Astrology in April-May 2008 - The Grand Irrationality Is Triggered By Mars in late Cancer (Welcome to what Summer will bring)
by Robert Wilkinson
Right now Mars just finished quincunxing Neptune and is entering the exact zone of the triseptile with Pluto. With the Moon is in Aquarius conjuncting Neptune in the Grand Irrationalty, welcome to the hard edge of choosing the future. It would seem as though many are choosing their future "destiny," though of course anyone can always change course if they're not caught up in irrationality, compulsions, or prior unconscious factors. And just because we see it in another does not mean we have the power to make them differently.
As you know from previous Spiritual Astrology articles (with several to follow in the near future!), we are living within what I have termed "The Grand Irrationality," shown by the Neptune-Pluto septile energy going on the last decade which will last another. At critical points in the year cycle various transits open up these doorways to other weird choices and changes. These points are where "destiny is at work," which of course affects Saints and sinners alike, just in different ways according to our merits and demerits in consciousness and karmas, the errors and actualities that we manifest for good or ill.
During the next few days, Mars will traverse the degree span that makes a triseptile to both Neptune and Pluto, forming an off-set "Yod" to the Cancer Mars. Expect dramatic choices and changes that will affect many lives for many years into the future. This will consolidate some initiatives for the long term, and mark a critical turning point in many socio-cultural efforts. It obviously affects each of us in whatever areas Aries, Cancer, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Aquarius fall, since these are signs that are activated or ruled by the planets in question.
In a nutshell, expect up close and personal experiences to be taken in very personal ways that affect the future of whoever is making those choices, which is all of us. If ever there was a point where the future is entirely up for grabs, this is the "Cosmic moment," the next few days. The next big point will be in early May, when Mercury occupies the Gemini point of the Grand Irrationality. This will activate many changes, especially when Moon is in Aries, filling in the 4th point of the 7 pointed Star pattern.
So if you have any planet around late Sagittarius, early Capricorn, early third decan Aquarius, early second decan Aries, early Gemini, late Cancer, mid-Virgo, or early Scorpio. hang on to your hats, since the wild ride is taking a strange and hard turn at the intersection of Fate Street and Free Will Street where they meet Eternity Boulevard.
Overall, this is NOT a time where things are settled or we will feel stable. Yes, there are possibiities to be embraced, and rewards are coming as indicated by Jupiter. But with a little reflection, it is obvious that these are not very settling times at all. In fact, we need to all find an approach to circumstances and people that works for us. And adaptability is a virtue in an Age in Transition. Be sensitive, accept the power, conform to collective standards, and get ready to rise to some occasion. It's definitely on the way for each according to their need or duty.
Thanks to DR for filling in while I was in the Pluto school of death, inner rage and mystery (more about that later!!).
This is a wonderful and magical time, coinciding with the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane which occurs at the midpoint of Taurus (but more commonly on May 1) and the Buddhist Wesak festival later this month at the full moon. You can read more about the astrological significance of Beltane in this article from last year.
Meanwhile, Skywatch for May is posted, and here's what's happening during the beginning of the month:
The beginning of May finds us in a preponderance of Earth energy, with four planets (Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto) in earth signs, and no planets channeling Fire. Details are what is important now - the practical details that make up every day life. It may be more difficult to find the inspiration to take action and the energy to follow through (the Fire qualities) until May 10 when Mars leaves watery Cancer for Leo.
Mars has traveled back and forth through Cancer since the end of September of last year, and the sensitivity of that sign has created irritation and confusion as the concepts of defense and offense become confused by the protective instincts that Mars in Cancer promote. When Mars enters Leo on the 9th it will be the only planet in a Fire sign, but it will be a welcome change that will free up the Mars energy for action that gets bogged down in water.
Jupiter has been approaching the second phase of a sextile (harmonious aspect) to Uranus that will perfect on the 21st. This is a tremendously exciting and stimulating planetary combination as it incorporates the expansion and optimism of Jupiter with the stimulation and "new"ness of Uranus. New ideas and innovative ways of looking at the world are easier now than ever.
At the end of April Saturn was as close to a trine to retrograde Pluto as it has been since last summer when the two were locked in a close and harmonious dance. The trine of Saturn's discipline and structures to Pluto's instinct for transformation and regeneration is a powerful ally in any kind of business plan or spiritual metamorphosis. During the first week of May Venus trines both Saturn and Pluto in a Grand Trine that will promote harmony and beauty in interpersonal relationships as well as soften any rough edges to changes that we are making in our lives.
Saturn is powerful during this first week of May - it has been traveling retrograde since December 19th of last year and is now slowing down to a "station" as it prepares to change direction. Saturn turns direct on May 2 but will continue moving extremely slowly and its influence is therefore more intensely focused during this time (until mid-May or so). For good or ill, Saturn will be bearing down on us, challenging us to do our best work and focus on what really matters.
When Mercury leaves earthbound Taurus for Gemini on May 2, the mood will lift considerably. Mercury is at home in its own sign of Gemini, and the mental function is much more active there. Conversation, debate and other discourse is accelerated and minds tend to be more open and curious except for a few days around May 3 when Mercury forms a square to Saturn. At this time we could see a tendency toward more negative thinking and traditionalist views.
On May 4 Neptune conjuncts the North Node of the Moon, signifying an important event (North Node) having to do with the unfolding of our spirituality or consciousness (Neptune). Neptune is virtually at a standstill all month as it prepares to turn retrograde on the 27th, and its influence is more powerful than usual. Neptune demands that we let go of our attachment to the material world and realize an inner experience of divine transcendence. This transit to the North Node is likely to play out on the global stage since Neptune is a more transpersonal planet, and we could see an illumination of our collective dreams and fantasies (Neptune) aligned to a greater path or direction (North Node).
All of this leads up to the New Moon on May 6 which provides the opportunity for a new beginning.
I clicked on Drudge and saw the DC Madam had committed suicide. I know for a fact that astrologer, Claire-France Perez knows her and thought to call her when the news broke but figured others would be doing the same thing so I waited a few hours.
But when I read she killed herself in a shed I just shook my head. A shed? A shed!!!!
I am sorry by my Italian-ness and my criminal mind thinks that is ridiculous. Upscale this and that do not kill themselves in sheds for Godsakes! I called cf.
I asked her if she thought this woman the type to kill herself - Claire-France had actually warned her of danger due the retrograde Mars (and told me the same some months ago on the phone).
As far as I am concerned the shed part of this equation is a clear communication. Claire-France is going to write about this for my blog - Stay tuned.
The ElsaElsa advice blog is written by Elsa Panizzon, astrologer and book author. Elsa has been blogging for the past eight years, and doing astrology consultations for over twenty years. Her memoir, “Heaven, I mean Circle K,” is due for publication later this year.
I always feel like I’m going to jinx myself when I say this but Pluto in general tends to be really good to me. It forms what is considered a tense configuration, squaring my ASC and Mars. The week the Venus-Mars-Jupiter T-square formed a grand cross with my Pluto, the following happened:
- found out I won a major scholarship - met the “impossible” fundraising goal for the project I’m working on (even I thought it would be impossible) - pulled off a successful community event, planning a few more - dreamt of god
It’s sort of scary - for so long, the volunteer projects I have been working on have been a constant “against all odds” kind of struggle and now things are starting to go right, unbelievably right that it’s actually a little disorienting. People always speak of denial in terms of coping with negative life events, but to be honest, so much good has arrived in such a short amount of time that I feel like I’m in a kind of denial state!
The Oculus Divinorum features musings related to astrology, tarot and other esoteric topics from a Jungian/Thelemic perspective. The blog was conceived July 21, 2004 16:45 in Dallas Texas when the domain name was registered and a hosting account created with hostforfree.ca
Isthmus Nekoi is the sole designer of the O. divinorum and author of all its content. She has been studying tarot and astrology since 2000 and was a member of the moderating team at Aeclectic Tarot from 2001-2005.Isthmus has formally studied the fine arts and the performing arts (classical piano). Her “founders of discursivity” range from the rigorously academic (cognitive psychology, poststructuralism, cinema studies, evolutionary biology etc) to the highly marginalized (depth psychology, mythology/fairy tales and a glut of esoteric systems). Other interests include animation, cyborgs/cyberpunk, Japanese culture, design/typology, dream analysis, comics, fine dining and sex/sexuality.
Article of Interest: Blogging
by April Elliott Kent
April 24, 2008
I’ve been doing a lot of electional astrology lately - more than usual. It’s a process that involves sitting for hours in front of Win*Star (I use Solar Fire for most things, but I prefer Win*Star’s rectification tool) toggling charts by an hour here, a minute there, trying to keep nasty planets out of the seventh house, a good relationship between rulers of the first and seventh houses, figuring out where to put that pesky Saturn/Uranus opposition, etc. It’s gotten to the point where I view every chart as an electional challenge. Yesterday I calculated the natal chart for a bride and when it came up on my screen I instinctively lunged for the “rectify” button, eager to move her natal Saturn out of the seventh house. Which I suspect she would have appreciated, actually.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could torque our natal charts to correct nasty placements? Though I’m sure my natal chart is chock full of necessary karmic lessons and so forth, if given the chance I’d definitely move Saturn out of my 2nd house, where it’s plagued me with overwhelming insecurity; and Mars/Pluto away from Midheaven, which I believe symbolizes my unique ability to anger people to the point of insanity. And I’d probably try to do something about that Virgo Midheaven, too; although I share this noble placement with the likes of Steven Forrest and Elvis, my Leo Sun occasionally bristles under Virgo’s insistence on humility and modesty.
Chart torquing is, I suppose, what we attempt to do when we relocate natal charts for different locations to see how we might like the astral weather there. (To calculate your chart for a location different from your birthplace, just enter your natal birth date and time, but the time zone and coordinates for the new city.) Occasionally, forces beyond our control relocate our charts for us, and we end up in places we never would have chosen on our own. In Southern California, where I’ve lived most of my life, I do have the Sun conjunct a rock-star Leo midheaven, Saturn in the 3rd instead of the 2nd, and Mars/Pluto a good distance from the Midheaven. But there are always trade-offs. I’ve also got a Scorpio ascendant instead of happy-go-lucky Sagittarius rising, the Moon in the brooding 8th instead of the cooperative 7th, and Neptune awfully close to the Ascendant (apparently rendering me invisible when I walk into a store and require service). Not sure I’d have chosen those. And in fact, I didn’t choose to come here. I have, however, chosen to stay for 37 years so far.
If you could torque your chart, how would you rearrange things?
I clicked on Drudge and saw the DC Madam had committed suicide. I know for a fact that astrologer, 