The Center of the Universe

Bull's Eye: Mars Pierces Leo

Back in time, I had a lengthy involvement with a mega Leo -- Sun, Ascendant, Venus, and Neptune. There was never a dull moment, as is so often the case with this lively sign, and the continuous dramatics kept me busy, always energizing my life.

It's interesting when an other becomes the center of one's external world. It happens easily -- children, lovers, musicians, the goldfish, a chair.
My dreamboat, when I was a teen, was the sprightly singer, Bobby Rydell. Wild One being his big hit.
I shakily got his autograph one night in Vegas sparking the thrill of a budding lifetime.

As it happens, sometimes around expressive dominant people you might misplace something of your own spark. Ideally, the light and heat of Leo motivate people to find their own centers of illumination, and great creativity can be aroused, with care taken not to neglect that point of significance.

Mars retrograde in Leo is a sharp reminder of this singular battery of the self, and I think the long transit offers knowledge of personal importance, delivering familiarity with our own healthy egos, regardless of achievement. Leo is proud just because.

With Capricorn, from my perspective, I see that the conflict between pride of accomplishment and the birthright of self esteem is in the limelight, and maybe that's why things aren't getting done.

Maybe it's not the time for great feats, but rather a time for recognition of self confidence in just about everyone. Until someone figures out what's going on, let alone what to do. I'm in no hurry.

Who validates my greatness? Are we kings and queens or are we servants, and aren't they really equal in the eyes of the healthy self? Why the fear of being crushed and overpowered? Where is its source? Who's boss? You know how bossy Leo can be. Yeah! Who in hell is the boss?

These are some of the questions that surface when the individual maps the search for solar power. Once that's discovered the mythological grandeur of the group comes within sight, since all can recognize their worth as an essential part of the story. 

But alas. It's not so simple finding the path to the center of one's universe because you're already there. Weird? Right?

Bipolar Jellyrollin'

La Danse De Jupiter

This Zoloftian society I'm an unwitting member of sure does like to swing. Being a child of the moon who loves a good party, herself, I know something about mood alteration, but this really takes the cake.

From my objective perch, Jupiter in Pisces thus far has been interesting. Shaking planets followed by the euphoric state of the American union. The days preceding the cosmic moment were filled with sorrow, despair, fear, and rage about said state of this misbegotten union, and then.... Kazooom!!! Spirits shot into a dimension even I'm not familiar with.
Change has returned, a day late, a dollar short.

Let the jelly roll and the future remain recognizable. Upside, downside, east side, west side. All around the town. Hopefully, spirits will crash on the grass. Or the croquet court.

Pisces is known for it's less than stable psychologies, often tampered with by the body in possession of the mind so fond of fanciful flights. Uranus in Pisces really excites the consciousness, but that's been going on for awhile. Now Jupiter has sent the jellyfishes on yet another rocketing hyperbolic ride, but what the heck. Reality can wait. Depression can be great fun.

Just because I care, let me let you in on a little secret. This is between you and me. It's not what it's all cracked (!) up to be. I know how orgiastic some of you are about the Supreme Court dissing, but it's the last thing in the world this child should have done, and it won't make any difference anyway. The president in training has a Saturn in Capricorn, hidden in the 12th house, unseen by most. You astrology followers have the luxury of insight. He has no business not showing respect for the establishment he so longs to climb the ladder of, Aquarian planets notwithstanding. He's got a lot to learn, as we all do. Change is relative. And it doesn't have to wait for students of the system. But it's good to see things shaken up a bit.

Fear of the Supreme Court is part of this fantasy too. Will the real father please stand up? Or will you howl in self created pain until they become nice Democrats who most assuredly aren't interested in big business advantage? You're stuck with yourselves, you know. Heavens. Sometimes I want to give up. People. Peephole. Peepill.

Election monsters' stomachs are growling for corporate food. Who's foolin' who as the jelly rolls? Where is rhyme and reason? Oh, forget it. Just put another nickel in. Jupiter just got here.

Anyway, here I am wondering just how far to go into this bipolar madness that promises to continue for the time being. I'm exercising more self control than in previous incarnations, but I could be missing something. Or everything. It's hard to tell.

Alls I know for certain is, "It's jelly jelly jelly cause jam don't shake like that."

Theatrical Thoughts

I've never liked any of my presidents. Now that I'm getting old I've pretty much abandoned the idea, although miracles occasionally occur.

They dominate the stage with lackluster acts, pushing out much more fascinating and attractive humans who are more intelligent and wise.
I've often wished one of the wise ones would lead the hapless citizens, but they don't, which is probably part of their wisdom.

I was raised in a progressive family, all of them politically active. Family gatherings were threaded with many political discussions, but oddly, little was said about the leaders. It was mostly ideas, and a lot of anti-war talk. I got used to this absence of hero attention, although I did join in the obligatory hatred of Republicans. I was obedient until I moved out West and realized I didn't want to carry the hatred with me anymore, so I dropped it. I probably wouldn't marry one, though. But then I'm not all that keen on marrying anyone.

The first president I recall was Eisenhower and this was before I knew anything about politics. He bothered me not at all. But after him, they all irritated the hell out of me, and they still do. Always pleading, always whining for something I can't give them. I wish I could so they'd go into the office and get lost.

They all seem phony to me and I detest their bullshit speeches laced with bad poetry and cheap emotion. Last century they sounded a bit more erudite, but not enough for my tastes. Now they remind me of bad method actors, with lousy timing in the emotional waves. Too fast, too much, with crescendos I'd rather not rise with. The crescendos are especially awful to my musical ear.

I don't like liars, but that's my problem, since the world is full of them and it seems to be a prerequisite to success. I've never understood it. It seems so much more efficient and less troublesome to lay it out truthfully, but for some strange reason, people like to play this game. Love of theater, maybe. Not so much love of life. How can I blame them? Reality as it's normally represented needs some grease paint.

Anyway, I really do find them annoying. In the last few years, I caved in and gave them the attention they crave and it hasn't done any good. They're as confused as ever and the country isn't doing so good.

They honestly are irritating. Of course, if I had a gorgeous, bejeweled and dazzling thespian with a booming rich voice that reached the upper balconies (lines perfectly memorized), I might feel that leap of heart. Then I'd really be in trouble. Loving politicians is not a wise thing for me. Not at all. But that's just me.

Self Mastery

The Source of Supreme Authority
Pluto in Capricorn

Now that the disintegration of Pisces is continuing, even increasing, it's an opportune time to look within for possibilities prior to the potentially active period coming soon. The earthquake that just exploded reality as Jupiter entered Pisces announced a good chance to forget non-creative thought, break some stilted patterns, maybe abandon concrete plans. Predetermined change is talked about extensively but not always easily materialized.

Greed, Corporate and Otherwise

Greed appears to be firmly wired into creatures at this point probably for logical reasons, one possibly being the lesson of evolution and mastery over temptation and destructive urges. I've known many Scorpionics who are concerned with control over appetites and some are good at it. The state of desire is more satisfying that overindulgence to these oddballs. They take in just enough, while using the energy of longing for creative purposes. I've noticed a lot of vegetarianism and abstinence in these circles, and Scorpio is the bridge from earthly delights to spiritual in Sagittarius.

The corporate monster is a collective creation. You are the ones who anthropomorphize the businesses, giving them personhood, by calling them evildoers who victimize you. The Supreme Court is a symbol reflecting that view. If you murder the conglomerates, they will gladly return from the source. Pluto is like that. There's an essential urge to cluster and grow in nature, often testing limits. Then there's the compulsion to externalize demons from within, hang them anywhere, I suppose so we can get to know them.

A relentless grasping for commodities beyond the immediate environs, astronomical indulgence in advertised suggestions, undying support of big business through purchases and investments in mutual funds, and love of pleasure palaces filled to the rafters with cheap goods all have created our present dilemma.

The practical solution is regulation within the many levels of human society, and Pluto (desire) in Capricorn (discipline) tells you how to do it. Self management, moderation, patience, delayed gratification, self respect, genuine admiration and criticism of people, adherence to the common good, and learning to let go, while correcting what can be improved are among the techniques. You are the master of yourself.

Hatred and Fright

The trouble with vitriolic blame rather than intelligent criticism is that it doesn't change anything. The evildoers continue, maybe even getting more hardened in their ways as a result. The refusal to respond with equal vituperation takes self control. At the same time, questioning of your own dogma is beneficial. The human mind is funny. It's difficult to know exactly what is right, since it's often a matter of conjecture.

Are people going to follow these automatic reactions instead of applying honest evaluations with radically new courses of action? If so, I'll have to go. Hope, e-mails, and mud pies are not likely to bring a futuristic revolution of any substance. Is it really the business monsters' fault? Is it any one's fault? Is it really wrong? One thing leads to another in a sequence we humans can't really perceive accurately. Political climates come and go until, if there is such a thing as evolution, each individual learns to govern its self.

One of the most valuable lessons is mastery over excessive fear. Maybe Pluto is spooking the crowd in order to achieve this some day. Dependence on illusions can increase panic since they are ultimately stripped leaving you exposed and extremely insecure. Pluto is fond of the naked truth without pretension, whether it's true or not. It's often a relief to give up and relax, taking circumstance as it is. The chatter about how dangerous a situation looks can sometimes be ignored. Frequently the heightened fear of the future is a mask over the boring nature of daily life. Thrills to cover the knowledge that the "thing" never really happens. Existence is largely routine.

It's Not About Obama

This person is not the problem and he's not the solution. The scope of the centuries old history of this country due for judgement in Capricorn is beyond the president. He can tag along if he wants to, tethered to his teleprompter, while some take advantage of the opportunity to become more independent, self-sufficient, and discerning in electing leaders, while developing some mastery over the political process.

The Troublesome Possible Future if Paradise Decides Not to Come

It's natural and enjoyable to predict in order to control the future, but the future is being created as we go, with guidelines, maps, blueprints, etc., to follow loosely. I've noticed that the future acquiesces to my dictates only on occasion, but maybe that's my doing. Self mastery includes keeping an eye on the blank parts of the slate thus giving the individual more say in the matter.

I've come to think I do exactly what I want to do, live like I want to live, like it or not, and I assume the collective does too. There's enough power to go around and as much as one needs can be had at any time. But agony can be enjoyable for some when Pluto promises who knows what from the supreme authority at hand.

Fissures and Schisms

It's awe producing when the earth throttles mankind in a brief moment of awakening. A sudden cracked opening allows a universe to rush out and even though the group quickly covers it up and tries to return to normal, something remains visible. Many barriers are being considered for demolition these days, with Pluto and Saturn in fragile partnership and nervous Uranus on the way.

One boundary broken in Haiti was that between the rich and the poor. Close to all of the wealth is owned by the upper 1%, but the quake hit every stratum in one moment of equalization. Now the habitual layering is coming back into place, but the classes did a double take and information about global inequity came pouring out of the split.

And speaking of equal, who is singled out by the universe for these hits and why? Another puzzle never answered. Some people really believe in chance, or so they say, others do not. Everyone wonders in moments like this, counting their lucky stars that their own lives are secure.Jan. 12, 2010, 4:39 PM, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

The chart of the event reveals some interesting facts. Once again Cancer (rising) tells the tale in its persistent search for safety. The Cancer-Capricorn axis is appearing so often I believe some instructions will get absorbed. Catastrophes teach that there is never a full guarantee, yet at the same time, some protective entity always shows up alongside providing relief, aid, and comfort. Fears born of the struggle for survival and what people will do, both bad and good, emerge to help us remain aware and realistic about the good and bad characteristics of human beings in general. The ability to survive and endure is potent.

In this chart Saturn is at the foundation and the square to Pluto shook the structure of the nation from the depths of its nadir. People buried alive (Pluto) in their own architecture (Saturn). There are shaky structures planet wide due for toppling, some violently, some without physical violence. Humans build, build, and build to have it all come down with the passage of time. The height, strength, and massive weight of architecture is testimony, I think, to basic collective insecurity. The mental and psychological structures are included in this rearrangement, if not paramount. The lessons around Cancer-Capricorn question how people build security, both at home and in the world.

The responsibility shown by the Capricorn stellium which Saturn disposits describes a contract between people (7th house) that assures propriety and morality, at least by some, and the structural pillar of solid relationship -- Saturn in Libra at the base. An eclipse triggered the configuration, and it's been said that eclipses expose a shadowy side of the collective psyche, so I think some recognition of human wrongdoing accompanied the tragedy. I found it very interesting that colonial and corporate crimes were discussed as well as the obvious natural disaster. An element of responsibility was experienced in an attempt to share the act with nature.

By now many of you are becoming familiar with the deeds that rich and powerful countries have done to control Haiti, the USA included. The Capricorn planets show this collective guilt and a moment of reparation, since there's been talk of what is owed to the people. Some are assuaging guilt by donating large sums of money that many are confused about in terms of whether they, themselves, deserve these fortunes or not. But even if acquired by hook or by crook, the money is being dispersed.

This is illustrated by the Aquarius stellium in the 8th house of shared resources, once again demolishing the structure of separation. All classes of people worldwide are contributing. Money and greed as the evil that created the hardship is now the saving grace as well as a source of new temptation. So the duality is clearly depicted, a reminder of the importance of human choice. Resources are flowing out of their confines, further breaking boundaries and familiar routes. The urge to repeat the same predatory practices now butts against humanitarian impulses as Wall Street prepares and futurists dream. Capricorn-Aquarius. A ruptured but clean slate.

The shock waves are shown by the elevated Uranus in Pisces, and the square to the Moon with the south node conjunct the ascendant remind the collective of an underlying insecurity these days, maybe a precursor to the building of some solid and safe structures in time. But fearfulness is destined to vibrate for awhile as the war on terror continues. Until we tire of waiting for the next attack and call it quits. The ancient schism between heroic efforts to save lives and the callous destruction in warfare is one that never seems to be reconciled.

The fractures are seen in the massive breakup of families and the multitudes of orphaned children, a Cancer-Aquarius concern. After the aftershocks, some children are going to find security they never imagined with that odd mixture of safety and fear, the familiar and unfamiliar, that marks human existence. Survivors will create new relationships after the sudden violent separations that so many are experiencing together. Their personal matrices have fallen every which way, but already they're undoubtedly busy forging new connections in the war zone. Recovery wastes not a millisecond. Common grief, memory, and some sort of arcane knowledge will bond them together for ages. Stories of survival will expand and be told to all the coming children. Cancer (the tribe) becomes extended family in Aquarius.

Mars in Leo in the second house shows the pride in spending around the world. There are some small human societies that measure status by how much people give, rather than what they own and keep. Some of our rich and famous might be discovering a sliver of that, competition to be perceived as "good" notwithstanding. The jackals of predatory profit are hungrily planning but they are being watched for the moment and Pluto menaces. The leveling is probably greater than people realize.

In addition, Mars retrograde in Leo opposite the Aquarius stellium illuminates an important part of this transit. It points out that there is no individual hero, no King of the World. Ego is being blasted and sent to the rubble while millions of little heroes take the stage and enter the limelight. It's a time for the lesser lights to acknowledge their significance. Jupiter at 29 inflates the value of humanitarian efforts and one by one the usual cast of self important characters gets diminished, maybe permanently. Some humility might emerge with the Pisces transits and the Mars retrograde, especially with Saturn back in Virgo for the finale.

I consulted the Tarot for more information the night of the quake and I drew The Tower. On September 11, I drew the same card and there does seem to be a correlation. A Saturn-Pluto opposition governed that event and the south node was at 3 Capricorn, the north at 3 Cancer, exactly where Pluto is now. I took it to mean that world trade practices had become so destructive that they were due for cosmic correction. Cosmic time and human time do differ but time is supposed to tell. The trade behavior with Haiti is a large part of the story, and with Haiti's south node in Leo, she can be dramatic in her telling. With so much emphasis on homeland security, I think we humans can expect some more interesting stories in these long Cancer-Capricorn days. Our own wealth distribution is similar to that of this little country and the fissures are sure to reach us too.

The splits in the US are appearing within the political parties as loyalty becomes increasingly questionable. Party lines are wobbling like mad. The American system is in chaos cracking wildly in the astonishing Massachusetts special election. The traditional line between the parties is also disintegrating to an extent as people from all sides realize that they have common complaints and interests in some areas. The schism between the commoners and the ruling body is becoming the dominant factor while the people gradually learn to assign responsibility to both parties and to society as a whole. If anyone is guilty, then everyone is.

But perhaps the greatest schism is that between humans and circumstance and the question arises of who-what holds the power. The triumphalism of certain nations is not working and no dominant leaders are emerging while the collective as a whole takes charge. Chaos (Pisces) is prevailing in a grand moment of equalization as Jupiter at 29 Aquarius in the aftermath, along with the moon, remind the group of one of the greatest of all lessons of Aquarius -- circumstances beyond our control. The relinquishing of control in Aquarius is designed as preparation for surrender to cosmic regulation and guidance in Pisces, where Jupiter just arrived. Trust is required to take one's next breath.

Traditional alignments everywhere are on their way to being shattered and restructured in the coming years, and with that, come new opportunities. This has been quite an introduction. A universal chord struck with aftershocks, reverberations, repercussions, and harmonics orchestrating an unexpected awakening. I know I'm on high alert.

Wheels in Time

The Mills Grind Slowly
The Wisdom of Jupiter in Pisces

On January 20th, two days after Jupiter enters Pisces for one year, President Obama marks his first year in office and the country is disappointed. Simple truth. There's nothing anyone can say to change that. It's necessary and it's not necessarily bad. It's part of the sequence required to create the conditions for improvement since rebellion is written into the guidelines. One's personal relationship with the figure need not change another's while people learn to live and let live in Piscean fashion. The two Jupiter-Neptune conjunctions were the prelude to this time, where impossible fantasies of a better place were abandoned to be reestablished with a workable plan and a reasonable time frame. A long one not based on a god figure. The inspirational religious icon worked with Pluto at 29 Sagittarius but things have changed after all.

Jupiter is going to ask that you eventually suspend illusions in preparation for a stark look at reality and the long Pluto return ahead for the United States. Anyone in office now would be in the same position since surrender at the end of the Pisces cycle is payment for passage into vigorous renewal and has nothing to do with the personalities. It's collective desire, especially with Uranus in Pisces as well. The end of the rope, the beginning of the next trip. Square one.

People were innocently hoping that things would be fixed but it isn't time now. You can't do that successfully through the panes of illusion fabricating windows, and while the unraveling is still in progress. So Jupiter in Pisces naturally will be disappointing for many considering the outrageous high that preceded this year. It happens that way. At the same time, the artistic and spiritual nature of Pisces applies just as much, and I think they will go together. The political situation is not in that category as yet, however, so displeasure in that segment is well placed.

As illusions disappear and Pluto inches forward opposite the USA Cancer stellium, it could become easier to look at the unadorned picture. In a few years Saturn in Scorpio forms a mutual reception with Pluto in Capricorn, a very interesting time when the system turns in on itself in an attempt to get to the source of itself. It's not the Democrats. It's not the Republicans. It's not the corporations. It's not the bankers. It's you. And me, of course. And It. By expecting a leader to make it all better you pass off your own responsibility. It won't happen that way. The changes needed in the system are fundamental and go back to the origins of the country, which should become clearer as the transit progresses and the relationship of government to business versus public good is revisited and sorted out. It's never been quite right.
Along with the mutual receptions will be the Uranus-Pluto squares and Pluto opposite USA Sun, an amazing opportunity to grapple with these dilemmas, a guarantee of high level dialog, and a more mature look at leadership. Criticism is part of progress, and this year's 50-50 view of the administration is an excellent sign of this progress. A very reasonable alignment. Unpopularity and independence are as important as following. Increasingly so.

The relationship of the public to leadership is infantile at this point and the lesson is hitting home with the south node in Cancer, along with Pluto opposite US Venus, triggered by the last full moon eclipse. A long station of the node at 21 is going on now as the first year evaluation starts. The dependent ones refuse to criticize while the feisty ones place too much resentment on the person. It all boils down to the continuing parental relationship this country insists upon trying to break free of itself with the Pluto return. With Pluto in Cancer, it worked, as you could see in the case of FDR. But this time around, we're due for what promises to be a rude awakening with hard growing pains if the populace is to learn what good governance is. This body is produced by the entire collective society and if it is functioning improperly, then the roots of its breakdown are within you and me. The source of the correction is not in the current president. An overall diminishing of stature will probably be the norm for awhile culminating in some resolution with the Pluto opposition to US Sun. Excellent leadership comes when the essential remedy has been found within the body politic, the job of investigative Pluto with his side dish of destruction if need be. The process will not be short changed. Have you ever tried to short change Pluto?

I've lived through many scripted presidencies and I'm not impressed, although they're all perfect for the time. The problems of society go deep and far beyond and I feel more of an urge to look at those than the figurehead in charge. If you're confident in your love for him you won't have to jump in panic and useless defense when others speak out against him, and there's a lot of that ahead. For some, an immunity will be needed.

The forces are aligning to arouse the public out of its stupor and this figure is the one who will be doing the aggravating. He's going to do a lot more than he already has to make the citizens angry as they emerge from under the Cancer security blanket and Uranus in Aries stokes its revolutionary fire. He's not going to heroically lead radical reform, he has other destinations. He'll help get us there in a convoluted way, though, as we come to understand how reform will really come about. Resisting leadership is part of it. The planets won't do it either, and probably not the Mayans. The planets merely reflect the conditions in which we as a whole can act if we so choose.

Heavyweights are appearing on the blogs now disrupting the dream scape in some places with a Saturnine relentlessness for good reason. They're bringing in facts and figures and unpleasant details often removed from the celebrity gossip that's not entirely instructive. The impulse is to reject them, hate them, but you can still maintain your allegiances while taking advantage of the education they offer. If we are to accomplish the positive development desired we'll have to abandon some naivete and learn how our government works separate from personal attachments, gullibility, and sentimental longings. This is Capricorn's area of expertise.

The sword these people bring to the cocoons is not going to disappear. If you spit them out, others will return to replace them. The energy of this conflict will turn into meaningful synergy as the people themselves come more and more into contact with their potency, and less dependent on the leader's. Judging others and basing actions on whether or not they like someone you do (Cancer) will probably not change the government. The emotional aloofness connected with Capricorn is not an easy thing for Cancer to allow, but the ultra personal is becoming an increasing impediment to productive growth. The nursery school mud pie caged monkey orgy of American politics will have to draw to a close as economic factors dominate in the next years and real administrative talent becomes attractive. You might be shocked at the difference when it arrives.

It could well be that some of the fear and rage toward strangers on the far side of the globe gets turned inward toward America's own system and leadership, especially as Mars continues its retrograde progression headed to Saturn in its search for enduring peace. Well placed battles would be the ideal in the coming years. Battles within ourselves rather than with everyone else exclusively. Wars against evil have been proven ineffective, and no human is without internal conflict. Therein lies the source.

Jupiter in Pisces conjunct Uranus can point to real common need and the expanse of time necessary to get to improvements, even uncovering some eternal facts that never change. The infinity of Pisces can be both comforting and overwhelming, as is the duality. Hope springs jubilantly from sorrow so the down cycle is actually a good thing. Some fear that they'll get trapped in the anguish, but that's unlikely. Despair will kick you out eventually.

I once had a vision of the universe as a giant machine with turning gears, all well oiled and operating beautifully in synchronization to keep the system functioning in buzzing humming harmony. It's no wonder that we see our lives as a wheel in astrological terms. Each one of us is a gear, I think, a vital wheel in the operation of the cosmic mechanism. The significance of every one a given.

Each of us has a unique path to health and collective contribution written in our wheels meshing to create an integrated whole. It's the fixing of these gears that will determine our political future and all are responsible for their own, peppered with shared responsibility. Perhaps this year in Pisces to Aries and back to Pisces will illuminate that creative infinite individual possibility guiding those who are interested to the real integer.