Aloha and Welcome to the June 2004 Starman Update;
(photographic plate of Venus 1882 transit courtesy of US Naval Observatory)

Happy Full Moon!

We now enter an amazing portal of time. The much talked about, debated, anticipated 6 hour transit of Venus takes place on the 8th (7th for the US Mountain Time Zone and west to the International Date Line). On that day, Venus moves across the face of the Sun for the first time in 121.5 years. This event sets in motion an 8 year vibrational change in consciousness culminating in the 2012 Venus transit and the fulfillment of the Mayan prophesies. Specific details about the transit may be found below.

Also this month in the astrological realm:

• Venus and Pluto oppose each other between June 1 - 5 for the second time.
• Full Moon in Sagittarius on the 2nd/3rd.
• Uranus begins a 5 month retrograde in the sign of Pisces on June 10.
• Venus' rises in the eastern sky at dawn on approximately June 15.
• Potent New Moon on the 17th accentuate the Gemini and Sagittarian influences.
• The Solstice occurs on the 20th/21st (depending upon your Earthly location) as the Sun moves into the sign of Cancer.
• Mars moves into the sign of Leo on the 23rd

Over the past 6 months I have noticed through clients natal charts the powerful astrological influences at play on a personal and generational level. Plutonian, Uruanian and Saturnian influences have been the dominant initiators. These influences speak of sudden change, dissolving structures, evolving awareness and profound possibilities.

Further, exponential leaps and shifts of consciousness are occurring on a global scale. Scientific understanding of universal dynamics is no longer the exclusive domain of scientists. A merging between the esoteric, spiritual and scientific realms mirrors the evolving Global Brain.

"As above, so below" (planetary and galactic tides expressed through your body rhythms) represents a Universal road map or guide embracing your life intention and direction. The more you understand this relationship and its archetypal messages, the greater the opportunity to work consciously with these profound Universal cycles on all levels.

On to June and Venus we go.

Sat Nam, Joseph
June, 2004

Venus Transit

So much has been written about this event that to replicate the information seems redundant. Instead, I have listed the following links as helpful guides in understanding the mechanical dynamics and spiritual implications of this event:

• Nick Anthony Florenza's web page sets forth in graphical and beautifully descriptive ways the extraordinary sacred geometry and its implications for the return of the Goddess archetype and the opening of the heart.
• The Oneness Celebration is a global event to join people in a synchronistic meditation to generate a feeling of Oneness and spiritual unity during this historic event.
• For specific timings see the NASA/Goddard Space Center web site.

And for those wishing to view the transit via a NASA sponsored webcast from Athens Greece, this site is your front row ticket.

Above all, please remember to use suitable, protective eye protection (i.e. welders glass, or Sun-safe approved filters) if viewing the Sun. Make this an enjoyable and memorable event.

For the specific date timings and background detail for the retrograde have a look at last month's update.

Venus' Heliacal Rise
("crescent Venus" courtesy of NASA)

Venus appears in Eastern sky before dawn on or about June 15. After transiting the Sun, she emerges from this passage ready to begin a new 18 month journey. In this go-around she explores the feminine expression of Gemini. As the powerful shape-shifter and troubadour, her stories and myths open us to new information and unpredictable (Gemini) circumstances.

Watch for Venus in the early morning light. By month-end Venus blazes in the predawn sky, telescopically as a beautiful crescent, ready to meet the waning crescent moon on the 25th.

The Hawaiian Connection to the Venus Transit

In 1769, James Cook arrived in Tahiti for the specific purpose of observing the Venus Transit. This mission, as you'll see, had far ranging implications. When he left Tahiti, he sailed west to New Zealand to map this unknown land mass. There he waged several battles with the Maori tribes. Onward to Australia he sailed only to damage his ship on the Great Barrier Reef in Northern Queenland. Good grief! Perhaps if he had his natal chart read prior to this journey, he may have taken up a different profession, signficantly altering the course of history.

Temporary repairs in Australia necessitated a much shorter sail to nearby Indonesia. There a number of his crew contracted malaria and died. It appears the "shadow" implications of the Venus transit had a tremendous adverse effect on his choices. However, this was only the beginning of his trials.

In 1778, Cook again set sail from England, this time to find and document a Northwest passage above the North American continent. His two ships were named Resolution and Discovery. En route, he stopped in New Zealand and Tahiti. From there his passage to North America unexpectedly brought him to the shores of the Hawaiian island of Kauai in February 1778 - the first Western visit to these sacred jewels of the Pacific. After a brief stay he sailed toward Alaska only to be turned back due to significant cold and ice.

Returning to Hawaii in 1779, Cook sailed into Kealakekua Bay (the pathway to the Gods) on Hawaii's Big Island. His entrance ironically coincided with the Hawaiians annual observance and celebration of the nature God, Lono. In part, the Hawaiian royalty displayed white banners marking a time of acknowledgement and appreciation for nature's abundant gifts.

The appearance of Cook's ships with huge white sails signaled to the Hawaiians Lono had arrived. A year later, when suddenly his God-like illusion was dispelled, Cook was killed. However, the impact of his visit on the Hawaiian culture continues to be felt throughout the Islands

I consider these series of events significant for several reasons:

Venus transit cycles are measured in 243 year increments. The second of the coming Venus transits (2012) marks 243 years since Cook's Tahitian observation in 1769.

This month's Venus transit begins just as the Sun is setting on Kauai. Hawaii. The shadow (eclipse) begins here. Note, other than Hawaii, there is no significant human population found on the 155 - 160 W longitudinal line.

In 2012, the second Venus transit ends just before sunset on the Big Island in Hawaii, thereby completing the 8 year cycle where it began.

What Cook initiated 235 years ago reaches its conclusion in 2012. This period of time literally relates to the Western colonization of the World, especially the decimation of tribal cultures such as the Aborigines, North, Central and South Native Americans, African and Polynesians tribal races. Perhaps, the profound changes ushered by this intense period of growth, both positive and adverse, are brought to resolution or completion over the next 8 years. All I can say is "stay tuned...."

Voyager Intuition Cards reflection for the Venus Transit
voyagertarot.com

Using this Oracle has proven to be a powerful tool for creating context and greater understanding. As I have shared in other updates, selecting a card is akin to reaching into your soul, looking at a mirror you are ready to experience. In that spirit, the following questions may help you while working with the Venus Transit dynamics and the unfolding 8 year run up to 2012.

Q - What is the cultural/global implication for the 2004 transit?

A - 4 of Wands - Aspiration. The card of "freedom" and "liberation", fulfilling the potential of your being! This is a potent card in the Emperor series. The intention behind this card is self-will and determination. It is a card of courage to move beyond the heaviness/density of the current structure. Time to embrace your highest vision for being on this Planet.



Q - Ally card for working with Aspiration?

A - Ace of Cups - Ecstasy. This is the card of living life to the fullest, loving all aspects of life. Using your full-range of emotions opens you to experiencing the fullness of your being. Certainly an opportunity to experience "peak moments" in life.

Q - Challenge card?

A - 10 of Cups - Passion (energy behind Passion is "negativity - 5 of Crystals). Well, this is an interesting dynamic. Ecstasy as an ally card and Passion as a challenge card seem contradictory. However, with "negativity - mental chatter and static" stimulating passion, I read the dynamic as a dichotomy between light bearing ecstatic experiences and war-like/anger driven passion.

Q - What is the bridge card between the ally and challenge themes, allowing them to work together productively.

A - 7 of Crystals - Dullness. 7's in the tarot represent the Charioteer. A card of movement. Since "dullness" is a crystal or mental aspect of this Tarot deck, I read this suggestion as "getting out of the mind chatter" and simply moving your energy from a grounded place. Dullness can be also read as making your life more simple and basic.

Q - What energetic door does the Aspiration card open?

A - Man of Worlds - Achiever (energy behind the Achiever is the "Hierophant) - The Achiever takes risks. Another card of movement. The Achiever, who personifies the Emperor and Fortune cards, strives through inspiration to attain success in life.

The energy behind this card relates to life mastery and wisdom through experiences, elevating the denser aspects of your being to a higher state of consciousness. You are encouraged to listen to your inner teacher and wisdom (Hierophant) as you take courageous risks in attaining your goals and ideals.

As an aside, on the Hierophant card, the "crescent Venus", a sign of enlightenment, appears over the Buddhas head. Venus is showing up through this update in very interesting ways.

Q - What do the Hawaiian spirits want you to know about this Venus transit?

A - Sage of Crystals - Knower. "Sage" energy in this tarot deck represents your elder wisdom; the maturation of life experiences. The "Knower" personifies the light of the Star card - a card of great compassion and connection to the Cosmos. This card suggests elevating your perspective. Do whatever it takes to expand your perspective and vision.

Q - What is the potential outcome card?

A - 7 of Wands - Courage - Another Charioteer card. This card is about moving through fears. "Cour" in French translates to "heart" = heart rage. From a courageous position fear can be dispelled and new opportunity created.

On this card in the lower right are the totem symbols found at Pu'uhonua O Honaunau - the City of Refuge on the Big Island. This is the most sacred temple site in the islands. It is a place of profound healing and peace. Given the previously described Hawaiian Connection to this transit, you are being offered the opportunity to consciously participate in healing the fear-driven western cultural behavior of the past 243 years.

Venus and Pluto

During the period June 1 - 5 Pluto and Venus form a close opposition (180 degrees different). Pluto in Sagittarius has represented the underpinning of the religious fervor and fundamentalism gripping the world since the early-mid 90's. Venus in Gemini, represents the playful trickser/shape shifter.

As expressed in the May update, Pluto's transformative power awakens the Shape Shifting Coyote (Gemini) healer embodied in sacred feminine form. Could this be the time for a new heart-based expression of the feminine to emerge? Pluto in Sagittarius works its transformative magic by revealing the truth (Sagittarius). The horrid prisoner abuse stories from Iraq represents the antithesis of the sacred feminine. It's all coming out to heal.

The last meeting of these two planetary archetypes occurs on July 20 - 26.

Solstice

Yes, it's true! There is news other than Venus. The Sun reaches the highest point in the northern hemisphere sky (Summer) and lowest point in the southern hemisphere sky (Winter) on June 21st for all points England and East, and the 20th for locations due west. The official time is 12:58 AM Universal Time, or 2:58 PM in Hawaii, 5:58 PM on the West Coast United States etc. See the Moon Table below for other time zone conversions.

A wonderful opportunity on this day to set in motion plans for either reaping the fruits of your Spring efforts (northern hemisphere), or beginning to plan for the coming Spring season in 90 days (southern hemipshere).