Dec 2002 /Jan 2003

Don't Let The Lights Go Out
Rabbi Michael Lerner

Madison's Ghost on the Intoxicated Presidency … and its Corporate Support Group
Thom Hartman

The Global Justice Movement
Starhawk

Frozen Past and Dancing Present: Our Personal Response to Change
David la Chapelle

The Consequences of Denial
John Darling

Cashing in On Cool: How Corporations Exploit Kids and How We Can Stop It
Roar Ramesh Bjonnes

The Blue Gold Rush
Kayla M. Starr

Feng Shui: Smoke and Mirrors
Sugeet

Jin Shin Jyutsu: An Artless Art, Applied With Effortless Effort
Robert Nelson

Foods that Help Diabetics
Rebecca Wood

A Healing Principle for Helpers
Peter Moore, MFCC, CGP

Ayurveda Winter Support
Myrica Morningstar

Circumcision is a Human Rights Issue
Pamela Jorrick

The Movie Mystic
Stephen Simon

The Yearly Round
Richard Moeschl

Cosmic Calendar
Salina Rain

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Cosmic Calendar

By Salina Rain

December begins with an important event, the total Solar Eclipse on the 3rd, with the New Moon at 12 degrees Sagittarius. This marks another turning point rich with potential for transformation of old, destructive beliefs. As the Moon devours the Sun in its shadow we’re immersed in the primal, irrational darkness underneath consciousness, where what we feel and truly desire is accessible. Pluto joins the Sun and Moon, along with the Moon’s South Node. The ancient past is strongly represented as we reap the benefits of wisdom and knowledge that some indigenous people and esoteric groups have preserved to aid in the present crisis. Also in the mix are the results of ancient feuds and power plays, with an especially clear and long list of human and environmental devastation in their wake. Mercury conjoins Pluto as an outcry of stupendous proportions reverberates throughout the collective, a highly charged emotional response to recent events. Jupiter, Sagittarius’ ruler, is extremely influential now as it trines the Sun, Moon, Pluto and Mercury, and is also stationing to turn retrograde by the 4th, at 17 degrees Leo. There’s no way to hide the truth with this ever-expanding energy of courage, open-hearted generosity, adventure and discovery. Many will find the strength to turn their lives in another direction.

Saturn opposes Mercury for awareness of responsibility in how and what we communicate, and who we trust as valid sources for information, news, and commercial interactions. Integrity in business is on the line as we see how far from this practice we have strayed as a culture. Our thoughts are high-lighted—what do we focus on with more mental and emotional power than anything else? Is this worthy of our energy and attention? Form follows thought.

Mars, Juno and Venus are joined in emotional and deeply probing Scorpio, helping us to bring the male/female aspects into harmony, as power dynamics in relationships become more clear. We’re ready to reclaim our power while re-negotiating those alliances we choose to keep, and releasing those that seem to be completed. Pluto’s connection to the sign Scorpio informs our work on partnerships with more of a sense of immediacy, supporting radical transformations, purging the ghosts of past failures, while moving us to the next level. Take advantage of this opportunity to clear relationship karma.

Sabian Symbol, according to Rudhyar, for 12 degrees Sagittarius is: “A flag turns into an eagle; the eagle into a chanticleer saluting the dawn.” This image speaks clearly of the evolution from one state into the next, and of the opportunity for a new beginning and a shift from a national identity to connection and identification with our spiritual source. Neptune sextile the eclipse enhances the possibilities for forgiveness, of self and others, and release of  the non-essential elements in our lives that take so much of our precious energy. Our reality may seem to be getting increasingly harder, yet we need to maintain focus on what is most real and most valued. In this way we will not succumb to the illusion of  those lost in hate and fear, and indeed create more space for them to awaken.

Jupiter’s retrograde journey, from Dec. 4th through Mar. 3rd, 2003, moves us deeper into the territory of the human heart, for a review of how much or how little we live our lives from this vast, unlimited space. Jupiter’s passage can certainly bring us back in touch with the abundant reality that exists when we share from our hearts with a “fishes and loaves” belief system. The more we share, the more there is to share. This is the basis of the new economy in the Age of Flowers, Age of Aquarius, New Millennium World Order. Don’t let the magicians of Limitation and Lack fool you into thinking there’s not enough to go around, because the bottom line is, we are in control of how much there is to go around.

The Full Moon on the 19th at 28 degrees Gemini is joined by conservative Saturn and trined by futuristic Uranus, while opposing the Sun at 28 degrees Sagittarius. Strong attempts to control information are high-lighted with this lunation, even as rebel Uranus explodes with revelations of government, big business, established institutions of society tightly constricting the flow. More inventive, inspired alliances are still forming from this volatile and harmonious connection of the old and the new, as we witness some of the old school joining up with the forces for change. Awareness is high of a need for more honesty and responsibility in our communications, commerce and getting along in the neighborhood, whether local or international. Sabian Symbol for 28 degrees Gemini is: “Through bankruptcy, society gives to an overburdened individual an opportunity to begin again.” This lunation reveals where we are over-extended, as well as the chance to re-group and salvage what we can. We’re getting a good look at what we’ve been creating with our mental/emotional energy, what we have manifested through our thoughts. This a great time to turn to, or intensify, spiritual practices, especially using meditation, mantras, prayer, symbols as a means to calm and focus the mind, clearing the negative and non-essential. Use the energies of this Moon to clarify, receive new spiritual input and uplift expectations for the future. Jupiter, still in trine to Pluto, emphasizes the power of beliefs and focused intentions to create.

Juno, Mars and Venus remain in close proximity in Scorpio, transforming our interpersonal connec-tions, merging male and female in greater depths of understanding, and stirring up powerful emotions along the way. Jupiter squares Mars and Venus now with a caution not to get carried away with dramas and impulsive moves in love and other important ventures. Uranus trines Saturn and the Moon for a Grand Air Trine that promotes futuristic, foundation-building alliances among diverse individuals and groups.

Winter Solstice arrives on the 21st, at 5:15 PM as the Sun enters Capricorn, the sign most connected with the discipline and focus to achieve long term goals. Take time today to acknowledge the sacred quality of life and to honor your place in the Divine Plan. No matter where we are right now, we are all important parts of the cosmic unfolding. Allowing this into our awareness more substantially today will lead us to our next step along the way. Saturn opposes, Uranus sextiles, the Sun at zero degrees of the cardinal Earth sign, bringing great import to what we think and speak and supporting a more concrete shift into the new paradigm.

The New Moon, January 2nd, 2003, brings Sun and Moon together at 12 degrees, along with maverick Chiron at 11 degrees Capricorn. We can plant seeds now that will grow slowly over time, with care and patient nurturing. Capricorn doesn’t allow for skipping those steps that the fire signs think they can fly right by. Discipline and an organized work schedule is Capricorn’s style. With Chiron’s influence we’re more able to connect the mundane and the divine in our tasks and obligations. The traditional structures of society have been receiving the heightened scrutiny of Chiron in Capricorn for a year, in which time we’ve been consistently faced with the abuses of power in government, business and organized religion. Before Chiron’s passage through Capricorn is over, in 2004, we will experience an overhauling in these areas that we can’t even imagine now. Chiron’s energy can be raw and primal, at the same time divinely inspired, compelling us to resolve all obstacles and obstructions wherever it touches. The forces of extreme, controlling, conservatism cannot withstand the passage of the multi-dimensional teacher/healer.

“A fire worshiper meditates on the ultimate realities of existence” is the Sabian Symbol for the New Moon degree. Fire represents “the mystery of all transformations wrapped in the enigma of death.” In such extreme times we naturally turn to transcendence of the material world, to explore the reality behind our perceived reality.

Mercury turns retrograde at 29 degrees Capricorn at the New Moon, through the 22nd. The most effective and easiest use of this transit will be to slow down, be willing to go over previously completed work and commitments made, and ask what needs to be re-structured. “A woman reading tea leaves” is how Rudhyar interprets the degree of Mercury’s station. “The ability to see the Signature of hidden meaning in every occurrence drawing one’s attention.” This is clearly a time to be extra mindful.

Cancer Full Moon on January 18th at 28 degrees brings to fruition the cycle begun at the New Moon. Retro Mercury and Chiron join together to begin to re-negotiate the governing principles of our staunchest institutions as it becomes increasingly clear that work could take over every waking moment of our lives. Cancer Moon sheds light on care and nurturing and the lack thereof, especially in relation to how overworked and overstressed we probably are feeling. A lunar trine to Mars and a quincunx to Uranus both energize our quest for a more relaxed and humane existence, and make us extremely aware that much of humanity can’t even dream of the material luxuries available in the US. It’s not a matter of being paralyzed by guilt or overwhelming realities we have no control over, but a matter of doing whatever we can to assure that more people on the planet have food, water, shelter and are free of the threat of war. Sabian Symbol for 28 degrees Cancer reads: “An Indian girl introduces her white lover to her assembled tribe,”  an image that refers to a “return to Nature” as the way to integrate more harmony, balance and well-being into our lives.

Jupiter, Pluto and Ceres form a grand fire trine with courageous, creative and empowering efforts of women’s groups, and individuals, capturing our attention globally, with a fiercely protective agenda. Farming and food production, processing, distribution are prominent themes. Beginning this year we’ll see startling situations with the world’s water supplies, as Uranus enters Pisces later in the year.

We are all called upon in this time of great change to be present and to commit to our most uplifting life’s work.

Salina Rain, a professional Astrologer, offers readings and consultations, 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 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.