By Francesco del Cossa {{PD}}

That may be the choice for us: create something of our own, or burn what already exists to the ground; give the impulse boundaries and shape, or restrain nothing, contain nothing. It can be argued that in order to create one must remove something to make room, whether that’s in a physical or a psychic sense, but the reality is that there is always a place for something created, just as we can make a void without automatically filling it. This may also play out as the modern and new v. the ideal and imagined, or as the individual v. the Collective–but in any form, we will be required to choose a side–there’s no integrating the two forces at work here (Uranus contra-parallel Neptune)

Or is it a showdown between goddesses? We may merely witness this, or be right in the thick of things, a participant wielding all the power of Love or Money (Venus) or one who feels status and position are what count, a ‘who you know’ stance (Juno). It’s a stand-off over some very important factors, so don’t be tempted to put this disagreement down to temper or irrationality–these two ladies know something that seriously affects the future is being decided here. No matter what this argument dresses up as (and no matter what the tension seems to be about on the surface) this decides something about valuables and power–it may even establish authority over a domain or subject–so give it your sensitized and oh-so-gentle attention. Hint on how to handle it: the party fixed on status and position may become ruthless or vindictive if thwarted (and may wield the ‘Truth’ as a weapon), while the party wielding Love or Money may think a ‘consolation prize’ will do the trick–it will not (Venus opp Juno, Venus sesq NN)

Will this be easy? Probably not, though it may take nothing more than a willingness to adjust where we put our attention in order to see the situation clearly. What happens today will affect the reality picture, and could cause modification to familiar and already-in-place structures, rules, boundaries, or to whom we consider an authority (Sun qnx Saturn)

Yesterday’s Mystic Rectangle is still in effect; see that description here–and have a great Wednesday!

By Tomwsulcer Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

Today’s word image: you’re sitting in a car, in the driver’s seat; you look in the rear view mirror. What do you see? This is something you need to give your attention to, before you put it behind you.

Updated Terms of Use–if you ‘borrow’ my posts, please go here to see how I feel about it.

Edouard Manet – ‘Le Chemin de fer’ 1873 {{PD}}

Oh that’s dramatic, isn’t it? But the aspects perfecting today all have the ring of pain for, if not pleasure, then advancement of the Will, change, or healing that reveals our true values and what’s actually sacred to us. Or maybe it’s not quite accurate to call it pain; maybe we should call it ‘experience’.

Our own choices and actions will, with surprising ease, create change; be aware that an idle wish or off-hand effort may bring immediate and truly unintended results. Part of the problem will be that we are inclined to connect our healed bits with those things to which we’re dedicated, almost showing off, but we’ll also allow unhealed wounds to drive some efforts, especially on the home front or with the mate, creating a dissonance that might be hard to sort out.

The good thing is that if our intentions are kind ones toward both ourselves and others, we’ll gain in every way, and possibly do some spontaneously inspired or surprising things in relationships or finances that will allow us to use some of our most unique talents and gifts. Aim for a combination of Self-awareness and good intention–and then have a great day! (Chiron sxt Vesta and nov Venus, Mars nov Pluto)

Coryphospingus cucullatus/ Red-crested Finch By Rcidte {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a small, bright red bird putting the finishing touches on the spring nest. What have you been working at, or preparing, that’s just about ready to debut? This tells us to be confident, and at the same time, to take our time; make sure it’s precisely as you want it to be, before you wheel it out to show others. This could be part of the Mars retro picture: a lessening of the attention of others to what you are doing, which provides the ‘breathing room’ in which to make something ‘just right’.

Start your week off right! Read about the current Mercury retrograde here, the Mars and Pluto retrogrades here, services here, and my books are available here, and purchase includes a free jpg of your natal chart–just add your complete data, using a word not numbers for the calendar month, in the order instructions to merchant at PayPal or using the form on the Services page, and your chart will arrive with your book(s). Thank you!

William Merritt Chase ‘Hall At Shinnecock’ 1893 {{PD}}

What we’ve got going for us today are an enormous appreciation of the material world, of the senses and those things that comfort, gratify, and reassure (Venus enters Taurus), and we find both wisdom and practicality in seeing to our own and others’ ‘animal’ needs, and satisfaction in artisanal pursuits and products (Venus parallel Pallas). There is a kind of admiration for the physical world and the beauty of it that makes all of us connoisseurs–and that may have the effect of loosening the purse strings. ‘Smart’ and ‘beautiful’ seem to go together–and that can be an alluring, even irresistible, combination, so proceed with some awareness of your susceptibility, as the tendency may be to see one and assume the other. That may be minimized, though, by the focus on what we honor, what we dedicate ourselves to, on the home and the mate (Sun parallel Vesta).

Difficulties are all (thanks for your assistance, Merc retro!) due to our own misunderstanding of either the reality picture, or what actually needs to change (Mercury contra-parallel both Saturn and Pluto). What we think may be darker or more stringent than necessary, we may believe only permanent, extreme change will do, and we could temporarily stray entirely from our usual thinking and modes of communication. It’s not the time to let others know what we think, nor to address important issues, but it’s a great time to reform bad tendencies in thought processing and in getting our message across–we may find that a greater awareness of the wide world is needed, and that what we saw as powerful, effective, or efficient communication and thinking was something much less (Merc contra-parallel Saturn and Pluto)

Paul Mercuri from “Costumes Historiques” (Paris, ca.1850′s or 60’s) {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a bow and arrow. What are we to make of the Archer’s equipment? Saturn and Mars are both currently in Sagittarius, and both retrograde, suggesting frustration in efforts and accomplishments–and certainly, if we have natal placements in Sag, we are likely to feel a deficit that needs healing (through action, of course!) related to the nature of the body found there. For everyone, it may be a reality check in the sense of both what truly is, and the ways at least at present we are prevented from, or slowed at, doing anything about it.

Read about the current Mercury retrograde here, the Mars and Pluto retrogrades here, and enjoy your Friday! My books are available here, and include a free jpg of your natal chart–just include your complete data, using a word not numbers for the calendar month, in the order instructions to merchant or using the form on the Services page, and your chart will arrive with your book(s). Thank you!

Photographed by Doug Dolde at the John Day Fossil Beds in Oregon. More images from this location at http://www.painted-with-light.com {{PD}}

At this time idealism seems practical, implementing the dream wise, and not so difficult, as we perceive the Collective, even the Universe, will offer support. What we need to understand, though, is that bringing the dream to reality will cost, though we can’t know ahead of time whether that will be actual money, assets, or love and relationships that will pay the toll. Somehow being so acutely aware of what we honor as the ultimate in life ends up disempowering us, likely through those costs we are unable to anticipate–or even just through the wear on our minds and hearts that comes from knowing we will pay (and have no choice in the matter) if we dare to reach for the Moon (Pallas enters Pisces, Venus semi-sq Neptune, Sun opp Juno)

Reptonix free Creative Commons licensed photos http://reptonix.awardspace.co.uk/photos/2012-03-18.htm Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported

Today’s image is a small pitcher, shaped like a cow, that holds cream. Watch for bovine imagery today, or for the quaint niceties (like a cream pitcher) from the past; either will hint at interesting moments, even turning points, when past and present show extraordinary connection, and may point to where we’re headed, without realizing it, in the now.

Lately I’ve seen and heard from a number of individuals who feel they, more than others, are under fantastic pressures far beyond what the rest of us currently feel; I would have to say, if you feel this way, please know that everyone else does, too. Some of us may be facing things in more dramatic (and so mostly external) forms, but we are all undergoing a kind of slow squeeze by the Universe. I am loathe to blame it on any particular aspect, but what pops out at me is the inexorable vise of Pluto and Saturn in relation to the South Node. Over the coming months they move toward perfecting a sextile and square, respectively, that give the feeling of an ever-tightening noose. Pluto’s is inviting, a ‘wouldn’t everything be better if we just eliminated/ walked away from/ discarded that?’ impulse, with a focus that continues to get smaller even as we find ourselves tossing what’s useless or outmoded overboard. Somehow, doing Pluto’s bidding doesn’t relieve the pressure–and it doesn’t help that, since the South Node is an extreme point, rather than a body, we may feel we can only grasp part of the equation, that we can only get a handle on some of what’s bothering us.

With Saturn, the matter is harsh and likely externally-located, taking the form of circumstances, rules, obligations, or even time itself, presenting an unavoidable restriction/ constriction/ conflict–and with both Pluto and Saturn, we are aware the whole time of now meeting the consequences of the past (South Node). Neither influence is escapable, but as I’m sure you’ve heard, none of us is getting out of here alive, so to realize that pressure, though it seems to come from demands and externals, is really an internally generated thing, a response that arises from a sense of helplessness in terms of the situation faced, is important: it helps us know that how we read those Plutonian and Saturnian circumstances rooted in the past will determine whether we process them as bumps in the road, easily managed or even laughed about, or as crushing obstacles and requirements that pinch the joy out of life.

By Gerard Prins – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4900415

We have the ‘juice’, the insight, and the foresight to make permanent and significant changes in life direction–the only questions are: will what we see so clearly ahead motivate us enough to act? and will we believe in ourselves and our need to change enough to take the necessary action? Though each individual will face something different, I hope the answers for all of us are, Yes (Perfecting today: Vesta trine NN, which is part of a loose Earth Grand Trine when Pluto is included, and the Sun sesq NN)

‘The Wave’ 1880 Albert Bierstadt {{PD}}

Today’s word image is an empty and neglected swimming pool just steps from the crashing ocean waves. Some people never consider wading into the tumultuous ocean unless the more tame alternative in which to swim is unavailable. What small ‘safe haven’ in your life has recently been removed, and what ocean does the loss prompt you to want to enter?