Capping a Volcano: Astrology for the Week of March 8, 2010

Deeply set dynamics are involved in relationships this week, compulsions and obsessions that we may choose to ignore yet they are staring us in the face.  Mars makes a station this week, just as Venus makes an opposition to Saturn and squares Pluto.  Relationship developments are sure to be significant this week, as well as issues of anger, motivation, and being able to make things happen.

Mars has been slowly moving backwards (retrograding) through the sidereal sign of its debilitation, Cancer for a while now.  Mars prefers the direct approach and not watery Cancer’s murky omni-directional style.  Cancer wants to hold and uphold the object of its attentions, Mars prefers to tame, dominate, and conquer; they just don’t mix very well.

At any rate the planetary effect of Mars in Cancer is to irrationally inflame the emotions, and overly emphasize a sense of righteous indignation.  Like I always say, a calm doer always out-accomplishes a blustering crusader in the long run.  Cancer is also connected with a sense of national identity, literally with the soil that you sprung from, the ground that you call home.

There has been a rash of ‘indignant out-lashes” against society: the suicide plane bomber in Austin, Texas; the recent shootings at the Pentagon, even the new and improved tea parties with militant mother figures in the spotlight (Sarah Palin). There have been nation-wide student protest against higher fees and cutbacks in university education.

Cancer is also the sign of the Mother, that nurturing, enfolding, and caring universal force; quite opposite from its austere Capricornian counterpart, literally opposite it in the zodiac.  The current transit of Mars through sidereal Cancer however (through May 23, 2010) is going to bring out the more radical and incendiary aspects of the sign though.

There is an interesting configuration of Venus, Saturn, and Pluto this week.  Venus squaring Pluto brings out the more unbridled and unconscious aspects of love, while Venus and Saturn bring out also the more restrained and repressed aspects of human love.  It’s like trying to cap a volcano, very difficult and not always successful.  This is reinforced by the station of Mars in Cancer as well.

In fact man has yet to cap a volcano successfully; I guess it hasn’t even been attempted!  The forces of Nature are not meant to be suppressed, the pressure builds up and eruptions, earthquakes, and tidal waves occur.  We’ve certainly seen a lot of those lately, which I hope to comment on more fully soon.

However the urges of Nature do need to be subdued, not by suppression, but by sublimation, transmutation, and alchemy.  There are some spiritual circles that advocate the liberation of sexuality, and they have some legitimate points in my opinion.  I think eventually though we need to recognize that we are more than just another species of animal replenishing the herd.  Corporality is not our origin, contrary to what we are led to believe.  We descended first as literal manifestations of God, spirits not limited to the laws of mortality.  We took on gradually took on mortality, accepting the self-imposed karmic restraints that cosmic law exacts on those who misuse energy; thus aging, disease, and misery became our inheritance.

People who live in monasteries or seclusion in my mind are actually trying to take back their control over the forces of bodily corporality, moving to another plane where the weights of desire bar their entry.  The plane of mortality requires a body that is suited to it; the plane of immortality requires a different sort of body, the etheric body which is more akin to our fiery spiritual beginnings. It’s not my purpose to advocate any sort of life style in this article, but I am attempting to put into perspective some of the issues behind the astrology of this week.

At any rate, things look to be pretty “hot” mainly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 10, 11, and 12, 2010.

Day by day readings, with updated results through the week:

Sun, Mar 7
Relationships, personal power, and creativity are highly accentuated today.  Be careful not to let unresolved psychological issues unduly overshadow how you think and behave (or deeply hidden compulsions to control and intimidate).  Discussions, presentations, and other intellectual exercises are highly favored.  (Venus trine Mars, Sun quintile Pluto, Mercury conjunct Jupiter)

• (Nigeria) Over five-hundred Christians, mostly women and children, are hacked to death by Muslim raiders with machetes in a night-time attack on their village. The killers yelled 'Allah Akbar,' as they chopped. News Story

Mon, Mar 8
No peaking influences

Tues, Mar 9
Relationships may hit stumbling stones, the normal flow of love may sudden go cold, and the propensity to see someone as a threat or enemy is enhanced.  There may be moments of urgency, alarm, or intensity.  (Venus opposite Saturn, Mercury sesquiquadrate Mars)

Wed, Mar 10
Mars stops dead in the sky today, not usually a good indicator of things.  Anger, resentment, and all sorts of inappropriate conduct could come out.  Be careful of being in danger (war) zones, and generally from sharp metal objects, fires, and any potential accident or injury; electrical or mechanical breakdown is possible.  The mind may react severely, and the propensity to see the absolute darkest aspects of things are accentuated.  Relationships may take a few hits.  (Mars stationary direct, Mercury quintile Pluto, Juno biquintile Saturn)

Thur, Mar 11
The emotional roller coaster continues, strong relationship/love dynamics are going to be energized, eclipsing all normal reason.  Feelings dominate any moment, but in the long run more practical considerations rule.  (Venus square Pluto, Juno quintile Neptune)

Fri, Mar 12
No peaking influences.

Sat, Mar 13
No peaking influences

Sun, Mar 14
Intellectual and verbal matters are accentuated.  (Sun conjunct Mercury)

Mon, Mar 15
Unusual relationship situations may be touched off, which may not last long but could also be conducive to a more non-possessive love.  (Mercury conjunct Uranus, semisquare Juno)

Curtis Burns
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Astrological Predictions: Week of February 28, 2010: Saturn Biquintile Neptune

Saturn and Neptune align this week, two very “negative” points certain to wreck havoc on our normal sense of control and order in our lives.   When two planets aspect each other, their energies seem to play off of each other in our lives causing a sort of temporary intensification of their effects.  In this case Saturn’s propensity to react pathologically to unresolved situations meets and multiplies Neptune’s tendency to act deceitfully or dishonestly when faced with trouble.

This is a very complicated astrological equation but the end result is typically a deeply set anxiety arising about vague or unclear situations in our life.  It can be connected to human addictive behaviors, chronic states of disease, or just deep depression.

Of course there is an upside to the Saturn-Neptune combination, and it leads us to act with more integrity with our dreams, aspirations, and ways to ultimate spiritual liberation.  Things get very, very subtle at the end of the spiritual road; the challenge is to listen and discern the whisperings of the higher self (which is the God self) and not the sophisticated voice of the ego, which points to the accrual of more fame, power, and worldly relevance.  Listening is Neptune, discerning is Saturn; both are highly refined faculties of the mind.

The Universe as an agency of Cosmic Evolutionary Progression tends to deliver us from hindering energy patterns.  Our selfish, grasping minds tend to see the Universe as a cruel and cold place that we must continually fortify ourselves against, and knock out some sort of pathetic existence that will be eventually obliterated by the forces of chaos.  Every time we are sick, when we are down on our luck, and when hope runs out; reality is merely eclipsed by our own pessimistic projections onto the vast magnificent wonder that is the Universe, which actually has our success as paramount in intention.

Throw off the drama during this Saturn-Neptune time, and be grateful that all your cherished-but-wrong-delusions are at the door to be dismissed forever.  A little realism courtesy of Saturn now will help you to find the right path to salvation and the most sublime peace.

For astrological accuracy, Saturn and Neptune are forming a bi-quintile, which is 144 degrees of angular separation.  One hundred forty four is a number associated with the number five, because the 360 degrees of the circle divided into five exact segments forms sections of 72 degrees each (a quintile).  Two of those sections forms one hundred forty four, hence a biquintile.

Quintiles and biquintiles are powerful aspects that do not get much attention, except now in our computer age; they are slightly more pointed in their effects than squares but not as overwhelmingly severe.  If you cut a quintile in half you get two sections of thirty six degrees, which is 360 divided by 10; so a tridecile is three sections of thirty six degrees, or one hundred eight.  I regularly post these transiting aspects of planets because I find they can’t be ignored.

You may know already that a pentagram, a powerful symbol which has been misused by some occultists, is based by angles of 72 and 144 degrees.  The five-pointed stars is a very important symbol to humanity: we have five fingers on each hand, we have five extremities (two arms, two legs, and a head), and the golden ratio spiral is based on the geometry of the pentagram.

Day by Day with Results Added Through the Week:

Mon, Mar 1
There may be moments of hysteria, shock, and alarm; for others it may be a situation where urgency of though and action is required.  This may be a good day to acquire a good amount of self-assertive esteem quickly.  Venus enters the sidereal sign of its exaltation Pisces today; there may be an observable shift in relationships.  (Mercury quincunx Mars, Venus enters sidereal Pisces)

• Chile troops clash with looters after quake.  News Story
• Windstorm Xynthia tears through Europe leaving many dead and many more homeless News Story

Tues, Mar 2
This could be a strange day indeed; physical vitality may be at a very low point along with resistance to disease.  Emotions could be quite dark or utterly incomprehensible.  The worst of our life-delusions may be laid bare for us to see, which is not the most joyous of realizations but there is sobering hope implicit in the process.  Keep your attitudes strong, things should lighten up quickly.  (Saturn biquintile Neptune, Mercury quincunx Saturn)

• New York Democrat Rep. Charlie Rangel stepped down from his post atop the powerful tax-writing House Ways and Means committee today pending the completion of several ethics investigations into his conduct. News Story

Wed, Mar 3
Unusual and/or short-lived relationship situations may come about.  The key here is to not try to grasp and hold onto the other person, trying to limit or restrict them physical or mentally; the presence of controlling factors may cause them to flee away.  Respecting and appreciating their uniqueness will have the opposite effect.  (Venus conjunct Uranus)

Thurs, Mar 4
Interesting relationship developments are at hand.  An intense desire to get together may have hidden motivations, conscious or not.  Persuasive charisma will be strong, as will be the ability to probe mysteries heretofore opaque.  (Mercury sextile Pluto, Mercury sextile Juno, Juno sextile Pluto)

Fri, Mar 5
Impetuosity, alarm, and dangerous haste may arise causing troubles.  Mechanical or electronic problems may ensue; be careful of sharp metal objects, fires, or other human conflicts.  Tact may not be today’s defining quality.  (Sun sesquiquadrate Mars, Mercury biquintile Mars)

• Riders tossed out as bus rolls over; six dead, Arizona officials say.  News Story
• A strong earthquake with magnitude 6.5 struck Friday night in the ocean southwest of Sumatra in Indonesia, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
• Violent protests in Greece.  News Story
• Sean Penn hopes his critics on his Haiti relief "die screaming of rectal cancer" News Story

Sat, Mar 6
No peaking influences

Sun, Mar 7
Relationships, personal power, and creativity are highly accentuated today.  Be careful not to let unresolved psychological issues unduly overshadow how you think and behave (or deeply hidden compulsions to control and intimidate).  Discussions, presentations, and other intellectual exercises are highly favored.  (Venus trine Mars, Sun quintile Pluto, Mercury conjunct Jupiter)

Mon, Mar 8
No peaking influences

Tues, Mar 9
Relationships may hit stumbling stones, the normal flow of love may sudden go cold, and the propensity to see someone as a threat or enemy is enhanced.  There may be moments of urgency, alarm, or intensity.  (Venus opposite Saturn, Mercury sesquiquadrate Mars)

Curtis Burns
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This week it is hard to pick out any overarcing pattern in the aspects of the planets to each other, and it's rather quiet astrologically.  There are however a string of relationship configurations drawing us together and stirring the feelings of love or at least attraction.  I'm not saying that an exciting relationship is in store for you this week, but for some people there will definitely be some developments.

The key will be to discern when astrology stirs a temporary and strongly felt love that most likely will pass away soon, or it acts upon a more deeply set "legitimate" relationship situation moving it further along.  A lot of times we look to relationships to compensate for holes in our personal character development, and our minds appropriate the astrology of love for selfish ends.  People fall in love all the time because of this reason, and it seems to work initially; in the end though they come to regret it.

Sometimes love also is connected to attempts to enhance self esteem; that is, if you are attractive, sexy, and to be desired then this somehow validates your existance.  Yet it's all beased on an underlying lack of confidence.  Astrology like this brings out our propensity to want to be desired, or our vulnerability to want to appropriate other's attractiveness which is somehow lacking internally.  You can't force the issue, but the lower mind can certainly try.

Day by day readings, with results added through the week:

Sun, Feb 21
Obstacles and delays may attempt to steal our happiness today, but we should learn to appreciate the wonderous way the Universe presents to us areas that need to be adjusted.  Instead of despair, replacing it with a determined intent to change those vulnerabilities in our lives should bring about renewed serenity.  However ardor and passion to take bold steps will be amplified as well, so it may be difficult not to be dramatic in what we do.  This could be a key day to inaugurate change in our lives.  Early on intellectual, creative, and persuasive avenues will be favored as well; be careful of promising too much, assuming things to be true when they actually aren’t, and all sorts of prideful, egotistic , grandiose proclamations.  (Sun quincunx Saturn, Mars biquintile Jupiter, Mercury quintile Jupiter)

Mon, Feb 22
A pessimistic, dark kind of influence may come over the mind that could tend to inhibit action or resolve; communications could be halted or made difficult, however a strong sense of realism, practicality, and shrewdness will be accessible as well.  (Mercury sesquiquadrate Saturn)

• Texas church fire suspects appear in court and terror suspect Najibullah Zazi pleaded guilty to conspiring to detonate explosives in the United States. These are both sobering and self-damning events or statements by these individuals with Mercury and Saturn aspecting today.  News Story and News Story

Tues, Feb 23
Relationships are highlighted, important connections, and the deep energies that they may arouse.  At times thought and actions may border on obsessive or compulsive.  Significant turns of fate may occur today.  (Venus sesquiquadrate Juno, Mercury semisquare Pluto, Sun sextile Pluto, Sun aspects Nodes)

Wed, Feb 24
Carrying over from yesterday strong relationship emotions and desires will come out, be careful though that strong feelings eclipse a normal sense of perspective.  Strong feelings do not de facto indicate a real relationship.  (Venus sesquiquadrate Mars, Venus quintile Pluto)

• Killer whale attacks and kills trainer at Sea World in Orlando, FL; this is a little bit of a stretch but it could be seen as an extreme example of a Venus-Mars-Pluto configuration: the killer instinct comes out in a normally amiable situation.  News Story

Thurs, Feb 25
Motivation, connections, and making things happen are today’s issues.  Tact, diplomacy, or patience may be in short supply; however action does not always trump thinking things over.  Sometimes people act impulsively and end up quite foolish and more embroiled in trouble than ever.  Be careful of injuries, cuts, burns, and conflicts; mechanical and electronic matters may be vulnerable as well.  (Mars square Juno, Sun biquintile Mars)

• Democrats and Republicans in Washington, DC faced off in an attempt at bipartisan cooperation of health care reform, neither side seeming to budge.  News Story

Fri, Feb 26
No peaking influences

Sat, Feb 27
Mental perspective may be difficult today, especially overcoming tendencies to be pessimistic, deluded, depressed, or disillusioned.  It may be easy to see the worst in things, but remember that it is a passing influence strongly affecting your mind.  There could be a serious tone, and the tendency to censor self or others will be prominent.  A few people may be find realism and practicality to their thinking, discriminative faculties sharpened, and the ability to communicate concisely.  However a lot of biases based on psychological predispositions are indicated as well, wanting to see what we would fancy things to be instead of what’s really there.  (Mercury conjunct Neptune, biquintile Saturn)

• Marie Osmond's 18 year old son tragically commits suicide, who dealt with depression issues.
• The world watches in anticipation for tsunamis from the 8.8 Chilean earthquake, happily not much occurs as far as tsunamis; however, Chile itself reels from the after effects of the very strong earth quake.

Sun, Feb 28
Sometimes we take the high road to avoid the low road; we like to live in a world of glorious hyperbole attempting to compensate for an underlying feeling of inadequacy or deficiency.  We promise the world, but soon enough our enthusiasm become spent and not much changes as a net result.  Be aware of sincere hypocrites and other oxy-morons.  Relationships may take foul turns, as everybody demonizes each other.  Trouble is that we point the finger of shame in relationships literally or not, but maybe the other person brings up a very relevant point.  Like they say point at me, three fingers are pointing back at you.  (Sun conjunct Jupiter, Juno quincunx Saturn)

Mon, Mar 1
There may be moments of hysteria, shock, and alarm; for others it may be a situation where urgency of though and action is required.  This may be a good day to acquire a good amount of self-assertive esteem quickly.  Venus enters the sidereal sign of its exaltation Pisces today; there may be an observable shift in relationships.  (Mercury quincunx Mars, Venus enters sidereal Pisces)

Curtis Burns
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