The Turning Wheel - Astrology for rEvolutionaries Spring 2009 by Rhea Wolf

Throughout 2009 and into 2010, we will be living under the influence of the powerful Neptune-Chiron conjunction in the sign of Aquarius. This year, the duo is joined by Jupiter, amplifying the energy of healing, mysticism, and compassion. But out of fear or neglect, we could deepen our wounding through self-destructive behavior. Let’s make a decision right now to choose the first option and to practice non-judgment for those choosing the latter.

Jupiter and Chiron will be in exact conjunction on May 23rd, with Neptune very close at hand. The time is ripe to bring Chiron’s mythology into broader consciousness: the compassionate teacher and “wounded healer” living a life of service. Chiron was born half-horse, half human; his animal self connects him intuitively with the regenerative properties of nature and blends with his human self to provide skill and reasoning. Chiron mentored many heroes in the Greek world, including Asclepius who developed a widely popular practice of dream healing. This practice holds the seed truth that, though we contain pain, we also contain the medicine to heal through ritual, therapy, and enlarging our sense of self.

When we identify with myths and dreams, we find our personal struggles reflected back to us in collective symbols. In his book The Practice of Dream Healing, Edward Tick writes about how identifying with myth “demonstrates to the sufferer that he or she is not struggling alone and unnecessarily, but rather is in a necessary ordeal with some eternal aspect of the human condition.”

Acknowledging our own suffering awakens compassion and moves us away from the allure of oblivion. Modern oblivion often takes the form of isolation, numbing out, or doing whatever it takes to feel good. We all probably have something that resembles a pure desire driving us to distorted actions. Shadow behaviors like addiction, manipulation, or victimhood, can actually be a cover story for shiny behaviors like connecting with the Divine, cultivating trust with another, surrendering to the flow.

With this conjunction, we have multiple opportunities to uncover the roots of our suffering, to move toward healing, and to amplify the vibration of healing for the whole planet. This union of Neptune-Chiron-Jupiter is already making waves. You might be feeling more emotional in general. Situations in your life could start mirroring your own sensitive issues and buried emotional pain. If we step up to the challenge, we can call Emotional Intelligence back into our culture. In our heavily mental society, feelings are discounted as irrelevant. But when this triad of planets goes to high frequency beginning in April, we can begin to see how our very survival depends upon our capacity to feel and to heal.

Here are some suggestions to tune into this powerful time:

• Slow down. We need to make more space in our lives instead of cramming every moment with activity.

• Read Mythology. Do some research and find one or two stories that really resonate with you – stories that relate to experiences in your own life. Let these stories guide you as you work to change your own story.

• Listen to your dreams. If you’ve never kept a dream journal, now might be a great time to start. Spending time writing your dreams down could help you take a quantum leap in untangling the threads of your personal history and inner demons.

• Listen to your body. Our bodies are often the first victims of our lack of emotional acumen. Is it time for you to change how you relate to your body? Great advances can be made right now in healing our physical bodies. The current planetary energy offers a chance to expand awareness of community healing and holistic remedies on a massive scale.

• Offer your skills. Chiron shows us how wounds can become medicine, and how we all have something to offer to the world. Are there ways you’re being called to offer your gifts? Is it time to be a student or a teacher?

Other Astro-notables: Venus retrograde in Aries, March 6 – April 17. Passionate and amorous, Venus can also become combative in Aries. Still, it’s a good time to rekindle the fire in your relationship or to frolic a bit.

Mercury retrograde from May 7th - May 31st. Life goes on, even when Mercury’s retrograde. Even so, it is smart to bring extra awareness to decisions at this time, especially concerning finances and friendships.

Rhea Wolf is an astrologer, writer, and spiritual activist. She is available by phone and in person for astrological and intuitive readings. To find out more about readings or to sign up for her free Full Moon reports, go to www.turningwheelastrology.com. Rhea also offers creative writing workshops with Portland Women Writers (www.pdxwomenwriters.com).