, we may feel the need to personally restrain, especially in regards to stress and really make an extra effort to detox before summer kicks in with a powerful eclipse that quickly follows the Solstice.

It’s likely to get hot in more ways than one around mid-summer’s night – only a month away - so now is the time to jump to it, make use of Uranus in Aries initiative and swiftly order immediate surroundings such as files and paperwork, because fun and sun are bound to beckon us to come and play and, at the same time, elevate human consciousness!

As always, thanks to the Visual Alchemist Bill Brouard for his 'Pop Shaman' and Awaken Aries Woman; astrology news for the saturn-uranus illustration; creating the light body & Buddha lotus ♥ _/\_ ♥ ૐ

Saturn's new ring expands our own circle of influence

In retrospect it’s been an extraordinary start to autumn. But when any planet opposes the awakener, Uranus, we should always expect the unexpected! Uranus invokes an intense kind of awareness that comes from out of the blue; so it was with surprise and delight that during this current Saturn-Uranus opposition we suddenly advanced our knowledge of how the solar system works - and hence, from the astrologer’s point of view (because all of creation is interdependent) we now also have a greater understanding of what makes us tick.

Only a few days ago we discovered that Saturn, planet of responsibility and discipline, boundaries and recognition, has a previously undetected 3 million mile wide ring around it. From the metaphysical perspective this signals an extension of our own boundaries, to start being responsible, specifically for others outside our immediate circle. Astronomers needed hi-tech infrared cameras to view this absolutely massive ring. This also suggests we need new and different tools, especially for effort and work to be recognised, so that everyone can benefit from the altruistic intention. Saturn is currently in the last degrees of Virgo, symbol of body-consciousness, intelligence, and order. Tools that will work, to quote Dr Deepak Chopra, to ‘Train the Mind and Heal the Body’ are now called for; tools which are essential for personal, intellectual and spiritual expansion, such as analytical meditation or yoga, that stretch both mind and body. Virgo also governs the intestines, and is associated with our daily routine; so the importance of eating well, sleeping well, exercising well, and generally looking after oneself becomes mega significant to move into this new phase of human evolution. One of the easiest ways to maximize productivity is through time management. Time is Saturn’s speciality. Over these next few weeks it will be helpful to note which hours in the day are easier to work or play, eat or sleep - to be aware of peak performance; then aim to utilise and increase efficiency. Interestingly, in beautiful cosmic synchronicity, on the very same day of the astronomical discover another ring was announced, this time on solid Earth, at Stonehenge; Saturn, as ‘Time Lord’ rules stone and all things old and institutionalised.

Soon Saturn will change signs. On the 30^th of October (just in time for Halloween!) the celestial representative of karmic consequence moves into its’ rulership, Libra, the sign of partnership, justice and fairness, beauty and the scales. This shifts the responsibility from not only being sensible about one’s own mind, body and spirit, but to being accountable for others’ well-being too. Be prepared: the next two years the emphasis will be upon creating honourable and loving associations. The message is clear: If you want to be loved, be the person you would like to love.

We’ve also seen Obama instil the concept of peace into the heart of the World. On the same day the Moon was ‘bombed’, nominally in search for water. The two events might not initially seem linked, yet the moon reveals beautiful astrological associations: the Moon rules water, the tides and our emotions, is ruled by the zodiac sign Cancer, Cancer is the sign of America, Obama’s Venus (symbol of value) is in Cancer; and on the day of his Peace Award, the transiting Moon conjunct his Venus. What goes around comes around! The bombing, for some, might also be seen as wounding of La Luna and thus the feminine. Remain resilient and calm: Untold female strength is yet to be revealed. Womanly charms are about to be given control, as influential Saturn moves into cool and charismatic Libra, precursor of peace and love.

Natural Great Peace ~ Autumn Equinox 09

“Rest in natural great peace this exhausted mind,
Beaten helpless by karma and neurotic thoughts
Like the relentless fury of the pounding waves
In the infinite ocean of samsara.
Rest in natural great peace.”

Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche

According to the Buddhism, we're born with an innate ‘Natural Great Peace’, sometimes called our ‘Buddha nature’ – inherently luminous, calm and peaceful. But as we develop, grow into and work with the denser material world, we can lose sight of the light and the ability to access that most sensitive part of ourselves we might now label ‘cool’. For whatever reason, environmental, learned behaviour, or social conditioning, we often find it impossible to let our mind’s settle. Running after one thought or another means we end up chasing our tail - way off mark from the serenity or calm we’d like to be in while we deal with life’s constant flux and flow of change. It’s as though our dark side delights in overwhelming our radiance, to stultify us with fear and foreboding. Yet today is Equinox, when equal day and equal night is marked by the Sun moving into harmonious Libra, the sign of the scales: an internal balance between yin and yang enables us to pacify tension and stress, made especially easy by watching the breath. Libra is of the Air element, intellectual and rational; it shows how to control negative reactions and stop spiralling into a negative vortex purely by noting the breath; and this could gently push the ‘sensible’ button. Breathing short and fast is stressed; but long and slow and even breath is relaxed and paced.

And with the spirit of the Sun at a Cardinal point today, such as Libra (22:19 BST), it adds internal power and authority and the conviction to find our own light, without having to look outside of ourselves. That said Libra is the sign of partnerships, seeing how others are not a projection but a reflection of our own true peaceful nature.

Influencing the will to restore is also seen by two other sets of planetary dynamics currently constellating: In earthy Virgo, the practical sign of healing are Venus, Pallas Athena, Mercury (still retrograde) and Saturn. This is quite a combination indicating the need to take care of, and nurture others, as well as our selves and most importantly, boost our immune systems as naturally as we can. Healthcare is such a big issue these days, not just because of this stellium in Virgo (a stellium is when three or more planets are grouped together), but a celestial theme continued with the triple conjunction of expansive Jupiter, curative Chiron and spiritual Neptune, all in the collective sign of Aquarius. The urge is to be idealistic and go for boosting the critical spiritual mass.

Of course, we could all be being hoodwinked, but a lot of good news filtered through the media this week, in my humble opinion: net neutrality rules (very Saturn-Mercury), Tobin tax, Gross National Happiness, and a commitment to climate change adjustments in Copenhagen this December, and perhaps most encouraging of all is a call by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, for global and nuclear disarmament. This may be because the recent third of the five Saturn-Uranus oppositions (the next are April and July) put the onus on Saturn to be more reasonable than repressive, thus prompting hope and faith. Which is just what we need right now, because the task of taking care of billions of people at the same time as empowering the human spirit is crucial, especially if we are to evolve and enlighten.

credits: The glorious painting of yin and yang is by Jim Thompson & the mandala is the Peace Garden at the London War Museum.

Dream Healing Caduces

We all have an image in our mind of how we are. For those whose egos are as Royal as Buckingham Palace, it’s a vision of excellence, of someone unable to do anything wrong or make mistakes. For others who only see faults, foibles, and that tiny little spec of fluff on your shoulder, the picture is far less grandiose; and one that can so easily feed a poverty mentality held in the grip of fear and loathing. Neither viewpoint is that healthy or nourishing: one too pompous, the other too narrow; it takes a certain kind of understanding to realise that while no one is perfect, everyone is precious: an awareness of self in relation to others.

A false perception of how we associate with the world can lead to feeling disconnected in so many spheres: in relationship to people, money, work, even reality itself. Yet all is never lost. Especially while healing Mercury, also planet of the mind, is stationed (to go retrograde on Monday) in rational Libra; the sign of peace and loving harmony shows how a balanced viewpoint comes by turning towards the middle way. This way of ‘intrinsic awareness’ allows us to see how our own life is reflected by everything around us, through others and our environment; if we take this further then we can perceive how one’s mind is also reflected in the body. And with the light of the life-giving Sun now focusing upon health-orientated Virgo, the connection to our physical wellbeing is seriously emphasized.

So how do we achieve this balanced state of intrinsic awareness, of self-acceptance with a healthy mind and body? The most direct way is through meditation, yoga, prayer, dance or poetry, or any other activity that promotes insight through non-analysis. During this Sun in Virgo ~ Pisces Full Moon (exact Friday at 5pm BST), a powerful solar-lunar association activates the dream and the achievable, to unify form and the formless, the real and phantasmagorical. Best note where the Virgo-Pisces axis lies in your horoscope, and prepare to synchronize mind and body with Divine Spirit. Take time to sit and breathe and observe how thoughts show up in your physical being, through tension and stress. And take care, as Samskaras from previous lives can also come to light when developing an equanimous mind and the heart of compassion.

Note Mercury is going to go retrograde in Libra early next week, heading back into purist Virgo on the 18th. Ordinarily, when any of the yearly three ‘Mercury Retrograde’ periods come up, astrologers warn about re-reading every last word of legal fine print at least twice before signing upon dotted lines, and to be aware that transport and postal delays should be factored in if sending or travelling – and still expect things to go slightly out of whack. But this next Mercury retrograde is no ordinary backward sliding passage, as the planet of communication lines up with an authoritative and realistic Saturn, which remains in opposition to radical Uranus (for another year yet), suggesting we all need to continue looking in a responsible manner at alternative measures for ways to make our lives secure and calm, open and free, without feeling oppressed, descending into anarchy, or resisting change.

So keep an eye on any balls you have in the air right now. Make a mental note of all you’re thinking about, how you process and juggle those thoughts, and the potential outcome of any analysis, because you might well be going over similar ground mid-September and again mid-October. Remember, experience counts, and forewarned is forearmed.

Staying on a practical note: if making (any major) decision over the next month, the most appealing option might be to sit on the fence whilst weighing up all options, (even asking other peoples’ opinions, if necessary professionals) possibly up until mid-October. Before pronouncing any sensible and responsible judgement, you may ironically go through an extreme transformation of causes and condition that enables something or someone to really flourish for years to come.

Saturn direct & the Raven

Yesterday I met an inspirational Raven in the Cevennes Mountains. His watchful eye fixed upon our approach, and as this bewitching bird spread his massive wings to fly we could see he was bigger than the Bonelli’s, the local eagle, with a wingspan of maybe 4 feet, he knew exactly where he was going. Black Raven is Saturn’s bird; and this encounter felt like a direct message from Saturn himself.

Realistic Saturn, symbol of responsibility, cause and effect, is now at station 14 Virgo, and about to go forward from having being retrograde in Virgo since New Year’s Eve. Which means that all year we have been collectively reworking issues of authority, discipline, and karma by going over old ground in order to go forward. Saturn’s lessons maybe slow but are none the less magical, tainted by patience, acceptance, and fortitude.

Raven is also one of the most intelligent birds, associated with thought and memory, past and future. Links to fate are inextricable, as Raven flies into the void to retrieve necessary wisdom. From Sunday 17th May we may find it easier to reap rewards for the hard work we have done so far this year – re-treading an old path can lead to new views.

Mythology abounds about Ravens, death and rebirth a popular theme: the smaller Corvus corax cousin, the Crow, has even been associated with the birth of many Dalai Lamas, including our treasured Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama.