20051123

Planetary gearshifting, part three:
Fasten seat belts, save money,
stock up on flu teas and kimchi

This was part two.


"Run a chart for any day in December 2005, and you will see a grand cross. A grand cross is a rare formation of four planets that form a perfect square in the heavens.

"This winter, there are two oppositions in fixed signs, Mars in Taurus opposite Jupiter in Scorpio, and Saturn in Leo opposite Neptune in Aquarius. This is an extraordinarily complex and stressful formation, which holds for an unusually long period of time.

"To help us understand this formation, let's break it down into its constituent parts:

"Mars: War, fighting, arguments, fire, knives, explosions, injuries, heat, inflammation, fever, crisis. Mars is in Taurus, the sign of money and financial systems.

"Jupiter: 'Lots of.' Jupiter increases whatever he touches. Jupiter also symbolizes law and courts, police, travel, education, publishing, teachers, religion and clergy. Jupiter is in Scorpio, sign of banking, loans, finance, major changes, as well as life and death situations, crises, emergencies. As Jupiter rules travel, and is involved in this cross during the holiday season, I expect there may be problems with major airlines. Keep your plans simple.

"Saturn: Restriction, limitation, shortage, hardships, big business, authorities. Saturn is in Leo, the sign of leaders, fathers, authorities, and bosses.

"Neptune: Fraud, deception, disappointment, dissolution, infections, addictions, water (god of the ocean), oil, gas and fuel, pharmaceuticals. Neptune is in Aquarius, the sign of technology, computer systems, broadcasting, electricity, energy.

"What happens when Saturn and Neptune combine? Psychologically, 'a dual character, a struggle between the lower and the higher nature, a frequent change of moods, distrust, insecurity, dissatisfaction.' Sociologically: 'poor, sick, or depressed persons.' Medically: 'the chronic and unhampered progress of malady.'

"What happens when Saturn and Jupiter combine? Difficult aspects between Saturn and Jupiter have historically brought economic difficulties.

"What happens when Neptune and Jupiter square? Jupiter is 'lots of' and Neptune is 'infection.' Another signal to be ready for a bad flu season. Lots of infection, lots of lies, lots of deception, lots of fraud, lots of water. You need to be on your toes, and you need to trust your instincts. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

"What happens when Mars and Saturn come into contact? Normally these two are only in contact with each other for a couple of days at a time. But this winter, Mars remains within 2-3 degrees of a perfect square to Saturn for about two months. Mars is the accelerator pedal. He's energy and drive. He's anger. Anger is energy to solve a problem. But Saturn is the brake pedal. He both provokes and limits Mars' expression. The result alternates between fatigue and utter lack of energy, to massive frustration, acts of violence, explosions.

"What happens when Mars touches Jupiter? Jupiter overdoes, and Mars acts. Overdone actions. Overdone responses. Excessive speed. Violence (Mars) against judiciary, clergy, academics, police (represented by Jupiter).

"Finally, what happens when Mars and Neptune tangle? Our actions and drives (Mars) lose focus (Neptune). In medical astrology, Neptune is infection, Mars is inflammation and fever. Again with the flu thing...

"What can you do to make the most of this? I think everyone's best bet is to simplify your life. Realize that there is big stuff moving through. Turn off the TV. And get things in perspective. If you stay healthy, safe, fed, and warm this winter, you are doing quite well. I can think of a few million Kashmiris who would agree with me on this.

"My teacher Lance taught me that a grand cross signals a time when your boat either stabilizes or capsizes. It's the trying times that shape our lives the most, when we figure out what we're made of.

"At best, adversity uncovers our weak places, so we can shore them up and make them stronger. That is my prayer for humanity today. That we may reach a turning point. That we may collectively realize that things are terribly, terribly out of balance. That we may learn from adversity, free our minds, open our hearts, love our neighbors, get over ourselves, forgive those who trespass against us, and stop the madness."

By Molly Cliborne from her website, North Node Astrology