Since the start of the year I have been struck by how many clients, friends, family and colleagues have been experiencing major shifts in their lives. In my field, I regularly work with people who are in the throes of transformation but recently the transformations have been coming thick and fast. Many people asked if it was the effect of the comet. I’d say that the comet most probably amped up the already intense planetary energies.
Comet McNaught, dubbed ‘the brightest comet in 40 years’, has been journeying with Pluto, the Galactic Centre, the Sun and Mercury. This combination seems to ask us to truly see and embrace anything we have a tendency to suppress. And this wasn’t asked of just some of us, it was asked of us all – the comet was visible around the world and travelling next to the Sun (the most visible of the cosmic bodies) and Mercury (the planet that connects our conscious mind with our unconscious). As regular readers of this e-news will know, Pluto is the transformer planet and the Galactic Centre is the birth-death-rebirth point in our galaxy. My feeling is that Comet McNaught was symbolically prompting us to face our demons and hand them over to the universe to be reborn. Will we have the courage to truly acknowledge and face the darkness within us and the world? That is, all the behaviours that make us and the world become mean, worthless and small?
We may not know how to change or transform these shadow aspects of living, but acknowledging that and surrendering control often can bring surprising results. Perhaps visualise handing over to the Galactic Centre all that you have acknowledged as dysfunctional. I imagine Pluto’s alignment to the Galactic Centre being like a huge garbage truck (Pluto) releasing garbage into a recycling plant (the Galactic Centre) that sorts the useless from the useful before sending back to Pluto (now a pick-up truck) the wonderful new recycled, rebirthed goods that will be more nourishing, sustaining and empowering than the old. In a way, this whole year is cosmic rubbish collection day with Pluto sitting next to the Galactic Centre – so make sure you put those bins out and don’t miss the rubbish truck! If you’d prefer a nicer image of the Galactic Centre than the rubbish plant I’ve just painted (!), go here for a beautiful photo and some astronomical facts: http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2004/sgra/.
The full moon on 2 February happened on the cross-quarter day known as Imbolc. The cross-quarter days are those mid-way between the solstices and equinoxes. The ancients saw these as potent power times when humans could have a say in the future by engaging in celebrations that honoured the shifting energy of the year. Given that this full moon happened when the comet’s energy was still strong and on a cross-quarter day, many of us were shaken up and given wake-up calls to help us see and acknowledge our fears. In the zodiac sign of Leo, the full moon was challenging us to stop being afraid of success and to have the courage to not only admit to our heart’s true passion but to do something about it.
February’s new moon is in Aquarius on the 17th and 18th. Comet McNaught is also in Aquarius right now. This zodiac sign is all about bringing intelligent changes to our personal lives but with global awareness. It encourages us to notice how every action we make affects those around us – a bit like the ‘butterfly effect’ that has recently been explored in the movie ‘Babel’. Aquarius wants an equal chance at good living for all on the planet. At the time of the new moon consider what needs improving in your life and take one small action that shows you are serious about bringing in positive change for yourself (and therefore others). The downside of Aquarius is that if overwhelmed by the seemingly large task ahead of changing big problems, we can become apathetic, rebellious or protective of our own communities and lifestyle (a bit like those who build bunkers and stockpile food for ‘Armageddon’). To avoid falling into negative Aquarius traps, take one small step at a time with any changes you are bringing in. Remember that the butterfly effect ensures small actions have large impacts.
There are two more major astrological events in February. On the 14th Mercury shifts retrograde and will continue its backward movement until 8 March. How interesting that Mercury, planet of awareness and communication, should turn retrograde on Valentine’s Day! Apart from checking you send the right card/SMS/email etc to the right person (!), also check your attitude toward matters of the heart. Is your heart feeling nourished and full or does it need more recognition and nurturing? Why not try a bit of cosmic heartfulness on Valentine’s Day by sounding an ‘AH’ for planetary peace? This worldwide action asks for 5 minutes of chanting ‘AH’ at any time on the 14th to increase the ‘love vibration’ on this traditional day of celebrating love. If you’re interested to know more, go here: http://www.healingsounds.com/sounds/worlddayinfo.asp. Of course, also double-check all communications, meeting arrangements and so on while Mercury is retrograde. Be patient if your loved one apparently hasn’t sent you those long-stemmed red roses – perhaps they got delivered to the wrong house! When our heart is in pain we sometimes jump to conclusions – so watch out for this on Valentine’s Day. Converesly, when our heart has been in pain and is suddenly filled up with love, we can also jump to conclusions. Listen and watch carefully for all the facts on Valentine’s Day, and don’t be fooled by charming gestures of love.
Finally, on the 28th of February there’s an exact alignment of Saturn and Neptune. These two great planets have been having a tug-of-war since August last year, when the first exact hit of their alignment took place. This month we experience the 2nd exact hit and in June the third and final hit will occur. Essentially, the conflict between these two relates to finding a workable and empowering balance between dreams and reality. Some of us are good at dreaming but not bringing dreams to fruition, others of us are good at being practical and successful in the ways of the world but not in the ways of the heart. Under this alignment, illusions at both ends of the pole are shattered. It’s no longer possible to fool ourselves into believing that fulfilment comes through having everything money can buy. Nor that fulfilment comes through living ‘outside the system’ and being spiritual, creative, artistic or nurturing of others without adequate pay. As humans, we need our material and spiritual wellbeing to be balanced. If you’re interested in reading more about this alignment, check out my August 2006 archive.