He came dancing across the water
With his galleons and guns
Looking for the new world
In that palace in the sun.
On the shore lay Montezuma
With his coca leaves and pearls
In his halls he often wondered
With the secrets of the worlds.
He came dancing across the water
Cortez, Cortez
What a killer.
Neil Young “Cortez the Killer
All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.
T. E. Lawrence
All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together.
Jack Kerouac
In Astrology, there are three facets to an Archetype–the Planet, the Sign, and the House. When a particular Planet enters it’s own Sign (the sign of the zodiac which the planet rules) it is a homecoming where the planet feels most comfortable, creating a potent space for its full nature to shine brightest. We live in a era when the planet Neptune is moving into its own sign Pisces, bringing into the Collective Mind a dreamlike fog of imaginative potential. It was Neptune in Pisces, in the early 16th century, which brought Cortez and his far reaching fantasies all the way to Mesoamerica; Neptune was also in Pisces a few hundred years later when people around the world went fiendishly searching for the promise of gold. Neptune, like all of the planets, has the capacity for a positive expression and a negative. Used wisely, Neptune aligns us with the ineffable energies of the universe, gracing us with grand vision and dreams; on the negative spectrum of its nature, we experience an ungrounded expression of lofty fantasy, escapism, and disillusionment. Throughout history, we can see this clearly in every 14 year period Neptune spends in its own sign of Pisces. It is one of Astrology’s greatest gifts: the ability to learn from the past, by studying the cycle, and seeing how it manifested then, so that we can better respond to it now. Now, as the seas are rising and the smoke is slowly coming through the cracks,we are greeted by yet another round of Neptune in Pisces. Where will our Collective Imagination take us this time?
Neptune first entered Pisces on April 4, 2011, then went retrograde in June, bringing it back into Aquarius (which is where it still resides), and will finally move into Pisces for good on February 4, 2012. In other words: We’ve sampled the energies over a bit of the last Spring and Summer, and we are now on the precipice, slowing moving back in, staring down into the oceanic abyss of Neptune’s hypnotizing mist. It is a period in human history which ends our hopes by offering us the Truth of our current situation. It’s a time where our wildest dreams are tested against the harsh realities of world (Saturn).
In essence, with the Archetype of Neptune/Pisces, we are given the ability to dream, and like with all dreams, its hard to discern the real from the unreal. Is this world as much a dream as the one we visited while sleeping last night? Unfortunately, not every man’s dreams are the same, nor are they necessarily dreams which align with nature, and the delicate balance of her web. Some men dream of conquering, of land, of gold, and of fame; others dream of god, connection, peace, harmony, and love. Depending on the nature of the dreamer, Neptune shall mold itself, and comply. We must always dream wisely. We must take our visions and dreams into deep consideration before acting upon them. If we don’t, the possibility of disenchantment, and increased suffering is a likely outcome. All we need to do is take a peak into the past, and we easily see how a simple dream can turn into a collective devastation. When Neptune enters Pisces, the breadth of our vision tends to stretch and expand to the farthest reaches of the imagination. And it seems to always comes at a price.
Neptune in Pisces
Again, Neptune spends 14 years in each sign of the zodiac. The planet’s synodic cycle is 165 years. Meaning, every 165 years, Neptune moves back into its own sign of Pisces, bringing forth the collective inspiration for change, dissolution of boundaries, and for dreaming eyes pointed at all horizons. This is an energy that took Magellan around the world, Cortez to the New world, and thousands of men to the coasts of California searching out the promise of gold. It is also the same energy which brought the Black Death, the Witch trails, and the destruction of Native people around the world. It is an energy that needs to be used wisely. We must be productive dreamers. There are so many wonderful examples throughout human history which can illuminate for us the effects Neptune has as it transits through Pisces, but unfortunately we cannot look at them all. Instead, lets look at few examples which happened over the last half of the millennia to get an idea.
* All these examples are just fractions of the whole tale in each period. For the purpose of this blog, I’ll simply choose a predominant theme I feel is worthy of considering. Also, the cycle’s seem to alternate like swells between “hope” and “truth;” Or: the Dream and the Disillusionment of the Dream! You will see what I mean….
1192-1207 “Crusade and Conquer”
hope?
This period was a time of fluid national borders, strong male rulers, with a massive rise in world-wide trade. There was adventurous travel with large groups of people moving across vast territories. The Knights Templar developed the first full service banks in order to move vast sums of money to enable the European Crusader’s efforts to reclaim Jerusalem and other adventures in the Near East. The Crusaders captured and sacked Constantinople. In China, Genghis Kahn was elected Kahn of the Mongols and began the establishment of the Chinese empire. Trade throughout the world was on the rise, setting the stage for the next phase in Neptune’s development. The sky was the limit. The Collective Imagination was creating a new dream. One of new territories, new monies, and new–”all powerful” rulers.
1356-1370 “Desolation from the Black Death”
truth?
Beginning earlier in the century, the Black Plague infests Europe, and destroys the population. It is said that it was carried by rats who traveled on merchant vessels bringing the plague with them. Interesting, because it was just last Neptune cycle, when the vast territories and riches were becoming manifest! The Black Death is estimated to have killed 30–60 percent of Europe’s population, reducing the world’s population from an estimated 450 million to between 350 and 375 million in the 14th century. The aftermath of the plague created a series of religious, social and economic upheavals, which had profound effects on the course of European history. It took 150 years (close to a Neptune cycle) for Europe’s population to recover. Depopulation left vast areas of agricultural land untilled and untitled. Its as if the amazing expansive cycle, which began 165 years prior, inevitably created the desolation period which followed.
….see the Swell?
1520-1534 “The New World and Gold”
hope?
Having recovered from the plague, the imagination begins to swell once more in European countries. Magellan sails around the world. Cortez invades Mexico., then begins shipping Aztec gold to Europe, slowly destroying the economy. Henry the Eighth was king of England. His break with the Catholic church returned monasteries and other pieces of church property to the public tax roles. Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. Copernicus also published his popular theory on currency. Again, we can see the idealistic, religious, spiritual implications of this transit on a world wide scale. With the possibilities of new lands and seemingly infinite amounts of resources not yet tapped, the visions of the elite peoples of the world, planted a seed for the destruction of many others on the planet. New worlds, new ideas, and new power structures. The beginning of “hope.”h
1684-1697 “The General Crisis”
truth?
The General Crisis is the term used by some historians to describe the period of widespread conflict and instability that occurred within much of the 17th century around the world. The Bank of England was established, the Ming dynastry collapsed, losing 30 % of its population, and colonies in America were “thriving” at the expense of Native peoples who had lived on the land for thousands of years. It was also the time of the Salem Witch trails. Dark days, enveloped in the karmic whiplash of boundless vision and dreams. A General Crisis, representing the “truth,” which is seemingly the karmic result of the previous Neptune visit to Pisces.
1847-1862 “Cowboys and Indians”
hope?
This is the most current visit Neptune took into Pisces, and is the easiest for us to relate to because the effects of the “hopes” and dreams of our recent ancestors still live on with us today. “The Nation Breaking Apart” (1846-1861), which is close to the length of time Neptune stayed in Pisces, offered up growing tensions between the North and South in the U.S. Disagreements between them, especially over the issue of slavery, led to political conflict, and then the Civil War. The Indian removal Act of 1830 was also in full effect, and the eradication of Native American peoples was already well underway. Gold was also discovered in California, which sparks the Gold Rush of 1849. Because of this discovery–whether direct or indirect–railroads were built and now crisscross the Americas. The illusion of quick wealth through Gold infected many minds, and devastated the Native people and their delicate relationship with this Earth. White hunters also pretty much exterminate buffalo herds on the Great Plains, severely limiting the Plains Indians food supply and ability to survive. Without food, the Indians became desperate in finding sustenance for survival, and started raiding mining towns. The result of this act of desperation was the Indenture Act, which allowed Americans to enslave Natives, and do what they pleased with them. One man’s dream, another man’s nightmare. A beginning to an end?
This previous visit of Neptune into Pisces represents the “hope” phase, meaning the next–the one we are moving into–represents the “truth.” As we saw with Black Death and the General Crisis, they both seemed to come into being from the destructive dreaming of the previous cycle. Are we to expect this again? What kind of crisis are we about to experience? And with awareness, is there a way we can steer clear of the disillusionment Neptune seems to promise.
What comes next?
“What to expect of this Neptune in Pisces run?”
The transit of Neptune through Pisces (2011-2025) will promote innovation of the imagination in a way never experienced on the planet. With our global civilization and the technologies biding us all together, it will be fascinating to see what manifests. We have computers now, advanced medicine, ways of connecting all over the globe, yet we lack is the pristine nature of 165 years ago. The idea of progress has created a global village which has terribly affected the health of the planet. Because Neptune/Pisces relates to all water on the planet and the mysterious forces binding all life together, it makes one wonder what it feels like to be alive during this. What is the Truth of our water? Our soil? The animals? Our technologies? Of “god?” Lets hope Mother Earth will be gentle.
There isn’t a single person alive today who has experienced Neptune in Pisces. We have all been born into a cycle which started in 1847. We are like fish in water, unaware of the collective dream we are living in. Like Keroauc says “We are all dreaming beings…..” So why not apply our dreaming minds to the riddles plaguing us today. Is it not possible to avoid the devastation of the “truth” that awaits us? By learning from these previous transits, is there any way of redirecting the energies of Neptune in Pisces? It is my dream, that in the dream, we discover that anything is possible. Dreams are all we have. They are our only hope. So lets dream.
How to prepare for this Neptune in Pisces period?
We pray, we trust, we surrender, and we heal. We become aware of the atrocities of the past, so we can learn from our mistakes. We leave a small footprint. We give back. We plant seeds, educate ourselves about the earth, and remember native ways. We learn about how they treated the earth the sea and the sky. We learn how to listen to natures song, tapping into the whispers of the plants and all of their healing powers. We align with the truth of our situation and quit living a lie; a lie which tells us that this juggernaught of unsustainable machinery actually has some kind of a future. We give everything compassion, even those with “evil” intentions. We are all on the way, somewhere along the way. We become present, in this moment, and ask it questions. We remember!!! We remember who we are, and what we are meant to do. We remember we are One earth, One mind, with One future. And most importantly we dream. Welcome to Neptune in Pisces: “The end of Hope, and the Beginning of Truth.” No need to be scared. We don’t know enough to worry.
….If you feel called to learn more about this Transit in your own chart and how it affects you personally over the next 14 years, don’t be shy, and contact me so we can set up a reading. My email is Kosmognosis@gmail.com
Love,
sOma
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