Four Moons Astrology- Donna Woodwell, Austin, Texas

This is the third in a series of articles on Green Astrology, originally published in NCGR Enews, February 23, 2008.

Oil reached $100 a barrel for the first time this week. Late last year, oil industry officials publicly stated that we could reach “peak oil” as early as by 2012.

What is peak oil? Like many natural processes, oil production is a bell curve. “Peak Oil” is the point at the top of the curve at which petroleum production is maximized, after which it begins to decline.

Oil isn’t just something we need to drive our cars — every sector of our modern society is utterly dependent on it. Rapidly industrializing countries like China and India are also drastically increasing the world’s thirst for oil. This is why the words “peak oil” can strike fear in scientists and politicians like nothing else: dramatically increasing demand for oil coupled with sharply decreasing supply is a sure recipe for global chaos.

Debate is already occurring all over the internet over life after “peak oil.” Strategies for what’s been dubbed “energy descent” range from predictions of warfare, famine, and survivalists running for the hills, to avocations for widespread adoption of sustainable lifestyles, permaculture and peaceful collective action.

Astrology has always been a tool for envisioning the future. Various articles have appeared in astrological magazines which discuss the stressful astrological aspects occurring over the next decades. But there are specific people who will be living through these challenging times. We can use the natal placement of Pluto to give us a glimpse of how each generation may cope with the paradigm shift.

In the discussion below, I’ve used statistics from the 2000 U.S. Census and the discussion focuses on the culture experiences of U.S. residents. However, astrologers in other countries could use a similar technique to examine the coming changes their own societies.

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Pluto in Cancer, born 1912-1937, Population: 38.8 million

Fiercely patriotic, those born during this period have been called the “Greatest Generation.” They survived the Great Depression, the Second World War, and laid the foundations for the economic expansion that became the hallmark of 20th century American life. In 2008, they are ages 71-95.

The Pluto in Cancer generation has had personal experience with collective sacrifice for the good of the whole. During the Second World War goods such as metals, petroleum and foodstuffs were needed for the war effort, and imports were difficult to acquire due to interruptions in shipping lanes. To distribute limited resources fairly, goods were rationed. The government encouraged planting of “victory gardens” in backyards, parks and playgrounds to supplement the food supply. Junk rallies were organized to collect scrap metals and other recyclable items.

In a way, the Pluto-in-Cancer generation had a sneak preview of the energy-descent lifestyle. Today, “eco-victory gardens” are reappearing and recycling is once again in vogue. Sharing their history with younger generations could be an invaluable source of inspiration.

Pluto in Leo: born 1938-1956, Population: 62.2 million

At ages 52-70 in 2008, the Pluto-in-Leo generation may be contemplating retirement, but they won’t just fade away – they will roar!

Many members of the Pluto-in-Leo generation came of age in the 60s. They espoused the ideas of peace, social justice, community living and concern for the environment. Those are the exact ideals that need to be incorporated back into our modern lifestyle.

Retiring Leos could become a tidal wave of volunteers for all kinds of social and community programs. Older volunteers have a vast array of skills and life experience that could be essential in the creation of a more sustainable society — from teaching impoverished children to read, building community gardens, creative arts programs, and so many other areas that empower others to care for themselves. Volunteering can also help keep an aging Pluto-in-Leo generation remain a vital, integral part of society.

Pluto in Virgo: born 1957-1971, Population: 69.6 million

As they say: the buck stops here. Pluto-in-Virgo will produce the first generation of leaders to start tackling the climate crisis on a mass scale.  When the movie An Inconvenient Truth was released in 2006, it was a wake up call to millions in this generation, who today are ages 36-51. In the last two years alone, interest in green living has dramatically increased.

Pluto in Virgo loves efficiency. Under the leadership of this generation, expect to see an explosion of programs to reduce consumption and waste.  Recycling programs will recapture increasing percentages of garbage. New technologies will bring greater energy efficiencies on scales large and small: from solar panels, to hybrid vehicles to compact fluorescent light bulbs.

We can also expect dramatic changes in other Virgo-ruled areas. Organically and locally grown foods have entered the mainstream. “Green” cleaning products are beginning to appear on the shelves of local grocery stores. The sign of the craftsman, Pluto-in-Virgos have been fueling the recent do-it-yourself boom; the DIY generation turning its attention to home and community gardens, rainwater collections systems, and other sustainable living strategies.

The Pluto in Virgo generation will also need to embrace its Piscean shadow: sacrifice and hope. Sacrifice because this is the first generation that will need to accept living at lower level of consumption en masse. Hope, because in the face of overwhelming challenges, sometimes it is the only thing left that keeps us moving forward.

Pluto in Libra: born 1972-1983, Population: 46.3 million

A recent report stated that Lake Mead and Lake Powell, which supply water and power to millions in the American Southwest, stand a 50 percent chance of running dry by 2021 unless dramatic changes take place in how the region uses water. Scientists say drastic reductions in consumption may postpone the world’s energy and resource crisis, but will not eliminate it.  When all of the efficiencies have been eked out of the system, there’s still the question of how remaining resources can be distributed equitably.

The Pluto-in-Libra generation, who was 17-28 years old on September 11, has already learned some hard lessons about war and peace. Whether the future holds wars over dwindling resources or increased efforts at cooperation and conflict resolution will be the daily concerns of the Pluto-in-Libra generation.

Pluto-in-Libra has a cosmic gift for communication and compromise. Now ages 24-35, through the internet members of this generation have become adept at communicating with a diversity of individuals from around the world. Some futurists, like Richard Heinberg in his book The Party’s Over: Oil, War and the Fate of Industrialized Societies, talk about the need for a collective “managed collapse” into a slower-paced but sustainable lifestyle. Saturn is exalted in Venus-ruled Libra; if a managed collapse is possible, this generation will find a way.

Pluto in Scorpio: born 1984-1994, Population: 45.1 million

In 2008, the Pluto in Scorpio generation is ages 13-23. In many ways, it’s too early to tell how their talents will be needed. The last water generation, Pluto in Cancer, turned out to be great builders (Capricorn energy). If the preceding generations – Pluto in Cancer, Pluto in Leo, Pluto in Virgo, and Pluto in Libra – take the high road and embrace the need for a sustainable paradigm shift, Pluto-in-Scorpio leaders may preside over the “re-greening” of the world (Taurus energy). If the preceding generations ignore climate and resource crisis, Pluto-in-Scorpio leaders may have to deal with death on a massive scale.

This generation comes of age in 2012, when they will be ages 17-27. With the stakes so high and their future at stake, this generation cannot wait for their elders to make changes. Pluto is very strong in its own sign. If this generation stands up and demands change, the entire world will hear them.

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Navigating the next paradigm shift will not be the work of a single generation. It will take the combined efforts of everyone on the planet. Each generation brings special talents and experiences to the table, and all of them will be needed. The gift of astrology is not that it enables us to predict the future, but that it helps us to see possible futures and choose between them. Let’s hope we choose wisely.

This is the second in a series of articles on Green Astrology, originally published in NCGR Enews, February 9, 2008.

A few weeks ago when Pluto entered Capricorn, I embarked on a garage cleaning odyssey. So, during this Mercury retrograde in Aquarius, I’ve found myself sorting boxes to donate to Goodwill, packing up stacks of cardboard, glass and plastic to take to the recycling center, and pondering the relationship between the archetypes of Pluto and Mercury.

Modern astrology links Pluto to the practice of Alchemy. Since the Middle Ages, the Latin dictum solve et coagula, to separate and join together, has guided seekers in their practice of the alchemical art. Alchemists saw in nature an ongoing dance of creation, destruction and (re)creation. Astrologers recognize though Pluto destroys, it also heals.

Before Pluto was discovered, Mercury was the planet most associated with alchemical transformations. The winged messenger who cycled between heaven and earth was a logical catalyst for the alchemist’s holy grail, the transmutation of lead into gold.

Turning lead into gold is an apt metaphor for today’s challenge of creating a sustainable society. We’re teetering on the brink of planetary ecocide because we’ve forgotten how to embrace the cycle of death and rebirth in our material endeavors. We’ve used things up and thrown them away without thought of the consequences.

As Pluto entered Capricorn, Mercury was slowing to begin its thrice-annual retrograde, suggesting it’s time for us to rethink our actions. We must become Green Alchemists.

As we’ve all heard said: Mercury retrogrades are for doing things that start with the prefix re-  It’s a perfect match for what’s been called the three R’s of the environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  These re- words, guidelines for making greener consumer choices, are joined by a number of others:

Refuse – Can you do without it? If you must buy it, just say no to the extra packaging or plastic bag.

Repair - Can you fix it? Repairing items can often be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than tossing them.

Reuse – Can you buy it used rather than new? Or can you use it for something else?

Rebuy – If you must buy it, can it be made entirely or in part of post-consumer (recycled) products?

Recycle – If you must buy it, can it be recycled?

Just looking around my home office, I can think of many ways I can apply these green keywords to my astrological practice. A few ideas:

• Reduce travel by working from home
• Switch office lights to CFLs; set thermostat lower in winter, higher in summer
• Turn off computer when not in use
• Replace broken hard-drive and recycle old one
• Offer digital recordings of readings and send via email
• Provide notes and reports electronically, or print on paper with part recycled content
• Buy astrology books used; donate or sell used books and magazines; get a library card
• Cancel subscriptions for unread periodicals; request electronic editions
• Recycle office paper, toner cartridges, batteries and other e-waste

The three Mercury retrogrades each year provide a great opportunity to rethink how we live and work. When Mercury stations retrograde, take some time to look around and see if there are a few changes you could make to live a greener lifestyle. Then, after Mercury turns direct, spend the next few months turning those changes into green habits.  Next time Mercury reverses, add a few more changes.

The actions of a single individual may be small, but small changes made collectively do make a difference. If we make the practice of Green Alchemy a retrograde ritual, then change itself becomes a habit.

And maybe one day, even my garage will get cleaned out.