I have been out of town, but I do want to say a couple of things, even at this late date, about the December Lunar and the January Solar eclipses.

First, let me point out that until June of 2011 all the planets will be is a southern declination. This means that we are in for even more violent weather, as just the stuff since the December Lunar has been really troubling and record setting. All the planets in the south is difficult. It brings too much cold to the northern hemisphere and too much heat to the southern hemisphere, where heat and floods are happening.

All of this is happening since the Lunar of December which kicks off this cycle of southern declinations.

A lot of astrologers have written pages and pages about the Lunar eclipse, and granted it is a really powerful one –all that energy on the solstice has to be significant, both in the world and in the inner world.

We are going to see a lot happen.

However it is this January Solar Eclipse that has me worried. The eclipse is in Capricorn and opposes the point of the huge Cancer eclipse of July 11, 2010. The July eclipse was during the famed Cardinal Cross. And the eclipse was in a water sign, a cardinal water sign, the sign of the mother. Meanwhile, the Cardinal Cross is really releasing energy energy, like the after shocks of a big earth quake, which those of us in LA experienced in 1994 can be frightful.

Now, as the big opposition, Jupiter and Saturn opposing in Aries, Jupiter squaring Pluto this Feb. The continued turbulence of huge changes and trauma on the Earth Plane are going go on. Economic trouble looms. Prices, 5$ gas, large weather shifts prompting large migrations of the poor to the boarders of the have nations. In Africa, Asia and Islands like Haiti, there will be growing suffering.

I digress, and some people have worried about the negative quality of my speeches to astrological groups lately. We, frankly I am pessimistic.

Which leads up to this January eclipse. The impact will be felt heavy more in February when Jupiter squares the eclipse point. And the “bending” in July will tell a sad tale.

The economic good news will probably shift to distress as rising gas and other essential services, food, heating, will rise and threaten those living on fixed incomes. The housing market will make a second dip. The effects of the Tea Party on politics will hamper any immediate response to this crisis. Spots like Korea and Iran will fester into real conflicts of armed conflict.

Cancer the area of the home, will be under assault by the evaluative qualities of Capricorn ‘s Saturn ruler in Libra is who will bring a judgment on all these areas.

I read all the newsletters of famous and truly great astrologers who write better than I do and speak easily about the disjointed transformation of society to a more global, new age, world village energy–all this emerging. And I agree.

However what is being swept under the rug is the depth of the pain and suffering that will hit the poor in all countries a especially the third world. The wealthy will survive with their power through corporations and financial manipulations.

Still this is a time of growing chaos. Real stuff. $4 gas by summer will be a shock. The awareness of the wounded oceans will be more and more apparent. Like I say, the last fish will be cooked by the fisherman who caught it and the logger who cut down the last tree to cook it.

The simple life is the answer. Minimal is the key. And the demands of the budget will have some effect on prices, but the real answer is to learn to get by with less.

Another important point is to read wisdom literature, meditate and get involved with groups that are trying to help in an area where you can contribute. Basics is the shelter that provides survival.

For astrologers there is a very significant event coming up; Jupiter and Venus both go direct on the same day, November 18, 2010.

Expect to be able to feel the energy fields of the planetary shift! Venus has been retrograde for forty days (40 days has so many implications) and after descending into the underworld from being the Evening Star, she will now begin to rise as the Morning Star.

In the Inana myth she has literally gone though a rough experience in the underworld and when she returns in the East and rides with the Sun rise she is much more aggressive and dominate.

What this means is that after spending these forty days ruminating about relationships as we all have been doing, now we start to put the self knowledge and straighten things out. WE will seek more positive relationships, change or even terminate relationships that we can now see as being negative in some way to the successful path on our journey of life. Get rid of the users, six-time losers, vampire soul suckers, hanger-on dead weights, critics, people who want you to wallow in their misery, or worse want to draw you down into the same hole they are in, want to whine to you because you are a good listener, jealous little nuisances, social misfits, and anyone else who is trouble, like lovers who aren’t reliable, loyal or positive about the commitment it takes to have love that is productive. Wow!

Also see in the realm of Jupiter going direct, that this is the time to direct personal and professional energy into finishing old projects and looking forward to starting new ones. Jupiter will bring fresh ways to look at old problems, will produce answers where we have been stumped, new people to network with, as well as a higher perspective of what is important in life.

While many astrologers simplify Jupiter as the great goody giver, and economic Santa Claus (with Christmas so close–but there is that darn Mercury about to go retrograde). While it is true that Jupiter can be seen as a great motivator, it is not all in economics.

Jupiter also rules the ninth house of intellectual pursuits, high consciousness experiences, travel and cross cultural insights as well as commitments, moral and legal insights. Thus there is a wide range of points which will feel the impact of Jupiter going direct.

Both of these events occur in the sign of Scorpio which give an adds textures of rebirth, money, inheritance and sexual experiences that can awaken a deeper sense of self through the connection of the erotic to the life force. Also revenge tragedies and other revenge theater will be seen in a new light and dropped.

And, oh yes. . .deeper psychic insights from the realization that in the light of the grim reaper that life has even greater meaning to soul growth and diminishes the lust for possessions over the path of spirit.

Venus and Mars, two planets known for love vs passion, diplomacy vs power, sublimation vs sex, sensitivity vs brashness, intellect vs physical (just to list a few of their polarities) come together in a conjunction in Scorpio October 3, 2010.

What does this mean? First lets look at Venus (ladies first): Ruler of Libra and Taurus there will be an emphases on where these two signs are in your chart. Libra is the air sign and love and diplomacy will be in strong play. Taurus is the earth sign and it will involve money and resources, add sensuality and comfort. What about love and sex? I hear a few voices ask.

For romantics the elements of the intensity of love relationships, as well as those of flirting, testing out the water will certainly occur. However, let us not forget the element of Mars co-ruler of Scorpio (with Pluto the ruler in the earth sign of Capricorn). Romance in this instance could also mean burning out, that a relationship could find this a time of going “poof.” There could be an aspect of finally the fighting and make up sex have taken their toll.

Lets take a look at Mars, a horn-dog warrior, certainty if nothing else will remain in Scorpio until October 27. The brunt of this re-birthing and torrid passion will also play on the life of the citizens of our republic. The election season in upon us, the time of the turning of the leaves is upon us. Things will get down and dirty. We always wonder in the mud slinging could ever get worse, and yes, it does seem to get worse and this season will be full of politicians lying and fighting. The Tea Party will go rabid.

Lets look for the position Mercury in all this, as the planet of communication enters Scorpio on Oct 20th. So with all the personal planets in this fixed water sign it really going to fuel the intensity of this election campaigns. The media will get into political season on a grander scale than before–corporations can now give freely and we know where there money and interest are.

Certainly October will be a powerful month of transformational energy. I always hate it when astrologers talk about transformational energy. What does that mean? It is used so often it is almost a cliche, some word to just toss out there. Let me explain.

Websters: Transformation: in the broadest scope this implies a change either in external form or inner nature in function. Earlier used in alchemy suggest a change in basic nature, the process of changing, to change form or outward appearance, to change expression, setting up correspondences between two elements so each element corresponds to each other in a new and different way.

So we can expect that their can be changes at the most basic element of our personality and circumstance. Scorpio, the cauldron of the eighth house will bring the chance for intimacy, bonding sexuality, the way to end and renew this area of life. Also the second house of money will bring a greater intensity of financial circumstances. And finally, this may well be where and when we see that a path we are on has to be abandoned and a new purpose and path must be discovered.
How is this done? Ah, grasshopper, that is the topic of the next blog, Venus going retrograde October 8th. Transformation also need reflection and the change of this goddess from the evening star to the morning star will give us the clues and direction.

Sooooo July ended with the final Saturn – Uranus opposition. And look at the chaos: heat in Russia, Europe, (wheat prices already on the way up), a flood in Pakistan that has displaced more people than that great tsunami, and the second dip of the double dip recession just getting started. . . Well, well. Get back on your meditation mat, because we are just getting warmed up to August and another round of fireworks!

First, there is the always interesting Jupiter/Saturn opposition on August 16th. Jupiter in Aries, feeling oh so fiery and Saturn in Libra, feeling wonderfully judgmental. This opposition will test our economic recovery and the boundaries of monetary expansion and contraction. The attempted expansion of the world economic situation will feel a retraction as Saturn gets really comfortable in the test of the bailout and the creaking of world markets. How long can Germany keep the Euro afloat? Only the shadow knows. And oh, that’s right, Mercury is in the shadow of its retrograde that will be from August 20 to September 12th. The Mercury shadow, however is from August 1 – September 27. Got all the bases in August covered, including, the Jupiter/Pluto square which will be exact on August 21.The transformation grid of the Zodiac will be completely ramped up.
Astrology is always nothing if not a lesson in cycles and the cycles that moving through August are major. The cardinal transits just keep on churning and churning the cosmic soup here on planet Earth.

Yet there is an opportunity here, a real chance to face change, to be a part of a large transition we are all, as a global village, going through. Don’t take the high road, or the low road, take the road of little steps. Work on human kindness in your neighborhood, on the freeway, take the time to just work on spreading the expression of human self-worth and care. The big picture is too big, it has to be broken down into steps and the true first step starts at the door of our own hearts and our own actions. The old quote, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself,” is still the rock of hope for a better world.

In the face of all this, I am still telling my clients to do what they can day by day in those little things that can add up to quite a lot. . . and to keep strong in their meditation practice. It is by staying calm within that we can begin to move the inner peace out into the world.

With so many people talking about the complex and definitely powerful celestial events coming up–Uranus has just entered Aries at this writing–the question that I get from clients and friends is: With all these different energies sloshing about, what can I do?

I think the answer is: meditate and keep your personal energy field as clear as possible. As astrologers and other advocates of a new consciousness, it important that we walk the walk like we talk it. The stresses that are still going to unfold in this summer and early fall have already made it difficult to watch the news. The oil spill, the environment, the economy, continuing political posturing, the wars, the ethnic strife, all make it hard to even look at the news media for fear of the next crisis or the continuing unraveling of the list we already are facing.

The answer on a personal level for me is meditation. Meditation brings a deep awareness of the greater space within and without. It does not take a genius to know that life involves suffering. As Joseph Campbell noted, “Life feeds on life.” Look at the food chain. Animals feed on each other. We are part of the cycle. Granted in our best moments we can choose love and compassion, but it has to be coming to us from an inner point of the soul and spirit, that space where love can start.

Meditation, an orthodox friend told me, is just secular prayer. Well, if praying helps, then pray. However for those who have not found a particular religion to work for them, meditation is what works for me and many others. It is not a thing about religion. Meditation is really at the core of a larger mystical format which brings one to a larger spiritual reality that transcends all religions and is yet a part of all of them.

Mediators have been tested and certified by western science to have less stress, to be able to cope with difficult situations with greater insight and to be balanced in overview of the higher dimensions of life.

So–meditate. No matter what the news is, no matter what personal problems may arise during this period so glibly defined as the Cardinal Climax. Meditation can help focus the mind and spirit on a higher matrix to which all within the bio-field of planet earth.

Find the time, make the time, to sit down and be aware of your breath coming and out of your body. Keep your focus on the miracle of the now in you. Start with where you are and work out from the breath. The universe itself is like the out breath of, say, the big bang and the black holes are the in breath bringing it all back to the core. Granted this probably too simple an analogy, but it makes the point.

What we have learned from the Hubble pictures is how vast and beautiful the universe is. While we are travelers on this merry-go-round, meditation is way find a center. To spend a few moments in the peace of the self and the infinite that is within and without will provide that inner strength we need to face whatever life tosses at us individually and collectively.

And finally, let me conclude by saying what a unique life we are living to be able to see this particular juncture in human history. The World Village of Bucky Fuller, this Spaceship Earth, is a reality. The internet has brought us all together. We are able to know moment by moment what is going on anywhere on the planet. Now we must learn to do, as Auden said in 1939, we must learn to love one another or die. It is our challenge. And this summer will be one where human resources will be tested.

Meditate. It is that still point in a spinning world that the ancient masters were talking about.

The Full Moon on May 27 is especially interesting. All clients and astrologers should study this moon, for to me it is a trigger moon. Mercury has gone direct on May 11, Jupiter opposes Saturn on May 22 and Saturn goes direct on the 30th right after this moon and then we go into the celestial fireworks of the summer when Jupiter conjuncts Uranus and then we enter into an extremely dynamic eclipse and Cardinal Cross configuration that astrologers have been writing about for months. The count down technically started with the opposition of Uranus and Saturn April 26th.

What makes the May 27th full moon a trigger moon? It is a splay chart with five, that is right, count them, five oppositions: Sun (Gemini) -Moon (Sagittarius), Mars (Leo)-Neptune (Aquarius); Saturn (Virgo) Uranus Jupiter (Pisces) Mercury ( Taurus) – Athena (Scorpio); Venus (Cancer) Pluto (Capricorn).

Oppositions stretch boundaries. Typically astrologers agree the the slower moving planet in an opposition has more power and its affect is more dominate. Since all the personal planets are involved with these power planets the fall out is going to affect everyone. Mercury is the only personal planet that has any power, it opposes Athena in Scorpio, so the tension of discipline and wise power must find articulation.

When we stop the astrological jargon what we have here is that some kind of national or international event is being foreshadowed here. I feel that the present stock bubble may well burst and a new wave of defaults and credit card debt has to be dealt with.

We can know for sure that larger battles on the political arena are unavoidable. The Tea Party movement, the aggressive and misguided Fox News, the very polarization in the Senate and House, a growing anger over Wall Street/Main Street, the confusion over the Health Care Bill, the growing worry over Iran, the possible growing instability in Iraq, and possible terrorist attacks here within the boundaries of the US.

Two large and volatile problems might easily create a large chaos. First the Arizona immigration law will cause the Mexican and other Hispanic populations to take to the streets in numbers that may well make the march on Washington look small. Second a terrorist attack of a sizable proportion could create terrible consequences for the Muslims living in the US. Should this group of moderates get radicalized, the situation would be hard indeed.

What of natural disasters. Here in California the chances of a major quake seems to be growing as tremors have been felt in Baja, San Diego, Eureka, and the Indio desert. With the quakes in Chili, Haiti and China and Indonesia actually showing how active the Pacific Rim is –and let’s not forget volcanoes (!) Finally bizarre weather, tornadoes and hurricanes and rain.

I do not want to sound like an alarmist, but golly-gee Frodo, something is afoot!

Hopefully this will be a time of deep transition where things get done in terms of the necessary social and judicial changes we need as well and the economic changes necessary to lower unemployment–perhaps like Australia, UK and several European countries there will be a permanent unemployment benefit.

Living in LA and seeing the chaos that is the California political climate, where the state and large cities are bankrupt, there has to be developed a vision that can revamp what was once a great example of good government.

So, ladies and gentlemen, strap on your seat belt for the astrological energy that is the summer of 2010. These are the times that try the soul of humanity. Meditate on it and go out and spread a little love in your heart.