Category Archives: aspects and placements

A Mega Installment of ‘What You’re Asking’

31 Wednesday Dec 2008

Posted by in 6th House, aspects and placements, astrology

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Now, let’s talk a little first about what I have to sort through to put ‘What You’re Asking’ together. I’m not talking about searches using keywords that don’t make an explanatory concept; that’s understandable, and an efficient way to look for connections. No, I’m talking about queries that show unclear thinking, and perhaps an imperfect understanding of what’s being sought. In fact, these show such a lack of clarity (for instance, “Cancer in Leo”–huh?) that I have to skip considering them altogether. I guess what I’m saying is that if one doesn’t have a clear idea of what is being asked for, then one has little hope of finding anything that makes sense–and if one is trying to learn about astrology, nothing beats establishing a firm foundation (such as the difference between planets and signs, what planets rule what signs, what an aspect is) before chasing concepts that are in essence nonsense. Of course, it’s no matter to me if these searches continue–just thought I’d offer a word to the wise. As well, searches such as “When will the Moon be in the 7th House” leave me mystified–do they mean their natal 7th, in which case they should be looking for the dates when the Moon will be in that sign, or is there a misconception that the 7th House in place at that spot in the current moment means something to the individual? Again, a thought that your best results come from knowing precisely what you’re asking for in the first place.

Now, on to what we’re here for! There were lots of queries related to the meaning of particular Moon positions and certain subjects; here are the best of these:

What does the Moon in the 1st say about the mother?

Excellent question, as the symbol for the mother falling in the House of Self as we present to the world naturally suggests she may have a big influence on our personality, and our way of conducting ourselves, especially upon first encountering someone or something, in life. What we tend to see, in the most general terms, is a confusion of mother’s issues with our own; with some maturity, we may begin to ask ourselves, does Mom feel that, or is that what I feel? Emotional closeness to the mother is definitely present; it can be debilitating or even destructive if we are unaware of the influence she has exerted, or if we are enmeshed and are being used, one way or another, to provide emotional sustenance to Mom. We can get a lot of information from the sign this falls in, and as well, we can see how Mom views the 1st House Moon offspring by inspecting that sign in her chart. A 1st House Moon in Pisces, with Pisces on Mom’s 7th, might hint that there is a lack of appropriate emotional boundaries, and that the mother feels it’s quite natural (even a right) to fuse her own emotional state with the child’s. In another instance, a Taurus Moon in the 1st, with Taurus on Mom’s 3rd, could say that the emotional sharing the mother engages in with the child is a form of communication, likely imparting values and material standards (Venus rulership, Taurus). With a 1st House placement I have often seen the child feel they must provide emotional security or ‘happiness’ to the mother, sometimes at cost to their own well-being, though with this manifestation there is no suggestion that the mother asks for this, unless sign and House relationships say otherwise–it is offered by the child, who sees it as appropriate. Aspects will also have some say; for instance, a 1st House Moon in Capricorn square Saturn in the 4th says quite clearly that Dad probably plays a big part in Mom’s emotional life, and also in that of the child, perhaps to the point of being overwhelming, with the square suggesting that the influence might have been repressive in some way for mother and offspring, with the potential to put up barriers between mother and child, for the comfort of the father. In any case, 1st House Moon is sensitive, and often begins life with the emotions showing ‘on the sleeve’; and it usually takes some time for differentiation of the emotional state from the mother’s influence to occur.

Are health professions connected to Moon in the 6th House?

Usually I refuse to draw such simplistic assessments as equating any single placement with a particular talent or professional area, but 6th House placements in relation to the health professions are the exception that proves the rule. Consistently I’ve noted 6th House placements tieing the individual to the helping professions in some form; with the Moon, obvious manifestations are nursing, caregiving, dietician, therapist, social worker, and less obvious (and, as with everything, relying on other supportive indicators) such as psychic, manufacturer or preparer of dairy products or dairy farmer, addiction counselor, child advocate (such as those who represent children in the courts), or stylist (the quick changes of the Moon suggesting an ability, when in the 6th, to read and respond to everyday trends).

With other energies in the 6th, we can also look for the ways these connect to health and helping professions, and consistently we will find some kind of link. Uranus, for example, might suggest one who helps/ guides with the intellect, aids by or using technological or social innovation, or who works with the healing or function of the nervous system and brain; the Sun might be a heart specialist, symbolic or otherwise. So, yes, I do see a connection between Moon in the 6th and health, healing, and helping professions, but the forms this can take are numberless, and the essence of the helping individual, a caring attitude, can literally fit any profession existing.

 And, with the 6th House still in mind, we see another query: What indicates ability to heal others after a near death experience?

This, of course, would be a very specifically individual signature, largely shown by particular natal placements triggered by Solar Arc or tertiary progression, or possibly secondary progression–and again, there’s no special placement that shows this potential, but I have described the ability to heal in the chart of one who could (Ellen Yoakum) and in one who portrayed this in the movies (Ellen Burstyn), both of whom have 6th House Moon https://juliedemboski.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/natal-moon-in-the-6th-house/

One thing I would say about healing ability and a near death experience: a near death experience does not change who we are, it changes how we see things, our viewpoint, our perspective–so potentials were there all along, or not at all, one is not suddenly endowed with special abilities or powers because of an event. There is also the danger in just that, in seeing an ability, any ability, as special–not only is this inaccurate, it promotes a doctrine of ‘betterness’ and a mentality of separation, neither of which is present in a true healer.

I had a number of searches that centered on music, such as What indicates musical talent in astrology?

With any talent or ability, we must understand that expression of potentials occurs because of an auspicious confluence of interest, opportunity, ability, persistence, all of which may or may not converge with a ‘right place, right time’ that allows one to concentrate on and develop the talent even further. So, talents are often best delineated from their life expression back to the chart, as many potentials that exist in the chart may never see the light of day. That said, traditionally Neptune is associated with music, so we would perhaps start our search, in a very general way, there. We might also look to Neptune in contact with Saturn (giving form, and perhaps showing performance or recording), Venus (beauty), and Mercury (writing), a connection to the Sun (suggesting Neptune as part of the Soul plan), and connections to the 7th House might be appropriate, for featuring the audience and connecting the Neptune to a public or open forum/ expression. And of course, there are all the other sensibilities that might come into play, such as Pluto with ‘Death Metal’ and Chiron with the torch song genre.

And someone searched simply Opera Voices + astrology, and for this we would likely look for big, dramatic expression, and a classic connection to Taurus (voice) would be in order. See a consummate professional’s chart and assessment here https://juliedemboski.wordpress.com/she-finds-her-voice/

Have a wonderful and safe New Year celebration–see you next year!

Monday Poll Round-Up, Mars in Late Sag, and What You’re Asking, Vol. 3

22 Monday Dec 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, current events in the sky, Mars, Moon, natal placement

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There was only one poll this week, involving what we commonly read when we read our horoscope in a Sun sign column. I wondered if readers were taking a straightforward approach (18% do, reading their Sun sign), a tailored approach (18% use their Moon sign, and 36% concentrate attention in an area where they have a stellium), or if people were getting mavericky with unique takes on the matter (such as reading the sign of the chart ruler–00%!). A full 55% read the sign of their Ascendant, and, considering the way Sun sign columns are typically delineated, this makes sense, as they’re most accurate when we use the sign on our Ascendant as our representative.

Mars late in Sagittarius seems to be getting under everyone’s skin, with attacks on linebackers and a man who decided to jump into Knut the polar bear’s cage leading the charge of too-aggressive behaviors. Why should this be? A late sign degree adds stress, and this, coupled with Sag’s natural inclination to reach out, to expand, could be triggering our least controlled manifestations of the ‘I am’ urge. It doesn’t help that it’s already in proximity to Pluto, and drawing on the potential for violent, destructive, change-insisting action. Look to the area (House) where Mars is now transiting in your natal chart for clues as to the areas in which you’re vulnerable to spontaneous assertion that may go too far.

And finally, an installment of ‘What You’re Asking.’

Does natal Mars in the 12th correlate to a tendency toward child abuse?

I should begin this answer with a caveat that applies to any placement in general: there is no specific position for any planet that gives such a definitive behavioral indictment (or, in a more positive light, a gift) as such. We must look at the whole chart, and in the case of Mars in the 12th, the aspects and the House ruled by Mars become instrumental in delineating meaning. Even then, we have multiple interpretations to choose from. In this case, a 12th House Mars in the most general terms tends to make the individual unaware of their capacity for anger and Self-assertion; and yet, they are typically highly assertive people, as the Martian energy drives the subconscious and underlies everything. So, with Mars here, what we’re really talking about are people who, in one way or another, do not fully comprehend how they may be expressing Martian energies, and this can lead to some very unconscious behavior until the energies are fully integrated into the consciousness. This also means that it’s tough to engage in any conversation with these people about their aggressive tendencies when they are still operating below consciousness; what seems like blatant denial is often more a simple inability to see their own Mars–but be prepared, they will often see it in everyone else!

This can be a classic placement for one who sees others as being aggressive with them, and they may attribute others’ behavior as the ‘reason’ they lash out–‘she egged me on’ or ‘he was asking for it.’ And yes, if the individual is largely unconscious, and Mars rules the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, or 8th, it could suggest child abuse–but if applicable, this combination could also suggest a leader or someone with a warrior sensibility who can defend others vigorously, an adept businessman or woman, someone unusually brave, or a successful athlete. The many possibilities of any placement are why we must take extra care not to buy into a too neat, too abbreviated definition of any energy, whether the interpretation is positive or negative.

What are the effects of a Void of Course Moon in a natal chart?

A Void of Course Moon is, as we know, a descriptor of the Moon after it has made its final major aspect in the sign through which it travels, and before it enters the following sign. In general, a VOC Moon period is a time when there is little impetus behind new starts or beginnings, and this idea follows from the fact that the Moon is the most changeable of all the main energies of the chart, and so is symbolic of growth, maturing, of the progression of events. It also suggests a period of unpredictability; things will likely not go as planned when undertaken at this time, and results may be unexpected and surprising, all because we don’t have the impetus of the Moon quickly contacting other bodies on which to count in moving circumstances forward.

When a natal Moon is VOC, it is the most ‘mature’ energy, degree-wise, in the chart, and it may or may not make aspects to other energies. If it fails to aspect anything, then the emotional picture becomes a huge focus for the individual; she or he may spend a lifetime trying to make emotional connections, both with the Self and with others. No matter the aspect picture, there may be a feeling that everything is felt extra intensely, that the world is in some way ‘too close’ to the sensibilities, and yet it seems to the individual it’s a thousand miles away in terms of relating successfully. This individual may have a sense that they are the ‘oldest Soul’ in the room (and here let me say, that is a lot of poppycock! some are more mature, some more experienced, some have absorbed their lessons better, but there is no order of creation for Souls!), but a better definition may be that they have a very serious, wise way of looking at the World–and this person may have a very difficult time fitting in with others–no matter their surface amiability, they may continually feel they are a stranger in a strange land.

And, stay snug, and have a great Monday!

Jeremy Piven and Mercury Poisoning

21 Sunday Dec 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Mercury, Neptune, Pluto

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Actor Jeremy Piven (26 July 1965 Manhattan NY USA no time available) last week left performing in David Mamet’s ‘Speed the Plow’ on Broadway due to what was found to be Mercury poisoning. It’s rare, now that the Borgias are out of business, to hear of a poisoning case, and even more so to hear of one involving material that has a planetary namesake. Using a random noon birth time I took a look at Mr. Piven’s natal chart, with an eye toward anything that might say ‘poison’; with no way to accurately determine angles, we are significantly hampered in terms of natal predisposition; in other words, we have no way of seeing whether Mercury poisoning was a potential event for him that could’ve been anticipated, though transits perhaps signal that ‘now’ is the logical time for this to come forward for anyone subjected to heavy consumption (more than once daily) of sushi and other forms of fish, as was Mr. Piven’s habit.jeremy-piven-transits-19-dec

I set the transit chart for Friday the 19th, as I believe this is when the news was announced, and we see that the transiting Moon was entering Libra on that day; with Mercury at 28 Leo 30 in the natal chart, the Moon has just semi-sextiled it, and goes on to square Pluto at oo Capricorn. Of course, we can’t help but notice that transiting Pluto has in recent months trined natal Mercury; perhaps when it first moved within orb of Mercury was the initial, serious adoption of the diet regimen that resulted in the poison build-up–but that’s just speculation. Pluto’s transiting trine to Mercury, if we want to be quite literal, could suggest a destruction/ transformation of the nervous system, to the efficiency of the lungs, and to a slowing of the reflexes (the Mercurial ‘quickness’) all of which are symptoms of Mercury poisoning.

Or should we be looking at Neptune, with it’s ability to hide effects indefinitely, to represent the liquidity of Mercury in general and the potential for another, more insidious kind of poisoning, the ‘fading away’ that comes with many slow, cumulative poisons? Certainly it represents the source of the poison, the oceans and their edible inhabitants. Transiting Neptune is (if we’re generous with orbs) within opposition range of natal Mercury; perhaps both Neptune and Pluto play complementary roles in the poisoning scenario, with the transiting Sun’s approach and conjunction to Pluto shining a light on it in a ‘big reveal.’

Natally, Mercury has only two aspects, a conjunction to Venus (blood sugar) in Virgo (health and diet) and a semi-square to Mars (muscle and blood itself) in Libra (ruled by Venus, and where it’s very weak), so we might not be surprised to find Mercury linked to health issues for Mr. Piven. Mercury’s ruler, the Sun, is posited in its own sign of Leo, and this may suggest possible muscle, and particularly heart, damage as a result of this crisis; this is supported by Pluto as it nears quincunx to the natal Sun, and by the transiting South Node as it sweeps toward conjunction–both imply that damage inflicted in the past may come to light.

I wish Mr. Piven well, and also a speedy and (hopefully) complete recovery; for the rest of us, it’s a useful lesson in going to extremes, dietarily or otherwise.

Monday Poll Round-Up, Venus-Jupiter Smash-Up, and, What’s Up?

01 Monday Dec 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, current events in the sky, Polls

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It’s Monday Poll Round-Up, and we’ve looked at each Moon this week, asking what people feel will be the challenges for each. Overall, the results are steady, with 56%+ each time giving answers indicating either positive feelings or a positive outlook on their ability to cope. This is heartening, telling us that more than half of us are meeting events with the best attitude possible, and that means chances for success in anything we apply ourselves to also goes up. A big plus: nobody was simply looking to escape–kudos to all, for the willingness to take responsibility, while the biggest plus is likely one we’re not even aware of: the emotional influence works largely through the unconscious, and with a positive outlook we may encounter ‘set ups’ and situations that are predisposed to a positive outcome, in response to our positive attitude; we really do create our own Universe!

The negatives, averaging around 34%, were troubling, if only for the way some of us expressed feelings of helplessness or some degree inability to cope as well as we’d like. My impulse is to say, Don’t be afraid, everything is as it is because a) the Universe truly is working in your best interests, and anything happening is happening in order to steer you in a particular direction and to give you particular experiences, and 2) if you are responsive to what is being revealed to you, there is no reason to fear–it’s only when you are not heeding the information offered that fear is a reasonable response, as the situation becomes similar to a driver on the highway who ignores ‘do not enter’ ‘wrong way’ ‘one way only’ and ‘stop’!

The ‘Dandies and Dictators’ poll was intriguing, mostly for the way a full 20% feel that the men they know are neither dandified nor dics (!) My only question then was, what are they? as I was unable to think of any male I’ve ever known who didn’t hold even a very mild desire to either be admired/ the center of attention/ or glory in his metrosexualtiy (some of the results of a dandified Juno) or to gently boss others around (again, Juno showing her power within the male psyche).

Venus and Jupiter meet in Capricorn, but here again, we must be willing to see the actual effect created, rather than looking in vain for what we expect. Will we get more love and/or money? Certainly that’s one alternative, but we must also note that circumstances might be deceptive, illusory, or inspired (Neptune influence), or they might bring results that are unduly restrictive, or results may be withheld, for now (Saturn aspect). So, we might not know immediately what this smash-up means, and there’s always the chance that it can have more than one influence for the individual; in fact, I would assume this will indicate at least two manifestations: one oriented toward the matters of the House in the natal chart where this conjunction takes place, and one drawing on one or more combinations of subject of the Houses each rules in the natal chart.  We must also consider that Jupiter’s involvement might signal exaggerations of the current state of love, money, relationships, so that whatever their present status, we will get a snoot full, and that may be great or not so! If you are having difficulty synthesizing possible meanings for the meeting of Venus and Jupiter, I would be glad to give suggestions specific to the various Houses they rule in your chart; please elaborate in the comments section. And, to round it all out, here’s a link to the astronomical take on the two: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27958792/?GT1=43001

My sense is that we’re all at least a little puzzled by the state of things, either personally or on the world stage, with the horrors of Mumbai being the latest assault on our Collective psyche and sensibilities. Take the direct approach; look around your own life for signs of both pitfalls and promise. This morning I saw a mating pair of eagles in flight, certainly an unusual sight, especially so close to a city; and yet where I live the tall cedars, firs, and pines of the Northwest have been preserved in place to a surprising degree, and wild life is still abundant. Certainly, none of us should be surprised to see such a soaring beauty in our own surroundings, and in our own lives, if we’ll just look into the heavens.

And whatever you do, have a great Monday!

Monday Poll Round-Up, the Internal Struggle ‘to Know,’ and the Scorpio Moon: Lookin’ for Love

24 Monday Nov 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, current events in the sky, Moon

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Happy Monday, and welcome to the weekly poll round-up, where we shake out the poll numbers in an effort to see trends in thought and feeling. I was heartened this week by the high number of positive responses in each of the polls, especially those that evinced a healing and contribution-oriented attitude. The more of us who approach daily life with a consciousness of the interconnectedness of all things, and the willingness to add in positive ways to the Collective energy and experience, the more likely we are to sway things in a positive direction on a planetary scale.

Sound a little high falutin’? I think not, considering that roughly 17-20% in each survey chose an answer that reflects some fear or a distrust of the Universe. There are many many reasons this may be so, and I’m in no position to judge those reasons. What I do know, however, is that the Collective positivity that is in evidence will influence those who are momentarily caught in doubt and fear, and can bouy them in ways they’re hardly conscious of.

I also thought it was tremendously positive that so many showed an awareness of the need to take action, whether it was to make fundamental changes (25%) or to make clearer contact with the internal (a full 47%). Now, I always assume that I’m having experiences at least in part to draw my attention to something that may be brewing within the greater sphere, and these results, plus some recent experiences with individuals, have emphasized that there is a small contingent who are wrestling internally with change and the inevitability of it. They want to grow, they are aware that life is calling them to, and yet they are having great difficulty giving up the idea that they already know–what’s best, the way things ‘should’ be, who they are in the now, and though this drives them to seek guidance and situations that challenge them to grow, they also reject outright the feedback they’re receiving–because they cannot acknowledge that the ‘old’ knowledge that seemed to work so well for them before is no longer valid. I see this as a manifestation of Pluto in the final degree of Sagittarius; those who prosper are those who see that change is coming, and who surrender to a fresh input of information, that gives them the knowledge to go forward, successfully in charge of change within their own lives. This applies to everyone, myself included; for some, the hardest thing will be to give up the outdated idea of who or what they are.

And finally, the Moon enters Scorpio this morning, and we’re, yes, lookin’ for Love, and, you betcha, it’ll be in all the wrong places with this Moon that will dig a little too much, stirring something deep in the Scorpio cave; and by Love I mean any nurture or enrichment or comfort that brings security. How do we combat this tendency to turn over all the wrong rocks, to kiss all the wrong frogs? With a serious, even passionate, need for emotional honesty. Embracing our own emotional depths, accepting even the less shiny or flattering impulses we have, and as well forgiving those in others (even though we may be perfectly justified in holding trespassers at arm’s length!) is the way to deal with this Moon’s squares to the Nodal axis, Chiron, and Neptune. A commitment to emotional honesty also keeps at bay the possible hurt, delusion, and misdirection along the life path that comes to those who insist they couldn’t possess a darker side. An opposition to Vesta only challenges us, again, to be scrupulously truthful, specifically by putting that which is sacred before us and daring us to live up to what we say are our standards. Choose with care, and the Scorpio Moon’s trine to Uranus (the 25th at approx. 9 PM PST) will show how well we’ve handled this, and could bring forward a depth of satisfaction we didn’t really anticipate.

And whatever you do, have a great Monday!

Monday Poll Round-Up, Past and Present Collide, and the Fog Rolls In

17 Monday Nov 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, current events in the sky, Mercury, Neptune, Pluto

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We only had one poll this week, ‘Is Love or Money your big ‘danger area’ with Venus in Capricorn?’ As of this morning, 28% say Love, 33% say Money, and a puzzling 39% are looking forward to this, as their natal Venus is in Earth; and I say this is puzzling, as we might expect more like 25% of readers to have Earth Venus placements. So what does this say? Maybe that people who are practical and concerned about concrete Venusian issues read astrology blogs out-of-proportion to their Airy, Watery, and Fiery counterparts.

I’ve had some intense, jarring experiences in the last few days where past and present have met in some unusual and intriguing symbolisms. People I haven’t thought of in years have popped into my head (or my dreams!) and the same seems to be happening to people around me–and I’m assuming, to you, too. What’s driving this? Perhaps Pluto at 29 of Sagittarius, exorcising the distant past, and conveying information about the now at the same time–if All is One, and there is no time in a linear sense, then a window is open that allows us to connect and synthesize elements of the past as they apply to the future, surely a delicious opportunity for understanding and acquisition of knowledge.

The Cancer Moon today (the 17th) quincunxes Pluto, suggesting that the emotional implications of the past and present reconciling will be at the forefront of our emotional reality; the Moon will also trine the Sun, then, when it enters Leo, trine Mars at 00 Sagittarius, and what action we might take will come clear. On the 21st the Earth perfects a quincunx to Pluto, bringing the material impact of all this Plutonian dredging and examining into focus (would that we could see this first, then receive the Mars/ Moon impetus to act, but ours is not to question why  . . . ) The upcoming Sun/ Mercury Superior Conjunction on the 24th brings the final message–believe what is communicated at this point, as it will be the key to finishing up with Sag issues successfully.

The fog rolls in–literally, as it has done here in Seattle, and figuratively, with the Mercury/ Neptune square. We know the drill here, know all the keywords that can describe Neptune’s effect on communication, information, short-distance travel, sibling relationships, and so on, so how do we determine which one of the scary (delusion, illusion, deception) or uplifting (inspirational, idealized, dream fulfilled) banners should be hung on Mercury for us as individuals? It’s elementary, dear Watson: look at the emotions behind the messages (Merc in Water) and the ways in which they clash with our ‘mental pictures’ (Neptune in Air). A secondary method involves looking to the positions of transiting Merc and Neptune in the natal chart, noting what they may be aspecting (anything at approx. 19-23 degrees of Air and Water signs, plus the ‘off’ measurements of the quincunx and semi-square)–if this puts at least one of them in hard (conjunction, square, semi-square, opposition, quincunx) aspect to something in the natal chart, then your message and meaning come here–and don’t forget, this is a conflict-meeting of the rulers of several Houses in the natal chart–look here, too, for meaning. If you’re having trouble, describe the situation of the transiting planets in your chart in the comments section (not to my email!) and I’ll see what I can see!

And in the meantime, have a great Monday!

Monday Poll Round-Up, and Identity Shifts: If Barack Obama Wins . . . .

03 Monday Nov 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, current events in the sky, Pluto

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We either see change as fundamental to life, and therefore as having purpose, or we see it as threatening, and so consistently negative. Though I’ve warned of over-simplification of the concepts (particularly the Uranus/ Saturn opposition) that are accompanying the US Presidential election, there is a strong argument to support Uranus as fundamental change that Saturnian forces must deal with; and if that translates to an Obama win, then we have to ask ourselves: What fundamental changes will we feel at a personal level? And definite changes for two specific groups come to mind.

These shifts apply to a basic world view, as innate in what we know as gravity is to living upon the Earth. The first group, white men, will be faced with a symbolic loss of power. The power structure will for the first time in this country look profoundly different than what we are all used to, and for white men, this will be the first time they’ve looked at those at the very top of the pyramid, at the ultimate pinnacle of influence, and not seen themselves. Now, I’m not judging this, or saying that white men will all perceive this change in the same way, and I’m not saying that they think or act as a group, since individuality within all classifications and ways of grouping humans trumps a simple external likeness; but I am saying that in a patriarchal society built on the mostly unspoken presumption of supremacy of the white male as most ‘qualified’ to lead and arbitrate the social order, white men have always enjoyed the kinds of privilege allocated those at the top of the heap. They are more likely to be seen as serious and stable, and therefore a ‘better’ employee, they are in many instances paid more than minorities or women for the same jobs, and, since they ‘look’ just like the power that came before them, they’re more likely to be promoted and mentored by the white men who preceded them. Yes, these are all generalizations, and yes, there are many exceptions–but they typically prove the rule.

So for them, this election may skew the world view in such a way that they may not recognize the landscape as their own. I think this will be true beyond any racism or position of dominance; things just won’t look the same, which is true for all of us, but for the white male, it represents a command to loosen the psychic grip on the reins of power.

The other group affected by this at a profound level will, of course, be Black men and women. Justified pride in looking to the pinnacle of power and seeing one of their own is almost beyond expression for me; I can’t pretend to know the depths of feeling connected to this, but I can know that it will represent a fundamental change for them, too. On the one hand, it will be a peak moment of Collective experience in terms of a group that has been historically underserved, denied opportunity, and has suffered horrific prejudices and injustices, finally seeing a new dawn for themselves within the power structure. This will be undeniably sweet for many in the older generations, especially for the 109 year old daughter of a slave, Amanda Jones, who voted this week for Barack. And for the younger generations, a Black man ascending to the Presidency has to act as a beacon that shows them the truth of the idea that nothing is out of their reach. On the other hand, it makes a demand of the worldview, too: one cannot continue to define oneself as underserved or trodden upon to quite the same extent when one looks at ‘The Man’ (can you tell when I was young?!) and sees distinct cultural, racial, and experiential similarities–suddenly (Uranus) the social landscape changes, quite specifically for different groups (Uranus again) and our disparities may parse out more and more in cultural, educational, and economic spheres, and less and less (I hope) in racial ones. A scant few, married to a victim mentality, may stay with a victim mentality, just as there will be whites who will embarass themselves by railing against the country’s chosen leader, simply because of skin color (but there’s always a chance it’s out of a sense of intellectual inferiority, very Age of Aquarius!)–but there are always some who will be vessels of intolerance, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

The social landscape I speak of is Jupiter; right now it’s still in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, but the trine it forms with Saturn does not perfect again; each energy goes its own way, Jupiter moves into Aquarius in early January 2009, and Saturn retrogrades December 31st, while Uranus goes direct late November. And what does all this suggest in terms of change in the social sphere? Inevitable, progressive change, the Saturnian grip loosening, forward thinking energies gaining; maybe this is finally, as the long-ago song suggested, the dawning of the age of Aquarius.

But I’m not entirely convinced that Obama will win, despite the polls. I’m feeling we’re in for some real upheaval, and I can’t put my finger on that nature of it. I’ve wondered if a natural event might not supersede the results of the election, not on the day but shortly thereafter; and I’ve wondered if this election might not turn into another contested catastrophe a la 2000, but with a different flair–or maybe Bush as a lame duck will try to institute changes that will bring everyone under pressure and up in arms (maybe literally–a draft?) At least, we don’t have long to wait to find out what happens.

We had only one poll this week. I actually put up two but Polldaddy has issues (!) so until they’re resolved we must be satisfied with having asked just one question: “How do you think Pluto’s move into Capricorn will affect you?” Overall, more people were positive about anticipated changes, or were neutral, feeling it was hubbub over nothing (55% total) than were concerned. A troubling few answered as if they are sure they will be victims of Pluto–but they should remember, as one of the options said, Pluto can’t do anything to us that we don’t agree to.

And have a great Monday!

Seeking Advice During Mercury Retrograde

06 Monday Oct 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, current events in the sky, Mercury

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Just a reminder that, in these tough times when so many of us are looking for effective guidance, we must remember that most basic of admonitions: seek advice from those who really know. Sometimes we lose the logical connection during a Mercury retrograde; we forget that the proof is in the ‘life pudding,’ so to speak. Does it make sense to ask for relationship advice from someone who can’t sustain one? or to ask financial advice from someone who can’t make a living? how about health advice from someone who is not able to resolve their own health issues in a timely way? No, it doesn’t make sense at all; but we can easily forget this in the midst of Mercury retrograde, when we feel a lot of pressure to decide, get things done/ going, to make up our minds; this might be an especially pressing issue for those experiencing a hard transit from Mars right now. If we use our intuition in seeking advice, we’ll do well–as long as it’s truly our intuition speaking, and not our agitated and frustrated mental faculties as they struggle against the retrograde tide.

Are we requiring perfection of those who offer guidance, formally or informally? Not at all; nor should we–learning comes through experience. But to seek, say, financial advice from those struggling to make ends meet makes no sense–if one can’t do ‘it,’ whatever it is, for themselves, then how can they advise others? It’s the same in any area–would you call an electrician to handle a plumbing problem? You see my point. (This also implies that the individual has some asset they could and probably should exploit, that’s being ignored in favor of something else, likely something that is feeding the ego, and little else).

What about those who offer advice but are not truly up to the task? I have a theory about what people choose to do in life: they either choose to do something they’re really good at, or they choose to do the very thing they actually need done for them. I realized this when I met a nurse who desperately desired nurture from the Universe; and she wasn’t a very good nurse!

This doesn’t mean that we avoid learning new functions, or that we only undertake what we are already competent with; it does mean that we don’t ‘practice’ on others until we are very clear about ourselves.

 

WWSFD? + Update

01 Wednesday Oct 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology

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One can’t help but be curious about how the wealthy of the world handle the kind of financial meltdown that’s happening right now. I previously mentioned missing billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett once before here on the blog https://juliedemboski.wordpress.com/?s=steve+fossett and now an array of identification and some torn clothing have been found by a hiker near Mammoth Lakes, California http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26976119/?GT1=43001 I should add that I was living nearby the spot from which he took off the day of his disappearance (from Barron Hilton’s ranch in Yerington, Nevada) and I lived previously in Mammoth Mountain, where the items were found, and the distance is considerable; when we factor in how quickly contact was lost with Fossett, and where his last known position was, the finding of these items, in this spot in the mountains, only adds to my incredulity. And let me just say, I’ve from the get-go found this case to be fishy fishy fishy; so I finally took a look at Mr. Fossett’s natal chart (22 April 1944, 1:58 AM CWT, Jackson TN USA) and transits on the day of disappearance (3 September 2007). First a little background on Mr. Fossett, and then I’ll share with you some of the more interesting transits and progressions active on the day he vanished.

Fossett made his billions (yes, with a ‘b’!) in options and futures trading; in other words, he did very well at a confidence game involving persuading others to pay for abstracts, some of which have not even happened/ been produced yet! Now that takes nerve. Married risk-avoider and homebody Peggy Viehland in 1968. Became a compulsive achiever in individual, high-level sporting accomplishments; holds many records, including being the first to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon (which took 13 days, 12 hours, 5 minutes, for the curious!) Is also an accomplished mountain climber, summiting on 6 of 7 continents, has completed the Iditarod (an extremely rough long-distance dog-sled race in Alaska), the Boston Marathon, multiple ‘Iron Man’ triathlons, and swam the English Channel (I wonder how the French feel about that name?) So, this is someone who has a remarkable amount of stamina, persistence, is in consistently great shape, and has a knack for planning and preparing.

Now some of the more interesting transits of the day; see if they spell anything out for you. T Juno at the Moon/ Sun midpoint; chart ruler Saturn sextile by Solar Arc from the 7th natal Vesta in the 5th (risks and gambles); SA Juno sextile N Venus; SA Pluto opposed N Juno (do you see it yet?) T Ceres conjunct Pallas in the 4th; T South Node just past conjunction to N Chiron in the 7th; T Saturn at 00 Virgo (under stress in a new sign, one that encourages detail work, records to be examined, that demands concrete results); T Venus exactly conjunct N Jupiter (uniting the rulers of the 4th, 9th, and 11th). T Moon was in Gemini, at some point that day passing over natal Uranus in the 4th, which rules intercepted 1st and 1st House Neptune. And it’s important to note that in November of 2007, just over two months after Fossett’s disappearance, his wife Peggy petitioned the court to declare him dead, and this was fulfilled on 15 February this year; I cannot, even for the sake of financial expediency, which this woman almost certainly was not in need of, imagine going to court so quickly to declare my partner in life definitively gone.

Does this suggest anything to you, gentle reader? I don’t mean in any way to disrespect the pain any of those involved may have suffered; and the truth is, I have no idea what may have happened here. But the transits bring a couple of cheeky (and possibly offensive) alternatives to mind. Do you note the same theme of female power here that I do? The most prominent possibility that occurs to me is that Fossett faked his death with the full knowledge of his wife; if I were to judge by the transits alone, I would say she masterminded it, even insisted on it! Why he might have found this necessary is, I think, contained in Saturn as both chart ruler and at its transiting place of 00 Virgo, but the why is impossible to judge without a much broader knowledge of Fossett’s personal and financial situation–and somehow I think all the bases there are thoroughly covered, in the sense that outsiders get nary a peek. What Would Steve Fossett Do? about the ongoing financial crisis–I guess we’ll never know.

UPDATE: Will I have to eat my words concerning the fate of Steve Fossett? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26976119/?GT1=43001 Not yet, at least; no body was found in the crash. It’s still too tidy for me: high impact crash in the remote Sierra, carefully strewn identification and cash, and a single piece of torn clothing–it’s more like bad set decoration than evidence. If and when Fossett is found, I will apologize for my hubris, and then I’ll pose that other question: with all the energy of female strength and control active in Fossett’s chart the day of his disappearance, must we then consider foul play? Time will tell.

FIVE MINUTES LATER: Now where did this magically come from? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26566178/ It says in essence that Fossett’s plane was seen heading east (toward the ranch, and away from the direction of Mammoth) shortly before he was expected back, and that it was flying under one hundred feet, which implies imminent landing. All I can do at this point is comment concerning the whole matter; I’d like to paraphrase the immortal Judge Judy in making my case: If it doesn’t make sense, it’s probably a lie. The question now seems to be, what is a lie (or a mistake, or misinformation), and what reflects reality?

I’ll keep watching this story–check back for updates.

An Open Letter on Juno and Marriage

12 Friday Sep 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Juno, relationship astrology

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Dear Seeker,

I noticed you searched yesterday for the term ‘Juno conjunct Jupiter marriage.’ I have no idea who you are, so I hope you won’t feel intruded upon that I’m addressing this directly; after all, the only thing you were doing was looking for answers.

I admit, I felt a little start when I saw the phrase; the first thing that went through my mind was, ‘This person may have big trouble!’ I know, it’s not a very diplomatic thought! But the concept of an expansion or magnification of the Juno nature within a relationship is not necessarily a pretty one. ‘Why?’ you ask, ‘Isn’t Juno a marriage indicator, and contact is a positive sign that two people are meant to be together?’ And my answer to that would have to be, No.

Briefly, here’s why: Juno/ Hera and Zeus/ Jupiter enjoyed a three hundred year honeymoon, but the second they returned home to Mt. Olympus the fur started to fly (literally: Zeus had a taste for ladies-as-animals). The after-honeymoon relationship consisted of Zeus doing whatever he wanted, and Juno angry, vengeful, and punishing over his transgressions. His lack of respect for the marital relationship in general, and his goddess wife in particular, is the core of the potential downfall of a strong Juno connection.

So, much would depend upon the sign, situation, and aspects of this conjunction–is it between the charts, or within one partner’s chart? If it’s interchart, which partner has the Juno, which the Jupiter? Is this a man and woman, or two men or women? It’s important to ask the right questions, as Juno functions differently in the chart of a woman than it does in the chart of a man. In a woman’s chart Juno is about Self-empowerment, specifcally that enjoyed through relationship, while in a man’s chart Juno suggests what kind of person and behaviors he will see as ‘wifely’ or appropriate to a mate or other partner.

Now, one possible exception to the more negative scenarios would be that this shows a true uniting of Juno and her husband (Jupiter). With positive contacts with other planets and points, and with no stressful attitudes related to the Juno of either chart, there’s some chance that Juno in one chart conjunct Jupiter in the partner’s chart would be a very good, even a prime instance, when Juno does indeed promise marital bliss (or at least, it might keep the relationship in a perpetual honeymoon period, which is probably the very best thing we can hope for with an interactive Juno).

So, Seeker, if you should happen to wander back here, and would like to know the skinny on your situation from my point of view, please leave the horoscopic particulars in the comments section, and I’ll take a look and offer what I can.

And if I don’t hear from you, I wish you the very best of luck and happiness.

Julie, your Astrologer-in-Waiting

See my book JUNO IN THE NATAL CHART, which includes relationship synastry, here: http://dogandsunflower.wordpress.com