Astrology, My Journey with it and Our Changing Times

The following is a response to a query from the editor of the Newspaper for which I write my weekly Horoscope column. As the story goes, more questions were asked so a rather lengthy article was the result and here it is.

I was in Nelson for 17 years, since 1992. My move to Vancouver was linked to my partner and for professional advancement. I remain closely connected to Nelson and the Kootenai in general. I have always ventured out about 4 times a year to visit other locations especially in BC where my Horoscope is also published. So, for the time being I have simply reversed the order and now I return to nelson about 4 times per year. Nelson is where I cut my Astrological teeth, as it were. It remains close to my heart as the precious and magical place that it is. I have a lot of history there and what I would call a lot of good friends. But I think it is a bit hard for people to be friends with people who fall under the heading of ‘seer’.

To me, Astrology is a science. Not a linear and purely material science. But then, neither is advanced physics and other branches of science. The basis of Astrology as a science is holistic, it is a holistic science. But most science is actually not holistic. It is materialistic and sadly, the mind set of science which is to reduce reality to component part become divisive and shallow and the evidence is pretty apparent. But the holistic movement is growing, largely in the realm of healing. Yet, Astrology remains active because that is the way truth works – it is hard to dismiss it idly, as people often do.

I started writing Horoscope in 1993 for the Express, upon request of Nelson Becker. It took me several months to decide because I felt Horoscopes were the bane of Astrology. However, after thinking about it I decided I would by way of writing in the format of an ongoing trend perspective. Further, I recognized that I could help people tune-in to a natural flow – Astrology is based in the rhythms and cycles of nature - and our psychology is woven into it. That is why I have always referred to Astrology as a Natural Psychology. Further, this experience has taught me a lot about Astrology and how to write better too. Perhaps most importantly, I have learned how powerful the Sun is and how paradoxical is this power. In other words, that the sun is a powerful physical force is pretty evident. However, from the stand point of Astrology, the implications of sunlight have a very deep psycho-spiritual effect and understanding it is, well, an esoteric endeavor. Esoteric means the answer lies within and is hidden more than without and obvious. The more one looks into, the more the answer derived is a spiritual one. Astrology is the best means of understanding this as it is based on a Mandala Map which is more than a linear construct. It is the evidence of the working of the planets mapped out and in motion reflective of people character and the corresponding trends, cycles and events of their lives that really convinces a person that Astrology works – even at the general level of Horoscopes. I might not have believed this had it not been for the fact that so many people over the years have come to me excited and astounded at how well what I write corresponds with their experinces. That is a very strong sort of proof.

Also, I requested that I ad a weekly tip so I could educate people about it and related subjects and as means of supporting it with any angle of perspective I can. Many people are credulous that anyone would ‘believe’ in Astrology, in light of the findings of science. Actually, Astrology is the first science of civilization. Further, integrity in the realm of science is to prove or to disprove but most people approach Astrology on the basis of belief as opposed to any science at all despite claims to the latter. Thus, it is not Astrologers who simply ‘believe’. Most Astrologers and I am one of them, have studied and observed and have come to realize that Astrology has validity, great validity. Not all of them know why it works, but simply that it works. In fact, many who have endeavored to refute Astrology and have shown enough integrity to disprove it have not and can not and have in fact become Astrologers themselves or at least quiet advocates. For may part, I am keenly interested in how it works and the journey of this discovery has lead me to look at consciousness and perception – psychological and spiritual considerations.

Interestingly, science itself is very theoretical and dogmatic – at least as much as any religion. I often refer to science as the ‘religion of science’. People assume that they are gaining purely objective knowledge in school when in fact, our educational system and any system of knowledge actually produces a mind set like a program. It’s as if Einstein never existed and his and subsequent claims that you cannot separate the experimenter from the experiment. The reference here is to our projected biases. So, many people who assume they are thinking objectively based on their science are actually computing reality according to their program. It is simple psychology really. Even hard skeptics and atheists and the like are very dogmatic, but they are not conscious of it – not honest or self -aware really.

Some would be surprised to hear that I am a ‘creationist’. Not in the strict, fundamentalist perspective, mind you. Simply from the stand point that I recognize that reality is consciousness made manifest. Rene Descartes is famous for his dictum, “I think therefore I am!” This helped lay the foundation for a materialistic world view that has endured for about 4 centuries but which is on the decline because science is now recognizing that actually it is the other way around, “I am therefore I think.” At this point this is old news but evidently some have not heard it and many of these are quite educated and intelligent, but simply not that aware, at least not aware of what is not convenient to their perspectives or which fits comfortably with their ‘education’. Thinking is an intellectual process. But consciousness implies an intelligence that transcends and pervades nature. The evidence is everywhere. And yes, a conscious creation implies a conscious creator. What that is, is another question and I am not referring to a man in the sky, the Zeus mythology, but to something beyond and within the creation/nature.

In simple terms it is evident that creation functions with conscious, intelligence, purpose, creativity and love. Love can make a stanch scientist jump around nervously. It may seem a little emotional to some. However, it best answers the why of creation. But science is more concerned with the ‘what and how’. Of course, nature works according to laws. That should be about the end of the story but science seems bent upon asserting that life, nature, creation in general and our very existence is arbitrary, accidental. Astrology can actually demonstrate an intelligent design working ‘within’ and so too can many other fields of human enquiry. But the battle between science and religion continues and Astrology and, more specifically, the world view that sustains it, is the child that lost out in the divorce, and it is a magical child indeed.

Not surprisingly, advanced physicists are left with terms like, Magic, mystery, matrix to describe the inner reaches of creation. I am saying creation because if I say ‘reality’ we enter into an arena of debate about what that is but to begin to argue that there is no creation, at least a creation of illusion or an illusion of creation…   How desperate a revolution is that? However, I do think that the revolution has and does serve many a purpose but now we are approaching the time when we must reconcile with the reality of our spiritual nature and the nature of spirit. That, incidentally, is the next great revolution and is what I am referring to with the powerful transits active at this time.

Now that advanced physics has proven that matter is not so material, those who lay claim to science must deal with the implications and this is a major factor in the revolution that is silently eroding the fabric of civilization. Yes pollution and population but also perception undergoing transformation is a major factor. In the short term we may see a break down as reason must contend with intuition and knowing that transcends empirical deductions and reductions. After all, these are contributing to the rational that more is better. As a clever quote I recently read on FB says, ‘there is no planet B’.  Astrology functions according to the laws of nature in a deep way, that is magical and mysterious and yes, something of a matrix. In some respects, as the first science of civilization, we are coming full circle to understand why and how it works. In so doing we just might survive our own collective insanity that stems from the shallow restraints of merely empirical thinking. Actually, many dedicated and intelligent people are doing this but they are not getting the attention they deserve largely because it does not directly yield to the economic machine – yes monopoly is a very real game.  

Many people would be surprised to discover how and why Astrology really works and it does. But while the dogmas of religion and science battle it out, the visionaries are largely ignored and the certain major players are free to pursue their dominions amidst the squabble – an old strategy. Regarding how Astrology works, here is a hint; it is not based on the constellations as Astronomers would have it. It is on the basis of the Precession of the Equinoxes that Astronomers rule out Astrology and deem Astrologers ignorant or insincere. The real problem is the assumption that Astrology is solely linked to the constellations. This would come as a big surprise to may. If so, I challenge them to first prove that Astrology is limited to the constellations then argue for how it should not work due to the Precession. A sincere look in this way would produce a lot of egg on the faces of many a proud Astronomer. Like many scientists, hubris and pre-programmed perspectives blind many that lay clam to the title as to how and why Astrology works and despite their claim of being scientific, they are very assumptive about how consciousness and creation works. I do appreciate Astronomy mind you, in fact, I love it. However, in as much as it stands proudly denouncing other subjects like its own sibling Astrology; it stands as a great fool indeed and a very arrogant one at that. Worse, it blindly leads others who will accept their conclusions without scientific investigation and all the while pave the way for the devious to guide the innocent. If you think that this might cause something of a stir, I hope you are right!

Darren:

Wow! That was quick.

I'll use some of this in tomorrow's column — or maybe even work it into a story!

Come to think of it, if you've got a few more minutes... had been meaning to do a story on all the Astrological events happening right now—given there are a few that are quite rare.

Do you think we could break it out in layman citizen-friendly language, and write a little something? I can cull some info out of the details you've sent.

Is this a particularly extraordinary time, astrologically?

Yes, it is quite extraordinary indeed - a real climax for our times. But like all good trend studies, we should not be looking simply for eventful examples. However, the HST is a good example in our sector of the world of the current aspects. In a larger perspective,  we are in what can now be referred to as Era 2012 which is 18 years – and + 2012  - so 1980 – 2016 about covers it. Contemporary historians may already be able to see evidence of this and I am confident that retrospective history will bear this out – these years will prove extra pivotal. The election of Obama is one example, but there are others. The Astrological aspects are there as well. The biggest one is yet to begin which is a Square between Uranus and Pluto and it begins in late spring 2012 and after 7 hits (90 degree angles due to both planets retrograding) ending in 2016, we will have entered into a whole new state of affairs and I can’t be confident they will be entirely good ones. In fact, I imagine world affairs socially, politically and economically will have come to a full boil.

What are the major astrological events that are happening or have happened in the last week or so, and what big ones are on the way?

Jupiter conjunct Uranus at O Aries, (June 8, 2010) then Jupiter will conjunct Uranus at late degree of Pisces.  Sept 19, Jan 1 2011. Then Uranus Opposition Saturn – the last of 5 aspects with the first on Nov 4 2008 (Obama…) and this last one on July 27 2010 takes place at 0 Aries and Libra respectively – these are indicative of new beginnings. However, the Opposition aspect is a culmination. It is all part of a natural process but these natural processes can be dramatic. Astrology is the study of the synchronicity of the planets in aspects and of both human “nature”, at the deeper reaches, and outer events as well. Below is an article that more fully covers it all. Then there is a final of 3 Square aspects (90 degrees = big turning point) between Pluto and Saturn in September. I link this to the big oil spill that is having its major play and continues to do so. It is hard to write about it in brief especially when people have little background then there is the collective bias against Astrology to deal with, this my previous email to you.

http://sunstarastrology.com/content/view/4558/284/

Here is a listing or more articles I wrote: http://sunstarastrology.com/content/category/20/161/284/

First — what do these events signify or suggest?

 Major societal change – revolution and it will actually have a strong spiritual component and perhaps religious as well, these are not necessarily the same. Spiritual means united while religion is often sectarian and, at worst and ironically, divisive. In many respects, social media is a new avenue for collective sharing and therefore can be seen to be spiritual – no dogmas and no real hierarchy, just some good rules that keep exploitation at bay.

Second — how are those predictions already being ramified in real-world events, politically, environmentally and socially, etc...?

We are at a great turning point in many ways. The tendency to refer to the cause externally is strong. Of course, all outer events have inner roots. What these roots are is the big question. If one looks deeply enough, we have to not simply look at history or precedence, but to consciousness, perception, and belief – to the human soul perhaps. Science has brought us to a place or a point in history, in many respects a good place, but now unless we transcend the limitations of science we are in big trouble – nuclear power and bombs is the most basic and wide reaching example. Fortunately, leading edge science is doing just that. However, science is a word like religion and we should not assume, though people commonly do, that all people who claim to be scientific agree on all things. Transcending science does not mean dismissing it, by the way, it means taking the best and rising above the rest. What is the best is a good question. We can now do a lot, how and why we do it are the next important questions and bring rise to spiritual perspectives. So, the ‘establishment’ the economic machine, must be turned to serve us instead of the other way around. This is the major issue. But, those who have a tight grip on power may not be so inclined and there is strong evidence to say that certain sectors of society, in the global respect, are moving things according to an ‘agenda’ Thus the basis of all the conspiracies. Generally these point to bankers and major money people. The question is who are they are where and do they care.

There would not be any conspiracy if there was less secrecy. But there is a lot of secrecy. We now collectively know that. Humanity in general, the masses, may not know the answer to the many secrets, but they know there are many secrets. Actually, I predicted this in 2002 on the eve of Uranus entering Pisces. Look back in your Nelson Daily News or at least The Weekender archives and you will see indications there in my Tips of the Week. The emerging questions are who and why. Invariably, these transcend politics and economics and become psychological and spiritual and moral too.

Yes, beyond pointing fingers and desires for lynching’s etc…we are challenged to look at ourselves in the mirror, at our own “nature”. There is that word again. But how can we best do that. Astrology offers an answer, it says look as though you are ‘a part of’ verses ‘apart from’ nature, you (we) are not simply ‘in it’ you (we) are an expression of and are one with it. The function of the intellect separates us from everything, interesting huh? Interesting because we revere our intellect and this reverence of our own capacity is destroying us. We have divorced ourselves from nature by virtue of worshipping our mind and the very capacity of mind that serves to divide, sort, categorize and separate us etcetera, from the very nature of our existence – very paradoxical!

So, there are many forces in the world from movie makers to authors, spiritual teachers, artists, innovators (WWW, internet, social media) and there are many other new psycho-spiritual trends and realizations, movements and leaders as well. It is all happening now. But although we are an expression of it, are ‘in’ it, we can and perhaps must also stand book and see ourselves in context. A lot of people are making a lot of efforts to help others to see this way. So, the revolution is happening. Thank goodness for the publically owned internet. While there is good media and good journalists, it is quite obvious that mass media of all kinds is ‘privately owned’!

Lastly, how do they all tie into the numerous theories out there? Planet X, 2012, the second coming, etc, etc...

Wow, it is hard to answer such questions quickly. 12/21/2012 is both a weave of fact and mythology – the mythology of the Mayans. Yet, it is also actual in terms of the Sun, from the Earth’s perspective, in alignment with the Galactic Center and which takes 36 years. 1998 was the mean point of this process. John Major Jenkins in his book 2012 Cosmogenesis and others has dedicated his life to explaining this as best he can. While he might not understand it perfectly, he does better than most. From the stand point of Mayan Mythology, and perhaps others that it is tied into like our own at its inception, is based on Astronomy. The Precession of the Equinoxes is based on an approximate 26,000 year cycle. Dividing it into 5 you get 5 world ages of 5125 years. Each is a world age, from this perspective. So, according to them, the current world age will end on 12/21/2012 because it coincides with the solar calendar, what is the Haab in this system. The Mayans use about 20 calendars and these can be seen to overlap. The Solar calendar naturally coincides with Winter Solstice – Dec 21. So, the Classical Maya certainly revered the sun cycle. That is what Western Tropical Astrology is based on basically, by the way. But Astronomers assume Astrology is based on the constellations. They would be quite shocked to discover that the signs of Astrology are based on the signs of the changing season. The point is that the Precessional Cycle makes the constellations of the Zodiac ‘appear’ to go backwards. There are two theories. Te main one is that due to the Earth’s shape, an oblate spheroid, it wobbles and this causes a sublte shifting of the timing of the sun rising against the backdrop of the stars – specifically 0 Aries!

I will leave it there but tying Planet X into 2012 is sensational. It is linked to the second coming in that people have longed believe that God Loves them better and that ‘he’ will return to reward them for their ‘beliefs’ and punish everyone else. A rather infantile, shallow and cruel conviction, I would say – like a child believing in its own innocence and hoping dad will come home and punish the ‘bad’ sibling.

The second coming is its own assumption that there was only one and that this will be the last one. Such notions are religious and are some of the reasons why science emerged to challenge the orthodox and controlling views of religion. As mentioned earlier, Astrology is the magical child that lost out in the divorce. Interestingly, many who call them selves scientists, like others who claim to follow the true God, see Astrology as the bad sibling. Hmmm, makes we wonder if there are not other forces that profit from this.

 So, do I think it will be the ‘end of the world’ no! Do I accept that it is the end of the world age from the standpoint of the Mayans, yes! Is it coinciding with our own cycles of change and the revolutions of evolution, yes! Can we see them as sharing a common basis, yes and no. Actually I have endeavored to understand this and help others to understand it as well. To do so, in addition tom writing a lot of articles which are here and there on my site in the library, and I have others, I have also created a series of slide show presentations. I have created several because the entire topic is larger than it might seem. The current one is called Astrology, Era 2012 and the Great Awakening. It is a weave of 3 others actually. I would be happy to show it to a receptive audience in nelson and despite 2 efforts to do so one last spring and the other this past April, I only get a small yet generally enthusiastic and appreciative audience (and the feeling is mutual). As an Astrologer with not such a big income I am challenged to host events requiring a lot of advertising expense and so on, yet I am dedicated to assisting people individually and yes, it is my hope that I can make a larger contribution as well. In a way, I am like the revolutionaries that helped usher in the scientific revolution against the corruptions of religion, but this time it is about a spiritual revolution aiming to overthrow the corruptions of the materialistic reductions of science. However, I am on a limiting When I come to Nelson I will have my presentation and my projector, but I did not plan to offer a presentation to what I am left to interpret to be a fairly distracted and/or apathetic and/or decided audience. My goal is simply to awaken people to new perspectives and not to share “the truth” which in many respects is more personal and subjective than we are lead to believe by religion and science in general. Even though leading scientists have made sincere efforts to demonstrate this, there remain many who seem to be quite oblivious to it.