I found this very interesting, perhaps you will too:

It is the hermetic idea of the macrocosm, the universe, being reflected in man as the microcosm that helped to integrate astrological symbology in Christian and Islamic civilisation. This substantiated the idea of man being created in the image of God.

James Cutsinger in his “Advice to the Serious Seeker” says quite succinctly, “All the levels of the universe, the macrocosm, come about through the radiation or manifestation of God, the metacosm. But all these levels are to be found as well within each human being, who is himself a microcosm or miniature universe.” (p. 48)

Consider a mirror. What do you see when you look into it? The reflection that presents itself is depend3nt on how well the mirror has been crafted. Even the tiniest flaw will bring a slight distortion. However imperfect, the reflection will hold every detail of the reality which is shown by it. There is one noticeable difference. It has shrunk a dimension. The reflection in a mirror is two-dimensional. The reality it reflects exists in a space with up and down, right and left, forwards and backwards. The mirror is only able to show forwards and backwards in what we could call the mode of magnitude – large is closer, small is farther away. We can say that in the same way man, as microcosm, reflects the universe, less a dimension. So too does the universe, the macrocosm, reflect God, less a dimension. The mode of reality changes. Even though a dimension is lacking that does not mean that it is missing, it is still present in an analogous form. We can call this change in mode the principle of Analogy. That is why “…the symbol is essentially identified with the thing it symbolises…”

This is another new astrology blog with some interesting posts and unusual connections.

I just noticed Jude (of Stars Over Washington fame) has a few new art blogs. I particularly like this one with its dreamy art (perfect for my SunNeptune conjunction in Libra). Some of the art connects with astrology which gives it an additional dimension of interest.

For example this illustration (click to enlarge) is in honor of Chiron, showing the path of healing.

Hopefully Jude won’t mind if I snag her art from time to time to illustrate a point!

As you know if you’ve been reading this and other astrology columns over the past six months or so, we are in the middle of a major planetary cycle involving an opposition between Saturn, and its desire to create societal structures such as buildings but also governments and marriages, to Neptune, the planet which seeks a detachment from our physical reality in order to bring us into contact with a deeper state of being.

The opposition is a “hard” aspect, meaning that there is a tension between the two planets which makes it more difficult to realize the more beneficial qualities of the two planets. In its highest form the combination of Saturn and Neptune creates a society (Saturn) which is grounded (Saturn) in spiritual ideals (Neptune) that exhibits compassion and universal love (Neptune). But because humans are not yet perfect, the Saturn/Neptune cycle more typically brings the dissolution and breakdown (Neptune) of the structures upon which society depends (Saturn). (See earlier article for more details on this cycle.)

The beginning of the Saturn/Neptune cycle was the witness not only to the unraveling civil war in Iraq, but also was the harbinger of civil war in Somalia, Kirkuk, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, and among the Palestinians. The concept of the “failed state” seems also to be tied in with the Neptune (failed) Saturn (state) cycle. Saturn is in Leo now, where it has been creating challenges and limitations (Saturn) on leaders and kings (Leo). This has been seen virtually everywhere – not only in the US where the Republican leadership has fallen to the Democrats, but also in the UK with the government of Tony Blair, the confusion (Neptune) over who is running Iraq. We are likely to see continued confusion (Neptune) in Cuba with the demise of Fidel Castro, and in Israel with a nearly universal disillusionment (Neptune) with their political leaders.

We are currently in range of the second phase of the Saturn/Neptune opposition and it is not surprising that these issues are in the forefront of the news. But I believe that this is just the first step in the path towards the upcoming cultural breakdown that will provide the basis for rebuilding a global society. Neptune continues to create confusion over the structures of Saturn over the next year, paving the way for Pluto as it enters Capricorn (the sign ruled by Saturn) and begins destroying those structures which no longer serve us. The sands are shifting and faith is required now – faith in the ultimate Intelligence that guides our evolution.

Jeffrey was the first astrologer to link to my blog, and I naturally have a soft spot in my heart for him. With his first house Pluto he is often reluctant to participate in the memes that reveal bloggery secrets, but now you can learn all about Jeffrey in this interview. Jeffrey has several blogs including Astrology in the Movies and Lunar Tunes, and is a psychotherapist in New York as well. I particularly like what Jeffrey has to say about astrology:

The significance of astrology to me is that there is a divine order to the Universe, and that we are born at a specific time and location so that we can spiritually evolve. Astrology helps people grow into who they are “called” to be. On a more mundane level, it helps people navigate times of transition by understanding cycles of change. If you know that you are supposed to be breaking down structures in your life, then you can consciously explore what parts of your life are rigid, so that the restructuring comes from within rather outside of yourself.

Check it out!

This seems to echo both of the major planetary cycles going on right now: the square of Jupiter (overconfidence) to Uranus (technology and innovation) and the opposition between Saturn (government structure) and Neptune (mystery and deception):

Iran has converted one of its most powerful ballistic missiles into a satellite launch vehicle. The 30-ton rocket could also be a wolf in sheep’s clothing for testing longer-range missile strike technologies, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine reports in its Jan. 29 issue.

The Iranian space launcher has recently been assembled and “will liftoff soon” with an Iranian satellite, according to Alaoddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.

The move toward an independent space launch capacity is likely to ratchet up concern in the U.S. and Europe about Iran’s strategic capabilities and intents. Orbiting its own satellite would send a powerful message throughout the Muslim world about the Shiite regime in Tehran.

::snip::

There are concerns in the West that space launch upgrades, however, could eventually create an Iranian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of nearly 2,500 mi., giving Tehran the ability to strike as far as central Europe, well into Russia and even China and India.

::snip::

“A reconnaissance satellite of reasonable performance should weigh about 300 kg.

Although designed as a technology demonstrator, the planned satellite launch would be a potent political [Saturn] and emotional [Neptune] weapon in the Middle East.

The new space launcher and ongoing missile development is also significant in that it highlights close technological ties between the Iranian and North Korean missiles programs, intelligence agencies agree.

The opposition of Neptune to Saturn in Leo (leadership) asks the question, “Who’s in charge?” The face of global power is changing.

I just stumbled upon another astrology blog, this one from Neil Paris in the UK. He has a great post on possible manifestations of the Jupiter/Uranus square that we are experiencing this year:

Religious exile – people abandon their previous beliefs, members of the church quit, resign or are fired, or change faiths altogether, or else abandon their faith entirely!

Educational exile – teachers do the same thing as the priests as mentioned above. Strikes or at least a shakeup in how the educational system works. Could there be the introduction of shocking new ways to teach people or more spiritual and metaphysical instruction (quantum physics, psychic information, Astrology etc?)

Racism – we’re already hearing breaking news stories of this on mainstream media (Uranus rules television, radio and the broadcast media in general) on shows like Big Brother in England where contestants got into a name-calling racist brawl. Our prejudice (Jupiter) is exposed as being anything but humanitarian (Uranus).

New Gay Laws – Uranus relates to the ‘deviant’ and the things most of society feels go against what it ‘stands for’. Anything that goes against the grain and is ‘different’. So homosexuality would fit the bill here, and since Jupiter relates to Law, we could see more challenges (since this is a square aspect of tension) and a greater push for more social equality and liberation. Uranus/Jupiter could see overseas (Jupiter) marriage or at least civil partnerships (Jupiter).
Could immigration laws be ready to be revamped to allow for more fairness and social acceptance? Here’s hoping.

Travel Innovation: new ways to travel – and more technology within travel (biometrics, eye scanners, fingerprints etc). Faster and speedier ways to get from A to B. Could this be the beginning of those 2 hour planes from LA to Australia? Or how about teleportation? Travel gets a little crazier so look out for diversions, new routes and perhaps more efficiency – but don’t hold your breathe, it always comes with a cost. Hopefully it’s not one of freedom or privacy?

Electrifying Inventions – some larger than life ideas, ideals and philosophies. Listen up for some big words, hotshot ideas and some ‘here’s the solution’ remarks from people who big mouths who love to spout hot air. Big words, bright ideas.

Illuminated Thought – the Eureka! Aha! moments of life. Some amazing intuitions that channel their way into our heads, downloaded from the great beyond. There are truly some tripped out ideas floating around now. Will you be the one with the next multi-billion dollar idea or a solution to a major world issue?

I particularly like this last one.

This Jupiter/Uranus cycle is still in the first phase, the second phase of the cycle comes in May with the wrapup in early October. The exciting expansion of Jupiter/Uranus will have an interesting effect on the contracting confusion of the Saturn/Neptune opposition that continues through June.

Venus Verticordia*, by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Mercury is nearing a conjunction with Neptune that will be exact on Friday but will remain in effect for the next few days. Mercury represents the thought function, communication and the manner in which we process our experiences. Neptune is the Great Dissolver, the planet of mystery, mysticism and true spirituality. With Neptune present we face the fact that life more than mere physical reality, and we long to ascend to an experience of the divine.

The conjunction can bring out the best of the two planets or the worst, there is more of a choice with the conjunction than the hard angle aspects (squares and oppositions) which tend to bring out the more negative aspects of the planets involved. Neptune combined with Mercury confers creativity as we expand our ordinary awareness and intellect to channel that divine experience into music, art and writing. Life becomes more imaginative, more mysterious. The conjunction of Neptune and Mercury also tends to obscure what we usually think of as reality and confuse the issue as we reach for the ideal image rather than see what is right in front of us. There can be confusion, illusion and delusion, as well as fabrication and lies.

On Sunday Venus enters Pisces, the sign ruled by Neptune, extending this Neptunian period and bringing a little more romance into our lives. With Venus in Pisces life is a little more beautiful and a little more harmonious as the aesthetics of Venus find expression through the Pisces desire for a divine experience. Compassion (Pisces) between people (Venus) is another hallmark of the Venus/Pisces experience. With Venus entering Pisces, the electrical energy of the past couple of Uranian weeks will begin to smooth out and the peaceful harmony of Venus/Pisces could help to soften things as we move towards the second stage of the Saturn/Neptune opposition.

*Venus Verticordia, the “Changer of Hearts”

In browsing around for interesting astrology news I came across this in a forum on relationships:

I happen to analyse my horoscope.One astrologer told my marriage life is going to be full of problems and difficulties. I will go to the extent of commiting suicide I will have to face aso many problems. I was really worried abt it.I told my would be abt it.He scolded dont believe in this all.I was very much worried on what the astrologer told.Pls tell me wat u peole say? should i beleive this or not

The querent lives in India so I assume his astrologer followed Vedic principles, and the Vedics are very much based in prediction of the future. Regardless of the type of astrology one practices, there are two issues here.

First, there is no way to predict for certain whether someone will commit suicide or how a difficult chart will turn out. I have seen people with incredibly difficult charts who have worked very hard through their issues to gain wisdom and inner peace. Second, nearly everyone in the psychic field agrees that it is unethical to predict a negative future for an individual; first, some of the most amazing experiences occur through difficult times and second, if you instill fear in that client they will create their own disaster. Certainly when a Pluto transit is coming that will hit the clients Chiron/Moon conjunction which squares Pluto, you know there will be some kind of trouble. But there are keys to navigating those rough waters so that the client can get the most out of the process.

I hope that this individual was able to find better advice. It’s astrology “readings” like this that give us all a bad name.