The New Moon of Equal Rights

New Moon in Pisces

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

8:35 PM

Washington, District of Columbia

This New Moon in Pisces is breaking down old barriers. Pisces compels us to realize our interconnectedness with all of our brothers and sisters, all of humanity as well as all of life.  Everyone has rights.  Everyone is a spiritual being in essence.  Pluto, now in Capricorn is about reconstruction, rebuilding more reliable structures, policies and laws that benefit all of our citizens, including the disenfranchised, the neglected, the invisible, and the forgotten (Pisces).  

The New Moon falls in the 5th House of the Washington Lunar chart, which is the house of entertainment, among other things.  This New Moon falls on the heels of the Academy Awards, where we saw multiple awards go to "Slumdog Millionaire" the story of a teenager growing up in the slums of Mumbai, who then becomes a millionaire.  Other winners: Dustin Lance Black for best screenplay, and Sean Penn for best actor in "Milk".  Both movies focus on the disenfranchised, the forgotten, or the maligned.  As Oscar attendees walked down the red carpet, there were those demonstrating against gay marriage on the sidelines outside.  Mr. Black and Mr. Penn both referred to the issue of Proposition 8, banning gay marriage in California, in their acceptance speeches.  Libra, the sign of marriage, is rising in the Washington Lunar chart.  This issue is not going to go away.  This New Moon is encouraging us to consider the rights of all people, where no one is to be left out.  Equal rights, equal protection for all.  Hawaii is going to be voting on a gay marriage bill, and Rhode Island brings up the issue every year.  Many will agree that statements made at the Oscars, helped to bring attention to an important civil (Pisces/Libra)  rights issue.  

The day following the New Moon, February 25th, will see the States starting to receive stimulus money to help cover costs of Medicaid and Unemployment benefits.  Uranus, the planet of change and reform, falls in the house of health care and the work force.  The only aspect this Uranus receives is an opposition from Saturn (conservative restraint)  in the house of self-undoing and hidden enemies.  Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, and a few other Republican, particularly conservative Governors, have said that they will refuse the stimulus funds.  Jindal states that he doesn't want the assistance because it would result in having to raise taxes on employers when the stimulus runs out...but the rationale, nonetheless smacks of political partisanship.  Saturn, Retrograde and veiled in strength in the 12th House lacks support and will lose both popularity and prestige.  In other words, those siding with that weak Saturn in the 12th House could very well be burying their reputations.  

Bipartisan Libra is rising, with Venus in the 7th House of "others": other parties, other points of view, other countries. There were also many Republican governors who practically realize the necessity of stimulating the economy, and that their constituents need all the help that they can get.  Venus in Aries doesn't usually like to cooperate.  But there is an implication of agreements being made, especially if there is something for them, and everyone can get a piece of the pie.  A lot of people will be standing on line with hands extended on both sides of the aisle, as well as across the seas.  President Obama has admitted that although foreign aid in the light of our present economic situation is not the most popular idea, he does remain committed to extending foreign support.  His rationale, is that it will gain support abroad, and make us safer.  

This Venus in Aries is favorably aspecting the Aquarian stellium at the time of the New Moon, instilling an element of humanitarian concern and idealistic optimism.  That perhaps a detente, and mutual support is and can be possible?  That avenues of cooperation and good will are being paved along with the infrastructure, that will ultimately benefit trade and commerce at home and abroad.   It certainly seems that opportunities for progressive and enlightening changes are incipient in the stimulus package.  Mercury, the planet of commerce, in progressive and enlightened Aquarius, is exactly conjunct Jupiter, the planet of abundance.  Perhaps it may just translate as abundant spending, but the close proximity to the North Node, implies that this is what we need to do, what we are supposed to be doing: recognizing, and sacrificing for the benefit of the whole, rather than benefiting a small elite financial hierarchy at the top.  How brilliant is that?

Whatever career you may choose for yourself-Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher - let me propose an avocation to be pursued along with it.  Become a dedicated fighter for Civil Rights.  Make it a central part of your life.

It will make you a better Doctor, a better Lawyer, a Better Teacher.

It will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can.  It will give you that rare sense of nobility that can only spring from love and selflessly helping your fellow man.  Make a career of humanity.  Commit yourself to the noble struggle for human rights.  You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Eclipse of Democratic Action

Lunar Eclipse

Monday, February 9, 2009; Washington, D.C.; 9:38 AM EST

Aries is Rising in the Lunar Eclipse chart for Washington, DC, this Monday. Aries is the sign of courageous action, and the determination to win, to triumph, even in the face of daunting obstacles standing in the way.  This courage and determination is driven by the administration, which has a cause to fight for, that they perceive to be bigger than any individual or selfish interests. There will be many difficulties to overcome, but the administration will be successful as indicated by the applying conjunction between the ruler, Mars, in Aquarius, to Jupiter on the 17th of February.  

And although this is a Full Moon in the sign of Leo, a strong stellium of 5 planets in Aquarius, diverts the interest from the elite, from the chosen, from the endowed, to "We".  Sun/Chiron and Neptune sit in the collective sign of Aquarius in the 11th House of groups.  The strong Saturn/Uranus opposition still extant, contribute to the concept of needing to contribute to and aid the lesser, the disenfranchised, the unemployed, the uninsured.  Change is inevitable, fated, destined, and to ignore it will reap a crisis unimaginable.  Just wait for the Saturn/Pluto square next November, if you really want to see the proverbial waste hit the fan.  The 11th House is also Congress, and Sun/Chiron/Neptune point to overdue legislation to promote fairness and democracy for the good of the whole.  The Saturn/Uranus opposition also points to new regulations for hospitals, health care and unemployment.  It was reported in Reuters on Wednesday (February 4), that there is concern over the integrity of the American medical system and its relationship with pharmaceutical companies:

Doctors may have to give up not just pens and prescription pads, but cozy seminars put on by drug companies in the guise of education, while the companies may need to give up direct-to-consumer ads, the experts wrote in a series of commentaries in the British Medical Journal.

"We've seen a lot of transgressions - people who have taken advantage of the system for their own self-aggrandizement or profit.  It's got to stop," said Dr. Harlan Krumholz of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

 Mercury high and conjunct the Midheaven in Capricorn, is about creating sound and practical legislation, and promoting laws that will facilitate those changes and regulations.  The Sun/Chiron/Neptune conjunction in the House of Congress can also indicate secret plots or plans to undermine the administration.  Could also be illness or scandal.  But any subversive plans will only be 'eclipsed' by the necessity for democratic reform, and attention to ills plaguing our society due to the neglect of the past 8 years.  The time has come, and the time is now.

Another interesting Sun/Chiron/Neptune (representing the disenfranchised; or the disinherited regaining power) is that the RNC has elected Michael Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, as its chairman.  This will be the first time in history, that the Republican Party will have an African-American as their leader.  Though many recognize him as the same old stuff in new clothes, or perhaps even a wolf in sheep's clothing, some hope his presence will be helpful in rebuilding the party.  Neptune is also the planet of masks, illusion, and theater.  

This is interesting in light of the fact that the planet of honesty and justice, in the sign of freedom and truth, is high and exactly conjunct the North Node.  How refreshing to think that we are finally going to realize intrinsic American values such as truth and justice?  The planet of abundance and fortune ensures the success of our President, a man who is not only an icon in our country of the United States, but an international and global hero as well.  We are finally regaining our position in society, not as an oligarchy and imperialist nation, but a people of the people and for the people.  Setting an example to be followed rather than dreaded.  No matter what the polls say, this is a President that is inspiring, admired and indeed loved.  

Although this eclipse occurs concurrently with the Full Moon in Leo, the sign of self-love...Aquarius demands that self-love be subjugated for a cause and necessity greater than self.  However Leo is also the sign of leadership and creative self-expression that can be actualized through Aquarius.  We all have a responsibility and a capacity to share through our collective creative inspiration, to change the world.  And as Leo is the sign of Love, Aquarius compels us to love all of our brothers and sisters, unconditionally, here in this situation we call the United States of America.  Amen.

It is a primary characteristic of the superior person that his or her practice of self-cultivation is focused upon helping everyone in the society.

-Confucius