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 Leo. The focus is now is on shining with creative energies, confidence, and presence. The Sun has begun the descent on the analemma, and will make the crossover on the 29th-30th of August.
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 August New Moon, with Sun and Moon aligned at 16+ Leo, occurs on August 8, 2021. The Sabian Symbol for this location in the zodiac reads as follows: A volunteer church choir makes a social event out of rehearsal. At this New Moon the focus is on the joyful.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020-2023
After the Fall, 2019 Jupiter square to Neptune, 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, setting the tone for a global pause. Historic 2020 is now over, as these planets have moved beyond, but the reverberations are still being felt. Now is the time for integration, as the pressure continues to be applied to the US Pluto position of 27 + Capricorn. The transcendent structures built up over the last year will be tested, as we are called to create the future.
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. The upcoming eclipses for 2021, are listed below.
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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. 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. The next Rx cycle occurs in late September. At this New Moon, Mercury is Direct at 23 + Leo, traveling with the Sun and Moon. Communications are direct and directive.
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, close to the degree of the recent Solar Eclipse. A year into the cycle, she is again a Direct Evening Star. She now rises after the Sun and will continue to do so a bit later each day to reach her maximum elongation from the Sun in November, after which she will turn Rx again at 26+ Capricorn on December 19, 2021. As this is close to the position of transiting Pluto, restoration of grace can be anticipated. At this New Moon, Venus is located at 20 + Virgo, with Mars trailing in the same sign. Venus takes a critical eye, as her discriminating tastes seek expression of the aesthetic to match values.
Mars is the warrior on a mission, with energy that can pierce and penetrate in swift motion. At this New Moon, Mars is located at 6+ Virgo, just behind Venus. Perigrine, Mars is operating through Mercury. Boastful expressions may be the cause of riffs, and Mars will take it on.
Jupiter, the planet of expansion has raced through Aquarius into Pisces and has now retrograded back into Aquarius. At this New Moon Jupiter is Rx at 28 + Aquarius, taking care of unfinished business until turning Direct on October 18. Jupiter will move forward then, and into Pisces at the end of December.
Saturn, the planet that sets limitations and boundaries, while insisting on karmic payback, is currently Rx at 9 + Aquarius. Saturn will remain in this sign for the next 2.5-3 years. During 2021, Saturn will square off with Uranus three times. The first contact was Feb. 17 at 7 + Aquarius/Taurus. The second contact was June 14 at 13 + Aquarius/Taurus, and the third will occur on December 24th at 11+ Aquarius/Taurus. The theme of the year is blending the old with the new, integrating, and retrieving/reclaiming what is important. The June and December alignments are in close proximity to Neptune's South heliocentric planetary node. Deepest dreams, ideals, and spirituality will be put to the test. This is a precursor to the upcoming Jupiter conjunction with Neptune in April of 2022.
URANUS, NEPTUNE, PLUTO
The outer planets push us toward the transpersonal realm of consciousness, and provide a collective consciousness. The twists and turns of these bodies facilitate our evolution, sometimes disturbing the peace of mind. Uranus, the Awakener, transforms. Uranus 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, as mentioned above. This is energy that breaks traditions, calibrates revolutionary ideas, and emerges with new and practical solutions, as the old is integrated with the new. This is a time when potential brilliance can be grounded and brought to Earth. Uranus is now slowing down, Direct at 14 + Taurus, to turn turn Rx on August 19.
Nebulous Neptune transcends, 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. Neptune is currently Rx at 22+ Pisces. Discernment brings balance to this energy. Neptune will join its co-ruler, Jupiter, April 9-17, 2022 at 23-24 Pisces. This is a time for expanding compassion, which can be assessed as deep and profound healing.
Unequivocal Pluto aligns with the principle of metamorphosis. Dwarf Planet 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. Pluto is inching closer to the 27 + Capricorn position of the US Pluto, which will connect for three contacts: February 20, July 12, and Dec. 28, 2022. Rx at this New Moon, Pluto is at currently at 25+ Capricorn.
THE LUNAR NODES
The transiting Lunar Nodes travel Rx through the Zodiac, and function in polarity. Rudhyar described the nodal line as a fateful, destined space. Working to generate awareness of social and global impact, the Nodal Axis is currently at 8+ Gemini/Sagittarius. We continue gathering data; we continue the quest for truth.
OTHER DWARF PLANETS
Ceres, associated with fertility and agriculture, is located in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter. With an orbit of 4.6 years, Ceres is currently at 2+ Gemini. Lying in the Kuiper Belt as a TransNeptunian Object, Eris, with her 559 year orbit around the Sun, is associated with the strife and discord that emerges in the quest for justice. Eris is currently at 24 + Aries, Rx, and will move into Taurus in 2044. Another TransNeptunian Object, Sedna orbits the Sun in 11,408 years, and is associated with evolutionary consciousness. Sedna is currently situated at 28 + Taurus, in the vicinity of the Pleiades/Seven Weeping Sisters fixed star cluster. The November 2021 Lunar Eclipse will be at 27 + Taurus, highlighting this position. Sedna moves into Gemini in 2024.
