Seeing Stars with Mark 5 - 11 December 2009
Dear Friends,
How did we survive the Gemini Full Moon on Wed, December 2? Gemini is the mutable air sign, concerned with communication and the acquisition of information. A Full Moon shows how we are doing in a particular area of our lives - it gives us a progress report on our current state of affairs. I noticed that many people were complaining about their Facebook pages not working and cell phones and computers lost or broken, etc. The ruler of Gemini is Mercury and the ruler of the Sun in Sagittarius (which was opposite the Moon) is Jupiter. Mercury was square to Uranus that day, and Uranus always brings surprises: its up to us and the manner in which we process the surprise to determine whether or not the surprise is welcome. Jupiter was conjunct Chiron and Neptune, a triple conjunction in Aquarius which has been in place since last January and that is slowly fading. Also, Jupiter was opposed by Mars in Leo. Mars is in his shadow and moving very slowly right now, so this is also a configuration that will last for several more weeks. Jupiter sitting with Chiron and Neptune is creating a window where we can either heal ourselves or make our wounds deeper. With this configuration operating, we have, over the past year, either figured out how to take better care of ourselves, or we have made a string of poor decisions which has dug our holes even deeper. Either way, the opposition to Mars makes us want to break free from the wound and escape its pull. Well, the best way to work with an opposition is to reconcile the elements of each polarity. By allowing the healing to happen (which means facing the issues head on), we can create a better platform upon which to follow our dreams (Mars in Leo).
Imagine that the triple conjunction in Aquarius is an incubator providing a certain set of constant values, maintaining a certain fixed, that therefore artificial, atmosphere in which we are facing other challenges simultaneously. The conditions of this atmosphere are ripe for healing, but we must also face the additional challenges of our development if we are going to grow and be truly well. The situation reminds me of John Travolta’s early movie “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.” Just because we are insulated - or isolated - from reality doesn’t mean we aren’t affected by it and that we do not affect it. Whether or not we face the remaining challenges will determine how successful the healing is. The bubble only equals the playing field, but it does not guarantee success.
For the upcoming week, Mars will continue his slow march through Leo. Mars will form a trioctile (135 degree) aspect with Pluto and Mercury mid-week, requiring humor and the understanding that we are all human and that we all make mistakes, while also acknowledging that we all have the tendency to take ourselves too seriously. This is not a suggestion that we shouldnt be serious, but rather a reminder that a healthy perspective includes a bit of humor and insight. Mercury conjuncting Pluto will bring the opportunity for new perspectives, but a sextile from the North Node will also require accepting responsibility for creating that perspective. No free lunches this week, or for any time soon to come.
In addition to Mars, Saturn will also be presenting his own challenges to both Mercury and Pluto through a square aspect. Saturn is in Libra through April 2010, bringing a third quarter square to his relation with Pluto. Once again, this phase is all about taking responsibility for bringing balance and harmony into our lives. This cycle started in November 1982 at 27 Libra. It is important to realize that the situations in which we find ourselves are part of a larger story. If we can uncover the actual beginning of the story, then we have much more understanding of the cycle and we can make better choices as we navigate through the maze.
Lately, I have been asked repeatedly to share some optimism with folks. Well, optimism and pessimism are two sides of the same coin. Is the glass half full or half empty? Either way, its the same glass with the same amount of water. Mercury conjuncting Pluto while simultaneously squared by Saturn will give everyone the opportunity to take responsibility for creating their own optimism. This is good news! Nothing is “happening” to us that we cannot direct. However, if we choose not to direct ourselves, then we will be directed. How optimistic is that? We are captains of our own ships, and if we want to sail from Miami to Panama, we can do it the short way or the long way: its up to us to chart the course.
The seeds of change have been growing for quite some time since Saturn in Virgo started opposing Uranus in Pisces back on election Day, November 4 2008. We have one more definitive opposition in these signs on April 26, 2010 before these planets move on to oppose each other in the cardinal signs of Libra and Aries on July 26, 2010 for the last time this cycle. This final opposition will be the beginning of a new phase for everyone! Between now and then, it is up to each of us to create our lives, our experience, and our selves in the manner which most reflects who we are, the talents and dreams we have, and the tools which we have been given or developed. Remember Herbie from Rudolf? He wasnt an elf, he was a dentist. He knew what his talents were and he had the tools for success, he simply had to find the proper place to use them.
By the end of December, Mars and Mercury will be retrograde, we will have a significant Sagittarius New Moon on December 16th near the Galactic Center just before the Winter Solstice, and New Years Eve will bring a significant lunar eclipse that will end the year with quite a BANG! There hasnt been such a strong lineup of energy in the skies since I started this column over a year ago. Now is the time to create growth in our lives, without a doubt. But growth requires change, so let’s let go of what doesn’t serve us anymore, no matter how attached we are to it. Smokers are attached to cigarettes, but that doesnt make them good for us.
Please join me for the Zodiac Lounge Sagittarius New Moon cocktails and discussion group on Wednesday December 16 at 7:30p at the Standard Hotel on Miami Beach’s famous Venetian Causeway. I will be posting details soon, or you can email me at markspringle@gmail.com !
Love to all and to all a good night!
m
