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Astrology is the practice of drawing correlations between the movements of the stars and life on earth.

For thousands of years, people have looked to the night sky as a source of truth, capable of shedding light on the hidden mysteries of human life. Early astrologers noticed that among the elaborate canvas of fixed stars and constellations, the sun, the moon and five especially bright stars wander along a shared circular path, enacting a beautiful cosmic dance of geometric alignments in their eternal eastward procession along this ecliptic. By the time of the ascension of the Ancient Greek Empire, this 360-degree ecliptic had been divided into the twelve 30-degree segments we know today to be the signs of the Zodiac.

Is astrology real? How could any sort of synchronistic relationship exist between our lives and a bunch of rocks in space?

Certainly astrology is in stark conflict with the dominant modern worldview of today. We observe the natural world as existing entirely separately from ourselves. The universe is merely matter in motion, devoid of intelligence, purpose or meaning. Humans are the sole subjects set apart from, and even against, this universe of lifeless objects. Meaning comes only from within our minds and the world exists only to be acted upon by us.

This epistemology runs opposite to that of astrologers, mystics and diviners. Astrologers’ enchanted worldview holds that humans are not separate from the natural world, just as the sun is not separate from the sunlight which shines down on us each day, just as a forest of separate trees joins into a single entity at the roots, and just as the food we eat ultimately forms the matter and energy which comprises our existence. The intelligence, consciousness and aliveness which we believe to exist only inside of our brains indeed exists in all matter and connects us to each other and to the natural world.

Thus, the natural world is rich with meaning and relevance to our lives. Forests, mountains, rivers and the stars themselves are not random and mechanistic phenomena, but are indeed alive and ensouled. Through divination, we can enter into a relationship with this more-than-human world by observing and interpreting the signs, symbols, messages and omens which the universe offers us.

Astrology, as a form of divination, is unique in that we are not limited to interpreting the phenomena of the present. Because the planets move at constant speeds along fixed paths, we know their positions with great accuracy, even hundreds of years into the future. Thus, astrology is frequently employed as a predictive tool.

In this column, I will do just that: interpret the cosmic weather of the near future and offer guidance for the unique challenges which the planets present to us each week. Through this process, I hope to help you to see your life as more than random. By coming into conversation with the planets, you may find that the events of your life are indeed written in the stars.

What are the stars up to this week?

This week, we see a new moon in Pisces on Wednesday and a triple conjunction of Venus, Mars and Pluto in Capricorn perfecting on Thursday.

When the moon, drained of its light, moves between the sun and earth, we are called upon to rest, reflect and plant seeds for the lunar cycle to come. During the days leading up to the new moon, known to astrologers as the balsamic moon phase, you may find yourself especially devoid of energy. Feel no guilt in surrendering to any impulses towards an afternoon nap during this time.

Wednesday’s new moon in Pisces occurs within two degrees of a conjunction with Jupiter, the planet of abundance, optimism and growth. Jupiter, as the planetary ruler of Pisces, supports this new moon and subsequent moon cycle, as any gracious host would.

Do enjoy whatever bountiful feast Jupiter may bring to your table between now and the full moon on March 18, but know that with the explosive Venus-Mars-Pluto conjunction occurring in close coincidence to this lunation, these gifts and victories will not come without substantial strife.

Venus and Mars, the archetypal lovers, have been traveling hand-in-hand in a close conjunction for several weeks now and will continue this way for several weeks more. Here we see an invigorating combination of the principles of love and war, harmony and conflict, beauty and the assertion of will.

During this time, it is wise to reflect on the interplay of pleasure and pain in your own life. Is there a Martial shadow to those Venusian sources of harmony and attraction in your life? Do you find a secret pleasure or beauty in whatever heated conflicts you may be encountering?

For an example of this transit in action, check out a column which appeared last week in The Daily Orange, “SU’s Kink 101 seminar is distasteful and embarrassing to the entire university.”

As these two approach the doorstep of Pluto, the god of the underworld and of volcanic, elemental intensity, see how these themes may become amplified to the point of boiling over.

Pluto is known to bring transformation and is associated with the cycle of death and rebirth. Break-ups are possible here, and may indeed be the least of your worries during this time. With the concurrent Sun-Moon-Jupiter triple conjunction, you may find support wherever you find joy, optimistic philosophy and nourishing rituals of self-care.

Published on February 27, 2022 at 9:56 pm