SENTIENT TIMES • October/November 2006

Cosmic Calendar

By Salina Rain

October and November this year unfold with ferocious intensity mainly around themes of letting go, death and regeneration, confronting aspects of society and leadership that have become rotten at the core, internal journeys both personal and collective, as no less than six planets pass through the transformational sign, Scorpio. The fixed water sign is ruled by Pluto (recently demoted in “official” status by astronomers) and Mars; Pluto, the outer planet being the “higher” octave of the power principle, while Mars, the inner planet, represents the “lower” or more mundane octave. Mars the warrior, either brutish and out of control, or the spiritual warrior, and all shades in between, is the traditional ruler prior to the discovery of Pluto, and will be traversing Scorpio from late October through early December. Mars’ passage through any sign, and aspects it makes with other planets along the way, describe our experiences and potentials in the areas of desires, motivations, getting started in any venture. In Scorpio the red planet can be brutally impatient, cruel, manipulative or encourage laser-like focus into dark and hidden places.

Jupiter, in Scorpio over the last year, expands on the transformational qualities of that sign, lending grand support to all transformational processes as well as raising consciousness around this necessary transitional period. Much is being deconstructed to make way for a future global human culture based in life-supporting principles. The giant planet also is in mutual reception with Pluto in Sagittarius—hovering around the Galactic Center, point of death and birth at the cosmic level—where each planet occupies the other’s sign, creating a highly beneficial rapport, a harmonious interaction between them making it possible for us to maintain optimism in the midst of chaos. These essential death and birth pangs, when viewed in a broad perspective of unfolding events and placed within a larger picture, make sense as we contemplate the vast changes needed to move forward.

Full Moon at 14 degrees Aries on the 6th of October aims it’s enlightening beams into the balancing act between asserting ourselves to get our needs met and cooperating within relationships and society to make sure we’re aligned with the highest good. Aries Moon, representing the leader, pioneer, individual empowered to walk her own path, opposes Libra Sun who’s closely joined by both Venus, ruler of Libra, and Mars, ruler of Aries. This combination greatly enhances Libra’s power to create workable partnerships, healthy group collaborations, strengthening the cardinal air sign’s graciousness, sense of aesthetics, justice and equality, while not compromising the individual’s unique purpose. Rudhyar’s interpretation of 14 degrees Aries (Moon): “A serpent coiling near a man and a woman. Identification in bipolar relationship with the impersonal rhythm of natural energy.” Here he speaks in terms of the “ritualization of relationship” where we enter into this part of the Mystery not to complete ourselves but as the next evolutionary step beyond individuation, opening to the other and to the world. This can be done through the internal process of the sacred marriage or through external relationship. In this new stage of evolution we learn that: “Love is not an emotion, it is your very existence.” (Sri Ravi Shankar)

Chiron turns direct at 4 degrees Aquarius on the 12th, having been retrograde, therefore more internal, since the middle of May. This bridge between matter and spirit is now more prominent, more actively at play in our lives, highlighting wholistic and multi-dimensional aspects of reality. Check out where Chiron pivots in your chart for the area being vibrated into a new frequency in your life.

On the 21st Sun and Moon join together at 29 degrees Libra for the New Moon, once more joined very intimately by Venus and Mars, all at or near the sign’s last degree. As the lessons of this sign are nearing completion in this placement it is time for us to put into practice what we’ve been learning about cooperation, equality, justice and commitment—what benefits the whole while bringing more harmony into our personal relationships? After the illumination from the Full Moon, orienting us as individuals within a larger entity, and after the great clearing of the Virgo solar eclipse, we can begin a new cycle of personal and societal relating with this lunation. Saturn closely trines Pluto in a fairly long, slow, and thorough process of commitment to digging for truth and authenticity, to deconstructing and reforming society’s institutions, while Jupiter and Mercury pair up in Scorpio squaring Saturn with a challenge to keep the larger picture in mind and support our ability to understand what’s happening. Mercury will back up through Scorpio over the next few weeks, revisiting this point in a review of where our priorities lie. Wherever 9-25 degrees Scorpio spans your personal chart is your area of deep and life-changing review this Fall, Oct. 28-Nov. 17. Sabian symbol for 29 degrees Libra lunation from Rudhyar reads: “Mankind’s vast and enduring effort to reach for knowledge transferable from generation to generation. A deep sense of participation in and commitment to social processes which seek to bring all men Truth and a greater life.”

At the end of October two planets change directions, with Mercury pivoting retrograde, as mentioned above, and Neptune turning direct on the 29th. As the planet of perception, communication and decision-making sends us back to review our thinking and check our information sources over the past two and half weeks, the planet of vision, faith, mystical union goes forward allowing our dreams more space in our reality. Mercury’s station occurs within 1 degree of Jupiter, bringing more depth and meaning to the retrograde period, more impact for society as a whole, and certainly opening our awareness to where we’ve gotten in our own way, personally and en masse, through incorrect thinking. Travel will be much trickier, and even dangerous in some cases, be very clear about the importance of any trips planned. Also Sun, Venus and Mars have all entered Scorpio continuing and intensifying the journey through darkness where we experience raw, unconditioned emotions and energies. Here lies great potential for healing if we acknowledge and allow these energies to move through us, to evolve and change us in the process.

Full Moon on November 5th at 13 degrees Taurus is opposed by Sun, Mars, Venus, Mercury and Jupiter still in Scorpio. This potent lineup encourages further surrender to the inward journey rather than attempting escape from the fears and dark imaginings that overtake us when we avoid the depths of our experience. Taurus Moon lights the way through the dark, grounding us with a sure-footed, persistent and practical approach to this profound passage. Motivations, power dynamics, fears, hidden agendas, obsessions and underlying beliefs compelling us to act unconsciously, are especially highlighted in this lunation that also engages all the senses vividly. Neptune and Uranus, outer planets connecting us with our divine nature, are strong influences sending winds of change, dissolving barriers between diverse groups, lifting the veil of our illusion of separateness. Moon at 13 degrees Taurus in the Sabian symbols: “A porter carrying heavy baggage. Self-mobilization for social advantage.” It is crucial that whatever “load” we are carrying at this time must be of our conscious choosing and ideally adding in some way to the greater good.

Scorpio New Moon perfects on the 20th at 29 degrees joined by Jupiter, with Mercury and Mars in earlier degrees, still journeying through the sign of the phoenix rising from the flames. With Sun, Moon and Jupiter near the end of the sign this lunar phase repeats the endings theme, especially from the September Solar Eclipse. What are you being called upon to let go of in order to move forward into this new cycle? We may require space for grieving as we release old beliefs, habits, relationships, or ways of conducting relationships. Saturn trine Pluto continues to enhance this process, bringing up all kinds of business and people from the past for resolutions. Collectively we have tremendous support for restructuring society in ways that resonate with authenticity, honesty, core values. Uranus, the revolutionary, has turned direct just yesterday, trining newly direct Mercury as it spins, creating huge breakthroughs in thinking, perceiving, communicating, along the way. The planet of revelation increases our abilities to use and benefit from all forms of divination ( astrology, tarot, the I Ching, dowsing rods, etc.) as powerful tools in awakening to our roles as co-creators. We’re refining our sense of priorities, of what’s worth retaining, even defending, and what must be eliminated. Rudhyar’s 29 degrees Scorpio interpretation: “An Indian [mother] pleading for the lives of her children. Love as a principle of redemption.” This image calls forth the “value of prayer,” also referring to the divine Mother acting on behalf of lost souls, and speaking to our capacity to “offset or attenuate the dictates of karma.” (Rudhyar) Even as fear and self-doubts whisper in our ear (or bombard us from corporate media) with every step we take toward awakening, by moving with the instincts of the heart we’ll find ourselves living our purpose, co-creating a life-affirming cultural shift.

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 (see the calendar on page 24). Salina may be reached at (707) 668-5408, PO Box 1081, Blue Lake, CA, 95525, astro@salinarain.biz. Visit www.salinarain.biz for more detailed forecasts.

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