Loosen Your Squares

There is a Full Moon in the sign of Leo on Saturday 30th January at 06:17 Universal Time.

The energy dynamic of this Full Moon is pretty strong - the Saturn and Pluto Square has come to exact position again (bringing great challenges with it) and Venus in Aquarius and a retrograde Mars in Leo oppose and conjunct the Sun and Moon respectively.  So, no doubt the week leading up to this weekend has been lively for many and potentially very stressful.

The Sun in Aquarius conjunct Venus speaks of the expression of the love principle - fun with friends, warmth and harmony in social contexts.  The Moon in Leo conjunct Mars offers generosity, childlike reactions, innocent vitality, emotional warmth (with an edge) and spontaneous leisure activities (especially with children and lovers).  The Full Moon energy amplifies all these themes forcing difference and awareness of 'other' to the fore - imagine a spotlight glaring on the dynamics just referred to with 2 rather sinister characters in the background in Saturn and Pluto providing a backdrop of challenge and adversity.

So, how to deal with all this?  Well, the very personal tinge to this weekend is a balancing act of the male/female energies - all of the symbols are in opposition.  This is a nice time for giving a lover a treat for example, but doing so with the understanding that you may not get anything in return.  Or to put it another way, with the realisation that the gesture is an open one - not a quid pro quo.  The energy is nice for spontaneous fun with children and social occasions - use the friction that is being generated by the Moon/Mars conjunction and apply it to positive, active and giving pursuits.  Anything slightly quirky should be fun provided there is an understanding that there is a lot of unpredictability around, so going with the flow will produce best results.

The Full Moon provides us with a very nice opportunity to let off a bit of steam that is being generated by the taut Saturn/Pluto Square - a chance to 'loosen the square', oil the cogs and shake off negative energy that has built up.  Used negatively, the weekend could bring forth dogmatism, stubborn opinionated views, forcing ourselves onto others or trying to mould others into our own image - we must try and limit these feelings if they crop up as they are ultimately self defeating.

Another dynamic at work is that of parenthood.  This has been around for a while now and was the major theme throughout the recent Lunar Eclipse and Solar Eclipse.  If we are in a position of authority then the wielding of such power has to be done with special care - if there are struggles with children this weekend then perhaps recognise they are going through challenges also - sometimes a warm hug and a 'it'll pass' is enough to 'loosen the square'.  If we are single and alone this weekend then this is rather pleasant for meditation and tuning into ourselves physically and philosophically - Full Moons are always good periods for a nice massage!

The energy in the sky then is a powerful one, burning bright with fixed power and dynamism of the personal planetary oppositions - use them well and loosen your squares.  Have a liberating weekend :-)

Picture copyright Billy Alexander

The Water Bearer

The Sun moves into Aquarius today at 04:27 Universal Time joining Neptune, Chiron and Venus.

The sign of Aquarius is original, inventive and communicative.  This is the type of person who identifies strongly with their beliefs - highly motivated by social and collective causes they are the proverbial champions of the revolution.  It is an air sign so communication with others is prominent - they'll be logical and constructive but also radical.  Aquarius is the opposite of the self expressive Leo.  Whilst Leos shine with the light of the Sun within them, Aquarians find the Sun through their ideas - their collective and wider ideas.  As such, they are detached and despite their power and verve when sticking up for a cause, can be actually quite shy and detached when things become personal.

Aquarius is interested in new ways of looking at things, there's no tried and tested route here (at least not on the surface) - they'll seek to be eclectic, merging concepts into wider pictures and pouring the water of ideas into a wider collective.  Aquarius finds its uniqueness through its mental and social abilities.  It is however, also a fixed sign and can show signs of authoritarian behaviour if roused and be inclined to 'throw the toys from the pram' in a very childlike Leo manner if pushed - increasingly radical behaviour can be expected if an Aquarian feels hemmed in - they value their freedom above all else.

The Suns beams glare on Aquarius this month offering the opportunity to socialise, get in touch with wider causes, debate beliefs and try a touch of the unusual.

Liberty

Venus enters Aquarius today at 14:34 Universal Time where she will stay until 11th February.

This begins a shift away from the very condensed Capricorn sky we have at present - loosening up the very businesslike energy.  Venus rules relationship, creativity, finance and love.  In Aquarius Venus aspires to freedom above all things - in relationship, she will want to do her own thing and resent being tied down - she'll be quirky and funny, always looking for fun.  Creatively, she'll be avant-garde - bright and original, perhaps using different or unusual techniques but definitely producing something new.  In finance Venus in Aquarius will spend on a curious mixture of traditional/eclectic clothes,  technology and unusual things - perhaps time saving gadgets.

The real essence of this energy is liberty - the freedom of our love and value systems from self containment and ego and placing them in a bigger picture - embracing all rather than one.  So, for the next month let your flags fly!

Picture copyright Gayle Lindgren

Jupiter in Pisces

Jupiter enters Pisces today at 02:20 Universal Time where he will stay until June 6th, briefly enter Aries and then finish his stint by January 22nd 2011.

Jupiter cycles then are roughly 12 years.  At the approximate ages 12, 24, 36, 48 etc it will be in the position it was at when we were born (known as a 'Jupiter Return').  These are often referred to as lucky years as the planet is known to have a beneficial influence - this is debatable, but they are certainly 'growth' points focused upon its position in our charts.

For the last year Jupiter has been in Aquarius (and conjunct Neptune and Chiron) for most of it.  This brought forth talking and thinking about altruistic ideas, banded them around - taking our notion of ourselves and beliefs and placed it in a wider circle.  Jupiter in Aquarius was humanitarian, technical and innovative - seeking to bring people together.  In Pisces, these become all encompassing - rather like the difference between talking about altruism and being altruistic!  This is a year where we have the opportunity to exercise our compassion for others - to loosen barriers.  It will enable us to really learn of the pain of others, embracing what is hidden - if we become close to people and share our hurts it can create compassion, understanding and ultimately a more spiritual, gentle and connected bond. 

Jupiter in Pisces prepares the ground, it subtly revolves in the unseen, unknown and murky seas - it has no boundaries and can also speak of endings, or perhaps 'letting go with an open heart'.  No doubt, through periods this year much change will occur - relationships, jobs and other scenarios we're battling with and Jupiter provides us with the gift of grace through difficult times - a belief that things will turn out ok when we start anew again.

If there is anything to be mindful of this year then it is thinking too big and being unrealistic.  Grand ideas could turn into a big headed or zealot type syndrome - we have to put ourselves in others shoes sometimes to realise the faith, grace and understanding which is inherant in Jupiter in Pisces throughout this year.


Picture copyright mniemis 

Light in the Black

A New Moon in Capricorn occurs today which is also a partial Solar Eclipse at 07:11 Universal Time.

This is quite a potent time for many which is very much linked (albeit esoterically) with the Cancer Lunar Eclipse that occurred on New Years Eve.  This eclipse is in Capricorn and is conjoined with Venus and Sextile Uranus in Pisces.

New Moons are seed points - times for beginnings and setting roots in the earth for future fruition.  With so much Capricorn energy in the sky the message is really concerned with our sense of status, projection of ourselves, authority and inner parent.  Capricorn is a sign that wants to succeed - to attain.  This energy holds its roots in Cancer and is a very strong parental dynamic - the projection of our inner selves to meet with others to place our feet in the earth - our ground.  This eclipse is aided by Venus and a sextile to Uranus in Pisces.  The normally austere energy of Capricorn will be rounded - given a slightly softer, more feminine touch.  This could be a period where our work, finances and relationships (with Saturn also in Libra) may provide us with opportunities.  Perhaps something could come out of the blue or we're presented with the tools or insight by which we can find new ways - new ways of looking at situations or new ways of feeling about long standing issues.

The eclipse is closely followed by Mercury stationing into direct motion (also in Capricorn) following the 3 week retrograde - there could be messages or resolutions to issues or conversations that occurred around 9th/10th December.  Mercury's conjunction to Pluto adds power, inner looking and thinking to this time.

I'm reminded of the song 'Light in the Black' by Rainbow.  The energy is one of beginnings - albeit through a very condensed and intense sky.


Like an open door
That you've passed before
But you've never had the key

Something's calling me back
There's a light in the black
Am I ready to go?

Something's calling me back
Like a light in the black
Yes, I'm ready to go
I'm coming home, home, yeah

Picture copyright Evgenij Kursai

Tyger Tyger Burning Bright

Saturn the planetary form, structure and boundary maker turns into retrograde motion on 13th January at 15:56 Universal Time.

Saturn is currently in the sign of Libra - the sign over which love, justice and balance prevail.  Once again then, we are being asked to rework and of course in Libra, relationships are a likely target.  However, Saturn does not work in such a facile manner.  Libra is a sign of balance and Saturn is the ultimate scale tipper - if there is injustice and imbalance he will correct them.  This is actually a good thing - Saturn does not work with veils of illusion - his stance is strong and true, and rules by the measure of hard work - what you give you shall receive is his motto.  So, as such this period can be good for reaffirming commitment and bonds.

Saturn retrograde is a period of inner work, a time to get in touch with your own authority - a time to do things your own way.  This may be challenging of course and the trick is to stay strong and firm, hold onto sound principles in the face of slings and arrows.  We need to do ourselves justice if unfairness comes knocking at our doors.  Ultimately, if you find your own inner sanctum of strength within no foul wind will blow you over.

The retrograde means that Saturn will trip back into Virgo on 1st April, eventually going direct again in early June.  Themes from last October onwards could spring up again, particularly in the workplace or in other Virgo related areas - health, diet and routines - what we craft to make our way practically in this life.

I read recently that there are approximately 3,500 Tigers left in the wild.  What a tragedy it would be if this beautiful majestic iconic beast was gone from our lives.  In this Chinese year of the Tiger perhaps we need now more than ever to raise awareness of this.  I'll end this post with William Blake's The Tyger - a very Saturn in Libra poem if ever there was one.

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright,
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire in thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, and what art?
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand, and what dread feet?

What the hammer? What the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb, make thee?

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright,
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Picture copyright Juliane Riedl

Astrology of the Noughties

This post is inspired from a fascinating TV programme currently being aired on BBC titled "The History of Now: The Story of the Noughties" and as such much of what is written here is borrowed from that.  Astrology of course is much easier in hindsight, but nevertheless the decade was very interesting as it was marked by two main themes - the striving for youthfulness and polarisations.

The Astrology of societal change (and generations) is attributed to the outer planets - these being Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.  Uranus began the decade in Aquarius (moving into Pisces in mid 2003), Neptune spent the whole time in Aquarius and Pluto spent the majority of it in Sagittarius.  The interesting thing to note here is that they are all reaching the end of their cycles and hence there are themes of 'socialisation' or the 'you out there'.  The enigma that is Chiron (orbits between Saturn and Uranus) traversed from Sagittarius to Aquarius.  The last planet we can see with the naked eye (Saturn) and hence a boundary setter conversely traversed through the opposite end of the zodiac from Taurus through to Libra or 'the me in here' (more on that later).

The outer planets share a common theme which is youthfulness (Aquarius and Sagittarius) that has been dubbed 'kidulthood'.  We have seen entertainment devices for adults (i.e. toys for big kids) and a huge technology boom brought by the proliferation of the internet.  A 'free' entertainment culture also emerged - free music, videos, entertainment and news.  Socialising seems to happen 'technically' these days.  These are all themes attributed to Uranus/Neptune in Pisces and Aquarius.  The .com boom started the decade with huge technology companies being run by very smart and technically savvy 'students'.  The 'you out there' has been an ever expanding bubble of global awareness best summed up by Tony Blair when he said 'I want us to be a young country again'.

The 'me in here' has been standing in full opposition and awareness of all this.  The decade showed us three major planetary oppositions starting with Pluto opposing Saturn in the beginning (crises of faith and belief), Saturn opposing Neptune mid period (dissolution of structure) and Saturn opposing Uranus towards the end (polarising old and new ways).  The decade brought global awareness but also division between young and old and of course 'boom and bust' characterised by these oppositions and Sagittarius and Pisces.  Despite the global village feel the age divide shows as a fear of interacting across generations - there is a smell of rebellion in the air as the young contemplate the mess they've been left with.

If the last decade has been concerned with oppositions astrologically then the next will be squares - i.e. pronounced and sharp challenge (the majority of which will occur in the beginning period).  Of course, not all this is negative.  This is an era where true 'faith' could spring - born of the ashes of establishment structures that we have outworn.  Neptune and Chiron travel Pisces throughout the next decade so perhaps the message is that the global village also includes your friend, relative and next door neighbour.


Picture copyright Henry Hingst