‘Illusion’ Henry Brown Fuller 1895 {{PD}}

. . . but so do actions and the reality picture itself–nothing is accurately perceived, and yet everything seems sharp and clear to the physical senses. This creates a ‘can’t believe our eyes’ situation, in the way we may lack both belief and understanding about what’s before us. Identities are, not exactly fluid, more like ragged, with sudden facets that no one anticipates, including each of us–and yet Self-knowledge, knowing who we are, may be the only thing that saves us, and there’s no doubt that egos are feeling powerful and ready to act. The real danger here is that we’ll insist on doing and find later that our perceptions were skewed, just as our results will inevitably be. Creative and imaginative energies may fare best, as there may be serendipitous positives that bloom from our misperceptions. I would counsel not to take any big steps today, but I have the feeling many of us will go forward anyway, and that’s likely okay, just as long as we’re aware that soon enough we’ll discover how what we’ve done differs from our vision of what we’ve done–and so offers some surprises of its own (Perfecting today: Juno qnx Sedna, Vesta opp NN, Mars qnx Neptune and trine Ceres, Venus conj Zeus, Mercury conj Saturn and square Neptune, Sun sesq Uranus)

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Color woodcut
c 1890s Library of Congress {{PD}}

Necessity is today not the mother of invention but the mother of action; we realize those things we thought might pay off aren’t going to–we’re too touchy about the subject, too prone to rebel out of perceived hurt–and we see that, though ‘old’ potentials are not going to pan out, ‘new’ ones occur to us, with the bonus possibility they offer healing to that old situation we know now will never be (or never be ‘right’). Empowerment is just a (good) idea away; look to the House that contains Sagittarius or has Sag on the cusp, or that relates to ‘bigger, better’, opportunity, or accumulated knowledge from the past, for inspiration, clues, or the very idea itself (Perfecting today: Chiron novile Ceres, Mars sextile Saturn, Venus contraparallel Jupiter, opposed Uranus, and quincunx Chiron, Mercury novile Juno)

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You can find the right form today for big creative ideas. Sculptors in Ancient Rome oil on copper by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1877) {{PD}}

On the 20th inspiration, imagination, and creativity (Neptune) all find smart outlets (and likely concrete ones, with Pallas sextile in Capricorn). If you have a natal point or placement in the 5-9 degree range of Leo (forming apex to a Finger of God with base of Neptune-Pallas), you may find this is instrumental in this creative expression–in fact, this may describe the ‘form’ or shape the result takes (or involve matters of the House this body rules, if any). Neptune and Pallas, meanwhile, catch Ceres between them, suggesting that getting the two to work together offers us a powerful and persuasive energy upon which to draw.

Thoughts (Mercury) are far-reaching, expansive, and ideas sample the best of one’s philosophies and beliefs (Merc into Sagittarius); communications can be based on fact and what we need to discover is easily found, which makes things clear and direct. Conflicts may confine themselves to relationships, or possibly spending surrounding luxuries or aesthetics; whatever upset comes forward, know that what’s behind it is a buried fear of destruction or even death–knowing that, we can easily handle things, put boundaries on fears and ground them in the here and now, and so keep them in perspective (Venus in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn).

Remember those genius ideas you had yesterday about ambition fulfillment, advancing your career, or getting what you desire, that you just couldn’t implement, because challenging the form of those ideas seemed sacrilegious? Today we are able to see real-world possibilities that can help us manifest those goals (Sun novile Zeus and parallel Saturn)–and who could want more than that?

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The Cliffs of the Island of Møn, by Louis Gurlitt 1841 {{PD}}

We may find ourselves resisting what lies ahead, or working against the Path we’ve laid out for ourselves (Mars contra-parallel the North Node); we also may find ourselves active in relationships that seem to push us to the edge, inspiring some very unwise options (Venus contra-parallel Pallas). The mind isn’t helpful, either: we have some genius ideas about ambition fulfillment or goals, and though they fit our stated life direction they are subtly, even unconsciously destructive, as we don’t see the downside–and we are not about to question our ideas or what we’re thinking–we’re treating that as sacred (Mercury sextile NN, semi-square Pluto, novile Zeus, trine Vesta). It’s the kind of day we need to realize we’re off-kilter, somehow, and to leave big moves or decisions for tomorrow–things improve greatly by the 20th.

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Have a great day!

Jules Tavernier – ‘Sunrise Over Diamond Head’, 1888 {{PD}}

Merc and the Sun, just having met in Scorpio in Superior Conjunction (that is, with Mercury in apparent direct motion), now turn our serious, intense gaze on what’s wise or practical (both novile Pallas), in terms of our real-world options (Merc parallel Saturn). It seems that if we research, investigate, or think deeply about something, some obstacle, problem, or issue we’re facing, the answer, or at least the next best step, comes to us. That’s nice, isn’t it? Especially considering there are two small rough points we may have to deal with: one will come in the form of the social circle vs. the individual seeking to exercise status, or in the form of one who’s trying to expand and one who’s trying to control that expansion (Jupiter contra-parallel Juno)–this is likely a stalemate; the second shows in the way relationships or financial matters are somehow smoothly able to hide what’s unpleasant or makes us angry (Venus parallel Black Moon Lilith). It’s as if those who love us, or our own resources (in the way we exercise our talents, or even spend) conspire with all those things we’d rather ignore to provide something soothing to distract us. That means we may enjoy the day, but be aware that could imply we miss our chance to find those answers we’ve been seeking–maybe put energy into first one, then the other.

“Actors fighting under a red maple tree” Color woodcut licensed under CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons –

No, it’s not that we actually want to fight, it’s that Martian verve in the sign of relationships naturally looks outward, toward the Other, and in simply attempting to state ‘I Am’ acts assertively enough that he can’t help but encroach on others’ territory (or Will). This should clue us in to the danger: in just making ourselves and our choices known, we may be much more aggressive than is necessary. Mars can’t help but push outward–and the Martian urge may be twice as strong after Mars conjoins the North Node just before entering Libra. With the point and the planet meeting at 29 degrees of Virgo, the potential for active review of life direction, and our own much too critical response, can set off all kinds of intentions to make up for lost time, to straighten things out, to correct what needs correcting, to take circumstances in hand, to be really, truly responsible–and that much unfettered energy aimed at exerting control isn’t called for–we may overreact out of zeal, or the urge to catch up with partners, or the urge to please others, or simply out of fear that we’ve disappointed–and so overstep.

There is also the matter of Merc trining Chiron and quincunxing Uranus, suggesting words and messages will be utra-powerful, able to hurt or heal, and the deciding factor might be just how comfortable we are with our own uniqueness. We can see that positively reflected back to us in the communications, agreements, and remarks that come our way if we value our most unusual features, if we treasure the things that are most special about us, the things that in less healed times may make us feel like freaks. That’s the key–and if we reject what makes us different, every word coming our way may feel like it alienates us not just from others but from ourselves as well. So I guess the best course today is 1) take it easy, and 2) love yourself.

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