A Rare Celestial Alignment
We are presently in the midst of a massive influx of transformational energies that are impacting our planet and our lives. Within the next few days we will experience a very rare astrological event which will offer powerful potentials for growth and the expansion of our consciousness. Four planets will position themselves at exact 90 degree angles to one another (Pluto opposing Jupiter & Mars opposing Uranus), to form a Grand Cross in our celestial skies.
Each of these planets will be situated at 13 degrees within the 4 Cardinal signs of the zodiac, which makes this phenomenon a Cardinal Grand Cross Alignment. Pluto will be at 13 degrees Capricorn, Jupiter at 13 degrees Cancer, Mars at 13 degrees Libra, and Uranus at 13 degrees Aries. In addition, Mars is in Retrograde during this unique configuration.
To add to the melting pot of transformational frequencies bombarding us at this time, the climax of the Cardinal Grand Cross will occur on April 23 and 24th, 2014, nestled neatly between two eclipses. The Total Lunar Eclipse on April 14th will be followed by a Solar Eclipse with the new moon on April 28th.
The influence of this Cardinal Grand Cross began in January of this year as the 4 planets began moving into position. While the event reaches its peak on April 23/24th, its ripple effects will continue to have a major impact on us through July. It is also possible that the ramifications of this celestial alignment may play out in our lives for years to come.
How Will This Affect Us & What Can We Do About It?
As has been the theme for several years now, the Cardinal Grand Cross portends a time of change, upheaval, and transformation. The energy of change is now permeating every aspect of our lives. It’s like we are caught in a strong, fast current that continues to gain momentum. In order to survive we have no choice but to surrender ourselves to the current of change, learn how to swim, and go with the flow.
Change can be hard for many of us to embrace, as humans are hardwired to be creatures of habit. We form behavioral patterns of familiarity within our lives and over time these patterns can become deeply engrained habits. This celestial event has the potential to trigger situations and circumstances that will force our deepest fears and darkest shadows to the surface. As we address these core issues we will be forced to make changes within our lives.
This kind of upheaval may stir up feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, shame, and self-doubt. Most people feel emotionally raw and vulnerable in the throws of chaos, which is often the result of unexpected change. Rather than resisting our vulnerability we can empower ourselves by accepting and utilizing our discomfort as a vehicle for rapid transformation.
When we allow ourselves the time and space to truly be vulnerable, we free ourselves from the constraining energies of fear and control. The act of letting go, of giving ourselves permission to just feel what we feel… is an act of emotional emancipation. We free ourselves to experience the full range of our emotions, from feelings of raw vulnerability to the highest expressions of joy, creativity, and love.
From this place of emotional authenticity, we can release outmoded ways of thinking and being that no longer serve us. We can shift away from logical thinking (which is not working particularly well for humanity any more), to allow our intuition and refined feeling-states to guide our decisions. As we learn to trust our instincts we develop the faith and confidence required to surrender to Divine Will.
For many of us, this is the Change that we have been waiting for… and it is long overdue. Amidst this period of volatility, we have the opportunity to shift our values from materialistic concerns to more spiritually oriented qualities such as truth, beauty, and compassion.
The fast-moving current of change is happening. It is here, right now, and it will be rippling through our energy field for many years to come. Now is the time for us to let go of who we think we are and embrace the essence of the transmuted inner being that is awakening within us.
A Closer Look at Four Planets
Each planet within our Solar System energetically influences our day-to-day lives here on Earth. The planets that form the four corners of the April 2014 Cardinal Grand Cross are Pluto, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus and they resonate with the following qualities:
Pluto is the outermost planet in our solar system and his energy initiates transformation. Pluto inspires us to delve into the depths of our subconscious to transmute that which no longer serves our highest good. He is in charge of situations that are unavoidable and have gone past the point of no return, where the only solution is to let go. We can attempt to ignore his planetary influence, but Pluto has a relentless way of forcing us to transform, whether we like it or not. Pluto is a planet of extremes; he oversees life, death, and rebirth. His archetypal masculine energy is linear, so Pluto tends to make things happen in a direct and deliberate manner. (Pluto encircles the zodiac every 248 years and spends between 12 – 31 years in each sign.)
Mars is the planet of action, self-defense, and productivity. The red-hot energy of Mars fuels our capacity for bravery, daring, and fearlessness. Mars is the inspirational source of our warrior instinct; it is the part of us that mobilizes to fight back when we are attacked. Mars inspires passion and adventurousness, and provides us with the self-confidence to meet our challenges head on. Mars’s archetypal energy is masculine and this intense and spontaneous planet is known to charge through situations. (Mars takes approximately 2 years to encircle the zodiac, so is in each sign for about 2 months.)
Jupiter is the planet of expansion, growth, and incorporation. As the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter inspires us to be expansive, optimistic, and generous. He increases our capacity for laughter, enthusiasm, and risk taking. Jupiter rules higher learning and induces us to investigate intellectual pursuits, esoteric wisdom, and spiritual philosophies. He expands our consciousness to embrace new horizons and ideologies and motivates us to explore our own ethics and morality. Jupiter is associated with luck, and he embodies masculine archetypal energy. (Jupiter’s orbit encircles the zodiac every 12 years so he spends approximately 1 year in each sign.)
Uranus is the planetary wildcard of rebellion and originality. This planet is characterized by its love of independence and complete personal freedom despite the consequences. Uranus operates under the notion that rules are made to be broken. Its energy awakens aspects within our lives where we feel confined or restricted, and inspires us to boldly break free of limitation. Uranus carries ‘genius potential’, which may inspire new and creative ways to solve problems. The energy of Uranus can spark revolutions as it focuses on more humanitarian, freedom loving, and unconventional ways of living. Its energy can be intense, impulsive, and unpredictable, but it is this essence of nonconformity that gives rise to originality, inventiveness, and a futuristic orientation. Uranus’s archetypal energy is androgynous. (Uranus circles the zodiac every 84 years, and spends about 7 years in each sign.)
What Happens When Planets Square and Oppose One Another?
Planetary Square: When planets are Squared, they are positioned at 90 degree angles in relation to each other. This creates an inner tension and a sense of conflict, as though we are being drawn between the energy of both planets. We are pulled in either direction, unable to bring the two energies into a state of equilibrium. It’s as if we are caught within a problem which never reaches a point of resolution.
Fortunately, this configuration represents a chance for us to raise our consciousness and look ‘outside of the box’ for solutions. The dynamic tension generated by the Square magnifies the energy of resistance within us and provides opportunities for profound growth. Planetary squares demand change and inspire the need to take action to foster a resolution.
Planetary Opposition: Planets are in Opposition to one another when they are 180 degrees apart on an astrological wheel. While their dynamic tension is not as intense as when they are squared, they still emanate an energy of conflict. This may make us feel as though we are caught in a tug-of-war between the polarities of each planet. It is as if the outside world is imposing situations or challenges upon us that oppose our beliefs, needs, or desires. This polarized state can give rise to self-doubt as we are faced with seeing one side as right and the other side as wrong. This manifests as a feeling of being ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’.
The good news is that while the energy of the planets in Opposition can appear to be mutually exclusive, the inner tension they create can initiate a process of integration, as each opposite side discovers how to relate to one another. The either/or attitude may thus be healed from within. Planets in opposition provide the opportunity to integrate the energy of both polarities to embrace the complementary wisdoms they bring into our lives.
Grand Cross: When 4 planets Square one another on the astrological wheel, a Grand Cross is formed. You can also view it as being 2 lots of planets in opposition.
The Cardinal Signs and the Grand Cross
The 12 signs of the zodiac are grouped into 3 categories according to their energetic quality. The groupings are: Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable signs. Cardinal signs correspond with the first month of the Sun’s journey through a season, and their energy initiates change. They are the leaders of the zodiac, always forging ahead, initiating action, and taking control to make things happen. These signs operate in sudden, distinct bursts of activity.
The four Cardinal signs that usher in each season represent a particular element, including fire, water, air, and earth. The planets forming the Cardinal Grand Cross on April 23rd & 24th, 2014 are situated in the following signs:
Pluto – Capricorn (Cardinal Earth)
Mars – Libra (Cardinal Air)
Jupiter – Cancer (Cardinal Water)
Uranus – Aries (Cardinal Fire)
The Cardinal Expression of each sign is as follows:
Capricorn/Cardinal Earth– is very practical and down to earth. She rolls up her sleeves to get things done right the first time in an organized, definitive way. She establishes a solid foundation.
Libra/Cardinal Air- is the social director who values balance, harmony, and integrity. He fosters partnerships and relationships, getting people together to get things done.
Cancer/Cardinal Water– is intuitive, nurturing, and emotionally assertive. She focuses on feelings and influences people to take action from their heart.
Aries/Cardinal Fire– is impulsive and catalytic. He is more of an impatient ‘do it yesterday’ initiator. His enthusiasm and urgency drives action and he helps us determine the most direct, expedient path to achieve our goals.
Detailed Implications of the Planetary Relationships
Overview: The Oppositions of Pluto-Jupiter & Uranus-Mars combined with the respective Squaring of these planets creates a dynamic situation of intensity, conflict, and internal-to-external tension. This compels us to closely examine our individual moral, ethical, and humanitarian values, and to asses how our values oppose or conflict with what is playing out on the world stage.
Pluto in Capricorn inspires major transformations in the hierarchical structures of governments, corporations and all places of power.
Pluto Squaring Uranus in Aries stimulates an intense desire to rebel, revolt, and break out of habits of complacency. Dissatisfaction with lies, deceit, and propaganda ignites the desire to ‘jump ship’ and make a fresh start elsewhere. However our higher consciousness is aware that running away is futile, so instead we need to pro-actively work to dismantle old ways of being and then rebuild, restructure, and initiate transformation from the ground up.
Opposition of Pluto in Capricorn with Jupiter in Cancer challenges our collective values as global citizens entrusted with the responsibility of care-taking our Earth for future generations. The Earth is our ‘home’ and all beings on the planet comprise our family, yet we are treating our home and family with brazen disrespect. Our world population has escalated from 1 to 7 billion in the last 150 years and we now consume natural resources at a 30% greater rate than is sustainable. Up to 35% of the adult population is obese in developed countries, yet every 3.6 seconds someone in the world dies of starvation. We now lose 55,000 species each year to extinction. We are being asked to review and adjust our values towards revering the sacredness of our planet and thereby assuring the survival of our family.
Opposition of Jupiter & Pluto brings conflict to our understanding of what represents a family structure. We feel compelled to reconstruct familial paradigms and evolve towards a unified, yet diversified tribal structure. We may choose to challenge governmental or religious interpretations and instead define our own criterion for what constitutes a family. In doing so we make ‘family’ a personal choice, and can expand its meaning to include our community, our Nation, the entire Earth, or our Soul family. This planetary position prompts us to explore how to love one another and embrace our diversity in order to live together in a state harmony, prosperity, and grace.
Opposition of Uranus with Mars in Libra calls us into action to fight for justice, truth, transparency, and equality within our lives.
Mars in Libra Squaring both Pluto & Jupiter makes us feel like we are being pulled in two opposite directions. We are forced to bring the truth to light in all facets of the structures of this world (including politics, religion, corporations, etc). At the same time, we are asked to emotionally embrace these structures and to discover within them a sense of justice and equality that can carry us into the future. This will be a true test of whether it is possible for the current world structures to support morality, engage in ethical practices, and exercise self-responsibility.
Mars in Retrograde
During the Cardinal Grand Cross, Mars will be moving Retrograde. A planet is said to be Retrograde when it appears to be traveling backwards in the sky. Mars moves into retrograde every 26 months, and remains that way for 55 to 80 days.
When Mars is retrograde, this ‘action oriented’ planet lacks vitality as his energy is inverted inward. This can make us feel as though we are swimming against the current and can manifest as endless delays, roadblocks, setbacks, and detours obstructing our path. We may experience frustration which can lead to internalized expressions of anger, bitterness, and resentment.
Managing our frustration during this period is analogous to capping an active volcano. If too much internal pressure builds up, the end result can be explosive and destructive. We are encouraged to find healthy outlets (like vigorous exercise) to release emotional pressure in smaller increments before our internal tension triggers a more violent outburst.
Another alternative to burning off frustration through expressions of anger is to cultivate an attitude of spiritual detachment that enables us to ‘wait and see’ how delays can serve us. Timing is everything in life, and it may serve our highest good to stop, gather more information, or allow situations to gestate before moving forward.
Since initiating new projects (relationships, contracts, business deals, etc) during Mars retrograde often leads to roadblocks or endless delays, our energy is better spent reflecting on or reworking existing projects. When set-backs arise, we are advised against forcing issues, and towards going with the flow. We are reminded that everything happens in divine timing for the greater good of all.
The Sacred Power of Number 13
To add to the crescendo of energy associated with this celestial event, each of the four planets that comprise the Grand Cross is sitting at exactly 13 degrees within their respective signs of Capricorn, Libra, Cancer, and Aries.
Thirteen is considered a most sacred number and has been revered in ancient and modern cultures all over the world. The Sacred Power of 13 carries the energetic resonance of Transcendence of Matter and the Embodiment of Ascension. It is a number that cleans and purifies, and was used by the ancient Egyptians as part of the sacred geometry of Creation to activate their sacred light body. Thirteen is a unifying frequency, said to restore balance and order to our planet.
Many of our indigenous and ancient cultures used a different system of communing with the cosmos, life, and Spirit that was more in tune with the natural rhythms of Creation and the heartbeat of Gaia. The 13 vibration was a part of that sacred alignment. There are 13 lunar cycles in a solar year, and the celestial motion of the Moon is 13 degrees per day. Each of our Earthly seasons is 13 weeks in duration. The resonance of 13 is part of our healing as we return to this more reverent way of aligning with the rhythms of our planet.
The number 13 has always been associated with the Goddess, Mother Mary, and the Divine Feminine, and represents the Return of the Goddess in all things. Many believe that the key to transformation at this time is to reclaim and express the power of our divine feminine essence. Divine Feminine power is the embodiment of unconditional love.
The vibratory resonance of the number 13 embedded within the Cardinal Grand Cross is awakening us to an ancient and Universal truth. Our true power lies in our capacity to cultivate love and reverence for all of life. Humanity is awakening en-masse to this higher wisdom as we transcend social, political and religious frameworks built on a foundation of fear and domination. Together we can co-create a new world based on a more lasting foundation of love, compassion, and unity.
May we all have the courage to open our hearts as wide as possible to embrace this profound opportunity for Transformation brought to us by the Cardinal Grand Cross!