Pesky Grand Cross, plus Bits & Pieces.

First, a wee bit of reporting back, regarding that pesky Grand Cross formation of late April this year. In my post about the formation I mentioned that my own natal Saturn at 12.55 Aries would be hooked up in the Grand Cross pattern which linked planets in cardinal signs at around 13 degrees. At the time I couldn't relate anything personal to me other than having recently changed computer operating system after some 10 years, from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Shortly after those Grand Cross days of late April I began to be aware of a problem with my scalp - itching, scaly, getting gradually worse. I'd experienced a similar condition before, back in the 1990s in the UK. I wasn't unduly alarmed because then it was reasonably quickly cleared up using a particular shampoo (Nizoral 2%), and a mild corticosteroid liquid scalp treatment. This year's version eventually grew more virulent though, possibly it was seborrhoeic dermatitis rather than a simple fungal scalp infection. My hair began falling out in places where the problem was at its worst.

The Grand Cross involved my natal Saturn in Aries being conjoined by Uranus, squared by Pluto and Jupiter and opposed by Mars. Aries in medical astrology rules the head face and eyes; Capricorn rules knees, joints and hair, Saturn, Capricorn's governor rules the skin and bones. (Information from here) So, did the Grand Cross reflect its challenges in my scalp and hair problem? Any ideas?

I think - hope - that I now have the problem under control, I'm fairly optimistic that the lost hair will grow back in time, in the meantime I can cover the loss by some judicious combing...or by wearing a hat! I cannot, though, risk carrying on with my visits to the hairdresser every 2 months or so for a dye job. It could even be that my scalp, at last, had rebelled against some element of that treatment. I won't mind the white/grey - it's time now. ...some would say past time!

This is clever!

Quick & Animated History of the English Language

"That lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around Heaven all day"

Russell Brand taking on Fox News - perhaps his accent might confuse some US viewers - I'll translate where needed, just ask!

Lastly ~

Ever wondered why, in a universe as vast as we are told it is, we Earthlings have never been contacted by beings from somewhere out there? There's an entertaining and enlightening article titled The Fermi Paradox at an always interesting website:
Wait But Why.

Grand Cross, Gran Cruz, Großkreuz, di Gran Croce, Μεγαλόσταυρος, Grand-Croix,.... &c

The internet is awash with astrologers' articles about the Grand Cross formation due to become exact on 23 April. Most say the same thing in slightly different ways....well, they would, wouldn't they? The fact that this particular Grand Cross (it's not a once-in-a-lifetime event, they are not uncommon) is a wee bit special is because it occurs in Cardinal signs, with especially tight square aspects, between Uranus, Pluto, Mars and Jupiter at 13 degrees of Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

Cardinal = dynamic, a get-it-done, let's get the show on the road, feel. So, with these particular planets involved: Uranus, Pluto and Mars - a trio of planets well-attuned to "getting it done" - with Jupiter, a planet known for widespread excesses, the developing scene sounds like something from one of those modern smash-bang Iron Man movies! To add to the drama there's also a Grand Trine in emotional Water signs going on at the same time, this involving Saturn, Venus and Jupiter (2 of the Grand Cross planets on double duty). I shall skim over the fact that there are eclipses before and after the event, over-egging the pud, that would be!

I like Eric Francis's clearly explained article at Chronogram.
Matthew Currie at Oh My Stars! has a very good 2-part piece on the topic too.

As for my own view, for what it's worth as a mere dabbler in astrological matters: while astrologers proper are seeing this astro-event in primary colours, I'm seeing it, in respect of likely "impact", and despite its cardinality, in more subtle, yet well-defined pastels. I'm probably alone in this (as in most else). I believe that an aggregate of events last year and this year, when looking back from a vantage point 10 years hence or more, will indicate a convergence of sorts, which, at the time felt as though things were trundling, stumbling, bumbling along in much the same way as we'd gradually become used to expect. Perhaps an apex or crisis point will show up around April 2014, or maybe this will prove to have been just a part of the overture to something else, something even more dramatic.

I've been searching for a "handy list" of Grand Cross formations experienced historically, Cardinal or otherwise. There doesn't seem to be any ready-made list. The coming Grand Cross is, I think, one of a set which has been forming for a while at varying intensities, so any "effects" in mundane terms, as well as personal, will have been noticed already and simply are likely to intensify for a while, then very slowly subside.

I found note of a Grand Cross in Fixed signs on 18 August 1999, cross checked with a list of events for August that year. There was an earthquake, bombings, plane crash, usual stuff that goes on, Grand Cross or no Grand Cross. It was 2001 when a truly unexpected and shattering event took place, wasn't it?

On a personal level, my natal Saturn is at 12.55 Aries, so it's part of the show, I guess. I stopped trying to predict stuff for myself long ago; I choose to do what comes naturally, then, maybe after 5 or so years look back with astrological hindsight. Only thing I can loosely relate so far is my change from using computer operating system WindowsXP, after almost 10 years, to using Windows 7; I did so on 1 April, in preparation for Microsoft's ceasing their support for WinXP on 8 April -today. I've fumbled through that change.

On a mundane level, as always, there are any number of world events up for Operation Intensify. Off top of my head: Ukraine; climate change; Lost Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 MH370; in the USA 99% v 1%; in the UK, Scotland's bid for independence....and on and on.