GREETINGS TO ALL TRUTH SEEKERS!

 A SUMMER OF INTENSE ENERGIES  2008-08-14  "Time...what a concept!"  I forget who it was that coined that phrase, but it sure is true when it comes to describing the energies that attend the Eclipses of this century!  Ever since the powerful Eclipses of November 2003, I have personally noticed how my individual, and our cultural concepts of time have been rapidly changing.  On one hand, it appears as if there is plenty of time, but on the other hand, it all seems to pass way too quickly!  One thing the Energies have taught me is to be more focused on what it is that most accurately reflects my purpose for being on planet Earth - my dharma. 

This brings up the numerical oddity of the "8-8-08" fascination.  Normally, I don't pay too much attention to such things, but allow me to explain.  In numerology, each number has an energy.  And regardless of which calendar we accept, because our current collective consciousness accepts the Gregorian Calendar for determining days, this energy does in fact have an active impact upon each one of us.  So, if we add the 8th month and the 8th day, that becomes 16; then we need to add the year.  Thus, 2+0+0+8 equals 10, and 10 plus 16 becomes 26; then we add 2+6 equals 8.  Thus, the energy of 8-8-08 is indeed dominated by the number 8.  The number 8 symbolizes power, money, wealth, social prominence, and material luxury.  Thus, not only did the Chinese begin the Summer's Olympics on that day, but thousands of people chose to get married on that day because they wanted to tap into the latent power associated with the day.  That is all well and good, but if people think they can just ride the flowing wave of energy and gain power or wealth, then it may or may not happen.  The trick is to acknowledge the presence of the 8 energy, and actively flow with it, but to also create the imaginative force to nourish and keep the energy alive, active, and sustaining.  That is power!  Knowing what number your birthday adds up to will provide you with greater, personal understanding of your own life's energies.  Mine, for instance, adds up to 11, which is the number-energy of a Master Teacher.  (I recently had a gifted psychic by the name of Phoenix provide me with an Aura Reading.  She confirmed what I already knew - that it is my destiny to be a teacher-healer-priest.  Awesome!)

Now, because my own life has been overflowing with transformative energies, I have not been as timely and diligent with reporting astrological events as I would like to be.  Luckily, since the Total Solar Eclipse of Aug 1st, we have only had to deal with a minimum of troubling and intense aspect, with the most obvious one being the opposition of Mars to Uranus.  Notice how this "coincided" with the Russian-Ossetia, Georgia conflict; the Senator John Edwards sex scandal (the Sun in Leo focuses a lot of people's attention upon sex); and a lot of scientific, cultural disclosures as to how quickly our planet and cultures are disintegrating.  For instance, the scientific community is very concerned and alarmed as to just how quickly the Polar ice caps are melting.  Just the other day, the news media was stating that the North Polar ice pack is melting at a more rapid pace than they had first realized.  Open water at the North Pole could become a daily occurence as early as 5 years from now!  That is dangerous! 

And danger was latent in the Mars opposition to Uranus which occurred back on Aug 6th.  Think back to Aug 6th in your life...anything wild and crazy happen back then?  If your habits are not in your higher interests, you may be noticing how health problems - yours or someone else's - are becoming an issue taking up time in your life.  This is a time of integration that requires meticulous attention to detail, focusing on self discipline, responsibilities, and practicing these skills in your daily life. 

Think of the planets involved:  Mars is the 3rd Chakra, and Uranus is the 7th!  Thus, we have a downpouring of creative energies directly impacting our own abilities to become creatively transformed!  Sandwiched inbetween these potent Eclipses, the power of this aspect is attempting to get each one of us to transform and adapt ourselves to higher potentials!  Cowabunga!  And because Uranus is such a social planet, it implies where each of us needs to broaden and expand our impact upon the planet, and those who dwell therein.  For instance, the gas crisis has really propelled all of us to curb our driving and gas-guzzling habits.  Yet, this little correction will have a tremendous impact upon the environment, the planet, and our relationship with other people.  A necessary time of self-renewal of the spirit has been manifesting through the Mars-Uranus aspect. 

Now, here comes a wild weekend!  Are you ready for it?  Beginning Friday, Aug 15th, the Sun is opposite Neptune while Mercury is conjunct Saturn.  Here are two aspects which serve two very different purposes.  First, the Sun opposite Neptune brings a strong awareness of how you - as an individual (Sun in Leo) - are able to follow your beliefs in society (Neptune in Aquarius).  Where do you fit?  In spite of the tendency to be very social right now, this energy is more suited to just relaxing, meditating, and spending some much needed time alone to gather your thoughts.  Then, to help you gather your thoughts Mercury conjunct Saturn makes this a day to remember.  Mental steadfastness, memory, focus, and attention to detail are all very strong right now.  With the energy of Saturn, this can become a very serious investigation of oneself. 

Not only does the Moon eclipse the Sun on Saturday, Aug 16th,  but just 3 hours prior, it also "eclipses" (in this case, the more correct term is 'occults) Neptune.  Holy synchronicities!  My advice would be that you should not expect too much out of yourself.  Cut yourself some slack, take it easy, and relax.  Relax.  Try not to force yourself - or others - to get a lot of constructive efforts done.  In fact, with Neptune in Aquarius, you may unexpectedly have computer errors ruin your plans for the day.  I realize that a lot of people look forward to Saturday as a day to get all of their chores and errands done, but it probably won't happen this weekend.  Relax.  Set a slow pace, and just accepts what does get done.  Afterall, it is a Full Moon, and the usual craziness will probably be even more wild. 

Another aspect to Mars after the Eclipse sets the stage for more personal growth and development.  This time it is Mars square Pluto on Sunday, Aug 17th.  Internationally, this can lead to more militaristic strife and turmoil.  The Bush Administration is really pushing Russia about the invasion into Ossetia, Georgia.  Keep an eye on what develops there.  With Mars square Pluto it is way too easy for violence to get out of control.  In fact, this energy harkens us back to the Pluto Retrograde shifting from Capricorn back into Sagittarius.  If your birthday is on or near the Summer Solstice of June 20th, then you may be feeling a repeat of the turmoil that previously marched disruptively through your life.  Several people that I know had birthdays around that time, and it will be interesting to see what happens within their lives.  So far, the clarion call has been for some unwanted maturity and responsibilities on their parts.  Perhaps now, they will see the need to change their perspectives.  Just as we can think of this energy as relating to the Summer's Solstice, we can also think of it as a synchronistic time of growth and development.  What we allow to manifest now will either bear fruit and fulfillment, or it could fail to develop fully if we don't nourish the potential.  Symbolically, we can see how these events, when combined, can bring about something very good, or it could be personally, or nationally/internationally destructive. 

As next week progresses into Solar Virgo, we will notice Mars entering the sign of Libra.  Normally an uncomfortable energy for Mars, it could bring about some compromises and conflict resolutions.  Another positive sign is the Sun trine Pluto (1:30 AM CDT) on the last day of Leo (Aug 21).  Trines are very positive energies, and this tends to favor the transformations within your life that you are attempting to implement, actualize, and create.  It may feel as if destiny and fate are on your side.  If you require that extra dose of power to change your life, then this is the energy you've been waiting for.  But don't just wait until the 21st to engage this wonderful energy.  If you tune in to your soulful, quiet, meditative self, you'll notice that you can feel this energy starting to come into prominence right after the Eclipse on the 16th of Aug. 

So, get ready everyone.  This is a wonderful time to access some provident energies that the God-Force wants you to realize.  Things may seem hectic going into the weekend, but after this coming Monday, events should start to noticeably smooth out. 

Peace and blessings to all.  Ron

More later, I have to stop and attend to other events, chores, and demands within my life. 

CROP-CIRCLES, KII-YAHS, ECLIPSES, AND THE MAYAN CALENDAR  2008-07-21  Today is the last full day of SOLAR CANCER.  As of tomorrow, the SUN will be leaving the pantheon of planets which have been pushing us to grow emotionally inward.  For example, MERCURY just recently left GEMINI and entered sensitive CANCER, but if you check an ephemeris, you'll notice that MERCURY only spends 16 days in this sign!  Wow, that is really moving fast!  On a similar scale, we are also being asked to evolve quickly and with haste when it comes to matters of emotions, feelings, and sensitivities.  As a planet of logic, new information, and reasoning, MERCURY is providing us with a new map of our inner selves.  Make note of these changes - these are not just passing feelings, but feelings and awarenesses that will be directing our lives during the coming months.  

I want to extend a special "hello" to Tim, Kim, and Lilly.  While at Tae Kwon Do classes, my instructor, Master Vu, happened to jokingly mention that I could read their futures.  Kim admitted that seeing the TKD picture at the bottom of the home page was how they had found out about the TKD classes.  Awesome!

Even if you are not a believer of crop-circles, you may want to check out the latest pictures posted on Linda Moulton Howe's "Earthfiles.com".  Just during the past few weeks, there have been a lot of crop-circles with some amazingly intricate patterns and designs showing up in the crops near the British Stonehenge monument.  Personally, I believe that other galactic intelligences, forces, and energies are attempting to communicate with us.  Although the patterns may vary, notice how certain numerical symbols keep coming through.  For instance, even at first glance, there is an amazing proliferation of 3's within the patterns.  The symbolism could be something as simple as trying to get us to be aware of body-mind-and spirit, the holy Triune.  Some of the patterns are highly suggestive of planetary patterns, and may have something to do with the fact that we only have 3 more years until 2011.  If you believe as strongly as I do that the Mayan prophecies for 2012 are real, then we - as a species - need to implement changes and transformations by 2011, and not sit around waiting for 2012 to get here.  If you do - then it may be too late!  Do it now!  

And speaking of the Mayas, according to the Law of Time people at Dreamspell, July 26th will bring us collectively into the next Mayan year, known as the "Blue Electric Storm".  These three simple words hold a lot of symbolism of what we may expect during the coming year. Blue is a male/yang color denoting higher awareness and logic. Blue also relates to the energy of the 5th Chakra of communicating.  Electric implies an awareness of the energetic vibrations that exist, flow, and empower things within and around us.  And Storm implies that there is bound to be chaos as we transform from one flowing station to another.  Storms tend to heighten our awareness, as we see the darkening skies, and become more vigilant and concerned for our physical safety and survival.  Storms are usually very unique, and each one has different characteristics which may require us to respond differently.  

Solar LEO begins with the MOON in PISCES.  Traditionally, PISCES is known as the sign of 'trouble'; and that is because of our perception of the event.  PISCES always implies a time of changes - endings and new beginnings, and this happens in the willful, 3rd Chakra energy of LEO - the sign dealing with self-awareness.  PISCES also rules such personally destructive habits as compulsions, addictions, and poorly thought-out actions.  During 2008, each of us are being asked to overcome our own personally destructive habits.  

The month of August is almost here, and right on 1 Aug '08, the Mid-Summer point [known as Lammas to the ancient Celts; descendents of the Druidic architects of Stonehenge] - and it also heralds in a Total Solar Eclipse!  Once again, the main emphasis will be upon our individual awareness, personal identity, and knowing who we are in the world.  For some, this may become a rather depressing time.  Solar Eclipses always involve 3rd Chakra energy of Personal Power.  How each of us handles our sense of power will come under greater scrutiny and investigation.  

(Check back in the near future for more info about the Eclipses!  The second Eclipse will be on 16 Aug '08.)  Until then, be the Truthful Light of Compassionate Power!      

LOOKING FOR NOAH. . . 2008-06-15  After looking at the aspects for this coming week, I thought it would be best if I wrote some comments about what appears to be happening.  First, I want to extend my sympathies to all the souls dealing with the incessant rains and severe storms rampaging across the globe.  Although the rain has been almost non-stop here in Central Wisconsin, at least I personally have not had to deal with flood conditions.  When will it stop?  That's a good question, but unfortunately, with the Sun - still in Gemini - opposite Pluto - just recently having retrograded back into Sagittarius, this coming Summer of '08 will be anything but quiet. For instance, if you go back to the opening page of this web-site, and review my entry of 4-10-2008, you'll see that I had written about a worrisome dream involving food shortages and crop failures.  

From that perspective, look at the recent storms and devastation. As every school kid knows, Iowa is famous as being the Corn State.  I have not seen any official reports implying such, but just from my observations of the local farming scene, farmers have been hindered and prevented by the weather extremes of getting their crops into the ground on a timely basis.  There was an unofficial report the other day of extensive corn crop damage throughout Iowa. Even here in Wisconsin, there has been a conspicuous absence of fluorishing fields producing measureable yields.   

As someone who eats a healthy diet, I was saddened to hear that the organic farming community in La Farge, Wisconsin, has been devastated by flood waters.  The result will be an increase in organic dairy prices throughout the entire health food industry.  Thus, we can expect shortages, and higher prices for our healthy, organic foods. 

So, let's go back to that Sun opposition to Pluto which happens this coming Friday, 20 June '08. With the symbolism of Gemini and Sagittarius, we can expect an ongoing transition, change, and transformation of awareness.  Radical events are quickly altering our perceptions of life.  And because the latter degrees of both Gemini and Sagittarius are involved, we know that this can be a particularly disturbing chain of events.  The latter degrees of any sign are like a female giving birth.  As the birthing and emerging life forces are transitioning it can become rather painful!  Gemini is also an Air sign, so I'm expecting more damaging winds will be altering the weather's patterns. And, because Gemini is a sign of dualities and schisms, I'm also expecting this coming Summer to be ripe with an abundance of earthquake activity.  Notice how the linear cloud formations observed and photographed by airplane pilots, accompanied the Chinese quake, also appeared over Japan prior to their recent quake, and formed in the skies over California, also.  Still no quake in California, but who knows?  I see where another sunspot is forming on the Sun.  So far, the past few/several solar disturbances have all coincided with strong earth-shifting activities.   

Although I am painting a picture of intense transformation and uncertainty, it is also vitally important to recognize these life altering forces as predictable and inevitable.  Severe changes are meant to be happening at this point in time!  Indeed, unless you live to be 250 years old, this will be the last time during our current lifetimes that we will witness Pluto in Sagittarius.  In fact, Pluto will be going Direct (8 Sep '08) forcing us to permanently change our perceptions and beliefs.  I would strongly advise everyone to learn as much as possible during the Summer months.  Once Pluto shifts back into Capricorn - on 26 November '08 - survivability will become an issue of importance to everyone.  We are all going to need to become extremely flexible and adaptive.   Resisting the impulses for change will only be counter-productive! 

On the Home Page, I had mentioned how several people I know have been suffering painful transitions within their romantic relationships.  This will be an ongoing source of stress for these people during the Summer.  On Tuesday, 17 June, Venus will oppose Pluto.  If you are one of these unfortunate souls, then you either need to grow and expand beyond your present level of heartfelt love, to reach a more mature expression of what it means to love, or realize that the relationship does not fulfill the demands of your heart.  Definitely some 4th Chakra energy working itself through a healing and clearing.  In watching these "participants" from the sidelines, it is obvious that they need to tune-in and access the wisdom of their hearts.  Instead, they are trying to understand the process logically (Gemini) which does not make any sense.  Listen, and trust the still, small voice that whispers to you from your heart!  Ironically, I've mentioned before how Pluto in Capricorn could be associated with issues of who is controlling whom, and this is one sore spot manifesting for these people.  Not only romantic relationships, but also job and career efforts can feel very daunting and imposing while Pluto moves over the latter degrees of Sagittarius, and the early degrees of Capricorn.  If your birthday is near or on the Summer's Solstice, then you are probably feeling these energies quite intensely.  This is another reason why it is so important to have an accurate birth chart - knowing where your planets are, and in what Houses, can directly alert you to predictable stresses and challenges in your life. 

THE FULL MOON arrives on Wed, 18 June '08.  Whatever you started and initiated two weeks ago is coming to sense of completion.  With this Full Moon emphasizing Gemini-Sagittarius, your mind may feel like a windstorm of excessive information.  There is a definite tendency to go to extremes under this celestial spell. Venus also enters the emotional sign of Cancer today.  If your romantic problems of the last few weeks are going to be soothed and healed, then it may happen under this influence.  Letting go of the emotional attachments of the past can be very difficult while Venus is in Cancer.  Trust your heart! 

MERCURY DOES DIRECT on Thurs, 19 June.  Since May 26th Mercury Retrograde has been creating all kinds of communication problems.  Happening before the SUMMER'S SOLSTICE ON 20 JUNE, this symbolizes that communication -speaking and listening - are going to be easier and vastly more emphasized. Now is the time to work out solutions to domestic and familial conflicts and demands.  This forthcoming Mercury energy will make it easier for many of us to make sense of our feelings.  

I wish to re-emphasize that planetary events happening near a Solstice or Equinox are extremely important, and long lasting - usually lasting for much of that season.  Another aspect providing some powerfully transformative energy to this Solstice will be MARS OPPOSITE NEPTUNE occurring 21 June.  If we think of Mars as the sovereign energy of the 3rd Chakra - Solar Plexus - opposite to Neptune, the 6th Chakra of spiritual, intuitive awareness, we can see that a very stressful dynamic is being created.  Mars is in Leo - a very egoic energy.  Neptune is in Aquarius, indicating where we need to expand our individual awarenesses as to how each of us interacts, and is a part, of our communities, and how we are of service to, and associate with  others. The energy of the 6th Chakra/Neptune, enables us "see God in each other".  There is a lot of potential for spiritual expansion here if we can dissolve our past beliefs.

FUTURE EVENTS of which we need to be concerned are URANUS GOING RETROGRADE on Thurs, 26 June.  When we watch the news, it appears as if the chaos and turmoil are outside of ourselves.  But when Uranus goes Retrograde, the need for personal chaos, volatility, abrupt, quick changes, and breakthroughs dominates our internal realms.  Notice how this occurs while the Sun is in the soft-hearted, emotional energy of Cancer.  Pay attention to your heart!  Uranus Retrograde wants us to liberate our internal self from the outer guardians that stifle our freedoms.  With Uranus in the mystical sign of Pisces, you may need to allow your self to just do nothing, space-out, and spend more time pursuing creative efforts (music, art, dance) which enable you to express your true self.  

Before ending this entry, I just want to re-emphasize how Pluto's energy will be prompting all of us to re-think how we confront and deal with the socially transformative energies that we have dealt with for the past 3 months.  It's only going to get more intense.  For those of us immersed in the Light, we need to act as beacons of hope and encouragement for others.  Until next time... 

 SPRING??? IT'S STILL WINTER WHERE I LIVE!  2008-03-29 OK, so we have flooding in the American heartland, record heat in the American southwest, and Winter refusing to release its grasp from the northern and northeastern sates.  Here in Central Wisconsin the temperatures have defiantly remained below 50 F degrees for the whole month of March!   So, with some compassion for those less fortunate, let's take a look at what is transpiring around the globe. 

First, let us back up and take a look at what has been occurring in the heavens.  A recent event which had the astronomical community abuzz was the super-powerful gamma ray outburst which was visible to the naked eye on 19 March '08.  This gamma ray burst (GRB) was so intense that it was the most distant object ever visible to the naked eye. Preliminary measurements indicate that it was 7.5 billion light years away.  A literal "blast from the past"!  Happening in the constellation Bootes, near the sign of Virgo, this celestial "wink" came just as Solar Pisces was ending, and Aries was beginning.  According to ancient astrology, Bootes has much the same symbolism as Virgo: simplicity, working hard, strong desires, and in Kabbalistic tarot it is represented by "The Hermit".  The phrase on the bumper-sticker, "Live simply that others may simply live," comes to mind.  Appropriately, this energy arrives at a time when we collectively need to live more simply!  GRB's also have the potential to impact and alter our DNA structure!  If you have been paying attention to the news, then you know that this is exactly what each of needs to be doing - "living more simply".  How synchronistic! 

About a week before the GRB activation was another easily overlooked, but ominous note posted on SpaceWeather.com.  Apparently the Earth's north magnetic field has made another shift towards the south.  This is the 3rd time is less than 2 years!  To determine the long-range effects of this event, we'll just have to keep our eyes posted, vigilant, and aware.  But, we do know that earth changes are occurring.  For instance, just when we - here in Central Wisconsin, at least - were getting used to balmy, less snowy winters, along comes one reminiscent of the past. 

Personally, I think we are just going to have to get used to the climatic changes we are witnessing.  Right now, with Pluto recently into the sign of Capricorn, it sets up a dynamic where each of the Solstices and Equinoxes for all of 2008 and 2009 will be strongly affected.  Pluto in Capricorn is a symbol of "initiating strong transformations".  We can choose not to see it, but the message is right there in the heavens that our seasons are undergoing a change as to when and how they will happen.  Unfortunately, with Pluto, these changes are not always pleasant.  The changes are more than likely to be unsettling and disruptive.  Seasonal changes, for instance, can and will have a devastating impact upon our agricultural and economic systems.  Lately, I have been having a lot of vivid dreams about expanding the garden in my yard, and growing more of my own produce.  It has made me aware of the need to follow these insights.  I'm making plans to grow more plants which are drought tolerant, heat and cold tolerant, provide maximum nutrition, and will grow in the short growing season that we have in the Upper Midwest. 

 RADICAL CHANGES ARE UPON US  (Posted 22 Jan '08)  This coming Friday, 25 Jan, Pluto leaves Sagittarius and moves into the sign of Capricorn.  (Due to Pluto's retrograding motion, it will shift back into Sag on Friday the 13th in June '08.  That should be interesting!  Then it will leave Sag for good - during our lifetimes - on November 26, '08, the day before the New Moon of Sagittarius! Awesome synchronicities, but I'll explain those more later. Another astounding synchronicity is that Pluto's shift into Capricorn in Nov '08 will closely coincide with a shift of the Mayan calendar!)  I had previously stated that the current social disruptions - housing, banking, and stock market collapses - were all foreseeable.  Now that we have had some time to assess what is going on, I find it amazing just how "messy" our national markets are intertwined with foreign investments!  I'm not trying to "beat the drums of conspiracy" here, folks, but if Big Business is actually manipulating our governmental "figures of authority", then just who are these people/countries that our meddling with the operations of our "freedoms"?  Ironically, we have little room to question why some "foreigner" is running our country, when we are guilty of doing exactly the same thing in other countries.  Look at all the Third World countries that grow mono-culture food items, like chocolate, bananas, and coffee, just to feed our addictions!  What we should be concerned about is why are a selected few getting rich at the expense of everyone else? 

Making this transition of Pluto even more interesting is brilliant, little Venus.  Tomorrow, 23 Jan '08, Venus will conjunct Pluto while both are at the last degree of Sagittarius!  On a Higher Level, this tells me that each of us needs to assert our claim to power and authority.  Not in a violent, angry manner, but from the 4th Chakra, Venus-center of the heart and compassion.  "Seeing" that each one of us has the God-given right to assert our individual claims to proper co-authority and rulership is symbolized at this degree.  Use all of your visionary powers to see yourself as the ruler, leader, and author of your own life!  Like I keep suggesting, this is only possible if you focus, crystallize, and make real your vision.  Otherwise, you'll just appear to others as a power-hungry dictator.  Venus suggests the power has to be co-operative, mutually nurturing, and allowing others to grow their own self-leadership.  This is also very suggestive of a group effort.

On a day-to-day basis, Venus conjunct Pluto suggests practical concerns, like changing the way we appreciate art and beauty, and positively transforming the loving relationships that we share in life.  A good analogy for this conjunction is the children's tale of Beauty and the Beast.  Venus brings a soft tenderness to the inner demons of Pluto.  Transformations that come out of this Venus-Pluto conjunction are often very intense, and usually permanent.  For those souls not on the higher spiritual pathways, Venus conjunct Pluto can coincide with domestic violence, emotionally traumatic break-ups, and loss of social prestige, or an unexpected loss of money.  The choice is up to each one of us. 

Then, on Thursday, 24 Jan '08, Venus moves into Capricorn one day before Pluto.  If you regularly practice meditation, then these few noted days will be very crucial for focusing, and crystallizing your awareness.  The energies of Venus and Capricorn are usually not thought of as being mutually beneficial.  Capricorn is traditionally thought of as cold, unfeeling, and mechanical; Venus is warm, feeling, and sensuous.  From my experience, people with Venus in Capricorn are not your huggy sort of people.  They are very serious about their feelings.  Above I had stated that Venus implies a heightened artful awareness.  When combined with the rough mountainous stones of Capricorn, Venus may want to soften, shape, and sculpt herself into awareness.  Symbolically, this can coincide with more people - especially women - wanting to physically improve their exteriors, and social images.  The image of a well-sculpted, female body-builder on a mountain-top comes to my mind. 

Socially, I can see how this transition of Venus-Pluto into Capricorn will coincide with greater disruptions and transformations of financial and economic markets.  Not that the changes are negative, but necessary to allow the process to either die, or transmute itself into a more productive, viable image of what it must become.  Using the automotive industry as an example, we know that we can't continue to rely upon fossil fuelishness.  That industry is going through a metamorphosis because we need to find and utilize a different source of energy.  Personally, I think the current efforts, like corn-based fuels will also prove to be totally nonproductive in the long term. 

The entire way that we look at energy needs to be re-thought.  With astrology, for instance, I talk about "energy" that is here, there, and everywhere.  Our scientists need to stop thinking in terms of using some physical fuel source.  If energy is inter-dimensional and all around us, then all we need to do is think outside of 3D awareness.  I'm not a scientist, but it would be as if we need to recognize the interdimensional energy - like magnetics, for instance - and find a way of constructing a device that would use that energy.  It is always there, and it is not used up - it would just be tapped into. 

In fact, we can think of magnetics as being a lot like chakra vortices.  We may be flesh in the physical, but through our chakras we can access inter-dimensional, spiritual energies.  In the past, I've alluded to the fact - also suggested by other psychic sources - that our DNA is also inter-dimensional.  Several other sources claim that we actually have 12 strands of DNA.  Thus, we are simultaneously "inhabiting" other dimensions!  By consciously flowing with the energies of our chakras, we can transmute our DNA.  NASA, for instance, is aware that astronauts are bombarded by gamma and cosmic rays, which are proven to also have a DNA altering effect.  This is why I, personally, think that any attempt by our species to inhabit either the Moon or Mars would meet with total failure.  Magnetically, we are not in resonance with those planetary bodies!  Our DNA's would have to be totally different to allow us to live on any other planetary body.  This energy is much the way that astrology works.  Like an electrical generator creating a magnetic field, our Sun and the planets create a web-like pattern of magnetic and gravitational energy.  This "web" also extends out to and unites our Solar System with the other celestial objects in our galaxy - and beyond.  This is always changing, and different, and it does have a tranformative effect upon our individualized DNA's.  Unlike an electrical generator, the magnetic-gravitational energy of our Solar System does not remain static, that is, in the same fixed position.  It changes and transforms based upon the positions of each body in relationship to each other.  I don't claim to understand how all this works, but intuitively, I can see it in my mind, and I can feel the correctness of this assertion. 

So, let's bring it back down to Earth...take a deep, calming breath...and know that life is unfolding just as it is intending.  Peace. 

THE TRANSFORMATION OF TRADITIONAL ROLES (Posted 7 Jan '08)

With the recent shift of Jupiter from Sagittarius into Capricorn, those people with their birthdays on or near the cusps of Pisces-Aries, Gemini-Cancer, and Virgo-Libra, are all probably experiencing some "unexpected" turmoil and disruptions in their lives.  Even if your birthday is not near those days, just looking at your astrology chart and determining where those energies fall in your life could prove to be very illuminating.  Chances are that some sort of pressures or changes are attempting to exert themselves within your life.  Ironically, Pisces, Gemini, Virgo, and Sagittarius are all Mutable, flexible and adaptive energies; while Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are all Cardinal, initiating, and assertive energies. It's easy to see how just in your relationships that struggles may be emerging, because in the past you, and they, were more flexible and adaptive, and now you are both attempting to become more self-expressive about your own interests.  For instance, if you have been telling yourself, "I should go to school for (whatever)", then now is the time to initiate that action.  Don't put it off any longer!

But this energetic shift from Sagittarius into Capricorn extends even further.  It has a definite generational impact and influence.  Those people born between 1912-1939 have Pluto in the sign of Cancer.  Starting even now, some of those senior citizens will be noticing Pluto's forthcoming crossing into the sign of Capricorn on 25 Jan '08 as it opposes their birth position of Pluto.  The transit of Pluto to one's birth position of Pluto can be attended by extremely traumatic, fateful, and disruptive transformational forces.  

Extraordinarily, in generations past, people rarely experienced a transit-to-natal opposition of Pluto-to-Pluto.  This is due to Pluto's highly elliptical orbit, which takes about 247 years.  In times past, few, if any, people lived to be 123.5 years, but now we are in an era where this opposition is occurring during one's lifetime!   What a remarkable opportunity for spiritual growth to be offered to this group of people! To accurately understand this opposition of Pluto in Capricorn to Pluto in Cancer, we need to review recent past history.  When the USA was born on 4 July 1776, Pluto was in the sign of Capricorn.  Thus, Pluto is coming around for its first conjunction with its birth position in a chart of the USA.  This signifies that a time of fateful dangers and metamorphoses are to occur in our political arenas.  Those people born with Pluto in Cancer are all too aware of the dangers that they lived through: WWI, the rise of the Industrial Age of "The Machine" (Kinda sounds like the "Terminator", doesn't it?), the Great Depression, and the reappearance of great evil with nazism, and the beginning conflicts of WWII.  Now, at this point in their lives, are they destined to witness these events reveal themselves again?  The daily news is full of scary talk about housing markets collapsing, stock markets crumbling, terrorists, and retirement pensions disappearing.  Almost daily we hear more and more acceptance of the fact that we are entering a time of economic recession. 

Personally, I think that all of these cultural miscues pale in the presence of an almost certain environmental collapse.  We have the potential to change and fix cultural and political  structures, but I believe that we are reaching - if we haven't already done so - a time when it may be too late to undo the damage we've done to the environment.  How do we replace the glaciers, and put the ice back onto Greenland?  We can't. Cancer is the sign of Mother Earth, and Pluto moving into Capricorn says we need a drastic revisioning of how we relate to our Host.   

So, let's consider a "re-envisioning", for this is exactly what we need while Saturn is Retrograde until 2 May '08.  For the older generation of Pluto in Cancer, their social roles were defined for them:  men were men, and women were women - and in very rigid terms!  No self-expression was allowed in "them days".  You just did your job - no matter how tough it was - and that was the way reality played itself.  Please consider, that Capricorn represents your role in this process.  Before, it may have been about sheer physical survival, but we will be confronted with events that will teach us that survival is not just based on the physical, but also on the spiritual.  So, what is it within you that needs to be expressed and asserted in order to ensure not only your survival, but the survival of everyone else around you?  It's not just about "making money".  I believe that a time of great change and transformation is about to be imposed upon us that what we thought was "how it is" will be seen as "how it ain't".  And yet, the dilemma is not to focus on the differences, or what's wrong with the system, but, instead, to focus upon the solutions.  To facilitate this tranformation will require a radical paradigm shift within our thought processes of awareness amongst all of Earth's peoples.  Gone will be the days of us enjoying all of the Earth's riches while the rest of the Earth's people suffer in squalor and poverty.  By crystallizing our essential, inner, spiritual nature, we will each have what we need, and an unbelievable peace will prevail.  Imagine...and it is so.  That is 5th dimensional awareness.  Creating with our minds.  If we want peace and harmony, we can create peace and harmony.  If we want war, armageddon, and apocolypse, we can have that, too.  But personally, I'd rather not go there.  How about you?  One realization I've come to is this: those who want peace do so because they have the awareness of peace within themselves; and those who want war do so because there is already a conflict within themselves.  

Until next time, brothers and sisters...   

A Turning Point in Time   (Posted 1 Dec '07)

First, I sincerely hope that everyone reading this format is aware that events happening over the next few weeks will somehow prove to be significant for the next few decades.  Why decades?  Because Pluto will be moving into Capricorn come 25 Jan '08, and when it does, it will remain there until 2024!  So, from my perspective as a "planetary interpreter", it is vitally important that all of us clearly understand what is happening now, and why it is so crucial that we be aware of what is transpiring. 

Previously, I've mentioned that we could expect a chaotic stock market.  This has happened with the stocks dropping significantly. The stock markets had temporarily been above 1400, but has since dropped to below 1300.   Combined with the weakening housing market, and the anxious uncertainty about the price of oil, we've got several legitimate concerns about personal, national, and global finances.  At work, for instance, I've heard a few people say that the plummeting stock prices alone has totally wiped out their anticipated retirement accounts.  That's not good! 

I work for a large corporate business related to housing construction, and the restrictions and belt-tightening has been obvious to the employees, but glossed over by the management as a "need to cut waste and unnecessary expenses".  Last year they allowed overtime, this year it is strictly forbidden.  And to make matters worse, they've gotten more restrictive on personal freedoms, and have been attempting to be more controlling of all employee activities.  Morale, in general, has sunk to an all time low.  It used to be fun working there, but over the past few months, it has become more like Darth Vader's command ship.  Rather than management realizing that the way the corporation is operating is the real problem, instead, they are misguidedly citing the employees as the cause of too much expense.   Oh well, it will "come back and bite 'em". 

A very interesting perspective about the global economy - which appears to be materializing - is presented in Carl Calleman's book, The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness.  If you have a hard time understanding what I'm writing, then this excellently written book may just confuse you even more.  The book seems to be geared towards people who already have a good grasp of esoteric subjects. In essence, based upon the cosmic energies codified and correlated to the Mayan calendar, Calleman asserts that the USA is destined to now economically fall, while the Asian markets will see greater prosperous growth.  In other words, "our time" as a world leader is cyclically at an end. 

Indeed, we could use the symbolism of Jupiter and Pluto conjoining first in Sagittarius, then both shifting into Capricorn, as evidence of this chaotic global transformation of the economy.  In fact, this inevitable collapse of our (the USA's) economy has been written about, extensively, within many well-researched astrological books.  Rather than thinking of this restructuring as painful and unpleasant, we need to see it as being a healing process.  The last time Pluto was in the sign of Capricorn was back in the 1700's when the Revolutionary War was happening.  Now, it is imperative that we recognize this transit of Pluto as a sprouting of the economic seeds planted back then by our culture.  The only thing we really have to fear is that things will stay the way that they have been so far.  We all need to spiritually surrender to the oncoming transformation destined for our planet.  Up until now, our economy has been geared towards just making our own country great and prosperous.  But out of the globalization of business that has been occurring  over the past few decades, I'm convinced that we will see a global structure put in place that will have the needs of all of the Earth's inhabitants sharing in the wealth. 

The fact that our country is resisting this energetic flow I think is evident in the military conflict with Islam, the growing economic conflict with China, and our own political internal struggle.  For instance, even as a teenager at age 14, I always "knew" that our culture was blind to the obvious.  The middle class lifestyle is not a sustainable dream!  And when Pluto and Jupiter get into Capricorn, it will shake us to the core.  Anytime you think about Capricorn, relate it to the words of maturity, hard-work, self-discipline, self-control, and intuitively inspired leadership.  Negatively expressed, it can represent the current facism in Pakistan of a leader implanting himself as the sole authority.  Let's hope a similar scenario does not unfold within our country! It does concern me that Capricorn is is more of an energy to uphold the existing order, rather than being willing to adopt ideas that are more radical and free-thinking.  With Capricorn, being different is a sign that you might be too radical, dangerous, and disrupting of the established social order.  Expect social laws to become more strict, and inhibiting of personal freedoms. 

In fact, if we look at the current political energy, both the Democrats and Republicans are relying on their own perceptions of conservatism to sway the mood of the general public.  Each one has this idea that the American public will "rise up" in revolt against the other.  From my perspective, these two parties are more alike than they are different.  Both are operated by Big Business and Big Money, and that is the true source of power in this country against which we - and the rest of the world - will unite and overcome.  It is inevitable because it is written in the stars!  

So, now, let us look at some of the aspects.  Already past was Uranus going Direct on the same day as the Full Moon on 24 November '07.  For the next 7 months radical thoughts and creative visions for the future will be the predominating theme.  Then, on Nov 30th, the Sun is square to Saturn (the ruling planet of Capricorn).  This happens right before all the shuffling of power that will forever change our planet.  This can be a time of great hardship and insecurity for many.  The Holi-Daze are rapidly approaching, and Sun square Saturn can definitely throw in a "bah, humbug" attitude.  Mercury will enter the sign of Sagittarius on 1 Dec, indicating that new perceptions, and new mental "road maps" will be required of each of us to guide us through life. Venus will enter Scorpio on Dec 5th; thus, both Mercury and Venus will both be in signs that are "detrimental" to their natural energies.  Subjects like sex, birth, death, and transformation will be in focus.  It may be harder than usual to deal with others, as intensity of our own perspective tends to dominate - listening to others falls on the backburner of life. 

Dec 7th, the Sun will be square to Uranus.  The need for "rapid change" (Uranus) will be challenged and confronted by "deeper inner awareness" (Sun).  With the Holi-Daze being present, look for stressed out people everywhere!  With a square aspect, it is important to realize that resisting the necessary changes only creates more stressful problems.  Mercury square Uranus arrives one day before Jupiter conjuncts Pluto on Dec 11, '07.  Disturbing words, dreams, and visions are likely to attend the highly dynamic shifting of philosophical and economic energies that will be present.  Large scale transformations may be required of both people and business, but the process is likely to be very difficult.  Various levels of stress will be evident all over.  I'm also expecting this energy to coincide with some kind of a "natural disaster".  With the time of year, it could be weather, or it could be a major quake or volcano somewhere in the world. 

As we get closer to the Winter's Solstice of 21 Dec '07, the energy that will directly determine the course of events for the next few months will be preceeded by Jupiter moving into Capricorn on 18 Dec '07.  As I've already said, this will be a difficult expression of energies.  Jupiter wants to expand, but Capricorn wants to control.  Thus, I can suggest that the proper use of the Earth's resources, and how they are managed will become a primary focus of attention.  With all the conservative energy in abundance, Big Business will want it "it's own way", while the will of the people will demand a wise investment of our resources.  From this December, it will be necessary for all of us to see and realize who is prospering and why.  Too much wealth in the hands of an elite, powerful few will not go over with the public perception.  Unfortunately, this is exactly how the process has worked up until now.  As a country and a people, we need to realize that our time as "the global Empire" is at an end.  We will be called upon more and more to share and cooperate with others.  (For instance, there was the recent devastating typhoon that hit Bangladesh - Typhoon Sidr, but since then, virtually nothing has been on the news about the estimated 10,000 people who perished in the catastrophe!  Why?) 

The very next day, 19 Dec '07, Saturn slides into Retrograde motion!  During the next few months, all of us - people, businesses, and nations - will need to take a good hard look at how we implement our discipline, strength, resources, finances, and just how we are responsible, or irresponsible, in those areas of life.  It will be a difficult time of soul-searching. 

I am running out of time, and will write more later, but like I said before, expect the weather to be colder and snowier than usual this Winter.  Even as I write this, 6" of snow is falling and collecting outside upon the ground (here in Wisconsin).  Until then, look within for the true meaning of this season, and whatever you do, be careful about how you invest your money over the next month.  Peace and Light. 

Pluto in Capricorn and the American Economy  (Posted 20 Oct '07)

If you've been paying attention then you, too, have been aware of the following news reports about the USA economy:  1.)  For the first time since 1976, the US dollar is now at an even par with the Canadian dollar!  2.) Compared to European markets, the US dollar has lost even more value.  For instance, it now requires more US dollars and cents to equal one European Euro!  Not a good sign!  3.)  Strangely, although the price per barrel of oil is going up (it is currently more than $80 US dollars per barrel!) the street prices at the pumps seem to be declining.  The news media claims it's due to a "lack of demand".  4.)  Housing starts have declined for the second month in a row, and at the present rate, will undoubtedly reach a third month.  

Keeping these thoughts in mind, notice how since the Jupiter square to Uranus of 9 Oct '07, that even more alarming news of our economy has been "gleefully" ignored by the media.  I don't know about you, but I would rather hear about the state of our economy more than listening to Brittany Spears' battles over child visitation privileges.  Even though the stock markets had reached unprecedented highs, it has since tumbled because of other economic news.  Such as, concerns about inflation as the value of the US dollar continues to shrink; and at that time (9 Oct) it was announced that a 4% increase in the cost of goods to consumers was reducing consumer spending.  "Well, 4% doesn't seem like an awful lot," you say.  But it is!  As the housing market continues to slump - because ordinary people like you and me simply cannot afford the prices being charged - housing businesses like Lowe's, Home Depot, and regional businesses like Menard's and Fleet-Farm are noticing a drop in their sales.  It was announced the other day that Bank of America is really hurting because of the lack of home loans going out, and the cumulative effect of home foreclosures!  4% is a lot.  

The planet Jupiter relates to fortunes, financial instuitions, opportunities, expansion, and risk-taking.  Right now, Jupiter is in the expansive sign of Sagittarius, but it is quickly spinning towards an encounter with Capricorn - a sign in which the energy of Jupiter does not feel at ease.  While in Capricorn, Jupiter tends to become more frugal, less generous with its offerings, and efforts requiring growth and expansion need to be assisted by a more herculean effort to survive.  The weight becomes heavier, more taxing, and shouldering the burden requires more and more effort.  Resource utilization under Jupiter in Capricorn becomes less adventurous and bold, and requires more forethought and practicality.  And, as if Jupiter in Capricorn is not enough, recently "demoted" Pluto will shift into Capricorn as of 25 January 2008! 

It is because of Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn that I am predicting that we will have a colder than usual winter.  Think of Capricorn as representing the cold, snowy mountain-top.  These two planets are going to require each one of us to shoulder more social burdens.  Events happening while Jupiter and Pluto are in Capricorn will force all of us to realize that the environmental destruction associated with Global Warming is real, and here to stay.  Jupiter, for instance, will be entering the sign of Capricorn beginning 18 December 2007, and I believe that it will be sometime around this date that we will witness the first huge snowy, icy blast somewhere in our country.  How long the wintry cold will last I don't know.  But I also believe that "other events" will conspire to make the situation even worse. 

Do you remember last November '06, when the US Democrats essentially kicked the Republicans out of control of the Congress?  That event coincided almost to the day with a significant change in the Mayan calendar.  And, another shift is due to arrive again this year around 19 November.  Somehow, I think it will be a fateful shift in power similar to what happened last year.  If we take the previously mentioned energies of Neptune into account, then ideally, this global shift will serve to uplift our feelings of heart-centeredness and compassion.  Remember, Pluto in Sagittarius has been conjunct the energy of the Center of the Milky Way Galaxy, and this is serving to increase our collective focus into realizing our greater relationship to the galaxy.  

Also in December '07, Jupiter and Pluto will be conjunct on the 11th.  Huge changes will be in store for all of us.  My biggest concern is that unexpected economic changes may happen which will shock and alarm all of us.  For instance, with all of the Earthquake activity increasing in tempo (another subject you don't hear on the media), what if a significant natural disaster occurred which required all of us to make sacrifices?  Once Jupiter and Pluto shift into Capricorn, we will have Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto all in Earth signs (Virgo and Capricorn).  This planetary arrangement is an excellent formula for massive Earthquake  activity to occur.  It is my feeling that we would all be wise to store some extra food supplies, if you are financially able to. 

Another personal concern that I have is that Pluto was last in Capricorn when the USA was originally formed.  If we look at a chart for the USA in 1776, Pluto was in Capricorn, and accordingly, we can see that hidden, powerful individuals and organizations have been leading this country.  Remember folks, we may be given the "right" to elect our public officials, but ask yourself, do we really choose who we want to be elected?  That is being done "for us" at higher levels.  It is a well known publicized fact that 1% of the population in this country controls 80% of all the wealth!  Think about that!

Jupiter and Pluto are about power, and who is to say that an event may occur which would push our current government to wrest the reins of power from the people and attempt to put it solely into their hands.  Much of what happens in our lives is going on behind the scenes.  I firmly believe that big economic changes are looming on the horizon, and we need to be vigilant as to how this is going to happen.  We cannot allow large corporations to grab and assume more and greater power than they currently exert within our lives.  I don't care how happy Wal-Mart's smiley yellow dotted face appears - I don't believe that they have our best interest at heart! 

I realize that this all sounds very conspiratorial and illusory, but practically, this will not be a time to make risky ventures, but rather, be very careful in how you invest your money.  Big Business will want us to focus on the upcoming Holi-Daze, but I would warn everyone to avoid making large, unnecessary expenses related to the Holi-Daze.  Much simply remains to be seen as to what will actually transpire.  But with the energy of Jupiter-Pluto, I firmly believe that a tumultuous time is in store for all of us.  Pluto can be painful, but the transformation can also be liberating.  The energy of Capricorn is a time when all of us need to realize that "we are the authorities".  Don't expect someone else in a position of authority to come and rescue you.  We must each be prepared to expect the heavy burdens which will be thrust upon us.  I think it is best to know that something big is going to happen, rather than just sit there and wonder what's going on when it does arrive.  

A "severe storm" is approaching, folks.  And I am here as a beacon of Light to get you to realize the seriousness of what may happen.  Be prepared, be a warrior of the Spirit, and also have compassion on those less fortunate.  That is an interesting combination of strength and gentleness, but that is what it will require.  Blessing to you all!   

A week PUNCH-uated with a lot of energy! (21 Sep 07)

One reason why I don't like to make predictions is that sometimes the obvious gets overlooked.  This past week was a good example.  Since the Eclipse of 9-11-07 we have had - in rapid succession - starting 17 Sep, the Sun square Mars, 2 days later followed by the Sun square Pluto, and reaching a peak with today's Mars opposition to Pluto.  These are some highly transformative and transmutative energies.  Mars in Gemini is struggling with dualities of cognition, Pluto in Sagitarrius focuses the struggle into a bigger picture of the entire subject, and the Sun in Virgo says integrate and get it together! 

A personal experience that I had which brought all of this into focus involves the fulfillment of a life long dream.  Interestingly, it all fits together.  Mars and Pluto are very martial energies, so was it coincidence that I was just awarded a First Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do?  I really have not investigated it that much.  I've been working very diligently all Summer to realize this personal quest, and once the honor was bestowed, I felt a strange, nagging feeling of what it all really means.  At first, I did not feel worthy, then I realized, I was still on the road to learning.  For some reason I limited (the squares) myself by thinking I had to know and do it all.  I know what I know at this time, and the rest will come when the time is appropriate. 

I use this as an example, because I think it is important for all of us to realize how we can achieve what we put our minds to.  I'm 59 years old, but I did not let my age stop me from achieving something that I've always wanted.  At my regular job, for instance, several co-workers my age find it odd that I "don't act my age".  "You won't stay young forever", I've been told.  That may be true, but if I act like them I'll just be hastening a multitude of stereotypical ailments.  These are supposed to be the "golden years" of my life, but it is because I'm "going for the gold"!  It is this type of energy that I try to convey when I say that each of us needs to transform and transmute.  The energy is there to be had.  All we have to do is believe it, and realize it.  Hopefully, you too have had a similar energetic makeover within your life.  Once the Eclipse of 9-11 passed a wave of new, karmically revitalizing energy was offered to each one of us. The vibrational frequencies are definitely on the increase! 

With that prelude, allow me now to discuss what I thought I was originally going to write about.  More martial energy is approaching during the Solar sign of Libra.  The season of Libra is an important time for all of us to find balance in our lives.  This is a time to make commitments, but don't over extend your obligations and responsibilities!  Then, on 28 Sep '07, Mars will shift into the sign of Cancer.  Complicating this picture even more is that while Mars is in Cancer, it will be moving into Retrograde motion at the 12th degree of Cancer on 15 Nov '07.  Mars will appear to move backwards, eventually moving back into the sign of Gemini before finally moving Direct on 30 Jan '08.  Thus, this gets to be a very long stay of Mars in Cancer, which is a rather emotional sign that Mars really has a hard time handling.   When Mars is in Cancer, it is said to be in its "fall".  During this time it would be wise for everyone to realize that emotions, anger, and unexpected, intense outbursts are likely.  It doesn't have to be that way, though, as Mars' usual energy of expression needs to be carefully expressed in a nurturing manner, rather than as an intense outburst of feelings. 

Making the situation even tougher will be the Mars opposition to Pluto within today's (9-21-07) energy.  This Martian shifting of signs will create a triad of oppositions with Pluto that will repeat on 2 Jan '08, and finalizes around 7 Mar '08.  In other words, whatever is happening around 9-21 will have a ripple effect lasting up to and beyond March of next year!  President Bush also has his personal birth position of Mars in Cancer, which made him "famous" before he even got into office as the "war president" among astrologers in the know.  I'm expecting to hear Bush rattling more war sabres during this time! 

Further ill-bodings for war involvements will be Jupiter leaving Sagittarius and entering the sign of Capricorn on 18 Dec '07.  The week before, on 11 Dec, Jupiter and Pluto will be conjunct.  I can guarantee you one thing:  this aspect will affect everyone of us!  These aspects, plus Saturn being in the sign of Virgo, suggests to me that the chances for wildly unexpected financial chaos to occur are very possible.  At the very least, expect large scale business take-overs to occur on the financial markets.  Both Jupiter and Saturn will be in Earth signs (grounded, practical, earthy).  On one hand, you could say that it will suggest stability in the markets, but the association of Saturn-Jupiter- and Capricorn suggests to me that Big Business will want to get bigger, and is likely to act as a grinch when it comes to sharing the wealth.  I'm not saying that we should become alarmed, but I do think that the rumblings within our economy are there.  Look at the current turbulence within the housing market.  The Feds just dropped the interest rates to help stabilize what has been a rather shaky stock market up until now.  The sign of Capricorn is like a stern father demanding each of us to get to work, making sacrifices to focus on what must be done, and stop wasting time on more personally creative pursuits.  My advice would be to be very cautious about financially overcommitting yourself this coming year.  This will not be a Holi-Daze to go hog wild over gift giving, for instance. 

My biggest concern is that this energy of Jupiter-Pluto-and Mars may bring about a large disaster of some sort that would have a devastating impact on the economy.  With Jupiter moving into Capricorn, for instance, I would bet that we will have a colder than expected Winter.  Another possibililty is that a major earthquake or volcanic eruption would some how disrupt the global economy.  With Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto moving into  "earth" signs, this could very possibly forecast some highly transformative earthchanges. 

Many people that I talk to dismiss massive earthchanges as impossible.  From my perspective, they are inevitable.  The Earth is going to experience a cleansing process.

More will be said about these energies as the picture becomes clearer.  In the mean time, live simply, and don't take any wild speculative risks.  Let your inner light shine brightly so that others will know the truth of which you speak, and how you act.      

 Destiny Unveiling!  (Updated 7 Sep '07)

Did you notice that within 24 hours preceding the Eclipse of 28 Aug that Alberto Gonzales, the former controversial US Attorney, resigned from office?  Eclipses usually do correspond to powerful figures falling by death or removal from their position.  Destiny. We also had Hurricane Dean pound the Yucatan. Ironically, even with another hurricane that was just as equally devastating (Felix) very little has been said of what the plights may be of the indigenous peoples of that area.  Evidently, the Media has determined for us that "they aren't important", but they did try to say that we haven't done enough for the people of New Orleans 2 years after the fact!  Instead, Media coverage was all about obesity, highlighting how fat, out-of-shape, overweight people - especially here in the USA - were suddenly "big" news.  And the stock markets were also showing signs of major declines corresponding to the ill-winds connected with the housing markets and housing industries.  Symbolically, maybe they are too fat, also?  Just today, there was a major announcement of how the US job market showed a significant drop for the first time in 4 years!   Hm, that's one way to lose weight - from your pocketbook!

So, "nothing" happened on 18 Aug, huh?  The "first step" has to begin somewhere!  Although the 18th was not so obvious, by the Eclipse on the 28th things were starting to show more evidence of heating up.  That Eclipse on 28 Aug happened with a Full Moon - representing COMPLETION OF A CYCLE.  As just noted above, some profound events did happen during that time, but the next Eclipse on this coming Tuesday, 11 Aug, happens with a New Moon.  (Watch for more evidence of natural disasters around the 11th!)  New Moon's are always strong harbingers of new, emerging energies.  Thus, these 2 Eclipses are 2 very powerful symbols of completion, the end of a karmic cycle, and troublesome perceptions (the Full Moon Eclipse) versus integration, wholeness, health, accountability (fiscally and behaviorally), being service-oriented, cooperative, and being responsible (the New Moon Eclipse). For instance, just as cigarette smoking became recognized as an insidious bad-habit, I believe that obesity will now emerge upon the collective consciousness as an equally ill-favored bad habit.  The types of lifestyles that enable obesity to occur are now going to come under a lot of examination, scrutiny, and contempt.  Those people who are overweight may find themselves having to make sacrifices, even losing job-related health benefits, and needing to exert great personal discipline to achieve better health.  

Adding more progressive intensity to the current energies is Pluto moving Direct in motion on Friday, 7 Sep; and Venus also moving Direct on Saturday, 8 Sep.  Finishing touches are now being put on the Eclipse's energies.  Pluto, for instance, has been moving backwards for the past 5 months.  Deep inner transformations have been occurring.  Now is the time for the hidden, unconscious changes to become manifest in the outer world. Venus moving forward helps us all to access the energy of the 4th/Heart Chakra.  Let's be spiritual warriors, but let's do it with peace and compassion when we attempt to implement the necessary transformations.   

All of these actions must be seen against the backdrop of Saturn having just moved into the sign of Virgo on the day before Labor Day.  Indeed, this new awareness that the economy is not doing as well as was thought was something that I had anticipated.  Virgo is all about the work-place, and Saturn is about restriction, limitation, and blockages.  Notice how Saturn just exited a fixed, Fire-sign  suggesting a strong application of will-power, and has now moved into a mutable, Earth-sign designating expansion, flexibility, and adaptability.  In other words, we can't be stubborn about adhering to our dreams.  Realizing our dreams requires compromise, and a willingness to adjust to the practical demands of life.  Now that we have Saturn in Virgo, we can individually and collectively  perceive if we "have gotten it all together"!  Karmically, the energy of Virgo collects the previous energies within the Zodiac's Wheel.  Starting with Aries, our self-expression, the resources of Taurus, the learning and education of Gemini, the sustainability of our cultural norms and domestic lifestyles under Cancer, and the creative will-power of Leo all evolve into this practical, workable, wholisitic, integrated model when the energy of Virgo predominates and comes due.  

Will the energies laid out by our previous generations work...now, at this time in our history?  Do we use and maintain a lifestyle that is viable, sustainable, and alive?  The Media's "report card" will serve as an effective indication of where we are not applying ourselves fully.  So far, it is saying that the majority of our (USA) population is out of shape, the housing market is starting to show strong signs of disintegrating, good paying jobs are becoming scarce, the stock markets are needing a lot of input to maintain their stability, and the environment is being severely distressed. 

Here's a funny story I want to share with you.  As a 15-year-old teenager, I would sit in the living room at home and read Mad magazines.  Frequently, I would laugh so uproariously that tears would roll down my cheeks.  My father would become annoyed and ask what was so funny?  However, when I tried to "interpret" the satire within the comic panels of the magazine to my father, he didn't get it.  "That's not funny," he would snap!  Regarding the obesity epidemic, there was a particular episode where it showed Americans becoming so round and misshapen, that our underfed, thin "foreign" adversaries easily entered our country and just rolled us over like overblown beach balls!  We were portrayed as so fat that there was nothing we could do to prevent the world's underfed from overrunning our society!  Satire, or prophecy?  That was over 40 years ago, and it didn't take a lot of intelligence to see that we were only concerned about our own safety and security, and not the rest of the world's.  Heck, if we wanted to see the rest of the world, all you had to do was turn on the foreign travelogues broadcast on TV!  

The cosmic time-clock is ringing, but will we wake up in time to do something about it?  This coming weekend promises to be very chaotic as the Sun also opposes Uranus.  Remember, chaos is only destructive when we fail to recognize the gift of freedom that it brings.  Try to find some time this weekend to rediscover who you really are in the Light of Spirit.  I saw a great bumper-sticker the other day that contained an important and appropriate message:  Being yourself is not a choice!       

MEMOIRS OF A "NON-EVENT"  (Updated 17 Aug '07) 

It was 20 years ago (Aug 1987) that we were collectively exposed to an incoming blast of cosmic consciousness referred to as the Harmonic Convergence (HC).  For those of you too young to remember, allow me to share some of my personal insight and experiences with you regarding that event.  I do not recall any one person being "responsible" for the HC phenomena, but I do remember Jose Arguelles as receiving a lot of public recognition at that time for his contributions and insights regarding the Mayan culture.  For about one week (going from 17 Aug - 23 Aug '87) all the planets were momentarily occupying FIRE signs.  The Fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius; Fire is considered to be spiritually activating, cleansing, and igniting consciousness.

At that time, I had been doing astrology for a little more than 10 years.  Anyone "into" the trendy New Age movement was clamouring for information, guidance (mostly "free" advice, if possible), and some direction in life.  There seemed to be so much publicity that it created an atmosphere of public alarm and hysteria. 

Even Public Radio ran a call-in special on the subject.  At that time I was a co-manager at a cooperative, health-food store.  Unbeknownst to me, a co-worker, listening to the Public Radio broadcast, hands me the phone, saying, "Here, talk to this guy."  Not realizing what I was getting into, I took the phone.  The radio host asked me if I was an astrologer, then proceeded to ask some simplistic questions about HC.  Immediately I could tell that my responses were going way over their heads.  Apparently, what they wanted were just some entertaining responses dealing with 3D (linear, measureable, and observeable) results.  Hopefully someone heard the "Truth"!  So much for Public Radio's effort to enlighten and educate the public! 

Unfortunately, people around me were taking the same short-sighted approach as Public Radio.  That same summer, I had been asked to give a public astrology presentation at a local Unitarian church in a nearby town.  After talking for about an hour and half, complete with graphic presentations, the meeting was opened to questions from the audience.  I'm not kidding when I state that the first question asked was, "What about my love life"?  Inside I felt like a balloon with all the air going out.  Wasn't I just talking about larger social and global concerns?  Ironically, by just asking a few questions of the seeker, I was able to tell the woman a few personal things about herself, and several other people who knew of her situation were abuzz with how I could "know" that after just meeting her for the first time.

So what did happen, or what were people supposed to have noticed from HC?  Maybe it was just because of all the media hype that summer, but it did seem to me that more and more people were opening their minds to the possibilities that other dimensions and realities existed!  Up until HC, all the so-called "Hippy lifestyles", "altered consciousness", and concepts like UFO's, crop-circles (of which there were plenty that year!), quantum physics, Black Holes, and Atlantis were just considered as far-fetched, fantastic entertainment ideas.  Especially with all the photos of crop circles, which back then were broadcast on the nightly news, people were beginning to believe that maybe there were mysteries out there!  In spite of a small minority of people - like myself - insisting that these were messages being conveyed to us by Gaia, herself, or other forms of consciousness, the media turned its focus to debunking and attempting to prove that crop-circles, et al, were just hoaxes manufactured by people in the night who have overly active imaginations!  Yeah, right.  As a result of the fact that "nothing had happened", news sources (including Public Radio) concluded that HC had been a "non-event"!

What did become more obvious - at least to me - was that ideas once considered on-the-fringe, or considered as "cutting edge", were rapidly expanding, diversifying, and growing into main-stream awareness.  A good example is the health food and alternative medicine approaches.  These industries got their growth back in the early 1970's when Pluto and Uranus were conjunct in Virgo, but now they were moving past their fledgling efforts and gaining permanence and respectability.  Renewable energies, like passive solar, photovoltaic panels, wind-turbine energy, etc., were also growing into awareness.  Since 1990, for instance, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (www.MREA.org) has been holding annual fairs to educate the public about other choices and sustainable resources other than our cultural reliance upon fossil fuels. 

Maverick scholars, like Graham Hancock, Jose Arguelles, Robert Bauval, P. Tompkins, R. Hoaglund, G. Braden, M. Cotterell, A. Gilbert, and many more, were coming forth insisting that history could be interpreted to present a different, more viable and open depiction of the true history of the human race!  Of course, the ivory-towered bastions vigorously clung to their older theories.  It was slowly becoming more and more evident to anyone willing to look at the data that more intriguing arguments about our ancestral past could be conjectured from the evidence.  Since HC, for instance, just in North Americal, recent archeological findings in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Oregon-Washington suggest that pre-Clovis humans (meaning they were here BEFORE the last Ice Age!) have been unearthed.  However, they are awaiting "further tests" to prove their authenticity.  Pre-Clovis would mean that humans inhabited North and South America at least 30,000+ years ago!  Diggings in Peru unearthed coastal villages dating back even further, to perhaps 40-50,000 years ago!  It's awesome stuff!  So why are our educational systems still presenting images of fur-clad inuits trudging through an ice covered Bering Strait?  At least present the various options!  Afterall, even "cave men" crossing an ice bridge is just a theory!  They have no more proof for that than they do for the evidence that is now being offered. 

Even more stuff to enlarge our conscious capacities after HC came from the area of astrophysics.  The Hubble Telescope was offering tantalizing visions of space that required astrophysicists to drop Newtonian physics and embrace Quantum Physics as a way of understanding what they were seeing.  In fact, without quantum physics, those observeable phenomenon cannot be explained. 

So, to make a long story short, here is what I think will come of this weekend's energies.  Just as HC propelled our awareness into other realities and dimensions, this weekend (18-19 Aug '07) will serve as a jump-off point for even more immersion into broader, deeper, and more mysterious presentations of what constitutes reality.  Within the near future, I think we can anticipate a sense of time speeding up even faster than it seems to be accelerating even now.  I've provided a few examples of how our concepts of reality have been broadened, and I think we will continue to see this become even more enlarged. 

Before closing up shop for this session...I also want to mention the recent increase in earthquake activity, volcanic eruptions, and the crop-circle formations.  Just yesterday, there was an 8.0 mag quake off the coast of Peru.  Tomorrow, there is a New Moon, a wonderful time in which to begin new projects and ideas.  Since the last Full Moon there have been several large quakes, mostly around the Pacific rim.  I firmly believe, that these quakes are going to start to increase in intensity, and over the next few years, we will see more and greater devastation of the Earth's human cultures.  Even among the Caribbean Islands there has been 3 volcanic awakenings, and new evidence of a volcano emerging out of the sea!  Wow!  If the messages from the crop-circles are from other intelligences, and I believe they are, then I believe they are attempting to alert us to a period of conscious expansion and awareness.  My advice is to keep an open mind, and most of all, open up to Love and avoid letting fear cloud your thoughts and feelings.  Be the lighthouse in the storm!  Peace be with you. 

"Who Wrote The Book of Love?" (Updated 4 August '07)  This will certainly be THE question on a lot of people's minds since Venus moved Retrograde on 27 July '07.  Since Venus was moving into the Mutable sign of Virgo, we can expect those people with Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) to be most cognizant of "something" transpiring.  The challenge will be for those people sensitive to this energy to become more mentally and emotionally aware - get over the unfairness aspect of their personal romantic situations - and grow into greater emotional understanding and awareness.  Venus rules the Heart, also associated with the 4th Chakra.  Greater BALANCE and AWARENESS of the emotions, feelings, sensitivities, aesthetics, and intuition is highlighted.  In the future, these people are likely to become the leading edge, the ground breakers, and spokespeople enabling the rest of us to verbalilze, rationalize, and unify issues concerning love and emotions.

 Notice how this current shift of astrological energy fits in perfectly with the symbolism behind the emerging symbolism inherent in the Mayan Calendar.  The day before Venus went Retrograde, the Mayan Calendar began anew.  The symbolism for 26 July was "White Lunar Wizard", and I previously indicated this meant that all of us will be growing in emotional awareness through radical, perhaps spontaneous, transformation!  Adding to this symbolism will be Venus shifting from its previous Evening Star manifestation, to that of a Morning Star!  The energy of the Morning Star is "awakening emotional intelligence and awareness."   This energy of Venus will be most drastic in challenging the Mutable signs (by Sun sign, or its House position within your chart) - but in one way for another, it will influence your life.  The intention behind Mutable energy is to see how flexible, adaptive, and how open you are to radically new information entering your life.

For instance, I was away camping with my youngest son, Keagan, for the week of 22-28 July.  When we came home I was beset with concerns from people I know about "what is happening in the Heavens?  My love life is (you fill in the blank)...vanishing, being weird,  experiencing communication problems, etc."   For one person in particular, a romantic break-up unexpectedly occurred very rapidly.  Surprisingly, he handled it quite excellently, and also unexpectedly, his past social achievements were noticed and he was offered an economically prestigious social position that he couldn't refuse!  This unexpected, potentially emotionally painful situation evolved into a social  opportunity to expand his social circle to even greater heights!  Wow!  What a wonderful opportunity this person was given by Spirit!   Now, this is not to imply that better things will happen to everyone going through an emotionally uncomfortable transformation at this time, but, this is an example of how each of us needs to transcend the pain that may attend this energy.  Rest assured that a deeper, more spiritual emotional awareness will profoundly work its way into your life.  Changes pulling at your heart strings under this transition are not meant to hurt you, rather, they are meant to broaden and deepen your appreciation and understanding of your emotions and feelings, as well as the emotions and feelings of those around you. 

Enter the energy of Saturn...  Where ever Saturn appears, there is a "seriousness and maturity" that also accompanies his presence.  As a male energy, Saturn brings to mind that silly saying, "Who's your daddy?"  Unfortunately, this web-site does not allow me to put in a lot of graphics and pictures, but going back to early June, we were provided with a great celestial treat in the evening of Saturn, Venus, and the star Regulus (the Heart of the constellation, Leo).  This is incredibly strong 4th Chakra energy!!!  With the sign shifting and retrogrades working themselves into this combination, we can expect changes in our relationships.  Attending this interaction of Venus-Saturn-Regulus is the question: how deep is your love?  Are you able to love unconditionally, and express love in the moment even when a difficult scenario is transpiring?  

Esoterically, this energy is happening near the cusp of Leo and Virgo, which represents your essential Self.  The Universal and Galactic energies are calling out to each one of us!  "Are you willing to grow and evolve, or will you remain caught in your insecurities, fears, and past emotional traumas?"  A new social era is rapidly - and I do mean RAPIDLY - emerging that is asking each one of us to be committed, flexible, hard-working, self-sacrificial, and willing to lighten and simplify our emotional and physical needs from others and the planet.  In other words, what are you willing to give to others...unconditionally?  Each of us needs to live simply so that others may simply live.  Those tragic events occurring on the evening news are not just stories, they are actual reflections of the dimensional energies within our lives.  These events are meant to show us that we are united as one, and not separate from each other.  Somehow we need to see that the tragedies besetting others may also occur to us.  These things are happening for a reason, and one reason is for each of us to become more sensitive and compassionate  to the plight of others.  Doing so will enable each of us to expand our 4th Chakra energies.   Fourth Chakra energy is also the beginning of higher intuitive, and greater spiritual sensitivity and awareness.

While camping, I was reading Barbara Hand-Clow's monumental book, The Mayan Code: Time Acceleration and Awakening The World Mind.  In it, she presents a brilliant metaphor.  Just as I frequently mention that we as a species are evolving, so does she.  In one chapter she equates the coming energies of 2011-2012 as if we were that proverbial fish that crawled out of the oceans and became a new species in a new environment.  That is exactly the image of what we can expect to happen!  In many ways we are all milling near the approaching beach.  We know we can leave these old waters, but it is so comfortable here.  "OK, Ron.  You go first and we'll follow you."  Right now I feel like one of the fish saying to myself, "There's that mystical beach we've all been waiting to ascend.  Should I ignore everyone else and go by myself?  Or, should I make every attempt to get others to realize that we are all capable of making this greatest evolutionary leap together?" 

Somehow connected to this story is the current phenomena of intricate crop circles appearing around the world.  Some of these patterns are so intricate and exquisite that it would be impossible for someone to make them in just a single night's time.  I believe that Intelligences are attempting to communicate with us through these physical dimensional portals, and get us to realize that we are in a time of dimensionally shifting energies.  And I believe that something is going to happen soon to verify my statement.  Today is 4 August '07, and this coming 18 Aug will be the 20th Anniversary of the beginning of Harmonic Convergence.  Several sources are interpreting these crop circles as Lunar calendars which emphasize the 18, possibly after Midnight on the 18, and into the 19 July as the time line being emphasized...for whatever!  I think we should all be vigilant and open to wonder.  Who knows?  An unexpected wave of evolution could catch us and cast us up on that evolutionary beach!  Avoid complacency.  Be prepared...and be aware.   

"CONVENTIONAL WISDOM IS OFTEN NEITHER."

(Posted 29 May 06.)  *Note: This particular article will remain posted until further notice.

The other day I was listening to a radio newscast.  A guest was asking the moderator why we don't see any social activism - especially by the young people of today - like there was during the 1960's.  They both agreed that it was a "spirit of the times," but neither one had a good explanation.  Of course, I'm sitting there yelling at the radio knowing that I could explain the situation, but would they believe me? 

Ask any knowledgeable astrologer, and you will get a very definite response to the above social activism concern.  When it comes to matters of mass consciousness astrologers will look at the movements of the 3 outer planets - Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.  Notice that all 3 of these planets are NOT VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE.  In order to see them, you would need the assistance of a backyard telescope.  Thus, they are considered to be more spiritual in their symbolism.  These planets move so slowly that they each leave a definite signature upon each generation.  This is especially true with Pluto moving through each sign. 

Pluto's discovery was publically announced in 1930.  In itself, this was a very prominent time in human history.  The globally devastating Great Depression had just occurred the year before in 1929.  (Actually, there is a long story behind that, too, but for now we will stick with the socially accepted year of 1929.)  Before Pluto's discovery its influence operated very unconsciously within the public and personal awareness.  Around 1930, the psychologist Sigmund Freud had come out with his psychological theories of human awareness and thinking processes.  The words "ego" and "subconsciousness" became new buzz-words to the general public.  In 1930, Pluto was in Cancer, a very subconscious, inward focused planet.  Thus, this became a time when people were seeking to examine, penetrate, and understand the human psyche.  The new "science" of psychology developed all kinds of experiments to understand why people felt and had feelings like they do.  Although Freud was a very mediocre psychologist at best, he became more well known, probably because he focused so much on sexual aberrations and misconducts. And as we all know...sex sells!

Fueled in part by the economic problems of the world-wide Depression, nationalism and political isolationism (Pluto in Cancer) resulted in some twisted history from this era which you can read about in a history book.  A prime example of this Plutonian intrigue was the rise to power of Adolf Hitler.  It was Hitler's misguided belief that the Germans (Aryans) were destined to rise to power as a superior race of human beings.  Always remember that Pluto is a planet of Power!  (It was also during the early 1930's that comic books emerged with a wide range of super heroes!  The things that Superman, Batman, Captain America, and Iron Man - just a few of the original characters - all have in common are a hidden identity,  and powers, skills, or knowledge that is greater than the average mere mortal. Superman first appeared in 1938, and was the first non-human comic book hero.  It was extremely popular with the public, and all copies sold.  These were very appealing, escapist pursuits for people trying to make more of themselves than merely surviving.)  Ironically, both of these 'superhuman' ideas had their origins involving earlier motions of Pluto during the late 1890's.  Instead of jumping onto too many tangents, allow me to tie all of these ideas together starting with the transiting motion of Pluto going back to the American Revolution. 

July 4th, 1776.  The United States of America declared joint freedom and separation from the previous rule of King George in England.  At that time, Pluto was in the sign of Capricorn.  Using Barry Lynes' rectified calculations for the USA, Pluto falls in the 2nd House of the USA's birth chart.  Thus, Pluto in Capricorn in the 2nd is setting the stage for a 'democracry' which is in reality run by a hidden, secretive oligarchy.  But not to worry, it is in our destiny to have this elitist group of power-mongers exposed and overthrown beginning in the next several years.  Pluto in Capricorn represents strong, powerful individualism, and a major transformation in government.  Globally, up until this time, the European countries had self-servedly taken it upon themselves to conquer and colonize the entire world!  Even to this day (May 30, 2006) we still see remnants of European colonialism via social discontent in what we've come to label as the disadvantaged Third World countries.  Much of the current distrust of the Western countries goes back to this era of imperialism and subjugation. 

With Pluto moving into Aquarius during the late 1700's, the world is given a new, major country which quickly rises to a level of equality as a global power!  And this "new kid on the block" is not going to be pushed around.  With our Solar birthdate of July 4th, we are a Cancer ruled nation: we are very patriotic, loyal, and definitely not easily intimidated by the older countries.  America is seen by the rest of the world - very appropriately for Aquarius - as a Land of Idealism!  This was followed in turn by Pluto in Pisces.  (I'll fill in more about Pluto in Pisces later, as I can't remember right off-hand all of the historical significance during this passage.)

Pluto in Aries during the 1800's corresponds quite well with the Westward pioneer movement.  This was a time in history that required intrepid souls that could uproot themselves and journey into unknown dangers.  The pioneering mentality of "shoot first, ask questions later" was definitely a Pluto-Aries trait.  Who knows?  If it were not for the Pluto-Aries energy, the American West might have evolved quite differently.  Look at all the legends we have as a country of heroic individuals during this time: hunters, trappers, explorers, and mountain men. 

Pluto in Taurus corresponds quite well with the emerging industrialism, huge business monopolies, business tycoons, and the wholesale desecration of the natural environment.  It was during this time that industrial families like Carnegy and the Rockefellers rose to power.  Up until now, there had been no governmental imposed taxes upon the general populace, but it was right after the American Civil War that the current IRS tax system was set up while Pluto was in Taurus.  (It was also during Pluto-Taurus that the idea of business "incorporation" began.  Thus, businesses were able to set themselves up as a separate entity, creating tax loopholes and exemptions from legal prosecution which they still enjoy to this day!)  Whereas before we were once considered a true "land of opportunity," it now became a definite growth of industrialized wealth for a few at the expense of those that did not control any material resources.  The concept that "anything could be bought for a price" grew out of this era. The extensive Eastern forests were clear-cut; ores, coal-mining, and drilling for oil, all changed the great American landscape from a pristine environment, to a polluted and ravaged land creating huge pockets of urban poor in the Eastern part of the USA. 

In 1892, there was a planetary event which bears heavily upon this discussion.  Five hundred years earlier - in 1492 - there was a rare conjunction of Neptune-Pluto which corresponded with the discovery and opening of the American continents to the European monarchies.  Five hundred years later, this Neptune-Pluto reoccurs in 1892 while both planets are in the sign of Gemini.   Notice how the first event brings the isolationist Europeans out of their "flat-world" mentality into the so-called Age of Enlightenment.  The second Neptune-Pluto conjunction corresponds to a global wave of mechanical inventions and discoveries.  In both the USA and Europe, gas-powered automobiles were gaining interest and acceptance as a "modern" convenience.  Edison invents the lightbulb, Bell invents the telephone, Marconi invents the radio, the Wright brothers flew in Kittyhawk, North Carolina (1903), and the list goes on.  It was during this time that a great many of our colleges and universities were established.  (Projecting forward to the future, Adolf Hitler was born during this time, greatly influencing his perception of the world.)  Almost overnight, the world discovers that there is a world out there!  Silent movies were still in their infancy, but with photography, the world's general population was becoming more and more aware of the diversity of the distant, exotic cultures upon the Earth. 

This also brought about an interest in spiritualism.   It was quite popular in well-heeled European and Eastern American cities to conduct seances, and have psychics entertain in parlors with attempts to communicate with the dead.  Mystics and holy men from China, Tibet, and India were brought to the Western lands.  (Our modern word, "faker; to be fake," originated from the Indian word "fakir," which was usually a holy man in a market place making ropes appear to rise by themselves, or have cobras dance to flute music.)  Indeed, the master yogis of India had even "predicted" years before, that "the swan would cross the lake," meaning that their ancient knowledge and wisdom would be transmitted to the Western cultures!  The Chinese were a little more isolationist, as their sages had foretold that they needed to protect their ancient wisdom from the West as it would be subverted and misused for less than spiritual purposes!  Just as a former Age of Enlightenment, or Renaissance had occurred 500 years earlier, another Age of Enlightenment was occurring.  The problem is, we don't have enough historical distance to get most people to realize what was really happening. 

During the 1700's, a prominent physicist, Sir Isaac Newton, himself an admitted astrologer, had set forth some defining laws of physical science which remain imbedded in the thinking of most people still today.  Out of his era, we are taught to be real and practical - "if you can't see it, measure it, and repeat the experiment, then it isn't real."  In other words, what is real is out there - not inside of you.  But, with the introduction of other spiritual perspectives in 1892 - like the Eastern concept of "meditation" of discovering what is substantial, a challenge is presented to the Western scientists.  Adding even more uncertainty was the publication of "The Theories of Relativity" (1906) by Albert Einstein.  When I think about this, I find it amazing that someone like Einstein could come up with radical, mathematical formulas which stood the accepted thinking of his era on its head!  Even today - May 31, 2006 - we still have scientists embracing the Newtonian definition of the physical universe doing experiements to see if Einstein was right!  One of Einstein's assertion, that "the observer influences the outcome of the experiment," directly challenges the previously adhered to concepts.  Only today to we read of experiments by quantum physicists verifying this Einsteinian assertion!  The observer DOES effect the outcome of the experiment!  That is radical thinking!  In fact, it is dangerous thinking according to government and religious leaders, because it implies that we each have the power to create our own realities! 

It is my belief, that the Neptune-Pluto conjunction of 1892 was like the recent spiritual Harmonic Convergence (1987) and Harmonic Concordance (Nov, 2003).  An immense spiritual impulse was released upon the inhabitants of planet Earth!  This awareness of religious diversity was meant to propel Homo Sapiens into a deeper spiritual transformation!  Back in 1892 we were given the additional philosophies of yoga, ayurveda, sufism, Native American shamanism, Zen Buddhism, and other esoteric teachings, like the Theosophic Society.  Einstein was definitely a pioneer, but unfortunately, most people are only aware of the infamous E=MC2 formula utilized to develop the atomic bomb.  For the esotericists out there who can understand this type of symbolism, notice how Einstein's ideas are presented with Pluto in Gemini - a sign of division, schism, split realities, the Twins!  What we need is a deeper, broader perspective on reality...so let's continue our Plutonian journey. 

As I already mentioned - Pluto was not even discovered yet when all of this was transpiring.  One failed attempt to unite humanity while Pluto was in Gemini was the League of Nations (the predecessor to our modern day United Nations).  But with the global economic Depression, the fractional nationalism of Europe was ripe for tyrants like Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin to emerge.  If you have studied history, then you know that Hitler was very interested in the ancient concepts of a spiritually superior race of beings.  (So, the next time you are watching an Indiana Jones movie, there is an element of truth to the story line!)  The Nazi symbol of the "swastika" was actually taken - then changed - from an ancient Vedic (India) symbol.  Instead of a spiritually unifying humanity, misguided leaders were propelling the world into war through centuries old adherence to nationalism.  Notice how the Nazis in particular referred to Germany as the "Fatherland" - directly putting itself at odds with the universal concept of the sign of Cancer as a nurturing feminine figure.  The USA was also practicing isolationism during the Nazi terrorism of Europe.  Until Pearl Harbor was bombed, it was felt that "Europe's problems were Europe's problems."  It was Pluto in Cancer that definitely makes the WWII generation different from the rest of today's people.  Family, patriotism, loyalty, and defending one's country - right or wrong - were unquestioned values.  Notice how during and after WWII that Americans in particular developed all of these organizations requiring loyalty and devotion to the group, like the Order of the Moose, the Elks Club, the Rotaries, the Kiwanis, the Shriners, VFWs, etc.  Setting aside one's individuality to be a member of a community was important back then.  One's membership in the community was all important. 

Pluto had actually entered the sign of Leo - the strong individual - in 1939, well before the USA's entry into WWII, which brings up an interesting phenomena.  Notice how astrology does not exactly set solid time lines.  In examining all of these historical scenarios, what we see is that a generation is born under a Pluto sign, but the prominence of that energy does not emerge until that generation itself is growing and coming into a position of power within its social structure.  This is a very important concept to remember.  Afterall, challenging aspects to Pluto are said to bring up "generational differences.  The Pluto in Leo generation -commonly referred to now-a-days as the "baby boomers", born between 1939-1957, were brought up by their parents born during the Pluto in Cancer era.  In the USA for instance, after the war, the focus was definitely upon family.  With so much to be rebuilt, everyone had a job.  Those parents were very concerned about things like safety and security.  During FDR's presidency, for instance, social programs like Social Security were started.  But what made the Pluto in Leo generation different was that now they consciously knew about Pluto as a planet in the Solar System.  Once a planet is discovered, a new energy is implanted in the human psyche. 

It was also after WWII that Pluto in Leo led to a transformation of monarchies.  Gone now were the old world powers.  Countries like Great Britain, France, and Spain were forced to allow their former foreign holding to now move forth as independent nations.  By the time Pluto exits Leo in 1957, we see that colonialism has vanished.  Two exceptions were the USA adding Hawaii and Alaska as states in 1959; and the USSR bullying its neighboring countries into submission to their Marxist ideals.  This Cold War between the USA-USSR continued until the collapse of the Berlin Wall and Russian communism in the 1990's.  There is a lot of astrological timing there, also, especially involving Neptune, but that is another story. 

As a sense of cultural awareness, everyone remembers the Pluto in Leo children as the "Me" generation.  Kids were very self-absorbed, spoiled, and outspoken.  Culturally, they dared to question the values of their parents.  This was a relatively new phenomena, so that when Pluto arrived in Virgo, all kinds of socially transformative rioting was occurring within the USA, and elsewhere around the world.  These children were directly responsible for bringing about things like the women's rights movement, gay rights, and civil rights.  Never before in the world's history had a wave of social changes of such sweeping social magnitude been brought about so rapidly by such a young group of socially consicous individuals.  It was the 1960's-1970's, and in many ways, people are still amazed at how rapidly our culture changed in that era.

Personally, I hate the word "astrology" because I'm sure that it conjures up in people's mind archaic concepts of "predictions" based upon the planets.  But astrology is more than that.  Just like other avenues for energy awareness, whether it is reiki, acupuncture, EMF's, meditation, quantum physics, solar radiation, chakras, or whatever, all of these concepts are meant to increase our awareness of ourselves as spiritual beings.  Astrology, for instance, is not just meant to "give interpretations" of planetary activity, but is also useful for providing symbols and signs within daily life, and our understanding of the world, and the universe around us!  For instance, I was reading a magazine article about the Dalai Lama on my lunch hour at my part-time job.  The article was mentioning "the missing dark matter" of the universe, when all of a sudden, it actually felt like my brain had actually, physically shifted!  Of course, it made total sense to me that if scientists always insist that we are separate physical entities living on  planet Earth that we are not going to perceive the larger reality.  For each of us to allow our egos to say, "I exist separately from...it and them," then that is exactly what we are going to get - a feeling of separateness!  This is why I think it is so important for people to study quantum physics, and Oriental wisdom, like Buddhism and Taoism.  I, for instance, tell myself, "I exist simultaneously with ants, flowers, other people, stars, and quasars."  In doing this I feel a sense of Oneness, and a Unity with myself, other people, the world, and the galaxy.  There is nothing missing!   What is missing from the scientific viewpoint is the awareness that all is united with an unseen, spiritual energy.