SATURN'S ON THE TURN

It's a changing of the guard from 29th October 2009 as Saturn moves into a new sign - Libra.

Astrology is primarily the study of cycles and the cycle of Saturn would, quite obviously, have begun when the planet itself was birthed. From a symbolic point of view however a planet's cycle begins when it enters the first sign of the zodiac, Aries.

As there are 12 signs of the zodiac the fact that Saturn is about to enter Libra, 6 signs away from Aries, is significant. (Note: for those of you new to astrology, please know that the signs do not correspond to constellations, of which there are 88 known ones with 12 or 13* lying close to the ecliptic)

Now whenever we are talking about a cycle the word circle could also be used as a substitute. When we do this often the astrological symbolism becomes more clear. When dividing up circles we are using straightforward geometry. If we have agreed to divide our circle up into 12 zodiac signs and give each 30 degrees, then the circle must have 360 degrees and the half way point will be 180 degrees. In astrology we call the 180th degree 0 Libra. This angle from the start point of 0 Aries is then known as an opposition.

If you imagine tracing your finger around the outside circumference of any circle, starting at, and returning to, any point one movement will always be outgoing, and the other incoming. A circle is therefore analogous to the natural flow of life. Breath is drawn in, rests and then goes out (is expelled). All of nature follows this movement. Circles divided into 2 parts, therefore describe what we term the waxing and waning phases. It is most common to hear this term in relation to the Moon, but it applies to all cycles whether it is of a planet or even a plant.

A planet at 180 degrees is at a natural transition point. It's 'on the turn'; shifting from an outgoing cycle to an incoming one. This fulcrum point is where things change or change tack. In this case the planet we are tracking is Saturn which has a cycle of 28.5 years. We are at the opposition of a cycle which began at 0 Aries on 7 April 1996.

In celestial/terrestrial symbolism, Saturn has been noted over the eons to correspond to rules. We could therefore, have forecast ahead of time that the coming days and weeks would point to the rewriting, or change, of the rule books.

And so it is.

In the news today members of the British Parliament are literally re-writing their code of conduct rule book over claims for expenses. They realise a change is needed if they are to stand any chance of maintaining authority over, and respect from, the voting public. Expect to see lots of other changes with things which correlate to 'Saturn' in days and weeks ahead. To work out ahead of time what these may be. Here are just a few ideas and key words for Saturn:

Boundaries of countries
Leaders and leadership (Saturn's turn would favour the Conservative Party, or another party, in Britain from now on but other countries could see leadership changes).
One's relationship to the physical body and material life as opposed to the spiritual
Laws
Business
Older People
'Establishments' and Institutions, including Banks
Construction
Those whose authority has been unassailable since the 0 Aries start point, 7 April 1996, will now start to slowly wane in line with natural law.
Lead (Saturn's opposition could affect the price of lead. I'm not a financial astrologer but if it has been high since 1996 it will possibly drop - or vice versa - only a change of direction is noted at 180 degree junctures)
Anything begun in April 1996 could be on the turn or be being rewritten

Interestingly gravity and time correspond to Saturn. In the next 14-15 years will our viewpoint on the nature of gravity and time change? I think the answer is; undoubtedly yes, but maybe some news will come out when Saturn is around the 0 degree mark. It returns to zero degree Libra, due to retrograde motion, in 2010 too: 22 July 2010. So watch this date for all of the above.

If you wish to look back in time you can track Saturn cycles, as whatever unfolds now will always have its roots in what was begun in previous cycles. Again, each cycle is 28.5 years so each turning point is roughly half that. (It is never exact due to the phenomenon known as retrogradation). Looking back 3 Mar 1967 was the start of the previous Saturn cycle and that one came to the 180 degree transition on 21 Sep 1980 (0 Libra).

Let's remember that what we call Time is really just the term we have adopted to describe the way we track a succession of cycles related to our viewpoint from Earth of the Sun and Moon. In the bigger picture, all of the bodies in the heavens are moving and have cycles ( even the apparently fixed stars) and it is Saturn's cycles which astrologers believe most clearly define and shape our civilisation.

This current Saturn cycle will end on 25 May 2025. Just as our world changed beyond recognition between 1967 and 1996, so too between 1996 and 2025 will Saturn mark a new era.

* * * * *
To read my new post on 2012 - please go to Cosmic Cipher

Notes:

Image at top shows the Seal of Saturn

* Another point of debate is whether there are 12 or 13 constellations. Different cultures use different numbers

Update on my last post on Jan Moir. Jan Moir posted this apology. Unfortunately some very vindictive people started a Facebook page petition calling for her to be sacked. Really, it beggars belief.

LAY OFF JAN MOIR

I have no comment to make either way about the content of Jan Moir's column (about Stephen Gately) but I will get quite vociferous about the internet campaign launched against her.

Whether you are in the UK or not, and know of this story or not, the principle is the same......

When a furore ensues like the one raging around Ms. Moir all those people joining in the 'war of words' against her must be EQUALLY as intolerant as she is, otherwise they would just say 'I don't agree with what she said' and leave it at that. They wouldn't vehemently react against it and actively seek to incite others to agree with them, or work to see her punished.

Jan Moir accepted a job. That job, like that of Amanda Platell and the late Lynda Lee Potter, and all columnists of this ilk, involves being caustic tongued and critical about those in the public eye. If someone wants to get paid for that kind of work, then they have to live with their decision - and believe me they do suffer for that choice. Making critical, negative comments day in day out is eventually poisonous to one's soul. A really happy, sorted person would just never contemplate taking on that kind of job in the first place, probably because deep down they know that nature's laws always kick in.... Law 1: thoughts and words are things, they have energy and if you constantly put of negative energy then Law 2: you will attract it back in some form.

Astrologically, Mars is moving to Jan's Uranus, and Tr Uranus is conjunct her Mars (She was born August 1956) I doubt she'll keep her job, she'll probably walk even if they don't push her. These aspects denote that internally she's needing to be free of something and that's manifested in a way that she probably, subconsciously, knew would cause a stir and shake up her life.

Ultimately though this whole episode shows the truth of the Universal Law of Attraction (aka resonance) - she's just attracting back anger that must lie deep within her Self so she can consciously deal with it. Which leads me to Law Number 3 ; only hurt people hurt.

Until we can find compassion and tolerance for every individuals point of view and see their views, not as an attack on us (or the person they are talking about) but as a reflection of themselves - i.e. their being critical says more about them then it does about who they are writing about - the world's problems will never heal.

Wars start because two countries have two opposing and irreconcilable views. How does it further humanity's wish for peace on earth if we wage war against another individual for their viewpoint?

If I were Darren Brown, Stephen Fry or M&S I would be ashamed of what I had done at this juncture, for all the reason's stated above, and because I firmly believe in Law 4 : Do unto others as you would have done unto you. Still I won't let it bother me after writing this because this I know for sure: these two men, the companies that are distancing themselves from Jan Moir, and all the people speaking out against her, will realise the error of their ways when they too are one day (and it will come) are verbally attacked and persecuted for saying something controversial. That's the natural law.

Leave this poor woman alone.

LIVING WITH JOY

The signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn are taking the brunt of the current planetary alignments. With Saturn and Pluto squaring off across the solar angles of their chart, the energy is very intense. One might deduce that this aspect is already manifesting in a way that makes many people (and countries) of those signs feel as though they are just surviving their life at this time, rather than living it with joy.

The part of the cardinal cross affected is known esoterically as a Crisis of Equilibrium. The square to Capricorn is all about our innate need to find out who we are and what our purpose is, without losing balance and perspective.

This square continues on and off (within orb) now until early 2011 but peaks 15th November, 31st Jan 2010 and and 21st August 2010. so this is a long term process of a change in consciousness for all of us and not just a quick fix issue.

With Saturn, the sign of structure, about to enter a new sign, Libra*, relationships, marriages, professional agreements, public perception of us and how we relate to our enemies (our capacity for diplomacy) are all coming up for review, change and ultimately, transformation (Pluto). So too is everyone's relationship with money and the economy (again!).

Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty, harmony and joy. Sadly for many that joy is found seeking physical money and material goods, rather than harmony between ones outer abundance and inner wealth! So for those who ignore their inner Self and insist on making what they own or possess who they are, I have to warn you, Saturn/Pluto aspects are known for being brutal. People who derive their identity from their partner, their job or what they (the person) are against rather than what they are for, will be severely tested too.

Mars is also on the move, transiting into Leo for a 9 month stay and this denotes that conspicuous cuts (Mars) in ostentatious (Leo) expenditure are needed this Christmas season. For those who 'get' that money is like the total amount of water on earth - always pretty constant; if a tap is broken in one place you just have to find another one that works - then things will work out okay.

Having an abundance mentality means that you don't need to possess or covet anything, anyone, or even any job. It doesn't however, mean your tap will permanently be on either! It simply means that you have an inner trust, that will carry you through 'dry' periods, knowing you'll always be OK. That's abundance. Those who hang on, or resist, adapting to change (which will come thick and fast with Saturn and Pluto in cardinal signs) could take a pounding.

Relationships will be tested, (Saturn Libra) especially for those who are Aries, Librans, Cancers or Caps but remember this old axiom and loosen your grip: What is for you will not pass you by (or leave you).

Families with inherited wealth, Saturn (old) Libra (money/agreements around wealth), those who have invested in traditional, established companies (Pluto in Capricorn) or those who lord their authority over others in an unfair way, could be in for a bit of a ride. ( Am I picking up on something to do with the House of Lords or Parliament in writing that?) Anyway, here Mars in Leo also comes in again as Mars denotes cutting away at expectations of entitlement, as well as pruning flamboyance or super inflated ego's back down to size!

The forces of change are truly upon us and Saturn/Pluto aspects are great levellers - in every sense of the word (look out too for an increase in disasters or disputes ( wars?) which break down boundaries and level buildings and ground). Those who judge others (Libra) may now find themselves facing a judgement day! (X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing judges just popped into mind then, as well as the legal profession and ambassadors)

So, I think I have made it clear as a bell that whatever you may read, with regards to the financial meltdown, astrological cycles inform us we are not out of the woods by any means. More chickens could be coming home to roost this autumn/winter and by the time next spring comes, and the credit cards are full to the brink from Christmas expenditure, for many the game could truly be up. The 29th degree of Taurus is associated with Bankruptcy but so in many ways is Saturn in Libra. Libra is the 6th house from the 2nd so this house denotes the way in which our money works for us.

So take my advice, spend (Venus) wisely (Saturn). Structure your daily expenditure and finances, look at relationships and agreements, realistically, and fairly (Saturn in Libra). If you are in trouble now, consider consolidating your debts or agree to pay them off slowly but surely.

I'm sounding like doom monger. We do have difficult times ahead but it doesn't follow that you have to be unhappy. Ultimately it's all happening to bring those who are too firmly rooted in materiality to a realisation about what is really important in life, and to illuminate those areas of our lives which are not serving our spiritual growth. If you can do that consciously then this period is all about supportive relationships ( Saturn Libra) that will endure anything thrown at you (Pluto). It's about overcoming patterns which have held you back and perhaps also about grand passions, creative or romantically
(Mars Leo) which forever change you (Pluto) and the way others perceive you forever.

By 2011 we'll be out of Saturn/Pluto's current survival and restructuring mode* and the Saturn/Uranus one which I have spoken about many times before will also be behind us.

The new cycle of Jupiter conjunct Uranus in June 2010 and again in 2011 will definitely get things moving and (along with Jupiter's move into Pisces in January) is possibly the most exciting and positive shift on the horizon. There are whole host of other planetary cycles coming along to continue this 'consciousness raising exercise' up to 2012 but don't just listen to my take on it all. Other astrologers devote their entire time to these larger cycles of change as they relate to the life and the economy. If you are close to London, why not book a place on this:

TRADING IN 2010
with Christeen Skinner
author, The Financial Universe

10.30 – 16.30

Friday October 23rd 2009

Regus, Stock Exchange, London

Where financial matters are concerned, astrological knowledge gives a competitive edge. This seminar is suitable for those who are familiar with the glyphs for the planets and signs. You do not have to be a full-time astrologer or trader to gain from the material presented. 2010 promises to be a thrilling year: planet formations in the coming months are quite different to any that we have experienced in our lifetime. With Jupiter making swift passage through Pisces and forming rare alignments with Saturn, Uranus and Pluto especially, investment challenge will be as never before.

In this seminar we will study the key dates of 2010 and identify the sectors most likely to flourish.

One session will be devoted to currencies: the US dollar, Euro and Sterling

Jonathan Jones, a trader who uses astro and technical expertise will show how he has successfully used this combination of techniques. The cost for the day is £135 including refreshments and lunch.

To book a place, please email christeenskinnerATgmail.com
Say Kathryn sent you!

Finally this 56th verse of the Tao Te Ching is something I feel it would be good to share at this time:

Those who know do not talk.

Those who talk do not know.

Keep your mouth closed.
Guard your senses.
Temper your sharpness.
Simplify your problems.
Soften your glare.
Be at one with the dust of the earth.
This is primal union or the secret embrace.

One who knows this secret is not moved by attachment or aversion,
swayed by profit or loss,
not touched by honour or disgrace.
He is far beyond the cares of men,
yet comes to hold the dearest place in their hearts.

This, therefore, is the highest state of man.

In other words, Look within. This is the way that one comes back into equilibrium and begins living (Saturn) with harmony and joy! (Libra)


* Saturn retrogrades out, back into Virgo, for 3 months in 2010 but still in aspect to Pluto. This cycle is also very much about displacement of people - as a result of war, disaster or in the context of the economic slump- and could see many people losing their homes. Our home is analogous to our body that houses our soul. The body is just a temporary shelter, like a house. Both can pass away but the soul lives on. The quest for immortality does not refer to finding everlasting physical life but knowing that one's life - soul - is eternal. This brings illumination and joy!

A DIFFICULT TIME FOR OBAMA - and the Moon!

My wonderfully warm and talented colleague, Martin Davis taught me all I know about Locational astrology. This is the branch of astrology which looks at the planetary correspondences 'up above' to precise locations on the Earth's surface 'below'.

In recent weeks I have been busy with other pursuits but Martin never took his eye off the ball. He warned of a window of time around the Libra/Aries Full Moon, in which geophysical upheavals were likely. Sure enough, the build up to this Lunation brought several catastrophic earthquakes, typhoons - and a tsunami.

Martin was basing his predictions upon a specific cycle: the applying conjunction of Mars to the South Node. This aspect, as he reminds us, is not rare. It occurs approximately every two years but, when it occurs in tandem with other intense outer planetary aspects it has been noted to coincide with major disasters or political events.

The South Node and Mars were applying on 9/11 when the planets Saturn and Pluto were in opposition. This time around we have the conjunction of Mars and South Node and a Saturn/Uranus opposition. In addition to this, the recent lunation on Sunday 4th Oct, occurred across the cardinal signs. Cardinal signs are often associated with very visible events in the life of an individual, or those that occur on a global scale, as opposed to internalised events.

You can read the article Martin's posted on all this here. In it he warns of the potential for more problems that will last until the Mars/Node aspect has perfected and parted. The aspect is exact on 9 October and finally separates by mid month.

Combine this with the unsettling observation of Vedic astrologer, Komilla Sutton (a must read too) regarding the same conjunction and the debilitation of Mars, and it all adds up to a tense October - and indeed, beyond into 2010.

What I find most interesting about this Mars/Lunar Node aspect, besides the geophysical activity it has already triggered, is that on the date that it becomes exact, 9 October, NASA will be bombing the Moon.

Obviously this will be an event to which the entire world turns its attention, corresponding as I say, to the fact that Sunday's lunation was in a Cardinal sign. Furthermore the LCROSS centaur bombing will occur near THE MOON'S SOUTH POLE . I put this in capitals as here we have an extraordinary bit of correspondence; Mars, the planet of things which impact or penetrate is currently in the sign which rules the Moon, Cancer, and is exactly conjoined to the Lunar South node.

Impact is scheduled for 4:31 a.m. PDT or 7:31 a.m. EDT (11:31 UTC) You can read about observing this event here

So, can we expect more than just a short, sharp plume of lunar debris? Well maybe. I don't think you can mess with Mother nature and not see some effect from the cause - energy never disappears, it just changes form.

What concerns me most however, is the deeper symbolism. Remember, astrology is a language and often their are subtle nuances that only those well versed in the language pick up on. Bombing the Moon (Mars in Cancer) may be one simple translation but here's another observation....

America has it's 'birthday' on July 4th. It is therefore a Cancerian country, ruled by the Moon. In symbolic language, the planet ruling the USA is about to be 'attacked' or 'penetrated' (one could take this further and say it's a bit of an inside job as it is an American mission).

As the Moon is the natural significator of water and emotions and they are looking for water, it leaves me with this unsettling feeling around deluges or a sudden overload of public emotion.

Furthermore, I recently came across a book written in 1916 which states that America was 'born' very close to 2pm. Now I could write several posts on the debate around the timing of the signing of The Declaration, I know there is no definitive time and I don't want to get into that here, but let's use 2pm. This gives Scorpio rising (very apt, for reasons I'll go into another time).

So Mars rules the chart and not only is transiting Mars conjunct the South Node in the heavens on 9th October but Tr Mars is exactly conjunct the progressed Nodal axis of the 1776 chart on the 9th Oct and opposite natal Pluto! (Note: This would be so whatever time chart you use but Mars gets added significance if we use a 2pm chart).

In astrology, aspects to the Nodes point to fated events often of a karmic nature. We reap what we sow. They also point to our journey - where we have been, compared to what awaits us; our destiny.

Even more interesting than this, from the point of view of cycles and correspondence, is that just 2 days before the Moon bombing, on the 7th October, President Obama's Progressed Moon changes sign*. This is the culmination of a 2 year cycle where his Moon has been moving through the sign of Aquarius and now moves into the water sign of Pisces - his solar 8th house of money, banking, taxes and transformation ( deaths/birth, endings/beginnings). His Moon will not have been in Pisces for around 27 years. Now I'm not making some dire prediction here**. I am just noting that we have confluence of factors. This week there is a significant shift for the President and when the President's chart moves, so usually does something in his life or the country he presides over.

So, all eyes will be on NASA, America and outer space this week, let's just hold our breath and hope that the addition of a Venus/Uranus opposition to the aforementioned already tense line up, doesn't bring a shock or surprise closer to home.

*Saturn also moves close to conjoining the President's progressed Sun
** That said if I was looking for a threat to his health, and/or some serious difficulty to him or his family ( females), I'd advise him to be cautious this week in particular
Pisces is the sign associated with religion, health reform, charitable concerns,fraud, viruses, collapse, bankruptcy, chaos and a multitude of other things. It's a feminine sign and will possibly see the President becoming more intuitive and emotional.

WHO'S FOOLING WHO?

Except for a quick reference, I'm ignoring the 'metaphysical' for this post. 'Normal service' will be resumed soon but, today I am unashamedly stepping up onto my soap-box.........

You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.

This was the quote that sprang to mind when I read about the sad demise of Natalie Morton. Natalie was, unbeknown to her or her family, walking around with a huge malignant tumour in her chest. We are being asked to believe that this tumour just happened to kill the 14 year old shortly after she received the HPV Vaccine.

While I'm not attempting to dispute that Natalie was a rarity in having a totally undetected, life threatening mass, are we really meant to swallow this statement that her receiving the HPV jab was not a contributing factor in her death?

"The pathologist has confirmed today at the opening of the inquest into the death of Natalie Morton that she died from a large malignant tumour of unknown origin in the heart and lungs," she said.

"There is no indication that the HPV vaccine, which she had received shortly before her death, was a contributing factor to the death, which could have arisen at any point."- Dr. Caron Grainger, joint director of public health for the Coventry area

(Forget all the Government obfuscation you may be reading in the numerous media articles about this, those words above are a direct quote and direct quotes, in quote marks, printed in numerous papers are rarely inaccurate due to the possibility of libel).

What beats me is just what indication they need when before she had the jab Natalie was alive and shortly after she had it, she's dead.

The truth is that if you choose to be vaccinated, or to allow your child to be vaccinated, against anything (and it is always a choice) if you have a severely compromised immune system (even just a temporary compromise) then most jabs could trigger all sorts of side effects; some that lead to a worse outcome than getting the disease you are vaccinating to prevent. It is this that people are not fully informed about.

Maybe Karen really didn't have long left (and here we are back to the fate and freewill debate that I touched on in my last post) but, my concern is how are you to know if you, or your child, has an underlying health issue unless you are first given a battery of expensive health checks? Are Governments offering those for free? No. As it stands at the moment you offer yourself, or your babies, up to the needle and take your chances - mainly for diseases that one stands a remote chance of contracting anyway.

I am fully aware that in most cases disastrous side effects will not occur but we should at least be offered the unbiased facts so that we can take an informed decision. Otherwise one runs the risk of becoming a hastily swept-over statistic.

At this point Natalie Morton will undoubtedly go down in the record books as a mere anomaly in an otherwise safe vaccination programme, but how would you feel if it were your child? Unless enough people demand more transparency about the risks, and not just in this programme but in the Swine Flu one, the HPV and all others, nothing will change. I'm moved enough to write about it (again) and I hope others will be too, Ultimately those who speak out cause a trickle of dissent to become a river and the river to become a flood. No one ignores a flood.

With the planet Uranus due to move into Aries in 2010, I predict a revolution (Uranus) against jabs (Aries) but sadly I fear this astrological aspect could also warn us that any real change may have to be preceded by a spate of more unexpected (Uranus) deaths from vaccinations (Aries) before people really sit up and say "Enough is enough, I refuse to be a puppet of the drug companies and Government" ( Saturn opp Uranus and Pluto into Capricorn).

I'll leave you with this comment from The Daily Mail on the same topic:

The findings come as the cervical cancer vaccination programme was branded a 'public health experiment' by a senior researcher who helped develop the drug. Dr Diane Harper - one of the world's leading cervical cancer experts - said health officials and drug firm bosses were exaggerating the jab's benefits.

Now that's not in quotes, so let's not rush to hail Dr Harper as a 'Whistle Blower' but it gives cause for thought and very serious concern.