‘Pallas Athena’ Franz von Stuck, 1898 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: Pallas enters Pisces, and we can pull wisdom from the very air,  from a whiff of the spiritual or the creative, and from an inner state of drift, daydreaming, or escape. It’s as if sleep, play, dreams, a warm bath, even the humidity levels carry the key to what’s smart, what’s practical, and it’s ours for the taking, right there in what we breathe and of what our bodies largely consist. To access it, though, we have to know how to let go of the ego, how to untether from the here and now, and how to hold on to nothing–the very opposite of our usual (and quite natural) grasp response. The usual Piscean routes are all very welcoming right now, but the Warrior Woman in this venue demands that a practical translation occur: employing our skills, we take our inspirations, our imaginings, and we create something of use from them. It may sound like an assignment, but it’s really the essence of the creative process–for why else do we have those urges, but to turn them into something that touches the world? (Mercury semi-sq Venus)

Also, taking action is easy–just make sure you look at where you’re going, literally and figuratively (Sun sxt Mars)

Here’s something useful from the excellent Astrologer Kelly Surtees

For those born with the Sun at 6 Capricorn: You’re going to be moving forward aggressively (or assertively, if you prefer) this year, but you’re going to have to do some hard re-thinking in the process. It’s not your reasoning that’s unsound–that’s actually been exceptional– but your hindsight and your Self-perceptions that are suffering. Re-examine the past for what it really tells you (as opposed to what you’ve been telling yourself about it, all this time), and look at choices with an eye to your own health, which includes the actual benefits that may be conveyed to you. Both these measures will make your Solar year, through to your next birthday much more successful than they might be sans review and examination. Good luck, Cappy, and Happy Birthday!

Pink and Poppy Wallpaper by William Morris 1881 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: Are we acting based on what we still carry from the past, from accumulated knowledge, or are we acting reactive to the past, in which case we’re unthinkingly playing out an old response or pattern? In either case, our reasoning lacks clarity, whether from a too-imaginative approach (which can lead to unreal expectations) or from a deluded one that fights not only the social norms but our own instincts, too, in the hope of proving an illusion is actually real. Power (which is not a dirty word–it’s just the ability to affect the environment, and to exercise dominion over yourself) is found within the values–and that means we must stop ignoring instinctive responses (normalizing the abnormal) and we must work hard to separate inspired thinking from wishful–and we do this best in two ways: acknowledging the legitimacy of everything in our world (not just the parts we like) and by keeping our eye on the consequences of our choices. If we do, we’ll deal with disparities before they become issues, and we’ll make choices that take us in the direction we want to go (provided we actually understand what our aim will bring us!) (Mars conjoins the SN, semi-sq Uranus, and sesq Jupiter, Venus sxt Ceres, Mercury sxt Neptune, sesq Sedna, contra-parallel Vesta, and semi-sq Black Moon Lilith, Sun trine NN)

Aberdaron Fisherman Evan Williams, who predicted a fine summer, and was proved right. Photo by Geoff Charles – CC0

Today’s word image is a man, standing on the corner, shouting, “The world will never end”. Isn’t that the opposite of the old stereotype of the ragged prophet proclaiming the end of the world to all passersby? Things are upside down, right now–it’s a chance to let go not just of stereotypes, but of old patterns of thinking, assuming, and being. It’s humbling to know things are not as you thought they were–and that realization is an invitation to join the world as it is, and in doing so, make yourself relevant to it.

For those born with the Sun at 5 Capricorn: You are very much in danger of falling into old patterns, of re-enacting the past, or of assuming that having done things a certain way before means those methods will still hold today–not so. Your task this Solar year, through to your next birthday, is to tune in to the direction you want your life to take–you think you already know, but you need to examine the correlation between your actual actions and your goals–and then take full responsibility for getting yourself there. Don’t wait for others to supply the missing pieces–you may have to go out and round them up yourself. The good news is that you are more than equal to the task, with energy and a keen Self-focus that will serve you well (though it might anger those used to having you at their disposal–if it does, reconsider their place in your life, and their command of your energy). Good luck, Cappy, and Happy Birthday!

By Aernoudts jean, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1165380

The AstroEssence for the 24th: Anybody for a revolution? Probably not, though freedom is certainly on our minds. That urge to upheaval works itself out, though, and what is and what could be find a perfect balance today, allowing us to make effective, proportional progress as we are able to keep current conditions, the unexpected, and what’s coming all in mind. Surprises are offset by the capacity for original response and chaos is easily contained. Actions somehow all end up conforming to what we cherish most, to the needs of mate or home, and to our own need to honor what we care about. We reach the end of the day feeling we’ve expressed something true to our essence, and to our Soul’s mission–on a day like today, we’d have to work very hard to avoid it (Saturn trine Uranus, Finger of God with base of Sun-Mars, apex Vesta)

By Qurren – Qurren’s file, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1221749

Today’s word image is a garden trowel. You know, that little shovel for digging. It’s important to pick the right tool for the job; with a trowel, you have something ideal for lifting plants from pots, for harvesting root vegetables, and for transplanting small plants–but if you have a big job, planting a tree or digging a foundation, for instance, a trowel will never do. If you’ve been working away at something, now you may need to consider that a larger implement (that is, a more sweeping or more suitable one) may be needed–it’s about recognizing you can’t move things any further without the aid of something bigger.

For those born with the Sun at 3 Capricorn: Your Solar year, through to your next birthday, is all about mobilizing yourself and your talents to serve those things to which you’re committed–that’s any combination of home, mate, family, or larger causes. Hints to maximize your progress: allow the past to inform the present; it can offer you priceless information that will make your path that much easier, and don’t allow emotional drama to run the show–also avoid anyone who tries to tell you to take a more modest path, or who suggests you should settle for less than you aim for. You have the support of some fabulous energies this year–make the most of them. Good luck, Cappy, and Happy Birthday!

‘Althea’ JW Alexander 1894 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: Now in retro, Merc makes the same minor aspect to Pallas he did on the 11th of December; this suggests a re-visiting of something we judged to be either practical or wise, with the turnaround freeing us from our usual way of thinking. New perspectives are the result. On other fronts, rebellious urges fight what we know to be good for us. If you feel like being wild, consider that the urge is really about something else, something you may be afraid to reject directly. Self-sabotage is never a good substitute for dealing with issues–and consider too that if your fear of addressing this springs from anticipation of how someone else will react, they may be controlling you, if you’re responding to a previous, unspoken threat  (Uranus sesq Hygeia, Mercury semi-sq Pallas)

By © Benoît Prieur / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19376011

Today’s word image is a minor traffic accident, where those involved thoughtlessly block the road, then drive away leaving parts of their cars in the middle of the street! This may be a reminder for Self-awareness and the impact we can have, literal or otherwise, on others.

For those born with the Sun at 1 Capricorn: Change, reformation, transformation are in your blood this Solar year, through to your next birthday, but you’ll have to proceed with care–it’s possible others may use emotional pressure that pushes you in a destructive direction. They may not mean for that to be the result, but it’s your most likely response to any sort of manipulation, even when it has a harmless or positive intent behind it. Try to draw distinctions between your emotional perceptions and those of others, and proceed with care–you ‘own’ an intense amount of energy and power this year, and you may not realize it at the start–make it your mission to become completely aware of your true strength. Good luck, Cappy, and Happy Birthday!

Winslow Homer ‘The Bridle Path, White Mountains’ 1868 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: Our attention goes to the practical–always a bit of a downer before these holidays, as it happens every year when the Sun enters Capricorn–but it also starts to prep us for the New Year, giving us a sense of optimism about what we can accomplish–optimism, that is, if we don’t get distracted or discouraged by the hard work that we know will be involved. Don’t wait until the New Year for any needed reformation or closet-cleaning–you’ll feel much better if you do it now.

And as to questions concerning why I’m not talking about Mercury-Pluto, it’s because the aspect didn’t perfect–Merc turned around before they conjoined–and in my experience that usually results in just a taste of the aspect, if anything at all. An uncompleted conjunction in which one of the bodies begins retrograde movement before perfection of the aspect typically brings a brief and confusing, out-of-left-field experience of the combination that quickly dissipates–and so signifies nothing so much as how this combination might come forward later for the individual, when the aspect actually occurs. So, odd or disturbing or devastating thoughts or communications, the fleeting consideration of a different way of thinking, or the brief idea that something’s got to go, may be the only manifestation of the future meeting of Mercury and Pluto we get for now. If you can grasp it, it’s a little peek into the future, one that holds hints about what or how things may change, rather than offering a literal picture of what the conjunction, when it perfects, will actually bring (Sun enters Capricorn, Mars semi-sq Pluto)

Bronze bit and bridle in the British Museum. Etruscan, 700-650 BC. Perhaps made at Betulonia. The cheek pieces are cast in the form of horses. Castellani Collection GR 1873.9-20.246 (Bronze 357)” Photo by Ealdgyth CC BY-SA 3.0

Today’s word image is a bridle. We can think of this as an instrument for guiding, restraining, and controlling something much larger and more wild than we are–our animal nature. The image may suggest we look closely at just what we’re using (methods, thinking, practices) to keep those instinctive and impulsive inclinations in check. It’s a good exercise for the retrograde period, because Mercury’s status will allow us to see things in a different way–and that may allow us to realize where we’re holding back too much, where we need a tad more restraint, and where we need to loosen our grip.

For those born with the Sun at 0 Capricorn: You’ve got a busy year ahead, one where you’ll work to make your dreams a reality–but will you achieve your goals? Yes, if you follow a few simple rules: expect cooperation, but don’t expect others to give you the whole story, or take you into their confidence–you’ll need to respect that they want to hold something back at this point; keep the past in the rear view mirror, operationally speaking–there’ll come a point late in the Solar year when you may be tempted to reenact or model current efforts on the past–don’t; and, whatever you do, ‘do it like a boss’–that demeanor works for you better than any other, this year. Good luck, Cappy, and Happy Birthday!

‘Conductrices de chariots a l’Hypodrome’ James Tissot c1884 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: On our minds: a healthy balanced mentality, as we try to get ‘more’–is it even possible to enjoy mental equilibrium when we are striving to ‘get’? Today it is, if we take the reins and do it like a goddess: confidently, with the aim of making the absolute best we can of things, of driving in the direction we want to go. And when presented with a choice, do what’s smart and/ or positive, because in the end, it all will become known by others (Jupiter semi-sq and Mercury nov Hygeia, Venus sxt Juno)

Today’s word image is the side by side placement of colors black and white. We think of them as opposites and in a sense they are, if we’re seeing one as all colors, and one as the absence of color–but we also use this combination to indicate not just stark contrasts, but inescapable conditions, facts or agreements or limitations set out in direct terms. Is there something you’re seeing in black and white terms that may be more subtle, that you may be misjudging as an ‘either/ or’ choice or condition, when it’s really several shades of gray (but not 50!)? Or is it a need to get down to basics, to ‘the contract’ and its stipulations, and go forward either accepting or implementing what it spells out? This may be a minor reality check for perceptual (especially mental) acuity to complement freshly-retro Mercury, especially as our awareness applies to our (usually unwritten) agreements..

For those born with the Sun at 29 Sagittarius: Action is ‘where it’s at’ for you this Solar year, through to your next birthday, but choices may be made on the fly, under circumstances that feel as if you’re required to hop from a moving car and hit the pavement running. A couple of things you may need to consider as your year unfolds: do you need to exit the speeding conveyance (read, whatever’s currently moving you forward) at all? If you jump out and start running, will you fall behind on your true goals? Could you possibly roll out (make the impact of change less dramatic)? And if you choose to leap from the car and immediately begin running, you’d better be brave enough to look around and make sure you’re running in the right direction. Good luck, Sagittarius, and Happy Birthday!

Enjoy your Tuesday!