The Galactic Centre -2012 - and extreme weather

In January 2011, Jupiter and Uranus meet for their final conjunct in this cycle, at 27 Pisces.

Keep that position in mind: 27PIS

My own recent research has pointed me to exactly this aspect of planetary indicators aligning to the galactic axis

 which, to me,explain the intensity of contemporary

 global environmental conditions.

The Galactic Centre (GC) is the centre of our part of the universe and on a daily basis few people would be aware of this or even interested in it.

A number of people have been gearing up to the upcoming event in 2012 involving the alignment of the sun at the December solstice with the galactic centre.

History shows in terms of astrological documentation, that the solstice points in December and June are very powerful, along with the spring and autumn/fall equinox points. If solar-lunar events happen around these points, the effects are extra powerful due to the amount of magnetic and gravitational forces in combined push and pull - like hi voltage, mammoth magnets
John Major Jenkins, with full details here of the astronomical aspects says the timing of the 2012 event actually covers a broad period from 1980-2016, being 36 years during which the sun moves through the zone of the GC so there is a long slow buildup and an aftermath, in his depiction.

Selecting December 21 2012 as a focal date relates to the famous Mayan calendar and this has entered popular culture as an appointment with global armageddon. Basic 2012 information is available on various internet sites, this galactic astrology page is quite detailed for those with astrology knowledge.
One quote from this astrology site is a good place to start to get a handle on whether this truly does seem to be an extraordinary period on earth that we are moving through:
Jupiter will move to conjunct Uranus in the next couple of months [ in 2011]  and all these bodies are aligning to the galactic axis, which is aligned with the solstice axis.


In January 2011, Jupiter and Uranus meet for their final conjunct in this cycle, at 27 Pisces. Keep that position in mind: 27PIS
My own recent research has pointed me to exactly this aspect of planetary indicators aligning to the galactic axis which, to me,explain the intensity of contemporary global environmental conditions.


Intuitions I have had re the importance of the solstice and equinox points and trying to work out the zodiac sign indicators of climate change events, have been beginning to focus down on the starting point of the current position of the GC which is 27 Sagittarius (27SAG). So now remember, 27PIS and 27 SAG - and specifically that these two positions are in 90 degree square and a stress-inducing relationship


Any planetary body connecting by any major angle -including the semi-square (45 degrees) to the GC point of 27SAG is likely to be amplified, in my opinion, by the current status of the sun being in the galactic centre zone.

Using the principles of cosmobiology, it seems quite clear that there are situations when the zodiac signs can be reduced to their modality groups when looking at particular aspects such as the semi-square -basically all the midpoint positions  between the main four angles of the chart - so we then just look at cardinal, fixed mutable interactions. To explain:
27SAG is exact square to 27PIS and they are both (being MUTABLE) aspecting ( semi-square or sesqui-quadrate) any FIXED sign at 12 degree position -so 27 SAG, PIS, GEM and VIR all link by hard angle to 12 LEO, TAU, SCOR & AQU

More progressive research-oriented schools like Cosmobiology or Uranian astrology (Hamburg School of Astrology) consider the semisquare and sesquiquadrate to be relatively "major" aspects while the traditional sextile (60°) and trine (120°) are thought to be relatively "minor" in influence — this based on current research rather than historical documents or beliefs. Astrologers using Cosmobiology and Uranian/Hamburg Astrology work with many more minor aspects than were used prior to 1970, i.e. multiples of 15° (15°, 75°, 105°, & 165°) and multiples of 22.5° (22.5°, 67.5°, 112.5°, & 157.5°).
 - source Wikipedia Astrology Aspects


Contemporary astrophysics continues to reveal, as intuited by the ancients, that the sun has a massive magnetic field interacting with and extending well beyond our known solar system. Planet earth is totally embedded in the magnetic field of the solar system and therefore what the sun does is critical to earth.


In January 2011 with floods being big news in diverse global locations - Australia, Sri Lanka, southern Brazil, South Africa and snow big news in the Northern hemisphere, many people must be wondering -if they can see the big picture -what is going on. Clearly most people usually focus on their own back yard, and even if they hear global news like this, their first instinct is to pass it off as a passing tragedy and not worthy of further investigation. Humans have a powerful capacity for denial and disbelief - made worse by those who rely heavily on manufactured realities -TV, movies, games (Pisces)- because when a large scale event occurs, the only frame of reference is the movie or game version. Maybe that is better than nothing -but life has a way of showing that it does not follow a script and only sometimes creates the expected magical ending after a period of suffering. Certainly if life doesn't imitate art exactly as expected, shock is the likely psychological response, with confusion and inertia. Not much help if you need to respond fast.


Looking at January 2011, with JUP and URA in PIS in exact square to the GC. The water sign Pisces seems incredibly amplified when making a tally of the extent and spread of the flooding globally.
Interestingly, Neptune, the planet of Pisces energy remains joined with Chiron at 27 Aquarius ( Wind element) through most of January. AQU =collective PIS=water/spiritual CHI= evolutionary turning point. Together this mixture speaks deeply of collective human experience at a juncture of major consciousness change. The medium of water in its many forms,has arrived en masse and it is set to be a dominant theme for over a decade, along with all the other keywords for Pisces-Neptune ( compassion, humanitarianism, service, spiritual consciousness along with the shadow side: drugs, alcohol, escapism, delusion, ungroundedness. The ultimate direction is for humanity to engage both dimensions, earthly and spiritual - being in the world and in physical awareness whilst knowing of the larger realm of energies, unseen, spiritual. Humanity is currently detached from this aspect of nature.


The Full Moon on Jan 19 is in late degrees CAP-CAN, amplifying JUP_URA in Pisces, and with Pluto right on Mercury. The weather effects likely to persevere in many places preceding and following exact full moon. Pluto-Mercury brings serious thoughts, communications, messages, warnings


Neptune hangs around the end of AQU all 2011 keeping the sextile to the GC, before entering it's power position in Pisces properly by early 2012


12 degrees fixed arises through the Sun and Mars at the start of February 2011. Watch and see if there is a surge of extreme environmental activity around then. Venus conjuncts the GC on Feb 2 2011 and squares Uranus around the same time. More indicators grouping together -as you would expect. Plus Jupiter, by then, in Aries is exactly square the nodes. More momentum for the Jupiter keywords - large, enormous in a fire sign square an earth sign - is this volcanic, or at the very least, an angry earth energy?


During Feb 2011 the Sun, Mercury, Mars will all conjunct Neptune and Chiron late in Aquarius, all 5 continuing the sextile to the GC.


In March 2011 the north node conjuncts the GC right on the 19th, full moon in PIS-VIR at 28 degrees which square both the nodes and the GC. Earlier Mercury conjuncts Uranus in late Pisces, again square the GC. Uranus remains close enough to square the nodes and though into zero Aries is still conjunct the sun at the full moon
Next Venus in AQU reaches the 12 degree activation of the GC on 16th then conjuncts Neptune on the  27th
On the 29th Jupiter and Saturn are in exact opposition. Tug of war stuff with Aries-Libra in play
By March 31st Mars reaches late Pisces, squaring the Nodes and the GC


Enough for now. Let's see how things unfold January-Feb-March in terms of global turbulence and extreme weather to see how much of a player the GC points of 27 mutable and 12 fixed turn out to be trigger points


Update Jun 9 2011
Well we all know that Christchchurch (Feb 22) and Japan (March 11) had globally reported earthquakes of major significance. We know that extreme and unusual weather events have been prolific across the world. 


Update Dec 15 2011
We are approaching the December solstice - exact on Dec 22 which is preceded by the Sun at 27 degrees SAG on Dec 19. At that time, the 27 degree position is also held by Saturn at 27 Libra, and Venus at 28 Capricorn plus Neptune, 28 degree Aquarius, in close proximity. The Sun, Moon (repeatedly), Mercury, Venus and Mars have also gone through the triggering 12 degree point during Dec 2011 and of these the Moon will be at 12 Libra on Dec 19.

With so much activation of the Galactic Centre (27 SAG) during Dec and likely continuing into January 2012 with Saturn-Neptune still close, extreme weather on a global scale, as seems to be prevalent this month, may reflect the involvement of planetary links to the energy field of the galactic centre.

Update June 9 2012
 Watch the New Moon in Gemini, June 19 2012, at 28.43 Gemini - this is a prime candidate for manifesting extreme weather, including flooding. The Moon will be in high north declination = always a stress point for earth changes - plus Jupiter closes in tightly on a square to Neptune = Big Water in the last week of June 2012, especially. Mars and the Moon conjunct in late Virgo on June 26 will aggravate  the late mutable potentials.
 Extreme flooding including tsunami tidal wave levels cannot be dismissed
.Further aggravating factors involving the Sun-Moon-Uranus-Pluto are also in the mix from 20th-30th June. This amounts to stresses which can result in significant earth movement -seismic & volcanic - due to major structural readjustments

2013 update
Extreme weather continues to be a feature across diverse locations
Factors to include in 2013 are
June 21    Jupiter-Sun conjunction at 29 Gemini
August 7   Lunar nodes at 12 Scorpio-Taurus
September 19 -Full Moon at 27 Virgo-Pisces 
October 18 Saturn at 12 Scorpio
November 3 total solar eclipse at 11 Scorpio
December 17 Full Moon 25 Sagittarius-Gemini

With Jupiter's connection to the sign Sagittarius -its role should be significant - and any strong interaction with the high-profile Uranus-Pluto transit [several 90 degree squares over several years] could be indicative of release points of powerful energy
In 2013 Jupiter aspects to Uranus and Pluto in Jan, Feb, March, August

Check back for updates added to this post










.

Gabrielle Giffords shooting has major meaning for America

A mass shooting occurred on Saturday January 8 2011, where Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was critically wounded in an apparent targeted assassination attempt in Tucson, Arizona, and several innocent bystanders at a constituency meeting, were killed, including a young girl years of age (14 wounded, 6 persons killed) The arrested offender, aged 22, used an automatic weapon.

This event has major meaning in the process of healing the American psyche.

Bitter politics are said to be in play in Arizona;

"...after an acrimonious election in November that followed months of bitter exchanges, politics looms large in the wake of the shooting and a local sheriff pointedly blamed hateful political rhetoric for inciting violence.

"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government," Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik told a news conference.

"The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous. And, unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital.

 We have become the Mecca for prejudice and bigotry."

The spark in Arizona's political firestorm was the border state's move to crack down on illegal immigration last summer, a bill proposed by conservative lawmakers and signed by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer."

What stands out in this commentary (by David Schwartz, through Reuters) is the level of discord amongst people and the type of manifest violence that is an obvious outcome when the level of anger erupts.

The astrological pointers to this situation come firstly  from the proximity to the solar eclipse of January 4 2011. Eclipses cast their influence through to the next eclipse event in the sequence. This eclipse targeted the nationhood of America deeply (Astrologically, the USA Sun is 13 Cancer and the eclipse exactly opposed this, at 13 Capricorn; Saturn transiting at 16 Libra 49 in the eclipse chart is conjunct America's natal Saturn 15LIB43) - so this is a Saturn Return or Coming of Age event for the American psyche.

The level of gun-related violence and hatred that permeates America is under scrutiny now more than ever. This is not the enemy abroad, or "the other", this is the enemy within - the nature of an aspect of American culture which needs deep analysis, resolution and healing. Americans' treasured right to bear arms is even further under the spotlight now.

The hallmark of Saturn in Libra is responsible relating. This is a civilized, measured, adult and ultimately caring, paternal and guiding model of dealing with others. This is where Americans are being led to - but firstly through through the fire of pain and loss and aggression - Libra's shadow counterpart is Aries the god of war and this is the primal rage stage that Americans, as a culture, have to pass through in order to become refined, renewed.

Joanna Lumley - the strengths of the fixed signs

Joanna Lumley was born  May 1st 1946.

Her planetary positions are here

With a dominance of factors in Taurus & Leo plus the energies of Scorpio and having prominence, Joanna is a strong ambassador for the fixed signs.  All signs belong to their  modality groups - (Cardinal Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn; Fixed Taurus, Leo, Scorpio & Aquarius; Mutable Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius & Pisces.

Each sign also embodies aspects of all of the other signs in its modality group, so for example a Taurean person will demonstrate a degree of Leo, Aquarian & Scorpio traits. What makes Joanna stand out is the amount of fixed sign emphasis she has:
Sun and Moon conjunct in Taurus
Mars in Leo
Midheaven in Leo
Pluto in Leo
Ascendant in Scorpio

Joanna is known for her distinctive voice (Taurus), being an entertainer - various TV roles (Leo),  and for her  beauty/charisma ( Scorpio). She shows unconventional traits  (Aquarius) in her personal preferences and activism as well as the character role of Patsy.

Her chart has other strong emphases such as the Gemini factor and lots of Cardinal emphasis so she is certainly a complex mix.
Pluto in Leo ruling the Scorpio ascendant describes her striking looks and her love of cats ( She presented a TV programme on the subject recently) Certainly she would not be taken for a Taurus on the basis of her tall slender stature. Joanna Lumley is channeling her diverse energies into a myriad of directions and for this reason she does not clearly or consistently represent a single focus - astrologically or in real life.

Sudden shock: coal miners, bird & fish deaths -the methane connection

Mysterious mass deaths of birds fish since around New Year, start of 2011, have led to multiple theories since public attention has been focussed on the rarity of so many geographically disparate events. Mass wildlife deaths aren't new and odd environmental conditions can be involved, but the current situation is unusual.
Raining animals - such as fish or frogs have often been documented and considered to be due to a meteorological event and there are people who attribute recent examples to such a cause.

This link covers numerous recent events and hypotheses - and with such wide ranging opinion it's hard to reach a sensible conclusion.

Astrologers use information based on connections made by the planets, sun and moon in our known solar system and taking a look at any likely candidates to explain a sequence of events like this you would have to consider Jupiter -the planet resonating with the keywords "mass" or "large"  and Uranus - "sudden", "unusual" - and the fact that these two planets are currently moving side by side in outer space  - basically sharing their magnetic fields and reinforcing their stand-out qualities - and the zodiac sector they are moving through - is Pisces. The sign of water and fish.  Jupiter connects to flocks, swarms as examples of masses. Uranus is the sky energy -connecting to all thing in that domain -hence, birds - so together there is already a signature on one level of species en masse that inhabit the air and the sea. Fish and birds.

The brilliance of astrology is that it describes energy in such a multi-dimensional way - so every combination of energy like Jupiter and Uranus conjunct in Pisces can be expressed in collection of statements, describing how that energy expresses in different contexts.

For example: Jupiter keyword big + Uranus electricity or electromagnetic force + water = electrocution
as noted in these recent news events. Remembering that the bodies of mammals such as humans are primarily composed of water means a hi voltage charge is usually lethal - and the risk is higher throughout January 2011

Recently, globally we have seen the pisces keyword "water" mixed with "sudden"(uranus) and "big" (jupiter) affecting our global weather - ranging from rain to flood to snow - extra big, unusual and unprecedented also apply here to the water, running or frigid as ice and snow, that have affected our world to a great degree in geographically disparate places - such is the power of large planetary effects impacting on planet Earth.

Pisces has another keyword - "gas" which is a term for silent often odourless, often lethal chemicals which we encounter in our daily lives - oxygen being the one vital for survival, carbon dioxide the one we exhale, carbon monoxide the one emitted by your car engine. Another gas we hear about sometimes is methane  - you may be interested to know more about this natural gas, a naturally forming product from the earth, which has numerous uses, but one which has a nasty and dangerous side. Though not toxic in itself it is highly flammable and therefore explosive, plus it displaces oxygen and therefore results in death if the level of methane is high.

One current condition applying, due to the mix we have in place, is that high (Jupiter) levels of gas (Pisces) are creating an explosive or sudden shock events (Uranus)  just as high (Jupiter) levels of water/snow/ice (Pisces) have been creating sudden/unusual/disruptive/dangerous (Uranus) conditions while this pattern has strengthened during December 2010 into New Year 2011
So it is truly a season of mis-adventure with extra care needed around water/snow/ice, electricity, gases.

Considering the high gas level indicator and sudden shock or explosive events an interesting link is the gas methane as a possible cause of recent seemingly unrelated events: mass bird deaths, mass fish/sea creature deaths as well as the number of methane gas explosions - notably in coal mines where the gas is a high level hazard due to natural emission.
What causes a coal mine explosion?
Trapped Methane gas produced in the ages of carbonization of organic matter in contact with air (oxygen) pumped in the tunnel for ventilation explodes violently when in contact with a spark/flame during tunneling/drilling is the usual cause.( source:Answers.com)


Obviously modern mining takes into account the known chemistry of mines and yet, as in examples like in New Zealand November 19 2010, the Pike River Mine exploded ( Jupiter "big" and Pisces "gas" were strongly accentuated at this date) and a government enquiry is set to determine why. Coal mine explosions in the news in 2010 show this was something to take note of.
The point is: what if the levels of methane have suddenly shot up globally due to changes in the earth's structure, rifts and tearing of the crust, permitting even more methane to burst through breaches. The tested levels of methane globally are known to be on the increase.
This global map from Wikimedia Commons shows the parts per million typical distribution being highest (red) in the upper latitudes

"By 2010, methane levels, at least in the Arctic, were measured at 1850 ppb, a level scientists described as being higher than at any time in the previous 400,000 years" quoted on the Methane site Wikipedia

So we know methane is increasing and an interesting question now is - what if there have been sudden surges causing a string of events we are unaccustomed to? It makes a lot of sense when the current planetary profiles affecting us are examined.

2011 forewarned = forearmed

Old sayings have a lot of truth in them and none better than the notion that if you can anticipate upcoming events, you are in a better position to prepare for and deal with them


On the verge of a new and meaningful year, with many people wondering about global weather, climate change, economic conditions, terrorism and of course the anticipation of what 2012 might mean, 2011 is a year to prepare for


A little bit of information gathering: firstly knowing that 2011 = a number 4 year - with implications of hard work, frugality and restraints.
Alison Baughman has written a more detailed account confirming expectations that ring true for me.

Next, the website of a psychic called Lyn Philips
where you can find audio recordings from 2004 that forecast several years ahead including 2011, 2012.
Some excerpts for 2011: 
a record amount of movement within the earth, earthquakes, volcanoes, disruption.
Mexico blown away by incredibly strong winds
Cloud of despair over Europe
Exciting worldwide news of something discovered in sky
Trade in oil disrupted -severe effect on stock market


Some excerpts for 2012
A collision, huge explosion in sky -affects water
London protests over money, housing, everything
People leave cities for simpler life
Fear widespread but unfounded
Brazil affected by huge mass falling from sky - many hurt
Spain great floods cause loss of crops
Global water supply reported as being in decline




These excerpts reinforce patterns already in progress regarding climate/weather, economy and lifestyle readjustments - with the added factor of elements from space impacting upon earth. High probability is likely to apply to these aspects of our future world. Forewarned is forearmed. 


Updated Jan 4:


The Capricorn theme in 2011 affecting you, me, everyone


With the January 4 2011 solar eclipse in Capricorn being harshly affected by the sign's ruler, Saturn this is another indicator, confirmed by Pluto in Capricorn this year being at odds with both Jupiter and Uranus, Capricorn energy at its most controlling is set to be the dominant theme of the year.


In simple language:


Capricorn is the universal energy force related to strong management, guidance, parenthood (particularly fatherhood). Positively used, the energy gives people skills in managing businesses and other high achievements of public office where high standards are required. Such people effectively "parent" their community by being firm, fair fathers in their regulation and controls - as we expect actual fathers to handle their children.
We are all capable of showing Capricorn qualities, as we all have this energy operating strongly in at least a couple of aspects of our life ( shown in your personal astrology birth-chart looking at Capricorn and Saturn on the chart wheel)


It all goes wrong when the fathers and father figures (and each us us in our relevant area of life), fail to act out their role: they haven't worked it out i.e. they lack the critical stage of growth to do it automatically (remember even kids can be biological parents) - they want the power and control but fail to see the responsibilities that go with the territory. High responsibility ( meaning any aspect of life where you have the ability to impact considerably on the lives of others) means high accountability. 
This year with Saturn in the sign of Libra ( scales, balance, justice) accountability will come up repeatedly as a colleague of responsibility.
Libra is about the responsibilities of marriage, partnership or other agreed relationship dynamics ( counsellor-client) Saturn means many bonds will be broken in 2011 and through to late 2012 as it may all seem too hard, one person won't contribute, wants to be carried, backs out, withdraws, relationships break down and without the committed responsibility to fix things, will end. Some must end rightfully if the mature path isn't chosen.


But the Capricorn energy this year doesn't stop there: it's about right conduct, acting properly - so this could mean doing your share of the work, paying your bills, honouring agreements, treating others as you wish for yourself, managing your business effectively, looking after your children instead of a no-boundaries style and so on. Whatever area of life is hardest for you may be an indicator of your Capricorn weak spot needing to be matured


The management of nations, society, communities, particularly through government is a Capricorn structure therefore politics and political relationships will be big in the news with governments wanting to continue cutbacks.  Expect  vigorous if not violent, protests. Conservative ( possibly old-fashioned) and austere ( harsh, limiting) policies have already been installed in nations like the UK  due to economic imbalances. The world's relationship with money plus financial organizations need further  restructuring - money in all respects certainly continuing to be big on the agenda so expect more cutbacks both imposed and self imposed - restrained, restricted, controlled - these are Capricorn descriptions likely to feature highly in 2011.


With New Zealand facing a general election in 2011 this will not be an easy year at all politically with all the energetic forces tensed up: political relationships will face the same strain as private ones if trust, responsibilities and accountability are not adhered to. This could signify the end of the alliance Maori have with National - after all the let downs they have sucked up and swallowed in the past 2 years a- if National fails to act as a commited partner. 


I've already written about David Cunliffe ( see the David post) - though with little data to go on, he still looks to have the credibility in Capricornian style energy to be a leader for Labour. Remember those who've got the right ( Capricorn-Saturn) vibe will rise to the top this year and those who haven't will sink.


A situation, like the current environmental chaos hitting many parts of the world, arises as a natural balancing act. Nature has a way of  altering imbalances and we are part of the whole cyclic system  - not apart from and not above the natural world - the more you see the rightness of new regimes or changes, you will accept them, even if a bit reluctantly, understanding that everything in the whole universe is in constant and continual readjustment: that's the essence of life.


The Capricorn theme will also bring adversity, difficulty in particular areas relevant for each individual and locality or nation. By connection to the opposing energy Cancer - homes, families, mothers, women - these aspects of life are under particular stress, cutbacks, restriction, loss


Water related environmental issues are strongly indicated in the extended future. This includes, rain, floods, snow in vulnerable areas - best indicated by historical patterns -but also in areas not typically prone - meaning coastal zones. Low lying communities - at sea level must prepare for water surges.


Overall there are many challenging conditions we face in 2011 and beyond. This is a time to pull together in the face of larger forces.




Update Jan 13: in response to the massive flooding in eastern Australia, plus sri Lanka, Brazil, South Africa:  extract from January 8  2011 blog discussing Methane

Astrologers use information based on connections made by the planets, sun and moon in our known solar system and taking a look at any likely candidates to explain a sequence of events like this you would have to consider Jupiter -the planet resonating with the keywords "mass" or "large"  and Uranus - "sudden", "unusual" - and the fact that these two planets are currently moving side by side in outer space  - basically sharing their magnetic fields and reinforcing their stand-out qualities - and the zodiac sector they are moving through - is Pisces. The sign of water and fish.  Jupiter connects to flocks, swarms as examples of masses. Uranus is the sky energy -connecting to all thing in that domain -hence, birds - so together there is already a signature on one level of species en masse that inhabit the air and the sea. Fish and birds.

The brilliance of astrology is that it describes energy in such a multi-dimensional way - so every combination of energy like Jupiter and Uranus conjunct in Pisces can be expressed in collection of statements, describing how that energy expresses in different contexts.

For example: Jupiter keyword big + Uranus electricity or electromagnetic force + water = electrocution
as noted in these recent news events. Remembering that the bodies of mammals such as humans are primarily composed of water means a hi voltage charge is usually lethal - and the risk is higher throughout January 2011

Recently, globally we have seen the pisces keyword "water" mixed with "sudden"(uranus) and "big" (jupiter) affecting our global weather - ranging from rain to flood to snow - extra big, unusual and unprecedented also apply here to the water, running or frigid as ice and snow, that have affected our world to a great degree in geographically disparate places - such is the power of large planetary effects impacting on planet Earth.

Pisces has another keyword - "gas" which is a term for silent often odourless, often lethal chemicals which we encounter in our daily lives - oxygen being the one vital for survival, carbon dioxide the one we exhale, carbon monoxide the one emitted by your car engine. Another gas we hear about sometimes is methane  - you may be interested to know more about this natural gas, a naturally forming product from the earth, which has numerous uses, but one which has a nasty and dangerous side. Though not toxic in itself it is highly flammable and therefore explosive, plus it displaces oxygen and therefore results in death if the level of methane is high.

One current condition applying, due to the mix we have in place, is that high (Jupiter) levels of gas (Pisces) are creating an explosive or sudden shock events (Uranus)  just as high (Jupiter) levels of water/snow/ice (Pisces) have been creating sudden/unusual/disruptive/dangerous (Uranus) conditions while this pattern has strengthened during December 2010 into New Year 2011
So it is truly a season of mis-adventure with extra care needed around water/snow/ice, electricity, gases.

Considering the high gas level indicator and sudden shock or explosive events an interesting link is the gas methane as a possible cause of recent seemingly unrelated events: mass bird deaths, mass fish/sea creature deaths as well as the number of methane gas explosions - notably in coal mines where the gas is a high level hazard due to natural emission.

Julian Assange -happily subversive

Julian Assange is currently the global talking point and not just in the English speaking world. Twitter has been deluged with commentary in many languages, mainly from supporters, though, like many other key links in the chain, the US government has chosen to take a heavy handed approach to try and crush wikileaks in response to potentially damaging leaks of information.

At this stage the drama is truly a cyberwar with online systems pressured to withdraw support for wikileaks, whether financially or concerning information distribution. In response, hacktivists supporting Assange are systematically disabling his opponents sites. One commentary likened it to the game Whack-a-Mole but this is a multidimensional game with the viral and exponential capacities of the internet meaning that constant reinvention and reincarnation are at wikileaks' disposal. The Bank of Iceland is happy to take supporter donations while PayPal buckles to decline.

The Mountain Astrologer website has obtained birth data for Assange and as he is a very uranian and scorpionic Leo ( go the fixed signs!)  he would be a happily subversive dealer in secrets.  The linked site has a chart & commentary posted

Here is Assange's Interpol page with birthdate

As we approach a powerful lunar eclipse before Christmas ( Sagittarius-Gemini) with Jupiter and Uranus locked in, this story may be set to gain avalanche proportions, mirroring the massive energies being unleashed within the environment ( particularly extreme weather at present -but more intensity is on the way and a mass exodus of people displaced by water conforms to the signature unfolding

Things NZ Gets Wrong

New Zealand has done pretty well in terms of creating a good society....until recently. The right for women to vote was socially significant in 1893 - New Zealand led the world in granting this. David Lange in the 1980's made us famous on the world stage for promoting an anti-nuclear New Zealand. We have long since maintained a social security system -the first elderly pensions being introduced in 1898; large scale state housing became available in the 1930's and in the following year of the depression era, unemployment benefits became available in exchange for labouring work stipulated by government agencies. From 1938, entitlement was available for any unemployed over the age of 16 years. More stringent rules now apply in the 21st century and the system is targeted for overhaul due to the global economic pinch -the Rebstock Report is likely to influence significant government changes under the National government's John Key.
The picture is terms of "a caring society" is indeed in decline.  The percentage of kiwi's who avoid seeking medical help due to the expense is way higher than in the UK, our source model for social support.
So after the 1930's global depression, social policy made NZ a more humane society. WW2 intervened with that way of bringing nations together in a mood of patriotism and a sense of working together for a common ( localised) good - so war is not totally detrimental - and the subsequent baby, building and consumerism booms created quite a land of milk and honey New Zealand through the fifties, sixties and seventies. The shite, of course, hit the fan in the eighties, with October 1987 providing New Zealand's day of reckoning -along with the rest of the global financial network.


Like the rest of the world we got it wrong in terms of money management, greed, speculation and this impacts on our risky ventures in real estate as confirmed in an international study. We overvalue our houses, rush into debt like it's hot chocolate and love the mountains of Chinese junk flogged off in our retail sector.


In 1999 the legal drinking age for alcohol was lowered in NZ from age 20 to age 18 with obvious and predictable socially harmful consequences. In 2010, 11 years later, with no policy reversal, the damage is chronic, endemic and generational.


Social Welfare policy, somewhere along the pathway since the 1930's, got skewed towards greater support for elderly than any other demographic. National Superannuation plus the SuperGold Card plus owning your own house for many years and any other personal wealth acquired or inherited places a sector of our aged community in a level of comfort not available to younger citizens who have health limitations, disability, or no place in the current work force. This inequality is a glaring, politically driven agenda.

Another NZ oddity is the extensive use of the DPB introduced in 1974 - the benefit system allowing scores of young mothers to chose single-parenthood as a lifestyle - rather than instituting social policy to promote other options  - like the advantages of not getting pregnant. Children having children - another social experiment gone wrong. Whilst the girls took off to the "burbs with their babies, the boys got seriously into showing off ( no sign of feminist effects on NZ society here). The global "boy racer" trend gained a strong foothold in NZ by the start of the new millennium - combining youthful arrogance, easy credit with overpowered machinery and the right to do so from the age of 15, mass gatherings are enabled, facilitated by the viral spread of text messaging, the result: a determined flouting the system and frustration for enforcement agencies, while affected neighbourhoods are completely disempowered.

NZ gets it right sometimes, but overall we are a nation of failed social experiments, with people's well-being paying the price for ill-informed social policy plus lack of judicial and political grunt. But it's more than that, something in the NZ psyche that is desperately immature and child-like, rebellious in all the wrong places and not radical where it really could make a difference. The booze mentality certainly mirrors many of these symptoms - selfish, irresponsible, no thought for others - and NZ has been pickled in alcohol since the first sealers and whalers brought their grog onshore and spawned their DNA amongst Maori wahine from the late 1790's: over 200 years of genetic damage from alcohol abuse permeates this land and the mind-set that prevails. Why else would successive governments do so little to minimise that risk - and in fact contribute to it by engaging even younger citizens in legalised intoxication? Our student binge drinking culture has become chronic.


Our capacity for social immaturity, unmitigated by sound public policy, appears to be worsening. What is it that our nation's leaders fear most? Being termed a "nanny state" appears to be political death in NZ - especially if you're leader is female ( Helen clark  managed 3 terms up till the 2008 elections as Labour leader) and this catch-cry is surely the voice of an immature sector - which in NZ is quite sizeable.


Parenting, management of money, alcohol, adherence to traffic laws are all things the NZ born kiwi struggles with - but those struggles don't confine themselves to adolescence - they have beome intrinsic to the NZ psyche and we need to find a way to grow up - or accept policies that promote this. Tough love works.


Footnote:
for those wanting an angle that pertains to planetary cycles and unfolding patterns: Pluto in Capricorn promises radical political restructuring and Uranus in Aries will be the child-like forces seeking to resist restraint. 2011, 2012, 2013 - in fact right up to 2016 will see major and sustained upheaval in society, globally, as we try to find the balance in every which way - the pendulum is definitely set to swing back into controls, austerity, restriction on a far greater scale than many have known. This is bigger than we could ever imagine & the process has clearly begun.