Aspects for the week beginning 15 March 2015

“Soothsayer: Beware the Ides of March

Caesar: He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass”

~ Act 1, Scene 2, Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Reg: What have the Romans done for us?

Xerxes: Brought peace

Reg:  (very angry, he’s not having a good meeting at all) What? Oh… (scornfully) Peace, yes…shut up!

~ Monty Python’s Life of Brian

 Uranus square Pluto finale

2.54 am Tuesday 17th March 2015 (U.K.)

 This last manifestation occurs at 15 deg Capricorn (Pluto) and 15 deg Uranus (Aries), with a special intensity for those who have planets placed in that degree.

I have been documenting each stage of this square from the first of seven encounters in June 2012, so I can see what can be attributed to the square and what may not be. The dismantling of institutions, such as the fiscal system and the N.H.S. has indeed taken place, as expected. But in the case of the N.H.S. nothing has been put in the place of its dismantling, and it is left hanging until the election.  Many of the problems we were facing then, such as climate change, have escalated, and certainly not diminished let alone been solved. In the case of climate change, the deniers I think have lost ground, and its dangers are more universally acknowledged. Other problems, such as those in Syria and the Middle East, have grown tentacles: ISIS has erupted, and disillusioned youth in our society have been going out to Syria via Turkey to join the Jihad.

Most Recent Phase

At the penultimate square in December, I wrote: “…the two world developments which most easily come to mind as representative of this [last] square’s influence are the rise of I.S.I.S. and the new developing cold war with Russia over conflict in the Ukraine.  I.S.I.S. had long been building up its force, and Putin has been in power for many years.  Both have necessitated involvement by the U.S. and Europe and other countries.

Outside of warfare and politics, the Ebola crisis has come more into focus, and there is urgency about finding a cure, and controlling the outbreak…war is a more deliberate act of choice by mankind than the eruption of a virus.”

After the Square is Over

At that time, I also wrote about the post square period: “Some situations may resolve themselves by the middle of March, or after the last crescendo.  If yours has followed the twists and turns, especially in the chronology of this square, then maybe you will see a peaceful end to that struggle in the spring.  I expect that in many cases it will be merely an end to the intensity of pressure.  Where conflict and revolutions and dismantlings have been destructive or not sufficiently thought through, there may be a long recovery period.”

Climate Change

Green M.P. Caroline Lucas has just published a book “Honourable Friends?” which is an enjoyable read. She contends that since entering parliament, she discovered that the political system needs to be overhauled.  She has a lustrous set of testimonials on the cover and flyleaf of her book: praise from Naomi Klein, Jon Snow, George Monbiot,  Melissa Benn, Owen Jones, Jonathan Porritt and Zac Goldsmith.

The book is a weapon for the sort of change we need right now.  It embodies the positive and maybe even ethical side of Uranus-Pluto.  No one can be doing more than Caroline at this time for the cause of climate change.

She quotes Rudolf Bahro:

“When the forms of an old culture are dying, the new culture is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure”

That is right where we are now in the cycle of growth forced by Uranus square Pluto.

Israeli Election

A regime change is possible for Israel on the day of the last Uranus-Pluto square as Israel goes to the polls.  Israeli politics has been dominated by the hawkish Binyamin Nethanyahu for many years.  He has used the politics of fear to try to assert that the people cannot afford to get rid of him, because only he can stand up to the threat of Iranian nuclear power.  He is not popular outside Israel, for many reasons: one being his near total destruction of Gaza, resonant of the Blair/Bush destruction of Iraq in 2003.  He showed a total disregard for the laws of  karma, which are compassionate and proportionate.

At the time of the election, he has a mixed bag of transits, which suggests the election may be close run, with probable alliances being negotiated thereafter.  The transits for the Israel chart are intriguing: a trine from Saturn to its Moon (possibly indicating they may choose the tried and trusted option) but a transit of the North Node to its Neptune (paradoxically that a karmic and spiritual choice may be made). Nethanyahu’s main opposition is an alliance between Isaac Herzog of the Labour Party and Tzipi Livni (Centrist), together known as the Zionist Union.  At the election, Herzog has a harmonious trine of Neptune to his natal Neptune (spiritually at one with himself), but Livni takes the Uranus-Pluto square head on, as it forms an exact T-square with her Sun, so either she is massively challenged, or will find that coming into power is a shock.

The Guardian leader this week stated: “The unexpected has happened before in Israel and it could happen again on Tuesday.  Those watching from afar, longing for an Israeli government committed to compromise rather than intransigeance, must hope that it does.”

The new government will have implications for the future of the Middle East, and the future of the Middle East has implications for the whole world.

Personal Lives

For several people I know, the Uranus-Pluto issue they have been dealing with has become clear to them, and as it nears the denouement it has very much felt like a crescendo.

I have to share my story here, because the timing has been so pertinent.

Last August, between the 5^th and 6^th square, I was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes, and put on a waiting list for their removal.  With an 18-week waiting list, I immediately worked out that the operation would be scheduled for my birthday, which was the 6^th, and penultimate, Uranus-Pluto square.  I also knew that somehow the issue of this square for me personally was linked with my cataract operation.  In October, I asked about my progress on the waiting list, and was given that date (15^th December 2014), as the target date: official confirmation of what I knew.  The Uranus-Pluto square was following me closely…

In November, I attended an assessment at the Cataract Clinic, but was told that I had diabetes, and needed for that to be under control before I could have the operation.  I then “knew” that the Uranus-Pluto square would continue to follow this process.  I cut out sugar from my diet, which is anyway now a fashionable thing to do (witness the success of Davina McCall’s book “5 weeks to Sugar Free”, and was eventually re-referred to the Cataract Clinic.  When I received an appointment for a second assessment there last Thursday (12^th March), I again “knew” my operation date would be on the Uranus-Pluto square, even though the finale was only days away.  “I have good news for you, Mrs. Wooster – we can offer you an appointment on Monday morning or Tuesday afternoon!” said the nurse at the assessment.   These two possible appointments were equidistant either side of the final square, which takes place at 2.54 a.m. in the early hours of Tuesday 17^th March in the U.K. (the evening of 16^th in the U.S.), and at any rate both possible appointments were within 24 hours of the square!  I have plumped for the first appointment, tomorrow morning.  Some Astrologers may have tried to re-schedule, but I rarely do that, as it is my philosophy to work with what is.  Whatever happens, the operation (to remove the first cataract) will be life-changing for me, and I will learn the meaning of the Uranus-Pluto square, which may for me be about accepting the process of life (subtext: to fear or fear not!).

Conclusion

We should be able to move on in relation to a major issue in our lives after this last square.  It has been argued by Barbara Hand Clow (expert on Chiron, who has documented her past lives in detail) that we will not be free of it because the Pluto-Uranus conjunction of the Swinging 60s has to run its course, and the two planets will re-meet periodically.  But for our generation, this present square is what we have had to deal with, and it is always important to establish good relations with our planets, both natal and transiting, which assists us in dealing with any transits.   It is as ever a case of “Seek the truth, and the truth shall set you free”.

Cyclone Pam, which has just devastated the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, is a last minute calling card of the destructive power of the Uranus-Pluto square.  However, an example of a more constructive completion in the last few days is the official ending of our involvement in the Afghanistan war, creating a new breathing space and releasing resources, as well as a conscious ending of conflict.  The conflict itself goes back 13 years, and is not a product of the Uranus-Pluto square, but its ending may have been assisted by the completion of the Uranus-Pluto cycle of squares.  Though our involvement was dubious and did not accomplish much if anything, any ending of any war is an accomplishment and a step in the right direction.  Theoretically, after the square, the only way is up.

Aspects

It is a watershed week astrologically.  Not only does the Uranus-Pluto square have its final say, but there is also an eclipse later in the week.

Tomorrow (Monday 16^th) Mercury squares Saturn, and there may be travel delays or slow communications.  It is not the ideal time for scheduling medical appointments, operations, or dental work, but if the fates have it that way, there may be a special learning involved.  Reading the small print [cataract-related joke] is a good idea for tomorrow, especially as you start your working week.

In the early hours of Tuesday (17^th) in the U.K. the final Uranus-Pluto square (of 7) occurs.  This represents a heightened tension, disruptive energy, conflict and unpredictability.  If you have been following my blog and other astrological blogs by now you will know all about it, and how it has tended to affect you, what are your attendant issues, and what is now coming to a finale, prior to a new beginning and possible sense of relief and resolution.  If you have a planet at 15 degrees of a sign natally, that will be particularly involved in the process.

Later that morning, Venus enters Taurus, which may register immediate relief for some.  If you are Venus-ruled (Taureans and Librans particularly), you will feel Venus sighing “Home at last…” as she limps from the battlefield of Aries which is so not her comfort zone.  Peace may be tangible for some, though others may still feel embroiled in the Uranus-Pluto square, especially if it has thrown up some practical tasks to attend to.

On Wednesday (18^th), Mercury conjoins Neptune.  This aspect can run the gamut from confused communication and mixed messages, through complicated journeys, to inspired spiritual communication.  So it may help you to understand the sensitive messages of the week, or compound their complexity.  It would help matters if you were  to work through your impressions before you communicate them, so that they leave your lips clearly at least.   Then listen very carefully…

All good preparation for the Solar Eclipse at 29 degrees Pisces on Friday (20^th).  As with the last Uranus-Pluto square, it represents a turning point, and if you have a planet in that degree of a sign, the eclipse may be more intense for you.  Its placement at the very end of Pisces, also symbolizes a completion, for that is the last degree of the astrological circle.  So there are two completions in one week, which may merge together in some way.

Later that evening, the Sun enters Aries, birthing the Spring Equinox.  Apparently the Northern Lights are more easily visible around the Equinoxes, and also at the time of the New Moon, so this is a double whammy for anyone aspiring to view them. [Information courtesy of Janet].  By the end of next week, you may genuinely feel that life is beginning anew.

The week in bullet points:

• Monday – pay attention to detail
• Tuesday – potentially disruptive, but also a sense of resolution, completion and relief
• Wednesday – spiritual thoughts
• Friday – a turning point: another completion and a new beginning