Archive for the ‘The Year Ahead’ Category
Those of us “of a certain age” remember knock-knock jokes as a staple of childhood humor. For you readers who learned humor from Beavis, Butthead, Bart Simpson, SpongeBob and other comedic symbols of the later 20th Century onward a “knock-knock” joke went something like this:
Knock-Knock
Who’s There?
Ima
Ima Who?
Ima Psychic.
Of course, after the “Who’s There?” response, you could reply with just about anything (and usually did) that could be the first part of a phrase, name, etc. Today, however, I feel that there is a different kind of “knock-knock” joke just around the corner astrologically speaking and the joke may just be on us.
Many of us have felt the sense of something approaching on the horizon without being able to specifically put our psychic fingers on the pulse, so to speak. Astrologers, psychics, and other esoteric practitioners, are focusing their skills to try and clarify what this sense is revealing. In looking skyward, I find my attention being drawn to the next four months of the year as being particularly significant.
The influence of planetary retrogrades is going to be magnified in ways we haven’t seen for a while. Mercury, Mars, Saturn and Neptune all move in reverse during this four-month period. Mars, the God of War, began this rearward waltz on January 23. When moving in reverse, accidents, arguments, and anger all flare from impulsive actions and ill-timed decisions. With aggression and violence (emotional and physical) highlighted, what is needed (but often lacking) is a rethinking on how to move forward. The red planet resumes its forward motion on April 13.
Saturn retrograde, (Saturn also known as he Great Leveler), joins the dance on February 7 and stays that way until the end of June. Saturn Retrograde brings us face to face with our limitations, both individually and as a society, reminding us what we can and can’t do in the world. These are lessons that will be learned one way or another. Progress will be slowed and we find ourselves wanting to say “YES” to courses of action that really require a “NO”.
Compounding the difficulties, Mercury, The Messenger, joins his planetary brethren moving backwards on March 12th and staying in that motion until April 4. I have written at length about the travails of a Mercury Retro previously and this one could be nasty to say the least. Communication snafus on all levels (personal, political, international, financial) will spark a lot of emotional flames and add to the Martian conflagration.
The energies of Mercury retrograde, Mars retrograde and Saturn retrograde will be magnified and reinforced by each other from March 12 through April 4. I believe we can expect a possible international conflict as the result of a missed message, impulsive action driven by a desire to enforce our will on a situation that, in truth, cannot be forced or allowing a deep-seeded anger to explode. While the financial crises worldwide deepening could be a possibility, it is an armed conflict that seems the most probable during this time.
On the political front, I believe that at least one prominent figure is going to learn his (or her) limitations in a rather dramatic fashion that will cause them to recalculate the future that they had planned for themselves. This could also be tied in with the world financial situation which, as a result of the conflict mentioned above, is going to be on extremely shaky ground.
Another Cosmic Knock Knock Joke
Mercury Retrograde Affects 2012 Elections
Mercury Retrograde Cosmic Communication Chaos
Survival Guide for Mercury Retrograde
Through the looking glass part III
Mercury Retrograde Finally Passes
About The Author:
Lou Raedwulfe is the author of Stars and Stones – A Look Forward with Astrology and Runes, 2012 An Astrological Overview and The RuneChest. All books are available at Amazon for Kindle and Barnes & Noble for Nook. He is also a psychic advisor, clairvoyant, tarot master and rune master. Get a reading today from him on this site.
Mars, the God of War, is also active during these ‘lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer’. Much like the Messenger, Mars also has the quincunx aspect in play with Neptune and Chiron. Both the Sea King, Neptune, and the Wounded Healer, Chiron, are retrograde which further bring out their negative features. Disillusionment, frustration and anger at things which seem beyond control will all be heightened. Wrongs (real and imagined) are going to fester on the world stage which could lead to random acts of violence that could explode into a much larger political/economic conflict. This is particularly true during the last two weeks of the month.
The Mars, God of War, squares off literally with the Dark Lord, Pluto on July 17th. The visceral drive to eliminate that which is viewed as unacceptable or obsolete by force could lead to a reckless course of military action during that week. A day later, on July 18th, Mars opposes (again literally) the force of Uranus. The urge to through caution to the winds combined with the desire to revolt from real or perceived restrictions enhance the chance that a traditional power or authority is going to collapse without any clear alternative to replace it.
Personal relationships, too, are going to find themselves in the heat of the summer sun during July. Again, the difficult quincunx aspect between Venus and the Dark Lord on July 3rd, marks upheavals in matters of the heart and may leave many people feeling like they have boarded an emotional roller coaster of the e-ticket variety.
Chiron joins the party in a celestial cosmic ‘square dance with the Goddess of Love on July 7th sowing mistrust and doubt which cannot be conquered by and emotionally forcing matters. With all the other astral energies swirling during the month, to say that love is a battlefield could be an understatement.
One of the many features that makes this period so intense is the fact that there are five significant retrogrades occurring at the same time: Neptune, Mercury, Chiron, Pluto and Uranus. All will be moving in reverse and their combined retro-activity opens the door for upheaval and uncertainty. The fabric of what the world believes is ‘truth’ is going to be torn in ways that are both immediate and forceful. While the focus of 2012 was on the Mayan Prophecy of December 21st, far more powerful forces will interplay during the period from July 3rd though the 26th.
In a cosmic sense we all are being put on notice that there are some karmic debts coming due and the Universe will insure that they are paid both on a global and personal level. This could well be part of what the ancients saw as they peered into the night sky to cast the course of fate for those who follow. Perhaps seeking astral advice from those trained in the predictive arts may help find a course to follow even as the paths themselves are being reshaped.
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Dark Side of the Moon Shadow Side of the Future
Lou Raedwulfe is also the author of 2012 Stars and Stones. See all of his books at Amazon.com
With the 4th of July just around the corner, preparations for the annual showing of aerial patriotism in the form of fireworks displays both public and private. This July, however, there is one pyrotechnics show whose effects will be more dynamic and will last far beyond the last boom in the night sky and the final fading of the colored lights and images launched by the hands of humankind. I am referring, of course, to the astrological “fireworks” that will occur during the entire month of July.
To begin with, the period from July 3rd through July 26th is marked by important aspects almost continuously mostly involving Mercury, Venus and Mars. Of particularly interest are the interactions of the Messenger. First and foremost, the second Mercury Retrograde of the year occurs on July 14th. As I have discussed in other articles, Mercury Retrogrades can, under the best of astrological conditions, cause havoc in human affairs. The impact of The Messenger’s rearward waltz this time is magnified by Uranus also going retrograde the day before on July 13th.
Uranus is the planet of deviation, revolution, rebellion and change from existing norms. This change often comes in unconventional and unexpected ways. The Uranus retrograde lasts for roughly 150 days a year and during that time the instability it brings can be felt on personal and international levels. Its reputation as “The Great Awakener” is well-founded. Uranus influences earthquakes, technology and anarchy. In retrograde, disruptive events on the personal level (break-ups as opposed to make-ups) are likely. In world events, expected the unexpected and the fall of existing power structures either through internal collapse or external force.
Combined with the potency of the Messenger also in retrograde, July could see a major geopolitical crisis that could result in the unprecedented alteration of global power. Disrupted or distorted communications will only add fuel to the revolutionary fire. Add to this, the possibility of a major seismic event during the third week of the month and you have the ingredients for a summer of chaos.
The Messenger also dances with Pluto, the Dark Lord, during July. Still retrograde and in Capricorn, the Dark Lord’s continued mission of transformation through destruction of the old and obsolete (institutions, political structures, economies) will also be fuelled by his planetary associates. Twice during this period on July 3rd and the 26th,, Mercury and Pluto enter into that most curious of aspects, the Quincunx (or Inconjunct as it is also called).
Quincunxes, which are aspects formed when planets are 150 degrees apart (plus or minus 2 degrees) can be summed up with the words: challenging and diverting. This aspect is difficult because the “cause and effect” between one event and a related outcome cannot be identified yet. In a true cosmic sense, they are intrinsically connected.
When Mercury and Pluto are bound in a quincunx, compulsiveness, whether on an individual or societal level, can lead to things getting really out of control. Combined with the retrogrades of both planets which exist during July, we can expect a dynamic and rash set of actions, particularly in the financial and global realms, to really cause chaos during the last two weeks of the month. A dramatic and/or drastic political event could also result in a “house of cards” ending up in a cosmic version of “52 card pickup” as well.
Lou Raedwulfe’s new book Stars and Stones is available at Amazon
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Throughout time humans have marveled and stood in awe of both solar and lunar eclipses. Those brief moments when the beacons of our heavens are cast into shadow have been the stuff of myth and mystery. While solar eclipses have featured prominently in prophecies and events world-wide, the spiritual impact of a lunar eclipse can be both more immediate and profound than an eclipse of the sun.
Perhaps it is not so surprising given that it is the shadow of the Earth itself which blocks the illumination of the sun from reaching the Queen of the Night skies. As we, the inhabitants of this frail blue orb, find ourselves between the energies of Old Sol and Luna’s irresistible pull, the emotional, psychical and spiritual effects are magnified tenfold.
The effects of lunar eclipses reach us on both psychical and physiological levels. Just as the pull of the moon affects the tides, can influence the weather and have other geological impacts, the passing of the Earth between Sun and Moon magnifies lunar energies on bodies, minds and hearts. The Moon is often called the celestial body of reaction as our emotions, instinctual habits, intuition, and our subconscious mind all function in response to events and feelings that come to us from the outside world.
Eclipses should be viewed not only as a singular astrological event but in context with other actions (and reactions) that are occurring in the cosmos. To begin with, one should look at what sign the lunar eclipse occurs in. In traditional Western astrology, each sign carries an elemental feature of earth, air, fire or water. Additionally, each one of these elemental groups can be divided as being either Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable.
Many classic astrologers also take the additional step of looking to see which third of a given sign, called a decanate, the eclipse falls in. When thevarious filters are applied to an eclipse, one can get a true sense of the effects that may arise during the celestial shadow dance. The very cyclical essence of the moon moves the oceans of the human soul much like the tides of the oceans on Earth. The lunar eclipse places Earth between the external dynamics of the Sun and internal power of the Moon thus reflecting those deepest feelings, both positive and negative, outward with profound results.
For example, let us take a lunar eclipse that occurs in one of the Fire signs, in the second third (decanate) of the sign, and is mutable in nature. Eclipses in Fire signs often portend periods of conflict and discontent as feelings that have been held within are now released and emotions usually held in check rush in a spiritual flood to the forefront of our consciousness. Natural resources of all kinds including minerals, precious metals, and agricultural products are also impacted. Shortages or other supply issues can also occur during this time. Matters involving essential transportation may also be involved.
With the location and astrological nature of the eclipse established, the next step is to see what other planetary aspects are occurring during that time which would contribute their energies to that of the eclipse itself. Major aspects such as squares, trines, conjunctions, and oppositions certainly bring a significant increase of energy to the mix. Other unique events, such as a rare transit will also magnify the effects of this lunar event.
The Moon’s influence on our spiritual and emotional natures, as well as, those instinctive, internal rhythms that move us all are truly part of the cosmic soul of which we all are a part. There is much to discover in the stars and, as most professional psychics and astrologers are aware, discovery and learning to read the portents can provide a new sense of clarity in an ever more complex world.
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May 20th Artemis Diana shares the celestial state with Old Sol as a Solar Eclipse occurs during the new or, as it is often called, the Dark Moon. This is the point when not even a sliver of the moon can be seen as it starts its monthly course. During the Dark Moon (truly the dark side of Luna) we are confronted with our own shadow sides, facing truths that we have either ignored or tried to hide from.
The Dark Moon brings out the inner nature of things, deceit, deception, secrets, envy, vengeance and those hidden feelings (and truths) that we know either consciously or intuitively, but refuses to acknowledge unless forced to by circumstance. This Dark Moon occurs in the Sign of the Twins, Gemini. This astrological sign has particular significance for us since it governs the U.S., much of England, Belgium, part of Egypt and Tripoli (among other locations).
The Solar Eclipse which accompanies the Dark Moon is also in Gemini. Ancient tradition holds that eclipses in air signs often are harbingers of tempests and stormy weather. This could refer to meteorological or human events. Also, since the eclipse occurs during the first third of the month, conflict between religious groups (or philosophies) could rise as well. With the Messenger as the ruling planet of the Twins, communication issues leading to confrontation are highly likely.
This could start in the political arena but spill, rapidly, into the financial realm as well. The dark side of a situation could lead to a revelation or confession that will have an impact in the coming months and, quite possibly years. This situation cautions you that you may hear things that you truly don’t want to hear, but need to know anyway.
This leads to the third significant event involving the Moon in this thirty day cycle: the full Lunar eclipse on June 4th. On that particular date, and those immediately surrounding it, could mark a dramatic shift in the world as we know it on several levels. Eclipses in fire signs such as this one in Sagittarius, often mark the beginning of a period of conflict, turmoil and strife, the falling of leaders (either through scandal or otherwise), and damage to property and riches.
The Moon’s impact on weather and the oceans should not be discounted either. With Neptune, the Sea King, also going retrograde during this eclipse, seismic, meteorological or volcanic activity may come within that week as an unwelcome yet overwhelming visitor whose impact will leave many stunned by it suddenness and totality.
Given the other astrological events that are going to take place during this time, the profound effect of this lunar eclipse could be felt throughout the summer. Eclipses often denote endings, and the one on June 4th will mark an ending of something major: political and financial seem the most likely arenas for this to unfold, although a long-held belief could also come crashing down at this time. This will truly be a time to face the conflict between what we know and what we need to learn.
It must be noted that the focus on the profound effects of the Orb of Diana (our Moon) and the astrological events which are on the horizon, this is not something that occurs in a vacuum. Rather, Luna’s role in the cosmic dance will be just one (albeit an important one) of several planetary players whose courses are going to shake and reshape our world. The astrologers and psychics alike are quite focused on the near future and the power of a Dark Moon.
Related articles by Lou:
Extreme Super Moon Shaking the Shape of Things to Come
7.6 Earthquake Strikes New Zealand
2012 Predictions – Astrology The Financial future A Cosmic Conundrum Part I
2012 The Year Ahead According to the Runes
2012 Stones and Stars available at Amazon
The RuneChest available at Amazon
Books by Lou Raedwulfe all available at Amazon:
2012: Stars and Stones available at Amazon.com
The RuneChest also available at Amazon.com
As 2012 progresses so many things which have transpired in the first quarter of the year point to the fact that this is a most unique and unusual time perhaps eclipsing even the fears of the ancient Mayans. Whether one looks at politics, the international scene or the weather, it is clear that something out of the ordinary is impacting this frail blue orb that we inhabit and, in turn, all of us as well.
As I examine this period more closely, I find my attention being drawn to the area of finance, both local and global, and believe that something significant is on the horizon. The hints of what may lie just ahead can be seen in heavens and is the focus of this article.
There are several significant astrological events all occurring in a condensed period of time from May 15 through the Summer Solstice. This also includes the recent reversal of direction of Pluto,The Dark Lord-on April 10 in the sign of Capricorn. While each of these events individually would have an impact here on Earth, the combined energies of all of them magnify the potency of these aspects. Specifically, the realm of banking, finance, and money-related items are going to be in the astrological crosshairs of these cosmic encounters.
First and foremost, the Pluto Retrograde which began on April 10 will continue until September 17. As I have written about previously, the Dark Lord brings about transformation and eliminates the old and outworn. In the sign of Capricorn, the structural aspects of our world such as our financial and banking systems will receive the full brunt of the Dark Lord’s focus.
Things hidden will be brought to light, given that Pluto governs big business, crime and the underworld and also the Great Depression, the impact on an already shaky global financial system particularly in the early summer could be both potent and path changing across Europe and even here.
As Pluto’s 160 day rearward dance progresses, and some of these hidden truths become revealed, karmic balance is going to make those who have taken advantage of the system the hardest. Regrettably since they are also in control, the trickle-down to the rest of us will also be significant. A kind of financial fatalism could be a tipping point to more than just prime-time drama during the summer.
With the Dark Lord’s ongoing mission of transformation through destruction as the backdrop, several other cosmic elements will contribute further stress on our collective wallets, hearts and minds-among other things. Coming up next on the astrological hit parade is Venus. Please check out my article on Psychic Cosmos.com and elsewhere for a discussion on the Goddess of Love and her impact, both historically on the Mayan culture, and as dynamic force in relationships-personal, professional, international and emotional in the present day.
More than just a pretty face, Venus also governs money and values. Additionally, the Love Goddess also impacts societies and justice. When she, too, goes retrograde on May 15, financial resources will begin to dry up, sources of supply (both of cash and necessities) seem to be diminishing and a general feeling of “everyone for themselves” could lead to both domestic and international unrest.
I have written about what I foresee as a very intense period coming up in the next 60-90 days. Some of these articles will be available on PsychicCosmos.com and elsewhere in the near future.
Fortunately, this backwards waltz only lasts until June 27, however, when combined with the Plutonian backdrop and other forces which are discussed next in this article, the roughly 42 days of retrograde may well seem (and possibly be) an eternity for the world markets.
Related articles by Lou:
2012 Predictions – Astrology The Financial Future A Cosmic Conundrum Part II
Summer and the Livin’ Ain’t Easy
Astrology as Predicted is Happening
Books by Lou Raedwulfe:
All books available at Amazon or by clicking on the links below:
The RuneChest: A Runic Oracle with Interpretations for the 21st Century
2012 Stones and Stars A Look forward with Astrology and Runes
2012 Astrological Overview – Through a Glass Darkly or Not
Anyone who has been listening knows there is a lot of talk this year about 2012 being the end of the time according to the Mayan calendar. Certainly popular media is going to be dog piling in on this theme in the next few months.
As an astrologer, I can tell you change IS coming. It’s already in the air. We sense it. We crave it. Fearing it does no good. The build up to this year has been in the works since the transformative energy of Pluto entered the hardnosed, pragmatic sign of Capricorn in 2008.
Pluto’s message is one of decay, followed by new life. It knocks down anything that no longer serves the evolution of the species. It is the destroyer, the phoenix rising from the ashes.
Pluto energy is generational, changing signs about 24 years. It’s big, powerful, and impersonal. It does not care who gets injured in the process. The financial collapse, social unrest, and environmental events of 2008-2011 are just the start of big changes ahead. This energy will be active until 2024. Whatever area Pluto shines it’s light on, has nowhere to hide. And now it has Capricorn to transform.
Capricorn energy is about ambition, stability, structure, power, and, power brokers. With Pluto in the mix, expect challenge and change within financial, political, management, patriarchal, and corporate systems.
It gets worse. Pluto is not the only elephant in the room. The planet Uranus brings a demand to break with tradition and sweeps away old structures. Uranus thinks out of the box, demands flexibility and innovation, and sparks sudden, revolutionary events. People behave in unexpected ways, the weather is unpredictable, and the need for something new and better is tangible. Life as we know it is about to end: out with the old, in with the new. This is why the idea of the world ending in 2012 rings true.
In June 2010 Uranus entered the first degree of Aries to begin another eighty-four year trip around the zodiac. In Aries, Uranus becomes active, physical, confident, pioneering, courageous, and maybe a bit naive. We have already seen it in the Arab Spring and Occupy movements. Everything gets redefined. Uranus last entered Aries in April 1927. Looking back will do you no good. Uranian energy is from the future and points the way forward.
In the last ten days of June 2012 we see the energy of Uranus and Pluto come to a point of crisis in relationship to each other. The last time humanity faced this sort of crossroads was in April 1932, after a five year run up with imbalances of power and wealth that spawned the Great Depression and the rise of Nazi Germany. This time the stakes are higher, the methods equally cutthroat, and the price possibly our survival as a species.
The message is clear: humanity must surrender anything of the past that no longer serves our highest good. Organizational structures much change. It’s like the house of a compulsive hoarder catching fire; deep psychological forces are at work. Truth must be told to power. Aries demands courage in the face of fear. How we manage things will be transformed – whether we like it or not. This is an evolutionary earthquake designed to release built up tensions that can no longer stand the strain. The forces here seem beyond anyone’s control, and yet we are all in this together.
June is only the first of three crisis points that will be active through September 2013. How it will manifest I am not entirely sure. The lesson of this time demands a choice. Every individual, family, country, and the planet as a whole has a choice. To the degree that we surrender the past, and face the present with courage and a willingness to innovate, we have an opportunity to redefine and restructure a better future.
Fasten your seat belts and be open, true, honest, and compassionate: it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
Related Articles:
2012 Through the looking glass part I
2012 This Summer the livin ain’t easy
PsychicCosmos © 2009
Even as Mercury the Messenger, Saturn the Great Leveler and Mars the God of War right their paths once again on April 4th (Mercury), June 25th (Saturn) and April 13th (Mars), several new and equally significant astrological events come into play. On March 11th, Daylight Savings begins as a precursor to the Vernal Equinox on March 19th. With the influence of the Mercury retrograde just beginning at that time, the chronological shift and the start of a new season could add to the confusion surrounding the globe. An unexpected storm could add to the other tensions and serve as a harsh reminder of the old saying:
“March comes in like a lion…”
Of greater concern is that the Dark Lord, Pluto, goes into reverse on April 10th. Still in Capricorn, the Dark Lord’s energies are bent on transformation through the destruction of the old and outmoded. In retrograde, we must face the shadow side of things; a scandal, a realization that plans for the future were built on sand not rock, secrets which, in coming forth, will dramatically impact a major institution. Geologically speaking, the Earth, too, may let loose a ‘secret’ in the form of a volcano or major quake, especially during the early part of this retrograde from April through the end of June.
There is one particular date which bears close attention: June 4. On that day, three powerful events impose their energies on the planetary pallet which could leave a profound mark across the globe. First, a total Lunar Eclipse occurs during the Full Moon. Second, Venus squares Mars and, finally, Neptune, the Sea King, goes retrograde.
In a previous article, I have discussed the potency of the Neptune retrograde:
Neptune, astrologically speaking, has long been associated with mysticism, idealism and compassion. When affected by negative influences and aspects with other planets, these characteristics can change into delusion and deception as well as a lack of focus and confusion. During a Neptune retrograde, there is a heightened sensitivity to things that go wrong and logic is often replaced with dreams and delusions. These feelings often collide with the stark reality of the real world, i.e., ‘pie in the sky’ meets pie in the face.
Combined with Luna’s energy during an eclipse, the Neptune’s wrath may well make itself known in the form of a hurricane or other ocean-based catastrophe. Since Neptune also rules oil and natural gas, the possibility of a gas crisis (either from a natural or political event) is increased as well. This could well be the start of a long, hot summer-in many ways.
The square of Venus and Mars denotes a lot of emotional issues, particularly those involving the sexes. While more personal in nature, this stress could indirectly contribute to the overall sense of frustration, jealousy and resentment that could play a bigger role in political matters which are already front and center.
Finally there is one last event that must be acknowledged: The solar eclipse during the new moon on May 20. Eclipses have long been recognized as potent sources of energy. This particular eclipse occurs at the beginning of the sign of Gemini. Many ancient astrologers, such as Raphael, noted that an eclipse during an air sign, such as Gemini, was often a portent of ‘stormy winds hurtful to mankind’. In context, this could mean the political/financial storms brewing around the globe as well as actual meteorological events.
Raphael also noted that a solar eclipse during the first part of Gemini could denote ‘dissension and strife among clergy and religious denominations’. Viewed in today’s world setting, the warning here is all too obvious.
Shakespeare in Richard III wrote about the ‘winter of our discontent’. Will the spring of 2012 be even more tumultuous? Interesting times are ahead.
Go Well – Lou
Related Articles:
A Cosmic Knock Knock Joke
Lunar Eclipses and the Cosmic Soul
Solar Eclipse Forewarns Change
Solar Eclipse Explained
Lou Raedwulfe is the author of Stars and Stones – A Look Forward with Astrology and Runes, 2012 An Astrological Overview and The RuneChest. All books are available at Amazon for Kindle and Barnes & Noble for Nook. He is also a psychic advisor, clairvoyant, tarot master and rune master. Get a reading today from him at www.PsychicCosmos.com