2009 October : Dana’s Blog

Oct

20

Filed Under Astrology trends | 1 Comment

balloon-boy-14

I know. There’s way too much media exposure for this ridiculous balloon boy drama. But what do you expect from a gas giant? Jupiter brings luck, opportunity, and optimism. Also inflation, excess, and irrational exuberance. When Jupiter stationed direct last week, the Dow hit 10,000. The very wizards who ruined our economy announced handsome profits and awarded themselves fat bonuses. Meanwhile the country was transfixed on a runaway helium balloon–with a helpless boy on board! Or so it was believed. The bulbous spacecraft was a perfect costume for Jupiter in Aquarius. “Keep your eye on the shiny object,” he cheered. And we did. Partnered with Neptune, Jupiter sent us a hoax, which is likely also true of the stock market’s optimism and the idea those guys deserve their bonuses. Here’s my latest bumper sticker: “The finance wizards ruined our country and all we got was this pathetic balloon.”

Oct

15

Filed Under Astrology trends | 6 Comments

When I was in first grade, a boy from my class followed me home from school; midway, he hit me in the back. I hurried home without turning around; he must have slunk away. Years later I learned this boy had a crush on me. It was my first in a lifetime of puzzling encounters between the masculine and feminine–or Mars and the Moon. The Warrior and the Divine Feminine do not come together easily. How do we reconcile Mars’ desire with the Moon’s vulnerability? How do we hold space for both–for aggression and compassion, for daring-do and protective instincts, for nurture and the need to win?

I thought of this as NASA sent its rocket to crash into the Moon last week and emails from irate Moon-protectors exploded in my inbox. Because I’m a so-called “moon expert,” many wondered what I thought. My reaction was much like it was the day little Kevin socked me in the back. I wasn’t sure what to think. Except that it was definitely a Moon/Mars moment. And if there hadn’t been a Moon/Mars connection in the sky that day, I might have had to quit astrology! Sure enough, Mars was in the Moon’s sign, conjunct the Moon’s south node. Mars is debilitated in Cancer’s territory and at the south node, we fall into reactive habits. Meta-moon-fizzies held vigils, worried that the vulnerable Moon would be harmed by a patriarchal NASA acting like a wife beater or a stupid boy exploding firecrackers in a poor frog’s ass.

NASA, however, was just carrying out a controlled physics experiment in a search for water (that might bring us life-saving information in the future). Last June, the Japanese sent its own probe into the Moon’s surface without much world protest. The truth is the Moon is constantly attacked by space debris that’s far more punishing. Look at all those craters! What bothered me about the event was how easily we literalized–and misunderstood–the archetype. In a world where children regularly go hungry, where girls and mothers are raped, and where vulnerable men and women are bombed, didn’t we misplace our outrage? The Moon is a symbol of the Divine Feminine–something whose essence NASA cannot harm but that each of us, on a daily basis, can surely shatter–by our refusal to listen to the person in front of us, by our inability to show compassion to someone who confuses us, by the screams and criticism that drive men and women apart. If we really want to protect the Moon from the ravages of Mars, we don’t need to look to outer space. Just stay close and look within.

Oct

9

Filed Under Astrology trends | 2 Comments

I was as surprised as everyone else that Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this morning. It’s a peculiar recognition: not for tangible accomplishment but for something abstract. He was honored for changing the tone. For capturing the world’s attention and building hope. For moving in the direction of greater international diplomacy and cooperation. The decision of the Norwegian Nobel Committee was apparently unanimous and reached with ease. But I suspect the prime mover was actually Saturn, with his tongue in his cheek perhaps, as he readies himself for his Libra robes.

“Peace” is a Libra word; Saturn will be entering this sign soon (Oct. 29). The award will certainly be a burden to Obama, as is any Saturn gift. But it’s also a mandate for the rest of us. It’s time to take our ideals seriously and start living up to them. The only zodiac sign with an inanimate object as its symbol, Libra is an air sign too, emphasizing the movement of breath and thought. The implication is that ideas—justice, balance, artistic aesthetics—may be as potent and vital as living beings. And while our passions might be roused now, it’s important to look deeply into the ideas that are guiding our choices. How can we live our values, without polarizing into one or the other camp? Saturn saddled the most visible world leader with this mantle, but the rest of us will soon be wearing it too. Saturn will be in Libra until October 2012. Our personal and global success may depend on how actively we work toward genuine harmony and peace. Let’s hold good thoughts. And make sure Obama does too.

Oct

2

Filed Under Astrology trends | 3 Comments

upsidedowncar Mercury stationed direct on Tuesday the 29th–the day my internet went out. A car down the street spun out of control and my neighbor’s house fell out of escrow. Astrologers say that life gets better when Mercury goes direct. But Mercury awakens from its sleep time slowly. The ideas we race forward with may yet be unstable—or even upside-down. (Indeed: The Democrats failed to pass the health care public option in committee, but did agree to fund abstinence-only education, something proven not to work!) During the days of Mercury’s direct station, we are still dreamers awakening from a dream. Go forward carefully, and wait for that moment (you’ll feel it) when your mind is clear, your will is strong, and your feet are touching the ground. Enjoy your competence. And make plenty of progress before Mars goes retrograde in December!

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