Oils for the Cardinal Square

There has been so much astrological hype on the planets’ configurations these day – and rightly so! We are all experiencing on a global level, a major shift in consciousness that, depending on your individual chart, can really feel like it is rocking your proverbial socks! Being dubbed “the Cardinal Climax” this is a configuration of 2 planets opposing each other, forming a 90 degree angle to a third planet. In this particular case, the planets are Saturn (tradition, old structures) on one side of the opposition, and the conjunction of Jupiter (hope, new beginnings) and Uranus (revolution, paradigm shift) on the other. And all three planets square Pluto (transformation, death and rebirth).

So what does all this mean? Well, not being an astrologer, I cannot get into the finer points of this T-square – for that you might want to read Gary Brand’s Practical Astrology in Echo, or consult with our local astrologer (and my friend who helps me with these articles) Molly Cliborne. They can give you a much fuller picture of events. But from my basic understanding, the message of the planets this month is that we have to develop new paradigms to replace the old structures that have outlived their usefulness. It’s a wake-up call to release anything and everything that no longer serves your highest good. And aromatherapy can help!

Releasing age-old structures and patterns, even if they no longer serve you, can be scary. But because the adage “better the devil you know…” no longer holds relevance, the challenge is to dive forward into the unknown with zeal and trust. And yet often fear grips us when we are asked to venture into the unfamiliar; it is hard to access the vulnerability needed to move through the Saturn/Pluto square. Frankincense essential oil can very valuable here. Frankincense’s vibration is one of support through challenge. I have often said that on a psycho-emotional level, frankincense leads you to the edge of an emotional cliff and encouragingly pushes you off, so that you find yourself in spiritual freefall. And just when you feel you are going to crash and burn, frankincense catches you and gently glides you down to safety – into new psycho-emotional paradigm. Yes, it’s a scary freefall, but remember, you are breaking through illusions, allowing yourself to let go of anything stopping your transition into a new way of being. There are other essential oils that assist in the release of fear. General oils that are useful in alleviating fear are chamomile, lavender, geranium, marjoram, bergamot, neroli, and sandalwood. These oils can be used in combination or alone in an aroma lamp, bath, or in a massage oil.

In the beginning of August transiting Mars gets into the cardinal jumble, followed closely by Venus. This apparently causes volatile emotions in both the romance and financial sectors. The lesson here is to be present and realistic and learn to relax and self-support. We have already been on a roller coaster with the stock market and August will continue the cosmic ride, rocking financial institutions as Uranus backtracks into Pisces. Of course we are reminded that old institutions need to crumble to make way for new paradigms, but if we are heavily invested in the stock market, right now can be an incredible tense and anxiety producing time. When financial volatility is a constant in one’s life because of job insecurity, stock market troubles, or general over-whelm, then oils such as fennel, ylang-ylang, frankincense, elemi, lavender and cypress can certainly calm the nervous system and relax the weary mind to bring back equilibrium and balance. Clearing up old beliefs and fears around lack and loss and trusting that the Universe will always provide what you need (maybe not always what you want), will help tide you through this difficult financial time.

Emotional instability can bring up fears in even the strongest of characters. Some oils that assist in balancing Venus’s journey through the T-square are rose maroc, neroli, jasmine, and ylang-ylang.

As if it couldn’t get any more challenging, towards the end of August Mercury goes retrograde. Anyone who knows anything about astrology will heave a collective groan and fasten their seat belts. Challenges and mishaps around communications, machinery, travel, weather and anything electrical are always possible with this planet in retrograde, but could possibly feel more intense because Mercury is in Virgo. As always, pay more attention to detail, recheck any reservations and travel plans and try not to buy any electrical devises or machines at this time. Essential oils that aid in focus and attention to detail are rosemary, peppermint, basil, tea tree, eucalyptus, black pepper and melissa.

As I said, this T-square is a wake-up call to the Aquarian Age. All our intuitive, psychic and higher consciousness abilities are rapidly accelerating and transmuting. Going within and listening to your inner voice is essential during this timeframe of cardinal climax. Again we can call upon our old friend frankincense since it has a psychoactive chemical called trahydrocannabinole which is known to expand consciousness, ease depression and lift mental anxiety. Another very valuable oil at this time is Hyssop. Its uplifting and rejuvenating qualities will help us to move forward through this T-square. We can clear the muddled mind and seek inspiration and wisdom from our higher consciousness with hyssop’s help. Hyssop’s connection to the heart helps us to open to our heart’s teachings and learn from a deep soulic space. Expanding the heart chakra, we open to new found love of life and joy of creation. It is truly a mystical essential oil, perfect for this time period.

Most astrological journals will tell you August 2010 is going to be a cruel and testing month. But remember that joy is always the flip side of challenge and even though we are being bombarded by adverse energy from this cardinal climax, we can still choose to move though with ease and grace. With clarity of spirit we can see our life’s journey into the new paradigm and calmly and enthusiastically venture forth by heeding the lessons of the T-square.

Special thanks to Molly Cliborne for her astrological expertise. Her website is www.north-node.com.