Midlife Transits

I’ll admit that I really haven’t known much about Glenn Beck. About 6 months ago, I was searching for something on Google and stumbled across what must have been his website. I thought I saw a factual error and fired off an email, not realizing he was a popular broadcaster. I found out later when he started getting a lot of media coverage by Time magazine and so on.

I started seeing snippets on TV of controversial statements he made & saw other coverage, but didn’t investigate too much. I’ve seen his latest book, too. The cover makes me vaguely uncomfortable because the uniform on it reminds me of Nazi brownshirts. Every time I see it out of the corner of my eye, I think “Why are Nazis being prominently featured in America’s fine retail establishments?”

Then today I saw a quote from what Mr. Beck is billing as The Plan. Here’s the quote:

“I have begun meeting with some of the best minds in the country that believe in limited government, maximum freedom and the values of our Founders. I am developing a 100 year plan. I know that the bipartisan corruption in Washington that has brought us to this brink and it will not be defeated easily. It will require unconventional thinking and a radical plan to restore our nation to the maximum freedoms we were supposed to have been protecting, using only the battlefield of ideas.

- All of the above will culminate in The Plan, a book that will provide specific policies, principles and, most importantly, action steps that each of us can take to play a role in this Refounding.”

And I thought–is he an Aquarian? Turns out, he is. February 10, 1964. The clue is this: “unconventional thinking and a radical plan to restore our nation to the maximum freedoms we were supposed to have been protecting, using only the battlefield of ideas.” You can’t get more Aquarian than unconventional thinking, radical plans, maximum freedoms, and the battlefield of ideas. The sign of Aquarius eats that stuff up.

Turns out he’s practically the astrological twin of another popular pillar of post-Bush conservatism, Sarah Palin. They’ve both got Mars conjunct sun, at least three planets in Aquarius, and natal Neptune squaring the Sun, Mars, Saturn triple conjunction.

Aquarius is billed as a ‘progressive’ sign, but the Aquarian interpretation of progressive is rather idiosyncratic. Lincoln was an Aquarius; FDR was one, and Reagan was one. Quite different approaches to government. The highest-ranking Aquarian politician of late has been Dick Cheney, and he’s not high on the progressive’s most admired list.

So, a few words about the Aquarian approach (although Cheney is something of an outlier in the Aquarian pantheon). It tends to be populist and popular, bold, divisive, stubborn, and counter-intuitive. Aquarius has a bit of a superiority complex, and with it an often successful habit of playing dumb. They play the ‘just folks’ card quite often; perhaps it is true, perhaps not.They tend to be good communicators, although in an unconventional way.

Beck and Palin are Aquarians that share a feisty thirst for combat, due to the Mars conjuction. Both are hemmed in by a strict and conservative Saturn. Both, due to Neptune transits, have been perhaps a bit insane of late, quite lucratively so in both cases.

Both have had a nice long bout of Jupiter in their sign this year (economic success) squaring Neptune in Scorpio (conspiracy theories and irrational fears). Both perhaps have a tendency to delude themselves (Neptune square sun in the birth chart, also shared by our current President) as well as considerable charisma. Both also have Jupiter in Aries, which contributes to a philosophy of self-reliance and aggression.

Neptune has been melting the Sun, Mars and Saturn placements of Beck and Palin over the past couple of years. In combination with Jupiter in Aquarius this year, there’s been perhaps a bit of grandiosity and over-estimation of self, although it probably seems quite justified to both of them given their rapid rises to center stage. Until Neptune leaves their Aquarius conjunctions, both will likely have a somewhat distorted view of the world and themselves, perhaps coupled with strong idealism.

The thing that’s interesting to me about Beck is how overtly Aquarian he is in his idea for The Plan. Although Beck is seemingly a free-market type (bills himself as a libertarian), Aquarius is actually the sign of the collective, of socialism and communism, of an ideal of rational planning combined with The Support Of The Masses. Only an Aquarian would have the chutzpah to come up with a 100 year plan.

Most people are lucky if they can keep their plans on track for a week, let alone 100 years. Only an Aquarius would even think it’s a good idea to come up with such a plan on the belief that things wouldn’t change so much in a hundred years that all your former assumptions wouldn’t be outdated. Aquarius can be a very fixed sign, unwilling to admit the possibility that it would have to change. Even though individual Aquarians, like Beck and Palin and even Reagan, FDR and Lincoln, can change key details of their strategies in the blink of an eye.

A 100 year plan is the kind of idea that a socialist or old-style Marxist would eat right up. The masses will shake off the shackles of tyranny vested in The Powers That Be. They will not be held down by the economic elites but will take their rightful place through enlightenment and collective action. And an Aquarian will tell them how to do it–according to the Master Plan. Everything will be reformed and renewed and we’ll just all start over with a fresh slate and the errors of the past will gradually wither away. Everyone will be free once the nasty current structures are abolished.

In some ways, it’s a powerful and touching vision. It never works, though. Neptune, with its promise of Nirvana once restrictions are melted away, is a notorious liar. Things don’t go according to plan; the masses are fickle and contrary, and most of them are actually much more interested in the nuts and bolts of a semi-decent life than the battlefield of ideas.

I can’t blame Beck for succumbing to Neptune’s lure, though, and his ideas may prove influential. We’ll find out the real consequences of them when Pluto enters Aquarius in about 16 years, but til then, I admire the guy’s willingness to dream, if not his grounding in reality.

This is the time of year when planets in your own sign clash with Uranus in Pisces in the sector of your chart that deals with home and family relationships. The week of the 13th is the trickiest. Decide to do what you like for your own enjoyment even if other people don’t like it. On the upside, clashes with Uranus can actually increase inspiration and creative solutions to life’s problems.

This is also the time of year when planets in your own sign make nice angles with Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius.  The week of the 13th and the week of Christmas are particularly nice for this. More potential inspiration and creativity. Chiron gets in on the act too, during the aspect-packed week of the 13th, teaming up with your ruler Jupiter. Jupiter will take the hits so you don’t have to. Your birthday new moon also falls that week, on the 16th. Make a wish!

The week of Christmas also sees some difficult meet-ups between the sun in Capricorn and Pluto and Saturn in Libra. The holiday week could be labor intensive, or you could be concerned about finances. And end of year eclipse in your marital finances sector may make hashing out differences challenging but important.

As for your year ahead, 2010 will not be a typical year because so many placements are moving into new signs and then retrograding back into previous ones. People born at the beginning or end of your sign will feel the most effects. Chiron will confuse some of you with a move into Pisces, bringing a fresh attempt at healing family wounds.

Uranus, on the other hand, will delight some of you when it briefly leaves Pisces for Aries. This should make cantankerous family members easier to deal with and may bring good or exciting news about one or more of your children. Problems with your house may also briefly disappear.

Saturn will move back into your career and reputation sector for about 4 months in the spring and summer, which ain’t great. But then it will leave that area of your life alone for close to three decades. And that is great.

Jupiter will move into Pisces and then Aries. If you haven’t moved in the past 7 years, 2010 may be the year when you actually do it, as aspects are good for buying or selling a home. Jupiter in Aries just adds to the good fortune surrounding your children (or, if you are single, your love life). Quite the mixed bag!

This is typically a good time of year for Aries. Good friends, a generous spirit all around, gifts and celebrations–what’s not to like? This year, however, for better or worse, career concerns may come calling, thanks to Pluto in Capricorn and the early entry of Mercury into that sign. You gotta get a firm grip on that aspect of your life and make sure all the basics are covered, no matter how sociable you may otherwise be feeling. To put it another way, both aspects of your life–personal and professional–are equally important and need to be balanced this month.

First, get your gifts and holiday planning organized and out of the way so that you will not be stressed when the aspects start piling up from the week of the 13th. Get your holiday cards done as early in the month as possible (by the end of the 1st week). The 16th sees the new moon in Sagittarius, which helps to symbolize the potential for goodness in mankind. Enjoy the optimism.

Then figure on putting yourself forward and speaking up for yourself once the sun enters Capricorn and your career sector on the 21st. Finally, a lunar eclipse at the end of the month is part of an ongoing cycle intended to help bring you good conditions in your home or domestic life. It may not appear that way at first, but that’s what the cycle is supposed to help you do.

This December sees a nice round of compatible earth energy for your sign to revel in. Taureans born at the beginning of the sign should feel especially inspired. Take the time to call loved ones who may be far away this year. As with every year, this is a time to celebrate enduring ties.

You still have some almost magical career energy in your chart, too. The aspects are pretty good all the way up to Christmas. Make a wish if your dreams in this area of life haven’t come true yet. But don’t just wish, get out there and attend those industry events or holiday parties; you need to be seen to get the best results. Of course, take care not to do anything too embarrassing or drunken at those events!

This is also a time when many people travel. If you will be traveling, do exercise due caution. Clashing aspects between Uranus in Pisces and planets in the traveling sign of Sagittarius could cause minor hassles.

For some people, December is a predictably stressful time of year. If you typically get overloaded, you might want to force yourself to meditate or otherwise slow yourself down and step back from the hustle bustle. A lot of excellent aspects in the detached sign of Aquarius will support you if you do so, and the exercise could be marvelously healing.

This is also the time of year when the sun is in the sign opposite yours. This indicates you see the best of people and you see the worst of them this month. A little marital tension is par for the course. Once the sun enters Capricorn on the 21st, you have permission to stay home and decompress for the rest of the month.

You may also want to make a note to sneak away and spend some time on your own on the 2nd, when there’s a full moon in your sign. Get yourself an early holiday gift, and just take a bit of time to check in with yourself.The new moon that symbolizes getting gifts for others takes place on the 16th; useful especially if you are not buying the same old gifts everyone else is getting but are choosing more unusual or hand-picked gifts.

Finally, there’s yet another lunar event this month. A full moon eclipse in Cancer takes place at the very end of the month. This sign has to do with your values, your tastes, and your income. Some will not be affected, but some will come to a realization regarding these matters or get some surprising news.

Every year, the job sector in the Cancer solar chart heats up around Thanksgiving and stays hot until just before Christmas. Maybe you have a job where the holiday season is especially important. Regardless of what industry you work in or what kind of occupational hat you wear, this year is no exception to the busy-on-the-job trend, although I will admit that this year we’re not looking at the best economy we’ve ever had. Still, your job related new moon occurs on the 16th of December, a perfect time to turn over a new leaf in that area. If that doesn’t sound appealing, you could turn over a new leaf in the area of your health and fitness routines.

At the 21st of the December, the focus traditionally shifts to your relationship sector. This is an intense sector of your chart these days (and for many days to come) because Pluto is traveling through it with the intent of gradually transforming your relations with others.

Another annual tradition, your ‘I need a day of rest’ full moon, occurs on the 2nd of December this year. Behave accordingly.

Last but not least, there’s a full moon eclipse in your sign at the very end of December. Since not all eclipses affect all individuals, it is possible nothing will happen. If something does happen, it will affect you directly and will help you define yourself. Greater self-definition often comes from dropping something unnecessary from your life, so that may happen. People are not always pleased to let something go, but what goes at this time was not part of your true essence and has likely been getting in your way.

This is traditionally one of your most enthusiastic months of the year, thanks to energy in compatible Sagittarius. This December, there’s a bit more energy than normal in Capricorn, which represents your job sector, so there may be a bit less enthusiasm and a bit more work to be done. The month also starts off with a full moon in your friendship sector (on the 2nd), which could bring an ending to a matter regarding a friend.

On the other hand, the annual new moon in Sagittarius takes place on December 16. This is the kind of new moon that could get you enthusiastic again. It’s good for taking up the study of something you find interesting (doubly so with Saturn in your 3rd house), taking up a hobby, starting a project with your kids, engaging in a creative project, or even traveling.

There’s also a lunar eclipse at the end of the month. This could signal a few different things. One would be a need to get off by yourself or with a few friends to go visit nature or otherwise refresh yourself by going on a little retreat. A lot of problems melt away when we take the time to engage our spirits instead of our minds.

Other possibilities include not noticing a dang thing or getting wind of something that relates to your occupation. This is part of a series of eclipses that has to do with your work, and changes may be in store in that area of your life relatively soon.

The month starts off with a full moon in Gemini in your career sector. Sometimes a full moon signifies a low point in the cycle with regard to the affairs of that house, especially if you work in a Gemini-related field such as writing, office work, and the like. You may lose or complete a project, or just feel low energy in your career.Try not to make careless errors, and shrug off temporary annoyances.

The 16th sees the annual new moon in your home and family sector. Usually, there’s ton of energy in this area of your life in December. This year, a bit less so. For one thing, Pluto is gone from this area (yay!) and for another, Mercury spends almost the entire month in Capricorn instead of Sag. You may actually get a break this year and find the holiday season to be more refreshing than usual–or you may miss the usual hubbub at your house.

The end of the month sees a rare lunar eclipse in Cancer. The most straightforward meaning of this would be that you would have to give up something in your perpetually overcharged schedule. A friendship, a bit of your social life, a community involvement. Something’s got to be purged, so purge it and empty your calendar a bit.

December is Sagittarius month and typically reflects the Libra philosophy that more is more. If this works for you, go for it. If frenetic busyness is impractical or just not worth it, consider scaling things back a bit. It’s really your choice.

This year, you have more home-related vibes than has been typical in previous years, so if the weather outside is frightful and the fire inside delightful, well make the delightful choice. On the other hand, if you just live for the sociability of this time of year, you have plenty of astrological support for gathering the neighbors together and forcing them to sing Christmas carols with you up and down the block. Or you could combine the influences and invite them all over to your home to sing in front of that delightful fire of yours.

Now I have to mention the lunar eclipse in Cancer at the end of December. This is a career-related eclipse. Lunar eclipses can be fortunate if you want to get rid of something. If you’ve got a professional project or obligation you’d just love to ditch–this is the time to float the idea. Others may be receptive. If you’re too chicken to mention this, they might pick up on it anyway and try to take the burden off your shoulders. If such an offer does come your way, mull over the potential benefits.

December is eclipse month. A lunar eclipse in Cancer occurs at the very end of the month. Because eclipses can be felt over a wide range of times, you may notice something at the beginning of the month, at the end of the month or in late January. In a general sense, this eclipse is about giving up false beliefs, false hopes, false plans–letting go of something you think, rather than something you have or someone you know.

This is also money month for you thanks to Venus in Sagittarius and a new moon in that sign on December 16. Expect calls from people with income opportunities. If no one calls you, make some calls yourself.

This month has a lot of Capricorn energy, too. Mercury will be in this sign from the 5th, and it will go retrograde right after Christmas. Capricorn is the sign of shoulds, ought tos, must dos, and so on. It represents your solar 3rd house of words, and it is big on integrity. If you make a promise this month, you must keep it.  In fact, a big area of growth for all Scorpios is learning the power of keeping your word. That’s why it’s important to let go of plans you can’t or aren’t willing to follow through on.

Career continues to be important, with Mars in Leo stuck at 19 degrees for much of the month. If you were born in the middle of November, you are being challenged to do your best work.

The month starts out with sun, Mercury, and Venus in philosophical and optimistic Sagittarius. This could have the effect of making you feel both philosophical and optimistic. Sagittarius is also the sign in your solar chart that indicates the need to rest and withdraw a bit before your birthday. Thus, you may want to take a day off to spend at home catching up with stuff or you may want to remind yourself not to push yourself too hard right now (especially if you’re dealing with nasty December weather!).

The planets in Sagittarius clash a bit with Uranus in Pisces in your more sociable and active solar 3rd house. The week of the 13th sees your chart trying to balance the need to go out and get stuff done with the desire to stay home and take it easy. The tempers of people around you may be a bit frayed that week, or you may feel yourself becoming a bit snappy. The feeling will pass.

Adding to the mix is Mercury in your own sign from the 5th of December on. Mercury in your sign generally indicates a lot of phone calls, errands, and minor tasks to keep you busy. Enjoy the attention you get this month, but avoid overcommitting yourself.

Finally, at the end of the month, there’s a lunar eclipse in Cancer. If this eclipse affects you, it will most likely affect a key relationship. Something may need to be changed, adjusted, or flat-out eliminated for your maximum happiness. Eclipses don’t always seem like they’re going to make you happy when they occur, but their long-term effect is to keep you from going down a path that wouldn’t suit you in the long run.

Mercury spends most of December in practical Capricorn (from the 5th on). This gives you a chance to test your theories and plans to see how they work in real life. Note especially any challenges that come the week of the 6th; they could give you valuable information for the future.

Meanwhile, Venus spends most of the month in Sagittarius (until Christmas). This gives you a great opportunity to see old friends, contact people near and far, and generally renew your connections with your favorite folks. This influence also inclines you to be generous with your gifts to others. The week of the 13th could see you experiencing some conflict between generous impulses and your unstable financial situation. Try balancing the two energies by giving inexpensive gifts or giving something hand-crafted that reflects your spirit.

After Christmas, you’ll need to get away by yourself for awhile. Getting outside if possible and enjoying nature (rugged, wintery nature if you live in the Northern Hemisphere) could refresh both body and soul.

At the very end of the month, there’s a lunar eclipse in the sign of Cancer. This sign represents your solar house of employment and health. If you’ve been struggling with a health problem, now’s the time when you may finally hit upon a reasonable solution to it. If you’ve been looking for a job, you may find one. If you’re in a job that’s ill-suited to you, it may come to an end.

December is the happy time of year for the Pisces career. If you’re going to get good news, this would be the month you would get it. Try not to take too much time off before Christmas, except maybe a day during the first week. Do, however, accept all opportunities to socialize with the boss or with important colleagues.

You’ll need to work for your career rewards, no doubt about that, as go-go Mars is still burrowed into the part of your chart that deals with your job. And Mars in Leo does require that you be very organized in your work. It’s just that Venus in Sagittarius can help you really stand out from the crowd. The week of the 13th is most fortuitous for this; after that, things may decelerate a bit.

After Christmas, Venus moves into your sociable 11th house, essentially making yours the popular sign. Expect calls from friends or make them yourself; this is not the time to hang out by yourself.

At the very end of December, there’s a lunar eclipse in your solar 5th house. Lunar eclipses, when they affect a person, usually require the person to let go of something they have–a relationship, a project, a hobby or activity that drains energy. Not always easy to do, but beneficial in the long run.

What can we expect and prepare for in the 2010s?

Here are some of the themes I think we’ll be confronting:

Bad: A sustained economic downturn that doesn’t really bottom out until 2012-2015. Things not really picking up economically on a world scale until 2015 or 2016. There has already been a significant loss of worldwide wealth and it may not be over yet, nor even for a long time.

Good: Infrastructure rebuilding. During the long transit of Pluto through Capricorn (until 2024), we will probably see an effort by nations to regenerate their core infrastructures, including traffic and power systems, etc. Long overdue and sorely needed.

Good: Scientific breakthroughs in alternative energy and other disciplines. Uranus in Aries is traditionally quite good for science. New and world-changing ideas will ultimately emerge.

Maybe Good, Maybe Not: War. War somewhere is a safe bet in any era, but I’m talking about dealing with the roots, the reasons nations declare war in the first place. We can sort of see this in the delay in Obama’s decision regarding next steps in Afghanistan. Saturn in Libra square Pluto creates a sort of compulsion to examine ‘why’ – ‘why are we doing this?’

Maybe Good, Maybe Not: Decreased immigration and global travel. Rates of travel exploded during the Pluto in Sagittarius era. In the US, rates of immigration exploded too. Both will level off, now that the long Sagittarius era is over. The move toward a focus on ‘local’ sources of goods and services will probably increase.

Probably Not Good In The Short Run: Clashes between prudent and cautious governments and impulsive or freedom-seeking individuals and groups. Pluto in Capricorn makes governments want to be security-conscious and cautious. Uranus in Aries makes individuals and groups want more freedoms or to engage in spontaneous demonstrations. This may be helpful in the long run, but often leads to tighter government clampdowns in the short run.

Not Good: More invasive, intrusive, and repressive governments around the world. This combination of Pluto and Capricorn is as potentially pernicious as the combination of Pluto and Cancer was.

Not Good: Potential resource shortages. Pluto in the restricting sign of Capricorn signals the opposite of abundance. Making do with less may become the new norm.

Probably Good: More investigations of the military. In the wake of the Ft. Hood shootings, there are calls for investigations already. The clash between Pluto (likes to get to the truth of things) and Saturn in Libra (one symbol for the military) will create an urge to re-think how the military approaches a number of things.

Partly Good, Partly Not: More rules and regulations. First up for examination is the financial system that caused the crash of ’08. Probably won’t be the only sector of the economy and society to be put under the microscope, though.

Potentially Good: More determined and forceful efforts toward peace. The upcoming clash between cardinal signs is quite warlike, but during times of planetary clash, greater efforts toward peace are often made. On the other hand, peace can come at quite a price, as Neville Chamberlain can tell you. There may be quite fierce animosity between those who would pursue a policy of something like appeasement and those who favor all out war.

Disruptive: Internal clashes within societies between rationality and emotionality, systems vs. individuals, conformity vs. rebellion or individuality. Expressions of open hostility and even hatred will likely increase. The current lack of civility in discussion will probably only get worse. Tension between governments and their own peoples, as was common during the 1960s as well as the 1930s.

Nerve-Wracking: Very tense foreign relations among nations. Saturn brings to light problems between nations that have been being papered over.

Impressive If It Happens: Major agreements and initiatives. When a cardinal T-square breaks up, a sudden release of energy often leads to significant initiatives and changes. Since this T-square looks to me like it pits countries against one another, it may be followed by impressive and far-reaching treaties or a real agreement to deal with global climate change and other international issues.

Unpredictable Effects: Major Changes in Business and Corporations. Global business has been evolving for a long time; the changes during the next 16 years may be the most extensive ever. Permanent changes in how people work. Cost-consciousness, cost-cutting, efficiency, even ruthless efficiency will probably rule the day. Possibly the Wal-Mart-ization of business and the workforce.

Mixed: Changing values. Virtues like competence, thrift, responsibility, and hard work will become the new black. This is already beginning to happen. Pragmatism will gain traction over ideology. Integrity and reputation will become even more important. Individual households will probably engage in sustained cost-cutting, and a lot of things once considered necessities will become luxuries.

Mixed: Changing demographics. Aging populations in the developed world due to increases in lifespan will probably create new opportunities for developing nations with younger populations. Issues relating to the elderly will become more and more prominent.

Mixed: High-rises and urban density. Cities will become more and more important as rural areas are abandoned and high-density housing gains precedence over suburban sprawl.

Most of these things are continuations of existing trends, which is generally how history works. Things that have been slowly gathering steam under the surface become more and more prominent. Of course, some of these things happen to some extent during any era; it is just likely that some of them will become more noticeable in the years ahead.