Thursday 30 December 2010

Astrological Review of the Year 2010

Part 1: The Cardinal T-Square


(Click here for Part 2, which looks at some of 2010's major new stories)

2010 was a big year and not an easy one, there’s no doubt about that. Now 2011 beckons and it’s time to look forward with hope and optimism, but not before taking a little time out to cogitate and ruminate a while over the year that was twenty-ten.

The major story running through 2010 was the economy. After the banking crisis of 2008 and 2009, followed by ongoing and unprecedented monetary collapses at government level in countries such as Iceland, Greece and latterly Ireland, 2010 was a year of facing realities and making difficult and unpalatable decisions. Not just for banks and governments, but for businesses, public services and individuals alike. Astrologically, of course, this kind of crisis has long been predicted by astrologers, in anticipation of the Saturn, Uranus, Pluto cardinal T-Square, which peaked mid year with Jupiter’s ingress into Aries.

As I wrote back in March:

“In late 2008 Saturn in Virgo was about to make the first of its oppositions to Uranus in Pisces. Saturn-Uranus connections signify sudden change, shocks and the upsetting of the status quo and this was indeed what we were seeing all around us, as the world tumbled into economic crisis. As the ripples began to be felt in our personal lives, many of us found that our ability to remain flexible in the face of disruptive change was tested. When Saturn moved into Libra a year later, instead of a collective sigh of relief, we were all holding our breath waiting for Saturn to make the first of its square aspects to Pluto in Capricorn. Saturn-Pluto aspects signify times of intense challenge, restriction and hard, hard work and without a doubt many of us have been feeling this in our own lives and the lives of our loved ones.

When Uranus moves into Aries in late May 2010, the Saturn-Uranus oppositions and the Saturn-Pluto squares will begin to come together to form the much anticipated cardinal T-square, an event which has many of us puzzled and worried. With these cardinal energies, we can perhaps expect times of fast-forward movement, more shocks and changes, and a lot more hard work. What these energies also promise is the opportunity for personal and collective transformation, exciting creative breakthroughs, inspired action and promising fresh starts. Our ability to keep up with the pace of change will depend to some extent upon our readiness to set clear boundaries, plan for the unexpected, hold things in perspective, apply the wisdom of our experience and keep our minds and bodies in balance while all around us is in flux.”

How was it for you? Certainly these were difficult energies for me and for many around me (transiting Pluto was conjunct my Sun for most of the year, with Saturn squaring it). Fortunately, the online astrological community rose to the challenge, with some spectacularly insightful and helpful articles. Here is my pick of the best:

The International Astrology Day Blog-A-Thon organized by Donna Cunningham and CJ Wright (with a little help from me), focused on providing helpful articles and coping and healing tools for dealing with the energies of Saturn, Uranus and Pluto. Scores of astrologers contributed their wisdom, experience and insights. I’m sure most of you have seen the Blog-A-Thon pages, but the articles form a timeless collection that is well worth revisiting.

The Astrotabletalk blog has covered all the major stories this year, so it’s worth a browse through the topic label list. The post Astrozeitgeist Update gives a pretty concise summary of how this year’s ‘Cardinal Drama’ has been reflected in world events.

Theodore White, at Global Astrology, has written extensively about the ‘Cardinal Crisis’, closely tracking it against world events. Here’s one of his latest posts: Cardinal Crisis, Cable Gate and Wikileaks 

Bill Herbst has an impressive back catalogue of newsletters specifically about the Saturn-Uranus-Pluto T-Square and what it means to the world. Download them here: billherbst.com/newsindex

Richard Tarnas published an excellent article, World Transits 2000-2020, A Overview, a follow up to his excellent book Cosmos and Psyche.

Finally, see my Outer Planet Cycles collection of articles on the major transits of 2010 ~ Saturn-Pluto, Saturn-Uranus, Jupiter-Uranus and Jupiter-Saturn

In Part 2, I’ll review 2010 month by month, looking at how some of the big news stories were reflected in the heavens.

Come back soon!

With love,
Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

Wednesday 29 December 2010

Mercury Retrograde Madness!

Well, Mercury Retrograde has hit Astroair hard, because my laptop died and I lost all my data! This is why there have been no posts here for a good while...

Fortunately, I found a laptop hospital in deepest darkest South-East London. Yes, it really was like a hospital, with a waiting room full of tense owners, stacks of magazines at least five years old and scary drilling, banging and beeping noises coming from the 'surgery' behind the screen.

The good news is that the laptop, at great expense, is now 'as new', shiny and clean and sporting a brand new hard drive. It's faster, smarter and yes, they retreived all my data as well! So now, with the craziness of Christmas behind us for another year it's time to get back on the blogging wagon again at last.

New Year's Resolution: Always back up my data! Always back up my data! Always back up my data!

Coming soon....my review of 2010!

Wishing a very Happy New Year to all of you who stumble across here.

with love,
Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/
 

Wednesday 1 December 2010

December Astrology

London, December 1st 2010
Welcome to December, the month of midwinter in the North and midsummer in the South. December is a time of celebration and worship across a number of faiths including Hanukkah (Jewish), Al-Hijira (Islamic New Year), Bodhi Day (Buddhist), Yule (Pagan) and Christmas (Christian). Whatever you are celebrating, or even if you are just looking forward to some time off, I hope you have a wondrous December.

Astrologically, December begins with the Sun in Sagittarius, Venus freshly in Scorpio and Mercury freshly in Capricorn...

When Passions Run Deep

Venus in Scorpio prompts intense, obsessive and passionate expressions of affection and desire. There’s nothing shallow or pretty about this Venus placement. Secret liaisons and compulsive desires are not uncommon and moods are hot and deep. It won't always play out nicely, but ultimately this can be a purging and healing transit, so long as you are willing to surrender to Venus in Scorpio's hypnotic charms.

Serious Thinking

Mercury in Capricorn is serious! In your thinking and in your communications, caution, reserve and even doubt can come to the fore with Mercury in Capricorn. To use these energies at their best, and to avoid negative thinking, think in practical, down to earth ways, have clear goals and objectives about what you want to communicate and use a logical, step-by-step approach in your thinking.

Decisive Actions

Mars moves into steadfast Capricorn on December 7, a perfect placement if hard work, decisiveness and self discipline are required. Shame it coincides with the party season really! On the bright side, Mars stays in Capricorn until mid January, perfect for finding the will power for that post holiday detox diet! Until then, use the energies of Mars in Capricorn to complete those projects on time so you can relax and enjoy a guilt free break later in the month.

Mercury Retrograde Alert!

On December 10, Mercury turns retrograde... I urge you not to get too stressed and worried about this retrograde, but it’s worth paying attention to detail and being prepared. For instance, book your holiday travel before the retrograde. When you do travel, prepare yourself for delays. If delays don’t happen then that’s cool, but if they do, you won’t get too stressed if you’re prepared will you? This is a good time to review your thinking...are you being too negative? Are you being too serious? Do you need to lighten up a bit? On December 18, Mercury rolls back into more easy-going Sagittarius. In this outspoken sign you might put your foot in it or exaggerate...so consider what effect your words have one others. Mercury finally turns direct on 29/30 December (depending on your time zone).

Fighting Talk

On December 14, retrograde Mercury lines up in a triple conjunction with Mars and Pluto. If you have a strong point to get across, now’s the time, but remember to play fair. Fighting talk could ensue if you’re not careful in how you express yourself or if you over-react to other’s words, because this has the potential to be an explosive day when you are in danger of losing the perspective. Breathe, think on it, react later if needs be. Remember, ‘tis the season of peace and goodwill.

Uranus Direct

Uranus turned retrograde in Aries back in early July, re-entering Pisces in August. The planet of shocks, breakthroughs and rebellion finally turns direct on December 5. It will re-cover the last degrees of Pisces before finally settling in Aries in March 2011.

More on Uranus direct next week, but here are some previous great posts from Astroair Astrology about Uranus in Pisces and Aries:
An interview with Uranus in Pisces
A Uranus in Aries Brainstorm
Uranus in Aries and your Personal Mars Sign

Solstice Time

Every year, the Sun’s movement into Capricorn (21st December) heralds the Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice in the Summer Hemisphere). The Winter and Summer Solstices are two of the power points of the astrological year, along with the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes. The charts for these events are good indicators of the next three months to come.... This year’s Solstice chart is especially exciting because it coincides with a total Lunar Eclipse! Watch this space for some insights and predictions a little nearer the time.

December’s Moons

New Moon in Sagittarius ~ December 5
A time to plan, think and relax

First Quarter Moon in Pisces ~ December 13
A time to act on plans hatched at the New Moon

Eclipsed Full Moon in Gemini ~ December 21
Everything becomes clearer. A sense of urgency. Pay off or pay back for actions taken during the New Moon and First Quarter Moon. Things coming to a head. Endings. This Full Moon is an exciting one, the third of five in a row occurring in the urgent last degree of its sign. In Gemini, the urgency is around communications, connecting with others, negotiating, sealing the deal, sharing ideas. Mercury retrograde complicates things....so pay attention to detail and make sure you dot the I’s and cross the T’s in your rush to get things completed! More on this special Moon, a total Lunar Eclipse in a forthcoming article.

Last Quarter Moon in Virgo ~ December 28
Time to tie up any loose ends and make final adjustments to actions and projects before slowing down for the next New Moon on January 4. Any mistakes made at the urgent Full Moon will need sorting out now!

And Finally...

For December's Void of Course Moon times and sign changes see: http://www.mandilockley.com/moonpages.html

Wishing you a very Happy December.
With love,
Mandi xxx
http://www.mandilockley.com/

  Important Update   I have now moved my content to YouTube & you can view my channel,  On Purpose Astrology, by clicking on this link  ...