NMR ISSUE 41

And Ye Harm None
Astrological Forecast 41
Candlemas Ritual
Editorial 41
Elephant
Esoteric Symbology of the Tarot
Flora Faery
Hummingbird
Letters 41
Moon
Mother Earth
Mythic Image
Perseverance
Spirit Doll Charms
The Big Book o' Shadows
The Kabalah in Everyday Use
The Legend of the Maiden
The Magic of Receiving
The Wise Woman Energy
Walking into Animal Presence
Weekend with Hans

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Astrological Forecast

January February, 1996

By Terry Lamb, M.A.

Grounding a New Consciousness

It's time to debunk a few myths. We are not in the Age of Aquarius, nor will we be any time soon. Several astrologers have fallen prey to the temptation to predict the early advent of Aquarius, and of course that means the early demise of Pisces. But we haven't got Pisces right yet! All those qualities that are attributed to the Age of Aquarius in the song of the same name are actually those of the higher side of Pisces. I don't think we're ready yet for the cold, clinical, even cruel sterility that is the down side of Aquarius. Let's accept the time that we have remaining in Pisces by embracing it instead of trying to escape (another Pisces quality) into another world. Maybe we will get it right.

That doesn't mean that we don't have some Aquarian times ahead of us though, because Uranus, that lightning bolt of unpredictability, goes into Aquarius for seven years in January. This planet affects trends and our collective method of approaching the future—what changes we think need to be made when we are at our most idealistic. At its best, Aquarius should inspire us to find a way to recognize and promote the individual freedom and human rights of every person on the planet, including the right to determine one's own destiny (so long as it harm none). It should return us to more libertarian values, bringing all people to a perhaps abrupt realization of the ultimate outcome of some of the hard, mean spirited tactics now used by our elected officials. Aquarius is objective in its approach, but too much objectivity can be compassionless, so we must learn to incorporate compassion into our culture from elsewhere in our collective consciousness, or we will not use this energy well. Still, coupled with the free spirited energy of Sagittarius, into which Pluto has just entered, we can expect the energies of freedom and independence to reign supreme through the first few years of the next century.

As Pluto is now in Sagittarius as I am writing this, new insights come to mind when I contemplate the issues that it represents. The primary is freedom of thought. One thing that happens when Pluto enters a sign is that this sign's qualities become more important to us, and violations of its precepts become clearer. I have observed that we have reached (I hope) the far reaches of mind control in our culture. It comes primarily in the form of TV, with its leading questions, much like when did you stop beating your wife? It assumes a value system that we must be very lively to think through and countermand with our own intelligence. But how many of us sit down in front of the tube in a lively state of mind, ready to do mental battle with the pundits of mediocrity? The threat is not what a TV show focuses on as its plot line; the threat is its values, unquestioned and insidious. The plot is a diversion from the real issue—if it is commonplace to hear cheeky, dysfunctional, even abusive remarks on your favorite sitcom (or the ads sprinkled liberally throughout) as a matter of daily (weekly) occurrence, then how easy is it for us as adults to stand back from that behavior and say, This does not show respect for my fellow human/brother/sister, etc., let alone for children who by definition do not have the critical thinking skills yet in place to evaluate such behaviors. Now, to be fair, children do not exist in a bell jar. Their parents are there to guide them, but guide them we must, or they will become the automatons of some of the futuristic horror films that masquerade as science fiction. The thing is, George Orwell's 1984 has already arrived: Of the adults that you know, how many are actually thinking? The so-called thinking adult is an all too rare occurrence, although refreshingly commonplace among the Pagan community. The number of people showing up for an astrology class vs. for Sunday's local NFL game (where they are fed a steady diet of indoctrination) suggests about the right ratio (although not all astrologers think freely, nor is it necessary to study astrology to do so). Right now, at the beginning of Pluto's transit, we stand poised to examine this issue. Consciousness raising is the only effective tool against the barrage of ads in a culture where nearly everything is an ad.

January and February are the first months in which we will get to experience the joys and pitfalls of our new generational influences, Pluto in Sagittarius and Uranus in Aquarius. If you don't feel a difference inside, keep your finger on the pulse of the world's beat—the commentaries on the news, the slant of the headlines, and special interest stories. You'll see a subtle shift in theme and tone. January sees the start of several new cycles, as the planets lend their weight to Capricorn, giving us a lopsided wheel that limps as it turns. February is deceptively void of major activity, but oh, how those so-called minor events can get us!

JANUARY:
The Lopsided Wheel Strikes Again!

Remember those last two January 17th's? You know those earthquakes in Northridge and Kobe? Well, we have a similar configuration in store for us on the 5th this year! I'm not an alarmist, and I don't predict earthquakes, but one that will make the news is likely to happen somewhere on the planet that day. There will certainly be other fallout during this time, but I would say that it is more likely to involve human dynamics of war and peace with a generous dose of terrorist activities. For us as individuals, we will be affected more if our charts are directly impacted by the emphasis in Capricorn (those with placements anywhere in Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn). Specifically, those who felt the impact of the eclipse in early October last year will experience another episode in the saga begun then. It may be a period of sudden change or unexpected events, guaranteed to loosen up the obstructions in your life!

Before the 5th, we may feel as though we are in a fog. Be careful to stay grounded during this time and be aware of your surroundings. Not everyone will get mugged at this time, but there is a higher possibility of a con or loss of some sort around the 1st.

When Jupiter enters Capricorn on the 3rd, we begin a new year of luck and enterprise in the business sector, an expansionary period for government, and a period of rational, constructive growth for everyone. After its high flying, seat-of-the-pants transit through Sagittarius, we need to come down to earth a little bit. This transit will last for 13 months. Critical dates having to do with Jupiter in this cycle are December 18 (1995), April 5th, May 4th, July 4th, and September 3rd. These dates will show the unfoldment of a cycle of expansion, education, and enterprise in the area of your chart that it is occupying (early Capricorn).

After the full moon, we will see significant events on the 7th through the 9th as the energies of the 5th reach their peak. On the 9th, when Mercury turns retrograde (backward), some things may come to a screeching halt (but this can be good!) so you can focus on one particular area that needs work. Don't let the folk myths about Mercury retrograde scare you—it's only the messenger. It is capable of bringing the larger issues of life into your consciousness, but if you have not dealt successfully with those in the past, can Mercury be blamed for pointing them out?

On the 11th, Uranus makes its final launch into Aquarius, there to remain for about 7 years. Although fixed sign people have had their share of upheaval while Pluto was in Scorpio, they will continue to get their attitude adjustment pill, but from a different quarter, and with a quick, clean thrust rather than the long, slow scraping away of the old, deeply entrenched ways of being. Now Uranus will be somewhat free of the visionary fogginess cast upon it by Neptune for the past few years.

The time after the 11th will be mentally stimulating, perhaps a time of conflict and argumentation. But at least things will be out in the open. You may see the inklings of growth related to a 12-year cycle we started a year ago November. This cycle has to do with explosive growth and active transformative processes. On the 15th, we begin a new yearly cycle of vision, imagination and spirituality. The other critical dates associated with this cycle are April 17th and 29th, July 18th, and October 6th. With this, as with other cycles (like Jupiter above) note what occurs (occurred) on the first of the dates, and you may get a glimpse of what to expect on the subsequent dates. You will have maximum ability to choose how this energy will work for you if you can see what energy is projected at the time of the first date.

New awareness comes into consciousness on the 16th, perhaps painfully so. This brings a repeat of energies and issues that came up on December 31st, but with a new slant now. This may bring the first coherent awareness of what Uranus in Aquarius holds for us! On the 18th, we begin the next Mercury cycle, lasting 4 months. You can start your new short-term projects now, if you have the old ones finished by now. Blessedly, you have 12 more days to finish up if you need to!

What direction is your relationship going? You may be asking that question on the 19th, especially in the wake of the events of the past week. In the coming lunar cycle, which begins the next day, you may just find out. When the Sun enters Aquarius on the 20th, you can look forward to lifting out of the dead of winter into the January thaw period. This is as much a mental process as it is a weather event. Yes, Miranda, there is hope for warmer days ahead! We've made it through the time of greatest darkness. Now we can get our brains stirring, our energies flowing a bit more and begin to gear up for the coming yearly cycle that will culminate in June at the solstice and bring rewards by fall.

Not to be left out, Uranus begins its own new cycle on the 21st. (The heavens are impartial every planet gets its turn.) This has to do with accidents and miracles (the same thing, really). Critical dates after this one are April 24th, May 8th, July 24th and October 9th.

Don't let the fog of true love capture your imagination around the 23rd and replace reality with an image. Communication on the days following, if initiated, will dispel the myth. After a hectic day on the 26th, curl up with a good book, a good opponent on the courts or a very good friend under the covers. I promise the energies will flow well!

On the 28th, we will have our focus drawn somehow to the magical and mystical within us. This may be through a seemingly positive or negative experience (but the result is always positive). Check within to find the way to deal with what arises. By rising above the appearance of things, you will be able to see and respond to the truth. This may affect relationships and one's sense of inner peace. This has to do with a cycle that began September 25th. Other critical dates in this cycle are March 31st and June 4th.

On the 30th, Mercury finally completes its period of contrary motion and returns to the direction that all self-respecting planets go in. Give yourself wings and go for it now!

FEBRUARY: Still Waters Run Deep

Sometimes it is the seemingly quiet times when all hell breaks loose, even from an astrological perspective. It is as if, without the planetary distractions making them mind their manners, the elements of chaos are free to wreak havoc in our lives. So I can't guarantee that February will be a quiet month with no bumps in the road, but I can say that, as months go, February is astrologically mild. We are near the beginning in all the cycles, and with most of the planets in early degrees for the first time in a long time (like, years!), there is lots of time to slow down and smell the roses. Or so the theory goes. Now, relaxing and taking life easy is a challenge and an acquired skill in our culture, to be enjoyed at the risk of being brushed aside by others in greater haste. Still, if you are willing to take the risk of letting others pass you by; this is a good time to do it. However, if your answer to a breather is to say, Good, now I can get caught up, and then pour it on all the harder, then you will not notice a shift during February.

A new attitude of this sort is timely for those who wish to celebrate the great holiday of the season, Imbolc or Candlemas. This is a time when a little leisurely perspective can go far in helping you tweak your focus in order to head in the right direction toward this year's goals. This is the celebration of the thawing out process, the slow return of the light, now perceptible. Use this time to thaw out your own ideas, give them a try and plan for the coming time of greater activity, which starts at the Spring Equinox.

Imbolc comes at the time of the full moon, so our awareness should be particularly acute, especially of those issues relating ourselves to the groups of which we find ourselves a part. These may be freely chosen memberships, as in organizations we join, or unchosen memberships that come by right or circumstance, such as your family, city, culture or economic stratum. This is an issue with which we are always dealing, but I think mostly unconsciously. What choices do we have as individuals in our groups? What role(s) do we want to play? These questions will arise at this time.

The week following the full moon we get a chance to focus on harmony in relationships. It's a good time to smooth things over if the going has been rough. Of course, sometimes harmony comes at the expense of truth; but even then, a breather can be nice. Around the 16th, we will be stimulated the 3rd and final time to deal with what came up on December 31st and January 16th. Again, this has to do with insightful communication and new consciousness. This may also prompt adventurousness in relationships or even a decision to break off old ties that are no longer working.

The new moon on the 18th starts a month of focus on the energies of higher consciousness and spirituality. It is an opportunity to get closer to our true Self, the 93% of who we really are. We may notice, however, some explosive energies related to a two-year cycle which began back in late October last year. This is typically associated with terrorism and acts of violence on the world scene. In our personal lives, we may experience rage within or around us. It is a good time to delay attempts to resolve conflicts unless they come up in the flow of things, and then indirect methods are best. The whole effect of this cycle and the other influences of the time suggest that many groups will be at a crossroad of making peace or war at this time. Naturally, there are many situations that come to mind—the Middle East, the American Congress, the Russians and Chichens, Nigerian factions. Other conflicts are bound to emerge at or near this time.

The Sun enters Pisces on the 19th, and it may throw a general fog over the peace- (or war-) making process. This may be a good thing, for if tempers have flared, a cooling off time is always appropriate. For the rest of us, we can allow our imaginations to run wild, for this is the source of our dreams. Without dreams, we have no goals, and without goals we have no direction. Allow the peace of this time to settle in to protect you from the meaner influences of life.

The last week of February brings more of those trivial influences, those that give us time for resolution and time to catch our breath before the next wave of cosmic energies. An absence of stresses during this week suggests that we will be able to resolve some situations with little conflict or obstruction.

As we step into this time, stay in tune with the subtle energies within you. You will feel the shift and be able to flow with it gracefully. If you are a fixed person (that is, with many planets in fixed signs in your chart), you will think that this new energy pattern, although different, is bringing more of what you have experienced over the past 13 years. If you are cardinal, as the fog clears, you'll be making changes and being more adventuresome with your decisions than you have been in years during 1996, and then you'll get a big breather! If you are mutable, you may have gotten lazy or focused your energies in other directions in the past few years. Now it's time to stop scattering your forces hither and yon, because the universe has its eye on you, and you can't get away with the old patterns any longer!

Whatever your nature, you chose it so that you would experience precisely the right issues at precisely the right times for you. The best thing I can tell you is to embrace them without fear. Ground them into your existence willingly through ritual and prayer, and let the Goddess and Her mighty Consort guide you. How can you go wrong with help like that?

Blessed Be!