Cosmic Calendar
By Salina Rain
As we enter February’s Aquarian-influenced territory the fixed signs maintain extra emphasis, with Jupiter (Scorpio), Mars (Taurus) and Neptune (Aquarius) still in a wide arc T square, pushing us to break up stagnant patterns and unload old baggage. Saturn in early Leo opposing Chiron in Aquarius add more dimension and a certain immediacy to the process we’re going through and we are each called upon to manifest our unique gifts, our reason for being who and where we are at this moment in time. Never has it been more imperative for us to express and live our authenticity, with apologies to no one. If possible, it can be quite helpful to check your own chart for the placements of the fixed signs to get a better handle on what areas can use the specific kinds of focus required to navigate it all smoothly. Whatever may seem like a strain now is in an area of especially rich interest as we’re getting ready to give way to a new, more functional mode of operation.
Mars passes beyond the shadow degrees of it’s retrograde journey quite early in the month, energizing new beginnings and big action that’s been on hold since early October. We’ll each feel this shift in energy in our individual ways, but collectively it will be evident in much stronger, clearer and precise actions taken in the areas of environmentalism, financial markets, and priorities for allocating resources. We have collectively gone through a month’s long review process about war, aggression, what’s lost and what, if anything, is gained when we indulge our basest aggressive instincts by way of settling disputes. The oppressive and perplexing silence of so many around the issue of the illegal war in Iraq, and the stubborn, unfounded stance of others that it’s justified because of connections to 9/11, are up for some shifts. The warrior planet is much clearer and more willing to communicate, listen to another viewpoint, negotiate, as he moves into Gemini.
Venus, who has had an intimate rapport with Mars over the past several months as ruler of Taurus, turns direct at the same time as Mars is crossing its retro degree from Oct. 1, adding to the new clarity and dedication around values, priorities, what’s most worthy of our time, energy and resources. When we’re attuned to what’s really valuable to us, what brings us true joy and fulfillment, we need less and less of the trivialities, distractions, and excesses that we Americans have become so accustomed to.
Leo Full Moon on the 12th at 24 degrees, 8:45 pm PST, trine Pluto, illuminates in particular depth and clarity the Aquarius-Leo axis of finding and validating our individual expression and contribution to the whole as well as ways to channel that into the greater good. Neptune joins the Sun, infusing this lunation with opportunities for increased intuitive wisdom, crystal clear insight, or fogging up our thinking if we’re too embroiled in the baser themes of our existence. If you’re feeling confused take some time to be still and tune in. Mercury conjunct Uranus in Pisces reiterates that theme, amplifying the psychic energy, encouraging compassion and forgiveness in our interactions, or sending us down the road to addictive oblivion if we’re too distracted. Full Moon re-completes the Fixed Grand Cross in a wide arc that’s been working its persistent, unrelenting, take-no-prisoners magic on us over the past months. Resistance is useless. Check out the House placements in your chart for Leo-Aquarius to find what areas are most affected for you in this process of offering our true, unique and creative selves to our communities.
On the 27th Sun and Moon join for the Pisces New Moon at 9 degrees, joined closely by Uranus, channeler of divine energies, promoter of both the brilliant and the bizarre. Trust in our inner sense of who we are, what we’re doing, and where we’re going is paramount with Pisces, especially so with this particularly dynamic, luminous New Moon energy. The spiritual quest is favored above all, along with visioning, musical expression, and the finer aspects of love. Sun and Moon’s placement in this lunation in your chart begins a new cycle for you in that area in relation to your spirituality and to how you most easily surrender into the great ocean of existence. This combination can bring up gushing waters, possibly interfering with the flow of commerce and other traffic, as Mercury also in Pisces squares Pluto and is within the shadow degrees of its upcoming retrograde passage. In any case communications are quite tricky, with a tendency for everything from vagueness to pure deception, with plenty of messy tangles to undo in between. Chiron trine Mars and opposite Saturn energizes new, more effective connections among diverse individuals and groups, continuing to demand from us greater authenticity and commitment to our essential life goals.
In March Mercury goes retrograde for three weeks in already fuzzy Pisces while Sun and Uranus also occupy the mutable water sign and Jupiter turns “backwards” almost two thirds of the way through Scorpio, a fixed water sign. This makes for an especially watery month in a time that already has excessive water element emphasis as outer planets Uranus and Neptune move in mutual reception through each other’s signs for tremendous focus on the water planet’s most abundant resource. Awareness of the miraculous qualities of water is hitting mass consciousness at the same time as the horrific human-created consequences of our disrespect for and ignorance of our place in the larger scheme. As the month begins, in the luminescence of the Pisces New Moon, we’ll be starting a review process characterized as much by a need to use and trust the intuitive sense as by problems relating to delivery of clean water to masses of people, rising water levels, etc. Jupiter in near exact square to Neptune all month exaggerates and expands on all water issues, both acting as helper and instigator of excess in finding proper solutions. Jupiter-Neptune also push open the limits of consciousness, helping to change mass thinking in regards to matters of spirituality, ethics, cultural norms, the very nature of reality.
Virgo Full Moon on March 14th is a Lunar Eclipse at 24 degrees, 3:36 pm PST, square Pluto and asteroid Juno, creating a Mutable Grand Cross that strongly implies major change in the power dynamics of partnerships and in the continuing emergence of strong female archetypes. Ceres, Chiron and Venus line up closely in Aquarius reinforcing new developments in the role of the feminine in culture, as well as creative strategies supporting humanitarian ideals. On the personal level these three work together in the Aquarian House of your chart for breakthroughs in nurturing your own and others’ uniqueness. Eclipses always offer opportunities for radical shifts as huge amounts of energy releases accompany these cosmic events every six months. Pay particular attention to uncomfortable emotional states and other imbalances affecting health and well-being. Core issues are up for our consideration and quiet contemplation is the most direct route to dealing with them. Virgo’s archetype requires commitment to being in the moment, finding our most effective mode of service and practicing humility.
March 20 at10:26 am PST Sun enters 00 degrees marking Spring Equinox, one of the four sacred gateways of the annual cycle of the Earth spinning around the Sun. Jupiter has been retrograde for two weeks in its annual four month review cycle, continuing its mysterious, mystical square to Neptune at the turning of the seasons. Sun is very close to the Moon’s North Node, channeling more spiritual energy our way which gives us a stronger sense of direction, while both of these points trine the Equinox Moon in Sagittarius and Saturn in Leo, forming a Grand Fire Trine for more flow, harmony, meaning and grounding in our quest. Spring ’06 will be a time of powerful spiritual growth for humanity. Take time at this moment of perfect balance to check in with your personal dreams and visions to see what action you might take toward manifesting them.
Aries New Moon Solar Eclipse on the 29th at 2:16 am PST is joined by the Moon’s Node, trine Saturn, and exactly sextile Chiron, for a very serious take charge energy field where we’re likely to have a good deal of confidence and dedication in whatever we’re doing. Chiron offers new perspectives and surprising elements we may have overlooked before, opening us further to innovative solutions and more people we can work with, and supporting courageous moves. Wherever this eclipse is in your chart is your place to take strong action, begin something new, be fearless and devoted. Pluto is pivotting retrograde for even greater potency at that Galactic Center point, closely opposed by Mars in Gemini as it turns. The challenge in this opposition is to not become too scattered in our enthusiasm for taking action, while at the same time being aware of just what our thoughts and beliefs are creating.
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 classes,
and Reiki Jin-Kei-Do trainings. Salina may be reached at (707) 668-5408, PO
Box 1081, Blue Lake, CA, 95525, astro@salinarain.com. Visit www.salinarain.com
for more detailed forecasts.
February/March 2006
Politics
and the Web of Life
Lesley Adams
Another
World Is Possible
Gar Alperovitz
The
Cochabamba Water Revolt
Jim Schultz
In
the Kingdom of the Half-Blind
Bill Moyers
The
Man Who Sold the Iraq War
Amy Goodman interviews James Bamford
The
Translucent Revolution
Arjuna Ardagh
Rescuing
a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble
Lester Brown
Is
There a Friendlier Option for a Post-peak Future?
Bill McKibben
Awakening
The Unique Potential in Each Child
Danella M. Shea
The
Education of Jarvis Masters
Anna Smith
The Ashland Independent Film Festival
5th Annual Siskiyou Environmental Film Festival
Daily
Life and Stillness
Christine Breese, DD, Ph.D
The
Science of Spiritual Marketing
Andrea Adler
Books in Brief
Moksha Mokma
Necessity
is the Mother of Invention
Asha Deliverance
Cosmic
Calendar
Salina Rain
