Sun into Capricorn 2011: Collisions, Decisions & Visions

When the Sun enters conservative Capricorn on December 21st at 9:30 P.M. PST it will usher in the cycle that will bring us into auspicious 2012.  Much of the astrological world is already abuzz about two of 2012’s biggest events, the exact Uranus Pluto squares taking place on June 24 and September 15th.  These are the first in a series of seven occurring until March of 2015, and their influence is widely anticipated to be a major source of the great societal, cultural and institutional transformation ahead.  While those seismic events are building on the cosmic horizon, the immediate Capricorn solar journey before us will give us a sense of their essence. It will also offer some creative strategies for staying on track during changing times. In part that is because Pluto is already transiting sober, pragmatic and dedicated Capricorn, and on January 7th Mercury will enter this Cardinal earth sign.  The full moon of January 8th in Cancer will contribute to the Cardinal crossfire.  It will also nurture empathy, trust and security.  In addition to the squares they form with Uranus in Aries and Saturn in Libra, the planets in Capricorn will form supportive earth trines with Mars in Virgo and Jupiter in Taurus.  This cycle will also host innovative air sign trines, mainly courtesy of a Venus transit through inventive Aquarius.  In short, momentous 2012 is dawning under a Capricorn sky that will bring issues to the fore as quickly as it serves up ground-breaking solutions. The art of working toward the realization of our dreams while sea-change abounds is the gift of austere, determined Capricorn, and the cycle ahead will offer many occasions to master it.

Shortly after the Sun enters conventional Capricorn, it will collide with Uranus in spirited, independent Aries in the form of a square.  The disruption unleashed by squares presents opportunities to address nagging issues and to release ourselves completely from unsustainable situations. Venus, newly arrived in original Aquarius, will offer some objective insight and ingenious ideas, and benevolent, expansive Jupiter will form a supportive trine to the Sun. In astrology planets travel from zero to twenty-nine degrees through each of the zodiac’s twelve signs.  Zero represents a starting point is associated with moments of infinite possibility. At the start of this Capricorn cycle Uranus and Jupiter will be at zero degrees, and the faster moving Sun and Venus will move from zero forward. This signals a time to find new ways at looking at old problems or the right time to make a fresh start by clearing the slate altogether.

   The initiating energies are bolstered on the 24th under a new Capricorn moon, and on the 25th another force of renewal is activated when Jupiter turns direct. The plentiful planet has been retrograde since August 30th. In constructive earth sign Taurus, its forward motion will breathe life back into shelved projects and give weighty momentum to new endeavors. By the 29th the Sun will be conjunct (exactly aligned with) Pluto at seven degrees. Capricorn’s long-range perspective fueling the Sun and Pluto makes this a stellar time to work on big-picture ventures. To only think about New Year’s resolutions under these influences is to be shortsighted. This is Capricorn’s most industrious power and it can sustain the enterprises to which it is applied for years to come. Marking the days from December 22nd through New Year’s Day with the phrase “Life Vision” and spending some quality time contemplating its meaning wouldn’t be a bad idea. To underscore the point, a motivational Aries moon arrives on December 31st, kicks off 2012 under its bold, brave influence and stays through January 2nd. Happy New Year!

The Cancer Full Moon of January 8th creates a Grand Cardinal Square involving six of astrology’s ten planets. Mercury, Pluto and the Sun will be roughly 90 degrees away from Uranus in Aries which will be about 90 degrees away from the moon in Cancer. It will in turn be 90 around degrees from Saturn in Libra which will be approximately 90 degrees away from the planets in Cap. Of course oppositions are formed along the Cancer Capricorn axis as well as the Aries Libra line. Symbolized by the mountain goat, ambitious, resourceful Capricorn sets its goal and takes one deliberate step after the next to attain it. Dutiful, responsible and relentless, its standards are high and uncompromising. The confrontational aspects occurring while this moon reaches its zenith, under a complete Grand Cardinal Cross, suggest the unmasking of those unprepared to walk this exacting walk. After all, Pluto is a major part of the eventful equation. Cancer’s mission is to provide protection and safety and to foster emotional security, Uranus in Aries signals an awakening and Saturn in Libra champions fairness. As the cosmic waves crash over the weekend of January 7th, the true architects and custodians of the New Age will emerge as those committed to dispelling fear and competition with stability and trust.

Beaming brightly throughout this cycle will be a nearly exact trine between powerhouse planets Saturn in fair-minded, harmonious Libra and Neptune in progressive Aquarius. Also traveling through broad-minded, humanitarian Aquarius will be loving Venus. Aquarian airwaves of brilliance, originality and mental electricity in her care will be especially clear on January 13th when she trines Saturn and conjuncts Neptune. This air-sign trio will ring the bells of freedom and justice from higher octaves throughout the Capricorn cycle. If we tune in, we’ll be able to view all arising challenges from a wiser and wider perspective. As the Capricorn season closes, Venus moves on to holistic Pisces. This too is a harbinger of an important aspect that will be in effect far beyond 2012, Neptune’s transit through Pisces. Pisces is dedicated to unity and integration and Neptune offers a pathway into our innate creativity. Neptune will reach its watery home on February 3rd where it will remain until 2025. Artistic Venus will lead the way, showing us how to begin tapping into these vast and visionary reserves now.

Sun into Sagittarius 2011: New Balance

The Sun’s entrance into spirited, optimistic Sagittarius usually signals a welcomed atmospheric shift from Scorpio’s dark, plutonian intensity to the bright, buoyant lift of astrology’s Archer. At 8:08 A.M. PST on November 22nd the Sun will move into Jupiter-ruled, affable Sag, but don’t expect the transformational energies to subside just yet. Sagittarius is one of the zodiac’s four mutable signs. These signs end their respective seasons and represent culmination and closure. In 2011, the completion theme will be amplified by aggressive Mars traveling through mutable Virgo. His assertive force will clash with Solar and Lunar eclipses in Sagittarius and (mutable) Gemini, as well as the moon’s Nodes which are presently on the Gemini Sagittarius axis. Simultaneously, vivacious Venus will make her way through materialistic Capricorn where she will fortify a Grand earth trine and activate those initiating cardinal signs. Throw in a Mercury retrograde in fiery Sag, which will also be at odds with feisty Mars, and destructive and regenerative Scorpio would feel right at home. But the zodiac stipulates that we emerge from the Underworld into enthusiastic Sag’s imaginative realms and embrace the happy changes Zeus’s favorites are intent on ushering in.

To that end, the action gets underway right at the start of this cycle. Mercury turns retrograde late on November 23rd, November 24th sees a new Sagittarius moon and Solar eclipse, and Venus enters Capricorn on November 26th, where she immediately squares erratic Uranus in provocative Aries. Clearly the Cosmos is committed to shaking things up and unearthing the obstacles and impediments to progress in our lives. If resistance is futile, then rigidity is insane. Flexible, friendly Sag instead champions inspiration as direction. For instance, its Mercury retrograde, which lasts until December 13th, offers us the chance to reconnect with the innocence of our unconditioned selves and to create each day from a Sagittarius sense of positive possibility. That new Sag moon and Solar eclipse further encourage us to see life as an adventure, believe in magic and take gigantic leaps of faith. If that sounds like a precarious way to pay the rent or to get results in the “real” world, Sag’s benevolent ruler Jupiter is beaming exuberant and practical rays our way.

The giver of gifts and largest planet in the sky is flexing its expansive muscles in sensuous, constructive Taurus, and has formed solid alliances with the planets in fellow earth signs. Together Jupiter in Taurus, Mars in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn comprise a Grand earth trine. This is some of astrology’s must fertile ground for seeding, growing and manifesting our intentions. It blesses principled endeavors and hard work and showers us with patience and endurance. On December 1st, Venus joins Pluto in industrious Capricorn presenting us with even more opportunity and abundance. There is plenty to go around, and no need for greed. In fact, those bent on attaining fame and fortune at the expense of others will continue falling from grace, favor and power. In part that’s because Venus, one of the money planets, is not only aligning with the productive earth signs, but also stimulating the Cardinal Cross.

Since Pluto entered austere Capricorn in December of 2008, we’ve seen one corrupt leader or institution after the next come tumbling down. Next, stern Saturn entered fair-minded Libra in October 2009 where it has been on the same page as purifying Pluto. Finally, earlier this year, unpredictable Uranus joined the cardinal call to initiate systemic reform. Venus moving through ambitious Capricorn will revitalize these seismic forces. Add mischievous Mercury in review mode and the inherent revelations of eclipses, and something or someone is bound to go viral. That and the mutable and cardinal crosses occurring throughout this cycle are simply exposing what needs to be healed or released. Spontaneous, philosophical Sag is here to point the way to our new dreams and visions and to help us adapt to these changes. Its lucky, irrepressible essence invites us to renew our faith, dream big and make a wish.

Sun into Cancer: Expressions of Love & Vulnerability

As revolutionary 2011 reaches its midpoint, the intuitive, nurturing and initiating energies of Cancer arrive. Knowing what we want to overthrow is easy. Knowing what we want to replace it with is somewhat more challenging. And building the new utopia? Well, that is another matter entirely. Powerhouse planets Saturn, Pluto and Uranus are already traveling in close degree to one another and occupying three of astrology’s four instigating or Cardinal signs, Libra, Capricorn and Aries. The Sun’s entrance into Cancer at 10:17 A.M. PST on June 21st completes the set and reactivates a Grand Cardinal Cross. July 1st’s new moon eclipse in sensitive Cancer, as well as Mercury and Venus Cancer transits, underscore this cycle’s theme of releasing the past to birth the new.

The Sun’s movement into Cancer transforms the current T-Square the outer planets are forming into a Grand Cardinal Cross. Mercury strengthens the Cancer aspect of the Cross as it travels through the sign of the Crab until July 1st. Venus then takes up the cause on July 3rd when she enters Cancer. Encompassing all four of astrology’s elements, water, air, earth and fire, a Grand Cardinal Cross positions at least one major force (planet) at each of the four initiating points of astrology’s wheel. These energies signal and support new beginnings. The angles created between the planets however, form squares and oppositions. These aspects bring up conflicting issues in need of resolution. In an atmosphere of what astrologer Stephanie Austin describes as “change or be changed,” here are some hot spots to be mindful of. On June 26th the Sun squares radical Uranus, on the 27th it opposes destructive Pluto and on July 2nd it squares unyielding Saturn.

Cancer’s psychic prowess, maternal instinct and inner drive are some of this sign’s most valuable resources. Its motive after all is to create and foster emotional security. In 2011 however, if we are intent on birthing something truly transformational, we will need to access one of protective Cancer’s most guarded traits, her vulnerability. In part that means getting in touch with our emotional bodies. From the impact of a Tsunami, to the devastation wrought by flooding, to the ability of even calm water to eventually erode solid rock, the power of water is indisputable. Symbolized by that element, our feelings carry a similar force. Whether expressed or repressed, their magnitude shapes our lives profoundly and in ways that we rarely stop to examine. The new moon solar eclipse of July 1st gives us a sweet opportunity to connect with the emotions driving our actions and consequently writing our stories. Even the unpleasant ones are messengers. When fully embraced, they will serve as a fine-tuned navigation system for those new realities we are birthing. Later that day, Mercury will enter Lion-hearted Leo where, due to an August retrograde, he will be active until September 8th. A new moon eclipse with this Cancer-Leo combination is a cosmic invitation to begin living with less fear and more courage.

More moments of sublime clarity about how to build those new paradigms arrive on June 22nd when the Sun trines dreamy Neptune, July 7th when expansive Jupiter trines Pluto and during the July 15th full moon in constructive Capricorn. Under these conditions, Cancer’s intrinsic beauty and power are like cascading moonlight pouring onto a glass ocean. Wordless, their effusive lunar magic speaks to the deepest corners of our being. Under their luminous influence, hoarding Cancer freely surrenders old resentments, hurt feelings and perceived slights to the past. Unlocked, the Crab’s hardened shell retracts. Our crusty little creature bravely ventures into the unknown, fully exposed and completely vulnerable to life’s softness, poetry and romance. So while this cycle’s Grand Cardinal Cross is certain to bring discordant issues and messy feelings to the stormy surface at times, the mantras “It is safe to feel” and “It is safe to love” echo in the heart’s chambers.

Please join Elizabeth for two very special radio appearances this week. On June 21st at 11:00 A.M. PST she is the guest host for vacationing C.A. Brooks on “Simple Tales” on 12Radio. She will be welcoming Vedic astrologer Mo Abelbaki to talk about those Nodes and why they are such a significant part of the chart. Then the Cancer Confab begins when Cancer natives Reverend Keith Ruback, 12Listen Advisor Jamie Dawn and Hay House Radio Producer Diane Ray join Elizabeth to talk about the Crab; the good, the bad and the moody! Come celebrate the Summer Solstice with “Simple Tales!”

On Friday June 24th at 11:00 A.M. PST the latest edition of the new “Hay House Book Club” debuts on Hay House Radio. Elizabeth joins host Diane Ray, author Iyanla Vanzadt and fellow Hay House bloggers to talk about Iyanla’s powerful book “Peace From Broken Pieces.”