COSMIC WEATHER
The beginning of something has significance, and what happens in the sky relates to what happens on Earth. The process of individuation involves working with the personal planets, moving through the asteroid belt, then on to the trends of the social planets, with Saturn as the first level of boundary. Balancing the benefits of these key ingredients, and moving through the acculturated limitations allows the crossing of the Centaur bridge where Chiron leads to the transpersonal planets; here, Pluto as the second level boundary. The transpersonal planets are challenging bodies, requiring awakening, flow, and presence before integration and groundedness push out to the new level boundary, Sedna. Understanding these dynamic energies, as demonstrated through the ever-changing cosmic weather, allows a greater ability to live connected to purpose and meaning.
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 Zodiac over the course of a year. The Sun's position symbolizes the active presence of the Divine. The Sun is currently in the sign of Capricorn, symbolically doing the hard work of climbing the mountain. Severity and difficulties test resolve. The Sun enters the sign of Aquarius on January 19, 2021, opening up the space for a breath of fresh air. It is more interactive, more group identified. Unity within diversity is the message of Aquarius.
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. The Moon delights in shape-shifting, and delights in the repetitive ebb and flow from night to day, from New to Full in predictable sequence. She reflects the Sun's invincible spirit through her silver light. We see this dance every month, beginning at the New Moon, timed for the Moon's alignment with the Sun. The alignment connects soul with spirit. The January New Moon occurs on January 13, 2021 at 00:00 am EST, with Sun and Moon aligned at 23 + Capricorn, not too far from Pluto. It is a powerful combination that offers new perspective. Developments prove critical, and separations are likely necessary to begin anew. The Sabian Symbol for this degree reads as follows: A woman walking to the sure haven of a convent. This is a period that requires the quiet of reflection to assess the path for rescue.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020-2023
Saturn and Pluto joined with the Sun on Jan. 13, 2020 at 22 degrees Capricorn on the node of Saturn, with Jupiter not far behind. This historic 2020 is now over, as these planets have moved beyond, and the reverberations can be felt across the globe. Now is the time for integration as the pressure continues to be applied to the US Pluto position of 27 + Capricorn. Are the transcendent structures built over the last year strong enough to withstand what feels like a tsunami, a hurricane, and earthquake, and a tornado all in succession? The country is shaking, the worldwide death tolls rises, and the fast-tracked Covid vaccine is being rolled out in phases, offering some hope for healing and recovery. The call to create the future can be heard. The new year ahead churns up conflict: the old struggles with the new; the lawlessness calls for limit-setting and rules; the conventions must balance with the innovative, and the end to which we are striving must be considered. There is much happening beneath the surface.
THE ECLIPSE SEASONS
Eclipses occur in pairs or trios, and the effect can be felt two weeks prior to the first one as things heat up, the weeks between, and two weeks after the last one. This is called the Eclipse Season. In 2021, there are two Eclipse Seasons. The energies can be touched off at various times before or after the actual event, by transit of the Moon's nodal axis, or by the Sun, Moon, or Mars. Solar eclipses occur at New Moons, when the Moon covers or blocks the Sun, and casts a shadow on the Earth's surface. Lunar eclipses occur at Full Moons, when the Earth passes between the opposing Sun and the Moon creating a shadow across the Full Moon. The exactitude of the alignment defines the type (total, annular, partial, appulse). Eclipses resonate at different levels of consciousness. Solar eclipses suggest beginnings; Lunar eclipses suggest endings. Because the Sol-Lunar alignment involve the Moon's 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. Below are the two most recent eclipses from 2020, as well as the upcoming eclipses for 2021.
- November 30, 2020 Appulse Lunar 8 GE 38 After: August 6, 2021
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December 14, 2020 Total Solar 23 SG 08 Before: Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2020
- May 26, 2021 Total Lunar 5 SA 25 After: Sept. 4-9, 2021
- June 10, 2021 Annular Solar 19 GE 47 Before: Jan. 2-3, 2021
- November 19, 2021 Partial Lunar 27 TA 14 After: Feb. 15-16, 2022
- December 4, 2021 Total Solar 12 SA 22 Before: April 7-8, 2021
PLANETARY LOCATIONS
Mercury is the communicator, and functions to mediate conflict. 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. At this New Moon, Mercury is Direct, at 7 + Aquarius, joining forces with Saturn and Jupiter close by, finding balance between expanding and contracting. Mercury will station Rx on January 30 at 26 + Aquarius.
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. When an Evening Star--calm, mature, settled, and knowing her brilliance, as Venus is best seen outside the clutch of the Sun--she begins her new cycle. Venus began the cycle she's in on May 13, 2020, with a turn Rx at 21 + Gemini. She stationed Direct on June 24. Still a Morning Star, she is rushing forward into love and life for approximately 9 months, exemplifying the feminine as the container of gestation. At this New Moon, she is located at 5 + Capricorn, perigrine and functioning through Saturn.
Mars is the warrior on a mission, with energy that can pierce and penetrate in swift motion. Gathering fire after a long visit in its own sign of Aries, Mars moved into the sign of Taurus, its detriment, on January 6, 2021, and it was visceral. Mars is heading towards a square with Saturn at 2 + Aquarius on January 13, 2021 at 5:47 PM and a conjunction with Uranus at 6 + Taurus (supported by the exalted Moon) on January 20 at 3:47 PM. Moon, Mars, and Uranus are square to Sun, Saturn, Jupiter on that momentous day. Accidents, explosions, surprise turmoils are possible forms of expression. Best not to provoke.
Jupiter, the planet of expansion, is currently at 5 + Aquarius, joining forces with Saturn and Mercury. These energies offer a sense of purpose and a global awareness of what is needed at this time in the world.
Saturn, the planet that sets limitations and boundaries, while insisting on karmic payback, is currently at 3 + Aquarius. Saturn will remain in this sign for the next 2.5-3 years.
URANUS, NEPTUNE, PLUTO, the NORTH NODE and SEDNA: Twists and Turns
The outer planets push us toward the transpersonal realm of consciousness. The twists and turns of these bodies facilitate our evolution, sometimes disturbing the peace of mind. Uranus, the Awakener, entered the sign of Taurus in March, 2019, and will remain there for the next 7 years, pointing to practicalities and resources. 2021 highlights two active players in the shift in consciousness, Uranus and Saturn. They will be in square three times in 2021: at 7+ Taurus/Aquarius on February 17, 2021; at 13+ Taurus/Aquarius on June 14, 2021, and at 11+ Taurus/Aquarius on December 21, 2021. This is energy that breaks traditions, calibrates revolutionary ideas, and emerges with new solutions. This is a time of potential brilliance. A saying from the Upanishads comes to mind: "Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality." Bring in the Light! Having been Rx since August, Uranus will turn Direct on January 14, 2021, and will join with Mars soon after, as described above.
Nebulous Neptune brings the vicissitudes of the tides forward to be dissolved. Neptune is diving further into the oceanic fog of chaos and confusion from where the gems of spiritual truths can surface. Neptune's ethereal nature continues to deliver the surreal dreamlike kaleidoscope of the shifting reality. Neptune is currently Direct at at 18 + Pisces.
Unequivocal Pluto has been steamrolling the reality we once knew, ensuring with the added strength of Saturn and Jupiter that transcendent structures have been formed to create a "before and after" awareness. Direct at this New Moon, Pluto is at 24 + Capricorn, moving toward the 27+ Capricorn position of the US Pluto return in February, 2022.
The transiting Nodal Axis is in its Rx travel through the polarity of Gemini-Sagittarius. Rudhyar described the nodal line as a fateful, destined space. The outer planets provide the context for collective consciousness, and have been driving home the need to review the past, release enmeshed patterns, and to approach structural revision on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal levels. Working to generate awareness of social and global impact, the Nodal Axis is currently at 19 + Gemini/Sagittarius. Communication is the name of the game.
SEDNA lies beyond Saturn's Chaldean boundary, and beyond Pluto's transpersonal boundary. Considered by some to be the new outermost planet in our solar system, Sedna offers a new boundary, one related to a spiritual evolutionary consciousness. Sedna is situated at 28 + Taurus, in the vicinity of the Pleiades/Seven Weeping Sisters fixed star cluster, which, along with the 7 stars of Ursa Major, draws connection to the origin and intention of our solar system. Sedna moves into Gemini in 2024.
