Category Archives: Retrogrades + Directions

Just a Little AstroEssence 22-24 November 2017 Lift

21 Tuesday Nov 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Neptune, Retrogrades + Directions, The Daily Word Image

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Winter in Andalusia (Poplars and Sheep at Alcalá de Guadaira) 1880 {{PD}} By Emilio Sánchez Perrier

We enjoy lifts of several kinds over this period; here are the deets:

The big story for the 22nd is Neptune stationing direct, and yet our reaction to this lifting of the fog might be more about the other perfecting aspects: Jupiter sesquiquadrate Chiron, Mars conjoined Zeus, and the Sun parallel Hygeia. When a heavy like Neptune goes direct, we may not be conscious of the shift right away; we may feel something, but it’s likely that it will take a little time for such a change to gather a distinctive shape in our lives, often related to either the matters of the House Neptune is currently transiting, or the one Neptune rules in our natal chart–and that’s aside from any contacts Neptune makes at the point of direction, which can be especially potent in the way they are suddenly revealed, attain an aspect of creativity or idealism or take on spiritual depth, or conversely are obscured, if Neptune retro had been serving to lift the fog.

So, the energies surrounding the turnaround may feel something like this: the social order suffering from and also inflicting wounds (think the #MeToo movement, for one); on an individual level this suggests that the facts or beliefs, one’s own or others, may be painful to deal with, or that the difficult situation presented by those facts and beliefs requires us to offer healing or the Chirotic skill, again, to ourselves and/ or others. Getting bigger spiritually, especially in relation to our fellow humans, may be painful–not exactly surprising.

Then there’s the matter of actions and choices being fused with ambitions and desires, removing any real chance of objectivity–just be prepared to face this in yourself and in others, and cut everyone a little slack; we are passionate about things at this point, so precipitous acts and expression of the Will may cause a kind of ‘blanking out’ that overrides any of our normal reticence or cautions. But, the Sun’s contact tells us that, in the long-term, that Self-expression will ultimately be healthy, so we’re unlikely to damage anything we actually want to preserve.

Rik Wouters – ‘De strijkster (The Ironer)’ (1912) {{PD}}

Today’s word image is iron. Did you imagine something hot coming out of a forge, a cattle brand, perhaps, or something more mundane, a clothes iron, or possibly a hunk of ore, or a daily supplement consumed for your health? Iron has entered the lexicon in a number of ways: ‘strike while the iron is hot’, meaning take an opportunity when it presents itself; to ‘iron things out’ means to negotiate and come to agreement; something is described as ‘iron’, implying unbending strength. Consider whether you need a little more, or a little less, of whatever iron comes to mind.

And what about the 23rd, the day in the US known for gathering the family together to share . . . a turkey? Let’s be clear: it’s a celebration ostensibly triggered by the day the indigenous peoples saved European settlers from starving to death, a day that signaled the beginning of the end for natives in terms of autonomy and cultural, personal, and Collective freedom–and of course, we shouldn’t be celebrating the dominance of one group over another at all, however obliquely that applies. We have to consider what this holiday has become: a symbolic sharing of abundance, and a chance to celebrate that abundance, to be grateful, not just for what we have but for those who share our lives, in the here and now.

How are we to interpret it, then, when no new aspects perfect today? The implication is that we are awash in a combination of previous recent influences that are still reverberating, and those characteristic inclinations and proclivities that we carry natally. Expect the expected, heavily seasoned with current shifts in both the personal arena and the Zeitgeist.

Jupiter, hangin’ out with his eagle By Nicolai Abildgaard 1792 {{PD}}

Word image for the 23rd is an eagle tending a nest where the eggs will never hatch. Well that’s depressing! Sometimes Mother Nature plays a cruel trick on us, or maybe it’s just fate or our own persistent nature, but everyone at one time or another has pursued or tended diligently to something that has no life in it, that will never ‘hatch’ and live in the light of day. This may be a reminder not to pour our care into lifeless projects, ones where the potential has long since drained away, or maybe it urges us to let go of the things that will never be–not all eggs are meant to reach maturity–and how can we have room for the new, if we are perpetually mourning the old?

By the 24th we’ll begin to see how the Neptune direction is flavoring those things we find sacred, that we honor, and that we are committed to; we’ll also be highly aware of the positives of all that’s come forward lately, the rewards offered for not ignoring or denying what is, and we’ll get glimpses down real avenues of Power. What’s not working so well may be our thinking and reasoning, and those faculties that are so injured or warped by negative experience that we can’t see the objective or the factual without distortion. What comes under scrutiny is our ability to be truly rational; our response needs to be a willingness to consider that feedback may be showing us an elemental flaw in our system.

Sculpture “Peace” created by the conceptual artist Stephen J. Kaltenbach, 2005, near the Capitol Mall in Sacramento, California Photo By Carol M. Highsmith – Library of CongressCatalog: http://lccn.loc.gov/2013633917 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is meeting someone about whom you feel you already know a great deal. When that happens, do you let what you’ve heard influence your perceptions? Are you so busy looking for purported attitudes or behaviors that you don’t see who’s actually standing in front of you? No real relationship can develop when prejudice exists, and perceptions are bound to be artificial, filtered through beliefs rather than arrived at from direct experience. Try not to exercise prejudice, okay?

Support the blog through donations, book purchases, through the sharing buttons below, and by sending good energy to me and one another. For those who celebrate it, have a lovely Thanksgiving, and for everyone else, have a lovely end-of-week!

 

Just a Little AstroEssence 28 September 2017 Focus On: Pluto Direct

27 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Pluto, Retrogrades + Directions, The Daily Word Image

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Pierre-Auguste Renoir, ‘The Umbrellas’, c1881-86 {{PD}}

Pluto stations direct today at 16 Capricorn 51, in a planetary pantomime similar to a car that was backing up that stops moving, switches into drive from reverse, but hasn’t yet begun perceptible motion forward: things have changed, but we may not be able to see that, yet. Typically Pluto is background noise, a lot like this measure of Cosmic radiation, persistently there, but not especially distinct; the shape of the Plutonian influence is a wave, not a singular, isolated event, something that washes over, permeates everything, but has a source it’s impossible to pinpoint. You know those times you’re walking around frowning, until you become aware of a kind of pressure on your brow? That’s the Pluto retrograde, exerting its influence, and it’s a lifting of that pressure, equivalent to realizing you don’t need to be so tense, that constitutes the direction. The heaviness that’s lingered for so long dissipates, likely felt either in the House Pluto rules in the natal chart, or where it’s currently transiting; those subjects can suddenly seem less maddening, less compelling, less urgent, with transformation of the energies coming almost unbidden–not necessarily ‘cured’, but certainly less serious. All the gloom may not be wiped away, but there may be the barest frisson as we realize it’s definitely getting lighter.

This Plutonian shift occurs in the midst of two contradictory pulls, one toward erratic, unwise, unthinking behavior, likely blamed on externals, one toward thinking that we’re honoring what we care about–but it’s in the disparity between thought and reality where our problems lie. We can bridge the chasm by acknowledging that we don’t need to be all-powerful in order to have an impact, and for once thinking may not be our best option–instead we need to concentrate on what’s right in front of us, and deal with things one at a time, rather than retreating to ruminate, ponder, and disconnect.

Not quite the kind of crown we’re talking about. By Pia Ranslet (original painting and photo thereof) – Pia Ranslet, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17530407

Today’s word image is the phrase, ‘Heavy lies the head that wears the crown’, which is actually a misquote of this, from Henry the IV, Pt. 2: ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown’. Is there any real difference between them? Yes, there is. The misquoted version suggests a Plutonian sense of responsibility, that a ruler is burdened by the very fact of being ruler; the actual quote suggests something otherwise, that the one who wears the crown can never rest, with the implication being that their position can never be secure. Why has the saying morphed in popular culture? There may be a tendency to believe that those in charge have great privilege and power, so mustn’t complain of responsibilities–which ignores the original meaning of a ruler actually being a target, the position a precarious one. Maybe this is about an assumption that those who have owe us, or about us forgetting those in charge have problems, too. Is there a place in your world where you see someone as having, and therefore owing you? Do you feel others see you that way? How uneasy are you with your own ‘power position’? And do you, or do you not, want to ‘wear a crown’, based on your beliefs about what that entails?

Just a Little AstroEssence 25 August 2017 Release

24 Thursday Aug 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Retrogrades + Directions, The Daily Word Image

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‘A Reed Cutter at Work’ By Peter Henry Emerson (Cuba, active England, 1856-1936), Thomas Frederick Goodall (England, 1857-1944) – Image: http://collections.lacma.org {{PD}}

Saturn stations direct today, the 25th, in Sagittarius, releasing us from the cycle; this either opens the floodgates, allowing forward progress and bringing an end to the most egregious obstacles in our path, or we suddenly find barriers materialized before us, progress halted, sometimes for no reason we can point to, other times by some potential that lingered at the edge of awareness and now steps forward. Whichever way you respond to the Saturn direct-retro cycle, it makes us all cognizant of the passage of time and the reality picture, with change-of-direction points re-orienting us to current circumstances and the work we need to do to affect them.

We also see Venus enter Leo–watch for the roar of vanity and in those who are normally more reticent, a surge of pride, healthy Self-interest, and awareness of Self-worth that helps them earn or collect what’s coming to them. We all see the worth of standing up for ourselves, and for expressing our talents–‘Letting Ourselves Shine’ might be our theme at this time. Accompanying these planetary shifts we have influences that suggest a rejection of what’s wise or practical, probably grounded in mistaken ideas of what empowers us (hint: we may not see the true power of sticking to our values–that’s where the juice is found!) What else flourishes today? Originality, and efforts at improving health and embracing our status all bring rewards or improved circumstances, as does a willingness to put at least some trust in the group.

Source flickr.com
Photo by Michael Warren, Bristol, UK, released under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Today’s word image is a bluebell.There are iterations of this flower all over the world, but they always make me think of Texas, a place I have mixed feelings about. What place, person, or thing from the past rises up today to remind you of what was, or how far you’ve come, or how you’ve changed, with perhaps the biggest factor being a question: what from this period do you regret, and how can you deal with it now?

Full Moon in Sagittarius + Forecast for the 9th: Mother Ceres Explains It All

05 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in astrology, Full Moon, Jupiter, Retrogrades + Directions, Sabian Symbols

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By Alice Pike Barney – 1901 {{PD}}

On the 9th Jupiter stations direct in Libra, at the midpoint of a Fire trine from Vesta to Black Moon Lilith. A Jupiter in Libra turnaround signals a turnaround of mind, maybe even a retraction of or reversal of ‘the facts’; relative to the other body and point (for we must remember, Black Moon Lilith is a calculated point, a not-thing that we nevertheless feel and respond to), this could suggest a shift in attitude involving what we honor and what we’ve denied or avoided. We could quite suddenly see the opportunity that comes from a more optimistic viewpoint or in pursuing positive, rather than angry or punitive, interactions with those who may have angered us. Potentially, the facts may not just change our minds, but change our values, what we dedicate our time, energy, and attention to. This could be a much more momentous change than the average planetary direction, at least as it may lay the foundation for much larger or more sweeping changes in our fundamental beliefs and way of thinking–and this may come in the wake of Full Moon events.

Other indicators suggest we may come to Jupiterian change (shifts in belief, or the gaining of optimism or seeing opportunity) through hurt, and may resist reformation, seeing it as ‘not us’–but this would be short-sighted, particularly in terms of how this may prompt profitable action–so willingly go with it, if you can (Chiron sesq Vesta, Venus sxt Mars, Sun qnx Pluto)

Full Moon occurs at 6:10 AM PDT at 18 Sagittarius 53. The Full Moon sits midway between retro Saturn and Black Moon Lilith; it also semi-sextiles Pluto (which minor aspect we’re counting because they are only three minutes off exact), opposes Ceres (placing the asteroid in a separating conjunction to the Sun), sextiles Zeus, and sesquiquadrates Venus in her own sign of Taurus. A Full Moon, as we know, is an event of culmination, an end to a sequence or situation, and in Sagittarius it is often an event that offers knowledge, in some form–and of course with endings, we can often see the seeds of new beginnings, just by knowing in what area of life we are experiencing a conclusion; something must take its place, as Mother Ceres abhors a vacuum. Look for the arena of change in the natal House where the FM falls, with likely secondary locations matters of the House opposing the FM, the House ruled by the Moon, and if you have natal placements or points at roughly 3 degrees Scorpio, that placement will be the apex of a Finger of God involving Mars and Venus, implying that actions taken in Love or Money will bring a manifestation of the apex energy–and if you have a natal placement or point at 3 Leo, you are looking at a Fist involving Venus, apex the Full Moon, which may imply difficulties in Love or Money, relative to the natal energy, coming to a head at the FM.

We already know from other indicators, including the Jupiter direction, that things, especially our beliefs, are prone to change at this time; the FM suggests that this change is a natural one, no matter how unnatural it may at first seem. It’s really a manifestation of what we have learned, or the connections we have made, in pursuit of our ambitions and desires, and the result will at least in part be one that requires adjustment to the material/ asset situation and/ or to the way relationships affect reward or remuneration, or even what is shared or can be counted on. Somehow the material situation changes, and whether this comes as a result of other change, or brings about other change, we come out the other side seeing things quite a bit differently than we have. We become aware of what we’ve hidden from ourselves, ignored or denied, or we see our own anger, that may have been hidden from our conscious mind, and this, more than anything else, may be the root of the changes we see.

Though not directly part of the FM picture, there’s a Finger of God with base of Vesta-Zeus, apex Neptune, that may point to difficulties and distractions that will function to draw our conscious energy away from the Full Moon scenario–and this may be directly related to the Jupiter direction as it calls up our ideals and creative energies as they play out through both values and ambitions. The imagination may be alight with what we desire–the real question may be, Is this in line with our values? So do we really want it, or not? Inevitably, this may be a result of, or spring from, the Full Moon events, and has the potential when combined with those energies of propelling a significant creative event forward in a big way.

The Sabian for the Full Moon is, ‘Pelicans Menaced By The Behavior And Refuse Of Men Seek Safer Areas For Bringing Up Their Young’. This echoes the opposition to the Full Moon of the asteroid Ceres, with the Sun pulling away from their union suggesting both the history of habitat destruction and between species animosities of the past and the only solution Nature may have, to get away from polluting and destructive humans. In the context of the Full Moon, it may suggest that real-world circumstances (Saturn) and the irritation they cause (Black Moon Lilith) may propel events forward–and in the process, affect the asset picture and the beliefs.

We also look at the Sabian for the Sun for a Full Moon, as it is the source of the light which creates the phenomenon in the first place: ‘A Large Archaic Volume Reveals A Traditional Wisdom’. This promises certain Truths will become obvious, certain wisdom shown in the form of previous experience or knowledge (the ‘Tradition’ of the symbol–Saturn in Sagittarius=real-world knowledge + Ceres in Gemini=thinking about what’s natural). This revelation/ realization may be the spark that starts the entire change of the Full Moon, shifting our material circumstances, and/ or our beliefs, by the end.

The rest of the week will follow in another post. Donate to your favorite blogs and bloggers, read, and have a great one!

 

 

Your Week 14-20 April 2017 A Taste of What’s Holding You Back

12 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Inferior Conjunction, Pluto, Retrogrades + Directions, Sun/Mercury Inferior Conjunction, The Daily Word Image, Venus

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‘Merchant’s Wife at Tea’ By Boris Kustodiev 1917 {{PD}}

Friday the 14th we see a perfect blending of ego and action urge with instincts, making for highly successful actions and choices as long as we go totally on those programmed and in-built inclinations. Problems arise from too much conscious attention to values and priorities; this is a time when we quite literally do best to think as little as possible, and to follow the spontaneous instinctive spark we carry within–otherwise, we tie ourselves in knots trying to make material and everyday circumstances meet a ‘purity standard’ that belongs better as an ideal.

Today’s word image is the actor John Wayne. Even when I was a child, he was considered a symbol of American values–but when we inspect those values now, we see their flaws: the embrace of Manifest Destiny, which inherently carries the idea of White superiority; the romanticization of the Western way of life, including its misogynist bent, its assumption of ‘Christian’ values as right and superior, and its lack of regard for both the best interests of animals/ the land, and the rights of other cultures, especially indigenous ones; the idea of rugged individualism, a pernicious code echoing the ‘each man for himself’, ‘survival of the fittest’ ideal which celebrates Self-reliance to an absurd degree, as well as justifying unfettered greed and exploitation, and as fuel for sanctimonious refusal to help others; the romance with guns, which continues today. It may be too much to say we should look at our own ‘John Wayne attitudes’, some way in which we are unquestioningly sure we are carrying the banner of right, or making assumptions about privilege due–it may be enough to look around for and make note of where these ugly Western assumptions may still permeate our thinking, our beliefs about ourselves, our country, or our way of life.

Venus goes direct on the 15th, at 26 Pisces 54; this sends it back toward a re-perfection of that square with Saturn. We get a last taste of barriers, restrictions, obstacles, or required discipline–or we see the cost of those restrictions, or the cost of not having applied them, or what we’ve lost by following (or not following) ‘the rules’, especially as it pertains to relationships. This may present a last, bitter pill, or could show us the difficulty associated with getting what we desire, and though tough, could be the point of delivery–it’s all dependent on previous experience with this square, and the individual impact through the natal chart, especially the unique relationship of each person to the Saturn concepts (which generally dictate whether the retro period represents a ‘taking away’ or an ‘opening the way’).

There’s also a perfection of a Juno sesquiquadrate to the North Node, which on the surface might not seem like much–but when we combine it with the Venus-Saturn effect, with Venus finally leaving her retro phase, we may find, especially if we are female, that empowerment options and circumstances that should help us build our desired future will not be easily exercised. We may find that the patriarchy, the establishment, authorities, elders, or rule-enforcers put obstacles in our way, or try to suppress or stop us. Gaining empowerment is possible, as long as we are willing to work around or be flexible, in terms of those demands or restrictions being made on us.

Today’s word image is a hand-tooled leather bridle. As lovely as the workmanship on one can be, a bridle is essentially an instrument of control, one that works because of the pain it causes (via the metal bit to the sensitive mouth of a horse or other animal). Is there some external control, applied by someone else, that you’re allowing, out of fear of pain if you don’t? What freedom have you allowed to be ‘bridled’, willingly or not? Have you been indoctrinated with the idea that certain behaviors aren’t allowed, that it would be uncivilized (or unladylike, or unmanly) to indulge in them? What’s allowing someone else to ride you–that is, keep on top of you or your performance, in some way–and so control you?

On the 16th we surf an unusually smooth and pleasant minor ‘wave’ of harmonies and sychronicities. Values aid the operation of instincts, actions and choices utilize our most unique skills, and cooperation, especially cooperation between complementary elements (anima and animus, man-woman, assertive and receptive, yin and yang) flows with little effort. It all comes naturally, with the result being that we find the energy and spark to handle what we’ve been ignoring or denying, and in doing so find our personal empowerment options strengthened and elevated.

By Paolo Monti – Available in the BEIC digital library and uploaded in partnership with BEIC Foundation.The image comes from the Fondo Paolo Monti, owned by BEIC and located in the Civico Archivio Fotografico of Milan.This work is free and may be used by anyone for any purpose.

Today’s word image is a single blue balloon, floating up and away from a crowd. That is one of the saddest sights, I think, because it means some child lost their hold; that precious, fleeting pleasure of balloon ownership is, for some probably distraught young one, no more. I find the temporary nature of a balloon part of its appeal; like a flower, you know it doesn’t have a long life–and the fact that they float and fly has always made them special, too. What short-lived pleasure in your life has recently expired? Did you ever think it might simply be practice for enjoying in the moment, and letting go?

By the 17th the real world, as it is right now, is in our faces–and if we handle issues willingly, openly, we find opportunities plentiful and our ability to act unhindered. The issues revolve around deception (by others or our own of ourselves), reality as it is, rather than as we’d like it to be, and how healthy our choices are, at this time; if we can be straight with ourselves over these matters, we will find our personal effectiveness goes beyond anything we’ve been imagining, and that opportunity and support from the social sphere are attracted without any special effort on our part.

Today’s word image is a spider that dangles from a single thread of spider silk above the head of an unsuspecting individual. If you’re afraid of spiders, this might give you the heebie-jeebies–and nobody, frightened of arachnids or not, wants a creepy-crawly in their hair. This may alert us to something undesirable that is ‘hanging over our heads’–and yet we don’t know it, or are not conscious that it poses such a ‘threat’. Maybe the solution is to ‘look up’–or maybe just look around carefully, to be more aware of our surroundings at all times. 

On the 18th we once again see personal power aided by our ability to allow our instincts to call the shots; too, thinking is in line with, and attention is on, the future, allowing us to consciously guide things in the direction we’d like to go. So what’s not working? Wounds around relationships and finances may derail the entire day, unless we are able to set resentments and fears aside and simply listen to the internal pulse of call and intuitive response, without letting negative thoughts intrude.

Today’s word image is an empty closet. You’ve got nothing to hide, right? Or is this a reminder that you’ve got plenty of room, some place clean and ready to hold your things?

On the 19th what we have previously ignored now gets our full attention–and in providing that, we gain in wisdom, practicality, and our ability to affect circumstances. The world is our oyster–and we are poised to start a fresh ‘pearl’, via the Inferior Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury–which is precise about 11:01 PM Pacific time, and occurs just after the Sun’s entry into Taurus. This suggests that the seed planted here may be a physical one, the start of something materially significant, the beginning of a project, idea, or condition that has a material impact, or one involving the senses or sense-perceptions. Just a few hours later, on the 20th, Pluto retrogrades at 19 Capricorn 23, and soon thereafter we see Merc shift back into Aries. This subtly alters our retro period thinking; we change from considering material matters, comfort, and consequences to the potentials behind action and Self-responsibility. We start to consider that we are the ones who can do something about ‘it’. As a backdrop to this, Pluto’s change in apparent direction may simply emphasize the darkness, or the destructive tendencies, inherent in the forces of evolution, transformation, and change. Pluto’s retrograde gives us new appreciation for how close we may be standing to the precipice, and how much more carefully we might want to move–or giving us the urge to either back away to safety, or to jump.

By Dwayne Albert – Originally from en.wikipedia; description page was here., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2974795

Today’s word image is a pair of sleeping dogs. Do we ‘let them lie’, as in the saying, or are they not performing as they should, barking when trouble approaches? Either there’s a topic not to be touched at present, or an early warning system is down.

29 December 2016 Lost in Translation

28 Wednesday Dec 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Retrogrades + Directions, The Daily Word Image

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Pierre-Auguste Renoir - 'Joueuse de guitare' c1897 {{PD}}

Pierre-Auguste Renoir – ‘Joueuse de guitare’ c1897 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: What does it mean that Uranus goes direct during a Mercury retrograde? Possibly that the higher reasoning and intellect go into overdrive, but find the concepts and information are un-relatable, either because one can’t seem to find the right words, or because the ideas themselves remain indistinct. Communication, then, becomes difficult, and it may appear each individual doesn’t know her or his own mind–but that’s not so, it’s just a problem translating that electric impulse of pure knowledge into a language that can be understood. The Arts offer a great way to funnel this higher mind material, and as well offer a way to link instincts with those matters too long ignored or denied–they need to be worked out, and music or dance or the visual arts, any venue that employs one’s artistic impulse, even untraditional ones, provide a perfect outlet–but take care that relationships or financial situations don’t become venues for working out the neglected–that likely only results in upset. It’s a really good time for inventors and those looking for a unique approach, as new and startling concepts and work-arounds occur to us, and we take a kind of ruthless view of what we care about, both as a housecleaning measure and one that offers to make the changes we seek. The best approach overall might be to be gentle with ourselves and others, in order to avoid a too radical purging, and to keep from doing what we can’t take back (Uranus goes direct, Pluto contra-parallel Vesta, T-square Venus as arm to a Black Moon Lilith-Sedna opp)

Today’s word image is two tickets to the theater. A theater experience is a companionable one; we typically go with others, in order to have even more individuals act out a story, to entertain us. Are you part of the audience, or are you an act-er? Each has its place–right now there’s a need to either appreciate what you’re being presented with, or to act out what you truly want to present to others.

For those born with the Sun at 8 Capricorn: It’s the dawning of a new emotional era for you, one that will change the way you think–and that change is driven not just by a new viewpoint, but by the inclusion of new information and ‘facts’ you weren’t previously aware of. This is good overall, but may disturb the equilibrium of your life in the moment. Be aware: new agreements lead to new situations–and these may or may not fit with what already is. You’re actually on the way, this Solar year through to your next birthday, to making a dream come true–so careful progress that acknowledges what has changed, and what’s still solid, is vital to success. Good luck, Cappy, and Happy Birthday!

Please see the previous post for the New Moon assessment.

1 December 2016 Belief-Driven Action

30 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Retrogrades + Directions, The Daily Word Image

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Julius Exter {{PD}}

Julius Exter {{PD}}

It’s time to ask ourselves, in all honesty, what we’re actually putting out into the world. Are you a cheerful person? Do you choose the more positive take on any situation, the more negative (out of caution, perhaps), or the one that fits your beliefs? Are you realistic? Do you consider the psychic impact of what you’re saying or doing, beyond its veracity or the need to convey it? Are you a complainer, feeling justified in spewing your anger (sometimes dressed up as righteous commentary), not aware of the fact that you’re adding to, rather than alleviating, the garbage level? Just a thought, to make us all, myself included, more aware of what we’re really sharing with others.

Though I don’t usually take note of the apparent direction or retrograde motion of the asteroids (mostly because their meaning is so much a slice of other, major energies that we need to keep our eye on the big boys, instead–and since all bodies are only meaningful in relation to other bodies or points, a change in direction on its own doesn’t tell us much of anything–plus, there’s the whiplash factor with some asteroids, so that their apparent direction changes happen so frequently they become meaningless), today I want to make an exception, as we see Vesta go retro and Chiron go direct, as they form a sesquiquadrate to each other. Add to this that Saturn (parallel Hygeia) loosely fills in a Fist by square to Chiron, and we may see this: real-world ‘wounds’ or skills are required, through difficult circumstances, to manifest within the reality picture (that is, in concrete terms), and the result shows us just how our egos are aligning (or not) with those things we revere. This brings a reality check (a ‘health check’, really) on our support of our own causes, measuring how dedicated we actually are to the mate or the home life, and so offering a chance to course-correct, should we be weighting one side of the scales too much, either too selfishly, or too selflessly, for the overall good.

We also see a trine of two major players, Mars and Jupiter, in Air signs. Mars in Aquarius brings action and choice prompted by the intellect (positives: inclined to think before we do; negatives: we may be too disconnected from realities to make the best choices), and Jupiter in Libra promises an expansion of fairness (but possibly only after extremes have been swung between), the expectation of partnering with the social order (so that the individual may make the mistake of believing that the social sphere is in agreement with their personal agenda), opportunity through cooperation (though there is the danger we may acquiesce too much, trying to be fair) or through the partner, the Arts, the mate, and Jupiter in this sign invites beliefs to invade relationships, either supporting or clouding the interaction. The two planets trine implies belief-driven action but offers no guarantee as to how accurate the perceptions guiding our efforts truly are. Current conditions suggest we are more than a little susceptible to believing our own press, so that awareness of the skewed nature of the personal viewpoint becomes something we must embrace consciously, in order to both allow others plenty of leeway, and to navigate things as successfully as possible ourselves.

Vincenzo Cabianca c1860 {{PD}}

Vincenzo Cabianca c1860 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a nun walking the corridors of a hospital. This seems to be a symbol of two things: submission to a greater power (subjugation of the ego) and dedication to service in the form of facilitating healing. We don’t have to go to such blatant lengths as entering a religious order to serve others or our God–but we do need to recognize and be consciously dedicated in this life to some variety of causes or commitments, in order to be living to the fullest.

For those born with the Sun at 10 Sagittarius: This year you may find yourself reaping the rewards of your creative or imaginative efforts, or your dedication to ideals–or not reaping them, if you’ve previously failed to put your all into action. You may have suffered under the illusion that you have plenty of time to make that dream a reality–this year will be a wake-up call reminding you that it’s your job to translate wants and fantasies into their real-life expressions. The good news is the mind and emotions are primed to go to work, and to see the most practical route to dream realization–so go for it. Good luck, Sagittarius, and Happy Birthday!

Your Weekend 24-26 September 2016 Reaping Results

23 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Retrogrades + Directions, The Daily Word Image

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Emile Claus 1903 {{PD}}

Emile Claus 1903 {{PD}}

Secrets revealed, realities dealt with, accommodations made, results, well, reaped–that’s what this weekend (and that first week day) holds. Proportions to the mix will vary for each individual, of course, but the overall ingredient list remains the same. On Saturday the 24th we see a clear path to ambition fulfillment, and we gain materially, within the reality picture, when we acknowledge matters we’ve heretofore (just have to use that word once!) ignored, been in denial of, or been enraged by. If you’re stuck, not moving forward, it’s likely because you’re either fixed on material assets and benefits in the here and now only, or because you are in your own way protesting what you see as the imperfection of the world. In that latter case, just get over yourself. You seeing the world as it is actually requires your permission, and yet the world doesn’t need your acceptance to be what it is. You see who needs to bend, in this instance, yes? (Juno parallel Zeus, Venus parallel Black Moon Lilith and nov Saturn, Earth parallel Chiron–which means the Sun is contra-parallel)

Sunday the 25th brings a test of Self-discipline disguised as a temptation to rebel. We may wangle with power elements or authorities because, whether we realize it consciously or not, we have the sense they’re trying to, for wont of a better phrase, ‘take our stuff’. Tune in today to the abundant and constant state of the Universe–that’s the only reliable antidote for paranoia or unreasoned erraticism. Today again, pathways to expanding our reach, our knowledge, and our world are plentiful and clear, you just have to contain yourself long enough to take them (Uranus sq Vesta, Jupiter qnx and contra-parallel Ceres, Mars semi-sq BML, Sun conjoined Jupiter and qnx Ceres)

'The Red Curtain' - Helen Hyde 1907 {{PD}}

‘The Red Curtain’ – Helen Hyde 1907 {{PD}}

By Monday the 26th we may sense a shroud lifting–nothing drastic, more like a transparent curtain gently moved aside, or the shift one feels when someone who has judged and condemned us no longer bothers. Overly dramatic, right? There are two reasons for our perceptions playing out like that: we currently feel powerless, and we seem to be looking into all the dark corners, our attention drawn to what we’ve, up ’til now, been able to avoid looking at. One is an illusion fostered by the other; the reality is, if we look at and acknowledge the denied and ignored, we see how powerful we really are (Venus opp Ceres, Sun nov BML, Pluto direct)

The word images for the weekend are: a vinyl record=these have made a hipster-comeback, though in some circles, they never went out of style. This symbol suggests drawing a distinction between appreciation that is inherent to our nature, and appreciation that is essentially following fashion. As you know, fashions come and go–what’s important are the things that speak to our Souls; a street performer continues to perform in the rain=when is persistence a good idea, and when is it fruitless? We have to accept that we can’t always know ahead of time–which is why it’s so important that our actions and choices arise from an inner motivation; a beat-up but stylish pair of pointy-toed, very high heeled boots=something that makes you feel fun, sexy, frisky is getting a little worn–re-think approaches, attitudes, accoutrements, and assumptions–it may be time for something fresh.

For those born with the Sun at 2 Libra: you are optimistic almost to the point of bursting–but it’s going to take some changes in your attitudes toward those in authority, and toward your own grasp of and use of power, before you will hit that achievement and accolade ‘sweet spot’. Keep in mind that this is a good time to explore empowerment and expression options, but that you might want to hold back, just a tad, before completely committing; that way you can sample an array of possibilities, and make the best choice for you. Good luck, Libra, and Happy Birthday!

For those born with the Sun at 3 Libra: opportunity meets you and your talents this year, Libra–and so does the potential for going overboard big-time. You may spend the coming year, through to your next birthday, consumed with trying to find the right balance between excess and exuberance, knowledge and faith, optimism and realistic expectations. It won’t be easy, but it will be fortuitous; expect to gain, one way or another. Good luck, and Happy Birthday!

For those born with the Sun at 4 Libra: you are moving forward at about the briskest pace of which you are capable–and it may be time for you to slow down a bit, and take a careful inventory of what you’re responsible for, what power you hold, what you must negotiate for, and what situations and circumstances feel most natural to you, going forward. If you want to do the wise thing, the smart thing, you’ll measure opportunities and social situations with care–it’s here you’re most likely to slip up, or lose your sense of practicality. Good luck, Libra, and Happy Birthday!

21-22 September 2016 Changing Impressions

20 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Mercury Direction, Retrogrades + Directions, The Daily Word Image

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Aksel Waldemar Johannessen 'Skiläufer in verschneiter Landschaft' - c. 1918 {{PD}}

Aksel Waldemar Johannessen ‘Skiläufer in verschneiter Landschaft’ – c. 1918 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence for the 21st: Here’s what I wrote when the retrograde period for Mercury began; you might want to check it out and see if it played out like this for you. And now, a word about Merc’s direction, which occurs at 14 Virgo 49 at 10:30 PM Pacific time of the 21st. As I wrote at that time about the direction, it occurs “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.” It’s a close trine, perfecting quickly, and so implying transformative sweeps of our mental landscape that translate into sweeping change in the material one (or, if you prefer, destruction of previous thinking, probably on subjects ruled by Merc or indicated by the Houses it rules or where it’s turning around), replaced with a vacuum, that will be filled with a new viewpoint during the period immediately following direction. The next aspect set for Mercury after that conversation with Pluto is a sextile to Juno that catches Zeus at the midpoint. This implies that the changes we make will be empowering, and they may either bring access to ambition fulfillment more quickly than we anticipated, or they may require the adjustment of the ambition picture, as we realize what making an effective impact on our surroundings really entails.

We also may see adjustment to relationships or finances, according to what happened in the past. This is something we will likely feel we must do, in a kind of delayed reaction that suggests we will only now be realizing the need for response and change (Venus sesq SN)

The AstroEssence for the 22nd: The Sun moves into Libra, and so of course the Earth moves into Aries, with the axis connecting to Jupiter by parallel/ contra-parallel. A sense of optimism and opportunity accompanies this sign shift, though it may feel at first like the social sphere drowns out the conversation between individuals. That’s only a hint that we best spend our energy attending to matters of health, and to what’s practical and smart in material areas, especially those where we are ‘the engine’ that makes it happen (Earth in Aries) (Mars sxt Hygeia, Earth nov Pallas)

Allegory of communist press censorship, analogue picture taken in 1989. Artist: Jacek Halicki Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Allegory of communist press censorship, analogue picture taken in 1989. Artist: Jacek Halicki Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

The word image for the 21st is a newspaper article about you. Do you have a memory of an actual event that occurred for which you were featured, singled out for attention, or for which you won accolades, or do you envision a future accomplishment or act of infamy? Whichever it is, you’re likely right now to be reviewing that event or expectation, and reassessing its importance in your life, with the central question being, What else will you do that will be worthy of notice, and will it be considered positive or negative by those who come after?

The word image for the 22nd is a pair of old-fashioned skis. When I first started skiing as a child, boots were lace-up, and proper ski height (for your wooden skis!) was determined by holding your arm straight up–that was the correct ski length for you. Everything, I mean everything, has changed since then. You may have a personal memory or connection with some practice, sport, or tradition that has taken a completely, almost unrecognizable form in the interim between ‘then’ and ‘now’, or this may simply be a reminder that everything evolves, bringing up the question, ‘Is now better than then, or is the idea of ‘better’ even relevant?’

Mihail Simonidy 1904 {{PD}}

Mihail Simonidy 1904 {{PD}}

For those born with the Sun at 29 Virgo: you’re headed toward a period of emotional harmony, but it’s going to take some work, and most of the year through to your next birthday, to get there. It’s a matter of making the right choices, being willing to commit assets (be they material or talent-related), and taking specific steps to both stay healthy and be open to instincts; do this, and what you create may be one of the most enjoyable periods of your life. Good luck, Virgo, and Happy Birthday!

For those born with the Sun at 00 Libra: it seems you’re looking for your version of Power, your rightful place in the natural order, and you’re looking to expand your world with new experiences, travel, learning–so what’s stopping you? This may be your best opportunity for some time to come to do what you want–you’re fairly well positioned for it, relatively speaking, if I’m reading this thing right–so I would encourage you to go for it. Good luck, Libra, and Happy Birthday!

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29 June 2016 The Acid Test

28 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Mars, Retrogrades + Directions, The Daily Word Image

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Etching, aquatint, by Morozov589 CC BY-SA 4.0

Etching, aquatint, by Morozov589 CC BY-SA 4.0

Most everyone is focused on, celebrating, or tensed for the Mars direction, and with good reason, especially this cycle, with Mars turning just as he receives some harsh regard from the Sun and some covert stimulation from the Underworld; there’s bound to be a little acid splash, as Mars in Scorpio creates change (Pluto) to what we put our attention on (the Sun), and does it with a stinging, deadly seriousness, a ‘now or never’ opportunism that threatens permanence to either alterations or status quo (Brexit, anyone?) It’s enough to make people leap when they’d be rather smart to look, first. But the good news is that this period will be the peak of this effect; from here on the impulse to fling acid in the figurative face of our nemeses will dissipate quickly, as will the impulse to act in order to feel we’re making an impact, or in a desperate effort to exert control. Until we’re out of the shade of these combined contacts, we’ll likely be looking to the past for reward, for sustenance, and for companionship, and we may be longing for ‘the good old days’ in some way that allows nostalgia to override the realities of the past.

One other thing informs our thoughts, briefly but sharply: we see an effective way to empowerment, and this occurs under duress. Whether it’s the pressure that churns the mind and agitates up an idea, or whether the status forces a choice that itself creates pressure, the result is that we find a good way to extend our reach, to enhance our standing, or to have the kind of influence we desire (Mars stations direct sesq the Sun and parallel Pluto, Venus trine the SN, Mercury trines Juno at 29 degrees of their respective Air signs, then enters Cancer)

Photo by Saba5555 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

Photo by Saba5555 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

Today’s word image is a bee, in the early morning, nestled in the flower where it spent the night. Sometimes a bee caught out late camps in a blossom and waits for daylight and warmth; we should be like that bee, right now. Though the current influences foster exceptional productivity and progress in personal efforts, we need to be willing to take our necessary rest when the time is right–how else will we continue to produce at such a stunning pace?

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