Heaven and Earth Astroblog

Happy New Year - 2012 !

2012-01-01T17:38:00.006Z

Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu - Tina Turner

Happy New Year everyone !

Winter Solstice 2011

2011-12-21T16:25:00.001Z

Winter Solstice 2011

22^nd December, 05.30 Universal Time (GMT)

click on chart to enlarge

Jupiter opposing Saturn – going nowhere fast

An opposition between retrograde Jupiter and Saturn, which began on November 25^th, forms the ‘backbone’ of the chart for this Winter Solstice. The opposition lasts until 25^th February 2012, but will be somewhat eased when Jupiter turns direct on Christmas Day – our ‘gift from the gods’.

Normally, Jupiter represents the ‘accelerator’ and Saturn the ‘brake’ to our forward movement. Whenever they are in opposition, this creates a push-pull situation in many areas of our lives; now it is manifesting particularly in the areas of finance, and our ability to further our vision for the future. Trying to make forward progress, with Jupiter retrograde, is often having the opposite to the desired effect.

Jupiter, in the very first degrees of Taurus, wants to manifest a new vision for our future, particularly in relation to the material world. Saturn, in the last few degrees of Libra, is reaping the fruits of our past relationship with the material world, and will continue to do so until it enters Scorpio in early October 2012. At this Winter Solstice, Jupiter and Saturn are both making a T-square pattern with Venus in Aquarius. She is calling, imploring and pleading with us to put our relationship with the material world, and with our finances, into the context of Aquarian Age principles and ideals.

It is plain for all to see that the old financial-material paradigm, and our relationship to it, is just not working. We only have to turn on the news, or catch the newspaper headlines, to see the latest futile attempt by confused and bewildered politicians to deal with the on-going ‘financial crisis’. If it were not so serious, it would be almost farcical in its proportions of ineptitude and missing the point.

Venus brings the need for New Values

At winter solstice, Venus is making that point very clear – collectively, we need to find a totally new relationship with money, what it represents, and how it is managed on the world stage, and in our personal lives. Saturn is showing us, in no uncertain terms, the fruits of our old relationship with it – disastrous. Jupiter has yet to come up with a new vision that can work, because it is still trying to deal with the aftermath of the old ways. Venus is requiring some lateral thinking for us to completely shift where we place our values.

All the while, everyone, in their own way is struggling to negotiate their way around the still bloated and overfed elephant in the room, pretending not to see that it is the source of all the mess that we are up to our necks in!

It was the banks, the speculative markets, and the failure of the credit ratings agencies to anticipate the financial crash of 2008, together with the ‘blind eyes’ turned to all of this by governments, which got us into this mess. Now, each decision being made by governments, as attempts to get us out of this mess, is immediately reacted to (mostly negatively) by the banks, the financial markets and credit ratings agencies. It is as though we have been collectively ‘mugged’ by three thugs, but are continuing to negotiate with them how much more we are prepared to give them control of our lives, in the hope that they will eventually stop mugging us!

On the one hand, Europe descends down a path that is eroding more and more of the democratic autonomy of each country, placing unelected ‘technocrats’ in charge to deal with those failing economies - Greece and Italy so far, but watch this space. For ‘technocrats’ read “financial experts who have been appointed to dance the dance of the ‘three thugs’”, with rapidly-diminishing regard for the democratic process. So now, the Greeks and Italians can heave a collective sigh of relief, knowing that they have someone in charge, who knows how to play the game – phew! And as for democracy - well, why should the Greeks be bothered about that, it’s not as if they invented it or anything…oh wait a minute!

On the other hand in the UK, David Cameron, in a magnificently futile assertion of being thoroughly (upper-middle class) British has succeeded in shooting himself, his deputy, and the country in the foot, splitting us off from Europe and splitting his own government, all in the name of…protecting the ‘three thugs’ that run the City of London.

Meanwhile, the credit ratings agencies are calling the shots, downgrading the status of countries and banks that they deem to be unstable – these are the same credit ratings agencies that failed to see that the banks were making increasingly outrageous decisions about levels of lending in the lead-up to 2008 - decisions that even a 10-year old would have regarded as madness. So the very agencies that failed to stop us from falling into this mess still have a powerful influence over whether we will ever get out of it. It’s a bit like allowing the doctor who damaged you during surgery being the one who is called upon to repair the damage, whilst reassuring us that he now knows how to do it now. It cannot have escaped everyone’s notice that the most influential of these agencies is called ‘Standard and Poor’ – perhaps their mission statement for what they hope to achieve for us all?

So, what can be done about this mess, and the layers of danger, lurking within it? A radical shift of values and what we value – that is the message of Venus this Winter Solstice.

The Sabian symbol for the position of Venus, at 2° Aquarius, is “An unexpected thunderstorm” – something is going to have to give, in order to release the tension. Meanwhile, the Sabian symbol for Saturn is “A man in deep gloom. Unnoticed, angels come to his help” – this speaks for itself, the man in deep gloom being the world situation, and the self-perpetuating belief around lack, which is being fed daily by governments, financial institutions and the media. But, unnoticed, angels are coming to his help – we are not seeing what is happening at other levels, and the opportunities that the current ‘crisis’ is bringing. If we can turn our attention away from the belief in lack, we might remember to appreciate the sheer abundance of Life, which continues to flourish all around us in the natural world, and in the world of the spirit.

The Sabian symbol for Jupiter is “A clear mountain stream”, which is what Jupiter can bring, once it turns direct on Christmas Day. When the thunderstorm breaks, this will provide the water to fill the clear mountain stream.

A Cradle of Abundance

Suspended beneath the opposition between Jupiter and Saturn is a ‘Cradle’ pattern, formed by the Sun on one side and a conjunction between Neptune, Vesta and Chiron, on the other. Something new is gestating out of the chaos and confusion around us, ready to emerge, when the light of the Sun returns after the Solstice. It will be born from the healing qualities (Chiron) of Unconditional Love (Neptune) as we allow it to flow freely into our hearts (Vesta). These qualities of Vesta will begin to awaken and become more fully conscious in the human heart, just as the NASA probe ‘Dawn’ is arriving close enough to asteroid Vesta, to send back some very interesting data. It is showing that this small world that was believed to be a mere rocky asteroid, is actually like a mini-planet, with and iron core and hills and mountains and valleys, and was once covered in volcanoes and lava flows.

This is interesting when we consider that Vesta is the goddess of the hearth and the inner fire of the heart. She is also the goddess who connects us to the inner creative fire of the Earth – like the Hawaiian Pele. How apt then, that planetoid Vesta was once flowing with volcanic fire, and trying to accumulate enough material from the other asteroids to become a fully fledged planet. It was only the huge gravitational field of Jupiter, which prevented this from happening.

So, this Winter Solstice, the most important thing we can do, is to withdraw from all the chaos that is going on in the dysfunctional aspects of the world, and re-connect with the warmth, inspiration and life-giving creative fire of our hearts, so that we can heal ourselves in order to birth something new, loving and wonderful to help carry us through the deep transition that awaits us in 2012.

A Note about Time

Many of you may have been feeling that time is doing weird things, and that it cannot possibly be Christmas already. This is another manifestation of Saturn in opposition to retrograde Jupiter. Jupiter should be enabling us to feel that we are moving forward; Saturn is the great Timekeeper. Retrograde Jupiter is distorting our perception of Time. The good news is that it turns direct on Christmas Day, so on Christmas Day we should all finally feel that Christmas has arrived - just in time!

11.11.11

2011-11-10T11:42:00.002Z

11.11.11

I am often somewhat sceptical about the ‘spiritual’ significance that is attached to these Gregorian calendar dates, which of themselves do not necessarily have any particularly cosmic significance, in terms of astrological alignments.

Many say that these are powerful ‘spiritual portals’, for no other reason than the number of the day and date, which is, after all a human contrivance, based on a not particularly accurate way of measuring the solar year, whilst ignoring the 13-month lunar year completely.

It is true that if enough people attach significance to a particular date, and convene meditations, prayers and ceremonies around the world, then that day will inevitably take on a spiritual significance and power, irrespective of whether any ‘cosmic’ alignments are occurring.

The Astrology of 11.11.11

Chart for 11:11am Universal Time (UT/GMT), 11th November 2011

Click on Chart to enlarge

At first glance, the astrology chart for 11:11am Universal Time (GMT) on 11^th November 2011 does not stand out as being majorly significant. That is until one considers the positions of some of the planets in relation to some of the stars, in particular three of the so-called ‘Royal Stars of Persia’ - Regulus (Reg) in the constellation of Leo, Antares (Ant) in the constellation of Scorpio and Fomalhaut (Fom) in the constellation of Piscis Australis (the Southern Fish).

Since ancient times, these three stars along with Aldebaran (Ald) in Taurus were regarded as the four Gate-keepers of the Zodiac constellations, or Guardians of the Heavens. It has been variously said that these stars represent major tests, pitfalls, trials or initiations that must be passed through on the spiritual path ¹; that they represent the four Archangels, Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Uriel, or the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ².

On 11^th November, Mars is conjunct Regulus, in the constellation of Leo; Mercury and Venus, both at 11º Sagittarius (in the Tropical zodiac), are conjunct Antares, in the constellation of Scorpio (in the Sidereal zodiac); (The Earth’s precessional ‘wobble’ on its axis causes these two zodiacs, Tropical and Sidereal, to slowly slip or shift in relation to one another.) Also, Chiron is conjunct Fomalhaut in the constellation of Piscis Australis (Pisces in the Tropical Zodiac).

So we have the personal planets that are concerned with the will (Mars), the emotions (Venus) and the mind (Mercury) in alignment with two of the four Gate-keeper stars of the Zodiac constellations. The Chiron, concerned with deep healing in alignment with the third Gate-keeper.

Mars conjunct Regulus

Regulus is the heart of the Lion, which was regarded as the leader of the Four Royal Stars of Persia ³. It is associated with kingly qualities and is concerned with success, power, and healing, which comes only after an inner confrontation with the darker or more destructive aspects of the self. Regulus’ connection with Mars on 11^th November suggests the need for courage and integrity to confront whatever stands on the way of expressing our most kingly, or queenly qualities – in other words expressing qualities that represent the truth, integrity and innate dignity of our innermost being.

Bernadette Brady¹ says that the real nemesis for Regulus is to avoid the desire for revenge. This is particularly pertinent in the current time, as we witness more and more of those who have abused their power being challenged and brought to account, and removed from their positions of influence. Whilst there may be a certain satisfaction in this, the challenge for each of us is to maintain our focus on the truth of our own inner being, and to act upon that with integrity, clarity and unconditional love. We can take comfort from the fact that this alignment of Mars and Regulus will ensure that true justice continues to prevail, so long as we each remain true to our own highest principles of truth and integrity, and can find forgiveness in our hearts for our own failings and the failings of others.

Mercury and Venus conjunct Antares

The red giant, Antares is the brightest star in Scorpio, and is considered to be the heart of the Scorpion. Scorpio takes us to deepest parts of our being to confront the hidden motivations that may lurk in the depths of our hearts. The presence of Mercury and Venus, in conjunction with Antares brings clarity of mind and emotions, with the ability to penetrate to the inner meaning of events in our lives, and to use those experiences for personal transformation.

The key here is not to become caught up in the drama for its own sake, nor to focus solely on the negative. Mercury and Venus can identify what needs to change at the deepest level our being, so that Mars can act on that with integrity and clarity of purpose. Mercury and Venus are quite closely conjunct the Moon’s North Node, amplifying the need to focus on the positive outcomes for the future, rather than the negativities of the past; if we focus on the past, then we will just perpetuate those negativities. If we focus on the future, we will see new ways of addressing the problems of the past.

Mercury and Venus with Antares means that it is important for us all to grasp that the whole planet is going through a process of deep spiritual cleansing, dissolution, death and eventual re-birth on 21^st December 2012. Whilst we are in the midst of this, it can become increasingly difficult to perceive that we are moving through a process that will have positive outcomes; we can become so caught in the negativity, chaos and confusion all around us that we cannot see or imagine anything else.

The gift of Mars and Regulus is to keep us focussed on the positive qualities in our own hearts and wills, whilst allowing the essential cleansing and purification of Antares and Scorpio to act upon and transform our minds and emotions.

Chiron conjunct Fomalhaut

Finally, Chiron the Magician, Shaman and Healer is conjunct Fomalhaut, traditionally associated with those who are out of step with society, and who challenge the beliefs, ideals and institutions of mainstream awareness.

This is a powerful combination, which reflects the changes being sought by people protesting around the world’s major cities in order to bring about a healing towards a more just, fair, balanced and loving society. It is reflected in the changes that have been occurring since the ‘Arab Spring’, and around the world, wherever ordinary people have been speaking out and standing up against corruption, tyranny or untruth.

The key with Fomalhaut is to speak the truth of one’s heart, and to maintain the clarity and purity of one’s vision, so as not to become distracted or thrown off course by vested interests, or outside influences. The dark side of Fomalhaut manifests through those who speak ‘with the tongues of angels, yet are as empty vessels or sounding brass’² – a quote from St. Paul, referring to those who say what they think others want to hear, rather than what they truly believe in their hearts. It is interesting that, in the UK, so much of this issue has become focussed around the protesters outside St. Paul’s cathedral, and the unfolding arguments about the integrity or otherwise of all the various factions - protesters, media, church and state.

The combination of Chiron with Fomalhaut challenges each one of us to examine to what extent we are expressing the inner truth of our own being with, and to allow the healing of those parts of us which have not yet come fully into alignment with our true spiritual will.

Footnotes:

1 Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars, by Bernadette Brady

2 The Living Stars, by Dr Eric Morse

3 Star Names, by Richard Hinckley Allen

Talk at Mind Body Spirit Festival, London

2011-10-21T12:59:00.010+01:00

Royal Horticultural Halls

Greycoat Street, Victoria, London SW1

The Astrology of 2012 and How It Affects You

Illustrated Talk, Meditation & Book Signing
by Marcus Mason

13th November, 2011 11:00 - 13:00

To book, click here

Ancient prophecies tell us that a major Galactic Cycle reaches completion in 2012. Marcus will give an illustrated talk, with simple-to-understand explanations about the unique sequence of planetary alignments leading up to December 21st 2012, and what this means for us individually and collectively. A powerful Meditation will help us align with these changes.

How to get there:

The nearest tube stations are:

Victoria (Victoria, Circle & District lines), St James’s Park (Circle & District lines) - both are 10 minute walk

Pimlico (Victoria line), Westminster (Circle, District & Jubilee lines)

By Train: Victoria main line station

By Bus: The following buses operate along Victoria Street -
11, 24, 148, 211
Alight near Greycoat Place.

Astrology 2012 - OUT NOW! + Latest Astrology Update + Early-bird deadline extended for Awakening weekend

2011-08-16T21:45:00.015+01:00

Scroll further down the page for:
Astrology Update - What's been happening on the streets of England?
The significance of two Grand Crosses and the Riots

Information re Awakening to 2012 Weekend
in Stithians, Cornwall, 28th - 30th October 2011

The Astrology of 2012 And How It Affects You

Marcus’ New Book is now available
from bookshops and on-line from

www.hayhouse.co.uk
or
www.amazon.co.uk

The Astrology of 2012 - back cover publicity:

“With ever-increasing reports of catastrophic natural disasters

and political upheaval taking place all over the world,

and daily evidence that many of our traditional social and economic

systems are no longer working, it’s no wonder that we hear ourselves asking:

What’s going on?

This book aims to provide some real answers to this question –

and to explain how all of this applies to you, based on your personal sun sign.

December 21^st 2012 marks the end of a 25,626-year Time Cycle,

caused by the Earth gradually changing her orientation in space.

As we move towards the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next,

Approaching astrology from the perspective of the soul’s evolution can

help us understand the inner, spiritual purpose behind the events and

experiences of our lives. By exploring the sequence of astrological

changes as they unfold, this book shows you that we are all being

offered the exciting opportunity to:

change our perceptions, by uniting the intelligence of the mind

with that of the heart

understand how we can truly connect with each other and

live in harmony

remember how to honour our Mother Earth

create and new and in infinitely more

positive vision for our future.”

ASTROLOGY UPDATE:

What's been happening on the streets of England?
Astrological Reflections at the Lammas Full Moon

At Full Moon, a group of 4 people met for a meditation at the white quartz stone circle at Duloe, in Cornwall. It quickly became apparent that it was no coincidence that there were just 4 of us, forming a perfect square, or cross, as we contemplated the recent riots in the UK, and the astrological patterns that triggered them. Here are some of the insights from our meditation at Duloe.

Duloe Stone Circle, Cornwall, England

Photo - © Marcus Mason 2011

(Click on picture to enlarge)

The Riots and the August Grand Crosses

The growing tension that erupted onto the streets of major cities in England has been coming to a head since mid-May, when Uranus and Pluto formed a ‘square’ 90° aspect. This pattern persists until May 2015, so it is important to collectively apply our intelligence and understand what it means, and how to approach it in positive, creative and constructive ways.

In a nutshell, Uranus in Aries wants the freedom to express itself, whilst Pluto in Capricorn wants to maintain the power of the status quo. We have been seeing this dynamic played out in different countries throughout North Africa and the Middle East, with differing results. This process was triggered at the end of three alignments between Uranus and Jupiter last year; together they created the catalyst to propel us forward, towards a new vision for our future. Now, the square between Uranus and Pluto is dragging up to the surface years of underlying tensions, inequalities and frustrations. For many, this was felt just as raw resentment and anger, without any true understanding or even the ability to articulate clearly why they are feeling that way.

The underlying purpose of this on-going tension is to teach us how to allow for the expression of individual freedoms, in ways that change the structures that have become corrupt, or are no longer working for the benefit of the whole. On the one hand this has resulted in relatively non-violent revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt; on the other hand, it has resulted in the violent stand-offs occurring in Libya and Syria. That is part of the unpredictability of Uranus – when you light the touch-paper, you can never be sure of what will follow.

The motivating force of the Jupiter-Uranus alignment of last year brought a sense of idealism for positive change to the ‘Arab Spring’. The Uranus-Pluto square has manifested in England in much more visceral ways, tapping into the darker aspects of the human will, which becomes distorted and violent when not able to express the true power and beauty of its creative inner light. Pluto represents the true light of our being - our will to Be, pure and simple. If that pure creative power is not acknowledged by ourselves or others, or given a chance to grow and flourish, then it inevitably turns in on itself, and ultimately becomes self-destructive.

Uranus connects us to our innate sense of inner knowing, and wisdom. It connects us to the intelligence of the intuitive spiritual mind. If the education of our physical, rational mind has been inadequate to teach us how to think logically and clearly, or to recognise right from wrong, then there is little hope of the intuitive mind being able to apply its wisdom to solving the problems of our day-to-day lives. Worse still, if our education or culture has espoused values and ideals, which are hypocritical or go against our intuitive sense of what is right, then this stores up a massive inner confusion and deep mental chaos. Moreover, if our politicians, media, business and banking leaders have clearly shown that even they lack a true sense of inner integrity, or are motivated by opportunism and greed, then they should not be too surprised when that erupts into violent, ugly and criminal expressions onto our streets. We are a nation that just witnessed what the repressed shadow of the collective unconscious looks like when it erupt into ‘normal’ consciousness.

The trigger for this was the Grand Cross that formed (from 2^nd – 15^th August) as Mars moved into opposition to Pluto, and Juno moved into opposition to Uranus and Ceres.

The Grand Cross - August 4th 22.30, UK

(click on chart to enlarge)

Mars was the trigger for the wild and undisciplined energy of youth to challenge the power of the status quo (Pluto) in highly explosive and destructive ways. Polarised with this was the opposition from Juno to Uranus and Ceres. Juno always attempts to bring situations back into Right Relationship. In opposition to Uranus (Heaven) and Ceres (Earth), Juno was first making us aware of just how far wrong collective relationships have gone, both in relation to any meaningful spiritual values, and in relation to any real respect for the Earth and our immediate environment. Juno carries the karmic patterns that we have inherited from our past, and the generations that have gone before us. Juno was revealing a deep rooted problem, whose roots extend back to previous generations. As always, Uranus requires us to employ a degree of objectivity and insight in order to see and address the real roots of the ‘problem’. Meanwhile, Mars opposing Pluto was manifesting the results of generations of lack of self-discipline and respect for authority; not the ‘authority’ of those ‘out there’ who are perceived to have power over us, such as the police and politicians, but the sense of true inner authority that can only come from genuine feelings of self-respect and personal empowerment.

A Second Grand Cross

The Grand Cross was further intensified when, a second Grand Cross formed on 5^th - 6^th August, with the Moon (in Scorpio) in opposition to Jupiter (in Taurus) and Sun conjunct Venus (in Leo) in opposition to Vesta (in Aquarius).

Two Grand Crosses - August 6th, 01.30, UK

(Click on chart to enlarge)

On the one hand, the Scorpio Moon opposing Jupiter brought a violent intensity of feeling that overrode normal social codes of behaviour, prompting the looters to simply go out and get what they wanted. On the other hand the Sun - Venus conjunction opposing Vesta brought the ability for others to reflect on what could have possibly gone so wrong in our society and fundamental relationships, for such a thing to happen. Vesta in Aquarius can look at things from the calm, detached perspective of a compassionate heart and penetrate, with uncompromising clarity, into the deeper meaning and significance of situations.

This second Grand Cross challenged us all to acknowledge the underlying causes behind this deep wounding of the human heart. Many of the looters, when interviewed on TV, could not articulate why they felt so angry; what was clear was that they felt extremely angry and frustrated at the lack of opportunities to encourage a more positive approach to life. The gift of Vesta’s inner, detached clarity is that she neither seeks to excuse, not to blame such anti-social behaviour, but rather to use her gently penetrating insight to get to the heart of the matter to find out what has gone so wrong. This is not an easy question, and it has no simple answers. It may take much of the next four years of the Uranus – Pluto square to really understanding how it can be changed for the better. What is important is that Vesta continues to ask the right questions from the place of a loving, compassionate and open heart, and a willingness to honestly acknowledge how we may all have contributed to this ‘sickness’ in our society. The minute that we condemn, judge or seek revenge, then we merely compound the problem and further the ‘sickness’.

What emerges for Mars is that when the ego-will lacks any sense of purpose and value, it inevitably runs wild with frustration, anger and undirected energy; more so, when confronted with the perceived external ‘authority’ of Pluto. Pluto’s true purpose is to discover the deepest will of our innermost being; Mars’ purpose is to act on that and manifest it creatively in the world. Ideally, theirs is a relationship of mutual co-operation between the will of the spirit and the will of the ego, so that the ego-will can manifest our inner purpose into the world. Even when we are not conscious of our inner purpose, at some level we know it and are acutely aware when we are not able, or lack the opportunities to live it.

The ego-will of Mars is there to enable us to express the truth in our hearts and our inner being; if we are not in touch with that, or if our perceptions of the world are entirely negative, then Mars will act accordingly, without focus, purpose or awareness. When Mars can be helped to get in touch with the true power of the heart, then its energy can be used to create positive change out of situations that may have previously seemed impossible or beyond hope.

August Grand Trine

From 24^th August to 4^th September a Grand Trine forms between Jupiter in Taurus, Sun conjunct Venus in Virgo and retrograde Pluto in Capricorn. This pattern brings the possibility for a new vision of how to confront the darker aspects of the collective psyche, which we have all witnessed; then, to look in detail at what needs to be healed within society, and to discern, at a subtle feeling level, what has gone wrong within our wider relationships and collective sense of belonging. As we begin to understand this, then we can help to create a new atmosphere of a collective sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, and the empowerment that can bring to all. Pluto remains at the apex of a T-square with Ceres - Uranus in opposition to Juno - Saturn; Pluto’s power struggle is about choosing not to perpetuate old, repeating patterns of karmic attachment to the past, but rather to let go and allow new ways of being to guide us towards the light. There are still unknown risks involved in this, but believing that we will be ‘safe’, if we simply try to maintain or just re-build the status quo, brings even greater long-term risks.

Scroll down further for details about

Awakening to 2012 - October weekend in Cornwall

Awakening to 2012 - weekend in October

2011-07-23T08:32:00.012+01:00

Awakening to 2012 ~

Dreaming the New World

Early-bird discount booking deadline extended until 31st August
(For details, scroll down for Booking Form)

A long weekend of

Teaching, Meditation, Ceremony,

Personal and Planetary Healing,

working together in the Medicine Way

with

Marcus Mason, Sue Weaver, Lu Wray

and friends

Stithians Centre, near Redruth, Cornwall

Friday 28th (evening),

Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th October 2011

The Intention

This long weekend will provide an opportunity to gather with like-minded people, working in a Sacred Circle for:

* Awakening

* Healing

* Dreaming

* Visioning

* Ceremony

Working together as a clan or tribe, we will create a growing experience throughout the weekend, culminating in a powerful Earth Healing Ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

The Journey

Each day, we will focus on coming into alignment with a different aspect of our spiritual relationship with Life and the Universe.

On Friday evening, we will consider the Astrology of our changing relationship with our Solar System and the Galaxy;

On Saturday we will look at how to move with current and future changes, journeying through our personal energy centres, to bring balance and integration into our lives and all our relationships;

On Sunday, we will use our understanding of the above to honour our sacred relationship with Mother Earth through ceremony.

Shared Food

On Saturday and Sunday, the clan will serve and share simple vegetarian food that has been lovingly prepared; there will be a focus of gratitude to Mother Earth for all that she provides. Please let us know if you have food allergies or intolerances.

Stalls

There will be a small number of carefully chosen stalls for you to visit during the breaks. All stallholders will be participants in the shared journey. If you would like to have a stall, please email info@heavenandearth.uk.com telling us what you would like to sell or promote.

Programme

Friday

5.00 pm
Opening - stalls and teas.
Time to meet with old friends and to make new ones.

6.00 pm
Opening Circle
Starting the Journey
‘Awakening to 2012’ - a talk and presentation, giving the big picture of what is happening to prepare the way for the weekend’s work.
10.00 pm
Close

Saturday

9.00 am
Open for stalls, teas & socialising

10.00 am
Greet the Day
A personal Journey through the Chakras, working with their planetary resonances using meditation, visualisation, ceremony, experiential exercises, movement and drumming.
1.00 pm
Lunch, stalls, relaxation time
3 .00 pm
Continuing the Journey through the Chakras
5.00 pm
Stalls, supper, relaxation
7.00 pm
Completing the Journey through the Chakras, including a powerful Sound Healing Ceremony with Sheila Cornfield, Catherine Gaze, Paddy Baillie & Vanessa Vine.
10.00 pm Close

Sunday

9.00 am
Open for stalls, teas & socialising

10.00am
Greet the Day
Working with Earth Energies - talk and presentation Preparation for afternoon Ceremony
11.30 am
Last opportunity to shop
12.00 pm
Early lunch
1.30 pm
Earth Healing Ceremony on nearby Carn Brea
3.30 pm
Closing Circle
6.00 pm
Completion and departure

Booking Form
(Click to enlarge and print)

Paradigm Shift Road Show

2011-06-19T12:49:00.009+01:00

Marcus will be giving a

Talk, Presentation and Guided Planetary Meditation

three times during the day at the

Paradigm Shift Road Show

Sunday 9th October 2011 - Guildford, Surrey

The Astrology of 2012

And How It Affects You

Marcus will apply his 30 years’ astrological knowledge and experience
to explore the unprecedented sequence of planetary alignments
leading up to December 21^st 2012,
and what this means for us individually and collectively.

The talk will be followed by a powerful Guided Planetary Meditation
to help you to align with these changes,
so that you may negotiate them more easily,
as we approach December 2012.

Each Presentation will be followed Book Signings

Click on the picture below to link to the
Paradigm Shift Road Show website / bookings, etc

Latest Update

2011-06-13T07:40:00.015+01:00

The Legacy of Jupiter – Uranus

Three conjunctions of Jupiter and Uranus, in 2010 and January 2011 have been accelerating shifts in consciousness, which we have seen being played out in the political upheavals of North Africa and the Middle East. The on-going Jupiter-Uranus impulse for radical change is challenging us all to break free from restricting attitudes, behaviour patterns and circumstances, and to bring our thoughts, feelings and actions into full alignment with our most positive, heart-centred vision for the future.

From February to May this year, as Jupiter forged ahead of Uranus into Aries, it began the process of carrying our vision into action.

Jupiter enters Taurus

On 4^th June, Jupiter entered Taurus, signalling that it is time to begin consolidating our vision. This positive, forward trend will continue until the 30^th August, when Jupiter will go retrograde until December. So the period from June to September is the perfect time for optimism, and consolidation, in order to generate the right circumstances for creating abundance in 2012, and beyond.

From September to December, Jupiter will go back over all the ground we have covered, ensuring that the external structures we create are a true manifestation of an inner change, and not just attempts to make things look different on the surface, so that it appears that we are changing (politicians take note!). The retrograde phase is only likely to be difficult, if we resist making inner changes. These include how we structure our lives, our attachments to physical things, our attitudes towards abundance, and how well we make use of our practical creativity.

As always, the key with Jupiter is about giving; are we giving ourselves, our talents and creativity wholly to life, or are we trying to hold on and accumulate wealth, position, power, etc solely for ourselves? Wherever we are hanging on in this way, when the retrograde phase comes it will make things very difficult for us. The more we can learn to give freely, whilst Jupiter is direct from June to September, the more we will effortlessly reap the rewards later.

Uranus squares Pluto (May 2011 – May 2015)

2011 is the time for putting structures into place that can enable us to live the vision that was incubated during 2010. This re-structuring is intensely focussed by the square (90°) aspect between Uranus and Pluto, which began in mid-May and will last until May 2015! We were alerted to their approaching alignment by the Japan earthquake, tsunami and the ensuing nuclear disaster at Fukushima. At the physical level, this alignment challenges us about the right use of technology and power; at Fukushima, it directly concerned the technology of Uranium and Plutonium, which (albeit briefly) prompted a wider debate about the wisdom of using nuclear power. At the mental and spiritual levels, this alignment challenges us how to apply real wisdom to the creation of power structures in all areas of our lives.

On 12^th March, Uranus moved into Aries, where it will remain until 6^th March 2019. Uranus in Aries wants to forge ahead with new ideas, new technologies, new systems of government, and new approaches to spiritual awareness and understanding our place in the Cosmos. Pluto in Capricorn is more cautious and methodical, taking the long-term view; it knows that whatever is changed now, must be able to endure and support us well into the future. This is a difficult balance, as Uranus brings a sense of urgency. The drawback with Pluto in Capricorn is that if we remain attached to old methods and structures, then we simply perpetuate the power, which that gives to those who profit from those old structures.

The next four years, when Uranus squares Pluto, will see an increasing tension between these powerful, archetypal forces. They are challenging us to forge a balance between our eagerness for positive, innovative change, and the need to use wisdom and experience to create long-term solutions for sustainable ways of being. The stumbling blocks to both viewpoints depend upon how well we use our power. Do we use it in ways that further the distribution of power to more and more people (the Uranus way), or in ways that seek to maintain the power and control of the few over the many (the Pluto way)?

In all areas of life, Uranus is breaking down old patterns of control; underlying this, are the entrenched attitudes of the ego, trying to control the unpredictability and spontaneity of Spirit.

Pluto has the potential to connect us with our Pure Light of Being, the power of the spiritual will that carries within it our true purpose. However, most people use the ego to control or suppress our spiritual power from manifesting its full light and potential. The most positive quality of Uranus square Pluto is that it challenges us to break down these self-created patterns of control that prevent us from expressing the full creative potential of our spirit. At all levels, Uranus is awakening us to realise that potential; we have the clear choice to embrace it, or to continue to give our power away, by refusing to take full responsibility for expressing it.

There are lifetimes of patterns to break through, with layer upon layer needing to be stripped away. Over the next four years, there will be many opportunities to release and heal these layers; it is essential to see the challenges that Uranus-Pluto brings as opportunities to embrace positive change, and reclaim control over our lives, rather than feeling that we are buffeted by forces beyond our control.

Summer Solstice

Chart for Summer Solstice

21 June 2011 at 17:18 UT/GMT

Click on chart to enlarge

At Summer Solstice (21^st June), the Sun squares (90°) Uranus and opposes Pluto, creating a ‘T-square’ triangle. This brings a further challenge to let go of the places where our ego is holding on and preventing us from realising our vision. We will be aided in this by a Grand Trine in Air signs, from 16^th- 23^rd June, between Venus (in Gemini), Saturn (in Libra) and Pallas Athene (in Aquarius). This Grand Trine shows that when we make clear decisions and choices and set clear boundaries in our relationships, this will bring us and abundance of mental energy that can help us to produce great rewards for the future.

Comet Elenin

The intensity of the time is being amplified by the arrival of comet Elenin (C/2010 X1), discovered on December 10^th 2010 by Russian astronomer, Leonid Elenin. It is thought that it last visited the solar system about 11,700 years ago, half-way through the Age of Leo, around 9,690 BCE.

When it was discovered in 2010, it was between the constellations of Leo and Virgo; in alignment with the times, it brings the need for spiritual discernment (Virgo) about how we express our creative power (Leo).

Elenin makes its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) on 10 September, about 45 million miles from Earth. Then on 16 October, it crosses the path of Earth’s orbit, about 22 million miles ahead of us – roughly the same distance from Venus to Earth. There is no possibility of it being on a ‘collision course with Earth’ as some are claiming. Neither does it come close to qualifying as the giant, mythical planet ‘Nibiru’, as Elenin’s nucleus is believed to be no more than 10km in diameter.

The arrival of any comet heralds significant shifts in consciousness. There has been much speculation on the internet that Elenin was somehow ‘responsible’ for the earthquake in New Zealand on 4^th September 2010, when it aligned with the Sun, Mercury and Earth; however, it was not aligned in any such way for the much more powerful NZ earthquake on 21^st February 2011. It was, however, approaching alignment with the Earth and Sun on 11^th March, the day of the Japan earthquake and tsunami. Then, the Earth was between Elenin and the Sun; for the much weaker NZ earthquake in September 2010, the Earth was on the other side of the Sun from Elenin, so something significant may be occurring.

On 21^st May, when Iceland’s Grimsvotn volcano began erupting, Elenin was aligned with the Sun and Venus; there were no such alignments coinciding with the eruption of Chile’s Puyehue volcano on 4^th June.

The official line from NASA and others is that the gravitational effects of such a small body could not have any discernable influence on the Earth’s tectonic plates. Indeed, it seems far more likely that two vast solar flares, directed towards the Earth on February 15^th and March 9^th, may have triggered the Japan earthquake, although this is speculation.

Whatever the scientific facts about the physical effects of Elenin on the Sun and Earth, it is clear that this tiny body is bringing significant changes. Since there are no written records to tell us what happened last time it visited, we will have to wait and see what unfolds.

If you want to follow the progress of Elenin through the solar system, you can go to NASA’s animated orbit diagram applet -
be patient, as it can take a while to load:

http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=C%2F2010%20X1;orb=1;cov=0;log=0;cad=0#orb

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse

2010-12-10T21:43:00.003Z

Winter Solstice

21^st Dec 23:39 UT/GMT in UK

Click on chart to enlarge

Winter Solstice finds Mercury in Sagittarius conjunct the Sun with a large ‘stellium’ of planets in Capricorn – Pallas Athene, Moon’s North Node, Pluto and Mars. All this, with a Total Lunar Eclipse earlier that morning at 08:13 UT/GMT and the Full Moon forming a Grand Cross for several hours, will make for a highly intense and focussed Solstice.

A Lunar Eclipse Grand Cross

Lunar Eclipse maximum at 08:13 UT/GMT

Click on chart to enlarge

The Grand Cross is formed by the South Node Lunar Eclipse in opposition to Mercury, Sun, Pallas Athene, Moon’s North Node and Pluto; on the other axis, Juno is in opposition to the Jupiter – Uranus conjunction. The Grand Cross lasts from around 18:00 UT/GMT on 20th December, until around midday on 21st

The South Node Lunar Eclipse means that this is about letting go of our past mental (Moon in Gemini) and emotional attachments (S. Node is in Cancer), so that we can being to review the details of how we are going to move forward (Retrograde Mercury & Sun in Sagittarius), and then put them into action with clarity, purpose and resolve (Pallas, N. Node & Pluto in Capricorn). Holding the balance in all this is the opposition from Juno to Jupiter and Uranus; we cannot put the plans for our new vision into action until we have healed and moved into Right Relationship with our past. This is an essential part of the major healing process that was triggered last February by the Chiron – Neptune conjunction, and will be on-going until 2012 and beyond.

The Solstice

By the time that the Solstice occurs (23:39 UT), the Grand Cross will have disappeared, but the recently eclipsed Moon will continue with the process of emotional release of our old patterns, comfort zones and deeply held emotional attachments that are no longer serving our best interests. The more we can let go, the more profound will be the rebirth, after the Winter Solstice.

The ‘stellium’ of planets with the Sun are bringing the combination of the rational and intuitive mind, combining with the personal and spiritual will in order to focus on our spiritual purpose, so that we may clearly, pragmatically and uncompromisingly see our way forward, and act on it.

For 5 days around the Solstice, the (normally retrograde) Moon’s Nodes are ‘stationary’, so that everything will be held ‘poised in the balance’, before it can move again. Now is our last chance to go deeply into the stillness of our inner being and see how we may let go of those attitudes and habits that have been preventing us from moving forwards and fulfilling our spiritual purpose. When we do let go, then we will return fully to an appreciation of what it means to be in Right Relationship (Juno) with self and others, to fulfil our spiritual vision (Jupiter – Uranus) and to understand how to heal our past (Neptune – Chiron), as we move into a more loving, caring and nurturing relationship with our Mother Earth (Ceres). In our quest for being in Right Relationship and finding our vision, we cannot afford to exclude being in Right Relationship with the Earth; this is not just about treating the ‘Environment’ with more care and respect, it is about truly honouring the Earth as our Mother, who sustains and nourishes us at all levels of our Being.

Stand By Me - Enjoy!

2010-11-15T19:01:00.006Z

No matter who you are, no matter where you go,

I hope this song touches you!

Full Moon Equinox

2010-09-17T08:35:00.000+01:00

A Full Moon Equinox

Equinox on 23rd September

at 04.10 BST - 03.10 Universal Time (GMT)

calculated for Avebury, UK

Click on chart to enlarge

A Full Moon at the Autumn Equinox (23^rd September) finds the Sun in opposition to the Moon, Jupiter and Uranus, all forming a T-square with asteroid Ceres. The Sun is also quincunx (150°) to Chiron and Neptune.

Ceres is in a pivotal role here - it lies less than 1° from exact alignment with the Galactic Centre (27° Sagittarius), as well as being involved in three learning triangles (with Moon-Jupiter-Uranus and Juno; with Juno and Pallas; and with Chiron-Neptune and Pallas). This all suggests that manifesting our long-term vision for the Earth becomes crucial during this Full Moon Equinox. Ceres becomes exactly conjunct the Galactic Centre on 27th September.

To help understand the full significance of Ceres’ position, I want to introduce you to the “Sabian Symbols”. These are 360 symbolic images for each degree of the zodiac, which were clairvoyantly received in 1925, in San Diego by Miss Elsie Wheeler and astrologer Dr. Marc Edmund Jones. They offer deep insights into the spiritual energies behind a planet’s position in a particular degree. Sometimes their meaning is obscure, but at others startlingly clear, which is the case with the most significant planets involved at this Equinox.

The Sabian Symbol for Ceres (27° Sagittarius) is “A sculptor’s vision taking form”. Ceres is the Great Mother, the creator of forms on Earth, whilst the Galactic Centre is the creative hub from where divine forms and archetypes come into manifestation - the “Divine Sculptor”. With Ceres aligned at the Galactic Centre at this time of balance between the spiritual and physical realms, this is a golden opportunity to bring our spiritual essence into form through the loving embrace of Mother Earth. Everything is primed for this: other Sabian Symbols for this pattern include a Prism (Jupiter and Uranus), a perfect rainbow forming, as light breaks through the clouds (Juno), an X-ray (Pallas Athene) and a fertile garden under the Full Moon (Moon): so, the Divine Sculptor’s vision manifests through a prism of light, creating a rainbow, bringing the vision down through the planes of existence, revealing everything with x-ray clarity, so that our individual garden of the soul may come to fruition – now that’s what I call a powerful Equinox!

These potentials are then held by a “Cradle” pattern which lasts until 9^th October; an opposition between Juno and Chiron-Neptune holds the potential for Unconditional Love, Healing and Right Relationship to be absorbed deep into the Heart of Mother Earth, by Vesta and Ceres, enabling those qualities to come safely to fruition in our hearts and minds. We need to understand the importance of holding, cherishing and nurturing these new potentials, so that they will emerge strong and clear in 2011.

Total Solar Eclipse

2010-07-08T10:02:00.006+01:00

Total Solar Eclipse over South Pacific – July 11th
Maximum Eclipse at 19.34 UT/GMT (11.34 PST/Local Time)

click on image to enlarge

Over the last week, you may have been feeling the rather intense build-up to a powerful Total Solar Eclipse that occurs over the South Pacific Ocean on July 11^th, reaching maximum Eclipse at 19.34 Universal Time/GMT (11.34 PST/Local Time). The central path of the eclipse shadow begins at 18.20 UT (07.20 BET/Local Time) about 850 miles to the south of Western Samoa; then it passes within 95 miles to the south of Tahiti at 18.28 UT (08.28 AHST/Local Time), and directly over Easter Island/Rapa Nui at 20.12 UT (14.12 CST/Local Time), and ends at 20.50 UT (17.50 BZT2/Local Time), on the southern tip of South America, in Patagonia, Argentina. See below the Eclipse chart for what it all means.

Astro-cartography chart for the Total Solar Eclipse

Click on image to enlarge

The Sun and Moon are conjunct the Moon’s South Node in Cancer. South Node Eclipses are always concerned with releasing the patterns of the past. The Sun is also conjunct asteroid Juno, concerned with Right Relationship. Sun, Moon and Juno are in sextile (60°) aspect with asteroid Vesta and Mars in Virgo – indicating that it is our hearts and wills that need to be in right relationship. The South Node in Cancer indicates that in order for this to be so, we need to move out of our emotional “comfort zones”, and let go of any emotional attachments, which may be preventing us from coming in right, loving relationship with each other and the planet.

Sun, Moon and Juno are also in quincunx (150°) aspect with Ceres in Sagittarius, which indicates that, collectively and individually we need to move to a new level in our understanding of our relationship with the Earth. The North Node in Capricorn is challenging us to realise that it is the task of our hearts and wills to take responsibility for the planet in whatever ways we can, and not to feel that it is someone else’s responsibility, or that we are powerless to do anything on our own. When our heart and will are aligned, and we act from that place, then many things become possible, and our smallest actions can have wide-ranging effects as they ripple out into the hearts, minds and wills of others. However, this will not work if we are in denial of our power, nor if we are in denial of individual responsibility for our part in having contributed to the problems that the planet faces.

Currently, the most pressing environmental concern is the on-going oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico; whilst it is becoming clear that huge mistakes may have been made by BP, part of our individual responsibility is surely to acknowledge that, at some level we all have a responsibility here; it is our individual need to put petrol in our cars that is in part responsible for BP being there in the first place. None of us who use fossil fuels can claim to have no responsibility at all for this disaster – it is truly one of many wake-up calls from the current Jupiter-Uranus alignment which is calling us all to think and act, with an acknowledgment of the deeper and more intricate connections between ourselves and everyone on the planet.

This awareness of personal responsibility is beautifully expressed in Dr Masaru Emoto’s prayer for the waters of the Gulf of Mexico:

"I send the energy of love and gratitude to the waters and all living creatures

in the Gulf of Mexico and its surroundings.

To the whales, dolphins, pelicans, fish, shellfish, planktons,

corals, algae ... to all living creatures ... I am sorry.

Please forgive me. Thank you.

I Love You."

The lesson of the Chiron – Neptune conjunction over Hawaii in February was for us to learn that global healing requires us to express our compassion towards all beings. Now that they are both retrograde, we will get to see just how deeply our willingness to heal extends, and where the limits of our compassion might lie. The Solar Eclipse can reveal to us all how our entrenched emotional patterns and attitudes limit our ability to freely express loving, compassionate forgiveness towards all beings, including ourselves.

2010-06-18T08:52:00.006+01:00

The Summer Solstice Grand Cross

From 17^th to 26^th June, the Sun takes up position in the Grand Cross pattern, which formed on 29^th May; the Sun is conjunct Juno and Mercury, and in opposition to Ceres and Pluto. At Summer Solstice (21^st June), the challenges and potentials embodied in the Grand Cross move from the soul to the personality level:

In keeping with the flourishing energy of the solstice, this will be a time for clearly seeing what is required for us to move into a more empowered relationship with Mother Earth. As Ceres and Pluto are both retrograde, the brightness of the solstice Sun can reveal to us the places where we are not in right relationship with the planet or with what truly nourishes and empowers us at the deepest levels.

On the other axis of the Grand Cross, Saturn is in opposition with Jupiter and Uranus - we may now be seeing where we need to get to, and even how to get there, but Saturn is apparently holding us back. In reality, it is telling us that there are still practical considerations and structures that need to be put in place before we can reach our goals; if we are having difficulties with manifesting those structures, then we need to look within and consider any ways that we may be dis-empowering or sabotaging ourselves by getting caught in fear, negative thinking or the perpetuation of old patterns of relationship that no longer serve us.

Now is the time to make whatever decisions and changes are necessary, so that we can move forward into a place of empowerment, and start to really manifest a new vision for our future, when Ceres turns direct in August, and Pluto in September. By the time they become conjunct in October, we should be able to see what we need to do, and how we need to achieve that.

Email delivery problems

2010-05-03T18:58:00.001+01:00

Important notice:

There appear to be an ever-increasing amount of email bounce-backs, when the bulk email Blog-Update notifications are sent out to those on the mailing list. This is particularly a problem with the following email servers, which are identifying the email updates as spam, and rejecting them: hotmail (worst of all), tiscali, surfglobal, sbcglobal, earthlink, verizon, bigpond and alaska.net

If you wish to continue receiving the email Blog-Update notifications, please ensure that you add astrology@heavenandearth.org.uk to your address book / contacts list, and also to your "safe senders" list, which you will find in the "junk email options" tab on the "Tools" menu in your email page. Thank you

May - June Astrology Update

2010-05-02T10:41:00.016+01:00

“Reality is merely an illusion,
albeit a very persistent one.”
Albert Einstein

A Jupiter-Uranus Wake-up Call

May to June is likely to become increasingly intense, as we start to feel the effects of the first of three Jupiter-Uranus conjunctions (in June, September 2010, and January 2011). These two magnificent planets become conjunct every 13 to 14 years. They always herald new discoveries and breakthroughs in scientific understanding; they can awaken us to new levels of psychological and spiritual awareness; they bring radical changes in political paradigms and systems, and provide plenty of personal "Aha Moments", insights and creative breakthroughs.

Following February’s rare healing alignment between Chiron and Neptune, Jupiter and Uranus can now enable us to see the bigger picture, and formulate the plans that will align with our deepest psychological and spiritual needs. As always with Uranus, this requires letting go of those things that no longer work in our lives; even when this may seem impossible, we need to remain open and receptive to unexpected opportunities that can enable us to make quantum leaps of consciousness.

This alignment will make us more conscious of our possibilities for healing and positive changes, heralded by the Chiron-Neptune conjunction in February. Quantum Physics tells us that "Matter does not exist, all that exists is Consciousness". This suggests that collective consciousness can influence the behaviour of matter. So, if enough people choose to express clarity, wisdom and compassion, then we will all live in a clearer, wiser and more loving world…simple! But first we will need to address…

Sensitivity Rectangle

(click on image to enlarge)

A Sensitivity Rectangle appears on 9th May, and continues until 9th June. On one axis of this rectangle, Vesta (then Mars) in Leo opposes Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius. On the other axis, Saturn in Virgo opposes Jupiter and Uranus, drawing ever closer to each other in Pisces. “Sensitivity” patterns put us on alert that something deep-rooted needs to be acknowledged, and then released; if not, it creates anxiety, irritation and disruption. In early May, Vesta awakens our heart’s inner knowing that something needs to change, so that we may heal our deepest patterns, following the Chiron-Neptune conjunction; such deep healing is essential if we are to manifest a new Heart-centred global paradigm.

Mars moves into Vesta’s position on 29th May, saying “now act on your knowing”. The resistance from Saturn, opposing Jupiter-Uranus, requires us to understand that we can only put plans into action, when they fully align with the ideals that truly nourish us, whilst respecting the ideals of others.

Three Mystic Rectangles and a Grand Cross

Whilst we address the challenges of the Sensitivity figure, three Mystic Rectangles and a Grand Cross appear, to help…or hinder our efforts. Mystic Rectangles are rare, so to find three within one month is significant:

Mystic Rectangle 1 (17 - 21 May)

(click on image to enlarge)

The first involves Venus in Gemini, opposing Ceres and Pluto in Capricorn; also Vesta in Leo, opposing Chiron, just into Pisces and Neptune, still in Aquarius. The oppositions challenge us to confront internal conflicts, so we can release new creative potentials through the trines and sextiles, forming the rectangle. This Mystic Rectangle requires us to be honest about present emotional needs (Venus), and let go of situations that may have nourished us in the past (Ceres retrograde), but no longer do so, even though we may still have much energy or power invested in maintaining them (Pluto retrograde).

Mystic Rectangle 2 (23 - 26 May)
(click on image to enlarge)

The second Mystic Rectangle also involves Venus, opposing Ceres-Pluto; the other opposition, between Pallas Athene in Scorpio and Mercury in Taurus, requires balancing our inner knowing of what is right, with pragmatic thinking and communicating our needs clearly. Then a third Mystic Rectangle appears, as the second one breaks up.

Mystic Rectangle 3 (29 May - 17 June)
(click on image to enlarge)

Whilst Juno and Ceres are keeping us in right relationship, Vesta and Mars oppose Chiron and Neptune, challenging us to align our heart and will, so that we may really begin to integrate the healing potentials of Chiron-Neptune.

On 29th May, a Grand Cross also kicks in, with two oppositions at its heart. It will last until a few days after the Solstice.

The Summer Solstice Grand Cross (as it appears on 21 June)
(it lasts from 29 May - 27 June)
(click on image to enlarge)

The opposition between Saturn and Uranus began in mid-March and continues until mid-September. When the Grand Cross forms, Jupiter also now opposes Saturn, as it approaches conjunction with Uranus. The other opposition is from Juno to the Moon and Ceres.

These oppositions will balance one another. Saturn in Virgo provides the necessary “reality-check” to Jupiter-Uranus’ insights and realisations. Juno and Ceres ensure that we remain in right relationship with those around us and with our environment, whilst we formulate our plans for change, over the coming months. This can be an intense, but highly constructive time, as we strive to bring what we truly desire into manifestation in the world - but it will be well worth all the effort that we have put into it.

All of these intricate patterns build and develop as they prepare us for the day of the first Jupiter-Uranus conjunction, when they finally crystallise to form a perfect 6-pointed star:

Jupiter-Uranus 6 pointed-star (8th June)

(click on image to enlarge)

On 8th June, Jupiter and Uranus become exactly conjunct in the first degree of Aries, signifying new beginnings at personal and planetary levels. This alignment last occurred in Aries in mid-July 1927; Richard Tarnas, in his excellent book, “Cosmos and Psyche” describes this year as “the climax of the quantum physics revolution that was marked by Bohr’s principle of complementarity, Heisenberg’s principle of indeterminacy, and the (Fifth) Solvay Congress of October 1927 (on protons and electrons)”. This was the same year that the first “talkie” (The Jazz Singer) appeared and the first television transmission was made between London and Glasgow, by John Logie Baird. It was also the year of Charles Lindberg’s first solo trans-Atlantic flight. We have already witnessed a major shift towards 3D Cinema this year, with the ground-breaking “Avatar” and other movies. It seems likely that we can now expect astounding leaps in technology and new discoveries in particle physics, now that the Large Hadron Collider is up and running again.

The 6-pointed star that forms (courtesy of the Moon) on the day of the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction “imprints” a perfect pattern into our emotional bodies, of how we might live from a place of balance between our inner heart (Vesta), our personal will (Mars), our intuitive knowing (Pallas Athene), an empowered relationship with the Earth (Pluto and Ceres), an understanding of what is needed to bring us back to wholeness (Neptune and Chiron) and into right relationship with “All Our Relations” (Juno in Cancer). This perfect pattern lasts for just one day, giving us all a glimpse of what is now becoming possible.

Jupiter-Uranus, in the Grand Cross is the “trigger” to awaken this vision and motivate us to enable these potentials to become a reality in our lives, as the Jupiter-Uranus alignment unfolds between now and January 2011. We will have to dig deep to release old patterns when both planets are retrograde from August to November, with the possibility the we can emerge into new levels of integration and wholeness by their final conjunction in January 2011.

For now, it is important to focus on the most positive possibilities we can imagine for our future, and let the Universe reveal to us exactly how these may become realities. At the Summer Solstice, the energy of the Grand Cross will give us to opportunity to begin to allow these amazing potentials to fully manifest and flourish in our world.

Report on the Chiron-Neptune Ceremony

2010-03-18T10:23:00.003Z

Haleakala Crater - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

Click on photos to enlarge them

The Chiron – Neptune Alignment Ceremony

on February 16^th 2010 at

Kukuipuka Heiau, Maui, Hawaii

Aloha,

Home and finally recovered from jet-lag following the Sacred Journey to Hawaii with our wonderful group of planetary Light-workers, it is time for reflection on the momentous inner and outer journey that we have completed.

Maui

Our first days on Maui were spent preparing for the Ceremony. In addition to teachings on Astrology, Chakras and the Earth-grids, there was the necessary and sometimes challenging work of bringing a group of very diverse individuals to the place of balance, harmony and unity, so that we could come together as one to assist in grounding the powerful energies of the Chiron – Neptune Conjunction. Our intention was to assist with the healing of Illusions, in order to help birth the manifestation of Divine Unconditional Love into the energy grids of our beloved Earth.

Sacred Hula

We began with an introduction to the music, chants and movements of the Sacred Hula by Robyn Kneubuhl. As well as beginning to free our bodies after long journeys half-way across the world, this introduced us to the Spirit of Hawaii. Some of us also enjoyed the profoundly transformative qualities of a Lomilomi massages.

We had hoped to go swimming with wild dolphins the next day, but when we arrived the dolphins were not there, so we moved on to the place where the Sea-Turtles were. It was a day of rough seas, which got rougher once the first group of “stronger swimmers” had gone out with Tamara, our experienced guide. Some of the “stronger swimmers” did encounter the sea-turtles, but all returned to shore exhausted by the extreme conditions, and sobered by the experience that what Europeans and North Americans might consider a strong swimmer, is very different to what a Hawaiian would call a strong swimmer. This was to be our first lesson in respect for the powerful elements and conditions on these Islands of the planetary Alta Major Centre.

Next day, not one, but two possible boat-trips to visit the humpback whales, were cancelled buy the captains at the last minute – it became clear that we were not ready to meet these gentle giants of the deep Ocean, and that we needed to remain firmly rooted to the Earth. So instead, we visited the exquisite tropical gardens of the “Garden of Eden”, on the road to Hana, from where we could at least see the whales out to sea in the near distance.

The Planets choose us

Back at Malamalama Retreat Center, on Kolealea Organic Farm, we continued preparations for the Ceremony on 16^th February. Each planet in the solar system “chose” a person to represent it, including the newly discovered “dwarf planets” of the outer solar system in the Kuiper Belt and beyond. This was important because these “new” planetoids are beginning to connect us with the new archetypes that we will be dealing with in the Age of Aquarius. It was interesting how these newly discovered bodies, many of which have quite negative connotations and mythology, were beginning to reveal their more positive, transformative qualities, as we worked with them.

For example Eris, the goddess of discord and strife, who selected me, taught me that discord and strife is there to show us what needs to be confronted so we can bring new levels of creativity out of chaos. Even the more familiar “traditional” planets had some surprises for us – Venus chose the most yang of the men to represent her, whilst Mars chose one of the most gentle of the women; it was as if the old archetypes were being turned on their heads in preparation for allowing the new energies to flow into the Earth.

It was a steep learning curve for everybody, as we began to integrate the qualities of our planets, as well as learning the protocols necessary for our ceremony with Lei’ohu Ryder, the Hawaiian Kahuna who had so trustingly and graciously agreed to host our ceremony at Kukuipuka Heiau.

Cleansing at I'ao

Lei’ohu had asked us to prepare by cleansing ourselves with salt water and fresh water. So we visited the beach and immersed ourselves in the Ocean, and then into the fresh waters of the I’ao valley. This is a truly wonderful and powerful place, towered over by the “I’ao Needle”, a vast rocky outcrop reaching high up to the sky. Just for good measure, we also got completely drenched by a torrential downpour from above – so, we were thrice blessed, by salt water, fresh water, and heavenly waters!

I'ao Needle - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

Haleakala

On the afternoon before the Ceremony, we made our journey up to the 10,000 foot summit of Mount Haleakala – a stunning and otherworldly place. Apart from the incredible multicoloured “lunar” landscape, the most striking thing was the utter silence and complete stillness – not a sound could be heard, as we sat in silent contemplation of this magical place that was once a cauldron of violent volcanic activity, giving birth to new land. The sunset on Haleakala was beyond words…

Sunset on Haleakala - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

The Ceremony

And so we came to the day of our Ceremony. We were greeted by Lei’ohu, her student helpers, who held the four directions and the “gatekeeper” of the Heiau. It was a blisteringly hot, clear day; on our journey there, we noticed that it was the only day since our arrival when both Haleakala and the I’ao Valley were clearly visible and not covered in cloud.

Kukuipuka Heiau, or sacred enclosure is in a stunning location, on a cliff top, overlooking the Ocean, where we could again see the whales in the distance. Lei’ohu welcomed each person into the Heiau, greeting them in the traditional Hawaiian way – the “Honi”, by touching noses and inhaling the Breath of Life (Aloha) together; then she called in the four directions and the ancestral spirits, and gave a water blessing to each person with sacred waters that we had all brought with us from around the world. Then she invited us to prepare for our ceremony; this began with the setting up of a crystal “net”, or “grid” at the centre of the circle, which was to help anchor in the energies of Chiron and Neptune.

The Crystal Grid - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

Chiron Approaches the Grid - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

Each person in the group moved into their planetary position, mirroring the arrangement of the planets in the heavens overhead, so that the group became the “Living Astrology Chart” of the alignment.

Having aligned ourselves with “our” planets, we called down the Rainbow Bridge Healing energy of Chiron, as it passed directly overhead, moving it down through our bodies as a spiral of rainbow light; then we opened to receive the Unconditional Love energy of Neptune from its “anchor point” in the Soul Star Centre above the Crown Centre, enabling the Pure Compassion of the Divine Feminine to flow as deep blue light down into our hearts; as the Sun passed directly above us, we radiated it outwards and downwards into the Earth.

We continued moving our awareness down through the energy centres in our bodies and then down through the 12 Earth Chakras beneath us; one member of our group beautifully sang the Earth Chakra Tones, to assist in the opening of each centre. As our focus reached the Crystal Core Chakra at the Centre of the Earth, the asteroid Vesta was passing directly beneath us, on the other side of the Earth. Vesta, goddess of the sacred flame, has a strong affinity with Pele, the Hawaiian creatrix of Volcanic fire. So, it was completely appropriate to connect with her energy as Vesta passed beneath our feet, drawing her creative power up into manifestation in our lives and into the Earth’s energy grids, and flowing outwards to all corners of the Earth from this planetary Energy Centre.

The Hawaiian islands, as a whole have the role of the planetary Alta Major (or Shamanic) Centre. Within each planetary energy Centre (and human chakra), there is the holographic resonance of all the other centres/chakras. In the energetic scheme of the seven islands of Hawaii, Maui embodies the energy of the Hara or Dan T’ien (Sacral Centre); this corresponds with the Fire of the Gate of Vitality of Chinese energy-medicine. This is the creative source of the energy behind Will, so Maui was the most appropriate place from which to “push”, or send out the healing energies of Chiron-Neptune into the planetary grids. What I had not realised until we arrived in Maui, was that Kukuipuka Heiau was directly beneath the Chiron north-south “meridian”, as the alignment began – we could not have been at a more appropriate location anywhere else on the entire planet, in that moment!

Next to pass overhead was Jupiter, as we drew the creative fire of Vesta/Pele up to our Brow Centres to help bring into awareness a New Vision for our personal and collective future. Finally, as Venus passed overhead, we drew the energy back down to the Solar Plexus Centre, to enable integration, harmonisation and assimilation of these hugely transformative energies for each person there and for the planet as a whole.

Bringing these powerful energies back down to touch the Earth, each person then spoke the wisdom that they had received from the planet that they were embodying. (Some of these words will be included in the next Blog Update.)

Lei’ohu then invited us to rest in the shade of a tree, as we had been about 90 minutes in the blisteringly hot midday heat; she made blessings and gave thanks as we lay there, recuperating in the blissful coolness.

Hawaii (Big) Island

Two days later, we were on Hawaii Island at Kilauea Volcano, where we had arranged to meet with Leilehua Yuen, to make an offering to Pele at Halema’umau Crater. Leilehua greeted us with Ti leaf leis and the traditional Hawaiian “Honi” greeting. After viewing an awe-inspiring film of the 1959 eruption of the Kilauea Iki crater, we moved outside to where Leilehua told us stories of Pele, and taught us how to make a traditional Hawaiian offering to her, making a beautiful bundle of sacred leaves, and including one of the Morganite crystals from the Ceremony on Maui.

Leilehua led us to a traditional place where offerings are made, and she sang to Pele; then we sang a traditional children’s song, “Ke Ao Nani” (“It’s a Beautiful World”) that we had learned during our Hula class on Maui. It felt appropriate for us to be singing a children’s song, as we were all approaching the rich mysteries and traditions of this land as children, as well as being children of this planet. We were very moved, as Leilehua started to perform the Hula movements that accompanied the song. In the distance the vast plume of steam and sulphur rose from the recently opened vent of Halema’umau Crater, traditionally the home of Pele.

Halema'umau Crater - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

Pele - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

Later that afternoon, we visited the Iki Crater, still steaming 50 years after it erupted!

Kiluaea Iki - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

Then we descended deep into the Earth into the Thurston Lava tube, making our final connection and offering into the heart of Mother Earth.

Thurston Lava Tube - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

Some of us who remained in Hawaii after the group left, were blessed to finally connect with the dolphins and whales…

Humpback Whale Breaching - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

What Happened to the Crystals?

Normally, when we have worked in Ceremony with a Crystal Grid, they have been buried in the Earth during the Ceremony, in order to hold the energy in that place. For many reasons, at this time and in this place, it was felt to be inappropriate to do this. We had been guided to send the crystals in many directions around the planet – this is still unfolding.

To date, this is where the crystals have gone:

The Central Quartz “Rose”, which has been at the centre of the Stonehenge Ceremonies for the last three years, was left with Lei’ohu Ryder and Maui, to remain as a focus and link with the other crystals as they travel around the world.

One of the 8 Lemurian Quartz crystals was carried by Chris Devlin to be given to Lorraine Loyd on Akutan, in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska; a Ceremony was held there in 2005, and a crystal grid was planted, marking the first stage of our work with the Pacific Earth Grids.

One Lemurian Quartz was placed in the gardens of Hamish and Ba Miller at Lelant, Cornwall, England, in the bower that Hamish completed not long before his passing - see below for more information about this, regarding the Mother of Pearl that was also placed in the gardens.

One of the 4 Seraphinites is held by Adrian Mieras, a member of the group and a “Crystal Brother”, to be planted as he is guided.

4 Rose Quartzes were given to the 4 Direction holders at the Ceremony at Kukuipuka Heiau.

1 Labradorite was given to the Gate-keeper at the Ceremony at Kukuipuka Heiau.

1 Blue Lace Agate was given to Barbara Moore, our hostess at the Dragonfly Ranch, Hawaii Island, to assist in communicating her vast knowledge of natural healing to all who visit her.

1 Larimar was given to Tamara “Rainbow” Tavernier, our dolphin guide.

1 Larimar was sent to Rachel Dawson on Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, who placed it in a cave near Bentayga on 24th June 2010.

Bentayga - Picture by Martin Wiesheu

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bentayga2.jpg

1 Morganite was offered in the bundle to Pele at Kilauea Volcano.

12 Mother of Pearls were given, one to each of the Sacred Shrines to the world’s religions at the Paleaku Peace Gardens, Hawaii Island.

1 Mother of Pearl was also given to Star Rose, from Oregon, whom we met at the Peace Gardens; she will take it to her nine-acre sacred grounds at Unity of Salem - "a sanctuary of peace and natural habitat that creates a world that works for all our relations". Each year they host an Interfaith Peace Festival in August where many faiths from the community are involved. There will be a ceremony to place the stone on the sacred grounds then.

1 Mother of Pearl was placed at a ceremony held on May 15th 2010 at the Seed of Life, in the gardens of Hamish and Ba Miller at Lelant, Cornwall, England. The garden lies directly on the Athena energy line, which interweaves with the Apollo line; these lines were dowsed extensively in the 1990's through Ireland, Cornwall and Europe to Israel, by Hamish and Ba with Paul Broadhurst and Vivienne Shanley, as described in their inspiring book, "The Dance of the Dragon".

1 Mother of Pearl was "planted" at the white quartz stone circle at Duloe, in Cornwall, England on the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on 26th June 2010. A group has been meeting there every Full Moon for the last two and a half years, and some members of the group were present at Duloe, while the Chiron - Neptune ceremony was being held in Hawaii in February 2010. The ceremony for the planting at Duloe was interwoven with prayers for the waters and the creatures of the Gulf of Mexico.

To date, that’s it – we will keep you updated about the journeys of the other crystals, as they unfold.

Mahalo – Thank you

Ensure that you keep up to date with the latest Astrological Alignments, during these times of unprecedented personal and planetary change - check the Blog regularly or email astrology@heavenandearth.org.uk to be included on the mailing list.

They may be reproduced only on condition that

they are not to be used for profit, and are attributed to Marcus Mason at

www.heavenandearthastrology.blogspot.com/

Chiron - Neptune Meditation

2010-01-29T08:36:00.000Z

Chiron – Neptune

World-wide Link-up Meditation – Feb 16^th 2010

(In some countries, this will be on the morning of Feb 17th - see timings, below)

Aloha

Below, you will find a suggested format for a link-up meditation for the Chiron Neptune Alignment on February 16^th; this is in response to those who have requested this.

Please feel free to adapt this to your own personal way of working, or indeed to create your own meditation/ceremony/prayer in whatever way feels appropriate for you. If you prefer to simply sit in silence, then that is fine too.

Timing:

The exact alignment, as Chiron and Neptune pass overhead in Hawaii,

will be between 12:23 – 12:32 pm (AHST – Alaska-Hawaii Standard Time)

This is between 22:23 – 22:32 (UT – Universal Time / GMT)

If possible, we are suggesting that you

link-in with us for the full hour from 12.00 – 13.00 AHST

UK & Ireland: 22:00 – 23:00 UT/GMT

Europe: 23:00 – 00:00 CET; E. Europe: 00:00 – 01:00 (Feb 17^th)

USA -17:00 – 18:00 EST; 16:00 – 17:00 CST; 15:00 – 16:00 MST; 14:00 – 15:00 PST; 13:00 – 14:00 YST

Australia: (Feb17th) 07:00 – 08:00 AWDT; 08:30 – 09:30 ACDT; 09:00 – 10:00 AEDT;

New Zealand: 11:00 – 12:00 NZST

A full list of Sacred Sites alignments and timings around the world, for that hour, are available in the update below this one, which was posted on 15^th January.

The Sacred Intention

The sacred intention of the Chiron-Neptune Alignment Ceremony is to welcome the presence of Unconditional Love into our hearts, and into the Heart of the Earth; to compassionately release the mis-aligned energies of our personal and collective past, and to encourage and enable the focus of Heart-centred awareness in all individuals, systems and countries; to accelerate the on-going process of Global Healing of the body, emotions, mind and spirit of all sentient beings, as we approach the possibility for a Global Spiritual Rebirth in December 2012.

Suggested Meditation

Please read this through to familiarise yourself with the format, then you can just use the headings as reminders, when you come to do the meditation; alternatively, you may like to make your own recording of the meditation, which you can then listen to.

Breathe into the Heart

Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply, focussing your attention in your Heart Centre, in the middle of your chest. As you breathe in, feel your heart’s energy opening and expanding; as you breathe out, let your breath move down through your body, to your feet and into the Earth beneath. Continue this for several breaths, until your attention is focussed within your heart.

Expand the Heart’s energy-field

Feel your heart’s energy-field expanding around you, extending out in all directions, as far as is comfortable, as a radiant and vibrant glowing golden-pink light. Imagine “threads” of that light linking you with the hearts of people all around the world who are tuning in with you, at this time.

Embrace the flow of Unconditional Love - Neptune

Become aware of a flow of rich, radiant, gentle deep-blue light, flowing downwards from above your head. Allow this light to flow in, down and around your body, filling you with a sense of deep inner peace, stillness and a gentle, radiant joy. Feel this filling your Heart.

Embrace the flow of Divine Healing Light - Chiron

As the deep-blue light starts to move through your body, imagine it changing its hue to all the colours of the rainbow, and feel these colours bringing comfort and healing as they flow to all the different parts of your body from head to feet; feel the more subtle levels of these colours penetrating deep into your feelings, and extending outwards to bring you stillness, clarity and peace of mind.

Keep your attention focussed in your heart, and allow yourself to simply be held within this flow of Unconditional Healing Love for as long as you wish.

Grounding the energy into the Earth

After a while, use your out-breath to “send” the healing light deep down into the Earth beneath your feet. Imagine it anchored beneath your feet, by an emerald-green star, surrounded by golden light. From here, feel the light “pulsing” right down into the heart of the Earth.

Closing

When you start to feel the flow diminishing, then imagine the flow of light fading from above you, and allow it to simply fall into the Earth and dissolve from your awareness.

Bring your attention to the top of your head, and imagine a small sphere of golden light there, then bring it slowly, all the way down the front of your body, and anchor it into the Earth beneath your feet.

Take a few deep breaths, become aware of your physical body and your surroundings; have a good stretch, move around and drink some water, or have something light to eat.

Wait for at least 15 – 30 minutes before you do any complex physical tasks, like driving a car for instance.

Looking forward to being linked in spirit with you all on February 16th / 17th

The Chiron - Neptune Alignment

2010-01-15T18:18:00.000Z

The Chiron - Neptune Conjunction on 16th February 2010

at 12.25 AHST - 22.25 Universal Time / GMT

Click to enlarge

Aloha - May you be in the Presence of the Breath of Life

This rare alignment last occurred, also over the Pacific in 1945, two days after the end of WW2; it heralded a new era of international relations, and set the stage for the current awakening and healing of global consciousness.

As they align again, over the Planetary Energy Centre of Hawaii, they offer another opportunity for profound levels of personal healing and global awakening to the energy of Unconditional Love. This is a crucial moment, as we approach a Global Spiritual Re-birth in December 2012. The 2012 Galactic Alignment is assuming great significance in people’s awareness.

This Chiron – Neptune conjunction will be our last opportunity, for this lifetime, to experience the profound changes offered by this alignment, as it will not occur again until 2094! In 1945, Chiron was yet to be discovered, so its full potentials remained unconscious until its discovery in 1977. It happens throughout History that, when a planet is observed for the first time, its psychological and spiritual qualities begin to gradually filter their way into mainstream consciousness. In the late 70’s, we saw the emergence of a wide range of alternative healing and spiritual disciplines, some new, some ancient. Many of these, which were considered to be “fringe” at that time, are now widely accepted by the mainstream.

The February Chiron - Neptune alignment heralds a global shift towards heart-centred consciousness. For this to happen, all of those structures within our personal lives, work and relationships, that are not heart-centred will simply begin to dissolve – this is the way of Neptune, dissolving and removing the limiting structures or illusions that no longer reflect our true self.

This also means that structures within Governments, the Banking System and Big Business, will not be able to sustain themselves unless they become more heart-focussed and compassionate. The uncompromising nature of Chiron requires that, when the time has come for healing and change to occur, it will not rest until that is achieved; the healing process will bring to the surface all of the ugliness, illusion and deception that has been going on, and quietly acquiesced to by us all, since 1945.

It’s time for change, and Neptune will ensure that change will happen both relentlessly…and with compassion. What is required for the compassion to kick in is a letting go and a change of heart; if we truly act from a place of Right Action, with an intention that is for the good of the whole, and then we will freely and effortlessly receive the abundance of the Universe, in every moment. The key is daring to let go and trust.

Chiron / Neptune World Alignments:

Alignments of the north-south Meridians of 8 planets will pass over Mount Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii on 16^th February 2010, all within 3 hours and 3 minutes between 11.27 – 14.30 AHST (Alaska-Hawaii Standard Time); one asteroid, Vesta the Eternal Flame of Divine Love, will also pass directly underneath our feet there.

In the crucial hour, from 12.00pm – 1.00pm AHST (Alaska-Hawaii Standard Time), when the Chiron and Neptune Meridians pass overhead, other planetary Meridian alignments will occur over many of the World’s Sacred Sites and Energy Centres.

We urge you to connect and tune in with us at these local times, at or near the Sacred Sites listed below – use meditation, ceremony, dance, singing, or just breathing in stillness, whatever helps you to connect to the Divine Source at the core of your being.

For each planetary alignment, the body chakra that corresponds with that planet is given below, so that you may tailor your ceremony/meditation to focus particularly at that level of consciousness, which will help you to anchor those planetary frequencies through your physical and energy bodies, and into the Earth.

The list below gives the most important of these alignments, with time given in AHST (Alaska-Hawaii Standard Time) and in the Local Time Zone of the Country or State, where they occur:

Note – all times given are on 16^th Feb, unless specifically stated to be on 17^th Feb

Click on each list to enlarge (and print):

Winter Solstice - Dec 21st at 17.47 UT/GMT

2009-12-17T08:48:00.000Z

Mars turns retrograde for Winter Solstice

On December 20^th Mars turns retrograde until 10^th January 2010. Just when we thought we could finally steam ahead with our plans, we may experience hesitation, delay and obstruction. It is important not to feel frustrated by this, nor to simply carry on regardless – the frustrations and delays are there to ensure that we act from our innermost heart and not from our ego. It is time to take stock and wait for the moment of Right Action to occur naturally and spontaneously, which it will when the time is right. Retrograde Mars is “priming” us to act with clarity and pure intent, when the Chiron - Neptune conjunction on 16^th February accelerates us all towards the Big Shift in 2012.

Winter Solstice - Click on image to Enlarge

At Winter Solstice, the Sun is poised between Venus (in Sagittarius) and Pluto (in Capricorn). The choice is clear – to allow renewal and rebirth to emerge from the depths of your heart, and move into a place of empowerment; or deny that, and life will continue to challenge you at every turn.

With Mercury conjunct the Moon’s North Node, this is the time to make a conscious choice to do what is right at the deepest level of our being, rather than to continue doing what merely keeps us in our comfort zones. Retrograde Mars in Leo, at the apex of a “Striving Figure” is telling us that we really do need to let go of our ego-based wishes and intentions if we want to receive the new Vision for our lives that Jupiter is offering, as it completes its third and final conjunction this year with Chiron and Neptune.

That individual Vision needs to be based on what is true in our innermost hearts, and freed from our past self-delusions and inhibiting fear-based limitations or boundaries. Uranus can help us to break free of those fears and outmoded beliefs about who we are, whilst Mercury conjunct the Moon’s North Node has the potential to make us consciously aware of what we need to do next in order to put us on track with our true spiritual path…all of this is possible if we can let go of Mars thinking that we know best: the old joke that “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans” has never been more true than it will be this Winter Solstice!

Mars is opposing the Jupiter/Chiron/Neptune conjunction, which means that the only way we can truly see what lies ahead for us, is to let go and allow Chiron’s deep healing potential to bring to the surface all of those unresolved patterns from the past which we are still holding on to at a deep unconscious level.

These patterns may go back throughout our entire lives. As Jupiter brings them to light, it is important not to become caught in them, or to believe that they are to do with anything current in our lives; current events or relationships may be triggering the feelings that are brought up, but their roots lie way back in our past.

If Jupiter is not approached in a conscious manner, then it is prone to exaggeration and blowing things out of all proportion; combine that with the tendency of Neptune to plunge us into illusion and self-deception, and it will be very difficult to see things clearly. This is the true value of the retrograde Mars – it is teaching us not to just react, but to think and reflect about what is going on internally before we take any rash action. This may be difficult at times, because the feelings that are brought up will most likely be very immature and child-like; however, we have the insight of Uranus in Pisces and the pragmatic thinking of Mercury in Capricorn to help us in this, and enable us to perceive what is really going on.

Once we have seen the roots of the patterns that are being brought up, then all we have to do is to acknowledge and release the feelings; not to pick them over and analyse them, or think that we need to spend the next three years in therapy, but simply to acknowledge, release and forgive – as soon as we can truly feel that impulse of forgiveness for self and others, then the healing energy of Chiron will engage, and Neptune can release and dissolve what has been holding us in thrall for many years, and enable us to see more clearly the Path that lies ahead of us.

Have a Deep, Still and Blissful Solstice, and a Joyful rebirth!

October - December Update ~ Are You a Mystic or a Striver?

2009-10-01T16:01:00.000+01:00

The Mystic Rectangle

A rare “Mystic Rectangle” pattern occurs from 30^th September to 15^th October. Saturn will be in opposition with Uranus and Juno: During the two weeks the pattern lasts, Pallas Athene, Mercury and Venus move sequentially into conjunction with Saturn. On the other axis of the rectangle, Mars will be in opposition to the Moon’s North Node.

The Mystic Rectangle ~ Click on Image to Enlarge

The Mystic Rectangle’s purpose is to confront our inner conflicts (the oppositions), and to find our still Centre, which is the only place from where these conflicts may be resolved. When this deep centering occurs, huge resources of energy become available, but as long as we resist the challenges in the oppositions, then we are likely to feel tired, drained and confused. So, what are these challenges?

Retrograde Uranus and Juno are conjunct in Pisces, challenging us to let go of everything in our lives that does not express Right Relationship – this is particularly true of our long-held emotional belief-systems and values. At a deeper level (and Pisces is very deep), it would be true to say that they are actually challenging us to let go of all the patterns that we are holding onto from the past 2,000 years of the Age of Pisces, that do not express Right Relationship with ourselves and others! Put simply - it’s time to let go of any attitudes that do not enable us to express Compassion and Unconditional Love for ourselves and all of our fellow-beings on this planet…which is basically and simply what the Piscean Age’s Spiritual Teaching was all about. We have 3 more years (until 2012) until Time’s Up completely on the Age of Pisces – so, it’s time to review how we have each fared with that old “Love your Neighbour As Yourself” thing over the last 2,000 years or so. It sounds quite a simple task to accomplish, when viewed in the larger perspective, doesn’t it?

Saturn’s opposition with Uranus and Juno brings into sharp focus exactly how and where we are still attached to those old patterns of fear and denial of our spiritual heart. Saturn in Virgo shows us the intricate tapestry of attachments that we have woven into our lives over many lifetimes, but which are now limiting us, and preventing us from allowing ourselves to move forwards. Uranus/Saturn oppositions always challenge us to wake up and withdraw the projection of our inner Shadow onto others - it is time to take full responsibility for our lives, and not to blame others for whatever it is that we fear the most.

First Pallas brings the urge to break free; then Mercury starts to bring the know-how for doing this; then Venus brings the motivation, at the emotional level, to move more towards Right Relationship; the next day, Venus moves into Libra, which is the sign of relationship – there is such elegance in the Cosmos!

Meanwhile, Mars conjuncts the Moon’s South Node in Cancer, challenging us to finally have the courage to release our attachments to emotional “comfort zones”, and embrace new challenges and opportunities, that are afforded by the North Node in Capricorn…if we can let go of the past. If we fearfully, or stubbornly hold on, then we simply won’t have the clarity of vision to recognise these new opportunities. The day after the pattern completes, Mars moves into Leo, bringing a new lease of energy, vitality and creativity.

Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune turn Direct

Meanwhile, during October Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune start to appear moving direct (forwards) again, after a prolonged retrograde period (appearing to move backwards from Earth’s perspective). We are emerging from a time when their focus was internalised, enabling us to finally release those old belief patterns, before our new Vision can emerge. Jupiter moves direct first on 13^th October, in opposition to asteroid Vesta; next is Chiron on 31st October, also in opposition to Vesta and then Neptune on 4^th November (just in time for the fireworks!) and yes, you guessed it, Neptune is in opposition to Vesta!

The Striving Figure

The oppositions with Vesta form the “backbone” of a “Striving Figure”, which includes the Juno-Uranus conjunction and the Moon’s North Node.

The Striving Figure ~ Click on Image to Enlarge

This figure is concerned with aligning our emerging Vision with the deepest levels of our spiritual heart (Vesta); it is about reaching out to live our lives from the truest expression of our spiritual essence, and with the utmost integrity, honesty and compassion. From this place, we will no longer tolerate half-truths, spin and excuses from ourselves, or from those in positions of power around us. This is about saying to those who continue to act from a lack of integrity, honesty, or awareness of the good of the whole “we can see right through you, and your days are numbered”. To ram this home, Juno and Uranus make their third and final conjunction on 20^th November.

On 2^nd December, Uranus goes direct – hold on to your seats, because everything is about to change. With every planet moving direct between 5^th – 20^th December, nothing can now resist the processes of change that we ourselves have instigated. To paraphrase J.W.Goethe - Whatever it is that we have been dreaming we could do, now is the time to begin it!

The September Equinox

2009-09-21T07:50:00.000+01:00

A powerful Autumn Equinox, on Tuesday 22^nd Sept at 22.19 BST (21.18 UT) propels us towards the final stages of 2009, as the challenges of this year begin to move towards a resolution and set the stage for the major changes in 2010, which will accelerate us towards a New Dawn, beginning in December 2012.

Chart of the September 22nd Equinox

Click on Chart to enlarge

The Sun, Mercury and Saturn are conjunct at the Equinox, bringing spirit, mind and body into alignment to meet the challenging opposition from the Juno / Uranus conjunction (both retrograde), with Pluto completing a T-square pattern:

It’s time to get your act together and let go of everything in your life that is not an expression of Right Relationship; then prepare to stand fully in your power, ready for the roller-coaster ride of global healing that will emerge after Chiron and Neptune align in February 2010. Take a deep breath and remember to keep breathing and centered, however that works for you – meditation, yoga, walks in the woods, gardening, sitting with friends, or just sitting…

Two inter-laced “Learning Triangles” are created by Ceres, Mars and Jupiter, and by Moon, Jupiter and Mars:

Ceres in Libra is calling us to find a place of balance in the ways that we think about our relationship with the planet, and what we each now need for our personal and spiritual nourishment; whilst the square (90°) aspect from Ceres to Mars in Cancer, is causing us to act in order to change the status quo of our old emotional patterns, comfort zones and attachments, especially when we know that they are not giving us what we truly need, and are having detrimental effects on the planet as a whole. The quincunx (150°) aspect from Mars to Jupiter in Aquarius is challenging us to consciously create a new belief-system and value system that can enable us to get our own needs met, and take care of others and the planet…but we probably can’t see that clearly yet, as Jupiter remains retrograde until October 13^th - then we can really get things moving.

The Moon in Scorpio is causing us to dig deep and to look at (and question) our emotional values, patterns and attachments – Scorpio is a “Fixed” sign, which means that our attachments can be very deeply rooted in old emotional patterns that cause us to fear change – especially when that change may take us into unfamiliar emotional territory, or trigger early memories of loss, abandonment, or any level of abuse of our feelings. However, the square (90°) aspect from the Moon to retrograde Jupiter means that whilst we cling to those old attachments, for whatever reason, we will not see clearly where we need to be heading next. The quincunx (150°) aspect from Jupiter back to Mars in Cancer means that we simply have to muster our emotional courage and take the risks that are necessary to confront old, stuck emotional patterns, and start to move forward into the unknown…or we can simply retreat into our shell, feel even more frustrated and powerless about the things that are not right in our lives, and blame others because they are not right. However, the effect of the two Learning Triangles working together means that it will become very uncomfortable for us if we do not make the changes that we know we need to make – in the words, attributed to Goethe “"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."

For the moment, Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune remain together and retrograde, helping us to release the cords of our attachments to outmoded ways of thinking, being and believing. We are being called to let go of cherished beliefs that may have served us well in life, thus far. Now is the time to acknowledge and give thanks for those beliefs, and be open to receive whatever comes next. What does come next needs to be an expression of the true beliefs and values that spring spontaneously from our individual Spirit. The beliefs of others, no matter how wise or enlightened they may appear to be, are not necessarily what is true for the unique individuality of our spiritual soul. Only by becoming empty in this way can the inspiration of the New flow in unimpeded. If our mind or heart is cluttered with past beliefs, hopes and unfulfilled dreams, then there can be no room for the New to take root. When we become truly empty, then all things become possible.

The next Full Astrology Update, running from the Equinox to the end of the year is currently being prepared - you will receive an email, letting you know when it is posted on the Blog.

If you have not already signed up for this, email astrology@heavenandearth.org.uk and ask to be added to the mailing list - you will only be sent Heaven and Earth Updates and Newsletters, and your address will not be revealed or forwarded to anyone else.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

2009-08-30T20:41:00.000+01:00

We are emerging from the most rare of astrological alignments, which occurred on August 26th. Four major astrological patterns occurred simultaneously: a Grand Cross, a Mystic Rectangle and two Kites; accompanying these were two slightly lesser, but equally intense patterns: a Striving Figure and a Sensitivity Rectangle. This was a bit like getting to eat all of your most all-time favourite chocolates in one go - so you may be feeling a bit off-colour, queasy, or disoriented as you are trying to digest all of this.
According to Aluna Joy Yax'kin, in her latest Center of the Sun Newsletter (http://www.kachina.net/~alunajoy/news08-09-2.html), this is the Turning Point of No Return as we approach the planetary shift in 2012.
So what exactly has been going on:Below, you will find the chart for 21.00 UT (GMT) on 26th August 2009, followed by an explanation of these amazing patterns.

The Grand Cross:

This is the big red square pattern, involving Mars in the first degree of Cancer, Mercury in the first degree of Libra, Pluto in the first degree of Capricorn and asteroid Juno in the third degree of Aries. With these planets all right at the beginning of the Cardinal signs, it is like a very high-powered, highly tuned engine revving up and giving us the energy for what comes next. Mars is challenging us to move out of our old emotional patterns; Mercury is challenging us to change the thinking patterns that have supported those old feelings; Pluto is challenging us to transform how we act in the world, and Juno is challenging us to remain in Right Relationship with ourselves and others, whilst we do all this. That in itself would be quite demanding and exhausting, but that's just the start! The Grand Cross will remain until September 2nd.

The Mercury Kite:

This Kite pattern is pointing towards Mercury, with Juno and Uranus at the tail, and the Moon and Vesta/South Node/Venus as the "wings" of the kite. Here is the challenge to change our thinking (Mercury) to align with our spiritual knowing (Uranus) of what Right Relationship is (Juno). In order to do this we need to be deeply in touch with, and listening to our feelings (Moon in Scorpio), and aware of all of the old emotional patterns (Venus in Leo) and even deeply heart-felt beliefs (Vesta in Cancer) and attachments, which may be holding us back from now following our true spiritual path (South Node in Cancer). It is truly time to think new thoughts, and to manifest what we know to be true from the innermost depths of our being.

The North Node Kite:

This Kite pattern is pointing towards the Moon's North Node in the final degree of Capricorn; the tail of the Kite is the Vesta/South Node/Venus conjunction in Cancer/Leo and the wings of the Kite are the Moon in Scorpio and the Juno/Uranus conjunction in Pisces/Aries: The North Node shows the direction in which we now need to travel in order to fulfill our spiritual destiny. The Nodes travel backwards around the zodiac signs, so the North Node has just come out of Aquarius and moved into Capricorn. This means that it is time to truly begin to manifest our spiritual ideals in the "reality" of the world that we find "out there". It is time to fully "walk our talk", and to continue to challenge all of the out-moded, out-dated, out-worn and "old-Age" paradigms and institutions that we can see are falling apart around us. The key is to focus on the positive aspects of where we are heading, not on the negative aspects of where we have been. That has passed, and we can all now see how corrupt, wrong and out of alignment it was. Now we need to move on and focus on what we can each individually create that is more in alignment with our inner spiritual knowing. The old-guard will try to keep re-establishing the old patterns, paradigms and institutions, and dressing them up in new clothes, but their days are numbered - we know it, and they know it, but they simply can't think beyond the old paradigms. It's not just a question of us all learning to "think outside the box". It's a question of truly grasping that there is no box, and in fact there never was a box, apart from the ones that we created for ourselves by our beliefs, fears and unwillingness to fully open our hearts to What Is. Therein lies the key to the Mystic Rectangle:

The Mystic Rectangle:

This is the big blue rectangle, with the red oppositions in the middle. It involves the North Node, the Uranus/Juno conjunction, the Vesta/South Node/Venus conjunction and Mercury. This is the box that we have all believed we were trapped inside, and while we continue to believe in its existence, then we will remain trapped. We will be caught in trying to maintain the status quo of the comfortable "blueness" on the outside of the box; trying to maintain our emotional security and comfort zones, trying to ignore our inner spiritual knowing of everything we see that is "wrong" in ourselves and with the world, or more correctly, all those things with which we are not yet in Right Relationship. It is really just a question of shifting our perspective, and allowing the possibility that everything can change and move more into alignment with our inner knowing. In order for this to happen, we need to not be afraid of owning, accepting and standing fully in our power, for all the world to see:

The Sensitivity Rectangle:

This is the green rectangular pattern, with the two red oppositions inside it. It involves the North Node opposing Vesta/South Node/Venus and Mars opposing Pluto. The Node opposition is what is challenging us to move forward. The Mars opposition to Pluto is saying that we can only do that, when we learn to become fully empowered from our spirit, not from our ego. This is about understanding the power of our innermost being and our ability to remain true to that, no matter what. This pattern will tend to feel uncomfortable to us, until we are able to learn how to do this. Pluto works best when we learn to become still, and allow the power of our spiritual will to well up out of the stillness, from the unconscious levels. If our Mars-ego-will is being impatient, wanting to "get things moving and make things happen", then Pluto cannot be in this way, and will instead appear to create obstacles in our path, or challenges that appear to be diverting us from our true purpose. These obstacles, or opposition to our intended purpose, are the projections of our own unconscious - it wants us to stop rushing around and move into the stillness, so we can feel the promptings of our Pluto-spiritual-will. This is particularly true of Pluto in Capricorn, so we'd better get used to dealing with it, as it will be there until January 2024!

The Striving Figure

This is the "arrowhead" shaped green figure, with the single red opposition inside it, involving the Moon's North Node, Mars, the Vesta/South Node/Venus conjunction and the Sun. One might literally view this figure as a bow and arrow: the resistance of our past emotional patterns and attachments is held in the Vesta/South Node/Venus conjunction; this is creating a tension between our Sun, which is the self that we aspire to be, and the Mars-will, which wants to act, gathering all the information that we need, so that we will know how to move forwards, when the time comes. When we have created the right balance in our being, the arrow can release spontaneously, propelling us towards the North Node and our new understanding of how to live and express our spiritual purpose in the coming years. So, this figure too is about gathering energy and information, and waiting for the moment of release, when we understand, or just get a clear glimpse of what is required of us.

August 26th was the crucial turning point in this process, when everything was now in place for us to begin to move forward, or at least to see how to do so, and make the necessary decisions for this to happen. Elements of this pattern will continue until September 6th, so we have until then to integrate these huge energies of change, and make the necessary adjustments to our internal and external structures, so that everything stands in readiness for the 22nd September Equinox, which will be the topic of the next Astrology-Blog...watch this space, and remember to keep breathing and taking one step at a time - "A journey of a thousand miles begins under one's feet" (Lao Tzu)

Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune & the Solar Eclipse

2009-07-13T05:40:00.000+01:00

The Jupiter alignments with Chiron and Neptune

As I write this, we have just returned from a magnificent meditation inside the circle at Stonehenge last night, to celebrate the second alignment this year of Jupiter with Chiron and Neptune. With all three of these currently retrograde (appearing to move backwards from Earth's perspective) they are releasing us from our attachments to old belief systems that may have served us well in the past to bring us to this point in our understanding and spiritual evolution. However, in order to move forwards into the next phase of our development we need to embrace a new personal and planetary vision for our future. This retrograde part of the cycle is offering us all the possibility to let go, and allow our new Vision to emerge, so that we may fully embrace it when Chiron and Neptune finally conjunct over Hawaii in February 2010, offering the possibility for planetary healing on an unprecedented scale. The last time this alignment occurred was the day after the signing of the Japanese surrender in 1945. This heralded the beginning of a whole new world order, as it will next February, as we begin to truly emerge from the global process of dissolution from old paradigms based on greed and corruption, that we have all been immersed in during the last year or more.

We were blessed to be joined in our meditation at Stonehenge last night, by a true master of the didgeridoo, Sika with his partner Caitlin, from New Zealand. As he played to release the patterns of the past held in the land, to open the ways for our new Visions to emerge, it felt as though the whole planet was resonating with the energy at this sacred place. As he said afterwards, he felt as though he were playing to the whole planet, as we all felt it too, and have remained in a profoundly altered state for the whole of the next day!
For more about Caitlin and Sika, visit: www.caitlinsika.com

The next step in this process of release, will be the Total Solar Eclipse on 22nd July.

Total Solar Eclipse – 22^nd July 2009

This Eclipse begins off the west coast of India, near Surat, passes across northern India, clipping Nepal and Bangladesh, then through Bhutan, Assam and across China, passing just south of Shanghai, south of Japan, and ending about 1,000 miles east of western Samoa, in the south Pacific. Maximum Eclipse occurs at 24°16.4'N 144°00.9'E, about 725 miles north of Guam, and about 250 miles south-east of Iwo Jima (Iōtō) in the Volcano Islands, Pacific Ocean, at 02.35 UT (GMT).

You are encouraged to "tune in" to the energies of this Eclipse, wherever you are, and in whatever way you may choose, through meditation, ceremony, music, or simply being in stillness. The focus is to release past patterns and attachments, in order to create space in your being for new insights and a new Vision for your future and the planet's future to begin to manifest. The Eclipse runs from 0.55 to 4.15 Universal Time (formerly GMT), with maximum Eclipse at 02.35 UT, so you will need to adjust for the Time Zone and Daylight Saving Time (Summer Time) for wherever you are. (In Europe: 02.35 UT = 03.35 BST, 04.35 CEDT. In USA, it will be on 21st July at 22.35 EDT, 21.35 CDT, 20.35 MDT, 19.35 PDT, and so on).

Click to enlarge images

This is a South Node Eclipse, so is concerned with releasing patterns from the past. The point of Maximum Totality lies just inside the northern Pacific UVG) Energy Grid, on the other edge of which lies Hawaii, where the Chiron – Neptune conjunction of February 2010 will occur. So this Eclipse will continue the process of clearing the physical, energetic and emotional trauma within this grid region, left as a result of some of the harshest battles of WW II (Iwo Jima and Guam), so that the pure healing frequencies of the Chiron – Neptune conjunction can flow in unimpeded in February 2010. Remember that this Chiron-Neptune conjunction last occurred at the end of WW II in the Pacific, with the surrender of Japan, so this is the completion of a cycle of healing that has taken 64 years.

(We are currently setting things in motion, in order to convene a group to work with the Healing Energies of Chiron and Neptune on Maui, Hawaii, in February 2010 – email if you might be interested in joining us there).

At Maximum Eclipse, the Sun and Moon are at 29° 27’ Cancer – the Sabian symbol for this degree is “A Daughter of the American Revolution” – the interpretation of which is concerned with the process by which a Tradition that once was born of Revolution now extols law and order, and attempts to suppress any new forms of the same revolutionary spirit, which gave rise to that Tradition in the first place. In order for new life and new growth to take place, every so often we need a revolution in consciousness. That time is now.

This Eclipse is marking the final passing of the Old Paradigms from the Age of Pisces. It is releasing us from those aspects of “Tradition”, which have actually resulted in the suppression truth, love, tolerance, spontaneity, creativity and a direct connection with the Spirit.

Our old emotional “Comfort Zones”, signified by Sun and Moon in Cancer, are being challenged; the South Node in the first degree of Leo is calling us all (not just the politicians!) to let go of narrow self-interest, or feathering our own nests, if it is in any way at the expense of the Collective or Greater Whole. The North Node in the first degree of Aquarius is a challenge to truly embrace the Aquarian ideals of Brotherhood/Sisterhood and Collective Responsibility, and to turn them into a reality for everyone, not just the elite few, or those who are “in the know”, or awakening to the New Energies of “Ascension”. “Ascension” means that the whole planet is raising its frequencies to resonate with the more refined levels of Spirit. As this happens, everything which does not or cannot resonate with those frequencies, will become glaringly obvious to all around and act as a “millstone around the neck”, until it is released.

This is what is happening now on a Global scale, because it is plain for all the world to see that the Old World Order, and the institutions that sustain it are no longer working, despite the “best intentions” of even the most aware and conscious of world leaders, and largely because of the “intentions” of those world leaders who have not been not particularly aware or conscious.

The Sun and Moon are part of a “Learning Triangle” with Juno and Pluto, which suggests that this Eclipse is part of the on-going process for each of us to learn about becoming empowered from the level of the soul, and moving into Right Relationship with all that is. Pluto retrograde is about reclaiming our power from all the places, and people where we may have given it away in the past. Collectively, we are well on the way towards this, but there is still much to be learned as we have discovered in the UK with mind-boggling instances of how those “in power” have been systematically abusing their privileges for decades – hold on to your seats, I have a feeling that you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! When dinosaurs fall, they tend to create a very big bump.

Uranus is, for the moment, retrograde in the last few degrees of Pisces (26° 27’), reaping the harvest of the wisdom of the last 2000 years of the Age of Pisces. At the same time it brings the opportunity for a last letting go of all the patterns from that Age that are holding us back from our collective spiritual development and from awakening to the direct experience of the reality of Spirit.

Uranus is part of a “Sensitivity Rectangle” formed with the Jupiter, Chiron Neptune conjunction, with Ceres and with Pallas Athene. The Sensitivity rectangle always carries a message of Urgency – wake up, wake up, because if you don’t wake up, it will become really, really uncomfortable for you, and it will continue to get more and more uncomfortable until you decide to wake up…so there is only one way to deal with it – wake up!

Uranus remains retrograde until 1^st December 2009, and enters Aries on 28^th May 2010. It turns retrograde again on 5^th July 2010, returning to Pisces, just to deal with any remaining Piscean dregs, until 12^th March 2011, when it finally re-enters and remains in Aries. So, we all have until then to really Wake Up. One wonders just how much more it will take before we decide that enough is enough and we’d better all wake up….”Ooh, can’t we all stay in the old illusions just a little bit longer please, we’re not ready to wake up yet…” Well yes, we can keep returning to them until March 2011, then the New Reality will hit! You have been warned…but you may choose to continue to ignore this warning until March 2011, until life becomes so intolerable that you will one day decide “I think I’d better wake up.” So, what is required by this Eclipse, in order for us to wake up?

Uranus is in opposition to Ceres in Virgo, which suggests that we really need to wake up to the messages that we are receiving from the Earth, about learning to honour Her for her own sake, not just because of the ways that Climate Change is affecting us personally or nationally. Also in the pattern with Uranus are Chiron, Jupiter and Neptune, which we have already looked at as bringing the need for a new Vision for planetary change and healing, bearing in mind that a new Vision requires Visionaries, and not just the same, tired old political solutions, dressed up in new clothes.

These three (Chiron, Jupiter and Neptune) are also in opposition to Pallas Athene in Leo (24° 27’) – the Sabian symbol for this is “A Large Camel Is Seen Crossing A Vast And Forbidding Desert”. This suggests that we are in for a challenging journey, but we have the resources to deal with it, as long as we create clear boundaries, and curb the desires of the ego, for the good of the Greater Whole. Pallas is about being true to our inner knowing, facing facts, and creating the circumstances which enable us to move forward with integrity, intelligence and insight – at least we now have an American President who seems to embody these qualities.

One final thing about this Eclipse – Vesta in Cancer remains un-aspected by any other planets, suggesting that this is an opportunity to truly stand back from all that has been going on, listen to our hearts, and BE in our hearts – we can be assured that what we will feel and understand from this will be true, as Vesta is uninfluenced from the outside at this time. We will get a very clear reflection of what our heart’s state of being currently is. No matter what we feel and see, it is important to acknowledge the reality of this, because it will be a reflection of the true state of our Spirit at this time, without judgment, without expectation, but with a simple and loving acceptance (towards ourselves) of “this is how it is right now.” Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune can show us what might need to change in the future, but for now Vesta is there to connect us with gratitude, appreciation and acceptance of who we are in this moment.

Heaven and Earth Astroblog

Happy New Year - 2012 !

Winter Solstice 2011

11.11.11

Talk at Mind Body Spirit Festival, London

How to get there:

By Train: Victoria main line station

By Bus: The following buses operate along Victoria Street -11, 24, 148, 211Alight near Greycoat Place.

Astrology 2012 - OUT NOW! + Latest Astrology Update + Early-bird deadline extended for Awakening weekend

Awakening to 2012 - weekend in October

Paradigm Shift Road Show

Latest Update

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse

Stand By Me - Enjoy!

Full Moon Equinox

Total Solar Eclipse

Email delivery problems

May - June Astrology Update

Report on the Chiron-Neptune Ceremony

Chiron - Neptune Meditation

The Chiron - Neptune Alignment

Winter Solstice - Dec 21st at 17.47 UT/GMT

October - December Update ~ Are You a Mystic or a Striver?

The September Equinox

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune & the Solar Eclipse

By Bus: The following buses operate along Victoria Street -
11, 24, 148, 211
Alight near Greycoat Place.