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Welcome to May. Yes, it’s Mercury Retrograde time again, isn’t it always? Oh well. I think things are finally settling down a bit since the long convoluted dance that Mars played with Pluto recently. As predicted, it seems that we’re getting on with things. The current “Eckhart Tolle – A New Earth” upswing is gathering momentum about as quickly as the Pluto in Capricorn sobering downswing is occurring. I sure hope the former wins out. Interesting now how the focus is gradually shifting to the upcoming Uranus opposition to Saturn. It will be exact the NIGHT before the November election. Talk about Left vs. Right. Should be interesting to watch. It’s also quite wonderful that so much is happening in a major way in the fine sign of Aquarius – it’s exactly what we need, a boost to the Collective. I hope you enjoy this month’s collection of astro-stories!
Which Sun Signs Are the Gutsiest?
When you zoom out far to get a wide enough view of the 12 signs of the zodiac, it
becomes readily apparent that as the zodiac “evolves,” each sign grows out of the
previous sign. Each sign has a purpose. Each sign has a job to do. All are
necessary.
I got to thinking, which signs are really the gutsiest? I’m sure you’ll have different
ideas than I, but I vote for Cancer and Libra. “Hypersensitive Cancer and
indecisive Libra, you must be kidding, right?” No, when you think about
what each sign does at its basic, existential nature, you’ll see what I
mean.
Cancer emerges from light-hearted Gemini, only to find that
it has opened its heart. Feelings are rich and necessary,
but also quite dangerous. Hats off to the fourth sign of
Cancer for sharing their emotional hearth.
Libra is also quite a courageous sign. Consider the fact that it is
the first sign of the last 6. So what, you might ask? Well, symbolically,
this is the first time the “collective soul” encounters others.
Thanks to the sign of the Scales, we get to be with each other –
a courageous step indeed - blame them. “Put ‘em up, put ‘em up!”
PASSAGES
Most of the time we get caught up living life and aren’t aware that we are operating within a larger life cycle. Being aware of and understanding these cycles can help us through them. Much has been written on the subject, but few know that the cycles are actually astrological in nature. Some of the most major stages and their natures are explained below: (Ages are approximate)
Around age 25, Chiron has gone halfway through its orbit. At that time, our “wound” surfaces and demands attention. Also, it appears, that great creative attainments manifest at that time. Many great works were accomplished during this important phase.
Age 28 give us one of Astrology’s most well-known phases, the Saturn Return. Saturn has completed its first lap around the Sun and symbolizes the “end of our youth.” We have grown up. Many people sweat this one out. Interest in this cycle is actually what got me started studying astrology 30 years ago. All of a sudden, our lives start to come together as we enter Phase II of our lives, our responsible, adult years. Each Saturn cycle lasts about 28 years.
Around age 42, Uranus (the liberator) has gone halfway through its cycle. This time, often referred to as our “second childhood,” brings to our consciousness the fact that we’re approximately midway through our lives. If we’re going to “get going,” we’d better do it now. Motorcycle sales dramatically rise at this time. Notice also that Saturn has now gone 1.5 cycles and opposes itself too.
A critical stage occurs around ages 49-51. Chiron returns to its starting point. At this time, we have either solved our life-long “wound,” or it gets the best of us. It can be a very significant and even dire time if we’ve not had much success with the “wounded healer,” Chiron.
Saturn finishes its second cycle around age 58. This used to symbolize retirement. Today, few can afford such a luxury. However, what I have consistently found is that people “graduate” from within in terms of their responsibilities. Parents often back off and let their children become more and more responsible for themselves. In addition, this can be a very dangerous time for one’s health. It appears that the way you have been thinking really coalesces in the body at this time. In many cases, your health is “safer” around ages 60-63 than it is at age 58. The second cycle of Saturn gives way to its third stage, ages 59-84, the Golden Years; those set aside for spiritual “preparation.”
At age 63, Uranus has now gone through three-fourths of its cycle. A mild “mid-life crisis” emerges once again. Uranus always asks us, “Are we really living life the way we want to? Are we being ourselves?” The planets don’t “care” what age we are, i.e., they urge us to express the life force in a healthy, robust way at all times.
Finally, around age 84, Uranus returns to its starting position just about the same time Saturn returns for its 3rd time. Granted, health usually suffers at this time, but more and more people are enjoying this age. It is a major time of completion at this time. Pope John Paul II decided to “leave us” at this time; his work had been accomplished. --- After this, you’re on your own.
Your Answer Lies Across the Zodiac
One way of understanding the zodiac is to see that the first six signs are basically “self-oriented.” This does not mean, for instance, that Taurus people don’t care about anyone but themselves. This is clearly not the case. Even so, the basic instinct of the first half of the zodiac is to develop character traits within themselves. Likewise, the final six signs are “other-oriented.” This does not mean that all Pisces are selfless; far from it. It does mean, however, that their archetype is geared towards attaining character attributes by exchanging with others.
Therefore, when we get in trouble, our basic instinct is to do what our Sun-sign says. We need to develop the same qualities that come naturally to our Sun-sign, only in the opposite half of the zodiac; then we will be fulfilled and balanced. In actuality, thank goodness, each of us has all 12 signs within us, not just our Sun-sign. For instance:
Aries is the most self-oriented of all signs. They are usually very sure of themselves. They must take care not to become self-obsessed, to the exclusion of others. Thus, the need to develop themselves through their partners, or their Libra side.
Taurus folks naturally are very sensuous and value what they have. They are the sign of worth, i.e., money, self-worth, values, etc. To avoid being too myopic, they need to develop their Scorpio side. That’s the sign that has to do with finding common shared values by merging with others.
Gemini Twins are natural mental explorers. Their job is to explore the wide range of interesting possibilities from life’s cornucopia of mentations (as David Hawkins calls it.) Only by developing their polar opposite, Sagittarius, does Gemini put all of its encyclopedic findings to good use, i.e., incorporated together into a larger, whole, working philosophy.
Cancer is the mother of the zodiac. No one is better at taking care of the nest. However, the world is much bigger and never ceases to challenge the Crab to environs beyond its own safety and comfort. This is where the development of their partner sign, Capricorn (the Father), is necessary. Capricorns develop their place in the external world.
Leo is all about self-expression. And they’re very good at it. This can grow old however and engender animosity and competitiveness, thus, the need to create along with the group, or others. And that’s where their opposite sign, Aquarius, excels.
Virgo is a clear-cut case. Virgo sees what is different in all things, specializing in fixing what it finds to be wrong. It is by its very nature exclusionary. The opposite sign of Pisces couldn’t be more polarized. The Fish embrace and see everything as the same. They see things as perfect just the way they are.
Libra people excel at partnership. It is their nature. They find their identity by bouncing ideas off of their mates. Too many times they suffer, however, from not being firm enough in their own minds. This is why they need to develop their Aries part, and with it more self-assuredness.
Scorpio natives achieve great boosts to their self-worth by developing close alliances with others. However, sometimes they can be prone to suffering if their partners don’t play ball. This is clear evidence as to the need to develop their Taurus side; they need to be OK as they are within their own self.
Sagittarius being opposite the sign Gemini, are all about philosophy and bigger ideas. They are fun people, generally. Sometimes Sag is wont to wax eloquently without having all the facts to support their stance. Therefore, the need to develop a stronger mind-set, based on real data, which falls in the domain of Gemini.
Capricorn the Goat, is alone at the top of the zodiac. Worldly, fatherly, and successful, usually. However, they can pay a high price by meeting the constant demands of the world and often shun their families or emotional needs. That is where their opposite sign, Cancer, comes in. Things need to be balanced at work as well as back in the nest.
Aquarius is the sign of friendship and group activity. People with a great amount of Aquarian energy sometimes will benefit by not thinking of others; not thinking of the group. They actually benefit by becoming more self-oriented and avoid being lost in the group by focusing on their own creations.
Pisces souls often times, with the greatest of intentions, suffer from being too indiscriminate. This is perfect example of zodiacal balance as we can clearly see the way they benefit by strengthening their Virgo counterpart. Obviously, this is why it is so common to see these two signs marry. Their two signs are very complimentary.
Biography
Baba Ram Dass 5/6/31 10:40am, Boston, MA
Richard Alpert was born in 1931, the son of a wealthy lawyer. From 1958 to 1963, he taught and conducted research at Harvard University. While there, Alpert's explorations of consciousness led him to conduct research with LSD, with Timothy Leary, Aldous Huxley, Allen Ginsberg, and others. Because of the controversial nature of this research, both he and Leary were dismissed in 1963.
He met the spiritual teacher, Neem Karoli Baba in India in 1967. Under his guru's guidance, he studied yoga and meditation and received the name Ram Dass, or "servant of God." Since 1968, he has pursued a wide variety of spiritual practices. His book "Be Here Now" brought him further into the public eye in 1971, as it became a standard classic for the American spiritual movement.
In 1974, Ram Dass created the Hanuman Foundation, which developed the "Prison-Ashram Project," designed to help inmates grow spiritually, and the "Living Dying Project," which provides support for conscious dying. He is also a co-founder of the Seva Foundation, an international organization dedicated to relieving worldwide suffering.
What does his natal chart reveal? His chart is highlighted by Pluto's presence right on his ascendant and opposite heavy Saturn. This gives him the tendency to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. Pluto gives him deep perception. Both planets form a powerful T-square to a tight Sun/Uranus/North Node conjunction in Aries in the 10th house! This is why he has been so public and such an influential leader. Talk about Aries being pioneers! He once said he felt bad during the 60's when he was spending a lot of time meditating in Indian ashrams. He was afraid that he wasn't contributing to the cause to fight the "establishment" at that time. Then he realized that he was on the frontlines! He broke new ground in consciousness for ensuing generations and in many ways has helped to father the American spiritual movement.
Another major indication that keeps him from being a "self-oriented" Aries is his compassionate Venus in Pisces amplified by its opposition to Neptune and forming a T-square to broad-minded Moon in Sagittarius, chart ruler. His 12th harmonic chart (karmic chart) has powerful Pluto opposite Neptune across the ascendant. And wouldn't you know it, a Sun conjunct Chiron in the 12th house, truly a universal healer.
In 1997, Ram Dass suffered a stroke which paralyzed the right side of his body and significantly affected his ability to speak. This occurred when transiting Pluto crossed his Moon and transiting Uranus squared his Mercury, a common combination for strokes. Luckily, he is still "with us" and continues to bestow his powerful grace upon us. Despite this "disability", he continues to teach, write and lecture. Like other great Aries leaders, such as Thomas Jefferson and Joseph Campbell, we are all so much better off being able to follow the trails Ram Dass blazed in the field of human consciousness.
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To access the complete newsletter, go to: www.starself.com/newsletter29.html
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