Surviving the Squeeze with Astrology and Essences

by Amanda Bradbury

Times are tough for many people now and the combination of unusual weather patterns and continued recession in many parts of the world has lead to a squeeze that can be felt on different levels: financial, emotional, mental and even spiritual. This leads to a feeling that something has to change, although this realisation can be even more unsettling. Understandably many people would prefer to remain stuck than brave the unknown. However working with essences can be an effective way of shifting our consciousness and an upbeat frame of mind in turn attracts more positive experiences - an upward spiral.

As of spring 2010 Saturn is in early Libra and Pluto in early Capricorn, so people with personal planets in the early degrees of the cardinal signs are likely to be feeling the effects on an intensely personal level. Pluto is about power and Capricorn is about authority, so it could be said that this squeeze is forcing us to take responsibility for our lives and take on the mantle of power. Part of this may involve clearing and letting go to make way for the new. Change is on its way and we will all be braving the unknown at some level with the move of the awakener planet Uranus into Aries in early June 2010. This transition is eased by the buoyant good company of Jupiter making the leap at the same time.

The importance of intention and focussing on the best outcome was something that was realised by a client currently experiencing what she describes as `the collapse of a life story'. She has always supported her husband on an admin level in different businesses, but currently he is going bankrupt and they may have to sell their much loved home.

As she puts it she needs to `have a focus for her own empowerment as opposed to being drawn into her husband's story'. This experience is shown astrologically by the Saturn-Pluto squeeze on Venus (love and relationships), Jupiter (higher purpose) and Juno (sacred union) all at 4 or 5 degrees of Capricorn in the 8th house of shared finances and intimacy. She is aware how she needs to come into her own power rather than always working in a supportive role.

She was drawn to work with the St Germaine Essence from Angelic Light. My husband Gordon Hughes has created these crystal and gem essences with the aid of special stones, water and gems from different sacred sites around the world and sacred geometry has been used to amplify the energy. They seem an appropriate choice when Saturn's influence is strong, as this is a planet of time, substance and the material.

The St Germaine Essence is described as being for `someone who wants to move forward and manifest his or her purpose. It helps you take on your power and accept your potential. It also encourages the qualities of determination and dedication.' She says that working with the essence has been `an inner support on an emotional level' and that is `has given her an inner strength'.

The second example is someone at a crossroads with a future that appears to have fewer ties in the conventional sense. The Saturn Pluto square is affecting her Midheaven/IC axis and with Saturn moving through the 4th on the point of crossing into the 4th house she is considering `downsizing'. With Aries on the Midheaven she may need to gather her courage to make changes that may be necessary to follow her chosen path.

She is discovering that she has a talent for inspirational writing and is receptive and open, although the downside of this ability is having what she describes as an `overactive mind'. Astrologically this is shown by a Mercury Chiron conjunction opposite Uranus and squared by Neptune.

She took the Brain Balancing Essence from Angelic Light and said that she felt `a leap in confidence with regard to dealing with important issues that she was avoiding because of fear'. She also said that `my mind feels so much calmer, which is such a relief to me. I feel this is because of the Brain Balancing Essence.'

The last example is our 8 year old daughter, who has been finding school restrictive in some respects. Her Sun in fiery, expressive Aries is being affected by the Saturn-Pluto square and she has literally had her toes trodden on and has been suffering with a broken toe.

She has been taking Divine Child from the Andean Orchid Flower Essences by Starflower Essences and she seems to be coping better. The Andean Orchid Flower Essences are made from pristine orchid blossoms found in the sacred environs of Machu Picchu.

The fact that these essences are made from flowers grown in the mountains seems appropriate for the energy of the Saturn Pluto square. The symbolism of the Saturn Pluto square is of climbing a mountain and it's no coincidence that a song called The Climb was released by the winner of X-Factor in Britain just before Christmas. It's about wild beauty thriving in harsh conditions and preserving that integrity, vision and beauty in the same way as nature has created the orchid. The Divine Child Essence is described as being `especially for the very sensitive and the very special beings who are being born to help them stay in balance with their gifts.' It helps them to `re-connect with and re-establish gifts that in the past were suppressed' and is about staying `in the realm of delight'.

Since taking the essence she has been selected for the final of a solo singing competition at a local theatre despite strong competition and has been very relaxed and calm. Her school choir also won a competition and she seems to have been finding school more fun. The current Sun Jupiter conjunction is close to her Mercury in Pisces in the creative 5th house. Interestingly the Saturn Pluto square was on the angles of the chart for the time of her solo audition, so despite the challenges it seems to help us stand in our power and ground what is meant to be.

It is at times like this that we need to reach towards our higher nature and lift our frequency in love and light and working with astrology and essences is a wonderful way to bring in understanding and healing.

Amanda Bradbury combines astrology with vibrational healing tools such as colour and essences. She offers colour and astrology consultations and runs regular courses and workshops.

Angelic Light www.angelic-light.com

Starflower Essences www.staressence.com

The Astrology of 2010 - A brand new world

This is a 21/3 year and marks the end of a cycle. It's about coming through dark and testing times and brings an expansive, accepting energy.

Early in the year the pace will be slow, perhaps even frustrating at times, particularly until Mercury in chilly Capricorn turns direct on the 15th January. It could feel like we are being put through the mill with the austere square between Saturn and Pluto forcing us to confront aspects of ourselves and clear the space for the new. With Pluto travelling through Capricorn for many years to come there is an inevitable and necessary re-structuring to be carried out in government, banks and business and we need to trust the process while still listening to our own instincts. It's important not to allow ourselves to get dispirited at this point as there is dramatic change to come.

Jupiter's move into Pisces on the 18th January brings a softening, a healing energy that helps to reduce the harshness or trapped feeling that we may have been experiencing. The middle to the end of February brings special times and heartfelt experiences as first Venus and then the Sun meet Jupiter in the romantic, healing sign of Pisces. Once Mars in outgoing Leo turns direct on the 10th March we will feel more empowered and opportunities for creative expression can be developed.

Perhaps the first inkling of just how dramatic the changes can be is when Uranus bursts into fiery Aries on the 28th May. With the most revolutionary outer planet moving from the end of the zodiac to embark on the new this epitomises the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Jupiter enters Aries soon after on the 6th June giving this transition a positive boost and together these planets form an exciting and dynamic duo. These planets dance in tandem over the summer, making this a time of heightened energy and dramatic events. In addition Pluto squares this combination fairly closely over the summer bringing transformation and evolutionary energy.

With its tense squares and oppositions involving the cardinal signs this time represents a real turning point and begins the countdown to 2012. There's a feeling of revolution against the old guard and stuck patterns of resistance and the conflict could get quite heated at times. With Saturn in Libra now instead of Virgo perhaps we can make more progress now in terms of negotiation and political agreement instead of falling into the trap of criticism or blame.

It's a time to follow our hearts, gather our courage and stand up for what we believe in. It's an extraordinary and exciting time and we are in the process of forging a brand new world.

The Astrology of 2009 - Year of Wonder

It's becoming clear that 2009 is going to be an extraordinary and even promising year. It can be thought of as a 29/11 year, a year of mastery and particularly significant for those people who have a 29/11 birth date (Barack Obama being one of these). At last the 29/11 people can put their sensitivity and seriousness of purpose to good use, sharing their gifts with the world.

Pluto is now firmly anchored in Capricorn, bringing fundamental change in structures of all kinds together with a focus on integrity and responsibility. The seriousness of purpose, restraint and realism of the Presidential Inauguration and Barack Obama's speech reflects this energy.

Organisations and businesses that are not based on a solid foundation can no longer continue in the same way. It is no good just making superficial changes, as the transformation needs to go right to the very core.

While the global financial situation could understandably put us into survival mode, there are other pressing issues to address however. We need to focus on our carbon footprint, reduce our energy usage and create a more sustainable way of living for the sake of future generations. We do have the power.

Saturn continues to journey through Virgo for most of the year, pointing to the need to simplify our lives, purify and release baggage. It can also bring a tendency to criticise and cast blame, although other placements balance out this tendency to some extent.

We are developing more discrimination so that we are more able to make choices that reflect our highest good. This works on all levels from choosing therapists, friends, partners and business associates through to electing politicians who have a high level of integrity, vision and sense of service.

The first opposition between Saturn and Uranus becomes exact on the 5th February and continues its influence throughout the year, making this a year where the old guard is forced to embrace the revolutionary and unpredictable energies of Uranus in oceanic Pisces. This is about confronting illusions and breaking patterns, a cosmic wake-up call if we haven't heard it already!

With the two heavyweight planets, Saturn and Pluto, being in earth signs there is a strong focus on realism but also humility, which literally means `close to the earth'. This is a quality that Barack Obama is keen to emphasise.

Neptune and Chiron dance in tandem throughout the year in Aquarius. This is a time of unity and inclusion, presenting an opportunity to heal divisions and separation - even if this is simply about agreeing to differ.

Jupiter also moved into Aquarius on the 5th January, lifting the energy and bringing light and hope. It remains there all year, so very much characterises the year ahead. Freedom, unity and connection are all themes of this upbeat placement.

From April all three - Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron - begin to travel along together in Aquarius hovering within orb of each other for the rest of the year, providing an unprecedented opportunity for global action and unity. There is a magical quality to this combination that could bring some surprising and wonderful developments - Aquarius is after all the sign of the magician.

The balloon is bursting, but now we can focus on our hearts and higher selves so that we can do what is most essential - create a sustainable way of living and loving that can be handed on to future generations.