On the 8th, words could dig deep, carry destructive undertones, be delivered with the dark shadows that lie behind them peeking through, or could transform us–and this goes both directions, both what we communicate and what’s communicated to us. It’s Mercury parallel Pluto, so more subtle than we might expect–and potentially more serious, in terms of creating, possibly inadvertently, permanent or irrevocable change. This can also lend thoughts and reasoning the ability to x-ray matters and see to their essence, but can also make for unnecessarily pessimistic takes on current matters. Words have power right now, and even the unspoken surges with the power to alter or destroy, so take care with what you put out there, and be aware of the deeper undercurrent, the menacing shadow, or the potential seeds of big, serious change carried within each and every message.
For the 9th optimism may swell to bursting–but we should note it’s definitely not accompanied by a clear or straightforward creative urge–our sunny disposition could seriously mislead us (Sun sq Neptune)–so that if we try to ignore or skip over problems in implementing ‘the dream’ we may tie ourselves in a knot, or worse, bite off way more than we can chew (and when that happens, we choke!) Excess, especially material excess, is in the air with Jupiter in Capricorn closing in to perfect a conjunction to Saturn, aspecting Sedna by trine and receiving a semi-square from Mercury and a novile from the Sun. This means we see the opportunity in things, but may not be willing to think it through or to listen to what we ‘know but don’t know’, to incorporate that ‘blind spot’ material that we desperately need to take into account. Do your best and make tentative plans, ones that stick to current rules while still considering the potential for taking innovative turns later.
The 10th sees change happen whether we like it or not. Winners see and deal with what is, are flexible in attitude, and quick to go with the current that carries those inevitable transformative energies so that through participation they can exert an influence. Winners are tuned in to reality, listen to their own instincts, and are willing to do what’s necessary to make change as smooth as possible; losers fight it all and, well, lose (Mars parallel Sedna, Venus sxt Pluto, Mercury nov Pluto, parallel SN, and semi-sq Saturn, Sun parallel Mercury, nov Saturn, and trine Mars).
If you didn’t like the last post, you’re really not going to like this one, as I ask, When will all the Self-congratulation end? Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for enjoying our triumphs and accomplishments, and there are plenty of people who have trouble recognizing when they have accomplished, when they have created, who fail to see that they have made a difference, and they need to celebrate and be celebrated. No, what I’m talking about is the perpetual Self-talk that honors a desired image, rather than a genuine status achieved.
This is most difficult to sort out when the lauded state is ostensibly framed as a spiritual one; that kind of boast is a ‘humble brag’ with a dual purpose: convince others of our own spiritual purity and elevation, and convince ourselves. I’m speaking of things like confusing spiritual routine and practice (daily meditation, particular kinds of yoga, pilgrimages, sessions with a life coach, spiritual advisor, and yes, astrologer, to name just a few possibilities) with spiritual revelation or enlightenment. One is meant to bring about the other, yes, but it doesn’t guarantee it. Spiritual practice is like eating–it’s meant to sate a temporary hunger, it’s not intended to fill you up for a lifetime. That is, revelation or enlightenments, big or small, can come at any time, in pursuit of or avoidance of any thing–intoning ‘om’ doesn’t prove you’ve earned (and so can claim) a state of enlightenment, any more than eating one proves you’ve earned a hamburger–the two concepts aren’t necessarily causal, aren’t even necessarily connected.
At this point you might be asking, where’s the astrology in all this? Well, we have a duo of aspects for the 4th that, when combined, may exert this kind of pull on the ego, the kind that drives us to let others know just how enlightened (or powerful, or knowing) we are: Mars novile Sedna, and the Sun novile Pluto. The novile is an aspect of brilliance, a flash of momentary genius sparked by the contact of the two bodies. Like two bits of flint, nothing special occurs when they’re on their own, but dash them against the right ‘steel’, and you can start a fire.
In this case, the applying body acts as the crucible to hold the spark–and that means there’s a good chance that the ego, the Will, the role we want to play (with the Sun suggesting idealization at a Soul level), won’t allow the spark to ignite at a deeper level; chances are about even that we’ll see the inner knowing, ‘what we know but don’t (consciously) know’, the instinct or, less frequently, the information that lies in our ‘blind spot’ (Sedna), inform a desire for Power (Pluto), in whatever form that appeals to us–and the siren song of spiritual power can be irresistible, for some.
So, be aware of this potential in yourself, and aware of the potentiality in the world around you. The other influences perfecting right now may make us particularly vulnerable to ego exertions or the need to patch over our vulnerability. The South Node sesquiquadrates Black Moon Lilith, while Mercury quincunxes that calculated spot and squares Ceres–all speak of discomfort with matters we’d rather not deal with, especially a sense of being a victim of the past, or of those who held (or still hold) power over us.
But, there are mitigating influences to be found in Mercury’s parallel to Saturn and trine to Chiron. If we can focus our mind on what’s healed and needs healing (and so how to achieve that healing), and ground this in real-world steps, plans, and decisions that aid these, we don’t have to confront the less savory aspects head-on; we can instead focus on our own and others’ genuine well-being, which isn’t as flashy as a turn around the dance floor with the ego, but is a lot more useful and dare I say, ultimately both honest and soothing.
By the 5th we open the gates to the imagination and to creative energy via relationships and/ or spurred by financial questions, and for some, through a recognized need to live values (Venus trine Neptune). We can find an ideal Love, an ideal Expression, or an ideal financial situation–at least, that’s what it looks like right now–and there’s the potential to gain from taking a spiritual approach to those things we value; that is, vetting material or relationship choices through the lens of what we see as ‘the perfect attitude’.
This may not be immediately easily acted on, though (Venus qnx Mars, Sun semi-square Jupiterand Pallas, Mercury semi-square Zeus), and that’s a good thing, keeping us from over-committing or from an unwise investment. What we can do most effectively, and what we have scads of, is optimism, and possibly a myriad of opportunities to choose from and plan for (Mercury parallel Jupiter). Make efforts theoretical, at this point–‘best laid plans’ are best laid right now.
On the 6th we can draw a gem from the past that offers us a power boost in the present (Pallas nov SN, Sun parallel Pluto). This is available to us if we’re willing to do two things: be flexible in our uniqueness of expression (that is, can we accept an edit?) or our insistence on either being ‘in’ or ‘out’ with ‘the Group’, and willing to question our own values. Remember, it should never be threatening to simply examine what our highest standards really imply–if it is, then those values definitely need examination, as does whatever we’re ‘defending’ by avoiding examination (Mercury qnx Uranus and semi-sq Pluto, Sun sq Vesta).
By the 7th we’re not only feeling strong enough to take those edits suggested yesterday, we can face our own demons and with grace modify our relationships and asset usage to reflect our deepest values. Bonus: this offers healing to what had been a difficult situation (Ceres sextile Black Moon Lilith, Venus qnx NN and sesq Chiron).
That’s a really old saying, isn’t it? ‘Cool your heels’–calm down, don’t rush, be patient. Nobody wants to hear it, but sometimes it’s the best advice you can get–and post-eclipse, it almost always applies.
The appetite for astrological updates and in-the-moment commentary is endless, voracious, and I hate to say, indiscriminate. The want for more information about tomorrow is understandable, but also typically accompanied by a lack of processing of the current data. That is, people always want to know what’s coming; they’re looking ahead to the change, rather than to what they can do right now. Even when they’ve received info for today yesterday, they’re asking, ‘What about tomorrow?’ And my answer is, ‘What about it?’
I don’t mean to be glib, I mean to point out that alerting others to what’s coming doesn’t really matter if they have glossed over, consumed and discarded, failed to genuinely understand or apply today’s info. In my view, too many people read astrological material with an eye to feeling it strike a cord. That’s a bias that’s useful to a point, but also only tends to reinforce what they’ve already sensed (or, worse, been simply hoping for, wish fulfillment). If one absorbs only what one already ‘knows’ or wants to believe, one absorbs very little.
It’s a challenge to actually stop and think about information you’ve received that you might find uncomfortable, that might contradict one’s wants, that might be hard to hear–and that challenge can be summed up this way, as a question: Do you want to grow?
Today, the 1st of December, Mercury enters Sagittarius, and the natural tendency is for the mind to reach out, to roam, to look for knowledge–but unless we are willing to actually see and process what’s before us, we end up skimming over what’s presented, only becoming aware of what corresponds to already-held beliefs. Knowing that’s the inclination, we can use this shift in energy two ways: one is to unfetter our usual way of thinking, allowing the mind to genuinely wander–and that invites us into new, undiscovered, stimulating territory.
The other is a means of alignment, a good way to measure what we take in during this transit: is it factual? That’s a Jupiterian specialty, an association likely growing out of Jupiter’s other tendency, to exaggerate. Being careful to sort belief or philosophy (also both Jupiter-oriented) from facts is important, and will pay off; we can’t be misled if we accept info that doesn’t take a viewpoint, that is made up of bald realities. As CNN’s John King said of the election, “It’s not fraud, it’s math.” (And here’s where I give a gentle nudge to those ‘it’s on the cusp’-ers, those who want to read a placement as if it’s the next or previous House or sign if it’s close to the margin: the math tells you where it is, and what to interpret it as–it’s not up for debate).
If you skipped down to that 1st of December listing, because you told yourself you don’t have time for my jibber-jabber, then ‘cool your heels’ is meant for you directly. Or maybe what I can best say is: this blog isn’t meant for you, and you’ll get very little out of it. You’ll be happier and better served by someone my husband describes as ‘blowing sun sign sunshine’, an astrologer who specializes in the massively general and upbeat. There’s nothing terribly wrong with that; it certainly serves a purpose, it’s just not the purpose I want to serve.
So, by the 2nd we either nail down the practicalities or the wise course to take (Saturn conj Pallas), or we suppress what’s smart in favor of bolstering personal authority or ambition (Merc parallel Ceres and nov Zeus). The interesting thing is, we would normally think this could play out either well (if we respect our own inner wisdom) or badly (if we serve ambition or hubris), but this time it all hinges on whether we value our own highest standards and commitments (Venus sxt Vesta). That’s what determines our real-world success or lack of it–so know what you stand for, before you engage.
The 3rd suggests we may become aggressive, or feel compelled to assert ourselves, out of sheer discomfort (Merc sesq Mars), especially if that’s an irritation that comes from the disparities in our own thinking, or our chafing at what is communicated to us. That could seriously threaten health or relationships, or even the financial picture, and could lead to a disconnect between our effectiveness and our highest values (Vesta contra-parallel Juno, Venus contra-parallel and square Hygeia). Put healthy practices, connections, and commitments first, and try to keep irritability in check–you’ll be glad you did.
The upcoming eclipse is a Full Moon at 8 Gemini 38at 1:26 AM PST of the 30th, and as with every Full Moon, we’re likely already feeling a building tension, attached to some matter either in the natal House where the eclipse occurs, or in some Lunar-related area of our lives (and that can be something involving your Lunar placement, something ruled by the Moon in the natal chart, or a Lunar topic in general, such as mothering, intuition, or nurture). This one, though, being an eclipse, brings a wipe-out to some kind of thinking that has become outmoded, shakes up ideas or perceptions, likely through difficult, unusual, shocking events, because of assertions by ‘the group’, or through accidents, serendipities, or sudden insights provided by Higher Mind (the Sun, which is of course opposed the eclipse and the illuminator of the Moon, quincunx to Uranus). With Full Moon events we alter our thinking or perceptions because of emotional or intuitive ‘enlightenment’ of one kind or another.
The eclipse is apex to a loose Fist of God with base of Pluto-Zeus, suggesting that eclipse revelations (another Uranian concept!) may bring resolution to conflicts between ambitions and desires (Zeus) and matters of Power (Pluto), now held, recently lost, or currently sought. It’s an equation arising from clashes, upset as catalyst to an answer that doesn’t just allow emotional satisfaction or relief, but that changes how we think, how we process ideas of Power and our own wants, as well.
If we really want to be loose with our numbers (and who doesn’t, once in a while, in the name of recognizing the flow of energy?) we can find the eclipse as part of the base of a Finger of God with a wide sextile to Chiron, apex a Venus that’s not really quincunx Chiron, but is linked via the Lunar event. The Finger implies if we can heal something about our own ego, our expression of Will, our actions and choices (which might mean forgiving ourselves for something we’ve done), or heal some concept we have around our own aloneness, whether literal or existential (all Aries, linked to Chiron’s current location), and do this in tandem with or prompted by eclipse events, then we can harmonize some schism, unite in relationship or via aesthetics, or discover some vital Truth (Venus in Scorpio).
Our Sabian for the Full Moon is, ‘A Quiver Filled With Arrows‘. The events of this eclipse arm us, give us plenty of chances to ‘hit the target’; whatever occurs, then, offers a kind of resource, something that facilitates our own activity. The Sun, light-giver and reason for the apparent eclipse phenomenon in the first place, has the Sabian, ‘A Mother Leads Her Small Child Step By Step Up A Steep Stairway’. Are we the mother, or the small child? I see this as the Universe being the mother, showing us the way, assisting us as we try to do better, as we try to climb. That means, then, that if you are knocked back a bit by eclipse events, that the larger flow is telling you that whatever you were trying or after isn’t for you–at least not right now. Taking a warning is always better than ignoring one, wouldn’t you agree?
The 25th-29th brings hurtful thinking (or possibly thinking that works at solving the kinks inherent to utilizing our skills), but also circumstances that firmly support our personal authority and expression, and this sets a success dynamic in place through the eclipse. If we dwell on slights we short-circuit the positive impetus, but if we examine hurt in light of how to heal, how to prevent further damage, and/ or for the part we played in its creation, we empower ourselves significantly, and open the door to both skill utilization and surrounding conditions that facilitate our intents.
Look at it like this: there’s a lot of good mojo available to those who 1) aren’t afraid of their own power, and at the same time willingly embrace genuine responsibility (and that latter is as opposed to saying one is responsible but not actually dealing with a matter); 2) those who actively value the most original and unique parts of themselves (and by extension, who accept those things in others); 3) who wield power in areas that are specifically appropriate to who and what they are (in the largest, Universal sense, not in the worldly ‘labels and qualifications’ kind); and 4) those who are both honest with themselves AND able to listen to instincts (being honest means the instincts are indeed instincts–not wishful thinking or personal propaganda–and so can be trusted). Center efforts on something meaningful to you at a Soul level, and you just might make significant progress at this time.
During this period we also see Neptune turn around in his home sign of Pisces (late afternoon PST of the 28th)–and he does so poised to make his first contact (excluding Lunar ones) by square to the Nodal axis. That suggests we all might get a dose of reality through our efforts to either move forward (NN), resolve the past (SN), or in trying to maintain continuity of past circumstances into the future (SN/NN axis). Generally, this direction should ‘lift the fog’, or otherwise allow more access to the creative (but also, make the pitfalls of the deceptive or deceitful more prominent, and so more difficult to recognize, as well).
Venus may encourage (or maybe force) us to look at ourselves, as much as she may comment on relationships or finances, during this period. ‘Rokeby Venus’ 1644 By Diego Velázquez {{PD}}
Why oh why does everything feel as if it has a hidden side, or contains a trap, or involves something we aren’t informed on? Blame it on Venus entering deep-dive, mysterious Scorpio, and the Sun entering Sagittarius, the latter prompting us to look for the facts–and Venus continuing to seduce us with the idea that there’s something yet to be discovered.
For the 21st we add to the Venus theme an inability to know what to do (Mars contra-parallel Neptune) and perceptual difficulties around knowing what’s healthy for us (Mercury square Hygeia). The result may be that we act foolishly (or at least, not ideally) because we just don’t see what’s good for us! So, proceed with caution.
By the 22nd we still have choice and action difficulties, mainly driven by distorted ideas of who we are or by wonky thinking (Merc qnx Mars and contra-parallel Hygeia, Sun sesq Mars)–but, if we can embrace a role centered in personal responsibility (which automatically then confers personal authority) we can gain, benefit, or maybe even discover some of those things we were sure were being kept from us (Venus trine Ceres). A great time for negotiation, especially if you are aware of your own worth.
The 23rd we’re flooded with creative thoughts (Merc trine Neptune) but may not feel we have the authority to pursue creative goals–or it may feel as if the ways in which we’re not qualified are being pointed out left and right (Sun sq Ceres). However, that spotlighting of supposed-weaknesses is actually a great thing, because once we ‘clap back’ to the idea we’re not prepared, we discover how truly ready we are to pursue our ambitions (Sun nov Zeus). So the real impediment isn’t our skill level–we discover we’re perfectly well-equipped–it’s our failure to know what our creative impulses are really worth, how they’ll pay off or affect our relationships (Venus sesq Neptune). We can gauge all this by a simple metric: if that shiny goal or thing or reward or love or pot of gold isn’t opposed our highest values (that is, if the getting of it doesn’t require us to do something we judge as ‘wrong’), then we should go for it, knowing that fear of being inadequate to the task is just a ghost boo-hoo-hooing around in our minds (Venus contra-parallel Vesta).
On the 24th there’s really only one thing before us: Love and/ or Prosperity/ Talents face off against all those things we’ve buried, ignored, or denied in order to keep the relationship, the effort, the performance, or the venture afloat. Meet issues honestly–the clock’s run out on at least one matter you’ve been avoiding for too long–and the only way to handle it and still receive its benefits is to go through it, to unflinchingly admit what must change, what must be acknowledged, what’s long overdue for recognition or acceptance or to take on a new form, a new version of itself, one that until now has been, dare we say, thwarted. Time to fly (Venus opp Black Moon Lilith).
The Weekly Word Image is the reading of a Will, where of all who gather, only one inherits. What are our expectations in life? If we’re not careful, we can easily start to believe that something that might come our way, should come our way–and that soon segues into believing we are owed, deserve it, have earned it–and that can become the assumption that it’s winner take all. I believe we’ve had this kind of image lately because there’s an overwhelming sense in the Collective psyche that there are certain things we’re owed, and we’re going to insist on having our way–no matter what. It’s our responsibility as individuals to check our own assumptions, to pull back and accept a reasonable perspective based on the evidence, to acknowledge that just because ‘we want’ doesn’t mean circumstances must automatically conform (or that because we want, we must then be ‘right’), and that we should consider taking a beat, rather than just bulling our way forward, hell or high water.
There are two reasons the 17th may be disconcerting, and maybe disorienting, as well: we’ll be navigating relationships and/ or financial matters without benefit of the instinctive nature, and our alienation from our own sensibilities could result in a feeling of being adrift, without any inner impulses and ‘knowing’ to guide us (Venus contra-parallel Sedna); the other factor is likely to be the impact of the unexpected, the shock or surprise, the erraticism of ourselves or others, or the Will of the group, on our thinking and perceptions (Mercury opp Uranus). The combined effect is one of not feeling our own center, and also feeling there’s no way to contact a reliable external source to steady ourselves. The solution? Focus on the feeling and intuitive nature via the Capricorn Moon, which enters the sign at 8:35 AM PST. We can ground ourselves in the rules and frameworks that are already familiar, letting go of that free-wheelin’ impulse of the Sagittarius Moon that preceded it and instead finding a sense of grounding through rote, routine, and reliable constructs. It’s not glamorous, but does give us a steady base from which to operate effectively–which can be pretty appealing when the alternative is feeling rudderless and lost in the uncertainty of fog.
The 18th we are in the groove–yesterday’s disorientation lifts and is replaced by certainties in both our place in things and our knowledge of them–and so offers a steady platform from which to operate. This happens a lot faster for those who embraced the rules and other Capricornian elements available through the Moon; for others it may be a slow road back to effectiveness, one tortured by those matters we’ve hidden even from ourselves, for of course they haven’t gone away at all (Neptune semi-sq Black Moon Lilith). Orient via highest values, commitments, beliefs, ambitions, past experience, and the personal authority you hold (Juno qnx NN, Jupiter parallel Ceres, Venus parallel Zeus, Merc sxt Vesta and nov SN, Sun sxt Saturn) and apply efforts toward these through practical and productive means (the Capricorn Moon). This can be a highly rewarding day, when goals can not just be approached but potentially reached, and you can have significant impact on your own situation, materially or through values and commitments reinforced or even cast in stone. Good luck, and make the most of it!
The 19th we may find ourselves once again alienated from our own consciousness, disconnected from both the spiritual and the animal nature–how can that possibly be? We may be actively rejecting: 1) some element of reality that displeases us (and likely forces us to acknowledge something we’d rather ignore, if we do accept it), 2) love or support as it actually exists, rather than as we wish it did, 3) our own responsibility in things, and/ or 4) what our own instincts are trying to warn us about. It’s a day to be seriously straight with ourselves. Never mind others and their behavior–it’s ourselves we must get right with (Chiron sesq Juno, Venus sq Saturn, contra-parallel BML, and qnx Sedna, Merc contra-parallel Uranus, Sun opp Sedna).
The word for today is ‘perspective’. On the 20th we should get a much needed break, garner a reward, or enjoy true communion or gratification through relationship. Keep in mind, though, that our attitude may automatically be that we not only deserve what we’re getting, we’re owed it, because we’re ‘better’. That’s not true; we may or may not have earned the good we’re receiving, so we mustn’t allow the ego to exaggerate our worthiness–that is, we’re all worthy as human beings (that’s the source of our reward!), and hard work will be given its due, but none of us is more worthy than another just because we’re enjoying the Universe’s momentary largesse (Venus parallel Juno).
Usually I include Friday’s forecast with the Weekend Report, but today it seemed like it was more of a piece with the weekdays–so here it is. Have a wonderful and safe week!
The Weekly Word Image is an unexpected, and out-of-season, but wonderful homemade gift. For me it was chocolate dipped macaroons (these are some of the rare cookies I can eat) delivered (contact-less) in a Christmas tin; it was a delightful boost that made me feel loved, a small gesture of out-sized importance in these difficult times. Look around you–there’s some unanticipated gift you’ve been given, too; chances are it’s not as obvious as mine in its holiday tin, but no less meaningful, no less nurturing to the spirit.
‘The birth of Aphrodite’ By Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky 1887 {{PD}}
The New Moon perfects at 9:07 PM PST of the 14th at 23 Scorpio 17; this meeting takes place after both bodies have, relatively recently, conjoined Juno (the Moon within hours, the Sun about 5 days before). This suggests that the New Moon new start follows on an illumination of our own empowerment situation, the extent of our reach, and how effective we are in impacting our world. We looked beneath, or even through, x-ray-like, circumstances (Scorpio) and likely found one of two things: that we are much more powerful than we thought, or that we don’t hold power in the ways, or over what, we previously believed.
So this New Moon offers a point of re-birth, a re-making that allows us to rise again empowered–and a single set of sextiles tells the story. These are to the Capricorn-located energies of Pluto, Jupiter, and Pallas–and the New Moon has no other contacts. A sextile is a cooperative aspect, one that encourages the entities to work together, but it does require some effort, the kind shown by active intention.
We must choose to re-make, re-form, according to the Truth we find beneath the surface (Scorpio), and we do it by transforming structures, rules, restraints, and the framework upon which we hang our identity (Capricorn). The energies at our disposal are powerful ones: the Plutonian spark of the Universe, intense as life and death, a generative essence that can create or destroy; Jupiterian confidence, opportunity, and largesse, a bold belief in what we can build, and also that we know the material facts, and so can judge our best endeavors; and Pallas, offering a Warrior-spirit, a mature wisdom and understanding, a brave countenance with which to face challenges, and a practicality that informs our best use of already-developed skills.
That sounds like a lot, but the reality will be very individualized, very specific to your own personal transformation story. We’re likely to experience the chance at re-birth in matters of the House in the natal chart where the NM occurs. Though the contours of the situation will be highly unique to each individual, the general areas affected may be encompassed by the House where it falls: the 1st–the Self and the way you ‘present’ to the world; the 2nd–talents, assets, or Self-concept; the 3rd–communications, thinking, agreements, siblings; the 4th–family or core beliefs about identity; the 5th–creative efforts, romance, one’s children, risks; the 6th–the everyday circumstances, obligations and duties, the job, work colleagues, health; the 7th–your partner, your audience, your Art, or the world at large; the 8th–others’ assets, what you share and they share with you, sex, death; the 9th–things at a distance, education, religion, in-laws, travel, publications; the 10th–the career, the public image, business, your boss; the 11th–group affiliations, friendships, hopes wishes and goals; the 12th–the wider Universe, large institutions, those things we may be hiding from ourselves, spirituality. Not a definitive list, by any means, but one meant to give you some idea of where the action will be. There’s plenty of overlap, as well, as anyone who works with astrological concepts for long will know, so use your best intuitive sense of how this translates to your world.
So what’s the Sabian for this transformative Moon? ‘After Having Heard An Inspired Individual Deliver His “Sermon On The Mount,” Crowds Are Returning Home’. We’ve already ‘received’ the message delivered by spirit, or via someone inspired in their offering–now we need to take it ‘home’ with us, into ourselves and our everyday lives. What that message is will depend on who you are–what we know is that we’ve already got the needed information, and now just have to implement it.
Like Dorothy, we already have what we need to get ‘home’, we just have to access it, and the New Moon offers an ‘entry point’ that can kick-start a next-step inspiration.
It’s Friday the 13th and Mars stations direct! At long last, the Warrior resumes apparent forward motion. Direction happens without any direct contact to other bodies–and so may feel disconnected from surrounding events. That is, we may feel a ‘loosening up’ of energy and a resumption of forward motion, especially in matters of the House in the natal chart where Mars is currently transiting and in matters of the natal House Mars rules, but otherwise these may not connect to current happenings in our lives. At this point it may be a ‘So what? That doesn’t help!’ feeling, or one where the potentials for gaining momentum remain theoretical, for now.
And what does this mean, happening on Friday the 13th? Absolutely nothing! Our numbering of the days isn’t related to anything, other than the whole ‘365 in a year, and a leap day once every 4 years’, marking the actual movement of the planet around the Sun. Other than that, the numbering of days, as well as the naming of days of the week, are simply human constructs, and hold no meaning. The reality is, if you look for negative events, anticipating something because of an arbitrary negative designation, you will surely find them–but that in no way suggests that the designation is the cause of the negative event.
The 13th also promises rewards, if we play it right, and offers one pitfall. The pitfall first: rigidity in values expression and/ or in thinking can be misleading and cause unwise decisions (Mercury sesq Neptune, Vesta sesq Pallas). And the rewards? Those are obtained by valuing the future (acting with the idea that you’re building what’s to come–Venus trine NN), exercising creative agency (Neptune trine Juno), and by adding the unique voice and viewpoint in those areas where your commitment is solid (Uranus trine Vesta). Overall for today, take a positive attitude, one where you’re willing to invest in what really matters–and let everything else go.
On the 14th the rubber meets the road, as they say, and that promises that, if we remain focused on positive and productive change that centers on ambition fulfillment, we get very good results (Sun sxt Pluto and Jupiter, Venus conj Zeus). Those ambitions you’ve put genuine and legitimate work into will pay off–if you don’t get the expected benefit, you can be sure it’s because you only thought what you were doing was an adequate investment–let this be your warning that something in your thinking, assessment capability, or method must change (Mercury sesq NN).
Too, what has changed of late will be glaringly apparent–the Sun spotlights things so they can’t be missed (unless all our energy goes into not seeing)–so be invested in responding to this ‘new’ reality, rather than trying to cling to the past.
The 15th brings conflict in relationships or over finances (Venus sq Pluto and Jupiter). We may find transformed circumstances that call for our sensitive and responsive-to realities adjustment. Our choices are: face the need for changes, or set up a stand-off. Be aware of a couple of things: thinking is off right now, influenced by hurt and so alienated from our highest values–meaning judgment at this time is off, as well; and what’s smart will be highlighted, pointed out to us, or otherwise be prominent–so take the hint (Mercury qnx Chiron and contra-parallel Vesta, Sun sxt Pallas).
By the 16th we have to face it: some facet of our financial stance or in our attitude in one or more relationships has to change; allow values to guide, in spite of the way they may point out how we’ve been at fault (Venus sq Pallas and semi-sq Vesta).
Post on the New Moon of the 14th to follow tomorrow.
What do influences active on the 10th tell us? Be smart: concentrate on making the most of your own authority and power, and be willing to make changes within your own sphere in order to maximize reach and effectiveness; be very clear on what comprises your ‘territory’, and what’s actually another’s responsibility; be open to negotiating more favorable power balances, and be honest about what things you are willing to oversee, which you are okay with handing off (Pluto parallel and Mercury trine Ceres).
Mercury, now in forward apparent motion, enters Scorpio after a brutal retrograde, making us naturally more reflective and prone to dig up the bones; don’t let that propensity disturb arrangements that at present are actually complementary, that are in balance with each serving their parts–we need to keep our highest values and commitments at the forefront of consciousness at this time, in order to avoid succumbing to a too-strong inclination toward change or destruction when something isn’t quite as we’d like (Venus contra-parallel Mars and novile Vesta).
On the 11th everything that was stirred up but didn’t settle yesterday prompts unwise or discordant action–so don’t (Mars semi-sq Ceres). Use ideals and goals to re-align efforts, and pull from the imaginative fog those gems that are both inspiring and useful (Venus qnx Neptune, Sun qnx NN).
The 12th may be very active, with a lot of ‘we have no choice’ change coming at us–so disorienting at the least, and super unpleasant and disempowering, at worst. Jupiter, Pluto, and Pallas all pile up together, and the thing is, this may read as the social order telling us what to do–but wise up, as the reality is that what those who are both knowledgeable and in power are telling us to do or asking of us is actually wise and most practical–even if we can’t see this. You notice that key phrase, right? Knowledgeable and in Power–if somebody has only one of those (specifically, someone who holds some kind of sway or power but who can’t point to actual facts), then the smart thing to do is not to listen to them. Can we abandon our prejudices and partisanship long enough to do not just the right thing (from the individual way of thinking) but the smart one? I hope so.
The Weekly Word Image is a tremendous windstorm that should knock over trees, fences, and other vulnerable structures, but doesn’t. Roots and foundations are deeper than they seem to be, and that can be a good thing, when values are clear and others are respected, or a very bad thing, if what supports is sunk in prejudice, hatred, or fear, all of which are almost definitively irrational. Know that right now, surface arguments aren’t worth having; make sure you’re aligned with what is True (and if you’re not sure, just ask if what you see as Truth respects the well-being and rights of others–if it doesn’t, it’s not something to build your life view on–it can’t be True if it imposes your Will)—because if you respect what’s objectively True, then you’re also aligned with Love.
‘A Woman Playing a Clavichord’ By Gerrit Dou c1650 {{PD}}
Merc and Saturn once again perfect their square on the 6th, forcing us all to feel the pinch in our own particular ways. Whatever constraints your mind has been struggling with, you can remedy things with a simple formula: honor a sense of your own responsibility gained through successful efforts of the past (Ceres conj South Node) and then be flexible in allowing healing for those matters you really care about (Chiron qnx Vesta). The tendency may be to insist on rigid expressions of the highest values and to be unyielding when it comes to those matters you’re dedicated to–but that wouldn’t be just Self-defeating, it would be downright wrong. Be open to learning from experience–it’s the only way to keep perceptions both responsive to reality and relevant to the situation. Too, it’s not a day to pursue ambition fulfillment directly–too many denied, ignored, or hidden matters, including our own anger, will pop up to interfere with realization (Zeus contra-parallel Black Moon Lilith).
By the 7th we should be concentrating on doing what’s healthy, especially in relationships and finances, and this may go against our natural inclinations, which could be driven by our own hidden agenda and so focus our efforts on trying to right what we perceive as a wrong (Venus sxt Hygeia and sesq Sedna, Pallas sq Zeus, Sun qnx Mars). Thoughts are too prone to seek ambition fulfillment and to ignore the wonkiness of our own reasoning (Merc parallel Zeus and contra-parallel BML)–wait it out, and go experiential, if possible (enjoy the senses, rather than trying to forward goals).
We balance ourselves and gain empowerment by concentrating on our own responsibilities and then fulfilling them on the 8th. Just as yesterday, don’t succumb to what presents as instinct but is really misperceived situations of right and wrong (Sun conj Juno, Merc qnx Sedna and parallel Juno).
Things become complicated (or more so!) on the 9th. We feel empowered and aware of our own personal authority via our idealism, but this kind of power is merely an illusion if we don’t also embrace personal responsibility (completely, not just selectively) and refuse to act out of hurt. It’s a difficult balancing act, but we do have a single metric that will help us measure our own effectiveness: if we find ourselves reacting to things in an oppositional way (that is, taking the opposite position regardless of our own best interests or what’s logical), then we’ll know that we’re avoiding our own need to assess situations for our own part in things–we’ll know we’re in some way shirking responsibility, and must parse that out before going forward. Some of us may do brilliantly by harnessing energies for creative ventures–if you can, this is the best way to go (Venus sesq Ceres, opp Mars, contra-parallel Chiron, Sun trine Neptune).
Julie Demboski's ASTROLOGY 
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