Aquarium Age - Transformational Astrology

Hello to readers in Messina!

It’s hard to take in just how many of our fellow travelers have been affected by the tumult and turmoil of the last several years of shifts. But right now—in this particular moment—it feels like the right time to acknowledge the depth and breadth of individual and collective suffering that characterizes our current situation here on Planet Earth. It’s not just Mr. Trump and his Gang of Hungry Ghosts who are roiling the caldron of collective consciousness by upping the ante on cruelty and callousness. The United States is giving permission through its example—but it’s happening everywhere. Some argue that Earth has always been the planet of suffering and I can’t disagree with that. Others argue that we’re actually in better shape than ever and I can argue with that, but I won’t. It simply feels as if just about everything is quickening at a pace that increases both the causes of suffering and the awareness of its presence. Perhaps it’s the lightning speed of the Internet and the constant bombardment of information that seems to hasten the pace of life, along with the bulk of data that’s focused on what’s wrong rather than what’s right. As a result, I know more about the latest massacre, mudslide, avalanche, fire, earth quake, and epidemic than I have braincells to process it all. As this constant barrage of information sinks in, I increasingly feel I know less and less about the people living around me, and that is also a tragedy.

Only 21 days remain in the transit of Uranus through the dynamic Sign of Aries. For the last nearly eight years, as Uranus has moved through the Sign of individualism, we’ve been experiencing a need for personal independence in the shadow of a culture that’s grown increasingly and blatantly corporate, one with very little regard for individual independence unless it can be mass-marketed. Part of that challenge showed itself in the Uranus/Pluto squares that occurred from 2012 to 2015, when increasing social justice concerns could no longer be swept away by excuses. We failed miserably to meet the challenge of true justice in part because we weren’t prepared to address the causal level of our societal injustices and right the ship.

Uranus’ journey through Aries ends in three weeks, but it isn’t ending quietly. Uranus signifies surprise and spontaneity and over the course of the next days and nights, many of us are likely to be startled by impulsive behavior, our own or others’. Anticipate wanting to take care of things you’ve been postponing for who knows how long. Things you’ve wanted to say for so long may finally be expressed through blurts, ramblings, or diatribes. Be patient with these efforts to say what’s been held back and be patient with others as they struggle to do the same.

In the final days of its transit through Aries, Uranus has been conjunct Mars, also in Aries. (For a delineation of that, please refer to last week’s column in the archives on this site.) Today is the last day of that Mars/Uranus conjunction; tomorrow, February 14, Mars moves into Taurus—a precursor to Uranus’ move into Taurus on March 6—and while this new Martian position will shift the focus away from the need to individuate and onto resources and finances, Mars remains within range of a conjunction to Uranus until February 23. I don’t know what more I can say about this other than continue to expect the unexpected and expect those surprises to be disruptive.

Uranus catalyzes whatever is stagnant. One way to contextualize the Uranian journey through Aries is to witness how insistently its light shined on the need of the individual to live absolutely free from constraints, real or imagined. Seen from that perspective, Mr. Trump and his followers would have us believe that it is the sovereign right of an individual to ignore the rights of others. He riled his base with that cry to the detriment of the collective, which is after all an aggregation of individual rights seeking to create an environment that benefits the rights of all. That selfish insistence on the right to cause harm without consequence—caged children, Nazi rallies, pussy grabbing, to name just a few—gave impetus to the #metoo movement—an equal and opposite reaction—as well as to all the other movements for human rights whose premises is to protect individuals from abuses of power.

Uranus’ transit through Taurus has yet to reveal its nature. Nevertheless, one of the qualities of this new journey is certain to be an exploration of value—ultimate value—so be prepared to question the seemingly solid ground of what matters most to you. Is personal freedom worth the cost of others suffering? Is feeling entitled more important than a compassionate, inclusive view? Are our fellow travelers worth the trouble and effort to make the world a better place? These are just some of the questions we will be tackling during the coming Uranian cycle though Taurus. My hope is that we’ve learned enough during the Aries transit to recognize the power of the individual—the power each of us has—to make a positive difference in the world.

Aries March 21-April 19
As Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say on SNL: there’s always somethin’. And that is true for you as Uranus finally leaves your Sign. There’s always something that evades examination, often because we are too close to see ourselves clearly. Spend time contemplating what that one thing could be. Here’s a hint: It’s both the source of comfort and the source of irritation, and your emotional body is afraid of letting it go because you’ll feel lost without it.

Taurus April 20-May 20.
There’s nothing to be afraid of (although even as I write this I can feel your anxiety about what lies ahead), so try not to let nervousness get the best of you. Yes, there will be surprises, but not all unexpected events are negative. You just might surprise yourself by welcoming the change in emphasis as you move from a deeply internal process into a more external phase. The best way to handle this transition is through a willingness to stay open to change.

Gemini May 21-June 21
The next couple weeks are deeply emotional, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself crying at just about everything. While I wouldn’t suggest delving into grief and living in that state every minute of every day, I would advise you to be honest about what you’re feeling. Emotions often surface simply with a need to be experienced so that we can move on. Other times, serious emotional patterns need to be examined. Either way, you’re setting the soul free.

Cancer June 22-July 22
Uranus spent these last years revolutionizing your career, a process that included your approach to success as well as a thorough examination of what success may have cost you. You’re now in the final lap of that marathon, and while it may feel redundant to you, make the time to review this entire process to see what you’ve learned. You may find that you’ve accomplished more than you realize. 

Leo July 23-August 22
Recognition has always been an issue for you, dear Leo, so spend more than a few minutes questioning why that is so. What is it you are looking for in the eyes of others and why is that reflection so important to you? This isn’t about rejecting external opinion—you would do well to listen to the advice of others. But it is about learning to listen more deeply to your own inner counsel and trusting what it tells you about who you are and why your life matters.

Virgo August 23-September 22
You’re in for a couple of surprises; although you’ve weathered the Uranian storms of sudden and startling plot twists, be prepared for a jolt or two from the blue. I’m not suggesting anything dangerous or difficult to deal with; I’m simply advising you to be prepared for unexpected developments that could require time and energy you have allotted to other endeavors. Remember your mantra, “I love change; change is good,” and you’ll handle it all with skill.

Libra September 23-October 22
I am so excited for you—finally, you’re going to get a break from the erratic pace of relationship shifts. I’m also a little worried for you—you might get bored as things start to settle down. There’s no need to rush into activity to divert the stress and fill your empty spaces. Just take a deep breath—as many as necessary—to root you into your body and you’ll experience a deep sense of relaxation. Of course the changes aren’t over; they’ll just be easier to handle.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
I know you can already feel the phase that lies ahead; it’s all about relating—to yourself and to significant others, personal or professional. But before you start exploring the new cycle, take a moment to assess and appreciate just how far you’ve come and how much you’ve grown through the last nearly eight years of changes. Whether it was health, employment, or service issues, you’ve been busy taking care of lots of folks, including yourself.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
It’s definitely been an exciting ride, but even an adventurer like you might welcome a bit of a change—perhaps a milder version where the territory to traverse involves taking care of yourself in a new, proactive way. It is possible to apply creative principles to self-care, but only if you are willing to take your health on as a serious challenge. I’m not suggesting you are facing an illness; I’m simply advising that it’s time to pay more attention to your body.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
You’re heading into a phase that’s sure to catalyze a dynamic, creative process, and even if you’re already as creative as can be, there are sure to be several surprises ahead. Before you leap into that process, spend a few more moments contemplating what you’ve learned about yourself and your need for safety and security. That way you’ll be able to immerse yourself in this next phase with sound and stable boundaries.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
You’ve spent the last several years talking about what needs to change and how to change it, from both a personal and collective perspective. Now it’s time to ground those opinions into action. While I’m not suggesting you haven’t been walking your talk, I am suggesting that you’re about to embark on an even more integrated path that demands congruency. Don't worry; it won’t be hard once you get the hang of it—and you might even enjoy yourself.

Pisces February 19-March 20
Before you start sharing your opinions about every little thing, which is what this next Uranus phase is all about for you, continue to take stock of all that you’ve learned about your personal, ultimate value. I know I’ve been advising that you do this for a while now, but that doesn’t mean you’ve completed the process. These next couple of weeks are going to challenge your ability to stay firm in your belief in yourself.