Author: Amelia Shea

“Life is the only way
to get covered in leaves,
catch your breath on sand,
rise on wings;

to tell pain
from everything it’s not;

to squeeze inside events,
dawdle in views,
to seek the least of all possible mistakes;

and to keep on not knowing
something important.” Wislawa Szymborska

June’s Full Moon is on the 14th at 7:52 AM EDT at  23 degrees of Sagittarius.

When I was  first studying astrology I had a teacher who would stress the complimentary nature of polarities. This month, with the Full Moon in Sagittarius opposing the Sun in Gemini, this theme of reconciling opposites is very much on the table.

The sign of Gemini governs the process of gathering information and of thinking about it from the viewpoint of many differing perspectives. The sign of Gemini is ruled by Mercury. The substance Mercury, when  dropped on a surface scatters into a lot of tiny, shining, silver balls. The sign of Gemini which has its own brilliance too, can become scattered from too busy a mind and too many unrelated  ideas.

This is where the opposite sign  – Sagittarius -comes in. Sagittarius is the sign which governs religion, philosophy, higher education and travel – both in the outer world and inner journeys as well.  Sagittarius represents the overriding belief system, philosophy or higher knowledge which unites the seemingly unrelated  information of the sign of Gemini.

We live in times of a lot of fragmentation and polarization of views and attitudes. This Full Moon is a good time to look at that aspect of life from the vantage point of a higher perspective.

The  Full Moon is square Neptune in Pisces indicating a  dreamy time when disillusionment or confusion may be present. The Moon is also aligning with Saturn in a favorable aspect indicating it bodes well to take things slowly and incrementally in terms of your aspirations.

Things are likely to lighten up later this week as Mercury will leave  the sign of Taurus – moving away from Saturn – and enter the sign of Gemini. This mercurial sign loves levity, fun and socializing.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A bluebird, a sign of good luck and happiness, is standing at the door of the house.”

 

“Sometimes life is so surprising there’s nothing to do but live.” Emily Dickinson

“Though the spring is late and cold,
Though the uproar of  greed
And malice shudder in the sky,
Pond, stream and hilltop 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

Astrologers say when Uranus is strong in the sky by transit, as it is now, to “expect the unexpected.”

Pallas Athene is now conjunct Uranus, the planet of surprise . Pallas is the goddess who was often depicted with an owl on her shoulder as a reminder of what she could not see. She brought the knowledge of diplomacy and mediation to the gods and goddesses. She was known for her strategic  skills. When she had exhausted all the means to create a just peace  though, she was invincible in battle.

Pallas Athene is now conjunct Uranus and they are both moving up to a conjunction with the North Node of destiny and fate. This configuration brings up the question of how you are moving forward with your aspirations for your life. Are you being strategic enough? Are you being assertive enough?

There’s plenty of fiery energy with Mars and Jupiter in Aries which is where the strategic approach comes in. Mars and Jupiter have a tendency to “overshoot the mark” in terms of action.

Uranus can bring new and innovative approaches to the table so it’s wise now to heed your intuition and make appropriate down time so that information can surface.

Venus, the goddess of love and beauty is moving up to conjunct Uranus at 16 degrees of Taurus. Uranus and Venus together, by transit or in a natal chart,speak of love-at-first-sight occurrences as well as innovative or unconventional approaches to love and love affairs. Uranus governs lightning and electricity so there often is an electric connection between people with this connection. Like lightning, it can be unexpected and exciting.

Venus also governs finances – making this a good time for considering innovative approaches to managing resources.

It bodes well for the next couple of weeks to provide extra downtime -off the devices – for rest and rejuvenation as nerves can be frayed under these kind of influences and it’s wise to slow down and stay grounded.

Eric Francis, the  astrologer and investigative journalist, has written extensively about the “disembodied”nature of our times- with people focused on their devices, as opposed to being present in the moment in their surroundings. Several planets in Taurus provide a good time to be in touch with the beauty and grounding the natural world provides for us.

When I lived on a working farm, we would  often have dinner together at the end of the day, and a couple there would say a grace before meals, “Let us  think to the origin of our food.”

It’s an important time to stay connected to the earth.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A symbolic battle between ‘swords’, the  disciples of might and ‘torches’, the disciples of enlightenment.

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“When I create from the heart, nearly everything works;  if from the head, almost nothing.” Marc Chagall

“Only through the bringing together of head and heart-intelligence and goodness, shall humanity rise to fulfillment of its true nature.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

There’s an expression in astrology that when Saturn and Mars are aligned, that it can feel like driving with the brakes on.  This is because Mars is the god of action and desire and Saturn is the lord of restriction and limitation.

This week is likely to  have that kind of feeling as Mercury – which governs travel and communication, slows down to station direct on Friday May 3  EDT and Saturn stations retrograde on Saturday.

Mercury started his retrograde journey this time in Gemini and ends it in the sign of Taurus. This indicates that it bodes well to take  into consideration the balance of head and heart to see if a better balance can be struck.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time,”An ancient pottery bowl filled with fresh violets.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

“Someone’s knocking at the door,
Somebody’s ringing the bell,
Someone’s knocking at the door,
Somebody’s ringing the bell.

Do me a favor, open the door,
And let ’em in.” Paul McCartney ( a Gemini born 6/18/1942)

“Mercury is the god of mind, intellect, thought, voice and language. Mercury has many aliases, one of which is Hermes, the Magician. Hermes presides over magic, education, culture and the connective language of correspondences in which the world is written,’As above so below.’ Caroline W. Casey

The Moon waxes new on  Monday May 30 at 7:30 AM EDT at 9 degrees of the Mercury ruled, dualistic sign of Gemini. Mercury was known as the god of the crossroads in ancient Greece and there were statues of Mercury pointing the way at intersections.

Mercury also rules times of transition including dawn and dusk.

This New Moon ushers in a more sociable time – a good time for communication and for gathering together with friends. It’s a good time to hit the refresh button on thoughts and ideas and make way for new thinking and for bringing new people into your life.

New Moons always bode well for setting or reaffirming intentions. At this time, retrograde (but soon to station direct Mercury) will be making a challenging alignment to Saturn – indicating the necessity to take concrete steps – however small- related to manifesting your vision.

Mercury will station direct at 4 AM EDT at 26 degrees of Taurus on June 3. It’s wise to be aware of information that surfaces for a few days before the station and a few days after as  planetary stations can represent a culmination of information.

One of the Sabian symbols for this times,”An old fashioned well with the purest and coldest of waters.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

“When wolves perceive pleasure or danger,  they first become utterly still…statues, utterly focused so they can hear, so they can sense what is there in its most elemental form.” Clarissa Pinkola Estes.

“All summations have a beginning, all effect has a story, all kindness begins with the sown seed. Thought buds towards radiance.” Mary Oliver

There’s considerable planetary activity coming up. The Sun is now in  Mercury’s sign of Gemini and retrograde Mercury is preparing to leave the sign of Gemini and enter the late degrees of Taurus on Monday 5/23. With the Sun in Gemini, it’s wise to remain open to new ideas and to be willing to be adaptable.

Under the influence of Mercury retrograde, it bodes well to make an effort to communicate clearly as there can often be scrambled signals and mixed messages which can leave confusion or sometimes, misunderstanding in their wake.

Mercury is forming a favorable alignment with Pluto now   – indicating a time of heightened intuition and nonverbal communication.

Mars will move into the fiery sign of Aries this week and conjunct Jupiter indicating a time of increased self confidence, courage  and optimism. Venus will also move into her ruling sign of Taurus making this a more harmonious time.

The New Moon is May 29/30 conjunct Jupiter. This can bring a sense of renewal, expansion, pleasure and optimism.

One of the Sabian Symbols for this time is,” A glass bottomed boat reveals undersea wonders.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.

I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
To make me less afraid,
More accessible,
To loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.

I choose to risk my significance ;
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom
and that which came to me as blossom
goes on as fruit.”  Dawna Markova

Venus is in Aries now conjunct the asteroid of the Wounded Healer, Chiron. This combination encourages self empowerment and advocacy. It’s about processing experience in order to live  more fully in the present and take appropriate action.

In part, this aspect is about the wounding of the Feminine. Whether at home or abroad we do not need to look very far  to see this assault on the Feminine.  This is amplified in the upcoming eclipse by Saturn squaring the Moon.

In mythology Chiron was known as the Wounded Healer and among other things, brought the knowledge of homeopathic medicine and conflict resolution to the gods and goddesses. He was renowned for his healing abilities.

In astrology Chiron represents the wounding and healing process that goes on throughout our lives. This asteroid is often prominent in the chart of holistic healers who specialize in restoring wholeness – of body, mind and spirit.

Venus in Aries is the sign of the Warrior Woman.

Pluto is in a harmonious aspect to the Sun and Moon at the time of tomorrow’s Lunar Eclipse supporting transformation and personal evolution in a more empowered direction.

On of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A  Native American woman weaving a blanket in the light of the setting sun. ”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“And the  caravan is on its way,
I can hear the merry gypsies play…
Gypsy Robin, sweet Emma Rose
Tell me everything I need to know.” Van Morrison

“We think we tell stories but stories often tell us; tell us to love or to hate to see or be blind. Often too, stories ride us, whip us onward, tell us what to do and we do it without questioning. The task of learning to be free requires learning to hear them, to question them, to pause and hear the silence, to name them and then become the storyteller.” Rebecca Solnit

A client called me this week and asked me to look at her astrology chart and do a reading about the Lunar Nodes. She said,”I feel there are some things I need to clean up.”

This is very much the theme of Monday’s Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio.  The Eclipse is in the wee hours – at 12:14 AM at 25 degrees of Scorpio. The Scorpio/Taurus axis is about holding on and letting go. Scorpio is the sign of the ongoing natural cycles of life, death and rebirth. It is the sign of powerful transformation which  requires letting go or shedding  an old way of being. The shamans call it “shedding the old skin”-  like a snake.

This eclipse cycle which started with the New Moon in Taurus conjunct Uranus has ushered in a time of change for many people – signalling a time of beginnings and endings.

It’s wise under the influence to contemplate what needs to be shed or let go of  in order to move forward in a more unfettered way.

The Lunar Eclipse makes a favorable aspect to both Mars and Neptune. The trine to Mars indicates a time of increased courage, energy, enthusiasm and assertiveness. The eclipse trine Neptune indicates a time of when psychic  powers and the powers of intuition are strong. It is a good time for romance. Artistic and spiritual work can flourish under this influence.

Saturn will be squaring the Eclipse which can keep the Mars and Neptune influences in line. Saturn has been squaring the Lunar Nodes for the past several weeks and this influence will continue through much of June.  As Caroline Casey writes ,”Saturn lays the tracks for the reality train to follow.”  It is good for building solid underpinnings to new endeavors.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”King of the fairies approaching his domain.”

Sabian symbol for Lynda Hill

 

 

“Jupiter stirs within us the willingness to be agents of healing. At the freshwater springs of the temples of ancient Greece, people would come to incubate a healing dream, a better story for themselves and their community. They would leave reinvigorated by the vision of the journey ahead of them and the power of their ancestors behind them.” Caroline W. Casey

This week ushers in a welcome change as Jupiter, the planet of hope and expansion moves into the fiery sign of Aries on Tuesday. This is an excellent time for a renewed perspective and a fresh start. Jupiter in Aries brings courage, optimism and energy.

Mercury stations retrograde Tuesday as well – at four degrees of Gemini.  Mercury’s journey in this mercurial sign will last longer than usual this year due to the retrograde period which extends back into the late degrees of Taurus.

The retrograde period will last through June 3.

Jupiter in Aries likes action and movement and there is likely to be more of a desire for that now. It’s wise though, to double check that any desired  initiatives are thought through carefully.  The sign of Aries can be inclined to impulsiveness and with Saturn squaring the Nodes and Mercury retrograde, complications and/or consequences are likely to present themselves more quickly than usual without adequate forethought.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A white dove flying straight and fearlessly over troubled waters.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

“You may not remember, but let me tell you this, someone in some future time, will think of us.” Sappho

“A high percentage of the significant issues we deal with throughout our lives are inherited through the family lines.” Eric Francis

Saturn is squaring the Lunar Nodes of destiny now and will be throughout the Mercury retrograde period which starts on May 10 and runs through June 3.  Mercury will station retrograde at 4 degrees of Gemini on May 10 and will retrograde down to 26 degrees of Taurus on June 3- joining the North Node and squaring Saturn.

As is normal this retrograde period will provide a good time to reflect, revisit and reconsider. Saturn squaring the Nodes  indicates a crossroad time when it bodes well to review the past and think about how you might like to evolve your path forward. It’s a serious time to take consequences and time into consideration.  Particularly it may be helpful to consider the influence of the lives of your ancestors on the way decisions are made.

Mercury will station retrograde conjunct the fixed star Algol. The myth of Algol is about women betraying women – which we can see play out often in patriarchal situations. It’s also about how powerful women can be denounced or ridiculed in order to attempt to silence them- which we often see in public life.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A glass bottomed boat reveals undersea wonders.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“Sometimes the key arrives before the lock.” Rebecca Solnit

“Every time I have become aware of a synchronicity experience, I have had an accompanying feeling that some grace came along with it.” Jean Shinola Bolen

Uranus, the planet of the future and of the unexpected, is powerful at the time of this weekend’s Eclipse in Taurus.  This alignment reminds me of the Ten of Pentacles in Waite’s Tarot Card deck.

The Ten of Pentacles is a beautiful card – depicting a scene at a castle courtyard. Inside the gates there is a royal family – a father, a mother and a small child. The mother and father are talking with each other and the child is looking outwards towards the open castle gate.  Two white dogs stand near them also looking out.

This card is about the abundance and stability that family and community can bring into our lives. But it is also a card about seeing the magic in life.  Outside the castle gate stands a Magus – a wise man or magician. He has a long white beard and his heavy clock is embroidered with metaphysical symbols. The children and the dogs see the Magus, but the parents do not.   It indicates that in order to see the magic in life or the synchronicity in life, there  needs to be an openness, a certain kind of innocence and intuition.

The Solar Eclipse this weekend is on Saturday April 30 at 10, almost 11 degrees of the earthy sign, Taurus at 4:28 PM EDT.  Uranus, the futuristic planet of the unexpected is conjunct the Sun and Moon at this time. With heightened awareness there can be glimpses of the future or experiences with synchronicity that  point the way -both before the Eclipse and several days after.

This Eclipse opens a new cycle and is very positive in nature. It is  New Moon Eclipse and bodes well for intention setting.

One of the Sabian symbols at this time is, “A Red Cross nurse with warm sympathy.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill