Astrology

On December 2, I posted a message on Facebook that said, “Jacki Smith and I will record ‘The Astrology of 2014’ later this week.  What would you like to know about the upcoming year?”  I will admit that I was rather shocked by the answers, yet knowing the current astrology in the sky, I should have not be surprised.  The topic that was most asked was about “world peace”. 

Now, I will admit that everyone wants world peace. I mean who wants to live in a world that is filled with war, pestilence, death, disease, poverty, and other maladies of tribulation?  However, despite our generalized good will towards our fellow man (which are often evoked during the holiday season), I doubt that will occur in 2014 with our current astrological transits.  In fact, matters may become more intense as the current transit of Uranus square Pluto continues.

So, what will occur in 2014?  Let’s get into the MEAT of next year’s astrology!

Grab your charts.  If you do not have one then you can get one for free here on my website.  Plus, if you need help interpreting your horoscope, I have created a tutorial.

Happy New Year

The birth chart of an individual expresses all the potentials, possibilities, patterns, and dysfunctions that an individual has to work with through the course of his or her lifetime.  The natal chart is constructed (thankfully with an astrological program now) using the date of birth, time of birth, and place of birth.  In many ways, it is a picture or a snapshot of the cosmos for that moment of time (birth) until the natives (old astrological term for a person) comes to an end (death).   You can create a chart based on anything – beginning of a football game, birth of a chicken, or time that an event occurs based on the moment the event occurs and using astrology you can delineate the chart to learn information that might not be apparent on the surface.  Likewise, you can create a chart for the New Year and learn information that will be applicable over the course of the year.

Astro Tool Box:

To create a chart for the New Year, cast a chart for 12:00:01 AM on January 1, 2014 with the coordinates in your country.  For example, if you live in England, you would use London as your capital city.  Canada would be Ottawa, and the United States would be Washington, DC.  Also, you can cast a horoscope for your local municipality, which will describe the energy of your location over the period of the next year.  If you do not have an astrological program, you can always create a horoscope for free on my website. 

The New Year Chart for the United States:

The New Year begins during the tail end of a waning lunar cycle.  In fact, the New Moon in Capricorn will occur at 6:14 AM on New Year Day.  Waning cycles reflect the end of a cycle and perhaps this falling on New Year’s reflects the beginning of the end of a tumultuous period which has been active since 2011.  However, the New Year chart does scream that it is time for us to create structure and organization in our lives if we wish to succeed through 2014.

The most standout feature of the New Year Chart is the significant amount of planets below the horizon in the chart – every planet except for Jupiter in Cancer and Uranus in Aries.  This reveals that it is time for us to focus on inner issues and inner concerns.  Things have reached critical mass and it’s time for us to ask ourselves about our personal responsibility in the present day world climate rather than sit back idly projecting our ills onto the outer world.  This does not mean that the world stage does not share its own responsibility in the mess we have made of things, yet in order for us to overcome these issues we need to realize that problems begin within and are symbolized by events in the outer world.  In order to do this, we need to become fundamentally honest with our personal responsibility in the scheme of things.   This does not mean that everything will be bad in 2014.  In fact, I discussed on Keep It Magic (the podcast companion episode is below), that 2014 is a seed level year for us.  The beginning of the end is almost near, but in order for us to achieve a positive new beginning we need to begin planting those seeds now – as difficult as this may be.

There are large similarities between the New Year’s Chart and the New Moon chart (again it occurs at 6:14 AM on Jan 1, 2014).   The most significant is the angular cardinal cross which includes the Moon, Sun, Pluto, and Mercury all in Capricorn, Mars in Libra, Jupiter in Cancer, and Uranus in Aries.  This is a very combustible combination that also occurs later in the year.  Cardinal crosses basically hold all of the energy within a closed configuration (think a square having four sides and the energy is trapped within the square with no-release) and with the volatile planets (Mars, Uranus, and Pluto) involved this could create significant tensions throughout the world during the months of January and again in April.  Expect to see more governmental wrangling, issues and concerns regarding health care and taxes, and the national debt.    The political landscape will increasingly become more volatile as the year progresses.

The most significant area to keep our eyes focused on will be the country of Iran who is significantly impacted by these energies over the course of the next year.  However, the tensions and divisions within Iran may actually reflect some very intense energies within all of us – the urge to be free of the confines of an ever constricting society in which the government(s) no longer have a concern with the issues of the people and instead are concerned only with their own personal ability to wield power.

Why is this energy occurring?

CLASH OF THE TITANS:

The most significant aspect of 2014 will occur in April and December when Uranus in Aries will square Pluto in Capricorn.   The roots of any outer planetary aspect can be found in its seed level with the conjunction.   In the case of Uranus and Pluto, the conjunction occurred in the late 60’s in the sign of Virgo.  The conjunction of these two outer planets seem to be linked to deep collective changes within the fabric of political structures that are no longer serving the larger collective goals.  The sign of Virgo has a lot to do with our day to day lives, jobs, and service to our country.  During this period of 1963-1969 the Vietnam War broke out, and for the first time the citizens (especially in the United States) questioned the ruling authority’s purpose for going to war.   The planet Uranus likes freedom and being confined in Virgo brought the urgency towards a more meaningful life and to be free from the confines of a military state and possibly corrupt government.   In addition, the 60’s brought about the need to address issues such as sexual, racial, and LGBT equality.

In 2011, an interesting similarity occured as Uranus and Pluto were within orb of their first square aspect.   Citizens across the Middle East were abandoning their oppressive regimes in favor of a more democratic state, workers right issues in America were on the front of the newspapers as many politicians began dissolving union laws in certain states, the divide between the haves and the have not’s has risen to an epic level, and the judicial system is addressing the legality of LGBT restrictions and moving more towards equality and justice for all rather than some.  Unfortunately the square aspects tend to make us side with one planet and project the other onto the outer world of government and countries.   In this case, the citizenry seems to be siding with Uranus and the dark aura of corruption is projected onto all powerful governments funded and possibly bought by corporations.  The aspect seems to prevent us from seeing gray areas in the world, and everything appears to be black and white, good or bad, holy or evil.

2014 will be more of the same.  We will continue to see the same political ideologies that are influencing the current world stage continue.   As I stated earlier, Iran is harpooned by this aspect over the course of the next year and continued political civil wars (Syria, Egypt) will continue.  In the United States, expect the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s (Democrats and Republicans) to continue their political rhetoric leading up to the midterm elections.  Unfortunately, the charts are not showing any change to our political climate throughout 2014.   In fact, these issues may become more inflamed and incendiary as Jupiter gets into the mix in April.   Jupiter tends to expand the energies of planets it forms an aspect to and when it gets involved in outer planetary cycles it tends to add a bit of gasoline to an already burning fire.  However, despite the foreboding message that these planets bring, it is often through difficult and trying times that enough people wake up so that change is possible.

Saturn in Scorpio

Saturn will continue to move through the sign of Scorpio throughout 2014.  There will be noticeable shifts in the areas of life that he has recently undermined (relationships while he was in Libra in 2012).   Saturn in Scorpio likes emotional dominance, and would prefer to create circumstances where people are dependent on us.  He loves control and he sees any question of his authority as betrayal.   This can create a rather intense emotional period in our relationships as questions of partnership and independence within relationships come to the surface.

The anecdote for the emotional imprisonment and oppression that occurs while Saturn is in Scorpio is forgiveness.  We must learn how to forgive other people and more importantly we need to learn how to forgive ourselves.   Saturn loves to revel in the past, because he can stir up our own hurts, pains, and frustrations; yet we must learn to get beyond them in order to live in the world of potential and possibility.  Through forgiving and loving others we can create an eternal light, and our relationships with others do not become incidents of consented slavery but true partnerships.

Jupiter in Cancer:

For the first part of the year, Jupiter will continue to move through the sign of Cancer.  In many ways, Jupiter is considered the planet of luck because he tends to expand the natural energies of the sign that he passes through and in Cancer he is in the sign of his exaltation.  The sign of Cancer is about families, communities, and ones allegiance to one’s nation.  At the roots of the sign is the deep need to feel secure and receive emotional warmth from others.  Cancer abhors isolation and can be extremely mood driven (after all it is ruled the Moon) when it feels that is being alienated or separated from others.  Jupiter in the sign of Cancer amplifies and expands these needs and often comes out through renewed interest in real estate (the home is where the heart is) and the food industry.

Throughout 2013, more focus has been places on how our food is produced and developed than ever before in history.  More advertisements and articles against companies such as Monsanto have percolated throughout social media along with numerous memes about ‘being old school’ (lovely Cancerian attachments to the past).  Jupiter is the natural ruler of laws and legal matters (after all Zeus was King of the Gods) and while he was in Cancer we seen the first steps towards protecting individuals from bullying and the legal considerations over what is considered a “family”.   These themes will continue through the first half of 2014.  Jupiter will move out of Cancer and into the sign of Leo in July.

Jupiter in Leo

Halt – we may need to declare a social media emergency.   For the first time since social media has launched, Jupiter will move into self-oriented Leo.   So for those who do not like pictures of what someone ate for lunch, their personal fitness regime displayed on Facebook, or the tweets of the latest fashion statements, need to close their accounts down now.  It’s only going to get much worse!

Jupiter makes the sign of Leo is BIGGER, BADDER, and BOLDER than ever before.  Leo likes color and full scale drama!  However, beneath the surface, Leo is really about the creative self, and its outward expressions are about expressing oneself as a unique and individual person.  This can be extremely creative – and I am sure we will see this within the entertainment industry with epic blockbusters and new forms of recreation, yet we will also see bloated egotism rear its head like never before.

For those that were born under the sign of Leo though (or your ascendant or Moon is placed in the sign), you will find 2014 to be a great year of promise and potential.  Luck is on your side, but be careful how you use it.

Jupiter trine Saturn

Although 2014 does seem to have its fair share of lessons and challenges, Jupiter in Cancer in trine to Saturn in Scorpio provides us with the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.  This trine occurring in March, provides us with a little bit of needed optimism to make our way into an increasingly uncertain future.  Since this trine occurs in water signs our emotional sensitivity to things may be enhanced, yet the ability for us to build roots, firm structures, and the ability to intuit our way into the future is the name of the game when these two planets are in trine.

There are several ways to work with this aspect.  One may find themselves seeking more foundation and security in their lives and since Jupiter is the natural ruler of the 9^th house of higher education, returning to school or seeking new forms of training is suggested.  Jupiter trine Saturn may help us seek more solid foundation in regards to our existent careers.  Further, if you have an idea or a goal you wish to pursue (especially on the business level), 2014 is a great year to begin to plant seeds for a prosperous future.  Just remember, Saturn likes to take time to develop, so instantaneous success might not be apparent.  It is necessary for us to look at the big picture rather than the immediate environment under this aspect.  Take advantage of this fruitful energy while you can because it doesn’t occur again until 2026.

Eclipses

Another ray of sunshine (no pun intended), during 2014 is two very harmonious and benefic solar eclipses.  The first solar eclipse occurs on April 29 at 09 Taurus (get out your charts if you have planets between 7-11 degrees, this eclipse cycle will have more meaning for you) and the second occurs on October 23 at 01 Scorpio (check for planets between 29-3 degrees).   After looking at the eclipse charts, it appears that a healing is going to begin to occur around finances and debt.  Since solar eclipses are associated with governments and leaders, we could begin to see signs of “reform” in the financial sector. Of course, often this is preceded by a crisis.  So, look towards our banking industry, stocks, and the overall financial status of governments to begin to appear in the headlines around the time of the eclipses.

On the personal level, this is a great time for you to get clear about your finances.  Begin to take a deeper look at your budget issues and begin to trim all the fat.  Both of these eclipses making favorable aspects to Neptune, which can purify and heal old wounds if the energy is viewed in a favorable way.  Neptune offers us redemption and as long as we are willing to “confess” (most importantly to ourselves) our current financial condition, cleansing can begin to occur in this area.  However, failing to work with Neptune in a positive manner can often be destructive because the planet is the natural ruler of the 12^th house of self-undoing.

Closing:

Motivational speaker and author Roger Crawford stated, “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.”   Throughout 2014, we will continue to go through similar events and energies that we have gone through for the past few years.  The year will probably be frustrating, governmental standoffs are sure to occur, and financially things may be a bit tough.  However, we can make an active choice as to whether or not we are consumed by these events or if we chose to take the challenge that the planets require to begin to build a more solid tomorrow.   The choice is up to us.

Make sure to listen to the podcast companion to this blog article by using the player below or you can visit the Keep It Magic show page.

Storm Cestavani is the co-host of the top rated metaphysical show “Keep It Magic” and the co-creator of the “Tarot Magic” with Coventry Creations.  Storm is available for consultations by setting up an appointment to speak with him.  Simply click on Get a Reading at the top of the page.

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If you like this post please hit the +1 button at the bottom of your page or the LIKE button.  We thank you!

Like Storm’s New Insights in Modern Astrology on Facebook.

Follow Storm on Twitter @psychastro