Empathy 2014 - from an astrological perspective

  We have a positive force behind us this year, if used well! The Cardinal Grand Cross is seen as stressful and creating major 'challenges' however, if we change the word to 'opportunity' then we can see its real value.
Mars in Libra - changing the way we relate to each other, using our strengths to be more assertive and truthful in relationships, seeing what is fair and just and 'fighting' for it.
At the same time this squares off with Uranus in Aries - definitely a time of learning to assert oneself, to develop true integrity without fear. Not worrying about being the odd one out but rather instigating positive out of the box actions.
Pluto in Capricorn - a time of the old structures falling apart yet also a time to preserve what serves whilst seeking to replace what does not with sensible, enduring and practical solutions.
Then to cap it all Jupiter in Cancer - a time to expand our vision of 'family' to mean clan (hopefully the whole human race), to be more generous and willing to share, to both wish and need to nourish and nuture others.
That's the grand cross, peaking in April this year.
In addition we also have a good relationship between Neptune in Pisces and Saturn in Scorpio. Neptune in Pisces represents a very powerful return of empathy and spiritual ideals as well as a more romantic, poetic and musical, artistic approach in other words right brain thinking. Chiron the wounded healer is also in Pisces adding to this mix of empathy and the desire to heal others which always truely means healing self. Saturn in Scorpio is bringing much of the taboo hidden secrets out of the closet as the news will testify (rape and paedophilia being the classic examples, drug deaths too). Saturn gives structure and this can helpfully underpin the more 'dreamy' aspects of the Piscean energies. Thankfully this all links in nicely with the Cardinal Grand Cross with Jupiter being in Cancer. Thus the Jupiterian impulse to generosity and an expansive heart as well as optimism and hope joins in the dance in the water signs.
  May 2014 therefore see the first green shoots of a 'brave new world' in which none of us is  ashamed to empathise and find the will to assist, share and believe in better! Stand up and be counted...