Astrological Ages, based on the precession of the equinoxes, last approximately 2,000 years. Jesus has been called the Piscean Avatar, bringing mankind a path of personal Christhood as they passed through the testings of this end sign. Pisces is now drawing to a close and Aquarius is dawning. Moreover, the entire precession of the Equinoxes through the 12 signs takes approximately 25,800 years. We are now in the closing phase of this greater cycle. At mid-point 12,900 years ago this cycle was at a turning point. According to many, the ancient island continent of Atlantis and its civilization were destroyed around 12,000 years ago. In accordance with astrological principles, we will meet many of the conditions that resulted in the destruction of Atlantis once more. What goes around, comes around in precise and definable cycles of time.

A launch pad year, 1996 is the beginning of a major planetary shift of long duration destined to precipitate a chain of remarkable changes that will characterize the rest of the century, bring in the next and alter our lives dramatically. What follows is a description of ten planetary phenomenon, some of shorter and others of longer duration, but which together mark the signs of an age of extraordinary changes. Many of these cycles are rare and so we have looked to history to guide us as to their potential significance for our times.

1. THE AGE OF AQUARIUS

The New Age is the Age of Aquarius, a time of freedom and brotherly love, when many will manifest the Christ Consciousness and the planet as a whole will bask in the light of a long-awaited Golden Age. Astrological Ages are 2,144 year cycles, based on the precession of the equinoxes. Of course, the portent of an age of peace and prosperity, like all prophecy, is not a promise but rather a potential. In the words of Astrologer Nicholas Campion; Change is not predestined but depends upon individual free will...The New Age will therefore come about not as a result of a preordained pattern but as a result of the ability of humanity to realize its full potential. Many seers, among them Edgar Cayce, predict tremendous upheaval and widespread global destruction as a prelude to entering such an age.

The Age of Aquarius polarizes with the Age of Leo, which spanned the years 10,000 to 8,000 B.C. The astronomer-author Bauval, writing of the Orion Connection, presents evidence linking the Sphinx at Giza, Egypt, with the Age of Leo. (see Atlantis Rising No. 5) In the Age of Aquarius, the great initiatic mysteries, once hidden and cryptic, become available to all.

Aquarius relates to science, technology, space travel and physics; discoveries in these fields not seen since the days of Atlantis will affect every part of life. Aquarius is the sign of the Universal Christ. In Aquarius, differences among peoples will become increasingly less a matter of race and more a matter of levels of consciousness.

Astrologers differ widely as to their predictions of the entrance of the Aquarian Age; mundane Astrologer Charles Harvey suggests 2,369, acclaimed Astrologer Dane Rudhyar 2,062, Carl Jung, influenced by the quatrains of Nostradamus, estimated sometime between 1997 to 2,200 while Elizabeth Clare Prophet cites April, 1990. I believe we are in a time where one age overlaps another. As we struggle to wrap up Pisces, the winds of Aquarius are already upon us.

2. SATURN AND URANUS CONJOIN THE GALACTIC CENTER

The Galactic Center is the center of gravity of our galaxy. Just as the earth orbits around the Sun, the Sun, moving at 1,000 kilometers per second, takes about 250 million earth years to orbit the Galactic center and thus complete one solar year. The Galactic Center is currently located at 26 degrees Sagittarius. Astrologers are uncertain as to the exact significance of the Galactic Center. Nevertheless, Charles Harvey, citing Theodore Landscheidt, Michael Erlewine and others, theorizes that the Galactic Center represents a higher level solar principle. Harvey writes, Just as the Sun relates to our sense of purpose in life, the GC relates to the higher purpose for mankind, and will be the directing source of new levels of inspiration and insight for mankind.

Important moments in history concur with conjunctions to the Galactic Center. The Wright brothers first flight occurred with the New Moon exact conjoin Uranus conjoined the Galactic Center. Neil Armstrong, who set foot on the Moon was born with the Moon, within 1 degree of the Galactic Center. Landscheidts prediction of an economic recession when Neptune conjoined the Galactic Center in 1982 proved true.

In 1988, Saturn and Uranus in Sagittarius conjoined the Galactic Center, a prelude to the more potent conjunctions of these planets with Mars and Neptune in the same year. We have only one historical precedent since 600 B.C. of Saturn and Uranus conjoining the Galactic Center, then at 18 degrees Capricorn. This took place 400 to 402 A.D. (The Galactic Center precesses backwards one degree every 72 years.) Incredibly, this coincided was the collapse of the Roman Empire, the mightiest political and social power of its time!

3. THE 1988 SATURN/URANUS/NEPTUNE/MARS CONJUNCTION

Conjunctions between the outer planets are harbingers of social, political, economic upheaval as well as major geophysical earth changes, signifying critical turning points in history. The conjunctions in Capricorn are considered even more powerful than the earlier conjunctions in Sagittarius. Plato believed that all great cycles began in Capricorn and ended in Cancer. The key to understanding the potential far reaching consequences of such events is in grasping that the portents are not confined to the years in which the configuration takes place. As in a natal chart, the influence of a momentous astrological event reverberates for years to come, being reactivated each time it is aspected by a major transit or eclipse.

Saturn, Uranus, Neptune conjunctions occur around every 700 to 1,500 years. Their combined impact, more so when triggered by Mars, is colossal. In The Astrology of the Four Horsemen, Elizabeth Clare Prophet writes, The impact of these conjunctions cannot be overstated. Saturn-Uranus conjunctions alone can trigger wars and are related to the onset of depressions. Saturn-Neptune conjunctions alone can trigger earth-shaking events. Comparing the Bubonic Plague, the Black Death, (Saturn-Neptune-Uranus conjunction of 1307) to AIDS and other degenerative diseases of our time, Prophet warns of the potential breakdown of the immune system on a global scale lest we take serious measures. Charles Harvey points out the link between Saturn/Uranus aspects and developments in the Middle East. Uranus/Neptune conjunctions occur once every 172 years and are associated with revolutionary changes. Astrologers Sakoian and Acker write of the incarnation of a whole groups of highly developed souls who introduce new philosophies and political and social systems and thus further mans evolution born during the period of the conjunction (Feb. 1988 to 1999) and reaching adulthood around the year 2010.

Jayne points out that after twenty-one conjunctions or 3,600 years, the Uranus/Neptune conjunction returns within 6 degrees of the first conjunction of the series. De Vore outlines the great Chaldean Naros Cycle, a subdivision of the 3,600-year cycle into 600-year subcycles. DeVores lists the following Naros milestones; 576 B.C., the birth of Buddha (Buddhism), Mahavira (Jainism), Pythagoras, and the activity of Lao-Tse (Taoism); A.D. 25, the mission of Christ (Christianity); A.D. 625, the Hegira of Mohammed; 1225, the ministry of St. Francis (Catholicism); 1825, birth of Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science).

4. THE 1994 MEGACONJUNCTION

Megaconjunctions are extremely rare and powerful. On January 11, 1994, seven planets (Mars, Moon, Venus, Neptune, Sun, Uranus, Mercury) lined up in Capricorn, within nine degrees of one another. But the Megaconjunction is not behind us. A Megaconjunction can take decades, even centuries to outpicture its potential. The previous Megaconjunction took place in Pisces, around the birth of Jesus Christ, ushering in the beginning of the era of Christianity, overlapping with the Age of Pisces. With the Megaconjunction, the 1988 conjunction picks up momentum. It has been said that all beginnings begin in Capricorn. Changes occurring in 1988 to 1998 will reverberate far into the next century.

5. URANUS IN AQUARIUS

Uranus, the Awakener rules innovation, political and cultural revolutions, reforms and those who lead them, wars, where there is a breakdown of the old order, disrupting, unexpected and liberating changes. Uranus relates to all forms of technology and aspects of science and invention. While Saturn crystallizes, Uranus shatters. Uranus is particularly powerful in its own sign, Aquarius. Uranus entered Aquarius briefly last spring but retrograded back into Capricorn in June. Uranus reentered Aquarius on January 13 for a seven-year stay. Things will never be the same. Uranus has an 84-year cycle. The last time Uranus entered Aquarius, 1913 to 1919, we were in transition from a horse and buggy to an automobile society. In 1916 Ford found an efficient way to mass produce his Model T. Gasoline-powered vehicles used for military purposes in WWI (1914 to 1918) helped get the auto industry off the ground. As Uranus reenters Aquarius, prepare yourself for startling technological and scientific breakthroughs that revolutionize the way we live, work, communicate, learn and even think! An especially significant year for advancements of this kind, 1997 finds Jupiter entering a one-year cycle in Aquarius, conjoining Uranus. During this time, the New Age thinking and healing methods will gain greater ground and Astrology will become more accepted and common place. Advocates of new political philosophies will arise. Since Neptune still be lagging behind in conservative Capricorn, reactionary elements are likely to be quite vociferous during this time. Since Aquarius brings forth impulses to rebellion, right wing and fundamentalist groups may feel justified in defying progressive changes by taking matters into their own hands.

With Uranus in Aquarius, the Internet is just the beginning and may soon seem old-fashioned! The world will seem smaller as travel and communications devices become increasingly available and affordable. Space travel will take on totally new dimensions. Unfortunately, there is also a greater probability of aviation and space disasters during this period.

Aquarius, the sign of universal brotherhood, in its negative element represents racial and religious intolerance (particularly with Pluto in Sagittarius), hatred, rigidity and resistance to change and anarchy. Uranus was in Aquarius during the Balkan Wars (1912) that led to WWI, a striking parallel to current involvements.

6. PLUTO PERIHELION

Overlapping with the entrance of Saturn/Uranus/Neptune/ and Mars in Capricorn, in 1988, Pluto was perihelion the Sun in the spring of 1989. Pluto is perihelion the Sun when it is at the closest point it gets to the Sun in its 248-year orbit. Moreover, Pluto entered Neptune orbits in 1979 and will remain within Neptunes orbit until 1999, a phenomena which takes place every 250 years.

Astrologer Edward Kluska relates the last cycle, 1730 to 1750, to the Age of Enlightenment, a time of an extraordinarily gifted generation of men, among them Immanuel Kant, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, Handel and Bach. The previous 250-year period coincides exactly with the Italian renaissance. Kluska concludes that we are now in a period of history when great creative efforts are being unleashed.

7. NEPTUNE IN AQUARIUS

Neptune enters Aquarius, conjoining Uranus in November of 1997. This may be a time of breakthroughs in medicine, with alternative healing methods, including use of sound, becoming less the exception and more the rule. Sakoian and Acker see this conjunction as the onset of the Aquarian Age; A new civilization will be born, based on enlightened humanitarianism and on a science using new technology and new forms of energy. Others are not so optimistic. Astrologer John Townley, for example, notes that Neptune in Aquarius has consistently been associated with great plagues, even dating back to Roman times.

8. PLUTO IN SAGITTARIUS

Plutonian changes may be regenerative or degenerative, but whether positive or negative are generally extreme and long-lasting. Sagittarius is a Fire Sign. While Pluto is in Sagittarius, fires, like anger and pride, are apt to be on the increase. As in the eighties, when Uranus and Neptune were in Sagittarius, there is a possibility of the recurrence of widespread famine and drought.

The last time Pluto was in Sagittarius was in 1750 to 1763. As Rudhyur notes, this was a time when men in the colonies put their lives on the line as they engaged in fiery and passionate debates that ultimately led to the American Revolution. Sagittarius is expansive and relates to foreign trade and commerce as well as to international affairs; during the eighteenth century, the French and Indian Wars (an episode in the larger Seven Years War) occurred during the transit of Pluto through Sagittarius. The defeat of France paved the way for the British Empire, a foreshadowing of the future world organization.

Sagittarius relates to publishing and education, particularly with Uranus in Aquarius bringing forth the technology, making information even more accessible than it already is. New concepts in religion will increase in the curriculum of schools and universities.

With the positive transit to Uranus in reformist Aquarius, we can hope for long-overdue revamping of our legal system. Another area crying out for attention related to Sagittarius are the youth, as parents seek desperately to protect their children from a destructive and materialistic culture.

From 1943 to the end of the century, Neptune and Pluto have been sextile one another. Astrologers view this period as a time of tremendous spiritual evolution, the potential of the birth of the Aquarius Age through individual men and woman rising to higher levels of consciousness, despite the turbulence of the times.

9. END OF SATURN CYCLE; BEGINNING OF NEW ONE

A shorter cycle, but one significant to the passing of the torch from generation to generation is the 28 to 30 year Saturn cycle. The last time Saturn entered Aries (new beginnings) in the mid-sixties Bob Dylan sang The Times They are a Changing, and so they were, drastically. That Saturn cycle comes to a close this Spring as Saturn completes its transit in the end sign Pisces and reenters Aries once again. Aries deals with the Ego. Saturn in Aries is a time of individual and collective self definition. Fortunately, Saturn trines Pluto in Sagittarius and sextiles Uranus in Aquarius, suggesting a spiritual renewal, a generation marked by a sense of mission.

10. GREAT STELLIUM IN TAURUS

The 21st century begins with a conjunction of all the heliocosmic planets, seven in all, square Uranus and Neptune in Aquarius. While its hard to predict precisely how this influence will manifest, the squares suggest a build-up of tension in the economy. Taurus has figured into many wars and cultural revolutions. Taurus deals with values and Aquarius with science; this may be a time of debate as to how far science can ethically experiment with life.

ARE WE READY FOR THE CHANGES?

Are we doomed to repeat the past? In a solemn warning to wake up before it is too late, George Santayana said Those who cannot remember their astrologic past, signifying their karmic past, are indeed self-condemned to repeat it. But remembering isnt enough; we must learn from the past. With the planetary shift (Uranus, Neptune in Aquarius, Pluto in Sagittarius) now taking place, Aquarius is here to stay. The question is, Are we ready for Aquarius?