Category Archives: T-Square

Aspect Expectations, What You’re Asking, and Chiron Bites Back

20 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in Aspect Delineation, aspects and placements, astrology, Astrology of Careers Vocations and Callings, Chiron, T-Square, What You're Asking

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‘Pythagoreans Celebrate Sunrise’ Presumably, they’ve already done the math. By Fyodor Bronnikov {{PD}}

We have a print in our house by the artist Julie Dillon. It’s called ‘Sleeping Giant’, and depicts an enormous ‘robot’, long ‘dead’, being worshiped as if it were a god, robed supplicants in attendance, votives and offerings placed before it. I love the way the picture tells a story, all at once: stripped of its original beingness, its purpose and point, the human mind sees this incomprehensible entity and fills in a scenario of what it must’ve been. The reverence is supplied by the observer; the thing itself is just what it is, and holds no sense of the sacred beyond what it’s given.

When we stop knowing what something is, we inevitably forget what it’s for; that seems obvious, but really isn’t. It’s easy to overlay our ability to perceive with expectations, judgments, assumptions, and beliefs, to the point where we not only don’t see what’s before us, we forget the original intent or purpose behind both the thing we’re observing and our decision to observe.

In astrology we transgress in this way when we see an aspect and think we know its meaning, devoid of context or other contacts; it’s why I’m so loathe to talk about aspects outside the landscape of a chart. Without House placement, rulerships, and other bodies or points aspected as part of the picture, what we see may be highly skewed, our own judgments and suppositions superimposed on the aspect; in reality, that aspect is a framework that gains full and nuanced meaning only when seen as part of a whole.

A brief example: if I say to you, assuming this is found in a natal chart, “Moon conjoined North Node in Aquarius”, and the conjunction is close, with only a seven minute differential, what characteristics spring to mind? Someone forward-thinking, intuitively inventive or innovative, a ‘free feeler’ with an emotional nature that embraces the intellect, and intellectual methods–and so may be a tad disconnected from the feeling nature–but we can’t be sure how this presents itself with so little info. To draw many conclusions about someone from this alone could be highly misleading–so what if we add more info?

“Ascendant conjoined Pallas in Taurus, only seven minutes past perfection, with this combo square that Moon-NN in Aquarius”. Now what might you think? Pallas rising suggests the individual meets the world in a practical or smart way, and that that’s what others see, someone wise beyond their years, especially when it comes to material matters, worldly things, survival and comfort. The square introduces the idea of conflict, and describes a smart personality at odds with an intellectual approach to feeling–which definitely doesn’t mesh with the Taurean predisposition to soothe through the senses. So, we have someone who presents much differently than they feel.

Now we add this to the picture: “Fixed T-square, NN-Moon as the arm (placing this combo at the top of the chart, in the individual’s 10th) to an opposition of ASC-Pallas to Jupiter and a stationary Mercury in Scorpio, roughly four degrees apart”. A T-square alerts us to the fact that all those seeming positives (wise presentation, progressive attitudes, keeping an eye on the future, strong connection among emotions, intuition, and intellect) might be part of a tense dynamic, one that could bring out their less positive sides. Jupiter-Merc in Scorpio suggests a deep, intense, almost cutting mental emphasis on knowledge, but whether that’s based in belief or actual facts we can’t determine outright, and exaggeration may be both a communication style and a way of thinking/ perceiving. But we do know that Mercury is stationary in a Fixed Water sign, which implies, just like the Moon in Aquarius, a mixing of feeling and thought, and possibly the emotions and mentality stubbornly ‘stuck’ at a particular phase, outlook, or level of development, and we get a glimpse of this through that ASC-Pallas picture: this individual is keyed to comfort and survival in whatever way the childhood environment dictated as practical or smart.

So what do we think now? Since our first aspect description, we may have decided this individual is much more emotional than we first suspected, and that they may be prone to use the mentality to justify what they feel–and that may be accompanied by the danger of presenting as very wise to others, which can be persuasive to those who may accept hyperbole as facts (as may the individual). We might think that spiritual or religious beliefs could permeate the mental faculties (and that beliefs, feelings, what’s smart, and the mental faculties could be in constant conflict or under tension), and that part of what this individual may do is bring these beliefs to others through the effectiveness of the personality. There’s also that cutting edge to Merc, Jupiter, Sun, and Venus all in Scorpio, that urge to destroy as much as to re-make, and the tension presented by the personal emotional make-up, that could clash and cry out for expression.

Two more factoids: Sun and Venus are closely conjoined in Scorpio (but not conj Jup-Merc), and Mars and Neptune are only 35 minutes apart in Virgo. How do these bolster either positive or negative impressions for you? What profession would you imagine this individual would choose–and what do you think life might choose, for them? Check back in a day or three, when I’ll present the chart these aspects come from, and you can decide how much or how little you really can glean from the one-aspect-at-a-time game.

Just to let you know: there’s a Russian language (scratch that, I think it’s actually Ukrainian) page offering Eclipse subscriptions–when Eclipse is no longer being published! So don’t give them your money, okay?

People are wondering . . .

. . . why so many astrologers got the US election ‘wrong’:

I think this is due to faulty assumptions underlying their interpretations. It seems to me they saw more positive/ ‘easier’ aspects in Hillary Clinton’s chart, and more challenging ones in Trump’s, and so assumed that meant a Hillary win; the problem with that is the belief that positive aspects imply winning a contest–but what they really imply is that what occurs is positive for the individual, from the individual’s point of view.

Centaur of Lefkandi, 1050 – 900 BCE, identified as Chiron, found in two pieces in two different tombs at the site of Toumba. It’s the first 3-D sculpture of a centaur ever. Archaeological Museum of Eretria. Photo By Jebulon CC0

. . . about an unaspected Chiron

Like any chart energy, an unaspected Chiron will generally function in one of two ways: either the wounded nature takes over the chart (and so the individual) becoming the most prominent thing within the psyche, or it floats around, disconnected from the individual psyche, so that when that wound is ‘touched’ the person reacts and doesn’t know they’re reacting. In both cases, the Chirotic nature has not been integrated with the other energies, impulses, and traits, and so either consumes the processing and perceptive functions or is completely denied by them–that is, the individual claims to carry no wound at all, or to have processed and dealt with wounds so completely that no psychic injuries remain–and that’s just not possible, for a human. It’s like an unaspected energy takes a bite out of our ability to comprehend the world and our place in it–Chiron (along with Mars and Pluto, and possibly others) is the kind that, as we try to reclaim it by consciously incorporating its energy and intents, just may bite us back, discouraging our efforts and making acceptance and absorption that much more difficult.

Check back in a bit for a new post that will give the answers to our aspect-reading example, along with more ‘What You’re Asking’, and have a lovely weekend!

Just a Little AstroEssence 15 August 2017 To A ‘T’

14 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, T-Square, The Daily Word Image

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Not this kind of ‘T’! ‘Tea Service’ by Albert Anker 1910 {{PD}}

Today, the 15th, there’s a perfect T-square with Venus opposed Pluto and both squared by Zeus–perfect in that it tells us precisely how we might act, as Mars quincunxes Pluto and sextiles Zeus. Those latter aspects suggest that actions and choice may be prompted by the need to accommodate change, the Powers-that-be, or loss (Pluto), and that these in some way help bring us what we aim for or desire (Zeus). The T pits the infinite energy of Love against the relentless energy of change, with which wins determined by the state of ambitions and desires. In other words, a Love or Financial situation lasts or falls away, dependent on how sufficiently we’ve addressed both the need to accept change (to grow and adapt to new faces of Love or new sources of support) and how well these fit into the desire and ambition picture. If our Love isn’t a living thing, changing and growing with us, then it is unlikely to fit into the evolving reality of what we want, and so may, quite naturally, be shed at this time.

Today’s word image is: Trolls. When you see or hear that word, what comes to mind? The kind that live under a bridge and pester travelers, the kind that make nasty comments for the fun of it, or those squat, big-bellied, wild hair, pop-eyed dolls? Let’s define it, in the loosest sense, as something that wants to bedevil others. If you have this element in your life right now, label it for what it is–don’t make excuses for someone who’s just trying to irritate or trip up others, and in calling it out, realize you don’t need to accept this irritation yourself.

Thank you, and have a great week!

Just a Little AstroEssence 9 July 2017: The Lion’s Share

08 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, T-Square, The Daily Word Image

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Briton Rivière – ‘Phoebus Apollo’, 1895 {{PD}}

On the 9th there’s a Cardinal T-square involving Sun opposed Pluto with both square asteroid Zeus that probably grabs the lion’s share of our attention: we see the naked power picture, and how that doesn’t serve our ambitions and desires. This sounds like a harsh formula, until we see that by illuminating who enjoys what prerogatives, this circumstance shows us exactly what we need to do to remove obstacles, access our own power, and get what we want. Be prepared: we get blow-back from our own minds and ego, both of which may argue that problems are fixed and to think otherwise is unhealthy–but that’s not so. Take action, make plans, and do so with courage–it’s a time of unusual clarity of vision, so take advantage of that.

Today’s word image is myriad bubbles escaping from the sea bed. This image might suggest surprise, for who expects oxygen to burble right up out of the ocean floor? Look for something very necessary in an unexpected place, and believe it when you see it.

Your Week 19-24 May 2017 The Big Kahuna

18 Thursday May 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Fist of God, forecast, Horoscope, T-Square, The Daily Word Image

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‘Shaman’ 1930 Arman Manookian {{PD}}

I’ve added the answer to the Horary chart in the Horary article (scroll down or click here), in case you’re interested.

Friday the 19th there may be massive, literal finger-pointing over beliefs, facts, and disclosures, and though it gets ‘it’ out in the open, it’s not particularly healthy, in terms of the debilitating effects it has on everyone. We have a pounding Fist of God (Hygeia square Jupiter, apex the Sun) that suggests enlightenment will be brutal, and a tense T-square (Venus opp Jupiter, square Hygeia) that pits values, assets, and relationships against beliefs or facts–but which of the latter? In a best-case scenario, beliefs will be replaced by facts–that, at least, will make the discord worth going through, as it puts everyone on the same page, and removes a ‘wishful thinking’ element that’s contaminated Venusian areas for too long. Here’s the kicker, the key, the big kahuna, the whole enchilada: Mercury parallel Uranus tells us Higher Mind understanding, revolutions in thinking and reasoning, and revelatory information, is the result–truly a worthy and desirable outcome.

Today’s word image is a joke: cat walks into a bar, sits down, and orders a drink. The bartender puts a shot down in front of the cat, who reaches his paw out and swipes the glass off the bar and onto the floor. Then the cat says, ‘Gimme another’. Is there something we approach with a bit of swagger, certain in our actions, that appears confident and yet ends up being wasteful or silly? Are we even in the right place, placing the right ‘orders’, in the first place? Questions to ask ourselves today.

The 20th brings those with wisdom and those with empowered status into conflict. Are those qualities, wisdom and empowerment, necessarily always mutually exclusive? Of course not, but in this case, those seem to be the lines along which this particular confrontation will divide. Illusions about what’s healthy, or in how to achieve a functional state, abound, so it’s unlikely that, as the Sun enters Gemini, we will reach any workable conclusions–but we’ll sure think about things a lot.

Today’s word image is something red. Though things that are red will be noticed, there’ll be one thing in particular that stands out. What it is, and what it says, represents, or means to you, is what’s important.

The 21st brings unexpected harmony between the senses and the instincts–and so can lead to excellent responses and choices, when the mind doesn’t interfere and gum it all up. Our responses to relationships and financial situations will be right on; don’t forget tomorrow what you thought about someone, or some asset or money-related situation, today.

Today’s word image is a haircut. In symbolic terms, I see hair as representing thoughts. So, what does your choice of hair style say about you? Do you change the natural tendencies of your hair by adding product? Is your hair (and so your thinking) stiff and inflexible, does it curl tightly around on itself, is it limp or have you changed it by artificial means (dye or perming, perhaps)? What do you see being ‘shouted’ by the hair of those close to you? You may notice a surprising correlation between thinking ‘style’ and the way the hair is kept.

On the 22nd temper is a factor, at least in part because, consciously or not, we recognize that our reasoning at this time is clashing with our values. Don’t ignore this; have the courage to admit that what we want may actually violate our most important personal standards–and then let go of the desire. Nothing’s worth getting if it compromises our integrity.

There’s even a comic set on the Pacific trash heap itself. Image Comics, Joe Harris and Martin Marazzo (Fair Use)

Today’s word image is the great Pacific garbage mass, an accretion of discarded trash, junk, plastics, things sucked out to sea by tsunamis, and anything else that found its way to the water and doesn’t break down fairly quickly. We’ve been hearing about this for some time, the warnings dire and downright frightening, and there’s no disputing that this is a bad thing for the planet. But NOAA tells us the situation isn’t quite what we’ve been led to think. Consider that you may be viewing something in your world as hopelessly ‘polluted’, when in reality you can still change the course of things, still ‘clean it up’ and revitalize some vital component of your life. You can save it, if you really care; it’s not hopeless, after all.

The 23rd the sh*t hits the fan, as they say, with another Fist (Zeus-Juno, apex Sun) and another T-square (Venus opp Zeus, both square Juno) taking aim at our tender bits–and perhaps destroying our idea of what’s wise or practical in one fell swoop, or maybe re-shaping our inner wisdom or practical stance to be much more applicable in our current world (Pluto square Pallas). This Fist of God forces our attention to the way our ambitions and desires are at odds with our present empowerment scenario. We’ll see exactly how our status fails to bring us what we want–and presumably, we’ll see how to correct this. At the same time, though, we’ll be faced with the stress of the T-square, which pits ambitions against assets, or maybe relationships, and requires us, via Juno, to use what power we hold to work out a detente between two factors with each clearly seeing the other as a threat. The saving grace here, aside from the transformative power of Pluto that we will undergo, want it or not, is found in Mercury novile Chiron. This promises we will find a way to think about things that will ultimately be healing. When we look back, then, we’ll likely see today as rough but beneficial, possibly making one or more life areas much, much better.

Today’s word image is a husky, stranded on the median of a busy road. In this image the fact that this isn’t just a dog, but one that is most at home in the northern wilderness, and yet is found under stark, man-made circumstances, speaks of something close to Nature that is in a ‘foreign’ environment. What part of you is ‘made’ for something much more natural, for a more open or isolated setting, that has been forced into an unpleasant, even dangerous, situation?

The 24th we’re still wrestling with our own power situation and our ability to implement our wishes, but we see a few other factors become prominent: we’re stirred by both fear of being hurt in the future and a certain discord between reality and our instincts; we see that in some way getting what we want is out-of-step with our values, or endangers our relationships, or will cost, possibly more than we can bear; and we see highlighted those areas where we lack power, or the ways in which the current power structure denies us access or effectiveness. Today is simply a day to note what comes at us, to consider, formulate or fine-tune plans or approaches, and not to stress too much about where it’s all headed–we’re not nearly ‘there’ yet.

First known depiction of a Snowman from a Book of Hours, 1380, found in Koninklijke Bibliotheek, in The Hague {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a snowman! Who in your world is frozen, and is this keeping you from connecting, or does he use his frosty outsides to willingly isolate himself? Not all who are troubled need your help; sometimes they want barriers, want things to be this way.

The New Moon and general forecast for Thursday the 25th will follow in a separate post. Expect my explanation of the Horary chart tomorrow, the 19th. Many thanks to my readers! You are a lovely lot 🙂

15 October 2016 Full Moon, Full Plate

14 Friday Oct 2016

Posted by in astrology, Born Today, current events in the sky, forecast, Full Moon, Horoscope, Sabian Symbols, T-Square

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By Émile Friant - {{PD}}

‘The Boating Party’ or ‘Reunion of the Meurthe Boating Party’, by Émile Friant – {{PD}}

The Lunar Essence: With the Full Moon in Aries at 23 Aries 14 occurring at 9:23 PM Pacific daylight time, we see the threesome of Earth-Moon-Uranus in a less than one degree span opposed the Libra Sun, which is sesquiquadrate Neptune. The Full Moon itself of course forms a semi-square to Neptune, and is as stated conjoined Uranus and widely conjoined Ceres, the latter of which sits at 29 degrees of the Moon’s sign, adding stress through the actions of Nature or authorities. The Full Moon is also quincunx Juno, and makes a wide square to Vesta, which we should count as the swift-moving Moon races toward, rather than away from, aspect completion, with this square creating a T-square with the Sun/ Earth-Moon-Uranus axis (but even more closely aspecting Ceres, as both Vesta and Ceres sit at 29 degrees), adding even more stress. It’s notable, too, that this Sun is also parallel both Juno and Neptune, suggesting that just observing, just seeing (the light of the Sun) can empower and make the dream, whatever that may be for the individual, a very realistic possibility.

full-moon-in-aries-october-2016So what do we get from this Full Moon? Why stress, of course! But from what source? We reach a peak of involvement with, rejection of, rebellion from, or original and innovative cooperation with ‘the group’, and this brings us to a point of ‘energy crisis’ in terms of our own power and authority, our priorities and those things we honor, and with how closely the results align with what we imagine is ideal, as well as how we feel about this resulting real-world arrangement. It’s a point of radical enlightenment, as we see quite clearly the personal power situation and the role we can play in the larger scenario, and these are revealed within the microcosm of a single interactive situation; we assess this real-life situation, and see beyond it (into the Uranian future, if you will) to what larger role we can play, title we can claim, or area where we can accomplish.

There are both stresses that are not under our conscious control, such as Mother Nature, exerting herself through things like weather and our own biology, and stresses within areas where we have exerted ourselves, tried to gain empowerment or authority, tried to commit to those matters that are most important to us. The Vestal energies of dedication, commitment, and the sacred must resolve against those Ceres energies of power expression, authority, and knowing and controlling our ‘domain’, and this is done through Ceres’ own mechanism of negotiation, an internal discussion that happens within the individual psyche that is acted out in real-world arenas. We see what adjustments, compromises, and alterations are required for ‘the dream’ to become reality, with the light of the Full Moon showing us exactly where and how we are empowered to make it happen.

Wiosna w Gościeradzu (Spring in Gościeradz) by Leon Wyczółkowski {{PD}}

Wiosna w Gościeradzu (Spring in Gościeradz) by Leon Wyczółkowski {{PD}}

The Sabian for the Full Moon is, ‘Blown Inward By The Wind, The Curtains Of An Open Window Take The Shape Of A Cornucopia’. The FM event ‘opens a window’ that is either a time period of opportunity, or an ability to both see our goals clearly, and to know what the ‘fruits’ of our current direction will actually be, the latter allowing us to make needed adjustments to our actions and choices. The FM offers either feedback that illuminates our own effectiveness and true course, or the chance to make things happen, if we’ll only take the steps, or modify our path, a chance to affect things that didn’t exist until now.

'Butterflies', Wilhelm von Kaulbach, c1860 {{PD}}

‘Butterflies’, Wilhelm von Kaulbach, c1860 {{PD}}

We always look at the Sun for a Full Moon, as the source of the Full Moon’s light. ‘A Butterfly With A Third Wing On Its Left Side’ suggests nothing so much as fulfillment; that is, the result of what has incubated and emerged, now fully ready, developed, that holds all the promise invested in its preparation–and a third wing simply implies a resource, a kind of existential aid, akin to the Third Eye: there is something extra, unplanned but propitious, that offers information or assistance specifically useful to our goals. Lucky us, right?

The AstroEssence: There are only a few other influences at play for the 15th, and these may have us spending the time leading up to the Full Moon with our attention in places other than those that will be illuminated with the Lunar culmination. One is the way we might be weighing methods of healing against our own wounds, judging physical as well as mental and emotional situations for how healthy they might be; it’s an attempt to concentrate on hurts, to deal with them, but perhaps not to totally embrace what we know to be the healthy option. We’re trying to justify holding on to our wounds. It’s our thinking that’s encouraging the problem: we are obsessed with the dark, with how we’ve been wronged, with how others hold power over us, and in continuing to nurse our hurts it’s taking a (Self) destructive turn. Fortunately, though, what we’ll actually choose to do will be done with an eye to building the future–it’s just that we may not see how much better the future could be, if we could forgive, heal, let go (Chiron sesq Hygeia, Mercury sq Pluto, Mars trine NN)

For those born with the Sun at 23 Libra: It’s all about taking what’s new, modern, original in your world and making the most of it. The sudden, the surprising, the heartfelt facilitates accomplishment, and the smart move is to embrace them. The only thing we can count on is change, right? Oh, and death and taxes. But, this coming year should be more than a little positive and profitable for you, Libra, just as long as you conquer that crisis in confidence, and realize you can’t rule unless you’re willing to claim your territory. Good luck, and Happy Birthday!

1 June 2016 The Garden of the Mind

31 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Dark of the Moon, Grand Cross/Grand Square, T-Square, The Daily Word Image

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'Jardín de las Elegías' Santiago Rusiñol c1903 {{PD}}

‘Jardín de las Elegías’ Santiago Rusiñol c1903 {{PD}}

There’s an ongoing T-square with Sun-Venus opposed Earth-Saturn, all square Neptune, that by 3 June transforms into a Grand Cross with the inclusion of Jupiter. The tension here, though it starts benignly enough (with hope, charity, and an eye to freedom), becomes immense; we may go from the possibility of realizing our dreams to an optimism that is close to bursting–and yet the material situation repeatedly challenges us, as what the reality picture calls for is in some way contrary to our need for Love, Reward, or both. Through roughly the 6th we’ll see various parts of the equation come to prominence; one day it may be the way an important relationship (Venus) conflicts with what must be done (Saturn-Earth), the next day it may be that opportunity (Jupiter) can’t be grasped without loss of current income or flow (Venus), and the next may see the same or another opportunity that requires we give up our dream (Neptune, with the severity of all the demands and conditions put on us shown by the hard aspects and the involvement of Earth and Saturn–they say, material matters get a starring role in all this, especially the factors that make up our current real-world picture).

Imagination is pummeled by the facts; belief is put to the test, either through the challenge of manifesting creatively, or in facing delusions; the social circle stomps on dreams, even as, or perhaps as a condition of, the individual being loved; the need to support the identity creates expenses where payment may be intangible, extracted through a need to suppress beliefs, to pull back on material matters, or to ‘put up or shut up’ in the creative realm; relationships or financial factors may require we trim or abandon the current dream, or may ask us to change our beliefs to match reality; we may have to face that dreams are too big, unable to be manifested adequately in the material world, or we may put the brakes on material demands in order to pursue the creative and the Soul-expressive–and no matter what, we find that tension, discord, or stress, internally or externally applied, drives the movement of the Cross. It’s a period, represented by this configuration, that’s unusually potent in the way it can illuminate potentials and actualities, showing us both how to work with them, and how to bring about just what we desire, with major revelation expected with the New Moon. For a scant few, this may end up translating as an insistence on embracing the unreal, the illusion, as the belief system and/ or the identity break down in the face of the facts.

For the 1st the emphasis is on seeing the dream clearly, or observing accurately the condition of the creative life, or what we imagined the world to be–and we are able to articulate or think about this with unusual foresight concerning how it may play out into the future, and how in its current state it will affect our life direction. Thinking is spot on, as long as we are pondering matters from a sense of security; if we are feeling at all insecure, especially in material matters, we will inevitably skew ideas and conclusions in the direction of what’s comfortable, rather than what’s true (Merc in Taurus trine NN, Sun-Earth axis in T-square with Neptune)

Today’s word image is a fountain gently burbling in a garden. Close your eyes and see the fountain, hear the water splash, and feel the warm sunshine and the cool shade play on your skin. See, don’t you feel better? This suggests rest, meditation, and contemplation, fully appropriate as we enter Dark of the Moon.

New Moon 7 April 2016 Re-Writing the ‘I Am’

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Aspect Delineation, astrology, current events in the sky, Grand Cross/Grand Square, Grand Trine, Moon, New Moon, T-Square, The Daily Word Image, Uranus-Pluto Square

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Eva Gonzalès - 'An actress with a mask' {{PD}}

Eva Gonzalès – ‘An actress with a mask’ {{PD}}

The New Moon in Aries is conjoined Uranus–does that mean what begins at this time is a spark, a surprise, an explosion, a riot, chaos of the highest order? Perhaps, though it could also be a new start, a modern approach, or a radical solution, and could portend group involvement or, conversely, suddenly having to ‘go it alone’. Look for the effect in the matters of the House of the natal chart where the NM falls–and then look to see if it fills in a pattern with your natal energies.

New Moon in Aries April 2016

The NM square to Pluto says that placements at 16-20 of Cancer or Libra draw you into a tense NM situation where the arm of the figure (the part not involved in an opposition) provides the answer to resolving the tension, particularly through the matters of the House this body rules (if any). If one has a natal square at those degrees of Cancer and Libra, the New Moon and transiting Pluto fill in a Cardinal Grand Cross, and likely present you with a crisis in action–one that either rises from the New Moon beginning (or is itself the New Moon beginning), or one that takes the usual way of dealing with the square, then destroys and transforms it into a new way to use the natal energies (and since Pluto has been nearby a while, the destructive process could’ve occurred some time ago, with the solution only now arriving).

Natal placements at 14-20 of Leo receive membership in a New Moon Grand Trine utilizing transiting Saturn. Here a NM event brings balance, stability, or materializes concretely the energy of the contacted natal body; peace may be found, a restlessness removed, or something intangible finally finds expression through the material, and there’s the potential for ending a destructive or power-oriented ambition or desire.

The New Moon-Uranus is also opposed Zeus. On the one hand this can bring ambitions and their fulfillment or lack thereof into that difficult T-square or Grand Cross described above; it can also show as a rejection of previous ambitions or desires, as a new personal (Aries) viewpoint emerges.

This is a New Moon, and that means any or all of these effects could be temporary, a stop gap or destined to evolve over time; especially for those with no contact to natal bodies, who experience it in ‘purest’ form, the New Moon may bring a surprising energy, a sudden burst of Willpower or the need to assert the ‘I Am’ in matters of the House where it falls, making a statement about Self-assertion and identity, ‘out loud’ if above the horizon, a whisper to the Self if below. Other influences for the 7th are the availability of healing messages (Mercury nov Chiron) and a sense of ‘being lucky’, seeing opportunities right away, and confidently asking the Universe for ‘more’ (Sun parallel Jupiter).

Vasnetsov_samoletThe Sabian for the New Moon is, ‘The “Magic Carpet” Of Oriental Imagery’. A flying carpet has always been about transport, a physical mechanism that takes us on a journey that shows us the world from a new perspective. That’s one of the more practical functions of imagination, so we might expect to see Neptune in the New Moon equation–but only if we look very carefully will we find it.

The New Moon falls equidistant from Sedna and Neptune, at their midpoint but outside the normal Ptolemaic measurements, and even outside the minor connectors. The aspect is both relative and relational, a connection that would normally go unnoticed, and maybe that’s the point: the New Moon brings a new perspective, one that stirs the creative and that draws on knowledge related to the primitive and the instinctual carried deep within consciousness (Sedna); we may believe the influence shaping the new viewpoint is entirely Self-conscious (Aries), but what occurs may be more subtle, and more hidden, than we know. This new viewpoint may be born from larger events (those created by contacts to the natal picture) or may arrive by refuting or defining particular desires or ambitions, by changing the current landscape through material expression, or may bring something significant (and possibly destructive) to a halt, with the discovery of this new way of being who we are, this new ‘I Am’.

I love the take on the New Moon at Robin’s Window

The word image for the New Moon is a glamorous, heavily beaded dress that loses a bead now and then as it’s worn. We might be very upset at the idea that what is essentially a work of Art isn’t remaining intact, but if we realize it’s a kind of ‘living Art’ in that the damage comes through normal wear, we might accept this as the evolution of the piece, its expression coming at the cost of perfection–and understand that the scars and losses and changes that come from living carry a perfection and beauty of their own.

See some examples of beaded gowns here–

The Cancer New Moon 15 July 2015: Healing An Imbalance

11 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by in astrology, Cardinal Activity, current events in the sky, New Moon, Sabian Symbols, T-Square

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Paul Gauguin - Vahine no te miti (Femme a la mer) (Mujer del mar) 1891 {{PD}}

Paul Gauguin – Vahine no te miti (Femme a la mer) (Mujer del mar) 1891 {{PD}}

The New Moon in Cancer occurs at 6:25 PM Pacific time on the 15th at 23 Cancer 14, and makes only a few contacts, so I’ll be stretching orbs a bit so that we get some kind of picture. Usually I shy away from expansive orbs, as I feel things can get sloppy fast; this time, though, we have a loose Grand Trine that really may be the heart of the event. Too, I usually don’t pay much attention to what else is happening, preferring to focus on the New or Full Moon contacts so that we can delineate the NM or FM effects away from everything else, making it very clear what leads to what. Today I’m breaking both those rules–hold on!

Though I’m stretching those orbs, I won’t go crazy with it, and that means that the Mercury-Mars pairing that some might consider conjunct the New Moon won’t be for me–but we still need to note that aggressive speech under a banner of how much one cares may be the offering of the day. This also suggests that those not normally assertive verbally or with their ideas may find a little fire today and let everyone know what they think–and this possibly signals for them a new way of communicating or of expecting to be treated, courtesy of the New Moon.

There’s also the matter of Venus at 29 tense degrees of Leo. The poor girl is wound up tight about identity, who’s in the spotlight, about matters of generosity, about how to best shine, and about recent vicissitudes in Love or Money–and she’s preparing to retrograde soon, which implies that all this stress will find outlet in re-visiting similar topics, matters, or life areas from 8 years ago, whatever those were for you, when she last retrograded at approximately this point in the chart. Note this: whether or not current Venusian stresses seem to relate to 8 years ago, they will flow out through those life areas where Venus retros soon, the same ones visited 8 years ago–so don’t be fooled if the forms they take look new or unfamiliar.

Now, finally, the New Moon! It has sextiles to Black Moon Lilith and Sedna (though fails to fall at their midpoint), creates a loose Water Grand Trine with Saturn and Chiron, and the Sun-Moon/ Earth axis forms a T-square with Uranus. What’s born at the New Moon is born from instinct, or from those things we’ve ignored or denied, or by anger stirred by matters that normally fall in our ‘blind spot’–suddenly we see them, and wow, are we upset! What’s born makes for emotional release, and that can’t help but offer healing, even if the precipitating event itself is upsetting.

The idea is that if we attended to things yesterday (see my post for the 14th) what comes forward now may be something healing and emotionally positive (the Water GT, Chiron), and that potentially results in real-world change or the lifting of restrictions (Saturn). The ‘T’ involving Uranus suggests we may be taken by surprise by what’s born–we may not have anticipated the new understanding that underpins events, and we may feel pressure to ‘modernize’, to learn new protocols, to catch up to the group, or to be original and inventive–but in any case what begins is something unusual, at least in terms of what we cared about (Cancer) previously. Likely subjects are described by the natal House where the New Moon occurs, and/ or the Houses where your natal Sun and Moon sit, or those they rule (and probably a combination of these). A few will rebel or act erratically in reaction to what happens, taking anything upsetting as an individual affront, and missing the chance for healing and removal of restrictions that events bring.

The Sabian for the New Moon is, ‘A Woman And Two Men Castaways On A Small Island Of The South Seas’  Now, no matter how copacetic a scenario involving three may be, eventually someone feels like a third wheel–and that makes either a tricycle, or a really uncomfortable scene. With this image we’re told these are castaways–so involuntarily in this situation–and the implication is there’s no one else there. We should also be aware of the imbalance in energies: two representatives of the animus, doing energy and one of the being, receptive energy–and so the symbol may speak to an imbalance in our own approach that possibly precipitates the New Moon upset or change. We may be emphasizing aggression, action, ‘tackling’ a job, and using too little receptivity; the result of this kind of imbalance is typically the kind of surprises we will have at the New Moon: entirely of our own creation, we look upon them astonished, shocked that such upset, healing, and the resulting freedom, are actually of our own making.

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The New Moon in Cancer 15 July 2015

Tip of the Iceberg: Anticipation of the Lunar Eclipse of 4 April 2015

21 Saturday Mar 2015

Posted by in astrology, eclipse, Full Moon, future events in the sky, Lunar Eclipse, T-Square

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This is supposedly a photo of the iceberg rammed by the 'Titanic'--who knew?! Photo by Stephan Rehorek {{PD}}

This is supposedly a photo of the iceberg rammed by the ‘Titanic’–who knew?! Photo by Stephan Rehorek {{PD}}

Now that the Solar eclipse has occurred, we can pick up the pieces and look ahead–to the Lunar eclipse of 4 April. I’ve referred to the upcoming Lunar eclipse as a ‘drop the microphone’ event, one where we’ll experience the true impact of this period, if not immediately then in circumstances that begin their development at this point. Wherever the Lunar eclipse at 14 Libra 24 falls for you may only be the tip of the iceberg–because the Lunar-Solar-Earth axis creates a T-square with Pluto that is likely to bring Underworld extremes to the surface through conflict, destruction, and yes, transformation that can be as drastic as a hormonal change or a house burning down or as deeply meaningful as taking spiritual vows or having an epiphany that changes your entire Being. The Sabian Symbol for the event is ‘Circular Paths’, suggesting we may be coming full circle in some important way. So what do you think?

Total Solar Eclipse 20 March 2015: Eclipse of the Gods

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by in astrology, Dark of the Moon, ECLIPSE magazine, Fist of God, New Moon, Solar Eclipse, T-Square

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Gustave Doré 'Andromeda' 1869 {{PD}}

Gustave Doré ‘Andromeda’ 1869 {{PD}}

Moment of meeting of the Sun and Moon occurs at 2:37 AM PDT of the 20th at 29 Pisces 27, with the eclipse officially beginning just a hair after. The New Moon makes a wide sextile to Ceres, and a square to Pallas, which fills in the base of a Fist of God, apex Jupiter, and also creates a T-square with the Sun-Moon/ Earth axis; a panoply of ancient gods are involved, each having a say in what is born at this time, each contact suggesting that what came before with that energy is eclipsed, wiped out, or superseded. The NM is a conception point, the placement of which (in the 29th degree) signals that a new beginning is coming at a point of supreme stress; things must reach maximum tension in order for the new beginning to form at all. That means that some who are able to avoid that point of nearly unbearable strain may not receive the kind of wipe-out and new start that those who almost drown (this is a Water event, after all) will; theirs may be much more subtle, with changes playing out over the six months between this event and the next Solar eclipse.

The change is gentle with Ceres, which represents our personal authority, power, territory, a somewhat maternal inclination to overstep boundaries, and our capacity to negotiate (which at least in part rests in our own confidence; someone frightened or powerless surrenders or attacks—someone personally empowered negotiates). We adjust our boundaries, perhaps re-assign territories or re-claim some of our own, and we may take a step back (or forward) concerning relationships where caretaking and responsibility lie at least somewhat in our sphere. Too, the presence of Ceres in the equation can suggest that Nature itself will exert an influence, whether through external circumstances (flood or fires, for instance) or internal ones (such as hormonal changes, diet, or illness/ imbalance), and that these will play into events.

The T that Pallas forms with the Sun-Moon/ Earth is naturally tense; it takes the stress of a Solar eclipse, ups the ante with the event forming at 29 degrees, and then challenges the entire event with a question: Is this wise? The ‘this’ refers to whatever previous guidelines we navigated by and the way the eclipse brings them into question, or even obliterates them, proving them unwise or currently untenable. Pallas is in Sagittarius, so may imply that new information, facts, or exposure to another way of being or doing turns our ‘wisdom world view’ on its head; there’s also the chance that Pallas refers to practical or skill-based options that change with the eclipse event. Acquisition of new knowledge or skills may make old ones obsolete or make something that was once practical no longer so.

Remember, Pallas is a Warrior by birth, so we may come out fighting at the suggestion that what we thought was wise really isn’t, anymore; being nothing so much as skilled means that Pallas, after the first aggressive response, will likely look to her skill set to handle what comes forward. Realizing that even wisdom can be conditional, or can change with circumstances, is important in dealing with the kind of curve-ball the T will throw at us.

Pallas is also part of the base of the Fist; the T and the Fist may address two different Pallas in Sag related matters or may speak of just one that has several facets. A Fist of God can be as harsh as it sounds—it can represent a hard situation or conflict (the base square) that results in the apex, and whether that’s a positive outcome or a further frustration is often up to us. In this case, with the eclipse itself square Pallas as the initiating tension, we will likely see a New Moon event that challenges our ideas of wisdom and practicality (much like with the T), but the difference will be that resolution of this particular upset will either offer us entré to a wider social circle, will bring acquisition of new knowledge, philosophy, or belief, or could offer opportunity—the problem being that this may be forced on us, and feel more like punishment than a positive!

Jupiter is of course the supreme god, at least as far as those who gather on Mt. Olympus are concerned. As significator of the Fist outcome, this may suggest we feel very much at the mercy of some larger entity, something like society, which seems to call all the shots. It’s vital to remember at this time that this is a perception only; we are still able to fashion our individual choices and responses independent of the social sphere, should we truly want to—but making that choice holds consequences that we must be prepared to accept, should we go our own way.

This is an excerpt from the Solar eclipse article in ECLIPSE. Of course, we’re in Dark of the Moon territory right now, with Luna still to contact (by conjunction) Vesta, Mercury, Neptune, and Chiron before the Solar event–and that may mean a lot of restless energy, whispers just below hearing, looking for a place to express. This can be a very creative time, for those open to manifesting the urge that usually remains quiet in the unconscious–it’s accessible now; it’s as if we’re able to see into the dark corners of the mind, sensing things, with no need for direct illumination–take a look, see what’s in there.