2004
began with a bold and tense T-square formation, a harsh
confrontational aspect, evident during the New Year’s
week in crashes, explosions, avalanches, meteorites and
earthquakes throughout the world. Mercury, the planet
of communication was in retrograde since December 17th
through January 6, embracing much of the holiday season
and New Year’s Day, in fact, as far as I’m concerned,
the Chinese calendar has got it right, it won’t really
feel like the New Year until after the new moon in Aquarius
on January 21-22 which brings on the Year of the Wood
Monkey.
The Stakes are High and The
Game’s Afoot!
The
Chinese Calendar always begin with the New Moon in Aquarius,
which I find fascinating as Aquarius is the sign of cosmic
solidarity, the masses, the future, freedom, progress,
inventions, technology, humanitarian attitudes, friends,
humor and knowledge. What a fantastic sign to begin a
new year! Happy Birthday Aquarius!
According
to tradition the Year of the Monkey is supposed to be
lively, interesting but perhaps troublesome, in keeping
with the Monkey's nature of trickery. This is going
to be an extremely progressive and optimistic year for
gambling, improvisation, innovation and inventions, and
the motto this year is: Nothing Seems Impossible!
Politics, diplomacy, business and finance are all
engaged in high stakes games of chance where the players
will all try to outsmart and out bluff one another.
Business will skyrocket under the Monkey’s optimistic
and shrewd influence. The Monkey's resourcefulness will
amaze and confound everyone.
It
is interesting to note that America was born in the year
of the Fire Monkey, 1776. This explains her phenomenal
growth and extraordinary achievements within such a short
span of time.
At
times, through all the excitement, it will be hard to
know who’s winning. Being that this is a Presidential
Election year, it will no doubt be an interesting and
meaningful race. Stocks will rise in a frenzy of
speculation and competition, and as a result the economy
will experience its ups and downs, those who are quick,
alert and fearless in the face of risk taking will reap
huge rewards this year. This is not a year
for the faint-hearted or slow witted. The Monkey
is the shrewd and cunningly playful Trickmaster who will
make sure that the winner(s) end up laughing all the way
to the bank and/or the oval office ;-)
To
be comfortable with uncertainty is to be free to grow
& change…
Obviously, this will be a good year for Monkeys, but
also for Rats and Dragons, who are the most compatible
with the Monkey.
Of all the animals in the Chinese
lunar cycle, the Monkey shows the closest likeness to
the Naked Ape himself, Man.
It’s therefore no wonder that it’s he who inherits most
of man's intelligence as well as his capacity for deceit.
The
Chinese calendar, is a fascinating system, which not only
records the passage of time, but is also a tool for fortune-telling.
The system is known as – the Four Pillars of Destiny –
which read a persons’ destiny from birth data in the Chinese
calendar format. The system is based on telling
time of year, month, day and hour through the five basic
elements – metal, water, wood, fire, and earth, which
are believed to be the basic components of everything
in the Universe.
The Year of the Monkey, 2004, in the Chinese system, is
symbolized by two elements – with wood sitting on top
of metal. According to the cycle of birth and destruction,
which governs the inter-relationship between elements,
metal will destroy wood. Therefore, wood sitting
on its destroyer – metal, is a symbol of disharmony and
may lead to even more international conflicts in 2004.
“The yang wood is always compared to a tall tree,
with the characteristic of being proud, tough, stubborn
and sticking to principles, inflexible and uncompromising.
The metal sitting under the Yang wood is like a dagger
cutting into the roots of the tree and kills it from underneath.
As such, the quality of yang wood monkey could bring serious
political struggles which will bring unrest, revolution,
and over thrown of Government.” It is a
year more difficult to compromise and not easy to make
peaceful settlements without using forces. According
to Chinese Astrologers, these elements cause conflicts
and regional wars. The Middle East could be a trouble
spot again.
”The Chinese calendar year goes on a 60-year
cycle. This means that we had experienced the same year
of yang wood on metal Monkey in 1944 when the world was
deep at war and the allies were winning with the invasion
at Normandy on 6th June. 2004, sixty years after, the
same pair of elements wood on metal may bring such fierce
fighting again, and we should see it as a year of decisive
battle against international terrorism. Like the D-day,
it will be a deciding year for long term world peace,
but such peace can only come after a final struggle. And
conflicts and skirmishes here and there will be inevitable.”
Raymond – LO – Chinese Astrologer
The Monkey is a bit of a comedian and trickster, he
loves the challenge of the competition, he is the master
game player and he can laugh off his mistakes, if you
try to hurl insults at him, he doesn’t take it too seriously,
because deep down inside, he is confident of who he is,
and will let it go, like water off a duck’s back.
This
is a year when competition and the competitive spirit
can sometimes get the best of you. It’s important
to remember who you are, be confident in that, not everything
in life is like a competitive sport. It doesn’t
always matter who’s first or who’s got the biggest thingamajig
;-) Don’t let the competitive spirit ruin the affairs
of your heart.
2004 also began with Saturn in retrograde
in Cancer, which has a lot of us reassessing our plans,
goals and dealing with some false starts due to unconscious
fears, runaway emotions and family issues. Often
when we allow our fears to rule the day, we become overly
cautious sometimes causing much to do about nothing.
While it’s certainly wise to be safe than sorry in most
instances, this aspect can let our fears get the upper
hand. The recent Homeland Security color-coding
was implemented during Saturn in Cancer, and it’s interesting
that we began the new year with a Orange Alert status.
Orange is the color of the 2nd charka, which
relates to power and control issues, gut feelings and
survival issues. On March 7, 2004, Saturn
goes direct, which takes us all the way to November 7,
when it retrogrades again also in the last few degrees
of Cancer where it will last till June of 2005.
Our Nations’ Food Source
Cancer
is the sign that rules security and family issues, food
sources, and the nurturing aspect between parents and
children, humans and animals. These are the main
issues that are being focused on through 2005, as Child
Abuse, Mad Cow disease, highlighted the headlines as 2004
began. Often when problems are brought into our
consciousness through media attention and/or trauma and
catastrophe, it’s a wake-up call for us to do something
about it. We will continue to face these issues
as a group, until a fair and humane solution is reached
for the good of all concerned.
Saturn in Cancer also underscores the issues of Food Corporations,
Corporate Farming and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).
Many of the traditional ways of farming are being lost
to the high tech, mass producing ways of the Corporate
world, as animals are treated in the most inhumane ways,
which in turn become the food source for most of our country.
Remember the old adage, ‘you are what you eat’?
It’s not just about food groups, but about vibrations.
Besides the fact, that GMO foods are essentially an experiment
being done on us.
As
we enter into the Age of Consciousness, we will all become
increasingly more aware of how vibrations in foods play
a huge part in our health and well being, not to mention
the overuse of antibiotics, hormonal supplements, hydrogenated
oils (see Hydrogenation, Trans Fats & Your
Health) and dangerous chemicals used in pesticides,
added to much of our food source. But nevertheless,
billions of dollars will continue to flow into the search
for the “cure” for many types of cancers, which has never
been higher. I wonder when people will ‘connect
the dots’ here? By the end of Saturn’s transit through
Cancer in 2005, there will be more regulations by the
FDA on labeling, and what can and can not be done with
what is sold to the public as food and supplementations.
Monkey
Business – The Presidential Election
Frankly
speaking, by looking at some really hard aspects in Dubya’s
chart, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle if he’s re-elected a second
term ;-) Bush will be having his 2nd
Saturn return on Election Day which is taking place in
his 12th house 
of hidden enemies and his own self-undoing. This
is usually an aspect and passage where one is urged to
let go of past and present responsibilities and move into
a different phase of life by going through a series of
adjustments. Pluto is crossing over his south node
which indicates release from the past. Interestingly,
this is exactly the same aspect that was taking place
in Saddam Hussein’s chart at the time the US invaded Baghdad
and overthrew Saddam’s regime. Bush’s progressed
Moon goes through a sign change in his 4th
house of home and domestic security, just weeks prior
to Election Day…from Scorpio to Sagittarius, which indicates
he will be entering into a new phase of his ‘daily life’…
he’ll be moving house, and perhaps enter into a phase
where he’ll travel and change his outlook.
It indicates closure for him.
So
if not Bush, then who? I’ve studied the charts of
all the Democratic candidates, and at this point, have
come up with a few who I believe will be strong contenders.
It’s also possible that one of these guys may even end
up becoming a running mate. We’ll see. One
way or the other, the planets show that we’re in for some
type of surprise.
John
Kerry a double Sagittarian born with a Full Moon in Gemini
conjunct Mars, Saturn and Uranus. His progressed
moon is now coming into a tight conjunction with his 9th
house Jupiter over the next 3 months, which indicates
political expansion for him. He’s just come through
a Pluto-Sun conjunction in his 1st house, which
is about going through a makeover/self transformation.
The challenges he faces now, are getting through some
hard aspects through 2004 which are Pluto opposite Saturn,
this is always a toughie, both personally and professionally,
and especially challenging if one is trying to push themselves
ahead, because it’s really about letting go of old structures
in his life. With the Gemini side of his chart being
challenged, his integrity will be tested. He has
several connections to the US chart, same nodes with 2
degrees and the conjunction to the US 21 deg Gemini Mars,
which is also under attack from Pluto through 2004.
Any duplicity on his part will be his own self-undoing
(Saturn conjunct Moon in Gemini). However, good
fortune shines on him, being Jupiter ruled, Jupiter is
getting ready to kiss his Midheaven and travel through
his 10th house, which could expand his popularity
tremendously. Kerry’s Pluto is conjunct his North
Node in his 9th house of foreign affairs, this
position would add to his legal & moral authority,
if he gets the nomination, this indicates that he will
excel with his foreign policy, which America desperately
needs now. However, it’s interesting that
Wesley Clark too is born with a 9th house Pluto.
Both are war heroes in their own right.
John
Edwards has got an interesting chart for President.
A Gemini Sun/Moon/Mars/Jupiter with Cancer Rising, his
ascendant is conjunct the US Sun. [Connecting with
the US chart is important for Presidents as they take
on the job of overseer of a group and entity we call America.
Almost all the Presidents have had connections with US
chart’s planets. Bush's Sun is conjunct the US Sun.
Like it or not it was his destiny to be there for a time.]
We haven’t had a Gemini President since John Kennedy.
Edwards was born in the year of a Water Snake, which makes
him very successful, a trial attorney for 20 years, a
self-made millionaire and Senator of NC. He says
he wakes up in the middle of the night dreaming of going
face to face in a debate with Bush. He’s highly
intuitive with Uranus in Cancer rising, and a Gemini Sun
in his house of dreams. Interesting as Dubya’s Sun is
conjunct Edwards’ ascendant, which indicates competition
and identification. Should his dream come true…Edwards’
Gemini stellium would put Bush to shame. Let’s face
it, the incumbent is not the sharpest knife in the drawer
when it comes to communication skills.
Edwards
has got his Pluto in his 2nd house of values
and finances, which means he could play an important role
in transforming the economy, however, with the present
transit of Pluto in his 6th house through 2008
and beyond, opposing his 12th house Mars this
could also make him the power behind transforming health
care as we know it in America. His Progressed Moon
now in Aries is in his 10th house of fame,
give him added confidence and that could propel him into
a position of leadership. He’s just come through
the fires of Pluto opposing his Sun, which caused to transform
his personality, however, he will be dealing with the
‘heaviness’ of Saturn, Lord of Karma which crosses his
Ascendant in June of 04. This could make or break
him, depending on how he has sown. It indicates
a new beginning of commitments and responsibilities. Saturn
will be conjunct his Uranus in July of 04 which indicates
a surprise.
Guess
who’s born in the year of the Monkey? Wesley Clark.
He’s also a Wood Monkey, which comes ‘round every 60 years,
making this year even more important for him. He’s
got some very interesting aspects that are building momentum
during 2004. His star is beginning to rise.
Pluto the planet of Power conjuncts his natal Mars all
through 2004. Pluto conjunct Mars is like being
handed a rod of power and channeling it through your life.
How one does this, is always a test that determines strength
of character. Mars is the planet of Ego, Passion,
Anger and generally rules our energy drives. Pluto
is about power and transformation thereof. It’s
interesting that both Clark and Dean have got the same
transit going on with Pluto conjunct Mars. While
Dean started out strong, my prediction is that he will
eventually fade and not have the numbers to win the nomination.
While Mars rules passion, anger can be its raw and unevolved
side, which many find scary.
Wes
is a Capricorn born with the Sun conjunct Mercury Retro
opposing Saturn and Juno, all squaring an Aries Moon,
(his decorated career in the military). This is someone
who thrives on stress and crisis, is extremely self disciplined,
and self controlled, as well as resilient beyond what
most people can handle and naturally heroic under pressure.
The one thing that might hurt him during the primary process
is that he only just became a Democrat to run for President.
This was one of those shrewd Monkey moves that I discussed
earlier. ;-) Clark’s progressed Mercury is now conjunct
the US moon at 25 degrees of Aquarius. This means
that his message is now ‘felt’ with Americans.
This will increase his popularity as the American collective
subconscious tune into him.
Will America Vote?
On September 24, 2004 Jupiter will enter into Libra for
approximately 12 months. This is the rebirth of
social conscience and great social changes. This is a
‘key’ shift in determining not only the outcome of the
Election, but more importantly its influence on Voter
Turnout. Jupiter in Libra will arouse the nation
to pursue ‘Justice’ on all levels. It’s a time to create
balance, socially, politically and spiritually.
Jupiter’s influence in Libra tends to make everyone political,
even those who would vow they’d have nothing to do with
politics, will be affected by this global wave to get
involved with something, and voting is a civic duty that
doesn’t cost anything accept a little time. This influence
has a way of getting everyone on the bandwagon of thinking
about and discussing issues that affect everyone.
Libra loves debate. The true Libran not only knows
the art of diplomacy, but loves to engage in healthy intellectual
debates. Jupiter’s influence in Libra will impact
us socially, expanding our understanding of how certain
laws can affect us for better for worse and will no doubt
fan the fires of debate going on strong all year long.
It is a time to build bridges and exercise diplomacy in
all relationships.
Remember
the old children’s game of a “Barrel of Monkey’s”, where
you need to hook and connect all the monkeys together?
This will be a year, coupled with the Monkey’s influence,
that when Jupiter enters Libra, everyone’s going to ‘click’
in and get it. The need to have one’s voice be heard
will be felt stronger than in other elections. Which
indicates that this Election is an important one as to
how the ‘collective consciousness’ will flow over the
next 4-8 years respectively, and regardless of where people
stand in terms of ‘party’ lines, this election will serve
to unite people together on common issues which affect
all Americans. However, the influence of Jupiter
in Libra also has the potential to cause the collective
to become even more imbalanced through dividing everyone
even further. This is where the power of “choice”
comes in, a Libra issue.
The
big issues will no doubt be the continued presence of
American troops in Iraq, the purpose for the Iraqi war
in the first place, did it really justify over $150 billion
and the death of over 500 American lives (and counting)
and thousands inured? Will they ever come up with
evidence of weapons of mass destruction?
A discussion of whether the war in Iraq was correct
will be front and center, as will a better understanding
of terrorism and how to dismantle it for good.
While
many polls, including the last General Election, have
indicated that our country is divided almost down the
middle, I believe we will see a new trend this year.
It’s interesting that according to recent statistics,
about 21% of Americans consider themselves conservative,
and about 19% consider themselves liberal and the rest
of the country are considered moderates. That means
the majority of our country can actually be considered
“swing voters”, meaning they do not necessarily vote along
party lines, but will align themselves with issues and
the best leaders to bring about their desires for change
and reform.
On
Election Day there is a tight Mercury square Saturn (in
the chart for Washington, D.C.) which could indicate a
recount or two in certain areas of the country.
The voting system will continue to be a focus in the upcoming
General Election, and an ongoing discussion beyond it.
However, the good news is that Mercury is
not in retrograde during that time, as it was on election
night of 2000. So we probably won’t be recounting
votes into the Holiday season ;-)
Being that Libra rules over Balance and Justice, it is
the sign of Peace and Harmony. While I hate to be
the wet blanket over those who wish for peace on Earth,
(present company included), I must read it as I see it,
as 2004 will not be the best year for peace on Earth.
However, after Jupiter enters Libra which will last through
2005, there will be diplomatic steps taken and peacemaking
efforts will certainly expand into 2005, also enhanced
after America inaugurates a new President. There
will be bridges to mend around the world, and 2005 will
be the best year for progress in these areas.
Uranus/Neptune in Mutual Reception - The 100th Monkey
Look
to the 100th Monkey Theory to be put to use this year.
(This is the theory that if a monkey drops his potato
in water before eating it, and others in his area see
and copy this, then others will also "learn" to wash their
potato before eating. Once the 100th monkey performs this
task, all monkeys, regardless of location, will perform
this task. It’s a group consciousness thing ;-)
Using
the 100th Monkey Theory means that if enough of us change
our thinking and beliefs the whole course of the world
will change. As Uranus and Neptune form their “mutual
reception”, the worlds of Science and Spirit will find
many common bonds. Integrative Medicine will continue
to grow as Science and Spirit begin a new ‘marriage’ cycle
this year. The time of the “Medical Intuitive” is
on the rise as is the era of the “Psychic PhD”, and MDs
who become aware of working with Healing Angels.
The Human Genome Project will continue
to evolve. There will be ongoing controversy between science
and religion as the subject of ‘ethics’ and ‘morality’
remains to be unresolved issues. This will last
all the way through the end of Pluto’s trip through Sagittarius
in 2008. However, many new discoveries emerge out of this
year, which will help to retard the “aging” process, along
with breakthroughs in overcoming genetically inherited
diseases and disorders. Stem cell research
will prove to show amazing results and hospitals and birthing
centers will begin to collect umbilical cord blood as
routine after each birth to save and store for each new
human life to use should disease occur later. It’s
interesting to note here, of the practice among some Midwives
who take the Placenta (after birth) and dehydrate its
entirety into a powder and then put into capsules to be
saved for the child’s development, to be used at various
stages of ‘transition’ through its life, such as the 1st
day of school or even in times of illness or trauma.
More and more research will become known of these amazing
and natural procedures that will enhance human life and
development this year.
The Year of Creative Expression
“Creativity is an alchemical art of dissolving
old forms and recombining them as a new synthesis”.
~ James Wanless
We can use the degeneration around us and in our own personal
lives as a creative opportunity to produce something new.
This is the year of Creative Expression. All of
the creative influences during this Monkey Year are enhanced
through the mutual reception of Uranus in Pisces and Neptune
in Aquarius, which is in a growing supportive sextile
to Pluto in Sagittarius. It is time to communicate
our ideas, visions, products, inventions, innovations,
and literature to the world. Each and every one
of us is here to contribute our piece of the Divine plan,
to collectively create heaven on earth. With this
year’s supportive influences at play, we are all awakening
to the inner artist/creator/innovator within ourselves.
Between
the Monkey’s influence in 2004 and the Uranus/Neptune
mutual reception, this is the year where cultural creatives
will flourish and thrive. A cultural creative is
a sociological term coined around the millennium which
relates to people who create their life intuitively, who
tend to ‘go with the flow’, as opposed to having a ‘set
plan’ and are much more ‘independent’ than their parents
were on external structures (job, church, union, etc.)
to support them. Cultural creatives are more
concerned with how their energies and actions affect others,
they are the artists, the entertainers, the comedians,
the spiritual leaders who truly listen to spirit regardless
of any ‘ministerial status’ or church affiliation.
They are the writers, actors and filmmakers who share
important issues and messages to the public. It
is said that they make up about 26 percent of the American
population (or at least 50 million people) and growing.
This is a positive trend which points
to a growing sense of community rather than isolation.
Angelic Assistance
On a higher plane, Neptune, the mystical planet of dreams,
visions and divine love will hover on and off of the "portal"
degree of 15 Aquarius, for the first time in 168 years
from April 2004 to December 2005. Fifteen degrees of Aquarius
is also known as the degree of the Angel, and we can expect
and be grateful for a great deal of help from the higher
realms, (God knows we need it ;-) along with encouragement
to transcend many of our earthly limitations. The
Angel Movement is strong and growing. Many people
are becoming more and more aware of help from spiritual
realms and other dimensions. This trend will continue
to expand particularly as there will be many miraculous
stories coming out of natural and man made disasters.
Besides the unseen Angels, there will be a great awakening
among the Earth Angels, who are Angels having a human
experience. Many of these Earth Angels will become
aware of their missions this year and over the next 7
years during the mutual reception of Uranus and Neptune.
Do you feel moved to assist others in some way?
You too may be an Earth Angel. Do you have something
in your chart @ 15 degrees of Aquarius? Get ready
for Neptune to elevate your capacity for compassion, selflessness
and divine love.
“On Earth, an Angels Wings are found within” – Karen Goldman
The Heavenly Bodies Dance
and Earth is Their Dance Floor
Jupiter, the planet of expansion, rocks and rolls through
detail-oriented, nose-to-the-grindstone Virgo through
September 24, ’04. Jupiter began its retrograde
phase on January 3, 2004 and will go direct on the Full
Moon Lunar Eclipse of May 4, 2004 (aka the Buddha
Moon or Wesak). Virgo encourages integrity, and attention
to detail. Jupiter is the jovial guide, the spiritual
leader, the ‘Cosmic Santa Claus’ so to speak, and its
influence is all about growth. The downside of Jupiter
in Virgo is making mountains out of molehills and blowing
things up out of proportion. Virgo also rules worry,
and with Jupiter here, there’s a tendency to be overly
concerned to worry about things that more often than not
are beyond our control. We need to resist the temptation
to worry when situations require our faith and adaptability.
Once we can genuinely connect with what we really resonate
with in terms of our “inner priorities” during the retrograde
phase, then we can move forward with the opportunity to
improve our lives by paying attention to it’s finer details
in order to manifest our dreams. Everything
is in Divine Order!
During
Jupiter’s journey through Virgo, we will see advancement
in the fields of technology, innovative techniques and
health care. The shift from Jupiter in Virgo to
Jupiter in Libra in September of ’04 will create many
changes socially, politically and judicially. This
in and of itself indicates changes in power, government
and the expansion of ‘fairness and justice’ for
all.
Opposite
to Virgo is Pisces, the sign of surrender. During
the 7 year passage of Uranus in Pisces, we will certainly
be given many unexpected opportunities to surrender our
illusions of control. There will be many sudden,
shocking and unpredictable changes worldwide, which has
to do with waking up humanity with a kind of ‘lightening
bolt’ which is the typical Uranian way. Much of
this has to do with clearing the energies of the past.
Uranus in Pisces will in essence help us to complete our
‘past life issues’ with the Piscean Age. Pisces
has long been the sign of compassion, which is what we’re
suppose to evolve into as we complete the Age of Pisces.
Pisces rules over abandonment issues, orphans, abuse issues,
persecutions, and sacrifices made in the name of God,
Religion and Spirituality. There is
a distinction between religion and spirituality, and with
the laser-like beam of Uranus now moving through the Pisces
Pea Soup, many will ‘wake up’ to this understanding.
Uranus
in Pisces is going to revolutionize many to release attachments
to past habit patterns. This will manifest on psycho-spiritual,
socio-cultural and geo-political levels. The Earth
herself will also experience this cosmic pulse to release
ancient knots in her grid that reflect internal emotional
knots in us that we collectively have been putting off
dealing with for years.
It
is time now and over the next 7 years during this passage,
to let go of ancient self-pity and the secret list of
grudges we each keep. Somehow we will be forced
to face our unfulfilled dreams and false truths we held
which have unfortunately caused us centuries of pain and
sorrow. This is a time where we are given the opportunity
to heal and purify our consciousness through our capacity
for forgiveness and compassion for ourselves and others.
Many
souls have volunteered their egos for this cleansing and
healing experience, kind of like metals that go through
extreme temperatures for refinement after being mined
from the earth, on the other side of this process, these
souls will emerge and rediscover the Gold hidden within
their hearts.
Pluto,
the outermost planet in our solar system, rules over death,
rebirth, power, the underworld and our shadow selves.
It has been in the sign of Sagittarius (ruler of politics,
philosophy, and beliefs) since 1995.
Both
Pluto and Sagittarius can go to extremes. Sagittarius
is good-hearted, optimistic and philosophical, and generally
is hopeful for the future. However Sagittarius is
also known to exaggerate and jump to conclusions of judgment
as it can sometimes refuse to see other points of view
than its own. Prejudice and Racism is the downside
of this cycle. However, we now have the opportunity
as a group to transform these issues both personally and
globally. We are all given the opportunity to re-examine
our core beliefs, whether they be about our religion,
spirituality, ourSelves, or our Gods, each of us is being
challenged to face our concepts and beliefs about life,
whether it be through events happening outside of us,
or events happening directly to us. By the time
Pluto is finished with Sagittarius in 2008 we will witness
many different types of religious transformations.
Pluto is about getting beyond the superficial and coming
to terms with the root essence of matter, soul and spirit.
That which has divided us for millennia may become the
common element that brings us together into the future.
Dying in the name of religion will become an historical
piece of the past. Remember, Pluto is the
planet of death and rebirth, its cycles takes 248 years
for it to orbit our Sun, and relates to humanity’s evolving
consciousness. As our collective consciousness begins
to awaken to the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation,
then we will in turn perhaps place more value on human
life, then seeing it as a commodity to be sacrificed in
the name of some god or religion. Every life is
a gift from the Divine. This will be a time when New Truths
will emerge that will carry us into a deeper understanding
of our place in the universe and our eternal connection
with the Divine.
It’s important to note that Pluto's transit in the last
part of Sagittarius has begun now through 2008.
Pluto will be between 20 and 22 degrees of Sagittarius
throughout 2004. Pluto will retrograde March
24 thru August 30, 2004. This is usually a phase
where suppressed Plutonian issues surface. The issues
of arrogance, self importance, superiority and fanaticism
over one's religious and political beliefs will be in
our face, along with a lack of tolerance for the
beliefs of others. Due to the fact that the last third
of Sagittarius has a Leo influence, arrogance and pride
is now a big concern, as is the issue of "might makes
right." We must be watchful of how pride and its shadow
side can rear its ugly head. July 2005 – September
2007 Saturn will be in Leo, which will cause ‘karmic implications’
for how everyone behaves now. Remember Leo is the
sign that rules the Heart. It’s unfortunate how
often pride is the trigger that separates relationships,
both on personal and international levels, and this world
doesn’t need more added conflict to the grid. Apologies
may be hard to come by, but for those who can muster them,
they will not only be cathartic but rewarding. This
is all about our transformation and evolution as a group,
the goals are to become more loving, enlightened and connected
to our hearts. Snobbism, pride and arrogance only
cause separation and suffering.
God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
Uranus & Neptune’s Mutual
Reception on Religion…
Let’s face it…religions, as we now know them are changing.
Many beliefs that began as the foundations for various
religions were built with the idea of controlling people.
Personal spiritual awareness, conscious attempts for enlightenment,
spiritual guidance and one’s own relationship with the
Universal Divine, multi-dimensional beings, such as Spirit
Guides, the Angelic and Devic Realms along with Extra-Terrestrial
Beings, and ultimately God/Goddess is the path many are
taking. Because these people have not established a “formal”
religion, their numbers are unknown, these people are
an extensive “power-base” affecting the world’s grid,
whose good works and love for humanity are assisting the
evolution of the collective into exalted states of awareness,
selflessness and peace. The ancient wisdoms and
Masters are being resurrected and revitalized now as Uranus
ruler of Eclectic Futuristic Aquarius travels through
Old Age ‘Karmic’ Pisces and Neptune ruler of Compassionate
Pisces travels through the unconventional Aquarius.
Buddha & Jesus never meant to start new religions
where people would erect temples and churches to worship
them while judging everyone outside its walls. Remember
that the underlying messages of these Masters were of
love, acceptance, understanding, peace and a personal
journey toward one’s own divinity.
The Healing of Old Wounds
The
Middle East and Korea will continue to be hot spots and
are both a reflection of ancient conflicts. According
to legends, Korea was created by a prince of the heavens.
Upon his arrival on earth, the prince was approached by
a tiger and a bear. Both animals asked the prince of the
heavens to turn them into humans. The prince gave each
animal instructions to go into a cave and consume nothing
but garlic and mugwort for a month. If his instructions
were followed correctly, each would emerge from their
cave as human. The bear obeyed perfectly, but the tiger
did not. At the end of the month, the bear emerged as
a beautiful woman whom the prince married. Their union
begat the first emperor of Korea, Tangun, aka the Sandalwood
King. The tiger eventually found his way north where he
too became human. But the tiger and the bear—each
now human—have been jealous enemies ever since.
Middle
East conflict is also an ancient one (5000 years) and
originates from the time of Abraham. Abraham’s sons,
Ishmael and Isaac, the offspring of a handmaiden (Hagar)
and his wife (Sarah) respectively, begat the nations of
Israel and Arabia. Each nation considers Abraham
to be their patriarch and each believes the son that begat
their nation to be the promised son by God. The
contempt these nations hold for one another is a deeply
rooted family feud based on jealousy.
This
Archetypal family conflict is the primary wound in the
collective human psyche that needs healing.
It is a reflection of the conflicts all over the world
that will not dissipate until all of us learn to honor
one another. If we can turn our jealousies
into love, and honor and respect one another, then we
can heal ourselves and change our karma and dissolve the
shackles of the past.
“For
those of us who love peace, we must organize as effectively
as the war hawks spread the propaganda of war, so must
we spread the propaganda of peace.” Martin Luther King
The Peace Movement
The 100th Monkey Theory works its magic here
as well. When we can achieve ‘inner peace’ with
ourselves, and in turn make peace with our past, our family
and even our enemies, it will then in turn add to the
energy of peace in the grid of the planet and as a result
strengthen the collective will to create Peace on Earth.
It sounds simple? But, it’s really our greatest
challenge, spiritually and globally. We must continue
to do the inner work that is necessary to manifest this
in our own individual lives, and then we will watch the
energy of the planet change. Everything is a reflection
of something in ourselves.
That
being said, this will most likely not be the year that
we will achieve a lasting peace on earth, but it will
certainly be a year when we will take some really important
steps in that direction. When the majority of the
collective consciousness decides that war is no longer
necessary or desirable, peace will find its way around
the globe. This is why the upcoming General Election
is an important one. The politics of war and politics
of peace, is very much like a political dance. Remember
your power to change things this Election. Every
vote does count, regardless of what they tell you.
Remember the last Election? How close it came?
Several hundred votes were up in the air, which determined
which way the Election went. But more importantly,
remember your power when it comes to peace. If you
can hold peaceful thoughts in your life and love in your
heart, you’re helping the world move towards its desired
goal. While the planets are lined up for more acts of
aggression in the world’s hot spots, there will come a
time within these cycles of the Uranus/Neptune mutual
reception through 2011 and Pluto’s trip through Sagittarius
through 2008 that we will see the beginning of the end
of war as we know it today. The most important thing
is that these influences are making it possible for people
all over the globe to come together in new ways.
2004 Eclipses
The first series of Eclipses will occur April 19, 2004
@ 29 degrees of Aquarius. There are tense aspects
between Pluto and Mars on this day going through the America.
This has always been an ominous day, and during my Spring
Update, I will go into more detail about this, as it’s
taking place during a retrograde and moon wobble as well.
The possibility and potential of some type of attack around
that time is strong. 29 degrees of Aries is the
degree of the Tyrant and Dictator, as its energy is aggressive
and impatient. Then on May 4, 2004 we will experience
the first Full Moon Lunar Eclipse of the year @14 degrees
of Scorpio, which is connected to the November 2003 Eclipse
patterns, remember the Star of David? (see November
2003 Eclipses, Moon Wobbles & Retros) .
If
terrorists attack America between now and the General
Election, this could damage Bush’s chances for re-election
because he is running on a platform of National Security
and protecting Americans. This makes me feel that
his enemies in terrorist groups might use this as an opportunity
to try and get rid of him, as their way of revenge for
the US occupation in Iraq. This attack might take
place because they (the enemies of the US) may mistakenly
think that a democratic administration would be less
“hawkish” than the current administration. If, God
forbid something like this transpires, many will feel
that he’s not doing a very good job of protecting the
country, which will lead to his demise. I do
pray that any plans in the direction of an attack can
and will be diverted, however, the aspects are ripe for
such a plot to exist.
There
will be a solar eclipse on October 13 at 21 degrees of
Libra, this is the degree of the researcher who has political
and judicious inclinations with an impartial nature, which
often shows up in the charts of attorneys. John
Edwards was born with a Saturn/Neptune conjunction at
21 degrees of Libra. This eclipse will impact him
tremendously, as its in his 4th house. He
could be moving! This eclipse is only 20 days before
the election. Libra is the sign of balance.
This is about balance, justice and fairness. There
will also be a Lunar Eclipse on October 27 at 5 degrees
of Taurus, the degree of “Diplomacy” which also denotes
self-denial, magic and chemistry which suggests the letting
go of old outworn stubborn ways, only just 6 days before
the Election.
Venus Eclipses the Sun
As Venus eclipses the Sun this year on June 8, (appearing
to trek across the Sun like a glistening beauty mark).
This represents the rise of women in positions
of power and leadership. The last Venus eclipse
of the Sun was on December 6, 1882. This will have a lasting
effect, as we will begin to see more and more women assuming
leadership roles on the planet.
Children Born This Year
The
“new children” are coming here to show us how to use our
spiritual power to correct what has gone wrong, world-wide.
They are coming to show us the things we have forgotten.
Many of them will be drawn toward political and health-related
careers in order to affect the needed changes. In
the Monkey year, there is an emphasis on the Youth.
This indicates that young people will rise up relatively
early in their lives into positions of influence.
It will also infuse new life into many of the world’s
spiritual foundations, as the fundamental battles have
been between the old and new. The new will emerge,
like it or not. Ironically many of these young people
are actually ‘old souls’ reincarnated that have come to
correct the past.
Children born in the Year of the Wood Monkey are the pioneering
spirits, they are highly intuitive, and are the whimsical
geniuses of the cycle. Monkeys have lively personalities
and great joie de vivre. Clever, skillful, and flexible,
they are remarkably inventive, innovative and original
and can solve the most difficult problems with ease.
They rely on skill and mental agility rather than on brute
strength. They are quick-witted and filled with
unmatched charm as well as being crafty, cunning and devious.
This is the sign of the Improviser, Motivator and Inventor.
Monkeys are highly sociable creatures, with an unshakable
belief in themselves. They are filled with common sense,
but they can be impatient, and if they cannot get into
something immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes
abandon their projects. Monkey people are strong
willed but their anger cools quickly. It is difficult
to be angry with the Monkey person for long, as Monkey
is an expert at making himself likable and indispensable.
Monkeys are fun and loving persons who are
always cheerful and energetic. They are very clever. Give
a monkey a boring book to read and he'll turn it into
a Musical. Better yet, he'll invite everyone to see it
free! That's how talented, creative and generous monkeys
usually are. Other Monkey years are 1920, 1932,
1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 & 2016.
Monkey Doodles
This will be a year, when it’s time for ‘monkeying around’
as the spirit of ‘Play’ and ‘Joy’ will be ‘Key’ in our
powers of manifestation, our ability to thrive and grow,
and believe it or not, our powers of protection.
Yes, ‘Protection’! We enter into this year in a
Code Orange Alert security state, there is the element
of fear, the threat of terrorism looming, whether this
is a perception or reality, it’s all relative, the point
is, the more ‘Joy’ you can create in your life, the more
victorious you are in what is essentially a spiritual
battle in the first place.
By
becoming playful, like a child, we can actually benefit
from the Monkey’s influence of Joy, which is the essence
of the Monkey. Isn’t it ironic, that when you’re
a child you are expected to outgrow your childishness,
but when you’re an adult, holding onto that part of you
that is “child-like” is an essential part of your well-being?
Monkey is extremely creative and intelligent, and its
bottom line message is “lighten up”…. Being too serious
can work against you at times. Monkey says, get
serious about your powers of creativity, your ability
to experience and bring more joy to this world.
That is the highest level of healing that the Monkey year
can bring. Let’s face it, this world needs more
Joy. Laughter has always been the best medicine.
References and Credits:
Raymond – LO – Chinese Astrologer
The
Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora Lau Published
by Arrow Books Limited
Simple Chinese Astrology by Darmien Sharp published by
Conari Press
Shelly Ackerman, New York Theosophical Society
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