“Actors fighting under a red maple tree” Color woodcut licensed under CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons –

No, it’s not that we actually want to fight, it’s that Martian verve in the sign of relationships naturally looks outward, toward the Other, and in simply attempting to state ‘I Am’ acts assertively enough that he can’t help but encroach on others’ territory (or Will). This should clue us in to the danger: in just making ourselves and our choices known, we may be much more aggressive than is necessary. Mars can’t help but push outward–and the Martian urge may be twice as strong after Mars conjoins the North Node just before entering Libra. With the point and the planet meeting at 29 degrees of Virgo, the potential for active review of life direction, and our own much too critical response, can set off all kinds of intentions to make up for lost time, to straighten things out, to correct what needs correcting, to take circumstances in hand, to be really, truly responsible–and that much unfettered energy aimed at exerting control isn’t called for–we may overreact out of zeal, or the urge to catch up with partners, or the urge to please others, or simply out of fear that we’ve disappointed–and so overstep.

There is also the matter of Merc trining Chiron and quincunxing Uranus, suggesting words and messages will be utra-powerful, able to hurt or heal, and the deciding factor might be just how comfortable we are with our own uniqueness. We can see that positively reflected back to us in the communications, agreements, and remarks that come our way if we value our most unusual features, if we treasure the things that are most special about us, the things that in less healed times may make us feel like freaks. That’s the key–and if we reject what makes us different, every word coming our way may feel like it alienates us not just from others but from ourselves as well. So I guess the best course today is 1) take it easy, and 2) love yourself.

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Others may seem to behave like rampaging Vikings, running roughshod over everything you find sacred. Nicholas Roerich {{PD}}

Adding to the Uranian erraticism and hair-trigger spontaneity of yesterday that bleeds into today, we also see that temper becomes the main issue for the 10th, specifically upsets related to the way we believe others are not respecting what is important to us. We will probably couch it mentally to ourselves in terms that see our priorities and sensitive subjects as sacred–and we see the crowd stomping in with muddy footwear, ruining the carpet, and trash talking our sacred cows–with our response at first likely an unthinking, ‘Who do they think they are?!’

Getting a handle on temper is vital; so is realizing that change is gonna happen, and that we’ll be much better off participating in it than we will be standing on the sidelines, trying to shout over the bulldozers. Being part of change gives us the chance to shape, re-make, resurrect, rebuild, or transform the involved materials, issues, or situations to our liking–in fact, it allows us to create opportunities. We’ll need to see this as a chance to improve our world, rather than seeing others’ Will and words as merely obliterating what we care about–if we can see the possibilities, we can then discern and follow a clear path to success.

(Perfecting today: Jupiter sesquiquadrate Ceres, Mars opposed Vesta, Mercury sesquiquadrate Vesta, semi-square Mars, and sextile Pluto, Sun sextile Jupiter)

Have a great day–if we can keep our fingers off the trigger, today can be full of opportunities and promise!

Tree Abstract {{PD}} Thanks to CopyrightFreePhotos.HQ101.com

If we’re feeling not quite ourselves, if we’re aware of impulsiveness in our thinking or feeling that could cause accidents, if we’re sensing a kind of unthinking rebelliousness in our approach that could make us unreliable, then we’d better plan the next day or two around it. I know! We’re not supposed to cater to our moods like that, but this streak of Uranian erraticism runs through many of us like a bolt of lightning–hot and blinding us to anything but the impulse–and we need to take it into account if we want to succeed (or even if we want to arrive safely to the end of our day!) The great thing is the need to work around this urge will focus us on some very effective means of healing; the only caution is a blanket warning that we’re not able to see the most effective way (or the smartest way, either) to gain personal empowerment, so that all moves to support ambitions should be tabled until later (Perfecting the 9th: Pallas contra-parallel Juno, Sun trine Chiron and quincunx Uranus)

And have a great start to your week!

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You might not know who you’re hearing from. Top portion of a “Letter from Heaven,” produced in England 18th century {{PD}}

Yes, the aspects discussed may be felt at any time over the coming three days, at least.

Is everything about the power balance? It may feel like it’s ‘Us vs. Them’ (or is it the social circle against lil ol’ you)? Determining where to put our attention, and who it is that really has the power to affect things, may be behind everything we do on the 5th (standout aspects: Jupiter qnx Uranus, Sun sextile Pluto).

By the 6th we may not know what to think, or know the validity of what we’re hearing. The question becomes: are we inspired, or is the imagination running away with us, or are we being deceived? Clarity of thought is unavailable, and standards and priorities seem unsatisfactory as guides for our goals. The best choice is perhaps embracing the Neptunian urge (we might say, immersing ourselves in it!) and allowing an influx of creative energy and thought to be our guiding force (Merc trine Neptune, Sun sesq Vesta)

On the 7th we may be in denial–of our own darker side, of what we’d rather ignore, of what truly matters to us–and that could put us in an emotionally unsatisfying engagement with the past, and this simultaneously significantly affects the direction we’re headed. The more accepting we can be of our own darkness (and that means, being accepting of our wholeness, of the way this is naturally a part of ourselves), the better our choices, actions, and relationships will be (Mars contra-parallel Black Moon Lilith, Venus opp Vesta, Sun semi-sq SN/ Earth sesq NN)

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Pierre Paul Puget
‘The Education of Achilles by Chiron’
c1690 {{PD}}

Perfecting today is an opposition between Jupiter in Virgo and Chiron in Pisces. We may have this nagging feeling we should be widening our horizons, reaching out, deepening our repertoire, that we really should be creating and using our imagination, and we may be criticized (or may criticize ourselves) if we don’t act in a controlled, precise, yet expansive way. Why the harsh feeling? Virgo is an accountant, one who keeps one eye on the eventual harvest at all times, one who doesn’t let the details slide–and that kind of vigilance goes into hyperdrive when confronted with the need to either ignore hurt in order to advance the Virgoan cause, or when the pressure to manifest the Chirotic skills and gifts (which are so unique it’s unlikely we have gained either total awareness of them or total mastery of them) reaches an extreme–such as can occur at opposition. Inspect the House axis of the natal chart across which this duo lies, and you’ll have some idea not just of the potentials and life areas ripe for expression, but of the pressures and expectations you may be unwittingly accepting and placing on yourself.

See my books here–thank you!

Albert-Edouard Chazalviel Early 20th century {{PD}}

What we think, and what messages come at us today are smart and practical; they vibe to our highest values and priorities, but they don’t support any kind of power gain or effective action. It’s an odd mix of being on the mental ‘right track’ but needing to be aware that today’s just not the day to take action, make choices, or be assertive, UNLESS it’s in matters of the natal Houses ruled by Venus in your chart, or in the House that holds today’s conjunction of Venus and Mars (in the last decan of Virgo)–but even then, be aware that this could bring conflict with those in charge (or those who think they should be) and negotiating may still be tough. But, with careful attention, Venus ruled areas in the personal chart are where deliberate action and choice can get us exactly what we want. (Chiron qnx Juno, Mars contra-parallel Juno, Venus conjunct Mars, Mercury sxt Pallas, sq Ceres, qnx SN, parallel Vesta)

See my books, including my latest on the asteroid Vesta, here–and have a great start to your week!