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The USA first PLUTO RETURN
…and the great Venus/Mars conjunction:
February – March 2022
The United States will experience its first PLUTO RETURN since its inception on February 20, 2022. This will be followed by two additional returns this year on July 11 and December 28, as Pluto proceeds with its retrograde and forward motion. While opinions differ on which of the returns is the most significant, this article is specifically about the first return. I see it as the most critical one, not only because it sets the tone for the whole process, but also because it coincides with a Venus/ Mars conjunction on the same degree.
Neptune in Pisces (2011-2026):
Beyond Thought, Beyond Beliefs, Freedom from all Illusions
(Published in the Sept 2011 edition of The Mountain Astrologer)
In recent years, we have watched powerful new ingresses of slow moving planets as they entered new signs. Pluto first moved into Capricorn, and then Uranus and Jupiter moved hand in hand into Aries’ fire of creation simultaneously opposing Saturn as it emerged into Libra. In the backdrop of this unique Cardinal configuration, an equally dramatic development is set in motion when Neptune progresses into its own sign of Pisces for an extended period of approximately 14 years. With a world already shaken by natural events and socioeconomic unrest, our yearning to transcend illusive schemes and aim for a direct perception of the Truth becomes not merely a quest for spiritual seekers, but a survival imperative for all. With Neptune moving into Pisces, humanity is possibly confronted with one of its most serious existential crises ever; and with the stakes so high, along with a paralyzing sense of insecurity, this transit renders us humble and disarmed as we stand unsheltered from the facts of the Truth.
The Evolution of Consciousness Through Reincarnation.
A preview on reincarnation themes in the birth chart
Analyzing an astrology chart from the perspective of the evolution of consciousness, I perceive a chart as a link in a greater chain of events. Considering that upon birth a baby is not a blank slate, but rather already charged with a particular character, desires, and fears, it becomes evident that these traits are not the fruit of parental imprinting from the current time and space; a newborn baby has a history. Each individual comes into this world with a completely different set of resources and potential; some say it is in the genes, others call it coincidence, but from my perspective the reason each person is unique and born into distinctively different circumstances is based on the current requirements of his or her soul’s evolution.
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Planetary Nodes
From Saturn to Pluto
Most astrologers are familiar with the nodal axis of the Moon, but less attention is given to the fact that planets too have a nodal axis! The nodal axis is constituted of two intersecting point where the planet in question comes to cross the ecliptic. Astrologically, these two points are of paramount importance with regards to describing developmental issues pertaining to the planet’s themes.
We must remember: every planet has a Nodal Axis!
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Jupiter in Scorpio – Seeing is Believing & the Ecstasy of Transformation
(Oct 10, 2017 to Nov 11, 2018)
(Published in the September 2017 edition of the Career Astrologer – OPA)
Jupiter in Scorpio is a powerful force that combines expansion with depth, potentially catapulting us to greater dimensions of growth on all levels, material or spiritual. Yet, to access the promise of wealth, increase, and spiritual ecstasy, Jupiter in Scorpio imposes a challenge: accept the naked, and, often inconvenient, Truth. Scorpio brings doubt to Jupiter’s faith and optimism. Seeing is believing for Jupiter in Scorpio, there is no space for fanciful wishful thinking or blind beliefs. We can expect experiences of disillusionment and deflation of hopes initially, but only for the purpose of eventually creating and seizing incredible opportunities.
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The marriage of Mind and Hearts
(May 9, 2017 – Nov 6, 2018)
(Published in the March 2017 edition of the Career Astrologer – OPA)
With the Nodes moving into Leo (North Node) and Aquarius (South Node), we move further away from the Mutable cross that has heavily characterized the year 2016 with mass migrations of refugees from the Middle East, Globalism, and the resulting surge of racism and extreme right.
With Jupiter moving to Scorpio in October 2017, and Mars travelling through a retrograde cycle for almost 6 months in Aquarius in the course of 2018, and lastly Uranus moving into Taurus by May 2018, we see a strong emphasis in Fixed signs for the times to come. Subsequently, the following years 2019-2020 will return to the strong Cardinal flavor with heavy emphasis returning to Pluto in Capricorn, along with Saturn and Jupiter.
Fixed signs capture the essence of creativity and manifestation. They represent what role WE have to play in this world, hence the strong intensity, concentration of energy, and sexual nature of these signs — squeezing our inner juices. With Leo and Aquarius in particular, the calling for leadership is emphasized and most importantly, the inspiration to create a better future. While the Virgo/Pisces axis referred to a need to integrate global dynamics and understand we must adhere to a reality larger than ourselves, the Leo/Aquarius axis reminds us destiny is in our hands. We are the creators of our destiny, where we inspire innovative ideas (Aquarius) or bring children and creative endeavors to the world (Leo).
The Leo North Node, Aquarius South Node
The Peer Group Process
A Human Dimension to the Profession of Astrology
(Published in the July 2011 edition of The Mountain Astrologer)
I came back from the seventh OPA retreat in Asilomar, California hopeful. The first reason for my optimism was that I experienced the community of astrologers in a different light. Professionals and amateurs alike were truly interacting in meaningful ways; it was not solely about delivering a presentation and then going back to one’s own personal business. Rather, it was a very creative mode of learning where astrological knowledge was presented through multiple mediums. Workshops included creative writing, spiritual development, and counseling training. But more than anything, despite the large numbers, it felt like family, warm and intimate. Of all Astrology organizations, it seemed OPA had a very unique message and truly unique programs.
Neptune, The 12th House and Pisces
Career Orientation in Astrology
(Published in the Oct/Nov 2007 edition of The Mountain Astrologer)
the Pisces archetype reflects how a person can tap into public/collective consciousness and its needs! The 12th House content, together with Neptune and Pisces planets, can represent our ability to address the public and also affect it. From this perspective, we can also conclude that Pisces’ influence represents our ability to provide services to the public and answer its demands professionally! This archetype basically describes the way an individual will deliver the fruit of his personal skills and efforts to the impersonal public. The archetype in polarity to Pisces, namely Virgo (the 6th House, Virgo Sign, and Mercury) reflects the person’s skills and practical capacities. In order to have a more complete picture of one’s professional potential and orientation, the whole axis of Virgo/Pisces, 6th House/12th House, and Mercury/Neptune’s placement must be analyzed. From personal observations, it seems that this axis describes professional orientation, more so than the 10th House/MC does.
The Power of the South Node: Transcendence of Duality
The Nodes of the Moon are points of intersection between the cycles of the Moon and those of the Sun; the North Node is where the Moon crosses the north point of the ecliptic (the path of the Sun), likewise the South Node where the Moon crosses the south point of the ecliptic. Despite the fact that they represent points of intersection and not actual bodies, the influence of the Nodes is extremely potent and essential to chart analysis.
Astrology is growing into a beautiful and multifaceted entity. Today, it is more refined and diversified than ever before. The revival that started at the beginning of the 20th century has stimulated research and development in ways that cannot be compared with previous times in history. The field of astrology is now wide, rich and complex; it encompasses forecasting, divination (horary), psychological evaluation and coaching, medical evaluation, analysis of mundane trends, as well as spiritual development and self-realization. Astrology reflects life in all its forms and as the individual opens up to new dimensions of being, these new insights are integrated within the field of astrology as well. There is much more to excavate and learn about it, but already today, many approaches and techniques make it a valuable tool for understanding existence and orienting efforts. The various approaches have all proven the relevance of their foundations in the course of time and experience: the Vedic, Traditional (Medieval, Hellenistic, Babylonian, etc?, Galactic, and so called Modern (Psychological, Karmic and Evolutionary). The diversity therein is akin to life itself: a source of fascination and conflict. Religious wars exist inside the field of astrology because our critical mind wants to discriminate what works from what doesn’t in order to find truth and reliability. A common problem, however, is that many assumptions are made based on prejudice and self-righteousness; as in every other field, there are ideological and political disagreements.
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