Category Archives: Sabian Symbols

Your Weekend 2-3 December 2017 Lunar Domination

01 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Mercury retrograde, Sabian Symbols

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Albert Aublet – ‘Selene’ 1879 {{PD}}

The Full Moon in Gemini falls on the 3rd at 7:47 AM Pacific time at 11 Gemini 40, and in spite of a host of other aspects forming this weekend, dominates the atmosphere, at least in part because of its to-the-degree connections to Neptune (to which the axis forms a T-square) and Jupiter (quincunx the FM event). Too, Mars and Juno-Hygeia form the base for a Fist of God with the Full Moon as apex, and Uranus-Pallas, close together in Aries, form a semi-square to the FM, and it all happens roughly 9 hours after Mercury’s apparent motion shifts to retrograde–and that’s all, but damn, isn’t that enough?

These contacts promise that what culminates, ends, presents itself completely formed, or resolves will challenge us on a creative, spiritual, or idealistic level, presenting us with a scenario that forces us to act in a way that defines one or more Neptunian areas (including those areas ruled by Neptune in the personal natal chart)–and that shows us the way our beliefs need to be modified, and/ or the facts accommodated (Jupiter quincunx).

The Fist smacks us with an issue centered in conflict between a healthy sense of personal authority and aggression or egocentricity, our own or others’. Our natural reaction is to fight an incursion on our autonomy (or what we believe is our autonomy, if we are in full-ego mode), in this instance with the resolution offered by the circumstances of the Full Moon, and as with the rest of the activity, the focus is likely to be mental (Gemini), as we process the meaning and implications of what’s occurring. However, the status of Mercury, newly retro, suggests that even if we seem to see the whole picture, understand the facts or issues, or know the lay of the land, we can’t possibly–it’s almost guaranteed we’ll be making choices blind (relatively speaking), and under stress (Merc retro at 29 degrees).

The semi-square may be the most prominent bit initially, as it suggests sudden actions taken at an individual level that are either very wise, or very stupid, precipitating all the other Full Moon effects (though Mars opposed Uranus on the 1st, then opposed Pallas, contra-parallel Uranus, and and quincunx Sedna on the 2nd, followed by a sesquiquadrate to Neptune on the 3rd, scream of a possible series of bad choices, or possibly out-of-control or hyper-spontaneous or deluded ones, that lead to that precipitating move).

Anita Rée ‘Head of a Girl’ {{PD}}

The Sabian for the Full Moon is, ‘A Negro Girl Fights For Her Independence In The City’. Set aside the antiquated language, and we have the image of someone who, in Western society (‘The City’), might have to fight much harder than others do to gain her autonomy, or even to get adequate consideration. Again, we have the ‘language’ of the Fist, and the need to guard our own healthy sense of personal authority. This suggests that the Full Moon result will create the need for struggle, and possibly also the personal need to declare one’s independence from something or someone that has exerted undue influence, held an advantage, that has ‘kept one down’ for far too long, or that is now trying to impose their Will (echoing the Fist and the Mars activity leading up to the Full Moon).

Nandina and Rooster from the Colorful Realm of Living Beings by Itō Jakuchū, c. 1761-65 (Edo Period) {{PD}}

The Sabian for the Sun, which originates the light that makes the appearance of the Full Moon from our stance on Earth possible, is, ‘A Flag Turns Into An Eagle; The Eagle Into A Chanticleer Saluting The Dawn’. To my mind this suggests that at least some of the Full Moon circumstance/ what draws our attention at this time is related to the political situation in the US. We see a sense of country morphing into a rather aggressive symbol, that then morphs into a crowing rooster–a step down for the eagle! The eagle maintains a certain dignity–seeking prey is part of what it does, so no one should be surprised that it indulges in predatory behavior perfectly reflective of its nature. A rooster, however, makes a lot of noise, crowing about something (‘The Dawn’) that will occur whether he announces it or not–so in a way, almost as if he’s taking credit for it. Sound familiar? If you live somewhere else, your conclusions may vary 🙂

Mercury retrogrades very late in the evening Pacific time of the 2nd, at 29 tense degrees of Sagittarius, possibly causing us to question what we know, or to explode over what we find out! What we need to be aware of is that, whatever happens, it’s something we need to know. Once Mercury picks up retro speed it will run right into Saturn–and that hints that what we learn with the retrograde will help us deal with some obstacle, or some facet of the reality picture–so we’ll end up being glad, even though initially the revelation may be stressful.

The only other thing I’d like to mention is the Jupiter trine to Neptune on the 2nd. This could be an island of ideal opportunity, creative expansion or outreach, or expanded expression or sense of spirituality, that comes forward in the midst of mild mental chaos, or it could act to exaggerate delusions or misperceptions that will fuel those Martian choices, actions, and so results, that come with the Full Moon.

And here’s a post on Merc retrograde you might find worthy of review—

Have a wonderful weekend!

Your Weekend: New Moon in Scorpio November 2017 Earthly Instincts

17 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, New Moon, Sabian Symbols, The Daily Word Image

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Jan Toorop ‘Mother’ 1891 {{PD}} Photo by https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Vassil

This New Moon occurs at 3:42 AM PST of the 18th at 26 Scorpio 19, closely opposed Sedna (and that means Sedna is conjoined Earth); the NM is also in close semi-sextile to Saturn, trine Chiron, and quincunx Uranus. The New Moon initiates new attitudes, actions, perceptions via feeling (Scorpio is a Water sign), and in this case offers a dose of healing energy, as well. Our instincts and matters we ‘know but don’t know’ may seem alien at this time, but the reality is the New Moon beginning draws us into using those instincts, into real-world situations or obstacles that require we call forth that deep, instinctive knowledge, and by confronting us with the unexpected, the shocking, the surprising. What occurs now gives us the chance to use talents or skills we may have thought dormant or non-existent, and urges a willingness to modify efforts to accommodate the material situation and/ or our own inclination toward originality or uniqueness (with that latter, we may need to curb a too-erratic response nature, or may need to adhere to more practical measures than we might otherwise consider). The New Moon in Scorpio gives us a Truthful Beginning that can lead to further discovery, the unanticipated, and to healing, down the road.

The Sabian for the New Moon is, ‘A Military Band Marches Noisily On Through The City Streets’. Whatever begins here makes an entrance, and a loud one! What we have to remember is that, despite the ruckus, what marches before us isn’t necessarily that important. A parade is a public statement on what prevalent social elements want to emphasize, celebrate, or otherwise note as of concern; that makes a parade a bit like advertising, an attempt to persuade onlookers that this is what the current social order honors and promotes–but it only takes a moments consideration to realize that a parade is propaganda, and may not at all reflect real-life priorities or actual matters deemed sacred. Parades are voices of those who hold power–remember, parades come originally from military displays meant to impress–so look behind the surface statement, to where time, attention, and money actually goes, to inform those New Moon instincts and emotions that drive uncovering of what’s true, beyond all the spectacle and noise.

By Sunday the 19th we may be so fixated on the Mars-Pluto square and the automatic contentiousness it fosters that we may miss the benefits of mining a tactic from the past in order to realize goals and gain, and so shape the future. Thoughts and actions can be forward-looking and so fortuitous, if we can do two things: avoid demanding unilateral acknowledgment that you are in authority or hold power (that is, be not just modest but allow others to feel they have their own say or authority, too), and be willing to recognize what you’ve been ignoring, denying, or enraged over–and then let it go, even as you allow it to give perspective to actions and choices.

Today’s word image is a milkmaid carrying a pail of milk. This brings to mind the saying, ‘You are what you do’, which points out that in a material world, our actions, not our thoughts, define us.

As of Monday the 20th, it’s easy to see how we can channel the past into the present productively; this allows us to make the most of situations that might not otherwise have paid off, and shows us the hidden benefits in any obstacles we might encounter. Just be aware that it may be necessary to modify efforts and attention, as well as to see identity as flexible, so that results are truly wise or practical–if we don’t, we may miss the mark.

Today’s word image is: you mention something you’re missing, and immediately find an abandoned one right in front of you. That’s very vague, so I’ll outline the instance that inspired it: I’d forgotten my Remembrance Day poppy at home, and upon mentioning it, my husband said, “Well here’s one”, and reached down and picked up a pristine one from its spot in a snow bank. I wore it until it fell off the next night in a restaurant, where I assume it was found by someone else who needed it. Just a vivid episode of a responsive Universe, so know it responds, and know that, one way or another, you are being provided with answers/ what you need.

Have a great weekend!

Here’s an excellent analysis of Taurus South Node, Scorpio North Node–

Full Moon in Taurus 3 November 2017 What We Need

02 Thursday Nov 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Full Moon, Horoscope, Sabian Symbols

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‘Music Making Couple’ Willem Cornelisz Duyster Early 17th century {{PD}}

The Full Moon occurs at 10:22 PM Pacific time of the 3rd at 11 Taurus 58, and makes only a few contacts within our required close-aspect framework for drawing a Full Moon picture. The most interesting thing to me is that some of the contacts offer the potential for individuals to experience configurations, should they have a natal body or point in the ’empty’ space. For instance, The FM sextiles Neptune, suggesting that if one has a natal placement at 10-14 Libra, then the sextile creates a base for a Finger of God, with the apex the natal body. On its own, the Full Moon-Neptune sextile says inspiration, imagination, ideals, and illusions may, with a little effort or input, reach fruition or conclusion with the FM event; add a personal apex point, and you have a recipe that says, ‘A Neptunian thing that’s brought to conclusion or ‘ripens’ with the event will trigger a tricky or uncomfortable situation that is resolved by adjusting the expression of that natal apex energy.” (Please note: Mars, at 7 Libra 51, is just too far outside an acceptable orb–1.5-2 degrees max–for quincunxes at this point.)

We see a similar situation with the Full Moon’s trine to Juno. Here the aspect suggests that the FM event shows us a likely avenue of, or actually delivers, material empowerment and a sense of authority or effective role in real-world matters (Earth signs). If an individual has a natal placement at roughly 11-15 Virgo, that fills in an Earth Grand Trine, bringing a chance for empowerment via expression of the natal energy, a kind of ‘Grand Result’ brought forward by accomplishment, timing, and a willingness to act within one’s empowered role.

The full moon photographed from the Apollo 11 spacecraft NASA {{PD}}

Lastly, the Full Moon makes a fist on its own: a Fist of God is formed by the Full Moon-Earth square Ceres with apex the midpoint of Saturn-Black Moon Lilith (the latter being at 29 degrees, and so under stress, anyway). I know it’s not exactly kosher to consider a midpoint as a configuration apex, but here we actually need to; otherwise we have a Full Moon that in an energy sense may ‘short-circuit’ in a sextile, trine, and square that offer disjointed and seemingly unconnected outlets for Lunar expression. With the Fist we see impact of one sort or another that forces or necessitates conflict or confrontation within a power situation or dynamic (Ceres), the only hope for resolution of which is found in real-world (Saturn) acknowledgement of transgressions, matters ignored or denied, or in allowing entities already under stress full and uncensored personal expression (BML).

The Sabian Symbol for the Full Moon (remember, we read the next degree up for any minutes above the 00 mark; in this instance we read 12, listed at the referenced site as 11-12 Taurus) is, ‘A Young Couple Window Shopping’. This is an image of bonded individuals with time on their hands, dreaming, forward-looking. That may seem to negate the idea behind the Fist, until you consider how much a young couple may ignore or deny as in the early stages making the relationship work may seem so vital. Rose-colored vision (Neptune sextile) and a sense of empowerment drawn from a grown-up role (Juno) may incline the individuals/ parties to hide or disregard disparities, disrespect, or power imbalances (square to Ceres) that surface as each entity gets to know the other. Prejudices, assumptions made, and the belief in inequality of the sexes may poison interactions and be muffled, leading to subdued rage and the need to relate to an illusion (Neptune) rather than a three-dimensional individual, Being, or entity (BML). This Full Moon, then, offers a chance to resolve some of the issues that arise naturally in wanting to put our own ‘best foot forward’, and in wanting to see our ideals in the Other. It does it by bringing about a Taurean emotional conclusion or revelation that shows us that we are both personally empowered to handle things, and that we must deal with some real-world disparity or offense, before we can move on.

We also look at the Sun in a Full Moon event: ‘An Official Embassy Ball’. This suggests some en masse social event or shared experience may act as trigger to the conflict and resolution of the Full Moon. The official nature of the symbol implies a wider societal event may mirror our own personal one, and that all may involve a kind of diplomatic outreach, a formalized celebration of roles and relationships, and actions and choices meant to ‘smooth’ interactions.

‘Moonlight’ Ilya Repin 1895 {{PD}}

A culmination of Lunar energy implies an emotional resolution or ending; happening in Taurus, it likely involves comfort, stability, assets, security, or attempts to create these circumstances that reach an apex or conclusion at this time. In this case, the Full Moon may bring easy manifestation of delusions or ideals (Neptune), and effortless autonomy or empowerment (Juno), accompanied by a tough power situation or a denial of or by authority (Ceres). This suggests a mixed bag that brings about something that answers wants but also requires Self-responsibility–and that may be hampered by higher authorities or by others who block or negate our expression, with all of it keyed to resolving the material, physical, or real-world situation surrounding our relationships and/ or our roles–it’s an effort to right imbalances and sweep conditions too long ignored away for good–and it works, if we can acknowledge our true feelings and needs, willingly embrace Self-responsibility, and recognize the reality of our interactions and our situation.

New Moon in Libra 19 October 2017 Chaos and Instinct

16 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, New Moon, Sabian Symbols

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By http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/13647This file was donated to Wikimedia Commons by as part of a project by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57097242

The New Moon occurs at 12:12 PM Pacific time on the 19th at 26 Libra 35. It makes a close opposition to Uranus in Aries, sesquiquadrates Neptune in its own sign of Pisces, and is apex to a Finger of God with base of Sedna-Chiron, and at the same time is part of the base of another Finger with a sextile to the point Black Moon Lilith, apex Sedna. Most of the aspects for this Moon are close, which is why we don’t need to reach for other contacts (though we may count a loose semi-sextile to Mars, which just seems to bring home the Aries energy that’s already so prominently in opposition); the orb is too wide to count a conjunction to Jupiter or a sextile to Saturn–no need to stretch, we already have a concise picture.

New starts, beginnings, related to Libra always have an ‘us-other’ facet, and often emphasize aesthetic, asset, or relationship matters. There may be changes or shifts in cooperation and partnership areas that highlight the way Venusian subjects such as Love or Money are really interaction issues, with a requirement to weigh and measure levels of financial or emotional investment. These typical New Moon in Libra matters are shaped by aspects the NM makes to others bodies; this time around, they get a dose of chaos, which examined closely reveals a method beneath the madness.

The New Moon opposes Uranus in Aries (which of course conjoins Earth). This suggests material or real-world issues are chaotic, unexpected, avant garde, or intellectually advanced (Uranus), with the illusion (Neptune) being that these erratic or surprising moves appear to be the expression of individuals (Aries) responding to ideals (Pisces)–but they’re actually an emotional (and probably unconscious) response to the group and the individual’s unique place within it (Uranus). Projection of feeling may be something both given and received, at this time, and it may either be difficult to know what we feel, or may seem that others are acting as they do because they’re unaware of their own emotional reactions–or we could experience a mind-bending elixir of both.

The Finger with New Moon as apex suggests that instinct or ‘blind spot’ material combines with hurt or unique skill, and the result is the ‘fresh start’ of this Lunar cycle. With the NM as base with Black Moon Lilith, we see the new beginning reach deep into denied or ignored material (no wonder it all feels chaotic!), with the result being we are stimulated to act either out of material held in our ‘blind spot’ or instinctually. The Fingers create a kind of energy ouroboros, with a lot of the material suppressed, denied, unconscious, or projected so that things seem to leap out of chaos–but if we are honest with ourselves, we know there’s method here, in the form of circumstances forcing us to see and acknowledge what we may have been denying or rejecting–and so become more responsible to both ourselves and in our agreements with others (Libra).

The Sabian for the New Moon is, ‘An Airplane Sails, High In The Clear Sky’. Flight, at least that facilitated by an airplane, is relatively modern, with the mention of ‘high in the clear sky’ suggesting a successful ascension and safe travel in easy weather; this may speak to that Uranus-Earth opposition to this New Moon, with that planetary combo a perfect expression of successfully leaving the Earth via a modern invention. In opposition, this may imply that what occurs at the New Moon may, as we’ve discussed, seem chaotic, but in reality it will offer the foundation for something entirely new, an unusual (for the individual) way to soar. We get a clue as to what may come about with the Sabian for Uranus-Earth, ‘Through Imagination A Lost Opportunity Is Regained’. What occurs stimulates the creative, imaginative, inventive spirit and the instinctual nature–even out of chaos, we find purpose, meaning, and a new way forward.

One caveat: the New Moon period, though bringing positive things, may be difficult in itself. The same day brings Mars and Chiron parallel each other and both contra-parallel Vesta, and Saturn sesquiquadrate Pallas. That suggests that the ‘real world’ may fail to support what’s wise or practical, and our inclinations may be to act out of hurt and so could sabotage values. Just a heads up about surrounding circumstances, and a warning to keep our eye on motivations and reactions.

Have a wonderful New Moon, everyone! I won’t be around for a few days–stay safe, live happy!

 

The Solar Eclipse in Leo 2017: The Re-Birth of the Soul

20 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Lunar Aspects, New Moon, Sabian Symbols, Solar Eclipse

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John William Waterhouse – ‘Mermaid’ 1899 {{PD}}

This is re-published from earlier. Have a safe and joyous eclipse experience!

The Solar eclipse begins on the 21st of August at 11:29 AM PDT at 28 Leo 52. Though I wouldn’t normally count it as conjoined Mars when the spread is just over eight degrees, as it is here, I think we must, considering the part the ego, action, and ‘I Am’ energies played in the partner Lunar eclipse that preceded this event—so we’ll keep the Martian spirit in mind as we assess the eclipse; the Martian Fire is right in tune with the Leo event. This New Moon has been anticipated for some time, because it’s both a total eclipse, and because it will be visible along a path that spans the United States coast to coast. The interesting thing is that, if you’re outside the path of totality, what you’ll see is a partial covering of the Sun by the Moon, rather than the complete eclipse visible elsewhere. So, as with everything, it’s important to keep in mind that where you are determines perspective, and so dictates your experience of the eclipse, as it does so many other things.

Does that mean the eclipse will deliver a different effect to those in the path of totality than it will to everyone else on the planet? Perhaps it will have a different, stronger, or more potent impact on those who find themselves in its path, but I think it’s more of an astronomical spectacle than an astrological one; I don’t anticipate it being any more or less potent than any other eclipse (and remember, we have two Solar and two Lunar eclipses per year, on average, so eclipses themselves are not actually all that rare), though others will disagree.

Maybe we should think of it more as a New Moon in Leo that just happens to be an eclipse; that way we keep the emphasis on the Leo/ Mars ‘I Am’ facets of the event, even as we note that all eclipses serve to ‘wipe out’ certain circumstances that came before, specifically those related to the matters of the House in the natal chart where the eclipse falls, those related to the sign energy in general, and in anything the eclipse contacts in the natal chart by close aspect (no more than three or four degrees, typically, and this can affect expression of the contacted energy or matters of the Houses ruled, if any). But, aside from personal natal contacts, the eclipse draws a more general picture that applies in some degree to everyone; that’s what we’ll look at here.

A Solar eclipse is a seed event, a New Moon the energies of which supersede those that came before, in this case those of the ‘I Am’, the identity, and the Soul Purpose for incarnating as they mesh with the emotions, intuition, and perceptions of the non-physical and non-material. With an eclipse, we see a vibrational inception that will resonate through to the next eclipse set, in roughly six months. In part this tone is set by the sign in which the eclipse occurs, in this case, Leo, emphasizing the individual perspective, individual initiative (due to Mars lingering nearby), and how well the Soul has to this point managed to create circumstances under which it could ‘shine’, that is, live its purpose. So, the attention for the next six months goes to accomplishment in Soul-terms—and of course, that will mean something unique to each individual.

The eclipse forms an out-of-sign trine to a close conjunction of Hygeia and Juno, which makes for a Grand Trine with Uranus; the New Moon also squares Sedna, loosely noviles Ceres, and quincunxes Chiron (and anyone with natal placements at 27 Capricorn-00 Aquarius should expect the eclipse to deliver a wallop, either hurting or healing the involved energies in some significant way). Is it too vague to say expect surprises, shocks, the unexpected, revelations, and the potential for immediate and immersive understanding via the Higher Mind? This may be especially so around literal health as well as the ‘health’ (i.e. effectiveness) of the personal state of empowerment. We may resist what the instincts tell us, at least initially; hidden information that we ‘know but don’t know’ may cause problems, which are meant to draw our attention and contribute to or shape that ‘shock of the new’ we’ll undergo.

Or, rather than a personal shock or revelation, we may experience the eclipse’s ‘big reveal’ through a group choice or interaction. We could find ourselves responding as an individual to something the group requires, testing our willingness to lead, to commit to a philosophical approach to things, or to sacrifice the individual needs for the larger good. We may find we are stronger than we think, forced to adjust our ideas of just what truly injures us, and that may call for adjustments to our Self-image, to the way we see ourselves and so to the way we express ourselves and exert our Will. What occurs may bring forward unique skills, a sense that the individual is ‘the only one who could ‘x’’ and so in some way save the day, or serve the group needs in a major way.

There is a single element of grace here that should enable us to weather anything the eclipse brings: that novile to Ceres says that either Nature, or the sense of personal authority, will provide the support, or the answers, we’ll need. Our own ability to accept complete responsibility for ourselves will allow for the most effective position and response possible; so will acceptance of the ways of Nature, and what they tell us about our part in it.

Don’t you love the Sabian for this eclipse? ‘A Mermaid Emerges From The Ocean Waves Ready For Rebirth In Human Form’. We see an end to immersion in the currents of emotion with their overwhelming influence, dulling the other senses, obscuring the vision and hearing, keeping us below the surface (a symbolic way of saying we aren’t accessing the Air, that is, using reason and the mind, to process things). The mermaid is ready to shed a way of Being that, in terms of imagery, is focused on the feeling nature; she is ready to move on, in the sense of becoming. It’s important we note that going from mermaid form to human is not inherently a move from inferior to superior form, but is a shift in the tools we use to interact, process, and understand. It’s also important to be aware we’re assuming the mermaid will be taking all she’s learned underwater (through the feeling nature) with her; she’s not abandoning emotional perceptions and intuitions, she’s adding to them. As this applies to the eclipse, the symbol suggests each of us will evolve to a next step (literally, in the case of a mermaid!) that expands our skills in dealing with the world. Re-birth usually isn’t easy, or pleasant, and change of any kind can be messy—but it’s also a widening of our horizons and our ability to deal with things that can’t be attained any other way, a journey into new elements, with all the adventure, risk, and need to learn that entails (another mermaid reference!)

One other thing to note: though I don’t usually discuss aspect sets that don’t interact with the event (I find that dilutes the focus on, and so the meaning of, what we’re examining), this time I would like to point to a very close conjunction, only three minutes apart and moving ever closer at the time of the eclipse, of Saturn and Black Moon Lilith. BML is, as we know, a point, rather than a body; Saturn moving closer to perfection with that point suggests either suppression or materialization of rage, or of matters we or others have been working to ignore or deny. This may be a significant side note to the entire eclipse period, and could suggest secrets revealed will become the norm.

 

The Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius 7 August 2017: A Personal New Age

06 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Full Moon, Lunar Aspects, Lunar Eclipse, Sabian Symbols

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Aurelia (Fazio’s Mistress). 1863 (retouched in 1873) Dante Gabriel Rossetti {{PD}}

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.

‘Fingal’s Cave’ J. M. W. Turner 1830 {{PD}}

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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New Moon in Leo 23 July 2017 Fight For What You Love

20 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in astrology, Fist of God, forecast, Horoscope, New Moon, Sabian Symbols

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Henri-Jean Guillaume Martin {{PD}}

Conflicting inclinations set up the energy dynamic of the New Moon: on the one hand, we may find ourselves digging and digging in relation to stated values and priorities–we somehow just can’t trust what we see–and yet we see the perfect way to benefit through Love or Finances, specifically by focusing on what’s loved, important to us, valuable for its beauty, or treasured. These impulses may or may not present at cross-purposes, and some of us will delve into the essence of only one or the other, but together they set the stage and grab our attention, even as the New Moon slips in, plants a seed, and carries things forward.

The New Moon in Leo occurs in the wee hours Pacific time, at 2:46 AM at 00 Leo 44. It perfects just slightly more than one degree from conjoining Mars–and that means both bodies will move on very quickly to perfect contact to the Warrior energy. A very rough Fist is formed, with the NM apex to the square made between Black Moon Lilith and Neptune. This suggests trouble, in the form of rage or denial coupled with deception, delusion, or imagination run amok, that creates a need to ‘strike out’, to go it alone, or to let the ego drive, feeling we are ill-equipped to handle things any other way.

LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana, Photo By Hu Totya – Own work {{PD}} https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1222063

That’s unfortunate–but is there a way out, a remedy to subconscious anger or righteous resentment? Yes, via the New Moon’s novile to Venus in Gemini. Think about, talk about, consider what you love–that’s the best way to both see how to react and what to do.

The New Moon makes two other aspects, an out-of-sign trine to Chiron, and an out-of-sign square to Uranus. Expect jolts, but healing, Higher Understanding, and easy hurt, skills called forward to address the unexpected. The Sabian for the New Moon offers a clue: ‘Blood Rushes To A Man’s Head As His Vital Energies Are Mobilized Under The Spur Of Ambition’. We may be inclined to try to handle things through the intellect (Uranus) rather than the heart (Leo), though the image makes clear the man is driven by desire (Venus)–and it would be a mistake to focus solely on the mind; we need to utilize the mind in support of those cared-for people and issues, rather than letting the intellect, or anger, lead.

Though I don’t usually subscribe to checking every Sabian, I think considering the importance of Venus, we could use whatever hints the symbol might provide: ‘A Tumultuous Labor Demonstration’. It’s in the midst of chaos, upset, fighting for what we want (New Moon conj Mars) that we discover, reiterate, or crystallize the presence and intention of Love–and the New Moon provides the energy and focus to put that Love into action.

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The Solar Eclipse in Leo 2017: The Re-Birth of the Soul

18 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in astrology, eclipse, New Moon, Sabian Symbols, Solar Eclipse

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John William Waterhouse – ‘Mermaid’ 1899 {{PD}}

The Solar eclipse begins on the 21st of August at 11:29 AM PDT at 28 Leo 52. Though I wouldn’t normally count it as conjoined Mars when the spread is just over eight degrees, as it is here, I think we must, considering the part the ego, action, and ‘I Am’ energies played in the partner Lunar eclipse that preceded this event—so we’ll keep the Martian spirit in mind as we assess the eclipse; the Martian Fire is right in tune with the Leo event. This New Moon has been anticipated for some time, because it’s both a total eclipse, and because it will be visible along a path that spans the United States coast to coast. The interesting thing is that, if you’re outside the path of totality, what you’ll see is a partial covering of the Sun by the Moon, rather than the complete eclipse visible elsewhere. So, as with everything, it’s important to keep in mind that where you are determines perspective, and so dictates your experience of the eclipse, as it does so many other things.

Does that mean the eclipse will deliver a different effect to those in the path of totality than it will to everyone else on the planet? Perhaps it will have a different, stronger, or more potent impact on those who find themselves in its path, but I think it’s more of an astronomical spectacle than an astrological one; I don’t anticipate it being any more or less potent than any other eclipse (and remember, we have two Solar and two Lunar eclipses per year, on average, so eclipses themselves are not actually all that rare), though others will disagree.

Maybe we should think of it more as a New Moon in Leo that just happens to be an eclipse; that way we keep the emphasis on the Leo/ Mars ‘I Am’ facets of the event, even as we note that all eclipses serve to ‘wipe out’ certain circumstances that came before, specifically those related to the matters of the House in the natal chart where the eclipse falls, those related to the sign energy in general, and in anything the eclipse contacts in the natal chart by close aspect (no more than three or four degrees, typically, and this can affect expression of the contacted energy or matters of the Houses ruled, if any). But, aside from personal natal contacts, the eclipse draws a more general picture that applies in some degree to everyone; that’s what we’ll look at here.

A Solar eclipse is a seed event, a New Moon the energies of which supersede those that came before, in this case those of the ‘I Am’, the identity, and the Soul Purpose for incarnating as they mesh with the emotions, intuition, and perceptions of the non-physical and non-material. With an eclipse, we see a vibrational inception that will resonate through to the next eclipse set, in roughly six months. In part this tone is set by the sign in which the eclipse occurs, in this case, Leo, emphasizing the individual perspective, individual initiative (due to Mars lingering nearby), and how well the Soul has to this point managed to create circumstances under which it could ‘shine’, that is, live its purpose. So, the attention for the next six months goes to accomplishment in Soul-terms—and of course, that will mean something unique to each individual.

The eclipse forms an out-of-sign trine to a close conjunction of Hygeia and Juno, which makes for a Grand Trine with Uranus; the New Moon also squares Sedna, loosely noviles Ceres, and quincunxes Chiron (and anyone with natal placements at 27 Capricorn-00 Aquarius should expect the eclipse to deliver a wallop, either hurting or healing the involved energies in some significant way). Is it too vague to say expect surprises, shocks, the unexpected, revelations, and the potential for immediate and immersive understanding via the Higher Mind? This may be especially so around literal health as well as the ‘health’ (i.e. effectiveness) of the personal state of empowerment. We may resist what the instincts tell us, at least initially; hidden information that we ‘know but don’t know’ may cause problems, which are meant to draw our attention and contribute to or shape that ‘shock of the new’ we’ll undergo.

Or, rather than a personal shock or revelation, we may experience the eclipse’s ‘big reveal’ through a group choice or interaction. We could find ourselves responding as an individual to something the group requires, testing our willingness to lead, to commit to a philosophical approach to things, or to sacrifice the individual needs for the larger good. We may find we are stronger than we think, forced to adjust our ideas of just what truly injures us, and that may call for adjustments to our Self-image, to the way we see ourselves and so to the way we express ourselves and exert our Will. What occurs may bring forward unique skills, a sense that the individual is ‘the only one who could ‘x’’ and so in some way save the day, or serve the group needs in a major way.

There is a single element of grace here that should enable us to weather anything the eclipse brings: that novile to Ceres says that either Nature, or the sense of personal authority, will provide the support, or the answers, we’ll need. Our own ability to accept complete responsibility for ourselves will allow for the most effective position and response possible; so will acceptance of the ways of Nature, and what they tell us about our part in it.

Don’t you love the Sabian for this eclipse? ‘A Mermaid Emerges From The Ocean Waves Ready For Rebirth In Human Form’. We see an end to immersion in the currents of emotion with their overwhelming influence, dulling the other senses, obscuring the vision and hearing, keeping us below the surface (a symbolic way of saying we aren’t accessing the Air, that is, using reason and the mind, to process things). The mermaid is ready to shed a way of Being that, in terms of imagery, is focused on the feeling nature; she is ready to move on, in the sense of becoming. It’s important we note that going from mermaid form to human is not inherently a move from inferior to superior form, but is a shift in the tools we use to interact, process, and understand. It’s also important to be aware we’re assuming the mermaid will be taking all she’s learned underwater (through the feeling nature) with her; she’s not abandoning emotional perceptions and intuitions, she’s adding to them. As this applies to the eclipse, the symbol suggests each of us will evolve to a next step (literally, in the case of a mermaid!) that expands our skills in dealing with the world. Re-birth usually isn’t easy, or pleasant, and change of any kind can be messy—but it’s also a widening of our horizons and our ability to deal with things that can’t be attained any other way, a journey into new elements, with all the adventure, risk, and need to learn that entails (another mermaid reference!)

One other thing to note: though I don’t usually discuss aspect sets that don’t interact with the event (I find that dilutes the focus on, and so the meaning of, what we’re examining), this time I would like to point to a very close conjunction, only three minutes apart and moving ever closer at the time of the eclipse, of Saturn and Black Moon Lilith. BML is, as we know, a point, rather than a body; Saturn moving closer to perfection with that point suggests either suppression or materialization of rage, or of matters we or others have been working to ignore or deny. This may be a significant side note to the entire eclipse period, and could suggest secrets revealed will become the norm.

 

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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Just a Little AstroEssence for July 7th & 8th + The Full Moon in Capricorn: Power Position

05 Wednesday Jul 2017

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

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Since a Daily post is currently winning in the polls, I’m going to go for a two-fer to cover the 7th and 8th, which includes the Full Moon in Capricorn. Voting will end Friday, and I’ll go from there based on the final outcome.

Those are some nice gloves. The Workshop of Rembrandt {{PD}}

The 7th may feel like a gentle, velvet-gloved Punch in the Face, as Venus sets herself up as apex to a Fist of God with base of Zeus-Pluto. Change or conflict surrounding the goals or ambition picture may be rewarding but also tough in some regard; it’s as if we can’t receive the Love or Money without seeing the down side, or struggling with the power situation as it allows (or prevents) realization of our wants. No matter what form this Fist takes, it will hurt, particularly as it reveals our own role in making things the way they are.

No recriminations, though, especially if you’re aiming them at yourself; right now we’re too resistant to wisdom, and too influenced by what we’ve refused to acknowledge, to make good choices or sound judgments. Do your best to release, release, and release. Couple this with a policy of non-resistance (rather than outright acceptance) for best results.

Today’s word image is a red envelope. In some Asian cultures this is the form of a gift, filled with money, the dynamic energy of red a wish for good luck and prosperity for the recipient. This is a two-part question: who has recently gifted you with positive energy–mentally or otherwise send them thanks–and to whom would you like to gift a similar asset, in appreciation of what they’ve shared with you?

Gustav Klimt 1916 {{PD}}

The 8th sees no new aspects form, though it does bring us this year’s Capricorn Full Moon at 17 CAP 09 at 9:06 PM PDT. This Full Moon perfects exactly 1 degree before perfection of a conjunction with retrograde Pluto. Most of the other potential aspects are a little wide for the event, as well as being past perfection; the only other aspects meriting mention are a square to Zeus, and in proximity we see the FM also square to Jupiter. This offers clarity in terms of what the Full Moon energy reveals: we see the power picture (Pluto) as it stands, including who holds authority and why (Capricorn, Jupiter as the social sphere), as well as the ways in which that power structure restricts, curtails, or otherwise prevents us fulfilling our goals or meeting our ambitions (the square to Zeus). The facts (Jupiter) related to our ambitions and goals (Zeus) will create tension with the mandate of the Full Moon, which asks us to establish a ‘power position’ once and for all (the permanence of Capricorn). We are highly aware of the ways in which what we desire may force change, transformation, or even destruction, in the process of getting what we want, as our viewpoint may be exaggerated, making the issues seem bigger or more urgent than they really are (Jupiter). For many this may create a conundrum that offers no easy answer, though breaking a few eggs will likely be required before we can make this omelet (imagery courtesy of the Cancer Sun, with Sabian ‘A Hen Scratching The Ground To Find Nourishment For Her Progeny’).

The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon is, ‘The Union Jack Flag Flies From A British Warship’. This symbol speaks of identification attached to a defensive resource. This may imply we should be ready to defend what we can clearly identify as ours; establishing a power base is certainly indicative of the Full Moon-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn, and is vital to being able to deal with those issues that become apparent in the Full Moon’s light. There is also the potential implication, at least for those of us in the U.S., of this being the warship of ‘the mother country’, the one on which our system of laws is based and whose oversight fostered a revolution in order to form ‘a more perfect union’ of our own. That could suggest something bequeathed by the ancestors, a defensive outlook or ability passed down or learned through the family behaviors or even in the DNA, that will be an asset now, should we need it to ‘go to war’ or defend ourselves.

Read, donate, and enjoy a wonderful and enlightening Full Moon!