Art Horoscope

OVERVIEW
The global community, especially Europe, needs to hang on to its hat.

Uranus, the planet of the unexpected and rebellious, is now really accelerating his current challenge to Pluto (incumbent power). This protracted astrological transit is the headline symbol for the times we live in and will be exact next month and more or less for the next three months. This is an ominous sign for those who want to maintain the status quo without dissent or threat, especially economically. Significantly unwelcome (to the powers that be) economic shifts are seriously underscored. Some shock waves round Europe are in the ether over the next few months, and rebellion against austerity measures will start to have significant consequences. People’s voting habits will bring surprise (as in the first round of the recent French presidential elections) as they seek salvation by backing more extremist parties, or at the least eschew current administrations.

Our collective conditioned understanding of what is normal and desirable, in terms of our consumerist lifestyle (arguably the opium of the masses) and increasingly market-driven economy has become the norm over the last 30 years or so. It is not sustainable. The 2008 bank crisis was the start of the inevitable meltdown when Pluto entered Capricorn, but that planetary combination also equals the ruthless desire to avoid its destiny, fight off the inevitable and to try to return to business as usual and to reinstate the old growth model through whatever means and at all costs. The inevitable death of the old unsustainable system has to be faced and honored and then a phoenix can potentially rise. By the time we reach 2024-2025 when Pluto enters Aquarius, change of an almost existential nature will be forced upon us.

As cultural psychologist Erich Fromm said, “So long as we are more motivated to have than to be, we shall continue down the tunnel of consumerism. We shall do so, despite knowing full well that the light at the end of the tunnel is not the Sun. It is the train.” Blind consumerism is like a Faustian pact we have all colluded with and indeed have been conditioned to accept.

Politicians endlessly bicker about how to promote growth, so we can push blindly on worshipping the same false gods without ever questioning the fundamental premises of the system or seriously question its fallout for the planet. For them and their masters, the prospering markets, there is no other template.

Increasing consciousness of this is growing within our consciousness. Uranus (disruption/ anti status quo) is now muddying the waters for governments in Europe and more obviously for the more oppressive regimes in the Middle East.

Populations who now feel the disconnect between their soul and the economic world order, on maybe on a very subliminal level are realizing that a change of values, a change of being and a hungering after idealism is maybe not some utopian fantasy. It is now probably a “no choice” matter of survival, as continuing our current course unabated will likely finish us. Neptune in Pisces over the coming 13 years will make these sorts of changes an essential and urgent matter, as the need for a collective redemption will manifest and indeed be forced upon us. What used to be thought of as idealism is now the new necessity, but will no doubt be uncomfortable to achieve.

As clinical psychologist John F. Schumaker said in this month’s New Internationalist, “If consumer culture were a separate individual and assessed psychiatrically, its diagnosis would be criminal psychosis.”

Another important astrological event this month is that Venus (now in Gemini) moves into retrograde motion (travelling apparently backwards) on the15th. It stays in this mode till June 27th. Venus rules love, our value system (including finances) and the arts and rules both Taurus and Libra. Therefore this period will demand of us all, on a personal and collective level, a significant review and rethink of our heart and what really matters. When Venus moves retrograde it encourages a need to connect with ourselves, and to not be defined by others and external cultural pressures. Materialism becomes much less a motivator, there is more introversion and a reflective more sensitive stance is necessitated. The subtle beauties of life / people / planet are noted, things previously overlooked. A collective increased contemplative mood will be in the ether. An inner beauty is appreciated and the superficial is eschewed. It is a time to develop a more honest relationship with ourselves and therefore and especially with others, without the surface veneer. It is a reclusive and self-sustaining energy and there is an ability to grow in more spiritual maturity after important self re-evaluation. If we translate that onto a global level, it will indicate a collective pause, which can be very valuable, especially about economics and our attitude towards money and true social justice. Some home truths about what is really important in life will emerge powerfully during this Venus retrograde period. Gemini rules London and there is likely to be a subtle change of ambience there, albeit maybe temporarily. People just might start to smile at each other on the tube (no mean feat). San Francisco is also reputed to be a Gemini city.

The coming London Olympics has created a slight air of weariness in the capital’s population, as the corporate hype that is dominating and its use for political capital seem to be at odds with the original real spirit of the event. With Venus retrograde In Gemini there will be pause for thought.

Importantly, the arts too will be having a mini-review of their role and value when Venus is moving backwards. . . and once again the growing need to reclaim the arts from the exclusive jaws of market forces will be revitalized, as will its passionate need to be part of a new critical planetary consciousness.

Gemini rules the writer / author / journalist and words of wisdom will be in the air. Talking of wise words, Shakespeare’s birthday (Taurus, sign of the month) has just been celebrated and a world Shakespeare festival with performances in 48 languages involving theater companies performing in 48 countries is under way globally and across Britain throughout the summer. At Shakespeare’s own Globe Theatre (reconstructed perfectly to its original state) in London, all his plays are also being performed in 48 languages: a mega challenge. As a speaker of universal truths, Shakespeare’s global relevance never ends. If only some of our leaders and would be leaders, and really take the time to study some of his universal, timeless genius. However, if the Bard’s truths were really taken on board, they would probably not choose to be politicians with the theme of hubris and nemesis related to power, constantly reiterated in his plays. . . . In this festival, timeless themes of dynastic rivalries are being newly adapted and played out, as they exist and are experienced today, for instance an Iraqi theater company have adapted Romeo and Juliet to reflect the Iraqi sufferings. The protagonists are from the Sunni / Shiite divide. The actor who plays Romeo, Ahmed Salah Moneka, says, “I want to convey the suffering of this generation and previous generations and the suffering of love.” He says that the taboo of a love affair between these two sects is strong; this is also true between Kurds and Arabs. The main departure in this Iraqi production from the traditional story is that at the end of the play, Juliet’s spurned suitor Paris (now fashioned as an Al Quaeda activist) enters the church wearing a belt of explosives and blows himself up as well as the star-crossed lovers.

Shakespeare’s plays are secular bibles of wisdom. His command of astrological principles as revealed in so many of his plays, texts (approximately 100 references) have contributed towards his sagacity and profound understanding of the human condition.

Maybe Gemini-native Damien Hirst will be rethinking his priorities / values when Venus moves retrograde through his sign. His latest retrospective is at Tate Modern, London, and runs till September 9th. Rotting cows heads, electrocuted flies, preserved sharks and sheep notwithstanding, there is something a little uncomfortable about the “cycle of life” installation. A room full of tropical butterflies, hatch, feed and fly (and mate if they get lucky) and after a few short days, drop to the floor in death, all in one white room. While a poignant reminder of such repetitive cycles that apply to all sentient beings, including ourselves, for these trapped creatures with no freedom and who bash themselves against the walls like a caged zoo inmate, there must for them be an instinctive sense that there is something wrong with this environment, but maybe, if they also sense that it is for the sake of a profound artistic comment, they don’t mind. An etymological consultant oversees their welfare, but ironically butterflies are actually symbols of freedom and some cultures see them as the free souls of dead people. Maybe this is all part of Hirst’s point. . . am I missing something?

Hirst, the richest artist in history, is in many ways the apotheosis of what the power of the markets and arts have been able to create, when mixed, over the last 20 years. Hirst claims when interviewed that art is more important to him than money, but the price tags on his “gift shop” replicated items alone are eye-watering. He cannot have it both ways.

Our cultural tendency to the commodification of animals for food, sport or whatever, is a sign that we have disconnected with nature to a dangerous degree. When horses died falling at jumps at a racecourse recently in England, the commentator referred to the dead bodies as “obstacles” to other riders on the circuit.

Language detaches us and somehow removes us from culpability, like the phrase “collateral damage.” Venus retrograde will be a small window of opportunity for a necessary rethink of attitudes so that we are less ego-centered and toxic to self, others and the planet.

Talking of money, value systems and politicians, we now have Mitt Romney as the Republican contender for the U.S. presidency. His birth chart reveals him to be a Pisces Sun with Mars and Mercury also in Pisces, with the very earliest degree of Gemini rising and a powerful Scorpio Moon.

As a Pisces, he will have a strong need to live and respond to life through the emotions and sentiments and with a hunger to believe in a unifying spiritual ideology. He will be changeable and the power of feelings can overrule detachment and rationality and the longing to be a hero can be part of the picture. If there is a strong ego, Pisces can be a rather delusional, a little disconnected from reality, but for the minimally ego-centered Pisces, there is the potential for real selfless devotion. His classic Pisces love of music has apparently been reported on. His ascendant in the contrasting but equally mutable, but rational, “savvy” sign of Gemini certainly allows for good communication power. Gemini is knowledgeable but often on a superficial level and the desire to dig deep is usually less vital. He will use his wiles to flit through life, butterfly-like, using quick reactions to his advantage. He may at times be the classic “used car salesman” but is also well-educated enough to express real natural intelligence in a constructive and more channeled way. There is elusiveness, a scattered energy about Gemini and it can be all things to all men, chameleon-like. His ruler, Mercury also in Pisces tends to create a mind that finds it hard to be really objective. Subjectivity, emotion, sentiment, nostalgia and the influence of the past can easily dominate over logic. His Uranus input suggests a changeable, unpredictable, inconsistent, but entertaining persona. He will be witty with some perversity, interspersed with flashes of genius, but not always followed through. He has thoughts like shooting stars and there is a sense of erratic, nervous emotional energy. His moon in Scorpio, which rules his finance sector, is certainly intense, driven by desire and passion and he has an ability to spot the other guy’s Achilles heel. There is huge natural charm here and the close conjunction of the Moon by Jupiter reinforces this and points to a strong input of luck. He will particularly appeal to women and can tap into the public mood to gain advantage. He has a Midas touch round money and his Jupiter effect suggests that he has much largesse, is very sociable and has benefited from the good will of many and indeed he will have benefited many with his generosity, and his networking skills are second to none. The problem with people with moon in Scorpio is that they can go ruthlessly after what they think they want, get it. . . and then find out they don’t really want it. His Aquarian Venus and Midheaven bring career charisma and at times he will be controversial, quirky and seem a little cold, detached and certainly maverick in goals. His 4th house Pluto indicates a powerful family heritage that has given him a passion for power. Behind scenes influences are powerful and power struggles with others are invited as people from the past can lean heavily on him to gain advantage or to pull powerful strings. He also has serious family obligations / loyalty, but sadness is not a stranger to his life, with both Pluto and Saturn strongly influencing his home / family area. A vital fact is that he has no earth in his chart. His adherence to a religious sect, the Mormons, makes perfect sense as it accommodates not only his Pisces need for a strong spiritual belief and constraint, but also a lack of earth often indicates a psychological need for an external organization that creates security through certain imposed structures that he maybe finds (or did find) difficult to provide inwardly for himself.

Taurus energy is of course very strong this month, the Sun being in that sign until the 20th.

Mercury is also in Taurus, between the 9th and 24th, and Jupiter being there all month as he comes to the end of his once every 12 yearly trip through Taurus. Even the dwarf planet Ceres is now in Taurus. Astrologers are now incorporating into the template of the solar system, the asteroid bodies. Ceres currently in Taurus is strong. She represents the quintessential earth mother. She rules over food, cooking, nutrition, specifically fertility and maternal relationships. She was the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain and crops, and is therefore very much the planet of sustainability. We have been sadly lacking in the power of the goddesses, as our modern society has revered mainly the values of the gods. Some astrologers believe Ceres to be the true ruler of Virgo. She has important links with Pluto, as she is about the endings of cycles in nature.

New Planets (planetoids) seem to get “discovered” when their relevance and their message for us are needed in some way as part of the evolution of consciousness. A sort of synchronicity is at play it seems.

Let’s look at the archetypical energies of Taurus. Ruled by Venus, it is a feminine sign and earthy, pragmatic and grounded. It is fixed which means stubbornness and some rigidity. The phrase associated with Taurus is “I own and I have” and it is very much connected to wanting material security to feel safe. Being ruled by Venus, it is charming and beauty loving, but can be very stubborn and like the bull, its totem. It can be coaxed but not pushed. It rules the throat and larynx area and often there is a good singing voice, but it can also a vulnerable part of the body. It is quite possessive and determined and very practical and purposeful. Their power lies in having to achieve mastery over the physical environment and they have to become efficient in practical matters. Indeed they strive for spiritual truth by working with the practical aspects of life. They are fond of the good things of life, are very sensual and have a reputation for loving their food and drink and often make excellent cooks. They can be self-indulgent and are not so drawn to exercise. They love nature as they are very instinctive and it is a very wise sign when it comes to tuning in to their intuition about people and the cycles of nature. They have an affinity with and love of the simplicity of the natural world. They will see to it that nothing interferes with their small pleasures and routine. Taurus likes to look good; appearances are important to them (others’ appearances too) and they can use beauty as a means to an end. Although they don’t make typical art scholars (more Libra’s domain), they have a natural instinctive appreciation of esthetics. Taureans are usually loyal, long-suffering and kind and can burden themselves with the grief and problems of their friends. They have strong willpower and can make plans from a distance and will strive towards goals and it is wise not to interfere with their methods of doing things. Indirect action is best with them. They don’t like change and need time to adjust to the idea of it. It takes a long time for them to get angry, but when they do, they are a match for Scorpio with their scary explosive potential. They need to learn a balanced sense of values and to avoid the pitfalls of jealousy, greed and over-possessiveness. A useful phrase for Taurus to remember is “he that has no desire to possess, has no fear of loss.” They tend to learn from direct experience and they like to put people and situations into patterns that make them feel secure. They can be a little inert and often need other people to coax them into action. They are very sensitive to any rebuff and can be retreatist and moody if hurt. They are like rocks, stable and stubborn. They cannot be hurried but are good workers. They learn slowly, thoroughly and retentively. Many Taureans are very hands on and practical. Many work superbly with their hands to create durable objects, especially using nature’s substances such as clay, wood, or stone. Many builders and craftsmen have strong Taurus in their chart. They can also be found working very successfully on the land and they often make great natural gardeners. They often have “green fingers.” Taurus is quietly wise, instinctive and measured. The esoteric ruler of Taurus is Vulcan, an elusive intra Mercurial planet named after the god who had a will and resilience of iron, who ruled volcanoes, craftsmen, sculptures and artisans.

Very positive days this month are around the 13th and 14th when the Sun conjuncts Jupiter and Mercury trines Mars and Pluto, forming a grand trine of earth. This is a practical, intelligent and inspired period of determination to actually manifest real advantages in life on a very practical level.

Times to avoid deception, both from self and others, and when there is a feeling of smoke and mirrors in the air are around the 23rd to 26th when the Sun and Mercury square up to Neptune. On the 6th when Mercury opposes Saturn, a time of serious reality checks are around globally and as it connects with the full Moon on that date, endings of chapters are definitely in the zeitgeist. Days that are very good for writers, critics and journalists are around the 4th. The artist, photographer and musician are favored around the 10th, and when Uranus is active around the 27th and 28th, there are eureka moments abounding and the innovative and the breakthrough are possible.

The full Moon falls on the 5th/6th at 16° of Scorpio and the new Moon falls on the 20th at 0° of Gemini.

N.B. If you know your ascendant (rising sign), you should read the general trends for that sign, in conjunction with your Sun sign, for a more accurate forecast. In astrology, the nature of the planet symbolises the type of energy that is happening, the sign it is in how it is happening and the house it is in where it is happening.

LEIGH OSWALD is a London-based astrologer and teacher. She welcomes your comments to her website at www.astroanalysis.co.uk.