William Merritt Chase ‘Hall At Shinnecock’ 1893 {{PD}}

What we’ve got going for us today are an enormous appreciation of the material world, of the senses and those things that comfort, gratify, and reassure (Venus enters Taurus), and we find both wisdom and practicality in seeing to our own and others’ ‘animal’ needs, and satisfaction in artisanal pursuits and products (Venus parallel Pallas). There is a kind of admiration for the physical world and the beauty of it that makes all of us connoisseurs–and that may have the effect of loosening the purse strings. ‘Smart’ and ‘beautiful’ seem to go together–and that can be an alluring, even irresistible, combination, so proceed with some awareness of your susceptibility, as the tendency may be to see one and assume the other. That may be minimized, though, by the focus on what we honor, what we dedicate ourselves to, on the home and the mate (Sun parallel Vesta).

Difficulties are all (thanks for your assistance, Merc retro!) due to our own misunderstanding of either the reality picture, or what actually needs to change (Mercury contra-parallel both Saturn and Pluto). What we think may be darker or more stringent than necessary, we may believe only permanent, extreme change will do, and we could temporarily stray entirely from our usual thinking and modes of communication. It’s not the time to let others know what we think, nor to address important issues, but it’s a great time to reform bad tendencies in thought processing and in getting our message across–we may find that a greater awareness of the wide world is needed, and that what we saw as powerful, effective, or efficient communication and thinking was something much less (Merc contra-parallel Saturn and Pluto)

Paul Mercuri from “Costumes Historiques” (Paris, ca.1850′s or 60’s) {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a bow and arrow. What are we to make of the Archer’s equipment? Saturn and Mars are both currently in Sagittarius, and both retrograde, suggesting frustration in efforts and accomplishments–and certainly, if we have natal placements in Sag, we are likely to feel a deficit that needs healing (through action, of course!) related to the nature of the body found there. For everyone, it may be a reality check in the sense of both what truly is, and the ways at least at present we are prevented from, or slowed at, doing anything about it.

Read about the current Mercury retrograde here, the Mars and Pluto retrogrades here, and enjoy your Friday! My books are available here, and include a free jpg of your natal chart–just include your complete data, using a word not numbers for the calendar month, in the order instructions to merchant or using the form on the Services page, and your chart will arrive with your book(s). Thank you!

Photographed by Doug Dolde at the John Day Fossil Beds in Oregon. More images from this location at http://www.painted-with-light.com {{PD}}

At this time idealism seems practical, implementing the dream wise, and not so difficult, as we perceive the Collective, even the Universe, will offer support. What we need to understand, though, is that bringing the dream to reality will cost, though we can’t know ahead of time whether that will be actual money, assets, or love and relationships that will pay the toll. Somehow being so acutely aware of what we honor as the ultimate in life ends up disempowering us, likely through those costs we are unable to anticipate–or even just through the wear on our minds and hearts that comes from knowing we will pay (and have no choice in the matter) if we dare to reach for the Moon (Pallas enters Pisces, Venus semi-sq Neptune, Sun opp Juno)

Reptonix free Creative Commons licensed photos http://reptonix.awardspace.co.uk/photos/2012-03-18.htm Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported

Today’s image is a small pitcher, shaped like a cow, that holds cream. Watch for bovine imagery today, or for the quaint niceties (like a cream pitcher) from the past; either will hint at interesting moments, even turning points, when past and present show extraordinary connection, and may point to where we’re headed, without realizing it, in the now.

Lately I’ve seen and heard from a number of individuals who feel they, more than others, are under fantastic pressures far beyond what the rest of us currently feel; I would have to say, if you feel this way, please know that everyone else does, too. Some of us may be facing things in more dramatic (and so mostly external) forms, but we are all undergoing a kind of slow squeeze by the Universe. I am loathe to blame it on any particular aspect, but what pops out at me is the inexorable vise of Pluto and Saturn in relation to the South Node. Over the coming months they move toward perfecting a sextile and square, respectively, that give the feeling of an ever-tightening noose. Pluto’s is inviting, a ‘wouldn’t everything be better if we just eliminated/ walked away from/ discarded that?’ impulse, with a focus that continues to get smaller even as we find ourselves tossing what’s useless or outmoded overboard. Somehow, doing Pluto’s bidding doesn’t relieve the pressure–and it doesn’t help that, since the South Node is an extreme point, rather than a body, we may feel we can only grasp part of the equation, that we can only get a handle on some of what’s bothering us.

With Saturn, the matter is harsh and likely externally-located, taking the form of circumstances, rules, obligations, or even time itself, presenting an unavoidable restriction/ constriction/ conflict–and with both Pluto and Saturn, we are aware the whole time of now meeting the consequences of the past (South Node). Neither influence is escapable, but as I’m sure you’ve heard, none of us is getting out of here alive, so to realize that pressure, though it seems to come from demands and externals, is really an internally generated thing, a response that arises from a sense of helplessness in terms of the situation faced, is important: it helps us know that how we read those Plutonian and Saturnian circumstances rooted in the past will determine whether we process them as bumps in the road, easily managed or even laughed about, or as crushing obstacles and requirements that pinch the joy out of life.

By Gerard Prins – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4900415

We have the ‘juice’, the insight, and the foresight to make permanent and significant changes in life direction–the only questions are: will what we see so clearly ahead motivate us enough to act? and will we believe in ourselves and our need to change enough to take the necessary action? Though each individual will face something different, I hope the answers for all of us are, Yes (Perfecting today: Vesta trine NN, which is part of a loose Earth Grand Trine when Pluto is included, and the Sun sesq NN)

‘The Wave’ 1880 Albert Bierstadt {{PD}}

Today’s word image is an empty and neglected swimming pool just steps from the crashing ocean waves. Some people never consider wading into the tumultuous ocean unless the more tame alternative in which to swim is unavailable. What small ‘safe haven’ in your life has recently been removed, and what ocean does the loss prompt you to want to enter?

Yucaipa Mountains by David Fairrington Oil 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fairrington/6341395850/ Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Today it’s all about our ambitions, how they can be realized, and what they can get us, whether we are aware of this focus or not. We are attuned to what enhances our personal power situation, and without even thinking about it, we are likely to approach everything in ways that maximize our position and our effectiveness. This is great, except for the way relationships, values, and assets are all in some form of opposition to this, so that pushing so heavily for ambition fulfillment will almost certainly destroy (or transform significantly) our connections and those things that reward us. How to deal? Stay awake, stay aware, and be mindful of what really matters, having your way in the moment, or being loving? Though they’re not automatically mutually exclusive, to consciously take a loving stance will prevent damage–and that’s probably our best defense, right now (Perfecting today: Ceres parallel Zeus, Venus opp Zeus and sq Pluto)

This is a childhood photo of US President Gerald Ford. Note that, though there’s water in the background, the boat is on dry land {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a small metal toy boat, bent and dented, lying in the middle of a (very) dry, sunny street. The saddest images are often those where something is in the wrong place, inappropriate for its situation or surroundings, and here we have an item meant for fun and a water environment stranded and abandoned–and yet to find a symbol of transport in the street has a kind of ironic ring to it, a sense that it was dropped not because it couldn’t float, but because where the person holding it found themselves (the street) was an inappropriate form for the boat. Look around you, and see if there isn’t some place in your life where you have abandoned something that might get you somewhere, if you’d only put it in its rightful place.

For any book orders received at Dog & Sunflower Press, we’ll gladly include one jpg of a natal chart–just include birth name (can be just a first name if you like), date of birth (PLEASE write out the month as a word, don’t use a number!), place of birth (name, not co-ordinates), time of birth (local time is fine). Put this info in the instructions to merchant/comment section on the order form at PayPal, or send it directly to me through the form on the Services page, and the chart will be delivered with your book or books. Please note: If you send the date as numbers only, we will not create a chart.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

‘Lake McArthur, Yoho Park’ – James MacDonald 1924 {{PD}}

We’re mostly consumed with adjusting to the turnaround of Mars and Pluto, but there are two other influences today, a trine of Venus to Saturn, and a sesquiquadrate of the Sun to Jupiter. Each of these suggest some sort of brakes on bounty, a holding back or reality check on more or better–and this judgmental viewpoint may leak into relationships, especially if we are inclined to place responsibility for containment on externals (that is, if we are prone to do whatever we want, expecting the world or others to exercise discipline for us). We can wind up with some severe limits placed on our money or love; or, we can adopt those restrictive energies ourselves, and create an atmosphere that says ‘No’ preemptively to what could and should be a very good (though consuming) thing.

But, we may also have the grace to see the ways in which we can benefit by showing restraint, especially in relationships or with money, and our attention can be directed to what’s overdone, exaggerated, or what’s prevalent socially–and we can then make our own choices as to how to handle it. It’s a good day, but especially so if we’re willing to exercise optimism, give attention to detail as well as the big picture, and give both conscience and consciousness a workout.

Gyula Aggházy {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a cool breeze coming off the water. Let it soothe and heal you. You don’t have to be right on top of or in something before you can appreciate its benefits–look around for that cool breeze in your world, today.