The Saturn and Neptune opposition is associated with the forced revelation (Saturn) of that which is hidden and obscured (Neptune), and the forced exposure (Saturn) of the dangers of poisons, drugs, and food additives (Neptune). The Saturn/Neptune opposition which began last summer has brought us a variety of food scares and recalls: an epidemic of e-coli from bagged spinach, salmonella in commercial brands of peanut butter and melamine-tainted pet food, diethylene glycol in toothpaste. Some of these poisons are from China, necessitating a new round of debate on the wisdom of globalization (Pluto in Sagittarius).

Now an Italian study confirms the dangers of the artificial sweetener Aspartame (Nutrasweet and Equal) as a carcinogen, especially for children. An earlier study by the same researchers was rejected by the FDA as insufficient to overturn previous studies that showed no causal connection between aspartame and cancers (many of those studies were paid for by Searle, the manufacturer of Nutrasweet). For more information on the history of aspartame and its approval despite the presence of multiple studies showing a causal connection to cancer, see this report.

More and more it is becoming evident that the safest and most wholesome way to eat is by buying and consuming local foods. This not only helps our bodies to stay healthier but supports our communities as well.