CELESTIAL NAVIGATION
The beginning of something has significance, and what happens in the sky relates to what happens on Earth. The process of becoming whole involves working with the planets in stages of initiation. First, there are the personal planets to be integrated, held in check by Saturn. Next is the crossing over the Centaur bridge, where Chiron leads to the transpersonal planets, bodies that require awakening, flow, and presence. This phase of initiation is held in check by Pluto. The third phase pushes out to the new level boundary of consciousness, the spirit territory. Understanding these dynamic energies, as demonstrated through the ever-changing cosmic weather, encourages greater ability to live connected to purpose and meaning. Establishing connection to the energy source and simultaneously remaining grounded--As Above, So Below--gives a sense of true location. The key ingredients for this celestial navigation, are listed here with current longitudinal position, and are updated at each New Moon.
The Sun is the Invincible Spirit. So great is this universal wonder that it must come in small doses, distributed as it travels around the 360 degrees of the Zodiac over the course of a year. The Sun's position symbolizes the active presence of the Divine. At this New Moon, the Sun is at 19 Aries 24. The Sun is at the analemmic cross-over point (April 8, 9, 10), and is aligned with the Moon, the North Node, and Mercury in the 2nd recent major Total Solar Eclipse crossing the United States. (The first occurred on August 21, 2017.) A phenomenon connecting us in real time to the wonder of the Universe. While absorbing this energy well, may courage and peace drench your being.
The Moon is the Receiver, catching emotional attachments, hooks, and patterns. The Moon receives and moves through her angular relationship with the Sun over the course of the month, reflecting the Sun's invincible spirit through her silver light. The Moon delights in shape-shifting, and in the repetitive ebb and flow from night to day and from New to Full in predictable sequence. We see this dance every month, beginning at the New Moon, timed for the Moon's alignment with the Sun, where Soul is connected with Spirit. The current New Moon, standing with the Sun as described above, is at 19 Aries 24. The Sabian Symbol for this degree reads as follows: A young girl feeding swans in a park on a wintry day.
HIGHLIGHTS 2023-2024
We have had 5 years of historic change (2019-2023). In 2024, things rev up in April, the month of anticipation. First, there is Mercury, turning Rx. at 27 + Aries on April 1. Then, there is the Total Solar Eclipse across the US on April 8, 2024 (19+ Aries). Then, there is the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction on April 20, at 21 Taurus 49, a Eureka! moment. Saturn, now Direct in the early degrees of Pisces, suggests redemptive repair. Neptune is reiterative at the late degrees of Pisces, emphasizing the need to approach the unconscious and befriend the archetypal energies found therein. To do so requires a dissolving of what is no longer necessary or valid and Pluto supports this, wrapping up the restructuring begun in 2008, with the movement into Aquarius on January 20. This is temporary, however, with a recoiling Rx in early May. Direct again by mid-October, Pluto will be at the anaretic degree through the US presidential election, after which full engagement in Aquarius begins on November 19. In many areas, 2024 looks promising for manifesting solid, evolutionary change.. Stay alert and work well with these potent energies, to bring the best of yourself forward where it is needed.
THE ECLIPSE SEASONS
Eclipses occur in pairs or trios. Though the visual effect occurs on the day of, the influence can be felt before, during, and after, covering an immediate period of 6-8 weeks (the eclipse season), and also up to 6 months. The energies can be touched off at various times, depending on the location of the Moon's nodal axis, the Sun, the Moon, or Mars. Solar eclipses occur at New Moons, when the Moon eclipses or blocks the Sun, so that there is an eerie shadow cast on the Earth's surface, as the emotional reactions overpower logic, with new beginning suggested. Lunar eclipses occur at Full Moons, when the Earth passes between the opposing Sun and the Moon, creating a shadow across the Full Moon, highlighting the mundane impact of the emotional landscape, suggesting endings. The exactitude of the alignment defines the type (total, annular, partial, appulse). Eclipses resonate at different levels of consciousness. Because eclipses involve the alignments of the Sun, the Moon, and the Nodal Axis, eclipses have a "destiny" quality to them. While there is a personal impact, with the position in the Zodiac determining focus, the mundane impact is obvious in the making of history. The trigger point date for sensitivity of the degree is often before or after the exact date, hence eclipse seasons of elongated influence. Eclipses are tied to the Lunar Nodes, and are often triggered by them. The Nodal cycle is 18.6 years; the Nodes spend approximately 1.5 years in a sign pair. The 2023 and 2024 Eclipses are listed below; there are echoes, as placements build on each other.
- Mar 25, 2024 Lunar Eclipse at 5 LI 07 Activated after (Nov. 20, 2024)
- April 8, 2024* Total Solar at 19 AR 24 Nodal pass on January 21, 2024, with Sun and Pluto entering Aquarius on the 20th, giving more blast to the sky. Other dates to watch with regard to this eclipse are March 21-22 (D pass of Mercury); April 15, (Rx pass); and May 4 (D pass). On May 25, Mars transits this degree.)
- Sept. 17, 2024 Lunar Eclipse at 25 PI 41 Activated after (May 14, 2025)
- Oct. 2, 2024 Solar Eclipse at 10 LI 04 Activated before (July 10, 2024)
PLANETARY LOCATIONS
Mercury is the communicator. Mercury has 3-4 Retrograde (Rx) cycles every year, each lasting approximately 3 weeks, and each offering a period of reflection, recalibration, revision, and resolution, as Mercury and the Sun exchange the message of a particular degree of the Zodiac. Mercury aims to make connections and move on. Clever, agile, and appreciative of humor, Mercury will bring wisdom to the conversation with light and good will. At this New Moon, Mercury is Rx at 24 Aries 47, with the Solar Eclipse line-up. In this perigrine position, Mercury will work through Mars. Mercury turns D on April 25 at 15 + Aries.
Venus refines, evaluates, and strives to make ideals real. Her cycle is complex and mysterious, beginning while Retrograde as an Evening Star, moving through conjunctions with the Sun, and shifting from Evening Star to Morning Star, and back. This cycle recalibrates Venus' relationship to the Sun. At this New Moon, Venus is a Morning Star, calm and rushing into love and life for 9 months, epitomizing the feminine as the container of gestation, until her next Exterior Conjunction in June. At this New Moon, Venus is at 4 Aries 26. Beauty is infused with instinctual response.
Mars is the warrior on a mission, with energy that can pierce and penetrate in swift motion. At this New Moon, Mars is Direct at 13 Pisces 03, aligning with Saturn. The malefics can bestow some compassion here, with the help of Neptune, if confusion and uncertainty can be elevated and clarified.
Jupiter is the wise guru, the planet of expansion. Jupiter has the big picture, and functions best as a problem solver, planner, project manager. Jupiter has the vision and wants to take the leaps needed to create something big and wonderful. Jupiter is Direct at 19 Taurus 02 approaching the conjunction with Uranus on April 20. Proceed with solid grounding and practicality as a focus. Anything is possible--make it real, and make it mean something.
Saturn is the planet that sets limitations and boundaries, while offering a karmic payback if necessary. Saturn relates to time, records, the destiny of earth experience, and often presents challenges. Saturn is Direct and stands at 14 Pisces 27 at this New Moon. In Pisces, Saturn offers this: to stand with heart open in compassion and empathy for the next 2.5 years, without rescuing, fixing, saving, or setting anyone straight. No persecution or victimization is allowed, but kindness furthers. Swimming in the waters of Pisces with Neptune, and perigrine, there can be a sensation of everything dissolving or crumbling to make room for the new. Saturn's reminders of limits and boundaries can be found everywhere, and even in the most unexpected places.
CHIRON, URANUS, NEPTUNE, PLUTO, THE LUNAR NODES
Representing the archetype of the Wounded Healer, Chiron is a minor planet/comet/dwarf planet located between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus. Sometimes referred to as the key to the soul, and representing audacious attempts, pushing forward despite the wounds, it forms a bridge between the Chaldean limits represented by Saturn and the transpersonal realm represented by Uranus. Chiron encourages processing and integration. Holistic healing methods can be helpful, considering this quote from Rumi: "The wound is the place where the Light enters you." Chiron has a 50 year eccentric orbit and is currently at 19 Aries 24. (The US, with a 20 AR 08 Chiron position, is having this return as well as the Pluto return.) Note the Sun, Moon, and Chiron in partile alignment at this Total Eclipse of April 8, lending healing energy to our beloved United States.
Where the inner planets represent aspects of personality development in the life project, the outer planets push us toward the transpersonal and provide a collective container for the development of consciousness. The twists and turns of these bodies facilitate our evolution, sometimes disturbing peace of mind. Uranus, the Awakener, transforms as it brings in intuitive consciousness. Uranus entered the sign of Taurus in March, 2019, and will remain there for 7 years, clarifying security, practicality, resources, and values. Uranus, full of surprises, provides energy to break traditions and calibrate revolutionary ideas. Technology, one domain of Uranus, continues to amaze, and is becoming more practical, and therefore seen as necessary. At this New Moon, Uranus is Direct at 21 Taurus 10.
Nebulous Neptune, with its emphasis on psychic or spiritual consciousness, aims to dissolve and transcend, bringing the vicissitudes of the tides forward to be dissolved. Neptune is diving further into the oceanic fog where the gems of spiritual truths can surface. Neptune's ethereal nature continues to deliver the surreal dreamlike kaleidoscope of the shifting reality. At this New Moon, Neptune is Direct, at 28 Pisces 11. Saturn and Mars are not far behind.
Unequivocal Pluto, with it focus on psychological consciousness, aligns with the principle of metamorphosis. Small but mighty, Pluto has been steamrolling the reality we once knew. Pluto made three contacts with the US Pluto (27 Capricorn 32 Rx) in 2022: February 20: the Russian attack on Ukraine; July 11: worldwide economic stress; and Dec. 28, 2022: the need for an ending. But the ending seems to be nowhere in sight, with the Rx natal placement, coupled with the late degree. A brief relief was felt when Pluto moved into Aquarius in March, 2023, but his Rx turn back into Capricorn in June, 2023 quickly put that to rest. The work is not over yet! Pluto turned Direct at 27 Capricorn 53 on October 10, 2023 to begin another journey thorugh the last three degrees of Capricorn, to approach Aquarius once again. On the world stage, the focus shifted to Israel and to the issue of displacement on many levels, with much collateral damage. Pluto reached forward into Aquarius on January 20, 2024 and relief was felt again only to be met with deeper conflict. Pluto doesn't get far...relentlessly, Pluto retrogrades back one final time on May 1, 2024, to sit at the last degree of Capricorn in September and October, 2024. Last (or anaretic) degrees portend extreme outcomes, often of a destructive nature, for karmic completion. Capricorn's anaretic 29 degree is one of collecting, as in a debt. On October 12, Pluto turns Direct again and moves finally and solidly into Aquarius on November 19, 2024. At that time, the US presidential election will have taken place. At this New Moon, Pluto is now Direct at 1 Aquarius 58.
The transiting Lunar Nodes, representing the dragon's head and tail, travel backwards and function in polarity, emphasizing a particular section of the Zodiac to work with. Rudhyar described the nodal line as a fateful, destined space. The Nodal Axis has shifted into the Aries-Libra polarity; self vs. other, assertion vs. compromise; alone vs. together are the themes in balance. At this New Moon, NNode is at 15 Aries 37, with the Total Solar Eclipse; SNode is at 15 Libra 37.
MAJOR ASTEROIDS
The four major asteroids are located in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, and because of this placement in the planetary line-up, offer further insight into aspects of personality. Names after female goddesses, they are associated with feminine consciousness.
- Ceres (1801) is associated with fertility, nurturing, and agriculture. Ceres has a 4.6 yr. orbital period, and is currently transiting Direct at 17 Capricorn 49.
- Pallas (1802) is associated with warrior-type strength and conviction, wisdom, and cool-headed judgment. Pallas has a 4.62 yr. orbital period, and is currently transiting Direct at 8 Sagittarius 10 Rx.
- Juno (1805) is associated with marriage and the role of the wife. Juno has a 4.35 yr. orbital period, and is currently transiting at 6 Virgo 52 Rx.
- Vesta (1807) is associated with home and hearth, self-sufficiency, and investments. Vesta has a 3.63 yr orbital period, and is currently Direct at 2 Cancer 26.
DWARF PLANETS (also known as Trans Neptunian Objects) orbit the Sun. Their orbital periods are extreme, as they are located in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. There are currently 10 Dwarf Planets that have been added to the astrological lexicon. As with previous planetary discoveries, their discovery over the last 20 years has brought forth new awareness and resonance with aspects of consciousness. Diverse and global, they are listed alphabetically below:
- Eris (2005): Greek; Justice. Current location is 24 Aries 44.
- GongGong (2007): Chinese; Integration. Current location is 5 Pisces 43.
- Haumea (2005): Hawaiian; Motherly Commitment. Current location is 1 Scorpio 18 Rx.
- Ixion (2001): Greek; Shadow Self/Ego. Current location is 6 Capricorn 02 Rx.
- MakeMake (2005): Easter Island; Manifestation. Current location is 9 Libra 36 Rx.
- Orcus (2004): Roman; Taking Stock. Current location is 14 Virgo 39 Rx.
- Quaoar (2002): Native American; Omnibenificence. Current location is 10 Capricorn 03.
- Salacia (2004): Roman; Presence. Current location is 9 Aries 41.
- Sedna (2003): Inuit; Transcendence. Current location is 29 Taurus 46.
- Varuna (2000): Hindu; Good Citizenship. Current location is 6 Leo 44 Rx .
