”We were blessed by the minister who practiced what he preached. . .
We were blessed by the poor man who said heaven is within reach. . .
We were blessed by the girl selling roses, taught us how to live. . .
We were blessed by the neglected child who knew how to forgive. . .
We were blessed. . .”
~~~ Lucinda Williams, from the song “Blessed”

The Mayan calendar ended with a heartbreaking bang, when four days before the solstice we watched in horror as the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre unfolded before us. The disastrous shooting of these young children and their heroic teachers represents symbolically all that we must out grow in the new age.

Four days after these heart wrenching events the Sun moved from Sagittarius the sign of the archer, the only sign of the zodiac that carries a weapon, into Capricorn the Goat, sign of executives, world saviors, and consequences, just in time to bring us the mature gravity needed to grapple with the considerable wreckage left in the wake of the age we are outgrowing.

The Sandy hook massacre was the second disaster of the autumn, the first being the Superstorm that ravaged the East Coast, also named Sandy. The word disaster is astrological in its etymology. It comes from the Greek dis (to go against) and aster (the word for stars). The word disaster literally means to go against the stars. In both the recent disasters, there were plenty of warnings and opportunities to change our course.

For years both scientists and indigenous tribes have been warning us about climate changes. We have known about environmental crises for decades in particular the greenhouse effect, yet have been unable to effectively alter our course. This fall the bill came due for that unchecked behavior, leaving large tracts of the East Coast in utter ruin. The same can be said for the Sandy Hook shootings. Such massacres have become routine in America with no new gun control legislation in sight, though mature politicians including President Obama are moving in that direction.

It is interesting from an astrological standpoint that both of these disasters occurred after October 5th when Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, entered Scorpio, the sign of transformation and one of the deadliest signs of the zodiac. We are now in an accelerated evolutionary pattern. Saturn the Planet of maturity and consequences is in the sign of transformation and death. The planetary directive seems to be that the consequences for staying stuck in immature denial are now increasingly deadly.

Adding to this pattern Saturn and Pluto are in what is called mutual reception. Pluto the modern ruler of Scorpio, the planet of absolute transformation, is in Capricorn the sign of the presidency, corporations, the infrastructure, governments and banking; and Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, is in Scorpio the sign of power, transformation and shared wealth. What this means is that the Government, and particularly the executive branch, can be looked to change the dead end paradigms that we have been stuck in. It also means that changes must and will inevitably come to the infrastructure, government, banking, and corporate sectors and probably the World Bank. For the next two years we will be treated to the best and worst that Capricorn, a sign of both saviors and tyrants, has to offer.

To understand all this it helps to understand Capricorn, one of the most misunderstood signs of the zodiac and the one that holds the key to our current transformation, that of turning our world from self-created immaturity into the heavenly realm here on earth that is our true destiny. Maturity, practicality and sacrifice are the three Capricornian keys that can truly remake our world into one worthy of free and conscious human beings.

Capricorn the sea goat is the practical mystic of the zodiac. The goat is the sign of the father, president and executive. It is the most ambitious sign that presides over all long term planning and all ambitious social and career climbing. Capricorn a cardinal earth sign is the tenacious mountain climber that presides over all worldly achievement. Capricorn presides over the corporate, banking, and government sectors. It is the nation builder. No sign has more discipline. No sign is a more able administrator.

In addition to these very worldly talents and abilities Capricorn has another side. The sea goat is intensely mystical. The connection to water and the sea represents the mystical and sacred waters that Capricorn at its best seeks to manifest here on earth. It is in this sign that Heaven and Earth meet. For this reason Capricorn is the sign of world saviors.

The word heaven often conjures images of white light and floating angels playing harps. It is for that reason that many people are not all that interested in heaven. It seems too removed and abstract. The Capricornian vision of heaven is much earthier. Capricorns revel in the earthy world of pleasure, materiality and incarnation. Capricorn’s goal is to help create a world in which more people can be free to joyfully and freely participate in creation.

Saturn, the ruling planet of Capricorn rules Law. Not just the very flawed human legal system, but universal laws that govern physical manifestation and karma. What Capricorn at its best seeks to do is square our legal system with the universal legal system. While I am not suggesting that we can legislate our way to heaven, vision and legislation can create a structure in which heaven can more readily manifest on earth and the opposite can at least be legally dismantled.

One need only look to Martin Luther King, a great Capricorn, for a practical vision of heaven that has come to pass. In his famous visionary I have a Dream speech of August 1963, he gave us a vision of a world where black children and white children can play together in peace and love. This is now, in much of the USA, a wonderful reality, unthinkable a mere 50 years ago. Reverend King also gave us a vision of the world where men are judged by their character and not by the pigment of their skin. We have made great strides on this front as well.

It is noteworthy that these speeches and the major sacrifices of the civil rights movement resulted in legislation. The voting rights act and other civil rights legislation legally deconstructed the hellish segregation laws of the south and allowed more people to leave the hateful past behind and live a freer more heavenly existence.

The Spielberg movie Lincoln focuses also on the importance of legislation to create a more heavenly existence on earth. While Abe the Babe was an Aquarius, his rising sign was Capricorn, putting him on the path of the administrator and presidency. The film focuses on his respect for the law, the constitution and how gravely important it was to him to pass the thirteenth amendment so that slavery would be incontrovertibly ended. One has only to look at the utter hell that enslavement imposes on any human being to see how crucial legislation is to creating either heaven or hell on earth.

What is desperately needed at this very moment is for the mature Capricornian consciousness to come forward and help create heaven right here and now. Much of what we have created is the result of the immature side of Capricorn which tends to manifest as Gordon-Gekko-like CEO’s who think Greed is good, and define success as achieving massive wealth regardless of the human or planetary cost. With Pluto in Capricorn we will be seeing dreadful aspects of this, but the world is changing.

As we awaken and begin to define success much more spiritually we will be seeing more and more of the sacred goats who can lead us up a mountain of light and kindness and true sacrifice. These Capricorns will show us in very tangible ways how to take the world we have right now and make the adjustments that will make Heaven a place on earth.

Heaven is a place where grownups don’t permit children or the mentally ill easy access to guns. Heaven is a place where we take care of the needy, the sick, the elderly, and the unemployed. Heaven is a place where corporate executives like the owners of Whole Foods cap their salaries and pay employees fairly. Heaven is a place where we protect the air and water and sacred earth from pollution. Heaven is a place where we protect all fellow creatures from cruelty and extinction. Heaven is a place where we make these things law. Heaven is a place where one day we will be so enlightened that we no longer need these laws.

Till then use the Capricornian energy of this month to push for legislation that aligns with fiscal and humanitarian fairness and goodness. Make a list of your long term goals. Make a five year plan. Get your own business and life in order. Write a business plan and include how your business can bring heaven to earth. Ask yourself what piece of heaven is yours to manifest here on earth. Sacrifice your time, money or resources to help someone else. Be disciplined. Read the Constitution. Become a mature citizen. Push for sensible gun control legislation. Become a teacher. Run for office. Support your local politicians who support mature legislation. Be a mature parent. Create beauty. Create Peace. Be kind. Each day commit to one heavenly act. Take care of an elder. In honor of the fallen at Sandy Hook elementary School Perform 26 acts of kindness. This month may you be successful. May you climb high. May your life and work be aligned with the divine order.

The Sun entered Capricorn on December 21st, the winter solstice, and will remain there till January 19th when it enters Aquarius the sign of humanitarian activism. The month begins with Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, also in Capricorn along with Pluto the planet of transformation and power, making this month an intensely focused time to get business accomplished at the executive level. The nation will be focused on government, especially the executive branch and fiscal business takes center stage. This month is a great time to transform your approach to business and assume executive leadership for all aspects of your life. This Capricorn line up also helps us set our intentions and goals for the year. This is also a great time to work on a business plan.

On the 20th Mercury leaves business-oriented Capricorn and enters humanitarian Aquarius, where it will remain till the end of the month, encouraging us to think about social connections and cause-related activism. Venus begins the month in jovial, experimental Sagittarius keeping our spirits bright despite a very heavy and intense Capricorn vibe. On the 9th Venus also enters Capricorn and brings graceful diplomacy to government and business negotiations.

Mars, the planet of war and desire begins the month in revolutionary Aquarius, where it remains all month, giving us plenty of fuel for social causes, activism and friendship. We are encouraged to gather with like-minded people and stand up for what we believe in. Jupiter the planet of wisdom and philosophy is in Gemini the sign of communication and thought, expanding our minds with wisdom and new philosophical insights.

Saturn, the planet of consequences and responsibility is in Scorpio for the next couple of years forcing us to rapidly transform and mature or face increasingly deadly consequences. This planetary position makes it a great time for and deep transformational work like shamanism, therapy, yoga, tai chi, chi gong and inner child work, EMDR, and somatic experience. Important themes during this transit are how we share money and resources, including tax debates, healing issues around intimacy and facing death.

Uranus the planet of awakening and revolution is in Aries the sign of the warrior. This accounts for the uptick in violent unexpected shootings, but also for an awakening of global activism for democratic and humanitarian rights.

Neptune the planet of compassion and spirituality continues its long journey through Pisces teaching us compassion, empathy, forgiveness and stillness.

Pluto the Destroyer continues its long journey through Capricorn, rocking the infrastructure, government, tax code, corporate world and the earth’s tectonic plates.

The Capricorn New Moon takes place on January 11th at 2:44 pm EST. Join us for our Spiritual Living New Moon Ceremony that evening at 7:00pm Eastern. The full Moon in Leo takes place on January 26th at 11:38 pm EST.

ARIES: This month the New Year comes in on a wave of disciplined ambition helping you deploy your considerable energy toward tangible manifestation. The Sun, Pluto and Mercury are all in Capricorn the most disciplined goal oriented sign of the zodiac, in your career sector. While the New Year is always a good time to take stock and make lists, this is particularly true for you this year. Begin this month right away by defining your long term goals for you career. Saturn in your house of deep down transformation will also help you identify all qualities that you need to ruthlessly let go of so you can step into the new individuated empowered you. Mars, your ruling planet in Aquarius in your social sector will help you connect with like-minded helpful people who can help your dreams come true. Visionary Pisces reminds you that the true goal is to dream up the piece of heaven that only you can manifest here on earth.

TAURUS: The year begins with you taking stock of how you personally define success. The Sun, Mercury (the planet of thought) and Pluto (the planet of power) are all in your philosophical sector, asking you to transform your approach to business and success and to help others to do the same. With Saturn the planet of boundaries, discipline and endings in your house of partnerships this is also a fruitful time to contemplate both business and personal relationships and ask yourself which ones will survive your ongoing philosophical transformation. If you are contemplating new business partnerships wait till after the New Moon on the 11th before signing the paperwork. If you are dissolving partnerships any time before the new moon on the 11th, while the moon is waning, is a good time. Mars, the planet of energy and desire is in your career sector making this a great month to network to further your career ambitions. This month ask yourself how your personal ambitions can serve the greater good and help create a piece of Heaven on Earth.

GEMINI: The year begins with the Sun, Mercury, the planet of thought, and Pluto, the transformer, all in your house of the deep dark subconscious, shining light into the darkest house of the zodiac. This month you are given major planetary support to transform your approach to business and intimacy. Ask yourself how and with whom you want to merge your business and personal resources, and then ask yourself what is standing in the way of that. This month you may find you are able to let go of old outworn subconscious patterns that no longer serve you. This month also ask yourself how your business could benefit by expansion with a larger corporate entity. After the new moon on the 11th is a good time to pitch or make inquiries about mergers that could be favorable. Mighty Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion is in your sign continuing to expand your approach to life beyond your wildest dreams. Heaven manifests for you by letting go of the past, helping others to do the same and learning a whole new way of merging.

CANCER: The year begins with a major planetary line up in your house of partnerships. With the Sun, Pluto (the transformer) and Mercury (the planet of thought and communication), your partnerships have been slated for transformation. Pluto demands real change to whatever house he occupies. While this can be upsetting, the good news is the destroyer only comes a calling when a new better form is seeking to be born. Trust that as your partnerships are changing or ending, there is a new more-heavenly form seeking to be born. Ruthlessly take stock of all partnerships (romantic, business or familial) and ask yourself with brutal honesty, if security were not an issue (and it always is for you Cancer) are you really fulfilled in these relationships and would you stay in them. On the business front look around and see if there isn’t some empowering new corporate opportunity that could fuel your own ambitions and give you far greater reach to use your talents to heal and serve others.

LEO: The year begins with a major health and Feng Shui opportunity Leo. The Sun, Pluto the transformer and Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, are all in your house of work, daily routine and health, making this an excellent month to take stock of how your organizational routines either support or thwart your ambitions. This month get rid of clutter and chaos. Hire an organizer, and upgrade to communication equipment that will further your career goals. This is also a month to pay serious attention to your health and nutrition routines. Regular exercise and clean green food are a great idea for you this month. Saturn in your house of home and family makes this a great month to get your house in order on all levels. Your creative dreams depend upon you getting organized so you can shine your creative light for the entertainment and delight of all. Jupiter in your friendship sector sends wonderful opportunities through social contacts. Remember – chance favors the prepared mind, home and office.

VIRGO: The year and month begin with the Sun, Pluto the transformer, and Mercury, the planet of thought in your house of creativity and self-expression. This is a great month to transform your approach to fun, art and recreation. Explore what old father issues might be standing in the way of your joyful self-expression, then do some inner child work to let them go. Your career, which with Jupiter at your midheaven, stands poised to significantly expand, actually depends upon you learning to play, have fun and fearlessly express your authentic self. Fun is the serious business with which you begin the year. Enjoy! Saturn in your communication sector is teaching you new forms of communication and better boundaries in both business and personal communication. Heaven is seeking to manifest through your creativity and your connection to children. As you heal your inner child you become more about allowing your authentic self to shine out in the world were enormous opportunities await you.

LIBRA: The year begins with a major planetary line up in your house of home, family and ancestry. The Sun and Mercury, the planet of thought, are joined with Pluto the transformer to help you make the necessary changes that need to be made on the home front. This may involve changes to your actual home through Feng Shui or remodeling; or it may be that the way you relate to your family and home life needs a major over haul. Whatever the case, keep in mind that your home life sets the tone that either creates success or failure in your career life. This month make sure your home base nurtures you and gives you the peace, self-esteem, respect and serenity that will foster your success in the world. With Saturn in your house of money, disciplined steady work to secure income is the formula for success. Jupiter in your house of publishing, teaching and big proposals brings success to that quadrant. Take chances in this area and keep your eye out for bountiful opportunities. Uranus the planet of revolution is in your house of partnerships sending you technologically-savvy, out-of-the-box-thinkers to partner with. Mars is in your creativity and child sector making this an excellent month to continue with holiday festivities and spend time with actual children or your inner child.

SCORPIO: Saturn is in your sign over the next two years, helping you to define yourself and your goals, set boundaries and build discipline. This month the Sun and Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, have joined Pluto the transformer to help you build better boundaries and transform in the realm of communication. This month practice saying “no” and meaning it. Don’t let people waste your time. Use your time effectively to further your cherished goals. Work on your own writing projects. The month begins with Venus in your second house bringing money-making opportunities through social contacts. Mars in your home sector in Aquarius makes January a great time to both focus on your home and entertain. Big bountiful Jupiter is in your house of the deep unconscious, shared wealth and inheritance sending you wonderful opportunities in these areas. Say yes to opportunities that allow you to merge with others for mutual benefit.

SAGITTARIUS: The month begins with Venus in your sign getting the year started with beauty and social grace. Enjoy the jovial cross cultural celebrations in early January even as you focus on getting back to work. The Sun and Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, are in your financial sector where they join Pluto, the transformer, to shed light on all that needs to change in how you make your money and administrate your fiscal life. This is a great month to give your finances an overhaul. Write a business plan that includes an income plan, spending plan and savings plan. Ask yourself if there isn’t some new activity that you’ve always wanted to pursue that could also be lucrative. When you need to take a break from the serious fiscal meditation, focus on partnerships and relationships. Jupiter in that sector ensures they will be abundant, jovial and fun.

CAPRICORN: Happy Birthday Capricorn!!! This year will be a year of major transformation for you. The Sun and Mercury begin the month in your sign where they join Pluto the transformer to help you shed the old you for the shiny new evolved version of you. This process is aided and abetted by Saturn, your ruling planet in Scorpio, the sign of utter transformation. The pressure is really on you to change because no sign is more capable of saving the world at this critical juncture. I know it’s a tall order Capricorn but scaling tall mountains, be they corporate or Everest is your specialty. Heaven is trying desperately to manifest through your sign, so ask yourself this: How can you use your considerable administrative talents to aid others or to simply shift the corporate structure and balance sheets to create abundance peace and opportunity for the many? What special talent or gift did you come here to give your fellow humans or the planet? How can you be massively successful while serving The Greater Good? Define that mountain this month, and then start climbing. This year your disciplined spiritual practice is your silent yet bedrock support. The Source is your silent, limitlessly wealthy partner in all things. Remember to make daily contact with it. Jupiter in your work sector gives you an abundance of work opportunities to capitalize on. May every blessing be yours this year, and may you share them with everyone.

AQUARIUS: The month begins with Mars the planet of energy, drive and testosterone in your sign giving you tons of energy in the lead up month to your birthday. Get moving this month. Start working out and get in shape. Get strong, fit and powerful. Do this with a group of people and this can also fulfill your intense social needs. Mars will also help you to fight for causes that are near and dear to your heart. This month there is a major planetary line up in your spiritual sector. The Sun and Mercury, the planet of thought, have joined Pluto the transformer in your house of spirituality and transcendence. This month contemplate what needs to change in your spiritual life, or how you connect to the source. This would be a great month to institute a spiritual practice that works for you like yoga, loving kindness meditation, sending blessings to the world or some form of prayer that works for you. With Capricorn as the sign in your spiritual sector, nature or garden-based spirituality might be just the thing for you. Make little shrines in your garden and leave prayers there. Your connection to Source will be your invisible support all year.

PISCES: This month the Sun and Mercury, the planet of thought, are shining in your house of networking and friendship where they join Pluto the transformer, making this a month to both socialize and contemplate what needs to change in the way you network or who you network with. Your social life is changing. The potential exists for you to connect with pretty powerful people, who can help fulfill your goals and dreams. Ask yourself how your particular skills and talents can help create a more heavenly and visionary world. Then ask yourself who can help you create your vision. Take steps to get out there and connect. Venus, in your career sector, brings career opportunities from friends. Saturn, in your house of shared resources and intimacy, makes this a good time to legalize relationships that are mutually profitable and end ones that are not. Let fairness and respect be the criteria by which you judge all relationships. Bountiful Jupiter is still in your home, housing and family sector; bringing major opportunity.
Say yes. . . yes. . . yes!

Namaste,
Demitra