Category: Current Astrology

Mars/Uranus Redux

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The vibe, as of 2:00pm ET today:

With Uranus retrograding back into Aries, we now have a 9-day long mutual reception in effect between this planet and Mars in Aquarius – the image of a warrior illuminated by an electric-blue bolt of lightning seems about right.  But there’s more; this vibe instantaneously teleports us back to November 8, 2016  (AKA Election Day), when the very same mutual reception was about to take effect and the USA experienced an astounding collective sucker punch in the wee hours of the following morning right as this energy kicked in. Mars/Uranus represents the hit you don’t see coming; the anomaly coming from out of left field that suddenly and unexpectedly winds up right in your face, front-and-center. Like getting randomly clocked in the head by a foul ball at a baseball game.

With a repeat performance of this energy in effect on Election Day two years later, perhaps the warrior that spontaneously teleports onto the battlefield today will once again go rogue.  Though it’s hard to say exactly what he’ll do because this energy is so unpredictable by nature, upsets are way more common under this energy so let’s hope he mobilizes in a different & more socially progressive way as a direct counterpunch to all the Toxic Masculine Alt-Right insanity of the last two years.  Regardless of outcome, though, we must understand that Uranus is an Agent of Change – in this case due the involvement of Mars, rapid and perhaps even violent shifts; it’s the kind of sudden jerk in direction that can result in whip(back?)lash.  If it’s a change that doesn’t agree with us, we must allow any resultant anger to cool just enough for us to channel into pro-active action.

11/06/2018

Venusian Renaissance

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We’re a little over halfway through the 2018 Venus Retrograde now, with Venus having recently ducked back into her Libra stronghold after spending a debilitating several weeks in Scorpio.  “Debilitating” just about says is all, in fact – ever since Venus began treading in the footsteps of her pre-retrograde path back in September, it’s been quite a wild ride for many of us; both financially and in terms of relationships.  Her retreat back into Libra serves as a fortifying and restorative influence; a calm eye in the midst of a considerable amount of material and relational uncertainty due Venus being periodically blitzed by shocking Uranus & the fated Nodes. This was the plot twist no one saw coming; a bolt from left field that instantaneously cleared the air and brought illuminating clarity regarding our liberation from stagnant or perhaps even disempowering financial or relationship scenarios, but likely also left us reeling in slack-jawed astonishment.

With Venus now back into Libra, though, we’re looking to regain a sense of inner peace and equilibrium that will serve us well in the weeks ahead; specifically as Venus clashes with Uranus and the Nodes a final time in late November.  Fate is strongly in play when it comes to our financial situation and partnerships; we have absolutely no control over it.  But we’re being awakened to new possibilities now; gaining radical and objective clarity about thorny issues that may have previously had a “stuck-and-f***ed” kind of feel.  It’s easier now than ever to identify where a preference for the finer things in life or even a partner’s company may have left us overleveraged or perhaps even enslaved in a certain sense.  Venus regaining her composure through her re-entrance into Libra represents a moment where she can  re-evaluate the situation and re-orient herself so that she has greater freedom of movement going forward – ponder this and what it may possibly mean for your wallet and heart over the next  month.

11/02/2018

Venus Stationary Rx In Scorpio

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If you’re subscriber to my free monthly newsletter, then you know that Venus – planet of beauty, art, and value – just turned (stationed) retrograde as of yesterday afternoon.  I wrote an in-depth article about this 6-week long event in my October 1st newsletter that described multiple ways this energy can manifest in our personal lives, and along this vein I just saw something in the news that made my jaw drop because it so, so, SO perfectly encapsulates a facet of this energy!  I simply could not let the opportunity to use this event as a teaching tool pass without writing a post about it, so here goes:

Venus has an incredibly strong effect on the Art world as a whole – she’s an intrinsically aesthetic energy concerned with beauty and value.  The creation of beautiful things is her domain, whether this is visual or musical.  She is the Pleasure Planet; she gives us things we like and appreciate, and because of this the things that fall under her dominion tend to be worth good coin.  Now when a planet stations (turns from Direct motion to Retrograde motion or vice versa), that energy is incredibly strong for good or ill.  So yesterday when the Venus vibe was at critical mass due this planet’s change of direction, an unforgettable event happened that shook the Art world in a huge way.

A work by the mysterious British street artist Banksy was auctioned off at Sotheby’s, and as the hammer fell the image shockingly self-destructed in front of a crowd of astonished onlookers.  Apparently the artist had ingeniously designed a shredder to be hidden inside the frame that would slice the image into ribbons for just such an occasion.  Banksy is known for works that up-end established paradigms and that often visually provide dark socio-political commentary, so presumably the artist may have become annoyed with the sky-high valuation (hello, Venus!) of his works in recent years by the Fine Art community and he decided to do something about it.  We have to remember that he first rose to fame as a graffiti artist; a medium meant to be viewed by the masses rather than just a select few who can afford to privately own a million+ dollar painting.  It would be very like him to make *a statement* about the absurdity of this by destroying his own work the moment a collector shelled out a cool $1.4 million to acquire it. As an astrologer, I would love/hate to see the transits of the buyer of this piece; specifically what that stationary Rx Venus was touching in his or her nativity.

It’s important to discuss how this Venus Retrograde kicked off in Scorpio; a sign aligned with the energy of destruction.  We shouldn’t view this as inherently bad, though – destruction often paves the way for enrichment and renewal; like volcanic ash from an eruption that devastates a landscape but fertilizes the soil so the new or surviving plant life plant life can thrive.  And in the case of this particular artwork, I have a strong feeling given the press surrounding it this piece has probably – ironically and no doubt much to Banksy’s chagrin – probably quadrupled in value because of this stunt despite being cut into pappardelle noodles.  So the buyer who likely thought they lost their shirt on this investment for a hot second may yet have reason to smile. 🙃 Happy Venus Retrograde, everyone.

10/06/2018

Jupiter In Scorpio: “Bucket List” Travel

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We only have 7 weeks left of Jupiter in Scorpio – Jupiter’s tour of this sign is done and dusted when it enters Sagittarius on November 8, 2018.  There’s a growing sense of finality as this year-long transit approaches a close; something all too appropriate for a sign concerned with mortality.  Speaking of mortality, Jupiter as The Wanderer of the zodiac has dominion over long-distance travel (think plane as opposed to car, train, or bus) and as such the remaining weeks of this transit are as good a time as any to contemplate our “Bucket List” destinations; i.e. the places we hope to get the opportunity to visit sometime before we die.  Now this isn’t in a morbid sense; nobody’s kicking the bucket tomorrow or anything.  Rather this concept is something that can help us to walk in gratitude for every opportunity we have to expand our horizons, because the inevitability is that life itself is a terminal condition – as The Doors say, “No one here gets out alive”.  If we’re all gonna go sometime (and we all are!), why not allocate some energy and resources toward affording ourselves opportunities to enrich our lives through the experience of travel?  It can be life-changing.  And it’s certainly worth pointing out that Jupiter’s upcoming visit to Sagittarius is *the* premiere travel transit; excluding the times when it squares Neptune in Pisces (Jan/Jun/Sep 2019), which are not exactly the moments I’d pick to explore a fantasy destination.  So Jupiter’s remaining time in Scorpio = an ideal time to Vision Board out our “Bucket List” locales in prep for the restless, nomadic, wanderlust-laden energy of Jupiter’s imminent arrival in Sadge.  Do you have any particular places in mind?  Mine all seem to center around ancient sacred sites like Stonehenge, the Pyramids of Giza, Machu Picchu, The Nazca Lines, The Acropolis; ancient magickal monuments with powerful connections to the ley lines running through the lands they were built upon. Regardless of your reasons for visiting, think of places that provide fuel for a truly transformational Journey; make it a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip!

Bonum cursom.

09/19/2018

Jupiter In Scorpio: Transformative Growth

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We’re down to our last couple months of Jupiter in Scorpio and before it bids this sign adieu to head into its natural domain of Sagittarius, there’s a central theme to be discussed regarding what this year-long passage has meant for us.  Jupiter in Scorpio brings transformative growth into our lives, but it’s at the expense of letting something else die off.  Perhaps we’re letting go of an old way of life, a belief, or experiencing some kind of massive metamorphosis.  This is, in some ways, traumatic by nature because nothing is the same afterward and we need to hold space for this sense of loss by appreciating the enormity of it all.  Relating this to an animistic perspective, the caterpillar doesn’t quite know what is happening when it cocoons off to become a butterfly; it just has the visceral instinctive sense that something monumental looms on the horizon where it simply cannot stay stagnant in its current incarnation any longer.

Back to what this means for us humans from an experiential standpoint, the common thread is how this Journey can seem overwhelming or scary in parts. We’re likely discovering some powerful core Truths about ourselves through this process and though not all of them are pretty, being honest about our Shadow/Lower Self is crucial if we’re to reap the biggest benefits this transit has to offer – metaphorically, it’s a lot like cave exploration. To this end, for those so inclined the therapeutic process can be a huge boon in this regard; particularly as the final sextile between Jupiter and Pluto culminates between now and mid-September. Bless that which is leaving or has left your life during this astrological passage, be grateful for the powerups aiding in this transformative growth, and prepare to receive an expansive sense of true freedom-of-movement courtesy of those new wings you’ve spouted by cooperating with The Process. 🐛🦋

08/30/2018

Saturn In Capricorn Square Chiron In Aries, Part 2

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10 of Wands as depicted in the RWS tarot.

So we’ve already spoken about one potential manifestation of the current square between Saturn in Capricorn and Chiron in Aries in Part 1 of this series.  Another wound this vibe tends to exacerbate is a tendency toward over-responsibility where we take on onerous burdens and try to shoulder a load all by ourselves.  Aries energy tends toward D.I.Y (“Lemme do it MYSELF!!!”) but with Chiron here this tends to be the result of an old injury; the friction generated by Saturn in Capricorn is almost like an “eldest child” type of vibe where it feels like we never got/get to be what we want(ed) to be. We tend to just accept what’s expected of us by our parents, teachers, or others whom we respect without necessarily considering if it’s something we even *want* for ourselves as we fall in line with a sense of utter resignation and follow orders. Until that one day when we have the sudden epiphany of “Eff you; I won’t do what ya yell me!” – there’s a definite clash between old-school and new-school with this vibe and the pain that results from this conflict can be our greatest teacher.  It will not, however, be easy.  But nothing worth having ever is, and thankfully both Aries and Capricorn energy tend to be up for a challenge – the product of this may be a hard-won sense of sagacity beyond our years.

**Read the next installment in this series: Saturn In Capricorn Square Chiron In Aries, Part 3

08/29/2018

Mars Stationary Direct In Capricorn

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Choose your weapon carefully now; it is a fail-safe designed to be utilized only in moments where “flight” is no longer an option.  Pray for the wisdom to know when to use it and – more importantly – for restraint in knowing when *not* to.  Never draw it in anger and hope it will never have to be unsheathed *period*; all the while pragmatically knowing the world can indeed be a harsh place.   In reality if you ever do find yourself with your back against a wall, that (metaphorical) mace on your keychain or knife tucked into your boot can provide strength, steadiness, and safety in circumstances that might otherwise threaten to bring you to your knees.

After 2 months of Retrograde status, Mars resumes Direct motion in the sign of its exaltation (Capricorn) in very short order; 10:05am EDT on Monday August 27, 2018 to be precise.  The above is prudent consideration at this juncture and it’s highly likely you already have the requisite armament in question; it may just need to be dusted off a bit.

Recte et fortiter  👍💪

08/26/2018

Saturn In Capricorn Square Chiron In Aries, Part 1

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With Saturn arriving in Capricorn back in December and Chiron only just entering Aries this past April, these two celestial bodies have largely managed to avoid clashing with each other in their respective new surroundings.  It’s almost as if they were taking their time getting acquainted with their new zodiac digs first, but with Saturn now at the tail-end of its  retrograde reversing it all the way back to 2 degrees of Capricorn where it threatens to back into frictional contact with Chiron, these two cosmic contenders are currently getting on each other’s nerves.

What’s the beef?  Simple – Chiron is in an infantile sign (Aries; AKA the Newborn of the zodiac) while Saturn is the uber adult in Capricorn. Like a baby screaming in frustration and/or pain over hunger, a diaper that needs to be changed, or god knows what else, one cosmic energy operates from a very base simplistic level that’s apt to be angry/reactive while the other is cold and supremely self-controlled. Note that neither behavior is inherently “better” than the other; it’s just they have two totally different modes of operating where neither really understands the other. Age isn’t a factor either; exactly who is being the “adult” and who is behaving childishly in a given situation may have nothing to do at all with how old we are or our familial role/hierarchy because when we are in pain the delineating line that separates “the men from the boys” often goes right out the window completely independent of age or gender.

So how does this energy manifest?  Well speaking of family roles, parental wounds tend to (re?)surface for one.  Ever feel like you’re dealing with a brick wall when it comes to Mom and/or Dad?  Brace for impact, because this vibe is likely to exacerbate such dynamics.  Paternal relationships are particularly sensitized by Chiron’s coarse brushing; fatherly energy resonating strongly with the Saturn archetype. Relationships with teacher/mentor or elder/elderly figures can be similarly affected by this square.  Now this is just a caution; *not* a fatalistic pronouncement that nothing can be done about such situations if they indeed arise.  If scenarios like this do happen, though, it’s an opportunity for us to heal an (old?) injury and gain wisdom regarding what *not* to do the next time around.  And there may not even be a next time; this square never quiiiiiiite perfects even though it comes close.  So there’s a sense of learning some kind of lesson through this painful experience in a way that fortifies us and makes us wiser.

What is that lesson?  It can vary, but the utility of caution/restraint/healthy boundaries is certainly an important consideration.  Metaphorically, if we can see inflammation acting as sort of a “Police line; do not cross” yellow caution tape we’ll get a pretty good idea of what’s a safe level to engage at vs. that which is decidedly off-limits.  On the flip side, Saturn tends to be overly restrictive/repressive in Capricorn so it can also be about figuring out what the “safe container” is to hold that pain.  Perhaps it’s calling in a pro; some kind of coach or therapeutic figure who can hold the appropriate space for us to unpack that baggage and come up with a management plan.  Maybe it’s agreeing only to engage at a respectful level and one of bare necessity.  Painful as this reality is to acknowledge, sometimes the best relationship we can have with others is either 1) a no-frills one or 2) none at all – sometimes there’s a limit to the amount of healing that can be achieved and it’s safest for one or both part(y)(ies) to stay in their own lanes at a respectful distance; especially if/when the effort is one-sided. They say that “Time heals all wounds” and though it can indeed be a balm of sorts, it’s far from a cure-all and at times despite the wait and generous amounts of elbow grease we apply in service to healing we can still hit a wall; especially when this entails dealing with those who are stuck in rigid/outdated ways of being/doing.  Some are not driven to heal; they can only get as far as they can on *their* individual healing journey and we can’t measure this against *our* yardstick.  Saturn’s primary function is to define limits, so it’s better to recognize the barrier/impediment for what it is in order to preserve our sanity; issuing an internal cease & desist order to ourselves regarding our expectations about what that relationship can/should be.  Sometimes we have to take it on the chin and accept the “L”; even if/when it hurts – simply take as a lesson on how *not* to do/be.

**Read other installments in this series: Saturn In Capricorn Square Chiron In Aries, Part 2 Saturn In Capricorn Square Chiron In Aries, Part 3

08/13/2018

Mars Sextile Chiron: Healing Battle Wounds

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We’ve already spoken of Chiron in Aries and its battle wounds in a previous post, but something unique is happening on this front courtesy of the present Mars retrograde. Mars rules Aries – the sign Chiron is presently traversing through – so that’s one layer of it. But we have an additional level of interconnectedness between these two celestial energies at the moment that is continuing to play out because Mars makes repeated contact to Chiron due The Red Planet’s back-and-forth retrograde motion.

These astrological contacts – which perfect(ed) in alignment on May 20th, August 3rd, & September 13th – are facilitating an opportunity for us to revisit ancient battle wounds/the scene of old skirmishes (in this life and/or those past) to find new opportunities for self-healing; especially if we focus on how we can be or do differently in the Now/going forward.  We may not be able to change the past, but we absolutely *can* review any repeated points of conflict or contention in our lives – including any shrapnel wounds we may have sustained way back when – to excavate/excise. It’s not unlike exploratory surgery in a kind of way; we may not know quite what we’re getting into/going to find, but we’re pretty clear on the fact that something weird is going on that will need to be patched up or “sutured” for closure.

As for where to start on this healing journey, begin with things that make you angry.  Examine the reaction to anger and explore any possible triggers rooted in past experiences while maintaining a sense of intellectual detachment that keeps it cool enough to handle. This is nothing to fear; in these déjà vu moments bear in mind the potential this energy has for recalibrating healthy self-assertion because there is an opportunity to radically initiate an entirely different way of being/doing.  Some are very uncomfortable with this emotion and see it in a negative light as generating static or chaos.  But when proactively handled, it can also be a force for change that liberates us from stuck ways of being or doing so we don’t attract chronic injuries that result in the (re-)formation of new scar tissue.  There’s only so many time we can go through the same incision point….

08/02/2018

Jupiter Direct

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After 4 months of seeming dormancy, Big Daddy Jupiter has officially shifted back into forward motion from reverse (retrograde) gear!  As a result the Jupiter vibe is super potent at the moment; it’s almost as if this planet has been distilled into a concentrated Essence of Jove and our optimism & appetites return with a vengeance.

Image credit: Gabriel Saldana

Maybe this translates to an appetite for destruction or debt, or perhaps instead we’re hungering for intimacy/sex – whatever the case, know our vice-du-jour may be the adage that “more is more”. So before going overboard with decadent excess, some insightful and perhaps psychological understanding about what all of this might be rooted in may keep things from getting too out-of-hand.

One thing to be grateful for about Jupiter Direct: When this planet is retrograde, we’re often not as cognizant of our blessings because they tend to be less overt and more spiritualized in nature.  But now that Jove has resumed his “regularly scheduled programming”, abundance tends to flow in more outward ways. In honor of its present connection to Neptune, dream big and say a prayer for your greatest wish; then be on the lookout for signs that Divinity is indeed listening with a spirit of infinite generosity.  Keep the faith and give it about a month.

07/11/2018