February 12, 2008
By Guru Rattana, Ph.D.
This newsletter is divided into 3 sections.
PART I – CURRENT ASTROLOGICAL INFLUENCES
PART II – MOVING INTO THE AQUARIAN AGE –
UNDERSTANDING THE AQUARIUS ARCHETYPE
PART III – DEEPENING YOUR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
The last section gives guidelines for using your practice of Kundalini yoga and meditation to deal with current energies and to profit from the awakening Aquarian energy.
This issue offers an in depth analysis of Aquarius and Uranus and how to shift your consciousness as we move toward the Aquarian Age. These ideas are going to be relevant for a looong time. :+)
DECEMBER 21 – The SUN entered AQUARIUS January 20th and will stay until early February 19th when it enters Pisces.
FEBRUARY 6-7 – AQUARIUS NEW MOON SOLAR ECLIPSE.
JANUARY 28th – Mercury went retrograde at 12:31 PM PST at 24 degrees Aquarius. It goes direct February 18 at 6:57 PM PST.
After Mercury goes direct February 18th, Saturn will be the only planet retrograde until April 2nd when Pluto goes retrograde. Full speed ahead. Do what you need to do now.
FEBRUARY 20 21 – VIRGO LUNAR ECLIPSE FULL MOON. 7:31 PM PST (Feb 21 3:31 AM GMT)
Every six months we experience both a
solar and lunar eclipse. In short,
eclipses signal change. It is time to
reevaluate our lives, reflect on our past and make decisions about our future. The Aquarius New Moon Solar Eclipse was
February 6-7. The Sun, Moon,
The Virgo Lunar Eclipse will be February 20-21. The Sun will be in Pisces and the Moon in Virgo. But Venus, Mercury, Chiron, Neptune and the North Node will still be in Aquarius. Since Mercury is retrograde January 7 through February 18th at 6:57PM PST, Mercury will spend double time in Aquarius – until March 14th.
This is a big dose of Aquarius energy. We will be confronted with shocks and surprises that cause us to transform at a deep level. We may find ourselves making profound decisions about how we wish to reorient our lives. After Mercury goes direct February 18th, Saturn will be the only planet retrograde until April 2nd, when Pluto goes retrograde. It is time to take action. Do what you need to do now.
PART II – MOVING INTO THE AQUARIAN AGE –
UNDERSTANDING THE AQUARIUS ARCHETYPE
The
last two signs of the zodiac are ruled by outer transpersonal planets – Uranus
and Neptune. Uranus, Aquarius and the
eleventh house are about (1) group
consciousness and (2) our personal relationship and interaction with the
human collective of which we are a part.
Pisces, Neptune and the twelfth house symbolize transpersonal states of God consciousness. The dynamic of these signs, planets and
houses is very different from the first ten.
We
are currently moving into the Aquarian Age.
As we approach 2012, it is important to understand the dynamic of the
Aquarian archetype. When we move into Uranus or Aquarian territory, ideally we
make the transition from personal-ego consciousness to group consciousness.
The
Aquarius archetype has the need to feel a part of a larger human
community. It is only by participating
in a group that we identify with that we find meaning, experience fulfillment,
and fulfill our mission. As a member of
the human collective, we seek to offer our special talents in service to the
larger group of which we are a member.
Those
with predominate (Sun, Moon, Rising or several planets) Uranian/Aquarian
energies are especially drawn toward group involvement and social
contribution. The Uranian/Aquarian
impulse is motivated by group concerns and often does not consider personal
concerns important. We can feel lost and
frustrated if our main concern is for human welfare, but we do not know
personally what we can contribute. Our
Aquarian need to help improve the human condition can be expressed only if we
have a skill or talent which we feel comfortable offering to the larger cause.
The natural tendency of the Aquarius impulse is to be sensitive to collective concerns. However, (1) if we do not have a core group to relate to, (2) if we are not yet sensitive to the higher expressions of collective consciousness or (3) if we live in a society where group consciousness has not evolved past the sheep mentality of mass consciousness, we can feel alienated and even psychologically disturbed. At the extreme, alcoholic, drug and mental problems can result from not knowing how to use Aquarian energy that has an intrinsic need to be part of a higher collective purpose.
The
above points summarize the Aquarian challenge that we are dealing with as we
make the transition to the Aquarian Age.
We sometimes talk about the transition as though once December 2012
comes, it will be complete. But such is
certainly not the case. Attaining
Aquarian consciousness requires serious mental, emotional, spiritual and
physical work. It also requires our
contributory participation in activities that further the goals of humanity.
So
what is involved in making our personal and collective transition to the
Aquarian Age?
The
Aquarian symbol is of a perfected human being who serves to bring innovative
ideas and universal consciousness to humanity.
Aquarius is the messenger sent from heaven to assist humankind. The highest expression of Aquarius is a
humble servant. Lower expressions of this energy include righteous fanatics and
rebels without a cause.
To acquire Aquarian consciousness, we must (1) establish and maintain our own personal identity (2) while we serve the highest evolutionary interests of the collective. Our first Aquarian lesson is thus to learn how to not lose ourselves in the group. To operate effectively and independently in the larger group, we must be inner directed. We must be able to decide voluntarily the extent and nature of our participation in furthering group goals.
If
our personality is not solidly developed, we risk being swallowed up by or
being a pawn of mass consciousness. The
development of our own free will is
thus a requirement to not get lost in and controlled by the ‘maddening’
crowd. Only when we are solidly
integrated in our own sense of self are we able to effectively participate in
the development and evolution of the human collective.
RAISING INDIVIDUAL CONSCIOUSNESS
The
importance of raising the consciousness of each individual is absolutely
critical to the effective operation of the Aquarian archetype. The group mind reflects the consciousness of
the minds of the individuals of the group. (Scary!) Egotistical, selfish, ‘need
to be in control,’ and ‘I am right’ behavior of individuals keep the group at a
low level. Individuals must move into
higher states of conscious to positively participate in the evolution to a
higher dynamic of the group mind. In
other words, the positive or the dysfunctional unfoldment of the Aquarian Age
is directly related to the quality and results of our personal inner work.
The
Aquarian archetype wants to be free. But
freedom is a state of mind, not a dogmatic, ideological, political statement. As the Aquarian impulse gets stronger on the
Planet, we may become more aware of how those who still operate out of lower
consciousness justify their righteous actions and try to impose their beliefs
upon others. It will become more and
more obvious that the cultivation of internal ethics is an absolute requirement
for the ‘no rules’ society that Aquarius likes to advocate. Only when individuals are inner-directed by a
higher sense of ethics that respects others’ beliefs, requests and boundaries can
the idealized Aquarian dream of a less legislated and regulated society
work.
THE LONER ISOLATED IN THE CROWD
Our inner Aquarius does not feel like we fit into the group. And the ‘group’ doesn’t always perceive Aquarius as one of the ‘in crowd.’ Aquarius is not particularity adept at superficial interactions and not particularly interested in casual friendships. Aquarius often acts as an outsider and seems to indulge in behaviors that do not conform to common standards. Our inner Aquarius can thus set us apart from the most common social groups – family, religion, employment, school – simply because we don’t feel a bond of common interest.
Aquarius often conceals his/her sense of loneliness by attention-getting behavior. He/she also tries to call attention to him/herself by glamorizing his/her uniqueness. *(1) He/she is both self-conscious and eager to demand attention. Aquarius longs to feel a sense of belonging, but we don’t know where we belong. We want to feel like a valued individual within the group, but we can’t identify ‘the group.’ We isolate ourselves because we are afraid of being rejected.
Aquarius needs to learn how to relate to ‘the larger Group.’ But if we can’t find a core group of like-minded souls to interact with, we often can’t make the connection with the more impersonal collective. Simply engaging in social activities does not deliver us to meaningful participation. Buying into the ideas of a group which we don’t really identify with excludes our uniqueness and makes us miserable.
Working
together with others who share the same vision and social acceptance are
important to Aquarius. Aquarius wants to
belong. But without serious inner mind/heart work, Aquarius has no
idea where he belongs. The unevolved
Water Bearer (1) is often a loner, (2) has an aloof demeanor and (3) seems to
like to isolate himself. This is because
he is (1) lost in his wildly illusive mind, (2) has not found his inner
orientation, and (3) has not opened his heart.
Although
Aquarius longs to belong, there is something about who Aquarius is and what he
does that often alienates the Water Bearer from normal social groups and
interactions. The Aquarian dilemma
cannot be found simply by finding a friendly group to associate with. The
deeper sharing which we crave can only be found (1) as we acquire a more
profound understanding of the evolutionary
purpose of society. (For example in
relationship to the first chakra, the evolutionary purpose of society is not
bigger houses and more money and things.
Our first chakra goal is to move out of survival mode, to learn to
support ourselves AND to feel comfortable and connected to the Earth while we
are here. Our goal is to feel more
secure, not less secure.)
(2) We have to experience within ourselves human values that transcend the most common
social groupings that usually separate rather than unite us – religion,
politics, nationality, gender and race.
The
existential challenge for Aquarius is
to realize that what our energy is seeking – a meaningful community to relate
to, to be a part of and to serve – requires
inner shifts that make it energetically possible to attract and be able to
meaningfully interact with our ‘soul group.’
Our
inner Aquarius is able to find our purpose and utilize our potential only when
we connect with the most common denominators of our shared humanity. This is not a theoretical expose of the
qualities that we all wish to embody. It
is a personal experience of (1)
humility, (2) gratitude (3) compassion (4) kindness, and (5) oneness. It is within our own psyche that we become
part of a global community that knows no boundaries and espouses no
ideology.
We
are liberated from our isolation and aloneness only when (1) our mind expands
to include the hopes of every human being and (2) our heart can feel the love
that beats is everyone’s heart. Inner
mistrust, defensiveness and isolation only attract painful interpersonal experiences. Only when we can open our hearts to other
human beings without (1) judgment, (2) classification, (3) desire to attract
attention, or (4) neediness can we experience the inclusiveness that we so
desire.
Our
ability to commit to and participate in our global community is possible only
when the inclusiveness that we long for is internalized
in our own psyche. Universal, collective and personal merge only in
higher consciousness. Possibilities of
unfolding into this consciousness are present everywhere in our daily
lives. Aquarius is an elevated being,
but he/she is also the common man and woman.
The outer planets – Uranus, Neptune and Pluto – represent energies that are not personal, but collective and universal. They are present in the human psyche as the collective unconscious or transpersonal consciousness. The psyche of humanity is unified though the common connection with these energies. Since these energies permeate the collective consciousness, both our personal crises and growth affect all of humanity.
The effects of these planetary archetypes often disrupt our emotional, mental and physical security and comfort. The goal is to bring to our attention something fundamental that must be changed. The outer planets represent unconscious urges of our soul toward wholeness and a desire for expanded consciousness. (*2) Instead of fighting our unconscious, we are invited to bring it into awareness. As we do so, we can experience the power and gifts that lie hidden inside us.
Our awakening process causes another kind of existential suffering. The greatest anguish of community-oriented Aquarius is isolation from fellow human beings. The paradox is that when we are unconscious we feel separate and alone. However, as we begin to achieve higher states of awareness, we find that we no longer fit in with the common unconscious folk and suffer from another form of isolation. In elevating ourselves energetically, we initially feel like we are separating ourselves from the rest of humanity. The pain of this loneliness comes from the fact that we can never again return to our unconscious state. *(3)
The above, however, is a temporary stage. The answer is ‘keep going.’ The more we open our minds and hearts, we more we connect with and are comforted by the common threads shared by all humanity.
Shiva
is the destroyer in Hindu mythology.
Uranus, Neptune and Pluto play the role of destroyers in astrological
symbology. They disrupt the core of our
limited ego structure so that we can have a view of the larger reality of which
we are a part. *(4)
The
outer planets ‘destroy’ the veil that prevents us from experiencing a vaster,
soulful sense of self and life. Their
goal is to open our minds to a greater perspective of reality. ‘Cosmic’ experiences are generally not easily
accessible to human consciousness. The
outer planets work on our unconscious to wake us up.
The
more unable and unwilling we are to recognize the urges of our soul and its
collaboration with universal forces to deliver us to an awakened state, the
more the effects of these energies appear as tragedies and senseless
destruction. It is not bad luck, fate or
a revengeful god, but our personal ignorance of the evolutionary drive of our
soul that is the problem.
Uranus
is not a slow acting planet. When
Uranian energy impacts our lives, we are faced with sudden crises, often
involving conflicts with authority, tradition and convention. The lightning speed of Uranus surprises and
shocks us. Unexpected events shatter
beliefs, values, relationships and situations that previously felt safe and
secure. All of a sudden, what we counted
on is no longer available, trustworthy or working in our favor.
We
attract external events to wake us up (1) when we are unable to consciously
perceive our need to change, (2) when we cannot think and act to support our
soul evolution, (3) and when our mind is clogged with attachments that keep it
from opening to higher awareness. The
‘accidental, chance and fateful’ events are attempts to free ourselves from
situations, beliefs and relationships that no longer serve our soul’s
goals.
Becoming
a functional adult requires being able to think independently for
ourselves. The Aquarian archetype helps
us evolve into higher states of maturity.
Aquarius and Uranus energies cause us to perceive, or at least admit,
and attempt to become conscious of the fact that what we call synchronicity or chance is rooted in
our own unconscious. Somehow, know it or
not, it is our interaction with universal energies that causes things to happen
in our lives.
Things
may seem to happen totally out of the blue.
But no matter how random things may seem, Uranus teaches us that our
energy and thoughts strategically intercept with forces outside ourselves to
make things happen.
Beyond
the perimeter of our personal ego, we get in touch with universal energies that
open our hearts and give us the experience of our oneness. If we are able to (1) maintain our individual
identity (2) become a vessel to transmit universal energy and (3) humbly
communicate universal truths, we can move to a higher level of human
functioning and serve a higher collective purpose. We can embody the highest expressions of the
Aquarian archetype and build the foundation for an honorable Aquarian Age.
If
we are unable to keep our sense of self separate from universal energies, we
can lose touch with personal and earthly reality. This is a serious challenge for both Aquarius
and Pisces, whose uninitiated minds are lost in some unidentified spaced out
zone. The unconscious Aquarian is (1)
spaced out, (2) lost in the void and (3) aloof.
To be functional, Aquarius must bring unconscious functions into
consciousness. Aquarian consciousness
must be cultivated.
It is definitely worth doing the work.
The gifts of the inventive Aquarian mind include (1) the power of thought to
affect matter, (2) intuitive visions (3) receptivity to information and wisdom
from the universal mind and (4) the capacity to work with ideas until they are
manifested in physical reality. The
awakened Aquarian mind relates to our commonality through the universal mind,
not to collective unconscious. It pulls
in new, not old or conventional, ideas.
Aquarian ideas have not been tested or proven. They offer innovative,
revolutionary possibilities to old problems that previously seemed to have no
solution.
Immature
Aquarius can feel powerless in face of the overwhelming power of the collective
and mass consciousness. We can also feel
threatened by impersonal economic, political and social structures. Yet at some level we also wish to experience
a sense of belonging to our common humanity.
It is this urge to belong and to connect that unconsciously forces us to
end our isolation. Our heart longs to
experience the common threads that unite all human beings. The collective heart lures us to enter the
arena of humanity.
The
‘secret shadow-impetus behind the one who must help others,’ is to relieve some
of loneliness of consciousness.
*(5) We find that our search for
a ‘cure’ to our anguish is found in serving our community. Our
pain subsides only in service to humanity.
When we work directly with others, we open our hearts. It is only in our heart, not in our mind,
that we truly find the connection we desire with other human beings.
The Aquarius-Leo polarity is about (1) the relationship of the individual to the group and about (2) what happens in our individual psyche when we interact with a larger group. *(6) Some people more eagerly, willingly and openly participate in their community. Some silently participate by doing their inner work and holding the space of love. Some are acutely aware of the impact of the whole on the individual and how individuals in turn shape the whole. Others are not.
Leo
and Aquarius ask ‘How does the individual interact with, integrate with and
impact the group?’ They realize that the
group organism is defined by and held together by the shared ideas, ideals and
thoughts of its members. The goal of the
Leo-Aquarius polarity is to support individuality in the context of the
collective unit. The group works best
when our individual creativity fruitfully contributes to the welfare of all.
A common theme of political ideologies is the relationship between individuals and the collective. Political ideologies often see either the individual or the collective as the most important factor. Either the idealistic individualist is pitted against the repressive system or the righteous system represses the ‘disrespectful individualist.’ Aquarius teaches us that the fight over whether the ultimate authority should be vested in the individual or the group can only be resolved when individuals connect not through ideology, but in the heart, to work toward common goals. Aquarius works toward the personal awakening that makes this level of integration and participation possible.
How
do we resolve our collective problems and conflicts? The Aquarian archetype teaches us that to
solve problems we have to expand our perspective so we can see another more
inclusive solution. Our consciousness is
raised to a new level where we perceive collectively and universally, not just
personally. Uranus shakes up our consciousness so we can shift our view of
reality and then work together to evolve collectively. Aquarius specializes in creating these
profound paradigm shifts of the mind and heart.
HOW TO BECOME A FUNCTIONAL AQUARIAN
Aquarius
is the third and final air sign. Gemini,
the first air sign, introduces us to the duality dynamics of the rational mind,
which dances between the negative/protective mind and positive/expansive
mind. Libra introduces us to the neutral
mind – showing us the way out of the confines and conflicts of duality. Aquarius links us up with the collective mind
and the universal mind.
The
Aquarian mind is ‘out there.’ Until
Aquarius becomes conscious, it is lost.
It tries to guard itself against the intrusion of the collective
unconscious by being a rebel. But
externally directed rebellion does not bring universal connection or inner
peace.
To
cultivate Aquarian consciousness, we have three main tasks.
(1) Mind – open the third eye and crown chakra and
awaken the personal mind to the higher universal mind. Practice paying attention to the expanded
dynamics of your mind. Tune into and
focus your listening on the higher messages that you receive in your mind. Pay attention to the expansiveness of your mind.
Then be sure to contain and infuse this awareness in your body.
(2) Heart – expand your mind space to include the
heart. Meditate on your heart until you
actually open your heart to yourself and feel compassion, non-judgment and a
heart connection with yourself, with others, with the Planet and with the
Universe.
(3) Body – Exercise everyday and feel the life force
in your body. Keep connecting with your
body until you experience it as a vessel for the flow of Divine Energy.
You can practice the above with any Kundalini yoga kriya. There are several sets in Transitions to a Heart-Centered World *(7) that are especially powerful in creating the internal changes that facilitate this expansion in consciousness. One is “Cleansing the Lymph Glands” on pages 66-67. Another is “Heart of Gold” on page 59.
The critical thing is that we must practice becoming conscious. Take a minute or two between each exercise and at least 5 minutes at the end of your practice to consciously connect with and integrate mind, heart and body. Kundalini yoga and meditation activates and awakens possibilities. Only consciously paying attention permanently shifts our consciousness. Schedule in time and commit to paying attention and cultivating awareness. You will be delightfully pleased with your progress. And you will be participating in the positive unfoldment of the Aquarian Age. Sat Nam!
Austin, Stephanie, “Aquarius Solar Eclipse,” The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #137, Feb/March 2008, p. 103-4.
Behari, Bepin, Fundamentals of Vedic Astrology, Lotus Press, 2003.
Behari, Bepin, Myths and Symbols of Vedic Astrology, Sagar Publications, 2003.
Bogart, Gregory C., Astrology and Spiritual Awakening,
Greene, Liz, The Astrology of Fate, Samuel Weiser, Inc.,
Green, Liz, The Outer Planets and Their Cycles, CRCS Publications, 1983.
Greene, Liz, Saturn – A New Look at an Old Devil, Samuel Weiser, 1976.
1. Greene, Saturn, p. 68
2. Greene, Fate, p. 126.
3. Greene, Fate, 255.
4. Greene, Saturn, p. 126.
5. Greene, Fate, p. 255.
6. Greene, Saturn, p. 132.
7. Available on www.yogatech.com
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