(More) Mutable Madness & The Kobayashi Maru

With another round of Mutable Grand Cross action (Neptune in Pisces, Saturn in Sagittarius, Jupiter in Virgo, + Mercury in Gemini) about to hit a climax in fairly short order, it can be a bit like being astrologically drawn and quartered. In any Grand Cross configuration, we are literally “getting hit from all angles”, but the Mutable variety tends to be fraught with indecision and diffusion; like a squirrel running out into the middle of the road with traffic coming from both directions & its little brain frantically trying to figure out which direction to go!

Squirrel

I think the most important thing to remember – under this impending Mutable Grand Cross – is that if we can’t change our circumstances, we can at least change how we are RESPONDING to our circumstances! This Mutable Grand Cross may be some Kobayashi Maru-level shit, but the “solution” lies in redefining the “problem(s)”; to change our THINKING about the situation!

06/15/2016

Repost – Jupiter Trine Pluto: Auspicious Omens

NB: The following is an updated repost intended to serve as a consciousness-raising reminder for June – it’s not what you look at that matters so much as what you SEE, so it’s time to get your metaphysical POV on!

There’s something in the air this month…or perhaps more precisely, the Earth. Earth Element, that is – Jupiter in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn form another trine in June, and some auspicious omens may appear to us during this time.

LaughingBuddhaAt first they may seem small…trivial, even. Small enough to miss if we were to take each one out of context and look at it on its own. But they will also be bountiful – we’re going to get so many of them that if we back up and take it all in, it will coalesce into something huge we can’t miss. Jupiter in Virgo is like pointillism – if we stand too close, we only see the tiny dots and so don’t think much of it. But if we get some distance (read:perspective), we can see how all the minor details actually come together to make this grand picture. So what is “insignificant” under this energy, really? Nothing, because when we put all the little pieces together and connect the dots, The Sign becomes concrete. It’s regarding a major renovation/upgrade somewhere in our life…perhaps something health/wealth/work-related since we do have the Earth signs involved. Especially if you have a planet or point in your chart situated between 14-18 degrees of Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn, do pay particular attention now.  This aspect becomes exact on June 26th, when The Omens are apt to be strongest, but both these celestial bodies are within proximity to one another throughout June so definitely be on the lookout!

06/13/2016

The Mercury/Venus Mutual Reception: (Floral) Scents On The Breeze

One thing that has really stood out to me regarding the current mutual reception between Mercury in Taurus and Venus in Gemini has been all the changeable, sweet scents permeating the air during the last few weeks – I cannot remember the last time the air was *this* fragrant! First it was the perfume of lilacs. Then it was the fragrance of wild honeysuckle, which was absolutely DIVINE! This was promptly followed the other week by the aroma generated by the profusion of multi-hued roadside phlox that were suddenly in bloom. Now the dominant note seems to have shifted to the abundant clusters of feral roses that populate the landscape in these parts. My daily runs around the neighborhood (which serve as a sort of moving meditation for me) have certainly been made a lot more pleasant due this influence, that’s for sure! This mutual reception finally draws to a close on Sunday, though, and I’ll definitely miss it when it goes.  ❤

So, have you noticed any sweet, floral scents on the breeze lately?

06/09/2016

A Retrograde Mars Landmine

DosEquisRage

…I go all Samuel L. Jackson with it, LOL!

“And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and FURIOUS anger…!”

A retrograde Mars doesn’t always blow its stack as it is rather prone to bottling, but when it does, look the hell out – especially when it’s in Scorpio! Nobody does “murderous rage” quite like a Hadean* Mars.

The moral of this story is it’s best not to let feelings of annoyance or anger stew and fester under this vibe, as it’s bound to only get ugly. When we find ourselves “triggered” by something, it’s best to confront the irritant while bearing in mind the very long shadow we ourselves cast rather than pathologizing others and/or blaming our own reactivity on them.  Remember, this is primarily a time of battling the darkness WITHIN rather than without, so rather than going all Ezekiel 25:17 on dat ass, use this energy to get face to face with your OWN demons as this energy will tend to flush them out via these primal, volcanic expressions of deep-seated, visceral rage.

Mars is retrograde until June 29th, however it remains in potentially corruptive Scorpio until August 2nd – be very aware of this possible landmine at least until then and conquer any anger issues that may be brought to the surface.

*For the purposes of this post, a Hadean Mars is construed to mean Mars in Scorpio, in aspect to Pluto, or located in the 8th House.

06/05/2016

Mercury/Venus Mutual Reception: People Say The Nicest Things

June's Mercury/Venus mutual reception: Mercury in Taurus, Venus in Gemini!
June’s Mercury/Venus mutual reception: Mercury in Taurus, Venus in Gemini!

It sure is lovely to have this mutual reception between Venus in Gemini & Mercury in Taurus helping to smooth some of the edges off the Mutable Madness generated by the current Saturn/Neptune/Jupiter T-Square. It’s amazing what a kind word can do; how it can light someone up and leave them positively glowing. Sure there is the potential for flattery or mere sweet talk, but as we approach Saturday’s Gemini New Moon (which is blessed by Venus), never underestimate the power of a heartfelt sweet, loving, complimentary, or appreciative word – the world needs it now.  ❤ ❤

06/01/2016

How NOT To Do Mars’ Re-entry Into Scorpio!

Ninja

Trying to sate a burning vengeance is a major no-no with Mars back in Ninja Warrior Mode now that it has re-entered Scorpio! Unless, that is, your “vengeance” involves pulling off an epic self re-vamp of some kind! Keeping this energy entirely self-focused and using it to fuel your own kickass transformation is a great way of giving whoever/whatever engendered that initial negativity the middle finger – there is no need to resort to below-the-belt tactics or covert sabotage maneuvers. Just do YOU and resolve not to waste a nano-molecule of your energy on things like bitterness or resentment, even if someone did you dirty. Instead, use any anger as a powerful motivational force to rise above whatever it was that landed you there – remember that Mars in Scorpio is an excellent time to confront our Lowest Self square in the face, to bravely drive out any psychological “demons” that may have been leasing space in our psyche, and to transform any disempowering reactivity to reach a place of supreme self-empowerment.

The muse for this energy is Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind – As God is my witness, as God is my witness they’re not going to lick me – I’m going to live through this and when it’s all over, I’ll never be hungry again.” – the utter determination to make it no matter what, even in the face of devastation. Because you can’t stage your comeback if you’re busy wasting energy on “what was *done* to you” – why lower yourself and let whoever screwed you over still get the best of you? Some people thrive on negative interactions; don’t be one of them – remember that the best revenge lies in living well! The Red Planet remains in this sign until August 2nd, which is plenty of time to rebirth yourself…

Firebird2

05/27/2016

A Jupiter In Virgo Perspective

With Jupiter now direct and preparing to wrap up its tour of wellness-oriented Virgo while currently sitting opposite illusionary Neptune and squaring reality-check Saturn, I think it’s time to talk some health Truth and dispel a big myth about the concept of “healthy” as this pertains to diet & nutrition. Since we’re in the era of green and healthy living this is an issue that (although often well-intended) sometimes tends to get twisted, but with the astro we have in play it’s a good time to straighten this kind of thing out and correct any misperceptions.

This is the primary Truth as I see it: The term “healthy eating” is something entirely subjective – it relies heavily upon context and is completely dependent upon what the perception of “good” is. For example, are we striving for weight loss? Optimal nutrition? To feel better? To eat in a manner that we find ethical? Are we striving for an organic diet? To bring better balance to our lives through wellness philosophies like Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine? Trying to use diet to manage a specific physical challenge? You get the picture – what we consider “healthy” or “unhealthy” is entirely dependent upon which lens we’re viewing this issue from and there is no one “right” answer because it is all subject to interpretation.

Occasionally I see people trying to impose their health dogma upon others like some kind of dietetic evangelist as if it were a one-size-fits-all kind of deal, and I just have to shake my head because it absolutely is not. It’s a myth that there is only “one way” to eat healthy, and I’m not sure why people get so hung up on believing their “way” is *the only* way – what’s right and good for one may not necessarily be the same for another, because every body is different! There is no sense becoming self-righteous or holier-than-thou about our own dietary philosophy, because at the end of the day, who are we to judge? We’re not in their shoes and living in their skin, so can’t even possibly begin to determine the “right” nutritional needs for a physique that isn’t the one we currently inhabit. It really is no different than moralistically judging someone for their “lifestyle choices”, if you know what I mean. So rather than get preachy about the issue, remember the old “Judge not lest ye be judged” axiom, because it is so, SO applicable to health and diet matters while Jupiter is in Virgo! Let’s all strive to have a broader understanding of nutritional diversity and that it’s a GOOD thing – less dietary judgment and criticism; more tolerance!

FoodJudgments

05/25/2016

Repost: Mercury/Venus Mutual Reception

NB: The following is an updated repost that is valid for the next 2 1/2 weeks while this energy plays out!

Material Girl Venus has just entered Gemini while Mercury remains in Taurus (sign of moo-lah) until June 12th, and this means we have a mutual reception between Mercury and Venus in effect until then! This pairing puts our minds on our money and our money on our minds, to riff on a lyric from urban poet laureate Snoop Dogg, LOL. Tap this mojo to generate ideas for revenue, and definitely use your Gift of Gab to get commercial transactions flowing. Be polite, polished, and affable in all conversations because the easier you are to talk to, the easier it will be to ask for (and be granted) favors. For some this energy could correlate to joining with a co-worker, sibling, or other relation for the purposes of commerce – even for those that don’t, know that partnering up with someone to bounce your thoughts off one another may prove particularly fruitful/lucrative now. Also, if you have to engage in diplomatic negotiations of any kind, generally speaking this is going to be the astrology to do it under because the chances of everyone being able to reach an accord are higher than normal.

The Mercury and Venus-ruled signs – Gemini, Virgo, Taurus, & Libra – capitalize on this vibe most, but ANYONE can use it to their advantage. Raising our consciousness and being aware these energies are, in fact, out there for us all to access and doing our best to embody this energy in positive ways is all that is required to help the more desirable manifestations along. Along this vein, the main pitfalls to watch out for with this mutual reception may involve a tendency to be a bit too agreeable to the point that it can veer into “yes-man/woman” territory and mental laziness. While this is a light and sociable pairing, the tendency may be to seek social distractions so the intellect doesn’t have to work too hard – allowing mental inertia to take over potentially squanders the more tangible benefits this pairing has to offer us. Also, this energy does like to talk but instead of chatting aimlessly about superficialities, dialog should instead serve as a vehicle for true connectedness and bonding – try using this mojo to tell someone you value/appreciate/like/love them, for example.

05/25/2015

Repost: Life Under The Saturn/Neptune Square…

The Saturn/Neptune Square is tightening once again, becoming exact for a second time on June 17, 2016 @ 12 degrees of Sagittarius & Pisces.  The following is actually a repost  (which serves as a totally appropriate “time warp” influence of its own) with a few minor updates/edits.  What you find described below will more or less be a prevailing feeling from now through October.

Speaking of “temporal vortex”

Life is starting to look an awful lot like this lately again, is it not? I think we can pretty accurately sum up the square between Saturn in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces as being one big surreal “Chrono Trigger” moment, complete with alternate timelines and weird portals being stumbled upon in unlikely places.  Time is anything but linear under this astrological influence; it loops, bends, and distorts.  At any point, we – somewhat like Ebenezer Scrooge – may be visited by Ghosts of Times Past, Present, and/or Future…and not necessarily in that order.

The first hit of this Square was in late November 2015, but this blast(?)-from-the-past(future?) influence hits for a third time in September as well.  Think back to November to recall if any recurrent themes seem to be (re)surfacing in your life lately from that time.

5/23/2016

Venus/Pluto Thought Of The Day

We are only as beautiful as we are in our ugliest moments.

The true measure of beauty is nothing external; it is something found deep within our core and is determined by how gracefully and lovingly we handle ourselves when in the midst of messy, screwed-up scenarios where it would otherwise be all too easy to revert to a more base level of operating.  Can we override our more dysfunctional responses and connect with the love in our hearts by displaying softness and kindness in these kinds of situations?  Will we bring Beauty to bear when faced with The Beast?  This is the mark of true loveliness on a soul-level – everything else is superficial.

VenusPlutoSymbols

05/16/2016