SENTIENT TIMES August/September 2003

Cosmic Calendar

By Salina Rain

As August 2003 begins the cosmic influences are quite volatile, indicating massive energetic shifts that begin to become apparent in the physical realm as the next few months unfold. Mars’ July 29 station to retrograde motion at 10 degrees Pisces has squared the May 31st Solar Eclipse, at the same time energizing the eclipse events/situations and sending us into a review and re-assess mode around them. This has, over the last few days, unleashed conflicts and out-of control emotions, which are again triggered on the 6th when Mercury opposes retro Mars. Chaos and confusion are prominent experiences with the disintegration or derailing of aggressive actions or any attempts at willfulness. A contemplative approach is most useful in this messy energy field. Maintain enough distance from the entanglements to avoid having the more negative elements stick to you like Brér Fox on Tar Baby, yet be aware of the wide open potential for uses of imagination, visualization, prayer, affirmation, meditation, dreams. Using these methods over the last months of 2003 will bring the greatest rewards, especially throughout August and September. The Mars connection with Uranus makes life seem extremely precarious, dangerous, and right on the edge, high-lighting the necessity for extraordinary, creative and compassionate new solutions to our individual and collective problems. Mercury squares Pluto 3 times in this period exposing manipulation and control of information and assuring great impact from all our communications, so beware. We will certainly not be bored!

The August Moon on the 11th waxes full at 20 degrees Aquarius at 9:48 PM, joined by Neptune, opposed by the Sun in its own proud sign, Leo, along with Venus and Jupiter (the lesser and the greater benefic, respectively). The lunation sextiles Pluto with Mercury squaring the planet of transformation, and Mars-Uranus still trine Saturn. Big heart, big drama, artistic expression, lust for luxuries and large displays of pride characterize this Moon, as we face distressing news with courage and compassion. With Venus and Neptune in opposition since around the 6th the lower (Venus) and higher (Neptune) octaves of love combine to awaken us to love’s larger dimensions, beyond the realm of personal fulfillment. Wherever the Aquarius-Leo axis is positioned in your chart is the area where this larger-than-life lunation is playing out, where the radiant energy of love, courage, generosity, and perhaps too much pride, infuses your experience. Play, create and act as if the more you give the more there is for everybody, including yourself.

Those representing the old and those representing the new continue to connect, blend and work together with growing appreciation of each other’s resources and perspective with Saturn and Mars-Uranus doing their dance. The Sabian Symbol for the Moon from Rudyhar reads: “A large white dove bearing a message: The answer of spiritual agencies to thorough, sustained, and victorious efforts.” The Sun’s degree offers another image of hopefulness: “Zuni Indians perform a ritual to the Sun.” And Jupiter, culture changer, as it nears the end of its Leo transit, adds: “The luminescence of dawn in the eastern sky: The exalting challenge of new opportunities at the threshold of a new cycle.” (Rudyhar)

From the 18th through the 22nd emphasis is ever stronger on enjoying luxuries, and for many sharing them and/or overindulging, as Sun, Venus and Jupiter join in late Leo. The “big cats” energy is on the loose in a big way and won’t be stopped without extravagant amounts of fun and play. Then the 22nd through the 24th Sun and Venus oppose Uranus for sudden, strong inspirations or attractions that won’t last.

New Moon on August 27th is at 5 degrees Virgo at 10:26 AM, also joined by Venus and Jupiter and opposed by Mars and Uranus. Our “mundane” reality is vividly infused with the light of the Divine, with the likelihood that everyday life will never be the same. This plays out in some negative ways too as environmental crises may come to a head, especially around water. Also the military may be highlighted in some shocking way, along with women’s health issues. We have more help than we realize to bring balance into crisis situations. Sabian Symbol for Sun and Moon: “A man becoming aware of nature spirits and normally unseen spiritual agencies: The opening of new levels of consciousness.” We may feel completely unsettled, disoriented and lacking a good grounding, making it essential to use our best tools for achieving and maintaining equanimity, expanding the possibilities to navigate the storms, progress further along the way to realizing our goals, and avoid the danger of drowning in the flood waters.

The 28th will be an especially intense and confusing day with things just not working right as Mercury stations retrograde at 27 degrees Virgo and Pluto stations direct at 18 degrees Sagittarius. From now through September 20th is right timing for refining skills rather than learning new ones. Pluto went retro back on March 23rd, indicating that whatever was prominent on a global scale then that went “underground” is emerging again to move forward, the forces for major and permanent change. Personally we need to look to where this station influences our own lives by its position in our horoscopes.

Jupiter opposes Uranus from around the 21st through the 1st week in September, exact on the 29th. Life seems upside-down with all kinds of bizarre, surreal, events and creatures jumping out of the blue right at us. Freedom and independence is the cry, especially for those with birthdays around now, with the Sun near the degree of these two culture changing planets. There’s excitement, inspiration, magic, and the potential for real, lasting change that works for all.

September gets off to a chaotic start with the direction changes and with no less than four planets in normally orderly Virgo; Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter. Mercury, Virgo’s ruling planet, in retrograde condition creates some mayhem with things, people, behavior that we usually can depend on. We’re forced to re-think, re-do, re-assess, review, re-integrate.

Full Moon on the 10th is the Harvest Moon at 18 degrees Pisces, opposed by Sun, retro Mercury and Venus in Virgo, and all square, in a malcontent sort of way, Pluto. A time of extremes in every sense, the power struggles are playing out on a large scale, with devious tactics and murky motives exposed. However nothing is clear, lots of misinformation afoot and we don’t know who to trust. We must find our grounding and stay centered to know what to do, as our action or non-action will be particularly important. Turning to spirituality for support and meaning through such a difficult time will help in knowing what to trust and what is truly essential as human consciousness evolves radically. Chiron aspects Sun and Mercury in a supportive trine, helping us to find highly practical ways to deal with the volatile and chaotic situations, reminding us to get down to basics, take responsibility for our reality, and commit to the disciplined work before us. Structural alignment is an important feature, a good time to engage in yoga, tai chi, chi gong, and other physical disciplines that also align body, mind spirit. Rudyhar’s image for 18 Pisces, the Moon’s degree, is: “In a gigantic tent villagers witness a spectacular performance: The collective appeal of a well-staged and exciting display of skill and/or oratory.”

Mercury pivots to direct motion on the 20th, shifting the energy with the mechanical and other fiascos. The physical world is cooperating again, communi-cations are clearer and information more reliable. Now we can move on to learning new techniques and skills without the frustrations and cancellations of the previous 3 weeks.

September 23rd marks the Equinox with the Sun at 00 degrees Libra, one of the four most sacred times in the seasonal cycles of planet Earth. Venus adds her gracious touch to the Equinox turning point in a wide arc conjunction with the Sun. Harmony, peace, cooperative efforts are especially high-lighted for the season before us as Jupiter and Mercury still conspire together in Virgo to come up with the most effective and efficient ways for taking care of business. Chiron tightly opposes Saturn, from Capricorn to Cancer, emphasizing accountability in government, big business and other established social institutions, and creating awareness of the need for more responsibility for bringing caring and nurturing into our work situations. This grounding aspect will repeat again in August and December 2004, bringing necessary focus to the stated areas, in a process of karmic paybacks and rewards. The interpretation for Equinox Sun’s degree: “The total concentration required for reaching any spiritual goal.” (Rudyhar)

New Moon at 3 degrees Libra on the 25th initiates a new cycle for personal and collective relationships. However Venus squares taskmaster Saturn, and Uranus-Mars quincunx Sun and Moon disrupting the movement toward harmony. This requires some radical adjustments on our part, with consideration of the good of all in our actions. The financial reality is pretty tight for the moment, careful with resources. Venus trine Neptune reiterates the theme of collective cooperation, unconditional love, self-less giving. Jupiter and Mercury continue in Virgo working out strategies that get the job done well, helping us to keep the larger picture in mind as we go about our everyday work, favoring accomplish-ments in health care matters. Sabian Symbol for Sun and Moon’s degree: “The dawn of a new day reveals everything changed: The ever-present possibility of beginning again on a new foundation of values.”

Mars stations direct on the 27th at the 1st degree of Pisces, energizing all new projects with enthusiasm, as now is the time to move forward. Its proximity to Uranus heightens the excitement and cautions us to not get ahead of ourselves. Problems with water receive the benefit of renewed and more effective action. On the personal level our emotional process won’t be as all-encompassing or confusing. The 28th is the last Mercury square Pluto aspect for a while, indicating some resolution in the struggles over access to information and affecting the realms of education, health care, the military.

This is a roller coastal ride over the next two months. Don’t forget to find the joy, inspiration and pure magic amidst all the cacophony in this divinely uprooting passage.

Salina Rain is a professional Astrologer with a major focus on life purpose and navigating transitions gracefully. She is also at Master level of Reiki Jin-Kei-Do, an eastern lineage of energy healing, transmitted through the ancient Tibetan Buddhist line. Salina is available for astrological readings and consultations, and Reiki Jin-Kei-Do classes. (707) 668-5408, PO Box 1081, Blue Lake, CA, 95525-1081, or astro@salinarain.com. Visit www.salinarain.com for more detailed forecasts.

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