Amelia’s Blog

“If when my wife is sleeping
and the baby and Kathleen
are sleeping
and the sun is a flame-white disc
in silken mists
above shining trees,-
if I in my north room
dance before my mirror
waving my shirt round my head
and singing softly to myself:
“I am lonely, lonely,
I was born to be lonely,
I am best so!”
Who shall say I am not
the happy genius of my household?” William Carlos Williams

“Today i feel centered, and time is a friend instead of an enemy. I am happy to be alone- time to think, time to be.” May Sarton

This month’s Full Moon – exact on Thursday June 28 in the wee hours of EDT, is at 6 degrees of Capricorn. The forces of Saturn are strong at this time as Saturn is conjunct the Moon and opposite the Sun. It bodes well under these influences to take a look at how you content you are with the limitations imposed on your life – both self  imposed as well as those imposed by others and the outer world and see if adjustments are necessary.

Saturn can provide the guard rails – i.e. the kind of boundaries you need to flourish personally and succeed in  your personal aspirations. But imbalances of Saturn – not enough protection or too much restriction – can be problematic.  It’s wise periodically – particularly under these kinds of  influences- to revisit this territory if necessary.

The Saturn/Sun and Saturn/Moon combinations are associated with loneliness and feeling alone in the world. People who have these placements in their birth charts have often always felt this way.

This  is a serious Full Moon  and a time of culmination.

Venus is  inconjunct Neptune  now and Isabelle Hickey referred to this placement as a kind of longing that nothing on the material plane can fulfill. This aspect is often present in the charts of artists and spiritual seekers.

Mars is retrograde  and conjunct the South Node. The pull of unproductive habits can be strong now. This placement  can also bring people with whom you have unresolved or karmic relationships back into your life.

It’s wise to stay within the guard rails.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Ten logs lie under an archway leading to darker woods.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

“The rule of no realm is mine. but all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. As for my part, I shall not wholly fail in my task if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower in the days to come. For I too am a steward.” J.R.R Tolkien

“Mars reminds us that spiritual life is not some passive, safe, wimpy tour; it is bold, active, heroic and completely engaged adventure.” Caroline W. Casey

As with all retrograde periods, the upcoming Mars retrograde (from June 27 – August 28) provides a good time for some reflection – this time on the wise  use of power both individually and in the world.

Mars governs the ability to feel animated and inspired about being assertive. It governs the use of energy  and the understanding of how to allocate appropriate energy to accomplish tasks. It governs the ability to discern what is wise to pursue or not  pursue at any time. It governs the ability to stay energized through setbacks and challenges.

Under this influence lingering frustrations and hostilities – normally kept under wraps – may rise to the surface. This can provide clarity about situations which need some further form of resolution or understanding.

Mars with station at 9 degrees of Aquarius. This placement is the sign of the enlightened warrior in our time. It is the sign of the visionary and the humanitarian as well as the sign of stewardship. As Matthew Fox wrote, “Strength must be redefined not as power-over but as power- with.”

The Sabian symbol for the Mars station is,” A man who had been made to be the embodiment of an ideal is made to realize that he is not that ideal.”

 

 

“Life is the only way
to get covered in leaves,
catch your breath on sand,
rise on wings;

to tell pain
from everything it’s not;

to squeeze inside events,
dawdle in views,
to seek the least of all possible mistakes;

and to keep on not knowing
something important.” Wislawa Szymborska

Neptune the planet of the sea god and ruler of dreams, metaphysical journeys and creativity, is a strong player this week – stationing retrograde on Monday. This, in addition to the beneficent trine to Jupiter, provides a good time for spiritual  growth, artistic pursuits and being in touch with higher aspirations for yourself and the world.

But the sometimes stormy god Neptune also rules fog and thus the possibility of  illusion, deception and confusion may be about. It may be more difficult  to separate fact from fiction due to Neptune’s haze. It bodes well this week to make an effort to avoid  the pull of unproductive  thinking and habits.

The Sun enters the sign of Cancer on Thursday- marking the time of the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The sign of Cancer rules mothering, nurturing,  home, family and the kind of safety, security and protection those things can provide.

Mars and Venus – the lovers in mythology- oppose each other at this time while strongly aspecting the Lunar Nodes of fate and destiny.It is wise to be in touch with the higher meaning of love now – to move away from old models of competition and conflict and  strive to work instead through cooperation and collaboration in creative ways.

The Sun will be aspecting Uranus -the futuristic planet of innovation and discovery. It  is wise now with these two planets in the signs related to safety and security, to think about what matters now and to work in innovative ways to bring about any changes that are necessary.

One of the Sabian symbols for this week is,”During a silent hour a woman receives a new inspiration which may change her life.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“Nobody started it and nobody is going to stop it. It will take as long as it wants, the rain. And as long as it talks, I am going to listen.” Thomas Merton

“If you listen carefully enough to anything, it will talk to you.” George Washington Carver

The Moon waxes new on Wednesday at 22 degrees of Gemini, ushering in a new cycle in which there is an opportunity to improve communication skills and social interactions. Gemini is the sign of the Twins – the sign of duality. Under this influence it bodes well to think about how we take in information, listen to another’s point of view and how able we are to communicate in a low key, friendly and non- threatening way.

The starry skies are a place of considerable planetary changes this week as Mercury enters Cancer, Venus enters Leo and Neptune prepares to station retrograde. It’s time of change here on Planet Earth.

Neptune is stationary in the sky now and for that reason has a strong influence. It bodes well to focus on your higher aspirations, make an extra effort to be clear in communications and avoid the pull of unproductive habits. It is a good time for spiritual endeavors, creative work and imagination.

One of the Sabian symbols for the New Moon is, “Three fledglings in a nest high up in a tree.”

Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill

“Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming is, after all, a form of planning.” Amy Schumer

“Love is not a state; it’s a direction.” Simone Weil

The Sun and Mercury are making a square aspect to Neptune this week indicating it is a good week for dreaming and being in touch with your higher aspirations. It’s good for brainstorming and collaborating with others on future endeavors but do wait until later in the week to make any concrete decisions.  Neptune’s presence in this configuration can represent foggy thinking or unrealistic goals and can blur perception.

Do make an extra effort to keep communications clear as misunderstandings in general can more easily arise. The down side of Neptune is deception so it’s wise to be aware of that this week as well.

It’s good to keep moderation in mind as Pluto is aspecting Venus. This can bring up feelings of scarcity. It also presents a good time to be in touch with the meaning of love on a more profound level.

It bodes well  to take your time and avoid impulsiveness as Mars in conjunct the South Node and squaring Uranus.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “In a huge tent a famous revivalist conducts his meeting with a spectacular performance.”

Sabian symbol reference from Lynda Hill

 

 

“I sat, a solitary man,
In a crowded London shop,
An open book and empty cup
On the marble table-top.
While 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.” W.B Yeats

“We cannot solve problems on the level they were created.” Albert Einstein

There is some very inspired energy about this weekend with the Neptune/Jupiter/Venus trine in the watery element. This bodes well for creative work, meditation, spiritual endeavors and for taking a more compassionate view of life and life’s struggles.

Venus opposes Pluto this weekend as well boding well for healing old wounds through a higher level of awareness.

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

Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill

 

“All journeys have a secret destination of which the traveler is unaware.” Martin Buber

“New ways of thinking about familiar things can release new energies and make all manner of things possible.” Charles Handy

When I first moved to  the country I worked  as a waitress in a historic inn. Some of the people who worked with me  were artists who lived in rustic cabins out on a wildlife sanctuary. They were a free spirited bunch who preferred to work at the inn at night and spend the daytime pursuing their artistic projects. Often at the end of a very hot summer evening when the work at the inn was done we would go for a midnight swim in the ocean or a neighboring lake or go dancing in a nearby club.

Through them I met a very mysterious elderly man who lived in old brick house downtown. He had silvery hair and sparkling eyes which time  and experience had not dimmed. When you conversed with him it seemed as if you shared some unspoken secret about the magic of life.

One day he invited me to tea at his house. His living room was formal and furnished with antiques – a good reflection of him. He liked to dress like a dapper college professor in tweeds and button down shirts and bow ties.
In his living room on the mantle were several tiny silver objects; a key, a rope, torch and a knife.

These objects were often seen in ancient paintings of goddesses who were making a trip to the underworld.  Each object had great power which could be used for good or ill – a torch could be used to light the way but also to set a fire and destroy. A rope could be used as a tether to keep something safe and close to you but it could also be used to bind you to something – an idea or emotion or person – that held you captive in some way. The knife could be used to cut you free or to harm another. A key could be used to open new doors which would require discrimination.

The Full Moon in Sagittarius which is Tuesday May 29th at 8 degrees of Sagittarius is a good time to explore these themes as related to your own personal journey. The sign of Sagittarius likes to be in new territory- on a journey of an inner or outer nature. There are some good things to contemplate – Are your horizons broad enough? Do you feel excited about the prospects ahead? Do you have what you need to proceed? How are you planning to implement your power?

The sign of Gemini rules the thought patterns established in the early childhood surroundings – the givens, if you will. The tension between these two signs can result in growth and evolution.

The rapid evolutionary changes taking place on the planet now can feel at times like a journey into the underworld- both in an inner and an outer way. With Jupiter’s transit through the sign of Scorpio,(which rules the underworld) it’s wise to remember what the Jungian astrologer and teacher Lynn Bell  has said, “Jupiter in Scorpio goes into the darkness to bring up the light.”

One of the Sabian symbols for this Full Moon is,”Deep within the depths of the earth, new elements are being formed.”

Thanks to Lynda Hill for the Sabian symbol reference and Lynn Bell, who teaches at  CPA in London.

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

I often do the preparation for my astrology readings in cafes. Some of the work I do involves musing about the meaning of things and it is helpful to me to be in an environment where delicious food is being prepared and the espresso machine is busily steaming away.

This week  I had planned to work on a chart at one of our many cafes here. But when I  arrived there were no cars in the parking lot and a note on the door which said they were closed- sorry for any inconvenience.

The next day when I went back I asked one of my friends who works there what had happened. She said that the chef had  called in sick. They thought they could handle it with the staff that was there but then they found out that everything in the fridge was warm and there had a problem with the refrigeration overnight.

Ray Merriman, an astrologer with a financial background who advises investors and writes about the stock market cycles, called this summer’s Mars/Uranus square, “sudden disruptions.” It is a good time to keep flexibility in mind and a good idea to take good care of the nervous system. This aspect is active now and  will be in effect through the end of September.

Uranus is the planet of the unexpected. It governs innovations and technologies that are ahead of their time. It also governs lightning. It has a sudden, surprising nature to it which can impact the nervous system.

Mars is the god of action  and  governs how we move forward.

The Mars/Uranus aspect is like having the Hindu God, Ganesha, about. Ganesha is known for removing obstacles but he can also put obstacles in our way in order to create circumstances in which we can grow – circumstances that require resourcefulness, resilience, perseverance and steadfastness in the midst of unexpected and  sometimes rapidly changing circumstances.

One of the Sabian symbols associated with this aspect is,”An electrical storm illuminates the heavens and the forests.”

Sabian Symbol from Lynda Hill

“Is my soul asleep?
No, my soul is not asleep
It is awake, wide awake.
It neither sleeps nor dreams, but watches,
its eyes wide open,
far-off things, and listens
at the shores of the great silence.” Antonio Machado

“We are all architects of the future. When you have an inspiration, take note. It may only come through once.” Jacqueline Small

This is a very good week to tune into intuition and  heed inspiration as Jupiter makes a beneficent trine to Neptune, the planet of dreams and visions. It bodes well  to pay attention to your dreams and what they are revealing to you. Powerful perceptions can come now that can provide a deeper level of understanding and  heal wounds from the past. This planetary duo is associated with compassion as well as mystical and spiritual journeys.It is a good week to be in touch with your soul’s yearnings.

There is a considerable amount of fractious Mars energy about. It is wise to avoid impulsiveness in speech and to speak clearly and directly about the issue at hand.  Repressed anger and lashing out can be on the rise. It’s best to use the positive side of these alignments to feel energized and excited about your initiatives.

Uranus and Mars together can be wearing on the nervous system.  It’s good to nourish the nervous system, provide restorative time and cut back on the use of cyber devices.

It’s good week for transformative thinking and conversations – given patience, understanding and clarity are key elements.

One of the Sabian symbols for the Jupiter/Neptune trine is,”In a quiet moment, a creative individual experiences the flow of inspiration.”

Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill.

 

“I like it better here where I can just sit quietly and smell the flowers..” Ferdinand the Bull

Mercury is now in Taurus – one of the earth signs. Mercury in Taurus likes  sensual pleasures and finds them calming and comforting. It’s a good week with the ramped-up planetary activity to do things that make you feel more connected to the earth- plant your garden, visit a special place in nature, cook a delicious meal, get a massage or take a stroll through an arboretum or greenhouse where the flowers are blooming.

This kind of activity can provide grounding in the midst of the somewhat fractious planetary alignments this week.

One of the Sabian  symbols for Mercury’s ingress into Taurus is, “A duck and its young brood.”

Another one is  “A clear mountain stream flows steadily downstream.”