Aquarium Age

The Aquarium Age: Feb. 15-21

By Ralfee Finn

You’re going to need to keep much more than your wits about you for the next several weeks. You’ll need patience, awareness, a clear mind, and a strong internal compass magnetized to the highest spiritual ground possible. The recent storm of extremes symbolized by the dramatic and dynamic effect of the Jupiter/Uranus opposition, with its seesaw of startling events, is building toward a crescendo that strikes its first chord at the end of this week, then modulates to a higher octave the following week and sustains its final chord through the first week of March. It is simply impossible to predict how this crescendo will manifest, but the intensifying tension of the last two months is likely to explode into militant, and even military action during the coming weeks. I seldom use the word “explode” because it’s scary, and given the current turmoil explosions seem probable. But there’s just no way to play down the planetary patterns of the coming days. Mars, archetype of the warrior, exacerbates an already too extreme environment, turning agitation and belligerence even more severe—and that translates into a need for action. The might of Mars is certain to make the current political polarization almost impossible to bear, and as the entire stellar combination releases, the lid is likely to blow on both sides of the great political divide.

Forewarned is always better prepared, especially in light of the unpredictable and seemingly impulsive reactive agenda of the Trump regime, which appears determined to overthrow and destroy anything in its way. For those not interested in being cowered and conquered, this intense energy is certain to be felt as a call to action. And while harnessing this resistance into concentrated civil disobedience is possible as well as necessary—and a much wiser choice than violence of any kind—it will require tremendous discipline to adhere to that course. This is a immense amount of energy that needs to be released, which is why it’s important to be mindful about how you choose to express this release.

Here’s the breakdown:

Since the middle of December we’ve been on the seesaw of a Jupiter/Uranus opposition, which is best understood as a ride of surprising plot twists and sudden reversals of fortune. (Some link it to good fortune and divine intervention, but that would be a difficult perspective for most to embrace in this current moment of extreme chaos.) Jupiter is in Libra and Uranus is in Aries. And for the last six weeks, the Moon, making its regular cycle through all twelve Signs of the zodiac, keeps forming hard aspects or angles—conjunctions, squares, and oppositions—to either Jupiter or Mars, adding an intense emotional component to the mix.

What’s more, Pluto, in Capricorn, is more or less at the midpoint of the Jupiter/Uranus opposition, turning the opposition into T-Square and magnifying the stress and strain of the entire bundle. Again, the Moon, moving through the Signs, also forms a conjunction to Pluto. Two weeks later it also forms an opposition to Pluto, transforming the T-Square into a Grand Cross. All the main players (Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto) are in Cardinal Signs known for strong urges to take action, as in Do something—anything—to relieve this tension.

Mars entered Aries, its Home Sign, on January 28, and for the last couple of weeks has been marching toward a conjunction with Uranus, and as it nears Uranus, Mars also forms an opposition to Jupiter and along the way, a square to Pluto. Yes…it’s a volatile combination, especially in Signs that want to take action. Mars begins its close contact with Uranus on February 19, and its conjunction to Uranus is exact and separating on February 26 and 27.

Mars is the muscle that moves the mechanics of daily life. Think of it as the arms and legs of the ego, or as the capacity for self-assertion, from the lowest forms of unspecified global rage to the highest forms of self-actualization. It represents the process of individuation, and when it is in its Home Sign, its essence is enhanced. So as it moves into the already unstable Jupiter/Uranus seesaw, the impulse for individuals to proclaim “Hey…this is the way I see it and this is the way it is” is likely to reach a fevered pitch.

Uranus represents rebellion, and one of the ways it fosters revolution is through sudden and startling plot twists. Fundamentally unstable, when Uranus unites with Mars, their combined influence more often than not manifests as an explosive force. From a negative perspective, that force can be violent. From a positive perspective, that force can be a concentrated determination and an indefatigable effort. Either way, it needs to be handled skillfully, especially when you add Pluto—the entire configuration signals extraordinary powers that need to be expressed. Sometimes this takes the form of violent interventions and other times it manifests as divine intervention—and there’s no guarantee that divine intervention won’t also be violent.

And as if this wasn’t enough…on March 1, this entire configuration reaches its peak as a Moon/Mars/Uranus conjunction simultaneously opposes Jupiter and squares Pluto. The Moon turns this already dangerous combination emotional and reactive. And as all the players start to separate out of this tight formation, we’re likely to see lots of situations fall apart.

But that’s not all—and here’s the rub: Saturn, in Sagittarius, is currently in a sextile to Jupiter and a wide trine to Uranus, adding just a wee bit of stability to this entire bundle. But as Mars moves out of formation on March 5, its trine to Saturn tightens, reinforcing its military might. There’s simply no telling how this plays out, but it would not be unreasonable to expect all sorts of outrageous and unwarranted declarations of war, individual and collective, personal and political.

It would be quite easy to be driven mad by the current chaos, a chaos that feels deliberate, a chaos created by the mad men who have seemingly seized control of the world.  And if you have no way of contextualizing what’s going on, or you still think you’re caught in the middle of a surrealist nightmare and can’t wake up, the next few weeks could take a toll.  But all of us going mad from frustration, anxiety, despair, confusion, or anger may be one of the outcomes the Trump regime desires. Do not let the shock of their mendacious maneuvers drive you crazy or drive you to participate in behavior that will only play into their hands.

It is appropriate to be outraged about the outrageous, but it is equally essential to avoid violence as a way of dealing with the problem. Each of us is being called to participate in this transformative moment, and the planet needs every bit of positive resistance we can muster, but it needs that resistance to be practiced with awareness and consciousness. The old paradigm won’t shift until we shift it through a new system, an evolutionary system, and while that transformation will take time, we are closer than you think.

Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.

Aries March 21-April 19
The challenge is being true to yourself without being offensive or defensive with others as you simultaneously deal with criticism—theirs and yours. This won’t be easy, because even if you think you’re whispering, others might think you are shouting. Make kindness your mantra and you’ll eventually soothe any ruffled feathers.

Taurus April 20-May 20
What’s required is an internal transformation that enables you to hold fast to your principles, all the while letting go of values that no longer serve. Yes…it is a complicated process, but if you take your time you’ll emerge from the ordeal with richer and more vital self-knowledge.

Gemini May 21-June 21
You will be tempted to start barking orders and telling everyone how to get things done, but while taking the lead is a necessary part of this process, it’s equally important to empower others to participate enthusiastically. Rather than scaring them, try a softer approach.

Cancer June 22-July 22
You shouldn’t have to choose between work and home, but unfortunately, sometimes it’s required. Rather than resist or resent and risk getting caught up in a brouhaha, take a deep breath, assess where your time and energy will be best spent, then try to objectively set your priorities.

Leo July 23-August 22
It’s not so much a crisis of faith as it is a need to reaffirm your commitment to living your principles, especially as you’re challenged by what’s occurring in the world. It won’t be easy working your way through this maze, but rather than roaring with displeasure, rely on your innate generosity of heart to keep your spirit buoyed.

Virgo August 23-September 22
The difficulties continue to manifest as conflicting values, and neither party is willing to give an inch. I’m not suggesting compromise as the solution, but you might want to consider softening your position, if only because it will lessen the tension that’s keeping you locked into place.

Libra September 23-October 22
It probably isn’t possible for you to hold back exactly what you are feeling, so rather than spending your energy attempting the impossible, figure out a strategy that will allow you to speak your mind in a passionate yet reasonable way. It sounds like a contradiction—but it’s in this paradox that you’re likely to find your balance.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
You hardly suffer fools gladly as it is, but you have even less patience than normal, especially for those making things worse at work. Take as many steps away from the ‘vehicle’ as necessary, and rather than devolve into angry accusations (even if justified), find a way to channel your frustration into positive solutions.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
The best way to transform the intensity is through creativity. Write, paint, dance, sing, or simply do whatever it is you do to express yourself. Immerse yourself in art, now. In the midst of so much tumult and turmoil, it will be the best way to preserve your mental health.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
The tremors of the external world are causing internal quakes, exacerbating anxieties about safety and security. And while there are personal issues to take care of, before you spring into action, let the waves recede just a bit so you can have a clearer picture of what actually needs to shift.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
Regular routines seem to evaporate before they even begin, leaving you more than a little discombobulated about what to do next. Transform these disconcerting interruptions through mindfulness: Before you attempt to shore up old structures, contemplate what habits have actually outworn their usefulness.

Pisces February 19-March 20
It looks like a financial crisis. It feels like one. And your nervous system is reacting as if the sky is falling. I can’t see your portion of the sky, but I can offer this reassurance: It’s a crisis of values, and in the midst of the chaos, there are real opportunities to embrace a realistic, but positive attitude capable of improving your overall perspective.

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This article was originally published on February 16, 2017.