Aquarium Age - Transformational Astrology

Hello to readers in Casco!

We are between two eclipses: the solar eclipse of July 2 and the lunar eclipse of July 16. But to say that we are betwixt and between parallel universes operating with differing time signatures wouldn’t be a strong enough way to describe the confusion and indecision some of us are attempting to cope with. It also wouldn’t be a strong enough description of the deep collective chasm that separates so many of us from each other. What was once important grows increasingly unimportant as more relevant situations, in need of action, capture the spotlight daily. That’s what eclipses do: they overshadow previous concerns by revealing what’s occurring behind the scenes. And when you add Mercury Retrograde to this astral atmosphere—it started on July 7 and continues to July 31—it’s hard to hold onto any kind of clarity.

But that’s not all: Mars, currently in Leo, squares Uranus, currently in Taurus. Both are in Fixed Signs, which tends to manifest as a stubborn insistence of being right, no matter what. Also, both planets are fighters; Mars symbolizes muscle while Uranus represents volatility, and when they clash in the form of a square, temper tantrums escalate. This bellicose interaction, which began on July 3, is exact and separating on July 11 and continues until July 19. As it heats up the atmosphere, many of our fellow-travelers are going to have a hard time restraining the urge to fight about every little thing, but especially about who’s right. Unfortunately, it won’t be easy letting go of the need to retaliate. Even if you want to take the high ground and you know that most accusations aimed at you are actually based on projection or frustration, it won’t be easy holding fast to a nonviolent stance. Do your best to disengage from toxic interactions. Arguing under these planetary influences will do no good—no one will win, everyone will feel unsatisfied, and that frustration could turn mean-spirited.

From a collective perspective, a Mars/Uranus square signals violence, and that could translate into demonstrations erupting in violent interactions. And speaking of eruptions, how about those earthquakes at the beginning of this square? We could see more seismic activity as these two planets start to separate on July 11 as the pent-up tension from the square starts to release. And because Uranus signifies the nervous system, it would be wise to also be prepared for non-earthquake releases—human releases that could have just as devasting an effect as an actual earthquake.

But wait… there’s more: It’s Mercury Retrograde time—a summer retrospective that’s bound to challenge already too-challenged nervous systems. Mercury Retrograde has a terrible reputation—as well it should—but the good news about this second retro-phase of 2019 is that it’s a good time to slow down and take life at a different pace. Nothing is going to move quickly and no amount of pushing the river will make the regular routines of daily life change the retrograde pace, so take a deep breath and assume that the delays and detours of this retrograde have a purpose even if you can’t see it.

As regular readers of these pages are aware, I’ve been writing about Mr. Trump and his Gang of Hungry Ghosts since the election of 2016. I’ve received many complaints about my point of view; some readers suggesting I should get over it and many readers leaving who have no desire to hear about politics on these pages. The most recent missive from a reader was about my partisanship and how it is keeping me attached to the dark side. (Please… no one has to write to console me.) It was clear that the reader/writer was tired of partisan bias, sees it everywhere, and had simply had enough. It made me aware of just how bad the atmosphere is in the United States, where people are barraged daily by one side or the other from every known media platform. I’ve been living outside of the United States since the last week of October 2016—I’m currently in Paris—and except for three visits back to the States, I’ve spent the last years out of the media blitz regarding Mr. Trump.

My opinions about the current regime are not based on anything other than observation: children in cages, threatening to build a wall with the clear purpose of intensifying xenophobia; the lawlessness that will take years to undo; and of course, the corruption in D.C. (Mr. Trump kept his promise about draining the swamp—he got rid of all the dirty water so you can see the swamp creatures more clearly.) You don’t have to be partisan to witness these things; you simply have to be paying attention. As a Buddhist I try to practice compassion. But compassion isn’t passivity in the face of what’s wrong. It’s not about permission to commit egregious acts of harm to others. Compassion is based on the principle that we are all connected. From that perspective, the source of heartless acts is the ignorance of our fundamental interconnectedness. When we harm others, we harm ourselves.

We are at a global tipping point. We don’t need astrologers to tell us that something’s gotta give. But astrologers are part of the early warning system: each week on these pages I’m saying something is giving, and that something can be witnessed daily in the disintegration of our ethical and moral systems. All is not lost, but in order to take a stand for the light, it is imperative to take a stand, every day in all that we do and say, and to not be afraid of what’s dark. Part of my stand is to name what I witness. If I realize I am wrong, I will say so. But too much is at stake to succumb to superficial spiritual blah-blah-blahs or to adopt a just-as-ineffectual cynical hardcore nihilism. If we are going to transform our planet, we must be able to see clearly who we are fighting and what we are fighting for.

Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.  

Aries March 21-April 19
Both the solar and lunar eclipses focus on conflicts (if any) between your responsibilities at home and at work. If there are times when you’re feeling torn in two, take a moment to go below the tension to its cause and explore why there doesn’t seem to be enough time or energy to take care of both. If you aren’t experiencing conflicts or you are not working, pay attention to where you feel divided between external activities and the need for internal quiet. 

Taurus April 20-May 20.
These eclipses are all about walking your talk, or how you are integrating your highest principles with your daily behavior. It’s not easy aligning body, mind, and spirit—it’s actually the hardest spiritual work of all. It’s arduous because it requires paying attention to your habits, understanding what motivates them, and then doing your best to untie those patterns and create new ones that are conscious and congruent with your ideals.

Gemini May 21-June 21
Both eclipses bring to light pertinent information about your financial situation, and while some of the data could be disturbing, some of it might also be liberating. We can’t improve or refine what we aren’t aware of, so if there are money matters you’ve been avoiding, allow the intensity of this phase to move you out of denial and into an even deeper awareness of your co-creative role in this mess. Taking responsibility will help you find a way out.

Cancer June 22-July 22
You are certainly entitled to take a break and withdraw from any conflicts that are emotionally overwhelming. Both eclipses are rattling the axis between personal space and relationship parameters, and the tremors are making it difficult for you to identify what it is you really want. You don’t have to make any decisions right now. All that’s required is noticing where you feel pulled and why you may be resistant to the force of that need, yours or others’.

Leo July 23-August 22
This hasn’t been an easy eclipse cycle for you, dear Leo, because even though the eclipses aren’t happening in your Sign (which many times they are), both the solar and the lunar eclipses activate the deep rhythms of your unconscious. Dreams and visions might play a prominent role, but so could intentional acts aimed at helping others. Don’t worry; it’s not a spiritual emergency or crisis. It’s simply a process of understanding what moves you to move in the world.

Virgo August 23-September 22
The solar and lunar eclipses illuminate information about what’s keeping you from devoting yourself full-time to creative projects, and some of that information is directly related to the notion that it’s selfish to only want to do what brings you joy and personal satisfaction. But that idea of selfishness may need some refining, especially if you are going to be true to your yearning for deeper self-expression. Abandon the desire to be normal and instead go deep.

Libra September 23-October 22
It’s the ongoing conundrum of how to spend your time and energy, as both the solar and lunar eclipses focus on that question. On the one hand, you’re called to professional obligations. But on the other hand, commitments at home challenge your ability to devote yourself completely to work duties because personal responsibilities also call. It’s not an easy knot to untie, but if you stay true to what matters to you most, you will do fine.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
It’s all about being flexible, even as both eclipses reveal information that could convince you to take a strong—maybe even stubborn—stand on how things should be. Just for now, give up the shoulds. Eclipses turn the world topsy-turvy and when things spin off their axis, all bets are off on how anything should be. The world rearranges itself to accommodate our picture of reality, so be clear about what you want to create and when the dust settles, get to work.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
When I was in the jingle business, we used to have a saying that success and money only amplified what was already there. If you were a schmuck, when you made a ton of money, you would just get worse, and if you were a nice person, money would just make you nicer. Both eclipses are illuminating what money means to you, so whether you’re rich, poor, or somewhere in between, try to be aware of the personality traits your financial status amplifies.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
You’re right—it is a relationship grind, personally and professionally, and you’re getting pretty worn out dealing with the same situations, even though they are occurring in different aspects of your life. You’re the constant in these different scenarios, so rather than searching for who or what to blame, take responsibility for your circumstances and concentrate on uncovering your role in co-creating these challenges. And if all your partnerships are going well, celebrate.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
The solar and lunar eclipses are focused on finding a balance between your internal and external realities. It may not be easy identifying what’s keeping you tilting from one side to the other. Your conscious motivations are clear, but the eclipses are revealing some of your unconscious motivations, some of which may surprise you. Don’t let that throw you off; if you’re willing to be honest with yourself, you will uncover a lot of information about who you are and why.

Pisces February 19-March 20
Try not to overthink your creative choices and instead lead from the heart. These eclipses have the capacity to reveal previously hidden information about what lies at the heart of your creativity, but that shouldn’t interfere with your ability to express yourself. If anything, it might even heighten a sense of personal freedom and creative purpose. The good news is that creativity doesn’t have to make sense or please others—it just has to be true to itself.