It's a full moon when the moon is at the opposite degree in the zodiac from the sun. This month the sun sits at 24 degrees Capricorn while the moon is at 24 Cancer. Not unusual in itself, as it happens once a year between these two signs; what catches the eye is that Venus is currently around the same degree as the sun, in Capricorn, as it retraces its steps on its retrograde (appearing to move backwards) journey.
Because Capricorn is the builder, the developer and manifester of the zodiac, and Venus is concerned with value, this combination can bring a sense of urgency or pressure around long term plans, which connect strongly to self esteem and self worth. Retrograde periods reach into the past, so don't be surprised if there's a feeling of comparison about past and present; a rewinding or reviewing past accomplishments, or a weighing up of timescales concerning future plans.
Added to this combination is of course the continuing of the grand cross energies, and the meeting of Mars and Jupiter which reaches a peak this weekend too. There are some powerful energies at work now, and the key probably lies in the full moon sign of Cancer, which is about emotional connectedness.
Its a time to feel the feelings and answer them. Insecurity, discomfort, or yearnings that are past or future based need care and attention now. This is the Chicken Soup Moon of the zodiac, the balance to the stark reality of situations that Capricorn is so adept at getting us in touch with.
Venus returns to this degree during the final days of February, so the journey isn't over yet.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Mars Opposite Jupiter, And The Return Of The Grand Cross
What on earth is going on at the moment? I thought it was just me experiencing strange, strong energies that are bending events into ever more tense formations, but apparently it's also everyone I meet.
From an astro point of view, this stoical plodding through the depths of January is the result of Fixed Grand Cross energy (see previous post here for info), which has transformed slightly - the Sun is now replaced by Jupiter, in opposition to Mars, while Saturn and Neptune continue to take up the other two corners of the square.
I had my doubts about this Grand Cross being in full flow, because Saturn is quite wide - a whole 6 degrees from exact opposition with Neptune. But events are showing me in big flashing neon type signs that its energies are very much part of this mix.
It's all tension and more tension, and this weird kind of depression, an underlying heaviness that permeates situations from the inside out, the kind that encourages depth internal philosophical debate, but is also accompanied by a 'resigned to it' feeling which resists discussion and bottles up the expression. Certainly a Jupiter in Scorpio rant on the meaning of life will touch on things that no one else dares contemplate, and go deeper into a subject than anyone else fears to tread, while Mars in Taurus is the energy of resignation. For good or ill.
Meanwhile Neptune is the dissolver, for example either into tears, into love, or into helplessness, and Neptune in Aquarius means this is all focused on people, and the themes at the heart of the human condition. But what Saturn in Leo is concerned with, from its current position on the other side of the zodiac from Neptune, is that whatever came before, comes to nothing. Not the most cheery sight for Saturn's eyes, being a planet that gains strength from the past.
If you have noticed a feeling of things dragging on, a sense that things just shouldn't be taking as long, or are never-ending, it's the Mars/Jupiter thing. Not just because Jupiter expands what it touches, but because Mars, the main man for action and motivation still isn't up to speed since it's recent retrograde motion. Normally Mars would move through an opposition to Jupiter much more quickly, and boy is that noticeable now.
The Mars/Jupiter oppostion doesn't become exact till around January 15th, and then the effect only slowly wanes. So we have a way to go with this one. Which means not just riding it out. This Grand Cross energy makes inner contemplation inevitable and inescapable. Nothing for it but to embrace what is going on inside and start listening.
More on this later, no doubt.
From an astro point of view, this stoical plodding through the depths of January is the result of Fixed Grand Cross energy (see previous post here for info), which has transformed slightly - the Sun is now replaced by Jupiter, in opposition to Mars, while Saturn and Neptune continue to take up the other two corners of the square.
I had my doubts about this Grand Cross being in full flow, because Saturn is quite wide - a whole 6 degrees from exact opposition with Neptune. But events are showing me in big flashing neon type signs that its energies are very much part of this mix.
It's all tension and more tension, and this weird kind of depression, an underlying heaviness that permeates situations from the inside out, the kind that encourages depth internal philosophical debate, but is also accompanied by a 'resigned to it' feeling which resists discussion and bottles up the expression. Certainly a Jupiter in Scorpio rant on the meaning of life will touch on things that no one else dares contemplate, and go deeper into a subject than anyone else fears to tread, while Mars in Taurus is the energy of resignation. For good or ill.
Meanwhile Neptune is the dissolver, for example either into tears, into love, or into helplessness, and Neptune in Aquarius means this is all focused on people, and the themes at the heart of the human condition. But what Saturn in Leo is concerned with, from its current position on the other side of the zodiac from Neptune, is that whatever came before, comes to nothing. Not the most cheery sight for Saturn's eyes, being a planet that gains strength from the past.
If you have noticed a feeling of things dragging on, a sense that things just shouldn't be taking as long, or are never-ending, it's the Mars/Jupiter thing. Not just because Jupiter expands what it touches, but because Mars, the main man for action and motivation still isn't up to speed since it's recent retrograde motion. Normally Mars would move through an opposition to Jupiter much more quickly, and boy is that noticeable now.
The Mars/Jupiter oppostion doesn't become exact till around January 15th, and then the effect only slowly wanes. So we have a way to go with this one. Which means not just riding it out. This Grand Cross energy makes inner contemplation inevitable and inescapable. Nothing for it but to embrace what is going on inside and start listening.
More on this later, no doubt.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
New Moon In Capricorn For New Year...
... during the early hours of New Year's Eve, which is nice symbolism to kick off 2006 with, as a new moon represents a new phase or beginning. Full moon's are famous for their intense emotional effect on people, but in my experience a new moon can stir up just as strong emotional responses too.
A new moon tends to bring feelings of emptyness or hunger with it, because it's about being at the beginning of something and open to receive more, and therefore pre-desire fulfillment. If we try to avoid these feelings (by burying it under comfort eating or drinking for example) it seems to make it worse - what you resist persists, as well as avoiding the real desire that underlies the feelings.
Capricorn is the sign of the cosmic provider (remember Santa Claus?). It's all about accepting it's possible to manifest what your heart desires. It's also the sign of the miracle worker (virgin birth on Dec 25th?), so I believe this is an important annual new moon in the astro calendar.
This new moon links to the moon's north and south nodes, which makes it all extra lunar-focused, and extra important in the long-term cycles of our lives. Saturn is linking with Mars in a tense way, but tense or not, its a symbol of the meeting of two key planets as far as understanding the principles of manifesting goes. And because Mercury shares the same degree as Pluto, in the sign of Sagittarius, it's the perfect time to finally accept it's our beliefs that help create our reality.
So because it's the moon to manifest mountains or molehills, (as the mood may take you), my recommendation for some great Capricorn-style reading inspiration is 'Ask And It Is Given' by Abraham-Hicks, which is the finest of its kind on the subject, in my opinion. Check out their website here.
A new moon tends to bring feelings of emptyness or hunger with it, because it's about being at the beginning of something and open to receive more, and therefore pre-desire fulfillment. If we try to avoid these feelings (by burying it under comfort eating or drinking for example) it seems to make it worse - what you resist persists, as well as avoiding the real desire that underlies the feelings.
Capricorn is the sign of the cosmic provider (remember Santa Claus?). It's all about accepting it's possible to manifest what your heart desires. It's also the sign of the miracle worker (virgin birth on Dec 25th?), so I believe this is an important annual new moon in the astro calendar.
This new moon links to the moon's north and south nodes, which makes it all extra lunar-focused, and extra important in the long-term cycles of our lives. Saturn is linking with Mars in a tense way, but tense or not, its a symbol of the meeting of two key planets as far as understanding the principles of manifesting goes. And because Mercury shares the same degree as Pluto, in the sign of Sagittarius, it's the perfect time to finally accept it's our beliefs that help create our reality.
So because it's the moon to manifest mountains or molehills, (as the mood may take you), my recommendation for some great Capricorn-style reading inspiration is 'Ask And It Is Given' by Abraham-Hicks, which is the finest of its kind on the subject, in my opinion. Check out their website here.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Happy Yule
It's Winter Solstice, the day in the Northern Hemisphere when the Sun moves into the first degree of the sign of Capricorn. The shortest day and the longest night. It's the celebration of the (re)birth of the Sun, who nine months ago was in the sign of Aries, the sign associated with beginnings and the start of anything.
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, a much-misunderstood planet, that gets a bad name at times for the stern and serious approach to life it seems to favour. But it's no coincidence of course that the figure of Santa Claus, who only makes an appearance at this time of year, embodies the spirit of Saturn and Capricorn. The old man of the skies is an important figure to acknowledge in order to really get the meaning of this part of the zodiac, as he's a reminder that Saturn isn't really about harsh lessons, and Capricorn does more than just stick to the rules.
Peace and goodwill to all, through fun and the enjoyment of giving, is the real Solstice message, something that we all need to work hard at the whole year round, to reap the real rewards that Saturn has to offer.
Mike Nichols has a great page on the history and traditions of Yule here, and there's an indepth look at Capricorn, with masses of info on Saturn too, at Deborah Houlding's site here.
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, a much-misunderstood planet, that gets a bad name at times for the stern and serious approach to life it seems to favour. But it's no coincidence of course that the figure of Santa Claus, who only makes an appearance at this time of year, embodies the spirit of Saturn and Capricorn. The old man of the skies is an important figure to acknowledge in order to really get the meaning of this part of the zodiac, as he's a reminder that Saturn isn't really about harsh lessons, and Capricorn does more than just stick to the rules.
Peace and goodwill to all, through fun and the enjoyment of giving, is the real Solstice message, something that we all need to work hard at the whole year round, to reap the real rewards that Saturn has to offer.
Mike Nichols has a great page on the history and traditions of Yule here, and there's an indepth look at Capricorn, with masses of info on Saturn too, at Deborah Houlding's site here.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Venus and Chiron in Aquarius
Venus is the planet of relationships and values, embodiment of the Feminine, and the Yin energy in us all regardless of gender, and is the principle of the Law of Attraction. It's sharing the same space in the heavens as asteroid Chiron today, in an unusual meeting in the sign of Aquarius.
A bit of background on Chiron first: it's one of the many asteroids in orbit between Saturn and Uranus. Saturn among other things, symbolises the limits imposed by authority - those 'keep off the grass' type signs, that sometimes have logical reasoning behind them, but usually don't. Uranus is the maverick and rebel, the one who believes rules are only there to be broken. (In Greek myth Prometheus was the mere mortal who metaphorically stomped all over the best kept lawns of the Gods, and has become known as a fine example of the Uranian personality).
So there's these two planets and this asteroid between them. Some call it the rainbow bridge, and see it as the connecting point, or mediator between these two planets. Some say it is about healing (... which therefore means there is something unhealed that is being brought to the surface). In myth Chiron was known as the wounded healer, because he had an Achilles-heel-style, Fisher King-esque wound that just wouldn't heal no matter how much medicine he learnt. The myth and its meaning, and much more can be found here at Zane Stein's fab site, devoted to Chiron info.
I have studied the movements of Chiron through the zodiac and in people's charts for many a year, and my take on the meaning of Chiron is of a situation that requires understanding as an antidote, as it's understanding that is the necessary shared ingredient in the stern rules of Saturn, and unconditional Uranus freedom.
Chiron can be associated with painful experiences that bring self-awareness as the healing. And it's that personal journey type of healing, that is valuable to pass on as experience to others. It isn't about science labs, statistics or mass produced drugs, this is about the individual journey to well-being; the bumpy ride along the road less travelled.
It's a choice, and Chiron makes us choose over and over. The painful experience can originally be such a sore point that we use it as a reason to completely avoid the area of life Chiron touches by sign and house in the chart, which keeps us on the hamster wheel of pain and lack of fulfillment (because it's connected to a chunk of ourselves that we refuse to accept).
Then Chiron comes along again and hits a planet or two in the skies, or in our charts, and a situation sets up which echoes the original wound, the original sore point, and we have the choice to apply understanding and acceptance, or stay circling the familiar hamster wheel of resistance and pain, with the ever present vague feeling that something important is missing.
And here we are today, with Venus in close contact with Chiron, in the sign of Aquarius. It's an unusual meeting because Venus is preparing to retrograde (appear to move backward); it's coming to a grinding halt ready for a change in direction, a turnaround of energy that will take it back through the degrees of Capricorn over the coming weeks.
We are still close to the recent full moon in Gemini, and under the influence of the Sun/Pluto meeting the other day, so talk about sore point! Jeez. I don't know anyone who isn't feeling this 'Ouch Factor' vibe in a big way.
But of course, this means there is BIG healing available, in terms of Venus associations, and through Aquarian type themes and symbols (and people). The sign of Aquarius is concerned with friendship, support, teamwork, shared purpose, the future, originality and individuality. A retrograde cycle is about 're' words, so for Venus this would be, for example, relationship, reunion, reconnecting, returning, re-evaluating, rejecting etc etc...
Remember: if it's a sore point, it's a call for understanding and (self)acceptance. It's the choice for well-being that grows from self-awareness.
A bit of background on Chiron first: it's one of the many asteroids in orbit between Saturn and Uranus. Saturn among other things, symbolises the limits imposed by authority - those 'keep off the grass' type signs, that sometimes have logical reasoning behind them, but usually don't. Uranus is the maverick and rebel, the one who believes rules are only there to be broken. (In Greek myth Prometheus was the mere mortal who metaphorically stomped all over the best kept lawns of the Gods, and has become known as a fine example of the Uranian personality).
So there's these two planets and this asteroid between them. Some call it the rainbow bridge, and see it as the connecting point, or mediator between these two planets. Some say it is about healing (... which therefore means there is something unhealed that is being brought to the surface). In myth Chiron was known as the wounded healer, because he had an Achilles-heel-style, Fisher King-esque wound that just wouldn't heal no matter how much medicine he learnt. The myth and its meaning, and much more can be found here at Zane Stein's fab site, devoted to Chiron info.
I have studied the movements of Chiron through the zodiac and in people's charts for many a year, and my take on the meaning of Chiron is of a situation that requires understanding as an antidote, as it's understanding that is the necessary shared ingredient in the stern rules of Saturn, and unconditional Uranus freedom.
Chiron can be associated with painful experiences that bring self-awareness as the healing. And it's that personal journey type of healing, that is valuable to pass on as experience to others. It isn't about science labs, statistics or mass produced drugs, this is about the individual journey to well-being; the bumpy ride along the road less travelled.
It's a choice, and Chiron makes us choose over and over. The painful experience can originally be such a sore point that we use it as a reason to completely avoid the area of life Chiron touches by sign and house in the chart, which keeps us on the hamster wheel of pain and lack of fulfillment (because it's connected to a chunk of ourselves that we refuse to accept).
Then Chiron comes along again and hits a planet or two in the skies, or in our charts, and a situation sets up which echoes the original wound, the original sore point, and we have the choice to apply understanding and acceptance, or stay circling the familiar hamster wheel of resistance and pain, with the ever present vague feeling that something important is missing.
And here we are today, with Venus in close contact with Chiron, in the sign of Aquarius. It's an unusual meeting because Venus is preparing to retrograde (appear to move backward); it's coming to a grinding halt ready for a change in direction, a turnaround of energy that will take it back through the degrees of Capricorn over the coming weeks.
We are still close to the recent full moon in Gemini, and under the influence of the Sun/Pluto meeting the other day, so talk about sore point! Jeez. I don't know anyone who isn't feeling this 'Ouch Factor' vibe in a big way.
But of course, this means there is BIG healing available, in terms of Venus associations, and through Aquarian type themes and symbols (and people). The sign of Aquarius is concerned with friendship, support, teamwork, shared purpose, the future, originality and individuality. A retrograde cycle is about 're' words, so for Venus this would be, for example, relationship, reunion, reconnecting, returning, re-evaluating, rejecting etc etc...
Remember: if it's a sore point, it's a call for understanding and (self)acceptance. It's the choice for well-being that grows from self-awareness.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
End Of Mars Retrograde In Taurus
This Saturday Mars, which has being retrograde since early November will be moving forward once again. It was way back around August 12th when Mars was last at 8 degrees of Taurus, so if you cast your mind back to events at that time, you might notice some kind of link to what was happening then and now.
The full picture is in place for this whole cycle around early February 2006 (which is when Mars reaches the degree it turned retrograde, during Novemeber), but for now, this is an important turning point, when energies mirror the change in direction.
Aries and Scorpio (the signs ruled by Mars) will feel this most strongly, as well as Taurus of course. For everyone else, because Mars rules motivation, desires, and general va va voom for life, there'll be renewed energy, looking foward instead of back, as well as the feeling of a clear path ahead. Much more like being able to walk on water, rather than trying to run through it, as has been of late.
This is just what is needed to deal with the Venus/Chiron happenings that are developing at the moment. More on that soon.
The full picture is in place for this whole cycle around early February 2006 (which is when Mars reaches the degree it turned retrograde, during Novemeber), but for now, this is an important turning point, when energies mirror the change in direction.
Aries and Scorpio (the signs ruled by Mars) will feel this most strongly, as well as Taurus of course. For everyone else, because Mars rules motivation, desires, and general va va voom for life, there'll be renewed energy, looking foward instead of back, as well as the feeling of a clear path ahead. Much more like being able to walk on water, rather than trying to run through it, as has been of late.
This is just what is needed to deal with the Venus/Chiron happenings that are developing at the moment. More on that soon.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Mercury Retrograde November 14 - December 4
Until early December Mercury is retrograde in the skies (appearing to move backwards). It’s not an unusual occurance, it’s something we are all used to living with about 3 times a year, yet there is this association with retrograde phases as being just an irritating source of delays, of communication breakdowns, - letters going astray, or computers playing up, etc.
This does seem to be true in certain circumstances, in the same way that full moons are known for stirring up strong emotions, but I don’t think that needs to be the only focus. These planetary movements are the reflection of natural cycles in us all, as far as I am concerned, and so there are going to be benefits in embracing the whole period, rather than just concentrating on backing up computers, or making sure we get a receipt for everything. We have to look deeper at what the cycle is asking of us.
Mercury retrogrades in Sagittarius, which is a sign associated with faith and belief. It’s our beliefs that give us direction in life, and whatever we place our faith in shapes our experience. How we see things, our perspective, determines the path we choose, and therefore our journey. Mercury is about our thinking processes, so a retrograde phase through Sagittarius is a call to review or rethink current ways of looking at things, and thinking about things. It’s an invitation to look more deeply at what or who we place our faith in, and whether that is serving our best interests. It's about changing perspectives.
Retrograde phases connect us back with the past, with repeating circumstances, and especially as far as Mercury retrograde goes, with coincidence and syncronicity. Mercury was the god of commerce, of travellers, of roads and crossroads, and has strong links to medicine. Writing, learning, and communicating are all important themes. So expect links to faces and places from the past, as well as any or all of the many Mercurial symbols to start cropping up in attention grabbing ways. To kick off, read about what scientists have just discovered about meditation here, and what the Dalai Lama had to say yesterday here.
Technorati: astrology mercury retrograde
This does seem to be true in certain circumstances, in the same way that full moons are known for stirring up strong emotions, but I don’t think that needs to be the only focus. These planetary movements are the reflection of natural cycles in us all, as far as I am concerned, and so there are going to be benefits in embracing the whole period, rather than just concentrating on backing up computers, or making sure we get a receipt for everything. We have to look deeper at what the cycle is asking of us.
Mercury retrogrades in Sagittarius, which is a sign associated with faith and belief. It’s our beliefs that give us direction in life, and whatever we place our faith in shapes our experience. How we see things, our perspective, determines the path we choose, and therefore our journey. Mercury is about our thinking processes, so a retrograde phase through Sagittarius is a call to review or rethink current ways of looking at things, and thinking about things. It’s an invitation to look more deeply at what or who we place our faith in, and whether that is serving our best interests. It's about changing perspectives.
Retrograde phases connect us back with the past, with repeating circumstances, and especially as far as Mercury retrograde goes, with coincidence and syncronicity. Mercury was the god of commerce, of travellers, of roads and crossroads, and has strong links to medicine. Writing, learning, and communicating are all important themes. So expect links to faces and places from the past, as well as any or all of the many Mercurial symbols to start cropping up in attention grabbing ways. To kick off, read about what scientists have just discovered about meditation here, and what the Dalai Lama had to say yesterday here.
Technorati: astrology mercury retrograde
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