William Michael Harnett {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: Venus enters Virgo, and we may start to see ‘virgin territory’ as a desirable place to explore, transform, or critique. We go where we’ve never been before in relationships or financially, or we are willing to be accountable publicly for some change in our values–it’s as if we’re saying, ‘Yes, that’s who I am, not what you expected, right? I’m not afraid to go there”. This is good, if it’s freeing you to express genuine feeling, not so good if it’s an aberration fostered by a too-prickly relationship with Virgoan characteristics, right now (check natal Merc for what it might be receiving by transit–a tense aspect or two almost certainly promises you’ll go out on a limb, then try to saw it off).

The mind may almost compulsively dig into areas where matters are denied or ignored, or where deep change is happening but those involved are pretending everything is just fine. This will cause friction, especially in relationships or financially, but if handled consciously (with deliberate discernment, rather than a critical approach), may excavate areas painful or too long ignored, allowing healing to begin. Warning: thinking easily drifts into the fantastical and unreal; stay connected to the facts–and don’t mistake your or another’s thoughts for facts–for best results (Perfecting today: Venus sesq Pluto, Merc sxt Black Moon Lilith and contra-parallel Neptune)

Today’s word image is a picture of a stranger, found in a box of old family photos. Whose ‘surprise photo’ are you most likely to find emerging from the past? Who within the family is this person connected to, and why? And does this illuminate anything about this family member for you?

Vincent van Gogh ‘Olive Trees’ 1888 {{PD}}

For those born with the Sun at 14 Leo: If you’re willing to let go of outmoded or irrelevant energy drains, and acquiesce to re-making those areas that need ‘power reform’, you can mid-way through your year, through to your next birthday, find like-minded others and develop an aesthetic both of which will support realizing your goals and ambitions. Good luck, Leo, and Happy Birthday!

“Motor Manufacturing” by Clive Gardiner for the Empire Marketing Board c.1930 Courtesy of the National Archives UK {{No Restrictions}}

The AstroEssence: Our ambitions drive everything right now; we have innovative, unique, and inspiring thoughts about our desires, wants, and goals, and we see what’s impractical or unwise about the form our current aims take, and so can modify our intended direction and our efforts. Our quest to express our individuality pushes us forward, and we’re heartened both by seeing how and why things didn’t work in the past, and how we and our ambitions can fit into the social fabric now. Optimism is pervasive, but take care not to bite off more than you can handle (Pallas sesq Zeus, and Merc nov Zeus and parallel Uranus, Sun nov Jupiter and qnx the SN)

Juan Téllez Hellín – ‘Work’ 1903 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is unfinished knitting. What have we begun to knit together, pulling in different threads to make a coherent and cooperative whole, that we’ve lately put aside, neglected, or given up on? Whatever the project is, remind yourself of what you intended at the time, then look at things in the light of now–that’s the only way to know if it’s right to pick it up and finish, or to unravel things, and put the energy and materials to a better use.

For those born with the Sun at 13 Leo: Though most of the year goes smoothly, you are actually headed for great change; the question is, will this be forced upon you, or will you see the writing on the wall, and modify your course so that what you’re required to do fits into what you want, anyway? You prepare best by being flexible, and at the same time being as Self-responsible and Self-aware as possible; avoid being too critical of yourself or others, as this is especially likely at those points when emotions overcome you. Good luck, Leo, and Happy Birthday!

By mik Krakow – Collegium Maius UJ, fot. J. Nowostawska-Gyalókay, Małopolski Instytut Kultury 2015, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41337157

Please note that currently the Sun is reaching a new degree later and later in the day, Pacific time; it’s only by looking at your timed birth chart that you can be sure whether the degree listed for your birthday is correct for you, or whether you should read the day before or after.

Thank you, Readers!

Elizabeth Forbes – ‘Blackberry Gathering’ c1912 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: What we love is actually good for us right now–can you imagine? It may seem like a trick, a deception, a sleight-of-mind, but we’ll only be mislead if we focus our attention too narrowly on ourselves and our interests; keep the world in mind, and our actions and choices can verge on transformative, that’s how effective our ‘reach’ into the real world can be. Make it pleasant, make it pretty, make it profitable, and we’ll all benefit. And we find, in exerting ourselves, that if we anticipated pain for taking charge and being responsible, we were wrong–empowering ourselves is not just hurt-free, but helps us shed any illusions we may have accepted as valid (Chiron contra-parallel Juno, Mars semi-sq Pluto, Venus nov Hygeia, Sun qnx Neptune)

Today’s word image is a forest, where every tree trunk is covered with butterflies. To me butterflies are symbols of potential, of what someone or something can become, and a forest speaks of an environment that acts as a sheltering place to gather, replenish, and breed, a proper ground for bringing something to fruition. This image may prompt us to look at how well our environment incubates our efforts; are they properly nourished, allowed to develop, recognized as valid once they are complete? If not, consider modifications that can help support even the most delicate and elusive of ideas, the inspired kind we must take seriously and pursue, before the moment passes. See one man’s efforts to support butterflies here, and a real-life forest such as our image describes here.

Remember, time is passing. By Juan R. Lascorz, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3653043

For those born with the Sun at 12 Leo: there is a ‘fresh’ feeling to your new Solar year, one that offers you the time, energy, and inclination to address old issues, see to lingering problems, and adjust current matters so that you are rid of what’s outdated and can effectively turn your attention on the future. You are entering a larger process of change that will take some time; getting right with the past is your first step forward. Good luck, Leo, and Happy Birthday!

Please note that currently the Sun is reaching a new degree later and later in the day, Pacific time; it’s only by looking at your timed birth chart that you can be sure whether the degree listed for your birthday is correct for you, or whether you should read the day before or after.

Read —  Donate  —  and enjoy your Wednesday!