Planning Using the Sky and its Cycles

Whether or not you have studied astrological cycles, it is important to have a basic understanding on how they work. This information invites efficient planning which leads to more successful results. Each year as I travel the country speaking with groups, I am asked to explain some basic "timings" of the zodiac. Each year we produce our StarCycles Appointment Calendar Planning Book to meet the need of the layperson unfamiliar with astrology, or, the astrologer's client, who wants to know, but doesn't want to take the time to study. The combination of these "timings" and the knowledge of the mythologies of the planets and their dance with each other, create a new story and a new awareness in our psyche, thus pushing us forward into new realities and other dimensions of experience. For example, certain planets will either appear to be moving backwards (retrograde) in the sky, or, within a matter of a few weeks, or, a few months, they will look as though they are moving forward (direct). Both of these motions are significant. The retrograde motion indicates that we are slowing down to think and research the issue that is around that planet and its story. We research the issue the entire time the planet is retrograde and do not really experience a full understanding until it reaches its Shadow Point, or, the place at which it first began to appear "backwards/retrograde". A very good example is the planet Mars, which appeared to begin to move backwards for several months on February 5, 1997. This planet of impulse, courage, rash action, and strategy continued this action for several months until April 27. This only occurs about once every two years and during this time, businesses, planning strategies, and actions may appear to be delayed, or , worse yet, there is an overall feeling that one is shooting from the hip, but that the barrel of the gun is crooked and that you keep missing your mark!! A great deal of frustration boils up if you do not understand this energy, but a great deal of satisfacton is achieved if you understand that this cycle is necessary for clearer focusing and fortification in the next two years. When Mars is direct, there is a move towards decision and clarity. For Mars, the planning planet, this direct action occurred around the afternoon of April 27, 1997. However, it was not until July 1, 1997 that it caught up to where it began its backward trek on February 5, 1997. (As a footnote to this article, on July 4, 1997, we made contact with the planet Mars for further scientific exploration!!) Therefore, it is appropriate that this first week of July brings many decisions and opportunities that may stem from the work you have attempted over these last few months. Decisions are rapidly made to continue projects and relationships or scrap them. At times, the decisions may be accompanied by anger or explosive responsiveness. The next cycle that we have of this occurs March through July, 1999. The sign in which Mars went retrograde on February 5 was in the sign of Libra, the sign of balance, justice, fairness, relationship, and cooperation. Much of what we have been learning in these last months is about cooperation in relationship without the loss of self. Over this next eighteen to twenty months, if you have re-worked, re-searched, or re-turned to a more just code, then the area in which you have been struggling will pay off. It is also very interesting that the return of Hong Kong to China occurs on this same date, July 1. Mars is the God of Unrest and War. Is it possible that in the next cycle, there is a complete reworking of Hong Kong's strategy? On August 1, the planet Saturn, the planet of business, form, structure and organization, also retrogrades. This cycle continues until mid-December, 1997, where all the efficient thinking and purposefulness of your current projects will begin to manifest as we move towards Spring, 1998. The planet, Saturn, or, Kronos, was the God of Time, the God of Perceived Limitation, since, in fact, he was the furthest one seen in the night sky until a telescope discovered Uranus in 1781. Saturn has traditionally been associated with fear, with bare bones, minimal, bottom-line thinking. Saturn is not always a lot of fun, but has its own special purposefulness. Currently, it passes through the constellation of tropical Aries where it has been since Easter Sunday, 1996 when it began its brand-new 30 year cycle. Saturn in Aries challenges us to view our current life and business structures in a new way, in a heroic way, and in a way that requires us to take on life as challenge. It is an excellent period for brand new ideas, for taking old forms in business (Saturn) and making them happen in a new (Aries) way. As it slows in the sky during late July, we begin to feel very pushed to accomplish and finish projects. It is always best that during the "slowing" period, we feel stuck, stifled, and just plain tired. It is always best to pull back during these days to allow for the shift to occur. Donít be a slave driver to your family, your employees and to your loved ones. As it turns direct, in mid-December, 1997, the new form that you construct begins to take shape. There are many other significant timings this summer and in upcoming articles, I will talk about them. I will be speaking about Planetary Movements and the Timing of Special Events at the San Francisco Whole Life Expo on Saturday, September 6, 1997 at 7:00 PM, Room 5, at the San Francisco Fashio Center. If you want to know more on timing, you can still order a 1997 StarCycles Appointment Book at half-price, or, $7.50 plus postage and handling. Call (510) 689-STAR for information on Georgia's business and personal sessions, lectures. The 1998 StarCycles Appointment Book is due mid-September, 1997 for $14.95 plus tax, postage, and handling. Fax: (510) 686-3196. email: starcycles@aol.com. Mastercard/Visa also accepted.