Report on the Chiron-Neptune Ceremony

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.

Green Tara at Paleaku Peace Gardens - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

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.

Blessings from the Galaxy Garden, Paleaku - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

All Photographs on this Blog Update are copyright - © Marcus Mason, Feb 2010

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

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

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

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?

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

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.

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A Journey of a Thousand Miles

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)