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Artwork ©Lesley Anne Ivory 1998
"Dandelion and Lalande's Cat"
THE AGE OF AQUARIUS
When the Moon is in the Seventh House,
And Jupiter aligns with Mars,
Then peace will guide the planets,
And love will steer the stars.
This is the dawning of
The Age of Aquarius,
The Age of Aquarius,
Aquarius, Aquarius.
Aquarius
From the Broadway Musical Hair, ©1968.
On this page...
The Great Month
The Aquarian Age
A Wake-Up Call: It's Up To Us
A Portrait of You
Were You Born On the Cusp?
Applied Astrology
Learning More / Bibliography
Astrology Links
*On a related topic, I wish you a happy birthday as you discover the zodiac through Birth Chart Tarot. Click the page name bar at your top left to explore blending tarot and astrology for practical insight.
* Visit Your Sun Sign for an overview of your unique place among the stars.
* Astronomers have decided that Pluto is not a planet. What does this mean for astrologers? Because planets are symbols in astrology, not physical objects, Pluto will remain important to most astrologers. Learn more by clicking Astro.com from the links below. Article by astrologer by Dieter Koch.
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Astrologers have a special place in their hearts for the Sign of Aquarius because it is associated with the science of astrology. We have also seen an upsurge of interest in astrology at the dawning of the Aquarian Age.
You have probably heard the phrase "The Age of Aquarius," but what does it mean? To answer that, we'll start by looking at an important term in astrology.
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AN ASTROLOGICAL AGE:
Also Known As A Great Month
Skip the science, please!
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The astrological year begins at a point called the vernal equinox, where the Sun's path (ecliptic) crosses the celestial equator. (The line that divides the heavens into northern and southern hemispheres.) At that point, day and night are equal.
There are two equinoxes during the year: Spring (vernal equinox) and Fall (autumnal or autumn equinox). The vernal equinox also begins the first astrological Sign of Aries and the first half of the zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Virgo.
The autmnal equinox begins the seventh Sign Libra and the second half of the Zodiac: Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.
Each of the 12 Signs are made up of 30 degrees on a narrow band of the heavens called the Zodiac. The 12 Signs correspond to the 12 constellations, (or group of stars), by the same names, but the signs and constellations are not the same.
Whereas the constellations are different sizes, the Signs of the zodiac are equal segments of 30 degrees each, forming a complete 360 degree circle. (1)
An Astrological Age, also known as a Great Month, is a span of about 2150 years, during which the vernal equinox passes through all 30 degrees of one Sign of the zodiac.
This "precession of the equinoxes" as it is called, is caused by the slow but constant shift ("wobble" or rotational tilt) of the earth as it spins on its axis. The equinoxes slowly travel through all the constellations of the zodiac--in backward order--and that's why it's called a precession and not a procession.
As time passes, the vernal equinox takes place in an entirely different constellation. (2) And it takes the vernal equinox about 28,500 years to complete a revolution through all 12 Signs of the zodiac! This lengthy revolution is called A Great Year.
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WHEN DID THE AQUARIAN AGE BEGIN?
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Each Age is characterized by the astrological Sign of that era. Pisces is the sign of spiritual knowledge and the influence of Christianity changed the world (for good or ill) during the Age of Pisces. This era, circa A.D. 1 to A.D. 2000, is marked by sacrifice and struggle, qualities associated with Pisces.
Astrologers cannot agree on the exact timing of the Aquarian Age and its beginning. Some professionals think that it started as early as World War II with the invention of the atomic bomb. Despite the debate, most authorities agree that we left the Age of Pisces by the year 2000 and entered the Age of Aquarius.
Aquarius is the Sign of scientific knowledge and invention, especially as it relates to electricity and air waves. The advent of the computer, E-mail, instant messaging, satellite dishes, cable TV, cell phones, space travel and laser technology is proof enough for most that we are in the Age of Aquarius. (3)
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THE AQUARIAN AGE
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So, what will the Age of Aquarius be like? The lyrics from the Broadway musical Hair offer us some clues:
"When the Moon is in the Seventh House"
The Moon rules the emotional and feeling side of human nature. It also rules the public, or mass consciousness, which does not reason, but responds to life through emotions.
The Seventh House governs partnerships, marriage and relationships. The Self is blended with others to pursue shared goals. This corresponds to the Sign of Libra, at home in the Seventh House. Libra restores balance through negotiation as it seeks harmony and understanding.
When "the Moon is in the Seventh House," we become sensitive to the needs of others. Emotional energy is thrust towards cooperation and we seek emotional fulfillment through relationships.
"And Jupiter aligns with Mars"
Mars rules Aries and is the planet of physical energy, boldness, ambition and the will to win. Jupiter governs Sagittarius and is the planet of good luck, optimism, success, expansion and generosity.
When "Jupiter aligns with Mars," there is an ability to act with energy and enthusiasm. The philosophic and humanitarian aspects of Jupiter find outlets in constructive action through Mars. We take practical action to help those less fortunate than ourselves. In other words, we help humanity at large and gain wisdom and understanding through positive action.
Or, as the lyrics of the song inform us: "Then peace will guide the planets and love will steer the stars."
*A PRACTICAL VISION
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The Sign of Aquarius is scientific and intellectual, but it is also practical and visionary: the purpose of knowledge is to make use of it, not acquire it for the sake of knowing.
Aquarius is a mental sign and the Age should be marked by unthinkable technological achievements to solve the problems of dwindling energy supplies and resources. The power of atomic energy, electronics and aviation (all Aquarian inventions) will be harnessed for the greatest possible use.
Aquarius is the Sign of hopes and wishes, brotherhood, friendship and humanitarianism. The potential is present to achieve world peace and universal harmony because humankind can join together as one people connected by instant communication and shared goals.
*A CAUTIONARY TALE
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All of this "peace, love and harmony" sounds grand, but the Age of Aquarius is a cautionary tale. The negative qualities of Aquarius include unpredictability, thoughtlessness, detachment, fanaticism and disorganization.
The people of the world must surmount grave problems: the threat of global nuclear war, overpopulation, dwindling food supplies, destruction of the ozone--resulting in pollution, disease, famine, or outright annihilation.
The inventions that can save us can also kill us. We now have the atomic power to completely destroy ourselves, and probably the earth, in the process. At the least, we are stripping the planet of its ability to sustain itself.
*The TASKMASTER AND THE LIBERATOR
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Aquarius has two planetary rulers: Saturn (Traditional) and Uranus (Modern). Some reference books cite Uranus as the solitary ruler.
Saturn is called the Taskmaster of the Universe because it teaches us the lessons we must learn in life. It is the planet of responsibility, self-control and limitation. In the grand plan, Saturn does not give us more than we can handle. Instead, it offers us the power to endure, learn and realize our potential.
As a symbol, Saturn is our destiny. It rules fate, the things we cannot escape, cosmic law, and the payment we must make for what we receive. But Saturn is not to be feared. If we look into our past, we see that we gain lasting strength and satisfaction from triumphing over our obstacles. "No pain, no gain" the old saying goes.
Uranus was unknown to ancient astrologers. Discovered in 1781 by the British astronomer Sir William Herschel, it was the first of the three "modern planets" to be found using a telescope. (Neptune and Pluto round out the trio.)
Uranus, sometimes called the planet of the future, offers hope. Uranus is the planet of the power of will, unconscious purpose that is revealed over a lifetime, the shattering of old forms and liberation.
Uranus is the flash of human genius that creates something new and the guiding force of the visionary. It also indicates the motivations behind our wishes, hopes and goals--especially within the dominion of science, electricity, inventions and humanitarian movements.
Uranus represents the power of the life force and Saturn represents the form and structure that make that creative power useable. Saturn gives us the self-control needed to harness the liberating power of Uranus for world good.
Without the responsibility and inner control of Saturn, the shattering of old forms from Uranus is not liberation. Instead, it disintegrates into meaningless destruction and chaos.
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*A WAKE-UP CALL: IT'S UP TO US
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The movie An Inconvenient Truth won the 2007 Academy Award for best documentary film. It is well done without being sensational--and I have never been more disturbed by a film in my life.
The planet earth, our home, is rapidly losing its capacity to sustain itself because of global warming. There is hope and time to reverse the course, but we need to act now in our individual choices, and as a nation belonging to a larger human family.
If you have a web site, please consider adding www.climatecrisis.net to your list of informative links.
Scientific inquiry belongs to the Sign of Aquarius. Learn more about real solutions for saving the planet at www.earthsky.org: "The Clear Voice of Science"
For awareness, activation and results, click greenisuniversal.com. The site is user-friendly, practical and even fun. Includes blogs and an opportunity for you to post your own ideas.
Or, visit www.liveearth.org to watch the concert videos and learn more about our climate in crisis. You can also join the global movement to make a difference by signing the seven point pledge to take action on the earth's behalf.
For those of you living in Ohio or Kentucky, discover how little things add up to big changes at DoYourShare.org.
My links do not open new windows. Use your back button to return here. Thank you.
The Age of Aquarius carries a potential promise and a dire warning: We can become "Universal Aquarians" and build a wonderful new world, or we can lose what we have and destroy all life. In the end, of course, it is up to each of us to decide how we use the energy of this powerful Age.
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NOTES TO THE AGE OF AQUARIUS:
(Use your back button to return to your place in the article.)
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LALANDE'S CAT
From Star Cats by Lesley Anne Ivory, Bullfinch Press, 1998, last page of book:
In 1799, the French astronomer Joseph Lalande added a thirty-fourth animal constellation in the night sky. Felis, the Cat, was located between Hydra and Antlia Pneumatica, the air pump. Sadly, it disappeared from subsequent star atlases. And now you know...
1. At one time, there was no difference between astrology and astronomy: the vernal equinox signaled not only the beginning of the Sign of Aries, but also the constellation of Aries.
Now that astology and astronomy have diverged, the Signs of the zodiac no longer correspond to the same constellation in the sky. Because of this difference, when a modern astronomer talks about Aries, he or she is referring to the group of stars (constellation) called Aries.
When a modern astrologer discusses Aries, he or she is referring to the Sign of Aries, that 30 degree segment of the zodiac that controls a whole set of characteristics, symbols and associations.
2. Sidereal astrologers, (sidereal is from the Latin word 'sidus' meaning star), believe that the Sun's entrance into the Signs should be based on the precession of the equinoxes because the zodiac slowly changes along with the earth's shift in position.
In other words, persons born in Aries, (according to traditional tropical astrology), are currently considered natives of Pisces by sidereal astrologers.
3. Continuing with the thoughts in footnote one above, modern astronomers and astrologers do not agree on the start date of the Age of Aquarius.
According to the science of astronomy, the technical beginning of the Aquarian Age does not start until the latter half of the 21st Century, circa 2060. With all the Aquarian inventions in use today, most astrologers feel the essence of the Aquarian Age is upon us, regardless of exact entry dates.
My personal feeling is that quibbling over sixty years, or so, in the great span of time is like arguing over a split second in eternity. You decide.
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*A PORTRAIT OF YOU
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You've read a description of your Sun Sign. Why isn't it entirely accurate? Your horoscope is a painting of you. The characteristics of your Sun Sign are the broad strokes that outline your general shape, the planes and angles of your body. But the Sun Sign is just the start of your portrait, the broad strokes of the artist's brush and it forms what you were put here to learn, and the decisions you make.
The Ascendant, or Rising Sign, depicts how those decisions are outwardly expressed. The Rising Sign is the face you show the world, while the Sun Sign is the essence of who you know yourself to be, your conscious purpose that drives you forward.
The Moon Sign describes the emotions and unconscious motivations surrounding those decisions, and represents the inner core of your being: your private feelings, subconscious habits, dreams and fantasies. The Sun, Ascendant and Moon are the three primary indicators of your personality.
Before we move on to planets and houses, consider for a moment that all of life is made up of opposites: light and dark, positive and negative, male and female, life and death, yin and yang, thinking and feeling, conscious and unconscious.
In astrology, this opposition is a grouping of two astrological signs, each sign opposite in the zodiac to the other. For example, Aries is the opposite sign of Libra, and vice versa.
The Polarities (Sister Signs) are:
Aries--Libra
Taurus--Scorpio
Gemini--Sagittarius
Cancer--Capricorn
Leo--Aquarius
Virgo--Pisces
The birth chart itself represents the whole of your individual personality. It is composed of two halves, one that represents the conscious, solar, active, masculine, day side of consciousness, and the other--the unconscious, lunar, passive, feminine, night side. And it centers upon the interaction of paired opposites: the chart consists of polarities, that is, "power pairs" of opposite signs.
The signs that oppose each other have much in common because they function on the same wave length but on opposite poles. It is important to look for similarities and differences in the signs that oppose one another in your birth chart because you will learn much about yourself.
Polarity, your opposite sign, is your "sister sign" because the energy is alike in a complementary way. This is the duality, or balance, of you. If, for example, you are a Leo, you need to be open to the energy of your opposite sign Aquarius, to complete your personality and development.
Each Sign also has a ruling planet and that planet exerts its own energy on a Sign which gives even more depth and texture to your portrait. Planets are the basic driving energies of the chart. It is the placement of these planets in the twelve signs of the zodiac that determines how you express the different facets of your personality. In a birth chart, the planet that rules the Rising Sign (Ascendant) is said to be the ruling planet of the chart.
Now add all the planets in your chart and the fact each may be in a different House. Planets in Houses cast still more highlights and shadows of the portrait that is you. The planets are the acting forces, or the "what" of your birth chart, while the Houses describe "where", or what department of life, the acting force is played out.
Your Sun, Rising and Moon Signs depict "how" the energy of the planets in Houses manifest themselves in your life. In other words, the Signs of the zodiac are mediums, or carriers, for the expression of the planets' energies.
Consider, too, that planets have geometrical relationships to one another called aspects. Aspects indicate areas of harmony, challenge, strain, ease and/or power: your natural talents and abilities, as well as the difficulties of your life. These relationships make up still another part of your portrait and are an important part of any birth chart interpretation.
Another factor in birth chart analysis is the position of the north and south nodes, or the two points where the orbit of the moon, or any of the planets, intersects the path of the Sun. (The apparent path of the Sun on its yearly journey around the earth, when viewed from the earth, is called the ecliptic. In reality, it is the earth that revolves around the Sun, so an ecliptic is actually the earth's orbit around the Sun, but I digress.)
These north and south nodes, called lunar nodes, are up for much discussion among astrologers: some feel the north node indicates areas of benefits, honors or forming ties, while the south node shows areas of strain, adversity and dissolving relationships. Everyone seems to agree that the north and south nodes mark sensitive points in a birth chart.
In recent history, star-like bodies called asteroids add yet another dimension to the overall picture of you. Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta orbit between Mars and Jupiter. Discovered in the 1970's, these four asteroids heralded the activation of feminine consciousness in both men and women.
The current thought is that Ceres nurtures, Pallas is creative, Vesta integrates and focuses, while Juno concerns itself with intimate, committed relationships.
Another asteroid called Chiron orbits between Saturn and Uranus. Some astrologers believe Chiron serves as a bridge between conscious reality and galactic intelligence.
Currently, Chiron is associated with healing, teaching, knowing, holistic thought, even the tarot, but new associations may emerge as Chiron is studied further. And of course, the positions of asteroids in your birth chart reveal more nuances of your personality.
No two birth charts are alike. In fact, there will not be another birth chart exactly like yours for about 4.3 million years. Now you know why someone sharing your Sun Sign can be so different from you! The little Sun Sign descriptions you find in newspapers and magazines capture only the broad strokes of the artist's brush.
Above all, remember that nothing in astrology is preordained and we are not puppets on a string. Astrological energies themselves are neutral energies; there is no "good" planet vs. "bad" planet.
No astrological configuration is out to destroy us because there is something valuable to learn in every situation, however painful. It is up to us to search for the meaning.
It is how we apply the energies in force that makes all the difference.
For example, if we've been using a zodiacal energy a specific way that creates destructive energy, we always have the choice of using the same energy in a more positive, constructive way--even if only through a change in outlook or attitude.
The horoscope is a roadmap of your life, but the stars impel, they do not compel. So, just like working with the tarot cards, you still retain your power of personal choice in astrology.
Why isn't the description of your Sun Sign an accurate portrait of you? Because, in the simplest of terms, the Sun, Ascendant and Moon are the three primary indicators of your personality. The next time you check your daily horoscope in the paper, include your Rising and Moon Signs for a fuller picture of you.
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WERE YOU BORN ON THE CUSP?
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Because the time it takes for the planets to transit (go across) a Sign varies slightly from year to year, the exact beginning and end of a Sun Sign also change from year to year. That is why you will sometimes see different start and stop dates for a Sun Sign depending on the reference you use, and the year it was published.
Persons born near the beginning or end of an astrological sign are said to be born on the cusp. By the way, in astrology, the term cusp means two things: the point or line in a horoscope that marks the beginning of a house, and the point at which a sign of the zodiac begins.
Cusp-born people often exhibit characteristics of both their Sun Sign and the previous or following sign, but you are always one sign or the other, never both. The correct Sun Sign is determined by the exact time, date and location of your birth.
Check your birth certificate if you're uncertain, or call the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the town in which you were born. Of course, someone present at the time of your birth might know, just for the asking...
A copy of your birth certificate is inexpensive, and most phone directories have municipal numbers listed under City, or County Government, or in the Blue Pages. Usually, if you call the Court House, someone can direct you to the right contact in your location for obtaining a copy of your birth certificate.
Don't be discouraged if you don't know your time of birth. While knowing your exact time and location of birth are ideal for an accurate horoscope, experienced astrologers have other ways to cast your natal chart when birth information is incomplete or missing.
For quick computerized charts, such as the ones you'll find in the links below, the exact time and location of birth are required.
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APPLIED ASTROLOGY
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To take astrology one step further, specialized fields of study, called applications, are entire books and web sites unto themselves. Examples of applied astrology include:
Horary Astrology--Casting a chart for the exact time a question is asked. Based on the idea that the positions of the planets at the moment of asking can help answer the question because there is a sympathy between the cosmos and the human mind.
Astro-Psychology--The counseling aspects of astrology used to help with the challenging, or troublesome, areas of life. Much like psychotherapy or psychology. Using astrological information as a tool for psychological insight.
Medical Astrology--Using the birth chart to obtain information about health, illness and wellness. Especially looks at diseases and their causes through horoscope pattern, psychic imbalances and probable timing through planetary transits.
Mundane Astrology--Assesses and forecasts world events, political movements, national occurrences and cultural trends according to the planetary cycles.
Vocational Astrology--Applies the information in a birth chart to the study of career. It reveals the nature of a person's vocational needs and loves. Because vocational astrology explores an individual's "inner calling", it can produce a better vision of career direction and decrease job frustration.
Synastry--The astrology of relationships. Learning how the birth charts of specific people interact to better understand the dynamics of their relationship.
Electional Astrology--The timing of events. Studying transits to learn favorable times to initiate certain events or take action. By its nature, electional astrology also pinpoints the times to wait for a better day.
Karmic Astrology--Emphasizes spiritual evolution in this life, and lives yet to come, based on past life information. Explores karmic history, values and beliefs brought into this life, and life lessons to improve the quality of life now. Some astrologers refer to this application as Esoteric Astrology.
And the above list is only a sampling. There are other applications! As I wrote earlier, the study of astrology is the pursuit of a lifetime--or two.
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*LEARNING MORE
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This little introduction is only the barest of essentials. The study of astrology as a science and an art, with its many applications, is a lifetime pursuit. The interpretation of a chart requires knowledge of astronomy, houses, planets, angles, asteroids, nodes, aspects, transits, progressions and much, much more.
The skilled astrologer knows how to blend all of this information into useful insights for you. After all, if it doesn't make sense to you, what good is it?
Yes, the Sun Sign will give you self-knowledge, but it is the combination of the Sun, Rising and Moon Signs that develops a deeper insight into the stranger who is yourself.
LINKS follow bibliography.
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THIS PAGE:
Bloch, Douglas and Demetra George. Astrology for Your Self, Wingbow Press, Oakland, CA, 1987.
Hickey, Isabel. Astrology, A Cosmic Science, CRCS Publications, Sebastopol, CA, 1992 by the Isabel Hickey Trust.
Plait, Phillip C. Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, John Wiley and Sons, 2002.
NOTE: This book is for scientific skeptics and all armchair debunkers. Plait takes exception to astrology, in particular, and it is where I learned about the astronomical timing of the Age of Aquarius discussed in footnote three.
The author has a good sense of humor, especially in a chapter called Bad Astronomy Goes Hollywood. His web site is worth a look because it clearly shows the viewpoint of modern astronomers, and how it differs from modern astrologers.
And hey, it's astronomy for the lay person, fun to read, and you can learn something, too, like why the sky is blue.
Web Address: www.badastronomy.com
The above link does not open a new window. Use your back button to return here.
Sakoian, Frances and Louis B. Acker. The Astrologer's Handbook, Quill, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 2001.
Woolfolk, Joanna Martine. The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need, Madison Books, New Edition, 2001.
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ASTROLOGY LINKS
Links below open new windows.
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I invite you to become a “Universal Aquarian” and expand your horizons. Explore the links below to learn more about the fascinating portrait of the one-and-only you. For more astrology links, click Internet Resources from the secondary pages at the bottom of your screen.
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The Star, No. 17
Tarot for Cats
©Regen Dennis and Kipling West
Macmillan, 1996 (Out-of-Print)
My E-mail: FindingTheMuse@aol.com
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To have another language is to possess a second soul. Charlemagne
© Copyright 2001-2008 Christine Jette. All rights reserved.
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