A couple of weeks ago, I began having disturbing dreams. I do a lot of dream work and so usually have some idea of the message and what triggered the dream. However, these dreams are unlike any I’ve ever had.

The images are unfamiliar, and most of the other people in the dreams don’t resemble anyone I know. Typically, I thought it was just me. Within a few days, a friend mentioned she had experienced something similar, and another friend said the same thing. While I was in the city last week, I overheard two more conversations. In every case, there was a sense of bewilderment and disquiet, and of course they all thought it was “just me.”

It appears that there’s something stirring in the collective unconscious, and many people are picking up on it through their dreams. Those who are psychically sensitive might be having corresponding experiences during the day. Dreams and psychic visions fall within the realm of Neptune and Pisces. The Sun and Neptune both are in Pisces, and there was a New Moon in Pisces on March 1. In addition, four planets changed direction within seven days. Still, we had similar aspects last year, and I don’t recall anything like this happening.

Astrology is a useful tool for interpreting broad trends, but I’m reminded now and again that there are forces in the universe that work on a more primal level. These energies might be better represented through mythology – in particular, the stories about the overthrow of one family of gods by a newer generation.

In Greek mythology, Uranus belonged to a race of primordial gods born out of chaos. His wife, Gaia, gave birth to the Titans, who eventually overthrew the older gods. Among the Titans was Cronus (Roman Saturn), who ruled over a Golden Age during which laws weren’t needed, because humans knew how to get along with one another. Cronus and the Titans in turn were overthrown by Zeus (Roman Jupiter) and the gods of Olympus. From that time on, humans fell further and further into depravity, with war as their main purpose. According to some versions of the myth, the goddess Astraea ruled with Cronus but became so disgusted by human greed and violence that she fled to the stars and became Virgo, holding the scales of justice, the constellation Libra.

During the intense aspects of the past four years, particularly the Uranus-Pluto square, humans have been under sustained stress that at times has been almost unbearable. There is a theory that environmental stress can cause species to mutate and evolve very quickly. I see a strong possibility that we’re in that phase now and heading for a mass shift in consciousness as the “old gods” are overthrown.

The cardinal T-square with Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto remains the dominant theme this week, with Jupiter just out of retrograde. That means the largest planet in our solar system is barely moving from our perspective here on Earth. Jupiter is considered a “lucky” planet, especially so in Cancer, but he also amplifies other aspects, so during this period while Jupiter is just creeping along, the Uranus-Pluto square is even more intense than usual. Although planets don’t “cause” events on Earth, there are correlations, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing. Events that in any other week would be headline news are buried five or six items down the page.

That said, cooler heads seem to be prevailing in the Ukraine crisis – for now, anyway – and it appears that the weapons of choice will be economic rather than military. Still, people will get caught in the “crossfire” – the Ukrainian people most of all. Already, some are looking more closely at the results of the “revolution” and wondering whether they merely exchanged one bunch of thugs for a different bunch of thugs. There’s also dawning recognition that there’s going to be a high price for siding with the West.

This seems to be the recurring theme with the Uranus-Pluto revolutions. Uranus in Aries leaps into the revolution demanding “freedom” and thinks about the consequences later. Initially, I thought of Pluto in Capricorn as the police firing into crowds of protesters, and that has turned out to be true. However, it’s starting to look like Pluto in Capricorn also represents the ruthless and more-sophisticated financial interests that are using the chaos (and probably helping to instigate it) to profit from resources that rightfully belong to the country and its people. Further, these corporate interests are global and in some cases are the same players from one country to the next. Impulsive Uranus doesn’t have the patience to “know the enemy,” form a solid strategy, and wait for right moment to strike. Essentially, it’s youth and enthusiasm against age and experience.

The idea that Pluto in Capricorn represents global corporate and financial interests means that the conflict is bigger than just Libya, Ukraine, Venezuela, or wherever “assisted” revolution breaks out next. Despite what I wrote above about Uranus in Aries, this planet-sign pair also is a signature for awakening consciousness. There’s still another year and a half of the Uranus-Pluto square. That’s enough time for a mass awakening that in turn leads to a global shift toward a more sustainable way of life.

Back to this week, on Tuesday, Mercury squares Saturn (late Monday in Western time zones). Although we usually view squares as negative or conflicting, this one has advantages, especially with Mercury exalted in Aquarius. If you’re working on a project that requires mental heavy lifting, you can make progress in the first half of the week. The downside of this aspect is negative thinking and difficulty communicating. Communications difficulties in fact can stem from seeing only the negative side of information that comes to you. For example, many people automatically take criticism as negative rather than using it to improve performance or to deliver what the manager wants.

Thursday’s Sun-Saturn trine is favorable for working with authorities, be it your boss, teacher, parents, or government – all the more reason to take advantage of the positive side of the Mercury-Saturn square earlier in the week. On Friday, Mercury trines Mars retrograde in Libra. This is a favorable aspect for negotiations with partners, especially over unresolved hurts. This can apply to individuals or whole nations. It’s certainly a positive sign for international negotiations, especially if the goal is to avoid an armed conflict. The key to making this work is being direct about the real problem. Continuing to beat around the bush or failing to own your part in the conflict would be a sad waste of this opening for deeper understanding.

The Full Moon in Virgo falls on Sunday, March 16. The dominant pattern in the chart is the cardinal T-square, which I’ve already covered, but the Full Moon chart suggests some reason for optimism. First, Venus in Aquarius is approaching a favorable sextile to Uranus at the apex of the T-square, providing an “outlet” for the tension. In terms of world affairs, there’s a short window for peaceful negotiations. Likewise, for individuals, there could be an opening to resolve an ongoing conflict represented by the Uranus-Pluto square. For example, if Uranus currently is transiting your eighth house of debt and non-salary income, a side job or one big project could relieve the pressure.

Second, the Sun and Moon are in favorable aspect to Saturn. Although Saturn often represents restrictions and tough lessons, he also is the planet of manifestation on the physical plane – thus the myth that he ruled over a Golden Age of humanity. A Full Moon in positive aspect to Saturn suggests that whatever you started at the New Moon on March 1 has a good chance of materializing. The period of influence of the Full Moon is plus or minus three days, so it could be next week before you see results.

At the Full Moon, Jupiter is on the Ascendant in Washington, and he’s just a few degrees from the U.S. Sun (using July 4, 1776, as the “birth date” of the United States). The chart is similar in layout to the Aries and Cancer ingress charts, which take us through to September, and suggests that the United States needs to take great care in its incursions around the world. There will be a lot of rhetoric from Washington intended to whip up public support by appealing to patriotism, but it will inflame anti-U.S. sentiments abroad. The country is up against powerful forces, not just from Russia. I read recently that President Obama is increasingly concerned about the possibility of cyber warfare – this, as we head into politically the most dangerous period of the year.

Wishing you all much love and courage,
Pat

© Pat Paquette, RealAstrologers.com, 2014.