| Summer 2002 Newsletter |  |
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What can you say about a society that says God is dead and Elvis is alive? - Irv Kupcinet The San Francisco Federal appeals Court ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because it contains the phrase “one nation under God”. What an apropos tagline for the last contact of Saturn and Pluto! Let’s take a look at some of the major headline events corresponding to the opposition of Pluto and Saturn:
One lens through which to view the Pluto-Saturn cycle, is that of taking a good look at how we define “God”. If God is defined as what we worship, then money and power are the reigning Deities. This is nothing new, but when Pluto and Saturn meet, we reap the harvest of what we worship and what we disown. Our nation is faced with a serious crisis in all of its institutions: educational, financial, political, health, religious, legal… Our societal structures have lost “God”. By God I don’t mean religion. I am referring to a guiding principle, higher than self-interest. How else could a World Com or an Enron happen? Why else would there be children murdering children in school and nation against nation over religion? Why else is health care unaffordable in the wealthiest nation in the world? The list goes on. Do CEO’s and company employees have any idea what their company’s mission is? I just read Pepsico’s mission statement: PepsiCo's overall mission is to increase the value of our shareholder's investment. Since when is this a mission statement? It certainly does honestly state that the “God” that is worshipped in business is money. Money was intended to be the currency of a business, the measure of the value of its contribution to society. The means has become the end. To quote Abraham Lincoln:
Corruption is not just rampant in corporations and politics. Does our education system have any relationship to developing well-rounded minds capable of thinking for themselves? Does our health care system really seek to heal? Do religions inspire unity and tolerance? This Saturn - Pluto cycle is showing us the reality we’ve built personally and collectively. We have taken the soul out of schools, out of the legal system, out of religion and business. Just as the Taliban destroyed 1500 year-old Buddhas because they violated Islamic bans on human images and idolatry, our government is sandblasting the Ten Commandments off municipal buildings in the name of religious freedom and diversity. Fanaticism is a danger in all its guises. Our headlines are reflecting back to us our individual lack of connection to soul. It takes the efforts of each one of us to connect with our soul and find our purpose in order to heal and rebuild our country on a stronger foundation. What infuses your life with more soul? Are you finding beauty, meaning and passion through your work, your relationships and in recreation? If not, what small step can you take to add it to your daily life? It is in times of crisis, when all around us the world is crumbling, that we have the exquisite opportunity to meet what is authentic within us and foster its full expression. Even though Saturn and Pluto have made their last contact, the effects are far-reaching and will continue to unfold. Abuses of power will continue to surface. Pluto will be in the sign of Sagittarius until 2008, bringing the dark side of this sign up to the surface of our consciousness. Sagittarius is the sign that seeks truth. But the dark side of Sagittarius is fanaticism – declaring that its version of truth is the only truth and all must follow or be damned. Righteousness and intolerance is the dark side of this sign. When Pluto first entered the sign of Sagittarius (the sign representing laws and the legal system), the U.S. was engrossed in the OJ Simpson trial. That trial brought into our awareness the dark side of our legal and criminal justice system. The verdict shocked mainly white citizens who were naïve as to the prejudicial treatment of blacks in our criminal system. We are no longer so blinded by naiveté. Prejudice, the corruption of police and the ease with which the scales of justice are tipped with cash are now much more a part of our national consciousness than prior to the trial. Some of the other Sagittarius-ruled systems we can expect to undergo or are currently undergoing a revelation of the darkness: foreign travel and all its related systems, religion, media, education and legal. Anything that we have a blind faith in could be revealed as corrupt or fallible. The spiritual purpose of this cycle is to bring what is unconscious or hidden into the light of consciousness so that it can be integrated and transformed. Ultimately Pluto in Sagittarius is bringing us the truth. Facing the truth, as painful is it may be, can set us free to pursue a more authentic course. The Months Ahead May and June were difficult, chaotic months. July and August are a welcome relief! July Slowly the planetary tensions begin easing in July. After July 4th, the current Moon Wobble (a chaotic cycle) is ended which ushers in a more stable period in which to put new plans in motion. But remember to avoid implementing anything important when the Moon is Void-of-Course. The planets Saturn and Pluto will now slowly move away from each other, leaving us to absorb the impact of whatever these Zodiac Roto-Rooters uncorked in our lives. The Saturn-Pluto cycle is not over. It takes many years for the transformative changes initiated by this cycle to fully emerge. Until Saturn exits Gemini in June of 2003, the tension between Pluto and Saturn is still active, but perhaps less shocking. The good news is that Saturn is moving into a beneficial aspect with Uranus. This reflects the potential for needed changes in our societal structures to be implemented easily and with little resistance. Reformation is the keyword with this aspect. If there are changes you would like to implement in your own life, the planetary energy in July and August is very supportive. There are some difficult aspects involving Mercury and Mars, starting with the full moon on July 23rd through July 28th. Avoid major new starts involving communications or transportation (like the purchase of a car, advertising mass mailings, computer upgrades) during these few days. In general the three days around a full moon can be a bit more chaotic (like a mini-Moon Wobble) so in general, it’s best to stay aware of the full moon cycle every month and lay low. The New Moon is just the opposite. It’s an excellent time to be more in the world and planting new seeds for whatever it is you’d like to accomplish. July’s new moon falls on the 10th. The most ideal date in July, when the planets are at the most harmonious angles, is the 15th. Make the most of it! August Now is the time to take care of any loose ends before the next Moon Wobble cycle begins on August 23rd. August 3rd, 4th , 14th and 15th are challenging transportation and communications dates. The Moon is Void all day on the 5th and 6th so avoid implementing anything important. If you are sensitive to energy, you can actually feel the lull when the moon is not making any aspects to other planets on these two days. It’s a time to be more inward and recharge your batteries. The new moon falls on the 8th- a great time for a new start. The full moon (chill time) is on the 22nd. The Moon Wobble period begins August 23rd and it’s a long one- lasting until October 15th. This reflects a more unstable time on the planet. During our last Moon Wobble in June, there were many uncontrollable wildfires. Just as firefighters would get a handle on one, another flared up or the climate changed. That is a good metaphor for the Moon Wobble period. It’s less controllable and predictable. Human error is more prevalent. Emotions that are repressed come to the surface and we see more violence or poor decisions (two individuals accused of starting the Arizona and Colorado fires thought they would gain by their actions!) The best approach to Moon Wobble periods is to monitor your own emotions and give them a constructive outlet. Journaling, sports, and therapy are all constructive venues for venting. Understand that others are more emotionally reactive so avoid confrontations and keep the peace when possible. The last time I was in a department store during a Moon Wobble, I heard shoppers unloading their venom on a store clerk. I witnessed another individual in line who wisely did not provoke more hostility by stepping into the fray but after the irate shoppers left, she offered a kind word to the clerk. Actions such as these during Moon Wobbles can help ease the tension. Take a step back and don’t get drawn in to the drama. September In addition to the Moon Wobble, Mercury will be retrograde from September 14th to October 6th. During this cycle, there is a higher incidence of transportation and communications difficulties. For that reason, it’s best to avoid major purchases, signing contracts and implementing important plans. It’s a cycle that is best for reviewing the activities and plans previously put in motion for errors. It’s a good time to find your mistakes and revise rather than push forward on new plans. Its also a good cycle to reconnect with old friends, reflect on the past, and re-evaluate your direction. We will be remembering and honoring what was lost on the 1st anniversary of the WTC disaster. Abraham Lincoln’s closing words at the dedication of Gettysburg ring true for us at this junction of history: ...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom... and that government of the people... by the people... for the people... shall not perish from this earth. In Dedication to Service and Truth,
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© June 2002