SENTIENT TIMES Feb/Mar 2003

Cosmic Calendar

By Salina Rain By Salina Rain

February starts off with the New Moon in Aquarius on the first, heralding an especially important two month period. Four planets transit Aquarius through much of February for strong emphasis on radical change that requires our most open-minded, future-oriented, creative thinking. But the time is now, Saturn reminds us, as he pivots to direct motion the 3rd week of the month. Whatever we are about has extraordinary impact on the future of the global community. Saturn’s still aligned in harmony with Uranus, ruling planet of Aquarius, helping us to prioritize goals and find new ways to implement their fulfillment.

The coming months are still rich with potential for revolutionizing our outworn institutions, particularly business and government, and at the same time experiencing the abuses of government, business, technology, including attempted control over the processes of life itself.

Control is a huge issue in many areas, and further manipulations of major media by the conservative power structure reach ridiculous proportions. On one hand many  succumb to the fearful, insecure side of Saturn in a tangle of negative thinking. Harsh, extreme solutions appeal most to this group. On the other hand the truth is much harder to contain as leaks in the system start gushing. A growing number of people awaken to the need for more cooperative responses to problems. Freedom from control is the other side of the Saturn-Uranus combination, which encourages contained revolution. The focus can be on structures inclusive of everyone’s needs, which we’ll hear more talk about this month.

The huge shift in March will be when Uranus enters Pisces for the first time in about 84 years. Uranus and Neptune will then be in auspicious mutual reception relationship, as each inhabits the other’s natural sign, a relationship that enhances the impact of these planets and helps them to work together. Compassion, empathy, intuition, and growing awareness of our individual and collective relationship to the Divine mark this period which will last seven years. We are evolving to a state where we no longer need intermediaries between ourselves and our Creator. “Energetic medicine” and energy fields in general will explode in the collective consciousness, as new developments also unfold in the areas of extra-terrestrial contacts, crop circles, compassionate uses of technology, and the very foundations of scientific inquiry.

Non-violent revolution is a Neptune-Uranus image, and indeed Gandhi led India in a stunningly successful non-violent revolution when Uranus was last in Pisces. The  planet’s oceans are about to be a major focus also, with revelations emerging about  everything from who lives in the deepest, most remote areas, to oceanic changes  effecting all life on Earth. Water will, seemingly “out of the blue,” become a pervasive problem for us to deal with creatively. New kinds or levels of addictions come forth as non-ethically based technological businesses offer ever more extreme forms of escapism. However innovative treatments for addictive behavior move right along with this trend.  It’s monumentally important through this winter and Spring to work at staying present in the moment, to move where life is calling us.

Pluto turns retrograde toward the end of March, taking us inward on that quest for the essence and  meaning of our lives. Check the area of your chart for 18-20 degrees of Sagittarius, as Pluto pivots at 19 degrees, 57 minutes. This area is undergoing a transformation of life-changing significance over the coming year, and this is the review period. Use it well. Allow space for a complete “spiritual housecleaning” over the next five months.
New Moon at 12 degrees Aquarius is joined by Neptune, with Uranus still in its own sign as well. We have the opportunity for a fresh and exciting new perspective that includes a strong sense of our interconnectedness with all life. A powerful sense of freedom can emerge with the awareness that hurting others truly hurts ourselves. Ego is elusive with this combination, an uncomfortable state for those attempting to hang on to personal goals exclusive of the needs of others, but a profoundly freeing state for those who surrender to this evolutionary stage unconditionally. Obviously this comes with more difficulty in the western psyche, so we westerners need to be especially vigilant in laying to rest the ego struggles.
Venus, Pluto, Mars and the Moon’s South Node line up in Sagittarius, with Venus and Pluto opposing Saturn. More layers are emerging from the recent scandals and overall nefarious behavior in business, government, religious institutions, and a new reality unfolding in the world’s financial markets. Relationships are under the microscope—old assumptions about gender roles are dissolving further as we find new ways to structure our closest bonds. Jupiter opposite Neptune immerses us in philosophical, mystical realities in our quest for essential truth. We’re called upon, collectively and individually, to dedicate ourselves to a larger ideal, and are especially open now to receiving the blessings and rewards for such devotion. For those in a struggle with demons of excessive ego, this will be a time of great support for letting go. Sabian Symbol according to Rudhyar, for this Moon’s degree is “A barometer; the ability to discover basic natural facts that allow us to plan in advance for action.” Never has this seemed more crucial.
The ancestors in many world cultures celebrated the four cross-quarter days, mid-point between Solstices and Equinoxes. February 2nd is the halfway mark from Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox. It’s most wise to pause at these seasonal turning points, to more fully experience the cycles of Nature of which we are a part. Especially now we need these “out of time” moments to step away from our day to day routines and honor Creation and our part in it. The human race is just one species among many on this magnificent planet. The Aquarian ideal reminds us to consider the healthy diversity necessary to maintain our presence within the natural world.

Leo Full Moon arrives at 3:52 PM February 16th, at 28 degrees, opposed very closely by Uranus conjunct the Sun in Aquarius. The wheels of change are turning at increased speed as the “god of Chaos” bursts forth with another layer of destruction/creation in the last couple of degrees of his natural sign. The past is further behind us at this lunation, symbolized by an image of “Many little birds on a limb of a big tree; a wide, and perhaps confusing, openness to a multiplicity of inspiring poten-tialities.”(Rudhyar) The intensity of the moment can catapult us into the next stage of consciousness, one that awakens masses of humans to the reality that we do not rule this planet. The past arrogance and foolishness of our species that has led us once again to the brink of major world war can be laid to rest. We will receive strong impetus for this now. Mars and Pluto conjoin in Sagittarius, with the god of war impassioned by Pluto’s intensity, as religious and political fanaticism fire up as well as the forces for Peace. Together these planets have much truth to reveal behind the push for war, particularly with Saturn’s opposition. We’re all challenged to devote ourselves to our highest ideals while allowing others to freely express their own beliefs. Power is being used and abused with immediate and dramatic results.

March 2nd brings the New Moon at 12 degrees Pisces, the sign most aligned with wisdom gained from life experience, the merging of the inner and outer, and the compassion that comes from understanding that we’re all in the same precarious boat. Faith is high-lighted, not the blind faith of following someone else’s dictates, but the faith that comes from “knowing” one’s relationship with the Divine. Rudhyar’s Sabian Symbol interpretation is “An ancient sword, used in many battles, is displayed in a museum.” The image is about the use of will power, which ultimately is not our own will when we’re aligned with divine will, or the flow of the Tao, the natural order. We’re then channeling the energy of Creation, allowing that ultimate wisdom to work through us. This is the only use of will power that ensures all forms of life to continue in harmony and peaceful co-existence. Four planets in Aquarius, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Uranus compel us to gather in like-minded groups to join our energies in community. Together we can transcend the sorrowful past we have created out of ignorance, stepping into the light of a higher consciousness infused with compassion for ourselves and others.

Full Moon on the 18th falls at 27 degrees Virgo at 2:35 AM PST, along with Sun in Pisces forming a Grand Mutable Cross with Saturn and Pluto. This indicates a most compelling turning point in events, a time to make choices with clarity and heartfelt devotion. Virgo Moon calls for awareness of the practical steps we can take to improve our situation, while Pisces Sun indicates our centering in spirituality, or intercon-nectedness. Saturn and Pluto expose the consequences of giving away our power to authority figures and others unworthy of our trust. We must face harsh reality here to move beyond passivity in the face of manipulative behavior, both in our private and public lives. Grand Crosses require focused attention on all aspects of a situation, without being pulled in different directions, but enabling us to find the center, the point of clarity and power. Mercury and Pallas join the Sun enhancing intuition and promoting the more compassionate, “female” viewpoint. “A bald-headed man who has seized power. The sheer power of  personality in times that call for decision. Existence is motion.” Decisions made now alter the structures of society. (Rudhyar) Let’s be ready to make the best choices.

Spring Equinox follows on the 20th as the Sun arrives at 00 degrees Aries, joined closely by Mercury in Pisces, the voice of wisdom whispering softly to remind us of the importance of humility, especially when we’re charged up for action. Jupiter squares the Scorpio Moon, encouraging excessive emotional dramas, but this challenge can be used to harness our deepest desires and channel that energy creatively. This Equinox chart indicates a season of strong determination to reach our goals, with Mars conjunct Chiron, and the vision to support and inspire us, Jupiter opposing Neptune. Rudhyar’s Sabian Symbol for Uranus at the first degree of Pisces is “In a crowded marketplace farmers and middlemen display a great variety of products.” We’re beginning a new era of “commingling and interchange which at all levels demonstrates the health of a community.” This is a compelling image calling upon us to maximize our opportunities to connect, interact, exchange ideas, and create more supportive structures for diversity in our communities, both local and international.

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.

SENTIENT TIMES
PO Box 1330 Ashland, OR 97520
PHONE (541) 512-1084 • FAX (541) 512-1085
dmokma@jeffnet.org