Author: Amelia Shea

“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

“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightfowardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you for I know no other way… ” Pablo Neruda

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Goethe

Once when I was studying with a shamanic school out west, I called their office with some questions. The person who answered the phone couldn’t answer them so she went to find someone who could. When she returned she said,”I’m sorry, no one is here now. They all went up into the canyon for a ritual to celebrate the eclipse and they haven’t returned.”

Eclipses can be powerful in the personal evolutionary process and it is wise to honor these times with some kind of ritual or intention. Saturday’s New Moon Solar Eclipse , at 10 degrees of Taurus, is at 4:28PM EDT. It kicks off an eclipse cycle  which runs through late October.

There are no difficult aspects at this time. This opens doors into a desired future with greater ease. Uranus, the planet of the future and of the unexpected, is aligned favorably with the Sun, Moon and  Mars.

Uranus is the planet of awakening and if you have felt dormant in areas you feel passionate about, now is the time to awaken to a new sense of yourself that is ready to move forward in an energized and committed way. Uranus  aligning favorably with Mars brings a sense of excitement and adventure to new endeavors and more of a  willingness to take risks than usual.

Venus and Jupiter are conjunct- indicating good fortune for finances, love and pleasure.  And the eclipse is aligning favorably with the asteroid, Eros, ushering in an excellent time for love and romance.

Venus and Jupiter sextiling Pluto indicates a time that bodes well for personal transformation and growth.

It’s time for an adventure!

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A woman sprinkling long rows of flowers.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

 

 

“On every level of human life, compassion is the key thing.” Dalai Lama

“Love is infinite in experience and meaning. So if you want to build anything, build it on a web of love, and it will be both ephemeral and timeless, momentary and enduring.”  August Jaccaci & Susan B Gault  from their book,  CEO, Chief Evolutionary Officer 

The veils between the worlds continue to be thin as Venus moves up to join Neptune and Jupiter in Pisces this week. This creates a very good time to grow in a direction of increased compassion, love and forgiveness.

Venus is squaring Vesta indicating a good time to look at the relationship in your life between pleasure and self care to see if improvements can be made. Good timing too to review personal boundaries in general to see if some revision is necessary in terms of strengthening in some areas and softening in others where there might not be as strong a need for protection now.

Mercury in Taurus will be making a favorable aspect to Pluto in Capricorn this week indicating a good time for deep thinking and investigative work- particularly about things related to stability, security and self care.  It’s a  good  influence for getting to the bottom of things.

Pluto will station retrograde on Friday giving Mercury extra power and depth at this time.

One of the Sabian symbols  for this time is, ” A woman reading tea leaves.”

Sabian symbol from Linda Hill

 

 

“every beginning is only a sequel
after all, and the book of events
is always open halfway through.” Wislawa Szymborska

“When I pronounce the word Future, the first syllable already belongs to the past.” Wislawa Szymborska

Saturn, sometimes referred to as Father Time, is active in the sky this week. In the last few weeks we have seen Mars and Venus  in Aquarius move up to square the Lunar Nodes in Taurus and Scorpio. Traditionally  the Nodes are said to govern destiny and fate. In contemporary times we could describe them as significant crossroads or turning points when it’s wise to take the decision making process more seriously.

This week as Saturn aligns with the Nodes, it’s wise to take extra care with choices or decisions concerning personal evolution. Saturn is sometimes referred to as the Grim Reaper and with this influence it bodes well to consider what needs to be cut back or left behind in order to create better outcomes. It’s wise to factor in your higher aspirations for your life.

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

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“Rhythm replaces strength.” Rudolf Steiner

“I’m going out to clear the pasture spring;
I’ll only stop to rake the leaves away
(And wait to watch the water clear, I may)
I shan’t be gone long -You come too.

I’m going out to fetch the little calf
That’s standing by the mother
It’s so young
It totters when she licks it with her tongue
I shan’t be gone long –You come too.” Robert Frost

I live near a community farm and often after a particularly busy day, I will go up there to watch the cows make their way- lumbering through the fields- to the barn for milking. The grey tabby barn cat is usually there as well as the wild birds that light up in the beams. There is something so healthy and grounding about the rhythm and routines of farm life  when it’s well carried out.

The Sun enters the sign of Taurus today (April 19) at 10:24 PM EDT and will transit  through this sign until  May 20. Taurus, the sign of the Bull,  is an earth sign and provides good timing to focus on growing what brings stability, pleasure and abundance to your life. It’s a good time to establish healthy routines and like the stubborn Bull, be resolute about sticking  to them.

This earth sign brings the focus to what sustains us .  It bodes well to nurture and care for the body  – schedule the massage, for example that you have trouble getting around to. Consider if necessary, ways to make your financial life grow and thrive.

And it’s a good time to spend time in nature.

We are entering eclipse season now and the influence of eclipses can be felt both before and after the actual date. The first is April 30 – a New Moon Solar Eclipse at at 10 degrees  of Taurus. The Lunar Eclipse which follows  is at 25 Scorpio on May 16.  It’s wise to check your chart to see where the eclipses are falling as this can indicate the areas where your life is up for growth and change.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A clear mountain stream runs steadily downstream.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill