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Review of February 2011
During February, a series of contacts to the
lunar nodes by
major planets, Jupiter and Uranus appeared to mobilise the
populace of several North African and middle eastern
countries, including Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Libya and
Bahrain, into protesting against their despotic political
leaders and calling for democratic political reform. Both
Uranus and Jupiter have been hovering near the mid-point of
the nodal axis since the beginning of February, together
forming a T-square with the north and
south nodes.
Given that Uranus was first discovered around the time of
the French Revolution, and Jupiter has long been associated
with cultural ideologies, religious beliefs and the
law, this seems
very apt. Jupiter
and Uranus recently formed an
exact conjunction on January
the 4th - the same day as the solar eclipse in
Capricorn, simultaneously sextiling the nodes.
This suggests
a six-month long trend of popular unrest as the masses
(symbolised by the lunar nodes) begin to stand up for their
beliefs and call for institutional reform.
It is interesting that, unlike the rather staid Capricornian
theme of January, during February there was much
more Aquarian and Uranian energy about, which
seemed to make political uprising events much more chaotic
than those in January. This may well be due to Uranus
replacing Jupiter as the focal point of the
T-square with the nodes. Unlike benefic planet,
Jupiter, Uranus is much more detached, more rebellious and
less concerned with how people feel. Uranus is also a planet
associated with separation, erratic behaviour and
destabilisation, all of which seemed to characterise events
in Libya as the weeks unfolded.
The Jupiter-Pluto square I mentioned last month
appeared to inflate the delusions of Colonel Gaddafi
as he attempted to cling to power, with the US finally
calling for him to step down. Interestingly, Libya’s chart
is one I looked at back in September just after the Cardinal
Event, when news broke about BP’s newly-won oil drilling
rights in that country – highly significant after the
scandal of their oil spill in the gulf of Mexico and in the
wake of the Lockerbie bomber’s release.
Interestingly, it was around about the time that both the
Sun and Mars in Aquarius moved into an opposition with
Pluto in the ‘natal’ chart for
Libya around mid-February that all the unrest started.
This was preceded by what is known as a Jupiter return
– an event that occurs every 12 years when Jupiter conjuncts
its natal position in the chart. In this case, Libya has
Jupiter at 5 degrees of Aries. Jupiter reached the same
degree on the 16th of February, at which point it
made a square to Libya’s natal Sun in Capricorn. The Sun can
often represent a leader and the fact that it is being
squared by transiting Jupiter, simultaneously involved in a
square with transiting Pluto at 5 degrees Capricorn (and
therefore close to Libya’s natal Sun) suggests that Colonel
Gaddafi will have to go, one way or the other.
Returning to the Jupiter-Pluto square – this aspect
reached perfection at more or less the same time as a court
ruling was handed down relating to Julian Assange’s
extradition to Sweden to be prosecuted based on the alleged
rape charges that he has been contesting. As I warned last
month, Mr Assange would be wise not to underestimate the
reach and ruthlessness of those in power. (Although by all
accounts, he has been described as someone that harbours
high levels of paranoia, perhaps rightly so!) And now, it
would seem that any sinister machinations that may have been
at work behind the scenes will begin to emerge as Assange
returns to Sweden to face trial.
SOLI-LUNAR
PHASES
Over the course of a year, the solstices and
equinoxes of the Sun mark
out the changing seasons, which affect not
only the beginning of different natural cycles, but
our moods and choice of activities; whilst on
a smaller scale, the Moon's phases make up the
time-span of a month. In fact, the etymology
of the word month, comes from the
Indo-European
word,
'me(n)ses',
meaning
"moon." 1
During
this period, the Moon also moves through the
zodiac, with every progressive full or new
moon cycle occurring in the sign more or
less following that of the previous month.
Lunar Phases
-
4
March 2011
NEW MOON IN
PISCES
The New Moon
in Pisces on the 4th of March
(20h46 GMT) ushers in the beginning of a new cycle in
spiritual and altruistic pursuits, as well as possible
breakthroughs in matters related to the oceans, such as the
fishing industry. It is also a good time to start new
photography, music or film projects. This is the perfect
opportunity to go on retreat or start a new meditation
regime. However, the New Moon will also conjunct
bolshy Mars and sextile planet of extremes, Pluto, which could add a sharper, possibly violent edge
to events that occur during the course of the next 30 days.
19
March 2011
FULL MOON IN
VIRGO
A Full
Moon in Virgo on 19 March (18h16 GMT)
provides the perfect opportunity to add the final flourishes
to writing projects or health-related regimes. Put your
critical acumen and hand-to-eye co-ordination to work in a
constructive manner now. The Sun and the Full Moon
will together form a grand cross with the lunar
nodes, which have now moved into the Gemini-Sagittarius
axis (the nodes always move backwards) which could coincide
with a mass awakening or crisis of some kind.
At this
time, Uranus will also be orbiting close to the
Sun (29 degrees Pisces) in the early degrees of Aries,
suggesting that this period could signal a global mood
change when certain outdated beliefs and ways of thinking or
viewing the world will begin to undergo a transformation.
Telecommunications, technology and the media may also
somehow play a significant role in events that unfold now.
When we look back, this time could well be seen as a major
paradigm shift for the world.
Solar Phases
20
March - 20 April 2011
SUN IN ARIES
The
Sun will enter 0˚
Aries at 17h32 GMT on the 20th of
March, marking the beginning of the astrological ‘new
year’ as well as the Spring Equinox. At this time,
Mercury, Jupiter and Uranus will also be in Aries, making
this an extremely Mars-like period when martial action
cannot be ruled out in countries that are currently
politically volatile. On a personal level, this period is
likely to increase drive, willpower and physical vitality
but also shorten tempers, increase driving speeds and
possibly encourage people to take more risks.
The month of March is named after Mars, the Roman god of
war, since the start of spring paralleled with the beginning
of Rome’s military campaigning season. Less well-known,
though, is the fact that Mars was also considered to be a
god of agriculture and male fertility. He thus paradoxically
embodied both life and death as a symbol. Several festivals
dedicated to Mars were held by the Romans during March.
These included a major celebration known as
Mumuralia, usually held around the 13th or 14th of March.
According to history scholars, Aveni and Romano,
-
Mumuralia was a major ferial date, when the old Mars,
the Mars of Death or of the Old Vegetation, was expelled
from the city (York 1986: 97), probably around the full
moon closest to the equinox (Vaccai 1986).
Here they are perhaps suggesting an early parallel to the
Christian festival of Easter, also traditionally held on the
first Sunday (Note the solar connection embedded in the word
Sun-Day) after the Full Moon that follows the vernal
equinox. Certainly, they make a strong argument for a link
between early Etruscan solar festivals, the alignment of
certain temples dedicated to solar deities and later Roman
festivals associated with Mars. (See Aveno & Romano,
ANTIQUITY Vol. 68 (1994): 545-63).
It is interesting that these two deities are being linked,
since in traditional Western astrology, the Sun is exalted
the sign of Aries, which ruled by Mars.
The 17th
century herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, explains the possible
astrological thinking behind this:
-
The
Sun causeth heat and cold, day and night, winter and
summer. When he arrives to the house of his honour or
exaltation, to wit Aries, then the trees spring, living
creatures are comforted, the birds sing, the whole
creation rejoiceth...
(An
Astrological Judgement of Diseases,
1651)
Significantly, the
Sun and Uranus are due to
make a conjunction in early Aries on the 21st
of March – the day after the equinox –
where it will join the planet of revolution and democracy in
its midpoint position between the lunar nodes. It will be
interesting to see how this manifests in the world. Will we
see the emergence of a new political leader, a champion of
democracy, on the world stage? Could we have a big flood or
larger than average tidal event now?
Planetary
Events & Energy Shifts throughout March 2011
Uranus, sign of the scientific genius, tech wizard
and revolutionary, is also reaching the end of its stay
in Pisces and will follow Jupiter into Aries on the
12th of March. This is likely to hasten the arrival
of democracy to those parts of the world that do not yet
enjoy the right to vote or of free speech. It is interesting
that as Uranus prepares to enter Aries as part of a new
seven-year cycle, opinion leaders are declaring that we are
on the cusp of a new era in politics, which some, such as
journalist, John Simpson, have likened to that seen in 1989
when Eastern Europe’s communist regimes began to crumble and
the Berlin Wall came down. At that time, Uranus had just
entered the sign of Capricorn (ingressing on the winter
solstice of 1988) indicating that a new period of political
stability and a return to conservatism and pragmatism was
dawning – echoing Uranus’ seminal move this month into
fellow cardinal sign, Aries.
Earlier, and in entries on my Facebook page, I remarked on
how events in Libya appeared to mirror the transits
of first Jupiter and then Uranus, particularly
with regard to their T-square aspects to the lunar nodes, as
well as speculated about what will happen when Uranus
reaches a conjunction with Libya’s ‘natal’ Jupiter. Here it
is worth remarking that this point (5 degrees Aries) will
not be reached by Uranus this year because of its annual
retrograde season. This could mean a longer-then-expected
transition period for the Libyan people before they get
proper access to democratic power. However, Uranus will get
close enough to this position over the summer, peaking in
August, so they may well get a taste of what may lie in
store by then.
At month’s end (30 March), Mercury, planet of
communications, learning, commerce and politics, will
retrograde until the 23rd of April. Any plans to
‘go it alone’ or set up in business will need revisions
during this period. Loans or important talks are also likely
to be held up now. Allow extra time for travelling as delays
and missed connections or cancellations are all possible
now. It won’t help getting angry or complaining now – you’re
being forced to slow down for a reason, so try not to get
too worked up things now if progress is not as quick as
you’d like.
Other astrological red letter days to look out for are:
-
1 March – Venus
sextile Uranus – excellent for romance and energising
chance encounters
-
2 March – Venus
ingress into Aquarius – Adding an element of
unpredictability but also excitement. Making money from
technology or getting a job/meeting a significant other
as a result of a friend or group affiliation is possible
between now and the 26th of March, after which Venus
glides into romantic Pisces.
-
9 March – Mercury
enters Aries. Straight talking and clear, but possibly
simplistic, thinking is the order of the day between now
and next month.
-
10 March – Venus
sextile Jupiter – a lucky day for everyone, but
particularly for entrepreneurs, soldiers, inventors and
‘techy’ types.
-
13 March – Mercury
square Pluto – not a day to get into a fight with the
boss, or to try and go up against the powers that be.
Although you may be feeling feisty and ready to speak
your mind, your words will only fall on deaf ears now.
-
15 March – Venus trine
Saturn – an excellent day for relationships of all
kinds, but especially good for romantic, legal and
diplomatic ties. This is a day when commitments and
progress on these fronts are all possible.
-
16 March – Mercury
conjunct Jupiter in Aries – ‘Think Big’ is the slogan
for today. This is an excellent day for blue sky, out of
the box, ambitious discussions, plans and ventures.
18 March – Mercury
opposition Saturn – A Day to work out differences with
close colleagues and loved ones, especially around the
issue of self-fulfilment versus relationship health. To
compromise or to be selfish, that is the question…
27 March – Venus
ingress into Pisces & Venus conjunct Neptune – A double
dose of highly romantic and magical energy. Venus is
exalted in Pisces and here we have the two associated
planets also blending their qualities. This is an
excellent time for spiritual and artistic pursuits –
contact with the muses, or the divine is likely to be
strong now.
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