The Eyes of Heaven
~ Annual Solar Aspects ~
(October 2000 to September 2001)

by Eliza Bassett 

Let?s look at the patterns of the Sun as it makes aspects to the planets other than the Moon. A quick review of our Solar system reminds us that closest to the Sun is Mercury, followed by Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune and finally Pluto. There are those who have seen and felt other bodies past Pluto, yet for this article, let?s stay with these familiar ones. The reason it is important to note these contacts is that when the outer planets move into new signs, new vibratory contacts are made -- and they are not what we?ve gotten used to during the past year or more.

An example of this is the recent shift of Jupiter and Saturn into Gemini. As the Sun traveled through the signs this year, instead of making a square [difficult energy] from Leo to Jupiter in Taurus, it made a harmonious sextile. This is a much more pleasant contact, so much so that perhaps you didn?t feel the influence as the day passed by.

Recent Major Changes

A more major shift that impacted us was in 1995 when one of the slowest moving planets shifted into a sign we have not felt in our lifetimes: Pluto into Sagittarius. After the 13 year transit through the sign it rules, Scorpio, a fixed water energy, Pluto is now bringing its deep changes to the mutable fire style of Sagittarius. 

Uranus also moved into Aquarius in the same year. That vibration has not been known for many of us, as it was last here in the early 1900s. One of the first and most potent aspects occurred when these two sextiled (direct mental communication) each other in April and August in 1995. Also occurring at a similar time was the annual opposition between the Sun and Uranus in August. No longer was Uranus in the last few degrees of Capricorn, causing strong impacts to Cancerians. Now the Solar oppositions were beginning to untie the rigidities of Leo. The beginning of direct crises to be met head on by all of the proud Lions. Cancers were now no longer the target of the direct laser beam of Uranus.

Also, during 1995 and into 1996, we had quite an interesting time feeling the new aspects and adjusting to the annual aspects with Pluto and Uranus in their new sign placements. Then Neptune danced in and out of Aquarius during 1998 until it fully moved in at the end of that year. With this planet?s shift we added a new batch of aspects to work with in different signs. After 12 to 13 years of Capricorn carrying the energy of Neptune, now the fixed air sign of Aquarius would be coping with these lessons.

This Next Year?s Significant Contacts

The solar contacts are felt for approximately the full day before the ?exact? moment of aspect. The dates indicated below are the exact days involved.

In astrological ?short hand?, we usually mention the transiting planet first followed by the one it is making an aspect to. (When an astrologer refers to a natal chart, we mention the transiting one first and the natal second.) Since this article is to show the upcoming Solar Aspects, the Sun will be the first planet mentioned.

I?m going to mention only the aspects that are the most demanding over most of the next 12 months. There are many Solar aspects occurring on a regular basis. Sometimes there are more happening in one month than other times. It all depends upon how the planets are flowing through in the different signs.

Remember! These are some of the difficult aspects with a few of the trines tossed in during these eleven months. Most of the time, there are many other easy aspects with other planets that help mitigate these effects. Note that your intention to move into the Divine Flow, or calling in the highest and best good for all -- whichever words work best for you -- can help you stay grounded and in the place of peace.

October 2000 to September 2001.

OCTOBER 2000:

• Sun Trine Jupiter is from Libra to Gemini - Oct. 3. This may be a lucky day for some. Plans may come together more easily than usual. 

• Sun Trine Uranus - Oct. 9. Watch that the urge to do things unconventionally is not so far out of control that you push the limits as you drive or do things you take for granted in your daily life. 

• Sun quincunx Saturn - Oct. 22. Watch that you don?t judge yourself lacking in some way due to society?s ideas of perfection. 

• Sun Square Neptune - Oct. 26. Kaboom! What is real? Is it that car coming at you or is it dream time? Is this person in your life to help you or to hinder you, are they even there? A day to thoroughly ground yourself in reality. Question everything.

NOVEMBER 2000:

• Sun quincunx Jupiter - Nov. 1st. Unpredictable disharmony between yourself and feeling joy, wisdom, abundance. 

• Sun Square Uranus - Nov. 8. Ground yourself in the earth fully. Definitely check your electrical systems and have all computers backed up. Watch for unexpected electrical events. 

• Sun opposite Saturn - Nov. 19. A day to retreat and be mellow and not fall into fears and oppressions.

• Sun Opposite Jupiter - Nov. 27. You may feel that even though things are positive all around, you can?t quite grasp the ?right? timing.

DECEMBER 2000:

• Sun Conjunct Pluto - Dec. 4. Power day. Can bring about deep transformations (as in nuclear release) or letting go of those things you?ve been wanting to do for some time. 

• Sun Conjunct Chiron - Dec. 11. A great opportunity to see and experience total healing in your life. 

• Sun Quincunx Saturn - Dec. 16. Not an easy day. Let the stresses and fear go and bide your decisions until another day. 

• Sun Quincunx Jupiter - Dec. 23. Same as the 16th.

Continued on the next page:
January 2001 - August 2001

PREVIOUS COLUMNS by Eliza Bassett: (2000)

Recommended book: 

"Dynamic Astrology: Using Planetary Cycles to Make Personal and Career Choices"
by John Townley.
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