Lynn Wilson Astrology

“World peace is difficult for humanity to achieve because we are still in a juvenile species mode of aggressive competition, especially in our economics. This is a necessary stage in evolution, but must give way to the kind of cooperative maturity we see in type III ecosystems such as rainforests and prairies.” Elizabeth Sahtouris Earth Dance: A Walk Through Time

“If you remove fear from the environment, both learning and innovation spiral upward.” Monty Roberts Horse Sense For People

This newsletter will continue the focus on evolution, touched on in previous newsletters. Many writers have addressed the notion of our species making a huge evolutionary leap at this point in time. (See Buckminster Fuller, Rudolph Steiner, Teilhard de Chardin and Stephen Hawkins.) It is a thought whose time has come, and astrology is a beautiful language for gaining insight into these evolutionary changes on both the personal and cultural levels. There is a saying in astrology “As above so below” that can be rephrased “As within, without, or in my usual iteration “It’s all done with mirrors.” What this means is we can use the language of the stars as a way to create a context for understanding current developments on both the personal and collective level. Astrological concepts can frame this period of time in a way that allows us to make sense of what’s happening, allowing us to cooperate with rather than fear the current changes.

I often refer to astrology as myth and math. I started college as a math major and switched to psychology, with a minor in political science. These disciplines all come together perfectly in the astrological realm. The planets relate to one another through geometrical patterns that have meaning. Each of the planets is named after one of the ancient gods, beings we know through the great myths. And every culture lives according to its ruling mythology. The planets are currently aligned in patterns that indicate we are in a period of radical transformation. Listening to what they’re telling us can provide a long-range perspective that helps prevent fear-based reactions.

There are two major influences dancing with one another throughout 2010, rather like the double strands of DNA: Saturn square Pluto (exact on Feb 1 and Aug 21) and Saturn opposite Uranus (Apr 27 and July 27). The previous newsletter also dealt in depth with these issues. In mythology Saturn is father time, consensus reality, the duties and shoulds of life. People with Saturn prominently placed in their chart often view the glass as half empty and can seem very fearful of the unknown. This fear often leads people to set up limiting structures in an effort to create a (usually illusory) feeling of safety. These same limits stifle growth and decrease a sense of personal responsibility, because we’re looking for something or someone outside ourselves to guarantee our well-being. The positive side of Saturn has to do with ethics, responsibility and the soundness of a structure. He is a necessary stage in our development for without a sound structure, both internally and externally, human life and culture would collapse. The issue in 2010 is that he is interacting with Pluto the god of death and rebirth, leading to the dismantling of structures that are not sound or that no longer serve us. On a psychological level this will be experienced in the psyche as a need to face our shadow material (previous newsletter). In the body this can be experienced as stiffness and illness. We are currently experiencing a cancer epidemic brought on by our lack of concern with the quality of our air, food and water. It is vital to keep our immune systems in good working order in order to deal with this onslaught. (And I am heartened by the growing interest in local, sustainable organically grown food.)

While many are disturbed about the breakdown in our societal structures I see it as a sign for hope. Rather than fear what is being lost, we need to focus on what is possible on the other side of this period of change. An apt symbol for this process is the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into the butterfly. The caterpillar has imaginal cells that are unlike the rest of its cells. Its immune system attacks but can’t destroy them. They are on the same vibrational level as other imaginal cells, a higher vibration than the rest of the caterpillar cells. Imaginal cells are drawn to one another and once the cocoon is built they join together and feed on the ooze that was the caterpillar, emerging as a beautiful butterfly.

The other influence is the opposition of Saturn and Uranus (Apr 27 and July 27). Saturn is the last of the planets that can be seen with the naked eye, reinforcing his position as keeper of consensus reality (that which all men can see). Uranus is the first of the transpersonal planets, rotating on his side while the rest of the planets in our solar system rotate around our sun on an upright axis. Fittingly, Uranus represents the process of individuation, being true to our individual nature. It is not a process of reaction against the rules and strictures of society (represented by Saturn) though it often looks and feels that way. It is a meaningful statement that says “This is who I am and this is what I believe.” This way of living may put us at odds with the norm, and people who live their lives in tune with Uranus are often castigated by the system because they are a threat to the status quo. (Think Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Buckminster Fuller, and Jesus.) Uranus rules Aquarius and represents this shift that has been taking place since the 60’s. There are some who have fought this pressure for change because they have an investment in the way things work, and it has seemed to many of us that we have been sliding backwards as a culture since then. But that plateau is part of the growth process. There is always an entrenchment, a desire for the comfort of what is “known” or familiar, prior to any major change. In the physical body this is referred to as the healing crisis – symptoms appear to worsen as they are releasing. If we can look at ourselves and the world as being in a healing crisis, and manage things accordingly, it can be helpful.

Some of the signs that the Uranian energy is on the increase are: a sense of collaboration and cooperation rather than competition, the use of the circle in architecture and in meetings, cross-species communication, recognition of beings from other galaxies (see www.CSETI.org), a greater capacity for risk, more NDE (Near Death Experiences) reports, increased awareness of the principle of synchronicity (meaningful coincidence or “magic”), and an increase in the level of diversity in all areas of our lives.

A number of previous newsletters have focused on these changes as a natural evolutionary process, and we’re in a period where this process is speeding up. While Pluto focuses on the present and Saturn focuses on the past, Uranus focuses on the future. I think we need to be aware of all three at the same time.

The following books can help us focus on the Plutonian nature of power and the need for awareness of what is rather than what we imagine life to be: “The Man Who Lives with Wolves” by Shaun Ellis, “People of the Lie” by Scott Peck, and Robin Easton’s current blog/newsletter http://networkedblogs.com/p25254059. A book that I’ve really enjoyed recently is Ned Sublette’s “What Made New Orleans.” It’s an excellent and timely history which includes the historical connection between New Orleans and Haiti and their ties to France, going back to the 1500’s. Having this historical perspective helps us to honor and understand the nature of a place which can lead to a suspension of judgment. Michael Pollan’s “Omnivore’s Dilemma” provides a wonderful historical analysis of the results of agriculture policy in this country. (There is a reason that other countries won’t allow importation of our food and cosmetic products.) He’s a wonderful writer and has produced a book about very dry material that reads like a compelling mystery novel. My favorite, most highly recommended book from the Uranian perspective is Dr. David Peat’s “Gentle Action” – www.gentleaction.org. In all of his books Dr. Peat does a remarkable job of applying the scientific principles of physics to life on the personal and cultural levels. “Gentle Action” offers historical insight into the unintended consequences of major efforts at change (our agriculture policy is a perfect example) and provides very useful advice for navigating this period or change that we’re experiencing.

I’ve spoken previously of the fact that much of what I learn comes through visions or voices. I’ve recently seen a large group of us gathering on the ocean floor. There is great turbulence in the waves above us, and one of us periodically goes up to check on conditions. In my practice, many of the people I’m dealing with are experiencing direct hits from these planets. The message that comes is that it’s important to be still, to wait. In Gentle Action, Peat refers to this process as a time of creative suspension, an important part of the creative process. This message was reinforced this week when I was on Janice’s table: www.janicecatheymassage.com. At one point I was a big dragon that could no longer breathe fire. I was “benched”, flat out on the ground. It gave me a completely different view of the world, and it allowed children to come and play on and around me. In another experience I was an angel whose wings no longer worked. They flapped but they couldn’t get me off the ground. Again “benched”. These visual experiences are reminders to me of the need to be still while this intense energy percolates. There may be people who choose to struggle in the massive waves on the surface. But for myself, and many of those I work with, the image of being awake and aware of what is going on while remaining still seems to be a pertinent one.

If you’d like to know how these energies are affecting you personally please consider an astrological consultation. It’s a wonderful way to gain perspective.

Blessings

Lynn