Venus Takes Flight

Taurus is a Venus-ruled sign, and has a strong affinity for the pleasures of the senses, including an appreciation for beauty, harmony, and the arts. Let’s take a look at how Venus may influence our aesthetics, values, and creative processes as she glides through the sign of Gemini from April 24 through May 19. Venus in Gemini has a light, airy quality that can be witty, curious, and childlike. While Venus in Taurus can get stuck in indulgences, Venus in Gemini seeks change, variety, new ideas, and new experiences. This energy brings stimulation and inspiration to the creative process, and may encourage us to experiment with new ways of expressing ourselves, whether that is through writing, painting, song, dance, or other modalities. It can also help us to lighten up, if we’ve been feeling bogged down.

As Venus journeys through Gemini, it makes significant aspects with the opposition between Saturn in Virgo and Uranus/Jupiter in Pisces. These dynamics can provide grounding and focus for the development of our creative and technical skills (Saturn in Virgo), a strong connection to the imagination (Pisces), as well as opportunities for creative breakthroughs (Uranus/Jupiter). Many people are experiencing the opposition of Saturn and Uranus as a feeling of inner tension and an intense desire to make a big leap forward in sharing their gifts, in service to the world. We get some help, in this regard, as Venus sextiles Mars in Leo, which can give us the courage to go for it, especially in terms of our creative self-expression. Perhaps the inquisitive Venus in Gemini can infuse us with a fresh perspective that supports the radical shifts we are yearning for on the personal and creative levels, as well on the collective level.

While Venus is in Gemini, let your creative mind lead you into new territories, network with those who can offer inspiration as well as information, and see the beauty of the world with a childlike innocence.
--Sajit Greene, M.A., L.P.C.

Saturn/Uranus Opposition

Saturn and Uranus are directly opposed—an event of significant cultural and historical importance. The last time these titans faced off like this was between 1964—1968. This event tends to expose the resistance to necessary reforms and innovations while inviting us to make efforts towards updating methods and mindsets to be more sustainable and inclusive. To simplify—the past squares off with the future. Either we create a new world, or point fingers at others in blame for the failure to do so.

The onslaught of astrology events here, now, and immediately ahead these next few years, aggressively challenge Saturn to modernize. Like we saw in the mid 1960s, the dominant power structure is being petitioned to loosen its hold. Then, the Civil Rights and Feminist movements demanded more inclusiveness for minorities and women. Now, we have an African-American president likely to nominate his second female appointee to the highest court!

The dominant power structure in the U.S. has largely been white, male, Christian and heterosexual—which is also a description of who is organizing, and largely populating, the Tea Party. On the other side of the divide is the reality that we live in a very diverse culture with demographics showing a trend toward even more diversity in the years ahead. Either the doors of power are busted open so we can come together, or the social fabric unravels and comes apart. We are likely to see elements of both.

This weekend I went to a festival in Asheville where I saw a performance by two musicians: one a gay man, and the other an African-American. Immediately following was a ceremony in recognition of young innovators in a variety of fields. It was called “HATCH” and the point is to welcome diversity, fresh ideas and give publicity to those who want to change the world. The young innovators had more established mentors to learn from, and to network through, in ways which support their work. It was a wonderful illustration of how the Saturn/Uranus opposition can be managed.

The broader world has forces which are not so eager to change. This time around, the Saturn/Uranus opposition will expose any remaining divisiveness or prejudice towards those who differ from the dominant power structure. The bitter health care debate has currents of providing universal coverage (Uranus) vs. preserving a more exclusive status quo (Saturn). Necessary financial regulation to make the playing field fairer is being debated now, while propositions for Gay Marriage will be on the ballot this fall. For a climactic event, immigration reform will be addressed soon. This will expose elitism, fear and discrimination like no other issue.

Until there is openness and acceptance of the Muslim, the Hispanic, the Native-American, the poor, or the transgendered, this Saturn/Uranus event will highlight the resistance to such inclusiveness in dramatic ways. The reality that the dominant power structure will soon be the minority is irrefutable. I believe that this Saturn/Uranus opposition is ushering in this reality to the collective consciousness. It is threatening and considered unacceptable to those most passionate about preserving their hold on power. In response, they may choose to act in threatening and unacceptable ways. If civility and peaceful dialogue are not maintained, this time frame may bring in some version of a Civil War (the early 1860s positioned Saturn square Uranus). For more information, please see Uranus: The Constant of Change, which discusses this current time frame in greater detail.
--Eric Meyers, M.A.

ARIES NEW MOON

Happy New Year…well, kind of. The New Moon, and Aries, both concern beginnings. Though the spring equinox is when the astrological year is renewed, the New Moon in Aries launches the first of twelve lunar cycles. It is the optimal time to launch new projects or to actively declare one’s intentions. Whatever is put into motion now will be growing on some trajectory towards its realization. Having passion, decisiveness and clarity are the keys to manifestation.
Maintaining this level of empowerment is crucial as there are plenty of challenges in the current astrological climate. With Saturn exactly opposed Uranus, structures are destabilizing in order to reform. New realities are becoming concretized; tensions between conservative and progressive are heightened. The old guard needs to make room for new innovations. Those who are able to light the way forward must summon the courage to lead. If not, we may feel anxious, disempowered, and find ourselves wondering what is going to collapse next. The wave of earthquakes happening around the globe reminds us that the ground is indeed shifting. We can approach it with strength or fear.
The North Node of the Moon tells us what we need to be striving for. As it currently resides in Capricorn, we are being called to get serious about creating new structures and to mature from emotional patterns that inhibit effectiveness. With Saturn in Virgo, this is a time to be focused, steadfast and specialized with honing new skills and potential contributions. Then, we can each play a part in creating more sustainable and conscious ways to live on this planet. If not, we may fear that it’s too late, we’re passing the tipping point, and only consequences and hardships await us.
With Pluto in Capricorn, the status quo of operations is ready to be completely transformed. This time frame will usher in complete facelifts to the dominant power structure. Outmoded methods, paradigms and even institutions will be collapsing. The question being asked is, "What do we want to build?" At this New Moon in Aries, the onus of responsibility is on every individual to play a role. What’s yours?
The times will be a’changin in a big way these next several years. At this moment in the process, we can meet these challenges with will, direction and power. It’s time to work hard and ultimately be satisfied with our efforts, or clamor in anxiety as the earthquakes continue to rumble the ground. Soul Vision is available to assist you in finding clarity of purpose in these most uncertain times.
Blessings,
Eric & Sajit