A Trick of Memory

27 Tuesday Jan 2009

Posted by in astrology, Mercury retrograde, relationship astrology

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Recently a good question was asked by April in the comments section on another page, wondering about the return to conscious consideration of a friend from her past during the Mercury retrograde. April had mixed feelings about whether to contact her, and wanted to know what the impulse might mean, in light of the way the Mercury retro period spurs us to re-visit events, efforts, and contacts; and when those elements come from what feels like a distant past, stirring up uncomfortable emotions, we rightly question their deeper meaning.

As I said to April, these impulses to contact those from our past, or the actual re-appearance by those with whom we’ve previously been involved, seem consistently to bring with them conflicting emotions, and present us with a choice: do we want to step back into a relationship that makes us on some level distinctly ill at ease, beginning mid-stream, so to speak, with issues already present between the parties, or do we want to ignore the past, and the way it has become reinvested with life?

It seems that the person and situation presented, whether from one’s own memory or by the appearance of the individual, carries with it a kind of challenge, one that makes us uncomfortable because of the way we handled the situation with this person in the past. We harbor guilt, or shame, or resentment, or in some way felt misunderstood or helpless, and are still carrying the psychic shadow of this harm to our spirit; it is still there, and we have carried it and layered it over with time and new experiences and relationships and haven’t realized or acknowledged that the wound is still there, still present and sensitive beneath its many covers.

So when it comes to the surface, no matter the source, we must at the very least re-observe the wound; we must inspect it for what it really is, what we really were at the time, and see the true responsibilities of all parties involved. This is how the retrograde serves us: it brings us this matter at precisely the right time–we are now matured, wiser, more experienced, in the very way we needed to be to bring this issue to conclusion in the past–but at the time we didn’t have the emotional and spiritual resources that would allow us to understand the situation in its true light, and to see what our real part in it was; and this is always something that would not rightly shame, or sadden, or wound us at all. Instead, in the now, we see how the past, and this relationship, mislead us into believing that there was something wrong in who we were, that we were inadequate; and the gift of the now, during the retrograde, is to see that we were not inadequate at all, that we only needed to discover our own Self-worth, and to measure it correctly.

The retrograde period will come to an end this weekend, and with it the chance to clear the ghosts from our memories. So let go of the feelings of shame, inadequacy, upset at less-than-optimum responses, guilt, and anger. Forgive the involvement of the other person; see, without distractions or blinders, exactly who they are–this is an assessment, not a judgment, so we lay no blame at their feet. And then we forgive the person we were then; we see that we were injured, that there were things we had yet to learn or process, that perhaps we had not experienced or accepted the love that would have given us the proper tools for response. And perhaps most important, we must see that if we truly forgive ourselves, there’s no need to renew this contact at all; the wound heals, the issue resolves itself, and we lose the impetus to meet the circumstance again. The pull is gone and, at least momentarily, we know and love precisely who we are.

Another ‘What You’re Asking’: 12th House, Trines and Squares, and Metrosexuals Who Can’t Reach the Top Shelf

20 Tuesday Jan 2009

Posted by in 12th House, aspects and placements, astrology, Mercury, natal placement, North Node

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Hello from sunny (but cold!) Seattle, with another installment of ‘What You’re Asking,’ the astrology ‘q and a’ gleaned from some of the many search terms that lead seekers to this site. Let’s get started!

What do I do with a 12th House stellium?

I feel your pain, I really do–the 12th is hard enough to understand without having a gaggle of energies hiding out there from birth. The approach to the 12th, whether one has something posited within or not, is found in the sign on the cusp; the methods used are keyed to the 12th and can be active or passive, but must in any case marry a 12th House form with some facet or attitude of the cusp sign. For instance, Capricorn on the 12th, with Jupiter in Capricorn within, might offer us a way in to the subconscious and to our connection to the divine/ the Collective through disciplined (Cap) practice of meditation (12th)–then we access Jupiter via the matters of the House it rules, in this case likely the 11th, which might bring in goals, friends, group membership, dreams and wishes (of the life or material kind). By practicing the spiritual (12th) discipline (Cap) of meditation (12th) we will help to funnel those trapped Jupiter energies that need to expand, learn, teach, and venture out by attempting those things in 11th House forms, so perhaps teaching a class on meditation and reaching out, in accessing dreams and wishes through the subconscious, or perhaps through the dream life (another 12th House area). There are many many ways potential combinations can play out, so it takes some study and maybe trial-and-error, to find what works best for you.

When there is a stellium here, the logistics may seem insurmountable. Since the point of the 12th is to give us a window both into our own subconscious, and to link us to the Collective in a way that holds no boundaries, we can best hope to reach a stellium by concentrating on an active manifestation of the 12th. This would involve something that is quite conscious, not the passive system of meditation or dream journals, synchronicities or symbolisms, if applicable coupled with attention to the planet ruled by the posited body, that will serve when one has only one or no planets posited there; instead we would observe our involvement with large institutions, perhaps even seeking out a role within them (hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, large conglomerates, international organizations) or in the volunteerism that puts a Collective good before individual interests. We try these things in the tone or style of the cusp sign; so, for example, Virgo here might call us to do some kind of detail work, inventory or accounting (and Pisces on the 6th suggests we might fit nicely into the everyday world of one of those 12th House institutions)–or, with Aquarius on the cusp, we might pursue a form of teaching or study, union or group leadership, innovation in how these institutions function, or in the invention of ‘new, better’ ways of doing things connected to these subjects.

How then, you ask, do we actually get a handle on the stellium? Here we are, volunteering, or getting our degree in prison dynamics, or running a sleep institute, and we’re still not sure how that cluster of, for example, Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn all fit in. The next step is in defining what parts of the life these features rule (by looking at the subjects of the Houses they rule), and then considering what it’s like to keep the identity and Soul Purpose, the communication function, the aesthetic, relationship, and financial values, and the ambitions and fears, all under wraps, with their only outlets those Houses they ‘own,’ or through aspect relationships, where they can as easily mess things up as express due to the unconscious nature of their placements (I didn’t say this would be tidy or easy!)

So, the short answer to your question of what to do with a 12th House stellium is to dig it out however you can, and to do so as consciously as possible; the long answer, where we plot all the tentacles of the stellium as they reach out into the psyche and the daily activities, can take a lifetime.

How do I move forward with a Scorpio North Node?

One very effective way is to adopt the positive qualities of the North Node’s sign when planning goals and looking to the future. With Scorpio, this asks us to open ourselves to what others may prefer to leave hidden, to seek ‘the Truth,’ to be willing to deal with some form of the used, the damaged, and to assist transformation and re-birth. An effective attitude might be to think of oneself as a spiritual midwife of sorts, showing how to bring new life from the ancient and primal within. See Donna Van Toen’s excellent book, THE ASTROLOGER’S NODE BOOK http://www.amazon.com/Astrologers-Node-Book-Donna-Toen/dp/0877285217/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232465425&sr=1-1 for details for all signs.

What is tertiary progression?

Simply put, it’s a day-for-month symbolic method of natal chart progression, where each ephemeris day from birth on represents one month in the life. Can be an interesting timing mechanism, as elaborated on by Richard Houck in THE ASTROLOGY OF DEATH http://www.amazon.com/Astrology-Death-Richard-Houck/dp/0964161257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232465634&sr=1-1  Don’t let the title put you off–this is a fascinating examination of timing methods, particularly about what ‘sets off’ a natal point or eclipse pattern.

What’s a trine, what’s a square?

A trine is an aspect degree as measured in the flat chart of 120 degrees, and generally represents an ease of exchange between the two energies. This can facillitate positive expression, or act to enhance a laziness or out-of-control quality that can make a trine any ‘easy downfall’ aspect. For instance, a trine between Venus and Jupiter can make for an expansive love nature, extreme generosity, easy projection of willingness to partner, a love of learning or teaching, and so on, but it can also make for a spendthrift, exaggeration of the importance of relationship, or for a major capacity for indiscretion, to name a few.

The square is a similarly determined 90 degree aspect that suggests conflict between two energies. It can be very helpful because it insists one deal with the disparities of expression, but can also show a basic dissonance that can be very hard to overcome. So, a square between Mercury and Mars can make for aggressive speech and thoughts that require one pull back and learn to moderate assertion, but can also create a volcanic temper that may be hard pressed to find another outlet for the Martian urge.

Does Mercury in the 8th House mean death?

No.

I have Mercury in the 8th natally and it hasn’t killed me yet. So if you mean, does it indicate death eventually, then, I think we can safely say that of any placement! And if you mean, does transiting Mercury in the 8th mean death, then ‘no’ to that too, as no one would live more than a year if that were the case! Also out are progressed, directed, and Solar Arc Merc as death indicators in the 8th.

metrosexuality little arms

I’m truly speechless at this–I have no idea how this query led to my site, though I suspect it had to do with aspect ‘arms’ that are sometimes mentioned. All I can say is, good luck with whatever you’re looking for!

A few notes: if you’re wondering why sometimes a site will disappear from the blogroll, it’s because I review periodically each one listed–some I’m a regular visitor to, some not so often–and if it’s been a significant amount of time since updating occurred, or if the content has veered sharply from astrology, then I may remove them, sometimes only temporarily, as I see the blogroll as a list of recommendations that can serve a wide variety of tastes and accomplishment levels, and don’t want to leave up links that will feel like dead ends, either by lack of activity or by divergence from subject. As to listings you might expect that are not here, there could be many reasons (though I don’t ‘trade’ links with anyone). It could be that the site is primarily promotional for the astrologer’s services, and so not of informational interest; it could be that I’ve never visited the site, that the site just isn’t to my taste, or that I find the material irrelevant, ego-filled, or incompetent. The links I do list I feel have something unique and of value to at least some of my readers; and I base this solely on my own judgment, with no requirement that they link to me. Hope that answers any questions!

Remember that when you’re searching, long phrases or questions will be cut off, so keep it short and to the point.

Here’s a site for Stargazers who have questions about the current night sky: http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/tonights_sky/

And have a great inauguration Tuesday (here in the states) or regular Tuesday (everywhere else!)

The Test

15 Thursday Jan 2009

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, future events in the sky, Mercury

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This is the test: how will we respond when confronted with something crushing, to our hopes, to the plans and goals of someone we love, to the life circumstances presented? How will we deal with a worst-case-scenario that we always thought would somehow be avoided? And we must understand something right at the start: what’s being tested is the standard of our own attitudes and beliefs, the relationship we have internally with the Universe; it’s not a test imposed from the outside, though the externals embody challenges particular to each of us as individuals. Who are we, and where do we go, in a spiritual sense, when trials come? This is the test.

Everyone appears to be grappling with something like this now, something that shows quite clearly how closely our spiritual ideas and ideals align with (or diverge from) our practice of such in the material world. Those who believe the spiritual and the physical do not reflect each other are having the worst time right now, as they confidently reject the concept of our earthly existence as a manifestation of both spirituality and karmic challenge. And please don’t misunderstand; I’m not saying that those who appear ‘lucky,’ have money, or accomplish much are somehow ‘doing better,’ spiritually speaking, than the rest of us–for who can know with certainty the real challenges being faced by any individual other than ourselves? For those who seem blessed, the test may come in a form such as, When I have great luck, how do I treat others? When I enjoy prosperity, what do I do with it, and how do I spend my intangibles, like time and love? When I accomplish, do I appreciate the roles others have played in my success? And those who enjoy abundantly in the material world may be in the midst of a response that could lead them to a hard fall, a big loss, a tragedy, in any area–for, since all energy is in spiritual terms interchangeable, the difficulties faced may play out in any arena, and carry their own special meaning for the individual–and the rest of us may have little awareness of the reality of things for anyone else.

Astrologically, I see a handful of likely culprits that may describe hurdles we’re facing; of course, one will be more or less responsive, depending on how such aspects hook into the natal chart. For some it will be a medley, for others only one aspect will be the focus of the challenge; and how we respond is as unique and individual as each Being. As well, major transits to natal planets at this time may carry the individual key to the current challenge.

Some of the aspects considered have been in effect for a while, others are just forming, but in any case the circumstances have been shaping up in their overt manifestations for roughly two to three months, so I believe a majority probably take the Saturn opposition to Uranus as background. This is likely a contest of wills, with each side firmly convinced that their approach is the ‘right’ one. That alone should be the clue that flexibility and empathy are the keys to unlocking the stalemate, no matter the subjects or justifications. For those whose upsets came rather abruptly (even though one can look back and trace a vapor trail of potential as the two factors made their way toward each other) I would suggest that Saturn quincunx Neptune may be expressive of the challenge: fear v. delusion, the tried and true v. the unknown, the solid v. the intangible, tight boundaries v. none at all. Too, the Saturn/ Neptune quincunx may be adding to the already existing situation, providing a sense of ‘reality v. unreality’ to the proceedings. And for some, the shift of Pluto into Capricorn may hold the key, with its challenges that ask, is our world, and what we do in it, truly relevant, or must it undergo extreme and irrevocable change?

Sun conjunct Juno is another candidate, bringing classic identity and empowerment struggles to the fore. Do I do it for me, or do I do it because ‘they’ told me to, and if I do, what does that make me? Choices here are dependent on how thoroughly we know our own Soul identity and purpose for both effectiveness and meaning, while the Jupiter/ Pallas square pits our own internal wisdom against the social order; the conflict is on a larger scale, or at least against a wider backdrop, with our choice affected by how conscious we are of the social standard, and how dependent we are on society’s judgement to feel comfortable in our own skin.

Points at which we may get feedback that will let us know how well we’ve handled things (many revolve around Mercury as messenger): Jan. 19th Venus semi-square Pluto= values, finances, and relationships surrender to ‘the Truth; Jan. 20th-23rd Venus conjunct Uranus= generally may indicate our response to the events of the 19th, if we’re ‘keyed’ to Venus; those awaiting news or revelation must get through the retrograde period first, then Mercury turns around and reveals what was ‘cooking’: Feb. 20th-23rd Mercury conjunct the North Node= it’s a destiny-shaping message; will we listen? Feb. 22nd-24th Mercury conjunct Jupiter= the social order gives us feedback, or the repercussions of our struggle are bigger than we anticipated; Feb. 25th-27th Mercury conjunct Juno= we learn who holds the real power, and we find the definition of andextent of our own strength in the process; Feb. 28th-Mar. 3 Mercury conjunct Mars= if the message requires action, this is when we’ll take it; Mar. 3rd-4th Mercury conjunct Chiron= we hear how to heal; again, do we listen? We also have a ‘weak point’ March 4-6th when Mercury conjuncts Neptune and we are in danger of succumbing to illusion or fantasy, inner generated or offered from without, and we have a possible ‘payoff point’ on March 4th when Venus sextiles Pallas, highlighting the wise course in relationships, values support, and finances.

Another Installment of ‘What You’re Asking’

12 Monday Jan 2009

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Capricorn, Jupiter, Mercury retrograde

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There were so many great topics this week, I’m going to be doing this in two parts, and keeping answers brief (at least for me!) First up:

Is it okay to travel when Mercury is retrograde?

Excellent question, the kind of thing we think about when we try to apply astrology to real life, and find that sometimes it gets in the way! Why would travel be prohibited? Chiefly because Mercury rules movement, transportation, and in retrograde hitches are common, so we have a smaller chance of things running smoothly at this time, in a mechanical sense, and the electrical systems of vehicles can be more testy than usual, as well. But I think the real difficulty lies in the planning and communication aspect of things; inevitably, we think we’ve planned carefully for our moving day, only to find our route is blocked by a three-hour parade, or we agree to be at that place by the thing where we went that time, for lunch, and we think that means 12, and our meetee thinks lunch starts at 1. Where mechanical hold-ups can be addressed, and even anticipated, with a little care, it’s the thought processes behind our travel that may suffer, and upon which we can have least conscious effect.

Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend travel, particularly the kind where we’re at the mercy of a form of transport where we are not in charge (such as an airline or train) or where we’re at the whim of someone who may speed along well ahead of schedule and miss us (like a bus). Of course, there’s no reason to stop living life, just be prepared to deal with glitches and difficulties as they arise; typically the biggest problem is delay, and in this case, a little flexibility in expectations goes a long way. Best methodology for coping during travel on Mercury retrograde: use your intuition (Venus) in the moment; where the mind is muddled on the retrograde, the intuition is right on, and can, if accessed, make the trip an easy, and sense-filled, delight.

For more on activity during Mercury retrograde, see this https://juliedemboski.wordpress.com/re-examining-mercury-retrograde/

What is the combust degree for each planet?

Since we measure combustion from only one source, the Sun, all planets and bodies are considered combust within the same frame: 17 minutes from exactitude to 8.5 degrees, and other bodies cannot be combust each other–if we say “Mars is combust Venus,” well, we’re speaking gibberish! Closer than 17 minutes to the Sun is cazimi, a condition of fusion that is believed to greatly strengthen a planet. For more on the whys of all this, see https://juliedemboski.wordpress.com/mercury-combust-and-retrograde/

What are the likely health effects of Jupiter in Aquarius?

This question is highly individual, depending on how Jupiter and Aquarius are hooked into the health picture of the natal chart. We can venture a few guesses, though, mainly on what may be more susceptible at this time; for example, Jupiter rules the liver, and Aquarius is a fixed Air sign–under the ‘right’ circumstances in an individual’s chart, this could signal a hepatic embolism, or CNS damage (Aquarius) that comes from or causes liver damage; we might even see the pain of the intellectual situation spurring some toward drink; or when we look for society-wide effects, with Aquarius ruling the higher functions, and Jupiter symbolizing expansion and the social order, advances in autism studies and therapies are possible, or perhaps we’ll see a resurgence of interest in ‘remote viewing’ experimentation, or in good old mental health programs, and we may see fads in the direction of outdoor recreation, perhaps involving Jupiter’s big animals, such as equestrian events, or for international events, such as chess–or, Mathlympics, anyone?

How do I seduce a Venus in Capricorn?

Hey, is this the same person who asks about Capricorn every week? Haven’t you given up on Cappy yet? Or are Capricorns the latest irresistible sign, with their frowns and rules and big bulging wallets. Well, no matter, let’s see what we can do here. Venus tells us what appeals to someone; it explains their tastes in a sensual way, what’s pleasing, what’s appealing. We take a chance when we look only at Venus’ sign, though, as contacts can tell a much more effective story: Venus in Scorpio says they want a little mystery, but if that Venus is connected to Pluto, we might see a preference for dangerous sex (sex with strangers, sex on cliffs, sex in public), a taste for S/ M, or just someone who associates (sadly) pain, punishment, or destruction with love (and not even with sex, at that). So, Venus in Capricorn suggests the appeal of security, of rules and ‘safe’ words (in bed, or at a party, like when you say in the presence of your partner, “I love cupcakes!” when you desperately want to leave) and Cap finds the beauty in order and constraint–you can flirt with Venus in Capricorn by simply lifting an eyebrow, crisply serving a summons, or folding his or her laundry, really really neatly.

Seduction, however, is another matter; since seduction is about persuading, in essence gaining control of another, or at least drawing them to do your bidding, it is the antithesis of what Venus in Capricorn is about: he or she is in control of the sensual, of love and sex, thank you very much, and the goaty Venus will resist (and resent) mightily any attempt to connect that smacks of you having more control than they. So, the seduction scenario of Venus in Cap isn’t promising, because if they even get an inkling that they’re being seduced, they will bound up the rocky ledge of indifference and cold shoulder you until you go away. So, I’m sending all who are interested over to the experts at Sasstrology http://sasstrology.com/2008/09/astrology-of-kink-complex-capricorn.html  Or, for relationship analysis that gets into the whys and wherefores of attraction http://dogandsunflower.wordpress.com  Happy goat herding!

More to come!

Jupiter into Aquarius: Testing the Social Order

02 Friday Jan 2009

Posted by in astrology, Jupiter

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The Aquarian vibe can take us by surprise; at a personal level, this will almost certainly be highly dependent on what Jupiter will aspect in terms of natal placements as it passes through Aquarius (please, don’t ask me to interpret the meaning for you personally, either in the comments or at my email, unless I specifically solicit this–those days are over, for my own sanity! –consultations are available at very low cost–and this is why they are so low cost, so that everyone can afford them–please see WANT MORE? for details). If you happen to have placements very early (in the first 2 degrees) of any sign, though, you will receive an initial effect that lets you know just how thoroughly the social ‘background’ to your personal situation is changing. For once this effect is not reliant on transiting Jupiter being in hard aspect to the natal placement; it is much more about Jupiter’s ‘new’ character casting its big, unavoidable shadow onto specific portions of your nativity. For everyone, whether Jupiter moves into Aquarius and aspects something or not, the place where this occurs in the natal chart will be a symbolic point of upheaval and change, bringing revolution of one kind or another, your own mini-Age of Aquarius.

Jupiter is ushered in to Aquarius at 6:49 AM PST on January 5th. Think back to late January of 1997, when Jupiter made its last foray into the sign of the Waterbearer (but keep in  mind, despite the symbol for the sign involving water, this is a Fixed Air sign–and thus mentally oriented, and a wee bit determined/ stubborn!) At that time it was on its way to conjunction with Uranus, and had recently conjuncted the Sun, Ceres, and Neptune; this suggests an atmospheric picture that was highly charged with the spirit of change in the name of a new order, of rebellion that offers a fresh perspective, of challenges to and Self-adoption of authority’s role and privileges, and that served as a major outlet for imagination and inspiration (with the added possibility that major delusion could’ve been adopted at this time, as well). astrological-signs-5

Now Jupiter enters Aquarius when the Moon is Void (at 29 Capricorn 28)  and it squares Vesta at 01 Taurus 00. To me this suggests we will be subjected to a sudden shift in the atmosphere that may frustratingly lead nowhere, or that could spawn unforseen events (especially emotional ones) of an Aquarian nature, that leap forward as if cut from whole cloth. The home front, the sex life, and all that we hold sacred may conflict in some important way with our social role(s) or the social milieu in which we find ourselves; the prevailing attitudes that surround us may all at once have a very different tenor than they possessed just a day before. The primary effect, then, may be more disorienting than anything else, a feeling of ‘There’s no going back’ in some important area of our lives (likely represented by the House in which the move occurs, or possibly by matters of the House Jupiter rules natally). The changes may test the social order as you currently perceive it, and maybe even challenge you to re-define what, precisely, you want on the home front, in the sex life, and what you will be willing to dedicate your life to (Vesta effects).

And now I’m testing the social order, as this blog is intended primarily as a place for me to express and observe on the subject of astrology, and as such content is determined solely at my discretion: AS OF JANUARY 2ND, I will no longer be allowing comments to stand that contain Self-promoting links or addresses, or same of any kind–NO EXCEPTIONS. For those who are actually commenting or sharing based on the material, this will be no problem; for those who have attempted to use this blog to promote themselves and their businesses, I would ask that you respect my choice not to subject my readers to your ads. If they find you scintillating simply from what you observe and share in your comment, you can use your full name and they can and will google you, and you will find your audience; you are more than welcome here as a commenter, sharing thoughts and theories. In my view, instituting this policy is better than ending comment ability altogether, as some beleaguered bloggers have done. I find this intermediate step necessary to stop a growing wave of opportunists who are taking more and more of my time as I am required to judge and moderate each entry, and I have been, at times, erring on the side of inclusion, despite the fact that I find such advertising offensive. To all who are interested, please continue to visit, and comment, but please understand that what I allow, and what I give away, on this site are my choice alone.

A Mega Installment of ‘What You’re Asking’

31 Wednesday Dec 2008

Posted by in 6th House, aspects and placements, astrology

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Now, let’s talk a little first about what I have to sort through to put ‘What You’re Asking’ together. I’m not talking about searches using keywords that don’t make an explanatory concept; that’s understandable, and an efficient way to look for connections. No, I’m talking about queries that show unclear thinking, and perhaps an imperfect understanding of what’s being sought. In fact, these show such a lack of clarity (for instance, “Cancer in Leo”–huh?) that I have to skip considering them altogether. I guess what I’m saying is that if one doesn’t have a clear idea of what is being asked for, then one has little hope of finding anything that makes sense–and if one is trying to learn about astrology, nothing beats establishing a firm foundation (such as the difference between planets and signs, what planets rule what signs, what an aspect is) before chasing concepts that are in essence nonsense. Of course, it’s no matter to me if these searches continue–just thought I’d offer a word to the wise. As well, searches such as “When will the Moon be in the 7th House” leave me mystified–do they mean their natal 7th, in which case they should be looking for the dates when the Moon will be in that sign, or is there a misconception that the 7th House in place at that spot in the current moment means something to the individual? Again, a thought that your best results come from knowing precisely what you’re asking for in the first place.

Now, on to what we’re here for! There were lots of queries related to the meaning of particular Moon positions and certain subjects; here are the best of these:

What does the Moon in the 1st say about the mother?

Excellent question, as the symbol for the mother falling in the House of Self as we present to the world naturally suggests she may have a big influence on our personality, and our way of conducting ourselves, especially upon first encountering someone or something, in life. What we tend to see, in the most general terms, is a confusion of mother’s issues with our own; with some maturity, we may begin to ask ourselves, does Mom feel that, or is that what I feel? Emotional closeness to the mother is definitely present; it can be debilitating or even destructive if we are unaware of the influence she has exerted, or if we are enmeshed and are being used, one way or another, to provide emotional sustenance to Mom. We can get a lot of information from the sign this falls in, and as well, we can see how Mom views the 1st House Moon offspring by inspecting that sign in her chart. A 1st House Moon in Pisces, with Pisces on Mom’s 7th, might hint that there is a lack of appropriate emotional boundaries, and that the mother feels it’s quite natural (even a right) to fuse her own emotional state with the child’s. In another instance, a Taurus Moon in the 1st, with Taurus on Mom’s 3rd, could say that the emotional sharing the mother engages in with the child is a form of communication, likely imparting values and material standards (Venus rulership, Taurus). With a 1st House placement I have often seen the child feel they must provide emotional security or ‘happiness’ to the mother, sometimes at cost to their own well-being, though with this manifestation there is no suggestion that the mother asks for this, unless sign and House relationships say otherwise–it is offered by the child, who sees it as appropriate. Aspects will also have some say; for instance, a 1st House Moon in Capricorn square Saturn in the 4th says quite clearly that Dad probably plays a big part in Mom’s emotional life, and also in that of the child, perhaps to the point of being overwhelming, with the square suggesting that the influence might have been repressive in some way for mother and offspring, with the potential to put up barriers between mother and child, for the comfort of the father. In any case, 1st House Moon is sensitive, and often begins life with the emotions showing ‘on the sleeve’; and it usually takes some time for differentiation of the emotional state from the mother’s influence to occur.

Are health professions connected to Moon in the 6th House?

Usually I refuse to draw such simplistic assessments as equating any single placement with a particular talent or professional area, but 6th House placements in relation to the health professions are the exception that proves the rule. Consistently I’ve noted 6th House placements tieing the individual to the helping professions in some form; with the Moon, obvious manifestations are nursing, caregiving, dietician, therapist, social worker, and less obvious (and, as with everything, relying on other supportive indicators) such as psychic, manufacturer or preparer of dairy products or dairy farmer, addiction counselor, child advocate (such as those who represent children in the courts), or stylist (the quick changes of the Moon suggesting an ability, when in the 6th, to read and respond to everyday trends).

With other energies in the 6th, we can also look for the ways these connect to health and helping professions, and consistently we will find some kind of link. Uranus, for example, might suggest one who helps/ guides with the intellect, aids by or using technological or social innovation, or who works with the healing or function of the nervous system and brain; the Sun might be a heart specialist, symbolic or otherwise. So, yes, I do see a connection between Moon in the 6th and health, healing, and helping professions, but the forms this can take are numberless, and the essence of the helping individual, a caring attitude, can literally fit any profession existing.

 And, with the 6th House still in mind, we see another query: What indicates ability to heal others after a near death experience?

This, of course, would be a very specifically individual signature, largely shown by particular natal placements triggered by Solar Arc or tertiary progression, or possibly secondary progression–and again, there’s no special placement that shows this potential, but I have described the ability to heal in the chart of one who could (Ellen Yoakum) and in one who portrayed this in the movies (Ellen Burstyn), both of whom have 6th House Moon https://juliedemboski.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/natal-moon-in-the-6th-house/

One thing I would say about healing ability and a near death experience: a near death experience does not change who we are, it changes how we see things, our viewpoint, our perspective–so potentials were there all along, or not at all, one is not suddenly endowed with special abilities or powers because of an event. There is also the danger in just that, in seeing an ability, any ability, as special–not only is this inaccurate, it promotes a doctrine of ‘betterness’ and a mentality of separation, neither of which is present in a true healer.

I had a number of searches that centered on music, such as What indicates musical talent in astrology?

With any talent or ability, we must understand that expression of potentials occurs because of an auspicious confluence of interest, opportunity, ability, persistence, all of which may or may not converge with a ‘right place, right time’ that allows one to concentrate on and develop the talent even further. So, talents are often best delineated from their life expression back to the chart, as many potentials that exist in the chart may never see the light of day. That said, traditionally Neptune is associated with music, so we would perhaps start our search, in a very general way, there. We might also look to Neptune in contact with Saturn (giving form, and perhaps showing performance or recording), Venus (beauty), and Mercury (writing), a connection to the Sun (suggesting Neptune as part of the Soul plan), and connections to the 7th House might be appropriate, for featuring the audience and connecting the Neptune to a public or open forum/ expression. And of course, there are all the other sensibilities that might come into play, such as Pluto with ‘Death Metal’ and Chiron with the torch song genre.

And someone searched simply Opera Voices + astrology, and for this we would likely look for big, dramatic expression, and a classic connection to Taurus (voice) would be in order. See a consummate professional’s chart and assessment here https://juliedemboski.wordpress.com/she-finds-her-voice/

Have a wonderful and safe New Year celebration–see you next year!

A Poke in the Eye from Mother Nature: Ceres Fist of God

23 Tuesday Dec 2008

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Fist of God

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Today, December 23rd, focus is on a Fist of God with asteroid Ceres as the focal point. This came together yesterday and will continue through the 28th, with a promise of unsettled relationships among authority figures/ Mother Nature, society as a whole, travelers, and those who wish to expand or educate, and the areas of life we find sacred, including the home and sexual expression. This particular combination may be seen at work in the hubbub surrounding Obama’s selection of anti-gay rights preacher Rick Warren, the release of  the movie ‘Milk,’ the story of openly gay San Francisco city councilor Harvey Milk’s murder (along with SF Mayor George Moscone) at the hands of Dan White (who entered the annals–that’s with two ‘n’s!–of law with the ‘Twinkie Defense,’ claiming his behavior was based on a nutrient poor, chemical heavy diet), and in the way the weather crippling so much of North America seems to have settled in for the long-term (or at least through the 28th), making travel difficult and hampering the gathering at ‘home’ for many this season. In all quadrants we may see authority challenged and fighting back, Mother Nature simply relentless in her expression, and overall a pattern, unsettled and unsettling, of forces, both tangible and intangible, at odds.

Though the weather can be very tough to deal with, most difficult may be the upsets to the home front and the expression of sexuality, and to those things we find most sacred. The involvement of Vesta is very tense, symbolized by its spot at 29 degrees of Aries; this suggests that Self-assertion for everyone, and particularly for those who must exert some form of leadership, in Vesta’s arenas is under intense pressure. It feels as if one must act; so the question becomes, how?

Vesta is just past a trine to the Sun (when we became aware of the Vesta problem), and now heads toward trine with Mars and Pluto, and of course square to Jupiter. These aspects suggest that the freedom to act, to change the situation, to transform circumstances, is on the way; and there is also the idea that the social sphere may not support what you intend–but don’t let that bother you. With Vesta involved in your actions, there should be no reason to doubt the validity of your Self-assertion urges.

If your Vestal inclination will impact relationships, then you should be cognizant of the sesquiquadrate formed by Venus to Earth, as well as Venus’ conjunctions to Chiron and Neptune. This says relationships, and possibly financial situations, may need to be adjusted to accomodate actual circumstances, and that our relationships may feature hurt and fantasy, delusion, or inspiration out of proportion to the reality of things. Just knowing that our perceptions are not necessarily accurate in this area at this time will help us deal with what’s presented, and prevent jumping to conclusions.

And check out Monica Starr’s Astrology Mundo for several fun articles and links (and if you have an unnatural fear of snow globes, you’ll want to take a look!), as well as her predictions for 2009 http://astrologymundo.wordpress.com/

Monday Poll Round-Up, Mars in Late Sag, and What You’re Asking, Vol. 3

22 Monday Dec 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, current events in the sky, Mars, Moon, natal placement

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There was only one poll this week, involving what we commonly read when we read our horoscope in a Sun sign column. I wondered if readers were taking a straightforward approach (18% do, reading their Sun sign), a tailored approach (18% use their Moon sign, and 36% concentrate attention in an area where they have a stellium), or if people were getting mavericky with unique takes on the matter (such as reading the sign of the chart ruler–00%!). A full 55% read the sign of their Ascendant, and, considering the way Sun sign columns are typically delineated, this makes sense, as they’re most accurate when we use the sign on our Ascendant as our representative.

Mars late in Sagittarius seems to be getting under everyone’s skin, with attacks on linebackers and a man who decided to jump into Knut the polar bear’s cage leading the charge of too-aggressive behaviors. Why should this be? A late sign degree adds stress, and this, coupled with Sag’s natural inclination to reach out, to expand, could be triggering our least controlled manifestations of the ‘I am’ urge. It doesn’t help that it’s already in proximity to Pluto, and drawing on the potential for violent, destructive, change-insisting action. Look to the area (House) where Mars is now transiting in your natal chart for clues as to the areas in which you’re vulnerable to spontaneous assertion that may go too far.

And finally, an installment of ‘What You’re Asking.’

Does natal Mars in the 12th correlate to a tendency toward child abuse?

I should begin this answer with a caveat that applies to any placement in general: there is no specific position for any planet that gives such a definitive behavioral indictment (or, in a more positive light, a gift) as such. We must look at the whole chart, and in the case of Mars in the 12th, the aspects and the House ruled by Mars become instrumental in delineating meaning. Even then, we have multiple interpretations to choose from. In this case, a 12th House Mars in the most general terms tends to make the individual unaware of their capacity for anger and Self-assertion; and yet, they are typically highly assertive people, as the Martian energy drives the subconscious and underlies everything. So, with Mars here, what we’re really talking about are people who, in one way or another, do not fully comprehend how they may be expressing Martian energies, and this can lead to some very unconscious behavior until the energies are fully integrated into the consciousness. This also means that it’s tough to engage in any conversation with these people about their aggressive tendencies when they are still operating below consciousness; what seems like blatant denial is often more a simple inability to see their own Mars–but be prepared, they will often see it in everyone else!

This can be a classic placement for one who sees others as being aggressive with them, and they may attribute others’ behavior as the ‘reason’ they lash out–‘she egged me on’ or ‘he was asking for it.’ And yes, if the individual is largely unconscious, and Mars rules the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, or 8th, it could suggest child abuse–but if applicable, this combination could also suggest a leader or someone with a warrior sensibility who can defend others vigorously, an adept businessman or woman, someone unusually brave, or a successful athlete. The many possibilities of any placement are why we must take extra care not to buy into a too neat, too abbreviated definition of any energy, whether the interpretation is positive or negative.

What are the effects of a Void of Course Moon in a natal chart?

A Void of Course Moon is, as we know, a descriptor of the Moon after it has made its final major aspect in the sign through which it travels, and before it enters the following sign. In general, a VOC Moon period is a time when there is little impetus behind new starts or beginnings, and this idea follows from the fact that the Moon is the most changeable of all the main energies of the chart, and so is symbolic of growth, maturing, of the progression of events. It also suggests a period of unpredictability; things will likely not go as planned when undertaken at this time, and results may be unexpected and surprising, all because we don’t have the impetus of the Moon quickly contacting other bodies on which to count in moving circumstances forward.

When a natal Moon is VOC, it is the most ‘mature’ energy, degree-wise, in the chart, and it may or may not make aspects to other energies. If it fails to aspect anything, then the emotional picture becomes a huge focus for the individual; she or he may spend a lifetime trying to make emotional connections, both with the Self and with others. No matter the aspect picture, there may be a feeling that everything is felt extra intensely, that the world is in some way ‘too close’ to the sensibilities, and yet it seems to the individual it’s a thousand miles away in terms of relating successfully. This individual may have a sense that they are the ‘oldest Soul’ in the room (and here let me say, that is a lot of poppycock! some are more mature, some more experienced, some have absorbed their lessons better, but there is no order of creation for Souls!), but a better definition may be that they have a very serious, wise way of looking at the World–and this person may have a very difficult time fitting in with others–no matter their surface amiability, they may continually feel they are a stranger in a strange land.

And, stay snug, and have a great Monday!

Jeremy Piven and Mercury Poisoning

21 Sunday Dec 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Mercury, Neptune, Pluto

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Actor Jeremy Piven (26 July 1965 Manhattan NY USA no time available) last week left performing in David Mamet’s ‘Speed the Plow’ on Broadway due to what was found to be Mercury poisoning. It’s rare, now that the Borgias are out of business, to hear of a poisoning case, and even more so to hear of one involving material that has a planetary namesake. Using a random noon birth time I took a look at Mr. Piven’s natal chart, with an eye toward anything that might say ‘poison’; with no way to accurately determine angles, we are significantly hampered in terms of natal predisposition; in other words, we have no way of seeing whether Mercury poisoning was a potential event for him that could’ve been anticipated, though transits perhaps signal that ‘now’ is the logical time for this to come forward for anyone subjected to heavy consumption (more than once daily) of sushi and other forms of fish, as was Mr. Piven’s habit.jeremy-piven-transits-19-dec

I set the transit chart for Friday the 19th, as I believe this is when the news was announced, and we see that the transiting Moon was entering Libra on that day; with Mercury at 28 Leo 30 in the natal chart, the Moon has just semi-sextiled it, and goes on to square Pluto at oo Capricorn. Of course, we can’t help but notice that transiting Pluto has in recent months trined natal Mercury; perhaps when it first moved within orb of Mercury was the initial, serious adoption of the diet regimen that resulted in the poison build-up–but that’s just speculation. Pluto’s transiting trine to Mercury, if we want to be quite literal, could suggest a destruction/ transformation of the nervous system, to the efficiency of the lungs, and to a slowing of the reflexes (the Mercurial ‘quickness’) all of which are symptoms of Mercury poisoning.

Or should we be looking at Neptune, with it’s ability to hide effects indefinitely, to represent the liquidity of Mercury in general and the potential for another, more insidious kind of poisoning, the ‘fading away’ that comes with many slow, cumulative poisons? Certainly it represents the source of the poison, the oceans and their edible inhabitants. Transiting Neptune is (if we’re generous with orbs) within opposition range of natal Mercury; perhaps both Neptune and Pluto play complementary roles in the poisoning scenario, with the transiting Sun’s approach and conjunction to Pluto shining a light on it in a ‘big reveal.’

Natally, Mercury has only two aspects, a conjunction to Venus (blood sugar) in Virgo (health and diet) and a semi-square to Mars (muscle and blood itself) in Libra (ruled by Venus, and where it’s very weak), so we might not be surprised to find Mercury linked to health issues for Mr. Piven. Mercury’s ruler, the Sun, is posited in its own sign of Leo, and this may suggest possible muscle, and particularly heart, damage as a result of this crisis; this is supported by Pluto as it nears quincunx to the natal Sun, and by the transiting South Node as it sweeps toward conjunction–both imply that damage inflicted in the past may come to light.

I wish Mr. Piven well, and also a speedy and (hopefully) complete recovery; for the rest of us, it’s a useful lesson in going to extremes, dietarily or otherwise.

Solstice, Shmolstice

18 Thursday Dec 2008

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky

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I can’t do it better than this! http://judecowell.wordpress.com/2008/12/15/winter-solstice-2008-sun-cap-moon-libra/

This weekend, the Sun is in the last degrees of Sagittarius and coming to conjunction with Pluto–look for tension when ‘reaching out’ to others–it’s just the way it is, and you may find yourself feeling touchy as well. Don’t take it personally; look to the spirit of the lovely Libra Moon and approach contacts with a stance of co-operation, fairness, and loving connection, and you may see problems disappear. x-ray_sun1 

Other notable notes: work with Saturn quincunx Neptune, to fashion reality to fit your dreams; Venus sesquiquadrates the Earth and helps bring values, relationships, and earning situations ‘down to Earth’–that’s good, as it means we’ll easily see where and how to adjust things to our liking; Mars sextiles Neptune, marrying action to imagination and inspiration; Juno sextiles Uranus, empowering the uniqueness within each of us, and making interaction of the empowered individual with the group profitable for both; Vesta trine Pluto says it will be easy to do needed deep cleaning and regeneration on the home front, in the sex life, and in activities related to those causes to which we’re dedicated, and we won’t have any trouble seeing how to proceed here, either, as the Sun comes along to light the way.

We have some very helpful energies available to us right now, especially if we’re looking to create and to cleanse, so access these with the thought of enhancing your life, and remember that what inspires you, and what you aspire to, can be made manifest, though a cautionary point is in order: the subconscious, via Neptune, can be especially active right now, so if something comes forward that you believe you’d never have asked for–think again!

Julie Demboski's ASTROLOGY

Addressing the Individual Experience Within the Universal Truth

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