Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

As reported in the last newsletter, abuses of power are coming to light and will continue throughout 2002. Enron and sexual abuse and cover-ups by priests are two of the biggest power transgressions hitting the headlines. There are bound to be more. Many are wondering whom to trust.

We are entering the Age of Aquarius wherein we are to take responsibility and own our divine power. Giving our power away to corporations, priests, parents, governments, doctors (all the Piscean Age authorities) will no longer work. We will be disillusioned at every turn until we learn to rely on our own inner guidance in all things.

How many of us can say we truly listen to our own inner guidance to make all our decisions? We take jobs that pay more money instead of satisfying our soul. We spend time with people that sap our vitality. We ignore the messages from our bodies that tell us we need to slow down. We listen to the media barrage of misinformation and have forgotten how to tune in to our own inner knowing. Who else but God and us know what we really need? One size does not fit all. Each of us is unique and our own special path must be honored.

The third and final Saturn-Pluto opposition becomes exact on May 25th. From Mid April through June the planetary tension level is at its peak. The rumblings of war are sounding in the Middle East. Over these next 3 months it becomes critical for each of us to not add to the collective fear and instead ask what we can each do to "wisely improve the present".

Meditation is a wonderful way to tap into our center where our peace and inner guidance can be felt. Take just a few minutes each day, preferably in the morning before you get taken over by other demands. Sit comfortably, eyes closed, watching your breath pass in and out, hearing the springtime chirping of birds, perhaps the rustle of leaves, and the smell of fresh cut grass. By this simple practice of being present to your body and immediate surroundings, all cares and worries melt away. The ever-present wellspring of peace and contentment, even if felt only for a few seconds, changes the entire course of your day.

I've frequently thought that meditation takes time away from my day but invariably, my experience is that I manage to accomplish more with fewer struggles on the days that I take the time, than on the days I don't. By quieting the mind and allowing all parts of our selves to bask completely in the moment, a magical flow is created for the remainder of the day. All of the inner warring factions come together and are easily directed by the unerring inner guide.

Watch your thoughts throughout the day. Are they filled with all the wonderful things you want to create and gratitude for the abundance you've all ready created? It's true that our mental patterns create our reality. Do not overload your mental computer with negative news. Program it with the beautiful images and feelings you want to be surrounded by. Keep a book of inspirational stories such as "Kitchen Table Wisdom" by your nightstand and read a few pages to feed your subconscious before sleep.

These simple practices prevent us from being victimized by fear and transform us into powerful magnets so that we can easily draw more strength and abundance into our lives and onto the planet. When the planets are in a high state of tension, they have the most power to blast us through obstacles and take us to a new level of manifestation as long as we are very conscious of our thoughts, feelings and actions. If we lack consciousness, the planetary energy can play out in dangerous and destructive ways.

The Saturn-Pluto aspect has historically reflected major wars. It does not have to be that way. The more we are able to integrate our own light and dark sides, the less probability it will have to project out onto the "enemy". Leaders who speak in terms of the "axis of evil" or "them vs. us" add fuel to the crisis. We are evolving and the next stage of our evolution is to recognize all people as fellow earth citizens. If one nation is hurting, all of humanity is affected. Much like the human body, if one part is in pain, the rest of the body can not function optimally.

In visible ways the seeds of our future, towards citizens of one planet instead of countries divided against one another, are sprouting. We have seen how our economies are interconnected. The European Economic Community has banded together to create the Euro to strengthen the economy for all member countries. Joint cooperative efforts have much more power in this new age. We all breath the same air and live off the earth that is in danger of not being able to sustain us unless we band together to support it. Technology has dissolved the barriers between people of all nations. The more we see each other as team mates to create positive change for all, the better able we will be to harness this powerful planetary energy to catapult us forward.

The Months Ahead

April

In April there is no moon wobble or mercury retrograde. The energy is moving forward. It's time to put plans in motions, make decisions and implement any needed changes. The only caveat is to avoid implementing anything important when the Moon is Void-of-Course. The dates and times of the Moon Voids are posted on my website. May and June are very intense astrologically so get as much done as you can in April to clear the decks.

There is a challenging aspect between Mars and Uranus which is at its peak from April 5th through 11th. Sudden outbreaks of violence, erratic weather, earth changes and accidents often coincide with this configuration. On a personal level, slow down during these few days to avoid the accident-prone nature of this energy. If you are angry, don't drive as you will have a higher likelihood of attracting a collision. Play some sports, lift weights or box to channel the aggressive energy out of your body.

From April 17th to 19th Mercury is in a hard angle to Neptune. Miscommunications, difficulties in travel and mental confusion are the downside of this configuration. Be skeptical and don't sign on the bottom line these three days, as you may not be seeing the full truth. On the upside this configuration can assist you to tap into the creative realms. Write a song or a piece of fiction, take in an art gallery or just meditate and allow your mind to wander. Your fantasies can bring you some information on what you need to add to your life. Just don't be too literal!

The end of April is another high drama time. There is a full moon in Scorpio on April 26th. Full Moons are always an erratic energy. This full moon is intensified by the approach of Mars to the Saturn-Pluto opposition and Mercury in a difficult alignment to Uranus. I would avoid airline travel and keep a mellow schedule from April 26th through April 30th.

May

Here's the month that will test our mettle. During the first nine days of May, Mars is activating the Saturn Pluto opposition increasing the warlike tension around the globe. We will all have to work much harder to maintain our equilibrium. Meditation practice, feeding our minds with calming images and finding productive ways to handle our reactions to the drama that may be arising in our lives and in the news is the best way to move through this time period. Let go of your attachments to specific outcomes and trust that the Universe is paving the way for a better future no matter how things temporarily appear. Create your own future with the desires, thoughts, and emotions that you cultivate today. Do not let anything take away your inner calm.

We are in a Moon Wobble, a period of instability for the months of May and June. People will be very reactive so avoid confrontations. Monitor your own stress levels and emotions. Take as many de-stress breaks as possible. In challenging times we often have the opportunity to discover inner resources we weren't previously aware of. Call on your inner strength and wisdom to have complete mastery over your fears and reactions.

Mercury turns retrograde in Gemini from May 15th until June 8th. Mercury retrograde in Gemini is especially challenging for communications and travel. This Mercury in retrograde cycle often coincides with system breakdowns like satellite malfunctions, computer glitches that cause ATMs or airline networks to go down, and major transportation mishaps.

Back up your computers well before the 15th and back up all information systems throughout the retrograde. Avoid making major purchases especially of computer equipment and vehicles. Don't sign contracts or try to implement important plans or decisions. Mercury retrograde should be used for catching up on old business, revising and reviewing projects that were put in motion before the retrograde. Keep a light schedule and anticipate delays. Call and confirm your appointments.

On May 17th Mars activates the eclipse in Sagittarius that occurred in December. On May 25th Saturn and Pluto oppose each other for the third and final time. On May 26th there is a lunar eclipse in Sagittarius. I suggest you re-read the Autumn 2001 newsletter for more information on the Saturn-Pluto cycle that is coming to its last stand at this time. More developments along the themes of tolerance, education, religion, and airline travel. If you have planets or angles in your birth horoscope near 17 degrees of Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo or Pisces, you have been undergoing and will be continuing to undergo profound renovations in your life and inner being.

June

Mercury is retrograde until June 8th. The erratic Moon Wobble energy is still active and there is a Solar Eclipse in Gemini on June 10th. June is another month to take it slow and not make any major changes. There is a time for all things and when we work with the cycles, life is not a constant struggle. Too often we try to push ahead and keep arbitrary schedules and deadlines instead of tuning in to our inner rhythms and outer cycles. The word "disaster" means "away (dis) from the stars (aster)". The word "consider" means "with (con) the stars (sidereal)". June is a month to consider our course rather than push forward and create disaster.

I want to leave you all with a comforting prediction made by Paramahansa Yogananda, a great Hindu seer, in 1951:

So, dear Americans, rest assured that, even if a third world war comes, the United States of America shall be the victor, because she possesses the greatest good karma. This good karmic bomb will destroy all aggressors even though they use against her the material atomic bombs…. It is this plentiful good karma of Americans that is a divine fortress guarding them against any dire calamity.

Dear Americans, you are protected not only by good karma but by the castle of divine grace of Him who is the Originator of the law of karma. A single blood clot or disease germ can kill a man, even if he live in a desert or an underground cave. It will not be subterranean cities that will protect America, but a continuation and increase of her present good and generous actions. If God be with her, who can stand against her?

© April 2002