Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Saturn and Pluto: The Dance of Death and Transformation

"It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers" James Thurber

Introduction: Saturn and Pluto and the 2010 Cardinal Climax

On January 31st, Saturn and Pluto trigger the 2nd of 3 very intense squares. This blog examines the dynamics of this potent combo, and their role as part of this summer's potent Cardinal Climax.

What is the Cardinal Climax?? Astrologically, "Cardinal" refers to the 1st signs of the 4 seasons (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn). "Climax" is the pinnacle, crest, culmination or apex of critical tension generated by a powerful phenomena. Visualize a building wave ready to break.

The Cardinal Climax aka the "Twenty-Ten Turning Point" is comprised of the simultaneous interactions between the planetary energies of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto during June and July 2010 in Cardinal signs of Capricorn, Aries and Libra. Five distinct critical tension points make up this very rare super cycle. They are:

Monday, January 18, 2010

Jupiter moves into Pisces - Sensitivity 101


Yesterday at 4:10 pm Hawaiian Standard Time (HST) (6:10 PST; Jan 18 2:10 UT), Jupiter, archetype of expansion, compassion and grace moved into the sign of Pisces. Over the next year, Jupiter resides in Pisces for approximately 9 months (see Jupiter Timings below).

Jupiter's movement into its natural sign points to a year of heightened sensitivity, emphasis on water, and humanitarian connection and efforts on a large global scale. For example, the very recent earthquakes in Haiti have triggered this type of massive global response.

Jupiter energy is warm, generous and expansive. It rules moral authority and rules, and also quests for the deeper spiritual and moral meanings of life. When in Pisces, there's a tendency to be generous with volunteer pursuits or charitable donations. Also, a tendency exists for religious extremism, i.e. being deluded (Pisces) by spiritual dogma and teachings, especially in the fundamentalism realm.

The Essence of Pisces
The astrological sign of Pisces is associated with the Fish. In the heavens, its constellation is made up of two fish, swimming in opposite directions through a bed of reeds. This two fish "free flowing, move where the tide moves" dynamic is characteristic of Pisces-like human behavior. Further, reeds symbolize the connecting links to everything.

The archetypal essence of Pisces includes selfless service to humanity, empathic connection, sensitivity, karmic completions, transcendence, peaceful co-existence, dreaming, poetry and imagery. Pisces modern ruler is dreamy Neptune. Its ancient ruler (before the outer planets beyond Saturn were discovered) is expansive Jupiter.

Being the 3rd astrological sign of the winter season, Pisces embodies the characteristic of "mutable (changeable) energy, explaining its variable nature. Its natural element is water; hence the association with emotions, sensitivity and feelings. As the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces is associated with completions and endings, especially of a karmic nature.
Pisces types (those with significant, natal placements - Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and/or Rising Sign in Pisces) tend to be highly sensitive, and empathic or emotionally intuitive. In the extreme, "feeling everything", or "over sensitive" would be their trademark.

Jupiter 2010 Timings:
--January 17 - enters Pisces
--April 17 - begins close 9 month association with Uranus in Pisces and Aries (topic for future blog)
--
June 5/6 - enters the sign of Aries for 3 months
--
July 23 - stations retrograde at 3 degrees Aries expanding and intensifying the 2010 Turning Point (topic for future blog)
--
September 8 - returns to Pisces

--November 18 - stations direct at 24 degrees Pisces

--January 22, 2011 - reenters Aries

When Jupiter is in Pisces, particularly affected is anyone with significant, natal placements in the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

When Jupiter moves into in Aries, those with early degree natal placements in the Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will notice Jupiter's expansive pulse.

1998 - Jupiter's previous passage through Pisces
During 1998, water and humanitarian related events included:
--the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan (read "humanitarian + water"). This year, the Winter Olympics are held in Vancouver, Canada
--Northern Ireland factions signing a historic agreement, bringing peace to the Emerald Isle
--the discovery by the Jupiter space probe Galileo of vast oceans under the icy surface of the Moon Europa, and the Lunar Clementine probe discovering frozen water in polar lunar craters
--United Nations (UNESCO) declaring 1998 the "International Year of the Oceans”desiring to raise global awareness about the fragile ocean environment
--El Nino Nino bringing significant flooding, ice storms and hurricanes throughout the world, including China and North America. In 2010 we are still in an El Nino period
--Water related blockbuster films were on center stage, such as "Titanic" winning a record 11 Oscars; "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon" making their debut - focus on global efforts necessary to avoid disaster from comets (frozen water) striking Earth. This year, the movie Avatar stands a very good chance of replicating Titantic's Oscar feat, given its Pisces theme of "everything being connected to everything else”.

What's in store?
Because of Jupiter's close association with Uranus starting in early April, expansive Piscean type events between April and January 2011 carry the added vibration of unexpected, "out of the blue" Uranus-like surprises. Interestingly, this cosmic duo covered the very same astronomical ground in 1927. That year saw the first television broadcast (images are Piscean/technology is Uranian). Also, intense water related weather affected many countries around the globe.

In a future blog, I'll describe Jupiter's significant role in this late spring/early summer's "Cardinal Climax" aka 2010 Turning Point. For now, suffice it to say, Jupiter will be a prime catalyst for significant shifts of consciousness on the Global stage in 2010 and early 2011.

In the meantime, a window of opportunity exists for using this heightened Jupiter vibration to strengthen the body's sensitivity channels (intuition and feeling centers) through bodywork healing modalities. From my many years practicing bodywork, I've come to appreciate the importance of keeping these body channels clear to promote health, strength, clarity and well-being.

Also, you can supplement this sensitivity strengthening time by taking short (7 to 10 minutes tops) epsom salt baths (1 cup), in comfortably hot water several times a week or during stressful periods. Epsom salt baths are wonderful detoxifiers, especially after a stressful day, or when traveling.

aloha from the tropics,

Starman, Joseph Mina
©Gemini Awakening 2010, all rights reserved

Image: Pisces Astroactivator© by Kathryn Andren

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Annular Solar Eclipse - The Next Big Step

A significant  Annular Solar Eclipse occurs over Africa and Asia on January 15th. At greatest eclipse, annularity totals 11 minutes and 8 seconds. This is the longest solar eclipse until December 23, 3043.

This particular event is quite complex. Hence, I have provided additional background content for anyone wanting more information. For those wanting to "cut to the chase", I've provided a synopsis a few sections down titled The 411 - Reader's Digest Version

Eclipse dynamics:

As with every total or annular solar eclipse, and total lunar eclipse, the Sun, Moon and Earth are in direct alignment at the maximum eclipse moment. This is called "syzygy" (pronounced sizz-a-gee) - a gravitational alignment of 3 or more celestial bodies. Incidentally, this was my oldest daughter's favorite word when she was in grade school, due to its lack of a vowel and spelling difficulty.

Adding to this alignment, the Earth reached recently its closest orbital point to the Sun (perigee was Jan 5), while the Moon at the eclipse will be close to its farthest point from Earth (apogee). Combined, these dynamics produce a Moon only 92% of the Sun's disk. This means the Moon takes longer to travel across the face of the Sun resulting in a very long annular eclipse.

Long duration eclipses symbolically represent a deepening of vibration and intent. Occurring in late degree Capricorn, this eclipse points its laser-like intensity toward Capricorn themes of finance, industry, rules, authority, politics and self-sufficiency.