Chinese sculpture dating from 960 A.D. Photo by James Tourtellotte {{PD}}

Though to some of us this may sound like the concept carries an inherent contradiction (it doesn’t–I’ll explain in a second), sacred aggression may be the stance initially taken as Mars conjoins Vesta in Sagittarius, even as a close square of these from Venus ups the conflict ante. Now to the supposed contradiction: we may mistakenly see something sacred as automatically implying something peaceful–but if we make that association, we need to realize that it’s not a given; in reality, we aggress and defend almost exclusively over sacred territory. It may not seem like anything serious when Jane is angry over a stranger’s remark about her parenting skills, but if Jane carries the idea internally that she is a conscientious and dedicated mother, then that role is likely something she sees as sacred to her Self-concept, and so something to aggress in defense of. Likewise, criticism of Joe’s choice may make him (seemingly unreasonably) angry, but if his concept of ‘being a man’ includes the idea that his choices are inherently the best choices, then his disproportional response may be in defense of a core (and so sacred) Self-concept. Today we may see most everyone engage in this. We may fight for what we believe in, for what we honor and find sacred, and for what the ego wants to see as sacred; we are vetting the facts and our own beliefs, defending what is even as we explore what may be, and this is especially so in relationships and/ or finances, where the potential to learn more (Sagittarius) opens up not just conflict (the square) but possibly change, as well (Sun sextile Saturn, fixing our attention on reality, its parameters and barriers).

We have another major factor at work here: Mercury is conjoined and parallel Neptune, suggesting the mind is focused on the ideal in many forms: the spiritual, the creative, the Oneness of All, on potentials glimpsed in dreams and fantasies–but with the possibility of thoughts and perceptions being overwhelmed by the deceptive, the confusing, the nebulous, the draining. So, it may be that the alignment of our mentality with high ideals and purposes may help keep our quest to defend and honor the sacred on its best track, serving its most evolved forms, and so allowing a kind of ‘Sacred Warrior’ stance that brings forward the highest expression of the individual.

We also see Mercury quincunx the North Node, sextile Pallas, and contra-parallel Sedna. That’s mostly good news, implying the mind will be keyed to wisdom (Pallas) and capable of keeping the future in mind (and so making choices that are beneficial–NN), with the only upset possible through one of two things: a rejection of the illumination switched on and unafflicted instincts can offer, or through allowing ‘blind spot’ material to seep into the thought arena, and so contaminate what we believe is pure. Not an easy day, but a tremendously important one, in terms of Self-understanding and expression of commitments, and offering a crisp gut-check on our own alignment with reality.

‘The Old Ships Draw to Home Again’ Jonas Lie c1920 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is getting to the dock too late–your boat has sailed. Well that’s obvious, right? What have you ‘missed the boat’ on? Was it recent, or a long time ago, and do you still regret it? Why? I have two thoughts here: one is that the Universe always works in our favor (though we may not be able to see that at the time), so there’s nothing to regret. Second, did ‘missing the boat’ spur you to do things differently, to change your behavior, or did it stop you from pursuing anything of this ilk again? What arose from ‘missing the boat’ is even more important than the lost opportunity/ event–which is why you should endeavor to look at what it generated in you.

Image: Rainer Knäpper, Free Art License https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Art_License

And with that title, I mean working key power relationships out, specifically as they do or don’t allow or support our own autonomy, agency, and Self-expression. The focus is on our perceptions of how circumstances or others exercise constraint on us–but this isn’t the usual ‘How oppressive is this?’ inquiry. Today we’re meant to examine the way existing power structures and agreements can enhance our own empowerment (to include how the current situation can transform our role–Pluto nov Juno), how facing factors we’ve ignored or denied, or that have enraged us, will enhance our effectiveness and reach (Mercury sextile Black Moon Lilith and parallel Juno), and the ways in which turning away from our own uniqueness, originality, and spontaneous creativity may force us to modify (probably downward) our Self-possession, authority, and personal power (Sun contra-parallel Uranus and quincunx Ceres). We have the chance to see where we really stand, and how to make our position a whole lot better. Hints: don’t underestimate the genuine appeal charisma can exert, and be aware of the highly repellent quality of over-calculation–including manipulation–when exercising influence in power relationships.

‘Flamingo’ By Carl Moser 1922 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a live flamingo standing in a sea of plastic ones. Can you identify the real in a mass of artificial? Is the eye too confused by the similarities to recognize the subtle differences? Do you care about finding the real one, or are you just as happy to have a fake one next to the pool? How much do you care about authenticity in others, and would you more naturally ‘stand alone’ as ‘real’, or flock with the ornamental molded ones?

‘Flamingos’ By Franz Marc 1906 {{PD}}

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‘The Storm Spirits’ By Evelyn De Morgan c1900 {{PD}}

We communicate directly with spirit today, directly with and from our own and others’ power space (Sun enters Pisces and along with Merc noviles Pluto). Conditions advise against listening to our instincts–they’re distorted by fear, so not in tune with what we really need–and though it may seem contradictory, do allow yourself to be spontaneous and to express your most unique and original inclinations, even if it takes a toll on relationships and/ or finances–your health is most important, in the end, and will be aided if you speak from your central spiritual power. Just sort impulses into positive and not-so by what you’ve learned from your own past; therein lies all you need to know to make right choices today (Uranus sxt Hygeia while Hygeia sq Sedna, Pallas parallel SN, Venus contra-parallel Uranus).

By Steve Evans from Citizen of the World – Americana: Scarecrow, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25839973

Today’s word image is a scarecrow standing in a long-dead garden. Are you trying to protect something that’s no longer viable, that in one way or another has been ‘dead’ for some time? Ponder what you may be getting from continuing to behave as if this ‘garden’ is still producing, and consider that your vigilance may be doing no one any good, possibly distracting you or draining energy from much better uses.

Children playing at sunset on a Mekong bank, not far from the island of Don Loppadi in Si Phan Don (4000 islands), Laos Photo By Basile Morin – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65175348

We make smart change (Mars nov Pluto)–and that may sound a lot like yesterday, but it’s not; today marks a completely different kind of energy. It’s a flow that combines effort with serendipity, with the more effort made, the more fortuitous the outcomes. The mind is sharp and sure, as thoughts align with beliefs, making for a kind of confidence in our own ideas that’s hard to beat (Mercury parallel Jupiter); in some this might go too far, leading to exaggeration, over-promising, or bragging that leaves everyone disappointed later. We avoid that by keeping attention on what’s healthy (Sun conj Hygeia)–and what’s more healthy than moderation? Enjoy the day, accept synchronicities as appearing for your benefit, and be willing to make the big move or the deep plunge, as the Universe is more than ready to assist you.

By Louis Paul Dessar, photo by Philippe Alès Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

Today’s word image is someone who’s always late to a meeting, date, or event. Is that you? No matter who the chronically late person is, we have to ask, What are they holding back, withholding, or otherwise resisting? Being late (trying to control the expenditure of time) is trying to give voice to something the individual may not realize they feel, or that they feel unsafe expressing more directly. Is this an expression of resentment, an attempt to exert some power in what feels to them like an imbalance in the relationship, or is this an outgrowth of general disorganization that allows them to abdicate responsibility for so much. In any case, it’s not something that ‘happens to us’, and needs to be looked at for what that repeated action is really trying to say.

Photo By Carol M. Highsmith – Library of Congress Catalog: http://lccn.loc.gov/2015631245 {{PD}}

The question is, will we see transformation of our Love or Money toward an ideal, or will these disintegrate into a nebulous oblivion? A change of fortune–that’s the broad influence behind Venus’ entry into Pisces and novile to Pluto. The aspect itself promises something probably unanticipated and likely more dazzling than anything we would’ve come up with during Venus’ passage through Aquarius; suddenly the landscape changes (we get out of our own heads, and get a little space for our thoughts to heal or to express a unique talent–Mercury nov Chiron), and that change supports a shift that calls on our creativity and our spiritual essence to respond. This affects our relationships and/ or our asset situation as what we care about changes, transforming into something else, taking a shape that reflects alterations to the institutions, ‘rules’, and structures of our lives that began with Pluto’s entry into Capricorn; we’ll likely see another step in just what these modifications mean (particularly how we will benefit) in real world terms when Venus sextiles Saturn on the day of the Solar eclipse, the 15th.

With these shifts as the underpinnings, we see two contrary effects: our actions and choices both give support to and show the extent of our own personal strength and authority (Mars trine Ceres), but they may seem ‘unlucky’, creating conflicts that block our receipt of ‘more’ or bringing upset within the social sphere or to our own belief system (Sun sq Jupiter). Stick with what enhances your power position, in this case; any negative feedback is fleeting, and based on attitudes, inner or outer, that would disempower you, if given full rein.

Today’s word image is the 70’s song, ‘Magnet and Steel’. Do you know this song? It’s been playing in my head for two days, and I had to get it out by putting it here 🙂 What in your life acts like a magnet on you? Is there something you feel compelled toward, as if you are helpless? Or does something or someone respond to you that way? We may need reminding that we are not helpless within the situation; we can change our responses and others’ responses to us by–drumroll–changing ourselves, or at least by altering our responses away from what may feel automatic. That’s not the answer we usually arrive at, when we want things to change, especially when we feel some aspect of the situation is completely out of our control, but in this instance we are offered the chance to see that who we are has a powerful affect on both what surrounds us and our interactions–we don’t have to be the magnet OR the steel!

Anders Zorn ‘Scared’ (etching) 1912 {{PD}}

Everything may seem scary right now; we feel vulnerable, menaced both by our wounds and those things summoned by the imagination, giving us the sense we’re being pursued and that there’s nowhere to hide. Two points to help you deal with this: attention to and scrutiny of wounds can actually reveal the way to permanently heal them, and the material world may present some risky or harsh but very wise or practical ways to approach what comes forward today. It’s a matter of not allowing ourselves to get so distracted by fear or anticipation of disaster that we miss the very smart opportunity or the healing element right in front of us (Neptune contra-parallel Sedna, Saturn semi-sq Hygeia and trine Pallas, Sun nov Chiron).

Paul Klee ‘Der Goldfisch’ 1924 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a kitten dipping into a fishbowl, angling for a goldfish. Are you engaged in something that’s purely a part of your nature, that to an observer might seem a wee bit barbaric or mercenary? Are you following urges at the expense of civilized co-existence? Does it feel like you’re just “hungry”, and doing what comes naturally? Is someone accusing you of thoughtless or heedless behavior? Does what you think of as ‘the natural order of things’ make this urge ‘right’, or is containing natural urges an important thing for you?