Astrological Energies - Fall, 2008
Dear Friends,
How are you doing? How are you navigating your life in light of all that is happening in the world? Are you keeping your thoughts positive? Some discussion of planetary activity might help you understand the economic, financial, political, governmental, and weather-influenced chaos and turmoil happening in the world and how it relates to your life. Looking at the bigger picture and incorporating spiritual perspectives into your daily life make it easier to stay in the moment with greater grace and ease.
Below are some of the key planetary movements and their influences.
Pluto is finally moving into Capricorn
In my January newsletter, I talked about Pluto’s first entrance into Capricorn. Since then, Pluto has been moving back and forth between the two signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn. However, on November 26, it will permanently move into Capricorn, where it will remain until 2024. (See past newsletter for review at www.astrology-fengshui.com/as-newsletter.html )
Whenever a planet changes signs, a new cycle begins with an all-new energetic effect that can be felt strongly. The slower the planet, the stronger the effect, and with Pluto being the slowest of all planets in our solar system, such a change is a big deal.
What is Pluto?
Pluto is the planet that represents extremes as well as death and endings. It represents the breakdown of the structures in our lives in order to bring transformation and fresh beginnings. Pluto brings us face-to-face with the reality of life, and destroys whatever stands in the way of our ultimate best destination (whether or not we like it).
Pluto cycles typically include a breakdown phase, where structures that no longer serve us are dismantled to make room for new structures more in line with our highest good in the greater scheme of things. Pluto also tends to bring up that which is hidden, such as deep-seated fears, including those we have hidden from ourselves. As we experience facing and moving through these fears, we uncover our power.
What does Capricorn represent?
Capricorn rules structure and form, business, traditions, career, life-path, governments, finances, the global economy, and other structures that keep society in order. It also represents the crystallized thoughts and limiting belief systems that we consciously and subconsciously “obey.”
So Pluto going through Capricorn means…?
Put simply, Pluto’s transit through Capricorn creates the opportunity for grand-scale individual, local and global reorganization, moving to a new playing field, so to speak. This planetary transit will, without a doubt, change the world as we know it. We are already seeing the first stages of change in the financial world. Pluto rules destruction; things must be broken down (Pluto) before they can be rebuilt on a stronger foundation (Saturn).
Currently, Pluto’s transit into Capricorn is in full effect, as evidenced by our sinking housing market, mortgage meltdown, debt crisis, and credit crunch. Note the unprecedented bank and Wall Street firm failures, the history-making drop in the Dow Jones Index, and many people in a state of panic about what the future holds. Everything appears to be “crumbling.” The planets are strongly urging us to pick up the pieces and put them back together differently.
The world is changing and so are you – As without, so within.
As Pluto moves through Capricorn, we will feel its effects most strongly in the first year or so. I like to think of this period as a “course correction,” where certain changes that are required on another level begin to happen. If you currently see or have a sense that change is coming into your life, take a deep breath and trust. You will eventually understand the need for the change. If deeply felt needs and desires are making their way into your consciousness, know that it is time to go beyond your comfort zones.
When you understand and trust the process, then surrender to it, your experience can be one of exhilarating transformation and empowerment. If you resist and hold onto the past, the process will be more challenging.
How does this relate to my life?
You may be in the midst of or anticipating change in your life and new feelings may surface. These changes are the gifts that Pluto brings us, providing us with the opportunity to move into a better space, one that we will celebrate later on. Some may lose their jobs, their investments, their homes, or even experience betrayal by a friend, employer or spouse. These are all opportunities to start anew, to take on a new perspective in life, to see how we can live our lives differently. You can venture into places you have heretofore feared to tread. These challenges offer you the opportunity to move forward.
Hence, Pluto in Capricorn also helps us build our inner confidence and inner strength. You might find yourself responding to situations in new and different ways, perhaps standing up to so-called authority figures and making your true feelings known, or taking risks that you might not otherwise have taken. These challenges are designed to liberate us, to help burn away the old and embrace the new.
This planetary transit will heighten your awareness and help you respond to situations in a more empowering manner. You will want to take full responsibility for your life.
Endings are scary…
The world appears to be in crisis at present, but the planets say that in such circumstances lies the opportunity for great transformation. The financial crisis will eventually come to an end, and a new beginning will rise from the ashes. We will survive this “crisis” and it is with this knowing that we must all move into our own truth, even if it means giving up something comfortable and easy.
What do you need to let go of? Is it an attitude, a humdrum job, a false identity, your ego, the need to be right, a passionless relationship, a habit, or a belief system?
Remember, Pluto causes endings, which give way to new beginnings, and forces us to surrender as we rebuild ourselves from the inside out. As scary as it is to contemplate, moving out of our comfort zones and into the unknown creates the opportunity to rebirth and move forward in a fresh new way.
Overwhelm can be present
On the other hand, Pluto transits can also put us in a state of overwhelm. What do we do? We must trust that whatever situation is currently in our lives is there for a good reason. Trust that you have all the answers, and know that if you stay in the present moment, your path will be guided step-by-step until you reach the light at the end of the tunnel.
Making Decisions
If you are contemplating making a decision that you know in your heart is right, yet you are “afraid,” see the bigger picture. Your heart will never lead you down the wrong path. Change your perception. See the “right choice” as the one that offers you an opportunity to move into a new playing field, a place where you can meet new challenges and gain the greatest experience. For example, a business failure can be seen as a step on the path to success in some other venture. One thing dies as another is birthed. In the bigger picture, that failure becomes evolutionary gain and experience.
Another Planetary Configuration:
Introducing the Saturn/Uranus Opposition
From October 2008 through the summer of 2010, almost two years, we will be under the push-and-pull influence of Saturn and Uranus. Saturn represents authority, and Uranus questions authority. Every 45 years, they oppose each other and we struggle collectively and individually with structures and foundations that need a serious overhaul. The coming two years will be a period of rebellion against stagnant systems that no longer work, yet are resistant to change.
Is there stagnancy in your life?
Notice what is stagnant in your life, and be prepared to transform your situation, even if that means being uncomfortable. Pluto will work concurrently with this planetary opposition to help us through the transition of letting go of the old and welcoming the new.
Be conscious of where you are determined to hold onto the status quo and why, and then see if you can be open to the possibility of change by co-creating the outcome you desire. These planetary influences are excellent opportunities for change and to revamp your life in a big way.
Stifling Structures in your life?
Are you feeling frustrated because the structure of your life has left you unrealized or unfulfilled? Do you feel incomplete, that you can be more than you are in the moment? Are you concerned about how people would respond if you were different, if you were freer to be who you want to be?
Ideally, the structure of your life should provide a platform upon which you can be a creative force of change in your own life. If you are not fully expressing yourself in some way, you will feel a deep need to break out and be free. Be aware of this energetic influence and you will make better choices for yourself as you move through this period of Uranus/Saturn opposition.
Going to Extremes
Due to the oppositional nature of Saturn and Uranus (Saturn = structure and form, and Uranus = freedom and rebellion), expect that you will fluctuate between the extremes of structure and freedom.
At times, you may crave freedom and change, and at other times you may feel the need for the security that structure brings, not wanting to disrupt the status quo. Such fluctuation in mood will be natural and could manifest in your work (a “secure” job vs. venturing out on your own), your relationships (a stable but stagnating marriage vs. being free from something that’s not working), your health (a traditional way to treat an illness, as in western medicine vs. a new way, as in eastern medicine), or your belief systems (an old belief system, such as “it’s all about how I can gain,” vs. a new belief system, such as “it’s about how I can give”).
The bottom line with this transit
Saturn represents a sense of order and cohesion, while Uranus symbolizes the depths of your unconscious calling to you to sever or overthrow whatever is limiting your spiritual self. In other words, you will have the opportunity to awaken to the truth of who you are. This will be an opportunity to shore up your courage so that you can create the life you want without apologies.
The rumblings of inevitable change are evident. During times of great change, fear looms because we face the unknown. We have no idea how things will turn out for us individually or collectively. Remember that we control our lives, that we can create our future. See the current world events as an opportunity to evolve. We are entering into a time of evolution of the soul. This is not a revolution where we lose our foundation. We will always have the foundation of our spiritual selves. Now is the time to take advantage of that gift and keep our eyes on the prize that awaits us at the end of the tunnel—light.
Final Words
Look at our current social, political and personal situations as opportunities to create a new reality. How you define what is going on will set the framework for your life to unfold.
Instead of giving in to your fears and imaginings about what will happen to the economy, your marriage, the financial markets, your retirement, social security, your job, inflation, possibility of deep recession, etc., consciously practice being at peace with “the way things are”. Will yourself to be in a state of openness. Only in this frame of mind can new avenues open up, allowing you to move into possibilities you couldn’t have otherwise imagined.
The turmoil in our world will rear its energy until we can embrace the light and see the positive in the negative. It is a time of great adventure and promise as we enter into uncharted territory. Like the pioneers of old, we are headed into a new world, a new way of being, and it is up to us to meet the challenges along the way with great optimism and trust.
See yourself as an eagle soaring in the sky. See the pathways that are leading out from where you are. Those pathways always lead to exactly where you need to be. You need only choose to move on the path, keep your language positive and embrace the possibilities of a new and harmonious world, and the Universe will bring those possibilities to you as you move to the next level of your evolution.
Let’s stop pointing fingers and take full responsibility for everything we have in our lives. We are being presented with an opportunity to move ourselves forward to new horizons. Let’s remain deeply optimistic and mindful that the storm always comes before the calm.
Final Focus
In all situations, focus on your heart and what your inner-being is saying to you. Make choices that free your spirit.
By being in communication with your own inner-being, you will better understand that you are exactly where you need to be in any given moment. Your mind creates boundaries and limits. The reality is that your spirit exists where no limits are found. Rely upon your spirit to take you to where you wish to go.
You have unlimited possibilities, and unlimited potential. Do not limit your freedom by embracing fear. The vast and boundless sky is available for your flight into new possibilities. Let’s soar together on this amazing journey and embrace life in all its wonders and complexities.
Blessings from my heart,
Alice
NOTE: My recently published book, “A Loving Guide to These Shifting Times,” is available at www.amazon.com. (Search in “books” and type in book title or “Alice Inoue.”) This book offers simple and direct guidance for navigating your life during this time of unprecedented change. It includes information on many interconnected realms of energy, including astrology, Feng Shui, spirituality, metaphysics, Universal Laws, and human consciousness.
Alice's Web Sites : Astrology-Fengshui.com & PeleOfLemuria.com
