Tamakatzura Tamatori 19th century
I’m stunned by what’s happening in the world, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. It’s not that I’m so sensitive, it’s that I’m human, and so are you, and we look around and find things happening that we never thought we’d see: massive earthquakes that have devastated Japan and that stretch tentacles across the globe–and that threaten a second tsunami of radiation if meltdown to Japan’s nuclear power plants can’t be averted; the violent deposing of dictators as nation’s seek a new voice; the stripping of worker’s rights in Wisconsin; the ‘business’ of hostage-taking as modern day pirates enter the oldest deal in the world (freedom in exchange for profit) that has international consequences; violence, assassination and assassination attempts predicated on hate-speech; and on and on.
I find myself wondering where astrology falls in all this. It’s a wonderful and useful art for understanding influences within and the system of the Universe without–but when we are in the midst of catastrophe, what place does it have? And the truth is my world is intact–I can feel for others at a distance, but how do I serve them and myself with my art, without seeming to take their trauma or tragedy or simple experience as an exercise, rather than as a human moment of depth and feeling? It feels odd to continue with ‘the usual’–and yet maybe that’s the best answer, to use our skills, all of them, in the best way we know how.
Is what’s happening a reflection of Uranus into Aries? Did it cast a shadow before it that pulled all Uranian energies in its wake, like water down a drain? Is it a reflection of the multiple, long-term 29 degree placements that are so stressful in expression? Is it Ceres/ Chiron with Neptune at their midpoint? I don’t know that there’s any one answer, or even that many factors can explain the state of things; I just know that we must do our very best as individuals, and call forward our faith, no matter what it’s placed in–and my thought is that, starting with Uranus in Aries, we might want to translate that placement as ‘The Group (Uranus) Is One (Aries)’ and live in accord with this new age we’ve entered.
Julie Demboski's ASTROLOGY 
Thank you for this post. We ARE all one.. it’s too bad we are reminded of that by such devastating events.
Agreed
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a very thoughtful post, Julie. The question of relevancy in a world so full of suffering and so in need of right thought and action is one I’m pondering, too.
Thank you, Lainie
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Julie, definitely food for thought. It brings to mind the people that have been saying the world will end in 2012. I do believe the world as we know it will end and a different world will emerge. Whether this world will be better or worse, is not for me to say; but for all mankind to predict in both their actions and reactions.
Hi Terri–isn’t change the only thing we can count on? And you’re right, it’s up to all of us–the hopeful part is that future outcomes are always malleable by what we do in the present–and I think that’s reassuring.
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You are ever a touchstone, Julie. I was comforted by your post, which came in just as I was looking at today’s news footage, utterly appalled and dispirited–and most certainly feeling propelled full throttle into a new world that I barely recognize. It’s been a shocking and distressing day, certainly worthy of Uranus’s arrival on the Aries Point, and yes, this day has followed a number that have also been shocking (and many distressing) both on the public/world stage and the private/personal front. My second Saturn return is in full swing with Pluto and Chiron taking center stage and they haven’t been shy about making their presence known. Coupled with the larger dance that’s going on it’s been a year of high anxiety and it’s not going to be getting easier any time soon. I’m a beginner and don’t understand enough about complex astrology to join in that part of the discussion but I do know that your advice is wise and it’s much appreciated at this particular moment. I will bear it closely in mind as I navigate the uncertain days ahead. At times like this when I feel more a helpless observer than a useful participant it’s heartening to be reminded that I may be one small individual, but with faith and heart and whatever skills I possess, I can surely find a way to serve my fellow travelers. And on the plus side of Uranus, maybe I’ll surprise myself! Thank you so much.
Julia
Thank you, Julia
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Thank you for this post, for the comfort and positivity it brings. I have been struggling with the intense manifestations of recent energies – both global and personal manifestations – and have really been trying to find the place of hopeful and positive action in all of it – as the I Ching says “The best way to combat evil is to make energetic progress in the good” – your thoughts have given me a little clue as to how to do that.
Thank you, Bronwyn–glad it was of comfort
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if something bad is going to happen depend on the ‘ides of march’ to deliver, (plus super moon, (moon in perigee) solar maximus, GC conq pluto, kuiper belt.) the old rule for quakes, storms are 4 days preceding the FM; with in 30 days of the last eclipse. Jan4, 13 cap, solar was distant but the stage was set. so many forces in play. Coming up is the 1 June 11 gemini solar/15 june 24 sag lunar/1 july 09 cancer solar…it ain’t over
Lucy, you’re certainly right–it ain’t over–which is why I thought it was important to sort it out now. Glad you pointed out that old rule–I’m neglectful of those, and sometimes they contain the best clues
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“…And the truth is my world is intact–I can feel for others at a distance, but how do I serve them and myself with my art, without seeming to take their trauma or tragedy or simple experience as an exercise, rather than as a human moment of depth and feeling? It feels odd to continue with ‘the usual’–and yet maybe that’s the best answer, to use our skills, all of them, in the best way we know how.”
As I read these words this morning, I realized this is the exact question I asked my Healer as I worked with her last night. I had other things on my mind for our scheduled session yesterday until I awoke to the morning’s news. I awoke this morning to read this and I realize Julie’s answer is the right one and though I cannot quite describe any specific feelings about today’s post, I know it absolutely “feels” right.
As a novice, some of the posts are so beyond my depth of knowledge I struggle to understand; however, I always read them, like an addict and her fix. I learn each time I do and today is no exception. I learned I AM human, I face different circumstances every instance of my life than the person standing directly beside me, and I always use what I know to do the absolute best I can – and it is okay.
Thank you, Julie.
Peace,
Robyn
Thank you, Robyn–beautifully stated. Clearly we are tuned in to the same concerns–and came to the same conclusions, making your comment positive and reassuring for me, too
And I’ll try to remember I’m not just talking to myself, when I’m writing 😉
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Thank you for this sensitive and thought-provoking post.
Personally, I am not shocked by the occurrence of these events – and I say that as a non-astrologer. All of us, individually and as a collective species, arrive in our present by dint of the choices we have made in the past – wherein lies the ‘uses’ of astrology. For me, ‘Karma’ simply represents this fact. The good news is that at this very moment we can choose to make different choices and thus change the trajectory of our lives.
In the dark of night here in the ‘West’, apparently many had nightmares of the disaster in Japan, which led to me conclude that perhaps indeed some larger more inclusive consciousness is arising; however, in the course of berating myself for not being a part of the collective ‘nightmare’, I recalled that I had spent the wee small hours sending messages of hope and love to a young woman – a FB friend – who was trapped in an office tower in Tokyo. So I have concluded that whether we find ourselves awake or asleep, we are newly reminded of our interconnections. This in itself is empowering and, I believe, can assist us in choosing right thoughts and right action as we move forward into a future we all create together.
Thank you, Luna. It seems like pieces in a puzzle, we all fit in
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This post shares my concerns for the trouble we are experiencin globally. I feel compelled to go protest at the Capitol rather than go to work but I am unable to choose what my heart desires. My prayers go out to those suffering worldwide. Thank you for touching on the concerns we share.
Thank you, Sara. I wish you the best in choosing between two important priorities–that’s not an easy pick!
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Hi Julie ~~~ was wandering around looking for a bit of positivity and found it here.
I do appreciate your sentiment :”without seeming to take their trauma or tragedy or simple experience as an exercise, rather than as a human moment of depth and feeling….”
I’m always wary of blogging about tragedy – national or personal – and even of difficulties and disgraces of “celebs” . It always seems like ambulance-chasing.
You have balanced the problem so well here in your sensitive approach.
The earthquake and tsunami alone would be catastrophic, of course, but coming hard on the heels of the uprisings in the Middle East, and protests in Wisconsin -(which though by comparison are tiny, they are not the norm here – not recently anyway), the scenario is looking like classic Uranus in Aries. Let ‘s hope that other aspects of both the planet and the sign appear in time, and that we’ll see some unexpected pioneering which proves helpful in coming struggles.
Hi Twi! Thank you. You express my feeling exactly, “Let’s hope that other aspects of both the planet and sign appear in time” That, I think, is the only way out–my best to you, jd
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Like Luna I wasn’t shocked either – saddened yes, but I do see karma at work here. This may be in part because I’m so aware of N/S node placements right now, my own NN being on 29 Gemini. I’m very aware these days of the dark side of that and I’m glad that instinctively I fought my own dark side in the past. S Node at that degree is not something I feel comfortable with in global terms.
Huge ports and cities on the sea shore are not a ‘natural’ phenomenon, as Japan and New Orleans have recently learned to their huge cost. If astrometeorologist Theo White is correct, there is a lot more to come in the Pacific Rim earthquake zone in the next six weeks, and Californians and other East Coast people would be wise to be prepared. And he predicted yesterday’s events on his blog, only the previous day, so he should be heard.
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Julie,
Please know none of my comments were meant to chastise, or ask for your writings to be any different. I was simply stating my position and it is my responsibility to learn to understand what I read from you. Keep on being you!
Warmly,
Robyn
Oh Robyn! I’m so sorry–I did not see what you said in that light at all–and I apologize if that’s the way my answer sounded. I was just playing, especially with the much needed reminded I must sometimes give myself, that I have to remember the point of a post is clear communication–and that what I say should be clear to everyone, but most especially to my less experienced (in astro-language speak) readers. Thank you, and please know I saw no chastisement in your comment–on the contrary, good to hear from you!
Best,
jd
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No worries at all! Just wanted to clarify that I was not trying to say you needed to “dumb it down” for me! I truly admire what you do and I cannot seem to get any of straight in my head, except for my horoscope!
R
Thank you! Don’t worry–I never dumb it down–and that’s always the way it starts, we learn our own horoscope first–because it’s the most interesting, of course 😉
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Grief, but hope, too. The dictators pushed back in the middle east and middle west, but it seems to make people more resolved. This is inspiring, from Madison today: “We’re never going to give up,” said Marilyn Rolfsmeyer, 56, who serves as the 300-student Argyle School District’s only art teacher. “What part of it don’t they understand? There’s hope here. I feel it. You feel the energy, the intensity. Somebody’s got to be out there feeling it, too.”
I love that the people in Wisconsin aren’t giving up
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Thanks Julie! As a Capricorn, through and through, you CAN imagine how not understanding the nuances, ins and outs, charts, degrees, etc. makes me crazy!
R
Yes I can! I have Saturn at the top of the chart–and pinning down particulars is a bit of a mania for me LOL
Thank you, Robyn!
jd
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Julie, thank you for your post about the last week of March. I’ve been mulling over 3/28-3/30 and trying to find something positive, trying not to worry. I have to say, when Pluto, Uranus, and Saturn play hardball, there’s not a whole lot we can do. Plutonian energies in particular seem to choose the player and not vice versa. By being conscious of our own dark side, or “shadow” side, we can at least illuminate the arena.
You’re welcome, Marjie. (For readers who are not subscribers, I believe Marjie is referring to material in the newsletter). My suggestion would be to concentrate on the Ceres/ Venus/ Chiron meeting, for that offers immense healing power through nature and through the fact of being a woman–a very good vibe to ‘throw oneself into’
You make a very good point about it seeming that Pluto chooses the player–but that’s true if we only look at the surface of events. I think Pluto becomes an uncontrollable and threatening energy in direct proportion to our personal denial of our own Plutonian make-up. In other words, if we accept there is Pluto within, and deal with it, that energy becomes ours to wield; if we deny, ignore, or reject the idea that Pluto is a part of us, that we are capable of Plutonian things, then we open ourselves to attracting Pluto from the outside, from others and from events and circumstances that indeed feel very much beyond our control. Consciousness of Pluto is not enough; instead, making peace with Pluto should, for each of us, be a top priority.
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Beautifully put Julie.
I write about the symbolic language of the universe played out through life, the language of astrology. I attempt to translate it. But like any language sometimes it can’t be translated fully, the meaning cannot be completely comprehended.
I look at the lives lost and people who have lost everything they have ever strived for; it’s beyond shocking on a human level. On another level some part of me anticipated something akin to this. I try not to ‘ambulance chase’ as Twilight mentioned above but I think it is important to reflect upon what is happening in the world and try to understand what the message is. Essentially as you say, we are all one.
Thank you, Leah.
You put it very well; translation really is our business! And when something’s such a large part of the current Collective experience, it does seem false to ignore it.
Thank you for the visit! Readers, please check out Leah’s excellent blog–
jd
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Thanks for this reminder – to do our best as individuals. Have been really feeling helpless over the tragedy, which makes our day-to-day challenges at work and so on appear quite petty. Yet, I’m reminded that dealing with our day-to-day challenges is sometimes all we can do.
Too true
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