Category: Amelia’s Blog

Friday’s New Moon

“We must look at the lens through which we see the world, as well as the world we see, and understand that the lens itself shapes how we interpret the world.” Stephen Covey

The New Moon is Friday 10/4 at 11 degrees of Libra. Particularly in areas where your life can feel problematic, look to underlying thought patterns, perceptions and assumptions that create a sense of limitation. This New Moon with its powerful aspects is an excellent time to break free of outgrown mental and emotional patterning through the use of intention and heightened awareness.
Astrologically many of the powerful aspects in play now are opening the door to personal and planetary evolution through the conscious use of the untapped powers of the mind.
One of the Sabian symbols for this placement is “A professor peering over his glasses at his students,” a reminder that knowledge is a process.

Stephen Covey quote & Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill’s 360 Degrees of Wisdom

October ’13 Astrology

“may my heart always be open to little
birds who are the secrets of living…” ee cummings

This morning as I drove up into the color drenched autumn hills, a flurry of tiny birds flew out from behind a stone wall right in front my car – leaving me no time to stop. Their swift wings carried them under the car and out to the safety of the tall grasses on the other side. I looked in the mirror to double check I had not injured one and something fluttered in the road behind me. I tried to convince myself it was a brittle leaf but when I went back- to my dismay – I saw a little bird lying on her back in the roadway – her eyes open and her claws in the air. I thought she was dead.
But by the time I walked up to her I was surprised to see that she had righted herself. I placed a cloth gently around her wings to lift her to safety. But as I did her wings fluttered and as I gently released her, she flew to the high grass and lighted on a branch.

Symbolically birds are messengers and when I saw the bird lying still in the road I assumed the message was of one kind- about an ending – and then when she fluttered and suddenly flew the message seemed about an opportunity for a new start or rebirth.

This is very much the kind of story to keep in mind during the times in which we live. It may be difficult to understand the significance of events as they occur and the meaning will become clearer over time.We live in powerful times of transformation and however unclear or uncertain the path ahead may appear, it is best to look for breakthroughs, opportunities and unanticipated outcomes.

Early in the first week the volatile Uranus/Pluto square is activated by the Sun. Squares indicated conflict and the need to overcome something. This aspect applies both personally – in our inner worlds – and collectively in the world at large. It is a good idea to keep thinking fluid, have patience and look for breakthroughs or opportunities that present themselves in stressful circumstances.

On the 7th Venus moves into the sign of Sagittarius – this can make a better time for social interaction. Venus will move up to a square to Neptune boding well for spiritual growth, fantasy and imaginative pursuits – but watch for the rose colored glasses in romance.

Also during this time Mercury is moving into the very serious Saturn/North Node conjunction. The North Node, now in Scorpio- is associated with fate, destiny and life purpose. This is a good time given Scorpio’s ability to access deeper knowledge – to envision or seek knowledge about your life path.

The Sun squares Jupiter in the early part of the month too- keep moderation in the picture and avoid excess.

We enter eclipse season in October with the Lunar eclipse at 25 Aries on October 18th. Eclipses are evolutionary in nature and this one concerns how we remain authentic to ourselves in the context of our relationships with others and the status quo.Check the area of your chart in which this eclipse falls – it offers an opportunity for increased awareness of the changes going on in your life now.

Mercury stations retrograde on the 21st at 18 degrees of Scorpio and will travel retrograde until early November. We live in very fast paced times and this time frame provides an excellent time to review and integrate recent events. It is also a good time to access wisdom and deep inner knowing.

All the regular Mercury retro rules apply – if it is necessary to sign documents or make agreements during this time frame, pay extra attention to the details and look out for blind spots, make any repairs before this time if possible, take extra care with communications and double check problematic communications before jumping to conclusions.

Mercury will retrograde down to a conjunction with Saturn again on the 29 but there will be a third pass in November when Mercury moves forward again. The third pass is the time that all the information is in.

Towards the end of the month looks like a good time of more energy and accomplishment.
Patience with yourself, your endeavors and with others will be helpful all month.

Fall Equinox

“You can’t embrace the new paradigm until you let go of the old one.” Marilyn Ferguson

The Fall Equinox – when the Sun enters the sign of Libra – is this Sunday 9/22. The chart for the Equinox has 11 degrees of Aquarius rising with Mars in Leo on the Descendant. These placements speak about how we approach conflict with others and while Mars in Leo can be assertive and aggressive, the sign of Aquarius encourages us to follow the path of the peaceful warrior – to seek and work to create enlightened solutions both personally and globally.
It is notable that recently Pope Francis asked the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics to pray for a peaceful resolution to the use of chemical weapons in Syria rather than military strikes – which he said would only increase the suffering there. In addition to the US public’s insistence to find another way, we are witnessing a perilous, but hopefully more peaceful outcome in the short – and perhaps the long term – as a cease fire may become necessary to the process.
It is a good time to stay out of fear and to be in touch with the higher aspirations for your life and the life of the world in a very positive way.

Full Moon in Pisces

“What makes the desert beautiful,’ said the little prince, “is that somewhere it hides a well…” Antoine de Saint- Exupery*

I have been so fortunate – most of my life – to have lived near a hidden spring which bubbles up from the earth or an old field stone well surrounded by towering pines deep in the woods. With thunderstorms and blizzards and their subsequent power outages, we would trek with buckets and sometimes sleds out to the well or the spring house for our water. Throughout time places like this – wishing wells and healing springs like Lourdes – have been considered places to reconnect with our spiritual and emotional origins and experience rebirth and the renewal of our hopes and dreams. Thursday’s Full Moon is such a time and place.
It is a watery, dreamy, visionary Moon- at 26 Pisces.
One of the Sabian symbols for this Moon is, ” A Harvest Moon Illuminates the Sky.”
Carl Sandburg expressed it well – “Write your wishes on the door. Stand outside in the pools of the harvest moon.”

Quote from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint- Exupery*
Sabian Symbol & Carl Sandburg quote from Lynda Hill’s 360 Degrees of Wisdom

Saturn Conjuncts the North Node

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

Saturn is now conjunct the North Node making this a good time to commit or recommit to serious life endeavors and to the work required to bring them to fruition. It is a karmic doorway of sorts and a good time to implement the alchemical powers of forgiveness – to let go of the past and move forward in a more loving, less burdened way.

Quote from Divine Sparks by Karen Speerstra

Thursday’s New Moon

“The best way to avoid responsibility is to say, “I’ve got responsibilities.” Richard Bach

The New Moon Thursday is at 13 degrees of Virgo. As Saturn approaches the North Node use this time to re-evaluate responsibilities – which ones you would like to commit or recommit to and which burdens are no longer yours to carry. It is also bodes well to set clear intentions about adjusting daily routines in order to build increased strength and overall wellness.

Juno, Saturn and the North Node

“Socrates had it wrong; it is not the unexamined life but finally the uncommitted life that is not worth living.” William Sloane Coffin

For much of the Fall Juno – the asteroid of commitment – will be squaring Saturn and the North Node. In mythology Juno kept her vows in a marriage where her notorious husband Jupiter, did not. Although Juno for that reason is sometimes associated with jealousy and revenge, I think the basic meaning of the asteroid has to do with the commitments we make and keep because they are important in our individual lives from an ethical standpoint. As with Juno these personal commitments may not make sense to others and can at times be at odds with traditional family, religious or societal values. A good example of this is commitments made to a higher law – such as conscientious objectors who refuse to fight in war because it violates their personally held spiritual beliefs.

Juno is in Aquarius now – indicating a time of more courage, individuality and authenticity in making commitments. When Saturn and the North Node are involved it indicates that it bodes well to seriously consider commitments now and not enter into any lightly as Saturn the taskmaster will have lessons to teach that very well may have been avoided with appropriate forethought.The North Node indicates that it is important to consider the future seriously and how any commitments make now will affect your life going forward

No matter how compelling it is best to slow down, set clear boundaries and avoid illusions and projections.
Quote from Credo by William Sloane Coffin

September ’13 Astrology

“Human beings suffer.
They torture one another.
They get hurt and get hard.

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 farther shore
Is reachable from here.
Believe in miracles
And cures and healing wells.” Seamus Heaney*

The revolutionary fervor alive in the world now as well as the ensuing push back have an outer component as well as an inner one as powerful evolutionary forces sweep through our inner and outer worlds. There is the potential for major transformation through the process of meeting significant challenges.This is true both individually and collectively.

With the forces at play in September we are emerging out of a time which has been highly emotional as is so often the case with a strong watery influence. For many people it has felt like a Persephone-like journey through the fog – unable to see the lighthouse.

Now as we move into September the energy takes on more of an earthly influence- bringing the focus to pragmatics. It is a particularly good time to take a good look at daily schedules and set in motion plans for the improving health and work routines. It is also a good month to use Virgo’s powers of discrimination to clean out closets and work areas. Free up energy for new thoughts and inspirations to come.

With the sign of Virgo there can be a high strung and nervous energy about which is best directed into work of this kind. Stay busy. With focus and direction a lot can be accomplished. Answers to big picture questions are more likely to come through attention to small projects.

The New Moon is Thursday Sept 5 at 13 Virgo. Set realistic goals about what you would like to accomplish pragmatically. Commit to the process, anticipate frustration and delays with the Mars/Saturn aspects.

Saturn and Pluto will be harmoniously aligned all month indicating the ongoing help with deep personal transformation – it indicates a time of progress with foundational issues that may be limiting forward evolution.

Mercury will enter Libra and the Pluto/Uranus square on the 9th. There can be surprising news and developments during this time. Extra quiet time all month will be beneficial.

Venus is busy this month -entering Scorpio on the 11th and bringing more depth and intensity to relationships. Venus will be conjunct Saturn from the 11- the 27th this a good time to get serious about values. It can be a challenging time for the romantic side of relationships – as often with this influence – the rose colored glasses no longer appear to be working.

The Moon waxes full on the 19th at 27 degrees of Pisces. This is likely to be a very emotional time.

Pluto stations direct on the 20th – on the heels of the Full Moon. This can add volatility to the backwash of the Full Moon. It is a very powerful time for liberating yourself from the past. Keep intentions clear.

The Sun enters Libra on the Autumnal Equinox the 22nd.

Mercury will enter Scorpio on the 29th.

*Seamus Heaney was the first Irish poet to receive the Nobel Prize since William Butler Yeats. He passed away Friday 8/30 in Dublin. The quote is from his poem,”The Cure at Troy.”

Full Moon in Aquarius

“You’re no different.You came into this world as an answer to a prayer, a solution to a need. If there was no need for you, you would never have shown up. The fact that you were born is the guarantee that you have a reason for being here. There is something you came to give- a gift, a talent, a message, a meaning. The world needs you to be you.”
Derek Rydell

On Tuesday the Moon waxes Full at 28 degrees of Aquarius.The Sabian symbol for this degree is, ” A Butterfly Emerging from a Chrysalis.” This is a powerful time along the path of personal destiny and a powerful time to more closely align your inner life with your actions in the outer world. Acknowledge progress about who you are becoming as you move towards a new level of increased authenticity. The symbol for the Sun is, “A Mermaid Has Climbed to a Rocky Shore of a Bleak Coast. She Awaits the Prince who will Bring her Immortality.” This symbol speaks about making dreams and visions real. It is a caution against projecting power or wishes on to others. It bodes well to build your strength for the journey consciously and avoid undermining it through unconscious patterning.

*Quote from The Choice for Love by Derek Rydell, Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill’s 360 Degrees of Wisdom. All times mentioned are EDT.

Mercury Trine Uranus

“Curiosity is the doorway that stimulates growth, joy and expansion and allows you to begin to remember who you are.” Emmanuel

This week Mercury moves up to a fiery trine with Uranus as Jupiter moves into the Pluto/Uranus square. It is a good week to envision how you would like to grow. Harness the considerable transformative energy available now and commit to the courage necessary to overcome obstacles that appear to stand in the way. With Mercury in harmonious aspect to Uranus support from the universe can appear through intuitive flashes as well as innovative approaches and ideas. Be open to breakthroughs.
And just a cautionary note – do take more care when communicating with others this week as impulsive or thoughtless communication can lead to complicated circumstances.

Amelia Shea has advised clients in her Astrology and Tarot practice since 1990. She can be reached at 603 654 1043, amelia.shea@comcast.net, www.ameliashea.com or www.ameliashea.wordpress.com. Her readings start at $30. All times mentioned are EDT.

*Quote from The Choice for Love