We’re entering the season of reflection, when the days grow shorter and darker, attention turns inward instead of outward, and preparations for hibernation begin (at least here in the northern hemisphere). 2015 was a year of massive shifts, personal as well as collective, physical as well as psychic, social as well as spiritual, and because of that constant barrage of change, looking back is likely to be a deeply emotional, almost Herculean, labor.
Making sense of a world that has gone awry, finding meaning in a world that seems to have lost its center, these are the tasks at hand. That’s why it would be best to start now, rather than wait until the solstitial festival of lights, when emotional tides run high and clarity is clouded by the shoulda, woulda, and couldas of the year gone by. As you work your way toward year’s end, make an extra effort to be considerate of your fellow travelers, especially children, who always seem to suffer the most and often get the least relief.
Astral interactions this week are minimal. Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that the planets are still. The Moon’s motion alone is enough to keep us all riding the tides of feelings. But there are no jarring, obstructive influences, and that absence of conflict translates into a relatively quiet week. And just as last week’s grounded energy had the potential to make some folks uncomfortable, this week’s absence of conflict could be awkward for those who are happiest when they are engaged in battle. Notice where you’re tempted to pick a fight just for the sake of stimulation, or when someone else eggs you on simply because he or she is uncomfortable with the relative calm.
Recently I watched a documentary on Kent State, The Day the ‘60s Died. (For those too young to remember the shootings at Kent State, Google it.) There are many important pieces of information folded into this potent documentary, but the ones that struck me most deeply were the responses of people interviewed after the four students were shot. Many of them said the National Guard should have shot more of the students. Watching the documentary, I felt as if it were happening today, just in a different setting than we’re used to seeing: These were white students being shot at a protest rally, not black students.
What’s more, Kent State occurred in the aftermath of the Uranus/Pluto conjunctions during the mid-to-late 1960s, which was a time of civil unrest related to the many issues of social justice, specifically the civil rights movement and the war in Vietnam. As the themes of injustice rose to the surface of cultural interactions in the aftermath of those conjunctions, the strife and polarization among races and generations was palpable. I’d forgotten just how noticeable the enmity was. Pat Buchanan says in The Day the ‘60s Died that the left won the cultural war, but the right won the political victory. I couldn’t help but wonder if that political victory is what we’ve witnessed over the last several decades in the Republican agenda. And what we are now witnessing through the Republican candidates currently vying for their party’s nomination and the base that seems to love them. Most of them seem to have embraced a staunch Nixonian certitude in their denial of the facts.
Watching that documentary made me think that if they are the product of those times, we need to pay close attention. We are currently in the reactive phase of the Uranus/Pluto squares of 2012-2015, and we will be in this phase for the next several years. (More about this extended reactive phase in the columns to come.) During this time, as social issues continue to rise to the surface of our societal skin, what we need to heal will grow increasingly glaring, and many of our fellow travelers will grow increasingly uneasy about the turmoil of change and its consequences. Those of us who are confident that compassion is the ultimate solution to strife, who still believe that love is the answer, need to find different ways of engaging the opponents of positive, evolutionary transformation. It won’t be easy, but it is absolutely necessary.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
You’re still in a strong work-related phase, and even if you aren’t employed and/or you’re retired, the focus is still on getting things done. Organize your time and energy by prioritizing your goals. Again, even if your aim is to relax, you might find yourself having to make time simply have a good time.
Taurus April 20-May 20
You’re still in the midst of a huge creative surge, and while some of the excitement may seem to be diminishing, the source of this inspirational phase lasts for quite some time. So don’t worry and don’t limit this force to artistic endeavors. Remember, creativity is a way of life.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Allow yourself to acknowledge what you need to feel safe and secure, and then do whatever it takes to create that environment. I’m not suggesting you move to an island—that would be the worst choice. I’m simply advising you to get in touch with your deepest needs, and be proactive in meeting them.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Anticipate emotional conversations with significant others, including siblings, cousins, and other individuals with whom you have an intimate connection. Pay attention to what’s being said, but also listen closely to your own responses. The latter may reveal more of what you are feeling than you may be are aware of.
Leo July 23-August 22
Allow yourself a moment or more of deep humility in the awareness of all the good that has transpired in the last year. Yes, there were many difficult moments to be lived through. But there were and continue to be many positive experiences with the power to bolster your spirit and reinforce your belief in a beneficial universe.
Virgo August 23-September 22
While it’s an emotional week, you’re still grounded in a solid, practical approach that is both real and familiar. This is your genuine ground of being, so no matter how deep the feelings, yours or others, you can handle the flow. Remember, you gotta feel to heal, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Libra September 23-October 22
Those butterflies in your stomach are more about anticipation than anxiety, so don’t worry that you can’t quite settle in or settle down. Simply take advantage of this opportunity to rest because you will soon find yourself center-stage for the next round of activities and adventures.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
There are several levels of negotiation happening simultaneously, and managing all the seemingly disparate points of view could be challenging. But if you rely on your innate intuition, which includes the ability to suss out what’s going on beneath surface appearances, you’ll be able to remain neutral when necessary and participatory when required.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Focus on being mindful about what’s happening inside. That’s right—pay attention to your thoughts and notice just how easy it is to get distracted, and also notice the power of those distractions to interfere with your ability to focus. Keep coming back to your intention, and you’ll find a way to stay on track.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
It’s not so much a crisis of faith as it is a challenge of integration: How adept are you and integrating, applying, and coordinating your greater understanding, including your spiritual principles into the way you live? Put simply: It’s time to walk your talk.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
A lot of external obligations, some work-related and some family-related, pull you into the spotlight, and while some of the attention is a little uncomfortable, the majority feels good. Enjoy these interactions, and expect that some will deliver long-term results.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Pay specific attention to your partnerships—all of them: romantic, platonic, professional, and all your other intimate connections. And as you do, notice what stimulates deep emotional responses and what you’re able to simply notice and let go of. This exercise is not necessarily about action. It’s about awareness.
Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-212-222-3232, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail ralfee@aquariumage.com.
Copyright © 2015 by Ralfee Finn