New Years day 2014 is an auspicious time to make your resolutions . The New Moon on the morning of 1st January is in the sign of Capricorn, the determined and renowned strategist, which couldn’t be better for setting out with clear intentions. Getting off on the right foot might be an essential move with some fairly challenging astrological dynamics to be negotiated in the coming months.
Astrological hotspots will be mean a particularly powerful year for some. If you were born during the first week of January, April, July or October or with significant personal planets in Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, particularly if those planets are at 11-15 degrees you can expect this to be a momentous year. For those born during July or the first two weeks of August, this year is the high point in a 12 year cycle so you can watch out for welcome opportunities and be prepared to make some serious headway.
2014 falls in the midst of a whole wave of planetary movements relevant to the massive change, upheaval, uncertainty and renewal that’s apparent around the globe. The major transits this year feature strong oppositions and square angles which bring conflict and confrontation between differing standpoints. On an outer level we’ll see this confrontational energy being manifest in every direction around the globe with war, extreme weather, anti- “something” protests, power struggles and opposition to just about everything.
The exciting news is that during this current epoch we have the opportunity for a very different experience.
By looking more closely at each of the planets playing a significant role we can build up a picture of the year ahead. There are some strong underlying themes that will be affecting us all during 2014.
When our attention is fully engaged by various quarrels, either watching it on the global news or as personal experiences in our work or family life, there’s no room for simple acts of care and respect. Eventually at least one of the opposing sides in a dispute will get weary of the constant battle. At that moment there is finally the opportunity for real change, but it usually requires total exhaustion from the prolonged stress of relentless conflict to bring it about. For the sake of peace and a relief from age old struggles there is finally an acknowledgment of the others right to hold a differing viewpoint. This year has the potential to set us firmly on a new path.
Pluto in Capricorn 2008 – 2023
The small but powerful planet Pluto moved into Capricorn during 2008 and remains there until 2023. It takes Pluto about 245 years to return to a zodiac sign and during each of it’s previous visits to Capricorn we’ve seen the rise and fall of great nations. During these years we will witness the destruction and replacement of structures that have outlived their time and usefulness. A complete restructuring of economic systems, methods of government, and religious organisations will be instigated with ruthless pragmatism. Concepts of control and power will undergo radical transformation. Pluto is associated with deep and fundamental changes in our collective and personal psyche. Each of us holds a store of information on an unconscious level. This is made up of social, cultural, emotional and environmental conditioning, patterns of thought and behaviour laid down without any conscious knowledge. Pluto, working on the collective “unconscious” will bring these patterns into view as thoughts and beliefs played out as events in our daily lives. Here we can see them in action and choose to accept them as justifiable, or alternatively, question their validity, especially when these thoughts and beliefs are the cause of suffering to ourselves or others.
Uranus in Aries 2010 to 2019
Uranus, with it’s eccentric orbit is known to bring unexpected deviations and unpredictable outcomes. Transits can trigger the urge for individual freedom, bringing rebellion, revolution and reform. In the warrior sign of Aries, people are courageous and will stand-up or fight for what they believe to be right. Aries, as the first sign in the zodiac, represents the individual before there is any relationship to possessions, status or other people. Aries is about asserting the unattached and willful self. The archetypal Warrior cannot afford to pause for consideration of the consequences or outcomes of their actions. We’ve witnessed throughout the history of the world that when this is force is expressed as righteousness it often results in religious and political fanaticism or extremism.
Stressful planetary contacts to Uranus also trigger financial depressions and sudden stock markets crashes. Over these years we will see the abrupt downfall of governments and revolt against oppressive authority.
When Uranus was last in Aries during 1927 -1935 we not only saw a rise in fascism, world war and economic collapse but also many positive new ways of thinking, technical breakthroughs, inventions and a social reforms.
The energy of Uranus brings us out of our comfort zone, it can be an unpleasant jolt or a mind numbing shock but it’s always a wake up call! “Waking Up” has become the catch phrase of the decade and many people on the planet can now really feel the effect of this process as it rallies us to shake off any mental emotional or spiritual inertia. It can be experienced like slowly waking from a dream or being wrenched suddenly from a slumber. Whatever way it occurs, a new perception of reality is emerging on the planet. We are all being woken up to realise something about who or what we are and our true nature and relationship to this world and each other.
Uranus square Pluto 2012 to 2015
These mighty and powerful planets in this stressful combination are capable of implementing massive change. This compelling force is experienced individually through the events of daily life whilst it also affects the entire population of the world. Historically the square aspect between these planets has coincided with economic collapse and the most recent previous event was when Uranus was in Aries and Pluto was in Cancer during the 1930s, bringing both the Great Depression and the rise of fascism in Europe. We are likely to see some of the most challenging effects of this transit culminating in 2014 as the square aspect occurs during both April and December in combination with other potent planetary formations. This creates many “make or break” scenarios as we have to acknowledge that we can’t go back to how things were. Things brought out into the open in recent years cannot be ignored or understated simply for the sake of keeping a reassuring status quo. Having been shocked, awoken and enlightened to the true state of things, only the very determined can keep their heads buried in the comfort of familiar distractions. On the positive side, this aspect brings welcome regeneration and exciting breakthroughs. We can expect accelerated technological advances as well as radically new ways of thinking and mass shifts in consciousness to emerge over the next few years. Awareness can sometimes be unpleasant at first as we have to release the old understanding to adjust to a new perspective. But once the realisation has fully formed there is an uplifting sense of relief and freedom that comes into existence. This is especially possible during Pluto’s retrograde phase mid April to late September.
Jupiter opposite Pluto 2013 -2014
This antagonistic aspect began during July-August 2013 and continues from December 2013 through to May 2014. Jupiter is generally known to be the “feel good” planet bringing us the “new and improved” version of whatever it connects with. These characteristic qualities are expressed through expansion. When Jupiter comes into a stressful angle with a difficult planet such as Pluto it can amplify or exaggerate deeply held beliefs and unconscious behaviour. National, political, religious, ideological differences are likely to be enforced. Cultural prejudices may escalate. Beliefs that previously seemed unquestionable may be completely undermined as they no longer stand up under close scrutiny. This time period brings several of the current astrological themes to a peak. Here is an opportunity to walk away from restricting ideologies, inherited social conventions or a world view which is no longer relevant. Jupiter as a benevolent guide is at it’s most honorable in the sign of Cancer and seeks to express greater truth, freedom and integrity. As we are touched by this energy dynamic it becomes apparent where in our lives any unconscious thoughts prevent those more liberating qualities being uppermost.
Jupiter square Uranus February – May
From mid February through to early May the massive planet Jupiter moves into an uncomfortable angle to erratic Uranus completing the line up for the impending Grand Cross in April. These are both future orientated planets neither of which are content with the status quo and have little regard for well made plans or time tested methods. Jupiter’s association with faith and beliefs stirred up by an offbeat Uranus in headstrong Aries, can produce an outburst of irrational concepts with a determination to defend them regardless of their lack of integrity. On the inner level this can bring timely insight into areas where we limit ourselves unnecessarily. For those who are ready to accept new possibilities, perspectives or a way of being, this can mean the beginning of living life without the need for control or reliance on external factors for their well being.
Mars Retrograde March – May
Once every two years Mars makes an apparent backward motion known as a retrograde. During this time the normal dynamic energy of action orientated Mars is impeded so we can’t expect things to run at the regular tempo. The usual character of Mars is to activate and to accelerate so during this phase it’s best not to initiate anything of significance as there isn’t the vitality required to keep the momentum going to fulfillment. There may be a sense of impatience or frustration as the forward thrusting energy slows down to a crawling pace. Those that do push ahead will be disappointed, whether in war, legal cases, political reforms or love affairs. The desired outcome never materialises. With Mars in the Cardinal sign of Libra the emphasis is on social situations between equals. This could be relationships between lovers as well as business partnerships or any area of life that demands co-operation, consideration, diplomacy and compromise. The retrograde period is best utilised for planning, negotiating arrangements and inward contemplation of any issues that may be highlighted during the intense Cardinal Cross in April.
The Grand Square and Cardinal Cross April 2014
April is an exceptionally busy month in the Astrologers calendar this year. It brings together all the major trends of the current era in one full blast. Just hours after Pluto turns retrograde on 14th the first Lunar eclipse of the year occurs on 15th with a Solar eclipse on 29th . On the 20th – 23rd, Pluto, Uranus, Jupiter and Mars form a cross in the cardinal signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. This is a culmination in a series of square patterns that started when Jupiter moved into Cancer during August 2013. With three planets already in place, events are triggered when the fourth planet moves to occupy the empty space in the cross formation. Mars as the timekeeper, fulfills this when all four planets will be at exactly 13-14 degrees of their signs. Personal or international events with the same theme will be highlighted again in mid December when Pluto and Uranus repeat the Square aspect once more.
Pluto in it’s retrograde motion during this formation puts the emphasis on inward reflection with a strong ability to transform and regenerate. With the harsh tension held in the square aspects, expect this pivotal period to bring crisis in some form. The true meaning of crisis is a turning point or juncture and this astrological dynamic brings us to a metaphorical and possibly, a literal crossroads.
Cardinal signs are especially powerful for initiating new ventures and pioneering ideas. This combination of astrological forces suggest a time when a radical change in our consciousness, perception and awareness occurs.
Beyond belief – What’s true for you in 2014
The perhaps strange and radical idea that we really don’t need to change anything, even ourselves, is one of the hot spiritual topics that will become a signature of this year. The change that is due to occur is in what we believe about the world, each other and ourselves. The actual changes that need to occur can then get on with it – soon we will be living our lives according to what actually is true, reality rather than an idea, and we will all be a lot happier as a result! This year brings us the opportunity to find out what’s real and what is simply a belief about what’s real.
The current upheaval in the world largely exists because the majority of people on the planet, whether rich or poor, are in a state of inner turmoil, unhappy and, or, want to do something to change their condition.
Inner tension, lack of clarity, confusion and unhappiness occurs when we don’t like what we see or experience. We don’t like it, so we want to change it. Problems occur because that change usually means either changing someone else, or life circumstances, to fit with our own idea of how it should be. Most of us interpret life events and situations in-line with our personal, national or cultural world view, or to uphold what we “know” to be true. We are always looking for everyone, and life itself, to agree with us so we can know we are right and therefore safe. If what we see doesn’t fit with what we approve of or consider to be right, we dislike it and generally anything that opposes our belief is regarded as a threat. The current events of disruption, conflict, social breakdown, economic collapse, excessive controls, restriction of personal freedoms etc. will continue as long as there is someone, or the actions of a group of people, who believe themselves to be right, and by necessity, believe someone else to be wrong.
Becoming aware that being right doesn’t have to make others wrong, whilst realising that if we stop trying to change things to fit our personal idea of how things should be there’s a good chance things could actually all turn out alright without our interference. In doing this we have the chance to awaken to a new possibility and a new way of being in the world. This is potentially the most momentous shift in human consciousness to occur in aeons.
By fully utilising this year’s provocative planetary energy to confront ourselves, rather than everyone else, we can challenge personal beliefs, thoughts and desires to see if they represent what is really true for us each as an individual. Simply following habitual opinions, behaviours or attitudes handed down through social, cultural or political systems is no longer an option. This is a pivotal year which may demand some sincere personal inquiry. Each of us can choose how to move forward from here.