We know that there is an extreme escalation of tension, conflict, and violence on our planet now. We have tried to make sense of this through the hard aspects made between the two planetary heavy hitters: Saturn and Pluto. Despite mainstream media, many of us are coming to the conclusion that the real culprit in this opposition of forces is the very nature of opposition itself in its manifestation as power, control, and domination. We are re-learning the lessons of history again, fundamentalism in any extreme is toxic and unstable.

As long as we all share the same planet, there are no winners in the game of war. Unfortunately the folks in power (all over the globe) have not reached the same conclusion. Do the planets offer any hope to this story of dangerous abuse of power? The planet that keeps courting my consciousness and giving me inspiration is Uranus. As described in last month¹s column, Uranus just made its first move into the sign of Pisces on March 10. There will be a brief retrograde period back into Aquarius later in the year, but for now we get to begin this seven-year process of Uranus in Pisces.

Pisces is the final sign of the zodiac. The sign in which everything merges into one unified consciousness. Pisces is the vast ocean from which we came and into which we ultimately must return. Pisces is compassionate, empathetic, and idealistic love. Pisces is spirit, energy, and messages from the ³other side.² Pisces is the ancestral realm and the parts of the collective that we have forgotten.

Uranus is the sudden change factor. Uranus awakens us through stirring the pot with lightning bolts and earthquakes, both real and figurative. Uranus is the trickster, the epiphany, the divine insight.

Uranus in Pisces may be a sudden and dramatic awakening of the world of spirit. A parallel that may help you to understand the nature of Uranus is to look back on the technological explosion that occurred in the past seven years of Uranus in Aquarius. The internet, e-mail, cell phones, palm pilots, personal computers, and the expansion of technology into practically every sector of life was the result of this transit. What will Uranus do in this spiritual realm of Pisces? My prayer is that it awakens us all to the interconnection of life on this planet. May we develop a true planetary consciousness and compassion for all life on earth. May we awaken to our personal and collective connection to spirit. And may the resolution to inner and outer wars be realized through the healing power of love, sweet love.

For information about astrological consultations with Cassandra or to share your thoughts, questions, or comments on her column, send an e-mail to cassandra@spiralmuse.com