Tag Archives: Parallels and Contraparallels

22 June 2019 Along Parallel Lines

21 Friday Jun 2019

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‘Rythme, Joie de vivre’ By Robert Delaunay 1930 {{PD}}

Today’s influences are a little bit unusual as we have no bodies creating aspects today, just parallels and contra-parallels, which express relative declination, that is, how far north or south of the ecliptic each of these bodies or points is when compared to one another, from our viewpoint here on Earth. Parallels are alignments at the same declination on the same side (north or south) of the ecliptic, while contra-parallels note bodies or points at the same distance from the ecliptic but in opposing directions (one north, one south).

I think of the influences of parallels as more subtle than direct aspects between bodies. Where the Ptolemaic aspects are like planets holding hands (or punching at) each other, parallels and contraparallels are like planets whispering to each other; what passes between them may affect how they behave, but the influence is only apparent if you’re observant, if you’re able to see the way the mere existence of each, and the appreciation or denigration that passes between them, has made a quiet impact on both.

Right now it’s a matter of beauty and wisdom teaming up, or maybe it’s an indication that what’s rewarding is also smart or practical, and that responding to these markers will positively shape the way forward. What interests us in this beneficial direction may not be supported by the social sphere, or may seem to be contradicted by the facts, and so may stand as a bit of a test, a mind-over-matter situation, or one where we must defy what is in order to make something new, something more closely aligned with our values or ambitions.

(Pallas and Venus parallel each other and NN while contra-parallel Jupiter, Vesta contra-parallel Zeus, Mercury contra-parallel Saturn)

‘Cakes, 1963’ Photo By Pplachigo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28954794

For those born with the Sun at 01 Cancer. Check your natal chart for the correct Sun degree (you may want to read both the degree number and the one that follows, if you have minutes on your Sun position–together these offer a more complete picture of your year ahead). Dear Cancer, there’s big promise of emotional harmony for you this coming solar year, through to your next birthday, with the trick to enjoying it being your open support of (and living of) your highest ideals. If the emotional life, or life in general, disappoints, it will be a direct result of you not being clear about what your highest priorities, and what you honor in life, really are. Opportunities are numerous, and specifically come to allow you to modify your current Path–so don’t quibble with the details (a possible big distraction for you–instead, define what’s sacred to you in this world, and then fill your life with it. Good luck!

17 January 2019 Listening

16 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Parallel and Contraparallels

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‘The Guitar Player’ By Giovanni Boldini 1873 {{PD}}

A Mini-Lesson on Parallels and Contraparallels

We’ve got a lot of parallels and contra-parallels perfecting today, so maybe it’s time for a reminder of what these are: a parallel is when two or more bodies are on the same side (either north or south) of the celestial equator, also known as the ecliptic, and also at the same declination (distance) from it; a contra-parallel is when two or more bodies are at the same declination from the ecliptic, but on opposite sides, one north and one south. The effect of a parallel is similar to a conjunction, neither positive or negative but joined (though there can be the implication of harmony through enmeshment or lack of differentiation), with all the potentials that might bring, while a contra-parallel mimics an opposition in effect. I like to think of parallels and contra-parallels as being more subtle than the aspects they echo, with, for example, a conjunction of Mars and Uranus shouting, ‘Here we are, together, raising hell!’ and a parallel of the two being more like a whisper, ‘Psst, over here–are you mad, erratic, spontaneous, aggressive, have a can-do spirit? Go!’ The conjunction is there, in your face, and the parallel is subliminal, barely discernible–unless you’re looking for it.

Today we’re looking toward the arenas where we hold power and authority, toward Self-expression through familiar territory–somehow it feels important, like it’s the smart thing to do, and may pay off–but our actions and choices aren’t smart or practical–in fact, they’re downright unhealthy in some way. We might want to stop for just a moment and ask ourselves why it feels so important to us to have an impact right now–are we feeling invisible, rebellious, destructive, or deliberately ignored? None of those are a good basis on which to make decisions. Listen carefully; there’s inner knowing available, the kind that can tell you exactly which facet of things needs transforming in order to provide reward, profit, Love, or to honor relationships–and in the end, that’s what really matters, isn’t it?

(Pallas contra-parallel Hygeia, Mars parallel Hygeia and contra-parallel Pallas, as well as Mars semi-sq Sedna, Venus semi-sq Pallas and nov Pluto, Sun sxt Ceres)

10 January 2019 Unparalleled

09 Wednesday Jan 2019

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By jeg.work – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69040431

It’s parallels, actually, that hand us all the good stuff today. The Sun is parallel both Jupiter and Pluto, aligning our energy and attention with opportunity and effective power expression–and best of all, doing so in a way that fosters optimism as well as making a definitive ‘statement’: of what we intend to build, do, change, transform, destroy, or of what we believe in–heady, important stuff. Obstacles include Willfulness that undercuts our own status or empowerment (Mars semi-sq Juno) and opportunities that conflict with our ambitions (Sun sq Zeus). With that latter the question then becomes, ‘Do we take the opportunity, altering our objective and so where we’re headed, or do we ignore the chance offered in favor of preserving our stated goals?’ Only you know what’s right for you, but I would suggest asking yourself this, ‘Are my ambitions and goals still my true ambitions and goals?’ The answer to that likely tells us what we need to do.

4 October 2018 The Need For Balance

03 Wednesday Oct 2018

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‘The Tight-Rope Walker’ By Jean-Louis Forain c1885 {{PD}}

First, a quick refresher: parallels and contra-parallels occur when two or more bodies are at the same declination (distance) both on one side of the ecliptic (a parallel), or one north, the other south (contra-parallel), as observed from Earth. The parallel emphasizes a harmony between the bodies comparable to a conjunction, while the contra-parallel resembles an opposition. We have a number of these perfecting today; I imagine it as one of those laser set-ups the jewel thief has to stealthily navigate. Breaking the beam won’t set off any alarms, but may cause a wee internal panic, sending our attention off in less-than-productive directions–and who needs that?

We may find ourselves measuring our empowerment and our options to express ourselves in proportion to the current state of health; the best thing we can glean from this urge is to see the ways we may hobble ourselves, or the assumptions about ability we might make, based on our perceptions of our physical state. We are a bit haunted by our usual assumptions, even: we may see it as choosing to be courageous or practical and ignore our physical Beingness, or to honor the wound and so build efforts around not disturbing it. Neither is a winning course, but recognizing the need for balance, and finding and pairing complementary energies, is.

Seeing the worth of the Will while not necessarily bowing to it is important, as is valuing all that we can do (as opposed to mooning over what’s out of our reach at present). Our mantra today may be Beauty In Action; opportunity and ‘the facts’ both become clear and offer clever ways to claim our territory, exercise our Will, and prompt us to successfully negotiate rather than demand or struggle over.

(Perfecting today: Juno parallel Hygeia, both contra-parallel the Sun, Chiron contra-parallel Pallas, Venus parallel Mars, Jupiter nov Ceres)

15 December 2015 Doubting Ourselves

14 Monday Dec 2015

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Self-doubt could wear us out today. 'Art and Literature' by William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1866 {{PD}}

Self-doubt could wear us out today. ‘Art and Literature’ by William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1866 {{PD}}

On the 15th our instincts and our ‘blind spot’ material (things influencing us we aren’t consciously aware of, yet are easily seen by others) undermine our sense of empowerment and effectiveness–and that’s really all that matters, isn’t it? Without believing in ourselves we won’t act as if we have a right–a right to exercise our prerogatives, a right to assert ourselves, a right to openly claim our status and the privileges that go with it. We can get a handle on our doubts if we tame the emotions with a cool intellectual analysis of our circumstances (Aquarius Moon conjoined Ceres around 4 AM Pacific Standard Time)–that may allow us to, in the modern vernacular, “own our own power”–that’s our best hope for combating the Self-doubt that may plague us today (Perfecting: Juno contra-parallel Sedna).

Something new awaits at ‘Been There, Done That’

Goddesses In Sync: Vesta Parallel Juno 12 December 2015

11 Friday Dec 2015

Posted by in Asteroids, astrology, current events in the sky

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'At home or Intimacy' Louise Catherine Breslau 1884 {{PD}}

‘At home, or Intimacy’
Louise Catherine Breslau 1884 {{PD}}

Perfecting today is a parallel between Juno and Vesta; this translates as the two bodies being on the same side of, and at the same distance from, the celestial equator (which is itself an imagined projection of the Earth’s equator out into space). We might consider them loosely quincunx, otherwise, with Juno late in the 0 degree of Scorpio and Vesta heading toward 2 degrees Aries, but the parallel adds to the story: where we might’ve seen these two as requiring adjustment to each other, now we see that, despite surface tension, they are really working in harmony, not like two sides of a balance, weighing out their differences–more like parents who disagree fundamentally but manage to align their goals completely when it comes to common interests like the family’s economic welfare or their children.

Each goddess retains her priorities, in this case probably getting to the Truth (Juno in Scorpio) and honoring the needs of the ‘I Am’ (Vesta in Aries). On the face of it this can look like one party concentrating completely outward, focused on others, following a passion, getting down and dirty in the search for ‘What Is’ (Scorpio), while the other seems to be Self-absorbed, concerned with reaching goals (which are treated as sacred) and expressing the personal Will (which is treated the same way); but the reality may be found where the truth of the interaction is found.

Where an investigation into the reality picture meets the needs and expression of the individual, that’s where you’ll find the meaning of this pairing. It will definitely look as if the world is divided into truth-searchers and Self-interested seekers, but the actual actions will be interlocking and so, once each adjusts for the other, complementary. Look for those who are ‘Queen’ of something, those who shoulder responsibility, who exercise and are concerned with their status and reach, and who are concerned with the conduct or fidelity of all kinds of partners or co-‘rulers’, and those who seem to be operating to further the individual agenda but who are proceeding according to their highest standards and values, and so therefore are looking to create ideal circumstances on a scale wider than first glance reveals–each will have her function, each her use, with the result that unlike entities may find themselves coming to a cooperative understanding or an agreement to go forward in concert, where a short while ago such teamwork would’ve seemed untenable.

Have a lovely Saturday. Try out my books here, and if you come to the blog often, please consider offering support through a purchase or small donation (button at right). Thank You!

Focus on: Venus contra-parallel Black Moon Lilith

03 Tuesday Nov 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky

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Leo Putz 'Blond und Brünett' c1913 {{PD}}

Leo Putz ‘Blond und Brünett’ c1913 {{PD}}

Both Venus and Black Moon Lilith are represented by female figures, a goddess on one hand and the ‘original Eve’ ejected from Paradise on the other, but this doesn’t exclude them from having meaning for everyone; it instead suggests that the original energy matrix upon which the characters were built was one of receptivity, or being rather than doing. Venus carries attributes in counterpoint to Mars, to activity, to doing rather than being, while Black Moon Lilith, which is an empty focal point rather than a body, carries the energy of the original partner of the first man, Adam, who when she demanded equal treatment and status was demonized (and this always gets me, when Lilith and her ilk are described as vengeful, evil, dark, wrathful women who must be exiled, when it’s clear that a woman who believes she is a man’s equal is only described this way by a patriarchy that has no intention of sharing power). But I digress.

Venus is contra-parallel (that is, equidistant from the celestial equator but in opposite directions, one north and one south) Black Moon Lilith, and though this may seem relatively minor, it could underlie some serious tension today, tension not specific to women, necessarily, but tension that arises from certain assumptions about who should have what, who is allowed what–and you may notice that who has what implies there is someone who feels just slightly superior, who then is ‘qualified’ to judge who gets what. The set-up only occurs because someone declares themselves as arbiter–and this kind of Self-anointing counts on the receptive stance of everyone else in order to have validity.

What we may see is a Venusian figure (male or female, but somehow normally receptive, counting on diplomacy and manners, counting on cooperation, or the person who holds the purse strings) contradict a Black Moon Lilith figure (that is, a perfectly competent individual)–and BML will have none of it. Rightly so, BML will refuse the order dressed up like a request or ‘suggestion’ in Venus’ honeyed tones–and BML may be vilified because of it.

This won’t be the centerpiece to everyone’s day, but it could present itself here and there–and may sneak in to your own interactions. If you are in a position to tell others what to do, it would be wise to treat them with complete respect, and if you are in a position where others determine your fate, watch for suggestions that may seem innocent enough but that will in reality subtly deny you power. The assumption that one must serve the other is what we must watch for today. And no matter who you are, have a great one!

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Contra-Indicators: 8-12 October 2015

07 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Parallel and Contraparallels

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Carrières de Lumières (English: Quarries of Lights), Les Baux-de-Provence. An old bauxite mine now a tourist attraction and art space in the Val d'Enfer. Taken 2013-09. Date 23 September 2013, by Rhododendrites Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Carrières de Lumières (English: Quarries of Lights), Les Baux-de-Provence. An old bauxite mine now a tourist attraction and art space in the Val d’Enfer. Taken 2013-09.
Date 23 September 2013, by Rhododendrites Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Contraparallels are the aspects of the week, it seems; this is when two bodies or points are at the same degree of declination with one north of the celestial equator, one south (see an excellent summary of the potential meaning of this here.) This aspect creates a kind of ‘force field’, but one that over time actually pushes the intent or action of the bodies in opposing directions. You’ve probably experienced this in reaction to someone else: the air is charged when the two of you are together, but not necessarily with a sense of attraction; in these instances we note that a repelling energy is as compelling as a more harmonious one. A contraparallel suggests a state of electrified awareness that grabs our attention and can be interpreted by the individual, and so acted on, in an endless number of ways.

With one exception, each of the coming days, through Monday the 12th, features one or more contraparallels that may describe real-world effects more accurately  than any of the perfecting aspects. We start with Thursday the 8th: we may act in contradiction to our ideals, values, and dreams, trashing what we care about, including relationships, and we might blame that on some seed planted by retro Mercury in Libra conjuncting the North Node, which almost guarantees that the problem is seated in some wrong-headed notion about the future of our relationships that we decide to embrace. Illusions can be heady things; we need to see that all ‘creative’ ideas aren’t necessarily equal. (Mars and Venus contraparallel both Vesta and Neptune, Mercury conjunct NN)

By Friday the 9th we may find ourselves in denial about some past hurt or, more perversely, in denial of some skill we’ve shown plenty of aptitude for in the past but now insist we don’t have. We do, however, find a good balance between outgoing energies and incoming ones, within male-female (or dominant-submissive, or animus-anima) relationships (hint: look to a combination of matters of the Houses ruled by Mars and Venus to see where harmony will prevail or cooperation will flourish, despite a rocky relationship or financial past). (Chiron contraparallel the South Node, Venus parallel Mars and quincunx the South Node)

Saturday the 10th comes pre-packaged shining a light on our ambitions and desires, and we can see how to make them happen–it’s just that reality, the material world/ circumstances, or actual physical circumstances encourage our rebellion–or is it our originality?–as a valid response. The test is this: if our response broadens our own or another’s understanding, then it’s the right one. (Sun conjunct and parallel Zeus, and semi-square, and  contraparallel Uranus, Earth in corresponding ‘reverse’ aspect to all the Sun’s contacts, and Mercury once again conjunct the NN)

Sunday the 11th is the exception. Though relationships and/ or the ego may still be smarting from choices that didn’t respect our own standards and values, we have the chance to recover, to heal, if we’re open to both opportunity and change–or maybe that’s opportunity that we can only take advantage of if we’ll allow or instigate change. Conceding that adjustments are needed, along with a respect for the needs of the group, may open the way for real transformation, on both a big (societal) and small (individual) scale. (Jupiter trine Pluto, Venus quincunx Vesta, Sun quincunx Chiron and opposed Uranus)

Monday the 12th, real-world opportunities present themselves, and we would be wise to take them; only rebelliousness in the relationship or financial realms, resistance to the social sphere, or an ego that resents what the instincts are telling us, can sink this chance for making positive, expansive changes to our world. (Pallas parallel Jupiter and Earth, contraparallel the Sun, Venus sesquiquadrate Uranus, Sun contraparallel Sedna)

I’ve got three books on asteroids available, and one on relationships; find out how each one works in your life–Thanks, and have a great week/end!