February/March 2004

Do Corporations or "We The People" Rule?
Democracy Unlimited Steering Committee

The Buying of the President 2004
Interview with Charles Lewis by Amy Goodman

America's Empire of Bases
Chalmers Johnson

Answer the &$%#* Question!
Trudy Liberman

Their Media War and Ours
Danny Schecter

Locally Grown Food
Wendy Siporen

The End of Fossil Fuel: Crisis and Opportunity
Roar Ramesh Bjonnes

The Party's Over: Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Societies
Richard Heinberg
Reviewed by Jim Hight

New Energy … New Jobs
Michael Schellenberger

Can the Safety of Meat in the U.S. be Guaranteed?
Michael Greger, MD

The Sacred Enneagram
Eli Jaxon-Bear

Understanding Your Life Through Color
Nancy Anne Tappe
Reviewed by Ellae Elinwood

Primary Perception
Cleve Backster
Reviewed by Paul Von Ward

Cosmic Calendar
Salina Rain

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Cosmic Calendar

By Salina Rain

“Let us hold our tender aspirations gently and with intention as we send them free into the universe.” - K. Corbett

February is always ushered in, on the 2nd day of the month, by the ancient cross-quarter day Imbolg, or Candle-mas, or as we call it in contemporary American culture, Ground Hog Day. The cross-quarter days that mark halfway between solstices and equinoxes, were, and still are, sacred moments in the yearly round for many people throughout the world. Imbolg (or Imbolc) is the check point in the winter when those who live by the rhythms of Nature try to predict how much remains of the cold and winter storms by how the animals are behaving—whether coming out of hibernation or not. The light grows stronger, we’ve gained many minutes at each end of the day since solstice. As we look forward to another Spring we instinctively align with the energy of constantly renewing cycles, with hope and optimism. Sun conjoins Neptune this year on Imbolc giving us more insight into the larger picture, helping to dissolve ego needs, and compelling some to hide behind a mask of deception. Take a moment here to tune into your inner wisdom, to find what’s truly essential, as the universe offers us yet another opportunity to step into the realm of timelessness. Mars slows down considerably from his Aries passage as he’s headed for earth sign Taurus on the 3rd.

Leo Full Moon on the 6th is at 17 degrees, with Sun at 17 degrees Aquarius joined by Neptune, and both luminaries square the Moon’s nodes. Something important is afoot, especially as Sun and Moon also square last November’s Lunar Eclipse degrees, challenging us to take a good look at where we’ve come since that momentous Grand Sextile graced the sky, and further activating the energy of that open gateway. Neptune reminds us to drop elements of false ego, to cherish and express our dreams of fulfilling our highest potential. Moon trines Pluto, empowering us in our idealism and shedding more light where fanaticism lurks. Mars exactly sextile Uranus adds more support by inspiring grounded action with divine guidance. Jupiter quincunxes the Sun, squares Pluto, and trines the North Node as we confront more lessons around ego and self-expression, humility, and our unique ways in serving the whole. Rudhyar’s Sabian Symbol for 17 Leo reads: “A volunteer church choir singing religious hymns.” An image that speaks of the deep union resulting from people joining energies around a common ideal, and of the uplifting effect on the collective. Refer back to last Fall and what was most prominent in importance at the two November eclipses to determine where life is calling to you now.

On February 18th the Sun slips into water sign Pisces, the most diffuse sign of the zodiac. The annual solar journey here helps us dissolve overburdening ego patterns in order to make more authentic contact with All That Is. Then, on the 20th, New Moon in Pisces arrives at 2 degrees closely conjoining Uranus for some alchemical New Moon magic. The dark of the Moon turns us to the instinctive aspect of our nature. Whatever we’re blending and combining here, whether of physical substance or mental/emotional or spiritual substance seems to have extra potency, especially with Sun/Moon/Uranus trine Saturn in Cancer and Venus in Aries sextile Neptune. This can be a high Initiation time into the Mystery, a wonderful time to begin a new practice. As the “reality” we’re more used to falls further apart we’re pushed to the inner sanctum of Spirit where we find the real treasures of this perplexing existence. And from this perspective we gain the clarity and strength to participate in the collective experience with more compassion and support for ourselves from the universal energies. There’s also greater potential for escapism through ever new and unusual means, along with breakthroughs in treating addictions. “A squirrel hiding from hunters” is the Sabian Symbol for 2 degrees Pisces. Rudhyar brings forth a picture of the individual’s dangerous, isolated position in the collective ruled by individualism, in society having “evolved” beyond the safety of tribal bonds. Somehow we must combine the best of both ways, of fully supported individuation within a connected and nurturing society. Solar Eclipse of last November is squared by Moon/Sun/Uranus. Are we absorbing new elements of reality in relation to leaving behind the nightmare of the dommination/submission model? Mass consciousness is at another critical turning point as the seeds of a greater Awakening are planted with this lunation.

Saturn in Cancer continues in retrograde motion through March 7th when it pivots direct at 7 degrees. Asteroid Ceres, most connected with the sign Cancer, has been traveling close to Saturn for a while, adding further dimensions to the theme of how we can achieve our goals most effectively. They remind us that hard work and discipline pay off only when combined with nurturance, emotional balance, and a sense of connectedness with, and responsibility toward, our “tribe.” Fears and insecurities about getting what we need are the shadow side of Saturn in Cancer. We must be extra vigilant not to succumb to our fears, as this will only feed the current movement toward a totalitarian state, both within and outside ourselves. Chiron in Capricorn drives us on with great ambition, yet it’s lessons also involve the importance of balancing work with play and the necessity for a sense of humor about ourselves to achieve real success. Chiron’s current passage exposes the need for ethics in business and government, high-lighting the loss of any sense of “tribal” bonds that would otherwise compel people (and corporations) to treat one another with caring and respect. Cultural alienation is one of the huge, painful wounds Chiron in Capricorn continues to compel us to address over the next year.

On February 22nd Uranus lands at 2 degrees, 49 minutes Pisces, the exact point of the Great Awakener’s pivot last Spring on June 6th. Reflect on the ideals and inspirations of that time for a look at the next level of manifesting our highest, or most bizarre, visions into reality. Indestructibility is an element of this degree, with “preservation of archetypally significant” aspects of human cultures through time as Rudhyar’s interpretation.

Virgo Full Moon on March 6th arrives at 17 degrees conjunct Jupiter, opposing Sun and Mercury in Pisces, and all squaring Pluto in Sagittarius. Rudhyar sees: “A volcanic eruption. The explosive energy of long-repressed contents of the subconscious.” Nefarious, hidden agendas burst through into public awareness, with growing concern over the deception of the masses by those in charge. Spirit speaks to us loud and clear through symbolism, be attentive to the meanings behind outer events. More revelations about the scandalous state of healthcare in the richest country in the world may appear. On the personal level let go of old patterns of thought and behavior that don’t align with your heart’s desire. Rudhyar further explains the process symbolized in the Moon’s degree: “Everything must be released from the psyche seeking to attain the transfigured state. The soul must become empty, the mind translucent.” Expect explosions on many levels as we have certainly repressed an astounding amount of subconscious material. It’s time to see which of our ideas work and which are simply outdated, ineffective, or downright destructive.

Saturn makes its pivot on the 7th giving the go-ahead to plans and projects we’re still committed to after the review that began at the end of last October. Wherever 6-7 degrees Cancer falls in your chart is where this regrouping around commitments is occurring. We’re called to exercise more discipline and discernment in how we use our time and energy. Saturn’s role in the alchemical process at this time teaches us respect for boundaries and timing, for following guidelines laid down by the ancestors who found their way through the great transformation of the human vehicle. With Ceres also in Cancer, the importance of food, nourishment, the environmental ambiance we ingest along with our food, and rituals of sharing food are all of greater importance. Also high-lighted are societal structures that do—or do not—provide the basics of life to those who are too young, old, infirm, or temporarily set back, to provide for themselves.

March 19th marks the Spring Equinox as Sun arrives at 00 degrees Aries at 10:49 PM PST, then the New Moon in Aries at 1 degree perfects on the 20th in the afternoon. Rebirth, renewal, the raw, upsurging energy of life is what this sacred time is about. Rudhyar speaks of “A woman risen from the sea. A seal is embracing her.” The symbol describes the individual consciousness emerging out of the sea of collective consciousness, with the seal representing one who has made that step and regressed back into the sea, or collective. This is about the potential for success or failure for any emerging step we take in our evolutionary journey. Jupiter still trines the Moon’s North Node helping us to refine our ideas and beliefs, and to define our collective values. Mars at the potent last degree of Taurus is still slower moving, more cautious, and supporting actions based on our values. Mercury sextile Neptune sharpens our intuition, helping us communicate with more clarity and compassion.

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.