Georges-Pierre Seurat – ‘The Channel at Gravelines, Evening’ 1889 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: The group may thwart exercise of our options in an area within which we are clearly empowered–or is it our own erraticness, unreliability, or rebelliousness that is blowing our chance to make a difference or to see our wishes carried out? Some things to keep in mind: we don’t prove our uniqueness or power by wounding others or by behaving as if there are no rules or standards; we do best to keep our opinions to ourselves (though beware those who try to suppress our thoughts or communications); and, in what may be obvious (but I wouldn’t bet on it), we accomplish nothing when we ignore our own priorities. It’s a day for laying out concrete plans, and for taking steps to heal; these activities can anchor us and offer a sense of peace (Uranus sesq Juno, Mars contra-parallel Vesta and nov Chiron, Mercury conj Saturn)

Today’s word image is a record, a vinyl pressing, an everything-old-is-new-again long-playing phonograph disc. Is this item fashionably retro to you, or actually nostalgic, bringing back memories? Or does it make you wonder why people want to deal with them, when they could get their music in more modern ways? One of the biggest arguments against vinyl is its vulnerability–to scratches, breaks, chips, and warping, all of which ruin the sound–and yet an audiophile may prefer this mode of music storage above any other. If you were a record, what shape would you be in? And are you still ‘playable’–that is, are others still able to hear your song?

For those born with the Sun at 2 Sagittarius: The emotional journey you take this year may be raw in relationships, with feelings being ‘fresh’, just realized, or just revealed, but don’t worry–these end up finding a harmonious way to express, and as a consequence, you gain a whole new slate of allies and friends. You may find, too, that you’re done sorting out the power picture, and finished with change and reform, and now set your sites on being as personally effective in your duties, actions, and expressions as possible–and concentrating your efforts in these areas means you are likely to gain in status, and/ or to find your best possible partners for business or life. Good luck, Sagittarius, and Happy Birthday!

Libra takes a break, now that the Sun is in Sagittarius. Antonio Canova (1st Nov. 1757 – 13th Oct. 1822), Justice, 1792 (Gallerie di Piazza Scala, Milan) Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

The AstroEssence: Power, in whatever form, may sense that its a smart time to express, bringing those who hold it an exaggerated sense of confidence, which may bring healing and renovation, or a destructive hubris that disregards the rights of others. This works at an individual, personal level as well, as our own quite natural power urges look for ways to make an impact on our world. Luckily, we are thinking in expansive, optimistic terms that look for untapped opportunity, rather than merely looking to imprint the environment with our Will. Just be aware that no matter what we’re doing today, each of us is pursuing some form of power, some form of energy expression that allows us to be ‘heard’, whether literally or by making change around us (Pallas sxt Ceres, Chiron trine Black Moon Lilith, Pluto nov Juno, Merc sxt Jupiter, Sun semi-sq Pluto)

Today’s word image is a video: 

For those born with the Sun at 1 Sagittarius: You’re becoming more and more effective at exercising your power and changing things–you are probably already aware of that–but right now you’re entering a period of critical assessments and discerning observations that will shape your future, and you may be tempted to write these perceptions off as simply emotional, with no validity–but you would be incorrect. What will become apparent over this coming Solar year, through to your next birthday, is the way in which past choices and current commitments are leading you in a very particular direction–and this awareness offers you the chance to move things in the direction you really want to go, and toward the results you actually long to see. Good luck, Sag (pronounced ‘Sadge’) and Happy Birthday!

Enjoy your Tuesday!

Daniel Ridgway Knight – ‘The Shepherdess of Rolleboise’ 1895 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: The equation for today is pretty simple, if you can ever call the flow and convergence of Universal energies simple: sticking to our priorities and principles brings empowerment; actions must adjust to accommodate the direction we want to go; relationships and financial matters offer wisdom, and vice versa, our own wisdom and practicality is applied to interactions and money flow, with receptivity to what these matters are telling us resulting in some brilliant and advantageous choices; our attention shifts markedly toward gathering and disseminating information, toward reaching out, toward educating/ learning, toward gaining and expanding. We can make a great deal out of this day, if we will be at least as receptive to the messages telegraphed as we are to enacting our own Will (Vesta trine Juno, Mars qnx NN, Venus nov Pallas, the Sun enters Sagittarius and semi-sqs Jupiter)

Today’s word image is weighing yourself on the scales. Everyone has a reaction to this, but we have to remember, it’s only a number–we supply the pride, judgement, and/ or condemnation ourselves.

For those born with the Sun at 00 Sagittarius: Luck is with you this coming year, through to your next birthday, if by luck we mean opportunities, unexpected fortuitous events, and meetings that occur at just the right time–but it all depends on your willingness to be open to change, endings, and sometimes drastic revisions to what currently makes up your world. That means the trick may be to be willing to let go of both what you want to discard or change, and what you may want to hold on to. Will everything you want to retain be taken from you? No, not at all; but what has appropriately reached its end will–and new experiences and opportunities will arrive. Good luck, Sagittarius, and Happy Birthday!

‘Clouds over the sea’ 1889 Ivan Aivazovsky {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: What is it about the past that we just don’t see clearly? Or is it that we’re prone to idealize memories, applying a current wishful thinking to what was, in a form of nostalgia that wants to turn ‘now’ into ‘then’–but an inaccurate ‘then’, at that! Dreams formed long ago can come to fruition right now–the question is, do we want them to? We act and are inspired along lines that are in our own best interests, and yet, if we harbor any resentments or distorted ideas of power or authorities, we are likely to perceive even what’s good for us as tainted. In order to make the most of this, we’ll need to distrust our judgments of those we see as having power over us, and trust our instincts, rather than our thoughts (Neptune conj SN, Uranus sxt and Venus semi-sq Pallas, Mars parallel Hygeia, Merc sesq Ceres, Sun opp Sedna)

‘Young Peasant (Melon-eater)’ Sándor Bihari {{PD}}

Today’s word image is hunger. We all have it, and as humans we tend to supplant our genuine hunger with lots of other, more easily accessible small ones, in an attempt to satiate the gnawing urge–but only addressing the true want ever helps. Our hunger is part of our purpose, in fact it’s meant to drive us toward fulfilling the Soul’s intent; in that way, we are given an unerring guide to our life’s direction–it’s in the translation that we so often fall down. As today’s symbol, hunger suggests we practice being mindful of our motivations, of what we feel compelled toward, and of what we take in. The more clarity we have on our hunger, the more effective and satisfying our actions and choices.

For those born with the Sun at 25 Scorpio: You may find this year, through to your next birthday, you are repeatedly confronted with the task of discerning your instincts from those things that cloud the perceptual abilities: feelings, thoughts, knowledge. This testing and refining is in service to changes you will be making to the personality and the way you meet the world; by this Solar year’s end, you’ll be wanting to present yourself as a whole new person, and careful application of your attention to recognizing and honing the instincts will give the ‘New You’ a very successful launch. Good luck, Scorpio, and Happy Birthday!