Astro Forecast
Astral Awareness & Insight by Gaia
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January 2020: Cancer Lunar Eclipse (1/10), Uranus Station(1/11), Saturn & Pluto Conjunction (1/12)
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“I want to know if you know
how to melt into that fierce heat of living
falling toward the center of your longing.”
(David Whyte)
"The Moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The Moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections."
(Tahereh Mafi)
"Mangata" is the Swedish word for "the road-like reflection of the moon on the water." Such a precious term feels to me to indicate the "Moonlightroad,” a pathway within ourselves for which there are no maps, no apps, and no directions. To follow the Moonlightroad, we can only trust and cultivate our awareness, our sensitivity, intuition, deep-felt sense. It begins with not knowing, as the path appears first a dim glim, and slowly grows as the Moon rises in the sky at night, showing us that whimsical road-like lightpath calling for our attention. We need to listen within ourselves to contact our lunar needs. They yearn for us to belong, and for connection, nurturing, safety, for a place to call home, and for humans and more-than-humans to call family. As ruler of Cancer, the Moon symbolizes the world of flowing water, and the eternal movement of waves, of tides, and the waxing and waning phases of our life cycle. It's no wonder that the world of emotions is associated with water, the Moon, and Cancer. Coming from the Latin word “emovere,” it means “move out, agitate," which well describes this dimension that is in constant movement and sensitive to changes.
Like the Moon, always changing and moving, and the sea, with predictable tides and unpredictable waves, emotions rise and fade, coming knocking at our doors to be held in the soothing embrace of our consciousness. To listen to our feelings rather than say "what we should or should not feel" is what might assist us navigate the rough waters of this upcoming lunar eclipse. As we might face a time of high intensity, filled with demands symbolized by the powerful configuration in Capricorn, sign opposite Cancer, we might seize this opportunity to embrace polarities. This will allow us to expand our lunar consciousness and capacity to learn from our responses in the face of intense commitments and struggles. While the planets in Capricorn can evoke extreme discipline, the lunar placement allows us to integrate how we feel in whatever situation we might experience in our lives with what we are "required" to do.
The dimension of emotional experience, or lunar consciousness associated with the Moon, has been rejected by western patriarchal culture. Simply think at the old say "they are so emotional," or “they are so sensitive” as if those responses were not relevant or valuable. While it's challenging to stay with our emotions when we get overwhelmed, the way out is not repression or dismissal. Surf culture seems very apt here, I learned there that “you never turn your back to the ocean.” Likewise, we might remind ourselves never to disown and turn our back to our feelings. Instead, it's wise to make space in our awareness of the complexity of currents and waves. We can slow down if possible, allowing for the emotional wave to arrive at our inner shores, so that we can harness her energy to carry us forward. Or we can witness it, let it continue her journey so that it has a place where to break and release. As with the ocean, we won't go for a swim if powerful waves where crashing throwing us back to the shore or taking us out in the open water. Likewise, it's wise not to engage in critical decision making and discussions in times of great emotional turmoil. Instead, we might slow down and allow our inner water to return to a calmer state. And this scenario we might face around this eclipse, when demands, events, and opportunities with a stern Capricorn flavor will require us to be mindful of our needs and will throw us into that 'fierce heat of living.” From that center, we will be asked, “what are we longing for as we face this situation?” We might glimpse a dim “mangata” just taking shape in our own inner darkness, or perhaps it will be a brightly shining one pointing the way. Whatever the case, a new path opening up might show us our longings as we commit to what feels most "real" in our lives. We then have the opportunity to build a bridge between what asks us for intense discipline, commitments, and pragmatism (Capricorn) and our deepest longing (Cancer).
Various manifestations of this dynamic are likely to manifest at this powerful eclipse, one of the most significant of the year as it happens with a cyclical, yet powerful, planetary configuration. This lunar eclipse is at the same degrees of the solar eclipse in Cancer on July 12, 2018. Then the Sun and Moon were at 20 degrees Cancer, opposite Pluto at 20 degrees Capricorn. Now the Moon at 20 degrees Cancer will oppose Sun and Mercury at 20 degrees and Saturn and Pluto at 22 degrees Capricorn. Jupiter is conjunct the South Node at 8 degrees Capricorn, and in a loose trine to Uranus at 2 degrees Taurus, which is stationing direct, adding some more unpredictability to these already poignant times. We all might look back at last Summer to understanding what has changed in our priorities and in our needs.
Those of us with planets and points in Cancer, Capricorn, Libra, and Aries between 19 to 25 degrees, might experience this more intensely than everyone else. Pluto and Saturn transits for these past 2 years approximately have corresponded with a season of questioning our narratives. This might have lead to the decay of old structures that have fallen to the ground, leaving us in the middle of open fields. There we still walk among the ruins of the past, remnants that might feel hundreds of years old, pieces of our lives that have grown too oppressive, too restrictive, or meaningless. Pluto's presence has intensified this process, and while we might still grieving the losses, we can harness this new energy at this time to explore this new world. There we can also sense the intoxicating scent of new beginning, of open wild fields filled with new potential. We may plant new seeds charged with the energy of the great rebuilders. Saturn and Pluto allow us to slowly move, step by step, towards the formation of diamond-solid new foundations for our lives.
For those with planets in the early degrees of these signs, we might still relate to the description above, as Saturn entered Capricorn in December 2017, calling for pruning your tree of life, asking for commitments and growth, and to take on new responsibilities. This process might have corresponded with significant decisions in the realm of our relationships, change of vocation and work, or whatever commitments we might have made. For all, the conjunction of these planets allows us to harness their strength as they join forces. We can then make great strides in the areas of our lives where we feel more called to commit our efforts to build something long-lasting.
The Cancer eclipse shines a light on the Moonroad, one that asks for compromise between these signs. It asks for sensitivity in the face of discipline. It asks for honoring the need to belong and be accepted in the face of control and regulations. It asks for honoring our mammalian need for a safe nest and home to return to when we are asked to take on responsibilities and duties. It asks for softness in the face of Capricorn rigidity. The opposition between planets, such as this one, requires our commitments to grow in consciousness, to leave behind the old way of thinking and generalized one-for-all solutions, and to be open to the new.
It's important to remember that the extreme manifestation of Saturn and Pluto conjunction is represented by absolute control, where Pluto intensifies Saturnine values, such as structure and strictness, in an attempt to prevent the new. Tyrannical regimes, where one holds all the power and squash any movement, blocking life, are also symbolic of this conjunction. Tyranny then goes hand in hand with ruthlessness. It is this word that made me wonder about its antinome that unfortunately it's not present in our vocabulary. “Ruth” comes from Old Norse language word “ruthe,” which loosely meant “sorrow for the misery of another, repentance.” It also comes from the old English "rue", which means "feel regret." It seems that when we relate in a way that is absent of feeling regret or empathy, we enter a dimension that leads to no consideration for our fellow others, we are in "tyrantland."
In this land, “movement” cease to exists, and one takes all decisions. No wonder new "movements" arise at these times, for they bring back "motion" and "change" in a world that is not meant to be still.
We might remember the word "ruthmore” to counterbalance “ruthless” at a time when tyranny might arise. For we need to nourish the capacity to feel respect for other beings suffering so that what is pursued is not without awareness that we live in a world of relationships and interconnections. And that we may never say again "emotional” as pejorative for it is the emotion that leads to movement, and might prevent cruelty and oppression.
At this eclipse, lunar needs might face limitations as she encounters Pluto and Saturn, Mercury, and Sun. The opposition with Mercury and the Sun suggests a cautious approach with communication associated with Mercury. Spoken or written words, messages, or contracts will carry substantial meaning, that will last in time. Also, as Cancer highlights family, home, we might question what makes us really feel at home? Perhaps our home and families have changed, and we now might be wondering where to lay the foundation of our new nests. At this eclipse, we might gather a more profound sense of what that feels life for us. The crab, symbol of Cancer, retreats in her shells that she carries everywhere, among the rocks, and on the shore, facing the tides and waves. At times she changes the shell, in a process called molten, as she discards the old ones and forms a new one underneath. Likewise, we might be still shedding part of our shells as we find our new home in between the constant motion of our lives; as we move through days and nights, grief and love, fear and courage, t being and doing.
We are asked to look at the archetypes of mother and father, as the old ones are dying off, as the outdated patriarchal model of the family is making way for diversity. We might ponder how can we mother and father ourselves? How can we embrace an embodied and sensitive authority with "ruthmore" that no longer rules with fear, but relate according to rules that can shift rather than being set in stone?
As we look at our world rid by the refugee crisis, horrific separations of parents and children, the resurgence of extremism, we might wonder what we can do in our own lives to avoid polarization and maintain our humanness? And where, instead, are new rules needed?
We might also look at how our home planet needs. With the sign of Capricorn symbolizing the rock underneath our feet and Cancer representing our home, it's possible that we might face a new phase of realization about our impact. We might witness a new fight arising between those who want to set new rules and those who hold onto the past. We might be asked to care for our beautiful planet by changing our life styles, especially as eclipses and Uranus station coincidentally happen with the Saturn Pluto conjunction. Events might shake up our consciousness and lead us forward.
These questions and consideration simply highlight some of the threads that are woven in the tapestry of this time. We might then look back in July 2018, when the eclipse cycle in Capricorn and Cancer begun and have asked us to look in our lives.
Overall, the beginning of this near year might feel edgy. Eclipses have a quality of unpredictability, and unknow-ness, similarly to the unusual occurring of the Moon, being obscured by the shadow of the earth. They are portals for release of the past as events that happen maybe so impactful as to open for us a new Moonlightroad. However, this might not be apparent as we experience it.
The Uranus station adds randomness and unpredictability, opportunities for awakening, and widens our perspectives. (Particularly if we have planets and points between 0 and 6 of Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, and Aquarius.)
The way we relate to these times changes the way we experience them, so it might be wise to remind ourselves that we are dwelling in the unknown. These days our capacity to make decisions might be eclipsed, for we can't see clearly. We might feel more unsettled than we usually would, hence cultivating presence, calm, and awareness will allow us to navigate these days that will throw us in the "fierce heat of living" and lead us towards new beginnings.
“And if the earth no longer knows your name,
whisper to the silent earth: I am flowing.
To the flashing water say: I am." (Rilke)
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Thank you for reading this astro-report. Please note that this is a general description of the upcoming and unfolding planetary weather. To know more about yourself and the ‘seasons’ you are experiencing and what is up for renewal in your own life, you are welcome to reach me at gaia@astrothink.com for a personal and more accurate astrological reading based on your natal chart, calculated with your time, place and date of birth. Couples readings are also available.
Consider giving the gift of astrological insight! Gift certificates are available for astrological readings for your loved ones. I offer 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 1 hour and 45 minutes for individuals, or couple readings. Happy to provide you with personalized gift certificates and answer your questions.
Please reach me at gaia@astrothink.com
Moon pictures by Gaia www.instagram.com/astrothink
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 Gaia Somasca is a professional astrologer in private practice and therapist-in-training with a deep interest in psychological and humanistic astrology.
Her rich background includes extensive astrological studies in astrology in NY and London, Jungian psychology, dreamwork, focusing, mindfulness, eco-psychology, and nature-bonding practices.
In 2014 she completed the Master Degree in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at the University of Wales, and she has achieved Level 3 certification with NCGR. (National Council for Geocosmic Research)
She offers astrological consultations in person in the Santa Cruz Mountains, or via Skype. With her holistic approach to astrology, she provides guidance inspired by the rich symbolism and wisdom of the sky and nature aimed at self-understanding and personal growth.
Gaia is also a photographer exclusively focused on sharing the beauty of Moonrises and Moonsets.
Visit Gaia: www.astrothink.com
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