Breagh

Breagh is my sister's Golden Retriever. The name Breagh means 'beautiful' in Gaelic, and she's definately a dog who knows her own name, being so used to people stopping her in the street to remark in sheer amazement at the embodiment of loveliness that she is. She accepts all compliments from her fans with a real celeb-style blend of grace and modesty; a professional gratitude expressed with such art you'd never know that underneath she would prefer the compliments to take the form of biscuits.

Anyway, my sister rang the other day to tell me what happened when they were out on their favourite walk. Breagh had somehow accidently run right into my sister, knocking her over and out cold for a couple of minutes. Bree was completely unharmed and unfazed by the incident while my poor sis bore the brunt of the impact, and was left with an impressive shiner on one eye, as well as assorted aches and pains.
It seems she had been calling to her at the end of their walk, Bree was on top of a hill and suddenly had taken it upon herself to be very obedient for once in her life, and began a fast run back to base. My sister was leaning forward in encouragement while our unusually compliant doggy came hurtling down a steep slope straight for her... and apparently the result would have made a great video for one of those t.v. shows where the general public make money out of slapstick mishaps, you know the ones showing the full consequences of trying to cross rivers using a rope swing tied to an insufficent branch, or of staring too closely into a hosepipe to see what the blockage is, or of that classic yuletide over-reach on a wobbly step ladder while attempting to place that final Christmas tree decoration...

As soon as it became clear that no real harm had been done I could have a look at the astrology of it all. I never get tired of searching for those symbols at work in an event; my astrologer brain seems to automatically kick into gear with an insatiable and fixated curiousity to mentally check transits and synastry in an attempt to build an astro picture of any moment in question. Obviously I waited an appropriate amount of time to share my eagerness at the findings (ie, when the bruising began to subside), but this incident looked destined from the start to become part of my ongoing research, to be ultimately catalogued as yet more evidence of the innate cosmic symmetry seeded within all events great or small.

It's because sis and B are Scorpio's. And both their Sun's were conjunct transiting Jupiter you see. Which locks into the equation the triangle of planets that is currently in such strong formation (Saturn opposite Chiron, squared by Jupiter). It all happened when Saturn was still sharing the same degree as Mars (co-ruler of Scorp), at the time when these two planets were rising, and also sitting on the 6th house cusp (health and pets) of my sisters chart. And then there's Chiron. Currently right on Breagh's Neptune, Chiron is the Ouch Factor in any chart, being associated with wounds and painful experiences.

My sister was understandably less enthusiastic than I at the proposal that her experience was another example of cosmic perfection in full flow, but that might also have been because she was still smarting from the final chapter in the events of the day; as when she was safely back home and stretched out on the sofa, with a packet of frozen blueberries to serve as an ice-pack for her eye, Breagh climbed up on the chair next to her, laying her blonder than blonde head on my sister's shoulder, and fixing her velvet brown gaze on her good eye. Which made her think Breagh had finally realised something had happened between her and her beloved owner, that the Neptune haze had lifted and the awareness was now prompting her to offer canine style comfort, like Lassie would no doubt have done. But no, turns out it was just a ruse to get near enough to nibble inconspicuously at those fast melting blueberries.


technorati: astrology, scorpio, jupiter, chiron, saturn

0 degrees Of Cancer = Summer Solstice

Here in the northern hemisphere it's officially midsummer when the sun first enters the sign of Cancer. This 0 degree spot is the moment of the summer solstice, the time in the solar year when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, that point of maximum light and power since the days began slowly lengthening six months ago, at the time of the Capricorn winter solstice.
After this midsummer pause for breath (solstice is derived from the Latin for 'the sun stands still'), the sun's power slowly starts to wane, and it begins the journey towards the longest night in the deep of midwinter once again.

From an astrology point of view, the solstices are part of a story of two polarity points in the zodiac, Cancer and Capricorn, and the symbolism associated with both signs is blended together in one of the most famous summer solstice images, the ancient site of Stonehenge.
Cancer is ruled by the moon, and the essence of this sign is about the expression of the ebb and flow of circles and cycles. It is a sign that relates to our sense of emotional connectedness, beginning with the parent/child bond that is also the earth/human bond, and to our memories, which like Ariadne's thread tie and bond us to our origins. Our emotional landscape is built on reminders that stir the soul and move the heart in deep recognition of who we really are, and therefore what feels like home to us.
Meanwhile Capricorn is the builder. Under Saturn's influence it is associated with stones and structures, time and tradition, carrying an unquestioning respect for established paths and laws. Capricorn is about the challenges of time and mortality, and is driven by the strong desire to create something that endures, something that is carried and supported by time, rather than reduced or ravaged by it.

The 21st of June is the day of the summer solstice this year, the day when the expression of these energies are flowing through us and around us at their peak. The planet patterns to match the moment are strong and unusual, and involves the triangle of planets comprising Saturn/Mars, Chiron and Jupiter that I mentioned last time here. Now, at the moment of the solstice, the moon in Taurus makes the triangle into a square, opposing Jupiter and squaring Saturn/Mars and Chiron.
It means the two rulers of the two solstices are linking through this grand cross formation, involving the fixed signs of Leo, Taurus, Aquarius and Scorpio. This is incredibly focused, dynamic, inflexible energy. If the air feels full of resistance, and certain situations feel immovable - like trying to run through water, this is the grand cross in action. Something has to give however, and this is where the solstice energy comes in, turning the tide and shifting the season.


astrology, cancer, capricorn, solstice, midsummer, stonehenge

Mars + Saturn, Sun + Pluto

Can you feel that energy building? There's a focusing of awareness, a sharpening of attention. It's like the moments before the curtain rises on a play, when the energy is concentrated and intense, heavy with anticipation and expectation.

And this is the power of the square, opposition and conjunction aspects in astrology (find out what the aspects mean here). Currently, Chiron in Aquarius sits opposite Saturn in Leo, while Jupiter in Scorpio squares both, like the underlying thread between two widely differing perspectives.
This triangle of planets is a strong alignment, and is the major focus for all astro action over the next few weeks; especially on the 21st, when the Taurus Moon joins in and squares the triangle during the moment of the midsummer solstice.

But before that, the big news is Mars approaching the same degree as Saturn in Leo, while the Sun makes its yearly opposition to Pluto - at the moment through the signs of Gemini and Sagittarius.
There’s as many ways all this can manifest as there are people on earth, so it's impossible to predict exactly what's going to happen as a result, but there are likely to be similar themes, easily recognisable as relating to the planet mix involved.

Mars conjunct Saturn is about constructive action. There's no frittering away time and energy when Saturn is project manager. It settles well to hard work because it isn’t held up by the need for immediate gratification. This is a planet into long-term results, and is into a slow build-up, a visible progression.
Meanwhile Mars adds the va va voom, something you can't be seen without while in the sign of Leo.
It’s not an easy partnership, but when it works, it’s unbeatable. The downside is that Saturn puts pressure on what it contacts, so there's a strong pressure to act, which can be difficult for Mars to come to terms with.
Saturn is also associated with fear... of success, failure, disapproval, you name it and Saturn can get the jitters about it. Put that next to action planet Mars in the sign of Leo you've got something like stage-fright, or similar rabbit in headlights responses.

Meanwhile with the Sun/Pluto opposition, what was hidden is brought to light. Secrets are revealed, which can be skeletons in the closet, or a Holy Grail. It’s also the awareness that the light at the end of the tunnel just might be you; all those circumstances that conspire to reveal previously untapped inner resources - the buried treasure of the soul.
There’s always an issue of trust when it comes to Pluto, and of letting go. The Sun/Pluto aspect in particular involves letting go of what you thought you knew about yourself - a vulnerable place to find yourself, no doubt, but a place where the rewards are immeasurable.


Astrology, Mars, Saturn, Pluto

Full Moon In Sagittarius 11th June

"This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."
- Shakespeare

The energy first put in motion at the time of the Gemini new moon 2 weeks ago reaches a peak on the 11th, which means situations centering around Gemini themes are again in focus, but this time with a strong Sagittarius flavour (new moon post is here for a reminder).

The sign of Sagittarius is all about the beliefs we hold, and about understanding the strength they have in creating our reality. It's belief that defines our perspective on life, thereby shaping our future experience in the process. We only like to see what we believe in, and this has incredibly powerful connotations, both for ourselves and for how we relate to others.

Because Sagittarius instinctively knows that things happen in life because we believe they can, this sign is known for having an ‘anything’s possible’ aura about it. Those with a strong Sagittarius influence in their charts are usually optimistic, sometimes over optimistic about their chances of success. The cup is at least half full, and at times it's brimming over as they enjoy pushing boundries and ignoring limits. Because of this they are able to think big, and aren’t afraid of making the most of any opportunity that comes along.

The power of the Sadge is in us all however, as we all have the rainbow blend of the 12 signs within us. It’s a potent power that can be used for good or ill, and unless we strive for an understanding of how it works for us, we can end up creating all sorts of nightmare scenarios for ourselves.

So this full moon is a great time to connect with power, and take a look at the beliefs we hold and how they shape our existence. Sagittarius understands it's down to individual choice who or what we believe in; no one else can do this for us - after all, how can an archer line up with a target but through their own judgement?
But most importantly, it’s the understanding that we only gain the freedom Sagittarius holds dear when we make the choice to believe in what serves our true nature. And no one can know what that involves but us. We can’t tell anyone else, and they can’t tell us.


astrology, full moon, sagittarius

8 Random Things About Me

Lynn Hayes writes one of my favourite astrology blogs, Astrological Musings, and guess what, she has tagged me for this random thingy game. How exciting, thankyou Lynn! So here goes, never done this before...


1. The first record I ever bought was ‘Heart Of Glass’ by Blondie.

2. I love flowers so much that I couldn’t pick a favourite. I see them all as stylish works of performance art by God, each and everyone of them.

3. I'm a Gemini and my sister is Scorpio. We both have moon in Aries, at the very same degree. Hers is conjunct Jupiter, mine conjunct Saturn. I’m Virgo rising, she’s Pisces rising. What’s going on there? What’s that all about? Why does that happen? This is how astrology draws me in.

4. I believe 100% in the existence of angels. I have my reasons, and that’s all I’m saying.

5. I'm a dog person rather than cat person, an animal person rather than people person.

6. I love period dramas, especially lavish BBC productions like the recent Bleak House. I spent New Year’s day happily watching the whole series of Pride and Prejudice, wrapped in a faux fur throw and eating chocolates.

7. I dream intricate technicolour dreams with complicated plots and recurring themes almost every night. They are most lucid and prophetic around a new moon according to my dream diary (Virgo Pluto/Uranus rising from the 12th, square Gemini Mercury?).

8. I am at last recovering from 8 years of agoraphobia and anxiety attacks. Definately the biggest challenge of my life - my 'dark night of the soul' (Virgo Pluto/Uranus rising from the 12th, square Gemini Mercury!).


My turn to tag!
April
Wendy
Val
Isthmus