7-Year Cycle
Winter Solstice 2012 marked the alignment of our solar system with the Galactic Center. On Winter Solstice Dec 21, 2019, we completed the first 7-year cycle since that celebrated date. This cycle opened our eyes to the realities around us – climate change, economic inequality, insufficient housing, food and water scarcity, health care insufficiencies, racial and religious injustice, misogyny, trans-gender prejudice, lack of worker rights… the list goes on. That was the Cycle of Awakening. During the next 7 years we must respond to these issues with effective action.
Christmas Night Eclipse
The transition between the decades was further punctuated by a Christmas Night Annular “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse conjunct Jupiter and trine Uranus. Luck and expansion, personal, professional, and spiritual growth, as well as insight and inspiration are attainable now! What an incredibly positive prelude to this new decade as new projects and plans receive a boost!
Capricorn Eclipses
However, there are shadows hidden within this “3 South” Eclipse Family which reveals an explosive signature combining the 3 most belligerent planets – Pluto, Mars and Uranus! Together they suggest that nuclear (Pluto) issues could explode (Mars) unexpectedly (Uranus) this year. The last “3 South” Eclipse occurred 3 months after 9/11 when George W. Bush was considering the use of nukes in retaliation for the worst terrorist attack in American history. He settled on invading Iraq in search of elusive “weapons of mass destruction” instead. We will continue with conflict, but probably not war.
Dire consequences
During the ancestral first eclipse of the “3 South” Family, Pluto sat on the Nodal axis, commanding “destiny”. The over-riding theme of this eclipse season is therefore “traumatic transformation”. The transiting Saturn/Pluto conjunction on January 12th might provide the trigger needed to initiate a major nuclear (or seismic) event before the next eclipse on Summer Solstice. Certainly, ignoring the threats of nuclear energy and who can wield it is folly, whether it’s used for generating electricity or nuclear weapons. We overlook this threat to our peril. With Uranus in earth sign Taurus and an activated Pluto ruling the under-world, expect to see more volcanoes, earthquakes and other eruptions, including possible nuclear accidents this year.
Lunar Eclipse
A Capricorn-Cancer Lunar Eclipse occurs on January 10, 2020. This Eclipse creates new beginnings with bright new opportunities, so take heart! If something is falling apart in your life, realize that it’s time for “closure” on that aspect of your life. Let it go. That will “clear the slate” for many new possibilities to emerge in the decade ahead!
Saturn/Pluto
The dreaded Saturn/Pluto conjunction in sober Capricorn happens on January 12th at 22+ degrees Capricorn, including both Mercury and the Sun, all within a tight 2-degree orb. Mercury sharpens the mind and Saturn is critical, while the Sun/Pluto has unpleasant duties it must perform (like Impeaching Trump). The Saturn/Pluto conjunction means accountability. Misdeeds carry consequences! It’s true that people (especially powerful White men) have gotten away with committing immoral and illegal acts for centuries. But that’s about to change, although drastic change (Pluto) may take root rather slowly (Saturn). Both planets value truth over falsehood, the latter often camouflaged to look like truth. We may be unclear about the real truth, but karma cannot be fooled, and with painful Chiron T-squaring the Nodes of Destiny, the search for truth will include wounding. But karmic payback is coming… Expect our politicians, leaders, bosses and financiers to be held accountable under this aspect, despite legal delays (Saturn). Impeachment and extreme partisanship create an ugly battle to save our democracy!
Recession?
When Pluto, the destroyer (represented by The Tower in Tarot), meets Saturn, the builder, we can expect a certain amount of destruction to pave the way for major transformation and eventual reconstruction during the upcoming decade. This Pluto/Saturn conjunction happens in the 2nd house of money and values in our National Chart, so we can expect economic contraction to rein in the surging stock market and take us into an overdue recession before year’s end. On the bright side, the undoing of our economy will create the opportunity to restructure it.
Saturn offers challenges that require long-term attention but promise success for those willing to work hard to achieve their goals. Long-term planning, rather than speculation, is favored. Penetrate deeply into what you plan to achieve and why. The “how” will unfold as you proceed. As the I Ching counsels, “Perseverance furthers”.
Pluto’s promise is the elimination of whatever is no longer working. By undoing the superfluous, Pluto strengthens our core values (also under discussion this year) and creates transformative progress. Both Pluto and Saturn are agents of karma, so expect to see many “consequences” rendered this year as well! When consequences fall upon YOU due to this karmic effect, be sure to look within for whatever needs adjusting. The more honest we are with ourselves, the more personal growth can occur and the less we’ll suffer from denial.
Year of the Metal Rat
January 25th marks the Chinese New Year – Year of the Rat
– to be discussed next month.