Shifting
Consciousness and the Outer Planets
by Eric Linter
As we say farewell to the Age of Pisces
and enter the Aquarian Age some folks are predicting a shift or sudden
leap in human consciousness. The past century has already seen a rapid
acceleration in mankind's progress. Advances in science have seemingly
reduced the size of the Earth while contributing to the amazing growth
in population and the emergence of global culture. Astrologically
speaking, collective cultural changes are attributed to the slow moving
outer planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
Many of the themes most strongly
connected with the Aquarian Age received a substantial boost during the
tumultuous decade of the 1960's. The signature planetary event of that
era was a conjunction of Uranus and Pluto in the sign Virgo. Uranus has
long been known as the planet of sudden, often shocking changes while
Pluto's effects are linked with transformation, death and rebirth. In
Virgo, the earthy sign of the harvest, these celestial powers found
fertile ground. The ways of the past were challenged by the greatest
youth movement in history. Many young people adopted new lifestyles;
dress, music, spirituality, diet, health care, environmentalism, sexual
and political activism are some areas where the changes were most
apparent.
During the 1990's Uranus joined Neptune
in Capricorn, the sign of powerful corporations and big government. The
New Age, ruled by Uranus, had become a growth industry with revenues
increasing each year. Businesses were revolutionized by technological
advances. Job security became a relic of the past. Corporate mergers
reduced competition and concentrated more power in the hands of fewer
individuals. A populist campaign to reduce the size and cost of
government led to cutbacks in many federal and state programs but so far
has failed to produce campaign finance reforms.
In the mid 1990's Pluto, lord of death
and rebirth, entered Sagittarius, the sign of law, politics and
religion. The transformative energies of this obsessively nosy planet
quickly spotlighted the injustices of the legal system during the
sensational murder trials of sports hero O.J. Simpson and the British
nanny, Louise Woodward. The impeachment effort against President Clinton
and the election controversies of November 2000 are further examples of
Pluto's capacity to stir up passions that lead to detailed examinations
of the issues, thus promoting change. Plutonian compulsion can aggravate
religious differences, leading to increased hostility. We see examples
of this around the world.
By 1999 Uranus was joined by Neptune in
Aquarius. To expect a shift of the magnitude last seen in the 60's, I am
afraid will lead to disappointment. Unlike earthy and practical Virgo,
Aquarius is a cool, intellectual air sign, concerned more with
information and ideas than realities on the material plane. The impact
of Uranus and Neptune in Aquarius is lessened because these planets are
moving apart. Their most recent conjunction occurred several years ago.
Lessons to be learned now involve willing sacrifice of self importance
in order to contribute to the good of those around us. Ted Turner's gift
to the United Nations of a billion dollars was a fine example of this
principle at work.
The development of Aquarian consciousness
has its beginnings within each one of us. Common bonds must be
identified and strengthened through right livelihood and right action.
Spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, study, community service
and teamwork are all pathways to higher consciousness. Technology, ruled
by Aquarius, can and most certainly will prove to be a valuable aid in
this work. As individuals our contribution may seem small, our progress
slow, but remember, a journey begins with a single step.
_____________________
Eric Linter offers a complete
range of astrological services. Consultations are available in person,
on tape or by telephone. Contact him in Boston at 617-524-5275 or email: EricLinter@aol.com.
This article was originally published in Spirit
of Change Magazine—not to be confused with OfSpirit.com Holistic
"Internet" Magazine & Resource. We thank Spirit of
Change, New England's Premiere Holistic "Print" magazine,
for allowing us to give new life to this article and share it with
OfSpirit.com visitors for education, entertainment and empowerment.
Click
here for more information on Spirit of Change.