This website hosts over 400 posts written since 2011 for a general and astrological readership
In recent years the original emphasis has pivoted more towards personal growth/spiritual development and evolutionary potentials within the birth chart. Earlier work includes planetary cycles along with favourite research areas such as extreme weather solar dynamics including spaceweather; astrological profiles of criminal offenders
The end of 2012 sees a supposed slowdown in quake activity leading local scientists to announce:
"The probability of a large earthquake hitting Canterbury continues to decline as the earthquake sequence settles down, says GeoNet. Latest aftershock probabilities show the chance of a magnitude 5.0 to 5.4 aftershock happening in the next year is now at 69 per cent - compared to 71 per cent last month and 82 per cent in January.
There is now a 29 per cent chance of a magnitude 5.5 to 5.9 hitting before November 9, 2013, a 9 per cent possibility of a magnitude 6.0 to 6.4, and a 2 per cent chance of 6.5 to 6.9 aftershock.
There is just a 1 in 100 chance of another magnitude 7.0 or higher like the 7.1 which struck Darfield on September 4, 2010, sparking the Canterbury earthquake sequence."
shows the enduring activity of the current sequence over the past year. It has had many more supposed decays and declines than any of the other sequences shown, followed by rebounds. The general trend looks to be down even to the non-specialist observer -but is that what is really going on?
To accept and believe in a clear and definite reduction, i.e. in effect a cessation in earthquake activity in the larger Canterbury region, may be too much to hope for, given the unusual and unexpected seismic features in the period since Sept 4 2010 and the unpredictability element associated with natural forces of this type.
The previously active Pegasus Bay area is seemingly quiet but as recently as June-mid November 2012 featured a string of quakes many would not be aware of (Canterburyquakelive graphic)
I continue to regard the Pegasus Bay area as a vulnerability, and to locals, the source of further unexpected activity, (the "hidden" factor of being sub-marine, not land based, a dark horse element if you like. Pegasus of course being the winged horse of Greek mythology). There is a clear west to east progression in the aftershock sequences and in view of the current global condition of increasing extreme weather, and in the context of a holistic interpretation, associated geophysical stresses and strains are likely to be exacerbated, rather than lessened.
This consideration of the broader picture suggests a resumption of more significant seismic activity in the region may have a greater probability than standard models deduce.
As at Jan 2 2013, the last 100 quakes in Canterbury, M3.0 and over. See how the intense dark area is indicative of the amount of earth movement within a concentrated area, heading into the bay.
The very latest on Jan 2 was in Pegasus Bay (purple area) -source canterburyquakelive
Further reading: Background posts on this site reference the events in Canterbury in detail as well as some opinion re the pattern of unfoldment provided as an alternative viewpoint to standard scientific modelling. Refererence:
For some initial seismological data on the Canterbury Earthquakes refer to this video
2013: expect the revolutionary upheavals globally to continue as the Pluto-Uranus synergy remains fully empowered into 2014 and 2015.
Many more who have abused their power & position will fall from grace; more action springs from those oppressed to challenge their restraints.
This is a long process of readjustment and extreme forces are activated.
This intense, collectively life-changing era will be marked by profound experiences for many this year, including powerful life changing self transformations as well as more deaths by violence, in accidents and in fires.
Environmental and extreme weather challenges continue to add to the range of issues to be faced.
Balance in all things is the solution.
The fundamental energetic forces of the elements of our planet ( fire/heat, earth, air/wind, water ) are engaged in a process of much needed readjustments.
The antidote to overwhelming situations will be spiritual for increasing numbers of people.
These long-term developments show the typical slow and steady style
of a major longterm plan.
All this in a climate of denial
The time frame until the risk potential for conflict in the Space domain is diminishing quickly: from 2025-2044 the power struggle for space dominance is set to really emerge from the shadows.
As human technology expands, so does the territory or theatres of warfare
From land based skirmishes, to battles at sea, then air, - commencing in former times with kite and balloon assisted weaponry, long before the pronounced use of airplanes in the twentieth century - and beyond the earth domain into space - where to date only test programs have been enacted with no casualties -already anticipating future military scenarios: the major powers are effectively enabled for military engagements in outer space. This of course has the potential to impact geostationary satellites.
Land, Sea, Air, Space - the four domains of human exploration are already militarized, but we have entered now the Fifth Domain of Cyberspace - which has more potential for widespread destruction than anything other than a nuclear attack.
The following astro-analysis looks at elemental, planetary and zodiac energies as a template for predictions about cyberwar
The Air domain encompasses all hackable electronic devices and the global internet. An elemental and energetic analysis based on the quartet of fire-earth-air-water elements shows why this is a critical era for cyberwar. Land =earth Sea = water Air = air Space = air Cyberspace = air The shift in domains away from the most physical to the most virtual reflects general trends in technologies.
In terms of the elemental forces embedded in all things, this is an earth to air transition period In energetic terms the template of astrological signs matches this perfectly:
Earth & physical/material objects corresponds to Taurus.
Earth & physical/material structures correspond to Capricorn
Earth & physical/material systems correspond to Virgo
Air communications and messaging = Gemini, the human network
Air technologies are Aquarius, the electronic network
Warfare is Aries energy
delivered through Mars
Our contemporary era 2011-2016 features the most obvious indicators of a fuller scale entry into cyberwarfare [but this will not be the end of it]- ushered in by the energetic impulse provided by:
- transformational/destructive Pluto forces altering Capricornian societal structures and infrastructure
- radical/anarchic/ Uranus expressing through aggressive militaristic Aries.
[As Uranus remains in Aries until 2019, further time frames are open for all kinds of electronic warfare/cyber attacks]
Uranus is the natural channel for the air element of Aquarius = the electronic network.
The Uranus-Aries signature has high level potential for computer driven technologies to launch destructive attacks on national infrastructures.
The elemental transition from earth to airdominance in technologies in the Jupiter-Saturn cycle has been preceded by repeated conjunctions in the earth element from 1842 until the end of 1980.
From 1981 to May 28, 2000 there was a sequence of Air conjunctions.
From May 28, 2000 to Dec 21, 2020 is the last gasp in Earth element dominance [focus on material objects & grossly physical technologies] for hundreds of years.
A decline in materialistic values and attachment to the physical, eg disdain for possessions is inevitable during the Air dominant period over the next two hundred years from 2021.
This 200 year period will see extensive embedded data systems in terms of technology but also an increase in the human mental capacity for mind-to-mind non-verbal communications, thought transference, mind-reading using electromagnetic frequencies as opposed to physical speech or writing
With Uranus in Taurus 2019-2026 a further disconnect, detachment from material and physical technologies is likely to become manifest
In addition:
Less reliance on physical, material objects eg. a cashless economy, more wireless, less cabling, the end of wallets full of swipe cards; those objects which become mainstream are more highly sophisticated, technologically.
Less paper documents and objects.
Reading and writing switch predominantly to electronic mode
From 2025-2044 Pluto is is the Air sign Aquariuswhich has clear implications for technology -both positive and negative
While groups and networks will form to develop transformational and egalitarian technologies there is equally scope for destructive use of technology where people seek to gain power, control and dominate through electronic means.
More widespread cyberwar
is likely in this era, 2025-2044
updates 2013: The big topic is state & global surveillance including the roles played by the american NSA, British GCHQ New Zealand's GCSB. Wikileaks, Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden have been to the forefront of disclosing state secrets. These articles in September 2013 summarise current issues: How to remain secure The undermining of encrypted communications
2014 News item on Eugene Kaspersky lists many cybercrime heists uncovered: IT system of Antwerp's shipping port taken offline to allow a cocaine drop Mining company software hacked to siphon off a quantity of coal over 5 yr period Petrol loyalty cards loaded with discounts and mass produced UK customs IT collapse causing major port and airport congestion Mafia's entry into cybercrime Mobile devices and Smart TVs being remotely accessed and hacked The future targets will be much larger infrastructure FBI is seeking to arrest Chinese nationals operating from a military unit for the purpose of stealing trade secrets and intellectual property from a range of US companies
update June 20: conflicting reports re Egypt's deposed President
NOTE: The energy expressions of a New
Moon or Full moon phase can be activated in prior days before
exactitude - and anytime during the lunar month ahead. Eclipses ( as on June 4 2012) have potentials at least until the next eclipse cycle. Strong patterns
occurring at the time of a new/full moon can cause extended triggering
of potentials as well. For many reasons, the exact day of a new/full
moon may not be the most powerful in terms of activations within the
time frame of that lunar month or eclipse period. Note: updates are typically added to my reports, please return for more commentary.
June 2012 is a very energised month on account of a strong eclipse on the 4th [see full report link below] plus there are strong planetary pairs in dynamic situations, in the latter half of June 2012: Pluto has its exact square with Uranus [ June 24] and Jupiter will exactly square Neptune [June 25] With these four planets in powerful activation mode within 24hrs of each other - and the Moon's declination on the equator on the 25th - we have a mixture that has significant geo-physical implications. This means stresses and strains on the earth's structure which typicaly result in earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruptions. This time the alarm level looks much higher than average.
If a significant natural disaster occurs affecting a big population, Jupiter square Neptune could both reflect a Big Water element [flood/tsunami/rainfall] as well as lots of incorrect information, the situation unclear & confused, so many messages telling the wrong story. With the use of megessaging/ Twitter/Facebook, information "goes viral" at lightning speed -which is what is expected when news of a globally significant tragedy is passed around. The problem here is that fast transmission allows for a multitude of Neptunian errors and confusion. Be alert re this potential - as well as the darker misappropriation of information, using it to deliberately spread lies, distortions.
The concerning factor adding to the above is the Gemini New Moon on June 19, in late Gemini - the late mutable signs having a recurrent appearance in highly significant earth-environmental events - including massive quakes, tsunami, and the bombings of Nagasaki-Hiroshima. This New Moon will be energised by Mars in late Virgo during the final week of June, at a time when Pluto-Uranus-Sun-Moon-Venus have various interactions.
Be assured that particular people and places who resonate most with these patterns will have life changing & intense, transformational experiences in the latter half of June 2012
Simultaneously the socio-enomic & political fabric of our lives is subject to these same forces, so news sources will be full of powerfully changing events in these categories. We are in the heat of the crucible at this time and for some time to come,so chaos and turmoil are a necessary ingredient in this very alchemical process. Refer to extended report Massive Transformations Ahead to put into context the bigger picture of social-economic-political-environmental change in this era. Present global events & conditions of change are only the start of this extended process. update June 13 2012
Here's a good summary of historical examples of Uranus and Pluto in dynamic tension update June 15 2012 The second half of June 2012 is the most concerning in terms of potential global geophysical stressors.
Moon in maximum north declination on June 18
New Moon on June 20 at solstice
the combined planetary picture at 10.30pm June 20
Saturn-Venus on June 21
Pluto-Uranus exact over many days
Jupiter-Neptune exact over many days
Sun-Moon-Pluto-Uranus on June 27
Pluto-Sun-Uranus on June 30 Bearing
in mind this array of conditions in effect over a two week time frame, a
potential hi-risk time may be theorized - this is not an outright
prediction because so much complexity challenges anyone seeking to
pinpoint events in advance.
Flood issues are strong throughout June 2012 & many reports in the first 2 weeks, across the globe already indicate severe downpours. June 15 report from UK warns of a once in 50 year storm pending, with expected "a month's worth of rain in 24 hours and 70mph winds" -full report Update June 20 - flooding issues in British Columbia Canada and Assam region northern India, reported Update June 21 - NZ has had pockets of heavy rainfall but nothing yet like the flooding southeast Minnesota USA - as this picture gallery from June 20 2012 reveals. Considerable quake activity over M4 also noted globally in the period so far from June 19-29 2012 update June 22 - flash flooding & evacuations in s/e Melbourne Update June 29 - State of emergency in Colorado due to wildfire devastation -ranked as state's most destructive, with mass evacuations - the exact Pluto-Uranus energy is implicated in this fiery destruction report
Greece update June 16 2012
As Greece sits on a precipice with global economic implications, reports are received of a nation under duress, where the rule of law is breaking down. Attacks on immigrants are reminiscent of the era of Greek Independence - particularly the 1821 massacres at Navarino & Tripoli where immigrants were slaughtered in large numbers. History - and cycles - repeats. In 1821 Pluto squared Uranus - just as it is doing in 2012 & beyond.
From NASA SDO a sped up animation of the actual transit passage of Venus in June 2012 across the Sun shown at 171 wavelength, which visually accentuates the activity magnetic field lines.
For astrological commentary re the Venus transit and links see June 2012 eclipse
THE UK LONDON CHART for the June 4 eclipse -click to enlarge
NZ chart - taken at Christchurch
click to enlarge graphics for slideshow view
This June 2012 full moon is another close perigee = Supermoon as defined by Richard Nolle. The perigee, exact full moon and moon in extreme south declination all occur in close combination - and very soon to be followed by the transit of Venus across the sun on June 5-6. This transit adds to the last eclipse indicators re a shift away from dominant masculine power towards greater prominence of the feminine - less yang more yin. The time to assert far greater female equality is also very relevant.
News update June 5:
Mars versus Venus
[update June 5: With the weekend of celebration re Britain's Queen Elizabeth's 60 year reign - Diamond Jubilee coinciding with the Venus transit it is timely to note that her popularity has perhaps never been higher. This contrasts with the widespread contemporary distaste people have for governments and their style of management. A strong example of the shift in male-female power dynamics]
Michael Erlewine, using his tidal force tables also attributes a 93-94% pull being in force between June 3-6 2012. These combined factors considered, seismic activity is expected to increase under these conditions.
UK London chart chosen on account of the Queen's Jubilee -shows Jupiter ( optimism, confidence) in Taurus (steadfast, fundamental values) most elevated - and at a time when the great transformer, Pluto is exact on the, also elevated, Sun, the Royal signifier in this context. Britain's chart set for 1066 shows the prominence of Royalty and tradition (Capricorn) - to this nation. A rebirth of Royal devotion looks likely, since they, as a family represent the supportive and good service aspects of a benign nation far more than the role played by governments -especially amidst austere times.
With Uranus in the mix, set to tighten its strain on the status quo in the UK [ as well as across the globe whereever change is overdue] the question arises whether the Queen will decide to end her reign within the year.
1066 UK chart has a lot of earth emphasis -practical, hard-working, conservative
Christchurch New Zealand selected for the lunar eclipse at 11.11pm June 4 2012 -though this is taken as representative of NZ in general for this event. [seismic activity has been ongoing in this region since the first, unexpected sequence on unknown faults occurred on Sept 4 2010]
A Neptunian tragedy
Neptune-Pisces connects strongly to water - but also to drugs, alcohol, oil, gas, chemicals, toxicity, sensitivities, allergies. Any or several of these are likely to be implicated in painful events including deaths, in this lunar eclipse time frame [ can be triggered by other elements, days before exactitude & potentially active up to next lunar eclipse in 6mnths]
For Christchurch, this signature is based on the Neptune-Chiron placement at the AC (ascendant) - all in Pisces and with Pluto joining the energy of Scorpio (MC) via tight sextile to Chiron. The associated dimension of a powerful spiritual healing for some involved in such an event.
[update : example events in NZ - June 3 news reveals hi profile NZ actress Robyn Malcolm drove her car after a social night out, involving drinking alcohol. A Police checkpoint showed her breath test exceeded the legal alcohol limit for driving - report
[updates June 9 2012: US Gulf states experience unprecedented flooding.
West Wales suffers flash flooding June 9 2012; Sydney Australia swamped in heaviest rain for 5 years -June 10-11 2012 Please note too with the next lunation event, New Moon at 29 Gemini on June 19 2012 it is likely that more significant flood & extreme weather events will be in the news. The terminal degrees of mutable signs are unusually prevalent in major earth energy disturbances and this may connect to the Galactic Centre - currently 27 Sagittarius. See my Galactic Centre 2012 posting re the issue of extreme weather & the late mutable sign degrees.
update June 22 2012: Neptunian tragedy: Up to a hundred lost at sea in asylum seeker boat tragedy on June 21, north of Christmas Island -report
Mutable Signs emphasised:
The eclipse itself involves Sun in Gemini, Moon in Sagittarius, being a full moon, partial lunar eclipse. The full cohort of mutable signs featured are:
Sun, Mercury, Venus, south lunar node in Gemini
Moon, north lunar node in Sagittarius
Mars in Virgo
Ascendant, Neptune, Chiron in Pisces
1. With tight contacts between Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars there are relationship and gender tensions over beliefs, ideas, thoughts, comments, opinions, philosophies - a significant male-female divide exposed over when men think versus the female opinion or even just yin versus yang - parenting, work/life balance, home life vs career life, are sure to be newsworthy [ in NZ] in this lunar month. In general, universally & globally, a notable theme this month is about conflict, a clash of beliefs, arguments over details; news and media content criticised.
Mature, mediated conversations are the remedy; resolving differences through mediation - this applies as much on a personal level as in business and public domains. Collectively we need to permit the process of resolution, peace-making, diplomacy to settle our differences - or face perpetual hellish scenarios in a world gone insane.
[update June 11 the eclipse has brought forth in NZ the issue of educational philosophy - perfectly reflecting Gemini-Sagittarius. Much dissent - via the stressor Mars - followed a proposed government policy for schools. People power, via the Pluto-Uranus square - enabled a government backdown
2. Gemini-Sagittarius both involve movement as in local trips, distant travel, walking, driving, various forms of transport. With Mars in tension - speed, arguments can be the source of travel accidents. Mars is fire energy and so can be associated with transport problems, vehicle combustion.
[updates: June 2plane fireJune 3 -burning car, oil leak on major Auckland route ]; Pakistan bus crash kills 23 on June 4; plane crash Nigeria June 4
New Zealand had over 800 vehicle crashes, with 7 fatalities in the holiday weekend period June 2-4 - way in excess of the stats for April 2012 Easter long weekend. The road Police are mystified. There was a full moon supermoon in effect on the Easter weekend from April 6-8, but the themes of that event did not suggest a hi profile for transport disasters aggravated by Mars as is event for the June 4 eclipse. Extra heavy snow fell on central South Island's Canterbury region, with Christchurch experiencing the "heaviest snow in living memory", including snow at sea-level on beaches. The result has been widespread transport disruption on June 6-7, affecting roads and air travel. Water - frozen in the form of ice and snow has been the prime factor, leading also to power outages [ 1700 homes in Canterbury by morning of Jun 7]. Schools & other educators have been closed on June 6 in Canterbury and the bus transport system shut down in Christchurch. Temperatures dropped to -11C in rural west Canterbury at Darfield. Mountain passes across the region have been closed & many highways closed. Postal delivery - another Gemini domain -suspended in Chch June 7.
In other locations surface flooding from heavy rain (Greymouth, NZ and water has been problematic on Australia's eastern seaboard: wild surf in Sydney from the supertides. In east of Victoria state, Australia, the Gippsland Lakes are posing a flood crisis after huge rainfall ]
With Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries moving tighter and tighter to an exact 90 degree right angle relationship in June, this represents maximum tension between 2 very contrary forces, though both have revolutionary potentials.
The psychological achetypes related to the signs of Capricorn and Aries are being majorly readjusted amongst humanity to correct imbalances [Saturn in Libra holds this card]
Where Capricorn is the elder and mature component of our psyche, Aries is the raw selfish child; Capricorn represents the clan or family component; Aries is the individual. These two often opposing drives towards the needs of self vs the common good have to be better balanced. We have swung way to far into the territory of selfish children.
Saturn's influence is in the mix in order to facilitate this process of change on the level of responsible relating amongst humans in all spheres of social activity - from domestic to public, national and international contexts. We all need to do better, be better and as an example of this, the most pressing & unavoidable truth is to manage monetary behaviour in a more adult fashion, as indicated by global, national and personal financial pressures necessitating the hand of Saturn in terms of fiscal restraint.
Capricorn represent societal structure, governments and authorities [ in loco parentis] and in many nations, governmental management has had the hallmarks of dysfunctional parenting for way too long. This generates a failure of the system to do as intended - to provide the right conditions for citizens to live a productive and healthy life. Operating a national economy that ensures good food, meaningful employment, suitable housing, efficient infrastructure and supportive services is the fundamental task of government. This is a struggle now not only in the Third World, but across First World nations - proof that radical restructuring is required. This process, thankfully, has already, though slowly begun - and will continue intensely in the period of coming years. This is indeed an historic era to be living through but the transition will not be smooth, nor easy.
Expect to see some clear examples of the process of socio-political-economic change repeatedly in the news - some signs will relate to policies and beliefs, some to rebellion & upheaval, some to end of era indicators, some to significant deaths and falls from grace.
[update June 4: astrophysical & geophysical events of June 3-4 coinciding with the solar lunar phase:
Solar activity with geo-effective potentials increased on June 3 with a 3.3 M flare, adding to the earth-facing high speed wind stream. Solar flux and the sunspot number also rose.
Supermoons appear larger - compared to average on left
May 2012 has some very strong patterns involving both solar-lunar factors [extreme lunar perigee Supermoon May 6; solar eclipse May 20] and the building forces involving new wordly expressions of the Aries and Capricorn archetypes - courtesy of Uranus and Pluto in a tightening standoff.
The first factor - Full Moon in Scorpio affects 16 degrees of the fixed signs Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius in particular, bringing death, transformation - and oftern sexual issues - into the spotlight and Pluto's current phase in Capricorn has an extra emphasis - older people; institutions, politics, people in power & authority in general are challenged to address their use of power & authority - since we know many woes in the world derive from improper use of power, abuse and subsequent mistreatment of fellow beings.
update: on May 6 in New Zealand a 19 month old child, was killed when a kitchen stove tipped onto him. Several elements of this tragedy reflect energies of the Full Moon pattern: death (Scorpio) child (Leo) electric stove ( Aquarius-Taurus). The resulting grief and loss described by Saturn in Libra opposite Mercury in Aries - details in later section
Death energy can be literal or symbolic with Scorpio - if symbolic, it refers to significant changes on very deep levels that allow an individual to emerge transformed, perhaps enlightened and resolved to behave differently in the world. The most comprehensive resolution of the imperatives involved - the pressure is intense - is to engage the heart (Leo) plus the sense of collective good via social justice (Aquarius), to use power (Scorpio) in a way that is earthed to a stable centre (Taurus). This inner sense of empowerment then obliterates the ego and domination drives of Leo as well as the destructive urges of Scorpio, the acquisitive greed of Taurus and the anarchic rage of Aquarius.
Of course the ideal outcome will only be accessed by some, so the themes just noted re the wounded band of fixed signs will arise in this lunar phase. All four fixed signs can be extreme and dramatic so this is the stuff of news to be expected during May. Taurus also relates to our attachment to money & materialism. Money plus power at odds with heart-centred humanitarians suggests more showdowns of the type related to the 99% vs the 1%, so more intense protests are guaranteed.
These issues of course only serve to highten the Pluto-Uranus transformational phase which is reforming the nature of powerful people and the institutions they control. Many have and will continue to fall from grace, deposed, incarcerated, some self destructing along the roadside as the unstoppable momentum eventually brings radical change in the several years time frame of which this period is just the "spring". Mars is in very tight connection to Uranus thereby energizing the Pluto-Uranus potentials with the downside of angy, militaristic & generally aggressive impulses merging with the power duo. Accidents and violence also cluster around this sort of profile. Saturn and Mercury are in very tight opposition at the full moon in the territories of Aries and Libra - self and others are in the balance and the source of much discussion, discord over sorting out priorities, responsibilities in these aspects of our lives. Communications breakdown/blockage/lockdown/jamming is strongly indicated both between individuals, technologies and systems.
This UK chart [link below] for the full moon gives 0 Aries rising - adding extra strain on a tightly linked chart so promising action, lots of high profile outcomes manfesting for the energy. (US astrologer Jude Cowell gives 0 Capricorn rising over Washington offering another strong link to the full moon energies) Of significance too, in May are the days around 10-13th right to the next solar-lunar event -the eclipse on the 20th because several planets at 23-24 degrees in that time frame link to planets at 8 degrees. The 23 position is important because of its relationship to the meeting point of Uranus and Pluto -then at 7 & 9 degrees, so 8 is their synergy point ready to be triggered in the middle weeks of May.
Watch and see what powerful upheavals occur that signify the Uranus-Pluto transformation is well and truly underway. update: on the social level the weekend of May 12-13 activists gathered across the globe [ includingAthens, Moscow, New York, Chicago, Frankfurt, Barcelona and Madrid] in the spirit of the Occupy movement and in Spain, Los Indignados[indignant] - these events have a powerful and enduring significance for our future, but this is only the early stage of manifestation BBC report Chicago report Frankfurt report Occupy London website In summary: intense, turbulent and dramatic forces prevail during May, affecting the energetic realms of people & nature. Aside from the intense human forces associated with protest and the system's response, there has been at least 12 M5+ quakes in the period May 10-13 as well as a volcanic eruption in Mexico
Regarding the May solar eclipse on the 20th, Marcus Mason makes some very interesting points. His commentary on the effect of this solar eclipse crossing the male or yang energy channel of the earth grid clearly represents the Uranus in Aries balance in the equation with Pluto. Mason says that this eclipse sees old patriarchal energies (Pluto in Capricorn)being reformed into new male archetypes (Uranus in Aries). Fascinating!. Cannot wait.
update May 17:
This eclipse emphasises 0 degrees Gemini & all the mutable sign quartet = Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces, Virgo) -reinforced by Neptune in Pisces, Mars in Virgo, Venus in Gemini and the lunar nodes in Sagittarius-Gemini. This makes for a big emphasis on all matters of those four signs. Gemini & Sag. are both about information, messaging and transport systems. Gemini is localised, Sag is long distance. Communication, transfer/transport of people and information, messaging, publishing - this all indicates lots of energetic movement in these domains. One hi profile example may be a significant event leading to lots of words being dispatched via text, email, blogs, tweets, phones etc. (Hectic morning. want to add here: at the eclipse, Mercury & Jupiter join closely in Taurus, linked to Venus in Gemini & Saturn in Libra = money/economic issues are the subject of the abundant discussions. Saturn's position in respect of Mercury is very important - bringing a serious need for balancing/austerity - in counterforce to Jupiter's stimulus & spend ethic. This polar opposite philisophy of economics will dominate news. Saturn may in general cause data/systems outages as well due to the effect on channels of communication.
Planets in the cardinal signs ( Cancer, Capricorn, Libra, Aries) are the next dominant group with Pluto in Capricorn, Uranus in Aries, Saturn in Libra, Mercury in Aries. These are the current positions, excepting Mercury, which are the bedrock of radical change about to unfold on the global stage. By restructuring, rebalancing, new conditions, the recipe the power planets are synergising for this purpose is coming into manifestation before our eyes. This is both social-political-economic and environmental. Cardinal signs are the seasonal markers of the solstices and equinoxes and thus collectively the power of a "climate change" affecting all aspects of our lives is on offer.
In addition, this powerful eclipse links planets at 23-25 degrees ( Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury) to the strengthening force of Pluto-Uranus, makinga profound state of change the theme of this eclipse. Politics, governance, economics, social conditions are all ready for a new, better functioning system, addressing imbalances & disempowerment.
With Jupiter and Mercury both in the sign of money, commodities, materialism in general - namely, Taurus - these planets together carry the themes of both lunar nodes - the north node now in Jupiter's sign Sagittarius - and the south node in Mercury's sign, Gemini - a double emphasis on the collective [ i.e. global "we're all in this"] importance of Taurus materialism being subjected to the restraining influence of Saturn as referred to above.
Eclipse phases have a period of influence from the developing period even a week prior to exactitude, and through to the next eclipse event.
update May 21 2012
Many consider that strong solar-lunar events have an influence over earth's physical structure - and weather - especially if other planets are geometrically aligned by very close or exact angles to a new, full or eclipse position. A flurry of strong quakes has occurred across the globe around this eclipse event [the most damaging being in northern Italy, M6, May 20, with aftershocks as well, damaging structures, leaving thousands homeless; some fatalities] and in NZ the seismically sensitive Canterbury region has had the strongest activity since January 2012 - report. update May 22 2012 UT The problem-ridden Facebook IPO (initial public offering) float on May 18 2012 has occurred within the May solar eclipse window and the influences detailed above relating to the restraining influence of Saturn over commodities.
Subsequent reports refer to "over-valued FB stock", "class action suit over Nasdaq glitches", worst in 5 years", "disastrous float", "investors kept in dark" These are the hallmarks of Saturn running the show Glitches Stock Dives SEC to investigate FB
I'm not a market specialist but nervous investors could consider a hands-off approach is the safer bet, with eclipses having a potential long phase effect of 6 months or more depending on re-activating triggers.
The New moon chart is set for London [universal time 7.20 am April 21] just as an example of the general pattern [the layout is location specific -so would be flipped in the southern hemisphere eg NZ]
Taurus = earthly delights of all kinds, so money, pleasure, sensuality, food, material things in general are all part of that basket-load of corresponding energies.
In this lunar month period take opportunities for pleasurable excursions - or if you are more an indoor type -reading and writing for pleasure - due to Venus being in Gemini.
With Neptune in Pisces closely linked to the New Moon another category of pleasures/indulgences will be in the escapist/addictive realms provided by alcohol, smoking, drugs, gambling, fantasy, movies.
There is also an accident pattern involving Mars-Uranus-Mercury in the 3-6 degree range [if you have planets at these degrees take extra care - I do and I suffered a foot sprain on Friday - assisted by this pattern and for me, Saturn's position.
Conflicting urges continue on the general collective level re indulgent spending vs saving & thrift -you may find yourself swinging between the feast/famine modes when it comes to self control. update: In the 2 weeks time frame from this april New moon 2012 til the May 2012 Full Moon in Scorpio a pattern involving Mars, Neptune and the lunar nodes puts several issues into the spotlight: addictive behaviours in general, smoking, alcohol, drugs, poisoning, toxicity, chemicals
and the health/dietary issues connected to such issues are up for discussion and the source of news, raising issues of beliefs, philosophy and ethics surrounding these issue.
In addition it is a good time to put energy into studying/writing about/discussing/analysing film/photography & image-making in general
Other Neptune issues liable to arise relate to fraud, fakery & maritime/marine environment issues
New Zealand is having a fantastic autumn/fall with hot sunny weather over most of the country during April 2012. According to common logic - and consumer studies such as this from the University of Miami - [link below] warm, sunny weather encourages the release of serotonin in the brain, which makes people alert and cheerful and they found happier places had higher retail sales. Now I know why our multi millionaire Prime Minister smiles a lot. It's a don't frighten the horses technique for keeping the nation comatose while his policies sink the ship. So the good weather in April 2012 ought to be encouraging the Jupiter in Taurus acquisitive imperative in New Zealand and anywhere else with warmth and sun, but the Saturn in Libra factor is likely to curtail those urges in places that are currently cold, grey, wet, stormy or environmentally threatening.
Our world continues in a Big Changes phase but much more profound stuff is to come over this and several years, in the context of earth changes as well as the nature and balance of power held by authorities and institutions.
Commentary on the sun's 24th sunspot cycle continues to consider the unusual ingredients in this cycle, pointing towards a significant low sunspot period unfolding.
This NOAA space weather graphic prediction shows the low level tracking of the sunspot totals since Cycle 24 started in December 2008. The totals are expected by normal calculations, to track along the red trace. Scroll to end for 2014 updates
click to enlarge all graphics
Jan Alvestad's site Solen provides a lot of cycle graphs for historic comparisons and he freely shares his work. His analysis suggests Cycle 24 may mimic Cycle 10 to some extent.
Cycle 10 began in December 1855, ended March 1867 [ 11years, 3 mo]
Cycle 10 peaked after 50 months in Feb 1860 with a peak around 95 on the number axis.
So here's an interesting proposition: if Cycle 24 has a similar beginning trajectory
Beginning December 2008
Peaking February 2013 ( 50 months in)
Does Cycle 24 unfold as expected, ending around 2020?
Or could this cycle effectivelyend much sooner than expected - i.e. decline unusually quickly, with subsequent Deep or Grand Minimum of sunspot activity.
A significant consensus says a minimum event is on the horizon but there are lots of different theories suggesting why.
One indicator I will be watching re the question whether Cycle 24 has any connection to Cycle 10 is the position of Saturn. In November 2014 Saturn will reach the same position as in March 1867 which marked the end of Cycle 10. From this point a clear and dramatic decline in the sunspot levels of Cycle 24 may be underway.
This this is a rather random intuitive leap, updates will be added which reflect of the status of Cycle 24.
The theories of Landscheidt et al. referenced by Geoff Sharp pursue a wholistic solar systemic perspective compared to standard NASA research.
update April 20 2012
Piers Corbyn, UK forecaster expects Coldest May in 100 years for Britain in 2012 - report
Update May 17 UT
Unusually large sunspot 1476 basically failed to deliver much of note as it crossed the solar disc in the past week - though on exit stage right -an M5.1 starting between 0:00 to 01:00 hrs UT, plus CME seems to have knocked out spaceweather satellites, with ACE & GOES amongst others, blinking off for up to 3 hrs. Piers Corbyn supports the view of Japanese researchers who feel the north & south solar polar fields have become out of synch, creating what Corbyn calls a 'magnetic muddle'. Is this responsible for the current underwhelming solar output?
update March 2 2013
NASA acknowledges 'something unexpected is happening on the sun & so a new prediction for the current solar cycle:
update March 13 2013 Going back in time when excitement was high over solar activity: Solarham notes: Between March 6th and March 19th, 1989 during Solar Cycle 22, a very large Sunspot numbered 5395 was making it's second trip across the Earth facing side of the Sun. The spot was so large, measuring over 3500 millionth's the Sun's visible Earth facing hemisphere, it could have swallowed up approx. 22 planet Earths. The behemoth was responsible for 48 M-Class flares and 11 X-Class flares during the transit, including a massive X15 event on March 6th, 1989. One of these large X-Class events on March 10th hurled a massive CME towards Earth and was responsible for a now legendary geomagnetic storm between March 13 and March 15, 1989. This particular storm was so intense, it knocked out the Hydro Quebec power grid for several hours and visible Aurora could be seen as far south as Florida and Cuba. update April 25 2014 The sun is doing something odd. The double peak of sunspots is now projecting much higher than the initial peak in this cycle Standard solar physics says the cycle should now be weakening -not growing in strength. This has implications for climate effects: more solar activity =more warming; less activity =more cooling report
In the 21st Century -a Summary of aspects Repeating the 1930's:
1. We are again in an era of dominant Cardinal sign placements held by the powerfully influential Pluto, Uranus and Saturn in 2011-2012. Plus, the mutable energies (primarily Sagittarius & Pisces) follow that group, as in the 1930's.
From July 2010 Saturn's drying and blocking influence has held sway in the cardinal sign Libra, relating to issues of balance/imbalance in the environment .
Saturn remains in Libra until October 6 2012, after which the sign of
Scorpio follows for almost 3 years. The effects of Saturn now bring
endings, transformation and new beginnings, commonly marked by the
symbolism and actuality of death. ( land, crops, pasture, stock die or are radically transformed)
2. Saturn in mutable Sagittarius will square Neptune in mutable Pisces from December2015-October 2016 - a significant drought indicator but most likely also in this timeframe to indicate environmental emergencies in places subjected to excess water (Clear signs are building regarding very vulnerable places, nations, islands concerning flooding )
The imbalance is now set in place for such extremes.
3. 2011 sees the start of a long-term 90 degree square-off involvingPluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries (2011-2016). (in terms of elements: hot wind vs deep changes in lunar, tidal, fluid levels & earth structural conditions)
Essentially, the Pluto-Uranus cycle is being witnessed again as in the thirties, USA, dust bowl drought and the effects of Saturn on water are repeated in vulnerable places
update August 1 2015
The El Nino atmospheric pattern has been weak in the recent period:
The strongest event in recent decades was the 1997-98 El Nino.
Weak El Ninos occurred 2004-2007, Moderate in 2009-10.
The
return of El Nino for 2015-2016 is potentially strong to very strong
& if a run of El Nino years occurs as in 1930-1933 or 1939-1942
then the flow on economic effect will also be sustained.
A sustained El Nino is highly consistent with the forecasting outlined above using contemporary and upcoming planetary indicators along with the historic record -see 2015 post on China and El Nino and the post on drought in the US
I continue to regard the Pegasus Bay area as a vulnerability, and to locals, the source of further unexpected activity, (the "hidden" factor of being sub-marine, not land based, a dark horse element if you like. Pegasus of course being the winged horse of Greek mythology). There is a clear west to east progression in the aftershock sequences and in view of the current global condition of increasing extreme weather, and in the context of a holistic interpretation, associated geophysical stresses and strains are likely to be exacerbated, rather than lessened.
