Paradigm Shift Road Show

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

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

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!

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

I hope this song touches you!

Full Moon Equinox

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

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.

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.