Tag Archives: Finger of God

Recognizing the Absurd

06 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by in astrology, Consciousness Explored, current events in the sky

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Alexandra Day's 'Good Dog, Carl'

Alexandra Day’s ‘Good Dog, Carl’

When my girls were little we discovered a series of books that featured a babysitter named Carl and his adventures with the children he was tasked with watching. That’s cool, right? Except that Carl was a Rottweiler, and the children’s parents repeatedly put them in the most absurd, precarious, and dangerous situations without a care–as Carl would make sure it all worked out.

I loved these books; I have a keen sense of and fondness for the absurd, and I delighted in introducing my children to something so unreal. I still indulge in this, often asking kids of 6 or 7 if they’re married or have their driver’s license. They are old enough to recognize I’m saying a nutty thing, and it’s always fun to watch their reaction–ends up about half will laugh and say something like, ‘No!’ while the rest actually get a little angry, as if to say, ‘Why is this grown-up not playing the social game right?’

So is it just me, or are many individuals, and even larger entities, going to great lengths to convince others to accept the absurd? I’m looking at what’s going on in the sky right now, and we have one of the most solidly realist aspects imaginable at present, the square between Mars and Saturn, that brooks no nonsense and will nail all facts to the table–and perhaps I’m sensitive to the absurd v. the real right now with Mars and Saturn forming the base of a Fist of God with my natal Moon–ouch!–so what’s behind this for everyone else?

Maybe it’s the Ceres-Neptune opposition (Authority faces off against Idealism), or maybe it’s the approaching Finger of God with base of Pluto-Chiron and apex Mars–that’s like a Universal shout out for a Band-Aid® applied with a nail gun! It’s like saying, ‘We’ll heal through destruction, by wiping out the injuries (or maybe the injured!), and we’ll bring about that healing through martial means!’ Oh sure you will.

Usually I deal with the personal, so I think that’s how I’ll approach this question, too. With Vesta as current body of latest degree, we may find people are defending what they see as sacred, whether it makes sense or not, and whether it’s truly worth defending or not. The very idea that this is possibly what’s motivating us should give us pause–and spurred by the quincunx between Ceres and Juno, we might want to adjust our thinking about our own empowerment, and how much we do or don’t need the co-operation of authorities to achieve it. Jupiter and the Sun are in sextile, and Jupiter and Zeus are square; this shines a bright light on the social order, and through conflict on the ambitions and desires of those involved. This should give anyone willing to look a clear enough picture to determine whether we must go along with the absurd, or whether we can free ourselves, with a minimum of hurt (Uranus semi-sextile Chiron).

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Just a Little Lunar Essence 16 August 2013: ‘Knowing Ourselves’

16 Friday Aug 2013

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'Reading' Joan Llimona 1891 {{PD-Art}}

‘Reading’ Joan Llimona 1891 {{PD-Art}}

7 AM PDT of the 16th the Sagittarius Moon forms the apex to a Finger of God with base of Mars-Sedna. This suggests that if our actions and choices are based on truly intimate knowledge and understanding of ourselves, emotional fulfillment will follow. Sounds simple enough. 9 AM PDT the Moon trines Sun-Ceres, offering us a direct line through either the emotions or the intuition to our most powerful personal identity stance–embrace it! Also a good point at which to judge the effects of diet on health. Void begins at 9:59 AM PDT; the Moon enters Capricorn at 8:26 PM Pacific time. Immediately the Moon squares Venus, fresh in Libra. The emotions are challenged in relationship or in dealing with something in life we treasure; try to determine the issue’s worth to you before making a move.

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The Total AstroEssence 15 August 2013: ‘Contrasts’

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

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'Woman With A Parasol' (Madame Monet and her son) Claude Monet 1875 {{PD-Art}}

‘Woman With A Parasol’ (Madame Monet and her son) Claude Monet 1875 {{PD-Art}}

What follows is the aspect and Lunar hour-by-hour forecasts for 15 August from ECLIPSE; subscribers to the Weekly got this last Thursday, while Daily Word subscribers got it, plus the Daily Word Image, in their email morning of the 14th Pacific time. Subscribe now and get this for every day, plus lock in the current rate!

15 August we may do a lot of weighing and measuring today, as the natural world faces off with the inner one, wisdom faces ambition and desire, the Underworld meets the Upper one (and this will have a personal form, wherein your darkness or hidden nature contacts your daily environment) and words make or break relationships, and could earn for us or cost us. Noting the contrasts among things as we sort through our day is what will give events and encounters meaning and texture; neither side of any equation holds a superior position, and keeping this in mind will make us both more thoughtful of the experience and more likely to make decisions that are true to who we are, rather than influenced by conditioning. (Ceres square Sedna and sesquiquadrate Pluto, Pallas square Zeus, Mercury semi-square Venus)

1 AM PDT of the 15th the Sagittarius Moon squares Neptune. We can be mislead, if we’re not entirely willing to see ‘what is’. 9:30 AM PDT the Moon sextiles Juno. Listen to the emotions at this point; they will lead us to empowerment. Noon the Moon makes the apex to a Finger of God with base of South Node and Jupiter. Expanding our ideas about the past, and perhaps learning something of history, personal or otherwise, leads to a sureness emotionally, and an intuitive knowing. 2 PM PDT the Moon trines Uranus and squares Chiron. We could cause hurt by our insistence on separateness, or by rebelling. Such reactions serve no purpose–don’t indulge. 4 PM PDT the Moon trines Mercury, sextiles Zeus, and quincunxes Pallas. If we want our plans to be a success, we must be willing to adjust or modify, according to what’s smart, and to match skills to what’s needed.

The image for today is the hand receiver on an old landline phone. This speaks to me of the South Node, and evokes not an old message, but an old means of delivering the message. Watch today for a familiar form of communication; think about what you came to see that as signifying in the past, and ask yourself how that particular means of sharing information affects the message now, with the idea in mind that the form itself carries its own meaning, apart from the overt message conveyed.

Have a great Thursday! New issue of ECLIPSE comes out tonight!

Your Weekend Forecast from ECLIPSE 9-11 August 2013: ‘For Daydreamers’

09 Friday Aug 2013

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'A Fairy Under Starry Skies' Luis Ricardo Falero c1875 {{PD-Art}}

‘A Fairy Under Starry Skies’ Luis Ricardo Falero c1875 {{PD-Art}}

For the 9th, from ECLIPSE:

1 PM PDT the Virgo Moon conjuncts Venus. A great time for socializing, but watch for emotional spending and being too critical in relationships (Virgo placement). 7 PM PDT the Moon trines Sedna, either effectively separating us from awareness of our own feelings or plunging us so deeply into them that looking out at the world will be like looking at daylight from the bottom of a well. Being too critical of ourselves and our choices is the danger at this time. Know that taking a harsh inventory won’t really reveal anything new, and will certainly depress both mood and motivation. Void begins at 7:29 PM PDT; the Moon enters Libra at 6:08 AM Pacific time August 10th.

10 August Willingness to Adjust is the name of the game today; the social circle must adjust to our empowerment efforts, and we to theirs, and communication is, off the bat, confusing, fanciful, misleading, creative, or deliberately deceptive–possibly in an attempt to ‘soften the blow’ or to gently lead us (and our energy) in another direction. With the Moon entering Libra, the impulse may be to partner-up, but it’s a day to work alone, or at least be willing to cut others a lot of slack in the communication arena, and avoid any important talks or making agreements at this time–they’ll almost certainly contain something unintended, or have hidden consequences. A good day for fiction writers, artists, and daydreamers. (Jupiter quincunx Juno, Mercury quincunx Neptune)

11 August is a day when healing is offered, relationships are tested, what’s wise must defend itself, and communications are curtailed, contained within formal boundaries, or unduly harsh–so don’t take the form messages and information arrive in to heart, but instead hear the message behind the words or deeds. 3 AM PDT the Moon is apex to a Finger of God with base of South Node-Chiron, and the Moon also forms a T-square by opposing Uranus and squaring Pallas. This may be a BIG moment of truth, as we are challenged to show that we are emotionally healed from past injury–and as well we are dared to rebel against what’s wise, and ruin it all. A testing point that can be a milestone, if we handle it correctly.

This is just a small sampling from the current issue of ECLIPSE forecast section; subscribe now to lock in a low low rate for as long as you subscribe (prices go up 1 October), with your choice of Weekly or Daily service–or both! And have an excellent weekend, everyone!

Just a Little AstroEssence for Your Weekend 26-28 July 2013: ‘A Bit of Archaeology’

26 Friday Jul 2013

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'Girl with a Basket' Emile Munier 1875 {{PD-Art}}

‘Girl with a Basket’ Emile Munier 1875 {{PD-Art}}

For Friday the 26th:

the Moon enters Aries at 2:29 PM PDT. 8 PM Pacific time the Moon squares Pallas. Feelings may come into direct conflict with what we know is wise; at this time side with wisdom, as emotions are likely to be too headstrong and Willful. 10 PM PDT the Moon trines the Sun and semi-sextiles Neptune. This combo shows us what we feel through the gauze of illusion, vagueness, or misunderstanding; clear up your vision before drawing any conclusions. Just after 11 PM PDT the Moon becomes apex to a Finger of God with base of Saturn-Venus. Pinning down relationship ‘rules’, restricting spending, or realizing an artistic vision in concrete terms results in a sense of accomplishment and emotional satisfaction–so why wouldn’t you do it?

For Saturday the 27th:

Reality may seem harsh or unduly contrary, while secrets or buried treasure, info, or desires are revealed. There’s a bit of archaeology going on around the home front, or into the life of the mate, and we may find out things about those causes we’re dedicated to, or about those subjects we find sacred, that changes their status in our eyes permanently. Motives powered by the ego and the Will and hidden even from ourselves drive things, perhaps because there is a simultaneous reality check concerning life direction, and this may throw some into a panic, and others into action. (Pluto quincunx Vesta, Mars semi-square Sedna, opposed Pluto, Sun quincunx Neptune, Sun-Earth axis square Saturn)

And for Sunday the 28th:

Today sees a lovely, sparkly sextile of Venus to Jupiter, and we get a beautiful basket of ‘maybe’ delivered to our door–it’s up to us to make something of this, or we could just float through the day socializing pleasantly but doing little else. With some effort and direction on our part this aspect can result in an influx of Money, resources, or Love in many forms, but it can also see these things go out the door just as easily. We can spend too freely or commit resources to the social circle or to expansion efforts, and we may do so without regard to whether we can actually afford it. We do, however, understand the worth of knowledge, education, in-place hierarchies, having a viable life philosophy, and travel, so could make excellent plans at this time–just wait ’til later to buy the ticket.

This is a small sampling from the Weekly ECLIPSE; give it a try–subscribe!

Aquarius Full Moon 22 July 2013: ‘Liminal Genius’

20 Saturday Jul 2013

Posted by in current events in the sky, ECLIPSE magazine, Finger of God, Full Moon

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'Heaven' (detail) from the work of Andrea Mantegna c1470 {{PD-Art}}

‘Heaven’ (detail) from the work of Andrea Mantegna c1470 {{PD-Art}}

This is, with some modifications and parts removed, from the current ECLIPSE, which features an analysis of the Full Moon Sabians, as well:

This Full Moon (22 July 2013 11:15 AM Pacific time at 00 Aquarius 05) will be important in several ways, the most significant of which is the way it pinpoints the time when we should move to actualize those dreams and goals we’ve been mulling over the length of the Grand Water Trine and Mercury cycle. The days just before the Full Moon will act as a window when we should definitively act to make those dreams real, with the FM showing either the initial material result, or closing out one stage and ushering in the next step–but in any case, showing us the extent and condition of our progress. We can act in a way that is both highly effective and sharply focused on our goal, but there are a couple of conditions that must be met: one is that our emotions must support what we’re choosing–and if you’ve experienced any kind of digestion, illness, or assimilation issues (and I would give these a broader definition, to include social situations, as well) during the retrograde then you are almost certainly giving yourself the message that there’s something in the plan that’s literally ‘indigestible’,  in other words, something you can’t (or shouldn’t, for your emotional health) live with.

Besides acknowledging any physical difficulties that may be giving us messages about our current situation, we must also do something to address the issue; this requires we do the symbolic thinking necessary, and then find ways to change circumstances so that they are acceptable. It’s very likely that the circumstances we are being ‘told’ (by our bodies) to change are things we are stubbornly insistent on keeping in our lives–I say this because otherwise the body wouldn’t have had to go so far to get our attention. Consider that what you say you want to do may not go forward unless you accept the need for change, and then make those changes. Here we must face our true intentions: if we do not modify situations as per the physical/ real world messages, we lose the chance at the dream, at least for now. How does that make you feel? Is it enough to move you forward, or are you in the process of abandoning that goal, consciously or not?

The Full Moon occurs at 00 Aquarius 05, putting us exceptionally early in the Aquarian experience; a FM at such a point suggests a kind of proto-knowledge, a liminal genius, of sorts, accompanies the experience. We are to look within for that spark of originality that encompasses the Aquarian higher mind without technically being aware of it! This may sound like quite a feat, but will actually occur naturally for each of us, likely in matters of the natal House with Aquarius perched on the cusp. This represents a kind of personal ouroboros, as we simultaneously conclude something Capricornian (so perhaps related to current Plutonian struggles, or to matters of the House with Cappy on the cusp), and embrace an inception so new it’s like a twinkle in the eye of the Universe. Due to surrounding influences, we can’t yet encode what’s happening in a thought, or put it into words; we are left with the option of going it alone, as a renegade, or gravitating to a like-vibration group, though no one there will be ready to put it into words, either.

The Full Moon is the apex of a sturdy Finger of God, with base of Venus-Pallas. All the energies in this configuration are at 00 degrees; this hints at (again) both the unconscious nature of the expression and the newness of the energies in these positions. We may find that smart occurrences surrounding Love or Money may be involved in the Full Moon realization, as may  practical skills applied to earning and/ or wisdom in or from relationships. That brilliant spark results from the Venus-Pallas co-operation–and we are successful, if we do not succumb to envy, jealousy, or an attitude that is not oriented toward ‘taking care of business’ (Pallas).

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A very good bit on narcissism here–and this sure is appropriate! Thanks to astrologer and astute DC observer Jude Cowell!

Just a Little AstroEssence 25 June 2013: ‘Soothing’

25 Tuesday Jun 2013

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'A Wooded Landscape in Three Panels' Stained Glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany created c1905 {{PD}}

‘A Wooded Landscape in Three Panels’ Stained Glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany created c1905 {{PD}}

25 June Jupiter enters Cancer. This can be a very soothing transit, and can make us feel that the social circle can be a nurturing and comforting place, and/ or that we can find solace and a home in a foreign environment, in educational venues, in teaching others, in religion–in whatever your mass opiate is–but it can also urge us to over-soothe ourselves, with too much comfort food, sleep, or anything else that knocks us out into that blissful baby-just-finished-a-meal zone of contentment and inattention. Not a bad way to approach the Merc retro, considering how tense we might otherwise be, so try not to schedule anything where being sharp and feisty is a requirement.

There’s a Finger of God in effect with apex hZeus and base of SN-Chiron. Entertaining hurt from the past will keep us from fulfilling our desires and ambitions–it’s that simple.

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Your Weekend Forecast 14-16 June 2013: ‘Taking the Marbles’

14 Friday Jun 2013

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'The Card Players in an Interior' by Jan Steen c1660 {{PD-Art}}

‘The Card Players in an Interior’ by Jan Steen c1660 {{PD-Art}}

This is a sampling of the detailed hour-by-hour Lunar forecast (plus much more on the aspects) available in ECLIPSE Weekly for only $5 month–or for the same cost you can get the Daily Word, each day’s complete forecast sent ahead of time to your email–and if you can read email on your phone, you never have to be without!

Remember, Lunar aspects span at least 4 hours before exact, and around 4 hours after.

7 PM PDT of the 14th the Virgo Moon sextiles Saturn and opposes Neptune. This may be a very sensitive point, when intuiting something previously completely hidden about our reality picture can happen–and we may find ourselves vigorously denying it or rejecting what we’ve discovered. No matter what’s revealed, have the courage to see reality–it’s the only way to fly.

3 AM Pacific time of the 15th the Moon squares Pallas, and good sense flies out the window–take note. 5 AM PDT the Moon trines Pluto and squares Mars, making for easy emotional volatility and the kind of actions taken that ‘kill’ feelings (and so relationships) for good. Destruction is just too effortless a path to go down at this time, though if you’re looking to change something or remove something from your life, now’s the time; but, actions bring conflict, so laying low might be the behavior of choice. 8 AM PDT the Moon quincunxes Uranus, making for difficult-to-accept surprises, shocks, and intellectual assertions. Skepticism and/ or indignation might be the result in those truly shaken up. By 10 AM PDT the Moon opposes Chiron and it all hangs out: hurt, past nasties, criticism, nit-picking, and the chance that all concerned will split into ‘the rational’ (that’s their label) and ‘the dreamers’ (who name themselves as well). Bitterness is the result, as neither side understands (or cares to understand) the viewpoint of the other. Try to stay out of any between-group exchanges–those could get rough–with everything else, the best course might be to withhold active judgment and/ or to surround yourself with the like-minded, just for now. 2 PM PDT the Moon sextiles Venus, perhaps throwing us off our game with some sudden sweetness in life–just enjoy it. 10 PM PDT the Moon sextiles Mercury and quincunxes Juno; we may communicate with the goal of gaining our own empowerment, but almost inevitably, this may make others feel threatened. Be as non-assertive in your assertions as possible!

We’re looking at an interesting Finger of God right now, with base of Chiron-SN, apex hZeus. This suggests that past wounds may act to prevent realization of ambitions and desires at this time. Be as aware as possible of those ‘fingers from the past’ that may slip into the now, and hold us in place–knowing they’re there is the only way to be free of them.

16 June sees no new aspects come to exactitude; but of course, the Moon never rests. 1:30 AM PDT of the 16th the Moon sextiles Vesta, re-instilling our highest values through feeling and emotional perception. 9 AM PDT the Moon squares the Sun-Earth axis, bringing out emotional issues around life direction. This is a chance to see around what issues our emotional being is still having trouble with acceptance, or is signaling something we thought was okay is really unacceptable. There’s no easy way to tell the difference between the two, though for most the issue will be instantly recognizable. 1 PM PDT the Moon sextiles Ceres and squares Jupiter. This could manifest as taking the female/ anima/ or receptive side in some dispute, or we could find ourselves ‘taking our marbles and going home’, feeling that the social sphere is unsupportive. In any case, who holds what power will be the topic of the day, and someone is sure to have hurt feelings, when it’s all over. Void begins 2:27 PM Pacific time; the Moon enters Libra at 6:19 PM PDT.

The Vatican Vote: A New Pope Is Chosen

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by in current events in the sky, ECLIPSE magazine, Retrogrades, Spiritual Considerations

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'The Prayer of St. Bonaventura About the Selection of the New Pope' Zubarán 1628 {{PD-Art}}

‘The Prayer of St. Bonaventura About the Selection of the New Pope’ Zubarán 1628 {{PD-Art}}

This is from the new ECLIPSE, out tomorrow; I’d just finished this section when they announced the election of Cardinal Bergoglio. Make of it what you will–

The Vatican Vote   The Cardinals seemed to be dragging their feet when it came to getting together to vote on a new Pope–and that made me wonder if they don’t have an astrologer on staff–I’m betting they do. Benedict announced his intention to resign on 11 February, with Mercury direct, square Vesta, semi-sextile Pallas, sextile Pluto, and close to trine with Saturn. That suggests a message that was itself direct, though in conflict with what is most revered (this could apply to the 600-plus years tradition since the last living Pope stepped down–until now the Pope has been expected to serve until death), but wise, particularly in choosing a point of easy transition, and that this is both permanent for Benedict (no take backs!) but may also have created a new tradition of retirement for Popes to come.

The foot-dragging on gathering the Cardinals for the Conclave only makes sense in astrological terms: with Mercury retrograde a vote on a new Pope might be a very bad idea, promising that whomever was elected would likely end up being significantly different in enacting the Papal role than he seemed as a priest; however, it is a good time for them to get together and re-consider, re-hash, and perhaps re-volutionze the Church with a progressive choice. Voting has already started (afternoon of the 11th); typically there are an average of nine days of voting in order to choose a new Pope. Mercury goes direct early afternoon Pacific time of the 17th (so even before the day’s voting begins in Rome, if they will indeed be assembling every day). It’s reasonable to expect that voting could stretch into Mercury direct, that perhaps it’s even intended to do so. Just after direction on the 17th the transiting Moon will conjunct Jupiter, symbol of the office of the Pope, and puts both very close in square to Chiron. This could signal the point of election, with a ‘hurt or heal’ scenario the challenge for whomever is elected

Update: A Pope has just been elected on 13 March, Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina, with Merc still retrograde. Does this mean they really weren’t using an astrologer? Not necessarily, since Bergoglio is known as a social progressive who is actively for a clean-up of both conduct and business within the Church, certainly a vote for effective re-vamping (Merc retro appropriate) of existing practice. At the approximate time of the announcement the Aries Moon was acting as a Finger of God base with Jupiter, apex North Node–so they may have listened to the Universe/ God, bending human emotion and Will to the need of the Church to re-make itself, in order to survive successfully into the future.

Just a Little AstroEssence 11-12 February 2013: ‘Negotiating for Power’

11 Monday Feb 2013

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'Drinking Girl and Smoking Boy' Roosenboom {{PD-Art}}

‘Drinking Girl and Smoking Boy’ Roosenboom {{PD-Art}}

From the current ECLIPSE:

February 11th sees us actively negotiating for as much power, and the leeway for powerful expression, as possible. A great day to work something out, especially something that will empower you in the granting, or the process, as we are alert and up to the task of dealing with the more powerful factions around us; as well, our minds are firmly fixed on our highest values–everybody should come out of this a winner. (Juno quincunx Ceres, Uranus sesquiquadrate the North Node, Mercury sextile Pluto, square Vesta).

Lunar Note: 10 PM PST the Pisces Moon squares Ceres and quickly thereafter sextiles Juno. Confrontations are about naked power, and empowerment comes simply by standing up to who- or whatever confronts us. Yeah!

By 12 February we may be feeling a little cocky, sure of our values but somehow abandoning caution and good sense to the winds. We feel stronger than we should, in the sense that we are unaware that we may not be on firm footing in our understanding of things. Actions very straightforwardly either hurt or heal–no middle ground right now. What gets communicated at this time may be set in stone–even more reason to proceed with real caution (and a good dose of humility) (Mercury trine Saturn, Mars conjunct Chiron, Pluto square Pallas, Vesta sextile Pallas).

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And on Current Events: I’m thinking that the Pope’s resignation announcement today perfectly embodies the current Finger of God with apex Vesta (highest values) and base of Saturn (the establishment) sextile Pluto (change). Whatever you may think of Benedict, this may be an extraordinarily unselfish act (the opposite of clinging to power until one’s last breath). In any case, interesting–the first such abdication in nearly 600 years. Who will replace him? I’m wondering if there isn’t a chance he will be replaced by a group, rather than a single individual. Time will tell.

This review of a recent film seems right in line with today’s events at the Vatican.

UPDATE: Thank you! 10 Free copies of ECLIPSE have been given out–to get your own, order here!