Amelia’s Blog

A Busy Week in the Starry Heavens

“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

 

 

 

Mercury Retrograde, Saturn and the Lunar Nodes

“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

 

Synchronicity and the Solar Eclipse

“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

Saturday’s Solar Eclipse in Taurus

“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

 

 

 

 

 

A Peek at This Week in Astrology

“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

 

 

Saturn, the Nodes and the Future

“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

The Sun Enters Taurus

“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

 

 

Jupiter, Neptune and the Full Moon in Libra

“The body can feel strange when it inhabits the world in a lighter way, when it encounters a form of happiness or fulfillment for which it has had no apprenticeship. “David Whyte

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.”Martin Luther King Jr.

The Jupiter/Neptune conjunction, one of the important alignments of 2022 is exact on Tuesday  April 12. This influence brings more hope and inspiration into the world as well as more empathy and compassion. It will be an influence for several years.

The veils are thin under this influence which can result in  more spaciness and confusion. But if you are looking for guidance, it is in closer proximity now.

The Full Moon is Saturday the 16th. This is a relationship Moon with the Sun in Aries and the Moon in Libra. This polarity on the relationship axis presents a good time to look at whether there is a need to establish a better balance between how you advocate for your own needs in relationship (and by this I mean relationships of all kinds) and how you accommodate  or adapt to the needs of others. Issues of independence and dependence are on the table now.

There can be breakthroughs about relationships and how to strike a better balance in these realms.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Through imagination , a lost opportunity is regained.

 

Venus Joins Neptune and Jupiter in Pisces

“We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
‘Ere the bonnie boat was won
As we sailed into the mystic.

Hark now hear the sailor’s cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly
Into the mystic.” Van Morrison

“Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion  to embrace all living  creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” Albert Einstein.

Venus is now in the sign of Pisces and she is exalted in this otherworldly  sign. Pisces is the most sensitive sign of the zodiac and with this placement emotions run deep and strong. The motto for Pisces is ,”serve or suffer” and it is often through service to others that these natives find fulfillment.

Venus’s transit through this sign (through early May) provides a good time for spiritual and artistic growth.  It is also a time when intuition is likely to be strong. It’s wise to keep strong boundaries now as Venus, Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces are a somewhat ethereal influence.

It bodes well now  too, to bring more inspiration into your life.

Venus will be moving up to the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction later this month. The Jupiter/Neptune conjunction -which is in effect now-  is associated with a growth in empathy and compassion. We are witnessing this in the global efforts to help with the crisis in eastern Europe.

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

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

The New Moon, Venus and the Lunar Nodes

“Dawn points, and another day
Prepares for heat and silence. Out at sea the dawn wind
Wrinkles and slides. I am here
Or there, or elsewhere. In my beginning.” TS Eliot

“There are things you can’t reach but
You can reach out to them, all day long.
The wind, the bird flying away…
And it can keep you busy as anything else, and happier.” Mary Oliver

Recently I was reading a piece by the poet Robert Bly  about a men’s workshop he was conducting on the coast of Maine. There was a man in the class who had just retired  from a long career as a very driven and accomplished business person. Robert Bly was surprised by the distance the man kept during the workshop – often sitting alone or at a distance from the others. At one point, though, the man  spoke up and said in a quivering voice, “I don’t know what has happened to my life. I used to be so passionate and driven about my work and now all I want to do is sit by the ocean and watch the sea birds fly.”

April’s fiery  New Moon is in the wee hours of  April 1 at 11 degrees of Aries. This is a time that signals a very dynamic new start of a cycle  – but with its caveats.

At the time of the New Moon, Mars, Saturn, Juno and Venus are conjunct in the late degrees of Aquarius, squaring the Lunar Nodes in late Taurus and Scorpio. Traditionally the Lunar Nodes in astrology are associated with “destiny” and “fate” although in more contemporary terms, are associated with important threshold times – when choices are made which will influence the future more strongly.

Venus, the planet of values is involved in this configuration. We are living in a time of great changes and a time of shifting values – when things that were important once before seem less important now – just as the man at the workshop was experiencing.

When Venus is squaring the Nodes it bodes well to make any choices having to do with what you really value in your life with more consideration than you might give normally. This has to do particularly with avoiding choices that have led you down the wrong path before or could represent the repetition of an unproductive or addictive pattern. Also choices based on an ancestral influence that do not lead in a healthy direction.

It’s a good time for reviewing commitments in your own your life as well as your commitments to others and to make any new commitments clearly and specifically.

Aries is the sign of action and desire so this New Moon is a good time to move forward in a dynamic way.

Much of the struggle we see going on now between the old ways and the new, more innovative ways, has to do with the square between Saturn and Uranus – a long lasting influence which was exact in 2021.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A woman has risen out of the ocean, a seal is embracing her.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

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