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Category Archives: current events in the sky

Venus Retrograde in Scorpio, 2018: Psychic Pheromones

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‘The Death of the Gravedigger’ c1900 By Carlos Schwabe {{PD}}

I don’t know about you, but for me, this Venus retro period has brought vivid, almost tactile dreams, defining moments in relationships, and unsettling encounters with strangers who seem to crawl out of the woodwork. At first, of course, I just thought it was me, drawing in weirdness because of some psychic pheromone I was unknowingly putting off–but turns out, others are having these experiences, too.

The retrograde happening in Scorpio had already primed me to expect a certain amount of digging, a handful of turned earth, now and then, the dark corners lit up, and I’d expected the resurrection or final termination of certain Venusian pastimes, pursuits, and in some relationship or money matters in general, and all of it keyed to the last retro of Venus in this House of my chart, 8 years ago (the 10th, for the curious–so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that each ‘event’ took place in public!) I didn’t count on the square of Venus to Black Moon Lilith, the way Mars mingled with the latter and moved on to square the former, the way Merc in Scorpio has begun to slow in preparation for that retrograde period, which closely follows Venus’ direction, the way Chiron and Sedna are sextile and forming a Finger of God with apex the Scorpio Sun (the Finger especially potent, as it combines a sense of woundedness with those matters we ‘know but don’t know’, creating a stew of hidden motives, just-below-the-surface hurts, and suddenly revealed atrocities)–in short, I didn’t count on all the varied sh*t stirring that would be going on simultaneously.

Rather than just a review of 8 years ago focused on career, public role, status in all its forms, reputation, business–all those 10th House matters–what I’ve gotten has been a series of encounters that have either showed me who others really are, beneath the civilized surface, or that have brought strangers pushing forward with what I can only describe as attempts at inappropriate interaction–that is, ones that break social boundaries and barriers, and not in a good way. They’ve each one featured at least one of the Scorpionic specialties: death, sex, darkness, regeneration, change, destruction, loss. As I said, at first I thought it was me, pulling in others with murky motives and nefarious aims, so naturally I looked at myself, wondering, ‘Am I doing that? Is this a reflection of my own behavior?’

Nothing made sense, until it did; that Aha! of recognition came (as it always does) when I stopped taking it personally and looked for the larger pattern, which involves the Truth about Love, Money, and/ or Relationships–so, if you’re seeing this, too, how is this manifesting for you? Check as many as apply, and feel free to comment, add your own answers, or to elaborate.

Have a lovely weekend! For the forecast, click here–and for a review of Venus Retrograde, see here–Thank You!

 

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18-24 October 2018 A Careful Balance

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By Ramon Casas i Carbó c1890 {{PD}}

I’m not resuming daily posts, but did want to give everyone some tips for the coming week. The 18th we can be highly effective in material matters; that is, in actual manipulation of the environment or physical components. Tackle chores or go forward with efforts that express ideals or that follow ‘Higher Mind’ precepts–they’ll be executed with a touch of genius, right now. Be aware, though: just because ‘it’ is appealing, doesn’t mean it’s a smart choice (Mars nov Saturn and semi-sq Chiron, Venus semi-sq Pallas)

The 19th is a day when using one’s authority and creativity together is a winning combination. Ambitions can be realized–but only if we can avoid being impulsive and/ or avoid using ideas originating from our own hurt feelings or from angry Self-justification. As long as ambitions reflect ideals, things should go well; the minute we sink to ego level, we come up short (Ceres conj Zeus, Mercury sq Mars, sesq Chiron, trine Neptune)

My favorite representations of the Tarot ‘Fool’ show him blithely ready to step off a cliff–something like the attitude we need to adopt today. {{PD}}

The 20th presents a tricky equation: we have to act without resorting to power roles or personal ‘pull’, while simultaneously dealing with ‘blind spot’ material that, quite logically, we can’t possibly see! We may need to put our faith in our instincts, even as we trust that the Universe will deliver what we might otherwise be tempted to pursue using privilege, influence, or outright payment. A balancing act best symbolized by the Tarot card ‘The Fool’–trust in the Universe, but also in one’s own inner voice (Juno contra-parallel Ceres, Sun qnx Sedna)

By the 21st ‘it’ piles up–and by it I mean thoughts and impulses that may seem to have no effective outlet. We may be tempted to make unwise choices in an effort to avoid matters we’ve been ignoring or denying, or to dodge a fight over things that enrage us. It may feel as if everything we honor is being trampled. We must acknowledge needs even as we hold back automatically acting on them. Proactively we need to do two things to effectively cope: reach out only in blatantly healthy and positive ways, and seek the optimistic and the opportunities that attitude presents–all else is folly (Pallas sesq Black Moon Lilith, Vesta sesq Sedna, Jupiter trine Hygeia, Mars parallel BML, Mercury parallel Mars, Jupiter, and BML)

On the 22nd we see the ‘right’ move, if we can see what is of worth from the past, and if we don’t let our imaginations run away with us or let deceptions mislead us. Thoughts on Power and its effects are perceptive and probably accurate, and words and thoughts can be transformative (for good or ill), but if implementing change requires rebellion or varying from your core identity/ character, then it’s not a good idea, after all. And no matter what, cause no harm (Mars parallel Jupiter, Venus parallel SN, Mercury sxt Pluto, Sun contra-parallel Uranus, qnx Chiron, sesq Neptune)

For the 23rd, optimism and embracing ‘the facts’ are key. Contrary to earlier in the week, what appeals is smart, especially if it causes you to see the beauty in the past having rolled out just the way it did. The Sun enters Scorpio, and in so doing may challenge your ideas of what your role should be; as long as you respect individuality while emphasizing reliability and regularity, you’ll find yourself in exactly the spot you need to be (and prompted to purge exactly what needs purging). (Jupiter parallel BML, Venus nov Pallas, Mercury parallel SN and Venus, Sun opp Uranus and qnx Juno)

Juno enters Taurus on the 24th, and coupled with Venus’ sextile to Saturn may bring us ‘down to Earth’ in positive, profitable, or soothing ways. It’s a day when enjoying the material fruits of our position will better our standing or our environment–the only caution is betting too much on our ‘day in the Sun’, without giving due consideration to where we’ve come from, and where we’re going (Sun sq Nodal axis)

Full Moon forecast to follow. I may come back during the week to add Daily Images. Remember, Venus is still retro, so caution in Venusian life areas is smart. Have a lovely week!

New Moon in Libra 8 October 2018 Make It So

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Michelangelo’s ‘Cleopatra’ {{PD}}

The New Moon forms at 8:47 PM PDT of the 8th at 15 Libra 48; it’s notable that both Sun and most recently the Moon have swept over Ceres and remain at the New Moon point still conjoined, though swiftly moving away. This suggests relationship power balances have recently been vetted or made themselves quite clear–so at least part of what you consider at this New Moon is whether you’re happy with that, and what new practices you might want to begin, especially related to the partnership, cooperative, aesthetic, or mate situation (Libra)–though keep in mind that with Venus retrograde, your tastes will be other than usual–and that suggests precipitous change, especially that which can’t be undone, is to be avoided.

The New Moon is also loosely conjoined, both bodies in this case heading toward conjunction, asteroid Zeus, implying that New Moon new starts may be driven by deep desire, ambition fulfillment, or lust. We want something voraciously–if we admit to our appetites, it will be much easier for us to get it.

The NM squares Pluto, in effect creating a T-square if we count the Earth, which always always opposes the Sun. This suggests that conundrum: are the new beginnings at this point born of changes we must respond to and can’t help, that are outside us, or do we make the changes ourselves proactively, wishing to create the new start? Some of us will make our move, but others will need that external circumstance to push them forward. Know that if something occurs or comes at you at this time that seems harsh, final, driven by powers outside yourself, that it’s really working in concert with an inner wish, or at least, is appearing in order to allow you to act or to rid yourself of something you wouldn’t have been able to facilitate or shed on your own. Bonus: if you have a natal point at 15-19 Cancer, you’ll have a Cardinal Grand Cross filled in, making that natal energy very active and probably bringing some kind of ‘power showdown’ surrounding it or matters of the House where it sits or that it rules.

Neptune is quincunxed by the New Moon, and Juno is sesquiquadrate. The Neptune contact suggests that New Moon activity may be an adjustment in response to what we imagined but which has proven not exactly as we anticipated, or as a modification to a creative effort, seen in light of new beginnings or a new aesthetic perception (again, remember the Venus retro). Bonus: if you have a placement at 14-16.5 of Taurus, this forms a Finger of God with apex the NM, promising that some creative matter or deceptions affecting circumstances related to the natal planet or the subjects/ Houses it rules may come to a head at the NM, likely revealing, if not what to do about it, then certainly how to feel about it.

The NM sesquiquadrate to Juno says that, as we already know, our power and empowerment options will be affected–but it points toward some difficulty or awkwardness around our current status. Do we want to do something but fear we don’t hold the authority to make it happen? Is Zeusian passion pushing us in a direction we fear others might not find acceptable? Or is it a matter of the position we hold, and how it constrains us? In any case, the New Moon presents a need to re-work our aims, in light of what we truly deeply want. Bonus: A natal placement at 29 Aquarius-1 Pisces means a Fist of God is completed, implying that the natal energy in conflict with your personal empowerment situation or sense of authority may bring about the New Moon new beginning.

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon is, ‘After A Storm A Boat Landing Stands In Need Of Reconstruction’. This tells us that destruction, much of it caused by prior circumstances or events, prompts even further destruction, in order to re-build. Expect a little clearing out to occur, even as a new ‘power position’, and maybe a new emotional outlook on a Libran subject, finds its footing and makes changes in your world, giving you a new and improved space from which to launch new projects or new life directions.

Venus Retrograde 2018 Experimental Passions

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‘Femme nue’, 1889 By Jean-Léon Gérôme {{PD}}

Venus currently appears stationary, and will begin apparent backward motion on October 5th at 10 Scorpio 50 (and a skosh), 12:05 PM PDT. Every 8 years Venus retrogrades at just a few degrees less in the same sign; last retro in Scorpio began October 7th 2010 at 13 Scorpio 13. We look back to what happened at that time for clues as to what will appear this time; the House of the natal chart where the retrograde falls will tell you what subjects, individuals, or groups will potentially be prominent. These issues may be the same as last time Venus went retro here, they even may pick up exactly where they left off, or another topic represented by the House may come forward, and there’s the possibility that the Venus retro effect may spill over into the matters of the Houses of the natal chart ruled by Venus, as well as Venus’ usual themes of ‘Love & Money’.

Venus’ turnaround prompts us to pull back on aesthetic choices, to reconsider friendships, partnerships, or love interests, to review investments of all kinds, to experiment in these areas. Suddenly we wake up one day and long to try something new in one or another Venus ruled arena; as this retro is in Scorpio, we are likely to dig, excavate, research, our need to find ‘the Truth’ urgent and emotionally stirring, with all the consequent (and probably predictable) upset this brings to relationships, values, or financial situations. We’ll be drawn, one way or another, into a Venusian ‘cave’–how and how deeply we choose to explore it is the retrograde journey.

During the retrograde we may decide to resuscitate some Venusian interest. We could go back to making Art, making money, or making Love, reconnect with an ex-, reach out to a lost friendship, dabble in new income sources, or look to handle our funds or interactions differently than before. What we cherish or find rewarding comes into focus–though we could say it loses its usual focus, giving us a different viewpoint than we are accustomed to–and we may see temporary circumstances that turn as much on finding what doesn’t work for us as by locating what does.

The retro period frees us from the usual Venusian constraints we apply (indicated by the natal Venus placement by House and most especially by sign), but caution from the get-go is necessary: what we may not see is that our judgments made under the influence of the retro may not hold, may in fact revolt or upset us when Venus is once again direct. We need to remain cognizant of the experimental nature of a Venus retrograde–the trick is to venture out of our comfort zones, try new things, but to do so without destroying what already is–though that judgment may come later, once the goddess goes direct.

Who holds emotional power within relationships may be at issue, and the choice to regenerate contacts that may have withered may come before us. Passions of all stripe may be re-ignited, and passion may be the measure against which we judge all things at this time. Does it fire us up, does it move us, does it reach us deep inside? Venus in Scorpio will let us know if it does–or maybe even more important, if it doesn’t–and one thing we can know is that our experiences now will reach into our emotional depths. Feelings that may have been hidden could see the light–and of course, once released that djinn can’t be shoved back into the bottle.

By Max Slevogt 1896 {{PD}}

What we must remember, though, is that our tastes and preferences change shape during the retro; tried-and-true preferences give way to the exotic or strange, or especially with Scorpio, to the dark impulse or forbidden, the urge toward complete obliteration, transformation, or change, the seduction of the extreme. What we fall in or out of love with may or may not better reflect who we really are–it all depends on so many things.

What have you always wanted to try, in line with subjects of the House placement of the retro within the natal chart, but it crossed a line for you? You may be presented with that very thing (or go out seeking it!) between now and 16 November–and add to that Mercury’s retrograde in Sagittarius as soon as Venus completes her apparent backward motion, suggesting that out from under the altered tastes of Venus retro we must immediately re-think our actions or what we’ve learned (Merc in Sagittarius, a Fire sign). Take the hint: during this Venus retro we are likely to do some things we later question; that means changes should be easily un-doable–dying the hair pink, yes! Getting a tattoo, no! Dating someone new, sure! Getting married spur-of-the-moment, nope!

Aspects made soon after the retrograde period begins, or aspects occurring at the turnaround point, often clue us in to the nature of the retro itself, and certainly to the circumstances early in the period. This time, other than a sextile from the Moon once she changes sign, Venus’ first aspect will be a square to Mars in Aquarius. That occurs 10th-11th of October and is accompanied by a conjunction from the Moon to Venus. This suggests that we likely meet at least some consequences of our actions during the retro–and these may show too much of a tendency to intellectualize the Will, perhaps divorcing it from the raw want that Venus can stir, and possibly underestimating the emotional impact our choices will have, on our own egos, or on our ability to continue to exercise our Will.

The retro period offers situations and circumstances that allow us to reconsider our values, to reassess where and on whom we spend our Venus energy, where we give or invest our Love, our cooperation, what we are willing to do in exchange for life giving material support or Soul-enhancing affections.  Happening in Scorpio, we need to remember during the retrograde that what we’re ultimately aiming for is better discovering or understanding the Truth that drives each of us forward–and from there, how well we receive and process and make use of that information is up to us.

Winter is coming! Photo by me

I’ll be taking some time off, so no daily reports for a while. I will pop back in randomly and do plan on reporting on New and Full Moons, and of course will be checking mail and orders. Hoping to finally finish my Moon book–right now I’m working on the Lunar relationship between Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, and just finished a Juno-heavy Lunar look at Mary Shelley and her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft. Thank you to all my readers, to those who offer support in all forms, and to my clients–you keep me hopping!! and I love you for it 🙂

4 October 2018 The Need For Balance

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‘The Tight-Rope Walker’ By Jean-Louis Forain c1885 {{PD}}

First, a quick refresher: parallels and contra-parallels occur when two or more bodies are at the same declination (distance) both on one side of the ecliptic (a parallel), or one north, the other south (contra-parallel), as observed from Earth. The parallel emphasizes a harmony between the bodies comparable to a conjunction, while the contra-parallel resembles an opposition. We have a number of these perfecting today; I imagine it as one of those laser set-ups the jewel thief has to stealthily navigate. Breaking the beam won’t set off any alarms, but may cause a wee internal panic, sending our attention off in less-than-productive directions–and who needs that?

We may find ourselves measuring our empowerment and our options to express ourselves in proportion to the current state of health; the best thing we can glean from this urge is to see the ways we may hobble ourselves, or the assumptions about ability we might make, based on our perceptions of our physical state. We are a bit haunted by our usual assumptions, even: we may see it as choosing to be courageous or practical and ignore our physical Beingness, or to honor the wound and so build efforts around not disturbing it. Neither is a winning course, but recognizing the need for balance, and finding and pairing complementary energies, is.

Seeing the worth of the Will while not necessarily bowing to it is important, as is valuing all that we can do (as opposed to mooning over what’s out of our reach at present). Our mantra today may be Beauty In Action; opportunity and ‘the facts’ both become clear and offer clever ways to claim our territory, exercise our Will, and prompt us to successfully negotiate rather than demand or struggle over.

(Perfecting today: Juno parallel Hygeia, both contra-parallel the Sun, Chiron contra-parallel Pallas, Venus parallel Mars, Jupiter nov Ceres)

3 October 2018 Contrary Impulses

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Maxfield Parrish ‘Mary, Mary, quite contrary’ 1921 {{PD}}

Why do we have this idea that our power resides in doing things contrary to instinct? We get one of those wrong-headed notions today and may have trouble shaking it, especially because it seems like just pushing through, heedlessly powering ahead, is the answer–but it’s not. We do best to put our efforts toward thoughtful transformation of the current scene, toward trying to get back in touch with what’s natural for us, and toward planning: our future, our Path, for fulfillment of ambitions and desires. In fact, thinking about goals may be the most effective thing we can do, as if these are clear, our actions and choices will automatically fall into the pattern our aims describe (Ceres sesq and Merc contra-parallel Sedna, Mars parallel Pluto, Mercury conj and parallel Zeus)

 

2 October 2018 Imagine That

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Drawn By Walter Crane, Engraved and Printed by Edmund Evans 1907 {{PD}}

We can address issues, especially practical problems, ones that are skill-related, or ones that are pressing us for smart solutions, with the greatest of imagination and ease today. Thinking it through is necessary, and at first we may start from the point of what we can’t change, but soon inspiration is upon us–so we’d be wise to tackle things we’ve previously seen as insurmountable or as not presenting any viable solutions–because today, if they can be solved, we’ll be able to see the solution. That doesn’t mean, though, that we’ll magically see a way forward for something that’s not meant to be in the first place–only that which can thrive with the right approach will fire the imaginative and creative spirit today. Also beware of accepting deceptive or misleading communications; the same energy that opens us to the creative also opens us to untruths.

(Neptune opp Pallas, Mercury sq Pluto and parallel Neptune)

Tea harvesting in Japan ‘Smiles at Harvest Time’ 1914 Photo by Elstner Hilton, published to Wikimedia by A.Davey from Portland, Oregon, EE UU under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

Here’s something interesting on a tea especially harvested during particular Full Moons–

1 October 2018 Dark Recesses

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Charles West Cope ‘The Night Alarm’ 1871 {{PD}}

We are compelled to run into the dark recesses of the mind, the places we’ve been avoiding or in denial of, and we (probably wrongly) believe we can get in and out unscathed. Today we believe in the power of the intellect to surmount or address every issue–silly us! There’s something about those hidden, forbidden, or enraging topics that pulls us in, that makes us run into the burning building, and despite our hair catching fire, we still think we are at one remove, safe, unharmed. Beware the illusion of invincibility, even as you embrace the chance to right something gone very, very wrong (Mars conj Black Moon Lilith, Sun contra-parallel Chiron)

Morse Code receiver and recorder from the late 19th century. Photo By Rauantiques CC BY-SA 4.0

Today’s word image is a future where media–print, dvds, cds, film, video, all ways of recording picture, sound, thoughts–is scarce. For me that would almost be like losing language itself. What would you miss? Would your life be deeply affected, or barely touched, by the disappearance of such material? Now imagine that future world is your brain–are there ‘tapes’ you’d like to get rid of? Would your future be poorer if you were able to erase the painful things, or richer, freer? What ones do you want to make sure to keep, no matter what? Sort through them, and give yourself permission to discard the ones that are negative, painful, or no longer valid, just as long as you have nothing else to learn from them, or don’t need them as important reminders. (This image points me toward the Void Gemini Moon period, or perhaps toward Mars, SN, and BML huddling together in Aquarius, ‘acting to wipe out the past’, plus Saturn-Vesta in Capricorn: ‘What constructs and parts of the past are sacred, to be honored and preserved?’)

Your Weekend 29-30 September 2018 The Grind

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‘Old Mill: The Morning Bell’ by Winslow Homer 1871 {{PD}}

Calling it a grind really is making this weekend sound much more harsh, and perhaps much slower-paced, than it really will be. With Pluto stationing direct on the 30th, we may feel that immensely slow grind and reversal and not really notice that in other ways we’re fleet, smart, wrestling with creative problems, with creating the future, and with looking for the best ways to empower ourselves, and so get where we want to go. Actions are effective and efficient; trouble only comes when we try to pin down power, especially when we try to mull, categorize, and codify it. If we’ll only let it flow through us, a river of energy that carries our talents, then we can draw on that power like a watermill, giving that power expression shape, form, purpose.

Be aware, too, that our psychic wounds have a direct pipeline to our health, and so may show in bodily issues even more strongly than usual. Our imaginations can cause problems, as well, if we overthink or go with speculation instead of fact (Perfecting this weekend includes: Chiron conj Hygeia, Mars parallel Saturn, Merc contra-parallel Hygeia, sesq and contra-parallel Juno, and qnx Neptune, Sun parallel Pallas and contra-parallel Ceres, Pallas nov NN)

Have a lovely weekend!

28 September 2018 Spin Cycle

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You may be as inspired as Joan of Arc today, here shown offering guidance to a young woman. By Jules Bastien-Lepage {{PD}}

Two major players make subtle contacts today, and though there are a few other ‘conversations’ taking place, none carry the impact to the mentality and the attention-focus these do. We see Mercury novile Jupiter and sesquiquadrate Sedna, suggesting some brilliant thoughts on the philosophical meaning of things, on the belief system, on the social order, and on personal attempts at learning/ educating and expanding the scope of the individual purview, and these may shake the instincts, challenging us to integrate ‘blind spot’ material or to access that which we ‘know but don’t know’. The mind is inspired by faith or by fact, and that creates some stress over some aspect of the interior ‘knowing’. Likely, the dazzling idea or realization springs directly from this stirred un- or barely conscious material. It’s a chance for both revelation about the Self, and revelation about the world you live in.

The other dynamic aspect is the Sun’s trine to the Black Moon Lilith point. This helps the Mercury realization process by putting a spotlight on those things we naturally push into the shadows. We really can’t be indifferent to what we have ignored, denied, or what has enraged us, and it, too, is stirred up. Like a centrifuge the mind spins a lot of unconsciously held material today, and what is pulled from that can create optimism or open up opportunity–so take note of what surfaces at this time, even if it doesn’t immediately seem to have value or obviously forward your cause–because, eventually, what it adds to conscious thought, and its usefulness, becomes clear.