Retrogrades are known in astrology as periods of time for review and reflection.
Coronavirus has single-handedly induced a state of pause and reflection upon the world the likes of which has never been seen in history. Yet, in these fateful times, the planets have yet more for us to ponder.
Between May 11th - 14th 2020 THREE planets have gone retrograde: Saturn (the planet of lockdown, structures and government) Venus (the planet of relationships, business contracts, and tangible assets) and Jupiter (planet of optimism, financial confidence, and expansion) have all gone into reverse: that's pretty much life as we know it.
So what does this mean?
What it means is that the real number crunching and damage assessments are being done in regards to the structural and economic fallout of Coronavirus, as we collectively navigate our way out of lockdown. With Venus and Jupiter also going into reverse people's optimism for the 'good life' is likely on the rocks, and people are having to deal with all sorts of set-backs like missed job opportunities, dwindling finances, and relationships entering into troublesome waters.
Situations that were festering under peak lockdown are likely rising to the surface openly to be reviewed or even expunged at this time. That's a lot of food on the collective plate.
The irony is that retrogrades can actually bring many issues into sharper focus when the train of life rushes ahead, things unfold at speed and it's harder to capture all of the views from the window of life. But as the train of life slows, and goes into reverse, we see more of the landscape as we pause before going backwards. Coronavirus is a gigantic global pause, as we all know, but it also happened at great speed. However, now is the time to get into the nitty-gritty of reviewing our lives in practical terms post lockdown, and what we have learned since Saturn sent us to our rooms as he collectively reaps a harvest of death for many of our loved ones globally.
This is very difficult work for all of us, and the results from country to country have varied greatly. China has come through the other side largely intact and stands poised to be announced as the first economy of the world. Europe is starting to recover and reopen tentatively, and could well see a return to a 'new normal' as time goes on. New Zealand, after a very robust and front-loaded effort to blast the virus from all sides, has emerged from the Coronavirus virtually unscathed with only 167 deaths and all areas of life reopened but with social distancing applied.
The UK, however, has considerable egg on its face with a plus 30 thousand death toll, to date, 40% in deaths contribution from Care Homes, a Prime Minister surviving a Corona near-death experience, and a 'Herd Immunity' concept that is shot to bits. Added to this we have had advice from the government, in terms of opening the economy, that is considered confusing by many. My personal view on this is this: the government is still not quite sure about what it is doing, so use your common sense based of what you've already learned, and navigate life for yourself.
If it were not for the ludicrous incompetence of the US administration, the UK would be fair game for the laughing stock of the world. However, this is not the case, and for the miss-steps and bungles, there is quite a bit of which the UK can be proud. The NHS was not overrun, we were able to build some hospitals very quickly, and the recently extended Furlough scheme has done much to put the nation at ease, and halt immediate poverty for many. The situation with care homes is shocking, and the government will be held to account, but there is also the coming together of communities, the outbreak of love in the nation, and the recognition that many overlooked undervalued jobs in society really matter.
I for one am glad that the preoccupation with celebrity and footballers has fallen somewhat from the collective, in terms of importance as people are forced to consider the essentials of life: may it continue, or, at the very least, people consider more merit worthy people to look up to that can have a positive influence on their lives. If certain 'Celebrity' reality TV programs are consigned to the dustbin of life I shall not cry.
In terms of review, I'd like to draw attention to my blog on the 8th of March talking about the Karma Bus that is currently driving berserk across the United States. In the blog I highlight all that I anticipated would happen in terms of viral spread, incompetent leadership, and general all-round cray, cray, that is now unfolding in front of the world for all to see.
The USA is on the cusp of a total loss of control that could see a chain reaction of events that could shock the world.
https://www.thearchetypalblueprint.com/post/the-karma-bus-has-arrived-for-america
What a pickle, what an absolute pickle America finds itself in. It is hard to know where to point to first, but the most obvious is Baboon L'Orange (Trump). Even by his own standards, he's made statements lately (treating people with disinfectant internally, cutting funding to the WHO, and introducing a fictitious concept of crimes in Obama Gate) that are beyond parody. All any comedian worth their salt has to do is simply repeat what the President of the United States says at his press briefings to get a laugh.
This shocking breakdown in cognitive function of the President is shocking enough and only equalled by those that carry on the pretence that he is somehow viable as a leader. This stance is having a devastating impact on America's credibility as a nation from which it may never recover. On current form, it does not deserve the title as 'Leader of the free world'. How can it live up to such a lofty title? Under this administration, it cannot.
The current transits will also put this under review as the whole world takes stock. Expect much more comparisons between nations as countries gradually emerge out of lockdowns, or even see their case numbers and deaths increase as is the case with America, Russia and Brazil. 'Hard Man' politics has not served the world well, and that too will be seen as a failure by the collective as more and more truths emerge.
So, how do we manage life as we go forward in these uncertain times?
The retrogrades announce a collective review of all aspects of our lives in regards to the outside world and how we interact with it. We all need to find new ways of making money post Furlough scheme, in the UK at least, and it's well worth getting some sort of online side-hustle going. Economies, domestic and international, are changing everywhere. Many of the old ways of making money will reduce, or even vanish entirely (standard office jobs that require expensive office space and buildings for eg.) along with new opportunities online. However, that is for those that have access to the internet: which is still an issue for many.
I think we will see the emergence of 'localism' where people shop more locally to support businesses in the community and an ever-increasing rise of 'stay-cations', where individuals and families stay within their own countries for holidays or travel to countries that are nearby. This will have a huge effect on global travel, and the environment is likely to benefit. I'd also like to see the return of more luxury train travel, and slower ways of getting around. International flights are likely to have a number of restrictions placed on them to to the sheer speed with which the virus spread around the world.
Due to the economic fallout globally, China could find itself subject to litigation and bloodletting as crashed economies seek retribution for lost earnings, but the horse has bolted and the damage already done.
One of the most important improvements amongst the tragedies of human loss of life, may our prayers be with those that have lost loved ones, is the increase in reflection and spirituality in the collective. Many at this time are forced to look at their lives from a new perspective and ask themselves what they are doing, and how they mean to move forward with purpose in a rapidly changing world. The old ways of consumerism and the buying for buying's sake have had hammer blows, and are unlikely to be indulged in with the same abandon as before. This new perspective will also have an impact as people consciously try to consume less and think more.
The new scenario of working from home, 40% of the UK population according to the most recent government briefing today, will already have a dramatic effect on the requirement for companies to create office space and pay high rents as a consequence. There is a very good chance that many buildings in London could remain under-occupied for quite some time, and what decisions will companies make in the meantime to reduce overheads as the Furlough scheme winds down?
There's so much to think about and consider as nations and economies move forward. I personally look forward to people using more of their income to spend on the arts, and experiences that matter to them, rather than clothes or stuff that clutters their lives.
'A brave new world' would not be accurate to describe what is emerging before us, more like 'a cautious new world' more filled with anxiety and hesitation than before, yet bound with a new potential to change the world for the better. Let us hope that the new world we build is better than the last, as we move towards a more conscientious future.
Peace and Light.