Othea’s Epistle (Queen’s Manuscript) Artist Unknown {{PD}}

Jupiter goes direct today, the 9th, just after 5 AM Pacific time, at 13 Virgo 15, with first contact (from other than the Moon) being Venus catching up to trine the behemoth before it can apply its influence by square to Saturn. So, the scenario over the next three or four days may be one of matters of the House where Jupiter transits being ‘done to’ by Venusian forces of Love or Money–that is, with ease (the trine) affecting the state of expansion and knowledge related to the natal House Jupiter is now moving through–and this creating a difficult circumstance, tension, or problem within the reality picture (Saturn). Just be ready–for successful use of these energies adopt a willingness to deal with real-world assets, circumstances, and obstacles–this will likely make the situation work out well, as the potential is there for betterment, either materially or of the current reality picture.

Venus sextiles Neptune, playing into the sudden availability of supporting belief, the urge and opportunity to expand, or the necessary knowledge (all Jupiterian) and giving us the inspiration and resources with which to make a dream pay, or align a relationship with our ideal. We can become distracted by fantasy, convincing ourselves it will profit us, or we can be creative in a way that makes Art, or fashions more loving relationships or more favorable financial circumstances.

Inferior Conjunction, with Sun and Merc parallel and both nov Ceres and trine NN, is as we all know, a seed point, with Ceres’ involvement signaling the full force of Nature is behind it–and coming so closely on the heels of the Taurus New Moon suggests that this is the ‘planting point’ for what was born there. Gestation is key now, so don’t expect the Jupiter direction or Venus-Neptune to necessarily be part of this; what starts today is likely ‘underground’, in some sense, or unseen, and so we may need to proceed with the confidence that the ‘right’ thing is already underway. This not knowing is alluded to nicely in the immortal words of the Mamas and Papas: “Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day/ Monday, Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way/ Oh Monday mornin’ you gave me no warnin’ of what was to be/ Oh Monday, Monday, how could you leave and not take me”. So expect, at least a little, to be surprised by what is presented, whether it’s revealed now or in the near future–and have a great day!

You might enjoy this just for the groovy fashions, though I am fond of the song:

Thank you for a wonderful (and nearly overwhelming!) response to the half-price offer. If you’re reading this and it’s still Sunday, the offer is on through midnight Pacific–see the previous post for details. I’ll probably run a similar offer again in the near future, in case you were interested but missed it, and am considering adding these low cost options as permanent services.

Oh, the faces in these old portraits of children. ‘A Baby, said to be Lady Waugh’ by William Larkin {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a baby. Any baby at all, including animal babies. Yes, Universe, we get that something new is starting. Consider the nature of the particular baby you encounter, envision, or see somehow, and what that might tell you about the venture so shortly to begin.

‘Still Life with Nautilus Cup’ Willem Claesz 1640 {{PD}}

It’s a fair question, though if you exclaim in protest, “I’m not angry!” I ask you to take an inventory: just because it’s called by some other name doesn’t mean it’s not there. Look beneath the crust of labels or dissembling for the meat of frustration, disappointment, denial, or wounded pride, all of which mellow (through sublimation) into anger, either at ourselves (showing as depression or Self-sabotage) or a convenient other, often something large and unaffected by our outrage, a target that can absorb all our indignation and sense of injustice, and that offers to launder our anger into righteousness, turning what we may have been taught is a verboten expression into a virtuous one (politics, corporate operations, the social order are all likely vehicles).

To process our emotions in a healthy way, one of the things we must do is discover and acknowledge the very personal origins of some of our most passionate beliefs and responses; that is, we must see that, for instance, our livid response to those who sully the environment, though genuine, carries some displaced energy from, say, our loss of a significant relationship. Our anger at or rejection of someone else may center on the fact that they observed us at a vulnerable moment–and the shame we felt has been translated. It’s not easy to do, but honesty demands we trace that feeling of anger or outrage back to its source–and we find this response is a conversion, one that had very personal origins.

Today is a perfect day for this kind of examination and sorting, especially considering we are in the Dark of the Moon, which makes it that much easier to turn within; if we don’t take the opportunity to look at some of our most genuinely vulnerable feelings and reactions, we could end up lashing out at others, making unwise choices in the area of ambitions and desires, potentially allowing our instincts to be tainted by a need to maintain what we care about (and that means accepting and not acknowledging something artificial or negative about it), and we may be prone to see the ugliness in the social order, or to demonize others, without realizing that is our judgment fueled by denying that potential within ourselves, rather than indisputable fact. Instead, be willing to look within–it’s the only place we can get any real answers, anyway (Pallas sesq Zeus, Vesta conjoined Sedna, Jupiter semi-sq Black Moon Lilith, Mars sesq Uranus, Venus qnx Mars)

From quite a few years ago, but this advice for a Mercury retrograde, and the job scene (in the comments) is still good today

Living statues at Sydney Town Hall. by Eva Rinaldi https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Creator:Eva_Rinaldi Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Today’s word image is a statue that looks uncannily real–or is that someone real who looks a bit like a statue? What thing or person in our life are we seeing as static? A fresh look is required.

Forgot to mention: Astro Savvy. It’s new; please take a look at this wonderful site.

Wait for an end-of-the-week services special, announced Friday!

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!