As noted in Part 1 of this article, Neptune and Chiron in Pisces), published in the August, 2011 newsletter, Neptune has been on the cusp of Pisces since March of 2010, and enters the sign of Pisces in the following timeframes: March - August, 2011 and returning, February of 2012, through January of 2026.
If ever there was a 'planet' and a 'sign' which carried a kaleidoscope of subtle expressions, and enormous spiritual potential, that would be Neptune and Pisces. Neptune, is in fact, the ruler of Pisces, creating a double Pisces kind of effect.
In Part 1 of this two part article, I spoke about the emergence of the Divine Feminine during these times, calling upon us to live more fully from the heart, and in union with the Earth and with each other. This sounds optimistic and like something we all would want to do, but there's a few things we also need to understand about the many paths associated with Neptune in Pisces.
As an example, the 'shadow' side of the sign of Pisces has a strong escapist urge, to move away from the hardships of life, the ongoing demands of the physical plane, to find solace in whatever takes us out of the moment, and away from having to be fully present. We often can't put our finger on why we feel so ungrounded, and unmotivated to follow through on those things which keep us active, and engaged.
Watching reality television shows, movies and surfing the Internet for hours on end are perhaps among the most common ways to numb ourselves for awhile, but Neptune and Pisces has a long association with drugs, alcohol, addiction, gambling, falling for those get-rich-quick schemes and blindly following spiritual teachers who claim to be the voice for the Divine.
We can't underestimate the connection between Neptune in Pisces to the deep wound, felt in one form or another within each human being, and that is the pain of separation from the Divine Source, which in turn creates longing and receptivity toward the experience of unconditional love, redemption, salvation, and the transcendental experience. In many instances, it's not enough for many to just 'experience' this, but rather the desire to get totally 'lost' in it. Let's face it, give a person a little taste of 'ecstacy', or feeling 'the moving of the Spirit' within, and well, it's hard to settle for the mundane.
Neptune in Pisces is associated with the birth of a deep desire for spiritual experience and the longing to 'find' our spiritual home, or spiritual teacher, where we belong, our people. Astrologically, Neptune is associated with mass 'movements' of people exposed to similar experiences, which can result in a sweeping change of cultural values. Sound like the counterculture movement of the 60's?
When large groups of individuals have a strong desire to experience that which will help them rise above the mundane day to day challenges, who have been exposed to a radical shifting of life priorities, and which they did not sign up for, leaders and teachers manifest out of the collective, and become those whom the masses project their hopes, ideals, and wishes upon, for they appear to 'know' the way. The 60's were no exception.
1960's Counterculture Movement
Radical counterculture thinkers stepped forward to lead the way to freedom, such as Ram Dass, Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsberg and Women's Liberation Leader, Betty Friedan. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez sang their anti-war music and the Beatles assuring us, All You Need is Love".
Martin Luther King, Jr. stepped up to lead the Civil Rights Movement, and to overturn the Jim Crow Laws, as George Wallace fought hard to keep segregation in the South. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed in by President Johnson, banning discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
The Astrology of the 1960's
Saturn was in Aquarius, Jan 1962-March 1964, insisting on a departure from radical conservatism and demanding social reform, while Neptune (Scorpio) trined Jupiter (Pisces), April 1962-February 1963, birthing a movement toward peace, free love, anti-war and spiritual idealism, which also included 'dropping out', 'spacing out' and forming communes, a gathering place for like minded, kindred spirits, and which would continue to expand under Saturn's journey through idealistic Pisces, April 1964-March 1967.
Meanwhile the rebellious, unconventional duo, Uranus and Pluto formed a conjunction in Virgo, 1963-1968, doing what they do best, breaking down existing social, religious, and political structures, and supported activists in what was a powerful point of contention at that time, protesting against the United States involvement in the Vietnam War, though the U.S. did not end its involvement in Vietnam until, 1975.
The Astrology of 2010 - 2020
Prior to this decade, the beginning of the current economic crisis began as Saturn-Uranus (planets of stability and unpredictability) first formed an opposition to each other in September/October of 2008. Saturn was in square to Pluto, and also squaring the financial planet, Venus, in the U.S. chart, Mid September 2009-September 2010, squelching all attempts to improve the economy.
This was followed by the radical duo (also at work in the 60's)Uranus and Pluto, first coming into an intense square con-figuration in March 2011, and which will remain in place, through May 2016).
As noted earlier in this article, when these planets come together for a significant amount of time, they shake up the foundation and stability of society, by breaking down the outer structures. If things are not as solid as they appear to be, a domino effect comes into place.
It's also important to note that Uranus and Pluto formed a powerful and intense pattern to the natal Venus in the United States chart, (planet associated with finances and values), in May 2010, which lasts through March 2013, which is why the economy is so compromised within the United States.
The continuous tensions and friction created by the Uranus-Pluto square, has a way of wearing people down, and making them vulnerable, so that this could very well effect how we as a society, experience the influence of Neptune in Pisces, which takes place February of 2012 through January of 2026.
Because of Pisces' mythological connection to organized religion, most especially Christianity, we might assume that we'll see sweeping changes and tremendous growth in the more radical factions of this faith, such as the Christian Fundamentalist Movement, which has grown considerably, in its religious and political reach, over the last decade. Keep in mind, that with the failing economy creating uncertainty and unrest among the population, it is perhaps easier to convince people of the second coming of the Christ and that the end of the world is eminent.
Neptune in Pisces casts a wide net in what it is associated with, for example, faith healing, many types of miraculous cures, channeling, altered states of being, religious fervour and such. We can be sure that powerful, charismatic leaders will come to the forefront and gain a lot of attention for the spiritual power which seems to manifest through them. Not all teachers are created equal, however. Just because individuals have a lot of spiritual power coming through them, this does not always indicate that they have pure intentions and have command and mastery over that power!
Neptune's shadow side has a connection with deception, gullibility and the giving away one's personal power - all of which suggest the importance of practicing discrimination about such matters.
It is likely that many newer, religious 'sects' and eastern teachers will begin to gain large followings. Read article posted in The New York Times in July of 2011: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/us/10prayer.html?_r=3
Before this decade is over, (2010-2020), and in part due to increased devastation caused by radical, weather patterns, and economic failure, we will be called upon to address global issues of how to feed and generally take care of the masses of people who cannot take care of themselves. The capacity for compassion and selfless service toward humanity, will also be on the rise (a positive trait of Neptune in Pisces), and I believe, will result in corporate leaders and brilliant minds, stepping in to help devise innovative and effective plans to address these issues.
The arts will be majorly influenced by Neptune in Pisces, especially in regard to fashion, music and film.
If we look at what we are being asked to learn collectively from this placement, it would be in choosing to live more fully from the heart, which in turn offers us solace and peace. While it's a totally natural experience to live from the heart, like any practice of a spiritual nature, it takes some time to become established in this experience. If we can become comfortable visiting our heart space, and resting in this space, even when we're not experiencing happiness and joy, we can begin to feel the nourishment, calm and strength that is found here.
Being in the heart space helps dissolve the hard edges, pressure, and overwhelm we sometimes encounter by interacting with stressful situations in the outer world. When we are settled, calm and connected, we can choose to offer love, appreciation and acceptance for that which we have and for all that we are. This is one of the most nourishing practices, which has far reaching effects. Once we have become intimately acquainted with the heart space, we give more credence to our feelings, and pay attention to our inner guidance, so that we are not so inclined to get caught up in things which contribute to our feeling lost, afraid, insecure and overwhelmed with what is taking place in the world.
To read Part 1 of this article, Neptune & Chiron in
Pisces, click link below, which takes you MargaretSweet.com website. Then click on Articles and Newsletters, located at upper right hand side.
http://margaretsweet.com/
