nil desperandum -> patience & forethought win out ~ New Aries Moon 2011

A New Moon in the sign of the Ram renews hope and optimism, as additional seasonal momentum propels one fearlessly forward.  Such drive is helpful, particularly as the start of this lunation heralds massive and potentially disruptive sudden change, from which there is much to learn. New projects, ideas or adventures that recently appeared ‘all-systems go’ may quickly reach a momentary high, leading to the need to slow down one’s mind and ride this New Aries Moon, 3^rd/4^th April, with focus and attention. 

Dramatic developments demand an alert mind ready to seize opportunities that stir the compassionate heart into positive action. Since the Spring Equinox (21^st March), when sensitive Moon conjunct boundary-marking and restrictive Saturn (read cuts) we’ve increasingly witnessed rising levels of dissatisfaction across the world over too little autonomy, status, or stability, without a modicom of which the relationship to self and other’s – including the Divine - struggles to find balance.

Now that a cluster of planets assemble in the confident but sometimes reckless sign Aries, the astral prospective is as antagonistic as it is assertive. In a push to seek volition and establish autonomy we may realise sudden new growth. But push too far, too fast, or be too furious, violent and competitive, and any or everything could backfire. Anger management is therefore high on the current celestial agenda, not only to avoid sticky situations but also to question rivalry as well as consider the kind of authority we respect, while the heavens point towards individual freedom within ethical limits as means of ruling responsibility.

Mercury, planet of communication and all we ponder, is thankfully in retrograde motion, which means we now take time to revise, reconsider and reprogram; in Aries, we can begin to understand how the mind works; Aries provides the bravery to reassess how we think and, perhaps more importantly for the impetuous Aries, to consider the RAMifications (couldn’t resist the pun!) of our most personal thoughts and actions. Being hot-headed, anxious, or intolerant is not the same as being keen and eager. This is one of those occasions when more haste really is less speed and the Mercury retro could work in our favour.

In esoteric astrology, Mercury rules Aries, signalling how important it is to contemplate before we act upon asserting our beliefs and thoughts – even for only the Aries nano-second. This association between the first sign of the zodiac, Aries, and the heavenly messenger, Mercury, suggests single-minded thoughtful focus, to be genuinely mindful, as shaping life in truth requires courage as well as reflection, especially if we are to understand life’s mysteries.

The Buddha said “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”

The most dangerous enemy to ardent Aries is its’ own over-heated impatience. Aries can be impulsive, acting quickly to see fast results; self-absorbed and unaware that others can be more cautious, needing time to reflect Aries can soon run up against a wall, spent and out of steam. To avoid such worst case scenarios, make the most of retrograde Mercury in Aries, affording these three precious weeks of reflection. 

In Tantra, fire represents knowledge; in astrology fire symbolises intuition. With SIX planets in fiery Aries, the Spiritual warrior advances as instinct aligns with ‘right understanding’ (from the Buddhist 8-fold path).  Those planets are Dynamic Mars (at home in Aries), BML, altruistic Uranus (hierarchical ruler of Aries), soulful Moon, Spirit Sun, expansive Jupiter AND retrograde Mercury, all oppose the confining Saturn, bringing to a head the recent 3rd and FINAL hit between Jupiter and Saturn (phew - enough already ;) thank you Goddess; this is the last seriously low point of a 20-year cycle): Blazing expansion and high-minded morality are again face-to-face, balancing all points between healthy self-assertion and making sure other’s also have a fair deal. Even-handedness is a major and ongoing deal (until 2012 – at least), and particularly karmic for the (internal) authority that ought to come from the heart.

Talking of which, it is spring (in the northern hemisphere), which rules wood and the colour green: the colour of the heart. Wood represents organic expansion, with influencing wind element; green is also the colour of Tara, the Tibetan Goddess who is the Great Mother Liberator. We call on her wisdom to quickly overcome the many obstacles to the planet and in our personal lives. “Om Tara tuTara ture soha”

SAGITTARIUS ~ Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun ~ evolution of the HEART

Sagittarius ~ Sagittarius Rising

5^th Solar house Jupiter/Uranus Aries (4^th Pisces Sept-Feb/March)

8^th Solar house Moon in Cancer

11^th Solar house Saturn-Mars-Venus in Libra (August 2010)

2^nd Solar house Pluto in Capricorn
For the cosmic overview click on the 
Cardinal Cross of the Central Spritual Sun 

In true Sagittarius optimistic style you could be totally in your element throughout this period of the Cardinal Cross: immersed in intense and dramatic events that demand you expand consciousness and grow into your fullest potential.  Your ruler, beneficent Jupiter, is intricately involved with this tight celestial formation in the early Cardinal degrees, tying together intimacy and finances, friends and romance. This combination of all: love, money and pals, could become a knotty problem if you choose to avoid being the visionary that you are destined to be. Freedom - as in having the freedom to think, move, speak, and to be free from fear and want, is your driving force. 

For someone usually independent and self-confident, who exudes a crazy kind of wisdom, you could also sense that you now need to align with kindred spirits of a more practical nature.  Saturn currently in the sphere of hopes and wishes suggest your pragmatic association means you can be part of something valuable, serving the wider collective with a high Bodhisattva ideal. Indeed, Saturn in Libra, the sign of harmony and love residing in a place which exudes optimism and hopefulness suggests altruism that comes from the heart.  As Saturn is now with the relationship planets, Venus and Mars (August 2010), also in this sector of co-operative alliances, you may also find there’s also an attraction to people in a position of power and authority. This is good, BUT make sure any target of your affection is also available, as Saturn can encounter complications; perhaps time plays a karmic factor, as in out of time, or not enough time.  Nonetheless, with Saturn in Libra, relationship plays an enormous role during the Cardinal Cross. Any association must now afford you the autonomy that allows passion to flare and love to grow; for this is the way your central spiritual Sun will radiate.

Throughout the coming year, as it has been for some time, aromantic world is full of surprises.  In many ways life is what we make it; and as you see the best in everyone and everything around you, you will also excel even in dramas not of your own making.  A Centaur already aware of how love is a constantly moving , circular process, could renew commitment in front of friends, so you can a) show everyone just how loyal and loving you are, and b) have a good excuse for a party.   

On a more serious note, the planet that packs a mighty punch, Pluto, now retrograde in zodiacal bank, is making a challenging aspect to your ruler Jupiter (also retrograde); this places you face-to-face with personal and financial responsibilities, and birthing new earthly creation by cutting back and letting go. Now is the time to become pure love with a light heart, taking care of old problems with a renewed sense of doing things. From the humanitarian perspective any work you undertake could be very enjoyable.

With an eye on the main chance, Sagittarians are often more willing than most to take a risk. Yet while your ruler, optimistic Jupiter makes this challenging connection to powerful Pluto, the planet of shared assets, in your valuable fiscal sector, you’d do well to count to ten before making any serious outlay of your own. Co-create and co-operate: Learn to value what you have to give and vice versa, share what you value. Going it alone could be three steps back and it may be a long time – several months – until you noticeably go forward again. Stay alert and seize that moment! 

This is no ordinary period of time: Be prepared to experience all kinds of thrills and spills. Munificent Jupiter conjoined awakening Uranus some time ago in your solar 5^th house, blessing the heart of romance, fun, and creativity: You may be getting used to being perceived as prophetic, benevolent and slightly outrageous.  By allowing the heart to remain in the present, whilst open to an uncanny ability to project into the future (which may be a source of frustration and tension for a stuck-in-the-mud traditionalist, who refuses to move with the times); far-sighted thinking will ignite a spark that fires-up imagination, providing fuel that attracts new people and new tribes, also giving you a cool and calm cache, so those with influence will want to engage with this loving, trusting, spiritual you. As an aside, a close relationship offers a way to invest deeply rewarding activity that transforms your life and, at the same time, provide lasting security. Bear in mind how Jupiter repeats this planetary pattern again in February, and it is of similar strength, so it could take a while for you to find balance and meaning in your life’s work.  Meanwhile, enjoy the natural tenderness that comes from being with kith and kin, which in Buddhist terminology is the triple gem: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

In actuality, deep in your heart-of- hearts, these issues of freedom which you are drawn to explore, without any attachments to hold you back is the same carefree attitude, coupled with a current love of wanting to do whatever you put your mind to, that will actually take you the places that you dream of - ultimately allowing you to find your central Spiritual Sun, through valuing liberating truth and selfless love.  When the Moon in Cancer makes her monthly appearence in your domain of tantra, aligning heart to mind  deepens faith and provides karmic insight. 

Jupiter opposition Saturn ~ August 16th 2010

The mandala here is the pattern created by the interactive cycle of Jupiter and Saturn, from a helio perspective. With Michael Erlewine's encouragement, I've recently been looking at helio charts, which are scopes from the Sun's p.o.v., as opposed to the normal geocentric. It seems that Helio scopes may well be integral to awakening the Central Spritual Sun.

Today, as Jupiter opposes Saturn for the second time in a series of three, and from the geo p.o.v., we are at the second petal marker of that cosmic looking trefuille, three-leafed clover right in the middle of the mandla. From a Helio perspective, however, Jupiter is already back into oceanic Pisces, overflowing with compassion, kindness & love ♥¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•♥¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•♥¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•♥¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•