Amelia’s Blog

Dior’s new Resort Collection is inspired by Vicki Noble and Karen Vogel’s feminist Tarot Card deck. Vicki Noble is one of the innovators of the feminist spirituality movement in this country.. The deck she designed is round and evolves the mostly patriarchal and Christian archetypes of the Waite deck to images of women of diverse backgrounds and spiritual beliefs. She has taught on the undergrad and grad levels about various aspects of female shamanism and goddess/female archetypes which expand the roles for women and womens spirituality in contemporary life. I had the good fortune to meet and work with Vicki at Rosemary Gladstar’s Women’s Herbal Conference when she was the speaker and I was the Astrologer and Tarot Card reader.

http://www.vogue.com/article/dior-resort-2018-motherpeace

“To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.” Emily Dickinson
“When anger arises, think of the consequences.” Confucius

In general the planet Uranus holds sway in our time and it is a particularly strong influence in the sky this week – as it aligns with Mars and the Sun in a fractious way.

In the old texts they would caution to “expect the unexpected” when there is a strong Uranian influence. Uranus governs lightning and electricity. There can be a very erratic nature to Uranus – as there is with lightning strikes or electrical current running through the frayed cord of a lamp which unpredictably turns on and off. The potential for trouble is described in the lyrics  of the Joni  Mitchell song, “Electricity” – one verse being,

“We once loved together
And we floodlit that time
Input, output, electricity.
But the lines overloaded
And the sparks started flying
And the loose wires were
Lashing out at me.
She’s not going to fix it
too easy.”

Entering this week it bodes well to factor in more patience than usual as nerves can be frayed, tempers short and behavior impulsive  – all of which can lead to a more accident prone time.

Mars will leave the sign of Cancer this week and enter the sign of Leo. The Sabian symbol for this time is,” A person is under emotional stress and blood rushes to their head.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“We can easily become loyal to our suffering … but it’s not the end of the path.” – Jack Kornfield

The Moon waxes full this Sunday EDT at 17 degrees of Capricorn – conjunct the Lord of Transformation, Pluto. If you are in the process of effecting transformation in your life, harnessing the energy of this time is the way to go.

The Jungian analyst and “keeper of the old stories”, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, has written that one of the things as a culture we have lost touch with is the awareness of life/death cycles – not death in a literal sense always – but the beginnings and endings present in all life. This includes psychological and emotional cycles as well as events we experience in the manifest world.

Everyone has experienced the death of a  loved one, the death of a cherished dream and the death of circumstances in life that they cared deeply about. The loss can be  profound and life- changing and the grief process for these kind of events is not a one time thing – it is more like peeling the layers of an onion over time. When the grief process is not fully honored throughout time, a form of crystallization can occur in the realm of thoughts and feelings which can result in settling on a bitter and limited view of life’s potentials and opportunities. It can result in repeating old unproductive patterns which can inhibit the path of personal growth and evolution.

Under the light of this Full Moon it bodes well to look at what these times taught you from a wise perspective and to see whether they caused you to shut down or open up to life. If necessary it is a good time to rewrite your life’s story from a more empowered perspective about what you learned and how you grew and evolved as a result. This kind of process frees up blocked power and will create a clearer path forward.

“Synchronistic events are the clues that point to the existence of an underlying connecting priciple.” Jean Shinoda Bolen

Venus is in Gemini now- a sign ruled by Mercury. Mercury in astrology governs the realms of thought, speech and communication. In mythology Mercury would don costumes and disguises and could gain access to realms the other gods could not. He could forge agreements through his agile use of language. He was a trickster of sorts and because of the sign’s association with duality – he is associated with synchronicity – the co-incidence of two seemingly unrelated events.

As an example of this, I was recently writing a letter to the editor about levels of Mercury in the water supply. This required some research on my part – research which had both legal and scientific aspects to it. I decided to take a break from it and think about it while driving over the mountain to the natural foods market.

Once there I picked up what needed and when I approached the woman behind the counter to ring up my purchase she said to me,”Do you write about Mercury?”

I was kind of stunned and speechless for a moment – thinking how could she have possibly known about that? And then I said,”Oh you are talking about astrology- right?”

And she said yes- that she had read one of my recent posts about the planet Mercury and that it had helped her in her thinking and that she had taken it to a group she is a member of and shared it.

Moments of synchronicity can restore a sense of the magic and mystery of life.  With Venus in Gemini now it is wise to consider things related to love, beauty, abundance and pleasure in your life from a variety perspectives – like light through a prism.

One of the Sabian symbols for Venus’s entrance into Gemini is,”A glass bottomed boat reveals undersea wonders.”

“Newness is the energy of the edge of chaos, the place where the familiar and the unexpected and unpredictable meet, the place of life and emergence.” David Spangler

“Love is a verb.” Stephen R. Covey

Chiron, the asteroid of the Wounded Healer stations retrograde this weekend making its influence prominent in the sky. In mythology Chiron was a centaur known for his renowned healing abilities. He brought the knowledge of homeopathic medicine to the gods and goddesses.

Chiron’s influence can be seen in our time in the growth of natural healing modalities in dealing with wounds of the body, mind and spirit. Wherever Chiron is placed in your natal astrology chart indicates where this journey of wounding and healing goes on throughout your life. This placement provides a valuable key in understanding your personal journey of evolution as old wounds -unless properly tended – can block perceptions and opportunities for change and growth.

Venus is in Taurus now and squaring the Nodes of destiny and fate indicating a choice point about how you go forward in the area of love, pleasure and relationships of all kinds. With the Nodes and Venus so prominent in the sky there is a challenge in the relationship sphere – to either fall back on old unproductive patterns or to move forward with a more authentic, innovative and evolved perspective. It is best to avoid “group think” or too much conformity in this sphere.

This Nodal pattern can bring up a conflict between head and heart in how you approach relationships. The South Node in Aquarius indicates a good way forward is to integrate more of the warmth of the Leo heart force and not get stuck in your head.  This does not mean being overly accommodating to someone else’s wishes in a way that feels inauthentic, but acting from your own center with appropriate boundaries and what the truth is for you – in a loving way.

We are living in a time when many of the traditional models for defining relationship have been outgrown.

The Sabian symbol for Chiron’s station is,” Light breaking into many colors as it passes through a prism.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“The death of a dream can in fact serve as the vehicle that endows it with new form, with reinvigorated substance, a fresh flow of ideas, and splendidly revitalized color. In short, the power of a certain kind of dream is such that death need not indicate finality at all but rather signify a metaphysical and metaphorical leap forward.”  Aberjhani

The Moon waxes new on Friday 6/23 at 2 degrees of Cancer at 10:31 pm EDT. Coming so soon after the Summer Solstice, this upcoming lunar cycle – through 7/23- holds great power. It is wise to approach this time with clear intentions and in particular, intentions related to your soul’s yearnings. Pluto is trining Venus in the concrete and pragmatic signs of Capricorn and Taurus. This is a very good combination for getting back in touch with what holds great value in your life and can bring a sense of rebirth and renewal starting off this cycle if you are willing to let go of what no longer works.

The Pluto/Venus aspect is good for making amends – especially if you are open to more  innovative approaches and avoid limited and unproductive perceptions and behavior of the past.

With the  Sun and New Moon together in Cancer it is wise to strengthen your determination and will forces and to provide protection for your dreams and aspirations with the use of appropriate boundaries. Often will forces are weakened and determination eroded by soliciting advice from others about plans or by talking and speculating about them needlessly. Occult traditions teach that powering your intention with thought and minimizing speech is a better way.

Two of the Sabian symbols of this time are: “On a ship sailors lower an old flag and raise a new one” and “A person on a magic carpet observes vast vistas below.”

Pluto/Venus cycles indicate the end of an old cycle and the beginning of a new and potentially powerful one. It is a good time to provide extra time for reflection and renewal and to be open to new possibilities.

One of the other Sabian symbols for this New Moon is,”A cat arguing with a mouse.” It is easy now with all the changes taking place to incite others. It is best to temper speech and emphasize clarity in communication.

Sabian symbols fromLynda Hill

“I could erect a temple to my life’s relics. A child born. A thigh deep snowfall. An old blue Toyota crossing the brown wheat fields of Kansas in the middle of the night. A page of a journal. A willow tree shot up through the asphalt. A thin, brown- eyed man with bent posture in a shaggy coat. These are my memory’s flotsam. Things wash up on the river bank, their crevices filled with mud-lost things, precious and useless things. I am tumbled agate pushed along by the waters, going on, worn smooth, a mixture of colors.”  Normandi Ellis 

Today, Neptune the planet of the watery Sea God, stations retrograde. A prominent Neptune is often found in the charts of poets, of artists, of spiritual seekers and also in the charts of people prone to addiction-  in the sense of addiction as  a derailed spiritual journey.

Neptune is strong in the sky now with the awkward alignment to Jupiter -the planet of expansion. This can create a kind of fog around the ability to keep things straight and to understand what is going on. This alignment suggests the ongoing need for adjustment in perception and will be present throughout the summer.

A bit of interesting advice for this time from the gifted writer and astrologer, Amanda Painter, is to “look to see what is shimmering just below the surface” of your dreams and aspirations. We are living in a time of great flux and change when old modes of thinking and being are being challenged by evolutionary forces.

Neptune will station direct in late November. One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “A sword used in many battles is now in a museum.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“History says, don’t hope
On this side of the grave.
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.

So hope for a great sea-change
On the far side of revenge.
Believe that a farther shore
Is reachable from here.
Believe in miracles
And cures and healing wells.” Seamus Heaney 

Jupiter and Neptune are forming a very close alignment now – a quincunx. This 150 degree aspect calls for the constant need for adjustment. This duo together can indicate a need to keep grounded and pragmatic about dreams, hopes and visionary endeavors. And as the gifted astrologer and writer Eric Francis has noted – clarity is key. This aspect will remain in influence throughout most of the summer. During this time-frame, clarity – and the process of working towards clarity – will remain very helpful navigational tools.

These two planets can be asscociated with  the tendency towards overly inflated dreams, projections (believing someone is who you want them to be rather than who they are) and pourous boundaries. Best not to go with assumptions about what something means or what something means to someone else in agreements. Make it very clear.

Jupiter and Neptune both are concerned also with religion, philosophy and spirituality. It is wise to observe a code of conduct.  Despite whatever swirls around us in this sometimes contentious and uncertain time, it bodes well to maintain a positive  or hopeful view or the planet’s future as well as the good will (within safe boundaries ) towards others that will eventually help to  create it.

The Dark Moon Lilith is prominent in the sky now as well at 12 degrees of Sagittarius.  We are living in a time of great change when -as with the 60s – the personal has become political once again and the possibility of conflict arising suddenly over differing or polarized views is on the table. Instances of this kind of thing have been widely reported in the press with close and long term friendships as well as marriages coming suddenly to an end over the inability to reconcile differences.

The Dark Moon Lillith can often stir up trouble or a crisis in order to create a void out of which something new may emerge.

One of the Sabian symbols for Dark Moon Lillith’s placement now is, “In the left section of an archaic temple, a lamp burns in a container shaped like a human body.’

Sabian symbol reference from Lynda Hill

“Let me
Resign my life for this life
My speech for that unspoken
The awakened, lips parted, the hope, the new ships.” TS Eliot

There is considerable planetary activity this week leading up to Friday’s Full Moon in Sagittarius. In mythology it was Mercury who – in the end- through donning various disguises and gaining entry to forbidden realms, was often able to nimbly forge agreements and resolve disputes by presenting a variety of options. Mercury is a quicksilver sign.

Mercury- the information gatherer and in ancient times, the stone statue at in the crossroads pointing the way, is now in one of his home signs, Gemini. This brings a much more fluid and open influence to the realm of thinking from the sometimes stubborn and insistent sign of Taurus. It is an excellent time (through 6/21) to be open to different options, perspectives and opportunities. View things as in flux rather than finalized and explore possibilities. Sparkling and glittering Mercury likes to be on a journey with open horizons and constantly shifting surroundings.

There is an opportunity to break through stuck patterns in your thinking now.

Venus is now in Taurus – one of the signs she rules and is comfortable in. Venus has been in Aries – the sign of the Warrior Goddess for awhile now stirring things up and wanting things her way. Taurus is a more laid back sign and bodes well for appreciating what you have in your life, for getting in touch with what you value and for appreciating the beauty around us. It is not as driven as Venus in Aries and is a good time to appreciate, for example, the sky at sunset or the way an infant smiles at you or the beauty of a meal is presented in an artful way. It is a good time for sensuality as long as it doesn’t wander into the realm of excess.

Both of these placements can help calm things down and give a respite from the whirlwind of contemporary times.

Mars is in the watery sign of Cancer now and this is an internal placement for externally oriented Mars – the war god  – who likes to be out battling dragons. It can bring tension into domestic affairs but Venus and Mercury’s influence can soften that a bit if you are willing to be open to entertaining a variety of possible perspectives as well as just plain appreciating and enjoying the life you have, rather than getting caught up in conflict.

We are heading into Friday’s Full Moon. In some spiritual systems there is a practice of preparation leading up to the Full Moon and for a few days after,  which focuses on bringing more Light to the planet and to the enlightened evolutionary process now underway in which a new world struggling to be born.  It’s not always easy now to see how one person can contribute to bettering things and to see how to side-step the hostility and polarization so present in society. This is one example of how that might be done.

One of the Sabian symbols for Mercury’s ingress into Gemini is, “A glass bottomed boat reveals undersea wonders.”

Sabian symbol for Lynda Hill

“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
Where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.” Rumi

It is an excellent time to get clear on appropriate intentions and appropriate boundaries in any relationships (including your relationship with yourself)  which may be experiencing confusion or stress now – with the Neptune/Ceres alignment in addition to others currently reigning in the sky.

Ceres – among other things has to do with nurturing – how we nurture ourselves so that we can thrive and grow.  And how we interact with others in way that can help us and help the relationship thrive and grow. It is a good time to look at what role you are playing in your life and other people’s lives. And where the lines are and how much you are willing to do, and whether your aspirations are pragmatic enough or whether they cause you to lose your balance in your relationship with yourself.

This alignment  can also relate to losing perspective of the need to nurture ourselves first and the need to not prioritize our aspirations for someone else’s life over aspirations for our own. And how we can lose a sense of how to act appropriately and in our own best interest.

Some people who have a strong Neptune in their chart can be quite altruistic, caring and empathetic and can enter or engage in relationships naturally as a healer or nurturer. And if the intentions are not clearly defined or the relationship is becoming exhausting or overwhelming or just too problematic in ways that are not new, it’s time to get clear on those things in order to restore a feeling of emotional stability and minmize confusion.

Neptune’s involvement can also indicate a likelihood of projection, idealization or aspirations  about your life or someone else’s life which might be too high and end up causing disillusionment, discouragement and again, misunderstanding,

Starting with an acceptance of the way the things are now is a good way to proceed rather than fighting it or trying to change it. Clear a path forward with more personal protection and more pragmatic goals. And be willing to take your time and let life happen.

One of the Sabian symbols for the degree of Ceres now is,”A small naked girl bends over a sparkling pond trying to catch a fish.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill