I do find it interesting that what with Coronavirus and the blockades in support of Wet’suwet’en, we are being forced to stop. As Mars moves through Capricorn (February 16th--March 30th), it activates the major themes we’ve been working with for over a year. As I’ve written about here and here, these themes centre around confronting and grappling with our histories and the corruption and greed that our collective systems are built upon (Capricorn without Cancer). Capricorn also relates to limits, constraints, restrictions, isolation, blockages.
If it wasn’t already clear (sensitive souls have been calling for change for a long time), it’s become painfully obvious in the past year that massive, global change is required. But change hasn’t been happening because: business as usual. Because people need their next paycheque in order to care for themselves and their families. (Maybe this is why Capitalism seems obvious and necessary to some people?).
So, we KNOW things need to change, but how are we supposed to change things when (it seems) our very survival depends on continuing on as usual? And the system is structure such that most people literally do need to continue on in order for their survival. Of course, collectively, our survival depends on changing…. that’s the conundrum we’ve been in. And now, the whole world is being forced to stop. (And, perhaps we will see that, in fact, we can withstand a halt to business as usual; there are plenty enough resources to care for everyone if we just reassess our priorities.
So, yes, Coronavirus sucks. And people will suffer. And I in no way mean to suggest that is good. But perhaps there is also an opportunity here. Since the only way to change the massive global economic structure is if it is stopped from lumbering on as usual. And the blockades might inconvenience some people, but all for the sake of transitioning to something better for all of us. I feel like we’re in the planetary version of being in an unhealthy rut. Change is hard. And there is always a transition period where there is some instability, but sometimes it’s necessary to go through that to arrive a place that is more sustainable and supportive.
It’s interesting too that one of things that is being highlighted through Coronavirus is that caring for others IS caring for the self; and caring for the self IS caring for others: in a pandemic, it’s important for each of us as individuals that everyone in the community is cared for, and has, for example, access to healthcare--testing, vaccines, insurance, sick leave, etc. And this is true on every level. If our neighbours are healthy (have access to good food, clean water, aren’t overworked, aren’t exposed to environmental toxins, etc. etc.), then their immune systems will be better, and will be healthier too. If our neighbours have access to education, good jobs, decent pay, justice, we will all benefit. In many cases, what’s good for the collective is good for the individual.
The notion that we are isolated individuals, each responsible only for ourselves, is at the root of our collective sickness. The logical conclusion is a world in which a few are wealthy beyond measure and the rest are destitute or enslaved. The logical conclusion is a world in which resource extraction continues unchecked and soon enough none of us have air to breath or water to drink. No one wins. We have the chance now to really change things so that everyone is better cared for. And everyone will benefit from that--even the people to have to “sacrifice” some of their “wealth”. (Wait, what does “wealth” mean again?)
And this is one of the meanings of the North Node in Cancer. The current eclipse series that ends this summer, is urging us to integrate Cancer--care, tenderness, nurturance, sensitivity--with our systems and structures and governments (Capricorn).
I expect these themes will only be amplified over the next week or so, with the Moon in Capricorn from March 16th--18th, and Mars approaching Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn. Mars will meet Jupiter (March 20), highlighting our beliefs and dogma/ideology/propaganda. We might consider how to align our actions with our beliefs, vision, and philosophy. As Mars joins Pluto (March 22), we will face, in a potent, perhaps explosive way, those Capricorn shadows and the urge to transform.
Saturn will dip into Aquarius from March 21st until July 1st (and will settle into Aquarius on December 16th until March 7 2023). (And Mars moves into Aquarius on March 30th, conjoining Saturn on March 31st). This means that after all this hard work we’ve been doing around facing the shadows of corruption and greed, and examining our histories, and structures, the energy is moving toward a place that will support us to innovate and create better systems and structures that serve the collective. This shift into Aquarius also suggests a turn toward technology to solve some of the problems we face. It won’t be easy. Where Saturn goes, we have work to do. But it’s my prayer that the global human community finds the courage and moral integrity required to address the problems we face.