New Moon in Taurus May 2018 Earthly Upset

14 Monday May 2018

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For ‘Our Fathers’ Godsaga’ by Viktor Rydberg, drawn by John Bauer 1910 {{PD}}

The New Moon perfects at 4:48 AM PDT of the 15th at 24 Taurus 36, within range of conjunction to Sedna, and, despite a relatively large aspect orb, we’ll count the trine of the New Moon to Mars in Capricorn, as the Warrior’s 29 degree placement suggests an assertiveness that can’t be ignored (with its’ current square to Uranus bringing in an element of suddenness or surprise). This may drive the entire NM dynamic, as a must-be-satisfied Mars forces action or decision-making that just so happens to also carry along a deep, denied, and possibly destructive undertone (slightly closer trines to Pluto and Black Moon Lilith, together in Capricorn)–and all this will be happening somewhere deep inside, whispering in the psyche sotto voce, and these may prompt responses from the instincts or those places where we ‘know but don’t know’, leading us in a way most true to our inner angels and demons, rather than in the guise of our conscious choices and intentions.

We add to this a loose semi-square to Juno in Aries, a sextile to Hygeia, and a semi-sextile to Venus; these are likely to be subtle but conflicting influences: one tide in the direction of healthy and loving action, effective moves that promote well-being and that may soothe relationships or finances, with an opposite impulse to have one’s way (originating from a sense of previously having been disrespected), taking that out in small ways in relationships or minor financial indiscretions or petty withholding in either arena.

Scenery of the pond at Shitennō-ji Honbō Park in Osaka, November 2015 Photo by Laitche CC BY-SA 4.0

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon is, ‘A Vast Public Park’. This suggests openness in material matters; Nature shared, resources mutually held, a new state related to these begins. What we hold in common, under a civilized agreement preserving something in a natural state for the benefit of all, takes a new turn. We might ask: how long will that ‘park’ remain a public resource, an environment to share? Replace the word ‘park’ with the appropriate subject related to the NM placement in the natal chart for clues as to where the ‘new start’ may show itself.

It all makes for a kind of earthly upset; could we draw connection to the way Kilauea is splitting open, discharging what’s been below the surface, re-shaping ‘what is’ and the very Earth itself, hot, ‘angry’ (though it’s a bit of a crime to personify Nature that way), spilling forth the destructive and transformative, what ’til now has been hidden, or even denied (as some built their houses amongst the old lava paths)? Sure, we can make the correlation, but for the vast majority of us, we’ll experience this New Moon on a smaller scale and in much more personal ways. The earth may move beneath our feet, opening up to reveal some fairly heady, dangerous stuff, but most likely we’ll experience the New Moon as we experience all extreme points in the Lunar cycle, as an emotional shift, a feeling revelation, a small but vital chance to start over.

And on Uranus’ same-day move into Taurus—

You might want to try this, over at ‘Been There, Done That’

Your Ascendant Zodiapedia: ‘The Radical Intellect’ Aquarius

12 Saturday May 2018

Posted by in Aquarius, astrology, The Ascendant

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A “Sakka”, or water-bearer, carrying water on his back in a goat-skin. Wood engraving by [G.L.S.].
Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Credit: Wellcome Library, London http://wellcomeimages.org
images@wellcome.ac.uk

Aquarius as the rising sign can be a lot of trouble. The combination of traditional ruler Saturn and modern ruler Uranus can send such a mixed message that onlookers may either see Aquarius as a wet blanket, as a libertine, or as someone who swings between the two! One with the Aquarian Ascendant can come to feel as if no matter what, others will simply see what they want to see, but this oddly Neptunian take on things is inaccurate; what the Aquarius rising person doesn’t grasp right away is that they really do show an array of conflicting elements of persona to onlookers—no wonder the observers, and Aquarius, are confused. Usually those with the sign of the Waterbearer rising will take a little more to one ruler than the other; inspection of the natal chart typically reveals either a Uranian or a Saturnian leaning—but all Aquarius rising individuals show at least a little of both, and it’s usual for this rising sign to identify with only one of these at a time—meaning when Aquarius is showing Saturn, he’s putting a Capricornian face on things: repressive, strict, maybe fearful, stoically working, and when he’s showing Uranus he’s spontaneous, rebellious, and often living in his head, treating life as if it’s an academic exercise—and no matter what personality is being exhibited, Aquarius believes the one they’re showing is consistent, that it’s the one they always show. Au contraire–it is not—and only time and Self-awareness will convince them otherwise.

From the inside looking out, Aquarius rising tries to process everything through the mind. This can give the impression of confidence, especially if Aquarius is naturally sharp, but the war inside Aquarius shakes whatever confidence the mental faculties offer to the core: it’s over stability and consistency and nose to the grindstone effort v. originality, ignoring the rules, and a willingness to create upheaval in the name of the revolutionary and new. The weakness here is that the mind simply isn’t equipped to handle matters of emotion, spirit, and the physical, and so Aquarius gets knocked down repeatedly and soon feels that neither approach will pay off. This all originates with the survival needs of childhood, that required Aquarius to intellectually shine (as when the parents ‘show off’ the child’s abilities and take credit for their offspring) or that generally forbid much physical play/ projects or that made emotional displays (especially displays of certain unacceptable emotions, like anger) off limits. Aquarius, in trying to accommodate early caretakers, would turn to the mental arena for activity that garnered acceptance—and sometimes they never get out of this pattern.

This Ascendant generally conveys a lively personality, one that’s engaging, entertaining, and somewhat wearing on others in its less mature forms. The intent is one of exploration focused on what’s new to the individual, to what can be learned (or to discovering all that is known about a subject), so for some their company may be a little too academically inclined. Aquarius likes to discuss things, and there’s no limit to the topics or where that talk may range. They’re brave, in their way, and don’t mind being first with something risky–they display the courage of their Aries brethren, tempered with careful calculations of the odds and of their own abilities: they’re willing to experiment, but that doesn’t mean they’re crazy!

The influence of ancient ruler Saturn encourages a continuing assessment for these individuals, trained on the suitability of the status quo and the potential need for revolution. They watch for those places where the old guard may break down, ready to propose a new order, if the group will support it (and them, possibly in the role of leader–this Ascendant likes to lead during the upheaval, then step back once things settle down).

Aquarius rising thinks about themselves in terms of the group, but always with awareness of their own individuality, measuring perpetually what they are getting, and what they are giving, to the group. Until Aquarius learns to break down those barriers, to remove the ‘me against the world’ thinking, they will continue with a kind of existential loneliness haunting the personality. Often, they’ve been taught to subsume the Self to the group, and when that becomes intolerable, they rebel, and neither response heals the problem. It’s only when Aquarius gives up the childish definition of ‘I’ for the more mature, Leo oriented one (that centers on generosity, on genuinely putting the Self first for one’s health and best expression, on treasuring the Self for talents, abilities, and the Sun-Soul Purpose, on feeling through the heart center) that this rising sign will give up the stubbornness and reactionary take on interaction and supplant it with exchange that makes the most of both the innate intellectual prowess and the original and unique qualities and point of view.

Looking for the current astro-weather? Here it is–

And you might want to try this, over at ‘Been There, Done That’

Keep Your Cool 12-14 May 2018

11 Friday May 2018

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Dark of the Moon, forecast, Horoscope

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Dominique Lang ‘Matin d’hiver’ 1916 {{PD}}

What fresh hell is this? On the 12th Mercury squares Mars, just as we enter the Dark of the Moon (in this instance, think of it as throwing a shadow, making it murky and hard to see). Yikes. Aggressive messages will underlay even the most benign communications–but why? We’ve all got Mars energy, and the vast majority of us have Martian impulses that are underserved, even ignored, but certainly, in any form, are refused adequate expression–and it ends up leaking out our mouths, in hostile barbs toward the barista, in passive-aggression in our child’s note to the gym teacher, and in snide observations uttered to an empty room as we listen to the news and drink our coffee. And even if we manage to subdue or harmlessly employ our own Mars (five miles on the treadmill, anyone?) we still suffer the internal hostility that pops up, unbidden, when we are frustrated in even the smallest way.

Part of this is due to the way both Merc and Mars are at 29 degrees of Cardinal signs when the aspect perfects. This layers on the tension, the feeling that it’s an emergency! But it’s not, that’s just the urgency inherent in Mars and that late degree (and spurred just a tad by the square and Mercury’s more shifty qualities), with Merc under Aries’ ‘I’ve got to do something!’ demands and Mars in Capricorn wanting to build a wall or make a difference or stop it, whatever it is. And this is prelude to Merc catching up to and passing Uranus (in the wee hours of the 13th Pacific time), also at 29 Aries, before both enter Taurus (separately, of course, not to conjoin again anytime soon).

The prevailing idea is to keep our cool over these few days as we suss out the issues presented by the environment and the asset and ‘comfort’ situation, as well as any challenges we may find within artisanal or materially creative matters (Taurus). By the 14th we may have developed what feels like x-ray vision in two important areas: we’ll see the reality situation and all that isn’t working in it clearly, even starkly (Sun sesq Saturn), and we’ll be acutely aware of where and how in the past we’ve hampered our earning ability, or our relationship interactions (Venus sesq SN). If we have been asking ourselves, ‘How have I been blocking Love or Money coming into my life?’ we’ll get some real-world, tangible answers.

Donate  —  Read  —  and have a great weekend!

This is good

And here is a very interesting discussion on being and purpose—

Relax 11 May 2018

10 Thursday May 2018

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‘Cigarette’ Pauline Palmer c1920 {{PD}}

I’ll be away from the computer for a few days. All comments and requests for service will be answered when I return, and all orders from the Press will be filled at that time as well. I’ve scheduled some posts for the coming days, and have decided for the most part to focus on just one thing happening that day, that just so happens to be the one I think will be the most prominent, startling, or exciting. Have a lovely weekend!

I’m intrigued by some of the currents that will buffet us today (especially Pallas sesq SN and sq Hygeia, suggesting we are really dumb to take up something from the past that was definitely detrimental to our health), but nothing stands out for the win so much as this cluster: Mars parallel Saturn (actions and choices, even those that seem random or impulsive, are very much under control), Venus quincunx Black Moon Lilith and Pluto (what we love, our relationships, and perhaps even our money, is embroiled in the consequences of ignoring issues and our own destructive impulses), Mercury parallel Sedna (again with restraint, this time it’s the mind that is guided by instinct, by what’s held just below consciousness), and Sun trine Pluto (we see the forces of transformation, destruction, and power–and we respond from deep within our Soul). It seems we may trip along, only half aware, in the midst of big, change-making energies, and we’ll be just fine–so long as we don’t take up smoking again, or that thing where we thought we could make a parachute from an old sheet and fly on a windy day.

Feathering the Nest 10 May 2018

09 Wednesday May 2018

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

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‘Chaffinch Nest and May Blossom’ By William Henry Hunt 1845 {{PD}}

I’ll be away from the computer for a few days. All comments and requests for service will be answered when I return, and all orders from the Press will be filled at that time as well. I’ve scheduled some posts for the coming days, and have decided for the most part to focus on just one thing happening that day, that just so happens to be the one I think will be the most prominent, startling, or exciting. Have a lovely weekend!

We either engage in magical thinking today, or we access our most creative and fertile ideas (Mercury nov Neptune), but it’s done with where we truly want to go in mind; the only caveats are that we may be alienated from our own most deeply-felt desires (feeling they’re too messy or that passion shouldn’t figure in?), and that all our attention may be on what we’d rather not get! And of course, like a magnet, this draws what enrages us, or what we’d like to deny or ignore, directly to us (Mercury contra-parallel Zeus, Sun parallel NN and trine Black Moon Lilith). Go forward, but don’t deny your highest values, just ’cause you may think that might expedite the matter (Sun sesq and contra-parallel Vesta).

‘The Captive Robin’ By John Anster Fitzgerald c1864 {{PD}} The bird is on the right, wearing a vine necklace studded with berries.

Today’s word image is two robins, competing for worms after the rain. As yesterday, the idea of two, but today there’s a competitive edge over resources. Do you feel like there’s not enough? Or is there some relationship where you are close (‘birds of a feather’) but see each other as ‘success rivals’? Listen, there’s plenty of worms for everyone, and a focus on competing, even when that competition is a ‘friendly’ one, narrows your vision and keeps you thinking on too small a scale. Look up, look around, and see what else is out there.

We Know What We Want 9 May 2018

08 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by in astrology, forecast, Horoscope, The Daily Word Image

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‘Mural from the Temple of Longing’ Paul Klee 1921 {{PD}}

Starting today, the 9th, I’ll be away from the computer. All comments and requests for service will be answered when I return, and all orders from the Press will be filled at that time as well. I’ve scheduled some posts for the coming days, focused on what I think will be the most prominent, startling, or exciting bits. Have a lovely weekend!

We know what we want; desire is a motivating factor, one which may flood faculties, overwhelm the facts, and float a certain unmoored optimism (which I think is actually a good thing). The thing is, there’s a gap between knowing what we crave, ache for, lust for, feel starving and in pain without, and seeing the best way to get it. Slow down and look at the facts as they stand, consider how beliefs (our own or others’) might exert a pull or mess with our radar, and be willing to take less of something if that is indeed ‘the right thing’ (Venus qnx Jupiter and trine Zeus, Sun qnx Zeus)

Today’s word image is two people walking together, but completely out of step with each other. Is there someone in your life, a ‘fellow traveler’, with whom you feel completely at odds right now? Don’t give up on the relationship; this is temporary. You’ll soon find yourselves walking in harmony once again.

The Squares Have It 7-8 May 2018

07 Monday May 2018

Posted by in Aspect Delineation, astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, The Daily Word Image

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Franz Marc – ‘The Bewitched Mill’ 1912 {{PD}}

With Venus square Neptune, and Mercury square Pluto, we may be hard pressed not just to see where all this is going, but to form a complete thought; every time we think we have a concept firmly in mind, or an idea with a discernible shape, we find on its heels an immediate, ‘No! That’s not the way it is!’ that tears down the thought and starts fresh. Values may contradict visions, relationship demands may jam up creativity, and finances may put the brakes on what we are imagining–meanwhile, communications may be inadvertently destructive, or could transform us in the hearing/ receiving–and so leave us seeing things much differently than the viewpoint we started with.

Luckily we have two helpful aspects, a trine from Mars to Sedna, and a sextile of Mercury to Pallas. These make us able to trust ‘muscle memory’, to act and choose based on instinct and what we ‘know but don’t know’, and to find steady ground by thinking about and utilizing the practical option. So, there is a way through the fog, if we keep our wits about us.

The 8th sees these circumstances continue, with a couple of twists. We have an issue with our own empowerment and our values and commitments (Vesta sq Juno), with today’s influences even more rooted in what to trust, what not to trust. Today the mind is clear of deceptive or illusory input, but that also means we have a hard time seeing the potentials of things or visualizing how we want it all to turn out–which means heading successfully toward a goal may be tricky (Mercury contra-parallel Neptune)–and optimism or a realistically based effort could be in short supply (Sun opp Jupiter). Again, it may come down to the ability to sort areas where we’d best not move from those where we can rely on input and influences–not easy at all!

Today’s word image is a dream where you have no socks or shoes. Symbolically, what does that suggest? (Asking for a friend–seriously, it’s not my dream, but I have a few ideas)

Looking for more? Stuff here and here are possibilities–and have a great week!

Goddess Energy

04 Friday May 2018

Posted by in Books, gods and goddesses, The Social System

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‘La Nymphe Callisto, séduite par Jupiter sous les traits de Diane’ 1759 By François Boucher

This is something included in another new book I’m working on, ‘The Venus Collection’, featuring new and previously available articles of mine on the goddess of Love. Have a great weekend, everyone!

There’s been lots of talk these days about the return of the goddess–but I don’t think the goddess was ever gone. Seeing it as a disappearance/ re-appearance is seeing it through patriarchal eyes: women have always been, so goddess has always been. A patriarchal society is a doing-oriented society, one that recognizes and values action, while (typically) disparaging its opposite, the essence of female energy: the receptive, the accepting, the open, the Being-oriented. Goddess energy is female energy, and functions by filling space and time with its very existence; it is vital simply by being, whereas male energy only exists when it is in motion, closed, targeted, inflicting itself on others or the environment. It’s a disparity that many have difficulty grasping, and this is chiefly because we have been indoctrinated with a bias for movement, action, ‘results’, and a sense of accomplishment that relies on seeing change, rather than feeling it. The goddess can sit perfectly still and sense the inevitable processes of growth and decay all around her–she is in fact aware that she is part of this cycle–while those invested in the god-like animus credit only the effects the hands or mind have on the landscape.

In modern Western society we’ve been conditioned to see worth and even virtue in emulating male doing energy, no matter one’s role. We applaud activity, even when it’s purpose or value is questionable, and we see this ‘busy’ attitude reflected in phrases like ‘Protestant work ethic’, ‘Yankee ingenuity’, ‘make hay while the sun shines’, and so on. This is not to say that effort is not important, but that it is only one side of an equation; to celebrate doing and accomplishing without also celebrating the contemplation, depth, communion, feeling, sensitivity, and intuition that can not only shape and guide effort but make sure efforts are effective, is to make action a god, and to cast being as a meaningless state that offers nothing to our advancement–and of course, nothing could be further from the truth.

We tend to have disdain (or at least, less regard) for the kind of contemplative or menial or repetitive tasks that act as a meditation and are much more a being state than a doing one. We may label these ‘women’s work’ (oh, the derogatory tone with which this is spoken!) and see them as beneath us, since they don’t include the slap-dash of going from A to B–but that would miss the point. No one thought to ask the grasshopper why he fiddled while the ants worked–but no grasshopper lives through the winter; it would’ve been a waste of his time to put away food for days he wouldn’t see. (And if we want to get technical about it, the ants would awaken from a torpor to begin their work and replenish their colony before much had grown or bloomed out in the world, so they did need a storehouse). In nature there is balance and reason, room for both god and goddess energy, a different set of rhymes and rhythms that apply to each creature–and we should keep that in mind when judging what’s appropriate or ‘right’, useful and useless.

Within the patriarchal structure of Western society, sometimes receptivity is needed in order to gain what is wanted; there’s an irony in a doing-dominant entity choosing to enact the anima in order to gain something, which getting is in itself a highly animus thing, the kind of goal the doing energy is consistently targeting and pursuing. In the painting ‘Jupiter and Callisto’ by Boucher, Zeus has apparently learned that abduction and rape don’t win him any friends; instead he transforms into the goddess of the Moon and the Hunt, Diana, and lures Callisto with the Moon’s sensitivity, responsiveness, and ability to reflect back to others what they ‘shine’ with–and yet, in choosing Diana’s form, he’s choosing the most animus-like of the goddesses, in terms of her Self-expression through hunting and pursuit.

Empathy requires the surrender of boundaries to the point that one Being can feel the other Being, complete, which the male-oriented cannot do without putting aside the continual, outward thrust of energy that is for them the normal modus operandi. Even in Zeus’ choice, though, the usefulness of the receptive, being stance is denigrated, as it’s seen as a tactic with which to accomplish a goal, rather than as a state of being just as valid and dynamic in its own way as any action. With Zeus it’s a means to an end, and so falls in a long line of actions meant to fulfill the animus aim; if it were a true goddess energy, the communion would be without boundaries, and no specific outcome would be on the agenda–being would be enough.

If quantum mechanics are correct and the butterfly’s movement is enough to topple a civilization as the shift ripples through matter and time, then the even more subtle shifts in consciousness, attitude, belief, and the effects of both prayer and love are felt as strongly as anything built, accomplished, or acquired. So next time you see a woman sitting with eyes closed, or standing quietly out in the grass, or strolling along with no destination in mind, or rocking a child, you’ll know just how busy, how important what she’s doing, really is.

And if you’re curious about Zeus in the astrological chart, my theories are here. Donate  —  Read  —  Enjoy!

Your Ascendant Zodiapedia: ‘Building a Life’ Capricorn

02 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Capricorn, The Ascendant

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“A Roman Studio’ By Lawrence Alma-Tadema 1873 {{PD}}

Capricorn rising may come across as all business, totally serious, and really, no fun—but that wouldn’t be right for us to see him that way at all. Though the agile goat meets new situations this way, he can quickly adapt his attitude to whatever will get things done—and if that means he must socialize, clown around, risk it all, or declare his love from the rooftops, he will do just that. ‘Practical’ is the word for this rising sign, however that might be defined in any particular situation. To see this Earth placement as lacking in flexibility would be wrong—and yet, if given a choice, Cap at the very least wants things contained, restrained, and with any luck, by the book. He can’t help it, really: Capricorn rising is about two things, achievement and security as the way to meet the world, and he does everything with that in mind.

Cappy’s childhood environment in some way gave her the message that ‘serious’ is the only attitude to have. It may have been that children were expected to be miniature adults, or it may have been a case where the irresponsibility of the caretakers put the burden of filling basic needs, of providing any security at all, on Capricorn. This means that to the observer the Capricorn rising child may appear to be usurping adults’ authority or prerogatives, or that she doesn’t know the meaning of ‘play’ or ‘fun’—but of all the signs, Cap rising may be the one most acutely aware of how her demeanor seems odd to onlookers—just know that there’s always a reason the goat has adopted such a severe outlook, and respect her need to take the attitude she does—it may be the only thing that lets her sleep at night.

From the inside looking out, the Capricorn rising individual may see the world as a chaotic or unreliable or even unforgiving place. Recall that the rising sign is a response to the environment where we first meet the world; in Cap’s case, the suggestion is she is responsible to create boundaries, rules, barriers, and a sense of order—not the thing to encourage a young one’s positive outlook or the spontaneity and lightheartedness of childhood. The implication is that Cappy had to make up for someone else’s deficiency or lack of restraint, and though this may be true sometimes, it can also be that the individual with this rising sign is a hypersensitive Being who needed to erect overly strong protections against the outside sensations of the material world—or that she is someone who feels her own wildness so close to the surface that exceptional repression and restraint are in order, to keep from falling into her own personal chaos.

As an adult, Cappy rising may reassure others by her mere presence, and at any age she may be the one others automatically turn to in a crisis or for advice. It always feels to others like this Ascendant will know what to do, or how to stop whatever needs stopping, and Capricorn is happy to serve this function. As long as she is appreciated for her habit of meeting challenges with concerted effort, laboring consistently to achieve and build, laying not just the foundations for the building blocks of life but also the walls and roof, the wallpaper and paint, and paying the taxes. Capricorn needs to be appreciated, like anybody else, and on the Ascendant she wants others to see the extent of her control, over herself and the world. Look beneath the serious demeanor to see what Cappy is really trying to offer: security, stability, to remove worry from everyone’s equation.

The Capricorn Ascendant wants, always, to be productive; this can easily slip into repression of others, or suppression of the Self, if she doesn’t feel she or others are focused, making progress, getting ahead. This can give this Ascendant a mercenary quality, or a no-nonsense dictatorial one, until others understand that above all Cappy wants to be of use–anything less, and she’s disappointed in herself, and that may even morph into fearfulness, should she begin to think things will never change.

Capricorn rising prides herself on her dependability, but will only flourish once she accepts the gentle nurturing offered by opposing sign Cancer. In keeping things strictly controlled and grounded Cappy may not value nourishment, physical, psychic, emotional, and spiritual, as much as she needs to in order to foster a balanced approach to achievement, discipline, and to conquer her fear (for what combats Saturnian fears better than loving care?); once she does, she becomes a formidable human Being keyed to thoughtful, lasting accomplishment.

Read my work here, and enjoy the rest of your week, which you can read about here!

Your Week Ahead 30 April-6 May 2018 It’s In The Wind

29 Sunday Apr 2018

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Winslow Homer – ‘West Wind’ 1890 {{PD}}

When I look at the factors active this coming week, I get the sense of being just a little bit clobbered! Maybe that’s too extreme; maybe it’s more like being bandied about, buffeted by winds, but the feeling is one of being pummeled. It’s as if no matter what form those energies take, even when they are positive ones, it seems they may exact a physical toll, on our bodies, our resources, our emotions, our health, our environment.

I don’t mean to overstate this. Things start out rough, then we’re shown the positives (while still being aware of a threatening undertone), and then, with adjustment, things are good–and then without warning we’re adrift (probably wondering what happened), then we’re hit with the hammer, and must limp off to recover–and that all happens by end of day Sunday, the 6th.

Day-by-day is definitely the only way to take this, with a fresh ‘gird your loins!’ sort of attitude each day. That means that positive events and experiences will offer relief, a respite from tension–but they won’t do away with challenges, or the onslaught of what may, from time to time, seem almost overwhelming.

Monday the 30th starts with us thinking we can iron-man our way through anything; soon enough we learn that strong-arming things, or even insisting on our own way, isn’t necessarily the healthiest course. Then our attention will be drawn, repeatedly, to the ways in which we don’t own our power, and to the ways in which we are at the mercy of the current life direction (the cumulative total of all our previous choices)–but, though it may not appear to, this offers a chance to heal some persistent, power-related wound we currently carry, if we’ll only let down our barriers and admit the possibility (Sun sq Nodal axis and Ceres, and nov Chiron, Juno contra-parallel Hygeia)

Today’s word image is a lawn mower that won’t start, and can’t seem to be repaired. What are you holding back on, refusing to ‘start up’, or refusing to put your energy into–and it’s something that needs doing, and which you theoretically want to move forward with. It may seem ultra-mundane, this thing you’re withholding yourself from, it may even seem inconsequential–but it’s not. You can’t see the implications yet, can’t view what will be affected by it. Ask yourself what you’re getting out of not going forward, and what you might miss if this continues–because your conscious mind needs to get real clear on what you’re up to.

I am such an antique that they were still having May Poles on the 1st when I was small (Please note: Not an actual picture of me dancing round the May Pole). Playgrounds, May Day. ‘May pole dance’ 1923 Harris & Ewing, photographers {{PD}}

Tuesday the 1st of May (May Day!) dawns, and it feels like we’ve learned something from yesterday’s power issues–the problem, though, is that we don’t know how to think of things, or what to do to make those revelations reality! This may require a little trial and error, and perhaps a dose of faith, the kind that trusts the Soul to guide us, bypassing the objections and rationalizations our minds might put forth in an attempt to keep the status quo firmly in place. So, a day when our Higher Self knows, and we’d be smart to accept this. Also note that negativity or active power struggles can damage all levels of our well-being (Pluto sxt Hygeia, Jupiter sxt Black Moon Lilith, Venus qnx Saturn, and contra-parallel and sesq Mars, Mercury contra-parallel Pallas)

Today’s word image is a red balloon among a bunch of orange ones. It’s a sign, a signal, a prompt to notice the one that doesn’t match/ fit.

Wednesday the 2nd brings a sea-change; suddenly where we met resistance before, we find the way smooth, and we gain or benefit, even as what aids us may be unfamiliar, from a quarter we never anticipated, and may make us somehow uncomfortable. The very ease with which things roll out could shake us up. Accept all the positives for what they are (don’t extrapolate that anything more will follow, or that this has changed circumstances or relationships in any way), roll with them, and accept that they are valid in the moment–and that moment may not last very long. Can be a weird, disorienting, one off of a day–best to treat it that way (Pallas trine Zeus, Jupiter qnx Pallas, Venus trine SN and nov Uranus, Merc parallel Chiron, Sun nov Juno)

Today’s word image is: someone keeps trying to cut you in on their manufactured drama. You have permission from the wider Universe to say ‘no’ to that, but if you don’t, you’ll have to admit you’re at least supporting it, if not an actual part of it.

‘A Path in the Woods’ By Camille Pissarro 1903 {{PD}}

Thursday the 3rd the good vibes continue–but in completely different ways than yesterday! ‘Lucky’ areas that were not on the menu on the 2nd come forward today, and once again, it’s the briefest of positive runs from which we should draw no lasting conclusions. Trust the unconscious–it knows the way (Pallas qnx Black Moon Lilith, Venus sxt Ceres, Merc nov Sedna)

The 4th we are unmoored–from the familiar, from beliefs, from the facts, and somehow alienated from our own conscious Beingness. Our attention may go too much toward what’s not working, or what we’re being denied–our real focus should be the way we feel–it’s our anchor, right now (Sun contra-parallel Jupiter)

Today’s word image isn’t exactly an image, it’s this: are you the kind of person who searches out answers, looks for what they need, gives things a try, before you ask someone else, or are you that person who asks others to look or try it or do it for you, without making any effort? One has the attitude that those who surround her exist only to serve her, while the other is resourceful and pitches in to be a positive (and often Self-actualizing) force–so, which are you?

Saturday the 5th we wake up to a heated energy cat-fight, the tumult filling the air with the most disturbing electricity. What can we do? Don’t trust our own minds–reasoning is off as we’re too prone to fudge the facts, ignore our own part in things, and/ or see our ambitions as impossible–and don’t trust the messages we get from others, who are suffering their own short-circuit. A big part of choosing and acting effectively today rests on trust in our own beliefs; a calm and sure-footed faith in ourselves will be behind every productive assertion and effort we make. Expect partners to give you a hard time, and teachers to be less than supportive–these people will especially suffer from an inward-turning gaze (Jupiter sesq Juno, Merc sq BML, opp Zeus, and qnx Jupiter)

A mint julep, served in the traditional silver cup, at Revel in New Orleans. Photo By Jami430 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59224029

Today’s word image is a mint julep in honor of the Kentucky Derby.We’re talking frivolous but enjoyable tradition, here–what’s your long time celebration, meant to ease the pains of the day, or to mark a particular season or event?

By Sunday the 6th of May we are wondering if anyone got the number of the truck that hit us this week. The results of our experience will be something like this: our ability to weigh what’s smart and what will empower us is radically out of whack; what we’ve seen this week has removed or proved how untenable our previous notions of what’s effective, what’s wise, what’s worth doing–and that leaves us not really knowing what we care about, or what rewards or relationships to pursue. The answer is twofold: Love yourself, just as you are, and do it fiercely–don’t let any doubt or nagging negativity in, and use your imagination, and your ideals, to set (or re-set) paths, goals, and what’s possible. We’re living on a new wavelength–time to get with the program, and make it work for you (Pallas contra-parallel Juno, Pluto qnx Pallas, Venus semi-sq Uranus, Sun semi-sq Chiron and sxt Neptune)

Follow me on Facebook, read more here, donate to your favorite blogs and bloggers, and have a wonderful week! Pop back in over the next few days as I supply Word Images for each day–thanks!

 

 

Julie Demboski's ASTROLOGY

Addressing the Individual Experience Within the Universal Truth

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