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November 2008

From holistic astrologers
Benjamin Bernstein & Spiritsong

   828-658-9073 / 800-461-3569 (Benjamin) or 828-777-6688 (Spiritsong)
   www.ItsAllGoodAstrology.com
   benjamin@ItsAllGoodAstrology.com; mary@SpiritsongOasis.com

Greetings!

Welcome to the November It's All Good Astrology News. As always, thanks so much for allowing us the privilege of sending it to you!

This month's feature article discusses 2008's most powerful astrological event: the mighty Saturn-Uranus opposition! We also offer you three opportunities to save money:
   1) a new 15% discount for birthday-month consultations,
     2) 20% off on holiday gift certificates, and
     3) free tuition for Benjamin's November online astrology mentoring classes!

There's also a reminder about the fabulous OPA Astrology Retreat coming up this April, and -- but of course -- the November forecast!

Thanks again for choosing to receive the It's All Good Astrology News, . Enjoy the issue!

-- Benjamin

2008's Most Powerful Astrological Event: the Saturn-Uranus Opposition

by Benjamin Bernstein

What's the most powerful astrological event of 2008? Most astrologers would agree that there are only two serious contenders. Some would give the nod to Pluto's dual entries into Capricorn on 1/25 and 11/26 (see my January 2008 article about this), but my choice is the Saturn-Uranus opposition, which first comes exact on Nov. 4, 2008.

Exact on Election Day!

It's extraordinarily synchronistic that this opposition occurs on the day of the US presidential election! As I said in my September 2008 article, where my astrological analysis of the candidates' charts seemed to indicate an Obama victory, this planetary lineup indicates an extraordinary "wild card factor."

I've heard a lot of ideas about how this unpredictable energy could play out, including an attempt on Obama's life (let's hope the arrest of those two white supremacists nipped that one in the bud!) and the election being stolen through vote tampering.

I pray that neither of these dark possibilities will manifest in a meaningful way. Instead, I focus on a much simpler and more straightforward interpretation: Saturn represents McCain (the old way of doing things) and Uranus stands for Obama (revolutionary change). And, as you'll see in a moment, Uranus usually triumphs in these situations.

The Global Financial Crisis

As Richard Tarnas definitively demonstrates in his astrological magnum opus Cosmos and Psyche, significant sky transits such as this can begin "turning on" when they're still 15° apart. Saturn and Uranus hit that benchmark in September 2007.

It was soon after this that an increasing number of news stories about the subprime lending crisis began appearing. (Click here for a detailed credit crisis timeline.) Saturn and Uranus were only about 9° apart in early September of 2008, when the dominoes really started falling with the US government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The more exact the opposition has become, the more intense the global financial crisis has grown.

Consistent Effects Throughout History

Nor can this astrological correlation just be written off as coincidence. Every time Saturn and Uranus have opposed each other, there have been tumultuous times. The effect of their prior opposition, from 1965-1967, speaks for itself: we all know the paroxysms the world went through during the mid-60's!

The Saturn-Uranus opposition before that, exact from 1918-1920, also occurred during a turbulent time in history. The better-known events of those years included

the end of World War I,

the British abandoning Home Rule for Ireland,

controversies over the new psychology of Freud and Jung,

the ratification of Prohibition,

the formation of the League of Nations (predecessor of the United Nations),

proof of Einstein's Theory of Relativity,

the "Black Sox" baseball bribery scandal,

American women gaining the right to vote,

the rise of the Dadaist art movement (one exhibition allowed visitors to smash paintings -- how Uranian can you get!), and

Gandhi's emergence as the leader of India's independence movement.

There were other powerful astrological transits in force during these times as well, but I'm focusing here only on the Saturn-Uranus oppositions for the sake of simplicity.

As one studies the events of these years, a common theme emerges: the forces of the established order (Saturn) struggling mightily against the forces of change (Uranus). Once in a while the forces of conservatism win a short-lived victory (Prohibition; civil rights marchers routed by police in the South). More often, however, the forces of revolution win the day.

This Saturn-Uranus opposition will be exact five times from 11/4/2008 thru 7/26/2010. This period will be characterized by revolutionary transformation, with outmoded or corrupted structures (such as the derivatives-riddled global economic system) being replaced by new paradigms.

How Will This Affect You?

On a more personal level, it's essential to recognize all the structures in your life that have outlived their usefulness. It doesn't matter if "it's always been done this way" - if there's a better way to do it, it's time to embrace a paradigm shift. Perhaps something has served you well until now -- a relationship, a way of thinking, a residence, a job -- but is no longer a good fit. It hangs poorly on you no matter how much you try to alter it. This means that it's time to release it, and leave a void for Spirit to fill with something better! Tune in to your intuitive flashes - Uranus' method of communication - and follow them whenever you can.

This need to move in new directions will be especially true for you if the Saturn-Uranus opposition is making a conjunction, opposition or square to sensitive points in your natal chart. Check the range from 16° to 30° in the mutable signs of Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces and Gemini, as well as the first three degrees of the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. If you have a personal planet, angle or angular ruler in that range, you can expect to feel some powerful effects.

Technical Breakdown of the Five Oppositions

   If you want to dig a little deeper, here's a listing, using 3° orbs, which gives more precise timing of when and where the five Saturn-Uranus oppositions will be most strongly felt. (Of course, major life events can also be triggered by other significant astrological events happening in your chart during this time.)
   11/4/2008 (US Election Day): 16-22° Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces and Gemini
   2/5/2009: 18-24° Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces and Gemini
   9/15/2009: 22-28° Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces and Gemini
   4/26/2010: 26-30° Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces and Gemini and 0-2° Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn
   7/26/2010: 27-30° Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces and Gemini and 0-3° Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn

Challenging Times to Benefit the Greater Good

There's no getting around the fact that we are now entering a multi-year period of challenging times. "It's all good" because such times are when we humans achieve our most meaningful growth, and make our deepest connections with each other.

Sadly, the historical status quo of the global powers-that-be has been the systematic gang-rape of Gaia, with little concern demonstrated for the resulting destruction of her species and environment. Therefore, nothing less than a radical paradigm shift is needed to ensure the survival of the majority of the species on this planet -- including the human race.

That life-affirming outcome, whatever we have to go through to get there, sounds like a good thing to me!

Celestial Forecast for November 2008

by Benjamin Bernstein

Whatever your sun sign, this forecast will help you choose how to best use each month's astrological energies! Events are most powerful on the dates listed. However, their influence will be active for at least several days before and after. All dates and times are in the U.S. eastern time zone.

While everyone is affected by these global transits, you will be most powerfully impacted when moving planets activate natal planets and other sensitive points in your birth chart.

VOID-OF-COURSE MOONS. It's best to avoid starting important new projects or making major purchases during these times. "Business as usual" is the best strategy for these periods, which occur when the Moon has made its last major Ptolemaic aspect but has not yet moved into the next sign.

11/2, 4:42 - 6:15 am, Capricorn
11/4, 11:01 am - 7:03 pm, Aquarius
11/7, 4:34 - 5:45 am, Pisces
11/9, 11:29 am - 12:28 pm, Aries
11/11, 2:18 - 3:07 pm, Taurus
11/13, 12:13 - 3:13 pm, Gemini
11/15, 2:18 - 2:54 pm, Cancer
11/17, 08:44 am - 4:09 pm, Leo
11/19, 7:48 - 8:14 pm, Virgo
11/22, 3:03 - 3:21 am, Libra
11/24, 12:46 - 12:55 pm, Scorpio
11/26, 7:33 am - 11/27, 12:15 am, Sagittarius
11/28, 7:54 pm - 11/29, 12:49 pm, Capricorn

THE STORY SO FAR: As November opens, two planets are retrograde: Neptune (thru 11/2) and Uranus (thru 11/27).

11/1 (Sat). A WEDGE, which began 10/26 and ends 11/4, peaks right about now. This aspect pattern features the applying Uranus-Saturn opposition being energized by a trine and sextile from Mars. This has the effect of making this world-shaking opposition, which has already helped bring us the global financial crisis, even stronger. With Mars in Scorpio, the sign of profound transformation, consider using these days to empower whatever death and rebirth cycles need to occur in your own life.
            Mercury also biquintiles Uranus today, creating a magical connection between your rational mind and sparks of intuitive insight. Be sure to make some quiet time for receiving them!

11/2 (Sun). NEPTUNE GOES DIRECT today at 21°28' Aquarius. Whenever any planet goes direct, it's a good time to move from reflection on its themes to acting on them. So take stock of the dreams, visions, desire for higher states of consciousness and ideas for divinely inspired creativity that have been floating around in your mind for the last five months, and consider which ones it's time to make real!

11/3 (Mon). Poor Venus, creating a T-SQUARE with Saturn and Uranus the day before their opposition becomes exact! Since she is the primary money planet, this T-square, peaking today and active 10/30-11/7, increases the odds that the global financial crisis will worsen around this time. Your finances could also come under stress, so if the recent plunging stock market indices haven't already caused you to batten down your financial hatches, you would be wise to do so at the first opportunity. Relationships may also receive significant challenge from this transit. If you find that any of your important relationships are not on solid footing, consider either a paradigm shift that will stabilize them or, if appropriate, a parting of the ways. Creative types may find themselves inspired to venture in bold new directions with their work.

11/4 (Tue). What's the most powerful astrological event of 2008? Most astrologers would agree that there are only two serious contenders. Some would give the nod to Pluto's dual entries into Capricorn on 1/25 and 11/26 (see my Jan. 2008 article about this), but my choice is THE SATURN-URANUS OPPOSITION, which first comes exact on Nov. 4, 2008.
            It's extraordinarily synchronistic that this opposition occurs on the day of the US presidential election! As I said in my September 2008 article, where my astrological analysis of the candidates' charts seemed to indicate an Obama victory, this planetary lineup indicates an extraordinary "wild card factor." I've heard a lot of ideas about how this unpredictable energy could play out, including an attempt on Obama's life and the election being stolen through vote tampering. I pray that none of these dark possibilities will manifest, but instead focus on a much simpler and more straightforward interpretation: Saturn represents McCain (the old way of doing things) and Uranus stands for Obama (revolutionary change). And Uranus usually triumphs in these situations.
            This Saturn-Uranus opposition will be exact five times, from now through most of 2010. This period of time will be characterized by revolutionary transformation, with outmoded or corrupted structures (such as the derivatives-riddled global economic system) being repaired or replaced.
            On a personal level, it's essential to recognize all the structures (Saturn) in your life that have outlived their usefulness. It doesn't matter if "it's always been done this way" - if there's a better way to do it, it's time to embrace a paradigm shift (Uranus). Perhaps something has served you well until now -- a relationship, a way of thinking, a residence, or a job -- but is no longer a good fit. It hangs poorly on you no matter how much you alter it. This means that it's time to release it, and leave a void for Spirit to fill with something better. Tune in to your intuitive flashes - Uranus' method of communication - and follow them whenever you can.
            For more on how the Saturn-Uranus opposition will be affecting the world at large, please see my new article on the subject.
            As if all that wasn't enough, there are four more Election Day events to talk about -- ensuring that this will be my longest write-up ever for a single day!
            Two of these transits are essentially saying the same thing. Since Pluto and Scorpio are astrological synonyms, the fact that Mercury both sextiles Pluto and enters Scorpio today is the sort of thing that makes astrologers sit up and take notice. The most obvious interpretations are "communicating change," "a voice for change" or "a change in thinking." in addition, Mercury's entry into Scorpio, where it joins Mars and the Sun, creates a STELLIUM (three or more planets in the same sign) in the Sign of Transformation. That's an awful lot of Scorpio energy on Election Day -- which candidate do you think best fits this archetype?
            More troubling is today's Mars-Neptune square. This could be the aspect that caused some astrologers to worry about Obama surviving until Inauguration Day, since it could be interpreted as violence (Mars) coming from a hidden place (Neptune). [Chillingly, shortly after I wrote that sentence, I checked Google's news page and read about the arrest of two white supremacists who were plotting to assassinate Obama. Let's hope that's as far as this thought-form goes!] The Mars-Neptune square is also a warning to election officials to be watchful for hidden enemies (Neptune) taking aggressive action (Mars) to hijack the election, possibly through electronic manipulation of the vote count. A less sinister interpretation would be snafus and confusion encountered by some excited (and possibly irritated) voters at their polling places. I suggest you use this aspect to take forceful action (Mars) to stand up for your ideals (Neptune) -- in other words, vote!

11/5 (Wed). After the intensity of yesterday's election, today's Venus-Neptune sextile suggests that it might be nice to relax and indulge in some mindless escapism. Of course, this combination is also great for creative inspiration, meditation and making a soul-deep connection with another being.

11/7 (Fri). Change is good, but it can also be messy. With the Scorpio Sun squaring Chiron, it's a good time to do some tidying up and organizing!

Click here for the rest of the November forecast.

In Closing

Thanks for taking the time to read this, . Your comments are always welcome. May the stars light your way!

Be well,

Benjamin Bernstein & Spiritsong
Holistic Astrologers

It's All Good Astrology
"Take Charge of Your Destiny"

828-658-9073 / 800-461-3569 (Benjamin) or 828-777-6688 (Spiritsong)
www.ItsAllGoodAstrology.com
benjamin@ItsAllGoodAstrology.com; mary@SpiritsongOasis.com

Benjamin hosts This Week in Astrology, the #1 astrology podcast on iTunes since late 2007! Discover how you can make the best use of the current planetary energies while deepening your knowledge of astrology!

"Insightful and inspiring! The passion you have for astrology, combined with the thoughtful and compassionate way you share the information, is awesome. It's like therapy and career counseling and someone reading a blueprint of your life all at once!" - Anna B, Weaverville, NC