Solstice

Fri 16 Dec – Thurs 29 Dec 2011

Sun in Sag/Cap (22^nd) solstice; Merc in Sag; Venus in Cap/Aqu (20^th); Mars in Virgo; Jupiter dir 25^th

Have you been utilizing the current transit of the Sun and Mercury through Sagittarius to examine and explore your philosophy of life? Now, as the Sun aligns with the Galactic Center on the 19^th, and then arrives at his most southern point on the Solstice of Dec 22^nd, we have a fine opportunity to focus our consciousness with clarity on the goal of our individual lives as well as align ourselves with our true centre internally as well as with whoever or whatever embodies our belief system externally. The Christian calendar does this automatically (although perhaps unknowingly or unconsciously for most) three days after the Solstice on Dec 25^th, which is the exact point at which the Sun begins his return from the apparent depths of darkness after a three day pause there, as seen from the northern hemisphere, to rise again towards a slowly lengthening of daylight visibility. Watch the documentary “Zeitgeist” if you want to hear more about the fact that Christmas is originally based on (amongst other things) the astronomical movement of the Sun at the Solstice.

As for aligning ourselves…who do you accept as spiritual authority? What qualifies them to be such? Usually we accept someone by what they say, but what if their words or ideas are beyond our comprehension or ability to realize? We could end up discrediting them simply because we are not realized enough to comprehend them. Perhaps we should accept someone as an authority by their actions. After all, actions speak louder than words. However, the same logic or reasoning could apply – we may not be aware enough to comprehend their actions either and may be judging them according to our limited frame of reference. Of course on the ultimate level even the act of judging - accepting or rejecting - is merely a product or function of the mind, and not a matter of transcendence. Yet at the same time paradoxically we have to accept some things over others which we reject; so with all these contradictions and layers upon levels of realization how do we get anywhere or get anything done at all? Surely discrimination is needed, which implies making a judgment. Which brings me back to my question of whose standards are you using for your yardstick. On one level it depends on time, place and circumstance - what is appropriate according to your time in history, your geographical location or the socio-cultural circumstances in which you find yourself. However, on another level some things, particularly when discussing spiritual truths, are meant to be absolute, or eternally valid regardless of the temporary shifts in society, culture and history. For example even the teachings of Buddha, Shankara, Christ or Mohammed all have a starting point in history, before which the teachings were irrelevant. That is on one level, while on an absolute level certain spiritual truths taught by those teachers and others are timeless because they deal with our eternal spiritual natures or because they apply to all people under all circumstances for all time. Truths such as the concept that driving our temporary material body is an eternal spiritual spark of consciousness, and that one can uncover that spiritual self, and indeed should, by certain techniques which have always worked and always will, regardless of who tries them and when in history, because they are transcendent or absolute. This is apparently what is meant by one’s “Dharma”, the actual translation from the Sanskrit being “eternal constitutional nature or position”, regardless of time, place or current socio-religious circumstance. For example the dharma of fire is to burn, the dharma of sugar is to be sweet, and the dharma of the living entity is to be an eternally blissful conscious person (sat chit ananda), even though housed in this current temporary material body. So as Jupiter apparently goes direct or forward again on Dec 25^th after several months of retrograde motion, take the opportunity to wish yourself and all others a merry Saturnalia and a blessed year of real consciousness awakening on all levels.       

Total Lunar eclipse

Fri 2 Dec – Thurs 15 Dec

The fired up enthusiasm of an arched stallion may be urging you to celebrate the season just now, with Sun and Mercury in Sagittarius, but let’s not forget the retrograde now bringing Mercury to a slow and sluggish standstill around the 13^th. A retrograde period is best seen as a cycle, beginning when a planet begins to slow to a halt before traveling backwards through the zodiac as it did in November; and ending when it returns to the point where it first paused, early in the new year of 2012. However, during the cycle, a planet's energy is most powerful (and more likely to generate critical events of universal importance) when the planet makes a station: appearing motionless in the sky.

These stationary periods occur near the beginning of the cycle (when the planet first halts as it prepares to move backwards, as it did on November 24^th) and midway through the cycle when the retrograde planet slows to a stop before moving forward again. The direct station (when the planet halts before moving forward again) is the most powerful and can be used for maximum benefit. And that is what we are about to hit on the 13^th and 14^th of December. So anything before then will have Mercury at its slowest and subdued. However, those days, specifically the 14^th when Mercury is seen to move forward again, are available to be harnessed as a symbolic moment on which to strike a deal, have a ceremony or sign on the dotted line. Thereafter Mercury is seen to slowly pick up pace, symbolically showing the course of or unfolding of the intent or event you had on that day. Sometimes it can facilitate a step towards solving the problem or puzzle. Either the solution, or a move towards the solution, brought about later as Mercury returns to the point it originally stopped on November 24^th. With all this back and forth occurring in Sagittarius this time, issues around publishing and law, like the tabloid press legal cases in UK as well as ZAR’s Info Bill will be evident; that and expanding the horizons, so watch out for the travel delays at airports. Know when to hold your tongue too; is that tweet going to bounce back and trip you up like a foot in the mouth.

Currently our goddess Venus (in Capricorn) has an advantageous vantage point from which to spy out Mars (in Virgo) across the garden as they trine in the earth signs. This is a good time to focus on the material, practical departments of life, like work, income, health of the body. With Mars in Virgo take the opportunity to work out, if you don’t already and have been wanting to get fit. Venus in Capricorn favours dressing with status, the black outfit, professional or work attire, even if it means a smart pair of sandals at your surf stall. Or that green is the new black. So the more you keep it professional, and the more you have your eye on the ball, and on the goalposts, the Grail or the gold, the better your chances are of pulling off the achievement of your target, the target the archer in you aimed for in the ever-greener evergreens on the other side of the fence.

Let’s not forget the imminent eclipse of the Moon on the full moon of Saturday 10^th. Anyone with their Sun sign within a degree or two of 18 degrees Gemini or Sagittarius, and also (by square or 90 degree aspect) Virgo and Pisces, will be in line to feel the effects more directly as the Sun and Moon align with their natal (birthday) Sun position. That means people born on roughly the 10^th or 11^th of December for example, or 9^th – 10^th June; 11^th – 12^th September and 8^th – 9^th March. Let me know if you have any interesting experiences. Being a total lunar eclipse, people have been known to shut up shop and temple, retire indoors and engage in something auspicious for the duration of the event. But that’s up to you, time place and circumstance. Where were you at 14h30 GMT on the 10^th of December 2011?

Mercury stationary as the S.A. Secrecy Bill/Protection of state info Bill is voted in.

22 Nov 2011

As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our mind--how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulership over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail, journalism, media and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state. Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde. Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting.

Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, is the sign traditionally associated with law, philosophy, religion and other such academic issues – issues of tertiary education, morals and ethics and what may be considered lofty ideology and abstract concepts of epistemology or meaning; broader, larger ideas. With Mercury going stationary and then retrograde in Sagittarius at the moment, issues of law and constitutional rights are brought into focus now. Today, as Mercury approaches its stationary position, on the way to going retrograde, the “Protection of State Information Bill” was voted on and passed in South African parliament with 229 votes, despite a one third opposition of 107 votes. As a result of this, the opposition has decided to take the Bill to the Constitutional Court, the highest court in the land, to campaign that it is directly against the Constitution, the highest code of law in S.A. – higher than the current ruling party of the day. The Bill proposes to gag the media and whistle-blowers from speaking out on issues of corruption within parliament. Not only are investigative journalists and others liable to be jailed for up to a maximum of 25 years if the political party chooses, (citing, if they choose that such revelations are a risk to national security) but even those who harbour such people or documents are also subject to the same disciplinary action. This is tantamount to taking the nation back into Apartheid era control mechanisms, (something already in place in Israel, and to a degree in America with the Patriot Act.)

The fact that this law is being passed as Mercury goes stationary and retrograde, suggests that the process may not go through as smoothly as hoped, and will be subject to opposition and revision, hopefully being revised to at least allow a public opinion clause. It has already had over 100 amendments. Mercury’s retrograde continues until 13 December and only really returns to its current position at 20 degrees Sagittarius in early January next year. If the Bill goes into law, it will give power to a few at the top to use as a weapon, just like the Patriot act in U.S.A which now allows the state to arrest and detail anyone they wish without trial for almost as long as they want. Externally it may come across as in the best interests of state security, but in time it can also be used as a loophole by which they can control the masses, much like a police state, removing constitutional rights from the very people they are supposed to serve and protect. Why such a law if you have nothing to hide? Democracy is safest in the hands of the people, not just the powerful ie intel agencies. Academics around the world have been ignored, clearly indicating that a potential tool is being set up for future dictatorship. And South Africa is not the only country, as mentioned, where this is going on. How do you feel about your freedom and constitutional rights being subtly eroded from under your very nose? As the powers that be allocate themselves still more power – the politicians and bankers – the people are rising up and saying enough is enough. Where do you stand? Freedom of thought is what Mercury in Sagittarius strives for. Mercury in Sagittarius defends justice and freedom religiously.

Who eclipsed your consciousness?

Fri 18 Nov – Thurs 1 Dec 2011
Sun in Scorpio/sag 22^nd; Mercury in Sag (R 24^th); Venus in Sag/Cap 26^th; Mars in Virgo.

On the 22^nd when the Sun joins Mercury (going retrograde on the 24^th) and Venus in Sagittarius, we shall have all our primary planets from the Sun to Mars in mutable signs. These are the planets that move the fastest and thus change signs rapidly, thereby indicating the predominating trends and mood of the day. Jupiter spends a whole year and Saturn up to 2.5 years in one sign. The Moon of course changes signs so quickly – every 2.5 days – that its influence is fleeting, though not to be underestimated; just not mentionable in a forecast such as this. Except, for example, when there may be an eclipse, like the solar eclipse on the new moon of the 25^th; curiously only really visible from my place on the southern coast of South Africa if you want to pop round for the breakfast show just after 08h00 local time; or you can catch it in New Zealand too. Although only a partial eclipse of 87%, it is the largest or brightest this year.

How amazing is it that eclipses even occur at all. The Sun is 400 times larger than the Moon, and the Moon is 400 times closer to Earth than the Sun, this means that the two effects cancel each other out with the Moon and Sun both appearing to have the same apparent size in the sky. They therefore look the same size to a viewer observing from Earth’s surface. So when there is an alignment during a solar eclipse, the Moon fits exactly over the Sun, blocking all sunlight while still allowing the beautiful corona to be observed. Now if this precise degree of ratio and proportion all happened by accident or coincidence then I’ll eat my ice cream cone. It seems more likely to me that the Great Consciousness behind it all, of whom we are all part and parcel, was being quite deliberate in this cosmic manifestation. And these are precisely the topics of focus during the current Sagittarian alignment of planets – topics of vast, expansive, universal or cosmological import. Sure, the Sagittarian theme is currently potentially more fired up, festive and fun-loving than the previous rather introverted, intense or introspective Scorpio flavour, but it is also a perfect time to raise the ceiling, explore the vast outer realms of space and it’s origins, as well our place in the grand scheme of things. Thinking big, going large and expanding the realms are all possible now. After all, the precise relationship between us and our satellite Luna are extremely rare. Most planets have much smaller moons, so the fact that ours is just the right size and distance between the Sun and us to create an eclipse which is occasionally so exact that the one heavenly body is totally hidden from our sight, practically to the millimeter (from our point of view) makes you think that someone was behind it, someone with a sense of humour, or at least an artistic flair. The chances of it being pure blind accident are about the same as if all the monkeys in the world, given all the time and all the laptops, were able to come out with Shakespeare’s complete works. They could, but the chances of it are infinitesimal. And this unique manifestation of precision and proportion between the Sun, Moon and Earth is only one of countless other manifestations of such harmony, beauty and life-supporting precision that anyone who still can’t comprehend the notion of Consciousness being at the root of it all, must be quite dull. Lets forget about the numerous concepts of God presented throughout the pages of history and just refer to the source as Consciousness, leaving the details until later, or to poets and mystics, and already we will have to rethink life, the universe and everything. Think about it.  

Let there be lights

Fri 4 Nov – Thurs 17 Nov
Sun in Scorpio; Mercury in Sagittarius; Venus in Sagittarius; Mars in Leo/Virgo 11^th

With Sun, Mercury and Venus still in Scorpio all facilitating not one but two Diwai Festivals in the Garden Route, the Scorpio theme of coming out of the darkness and into the light seems to be resonating healthily amongst locals. As with Halloween, we are all encouraged or permitted to face our demons, open our skeleton-filled closets and meet our dark side occasionally like this. Once having faced the darkness we are then taken through a rebirth of the light, in synch with the start of the new waxing moon in Scorpio. Hopefully you too have harnessed this opportunity in the grand cycle of time and space to turn from the dark or oppressive shadows that may haunt you, to face the clear diamond light of day. Why wrestle with your inner demons when you can just as easily banish them at will and cultivate the sunny attitude of your own choosing?

With Mars still in Leo for one more week until November 11^th, vitality, confidence and self-sufficiency are still available to those with Leo prominent in their horoscopes, and to the rest of us also, to a degree. We can all continue to benefit from the physical stamina it provides, as well as the creative flair to channel that into whatever department we require it. Take this opportunity to make a vibrant or dramatic impression on those you wish to impress, even if the Scorpio Sun has you feeling somewhat secretive or more sensitive than usual.  The bedroom may be the prime place to couple those contrasting flavours, mixing them and moulding them to each other so that they eventually melt like scoops of ice-cream, merging into each other and running down your cone and onto your fingers so that all you can do is lick them off with your tongue while the sweet sticky flavours of cherry and chocolate explode in your mouth and your brain freezes under in overdrive. You get the picture. Add to this the equally fired-up and flirtatious arrival of Mercury and Venus, hotly seated in Sagittarius, and you have an opportunity to openly and honestly flaunt your feelings of affection with a freedom seldom available to all. Considering the continued Scorpio Sun, you may just want to do it in private first – and then tell the world from your soapbox with dramatic flair. But make it fast, for by the 11^th Mars moves into Virgo and takes his libido into the office or the Health Club where he may just be too busy to reciprocate with flirtatious Venus, who will want a partner who shares her visionary and idealistic views, while simply unable to hold back her feelings. Keep it somewhat spacious and casual though, for now, as she can’t be too pressured or caged in just yet. And romance or marketing favours the foreign or imported now, so ship them in at your leisure and for your pleasure.    

Your open secret

Fri 21 Oct – Thurs 3 Nov

By the 23^rd the Sun joins Mercury and Venus as they stroll hand in hand through sensitive yet secretive Scorpio. With three of our primary heavenly bodies in this emotionally powerful water sign, there is the capacity now to experience very deep and penetrating insights into our own and others’ inner feelings. Even if not overtly visible, we can now plumb the depths of the apparently still waters of the psyche that is seldom made manifest at any other time of the year.

What is it that is being hidden? What are you hiding – even from yourself? Listen, if you want to know a secret, if you promise not to tell, there is far more going on behind the scenes, in the unconscious, in the underworld than meets the eye, and this is a good time to investigate, research or explore, even if all you have to go on is a feeling, an intuition or a rumour. It’s not just Wikileaks or investigative journalism that can expose the corrupt underbelly of some of those in power. But those secrets are not always going to be given up so easily. And what if I were to tell you that despite the dark, shadowy nature of the unconscious realm of the psyche, there are, in fact, vast treasures also hidden there; powers, skills and abilities on par with Tesla’s limitless storehouse of energy for all, if we just had the tools and techniques to tap in. Tools for remote viewing on par with Google Earth, tools for telepathic thought projection to rival even Vodafone. You have those tools. It’s an open secret. Government agencies use these tools already to maintain power and control over you and I, but refuse to educate us in the use of these latent – once thought mystical – skills.

Still, if you want to go deep into the Mystery of who you are and what you are capable of, now is the time to dive in. Just beware becoming too domineering in your expression of your newfound power. The will is strong and determined now, and with all the primary planets currently in fixed signs, including Mars in Leo and Jupiter in Taurus, the tendency toward stubborn, forceful and willful behaviour may help you to achieve more than usual on certain levels, but may result in a few squashed toes, or worse, squashed egos. In fact, the risk of inciting outright vengeful enemies is strong too. Just because Israel can do it in Palestine, or America wherever they smell oil doesn’t mean it is the mature or wise way to go. In previous centuries China was once a superpower too, as was Arabia, but even they fell to the West. Nevertheless, with time power changes hands and today the West is slipping as those old powers rise once more. And as archbishop Desmond Tutu warned the ANC when they were incapable of granting a visa to the Dalai Lama, your days are numbered too. Plays for power and power plays are inevitable now, as well as the ability to penetrate the hidden agenda by those few who can use their God-given tools.   

The poor South Africa

Fri 7 Oct – Thurs 20 Oct 2011
Sun in Libra; Mercury in Libra/Scorpio 13^th; Venus in Libra/Scorpio 9^th; Mars in Leo

With Saturn in Libra all year already, the Sun’s transit through that cardinal air sign this month will accentuate the need as well as capacity for tact and diplomacy in our relationships. Coupled with that is the need for justice and fairness in both business and personal partnerships. Even social justice, the equality and fairness required throughout the entire social spectrum, may need to be considered and addressed now. And the unequal proportion of all race groups represented in our national rugby team, the Springboks, is just a part of that debate now highlighted by the World Cup tournament. More importantly, our national disaster of one of the highest unemployment rates in the world highlights even more the inequality that abounds in our divided country. Historically that inequality has been cultivated along racial lines, but since the revolution of the Rainbow Nation in 1994 that leveled the playing field in the law books and judicial system, we should have seen the evolution of a sense of fairness and balance within our socio-political system. However, the proportion of people still living below our unofficial poverty line of $2 a day has only really improved by 5%, from 53% to 48% in the past 16 years. This is clearly a high level of poverty for a middle-income economy and indicates the sheer lack of fairness and justice in our system that, on paper, should be a social ideal. I mean what is half the country doing living in poverty when there are plenty of resources to go round? Of course social grants supplied by our somewhat socialist democratic government may have been the largest contributing factor to alleviating poverty, but at the same time the distribution of income between the richest and poorest sectors of society remained the same. The poorest 20% of the population earns about 2.3% of national income, while the richest 20% earns about 70% of the income. And although inequality still seems to be divided along racial lines, that is not solely the case, for the proportion of black Africans in the top 20% of income earners increased from 39%in 1995 to 48% in 2009. So in fact inequality within the black African population has actually increased sharply. Therefore whether we are black or white, pink or brown in this Rainbow Nation, if we are able to access the abundance of resources available (regardless of the fact that you did it on your own steam or by your own strength), it behooves us to cultivate an open and compassionate heart, to lend a hand to those less fortunate, to show the Libran qualities of considering the other as of equal importance as the self, and to ultimately birth the dream of the Rainbow Planet. Although God knows how we will hold a Rugby World Cup tournament again. The bottom line is that we are not alone in this life, we are social creatures, and we are all responsible for ourselves, our planet and each other. No longer can we close our eyes, our ears or our hearts to the blatant injustice, inequality and total disregard for the plight of our human family that has plagued this fledgling democratic state.

Comet Elenin

Fri 23 Sept – Thurs 6 Oct

Sun in Libra; Mercury in Virgo/Libra 25^th; Venus in Libra; Mars in Leo

With Mars in Leo now you may find yourself with an abundance of creative energy, accompanied by more confidence than usual which, depending on your nature, may bring out the performer in you who feels it’s time to be recognized, or if you are already a bit of a drama queen, may infuse you with the feeling that you are God’s gift to every nubile native out there. So take the initiative, polish that suit of armour, mount your noble steed and with rose between the teeth ride gallantly forth, knowing that Sun, Mercury and Venus in Libra are sure to facilitate your romantic pursuits and conjugal conquests like seldom before. Unless of course your amourous wonderings take you into the path of that new dark and irresistible babe on the block called Elenin, who has just rode into town with that long dark tail, looking nice from far but may be far from nice on closer inspection. There are rumours going round that the tail can cloud your vision, leaving you in the dark for three days, and who knows if you will be able to rise again on the third day after a stint with Elinin - or out. Mars in Leo may urge you to make your mark in the hearts of all the potential lovers out there, to put your stamp, take creative or romantic risks even, but Elenin may also be out there to cast a shadow on your current ability to shine or be a shining light, a shining knight. Nevertheless, there is sure to be a reward offered to the brave leader of the day who can vanquish that dark-tailed traveler who threatens to steal our thunder, and with the triple Libra influence (quadruple if you include Saturn), the best victory may not be to try to vanquish such a phenomenal opponent, but rather to use all the diplomacy available, and be a Prince Charming by negotiating a fair, just and equal (as in Equinox) place in the night sky for all parties to shine on like the crazy diamonds they are. Like you, Even Elenin wants to be appreciated now and nobody likes a bossy type who wants to throw their weight around and eclipse our right to shine too. So use your current ability to understand the feelings of others and put yourself in their shoes before trying to put yourself in their bed. Don’t fall in love with that fly-by-night Elenin, or any other, too quickly now either. Love may be blind, or you may be blinded by love and the seductive attractiveness of something or someone who is in fact a mere fleeting moment that too shall pass, leaving you clutching at a whisp of a tail of a dream as you wake to the clear light of dawn and the realization that someone as eternal as you can never be overshadowed by any shooting star, wondering comet or passing fancy.  For true love can never be substituted by lust, longing or a lack of self-worth. Real love is without ego, free from hankering and lamenting, encompasses all living entities and is eternal, which implies it has always been flowing from the reservoir of all pleasure and indeed, always will.

Love under the microscope

9 Sept – 22 Sept 2011
Sun in Virgo; Mercury in Virgo; Venus in Virgo/Libra 15^th; Mars in Cancer/Leo 19^th

 With the Sun, Mercury and Venus (until the 15^th) still in transit through Virgo, the mental faculties will be sharpened, making this a fine time to attend to the details in an orderly and business-like manner. Common sense may inspire you to read the small print on your box of breakfast or dinner snacks, not only causing you to pull out the sharp inner calculator to compare the price per rice grain, but also to weigh up the nutritional value of each rice grain and compare it to the nutritional value of every other grain to see if you need those extra thousand grains on your plate and what the most efficient amount of grains might be per liter of water for optimum cooking time according to the angle of the sun on your solar cooker at your degree of latitude north or south of the equator. That done, you may just find yourself settling for a salad instead. The tendency to lack confidence in your rice cooking, which sends you checking and rechecking every measurement, can possibly get in the way of a spontaneous and creatively inspired culinary delight now. Nevertheless, the dish will be a precision production when it’s finished with exactly the right amount of grains per body weight for your liking. Now imagine this discriminating state of mind also predominating in your relationships or love life. The likelihood is that you may be so preoccupied with work or duty, that you don’t even have time to cultivate that intimate relationship, and if you do finally manage to pull yourself away from the job and happen to catch the eye of a prospective partner across the crowded office (for that is where a potential love interest could manifest now), chances are that he or she has little chance of measuring up to your scrutinizing standards. This leaves you looking either shy, nit-picking, or preoccupied, when in fact you are just being super cautious. Playing it safe is the motto of the month now, as in “let me abstain to avoid the pain”, regardless of where you wish to apply this rule. After all he or she just may not quite match up to that internal anima or god/dess figure you have on a pedestal. But then who ever does?

Well, if you don’t find yourself retreating to a monastery to contemplate the perfect deity of Radharani as the love of your life, then when Venus shifts into her own sign of Libra on the 15^th you may finally have a mood swing that feels as if someone slipped an Ecstacy into your glass of purified mineral water, as suddenly love is not only in the air, but on the lips of every passing stranger. And by the 19^th, when Mars moves into equally romantic Leo, the tension that builds between the fastidious versus the flirtatious propensities may build to such a climactic conflagration that the chances of finding that perfect dream mate may well rise to the region of anywhere between 1.61803 and 3.14159, so be prepared.

Teaching by example

Fri 26 Aug – Thurs 8 Sept
Sun in Virgo; Mercury in Leo (d); Venus in Virgo; Mars in cancer

If the previous few weeks have been feeling fairly festive, or at least more sociable than usual, then that has changed as Sun and Venus leave lively Leo for the humbler pastures of the blessed virgin. And with Mercury officially moving direct again, the time is right to clean up our acts, get our desks in order and set the records straight. The only real Spring fever may be the cleaning one, as opposed to the one of the birds and the bees, for purification to perfection is the order of the day now. This may well help our learners at their exams, but will it help our truant and tardy teachers this term? Let’s hope they are also able to harness the hardworking, conscientious and diligent mood available now. Human Sciences Research surveys have shown that in this country almost 20% of teachers are absent on Mondays and Fridays. Absentee rates increase to 33% at month-end; and that teachers in African schools teach an average of 3.5 hours a day compared with about 6.5 hours in former “white” schools. This amounts to a difference of three years of schooling. Forgive me if the Virgo theme inspires me to go into details here, for this is the time for analysis – without the anal, of course. Also let’s watch out for the fussy and critical attitude for that matter too. It’s just that with Sun and Venus in Virgo, accompanied by Mercury in Leo someone needs to take charge of the faulty situations all around us, become informed, and become an authority on your field without seeming rigid or dogmatic about it. For example in the teaching field, the secret to success in solving the crisis is the leadership role of principals, teachers and parents. If this sounds a bit like the recent gang-related riots in the UK by youths, then maybe it is. If the kids see the teachers taking so much time off work, what to speak of going on strike (thereby stealing another 5% of the allocated time from the curriculum) then obviously they will imitate that example. Why do you think China, Japan and Korea are growing so fast? One reason is because of the work ethic. When I was in Taipei I observed learners taking lessons up until 5pm daily, with everything from extra English (from pre-school already) to violin or piano. This is because the demand for university level qualifications is so high that without the diligent endeavour of a Virgocentric mindset, you simply get left behind, relying on your welfare state to bail you and your unwanted progeny out of the doldrums. Unwanted progeny being another symptom of poor education or lack of Virgocentric vision, dear Prudence. Now you know why we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. These are all issues which can be tackled under the current planetary transits. South Africa’s horoscope places her Sun in Taurus, and with Jupiter in Taurus throughout this year, this is the ideal time to address and rectify the failings of our education system before the costs accrued due to its neglect begin to drown all her inhabitants in their own ignorance.

London's burning

Fri 12 August – Thurs 25 August

Sun in Leo; Mercury in Leo R; Venus in Leo/Virgo 21^st, Mars in Cancer

London’s burning as Mercury retrogrades into Leo, joining ‘ol King Sol and Lady Venus there. Leo the lion is traditionally king of the jungle, able to bring out the generous, kind-hearted benefactor in us, the protector of the poor and benefactor of children, but at present the old king is dying. What was once – until recently - known as the most powerful nation in the world, with the biggest economy, is now revealed to be shackled to the biggest debt in the world, 50% of which is owed to the two other upcoming great nations of the East. No need to mention any names, but it looks like the emperors new clothes are been seen for what they are as the sinking ship, dragged ever further downward by the fourteen trillion dollar albatross around its neck creates a whirlpool that threatens every other nation on the globe with similar disaster. If you like your just desserts double-dipped then this is for you. Stock markets are already bailing ship, along with your pension money. With panic in the streets of London and Cairo and Lisbon and Athens and Tel Aviv and Jo’burg, the people are calling out for a leader to save the day. Where have those leaders with Leonine qualities gone? Even Obama, a Leo, who carries a picture of Hanuman in his top pocket, seems to lack the ability to avert his ship from the rocks. And Hanuman is a servant of that mightiest of Leaders, Lord Rama, who established Rama raja, ideal rule, where even the weather harmonized in reciprocation with the purity of consciousness of the ruler. It’s all very well calling for troops to hang the dj, but somebody has to play the tunes the rest of us want to dance to. So if you have been finding yourself in a quandary lately, as you lose faith, lose hope or lose money, no longer knowing in who do we trust, then remember that you are not alone, and at times like these it is not just death and taxes that are a certainty, but there is also cash in the hand and the holy names, as we are weaned off our addiction to the credit card and all other illusions thrown at us by maya and the banks. The longstanding square aspect between the outer generational planets of Uranus and Pluto is continuing to overshadow attempts to see the sunny side in all of this, despite the attempted boost one would normally expect from the current Leo triplicity of Sun, Mercury and Venus. When is becomes evident that the entire Arab revolution which began in Egypt in January was possibly started by outside forces (read Uncle Sam) to topple a regime that stood in their way (as with Iraq) and that that revolution is spreading like wildfire throughout the streets of the entire region, including Europe, then it’s time to go for gold – or silver – and to stand up and say we have had enough, for cometh the hour, cometh the person, and that person is you. We need to look within for our hero of the day, our saviour in the hour of need. No one out there is going to do it for you. It’s either that or be subjected to right wing extremist Sharia hand chopping, or Fascism. It was, after all, the Great depression of the 1920’s and 30’s that let to the rise of that other infamous leader, the one that galvanized Germany by burning his own houses of parliament and blaming it on external forces (read 9/11) so that he could create his own type of homeland security act which ended in World War 2.  

Leadership required, apply within

Fri 29 July – Thurs 11 Aug

Sun in Leo; Mercury in Virgo; Venus in Leo; Mars in Gemini/Cancer 3^rd

With Mercury in Virgo and Mars in Gemini , both signs ruled by Mercury, the mind will be the place to channel your drive and the mental capacities should be on top form. After all, it’s all in the mind. Just don’t get too mental about anything now either though, (with Mercury going retrograde on 2^nd August) for the tendency may be there to work the mind overtime, depending on your make of model of course. If you have a mind like a Mac then by all means, capitalize on the opportunity to get a lot of mental work done. But if you’re running on a little Toshiba, then be kind and power down occasionally. If that’s an effort, try Melatonin…works wonders. Just don’t take it before cycling home. You may find yourself dozing off at the handlebars.

By August 3^rd Mars will be in Cancer, a place he can struggle in, for unless you are planning to roll up your sleeves and work on that home renovation project, then all that libido in the home can sometimes lead to arguments amongst family members. In this water sign, the influence of Mars can express itself on an emotional level. Let’s hope the visceral influence of Mercury’s attempted transit through Virgo allows for time to think it through objectively as the adjectives fly. Don’t worry, the mood is not particularly physical or competitive as much as emotive. Little things may steal the view of the bigger picture. On the positive side a game of football with the family can be a healthy expression of the current Mars theme. Loyalties can be cultivated and strengthened now. Like those to the club, clan or cause. Or even your significant other. With Venus accompanying the Sun on their promenade through Leo, don’t be shy to get theatrical in your romantic overtures, even going down on one knee – if not two. Indeed if you qualify for Venus’ affection now, she is most definitely willing to shower her affections on you, being fiercely loyal herself to those she deems worthy.  If you can get your mind out of the way then this is a particularly romantic time, so watch those charmers and crooners steal the show, your heart or that kiss. With the present fun-loving mood, you may find the showman in you emerging so work on that stylish outfit but be willing to share the spotlight. This is an outgoing, generous and affectionate transit for Venus, especially when coupled by the Sun, so remember that sometimes the best gift you can offer is yourself at your best for the good of all concerned. Remember that you influence many others around you unknowingly simply by your actions and choices, what to speak of your thoughts, particularly if you’re in a place of leadership.  And real leadership is about being the person others will gladly and confidently follow, the person that brings out the best in others, that empowers others to be the best they can be. A badge or title is not enough to lead in the long term unless it is supported by a warm, person-centered heart, actual benefit to society and ultimately (if you want true loyalty) actual benefit to the individual follower herself. Ultimately a boss may inspire fear or fix blame for the breakdown, but it is the leader who inspires enthusiasm and who fixes the breakdown itself.

The heart of the matter

Fri 15 July – Thurs 28 July

Sun in Cancer/Leo 23^rd; Mercury in Leo; Venus in Cancer; Mars in Gemini

If you have not yet found yourself in tears recently, tears of sorrow at the hundreds of thousands of refugees in East Africa fleeing their worst drought in your lifetime (if you’re younger than sixty), while just up the road in this global village of ours Italy and the rest of the west throws away tons of excess food every day – excluding the mountains of cucumbers mistakenly identified as ecoli culprits – then the continued transit of Sun and Venus through Cancer may still soften your heart enough to awaken a sense of nurturing compassion for your fellow citizens. If East Africa is too far from your sphere of influence then just look in your own back yard and you will find the gaunt and emaciated descendants of the native races that our forefathers pillaged to colonized in the name of Calvinism, Catholicism or capitalism and which continues even today in the name of consumerism, where even we are the victims of a flawed system of global management, despite being in the top ten percent of the planet’s elite, which is what you are if you are reading this. With Mercury in Leo now, it is possible in the theatre of the mind to paint a picture in words like this and when the Sun joins Mercury there from the 23^rd the flair for the dramatic may find you expressing yourself with still more fire as you discover that all the world’s a stage – or a catwalk, depending on your proclivities. Leo, after all, is the biggest cat in town, so the mood may become authoritative, commanding, opinionated and if we’re not careful carried away by our sense of importance. Of course, if you’ve got it, flaunt it, for now is the time to strut your stuff. Charisma, strength of will and a flair for anything artistic - like blowing that trumpet - will abound, accompanied by a tendency to overlook details and a refusal to admit any mistakes, so be conscious in that regard now.

There are other reasons why you might find yourself in tears lately, like being moved by the beauty of a love song sung by a truly gifted creative artist , or any song played on the strings of your heart that touches a chord and resonates within you. Leo is a time for matters of the heart, whether bold, romantic or generous, so again, if you have it, share it, for their may be many who really need it – more than you need that latest model upgrade pushed on you by the consumerist pusher, getting you addicted to what J. Paul Getty (once the richest man in the world) described as his one word philosophy of life – more! There is of course something else that could be moving you to tears lately, tears of ecstasy in the fact that you’ve just found God where he always was, in the core of your heart, for the Supersoul or Paramatma is said to reside within all living entities, from the lamb being led to the slaughter to the lion willing to lay down with him, to the starving refugee, what to speak of you and me, and a self-realized soul cannot enjoy a hearty feast while so many still suffer starvation just down the road.

Back home back to Godhead

Fri 1 July – Thurs 14 July 2011

Sun in Cancer; Mercury in Cancer/Leo 2^nd; Venus in Gemini/Cancer 4^th; Mars in Gemini

During the Sun’s current transit of Cancer it is natural if you are feeling a bit crabby. Like the crab you may find yourself currently needing a thick outer shell behind which to hide your somewhat sensitized and vulnerable emotional nature. This is backed up even more when Venus joins Sun in Cancer on the 4^th of July (a day all green card holders will find their patriotic sides emerging). Feelings of insecurity may urge you to return to things from the past that brought you a sense of security and belonging. We all have a family of some sort or another, whether an actual mother and father from our childhood home, or a spiritual family with which we resonate, a belief system which brings us security in our existential need for meaning, or provides a glimpse of a hidden hand harmoniously controlling what may otherwise seem like a random swirling of chaos that makes up the universe, the milky way and our insignificant and fleeting place therein. There may even be great significance placed on the homeland, the motherland, the fatherland, like Zion, Mecca, Jerusalem or Vrindavan, where one may feel drawn metaphysically. We all want to go back home in one way or other and this may be an external reflection of an inner yearning which grips the spirit soul on her quest for a return to an original state of union with the source. Of course it may also just be the yearning of the individual for a return to that safe and subliminal space inside the womb. Whatever level you wish to see it on, the current Cancer theme is the time to get in touch with your roots, make yourself at home or get back to where you once belonged. On a purely mundane level this is also the time to focus on real estate, buying or selling your land or property. Besides that Venus in Cancer also has a tendency to leave the less emotionally robust of us feeling vulnerable, delicate or easily hurt, so take care you rough riders when in the company of the rest of us. Not everyone is as thick-skinned, and even if they are, now is possibly the time when they have their shells in for repairs or their armour at the blacksmith. Those with perpetually thin armour may find themelves eating more in order to nurture themselves or just pack on extra padding. Whatever it takes to increase the feeling of security. The secret now would be to provide extra displays of reassurance as far as emotional security is concerned, possibly even practical security, if you want to maintain your relationships or help them grow. Avoid any tendency to sulk or feel sorry for yourself while you enjoy the warmth of hearth and home. Ultimately only you can provide the sense of security needed to feel stable and at home in your body, in your relationship and on this planet. So welcome home, the power is in your hands and the dinner is in the oven.

Floods & the secrecy bill

Fri 17 June – Thurs 30 June

Sun in Gemini/ Cancer 21^st; Mercury in Cancer; Venus in Gemini; Mars in Taurus/Gemini 21^st

If the floods have left you reeling – and I don’t only mean the torrential rain-filled rivers that have been inundating the country from Mpumalanga in the north to Mossel Bay in the south, and the planet from Mississippi in the west to China in the east – I mean the flood of information that has been flowing while Sun and Mercury cruised through garrulous Gemini. You are forgiven if it has left you in two minds as to the truth and just what on earth is actually going on on this planet. I mean are they really about to pass the “Protection of Information Bill” aka the “Secrecy Bill”, which goes against South Africa’s constitution and threatens to undermine transparency by criminalizing whistle-blowers who try to expose corruption. Nobel prize winner and Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu, as well as the Nelson Mandela Foundation have called on their countrymen to stand up against it. The poor have a right to know where their millions went during the Arms Deal, bribes and all. I mean the bribes paid to President Zuma by Shaik Shabir which led to the most expensive corruption trial in post-apartheid South Africa and precipitated in the greatest split in the ruling ANC party for forty years.

With the Sun and Mercury now in Cancer the tendency to look to our roots emerges, the need to come to terms with our foundation, our home and hearth, our homeland, our heritage - from the ancestral surname we inherited from our father to the national culture we inherited from our forefathers, a culture currently in the hands of our leaders, the father figures who you would presume are doing their paternal and protective nurturing best to keep us safe as the dependents that we are, dependent on the system handed down to us. A system we hope to hand down to our children and grandchildren to keep them safe too. Does that include unusable, expensive weaponry bought through bribery and corruption by a self-interested ruling party despite rising unemployment, underemployment, poor housing and worse? Does that include lavatory-like football stadia painted a nice shade of elephant white while Fifa make their biggest profits in recorded history off a developing third world country? Does that include an Agenda 21 or so-called blueprint to advance sustainable development, while actually behind such trendy and PC buzzwords lies an agenda to implement centralized control over all human  life. After all, the term ‘sustainable development’ was first coined in 1987 by the vice-president of the world Socialist Party. Not that I have anything against socialism, or its implementation in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We can all see capitalism is currently buckling like a giant pyramid scheme with an over-inflated or puffed-up eye in the capstone, but when its global mission statement looks very much like something reflected in the old Soviet constitution, I begin to wonder… After all when a president like Clinton creates a “Council on Sustainable Development” by executive decree allowing the federal government to go about unopposed in tightening the noose on resources while at the same time Homeland Security laws allow them to lock anyone up who gets in their way without trial, then I begin to wonder just how much more I can say before I hear my own door being knocked down or that of any editor of similar such publications. America knew they were screwed when Clinton came between the Bush’s, and I know the smelly stuff has been flying for a while, but did somebody just turn up the fan speed?   

The compulsive communicators

Fri 3 June – Thurs 16 June

Sun in Gemini; Mercury in Gemini; Venus in Taurus/Gemini 9^th; Mars in Taurus; Jupiter in Aries/Taurus 4^th

With Mercury joining the Sun in his home sign of Gemini, and Venus arriving fashionably later on the 9^th, variety will definitely be the spice of life, so find ways to mix up that same old regular daily salad sandwich with a little flavourable side dressing, while finding alternative ways to get to the office, even if the office is upstairs in the same house as the bedroom and you have to swing a rope over the chimney or vault over the balcony railings. Somehow or other, change is in order so order some change from a different restaurant and keep the change while simultaneously tipping the waitron. Later on you can write a rap song, for the gift of the gab is yours under Gemini’s influence, and the species known as the compulsive communicator will show you just how inextinct he is, though indistinct he may seem to those who never cracked the cryptic clues on the crossword of life. (Here’s a clue – that species is you). Remember, you can fool some of the people some of the time, and this might just be the time, so be careful of any smooth or fast talkers who use their garrulous gifts to sell you a second hand bogroll or anything else you thought you had seen the last of. Also beware spreading yourself too thin, unless you’re on a diet, for the tendency to multitask or succumb to insatiable curiosity may draw you ever onward to the next tab or window of opportunity, when in fact a bird in the hand… Alright, maybe a bird in each hand, since you don’t want to miss a thing now. As long as your bird is not the jealous type, for your super-friendly sociability under Venus in Gemini may be misconstrued by the more single-minded as trying to have a finger in every pie, or be the Jack of all Jills. Fortunately you should be able to talk yourself out of any situation as easily as you talked yourself into it, so even if all you do to me is talk talk, a lot may be communicated, even if a lot is left unsaid. Indeed the Trickster may be alive and well and taking mischievous delight in talking slower minds into a tizz so use the moment to branch out and practice on any newcomers to your neighbourhood as your circle of friends opens up if you want it to now. This is a great time to make numerous initial contacts. Just don’t expect to make anything more than a superficial impression for now, and don’t expect to delve too deeply into any matters at hand. You may find the subject has changed by the second sentence already. 

Remember that Mars is still in Taurus so there will be more mental energy than physical energy available, although the pursuit of material security and creature comforts will still be able to help you discover those greater levels of endurance you never knew you had. This combination favours craftsmen who use their hands to carve out a quality product, whether the tool used is a pen, pin or chisel. And with Saturn in Libra now over his six month retrograde and Jupiter officially into his year of Taurus, accumulation of wealth and an appetite for quality may just see you discovering just what it is you truly value while beginning to see results from your Art.  

Riding the bull

Fri 20 May – Thurs 2 June 2011

Sun in Taurus/Gemini 21^st; Mercury in Taurus; Venus in Taurus; Mars in Taurus

Forgive me if I talk a lot of bull this edition, it’s just that if you’ve been observing the inner planets you will notice that they are fast following the Sun into the bullish earth sign of Taurus, like a gaggle of groupies after a blinged-out rapper. But just as they are within shouting distance, old King Sol swaggers out of Taurus and into Gemini, transforming his mood like the quick-change artist he is. And quick change is what the Gemini Sun can offer you this month. That’s if the Taurean triplets of Mercury, Venus and Mars will allow it, for in Aries they were forward-thinking and open to new adventures, but in earthy Taurus the tendency is leaning much more towards holding your ground with stubborn reserve and, at best, building up to a frantic plod with long-term results in mind. This will serve the backline defenders and goalkeeper very well, but it is the strikers like Lionel Messi – a Gemini Sun – who will also have the goal in mind and may be as nimble and dexterous and hard to pin down as ever. So what happens when you have the combination of a quick thinking Gemini Sun and a defensive, resistant and united Mercury, Venus and Mars? Well you get a winning team – if you can get them to all play ball. Certainly socializing, networking, exchanging ideas, trading and communicating are all strongly facilitated under Gemini, and with Venus in her own sign in Taurus now, the desires for good food, drink and other social lubricants will add flavour to your affairs. Expect the appetites for the luxuries and sensual pleasures to continue. Just be careful not to fall under the spell of that expensive new item while trading your wares at the market place. Unless you can afford it of course. The potential allure of the best that money can buy can still be tempered by Mercury in Taurus, also thinking methodically, rationally and, above all, practically. Tastes are opulent now so use the earthy and practical Mercury influence to think it through first before you end up with the morning after bringing you a serious headache, stomach ache, heartache or wallet ache. Once you’ve made up your mind though, it will be hard to change, which may actually be the necessary counter-balance to the Gemini flexibility currently blowing us all over the place and scattering our energies.

The triple Taurus trend is a good one for handling financial matters and managing your money so use this window of opportunity to set your records straight, visit your bank manager or buy yourself a piggybank. If the dual influence of Gemini leaves you in two minds about things then try diversifying your portfolio. Just beware being too obstinate to change your mind or differ from your initial decision in spite of more lucrative evidence to the contrary. It is common sense that leads to common dollars, and a wise man can take gold even from a filthy place.

Sai bye bye or Saionara Baba

Fri 6 May – Thurs 19 May

Sun in Taurus; Mercury in Aries/Taurus 16^th; Venus in Aries/Taurus 16^th; Mars in Aries/Taurus 11^th  

As the world mourns the departure of highly revered guru Sathya Sai Baba, let’s not forget the upcoming birthday on 10 May of that revered guru and eternally present Vishnu avatar- Gautama Buddha, aka Siddhartha. In Korea and possibly some other countries this is a public holiday, on par with Christmas or Easter. What is this holy of holy avatars doing by being born in the month of Taurus, traditionally known for its somewhat earthy and mundane affiliations? Well let’s not forget that Buddha was born a prince, like William (aka “Will-I-am”) who, when making his vow to Kate, said “I will”. Being a prince affords one all the mundane opulence one could imagine, as we saw during the recent wedding ceremony of Prince William, with all its pomp (from where we get the word “pompous”) and ceremony (from where we get the words “serious money”). Of course the story goes that by his Saturn return at the age of 29 the Buddha renounced his nobility and opulence and turned to a life of austere asceticism. William, on his Saturn return has opted for marriage, which tells you something about the Saturn return. It is the time in all our lives when we enter real adult maturity and our own chosen vocation or calling. Nevertheless the Buddha renounced the joys of a prince and accepted the austere path of a renunciate, while William renounced the joys of a bachelor and accepted the austere path of a husband. Jokes aside though, The Buddha tried the renounced path for a few years but only really came to be the Buddha (“enlightened one” or “awake one”) when he eventually renounced even the renounced order and chose the topmost path of “the middle way”. Here he taught a balance between austerity and opulence, along with the four noble truths as a path to Nirvana for anyone. And Nirvana is described as the perfect peace of a mind that's free from ignorance, greed, hatred and other afflictive states or "defilements". And if a prince can master detachment from greed then we definitely can too, so remember that when Mars enters Taurus on the 11^th and Mercury and Venus do the same on the 16^th. I mean if a holy man like Sai Baba can amass an empire worth $8 000 000 000, that’s eight billion dollars, and still stay saffron then either he had a few tricks up his sleeve, or the godman industry is simply the niche market worth investigating. And he’s not the only saffron-coated swami around today raking in the opulence while still remaining completely “detached” therefrom. Or so they say. Maybe this is the modern equivalent of the “middle way”. I can amass for myself a small fortune in mundane Taurean opulence and at the same time wear the robes of a renunciate. Adi Da did it. At least Osho never wore the saffron robes of a celibate himself, although he gave them to all his non-celibate disciples. Sorry you lost me there Osho. Nevertheless, what I’m getting at is that in this day and age of material facility, it is difficult even for the holy men to avoid the pitfalls of luxury, greed and the general weaknesses of the flesh – the traditional department of Taurus. And it is equally difficult for the sincere yet gullible seeker to be bewildered into following any charismatic godman in saffron with the odd trick up his sleeve or way with word-jugglery. Therefore even more the need to look back to he original holy men like the Buddha and remember what is meant by the middle way.

Some like it hot

Fri 22 April – Thurs 5 May

Sun in Taurus; Mercury in Aries (dir); Venus in Aries; Mars in Aries; Jupiter in Aries (conj Mars)

Joining Mercury, Mars and Jupiter in action-oriented Aries this edition is Venus, our goddess of love. That only leaves the Sun in Taurus to temper the current impulsive adventurous spirit. Let’s hope the Taurus influence will slow the otherwise furious pace available now. After all, Mercury is over his retrograde phase so it’s full speed ahead, which could lead to potential dangers, were it not for the slow, steady bull. The danger of all that Aries fire could spark off the furies, for Major-General Mars is at his strongest and most belligerent in his own sign, with loads of energy, initiative and courage urging for expression. Add to that an impulsive “shoot first” attitude and you have a recipe for anything that requires action, enthusiasm and drive, or worse. To compound that, Taurus will heighten the sensory and sensual urges – whatever can be relished via the five senses will demand priority attention. I just hope you like your curry hot, for chili is not a side order this week but a primary ingredient, as in red hot chili peppers on rice - or potatoes. Don’t waste your time thinking teamwork or compromise will come easily either, like a little yoghurt or banana to cool the tongue and lower the blood temperature to just below boiling point. No sir, you will just have to steel your gullet and pretend you are doing an impersonation of a volcano as you swallow those chilies whole, and then potentially find yourself barking orders like a sergeant major on parade ground. Of course if you are currently at war then the competitive urge will stand you in good stead, but if you’re just trying to decide the menu for the family dinner then I suggest you have a backup plan of “I’ll make my own then”. After all, not everyone can handle that much chili in their salad. And this is not just for the men; Venus, our archetypal epitome of femininity, is also in camo fatigues now so don’t expect too much self-control when it comes to satisfying the demands of the senses in that department either. The lack of patience means she won’t even want to waste time trimming of the outer leaves as she hastily gets her tongue into action and swallows that chili, seed and all. Needless to say, love at first sight comes quite naturally under these circumstances, so make sure you’re looking in the right direction. Just imagine all that above-mentioned Aries assertiveness in the romance department and it definitely won’t be enough for you to just lie back and think of England. And after all that chili I doubt if that will be possible anyway. So if it’s excitement you’re looking for in your love life then you won’t even need that chili sandwich for breakfast, because the extroverted, demonstrative and excitement-seeking qualities abound, regardless of your gender. More timid souls may want to carry a liter of yoghurt around with them in case things spice up a bit too much for their liking, and be sure to econdomise on the luxuries, for the senses really are easily aroused now, and may invariably have the staying power of a bull in a chili shop.      

Aries in all its glory

Fri 8 April – Thurs 21 April


Sun in Aries; Mercury in Aries retro; Venus in Pisces; Mars in Aries

The mighty, self-centred yang energy of Sun, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus all in Aries at present is counteracted only by Venus in self-sacrificing Pisces and Saturn in opposing you-centred Libra. When visionary poet and artist William Blake said “Those who restrain desire do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained” he was talking like a man under the influence of the Aries potencies upon us now. The drive to fulfill our personal ego desires is so strong now yet opposing this is Saturn in Libra obliging us to treat each other fairly and strive for balance and integrity. Also our ability to play by the rules in relationships will be tested. This is a time during which we explore our personal boundaries in partnership. Just how much a partnership limits us becomes glaringly apparent, in the usual ways but also in terms of our own fear of losing someone, or fear of rejection, and how that fear might limit our personal freedom. Fortunately Saturn moves slowly and will spend more than a year in Libra still, allowing us time to deal with and master these relationship challenges. However, it is the current fast-paced planets in Aries that bring out the personal ego desires which may create challenges to relationships with others. On the positive side though, there is courage and an adventurous spirit to go out and make new friends, so don’t be shy to make the first move.



South Africa’s President Zuma, with Sun in Aries, was well placed as leader of the military wing of the then terrorist ANC and here he is at the head of the ruling party today. However, his growing collection of wives suggests that fairness and equality in his partnerships is taking second place to the satisfaction of his personal ego desires. Of course his warrior Zulu nation sees nothing wrong in these actions, and his wives seem to tolerate him having extra-marital sex with HIV-positive young women, although I wonder how many other South Africans are embarrassed to have such a leader representing them on the world stage? The Aries Archetype makes natural leaders. However, a good leader is a servant of his subjects or followers and – more importantly – a role model, for as Bhagavad-gita says, “What great men do others will follow”. With Mercury still retrograde in Aries, we have the ideal time to rethink, reflect and review our leaders as well as research the options before re-electing when Mercury goes direct in the month ahead.



Generally the mind will continue to be rather excitable and want to express itself on impulse now, so be prepared for possible heated words and Trickster tactics. Right brain activity is favoured along with the inner subjective experience of things and ideas may get lost in translation, so if you can’t get your point across, try drawing a picture. Besides that, Venus in Pisces now may find us more sensitized to pictures, music and moods of others, hopefully inspiring compassion without making us feel overly vulnerable or dependent on the need to be loved and feeling at a loss without that. All this is possible so keep an eye on how many stray dogs you adopt and balance the simultaneous ego inflation possible under all the Aries influences by setting the trend and taking a leading role in being of service to those who are vulnerable or oppressed, whether by society and circumstance or by their own minds and bodies.

FRUITIVE REMIX
Due to his particular type of body, the materialistic living entity wanders from one planet to another. following fruitive activities. In this way, he involves himself in fruitive activities and enjoys the fruits incessantly. The living entity gets a suitable body with a material mind and senses, according to his fruitive activities. [Srimad Bhagavat Purana ]

I SING THE BODHI:
Oh my bodhi I dare not desert the likes of you in other men and women, nor the parts of you; I believe the likes of you are to stand with the likes of the soul, (and that they are the soul); I believe the likes of you shall stand... they are my poems. [Whalt Whitman remix]

Sri Sri Radha Capetownishvara

 "I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is adept in playing on His flute, with blooming eyes like lotus petals with head decked with peacock’s feather, with the figure of beauty tinged with the hue of blue clouds, and His unique loveliness charming millions of Cupids."


[Bramha Samhita] 

The Great Sankirtan in the sky

Hold onto your hats

Fri 25 March – Thurs 7 April


Sun in Aries; Mercury in Aries (retro 29th); Venus in Aqua/Pisces 27th; Mars in Pisces/Aries 2nd

Listen, let’s not beat about the bush here, Sun and Mercury in active Aries means it’s time to forge ahead along new paths, lead the charge and start the ball rolling in the direction of your choosing. Oops…hang on a moment, what about Mercury’s retrograde from March the 29th? Telling the ram to halt his charge is like trying to put a tsunami on pause. Someone is going to get very hot and frustrated and blow the lid to his reactor. Even more so from April 2nd, when Mars also enters his own sign of Aries. Talk about an impulsive urge to push forward without forethought. This is a great time for those who see or need to see life as a battlefield, (or more civilly as a cricket field). The mood is brave, bold and courageous though not always courteous. Since there is no use in trying to curb your enthusiasm, or your competitive drive at this time, the best one can do is redirect that explorative pioneering spirit from the world out there to the inner path of the self. Mercury retrograde in Aries is best used to look at yourself. Aries is, after all the “I am” archetype, where “me first” has its roots. Forge ahead by all means, explore new and uncharted territory, go where no man has gone before, but realize first that the most important direction, the largest expanse of the unknown waiting to be mapped, the newest and most exciting realm filled with unimagined treasures asking to be discovered, is within. Any new external projects started now under the influence of the retrograde may have to be redone or repeated in some way, but by turning the explorative, initiatory impulse inward on yourself, and making your Self the centre of attention in the spirit of Aries, you harness the current trend in a positive way that prevents butting your head against a brick wall or locking horns with others.



Your mental trigger finger is likely to be not only itchy now but also quick to draw conclusions and once out there the bullet of your thoughtless words said in the heat of the moment will be hard to retract and could lead to injuries you later regret. Therefore, with the competitive masculine libidinal energy of Mars in Aries at its strongest from April 2nd onwards, by all means strive forth with all the enthusiasm and impulsive courage available to you, but remember the retrograde Mercury pulling the thought processes inward and become a pioneer of consciousness. The world always needs more explorers bold enough to enter still further into the uncharted territory of the psyche and return with a map, samples of the potential treasure available and the audacity to say “I did it first, and where I am, you can also be”. The triple Aries influence facilitates going it alone as opposed to team efforts so give yourself the time and opportunity and harness the unrestricted drive available to you. “I did it my way” could be the theme song of the moment, and God help those who get in the way of this independent, headstrong, spontaneous and easily aroused mood. Patience, self-control and humility are the qualities you will be most challenged to cultivate during this fiery time. Fortunately we have been here before and previous spiritual warriors have put warning buoys and sirens to alert us. The alarm bells are ringing, it’s time for fight or flight and fortune favours the bald.

Equinox but twice a year

Fri 11 March – Thurs 24 March 2011

Sun in Pisces/Aries 21 Mar; Mercury in Aries; Venus in Aqua; Mars in Pisces
The difference between this and last fortnight’s Pisces influences is that, although Sun and Mars are still floating on those same Neptunian tides, led by an unseen call or uncharted star, Mercury - now at the helm in Aries – is feeling much more decisive and to the point, up for a challenge and inspired by the competition of an opposing idea or unexplored territory. This can be a tricky combination, for until the equinox around the 21st, the Pisces Sun and Mars may be irrational or impractical, while the fiery Mercury intellect just wants to act, unable to be calm and contented with things as they are. This is where “active foolishness” may be considered more dangerous than “lazy foolishness”. Unless your dreams, whims or inspirations are well thought out and grounded in facts and logic, you may find yourself rushing off all amped but in a totally wrong direction, or even worse impulsively and impatiently taking foolish risks that could result in dire straits instead of giving credence to your clearwater revival. If you are living under any illusions about yourself or your position in the scheme of things, your foolishness will be obvious when you open your mouth. Possible ego inflation may arise if you forget your true identity, or even worse, start verbalizing your illusions or getting angry with those who do not see you as you see yourself.

The problem is that Sun – for a while – and Mars throughout this fortnight are apt to be highly emotional and driven by irrational impulses and deep subjective feelings as opposed to common sense. At the same time Mercury in Aries creates a thought process that is driven to act first and verify the emotional motivations later. Physical energy may also not be as available as usual, while at the same time mental energy is bursting at the seams or chomping at the bit. The result may be a passive exterior hiding an inner turmoil; or a tired, sluggish energy level or libido unable to respond to a bored or adventurous mind. The ideal synthesis of these current themes may be to work privately on any new and original artistic creations or ideas, something you can call your own and have some ego-identification with which at the same time may be of service to those in need. Whether it’s a children’s educational storybook or creative project, or perhaps a guided meditation manual or song track, or a new yoga dance technique, be content to work behind the scenes on a project that allows you to express your creative or cosmic inspirations, while at the same time avoiding the pitfall of measuring your success by the external results or anything more than your own psychic state of consciousness at the conclusion. Any feeling of solitude can be counteracted by the potential friends Venus in Aquarius can bring you, as long as you avoid being emotionally dependent on them reciprocating any deeply romantic sentiments to feel whole or complete in yourself. If you have a particular mood of, or appreciation for, songs of separation then this is the time to discover the true meaning of the separation of the lover from her beloved.

Swimming through Pisces

Fri 25 Feb – Thurs 10 March
Sun in Pisces; Mercury in Pisces; Venus in Cap/Aqua 2nd ; Mars in Pisces; Jupiter in Aries
With Sun, Mercury and Mars huddled together in dreamy Pisces be prepared to find yourself tuning in to a subtler frequency than usual as logic and practical rational channels are supplanted by feelings and intuitions. Pay attention to your dreams or any funny sixth sense hunches you may be picking up from the department of the inner voice. This is one of the more sensitive times in the year, in more sense than one. Be sure not to let yourself be sweet-talked or swindled though, for things may not always be as they seem just now. There is the tendency to be caught with a soft heart as boundaries melt somewhat, great for the romantics who want to woo any prospective paramours, particularly with poetry or song, although Venus in Aquarius from the 2nd may be more conducive to making friends first. You may find yourself to be more compassionate than usual, even sentimental, certainly sympathetic toward those in need. This is certainly “adopt the helpless” month.

On the other hand if you are already one of the helpless who tends to be weak-willed or undisciplined when it comes to mind-altering substances or other escapist tendencies, then this is also a vulnerable time. Will power may be reduced, so make sure you have your life jacket firmly strapped on as the watery Pisces tides sweep you along in their currents. Also if you are by nature already feeling a bit emotionally vulnerable or distressed, then be careful of the whirlpools of melancholy or depression dotted about the stormy seas of life. There are always causes for distress all about us in the form of war, famine, disease or whatever, what to speak of our own personal lives, and at times like this one needs to stay sensitive but not be overwhelmed by that suffering. Rather let any such concern act as a catalyst for your compassion for those in distress, as you think globally and act locally, working in your sphere of influence while simultaneously broadening you sphere of concern.



The lowered boundaries may also find you feeling odd or unfamiliar emotions which you may actually be picking up from someone near to you. Ideally you may be able to pick up on higher inspirational frequencies as you benefit from meditation, prayer, solitary introspection or contemplation. Go on a retreat if you can, where you can absorb yourself in uplifting practices while sheltering yourself from the harsh mundane world for a while. If that is too esoteric for your set and setting then take shelter of the realm of the visual or musical arts, both favoured by the triple Pisces trend. Inspiration and imagination should be flowing and even role-playing and acting comes more naturally, anything to allow access to fantasy as opposed to reality. Of course one man’s reality is another man’s illusion and what is daytime for you may be night for those with seats in another part of the auditorium of life as we know it, or with another translation to the manual; and with feelings, sentiments and instincts so easily impressed upon now, the conclusion may end up being a trans-logical simultaneous amalgamation of both versions.