The Three Magi : Complete Astrological Services : Articles

Why study Astrology in a world gone mad?
By: Kathie Garcia
November 8, 2011

The prophecy of doom (the return of negative karma), and all astrological analysis is prophecy, is meant to fail. Remember that willful prophet Jonah, the one who after spending 3 days within the whale’s belly, accepted his cargo to prophesize to the wayward people of Nineveh that within 40 days their city would be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4) Ninevah’s King took Jonah’s message to heart; the people repented while there were still grains of sand in the hourglass. When the 40 days were up, nothing happened. Jonah felt foolish and even a bit resentful, but we’ll leave that chapter of the story for another time. The point is that prophecy is not set in stone!

The classic reasoning, if you know better, you’ll do better, (self-sabotage syndrome and psychological complexes aside) for the most part rings true; simplistic and practical, if the forecast calls for rain, you may very well tote an umbrella, if it predicts unseasonable cold, a warm jacket, and so on and so forth. Certainly in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations, navigating our way through periods of joy and those of troubles, it helps to know what, when, why and for how long. A client sighs, “I just don’t know what to do!” and finds focus in learning “Neptune is upon your Sun for two years, its action is stirring up memories, many which have been buried at the unconscious level; this is why you feel so confused.” Then comes the grace, which is choice: the person so affected for a time can choose to continue drifting in a whirlpool or to enter a period of creative self-gnosis, effective meditation, the healing of the wounds of the past, a reaching out to higher levels of consciousness, etc.

But the current astrological forecast of continual great upheaval and destruction on a personal and planetary scale, based upon the tight Uranus/Pluto square with us now and throughout 2012 also adds the kicker phrase -- expect the unexpected, anything can happen!!

The same configuration holds the promise of incredible regeneration, as if something hard has to be cracked open and destroyed to reveal and liberate a treasure hidden within; in our personal lives and in the worldwide news, focus your mind and heart upon the treasure. Aquarius is the Age of Freedom, and so we see uprisings and revolts across the globe ousting dictators firmly entrenched in their power for decades, a necessary prelude to liberation; but then, the question of new governance becomes in most cases bewildering, the answer elusive.

Keep the vision strong. Earthquakes and cataclysm can be avoided and the hidden treasure revealed when, to use the same analogy, the harder shell, built up over centuries, is transformed by Love, the most powerful energy in the known universe! The agent of transformation is pain; Love is pure spiritual fire and will challenge and expose all that is Anti-Love within us!

How can we, hearing such dire forecasts, serve Love? Let us start with Mars, since Mars is the indicator of so many ego confrontations – Mars now in Leo, soon to enter Virgo for an unusually long transit—November 12, 2011 to July 4th, 2012—during a time of unusually extreme, almost apocalyptic forecasts, the prophecies we all have heard about 2012.

While Mars wraps up her transit in Leo, practice gratitude, every moment of every day, praise life, all that you take for granted, praise even the opportunity to meet a troubled time, we will be made stronger in Love.

And then as Mars enters Virgo, understand the challenge as a time in which you will be dealing with fire in the Solar Plexus Chakra. Expect to feel anxious and determine ahead of time to vanquish waves of anxiety and riptides of anger. Practice peace. This transit will stir up fear that can lead to panic; fear is more detrimental than any event. If studying astrology increases your anxiety, let it go! Use astrology, rather, as a tool to strengthen your resolve to love, to be compassionate, to find creative solutions, to forgive. There is absolutely nothing worth not forgiving, the lack of forgiveness is a toxin to the soul and not a soul on earth exists who is so perfect as to not him or herself be in need of forgiveness: I Am forgiving all life this day even as I Am all life forgiving me!

So in attempting to answer the question, why study astrology in a world gone mad, I choose the simple language of love to convey the thoughts of my heart this day I would take you up another level, take you into deeper understanding, suggest you open your mind and soul to dimensions of gnosis impossible to access with ordinary intelligence.

The value of Astrology as a tool for the prediction of cycles, for knowing beforehand where and when and for how long and why is invaluable but in the Aquarian Age we must take a step up from today’s popular, and still worthwhile, psychologically based astrological analysis to one based on the transformative cycles of Love, divine love, in a world gone mad because it ventures outside that tone of perfect wholeness.

The Three Magi welcomes your insights on finding peace in the midst of world and personal turmoil.

In Sagittarius, Choose to Forgive!
By: Kathie Garcia
November 25, 2010

In the midst of the more powerful astrological influences, some marking cycles of long duration affecting large numbers of people and many nations, such as the global economic watershed, actual and potential warfare, impending earth changes, worldwide spiritual awakening and other sweeping trends and forecasts – influences so vast that Astrologers in the last century would refer to them as “changes beyond one’s control,” an oblique reference to the inexorable movement of time and the looming finger of fate; and even against the backdrop of the hoopla regarding supposed threatening predictions soon upon us, such as those said to be foretold by the Mayan Prophecy of 2012, it is good to be cognizant of the seemingly less significant but personally so applicable cycle of the changing of the zodiacal Sun sign each month.

While those born in late Nov and the first three weeks of December are called “Sagittarians” since at the moment of birth the Sun was passing through that sign and so will characterize them and mark their sense of self in this embodiment, we all have Sagittarius somewhere in the chart and we all experience Sagittarius energy during those dates. And so even those of other Sun Signs will likely find themselves dealing in some wise with Sagittarian themes such as those centering on higher education, religion, publishing, travel and the spiritual quest during the Sagittarius Sun Cycle (Nov. 23rd to Dec 22nd).

There’s a common tendency during the Jupiter ruled Sagittarian cycle to overstep one’s practical boundaries. The inclination to take on too much, spend beyond one’s pocketbook and generally delete any notion of limitation from one’s vocabulary is even stronger now than in other years since transiting Jupiter is conjoined Uranus in Pisces, tending to add an extra dose of both idealism and impulse to the mix.

Do you experience moments of feeling challenged, too spread out, overwhelmed and consequentially frustrated? If so, it’s likely not so much a matter of mounting a runaway steed as much as you not knowing how to handle the horse!

The aforementioned astrological cocktail awakens the imagination and offers the hope of new possibilities and horizons. Of course, whether dreamers are fools or heroes or a mixture of both is not easily foreseen. So without throwing rain on your parade, the unavoidable astrological advice is to test your plans for practicality which often is most importantly a matter of bringing them down to doable size. Pick the horse you know how to manage and have an awesome ride! You’ll enjoy the journey more if you do! Take particular notice that Mercury goes retrograde Dec. 10th to 19th; Mercury in apparent backward motion is notorious for communication and transportation mess-ups although it’s an advantageous time for introspection and contemplation. Again, the cause of so many Mercurial mishaps as well as the solution to the dilemma relates to understanding the nature of the energy. But even if you gain mastery that doesn’t mean everyone else will, so check and confirm tickets, schedules and the like; take care of phones, cars and other communication, information or transportation devices and equipment; be aware that especially during Sagittarian cycles the potential for misunderstandings arises, consider any gossip dubious; the news itself may also end up somehow misconstrued.

From the 12th of December until the 16th, Mars exactly conjoined Pluto in Capricorn adds a punch, focus and power to those who can handle its intensity. If current events rock your world, if chaos threatens to unseat you, keep your sanity by maintaining as much of your routine rituals as possible. If you hold your harmony, this pocket of time could prove to be exceptionally productive.

Sagittarius is a Fire Sign on the Mutable Wisdom Cross; in Sagittarius we feel Fire of Mind. People born during these dates are naturally inquisitive, adventuresome, exploratory and in many instances, philosophical. What are the questions upon your heart and mind this month? Being fiery by nature, Sagittarians can be quick to jump to, sometimes erroneous, conclusions. For real or imagined slights, agitating thoughts of resentment and sometimes of getting even dart through the mind and if not stopped in their tracks drown out reason. Sagittarians are known to be outspoken, even offensively blunt although they don’t see it that way; they say it as they see it and rarely mince words. Nevertheless, truth without love falls short of the mark. While the Sun passes through Sagittarius, remember that the merciful heart that considers giving another the benefit of the doubt is less apt to later regret unkind words!

Each Sun Sign brings such a plethora of life lessons at so many different levels as to be virtually inexhaustible. This month, while we all come under the Sagittarian banner, reflect on the importance in your life of forgiveness. Regardless of circumstance, from an astrological point of view, even in the worst case of seeming injustice, resentment while understandable is not justifiable! When resentment revolves in the mind unceasingly during a Sagittarian cycle, the cause is lack of resolution and the cure is always forgiveness.

In the United States, as the Sun enters Sagittarius, we celebrate Thanksgiving. Many families repeat the tradition on Thanksgiving of each person at the table talking about something for which they are grateful. While not everyone had to bite the bullet this past year, the economic roller coaster hit many individuals and their families hard. Jupiter ruled Sagittarius is a time for expansion, for moving forward with new ideas. The other side of gratitude is forgiveness. Perhaps this year we each can state what we choose to forgive. It is very liberating.

Sagittarius relates to the quest for spiritual understanding, the sharing of spiritual truths, the adventure of the true Seeker. This season, step away from the Holiday frenzy that turns a time of adoration and exalted joy into a period of mounting stress; the classic annual set up so easily avoided is overspending in Sagittarius and waiting for the bills to come in, which they inevitably do, in Capricorn in January! Determine to anchor peace especially during and right after the Lunar Eclipse on Dec 21st when both the Sun in Sagittarius and the Moon in Gemini are squaring Jupiter and Uranus; in world events and personally, we need to avoid becoming trapped in “divide and conquer” schemes which can be so disastrous and draining but so easily averted. The overall effect of the Eclipse lasts approximately 6 months.

On Dec 22nd , the Sun Signs change once more, now from fiery Sagittarius to the practical Earth sign Capricorn initiating a critical time of endings as well as one of new beginnings. Although every sign is so strikingly different than the next, there is a natural sequential effect in our lives as we move through the Sun Signs. Regardless of circumstantial challenges, the weight of current world events and personal crosses one must bear, let us celebrate compassion, the Light that shone in darkness and usher in the New Season with joy!

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In the Right Place at the Right Time!
By: Kathie Garcia
June 26, 2010

Pluto was last in Capricorn in the years preceding and during the American Revolutionary War, times of great tension and of great hope. George Washington’s advice for those times rings true today: “We must never despair; our situation has been compromising before, and it has changed for the better; so I trust it will again. If difficulties arise, we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times”

Perhaps you noticed that Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the kick off date for the 2010 summer season, came in with a bang setting the tone for an extraordinary three month forecast! But before I spell out the specific planetary alignments dominating the scene, let’s keep it simple – if you had one hope and one hope alone for yourself it might be that you find yourself in the right place at the right time with the right people, centered in your heart and working out your destiny to the best of your ability. My hope for the planet is that enough good people wake up and make a difference on time!

People look to astrology to predict upcoming events and certainly interpreting the cycles is a major part of the Astrologer’s job description. Astrological prediction can be understood as a kind of prophecy but what is not always taken into account by most people is that even as negative prophecy is meant to fail, destiny is not always realized. The times are tough indeed, the world news often feels overwhelming as worldwide events juxtaposition for many people with the daily struggle to make ends meet, bring up children, nourish a marriage, contribute to their community and develop their careers. An elixir of courage and hope, joy and faith is the universal prescription. In the words of Winston Churchill “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

The Cardinal Cross, composed of the Capricorn/Cancer and Aries/Libra polarities is a powerful dynamic. It’s all about how we work out our collective and individual destinies in times and space. Aries translates as “me” while Aries’ opposite, Libra represents relationships, “you and me.” Cancer relates to “my home” especially “my mother” and can be extended to represent our relationship to the nation to which we belong. Capricorn relates to “my career and reputation” with special reference to the father, other important authority figures in our lives and the government, its officials, rules and ordinances, consequences and demands. This is where the action is happening this summer -- on this cross and in these areas of our lives.

While just 5 years ago, I would read a chart and then add a note concerning world issues or what astrologers in the last century commonly referred to as “conditions beyond my control” -- socio-political uprisings, ecological disasters and the like, mass movements. But we can no longer hold the world at arms length. The world is at our doorsteps and coming closer every day!

So, here are the specifics. First of all, Saturn which entered Libra October, 2009 retrograded back into Virgo April 6th. If you recall, during Saturn’s two year sojourn in Virgo (9/2007 to 10/2009) bridges collapsed as did levees. How many times, the most recent being the horrendous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, have we read in the headlines that someone foresaw the disaster and recommended the necessary repairs, upkeep, whatever was needed but which was ignored due to lack of funds? It’s tough, I know, but make your list of what has to be fixed in your arena– the car, the roof, your teeth, etc. – prioritize and just do it! Saturn rolls into Libra July 22nd taking its place once more and completing the Power Cross.

A twenty year old college student I know once told her Libra mother who was nursing a broken heart at the time “Why are you pining away? Love hasn’t disappeared, it’s been rearranged! We still love you, come out! Don’t you know by now the secret of Libra is to position yourself in the eye of the Hurricane?” I pass on to you, dear reader, this timeless wisdom, believe me, we’ll need it come August! On a wider note, Libra deals with the Law and with laws so we’re apt to see plenty of activity related to legal affairs, propositions, reforms and the like.

Uranus entered Aries after an almost 7 year stay in Pisces May 28th. Moreover, Jupiter entered Aries June 7th, making this aspect the summer’s signature conjunction; think new beginnings, breakthroughs, revelation, fun travel…vacation, anyone? We may end up thanking the very problems we bemoaned for the ingenious solutions that appear because of them!

On the other hand, watch out for fires and for earthquakes. You might say, these are the forces beyond our control, fine, but a client called me just this week and related that her 13 year old daughter left a candle burning in her room before she left for camp. Good thing Mom decided to check out her room on time!

Jupiter and Uranus in Aries lend chutzpah to the summer breeze. You might feel young and carefree, ready for sports, hikes and other types of summer enjoyment. Before you take off, do make sure you take care of those responsibilities and bills, they won’t disappear! Impulsive actions lead to accidents that could have been avoided. No superstitions, simply a word to the wise.

Now, what about the Cancer/Capricorn axis of the Power Cross? The June 26th Partial Lunar Eclipse is at four degrees Capricorn, closely squaring transiting Uranus and Jupiter in Aries. Lunar Eclipses only occur during Full Moons. But that’s not all. Pluto, the bad guy of the Solar System is at 4 degrees Capricorn also. Eclipses last about 6 months. Eclipses create crisis. In early August Mars enters Libra, likely shaking up this dynamic.

If you want stability you may possibly be on the wrong planet, for the time being at least! Dramatic earth changes continue to be part of the menu for some years to come. The economy is looking better but despite the headlines, the roller coaster ride isn’t over yet! Hold unto your hats, this is the kind of forecast when the only certain thing is unexpected change!

Who’s personally affected? So many happenings occur on a massive scale that its nigh impossible to predict, but certainly all who were born in the third week of September (Sun in late Virgo, early Libra), March (Sun in late Pisces, early Aries), June (Sun in late Gemini, early Cancer) and December (Sun in late Sagittarius, early Capricorn). You’ll need to get a copy of your personal astrology to know if any other planetary position falls in these signs. Rest assured that the energy begins to shift by mid August and that the Autumn paints a different picture. Such a line up is a once in a lifetime happening for sure!

A Grand Cross will dominate the charts of babies born this summer, souls entering embodiment in a time of tremendous world change. The current astrology directly affects anyone born April, 1981 through September 1st. These young adults are coming into the first Saturn Return which signifies the ending of childhood and the beginning of the next 30 years of life. Whatever part of your past that is not meant to be part of your future will remain there! Those born any time from May, 1950 to Oct 1951 are hitting the second Saturn Return, a time of major re-evaluation of life’s meaning and life’s goals.

This summer is not the time to retreat! Let’s not shy away from conflict. Rather, let’s take the time to weigh the issues and to get involved. Eclipses create conflict, the Uranian energies, unexpected change, the Uranus/Jupiter//Saturn opposition a kind of tug of war requiring patience and a certain degrees of nonattachment to successfully weather. Conflict comes with the territory, from conflict comes resolution. Until there’s a problem, things tend to stay status quo. Which means, in a positive sense, that however small or great our sphere of influence might be, let us endeavor to make a constructive difference while we can! Far better to embrace the headlines, take a breath and accept that we can be up to the challenge whatever it is because we are part of the challenge and part of the solution.