Santa Cruz Good Times

Two celebrations (Earth Day on Thursday, Wesak on Wednesday) and one major transit (Saturn opposite Uranus) are the focus this week. Often Earth is not acknowledged in astrology charts. In esoteric astrology, Earth is placed opposite the Sun sign. The symbol for Earth is a cross within a circle. Earth (Ray 3) is a planet developing Divine Intelligence (Ray 3) and the activity of the Holy Spirit (Ray 3) which distributes the purpose of this solar system (2nd or 3), the Will(ingness) to Love). These are the esoteric (inner) reasons for Earth Day.

On Monday the Dweller on the Threshold (Saturn) opposes (eventual integration) the planet of revolution (Uranus) for the fourth time (fifth occurs in July). Saturn and Uranus are the rulers of Libra (Ray 3, economics). Earth (Ray 3) is presently experiencing a breakdown of past structures (Saturn) so the new culture and civilization (Uranus) can be created. Simultaneously, the Aquarian Age is about to more fully manifest (June with Uranus & Jupiter entering Aries).

Mercury (the wing-footed Hermes) retrogrades Sunday, April 18 (East Coast) at 12 degrees Taurus. It’s the second (of four) Mercury retro this year, all in earth signs: Capricorn (January), Taurus (April), Virgo (August) and again in December (Cap). Mercury retro in Taurus calls us to review our values, money and possessions. What and where are they? During Mercury retro all of humanity, events and earth’s kingdoms collectively retreat (except for those born with Mercury retrograde). As Mercury governs our thinking, communication, interactions, transportation, when retro, there is confusion, everything works backwards, sideways or not at all. Everyone’s driving in reverse, looking in a rear-view mirror, and concentrating on inner worlds of reality. It is actually not very safe unless we are consciously aware at all moments. We do not move forward, destination routes are obstructed and all actions must be re-thought-out, re-done, re-kindled, re-worked, re-assessed, re-envisioned and re-arranged. We’re forced into a state of respite, an interval of doing things differently, a lull in which we rest and recuperate creating weeklong retreats. What if we seriously used the three weeks of Mercury retrograde as times to hideaway, of sanctuary, havens of quietude and refuge? Businesses need to think this way. But it must begin with each individual. Mercury retrograde creates a time of mental relief alerting us that our minds are filled to capacity with information gathered (Gemini task) since the last Mercury retro. With Mercury retro we are given time to review, assess, order and organize (Virgo tasks, Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo) what we know thus making room in our minds for the new information gathered in the next three months (till the next Mercury retro). During Mercury retro we have revelations.

As the Sun moves through the last half of Aries, it’s best to begin projects this week (not next) because on Sunday, April 18th, Mercury retrogrades (looking back, past review) in Taurus. Things initiated now (before the retro) will enter into a reflective stage during the retro, then manifest into form and matter after the retro (May 11th with Aries moon). Thursday and Friday are Aquarius moon days. We could feel rebellion, seek personal freedom, everything’s a bit sideways, unusual and tradition has no place as we build toward the future. Saturday and Sunday are Pisces moon. We seek retreat, tranquility, peacefulness. We’re sensitive, spiritual or drug and alcohol induced. Veils between worlds are thin, delicate, and translucent.

In the Christian liturgy this week, Thursday is celebrated as Holy Thursday, the day of the Last Supper, when Christ (Archangel from Sirius, where Love originates) gathered His students (disciples) in an “upper room” (higher mental plane) and instituted the priesthood and Holy Eucharist, the new dispensation (Pisces Law of sacrifice, the heart of which is Love). No longer was humanity to sacrifice (offering) the blood of humans or animals on the temple altars. Instead, the “sacrifice” was the in the form of bread (Christ’s body—form/matter, Ray 3) and wine (blood, the Spirit, Ray 1).

Good Friday is the day of Christ’s Crucifixion, the 4th Initiation, the Great Renunciation, the “dying” into spirit or into our “essential nature.” Holy Saturday, the candles are extinguished in the church; there is no light, commemorating the death of Christ in the tomb of matter. While in the tomb, Christ entered the underworld and released the earth spirits from their involutionary (deeper into matter) path. Humanity was released also from 18 million years of isolation.

Sunday is Easter, which always follows the Aries Full moon. This festival of Resurrection recognizes the new spiritual year in humanity. It’s the Festival of Love; of new life coming forth in all kingdoms each year.

As the Pisces waters dissolved things away, allowing entrance into Aries, sign of new beginnings, I write this column in search of those new beginnings. After 12 years (a Jupiter, Ray 2, cycle) the building housing our Astrological & Esoteric Institute, will no longer be available after April 1. The Institute, itself not closing, will be expanding and we will be looking for “all things new” as Aries promises—new buildings, new land, something great and large to build a community and college on. And so from 9 a.m. (no earlier) to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, there will be an Esoteric Moving Sale at the Center, 523 Center and New Streets, and in the back parking lot. What’s available? Items that absorbed 12 years of esoteric and astrological thinking, training, studies, communication, learning, meditation, visualization, new and full moons festivals, invocations and prayer—desks, drawers, computer desk, table, chairs, large pillows, couch, small refrigerator, books, white board, shelf, vacuum, various kitchen and garden things as well as the trees and plants that protected and vitalized our Center for 48 seasons.

Saturday is Spring Equinox and International Astrology Day. Monday is World Water Day (clean water for a healthy world) at the United Nations. See link. At equinox, the Sun shines directly over Earth’s equator, having passed from southern to northern latitudes, making its way to the Tropic of Cancer (Summer Solstice). This is the astronomical Resurrection.

The night and early morning skies are filled with starry lights. To the left of Orion’s belt (three stars in a row) is Sirius (Ray 2) where Love originates. To Orion’s right are the Pleiades, Ray 3, where Intelligence originates. Turning around we see the Big Dipper (Ray 1, where Will originates), it’s seven stars and Seven Rays influencing all life on Earth. Jupiter (Ray 2) is the morning star with Mercury (Ray 4), Venus (Ray 5), Mars (Ray 6) and Saturn (Ray 3) nightlights. It’s good to introduce our selves to the stars and planets. There’s always a response.

Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday morning, 2 am, Monday is Pisces new moon (25 degrees), and St. Patrick’s Day is Wednesday. We’re less than two weeks from Spring equinox. However, I hear in Tennessee the robins have returned so they think it’s already spring. Every month esoteric groups worldwide observe new and full moon times with prayer and meditation. They invoke (call forth) and receive the concentrated light (Pisces this month) from the Sun and moon and radiate that light into the world (into humanity and earth’s kingdoms). The new moon theme is always to “Strengthen the hands (work, activities, intentions, resources) of the New Group of World Servers (NGWS)” –men and women of Goodwill working for equality of opportunity, justice, inclusiveness and right relations for all of humanity. Many work unrecognized. Their intention is to meet the needs of humanity and all living creatures through understanding the inter-relationships (Life Principle, Monad) existing among all kingdoms (mineral, plant, animal, human, Soul, Hierarchy, Shamballa).