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"We are born at a given moment, in a given place, and like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and the season of which we are born. Astrology does not lay claim to anything more." - Carl Gustav Jung

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Last Quarter Blues, Snafus & Breakthroughs

   The revolutionary planet Uranus, turned retrograde July 13th and will travel in "backwards" motion until December 13th, revisiting the degrees between 8 and 32 minutes of Aries back to 4 degrees 37 minutes. Any planets you have near those degrees in the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn could be triggered by a sudden encounter with this cosmic force for innovation and change!

   Mercurial Mercury is also retrograding tonight, as it does a few times a year, standing still at 12 degrees of Leo and 32 minutes, back-tracking to 1 Leo and turning Direct on August 8th. Leo is the fiery Fixed sign of summer and Mercury here opposes anything in nearby degrees of Aquarius, while challenging similar degrees of the other two Fixed signs, Taurus and Scorpio.

  We're more familiar with Mercury's retrograde shenanigans causing delays, breakdowns and miscommunications, than we are with Uranus' about-face. More than a few people have blamed Mercury retrograde for stalling their efforts, especially in commercial pursuits. While this period is NOT the time to initiate any new projects, it IS a good time to work on advertising campaigns, cleaning up mailing lists and re-visiting and tweaking those things that haven't been working in the last few months. Then, after Mercury turns around, you can institute the new things you've been working on! Suffice it to say that Mercury Rx is the time for research, re-dos and paying close attention to the details of any negotiations, plans or necessary repairs.

     Now, on to the retrograde effects of Uranus... no one knows what to expect!! I may be half kidding, but Uranus is an out-of-the-box, surprise, quirky kind of energy and when retrograde, the direction you thought you were moving in can change... again! Uranus has reign over genius, inventions and sudden new connections. It is said to be the higher octave of Mercury, bringing insight in a flash, the kind of aha! moment that comes like a bolt out of the blue, sudden and unexpected! So, what is the affect of this energy standing still for several days then turning around? Think, who let the cat out of the box?  or "what do mean, you want that mock-up NOW, I thought we threw that out weeks ago?!" Well, yeah, you did, but it seems someone woke up with a brilliant idea about how to make it work, so you'll be spending the next few months changing things up to make a go of it!

   New ways of thinking create new ways of doing for new ways of being. Use this time to brainstorm unique ways to become unstuck, making sure you connect with others for their input and staying open to innovative ways to deal with old issues. A new way of dealing with an old issue may be the answer you need, especially if it's something you haven't tried before; if you're sick of being stuck, just do it!

   In the larger picture, group energy can have a profound affect on the greater good. Revolutionary Uranus in fiery Aries gives an opportunity to make change happen. However, if you don't grab hold of the change you'd like to see and make it happen, you may be surprised at what the outcome is when the dust settles. Take nothing for granted! These are indeed, changing times and working with your intuition can facilitate the shift.

   Now, about the Last Quarter Blues that I mentioned in the heading... wouldn't that make a great name for a band?! The time after the Full Moon when the Sun and Moon form a square with each other, is the last quarter phase of their monthly relationship and we are smack in the middle of this week before the New Moon on the 19th... between culmination of one cycle and the beginning of another. Often, what is experienced is some sort of crisis of consciousness after the awareness shown by the Full Moon brings realization of the effectiveness of our efforts in the present cycle... or not! It's like twisting and turning in the hour before dawn when excitement or worry wakes you too early and you know it's too soon to get up. The next New Moon in Leo will bring a month of enthusiasm, possibly some drama and a month of creative risk-taking, and now is NOT the time to go out on a limb. It is the time to patiently follow through on things, gently tweaking what you can and getting prepared for renewed energy after the 19th.

   In the meantime, remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Capricorn Full Moon & Mars in Libra

  The Sun and Moon culminate their monthly dance at tomorrow's Full Moon when they oppose each other at 13 degrees of Capricorn/Cancer. The Sabian Symbol for the Moon's degree is "A Fire Worshipper Meditates On The Ultimate Realities Of Existence". Lynda Hill says about this symbol in her book, The Sabian Oracle:360 Degrees Of Wisdom, that this speaks to the sacred fire needed to be kept glowing in our homes, our hearts and our minds. She also speaks to the need to harness our personal resources as we contemplate life and its meaning to create magic.

  I am personally reminded of two things with this symbol - standing in a circle with about 20 other fire worshippers and  meditating on a large bonfire twenty-one years ago, which I subsequently walked over a few hours later when the fiery red coals were raked out. This experience freed up my mind to believe that we are more than limited human beings and it showed me the power of mind over matter as I walked unscathed across very hot coals and leaped into the air with a cry of freedom bursting from my throat. I have walked across hot coals three times, but that first time was exhilarating on so many levels! I am reminded to apply that same inner strength whenever I want to create a new reality and one of those times is now.

   FYI: Fire-walking is not to be approached without expert guidance and hours of meditation and preparation. Please do NOT think I am advocating doing this on your own, or even that it is necessary in order to gain the insight symbolized by this degree, that is not my intent. This is just my personal example of coming to a huge revelation about the reality of my existence. In lieu of that, perhaps you can do a candle meditation where you gather with like-minded others, sitting in circle and gazing with eyes half-closed at the candle's flame as you seek the wisdom of your hearts' intention. Ask yourself, what is it that I desire to achieve for myself at this time? Then listen for the answer or look for your progress to be reflected back at you in some way in your daily life. That is Capricorn's purpose - climbing upward to secure practical goals.

   The second thing I am reminded of is that Lynda Hill says Magian is another word for Fire Worshipper and can be used to denote an astrologer. I am a Sagittarian astrologer and that means I have a lot of fire to share. I share it through my belief that we are divine spiritual beings who have come to this school we call Earth to learn about our souls' journey. I also share it by writing this Blog that is meant to inspire and elevate your life. It would be my great joy to assist you with a personal reading at any time, either in person or over the phone, to help you harness your own inner resources and create the magic you seek in your life at this time.

   The degree of the Sun is 13 Cancer: "A Hand, Which Is Held Out Receptively, Is Remarkable For The Suggestion Of Character In Its Prominent Thumb". What this symbol represents is the ability to extend oneself to others with a strong sense of determination, yet receptive to accepting their grasp of the situation as well as their input. The receptivity in no way implies weakness; an inability to extend ones hand would perhaps show a lack of character and this would weaken your position.

  Mars leaves Virgo tomorrow at long last, and moves into the Cardinal Air sign Libra, directing our energies toward relationships and restoring balance in our lives. The Virgo analysis and skill-building phase is over and it's time direct our actions (Mars) in ways which support new growth and harmony in relationships (Libra). Whether your introspection and analysis over the last several months have led you to the decision to move on or to move ahead in any partnership,  it is now time to face the direction you want to move in. I think of Mars in Libra as a kind of armchair quarterback; someone with the bravado but who sits in a chair, not running plays out on the field. Mars can get bogged down in Libra only if he forgets it takes effort to make what he wants happen. Apply the effort to what you already know you want to do and let the rest of the details fall into place as you go.

 ...and remember, if you keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground, you'll make progress...