"You know," said the client on the other end of the phone, "you’re always talking about how we’re going to have such big changes, but it doesn’t happen."
I thought for a moment about our recent political struggles, environmental disasters, wars, economic problems and social upheavals. I thought, too, about how the client had lost her job, been hired somewhere new, and changed apartments within the last two months.
"Well," I said, "I guess I’m wrong sometimes." After all, I knew what she meant. No matter how intense things get, life goes on. That ought to be comforting, but many of us seem to find it disappointing.
When we talk about significant changes, there tends to be a feeling that we will reach some kind of Omega point, and wake up one morning to see two suns blazing in the sky, or everyone suddenly overcome with deep feelings of universal compassion, or perhaps the entire planet will experience simultaneous enlightenment. Not that all images of deep change are positive. New Agers are looking at the Mayan deadline of 2012, Christians are waiting for the War of Armageddon to break out, and even those with a cool, rationale, "realistic" mindset see a possible nuclear or environmental apocalypse.
But whether we hold uplifting or frightening images of where we are headed, it seems that the "end times" are falling a bit short of expectations. I’d like to suggest that we back away from quick solutions and see ourselves in the midst of an ongoing process. Sudden success and even sudden failures are possible outcomes, but not the most likely. Gradual evolution, marked by both forward movement and occasional regressions, is the way things usually happen.
Astrology teaches us to see time in three dimensions. The cycles of the planets around the zodiac might look like two-dimensional circles repeating each other, but the forward-moving arrow of time ensures that no two cycles are ever really the same. The circle becomes a spiral. And while spirals have maximum and minimum points, there are no sharp corners. The process - our process - is not completed (for good or ill) at any one point. Rather, it continues. It’s better to be aware of the process and try to have a positive effect on it than to await some final outcome. For even if the world did end, or we did all become enlightened in a moment of shared bliss, the process would continue.
The past few months have been very intense astrologically. Beginning in late May, we have had an ongoing series of outer planet aspects and eclipses clustered together to create a rare concentration of cosmic power. Such times accelerate the pace of our movement along the spiral, and give us many more opportunities than usual to have an effect on where we are going. After such intensity, the skies are calming down a bit, allowing us to reflect and process the changes.
September begins with a nice Venus/Neptune aspect on the 4th. This should help us to infuse a bit of dreaminess and idealism into our relationships. We could be a bit softer in our attitudes towards others, as well, thus giving new or "potential" relationships a bit more breathing room.
On the 9th, Jupiter retrogrades in Pisces, joining Uranus for a few months to help us work on social issues like immigration and health care. The two planets will meet up on the 18th of September, a good time to look around and assess where things are headed.
Things are a bit foggy on the 12th, when Mercury stations to go direct. The planet of communication and commerce has been retrograding since August 20th, causing the usual technical glitches and miscommunications. Two days later, Pluto also stations to go direct. Pluto stations often bring about financial changes or power struggles, and it won’t help that whatever happens will be shrouded in Mercurial confusion.
The Sun opposes Jupiter and Uranus on the 21st. Questions of individual and collective service are likely to come up. The recognition that we’re all in this together can lead to great acts of compassion by individuals and groups.
Autumn begins on September 22nd, when the Sun enters Libra at the autumnal equinox, at 11:08 p.m., EDT. Less than six hours later, the Full Moon illuminates the skies from Aries. With Jupiter and Uranus temporarily vacating the sign of the ram, our attention may have shifted off of the issues of individuality and partnership that characterized much of the spring and summer. But this Full Moon will bring these issues to light once more, and perhaps in a very active way, given that this Moon falls right on the "World Axis." Look for our personal partnership issues to be at the front of our attention. On the collective level, keep an eye out for rogue groups and literal and figurative "pirates."
The Sun will aspect Pluto on the 25th, then meet up with Saturn on the 30th. Issues that were prominent around the 21st of August could reemerge and be resolved around this time. In our personal lives, that probably has to do with work and career. At the deepest level, the question is where do you really want to be?
The energy races forward on October 1st, as Mercury aspects Jupiter and Uranus. Ideas will be flying fast and furious, and people may be driving their cars as fast as their thoughts are flying. Watch for insights and brilliant ideas to emerge on this high-caffeine day.
On the 3rd, Venus and Mars meet up. There is a sexy energy to this meeting, as love and passion coincide. In Scorpio, passion is likely to win, although "passion" can mean many things. If tempers flare in your relationship, at least making up could be fun.
The next few days make for an active time, despite the general quiet of the new Moon on October 7th. Mercury squares Pluto on the 5th, a day which might let out some information that threatens the powers-that-be. On a more personal level, struggles with banks and other financial institutions could heat up, and it isn’t a great day to step on any toes at work.
After the New Moon, on the 8th, Mercury meets up with Saturn. If you said something you shouldn’t have (or someone else thinks you shouldn’t have) earlier in the week, you can probably make reparations now. Even if things are quiet for you, it could be hard to express yourself and be heard around this time. Those brilliant ideas that were popping in the air a week ago might get a very serious review, and it would be good to prepare a formal presentation rather than relying on the feeling of inspiration that was so prevalent around the 1st.
Also on the 8th, Venus stations to go retrograde. This forty-day period is known for putting romance and other types of partnership on hold. The book on Venus retrograde is that relationships that start during this period won’t last, and it certainly seems to be true that the potential we may feel often fails to manifest into a long-term relationship. On the other hand, people and even objects we valued in the past often reappear in our lives, a pleasant (generally) side of this phenomenon. Venus retrograde can give us a chance to clear the air about the past and so move forward. That might be especially relevant on this particular Venus retrograde, which occurs through a section of the zodiac in Scorpio-Libra known as the Via Combusta, or "burnt path," seemingly calling us to deal with difficult issues left over from the past.
The 14th is the active First-Quarter Moon. This could be the time that ideas come off the drawing board and really get moving. The 18th and 19th ought to fire the imagination, although in a more mellow way than at the beginning of the month. Connect with your dreams and meditate during this time, as direction may come more from soul and spirit than mind.
Energy will flow on the 20th as Mars aspects Jupiter, a good day to accomplish things, especially if your motivation is not overly selfish. As Mars aspects Neptune on the 22nd, the feel is somewhat different, and we want to move quickly, although the direction could be unclear, like a "magical" trip to nowhere. This is the day of the Full Moon, so the air will be charged as we begin the weekend. Just as the September New Moon was at the very beginning of Aries, this New Moon is at the end of the sign, reaching its peak just eleven hours before the Sun moves out of Libra and into Scorpio.
The rest of October features more or less mellow and constructive aspects. Look especially to the 24th and 28th as active times. But remember, the absence of big surprises doesn’t mean nothing is happening!
Armand M. Diaz, M.A., C.A., is certified as a Consulting Astrologer by the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR). He is available for private consultations, in which he creates a supportive context for self-exploration, to help clients make decisions which are in harmony with their greatest potential, offering a truly integral approach to astrology. Armand has practiced divination for more than twenty years, working with the I Ching and Tarot in addition to astrology. He has published in various astrological journals, including The Mountain Astrologer. He can be reached at 917-216-1541 or armand@integralastrology.net or though his website at www.integralastrology.net.