Drunken Astrology

Uranus, Pluto, and Guns: The Astrology of the Aurora Shooting

2012-07-26T15:41:00.006-05:00

It's been a week since the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado, during the opening night of The Dark Knight Rises. 12 people were killed, many more were injured. The alleged gunman: a troubled 24-year-old named James Holmes.

Holmes had been studying for a PhD in neuroscience, and was described as socially awkward but easy-going- by no means a typical candidate for mass murder. His mental state around the time of the shooting appears to be a very different story. He purchased four firearms at a local gun shop, as well as over 6,000 rounds of ammunition... online. This last detail has a particularly strong astrological resonance with the planet Uranus. He also dyed his hair and appeared to be emulating the personality of the Joker from the Batman series.

Before exploring the connection between Uranus and Holmes' weapons purchase, let's take a look at his chart:

If you take a close look at the chart (outside ring is the chart for the shooting, inside ring is James Holmes' natal chart), you'll notice two hard aspects that may have contributed to the event. The green line shows the opposition between Saturn in Libra (in the shooting chart) and Jupiter in Aries (the natal chart). This opposition is a tug-of-war between two fundamentally different planets- the planet of expansion, freedom, and opportunity (Jupiter) and the planet of responsibility, limitation and karma (Saturn). In Holmes' birth chart, Jupiter is in Aries, the sign of pioneering action, energy and individuality. Saturn, on the other hand, is currently in Libra, the sign of cooperation and responsibility. Such an opposition demands reconciling the need for freedom and self-expression with responsibility to others. This is not a comfortable task.

More potent still, however, is the square between Mars in Libra and Pluto, which is exactly on Holmes' Neptune, both in Capricorn (the red line). Pluto, the planet of death, rebirth, and churning the depths, is penetrating the mysterious waters of Neptune. This can cause deep, difficult questions about one's ideals, beliefs, and aspirations. A challenging square from Mars in Libra, though, forces these difficult questions into the physical, interpersonal realm. Such an aspect can bring creativity and needed action, but it can also be disorienting and frustrating. This aspect may help explain the blurred line between reality and fantasy, with Holmes assuming the chaotic persona of the Joker. These aspects may also suggest why his motives in the shooting remain unclear.

One aspect of the chart for the shooting, which we've all been experiencing for a while now, is the square between Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries. In Holmes' chart, Uranus in Aries provides a third point to the square between Pluto and Mars, further electrifying the difficulty of the previous aspects. However, it also touches on an astrological narrative that spans the past 100 years or more: Uranus, Pluto, and the American history of guns and gun control.

While there is no shortage of astrological coverage of the Uranus-Pluto cycle, or Uranus charging through Aries, firearms are an important aspect of these patterns that aren't often addressed. Uranus represents individuality, freedom, and technology, including weapons technology. Aries, meanwhile, is associated with martial arts, knives, and guns. Uranus in Aries, therefore, is often a time of rapidly developing gun technology (or, perhaps even more notable, availability).

Uranus last moved into Aries in 1927. The heyday of mob and gangster violence, one of the most iconic images of the time period was the Thompson sub machine gun. The "Chicago Typewriter" represented the increasing availability of technologically sound, extremely dangerous weapons (sound familiar?) The St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929 brought to a head public anger over the dangerously armed gangs of the time period. Uranus was also approaching a square with Pluto, much like our current square today. When Uranus moved into more stable Taurus, the National Firearms Act was passed, in an effort to regulate "gangster weapons".

The next aspect between Uranus and Pluto occurred in the 60's. This tumultuous decade had more than its fair share of violence, including the assassination of John F. and Robert F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. Spurred in part thanks to these deaths, the Gun Control Act of 1968 was passed in Congress. With a conjunction between Uranus, Pluto, Jupiter, and Mars all around the beginning of Libra, it's as if the energies of these planets convened to produce order and cooperation in the realm of firearms.

Now in 2012, Uranus and Pluto are in square aspect again, with Uranus back in Aries. The unique aspect to this current square is the development of the Internet (see my post here about Uranus, Neptune, and the Internet). The ease with which James Holmes acquired thousands of rounds of ammunition online has alarmed many, including representatives in New York and New Jersey who are calling for greater restrictions.

Gun control is one of many issues brought to public attention with Uranus in Aries. The common denominator underlying many of these issues is the internet. Online sales, social media, and more are rapidly changing our modern society. As Uranus continues its journey through Aries and its square with Pluto, we can expect the debate over these issues to continue...

Readers: How do you feel about guns and gun control? How is the internet affecting other issues that are important to you? Leave a comment!

The Next Phase

2012-07-18T10:49:00.002-05:00

In today's post, I'm breaking one of Astrology's biggest rules: "Don't take on a massive undertaking during Mercury retrograde." There is one aspect of Mercury retrograde, however, that we often forget- and that's the introspective, intuitive side of the three week period. While my scooter has already mysteriously broken down and I've been late everywhere I go (typical Mercury retrograde), I've also had time to reflect on my astrological practice. After studying for years and exploring a variety of concepts here on Drunken Astrology, I am now beginning my professional practice.

What can you expect from an astrological analysis? You can expect an in-depth look at your chart and how it reflects you and your life. A chart analysis can highlight opportunities and difficult areas that you may be experiencing, and how you can use your astrological strengths to their full potential.

My true specialty, however, is spatial or relocation astrology. This area focuses on how astrological energy manifests on the earth itself, and how travel or relocation activates your chart. When we move or travel, we break out of the status quo of daily life, and open ourselves up to a host of astrological influence. A spatial astrology analysis can help you navigate the changes of moving or traveling, and help you take advantage of new opportunities.

If you're interested in any services or have any questions, email me at: davenportbeau@gmail.com

We have a ton of astrological events to discuss in the times ahead. Astrology may not have all the answers, but it can help you get a deeper understanding and a new perspective on the events we face, both in the world at large and our everyday lives. I'd like to help you get that new perspective.

So, this Mercury retrograde, double check you didn't lock your keys in your car or wash your cell phone. But also take a minute to relax and reflect, and don't be afraid to take a chance occasionally...

The Uranus-Pluto Square of 2012 (The transit we can't ignore)

2012-06-15T00:12:00.005-05:00

So, I haven't posted anything in a few months. I've been a bit wrapped up in working on another project: building my first Greenland-style skin-on-frame kayak. After chiseling away for months, I'm almost done, and in the process I've started a companion blog called The Landlocked Seafarer. Check out one of my latest posts here, where you can see part one of the kayak building process. If you're a fan of paddling, sailing, boat building or anything ocean-related, follow me over there!

But enough about boats. Let's discuss the big headline in the astrological news this month: The Uranus-Pluto Square.

As tumultuous as the planetary energies have been the past few years, the one transit that astrologers have anticipated perhaps more than any other is the square between Uranus and Pluto. Both planets move very slowly, and are often referred to as the "generational" planets, because their effects are felt on a large scale. The last aspect between these two planets was the Uranus-Pluto Conjunction, in the 1960's. Uranus, the great awakener and pioneer of individuality and freedom, combined with the intense catharsis and inner power of Pluto. This led to a time of electrically-charged cultural revolution.

With the impending square aspect between these planets, the same planetary themes are at play. However, the square aspect indicates constructive tension. The two planets are forced together in an uncomfortable way, with the ultimate goal of positive development. Neither Pluto nor Uranus will consent to work together very easily on such a goal. It's not expected to be an easy astrological ride.

Rick Levine, in The Mountain Astrologer, writes about the significance of Pluto and Uranus: "Now, as we move into the first hard Uranus-Pluto aspect since the 1960's, technology has taken us to a new level of interconnectivity..." One of the major components of the revolutionary 60's was the development of media. The Vietnam War is often labeled as the first "Television War", because for the first time in history, people could watch the conflict from their homes. This new level of exposure helped fuel the unrest that people felt over the war, because it took on an immediacy that people couldn't ignore. Uranus, the planet most associated with revolutionary technology, has recently passed through a period of mutual reception with Neptune (read my post about it here.)

This mutual reception fueled the development of the internet as well as online social media, which has presented the modern world a level of interconnectivity unimaginable in times past. Now we don't just see conflicts around the world, we participate with those who face such conflicts. Activism, communication, entertainment, all manner of our social experience of the world is fueled by social media and the internet in general. This means that, in the conflicts we've seen in recent years (such as the Arab Spring) and any future conflicts that arise, we can expect to participate like never before in history. With Uranus in Aries for this aspect, conflicts for the sake of freedom are likely to continue.

Pluto, on the other hand, is more complex. While Pluto in Capricorn seeks death and regeneration, the violent purge that heals our current world order, it also represents the deep roots of power that run through our business and government realms. When you combine the energies of these planets with the unprecedented global unity of modern society, you have a recipe for a very uncomfortable, challenging, essential conflict between individual freedom and institutional power that cannot be ignored. The ultimate goal, however, is constructive, positive catharsis.

Does this mean the world will dissolve into rebellion on June 24th? I have to assert that no, this is not likely to be the case. With the unprecedented interconnectivity of our modern world also comes unprecedented voice. As individuals, we can do more to support the positive outcomes of these difficult astrological times. Think about the voice you have, whether it be in your community, job, or online with your own blog or website, and don't waste it.

What do you think about modern times and the role that social media plays? Leave a comment!

Celebrity Moon Sign Series: Mad Men's Jon Hamm

2012-03-12T13:30:00.012-05:00

While I typically avoid hometown shout-outs here on Drunken Astrology, I can't pass up the chance to boast about growing up in the same city as Jon Hamm, who plays the starring role of Don Draper on AMC's Mad Men. Though a prolific actor in a variety of roles, Don Draper is certainly Hamm's most iconic role. His distinctly aloof but profound acting style, charismatic presence, and the fact that the scotch never runs dry all match up quite well with Hamm's Pisces Sun. The Sun, as our ideal self-image, our vitality, our ego, always factors into an actor's career quite dramatically (couldn't resist that one). But, as is often the case, it's the moon sign that offers insight into what actors are really feeling, and what personal experiences have shaped their acting career. For Jon Hamm, we can look to his moon in Virgo to learn more.

Hamm was born March 10th, 1971, in St. Louis, Missouri. In astrological interpretation, the moon sign is often a strong indicator of tendencies in childhood (sometimes stronger than the sun sign!). Though dabbling in some of the Piscean-approved creativity of acting roles in school, Hamm participated more in sports (a practical and healthy pursuit more befitting his moon in Virgo). Hamm went on to pursue a degree in English, teaching drama briefly before relocating to Los Angeles.

Moving to Los Angeles brought Hamm's Sun-Moon combo truly to the fore: the idealism of his Pisces sun encouraged him to pursue a career as an actor, while his Virgo moon forced him to maintain his practical side (which consequently meant waiting tables). As the frustration of spending years seeking a career in acting mounted, his Virgo moon intervened, as can be summed up well in the following quote:

"The last thing I wanted to be out here was one of those actors who's 45 years old, with a tenuous grasp of their own reality, and not really working much. So I gave myself five years. I said, if I can't get it going by the time I'm 30, I'm in the wrong place. And as soon as I said that, it's like I started working right away."

You couldn't engineer a better statement that addressed both the Piscean pitfalls of frustrated ideals and Virgo's clear-cut demands on practicality and deadlines. The balance of these energies paid off quickly for Hamm, who was cast in a variety of roles from 2000 to 2007, when he obtained the breakthrough role of Don Draper.

Much like Morgan Freeman's stabilizing Mercury in Taurus (read the post about him here!), Hamm's moon in Virgo (another earth sign) provides a solid foundation for his creative Pisces Sun. Even the character of Don Draper seems to exemplify Hamm's sun-moon combination: flashes of brilliance and creativity between libations, with a detail-oriented and critical approach to others bringing everything back down to earth. It's no wonder that Don Draper is Hamm's most successful role and has garnered him multiple awards.

Hints of Virgoan concerns appear in other parts of Hamm's life, as well. Virgo, as well as the sixth house (which it rules) are associated with health, service, and animals or pets. Hamm and his longtime girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt both advocate animal rescue, and their pet dog Cora was adopted from an animal shelter. Small personal details like this can demonstrate the ongoing role that one's moon sign plays in their lives, even while the associations of their sun sign "steal the spotlight".

While Jon Hamm's charismatic screen presence is undoubtedly a product of his Pisces sun, we may just have his moon in Virgo to thank for the practicality and determination that got him there. Practical determination is a skill we could all work on- but it's also important to relax as well. So pour yourself a scotch and go watch Mad Men.
Readers: Do your sun and moon signs help each other out? How do your sun and moon signs manifest in your life? Leave a comment!

Bogs, Booze, and Climate Change, part 1

2012-03-12T12:32:00.014-05:00

Beer: Perhaps the world's most audible source of C02 emissions (*belch*)

At first glance, it might be difficult to see how a frosty pint of beer could relate to climate change. Believe me, when I find myself discouraged by the daunting future of our changing planet, I expect an icy libation to help me forget about these problems. Beer, however, has a rich history that is tied quite intimately with the environment.

In Europe, there's a distinctive "line" separating areas with a beer-drinking heritage and those of a wine-drinking heritage. Not surprisingly, this line divides the Mediterranean areas of thriving grape production from the temperate areas of diverse herbs and plants that have been used throughout the history of beer-making. The only one of these herbs still widely used today is hops, which can be about as finicky as grapes when it comes to climatic requirements. It thrives around the 45th parallel, which corresponds to Oregon in the U.S. and Germany in Europe, both of which produce many of the world's best-known hop varieties.

Before hops, a proprietary blend of preservative and flavoring herbs known as gruit was used in brewing beer (read a little more about gruit and brewing in my latest post on gruit ale here). The selection of herbs used in gruit varied widely ("I'll bet these berries are only a little poisonous..."). But in general, one of the most commonly used ingredients was a small shrub known as bog myrtle. Like grapes and hops, bog myrtle prefers a specific environment (though it's not quite as picky as grapes and hops...). Bog myrtle likes peaty soils, high in acidity and organic matter. As its name suggests, it grows in bogs.

You may wonder: why do we digress into bogs when we should be discussing beer and astrology? Have I had one beer too many? The boggy peatlands, as it turns out, are a big factor in European history, in the development of beer, and in climate change (to be discussed in part 2). Here's a map showing some of Europe's libation geography:

Though perhaps not 100% exact, you can see the general range of plant habitats. Wine doesn't do terribly well in Lithuania, and bog myrtle doesn't have much luck on the Sicilian coast. Hops falls in the middle, and sure enough parties with everybody. Germany, a country in which hops and wine overlap, is known for both outstanding hops and world-renowned wine production. England, where hops and bog myrtle's peat-bog home overlap, was an area of intense conflict when hops began to compete with gruit herbs back in the middle ages. Stephen Harrod Buhner, in an article here about the fall of gruit ale, quotes a complaint made by a distraught medieval brewer to the mayor of London:

"a deceivable and unholesome fete in bruying of ale within the said citee nowe of late [that] is founde in puttyng of hoppes and other things in the said ale, contrary to the good and holesome manner of bruynge of Ale of old tyme used. . . . Pleas it therfore your saide good lordshyppe to forbid the putting into ale of any hops, herbs, or other like thing, but only licour, malte, and yeste."

Although hops had become standard in Germany and the Netherlands, the brewers of medieval England stayed loyal to their gruit heritage (for a short time, anyway. Southern England eventually embraced hops with beer styles such as the India Pale Ale). Scotland and Scandinavia, too far north for hops to venture, are home to some really interesting pre-hop brews (including heather ale and a gruit brewed with juniper berries). To this day, Scottish-style beer is characterized by very toned-down hops. Bog myrtle is used in Scandinavia in modern times as an ingredient in home-made liquor infusions. It's inescapable- the effects of climate and environment on drinking culture endure.

That drinking heritage may be facing changes, though. Climate transformation, rising temperatures and freak weather are affecting grapes and hops alike, and the vast peat bogs around the world's northern latitudes are a ticking timebomb of carbon emissions. Read more about these changes and what the future may hold in part 2!

Readers: what do you think about climate change? Do you ever consider the history of your favorite libations? Leave a comment!

Getting an angle on the astrological angles

2012-02-27T11:38:00.010-06:00

Photo by Scott Bedard.

You're at a party when someone asks "what's your sign?" While this question is starting to sound a bit like an antiquated pick-up line, nearly everyone would at least be able to answer. Most of us know our "sign"- which is our sun sign, the location of our sun in the zodiac when we were born. The sun sign represents our identity and ego, so it's no coincidence that we've incorporated this meaning linguistically ("I am a Pisces").

As you may have read about in the Celebrity Moon Sign Series (check out the post on Grigori Rasputin here!), Some of us may also know our moon sign, the location of the moon in the zodiac when we were born. This represents our emotional, instinctual side, as well as our childhood.

Perhaps not quite as commonly known (but just as important) is the ascendant, or the sign of the zodiac belt that was just coming over the eastern horizon when we were born. While the sun and moon signs are based only on your birth day and time, the ascendant incorporates birth day, time, AND place (since where on earth you were born will affect your perspective of the sky, and therefore what degree of the zodiac belt was on the horizon- the ascendant). This distinction highlights the significance of the ascendant in astrology- it signifies your role, the impression others have of you, and the unique way in which you respond and adapt to your environment. The ascendant also represents your physical body and "colors" the manner in which your chart manifests outwardly.

The ascendant is the first of four chart angles, four points which make up a cross around which the rest of the chart is oriented. The ascendant, and its opposite point, the descendant, form the horizontal axis. The Midheaven and IC (Nadir) points form the vertical axis.

While the ascendant represents you, the descendant represents others. The role of relationships and other people are represented by this point. The midheaven is the zodiac point corresponding to the highest point in the sky the sun reaches as it travels across the heavens. As the highest point of the sun, the midheaven corresponds to our most public, career, or professional aspirations and inclinations. Meanwhile, the opposite IC point represents the more personal, private parts of our lives along with our roots and foundations. The zodiac ring, and the planets along it, are oriented according to these angles. The angles are also used to form the 12 houses of the chart (the ascendant is the beginning of the first house, the IC is the 4th, the descendant the 7th, and the midheaven the 10th).

Planets and zodiac signs on these angles are some of the strongest indicators in chart analysis. A planet can change meaning dramatically depending on how close it is to one of these angles, and which angle it might be. The sun, for example, can go from outspoken and physical vitality (ascendant) to deep foundations and a strong identity with home life (IC) to a strong orientation towards partnership and connection to others (descendant) and finally to a strong public, career-oriented expression (midheaven).

Not only is the axis of the astrological angles necessary for building a chart, but it is also an example of a recurring archetype in cultures around the world. The cross in different myriad religious traditions, the "cross of matter", the compass rose, and the traditional Native American medicine wheel all share this common symbolism. The angles of the chart connect the heavens to the earth, and simultaneously orient the significance of the planets in the zodiac to different parts of our individual lives.

The importance of the angles is also essential to relocation astrology and the corresponding study of Astrocartography (to be discussed more in future posts!). The use of angles in relocation highlights one of the most enduring lessons of the angles- the essential connection between time and space in using astrology. Maybe someday soon, people will be asking "What's your ascendant?" You never know...

Readers- do you know your ascendant? Are any of your planets on the angles? Leave a comment!

Virginia Pepperweed- a Gruit Herb Update

2012-02-16T12:40:00.016-06:00

Typically, this is about the time of year when the only way to combat the chill is to consume massive amounts of beer while staring longingly at the calender, waiting for March. Here in the Midwest, however, we've had an unseasonably warm winter. Like many parts of the country, we've seen near record highs and very little winter weather.

Plenty of beer is still being consumed (don't worry). There just hasn't been that much of a chill to fight off. Neither has there been much snowfall, which unfortunately also means there hasn't been much snowmelt. While melting snow typically seems to serve no greater purpose than making a cold, muddy mess, it's actually very important to the gruit herb seeds from the solstice sowing back in December (check out that post here).

Like many seeds in cooler temperate zones, the gruit herb seeds have a protective shell that must be broken down before germination. In the fluctuating temperatures of winter, snowfall and subsequent snowmelt slowly wear down the protective layer on the seeds, preparing them for germination when spring arrives- a process known as stratification. Without proper weathering, the seeds' barriers may not be adequately broken down enough to germinate. In other words, our nice weather is actually putting this year's gruit harvest in jeopardy. Nice weather... no gruit ale?

Confounding though such a situation may be, this is not the only plot twist in the gruit herb saga. As I mentioned in the last gruit ale post, I found this familiar-looking little plant growing outside near a fence. I replanted it in a pot at home, thinking that it must certainly be mugwort.

After a few months of rapid growth, however, it seemed increasingly unlikely that this plant was mugwort. I researched several plant databases, and the mugwort look-alike turned out to be Virginia pepperweed, a common roadside plant. Though edible (and apparently rather nutritious), it's certainly not mugwort. The two plants, when young, are remarkably similar looking...

Virginia pepperweed vs. mugwort. Can you blame me?

After swiftly finding the mugwort seeds I purchased in December, I managed to mix up a planter and get them sown just in time for a surprise dusting of snow.

Mugwort likes a somewhat richer soil than the bog myrtle and marsh rosemary, something not quite as peaty and acidic. I made a potting mixture with a larger portion of humus before planting, and I used oak leaves as a protective layer instead of pine needles. Like the bog myrtle and marsh rosemary, mugwort requires a stratification period. As our mysteriously warm winter winds down, hopefully there will be just enough cold and snow to get the seeds ready for springtime.

Until then... anyone for Virginia pepperweed salad?

Readers: Has there been strange weather where you live? How has it affected you? Leave a comment!

Pluto, Saturn, and the Great No-Nonsense of 2012

2012-02-06T15:15:00.009-06:00

Wikimedia Commons

Saturn in Scorpio cordially invites you to a gala evening of "cut the crap."

In my last post, we discussed the significance of Uranus and Neptune in the development of the the online world we've come to love and depend upon. One of the major aspects that strengthened Uranus and Neptune over the past few years was their mutual reception, or the presence of each planet in the sign ruled by the other planet. It's as if Neptune went to Uranus' downtown loft, and Uranus went to Neptune's windswept cottage on the beach, and they both agreed that it would be alright to drink each others' beer.

This same mutual reception is poised to take place in a few short months between Saturn and Pluto. Pluto, for several years, has been passing through Capricorn. Saturn has been passing through Libra for a couple of years now (read about where you may be feeling Saturn's hard lessons!) One of the defining characteristics of Saturn being in Libra is that it is exalted.

What is "exaltation", anyway? Exaltation refers to a system called dignities and debilities, developed by astrologers thousands of years ago to assess the strengths and weaknesses of planetary placement. There are four essential dignities still in common use amongst most modern astrologers. These essential dignities are conditions that the planets may find themselves in as they pass around the zodiac.

-Rulership is the zodiac sign ruled by the planet- Mars, for example, rules Aries.
-Exaltation is a supportive zodiac sign that helps the planet- Mars is in exaltation in the sign of Capricorn.
-Across from exaltation is the sign of a planet's fall- an uncomfortable position that lowers the planet's strength; Mars, in this case, is in fall in Cancer.
-The sign of detriment was traditionally considered the most difficult sign for the planet to visit, opposite its sign of rulership. Mars, therefore, is in detriment in Libra.

Saturn, exalted in Libra, has had a harmonious and strengthened journey the past two years. The harmony, balance and tact of Libra have provided the constructive support for Saturn to manifest itself with ease. The usual charm and idealism associated with the sign of Libra, however, are not enough for Saturn. Saturn in Libra requires hard work and compromise. Consider the political theater of the U.S. Congress in recent years. As political ideals meet tough financial realities, there is no choice but to painstakingly debate, battle, and ultimately compromise on every issue. While nothing new in politics, this process has nevertheless been excruciatingly difficult with Saturn in Libra.

This October, however, Saturn will complete its passage through Libra and move into the sign of Scorpio. The hard karmic lessons of compromise and impartial justice will downshift to the deeper emotional realm of Scorpio. Responsibility and challenges related to sexuality, death, debt, and subconscious power struggles will become Saturn's focus. No longer exalted, Saturn will not be as effectively show-stopping as it has been. We've all learned our lessons about compromise and justice (we promise!)

The most important shift as Saturn moves into Scorpio will be its mutual reception with Pluto. Pluto, ruler of Scorpio, continues to move through Capricorn, which is ruled by Saturn. Like Uranus and Neptune, Saturn and Pluto will give each other reinforcing energy and support. But unlike Uranus and Neptune, Saturn and Pluto will form a sextile aspect with each other in December, just two months after the beginning of their mutual reception. The sextile aspect is a separation of 60 degrees, or two zodiac signs, between planets. It is a supportive aspect that allows the planets the opportunity to work together. Already in mutual reception, Saturn and Pluto will truly be working hand-in-hand this December. Late Fall into Winter of 2012, we should see a definite shift from compromise to catharsis.

Pluto has already been slowly grinding through Capricorn, challenging the structure, hierarchy, and systems of power and government in our modern world. Saturn in Scorpio does not share the need for tact and compromise required by Saturn in Libra. Pluto and Saturn, working together, have a simple but painstaking mission- cut the crap. We might call their work together "The Great No-Nonsense of 2012." Both planets seek accountability, question power structures, open us to our deeper selves and the challenges we need to face. There's an opportunity here for tremendous change, for finding the inner strength to accomplish goals and cut through all manner of nonsense and frivolity to understand the true nature of ourselves and our society.

I'll be the first to admit, this does not sound particularly fun. But neither planet is concerned with fun, especially when they're working together on a difficult job such as the catharsis we need in our world today. With an aspect like this, I believe there's a strong potential for healing, both personally and in the world at large. The road to that healing might simply be a bit rough.

So, with the few months left of Saturn in Libra, let's do what we can to assimilate the lessons of compromise and fairness that we've had to learn over the past couple of years. Our ability to collaborate, knowing when to be impartial, and being aware of our relationships can go far in helping us work through whatever challenges we may face down the road.

What about you, readers? What hard lessons are you learning? What do you think Pluto and Saturn have in store for us? Leave a comment!

Neptune, Uranus, and the rise of the Internet

2012-01-28T13:48:00.004-06:00

Photo by Callum Black.

Last April, we toasted the return of Neptune to its home sign of Pisces with a few glasses of absinthe, the drink of choice for Neptune's previous swim through Piscean waters in the 1800's. Artists, intellectuals, dreamers, and drunken folk chased the green fairy of inspiration in surprising and unexplored directions; with Neptune in Pisces, the limitations to our creativity seem to melt away. You certainly don't hear the word "inhibition" quite as often. Boundaries dissolve, for good or ill, and our conception of reality changes. (Check out my article from last march about Neptune in Pisces)

Before Neptune's current plunge into Pisces, it was making its way through Aquarius (from 1998 to 2011). In Aquarius, Neptune dissolves boundaries between individuals and groups, connecting our society. Unique technology combines with a mixture of logic and intuition. Anything new, unique, and preferably group-oriented that questions the status quo begins to take on a gossamer finish.

This begins to ring a bell if you think back to 1998, 1999...

"hmm... 'www.customizeyourownsugarfreecandycanes.com' is SURELY my ticket to fame and fortune!"

The burst of the "dot com bubble" was a prime example of the difficulties Neptune can bring during a transit. During a short period of techno-economic intoxication, the novelty of new technology and individual initiative (Aquarius) in the exciting new internet realm led to speculation (Neptune) in the marketplace. Many were so enchanted by the internet that success seemed guaranteed for any business start-up with a ".com" at the end. Neptune always challenges us by dissolving the boundaries between fantasy and reality. When the .com fantasy met the economic reality, the speculative bubble burst, causing great financial issues, unemployment, and many furrowed brows. Lessons learned, the internet continued to develop and grow.

During the dot com bubble, Uranus, like Neptune, was in Aquarius. Busy adding innovation and an electrical jolt of new and unique ideas, Uranus in Aquarius did not do much to foster an emotional connection to the internet. In 2003, however, Uranus moved into Pisces. Pisces is ruled by Neptune, and Aquarius is ruled by Uranus. With Neptune in the sign ruled by Uranus, and Uranus in the sign ruled by Neptune, these two planets were in an astrological configuration called mutual reception. The connection between the two planets is strengthened, and they work together with enhanced effects.

A year after this configuration began, Facebook was founded, in 2004. Neptune in Aquarius fueled the dissolution of boundaries in technology, groups and individuality; Uranus in Pisces brought technology and individuality into a more sensitive, intuitive realm with mass appeal. This was the beginning of social networking, as well as an unprecedented period of developing something never before seen in history- an internet-based identity. With Uranus and Neptune working together, our social lives, our interests, to a great extent our consciousness were all drawn to the internet like never before.

Wikimedia commons

The last time this mutual reception between Uranus and Neptune occurred was the late 1830's into the early 1840's. Nothing back then could compare to the internet, but sure enough, the world was changing. This period of time saw the first of the Opium Wars in China, a time of dissolving boundaries and an increasing global awareness. Transcendentalism, a pioneering new intellectual movement in the U.S. spearheaded by writers such as Henry David Thoreau, challenged the structure of organized religion in favor of a spirituality based on each individual's connection to nature and spirit. Most importantly, perhaps, was the development of the telegraph by Samuel Morse. First used in 1938, the telegraph brought electricity and code into use for communication. This would, in a few short decades, create the beginning of a global information network that has only continued to develop since.

Now, with Uranus moving into pioneering Aries, the technology and internet identities that we've cultivated are helping to spur revolutionary change in countries around the world. At the same time, Neptune is completing its final pass through Aquarius, after dipping into Pisces last year before returning for a short retrograde period. Neptune will leave Aquarius for the last time this century on February 3rd, and the mysterious and deeply emotional period of Neptune in Pisces will last until 2024. There may be great uncertainty ahead, but you can be sure of one thing- the internet has changed our world unlike anything in history. As Uranus hightails it through Aries, let's give a nod to Neptune finishing its run in Aquarius over the next few days- if not for Neptune in Aquarius, you probably wouldn't even be reading this...

Readers: how do you feel about the internet? Are there big changes ahead for our online world? Leave a comment!

Celebrity Sun Sign Series- Morgan Freeman and Mercury

2012-01-15T12:24:00.009-06:00

"I gravitate towards gravitas."- Morgan Freeman. Sounds like Mercury in Taurus sure enough! Photo by Alan Light.

Throughout history, there have been many actors and orators who move us when they speak, and have a comforting presence that can't be denied. A few rouse us to action, striking our hearts with joy or sadness. Fewer still have had such presence that they could portray God himself. The man capable of such a feat, and our topic for today's Celebrity Sun Sign Series, is Morgan Freeman.

Morgan Joseph Freeman was born on June 1st, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee. This gives Morgan Freeman the sun sign of Gemini, the twins. Ruled by the planet Mercury, Gemini is the sign of communication, mental acuity, diversity and duality. Geminis are quick-witted and curious. They also embody the philosophy that "variety is the spice of life."

After moving several times as a child, Freeman began acting at age 9. Although offered a drama scholarship after graduating high school, he joined the US Air force. His career as an Actor began in the 60's, with the typical Gemini love for variety in his roles (everything from Hello Dolly to soap opera's to children's television on PBS.)

Freeman has had a prolific acting career in many genres of film, but his most memorable roles exemplify his calm, authoritative demeanor and way of speaking. He has a commanding presence that has allowed him to play roles such as Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding in The Shawshank Redemption, the U.S. President in Deep Impact, and Lucius Fox in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. It takes an awful lot of charisma to play Nelson Mandela, as he did in 2009's critically-acclaimed Invictus.

Then, of course, there's Freeman's role as God in the movie Bruce Almighty. Though not one of his more critically-acclaimed movies, Freeman certainly shows his prowess by taking on the somewhat daunting role of playing God in film.

It comes as little surprise that Morgan Freeman's birth chart packs a one-two punch of charismatic charm and speaking ability. Below is Freeman's birth chart. Though birth time is unknown, it is set as a noon chart (placing his sun on the MC at the top of the chart, an appropriate placement for such a public individual).

While the focus of the Celebrity Sun Sign Series is, of course, the sun sign and how those attributes show up in the lives of famous people, there are several key aspects of Morgan Freeman's birth chart that distinguish his Gemini Sun. Freeman's Sun in Gemini is circled in green at the top of the chart. Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury, which in Freeman's chart is in Taurus (circled in green as well). This Mercury in Taurus gives Freeman's Gemini Sun a strong dose of down-to-earth stable. Taurus is known for practicality and security, and Mercury in Taurus provides concentration and a thorough, deliberate style of thinking. As you can see in the red square at the top of the chart, Mercury in Taurus is also conjunct Uranus in Taurus. Uranus, the planet of electrically-charged change and innovation, takes a major chill pill in Uranus. Uranus in Taurus provides the innovative spark of creativity Uranus is known for in a practical, concrete way.

Freeman's Mercury and Uranus are also trine his Neptune in Virgo (the red box on the left side of the chart), which in his noon-based chart is on his ascendant. Neptune, the planet of imagination and illusion, is commonly associated with the film industry. In Virgo, the creative muse of Neptune manifests in a more calculated, cautious way. Freeman's Neptune supports his Mercury and Uranus with careful, reserved charismatic charm.

These aspects in Freeman's chart seem to paint a fairly accurate picture of reserved charm, careful and deliberate speech, and a powerful presence, grounded by the gravity of so many planets in earth signs. Freeman's career continues, both in acting roles and narration for shows and charitable organizations.

"But..." you may ask, "Morgan Freeman doesn't sound like a stereotypical Gemini... does he?" Sure enough, there are some aspects of the "typical" Gemini personality that Morgan Freeman does not seem to exemplify as strongly. A Gemini sun sign is often associated with a youthful personality, an affinity for the lighter side of life, and a versatile and ever-changing mentality. This is one of the limitations of "Sun Sign Astrology." The energy, the personality and the underlying themes of an individual's life are often most strongly exemplified by their sun sign (which is part of the fun in our Celebrity Sun Sign Series), but more often than not, the identity of the sun sign is conditioned by the other aspects of the chart. Morgan Freeman has the communication and mental focus of Gemini, but having Gemini's ruling planet Mercury located in and supported by earth signs provides that double scoop of gravitas that distinguishes his personality.

Morgan Freeman's chart shows the many layers of astrological interpretation, and how important it is for us to penetrate the surface of the chart and appreciate the complexity within!

How about you, readers? How do you feel about your sun sign? Are you a Morgan Freeman fan? Leave a comment!

Saturn in Libra pays us all a visit

2012-01-05T11:42:00.014-06:00

Saturn says that if you don't share those brownies, you don't get any at all.

The planet Saturn is not known for having fun. If Jupiter is that awesome night of getting drunk and watching cat videos on the internet, Saturn is the hangover the next morning and the call from your boss asking why you're not at work. When Saturn comes to visit (and he visits everybody!), it's usually to teach us "hard lessons".

When we consider the birth chart, the sign and house position of Saturn show us how these "hard lessons" manifest throughout our lives. In whichever area Saturn may be, we face challenges, austerity, a need to build structure and long-term development through hard work. This struggle, however, helps us shape who we are.

In present time, the current position of Saturn in the zodiac is shared by everyone. Saturn is currently in the sign of Libra, the scales. This calls everyone to consider the structure and responsibility we have with each other, in partnerships of all kinds, and in our sense of justice and equality in general. It challenges us to improve our relationships. Transiting Saturn's position in Libra also indicates that the challenges it brings are likely to involve other people in some way. We all experience Saturn in Libra in a unique way depending on which of the 12 houses of our chart it happens to be passing through.

If you have your birth chart handy, you can find where Libra starts and see what house (or houses) Saturn has been passing through. If you don't have a chart, but you do know your Ascendant, find the sign of your Ascendant and read that description. If you don't know your Ascendant, find your Sun sign and read that description- this will be based on your "solar" houses, which though not based on your actual chart, should still resonate thematically. (A natal interpretation can help you get to know your Ascendant and houses a little more intimately!)

For Saturn in Libra, it doesn't matter if the glass is half full OR half empty- you're gonna have to share it either way.

Aries Ascendant (Saturn in the 7th house):
Less time going to the club, more time focused on loved ones, and your responsibility to maintain the relationships you already have. Highlighted responsibility to long-term partners or spouse.
"I know I've been stressed and distant, but I'm going to put more work into our relationship. Let's go do a puzzle together."

Taurus Ascendant (Saturn in the 6th house):
Easy to overwork, but a good time for building a balanced routine in work and developing healthy habits. Exercise routines are good here. Highlighted responsibility for pets.
"I could probably start taking power walks with the dogs to help with the stress of my 60 hour work week."

Gemini Ascendant (Saturn in the 5th house):
Not a good time for gambling. Leisure and fun suddenly may seem more elusive, but there's also the chance to work on long-lasting creative projects. Highlighted responsibility for children.
"Playing XBox for hours just doesn't feel right. Maybe building that tree house for the kids would be a fulfilling project..."

Cancer Ascendant (Saturn in the 4th house):
The home demands extra work and attention, but also provides the potential to get things organized and stabilized (repairs maybe...) Highlighted responsibility related to a parent.
"I need to weatherproof the house. I guess I should probably weatherproof my parents' house too."

Leo Ascendant (Saturn in the 3rd house):
Vehicle challenges, difficult commutes, how we communicate requires attention. Potential for maturing thoughts and shoring up daily routines. Highlighted responsibility related to siblings.
"I have to start getting up earlier so I can fix my scooter while my brother borrows my car."

Virgo Ascendant (Saturn in the 2nd house):
Time to save those pennies. Budgeting can become an issue, with potential to increase structure and stability in spending habits. Highlighted responsibility for how you value things and people.
"This new budget is hard to get used to, but it does feel good that I'm spending less on beer and saving more for a house."

Libra Ascendant (Saturn in the 1st house):
Here Saturn may inhibit expression and possibly energy as it encourages structure and maturity in our physical selves. Highlighted responsibility for our individual roles and our affects on others.
"I've felt inhibited and self conscious lately, but people tell me they appreciate the mature, stable presence I have."

Scorpio Ascendant (Saturn in the 12th house):
Unease about our spirituality, our connection to the infinite. Potential for feeling isolated, but good time to meditate. Highlighted responsibility in sacrificing self to others in some way.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm disconnected from the universe, but I know I can help myself if I help others."

Sagittarius Ascendant (Saturn in the 11th house):
Time spent with groups may be more aloof and less fun than usual, but there's a good chance to mature in how we network and connect to others. Highlighted responsibility for friends.
"Poker night didn't feel quite the same without gin, but everyone seemed really interested in my ideas for non-profit organizations."

Capricorn Ascendant (Saturn in the 10th house):
Work or career can be particularly challenging, but there's the potential to mature and stabilize your professional self long-term. Highlighted responsibility for a parent or in leading others.
"Funds sure have been tight here at work, but we all cooperated on this new business plan that should help in the long run."

Aquarius Ascendant (Saturn in the 9th house):
Difficult questions arise in philosophy, religion and ethics. This can lead to assessing your values and maturing in your world view. Highlighted responsibility in connection to other cultures.
"I got so frustrated with religion that I gave up and became an atheist, but the Tibetan Buddhist in my French class showed me a belief system I appreciate."

Pisces Ascendant (Saturn in the 8th house):
Inhibition in relation to others, challenges in sexuality or beliefs about death. A good time to build trust and emotional stability, however. Highlighted responsibility for others' money or values.
"Our discussion about writing wills with my partner really made me think about my fear of death. But I overcame my fear, feel more emotionally stable, and damn that sex was good."

As usual, there may be many more ways that Saturn's challenges manifest. The important thing is to be patient and learn as much as you can from the hard lessons that Saturn in Libra teaches us. Saturn is nearing the end of Libra, and soon we'll experience the hard lessons of Saturn in Scorpio (which is not merely a different astrological classroom, but probably more like a different campus altogether). Let's focus on the positive and build the structures that will support us in the future!

Readers: Which house is Saturn in Libra visiting in your chart? What lessons do you feel you're being forced to learn? Leave a comment!

An astrological recap of 2011

2011-12-27T12:02:00.005-06:00

We've made it to the final week of 2011. It's been a very busy year astrologically, and there's plenty more to come in 2012. Before we celebrate the new year, let's take a look back at some of the biggest astrological developments of the past 12 months...

One of the most important themes of 2011 was manifestation. A wide variety ideas, beliefs, even fears and dangers, all percolated up into physical reality this year. We saw protests, the physical manifestation of unrest and the desire for change. We saw terrorist attacks and environmental disasters, the manifestation of our fears. We saw political change and political gridlock. Astrologically, we can thank (at least in part) the sign of Aries for a great deal of this.

Aries, the first of the 12 zodiac signs, is the sign of initiative, of action, and is the point of physical manifestation in the zodiac. Aries is associated with the spring equinox, the time of new beginning and new growth. In January of 2011, Jupiter moved from Pisces into Aries- the planet of justice, optimism and expansion, spurring initiative and opportunity in a very direct, physical way.

Later, in March of 2011, Uranus moved into Aries as well. Uranus, slower moving and carrying more long-term intensity than Jupiter, helped spur the rebellion and the imperative to take real action for independence and freedom around the world as it made its way into Aries. This event encouraged individuals around the world to take action in standing up for their beliefs, and protests became ubiquitous (so much so that Time's Person of the Year was "The Protester"). This manifestation led to real change, though unfortunately was not lacking in violence (another association of Aries). Many thousands of people died as they challenged corrupt rulers, and unnecessary violence and brutality have become commonplace.

It's a-mace-ing how many of these images are peppered around the internet.

While Aries was the focal point for manifestation, Neptune moved into the deep waters of Pisces, beginning in April. Neptune hasn't been in Pisces since shortly after its discovery in the mid 1800's. As the planet of creativity, imagination, spirituality and illusion moves into its home sign of Pisces, the sensitivity of our collective consciousness is heightened. The usual boundaries of perception are misty; the lines between ourselves and others less solid. Now, as in the mid 1800's, Neptune in Pisces can show us creative new developments in art, music, fashion and spirituality... as well as new drugs, new diversions, new ways to retreat from the the intensity of life. We may also see changes in policies toward the ocean, and water resources are bound to have a heightened roll in years to come. Have a beer (but not too many!) and open up to your creative side.

We had a brutal Mercury Retrograde when Mercury opposed Neptune this past summer. The deeper themes of Neptune- creativity, consciousness, boundaries- added deeper, much more difficult lessons to the usually mundane reminders of Mercury retrograde.

Saturn and Jupiter moved into opposition earlier in 2011, pitting the need for individuality and pioneering optimism (Jupiter in Aries) against the responsibility and structure within our relationships and obligations to others (Saturn in Libra). Tensions mounted this year between being spurred into rebellious action and being aware of our responsibilities in connection to others.

Finally, towards the end of 2011 we saw Mars enter Virgo, a much needed "nose to the grindstone" period for the planet of action, energy and drive. In Virgo, Mars is forced to focus on details, and we have the energy and focus to take action on our everyday "dharma". This can also lead to a buildup of nervous energy and stress, however, so it's also an important time to assess our relaxation techniques and express anxious energy in a constructive way (not a bad time to consider exercise or yoga to keep the body's energies balanced).

Bending and weaving our way through Mars in Virgo... or is that stretching a metaphor?

So, what is there to look forward to astrologically in 2012? Quite a bit. The big doozy astrologers have been anxiously waiting for is Uranus squaring Pluto, a volatile aspect that hasn't been seen in quite some time. There are plenty more events as well (posts to follow!) that should make for a busy 2012. I hope you'll join me in toasting the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, and I hope to share more with you in the new year!

Celebrating the winter solstice- the next Gruit project

2011-12-21T16:25:00.005-06:00

Bog Myrtle. Sort of like hops' crazy great-uncle, who misses the good old days.

Happy Winter Solstice! Also called Yule, Yuletide, Jul, Midvinterblot, and other names increasingly difficult to pronounce (or type), the winter solstice is celebrated the world over as a reminder of the importance of community, merriness and hope as we pass through the longest night of the year. In European history, especially, it's time to break out some drinks, too. What better to celebrate the long history of this special day than to consider gruit ale?

You can read my post here from November of last year about making gruit ale, the pre-hops libation of Northern Europe consumed since antiquity (although more or less falling off the map from the 1400's to the present, new interest in old brews is reviving Gruit once more). To celebrate the Winter Solstice (which is also the time when the Sun enters Capricorn), I brewed this particular gruit with wintergreen, an herb associated with Saturn, and most of the traditional gruit herbs. It was wonderfully interesting, but it's time now for a new celebration of the Sun entering Capricorn- winter sowing of gruit herb seeds!

The herbs that make up the basis of gruit flavoring are Wild Rosemary (couldn't find much about the astrology of this herb), Bog Myrtle (associated with the planet Venus), Yarrow (Venus), and often Mugwort (Venus and the Moon). These perennial little shrubs grow naturally in the highly acidic, peaty, often boggy soils of Northern Europe's traditional landscape. Because of the long, sometimes harsh winters there, these plants have developed protective mechanisms. In the case of Bog Myrtle, Wild Rosemary and Mugwort, new seeds require a period of cold stratification to germinate. This simply means that snow and ice fall on the seeds, pressing them into the ground, then slowly melt, then more snow, which then melts, etc. This process slowly breaks down a protective layer on the seeds, allowing them to germinate in springtime.

This is a wonderful website offering seeds and planting information for a variety of herbs with a history of traditional use in medicine and ritual. There's a bit on the page about wintering seeds that mentions how sowing seeds in the middle of winter dates back at least to Roman times. Sowing seeds in the middle of winter provides the period of cold stratification necessary for germination. Sowing on the Winter Solstice, in particular, ensures that the days will be increasingly longer as the seeds undergo their transformation, oriented them towards the upcoming growth of spring. Plus, what better way to celebrate the Sun in Capricorn, the sign of discipline, practicality and patient ambition? Capricorn urges us to have the responsibility to plant the seeds of the future wisely. Then, hopefully, around the time the Sun bursts into Aries... some gruit herbs should be on the way!

Unfortunately, its difficult to get Wild Rosemary seeds even in their native Europe, and all but impossible here in the U.S. Luckily, there's a New World cousin called Marsh Rosemary or Bog Labrador (aka Labrador tea), with the same climatic requirements, and I found some of those seeds online. And I had planned on sowing Mugwort seeds, until I found this little dude growing in the alley behind my work:

Unlike the other herbs, Mugwort is relatively common, though generally goes unnoticed. It grows in urban and rural areas alike, often along roadsides facing the south. Sure enough, I found this little dude by the alley, on the southern side of a fence. I gently dug him up, put him in a cup and carried him home on my scooter. He's doing well, which means we're 1/4th of the way there already! Yarrow is going to be planted in spring.

As for the Bog Myrtle and Marsh Rosemary, here's the process...

I have a plastic pot with holes drilled in the bottom, a bale of peat
(acidic dead plant material, just like the seeds' boggy native soil),
a bag of humus (richer, denser for nutrients and stability), a bunch of
pine needles I found while jogging (provides further acidity and a
protective top layer)

I mixed peat with warm water and humus, then added a big scoop of dirt from the garden patch to help balance the potting mixture and add more nutrients.

Here's the completed potting mixture with the seeds sprinkled on top. The Marsh Rosemary seeds were like dust, they were so small...

Here's the pot in position behind the north side of the house, out of direct sun but exposed to the necessary snow and ice winter will provide. The acid-enriching and protective layer of pine needles is spread over the top, with seed packets for identification.

A little candle to celebrate this year's Winter Solstice Sowing. I walked away for 5 minutes, then realized I'd left a lit candle in a giant pile of bone-dry pine needles. After a brief reassessment, I placed the candle in the window for the night.

Now it's time to tap into Capricorn's patience and wait. No maintenance required, just hopeful thoughts that in 3 or 4 months these little guys pop up. Then it's just a matter of ensuring that plants from Northern Europe survive a St. Louis summer...

How about you, readers? What "seeds" are you sowing for the year ahead? 2012 is bound to be an intense one! (plenty of posts to follow about that...) Leave a comment!

Mars in Virgo part two: Practicing the practical

2011-12-10T15:55:00.000-06:00

One of the challenges of using astrology is translating "astrologese" into practical, everyday terms. "Astrologese" refers to the unique jargon used in astrological description and interpretation. This language is just as particular and complex as any other field of study, but one of the key elements that distinguishes the field of Astrology is its application to our individual lives. You may be quite content to never need an explanation of the role antimicrobial pharmodynamics play in your life, for example. But, if an astrologer tells you you're having a Saturn return, this is an immediate and challenging event, and you'll probably want to know what that really means.

Well, with Mars (the sign of energy, action taking, drive) in the sign of Virgo (practicality, precision, detail) there's no better time to take a closer look at the day to day, practical implications of what Mars is up to. In other words, a brief translation from astrologese into ordinary parlance.

Some of the best tools for translating astrologese are key words. Key words have an immediate impact when you see them, and help to get a richer understanding of the significance of astrological events.

Some key words for Mars:
Aggression, drive, urge, passion, physical
(themes relating to energy and how energy is expressed and action is taken)

Some key words for Virgo:
meticulous, diligent, analytical, critical, worrying
(themes relating to analysis, precision, and the concern for details)

In addition to these thematic key words, the signs and planets also rule or are associated with objects and events in our daily lives.

Things ruled by Mars:
muscles, blood, male anatomy, soldiers, athletes, knives, fanatics, energy

Things ruled by Virgo:
pets, health resorts, hard work, the harvest, bookkeeping, crafts, details, criticism, tension

To synthesize these key words and rulerships, we can consider how these elements combine.
The themes of energy, drive and passion in Mars are filtered through the caution and attention to detail of Virgo. This energy can lead to a bit of stress (which we may all feel even more intensely with Mercury being retrograde for another couple weeks or so). However, this combination also pares down Mars' intense drive to a more practical level of which we can take advantage in daily life.

The aspects of our lives ruled by Mars or Virgo may be affected in different ways for different individuals, and as always will be affected by where Mars in Virgo is traveling in your chart (and what else it touches- a personalized astrological consultation can help in this area). In general, however, you may find your attention drawn to health matters (and how you take action on your health), anything associated with crafts, pets, your productivity in or outside the workplace, and the potential for both great concentration and great restless anxiety or tension in whatever you consider to be "work". Remember the themes of Mars in Virgo for guidance on how you can tap into the productive potential of this event!

What do you think, readers? Where is Mars in Virgo traveling in your natal chart? Where has your energy been focused lately? Leave a comment!

Mars in Virgo and your Dharma Checklist

2011-11-29T23:59:00.002-06:00

There's no shortage of activity in the news these days. Financial crises, global protests, political strife and more seem to inspire us to consider the major thematic shifts in world consciousness, while simultaneously urging us to grab a six pack and run for it.

Well, running away does have its place. So does taking a stand and changing the world. But, as the planet Mars moves into the sign of Virgo, we are reminded of a third option (and, perhaps, a good starting place): our dharma.

Dharma is one of the most important components of Hindu philosophy. In basic terms, it is comprised of our individual duties, obligations, and the manner in which we are called to serve. In the caste system, one's dharma is dictated by their societal position. We don't need to belong to a caste to consider our dharma, however. Instead, we need only consider fulfilling the duties that all of us have, particular to our own circumstances. We must take action in the practical, immediate circumstances in which we live. As Gandhi famously said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

The planet Mars represents how we take action, our motivation, our drive. Also, depending on how that action is taken, Mars rules conflict. Mars has recently moved out of the sign Leo which, though not a conflict driven sign, is certainly a passionate and dramatic one. Mars in Leo urges us to take action in a grand way, with confidence (and a healthy dose of ego).

Mars in Virgo, on the other hand, is practical, analytical, hard-working. Virgo doesn't share the need for limelight that Leo aches for, and therefore can quietly, at times painstakingly, sort out the details and get to work. Does this sound exciting? Perhaps not. But Virgo as a sign isn't really about excitement. It's about precision, practicality, and dependability, and hard work. Mars in Virgo urges us to put our noses to the grindstone and work on the practical duties that we're all faced with- or, in other words, our dharma.

Like any placement, there are challenges to Mars in Virgo. There's the potential for tension, for worry, for over-critical analysis. When you're paying attention to every single detail, it's easy to get a little stressed out. But with Mars in Virgo, we can really get down to business on our individual dharma and the tasks we have at hand. We can finish our checklist of household chores before we, say, sell our possessions and join Greenpeace (wait a few years till Mars moves into Sagittarius and this won't sound quite as crazy). In so doing, we can get a foothold on the role we have to play in the big picture of our world. Mars in Virgo gives us the opportunity to start small, to work in our individual roles (in our families, our jobs, our communities) towards bigger changes and bigger accomplishments. Once we finish our own dharma checklists, we can play a bigger, more meaningful role in the world's checklist (and that's a particularly long list...)

So, without letting yourself worry too much... start checking off those boxes!

Readers, do you feel the urge to be practical now that Mars is in Virgo? Or, if you have access to your natal chart, where does transiting Mars in Virgo fall? What's on your "dharma checklist"? Leave a comment!

Occupy Wall Street and the North Node

2011-11-15T12:29:00.009-06:00

inquisitr.com

If there's one thing in the news lately that has taken a dramatic turn, it's definitely Occupy Wall Street. After weeks of general acceptance, many cities have decided that the Occupy camps have outstayed their welcome, and have begun to crack down on the 24-hour presence of the protesters. Some of the protests have turned violent, on both the sides of the protesters and the sides of the police.

At about 1:00 AM Tuesday morning, the New York City police raided Zuccotti park, where the protesters had been camped, and cleared most of the protesters out, arresting 200 others. As the volatility of the Occupy movement grows, the astrological indicators don't disappoint. The interesting focus in the events of recent days is the Nodal axis.

The Nodal Axis is the intersection between the path of the sun (ecliptic) and path of the moon across the sky. The point where the moon's path rises above the path of the ecliptic is called the North Node, and represents a focused area of difficult development ("that looks new and challenging. Do I have to do it?"). The opposite point, where the moon crosses back underneath the ecliptic, is called the South Node, and represents a place of natural ability or old habits ("I'm good at Angry Birds. Maybe I could just do that?"). Together, these two points form a potent axis or path that draws attention to development and potential in these areas. It's almost a kind of duty or mission, a path of development that we are called to follow.

The Nodal Axis is currently in the signs of Gemini and Sagittarius, with the North Node at 15 degrees of Sagittarius and the South Node at 15 Gemini. Gemini and Sagittarius, though opposing each other, share themes of communication- Gemini expressing the variety of daily communication, Sagittarius expressing enduring truth. This week, Mercury and Venus are conjunct the North Node in Sagittarius, which connects our personal mentality and love nature to this point.

What's really crazy about this particular placement of the North Node, however, is that it is conjunct an object at 14 Sagittarius called the Great Attractor. Gary P Caton discusses this odd anomaly in a post on The Mountain Astrologer website. The Great Attractor is an incredibly huge collection of mass far out in space, with an immense gravitational pull. Astrologer Philip Sedgwick, well known for his work in the astrological significance of deep space objects, gives the Great Attractor a great deal of importance. Astrologically, it's like a giant galactic weight, an area of energetic pull. Conjunct the North Node, it amplifies the significance of the North Node as a "call of duty". The Great Attractor is also associated with impressions of the future. Our current North Node "mission" is certainly a doozy.

On the Planet Waves blog, New York City astrologer Eric Francis discusses the significance of the chart for the time of the NYPD's raid on the Occupy Wall Street camp. Conjunct the Nodal Axis within just a couple degrees was the MC/IC axis at 12 Gemini/Sagittarius. The MC/IC axis, the spine of the chart, shows the foundations and the public expression of the chart's energies. According to Francis, the 12 Gemini/Sagittarius line has itself played an important role in historic New York events, including 9/11.

So, that leaves us with a lineup of the 12 Gemini/Sagittarius line (highlighting major events in New York history), the Nodal Axis (our collective mission), the Great Attractor (adding "weight" and foresight) AND the personal planets of Mercury and Venus, activating our mentality and our interests. With this lineup in Sagittarius, which always focuses on the search for truth, my analysis is that the crackdown on protesters is not the end of Occupy Wall Street. Quite simply, with this lineup... now it's personal.

There's still quite a bit of uncertainty about the future of the Occupy movement, but it continues to catalyze thousands, in the U.S. and in other countries. Now's a good time to tap into our own personal "mission", and to consider the work we have to do... it should be an interesting couple of weeks.

Readers: What do you think about Occupy Wall Street? What's the future of the protests? What are some parts of the "mission" that we are collectively called for? Leave a comment!

The astrology of Gaddafi's Death- Our first dedicated video post!

2011-10-21T14:59:00.003-05:00

Gaddafi's death marks a new development in the constant changes wrought by the Arab Spring. Here's a 5 minute examination (via flash video) of Gaddafi's death and what's next for Libya. Leave a comment with your thoughts, suggestions, or ideas, here or on youtube!

New moon in Scorpio... deeper questions

2011-10-13T12:25:00.003-05:00

Saturn in Libra, a potent aspect to the cardinal square of last summer, was recently joined by the sun, Mercury and Venus in Libra, highlighting our responsibilities with and to other people, as well as balance and fairness (Libra is, after all, the scales). Mercury and Venus, however, have since moved into Scorpio, and the sun will be soon to follow. There will then be a New Moon in Scorpio as soon as the moon catches up to the sun on October 26th.

The New Moon is a time of new beginnings. The astrological patterns of the new moon can give us clues as to the month ahead. Sure enough, we seem to be in the middle of lots of events, all with the theme of social responsibility and accountability. As the sun and inner planets move into Scorpio, the next month may have Scorpionic themes of catharsis, regeneration, uncovering truth. One notable aspect is the Sun/Moon combo in Scorpio opposing Jupiter in Taurus. Jupiter in Taurus has given us expansion and optimism in the realm of our resources and what we enjoy and are comfortable with- an appreciation for the finer things (beer encouraged), perhaps a more patient or conservative outlook.

As a position of optimistic stability, Jupiter must face the challenge of the sun, moon and outer planets in Scorpio. Scorpio demands a deeper understanding, necessary change, action taking and issues of power. This is much less comfortable than Jupiter in Taurus. Such an opposition brings into awareness our values, optimism versus exaggeration, what we have versus what we desire. Aspects between the sun, moon and Jupiter can also bring ego issues into the mix. And, as always, oppositions bring the energies of the opposing bodies into awareness of each other. Jupiter is also retrograde, adding a more introspective element to these themes. What's happening within our selves that questions our resources, our values?

Keep up with the protests in Washington and around the country over the next month. The themes of this new moon opposition may present themselves! The iconic Wall Street Bull is a potent symbol- a sign of financial assertion and optimism (as well as the symbol of Taurus), right in the middle of a growing movement that demands self-assessment, questions, and a search for the truth. Uncanny? You bet. Stay tuned!

National Coffee Day! Let's celebrate with Yemen Mokha

2011-09-28T19:40:00.006-05:00

Happy International Coffee Day (1 day belated...). I'm sure it's no surprise that coffee has its own day- after all, ranking amongst beer, tea and water as one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, the little bean has quite a bit to be proud of.

Coffee has an appeal, versatility and history that goes far beyond its caffeine content.
Throughout history, it has been a sacrament (sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally) shared by a diverse group of people. One of the seminal starting points of coffee culture, however, is now one of great social strife and upheaval- Yemen.

Yemen has been especially significant today, with the death of Anwar Al-Awlaki. This Yemeni cleric achieved notoriety in his alleged role in encouraging several failed terrorist attacks in recent years. He is perhaps most famous for being born in the US and speaking fluent English, which greatly widened his audience. Al-Qaeda has a strong presence in Yemen, which only complicates matters as Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh faces continuing protests over corruption and unemployment.

Yemen has had many governmental changes over the centuries, thanks to it's central location and proximity to both Africa and the Middle East. Yemen was the first area of coffee consumption outside of coffee's native Ethiopia. In its early days, coffee was actually used primarily in religious rituals by the Sufi Muslims of Yemen. As the beverage gained popularity, it became a widely traded item, and the Red Sea port of Mokha became the hub of this booming coffee trade.

Eventually, Europeans began to develop a taste for coffee. A Jesuit missionary first tasted Yemen's coffee in 1595. As European appreciation for coffee increased, some noted flavor resemblances of the Mokha coffee bean to chocolate, leading eventually to today's common chocolate-latte coffee shop beverage of the same name.

Here's a quick video (my first original flash movie made for DA!) of Yemen's coffee. You can see the coffee beans around the highland areas near the capital Sana'a, along with the location of the port city of Mokha.

While its beginnings may have been religious in nature, one of the most enduring legacies of coffee is the coffee house. As coffee gained popularity in Yemen and throughout the Middle East, coffee houses grew up everywhere. Alcohol is forbidden in Islam, and so coffee consumption came to serve similar purposes to sharing a few pints. Coffee drinkers discussed politics, philosophy, and religion. This phenomenon also took root in Europe, and like the Middle East, coffee houses became centers of political change and philosophy. Even now, coffee shops continue to be important meeting places. Interest in responsibly grown and traded coffee is on the rise, as well, putting coffee houses on the front lines of developing a more global understanding of some of our most fundamental daily foods.

Another great way to get in touch with the magic of coffee is to examine coffee roasting. Check back soon for part 2 of this post- a look at some simple coffee roasting of today's star coffee- Yemen Mokha!

What about you, readers? Is your local coffee shop a meeting place for people and ideas? And speaking of people and ideas, what'll become of countries like Yemen as protests continue? Leave a comment!

The Neptune-Mercury opposition (and thoughts on a brutal Mercury Retrograde)

2011-09-11T16:34:00.004-05:00

Our most recent period of Mercury retrograde occurred from August 2 to the 26th. Thinking back to August, did you run into any of the usual snafus and technological or transportation-based setbacks that challenge us during this time? The general realm of Mercury, the messenger god, remains in the day-to-day functioning of our lives and thoughts. When he goes retrograde, he forces us to reconsider our actions, to take our thoughts and communication in an introspective direction. If we aren't careful, problems arise, and often we have to do things multiple times to be successful.

Some of you may have had even greater difficulties this time, however. I know I did. Mercury is also a bit of a trickster; with a smirking grin no doubt, this past retrograde period he went beyond the usual realm of daily troubles. Many people I've spoken with have had incredibly profound difficulties on a grand scale- everything from work, to family, to home. This past retrograde period, it was as if Mercury not only forced us to reexamine our daily actions, but also our values and ideals. It was almost a tidal wave of difficulty.

When we start talking about waves and ideals, you can be sure there's another culprit in this mess: Neptune. Neptune, as you may have read in previous posts, has recently ingressed into its home sign of Pisces. The boundaries of our imagination and reality are thinner, opening up both the possibility for profound creativity and tremendous confusion. Sure enough, when Mercury turned backwards for its last retrograde period, it was opposing Neptune. A difficult aspect, the opposition represents tension and the need for balance. While Mercury going retrograde forces us to reconsider our daily actions, Neptune pulls us into the realm of our ideals, beyond the physical world.

This combination facilitates a much more profound 3 weeks of trouble than usual. With Neptune, emotions run deeper, simple snafus become more profound. Losing your car keys as a reminder to keep better track of your stuff can become losing your car as a reminder to not be attached to your possessions. Maybe not that bad, but it's different for everyone.

An aspect such as this is a potent example of the influence the slow-moving generational planets have on the swift-moving interior planets. The slow, grinding gears driving the long-term changes on our planet connect to the daily functions of our lives, and in a difficult aspect like this past one it can pack a wallop.

The mists of Neptune are hard to grasp, but the challenges individuals and the world at large have been facing have some positive lessons to teach. When the boundaries around us are dissolving, we can look to what gives us strength within ourselves. We can tap into our creativity, or into our spiritual side. We can search for healing, for ourselves and for others.

We can also drink beer. Neptune, ruler of intoxicating beverages, might hit us with tidal waves of change, but at the very least he'll let us have a few pints now and again.

Readers: how was your August? And all you Geminis, Virgos and Pisces out there: did you have a particularly hard time? Leave a comment!

The 1900's sustainable technology time-warp

2011-08-24T11:34:00.001-05:00

We live in an era of "buzz words"- the flow of information in our lives is increasingly linked by key, meaningful words that elicit an instant reaction and carry a great deal of meaning. Luckily for mother nature, many of those buzz words that we're hearing now have to do with one word in particular- sustainability. This term has connected everyone, from off-the-grid neohippies to stalwart businessmen. The vast majority of people in our modern world are beginning to fathom the repercussions of a century of unbridled, almost limitless development and resource consumption. The challenge of sustainability has become: "What do we do now?"

Many people, however, are asking a different question: "What did we do back then?" There's a surprising variety of organizations, websites, etc. that examine the significance of past technologies and lifestyles. Low-tech Magazine is one interesting example. The Sail Transport Network is another. As we try to respond to the sustainability crisis, the debate rages on between saving the world through more technology and saving it with less technology.

Earlier this week, I was browsing for green coffee beans on the Sweet Maria's website, and came upon their home roasting tradition page. Whodathunk that the Sears Roebuck catalog would have offered single origin green coffee beans... in 1900! It would be 100 years before the everyday consumer would even care about single origin coffee again.

Well, this got me thinking about what seems to be a very strange phenomenon- the 1900's sustainable technology time-warp. Somehow, around the turn of the 20th century, things that are just now becoming popular answers to the sustainability crisis where back then both present and unremarkable.

Electric cars are a common suggestion to ease our fossil-fuel consumption, though they remain expensive and lack a suitable infrastructure. However, back in the 1900's, electric cars were every bit as abundant as gasoline-powered. In fact, there was even a fleet of electric taxis in New York City in 1897. Arizona and New Mexico weren't even states yet, and we had an electric taxi fleet.

We had electric cars before we even had 50 states to drive them in.

How bout solar energy? Many a new invention has been proposed in recent years to help with our overuse of combustible resources, increasingly based on solar energy. Here's an ad from 1901 of a solar water heater system.

Strange? You bet. So what's the astrological connection with today? Well, technology is generally connected with the planet Uranus. Being a slower-moving outer planet, Uranus indicates gradual changes in technology, innovation, and organized freedom. Pluto, the slowest of the outer planets, binds us by generation and shows where deep power and transformation come from. Around the turn of the century, Uranus in Sagittarius was opposing Pluto in Gemini. Uranus here would tend to indicate innovation and new frontiers in philosophy, in our ideals, freedom of information- possibly an element of do-it-yourself technology? Pluto in Gemini, on the other hand, indicates deep changes to how we communicate and get around and added significance to new ideas and technology. The opposition of the two is a slow-moving tug of war that seeks to balance innovation and freedom of ideas with deep changes in communication and day-to-day technology.

These two planets are also in aspect today- this time Uranus in Aries squaring Pluto in Capricorn. The same energies of the planets are in slightly different clothes- this time the rights of the individual versus the power of a transforming business and government structure, in an uncomfortable and conflict-inducing square. However, part of this new square connects us to the turn-of-the-century opposition. The connecting theme is innovation. We are challenged to pioneer new technology and new ideals that challenge the status quo. No wonder, then, that we find ourselves looking to innovative eras of the past to answer questions of sustainability today.

Maybe not such a mysterious time-warp after all...

What do you think readers? Is the technology of our last Uranus-Pluto opposition the answer to the problems of our current Uranus-Pluto square world? What's the future of "sustainable" technology? Leave a comment!

Celebrity Moon Sign Series: Grigori Rasputin's Moon in Taurus

2011-07-25T23:46:00.008-05:00

You find me a man who can look this terrifying pulling on his beard, and I'll write a post about him just for that.

As a change of pace from the admittedly delayed Celebrity Sun Sign Series, I thought it might be fun to examine a famous celebrity's moon sign. While the sun sign is the overriding profile of our identity (or ego), one of the things any astrologer will tell you is that it's not the whole story. This is one of the limitations of newspaper horoscope readings. The sun sign is the description of our conscious ego-identity, and we reflect this even in how we discuss our sun sign ("I'm a Pisces"). The moon sign, on the other hand, is our emotional, instinctual identity. Our moon sign demonstrates how we react, what we feel, our habits, our intuition and our comfort zone. If you examine your moon sign, you may find that many things that you feel and do reflect that particular sign as much as your sun sign. Especially in the case of famous people in history, an examination of the moon sign can shed light on some of the things about such people that seem to be on a different wavelength entirely from their sun sign.

Our subject in today's post is one of my favorite people (and beers) of all time: Grigori Rasputin.

You know an historic figure has infiltrated popular culture when you can have him animated AND in a pint glass.

Grigori Rasputin was born in a poor village in Siberia, January 22, 1869. His sun sign was Aquarius, a sign associated with humanitarian concern, mental ability, groups and organizations, and simultaneous eccentricity and objectivity. Rasputin lost both his brother and sister when he was still a child. This loss, coupled with his ostensibly supernatural childhood abilities, led to him to grow into a rather unique young man. He spent some time, possibly as punishment, at a monastery in Verhoturye. He became very devoutly religious, and even after marrying and having children, he left home to become a wandering pilgrim. After visiting various holy sites, including Jerusalem, he eventually made it to St. Petersburg. At the time, the nobility of Russia especially were interested in the occult and unique spiritual ideas. This interest provided a very receptive environment to Rasputin's unique (in typical Aquarian fashion) spiritual identity. He became a "healer" with a strong following in St. Petersburg, and eventually entered the realm of political influence when the Tsaritsa Alexandra sought his aid in helping the hemophiliac prince, Tsaravich Alexei. Hemophilia, a genetic disease in which an inability of blood to clot leads to excessive internal and external bleeding, was not as well understood back then as it is today. Much of Rasputin's "healing" council may have simply been common sense, including avoiding aspirin (which thins the blood) and ensuring Alexei received adequate rest (to lower blood pressure). This relationship endeared Rasputin to the royal family, and he soon became an important member of royal politics.

Many of Rasputin's identifying traits thus far clearly reflect his Aquarian sun sign: Logic, humanitarian concern, an ability to synthesize a great variety of experiences and knowledge and apply it with an emotional distance. Plus, "aloof" is one criticism associated with Aquarius, and what's more aloof than leaving your family to become a wandering monk?

But it's Rasputin's moon sign, and his instinctual, impulsive tendencies that really paint the picture of what came to be known as the "Mad Monk". Rasputin's Taurus moon sign is associated with physical comforts, emotional and financial security, and pleasure in various forms. This provides a much more physical aspect to Rasputin's emotions, in contrast to the objectivity of his Aquarian identity. This dichotomy, amongst other aspects of his natal chart, shows his unique combination of group involvement and personal, physical charisma. In practical terms, he become deeply influential in Russian politics and seduced great numbers of women, physically and emotionally, at the same time. The mad monk, indeed. He is famous for his belief that, to overcome sin, one had to indulge in it. Indulge he did.

Opinion about Rasputin became increasingly divided over time, and eventually, members of the nobility who were made uncomfortable by Rasputin's political influence plotted to kill him. Ironically, perhaps, the most famous aspect of Rasputin's life is his remarkable death. He was, in one night:
Poisoned with cyanide.
Shot. Four times.
Clubbed.
Castrated.
Bound and wrapped in a carpet.
Flung into the freezing Neva River.
The most terrifying, part, however, is that he died not from any of these- but from drowning in the Neva, after escaping his bonds.

Although there has been debate about the accuracy of this death account, much of Rasputin's life reads like legend. His unique Aquarius-Taurus sun-moon combination reflects the amazing mixture of flesh and spirit present in Rasputin's life. Plus, if after almost 100 years, people are naming beer after you, you must have done something interesting.

What about you, readers? Do any of you have Aquarius sun signs or Taurus moon signs and feel an affinity for Rasputin? Was he a holy man or a creepy crackpot? Leave a comment!

Conflicting view and changing times of Astrology and Feng Shui

2011-07-05T00:35:00.003-05:00

When one begins to approach Astrology or Feng Shui, it's easy to be intimidated by the conflicting schools of thought in these fields. There is a diverse history in Astrology and Feng Shui alike, which has led to diverging thoughts on the practice of each. Compare such challenges to, say, mathematics, which despite similar divergence of theories in the past (" 'Zero' you say? Poppycock!") now seeks to pursue the most objectively accurate methods (except maybe stuff like theoretical physics). Astrology and Feng Shui are not based on objective proofs, but rather subjective proof. It's about what works for individuals.

In Astrology, there are two main "zodiacs"- the orientation of the 12 constellations that we use in chart interpretation. They are the "Tropical Zodiac" of Western tradition, based on the position of the constellations 2000 years ago and their synchronization with the seasons (Aries begins at the spring equinox, Libra at the fall equinox). The other zodiac is called the "Sidereal Zodiac" and is based on the precession of the equinoxes (the slow, rotating-top motion of the Earth over time that leads to a gradual movement of the constellations in space), rotating the position of the zodiac signs backward approximately one sign. This system is used extensively in India.

In Feng Shui, there are similarly two "styles": Classical or Traditional (Compass-oriented) Feng Shui, and Western Feng Shui. Classical Feng Shui incorporates one of the oldest and still fundamental tenets- "form school", or the symbolic and elemental orientation of the physical environment in relation to your residence. In addition, Classical Feng Shui makes use of the Luopan (geomancer's compass) to orient the bagua (octoganally shaped map of the significance of each section of a dwelling). The Flying Stars school of Feng Shui is based in the Compass school and incorporates a more time-sensitive analysis based on the date of construction of the building. A numerical map of the area is made, with cyclical changes over time that are analyzed for individuals. Western Feng Shui, on the other hand, covers BTB (Black Hat Sect) Feng Shui (pioneered by Thomas Lin Yun and incorporating a more Buddhist heritage than traditional Feng Shui), and traditional "form school" principles, as well as a general amalgamation of techniques from throughout the history of Feng Shui that carry weight and meaning to Western Audiences. The most immediate difference between the Classical compass-based and Western Feng Shui is that the classical method orients the bagua of elements and life experience based on the magnetic directions, while the western approach always orients the bagua based on the location of the front door.
So which of all these should people use? The good news is: there's no right or wrong answer. The bad news is (you guessed it): there's no right or wrong answer. This frustrating ambiguity can be discouraging, leading many to question the validity of the entire system. I have had my doubts on more than one occasion, and have had my share of hiatuses caused, in part, by inability to decide what the heck I was actually studying. By odd chance, for one of the first times since obtaining it, my anthropology degree came to the rescue. Anthropology as an academic science has changed perspective countless times over the years, and while different traditions will always compete, one undeniable consequence is that culture and thought are subjective. Anthropologists have studied why different cultures and people do such and such thing. Some have said that it's a reflection of common thought processes we all share, others have said that culture arises from particular environmental needs. None of these convinced me entirely when I was getting my degree, but the variety did show me that our culture, our history, our individual experience and thoughts we share in our society are all variable.

This leads us to the question of: Which kind of Feng Shui or Astrology is right? Ultimately, my belief is that it depends on the individual and the culture and time period to which they belong. This individual viewpoint tempers our reality, our relationships, our perspectives. It also, I believe, affects the field of forces around us in which we consciously or unconsciously participate. That is, myself and most of the "Western World" don't just practice Tropical zodiac Astrology- we participate in it. It reflects our heritage, and consciously or subconsciously, it works. India, meanwhile, participates in Sidereal zodiac Astrology- and it works, too. The two aren't mutually exclusive, either. They share common traits and dialogue, especially as our global world gets more and more connected.

In similar fashion, both Classical and Western Feng Shui are reflections of the heritage, culture and mentality of different times and places. Both share common traits, ideas and goals (such as the importance of balance and the creative and destructive cycles of the elements). Admittedly, Feng Shui is more specifically endemic to China. However, it has undergone development over thousands of years, as any school of thought would do. It has now achieved a universality that can be applied, with some cultural translation, all over the world. Traditional Feng Shui and the developments of the Compass school are meaningful and applicable to anyone, but in many cases, residents and their places of work and living in the Western world work well with "Western" Feng Shui- that is, we can participate in it with a more immediate conscious and subconscious sense of meaning.

As I mentioned, everyone has a unique and culturally relative perspective, and as such these different schools of Astrology and Feng Shui will resonate differently from person to person, while continuing to share these common traits and goals. I've read articles and correspondence about these issues, Feng Shui in particular, that have such vitriol, such dogmatic certainty. In the problems that face our modern society, dialogue like this is the last thing anybody needs. We should be aware of how our culture and outlook affects our different approaches to Astrology and Feng Shui.

The issue of precession in the Sidereal vs. Tropical is nothing new in Astrology. However, Indian Astrology places greater emphasis on prediction and houses then on the significance of the signs of the Zodiac. Western Astrology, on the other hand, comes from a long heritage of psychoanalysis and self-exploration, and in astrological counsel the Tropical zodiac is accurate and indispensable. Two different schools of thought, tailored, in a way, for different cultural perspectives.

In Feng Shui, consider the cultural differences in our homes. Feng Shui developed thousands of years ago in part to help locate the best place to actually build one's home, which direction it should face, and (in the case of Flying Star Feng Shui in particular) incorporating when the house was built and the placement of occupants within the home. This compass-based orientation is quite common in Asian countries, and speaks to a common cultural concern. In the "Western" countries and cities (of Europe or North America), we seldom have concern for the exact time that our building was constructed. Especially with the burst of the housing market bubble, few people have the luxury of choosing what direction their home should face. The western version of the bagua in Feng Shui is based on the location of the front door, providing easier orientation. The cyclical, elemental importance of the bagua remains intact, but reflects our modern limitations in building choices and information, as well as the importance that we place on our careers (for both men and women), and the individuality that is highly prized by young and old (since each individual room or office can be oriented based on this western bagua). These different schools share many important traits beyond differences such as bagua orientation, and simply reflect different cultural perspectives and realities.

We should share in the commonalities between these diverging schools, for the positive benefit of all those who seek the counsel of these ancient healing arts. It is fruitless to prove which of the various schools of thought in Astrology and Feng Shui are right or wrong. Both of these arts wouldn't be increasing so drastically in popularity and demand unless they were needed by an increasing number of people. Instead of choosing the right or wrong school, we should support each other in choosing the most applicable, in respect to individual and cultural perspective. The diversity of the world is open now as it has never been. Don't fight about it! Let's learn from it and work together to find what is significant and meaningful for individuals!

Here is a list of further articles, some quite short, that touch on this subject matter:
http://www.fastfengshui.com/articles_westernfengshui.htm
http://www.onereed.com/articles/sidereal-tropical.html
http://www.fengshui-santopietro.com/about.fengshui.html
http://www.soulspace.info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Star_Feng_Shui

And check out my introductory article on the significance of space:
http://drunkenastrology.blogspot.com/2011/05/geomancy-signficance-of-space.html

Readers, what do you think about the diverging schools of Feng Shui and Astrology? Do modern lifestyles require a new perspective or not? Let's discuss!

Jupiter in Taurus- Here, have a homebrew

2011-07-01T13:51:00.001-05:00

Imagine yourself in a calm, peaceful beer garden. You're surrounded by friends, all generously buying rounds for each other of exquisite German Helles. The sounds of birds and the comfort of friends and familiarity are a reassuring backdrop to your optimistic mood. It's time to discuss expansion, new possibilities philosophy- with a strong dash of patience. Let's not rush in here. Have another beer and relax first. Mmm... crispy hops with rich malty body, in a big stein covered in the condensation of the cool evening mist. Like a painting.

Sounds nice? That's Jupiter in Taurus. Jupiter moved into the sign of Taurus hot off the Aries presses on June 4th. The energy of Jupiter in Aries was unquestionable over the past year- pioneering, individual action and risk taking. Pure initiative, with a goal of building a different, more positive future. A bit brash, at times. With this energy, and Jupiter's conjunction with the even slower-burning Uranus in Aries, we saw the sudden rise of protesters all across the Middle East. Freedom, energy, change through action, all these became themes of the past few months. And, sure enough, change is happening, though with the swift repercussion that comes with swift action. Jupiter in Aries was not about holding back. Jupiter in Taurus, however, kind of is.

Taurus elementally is a fixed earth sign- the most stable, and stubborn, combination that you could get in the zodiac. The stability of Taurus fits well with it's associations: possessions, values, tastes, pleasures- that which we accumulate and hold onto and enjoy. Taurus represents patience, perseverance, and security. For action-taking Jupiter in Aries, this is a jarringly different pit stop. But it's a chance to kick back, relax, and enjoy the "finer things"... like homebrewed beer, for instance. This may befit its own post, but the rulership (overriding association) for alcohol is usually Pisces- dissolving boundaries, changing consciousness, opening imagination and delusion at the same time. If you're drinking beer to get drunk, it's probably a Pisces situation. However, particularly in the growing culture of beer appreciation in recent years, the variety and rich components that make up decent beer may fall under the rulership of pleasureable Taurus. If you're smelling the beer before you drink it, considering the carbonation, thoughtfully savoring the rich variety of flavor without focusing on alcohol intake, or doing all of this while actually getting your hands dirty and making more, I'd say it's a Taurus situation.

"Crap, here comes Jupiter. Better get another keg ready."

Though a homebrew is never unwelcome, there is of course a more negative side to Jupiter in Taurus. Caution can lead to reluctance to take needed action. As Jupiter expands its senses, and sense of physical stability, it can be quite enticing to simply stay put. The balancing act with Jupiter in Taurus is to relax and enjoy the pleasurable opportunities that grow, while at the same time maintaining a perspective on when action is necessary. Jupiter in Taurus can grow stronger, more stable, more prosperous, and as long as it doesn't get drunk on all of this our philosophical sides can grow in a new Taurean way. From Hajo Banzhaf and Anne Haebler's Key Words for Astrology, Jupiter in Taurus: "Religion/Philosophy: Epicureans of ancient Greece. Sensual happiness in life within a circle of good friends is the highest goal in life." We can't ignore our physical needs. Jupiter in Taurus is a great time to come down to Earth... and have a beer.

June 15 eclipse- thinking about Mercury

2011-06-14T12:13:00.003-05:00

It's fairly common to hear that people act crazy on a full moon. Some might say the same thing about an eclipse. I would say it doesn't take the moon to make you crazy- it just takes Belgian abbey ale. But regardless of how crazy any of these events make us, eclipses and lunations (full moon, new moon, etc) have a great deal of further significance in astrology. A solar eclipse coincides with a new moon, in which the moon happens to pass directly in front of the sun in its path around earth. A lunar eclipse coincides with a full moon, in which the sun and moon match up in the same location, but on opposite sides of earth, causing the moon to fall within earth's shadow.

What bugged me for years was why this didn't happen every new and full moon- as eclipses are relatively uncommon. I didn't get a concrete answer, as it happens, until I began to study astrology and learned about declination. If the orbits of all the planets in the solar system were rings, declination is the tilt off of center that these rings possess. It has a somewhat less studied but still important significance in astrological study, but that's a topic for another post. Anyway, here's a picture of the difference between the orbit of the sun and the moon (obviously the earth revolves around the sun, but our graphical understanding of the planets is all from our earthly perspective):

The two rings are slightly off kilter, but intersect at either side of a line as if fastened along it. This "axis" is the lunar nodal axis. The point in which the moon path crosses above the path of the sun is the north node, and the point at which it descends below the path of the sun is the south node. Both points are significant in astrology around the world, and you may have seen or read about them in your chart. Symbolically, they are the point at which moon and sun, yin and yang, meet along their orbital journeys. So, while both moon and sun pass these points, they rarely do it at the same time. When they do, you get an eclipse.

The symbolism of the solar eclipse is the moon passing directly in front of the sun, and blocking our usually direct line with the sun's energy. This is like an open door to new possibilities, unforeseen events, and change, similar themes to the monthly new moon but with greater potential for the unexpected. As for the lunar eclipse, the moon passes directly through the shadow of earth. While in this shadow, we have the potential to be awakened to parts of ourselves, memories, etc, that have been unexplored or that require attention. Likewise, the monthly full moon calls us to examine and pay greater attention to our endeavors- when it coincides with an eclipse, though, the information we must examine may be all the more intense. Whew. Thank goodness for off-kilter orbits, or we would have eclipses every full and new moon- that could get exhausting.

The lunar eclipse today on June 15th places the moon in Sagittarius and the sun in Gemini, with mercury just a few degrees away. Mercury is the ruler of Gemini, and as such rules the sun in the chart of the eclipse. The theme of communication is the overwhelming theme of this eclipse. The opposition between Gemini and Sagittarius reflects the tension between impartiality and variety in thought and ideas (Gemini), and idealism, faith and commitment to truth (Sagittarius).

From a mundane astrological perspective, the moon tends to represent the public, the masses, or popular emotions; the sun, on the other hand, represents government and those in power. This eclipse coincides with a great tension between the public at large and those who hold political power- more or less the world over, but especially in the countries of the Middle East facing political upheaval.

Our last total lunar eclipse occurred in December of 2010, which was also the beginning of uprising in Tunisia that would eventually spread across the Middle East and be called the "Arab Spring". Tension between the populace and the government is at an ever-increasing high, a theme reflected by the approaching square between pluto in Capricorn (power struggles and changes in the sign of government and structure) and uranus in Aries (rebellion and awakening in the sign of cardinal initiative). As tensions mount in general, eclipses can be temporary nitro bursts of change and insight.

As a final consideration, here's a look at the U.S. Sibly chart (one of the more generally accepted "birth charts" for the United States) with the eclipse today around it (click the image for a bigger view):

You can see the eclipse axis in the 1st and 7th houses- the moon conjunct the north node in the 1st, sun conjunct south node and mercury in the 7th. Also in the 7th house in the inner ring (the U.S. chart) is the country's natal mars in Gemini- conjunct the sun and mercury in the eclipse chart. This eclipse is definitely having an effect on the U.S. in some way. Astrologically, there mars represents the initiative, drive, and energy of an entity, how the entity takes action and for what purpose. The varied opinions and duality of Gemini (the "twins"!) reflects the duality of policy and action in the United States. We are famous for our two-party system, our legacy of intense debate and examination of issues, and the ability to have a variety of interests simultaneously (at home and abroad...). What new insights about how the U.S. is taking action might this eclipse reveal? Keep your eyes peeled, and watch the news!

Get your mercury on and use your brain! What are your thoughts on this eclipse day? What needs to come to light and be examined? Can we expect the unexpected in the following days and weeks? Let's discuss!

Some links and resources:
http://carlboudreau.blogspot.com/
http://mountainastrologer.com/tma/cardinal-cross-lunar-eclipse
http://astrologyexplored.net/home/?p=2647
http://mountainastrologer.com/tma/the-moon-and-mercury-overthrow-the-sun