Year: 2017

“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

 

 

“Though the spring is late and cold,
Though the uproar of greed
And malice
Shudders in the sky,
Pond, stream and treetop
Raise their ancient songs;

The robin molds her mud nest
With her breast; the air
Is bright with breath
Of bloom, wise loveliness that asks
Nothing of the season but to be.” Wendell Berry

There is a lot of shifting going on this week and for the next couple of weeks. The ongoing Mars/Saturn opposition and other aspects have contributed to an environment where it can feel like things will no longer be tolerated that have been festering for awhile. There can be a strong desire to confront inner issues or issues with others in order to clarify things an move the ball further down the field.

Progress can be made under these aspects – both internally and in relationships with other people to be sure – but it can feel like a bit of a rocky time with things left up in the air and with uncertain or unresolved outcomes.

It is likely that the future course or resolution will not be clear this week – although definitely progress along the path can be made. But it is more like a stop along the path of resolution rather than reaching the destination.

Best not to push for immediate resolution this week as things are in flux and not all the information is in.

In times like these it is good to spend quiet time in nature – in a park or special place to you. This can help restore a sense of inner wholeness and interconnectedness that can be valuable and help with the integration of fast moving events that can result in fragmentation.

“We have this way of talking, and we have another,
Apart from what we wish and what we fear may happen,
We are alive with other life, as clear stones
Take form in the mountain.” Rumi

 

“My sources are unreliable but their information is fascinating.” Ashleigh Brilliant  

The Sun is in Gemini now and this is a very mercurial sign – with the symbol of the Twins. It is dualistic in nature. It is the sign that loves to gather information and details and often is found in people who are out in the world keeping things light and moving –  like a butterfly lighting from flower to flower. When I envision this sign I think of mercury – the substance. And if you take an old thermometer and break it, the mercury spills out and scatters on the table in small silvery balls. There is a magical quality about this sign and something  sparkling and glittering about the people born under it  – if you have that kind of vision. It can be a very freewheeling sign and multi talented and diverse.

What Geminis have to watch out for is becoming too scattered in their detail gathering and intake of information. This can result in becoming mentally exhausted and stressed. And this is the energy around us until the Sun changes into Cancer at the Solstice June 21.

It’s a good time for more down time and quiet reflection to help with the integration of fast moving events and communications.

Opposite signs in astrology on one level have to do with reconciling the inherent duality. Sagittarius is the opposite sign of Gemini and this sign has to do with a philosophy or religion that unifies all the random information and creates order and coherence  by putting it under a general philosophy.

Pythagoras – who was trained in Mystery Schools- taught about the meaning behind numbers and believed they were a way to connect the mundane world to the higher realms. Pythagoras taught that it was important no matter how fragmented or chaotic things may appear, to remember the unifying force of the One – the point of origin for all things.

We are living in the information age now or digital age and as the ad  so accurately says, “Life comes at you fast.” It is also a time of revolutionary change individually as well as globally and people are challenged to question beliefs that were known quantities in the past such as what does it mean to be a Democrat or a Republican or a Catholic or a Muslim now because the ground underneath everything can feel like it’s shifting and on a basic level things may need to be redefined and rebuilt in a new and authentic way.

This can make life feel a bit chaotic but in times like these I like to think about  the god Chaos in mythology. As the British astrologer, Phillip LIndsay wrote, Chaos is inherent in every living thing and system but there is no light  by which he can be seen. Chaos resides in his kingdom with his bride, Night.

Today’s New Moon is at 4 degrees of Gemini and the Sabian symbol associated with it is,”A radical magazine or publication, asking for action, displays a sensational front page.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“Socrates had it wrong; it is not the unexamined but finally the uncommitted life that is not worth living.” William Sloane Coffin

“Genuine commitment is a journey into the unknown.” Madonna Kolbenschlag

The Moon waxes full at 20 degrees of Scorpio on May 10 in the US. One of the important themes of this time is commitment. With the Sun and the Moon harmoniously aspecting Pluto – the powerful god of transformation and rebirth- it bodes well to take some time out to consider what commitments you need to walk away from as well as which which ones need to be prioritised and supported in order to grow and flourish.

Pluto is conjunct Juno at this time as well – in the sign of Capricorn. In mythology Juno – who took her vows  seriously – was married to Jupiter who was notorious for his romantic liasons outside of marriage. Juno could become bitter as a result but when she threatened to leave, Jupiter
would become distraught – life threateningly so – at the idea of a life without her.

In terms of the ancient history of astrology, the asteroid goddesses – Juno being one of them- are relative newcomers on the scene and are associated with the re-emergence of the feminine in the psyche – for both men and women –  and in society. Up to this point in western astrology, the Moon and Venus were the only symbols for the feminine roles in society – representing the young girl, daughter and the mother.

The asteroid goddesses embody many of the roles women can play – such as Juno with her own commitments – regardless of those defined by society or a tradition or Pallas Athene – the goddess of compassionate justice, a shrewd and renowned diplomat known for her invincibility in battle – if it came to that.

Mercury is still conjunct Uranus – a bit hard on the nervous system- but a harbinger of new innovative ideas and perceptions as well as some occaisionally  surprising and disruptive ones. Do take some time out to replenish your nervous system if needed. and do guard against impulsive speech and be prepared for it on the part of others.

Juno presides over the timing of the inception of relationships as well of the times of separation and divorce. With Juno so strong in the sky now it can be a powerful time for these types of situations as well as beginnings/endings/separations related to commitments in general.

People keep asking me when things will calm down. I think most likely things will improve a bit in a few weeks when  Mars moves out of Gemini as well as when Venus moves into the more calm and stabilizing sign of Taurus. Venus in Aries and Mars in Gemini are contributing to  a time when people can want what they want NOW – a sense of urgency- with a bit of insistence on having it their own way.

The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon is, “Obeying his conscience, a soldier disobeys orders.”

An Astrologer or Tarot Card reader should be a trusted ally on your life’s path.

Sabian symbol reference from Lynda Hill

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Anais Nin

“The plum is for courage because the plum puts forth blossoms while the snow is still on the ground.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Mercury stations direct May  3 at 24 degrees of Aries. At the time of the station Mercury is conjunct Uranus the planet of the future while making a favorable aspect to the Moon,  North Node and Saturn – all in the fiery signs.

The fire signs are correlated to passion, enthusiasm, drive and inspiration.
For the days leading up to the station and for a few days after, do heighten awareness and take note of any ideas or perceptions which seem to represent a culmination of information

The station represents a threshold time when it bodes well to clarify your visions for the future and fire them with this powerful energy. Do avoid framing them with discouraging overlays of  interpretations of past events.  Be open to seeing expanded opportunities with fresh eyes.

Help can come in unexpected ways if you commit to courage and perseverance and are willing to leave baggage and burdens behind.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A person possessed of more gifts than she can hold.”

Sabian symbol reference from Lynda Hill

“Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.” William Plamer

“Faith is building on what you know is here, so  you can reach what you know  is there.” Cullen Hightower

The Moon waxes new Wednesday  April 26 at 6 degrees of Taurus. Taurus is a grounded, rooted sign of the earth element.  New Moons open a new cycle and this is the cycle of an embodied earthy nature. With a trine to the North Node it is a good time to get in touch with the next steps on  your evolutionary journey and to be in touch with what you need to do to get there – simple, well planned steps accompanied by the intention to nurture them so that your aspirations can grow and prosper.

One of the Sabian symbols for this degree is,” A bridge being built across a high narrow gorge.”

Sabian symbol quotes from Lynda Hill

“Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” e.e. cummings

“The human self is not a finished thing, it is constantly unfolding. Experience is, essentially creative.” John O’Donahue

The Sun enters Taurus today joining Mercury. The sign of the bull should bring a stabilizing influence. It is a good time to think about  how to build stability and security to your life. It is also about values and what you value – what is important to you on a deep level.

Venus is in late Pisces now conjunct Chiron, the asteroid of the Wounded Healer  Through the end of the month Venus will be squaring Saturn – the Lord of Time. The recent retrograde period of Venus – among other things – provided a good time to revisit issues related to self esteem. If you have come upon a deeper or new awareness of that area life and are aspiring to new ways of being, the square to Saturn is likely to bring up challenges. If so it is a good time to strengthen your resolve and take life slowly and step by step. Venus will be squaring Saturn through the end of the month.

One of the Sabian symbols for the Sun and Mercury’s ingress into Taurus is,” A Clear Mountain Stream Flows Steadily Downstream.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“Mercury presides over all times of transition, all crossroads.” Caroline W. Casey

Mercury stations retrograde on Sunday April 9 at 7:15 PM and the retrograde period will last through May 2. Mercury will station at 4 degrees of Taurus and retrograde back to 24 Aries. It is a good idea to heighten awareness around any information that surfaces in your life now before the station and for two or three days after as it can represent a time of a culmination of knowledge. Realizations can come that bring clarity to situations which may seem have seemed unclear up to this point. Mercury retrograde periods provide good timing to reflect, recharge and review before the direct station in early May. Do back up important information and be aware that technical snafus dealing with communication and travel can occur now.
The Moon waxes full on Tuesday April 11 at 21 degrees of Libra. This is very much a relationship moon – governing relationships of all kinds- personal and professional.  There continue to be aspects which indicate volatility and unexpected events and often new things come to light under the light of the Full Moon. Although things can get heated and there is a strong tendency to impulsive behavior, it is best to follow the advice of Mars in Taurus – slow down, calm down and take your time reacting.
Venus stations direct next week also and although this transit can be associated with relationships too – the bottom line is what relationships have taught you about personal growth, evolution and self knowledge. The Sabian symbol associated with the Full Moon is.”A child giving birds a drink at a fountain.”

Sabian symbols fro Lynda Hill