‘Rue de Paris, temps de pluie’ Gustave Caillebotte 1876 {{PD}}

Interactions today are based on instincts, with the goal, conscious or not, of the need to wound or heal others or ourselves (contradictory and varied intents are to be expected), and we follow our internal prompts in spite of difficulties thrown in our way by circumstances, ‘the rules’, or authority figures. Those in power are bent on pointing out to us what’s wrong with what we want or aspire to, but we are thinking big, and can use mental faculties to tap into faith or opportunity (which is dictated by where your idols lie) and use it as propulsion forward. One warning: be very clear in the differences among thought, feeling, instinct, and desire–it’s easy to confuse them, especially when we want something so much we justify it as instinctual, rather than a choice–instincts, and opportunities shown us by the mind, are what we should be following today (Venus sxt Sedna, sesq Saturn, and trine Chiron, Mercury sxt Jupiter, Sun sq Zeus)

Today’s word image is an outdoor concert in the rain. Are you the kind of person who would see this as an adventure, an inconvenience, or an insult, feeling the concert would be ruined? Can you enjoy something as much when it doesn’t go as planned as you do when it does? Do you take such developments personally, or do you see them as just part of living? We may do well to widen our parameters for accepting and enjoying the unexpected; in our symbol, we see a chance to appreciate two sensations, two senses, at once.

Montpellier Mural
Photo by Wolfgang Staudt from Saarbruecken, Germany Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Relationships or finances could offer nasty surprises, the unexpected could cost us, and what we care about or our values could be challenged by modern advances or a ‘forward thinking’ stance we’re not ready for, while innovations could, at least initially, spark conflict or take an undue toll. What arises may blindside us, not least because we may have been living too much in our own heads, listening to a tape loop that reinforces what we already think; we missed some shouted warnings, threats, and/ or outright promises concerning change, specifically the way our ambitions and goals need to be modified for continued viability. There is also the matter of those in authority (or those who think they hold it) becoming secretive or ‘going negative’ in some way, in an attempt to hold on to power. If we can get outside our own heads and get some perspective, we’ll do fine–doing that means all those things that arrive as shocks or surprises to others don’t surprise us at all. Those able to be most objective and least Self-involved win (Sun-Merc opp Pluto and sq Zeus, Venus sq Uranus, Juno enters Scorpio)

Eva Gonzalès – ‘White Shoes’ 1878 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a shoe. What kind of shoe do you see? Use the very first image that pops into your mind. Shoes are quite literally a form of foundation; the characteristics of the shoe you imagine should tell you a little something about the current state of your psychic, social, and spiritual foundation, with a willingness to interpret the information symbolically opening the way to effective ‘repairs’.

See more eyeball fooling painted surfaces, and Enjoy your Thursday!

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Georges Seurat, 1884 {{PD}}

Our thoughts are idealized, and our attention is on the ‘bright spots’ of the past–and if we lived in a vacuum, that would suit these inclinations splendidly. We are thinking a great deal about what perfection looks like, or would be. As it is, though, we may find that either Love or Money matters (whichever is your particular poison) tempts us to go against what we know to be wise, or to venture into territory calling for (or possibly promising to others) skills we don’t possess. The remedies: take note of creative ideas; the inspiration is genuine, though it’s important to accept that we might not be in a place at present to act on those ideas, not least because our idealized version of things will present a number of problems. Don’t do anything you know to be unwise–this needs to be stated only because the obviousness of the sentiment might make us think it’s something to transcend. And when you’re in over your head, acknowledge it and ask for help–it’s the smart thing to do (Venus sesq Pallas, Mercury trine Neptune, Sun trine SN)

Neu Schwanstein, the castle that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. Photo by böhringer friedrich Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic

Today’s word image is Disneyland. Yes, the ‘Magic Kingdom’, mother of all theme parks. How do you feel about the place? Almost everyone has a reaction, whether they’ve ever been there or not. Are you enchanted with the re-imagining of Archetypal figures, angered by the pernicious stereotyping, worn out at the thought of trudging through an artificial world with the family? Do you see it as too tame, or a shame, promoting a worldview that’s so supremely Western and so terribly white? Do you look forward to the chance to enjoy what you enjoyed as a child, and do you identify with any of the characters to be found in Disney products? Your reaction to the idea of Disneyland itself likely corresponds to the way you’re approaching the world, assumptions, judgments, and all. Allow your response to reveal something useful, in terms of real life, and your attitude toward it.

Please see the previous post for info on the New Moon. Enjoy your Tuesday, and U. S., it’s back to work!

Gain is possible in many forms today. ‘Earthbound’ Evelyn De Morgan 1896 {{PD}}

We gain, we get opportunities, we profit, we get more (or better) simply by being willing to face what isn’t working within the ambition and desire picture, particularly the ways in which our goals are causing conflict or upset to others (Zeus in Libra). A clear-eyed look at where we stand will take some nerve, especially since the reality picture may be making it abundantly obvious in what areas we aren’t powerful or in charge; our natural response may be to feel sorry for ourselves, then go out and try to prove the Universe wrong, but we benefit much more by acceptance of what the real world is telling us. We need the feedback of the concrete world, because our thinking is too easily clouded now by those things we’ve tried to ignore, gone out of our way to deny, or that have gotten under our skin–and that means hyper-reactivity is a danger, even for the most sedate among us. We may also see many efforts in many forms to stop or control Nature–not a good idea. To review: opportunity abounds and we gain if we assess ambitions and their effects ruthlessly; note what the circumstances of our reality are telling us, but don’t take them to heart; don’t resist Nature (or Time, for that matter); and keep in mind that the more buried material we carry, the more touchy we may be–and that can definitely affect our judgment at this time (Saturn sesq Ceres, Venus sq Zeus and sxt Jupiter, Mercury trine Black Moon Lilith)

Today’s word image is a sound: the hoot of an owl, without seeing one. We’re hearing what’s smart, what’s wise, but we may have trouble taking it in, as we’re either unsure of the source or we are ‘believe it when we see it’ types. Consider that wisdom is wisdom no matter the origins, and to expect visual ‘proof’ of the rightness of things before we’ll implement them may be just slightly unreasonable.

We start Dark of the Moon around 4 AM Pacific time of the 1st. It’s a time to allow for silences and the sounds of Nature, to retreat, to rest, relax, to be open to meditation and contemplation. Have a wonderful, laid back Friday!

‘A Friendly Call’ William Merritt Chase 1894 {{PD}}

We have access to wisdom, and skills are on point, and both may be available through ourselves or others; thinking aligns with values, and our empowerment options seem to line up with those areas where we already hold power and with willing aid from authorities or highers ups–so where’s the problem? It may lie in a certain, very specific vein of thought that is decidedly unhealthy for us, possibly shown by the less positive side of our natal Mercury by sign and aspect.

Whether the issue’s signified by the return of an old habit, a new ‘bad practice’, or a negative emotional turn, our mentality can run in an unhealthy direction, and we may be prone to excuse it, or not even spot it, so that it is able to take significant, destructive hold. Trust those with whom you have a shared mental outlook to be able to tell you what must go; all you need to do is ask (Juno parallel Ceres, Merc sq Hygeia and parallel Venus, Sun trine Pallas)

Please note: tomorrow Mars stations direct, and will be sesquiquadrate the Sun and parallel Pluto. Assertive energy that’s not ‘claimed’ or sufficiently employed may be looking for a place to express, and where it lights it may be destructive, as the tendency will be to see what needs change, what draws our criticism, and to sic our Martian energies on it. Tread with care, as the force of release is bound to be too enthusiastic and somewhat clumsy–and Mars is always best when we find a productive, positive target, and let it loose at that.

Martin Le France, 1451 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a witch. What does that mean to you? For some it’s a childhood character that doesn’t exist in real life, for others it’s a blasphemous label, for still others it’s an older term for those who practice Wicca, while others may not think of this as a person so much as a kind of curse, something hurled, especially toward a crone, to show disrespect and to take another’s power by naming–if you can spot a witch and call her out, the belief is she’s somehow then helpless. Which of these you relate to may say something about your own views of and relationship to the idea of elemental power and perception–and about what powers, in yourself or others, you may reject due to fear.

William Orpen ‘The Eastern Gown’ 1905 {{PD}}

The wonderful thing about today is that the creativity flows, imagination pays in astonishing ways, and relationships live up to our ideals; too, a sense of being powerful in some area that is clearly our province is supported by our thinking, and generates ideas. We are able to use past successes to inform the now, tapping into creative capital, with results surpassing our expectations. So what might stop these miracles of progress? Our own mentality, if it is focused too acutely back at ourselves, if it is mired in past injuries, or if we are acting from a sense of woundedness–then we might see forward motion at an inexplicable halt, and find ourselves wondering if there’s anything we might do about it, which takes us back to that creative energy: it might need to be employed to once more tune in to the Love all around us, to set us back aright (Ceres nov SN, Venus trine Neptune, Merc sxt Ceres, sq Chiron, and parallel the Sun)

‘Woman With Lorgnette’ Artist Unknown, from the Epoche Louis-Philippe {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a crown of pearls. We all have these just hanging around, waiting to be worn, don’t we? Pearls are the only gem created by a living creature, and as symbols of purity, have often adorned wedding garb or been involved in the ceremony–though a pearl as an engagement ring is said to be bad luck, as pearls have also been linked with tears (sometimes described as the tears of angels)–and pearls were a way in Medieval Venice of telling the ladies from the courtesans (nobles 1, prostitutes 0). So, pearls, and their form is a crown: not only the topmost Chakra, but also the thing worn by royalty, the ultimate symbol of a reigning monarch’s power. This symbol may be about tapping into our own highest, purest power, a spiritual manifestation of our integrity, connection to and honoring of the divine–which suggests a link to Vesta, currently at 18 Gemini–and though still within range of square to Jupiter, trine to Zeus, and quincunx to Pluto, rapidly moving away, implying a sense of  losing anchors related to the social milieu, our own ambitions and wants, and the change we want to see occur. It may be time for re-consideration of our current position, especially as it applies to our beliefs and our status, in light of changing times; align yourself consciously with your highest values (that is, crown yourself with pearls!) and you’ll know where you stand.