2012 June Solstice ~ Ophiuchus in the Sacred Circle

I remember as a kid rolling my eyes every time I heard one of my parents remembering when they could buy a loaf of bread for a nickel. Now I get to be the one who remembers when gas was 25 cents a gallon and we all watched television for free.

It wasn’t too many decades ago the major streets of all the big cities and towns in the USA had gas stations on every corner and the price of gas included “full service” — the attendant washed your windows and checked your oil. Does anybody remember the excitement of gas price wars? Next to join the “on every corner” movement were the banks.  If the intersection you were at was the one with banks on the corners, all you had to do was drive on to the next intersection to tank up on whatever brand or price of gas you wanted. They were all there.

Then the economy shifted. “Full service” was the first casualty and then gas stations disappeared as car washes and 24-hour mini-marts began to install automated gas pumps. Pump it yourself. Pay at the pump or pay inside. Banks began to disappear with the advent of the ATM, mini-branches inside supermarkets, and online banking. People were being squeezed out of jobs and milked out of money.

Since January 2011 the Living Cosmos has put Ophiuchus at every corner of the Stonehenge Circle for Equinox and Solstice and a bunch of other prominent cosmic events too such as Eclipses and Solar Flares. You’d have to be living under a rock or purposely avoiding the inevitable not to notice it’s there and becoming an integral part of our Astrology Universe.

• See the Astronomologer archives for articles on the numerous events in which Constellation Ophiuchus has been involved since our E-zine went into publication in April 2011.

By now it comes as no surprise to any of us to find that at 23:09 UTC on June 20, 2012 Constellation Ophiuchus is fully inside the Sacred Circle at Stonehenge and standing with its westward foot on the back of the Scorpion as if in the act of keeping it out of the Sacred Circle on Solstice. Ophiuchus succeeds — the Constellation Scorpius will not make it all the way over the horizon and into the Sacred Circle today.

When Equinoxes change, so do the Solstices

Besides the surprise unveiling of Constellation Ophiuchus as a Zodiac Constellation, the celestial phenomenon that holds the stars of the Serpent Holder consistently in the spotlight these days is the Precession of the Equinoxes.

The signs at the seasonal turning points of our celestial sphere — the Equinoxes and Solstices — form a cross and theoretically this cross — if it were found on your own birth chart — would tell you what kind of a life experience you were having.

The theory of the “crosses” is that an evolving being moves through phases of development from incarnation to incarnation as indicated by the particular cross that classifies the chart and the native as being fundamentally changeable, unchangeable or flexible (Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable).

In the case of Planet Earth, the angles are defined beginning with the Zodiac’s Vernal Equinox (currently in Pisces). It takes thousands of years for the Vernal Equinox to move (precess) and the signs on the angles to change as the Sun and our Solar System travel around the Great Central Sun of our Milky Way Galaxy. When the Sun changes signs the Earth enters a new age and experiences a new kind of life experience.

Here are the crosses. To classify what kind of a Planetary Life all of Humanity is experiencing together with our dear Earth Mother, the piece of information you’ll need to keep in mind is that the Vernal Equinox (top of the cross) is currently at the very end of Constellation Pisces and we’re heading into the Age of Aquarius.

1. The Crisis of Incarnation -  The Mutable Cross (Gemini-Virgo-Sagittarius-Pisces)
   The Mounting of the Wheel – Personality and form life
   The Cycle of Rebirth in Form – Experience
   Manifestation of Manhood
   . 
2. The Crisis of Reorientation. The Fixed Cross (Taurus-Leo-Scorpio(Ophiuchus)-Aquarius)
   The Changing to the 2nd Cross – The life of the soul
   Preparation for the 2nd Birth – Consciousness
   Manifestation of Christhood
   . 
3. The Crisis of Initiation – The Cardinal Cross (Aries-Cancer-Libra-Capricornus)
   The Transfiguration – The Life of the Spirit
   Manifestation of Divinity 

December 21, 2012 | 11:11 UTC | (Sneak Peek)

As the Vernal Equinox has been precessing through Pisces (a Mutable sign), the Winter Solstice has also been precessing. By the time the Vernal Equinox crosses the boundary into Constellation Aquarius, the December Solstice will also have changed constellations, leaving Sagittarius to enter Constellation Ophiuchus.

Astrologically that will mark a first-ever event for this planet. That’s kind of exciting, isn’t it?

No matter what is being said about Ophiuchus by Astrology experts in defense of Scorpio and in favor of leaving the Zodiac as it is because that’s the way it’s always been (terrible logic), the fact is that Ophiuchus has not just popped onto the Ecliptic Plane as a result of Axial Tilt and Precession of the Equinoxes.

In fact, the stars of Constellation Ophiuchus had until modern times been subsumed within the Scorpion asterism. They posed no threat to the stability of Western Astrology until 1930 when the International Astronomical Union defined the boundaries of 88 star constellations giving the massive figure of the Serpent Holder an official place on the Zodiac Belt.

So obviously it wasn’t Precession of the Equinoxes that brought the stars of Ophiuchus onto the Zodiac Belt but Astronomers doing what they have always done for Astrology — make observations and plot the locations of the stars, logging them in the star systems to which they belong.

Asclepius suppresses the Scorpion

There was a time when Astrologers were also Astronomers, but when Astronomers began making discoveries that were at odds with Biblical scripture, the Church began prosecuting and persecuting those who refused to obscure the Truth so it wouldn’t look like God didn’t know what He was talking about.

One of the recalcitrants was Galileo who spent the end of his life under House Arrest for refusing to compromise his integrity.  He continued to study the heavens and wrote secret pamphlets on the sly.

• See Galileo’s Astrology by Nick Kollerstrom.

Although the fervor of the Inquisition of the early 1600′s has waned, the chasm between Astronomy and Astrology has widened. What once was a Unity of Purpose is now an Ideological Tragedy. And so long as spirit and science remain unreconciled, neither one of the estranged couple will be walking in the Light of Truth. The integrity of both will continue to suffer because taken alone, each one is incomplete.

But the good news is that as Astronomy-based Astrology becomes popular as a function of more and more Astrologers getting on board with Constellation Ophiuchus’s entitlement to its role on the Zodiac Belt, Ophiuchus performs the function of re-uniting its parents Astronomy and Astrology, reviving and restoring the celestial art-sciences to their former Wholistic state.

Think of that! We always knew it would take a Miracle. Well guess what? That Miracle that is You, Ophiuchus Natives! and You, Scorpius Serpents of Light Wisdom, and You, wise and astute Astrologers and Astronomologers of the future who resonate with All That Is involved in our beloved celestial sphere art and science. This is how important every reader and every native of the critical signs and every pioneer and practitioner of the arts and crafts is! You can feel really good about yourself on Solstice this year.

And so as we leave the intellectually and spiritually dark Age of Pisces behind we enter the altruistic Age of Aquarius where the Light of Truth will shine once more and the Astronomical Truth of Ophiuchus’s place on the Zodiac Belt will increasingly add Light to the New Age.

Our awakening to Constellation Ophiuchus represents an element of our Ascension — the evolution of Humanity’s animal nature as symbolized by the Scorpion in the Scorpion-Eagle Prophecy — and puts a quantum spin on the constellation-sign energy at the four corners of our Zodiac Belt. Not only will the seasonal cross of equinoxes and solstices coincide with the Fixed Signs (the Watch Towers). At one of those Towers there will be a Changing of the Guard. The recent relentless Equinox and Solstice emphasis on Constellation Ophiuchus in the last 18 months demonstrates for all with the eyes to see that the cosmic engine of change is in motion.

• For more information on Fixed Signs and the Watch Towers see Three Days in June 2012 ~ Partial Eclipse, Venus Transit

A Change to the Fixed Cross

It is no random occurrence that Divine Healing & Wisdom has been proffered by the Cosmos to accompany us on our New Age Journey. This gift comes in the form of a new-to-us Zodiac Constellation long ago designed for a totally different purpose than that of the Ancient Scorpion, a Zodiac sign which has acted throughout ages past as the occult source and subconscious trigger for fear, the underworld, and death frequencies.

Asclepius's daughter Hygeia ("Hygeine"), pre-patriarchal age Goddess of Health

It is fitting as Humanity “mounts the Fixed Cross” in preparation for the manifestation of Cosmic Christhood that we shed the sign of death (Scorpio) and embrace the sign of resurrection and salvation (Ophiuchus). This sign comes in the Quintessential form (meaning it has five aspects) of the Serpent Holder and the Crowned Serpent of Wisdom as channeled through these four Earth-based aspects:

1. Egyptian God of Healing & Wisdom Imhotep who never lost a patient to death, Ancient Stone Mason, Architect and Builder of the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara;
2. Divine Physician Asclepius, Greek God of Healing & Wisdom who never lost a patient to death and who could revive the dying and recently deceased using the blood or venom of a serpent with dragonish features;
3. Great Mother Serpent Goddess of Old Europe and Minoan Crete, known in Egypt as Isis; and
4. Sophia – Wisdom – The Serpent

The last aspect of Ophiuchus is of course the celestial body itself, constituting and embodying the Fifth Element Ether (Spirit). This action of replacing the Scorpion with the Serpent Holder in effect takes the inverted pentagram and turns it now apex-point upward.

The Pentagram is a symbol of the Sacred Feminine.

Goddess as the New Fixed Cross Guardian in the South

To be honest, since our Zodiac history is somewhere between 2,000-4,000 years old, we truly don’t know if the Serpent Holder sign wasn’t in fact the original pre-Annunaki Zodiac personality later replaced by the Scorpion as one of the many methods employed to mind-control and enslave Humanity (as we are lately being told).

As we have uncovered the rich primordial history of Goddess and found how She in fact constitutes the deepest underpinnings of Constellation Ophiuchus, indeed we can see this constellation must have shared the same fate as the Mother Serpent Goddess who was literally “killed” and Over-Lorded by the Patriarchy.

However, as we can see, in the New Age both Goddess and Constellation Ophiuchus are being resurrected and revitalized.

• See Goddess Resurrection & the Third Coming

Ophiuchus & the 2012 Water Dragon

To recap a bit for the benefit of new readers, in 2012 we’re all anticipating that Humanity’s and Planet Earth’s collective luck is about to change as a function of moving into a brand new Golden Age. Some people think this is going to happen practically overnight on December 21, 2012.

The gifts of Constellation Ophiuchus are part and parcel of that new Golden Age luck.

The location of the Lunar Nodes (where the Moon crosses the Zodiac Plane) is an astronomy phenomenon that determines where Eclipses occur. Ophiuchus has been directly involved in each and every eclipse that has occurred in the last 18 months because the North Node (Good Dragon Luck) is in Constellation Ophiuchus. (The South Node has been in Ophiuchus’s opposite Zodiac constellation Taurus.)

The recent Venus Transit has also acted as a powerful cosmic agent of change-and-empowerment for Constellation Ophiuchus.

• See Three Days in June 2012: Partial Eclipse, Venus Transit

All of this cosmic activity is building the energy up for 12/21/2012. The Sun may technically be in Constellation Sagittarius on that date but it will still be in the Ophiuchus sector of the celestial sphere and aligned with:

• Nu Ophiuchus, the hand of Ophiuchus that holds the tail end of the Serpent, and
• Gamma Draconis, Eltanin, a bright star in the head of our Zodiac Dragon.

With the North Lunar Node (the good luck node) in Ophiuchus, all signs point to Good Dragon Luck bursting out all over.

• For details see North Lunar Node News from Ophiuchus
• and see Ophiuchus & 2012 ~ Chinese Year of the Water Dragon

Solstice June 20, 2012 – 23:09 UTC at Stonehenge

Now we have all the background information we need (with the exception of a technical Esoteric Astrology tip for students that I’ll slip in later) to formulate a complete picture of the Celestial Earth’s body language as the June Solstice culminates at Stonehenge.

For those readers who may be new, our practice is to use the Sacred Circle at Stonehenge as our location when interpreting global events that bear a Universal Time stamp.

As we can see from the screen capture and tabulation below, the Ecliptic (Zodiac) Longitude coordinate of the Zenith in Constellation Hercules puts the Astrological Midheaven of the Sky Chart in Zodiac Constellation Libra aligned with Gamma Libra, Zubenelakrab (“The Price of the Conflict”). This star suggests that the ‘judgment’ at the scales is taking the form of a statement as to what it’s going to take to bring us into balance. This could either consist of a ‘sentence’ or a ‘bill.’

Meanwhile, using Equatorial coordinates (based on the upright orientation of the Planet relative to the North and South Magnetic Poles of the planet) we can see the line of the Zenith runs through Constellation Ophiuchus and ends at Due South in Constellation Scorpius. This alignment continues to dance with the Celestial Alchemy of the Scorpion-Eagle Prophecy.

So we are right to be reviewing Scorpio-Ophiuchus facts and using the June Solstice to prepare for “The Big One” on December 12, 2012, an event in which Ophiuchus is a Major Player.

Tips for Budding Astronomy-Astrologers (Astronomologers)

In support of the use of both coordinate sets — Ecliptic and Equatorial — we quote Ascended Master Djwhal Khul through Alice A. Bailey in Esoteric Astrology, with a note to the effect that given the new computer tools we are working with that were unknown in Alice Bailey’s time, the microcosmic nuances inherent in the Science of Triangles reveals sub-concepts theretofore unexpressed, such as the triangulation of coordinate sets in order to coax from a single planet the several individual threads of cosmic and planetary consciousness in order to diagnose the problems inherent in working with duality and multiple dimensions of Thought and Being.

Esoteric Astrology – The Science of Triangles – Triangles of Energy – Constellations

At this time, I purpose to trace certain major conditioning streams of energy, as they proceed forth from their emanating source – via certain constellations and planets – to the Earth and, from within the radius of the Earth, reach the individual disciple, again via certain major planetary [424] centers. In this way that great Synthesis (which is qualified Life in appearance or manifestation) can be seen in definite activity, producing solar, planetary and individual effects and thus demonstrating that intricate relation which unites the human atom to the great Lives Who are the sum total of that which is manifested.

The analogy between the microcosm and macrocosm will, therefore, be helpful, and the relation of a cell or atom in one of the abdominal organs (for instance) to the soul on its own plane will illustrate with accuracy a still greater relationship and interplay. In this interplay of Lives and Their emanating streams of forces and energies and in the major determining life activities of That in which all forms – including the human – live and move and have their being is to be found the inevitability of ultimate achievement, the unalterability of law and the expression finally of divine unchangeable Purpose. In the evolutionary effects of this relation of Life to Form is to be found also the undeviating way of an expanding, ever-unfolding consciousness – whether it be macrocosmic or microcosmic. Hence, the Will of God moves the worlds and the Love of God determines results.

In this consideration of the basic Science of Triangles (I had well nigh said “in the contemplation of the basic Science of Triangles,” for that is what it necessarily should be if understanding is to be the real reward of our efforts) the relation of the three basic energies affecting our solar system and the predominant effect of one of them in any cyclic expression in time and space must always be borne in mind. One illustration of this normally emerges in our minds if it be remembered that in this world cycle in our systemic manifestation it is the second or consciousness aspect (that of the second Logos) which is the dominant [425] conditioning factor, which sets the note for evolutionary development and which engrosses the attention of the evolving human units. This is the case even when other factors are present and active. Therefore, all approaches to truth and to knowledge must, in this cycle, be in consciousness. In another cycle such an approach may be focused in the will or even in some already present but unrealized divine attribute, for which we have as yet no name. All that any man can consequently bring to the comprehension of life experience or to the understanding of such an occult science as the Science of Triangles is a consciousness which is developed to a certain definite and personal point of perception or awareness. This point of perception is itself dependent upon individual unfoldment and also upon the state of awareness of humanity as a whole. This connotes two different though interrelated conditions of perception.

Speaking technically, perception and response or the activity of the perceiving, observing consciousness – carried on through the medium of the mechanism of response – is dependent upon the condition or “aliveness” of the centers or their quiescence. This is true of a man galvanized into activity through his seven centers, of a planetary Logos functioning through seven planetary centers, of a solar Logos functioning through still greater centers of vibratory reaction, or still greater Lives, functioning through an aggregate of solar systems. Upon this activity and its understanding depends the whole science of astrology;  in this statement I give you a clue which may some day revolutionize the present approach to astrology.

Alice A. Bailey & Djwhal Khul ~ Copyright 1951 by Lucius Trust

In the above excerpt the co-authors inform us that by employing the Science of Triangles we may come to identify and reconcile such varying frequencies as solar and planetary vibrations. It is our contention therefore that use of the Ecliptic Plane coordinates (Zodiac Belt orientation) and the lines of Right Ascension and parallels of Declination (Equatorial coordinates) allows us to track personal and interpersonal cosmic energy currents. One set of coordinates subjects us to vibrations relative to the upright Earth sphere while the second attunes us to the cosmic Earth sphere as it inclines to its orbital plane around the Sun and subjects us to solar cycle seasons.

What I’ve just described represents something like a microcosmic extension of the objective of the Science of Triangles in the context expressed.

• See also Astronomology 101: Equinoxes & Solstices

Hence the relevance of the triangulated Zenith in the above screen capture.

The Message of the Stars at Solstice Interpreted

Let’s start our look into the celestial sphere in the area of the sky being transited by the Sun — Constellation Taurus, home of The Pleiades.

The following interpretations are derived from the cosmic body language of alignments using the astro-chemistry of cosmic Triangles computed as implied in Esoteric Astrology. This technique is not specifically addressed in the above-quoted material but by extension it is the next right thing to do with the Science of Triangles.

1.  Great Bear – The Pleiades – Sirius

Lying behind all the many interlocking triangles in our solar system and conditioning them to a very large extent (though today more potentially than expressively) are three energies coming from three major constellations. They are the emanations from the Great Bear, from the Pleiades and from Sirius.

Esoteric Astrology – The Science of Triangles – Triangles of Energy – Constellations

Alice A. Bailey & Djwhal Khul ~ Copyright 1951 by Lucius Trust

This pivotal Triad of celestial centers comprises the Spiritual Hierarchy that informs certain layers and levels of developing life on this planet and inspires our evolutionary growth.

In Esoteric Astrology we are told that the Great Bear (Ursa Major) actually veils Ursa Minor, the constellation that houses our North Star, Polaris. On June Solstice this year all three Centers are activated as the cosmos has taken us behind the veil for this occasion to put us in touch directly with the raw power of Little Bear that the Great Bear normally hides from view.

Polaris during Leonids Meteor Shower 11-18-2001

Is this download of Raw Power going to accelerate and amplify the rate and measure of change we’re about to experience on this planet? Aren’t things difficult enough to bear already? — no pun intended.

To the extent we have been “suffering” through what we consider to be a string of “bad” news and events on this planet, it should be made clear that nothing occurs that the Highest Spiritual Hierarchies do not allow to happen in the context of Universal Law.

We must remember we live in a Free Spiritual Will zone that in a very real sense gives equal permission to those we would call “bad” as well those we judge as “good.” Take away the Duality of all things and what you have left is a Unity in which no distinction between good and bad exists.

That being said, the Playing Field is being leveled. But still, everyone is in need of a Higher Education, and that’s just what we’re getting.

There are many reasons why seemingly “bad” things happen to “good” people repeatedly, not the least of which is a planned educational and maturation program affecting lower and lesser evolved civilizations as well as continuing education and testing programs for those in the higher civilizations. We are all continually evolving.

When the testing is over, graduation and harvesting may occur. A failed experiment may also be cancelled or a planetary being may choose to clear and cleanse itself.

These ideas should come as no surprise to anyone here. As Below, So Above!

2.  Osiris-Isis-Horus.

It is apparent from the tabulation above that on the June Solstice certain alignments have been made that link the three members of the Osiris-Isis-Horus Triad of energies. This Triad comprises a family unit responsible for generating the underpinnings of what many consider to be the most enduring and powerful myths Ancient Egypt ever birthed.

Alpha Canis Major | Sirius, the Star of Isis

The three Alpha stars involved in the triangle pictured above form as close to a perfect Equilateral Triangle as one might imagine is possible in the vastness of Space. In Astrology, Trine energy (an equilateral triangle linking the three signs of the 4 elements) is the cosmic good luck aspect.

The energy from this Triangulation is perfected by the Gemini Moon’s “High Priestess” alignment with the Star of ISIS. For those of us living in the USA or whose fate or fortune depends upon the future of the USA, it could mark the beginning of some much needed Good Luck since the USA in the Real Sky is a Gemini Nation.

• For details on the USA as a Gemini Nation see Ophiuchus Rising in the USA ~ the New Astrology View

3.  Hercules / Libra / Scorpio-Ophiuchus.

The Sun on June Solstice may be transiting Constellation Taurus but at 23:09 UTC the stars overhead at Stonehenge belong to Taurus’s opposite sign Ophiuchus.

Using the Zenith of the Sky in Constellation Hercules as the Apex point (see Zenith screen capture above) we employed two coordinate sets to form an A-shaped triangulation showing how a single coordinate can produce two results on the Zodiac Belt.

The Ecliptic Longitude of the Zenith point finds its mathematical match in Constellation Libra. Along the way this meridian runs past Goddess Asteroid Juno retrograde (Soul Contracts & Relationships) in Constellation Serpens Caput (the Head of Ophiuchus’s serpent). Both Juno and the Zenith are aligned with Gamma Libra, Zubenelakrab (“the price of the conflict”).

Adding the basic meanings of these two celestial objects to the story of the 12 Labors of Hercules (one of which involved snakes) we might get the idea that there is a quest that must be completed or a price that must be paid before the Libra Scales can balance, and that the nature of this price involves modification of a Soul Contract and the termination or formation of Relationships in order to change the existing Soul-Relationships Contract.

Caduceus, Angel of Healing by Dec. 1 Ophiuchus Sculptor James N. Muir

Looking at the Zenith from a different mathematical perspective, the hours and minutes of Right Ascension bisect the Equator and the Plane of the Ecliptic (Zodiac) in Constellation Ophiuchus, running past fixed star Kappa Ophiuchus (Helkath – “the battleground”) before meeting up with Due South in Constellation Scorpius.

Following the energy line emanating from the Zenith using Equatorial coordinates we find ourselves in “World Savior” territory in Constellation Ophiuchus. The allusion of Helkath to a battleground gives us the idea that jumping from Libra to Ophiuchus isn’t going to get anyone off the hook. There are hard choices for everyone, everywhere we look.

Perusing Due South in Constellation Scorpius we see the old stinger tail stars sticking up above the Horizon Line.

For some of us, a potential change to our Soul Contract and Soul Relationships might be centered on how we view Astrology — specifically Constellation Scorpius and its terminating stars Lesath and Shaula. The Price of the Conflict in this case may be just a matter of changing our minds about how we see, conceptualize, and work with Constellations Scorpius and Ophiuchus in the future.

So as I said before, nobody is getting out of having to make hard choices this coming Summer in the North — Winter in the South.

• For more on the old stinger tail stars Lesath and Shaula (the stinger should only need one terminating star, shouldn’t it?) see Tips for Scorpios ~ The Scorpio-Ophiuchus domain (cont’d)

\o/