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Esoteric Astrology as news for February 2 - 8, 2012

Candlemas and the Groundhog & His Shadow
Rituals That Anchor the Light
Neptune Enters Pisces
Saturn Retrograde
The Number Nine
Aquarius Solar Festival Full Snow Moon
Lantern Festival – a Party of Lights

Thursday is Groundhog Day (and the groundhog returned to his burrow. He saw his “shadow” [which reminds me of the book “The Shadow of the Object” by Christopher Bollas, an object relations author & book concerning our memories of (the object, mother, father, etc. in our) earliest relationships]).

Thursday is also Candlemas Day, a day of significance astronomically and religiously. Candlemas marks the moment in time (day) between winter solstice and spring equinox (cross-quarter day). Like a spring festival of preparation, we turn over the soil and begin to prepare it biodynamically. We sort our seeds, call forth their life-force, thus securing our future food supply. The Light is returning. We feel hope.

It is also St. Brigid’s Day (ends February 2nd). We make and offer multi-grain bread, we weave a cross out of grain (wheat) & hang it in our homes to protect us from fires and lightening. We make corn dollies from dried (soaked in water) corn sheaves and give the dollies away as gifts.

In the Catholic Church, Candlemas, 40 days after Christmas, marks the end of Epiphany. On this day, the holy child and Mary are presented in the Temple. Mary is bathed (Mary was purified in a ritual – a mikvah - bath of sea-salt water) and the holy child (Jesus) is recognized as the promised and long awaited “Light of the world.” Let us, too, bathe ourselves in salt water. Let us be the “Light of the world” for thirsty humanity (Aquarian task).

This is a festival-of-fire-day, acknowledging the Sun’s rising light. Thus, in the church today, pure beeswax candles are blessed to be used throughout the year for light & protection. These rituals anchor into our little worlds the Light of Life. They connect us to the Earth and to the heavens. We come into balance on this cross-quarter day. We prepare.

Neptune Enters Pisces
Friday, February 3rd, after 14 years in Aquarius, Neptune enters its own sign of Pisces (after 164 years in the other signs), remaining there until 2025. Neptune was last in Pisces in 1947 ushering in the romantic era of art, literature and music - Walt Whitman (hope), Brahms (romantic music), Charles Dickens (sad) and impressionism (new impressions, new ways of seeing) came forth.

Neptune esoterically is a subtle new state of Soul (Christ) consciousness. Neptune will be in Pisces for fourteen years, thus bringing forth a phenomenal change of consciousness for humanity. Changes in healing, the arts, creativity, the uses of water, vibrational medicine, alleviating suffering, spiritual groups seeking deepened spiritual knowledge and understanding.

The emphasis will be to “save the world.” From the heart of the Sun, Neptune streams forth Ray 2, Love/Wisdom, to the world. And we are changed.

U.S. Chart
In the US chart – this week leads up to transiting Uranus square Venus (in the US chart). We must expect the unexpected in relation to money, finance, resources. The energies of change begin building toward the transiting Saturn square Pluto (transformation of all structures) that occurs March 28th. On March 14th, a trine occurs, all at 9 degrees in the sky in earth signs, between Mars, Pluto & Jupiter/Venus. Esoterically this is a significant trine. I will discuss this at a later time.

On an inner spiritual level, this trine provides us with the “light of knowledge.” There is a Ray 1 (Will, Purpose, Destruction, Creativity) energy behind it. Ray 1 breaks down materialism and material desires, to propel the Soul forward. Any desires that hinder the good of the whole for humanity, is broken down. Heart & mind are connected. The new values come forth for the new kingdom coming forth. The Mars retro in Virgo purifies (our mikvah) our material substance and structures. It quickens us to come for with all that is new (after the retro).

It is uplifting humanity, in the etheric, to higher and greater values. On the personality, appearance side of this tranist, we may see destruction of all we are used to having. On the spiritual side, the appearance of which doesn’t correspond with the physical realities, we are being propelled forward to step upon the evolutionary arc – the Path of Return.

The U.S. Chart & Transits
From now until (and through) March, the U.S. chart has transits that affect our personal, national and global money and finances. All of the transits (planets in the sky are situation in the money houses of the U.S. chart (the 2nd house). The question for each of us is where is our money and what are we invested in? This transit is a potent focus of creative energies that will destroy barriers that obstruct the new social and monetary forms. There is uncertainty about how the old will be withdrawn for the rebuilding and regenerating to take place. We may feel difficulty in executing our will(ingness) to exercise our choices that reflect the new values. However, we must.

Saturn retrograde in Libra forces us to the “point of balance” so we can escape the opposing forces” and move forward in the creation of the new. We must hold our mind and hearts in an steady embrace of compassion and intention that helps create the new. We cannot enter the new world with any of the old structures for they are not supported or sustainable. All of humanity stands within this evolutionary force and impulse of emerging higher values.

Number 9 (trine all at 9 degrees) represents the spiritual force of humanity coming forth. Transparency follows so the true reality can emerge. The veils hiding the true realities and spiritual values will be lifted. This is good. Let us stand within the Buddhic (4th plane, the plane beteen the 3 upper & 3 lowers planes on the Constitution of Man/Mind) plane (pure reason, Raincloud of Knowable Things) where the past, present and future meet and work together. We must make choices now. We stand in the last moments (days) when true choice can be made.

We are being asked to remove ourselves from the “shadow of the objects” that bind, blind, and enthrall us; specifically the state of materialism that humanity is enshrouded within. Practically, the questions for each of us remain the same: where is my money, where are my resources, where and who is my community, where is my food supply, where is my water, what & who am I supporting in the world, what is my future, and most importantly, am I prepared for a world change if it happens unexpectedly? Each day presents us with counsel, guidance, direction & warnings.

Tuesday is the full moon Aquarius solar festival. Saturn in Libra turns stationary retrograde in the early morning. During the night, Venus (economics, money into precious metals) enters Aries (all things new) as Mars continues its retrograde in Virgo (new reality is forming). It’s a busy planetary week. Saturn retrograde means we examine all structures, disciplines, rules and boundaries, assessing their function, usefulness and purpose. What prepares us for the future? We reconsider commitments and responsibilities, reorganize and renegotiate previous agreements. New business opportunities should not be initiated during Saturn retrograde. However, preparations for the future must accelerate. Saturn provides the discipline and structures to accomplish this. We have till March.

The full moon is the Full Snow moon. The Aquarian seed thought is “Water of life poured forth for thirsty humanity.” We are to be the “waters of life” pouring forth our service to uplift, educate and support “thirsty humanity.” Let us accomplish this task together. The two weeks of Chinese New Year festivities ends at the full moon Lantern Festival. Who is having a Lantern Festival party this year?

ARIES (March 21-April 20): Slowly over the next many years, all that is within you, often unknown and unheeded, will surface. So much is buried within. All these, like Vesta, are the "found objects" of ourselves, waiting for the right time and season to emerge. It will surface in dreams, symbols, omens, and talismans. The mystery of yourself will be revealed. You will see unseen worlds. Faith and trust and hope become your guides.

TAURUS (April 21-May 21): You will enter into a newer and wider group of people, like-minded, socially conscious, and spiritual aware. You will all be artistic, creative and quite unusual. You will create, build and form a community that is the template for the new culture. You have yearned for this. Continue to imagine it. You will lead it.

GEMINI (May 22-June 20): Should you feel uncertain about your work in the world, know that this is part of Neptune’s function, attempting to refine you into the new ways of being in the world. Neptune is slowly. But its watery ways slowly undermine any old ideas that you can act like everyone else. You can’t. What you’re left with in your imagination. What do you imagine would make you joyful?

CANCER (June 21-July 20): There will be an emphasis on entering deeper into mystical and/or esoteric teachings. It will be good to read Rumi. You will also seek places that are far away from home. So that you can learn new ways, enter into new places of knowledge, gather ancient wisdoms. You will also be called to teach. Humanity is thirsty for real knowledge. You understand humanity.

LEO (July 21-Aug. 22): There may be explorations, deeper and more profound, into issues concerning death, sex, rock & roll, and everything else transformational. Taxes, too. And freedoms. And money. Questions like what is death and what is the function of sex? Am I sexy? What’s sexy to me? And how do we want our money to be used to create the new paradigm shift? The world is calling us to be sharing responsibly.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You will see others through the lens of everyone and everything as spiritual. You will see and recognize the life force. Some will see the actual angels (devas) building the kingdoms. You will discover what unconditional love means. First by seeking it. Then by providing it. A sacred contract. You will make new connections. Love will be released. Different than before.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A new authenticity will come forth from within and your lifestyle will change. Forgiveness will continue. Begin with yourself first. What can you forgive? All daily routines will focus on creating and sustaining vibrant health. Become very careful and caring with health. Unusual allergies may arise. Stay with homoepathics and homeopathic practitioners. As forgiveness comes forth, you become more authentically of service to others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You are the master of illusion. You will meet others who also have your gift, protecting themselves against all emotional intrusions. You will come to a point when feelings of aloneness must give way to making true contact. Romance may find you. You can be “romanced” by ideas, by a rare coin or flower, one of the kingdoms calling to you. You will become “intimate” with new ideas.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 20): There will be a great return to family of origin, family stories, history; it’s successes, disappointments, strengths and yearnings. What sacrifices did your family make? And how you hold all of these for your family. What wealth (not necessarily money) did your family build? You too yearn. For closeness and care. Let’s pray for it together.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 21-Jan. 20): Gradually you will notice the many forms of non-verbal communication and expression surrounding you. It’s as if you can hear (and see) the angels building form out of substance. Read the Findhorn Garden (the picture book again). Your intuition discovers all the subtle signals no one else sees. This stimulates your imagination. Community, gardens, greenhouses are your keywords.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb.18): Make sure to be careful with input and output of money. It may feel that the outflow is greater than the inflow. And perhaps it is. Eventually your ideas about money will change. New values will replace previously accepted values about money and how it’s made. A new spiritual reality comes forth and you enter gladly into the new sharing society. Watch for this.

PISCES (Feb. 18-March 20): You may become a bit more subtle, refined, changeable, whimsical and elusive. You may feel the need for more rest, reflection and contemplation. You may experience Oneness, the Love of God. Your identity may shift and lines blur around boundaries. You become mysterious and reflect the needs of others. You “save” others by inspiring compassion.