By Petteri Sulonen – http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=140957047&size=l, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=760246

The AstroEssence: I’m sure conventional wisdom says we should all be focused on the Mars-Pluto conjunction–and that makes sense, though it’s a bit like a house on fire, and you’re standing and staring at the flames. That fire’s eating the oxygen in the room, igniting everything inflammable, burning down some Capricornian structure related to the House where the conflagration conjunction, occurs, it may spread havoc to the Houses ruled by Mars-Pluto, but, let’s be clear, nobody’s missing that fire. So what do we need advice about this for? Isn’t the only applicable advice: put out the fire?

True, some may succumb to ego and try to pull the whole charred structure down (think of the human dumpster fire that is Donald Trump with that lickety-flame hair–like all the most toxic people, if he can’t win he’ll claim it’s rigged and trash the whole thing, whether it’s a card game or a national election–and of course today is the final debate–brace yourselves for some Molotov-cocktail throwing on both sides that could spark a firestorm); for the rest of us, choices may carry a ‘do (Mars) or die (Pluto)’ cast.

I firmly believe we’ll all see the fire–what we won’t be quite so aware of (which may allow it to have a much greater impact than we realize) are these influences: Vesta moves into Leo, prompting us to honor priorities, the mate, and the home (a potential burning structure) for our own sake–that offers excellent Self-care; the Sun is sesquiquadrate the South Node point, perhaps drawing our attention back repeatedly to what didn’t work in the past–a distraction we don’t need; and Mercury is busy busy busy, novile and contra-parallel the North Node, parallel Zeus, and quincunx Chiron, which means thinking is aligned with ambitions and desires but is resistant to moving into the future, and reasoning springs at least somewhat from the injured portion of the psyche–and that implies the mind may carry a bias we aren’t even conscious of.

It’s that Vesta move into Leo that saves the day; it urges us to clear out the static, the conflicting messages, and the obscuring smoke, and measure things by what we care about most, and this time we’re smart enough to throw our own welfare into the mix–so it’s likely that, as long as something else doesn’t overwhelm (by other transits to the natal picture), whatever moves we make will be in our own best interests, and serve to protect what we honor and commit our energy to.

‘Chinese tea and pine nut cookies’ Photo by Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Today’s word image is a red tin of your favorite cookies. A small indulgence can be disproportionately comforting today, so find your pleasures where you may.

For those born with the Sun at 27 Libra: You are headed toward something I can only describe as a unification of the Self with Nature, or becoming a Negotiator, and/ or attaining immense personal authority. How can you tell which it will be, you ask? You already know if you’re slated for power over others, or to take on an extraordinarily influential role within some natural construct, shaping and, in a sense, ‘authorizing’ its effect. Don’t be shy–admit that’s what’s coming, at least to yourself, and get busy preparing; though some people look down their noses at the idea of studying up, you’ll make a much more serious and effective impact if you get ready ahead of time. Good luck, Libra, and Happy Birthday!

There’s a new page up: Mercury, Venus, and Mars Retrogrades for 2017

Beach of icebergs, in the south coast of Iceland, close to the Jokulsarlon lagoon… Photo by Moyan Brenn – https://www.flickr.com/photos/aigle_dore/21202481350/ CC BY 2.0

The AstroEssence: When the planet of relationships, what we value, and of gain (Venus) enters Sagittarius, we start to look at the facts, and this time around we have the courage and presence of mind to really see them, and to know what’s smart; change happens. This particular blend of influences can have almost magical repercussions in a gnarly election period, could help us get a clearer hold on our own instincts and the influence of material hidden in our ‘blind spots’, and could bring our identities toward their best and purest form, as close to unadulterated ‘Truth’ as they’ve ever been. A few will flip a destructive switch, fearing what lies within and so freaking out over potential exposure of who they really are–but they should relax: for anyone willing to see already knows what they’re about (Venus enters Sagittarius and is parallel and semi-sq Pluto, Mercury trine Pallas, Sun qnx Sedna)

Today’s word image is fog. What in your life creates immediate mystery, implying it simply by obscuring things? Rather than searching for an answer (and so pouring a lot of energy into something that, in the end, may not matter at all), sit back and savor the tantalizing way you just don’t know, allowing you to turn your attention toward what you can grasp, what you can affect, toward what really matters.

For those born with the Sun at 26 Libra: You’ve been running on instinct, and probably your last nerve–now it’s time to get right with Nature and your own biology, authorities in your world and your own personal expression of authority, to learn effective negotiation, and/ or to smooth things over with Mom. One or more of these topics will feature in the year ahead for you, and all of them suggest that you must fully and completely step up and take responsibility for your own choices and actions–if you don’t it could be a long, tough year with plenty of repercussions. On the plus side, if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll have the knack of knowing exactly what everyone else thinks–that gives you a distinct advantage. Good luck, Libra, and Happy Birthday!

‘Buckwheat Harvesters’, 1888 Émile Bernard {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: This is the story of how we’ll get what we’ve worked for and honored, and those in authority will just have to adjust to what we receive. The rewards, however, may be surreptitious, hidden in something dark or of lesser worth, even found in something others have discarded or rejected. A flowering of love may be what’s given us, and we may not at first see how much we deserve this–but we do. At the same time, ambition fulfillment is on everyone’s mind, but we’ll have a rough time visualizing what we want, because the light of what is (a light that is shining on exactly why we have earned the things we have) will be very bright; just make sure to take note of whatever good thing comes your way, Love, laughter, admiration, cooperation, even cash, that wasn’t there before (Venus trine Vesta, parallel Saturn, and qnx Ceres, Mercury conjoined Zeus, Sun sesq Neptune)

Loop the Loop, Coney Island (1903) {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a roller coaster. Aside from the obvious symbolism of whip-lashy experiences, what does this thing mean to you? Do you love them, hate them, or are you indifferent? I used to love them, and now don’t care for them, so the image makes me think: What is it that we once adored, that now we’d rather never experience again? This points to changing tastes, and possibly some re-defining of our own Self-image, as well as a recognition of the world’s current, disorienting state.

For those born with the Sun at 25 Libra: It’s funny–odd funny, not funny ha-ha–that there’s a crisis in either Love or Money in your life, and yet your attention is anywhere but there! You seem much more concerned with following your own instincts to see where they might lead, and in digging into your own psyche for treasure. Well now it’s time for you to see: one or more of the relationships or sources of ‘flow’ you’ve come to take for granted is in danger of disappearing–wake up and do something about it. It may not be readily apparent, and it may take the entire year to your next birthday to play out–but forewarned, as the say. Good luck, Libra, and Happy Birthday!

‘Cranes in Dunes’ Friedrich Lissmann 1910 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: our ideas of our own empowerment may be inspired or fanciful, but in either case we hatch a genius creative approach that’s a bit off the beaten path; whether we’re successful with this or not depends almost entirely on two things: are we connected to instincts and at least peripherally aware of our own motivations? and how willing are we to heal what hurts in order to go forward? If we’re too attached to the past, we may not want to let go of wounds that have become a part of our identity, but if we can focus our energy and attention on the present, real-world situation, we’ll find the unique plan or approach that will allow effective empowerment, and so gain the Love, Money, or status we’ve been seeking (Juno receives a parallel from Neptune, a nov from Merc, and a qnx from Uranus, Venus opp Sedna, Mercury sxt Saturn and qnx SN, Sun qnx Chiron and nov NN)

By Stu – https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48842019

Today’s word image is a crane. Did you see a tall, slender white bird, or a big piece of construction equipment? If the image that popped into your mind was the bird, then today instincts are strong, your connection to Nature is dynamic, and you can trust your inner compass; if you saw a construction crane, you may be too busy moving the pieces of the puzzle around to appreciate the bigger picture they make.

For those born with the Sun at 22 Libra: It seems you are quietly sussing out the best avenues leading to empowerment and gaining the status you seek, and you appear to be doing this while you distract others with erratic, rebellious, or original behaviors or constructions–so, with that kind of focused effort and skillful subterfuge going on, why are you still feeling uncertain? It’s your stressed relationship to authorities, Mom, or Nature itself, all of which require acknowledgment of the power of others to affect your world. Denial of their strength doesn’t improve yours; you’d do best to note the ways you can offer cooperation that will get you a lot closer to, or a lot more of, what you want. Good luck, Libra, and Happy Birthday!

“Canaries” Albert Joseph Moore c1880 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: It’s big ideas and inspired action if you’re acting from healed sensibilities and not reacting out of rebellious or separatist sentiments; if pique or contrariness are what drives you, you may end up with bloated plans and unrealistic ideas of what to do to make them happen–so a disaster all around. Hint to handle things: pay attention to what’s obviously smart, which will likely be right in front of you, and don’t rely upon instincts at this point–they may be muddled or masked, not offering the clarity you need–tune in to reality, through an optimistic lens, instead (Mercury conj Jupiter, Mars sxt Neptune, Sun trine Pallas and contra-parallel Sedna, Venus qnx Uranus, semi-sq Jupiter, and trine Chiron)

Today’s word image is one of those old wax ‘records’ that first recorded sound. Phonograph cylinders were delicate, sometimes wearing out in as few as twenty playings. You may be dealing with ‘early impressions’ of something; the question may be, are those impressions worn out, in need of a fresh take? Or is this a prompt to be extra careful with that memory, making sure you do nothing in the present to ruin it?

For those born with the Sun at 19 Libra: You may start the year with a certain emotional harmony that could make you overconfident, in the sense that the unexpected could overtake you before you realize it’s even possible. That’s not to frighten you, Libra, but to remind you that to expect to glide along isn’t realistic; instead, be ever-willing to adjust in order to heal–if you do you’ll be in a really good place by your next birthday. Good luck, and Happy Birthday, Libra!

Le Pont de l’Europe (1876) Gustave Caillebotte {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: Our focus is on our own ambitions and desires; the identity and Soul intent is also aligned with our wants, and this makes for the ability to get what we are seeking in short order. Thinking and planning are inspired by those matters that previously we ignored, were in denial of, or that enraged us–somehow they show us things from a new angle when re-examined–and that helps us align our goals and desires with authorities who can help or with our own best expressions of power–and that makes it all happen. It’s a day for ambition fulfillment, no question–though if things aren’t lining up and materializing as you’d like, it may be because you’re not sufficiently Self-responsible, doing all you can to maximize this highly positive effect (Mercury nov Black Moon Lilith and parallel Ceres, Sun conjoined and parallel Zeus)

‘A Cup of Tea’ Lilla Cabot Perry {{PD}}

Today’s word image is the discovery upon filling that a beautiful tea pot is laced with cracks.What’s your immediate reaction to this? Are you angry, sad that the piece has been spoiled, do you want to dash it to bits as useless, or carefully break it for a mosaic, plant it with herbs, keep your pennies there, use it as part of a fountain, or make a tiny birdhouse out of it? This is about viewpoint, and giving things a second life, or a usefulness, beyond the initial intention for them–it requires a willingness to allow something (or even someone) a role for which they weren’t necessarily originally intended.

For those born with the Sun at 18 Libra: You’ve recently transcended some ambition or desire, either achieving your goals or finding them no longer to your liking, and now you may be wondering, What’s next? It appears that what may come next is healing, a slow accretion of experiences the ultimate result of which is spiritual wholeness. That’s pretty good–plus, when that spiritual healing is complete, you may be rewarded with a little Love, Money, or Power. Good luck, Libra, and Happy Birthday!

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