Ceres teams with Neptune, star cluster M69 and the Silk Worm Nebula, favoring altruistic actions, artistic inspiration, productivity and highlighting the value of ecology

January 23/24: Ceres at 60° from Neptune, conjunct star cluster M69 and parallel to the Silk Worm Nebula

         The most important aspect today is undoubtedly the Ceres / Neptune contact in terms of a sextile, a friendly relationship between two planets whose mythological connection is conflicting. This kindness can mean helping those in need, as the aspects indicates altruistic actions. On the other hand, since Neptune represents the arts (through its connection to imagination), it is also a favorable day for art projects, as well as those that deal with the human unconscious through mysticism, psychoanalysis, etc. In general, this combination suggests working on specific elements necessary to materialize good ideas. In this combination, Ceres gives structural support to the scattered genius of Neptune.

        Ceres, in turn, is in ecliptic conjunction to star cluster M69, a globular cluster in the constellation Sagittarius whose metallicity is very high. Metallicity is the amount of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, which in astrological terms represents something that is valued more for its scarcity, such as gold, silver, etc. The clusters with high metallicity as M69, correspond to situations in which the value rises. This may be good for some in terms of convenience, as it represents abundance, but if the price of some foods increases, it's sad news for those who have less. Fortunately, Ceres is in a position to give and inject support where needed, and a lack somewhere in the world is balanced by abundance in another place.

      Ceres is in parallel with the Silkworm Nebula, a star in the last phase of its life, also located in the constellation of Sagittarius. The Silk Worm Nebula is a proto-planetary nebula, a star that is initiating the process of disintegration as it begins to expel its mass into outer space. It is a phase of preparation for a subsequent deployment of ejecta which is usually spectacular. The Silkworm is so called because it suggests the image of a worm wrapped in a cocoon, which is the star wrapped in a dark cloud of its own creation. It is a preparation phase, so this seems to indicate that it is a great time to prepare strategies and structure plans that will not be implemented immediately. In any case, Ceres in parallel to the Silk Worm Nebula suggests the option of taking the right time to set things up rather than deal with them impulsively without the adequate elements at hand. Even more so with Mercury retrograde already going on!

     As the mythological theme that unites Ceres and Neptune is abuse -there is a dishonorable violation involved, it ispossible that in many parts of the world this issue will have an unusual intensity for people. Protests to abusive situations may have a particular strength, even in an era marked by the Uranus / Pluto square. As Ceres represents food, there will probably some victories of  civil associations against companies that pollute the environment (Ceres is Mother Nature). Maybe we may hear some good news regarding the efforts to combat pollution on the planet! Or help animals and endangered forests as well.

      In another scenario, the Ceres / M69 combination can match an increase in productivity in some cases. If this occurs, then the relationship with Neptune can be counterproductive, as it tends to dispersion in situations that need to generate results in a structured manner. The idea is to get inspired while being practical,  things are taking shape, and this can be very motivating. Assessment of effort, creativity, work, indicated by Ceres / M69 may lead to satisfying results at the end of the day.

      Most satisfaction on a personal level can come from the feeling of having done something good for someone, for the world, or for oneself. Ceres is conjunct M69 approximately every four years, so now is the time to assess what our connection to the largest asteroid in our solar system represents: productivity, income, the connection to the environment, ecology, nutrition. Do not waste the opportunity to do something good for Ceres' themes! And let's honor Mother Earth in any of her manifestations.

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer

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