So many people are asking if the current events could be predicted by astrology. Astrology is thematically predictive not specifically predictive. We all have free will and the power to influence outcomes. This means we have the option of experiencing the positive side of any astrological cycle by acting from wisdom. Astrology is a tool by which we can all learn to live wiser and in harmony with the cosmic laws.

In previous newsletters I have touched on some of the themes of the current astrological cycles and how we can start working with these themes in our own lives to mine the gold. One of 2001's major themes as discussed in the Winter 2000 Newsletter is tolerance. The Saturn-Pluto cycle in the signs of Gemini and Sagittarius is bringing into our consciousness the question "Do I recognize and respect the opinions, practices or behavior of others?"

Osama bin Laden and his cohorts in terrorism do not and we have witnessed and experienced the tragic outcome of such militant intolerance. On an individual level this cycle is demanding that we examine the smallest of our everyday exchanges and reactions for signs of intolerance and work to be more inclusive of those who differ. This requires a huge amount of effort, awareness and compassion. Through the struggle of stepping outside the attachment to our perspective to view through another's eyes, we move from conflict to healing.

This is no simple task and we cannot make progress with superficial efforts. This cycle won't allow it. If you are embroiled in a conflict now, begin by giving up your attachment to your position or to an outcome in order to view the situation from your "opponent's" perspective. What does he desire, why does he desire it, what past experiences have caused him pain and how might his actions be an attempt to alleviate his own suffering? You can hate the wrong action but not the soul who engages in it out of ignorance and pain. We can all identify with someone who makes bad choices in order to escape pain. The first step towards healing is to identify the source of pain in ourselves as well as the people with whom we are experiencing conflict.

If you are not experiencing external conflict, look closely at your attitudes and actions. Have you cut a family member out of your life because of behavior you disapprove of or to avoid conflict? Family conflicts are the most difficult because their roots dig deep and our emotions are strongly triggered. But if we can't empathize with our own blood ties, how can we begin to tolerate people of another race, nationality or religious culture? As human beings, we are all intolerant. The goal is not to eradicate intolerance but to become aware of when and why we are engaging in it as a signpost of where to dig for the gold. Some of the gold nuggets we will mine through the digging are labeled compassion, insight, and freedom from compulsions. Each of our attempts to dig brings forth more wisdom wealth for use by all.

If we each take on the demands of the astrological cycle, we can affect reality on a global level. Creating an opening in our lives, where we were once closed, has a ripple effect on mass consciousness that far exceeds writing 100 letters to government officials. In psychological terms this is called Shadow Work, a means of restoring wholeness to our personality. If you are interested in learning more about Shadow Work and healing the internal and external wounds of separateness, I highly recommend two wonderful, easy-to read books by Robert Johnson: "Owning Your Own Shadow" and "Inner Work".

These are not quick-fix, instant gratification cycles. Saturn and Pluto will be dancing together for more than a year, taking us deeper into the labyrinth. The global psyche has been greatly disturbed. And our individual psyches' have been shaken right along with it, taking us all on an emotional roller coaster. The shock to our sense of national security can trigger, on a personal level, old memories unrelated to the current events. The common denominator is that those past events in some way shook up our security, creating anxiety. It's important to recognize that these memories are resurfacing so that we can heal an old wound. Inner work may be required to forgive others and ourselves for those painful past events so we can leave the old baggage behind and embrace the present.

Many are re-evaluating their priorities and awakening to the realization that life can end in the twinkling of an eye. Part of the process of the Saturn-Pluto cycle is to transform outmoded structures, to regenerate and breathe new life into systems that have stopped growing and serving us. I mentioned in the last newsletter that the transportation and educational systems are two such systems up for renewal under this cycle. When a dead system retards new growth, crisis happens. Our options are to cling to the old in fear or restructure. Let's look to what needs restructuring in our own lives. In what areas have we stopped growing? How we can reframe our days to be in line with our life's priorities?

Control issues also surface under Pluto-Saturn. As the serenity prayer so beautifully puts it, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference". Under this cycle, the more we try to control things that are outside of our control, the more suffering we experience. If we fail to find the courage to change things that should be changed in our own lives, the result is more suffering. Suffering, if it causes us to examine ourselves and realign with truth, leads to wisdom.

Yes indeed these are powerful times demanding nothing less than life-altering and life-affirming choices. Much work is to be done. Will we waste time trying to predict the future or will we dig in and create our future? Many astrologers and psychics make decent predictions but to what purpose? Unless we use the tools we have at our disposal to create better lives and a better world for all, the tools are at best useless toys and at worst self-destructive. That is perhaps the ultimate bottom line of Saturn-Pluto cycles, displaying the best and worst of the human potential and asking us to choose.

Planetary Cycles for October - December

Mercury begins its retrograde movement on October 1st. We desperately need the gifts of this cycle. Mercury retrograde means it's time to absorb and reflect on the experiences that have been set into motion. Mercury is the planet that symbolizes the mind, communications, and transportation. When Mercury turns retrograde, meaning it appears from the earth to move backward in the zodiac, this signals a slow down and shift in all these areas from the external to the internal. It is not the cycle to make new external changes. It's time to review, revise, reflect, re-evaluate, remember, restore, recover… all the "re's". It's a time to digest experience. Take advantage of this cycle to process all your thoughts and emotions so that you will feel re-integrated and restored and ready to meet new experiences when this cycle ends on October 22nd.

We all know the inconveniences of Mercury Retrograde: miscommunications, travel delays, and computer glitches. But let's look at these symptoms as reminders. If you can't access the Internet for a couple hours, perhaps it's time to re-organize the office. If you're stuck in traffic, you have more time to reflect. A long line gives you the opportunity to update your address book. Think of this as the cosmic catch-up time. If you struggle against this cycle and attempt to move forward externally with major purchases, new beginnings, and new plans, you dissipate your energy instead of being recharged.

This Mercury retrograde is in the sign of Libra. The symbol for Libra is a blindfolded woman, holding the scales of balance. The first astrological theme we can reflect upon during this cycle is Balance. Is there any aspect of my life that needs more balance? Do I need more rest, am I too busy, do I need more laughter, less TV news, more time with my kids, am I indoors too much…? It's re-balancing time. Libra is also the zodiac sign concerned with relationships, specifically creating harmony by balancing the needs of self with the needs of the other. It's not time to change who you are in relationship with but it is time to evaluate the balance of giving and receiving in your relationships. Is there disharmony because you give too much or too little? Remember it's an inner cycle so don't try to change the other, make adjustments within.

From October 23rd to the end of November, is a good time frame to accomplish and set things in motion. Do your holiday shopping, make desired external changes and move forward. Avoid putting important plans in motion when the Moon is Void-of -Course. Moon Voids are another astrological cycle best used to re-charge. It's like the tide is out when the Moon is not connecting with other planets and what we put in motion falls short of our intended goal. There are many Moon Void periods in a Month and you can get the exact times and learn more about this cycle at my website.

We are still undergoing the long Pluto-Saturn cycle and these two giants of the Zodiac have their second meeting on November 1st (the first was on August 5th and the final pow-wow is in May 2002). Events related to the themes of this cycle can happen on an external level at any time. It's a continual process with effects that will reverberate long after the cycle has ended. When other planets trigger the zodiac degrees of Saturn and Pluto, the themes of the cycle intensify. On November 30th the Full Moon occurs very close to these two planets. This can be report card time, showing us where we need more work and where we've made progress. There can be more upheavals in the news.

November 20th and November 26th have some challenging energies for traveling. If you're planning Thanksgiving travel either work around these dates or allow time in your schedule for potential inconveniences. I guess that can now be said for travel on any dates these days, but these are red flag dates.

As we head into December, the heat is turned up a few notches. There is a Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius and Mars, the warrior drive, will add urgency to the Saturn and Pluto themes. Whenever we have a Solar Eclipse, we have a Moon Wobble. Moon Wobbles are chaotic cycles that reflect repressed energy being released into consciousness. Externally there are more mishaps, accidents, shootings, natural and man-made disasters. The more we repress our emotions on an everyday level, the more difficult this cycle can be. People who are not releasing their emotions in a positive way, can blow like an overloaded pressure cooker. Unbalanced individuals lose it. So be careful in all your interchanges. Do not react or confront others. Understand that everyone is under pressure and do what you can to ease conflict and stress. If you've taken advantage of November to accomplish your holiday chores, you will be in a much better position to deal with the unexpected. Clear the decks for December so you have relaxation time. Simplify! December can be a challenging month for most of us even without chaotic cycles so use this information to plan your strategy. That is the true value of an Astrological Forecast.

Finally, I am thrilled to announce that my website is up and running! You can access it at www.depthastrology.com. Here you can find more information on how to use the planetary cycles for your own personal growth and evolution. My quarterly Newsletters are posted there too so this will be the last newsletter I send out via the postal service. You can sign up at my website to receive an e-mail notification when there are new postings. If you do not have Internet access and would like to continue receiving a hardcopy of the newsletter, please drop me a note with your mailing address.

In closing, I want to wish you all a very peaceful holiday season. One of the most simple and beautiful American holidays of the year is Thanksgiving. It's a day where we put home and family first and express our gratitude for all the amazing blessings of life. We are a deeply reverent nation with a destiny of world leadership not only economically, but also spiritually. No nation gives as much as we do to others in need. No nation has as much abundance. We have so much to express gratitude for and to pray for. If we all say a heartfelt prayer for guidance and wisdom in our lives and in the affairs of the world, our prayer will be answered. Carolyn Myss, a well-known intuitive healer and spiritual teacher, relayed the following story in her newsletter:

During World War II, a psychic named Tudor Pole was an adviser to Winston Churchill. (Turning to psychics and astrologers as well as others skilled at alchemical arts has never been an uncommon practice among world leaders.) Tudor suggested to Churchill that he urge the British people to hold Britain in their thoughts every evening at 9:00 P.M. for one minute. This became known as the "silent minute." Whether this collective effort helped protect Britain from invasion will never be known. All we know is that the island was never conquered. And incidentally, after the war, papers were found in Nazi records noting that Britain had a "secret weapon" connected to Big Ben, but they were never able to identify the nature of that weapon.