Amelia’s Blog

“History says don’t hope
On this side of the grave
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up
And hope and history rhyme.

So hope for a great sea change
On the far side of revenge
Believe that a further shore
Is reachable from here.
Believe in miracles
And cures and healing wells.” Seamus Heaney

“Anything is possible under Pisces, for this sign rules the imagination where new discoveries can be visualized and then brought into manifestation. This New Moon is  occurring in the sign of Pisces, where the idea of miracles and cures to problems are a cornerstone of one’s belief system.” Ray Merriman

The New Moon is Sunday at 10:32 am EST ushering in a good time for the imagination, intuition and creativity. The Moon will join the Sun, Mercury and Neptune all in Pisces. Pisces is a watery sign and things that have been started  but have felt  frozen or stalled out may start to move slowly forward under this influence. The Moon, Sun and Mercury will be forming a favorable aspect to the South Node indicating a good time to let the old stories die that are disempowering and discouraging. There may be a karmic or  ancestral nature to these stories. This will help clear the way forward.

The Sun will be making a sextile to Uranus energizing this time and lending support to innovative practices and  solutions.

It’s wise to provide extra downtime for reflection and meditation during this time as it will strengthen intuitive powers. The Sun and Moon will be conjunct the retrograde Mercury – do keep track of any intuitive messages that come at this time. There may be intuitive guidance about the future.

It’s a good time for intention setting about your dreams and higher aspirations. Also a good time to envision a healthy future for our small planet.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “Illuminated by a shaft of light, a large cross lies on rocks surrounded by sea and mist.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“What I saw among the Amish was the amazing amount of energy available to people who get pleasure from what they are doing and find meaning in the work itself.” Sue Bender

“The guy at the gas pumps
He’s got a lot of soul
He sings Merry Christmas for you
Just like Nat King Cole
And he makes up his own tune
Right on the spot
About whitewalls and windshields
And this job he’s got.” Joni Mitchell

The Sun enters the sign of Pisces Tuesday February 17th , joining the retrograde Mercury and Neptune, the planet of dreams and visions.

Mars the planet of energy, drive and ambition is in the sign of Capricorn now. This is the sign of the persevering mountain goat who – despite obstacles and set backs – climbs  to the top of the mountain with determination.  It’s a good time for work on projects that is already in process and for returning to work that has been started previously. Mercury retrogrades bode well for tying up loose ends. If it’s possible to put off new projects until March 10 or 11th, when Mercury is once again direct, it’s best to do so.

The asteroid Juno is also retrograde now making it a good time to review your commitments.

Having extra patience during retrograde periods can be very helpful.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A petrified forest, an eternal record of a life lived long ago.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“Go inside a stone.
That would be my way.
Let somebody else become a dove
Or gnash with a tiger’s tooth
I am happy to be a stone.

From the outside a stone is a riddle.
No one knows how to answer it.
Yet within, it must be cool and quiet
Even though a cow steps on it full weight,
Even though a child throws it in a river,
The stone sinks, unperturbed,
To the river bottom.

I have seen sparks fly out
when two stones are rubbed,
So perhaps it is not dark inside after all;
Perhaps there is a moon shining
From somewhere beyond a hill –
Just enough light to make out
The strange writings, the star charts
On the inner walls.”  Charles Simic

The Winged Messenger, Mercury stations retrograde at 7:54 PM on 2/16 at 12 degrees of Pisces. The retrograde period will last through March 9 when it will station direct at 28 Aquarius.

Mercury retrograde periods present a good time frame for reflection and reconsidering. This particular retrograde period bodes well for reflecting on the quality of our emotional , spiritual and creative lives. It’s a good time for inner exploration and being open to mystery.

In some ways this retrograde period is like the Tarot Card of the Hermit.  It is a card of solitude in which a monk -like person,  dressed in a hooded cloak, stands on a mountain top holding a lantern in the darkness. It is a card about retreating from the busyness of everyday life in order to access inner wisdom for the path ahead.

The cards in the Tarot deck speak of the journey pf personal evolution. The Hermit Card is associated with the number 9 and is followed by the Wheel of Fortune – the number 10 card – which ushers in a time of change. The Hermit Card provides the time of reflection before change is ushered in.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A sword, once used in many battles, is now in a museum.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.”Caroline Myss

“When you forgive, some deeper, divine generosity takes over you…When you cannot forgive you are a prisoner of the hurt done to you.” John O’Donohue

Venus, now in Aries  will continue to travel with Chiron- the asteroid of the Wounded Healer- this week. This duo speaks of the healing of the heart. It is a good time to acknowledge growth in the realms of self esteem, self assertion and self worth – and how this is reflected in every day life. Pursuing the path of acceptance and forgiveness can lead to increased awareness and  personal evolution now.

This week Venus will square the Lunar Nodes in Cancer and Capricorn. This speaks of the evolutionary struggle on the planet now about moving from an outdated patriarchal paradigm -which has to do with control and power from the top down- into a more holistic model associated with the mothering and nurturing qualities of the Divine Feminine. It is one of the ongoing planetary lineups that speaks of the importance of aligning personal values with actions.

There is an ongoing aspect between Uranus and Chiron that is signalling the need to build a more healthy relationship to the masculine and with how anger, assertion, rage and aggression are handled. The Uranus influence can bring awareness, illumination and direction to this area of life now.

The Sun is now in Aquarius – resonating with the Age of Aquarius which we now are entering. The Age of Aquarius is signalling the need for a time of cooperation and collaboration. It speaks of a future where the world unites to solve global problems.

It is wise to remember that we are living in times of great change when the old order is changing and there is considerable upheaval and push back. There  is a planetary awakening going on simultaneously and its wise to cultivate courage and align personal energy with the positive work going on in the world now that strives to create  a better future.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Two lovers strolling through a secluded park.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“The dark energy that some people generate is offset by the good intentions of others and their positive visions of what could be.” Caroline Myss

“Happiness floats.
It doesn’t need you to hold it down.
It doesn’t need anything.
Happiness lands on the roof of the next house, singing,
and disappears when it wants to.
You are happy either way.” Naomi Shihab Nye

February’s  Full Moon in Leo is Sunday in the wee hours – at 2:33 AM EST. This is a fiery Moon – bringing along Leo’s  courage, empowerment,  playfulness, creativity and opportunity for re-creation.

In the Tarot deck the sign of Leo is correlated to the card of the Sun. This card has a painting of a small, joyous child riding bareback on a white horse. The sky is  blue, the sun is brightly shining and the child is riding away from a thick wall with sunflowers growing behind it. Riding away from the wall symbolizes moving away from unnecessary restrictions and limitations. The sunflowers symbolize happiness.  It is a card of innocence, happiness, freedom and illumination.

This is a good time to get to get energized about what it is you care about on a deep level. There is plenty of energy for leadership and advocacy. It also is a good time to re-energize relationships that may have fallen by the wayside.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Native Americans perform a ritual to the Sun.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

 

“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, or the one red leaf the snow releases in March.” Jane Hirshfield

January had some powerful planetary signatures which pointed directly to the considerable change going on these days in our inner and outer lives. February provides a good time for processing and integrating information. It’s wise this month to provide extra down time and screen free time to strengthen concentration and give the nervous system time to restore and replenish.

One of the very favorable aspects this month is the Jupiter/Neptune sextile. Sextiles need to be activated to be beneficial – in other words it is necessary to take action associated with their symbolism in order for things to manifest. This duo is associated with the expansion of dreams and wishes. It also speaks of increased spirituality, altruism and generosity. It is a very good aspect for intention expansion and intention setting.

Given the rock and roll of January when many people experienced significant change in their lives, it bodes well to take some time to create clarity for the direction forward. If, for instance you left a job or career it’s wise to make a simple list of what you’d like next – including what you appreciate about what went on at that job and what you plan to avoid next time. It’s a good threshold time to create a deeper awareness or culmination of knowledge about areas of your life that are undergoing change.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time  is,”In a hospital, the children’s ward is filled with toys.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

“The Pacific Ocean was overflowing the borders of the map. There was no place to put it. It was so large, wild and blue that it didn’t fit anywhere. That’s why it was left in front of my window.” Pablo Neruda.

Mercury the planet of thought and communication will enter the sign of Pisces on Monday. This mysterious, watery,  elusive sign is ruled by the Sea God and planet of dreams, Neptune. This indicates a good time for creativity and the imagination and speaks of symbolic thought. It bodes well now to engage in activities that inspire – listening to music, reading or writing poetry, meditating or pursuing spiritual growth and awareness.

Mercury will station retrograde two weeks later on Feb 16. At the time of the station Mercury will be in Pisces conjunct Neptune.  During the retrograde period it will bode well to make an extra effort to keep communications clear and with the retrograde, to anticipate possible snafus with technology and travel.

Retrograde periods in general bode well for reflection and review. Check the house Mercury will be transiting in your chart to see which area of your life would benefit from review during this time.

The retrograde period will last through March 9 when it will station direct at 28 degrees of Aquarius.

One of the Sabian symbols for Mercury’s move into Pisces is,”Moonlit fields, once Babylon are blooming white.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

“At first people refuse to believe that a strange thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can’t be done, then they see it can be done – then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done before.” Franes Hodgson Burnett

Uranus, the planet of innovation and  the future was a strong player in yesterday’s New Moon in Aquarius. It’s wise for this Moon cycle – the next four  weeks or so- to be open to awakenings to new possibilities. Mars is adding courage and energy to Mercury- indicating bold thinking about what you feel passionate about  can open doors.

Vesta is squaring Venus which is a caution against holding on too tightly to ideas that can block the way.  It’s a good time to evaluate which ideas – particularly associated with comfort or security have been outgrown.

It is a good time for creativity, journaling and meditation as Venus the planet of love and beauty, moves up to Neptune, the planet of mysticism. It’s wise to raise the level of inspiration coming into your life now.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”In a quiet moment a creative person experiences the flow of inspiration.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“What shape waits in the seed of you to grow and spread its branches against a future sky?” David Whyte

“Sometimes life is so surprising there is nothing to do but live.” Emily Dickenson

The Sun entered Aquarius this morning at 9:55 am EST. Throughout the week the Sun will be squaring Uranus in Taurus. This ushers in a time that bodes well for innovative and visionary thinking.

It’s a good time to stay open to change and evolution. Both Uranus and the sign of Aquarius are freedom loving. This pair can bring about surprises and a sudden shift in awareness.

The New Moon – with the Sun and Moon squaring Uranus – is on Friday. Change is in the air and it’s wise to go with it.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A council of ancestors has been called to guide a person.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“You can wander into the wrong classroom
And hear great poems lovingly spoken
By the wrong professor. And you find your soul
And greatness has a defender and even in death
You’re safe.” Robert Bly

“My fiftieth year had come and gone,
I sat, a solitary man,
In a crowded London shop,
An open book and empty cup
On the marble table-top.

When on the shop and street I gazed
My body of a sudden blazed,
And twenty minutes more or less
It seemed so great, my happiness,
That I was blessed and could bless.” WB Yeats

The planet Venus is now in Pisces, the sign of the mystic, the dreamer and the poet. Venus will transit this sign through the first week of February, boding well for taking a step back from our busy world to engage a  larger perspective through artistic or spiritual endeavors. Venus in this sign speaks of the spiritual side of love. Venus will be forming a beneficent aspect to Uranus indicating there can be awakenings now.

Mercury will enter Aquarius today and form a challenging aspect to Uranus, the planet of the unexpected. News and information can have a sudden and surprising aspect to it. This duo is also known for innovative and inventive thinking that can open a new path going forward. With the breakdown of outdated structures and the thinking that created them, evolving new models is on the table. This applies both individually  and in the world at large.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A petrified forest,an eternal record of a life lived long ago.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill