Lotus Guide

Jan-Feb-Mar 2012

The End of the Beginning … 2012

Happy New Year to all and welcome to 2012! Many exciting astrological transitions are on the horizon. Events are coming to a head, both personal and collective. Several of the year’s coming dates are worth keeping in mind, all for different reasons.

            Between 2012 and 2015, there will be radical and dramatic changes in social, political, economic, and global organization. This is the influence of Uranus and Pluto, already in close contact since July. They will dominate the scene twice this year, the sky and the underworld, as they bump heads directly on June 26 and September 19. Uranian energy is abrupt, spurring disruptive events meant to grab attention, startling us into the present. Pluto’s energy is powerful, persistent, and transformative, breaking down old and worn structures. Together, they give birth to the process of reconstruction. It won’t be easy, as they will “square” with each other a total of seven times between now and 2015.

            Further, Uranus is in Aries, blazing new ground. Pluto is in Capricorn, eroding unsustainable structures. Aries and Capricorn are both cardinal signs, which herald new seasons through activity and change. Aries is reactive and headstrong. Capricorn is forceful. Together they create a revolutionary dynamic. Though these powerful forces were set in motion decades ago, their effects will intensify as they become exact. With the repeated squaring of Uranus and Pluto, mentioned above, the Aries/Capricorn dynamic will particularly affect the U.S. economic and political landscapes. Especially in the United States we will be obligated to design a new “social contract,” a contract that includes all. An authentic “Aquarian” vision of the future demands diligence, justice, and compromise, serving all, not just the few.

            For those looking for something positive, look no further than this spring. March will see the celestial sky hosting a dance, a “grand trine” waltz in the earth element. The performers are Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Pluto. With feet on the ground, their influence brings the insight that appropriate distribution of our common resources can support the universal love we seek. Though this transit is brief, its message can be long lasting. This, in turn, helps us make the shift toward greater acceptance of our differences across the globe.

            For most of this year, the red planet Mars will be in the sign of Virgo, inviting us to pay attention to the details. From January 23 to April 13, while moving backward in the sky, Mars in Virgo reminds us that the work we do needs to be about quality, not quantity. Careful evaluation and analysis of relevant circumstances will help to optimize success, wherever we put our attention. Patience, if successfully negotiated, will work to our advantage.

            The year 2012 has been spoken of in apocalyptic terms, identified with the end of the Mayan long-count calendar. The Mayan calendar simply resets on December 21. It's much as our calendar reset at the millennium—our world did not end with Y2K. (For more on this, see John Jenkins’s book Maya Cosmogenesis 2012.) Significantly, however, this year’s December 21 winter solstice sun aligns with the galactic center. This occurs only every 25,800 years! At 27 degrees Sagittarius, it is a visionary time in the creation of new structures, consistent with the Uranus/Pluto theme, above. While we may experience more earthquakes and extreme weather patterns, it won’t be the end of the world, and not all is due to planetary conditions.

            Our focus will change in June, from business and finance to communication, transportation, and information access. Expansive Jupiter enters the sign of communicative Gemini. In the most practical terms we will be compelled to dialogue and communicate, building literal and figurative bridges and connections.

            The information superhighway has become boundaryless and all pervasive. Technological advances have intensely accelerated, ever since Uranus and Neptune walked through Aquarius’s door in the latter half of the 1990s. It is easily overwhelming, especially in 2012, but it has never been more important to simplify our lives, to remain present and available to address today’s world.

            This February sees Neptune return to his home, Pisces, the domain he rules, the oceans of existence. Here he will reign until 2026. His return demands an accounting, with full transparency of all that is. In the years immediately ahead we will be forced to acknowledge and accept all that we have intentionally or unconsciously swept under the rug. This applies to us personally as well as to big business, institutions, and our political systems. It’s all about “families,” whether big or little, and the roles we as individuals play in them. Are we ready for our secrets to be revealed?

            Neptune is the master of illusion, fantasy, and mind-altering substances. His emerging prominence will demand reevaluation of our reliance on drugs, prescription or otherwise, and relationships to addiction and media. Ultimately, Pisces yearns to unite with the oneness of god, to somehow fill that hole inside. Tempting as they are, substances and addictions hold false promise. As Neptune transits through the sign of Pisces, we will start developing new relationships with the pharmaceutical and media industries, ones that are mutually beneficial. Recognizing that we are a seduced society, drugged up, will be the first step in addressing this grave social disorder.

            Neptune rules liquids, including water and oil. Neptune had recently entered Pisces when oil was discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in August 1859. Now 150 years later we are being asked to reevaluate our relationship to oil. The Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and fracking contamination of groundwater both point to a new twist, in that oil and water don’t mix. Oil’s profound contamination of the sea and subsurface has heralded the limits of oil development.

            Starting this year, all liquid and water resources will demand serious attention. Water is the earth’s most precious asset, necessary for life itself. Neptune’s rule will force us to examine and master what runs through the earth’s veins, as well as our own. With great promise and challenge, we can make wiser choices in the future than we have in the past.  

Aries – Forge ahead with your plans for future projects and pay close attention to details across the board. Recognize your own part in disagreements with coworkers and partners. This will help smooth out problems before they occur. Enjoy and take pride in your work.

Taurus – Recreating with others should occupy your time right now. Keep your impulses in check when it comes to romance to avoid causing pain to yourself or another. Your dreams for the future become more vibrant this winter. Treat each day as a gift.

Gemini – Home environment and family concerns demand your clear and present attention this winter. Invest in your domestic life. If you are feeling irritated with someone or something, stop for a moment and have a chat with yourself. Resolution is likely closer than you think.

Cancer – Communications with neighbors and relatives can become argumentative. Exercise diplomacy and act with integrity. Mind your words and make an effort to truly listen to others. Slow down your actions and consider the consequences before you advance.  

Leo – Financially you are likely to feel a pinch this winter. Be mindful of your spending habits and impulses and keep your eye on the money ball. Work now, play later becomes your mantra. Maintain a healthy daily regimen. All of this will ensure pleasant social interaction ahead.

Virgo – There is plenty of activity in your life this winter. You will find yourself wanting to show yourself and others what you can do. Push ahead with confidence, but be mindful of not stepping on other people’s toes. Balance your enthusiasm with sensitivity!

Libra – It is time to pay particular attention to your dreams. Hear your inner voice! If you feel irritable, confront yourself before others. You have the answers. Simply pause to listen. Independent work and time spent alone are rewarding this season.

Scorpio – Opportunities for community involvement abound. Accept invitations from groups working on social functions. Take care not to spread yourself too thin. Review and evaluate your long-term goals. Adjustments made now will be beneficial later. Be a friend.

Sagittarius – This is an important time for making wise career choices. Weigh your options for your future. Your ambitions are strong now. Practice patience, but let your voice be heard. Keep the peace with authority figures. For success, align your interests with others.

Capricorn – Act with integrity and support your beliefs through your actions. Do not take philosophical disagreements personally. You are not your ideas or thoughts. Travel is fulfilling if well planned and organized. You will find outdoor play to be a gratifying outlet.

Aquarius – You itch for a deep and transformational experience. It can be found through intimate sharing as well as through conflict. Joint resources and possessions are hot topics. You may need to reexamine debts to establish a more realistic plan for the future.

Pisces – Partnerships offer fertile ground for insight and personal growth. Collaborative work with others provides enormous inspiration. This can be an irritating period if there are no common goals. Kindness and honesty will ensure positive outcomes.

Dear Reader, I welcome your questions, comments, and feedback. I look forward to hearing from you! You can reach me at (530) 520-9992, e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit www.WisdomAstrology.com.