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“Where there’s smoke there’s fire, passion and desire

Dust becomes a flame

Burn me to a cinder, now that I have been there

Nothing is the same”

From “Ashes to Ashes,” by Karma Martell

Unless you have been in quiet meditation for the last many months (and if so, I bow to you) you have probably seen and heard the media buzz about the never-before-quite-like-this great planetary configuration that perfected in July of this year–now activated for years to come.

Known to astrologers as “Barbault’s Basket,” the pattern was named for the French astrologer Andre Barbault, who discovered the cycle. 

The “basket” ushers in a long period where the elements of air and fire dominate. And, with all the outer planets in either fire or air signs, we have a free flow of energy that is etheric and intuitive in nature. 

As yogis, we understand that spirit energy, unencumbered by physicality, is a powerful agent of transformation. Pluto, the planet of transformation, a yin force, now settled into an Aquarian framework for 21 years, is here to help humanity turn its attention to community and harmony (the 9th harmonic in vibrational astrology). 

Pluto receives long term flow from Uranus (spontaneity, the unexpected, sudden breakthroughs, awe, high level communication) and, by sextile, Neptune (the unbounded realm of fantasy, dreams, goals awaiting manifestation.) Jupiter, the planet of wealth, generosity and excess is in Leo for the year, completing the Fire triangle. Saturn, which in Vibrational Astrology is associated with doing what is essential, and that which lasts beyond death, has been in orb with the fire trine for many months. It is pulling farther away, but it has set the parameters. While on the surface they seem like an odd couple of opposites, the Saturn and Neptune pair in close association are a recipe for earthly manifestation of one’s dreams and goals. 

This November 5th, I will be leading an experiential yoga-astrology workshop that takes Barbault’s Basket into account, along with an amazing line-up of aspects that augment the cycle. In the heart of Scorpio season, when the veils between worlds are the most translucent, we’ll use this auspicious time to set ourselves up for guidance and growth. Click here for more information and workshop registration. 

My friends and colleagues Rick Levine and Sue Minahan discuss it here.

And here is a deep dive in the work of Andre Barbault featuring astrologer Lynn Bell.