2014 Global preView
The major aspect through 2014 is again the continuation of the Pluto/Uranus square which first began in 2012. This is a particularly challenging aspect both globally and personally.

It All Starts Here

2014 begins with a very challenging New Moon. New Moon’s always represent new beginnings and is a time for the laying of foundations, the planting of the seed. Falling on the first day of the New Year it brings a special focus on this new Moon. Occurring on the day most of the world now celebrates as the beginning of a new year, this New Moon holds special significance. Although it is not an eclipse, this first lunation for 2014 appears to be setting the tone for the year ahead. Unfortunately the tone is not a pleasant one. It is always much easier to write about what is in store when the majority of the energy is positive, with promise of an easy improvement in conditions, not so easy this year.

What lies ahead for 2014 is a continuation of the energy of the past few years and while it is indicative of a major change time globally, it is change that comes at a cost. There has been so much human tragedy in recent times, a lot of it man made, which is reflective of the ongoing difficult aspect between Uranus and Pluto. The first, suggestive of an overthrow of the existing conditions, the second, bringing the hidden to the surface and pulling down in order to rebuild. Neither is easy nor gentle, but is necessary for change, and the more entrenched the ideology, the more disruptive the change. The current square is the next stage in a cycle that began in the mid-sixties.

The Swingin' Sixties

This was a time of social revolution, of peace, love and altered consciousness. It was also the time of highlighting inequality and questioning the establishment. It was the time of civil rights activism in the USA, when people took to the streets in protest and though not always peaceful, change was the final, hard fought result. It was also the time of US and Australian involvement in the Vietnam War, the assassination of Malcolm X, and Australia saw its first, and only, assassination attempt on a politician.

Not All Men are Created Equal

The civil rights movement in the US was at its peak, and the Selma to Montgomery marches, in support of African Americans who were trying to register to vote, highlighted again the level of prejudice in that country. The Klu Klux Klan particularly targeted white supporters of the freedom movement, in an effort to reduce support and maintain their segregation and oppression. It was a dangerous time to be in certain areas of the USA and probably none more so than Montgomery, Alabama, no matter the colour or creed.

It is no surprise really that this city was to be the catalyst for so much during that time and despite the violence that ensued, Montgomery and surrounding areas are credited by some historians as being the cradle of the modern civil rights movement. The city of Montgomery was incorporated when Uranus and Pluto were in a square aspect back in 1819. Mars was in opposition to Jupiter and on the day, the Moon, which represents the people, or the heart, was travelling through the home sign of Cancer, so prominent in the chart of the USA. Twenty seven years later, Montgomery was made capital of Alabama, under a Mars Pluto conjunction, which was aspecting back to the sun of the original incorporation chart. It was in Montgomery where fifteen year old school girl, Claudette Colvin, became the first person arrested for refusing to give up her seat on the bus. Montgomery was also where Rosa Park took a stand, by also refusing to stand on the bus, nine months later,an act which many believe was the beginning of the freedom movement.

Under the Uranus Pluto conjunction in 1965, Montgomery again came to to forefront, when the black majority areas of the south were fighting for the right to vote. The Selma to Montgomery marches mobilised Americans from all walks of life. Once they were confronted on their television sets by the violence that was unleashed on the peaceful protesters at the start of the first aborted march, violence that was committed by those who were supposed to be upholding the law; they came from far and wide. The result was, the original number of 600 protesters in the original 'Bloody Sunday' march, had swelled to over 8,000 as people came from all over the country to stand by their fellow citizens, as they again walked in peace two weeks later to complete what had been so violently interrupted.

Still not willing to allow the majority black population the right to vote, that night, Viola Liuzzo, was assassinated by Ku Klux Klan members, while ferrying marchers back to Selma from Montgomery. Viola from Detroit, was a mother of five young children, who had come to Alabama to support voting rights for blacks. She was also white and that made her the perfect target for the cowards of the KKK, who were determined to stop the influx of support for the oppressed of the south. She was shot at point blank when 4 members of the KKK pulled up beside her car and opened fire.

The march ended in Montgomery under Pluto and Uranus, being united by the warrior Mars, all opposed by the establishment planet Saturn. All of these planets were hard angled to the Sun of the original Montgomery chart, representing the leader, while the Sun on the day was on Uranus of the capital chart, and both were hard angled to the moon of the city's incorporation chart. The Moon on the day was at the opposition point to the moon of Montgomery and the Sun of the USA, the people were rebelling and the ruling parties were totally out of step. Montgomery, Alabama, comes under the spotlight again this year, around the time of the eclipse, hopefully it will be for positive reasons.

Out of Africa and into Space

The republic of Malawi was formed under the mid-sixties conjunction and China’s ‘cultural revolution’ began; both of these will also feel the pull of the current energy. Another event from that time which is likely to resurface is space exploration. We have already seen moves in this area over the past eighteen months, since the square first became active, but it is not just the USA and Soviets taking to the heavens now. China is very active under the current energies and their leap into space exploration, is but one expression. The mid-sixties saw a rapid expansion of space programs, with many 'firsts' at this time, leading to man's first step on the moon. Much of what we take for granted today, was still considered science fiction fifty years ago. Star Trek made its television debut in the middle of this innovative energy and despite a slow beginning, became a huge cult success. With this energy reactivating we are again heading where no man has gone before.

There will also be further revelations regarding government cover ups, particularly to do with aggressive moves against other nations. What we have seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg. Much of what has occurred in the past 50 years has been driven by other than the truth. This planetary combination is helping to lift the lid on the deception and is likely to create a number of diplomatic crises, not to mention further eroding the lack of trust many citizens feel towards their governments.

There was more than Swing to the Sixties

The Mid-sixties was representative of the combined energy of Uranus and Pluto and was indicative of the issues that would resurface whenever these two planets reach a critical time in their cycle, as has been occurring since mid-2012. Some of what was written last year is still unfolding and will resurface again during 2014.

Pluto represents that which is hidden, in mythology Pluto was lord of the underworld, and also wealth. Uranus represents change, challenge, revolution, independence and individuality. In combination, they are a very explosive pairing. The fact that this amalgamation is an uneasy one only adds to the combined power of the pair.

The first new Moon for 2014 is accompanied by a testing combination, involving the Pluto/Uranus square, with Jupiter and Mars to finish the pattern. This pattern is known as a Grand Cross, which historically coincides with an increase of natural disasters, such as earth quakes and volcanic eruptions. It also accompanies political upheaval and is dominating the heavens for the first half of the year.

This is a very dynamic combination and that means something has to give. As January 1st is a common date for the granting of independence for previously colonised countries, there are a number who are feeling the force of the energy and if not yet, will do throughout the year, as these degrees are reactivated. Australia, China, Burma, Lebanon, Cuba, Syria, Western Samoa, Cameroon and the UK all have relevant charts around this date and are likely to see challenges of the nature of the planets concerned throughout the year. At the opposite point are countries such as the USA, Philippines, Algeria, Malawi, Rwanda and Venezuela, all also likely to undergo change. In these cases however, the catalyst is more likely to be driven by outside forces. Canada, Germany, Iraq, France, Uganda and Russia also have national horoscopes that fall into the prevailing pattern of upheaval and change.

So how is this likely to play out in 2014? The planetary configurations that are the predominant theme for this year have occurred in the past, in varying combinations. They have been associated with political revolution, with those feeling oppressed rising to overthrow the oppressors. This isn’t the only way this energy can play out though. It can also represent weather conditions, increased death rates from illness or even an increasing road toll. Some of the countries mentioned will experience political unrest, increased protests and calls for the overthrow of those in control. Others will experience wild or extreme weather, while some could see an outbreak of disease.

There are a number of different ways of looking at what lies ahead. I have divided the year into four, at the cardinal turning points of the Sun, as it moves from South to North and back. Next adding in New moons and eclipses and observing where on the globe the energy falls. Finally looking at the major planetary combinations throughout the year. This article is a brief heads up on where and when likely hot spots will occur, I will hopefully be able to provide a few more detailed articles throughout the year on particular areas, as time permits. My partner, Ed Tamplin, takes a slightly different approach and you can read his comprehensive and informative overview here , along with his detailed historical connections of the current energies.

Something in the Air

As already discussed, the year opens to a difficult New Moon configuration. The greatest impact in the initial stage of 2014 is likely to be felt along the Australia’s west and north coasts, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma and Western Samoa, along with the mid-west of Africa, with Cameroon being highlighted. Australia, Western Samoa, Burma and Cameroon are showing up by multiple searches during this first quarter, making them more likely to be prominent during this period, with upheaval of one kind or another.

The west coast of Australia is likely to see an increase in cyclones this summer, in fact for the majority of the places mentioned, the energy is more likely to manifest in nature. The exception being Burma, where the disruption is more likely to be political. There is also likely to be more huffing and puffing politically between Australia and Indonesia.

The republic of Cameroon, situated on the west coast of Central Africa saw an unexpected but deadly gas cloud rise from Lake Nyos in 1986. The CO 2 saturated cloud left almost 2,000 dead and many more injured, as it cut a 25km swathe of destruction. This strange phenomenon occurred at the last phase of the Uranus/Pluto cycle, the half-way point from the beginning to the current square. Lake Nyos is one of a pair of volcanic lakes in Cameroon that are prone to Limnic eruptions, the other is Lake Monoun. Limnic eruptions occur when CO 2, dissolved in the deep water, suddenly erupts, causing a tsunami, with the resulting gas suffocating life in its path. A third lake, Kivu, lies on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The first half of 2014 could see difficulty here, especially during April. The continent of Africa seems very volatile this year, with many nations coming up in the astrological radar.

Other areas of the planet that are likely to experience disruption, including extreme weather or climate during this period are near the Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan borders. Although it is the end of the cyclone season for north-east Australia and the south Pacific region, there is a strong possibility for activity in mid-April. Australia, having already experienced severe and early bush fire activity this summer, may unfortunately still see more in the early part of 2014, with the chance of an extended fire season into late April.

Time for Equality

Given the issues that were prominent in the mid-sixties, the USA is likely to be facing issues of equality again, or rather the growing inequality. Canada can be dealing with similar issues and in fact, anywhere on the globe where one group is being discriminated against, will find it is no longer possible to ignore the problem. Uganda and Russia have both taken a draconian path against LGBT peoples and these issues will be brought into question internationally, with possible challenges in international courts. The recent Ugandan move to sentence homosexuals to life imprisonment for just being who they are, goes completely against the world trends to finally grant long overdue equality. There may be more come to light regarding the push by religious fundamentalists, from another country, who were behind this move and are currently having an increasing and dangerous influence on a number of African nations. In fact religious fundamentalism in general will come under greater worldwide scrutiny during 2014. This energy is not about oppression but the freedom from oppression, so anywhere globally, where any group are being oppressed, will feel the tension in the coming year. Ignorance and prejudice have no place under the current planetary energy.

The most volatile periods are January, mid-February, first half of March, the opening few days and from mid-April, particularly around 22 -29, through to the end of June, where the grand Cross finally breaks apart. September sees the energy increasing again, building until the Lunar eclipse 7/8 October. While 10 - 12 November and around the time of the Uranus/Pluto penultimate square on December 15, bring the more difficult aspects for the year to an end. While this may seem overwhelming, there are more dates that are benign or even positive than the negative. This also doesn't mean that Armageddon will be occurring at any of these times, simply that these are dates that indicate the possibility of higher volatility for those parts of the globe indicated.

To be continued.........

For a detailed political view on the year ahead, check out Ed Tamplin's Astrology World

©Sherrynne Dalby 1 January 2014