February/March

The Moment Has Come for Media Reform
Rober W. McChesney

Low Power FM Radio Coming to the Rogue Valley
Suzi Aufderheide

Reframing Is Social Change
George Lakoff

Giving From The Heart
Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.

Social Security is The Least of Our Problems
Interview with Paul Krugman by Amy Goodman

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
Interview with John Perkins by Amy Goodman

Meeting in Caracas in Defense of Humanity
Jane Franklin

Hyping Terror For Fun, Profit … And Power
Thom Hartmann

First They Came For The Terrorists …
Thom Hartmann

The Legacy of Pure Motivation
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche

Cosmic Calendar
Salina Rain

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By Salina Rain

February 2005 brings a shift in direction for Jupiter—planet of philosophies and belief systems, ideals and broad-ening perspectives, major growth and outward expansion—as the greater benefic turns retrograde on the 1st for the next four months. Jupiter will pivot at 19 degrees Libra, internalizing its growth cycle through the rest of the winter, into late Spring, and emphasizing that degree as it turns. Partnerships, which are affected by this turning, will undergo review of what works and what does not throughout the retrograde period. Wherever 19 Libra falls in your chart is significant this first week of the month. Look up the House placement if you can. “Protest against disharmonic social privilege” is Rudhyar’s interpretation of this degree, with the keywords “group protest” and the image of “A gang of robbers in hiding.” 

The period is marked by a heightened sense of fairness and justice, both individually around the matters of the House where Jupiter pivots, and collectively, at least for the US, around our reputation in the world and the paternal role we take in conducting relationships with other countries, as Jupiter is closely connecting with US Saturn, squaring US Sun. Chiron crossed US Pluto in January, exposing a massive, festering wound in the collective national psyche, and will enter Aquarius for the 1st time in 50 years before February is over. This is a huge step in shifting the ways in which we function, from old patriarchal patterns of control to new paradigms inclusive of everyone’s needs, with plenty of room for each being’s individuality and each group’s diverse heritage. This will begin a 6 year journey for the idealists, mavericks, metaphysicians, futurists who have been marginalized in the past and will now be received, listened to, and honored. Aquarians rejoice!

Feb. 8th Sun and Moon join at 20 degrees Aquarius to celebrate the New Moon, kicking off this cycle with no less than 6 points in Aquarius, with Chiron close behind. Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Asteroid Juno all line up with the 2 luminaries to inhabit the sign of the Water Bearer, the Revolutionary, awakening us to new possibilities, new relationships and ways of being in relationships, new modes of communication, technological advances, and ethical concerns over how we use technologies. This is a potent seeding moment for starting off on a new path, especially as we align our individual gifts with group projects, humanitarian efforts. Saturn quincunx the lunation, square Jupiter, creates pressure for the old to give way to the new, but ideally without throwing out the positive elements of our traditions. Jupiter trine Neptune, Mercury, Sun and Moon gives a powerful boost for freedom from constraints and significant breakthroughs unfolding in the weeks following this New Moon, though not coming to full fruition until it re-crosses 18 degrees Libra in late Summer. Create your intention for this cyclic beginning with clear head and open heart, then put it out in a ritual that matches your unique style. Rudhyar’s Sabian Symbol for the Moon’s degree reads “A disappointed and disillusioned woman faces an empty life.” Developing resilience in adversity is the potential in this degree.

Sun leaves Aquarius on the 18th, entering mutable water sign Pisces, as we sink more into the emotional/psychic/spiritual realm where beings and things are undefined, undifferentiated, interconnected. Sun navigates this sometimes mystical, sometimes delusional sea where all creation merges for the next 30 days. Emphasis is on internal focus, meditative practices, visioning, dreaming, and expressing our inner life in some way.

Chiron enters Aquarius on the 21st for the beginning of the next phase of social  and individual transmutation, as shamans, astrologers, astronomers, inventors, mathematicians, alchemists, healers, diviners of all persuasions come into their own, while gaining more public approval.

Virgo Full Moon perfects on the 23rd at 5 degrees, opposing Sun, Juno, and Uranus and Mercury in Pisces, shedding new light on the other dimensions of our existence that we’ve been used to ignoring. The so-called spiritual realm becomes more real as Sun and Moon work together to show us where we’ve come since the last New Moon’s breakthroughs. Uranus has been blasting open the all-seeing third eye in its journey through Pisces, and—if we’re paying attention—puts on a luminous display of many more facets in the true nature of reality. Analytical Virgo Moon validates the usually unseen realms with “facts and figures,” and helps us find practical ways to take care of ourselves during these times of  huge change. Sabian Symbol from Rudhyar for Moon’s degree is “A merry-go-round,” emphasizing cyclicity and the “ups and downs of the emotional life.” Balancing receptivity with discrimination is a good way to harmonize with the universal flow of energies at this time, with attention to the House in your chart for this lunation, and to what you put into motion on the 8th.

Three planets change direction in March, making this a month full of shifts, perhaps giving us a sense of no grounding underneath us to lend steady support. This is where the inner focus is most crucial since so much of the familiar is changing. Mercury turns retrograde on the 19th at 14 degrees Aries in one of  three retrograde periods in fire signs this year. We’re rethinking our connection to Spirit, reviewing the whole perceptual process, as we learn more about our multi-dimensionality, while also being more reflective in how we choose to act on our perceptions. Saturn turns direct on the 21st at 20 degrees Cancer, giving us a more solid  direction for re-structuring and renovating everything from family patterns, the home environment, to government and big business. Then on the 26th Pluto, the great transformer, pivots retrograde at 24 degrees Sagittarius, emphasizing power dynamics, hidden motivations. This gives us time to examine more ways we can release the destructive patterns in our thinking and beliefs and transform the demons of our own creation into powerful allies.

New Moon on the 10th at 20 degrees Pisces trines Saturn, offering great possibilities to manifest our dreams and visions if we’re willing to be persistent and faithful to our higher selves. This beginning of a new cycle also marks the “end” of the Sun’s yearly journey through the zodiac, a reminder of the never-ending cycles of life, death, rebirth—in every beginning there is an ending, in every ending a beginning. Uranus, Juno, Venus, Sun and Moon all line up in magical, mystical Pisces, guaranteeing us an experience of exquisite merging and/or a sense of being lost in the fog. Compassion and addiction, artistic/musical expression or self-invalidation are likely to play out with this line up. Relationships fall apart now that aren’t based on spiritual connections, while those with true soul enjoy a new cycle of  devotion to serving each other’s needs. This is a wonderful time for a ritual, dedicating or re-dedicating oneself to the path of service to the whole, in whatever way one has been called to serve. If you’re not clear yet, then take time today to listen to your heart. No matter what we choose to do we can be doing it in service to our fellow beings. Pluto square the lunation challenges our false beliefs about what and who we truly are. Sabian Symbol from Rudhyar for Sun and Moon is “A table set for an evening meal. An indication that in the end and at the appointed time the individual’s needs will be met among those to whom (s)he is linked by a spiritual (or biological) web of energies.” Faith, patience and devotion are all where we need to center ourselves.

Equinox marks the beginning of Spring on the 20th, when day and night are in perfect balance. Sun at 00 degrees Aries sextiles Chiron in Aquarius and Mars in Capricorn, trines the Moon at the last degree of Cancer, predicting a season of  innovations, unusual twists on old themes, and also some false starts as Mercury is retrograde in Aries. Family, safety, security are ongoing major concerns. Take some time at this sacred turning point to honor the cycles and gifts of life, no matter how challenging things may be.

Libra Full Moon on the 25th lines up with Pallas; Jupiter, South Node, opposes Sun, Venus, Mercury, North Node in Aries, with a huge balancing act in progress around partnerships of all sorts. We’re leaving behind outworn attitudes about marriage, clearly not without a struggle though, as Saturn staunchly squares the Moon’s Nodes saying “no” to anything that doesn’t look traditional. Mars has entered Aquarius meanwhile, now catalyzing Chiron’s agenda of new solutions from out of the blue and connecting diverse groups in a close conjunction, trining the Moon and sextile the Sun and Venus. Resistance (to massive change) is useless! Rudhyar sees in 6 degrees Libra Moon “A man watches his ideals taking a concrete form before his inner vision. The need to visualize clearly one’s dreams or ideals in order to make them truly effectual.”

Stay true to your inner yearnings these next two months, staying grounded as fear and false interpretations of what’s happening are prevalent. Now more than ever we need to see beyond the illusions of material reality, tuning into the movement of energy and the other dimensions that are presenting themselves much stronger as 2005 unfolds.

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, astro@salinarain.com, or visit www.salinarain.com for more detailed forecasts.