The Rise of Extinction Rebellion

The Extinction Rebellion group (also known as XR) occupied a number of important locations across central London on April 15 2019, including Parliament Square, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge and Marble Arch. At the time of writing, April 18, the protest is ongoing and appears to be growing in numbers, despite police making over 400 arrests so far.

This, in their own words, is what the protest is about:

‘The Extinction Rebellion is a necessity. Our political establishment has failed to protect its people from pollution, prevent further mass extinction of species on earth and prevent the possibility of human extinction in the near future. Therefore we must rebel to protect the livelihood of citizens and our natural world, or risk losing everything we cherish.’ source

The chart data for the start of this action is April 15 2019, 11am London. The source is one of XR’s posters advertising the action, as well as their website.

Chart for start of  XR Protests - 15 April 2019, 11am, London

The chart (above) is remarkable. The Saturn-Pluto Conjunction sits exactly on the DC. The Nodes, sitting at the midpoint of Saturn-Pluto, are Partile Conjunct the ASC-DC axis. Saturn-Pluto hard aspects are associated with fear, even the threat of apocalypse or ‘extinction’. They are a warning sign that things will be forced to change if we don’t take proactive action. Destruction of some kind occurs and is followed by a necessary rebuilding process. What XR say they want to achieve is “radical change in order to minimise the risk of human extinction and ecological collapse” and in essence Saturn-Pluto is about the transformation of socio-political structures and in Capricorn it’s about the Earth itself and how we need to fundamentally change how we treat it, if we want to preserve it for future generations.

The Cancer Ascendant Conjunct North Node also suggests this need for action for mother earth. The South Node, Saturn, Pluto and DC axis Conjunction certainly denotes the fear of disaster if we don’t change the way we treat our planet. And when veteran naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough is concurrently saying we face "irreversible damage to the natural world and the collapse of our societies" it’s safe to assume 

there’s something in it.

A Venus-Mercury-Neptune Triple Conjunction in Pisces is also angular, sitting across the MC. Like the DC, the MC is also a public point. XR’s message is of non-violent civil disobedience. This was also the impression I got from spending time at the Oxford Circus occupation (where these photos were taken). As police arrested protesters one by one, they neither fought nor complied, but allowed themselves to be carried away to clapping and the chanting of we love you from the gathered crowds. 

That a pink boat is at the the centre of the protest emblazoned with the words TELL THE TRUTH is a nice translation of Venus-Mercury-Neptune in Pisces, as is its placement at a major transport crossroads (they would probably say that the earth itself is at a crossroads).

On the other hand, the overall public perception seems to be that they are idealistic ‘hippies’ who will never get their demands met.  These demands are that the Government “tell the truth” about the ecological emergency and work towards change, that they act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025 and that they “create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.”

Mars in Gemini also Squares Neptune an applying aspect signifying idealistic action, tension and disappointment when dreams meet reality, but also a certain charisma and the potential for this movement to become a phenomenon.

For an action of civil disobedience of such persistence and momentum we must also look to Uranus. Indeed, the planet of rebellion and revolution is in Taurus (the earth) tight to the 11^th House cusp (groups, communities, the collective) and Conjunct the Sun in Aries. This is a symbolic picture of the eco-warrior and a strong statement about the group’s mission, especially as it makes a Square to Saturn and Pluto. Sun and Uranus form a Fire-Earth Grand Trine with the Moon in Leo and Jupiter in justice seeking Sagittarius. Jupiter Squares Neptune, Mercury and Venus, symbolising how ideals turn into society’s expectations which are either delivered upon or dissolved into disillusionment and disappointment.

The Moon at 29 degrees 52 of Leo is telling us that things are urgent, time is running out to save our home. Indeed, the logo of Extinction Rebellion is a stylised egg timer. Below is a screenshot from the home page of their website.

Extinction Rebellion was founded on 31st October 2018 and has quickly grown into an international movement. On this date their website states, “we assembled on Parliament Square in London to announce a Declaration of Rebellion against the UK Government. We were expecting a couple of hundred people. Instead, 1500 came to participate in peaceful civil disobedience”. 

This chart (time now known, set for midday) shows Uranus at zero degrees of Taurus (rebellion to save the earth) in an Opposition to the Sun and Venus in Scorpio (its mission is change through peaceful means). A potential T-Square to the Moon brings the message home about our ‘home’. Mars in Aquarius, the activist, is Square Mercury and Jupiter in Scorpio and their demands for ‘the truth’ ring strong and loud in their throats.

References:

https://rebellion.earth/the-truth/about-us/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction_Rebellion

Mars Retrograde, New Videos & the Astrology of Burgers!

Mars Retrograde turns back into Capricorn today. 

It was last in Capricorn March to mid May - watch out for recurring themes in how you act and react. In particular, how were you feeling in the first half of May? Does that relate to now? Are you covering old ground?

Mars goes Direct on August 28 and then re-enters Aquarius September 11. Think back to Mid May when Mars first covered those early Aquarius degrees ~ it was probably a pretty intense time if you've planets and angles in the early degrees of the fixed signs, especially as Uranus in Taurus is Square to Mars in early Aquarius. 

For me, this has been my Mars Return (Mars in early Aquarius Conjunct Moon) ~ lots of emotions from the past coming up for me, begging for release. I found the courage to share some of my story with close trusted friends and it was cathartic.

Remember the Lunar Eclipse in late July fell in early Aquarius, Square Uranus and Mars? Release, endings, letting go, breakdowns, breakthroughs and emotional honesty. Mars re-visits/activates the eclipse degree (4 Aquarius 45) 26/27 September.

This current period might also remind us of when Mars was Conjunct Saturn, end March / early April. For insights on this, I recommend this short video Tough Breaks, Rewind: Mars and Saturn in Capricorn Again from Marcos Patchett for the Academy of Astrology:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfsZD2ynXgc

While you're here, why not also check out my short, fun video explaining what burgers have to do with Uranus in Taurus!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6sGMR3OomQ&t=99s 

Thank you for reading and watching 
You can also read my articles on Astro.com:

How Can Saturn Help Us Live from the Heart?
After the Transit - Neptune
Whistleblowers at the Galactic Centre
And you can find me on Facebook and YouTube

Planetary Shake-Up as Uranus moves into Taurus

It's always a big deal and a fundamental shift in energies when an outer planet changes signs.

Uranus, the planet of shake-ups, surprises, innovation, rebellion and freedom moves on May 15 into security conscious, materialistic Taurus after seven years in fearless, fast-acting Aries.

What Uranus in Aries set in motion, will be seen through and manifested by steadfast Uranus in Taurus, but not without some unexpected twists and turns along the way.  One thing we can be certain of is that by the time Uranus leaves Taurus in 2026, the world won't quite be the same.

Here are three videos from the Academy of Astrology team, exploring the main themes - and making a few predictions - for these interesting years ahead.