SENTIENT TIIMES
Apr/May 2008
Cosmic Calendar
By Salina Rain
During April this year the inner planets are all direct for a relatively clear path to getting things done by moving forward in measured, fairly small increments. The retrograde condition of Saturn, the planet of karma, continues until early May extending our review and restructuring of everything from major institutions of society to personal health routines, work habits, career moves, space clearing and overall spiritual housecleaning. When Saturn pivots in May we’ll be ready for bigger changes with greater long term, beneficial impact if we’ve been diligent about our work since last fall when Saturn entered Virgo, and especially since December when it went retrograde at 9 degrees Virgo. Pluto meanwhile has been in the 1st degree of Capricorn and has begun the Cardinal Grand Cross activity (at equinox) that will reoccur over time, and is activating the massive shifts in the years to come in world governments, environmental matters and corporate domination. Pluto in Capricorn brings to the surface all the festering problems relevant to the aforementioned themes while showing us in graphic terms how much we have created our own limitations, while at the same time requiring and supporting getting down to serious business with solutions to all the human created problems. Resources of course will be decidedly restricted as the over-plundering of the Earth’s abundance becomes increasingly apparent, with our only choice being to create new ways of meeting our needs.
Pluto turns retrograde on April 2 emphasizing power and the potential for regeneration as it pivots, for weeks before and after, sending us into a more internal journey with the issues of domination and control of the few over the many. Our major transformations for this period come through the area of life where Capricorn resides in each persons horoscope—wherever Saturn currently transits is the area of clearing, re-organizing, refining, committing. With Pluto and Saturn in trine aspect to each other over the first few months of this year we have an almost unprecedented opportunity to make substantial progress in the areas of dire importance to the very survival of the human species. Hard work and clear focus, along with a paradoxically lighthearted attitude, are required—just what these two promote in their earth sign emphasis.
Aries New Moon on the 5th at 17 degrees, 8:56 pm PDT, creates a grand portal opening into the future. Sun and Moon are the apex of a T-Square with Mars in Cancer, Jupiter in Capricorn, pushing us to act with courage, clarity, responsibility to both self and the collective, at the same time releasing the past with all our misconceptions, false beliefs and self-defeating behaviors—a tall order for critical times. Jupiter and Uranus form an inspiring, stabilizing, supportive sextile that further assists in manifesting miraculous outcomes from our combined efforts. It is time to look around and join forces with others of similar purpose if you aren’t already doing so. Mars, ruling planet of this lunation, has just re-crossed its retrograde degree from last November, indicating it’s time to move forward from our mental/emotional processing of the past few months and be willing to follow our instincts and current motivation for our life direction. We’ve reviewed the past uses of Mars energies, the archetype of the masculine, this past winter, now we’re called upon to express this archetypal energy in productive, skillful ways. Saturn trine Pluto adds intensive dedication to accomplishing the most challenging tasks before us, leaving no room for being out of integrity, both personally and collectively, without severe and instantaneous feedback. Wherever these planets connect with each other in your chart are areas of tremendous potential for overcoming obstacles, with an additional potency when joining others with the same values and purpose, especially outside the cultural norm.
April 20 Full Moon in Scorpio perfects at 1 degree opposing Sun and Mercury in Taurus, which in turn make a magnificent Grand Earth Trine with Pluto and Saturn. The Taurus-Scorpio axis is about resources, values, priorities, sensual pleasures, stability and the lessons of impermanence and the ongoing transformational processes of life. This lunation then emphasizes and illuminates our present condition as far as balancing these aspects of our lives both individually and collectively. Ideally we’re seeing through the schizophrenic cultural world view that creates a horribly destructive split between the material world/mundane life and the experience of spiritual connection. We all want and deserve abundance, and of course that adds to our happiness. But the huge chasm between the very wealthy and the very poor simply illustrates gross ignorance in the collective psyche. This Full Moon reveals all the inequities and requires that we ask ourselves “what do I need to feel truly comfortable and secure in the material world?” After a certain point wealth simply becomes obscene and destructive to the human soul. Grand Earth Trine clarifies our most essential goals once again, helping us commit to the work and make the changes necessary in ourselves to move ahead. Releasing old patterns of self-sabotage and fears of not being worthy, or capable of achieving the goals we cherish, are highly favored in this energy field. Chiron, Neptune and North Node in Aquarius are traveling very closely for the next few weeks ensuring extraordinary collective experiences with futurists, visionaries, bril-liance in scientific/technological solutions benefiting the masses.
Where are these magical three transiting in your chart? Moon’s degree at 1 Scorpio in the Sabian Symbols reads: “A crowded sightseeing bus on a city street. The fundamental eagerness to expand one’s social horizon and to experience the results of collective achievements and new ways of life.” (Rudhyar) It’s a new world indeed we’re creating with our individual commitment to our most authentic self and our collective movement toward massive change from the grassroots level.
New Moon at 16 degrees Taurus on May 5 trine Jupiter for an especially pragmatic beginning in this lunar cycle. Grand Earth Trine now involves Venus in Taurus, Pluto and Saturn, still giving us stamina, heart and resources to get a tremendous amount of work done toward our goals. Setting intentions at this moment for improvements in finances and/or relationships, stronger commitment to personal values and better use of material resources are particularly supported and bound for success if we remain true to our vision. Jupiter’s influence is more powerful now as the Greater Benefic slows down to turn retrograde, a review period which lasts through early Septemebr that has us going over the meaning and value of present institutions, as well as our dedication to our truest ideals. Jupiter in the cardinal earth sign continues to increase possibilities for improvements in government, big business, law, education and foreign policy. Rudhyar’s Sabian Symbol for 16 Taurus: “An old teacher fails to interest his pupils in traditional knowledge. The inadequacy of past knowledge in times of crisis.” The old structure is failing, falling apart, it’s time for new solutions and new approaches in our personal and collective experiences. It’s no longer acceptable just to notice what isn’t working for us, we must now actively do something to change, or change will do us.
May 19 brings another Full Moon in Scorpio, the first one in the 1st degree, and this one at the last degree of the fixed water sign, re-emphasizing the immediacy of change and transformation in a big way. Venus joins the Sun intensifying the message about values, right uses of resources, the requirements of partnerships, while these planets participate in a potent, concentrated Fixed Grand Cross with the Moon, with squares to North Node, Chiron, Neptune and South Node-Saturn. This is a “yes we really mean it” kind of energy pattern with no room for going unconscious or making the same old, tired mistakes. We’ve reached yet another major turning point. The Sun in the last degree of Taurus resonates with the Pleiades star cluster, known as the Seven Sisters, and source of the human race in creation stories of several indigenous cultures along with an orientation point for sacred architecture in many ancient cultures. This lunation’s message indicates a huge global consciousness shift that is not without resistance, but which is also unstoppable. Our mission to reorient ourselves on the material plane as star beings in temporary human form is clear, spirit in a physical body suit going to school on planet Earth. Form is temporary, accumulated stuff is for sharing and for use while embodied, heart connections and relationship to our environment, including the cosmos, is what’s real and lasting.
Mercury retrogrades in Gemini on May 26 until June 19 sending us into a bit of chaos in the day to day routines and schedules, but is doing so in order that we attend to the inner life. This period requires review of our connections and communications, our information sources and habitual mental processes. This retrograde period is a great time for rewiring our conditioned minds to meet the challenges of a new age. Read something outside your range, do some writing, share your thoughts and questioning with others, explore connections with people from a different world than yours. Curiosity, humor and wonder are the guiding lights through this passage.
Salina Rain is a professional counseling Astrologer with major focus on life purpose and gracefully navigating transitions. She is also a Reiki Jin Kei Do Master/Teacher, a lineage of energy healing directly from the ancient Buddhist healing practices. Salina is available for astrological readings, classes, Reiki Jin Kei Do master sessions and trainings. She may be reached at (707) 668-5408, PO Box 1081, Blue Lake, CA 95525, astro@salinarain.com.
SENTIENT TIMES
PO Box 1330 Ashland, OR 97520
PHONE (541) 512-1084 • FAX (541) 512-1085
dmokma@jeffnet.org
