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Category Archives: Finger of God

Just a Little AstroEssence 14 August 2017 It’s All About Pluto

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Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Finger of God, forecast, Horoscope, The Daily Word Image, Transit Effects Explored

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‘My Dream, My Bad Dream’ 1915 by Fritz Schwimbeck {{PD}}

Today it’s all about Pluto. With less than thirty minutes still to travel in apparent retrograde before direction (28 September), the god of the Underworld squats on our chests like the succubus of legend, making it pretty darn hard to breathe. Other energies, at least somewhat more timid than Pluto, sidle up and form aspects, and the result is an almost constant testing of our relationship to Power, and to the ideas of transformation (do you believe?) and destruction (do you feel the pull toward the cliff?) Most of us aren’t completely at ease with the idea of actually being as powerful as we have the capacity to be; we take refuge in cynicism (“People don’t change”) or in Self-sabotage (“See? Nothing ever works out for me!”). If we truly felt our own power, we would believe in the power of transformation, and would have no need for destruction–the clearing out of the outmoded or worn would happen without effort, falling away as we move forward–and change would be, not something that stirs fear or uncertainty. but something that has an almost magical quality, a kind of infinite possibility as our everyday atmosphere.

So, what outlets for power do we have right now, as the dark one sits oh-so-still, making us watchful and uneasy? There’s Venus, moving into opposition, almost begging us to project our negative qualities onto others in relationships, or financial dealings; there’s Mars, moving into quincunx, pugnacious and perhaps looking for a fight over slights, misunderstandings, over a too proud or insistent ‘I Am’; and there’s a square from Zeus, intimating we might fear destruction of our ambitions, dreams, and goals, possibly from our partners (Zeus is in Libra).

Whisperings of Love, 1889 William-Adolphe Bouguereau {{PD}}

Those are all fear scenarios, where we might go if we were unconscious of the Universal flow–but we don’t have to. Instead, we claim our Plutonian power, and we see it united with the contacting energies to make some very positive outcomes. With Venus we may experience the transformations that occur when we apply Love or Money in a completely Self-responsible way, probably in a difficult situation or scenario (the opposition). With Mars we see that true Self-assertion from a position of power requires adjustment, a subtling-down of the ego, so that we move the Universe not through a punch-in-the-nose, but through a quantum vibration that acts in our own best interests–action through inaction, you might say. And with Zeus, we confront the parts of our own power plans, our ambitions and desires, that are calling for others to make it happen for us, or that will disempower us if we attain them–and we take back that initiative, that can-do-ness, for ourselves.

And, through roughly 16 September, we see Jupiter sextile Black Moon Lilith. This makes the bogey man bigger; it exaggerates our anger and our sense of righteousness, too. Beliefs or facts may cooperate with matters ignored or denied to make a potent stew bent on righting (or subjecting others to!) injustice. With Merc retro this could hijack thoughts and make for some over-the-top scenes. Those with natal placements around 20 Taurus need to be especially vigilant, as these transiting elements form a Finger of God with the natal point, prompting expression of this combo in some unfortunate ways related to the natal body or the House(s) it rules. (If you have a natal point 19-21 Taurus and you’d like my brief guess as to what it might bring, leave a comment that includes what body is in this range and what House, if any, it rules.)

By Mutante – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56224749

Today’s word image is a red and gold paper Chinese dragon, the kind you see dancing through the streets at Lunar New Year. Think back to late January–how does what was happening then figure into now?

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Just a Little AstroEssence 20 July 2017 Imprint

19 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Finger of God, forecast, Horoscope, Mars, The Daily Word Image

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‘La fille à la cigarette’, Anders Zorn, 1892 {{PD}}

Mars enters Leo, and we may be hard pressed to control ourselves; we’re either reacting out of fear, anger, or a desperate attempt to avoid something, or we’re feeling like victims of the sudden, the accidental, or of group-think. The rough part is that we feel especially competent, poised to exert our Will, show our skills, or dazzle with our desires or our goals–so sitting back while we receive some shocks from the Universe seems almost impossible.

We need to be careful, particularly in relationships and finances, that ‘unhealthy’ attitudes and emotions (specifically, those that have been denied or kept hidden, even from ourselves) don’t leak out and interfere with, even derail, conscious intentions. In fact, to be as honest within our own minds as possible is the only effective way to get a handle on what swirls around us. Wisdom and practicality offer avenues for and means of empowerment–everything else is essentially spinning our wheels.

Today’s word image is a half-smoked cigarette smoldering in an ashtray. This is actually a memory of mine, from when I was five. Someone had left a cigarette burning, perched on the edge of the ashtray, and just within reach of my infant brother’s flailing little fists (can you imagine? Nowadays most people wouldn’t even smoke in the same room as a baby!) My brother beat the air, made contact with the cigarette, flipped it onto the table, where it proceeded very quickly to burn through the varnished top. I ran for the adults, who at first ignored me, then finally responded–only to chastise me for touching the cigarette! Then began a round of recriminations among the adults: why did you leave a lit cigarette where the children could get at it? Why weren’t you watching the baby? Julie was watching the baby. You don’t have a small child watch another small child! And so on. For years after, every time I saw that burn mark on the table, I remembered the conflicting issues of that day: how I’d felt like I’d saved the day but was treated as if I’d caused the problem in the first place, and how each adult had gone to great lengths to make anything or anyone other than themselves responsible for events. The imprint it left on me was to make me feel automatically overly responsible for circumstances in my environment that were beyond my authority and beyond my control. Is there some area in your life where you have taken on a sense of responsibility, culpability, or even mission for which there is no way you should be held accountable? Astrological note: at the time of the event (I just happen to be clear on the day, as it was my brother’s one month birthday), transiting Black Moon Lilith conjoined my Jupiter, which was sextiled by transiting Mars, together making a Finger of God with apex natal Black Moon Lilith, and transiting Mercury was conjoined my natal Neptune, giving us a picture of why I wasn’t listened to or was misunderstood, how I might’ve been an easy target for blame (all that BML), and suggesting that being ignored concerning speaking out, ‘what I have to give’ (Jupiter rules my 11th) enraged me in a way I wasn’t conscious of!

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The Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius, August 2017: A Personal New Age

17 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in astrology, eclipse, Finger of God, Full Moon, Lunar Aspects, Lunar Eclipse, Sabian Symbols

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By aussiegall from sydney, Australia – Garish, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24661040

The Lunar eclipse occurs on the 7th of August at 11:11 AM Pacific time at 15 Aquarius 25; this places the Full Moon event at the midpoint of Neptune and Pluto, and so deems the Sun apex to a (just slightly) loose Finger of God, which right away suggests that what transpires, and where our attention goes, may not be to the Lunar energies, at least not at first. The Full Moon is in Aquarius, a sign of intellectual acuity, experimentation, originality, the unusual, the freakish, the surprising, the unique, but it may be the Sun’s Leonine energies that set the whole thing off: the essence of the Self finds revelation, or revolution, in some situation that brings together the ideal, the misunderstood, the fantastical, the spiritual, or the elements of a dream (Neptune), with the energy and power of change, transformation, or destruction (Pluto). Will the result be the emergence of some amazing new part of the individual, some characteristic, talent, or goal one has been striving to express? Or will it be less thrilling, the removal of some fantasy about power, or about spiritual change, or about how attaining the dream will transform the individual? What the eclipse reveals as the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon on precisely the same plane, blocking the Sun’s light from reflecting off the Moon, is something culminating, ending, that brings closure to a particular emotional situation that we may only see once the dazzling sunlight is removed. We will literally be observing the Earth’s shadow, symbolically seen as the shadow of our own material existence and its effect on the spirit and the emotions; we will see the result of the individual Will, desire, heart (Leo) as it has shaped the emotional reality (Luna) through the choices made in this physical realm (Earth).

The only other aspects to fall within acceptable orbs are a trine from Zeus and Jupiter, which two are closely conjoined in Libra, and an opposition to Mars, from which the Sun is now separating. This suggests something quite interesting: that whether the eclipse effect is one that takes us closer to our ideals, or one that removes something untrue from the life and perceptions, it will still serve to deliver an expanded, optimistic, and opportunity-filled scenario (it will deliver this if we can recognize it as such, that is), one that addresses the ambitions and desires (for good or ill, for fulfillment or denial), with the likely instrument a partner, friend, or a cooperative or aesthetic venture (Libra); all that occurs with this event will, one way or another, be the product of our own choices, action, or Will, even more directly so than in daily life (Mars opp). That means we will be looking at a direct reflection of our own ‘I Am’, something we can’t see under ‘normal’ light; the Lunar eclipse puts a kind of black light on the ego and what it has done, so that we can observe effects that have been invisible, until now, and it does so through an Aquarian lens: one that ‘bends the light’ toward Higher Thought, toward a new and original facet of the ‘I Am’.

The Sabian symbol for the Lunar eclipse is, ‘A Big Businessman At His Desk’. This speaks of the ego, the ‘I Am’, as it has directed and organized things—which is ironic considering that eclipse Mars is conjoined the Sun, with this suggesting a certain distance (and so an ability to get some perspective) on the ego and our actions and choices. We also see echoes of the social structure, of convention and economic development and cooperation—but what comes through strongest is the solitary nature of such a position. This Full Moon may make it exceptionally clear in what areas we are psychically (and perhaps even materially/ physically) alone—and awareness of our singular status could be accompanied by our undeniable fitness to manage our circumstances, situation, or approach on our own.

We also look at the symbol for the Sun, as it produces the light that enables Earth to cast the shadow in the first place: ‘The Storm Ended, All Nature Rejoices In Brilliant Sunshine’. Ah! This promises that the eclipse brings an end to ‘the storm’, or that if the event creates a storm or brings one to a head, it will quickly ‘clear up’. The Lunar eclipse promises to reveal the reasons for the storm or upset via a ‘clear’ outlook and the perspective offered by distance through time, useful even when that distance is the immediate past.

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The Lunar Eclipse February 2017 Daring To Be Ourselves

07 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by in Configurations, Finger of God, Full Moon, Kite, Lunar Aspects, Lunar Eclipse, Sabian Symbols

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'The Circus' George Bellows 1912 {{PD}}

‘The Circus’ George Bellows 1912 {{PD}}

Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) 10 February 2017 4:32 PM PST at 22 Leo 28

This eclipse occurs concurrent with and involved in several configurations: a Finger of God with base of Lunar eclipse-Jupiter, apex Chiron; a Kite involving the eclipse axis and Saturn-Hygeia and Uranus; and a Fire Grand Trine of Luna-Earth, Uranus, and Saturn-Hygeia; a Finger with base of Sun and Saturn-Hygeia, apex Vesta, with this latter body only 5 minutes off exact semi-sextile to the Lunar eclipse; a loose Fixed Grand Cross with the Sun-Earth-Lunar axis squaring an opposition of Sedna and a 29 degree Black Moon Lilith —and unrelated to the eclipse, a Finger with base of Sedna-Chiron, apex Jupiter, and a loose Cardinal Grand Cross with Vesta, Uranus, Pluto, and Zeus-Jupiter.

But if we keep a reasonable orb of roughly 3 degrees + or –, we don’t have any aspects to the eclipse that aren’t wrapped up in a config, though it’s arguable that Venus and Mars, roughly 5 degrees apart in Aries, both form sesquiquadrates to the eclipse outside of any configuration—they’re the exception. These contacts suggest issues may masquerade as male-female, animus-anima, or complementary opposites in conflict, or requiring adjustment—when the real issues lie in the energy patterns of the configurations—the Mars-Venus energy may just represent the delivery system, a clash between disparate elements that demands adjustment.

lunar-eclipse-february-2017

Eclipse inclusion in multiple patterns implies a highly dynamic set of circumstances that may appear to be independent of one another, but that are almost certainly linked through the Lunar energy (the exceptions being the Finger apex Jupiter and the Cardinal Grand Cross)—and that Lunar link grounds these dynamics in time—that is, it allows the eclipse itself to represent a locus where all these energies converge. Will each individual experience all the dynamic energy patterns of the eclipse? No, but each will experience some of them, largely depending on how (and how intensely) the eclipse fits in to the personal natal chart picture.

The event occurs in Leo, suggesting our attention is on ourselves, our role, our effectiveness, how well we ‘shine’, on issues of generosity and purpose, on identity and focus, and on the concept of ‘heart’ defined as the enthusiasm and commitment with which we meet a subject, and we add to this matters represented by the natal House in which the eclipse occurs. We definitely get feedback in these areas, but it will spread out in many different situations or life areas, so that events may appear distinctly unrelated. This is part of why the eclipse energy will be so confusing: the mix of internal and external information coming at us will be both interdependent (the many contacts) and carry a scent of revelation (Sedna, Uranus), Self-discovery (Leo), and crisis (Black Moon Lilith at 29 degrees, Saturn-Hygeia, Chiron), so that we may easily be distracted by any number of issues, our attention drawn in any number of directions.

Let’s start with the Finger of God with base of Lunar eclipse-Jupiter, apex Chiron; this implies that feelings about, or intuitions centered on, the actual material situation as it applies to ‘the facts’, education, anything ‘foreign’, anything at a distance, or to our social position or the general milieu that surrounds us, creates hurt or demands utilization of our most unique skills. We can answer the intuitive knowing, the emotional reaction, and the social ‘stress’ with either a hurt reaction or one that mobilizes our talents—our choice.

Carl Spitzweg c1885 {{PD}}

Carl Spitzweg c1885 {{PD}}

Next we have the Kite involving the eclipse axis and Saturn-Hygeia and Uranus. We may see sudden events or revelations concerning or affecting the ‘health’ of real-world matters or material situations, possibly through rules or restrictions imposed by ‘the group’—or, we see sudden, easy suppression of the health (or what was an otherwise healthy situation), with the result showing at the Lunar eclipse, and revealing something important about identity or purpose (Sun in opposition). This could suggest sudden shifts in what’s considered ‘healthy’, the normalizing of the abnormal, the pressures of revolution on tradition, the past, and current authorities, the prospect of revolution, and all of it under inspection for whether these are healthy options, in the largest sense, or not. This can be a messy scenario that either makes the eclipse event have emotional impact, or creates the emotional impact from which the eclipse events arise.

The Fire Grand Trine of Luna-Earth, Uranus, and Saturn-Hygeia carries much the same message as the Kite, but offers the option of creating balance (the Trine) through action/ ‘doing’  (Fire). Considering the eclipse occurs in Leo, a Fire sign, it’s likely that taking action will be our natural response—how comfortable we are with that, though, can only be determined by how and in what House the eclipse hooks into the natal chart.

The other eclipse-involved Finger consists of a base of Sun and Saturn-Hygeia, apex Vesta, with this latter body only 5 minutes off exact semi-sextile to the Lunar eclipse; here the Finger dynamic may masquerade as either an offshoot of or a distraction from the eclipse itself. Issues of identity, purpose, and Self-expression are tested via the reality picture, forcing you to ask the question, ‘How well am I actualizing myself and my potentials?’—and the answer is found in your commitments, your highest values and your ability to live them, and in those matters and individuals to which you dedicate your life energy. Those are big subjects, writ on a big canvas, and so we may feel we are unable to answer adequately or meaningfully, at least in terms of being able to translate big causes and trends to the spiritual and concrete energy dedications of the individual life. This is one question that needs to be answered, and answered specifically at this time—don’t brush it off.

There is a Fixed Grand Cross with the Sun-Earth-Lunar axis squaring an opposition between Sedna and a 29 degree Black Moon Lilith, suggesting a crisis with matters too long ignored, denied, or unjust, prompted by our own denial of our instincts or weaknesses, and triggered by the eclipse event. This has ‘dilemma’ written all over it—and as a Fixed matter, may seem intractable. One thing to keep in mind is that, despite all the influences at work (and sometimes at cross-purposes) the essence of things is still a Full Moon, an ending that may have the nature of a wipe-out in the House where the eclipse falls—and that means that no matter what is happening, some circumstances are drawing to a close, even if in the moment they still appear viable.

Overall, what we may need to do, as the impressions and issues layer, one upon another, is focus our choices and actions through those positive expressions available to us, thereby minimizing the distractions and possible destruction inherent in concentrating our energy and attention on the negative situations and circumstances presented. We see outlets in assessing our effective actualization, in the choice to approach things from a healed rather than a hurt perspective (and so emphasize health in all our choices), and most especially in the promised potential of creating balance by taking action. It seems confidence in our ability to handle what comes along, a positive focus on what’s healthy, a willingness to deal with real-world realities and the facts, a determination to make the most of who we are as individuals, are all key to meeting and accepting these energies, using them to their utmost, rather than being overwhelmed by them.

The Finger and Cardinal Grand Cross that don’t directly figure in to the eclipse offer their own possibly distracting (or aiding) input, which we may easily mistake for eclipse energy. The Finger of Sedna-Chiron, apex Jupiter, implies the potential for taking our injured instincts public, or trying to base ‘facts’ on our own wounds (shades of ‘alternative facts!’); a better use would be application of instincts and skills (especially those honed through hurt and experience) to expansion of our knowledge and our world. The Cross consists of Vesta, Uranus, Pluto, and Zeus-Jupiter, and seems most likely to act as support for the idea of creating balance through action (Cardinal energy), particularly action that is original, fearless, based on highest values, and takes an optimistic view of our goals.

The Sabian for the Lunar eclipse is, ‘In A Circus The Bareback Rider Displays Her Dangerous Skill’. This smacks of the courage (a very Leo thing!), daring, and confidence that the eclipse will call forth if we respond with our ‘best Self’. The situations presented may be dicey, uncomfortable, out of our element, or downright dangerous, but in any case will be handled best with a combination of bravery and skill.

Niko Pirosmani 'Black Bear' {{PD||

Niko Pirosmani ‘Black Bear’ {{PD||

We also look at the Sun for a Full Moon event: ‘A Big Bear Sitting Down And Waving All Its Paws’. This is an odd position for a bear, simply because the action doesn’t serve any purpose, and in fact may make the animal more vulnerable than it would otherwise be. We may see a lot of emotional ‘paw waving’, lots of motion and drama that leads nowhere and may even distract from what we need to see. This eclipse is definitely a kind of test: of nerve, of concentration, on seriousness of purpose, and of the skills, abilities, and learning we have so far accumulated—but remember, the test isn’t coming from the outside, observed and measured by some authority; its sole purpose is so that we can see our own abilities, measure our own skills, and sharpen our own focus and clarity of intent.

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Very clear explanations of the eclipse phenomenon

23 December 2016 In the Balance

22 Thursday Dec 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, Configurations, current events in the sky, Finger of God, forecast, Horoscope, The Daily Word Image

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Well I'd be safe--and you? "De Heksenwaag (Witches' scales) at Oudewater, Netherlands. In medieval times, women suspected of witchcraft were weighed on the scale. Should they weigh more than a specified amount, they were deemed unable to fly and therefore not witches. At that time, a certificate from Oudewater saved many women who were at danger of stoning or being burnt at the stake after a rigged trial. Today such certificates are a tourists attraction." Martinvl - Own work CC BY-SA 4.0

Well I’d be safe–and you? “De Heksenwaag (Witches’ scales) at Oudewater, Netherlands. In medieval times, women suspected of witchcraft were weighed on the scale. Should they weigh more than a specified amount, they were deemed unable to fly and therefore not witches. At that time, a certificate from Oudewater saved many women who were at danger of stoning or being burnt at the stake after a rigged trial. Today such certificates are a tourists attraction.” Martinvl – Own work CC BY-SA 4.0

The AstroEssence: Our attention is on health, our own and that of systems and organizations with which we are involved. That balance among the ins and outs, consumption and elimination of what’s not needed, utilization of energy and resources, a re-thinking of restrictions and constraints, is underway. We must face realities; some of those deal with endings, others with exploitation (in a positive way) of our talents and assets, and we look at ‘what is’ with an eye to reform–that’s a very good way to spend the day, sussing out just what needs to change, and how we can achieve a reasonable balance among elements. See the forecast for those born with the Sun at 2 Capricorn, below, for info on the current Finger of God (Hygeia sq the Nodes, Venus trine Zeus, Mercury parallel Saturn, Sun parallel Hygeia)

Library Walk New York City Photo by Lesekreis CC0

Library Walk New York City Photo by Lesekreis CC0

Today’s word image is a pencil. What’s the big advantage of using a pencil? It’s easily erased. Figuratively speaking, don’t write anything in ink at this time–things will change too much in the near future for us to anticipate successfully where we’ll be and what we’ll want later.

For those born with the Sun at 2 Capricorn: There’s a lot of fight and energy in you this year, for good reason: your Solar Return features a Finger of God with base of Sun-Mars and apex of Vesta. This describes the entire year, ‘Big Picture’ style: through the course of the year, through to your next birthday, you will learn and then fine-tune what you must do to honor what’s important to you, including your mate, your home circumstances, and those causes to which you want to dedicate your life, taking all those interactions and commitments to the next level. This is the preliminary step in living your values in an unprecedented (not unpresidented!) way, and so attracting into being your next dream. Good luck, Cappy, and Happy Birthday!

 

20 September 2016 The Fickle Finger of Instinct

19 Monday Sep 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, current events in the sky, Finger of God, forecast, Horoscope, The Daily Word Image

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Frederick Sandys - 'Portrait of May Margaret', 1865-6 {{PD}}

Frederick Sandys – ‘Portrait of May Margaret’, 1865-6 {{PD}}

Those of us with a memory of the late 60s-early 70s will remember ‘Laugh In’, with its award of the Fickle Finger of Fate, given to someone with whom fate, in this sense karma, had recently caught up. Always, the negative outcome was the result of the entity’s own choices–these were Self-created dilemmas, problems, and circumstances of shame, not inflicted by any outside body. Today we, too, encounter the tremendous potentials offered by a Finger, and our results will arise directly from what we’ve built, invested in, or created in our lives–so, not fickle at all.

The base is formed by Mars in Sagittarius and Venus-Hygeia in Libra, with the apex drawn by Sedna. What this suggests is that our informed/ educated actions and choices will join with the health of our finances or relationships, and as these two work together we either fall directly into our ‘blind spot’ (those areas others can see, and see the obvious conditions of, while we have no clue), or we tap into instincts and that knowledge of the world we carry just below consciousness. So, it’s either a recipe for showing how much we’re unaware of in a particular area, or for connecting firmly with our own internal guidance system, and making the most of it. Not to despair if you find yourself having waltzed right into some facet of your own ignorance (for that’s all unawareness is, a not knowing that is revealed by our engagement with something or some life area we aren’t fully informed about); it’s nothing to be ashamed over, it’s simply an opportunity to experience and gain understanding–the only time you should feel shame about it is if you refuse to learn from what’s presented–then it’s on you.

We’ll also see Mercury slow for direction, hovering within roughly 25 minutes of the turnaround, in trine to Pluto and sextile to Juno. This makes for powerful and empowering thought, ideas, and plans that are generated at least in part by our own tension and frustration with the Merc retro cycle and what it has produced, denied, or held back–but we must remember not to act just yet. With the Finger we are meeting circumstances previously formed and now delivering results as we make choices based on relationship or money developments, so taking action based on previously formed viewpoints is natural–with the circumstances of Mercury we are generating new mental material–and must wait for the turnaround before it can be successfully vetted.

The Sun is also parallel Ceres and semi-square Black Moon Lilith. This suggests a strong sense of confidence and ‘natural’ authority, but that sureness may be a little too influenced by unacknowledged rage, or a deep need to ignore or deny some aspects of the situation–and that means you may adopt the saying, ‘The best defense is a good offense’ without really knowing you’re being aggressive. The power today is centered in knowing where you’re weak, and where you excel at perception and understanding, and being controlled and yes, wise enough, to acknowledge the reality and potential repercussions of your state, and respond accordingly.

By Mohammed Jaffar from Montreal, Canada - 30e Festival du cochon de Sainte-Perpétue, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34477664

By Mohammed Jaffar from Montreal, Canada – 30e Festival du cochon de Sainte-Perpétue, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34477664

Today’s word image is a pig. Some places they are symbols of prosperity and luck, in others of gluttony or greed, with some societies seeing them as meat machines that can convert almost any fodder to pork, while others view them as unclean and so inedible. Your own associations with the animal and what it represents are important here, simply because, no matter what you think, that thought is not universally held. Seeing a pig or pig-related item may alert you to a synchronous moment, an alert to question your assumptions and perhaps what you consider ‘common knowledge’.

For those born with the Sun at 28 Virgo: love or money is sneaking up on you this year, Virgo, in a way that might almost be described as ‘unpleasant’. And yet, these are things we all want, and want more of, no? The trick may be to realize that there’s a rainbow at the end of that storm (or a pony in that stable full of sh*t, or however you think of a not readily apparent payoff to a less than appealing situation). This should tell you, though, that those efforts to deal with what’s not so great will pay off, likely in a much bigger way than you anticipate–so yay for that! Good luck, Virgo, and Happy Birthday!

 

29-31 August 2016 The Approach to the Solar Eclipse + Mercury Retrograde

28 Sunday Aug 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, current events in the sky, Dark of the Moon, Finger of God, Fist of God, forecast, future events in the sky, Horoscope, Mercury Direction, Mercury retrograde, Sun/Mercury Inferior Conjunction, The Daily Word Image

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By Akseli Gallen-Kallela - Scanned by Alexius Manfelt 2007-12-01, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3170601

By Akseli Gallen-Kallela – Scanned by Alexius Manfelt 2007-12-01, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3170601

I’m going to wrap everything up together in this forecast for a few days ahead, as I finish the eclipse report (which should be available here on Monday the 29th) and give myself a little breather. This coincides with Dark of the Moon, a good time to plunge into a Merc retro period, as we’re already more open to the feeling and sensing nature, the mind stilled (somewhat) by the lack of Lunar light; we don’t find what we think, or what we think we feel, so prone to block incoming information as it usually is. Between Merc’s retreat and the looming eclipse, it seems that making the forecast as tight and easy to remember as possible might be best for everyone–so here goes:

The 29th: We may be inclined to be too headstrong, and so sabotage ourselves–cooperation is the key that both empowers us and brings about serendipitous reward and/ or ambition fulfillment (Mars sq Nodal axis, Venus enters Libra and nov Juno, Sun nov Zeus)

Today’s word image is a wounded bird. Accommodating an injury, whether it’s physical, psychic, emotional, or spiritual, is vital to both recognizing its impact and then helping it heal. Ignoring it only offers the potential for the wound to get worse–and if you don’t heal, how will you ever fly?

By Giovanni Dall'Orto - Own work, Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5208666

By Giovanni Dall’Orto – Own work, Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5208666

The 30th: change of mind might echo a change of heart; we benefit by facing what we’ve recently ignored or denied. All positives today come from embracing our own personal uniqueness (Venus nov Black Moon Lilith, Sun parallel Uranus and nov Hygeia, see also Mercury Retrograde, below)

Today’s word image is a pumpkin, ripened to orange in the garden. That’s a sign of fall–and yet it’s still August! What thing in your world seems to have arrived much more quickly than you anticipated? Is it truly ‘out of season’, or is it indicating more time has passed than you thought? What’s unexpectedly ‘ready to go’?

The 31st: reality-based evolution (whether that is transformational or destructive) is smart, with opportunity fostered by confidence in one’s abilities, a determination to deal with facts and ‘what is’, and a refusal to be rebellious just for the hell of it (Pluto nov Pallas, Jup p Ceres, Sun contra-p Nep and sesq Uranus)

Today’s word image is Pinocchio. The little wooden marionette wanted to be a real boy so much he actually became one. Is there some ‘impossible’ thing you’ve been wanting? Because you may just get it (and all that attends it, all the positives and negatives), after all. And don’t forget to tell the truth.

Lavender_wedding_cake_with_cream_white_swirls_and_ribbon_as_topper

By Jessica Erin Higgins – originally posted to Flickr as lavender wedding cake, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10310914

For those born with the Sun at 7 Virgo: sorting deceptions and illusions from realities, along with a sense of the emotions as being ‘closed off’ and inaccessible, may be the two toughest things for you to face this year, Virgo. This may be the year when you see and deal with every possible impediment or obstacle in your path to what you want–and then you may find, quite suddenly, that you’ve gotten exactly where you wanted to go! So go to work on those problems–it will all pay off handsomely, in the end. Good luck, and Happy Birthday!

For those born with the Sun at 8 Virgo: empowerment, the status you crave, and being part of a ‘power couple’ (even if you’re a silent or unwitting partner) may be in your year ahead, Virgo; success depends on how well you incorporate your ideals into your every day, how ‘married’ you are to having no illusions (hint: the more you like The Truth, the better), and being willing to exercise your creativity (no matter how minor the effort, or how creaky your attempts–use makes them better and better). Be brave, be willing, and get over your fear of heights–you can’t reach the top without letting that go. Good luck, Virgo, and Happy Birthday!

For those born with the Sun at 9 Virgo: the anticipation feels killer, doesn’t it? Almost there, you may be telling yourself–but somewhere along the way, did you forget where you were going? That may be the sense you have of things this year, through to your next birthday, Virgo. It may be difficult to believe that your dreams have changed, as has your idea of what it would be to ‘make it’–but they have, and it’s up to you now to respond to those changes and alter course. Until you do, you may remain stuck–or worse, succeed in meeting the old goal, and being immensely disappointed in how it doesn’t fit your life now. Look at what’s deep inside–that’s the only way to know what’s real, and needs to be followed. Good luck, and Happy Birthday!

By Steven Depolo - originally posted to Flickr as IMG_5971, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10325105

By Steven Depolo – originally posted to Flickr as IMG_5971, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10325105

For those born with the Sun at 10 Virgo: you have to look at those matters that enrage you, or that you’ve been ignoring or in denial of–they are the keys to moving forward this year and bringing your dreams to reality. A new emotional viewpoint unfolds for you no matter what, though how you deal with all these factors, the feelings and the problems, will determine your future, and possibly your fate–so don’t hesitate to tackle difficulties; it’s vital you make your voice heard. Good luck, Virgo, and Happy Birthday!

 

Mercury Retrograde 30 August-22 September 2016: Taking Aim at the Material

'Young Samurai and Female Attendants Practicing Archery' Utagawa Toyokuni I 歌川豐國 c1800 {{PD}}

‘Young Samurai and Female Attendants Practicing Archery’ Utagawa Toyokuni I 歌川豐國 c1800 {{PD}}

Mercury begins apparent retrograde motion at 6:04 AM Pacific time of the 30th at 29 Virgo 04–and immediately it feels like we’re thrown into a state of mental crisis! Criticisms, doubts, and potentially a headlong rush back toward either ‘the facts’ or the standards of the social sphere ensues–and this is just our immediate reaction. The retro period is one that prompts us to re-think, examine, and question the material situation (Earth sign) and how we got to where we are. We ask ourselves if we’re satisfied with what we’ve got, with what we see around us, with what we’re earning, bringing in, getting, enjoying, and whether our resources are adequate to our intentions; our thoughts about the material situation, likely keyed to matters of the House where the retro occurs (and secondarily to the Houses ruled by Merc), are vetted, and by the end of the retro we may have a completely different idea of what we need and want materially at this time. This interval will change our material aims, both how we think of our goals, and how we intend to get there.

If we look at the retro picture poetically, we see that Mercury was in pursuit of Venus, newly fled into Libra (to the shelter of a partner? or a tax or investment shelter? or a partnership of earning and caring, or one of being valued or valuing the partner as an asset?) but the chase slows and then abruptly ends, with Merc retreating to a social milieu (a retro meeting with Jupiter) that welcomes him and envelops him with ‘I told you so’ and ‘What were you thinking?’ and ‘What more do you want?’ This meeting can also signal a retreat to ‘Big Picture’ thinking that believes the individual is too important to mess with details–a misunderstanding of the energy, in this instance.

Heed instincts and the wisdom of impulses on the 6th, as Merc trines Sedna, and be prepared–this re-thinking and re-ordering may hurt, or potentially could heal our ideas about the material world and our place in it (the 10th). At the same time as the hurt/ healing, we also receive a personal shock, lightning strike, or group contribution that offers wise revelation, that brings forward just what we need to hear, realize, or learn (Merc as apex to a Finger of God with base of Uranus-Pallas). A Fist of God forms the 12th with Mercury-Sun square Mars, apex Ceres in Taurus, that suggests action combines with thought, ideas, plans and though it’s not easy, the result will be the best ‘power position’ we can hope for materially in the moment. This also happens to be the point of the Inferior Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury, so keep awareness of whatever ‘seeds’ may be planted, deliberately or inadvertently, at this time. Mercury goes direct around 10:30 PM Pacific time on the 21st, in the midst of a trine to Pluto. This suggests change, transformation, destruction, reformation, right out of the gate, based on the changes to our mentality and to our view of the material world, and our place in it.

The page on the September eclipses is up!

Thank you, and enjoy the run up to the eclipse!

 

17-18 August 2016 Inspired by Higher Mind

16 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, current events in the sky, Finger of God, Fist of God, forecast, Full Moon, Horoscope, Lunar Aspects, Sabian Symbols, The Daily Word Image

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A Summer Shower, by Charles Edward Perugini 1888 {{PD}}

A Summer Shower, by Charles Edward Perugini 1888 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence of the 17th and 18th, and the Lunar Essence of the Full Moon in Aquarius: Leading up to the Full Moon we are faced with a question: Are we changed by Love, Money, or secrets revealed about values or assets, or are we the agent of change in areas of Love, in finances, in the keeping or spilling of secrets, or in recognizing a change in our values, and so changing how we relate? Since Earth signs are involved (Venus trine Pluto), we should expect a material, or at least tangible, impact; we may be ‘undone’, with some Venusian aspect of life devastated, destroyed, or transformed (don’t panic, this may be a good thing!) This fundamental change sets the stage for the conclusion, end, or completion associated with the Full Moon, 2:25 AM PDT of the 18th at 25 Aquarius 51. This is a near miss, an almost eclipse, and the impact we feel may be as much the Venus-Pluto aspect that precedes the Lunar event (as it leaves us reeling and yet unsure of what hit us) as it is the pull of the Full Moon itself.

This Full Moon, along with Uranus, forms the base for a Finger of God, with apex Jupiter. Should we also include Mercury, which is conjoined Jupiter and within orb of Uranus, but not the Full Moon? It’s a tough call, but I’m inclined to say Yes, as proximity to the other elements of the Finger means Mercurial energy will enter in some form–it just may not be what it seems. That is, we may believe we have come by rational means to a concluding belief, decision to expand, teach, or learn, or concerning a social role (Jupiter)–but the mind may simply be a means of translating our perceptions at the level of Higher Mind (Uranus) that is revealed through events of this Aquarian FM. This suggests it may be Higher Mind inspired feeling (Aquarius Moon) that is really running the show, not the cogitations of our limited, trapped-in-three-dimensions brains. Awareness of this will make us more open to spontaneity and give us confidence in our own choices (both Uranus in Aries) and this in turn allows a more attuned experience than does being overly-focused on our thinking and the illusion of control this inevitably gives.

Different fingers. Pink Sherbet Photography from USA - 'Happy Finger Friends Love' by D Sharon Pruitt CC BY 2.0

Different fingers. Pink Sherbet Photography from USA – ‘Happy Finger Friends Love’ by D Sharon Pruitt CC BY 2.0

Too, let’s note the way Chiron is caught at the midpoint of the Finger’s base; since the opposition with Jupiter is separating, the implication may be that the dynamic of the Finger begins with a wound, or with an instance of healing, that then spurs the Higher Mind understanding that melds with the FM event to offer that Jupiterian result.

The Full Moon is also apex to a loose Fist of God (or Thor’s Hammer, for you Vikings) with base of Vesta and Hygeia. This may take us further back in time, to where an instance or pattern of not honoring our health (the Cardinal square between Vesta and Hygeia) helps bring about the Full Moon event–which, as you know, is likely to be related to matters of the House where the Full Moon falls.

A novile is formed by the Full Moon to Pluto, and the Sun/ Earth-Moon axis squares Sedna, creating a T-square. A sense of rebellion from what is instinctual may combine with a deep urge toward destruction and change–this makes a kind of engine for the configurations to run on, generating some deep conflict and energizing our embrace of change. We may reject or find unacceptable our usual, unprocessed response, and the conflict this engenders, along with an advantageous glimpse of what things might be like with the upsetting factors gone, eliminated, or reformed, is enough to make all the rest spring into action.

Elefantino di Giulia Orecchia Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

Elefantino di Giulia Orecchia Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

And now we need to examine the elephant in the room. Her name is Pallas, and she’s conjoined the Full Moon in Aquarius. This suggests that everything involved with the Full Moon is a measure or test of our wisdom and practicality, as well as our skills and ability to apply them. This theme will loom large, and yet we won’t necessarily be seeing events, feelings, urges, and our responses to them as a test-taking or assessment–that only comes later, when the conclusion that is unavoidable with a Full Moon event makes it clear we wound up where we are because of what we consider smart, what we know, and how practical our ultimate orientation.

The Sabian symbol for 26 Aquarius (remember, we read up) is, ‘A Garage Man Testing A Car’s Battery With A Hydrometer’. This emphasizes the mechanism of testing, which we’ve already discussed. A battery is Uranian, while the hydrometer points toward the importance of feeling and so the Water signs involved: Chiron in Pisces, and one part of the Fist base, in Cancer. Both these signs are volatile emotionally, at least in part because the barriers between the individual and the Collective/ Others is blurred, even as we ‘test’ it from our own unique expressions of Will and viewpoint (Uranus in Aries). This could imply that if we are having a hard time processing our own feelings surrounding this FM, we may divert our emotions into a Big Picture expression, one that allows us to express but doesn’t risk quite so much emotional exposure, even to ourselves.

We also look at the Sun’s Sabian with a Full Moon, simply because it is the origin of all light, and so enables perception. ‘After The Heavy Storm, A Rainbow’. So, whatever troubles are stirred at this time, we can be assured it’s for the good, or at the very least, that it will all work out positively.

The only aspects not addressed by the FM are Venus’ contra-parallel to Zeus and parallel to the North Node; these add a flavor of drama, wherein relationships, values, or finances push back on our ambitions, and where we struggle to reconcile wants with maintenance of what we care about. It’s easy to see that this will add tension to the feeling nature, and again make us work to figure things out, rather than allowing Higher Mind to possess us for a time.

(Perfecting on respective days: Venus trine Pluto/ Pallas sesq Hygeia, Venus contra-parallel Zeus and parallel NN, Sun sq Sedna)

Odilon Redon - L'oeuf 1884 {{PD}}

Odilon Redon – L’oeuf 1884 {{PD}}

The word image for both days is a peeled, hard-boiled egg. We’re always talking about ‘potential’, especially in terms of our own lives and our own creativity. An egg is potential itself, but hard-boiling it captures potential and turns it into solid mass; it is what it is, at that moment–there’s no more room for development. The events of this Full Moon may show us that certain things can no longer remain (at least in our minds) in that state of potential; they will have already hardened, taken shape, and so must be accepted, used, dealt with as they are.

For those born with the Sun at 25 Leo: speaking of potential, you are fairly bursting with it–but what you need to know is that making the most of it won’t come easily: you will be tempted to fight every instinct and the deep, rhythmic primordial knowledge of life itself as it attempts to guide and inform you. Why would you resist that? It could be that you’ve come to believe too strongly in your own individuality; it’s time to acknowledge that there are forces out there bigger than you, and that they want to help. Good luck, Leo, and Happy Birthday!

Olaus Magnus 1555 {{PD}}

Olaus Magnus 1555 {{PD}}

For those born with the Sun at 26 Leo: a lot of things have come to an end recently, and you move into a new emotional ‘day’, with all the optimism that can offer. You’ve learned a great deal; we could say you’ve become wise, from all you’ve experienced. It’s time to take what you know and apply it in the smartest way possible; all that you know will coalesce to create a kind of ‘magic touch’ that, with even minimal effort, will manifest exactly what you’re aiming for. Good luck, Leo, and Happy Birthday!

See more to read here, donate, and enjoy a wonderful Full Moon!

Full Moon in Aquarius August 18 2016

22 July 2016 A Subtle Case

21 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, current events in the sky, Finger of God, The Daily Word Image

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'Spider Web' Photo By Arivumathi - CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29524796

‘Spider Web’ Photo By Arivumathi – CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29524796

The AstroEssence: Today the Sun enters Leo, putting the focus on ourselves, and it’s a subtle case of a pair of Fingers of God that permeate thoughts and may allow reasoning to be altered, despite a less-than-desirable influence created by the social sphere or the facts (Jupiter contra-parallel Hygeia–and this may usher in a few public health crises, besides). Each of the Fingers includes Mercury, one as base with Zeus, apex the South Node, the other as apex itself, with base of Pluto-South Node (and in some ways we ought to consider Venus as part of the ‘Mercury effect’, since it is both closer in aspect to the Node than Mercury, and widely conjoined the Messenger). These are both a little loose, but noteworthy as the inconjunct of Merc to Pluto and the sextile of Merc to Zeus perfect today.

In Merc-Venus sxt Zeus apex SN, we have ideas and thoughts centered on the worth and talents of the Self and the ambitions and goals fixed firmly on the past; we look at the origins of our development and our viewpoint, and consider how this experience has shaped us (and for some, it will feel very limiting; the tendency may be to blame the past for current situations and future prospects).

With Merc-Venus as the apex to a Finger with base of SN-Pluto, we may transform, in our own minds and interpretations, the past and its effects, thereby ‘freeing’ or otherwise reforming the thought processes and the understanding of our own skills, opening the way to create a future without the limits we’ve carried up to now.

The two Fingers work in concert: one shows us how we’ve proceeded, how we’ve viewed ourselves and our potentials, up to now, the other allows us to actually draw power from the past, by re-processing our perceptions of it, and thereby giving us a future much more in tune with our current Beingness and outlook. So that’s good.

Today’s word image is a spider living within a bunch of grapes on the vine. At first we might think this image indicates something nefarious within something positive or desirable or wholesome–but I look at it another way: the spider lives between the grapes and doesn’t harm them, in fact it keeps other bugs from doing damage. It allows the grapes to grow and ripen without invasion by creatures that would destroy them. What in your life that you’re automatically regarding as bad or negative is actually doing a service, serving a purpose, and doing no harm?

Arbuckle_Bros._Coffee_Company_(3092966757)For those born with the Sun at 00 Leo the coming Solar year, through to your next birthday, brings difficult situations that will determine the balance of power, personal influence, and depth of your commitment to both yourself and others–and all of it requires flexibility in feeling, a willingness to respond appropriately to real-world changes in circumstances, to what’s known or discovered, and to what’s shared/ owned–but don’t worry, your intuition is turned up to High. Good luck, and Happy Birthday, Leo!

 

11 May 2016 Uneven Ground

10 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Finger of God, The Daily Word Image

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Fritz Petzholdt - 'Étude de roches' c1830 {{PD}}

Fritz Petzholdt – ‘Étude de roches’ c1830 {{PD}}

Today the ground beneath our feet seems uneven in any matter that we care about, in relating and finances, heart and wallet, what we treasure, what we value (perfecting: Venus qnx Saturn). Uncertainty is the underpinning for our interactions and our expenditures; we’ll fail in locating a sense that we know what just happened, how much was spent or earned, how others (and we) really feel. For many of us, the unease will stay below consciousness, troubling us and making things awkward, but never addressed–and really, what would we say or do? It’s a bad time to try to nail things down, and we know it (Merc retro)–we sense the destruction that can result from too much discussion, even too much thought (Merc trine Pluto)–and so we turn away from thinking too much about what might be wrong.

The star of today’s show, and the engine driving pretty much everything else, is likely a Finger of God with base of South Node/ Mercury, apex Zeus. This takes our retro memories of the past (retro as in: we remember things we’ve long thought forgotten, or we revise our view on what was), and connects the dots between those memories and what we want and aim for now. Take this as a chance to understand yourself better, and to modify goals so that they suit you more as you are in this moment. A revelation of this nature can be startling, upsetting, or cause a revolution within the psyche–appreciate that this is so, and receive what you learn without reservation or condemnation, most especially of yourself.

By Cui Bai latter half of the 11th century {{PD}}

By Cui Bai latter half of the 11th century {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a single black rabbit among white ones. I can’t say if the word image revived the memory, or the memory is the origin of the word image: when I was a small child we kept rabbits; we also had a sweet German shepherd named Baron. One year we had all white rabbits born, with the exception of one jet black one. There was a storm, the rabbit cages blew over, and the rabbits escaped. Baron didn’t bother any of the white rabbits, but he chased and killed the black one. What is it about differences that bothers us so, at an animal level, where we will attack something just because it’s not what we expect, not what we’re used to? Stop yourself from making a too hasty, too aggressive judgment about something new or different in your world–look for the likenesses to what you already know, instead.