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Welcome to 2012. It sure feels like “full steam ahead” in my neck of the woods. If you’re feeling a forward whoosh of energy, you’re right on track, as we speed towards the earth trine of Mars in Virgo to the Sun in Capricorn on January 12. We’re just coming out of a Jupiter retrograde cycle (which ended in December 2011), in which you likely did some re-visioning of your big picture plans. You might be itching to put some of those plans into action. If there are projects that have been waiting in the wings, now is a great time to get them moving. The first part of this month is great for spending a little more time working, and less time playing. Take care of the details, get the structure in order, establish the foundation. Because just a couple of weeks later, it’s going to be time to put the brakes on.
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The year is coming to a close. I love this time of year, as it affords the opportunity to look back on a mini segment of life and reflect on the choices I've made, the experiences I've had and the things I've learned. It's also a time when I take that information and use it to formulate a revised game plan for the next cycle. And every year at this time I join a group of friends on the Winter Solstice, and we share those intentions, stating them out loud, solidifying the energy firmly within ourselves and with others as witness. If you've never experienced a Winter Solstice ceremony, why not make one up yourself this year, even if you do the solitary version. Light a candle, make a list, and speak your heart. Begin to let 2011 fade into memory and prepare to bring in the next year with even more wisdom, love, and wonder than you've ever had before.
I ate a jellyfish. I did it in order to redeem the dignity I had lost when I could not bring myself to eat a frog. Many of you have probably guessed already that I am talking about my recent trip to China. Mars was transiting over my 9th House Pluto when I left, so I was a little nervous about the trip. Also a very skilled Vedic astrologer had warned me of various dangers during that same period. I try not to be astro-paranoid, but I admit I was edgy. All in all, it felt like a dumb move to go to China under those kinds of astrological energies.
I've been thinking about the increase in revolutionary activity and social tension in the world, which as we know exists in resonance with the current planetary alignments. And I’m feeling excited about what this means for astrologers because it just might be that people are perfectly primed to take in what we have to say.
Take some time to enjoy Steven's thoughts in this newsletter, and then talk about these ideas with friends. People know something is happening - they can feel it in their bones. This is a perfect time to share with them what you know astrology can do. There is relevance in the heavens right now that’s truly hard to ignore when you understand how to interpret the planetary archetypes.
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I have found Placidus house cusps to work consistently the best for me. I am not rigid about it except with my students — astrologers should celebrate diversity, I think! But I would always use Placidus, and just trust the message of the symbols from that point of view. For House positions I also allow …
