HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Pluto in Aquarius
Nov. 20, 2024 – Jan. 18, 2044
Are we ready?
There are multiple opinions and discussions around the arrival of the Age of Aquarius. My opinion resides on the side of the approximate 2100-year precession of the equinoxes on the ecliptic that is currently moving us from the Constellation of Pisces, the Fish into the Constellation of Aquarius, the Water Bearer. The reason I take this position is that the great themes and issues of these symbolic ages are playing out now right before our eyes!
The clashes, questionings, and decline of the ancient mystical and tribal Pisces religions, confusions surrounding cultural and personal identity, the melting of the glaciers at the poles, climate catastrophes and rising oceans due to global warming and the necessity of ending the age of fossil fuels all point to themes connected to Pisces.
Simultaneously, scientific and technological breakthroughs such as the Internet and AI, ventures into outer space, nuclear fusion, bio-genetic engineering, and most importantly, the re-visiting and possibly challenging or saving of “Democracy” — government “by and for the people” all point to our dawning Aquarian Age, whether we are ready or not! The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was when the US won the Revolutionary War, the French Revolution destroyed its monarchy, and the Industrial Revolution was launched.
Aquarius is mythologically and historically connected to the theme of “revolution” and the current developments and discoveries are not disappointing. Here they are: The Quantum Revolution; the Information Revolution; The Genetic Biological Revolution; and the People Being- Empowered- Revolution. When the legendary Prometheus brought fire as a gift to the human race, the “Gods disapproved and punished Prometheus. The looming question is: Are the “people” ready to assume this responsibility?
In Forbes Magazine, March 23, 2023, an article was posted entitled: “American IQ Test Scores Show Recent Declines, According to New Study.” They report: “American IQ test scores have dropped during a recent 13-year period, a remarkable finding that runs counter to the well-established trend of increasing IQ scores throughout much of the 20th Century.” The article quoted a new study published in the “Journal Intelligence” entitled “Looking for Flynn effects in a recent online US adult sample: Examining shifts within the SAPA Project, by Elizabeth M. Dworak, William Revelle, and David M, Condon.” This was taken from the testing of almost 400,000 people between 2006 and 2018.
We are not short of “geniuses” who have created “crisper” technology around genetic engineering, quantum computers, nuclear fusion chambers, artificial intelligence, rocket ships, and space satellites. The questions loom: Are the majority of the rest of us capable of self-governance and creating institutions that educate, finance, and implement programs for the benefit of all the people? Or are we looking at a separation between the “beautiful minds” and those who are indifferent, power-grabbing, self-absorbed, poorly educated, and just go about their “business”, hoping to survive from one day to the next?
Many feel that it all comes down to economics. Monetary cuts to public education with its removal of civics and history from the classroom and hugely inflated costs for a college degree have characterized movements in the US for the past 50-plus years. Racial, ethnic, and religious clashes are at the worst level in decades. While women are getting more college degrees and moving “up the Ladder”, young men are feeling left out, even though recent programs like the “Chip Act” and the Infrastructure Bill”, financing more jobs and education in the trades that these men could do, generating good income, does not restore their self-esteem as “bread-winners”.
Most importantly, the separation of the most wealthy billionaire class in modern history from everyone else has increased exponentially. Recently, it seems that “culture” has become a “cult” or moving from critical thinking to submission to highly financed media manipulators of social media, whose cell phones have “addicted” young people to their posts.
The original “inventors” of the notion of “Democracy” were the ancient Greek Athenians like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle, who proposed democratic governance of the privileged consisting of the greatest minds — that would theoretically rule the “masses” with compassion and intelligence. They did not think that “commoners”, slaves, or women had the intelligence to govern. In the US, we have written into law that the right to run for office and to vote is given to every citizen. It took us into the 20th Century before women, Native Americans, and African Americans had this right. Our founders also wrote into the constitution a separation between “church and state.” This issue is coming up again in the present time as a book-banning “fundamentalist” religion has inserted itself into the political arena. We will now, once again, determine where the “ideal” of Democracy will take us!
Mechanistic Materialism vs a Conscious Universe:
Recently, In September 2024, Francis Collins, former head of the National Institute of Health and co-discoverer of DNA released his book: “The Road to Wisdom”. What distinguishes this famous doctor from many others is that he is also deeply spiritual, a convert to Christianity, as well as a distinguished scientist. He does not believe that science – the examination, measurement, and study of what we see as the material world is at odds with the notion of a supreme, loving intelligence out of which we are all created. He believes human compassion, imagination, and expanded critical thinking both encompass and surpass our technological creations.
This comes at a time when several distinguished physicists are theorizing that the universe in its entirety may be consciousness itself. Could a scientific civilization bring together spiritual compassion, social consciousness, and a continuum that embraces both? That is the timely question that the Aquarius theme demands we answer.
Without social compassion, people of science are enabled to technologically innovate the instruments for dehumanization and mutual mass destruction. Without science, religions can and have devolved into cults, plunge societies into ignorance, and are ruled by hierarchies that pit tribe against tribe. Could we embrace a critical examination of both and, as a result, make an evolutionary leap into a new human species that is as distant from our present manifestation as we now are from the apes? That is the question!
The Economy:
The American economy will be suffering from “bipolar disorder” this month, swinging from pessimism to optimism and back again as contradicting factors emerge. The problem has been that statistics reveal that we have high employment, inflation is decreasing, the stock market is rising, while the public still sees high prices for housing, food, utilities, energy, etc.
Mercury (the communicator) goes retrograde Nov. 25th, is square Saturn Dec. 6th (a downer) then goes direct Dec. 15th trine Mars (an upper), while Jupiter retrograde is square Saturn Dec. 24th, sending out mixed signals. With wars overseas emerging and ensuing uncertainty, gold is reaching all-time highs, silver is heading in that direction, and there are wild swings in cryptocurrencies. The “elephant in the room” is the rising and unsustainable debt in the government and the private sectors.
Venus in Sagittarius is square Neptune Nov. 9th. On Nov. 15th, the Full Moon in Taurus is conjunct Uranus signifying chaos. These aspects also point to more critical weather conditions and the toll they take on human lives and economic conditions. There will also be questions raised, once again, about the validity of the results of the election.
China’s economy continues to decline. It presents high unemployment, and gigantic debt, and its entrepreneurs are “reigned in” by Communist dictator, Ji Jin Ping, whose primary effort is to maintain surveillance and control of the masses and build massive military-threatening Western democracies. Politicians talk about raising tariffs on China, which would raise costs for Americans on goods still made there and are not being made here anymore. In addition, this would further polarize us against China pushing them even further toward a world war against the West.
When Mercury goes direct on Dec. 15th trine Mars, and Venus trines Jupiter that week, stock markets will likely move up.
Winds of War?
There is now a coalition of nations against the US and Western democracies that has been building for many years. They are Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela; along with economically failed states in the Middle East like Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Libya. Both wars in Ukraine and Israel could be moving us toward wider conflicts.
Climate and Cognitive Dissonance:
One of the most serious crises that lie ahead is the advent of energy-eating crypto-currencies and the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI)… all present our civilization with a terrible choice. The philosophy of “profits at all cost” philosophy seems to ignore that the amount of energy needed to feed these giants (coal in Australia, the world’s crypto capital — and oil and gas everywhere) threatens to increase the global warming trend that, in turn, is feeding the giant hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and severe droughts that are increasing exponentially throughout the globe. There is a movement toward a “cashless” economy that is already underway with all payments online, increasing this trend of “burning the world for money.”
In the US, the record-breaking hurricanes, Helene and Milton recently blew into North Carolina and Florida, upending people’s lives, and are bringing all this home to us. Glaciers melting rapidly at the poles, releasing long-held underground methane gasses will likely increase this heat and endanger most of the present species of life on earth, including our own. This all brings tectonic instabilities leading to serious earthquakes in susceptible regions, including under-ocean faults.
In an attempt to increase critically needed energy production, there is currently a series of openings and a series of revivals in nuclear fission plants (Idaho & Georgia) — but we all know that Plutonium and Uranium are the most toxic substances known to humanity and maintain their cohesion for thousands of years.
As all of you who have been reading this newsletter know, I believe we are on the edge of a full development and deployment of NUCLEAR FUSION – the Holy Grail of Energy. This gives off almost no pollution and presents infinite energy eventually to be deployed around the world. Another breakthrough in this technology is discussed below.
All this is so overwhelming to most people, they tend to ignore it, or, pretend it is all a “hoax.” Cognitive dissonance will sign our “death warrant” if we do not wake up, gather our economic resources, work with the scientists, and tap into levels of genius and creativity never seen before!
Uranus coming up in Gemini, trine Pluto in Aquarius – New Systems of Education:
I recently saw a piece on PBS News highlighting Weber University in Ogdon, Utah. Pointing to a more optimistic future, this university has an outstanding engineering school, that specializes in auto-tech, offering Associate Degrees, and Bachelor of Science Degrees. These options for young people have different choices for an advanced education in valuable areas will result in excellent jobs that are up-to-date on the latest technologies. Tuition is also reasonable and scholarships are offered.
As mentioned above, our nation has essentially failed to fund and educate the public. Standards have been gradually declining over the past 50 years. Thus, we have young people without even basic skills, who know no history, do not understand our constitution or what a democratic republic really is, how to pick leaders, and are often motivated to vote based on the price of gas and eggs. Critical thinking has become obsolete, News Media is no longer regulated and consequently, not trusted. The most reliable sources of news such as PBS are rarely watched. Content online, on television, and cell phone screens is often toxic, mostly nonsense, designed to capture eyeballs and sell products.
Next year, Uranus goes into Gemini, emphasizing the need to seriously upgrade education in the US and lending help and hope to our children and grandchildren. I will further discuss this transit in 2025 newsletters.
Science and Technology:
Nuclear Fusion:
In the online publication, “Interesting Engineering” by Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, a post was published entitled “UK Firm shows breakthrough nuclear fusion device prototype with 100 KW of input power.” The article reports: “A Seattle-based fusion company has showcased its new prototype device called ‘Century’. The Zap Energy device is claimed to be the first fully integrated demonstration of several fusion power plant-relevant technologies. Zap Energy, which recently raised $130 million for Century, aims to commercialize the fusion power as soon as possible. The company’s method of fusion doesn’t require magnets, cryogenics, or high-powered lasers. It relies on a method known as sheared-flow stabilized Z-pinch. This is an electromagnetic phenomenon where electric currents create magnetic fields so powerful that they compress matter.” The article goes on to say: “If you run a powerful enough current through plasma, a Z pinch can create conditions hot and dense enough for fusion.”
Good news! It was recently posted on “Neutron Bytes” that Pacific Fusion (located in Fremont, CA) “scores $900 Million in Series A Funding.” This money is coming in from billionaires who are, recently moving their money in this direction.
As many of you know, who read this newsletter, I have been publishing references to articles about fusion for years. I believe this is the “Holy Grail” of energy, and will help to end the “Age of Fossil Fuel”. The skeptics have not seen this energy available any time soon and I am observing that fusion technology is evolving much faster than many think. I predict we will see this technology emerge for use as early as 2026.
Final Thoughts:
We are living through a pivotal time in human history. Will we barrel into decisions that destroy each other and most of life on earth, or will we somehow stumble into our salvation? Astronauts, including recent space traveler William Shatner, formerly Captain Kirk of the original beloved series Star Trek, have spoken of being “moved to tears” when they gazed down on our wondrous, life-filled blue planet, knowing the threats human civilization now poses to its very existence.
Personally, for me to retain any semblance of hope as I gaze at the constellations and study their symbolism; as I contemplate alarming events unfolding around the world; as I hug my grandchildren, hoping desperately for a better world for them; I reach deeply within my psyche and feel a greater reality emerging – an eternal peace beyond ordinary understanding. Within this realm, lies an evolutionary loving presence that reaches out to all of us beyond the darkness, that promises to move us into the realms of light.
In this Season of Lights, have a warm and wonderful holiday!
Blessings,
Linda
Important Points of Reference for Astrologers:
New Moon at 9 degrees Scorpio trine Saturn plus Mars in Cancer opposition Pluto Nov. 1 thru Nov. 3; Full Moon at 24 degrees Taurus conjunct Uranus and sextile Neptune on Nov. 15; Mars goes into Leo Nov. 4, will trine the North Node Nov. 22, will go retrograde Dec. 6, goes back into Cancer Jan. 6, goes direct Feb. 23 and back into Leo April 18 and all the way through that sign by June 16; Venus goes into Capricorn Nov. 12, is sextile Saturn Nov. 22, is square Chiron Nov. 28, is trine Uranus Dec. 2 and is sextile Neptune Dec. 5; Pluto goes back into Aquarius Nov. 20 and is sextile the Sun on the 22nd; Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius Nov. 25 until Dec. 15 and will square Saturn Dec. 27; New Moon at 9 degrees Sagittarius square Saturn Dec. 1; Full Moon Dec. 15th at 23 degrees Gemini square Neptune Dec. 15; New Moon Dec. 30 at 9 degrees Capricorn Dec. 30; Jupiter in Gemini is square Saturn Dec. 24; Venus goes into Aquarius conjunct Pluto Dec. 7, is opposition Mars Dec. 12, and is square Uranus Dec. 27.
(Note: Due to frequent retrogrades, Pluto has recently transited the sign of Aquarius from Jan. 21, 2024, until it went retrograde back into Capricorn September 2 through Nov. 20 when it goes forward into Aquarius for its full transit. It will enter the ensuing sign Pisces on March 9, 2043 – Aug. 31, 2043, through Jan. 18, 2044)
