Amelia’s Blog

“Behind our existence lies something else that becomes accessible to us only by our shaking off the world.” Arthur Schopenhauer

“There is a door.It opens.Then it is closed. But a slip of light
stays, like a scrap of unreadable paper left on the floor.” Jane Hirshfield

In ancient times Mercury was known as a “message bearer” and there were often statues of Mercury at the crossroads pointing the way.

The fleet footed messenger planet is now retrograde and will meet the Sun tomorrow- March 7-at 16 degrees of Pisces. This alignment known as the inferior conjunction,  occurs in the middle  of the Mercury retrograde transit.

It is wise now to raise awareness for moments of increased clarity and new and significant  perceptions that may  arise.

This influence  is in effect for a day or two before as well as after the conjunction.

 

“Eclipses make and break patterns.” Eric Francis

Tuesday’s Lunar Eclipse is at 12 degrees of Virgo at 6:38 AM EST. The effect of Eclipses can be felt in advance as well as after the actual event.

There is a good opportunity now, to identify old patterns that are hindering future growth and choose other options. There is support for this process from the spiritual world as the North Node will be conjunct Venus.

The North Node with Venus in Pisces indicates the way forward is with love and compassion. The sign of Virgo can be healing and discriminating, but the shadow side can include pushing yourself too much or demanding perfection of yourself to the point of exhaustion. Best to avoid that now.

With the North Node in Pisces it bodes well to be more in the PIsces realm of intuiti0n, dreams, imagination and tapping into higher forces for inspiration and guidance.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “People traveling a narrow path, seek illumination.”

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘ I don’t have time’ is like saying ‘I don’t want to.” Lao Tzu

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Lao Tzu

Mercury, the planet of commerce and communication, stations  February 26 at 22 degrees of Pisces. This station is occuring within orb of the Saturn/ Neptune conjunction which is at 0 degrees of Aries..

This Mercury station reminds me of the Hermit Card in the Tarot deck. The Hermit Card is the number 9 – in numerology, the number representing a period of preparation. The Card of the Wheel of Fortune follows the Hermit and is the number of change, number ten.

In Waite’s deck, the Hermit stands in the darkness, clothed in a grey robe, holding a lantern, which casts light on the path ahead. With his white beard and his hooded cloak, he resembles a wise man.  The lantern lights his way in the darkness and there is a feeling of finding  his way carefully on his journey.

The number nine in numerology indicates a time of pause and reflection before a time of change and movement. This retrograde period -through March 20 -gives us a time of respite to rethink goals and aspirations – what has worked and what hasn’t worked and why. And a time to look at what dreams are best left behind in order to make room for others to flourish.

 

 

 

 

“To conquer frustration one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.” T.F.Hodge

“This world is moving too fast. Everyone needs to slow down.” Venerable  Bhikkhu Pannakara, lead monk on the Walk for Peace

Mercury is slowing down this week to station retrograde on Thursday the 26th at 22 degrees of Pisces. Mercury will backtrack to 8 degrees of Pisces when it will station direct on the 20th of March.

Mercury retrograde periods are good times for rest, review and rejuvenation. It is also a good time to reconsider your goals,  intentions and uresolved issues.

As with all Mercury retrogrades, it is wise, if possible, to avoid serious decision making and signing contracts. Best to anticipate the occaisional delay or change in plans. Sometimes more time can mean more information and may be helpful in some way. It’s wise to  to be extra clear in  communication. Make sure all important info is backed-up.

It’s wise within two or three days of planetary stations to raise awareness for any  intuitions or realizations  that may surface that represents a culmination of information.

Also this week Mars in Aquarius will be forming a challenging alignment with Uranus in Taurus.This is  exact on the 26 but an influence now  through  March 2. It’s best to avoid impulsive actions and decisions and  be aware of this kind of activity on the part of others.  There can be more of a pull to act quickly to end a decision making process but it’s  best to slow down and take your time.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time  is, ” a materializing medium giving a seance.”

 

 

“The universe is evolving towards an even greater destiny and we are the means of this global transformation.” Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan

This is a very significant week in astrology. The Solar Eclipse on Tuesday the 17th was at 7:01 Am EST. This is followed by the Saturn/ Neptune conjunction on the 20th at 0 degrees of Aries. Also Mercury is slowing down to station retrograde on the 26.

On Tuesday at the time of the Eclipse the Sun meets the New Moon at 28 degrees of Aquarius. Uranus squares the Sun and Moon bringing the possibility of surprises and odd twists and turns. Look to your chart to see where the Eclipse falls – it signals the start of something new in that area of life.

Friday is the day of the Saturn/ Neptune conjunction. Saturn and Neptune form a conjunction roughly every 36 years but the last time they were conjunct in Aries was in the 1800s.

The conjunction occurs at 0 degrees of Aries which is the place of all beginnings in astrology. It’s the degree that starts the astrological year and the start of Spring in the northern hemisphere. It is also one of the World Points – one of the points where the “personal becomes political” or when our individual lives seem more connected to world events.

It’s a good week to nurture the nervous system. Potassium is helpful for Uranus transits.

On the 22nd Venus will make a harmonious alignment with Jupiter. This is an aspect that is good for socializing and enjoying life.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Moonlit fields once Babylon are  blooming bright.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

 

“Today is my peaceful day.” Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, lead monk on the Walk for Peace

“Through application comes awareness.” Edgar Cayce

We are approaching two  Eclipses – one a Solar New Moon Eclipse in Aquarius on February 17 followed by a Lunar Eclipse in Virgo  on March 2.

The planet Uranus has been and continues to be a strong influence this month. At the time of the New Moon Eclipse on the  17th, Uranus in Taurus will be squaring the Sun and the Moon in Aquarius. Venus in Pisces will be exalted in the sign of PIsces  conjunct the North Node at 8 degrees.

The planet Uranus governs lightning and flashes of insight and breakthroughs. This time is related  to  speeding up the evolutionary process – both personal and planetary. Venus in Pisces conjunct the North Node indicates the way forward is with compassion and increased empathy.

It’s a time to leave behind outgrown identities.

This is the first New Moon to occur when Saturn and Neptune are closely aligned Aries. The Saturn Neptune alignment is related to many things we see around us -the dissipation of old structures of authority etc. but it is also related to a collective spiritual awakening.

It was inspiring to watch the Buddhist monks as they made their Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington DC – sometimes through very adverse weather conditions. Tens of thousands of people along the way turned out to greet them and listen to their message.

The Age of Aquarius in a certain respect has to do with things moving forward through critical mass. The desire to cooperate, collaborate and work for the  peaceful response  to conflict is growing and visible in many local  spheres.

It is a time of collapsing of the old  and outworn and  the rebuilding of the new.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “the seed grows into knowledge and life.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

 

“Sometimes the best things in life are unexpected.” Faith Sullivan

“Odd how life makes twists and turns. I never would have guessed that I’d end up where I am now. Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to take.” Angela N. Blount

Through mid February,  Uranus – the planet of surprises and the unexpected, is a strong influence. There is the opportunity for significant  breakthroughs and revelations – that sometimes come in so fast it takes time to integrate them.

It’s also wise to anticipate snafus with technology, communications, travel and plans. Best to make sure all important info is backed up.

The sign of Aquarius  rules the nervous system and Uranus is associated with it as well. It’s wise to nurture the nervous system throughout this month..

There can be restless energy with this combination and the desire to break free of things that feel burdensome of restrictive.

Uranus is a freedom- loving planet and provides -throughout the month -an opportunity to move in a direction of increased authenticity and uniqueness.

Uranus will station direct at 27 degrees of Taurus on Tuesday this week. Then each of the Aquarius planets – Mercury, Mars, Venus and the Sun will move up to square Uranus.

On Feb 17, there will be a Solar Eclipse at 28 degrees of  Aquarius. The Sun and Moon will be squaring Uranus at this time.

Also  week , Mercury will sextile Chiron. This is a good time to take a look at assumptions and see if they would benefit from revision. One of the things that Chiron governs is the “stories we tell ourselves”. These stories, when unhealthy , can prevent progress. If they’d benefit from revision, the timing will support it.

Venus will sextile Chiron this week as well. This provides good timing to weave closer connections with people in your life.

On the 7th Mercury will enter Pisces. This a good time for spiritual and artistic aspirations and a good time to grow in compassion and empathy.

Venus will square Uranus. This is one of the alignments that governs “love of first sight” romances. It is the sign of an unconventional or freedom -loving woman. A good time to break free of an old identity that no longer serves  you.

It’s wise throughout the month to stay grounded and leave extra downtime for the integration of events.

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

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

“The story is told of a South American tribe that went on a long march, day after day, when all of a sudden they would stop walking, sit down to rest for awhile, and then make camp for a couple of days before going any further. They explained that they needed the time to rest so that their souls could catch up with them.” Cindy Johnson

“You are not the oil, you are not the air – merely the point of combustion, the flash-point where the light is born.” Dag Hammarskjold

When I first moved to rural NH I read a book by a local author, Elizabeth Yates, called “The Lighted Heart”. The book told the story of how her  husband had developed a degenerative  illness which would eventually  result in total blindness. She made a plan to move to Peterborough, NH and buy a farm where she could raise border collies, share a meaningful life with him  and become engaged in the life of the town.  The book is a story of how she developed a life of joy in the midst of uncertainty and difficulty.

The upcoming Full Moon is on February 1 at 5:09 PM EST, with the Sun in Aquarius and the Moon in Leo. The Sun will be conjunct the asteroid, Vesta, which is named after the Vestal Virgins in ancient Rome who kept the sacred fires alight. This is one of the important themes of this Full Moon-  about  keeping the inner fires of inspiration and inner light burning brighly.

The Moon in Leo is opposing  the stellium of planets in Aquarius-  Mercury,Venus, the Sun, Mars and Pluto. Oppositions can  represent crystallization and rigidity which can provoke conflict. But oppositions can also be helpful in building inner strength, courage and stamina for the long term.

Oppositions also lead up to a new cycle. It’s wise at this time to cultivate patience and replenish strength for the journey ahead.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A flag is seen, turning into an eagle.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

“Bodhisattvas are referred to as enlightened ‘heroes’ or ‘warriors.’They are highly altruistic beings who have the wisdom to realize that by dedicating themselves to the welfare of other sentient beings, the fulfillment of their own self interest comes automatically as a by product.” Dalai Lama

“There are many causes I would die for.There is not a single cause I would kill for.” Mahatma Gandhi

When I was in the Catholic school, the nuns used to remind us, “actions not words, dear. ” Neptune goes into Aries today for the first time since 1861. This is a time when spiritual practice turns into action. It is a time when idealism and altruism can be strong motivational forces.

One example we  can see this now is with members of the clergy being outspoken about their religious doctrine and  its correlation to  current events.

On a personal level this Neptune transit can spark the imagination and create new visions. It is a good time for soul retrieval, a retreat or a vision quest.

There is plenty of energy to be drawn on this week – as Mars in Aquarius moves up to conjunct Pluto. This combination is often seen in the charts of professional athletes and give drive, focus and energy. These two planets are also associated with battling for control, with conflict and power struggles. Conflict can easily escalate under this influence so it’s wise to
deescalate rather than escalate if conflict arises.

The Sun will conjunct the asteroid Vesta towards the end of the week. Vesta was named for the Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome.  They were priestesses who kept the sacred flame alight and presided over all government  functions. It was widely believed that Rome would fall if the sacred light went out. Under this influence it’s a good time to strengthen the inspiration coming into your life.

Mercury will conjunct Venus also at the end of the week. This is an interesting alignment associated with time when head and heart align. When it appears in synastry (assessing the compatibility of two charts) it can mean that when one person speaks it goes right to the other person’s heart.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “A Hindu healer glows with mystic healing power.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

 

“in Tibetan, the term for discipline is “tsul trim.” ‘Tsul’ means “appropriate” or “just” and “trim” means “rule” or “way.” So discipline is to do what is appropriate or just; that is, in an excessively complicated age, to simply live our lives.” Sogyal Rinpoche

“Through a spiritual discipline we prevent the world from filling our lives to such an extent that there is no place to listen.”Henri J.M. Nouwen

The other day when I was listening to a call in a show on the radio, a woman called in and spoke about  her experience being disciplined by a nun at a Catholic school. It made me laugh, having had a similar experience at the convent school I attended.

We had a study hall every afternoon. Silence was required and strictly enforced. If you dropped a pencil, you received a demerit and had to work for a nun for an hour. I remember being so nervous every day about this.

I am grateful for my years there. The boarding school was in an old,  rambling  turn of the century mansion in NY near the New Jersey line. Part of the school held the classrooms, library, office and dorm rooms.The other half of the building held “community,” where the nuns lived. The doors to “community” were always closed, with a lit votive candle on a table nearby. If you entered “community” you were expelled immediately.

One of the important things I learned there are there are lines that cannot be crossed. Imaginative excuses would lead to further trouble.

The New Moon on January 18 tells a cautionary tale about boundaries and limits. Initiatives started under this influence need to follow the rules – they need be well founded in fact with pragmatic planning and with a commitment to perseverence built into the structure. The Moon is at 28 degrees of Capricorn. Capricorn is a no-nonsense sign.

Within that kind of structure there is room for innovation and creativity.

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

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill