Saturn in Sagittarius, Dispositor Jupiter in Virgo, and Puncturing Corporate Spin on GMOs

Recent announcements by several major processed food corporations - including Kellogg's, General Mills, and Campbell's - that they will start labeling genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their products bring up some issues that are highly pertinent during the transit of Saturn through Sagittarius (December 2014 to December 2017).

What follows is an excerpt from an article I wrote on the transit, which appears in Issue #2 of Hexagon Astrology Magazine.

"During this Saturn transit, we will be working with a number of suppressed (Saturn) truths (Sagittarius) within our cultures. This involves some of the knowledge we absolutely must master in order to be successful from here on in...

The spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the continued infiltration of the food supply are major "suppressed truth" subjects on which we must get a strong handle during the transit of Saturn through Sagittarius.

Damage to animal health has been shown in multiple scientific feeding trials of GMO diets published since 2012. The Seralini study, the Carman study, the Kruger study, the Italian study on GM soybeans and goats: all indicated animal health damage from GM diets. Reproductive damage, digestive damage, liver and kidney damage, tumors, DNA changes, immunity issues, low weights, and premature death were just some of the problems observed.

If animals are exhibiting this GMO-related health damage, it is almost certain that the humans eating the animals, animal products, and GM crops will eventually experience similar problems.

Despite bans on genetically modified seeds and crops, genetically modified canola has been found growing wild at four sites in Switzerland. (These represent four “scientifically documented” cases, not the full extent of the problem.)

Conventional canola is now so contaminated by genetically modified versions that GM canola plants are spreading wherever canola is transported or planted. This means that even nation-wide or continent-wide bans cannot stop the spread of genetically modified seeds and plants.

Here, we see the challenges of living in a world of global trade where decisions made in one country can negatively affect other countries halfway across the world (a Saturn in Sagittarius theme).

The labeling of foods containing GMOs, often touted as a solution, is also not fully effective. The truly insidious problem is the unintentional and undesired spread of GMOs into natural crops. Labels would cover only those foods knowingly produced with GMOs. Unintentional contamination – a widespread problem – would continue to fly under the radar.

Grand Earth Trines and a Solid Dose of Bovinian Energy Provide Us With a Breather

 Moo.

 
There is currently a very strong grounding influence in the zodiac with the Sun, Mercury, and soon Venus (in its own sign as of April 29) transiting fixed earth sign Taurus. This is farmer-ly energy. Sensual energy. Earthy energy. It follows a natural and routine course. It's matter-of-fact and sturdy in a nurturing and comforting way. It is fairly unshakeable, fairly unflappable.

This Taurus energy, which will include Lesser Benefic Venus in its domicile, slows things down to real time in the physical world, and this is something most of us need in the days of constant technology and artificially sped-up nervous systems.

This Taurus has a nice feeling of putting one foot in front of the other in very basic and simple ways, anchoring us in the physical world and in the five senses.

Taurus doesn't get too worried about what lies beneath. It isn't all that interested in research or psychological context or the unseen realms. It's more than content to work with what's right in front of it, with what it can see, feel, taste, hear, and smell. It's more than happy to work with the magic of concrete, physical, Earthly reality.  

All this Taurus is highly welcome after a month of (potentially) frayed nerves, emotional breaking points, and/or Plutonic meltdowns, outlined in earlier articles.

We've been through some stuff, folks. The astrology shows it. A heavily karmic Pisces eclipse season, followed by the jingly-jangly, overloaded synapses of strong Uranus energy with multiple activations of the Uranus-Pluto square by the personal planets in Aries.


This is an excerpt from the article, "Grand Earth Trines and a Solid Dose of Bovinian Energy Provide Us With a Breather." It is available in its entirety to Willow's Web Astrology patrons.

Frictional Growing Pains and Emotional Catharsis As the Moon Grows Full in Scorpio

I’ve written on the blog about the upheaval, sudden changes, and emotional shocks we may experience as we navigate the current lunar cycle, kicked off by the 18-degree Aries New Moon conjunct Uranus in Aries and square Pluto in Capricorn on April 7. 

The Moon is now in Cancer and will square the Sun in Aries, marking the First Quarter Moon phase of the lunar cycle on April 13 (10:00 p.m. CST). The Moon in Cancer also triggers the Uranus-Pluto square at this time, drawing those themes into the First Quarter Moon phase and into the surge of necessary action that this phase indicates. 

Suffice it to say, we have opened into a month of quite unstable energies and now head to another over-the-top point at the Full Moon. 

The April 7 Aries New Moon opened a 28-day lunar cycle characterized by a series of changes (some startling) and emotional shocks that must be metabolized and used as fuel to propel us beyond standard rhythms and patterns that will no longer get us where we need to go 

(Please see the April 5 article “New Moon in Aries Conjunct Uranus - Emotional Shocksand Experiences of Structural Bullshit Bust Things Loose” published on the blog or the March 29 article “Sun-Mercury in Aries Stirs the Uranus-Pluto Square:Calling Out the Nuclear Gatekeepers, Shills, and Establishment Schmucks” to pick up more on the themes we are experiencing now.) 

But there are some old attachments, sticking points, frictions, and fears that must be purged before we're free to go. 

There is a strong desire to move into new territory now. There is a desire for fresh energy and for re-invigoration along our paths. In fact, these things are full-on emotional needs at this point. 

The raw and blazing potential of the Aries New Moon builds to a potentially cacophonous crescendo at the Scorpio Full Moon (2 degrees) on April 21 (11:24 p.m.)

This is an excerpt from the article, "Frictional Growing Pains and Emotional Catharsis As the Moon Grows Full in Scorpio." It is available in its entirety to Willow's Web Astrology patrons. 

New Moon in Aries Conjunct Uranus - Emotional Shocks and Experiences of Structural Bullshit Bust Things Loose

We have a strongly Uranian New Moon in Aries busting things loose on April 7 (5:24 a.m. CST), with a shake-up of standard rhythms and patterns continuing for the following 28-day lunar cycle.

This New Moon officially propels us out of winter 2016 in the northern hemisphere and beyond the sticky, clinging tendrils of the massive Pisces stellium we've been treading water through throughout March and early April.

Love, values, and relationship planet Venus has just moved into fresh-and-fiery Aries, as well (April 5), with Mercury setting up shop for a transit through earthy Taurus this evening.

So as the Sun and Moon come together at 18 degrees Aries in New Moon phase on April 7, all the personal planets have moved on from late Pisces and their conjunctions to Ceres, Chiron, and the South Node.

The transit of communication planet Mercury through Taurus is particularly protective now, indicating helpful mental grounding and reinforced mental boundaries as we move through the rollicking and up-and-down energies of the month ahead.

We actually get an extra dose of this pragmatic and mentally-grounding Mercury in Taurus energy, as we also experience our next Mercury retrograde in the sign (April 28 - May 22 from 23 degrees to 14 degrees Taurus). This transit works to insulate us from the raw and over-excited synapses associated with strong Uranus energy. Mercury enters its retrograde shadow on April 14 and will not exit the sign of the bull until June 12.

So as of April 7 and the New Moon, we've officially waded out of the swampy-swirly-weepy-dreamy mist of winter 2016, and the Arien blaze is drying us, warming us, and revving us up for whatever it is that comes next.

This New Moon indicates a string of emotional shocks and electric realizations throughout the following lunar month that must be metabolized as we move beyond old stepping stones and comfort zones in ways we may not have previously imagined.

We're initiating some pretty radical changes over the next 28 days that will rattle some cages and break down some old barriers - including our own. Surge onward! Forge ahead!

This Uranian New Moon in Aries is the official entrance into new life, new energy, and new vigour - and this may come from unexpected sources over the next 28 days.

The Uranian influence indicates the possibility of some radical growth, changes, and re-direction as we come into contact with structural deficits that simply cannot be tolerated or shouldered any longer. This Aries New Moon triggers the Uranus in Aries - Pluto in Capricorn square, just as Mercury in Aries did March 30 - 31, and the insights we gain as we move through the New Moon portal indicate that there's no going back to old forms, old structures, or old ways. These have simply had their day.

For those who do not know astrology (and even for many who do), the upcoming lunar month could kick off identity crises as well as a certain degree of anxiety as old forms, old desires, old directions, and old versions of self break down and start to shift. 

Change is required - quite radical change in many cases - and with the personal planets in Aries, it's coming from us personally. There is no pattern to follow or leader to emulate. We are the driving force, no one else. It is our personal direction and re-direction that spur the necessary changes within the collective scene.

The Aries New Moon is disposited (strongly influenced) by Mars, which is currently stationing retrograde at 8 degrees Sagittarius (April 17). You can read more about the Mars retrograde in this patron article: Mars Retrograde 2016: A Re-Direction of Passions

We are entering a fresh, new two-year goal cycle. A new personal direction is about to unfold - aligned more closely with our own personal truth - and this new direction strongly colours the next two years of our lives, at the very least.

This Aries New Moon is the very, very beginning of this new chapter, of these new goals and drives. It's the gateway, and we're about to take our first steps on new ground.

Take these new steps with courage and boldness. Put a little swagger in your step. Ooze a little machismo (sure, both men and women!). Don't look back, and don't second guess the need for change. It's right there in the astrology. This Uranus and Pluto-charged New Moon is dripping with potency and potential. Blaze on, friends!

There is an electric immediacy to the proceedings for the following 28-day lunar cycle. We're very much in the current moment, responding to any surprises, shocks, changes, or general upheavals with warrior-like focus and bravery.

It's time to forge into new territory on multiple fronts. The iron is hot, so strike away!

Look to the house where 18 Aries falls and the house where 8 Sagittarius falls in your natal chart to get a feel for this powerful "fresh start portal" that is opening in your life. The activities and themes of those two houses are connected now. You are looking to align those areas a little more closely with your own personal identity, with who you really are right now, right in this unfolding moment. You're looking to make those areas a little more "you."

The Sun in Aries forms a trine to Saturn in Sagittarius on April 5 (10:09 a.m.), as Venus ingresses Aries and Mercury ingresses Taurus.

The Sun will then square Pluto at 17 degrees Capricorn on April 6 (2:13 pm.), indicating the potential for experiences with hierarchical, structural hell that force us to make new moves.

The Sun and Moon come together in conjunction at 18 degrees Aries on April 7, marking the New Moon at 5:24 a.m., which triggers the Uranus-Pluto square. Shake, rattle, and roll!

The Sun forms the exact conjunction to Uranus at 20 degrees Aries on April 9 (3:27 p.m.).