What I’ve Learned About 2012 Astrology (So Far)

Dear Friend and Reader:

We finished the 14th annual edition of Planet Waves last night and — lo and behold — we have a weekly issue for you today as well. As you may know, I woke up Saturday morning with one sign left to write (Pisces) and discovered that four signs I had written, and their backups, were not turning up on my laptop. My MS Office database was crashing and Word could not remember where it was putting anything. So that was a job for the data recovery guys at Tech-Smiths in New Paltz, who recovered every deleted or ‘deleted’ file on my drive, including the lost ones. A few doses of arnica, a bit of panic and a couple of days’ delay — and we have your readings for you. This link tells you more about them.

The Whirlpool Galaxy NGC 5194 in Canes Venatici is one of the most stunning showpieces of the evening sky and perhaps the best example of interacting galaxies. As indicated by the image above, aside from being a very impressive face-on spiral galaxy with distinct and highly resolved arms, it is cannibalizing a smaller galaxy (NGC 5195, M51B) in the immediate vicinity with a very clear and distinct ‘bridge’ between them. Read more here. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

In sum, what I’ve learned about 2012 astrology after studying it from numerous viewpoints, over and over, is that it is real. Whatever you may make of the turnover of the Mayan Long Count calendar on Dec. 21, 2012, the Western astrology suggests a time of progress, growth, healing and some cultural turmoil. These forces combine to make a perfect storm of progress — and as these conditions gather, there will be no denying what’s up. The astrology is active from so many angles I doubt there will be anyone who does not feel in some way drawn in, called to participate, or called to do something more with their lives.

I have been looking at 2012 charts my whole astrology career, and preparing my clients for these changes for many years. Over the past six months, what started as a few charts has grown into an organized little heap of them, including studying many, many of the minor planets and what they are doing.

What this astrology is about — that is, the story that it tells — has arisen like a vision in the mist, but gradually. We have been living through it, in phases, for a long time. Planets started taking their positions in 2008 and then in about six different stages between then and now, the energy has gradually taken shape — but we have not yet experienced the first peak, which comes on with a wave of changes that will span from mid-May through late June 2012, getting things rolling at full strength.

Two things are going to happen, before then. First, Mars goes retrograde in Virgo on Monday, Jan. 23. I have interpreted this through the signs as a preparation phase; a kind of mental and psychological systems check that lasts about 10 weeks, so that we’re ready for the fast changes of the late spring and early summer (said in Northern Hemisphere seasons). Virgo is where we ‘store’ many of our mental scripts, our concepts, our psychological patterns, and our ideas about being on the Earth and part of the Earth. Mars retrograde presents us with a phase of inquiry, investigation and working out (such as issues, and maybe at the gym; if you make time that will have extra benefits). This lasts through April 13 (though Mars remains in Virgo through July 3). It will influence each of the signs and rising signs differently, as it appears in a different house (that is, department of life) for each of them.

Then on Feb. 3, Neptune is going to ingress Pisces. Not counting a brief visit last year, the last time Neptune was in Pisces was between Feb. 17, 1848 and Feb. 13, 1862. Just as Neptune was leaving Pisces the last time, the Civil War was getting going, which is a reminder not to be caught in a fantasy bubble as this transit develops. Note also that just as Pluto was leaving Capricorn the last time it was there, the American Revolution was getting going (both of these sign changes will repeat, nearly simultaneously, in the mid 2020s).

Bands of high-altitude clouds cast shadows on Neptune’s lower cloud deck. Photo: NASA.

We could surmise that Pluto in Capricorn and Neptune in Pisces predate eras of massive structural change, yet changes are evident in the moment we occupy right now. While many things about human nature have remained the same, some have evolved, and Neptune in Pisces is part of accelerating that process, granting us the potential for a deeper connection to faith, beauty and inner truth than we usually opt for. Neptune joins Chiron in Pisces, so we will have a strong focus on the most elusive of the signs — the one that represents the oceans that cover three-quarters of our planet’s surface.

These placements are encouraging us to go to greater spiritual depths, and to clear our emotional bodies as we can. If there are incoming energies, we need to make space and free up bandwidth for them. These transits, as well, influence all of the signs and rising signs differently. That enhanced sense of spiritual contact — which you might experience as love, as affirmation or as a healing crisis — will be useful when we reach the first of seven exact squares of Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn in late June. I have interpreted this from three angles — the Aries angle of self-actualization; the Capricorn angle of participation in the world; and the midpoint, which is in Aquarius — the cooperation factor. This Aquarius factor is significant because it provides a release point on some of the darkest aspects of human nature, which tend to show up when people form groups.

One last. Perhaps the most interesting (and visually spectacular) astrology of 2012 happens when Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun on June 5 or 6, 2012 (depending on your time zone). This happens in Gemini, and it seems to be a kind of emergence — the two ‘halves’ of the psyche indicated by Gemini emerge as a sum greater than the parts. We all struggle with dualism to some degree, with multiple facets of our nature, with aspects of ourselves that conflict. This astrology seems to offer a way through that, helping us make contact with something much more tangible than ‘the split’ that we often feel.

Venus transit of the Sun on June 8, 2004. This image shows Venus crossing the disk of the Sun, and the smaller images give details of the egress. This will be visible from some parts of the world on June 5 or 6, 2012, and will not be seen again by human eyes until the 22nd century. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

The Venus Transit of the Sun is about the emergence of the solar feminine (I’ll be adding a special audio about this to the annual site in the next few days). That is, the feminine that is under her own power and providing her own light, not the reflected light of the Sun (for example, as is the Moon). As I’ve noted before, the Venus transit of the Sun is extremely rare; the one in June had a counterpart back in 2004, and there were none in the 20th century. The next pair after this year’s begins in 2117. The annual edition has an article explaining what to do if you want to see this event with your own eyes.

There is one point from the Dec. 21 2012 chart that I want to mention. When the Sun makes its storied, much-mythologized alignment with the Tropic of Capricorn at the solstice, it’s in an exact conjunction with Juno, one of the first asteroids, discovered early in the 19th century. If you consider that the Mayans oriented their 5,125-year cycle on the Capricorn solstice of 2012, consider that on that very day the Sun is conjunct the Queen of Heaven. This by the way will be the second time, on a key day of 2012, that there is a solar conjunction with a major feminine archetype.

In psychological astrology, Juno represents the concept of marriage, certain attributes of one’s spouse, and on the shadow side, the bone of contention in a relationship. She’s strongly associated with jealousy, after the infamous tyrannical controlling fits of her Greek predecessor Hera.

We arrive at 12/21/12 — day 13.0.0.0.0, at the end of a 1.89 million-day cycle — with a message about relationships. In particular, there is a message about jealousy. We don’t need it. It’s not good for us. It may well be the root of all evil. And the beautiful thing is we can do something about it.

Lovingly,
Eric Francis

Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Weekly Horoscope #887. | Eric’s Zodiac Sign Descriptions

Aries (March 20-April 19) — You’ve been working hard and it won’t be long before you receive solid recognition for your efforts. But what do you most hunger for? And what is your definition of success and where did this come from? If you are conscious of your own motives in a professional situation, you can let go of ambitions that no onger serve you. This will allow you to reclaim authority and redirect your energy constructively into what feeds your passion and deepest purpose. Let go of some ‘idea’ of success, and you can achieve the kind of success that not only looks good to the world, but also feels good right down to your bones. In a close personal relationship and your friendships, the same idea holds: seek truth and depth rather than appearances. Offering freedom and acceptance to another can strengthen a bond, offering tangible results.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — We each have a special role to play in this cosmic drama called life. Yet until you embrace and accept your individual talents, you’re likely to feel like a fish out of water, or worse, one swimming in a sea of endless comparison. Something you’ve been working towards is stabilizing this week, bringing you the recognition you’ve long deserved professionally. Along the way, events are asking you to move past subconscious limitations you carry regarding your success (baggage that may be related to your religious or moral beliefs) as you recognize your authority and power. You don’t need to impress anyone, nor do you need to worry about what others think. Even if others are impressed, I suggest you remain grounded in your self-awareness and a soul-truth of what you are working for and you won’t get carried away or lost in a crowd. You were born for greater things. Accept it.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Powerful changes are taking place beyond your control, particularly in a financial situation or sexual relationship you fear you cannot live without. Confront any fears you may have honestly and investigate your values surrounding sex, marriage, money and commitment. You can then consciously uproot those that prevent you from going deeper within a commitment and exploring the beautiful opportunities beckoning on the horizon. Our world can be harsh, but as long as you play fair and are conscious of your own motivations, you don’t need to fear being taken advantage of or losing anything or anyone precious to you. If you are feeling a sense of loss right now, trust this is creating space for something rather heavenly to enter that can enrich your life, lifting your spirits and heart. Financially as well as emotionally you’re on solid ground. Loosen your grip and you can be liberated to discover just how blessed, loved and safe you truly are.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — A conversation this week is deepening your understanding of a relationship, revealing a sweeter reality than the one you’ve been clinging to. We tend to subconsciously base our expectations of relationships on the roles enacted in our childhood by caregivers, that is, until we get tired of running the same old dramas. What is the subconscious imprinting you need to let go of? You cannot control others, nor can you erase the past. But you can consciously let go of expectations, past resentments, anger, and fear and acknowledge your desires and needs to yourself first. Then you can be warm rather than scalding, and ask for what you need rather than demanding it and creating tension. You are in a process of building trust. Be less critical, keep an open dialogue and you can have the financial support, as well as the deep intimacy, trust and acceptance you need from a sexual partner and those to whom you are connected in flesh and spirit.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You may be obsessing about work, or a situation you care deeply about that you think is out of your hands. Rather than fret about what you can’t control — since worry never solved anything, or hardly anything — recognize how much you have to give and what you have the power to do. It really doesn’t matter what you do, rather how alive you feel each morning when you greet the day. Be conscious of what motivates and drives you, and let go of what is no longer working. The love and financial support you need is indeed present, but it will require you to move past pride or mental resistance and have honest conversations that deepen your trust. As long as you are not being blinded by shallow beauty, or being too rigid or picky, you can open yourself wider and heal something that has been irritating you for a long time.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — If you’re feeling like a part of you is dying, it’s natural to want to cling to all you once loved. We do indeed create our reality, or most of it, even though it’s not always clear how. If that reality currently seems a little too much to bear, look for the blessing. You can deny a truth to the world till you’re blue in the face, but you can’t deny it to yourself. There is no shame in admitting that your childhood desires for yourself, what you want out of love, life, and even your creative goals are changing. It may feel risky, but you don’t need to compromise your values. Just dig past superficial desires and be honest about what truly matters to you in your heart of hearts. Then you can unearth the golden nugget: your authentic potential. Let go of an old desire, and you will see how beautiful life can really be right here, right now, if only you surrender to it. You are unearthing and reclaiming your Self now — the real dream you can live.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Events this week are asking you to confront the past and let go of your attachment to it. What this really means is letting go of an idea you have about someone. This may not be easy, but relax long enough to stay in the present and you will see your strength in the light of all you’ve been through. As you more consciously confront the shadows cast on your early life, you can reclaim it and your authority to live your life by your rules. Use this opportunity — and the space you’re clearing — to create a more colorful reality with this newfound power. You may be making up your mind to trust a situation even though you have no real proof of why you feel this way. As long as you are being honest with yourself and are in no denial of the lessons you’ve learned, you can trust your judgment and be guided by the love you feel. Give your shadows their place, and then freely dive into the soulful pleasures stirring in your heart.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — What do you believe? And why do you believe this? And what are the ideas surrounding success and failure you need to let go of? You’ve been obsessing about something, and the time has come for you to pull your head out of the sand and face the truth. This may scare you, but in truth reality is a lot sweeter than you think or fear. Financially as well as within a domestic relationship or situation, you have more support than you realize. Consciously let go of expectations and assumptions, especially the negative ones. If you speak for what you know to be true, you can reclaim your power in a situation, freeing you from a worry, bringing you the security you’ve yearned for. Hint: that sense of security originates with you. As you feel safer, you will experience the world as a safer place, where love feels more natural. You will be more likely to notice what you want rather than what you don’t want.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — What defines your sense of self-worth? Is it success? Respect from your peers? Wealth? Your relationships? You’re in the process of discovering that it’s really none of the above, which will arrive with the sensation of setting you free from something that has long felt like a trap. Don’t forget what you learn today and this weekend. Only you have the power to define your worth, though sometimes you will discover this through a process of reduction. In other words, as you let go of every influence that did not work, or that was incorrect, you will eventually figure out that you had the right idea all along. The key to your longterm happiness is reaching a balance between radical self-sufficiency and healthy dependency. If you learn toward independence, you will make room for a more natural exchange of support. Yet if you lean too far in that direction, you will push others out of your life.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You’ve been questioning your role in the bigger picture and here comes a moment of deep clarity. Remember though, clarity also means confronting important truths and getting to the core of the only question that matters: “Who am I?” You are evolving and letting go of a carefully carved identity you’ve long ago outgrown. In letting go of false ideas about yourself, you can be free to reach for your noblest ambitions fearlessly, with the curiosity of a child in a new world. Choose your mountains wisely and you can reclaim your power to make choices that feel right for you as you pursue goals that are truly worthy of your efforts. Trust the rewards of this process; this will go way beyond just the tangible. And if you haven’t looked in the mirror lately, you are beautiful — body, heart and soul — and worthy love, not just the hope of love.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Have you been feeling like a small cog in a big machine, rather in the dark about a situation that is drawing you deeper into the unknown than you may care to venture? Sooner or later you will figure out that fear is the scariest thing in the world. Although a financial commitment or sexual relationship is heating up, you can trust it is evolving just as it needs to even if you can’t see it yet. Trust your intuition about what you might sometimes feel is out of your control. That will help you be more aware of the subconscious fears that haunt you. These fears prevent you from making the progress you’re so devoted to these days. Recognizing this will help you summon the support you need. Yes, most people walk around the planet feeling little to no support for who they are and what they want. Yet that doesn’t mean it’s not there. Be your own friend and you will make some fun discoveries about who else wants to be your friend.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Are you wondering if you can trust another’s motives? You’ve been burned before, but it is also true that a lot of your disappointments have come from your own illusions, expectations and fantasies. You have an incredible psychic gift that allows you to peer into people’s hearts. First you must admit your own secret longings and desires; then you can see through others’ without fear of projection. Doing so lets you choose friendships in which you feel safe enough to bare your heart, body and soul, as they evolve and strengthen. You may think you know the way the world works, but being less critical can liberate you from darker doubts that prevent progress. You are deeply loved by this Universe and more people than you realize. Inspire the support you need and there is no Earthly reason you can’t bring a collective dream to life.

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