Poetry Corner: Sun in Libra/Venus in Scorpio

This is the start of a new feature I hope to keep going on this blog - Poetry Corner.  I'm going to showcase some fine Poetry, mostly Sonnets, but anything that catches my eye astrologically.  This is a fine way to feel how a certain position works - poetry captures the imagination and spirit like no other language.

If anyone out there wishes to contribute then please feel free to contact me at tvowles at theastrologyblog.com - either your own work, or the work of other writers with which you feel describes astrology.

I'll begin with none other than William Shakespeare's 'Two loves I have of comfort and despair'.  This poem, for me, describes someone who has the Sun in Libra and Venus in Scorpio - quite a challenging combination and close to my heart as I have it!

Two loves I have of comfort and despair,
Which like two spirits do suggest me still.
The better angel is a man right fair,
The worser spirit a woman coloured ill.
To win me soon to hell my female evil
Tempteth my better angel from my side,
And would corrupt my saint to be a devil,
Wooing his purity with her foul pride.
And whether that my angel be turned friend,
Suspect I may, yet not directly tell,
But being both from me both to each friend,
I guess one angel in another's hell.
Yet this shall I ne'er know but live in doubt,
Till my bad angel fire my good one out.

Libra is a relationship sign.  It is light, flirtatious and communicative.  The love nature of Libra is rich but it is also quite facile - surface impressions are important - it does not like mess or complexity in love - preferring a more romantic haze.  If you are a Libra then the position of Venus is important and will colour the impression of your love nature.  Venus in Scorpio is a sign in its detriment - this means that the Venus love nature functions with dis-ease.  It is plain to see why.  Scorpio is deep and complex.  It functions intensely, emotionally, with an over arching fear of letting go and a desire to let go.  The poem by Shakespeare speaks of comfort and despair - rather like walking around as an angel with the devil on your shoulder.  This is how Sun in Libra/Venus in Scorpio might feel.  The intense desire nature of Scorpio confuses Libra, shakes him from his perch.  He'll feel the emotional benefit from Scorpio can add to his qualities, but the detriment provokes an ill at ease with it.  An intense desire nature might be evident ('wooing his purity with her foul pride'), temptation ('tempteth my better angel from my side') and very Libranesque vacillation about what to do and how to work with the feelings ('Suspect I may yet not directly tell').

Ultimately, despite the challenge, Libra can benefit enormously from Scorpio.  The added depth and influx of emotion can lead the sign to share emotionally at a level which the sign could not possibly reach - and Libra is a relationship sign after all.

A number of very affordable Chart Reports are available that investigate your innate character, love life, childhood and transit forecast for the year ahead.  Why not order one today and put your future in your hands.

Picture copyright Stephen J Sullivan

Venus in Taurus: The English Rose

Venus enters the sign of Taurus on 31st March at 18:34 Universal Time.  The image of Venus in Taurus is of a rose coming into bloom - a natural unfolding of fertility and beauty - tempting with subtle shades that hint of buried treasure.  This is the quintessential English rose, glorious and demure in her skin.

Venus rules the sign of Taurus and perhaps enjoys this position slightly more than her other zodiac ruler, Libra.  In Taurus, Venus revels in sensory earthy pleasure - her indulgence more natural, easily felt and experienced.  This can surface in a love of food, art, nature and the physical body.  Whilst Venus is here indulging in anything of that nature is well starred.

The movement of Venus marks the beginning of a gradual shift from Aries to Taurus.  She will be joined by Mercury on 2nd April and the Sun on 20th April.  This new cycle marks a period of consolidation - the bud sprouts with Aries energy and Taurus kicks in to stabilise and nurture growth.

If, in the past few weeks we've begun a new process then now is the time to provide it with some fertile earth - start to consider physical wellbeing, home and finances.  This is also a time to firm up our own value proposition - where do I stand? What do I believe in?  Taurus is a fixed sign and symbolises our core values - without a particular standpoint or ethical code we cannot claim our own space.  We would be forever following someone else's or blowing around in the wind.  This of course can lead to the head coming off that beautiful sprouting bud.  Venus in Taurus takes the vision and spirit of Aries and makes something real with it - something of real value and worth.

Cautions to look out for at this time include an attitude of 'what's mine is mine' - a disinclination to appreciate the values of others and over enjoying the fruits of labour rather than the actual labour, which surfaces as laziness and overindulgence.  Venus in Taurus asks you to place your hands in the soil and nurture fertility, growth and prosperity.

I'll end this post with the lyrics from Paul Wellers English Rose - such a beautiful song:

No matter where I roam
I will come back to my english rose
For no bonds can ever tempt me from she
I've sailed the seven seas,
Flown the whole blue sky.
But I've returned with haste to where my
Love does lie.
No matter where I go I will come back to my english rose
For nothing can ever tempt me from she.
I've searched the secret mists -
I've climbed the highest peaks
Caught the wild wind home to hear her soft voice speak
To hear her soft voice speak
No matter where I roam
I will return to my english rose
For no bonds can ever keep me from she.

I've been to ancient worlds
I've scoured the whole universe
And caught the first train home
To be at her side.
No matter where I roam
I will return to my english rose
For no bonds can ever keep me from she  

Are you interested in your love life for the coming year?

Want to know when the best times might be to meet that special someone? Check out the Lover's Guide Report for only £9.95

Picture copyright Ann-Kathrin Rehse

Full Moon in Libra

There is a Full Moon in Libra on 30th March at 03:25 Universal Time.  

The previous New Moon in Pisces ushered in a new start and fresh cycle.  Along with the shift of energy into Aries soon after and the seasonal Equinox we might have sensed a shift from the dark to the light.  This might have brought a change in perspective or a desire to do something new.  Like changing seats at a party - you start talking to a different crowd.

That period has now reached its fruition, or highest awareness point, in the Sun/Moon cycle.  Full Moons are like spotlights - they bring a matter to attention.  In that sense it is often referred to as a point of abundance - it's all there to see, and what was hidden inside now has full gaze.

Across the Aries/Libra axis the theme is on relating.  There is always a relationship theme at a Full Moon when the solar and lunar principles oppose each other.  The zodiacal axis further emphasises the dichotomy of self and other.  We also have the two principle dispositors, Mars and Venus, applying to a Square aspect - an indication of interpersonal challenge.  The last few weeks may have produced an exposure of some kind - something brought to the surface to be dealt with.  The Mars/Saturn Sextile may have helped here - a tool to wield action constructively.  Alternatively it may have weakened resolve, surfacing as an inability to take action - feeling swamped.  An influx of Aries activity can feel that way sometimes - a sudden realisation that you've got to get moving - except you haven't quite worked out where.

The Mars/Jupiter Sesqui-Square is still applying, so if you've been impulsive in the last few weeks this suggests you take your time - be cautious in your approach.  If impulse has been absent it says to you - keep plugging away.   If you keep knocking on that door eventually it will open.

This is perhaps an appropriate moment to deal with relationship issues of all kinds.  Venus is applying to a Sextile with Chiron before she enters value oriented Taurus.  There is then a gap of opportunity to heal rifts and gain a greater understanding of each others needs and desires - to work through what has bubbled to the surface.  My article on Saturn in Libra and relationships may help here.

The Sabian symbol for the Moon is 10 Libra "A Canoe is approaching safety through dangerous waters" and the Sun at 10 Aries is "A Teacher gives symbolic forms to traditional images".  The over arching message of these symbols is of bringing in reform.  When you set your intention you begin to create your own reality.  Moving from a position of inner chaos and confusion to one that can begin manifestation externally.  There may be rocky paths still ahead, but you sail into your own position, one that is stable and secure.


Picture copyright Richard Dunstan

What If I Won The Lottery?

I've received an excellent question regarding all the 'hullabaloo' over the Cardinal Grand Cross and the challenges therein - "What if I won the lottery?" - Surely that would be an extremely positive and life changing (for the good) event.

I can answer this on a number of different levels.  Firstly, the symbolism of the cross could indeed be put into this scenario - Pluto in Capricorn (power through wealth) coming suddenly to change life (Uranus in Aries) which would completely challenge your whole existence - your relationships (Saturn in Libra), your work (Saturn again) and your home and family life (Cancer, the empty leg of the t-square).  Whilst you might view the event as a positive one you would suddenly find yourself dealing with a wide range of issues.  Where do I live? How will it affect the children? Who do I give money to? etc. etc. Of course, there are people being placed in this scenario every week and this has nothing to do with the Cardinal Grand Cross, which leads me to the next level of the answer.

The Astrology that is mainly discussed here (and in most other blogs) is the transiting sky.  That is, the movement of the 'collective' energy which you were born into at a moment in time and will go back into.  The relationship between the transiting planets therefore affects everyone on some level - some people are more attuned to the collective and pick up on this, others don't.

There are other levels in interpretation that Astrologer's use which are inherently personal to you and you only - there are many techniques - the main ones being secondary progressions (moveing your birth planets 1 day for every year of life), solar arc (moving your birth planets by the Suns motion - roughly 1 degree per day).  These movements are then related back to your chart, the point that you were born, and interpretation is made.  The transiting 'collective' planets are also referred back to your chart (as well as to the other movements mentioned).  This then becomes a map that is entirely related to you and you only (and there are other techniques also).

Sometimes however, the collective movements are so strong that they are bound to affect us on some level and this is such a time.  Oh, and good luck on the lottery :-)

Are you interested in an in depth investigation of your natal chart? Your strengths and weaknesses and a look at your challenges and luck for the year ahead? Then check out the Chart Combination Life Destiny and Soul Guide - over 50 pages for only £14.90


Picture Copyright Uffe Nielsen

Lunar Cycles

Following the New Moon on Monday 15th March we are now a quarter into the lunar cycle - the Moon will look half full in the sky and will be full in another week's time.

The lunar cycle is roughly 29 days from new to full and back to new again.  Astrologically there are various points of interest around this cycle.  At time of writing the Moon is in Cancer and is half full.  This is known as the First Quarter Moon and is a point of challenge and stress to what began at the New Moon (or soon after that) - the Sun and Moon are in Square aspect and does this twice in a monthly cycle - as it waxes to full (now) and as it wanes to new (in two weeks).  There are also points around this cycle where the Sun and Moon make easy aspects to each other.

Today however is of particular interest.  This first quarter moon is activating the Cardinal Grand Cross (any planetary body that moves into Cancer will make up the cross).  The previous New Moon was rather a pleasant one - it symbolised fresh starts and as the Sun and Mercury entered Aries the Spring Equinox began in the Northern Hemisphere.  This was the point of 'ease' in the lunar cycle.  We may have felt fresher and more active at this time and now may be wondering what happened! An 'eeewwwwww' moment!

It's important to remember that the Moon moves very quickly so won't be here for long.  It is also part of the natural Sun/Moon rhythmic cycle that happens all the time.  We also have another ally in the sky at present - a newly direct Mars in Leo Sextile Saturn in Libra.  These two provide the opportunity to dig deep and work harder; to carefully adjust to the point of challenge brought by the Cancer Moon - the benefit being that the adjustment and course correction makes us stronger and more determined - more authentic.   Use it or lose it.

Picture copyright Paul Campbell

Astrology and the Falklands Conflict

In the book 'Mundane Astrology' by Michael Baigent, Nicholas Campion and Charles Harvey a number of descriptions are made concerning the Saturn-Pluto cycle: "A great deal to do with emerging nations and very deep cultural transformations, purgations and resurrections" with the conjunction phase more likely to relate to war or "a need to get back to basics, to the skeleton of things as it were.  Thus critical phases of the Saturn-Pluto cycle can lead to seeing things in black and white, so that only some kind of drastic action will suffice".  The 90 degree phase (Square) "seems to relate to a crises of authority".

I've been looking at this from the perspective of the ongoing conflict between the UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands and the history does seem to be a rather Saturn-Pluto affair.  Here is a brief outline:

1946 - Britain claims sovereignty of the Islands - Saturn/Pluto were in Conjunction
1955 - Britain refers sovereignty dispute to the ICJ (International Court of Justice) Saturn/Pluto Square
1965 - UN urges reconciliation.   Hostages are taken in an incident Saturn/Pluto Opposition
1973 - Argentina claim on sovereignty renewed via UN resolution - Britain refuses negotiations Saturn/Pluto Square
1982 - The Falklands War Saturn/Pluto Conjunction
1994 - Argentina claims Falklands in its constitution - agreement signed on oil deposits. Continued tension though with harassment of shipping vessels Saturn/Pluto Square
2001 - Tony Blair meets with Argentine leader - more hope for conciliation but diplomacy talks never entered despite continued shipping harassment Saturn/Pluto Opposition
2010 - Dispute continues again when British based companies drill for oil.  Warships stand off and UK sends nuclear submarine to the region Saturn/Pluto Square

The full timeline of the conflict I've gained from Wikipedia and can be found here.

The Moons North Node currently resides at 18 Capricorn whose Sabian Symbol reads "The Union Jack Flies From A New British Warship".  Now, I don't think I need to explain the connotations associated with this degree but what is interesting is that when the Falklands War began to kick off at the Saturn/Pluto conjunction phase in April 1982 this was the degree of the Moons South Node.  In 1982 the Argentineans invaded the Falklands under a Mars retrograde (bit of a mistake) and when the conflict ended the regime changed.  Of course, as we all know, Mars has just turned direct from a long retrograde cycle.


The Cardinal Grand Cross is particularly volatile, and especially so when Uranus moves into Aries at the end of May so the escalation of this dispute is a concern.  The current President of Argentina is Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner who allegedly in an interview identified herself as "with the Evita of the hair in a bun and the clenched fist before a microphone".  Shades of Margaret Thatcher's Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove?  Her Wikipedia page certainly makes interesting reading.


So, it is little wonder that we are now seeing an escalation in conflict again between our two countries.  You would hope that after such a history that proper diplomacy has to be the solution to put an end to the struggle once and for all.  As I mentioned previously in a post on Saturn in Libra : "This energy will also emerge in the political arena.  Alliances may be forged and treaties signed.  This may be for reasons of personal security (the setting of boundaries for instance) or for economic security.  Diplomacy will be a feature - as will strategy, and nation states will begin moving their pieces around the chess board."


All information has been obtained from Wikipedia and should therefore be subject to closer scrutiny.  The author expresses no outright political views nor guarantees the validity of the data from Wikipedia.  Nevertheless, the cycles of the dispute do seem to relate to Saturn and Pluto difficult transits using albeit limited research.

Unconquered

It is International Astrology Day and it is also the start of the vernal equinox (springtime) in the northern hemisphere.

Many astrologers across the globe have celebrated this event by writing articles about the alignment known as the cardinal grand cross that will be dominating the celestial outlook for the remainder of this year.

We are entering a period of great challenge that can transform our lives - authenticity, personal success and transformation from long held difficult situations will be open to us - and, as with anything really worth having, will come with struggle.  This poem entitled 'Invictus' by William Ernest Henley is a lovely one of triumph from adversity:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Picture copyright Adem Kader

Sun in Aries

The Sun moves into Aries on March 20th at 17:32 Universal Time joining Mercury and Venus.  We now have a sky that is very cardinal in nature signalling a period of movement and action.

The Suns emergence from Pisces brings creativity and imagination with it.  It is rather like the wanderer returning from a distant quest having achieved what he could and has now returned home - from where he set off.  The Sun burns bright with creativity and passion in Aries, 'tooled up' as it were - ready for the challenge and battle.  In this period, creativity can see the light of day, brought forth to shine - this is a time to consider oneself again - the raw, natural and unformed you.  Health could improve with a general feeling of robustness - this is particularly so if, during the Pisces period, you have been feeling down or depressed.

As mentioned previously when Mercury entered Aries, the initial wave of energy could get 'reality checked'.  As the Sun and Moon Sextile providing opportunity to act on seeds which were sown at the 'emerging' theme of the previous New Moon so too does the Sun oppose Saturn in Libra and Square Pluto in Capricorn.  This has a feeling of a run in with authority about it and we should therefore use this period to walk tall again, with confidence, putting the pieces of our plans in place but keep that little sceptic in the back of your mind (especially in the first week) - the one that ensures you don't go too far, too early - until it's too late!

There is a saying which goes 'The sharpest sword should never need battle'.  Sharpening ones skills, bringing forth a fresh outlook, exercise, activity and self development are all excellent ways to utilize the Sun in Aries - better this way than to engage in conflict.  That route often leads to having to retrace steps and resharpen the sword - and Aries doesn't like to hang around for too long :-)

Picture copyright Marcelo Moura

International Astrology Day

The 1st International Astrology Day Blog Carnival
Welcome the Aries Ingress

The Cardinal T-Square:
Personal Challenges - Practical Solutions

A 3-Day World Wide Web Blog-a-Thon

March 19-21, 2010

Keys to Effectively Handling the Cardinal T-Square Challenges

Find out how you and your loved ones may be affected by the T-Square!

A blog carnival is an internet-based event featuring a large, permanent collection of informative articles on a given topic. Several blogs host pages with article descriptions linked to sites where articles are posted. This particular carnival celebrates International Astrology Day and presents a variety of useful essays about ways individuals can contend with the cardinal T-Square during 2010-14. 

The three host bloggers showcase articles on how transiting Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto will affect individuals’ lives and what they can do to integrate the useful side of each of these energies. Authors for each day give readers ideas and problem-solving tools to tackle the inevitable challenges and get back on solid ground.

Friday, March 19
So you’ve STILL got Pluto Problems?

Saturday, March 20
Take Care of Saturn and Saturn Will Take Care of You

Passing the Tests and Trials of Saturn to Build Better Relationships

Sunday, March 21
Uranus in Aries: Claiming a Self-Reliant Future

Ode to Pisces and Chironic Journeys

There's been much talk of the shifting of energy from Pisces to Aries, intermixed with Mars finally going direct.  This has brought some much needed relief and action in some quarters but what has struck me is how much of a raw deal the sign Pisces seems to have got in all of this.  With Pisces, the beautiful gift is imagination and dreaming dreams - wonderful works of art, literature and music would not be here had it not been for Piscean individuals.  Perhaps the bad press is because we only look for forms, structures - it's difficult to understand something that doesn't really seem to have much of a shape.

Think back to last year and the Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron triple conjunction - an alignment not seen since the 1940's.  This was in Aquarius, but with Jupiter and Neptune (rulers of Pisces) and a mutual reception to Uranus in Pisces, the quality of the alignment was very much of a Piscean nature.  Much of what will happen this year perhaps had its seed in the dreams and motivations taking amorphous form then.  With Uranus moving into Aries this year these dreams get set to turn into some form of reality.

The part that Chiron has to play in the events that unfold is interesting.  Chiron was a centaur, an immortal who taught the healing craft, the warrior arts (the picture is of him teaching Achilles) and philosophy amongst other things - some say he was the first astrologer.  His story is that he received a wound but could not heal himself and was therefore destined to live forever with it, always in pain.  He eventually sacrificed himself by taking the place of Prometheus and was allowed to die - ascending into the constellation Sagittarius for his selfless altruism.  There are many messages to his story - the source of our pain being our greatest strength, we teach best what we need to learn the most and that problems are a solution in disguise.

What has this story got to do with me I hear you ask?  Well, the route into Chironic healing journeys is through Saturn (form and structure) and Uranus (divine inspiration).  These two planets have been drifting in and out of opposition (full awareness) since 4th November 2008, and make two more exact alignments - on 26th April (Virgo/Pisces) and finally on 26th July (Aries/Libra).  There is therefore an opportunity to bring full awareness of healing journeys into our lives through personal and interpersonal development.  The mid points of Saturn/Uranus in Aries/Libra is the Cancer/Capricorn axis.  Pluto, planet of transformation sits here and it is also the place where the lunar and solar eclipses took place in the New Year and will again on 26th June (partial lunar) and 11th July (total solar).

So, we've had a period since Spring 2009 of wanting a different way of being which is proving difficult to bring to realisation (Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron), messages to honour and balance our emotional condition and its outer form (the lunar and solar eclipses) and now we move into the challenges inherent in honouring and working with the past, present and future (the cardinal grand cross).

There are enormous opportunities here.  Great things never come to us easily - if it were easy then the level of positive transformation would be lessened.  As things begin to heat up through the coming months it might be an idea to think about the mythology of Chiron, the dreams we yearned for and how best to realise them.

Mercury in Aries

Mercury moved into Aries on Wednesday 17th March at 16:11 Universal Time joining Venus and soon to be followed by the Sun.

This then is the beginning of a shift from Pisces to Aries - old to new.  A sky that is becoming realistic and driven to action.  Mercury in Aries is the archetypal direct and quick communicator, who thinks on their feet and acts.  There can be bluntness with this position, a buzzing flirtatiousness that borders on over excitement and a sharp tongue.

The beauty here though lies in Mercury's role as the transmitter of the solar message.  Mercury is capable of travelling to all sorts of places - through the deepest oceans, the highest skies and tip toeing along in dangerous and dark places.  This 'buzzing' from one place to another makes him somewhat scattered and it is here that Mars lends a hand.  Mercury in Aries has the ability to consider all possibilities and act on that information.  All that needs to happen is that Mars lets Mercury do his scouting work first and not act prematurely through an obsession with 'doing something'.

Of course, it is worth remembering that the Sun is still in Pisces.  Mercury has jumped ahead with a message that is behind him.  Moving carefully or perhaps information gathering is the order of the day.  The US Astrologers Rick Levine and Jeff Jawer discuss the difficulty planets face as they move into cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn) at the moment in their brilliant monthly videos on StarIQ.  Saturn, Pluto and soon Uranus are hanging out here making up the current cardinal grand cross.  It is rather like having the brakes applied yet again just as we're about to jump (or have the energy to).  This is true for anything entering Aries as it finds itself immediately in opposition to Saturn in Libra.

Instead of struggling, it might be best to see this as a gift.  The restrictions get applied in order to get it right, to point out obstacles we may miss, which left unattended could bite us at a later date.

Mercury hangs out in Aries until 2nd April and provides a nice fresh thinking realm to explore and play.  It may feel like being a kid in a sweet shop who doesn't have any cash.  Take your time and choose wisely - the cash is on its way!

Picture copyright Cecile K

Uranus in Aries

Uranus enters the first sign of the zodiac, Aries on May 28th 2010.  This is the third instalment of a series of articles (the first two being Pluto in Capricorn and Saturn in Libra) aimed at discussing the energies that could be presented at this time and how best to work with them.

Uranus is currently in Pisces and changes signs every 7 years.  It therefore does a full rotation of the zodiac every 84 years and its arrival in Aries is the beginning of a new cycle.  This is therefore a hugely significant event.  Transits of Uranus are quite often difficult to convey - the nature is unpredictable.  Therefore, forecasting what will happen is nigh on impossible but understanding how it might work isn't.  So..how might this transit affect us?  Well, any shift from Pisces into Aries is a dramatic one - it is a rebirth and sudden change - this could be pleasant or unpleasant.  We can therefore expect that in some area of our lives there will be a significant alteration and learning how to handle these new energies will be crucial to navigating the period and making the most from it.

Generally people are rather predictable - preferring comfort over chaos.   Being transported from one life scenario to another can produce shock.  Just as Uranus in Aries could be described as 'shocking' we might find ourselves like rabbits caught in the headlights of a car - frozen in time, as if the subtle Piscean nature cannot cope.  Anyone with particularly fixed charts or signs (Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius and Leo) could be prone to this reaction.  So how might the rabbit deal with the headlights?  Preparation and movement. Knowing that the glare could come from any direction and be prepared to move.  Moving forward, possibly into unknown territory is preferable to staying where you are - you know what'll happen to the rabbit if it does.  An 'inner shock absorber' would be invaluable - developing the flexibility to move from A to B with speed whilst keeping some equilibrium.

Uranus in Aries has qualities which are both stress relieving and potentially stress inducing.  The shift from Pisces could bring situations out of the doldrums - to shake them up, release them and shine light where there once was darkness and ambiguity.  If we've been stuck with something for a long time then this could change - gaining effective tools to manage change then will be crucial - think of the rabbit story - he maybe has to walk into that copse he's never been before to escape the glare.  Anything we can develop now that is new and innovative (even attitudes) would serve us well as we then take ownership; some measure of control.  This lessens the shock of being put, against our will, into sudden unfamiliar territory.

The start of a new cycle brings an essence of the new and immature with it.  It is confrontational, cuts red tape, youthful and direct.  Therefore learning moderation will be important.  Blowing a fuse, going too far with extremist views of doing things differently and selfishness could lead to some catastrophic trips and falls from elevated positions if we're not careful.  Uranus in Aries puts the 'I' in collective but does it impersonally;  watch out for developing attitudes such as 'it's not me it's them' or 'I'm only doing what is right'.

It is perhaps fortunate that Uranus in Aries is opposed by Saturn in Libra.  As mentioned in the previous article, building relationship and relational bridges will provide the temperance needed to expose the positive personal insights that can come at this time.  No man is an island.

A number of very affordable Chart Reports are available that investigate your innate character, love life, childhood and transit forecast for the year ahead.  Why not order one today and put your future in your hands.


Another article on Uranus in Aries can be found here
Other articles related to the Cardinal Grand Cross can be found here
Some Uranus in Aries Poetry can be found here


Photo copyright Ruud de Jong

A New Dawn: New Moon in Pisces

There is a New Moon in Pisces on Monday 15th March 2010 at 21:01 Universal Time.

This New Moon is rather like a reflection on where we've been - one foot is in the past and one is in the future.  The planetary line up paints a condensed picture in Pisces - Sun, Moon, Mercury and Uranus- all in the final degrees of the sign. The Sabian symbols for all of these planets all point towards new beginnings - starting anew, new perspectives, having clarity and seeing the light - all very nice symbolism for the start of a new cycle, or rather the 'seed' point of a new cycle.

With so many planets coming to the end of their cycles we're likely experiencing the full range of Pisces energy - this could translate into heightened feelings of inclusiveness, compassion, feeling that things are coming to a close, perhaps breaking down and not working and feeling lost and disillusioned.  With Saturn in Libra loosely opposing all of this it's likely that it is in those areas where the conflict is occurring - a partner, boss, relationship - there is a desire to break away from one path and start on another, more fruitful one.  It is also possible that the reverse is true - we're looking ahead at what is coming and not liking what we see.

The newly direct Mars in Leo in Sesqui-Square to Jupiter could be an agitator here.  It is rebellious, crusading, irritated by a lack of progress which could surface in theatrical displays of energy and misdirected actions if it isn't reigned in.  The hand is hovering over the go button with desire and wanting.

The message of this time is to remain vigilant and patient - the foggy clouds are dissipating and light is appearing through them - momentum is building.  There is no need to pre-empt action.  In two weeks time at the Full Moon the energy will be very different when the Sun and Mercury join Venus in Aries; for now, let events play themselves out while we continue to take small steps forward.


Picture Copyright Robert Michie

Mars Attacks

Mars, warrior planet, red devil and action hero of the Greek mythology 'Ares' turns into direct motion on Wednesday 10th March at 17:08 Universal Time.

For three months Mars in Leo has been retrograde, metaphorically straight jacketed - the image of a vibrant energetic toddler comes to mind, cornered and restricted in his playpen when all he wants to do is run around, explore and play.  It's been a drag - staring at the same old walls, seething frustration that turns to gloom or passive aggression as the winter season brought the collective into hibernation mode.  This little lion has been pacing his cage.

Retrograde cycles present opportunities to internalise the archetype - repairing, re-energising - action on an inner level.  There is no doubt however that inner journeys such as this bring chaos - repression and hidden feelings emerge on these pathways.  If you're lucky (and perhaps wise) you've used this time as a creative journey within.

The situation now is that the proverbial coin has been tossed from tails to heads - the toddler warrior has been released from his pen.  This is a moment to be cautious - if we're not careful the release could overwhelm producing a frenzy of misdirected actions.  Step forth, but take small considered steps.  Retrograde cycles are there for a reason - to regulate - to shift gears to accommodate the engine speed.  They are also a mechanism by which we realise that the archetype has a soul dimension and that personal and collective history needs honouring in our outer life.

Mars reaches the shadow degree (the point at which it went into retrograde motion) on 16th May not long before Jupiter and Uranus ingress into Aries (ruled by Mars).  The middle period of this year will prove to be turning points on our collective winter solstice broodings - this is when the real action begins.


Mars Attacks TM & Copyright Warner Bros