Neptune and Chiron opposing natal Pluto: For the natal Pluto-in-late-Leo crowd

I received an e-mail this morning, requesting more information on the transiting Neptune/Chiron opposition to natal Pluto, which many of us born in the last half of the 1950s decade (those with natal Pluto between 24 and 29 degrees of Leo) are experiencing throughout 2010.

Neptune's general effect is to wash away what no longer is in tune with our spiritual core. It's often a gradual process, like the rising tide that slowly washes away a sand castle on the beach. During the initial phase of this Neptunian process, we may not have much clarity on what is occurring, as Neptune tends to keep us in the fog at first. This blurred vision is actually helpful, in that it helps us let go of our attachment to what was, in preparation for a new path to unfold.

Like all planets in the natal chart, Pluto can represent a variety of themes, some internal and some external. The primary meaning of Pluto that I lean toward has to do with the claiming of our personal mission during the lifetime -- a mission that, in its most positive manifestation, is both self-empowering and offers empowerment to others. Along the way, Pluto also describes our issues around power, how we feel about claiming it, how we use it, and what dysfunctional attitudes need to be transformed so that we can use our power in positive ways.

Pluto moves so slowly that it is called a "generational planet," describing the greater purpose of a large number of souls. Because of this, on an individual basis, its natal house location and the aspects it makes to the personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars) are considered most important when determining what it "means" for a specific individual.

In general, Pluto in Leo represents a generation who have come to the planet to transform the ways in which society uses the Leonine energy in negative ways. When at its best, Leo is creative, generous and spontaneous, and feels very much a sense of belonging with others. Think of the positive role model of the King of the Jungle who cares for all of his jungle family like a benevolent father, encouraging each to become the best and strongest they can be, each according to their own calling.

Now think of the negative side that is also possible -- a King who leads not by example, but by roaring and keeping his subjects in fear and subjugation. This is the lower-vibrational use of power that the Pluto-in-Leo generation has come to transform.

As Neptune and Chiron now oppose the natal Pluto in the charts of that generation, each of us is looking at the themes of personal mission, significance, and power in our lives. Have we found that fulfillment we've been seeking, that sense of personal destiny? Are we expressing ourselves honestly? Have we moved beyond the "leadership by intimidation" role model, either in ourselves or through accepting it in others?

These questions may be related to the literal career (for those with Pluto in the 10th house), but it may instead be related to partnerships (Pluto in the 7th) or spiritual/religious issues (Pluto in the 9th), or the themes of one of the other nine houses.

Since Chiron is also involved in the current landscape, those of us in the Pluto-in-Leo generation no doubt will be looking at our own woundedness about personal empowerment now. Are we comfortable claiming our sense of purpose? Have we given away our power and significance to others, or allowed role models from our own childhoods to send us in disempowering directions?

We can look to the location of Chiron in our natal charts for more clues. Since Chiron was in Aquarius for the last half of the 1950s decade, our discomfort with becoming leaders is probably related to a fear of being rejected or abandoned -- and no doubt we can recall events in our lives that drove that fear deeper.

The good news is that together, Neptune and Chiron are about dissolving the wound and the false ego, so that we can finally claim that position of wise leadership in our lives -- whether that be in an external, obvious way, or more internally.

And, we have all of 2010 to move through and beyond these issues. So, even though Neptune and Chiron are aligned this week -- and for many of us, exactly opposite our natal Pluto -- it may be helpful to remember that we are in a Neptunian process, not a Uranian event.

A cosmic New Moon

Our New Moon tomorrow night (6:53pm Pacific Time) is feeling more and more "cosmic," in keeping with the strong Aquarius/Pisces leanings in the lunation chart. Stepping outside late last night to take our girls (of the four-legged variety) out for their final excursion before bed, the air felt different somehow, as if there were a presence all around us. Almost the density of fog, but without the visual fog to go with the feeling-sense.

Uranus figures as a prominent presence at the time of this New Moon, not because of aspects to other planets, but because Uranus is the accepted "ruler" of Aquarius, where the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Chiron and Neptune are all located now. I just looked up the Sabian symbol for the current position of Uranus (at 25 degrees of Pisces), and here's what it says:

"A religious organization succeeds in overcoming the corrupting influence of perverted practices and materialized ideals: The power of the Soul to intervene in the personal life and to induce necessary catharses."

We have the potential now, with this New Moon, to take that next step in the process of becoming our Higher Selves -- or, if you prefer, the Multidimensional Beings we incarnated here to be. We are tapping more and more into the knowing of ourselves as expansive Source Energy, with the increased awareness that we do not need to seek outside the self for answers or for connection.

So, if "the power of the Soul" is now intervening to more directly guide us, it is not about handing away the reins of our lives to some deity or other deified entity -- it's about realizing even more clearly the larger entity that we are, acknowledging and experiencing the vastness that exists within us, and allowing that heightened awareness to change the limited perspectives we have held for much of our lives, and for many lifetimes.

There truly is "something big" afoot. Can you feel it?

A tale of two worlds

"One foot on the platform, the other foot on the train..."

That line came into my mind as I sat down to write this post -- and it is a sign of the times that while I believe it's from a Peter, Paul and Mary song, and I know I've sung it often in years past, I now cannot remember more than those words, or the tune, or the title.

The Saturn-Jupiter quincunx that is exact today is a representation of this feeling of living in two worlds at once. Exuberant Jupiter, newly arrived in Pisces, is full of himself proclaiming that we are ascending, or have ascended, or maybe will soon -- even while the clear definition of "ascension" still eludes most of us. Realistic Saturn, on the other hand, now retrograde in Libra, continues to draw our attention to the practicalities of the physical realm, making sure we do the rebalancing work needed. And yet, with the retrograde influence, we feel slightly detached from that very work, as if a part of us has stepped back into Observer mode.

A quincunx is an aspect of adjustment. The signs involved are not quite opposites, but they don't really see eye-to-eye, either. So our challenge is to find a way to exist within the paradox, without needing to alter either perception. It does take an ability to live in two worlds at once, with one foot on the platform of our reality as we've become accustomed to it.

And the other foot? We may not have a clear idea yet of what our train really looks like or where it's going -- but with the help of Jupiter in Pisces, we are gaining faith in the process.

The light of the Full Moon

We seem to be in an in-between place again, energetically. Perhaps it's a reflection of both Mars and Saturn being retrograde, and both also being emphasized this week -- Mars through being conjunct the Full Moon, and Saturn through the Pluto-Saturn square.

Retrograde planets, especially when their influence is strong, take us to a different world, an inner world that is harder to define, harder to compartmentalize. Our own actions and reactions can seem distant at times, as if a part of us is observing and reviewing even as we live the moment.

At the time of Friday's Full Moon, we have Mars conjunct the Moon in Leo and Venus conjunct the Sun in Aquarius. Since Mars and the Sun typically represent masculine qualities, and the Moon and Venus represent the feminine, this is an interesting study in those polarities.

In standard astrological interpretation, Mars conjunct the Moon adds fire to our emotions, and we are likely to act out based on feelings more than intellect. And yet, this is retrograde Mars -- will we take that same intensity inward, to delve further into the source of the emotions that arise? What new awareness can we bring forward from that inner journey, that will then serve as creative inspiration once Mars begins to move direct on March 10?

Mars opposing the Sun often manifests as contentiousness, as the god of war faces off with the great star of our solar system, two forces motivated by opposing concerns, staring each other down. But in the current set-up we have Mars retrograde, looking away from the Sun. What will be highlighted as the Sun shines its light on Mars' back? If the Sun is asking Mars in Leo, What do you really want?, will we have the patience to wait for the inspiration to blossom, rather than thinking we have to have it all figured out NOW?

And then we have Venus conjunct the Sun, the two shining together in the sky, highlighting the themes of cooperation, heart-felt understanding and the building of alliances. Perhaps this Full Moon is mostly about allowing our hearts to light the way, as our egos take the back seat -- not to be ignored, but to be shown how best to make it all work.

What's one person to do?

In the aftermath of the earthquakes in Haiti, there are many ways to help -- financially, of course, and through whatever spiritual/energy means are at each of our disposal.

But I find myself thinking that there's another way as well, which acknowledges the higher purpose of this event and honors the souls of those who have chosen this event as their means for crossing over -- that higher purpose being to open our collective hearts and to enhance our knowing of Community.

Each of us can walk through our day with renewed attention to the love and compassion that is within us waiting to be shared, and we can take every opportunity in the Now to extend those divine qualities into the spaces and the relationships in our immediate worlds.

Namaste.

... and ringing ears and heart flutters

The physical manifestations continue, not causing alarm exactly, but perhaps a wondering -- is this energetic, or do I need to think physical cause?

Since the Lunar Eclipse on December 26, I've been hearing a ringing in my ears, sometimes so loud, it's clearly not the "same old" sound that has been with most of us all our lives. And a couple of mornings I've awakened with a lack of balance so strong, I've listed to the right while walking my first few steps of the day.

And now, for the last couple of days, I've felt heart flutters often throughout the day -- not quite strong enough that I would call them palpitations, but very noticeable.

This morning, I checked in on Lightworkers.com to see what channeled information was new for today (some of which resonates with me, some of which does not, by the way -- so if you go to this website, use your discrimination as instructed). I opened one entitled "New Earth Awareness" that spoke to ALL my physical symptoms. Here's the link to that information:

New Earth Awareness

Astrologically, it does seem that the eclipses are holding an energetic opening for us. Life has felt "different" somehow since the December Lunar Eclipse, even though things look the same outwardly. As if a part of me is observing even more than usual, and not quite connected to this reality.

I'm looking forward to this week's Solar Eclipse as the initiation of a new cycle and new manifestations based on the energy impulse we've been working with. And with Mercury going direct a day later, perhaps we'll also start being able to consciously assess what is occurring.

Nervous stomach ...

Since last weekend, I've been feeling that nervousness in my stomach off and on -- you know, the one you usually feel when anticipating something unknown? I've wondered if I knew on some level that something was about to occur, so feeling anxious about it, or if I was coming down with something. But the fact that I could breathe deeply and the feeling would ease made me think it was not caused by something physical.

This morning, I read a channeling by Nancy Leilah Ward that corroborates what I've been feeling -- here's an excerpt:

We have been asked to speak about the nervousness that many are feeling at this time. This is a result of the high frequencies that are being transmitted to Earth. This is affecting all sentient beings, including the Earth. Our suggestion is that you tune into the feeling of love and find that resonance within you as often as possible. You are to be walking in love. Indeed, you are to be “in love” in all your moments. As you cast off the debilitating energy of fear and bring in the vibration of love, you send this resonance through your physical body and it radiates through your energy field and out into your world, infiltrating into all of your experiences, affecting all the people you encounter. The resonance of love draws more love to it, so you all are contributing to the spread of love throughout the earth plane. Use your breath in conjunction with your intention to tune your vibration to love. Make deep, conscious breathing a part of your reality.

For the complete channeling, click here: Soul Transitions

Good to know I'm not alone! And also good to have some tools for working with these higher frequencies.