Cardinal Climax: Take 2 - August 2010 and Beyond

"You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star."

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, German Author (1844-1900)

"There is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent."

Michel de Montaigne, Author and Statesman (1533 - 1592)

"Dance today is clearly in an unsettled state....A time of change presents a confused picture. That there is change is proof that dance is organically vital--and much more so than it has ever before been in this country."

Margaret H’Doubler, Master Dance Instructor (1889-1982)

In this age of great uncertainty and shift, the movement of the human spirit to new ground and higher frequency requires conscious action, surrender at times, and discernment. Yet, this trying time can also make the brain/mind quite active as it seeks a strategy of either survival, security or risk. How to still the mind? Spiritual practices, bodywork therapies and creative arts hold the answer. In this latter realm, revisit this wonderful video demonstrating how a simple dance can prove uplifting and unifying. In this space of joy it's easy for your inner spirit to lead the way.

Cardinal Activation - pedal to the metal

Every two years or so, Mars catches up to Saturn. Mars, archetype of action, decisiveness, impulse, and on the shadow side, aggression and war, moves today (July 29th) from Virgo into the sign of Libra. Here, Saturn awaits at 0 degrees.

Mars and Saturn are akin to the "young warrior meets the old master". Each is determined to be in charge and have their say. So Mars/Saturn periods are typical of a push/pull energy that can be challenging. "Hurry up and wait" is one example.

Mars Effect by Joseph Mina

Yet, beyond this struggle, the current "Mars effect" is not just about a brief encounter with Saturn. Rather, Mars energy holds the potential to be a potent catalyst for activating/initiating the Cardinal Climax energies of Pluto, Saturn and Jupiter/Uranus.  This "kick start" effect has the mojo to bring the Cardinal Energies into a stronger and more active frequency, rippling through the consciousness for weeks beyond the transit. Collectively, I suspect this invites a considerable dose of unpredictable intensity, and a good dose of shadow energy into the mix (remember, opposition and square energies are at play here). The world stage is going to show us many things in rather rapid order about what works and what no longer serves us.

The current transit lasts through August 13th when Mars reaches 10 degrees Libra. There, its influence on the early degree points wanes. However, its current strong influence can be challenging to relationship interaction (Libra), create imbalance and possible injury (Uranus/Jupiter in Aries opposition) and unexpected financial or organization shifts (Pluto in Capricorn). This is particularily true for anyone having significant placement(s) in early degree Cardinal points in their birth chart.

Meanwhile, as Mars continues its zodiac journey, it reaches early degree Cardinal sign placements in Capricorn (December 7), Aries (April 1, 2011), Cancer (Aug 2, 2011) and back to Libra (July 2012). Future blogs will cover the significance of these transits, Suffice it to say, these 4 early degree Cardinal transits will add a potent intensity during each pass.

As if that weren't enough, there's the Moon's passage through early degree Cardinal signs to consider. The day after Mars enters Libra, the Moon enters Aries. This adds quite a bit of emotional fuel to the Cardinal cauldron (dancing anyone?).

Here, Luna joins Jupiter/Uranus in their opposition to Saturn/Mars and square to Pluto. The Moon resides in the early degrees only a day. However, every 7 days throughout August, the Moon will position at an early Cardinal sign degree adding more emotional energy to the mix. Look for diplomatic upset on the world stage, and quite possibly further war intensity within global hot spots, such as the Middle East etc.

Rounding out this intense mix is Venus, archetype of beauty, creativity and relationship. Venus enters her natural sign of Libra on August 6th, joining (yes, you guessed it) Saturn/Mars, opposing Jupiter/Uranus etc. etc. At the same time, the Moon moves to early degree Cancer. Chart dynamic looks like this:

On this day, the Cardinal T-Square becomes a grand cross. This is definitely an "inner day". Mark your calendar (while you're at it, you might as well mark it too for the other Cardinal passes on August 12th, 19th and 26th).

Moon in Cancer invokes desires for being nurtured and family issues. Add that to Venus' desire for quality relationships, Mars/Saturn's push/pull and...well you get the picture. At best, it's a mix, intense bag of energy that says "go within".  Engagement is not necessarily an easy ally this day, or any other day in August when the Moon transits through early degree Cardinal points (12th, 19th and 26th).

Note: while Venus is a much softer and harmonious vibration than Mars, its presence in the Cardinal Cauldron may make this a challenging time to appreciate her Venusian qualities. Rather, the effect of the other Cardinal members will alter the Venus frequency through mid-month in ways that could prove very unsettling in the realm of relationships. One effective strategy is to breathe deeply and count 1...2...3...before responding to an emotionally charged situation.

Neptune/Chiron in Aquarius - the final journey

AstroActivator© by Kathryn Andren

Chiron brief visit to Pisces ended on July 20th. Now back again in the sign of Aquarius, it continues its close and very potent interaction with Neptune through next February.

Ever since this duo came together last February, more conscious expressions around creating a new Aquarian vision (Neptune), while healing the wounds of the human experience on planet Earth (Chiron), have been in play.

Chiron represents the healing point of the chart. Neptune, ruler of Pisces and the higher octave of Venus, attunes to sensitivity and the mystical or untouchable. Neptune also rules fluids such as oil. It's no wonder "oil spills" have been prominent in the news. Perhaps the Earth is showing us in no uncertain terms the "age of oil" is coming to a close and we better come to grips with this reality sooner than later.

Given Chiron's presence, "healing the wound" includes finding alternative forms of energy attuned to the Earth's new vibration. I suspect much will go on behind the scenes over the next 5 months to move the world focus in that direction. Hopefully, more intense reminders from the Earth in the interim won't be necessary.

Neptune also evokes feelings of compassion and mysticism. On the shadow side it can evoke a desire to escape through alcohol and drugs. If addiction patterns have been part of your life or family experience, Chiron offers an opportunity to heal that which has been fragmented in the time/space continuum, especially around the childhood fed delusion of how life was supposed to unfold.

Conclusion: Neptune/Chiron and the Cardinal Climax puts us on notice bigger waves are ahead. While the current energy of this quickly shape-shifting field may not be obvious or understood, staying grounded (enjoy the garden), expressing creativity (eg dancing), practicing acts of kindness with self and others, and following healthy, quality of life choices can make this ride much more meaningful and connective for yourself and those around you.

Our next blog focuses on the  Leo New and Pisces Full Moons of August. Also, we'll explore the building Mercury Retrograde in Virgo, which begins its shadow effect on July 31st, and goes retrograde on August 20th.

Aloha from the Islands
Starman, Joseph Mina
July 29th, 2010
©Gemini Awakening 2010 all rights reserved
 
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