Although a new century and new millennium begins, Mercury will still go retrograde.
At 7:54 PM EST on February 20, 2000 Mercury goes retrograde at 17 degrees 9 minutes of
Pisces and goes direct in motion at 3:43 PM EST on March 14, 2000, at two degrees 49
minutes of Pisces.
Mercury Retrograde Currents
Entering the Aquarian and leaving the Piscean Age makes this retrograde of Mercury in
Pisces a favorable time to reflect on those insights and inner truths one has gathered
over the years. On a more mundane level the usual Mercury retrograde communications
breakdowns and delays can be expected, coupled with a heightened indecisiveness signified
by Neptunian ruled Pisces which is more comfortable being creative or in a dream like state
than dealing with earthly issues. Water induced weather difficulties are a strong possibility
owing to the time of year as well as the watery Piscean influence. Lets take a quick look at
the positions of the outer planets, those farthest away from our Sun, to give us a picture of
some of our prevailing concerns at the beginning of the new century.
Pluto 2000
Pluto is moving through Sagittarius until November 26, 2008 although it briefly goes into
Capricorn on January 25, 2008 returning to Sagittarius on June 13, 2008. Pluto has been in
Sagittarius since 1995 and since that time we have seen the following: more public scrutiny
of the legal system, wars seemingly motivated by religious, political and ethnic differences,
diseases spread by international travelers, laws restricting automobile emissions, more
usage of athletes (ruled by Sagittarius) in advertising (ruled by Pluto). Suitable education
for all children and young adults has become a priority as well as safety in our schools.
Sagittarius governs higher education, philosophy, defining one’s place in the universe.
Pluto rules mass unconscious violence. An alteration in consciousness and tolerance
of other people’s beliefs must occur now for children to learn in a safe and nourishing atmosphere.
As I previously wrote, attention will be on the alarming increase of the chronic illness asthma.
Sagittarius’ opposite sign Gemini rules inhalation and Sagittarius exhalation and together they
govern the breathing mechanism of the body. The lungs are an important organ of the body’s
elimination, and asthma is an illness where individuals have difficulty exhaling carbon dioxide
and other waste from the body. During the transit of Pluto through Sagittarius there will be
more understanding of the psychological and emotional causes of asthma as well as its physiology.
Pluto uproots deep and buried inner traumas which can play a part in causing asthma. Diseases
of the lungs will be of greater interest during this period.
Neptune 2000
Since 1998 Neptune has been transiting Aquarius and will stay there until February 3, 2012.
Neptune rules medicine and the sign Aquarius governs technology, electricity and magnetism.
Although there will be advanced equipment that aids the medical community, even more striking
will be the increased use of magnetic healing along with oxygen and ozone therapy. Ecologically
stronger interest in the areas of clean air, pollution and water will popularize wind and solar
generated power and a decrease in our dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Even
more evident is an additional imbalance of water through floods or drought. Increased interest in the Neptunian
ruled areas of art, music, film and photography joins the Aquarian domains
of television, media and computers. Downloading music and watching and promoting films via the
computer are already a reality. More sophisticated technology will probably make it commonplace in the near future.
Uranus 2000
Uranus will transit Aquarius until December 30, 2003 except for a short sojourn into Pisces from
March 10, 2003 to September 14, 2003. After December 30, 2003 Uranus will remain in Pisces
for the next seven years. Uranus is the planetary ruler of Aquarius which is the sign of humanity
as well as ruler of the next two millenniums. As an air sign, Aquarius is concerned with receiving
and dispensing information to individuals regardless of racial, religious, sexual or cultural differences.
Also ruling technology (computers, faxes, telephones, satellites and whatever else is invented) the
planet Uranus’ move through Aquarius is dramatically linking individuals rapidly and impersonally.
This planetary movement will provide increased technological breakthroughs and a continued
acceleration of the pace of life.
Good Things Happening
During the second half of 1999---and it will continue into 2000---you might have noticed a sort of millennium madness
as the pace of life and events appear to have accelerated. Sudden career and relationship
changes have unexpectedly occurred and the routine of daily life has been irrevocably altered.
Coupled with it has come an increased synchronicity as people and events appear connected.
The urgency to alter one’s existence putting one on a path that brings more fulfillment will continue
into the century as well as the millennium. Individual freedom and self-expression are synonymous
with what the Aquarian Age is about.