May 31 / June 1st: Ceres in square to Pluto and the Cat's Eye Nebula reveals intense processes of loss, regeneration and seed, stressing the rejection of a culture of violence

     Aspects between Pluto and Ceres are usually strong because they are enemies in mythology. Pluto (Hades) kidnaps Perséfonoe (Core) daughter of Ceres (Demeter). Ceres pilgrimage in search of her daughter, from a psychological point of view, is a regeneration process that goes through various stages: loss, grief, emptiness, resurrection, fullness. The myth itself is an allegory of the phases of the seasonal cycle on Earth: Ceres is a goddess of agriculture, and in astrological terms she represents the biosphere that hosts us on this planet, and our relationship with it.

     At present, the space mission DAWN is orbiting the asteroid Ceres, an unprecedented feat that allows us to have a closer view of this celestial body. Interestingly, Pluto has also just been analyzed by the New Horizons mission, and given the mythological connection with both celestial bodies, it is interesting that humanity can simultaneously have an approach to both of them. We might also benefit from understanding their astrological effect, which of course is not cause and effect. It must be interpreted as a reflection of the processes that are happening on Earth.


Critical nuances

     The situation is critical in today's civilization, nobody can deny it, and the Pluto / Ceres square proves this. It is a waxing square with Ceres approaching the opposition. But the first quarter phase of their cycle indicates a critical moment, which activates the most intense meaning of the myth of Pluto and Ceres. Whether it manifests through loss or drastic changes, it is necessary to let go of attachments and let the regeneration process flow by itself. Every death is a loss, but it certainly involves new life, just as every new life is scheduled for death. Our entire lives unfold among that process, which we should not fight against, but live at its best.

     Clearly, the Pluto / Ceres square is not a charming trend, and definitely not an easy issue to address, but such is the nature of the astrological process these days. BUt to be able to understand it can explain consciously certain events and perhaps help to get over certain moods, whose range can go from apprehension to nihilism, to resentment, pain and despair. On a more positive approach, this trend can help to end difficult to finish processes, closing chapters so that new life begins and the cycle of prosperity continues.


Tragedies and regeneration

     In the world, this square coincides with the tragic deaths of hundreds of refugees in the Mediterranean Sea. It also will with many other events that will be painful to know about, like the gorilla killed a few days ago in a zoo. Ceres in Aries represents people (and nature) trying to escape from government manipulation (Pluto in Capricorn), which will manifest differently in each country. In some cases, this means losing their own lives in the process. This is nothing new, but this trend may be accentuated over the next few days. Hopefully, these shocks might help us understand that, by neglecting the planet and its inhabitants, we are haeading towrds collapse. This square means the rejection of a culture of violence and extortion, in every possible way. Therefore, many events and protests in relation to it are expected around the world.

    Personally, it is necessary to drop attachments, emotionally as well as worn-out ideas on the mental plane. Materially, it can mean losses, but also unexpected twists in productivity. Changes that are for the better and to improve productivity are also feasible and very favorable during this trend, which is expected to last for a couple of weeks. It is a good time to get rid of what we don't need, although sometimes personal attachments might make this process more difficult. This aspect shows us the areas of our lives in which we must focus the regeneration process, with all the energy that this may imply.


Cat's Eye: the sowing process

     Ceres is also in ecliptic square to the Cat's Eye Nebula, a dying star in the constellation Draco. The Cat's Eye nebula is a complex structure, of intricate and sophisticated beauty. It is surrounded by an outer halo that was expelled by the parent star before entering the planetary nebula phase. And although all planetary nebulae expel their matter into outer space, it is possible to think this is an extremely generous star, as its halo indicates, releasing matter to the universe in advance.

      The Cat's Eye Nebula, being a dying star, also speaks of death, just like the myth of Ceres and Pluto, the planets with which it is connected in a T-square. However, it gives us the key to understand the meaning of this disintegration: the planting of new life. The elements of the Cat's Eye Nebula, before belonging to the parent star, enrich the interstellar medium with more complex elements. The new generations of stars will be formed based on the recycling of the nebula, which holds the experience of previous generations. The Cat's Eye reminds us that the sense of the disintegration we are experiencing is recreation, resurrection.

     Thus, the triangle formed by Ceres / Pluto / Cat's Eye in the sky suggests that at the time of greater emptiness is where fulfillment comes. First as a seed, then as a tree. Illuminate the moments of greater darkness with a small light of hope. It is the time to plant the seeds of the future with love in an empty space, which in turn, will be filled again, if it's our will to do so.

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer

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