Hello Star-People, and welcome to your second New Moon Review for 2012.

New Moon 23/1/2012 6.40pm AEST    Full Moon 8/2/2012 8.55am AEST

This month features a host of astrological influences setting the stage for the year ahead. We will look at each influence in detail, to get a sense of what it all means.

So far, the year has had an interesting start. Murmurs of unrest in both North Korea and Iran cannot be ignored. With climactic energies building around May and June, expect more news on these fronts as the year progresses.

Money matters. Despite gloomy news on the economic front, signs of new life abound. While we are by no means out of the woods in terms of the GFC, January brought a growth-phase forward. The Australian dollar is sitting at a comfortable high, and unexpectedly positive results have come forth in both US and local real-estate markets. The cosmos is supporting the establishment of an improved economic infrastructure with healthy aspects between Jupiter, Pluto and Mars bringing good gains. In March, the opportunities to grow will become more apparent.

Yet buyer beware, as another dramatic wave of economic reform is quickly rolling in. From March this year, we enter the next intense chapter in terms of global economic activity.  The current face-off between Uranus and Pluto is moving toward another peak. When these two planets have met historically, there has always been major financial crisis and reform. Any countries (or individuals) with sensitive planets or points around 8-9 degrees Capricorn are in line for this upcoming wave of revolutionary change. Inevitably placed in the path of destruction is the structure of the EU. Greece in particular seems especially vulnerable right now. A pulling apart is likely. Pain is needed in order to grow

Historically, member nations join the EU on January 1st. The Sun sits at 8-9 degrees of Capricorn on this day. Therefore every member of the EU is cosmically scheduled to ride a wave of potential destruction/emancipation depending on how particular cards are dealt. We could call this Fate. In the months ahead, we will see the world teeter towards inevitable reform. The Chinese say crisis is an opportunity to change. In the spirit of faith and optimism, we must all look for the silver lining in things. Ignore headlines touting doomsday predictions. Focus instead on the creation of sustainable wealth. Current forms of capitalism and wealth inequity are unsustainable. Until this is effectively addressed, there will be crisis and uncertainty.

Another major emphasis through the next 28 days involves the official entrance of Neptune into the sign of Pisces, its symbolic home. We have had hints of what this might loom like as The God of the Seas poked his head in here from early April last year. Since that time, the plight of our oceans, the future of whaling and the depletion of fish stocks have been major headline news. On Feb 4th, Neptune arrives in Pisces and will stay in this sign for 14 years. To get a sense of what this might involve we can once more look back in time.1

Neptune and Pisces both involve the transcendental and/or spiritual dimensions of life. These symbols represent the archetypal themes of service and sacrifice. They symbolize redemption through suffering, and the merging of consciousness into a universal awareness of all that is. As one might expect, these influences are especially connected to issues of faith, and also the traditions of Christianity.

Pisces is the sign of the Fish. Neptune has been long associated with the archetype of the Redeemer, represented by The Christ and Dionysos in the Western tradition. Early Christians identified themselves with the symbol of the Fish. The Christian tradition promises a redemption from sin and suffering through compassion and sacrifice.

As an example, Neptune was most recently in Pisces from 1520-1534, 1684-1698 and 1847-1861. The 1520’s saw the expansion into the New World as European Colonialists conquered the seas. The Spaniards brought Catholicism to the Americas, and disease and destruction to the native American races. At the same time, Martin Luther and King Henry 8th challenged the “divine” right to rule of the Roman Catholic Church, and instituted religious reform.

In the 1680’s, the transcendental nature of matter was explored when Sir Isaac Newton reformulated the laws of gravity and physics. The Glorious Revolution in England emphatically quashed any remnants of the Catholic Faith, and the English monarchs were henceforth forbidden to practice Catholicism or marry a catholic, a prohibition which extends to this day.

In the mid-19th century, Darwin’s theory of Evolution completely challenged the biblical story of creation, effectively delineating the growing Western split between matters of reason and matters of faith. Yet at the same time, a resurgence in spiritualism and occult practices in the West laid the foundations for the multiplicity of New-Age beliefs around today. The Communist Manifesto was also published at this time, a document that would have far-reaching implications both in terms of suffering and social conscience, but also the role of religion in matters to do with State. Capitalism can be seen as a Christian expression, as nations where Christianity is prevalent seem to manifest social structures where material consumption and individual choice become paramount.  

A challenge to the concepts supporting the Christian faith is likely to unfold. So too is a deeper appreciation of the Christ as a symbol of consciousness. We can expect a global movement of faith and spirituality that will change the nature of what many believe today.

Looking forward, we can also expect an increased emphasis on everything to do with spirituality and faith. At its most promising, this planetary energy symbolizes the merging of the macrocosm with the microcosm. We may soon more fully understand the subtle laws of nature upon which life and healing stand. A greater awareness of the interconnectedness of all things is likely to unfold as we wake up the the subtle yet profoundly moving aspects of reality. The film Avatar can be considered a precursor to all this. Imagine yourself in a multi-dimensional reality influenced by thought and heart-felt connectedness.

Finally we have the planets Mars and Saturn stationing in the coming weeks. Mars stations  first in Virgo, the day after the New Moon. This pivotal energy emphasises reform and improvement through emphasis on detail. We are all called upon to understand the processes involved in what we want to achieve, and look practically at what we can improve. Fix what needs fixing, and slice off what is dead weight.

Saturn stations in Libra around February 5th, drawing to a close the past 2 year period as it has transversed the sign of Libra. Fairness, justice and equality in relationship are firmly in focus now. This planetary sojourn began back in September 2009, just before the Tiger Woods scandal was announced. He became in some ways a collective scape-goat as matters to do with infidelity, marriage and justice within relationship became headline news. Through the next 9 months, this process will be coming to an end. The push toward equality in marriage in many parts of the West is also indicative of this influence. In the next 9 months we could see recognition of same-sex unions be instituted into law. Saturn will station trine to Neptune. This energy is ideal for building creative and romantic partnerships where a win-win outcome is the number one intent.

For all of us, February 2012 gives an interesting preview of the year ahead.

If you would like a more personal analysis of how these influences affect you, please get in touch to arrange a consultation.

1. Thanks to Ed Tamplin for providing some of the following data. See article ‘The Eye in the Sky’ FAA Journal Dec 2011, Vol. 41, Number 4