A Good Day To . . . 3 July 2020 It’s A Mad World

Tags

, ,

“A Mad Tea Party” From a 1907 edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. illustrations by Arthur Rackham {{PD}}

The 3rd Is A Good Day To . . . relax. That vibe that’s rolling through you is the Lunar eclipse of the 4th, pushing energy before it like an object moving through water. The temptation may be to feel ‘carried away’ by the energy; you may hear a ringing in the air, feel the ground vibrating beneath your feet, or feel soaked to the bone with feeling on a perfectly dry day–but in any case know that, if you were dating the eclipse, this would be a situation where the eclipse says, ‘It’s me, not you’, making very clear that you are two separate entities, after all, and so not responsible for each other’s existence.

Keeping that personal independence from surroundings and surrounding events in mind, you’ll see that today sets the stage for the eclipse tomorrow, chiefly in two ways: one is the way that the facts, wisdom, and practicality are all amplified and exaggerated, opportunities align with best-case scenarios and choices, and optimism floods those areas that are truly our best options–so go toward those. The mind is slightly less defensive than usual, so accesses instinct that much more readily. Today can see great plans made or steps taken–just relax into it.

A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.

A Good Day To . . . 2 July 2020 The Gauntlet

Tags

, ,

‘Raspberries in a Gauntlet’ By George Henry hall 1868 {{PD}} Photo By Daderot – Own work https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71676728

The 2nd Is A Good Day To . . . be aware: wisdom either transforms the life, or what you consider wise is destroyed in light of real-world events or laid waste by a vengeful other. It could be that you finally have the power to do the smart thing, or the practical thing, or it could be that you must purge or destroy because what is just isn’t practical, doesn’t measure up or suit your needs. It may feel as if you’re running a gauntlet, but the reality is that if you don’t cast yourself as a dynamic player, you become by default a victim–and nobody wants that. Some meshing of the power situation with the skill set, or with wise or practical ways of expressing, must occur–there’s just no way around it. Hints for success: if you don’t accept your full measure of power, if you reject the idea that you are the arbiter of your own fate, someone else will grab that power or privilege for their own–and it may be very difficult to re-claim it, once it’s gone. Don’t try to sort things with the mind–it will only stick you in a repeating loop that will accomplish zero. And look for the roots of your power within a combination of personal authority and highest values–find the correct mixture of the two and you’ll be unstoppable.

A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.

A Good Day To . . . 1 July 2020

Tags

, , ,

‘Der Brief (The Letter)’ By Johann Georg Meyer 1851 {{PD}}

The 1st Is A Good Day To . . . promise yourself you won’t communicate from a position of hurt–and further, that you won’t inflict hurt yourself. One thing we need to remember about our own part in hurting others is that we don’t get to determine whether someone else should feel hurt by something we’ve done; it’s not up to us to grant permission, or to assess the validity of someone else’s experience. Today’s a day that may test our own ability to recognize someone else’s pain, to honor it, and to apologize, if appropriate–and part of that is refusing to judge the ‘rightness’ of another’s experience.

If your response to this is, ‘Well sometimes others say they’ve been hurt to manipulate,’ I would say, ‘Yes, sometimes they do, but we don’t have to respond to that. Our only job here is to acknowledge that we can’t really know the experience of someone else. If you feel someone is trying to manipulate or control you, you can witness their statement of hurt, admit (to yourself) that you don’t get to judge this, all the while refusing to feel an obligation to ‘answer’ the demand you believe is being made. If you’ve been raised to jump to and see assuaging others’ discomfort as your responsibility, this may be very difficult for you. But learn how to respond appropriately, and you’ll be free.’

A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.

‘Squirrel Eating Chestnuts’ By Kawabata Gyokushō c1890 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a one-eyed squirrel so small he fits through the cage around the bird feeder and shares seed as if he’s one of the birds! In what way has seeing yourself as ‘not enough’ made you adopt behaviors you wouldn’t otherwise have engaged in, or hang with a crowd you don’t really feel a part of? Have you judged yourself unable to compete in the arena you really want to be in? Being unique is a gift, and your tribe will (at least, eventually) appreciate and honor that (I’m particularly talking to those who may be leading with these energies: ground-breakers like Aquarius, deep feelers like Scorpio, and Artists like Pisces), so there’s no need for Self-exile–you just need the courage to enter the fray–and then again, there’s nothing wrong with seeing the world from another point of view, and making friends who are very different than you, especially ones who may not entirely understand you–but they accept you, and that’s what counts.

A Good Day To . . . 30 June 2020 Sidle Up

Tags

, , , ,

Sidle up sounds like saddle up, doesn’t it? By Anson Ambrose Martin c1840 {{PD}}

The 30th Is A Good Day To . . . approach things obliquely, especially expressions of personal Will or efforts to promote one’s own competence or elevate one’s own status. Even though we may feel alight with good ideas and eager to implement them, we may not anticipate the way what we’ve ignored or denied up to now comes roaring back to muck things up. And it’s not just that; this is the Inferior Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury (inferior referring to Mercury’s retrograde state), a time when our retro-period mulling plants the seeds for new ideas and ways of thinking, so can be the starting point of ways of seeing that would find our current choices, if successfully implemented, less than satisfying.

Better to proceed with caution, allowing ourselves to be informed via the surprise, the off-beat, and the unexpected, meeting challenges with an inventive and original turn of mind, not pushing too hard for any particular result.

A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.

Today’s word image is: on a warm summer night, a car idles for hours. In what way are we ‘running our engine’, wasting energy and resources, when we should ‘go dark’, allowing ourselves to rest? Covid times are tough on all of us, in ways we often can’t anticipate, and prompting us to try to be continually ‘ready’ for what we must face, to always be doing something productive or to improve the Self. That may have served us as an initial response to a multitude of stressors, but as summer arrives we need to be willing to get adequate rest, to refuse a kind of hyper-responsibility that doesn’t serve and is highly draining. Turn off your engine, get out of the vehicle, and look up at the stars.

A Good Day To . . . 29 June 2020 Collision

Tags

, , ,

This artist’s concept shows a celestial body about the size of our moon slamming at great speed into a body the size of Mercury. NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope found evidence that a high-speed collision of this sort occurred a few thousand years ago around a young star, called HD 172555, still in the early stages of planet formation. The star is about 100 light-years from Earth. NASA/ JPL-Caltech {{PD}}

The 29th Is A Good Day To . . . duck and cover–or embrace every shred of pure Power you can get your hands on–there’s no in-between. We’ve been waiting for this re-match with Jupiter and Pluto, and it’s finally here: exaggerating clashes, the forces of destruction working to obliterate the facts, beliefs transcending all dangers and all reason–so really, a day when maniacs, dictators, the unreasonable and the fanatic may prosper all out of proportion, simply out of a conscience-free desire to advance their Will and a willingness to reach out without discretion, while those who value reality, who consider the welfare of the larger social order, who embrace the Power of their own spiritual connection, or who have Faith may seem to be under imminent threat (though special note: those who hold misguided faith are in for an awakening, a devastation of their false god, a repudiation based in fact).

The reality is, though, that formidable as these darker, more power-hungry forces may be, they are equally matched in a contest with Faith in the Universe, with the sheer might of the positive, the optimistic, and the long arc of justice. It’s a time when instinct can serve us well, providing we can sort it from the mind and the emotions (though the emotions, when ‘clear’, can guide and inform the instincts).

Think back to their first meeting in April of this year, view the second surge now, with another perfecting mid-November. Too, review if possible their last pair of meetings, in December 2007 (in Sagittarius) and December 1994 (in Scorpio). There should be some sort of thread discernible, most probably a personal one reflecting larger dissonance in the world but just as easily one that is so very personal that it’s been hidden, kept private, and now is exposed (or re-exposed, at least to us). Often we see the House placement in the natal chart signifying the way the larger social effect manifests at our real-world level, and/ or the subjects where we find upheaval. The effect is one of change, expansion, destruction, applied to the facts and faith of the world as we know it. Brace for impact.

A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.

A movie recommendation for the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction: Melancholia by Lars Von Trier.

A Good Day To . . . 28 June 2020 Not In Our Stars

Tags

, , ,

‘Starry Night Over the Rhone’ By Vincent van Gogh {{PD}}

The 28th Is A Good Day To . . . do it. Mars sextiles Saturn, making for smooth, real-world efforts–just enough restraint, just enough push–and Mercury conjoins Vesta, rooting thought processes in highest values, which guarantees that what you plan and do will be in line with the essence of what you honor (less-than-satisfactory results should prompt Self-examination, particularly in terms of what you find sacred in life–in this case, the fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves). Yes, Merc is still retro, but here we don’t rely on the mind but the things we find important to guide us. Moon in Libra makes things pleasant in interaction and aesthetics, and aids in negotiations, so don’t be afraid to approach ‘the Other’.

A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.

A Good Day To . . . 27 June 2020 Serendipity

Tags

, ,

Original work on canvas by Roberta Pinna. Owner/Collector: Sergio Marchionne. Photo By Ginevra Caracciolo 88 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75108567

The 27th Is A Good Day To . . . know that, for as much care and caution as we needed to exercise yesterday, today we can throw caution to the winds. Mars enters Aries, offering us confidence (perhaps even too much!) and a novile to Uranus suggests that serendipity, coincidence, the sudden event, the accident, the surprise, the shock, the revelation, the innovation or invention, interaction with ‘the group’, or a Higher Mind understanding offers brilliant benefits. Any questions? Of course not–that was rhetorical–go get ’em!

A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.

A Good Day To . . . 26 June 2020 Fry Day

Tags

, , ,

‘A Portrait of a Mother and her Two Sons’ By Hilda Fearon 1911 {{PD}}

“Is it hot in here, or is it just me?”–my mom

The 26th Is A Good Day To . . . be really really clear on where and from whom the anger is coming. This might be our own temper, spilling over, someone else’s, or a combination, and could come in many forms, some of which are unlikely to actually look like the aggressions they are. Blame it on a 29 degree Mars in Pisces (so good at hiding, good at camouflaging as something else) in a T-square with the 29 degree Nodal axis across Gemini-Sagittarius. The square brings conflict to the surface, including our own internal conflicts, and forces them out into the world via  choices and actions (Mars), thoughts (Gemini), and beliefs (Sagittarius) related to the life path.

This may distract from the ‘real’ issue, which is a careful weighing of and thinking about Power. What our power is worth to us is the issue, and there’s a particular focus on the way our thinking shapes (quite literally in some instances) our relationships to both others and to money.

We may be exhausted by the end of the day, but we do get through it, probably having gained some very clear ideas of where we stand–and we should be glad of it, as lately we’ve been more or less acting or choosing through the fog of Mars in Pisces, the retro Mercury, and the shook up values, relationships, and asset picture of a retro Venus. Too, we’re not out of eclipse season yet; another comes on 4 July, and that means we’re still becalmed, unable to choose a direction that serves our best interests yet, still riding in that valley between events through uncertain and sometimes contradictory energies.

Hint for sorting things out today: those who get angriest either have the most to hide, or are just discovering how messed up things really are. If that’s you, be kind with yourself–in reality nobody expects you to know or anticipate everything.

A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.

A Bit of This Week: 22-25 June 2020

Tags

, , , ,

‘Le Palais Contarini’ By Claude Monet 1908 {{PD}}

In the Near Future It’s Good To . . . be ready to adjust and re-adjust our stances on just about everything. The big news on the 22nd was Neptune stationing retrograde and likely removing at least a couple layers of fog, misperception, misdirection, and/ or deception. This switch will point out over the course of the retrograde what dreams we can realistically move toward, which we must nix, and which need more attention, modification, or creative input in order to be viable, and may also offer a reality check on an ideal or two. This is longer-term, and so likely to be delivered by moving aspects to the chart related to natal Neptune or the transiting body to other natal points, which can help pinpoint when the influence may come forward in the life, and can indicate which life areas might see the clearing skies.

As with all the ‘heavier’ bodies, Neptune moves very slowly at direction and regression points, and so may leave the impression that this is the state of Neptune-tinged areas permanently, but there’s one thing to remember: the Neptune influence is like standing knee-deep in a muddy lake. We can’t see the bottom, even though we know it’s there, and we can’t see what else may be floating around us in the water. It can be unnerving if we focus too much on defining what we can’t see; still, we must keep in mind there are things we can’t see, and though imagination can serve to ‘fill out’ what’s invisible it’s not really advisable, as it’s too easy to let the fears drive the imagination. This period also includes a Neptune contra-parallel to Juno, suggesting a ‘big reveal’ (or at least a new idea about) the roles where you call the shots or cooperate with the mate; where you’ve been fooling yourself about your own power and reach may become apparent. Be glad you’re finding out this way, and not in some more stressful or demanding scenario.

On the 24th Venus stations direct, ending our long national nightmare of aesthetics gone wrong and the sampling of relationships outside our usual territory. Hopefully it brought some successful experimentation and revealed a new love or revenue stream, and maybe kicked off some fast friendships. Venus does her turnaround in Gemini, and that may give us a break; what we think of things may coalesce quickly and be unusually clear for a concurrent Merc retro period–and that can only act to bolster confidence.

There are two noteworthy minor contacts (but those can be major under the right circumstances, can’t they?) on the 25th: Uranus sextiles Vesta, and the Sun conjoins Hygeia. With the first we may see surprises or sudden developments delivered through the home scene and those life areas to which we dedicate our efforts. This is highly individual for each person, and could also suggest we see some intimate relationship, home situation, or cause we’re committed to through a Higher Mind lens, which could offer revelations concerning where and to what we should dedicate our efforts. The second just puts a big spotlight on health; stay aware that health is a state of being that can apply to almost anything–in this case, with the pairing in Cancer, we are likely to focus on the health of what and who we care about, or the health of anything related to the matters of the House where Cancer is located in the natal chart.

A Good Day To . . . , as well as any weekly versions, are based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.

Solar Eclipse 20 June 2020 Healthy Emotion

Tags

, , , , ,

By Asurnipal – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38597398

The Solar eclipse begins at 11:41 PM PDT of the 20th at 00 Cancer 21, and even stretching our modest orbs only shows two closer contacts, a conjunction with asteroid Hygeia, and a to-the-degree quincunx with Saturn in Aquarius. We might also want to note a wide square with Mars in Pisces, important for several reasons: Mars is uncomfortable in a Water sign, and perhaps doubly so when there are no clear boundaries between ‘I’ and ‘the Universe’; because of this discomfort, the vast majority of us are aware (even if unconsciously) of the rub between Mars’ usual assertiveness and the nebulous atmosphere in which it’s trying to operate currently; and, by early September, Mars will retrograde (which happens every 2 1/2 years), this time in his own sign of Aries, which may add to disorientation: we reach ‘home’ in the ‘I Am’ and assertive energies, only to have the rug pulled from under us in future as all indicators are full steam ahead and yet we find ourselves thwarted, delayed, and prone to question ourselves once the retro begins–so an added disorientation ahead that may feel inexplicable and could hearken back, energy-wise, to the current Piscean state–all this making notation of the potential for Mars’ eclipse activation necessary.

The aspect picture suggests the eclipse births an individual awareness of the emotional impact of the state of ‘health’ to every facet of our lives. Problems in the functionality and health of any area now come forward, showing us where and in what form the dissonance disrupts our efforts, our ability to move forward, and our egos. It’s an event wherein the real-world scenario is presenting needed areas of adjustment, as well as pointing out where and why we may find externals holding us back. We may rebel at that, insisting modification isn’t necessary–the ego may be in direct conflict with what the eclipse reveals–but we’d be wise to note what we’re shown; the eclipse offers realistic, Higher Mind clarity–all we need do is be open to our own feeling nature as it supplies plenty of motivation and guidance for adjustment, alteration, and change.

The eclipse falls at one of the Cardinal ‘starting points’, emphasizing the ‘clean sweep’ nature of the event as well as the seminal quality of what occurs; more is birthed with this New Moon than we are able to grasp, or even that we’re immediately aware of. Add to this that the eclipse falls on the solstice (but here I have to say the meaning is symbolic, as the actual ‘longest day of the year’ can vary by up to a couple of days either side of the event as measured at the equator, depending on your location north, with this also marking the shortest day, with those same variations, for those in the Southern Hemisphere). So, we combine a New Moon eclipse at a 00 zodiacal degree with the symbolic extreme of a Solstice, and we get a strong sense of new, new, and new, especially the individual emotional interpretation of the landscape–and that suggests revelations around our genuine feelings. Even the most aware of us are likely to be unprepared for the impact of our discoveries, of the emotions we may not even have realized we have, of the feelings that have been unconscious and so underlying so much of our reactions and motivations.

It’s always a good thing to see how we actually feel, even when we’re not happy with the revelations. As humans we typically avoid knowing much of what we feel, because if our true emotional state were revealed to us, it would in many instances demand we do something about the circumstances that generate those feelings–and that may threaten much of what we have (often precariously) managed to find a balance point for in our lives.

The personal flag, an announcement of our allegiances, may change with this eclipse. By Claude Monet 1878 {{PD}}

The Sabian symbol for the eclipse is, ‘On A Ship The Sailors Lower An Old Flag And Raise A New One’. A flag is a symbol of allegiance; this symbol suggests ours will change. This may signal that eclipse events may move us to make public what has to now either been only known unconsciously or held as private. There is the chance that we simply replace old alignments with a new version of the same–but that’s not likely, considering the tone of the eclipse is one of revealed emotions. It’s most definitely a time to let our Freak Flags Fly–and to allow ourselves a freedom of expression that accepts our most unusual feelings and characteristics–and because we care (Cancer eclipse placement) this can be nothing but good.

I may be taking a few days off post-eclipse–it falls in my 6th, squares my Mercury, sextiles my Pluto, trines my Neptune, and so reaches into my 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 10th, so calls for some examination of the creative, earning, career, and cooperative energies currently in play. Orders will still get filled and I’ll still answer comments. Thanks for your patience, and have a wonderful and enlightening eclipse!

 

Julie Demboski's ASTROLOGY

Addressing the Individual Experience Within the Universal Truth

Skip to content ↓