Focus On: Neptune, 29-30 September 2015

29 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Neptune

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Neptune can lure us through the idea of rescue--our own or that of another--if we eschew responsibility for ourselves, or if we need to see ourselves as rescuers, feeling our armor could use a little shine. Giulio Aristide Sartorio - La Sirena, 1893 {{PD}}

Neptune can lure us through the idea of rescue–our own or that of another–if we eschew responsibility for ourselves, in the first case, or if we need to see ourselves as rescuers, in the other case, when the ego feels our armor could use a little shine. Giulio Aristide Sartorio – La Sirena, 1893 {{PD}}

Neptune is currently transiting through the sign it resonates most strongly to (and along with Jupiter, rules), making it as characteristic of Neptunian energies as it can get; by this I mean there’s a purity to it to which, when we ‘tune in’, we have access to–but even inadvertently, we absorb or otherwise allow that Neptunian fog to permeate the atmosphere–and today’s contacts tell a story. Neptune receives a quincunx from retro transiting Mercury in Libra, and contraparallels Pallas. This suggests a few things: messages, communications, even our own thoughts might be difficult to fathom–or perhaps it will be the hidden messages, the ideas beneath the words and thoughts, that are tough to discern–so that we somehow miss at least some of the meaning of all that’s conveyed. Our own cogitations might not go any better, as the mind obscures what’s really motivating our conclusions and compelling our thoughts to go ‘here’ not ‘there’. We may be moved by the spiritual, the imaginative and the imaginal (in both the positive and negative senses), and Collective mind influences to think along certain lines or to believe certain things, and bouncing ideas off others (Libra) doesn’t really help–but know consciously that you have only part of the story (or that you have the story but are missing some important element), and your ability to respond and think effectively jumps markedly.

The contraparallel to Pallas just piles on the uncertainty, and brings to the party an inspiration to recklessness and impracticality. How do you behave when you know you’re teetering dangerously close to making a series of bad decisions? Do you listen to your more cautious nature, and pull back, or do you plunge in, out of an addiction to drama, an inclination to make the internal chaos visible, or an urge to fan the spark of Self-destruction? The current state of your natal Saturn and Uranus (what transits they’re receiving, where they are by Solar Arc), and secondarily what those transiting bodies may be contacting in your chart will tell the story of your current responsive nature (that, and the Moon) or susceptibility to unwise behavior based on a Neptunian fantasy, delusion, or awareness of one’s individual speck-ness within the Cosmos.

Neptune can beckon to us, inviting us toward doing something decidedly unwise, through illusion, through something that can appear perfectly reasonable–and that’s where we must remember, that between today’s contacts and the Merc retro, we are unable to perceive clearly–no matter how clear the matter seems to be.

Tomorrow, the 30th, we see the Sun-Mercury Inferior Conjunction, with the Sun quincunx Neptune. This suggests that what is seeded with the Inferior Conjunction has an element of fantasy, imagination, or the unreal that will need adjustment as the matter grows.

Just to let you know, I won’t be posting much forecast material, anymore–review of my practices during this Merc retro makes me feel that this is a maw that can never be filled–and that kind of Sisyphean effort is not for me, much as some of you may appreciate it. So, I’ll post on focused topics like this, or in a broader observational vein when I’m moved to, and you can sign up to follow the blog and be notified if and when it happens. See my books here; the ones on the asteroids Chiron, Juno, and Vesta are very much like having a class with me, if that would interest you.

And a reminder: unless you are a current client with an active order, please do not write directly to me–check the Services page, and if it says I’m booked, I’m booked!

Lunar Eclipse 27 September 2015: A New Vestal Path

25 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Lunar Aspects, Lunar Eclipse

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I've been obsessed with doves the past few days--I'm taking it as a symbol for the Lunar event. 'Le Jeune Fille Aux Colombes' 1874 Charles Joshua Chaplin {{PD}}

I’ve been obsessed with doves the past few days–I’m taking it as a symbol for the Lunar event. ‘Le Jeune Fille Aux Colombes’ 1874 Charles Joshua Chaplin {{PD}}

There’s a total Lunar eclipse on the 27th at 4 Aries 40, beginning at 5:11 PM Pacific time when the Moon is still below the horizon in that Western time zone; it reaches maximum at 7:47 PM PDT, though my software shows it completing closer to 7:50 PM, which is the chart I used. The eclipse is completely over by 10:22 PM Pacific. As you know, a Lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and Moon, with a Total eclipse caused by the perfect alignment of all three bodies along the ecliptic. The Earth blocks the light of the Sun from reflecting off the Moon; still some light from the Sun passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, which bends it toward the Moon, with most colors of the spectrum blocked or scattered (known as Rayleigh scattering) and red the only color that makes it through. This gives the Moon a reddish hue during a total eclipse, prompting the descriptor, ‘Blood Moon’.

This is also a Super Moon, which is the point on the Moon’s orbit when it’s closest to the Earth, known as perigee, making it appear larger from our vantage point, especially when it’s near the horizon. As to those end times prophecies about this combination being an unprecedented event (including the way we’ve had a series of these, not just one), check out this overview and scroll down to ‘Media Attention and Critics’ to see why it’s much ado.

This Full Moon is opposed Juno and Black Moon Lilith, is squine to Pallas (that’s an aspect halfway between a square and a trine, 105 degrees, that carries contradictory influences), sesquiquadrate to Venus, in wide square to Saturn, and in conjunction to Vesta. Full Moons are endings, culminations, conclusions–but as we know, in the endings lie the seeds of beginnings, and an eclipse goes one better, promising obliteration–in this case, obliteration of the emotions or short-circuiting the intuitive flow (Moon), specifically those things related to our highest values, or the home or mate (Vesta), by material considerations (the Earth), with the aspects describing how this will play out.

The Lunar eclipse conjunct Vesta, both in Aries, suggests that old values and priorities, especially those based on emotion or that have been passed down without examination, will be eclipsed through the mechanism of the material world; new leaders will be looked to, and independence and assertiveness may gain prominence. The individual cause may become paramount within the home, in the mate relationship, or in the causes to which we dedicate our energy; with this latter, what we get out of our commitment, and what we can do to make it happen, become the prime motivating forces (Vesta in Aries).

What causes the change is symbolized by the Sun (which casts the light that makes the eclipse phenomenon visible in the first place) and its conjunction to Juno and Black Moon Lilith. What triggers the change is a personal need for empowerment or to establish status, with this need motivated by matters hidden, ignore, denied, or that bring rage to the surface. The contact to Pallas suggests this can be wise and practical, but also impractical or unwise, all at once, perhaps in a ‘means vs. ends’ way, and the contacts to Saturn and Venus imply the reality picture may not be easily altered, while the effects of what transpires will be tough on relationships and/ or finances.

The Sabian for the eclipse is, ‘A Triangle With Wings’. This tells us that anything ‘in balance’, but most especially that which is Vestal and in balance (so related to the home, the mate, or the causes to which we’re dedicated) will be elevated, or perhaps set free, by what transpires with the eclipse. When we look at the Sun symbol, we get, ‘A Man Revealing To His Students The Foundation Of An Inner Knowledge Upon Which A “New World” Could Be Built’. This is the idea of revelation, of realization, and suggests that what we ‘see’ at the eclipse, literally or psychically, shows us the possibilities, where those wings can take us.

Generally, what we find at the eclipse is that we will be motivated to look after our own interests, to listen to the still, small voice within (as Edgar Cayce used to say), in order to blaze a new path as the potentials are revealed to us. We will see an assessment and re-establishing of our own Vestal priorities–and from this, all other changes emanate.

This is a great time to learn more about your Vesta–see my new book here–it covers all the signs and placements, offers lots of examples of Vesta active in the life, discusses possible origins of Vestal symbolism, and gives questions and exercises that will help reveal Vesta’s role in your life.

Lunar Eclipse September 2015

Your Week Ahead 22-25 September 2015: Be Prepared

21 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, forecast, The Daily Word Image

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'La Montagne Sainte-Victoire' by Pierre-Auguste Renoir c1889 {{PD}}

‘La Montagne Sainte-Victoire’ by Pierre-Auguste Renoir c1889 {{PD}}

The 22nd sees material situations (possibly literally) hurt, wound, or demand our Chirotic skills be used, brings confusing, inspiring, or out-of-touch communications, and yet we can’t avoid some spontaneous, surprising, or forward-thinking rewards, and could enjoy an abundance of Love or Money. The particular variety and tone of current aspects implies a jumble of influences and some crazy-positive results, even if they come from what initially appears to be negative, and vice versa, good things may lead to something less-than-positive. The biggest factor may be that the influences, seen or unseen, will have a Rube Goldberg-esque quality that keeps the various traps, trips, and connections from drawing a straight line between first step and last; many will remain hidden, so that luck appears to play an almost magical part in what occurs. Our motto for today should echo the Scouts: be prepared.

On the 23rd we are empowered and/ or productive in direct proportion to how willingly we deal with reality and face those issues we’d rather ignore. Consequences of not taking care of ‘What Is’ include being the target of aggression (especially if our own aggressive stance is something we’re in denial about), injury to the identity or reputation, and being presented with what seem to be insurmountable barriers in our path. Progress accrues to those who don’t look to the social sphere for answers, who don’t accept injury as ‘just part of life’, and to those who are willing to make commitments (yes, even during Merc retro!) and accept the parameters of the game–then play the hell out of it with eyes wide open.1280px-Ecclesia_romana_(particolare),_XII_sec._d.C.,_mosaico_policromo,_dalla_Basilica_di_San_Pietro

By the 24th our thoughts may not know where to go; both our own reflections or advice from others seems unnecessarily gloomy or destructive, and we may not realize that it’s in allowing the dark thoughts to play out mentally that we find the new direction we must take. You know about the Jack Pine, right? Its cones are shut tight with resinous sap–the seeds can only escape when the cone burns. This is something like the process we’ll go through today. Don’t allow yourself to get so distracted by your own negative outlook that you miss the new thing, concept, or idea pushing up to the light–and what you choose to do about this idea in the material realm will help shape your future.

The 25th our power will be derived from following our instincts–but that requires we don’t confuse those with our Will, our emotions, or our mind. If we keep our thinking aligned with our highest values, we’ll find ourselves empowered, so don’t sweat it if you can’t immediately turn off the usual decision-making processes. In spite of this, it’s not a good time to take material action–and too, those who let the ego run the show will run up against a brick wall or three, when it comes to getting their way.

Seagulls (painting by Arkady Rylov, 1910) {{PD}}

Seagulls (painting by Arkady Rylov, 1910) {{PD}}

We have an image for the week, as well: At the edge of the water, on a sandy beach, a gull eats a young crab. The crab did nothing wrong, to make him something else’s dinner–but the gull didn’t do anything wrong, either, in catching and eating him. This week we may be more than a little aware of the natural order of things, and of the fact that Nature isn’t always gentle. We don’t have to like it, but we do have to accept it, and we’d be wise to respect it, as a part of that Vestal ‘Greater Than’ of which we’re a part.

See all my books, including my latest on Vesta, here–and thanks to all for the fabulous response!

Credit for mosaic: Ecclesia romana (particolare), XII sec. d.C., mosaico policromo, dalla Basilica di San Pietro. Museo Barracco, Roma (Italia) Uploaded by Archeologo to Wikimedia Commons released under CC BY-SA 3.0

Your Weekend 18-21 September 2015: Reaching Equilibrium

18 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky

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"Lawson Spring Night" Harlem River by Ernest Lawson - Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

“Lawson Spring Night” Harlem River by Ernest Lawson – Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Things have seemed inordinately complicated of late–or maybe we’ve just had too many responsibilities, too much to handle–but this weekend, influences consolidate, simplify–we can catch up with ourselves. First, though, there’s Saturn into Sagittarius, this time to stay for 2.5 years. A few points: no, as soon as it enters a new sign, it does not affect every placement you may have in that sign–like anything else, it only affects what it aspects. That said, it may feel like there’s an effect, but that’s a perception of the shift in those energies that are Saturn-oriented–they take on a kind of Sagittarian sheen–so you may notice it in your work, in the way the rules are implemented, you may see a certain willingness to make adventures and exploration a reality, to acquire knowledge or training, to get into publishing or broadcasting or religion–but overall these are mostly seen in subtle shifts in attention that may or may not lead to change in the reality picture. Right away Saturn trines the South Node and sextiles Juno, suggesting that we may mine the past for effective empowerment methods (or to hit up old contacts!)

Today we can reach a kind of power equilibrium, within ourselves (energy in equals energy out) and with others (we negotiate so that everyone is satisfied, and this is likely done instinctively). It’s a good feeling, and allows for significant recovery from recent events, if we refuse to get into a values-related struggle with the social sphere. That’s the one thing that can drain us, that and overreaching in those areas we care most about.

On the 19th we need to measure actions and choices in the light of what kind of future they’ll create.

The 20th says Love is the Answer–relationships, finances, and aesthetic pursuits all go well, supported by the inner wisdom and a sense of the practical. The only thing that can derail us is a refusal to deal with reality as it is, warts and all. Remember, everything can use a little love. Avoidance of issues brings ugly temper tantrums and spoils any reward we were heading toward.

On the 21st taking action can get exceptionally tricky–everything has power considerations behind it, and we may too easily see destructive options as effective ones. Consider what kind of wounding may occur, to both individuals and to one’s causes, investments, and interests, before moving forward.

And a reminder: we can’t rely too much on the mind, right now–use the feelings, the intuition, and the senses. And get my latest book, on Vesta, if you’d like to explore the asteroid of attitudes toward the sacred and the way this manifests through interactions with home, mate, and those causes to which we’re dedicated. To those of you who already have it, Thank You! Reviews/ critiques are welcome on the page at Dog & Sunflower and at GoodReads. Have a great weekend!

Jupiter Opposed Neptune September 2015

17 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, Cardinal Activity, current events in the sky, Jupiter, Neptune

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There are pairs, and there are pears, and there are 'Pears and Oranges in a Bowl' - William Glackens 1915 {{PD}}

There are pairs, and there are pears, and there are ‘Pears and Oranges in a Bowl’ – William Glackens 1915 {{PD}}

With Jupiter opposed Neptune, knowledge and ‘the facts’ face off against illusion, against what might be–and if we aren’t truly clear on who we are and in our connection to reality (and how can we be during Merc retro in Air?) then we may come out the worse for it. This aspect initiates an even more serious gap between those who believe in the rational and those who cling to fantasy–and the problem is that both sides see themselves as the rational ones! Jupiter in Virgo, moving into trine with Pluto, quincunxing Vesta and sesquiquadrate Ceres, tells us that the devil is discovered via the details, in critical examination that is not overly respectful of authority, and in a certain willingness to question our values and then adjust them according to what we find. If we fail to do that, we are definitely living Neptune at the moment, feet firmly planted in the fog of our own hazy reasoning. Look around: it’s Mulder and Scully, George and Gracie, Cheech and Chong, Lucy and Ethel, Bert and Ernie, Bart and Lisa, Holmes and Watson, Spongebob and Patrick, and I’m giving no hints as to which of the two in each of these pairs was the one really being realistic.

This is the only aspect for Neptune at the moment (and we’re not counting the fleeting touch of the transiting Moon); that suggests that those disconnected from reality have no touchstones, other than the Jupiterian facts, to pull them back into this dimension. When you hear an assertion, look for the reality behind it; don’t trust, verify the reality of what you believe, before making it your anthem. Normally I would say something about creative types and creativity getting a boost from this, but this time, No–a big part of true creativity is about being able to work with reality, to mold it, to see the potentials–and that’s only possible when we work with what is. We can try to turn water into wine all day, but if we don’t acknowledge that wine comes from grapes, and so must be our starting point, we’re going to serve one weak-ass beverage this evening.

Also of note: Juno and the North Node meet up at 00 Libra, showing us (if we’re paying attention) precisely how much the shaping of our future relies on our own empowerment. If you have placements within two degrees either side of this, or in hard aspect from the other Cardinals, that energy contacted will be instrumental, especially over the immediate future, in determining which way you go and how successfully you do it. Who used it best? might be the Universal question at this point, focused on your natal contacted energy.

Zeus and Venus are also sextile; should you have anything at 14-18 Virgo you have a temporary Finger of God that implies your ambitions plus relationships, finances, or values, when working together, will successfully bring about a positive expression of the Virgo energy. With Venus trining Pallas and catching Zeus at the midpoint, be smart and/ or practical about the use or role of that Venusian asset, for best results. And if you have anything at 14-18 Taurus, that becomes apex to a Finger with base of Zeus (ambition and desire) and Pallas (wisdom, practical skills), making for the obvious formula of applying wisdom to ambition creates, what, at this time? Whatever you’ve got at that point in Taurus.

VESTA IN THE NATAL CHART IS HERE!

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Asteroids, astrology, Books, Vesta

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Arnold Böcklin {{PD}}

Arnold Böcklin {{PD}}

“Vesta’s placement in the natal chart tells us what we find sacred in life, what is, without question, to be honored. She is a compass that points unerringly to our most revered values. The quality of the sacred with which the Vesta spirit is imbued makes it an indicator of and channel for the spiritual and for expression of the Soul’s intent. It’s the symbol of all we hold in highest regard, the things we’re willing to dedicate our life energies to, to protect, to harbor, and to sacrifice for, and it acts as a kind of internal beacon that recognizes ‘home’ in all its forms and guises; as well, Vesta tells us with what externals we want to merge–this can be through sex, or through some other dedication of energy, time, or attention, but it always reflects a spiritual unity, a choice to fuse the Soul with the spiritual essence represented by an ‘Other’. With Vesta we might modify the idea of ‘As above, so below,’ to ‘As in the spiritual realm, so in the physical one.'”

 

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Mercury Retrograde 17 September 2015: A Change Is Gonna Come

15 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, Mercury retrograde, Retrogrades + Directions

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'i want change' Author m.a.r.c. from Berlin https://www.flickr.com/photos/43846837@N00 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

‘i want change’
Author m.a.r.c. from Berlin https://www.flickr.com/photos/43846837@N00 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

I’ve always found the point at which a planet representing major energies begins apparent retrograde motion as important in terms of the ‘statement’ this seems to make about what we can expect during the retrograde period itself. The relationship to other bodies appears to speak reliably of what we will see during the symbolic (that sometimes feels literal!) withdrawal of related impetus and momentum. It’s not so much like the retrograde builds a dam holding back the energetic waters, but like a large boulder falls into the stream of a narrow, rushing river; the energy is still flowing, but is suddenly forced to find another path. Of course, a new course can feel a great deal like denial and can foster frustration at a lack of expected progress–but that’s just it, our expectations failed to take note of the subtle shift that was building. Knowing where and when a body will retrograde gives us a preview of where and in what manner that forward push may stall.

The more I do these ‘moment of retrograde charts’, the more I see the bodies as interconnected; it’s not just the turnaround of one planet, but a shift in every single relationship this body has. It tells a bit of a story; here’s the one I see for the Mercury retrograde at 15 Libra 55 at 11:10 AM Pacific time on September 17th.

Mercury is turning around in Air, asking us to review what we think, especially about relationships. But, we have a bit of a surprise if we have been thinking we’ll come up with something definitive during this period. We instead may have our attention taken away from direct scrutiny of both love and money (Merc was within one degree of perfecting a sextile to Venus). Ambitions and desires, too, will take a back seat (Merc was near conjunction with asteroid Zeus). Our ideas in these areas will change; we may feel successes or bonding with another slip away after appearing to be inevitable. We’ll be asking ourselves in all things Libra, as well as in the subjects of the House in the natal chart where the retro happens: ‘What do I think about that?’ And we may not form an answer right away–though we may get a feeling (the first body to aspect Mercury will be the Moon, by sextile). So what will occupy us?

On the surface it may appear that we are still in relationship territory, or reviewing finances or cooperative efforts, but we may actually be taking a trip into mental darkness, an exploratory into the depths that will allow not just for relationship examination but demolition, refurbishing, or complete transformation. (A square to Pluto is the first aspect retro Merc will make to another body.) It all starts because we’ll be thinking about what’s fair. We’ll be vetting and tidying up what already seems more or less as we want it, or we may see talk or thought as the big reformer in relationships and over money (Merc is in Air) but we’ll soon find that it’s really the structure of our interactions, those things we’ve ‘invested’ in, the current parameters of relationship, the restrictions and unspoken warnings and ‘Do Not Touch!’ signs that we normally negotiate and play along with which will disintegrate, reconfigure, and regenerate in an entirely new shape, with entirely new rules  (Capricorn).

Look for the strongest effects, of course, in the House of the natal chart where the turnaround occurs; the matters of this House will likely be the starting point for examination and change. Though I characterized this period as one of “mental darkness”, I don’t mean depression, anger, recriminations, sadness or madness–I mean a kind of seriousness that will actually be more below the surface than it will be conscious, with the majority of the change in perception and thought happening, iceberg-like, out of our sight and awareness. The darkness will still the mind long enough for what we really desire to make itself heard.

What will be the result? Anything that doesn’t offer passion of one kind or another could be destroyed–or, current affections could be ignited into something truly exciting, as each person discovers depths in the other they’d never seen before. Shared material matters and finances might also move in the direction of passion (in the form of volatility or excitement about new ideas and plans), and our review will likely take into account alterations in aesthetics that we experimented with during Venus retro–we may decide by the end of Merc retro that that style or image or enhancement we toyed with is just what we need to build into the life, to make, for now, permanent.

‘We Are All Vessels: Vesta in the Natal Chart’ comes out tomorrow.

 

Solar Eclipse 12 September 2015: Through Our Skin

11 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, eclipse, Sabian Symbols, Solar Eclipse

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'Deva and Gryphon', by Gustave Moreau {{PD}}

‘Deva and Gryphon’, by Gustave Moreau {{PD}}

Eclipses change things; we’ve got a Solar one (so, a New Moon) on September 12th at 11:41 PM Pacific time, at 20 Virgo 10. Everyone is stressed (Saturn at 29 Scorpio has no mercy, dredging up what we fear, dread, have carefully hidden from ourselves and others, threatening to bring it all into our reality, and so announce it to others, broadcasting our secrets far and wide–that last is the anticipation of the Old Man’s move into Sagittarius); everyone believes, consciously or not so, that this eclipse will wipe out that tension. I don’t think it will–but it may make things seem quite a bit different–and we will definitely gain.

Keeping our orbs tight, as always, we see that the New Moon is opposed Chiron–that is, Chiron is still within conjunction of the Earth. The NM also glances by quincunx off Uranus in Aries–and unless we stretch our orb to more than 3.5+ degrees, we get nothing else. But, that’s how we keep our eclipse picture sharp–and what this says is that NM beginnings may arise out of inconvenience or accident, out of needing to adjust to the group or to something new or modern, and out of this we come to understand something important–and this opens us to healing some area where we have been too critical, too immersed in detail, so that we have lost the true breadth of the situation (with the subject particular to the House in the natal chart where the eclipse falls for you).

I don’t want to muddy the eclipse picture by making the orbs too big, but there are two things that seem worthy of note, if only by their symmetry and proximity to the eclipse degree. One is the Earth Grand Trine involving Juno-Sedna-Ceres (and if we are generous, the New Moon eclipse)=this promises a certain balance within the natural world that offers empowerment to those who ‘tune in’. Being in sync with the elements (and the elementals) may be the way the understanding we reach at the New Moon is made known to us. We may feel or sense it, absorb it from the very air or through our skin–we ‘know’ with a certainty the mind just can’t offer.

John Atkinson Grimshaw {{PD}}

John Atkinson Grimshaw {{PD}}

The second related body is the wide square from Pallas in Sagittarius to the eclipse point. If we cling to what we think is wise, if we rely on the mind and things we’ve learned or been told, we may be in for a shock; that is the very kind of knowledge that could get blown out of the water with the eclipse. We are being shown a picture where the senses are more accurate than the mind–believe what you feel, not what you are told, or think.

The Sabian Symbol for the eclipse is, ‘A Girls’ Basketball Team’. This is a modern symbol for anima energies working together. We see this hinted at with the inclusion of Uranus (the group or team), in the location of the event in Virgo (the sign of cooperative effort that brings results, ‘the harvest’), and in the way so many goddess energies are lingering just outside the eclipse orb: Juno, Sedna, Ceres, Pallas, bringing skill, instinct, personal authority, and wisdom to what the eclipse reveals.

Expect ‘Vesta’ any minute–and by ‘minute’, I mean day 🙂

Solar Eclipse 12 September 2015

Leading up to the Solar Eclipse: the Sun Burns

07 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky

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"Sam and the Perfect World (640)" by David Lenz David Lenz - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sam_and_the_Perfect_World_(640).JPG#/media/File:Sam_and_the_Perfect_World_(640).JPG

“Sam and the Perfect World (640)” by David Lenz David Lenz – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sam_and_the_Perfect_World_(640).JPG#/media/File:Sam_and_the_Perfect_World_(640).JPG

I was down by the sound this morning, looking for a little escape before returning to work, and came upon a place where there had been a small beach fire. I had no camera or phone so couldn’t capture it for you. All that was left was half of a drawn placard that showed a brilliant orange and yellow sun with curling rays like tendrils and a rough ash edge. That seemed the perfect symbol for the coming week; so many of us are already behaving as if we’re burning in the crucible of the upcoming Solar Eclipse. Matters of identity and purpose, temper and pique, flood our attention–and this week promises to shine a light on those places in our lives that burn, and must be answered.

Tomorrow, the 8th, we question our own wisdom–our attention burns on the possibility that we are unskilled and behaving poorly–but is that true? What we may really be questioning are our off-the-cuff spontaneous actions and the values we declared to the social sphere; both may make us reconsider our past choices. We’ll know what to do, what to change and what to leave the same, if we can unite our minds with our instincts. Usually we want to separate the two, so we can tell thoughts from true, natural prompts, but in this case it’s the separation that’s causing a feeling that we’re drifting from what we know to be smart. Look to trusted others for feedback, and take a ‘clean slate’ approach to mental activity, rather than trying to sort through and accommodate ideas that may be stale or outmoded already, anyway.

Friedrich-Ebert-Straße_9_(Lichtenfels-Schney).Seitenportal.D-4-78-139-253.ajbValues and ambitions are right in line with each other, even though material circumstances don’t support getting what we want on the 9th. We have a deep mental resistance to change that’s acting as a stumbling block and manifesting in contrary material issues; once we figure out we’re in our own way, obstacles disappear.

The 10th is a black-out, of sorts, a living meditation when few demands are made on our attention. It’s as if, after staring at the sun, we’ve looked away, and find a kind of relief in the sheer lack of intensity.

Surroundings may wound, or may hold the key to healing; on the 11th what you put in the spotlight determines whether you see the environment as hostile or as a warm, receptive, sunny place.

I’ll post again for the eclipses. Vesta still has a lot of editing for me to do; I clearly underestimated my own workload. The good thing is that, unlike in years past, there’s no chance I’ll stop at this point, since it’s virtually done! Have a great week, everyone!

Credit for door photo: © Ajepbah / Wikimedia Commons / Lizenz: CC-BY-SA-3.0 DE

Your Weekend 4-7 September 2015: A Kind of Gravity

04 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Venus, Venus Retrograde

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Kuroda Seiki Title 読書　(Woman Reading) circa 1890 {{PD}}

Kuroda Seiki
Title 読書　(Woman Reading)
circa 1890 {{PD}}

Truth be told, I shouldn’t even be here now, I should be at work on the final edit for the Vesta book, which is going swimmingly, despite being my own editor–a grueling job that requires I re-check every statement I made about a chart, so using the same old eyes, I could still get something wrong, right?–but I thought I should at least pop in for a few words on the weekend. Friday the 4th we may find ourselves subject to a mysterious pull, a kind of gravity that turns us toward the future and fills us with equal parts dread, excitement, and surprise at the things we discover–but those surprises will probably go well, as our thinking is aligned with our highest values and goals, and so takes us without strenuous effort in the direction we want to go. Assistance from the group and true originality may also be on the agenda.

Saturday the 5th we see an opportunity to achieve balance among our own empowerment urges, Nature and authorities, and those things we may not currently be aware of, but that will surface in the process. It’s all about Power, and thoughts are likely on goals and desires, aided by instincts, and that’s all good; however, when it comes to others, believe what they do, not what they say. Stick with that and you won’t be the victim of anyone else’s power-play.

Sunday the 6th we may see a lot of discord: instincts and forgotten or hidden matters bedevil us, and to follow prompts means we must abandon values and ideals–and no one wants to do that. Ambitions can be realized through material means, but higher mind concepts must be left for another day–the atmosphere is too competitive to allow us to advance without losing our way.

Venus goes direct 1:30 AM of the 6th, just before backing herself into apex to a Finger of God with base of Pluto-Earth–and that’s a good thing, probably, because it prevents us from going too far with those retro Venus experiments and changes–they would’ve gone destructive, if we’d continued in the direction we’ve taken–this way we back off and re-group before making any vital decisions. The first aspect our Lady of Love makes when direct is a trine to Pallas. This says what occurs to us upon direction is probably wise, born of accumulated Venusian experience. We’re back from the brink, with nowhere to go but forward!

Monday the 7th we may be skittish, worried about being wounded if we assert ourselves, and plagued by cliched thoughts and old mental tropes we thought we’d freed ourselves of long ago. Things really aren’t as bleak as they seem; we’re simply re-aligning our discernment and perceptual faculties with the now-direct Venus environment. Once we get our bearings, things go well. Hint: use a material means, an exercise or ritual or project, to help you re-orient to your usual way of seeing and assessing.

And have a great week! My Vesta book will be available at some point in this four-day period, likely Monday, though subscribers who are expecting the book will be the first to receive it, before it’s available for sale.

Julie Demboski's ASTROLOGY

Addressing the Individual Experience Within the Universal Truth

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