This view shows Neptune's south pole and was one of the last
global images taken, using green and orange filters, almost
5 days before Voyager 2 made its closest approach to the gas ball.
The image shows the "Great Dark Spot" hurricane in the
center. Courtesy of NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute.
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 his
article addresses the false “New Year” and the major transits
(astrological influences) of 2007. I begin by setting the
record straight. Until 1752, when England and the American
colonies changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, the
beginning of the year was March 25. This date is, on
average, five days after the beginning of spring (the equinox)
and this “New Year” made infinitely more sense than January 1,
which has no astrological or astronomical significance.
The spring equinox is the beginning of the natural year
because most trees and perennial plants regain their foliage,
many animals emerge from hibernation, and almost all animal
species mate around the beginning of spring (in the northern
hemisphere). The “New Year” for humans begins when the
Sun returns to the same position when we were born, typically
on or within a day of our birthday. Consequently, “New
Year resolutions” made on our birthday rather than on January
1 or its eve are much more likely to be kept because they are
made at a personally meaningful time.
There are several transits between the slowest
planets, including the dwarf planets (Pluto and Ceres), in
2007. During January (peak January 22) and early February,
from March through mid-June, and during September and October,
Jupiter is square Uranus. A square between these planets
occurs about every seven years (one-quarter of a Saturn cycle)
and it means freedom, impractical optimism (Uranus in Pisces),
exuberant chaos, and discontent with the status quo.
Common sense will seem to take a vacation and any
semblance of order and organization along with it. Not a
favorable time for travel abroad, unless you love surprises.
From late January – early February, Ceres is
conjunct Uranus, the marriage (?) of order and chaos.
The “harvests” of this time will be liberation,
excitement, innovation, stimulation, and probably fatigue from
the strain all of this will put on our health (Ceres is
associated with good health but Uranus is in Pisces –
unexpected or sudden stress on our immune system).
From late January through February, Ceres is
square Jupiter so it is activating the Jupiter-Uranus square
of this period. There is much fruitfulness in this
aspect but, because it is a square, there will be some twists.
Mothers may go overboard in their attempts to “take care
of” their offspring, no matter what age (the goddess Ceres
took extreme measures to retrieve her adult daughter Persephone
from Hades). Those who are normally supportive may test
your mettle.
From late January through July (peaks February 28
and June 25), Saturn is opposite Neptune again, which occurs
every 35 years but can last on and off for about two years.
Oppositions are all about looking at or seeing something
or someone from the opposite or a very different perspective.
What appears foreign or fearful (Saturn) is often just
some shadow side of ourselves that we have not yet embraced
(Neptune). On a mundane level, Neptune represents
inflation so we can expect increasing prices, probably fueled
by an increase in the cost of oil (oil is Neptune), which will
bring hardships (Saturn) to those who are less fortunate in
our society. This opposition began in the summer of 2005
during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when gasoline prices
shot up to over $3/gallon. This opposition also means
that comparisons will be made between so-called “reality”
(Saturn) and the ideal (Neptune). Lower your expectations
(Saturn) and don’t wallow in self-pity or doubt (Neptune).
Things tend to appear worse than they really are (Saturn)
and they may seem to be disintegrating (Neptune) but don’t
dwell on appearances and get a second viewpoint (preferably a
spiritual one). Turning a negative around, Neptune
manifestations like disappointment or uncertainty can lead to
a more universal understanding, especially what or who we fear
(Saturn). It is only an illusion (Neptune) that we are
different or separate from (the opposition) people or
experiences we fear or are repelled by (Saturn). Don’t
let fear or anxiety take over and, above all else, simplify
your life!
From late February through May (peaks March 16 and May 6), Jupiter
is trine Saturn and this aspect will mitigate
and soften the Saturn-Neptune opposition. It brings
success, advancement, completion of or significant progress
toward our objective goals (those pertaining to the outside
world), and pragmatism. This is a time to seek help from
authority figures and it could represent a promotion or
advancement in your career. It is a great time for
advertising and for promoting your abilities.
Late summer through mid-fall, the aspects
among the slowest planets (including the dwarf planets) are
mild and beneficial. During July and August (peak August 6),
Saturn is trine Pluto, which is the opportunity (trine) to
work hard (Saturn) toward significant personal or global
change (Pluto). Priorities are set or adjusted (Saturn),
ambitions are fulfilled (Pluto) through sustained endeavor
(Saturn), waste is recognized and trimmed (Pluto), and
relevance is pursued and embraced (Saturn). These are
months when success comes through perseverance, restructuring,
and lofty (preferably social) goals.
During October (peak October 29) and November,
Jupiter is sextile Neptune, a mild but spiritually satisfying
influence. Seek greater metaphysical understanding of
your experiences, take a vacation you’ve always dreamed of,
and put your optimism and greater perception to good use.
Focus on helping others out of the goodness in your
heart. This is a great opportunity (Jupiter) for
spiritual insight to come from everyday encounters.
From late November through mid-December (peak December 11), Jupiter
is conjunct Pluto. This transit
makes this an excellent period to conduct research of any kind.
It is a particularly fruitful time for psychological
rebirth, discovery or exploration. This can also
manifest as social regeneration (or destruction). The
emphasis should be on self-improvement and social-empowerment
but this can manifest negatively when inflated egos make
obsessive efforts to exert their power or proselytize their
religion. Let the aspiration of improving the world
guide your steps.
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*Echo is a monthly newspaper about community, the
environment, health, cuisine, and spirituality that is distributed in
central Virginia.
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