In mythology it was Venus – the goddess of love – who was often responsible for creating enemies and starting the occasional war. Venus governs diplomacy as well and is a reminder of the need to reconcile warring or polarized factions – both inner and outer – diplomatically, enabling eventual progress and evolution.
As Venus prepares to station direct a good thing to consider is the process of how we come back from difficult relationship events and traumas and what degree of vulnerability we are capable of or would like to be capable of as a result. It is a good moment in time to reassess this and work on changing it if needed.
David Whyte in his book, The Heart Aroused, Poetry and the Preservation of the Soul in Corporate America, writes eloquently about this process.
“Everything we do is determined by the hopes and fears we bring to a situation…
As the enemy that has frightened us melts away, so does the requisite need for the weapon of attack, simply because human nature being what it is, the inner arms procurement industry eventually becomes a law unto itself, integrating itself within the personality as a defense against life itself, like an enormous inner Pentagon, institutionalized, literally into the life of the body politic.
Blake wrote of his guardian angel attempting to visit him while Blake fought him off, mistaking him for just another aspect of that wider world he had already turned into an enemy.
‘So he took his wings and fled:
Then the morn blushed rosy red:
I dried my tears and armed my fears
With ten thousand shields and spears.’”
The ability to remain vulnerable or vulnerably wise is a matter of appropriate boundaries – a Saturn affair – as well.
Author: Amelia Shea
More on the Full Moon
“Don’t waste our time on trifles. You are dealing with that immensity out there.” Carlos Casteneda
On my computer’s astrology program there is a link to what is called the “Real Time Clock” which shows the evolving chart of the moment. I am often amused when I see that link and wonder, “which clock is the real time clock?” as there are so many ways of viewing time.
Tonight’s powerful Full Moon on the Cancer/Capricorn axis echoes the eclipses in the same signs which occurred between July 7, 2009 through July 1, 2011. Eclipses are evolutionary in nature and it would be wise if this particular time frame was significant to you to revisit your own evolutionary process from then to now.
Information about this process may be more readily available now with Pluto’s transit through Capricorn and can emerge through the dream life, spiritual work and intuitions as well as through transformative events in your everyday life.
Chiron’s influence suggests that evolution may occur through the discovery of missing pieces which leads to healing fragmentation.
Castaneda quote from Divine Sparks by Karen Speestra.All times mentioned are EST
Full Moon in Cancer
“In dreams begins responsibility.” William Butler Yeats
One of the Sabian symbols associated with Wednesday’s Full Moon in Cancer is ” A child of about five is carrying a huge shopping bag filled with groceries.” The sign of Capricorn is about attaining goals, about manifestation and about achieving heights. This symbol is a reminder to assess the amount of responsibility you carry in this process and if it is out of balance to make appropriate adjustments.
In addition to the Full Moon energy which tends towards extremes Mars is squaring Jupiter and Venus is opposing – meaning that it is easy to overreact. Keep moderation in the picture.
Another symbol associated with this Full Moon is, “A nature spirit dancing in the mist of a waterfall.” Bringing levity or a light hearted approach to situations can help to break up gridlock as can tuning in to more subtle energies.
Friends – I am starting a new distance learning class in Tarot Card reading – please get in touch if you would like more info. The process of learning to read Tarot cards can help put the past in perspective and help with personal evolution.
Sabian symbol quote from 360 Degrees of Wisdom by Linda Hill WB Yeats quote from Divine Sparks by Karen Speerstra
Venus and Self Love
“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new…” Ursula LeGuin
One of the gifts of retrograde transits is that they provide specific time frames to review and revisit certain areas of life which might we might not otherwise do. Venus reached the half way point her the retrograde transit over the weekend. Through the end of January is a good time to review self love (how we care for and nurture ourselves) and how we relate to and treat others. There is always room for improvement in aspirations and actions.
Venus in Capricorn speaks concretely about how we provide for ourselves financially and materially and is a good time to review this aspect of self love also.
It is a also good time to reconsider and remake old dreams which may need some couse alternation or updating.
“Without love we are birds with broken wings.” Mitch Albom
All times mentioned are EST. Qoute from Divine Sparks by Karen Speerstar
Venus Conjuncts the Sun
“There are some defeats more triumphant than victories.” Michel de Montaigne
Today Venus conjuncts the Sun at 21 degrees of Capricorn. As Venus continues on her retrograde journey pieces of an emerging puzzle can become more visible. Venus governs values and what we value and often our priorites in this area are determined or strongly influenced by ancestry, family of origin as well as by religious and cultural influences. Venus retrograde offers a good window of time to revisit this area of life into order to become more clear that our values
are our own.
One of the Sabian symbols associated with the Venus/Sun conjunction is, “A general accepting defeat gracefully.” Letting go of old values which no longer serve you may feel like a defeat – as if you were operating in error or misconception for some time.
But evolving values to represent your authentic self and what you know to be the truth at this time, opens doors to new perceptions and opportunities.
“Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt-marvelous error!-
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.” Anthony Machado
Sabian symbol reference and Montaigne quote from 360 Degrees of Wisdom by Lynda Hill
More on Venus Retrograde
This morning after a big snowstorm and record breaking frigid temperatures I took a drive to the grain store to pick up some supplies. I pulled into the drive- thru section of the building and shut the car off in front of the service window.
As they signaled me to move forward so they could load, I tried to fire up the car but it wouldn’t start. I tried several more times to no avail. The two guys in charge of loading came over, told me to put it in neutral and pushed the car out into the parking lot.
“Your battery needs to be charged, “one said.They pulled a pickup next to me and hooked up the battery cables. After a bit of charging the car still would not start. They tried brainstorming –“ Maybe it needs to charge more…maybe the starter is frozen.”
One of them experimented with dashboard components and shouted to the other , “When you turn on the lights it makes the radio cut out. It needs to charge more.”
They pushed the car back towards the building and hooked it up to a super charger with a gage to indicate when the charge is complete. When the gage reached that point and we tried to start it again the car fired right up. One of the young men shouted to me,” Don’t shut the car off! It won’t start if you do. It won’t hold a charge- it needs a new battery.” They told the name of an auto parts store close by that installed batteries.
I was so struck by their willingness to help, their kindness and expertise and I thanked them again.
Proceeding on I pulled into a snowy parking lot with a storefront sign which read in big red letters , ”We install batteries for free.” The mechanic at the counter was friendly and assured me there would be no problem. I walked outside with him and noticed he was wearing his lightweight uniform and sneakers.
“Do you want to go inside and put on your jacket?” I asked.“ It is so cold.”
“Oh no,” he assured me,” I am fine. Yesterday was the coldest day of the year and we were outside all day installing batteries. The worst part of it was,” he said,”no one said thank you.”
I didn’t know what to say – arctic temperatures, vehicles that won’t run and mechanics fixing them outdoors with no thanks?
Undaunted he cheerfully resumed, “This is a great car you’ve got here. I love Subarus. This thing will last forever.”
I was on the road in no time after expressing my very sincere thanks. This is rural NH after all – a vehicle is a basic component of life here and must run well in cold weather.
When Venus is retrograde as it is now it is a good time to look at how we treat others – in whatever role they play- and see if there is room for improvement. So often people often express the sentiment that they feel overwhelmed by the problems in the world and feel powerless to do anything. Bringing more love and friendliness into the world is always something worthwhile to do.
January’14 Astrology
“What makes a fire burn is
space between the logs,
a breathing space.
Too much of a good thing
Too many logs
Packed in too tight
Can douse the flames
Almost as surely
As a pail of water would.
So building fires
requires attention
to the spaces in between,
as much as to the wood.” Judy Brown
Once when I was in a time of significant transition a wise friend said to me, “Why don’t you stay home this winter and put logs on the fire?”
It is wise to provide times of reflection and retrospection especially in transformative times and the cycles of the planets in retrograde phase provide such opportunities. Venus is retrograde now in Capricorn through the end of January. Being able to see clearly what is of value to us on a deep level is important.
This transit provides excellent timing to review how we relate to others and how with our actions we impact upon the wellbeing of the planet and the interconnectedness of all life. Capricorn governs resources and it is wise to revisit how money is spent – does money spent or invested contribute to a cleaner, safer more equitable future?
As Meister Eckhart pointed out,” Relation is the essence of everything that is.”
It bodes well to contemplate how we provide for ourselves and how we love others and put plans in motion to make improvements if necessary. It is also a good time to review the structure of your life – whether it is set up to provide for personal growth and evolution or whether it is based on an old model which has outgrown its usefulness. If so consider how you would make improvements. Make a list and set plans in motion in early February.
Relationships can experience strain under the influences this month. Moving in a direction
of personal authenticity can bring conflict in long standing friendships and intimate relationships. It is wise to consider how to effect change in situations like this in a diplomatic and empowered way.
Some significant dates in January:
Mercury enters Aquarius on January 11 – This transit encourages us to see ourselves as
part of the larger world. Take a cooperative, collaborative approach. The challenges we face on the planet now are best approached through cooperation rather than competition. Practice how to hold on to your authenticity and integrity as you collaborate with others to find solutions. Allow more for innovation and out of the box thinking in your approaches.
The Full Moon is on January 15 at 25 degrees of Cancer. This Full Moon is a time when issues of scarcity can arise. It is best under the influences to consider and shed underlying beliefs that can cause a sense of disempowerment or victimization in areas of love, finances and resources. Very often feelings of scarcity are based on old programming and this Full Moon provides an opportunity to take another step away from the direction with growth in conscious awareness.
The Sun enters Aquarius on the 19th. One of the Chandra symbols for this placement is,” A woman strolling in a garden. She is unaware she is being watched by elves. ”
The New Moon is at 10 degrees of Aquarius. This is the second New Moon this month – very much a month for envisioning new beginnings and initiatives. Be open to progress through cooperation and collaboration.
On the 31st Venus stations direct – a good time to put intentions into motion with concrete steps. Mercury enters Pisces on this day also – a good time for creativity and spiritual growth.
“The day I saw beneath dark clouds
The passing light over the water
And I heard the voice of the world speak out,
I knew then, as I had before
Life is no passing memory of what has been
Nor the remaining pages in a great book
waiting to be read.
It is the opening of eyes long closed.
It is the vision of far off things seen for the silence they hold.” David Whyte
Friends – I have gift certificates for special occasions.
Amelia Shea specializes in issues of relationship, family and children as well as life path and career. She can be reached at 603 654 1043, amelia.shea@comcast.net. Her readings start at $30.
All times mentioned are EST. Chandra symbol quote from Inside Degrees by Ellias Lonsdale. Judy Brown and David Whyte poems from Leading from Within by Sam Intrator and Megan Scribner
New Moon on New Year’s Day
“Happiness is not a passing emotion,but a life of activity of unfolding spiritual, intellectual, sensory, physical and emotional potency.” Mary Daly
January’s New Moon is on New Year’s Day at 10 degrees of Capricorn. There is a powerful planetary line up that day as the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Pluto are conjunct – all squaring Mars and Uranus and opposing Jupiter.
One of the Sabian symbols for this time is ” Pheasants Display Their Brilliant Colors On A Private Estate” – an image of abundance and the sensual pleasure and inspiration it can create.
With Venus retrograde throughout the month of January is a good time to review what it is that brings happiness, love and a sense of abundance into your life and to take steps to actualize new intentions in the beginning of February.
This New Moon with its potent, transformational energies is a good time to shed underlying beliefs which hinder evolution in this area. Clarify the vision of the life you see yourself evolving towards. Evolution can occur at a quickened pace with these aspects.
With the volatility in the sky it continues to be an accident prone time due to rushing or impulsive actions. Leave extra time when going out, be more vigilant when driving and moving around. Avoid dangerous situations. The likelihood of emotional volatility is ramped up as well.
Mary Daly quote from Divine Sparks by Karen Speerstra. Sabian Symbol reference from Lynda Hill’s 360 Degrees of Wisdom. All times mentioned EST
Uranus Stations Tuesday
“Albert Einstein once said that the problems we face in life cannot be solved on the level at which they were created. To that end being able to shift to a higher level of perception can help us find solutions to our problems, resolve conflicts and experience oneness with all of creation.” Alberto Villoldo
The influence of Uranus is strong now as it stations direct Tuesday shortly after the Moon waxes Full. Uranus is the planet of instantaneous knowing. It can be associated with sudden awareness or breakthroughs to a higher level of consciousness.
Uranus governs lightning and it is said that when St.Paul on the road to Damascus was struck by lightning and thrown from his horse, he received a vision of Christ. It was then that he received the entire body of teachings of Christ instantaneously and stopped persecuting the Christians. What we have today of the teachings of Christianity is based largely on St. Paul’s illumination. This theme of instantaneous knowing runs throughout many of the world’s religions.
The powerful aspects in play at the Full Moon and throughout the rest of the month of December offer an opportunity for breakthroughs to higher knowledge. It is likely that volatility will be part of the process and there may be sudden events or occurrences whose meaning is difficult to discern initially but will become clearer over time. Uranus is the planet of the future and shows us how we need to be moving forward.
Friends – I have gift certificates for the holidays and other special occasions- get in touch for more info.
St Paul reference from a lecture by Alberto Villoldo, quote from The Four Insights, Wisdom, Power and Grace of the Earthkeepers.
Full Moon in Gemini
“Let us love winter
for it is the spring of genius.” Pietro Aretino
One of the Sabian symbols for Tuesday’s Full Moon 25 degrees of Gemini is.”Winter’s frost in the woods.” This symbol reminds us of the frozen nature of winter and of dormancy – part of a cycle in which nothing appears – on the surface – to be happening. It echoes the idea of this time of year when people throughout time have lit bonfires, put candles in the windows etc to brighten their way through the darkness to the rebirth of the light on the Winter Solstice.
It bodes well to provide times for quiet, reflection and illumination especially during this Full Moon and through the end of December. During this time frame there is likely to be increased volatility. Tempers can be short and rushing and impulsive behavior are more likely to result accidents. Slow down and take extra care when traveling.
In general we are entering into a time of complex planetary activity.
In an online discussion of the Venus retrograde station on the Winter Solstice, one of the astrologers spoke of the love nature of Venus and that it is related to how we make love manifest in our lives and in the world.
Among other things she said, ” Look into the eyes of the bank teller you are dealing with. Think about the people in your life that you love and make sure that they know it.”
More to come on the Venus Retrograde soon.
Sabian symbol reference and Arentino quote from Lynda Hill’s 360 Degrees of Wisdom. Online interview was the December forecast on cosmicintelligenceagency.com