21st Century Astrology

Announcement: The CURA Association

2010-01-29T18:44:00.000-08:00

Cultures and Models of astrology: Antiquity, Renaissance, Modernity

Dr. Patrice Guinard, publisher of CURA, the internet's most scholarly and informed astrology site, has announced the formation of a membership association for those interested in serious astrology. For more information, see:
http://cura.free.fr/assoc.html

The CURA Association's purpose lies in organizing those activities aimed at promoting a serious astrology, documented by all means deemed necessary. Its plans include dialogues with university research departments, the creation of a research library, the development and promotion of the CURA site, and the exchange of important and easily accessible documents among its members. Its research and study objectives are multi-disciplinary and transcultural. Particular attention will be paid to the Renaissance and documents related to the work of Nostradamus.

The association members will have access to all documents and present and future articles published on the CURA site, and by request, texts not available on the site, when possible. Exchanges between members can occur either privately or on an allocated space on the CURA forum, which opened in July, 2007.
Surveys of new articles, texts and documents not publicly available, will now be published on this page.

Saturn Enters Libra: Focus On Relationships and Fairness as Justice is Put to the Test

2009-11-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

By Shelley Jordan

Saturn’s itinerary:
October 29, ‘09 - Saturn’s first entry into Libra.
January 14, ‘10 - Saturn goes retrograde, re-entering Virgo on April 7
May 30, ‘10 - Saturn goes direct in late Virgo
July 21, '10 - Saturn makes its full blown entry into Libra, remaining there until October, 2012.

While Saturn has been in Virgo, the sign associated with health, diet and work (as in jobs), there has been a great effort expended by many people to rectify America’s broken health care system. Even more crucial is the job crisis, with unemployment now reaching over 10%. Since Saturn has made its initial entry into Libra we can now add a new set of issues to our “To Be Corrected” list. Think of Saturn as describing assignments that might not be easy, but that yield tremendous rewards and compensation for the effort. Nothing is more satisfying or confidence-building than the premiums that come from fulfilling Saturn's mandates. Some of the world's most successful and accomplished people have a prominent Saturn in their charts. The greatest achievements can occur during Saturn transits.

Saturn travels around the Zodiac like a cosmic building inspector, appraising conditions and providing feedback about the soundness or deficiencies of each of the signs it occupies. Saturn points out weaknesses or problems that need repairing. It takes Saturn 29 years to make its correcting and gratifying sojourn through the Zodiac, remaining in a sign for two and a half years. This journey resounds in the environment and in the personal spheres of your chart. If you know the house that Saturn is occupying in your chart at this time, you can see where your greatest achievements can occur. Saturn symbolizes the bones – the skeletal structure of consciousness, providing opportunities for support, strength and solidity. Just as weight lifting strengthens the bones, efforts of a Saturnian nature strengthen character and life circumstances.

Saturn also has a moral and spiritual quality to it. Transits from Saturn can awaken you to problems that need addressing, at the same time providing spiritual rewards and bonuses for jobs well done. Saturn has a particularly karmic quality, as if the homework it assigns is directly addressed to the soul of a nation or a person. Saturn often describes just what it is that you need to learn at a particular time. Lately, Saturn in Virgo has highlighted the inadequacies of the American health care system, the sad state of affairs in the job market, and the unhealthy consequences of the typical American diet.

As the Inner Adult, Saturn focuses attention on issues and problems that need to be solved. In the birth chart, Saturn represents concentration, responsibility and opportunities for achievement, growth and maturation. Libra is the sign of harmony, justice, equality and relationships. It has a particular resonance with the legal sphere. The same symbol represents the law and the sign Libra – the scales of justice. Libra also describes significant others, marriage, partnerships and close relationships. In the public sector, Saturn in Libra may put the spotlight on the issue of same sex marriage legislation, which will hopefully be resolved before Saturn is finished with its passage through Libra.

Libra is the sign of harmony and peace. As the nation hovers on the brink of increased war efforts, we can hope that the wisdom of Libran nonviolence and mediation will appear in the form of a dove of peace.

Now that Saturn is entering Libra, you can tend to your relationships with greater mindfulness. Your significant others may be among the most important sources of comfort and reward you'll have during these challenging days as the nation gets itself back on its feet. Relationships, especially those built on love and trust, are one of the most effective ways of developing yourself spiritually. Since Saturn is the last visible planet, it represents the gateway to the transpersonal and spiritual realm. By tending to your personal relationships, you can discover spiritual solutions and support for this unprecedented episode in American history. The distractions of excessive spending and wasteful consumption are no longer options now that Pluto is in responsible Capricorn. Extending warmth and support to loved ones provides a much more effective solution to the pervasive angst of this historic moment. Saturn in Libra recommends a tune, oil and adjustment for your partnerships so that they endure, strengthen and evolve. The rewards will be far-reaching and long lasting.

Pluto In Capricorn: The Movie

2009-10-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

By Shelley Jordan

Like an action film that opens with car chase scenes and pyrotechnics galore, the drama of Pluto’s entry into the sign of absolute authority is starting off with a bang. Beginning last year, Pluto launched its 16 year journey through Capricorn, a sign that has not experienced Pluto’s cleansing properties since the American Revolution in the 18th century. When the colonists booted the monarchy out of the New World, a chain reaction of democracies was triggered that resulted in a new world order. What can we expect today?

Consider these sobering circumstances: the polarized state of our nation, the tanked economy, global warming, loss of jobs, the poor condition of American health and the battle over health care reform. These dire areas require immediate attention and healing. Pluto, prone to dramatic large gestures as it cathartically purges and purifies, is heralding an entirely new mise en scène which will occupy us for the next 15 years or so.

Since Saturn rules Capricorn, we can look to it as the front line planetary herald announcing this new Plutonian era. Saturn has been locked in a polarized opposition to Uranus during the past 12 months. Saturn’s aim is to achieve stability and permanence while Uranus struggles for radical change and innovative progress.

We can view this aspect, the Saturn-Uranus opposition, as the dramatic overture while the curtain rises on a new historic period. The music is turbulent and agitated, with a sense of uncertainty and anxiety as it shifts between major and minor keys. This tense and defiant confrontation between conservative Saturn and radical Uranus describes this moment of conflict: seismic confrontations between Republicans and Democrats, the health insurance industry versus the agents of health care reform, women's rights and the suppression of their freedom, the polluters pitted against the environmentalists. We are surrounded by sharply contrasting opinions and policies the outcome of which will shape the future. If we see the victory of President and Nobel Laureate Barack Obama as an indication of the logjam shifting in the direction of change, we can face the upcoming transition with hope and optimism. A Uranian personality himself, President Obama has Aquarius rising with Uranus conjunct his Descendent. He both personifies freedom (Aquarius rising) and is a conduit for Uranian independence and forward movement for others (Uranus conjunct his Descendent).

At this taut moment pregnant with change, Saturn is in Virgo, the sign associated with health, service, diet, jobs and the purity that opposes pollution. Virgo can get bogged down in detail and criticism. Uranus is in Pisces, the sign of compassion, dreams, imagination, universalism, and is the domain of large institutions like hospitals. Pisces can lean toward deception and represents the victim who needs rescuing. The multi-billion dollar insurance industry is spending a fortune every day in its attempts to prevent the radical humanitarian reshaping of health care in America. Together, Virgo and Pisces often represent issues of health care and healing, and service driven by compassion. The combination says “serve or suffer”.

The dates of the Saturn-Uranus opposition bear looking into. The first exact aspect at 18° Virgo/Pisces occurred on November 4, 2008, the day Barack Obama was elected President. The tension leading up to the election was almost unbearable, but hope burst through the membrane of fear and history was made as the University of Chicago law professor became America’s first black president. As someone who lived through the incendiary years of the civil rights movement, this joyous achievement for democracy was almost unbelievable in its positive impact.

Days after the second pass of Saturn and Uranus at 20°Virgo/Pisces on February 5, 2009, the stimulus package was enacted to attempt to reverse the economic meltdown.

The final opposition occurred on September 15, 2009 at 24° Virgo/Pisces. While the congressional vote on the United States National Health Care Act had been planned for September, 2009,which would have been coincident with the third and final opposition of Saturn and Uranus, conflict has delayed the vote until this current month of October. It’s looking hopeful as a surge of support from American voices call out for health care reform and an end to the health insurance-pharmaceutical medical monopoly.

While the Saturn-Uranus overture has set the stage for the Pluto in Capricorn Zeitgeist, we will most likely witness upcoming big purges and power struggles in the realm of corporate America, one of the ultimate incarnations of a Capricornian, pyramidal institution. The Plutonian battleground between the limits of capitalism and the role of government in curbing or fueling corporate greed is just beginning to be defined. Until 2024, the prevailing paradigms of authority, leadership and law will be undergoing deconstruction, cleansing and transformation. Will we see anti-trust laws finally applied to health insurance companies? Will Corporate America itself step in to curb global warming because of the negative impact on its profits, with a global clean-up producing many new jobs? Will Barack Obama become the new paradigm for future American leaders? Stay tuned through 2024 to find out.

Astrology and Sacred Nature

2009-10-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

The cosmos is alive - a lavishly intricate, plural and hierarchical unicity. Nature is the vital, multi-layered essential that provides the animated cohesiveness for this cosmic unity. In its ceaseless symbolic narrative of light and dark, birth and decay, Nature is richly generous in its spiritual instruction and revelation. In Nature we discover the ordered, cyclical intelligence of the divine, both magnificent in its creativity and solemn in its inevitability.

Our solar system is clearly part of the larger natural order. It is organized in a rhythmic, numerically intelligent and coherent fashion. The cycles and orbits of the planets divulge the orderly framework and symmetry that is found in the sacred architecture of time and matter. One only has to gaze in silence and wonder to see the beauty contained in the organization of heavenly patterns.

Astrology is mankind's ancient symbolic system that examines this sacred order in Nature and informs our personal relationship to the psycho-cosmic structure of the larger environment. The seasons of the Sun, the tidal forces of the Moon's shifting shapes, the cycles of the planets, are all part of the cadence of the spiritual poetry inherent in the cosmic order.

Hinduism refers to this cosmic order as rta, viewing it as the foundation of the incorruptible laws that regulate the metamorphoses and configurations of Nature. Inherent in the natural order lies a moral and spiritual instruction waiting to be discovered. What is seemingly chaotic on the surface of appearances is revealed, through contemplation of astrological symbols and myths, as the embodiment of divine structure.

Planetary archetypes and activity act out the drama of the sacred. The solar system and the birth chart are the fields of action for the hierophany of supernal truths that, through thoughtful examination and meditation, inspire and elevate the soul, leading it to perfection and illumination.

This inviolate order exists on a massive scale in the universal environment of the macrocosm, as well as on the microcosmic scale in our personal, intimate and interior lives. Consider the fact that the Sun and the Moon are exactly the same size from our Earth, despite the discrepancy in their actual sizes and vast distances. This extraordinary synchronic coincidence of Nature enables us to view total eclipses from Earth, which are among Nature’s most powerful metaphors for rebirth and the inevitable deliverance from darkness. The Moon's 29 day cycle closely duplicates the feminine reproductive cycle in its duration and in the growing lunar light, when its illuminated belly bursts at full phase.

Imagination (related to magnet, magia and imago) is that crucial faculty which permits the symbols, myths and images of astrology to be used as intermediaries for gnostic ends. Imagination itself is an "organ of the soul" through which mankind can intuit the richly inhabited esoteric world, or mesocosm, that links the personal with the universal by means of archetypes, symbols and myth. Imagination enables the mind to perceive the metaphysical light which is the suprasensory essence of the astral.

The birth chart is a miniature diagram of that most immensely vast particle of the divine - the soul. By means of an astrology that makes use of imagination and contemplative "interiorism," that is, meditation on the symbols in the birth chart and how they resonate with personal experience, one can achieve entry into the deeper layers of the self. This process enables the psyche to aspire and ascend towards spiritual knowledge. Life affirming and comforting, the study of the birth chart, celestial cycles and their exposition in our personal lives can assist in the discovery of life’s meaning and purpose, leading us to the promise of enlightened insight and tolerance.

The Summer of Our Discontent: Turning Point - Pluto Stationary Direct 9-11

2009-09-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

By Shelley Jordan

On the mythically poignant date of September 11, Pluto goes stationary direct at 0° Capricorn. This planetary event could be an important symbolic signpost for the future direction of our nation, which was born during Pluto’s last occupation of Capricorn in the 18th century. For the next 14 years, Pluto will be reminding us of the benefits to be gained from the Capricornian virtues of conservation, self control and maturity. Think about the homilies of the archetypal Capricorn Benjamin Franklin. “A penny saved is a penny earned”. “Kill no more pigeons than you can eat”. Franklin’s practical wisdom emphasized thrift, hard work, and opposition to authoritarianism. Perhaps today his most helpful proverb might be “energy and persistence conquer all things”.

When Pluto goes direct it releases the transformative and cleansing powers that have been accumulating and gathering momentum during its 5 month retrograde. Pluto’s first direction change following its entry into a new sign can be seen as an astrological marker for the upcoming era. In this case, the ethos will be defined by Capricornian issues through 2024. This is occurring at this moment, as Pluto reverses its apparent retrograde motion and begins to slowly plow ahead through serious, sobering Capricorn.

Capricorn represents structure and authority – government, laws, leaders, and the sense of duty and responsibility that comes with maturity. Ruled by Saturn, the planet of achievement and self discipline, Capricorn is also the realm of corporations and business. With a poultice-like action, Pluto brings to the surface anything that festers and poisons the system, be it social or personal. Pluto symbolizes the process of cleansing and purification. This detoxification process often involves an alchemical confrontation with the unconscious Shadow, which then reveals itself and becomes deconstructed, cleansed and integrated into the illuminated whole.

The corporate and governmental implications of Pluto in Capricorn are obvious in the current crisis over health care reform. In the more personal realm, Pluto’s position may resonate with the pressing need to conserve and limit our lifestyle, which tends to be based on consumption and excess. Finding ways of limiting spending, getting by with less and conserving what we have are now issues that are being foisted upon us in true Plutonian fashion. These astrological conditions are ideal for discovering solutions to today’s climate and financial crises, avoidable predicaments that were brought on by unbridled excess. Conservation, limiting portions, expenditures and controlling intemperance will yield positive results. “When the well is dry, they know the worth of water” (Ben Franklin).

Post Script: A recent article in Time Magazine spoke of "The responsibility revolution", an early indicator of the winds of change from Pluto's new direction in Capricorn.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1921444,00.html?xid=newsletter-daily

The Celestial Quartet of the Summer of 2009

2009-08-23T17:10:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

This summer's celestial background music resounds with an unusually long, drawn out configuration involving four heavenly bodies: Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune, all in Aquarius, forming a semisextile to Uranus in Pisces. The planetary voices in this celestial Greek chorus sing of the fraternity of humanity that lies at one end of the Aquarian spectrum. Just as loudly, the tragic, shadow side of Aquarius reverberates in counterpoint at the other extreme. It must be remembered that all astrological symbols (like the Tibetan gods) have their peaceful as well as their wrathful characteristics. The demonic side of Aquarius can be seen in the depersonalization and coldness of the frozen human heart.

This wide range of responses to the Aquarian human condition is currently meeting up with Pisces’ own extremes of empathy and duplicity. No more clearly is this being played out than in the current conflicts over public health care in America. The configuration's Chironian influence conveys the notion of health and healing, while Jupiter flaunts the moral and ethical issues, also exaggerating the entire scenario, as Jupiter is prone to do. Neptune brings the idea of trendiness, fashion and public tastes into the picture, as well as the issue of compassion for the epidemic of human suffering which is a very real problem in today's America, as it is no less in the entire world.

This idea of collective suffering, whether from layoffs, poverty, victims of the war in Iraq, or the sick, is underlined by Uranus's position in Pisces. Among the issues that have been in the public eye, to the degree that the press is allowed to discuss them, have been torture, loss, same sex marriage, health care and the faintly whispered official apology for slavery emitted by the Senate over the summer, all problems that demand a righteous outcry of compassion on the part of the American populace.

With so many Americans in a state of declining health, with the majority on some form of prescription medication (Neptune and Pisces), the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies only profit from our suffering, and like the American public, increasingly fatten up (Jupiter). Why can't the people (Aquarius) see that President Obama's agenda of health care for everyone is a gift of compassion? The delusions associated with Neptune and Uranus in Pisces seem to be swaying the citizens most vulnerable to fear mongering and coercion. The use of antidepressant medication in the U.S. doubled from 1996 to 2005, according to a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry. More than 10 percent of the population were sedated with these drugs by 2005. Imagine what the numbers must be now, 4 years later. Considering how difficult it is to get off these highly addictive drugs, the number of people on anti-depressants can only be growing.

Compassion is the key to today's conflicts, even compassion for those souls who deceive certain easily swayed sectors of the American public. These manipulators are the Sarah Palins of our world. Palin, who has a Sun-Mars-Saturn conjunction in Aquarius, has been in Neptune’s spotlight since her alarmingly quick rise into the public arena in 2008, when Neptune began traveling over her Aquarian planets. An incarnation of mindlessness and mediocrity as glamorous ideals, she is an example of the worst side of the Aquarian hive mentality.

Every sign contains a continuum of archetypal experiences. Aquarius, at one end of its spectrum, describes the individual making his or her way in society without the loss of independent thought and action. On the other end of the Aquarian continuum is the herd itself - the social pressure cooker of the hive that imposes ideas, opinions and sanctions onto an unthinking public. “What will people say?” bellows the Aquarian shadow.

Palin is the poster child for the clichéd rhetoric of the right. If something terrible happens to President Obama (and I pray that he and his family remain safe), part of the blame for any harm will fall on the shoulders of Palin and her crowd of lying demagogues. They are the mouthpiece for the opinion machine of Big Business. The religious right, one expression of the hive, are no more than puppets for these cruel and greedy abusers.

How can we rise above the contagious deception and mental viruses being passed around today? What do we do with this time given to us? At their highest levels, Aquarius and Pisces represent the ideals of humanity - kindness and compassion for others, even for those whom we will never know. The big business self interest that is driving today's conflicts over health care are operating out of greed, yes, but also self-destructive ignorance. With open eyes and heart, one can see that health care is a fundamental human right. By denying that right, a nation that presumes to wave the banner of human rights for the rest of the world becomes morally bankrupt.

America was undeniably built on slavery, and the racism that justified using human beings as objects for financial gain is identical to the self justified greed that excludes not only the poor from health care, but many citizens who simply can't afford the enormous cost of medical care. If greed demolishes the social fabric of America, as it is threatening to do, who will big business have left to prey on? They are blindly destroying their own food source. Cruel, yes, but also ignorant.

Uranus is the planet of revolution. It was discovered in 1781 at the height of the Enlightenment. Its appearance heralded industrialization, the American and French revolutions and the march of democracy. The birth pangs of the human rights movement coincided with Uranus's debut into our cosmology. One century later, Neptune made its appearance, as did Freud's discovery of the unconscious and the power of dreams, photography, film and sound recordings that preserved the images and voices of our predecessors. Humanity and the individuals that comprise it took on new meaning in those two pivotal centuries. Uranus and Neptune's emergence into our awareness symbolized this evolutionary leap.

Today's skirmishes over health care are part of a new wave of Uranian revolution that continues the humanization of our world. Just as slavery is morally renounced today (though it is not obsolete), one day the idea of denying health care to the sick and vulnerable will also be morally abhorrent.

The cycles of Uranus and Neptune represent tidal currents of evolution of our humanity. Only apparent to our eyes since the 18th and 19th centuries respectively, these planets emit pulses that release the waves of compassion and heightened awareness that have fueled democracy and the human rights movement.

We have only experienced one conjunction of Uranus and Neptune since both planets revealed themselves. This occurred in 1993 in Capricorn, heralding the rise of the global and egalitarian Internet. With this development came unprecedented possibilities for the once silent voices of humanity to be heard. Empathy for the human condition will not remain suppressed for too much longer.
By their nature, people are capable of love, invention and overcoming cruelty. During the summer of 2009, with its celestial Greek chorus of Aquarius and Pisces planets forcing our eyes and ears on the suffering of so many, we can hope that our innate capacity for good and concern for our fellow travelers will surmount the viral pressures of the hive bosses to ignore our brothers and sisters in need.

Astrology: When the Universal Becomes the Most Personal

2009-07-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

In many ways, astrology resembles a waking dream. Its system of archetypes and images comes from a different reality, far removed from the realm of the waking, the day to day. With astrology, we enter into a domain of mythology and images, where symbols shift and take on their relevance depending not only on their interconnections, but also on their personal meaning in the subjective world of the individual.
While we can say, generally, that for most of us Saturn represents maturity, responsibility, structure and achievement, how we each respond to those demands is a highly individual matter. We cannot determine from the chart whether someone relishes a challenge, rising to the occasion with ambition and self control, or if that person avoids responsibility and thereby endures the consequences.

According to India’s Health Minister, R. Ashok, there were as many as 176 babies born every minute throughout the world in 2006. Even taking into account differences of latitude and longitude, this means that many people share the same chart, the same transits and other astrological conditions. It is simply absurd to imagine that all these people have parallel lives and personalities. Without doubt another baby was born at the same time that Albert Einstein entered this world, and no doubt that baby was no Einstein.

As long ago as the 5th century, St. Augustine was arguing against astrology with the observation that it was clearly disproved in the case of twins. He was correct. While he did concede that there was probably some stellar influence on the physical world, two individuals born at the same time could lead completely different lives, in spite of having nearly identical charts.

The chart is not the person. It may tell us little if anything about the specific external conditions of someone’s life, their career, family, economics and health. What a birth chart can tell us is what if feels like to be that person. With a chart, we enter into the realm of interiority, the sphere of the subjective and the deeply personal. There may be some correlations between our internal world and the outside, but frequently, trying to match a birth chart to events and conditions in someone’s outer world can be an exercise in frustration.

Especially in the case of those who are in some way exceptional, either because of their gifts, such as genius, or their personal tragedies, we can run into astrological dead ends. Most of the astrological literature has lead us to believe that astrology will invariably describe the external world of events – fate. So indoctrinated are we with astrology’s prediction factor that to attempt to approach a chart without anticipating the exterior life of objective events and conditions becomes a process demanding the most extreme detachment. We have to let go of what may be years of study of charts and books in order to begin to peer into the inner depths of the human psyche, removed from outer circumstances of material and other concerns. If we succeed, we can understand what it feels like to be another human being, and in that way, have insight and compassion for that person.

While the planets and signs have certain general characteristics that we can assume to be active in most people, at a deeper level each astrological symbol takes on a highly personal meaning, like images in a dream. I might dream about puppies, and have my own personal set of associations with small, furry animals, but another person, who is allergic to or otherwise does not care for dogs, might have an entirely different associative response.

Likewise, in the birth chart we each have our own personal relationship to astrological symbols. As in dreams, where, if we study them over an extended period, we’ll develop our own personal lexicon of symbols, in astrology we have our own personal relationships to the various archetypal principles. If we are secure in our boundaries, and comfortable with intense emotions, we may have a perfectly easy time adjusting to plutonian conditions. If, on the other hand, intimacy and trust are difficult for us, then Pluto may represent challenges that require attention and adjustment. We cannot tell from the chart, only from knowing the person behind the chart.

This is why it is difficult to learn astrology from books. Books deal with generalities, not to mention the biases and blind spots of the authors and of the astrological tradition itself. Only by studying birth charts of people whose lives we have access to in some way, either because we know them or have read a good bit about them, can we understand how the drama of the personal relationship with archetypes will be played out. Each of us has our own particular and often private associations with astrological archetypes, and these can change and evolve over time.

Therefore, it is possible to have an astrology that is flexible and individualized, that is not based on rigid rules of practice, and that does not concern itself with traditional judgments about the conditions of a person’s life. These judgments, which still cling to astrology, usually stem from values that prefer health to illness, wealth to poverty and success to failure. And it is wrongly but frequently assumed that astrology can determine what one’s fate will be in these areas. Karma is now used as an excuse for the supposed suffering that comes from so-called ‘bad’ conditions in the birth chart.

If one studies enough charts, it will be seen that so-called bad conditions can appear at the most delightful times, or allegedly great planetary states can result in nothing at all. Astrology is not rocket science. It’s a symbolic method for interpreting meaning in life, and for gazing into the interiority of the human experience. Trying to use it to predict future earthquakes or political revolutions is a childish waste of a symbolically rich thought system.

No one can judge another person’s dharma, or spiritual lessons. The individual is at all times free to find value in all experience. Who is to say that in illness or suffering one will not develop compassion and understanding for others? Or a difficult event can’t lead to the most wonderful consequences? Even more important than releasing judgments about the life and lessons of another is to eradicate the expectation that these circumstances can be astrologically determined. They cannot.
In order to come to terms with the limits of astrology we need to ask ourselves “what can astrology tell us about the human experience?” The answer lies in each individual’s variable relationship with astrological symbols, and in astrology’s ability to allow us privileged access to the inner world of another person.

Simplified Transits

2009-04-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

By Shelley Jordan

The transiting planets trigger a resonant response in the psyche by means of some unknown suprasensory mechanism. This can be compared to a subtle perception of aromas or background music floating through the air and the way these stimuli make us feel. The mind senses these conditions to varying degrees, sometimes consciously, sometimes not. How each person responds to astral resonances is a highly individual matter. Responses to the astral differ not only in degree. The nature of the response to any planet can fluctuate throughout a lifetime, depending on personal and environmental conditions, maturity, wisdom and acquired experience, among other factors.

Another model for viewing transits can be seen in the example of phototropism and plants. Just as plants grow in the direction of the Sun, and respond with photosynthesis, the psyche can be said to respond and grow as a result of the subtle astral light from the planets. What grows in us as a consequence of this celestial stimulus can only emerge from what is already present in the psyche, even from material that is in a dormant or unconscious form. The personality responds to the environment, to physical-emotional conditions as well as astral, but it responds with its own essence.

When transiting planets form aspects to natal planets, there are internal psychic responses of varying degrees to that transiting planet’s signal. How anyone reacts is a combination of free will interfacing with conditions in the environment. Sometimes there will be a noticeable correlation and 'transit effect' from a planet, and sometimes there may be nothing at all. The planets don't force us to behave in certain ways, nor do they 'cause' events in our lives. They are simply conditioning the psychic atmosphere in subtle ways, as well as providing a symbolic narrative that gives meaning to our lives. Many factors beside the astrological shape our experience. Astrology provides some, but not all, of the information about life and its processes. It can provide a helpful narrative and language to describe our experience, if it's used with moderation and a clear understanding of its limitations.

The more simple your astrological technique is, the better. It is more important to have psychological insight into the personality than it is to have elaborate techniques. A simple astrological approach combined with psychological savvy is the most potent tool. The astrologer is the vehicle for receiving and interpreting astrological insight, so perception and wisdom are at least as important as the method of chart analysis. Overly ornate and complex techniques interfere with perception and the communication of astrological content. It is always good to ask yourself "what kind of information can astrology provide? What are the limits of astrology?" If you expect astrology to predict the future you're in for disappointment. Astrology does not address events as much as it provides information about psychic interiority - what's happening inside us.

Here is a sketch of the messages that the planets send to our psyches:

Saturn – work time. Be focused, determined, responsible. Grow up! Be realistic. Achieve something. Find your Inner Adult.

Uranus – seek freedom. Make new contacts, liberate yourself, become more independent. Find yourself.

Neptune – live your dream. Use your imagination, develop compassion; it’s creative visualization time. Seek to express your ideal self. Find your inspiration.

Pluto – let go of the past. Time to release old patterns and make way for new growth. Cleanse and purify. Get focused, deconstruct and rebuild, renew. Find your power and use it to change yourself..

The Turning Point in American Race Relations: The Astrology of Brown versus Board of Education

2009-03-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

The election of Uranian Barack Obama represents a milestone in a nation that has suffered bloody conflict over its tormented racial history. This election could not have occurred without the antecedent conditions of the American Civil Rights Movement. One of America's major turning points in its violent battle with racial injustice occurred in 1954 at the closing Uranus-Neptune square. At that time, the Supreme Court struck down the legal sanctioning of separate but equal schools for blacks and whites in the groundbreaking decision Brown versus Board of Education. The revolutionary Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was Piscean Earl Warren, who authored the opinion that resulted in a rare unanimous decision by the Court. President Eisenhower believed he was appointing a safe conservative when he named Earl Warren as Chief Justice, only to discover that Earl Warren was no conservative. The appointment was viewed by Eisenhower as the biggest mistake of his presidency. The announcement of this hotly debated decision was finally released on May 17, 1954, at 1:20 PM, Washington, DC, forever changing the course of history.

Supreme Court Decision to End School Segregation
"News hunger on the matter was so intense that the Associated Press issued a flash bulletin at 12:52 PM noting simply that Warren was issuing the opinion, another at 1:12 PM saying that he "had not read far enough into the court's opinion" for reporters to discern its conclusion, and a final bulletin at 1:20 declaring that the court had struck down school segregation as unconstitutional by a vote of 8-0." Branch, Taylor: Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63; Simon and Schuster, Inc; , p. 112; 1988

At the moment school segregation was finally declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, the Moon was almost exactly full in Scorpio - the same Moon that has been referred to as the legendary Buddha Moon, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. The Full Moon made a square to transformational Pluto in Leo in the 12th - children were the topic of this decision, which was fueled by the observed psychological damage done to black children by segregation. Mercury the messenger was poised at the Midheaven in Gemini. This communication was anxiously awaited by millions of Americans and would affect the futures of their children at nearly every level. Uranus was in Cancer (families), making the closing square to Neptune in Libra (justice).

The cycle of Uranus and Neptune was pivotal in the evolution of the civil rights movement in America. This square fell very close to Justice Warren's 7th house Cancer Moon. Saturn in Scorpio was transiting Justice Warren's radical Uranus-Midheaven conjunction (his tenure has been called the Warren Revolution). Mars and the North Node fell across his authoritative Capricorn Ascendant. (Earl Warren: March 19, 1891; 2:00 AM; Los Angeles, California. Rodden rating: A. Source: http://www.astro.com/astro-databank/Warren%2C_Earl)

The Uranus-Neptune cycle traced the evolution of America's racial struggle. Uranus represents social consciousness; Neptune is the vision required to obtain a goal. Their conjunction in 1821 heralded the beginning of the Constitutional debate over race with the 1820 Federal Law on Slave Trade, which prohibited importation of slaves, violation of which would be punishable by death. The opening square in 1868 witnessed the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing equal rights for all citizens. The opposition in 1909 saw the birth of the NAACP, one of the most effective civil rights organizations in the US. The closing square brought the full blown Civil Rights Movement and the rise of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Science and Spirituality: Twin Pillars of Astrological Thought

2009-03-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

Generally speaking, today’s astrology aspires to two realms: the spiritual and the scientific. Anyone who harbors hopes for astrology’s future at the university should consider these distinctly different, complex realms, actually twin pillars of astrological thought. The impetus from these two thought systems will determine where astrology lands - in the sciences or the humanities – if it ever arrives at all.

The spiritual realm is speculative. Research and technical development are less important. Statements made about the sacred often go unquestioned. For many, their authoritative sources give them undeniable validity, as in the Bible or the Qur’an. Intuition is dominant.

In the scientific realm, truth is endlessly questioned and tested for reliability. Techniques are developed, models and procedures are created, measured.

The work of the Gauquelins obviously falls in the category of the scientific. Reincarnational astrology is clearly situated within the spiritual domain. The scientific and the spiritual need not be mutually exclusive approaches, but academia will see them as such.

Even in the domain of the spiritual, claims about past lives should be disclosed as speculative, symbolic, metaphoric, or simply the product of the astrologer’s imagination. To do less is a misrepresentation, because who can possibly know another's past lives with any genuine certainty? By what supernatural power can past lives be comprehended? Call a dream by its name. A dream can have a kind of truth and beauty, but it’s still a dream.

While reincarnation is currently conspicuous in some circles, its acceptance is not a prerequisite for the astrological model. When karma does creep into astrological discourse, it occasionally appears in a somewhat spiritually and intellectually naïve manner.

For instance, the following statement is not only entirely groundless, it is potentially damaging to the vulnerable person seeking astrological information:

“About eighty percent of Fourth House Pluto individuals have a series of prior-life experiences in which their emotional needs have not been successfully met by one or both of their parents".

Where do these numbers come from, the Bureau of Vital Statistics? On whose authority is that statement made?

Discussions of past lives and karma are often confused, baseless and inflated. Originating in the Hindu religious tradition, karma most accurately translates merely as “habit” (Karl Potter, Presuppositions of India’s Philosophies).

It wouldn’t hurt to ask how much do we, in the industrialized 21st century, honestly understand about the operative conditions of karma? Frequently in astrology, just writing a book grants immutable authority on highly complex philosophical topics that otherwise require years of study.

If astrology is to enter the university, it will have to face its limitations. It has enough problems with credibility due to its centuries-long addiction to prediction, which implies a future carved in stone - we’re mere mindless puppets attached to planetary strings. Throwing past lives into serious astrology only muddies up an already fallible system gravely in need of renovation if it’s going to be accepted as an area for scholarly study.

Reincarnational astrology will not survive in today’s universities, except as a cultural artifact. If the university setting is a goal, it must be anticipated that today’s astrology will surely change once it becomes the center of serious academic study. Revision occurs within every academic field. This is inevitable if astrology’s home is in the sciences. If astrology’s destination is the humanities, it will continue to be the focus of historians and sociologists in a field that has only recently developed. Change will undeniably occur, but of a different nature.

Having a realistic vision of astrology’s future at the university level will involve confronting some of the tradition’s most sacred cows, like prediction, exaltations, detriments and the concept of the malefic, to name only a few. There may ultimately be a schism between spiritual and scientific astrologies – between the sacred and profane.

If some astrologers insist on mentioning past lives and presenting themselves as having access to a mystical knowledge that none of the rest of us can retrieve, then they are morally obligated to disclose that they are endowed with superpowers beyond the norm. Accountability is the beginning of maturation. Astrology provides a rich enough symbolic language of the interior without needing to resort to past lives, which are best left to theologians or mystics.

Astrology’s great gift lies in its ability to describe a person’s inner world, what makes them tick. In this aspect, astrology can enhance our tolerance and compassion for other people by helping us understand another person’s behavior. It also aids in self understanding, which is a prerequsite for spiritual growth.

The work of the Gauquelins indicates that astrology may be at an unprecedented threshold – objective study and research could potentially shape an astrology that is unrecognizable one century from today. Knowing the difference between the scientific and the spiritual is a necessary preface to a new astrology, whatever it may be.

-- 'Each soul has its own religion' This means that according to his evolution so man knows the truth and the more a man knows, the more he finds there is to learn. Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan

Antoine Faivre’s Esoterology and the Techne of the Stars

2009-03-10T00:34:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

Orphaned in the wake of the colossal epistemological crisis of the scientific revolution, astrology has long been adrift among the various disciplines of the modern era. In search of a reputable host epistémè to bolster its legitimacy and confidence, astrology has been subjected to tests and analysis, its alleged effects endlessly measured and quantified, all to no avail. Even the tantalizing promise of a 20th century scientific astrology, so thoroughly documented in Geoffrey Dean's meticulous Recent Advances in Natal Astrology, has apparently vanished under closer scrutiny as astrology continues to fail the initiatic rigors of the scientific mentality.

However, at the other end of the intellectual spectrum, in the spiritual arena of human endeavor, astrology readily finds a compatible resonance and a harmonious fit. It is in the rich flow of humanity's spiritual thoughtstreams that astrology has maintained its secured position. With its ancient conceptual roots firmly situated in the great currents of occidental esotericism, astrology has no need for an embarrassed self-justification - its practitioners need only to educate themselves about their discipline's dignified heritage and the metaphysical impetus which fostered its beginnings as one of the world's earliest systems of self-knowledge.

At the forefront of esoteric scholarship, the inestimable work of Antoine Faivre provides the seeker with some of the most rewarding jewels to be found in this emergent field. Faivre holds the chair of Modern Western Esoteric Currents at the École Pratique des Hautes Études at the Sorbonne. For the first time, this innovative discipline, so integral to the vast field of Religious Studies, is being examined as a legitimate area of our Western cultural heritage. With the majority of Faivre's intimidatingly voluminous oeuvre written in French, we are fortunate to have some of his efforts translated into English.

Faivre orients the reader in the vast landscape of esotericism by mapping out the three major rivers of thought which nourish this ensemble of discourses. These fertile rivers are the three traditional cosmological sciences: astrology, alchemy and magic (as in Renaissance magia). Faivre observes that these three great rivers, far from running dry, have flowed well into the present era, and should not be perceived as a reaction against today's dominant epistémè. On the contrary, he speculates that the esoteric quest might be a fervent expression of one of the two poles of the human spirit's efforts to actualize itself. These poles of thought, positioned at the extremes of the intellectual spectrum, are the mythic-poetic and the scientific-rational, the former category being the domain of the esoteric impulse.

While Faivre is not an historian of the astrological, and in fact, only minimally addresses astrology , his transdisciplinary work and ideas on esoteric thought provide a beautiful context and set of criteria for the practitioner of astrology hunting for an intellectual and cultural framework within which to place the techne of the stars. The esoteric is not a specific genre. Rather, it is a form of thought that directs the mind towards unrevealed, spiritual sources of knowledge by means of symbol or myth.

Esoteric insight tends to rely more on a deciphering process of interpretation, employing, through individual effort, an evolutionary elucidation of higher planes of knowledge and wisdom. Gnosis, the secret knowledge of these restricted realms of the sacred, is achieved by ascending the ladder of secret knowledge through successive stages of consciousness. Esoteric thought is an individual and introspective form of hermeneutics - a method of exploration of the interior territory covered in the spiritual quest. The value of this subjective and goal-oriented discourse lies as much in the process of ascent as in the final objectives, which are the acquisition of spiritual knowledge, and the personality's subsequent radical transmutation, which is the supreme goal and consequence of the quest.  

The four intrinsic Elements inherent in the Esoteric
Faivre outlines the four intrinsic elements essential to esotericism, which are illustrated below. "We shall regard the esotericism of the modern West as an identifiable form of spirituality because of the presence of fundamental characteristics distributed in varying degrees within its vast concrete historical context. Four of these characteristics are ‘intrinsic'... There are two others, which we call ‘relative' or non-intrinsic ..." (Antoine Faivre, Modern Esoteric Spirituality, p. xiv; Crossroad Publishing Co., N.Y. 1995). Later we will examine these characteristics as they pertain to a comprehension and definition of the specifically astrological mode of thinking.

I. Correspondence. This method of thought is based on an elucidating form of analogical thinking which sees symbolic and/or real correspondences and meaningful connections between all aspects of the visible and invisible universe. The cosmos itself is perceived as an animated and integrated reticulum teeming with information that is waiting to be interpreted and decoded. Our hieroglyphically encoded universe is heavily laden with meaningful content, at once concealing and revealing its own mysteries. The ancient idea of the microcosm and macrocosm is fundamental to this view of nature-cosmos existing as an organic totality, unified through subtly interconnected symbolic links.

II. Living Nature. The cosmos is alive - an intricate, plural and hierarchical unicity. Nature, which is multi-layered and vitally essential to cosmic unity, is rich in potential spiritual revelation, waiting to be interpreted and read as one reads a book. The universe is an integrated living, breathing network of sympathies which bind and unify Nature. A palpitating fire circulates throughout Nature, permeating it with a pulsating life force. This fiery quality animates Nature, which in itself is an expression and incarnation of the throbbing energetic power of a conscious cosmos. Therefore, Nature, saturated with meaning and spiritual content, participates in the esoteric quest for salvation, providing a mystical path for soteriological gnosis.

III. Imagination and mediation. Imagination (related to magnet, magia and imago) is that crucial faculty which enables symbols, myths and images to be used as intermediaries for gnostic ends. Imagination itself is an "organ of the soul" through which mankind can access a richly inhabited inner world, or mesocosm. By means of this "interiorism," one can achieve entry into the deeper layers of the self, by which process the psyche can aspire and ascend toward spiritual knowledge. Symbols, myths and "signatures" of the world operate as mediators which allow the various levels of reality - from the visible to the invisible - to be linked. Here imagination takes on an ontological dignity, and is distinguished from mere fantasy, which is the lower expression of this faculty. Understood in this sense, imagination becomes a vehicle for spiritual practices and inner knowledge.
According to Paracelsus, God created the universe by imagining it; man, in his turn, created in God's own image, has analogically similar creative powers at his disposal. Through the sacred creative potency innate to the imagination, the human mind can visualize and access the meaningful content inherent in nature's endless hieroglyphs. For Paracelsus, the imagination is the intermediary which lies between thinking and being. (Antoine Faivre, Theosophy, Imagination and Tradition, pp. 102-103, State University of New York, Albany, 2000).
By establishing a rapport with the mundus imaginalis, that vivid inner world which connects the personality to the secret spiritual knowledge concealed in mediating symbols and images, the personality advances to ever higher levels of awareness. Imagination is then a vehicle which facilitates gnostic illumination of the self, the world and of myth. It pierces the surface world of appearances, heightening perception of those secreted invisible connections that unify the cosmos, suffusing it with meaning.

IV. The experience of transmutation. Without the potential outcome of transmutation, Faivre states, all the threads of the esoteric would spin out as mere speculative spirituality. There must be some purpose served by the pursuit of that illuminated knowledge which leads to gnosis and a "second birth". The concept of transformation is inadequate to describe this process of moving from one plane of reality to higher levels of being.
More accurately, spiritual gnosis leads to a process of metamorphic transfiguration reminiscent of (I would say) Richard Wagner's conception of "Verklärung" - a redemptive rebirth following the dissolution and cleansing of old forms. The specific goal and function of the esoteric process lies in this regeneration, which is often described in alchemical symbolic terms: nigredo (death, decapitation); albedo (whitening); rubedo (reddening, philosopher's stone). Faivre notes the similarity here to the three stages of the traditional mystical path: purgation, illumination, unification.  

Astrology as an Esoteric Technology
In this section, I will apply some of Faivre's criteria for the esoteric as they relate directly to a spiritual application of astrology. In addition, I will add my own opinions and commentaries.
Correspondence lies at the very heart of astrological thinking. The foundation of this system of thought is the analogical perspective, which postulates the strong internal cohesion of the cosmos. This organic integrity relies on an intimate association between the spiritual and the material planes of existence. Planets, states of consciousness, and the world of material objects are analogically linked because of their shared symbolic and meaningful content within the unifying network of universal sympathies.

In spite of several centuries of failed efforts to ‘scientize' astrology, it remains consistently and comfortably congruent with this kind of spiritual language and impulse, a viable alternative modality of comprehending the cosmic reality. While the degradation of its tradition and obfuscation of its nobility of character and impulse cannot be denied, astrology is, at its heart, a cosmological philosophy of another order, one which addresses a primordial and divine essence buried in the depths of mankind's being.

When Nature is seen as a manifestation of the sacred, the solar system itself becomes a hierophany. The tropical zodiac, an information-rich energy fabric, is generated by the cyclical processes of Nature. The planets, as part of our living cosmos, are inhabitants of our expanded natural world. Extending the Gaia hypothesis, which poetically views the Earth as an animate organism imbued with consciousness, planets take on a functional vitality and an inherent life-force, which, in their interactions with the living, vibrating milieu of the zodiac create a generative cosmic placenta, spiritually and energetically nourishing to all life forms. (Nasr traces the idea of Earth as a living organism back to Plato, who, in the Timaeus spoke of Earth as a "great animal", which tradition was repeated by "numerous medieval philosophers and scientists in the Islamic world as well as among Jews and Christians.", Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Knowledge and the Sacred, p. 117, State University of New York Press, Albany, 1989).

Seen from this vantage point, astrology becomes a spiritual philosophy of nature. The value of astrology lies in its potential aptitude for expressing the language of the interior experiential subjective realms. In this capacity it acts as a mediating vehicle for introspection, encouraging that inner enlightenment which is brought about by an encounter with the authentic Self as it unites with the sacred groundwater of its own being.

Sensitive and prudent interpretation of astrological symbols can stimulate and exercise the higher, intuitive faculties of the mind, leading to insight and the singular phenomenon which is essential to the esoteric experience - that particular revelation of the sacred essence within consciousness which leads to transfiguration. The rewards of such spiritual awakening are wisdom, a sense of meaning in one's life and place in the universe, and ultimately, liberation. "He who knows himself knows everything" (Hermetic Definitions, 9.4)

Here we are addressing an astrology which is far removed from the divinatory, the scientistic or the psycho-pathological, all of which are current trends in modern astrology. An incorrect use and abuse of astrology can actually exacerbate anxiety, superstition and a form of spiritual bigotry which is a remnant of its ancient biases, still present in today's astrological world. (see my "Repression of the Feminine in Astrology", http://cura.free.fr/decem/08jordan.html) This indulgence in the almost morbid side of a fatalistic astrology only serves to increase the neurotic alienation and helplessness already symptomatic of this modern era.

The delusional idea of ‘good' and ‘evil' rays emanating from the heavens is untrue, counterproductive, and is, like its divinatory claims, an unhealthy, tenaciously adhering artifact of an early, misdirected astrological theory. Fabrications such as these harbor primitive fears of the demonic. These infantile remnants corrupt the truth of astrology as well as discourage many individuals from exploring its possibilities. It is easy to dismiss a fraudulent predictive and paranoid philosophy of fate. A spirituality void of evil offers a healthier viability, and an exploratory environment free of fear.

The merit of what can be gained from the astrological experience is measured almost exclusively by its subjective rewards - the benefits of a personal and spiritual disclosure, which, in its most successful achievement, leads ultimately to a radical transfiguration of self. We are not speaking here of a common, mundane astrologia vulgaris used for betting on horse races. This is an entirely different matter, a corrupt hallucination of the masses, relegated to the philosophically empty world of a bankrupt materialism irrelevant to the spiritual path. By the time astrological symbols reach the level of pop culture, they experience a decay of meaning, and a loss of their spiritual currency.

As the seeker of inner wisdom exercises the symbolic, inspired language of a purified astrology for the sake of exploring one's personal inner geography, the initiatic power of the imagination (in the sense in which it is described by Faivre) is activated during the translation and interpretative process. The astrological realm is that mundus imaginalis in which occurs a philosophical contemplation of spiritual symbols rich in meaningful content. The dynamic process of symbolic deliberation stimulates the associative, interpretive penetration of the mythic layers of consciousness.

This form of spiritual revelation must by necessity be accomplished through a special intellectual intuition accessed by seeing through the opened "eye of the heart". (Scientia sacra is the phrase used by Nasr to describe that "intellectual intuition which involves the illumination of the heart and the mind of man ... the sapience which the Islamic tradition refers to as ‘presential knowledge'..." It is through this intellectual intuition that certain individuals are capable of direct contact with the spiritual. Knowledge and the Sacred, p.130).

The initiatic strengthening of the imagination through the active use of sacred symbols, within which images of psyche and cosmos are mirrored, paves neuro-associative pathways to that spiritual center of wisdom which is the ultimate object of this reflective, mythopoeic process. Jñana, the Sanskrit term for wisdom, is etymologically related to gnosis and knowing, all referring to that special kind of numinous awareness which is the gift of the spiritual path.

The degree to which astrology is successful as a mediating gnostic technology of the sacred is relative to the innate affinities and predisposition for such processes within the individual seeker/astrologer. If only the rational faculties are readily available within a given psyche, the consequential results probably won't be of much benefit. For the average reader of the popular, mass-market cookbook, this rarified astrological exploration of the spiritual is likely to be completely alien. The astrological path of gnosis is not for everyone.....

Imagine for a moment the value to be gained by the musically uneducated in viewing the highly intricate musical score of Don Giovanni. Even listening to a full-length recording of that work - exquisitely performed by a virtuosic ensemble - would not do much for an ear unaccustomed to that kind of musical experience. Likewise, perusing astrological symbols without some degree of aptitude and well-informed experience in their interpretation would be a hollow exercise. To take this example one step further, a performance of Mozart's masterwork by a third-rate group of musicians would also never yield the transcendent beauties inherent in that opera. In a similar fashion, many well-intended writings by today's typical astrophile, however pure their motivation, provide an inadequate view of the dormant powers lying latent in astrology's symbolic discourse.

In its highest manifestation, the process of exercising the symbol-interpreting faculties of an educated receptive mind by means of astrological images and ciphers, provides a link-forming pathway to inner knowledge. The continual practice and internalization of this type of symbolic thinking strengthens and empowers the psyche's potential for self-revelation.

As the various facets of self are realized and integrated, the wholeness of the microcosmic psyche can begin the process of transcendence and union with the greater whole - the macrocosmic universal. A path towards the oneness of existence is begun with the realization and integration of the fragmented self - a conscious assessment and fusion of the disparate facets of the psyche represented by the factors in the birth chart.

Astrology, in its most elevated form, is a sacred technology which can lead to gnostic illumination of the soul and its unique relation to the cosmic environs. The use of astrological analogy provides a means of metaphysical seeing, a way of grasping the inner meaning of spiritual existence beyond the body and the physical world. One key to the supernal ordering principle lies in the symbolic discourse of astrology.

Employed in this way, and not as a mere form of philosophically empty divination, astrology becomes an esoteric vehicle for spiritual insight and unfolding - a form of spiritual self-therapy. As such, it might be seen as a gnostic alternative to science or religion, which are the doctrines which dominate today's thought systems. While astrology seems to fall short in its efforts at dealing with the physical world of material causes, in its most serious application, it is an esoteric device with which one can speculate on the ‘book of nature' within the human psyche - a gnosis-oriented technology of the sacred. ("The Quran often calls Nature a book which is the macrocosmic counterpart of the Quran itself and which must be read and understood before it can be put away.", Seyyed Hossein Nasr, An Introduction to Islamic Cosmological Doctrines, p. 2, footnote 2, Shambala Publications, Boulder, Co. 1978).

Increasingly, the scholarly world is awakening to the third unrecognized pillar of western tradition. It has long been acknowledged that religion and rational science are the two primary supports of western civilization. The currents of the esoteric thought system are now being recognized as a third major contributing source to our cultural heritage. (See van den Broeck and Hanegraff, eds., Gnosis and Hermeticism, p. vii, State University of New York Press, Albany, 1998).

The desacralizing rationality of a secular science has not only banished the spiritual from the modern world, but as an intellectual instrument itself is incapable of comprehending it. Science's reign of cultural sovereignty and its unjustified claim that it is "the" only authentic knowledge persecute a degenerate astrology, still enmeshed with palmistry, tarot and the like. This decayed and tired astrology today has barely the strength and resources to justify itself, so crippled is it in thought and language by its own obsolete dogma. (See Nasr's discussion of René Guénon , whose "greatest criticism of modern science was its lack of metaphysical principles and its pretension or rather, the pretension of those who claim to speak from the ‘scientific point of view' to be the science or the way of knowing, whereas it is a science or a way of knowing concerned with a very limited domain of reality", in Knowledge and the Sacred, pp. 101-110).

And now, as the immense weight of science attempts to crush the life out of it, astrology faces the necessity of undergoing a purification and transmutation all its own. This vajrayana path of cleansing and rebirth can only occur if astrology willfully and vigilantly examines itself, with an eye towards eradicating the moribund baggage of the centuries of superstitions which thwart its advancement to its next level of purpose.
 
The Birth Chart of Antoine Faivre
My sincere thanks to Professor Faivre, who kindly shared his birth chart with me. I was curious to see if his chart revealed any affinities with his area of work.  

The predominant themes in Professor Faivre's chart are Mercurial and Neptunian. His Sun is in Gemini, his Moon in Pisces. Mercury and Neptune, which are in sextile, are the planets closest to the angles of his chart. Mercury is in Neptune's house (the 12th), conjunct the Ascendant and aspecting Neptune, which is in Mercury's sign and house (in Virgo in the 3rd) . Neptune also aspects his Sun - both Neptune and the Sun are in signs ruled by Mercury.

The ruler of this historian's Cancer Ascendant is his Pisces Moon in his 10th house of authority and career. He has Neptune, the ruler of his MC in Virgo - the sign associated with work, detail and the analytical function - in the 3rd house of the intellect and communication, amplified by its conjunction to his IC. Mercury, the ruler of his 4th and of his Gemini Sun, is in the 12th house, the imaginative realm of dreams, images and symbols.

Professor Faivre's sensitive and sublime discussions of the imagination (Mercury-Neptune) are a splendid fit for understanding the Neptunian function in the human psyche. Neptune represents the faculties of imagination, dreaming, and inner spirituality, as well as the capacities for inspiration and ecstatic experiences of beauty. Neptune is often seen in prominent positions in the charts of highly gifted individuals, and there is no doubt that Professor Faivre is one of the most gifted scholars I have ever come across. This Neptunian facility, when combined with high intelligence, describes a kind of immense conceptual melting pot, capable of internalizing and processing huge amounts of information and of managing numerous strands of thought.
Gemini is also well-represented in the chart, certainly illustrating Faivre's intellectual curiosity, flexibility, and literary talents. The Pisces-Gemini, Mercury-Neptune themes focus on his attraction to intellectual topics that have symbolic, mystical, artistic and philosophical content. This mutability explains his predisposition to the highly diversified study of esoterology, a complex field which is at the "crossroad of various fields."

In Faivre's own words, Mercurius "is the god who stands at the crossroads, who bridges the gaps; he is the interpreter par excellence - the interpreter of signs, of texts, and he is therefore instrumental in enabling Man to pass through various levels of Reality." (Gnosis and Hermeticism, pp 109-110).
While Professor Antoine Faivre has no "theological, metaphysical, esoteric (or in one word, crypto-religionist) agenda whatsoever," nor do his works "aim at spreading, fostering or encouraging esoteric worldviews, whichever they might be" (personal correspondence), he nonetheless has a remarkable and atypical aptitude for contributing to a better understanding of particular long-neglected ideas from our western cultural heritage. As only "like can know like", we can appreciate that a Neptunian spirit such as Faivre's would rediscover, comprehend and translate the traditions of the sacred for us.
"Since only the like can know the like, the secularized reason which became the sole instrument of knowing in modern times could not but leave its mark and effect upon everything that it studied. All subjects studied by a secularized instrument of knowledge came out to be depleted and devoid of the quality of the sacred. The profane point of view could only observe a profane world in which the sacred did not play a role. The quest of the typically modern man has been in fact to "kill the gods" wherever he has been able to find them and to banish the sacred from a world which has been rapidly woven into a new pattern drawn from the strands issuing from a secularized mentality." (Nasr, Knowledge and the Sacred, pp. 43-44)  

See the Bibliography of Antoine Faivre's Works in DOC format.

Captain Chesley Sullenberger: Chiron in Action

2009-02-11T12:18:00.000-08:00

By Shelley Jordan

Chironian Captain Chesley Sullenberger has currently been in the news for his heroic, safe landing of his US Airways plane on the Hudson River.* All passengers survived.

A former fighter pilot with two masters degrees, one in industrial psychology and one in public administration, this highly educated, travelling Sagittarius rising hero has Chiron conjunct his Ascendant. An exemplary pilot, Captain Sullenberger also runs a safety consultant firm. As a true representative of the Chironian archetype he is an educator, role model and mentor for others. He has Sun in scientific Aquarius in the financial 2nd house, exactly trine a balanced, authoritative Saturn in Libra in the long distance 9th house – in air signs, no less. Venus, the ruler of his professional 10th, is also in Aquarius in the 2nd house, exactly trine Neptune, lord of the watery realms, in his 10th. I don’t know how a chart could be more descriptive of a gifted sovereign of the air. Completing the themes of travel and education, Jupiter, the ruler of his Sag Ascendant, is in the 3rd house (it was an airbus) trine the ruler of humane Aquarius, Uranus in the 7th. All his passengers were safely escorted off the soggy plane.

Where’s the perceptual precision in his chart? Mercury is in realistic, responsible Capricorn in the 1st, opposite Uranus, quickening his reflexes. Mercury is also square Saturn in the 9th, enhancing his powers of concentration and disciplined focus. Mercury’s aspect to the 9th house Saturn also describes Captain Sullenberger’s educational achievements. I’ve seen this combination of Mercury with Saturn and Uranus in the charts of intelligent, intellectually disciplined people with fast, analytical minds. Mercury’s sextile to Jupiter in the 3rd, gives him a perspicatious view of a given situation.

Born at the Full Moon in heroic Leo, Captain Sullenberger is currently in the limelight while Jupiter and the recent solar eclipse in Aquarius are near his Sun in the 2nd . At the time of the crash, Jupiter was conjunct his Sun. Uranus was conjunct his 3rd house North Node in watery Pisces, a transit which could only enhance his already alert, focused mind. This recent event can’t hurt his business, which is all about safety. He’s literally a walking (or flying) advertisment for his own product.

Let’s hope this recent heroic close call is a metaphor for all of us and together we’ll have a collective safe landing from this current crisis.

*(January 23, 1951; 5:06 AM; Denison, TX – thanks to Pam Young for the birth time; airbus landed in the Hudson on January 15, 2009 at 3:30 PM, 6 minutes after takeoff, according to Newsday: http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/nation/ny-ussull256012022jan25,0,829112.story))

The Astrological Charts of the Aquarian Octuplets

2009-02-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

By Shelley Jordan

A fascinating but controversial event has occurred following January’s solar eclipse in scientific Aquarius. A single mother in California has recently given birth to the second surviving set of octuplets in the United States, thanks to in vitro fertilization. As any mother knows, a new born baby is a lot of work. The job of taking care of eight of them is mind boggling. Called a “grave error” by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the pregnancy ended prematurely with the live delivery of the eight babies.

These infants were born right after the solar eclipse on January 27, only five minutes apart, according to the Kaiser Permanente Hospital spokeswoman. The first was born at 10:43 AM, the last at 10:48 AM in Bellflower, California.* The babies were born by Caesarian section to Nadya Suleman, a single, unemployed mother of six, who lives with her own mother. These circumstances are raising a public debate over the ethics and lack of controls in the unregulated fertilization marketplace during the current Saturn-Uranus opposition. Saturn, representing the law, limits and responsibility, is currently facing off independent, scientific and rebellious Uranus.

Pubic debate is productive, and usually occurs as a consequence of disagreement and conflict. A number of physicians who were interviewed about this event are in opposition to the lack of controls that led to these risky births in an already dangerously overpopulated world. Normally, in vitro fertilization procedure would not permit the gestation of as many as eight embryos, which would cause risk to both mother and infants.

The charts of the infants are interesting: while only born within 5 minutes of each other, the first has pioneering Aries rising (!), while the slowest one hanging out in the back of the uterus has deliberate Taurus on the Ascendant. Using Koch houses, there are no differences in the house placements or degrees of the planets – only the Ascendant shows any remarkable distinction, with a sign change from Aries to Taurus, and a one degree difference on the Capricorn Midheaven.

The Suleman octuplets have a massing of planets in Capricorn and Aquarius in the 10th and 11th houses, reiterated by the Saturn-Uranus oppostion. Saturn rules Capricorn, Uranus rules Aquarius. No doubt they will be high profile, and in the news for years to come because of their Uranian uniqueness and the ethical debate they’ve sparked. Like the first test tube baby, these infants are the result of science on the cutting edge. Their planets in Aquarius resonate with their scientific origins, and their undoubted place in the public’s view. These babies will belong to the masses, both in their story and in the controversy their birth has stirred. They will also possibly rely on financial support from taxpayer dollars in a threatened economy. One article described the mother as a “professional student” living off grants and parental support.

The octuplets have Mercury retrograde, which often indicates a mind which thinks for itself. These children will have to make up their own minds about a lot of things, since much about them may be under the public and medical microscope. Further, this Mercury is conjunct Mars in paternal Capricorn at the Midheaven. They will be the object of much lively discussion among law makers and physicians. There was no information in the press at this time about any actual father figure in the lives of these babies, although birth records have revealed the name of the father of the first four, and possibly all of Suleman’s brood. With Pluto, the Midheaven, Mercury and Mars in Capricorn, the father archetype will probably be something that bears some weight in their lives – either through one appearing in the family, or in their quest to fill the father’s role, or in their internalization and invention of their concept of what a father’s role is. Perhaps there will be intervention from some outside authority.

In addition to planets in Capricorn, the Suleman octuplets have a conjunction of Sun, Jupiter and the North Node in the 10th in Aquarius. Saturn is in Virgo near the 6th house cusp, aspecting Mercury-Mars in Capricorn and Neptune in Aquarius in the 11th. The Virgo-Aquarius combination can represent social service. Their mother, who was described by her recently hired publicity spokesman as “very bright and engaging”, has a degree in psychology and hopes to continue toward a master’s degree. One has to wonder how a single, unemployed mother can puruse education while raising 14 children, one of whom is autistic, according to the media. The state may have to intervene in the form of social workers to lend some support and structure to what sounds like a sadly chaotic situation.

Their Moon is less than one degree from Neptune in individualistic Aquarius. How realistic was this mother, who sought more children than the 6 she already had? Even her own mother said “obviously, she overdid herself”. Suleman is hoping for a television career as a child rearing specialist and is said to be juggling book deals and other business offers. Clearly hoping to raise her brood in the public eye, it is a good thing these children have so much Capricorn and Aquarius, indicating a solid work ethic, and group and community orientation. They form their own little Aquarian tribe of eight.

Suddenly the most sought after mom in the world, according to one Fox news report, Suleman has thus far been relying for the most part on the support of her own parents, who have themselves fallen on hard times, and had to leave their home in California. In addition, the grandmother has had to seek the help of a psychologist to deal with her daughter’s obsession with pregnancy and having children. However, another Fox news article said that the prolific mother is receiving some harsh criticism and no support or sympathy from companies and a public who often shower unusual newborns with money, services and gifts.

The mother of the babies, while raised by traditional parents, is described by her own mother as having been obsessed with having children since she was a teenager, but has always refused to get married. The grandmother says that she herself was raised in a traditional way. The planets in Capricorn and Aquarius describe both a traditional and a rebellious or individualistic approach to life. This dynamic is underlined by the Saturn-Uranus opposition. Since Capricorn and Aquarius are the signs of maturity and the experience of old age, perhaps these children will have a great deal of contact with their grandparents or other older, responsible adults or family members, although Suleman’s father has recently said he is returning to his native Iraq.

From interviews in the media, the mother of the octuplets sounds somewhat unstable and seems to be suffering from some kind of mental/emotional disorder, similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder. She’s turned herself into a virtual Grand Central Station for souls. Her own mother, whom she has leaned on with a kind of aggressive dependency, has threatened to leave home when her daughter returns from the hospital with her huge, new litter of babes. One can only send thoughts of sympathy and compassion to these new little ones and their mother, and hope that some kind of stable structure and family life will appear for them.

In any event, the whole issue of fertility treatment and regulation is now in the foreground as of the Aquarius solar eclipse in January. The Saturn-Uranus opposition in Pisces-Virgo speaks to the medical and psychiatric dimensions of this controversy. Since Aquarius is not only science, but also adoption, perhaps this can help direct people’s attention to all the parentless children already living who need loving, nurturing homes and families.

* http://living.oneindia.in/insync/2009/octuplets-birth-290109.html

Presidential Oath Take 2: Mercury Retrograde is at it Again!

2009-01-26T20:41:00.000-08:00

By Shelley Jordan

In a quintessential demonstration of the slippery Mercury retrograde phenomenon, President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts executed the presidential swearing in ceremony a second time, due to the minor botches made by both men in the previous day’s formalities. Astrological legend relates that actions performed during Mercury retrograde periods will have to be repeated. A kind of cosmic spellcheck, these little episodes of which the Presidential swearing in is a typical example, can occur during the three annual intervals when Mercury backs up and retraces its steps through the Zodiac for purposes of review and assessment.

I frankly love the chart for the repeated oath, which occurred on January 21, at 7:35 PM. The first degree of impeccable Virgo is on the Ascendant. Nothing less than perfection will work for our alert new President, who has Mars, the warrior planet, in Virgo. Capacity for detail is one of his most effective weapons. This kind of attention to precision, seen in this careful honoring of the specifics of the Constitution and his contracts, not to mention being prepared for the nitpicking attacks from right wing demagogues, originates in President Obama’s exacting Mars in Virgo in his contractual 8th house. Currently, Saturn, the solar system's chief executive officer, is lingering directly over the Presidential Mars, making sure every i is dotted and t is crossed. In fact, Saturn in perfectionistic Virgo is prominently positioned in the 1st house of the chart for his repeated oath, monitoring the whole process.

The Moon in the chart of this second run at the oath is in Sagittarius in the homey 4th house. This time President Obama swore his loyalty to the Constitution right in his own new abode, in the Map Room of the White House. The Moon is traveling through the closing phases of its last lunation, making plenty of dynamic aspects in the process. So those who may have had some angst over the initial oath’s Void of Course Moon at the final degree of Scorpio won’t have to worry any more. The lively Moon for the retake is preparing for its upcoming lunation, when it makes its conjunction to the Sun on January 26. This will not only be the New Moon that launches the current, cutting edge administration. It will also be a potent Solar Eclipse. This scintillating, impending New Moon at the forward-looking North Node is conjunct an erudite Jupiter in Aquarius, very close to President Obama’s own optimistic, brilliant and populist Jupiter, which is also in Aquarius. The expansive New Moon douses his Jupiter return with a healthy shot of pristine and fresh vitality, reiterating his faith and confidence in the people of the United States.

The impending Solar Eclipse in scientific, rational Aquarius also characterizes the first online presidential administration we’ve ever had, not to mention our first technologically literate President. Open to the public and accessible via the Internet, President Obama’s administration will continue to invite everyone to view and participate in our government. This is the change we’ve needed, and its time has arrived.

Harmonious Alignments: The Charts of President Obama, Martin Luther King and the 2009 Inauguration

2009-01-22T12:10:00.000-08:00

By Shelley Jordan

I was stunned by the uncanny similarity of alignments between the birth charts of President Barack Obama, Dr. Martin Luther King and the positions of the planets on Inauguration Day 2009. The birth of the new presidency began at the moment the oath of office was administered at 12:08 PM. It’s as if, all along, the benevolent spirit of Dr. King has been presiding over the unfolding of this miraculous phenomenon from some protective, celestial vantage point. The Inauguration even followed Martin Luther King Day, a metaphor that was lost on no one. All three of these charts share highly specific astrological details that illustrate the principles of idealism, compassion and community that link these men and their commitment to advancing the human condition.

The precision that underlies the shared planetary placements in these three charts is an astrologer’s dream. The Inauguration is the event that links the mission of Martin Luther King to the remarkable election of Barack Obama. To begin with, the Ascendants for the Inauguration and for Dr. King are only degrees apart in tenacious, peaceful Taurus, where values persist with moral fortitude. Will the Obama presidency embody the same tireless perseverance and resolve in the face of adversity that Martin Luther King displayed in his role as leader of the American civil rights movement?

The Inauguration chart and Dr. King both have planets in compassionate, visionary Pisces in the 11th house of community. Dr. King’s Venus is conjunct the Moon in Pisces in the 11th; the Inauguration chart has Venus conjunct Uranus in Pisces in the 11th. Inaugural Uranus is even in exactly the same degree in Pisces as Dr. King’s Moon. This election fulfills Martin Luther King’s Piscean Moon dream of a desegregated society in which an African-American could be elected to the highest office. The Uranus transit to Dr. King’s Moon describes the swift and unexpected ascent of Uranian Barack Obama to the nation’s highest office. President Obama has Aquarius rising with Uranus conjunct the Descendent.

Dr. King’s Sun is in exactly the same degree as President Obama’s executive Saturn in Capricorn, a sign admired for its responsibility and leadership. Dr. King and the Inauguration chart have the Midheaven in the same degree of Capricorn, where prudence and industry attract positions of leadership. Capricorn and Saturn represent the father archetype. As the pater familias of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King may be a spiritual father to the fatherless Obama.

Dr. King’s brilliant, oratorial 10th house Mercury is in populist Aquarius. It is close to the inaugural chart’s Mercury in Aquarius, which is also in the 10th house. In the chart of the Inauguration, Mercury is closely conjunct the Sun, Jupiter, and the nearby North Node. President Obama’s “Yes We Can” Jupiter is in Aquarius in exactly the same degree as Inaugural Jupiter in Aquarius. The Inauguration precisely marked President Obama’s 4th Jupiter return to the very degree.

The Inaugural Moon is only 1° from Dr. King’s South Node of the Moon in Scorpio. Both Dr. King and the Obama presidency inherited circumstances necessitating urgent transformation, and both promised a rebirth from repressive, crisis conditions. Emotional intensity ran high during Dr. King’s tenure and during the events that lead to President Obama’s oath of office.

Last, one has to take note of the infamous Mercury retrograde in the Inaugural chart. Astrological legend relates that actions performed during Mercury retrograde will have to be repeated. Will President Obama have to be sworn in all over again? He already has! The day following the Inauguration, when he flubbed the lines of his oath of office, he and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. decided to retake the oath of office - just to be on the safe side.

The Inaugural Chart is a declaration of liberty and humanity that echoes the idealistic societal dreams reflected in Dr. King’s 11th house visionary Moon-Venus in Pisces. The Inaugural chart, with Mercury, Sun, Jupiter and the North Node all collaberating in Aquarius at the Midheaven, describes the new President – a unique leader with intellect, vision, and a progressive outlook. Those qualities are echoed in President Obama’s Ascendant, Jupiter and South Node in Aquarius, with Uranus at the North Node and Descendent. These leitmotivs of freedom, intellectual brilliance and global egalitarianism are the consummate ideals of Neptune’s current transit of Aquarius.

Looking at the similarities in the charts of Dr. Martin Luther King, President Barack Obama and the 2009 Inauguration bring to mind a stream of humanitarian consciousness and idealistic lineages such as seen in the great succession of Dalai Lamas and other leaders of compassionate and altruistic traditions. This newborn presidency gives rise to optimism and hope for a fresh stage of social evolution.

Putting it to the Klan: Sagittarian Morris Dees and the Southern Poverty Law Center

2008-12-16T21:52:00.000-08:00

By Shelley Jordan

Along with the election of Barack Obama, another victory for progress occurred during last month’s dramatic Saturn-Uranus opposition. You may have heard news reports about the November 14th legal trouncing of the Imperial Klans of America, a white supremacist hate group that models itself after the Ku Klux Klan. That battle was fought by invincible civil rights attorney Morris Dees and the Southern Poverty Law Center. A crushing $2.5 million verdict was won against Klan leaders for the brutal beating of a Kentucky teenager, an American citizen of Panamanian descent.

I contacted the SPLC asking for Mr. Dees’ birth information, which they kindly and promptly supplied: December 16, 1936; 9:30 PM; Shorter, Alabama. When asked about the source, his executive assistant said that she believed that the information provided by Mr. Dees himself came from his birth certificate.

What are the characteristics we’d expect to see in the charts of successful trial attorneys? For one thing, they have to be confident and entertaining, with a gift for the theatrical. It’s no easy task to keep the judge and jury engaged and focused. Morris Dees has Leo rising, with the Sun in principled Sagittarius. The Sun’s radiance is amplified by its conjunction to Jupiter in Capricorn in the 5th, and is further strengthened by its conjunction with the North Node and a trine to the Ascendant. This is a lionhearted personality, larger than life.

This emphasis on the Sun and Jupiter immediately limns an expansive solar hero with an epic mission – a fiery leader, with self confidence, warmth, an outgoing personality and the heart to back it up. Sagittarius seeks meaning in a life often defined by a quest or calling. The Southern Poverty Law Center, founded by Morris Dees, has had numerous victories over the Klan and other hate groups, obtaining huge money judgments for their clients, consequently bankrupting these festering malignancies. Using the law as his weapon, Morris Dees has the grit and resolve to obtain money for his clients, fighting for equality armed with his 2nd house Mars in Libra.

Charismatic Neptune in Virgo is in his 1st house in a service oriented dynamic with Saturn in Pisces in the 7th. The Saturn-Uranus opposition of his recent November victory fell right across this configuration. Transiting Jupiter in Capricorn was trining his Neptune at that time, helping to fatten up the enormous judgment he won for the Kentucky teen, whose unfortunate injuries will follow him throughout his life.

A great trial lawyer has to have verbal and intellectual gifts, so it’s not surprising to see the element air and Uranus in high profile. Along with Mars in Libra , the Moon, Venus and the Descendent are in Aquarius, with Uranus square Moon-Venus. This square is characteristic of intellectual gifts matched by profound, individualistic personal will and a dogged stubbornness.

Law school is challenging enough, but that’s only the beginning of an attorney’s grind. An effective lawyer has to be quick, analytical, disciplined and able to retain enormous quantities of data. Morris Dees has Mercury in structured, determined Capricorn in a conjunction to Jupiter – here is loquacious brainpower that grasps the big picture; Mercury is also in an electric trine to Uranus in Taurus in the 9th house. Innate business acumen contributes to the success of the SPLC.

With his Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in the 5th house, Morris Dees is an engaging story teller and moving orator. Boyishly handsome, he emanates intelligence, his soft spoken southern drawl and modest, gentle demeanor invoke instant likability, giving the impression of great inner strength, and a casual, perceptive wit.

Where would we see the humanitarian, populist tendencies that drive Morris Dees to run his non-profit civil rights law firm? Look to the potent configuration involving his Aquarius Moon conjunct Venus in the 6th house of service – evidence of tolerance, fairness and sympathy to the human condition. This benevolent, folksy Moon–Venus forms a defiant T-square involving Uranus in the idealistic 9th house (a belief in freedom). A fearless opposition to Pluto in the collective 11th completes the configuration.

This combination underscores the intellect. It also describes a philanthropic, emotionally powerful and independent but kind nature with a strong drive for reform and a natural attraction to power struggles. The Uranian personality, especially in combination with Sagittarius, can lean towards outrageous behavior, and a personal fondness for shocking people. No one can tell them what to do.

Moon-Venus in Aquarius in the 6th must find heartfelt emotional satisfaction from his work and the rewarding relationships and social networks he forms through his dedicated service. Home and family are intimately connected with his work; coworkers may enjoy a familial bond with him and he may virtually live at work, which could be his second home.

Punctuating the altruism of Morris Dees’ Aquarian Moon-Venus, compassionate Neptune in Virgo is in his 1st house opposite Saturn in Pisces in the 7th. The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded on the dream of equality championed by Dr. Martin Luther King. Mr. Dees was already independently wealthy at an early age from his publishing company when he started the SPLC.

Morris Dees, who can be moved to tears by the plight of his clients, has made many sacrifices in his fight for the underdog. Constant threats are made on his life by the hate mongers that he relentlessly pursues. His office was firebombed in July, 1983. A wall of body guards surrounds him and his home. His Aquarius planets may help him emotionally detach from the ongoing threats and hostility that spew from threatened racist scum.

Neptune is square his Sun, an aspect frequently seen in the charts of gifted and inspired individuals. Saturn and the Sun both represent the father. Their conditions in this birth chart indicate some influence from the father on his humanitarian work. Mr. Dees grew up on a modest farm in the deep south. His father whooped him when he was 6 years old for making a racist remark about a field hand. His father also supported the efforts of black farmers while the Jim Crow era of flagrant racial hate and segregation raged in the South. Neptune opposite Saturn in Pisces and square the Sun in Sagittarius describe a sensitive, idealistic, possibly vulnerable father image. His father encouraged him to study law, and he himself is an educator. He runs a national program that teaches tolerance to school children.

Morris Dees is one of the great heroes of the American Civil Rights Movement. This Sagittarian crusader is clearly a person operating on a higher plane, fighting for human rights, fairness and the greater good. He fearlessly puts his life on the line so others can have their rights.

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Morris Dees at CSU Sonoma State University:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C3T7mtQhUw

Uranus-Neptune Cycles and a Brief History of the Civil Rights Movement

2008-11-18T18:45:00.000-08:00

By Shelley Jordan

Introduction
Pluto in Capricorn: Transformations in Government
As transformational Pluto rolls through the triumphal arches of Capricorn, it signals a metamorphosis in leadership and governmental structures. The last transit of Pluto through Capricorn occurred during the 18th century, when the Declaration of Independence was written and the American Revolution was fought. This momentous transit coincided with the birth of modern democracy.

While Pluto cyclically passes through Capricorn every 250 years, the 18th century transit of Pluto in this sign was historically unique for the following reasons. The deep transformative powers of Pluto in the sign of authority, leadership, government and the law were punctuated by two rare, successive conjunctions of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn that followed in 1821 and 1993.

These important configurations furthered the establishment and maturation of a new form of government - representative democracy. Most notably, the battle against racial segregation was fought during this period. The election of America’s first inter-racial president, Barack Obama, signals a victory in this long, bloody conflict.

Fittingly, Barack Obama has been called a “transformational leader” by Colin Powell and many others. These very words embody the principle of Pluto in Capricorn, which will have just gone into effect only weeks before the new President takes office.

Uranus, Neptune and Social Evolution
Uranus, the planetary analogue to Aquarius, represents social consciousness, and both the impulse to be an individual as well as the desire to participate in the social round. Uranus is progressive, inventive, independent yet social. Neptune, as the counterpart of Pisces, symbolizes idealization, imagination and the capacity to form iconic images. Together, their cycle of approximately 170 years symbolizes the cultural evolution of ideals and ideologies that prompt social change.

America has seen two successive conjunctions of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn. The first conjunction in 1821, at 1°-3° Capricorn coincided with the beginnings of America’s moral and legislative battle with slavery, the nation’s most lethal cultural disease.

The second conjunction in 1993, at 18°-19° Capricorn, introduced the free World Wide Web to the public, quickening the birth of the global information community. The availability of the uncensored Internet to the public is considered a primary factor contributing to the election of Barack Obama.

This second conjunction falls close to Barack Obama’s executive Saturn at 25° Capricorn in his 12th house. Interestingly, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s Sun was in the same degree as Barack Obama’s Saturn – 25° Capricorn.

The conjunctions and subsequent, intermediate phases of Uranus and Neptune during this first cycle were neatly concurrent with developments in America’s battle between hate and tolerance, and the Civil Rights Movement. The first conjunction coincided with the US law banning slave trade; the opening square brought the 14th Amendment that guarantees equal rights for all citizens; the opposition saw the birth of the NAACP; the closing square corresponded with the emergence of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. as the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. The second conjunction in 1993 birthed the World Wide Web and the free global Internet culture.

The Four Distinct Phases of the Uranus-Neptune Cycle and the Civil Rights Movement
1821 Conjunction: Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn
--- US Law on Slave Trade
The first conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn coincided with the constitutional debate confronting slavery. The conjunction occurred in 1821, right after the 1820 Federal Law on Slave Trade, which prohibited importation of slaves, declaring the trading of slaves by a U.S. citizen punishable by death. This statute was approved on May 15, 1820, when Uranus and Neptune were a mere 2° apart.

1868 The opening square: Uranus in Cancer square Neptune in Aries
--- 14th Amendment – Guaranteeing Equal Rights for All Citizens
This phase followed the end of the Civil War and saw the ratification of the 14th Amendment on July 28, 1868, which secured the rights of the recently freed slaves. The era of Reconstruction which followed the end of the Civil War attempted to establish the constitutional rights of African-Americans, but it failed in its efforts and was followed by the despicable period called Jim Crow. This vile stage of American history mandated segregation and fueled hate crimes against African-Americans.

1909 The opposition: Uranus in Capricorn opposite Neptune in Cancer
--- The NAACP
Uranus was exactly opposite Neptune at the birth of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in the first week in January, 1909. The NAACP formed in response to atrocities and race riots that were occurring in Illinois. The NAACP is one of the most effective civil rights groups in America. Their mission is to “ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.”

1955 The closing square: Uranus in Cancer square Neptune in Libra
--- Montgomery Bus Boycott, Birth of the Modern Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1954, as Uranus was squaring Neptune, the Supreme Court, headed by Earl Warren, handed down the landmark decision Brown versus Board of Education. This decision sounded the death knell for the old, abhorrent Jim Crow segregation laws, finally ensuring equal rights for African-Americans under the Constitution. Earl Warren’s Moon was at 21°Cancer. Uranus was passing over it when he was nominated and sworn into the Supreme Court. Eisenhower thought he was getting a safe conservative in Earl Warren, who turned out to be one of the greatest liberal justices in American history. Earl Warren had Uranus closely conjunct his Midheaven in Scorpio. Saturn was transiting Earl Warren’s Uranus-Midheaven conjunction at the time of Brown versus Board of Education.

1993 Conjunction: Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn
--- The Free World Wide Web
In 1993, the World Wide Web was given to the public at no cost by Marc Andreessen. Andreessen, an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, developed a browser that would install easily and make the Internet available to everyone with no fees. He released this browser, MOSAIC, on January 23, 1993, at 7:21:17 AM; Champaign, Illinois. In an email, he gifted the web to the world for free “by the power vested in me by nobody in particular”, according to his message. Uranus and Neptune were exactly conjunct at 19° Capricorn, rising above the Ascendant; the New Moon in Aquarius straddled the Ascendant. With the help of the wide accessibility of the Internet, Barack Obama, the first African-American president, was elected by the most informed, motivated electorate in history.

Conclusion: Overview of the Uranus-Neptune Cycle
The Gallup Poll reports that over two thirds of Americans view Barack Obama’s election as a race relations milestone. From the moment Barack Obama announced his candidacy, Uranus and Neptune were beginning to form the opening semisextile, with Neptune in Aquarius and Uranus in Pisces, in mutual reception. This aspect, still in phase at the 2008 election, symbolically reiterated the meaning of the Uranus-Neptune cycle – the vision and ideals (Neptune) of social change and freedom (Uranus).

From the beginning of the first cycle in 1821, race and vicious bigotry were among the leading cultural plights of American society. The “original sin” of slavery and racial hate, in terms of loss of life, cruelty and injustice, seemed to far outweigh the advances made by an American democratic system.

As the first Uranus-Neptune cycle in Capricorn commenced, the 1820 US Law on Slave Trade initiated the constitutional debate on the issue of slavery. Just prior to the opening square, the American Civil War ended and the slaves were freed. As the square formed, the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing equal rights for black as well as white citizens, was ratified in 1868. At the opposition in 1909, the NAACP was launched, with the purpose of eliminating racial hatred. At the closing square in 1955, the American Civil Rights Movement began its effective confrontation of racial hate and oppression against African-Americans. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as the movement’s leader and icon of social justice.

The next conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn in 1993 saw the birth of the free World Wide Web with its universal culture. Enabling dialogue between all peoples, the Web provides the global community with an unhindered communication network, acting as a vehicle for accessible witness to crimes against humanity and social injustice the world over. With the election of Barack Obama to the office of President so early in the cycle, the promise of the Uranus-Neptune cycle of 1993 can only be imagined.

Just say “NO” to Negative, Superstitious Astrology

2008-11-09T13:54:00.000-08:00

By Shelley Jordan

For many hundreds of years astrology has been used for good and for destructive purposes. I have had more people than I can count come to me in a state of fear about something threatening that they’ve read or that some astrologer has told them about their charts, or the charts of their loved ones.

Let me make my definitive statement on this:
Astrology's concern is not with prediction of catastrophe, even if its roots lie in this mentality. It’s not even really about the phenomenal world of events, although there may be some overlap between astrological patterns and external life circumstances. Astrology describes psycho-social cycles and currents, internal states and developments. Events are secondary by-products of these psychic conditions.

Historically, astrologers have divided so-called planetary influences into “malefic” and “benefic” forces. The ancient Greeks even spoke of love-hate relationships between the planets and signs. The underlying assumption is that the mythological battle between good and evil can be defined astrologically, and human beings are the witless victims of this conflict.

This is superstitious rubbish. In fact, all astrological energies are a part of Nature, and therefore completely benign in and of themselves. This is not to say, though, that a comparison exists between an astrological configuration and Hurricane Katrina, which certainly was a phenomenon of Nature, however tragic its effect for humans.

Rather, think in terms of organic seasonal cycles. Astrological energies are inherently imbued with a sacred quality, and with evolutionary properties. They address the process of inner spiritual development and transformation in the consciousness of the individual and the social collective. How an individual responds to astral vibrations is a highly personal matter. In addition, astrology says nothing about someone’s socio-economics, their level of intelligence, or the relative success or failure of their lives or relationships.

In potential, because of their sacred qualities, astrological energies contain an inherent and latent access to the Divine. Whether or not people are able to connect with that access is another matter. Astrological cycles do describe developments in the collective and in the internal process of the individual. They cannot determine the outcome, though. Our futures are not carved in stone. We are endowed with intelligence and free will.

I would like to draw your attention to some of the particularly negative comments circulating on the Internet about the upcoming entry of Pluto, the planet of transformation and rebirth, into the sign of Capricorn, the domain of authority, responsibility and leadership.

For instance, one astrologer has posted a brief lecture on this upcoming planetary transition on YouTube. His talk is saturated with the rhetoric of fear that some astrologers use, consciously or unconsciously, to manipulate the anxiety-prone masses. Fear is the bread and butter of some of these astrologers. The spreading of dread is an ages old technique used by certain astrologers to get their clients hooked on astrology. The typical, anxiety prone 21st century citizen who consults an astrologer often does so in a state of worry or despair. Of course this is not always the case. But it frequently is. Some of these disaster astrologers only feed their clients’ worry and apprehension.

This astrologer's talk opens with the announcement that “You are under surveillance, or you soon will be if you aren't already, when Pluto comes to Capricorn.” He informs us that any “Sagittarius … has been through hell and back” because of Pluto’s recent transit through that sign. In this statement he neatly denounces Pluto as purely destructive. Pluto’s upcoming movement into Capricorn is good news for those who “love Sean Hannity” and “bad news if you hate the Bush administration”. This astrologer tells us, with no small amount of glee, that things are going to get worse in this country.

Clearly he made his little speech before Barack Obama, the most progressive voice in decades, was elected to our highest office. He tells us that Capricorns have been totally out of it for years, and this movement into their sign is “bad news if you have any liberal politics”. Someone better tell Michelle Obama. It seems clear that Pluto in Capricorn is, in fact, ushering in an era of transformation in leadership that is of a very high order.

This astrologer tells us that the last time Pluto was in Capricorn the American colonists were revolting and that history is now repeating itself. Well, history does NOT just simplistically repeat itself.* This is a theory of history at its most banal, denying the possibility of any social progress or development. The last time Pluto was in Sagittarius, in the 18th century, religion was almost deleted from social thought. The 18th century was the Age of Enlightenment. Atheists, deists and scientists were distancing themselves from religious thinking.

By contrast, this past turn of Pluto in Sagittarius has witnessed the near government takeover by the Religious Right. Real history does not, in fact, lend itself to such simple-minded thinking.

Now, it’s important to point out that in addition to the ubiquitous presence of religion, this recent pass of Pluto in Sagittarius has also coincided with a record increase in the number of graduating students emerging from colleges and universities, as well as a groundbreaking access to knowledge, thanks to the Internet. The expansive nature of Sagittarius has seen an unprecedented global interaction between peoples of all cultures on the face of this Earth. Science and learning are at an all time high.

This astrologer is not alone in his pessimistic view that astrological energies can create suffering. His is an age-old opinion. Life and ignorance cause suffering, not the planets. I have studied and practiced astrology for over 34 years. I have engaged in in-depth biographical research of the lives of historic figures as well as having an astrological consultation practice during this time. While there certainly is a connection between the shifting symbolic patterns of the cosmos and the internal psychic states and personalities of the individual, I have rarely found consistent astrological correlates to catastrophic events or disastrous developments in peoples’ lives.

If astrology is not concerned with warning us of another upcoming 911 (by the way, there was almost nothing of astrological significance that day that would indicate such a tragedy), what can we learn from the study of planetary patterns? The answer is this: astrology can describe developmental social and personal cycles, psychological patterns, and insight into the human condition. Its most exalted function lies in its capacity to provide meaning to our experiences and an awareness of the deeper motivations of a person’s behavior. These gifts are not to be taken lightly, nor should a negative, fear-oriented approach to astrology detract from this sacred endowment, which is an enhancement of our understanding of what it feels like to be another person, and the resultant compassion that can come with that advantage.

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* see my article “Pluto in Capricorn: Zeitgeist Shift!”
http://sjordanastrology.blogspot.com/2008/10/pluto-in-capricorn-zeitgeist-shift.html
Posted by Shelley Jordan at 1:24 PM
2 comments:

leslee said...
Thanks for this post! There is a lot of doomsaying out there. And in the personal realm, you find similar. For example, I saw this on some blog awhile back: "One of the least understood factors in astrology is that there is no such thing as a good Pluto aspect; there is only a less bad one." Well, I guess I should go kill myself now! Fortunately, there are lots of more enlightened astrologers writing now as well.

DIAL: The Digital International Astrological Library

2008-10-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share DIAL, the new extensive, digitalized library of historic astrological writing. A unique and valuable resource for scholars and astrologers, DIAL is a free, online growing collection of available astrological literature, prehistoric to contemporary.
http://cura.free.fr/DIAL.html

Attractive and easy to use, DIAL is the latest project of the innovative Dr. Patrice Guinard, director and publisher of CURA.
Multi-lingual and comprehensive, DIAL will surely be an irreplaceable source for anyone interested in exploring the vast field of astrological literature. Each publication has a thumbnail image that can be enlarged, an annotated description, along with information about the author, location and publication dates.

The following languages, subject areas and historic periods are included in the DIAL collection.

LATIN (+ GREEK)
ENGLISH
FRENCH
GERMAN
SPANISH
ITALIAN (& others)
Below are the historical periods & sections that will be expanded :
1. Reference books (encyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, catalogues ...)
2. History of astrology (general historical works and conceptions of astrology)
3. Origins of astrology (prehistoric & neolithic cultures, ancient astronomy, Egypt ...)
4. Mesopotamian Astrology
5. Chinese Astrology
6. Greek, Roman & Hellenistic Astrology (and Christian critics)
7. Indian Astrology
8. Arabian Astrology (including Syrian and Jewish)
9. Pre-Columbian Astrology (Native American cultures)
10. Medieval Astrology (Christian, including Byzantine area)
11-a Early Modern Astrology : XVth century
11-b Early Modern Astrology : XVIth century to mid-XVIIth century

12-a Modern Astrology : XVIIth, XVIIIth & XIXth centuries
12-b Modern Astrology : XXth century
12-c Modern Astrology : XXth century (English speaking)

For more information, see CURA's DIAL:
http://cura.free.fr/DIAL.html

Pluto in Capricorn: Zeitgeist Shift!

2008-10-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

By Shelley Jordan

According to the New York Times, 2008 is a record year for graduating high school seniors applying to college. This considerable achievement for youth happens to coincide with Pluto’s crescendoing end of days in Sagittarius, the sphere of advanced education. It won’t be long before alchemical Pluto rolls into Capricorn, hinting that collective paternalistic principles may be headed for a rebirth. Mark your calendar for November 26th, and stay alerted to any possible change in life’s mise en scène that could indicate a shift in your existential structure. Changes in the scenery may be colored with Saturnian shades of maturity and self control. The process of transformation in personal and worldly structures could commence around then.

Capricorn is the province of authority, achievement, self discipline, adulthood, and responsibility. It’s the infrastructure and scaffolding that supports our systems, from roadways to the law, from our skeletons to our superegos. As Cancer is to the maternal and familial, Capricorn is to the paternal and dynastic. Earlier this year I mentioned that Pluto entering Capricorn could signify a blessed transition from the waste, extravagance and overabundant emphasis on religion that we endured during Pluto’s occupation of Sagittarius. The gluttony and excess of the past dozen years have become legend.

Domain of the big picture, Sagittarius also represents the all-encompassing vastness of Nature. The Nature Holocaust has nearly reached the tipping point. Recent reports state that within a short time (how soon is that?) one out of every four mammals will be extinct. It appears that we’ve collectively reached that undeniable moment in time that screams for some Capricornian limit setting, frugality and self control. A high-priority freeze on waste is essential, starting now.

How can we, in our own microcosms, participate in this urgently required new asceticism, this vast diet confronting our planet? Obesity epidemics and unhealthy eating cost the nation billions of dollars. One logical and easy solution is smaller portions and healthier food. Research indicates that in some cultures people actually eat healthier during times of economic scarcity. Credit card debt is at its limit. How about not spending more than is in one’s pocket, and giving up recreational spending? Fuel and other resources are in short supply. Walking or biking – not driving – to our destinations would make a difference. These Saturnian choices may become compelling solutions as Pluto begins to apply its pressure in the upcoming months.

While some of the news can be so nerve-wracking as to make a person feel completely helpless, keep in mind the ancient Hermetic axiom “As Above So Below”. Another way to look at this is “As Within So Without”. In other words, if you can’t fix the problems of the big world, you are still free to work on your own personal sphere of activity. By going with the flow and recognizing this important planetary shift, honoring Capricornian principles of sobriety, frugality, integrity and responsibility, you can impact the world in more ways than you can imagine.

My first spiritual teacher was Sophocles. When I was in high school, reading The Oedipus Cycle had a profound impact on me. Sophocles described a cosmic order in which harmony is achieved by a balance between the inner, personal will and the will of the gods, or fate – circumstances beyond our control. I feel this attitude is helpful in the context of an astrological world view. If our internal drive and our personal choices are in balance with external, spiritual, astral cycles, we can achieve a greater sense of peace and well being.

Pluto in Capricorn announces that it’s time to be adult, prudent, serious, and practical on global and personal levels. A sweeping realism and self restraint are called for. How can we, as individuals with free will, act in harmony with these celestial and environmental conditions that demand Saturnian duty and pragmatism? Collective abstinence from self destructive excess should be the response to this celestial mandate.

A voluntary movement towards greater personal responsibility will facilitate a smoother transition into this new era of accountability. Eating, spending, and consuming less means that there will be more for others. Think of it this way: every time someone refrains from overeating, there is food left for a starving child. Not using unsustainable fuel saves a tree, an animal. These actions, performed with conscious intent, reverberate throughout the environment, whether you realize it or not.

Pluto, as it slowly travels through the signs of the Zodiac, describes the Zeitgeist – the defining spirit or mood of the times. Pluto's action is to deconstruct, cleanse, then transform. Since Capricorn is the sign in which the personality achieves matured self discipline, a new attitude of belt tightening and conservation of resources is appropriate, realistic, and frankly, here we have no choice. We are free in the ways we chose to respond to these conditions, as individuals and as a society. So, in the spirit of Sophocles’s counsel, we should listen to the whispering voices of the gods and respond with an energetic responsibility for our life styles and personal decisions. Less is more. It’s time to conserve resources, act with maturity, transform collective concepts of leadership, authority and respect, and work on our self control.

Newspaper Announcement of John McCain's Birth

2008-10-10T17:31:00.000-07:00

Panama American Newspaper
August 31, 1936

Until a birth certificate for John McCain appears, this is the closest we'll get to a documented birth time. Vague, but better than nothing, and not the 9 or 11 AM time that's been floating around.

Looking at the Election Through an Astrological Lens: Maverick John McCain

2008-10-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

By Shelley Jordan

Like lots of astrologers, I’ve been watching the campaign and candidates with an eye to the astrological subtext that flavors any important personal or social experience.

The symbolic language of astrology can enhance our insight into the personalities of the candidates and how they are received by the collective at this time in history. However, keep in mind these four essential qualifications:
1. Astrology cannot predict the outcome of the campaign
2. Astrology cannot reveal a person’s moral fiber
3. Concepts like good and evil have no place in today’s astrological thinking
4. We have to view each chart on a case by case basis. Just because an aspect or sign manifests in one way for one person,it does not mean it will express itself in the same way for another. Every sign, planet, house and aspect is uniquely expressed by the individual – the range of diversity with which astrological symbols can be expressed is immense.

I can find no hospital documentation with a birth time for Senator McCain, although today I discovered a 1936 newspaper announcement of his birth. It says that John McCain was born on Saturday afternoon at the Submarine Base Hospital. Here is the link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/mccain_announcement_041708.pdf

Ironically, the very newspaper which announces McCain’s birth has this little gem of a reminder positioned in the upper left corner of the front page:
“Let the people know the truth and the country is safe” Abraham Lincoln

Assuming that afternoon occurs between 12 Noon and 5:00 PM (after that would be evening or night), John McCain’s Ascendant can be anywhere from 1° Sagittarius to 12° Aquarius. His Moon can range from 28° Capricorn to 1° Aquarius.

John McCain has several planets in Virgo, including the Sun, which is a key to his self esteem and personal identity. He has a self deprecating style yet he claims that he was “chosen for this moment” and “the stars are aligned for my victory”.* In spite of his inflated sense of being chosen and astrologically anointed, he personally pays homage to Virgonian humility, while attacking Leo Barack Obama as grandiose, according to Newsweek.

Service is one of Virgo’s strong suits. Senator McCain comes from a tradition of military service; his father and grandfather were both admirals. John McCain, too, served in the military, and was a prisoner of war for over 5 years. He has a history of health issues, some of which are understandably apparent in a man of 72. He also appears anxious and fidgety.
Anxiety, worry and perfectionism can be some of the challenges that Virgo faces, although clearly John McCain’s perfectionism was focused elsewhere when he graduated at the bottom of his large class at Annapolis. This academic failure may have helped shape his self-styled ‘maverick’ personality.

Health is another Virgo preoccupation. Senator McCain receives a disability pension for injuries sustained in the war. His health has been a political hot topic. Many Americans express concern over his age and his health problems, which include four bouts with deadly melanoma. He clearly struggles with his mobility, but an undeniable stamina underscores his campaign, and contributed to his capacity to survive 5 years of torture and imprisonment.

What about his love life? Father of multitudinous children from two wives, he was accused of philandering by friends after he returned from Viet Nam. His Venus is conjunct Neptune the fantasy planet, opposite reality-testing Saturn. When he was 43, he abandoned his first wife, Carol, who suffered serious injuries sustained in a car crash while he was in Viet Nam. During this first marriage he met an heiress nearly 18 years his junior. He and his second wife both lied to each other about their ages, the truth being discovered after their marriage application was published, according to some web sites. They find this funny, a kind of shared vanity deception that is not unknown in McCain’s public life, if we consider the difficulties journalists faced trying to view the medical records of the 72 year old, disabled candidate.

His earthy Virgo perfectionism clearly aspires to a kind of subjectively flawless physical beauty in women. His first wife was a swimsuit model who was disfigured in an accident while he was in prison in Viet Nam. By the time of his release, she had changed considerably as a result of her injuries, and did not live up to the vision of fashion model perfection he retained in his mind during his years of confinement.

His first wife says that there is no bitterness between them, and that their “marriage ended because John McCain didn’t want to be 40, he wanted to be 25. You know that happens...it just does.” In his own words, McCain has said “"My marriage's collapse was attributable to my own selfishness and immaturity more than it was to Vietnam, and I cannot escape blame by pointing a finger at the war. The blame was entirely mine.”

His two relationships overlapped. After he returned from Viet Nam, friends of his say he committed numerous acts of infidelity. He eventually married a wealthy former rodeo queen in 1980. Cindy McCain presents a botoxed vision of Virgonian detailed attractiveness that clearly appeals to McCain’s Venus. I suspect that Venus in Virgo attraction to physical perfection was behind his impulsive pick of Alaskan beauty queen Sarah Palin as his other partner. Cindy McCain was a special ed teacher, which appealed to McCain’s Virgo service orientation.

Where in his chart can we find McCain’s impulsiveness and flashes of temper? The answer may lie in his Mars in heroic Leo, square zappy Uranus. This is a high adrenalin aspect that can be found in the charts of big risk takers who like excitement, stimulation and can tend towards bristly temperament. His reputation as grumpy and volatile might be fueled by his Mars-Uranus square.

Since we don’t know his time of birth beyond the afternoon, it’s impossible to know where his Moon is placed: either in status oriented, ambitious Capricorn or in group seeking, and mavericky Aquarius. Interestingly, the Moon changed signs in exactly the same way on the day Sarah Palin was born. We don’t know her birth time yet, either. Her Moon is in Capricorn or Aquarius.

The Moon is doing precisely the same thing on Election Day, 2008. It’s in Saturn-ruled Capricorn for a good part of the day, switching to Uranian Aquarius close to 7:30 PM EST. To add to this symbolic debate between Capricornian authority and Aquarian rebellion, Saturn and Uranus are in exact opposition that very day. Saturn, in McCainish Virgo faces down Uranus in bleeding heart liberal Pisces. This symbolism pretty neatly sums up the debate between the conservative and the progressive factions dominating US politics. While the McCain team are self-described mavericks, their brand of nonconformity seems more about marital infidelity, poor academic performance, a defiance of humane ethics and the ‘gotcha’ politics used by Palin in her Troopergate scandal.

* http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=alone_in_the_arena

Listening to the Astrological, the Soundtrack of Time

2008-08-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

Distinguishing the astrological from astrology
There is a difference between astrology and the astrological that remains unrecognized. The astrological, or the astral, is the mental-emotional-spiritual phenomenon that resonates within the interior realm of personal consciousness. These psychic states occur as a result of the subtle vibratory interactions of the planets as they travel around their orbits in our solar system. Think of the effect you get when you gently slide your moistened finger along the rim of a crystal goblet. A singing tone is created and perceived as your finger circles the edge of the glass. In a somewhat similar way, each of the planets generates its own discrete tones as it circles the Sun in its orbit. Together the planets produce a subtle celestial opera as their tonal frequencies interact in the heavens. This astral phenomenon is quietly received both in the psyches of individuals and in the collective, somewhat like murmuring background music – playing so softly you may not be aware of it, but it sets the mood and ambiance of the moment.

Astrology, on the other hand, is humanity’s ancient, symbolic and collective attempt to describe and understand the astrological phenomenon. Astrology as it is known and practiced in its many forms is an invention, an artificial, ornate and meaningful mental construct. The astral is an exquisite aspect of Nature, part of the holistic energetic environment in which we live. Astrology, in its many forms, is a constructed representation that is a consequence of a given culture’s world view. While capable of allowing us to discuss this phenomenon of Nature, astrology remains in some arenas a rigid, dogmatic system of thought, overloaded with rules and cautionary warnings – a musty, baroque, fear mongering parody of its own efforts at elucidating the astral.

The numerous forms that astrology takes are products of the Weltanschauung (world view) of the many environments in which it arises. There is no one, true astrology, just like there is no one religion or language that is superior to all others. The techniques used to describe and access the astral should not be confused with the astral phenomenon itself. People are typically attracted to that brand of astrology which most resonates with their personal beliefs and attitudes along with the expectations they bring to the astrological experience. In general, the more powerless an individual feels, the more he or she is attracted to a predictive, fatalistic form of astrology.

What is astrology’s mechanism?
There is a hum to Nature. A quiet, deep vibration emanates from the luminous animated web of life that permeates the universe. It’s been called om, qi and the music of the spheres. The shifting, variable, tonal colors of this discretely resonant field form the subtle soundtrack to cyclical time. We all hear it subliminally and respond to it at some mysterious perceptual level.

Once, my husband and I heard the actual singing voice of Nature. We had just arrived at our isolated, far northern destination, which was an immense and unpopulated forest less than a mile from a vast body of water. It was late at night, and we both heard, and I’d say felt, a distinct low pitched droning sound that continuously filled the chilled air. It seemed to come from no particular direction. We never knew its source, but I suspect it was the murmuring voice of Living Nature.

Perhaps you’ve felt it under a quiet Full Moon, when the throbbing pressure from the Moon’s intensity is at its maximum. The energy flows from the Full Moon in great tidal waves of power. Some people are more sensitive to it than others.

The energy that drives qigong and acupuncture is identical to this operative principle in astrology. The mysterious hum of Nature that we heard that magic evening is also a manifestation of the energetic essential of the astral phenomenon. Our Earth and its Moon participate in the complex organismic whole of the solar system. The dynamic energies that enliven Nature also saturate the solar system and the entire cosmos beyond, filling it with a vital, discretely melodious quality that surrounds, permeates and unites all manifest forms.

These ambient natural, cosmic energies are impregnated with information. There are clearly distinguishable and meaningful patterns in the orbits and interrelationships of the planets that can be decoded using astrological symbols. Far from random or irrelevant, the architecture and energetic content of our solar system are imbued with elegant, archetypal patterns and structures.

Developing astrological perceptions
The planets, in their cyclical journeys, push and pull at this energetic, vibrating grid of consciousness that connects all forms. Some people are more receptive and tuned in to the astral, in the same way that musical sensibility can be more developed in one person than in another.

When Nature is seen as a manifestation of the sacred, the solar system itself becomes a hierophany. The tropical Zodiac, an information-rich energy fabric that wraps around the Earth, is generated by the cyclical processes of Nature. The planets, as part of our living cosmos, are inhabitants of our expanded natural world.

The Gaia hypothesis is a poetic view of the Earth as an animate organism imbued with consciousness. Extending that perspective, the other planets, too, take on a functional vitality and an inherent life-force. Their interactions with the living, vibrating milieu of the Zodiac create a generative cosmic placenta, spiritually and energetically nourishing to all life forms. All astrological energies have the potential to be downloaded and harnessed in a positive way, as inexhaustible natural resources.

The idea of Earth as a living organism can be traced back to Plato, who, in the Timaeus spoke of Earth as a "great animal". This concept of an animate Earth was repeated by medieval philosophers and scientists in the Islamic, Jewish and Christian traditions.

Seen from this vantage point, astrology has the potential to become a spiritual, ecological philosophy of Nature. The value of astrology lies not only in its aptitude for expressing the language of the interior subjective realms. It can provide insight into the music of time, to which we all dance, each in our own way.

Astrological perceptions can be enhanced and developed, like musical ability. Learning to hear or sense the frequencies of the planets, and gaining insight into their cyclical patterns may enable some to see around the corners of time to a certain, limited degree. Working with astrology’s symbolic language and essence can enhance a person's potential intuition, although this is not always the case. Because of contemporary astrology’s rigidity and spiritual torpor, it’s easy for those studying astrology to become stuck in the fear or unrealistic optimism peddled in many popular astrology books, therefore overplaying the subtle effect that celestial light has on human experience.

Astrology on its own is not always the powerful tool many claim it to be. The inflated assumptions made by many practitioners that astrology can predict the future are neither helpful nor are they realistic. In order to understand the astral phenomenon and its impact on life, a combination of insight into human nature along with a certain awareness of psycho-social probability are required. With an understanding of human behavior and the spiritual aspirations of the personality, astrology can be one part of a system of techniques which can shed light on a person's interior space. The greatest gift a cultivated astrological awareness has to offer is empathy – what it feels like to be another person.

Brett Favre: Libra in Crisis

2008-07-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

By Shelley Jordan

Brett Favre is this year’s poster child for Libran indecisiveness. Brett has a massing of five planets in cordial and collaborative Libra. One of Libra’s significant areas of personal growth lies in learning the responsibilities and consequences of decision-making. Because Libra is the locus of cooperation and partnering, it can easily see both sides of a given situation, a handy gift for a quarterback who needs to anticipate the opponent’s actions.

Conceding to the wishes of another, in order to avoid conflict and to enhance the relationship can be a common Libran modus operandi. Additionally, Librans’ responsiveness to The Other can range from cooperation to outright competition, since they define themselves through their relationships (Brett has been called “The Ultimate Competitor”). Librans search for a mirror of Self in the eyes of others, and in their desire for approval can, at times, succumb to telling people what they want to hear.
Who, then, was Brett trying to accommodate or react against with his earlier retirement decision? The managers of the Packers? His wife? Is he now coming from his own center with his challenging assertion of his right to change his mind? In retirement, did he find himself deprived of some sense of core identity when he lost a large number of his most significant others – his team mates and his fans?

Brett‘s Mercury is conjunct Uranus, which accounts for the intelligence, originality and electric-quick responsiveness of the nation’s favorite quarterback. Mercury is also conjunct Pluto, describing the power that this loveable athlete’s communication wields – his words have clout. Just think of the number of interviews he’s given and his high profile position in the media.

The Moon is nearby adding emotion and sensitivity to his thinking and communication and to his associations. The image of a tearful Brett at various stages of his career is burned into every Packer fan’s heart. The Moon also represents the ebb and flow of public opinion including Brett’s countless fans who may be shifting uncomfortably while he plays out the naked, emotional drama of a Man’s Right to Choose. Brett has optimistic Jupiter conjunct his Sun – he is a larger-than-life, positive, goal-oriented player. One of his greatest triumphs occurred in the victorious game he played the very day following his father's death.

All this Libra helps account for his photogenic, nice guy image. A virtual model of Libran fairness, Favre is known for reaching out to other players with warmth, kindness and consideration. When Philadelphia Eagle Andre Rison called him a redneck, Brett replied, with all the engaging charm of a Super Libra, “Why thank you, I am a redneck”.

Clumped right next to this concentration in Libra, its ruler Venus is conjunct metamorphic Pluto and the spiritually sensitive South Node in dedicated Virgo. A lot of focused work goes into being a great athlete. Brett has famously never missed a game. His relationships – so imperative to Libra and Venus - are inseparable from his vocation. Being without immediate, structured employment must be torture for him. Pluto not only intensifies his Venus in Virgo's need for order, perfection and detail, it deepens and empowers the commitment underlying his connections and gives them an “all or nothing at all” quality. There is the potential for transformation in his relationships thanks to Pluto, and also epic power struggles, apparently off the field as well as on.

Joined together on his South Node, his Venus and Pluto in service-oriented Virgo must make his work and his professional associations feel like a compelling necessity of life. Pluto's conjunction to the ruler of all his Libra planets indicates that Brett is an agent for transformation on the field and off; its union with the South Node implies that Brett had a spiritual agenda with his vocation from the very start. A rare role model of integrity and commitment for youth in an era blighted with a dangerous scarcity of inspiring leaders, even in his emotional process of retirement Brett gives men permission to express feelings and vulnerability. How unique in a profession where combat and competition dominate the field.

Adding to the Virgo need for industry, strategy and productivity, energetic and driven Mars in Capricorn makes a potent aspect to Brett’s Sun-Jupiter. Retirement and isolation from his loving fans could mean a painful void of psychic inflammation for this social and expansive Libra. With his legendary drive for success, team spirit and his need to form transformational, professional relationships, being away from the game and not having an opportunity to excel at this moment must feel like grievous deprivation for this companionable, achievement-driven luminary.

When Brett first announced his retirement last March, Pluto in corporate Capricorn was exactly squaring his Mercury in Libra, applying pressure to Brett’s lines of communication – whether with team mates, management, the press, or his fans. This new, recent flurry of activity, during which Brett has revealed his change of heart about playing with the Packers and his desire to "unretire", has occurred during an earthy Mars-Saturn conjunction in Virgo, strengthening his Saturn in physical Taurus. A feeling of renewed discipline, fitness and commitment is clearly surging in him. But the pressure of Pluto is still on: management won’t release him from his contract, communication from interested teams is forbidden, and Brett is trapped in a repressive, unyielding contract with the Packers. This is a hint of the increasing corporate power plays we can expect from Pluto in Capricorn.

In addition, individualistic Uranus has begun the opposition to his Venus, triggering off an emotional roller coaster ride for his relationships that remains active until Uranus completes the opposition in March, 2009. Since Uranus stimulates the socializing instinct, Brett has the option of forming new, satisfying work relationships of a different order, or of changing the way he operates in existing relationships. Here is a man whose achievements stand on their own, standing up to the impenetrable corporate mentality that has taken over the sports world. Heart and love are challenging the absolutist authority of Pluto in Capricorn.

Saturn is catching up with Brett. By the fall of 2009, Saturn will begin to conjunct his Virgo planets. Following that, his abundant Libra will be visited by Saturn for the next few years. Brett is starting to feel his age but his spirit shines on. So long identified with youth, vitality, and the joyous, testosterone free-for-all of football, Saturn is nudging Brett toward a new level of maturity and adulthood.

Saturn conjunctions often coincide with the ending of old cycles and the beginning of new ones. They also coincide with the launching of life-defining professional projects and pinnacles of success. While astrology can’t tell us the outcome of this exceptional man’s personal drama, we can see what might be driving it. No doubt Brett Favre, the heroic athlete beloved by so many, will find meaningful expression for his bountiful gifts. He may even redefine the word ‘success’ in his life’s saga. The transition for Brett, though, seems to be a tough one.

N.B. I had to slightly modify this solar chart to make it readable. Jupiter is actually in the solar 12th house. (Brett Favre’s birth time is unknown)

Wikipedia: Emblem of Neptune in Aquarius

2008-07-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

By Shelley Jordan

Neptune represents those currents that are especially trendsetting and fashionable - that illustrate the essence and cultural chic of a particular era. It’s the video card of the collective, where popular images and inspirational iconic ideals are formed and maintained. Since 1997, Neptune has occupied Aquarius, where it will remain until 2012. Aquarius is the sign of friendship, community and groupthink – the collective, social consciousness. Aquarius also represents science and technology. During this period Wikipedia and its first cousin YouTube have emerged as vehicles for a new kind of independent, international cooperation. These two web domains are uniquely collaborative, online information movements of a new social order.

The oldest article still preserved on Wikipedia was posted on January 16, 2001, at 21:08 UTC on a server located in San Diego, according to the Wikipedia site.* Jupiter is rising, exactly on the Ascendant in informational Gemini, precisely aspecting the Moon in Scorpio in the 6th house. What an interesting expression of Wikipedia’s function as an instant gratification information and research tool for the public. Jupiter is retrograding back to the conjunction with Saturn, suggestive of the prominent social role Wikipedia plays, especially for younger Internet users. The Sun is in Capricorn in the learned 9th house aspecting the Saturn-Jupiter conjunction. Wikipedia is becoming the authoritative source of knowledge for an entire generation that is in serious danger of forever giving up books and libraries for a Wiki quickie.

Wikipedia is emblematic of the digital revolution that is circling the globe. With Gemini rising and Mercury and Uranus at the Midheaven in linguistic Aquarius, Wikipedia appears in more than 280 languages. Anyone can edit it. In true Aquarian, democratic fashion it is the encyclopedia of the mob.

Mercury has Neptune, the Midheaven and Uranus for companions in Aquarius, underlining the “come on and join us” spirit of the Wikipedia experience. With Mercury, the ruler of the Ascendant, conjunct Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn in the 12th and Venus in Pisces, Wikipedia is a virtual oceanic storage vat of knowledge. Placing its faith in the mostly anonymous – and disputable - authority of the crowd, Wikipedia has ballooned to over 7,000,000 articles. The quality of information on Wikipedia can range from the sublime to the ridiculous, depending on the topic and the contributors.

The question remains whether Wikipedia will outlast Neptune’s duration in Aquarius as the popular encyclopedia of the collaborative masses. Not exactly known for the accuracy of its information, Wikipedia is nonetheless one of the most visited and entertaining sites on the Internet. A kind of modern digital Love-In of knowledge, Wikipedia is a self-regulating major player in today’s raging information explosion.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Wikipedia

The Birth Chart of Barack Obama

2008-06-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

By Shelley Jordan

For the past couple of years astrologers have been forced to cope with the frustration of not having access to a birth time for Barack Obama. The other night a friend forwarded a photocopy of Barack's freshly unearthed birth certificate to me - cause for real celebration! Even though astrology can't predict the outcome of the election, we can study the charts of the candidates and learn - about their personalities and the way our culture responds to them.

Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, at 7:24 PM in Honolulu, according to the official record. The chart alone won’t tell us about the person. We have to match the chart to what we know about someone’s life and actions in order to understand what drives them.

His Ascendant is in Aquarius, with the Moon in Gemini - the sign of the inquisitive mind - in his 4th house of home and family. Barack has an emphatic Uranus-North Node conjunction in Leo at his Descendent, further developing the Aquarian themes of community, independence, originality and progressive thinking.

I have, however, observed in some Aquarian types the tendency to conform to the dictates of their culture and community of choice. In this case individuality becomes its opposite: conformity to the group, masked as independence only because it is an alternative to the prevailing orthodoxy. In reality, this pseudo-independence is simply obedience to another party line, with the person remaining a stereotype, but an 'alternative' one. It remains to be seen if and how Obama will assert his independence.

The Aquarian emphasis and the Moon in Gemini underscore his intellectual achievements. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, Barack Obama is no mental lightweight. He also taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago. This emphasis in air describes his cerebral tendencies and his skills as an orator, which are enhanced by Mercury in Leo.

Having Aquarius on the Ascendant and Uranus on the Descendent is like having Aquarius on two angles. This intensifies the symbolism of Obama's position on progressive independence and humanitarian values. He was a community organizer early in his career and is a current voice for change in a moribund political environment.

The Aquarius-Leo axis also hints at a self-willed nature. He might find himself caught between his own desire for independent decision making and the demands of the party. The dilemma of Aquarius lies in expressing personal individuality while maintaining a position in society. Aquarius can run the gamut from eccentric individuality to trendy conformity.

Obama has a massing of activity in Leo: Sun, Mercury, Descendent, Uranus and the North Node, with Venus in the 5th house. Leo strives to be exceptional, the lord and master. Aquarius is Everyman, the masses, the collective. It will be interesting to see how Obama maintains a balance between aristocratic Leo and populace Aquarius. I’ve noticed many brilliant, original and talented people with Aquarius prominent in their charts – people who come up with unique solutions and alternatives to established methods and traditions.

As the first biracial person to run for the office of president, Obama seems to personify the ideal of the American cultural melting pot. Some of the most influential US presidents, like Lincoln and FDR, have been Aquarian types. Whether Obama could rise to that level remains unknown at this time. The fact that Dick Cheney has the Sun in Aquarius, too, makes it clear that astrology alone does not reveal all of the personality. It certainly can’t tell us about someone’s moral fiber. You’d think with Cheney’s Aquarius Sun, Virgo Ascendant and Pisces Moon that he’d be some kind of compassionate, service-oriented humanitarian, when he is actually the opposite.

With the Sun and Mercury in confident, charismatic Leo in the 6th house of service, Obama’s ambition and leadership drive have been expressed through his work. With Cancer on his 6th house cusp, helping others was a value learned from his mother. The combination of 6th house service oriented planets and the Aquarian emphasis describes the community social service that defined his early professional years.

Obama’s dedication to work and service, along with his innate gifts, have rapidly lifted him from relative obscurity to his current position on the world stage. He emanates a cool and rational, patrician self-assurance. Venus, the ruler of his 4th house, is in family oriented Cancer in the 5th house of love and children. Venus aspects his 4th house Moon, describing an emotional attachment to home and family life.

He has Saturn conjunct Jupiter, an aspect that some astrologers have long associated with the world teacher. This conjunction falls in his 12th house of imagination, compassion and idealism. Saturn is in the last degrees of authoritative Capricorn. Jupiter, the planet of beliefs and ethics, is in humanitarian and secular Aquarius, suggesting that Obama believes in humanity's ability to rise to the current challenges that face us. Mercury is opposite the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction, underscoring his intellectual rigor and powers of concentration and ability to deal with complex issues on a large scale.

The Saturn-Jupiter conjunction trine Obama's Mars in Virgo points to organizational skills, executive abilities and a determined capacity for hard work on a large scale. Mars in Virgo in his 8th house might represent aggressive grass roots sources to finance his campaign, as transiting Uranus opposes it from his 2nd house.

During this Uranus transit he came under attack because of his pastor’s opinions, and resolved the conflict by quitting the church. Pluto, which points to where the power struggles will lie, was in his 11th house of community opposite his Venus, indicating some kind of reorganization of his relationships. I see Obama quitting the church as a symbolic, archetypal event expressing Pluto’s transition from religious Sagittarius to practical Capricorn. I suspect the tidal wave of religion that has swept the political arena for the past 13 years is finally receding.

At the time he announced his candidacy, Saturn was in Leo conjunct his Descendant, emerging into the public, upper hemisphere of his chart. Neptune was also hovering over his Aquarius Ascendant, illuminating his potential for his party.

Both Bush and Gore have their Ascendants in Leo, close to the same degree. At the time of the last election, Neptune was conjuncting their Descendents, describing the confusion and deception surrounding the election process.

Barack Obama's Chiron is in his 1st house in Pisces. Could this be the spiritual healer the United States has been waiting for? Chiron is opposite Pluto in his 7th and square his 4th house Moon. He'll have to use all his focus, charisma and resources to face down the powers of darkness that will try to undermine his campaign. His family life, which seems firm, given the 4th house Moon and Venus in Cancer, can help supply strength and support to assist him in the upcoming battle for the presidency.

The Final Flickers of Pluto in Sagittarius Fuel The Election

2008-05-23T12:34:00.001-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

As Pluto completes its voyage through Sagittarius, the inappropriate marriage of extremist religion and politics has finally reached the point of absurdity. Using faith as a campaign device seems to have backfired for Obama and McCain. Both these candidates have had to repudiate their fanatic ministers.

For the past 13 years Pluto has been rumbling through Sagittarius, the sign in which belief confronts knowledge. During this period spirituality and moral issues have shaped popular culture in unexpected ways. While the public joyously embraces liberating concepts of eastern mysticism, religious fervor has peaked in the political arena to such a degree that it has resulted in terrorism, escalated conflict in the Middle East, and an obsession with faith that has set even venerable Darwin back a few notches.

Compulsory religion has become a driving force, and not only for political candidates, who flaunt their faith as a means of garnering votes. It has also interfered with constitutional rights, the development of science, and education in our schools as seen in the unimaginable Creation versus Darwin debate.

Now that Pluto is in the process of leaving Sagittarius and entering Capricorn, other obsessions can replace religious fervor. Practical solutions for the elderly, limits on corporate power and government, along with a new compulsion with frugality will most likely be the substitute for the God frenzy that has swept our culture.

McCain is having to denounce his offensive pastor John Hagee with the same embarrassed excuses that caused Obama to distance himself from his Reverend Wright. McCain's minister claims that Hitler was sent by God, and calls the Catholic Church a cult. No better was Obama's Reverend Wright, with "God Damn America" as his suggestion for the new national anthem.

Pluto brings up the deeper shadow side of the sign it transits so the psyche can be cleansed and rendered fertile. Pluto's purification process draws up and discharges the toxic qualities of a sign, enabling new forms to manifest in the wake of the cathartic release.

The collective pressure to believe in something has even appeared in the usually practical, if not at times flagrantly atheistic New York Times. I was surprised to see an article the other day called 'The Neural Buddhists' by David Brooks (May 13, 2008). Discussing the revolution in neuroscience, Brooks comments on the new respect for "elevated spiritual states", "common moral intuitions" and mankind's inherent capacity to experience the sacred. He succinctly describes (without knowing it) the Pluto in Sagittarius process:

"Lo and behold, over the past decade, a new group of assertive atheists has done battle with defenders of faith. The two sides have argued about whether it is reasonable to conceive of a soul that survives the death of the body and about whether understanding the brain explains away or merely adds to our appreciation of the entity that created it."

Science is yielding its staunch materialism and incorporating spirituality into its thought system, resulting in what David Brooks calls "a scientific revolution ... with big cultural effects".

While for many, a personal spirituality is a given, Pluto in the sign of beliefs, morality and truth-seeking has found The Quest's sensitive pressure points. Even the secular pillars like science and constitutional politics have had to address issues of faith. From the collective fires of religious fanaticism and militant rationalism, a scientific, secular spirituality is emerging that acknowledges the mysteries of God and love, and the human capacity for the sacred.

On June 13 Pluto will retrograde back into Sagittarius for the last time before it segues into Capricorn on November 26.

Predicting the Election Outcome With Astrology: an Exercise in Futility

2008-04-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

For millennia, astrology has been used to reveal personality and to predict the future. The former function is its radiant gift, the latter its fatal flaw, with which it still struggles to come to terms.

We can trace this dual operation back to astrology's early roots. Ptolemy was essentially the father of astrology, as it is practiced today. In his classic work on the subject, he described complex techniques for predicting the length of life, confident that not only the actions and character but even the longevity of a person lay in the nativity, or birth chart. While Ptolemy acknowledged that one's upbringing contributed to character, the very conditions of parental love were proclaimed by the chart itself, attributing most of the personality to astrological influences . There are a number of contemporary astrologers who might still agree with that.

Ptolemy's handbook on astrology, the Tetrabiblos, written in the 2nd century AD, remained a best seller for over 1,000 years. As western civilization's most authoritative astronomer, Ptolemy's views on astrology were unquestioningly accepted like a holy bible. Ptolemy claimed that astrological influences were the cause of all personal and physical reality. Astrology could not only describe character, it could predict events of a personal and social, political nature. [i]

Astrology experienced a high water mark of activity and creative thought during the Renaissance, with Ptolemy still providing the scientific and doctrinal bottom line for both astrology and astronomy. During this period astrology continued to be viewed as a science. Its practitioners were typically highly educated astronomers and physicians. The 16th century mathematician Girolamo Cardano exemplified the European intellectual's fascination with the birth chart as a psychological tool for insight and self reflection. He was the first astrologer to acquire and publish a significant collection of birth charts for the purpose of study. [ii] Until this time astrologers relied for the most part on axiomatic rules and inaccurate planetary tables.

By the 17th century, in the wake of the Copernican Revolution, most scientific disciplines were undergoing radical reform and innovation. Only astrology seemed unresponsive to the new scientific method. Scientists puzzled over astrology's failure to live up to its assertions, particularly in its presumed capacity to predict the future.

Unsuccessful attempts were made to reformulate the celestial science. Astrology was already ancient at this stage, groaning under a morass of rules and axioms. Once seductively beautiful and captivating, astrology had become an old mistress who would prove easy to release.

As scientific observation grew more rigorous, it became painfully clear that astrology was not living up to its greatest promise: that the positions of the planets can reveal human destiny with a high level of specificity, with predictions concerning events and conditions, including the weather. The search for new methods in astrology led nowhere and astrology was ultimately abandoned by the scientific community.

After several centuries of relatively marginal survival in the west (astrology has always been hugely popular in South Asia), astrology once again began to flourish in the experimental counter culture of the 1960s. The syncretic astrology of Dane Rudhyar shaped the new astrology into a theosophical, nature-oriented, humanistic, Jungian philosophy which offered liberation and self actualization to the personality. Rudhyar de-emphasized prediction, transforming it into a technology of cyclical and developmental evolution. Stages of growth within larger personal cycles replaced events and outcomes.

While astrology today still has a vast array of forecasting tools in its arsenal, it should no longer be assumed that celestial energies determine anyone's future. While many astrologers continue to make predictions, these countless failures are soon forgotten.

There are other values to be found in astrology besides prediction. In its contemporary form, astrology provides a symbolic language of life and inner experience that is unparalleled. It remains, since the Renaissance, a unique self help tool for introspection and self improvement.

Rather than predicting specific events, astrology can provide something akin to a weather forecast - a general description of the subtle, psychic atmosphere in which we move. Astrological conditions provide an environment of inexhaustible resources from which an individual can intentionally or unintentionally draw a degree of enhancement. The astral environment stimulates the mental emotional landscape in the same way that fragrance or the weather inspire mood and feelings. Tapping in on ambient celestial currents can heighten or boost certain aspects of consciousness, somewhat like taking specific supplements to enhance your health.

During election years, though, some astrologers still make highly specific predictions about the outcome, examining candidates' charts, studying their progressions and transits for the election, the inauguration, the moment their candidacies were announced, hoping to uncover some celestial secret that will reveal the outcome.

This is an exercise in futility, because fate is not carved in stone, or in the sky, as it were. The attitude that astrology can determine the winner of an election is not only an insult to astrology, but it makes the astrologer look silly.
I realize there are many astrologers in the world who are convinced that if they can only employ the right technique, no matter how obscure, they will be, like Ptolemy, able to predict death, elections, horse races, success in surgeries, the stock market, and any number of other human conditions.

This humiliating abuse of astrology has continued for two millennia. It would be nice if astrologers, like the scientists in the 17th century, realized that astrology's capacity to predict the future ranges from unreliable to virtually nonexistent thanks to free will. Then its real advantage, describing inner psychological states, can be developed. Letting go of the prediction mentality can only improve astrology's public image. While astrology can enhance intuition, its limits should be accepted and explored.
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[i] Bowden, Mary Ellen The Scientific Revolution in Astrology , 1974, Yale University doctoral thesis, unpublished
[ii] Grafton, Anthony Cardano's Cosmos, 2000, Harvard University Press

Astrology and Celestial Light

2008-04-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

I recall as a small child saying to my mother that I knew that there were other colors beyond those we could see with our eyes. I didn't have a way to explain what they were with my child's vocabulary. I knew they existed, though. I also remember telling her that people had their own colors. Aunt Stacy was something that resembled shocking pink, my mom felt like a brilliant turquoise blue. I didn't see these colors with my physical eyes. These colors were perceived in my mind's eye.

I was very young, and had no exposure to any spiritual concepts. I remember being able to inwardly see and feel roses of light, of mysterious and unknown hues inside my mind. These colors had subtle sensations and emotions associated with them. Fortunately, my mother didn't laugh at me or accuse me of making things up. It was she who first exposed me to astrology when I was around 16.

Now I know that those colors, those lights with feelings, are part of the suprasensory spiritual spectrum that is described by astrology. Each of the planets emits its own kind of light, reflecting and mingling with the light of other planets. The planetary, sensorial light is then filtered and refracted through the Zodiac. This conditioned light is blended as aspects are formed between planets, creating a shifting, variable web of luminosity, a shimmering, eloquent reticulum. This rarified celestial light is perceived at the deepest levels of human consciousness. Patrice Guinard describes this phenomenon as "planetary signals" and refers to this perceived light as "impressionals". (see the work of Guinard at: http://cura.free.fr)
This luminous web is rich with information and vitality, a virtual natural resource of continuously available, dynamic spiritual energy waiting to be downloaded and decoded by the introspective , esoteric seeker. While all living beings participate in this energy rich placenta of luminosity, it is possible to consciously enhance and harmonize one's internal states with the planetary environment by developing a greater awareness of and sensitivity to the changing cosmic field.

These celestial lights, which could be called photisms, are received and processed at the deepest levels of consciousness in the individual. The quality and experience of the reception of this celestial light is further conditioned and determined by the psyche of the individual. Purifying the sky in the heart (the spiritual microcosm of the personality), to borrow a phrase from Sufism, enables a clearer reception and transmission of this spiritual light. This means elevating the possibilities of the symbolic content of the birth chart to their highest, most positive expression.

If one approaches the birth chart as a sacred and beautiful map of the soul, it will be understood that everything in the birth chart has the potential to be expressed in a positive way. This potential is inherent in the chart because the soul itself is endowed with an evolutionary impulse.

These supernal energies are available for absorption and utilization, like any natural resource, for the benefit of enhanced self awareness and well being. The ongoing planetary patterns (transits to one's chart) can describe the evolutionary pathways of the soul. Never something to be feared, transits to the chart can describe the soul's personal semesters of growth. Astrology is a highly specific, adjectival language of the inner world, and can be approached as a vehicle, a discipline really, or even a spiritual practice, for raising self awareness and employing archetypes and symbols as a means of understanding and improving the personality, soul and relationship with the self and others. It is a useful tool for enhancing self awareness.
If the basic principles of hermetic philosophy - as above so below, or, microcosm equals macrocosm - are incorporated into one's world view, then it will eventually become apparent that not only the planets, but the environment itself are constantly providing a form of biofeedback about the state of the soul and its journey. A kind of unified field theory of personal growth can develop, informing at all times about spiritual conditions and one's path. Synchronicity is far more pervasive than one might think.

Like oil, astral energies in and of themselves have no moral content. It is the access and utilization of these energies that produce positive or negative effects. Unlike oil, astral light is an inexhaustible resource. It is inexhaustible yet its qualities are in constant flux.

Astrology is like Athena's owl, which Hegel famously said flies at dusk. It's easier to have philosophical wisdom retrospectively, at the end of the day. Astrological insight often functions best in retrospect, giving meaning to life's events in hindsight. Predicting the future is almost impossible. There are too many variables, and people are intelligent, with the capacity to learn, make choices, and then, there's the chance factor....

Think of the astral environment as the internet. Your psyche is your online personal computer which accesses and processes information from the cosmic net. The metaphor stops here, though, because the internet is not only a vast web of knowledge, but also home to a lot of junk. The web of the solar system is merely information at its purest. Whether or not difficult events coincide with certain astral conditions is determined by the inner state of the receivers - the person or the collective. Astrology's purpose is not to blindly define personalities or to predict events, but to shed meaning on them. In the case of events, astrology's greatest possibilities can often be derived after the fact, in retrospect.

Homo Astrologicus: The Celestial Impulse in Humanity

2008-04-02T22:58:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

In spite of the desires and efforts of many contemporary astrologers, I don't think astrology as we know it will ever be taken seriously by mainstream academia, medicine or any other of the exalted epistemes of our age. Astrology may continue to push its way to the foreground of alternative New Age thinking if enough intelligent and dedicated people write about it. I believe that's unlikely, though.

Astrology seems to be too complex, too detailed and requires too many years of devoted study for its usefulness to be easily recognized and incorporated into contemporary thinking. In addition to these demands, there are no real agreements among astrologers about which approach is the correct one. The reason for this, I suspect, is that the effectiveness of astrology rests with the interpreter, not in astrology itself.

Astrological literature is not always sound or well thought out. Theories are frequently put forth as fact, and the doctrines tend to be largely unquestioned. There seem to be as many approaches to astrology as there are astrologers. The effectiveness of astrological thinking is utterly dependent on the interpretation process (a phrase such as Mars is conjunct Pluto means nothing without an interpretation). The numerous systems of astrological thought appear to be expressions of the cultural ethos that produces them.

As a result of this smorgasbord of astrologies, the best we can hope for in the academic world is a continuation of astrology's inclusion in cultural, intellectual and other historic fields of study. Astrology's true home appears to remain in the more private and recondite areas of esoteric learning, along with other spiritual disciplines.

The more I think about astrology, the more I suspect it's a magnificent construct of homo astrologicus, a modification of a term from Comparative Religions. Mircea Eliade, the great Romanian scholar from the University of Chicago, used the phrase homo religiosus to describe the human instinct to seek out and identify religious experience. I'm borrowing and adapting his term to describe the deep impulse that human beings have to explore the meaningful interconnectedness of the cosmos, to discover some relationship between celestial and terrestrial conditions. The many systems of astrology that exist are the result of this instinctual quest.

Most historic cultures have searched for some kind of relationship between the sky and the earth. Any time a connection is identified between some heavenly event and an earthly one, humanity is thinking astrologically. These connections are symbolic, not causal, and can range from the simplest (a Full Moon that marks a sacred moment) to the most complex (a natal birth chart). This type of symbolic astrological thinking is readily distinguished in ancient religious rituals that involve the solstices, equinoxes or lunations. Many religious holy days correspond to celestial events, such as Easter, which occurs on the first Sunday following the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox.

Nonetheless, astrology remains a body of thought that can be transmitted and taught, with each individual essentially inventing, in the end, his or her own unique, personalized system. The form that system takes depends on the practitioner's expectations of the kind of information that astrology can provide. A useful question to ask oneself when astrology is being employed, might be "What are the limits of astrology?".

The Enigma of Astrology

2008-03-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

Why should we be able to look at the birth chart and discover something about the individual? How is it that astrology can operate? What is the mechanism by which a planet influences someone’s life? These are questions that astrologers have been asking for hundreds of years.

Different models of astrology have been developed over time that attempt to answer these perplexing questions. One view states that there are rays from an invisible light spectrum emanating from the planets. These rays converge on Earth, triggering various bio-psychological responses in terrestrial life forms.

Another model believes that astrology is the science of time, and that all time is measured by astronomical cycles, such as the solar year and the lunar month. Planetary cycles provide detailed information about the attributes and textures of time. Time has shifting, qualitative characteristics and something that is born of a particular moment in time will reflect the nature and structure of that time.

Still another model assumes that everything in the universe is interconnected, and participating in ongoing cyclical patterns and inter-relationships. These patterns exist on all levels of being, and the patterns in the heavens will match the inner psychological patterns in a person born at a particular moment. The planetary patterns provide meaning that is applied to an individual’s life.

The most ancient and primitive model of astrology believes in fate: as the planets move through their orbits, they somehow churn out a predetermined outcome. Destiny is foretold in the stars. While this is the most simplistic and least philosophically reflective view, it is surprisingly pervasive. No doubt many astrologers will try to determine (guess) the outcome of the next presidential election by applying various techniques to the charts of the candidates. The implication of predictive astrology of this sort is that events, such as the election in this case, are predestined, and if we can employ the right technique, we'll know the inevitable future. It's this kind of nonsense that impedes astrology's appreciation as a contemplative nature philosophy by intelligent people

There is no real answer to the question of how and why astrology might supply meaningful information for us. It remains a mystery. Once considered a physical science like biology and physics, astrology was the only discipline that failed to survive the huge transition brought on by the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century.

For the past several decades a number of people have attempted to advance a scientifically based astrology. This movement brought about some positive developments, although a truly scientific astrology will probably never materialize. As a consequence of these attempts to scientize astrology, a greater emphasis on accuracy of source information has appeared. For instance, charts are only considered accurate and authentic to most reputable astrologers now if they were based on documented times from birth records.

Thanks to the standards set by Lois Rodden, many professional astrologers now grade charts for accuracy depending on the source of the data. Charts based on birth records are given the highest scores, while memory of one’s birth time (being told by a parent, for instance) will have a lower score.

While some astrologers rectify (invent) charts, these charts are spurious at best, and are more often than not founded on the astrologer’s expectations of what an individual’s chart should look like, based on the traditional rules of astrology. These charts demonstrate the astrologer’s expectations about astrology more than provide us with concrete information. Unless a rectified chart can be authenticated by some kind of document, it is merely theoretical and should not be viewed as valid.

If you don’t have access to a birth certificate, don’t despair. There is still a way for you to gain some useful astrological information about yourself. We can construct something called a solar chart in the event that there is no known birth time. A solar chart takes the degree of the zodiac that the Sun occupies at sunrise on the day you were born and places it on the Ascendant. Then, the Equal House system is used, which creates house cusps out of subsequent signs in the same degree as the Sun.

Suppose you were born on July 18, 1968 in Madison, Wisconsin. The Sun would have been at 25° Cancer at sunrise. The first house cusp would be 25° Cancer, the second house cusp would be 25° Leo, the third at 25° Virgo, and so on sequentially through the Zodiac.

We then place the planets in the appropriate solar houses. If Jupiter was at 5° Virgo, it would be in the second solar house. Venus, at 3° Leo, is in the solar first house, making a semi-sextile (30°) aspect to Jupiter. So while we do not have a highly accurate birth chart, we can still derive information and meaning from the planets in their signs, the aspects they make to each other, and the solar houses they occupy.

The solar houses have the same meaning as do the natal houses in a chart that is based on a known birth time, but the information will be more diluted and less specific. The shortcomings of a solar chart lie in not knowing the angles of the chart - the Ascendant-Midheaven axes - and not knowing the actual degree of the Moon, which can travel as much as 14° in one day. The Moon and other planets might change signs that day, too.

With a solar chart you will also be able to identify transits to your natal planets to a certain degree. So while a solar chart might not be your first choice for gaining insight into your personality, it is still a viable option for acquiring some useful astrological knowledge that can contribute to your self awareness.

Astrological Terrorism? Towards a Reasonable Astrology

2008-03-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

I would like to address what can only be called the "terror tactics" of traditional and contemporary astrology. Throughout my career, which has spanned more than three decades, I have been approached countless times by people who are made fearful about upcoming planetary events as a consequence of reading astrological literature.

For the most part the vast majority of this body of predictive literature can only be called nonsense. Typically, one author apes a previous author, sometimes word for word, about problems inevitably arising from planets, aspects and transits. The emphasis is frequently negative and of an intimidating nature: either a person is doomed to a life of difficulties because their charts have squares and oppositions, or Mars, Saturn or Pluto are active in some dreadful way, or some other astrological marker is portending doom. At the other extreme, lucky Jupiter will impart a lifetime of serenity and prosperity. Nonsense.

Astrologers frequently become the purveyors of doom for the masses. Or they fatuously predict lives of joy and prosperity because of celestial conditions that, in real life, are as benign as the allegedly devastating ones. Especially for those who are vulnerable and prone to suggestibility, astrology can actually make their lives worse, because their anxiety levels are elevated by what they read, which activates and enhances their already heightened anticipatory dread. Some of these people have lives that are in a constant state of turmoil, so when the 'bad' predictions come true (which they will regardless of astrology because the person simply is not in control of his or her life), they can say "See, Pluto DID devastate my life!"

I doubt if many of these authors could effectively demonstrate their claims in any kind of substantial way. Especially in the more popular literature, examples are rarely given to back up the prediction, and if they are, there may be one or two isolated circumstances, presented as proof of the effects of particular, long-dreaded astrological conditions. One would find at least as many or more examples of the exact opposite conditions if one remained open and kept studying the charts and lives of people. Some individuals even appear to be immune to any astrological conditions, either because they are so centered, or so rigidly ensconced in a safely unchanging lifestyle, or are just having 'vacation incarnations' in which they take a break from the intensive learning processes that can be offered in some existences.

Over my many years of practice, I've found that, especially if you use enough technical details, at times anything can mean almost anything in astrology. There are such an immense number of variables that go into shaping people's lives: their socio-economic conditions, genetics, inherent intelligence, will power, opportunities, capacity to make rational choices, and environmental factors. Astrology ceases to be useful when it is reduced to a formulaic system of predicting such things as events and the quality and outcome of people's lives.

Astrology is a useful tool for reflection and insight, a poetic, interiorized astronomy that should be used with a light touch. However, it is a morally neutral system, in spite of the terror tactics of many of today's high profile astrologers who emphasize the negative, either because of their own ignorance and neuroses or their conscious (or unconscious) desire to create an anxietous dependency in their clients. In this way astrology can become a crutch for insecurity like any number of other superstitions.

By morally neutral, I mean that astrology, a symbolic template for understanding the nature of time and consciousness, cannot possibly inflict planetary damage on anyone. There are no good or bad planets, signs, or aspects, nor do malignant rays shower on us from the skies. The symbols in astrology represent universal archetypal principles. How these archetypes play out in each of our lives is a personal, not an astrological matter. The archetypes are useful because they can be descriptive of our experiences, but they do not cause them.

I have to laugh, with compassion, when I hear clients’ and students’ fearful remarks about "tough transits". That's what it's all about in today's astrological milieu, isn't it? Terror tactics. The new, so-called humanistic astrology now offers antidotes for these potentially painful or disastrous celestial influences, like "working with the energy" or some other such construct.

I don't approach astrology in that way at all. It is life that is challenging, not astrological conditions. Together with a client, astrology is used in a dialogue to gain insight into the meaning of life and its semesters of personal growth. Astrology can help you better understand yourself and others - which can in turn make life easier. It can help you understand your life’s purpose. No astrologer can determine, merely based on an astrological chart, what the circumstances or outcome of anyone's life will be. Our futures are not carved in stone.

I wrote an article called "The Repression of the Feminine in Astrology", which examines the origins of some of this 'planetary terrorist' mentality. You can find it on this blog and on the Cura web site. I didn't refer to this destructive mentality as astrological terrorism, but that's what it is - astrologers terrorizing people with the threat of destructive death rays emanating from the planets. If you want to take a look at this article, use this link:

http://cura.free.fr/decem/08jordan.html

These ideas are ancient. Historically, people believed that evil could rain down from the sky: comets, eclipses, evil aspects between the malefic planets were all viewed as possible dangers to which humanity was vulnerable. Today most people don't react with fear to a comet, even astrologers. Yet many astrologers continue to use a language of punishment and reward as the basis of their astrological vocabulary.

The really big disasters and opportunities in life very often have little or no astrological correlates. That's because astrology is not about the planets shaping our phenomenal, external experience. It's more about personal, psycho-spiritual states and developmental stages.

As a method of thought, astrology can be a highly effective symbolic language of self-reflection and social observation, when it is removed from its morally predictive and disaster-oriented assumptions. No matter what is happening in your life, whether it's astrologically related or just plain life, there is always the potential for learning, and for a positive outcome of some sort. We are constantly surrounded by endless opportunities for personal growth and insight at all times if we only open our eyes and our hearts.

What is Astrology?

2008-03-26T17:12:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

Rather than disappearing into the dark obscurity of history, astrology has gained new levels of popularity among the world’s citizens. But what is this astrology that so many people are interested in? Is it found in newspaper horoscopes? Is it the psychologically based information about charts and planets found in popular books? Can astrology really predict the future?

All of these are valid questions, to which one must reply ”There is no one astrology and there are no simple answers”. Just as there are many spoken languages throughout the world, there are also many languages of astrology. Astrology is a unique symbolic language and system of the experiential that has many approaches, techniques, purposes and dialects.

Its value is determined by how much benefit an individual obtains from it, even if it’s the vague reassurance derived from a sun sign column that there exists some kind of meaningful order in the universe.

All astrologers bring their own world views and expectations about reality into their work. If they believe in predestination and fate, theirs will be an astrology heavily weighted with prediction. If they believe that once long ago there was a Golden Age in which ancient peoples had access to secret wisdom, their astrology will be derived from historic sources. If some practitioners believe that astrology is an under appreciated physical science, these astrologers may employ complex statistics to search for insight into earthquakes, illness, or political events.

In my early years of study I investigated many of these approaches and more in my quest to understand astrology, and to learn in what way I could use it for the benefit of others and for my own development. My primary goal was to obtain a deeper understanding of the human personality and why people acted in particular ways, what motivated their behaviors. I was not disappointed in my efforts.

Over these long decades, I have concluded that astrology is an excellent and highly precise adjectival language for describing personal, subjective experience. The chart may not always tell us exactly what will happen to someone, or what particular career that person will follow, or if that career or marriage will succeed. But it does give insight into what it feels like to be that person, what motivates the behaviors of that person. And that alone is a valuable function.

The birth chart helps to identify potential talents and abilities, much like an aptitude test would, but it will not determine how far someone will go with their abilities, nor will it describe the magnitude of those abilities. And with astrology we are able to determine fluctuations, changes and cycles of development within the inner conditions of a person’s life, which may or may not have manifestations in the external world. Astrology is unparalleled for gaining insight into one's self and the internal workings and drives of others. For elevating one's self awareness, few modalities approach astrology's potential to address the personal interiorscape with such precision and complexity. I have found that the most valuable use of astrology is as an art of delineating the personality along with its obstacles to happiness and fulfillment.

I view astrology as a spiritual technology which illustrates a person’s soul conditions at the moment of incarnation, and the personality's unfolding in the subsequent life that follows. Experience has demonstrated that there are no planets or signs that are better or worse than any others. Astrology is morally neutral, and conveys no value judgments about someone’s existence. Each planet describes a function of the soul. The sign a planet is in describes the way in which that function operates. While many of us may view health, prosperity and love as preferable to their alternatives, these conditions are not guaranteed nor are they denied by any chart, although they may be indicated as lesson areas. How far one progresses with these or any lessons is a personal, not an astrological, matter.

It appears that astrology deals with the inner world more than the outer world of events and phenomena. Astrology addresses issues of the soul’s (or personality's) evolution, giving potent indications as to what may slow down or conversely speed up an individual's maturation.

The movements of the planets in our solar system qualitatively modify the greater macrocosmic field of fluid, plastic consciousness in which all living beings operate, like fish swimming in the ocean’s currents. We are all presented with constantly changing conditions that provide endless opportunities for the responsive soul to access and cultivate its inner and outer resources, while (hopefully) exercising new strengths and adaptive capabilities.

We all exist as sentient, interconnected microcosmic fields of consciousness in this larger, living energy field. Our psyches respond to this richly dynamic cosmos in the same way that plants react to light by growing in the direction of the light. This phototropism is the biological counterpart to the psychological reverberations that occur within the luminous sphere of astrological energies. Our psyches grow and are shaped in response to the invisible light that emanates from the planets as they shift and move around in the cosmic environment.

This environment is permeated with subtle and pervasive astral light. Although we may not be able to see it, we perceive it psychically, internally, and respond to it each of us in our own individual ways. Because we are born with large and varying degrees of free will, we are mostly in control of our responses, which hopefully evolve from conditioned, unthinking reflexes to more aware and well considered conduct.

Think about the various ways in which people respond to a bad traffic jam. Some react with road rage, others with patient resignation. Still others may use it as an opportunity to make a cell phone call to a loved one, or to play music, or just to have a moment’s rest. In this way we are all free to respond to the changing astrological weather, and therefore our choices help shape our character and our destiny.

Building an Astrological Library: Some Recommended Titles

2008-03-20T17:35:00.001-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

There are countless books written on the topic of astrology. Sorting through the numerous authors and their works can be a daunting task. While books are helpful, nothing beats looking at charts: your own and those of people you know. Charts of famous people can also be highly instructive, as long as the birth time is accurate, i.e. from an authoritative document, like a birth certificate.

I usually recommend that my students read as much as possible, but advise that they always maintain a healthy skeptical attitude towards what they read. Some books may make claims about astrological conditions that are simply inaccurate.
In the end you will learn far more from the charts themselves than from any books, although the books will give you ideas that you can then test for yourself.

In studying astrology, you will learn something from every chart that you look at, because of the endless diversity of archetypal expressions that are inherent in every symbol, and of course, because free will allows for so many possibilities. The more you work with symbols, the more your own intuition will develop. The so-called cookbook approach to astrology has severe limitations and actually interferes with developing your own perceptions, but this kind of literature can be helpful, to a limited degree, in the beginning.

One of the greatest astrological thinkers of the modern era is the French philosopher Dane Rudhyar. Anything by him will be illuminating. Lois Rodden wrote a number of books that contain charts of celebrities with brief biographies. Her works are among the most useful in learning how astrology operates because you can actually study and compare charts and draw your own conclusions.

Patrice Guinard has posted his list of "The Top 10 English and French Astrological Books of the 20th Century", as well as his "30 favorite astrological books of all time". Here is a link to his lists:

http://cura.free.fr/docum/15topboo.html

Below is a rough annotated list of some of the classics in the field. There are many more important astrology books; this list is just a beginning. I'll be adding to it in time.

Arroyo, S. (1978). Astrology, Karma, and Transformation Sebastopol, CA: CRCS Arroyo's most important book. Clearly influenced by Rudhyar. A reasonable, thinking person's astrology book. One of the better books and certainly his best.

Bogart, G. (1996). Therapeutic Astrology Berkeley, CA: Dawn Mountain Press. Written by a psychotherapist and professor of depth psychology, illustrated with case studies. Greg Bogart has written extensively on Rudhyar's philosophy. Among other titles are Astrology and Spiritual Awakening, Astrology and Meditation, and Rudhyar's Astrology in Plain Language.

Davison, Ronald (1988) Astrology: The Classic Guide to Understanding Your Horoscope. CRCS Publications. The best thing about this old warhorse is its price. It can usually be had for minor ducats, and it contains most of the usual basics of chart interpretation. Not original or even very insightful, it will cover much of what you need to know to get going on your own with charts. Actually better than Isabel Hickey's Cosmic Science in that it has a bit less scary stuff.

Dobyns, Z. (1982). Expanding Astrology’s Universe San Diego, CA: ACS Publications. Another one of the important 20th century astrological thinkers, Dobyns was a psychologist who developed a simple approach to chart interpretation with a psychological emphasis. Other titles of hers are Finding the Person in the Horoscope and The Astrologer's Casebook.

Ebertin, R. (1972). The Combination of Stellar Influences. Aalen, Germany: Ebertin-Verlag. A brilliant but highly neurotic work that disposes of the signs and houses, as per Kepler's suggestion, though not necessarily as a direct consequence of Kepler's thinking. Ebertin uses Cosmobiology, a system of complex midpoint structures, as the basis of astrological analysis. While the book is wonderful for its ideas about how planets interact in configuration, it is the malefic planet mentality's worst nightmare. Anything involving Saturn and Neptune is terrible; every Venus and Jupiter combination is wonderful, as long as Saturn and Neptune aren't involved. Be forewarned.

Guinard, Patrice. The Manifesto. Another important French astrological thinker, Guinard proposes that the reader think "matricially". The Manifesto was culled from Guinard's monumental doctoral dissertation, written for a PhD in Philosophy from the Sorbonne in Paris. He describes the fabric of consciousness that permeates the universe as a matrix; astrology describes the conditions of consciousness in the matrix. The Manifesto is an eloquent and sound explanation of the nature and function of the astrological phenomenon. While I do not agree with all of Guinard's ideas, his writing is the first really interesting astrological material I've come across in many years. My review and discussion of this significant and challenging work can be read at the Cura website:

http://cura.free.fr/books2.html#6

To read the Manifesto in its entirety, go to:
http://cura.free.fr/07athem1.html

Hickey, I. (1992). Astrology: A Cosmic Science (2nd edition). Sebastopol, CA: CRCS Publications. A classic textbook marred by traditional astrology's usual fear mongering, using past lives as the source of alleged astrological indications of suffering. She's absolutely wrong in many cases, but she lays out the standard doctrine. Again, be forewarned.

Lewi, G. (1940). Astrology for the Millions. New York: Bantam. Grant Lewi was a journalist and astrologer. He originated an interesting approach to the Saturn cycle, far better, I think, than Liz Greene's book on Saturn.

Nolle, R. (1983). Chiron: The Key to Your Quest. Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers. Focused on Chiron (the "dirty snowball"), this book has lots of interesting charts, as well as some valuable insights into Chiron's role in the chart.

Rodden, L. (1979). Profiles of Women. Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers. All Lois Rodden's books of charts are wonderful. This is how you'll learn astrology - from looking at lots and lots of charts. There is a brief biography for each entry. Be aware though, that some of the charts are now rendered obsolete as a consequence of new data discoveries. The only way to know is to check with the AstroDataBank web site, where Rodden's information is stored. Not all the data are available, some can only be retrieved by purchasing the pricey software which won't work on Macs, unfortunately.

Rodden, L. (1980). The American Book of Charts. San Diego, CA: Astro Computing Services.

Rodden, L. (1986). Astrodata III and IV. Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers.

Rudhyar, D. (1990). Astrology of Personality: A Reformulation of Astrological Concepts and Ideals in Terms of Contemporary Psychology and Philosophy, Aurora Press. The undisputed Master! Rudhyar was the greatest astrologer of the past several centuries. Anything of his is valuable. His writing style was, for some reason, intentionally difficult. Perhaps he was trying to emulate an academic style, or discourage superficial readers. Just skip the boring parts and move on. You'll find something interesting that will broaden your understanding of astrology. Rudhyar was responsible for the modern emphasis on cycles, psychological astrology, and the all-important non-judgmental approach.

Introduction to Astrology

2008-03-07T17:13:00.000-08:00

Shelley Jordan's Astrology Class Handouts

ELEMENTS
The Origins of Elemental Theory
“What is the essential stuff of which the Universe is made?” This question dates back at least to the ancient Greeks, who were among the first peoples to ponder this dilemma.

Today, the common answer to this question now lies in the periodic table of elements, which lists the primary chemical sources from which all material substance is derived. For examining the wonders of the physical world, chemistry is an effective system of organization and analysis. For the contemplative, inquiring mind, which employs metaphor as a key to esoteric truth, look to the earlier philosophers for whom the world was an allegory for the Sacred. To certain ancient philosophers, the Cosmos itself is a hierophany, a manifestation of God.

The pre-Socratic philosophers, Greek thinkers who were active in the first millennium BCE, had a concise, symbolic solution to the enigmatic problem concerning the essential stuff from which all things originate. Their answer has continued to influence spiritual thought down through our current era. They concluded that every thing that exists has its source in the four elements, Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Classical elemental theory, as it is called, was appended to early astrology and to this day plays an important role in understanding the zodiac and interpreting charts.

The four elements represent states of matter: Earth is solid, Water is liquid, Air is gaseous and Fire is luminosity. Every one of the 12 signs of the zodiac is assigned to one of the four elements in the sequence of Fire, Earth, Air and Water. The first sign, Aries, is Fire. The second sign, Taurus, is Earth. Next, Gemini is Air and Cancer is Water. Therefore, each of the 4 elements is associated with 3 zodiacal signs. Signs of the same element are therefore 120 degrees apart, forming the 4 elemental triangles, or Grand Trines.

THE ISSUES OF GENDER, SEXISM AND THE ELEMENTS
At some point in history, the elements were assigned gender in a manner that was consistent with the animistic, sexually oriented mentality that dominated early science and philosophy. The signs then were alternately masculine and feminine around the wheel of the zodiac. Masculine Fire is followed by feminine Earth, followed by masculine Air, feminine Water and so on.

Fire and Air, the masculine, nonmaterial elements, naturally rise upward towards the heavenly domain of the Father Sky God. Water and Earth, the designated feminine elements, move in a downward direction (as we now know, drawn by gravity). The physical and visible qualities of Earth and Water condemned them to confinement in the material plane of sin and sensuality.

The ancient Ptolemaic cosmology which formed astrology’s foundation, incorporated the four elements. It maintained its foothold on European science until the Copernican revolution. In Ptolemy’s system the Earth was placed at the center of the Universe. This was no compliment to Earth. The supreme patriarchal God was located in the upper limits of the sky, as far as possible from the earth plane. Hell was situated at the very center of Earth, completely removed from God and godliness. Earth was home to sin and the corrupt.

In old astrological textbooks this bias was implicit in the descriptions of the signs. There were obvious cultural preferences for the Fire signs, with their masculine virtues of courage, virility and vitality. The masculine Air signs had the honored characteristics of intellect and reason. Less prized were the feminine qualities of Water’s irrational emotion, and Earth’s sensuality and relation to the evils of commerce.

Today, it is no longer necessary to link the elements with gender although this practice widely continues. An easier and less controversial way of describing the distinctions between these alternating currents is to think of them as externally focused (Fire and Air) and internally focused (Earth and Water).

THE ELEMENTS AS PERCEPTUAL MODALITIES
The birth chart maps out the patterns of perceptions which organize consciousness and give form and shape to the personality. The chart reveals what it feels like to be a particular person and how that person's personality is oriented in the world. The chart is a key to how and why internal experience and mental states influence behavior.

The elements are archetypal sensory modalities which process information and experience in specific ways. When a chart is dominated by one or two elements, certain sensorial functions become prominent and take the lead in one’s navigation of reality. The personality’s motivations also will be influenced by the elements’ perceptual responses. For example, an individual whose chart is dominated by affective and sensitive Water will both seek out relationships which are emotionally satisfying while at the same time Water tends to be more private due to that very sensitivity. A person who is dominant in visual Fire will search for opportunities for identity enhancement. Fire pursues visible, high profile situations that are re-enforcing to self confidence and which enable that person to be viewed by others.

FIRE Visual
The Fire signs, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are associated with the ego function and sense of selfhood. Personal identity and self awareness are Fire sign objectives. At the core of each personality is the light of nature which is life inducing. That inner fire is the vitality which makes us know we're alive. Fire is warm, outgoing, energetic and confident. Its dominant sensory modality is visual and fiery energy pours outward into the objective world, externalizing the Self.

EARTH Kinesthetic
Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are the Earth signs. Earth gives us the properties of physical, tactile sensibility; Earth signs are resourceful and industrious, practical, organized, and aware of the material world of objects. Earth signs tend to be productive, diligent and persevering. Their predominant modality is kinesthetic, making them highly aware of their bodies and the internal world of physical sensation. Their tactile sensory dominance drives them to create concrete products of their efforts.

AIR Auditory
The air signs, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are cognitive, thinking and social in nature. Air signs form social alliances by means of thought and language. Rational in nature, the air signs are capable of reason and logical thinking. They can relate to the future, and are good at planning. Air is auditory and externally focused as a consequence of their tendencies towards language, sound, communication and social dynamics.

WATER Affective
The Water signs, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are concerned with the inner emotional world. Water seeks depth of feeling and emotional contact with others. Take two glasses of water and pour them into a third and you can't tell where one glass of water ends and the other begins. This is the nature of water's capacity for intimacy and emotional closeness with others. As a consequence of this sensitivity the Water signs can also be private and reserved. Water is associated with empathy, memory and the capacity to store experience and to relate to the past. Water is affective and inwardly focused.

THE MODES
There are three Modes: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. It is not necessary to overstate the role that the Modes play in interpreting a birth chart. Their influence is subtle. Occasionally, a chart will be dominated by one of the three Modes, in which case that Mode may have a bit more significance than it would otherwise. But in most cases, a chart will have the Modes fairly evenly distributed, and therefore, they won’t need to be emphasized.

Understanding their meaning is quite helpful, though, in decoding a birth chart. The three Modes form the three Grand Crosses in the zodiac. The same Mode is repeated every fourth sign, or every 90 degrees of the circle. Each sign will be one of these three, alternating through the zodiac in the sequence of Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable.

CARDINAL: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
The cardinal signs initiate the seasons, and provide the skeletal structure of the zodiac. They are associated with events, activity and initiative. The cardinal signs are volitional, enterprising and action oriented.

FIXED: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
The fixed signs are stabilizing, enduring and resolute. They lean towards permanence and stability. The fixed signs have staying power, determination and endurance.

MUTABLE: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
The mutable signs are adaptive, flexible, and capable of multitasking. They adjust to external events and are responsive and accommodating to external conditions. Mutable signs are adaptable, flexible, and pliable.

Table of the Modes’ Characteristics
Cardinal Activation Doing
Fixed Stabilization Being
Mutable Variation Responding

The Modes and the Elements
Putting together the Modes with the Elements, we can see that the Zodiac is not at all random or arbitrary. It has a pattern and structure to it that orders the sequence, and therefore, the meaning of the signs.

Aries Cardinal Fire
Taurus Fixed Earth
Gemini Mutable Air
Cancer Cardinal Water
Leo Fixed Fire
Virgo Mutable Earth
Libra Cardinal Air
Scorpio Fixed Water
Sagittarius Mutable Fire
Capricorn Cardinal Earth
Aquarius Fixed Air
Pisces Mutable Water

You can see in the above chart that each sign is represented by one element and one mode. There are three modes and four elements:
3 modes x 4 elements = 12 signs.

Looking at the above list in combination with last week’s article on the Elements, we can already see meaning in the signs, just by knowing their Element and Mode. For example:

Aries is a Cardinal Fire sign. It is then, vital and rich in personal identity (Fire) and active and able to take the initiative (Cardinal).
Taurus, a Fixed Earth sign, is productive and sensual (Earth) and stable and determined (Fixed).
Gemini is Mutable Air. It is social and communicative (Air), and adaptable, flexible (Mutable).

THE ZODIAC
The Solar Pathway
The Zodiac is an ancient symbolic cycle of universal archetypes. An early celestial coordinate system dating back to the Babylonians, the Zodiac may be approached and utilized in a number of ways. Its functions range from a casual and popular method of distinguishing personality types based on birthdays (I’m a Taurus, you’re a Sagittarius), to a sacred, contemplative mandala which encompasses the stages of the soul’s evolutionary journey from selfhood to universality. It is commonly used in techniques of astrological divination.

The Zodiac is also is a poetic representation of the vegetative calendar of the northern hemisphere, utilizing the seasonal transitions - the equinoxes and solstices - as its framework. This calendric mandala of Nature’s processes may be applied metaphorically to the stages of spiritual evolution from birth at Aries to the dissolution of the boundaries of ego and structure in Pisces.

There are a number of different Zodiacs in use. Most of them are based on 12-fold divisions of the Ecliptic, the Sun’s apparent path around the Earth. The Sidereal Zodiac, which is most commonly used in the East, marks out sections of the Ecliptic using constellations. The Sun and all the planets appear to travel along this segmented path which is defined by specific clusters of stars. This Zodiac is spatially divided by 12 actual constellations that can be seen with the naked eye. There are several versions of this type of system in use, depending on how one locates the beginnings and endings of star groups.

The Tropical Zodiac, most frequently employed in the West, is based on the seasonal calendar in which the Spring Equinox launches the first degree of the 360° circle. This schema is time-based, utilizing the seasons and cardinal directions as the markers by which the Ecliptic is divided into 12 equal signs.

The differences between these two primary methods of dividing the Ecliptic - the Sidereal and the Tropical - are often used by detractors of astrology as an argument against astrology. The argument states that there is a variance of approximately 23 degrees between 0° Aries in the two systems. And this is true due to the precession of the equinoxes.

Therefore (the argument goes) astrologers don’t know where the planets are really located, thinking that when the Sun is just entering Aries at the Spring Equinox it is still in the sign of Pisces. These detractors are actually victims of their own critique, not realizing that most astrologers do, in fact, understand the distinction between these two methods of dividing the Ecliptic, and are knowingly selecting a Zodiac based on personal preference.

In the case of astrology, the interpreter of these symbols will select the system that most resonates with his/her own intuitive process. The wide diversity that exists in the complex sphere of astrological methods can be compared to the many distinctions found among the world’s languages. Languages, in their grammar and syntax, tend to be reflective of the cultural ethos from which they emanate.

Likewise, selecting techniques from the wide range of possible astrological procedures is a reflection of the personal world view of the individual practitioner. This individuality of approach should be respected by those who may have divergent perspectives. Astrology is a symbolic language of the personality - a language rich with many dialects.

There is a term in Sanskrit, anekanta, which especially applies to the attitude of tolerance best maintained concerning the numerous variations in astrological approaches. Anekanta means ‘not-one-sidedness’, or, to put it another way: ‘there is more than one way to view the world’.

The signs of the Zodiac describe 12 archetypal functions or drives in the human psyche. We have all 12 of them in our birth charts in varying proportions, distributed among the 10 planets and 12 houses. Most charts have 2 or 3 signs emphasized. These signs are the “theme songs” of our lives.

Your chart is a combination of many variables, which take on different colorations depending on the interactions of the planets, signs and houses. But these variables can be condensed into the primary and secondary spiritual melodies in your psyche. Learning the meanings of each of the signs is a huge step towards understanding some of the complexities of your birth chart.

ARIES Independence, self-sufficiency, courage, the instinct for survival and personal freedom, self-assertion, the fighting instinct, competitive, athletic, doing one’s own thing, love of the new, enthusiasm, quick on the uptake, sense of identity

TAURUS Development of personal values, sense of ownership, body awareness, money consciousness, the pleasure principle, aesthetics, relaxing and enjoying the world of the senses, nurturing, endurance, productivity, stability, strength, determination, persevering

GEMINI Communication, cognitive functioning, reason, love of variety, mobility, flexibility, intellect and the learning process, sibling relationships, language skills, wit, movement, fun-loving, quicksilver, mercurial, whimsical, flirtatious, dexterous

CANCER Nurturing, the mother and family, emotional sensitivity, need for a safe nest, security needs, history, memories, finding and/or giving protection, food, emotionally expressive, comforting, self protection, affection, sheltering, honoring the past

LEO Self expression, creativity, personal pride, dignity, giving and receiving love, dramatization of the emotions, glamour, flair, leadership, center stage, entertaining, romantic love and love of children, playfulness, confidence, sincerity, regal

VIRGO Analytical abilities, attention to detail, work, productivity, service to others, health and healing, critical faculties, humility, purity, cleanliness, standards of excellence, organizational abilities, pets, devotional, modest, methodical, reliable

LIBRA Relationships, balance, harmony, beauty, social skills, diplomacy, companionship, rational thought, moderation, cooperation or competition, decision making process, fairness, equality, peace, significant others, search for serenity, considerate, gentle, kind

SCORPIO Transformation and rebirth, boundary setting, intensity, passion, depth, the mysterious, shared resources, resources of others, research, investment and its return, privacy, trust, intimacy, control, perceptive, extremes and limit setting, self control and letting go, personal power, dedication

SAGITTARIUS Personal beliefs about life and about oneself, quest for knowledge, goal orientation, adventure, expansion, search for meaning, religious impulse, morality, travel, the big picture, nature, largesse, sports, fitness, optimism, humor, joviality, foreign cultures, wisdom seeking, philosophical, independence, generosity

CAPRICORN Responsibility, maturity, father and fatherhood, ambition, meeting challenges, self discipline, structure, capacity for hard work, labor and its rewards, authority, early maturity but slow development like an oak, serious, overcoming obstacles, sense of duty, authoritative

AQUARIUS Group consciousness, friendship, maintaining individuality in the group, systems orientation, science, technology, detachment, abstract thinking, ingenuity, personal liberties, personal relationship to humanity, nonconformist, individuality, rebelliousness against imposed authority, intelligence

PISCES Imagination, dream function, compassion, artistic, musical, withdrawn, sensitive, gentleness, behind the scenes activities, fantasy life, spirituality, idealism, search for ultimates, love of beauty, need for healthy escape, transcendence, plasticity, ecstasy states, psychological, empathic, reclusive

Pluto in Capricorn – It’s Here!

2008-02-03T17:30:00.000-08:00

By Shelley Jordan

Pluto is now officially in Capricorn. This momentous event occurred late in the evening of January 25, 2008 . We have not had Pluto in Capricorn since its last entry in 1762.

It could be quite interesting watching efficient Capricorn deal with the bloat, extravagance and religiosity of Sagittarius, byproducts of Pluto’s occupancy during the past 13 years. Thanks to Capricorn’s practicality and frugality we may witness a new kind of consumer and environmental conservatism in the best sense of the word. The days of lavish credit card spending and wholesale destruction of the environment may at last be coming to a close if the Capricornian potential for mature, responsible behavior kicks in to correct the extravagances of Sagittarius.

This Capricorn phase may put us all on a diet, with a strong social emphasis on smaller portion of everything: less food, less use of resources, less impulsive spending. A trend towards self-discipline, frugality and discretion may be just what the planet needs.

Pluto has great transformational potential with a tendency to take circumstances to their ultimate limit at which point extremes become intolerable and change must occur. Since Capricorn is the sign of authority and responsibility we may see reactions to attempts at excessive control, along with limit setting of the abuses of authority. So-called security measures may try to challenge fundamental privileges of freedom granted by the Bill of Rights.

The last time Pluto was in Capricorn in the 18th century a showdown occurred between absolutism and freedom when the American Revolution challenged the sovereignty of crown rule. Democracy was born during this transit of Pluto in Capricorn. Will we see similar transformations of some sort in governmental operations during this current round?

Many of the fatherless children from the Neptune in Capricorn generation (1984-1998) are now coming of age, facing the possibilities of becoming parents themselves. As Pluto activates their issues of abandonment by their own fathers, how might they redefine the role the father plays in family life? The potential for a regeneration of the father archetype lies in this present transit in Capricorn.

Capricorn is also maturity and old age. The Baby Boomers are getting on. The management of the health and finances of a large population of senior citizens will certainly be up for solutions. Pluto may invite redefinitions of views, stereotypes and issues on aging and the elderly. The Capricorn impulse towards productivity and work may induce many people to continue at their jobs or even begin second careers beyond the traditional age of retirement.

The large corporations symbolized by Capricorn could undergo interesting reorganizations, and even help save the planet and its resources because annihilation is not fiscally productive.

Capricorn’s formality may ultimately replace the Sagittarian tendency to let it all hang out. No matter what developments occur, we are entering a new era ripe with potential for transformations in leadership, authority and responsibility.

Book Review with commentary on contemporary astrology by Shelley Jordan

2008-01-11T14:01:00.000-08:00

Comets, Popular Culture and the Birth of Modern Cosmology
by Sara J. Schechner (Princeton University Press, 1997)

Note: This review comes with a major digression and critique of contemporary astrology.

Lurking in the very language and theory of astrology lies a virtual repository of fear and trepidation. To this day, readers of astrology books are invited to anticipate the wide variety of potential disasters that bad aspects, difficult transits or negative progressions can serve up to the vulnerable and unprepared victim.

Sara Schechner's well-researched investigation into the history of comet lore and theory sheds a ray of light on some of the origins of this superstitious mentality. Comets, Popular Culture and the Birth of Modern Cosmology documents the devolution of the rational Aristotelian view of comets from natural phenomena into supernatural omens of catastrophe.

Comets were originally described by Aristotle as terrestrial exhalations that ignited upon reaching the atmosphere. By the Roman era they had degenerated into augers of doom and disaster. Comets, as extensions of the astrological arsenal, provided political and religious propagandists with visible, terrifying evidence that God was announcing His wrathful disapproval of humanity, and that harsh and brutal punishment would soon follow. The Romans became subject to waves of veritable comet hysteria. Numerous heads of state were proceeded in death by cometary visitors, sometimes all too conveniently for their conspirators, who found in the appearance of a comet an ideal time to do away with an unwanted politician or inconvenient intellectual.

The Christian world assimilated the catastrophic lore of comets, embellishing it with predictions of the coming Messiah and the Anti-Christ. Even Martin Luther, who derided astrology, was convinced that comets were manifest signs of God's fury and promoted their propagandist use as polemical weapons in the battles of the Protestant Reformation.

The chronic cultural neurosis generated by comets culminated in the 16th and 17th centuries, which witnessed the birth pangs of early-modern science. The Copernican world view was gaining power, while observational astronomy was being galvanized by Tycho Brahe and Galileo. The great epistemological rupture between astronomy and astrology had not yet transpired. Comet activity stimulated general anticipatory dread. Terror was pumped into the minds of the masses through the publications of comet-related broadsides, pamphlets and almanacs. These cheap and easily available publications announced disaster, famine, death and the coming end of the world.

While comets in particular were seen as violent instigators of crisis, cataclysm and ruin, humanity was at risk from other heavenly harbingers of evil. When clusters of celestial events occurred in close proximity across the carefully watched sky, collective hysteria was widely circulated throughout society. Cosmic phenomena, such as novas, great conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn and ever-ominous eclipses were guaranteed to provoke massive eruptions of public emotion. [1]

Schechner gives numerous examples of the terrorizing language of these auguries of misfortune that struck horror and fear in both the popular and educated cultures of early modern Europe. A prophecy circulating during the 16th century warned that

"after direful and bloody Comets ... there shall remain nothing for the future safe or healthy amongst Men...and nothing remain but Night, Destruction, Ruine, Damnation and Eternal Misery." (p. 46)

An astrologer explained that their baleful influences occurred because

"Comets distemper and inflame the air ... (and from them) will naturally ensue Death, Scarcity and Famine... Sickness, Diseases, Mortality..." (p.99)

Although it was believed for centuries that comets were the cause of misfortune, eventually the superstitious tradition of cometelogical forecasting dissolved in the psychologically sanitizing light of the scientific revolution. Schechner's book demonstrates how a fear-laden irrational doctrine became redeemed through the evolution of reason and observation.

However, the canon of astrological divination has survived, still heavily embedded with anxious warnings and predictions of disease, death, crisis and failure. The irrational belief that the sky can hurl suffering and misfortune at a vulnerable humanity has remained very much alive in modern astrology.

Today it is still relatively easy to find popular works that reflect astrology's preoccupation with calamitous possibilities. By merely pulling out an assortment of astrology books and thumbing through them, one can find echoes of the catastrophe culture alive and well and living in astrology.

One wary and well-meaning astrologer cautions her readers that under a Moon-Pluto transit it "is not uncommon for an immature and unaware female to be raped or sexually abused." (Transits: The Time of Your Life, p. 123, Betty Lundsted; 1992). She also warns that Saturn-Jupiter transits can "trigger an illness" (p. 70) She feels strongly about encouraging her client "to examine his life with an eye to dying" during Neptune-Sun contacts (p. 99).

Another astrologer is so thoroughly responsible that he warns his readers of the endless possible catastrophes and crises that can be suffered under any number of astrological configurations. Page after page announces the ubiquitously dangerous scenarios menacingly lurking around every corner. We are advised of the potential violent outbreak "with disastrous consequences and even physical violence" that can strike a person when Mars squares his Ascendant (Planets in Transit: Life cycles for Living, p. 260; Robert Hand; 1976). The hazardous aspect of Uranus squaring Mars can indicate "accidents", or "an illness that requires an operation" (p. 397). "Physical attacks can occur under" Pluto conjunct Mars (p. 501). But not to worry - it's only "under extreme circumstances (that) this transit can signify violent injury or violence at the hands of another person" (p. 501). Pluto squaring Mars is so malignant an aspect that "this transit can have considerable dangers if you do not handle it properly" (p. 502), and it does indeed indicate "danger of accidents" (p. 503).

Hand goes on to tell us of the hazards in even consulting a lawyer when Neptune is opposite your Ascendant, because this transit is "normally not a good one for dealing with lawyers ... you probably won't get a good deal if you hire a lawyer to represent you" (p.431). In fact, there are warnings of perils and impending disasters throughout most of this book. The view, not at all original or exclusive to this particular astrologer, is that life is risky, and that when malignant planets beam their negative aspects onto humanity, the potential for calamity is high. Only by proceeding with extreme caution and a vigilant awareness of the down-pouring of evil influences can the individual escape harm. Fear, insecurity and lack of control over one's destiny are the reasons one should consult astrology.

Some astrologers bring past lives into the picture to explain misfortune, supporting their views with statistics, no less! "About eighty percent of Fourth House Pluto individuals have a series of prior-life experiences in which their emotional needs have not been successfully met by one or both of their parents" (Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul, p. 85; Jeff Green, 1994). One wonders where he got these statistics...

Pity the poor individual with Venus square Saturn who's problematic love life is "karmic in origin on the debt side of the spiritual ledger." This person is doomed to "disappointments through love.....due to selfishness" He should expect "difficulties with finances" and advancing "loneliness and limitation" (Astrology: A Cosmic Science, p. 223; Isabel Hickey, 1992). We are also informed that Mars in Pisces is "not well-placed", but neither is Mars in Taurus (pp. 166-8). People with Venus in Scorpio "can be cruel or suffer from cruelty because of karma tied to the misuse of the love principle" (p. 160). Venus in Aquarius can't "feel happy" (p. 160). Again, page after page of negative, punitive influences emanating from the stars, forever being preached from paperback astrology books, the modern era's continuation of the superstitious broadside mentality.

One famous and authoritative astrologer says in his introduction that nothing "has done astrology more harm than ...prating about 'good' and 'bad' aspects". But then he goes on to say that the "inharmonious" aspects of Saturn to the Sun are "evil" for children, who may die, be sickly or suffer. This "affliction" can deny offspring altogether (The Astrological Aspects, pp. 13, 42; C.E.O. Carter, 1967).

Astrologers can be offensive. "Scorpio Rising has ... gained a rather negative reputation over the years, one which is not entirely underserved. No other Rising Sign can rival it for vindictive, ruthless, jealous behavior" (Chart Interpretation Handbook, pp. 104-105; Stephen Arroyo, 1989)

They can sound preposterous. "Nearly all with these Nodes (in Scorpio) have at one time touched the force of Witchcraft" (Karmic Astrology, p. 104, Martin Schulman, 1975)

Clearly, contemporary astrology is still saddled with an antiquated and dismal negativity, in spite of feeble attempts to clothe it in psychological rhetoric. Reading Sara Schechner's wonderfully stimulating history of a vulgar superstition purified by reason makes most astrology books seem pathetic by comparison. Many astrology books, like the pamphlets of the 16th and 17th centuries, have a stagnant and neurotic preoccupation with disaster, crisis and loss. Their contents can be psychologically damaging for impressionable readers. Perhaps astrology will one day undergo a cleansing and renovation similar to astronomy's during the Reformation period. Astrology is desperately in need of a metagnosis - a new mind set. How and when such a paradigm-shift will occur remains an unanswered question.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
[1] In her discussion of Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions, Schechner makes an error commonly passed around in scholarly works dealing with this confusing topic (pp. 80-82). The Sasanian theory of the Jupiter-Saturn cycle as an historical marker gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages. See David Pingree, "Astronomy and Astrology in India and Iran", Isis, 54, 1963, pp. 229-246. The transition between elements was viewed as an indicator of great shifts in religious and political institutions. The conjunction in Aries theoretically marked the beginning of an entirely new 800 or 960 year cycle, depending on the author. See Franz Rosenthal's translation of Buzurjmihr in Ibn Khaldun's Muqaddimah ; Bollingen Series 43, Vol. 2, pp. 211-213; New York 1958. These cycles are closely linked with milleniallist currents.

One particularly notorious shift occurred with the conjunction in Sagittarius in 1603, when the conjunctions returned to the fiery trigon. This was noted by Kepler in his De stella nova. However, some scholars, including Schechner, mistakenly state that the conjunction of 1583 took place in Aries, marking the return to the fire element. This is incorrect. The conjunction in 1583 occurred at 20 degrees of Pisces, and was the culmination of the watery series of conjunctions. The fiery series did not begin until the 1603 conjunction, and Jupiter and Saturn did not conjunct in Aries at all until 1702. Therefore the fiery series of Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions began at this time in Sagittarius, not in Aries. It was launched in Leo in 820 BC, in 25 BC and 769 AD and thus seems to be erratic and to not at all coincide with the idealized theory.

Schechner is not alone in her error. In his magisterial work Rudolf II and His World, R.J.W. Evans gives the wrong year, saying that in 1588 "the world would again enter the conjunction of the fiery trigon for the first time in 800 years" (p. 278). He sites his sources as W.-E Peuckert, Die Rozenkreuzer, zur Geschichte einer Reformation (Iena, 1928) and E. Zinner, Bibliographie der astronomischen Literatur, 18 ff. Benjamin Wooley in The Queen's Conjurer, got the year right, but believed that the conjunction of 1603 occurred in Aries. (see my reviews in CURA on The Queen's Conjurer and on Laura Smoller's History, Prophecy and the Stars, which deals extensively with Jupiter-Saturn cycles.)

Schechner, getting the patterning of the signs wrong by reporting that the cycle of fiery conjunctions will begin in Aries (although that is what the medieval theory states), directs us to her source in footnote 57, page 250: C. Doris Hellman. Hellman is known for her translation of Max Caspar's authoritative biography Kepler, from which Arthur Koestler drew his exaggerated but entertaining The Sleepwalkers. Going to the book Schechner sites, Hellman's richly detailed The Comet of 1577; AMS Press, Columbia University, 1944, one finds information both vague and sparklingly clear on what may explain some of this confusion. Hellman writes that Tycho Brahe recorded two versions of his ideas concerning the infamous comet of 1577 and the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction of 1583. In his Latin version, he correctly writes that the conjunction occurred in Pisces ; in his vulgar German work on the same topic, he says it was in Aries. It seems that even the great observer himself erred in his astrological observations. The editor of Tycho's works, Dreyer, made no notation of this discrepancy. Hellman directs us to Otto Loth for further information on Al Kindi, an early transmitter of the theory of Jupiter and Saturn cycles, who got most of his information on the cycle from Albumasar. See Loth, "Al-kindi als astrolog" (Morganlandische Forschungen. Festschrift Herrn Professor Dr. H.L. Fleischer... gewidnet von Seinen Schulern... Leipzig, Brockhaus, 1875 pt. VIII: 263-309).

In reality, the patterns of Jupiter and Saturn are not nearly as elegant and geometrically perfect as the idealized tradition reports. To view a table of Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions from the 6th century B.C. on, see Richard Nolle's useful site at www.Astropro.com. Thank you, Richard, for your help while I was preparing this review. I will write more on this topic at a future date.

The Repression of the Feminine in Astrology by Shelley Jordan

2008-01-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

Introduction: Astrology's Hidden Agenda

Anyone studying the techniques of traditional astrological interpretation with eyes open will inevitably be struck by its prejudicial assumptions. Most astrology texts state flatly that certain factors in the birth chart lend themselves to either ease or difficulty of life and expression. For example, detriments, exaltations and the like still send chills of fear or excitement up and down the spines of many astrologers. After all, isn't it supposed to be 'good' to have a planet in exaltation and 'bad' to have a planet in detriment? And in spite of a recent well-intended and humanistic stretching of definitions, aren't certain planets still considered fundamentally preferable to others?

Even more pervasive and persistent in its judgmental nature is the evaluation of the aspects as either 'good' or 'bad'. An insidious dichotomous thinking surrounds aspect interpretation, which, at its roots, is both sexist and racist. There is a largely unknown historical, numerological basis to this dogmatic but unrecognized prejudice that precludes the possibility of reform and evolution in the field of astrology.

The major Ptolemaic aspects, the trine, sextile, square and opposition have traditionally been divided into two general categories. Trines and sextiles are typically considered favorable, desirable, harmonious, easy, creative, and soft. Squares and oppositions are described as discordant, afflicting, stressful, frustrating, challenging and hard. Astrological erudition has, until very recently, been dominated by cookbooks representing trines and sextiles as patently good, squares and oppositions as inherently negative. It is commonly asserted that a chart for an auspiciously blessed life will preponderate with trines and sextiles between beneficent and well-placed planets. The infelicitous and the unendowed will have baleful squares and oppositions to afflicted bodies. This superstitious and erroneous litany regarding the dangers of certain astrological conditions permeates nearly the entire corpus of astrological literature.

The Indo-Europeans and the Number Three

The sources of this dualism lay in the milieu in which astrology developed. After its earliest days in Mesopotamia, astrology ripened in the Hellenistic, Indo-Europeanized environments of Greece and Alexandria. The Indo-Europeans play a mysteriously pivotal role in the formation of astrological concepts.

These elusive peoples were originally a vast warring, tribal nomadic culture designated by some scholars as the Aryans, although this inflammatory name more specifically and accurately refers to the Indo-Iranians. The Indo-European culture, from a very early period on, made a significant contribution to the substratum of Western, South Asian and Middle Eastern civilization. Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, the Romance languages, German, English and numerous other tongues originate from the Proto-Indo-European language. Greece in particular had a recondite connection to the earlier Indo-Europeans. Many of the familiar deities of classical mythology emerged from the Indo-European tradition.

The Indo-Europeans were a migrating patriarchal, pastoral culture which may be traced to the great steppe regions stretching from Poland to Central Asia. Their patrilinear society was organized around a tripartite social and theological hierarchy. This marauding three-leveled culture would prove to be exceedingly important to the development of astrological symbolism and interpretation.

The three classes of Indo-European society were: priests at the top of the social ladder, followed by warriors, with herders at the bottom. Each class had its own specific ruling sky gods, with goddesses for the most part conspicuously absent from the pantheon.

The domestication of the horse was one of the great achievements of the Indo-Europeans. This enabled them to conquer many agricultural, matriarchal, goddess-worshiping societies, including those on the Peloponnesus during the second millennium B.C.E.

The Indo-Europeans both politically dominated and became absorbed into these cultures. The defeated goddess-worshiping peoples, who were frequently darker in complexion, were forced to assimilate as the subservient fourth class in this three-leveled system. They subsequently became the subordinate peasant class, considered racially and spiritually inferior by the tall, fair-haired, blue-eyed Indo-European aristocracy.

Numerological Bigotry

The number three, then, was characteristic of the Indo-Europeans, who were the ancestors of the Greeks. The number three plays a significant role in Indo-European and subsequent religious symbolism. For the Indo-Europeans three represented masculinity, ideal order, light and divinity. The number four became representative of the conquered indigenous peoples - the racially different goddess cultures.

To the Indo-Europeans, the number four symbolized femininity, weakness, darkness and evil. Three was rational, elevated, spiritual, and associated with the heavens. Four, redolent of the chthonic goddess cults, was considered base and inferior, emotional and irrational, associated with the earth and the despised and defeated agrarian populations.

This concept was predated by, and therefore supported by an ancient pervasive view that odd numbers were masculine and even numbers feminine, as seen for instance, in the I Ching.

I I - feminine providing space to be filled by
I - masculine

This subtle, biased numerical symbolism was firmly but furtively imprinted in the unconscious minds of the Hellenistic Greeks who geometrized astrology. It appears that the Greeks developed aspect theory and assigned the aspects their traditional interpretations, which have barely altered over time. The Egyptian astrologer Manethon is credited by Bouché-Leclerq in the classic L'astrologie grecque with assigning the attributes and meanings to the aspects.

The major aspects were generated by dividing the circle of 360 degrees by specific numbers. Division of the circle by one, the first male (odd) number, produces the conjunction. While, according to Ptolemy, the conjunction is not technically considered an aspect, it has evolved into its current role as the most potent of all aspects. The Greek Pythagoreans, who were numerological philosophers, considered the number one as the masculine supreme source of all goodness, life and being.

Dividing the circle by the next male number, three, creates the trine, traditionally considered the 'best' or most favorable aspect. Divide the circle by three once more and the sextile appears. The sextile is another 'positive' (male) aspect.

Now let's look at the so-called feminine numbers in relation to aspects. Two, considered by the Pythagoreans as the source of all strife and evil, when divided into 360 degrees, generates the opposition, widely viewed as a difficult aspect. Dividing the circle by two once again produces the dreaded square, long considered the most problematic aspect.

Consistent with his patriarchal heritage and the misogynous values of that historical period, Manethon's major complaint about the square was that it allowed a mingling of the sexes to occur, something that was considered highly undesirable in his day. In other words, signs in square aspect are of different genders. For example, masculine Aries squares feminine Cancer.

Very basically stated, dividing the circle by the masculine, luminous number three, the light-skinned, patriarchal Indo-Europeans' most sacred number, produces the most favored aspect, the trine. The division of the circle by the despised and dark feminine number four, the number representative of the dark-skinned matriarchal indigenous population, creates the least desirable aspect, the square.

This deeply ingrained psychological attitude toward the trinity and the quaternity is reported abundantly in the literature of Carl Jung. He describes this socio-cultural bias as manifesting collectively in the repressed fourth function of the human psyche. The trinity, according to Jung, represents completion at the level of conscious awareness. But the number four, which he calls the number of the goddess, is the number of completion and wholeness in the unconscious. This wholeness remains unacceptable to the conscious mind due to powerful cultural conditioning and repression.

Sexism and the Elements

For a moment, let us consider the impact gender identification has had on elements and houses. Elemental theory originated with Empedocles. It was then adopted by Aristotle, who, by the way, viewed women as defective or incomplete men. The elements were assimilated into an already syncretic astrological method, and at some point, assigned gender in a manner that is consistent with the animistic gender mentality that dominated early science and philosophy.

Fire and air, the masculine elements, naturally rise upward toward the domain of the father sky god. Water and earth, designated feminine, move in a downward direction, their physical and visible qualities condemning them to confinement in the material plane.

The ancient Ptolemaic cosmology, which incorporated the four elements, maintained its foothold on European science until Copernicus, through its adoption by Aristotelean Scholasticism. In this system earth was placed at the center of the universe, with a supreme patriarchal god located in the upper limits of the sky, as far as possible from the earth plane. This geocentrism did not by any means glorify the earth - in fact, the very center of earth was the location of hell, completely and totally removed from God and godliness.

Even the alchemical symbols for the four elements describe this contrary skyward vs. earthbound antagonism. The symbol for fire, the principle of disembodied energy, is a triangle pointing upward. Air, representing gaseousness, is a similar upward-pointing triangle, with a horizontal line running through it. Water, or liquidity, is a triangle pointing downward. Earth, the symbol of matter and solidity, is a triangle pointing down with a horizontal line through it. Thus, the elemental symbols themselves represent the hidden agenda of a covert philosophical sexism in ancient science. Masculine fire and air rise up towards God; feminine earth and water fall downward to the base realm of the material world.

This gender bias continues in the system of houses, which came to analogously resemble the zodiacal signs when the template of the zodiac was superimposed onto the twelve sectors. The traditional view of the houses carries some of the onus associated with gender, particularly with regard to the water houses. Specifically, the 8th and 12th houses, which correlate with Scorpio and Pisces, carry the stigma of prejudice against the odious feminine. The 8th house is traditionally connected with death. The 12th house has been known for centuries as the realm of hidden enemies and self-undoing. Even the 4th house, with its association with Cancer, designates the family, but also, the end of life, which implies that it is another house associated with death. The 6th house, the analogue of earthy Virgo, is the sector of disease. These are certainly less attractive and desirable areas for planets to occupy than the benign 1st house of life, analogous to fiery Aries, or the appealing 9th house of philosophy and higher learning, cognate with Sagittarius, or the 11th house, ambiguously tagged as hopes and wishes.

We have all read subtle, and at times, blatant evaluations of various signs and houses as being superior to others. As I mentioned, the water signs and houses, and to a lesser degree those of earth as well, have historically had less savory and glamorous designations than the fire and air signs and houses. There are obvious cultural preferences for the allegedly virile and manly virtues of courage and vitality (fire) or intellect and reason (air). Less prized are their feminine elemental counterparts: irrational emotion (water) and orderliness and sensuality (earth). An exception is the tenth house. While it is correlate with earthy Capricorn, it has the distinct advantage of its elevated position in the sky, closest to God, and as far from the vile earth as possible.

Conquering Fear

Returning then to the aspects, it is now clear that ancient astrologers used a system of numerology that was symbolically reflective of a sexually and racially slanted culture. What they considered to be sacred truth can be seen today as an arbitrary mathematical bias that has surreptitious bled into the various facets of astrological interpretation. These presuppositions of good and bad geometrical relationships have ubiquitously penetrated not only natal chart interpretation, but the areas of transits, chart comparisons and all other astrological arenas that utilize aspects.

If astrologers were to suspend judgment and look at all aspects as neutral synergistic interactions between planets and angles, without superimposing a Procrustean template of good and evil geometry, a new astrological paradigm would emerge. The purpose of this article is not to present an alternative to traditional aspect theory, but rather to shed some light on limiting and antiquated thought-forms that generate fear in the astrologer and interfere with objective, empirical observation of astrological fact. The dualistic 'good vs. bad aspect' assumption is not only erroneous, it is actually damaging to astrology, its practitioners and those seeking information from professionals. The good vs. evil mentality, whether referring to planets or aspects, gives to investigative scholars the impression that astrology is hopelessly stupid and unworthy of close examination.

This dualism is inappropriate to contemporary astrology. It breaks down at the level of harmonics and arc transforms (see the pioneering work of John Addey and John Nelson). Aspects like septiles (51.4+ degrees) or aspects of 22 ½ degrees cannot be categorized as even-odd, male or female, or even euphemistically as soft or hard. Cosmobiology, a fascinating and effective school of German astrology only employs squares, oppositions, conjunctions, semi-squares and sesqui-squares, although it leans heavily on the concept of malefic and benefic planets.

Is gender necessary?

Certain implications and questions are then raised by this historical perspective that are too numerous to be thoroughly addressed here. For the moment, one might wonder if it is even valid to assign gender to numbers at all. And if so, why call the number one a masculine number and two a feminine number? An argument could be developed that number one should be feminine since the process of creation itself requires one egg to be inundated by many sperm. Therefore, one could be representative of the feminine, and two, the traditional number of diversity and multiplicity, could be masculine.

That is not to say that this argument is accurate, but rather, that classical gender assignment to numbers may ultimately have been arbitrary, or an historical manifestation of cultural identity, not a truth grounded in sacred fact. Perhaps at one distant time this perspective of male and female numbers was reflective of a relevant socio-spiritual value system, but it certainly is no longer appropriate to contemporary culture which is moving away from sexual stereotypes and developing an increasing balance in psycho-sexual roles and expression. Astrology, as a meaningful reflection of evolving culture should mirror this developmental process.

Unfortunately, astrology's tendentious habits of evaluating good and bad influences, its claims of predicting the future, and the pigeon-holing of character based on rigid cook-book, state-trait typologies have for the most part alienated serious intellectual and academic inquiry. And in general, these habits have stultified and interfered with potential growth and evolution in the field. Only astrology, among all the major sciences, failed to make a successful transition during the scientific revolution of the 17th through the 19th centuries. It has subsequently lingered in a darkened closet for centuries in a developmentally frozen state, remaining a fossilized and formulaic cosmological technology that continues to reduce personality and behavior to narrow and confining definitions. Astrology has had pitifully few great minds drawn to it since Kepler, who observed nearly four hundred years ago that there was no difference between the various aspects, and who announced the great need for astrological reform.

Sadly, many practitioners still fervently cling to dogmatic astrological practices, unquestioningly adhering to an almost religious astral orthodoxy. Challenging the orthodoxy has, at times, generated a contemptuous and hostile witch hunt mentality, because many of astrology's devotees tend to be threatened by innovation and reform. At the other end of the reaction continuum, innovative concepts are largely ignored. The responses to Gauquelin evoked both these extremes.

With the advent of computer applications of astrology since the 1970's, we are presently able to study tens of thousands of birth charts, many of which have been painstakingly collected by pioneers like Michel Gauquelin and Lois Rodden. Compare that to the limited number of accurate charts available for observation in the past. If one takes the time to objectively observe the information contained in the endless number of charts we now have access to, how can it possibly be denied that many of the claims of traditional astrology are simply invalid? For every chart that conforms to traditional astrology's formulae, there are numerous others that completely contradict the textbooks. Al-biruni and Kepler were well aware of this even without computers. They were both highly critical of the astrological dogma that they were confronted with in their own eras.

Toward a Redefinition of Astrology

I have been a practicing astrologer for nearly three decades. By no means am I rejecting astrology or its fascinating capacity to offer insight and illumination. Nor am I denying the existence of the many talented and gifted astrologers who are helping multitudinous people throughout the world. On the contrary, I embrace astrology for myself and my clients and find it most rewarding and stimulating. It has helped me enormously in achieving a happy and fulfilling life. I learn something new from every chart that I look at, and am endlessly amazed at the surprises and unexpected conditions that an astrological chart can present. Neither am I denying the transformative contributions made by brilliant astrologers such as Dane Rudhyar and Zipporah Dobyns, and the successful interfacing of astrology with psychology.

However, I am suggesting that astrology is held back by its own denial and superstitions, and needs to be renovated and purified of many of its deep-seated assumptions surrounding areas like aspects, malefics, exaltations and prediction. The language of astrology must be closely scrutinized and cleansed of the hidden biases and innuendoes that are deeply embedded in its rhetoric. Astrologers need to rethink what can and cannot be determined by a birth chart. The question must be asked "What are the limits of astrology?".

Astrology never has been and never will be an exact science. It is a unique sacred, intuitive technology that is inseparable from the condition of human free will, both at the individual and at the collective levels. Astrology, therefore, as a body of knowledge, should not be permitted to stagnate yet further into a ponderously outmoded orthodoxy. Astrologers should not hesitate to continually examine and redefine the basic assumptive sets of our science, and to do so with ruthless determination to eliminate everything rigid, false and obscuring.

Paradigms of reality, whatever they may be, are cultural metaphors. When the paradigm of astrology developed, it inherited the attitudinal precepts of its culture, which were essentially dualistic, patriarchal and repressive of the feminine. The androgynous equalizing of sexual energies and the redefinition of gender currently occurring in our present era call for a similar balancing and reassessment within our own astrological discipline. To do this requires intellectual courage, an open mind and a loosening of one's hold on traditional interpretive approaches.

The time has come to storm the sanctuary of ignorance. The presumptive authority of astrology's past must finally be confronted. There may be a temporary period of uncertainty and doubt until a new and fresh perspective takes root, but the birth of a new Gestalt is certain to appear as part of the natural rhythm of change.

Sources

Barton, Tamsyn; Ancient Astrology, London and New York, Routledge, 1994
Bowden, Mary Ellen; The Scientific Revolution in Astrology: The English Reformers, unpublished doctoral dissertation, Yale University, 1974
Bouché-Leclercq, A; L’astrologie grecque, Paris, 1899
Eliade, Mircea; A History of Religious Ideas, vol. 1, London, The University of Chicago Press, 1978
Guthrie, Kenneth Sylvan; The Pythagorian Sourcebook and Library, Grand Rapids, MI, Phanes Press, 1988
Hutin, Serge; A History of Alchemy, (trans. Tamara Alferoff), New York, Walker and Co., 1962
Jung, C.G.; Alchemical Studies, (trans. R.F.C. Hull), Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 1983
Jung, C.G.; Mysterium Coniunctionis, (trans. R.F.C. Hull), Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 1989
Jung, C.G.; The Practice of Psychotherapy, (trans. R.F.C. Hull), NY, Pantheon Books, 1966
Jung, C.G.; Psyche and Symbol, (ed. Violet S. De Laszlo), Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 1991
Lindberg, David C.; The Beginnings of Western Science; The European Tradition in Philosophical, Religious, and Institutional Context, 600 B.C. to A.D. 1450, Chicago and London, The University of Chicago Press, 1992
Mallory, J.P.; In Search of the Indo-Europeans: Language, Archaeology and Myth, London, Thames and Hudson Ltd, 1992
Martin, Luther H; Hellenistic Religions, New York, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1987
Read, John; From Alchemy to Chemistry, New York, Dover Publications Inc., 1995
Shumaker, Wayne; The Occult Sciences in the Renaissance: A Study in Intellectual Patterns, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London, University of California Press, 1972

Prelude to a New Era: Saturn and Jupiter Set the Stage for Pluto's Entry into Capricorn by Shelley Jordan

2007-12-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

December 18 Jupiter enters Capricorn
December 19 Saturn goes retrograde in Virgo

This upcoming week the cosmos is preparing the celestial canvas for Pluto's imminent entrance into Capricorn on January 25, 2008. This momentous turning point is underscored by Jupiter's arrival in Capricorn on December 18 and Saturn's self-reflective retrograde period, which begins the following day, December 19.

It’s always exciting to contemplate the possibilities that might develop when one of the outer planets enters a new sign. Especially when the slowest and most distant planets, Neptune and Pluto change signs, we experience significant cultural developments and trends that last for years. Pluto and Neptune represent the deepest layers of the collective consciousness and the compulsive evolutionary drives that propel and shape social phenomena and the collective focus.

The signs Neptune and Pluto occupy define the disposition of an era that can last from 12 to over 30 years. Pluto's sign indicates where some of the deepest impulses for purification and transformation will take place, where obsolete, lifeless constructs might give way to renewal. Capricorn and Saturn symbolize the structure and boundaries of consensus reality, the principles of responsibility, authority, the father archetype, maturity and leadership, government and laws - both spiritual and man-made. Pluto in Capricorn may indicate a regeneration and rebirth of humanity's symbols of authority and law. The American Revolution took place the last time Pluto was in Capricorn, giving birth to a new form of government and leadership.

Neptune represents humanity's reservoirs of images, myths, and symbols that define and inspire the slowly evolving mass consciousness. The dreamlike image-forming function of Neptune is seen in the cultural icons, fashions and trends of the era - society's waking dreams. The sign that Neptune occupies will describe the consensus ideals of the time - what is considered desirable, chic and glamorized by the media and the intelligentsia, the collectively idealized values and cultural standards, even fashion.

For instance, Neptune has been in Aquarius since 1998. The electronic age of information, technology and gadgetry (cell phones, personal computers, etc.) and the idea of the global village/community have ubiquitously dominated the cultural landscape. The iPod is the emblem of this current digital age, in which information has replaced material goods as the most valuable commodity. We're riding the crest of the Digital Revolution as Neptune passes through the final decan of Aquarius.

Neptune creates the inspiring vision/ideal of the time and Pluto eliminates and reforms everything that gets in the way of realizing Neptune's ideals. Pluto has been in doctrinal Sagittarius since 1995, and will enter practical Capricorn on January 25, 2008. The pragmatism and realism of Saturn-ruled Capricorn may place limits on much of the doctrinal, religious and ethical conflicts of Pluto in Sagittarius that are currently so widespread.

As if to support and emphasize the realism and utilitarian functionality of the upcoming Capricornian era, this week Saturn goes stationary retrograde in Virgo (December 19) and Jupiter enters Capricorn (December 18). This will give us all an opportunity to begin to identify and solve our own practical concerns, and to begin to create a philosophy of economy and safety. The Saturnian emphasis on frugality, responsibility and conservation may contribute to a more realistic set of expectations and goals for ourselves and others, hopefully bringing to closure this era of extravagance, waste and ethical bombast. This next week begins the prelude to the upcoming passage of Pluto into Capricorn as the collective archetypes of authority and responsibility prepare for purification and renewal.

Amplified Transformation: Jupiter Conjuncts Pluto on December 11, 2007 by Shelley Jordan

2007-12-06T23:07:00.001-08:00

Pluto, the Cosmic Recycler, has been in Sagittarius since 1995. Pluto's action is purifying and transformational; it brings outmoded constructs to the surface to be purged from consciousness, allowing new, healthier and more appropriate thought forms to replace what is toxic to the system, whether it's personal, or at the level of the collective. The compost from past, obsolete materials provides the nutritive substance for new growth and systemic health, for the individual and for society. This churning process of cleansing and transforming the patterns of the past into revitalized impulses and thought forms is the essence of the evolutionary cosmic force, and is the very reason for our being.

Since Sagittarius represents higher learning, philosophy, religion, nature, expansion and all forms of doctrine, we've witnessed many typically Plutonian power struggles in these arenas. Religious wars, moral conflicts and the vast waste of natural resources have stood side by side with growing awareness of nature, the environment, and an unprecedented spread of knowledge and information, thanks to the internet, which blossomed unexpectedly during Pluto's transit of Sagittarius. Never before has so much information been available to so many. The empowering transformations that will come as a consequence of this vast availability of learning can only be imagined.

With Pluto, we usually see a polarization of energies that eventually reach some kind of critical mass right before the archetypally Plutonian metamorphosis takes place. One example of this collision of principles lies in the contemporary drama of Darwin versus the Bible. Modern, scientific knowledge is facing down the traditional views held by society for millennia. We can only guess which side will win; the conflict will no doubt reach some kind of resolution after Pluto enters Capricorn in 2008, when the needs of sheer practicality will probably eclipse the luxury of philosophical debate.

On December 11, Jupiter will join Pluto in the final degrees of
Sagittarius, bringing these current dramas of excess to a climactic
finale. Historically, Jupiter has the reputation of being the Greater
Benefic, and is supposed to grant arbitrary boons as it passes through
people's charts. This is really a myth: Jupiter has no better vibes
than any other planet. It represents one's beliefs, the principle of
expansion and magnification. It will enlarge anything it comes into
contact with, and we know from experience that more isn't necessarily
better, as in the case of plant fertilizer.

Another Jupiter Pluto conjunction in Sagittarius will not occur for at least another 250 years. So what
can we expect when the planet of ethics and amplification meets the
planet of transformation and rebirth? Perhaps an acceleration of the
transformational imperatives mandated by Pluto's journey through
Sagittarius. It's a quick transit, lasting only a few days. So it
might be a good time for a personal moral inventory as the New Year
approaches, a time to reflect on your goals and aspirations for the
upcoming year. Sagittarius is the goal setting sign. Thinking about
your future direction, with Sagittarian optimism and perspicacity, may
help lay the groundwork for the upcoming transitions that will occur
when Pluto enters the practical, conservative and empirical sign of
Capricorn. Flush out the darkness and welcome the light - with
conscious intent. Download as much optimism and hope as you can from
the celestial internet on December 11. The effects could result in a
long-lasting and spiritually nutritious catalyst for your own
transformation. Transformation is, after all, the driving propellant
of life on Earth.

Astrology and Relationships Part II: The Relationship Profile in Your Chart by Shelley Jordan

2007-11-21T17:02:00.000-08:00

Our relationships emanate from the core of our existence. Primary relationships in particular are the pivotal points around which life operates. Even the decision, conscious or not, to avoid relationships determines the structure of our living patterns.

Astrology can be quite helpful in defining the nature and types of relationships that are nutritionally required by each individual. Each of us has relationship requirements that are unique. We do not all need exactly the same type of relationship, and there is no one type of affiliation that would satisfy everyone's needs. One person's soul mate can be another person's pariah.

Each chart makes a symbolic statement about the kinds of interpersonal connections that are food for the soul's growth. And as our souls evolve and change over time, their nutritional requirements develop as well. The kinds of people and relationships that may have been appropriate for one phase of growth could prove to be toxic and inappropriate for a new stage.

The basic natal patterns, the soul's DNA codes, do not change. But the use of the energy does. What was once a problem area may become a strength, and our choice of associates reflects those developments. Terminated relationships, like divorce, do not mean failure. They can be indications of growth, like a child's old, worn out sneakers that become too tight. All relationships, whether family, friend or romantic, do not have to succeed or endure. And the termination of a relationship does not mean the other person is bad or at fault.

Relationships are the soil in which our souls develop. All soil is not good for all plants. What is nourishing for one plant can kill off another. And sometimes soil just gets depleted. However, everything is in interrelationship, as the Buddha said. The Sanskrit term pratitya samutapda means that everything is interdependent on everything else; nothing exists in a vacuum. Relationships are everything. And they don't just have to be with other humans. Our animal friends can be just as spiritually connected to us as any human.

Determining Your Relationship Profile
To derive the patterns that describe your relationship affinities, look to see what patterns are symbolically repeated in your chart. Look to any planets in your 7th house, the ruler of your 7th, Venus, and if you like, the asteroids Juno an Pallas. Also, planets in opposition to your Sun and Moon can be significant. You'll notice that certain themes composed of signs, planets and houses will emerge. Whatever is symbolically repeated the most often will describe the qualities to which we are the most attracted in another, and the kind of connection that will be the most fulfilling to you.

For instance, if you have Capricorn on your 7th house cusp, Mercury in the 7th, and Venus in Virgo aspecting Saturn, big time work themes will be tied in with relationships, because these factors are symbolic of productivity and effort. So we may be drawn to very hard working individuals, or we may work with our partners in some way. Or, we may have to develop our own competence and capability in order to mature enough to maintain a relationship.

Whatever is symbolically repeated the most often will describe the qualities to which we are the most drawn, and the kind of connection that will be the most fulfilling for us. Let's say you have Libra on your 7th house cusp, with Neptune in the 7th and Venus, the ruler of the 7th and the planet of love itself, in Pisces in the 12th. You may have an idealistic vision of love that resonates with your inner spirituality, and might do best with a sensitive, imaginative romantic. Spirituality and love may be totally intertwined, and you may have to learn to be realistic about the people you connect with in order to avoid disillusionment. Putting your partner up on a pedestal can interfere with having an equal relationship. Seeing your partner for who he or she is, warts and all, instead of your idealization of that person, can be a key to a more intimate connection.

Or, let's say you have Uranus in your 7th in Cancer, with the ruler of your 7th in Aries in your 4th squaring that Uranus. Themes of freedom and dependency may draw you to a highly independent person who also requires a lot of nurturing. Or you may have to resolve your own issues about personal freedom and dependency.

Your birth chart can reveal not only what kind of partner will suit you, but also the work you need to do on yourself to attract that person. It really is possible to find your soul mate(s), but first you have to find your own soul, not an easy task in today's polluted, toxic world. Using your chart to help identify issues that might interfere with closeness and commitment can speed up the process. If the ruler of your 7th is square Mars, for instance, work on controlling your temper and developing patience. If the South Node is in your 1st, forming a healthy relationship with yourself might be a prerequisite to unlocking the gate to partnership. If Pluto and Scorpio are thematically tied in to your relationships, learn to handle power and resolve power struggles. If Mercury and Gemini are prominent, communication may be the key, either becoming a better listener or expressing yourself verbally.

Use your chart as a dharma guide. Every factor in your chart can be expressed in a positive and healthy way. Nothing in your chart mandates whether you will or won't connect with your soul mate. That's up to you.

Astrological Compatibility: Part I by Shelley Jordan

2007-11-08T01:04:00.000-08:00

Sexism and Theories of Astrological Compatibility
One of the things I hear most frequently is the plaintive concern people express when they think that their Sun signs are not compatible with those of their loved ones. Typically, I’ll hear something like "I’m a Gemini but she's a Capricorn. That's not good, right?" My heart goes out to all the people who worry needlessly about such things. While there is something of substance to astrological compatibility, it's more complex than just comparing Sun signs. Each chart contains its own detailed relationship profile, which I'll discuss in Part II of this series.

Astrological chart comparison, called synastry, has its traditional foundations in the idea that compatibility exists only between signs that are the same gender. Air and Fire signs, which are masculine, are supposed to get along, as are the feminine Earth and Water signs, or so the tradition goes. But allegedly, neither Fire nor Air will match up with Water or Earth. At least this is what the textbooks say.

I heartily disagree. Gender stereotypes are obsolete. This old-fashioned tradition is based on early Greek astrological theory which condemned the zodiacal intermixing of genders. I discussed the history of this elemental gender bias in an earlier article, The Elements and Patterns of Perception in Astrology.
http://sjordanastrology.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html

Long ago the signs of the Zodiac were assigned gender. Fire and Air were identified as masculine because these elements rose upward to the patriarchal sky god. Water and Earth were tagged as feminine because of the tendency of liquids and solids to move in a downward direction to the very ground itself, which was then personified as Mother Earth. And let's not forget that Hell was located in the center of the Earth, an insidious little detail that subtly tainted the meanings of the elements and signs.

Any interaction between masculine and feminine signs was considered inharmonious because of the prevailing cultural restrictions that segregated the sexes in those early days. This attitude of gender bias spread to aspect theory. Harmonious aspects could only occur between signs of the same gender. For instance, masculine Aries (Fire) is sextile masculine Gemini (Air), and trine masculine Leo (Fire).

Relationships between signs of differing genders correspond with the so-called stress or inharmonious aspects: feminine Taurus (Earth) is square masculine Aquarius (Air) and quincunx masculine Sagittarius (Fire). These signs are considered incompatible because of the intermingling of gender. Depending on the astrologer, a tenuous exception is the opposition, which occurs between signs of the same gender. Astrologers tend to be ambivalent about whether oppositions are conflicted or complementary. ‘Afflicted’ is the lovely term that’s been used to describe planets that are believed to be poorly placed by sign or aspect, an old-fashioned concept that can actually cause needless damage to the susceptible client.

My personal observations have never substantiated this doctrine of gender and harmony. Traditional textbook astrology has repeatedly claimed the fundamental duality of harmonious and inharmonious signs and aspects, and few astrologers really question this doctrine or understand the historic origins of these claims.

I observed contradictions to these ironclad rules very early on in my career. I not only saw allegedly difficult aspects function perfectly well for many people, but noticed that the supposedly harmonious aspects made no difference at all in lots of cases - no better, no worse than the inharmonious ones. And many times the ‘afflictions’ were found in charts of highly successful individuals.

This lack of evidence was true not only in individual charts, but between charts as well. Very few astrologers would acknowledge this, because most astrology books just keep repeating the same old doctrine of harmony generation after generation. But if you look at enough charts with an open mind, the truth will emerge. There really is no problem between signs of differing genders. Harmony and discord are personal, not astrological issues.

Symbols and Attraction
You'll find far more information about your relationship potential by looking at repeating symbols that form patterns in your chart than you will by searching for good or bad aspects. Each birth chart has reiterating themes that express the soul's evolutionary imperatives as well as karmic, or habituated, challenges. Frequently, the only way to determine if something is a challenge or not is to interview or otherwise gain in depth knowledge of the individual who owns the chart. It is always important to remember that the map is not the territory and what may be difficult for one person can be a piece of cake for another, astrologically speaking.

These themes appear in a variety of ways: by house, sign, planet and aspect combinations. For a theme to be significant it needs to appear in at least three different ways. One aspect or planetary placement does not a theme make. There are specific factors in the chart that address relationships. For instance, one of the factors that describes relationships are planets in the relationship houses: the 5th, 7th and 8th especially. Someone with Pluto in the 7th may be drawn to a partner with planets in Scorpio or in the 8th house or with some other Plutonian emphasis. A Moon in Aquarius might be drawn to someone with Sun conjunct Uranus. Saturn conjunct Venus might find a Sun or Moon in Capricorn to be desirable. Neptune in the 5th might fall in love with a Pisces Moon. Think symbolically instead of in terms of harmonious or discordant.

We're all basically looking for someone to understand us and complement us. People with similar symbolic patterns are most likely to have insight into us and we into them. On the other hand, we could easily be drawn to a partner who is not like us externally, but in some way balances us. A very sensitive lunar individual may find support and equilibration with a grounded Saturn type. Or an assertive Mars personality might benefit from the tolerance and gentleness of a Venus type. These examples are oversimplifications, because no chart can be reduced to one specific planet or sign. We're all symbolic symphonies of energy. Nonetheless, at the core, our relationships are the most successful when they occur with people who are equal to us - on the same level developmentally and with some shared, internal energy.

As I've said, every birth chart is dominated by repeating themes that describe love, partnerships and emotional needs. These themes can be expressed in many ways since the planets, signs and houses are all analogously related, and are expressions of astrology's twelve-fold vocabulary. Mars is symbolically equivalent to Aries and the 1st house, and so on through the Zodiac. So, Neptune in the 7th house is similar to Venus in Pisces, or the ruler of the 7th in the 12th, all examples of similar energies.

As you study and meditate on your chart you'll become more familiar with the repeating and emerging symbols that describe your relationship patterns. Getting stuck with the old-fashioned idea of compatible signs won't get you very far and can be quite frustrating. Forget about what signs are 'supposed' to go with what, and instead look to the planets and houses as well as the Zodiac to describe repetitive relationship patterns. Aspects are important as far as they describe and enforce themes. For instance, Capricorn on the 7th house cusp, Venus in any aspect to Saturn and the ruler of the 7th in the 10th are all thematically related.

Another way to look at themes is in more complex combination. Symbols subtly change in meaning as they are combined with one another, just like flavors and colors. Let's say someone has Mars in the 7th house, Venus in Aries and planets in Aquarius in the 5th house. The independent signs Aries and Aquarius are connected with two of the relationship houses. An independent partner would be attractive in this case, or a relationship that is not bound by rules and excessive structure.

On the other hand, if Aries is combined with Scorpio in the relationship pattern, developing a partnership that embraces both personal freedom and intense intimacy might be desired, or relationships that emphasize conflict resolution or assertion of boundaries in some way.

If you release the idea of harmonious or dissonant aspects and replace it with the idea of themes, you will not only find it easier to understand the complexities of a birth chart, but you'll also be releasing the anxiety-producing judgments produced by the issues of good or bad aspects and gender related signs.

Whenever I look at charts for clients in relationships I never think “will this or won’t this relationship work out?” Instead, I think “what needs to be done so this relationship will work out?”. Astrology won’t tell us if a relationship will succeed, but it can tell us how it can succeed.

The Legend of Mercury Retrograde

2007-11-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

by Shelley Jordan

The fluctuating planetary environment is a living field. It stimulates your growth just as the Sun stimulates the process of phototropism (growing towards the light) in plants. As the transiting planets form aspects to various placements in your natal chart, your individual semesters of personal growth become clearly defined. The movements of the planets in general create the ambiance in which the collective operates - astrological weather patterns which everyone experiences to varying degrees, in one way or another.

While your life is primarily the product of the combined interactions of your genetics, your socioeconomic conditions, your upbringing and the consequences of your own decision-making processes, the planetary atmosphere adds one more contributing factor to this complex aggregate of conditions.

It is helpful to have an awareness of the changing astrological weather, the psychic medium in which our microcosmic selves operate. A good deal of planetary activity is in store for us during the month of November.

Especially when planets make direction turns, retrograde or direct, we can tap into stimulating pulses of change. This is due to the shifting and increasing levels of movement in the surrounding cosmic environment, which, as I said above, is a vital and dynamic energy field. You can think of this field as a natural resource to be tapped into like any energy source.

Retrograde periods provide opportunities for the review, reflection and rethinking of significant life issues. They offer us another chance to process our development and to consider the progress we have or haven’t made during the previous months.

Retrograde periods are part of the natural cycle of each of the planets. There’s a common tendency among astrologers to bemoan retrograde periods, especially Mercury’s. I think this could be a case of people anticipating difficulties and noticing them more during this particular time of the retrograde, and then conveniently ignoring them the rest of the year. However, there may well be some increase in some of these minor glitches, and there are some very good reasons for the potential rise in these annoying little incidents while the planet of communication is retracing its steps.

The Legend of Mercury Retrograde

Mercury operates cognitively and is the planet of communication. It perceives categories and information. Jupiter, its intellectual counterpart, grasps interconnections and relationships.

All the little events - delays and minor mechanical inconveniences - that occur during Mercury’s retrograde actually take place all the time. But many astrologers only notice them while Mercury is retrograde. I am unaware of any scientific study that demonstrates that auto or computer repair shops have a higher rate of clients while Mercury is retrograde than at other times of the year.

However, there may be somewhat of an increased tendency to miss spelling errors, communications or appointments during the retrograde period. I think this is due to the mind’s tendency to be preoccupied with reflective thought during this phase of Mercury’s cycle. Mercury is the mental function, and at the highest level, it represents the Divine Mind, the cosmic intellect which is capable of intuition and perceiving higher truths.

Mercury retrograde has a very benign effect and does not deserve all the fuss that goes on in anticipation of it. But as the planet of communication moves backwards, there can be a bit disruption in the sphere of its activity because people are distracted and preoccupied.

Merely a time for reflection and introspection, Mercury retrograde tends towards thinking for oneself, thinking through issues and problem solving. Part of the natural cycle, Mercury retrogrades are in no way cause for all the anxiety one observes among some of the astrologically inclined.

Use it for contemplation, finding alternative solutions and coming up with new ideas. It’s a very useful period which occurs three times every year. It is an opportunity for original thinking, problem solving, introspection and enhanced subjective perception. It is not necessary to avoid important activity because Mercury is retrograde. Carry on and take advantage of the Divine Mind’s reflective state. But make sure that enough attention is paid to small details so that avoidable glitches don’t arise.

November 1: Inner Peace
Mercury goes direct in Libra, bringing to a close this year’s final Mercury retrograde cycle (each year has three). Interpersonal communication can now be conducted with more confidence and objectivity if you have taken advantage of this retrograde period’s opportunities for pondering and weighing your options in important personal and professional decisions.

Having gone retrograde in emotionally intense Scorpio, Mercury finally reaches a halt in the more detached and objective sign of Libra. This past retrograde period was supportive of peace keeping, resolution of discord - personal or interpersonal - and developing harmonious methods of communication. The personal quest for inner serenity may have been highlighted during the past few weeks, as Mercury helped define solutions and options to conflict. This was a good period to tie up past loose ends and complete unfinished business.

November 15: Emotional Courage
Mars goes retrograde in emotional, familial Cancer. Activity on the home front can increase and accelerate, and you can use this time to repair or remodel. Family life can buzz with excitement. Household projects can have added fuel and domestic pursuits are charged with energy. Family projects can be defined and promoted. Disagreements and family conflicts can come out into the open, hostilities can be brought to the table for resolution by the time Mars goes direct on January 30, 2008. Exercising emotional self control and taking charge of moods are productive challenges during this retrograde period, when effective self assertion in emotional matters can be developed.

November 24: Spiritual Adventures
Uranus goes direct in Pisces, making way for the continuing liberation of the imagination, compassion and your personal dreams and visions. The search for new spiritual sources of inspiration can proceed. Sometimes the energy can get a little quickened when Uranus redirects its course, so take advantage of the winds of change and point your ship in the direction you want to go. Uranus going direct can bring a possibility of accelerated activity along with an enhancement of the socializing impulse towards friendship and companionship.

THE ZODIAC PART II: Characteristics, Issues, Spiritual Lessons by Shelley Jordan

2007-10-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

"It is more important to find out the truth about one's self, than to find out the truth of heaven and hell."
Hazrat Inayat Khan

The signs of the Zodiac describe 12 archetypal functions or drives in the human psyche. We have all 12 of them in our birth charts in varying proportions, distributed among the 10 planets and 12 houses. Most charts have 2 or 3 signs emphasized. These signs are the “theme songs” of our lives.

Below are some of the characteristics, issues and spiritual lessons associated with the signs. Just because you may be a Gemini or a Virgo (meaning your birthday falls when the Sun is traveling through these signs) does not mean that you are entirely described by that one sign.

Your chart is a combination of many variables, which take on different colorations depending on the interactions of the planets, signs and houses. But these variables can be condensed into the primary and secondary spiritual melodies in your psyche. Learning the meanings of each of the signs is a huge step towards understanding some of the complexities of your birth chart.

In future articles we'll continue to look at the factors that go into understanding the symbolic messages in your chart.

ARIES Independence, self-sufficiency, courage, the instinct for survival and personal freedom, self-assertion, the fighting instinct, competitive, athletic, doing one’s own thing, love of the new, enthusiasm, quick on the uptake, sense of identity

TAURUS Development of personal values, sense of ownership, body awareness, money consciousness, the pleasure principle, aesthetics, relaxing and enjoying the world of the senses, nurturing, endurance, productivity, stability, strength, determination, persevering

GEMINI Communication, cognitive functioning, reason, love of variety, mobility, flexibility, intellect and the learning process, sibling relationships, language skills, wit, movement, fun-loving, quicksilver, mercurial, whimsical, flirtatious, dexterous

CANCER Nurturing, the mother and family, emotional sensitivity, need for a safe nest, security needs, history, memories, finding and/or giving protection, food, emotionally expressive, comforting, self protection, affection, sheltering, honoring the past

LEO Self expression, creativity, personal pride, dignity, giving and receiving love, dramatization of the emotions, glamour, flair, leadership, center stage, entertaining, romantic love and love of children, playfulness, confidence, sincerity, regal

VIRGO Analytical abilities, attention to detail, work, productivity, service to others, health and healing, critical faculties, humility, purity, cleanliness, standards of excellence, organizational abilities, pets, devotional, modest, methodical, reliable

LIBRA Relationships, balance, harmony, beauty, social skills, diplomacy, companionship, rational thought, moderation, cooperation or competition, decision making process, fairness, equality, peace, significant others, search for serenity, considerate, gentle, kind

SCORPIO Transformation and rebirth, boundary setting, intensity, passion, depth, the mysterious, shared resources, resources of others, research, investment and its return, privacy, trust, intimacy, control, perceptive, extremes and limit setting, self control and letting go, personal power, dedication

SAGITTARIUS Personal beliefs about life and about oneself, quest for knowledge, goal orientation, adventure, expansion, search for meaning, religious impulse, morality, travel, the big picture, nature, largesse, sports, fitness, optimism, humor, joviality, foreign cultures, wisdom seeking, philosophical, independence, generosity

CAPRICORN Responsibility, maturity, father and fatherhood, ambition, meeting challenges, self discipline, structure, capacity for hard work, labor and its rewards, authority, early maturity but slow development like an oak, serious, overcoming obstacles, sense of duty, authoritative

AQUARIUS Group consciousness, friendship, maintaining individuality in the group, systems orientation, science, technology, detachment, abstract thinking, ingenuity, personal liberties, personal relationship to humanity, nonconformist, individuality, rebelliousness against imposed authority, intelligence

PISCES Imagination, dream function, compassion, artistic, musical, withdrawn, sensitive, gentleness, behind the scenes activities, fantasy life, spirituality, idealism, search for ultimates, love of beauty, need for healthy escape, transcendence, plasticity, ecstasy states, psychological, empathic, reclusive

Mercury Retrograde 10-11-07 through 11-01-07 by Shelley Jordan

2007-10-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

Mercury went retrograde on Thursday, October 11 at 11:01 PM. While it's nothing at all to be alarmed over, it's always a good idea to back up important files on your computer, double check your spelling and correspondence before you send out anything important, and make sure your car and other mechanical devices are in sound condition. Most of all, practice patience and focused attention, because Mercury retrograde is a time for review, proof-reading your life, and processing the work that we've done during the past few months. Never anything to fear, instead, embrace this period of reflection and introspection as part of the natural cycle of Time. When it goes direct on November 1 at 8:01 PM, you'll have had ample opportunity to audit your life and relationships, to reconsider important decisions, and to practice the patience that's required to deal with some of the harmless mishaps that can take place during Mercury's retrograde periods, which occur three times every year.

The Zodiac Part 1: The Solar Pathway by Shelley Jordan

2007-10-12T17:34:00.000-07:00

The Solar Pathway
The Zodiac is an ancient symbolic cycle of universal archetypes. An early celestial coordinate system dating back to the Babylonians, the Zodiac may be approached and utilized in a number of ways. Its functions range from a casual and popular method of distinguishing personality types based on birthdays (I’m a Taurus, you’re a Sagittarius), to a sacred, contemplative mandala which encompasses the stages of the soul’s evolutionary journey from selfhood to universality. It is commonly used in techniques of astrological divination.

The Zodiac is also is a poetic representation of the vegetative calendar of the northern hemisphere, utilizing the seasonal transitions - the equinoxes and solstices - as its framework. This calendric mandala of Nature’s processes may be applied metaphorically to the stages of spiritual evolution from birth at Aries to the dissolution of the boundaries of ego and structure in Pisces.

There are a number of different Zodiacs in use. Most of them are based on 12-fold divisions of the Ecliptic, the Sun’s apparent path around the Earth. The Sidereal Zodiac, which is most commonly used in the East, marks out sections of the Ecliptic using constellations. The Sun and all the planets appear to travel along this segmented path which is defined by specific clusters of stars. This Zodiac is spatially divided by 12 actual constellations that can be seen with the naked eye. There are several versions of this type of system in use, depending on how one locates the beginnings and endings of star groups.

The Tropical Zodiac, most frequently employed in the West, is based on the seasonal calendar in which the Spring Equinox launches the first degree of the 360° circle. This schema is time-based, utilizing the seasons and cardinal directions as the markers by which the Ecliptic is divided into 12 equal signs.

The differences between these two primary methods of dividing the Ecliptic - the Sidereal and the Tropical - are often used by detractors of astrology as an argument against astrology. The argument states that there is a variance of approximately 23 degrees between 0° Aries in the two systems. And this is true due to the precession of the equinoxes, a topic that will be discussed at a future time.

Therefore (the argument goes) astrologers don’t know where the planets are really located, thinking that when the Sun is just entering Aries at the Spring Equinox it is still in the sign of Pisces. These detractors are actually victims of their own critique, not realizing that most astrologers do, in fact, understand the distinction between these two methods of dividing the Ecliptic, and are knowingly selecting a Zodiac based on personal preference.

In the case of astrology, the interpreter of these symbols will select the system that most resonates with his/her own intuitive process. The wide diversity that exists in the complex sphere of astrological methods can be compared to the many distinctions found among the world’s languages. Languages, in their grammar and syntax, tend to be reflective of the cultural ethos from which they emanate.

Likewise, selecting techniques from the wide range of possible astrological procedures is a reflection of the personal world view of the individual practitioner. This individuality of approach should be respected by those who may have divergent perspectives. Astrology is a symbolic language of the personality - a language rich with many dialects.

There is a term in Sanskrit, anekanta, which especially applies to the attitude of tolerance best maintained concerning the numerous variations in astrological approaches. Anekanta means ‘not-one-sidedness’, or, to put it another way: ‘there is more than one way to view the world’.

The Role of Correspondence and the Modes in Astrology by Shelley Jordan

2007-10-02T21:46:00.000-07:00

The 12 Letter Alphabet and Analogical Thinking*
Not as pervasively known as the Elements, the Modes are another factor that go into understanding the basic language of astrology, which is founded on the 12 letter alphabet of the Zodiac. If you can understand the Zodiac, you will be able to begin to interpret a chart.

This is because astrology is a symbolic system based on analogues. The Zodiac is the premier analogical system central to astrology. Analogical thought is at the heart of esoteric thinking, of which astrology is one of the most prevalent representatives. Esoteric thought, one of the three great pillars of civilization, along with science and religion, employs symbol and analogy to express ideas.

Correspondence is a method of esoteric thought based on the principle of analogical thinking. Correspondence sees symbolic and/or real connections between all aspects of the visible and invisible Universe.

The Cosmos is an animated and integrated unicity teeming with hidden information that is waiting to be decoded by the perceptive mind. The ancient idea of Microcosm and Macrocosm is fundamental to this view in which Nature-Cosmos exist as an organic totality, unified by subtly linked, interconnected universal symbols, energies and patterns. Analogy replaces causality in this form of thought.

Correspondence and analogy lie at the very heart of astrological thinking, which supports the idea of the strong internal cohesion of the Cosmos. Here is one example of how analogues operate in astrology:
Mars equals Aries which equals the 1st house
Venus equals Taurus which equals the 2nd house
Mercury equals Gemini which equals the 3rd house and so on.

The term “equals” means “analogous to”. In other words, the energies of courage and independent action which Aries represents are also found in the meaning of the 1st house and the planet Mars. The Taurean principles of personal values, pleasure and finances are also the domain of Venus and the 2nd house. Communication and learning styles are symbolized by Gemini, Mercury, and the 3rd house. Learning the meaning of the 12 signs is easy. We will begin to address them in next week’s article.

The Three Modes
There are three Modes: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. It is not necessary to overstate the role that the Modes play in interpreting a birth chart. Their influence is subtle. Occasionally, a chart will be dominated by one of the three Modes, in which case that Mode may have a bit more significance than it would otherwise. But in most cases, a chart will have the Modes fairly evenly distributed, and therefore, they won’t need to be emphasized.

Understanding their meaning is quite helpful, though, in decoding a birth chart. The three Modes form the three Grand Crosses in the zodiac. The same Mode is repeated every fourth sign, or every 90 degrees of the circle. Each sign will be one of these three, alternating through the zodiac in the sequence of Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable.

CARDINAL: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
The cardinal signs initiate the seasons, and provide the skeletal structure of the zodiac. They are associated with events, activity and initiative.
Cardinal signs are volitional, enterprising and action oriented.

FIXED: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
The fixed signs are stabilizing, enduring and resolute. They lean towards permanence and stability.
Fixed signs have staying power, determination and endurance.

MUTABLE: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
The mutable signs are adaptive, flexible, and capable of multitasking. They adjust to external events and are responsive and accommodating to external conditions.
Mutable signs are adaptable, flexible, and pliable.

Table of the Modes’ Characteristics
Cardinal Activation Doing
Fixed Stabilization Being
Mutable Variation Responding

The Modes and the Elements
Putting together the Modes with the Elements, it becomes apparent that the Zodiac is not at all random or arbitrary. It has a pattern and structure to it that orders the sequence, and therefore, the meaning of the signs.

Aries Cardinal Fire
Taurus Fixed Earth
Gemini Mutable Air
Cancer Cardinal Water
Leo Fixed Fire
Virgo Mutable Earth
Libra Cardinal Air
Scorpio Fixed Water
Sagittarius Mutable Fire
Capricorn Cardinal Earth
Aquarius Fixed Air
Pisces Mutable Water

You can see in the above chart that each sign is represented by one element and one mode. There are three modes and four elements:
3 x 4 = 12 signs.

Looking at the above list in combination with last week’s article on the Elements, we can already see meaning in the signs, just by knowing their Element and Mode. For example:

Aries is a Cardinal Fire sign. It is then, vital and rich in personal identity (Fire) and active and able to take the initiative (Cardinal).

Taurus, a Fixed Earth sign, is productive and sensual (Earth) and stable and determined (Fixed).

Gemini is Mutable Air. It is social and communicative (Air), and adaptable, flexible (Mutable).

* The late Dr. Zipporah Dobyns is credited with originating the concept of “the twelve letter alphabet” as a method of simplifying astrological chart interpretation.

The Elements and Patterns of Perception in Astrology by Shelley Jordan

2007-09-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

I. The Origins of Elemental Theory
“What is the essential stuff of which the Universe is made?” This imperative question dates back at least to the ancient Greeks, who were among the first peoples to ponder this dilemma.

Today, the common answer to this question now lies in the periodic table of elements, which lists the primary chemical sources from which all material substance is derived. For the materially based mind, chemistry is quite enough. For the contemplative, inquiring mind, which tends towards metaphor as a key to esoteric truth, one may still look to the earlier philosophers for whom the world itself was an allegory for the Sacred. To certain ancient philosophers, the Cosmos itself is a hierophany, a manifestation of God.

The pre-Socratic philosophers, Greek thinkers who were active in the first millennium BCE, had a brilliant and symbolic solution to the enigmatic problem concerning the essential stuff from which all things originate. Their answer has continued to influence spiritual thought down through our current era. They concluded that every thing that exists has its source in the four elements, Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Classical elemental theory, as it is called, was appended to early astrology and to this day plays an important role in understanding the zodiac and interpreting charts.

Every one of the 12 signs of the zodiac is sequentially assigned to one of the four elements. The first sign, Aries, is Fire. The second sign, Taurus, is Earth. Next, Gemini is Air and Cancer is Water. This sequence of Fire, Earth, Air and Water is repeated throughout the Zodiac. So each of the 4 elements is associated with 3 zodiacal signs. Signs of the same element are therefore 120 degrees apart, forming the 4 elemental triangles, or Grand Trines.

II. The Issues of Gender, Sexism and the Elements
At some point in history, the elements were assigned gender in a manner that was consistent with the animistic, sexually oriented mentality that dominated early science and philosophy. The signs then would alternate: masculine and feminine around the wheel of the zodiac. Masculine Fire is followed by feminine Earth, followed by Masculine Air, feminine Water and so on.

Fire and Air, the masculine, nonmaterial elements, naturally rise upward towards the heavenly domain of the Father Sky God. Water and Earth, the designated feminine elements, move in a downward direction (as we now know, drawn by gravity). The physical and visible qualities of Earth and Water condemned them to confinement in the material plane of sin and sensuality.

The ancient Ptolemaic cosmology which formed astrology’s foundation, incorporated the four elements. It maintained its foothold on European science until the Copernican revolution. In Ptolemy’s system the Earth was placed at the center of the Universe. This was no compliment to Earth. The supreme patriarchal God was located in the upper limits of the sky, as far as possible from the earth plane. Hell was situated at the very center of Earth, completely removed from God and godliness. Earth was home to sin and the corrupt.

In old astrological textbooks this bias was implicit in the descriptions of the signs. There were obvious cultural preferences for the Fire signs, with their masculine virtues of courage, virility and vitality. The masculine Air signs had the honored characteristics of intellect and reason. Less prized were the feminine qualities of Water’s irrational emotion, and Earth’s sensuality and relation to the evils of commerce.

Today, it is no longer necessary to link the elements with gender although this practice widely continues. An easier and less controversial way of describing the distinctions between these alternating currents is to think of them as externally focused (Fire and Air) and internally focused (Earth and Water).

III. The Elements As Perceptual Modalities
The birth chart maps out the patterns of perceptions which organize consciousness and give form and shape to the personality. The chart reveals what it feels like to be a particular person and how that person's personality is oriented in the world. The chart is a key to how and why internal experience and mental states influence behavior.

The elements are archetypal sensory modalities which process information and experience in specific ways. When a chart is dominated by one or two elements, certain sensorial functions become prominent and take the lead in one’s navigation of reality. The personality’s motivations also will be influenced by the elements’ perceptual responses. For example, an individual whose chart is dominated by affective and sensitive Water will both seek out relationships which are emotionally satisfying while at the same time Water tends to be more private due to that very sensitivity. A person who is dominant in visual Fire will search for opportunities for identity enhancement. Fire pursues visible, high profile situations that are re-enforcing to self confidence and which enable that person to be viewed by others.

Fire: Visual
The Fire signs, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are associated with the ego function and sense of selfhood. Personal identity and self awareness are Fire sign objectives. At the core of each personality is the light of nature which is life inducing. That inner fire is the vitality which makes us know we're alive. Fire is warm, outgoing, energetic and confident. Its dominant sensory modality is visual and fiery energy pours outward into the objective world, externalizing the Self.

Earth: Kinesthetic
Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are the Earth signs. Earth gives us the properties of physical, tactile sensibility; Earth signs are resourceful and industrious, practical, organized, and aware of the material world of objects. Earth signs are productive, diligent and persevering. Their predominant modality is kinesthetic, making them highly aware of their bodies and the internal world of physical sensation. Their tactile sensory dominance drives them to create concrete products of their efforts.

Air: Auditory
The air signs, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are cognitive, thinking and social in nature. Air signs form social alliances by means of thought and language. Rational in nature, the air signs are capable of reason and logical thinking. They can relate to the future, and are good at planning. Air is auditory and externally focused as a consequence of their adeptness at language, sound, communication and social dynamics.

Water: Affective
The Water signs, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are concerned with the inner emotional world. Water seeks depth of feeling and emotional contact with others. Take two glasses of water and pour them into a third and you can't tell where one glass of water ends and the other begins. This is the nature of water's capacity for intimacy and emotional closeness with others. As a consequence of this sensitivity the Water signs can be private and reserved. Water is associated with empathy, memory and the capacity to store experience and to relate to the past. Water is affective and inwardly focused.

Pluto Direct in Sagittarius September 7, 2007 by Shelley Jordan

2007-09-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

Pluto is the planet of transformation and rebirth. It is also associated with empowerment and issues of power. Retrograde since March 31, it has just gone direct as of September 7. This is the last time Pluto will have a retrograde cycle before it begins its transition from Sagittarius to Capricorn next year. This direction change marks a culmination of conditons that have been developing since 1995. We are also now presented with an opportunity to reflect on the personal, cultural and environmental shifts that are occurring as a consequence of Pluto’s occupation of Sagittarius as it now prepares to exit and begin a new historic era.

Pluto is the most distant, and therefore the slowest moving planet in the solar system. Pluto takes approximately 250 years to make an entire circuit through all the signs of the zodiac. Because of its irregular orbit, this dark star lumbers very slowly through certain sections of the zodiac and speeds up, comparatively racing through others. It spends the longest amount of time in Taurus, where it remained for almost one third of the 19th century, while it recently zipped through Scorpio in only 12 years during the 1980’s and 1990’s..

Pluto has been in Sagittarius since 1995. Sagittarius represents the search for truth and meaning in life, and therefore is associated with religion and beliefs about this world and the next. It also represents the ability to identify relationships between otherwise disparate principles, and enables one to see the big picture. Sagittarius is the ring of combat between faith and fact. The most desired outcome of this dynamic is wisdom.

Knowledge equals Power: A Sagittarian revolution in education
The Big Picture of Sagittarius encompasses the vastness and diversity of Nature and, in its role as ethnic marker, it is the arena for internationalism. Sagittarius expands the mind, too, and motivates the desire for higher knowledge. Pluto in its role as the empowerment principle entered global Sagittarius only two years after the popular debut of the Internet. The advent of the Internet has generated an unprecedented, freely accessed cosmopolitan environment of the mind. The learning process is now undergoing an unavoidable quantum leap as links connect all knowledge on the web. A project to put all the books ever written on the Internet is in full swing.

One cannot imagine the powerful consequences of this free exchange of information. The Internet, a quintessential Pluto in Sagittarius phenomenon, is equal in its intellectual and cultural impact to the invention of the printing press. Knowledge can now be devoured in endless huge gulps at the Internet’s free, all-you-can eat salad bar of the mind.

Sagittarius is also associated with music. There has never been a better time for lovers of great, classical music. CDs and computer technology make available in endless amounts music that was once only available - and rarely - at concerts and at great cost. The classical music catalogue is bursting in true Sagittarian fashion with nearly all the beautiful music that’s ever been recorded since the beginning of the recording era. Thanks to the technology of the Pluto in Sagittarius epoch this has been the greatest period of free access learning in the history of humanity. The cornucopia of the intellect is overflowing with immense quantities of knowledge available at every laptop.

Pluto and the Sagittarian Shadow
Pluto also reveals that which is hidden and repressed. It is symbolically related to the Phoenix, which self-immolates and rises from its own ashes. Pluto draws up obsolete and toxic material from the collective and personal unconscious - those emotions, impulses and constructs which are no longer appropriate or good for the health of the whole, be it an individual entity or humanity as a unified organism.

Just as Pluto mined the intellect’s greatest riches, bringing them to light with the Internet, Pluto also brings up the dark shadowy world of the unconscious. The psychic gunk which Pluto draws to the surface may be poisonous or toxic and no longer appropriate to an organic system’s functionality. This decayed material needs to be released. Pluto’s cathartic action operates like a septic pump cleaning the effluence out of individual and collective fields of consciousness. Pluto facilitates the destruction of the obsolete and the birth of new forms in its role as the manifestor of the cosmic evolutionary impulse. Shiva’s dance of creation and destruction is emblematic of Pluto’s spiritual power. The release of the submerged and moldering material buried in the unconscious cleanses the field and leads to transformation and rebirth. Pluto embodies the principle of catharsis and renewal.

This present astrological epoch has witnessed flagrant excesses of humanity’s Sagittarian shadow. This shadow has taken the form of religious fanaticism, the ongoing eco-holocaust, and the extravagant waste of natural resources. Morality, a byproduct of the Sagittarian search for truth is currently espoused by individuals who are in truth the virtual enemies of goodness and authenticity. Nature is fighting back.

We may hopefully witness a victory for wisdom as the outcome of this archetypal Plutonian struggle with extremism. This present pushing of limits and hovering at the tipping point is as Plutonian as it gets. Pluto asks “How much is too much? How close to the edge can it get?” When things become unbearable and there’s that sense of “enough is enough!”, then the release of self-destructive energies begins and the old forms decompose. Renewal follows after Pluto has defined the limits.

Pluto’s direction change
It’s possible that this direction change of Pluto may mark the beginning of the turn around of some of these more intolerable conditions, the point at which certain things begin to shift because they approach the insufferable. It is also, upon reflection, underscoring the vast availability of knowledge in the wireless free market place of the mind. More information enables people to make more informed decisions. There is an intense freedom to be derived from this. Even at the personal level, one can ponder how these past 12 years have laid the foundation for more independent decisions about life directions.

Interestingly, the last time Pluto was in Sagittarius, in the mid-18th century, the Enlightenment was in full swing. The first encyclopedia was published as God took a back seat to Science and Philosophy. Religion was shunned and science and higher learning were promoted. Mozart, the greatest musical genius of all time was born. Currently we’re seeing a similar interplay between belief and knowledge, except that religion is now as pervasive and dominant as it was irrelevant and rejected during the Enlightenment. And like the Enlightenment period this era is emphatically overflowing with knowledge and information. Men of letters have reincarnated as Internet specialists. Voltaire may have come back as Bill Gates.

It’s interesting to ponder the possibilities of Pluto’s upcoming entry into conservative, corporate Capricorn, the sign of authority, structure and self-discipline. One wonders if the mega corporations that are currently being formed will step in where government fails to act. They may find ways of enforcing new rules in their own self interest about global warming and waste because of the threat these dangers represent to industry, the environment and therefore the economy. Note that the American Revolution and the birth of modern democracy occurred during Pluto’s last journey through Capricorn.

The Sun, Moon and Ascendent in Your Birth Chart by Shelley Jordan

2007-09-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

One of the questions I hear most frequently is “What is the most important item in the birth chart? The Sun sign, the Ascendent or the Moon’s sign?”

There is no simple answer to that question. Better to define the functions of each of these important astrological factors, keeping in mind that all the details of the chart, no matter how contradictory, need an outlet and some form of expression for the person to feel optimally healthy.

The Sun
“What’s your sign?” The Sun in your birth chart is what people are referring to when they mention your sign. The Sun represents:
* How you view yourself
* Your self concept and ego ideal
* What your ego is invested in
* What you like about yourself
* What feeds your self confidence
* What you are proud of in yourself

Here are some examples:
An Aries Sun may derive a lot of identity from its self reliance. They want to see themselves as independent and courageous. Assertiveness issues can interfere with self esteem, which is enhanced when they know they can stand up and defend themselves.
Cancers may want to be proud of their families and their capacity to protect and nurture their families or those very close to them. Family shame can cause ego wounds
A Pisces Sun may see itself as sensitive and empathic. Pisces can be proud of their humility and kindness.
So, the Sun in the birth chart has a lot to do with self image.

The Moon
The Moon operates at a deeper level than the Sun, which is concerned with self and ego imperatives. The Moon describes emotional security needs, what a person requires to feel okay and safe in the world. It differs from the Sun in this way: the Sun describes identity but the Moon describes inner feeling states, what soothes us and reassures us. The Moon epitomizes:
* Emotional security needs
* Most easily accessible feeling states
* What makes us feel safe
* How we give and receive nurturing
* The nature of our dependency needs - what we are most dependent on

For instance, a Taurus Moon may need financial security to feel emotionally safe. As an Earth sign, Taurus is kinesthetic and sensate, so feeling comfortable in their bodies and experiencing pleasure calms and grounds a Taurus Moon, which requires predictability and stability.

The Moon in Gemini reacts to language and how people speak to them. Gemini, like the other air signs, is auditory and verbal. Sometimes people with the Moon in Gemini need to start talking about their feelings before they even know what it is that they are feeling to begin with. They may need the spontaneity and variety in life that the Taurus Moon would avoid like the plague.

A Capricorn Moon needs to feel responsible to be emotionally secure. Work and structure can provide the security that Capricorn Moon require. They won’t feel okay unless they know they are contributing and pulling their weight A Libra Moon may need to be in a relationship to feel secure, etc.
So, the Moon is how you feel inside yourself.

The Ascendent
The Ascendent is the package you come in. It’s the cover of the book of your personality. If you were watching someone you didn’t know across a room, watching their behavior, gestures, seeing their bodies and how they move, you would be viewing the Ascendent.

Sometimes people aren’t aware of their Ascendent, being more focused on the identity inherent in the Sun or the emotional states of the Moon. We can become more aware of our Ascendents by watching peoples’ first reactions to us, or even asking close friends the loaded question “How do you think other people see me?”. You may be in for a surprise
when you hear their answers. The Ascendent is the camouflage we learn to adopt at a very early age in order to survive in the environment. The personality receives early unspoken approval for the conduct of the Ascendent.

The Ascendent is, therefore:
* The cover of the book
* Your external appearance, mannerisms and physical form
* How you come across to those who don’t know you
* The vehicle for your soul’s journey; the chassis of your personality
* The packaging that contains your essence
* The camouflage which protects your spiritual innards from the environment

Let’s say you have a confident Leo Ascendent, a shy, vulnerable Cancer Sun with a strong willed Taurus Moon. People will tune in on the Leo first, and think “this is a confident, regal person”. After they know you for a while they’ll discover your Cancerian shyness. If they get to know you even better and connect with you emotionally, they’ll find out what a strong, persistent and tenacious side you have because of your Taurus Moon.

In some ways, you can see these three astrological biggies like a layered onion skin. On the outer layer is the Ascendent, the most visible and physically manifest part of the soul. The next layer is the Sun, which describes your self concept and what you identify with. The Sun helps you organize your internal experiences by defining the Self, and sorting out ‘what’s you and what’s not you’. The deepest, most mysterious layer is the Moon, which is the reservoir of your most personal emotions and feeling states.

Saturn in Virgo September 2, 2007 through July 21, 2010 by Shelley Jordan

2007-09-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

I love when the planets change signs. It’s like a breath of fresh air - a new tune being played by the music of the spheres. And as of September 2, we’ll have a new melody coming from Saturn, the farthest visible planet in our solar system. Remember The Song of the Volga Boatmen - Yo-o heave ho! Yo he-e-eave ho.....? **

Yes, Saturn in Virgo will be about work, work, and more work. Sharpen your pencils, clear your desk, get your cleaning supplies in order, and update your health club membership. It’s time to increase your output and get organized! Saturn’s in Virgo!

If your chart has an emphasis in Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces or Gemini (Sun, Moon or Ascendent in these signs), you might be more responsive to Saturn’s new occupancy in Virgo. Expect instructive momentum as Saturn helps you deal with practical reality during its sojourn through this earthy sign.

Since Virgo is about health, too, Saturn in Virgo is a splendid time to focus on developing healthy habits. Paying attention to food, exercise and rest are excellent ways of utilizing this upcoming period. You can learn to feel so good by controlling what you eat and how you care for your body that by the time Saturn leaves Virgo you may never again want to return to those unhealthy habits that interfere with feeling great.

The Joy of Saturn
Some of life’s greatest peak experiences can accompany Saturn activity. A number of the most significant, productive and happiest events in my life have occurred under Saturn’s influence.

For instance, during a big Saturn phase 23 years ago I met my husband, who remains my best friend and soul mate. It was during a Saturn era that I first discovered astrology when I was quite young. During a later Saturn stage I committed to becoming a professional astrologer. Saturn announced our beautiful child; Saturn introduced me to close, beloved friends and colleagues.

There are many such examples of Saturn’s rewards and not just in my life, but in the lives of others. James Joyce began writing Ulysses during a major Saturn transit to his Sun. Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, one of the world’s greatest artistic achievements, was a product of Saturn going over his Sun.

We can also receive cosmic citations for incorrect attitudes and behavior from Saturn. These corrections can later prove to be helpful in redirecting your life towards more positive actions. You can always count on Saturn for its integrity and reliable feedback about the state of your soul and its advances on the path of spirit. Saturn is the ultimate authority when it comes to the conditions of your soul and its requirements for evolution.

Saturn as Spiritual Teacher
The responsibilities that can accompany Saturn transits are directly beneficial to the soul’s development. As Saturn is the last visible planet, it represents the gateway to the spiritual, non-visible world. If you can comply with Saturn’s directives your soul will advance and mature. These directives are both indicated in your birth chart and issued as commands throughout your life during Saturn’s transits.

The evolution of the soul does not necessarily have to do with life getting easier, although it may. Surely graduate school programs are more challenging than elementary school, but the learning is richer, more complex and rewarding. Saturn transits have a tendency to push you into more advanced stages of spiritual evolution. Always ask yourself “what am I supposed to be learning” when life presents you with particularly strenuous lessons. Or you can ask “what have I done to deserve such great rewards?” when Saturn grants its blessings.

Saturn transits can help you find the discipline and inner strength you need to get through any challenges. With Saturn, it’s often a matter of “work now, get paid later”. You may not see immediate rewards for your Saturnian efforts, but they will eventually arrive after your work is accomplished.

The rewards and benefits of Saturn usually involve commitment of some sort and can last a lifetime. Rarely are they fleeting ephemera that disappear after a short time.

Always keep in mind that some of your greatest accomplishments and compensations might be known to you alone. Many of life’s imperfectable art forms, such as parenting, relationships, intellectual development, health and physical fitness can be cultivated now during Saturn’s reign in the sign that excels in skill and improvement.

Useful Saturn in Virgo exercises
* Clean out your drawers, basement, garage
* Improve your eating habits, get more exercise
* Do some volunteer work
* Work on eliminating any bad habits
* Be less critical of yourself and others
* Develop your ability to make objective assessments
* Create a system for maintaining your schedule and due dates, such as for bills or workouts.

** To hear this beautiful, familiar Russian folk song sung by one of the 20th century's greatest basses go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cgCDHz6G1s

copyright 2007 Shelley Jordan

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Venus: Dreams versus Reality by Shelley Jordan

2007-08-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

Love is Put to the Test: Dreams versus Reality
The configurations formed by Venus, Neptune and Saturn dominate the astrological landscape this summer. Venus is still retrograde until September 8th, giving us the opportunity to learn something important about love. As the planet of love and relationships interacts with the planets of dreams (Neptune) and reality (Saturn), we all may have to bring our ideals and fantasies about partnership into the realm of concrete and inescapable fact.

This summer is providing ample opportunities for getting a grip on your committed relationships. If you’re in a partnership which seems to be going through emotionally challenging terrain, now is the time to review your pledges, obligations and vows. Ask yourself if you have a realistic understanding of your partner and any problems that may be interfering with intimacy.

Venus is opposite Neptune the weekend of August 24th. During this time your loved ones may seem more unavailable or distant for reasons which may be difficult for you to grasp. They may be experiencing some kind of personal suffering. Or they may have problems communicating what is troubling them, even to the point of struggling with understanding their obstacles themselves. Confusion may reign in the realm of the heart.

Beginning in early July, Venus began the first of its three conjunctions to Saturn, launching an inquisition into the authenticity of your relationships. The second conjunction occurred earlier this month, the week of August 13th, during Venus’s retrograde period. This was love’s pivotal midterm exam.

If you’re headed in the wrong direction, nothing will stop you dead in your tracks like Saturn. Saturn is the planet of authenticity and objective realism. Love may go through tests and trials of commitment until Venus goes direct again and makes its final conjunction to Saturn later in October. (click here to read more)

Love’s confusion will hopefully yield to compassion when Venus finally makes its last opposition to Neptune the week of September 17th. During this entire summer you may discover the truth about love. Do you realistically understand the other person’s point of view or might you be reacting to something that is grounded in misunderstanding? What may be perceived as distance could be due to your partner’s personal problems, not you.

These observations do not just apply to romantic relationships, but to all connections in which love plays a role. You may have to dump your own baggage to see another person’s point of view, and some degree of sacrifice may be necessary to maintain a relationship. Where genuine love is concerned, kindness, patience and understanding can heal all divisions and wounds.

August 20, 2007

Lunation Cycles: New Moon August 12, 2007 by Shelley Jordan

2007-08-22T19:29:00.000-07:00

The New Moon occurs in Leo on August 12, 2007, at 6:02 PM CDT. What is meant by the term “New Moon”?
If you look up in the sky, sometimes during the day, sometimes at night, you’ll notice the shape-changing Moon in one of its various phases of growth. There is a rhythmic cycle in the Moon’s activity as it fattens up from New to Full and then starts shrinking until it disappears at the next New Moon. This rhythm is called the lunation cycle.

It’s one of the beauties of the architecture of the sky, that even though millions of miles separate them, the enormous Sun and tiny Moon are exactly the same size when viewed from the Earth. Every 29 days the Moon catches up with the Sun as they both travel around their apparent path in the heavens. The words “month” and “moon” are related, and both come from the archaic word me which means “to measure”. Viewing the changes in the Moon was one of the earliest ways by which ancient peoples would measure the passage of time.

While we know that the Moon and Sun don’t really revolve around the Earth, it appears as if they do. Imagine that there’s a great racetrack circling the Earth. The Sun is rumbling around the track, moving at about 1 degree per day (360 degrees in a circle - 365 days in a year).

The Moon is traveling around that same track, but racing much faster, covering about 12 degrees per day. Because of the difference in their speed, the Moon catches up with and passes the Sun 12 times in one year. Each time the Moon reaches the Sun in this tag game which takes about four weeks, a New Moon occurs.

Phases of the Moon (click here to read more)
At the New Moon, the Sun and the Moon are in the same place in the sky. At this time the Moon is invisible, obscured by the blinding light of the Sun. A day or so later, you can see a sliver of the Moon setting in the West just after the Sun goes down. Each subsequent day as it pulls away from the Sun, the Moon grows bigger and sets a little later after the Sun.

One week following the New Moon, you’ll see the First Quarter Moon, or as it’s sometimes called, the Half Moon. It will be at the zenith - its highest point in the sky - when the Sun sets. One week later, or two weeks after the New Moon, the Full Moon will rise in the East while the Sun sets in the West.

After another week goes by, three weeks into the lunation cycle, you’ll see the second Half Moon, or Third Quarter Moon. Now the Moon is visible at the top of the sky when the Sun rises. The Moon will continue to shrink until it totally disappears again in the fourth and final week of the cycle. It then begins its process all over again. The Moon’s light is like a wave of luminescent energy that originates at New Moon, swelling until it reaches Full, then dying down until it’s ready to begin again.

The LIfe Energy of the Lunation Cycle
In some ways, the Moon duplicates in 29 days what the Sun’s cycle accomplishes in one year. The New Moon’s energy is similar to that at the birth of Spring - fresh and newly born. The First Quarter Moon’s light is charged, blazing in growth and activity like Summer. The Full Moon is similar to the Fall harvest - the lunar energy is bursting, ripe like fruit on the vine. The Last Quarter is winter, or dormancy, when energy is stored and renewed in preparation for the rebirth of the next New Moon.

This entire cycle takes about 29 days, close to a woman’s reproductive cycle. And because the Moon grows until it’s full and then shrinks again, it poetically duplicates the feminine experience of pregnancy and childbirth. Throughout history the Moon has been a metaphor for fertility, reproduction and birth - the Sun is the symbolic masculine counterpart to the Moon’s feminine cycle.

There will typically be twelve New Moons per year. These lunations occur sequentially through the twelve signs of the zodiac. Each time the Moon is born, so to speak, at the New Moon, the Earth is bathed in a spiritual and organic energy that fertilizes the atmosphere with a fresh infusion of vitality. The luminous energies from the Moon’s cycle increase as the Moon approaches Full. Many people are aware of an increase in emotions and intensity as the Moon reaches its bursting point at Full Moon.

Some people are so sensitive to the Moon that they experience a tangible viscosity flowing from moonlight which they claim charges them with energy. Just as some people feel better in sunlight, others prefer moonlight. Some people have difficulty sleeping on the night of the Full Moon. I was told by a Korean acupuncturist that insomnia at Full Moon is so taken for granted in his country that people simply stay up all night baking.

Each lunation will typically occur in a different house of your chart every lunar month. When the Moon is new, it releases a flow of vital energies which activate that house, charging that sector of your life with the lunar equivalent of growth hormones. The symbolic meaning of that house will be highlighted throughout the month. For instance, when the New Moon occurs in your 12th house of inner space you may feel more laid back that month and inclined to spend contemplative time by yourself. When the next lunation falls in your 1st house you’re refreshed and ready for action and to take on the world.

Jupiter Direct: Hope Regained by Shelley Jordan

2007-08-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

Jupiter goes direct August 7, 2007
The Quest for Truth and Honesty

Jupiter has been retrograde since April 5. It recently went direct on August 7 and is now moving forward again through the sign of Sagittarius. Jupiter is first and foremost the planet of Truth, be it your own inner truth, that of the prevailing authorities, or the truth espoused by current orthodoxies. Jupiter’s province is one of optimism, goal orientation, hope, personal beliefs and intellectual development. Jupiter’s territory can also be littered with sanctimony, waste and bombast. It’s up to you as an individual to negotiate the vast spectrum of this jumbo planet’s possibilities.

While it was retrograde, there were opportunities to rethink your own deep seated truths and to assess whether or not you had been living your life authentically. Jupiter retrograde requires coming to terms with the naked truth, whatever it may be. This is not the factualism of Mercury, but is more related to the unalloyed integrity of an ethical genuineness.

These last four months have been an appropriate time to confront yourself or others about issues of honesty. Long term goals could then be redefined in the illuminating glow of truth, as you made any necessary changes in your life’s itinerary.

Jupiter Retrograde and the Meaning of Life

A Jupiter retrograde period is a good time for philosophical reflection. Why are you here? What is the meaning of your life? Why are you doing what you’re doing? The search for meaning is considered by many psychologists to be one of the most fundamental of human drives.

Jupiter spurs you on to discover the value in life’s experiences, to understand why things happen the way they do, and to develop a philosophical overview of your life. These gains are crucial to the maturation process. Jupiter is the wisdom planet in your psychological make-up. If you ask yourself “what do I believe in?”, you may be describing the sign and house placement of your natal Jupiter.

Since Jupiter resonates with your belief systems - about the world and about yourself - you can also confront your Inner Zealot during this time, and transform any existing sanctimony and bombast into tolerance and humility. Dishonesty or self-deception in any form can be confronted, as the disingenuous gives way to truth’s starker realism.

In addition, Jupiter symbolizes the freedom impulse. While it was retrograde, you may not have felt as freed up as you’d like. Perhaps your personal independence had been compromised in some way by certain obligations, responsibilities or other necessities of life. Or perhaps you were plotting out the means to achieve your freedom. (click here to read more)

Retrograde Planets in General

Retrograde periods are for reveiw, reflection, correction and insight. You’re given a second chance to achieve or refine the progress and growth that ordinarily occurs during a planet’s direct motion. While a planet is retrograde, you can reshape that planet’s energies into fresher, more effective modes of personal expression. Retrograde periods and retrograde planets in your birth chart are concerned with gaining independent application and understanding of the planet&s function. Any retrograde planet in your natal chart is an opportunity for individualized expression of that planet’s operational purpose.

Now That Jupiter is Direct

With those reality checks that surfaced during the retrograde phase hopefully now tended to, Jupiter going direct can unleash the expansive, optimistic, and adventurous qualities of fiery Sagittarius, providing fuel for advancing in life. It may seem easier at this time to move forward and make progress, having gotten certain commitments and inner questions of motivation out of the way since early April.

Venus Retrograde: Proofreading Your Relationships

2007-08-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

Venus Retrograde: Proofreading Your Relationships

Dazzling Venus is the planet of love, beauty, harmony and balance. While it is retrograde from July 27 through September 8, personal relationships can benefit from a checkup and any necessary rehabilitation and purification.

Venus goes retrograde in Virgo (purity, service), backing up into the sign of Leo (love, magnanimity), where it goes direct. Advances can now be made in opening and cleansing your heart center.

This is an excellent time to pause and review your conduct in your most personal relationships. It’s also a fine time to beautify your environment (or yourself), improve your health regimen or meditation practice. Cultivate sensitivity to others by practicing greater consideration and kindness. When Venus goes direct next month you may have fresh insight into your interpersonal connections and the hearts of others.

Reset Your Relationship Patterns

Deep, personal unions are one of the most effective ways of developing yourself spiritually. Tuning in on the peace-loving frequencies of Venus during this current cycle will aid in heightening your kindness and patience. Gentleness and compassion for others may be more necessary than usual during this phase.

During this Venus cycle ponder your love life and the ways in which you express and receive love. This does not just apply to romantic connections, but to all relationships in which love, affection and caring play a role - friendships, parent-child, and even with your pets. If you decide that you want more love in your life now, try being more loving.

To make the most of this contemplative Venus retrograde period, you can create goals that will improve and enhance your closest affiliations. Or you can work on your relationship skills in order to attract a partner to you, if that’s something you want.

While you’re reviewing your alliances and the impact they make on your life, evaluate what you like and what you don’t like about the ways in which you connect with your loved ones. Ask yourself how you may be contributing to any interpersonal problems. Old conflicts can be worked through now by approaching difficulties with empathy and good will.

Venus gives us the opportunity to relate and connect. It’s the partnership function. While it’s retrograde, it may be easier to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and feel how they may be experiencing you, and what they may be reacting to. Be more accepting and less critical of others and they will be more accepting of you.

Because Venus goes retrograde in Virgo, the sign of health, you can develop a more loving attitude towards your body during these upcoming weeks. Be less critical and more kind to your physical form which provides a vehicle for your soul’s journey. This could be an effective time for a cleanse and detoxification, both literally and symbolically.

Virgo at its best symbolizes purity and service. Share your knowledge about health and healing with those who might need support. Or, if you are in need of assistance, reach out to someone who is knowledgeable about healing.

When Venus goes direct in Leo on September 8, we’ll have a clean slate for openhearted connections with loved ones and those who may have helped you during this time. Warmth and generosity, Leo’s best characteristics, can reset or reinforce your bonds with others.

This retrograde period gives us an opportunity to reprogram and balance (Venus) love (Leo) and work (Virgo). Venus will pick up extra good will and joyousness from its extended time in Leo, making love an abundant commodity when it goes direct in September.

Tristan and Isolde: A Venus Retrograde Story

An interesting example of Venus in its incarnation as the goddess of beauty and art as well as love can be seen in the story of Richard Wagner’s revolutionary opera Tristan and Isolde. This highly romantic and exquisite opera, which is considered the first modern music, required an unprecedented two and a half years of rehearsal because the music was so unlike anything anyone had ever heard before. It was considered unsingable.

The premiere was slated for an evening when both Venus and Mercury were retrograde. It had to be canceled because the Isolde had lost her voice due to the demands of the role. By the time it finally premiered weeks later, both Venus and Mercury had gone direct. The retrograde Venus had meant more work and preparation for the singers.

Venus Retrograde Goals:

commit to enhancing your relationships by becoming more loving
improve your connections by seeing the other person’s point of view
if you want a better relationship study those couples whom you view as having a successful partnership and learn from them
make an honest assessment of your health and health habits
love your body
create a health regimen of diet and exercise
organize your finances, practice frugality, pay off debt (Venus is money, too)
clean out drawers and closets, giving away what you don’t need to those who do
clear out and paint any rooms that need “healing”
give your garden a makeover