Love is in the Air – or Is It?

For the last few months, Venus and Mars have been dancing together with so much ease that it could make it seem that it will always be easy for romance to appear. Lots of people have been telling me that they’re trying to figure out which person they’ve met is the one with whom they may want to build a relationship. (Of course I’m only talking about single people, since it is a well-known fact that love affairs between married people are extremely rare, especially among conservative Governors). Venus and Mars also affects our ability to create, have fun, and shows he we approach bringing joy into our lives. This has been a great time for us to take advantage of opportunities that come our way. The houses and aspects where this conjunction takes place in our chart will tell us where the action is likely to be.

Now, Venus is moving away from Mars, but as it does, they are both moving right into a square to the other planets dancing together.  Jupiter is conjunct  Neptune and it is these two giants that Venus and Mars are beginning to square. A square aspect brings tension and a lot of energy to any situation in which we are engaged. Perhaps there will be conflicts and difficulties as well. What will the nature of these be? Most likely they will involve confusion (Neptune), unrealistic expectations or hopes and conflicts over values and even spirituality.

I want to confide something to you. The planet I have the most difficult time writing about is Neptune. The reason is that this archetype is so enigmatic, inconsistent and subtle. Liz Greene, a Jungian therapist and astrologer wrote a very long book on this planet alone. The other thing I hate about it is that as one begins to describe its characteristics it always comes out negative. Here are some sample keywords – deception (to oneself and to others), disillusionment, disappointment, sacrifice, martyrdom, scandal, and so on. So, where can I go from here?

The fact is that the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) are all archetypal forms that have not yet been integrated into the mass consciousness of humanity. This is why they often manifest more negatively. As we discover how we can work consciously with these, their positive aspects also begin to appear. So let’s look at what Neptune can help us develop. Neptune rules what can be called the ‘mystic understanding’ or ‘mystic experience’. It is not just a matter of thinking or logic. It is an experience that informs us of how we are all connected to one another and to the World itself. It dissolves the sense of separateness, which is something we’ve worked hard to create ever since we were born and came out of the primeval waters of the unconscious. Now, we have to dive back into a world that we worked so hard to leave? Well, yes, but we’re not the same as we were then. If we’ve developed a good, strong ego, Neptune can help us experience amazing heights of beauty, surrender, love and awe—-WHILE we remain working in our roles in life, fulfilling our dharma or duties (Saturn). The archetype of Saturn can help us remain grounded in life while simultaneously venturing forth into the aethers of our imagination and fantasy life. It’s where we wonder if our dreams may be far more real than we think. Maybe we create our reality from these dreams. Or maybe in another dimension, they’re really real. One can never be sure.

Right now with Jupiter conjuncting Neptune, high spiritual experiences are quite possible for us if we are so inclined. But so are high hopes and dreams that may not be possible. Should we try to actualize these even though we don’t know whether or not we are standing on solid ground? Perhaps we should. If we remain aware that we don’t know what the outcome will be, we can stand in the midst of uncertainty and the groundlessness of not knowing and we’ll be fine. We may be better than fine as we must not underestimate the importance of living in the state just described for groundlessness can inspire us and make us feel totally alive. In this state amazing feelings and emotions are invoked as our spirit is taken to wonderful heights…… while also knowing that we could fall to the ground if we go too far. The antidote for this may be ‘faith’ in its highest sense. A faith that lets us be guided in every step by an internal knowing  of what is right and best for us. It exists in each of us and the present Jupiter/Neptune transit can help us find it and put it to use.

With Venus and Mars involved, this theme is likely to play out in relationships. And not just romantic ones. It will affect all kinds. Taking a risk can be exciting, but if you can remain connected to the deepest part of yourself that does know the truth, that risk becomes something worth taking. When we stay connected to That, we can’t go too far off base and even if we do, we can look back and know that it was a great ride, worth every penny. There can be no disappointment when we have that attitude, right?

Hope you are enjoying your ride!!

Jupiter Aligns with Neptune – Mercury Goes Direct

Hi Everyone,

At 6:22pm PDST on May 30th, Mercury turns back to its direct motion at 22 degrees of Taurus. The few days before and after this date can often feel like we are intensely focused on certain issues or thoughts that have us captivated. What’s happening is that Mercury is barely moving or completely stationary, which is akin to the needle of a turntable being stuck in groove. There can be a tendency to react strongly to whatever we are thinking, and approach these with an all-or-nothing attitude. Also, our thoughts may be intense because they are actually revealing an aspect of our unconscious, inner world struggling to see the light of day. Usually, it is best to try to work out our own thoughts by ourselves before expressing them as they could come out quite strongly. And yet, it is simultaneously important to recognize that whatever is coming up really could be quite important. It’s just a matter of separating ‘what’ you are dealing with from the ‘way’ you decide to deal with it. If necessary allow a process to take place within yourself before expressing it outwardly, unless, of course, it simply cannot be done. The truth is that life often doesn’t allow us to take time out and we have to do the best we can to deal with whatever is coming out into the open. Things should smooth out and feel like we can move forward by early Monday or Tuesday.

Jupiter Aligns with Neptune (and Chiron too)

This major transit has officially begun. Jupiter conjuncted Neptune for the first time on May 27th (Wednesday) at 1:12pm PDST, and will do so two more times before Jupiter moves on into Pisces. This transit will last until early January and is already having a very significant effect on how we are perceiving the world. There are some wonderful characteristics of this transit but first let’s look at the more negative ones.

Neptune can create illusion, fog, uncertainty, and idealism and alongside Jupiter’s optimism we can feel that things are much better than they really are. Perception is important, but in a case like this, it can also lead to a severe letting down or bubble bursting later. Let’s give a specific example. Right now, the price of gas is going up and people are wondering how this can be. The common view is that it’s the coming of summer. But take a look at this article.

The view presented in this article is that the rise in prices is not due to increasing demand, but to the BELIEF that demand will increase. This is because it has become common to think that the recession will be over by the end of the year. So production is being ramped up and the prices rise as we get ready for things to return to normal. Things are going to return to normal?? Huh!!

To astrologers this is to be expected and has nothing to do with what is actually going on but with the Jupiter/Neptune lens through which the society is looking. If we examine the actual data, we see that unemployment is rising, large business credit card companies are going bankrupt, more layoffs are expected in many industries and our car companies are declaring bankruptcy with no one knowing what the future landscape for this area of our economy will look like. The list of unresolved problems is huge. So, why are we so optimistic? Well, part of it is that we want to be. We are tired of feeling negative, so we decide to feel better, even if there’s no evidence for it. But the ‘environment’ astrologically encourages us to do just this. Have faith and it’ll all be fine. Even blind faith is OK, at least for now.

The real problem with this, as I see it, is that the fundamental issues that got us into this mess have not been addressed, both economically and in the larger societal context. The needed reforms are not being made and will not be made as long as people believe that things will turn around without these changes. The transits that follow this Jupiter alignment with Neptune are far more serious than any we’ve seen so far, so unless the proper steps are taken to deal with the causes of the problems that got us here, we are still open to a major falling apart of our economic and governmental systems. Just look at what’s happening in California and you’ll see how serious things are becoming. No one can know what would happen if things got even worse.

On a personal level however, things are very different. This transit is a beautiful one for the development of compassion and sympathetic understanding. We may find that we are engaged in the emergence of a new faith and understanding towards Life itself and our connection to something higher, whatever terminology we use for that. This is a time for healing of old wounds (Chiron) by forgiveness and the adoption of a greater understanding of others that is impersonal and universal. There is a chance that our health care system may be reformed if we can take advantage of this short window to do so, since the idea that health care is a ‘right’ rather than a privilege can resonate now.

This is a mystical time. The boundaries between self and others and society are blurred right now enabling us to understand viscerally the challenges we face together just because we’re human, doing the best we can, and that we do share a common destiny in so many ways. This is also an aspect of the healing we can do for ourselves and the world in general. At the same time it is wise to remain aware that blind trust in people is an invitation to being used and conned. Whenever clarity is lost, which can occur right now, we must proceed with more caution, not less. It’s best to separate one’s worldly affairs from our personal and private approach to spirituality and transformational growth. The inner and personal one can thrive right now, while we may want to handle our financial affairs in a more practical way.

Finally, I want to suggest that we can be inspired powerfully right now. We can sense an awareness inside of things that we usually only dimly perceive. That awareness is of our highest Self, the god-nature that is our truest foundation and which we share with Life itself. It’s often a matter of allowing these deeper feelings to take root in us. There’s nothing necessarily to do per se, just allow something inside us that’s always been present to simply Breathe.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

I know the economy is difficult so I am continuing the reduced price of $110 for a 60- 80 minute consultation. I welcome people who have never had an astrological consultation to give it a try as well as those of you who have.

If you haven’t already, please check out the website for Sher School of Wisdom at www.sherschoolofwisdom.org.

Here’s wishing you all lots of beauty and joy.

All the best,
Jim Sher

Jupiter aligning with Neptune – Is the Optimism Excessive?

It seems we are in a rather odd period of time where even though there is a great deal of uncertainty, the desire for good news is outweighing most everything else. I’m just not sure that the real conditions justify the optimistic assessments. Here is just one article I’ve come across that takes a look at possibility that we are in a state of unnatural giddiness:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/wall-street-dc-and-the-ne_b_201899.html

This is directly related to the coming Jupiter conjunction with Neptune. Although it doesn’t occur until May 27th, its effects have already begun. Due to the fact that these two giants retrograde back and forth together, this transit will last until early 2010, when Jupiter will move on into Pisces. Until then, this planetary combination unites the principle of optimism and expansion (Jupiter) with idealism and possible delusion (Neptune) creating a new bubble that could easily burst. The above article has some of the exact phrases that also describe this transit. Galbraith calls it ‘the pathological weakness of the financial memory.”

In my view, while not being an economist by any means, the needed reforms are not being considered. The economic model itself is being viewed as fine, but we just need to tinker a bit and save the financial system. It is my belief that in the near future, a great many lifestyle changes are going to be forced on the nation that are still being avoided. Also, many states, California included, are facing very difficult decisions as the budgets are being slashed. One of the biggest problems that voters are having a hard time facing is the real possibility that many local services people take for granted will be lost in the next year or so.

What’s also interesting to me is that many people I speak with, including some in the financial business, also agree with this assessment. I’m hardly the only person holding this view. So, perhaps, even when we know better, our desire to believe that things are improving is over-riding what we know to be true.

As always, there is another side to the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction. This is a great time for spiritual growth and for developing more compassion and joy in our everyday life. This aspect is the archetypal mystic, asking us to experience our connection to the Divine in each moment of life. We know we’re being touched by these forces when we feel that somehow each moment is magical and contains intrinsic meaning.

More on Mercury Retrograde

We’re nearing the middle of the Mercury retrograde cycle when we have the Inferior conjunction between the Sun and Mercury. I urge readers to look at the Mercury retrograde period differently from how it is often described. Yes, there can be delays in communications and things can break down. But something more important than that is happening. This is a time for letting go of things that aren’t working and embracing any new ’seed’ idea that emerges. The time when the new idea begins is the Inferior conjunction which occurs on May 18th. It is similar to a New Moon in that one may not even notice the new idea at first. It’s helpful to be alert to what we’re thinking about at this time. Any new thoughts at this time could be indicators of a new direction for us. Yes, the idea still needs to be considered and adjustments may need to be made, but some of what’s happening now will be growing over the next two months until the Superior conjunction on July 14th.

Mercury retrograde periods are good times to take stock of things. If you feel a bit stuck, an astrological consultation may help you discover what new directions you might want to approach.

Announcements

I know the economy is difficult so I am continuing the reduced price of $110 for a 60- 80 minute consultation. I welcome people who have never had an astrological consultation to give it a try as well as those of you who have.

If you haven’t already, please check out the website for Sher School of Wisdom at www.sherschoolofwisdom.org.

All the best,
Jim Sher