Taurus New Moon - April 21, 2012

The day before Earth Day the Moon is in the first earth sign, Taurus. Connected to the Egyptian goddess Ma'at>matter>mother, the foundation of manifestation. It rules the sensual and all sensory experience. We connect to the outer world through our senses. We take in information through sight, sound, smell, touch, taste...then process it and interpret it.

With Neptune in Pisces we have access to other senses. How will this affect our thoughts and ideas? Perhaps we will be more able to connect with animals, plants, beings on other dimensions. We will come to understand that our dreams are perceptions from another dimension...not just fantasy...but experiences.

Taurus also has to do with our resources, talents, gifts. During these difficult economic times, we need to recognize that we are more than our stuff, that we have inner resources we can call upon and, most important, we are not alone. We are part of the Creation. We have alienated ourselves willingly or should I say willfully!

Most of us, especially the young, spend way too much time indoors and connected to electronic media of one sort or another. We have lost touch with Nature. This New Moon is conjunct Ceres the Great Mother, Goddess of the Harvest. Her daughter, Persephone, was abducted by Pluto (God of Death and Transformation) and taken to Hades, the underworld. While she searched for her daughter and mourned her absence, Ceres (Demeter) made the earth a wasteland. In her preoccupation with the loss of her daughter, she ignored her duties as Earth Mother and let everything die.

Lately, there have been many shows on KPFA radio about the nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi. As far as I know, since I never listen to them and don't have TV, the corporate media have moved on, as if it's over. There are others who continue to monitor the situation. I heard yesterday that if there is another earthquake of at least 7.0, the pools that are containing the released contamination will not be able to be maintained. If they break, it will mark 'the end of civilization.'  Now you tell me, what is the likelihood of an earthquake in Japan or nearby?

Pluto released on the world. Ceres lamenting her daughter and paralyzed by grief. We need to help bring Ceres back to life so she can restore the green earth and put Pluto back underground where he belongs. No more nuclear plants. No more oil and gas pumped out of the ground. We need to implement alternative sources of energy - sun and wind, and discover others. We need to stop using so much. We are more than our stuff and if we don't finally get that...we will all perish. Dire, yes and true.

So this New Moon and Earth Day, make a commitment to use less gas, electricity and plastic and to spend more time in Nature. Plant something, even if it's just a pot of geraniums on your deck or in your window. Get closer to the green while you can.

I want to end with this quote taken from The Mountain Astrologer April/May 2012 issue:

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, were nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." (John Muir)

2012 is the Year of Astrology

Time to get a reading to see what is in store for you for the coming year! There are so many significant transits going on, there is no way you will not be affected.

Pluto in Capricorn forms exact squares with Uranus twice next year.
Uranus (revolution, rapid-unexpected change) will be in Aries (god of war, pioneer, explorer), for the next 7 years.
Neptune (dreams, spirituality, mysticism) in Pisces (Source, unity), it's home sign.
Pluto (god of death and rebirth, transformation) in Capricorn (government, economics, corporate control).

So while there will continue to be upsets in the world, there also will be the opportunity for spiritual awakening and connection to the Divine and inspired creativity on a grand scale.

Your chart represents the sky when you were born. It is like a map of your life showing past influences, present circumstances and directions for future growth and progress towards your mission.

With a focus on Pluto (soul's purpose), the lunar nodes (past and future), Neptune (your spiritual nature) and Uranus (past-life memory and unresolved issues), my readings help you see the big picture of your life - helping you write or if necessary, re-write the story of your life.

To support intentions you set for the next year, I can make you a personal flower essence blend, for an additional charge.

An astrology reading is a great gift for the 'person who has everything', if you know anyone like that. I sure don't but...everyone can benefit from an astrology reading. An unusual gift for those odd balls in your life!

Pay in advance through Paypal leaving your email or phone # and I will contact you to schedule either an in-person reading or a phone reading.

I highly  recommend the new Pluto book by Mark Jones, "Healing the Soul: Pluto, Uranus and the Lunar Nodes". See sidebar to order. Mark Jones from the UK combines his psychotherapy practice with astrology, hypnotherapy and other modalities. He was part of the Evolutionary Astrology conference on "Astrology, Reincarnation and the Soul", which took place in Denver, 2010. His work on identifying trauma signatures in the chart was paradigm changing. My practice has been raised to a higher level after receiving this information. My increased understanding of myself and the effects of past-life trauma has been healing. I am now writing a book on the transformational potential of trauma. Get this book!

Astrology classes I am offering.

An Introduction to Astrology course offered at San Joaquin Delta College through Community Education on Monday nights starting March 7, 6:30-8:30pm for 6 weeks.
This is for beginners... the basics. Signs, houses, planets etc. Learn what are they talking about when they say "mercury retrograde" or "saturn return"? Go to their website to register.

At Songbird Community Healing Center in Cotati, CA

Pluto and the Evolution of the Soul a class which presents the basics of the evolutionary astrology method as created by Jeffrey Wolf Green. The focus is on Pluto and the Lunar Nodes. This is a stand-alone class, but, is the pre-requisite for the up-coming 4 week course - Pluto Through the Houses which starts in April.

The one day Pluto class is offered on Sunday, February 27 from 2-4pm, then again on Saturday, March 5 from 2-4pm. We plan to offer it one more time before the 4 week class begins.

The four week class Pluto Through the Houses will be On the first and third Saturday in April (2 and 16) and first and third Saturday in May (7 and 21). You must have taken the Pluto and the Evolution of the Soul to sign up for this.

You may take the whole 4 week course or just the part that pertains to you. There is a reduced fee for the entire course.

Register here on this blog or at the Songbird website.

You Are What You Eat - Full Moon in Cancer

This up-coming Full Moon in Cancer, January 19, sort of crept up on me. Although it is still officially winter, I can feel the energy of Spring. I think it is due to the up-coming ingress of two planets into Aries - Jupiter January 22, Uranus March 12.

Time is moving faster as Jupiter moves into Aries, soon to be followed by Uranus.

Projects that I have had on a back burner for months are suddenly manifesting. My Virgo ascendant keeps saying "not ready! wait! stop!" But my progressed New Moon in Gemini in the 10th house is ready to roll.

First new offering is my Pluto Through the Houses Course. A four week course featuring Pluto as viewed through the Evolutionary Astrology perspective.

Each week we will cover three house/sign archetypes. You have the option of taking the whole course for a discounted price, or just the one/ones that relate to you.

Everyone must take the Introductory class, which covers the basic principles of Evolutionary Astrology and the role Pluto plays in the chart. It will be offered three times so that you have a chance to take it before the Course starts in April.

The dates for the Introductory Class are:

Sunday, February 27, 2-4
Saturday, March 5, 2-4

They will be offered at the Songbird Community Healing Center in Cotati.

The four week Course will be first and third Saturdays of April and first and third Saturdays in May. April 2 and 16, 2-4pm and Saturday May 7 and 21, 2-4pm.
Each class is $25.00 or $90.00 for all four.
The Introductory Class is $15-$25 sliding scale

Register here at the PayPal button in the sidebar or through the Songbird Center website.

Now on to this Full Moon. Cancer, ruled by the Moon often represents the Mother or the Nurturer. That which sustains life so that it can reach maturity (Capricorn).

Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer says, "The first water sign (Cancer) teaches about feelings, family and food; how emotions function as our spiritual GPS; the importance of where, how, and with whom we live; and what helps us to grow."

It is important that she connects spirituality to emotions. In the West at least, we often connect spirituality with thought and the mind. We believe, often unconsciously, that emotions are connected with the body, which in the Christian tradition, is often considered the source of evil. Actually you cannot separate any of it. It is all a system - the body affects the mind, the mind the emotions, the emotions the body. What came first - the chicken or the egg?

Spiritual technologies that seek to control the mind and thought often leave out the next crucial part. It is not the thoughts themselves that affect us, but their relationship to emotions. If you have a thought and it is neutral...then no effect. But if a thought sparks an emotion (which it often does) then you have a bodily response and that can be detrimental to your health and well-being.

It might sound indulgent to say that being happy is good for you... but it's true! Being happy can be a result of gratitude, it does not mean you just bought a new Lexus!

Happiness is not dependent on your status or accomplishments although Hollywood and Madison Avenue have learned how to manipulate us so well, we now associate happiness with whatever they tell us we should have, be or do. They learned early on how to control us and they do. Most people are totally unaware of this type of programming.

Lately I have been watching T.V. a lot because I have been visiting an elderly relative. I have not had T.V. in my home for nearly 17 years because of where I live. I had heard horror stories about what has been going on there, but I had no idea how bad it had gotten. After a couple nights of watching T.V. I began to have an uncontrollable desire to eat. Being the analytical person I am, I sought an explanation for this insatiable hunger. I realized that it was due to frustration. Watching T.V. made me feel powerless. The one thing I could do, was run to the kitchen during every commercial break and grab something, ANYTHING to eat. I was eating stale crackers!

Why frustrated? One thing was the flashing images... they have speeded everything up. There was no time to process what I was seeing. Just as I would begin to wrap my mind around something, the image changed. I never got to see what the result was or even what happened next. Some shows were extremely bad. The worst I saw was Inside Edition. They spent more time saying what they were going to cover than actually covering it. It was hard to tell what was the content of the show and what was an advertisement. After awhile, it didn't matter. It was all sound and action bites, which left me 'hungry' for the meal....which was in the kitchen.

So we have come full circle to Cancer (which rules the stomach) and food...that which nourishes us.

We have to learn to eat what is good for us, not what is dished out by the media. We need to turn the electronics off. We don't have to take it in. We need to feel the effects of the things we consume...whether it be ideas, food, images, sounds - whatever. Limit or reject that which feels toxic, because it probably is to you. So what if people say "you are too sensitive." How can you be too sensitive? Especially if you have to 'toughen up' to withstand it?

"You are what you eat" was a slogan that came out at the end of the 50s. It was probably part of a T.V. ad (ha!ha!). But it is true. And it refers not only to food but to all forms of energy that enters your body.

It is especially important now that we are going through this huge energetic shift to feel the effects of everything and anything you are exposed to and to limit or stop contact with whatever makes you feel sick.

Learn to take care of yourself. Don't ingest poison in any form.

There Are No Coincidences - Full Moon in Aries September 23, 2010

The Full Moon this month is on Sept.23, 6 hours after the Fall Equinox. It is said that times like these energetic gateways are opened. I call them portals.

At zero degrees Aries, it is the beginning point of the zodiac and thus is the start of a new cycle.


Just today, I scheduled my first Astrology class at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. It will take place next (Spring) semester. I have been wanting to leap into teaching astrology and was invited to do so today. This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to it joyfully.

It turns out that the Sun on this Full Moon is only 2 degrees from the Super Galactic Center (SGC) at 2 degrees Libra around which our Milky Way Galaxy turns. Saturday, September 25, I will be teaching a class on the Galactic Center (GC) according to Mayan belief. When I scheduled the class, I did not 'know' we were at that point. So, a class on the GC just a couple of days after passing by the SGC! WOW talk about portals.

Although the Sun crosses the point of the SGC every year, it is extremely rare for this to coincide with a Full Moon and in connection with four outer planets.

Stephanie Austin says, "The SGC functions as a homing beacon, a transmission of stellar intelligence streaming across millions of light years, impelling us to embody the energies encoded in our birth charts."

It takes courage to do that and Aries is all about courage. Consensus reality controls us more that we would like to admit. Even our rebellion against it is conditioned by it. What would we do if we were truly free? If we had unlimited choice?

The work I am doing now, after the recent Evolutionary Astrology conference in Denver, includes identifying those hidden fears and beliefs that keep us from our best manifestation.  Jeffrey Wolf Green says that nearly all of us are born with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to past life trauma or trauma experienced in the womb. The rest experience trauma some time in their early childhood years. This trauma serves both to condition us and to teach us. When acknowledged and processed, it can lead us to our greatest gifts. It is one of the factors that leads to evolution... the soul's purpose on Earth.

Another coincidence is that I am currently working on a chart reading for a person whose natal Sun is conjunct the Super Galactic Center. I likened his situation to that of a butterfly ready to leave the safety of the cocoon he has lived in for most of his life, spread his wings in the Sun and fly free and beautiful.

Stephanie Austin in her article in this month's The Mountain Astrologer (which I read after I received the image), quotes the Sabian symbol for this Full Moon: "In a collection of perfect specimens of many biological forms, a butterfly displays the beauty of its wings, its body impaled by a fine dart; the immortal archetypal reality that a perfect and dedicated life reveals." Well, I can do without the impaling part, but the rest is inspiring. In fact, impaling is part of what we need to shed at this time.

My client's birthday is September 26 and his life has been one of dedicated service to family and friends. He strives for beauty and harmony in all areas of his life.

There are so many indicators that this is the time for transformation for all of us. The Grand Cross we are all being affected by includes Jupiter/Uranus/Moon in Pisces/Aries on one corner, Sun/Saturn in Libra opposing, Pluto/North Node/Ceres in Capricorn squaring with South Node in Cancer opposing - 8 oppositions and 15 squares. Only the inner planets are not involved, although Mercury in Virgo trines Pluto and the North Node.

We are coming to the end of the Piscean Age, where we were taught to believe that we must suffer in order to grow, that being spiritually oriented meant we had to be poor and alone. Those days are over.

Full Moon in Pisces - August 24: The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn

As we approach the upcoming Full Moon in Pisces on August 24, I'd like to tell you about the astrology conference I went to last week in Denver, Colorado. Last time I was there in '08 was for the UAC conference. I guess it is a desirable place for conferences as it is situated in the heart of the U.S.


Sponsored by the Evolutionary Astrology Network, the theme was Astrology, Reincarnation and the Soul. Pretty deep stuff! And it was. The speakers were: Kim Marie, who spoke about The Shifting Reality of the Soul (Pluto and Saturn); Mark Jones, who spoke about Trauma and Healing (Uranus); and Patricia Walsh, who spoke about Understanding Karmic Complexes (Pluto and the Nodes). We learned about three sign/house combinations a day for four days.

The material, as you can guess from the titles, was both intense and transformative.

One night Patricia demonstrated her method of past life regression and working with past lives, known as Deep Memory Process/Regression Therapy created by Roger Woolger PhD. All of us were deeply affected by watching her work with the brave soul who volunteered. Some were so triggered by it that they had to leave the room. Many were crying. It stayed with us throughout the conference.

Mark Jones spoke about the Aquarius/11th house/Uranus relationship to Trauma that Jeffrey Wolf Green brought through in his Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul books I and II published in the '80s, and in his many workshops and seminars.

JWG said that 85% of the population is born with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome due to past life trauma, trauma in utero or at the time of birth. This is reflected in the astrological chart by Aquarius/11th house/Uranus and planets in hard aspect to these archetypes.

This is a radical idea but can be explained briefly like this. Society (Saturn) seeks stability and security for its members. In general, change is seen as disruptive, so there is a desire to restrict change. At the same time, the souls of the individuals living in a society seek evolution. If there is no way for people to grow and evolve, or if the natural impulse is constrained or restricted, there will be a build up of pressure leading to revolution. In a sense, revolution leads to evolution.

The same thing occurs at all levels from the individual to the collective. Evolution is the natural impulse and it either occurs at a slow but constant rate, like growth of a plant, or it occurs suddenly and precipitously and is interpreted as a crisis. Crisis - sudden radical action forces change. This can cause trauma to the psyche.

Another way of looking at it is that if we refuse to 'do our soul's work' something in our life will happen to 'force' us to do it or die.

Other sources of trauma include war, natural disaster, violent death, etc. These things leave resonances in the soul and are re-experienced in the current life.

Traumas that occur in the current life get replayed and thus re-experienced, in the mind and can affect us in all areas of our life. They, in effect, create 'buttons' that can be triggered in any number of ways.

Uranus is associated with long term memory and includes memory stored in the soul over lifetimes.

I was so intrigued by Mark's teaching that I had a reading from him the day of departure. I have had many astrological readings by numerous people over the years. Since I have been a student of astrology for nearly 40 years in addition to doing readings for other people myself, I have studied my own chart a lot. Mark's reading explained the core challenge of my life. It totally shook me up. His words touched me deeply. No reading or interpretation of my chart has ever had such a profound effect on me.

I'm sure you have had people say 'you have to get out of your own way'. What does that mean? Or - 'you always sabotage yourself.' Great! But how? Why? What can I do about it?

Sometimes others see the effect that trauma has had on us, but cannot help us understand what the trauma was, nor how to heal it.

Looking for the 'trauma signature' in a chart, if there is one (and remember 85% of people are born with PTSD according to this method), we can begin the process of deep healing.

This brings me back to the upcoming Full Moon in Pisces.

Jesus brought in the Piscean Age. The Pisces/Virgo axis has to do with victim/perpetrator consciousness. Through lifetimes, we have been on one side or the other.

When we look around at the world today, we see both. On one level, there is an incredible amount of suffering going on. The daily news is full of catastrophes, wars, disasters etc. All these victims, all these perpetrators. It's constant.

At a higher level, there is no trauma. This is all illusion, since it has to do with life on the planet, and not the soul level.

Have you ever heard the expression, 'the darkest hour is just before dawn'? We are on the verge of the Aquarian Age. The paradigms are about to shift radically. New archetypes are manifesting. But just in case you didn't get the message about 'victim consciousness,' the gods want to give everyone one last chance to experience it. This is the message I get from all that is happening.

If you wish to stay in victim consciousness there is ample opportunity. But if you are ready to ascend to the next level of evolution, you can. Understand that there is a higher purpose for the Earth and all life on it.

As Caroline Casey says.... the gods are conspiring...that is, breathing with us.

Mercury went retrograde yesterday in Virgo - another player in the victim/perpetrator game. When your computer breaks down, resist the impulse to feel victimized by technology. Instead, go outside and feel the Earth beneath your feet and thank Mercury for 'forcing' you to take a walk!

See the opportunity rather than the restriction.

I am thinking a lot these days about Nelson Mandela. Imagine a man in prison for 27 years who was released and later became President of his country! What if he had been swallowed up in anger and self-pity about his circumstances? What if he had 'believed' that his life was over? At the same time, how could he possibly know the outcome of his life? What sustained him through all those years of imprisonment? Then ask yourself what you would do in similar circumstances.

To assist you in doing your 'Pluto work,' I have developed a set of flower essence blends called: 'Pluto Through the Houses.' A blend of flower and other essences deliciously flavored with Pomegranate and Hazelnut liqueurs (to make the medicine go down easier) formulated to work with the issues of each house. See the picture in the sidebar.

You may want to work with your natal house placement of Pluto, the house it is currently transiting, or both.

There is also an Aroma-essence Spray which includes the Pluto Blend I developed scented with essential oils to use as an environmental enhancer or cologne.
If you decide to sign up for the correspondence course offered through the Evolutionary Astrology Network (Kim Marie's link) please mention my name so I will get a commission.

Mars Retrograde - Streetcar Named Desire

On Sunday, December 20, 2009, Mars goes retrograde in Leo. Since the cycle of Mars is around 2 years, it usually remains in any sign around 2 months. Mars goes retrograde every other year. The complete retrograde cycle, including stationing points and 'shadow' periods, makes it so that Mars will stay in the sign of Leo for around 8 months. Mars went into Leo on October 16, 2009 and will stay in Leo until June 6, 2010.

Mars represents the archetype of action, the instinct to become and go after what we want in life. In western astrology, Mars is the god of war, although in mythology, Mars never killed anyone.

The sign of Aries, ruled by Mars is a fire sign that has an instinct to act and speak without thinking. Like a child, Aries is pure, no ulterior motives. Aries people need a lot of physical activity and have a hard time staying still. They need to move and because of their impulsive nature, can be accident prone, especially when out of balance.

Mars/Aries needs complete freedom to be who it wants to be and shape its own reality. This is increased when in Leo, another fire sign.

Mars in Leo has an incredible urge for creative self-expression. There is a need to be the center of attention, no matter what the consequences. By any means necessary... so that the person may resort to clowning or acting out, just to get the attention that is craved. The behavior is without malice however, and the person who blurts out the secret they promised to keep, did so naively, not wanting to cause harm, just wanting to have something to say or to be noticed.

Retrograde... all this external expression is frustrated... stopped even. Depending on the person, this bottled-up energy could become toxic if there are not ways to let it out. For those who have a regular exercise routine or spiritual practice, there will be an increase of energy to channel and work with.

In general, retrograde periods are times to review, reflect, revise and I would add, rest and restore. Thankfully, this retrograde is occurring in the winter when most people are not as active anyway. The weather and the holidays tend to keep people indoors. It is very important that we find suitable outlets for the pent-up energy or we may find ourselves in conflict with others over minor issues.

This is a good time to do some strategic planning for projects to be launched in late spring/early summer.

In Evolutionary Astrology, Mars represents conscious desire, while Pluto represents unconscious desire. There are two directions for the manifestation of these desires - one is separation from Source (manifestation on the Earth plane), the other returning to Source. This is part of our nature and the cycle of Creation. We are supposed to separate fully, then return. Only when we have satisfied all separating desires, can we be ready to return.

This is one of the major problems faced in religion and spiritual groups. There is a tendency to discredit and even demonize earthly existence. People want to transcend this level of existence in favor of 'higher' dimensions, reunion with God, bliss. But the whole intent of Creation is that you BE HERE NOW! You were born to have a human life which includes relationships, work, emotions, etc. There is a purpose to this, even if we cannot see it. You cannot pray away your separating desires, you must exhaust them. Which means, they must be acted upon and expressed and... the results must be faced as well. All of it: the good, the bad and the ugly. This is part of natural law. At our current level, things appear to be divided into polarities that we call 'good' and 'bad'. This is the level of manifestation on the Earth plane. The more we try to deny it or ignore it... the longer it will take to complete and harder to accept.

Just look at all the so-called spiritual and religious leaders who end up in prison (or who should end up in prison). The natural expression of sexuality if repressed becomes evil, toxic and criminal. The natural expression of the desire for material possessions, if denied, becomes embezzlement, theft.

So during this long period of Mars retrograde, deliberate and well-thought out action - while slower - will be well-rewarded. Take the time to think about what you really want to create for the rest of your life.

For many of us baby boomers, this Mars retrograde in Leo will conjunct, at some time in the next 8 months, our natal Pluto. At that point, unconscious desires may become conscious. Some of you may be surprised and shocked at what you find out about yourself.

Take these revelations as gifts. Your unconscious, which usually manifests itself in dreams, will be more available to you during this period. This can be very helpful, because you may find out that, in fact, you have competing desires. Part of you wants success in the world while the other part wants to be hidden in a monastery. Part may desire wealth, whereas the other part took a vow of poverty. This will be a time to re-evaluate then, possibly, take new vows. But remember, you always get what you want - eventually. The trouble is that we have not yet mastered time and space and so... when the thing we wanted comes along....the timing is wrong. Or, more often, we did not ask for enough. When you are broke, 10,000 seems like a lot. But 10 years later when you get a windfall, it is not enough. It would be better to want prosperity, which, of course, is relative.

We tend to 'want' specific things. During this time it is can be useful to think about how you want to feel - this need not be dependent on circumstances. Believe it or not, you can 'feel' gratitude any time... all the time, no matter what.

This may be a time to release some of the separating desires... to see that we really don't want to party all night anymore. We are really done with that. And it is okay. Or to see that we have gotten into habits due to the circumstances we are in and that certain things just do not fit anymore. When we are in social relationships, we may find it difficult to change because of the expectations of others. But...using the courage of Mars...the adventuring spirit of Mars...what do we have to lose to find out? Maybe the other person/persons want a change too. We have to have courage to be ourselves, even if that means we are alone.

One of the aspects of Leo is the need to be loved and admired by others. Fearing rejection, we conceal our true nature. A life spent like that, is a life not lived. It is a life controlled and owned by others. No one should be the author/authority of your life but you. Don't worry about who will love you. Who will you love? Love yourself first.

"This above all: to thine own self be true,/And it must follow, as the night the day,/Thou cans't not be false to any man" from Hamlet by Shakespeare. You know Hamlet, he's the one who said, "to be or not to be, that is the question." Indeed, that is the question. Do you want to live your life or not and how do you want to live it?

If you want be loving, honest, compassionate, forgiving - start with yourself. How can you be honest with others if you lie to yourself? Living someone else's life... saying you are doing it to keep the peace or whatever the reason, is the act of a coward. Blaming others for your cowardice is (to me) a crime of the spirit. It takes courage to live your own life, but if you do, it is worth it. Remember the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz? He wanted courage. He wanted to know that no matter what, he was loved. But he had to take a chance in order to find what he really wanted. There are no guarantees.

Take this time to slow down and look inside to find out what you really want. When Mars turns direct at 0 Leo on March 10, it will be time to begin to act. Mars will be completely out of the shadow May 17, 2010 and you should be launching your new life at that time.

For an astrological reading, contact me by leaving your email in the comment section. I will not publish it.

To learn more about Evolutionary Astrology click here.

The Value of Contraction - Less is More

Pluto in Capricorn is about maximum contraction. Since we have just gone through the opposite, that is, Pluto in Sagittarius, maximum expansion, this is particularly painful. Just like trying to squeeze into those jeans you wore in your 20s after two kids and gaining 20 pounds. Can't be done. Gotta shed some pounds. So that's where we are, all of us. And it feels awful. Depression is 'widely available'.

Liquor and fast food sales are up, even though more and more of us know the dangers of both. People want a quick fix for the psychological pain. People want to 'feel better,' if even for a moment.

I myself am grappling with this daily. Since I cannot go outside to my garden (due to my broken ankle), I have to dig deep into my inner resources. Meditation, chanting, repetition of mantra/wazifa is very useful since it helps you train your mind. Stopping thought is useful at this time, when what we are doing is not necessarily working at solutions with our thoughts, but rather beating ourselves up with self-sabotaging recriminations.

Flower essences, essential oils and tinctures have an incredible ability to soothe, heal and inspire. All very important at this time.

It is not about 'not feeling'. Among the tasks of Saturn and Capricorn is to evaluate what works and what does not work. To have the courage to admit that we don't like our life and then to change it. This requires feeling the pain. Pain is a message. Something is wrong. Don't mask it (of course if it is overwhelming and paralyzing, you have to manage it). Take the time (Saturn/Capricorn) to review your situation.

The next step which is so aptly put in the Serenity prayer adopted by AA.

"God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference."
Attributed to the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

This is one of the most useful messages that has been delivered to humanity in the last century.

About 18 years ago, while working at a domestic violence shelter, I was doing research on addiction. I read a series of books by Anne Wilson Schaef about the addictive society. Her best known one, When Society Becomes an Addict, opened my eyes to the role our culture has in making us all addicts in some way, so as to encourage consummerism.

Before we can stop our addictions we must 'admit we are powerless'. We must stop thinking that we can live forever, do anything we want, anytime. In a sense, the New Age Movement that expanded in the mid 80s, and promised us that we can have it all as we create our own reality (which usually included more stuff), has been co-opted (as the 60s were). Yes, even Michael Jackson died. Didn't you think for a moment that if anyone could figure out a way to live forever, he would? He could certainly afford to pay for whatever technology could come up with. For those who consider themselves 'spiritual' there are now millions of books, DVDs, CDs and catalogs full of all the accoutrements required to be 'on the spiritual path.' "Have you seen the latest yoga mat?"

Among the gifts of my recent 'confinement' is seeing what I actually NEED. Now that my ankle is nearly back to normal, I see that I am beginning to WANT again. The wanting is what causes me discomfort. About halfway through this confinement, I arrived at a state of contentment. A time when just being was all I could do and it was enough.

I hope to retain the lessons I learned. The gift of a broken bone (bones ruled by Saturn/Capricorn, ankle ruled by Uranus/Aquarius). Currently Chiron, shot in the ankle, is in Aquarius (natally in my 6th house of health). In my Solar Return chart for this year, it is at my midheaven (conjunct the 10th house cusp. The 10th house traditionally ruled by Saturn/Capricorn. Try to tell me that astrology does not work.

If you are feeling depressed right now, take it as a sign that you are alive and awake. You are not numbed out. Take the time to review your life. Feel what is not working anymore and try to understand why. Change what you can. If you can change nothing about the external situation, do an attitude adjustment.

One way this can be done is to invite the 'problem area' to tea. With friendship and kindness, ask it what it wants from you. What it wants you to know and learn. What is the lesson in this? is an extremely useful question to ask yourself on a regular basis.

Try to avoid 'why me?' because that is a victim stance. Instead I suggest you look for the lesson. I have found that when I can do this, I may come to value the 'problem' for the gifts it has brought - the 'virtues' of patience, humility, compassion, surrender etc. As soon as I 'get it', the 'problem' often goes away.

We can use plant guides and messengers in the form of flower essences and essential oils to support us in our own process. They work on a subtle level. They don't do the work - we still have to do it, but they can help us focus and have more clarity. They can take the panic away so we can think. See my herb blog.

If you wish assistance, I am available for astrology readings and flower essence sessions. Leave your contact info in a comment.

Discovery of Pluto - Harbinger of the Coming Shift?

While doing my EC drops, yesterday, I found an interesting post about the discovery of Pluto at The Modern Historian. That occurred on February 18, 1930.

Astronomers demoted Pluto last year to a planetoid. But as anyone who has ever gone through a significant Pluto transit will testify, Pluto is no "toid" anything. In fact, after working with the Evolutionary Astrology method brought forth by Jeffrey Wolf Green, which focuses on Pluto in our charts, I believe no other planet has as much influence and power in our lives. Indeed, the EA method teaches that Pluto reveals our Soul's Purpose. What could be more important than that?

I have been thinking about the fact that Pluto passed over the Galactic Center in recent years. The "Event" at the core of 2012 is the alignment of our solar system with the GC. What is the significance of this transit? (which happens every 248 years or so.) The last time Pluto was in Sagittarius was a decade or so before the American Revolution. Why was America settled by the first colonists? We have been taught that it was because of religious persecution. Another reason was that people wanted to be free of the economic control of the King and the aristocracy. The 'common' man wanted a chance to make his own wealth. The emerging concept of Capitalism wanted free reign. Entrepreneurs and merchants wanted to out from under the tax system of the Crown, that's why we had the Boston Tea Party.

So here we are, one Pluto cycle later and that American Capitalism gone rampant threatens to destroy the global economy.

Some astrologers say that a planet is discovered when the collective is ready to understand and work with, its energy. So... what was happening in 1930 that relates to us today?

In the Qabbalah, the "non-sefira", lying in the central pillar between Tiferet and Kether, known as the Daat, the Hidden Teacher, is equated with Pluto,. There are some schema that equate it with Saturn "God of Time" because they were established before the discovery of Pluto. And there is significance to this reading as well. I believe that when Pluto passed over the GC, it served to remove the veil and open the way to the teaching from the Galactic Center. The Hidden Teacher in the sign of Sagittarius (the Teacher, the Spiritual Leader) opened the teaching of the meaning of the 2012 event.

Sagittarius represents the Teacher, but is also the "Seeker of Truth". So Pluto "God of Transformation and Death", in the the sign of the Seeker of Truth, went over the Galactic Center, The Source. Our entire Solar System is now within the area of the GC and will be exact on December 21, 2012, the end of a 5125 year cycle in the Mayan Calendar.

Many people alive today lived during the Great Depression. Many of us are children or grand-children of those "Depression Survivors" and have heard the stories and received the 'teachings' although we have dismissed them and not followed them. In the West, we have had abundance compared to the rest of the world. We have become complacent. Unless we were 'back-to-the-land' hippies in the 60s, we have lived an affluent life. The current economic down-turn will be changing that for many people.

I would like to suggest that rather than thinking about what we are losing or having to do without, we shift our attention to what is of real and lasting value. I suggest we develop our inner wealth, utilizing our inner resources to optimize our connection to Source. If you have a meditation practice, a program of prayer or other spiritual methodology, this is the time to dust it off and get with it again.

"Every breath we take is our prayer" I just heard that on the Caroline Casey radio show on KPFA and it seemed totally relevant to this post.

Think of all that you might be losing on the material plane as Sacrifice, which means to 'make sacred'.

In the Shadow of Retrograde

The Valentine's Day Special continues until the end of the month.
Since we are still in the 'shadow' period of Mercury retrograde, I have not yet sent my computer in for service. It still needs repair and is under warranty, but so much has been breaking down this retrograde period, I want to wait another week before I send it.

I have been working on my course for this summer and on my 2012 blog. I have gotten to point where my laptop is like a part of my body and am not looking forward to having it gone for two weeks like the last time.

I can definitely feel the acceleration that is part of the Shift. In some ways, I feel writing is redundant, that all that is required is thought.

I am getting very interested in the work of Nassim Haramein. I went to a presentation by one of his 'emissaries' in Sebastopol, CA and have not been the same since. My mind was blown and I am not interested in 'getting back to normal'. I feel a 'new normal' is emerging for me. I'm not sure what it is but I do know I need to be as fluid as possible.

Personally, transiting Pluto in the 5th house is opposing my natal Mercury in the 11th house and so it is totally appropriate that my mind is being transformed. I am both able to access memories better and having deeper understanding. I am able to vision then manifest at a higher rate than ever before.

Capricorn New Moon - December 27

The New Moon is a conjunction between the Sun and the Moon. It resembles other conjunctions in that it represents the completion of one cycle and the beginning of another.

What is most noticeable about this New Moon is that in addition to the conjunction between Sun and Moon, there is a conjunction between Venus (the feminine principle)and its higher octave: Neptune; and between Mars (the masculine principle) and its higher octave: Pluto. Venus and Neptune are exact in Aquarius, Mars and Pluto are 1 degree apart in Capricorn, within 5 degree orb of the New Moon.

The two planets and two lights in Capricorn address the issue of our relationship to the physical world, the material plane. Clearly we need to come up with new ways of interacting with these aspects of life. For the last X number of years (some say 8,000) we have approached the Earth and her resources from a 'masculine' viewpoint, which is said to be aggressive, mental, opportunistic, destructive, exploitive....

These terms tend to be regarded as 'negative', but without the so-called masculine way of being, we would still be living as hunter-gatherers. I won't comment here on whether that is good or not. But ask yourself, would you prefer that? Be honest. No computers, no cell-phone, no microwave, no latte?

The 'problem' is that we have gone out of balance. We have focused on one type of energy at the expense of the other to the extent that we are now on the verge of destroying the Earth completely.

Mars and Pluto represent levels of the Will: Mars personal will; Pluto divine or collective will. Perhaps we are ready to summon our will, both personal and collective, to change our course, modify our direction.

Since Venus and Neptune, also conjunct, are 'ahead' of Mars and Pluto, in Aquarius, I see this as a sign and symbol of the re-emerging 'feminine' values: nurturing, intuitive, compassionate, resourceful, sustaining.... By the way, the Obama administration will be the first ever to have a First Grandmother in the White House! How's that for a re-emerging of the feminine!

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon at 7 degrees Capricorn is: "A veiled prophet speaks, seized by the power of a god; the ability to act as a mouthpiece for the revelation of a transcendent will and truth determining future action."

Full Moon in Gemini December 12

During a Full Moon, we experience the maximum exposure from both the Sun's emanations and the Moon's reflection of solar radiance. Since human bodies are composed of both electrical and magnetic fields, we are affected by these changes in energy.

This is the fifth and final Super Moon of 2008. That means it is both at perigee (its closest approach to the Earth) and syzygy (directly aligned with the Sun and Earth).

In addition, the Sun and the Moon make a Grand Cross with Saturn and Uranus. All mutable signs, there could be some really big changes afoot.

I recommend flower essences during times like these because they operate on the energetic level. In the last couple days, I have been having erratic emotional states and have been relying heavily on my essences to maintain an even keel. Go to Hamida the Herbalist for some suggestions on essences that might help you during these challenging times.

Stephanie Austin says: "The Sun in Sagittarius illumines what we need to see; the Moon in Gemini, what we need to say. Saturn in Virgo exposes what no longer works, and Uranus in Pisces reveals where we are ready for a quantum leap."

Mars is conjunct the Sun exactly on December 5 and squares Uranus on December 11 and Saturn on December 15, extending the force of this Full Moon. Mars gives us the courage to act on our convictions.

It is one thing to know and what needs to be done, another to do it. The energy Mars brings to the situation can help us make the required changes. Good time to tackle those long-avoided projects, like cleaning out the garage.

Oh yes, and let us not forget that Mercury is conjunct Pluto at 1 degree Capricorn, which insists that we examine our assumptions and ask: "What is true for me now?"

"To be mistaken is a misfortune to be pitied; but to know the truth and not to conform one's actions to it is a crime which Heaven and Earth condemn." Giuseppe Mazzini

The Day Watch Calender "2for" lasts until December 24. A good last minute gift as well as any of the Astrology Reports which are sent to you via email and thus nearly instantaneous. You can print them and add a nice cover.

Please contact me if you want a Pluto Reading and Flower Essence Blend. Leave a comment with your contact info and I will get back to you.

Sagittarius New Moon - November 27

I have been a bit distracted lately. A lot is cooking after the 2012 Conference. I am working out the details for a class I will be teaching on Mayan Hieroglyphs and the Mayan Calendar, and planning to put a class on CD that will be available in a couple of months and... I missed, or almost missed this incredible New Moon!

What adds to its significance is that on the same day, Uranus goes direct after being retrograde since June. Stephanie Austin in the Mountain Astrologer says its "like a red light turning green". Uranus is the Awakener, the God of Chaos, the Cosmic Wild Card. Turning direct it signals a time for a quantum leap.

From November 27 through December 31, there will be no planets retrograde and so a lot could happen in the next month. Austin calls the energy that is available "breakthrough or breakdown". Change or be changed.

I got an email from one of my teachers, Jane Bell. She said she is going to devote some time to creating a supportive infrastructure. That really got me thinking. Sometimes we are so focused on what we want to accomplish, we forget that unless we have a solid base to work from and nurturing support along the way, that is, if the foundation is not laid, we cannot get anywhere. The arrow of Sagittarius is pointing us in a direction. But don't forget to look at the rest of the symbol, which also has meaning. The bow and arrow are held by a man with the body of a horse. In addition to the arrow - the goal, look at the foundation - the horse. Don't forget to take care of your horse.

An expression I learned from the Sufis is "Pray to Allah, but tie your camel." We ask for Divine Inspiration (from whatever source) to give us this or that, but we fail to do our part by taking care of what we have in front of us.

The day before this New Moon, Pluto goes into Capricorn. The challenge is to create structures that are sustainable and equitable, not just to get back to business as usual. True, we all want economic recovery, but not the way things have been done in the past. Rather than seeing recent events as a disaster, see it as house cleaning, remodeling, tearing down a dilapidated structure to build a new one.

Pluto and Uranus are preparing us for a paradigm shift. They are leading us into a new way of doing things. Ya Hu!

"Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential" Barack Obama

Oh! I just love the sound of his voice! For 8 years, I couldn't listen to Bush, not only for what he said, but because his voice was so irritating. McCain was worse. A certain hissing like Golam in Lord of the Rings. Obama's voice is music to my ears. Oh Happy Day!

Pluto Readings and Essences

In conjunction with Hamida the Herbalist, I am now offering Pluto Readings and Essences, featuring my Pluto Through the Houses Blends. Please go to my website for information and details about ordering.

Pluto is a powerful teacher. The house in which Pluto resides natally is extremely important in determining the purpose of the current life. Where the lessons are currently occurring is where Pluto is by transit. Since Pluto's passage through a sign can last up to 30 years, its effect on our lives both individually and collectively is profound.

Since many people are born with the same natal Pluto sign, they tend to be viewed as 'generations' because they share certain soul qualities and lessons.

Pluto is currently moving into Capricorn where it will be until 2024. It has been in Sagittarius since 1996. The focus has been on belief systems, philosophies, cultural traditions, and religion.

Pluto helps us see our obstacles to transformation by challenging our beliefs, causing huge changes in our lives, taking things or people away or other 'unpleasant' circumstances. This is 'for our own good.' Ugh! But rightly viewed and worked with, great gifts can come to us.

Taurus Full Moon - Nov 12-13

This is a Super Moon, one that both at perigee (closest approach to the Earth) and syzygy (either a New or Full Moon). It is said that Super Moons act like laser beams which focus the electromagnetic particles into channels of energy. Super Moons increase gravitational pull and generates more extreme tides, weather and emotional reactions.

This Full Moon is conjunct Sedna which is at 20 degrees, 40' Taurus and symbolizes a mass initiation into cosmic consciousness. Located beyond Pluto, Sedna functions as a spiritual gateway to higher dimensional realities. Sedna was first sighted in 2003 by the same team of astronomers who discovered Eris. It has been noticed that astronomical discoveries coincide with evolutionary leaps, reflecting the concept: As Above, So Below.

Sedna, in the constellation Cetus the Whale, was discovered during a time of tremendous changes in the arctic and ocean regions. As a goddess, Sedna supports the development of the divine feminine and provides a link with the womb of our generative energies.

In addition to the conjunction with Sedna, this Full Moon is square Neptune at 21 degrees Aquarius. Neptune represents spirituality and illusion, intuition and imagination. This God of the Sea dissolves our existing concepts in order for us to experience a far greater reality that transcends death and the physical world. What would we do differently if we knew that nothing is separate and that we are all part of the web of life? How would we live if we knew we were immortal and infinite spirits?

Another factor influencing this Full Moon is a sextile between Jupiter in Capricorn and Uranus in Pisces. Jupiter represents expansion and Uranus innovation - the sextile represents opportunity. New perceptions and possibilities can arise with little effort.

The message of this Full Moon is in response to the economic situation we are presently experiencing. It suggests that we ground ourselves upon our divine core rather than material resources - that we live in accordance with spiritual as well as physical realities. We are called to face our fears, own our power and let go of what is decaying.

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly" (Chuang Tse)

Taken from The Mountain Astrologer article by Stephanie Austin.

Scorpio Special Offer - Transformational Tools

The Sun has just entered the sign of Scorpio, which is ruled by Pluto. The Phoenix is often used to represent Scorpio. It is a mythical creature who is able to re-create itself from its own funeral ashes. Harry Potter fans will remember it as Dumbledore's familiar.

This is the time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest and it is celebrated nowadays by the holiday of Halloween. This is a sacred time, when we have greater access to other realms.

Next weekend (Nov.1 & 2) I will be attending the San Francisco 2012 Conference - "Shift by the Bay". I just finished reading "Maya Cosmogenesis - 2012" by John Major Jenkins and have been re-inspired. You can read more about this at my blog: Wise Women of the West.

I feel a special connection to this alignment because 1) I have natal Jupiter sitting right at the degree of the Galactic Center opposing natal Uranus and 2) My 10th house cusp is conjunct the Pleiades. The meaning of these elements of my chart are becoming clearer to me all the time.

I truly believe that astrology and flower essences are healing tools that can assist people in their transformational journey. I write about flower essences on my blog: Hamida the Herbalist.

Among the qualities of Scorpio, the 8th house (its natural house), and Pluto, are an interest in investments, inheritances, other people's money, sex, death and all taboo subjects. In honor of the Sun's ingress into Scorpio, I would like to offer the readers of this blog the following:

During the sign of Scorpio, if you buy one of the reports or calenders advertised in the sidebar, you may have a second one of your choice, FREE. The one of lesser value will be free. Just order one by clicking the graphic and going through PayPal and when you leave your data, specify which report of equal or lesser value you want free. I will then send both reports via your email as attachments. If you have any questions as to what the reports are like, you can view samples by clicking the graphic and following the links.

The reports are:

The Sky Within - a reading of the entire chart - available in English or Spanish.

Friends and Lovers - a comparison of two charts which discusses positive and challenging elements - available in English and Spanish.

Opportunities - a reading that focuses on career choices based on your chart.

Asteroids - a reading of the four major asteroid Goddesses and Chiron in your chart.

Your Spiritual Path - a reading which focuses on directions and paths which may inspire you based on your chart.

Day Watch Calendar - a calendar showing transits to your natal chart through a whole year. You can specify the start date.

You don't have to use your real name, but I do need the birth data to create the report.

Full Moon in Pisces - September 15

This is traditionally called the Harvest Moon, because the light of the Full Moon allowed farmers to work into the night harvesting the bounty of the summer growth season. Also, it is the Full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox. We are reaping now what we sowed at the spring equinox and have been cultivating since then.

This is a most interesting Full Moon for a number of reasons. First, the moon is conjunct Uranus, second, the Sun and Moon form a wide T square to Pluto and third, Neptune is semi-sextile to the Moon and quincunx the Sun. In short, all the outer (transpersonal) planets are involved in this Full Moon.

The intensity of this Full Moon is enhanced due to the influence of Pluto and extends the effects for at least 8 days - from Sept. 12 to Sept. 20. At that time, the square between the Sun and Pluto will be exact. Pluto offers two options: change or be changed. We are directed to release what is dead or dying. Since it retrograded back to Sagittarius, what needs to go is our beliefs and limiting views, because they are holding us back.

Uranus, the great awakener, shows us where we have fallen into deadening conformity and where we are primed for a great breakthrough. Uranus urges us to march to the beat of our own drummer.

Neptune, whose realm is dreams and the imagination, can either inspire us, or lead us to despair and addiction. It takes courage to dream and follow your dreams. But think of the alternative. Without our dreams, our lives can be dull and not worth living. Sometimes we fear taking chances that may make our lives change. We may say we want change, but on our own terms. We fear we will end up alone, if we venture out and follow our bliss. But when you really think about it, what do you have to lose. What do you really have? As we see more and more everyday, nothing is permanent. People are losing homes, jobs, retirement packages they worked for their whole life. The effects of fires, floods, storms, earthquakes all over the world also show us - here today, gone tomorrow. It is frightening. What do we have to hold on to? From one angle, nothing. From another, our inner life, our consciousness, our connection to God. Increasing our trust in God and the Divine Plan is always available to us. We don't know how all this will turn out. So.... we might as well be ready for the best possible outcome. What would that be?

The transpersonal planets are affecting the collective right now. It is a powerful time for change, growth and increased awareness and compassion. We are all being asked to dream big because 'we create our reality.' If we settle for limitation and fear (lower octave of Saturn) that is what we will have. If we want a world where understanding, acceptance, compassion and caring abide, Saturn's higher octave will assist us in building that. Saturn is the planet which mediates the personal planets and the transpersonal planets. Whatever is imagined, dreamt, inspired etc. via the influence of the outer planets, is made manifest through Saturn.

Another facet to this complex kaleidoscope is that the Virgo/Pisces axis is concerned with service and sacrifice. As we come to the end of the Age of Pisces, symbolized by Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, our beliefs are being challenged all the time. One big question is: Is the Christian God the same as the Muslim God, the Jewish God - you name him/her/it. If there is only one God, then.... fill in the blank.

Do we have to give up our lives to take care of others? What is the nature of service to our fellow human beings? What does real aid look like? With so many opportunities to give these days (there is always a disaster fund to send money to), what can we do day to day to change things so that there aren't so many disasters? Maybe changing our shopping habits can help prevent some of the problems. Just a thought.

The gift of this Full Moon is an enhanced ability to connect head and heart, effort with faith and dreams with reality. May your dreams come true.

Witchy Mama has an beautiful blessing
prayer for this Full Moon

Obsessed with Pluto?

If you look at the Carousel on the sidebar, you will see books about Pluto. Does that mean I'm obsessed with Pluto? Yes, to some extent. I had been studying astrology for many years (along with many other things). I had had my chart done again and again. But there was always something missing. Something left out that felt like 'the most important thing.' I didn't care that much about love or money. What I wanted to know about was 'why am I here?' What is my purpose in life? Why do things happen to people? When I read Jeffrey Wolf Green's Pluto Book 1, I found someone who was 'speaking my language.'

Until I read the "Pluto books" by JWG, no one had been able to tell me what this archetype meant. Since I have it in the 12th house, it was even more hidden from my view. When I read Book 1, I was living in New Orleans (a very Plutonian place, by the way). And I was just about to go into a journey into the underworld myself. A Shamanic dismemberment of my own. I didn't know it until later, because I was not following my transits, but I was about to experience transiting Pluto 3rd house Scorpio square natal Pluto 12th house Leo. It was definitely a death and rebirth experience and it lasted for many years.

Since I had been meditating for many years by then, and had been on a spiritual path most of my life (including my childhood as a Catholic), I was somewhat psychologically and spiritually prepared for my ordeal. I had the idea that life is a school where we learn what we need for the development of our consciousness. I had internalized the idea of 'life lessons', but didn't fully get it until I went through my 'Pluto transit' where I had to literally re-invent myself. Having the information in my head, I now had the chance to practice it. I knew what I was going through was meant to teach me something and I was not going to waste the lesson, because I did not want to have to do it again.

I found out that JWG had developed a method of chart analysis called Evolutionary Astrology and a couple of years ago I was able to enroll in the home study program. JWG no longer runs the school himself, but he has passed it on to Kim Marie in the US and Rose Marcus in Canada.

Basically, one enters the chart through Pluto: sign and house placement, and the nodes of the Moon. It is believed that Pluto represents the Soul's Purpose, which is ultimately the purpose of our life. Everything that occurs in a life is meant to serve the development of the Soul and it's ultimate return to God. There is an intrinsic acceptance of the idea of reincarnation and karma in this method, since it not possible to go through the complete process of separation and return in one lifetime. Relationships, careers, money, etc., are means by which we are involved in life as incarnated beings. But they are not the purpose of life.

Unlike most methods of chart analysis, EA does not put emphasis on the Sun, Moon and Ascendant. Yet as I have been studying EA, I have found it to be amazingly useful and accurate.

For books I recommend on other aspects of astrology, go to the bottom of the page where there is another Carousel.

The Galactic Center - Sun of our Sun

The Galactic Center, is a massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It is obscured by 'dust' and appears as if it were in fog. Radiation at every kind of frequency we can measure comes forth from it.

It is currently at 26 degrees Sagittarius. Pluto recently passed over it and being retrograde, is conjunct within a 2 degree orb.

In general, it indicates an area of life where one feels driven to act - where there is a sense of 'no choice'.

Research is now being done to learn the meaning of the GC in charts. The preliminary data indicates that the influences of close aspects are as follows:

Mercury - teachers, people in health care or food services
Venus - laziness or sensual focus on life or a talent for sales, arts or public relations
Mars - sexual or competitive drives
Jupiter - great success, travel and business
Saturn - able administrators and people dealing with depression

When I first heard of it I looked for that point in my chart. I have Jupiter conjunct the GC in the 4th house opposing Uranus in Gemini in the 10th. When Pluto passed over it the first time, I received an unexpected gift that has allowed me to follow my bliss and create my current life/work which includes travel. I will be leading a tour of Morocco next May. Leave a comment and a way to contact you if you're interested.

Where does 26 Sagittarius occur in your chart?

Pluto and Ceres: Paradigm Shift

The Aug/Sept issue of the Mountain Astrologer has an excellent article on Ceres and Pluto by Shirley Soffer.

In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union made the official announcement that Ceres was upgraded from asteroid to dwarf planet, while Pluto was downgraded from planet to to dwarf planet. Soffer suggests we view them as a planetary pair in relation to each other.

While astrologers have certainly worked with Pluto and some with Ceres, Soffer suggests that by understanding the mythology behind them, it is easier to see how they are related.

Mythologically, Ceres and Pluto are opposing figures in the life of Persephone. Ceres, her mother, is a vegetation Goddess, which we recognize in the word 'cereal'. Her Greek name, Demeter, means 'Earth Mother'. She rules over everything that grows from the soil. Clearly, her domain is life and all that nurtures it, especially food.

On the other hand, Pluto rules the Underworld and is lord of all that is beneath the earth. Death and transformation are forces within his domain. Called the 'Lord of Hidden Wealth', his domain includes underground springs, fossil fuels, minerals, iron ore, silver, gold and diamonds.

Taken together, Ceres rules over all the riches on top of the Earth and Pluto the riches beneath the Earth. Both very important to human life. Our over-consumption of the underground riches however, threatens to poison everything above ground.

In a nutshell, the mythological story of Persephone, Ceres and Pluto, was that Persephone was out picking flowers (narcissus) and by doing so accidently opened a hole into the underworld. Pluto reached up and pulled her in. Ceres (Demeter) searched and searched for her daughter, then in mourning, forbid any plant to grow until she had her daughter back. Life on the earth whithered and died. She said she would not allow anything to grow until her daughter was returned to her.

Ceres appealed to Zeus, who soon realized that if all the humans died, there would be no one to worship him. The Law said that no one could come back from the Underworld. Eventually, a deal was struck so that Persephone would be released, but since she had eaten pomegranate seeds, she had to return to the underworld for part of the year.

In her article, Soffer writes about several themes in relation to Ceres and Pluto such as: 1) the depletion of resources both above and below ground and how this will impact the food supply; 2) processes of transformation - well-known for Pluto; for Ceres - the processing of food into energy: 3) the relationship between life and 'killing' - something must die to feed something else - even vegetarians 'kill' to eat; 4) the psychological relationship between mother and daughter - sexual coming of age of the daughter; and 5) the psychological themes of attachment, separation and loss. She explores these themes using charts of famous people whose lives have had strong Pluto/Ceres aspects and contacts.

The article was extremely informative and thought-provoking. Astrologers have written about the relationship between the discovery and/or the naming of a heavenly body and events on the ground. I began to wonder what could be the meaning of Pluto being 'demoted' and Ceres 'promoted'? Now they both have equal stature and are lower on the planetary hierarchy.

Could it have something to do with power and how it has been viewed since Pluto's discovery in 1930? I wrote in my other blog how there was a concerted effort to 'jump-start' the economy after the Depression. In addition, Roosevelt's many social programs assisted people in getting 'back on their feet'. Between the governmental programs and the success of advertising, as the econonmy began to recover, more people had access to things that had once been strictly available to the rich, such as cars. There was a huge shift from rural to urban lifestyles. Women had more rights and independence - having a career instead of or in addition to a family, which meant that the demand for 'labor-saving devices' became a priority for industry.

All of this meant more and more resources coming out of the ground and fewer farmers on the land. The family farms, lost during the Depression or ruined by the Dustbowl, were taken over by banks then large companies and eventually large-scale commercial agriculture was born and with it the increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Little did we know the effects of our success. World War II saw the development of even better ways to kill people, including the many chemical products created by the Nazis and our own atomic bomb. Now Pluto (plutonium) could kill us all.

So how does all this relate to Pluto and Ceres?

When the Lord of the Underworld (think of all the crime that occurred in the 30's and how the criminal lifestyle is referred to as the 'underworld') begins to reach up out of his domain and grab the 'innocent', it leads to death and chaos on the earth. We have been extracting and mining too many resources from under the earth and transforming them into poisonous substances so that we can have more power and control over Nature.

Because of our overuse and misuse of resources, we are now teetering on the brink due to global warming, pollution of Nature, extreme weather conditions, to name just a few. In the midst of this, Pluto is demoted. Pluto's seductive offers of power - like compacts made with the Devil, are no longer appearing desirable. People are wising up to the reality of the fact that they have been soiling their own nest for riches and fame. Mom Nature, mourning the loss of our innocence and purity, has begun to shut things down.

But wait, as Pluto was demoted so was Ceres promoted. Zeus has begun to intervene. Everyday you hear of another company, agency, country, or powerful individual getting on the band-wagon for change in the way we use resources. Corporations have begun to realize that without customers, they are out of business. The way to stay in business is to change. In the '60s we tried to burn it all down and return to the land. That didn't work. Rather, today's young people are finding ways to strike a compromise. Make Green profitable.

In her presentation at UAC, Misty Kuceris emphasized Ceres as a compromising force. Finding a way to get two disparate forces to work together. In the myth, Ceres compromised with Pluto by accepting that her daughter, now a woman, would stay in the underworld for part of the year and would return to the surface, as her daughter, part of the year. We are in the midst of the paradigm shift that has been written about and predicted for years. Seeds planted in the '60s are coming to fruition in the children born then who are finding and implementing solutions.

Perhaps the compromise will mean that in order to survive, we will need to learn to live with less. We will see that it is untenable that a few people should live in comfort while millions are suffering. We will seek and find different sources of power. we will find value in simpler things, closer to home, inside ourselves, rather than external to ourselves. We will realize that true power is in our ability to give and receive love and that the Beatles were right after all. Love is all there is.