Black Hole M87 (Messier 87) as part of a deep image of the Virgo Cluster
(photo credit: Chris Mihos at ESO.org)
.
With Mercury’s August 30th station still having
us with gum in our ears and wax on our shoes,
September starts with a solar eclipse, a wholly-independent and
dedicated article on which precedes this one.
Here's a link:
Here's a link:
That said, the month of
a solar eclipse does tend to feel ‘heavy’ with potential, so if the solar eclipse of September 1st aspects your
personal and oh-so individual natal chart, it’s highly likely (read: a given)
you already know the area of life being affected. No, you may not (yet)
know what the details are going to be, or when certain ‘shoes’ are going to
drop, but give or take, you probably what the general nature of the quicksand is, if there is any.
Therefore, give or take all such Mercury-and-Solar Eclipse jazz (...understatement intended...) we can just start this September conversation with a simple comment about how said eclipse, (which occurs at the degree 9 Virgo and at 9:04 in the morning of September 1st, UT/+0 time) ... aside from being its own astrological event, is also setting an overall tone for the next lunar month, just as any New Moon would do.
Therefore, give or take all such Mercury-and-Solar Eclipse jazz (...understatement intended...) we can just start this September conversation with a simple comment about how said eclipse, (which occurs at the degree 9 Virgo and at 9:04 in the morning of September 1st, UT/+0 time) ... aside from being its own astrological event, is also setting an overall tone for the next lunar month, just as any New Moon would do.
(And yes, a solar eclipse is an extra-special, super-deluxe
version of a New Moon.)
Solar Eclipse (New Moon) at 9 Virgo (glyph chart)
September 1, 2016 - 9:04 a.m. (UT/+0) -- Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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Solar Eclipse (New Moon) at 9 Virgo (glyph chart)
September 1, 2016 - 9:04 a.m. (UT/+0) -- Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
.
September 1
So here's the statement which falls here: like any New Moon in Virgo, this one is putting us on tract to deal with whatever is at hand in life, with the emphasis being on ‘how well’ things get done - - which means the emphasis can be on the “how” (method) part of the question, the “well” (quality and standards) part of the question, or how what we do and how we do it says much about us as individuals who are choosing to do (or not) do, know, acknowledge, deal with or otherwise attend to things in life, whatever they may be.
So here's the statement which falls here: like any New Moon in Virgo, this one is putting us on tract to deal with whatever is at hand in life, with the emphasis being on ‘how well’ things get done - - which means the emphasis can be on the “how” (method) part of the question, the “well” (quality and standards) part of the question, or how what we do and how we do it says much about us as individuals who are choosing to do (or not) do, know, acknowledge, deal with or otherwise attend to things in life, whatever they may be.
That said, with this solar eclipse having occurred under
Mercury retrograde in Virgo, and indeed with Mercury having gone retrograde on
August 30th, two days prior to the eclipse, much of what we will be
going through now will be two-fold (or dual-sided) as we work on that which
needs doing which we can do even as
we work through nursing the inevitable eclipse headache(s) which have so
flagrantly pointed out (at least to us) where we have been or done something
‘unfitting’ out of some form of overly first-person dedication.
And with Mercury being the ruler of Virgo, that says a lot - - particularly as that may pertain to thinks we are thinking about (or about doing). Under virtually ever circumstance, Mercury retrograde speaks to some sort of 'internal process' we are going through which pertains to the quality or qualities with which we are going about our life (or) which we are (or aren't) holding our Self to as we go about that life. Any New Moon in Virgo speaks to a month of 'working on' those things which need attending to in order to 'keep things going,' whether our effort is personal (doing something to support our individual life) or not.
Either way, Virgo New Moon months tend to feature reasons to excel and time spent on things which need attention or attending to (and that goes double with a Virgo solar eclipse happening here on the 1st, particularly if your natal chart is aspected by 9 Virgo, that being the degree of the eclipse). And though focus is needed in order to get through our lists of things 'To Do,' getting overly focused (or too narrow in our day to day thinking) is seldom a plus at the time of a Virgo New Moon or during the lunar month which follows. Issues of sensitivity (physical, psychological, emotional, etc.) may well be part of what is going on, with things becoming difficult wherever anything becomes "one-sided" or out of balance.
Under this Mercury retrograde, estimations of competence and/or ability, especially of things which matter and which therefore provoke emotional responses (whether on our part or that of others) are likely to surface. Such issues may touch on what we're doing or how (even why) we're doing them. Then again, this Mercury retrograde in the sign of the eclipse may signal a period when we recognize some flaw in our thinking, leading to a series of inner 'revelations' as to why we think and respond as we do, sometimes properly and sometimes because of emotional hangups we aren't enthralled with dealing with.
As all the aspects and planetary pictures involved with this New Moon (Solar Eclipse) are in the other post, I will leave it up to you whether you want to know details with regards to aspects and effects or not. It is a complicated time, and life is going to be full of complicated moments, general complexities and a truly creative ability to surprise us this month.
What with? With exactly that we hadn't been wanting to face (or think about), most likely. But then, it is a solar eclipse - - in Virgo (no less).
So with that I'll leave that there (having already said much elsewhere) and continue on with September.
And with Mercury being the ruler of Virgo, that says a lot - - particularly as that may pertain to thinks we are thinking about (or about doing). Under virtually ever circumstance, Mercury retrograde speaks to some sort of 'internal process' we are going through which pertains to the quality or qualities with which we are going about our life (or) which we are (or aren't) holding our Self to as we go about that life. Any New Moon in Virgo speaks to a month of 'working on' those things which need attending to in order to 'keep things going,' whether our effort is personal (doing something to support our individual life) or not.
Either way, Virgo New Moon months tend to feature reasons to excel and time spent on things which need attention or attending to (and that goes double with a Virgo solar eclipse happening here on the 1st, particularly if your natal chart is aspected by 9 Virgo, that being the degree of the eclipse). And though focus is needed in order to get through our lists of things 'To Do,' getting overly focused (or too narrow in our day to day thinking) is seldom a plus at the time of a Virgo New Moon or during the lunar month which follows. Issues of sensitivity (physical, psychological, emotional, etc.) may well be part of what is going on, with things becoming difficult wherever anything becomes "one-sided" or out of balance.
Under this Mercury retrograde, estimations of competence and/or ability, especially of things which matter and which therefore provoke emotional responses (whether on our part or that of others) are likely to surface. Such issues may touch on what we're doing or how (even why) we're doing them. Then again, this Mercury retrograde in the sign of the eclipse may signal a period when we recognize some flaw in our thinking, leading to a series of inner 'revelations' as to why we think and respond as we do, sometimes properly and sometimes because of emotional hangups we aren't enthralled with dealing with.
As all the aspects and planetary pictures involved with this New Moon (Solar Eclipse) are in the other post, I will leave it up to you whether you want to know details with regards to aspects and effects or not. It is a complicated time, and life is going to be full of complicated moments, general complexities and a truly creative ability to surprise us this month.
What with? With exactly that we hadn't been wanting to face (or think about), most likely. But then, it is a solar eclipse - - in Virgo (no less).
So with that I'll leave that there (having already said much elsewhere) and continue on with September.
September 4
As Ixion is going direct at 22 Sagittarius on September 4th,
chances are some of us will not have learned what we shouldn’t do, and maybe we began realizing that (or putting our foot in it) as
much as a day or two ago.
(Note: all stations get a two-days-before + two-days-after ‘station allowance.’)
(Note: all stations get a two-days-before + two-days-after ‘station allowance.’)
A symbol of being ‘led to believe’ we are entitled or able
to ‘get away with’ things generally because we believe we are either ‘above the
law’ or because ‘the rule doesn’t apply to me,’ flaws shown up by Ixion have to
do with an inequality of consideration with regards to Self versus others.
Is this on purpose? Not always. Are we conscious of what we
are doing? Again, not always - - and where we aren’t conscious of our failure
to consider our parameters, responsibilities and motivations with sufficient
clarity, Ixion - - like all Plutinos - - tends to deliver situational
“punishments” which, while they point to matters of the moment, most often do
not prompt any direct change of the
‘causal mechanism.’
That’s just one of the challenges with Plutinos. Whatever
sign a Plutino may be in, and whatever its intrinsic astrological meaning may
be, the real challenge underlying all
Plutinos (including Pluto) has to do with our failing to understand how the
force which makes a Plutino a Plutino. That force is called magnetic resonance,
and in the case of Plutinos, the magnetic resonance which controls their orbits
around the Sun (and thus our Sun/consciousness of their metaphysical nature) is
all about planet Neptune.
An orbital diagram of Plutino Ixion
(courtesy of the JPL Small Body Database)
.
In other words, Plutinos ‘draw us in’ or ‘lure’ us to give
in to the ‘allure’ of something based on our own ideals and illusions. Where
Neptune reigns, facts should be our byword and guide, but getting to the fact
of the matter is not always easy. Sometimes we don’t really want to know the
facts. Sometimes the facts get ‘veiled’ - - whether purposefully, by accident,
or by a willing sort of denial on our part.
Where Ixion is specifically concerned, ‘rights,’ doing
things ‘the right way’ and having boundaries, humility and a personal sense of
proportion tend to be our testing grounds. Traditions, family and the
structural of civilization (its ‘cultural glue’) also seems of note with Ixion.
Thought of in Greek myth as a parallel to the biblical Cain and Able story,
Ixion speaks to our sense of integration within our social society (and social
circles) with an emphasis on our willingness to betray others (or) ‘accepted
civilized standards’ out of some conviction we are (or should be) allowed to
‘color outside the lines’ when it comes to codes, laws and standards, whether
spiritual, legal, societal, social, religious, metaphysical, philosophical or
simply mental.
And to cut to the chase here, living in our Ixion seldom
works our all that well. Depending on where Ixion falls in your natal chart,
its sign, house, degree and aspects relay to each one of us where, who and how
we tend to repetitively ‘sucker ourselves’ into thinking ‘it’s going to be
okay.’ The problem is, it isn’t - - going to be okay, I mean.
Where Ixion is concerned, we try, try again until our hand
gets SO badly burned by repetitively sticking it into the ‘Ixion fire’ that we
learn to flinch and turn away. Or we get impaled - - once and for all - - on a
‘point’ we should have known better about, and which we probably DID know
better about.
We just didn’t think it would - - or could - - matter so
much. And yet, it does - - which is one of our Ixion lessons.
In going direct at 22 Sagittarius, the current Ixion station
is speaking to something which either involves others directly or as a matter
of participation. It also refers to people who tend to be ‘rebels,’ some
exhibition of ‘rebelliousness’ (or) simply where something is ‘going against
the grain’ or being approached from an unfamiliar perspective. Matters being
called into attention are said to need examination, though the reasons being
given in the moment for the inspection may be manipulative or merely put ‘on
the table’ as part of the spirit of rebelliousness.
Ixion in Tartarus on the Wheel (1731) from a Private collection. (colorized)
.
Astrologers writing about this degree speak of its capacity
for violence and disruption - - and certainly with fixed star Ras Alhague
currently positioned at 22 Sagittarius such things should be kept in mind, as
by itself Ras Alhague speaks to situations which are intrinsically ‘harmful or
healing,’ depending both on our approach and our willingness (or ability) to
differentiate between those who are taking advantage of us and a personal
nature which simply wants others to take up their cause or otherwise ‘do their
work,’ dirty or otherwise.
With Ixion going direct in an inconjunct to Uranus/Eris
(which are currently absolutely conjunct at 23 Aries) and, particularly as this
station is occurring only a few days after the 9 Virgo solar eclipse, it would
not be unreasonable to think many of us are going to look up and see how we’ve
been undermining our own cause, shooting ourselves in the foot or betting on
the wrong horse (or horse race) about now. Where such errors become evident,
hard feelings are likely to erupt, which in turn will prompt questions of how
(or how well) we deal with internal conflict - - which is Ixion’s Plutonic
stock and trade.
Will we learn? Or will we insist on throwing away some
possibility or personal potential because it isn’t exactly what we want it to
be? That Saturn being about to perfect a
conjunction with royal and fixed star Antares on the morrow suggests some of us
being ‘too dug in’ even as some of us are digging in our heels in a display of
inner conviction as others are busily ‘putting a stop’ to things, whether that’s
a reference to something they are doing themselves or otherwise.
With Mercury in retrograde, do we know what needs to be
learned or what needs doing first? Maybe yes, maybe no.
September 5
Determination - - or the lack of it - - would seem to be at
the heart of Saturn’s conjuncting Antares, which Saturn will do as of three
minutes after midnight (UT/+0) on September 5th. Saturn either
structures or limits, builds or solidifies, doing all such in keeping with the
age old idea ‘what we sow, so do we reap.’
An emblem of earning, Saturn’s being astrologically conjunct
royal and fixed star Antares may here be speaking to unmatched determination to
a well-planned cause for which we are perfectly suited, or at least well enough
suited that we are capable of achieving success through much extended effort
which has us learning things we need to know at each step along the way.
Where we have enough Saturn experience, strength, capacity,
factual understanding and patience, we stand a good chance to be able to
harness Antares’ famously obsessive energy in some act or effort which ‘moves
the needle’ (and the scope of our efforts) closer to our goals. Where however
we aren’t strong enough … where we
lack strength, internal discipline and structure, where we may not know how to
do something (or) why, in doing it, certain methods, approaches, attitudes,
rules or standards are necessary or need to apply - - in such instances, things
are likely to go awry, get stopped (temporarily or permanently) or become
something we can wait to be done with.
Being one of the royal stars, Antares guarantees success only
where we avoid being overly invested or ‘obsessed’ in, or about something. And
with September 5th being the first day of the station allowances
(plural) we will give to Pholus and
asteroid Lilith (both of which are going direct on the 7th), knowing
why we do (or) don’t do something (or
how we are choosing to go about doing or not doing it) plays out in part now -
- and in part at some point after Pholus and Lilith go direct.
Beyond that, Jupiter is about to change signs. Symbol of
enlargement, growth and expansion whether that applies to our waistline, our
bank account, our proverbial ‘reach’ or our scope of comprehension, ability,
influence (or any other kind of ‘pushing back’ of boundaries), Jupiter is about
to move from Virgo into Libra on the 9th. As part of that process, as of
September 5th, Jupiter will move into 29 Virgo - - Virgo’s last
degree and a moment when ‘all things (and qualities) Virgo’ become a natural
matter of focus, which with a Virgo solar eclipse barely in the rear view
mirror speaks to the possibility for deeds, for moments, for revelations
motivational and in some cases, fairly urgent.
Or at least urgent feeling.
September 7
Centaur Pholus going direct at 24 Sagittarius says a number
of things - as does asteroid Lilith’s going direct at 17 Capricorn.
As a general concept, the asteroid form of Lilith having
mass (as opposed to Black Moon Lilith, which is a calculated point) - - that
mass lets us know Lilith-the-asteroid refers to something about, or in us - -
which Lilith being that about the Self we
want to ‘send away’ or deny, we ignore, bypass or reject, forgetting how we
cannot deny that which we (or others) actually are.
With Lilith going direct at 17 Capricorn (with Capricorn
being ruled by Saturn) whether we have done enough to put things in perspective
both for our selves, and possibly for others plays some big part in how things
‘take a turn’ or ‘turn out.’ Denials of responsibility, participation,
knowledge, appreciation, culpability or anything else are possible here - - as
are claims of incapacity (I can’t do more), inability (I can’t do it), or standard-issue
‘I didn’t do it.’ Where denials are honest, a price is still likely to be paid
if (or where) we ‘withdraw,’ without making ‘a best effort.’ Yet even more than
that, with Pholus going direct at 24 Sagittarius on the same date Lilith turns
to direct motion there would seem to be a suggestion of a time when past
choices and ‘premature exits’ turn out to produce some sort of ancillary (and
possibly consequential) loss of opportunity or viability of some personal or
reputational type.
A study for the painting 'Lady Lilith' done in 1866 by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (colorized)
.
In going direct on September 7th, Pholus and
Lilith speak to forces in life which may have us wanting to ‘step away’ from
others or something we are either involved with, or which we are being asked to
commit ourselves to. This fits perfectly with the idea of Mercury retrograde,
so anything we are working on in our mind or ‘behind the scenes’ may benefit
here. With Jupiter just about to abandon Virgo for Libra’s more public zone on
the 9th (while Virgo-ruling Mercury is in retrograde) this station
and its associated ‘allowance,’ much which has been worked on is now playing
out, revealing a bevy of pluses and minuses in the process - - while opening
the door to further notions and opportunities yet to come.
As we say that, we should however, also think of the idea of
‘pushing’ or pressing one’s case - - as that may also happen now. Any planet
passing through 29 degrees (the last degree) of any zodiac sign represents a
moment when the issues of that sign - - in this case, Virgo - - reach a
‘critical point’ of effort, striving and understanding.
We all want the advances and advantages. Will we, however,
be as willing to embrace and own the errors, lingering negatives and admissions
(most of all to our Self about who that Self is) which goes along with whatever
we have (or) have not done?
September 9
As Jupiter enters Libra at 11:19 in the morning (UT/+0 time)
on September 9th, it officially ends just under six years (the years
of Jupiter in Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Virgo) during which the
metaphysical Jupiter emphasis has been focused on internal rather than external
growth. In other words, though during the past six years we may all have been
acting, interacting, succeeding and losing in (and at) all sorts of worldly
things, the greater metaphysical purpose
of all that would have been learning about
who we are and all of our abilities, capacities, beliefs - - not just so we
would know our Self better, but because theoretically those attributes were
being brought ‘on line’ in our life and made active so that we might use them
to learn more, experience more and therefore multiply our growth and capacity
to give, produce, share, interact, provide, discern and recognize falsehoods.
Jupiter enters Libra (glyph chart)
September 9, 2016 - 11:19 a.m. UT/+0 - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
.
Jupiter enters Libra (text chart)
September 9, 2016 - 11:19 a.m. UT/+0 - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
.
So now that Jupiter is in the zodiac’s ‘worldly and public’
signs (Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces), does this
mean we don’t grow personally? No. We have an opportunity to learn about our
Self and life wherever Jupiter is. But where Jupiter’s transit of the first six
signs has us focusing on what things happening ‘in life’ mean to us and who we are or aren’t in the world
and why that is, during Jupiter’s
transit of the zodiac’s worldly and public signs we tend to learn more what we
need life - - and the world - - to be, thus drawing us to work on that world or
life with all those abilities and smarts we’ve been building up (or improving
on) over the past just-shy-of six years.
Part of Jupiter’s function being to draw us into things so
that we will learn and will ‘expand’ our scope of consideration and personal
abilities, Jupiter moving into Libra also means the period of September 9, 2016
through October 10, 2017 is a time when there will be a lot to be learned
through relationships, about relationships, about our capacity to relate to
things, people and ideas, and how in the end, relationships are far more about
us than they are about ‘the other’ if only because it is our life (and the metaphysical needs of that life) which draws us
into relationships with others, just as it is some metaphysical need in their
life which causes them to be in relationship with us.
This isn’t necessarily about being ‘equals’ or “alike” – at
least not at least at any level we usually tend to perceive - - as what Libra
‘attracts’ are what we might think of as ‘pieces which fit together,’ whether
that’s a teacher and student, a lawyer and client, a married couple, business partners
or members of a band or theatrical troupe, the members of which have not only
been drawn to ‘complete’ and ‘balance out’ the capacity of the ‘whole,’ but
which as that whole will also create
a Libra dynamic by producing a performance
which attracts its ‘like attracts like’ Libra audience.
So during the year ahead, we can all expect to be
interacting more than we have been of late - - or at least we are going to be
becoming more aware of what our relationships and how the manner of approach
and presentation (personal or otherwise) affects others, to the positive or
otherwise. Interactions are not just a Libra concept either, but a main concept
and theme behind the first three of the zodiac’s six worldly and public signs
(Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius), with air sign Libra being the sign where ‘the
idea of the thing’ and the opportunity to be/become more consciously aware of
how the nature and manner of our choices prompts the actions and reactions we
get from others.
And as we interact and ‘broaden’ our Libra experience, we
will inevitably learn more about what we like and don’t like - - plus what
others like and don’t like about us, all of which illustrates how Libra functions
not just as the sign of ‘thou,’ but as the polarity to Aries, sign of Self.
That said, with Jupiter entering Libra unaspected by any of
the ‘standard’ planets tells us things may ‘get out of hand’ now - - and to
some extent, throughout the coming Jovian year. With Arachne and Sappho just
behind at 28 Virgo, some fairly ‘universal’ quality of being ‘stuck in’ or
‘stuck with’ situations which either don’t resolve or ‘won’t go away’ are
likely. And with Jupiter entering Libra in an out-of-sign trine to Sedna (aka
Sedna-Algol-Capulus), there is every chance that it is our refusal to
relinquish some idea, some internally idealized measure of how life ‘should be’
and/or ‘should feel’ which is currently, and will continue to get in the way
across the board, ‘enlarging’ any gap (of understanding, agreement capacity or
anything else) to the extent that we deny we, or that vision we want so dearly
to hold onto, are wrong - - or perhaps actually ‘at fault’ in one way or
another.
Jupiter Weighing the Fate of Man
by Nicolai Abraham Abilgaard (oil on canvas, 1793, housed at the Ribe Kunstmuseum)
.
That the ruler of Libra, Venus, is at 12 Libra as Jupiter
makes this ingress and in a semi-sextile (and inconjunct) to the nodes in Virgo
and Pisces speaks to things we each need to do which we come into this time
having difficulties with. Objections to such measures and/or efforts will tend
to be about the required effort, needed resources, or other ‘obligations’ which
we will tend to use as a ‘justification’ (read: excuse) for not looking at
and/or seeing whatever our errors are. With this Venus also in square to Pluto
(aka Pluto + Vega + Lilith), things, structures and justifications are wearing
thin and many a matter will show ‘stress cracks’ pointing to over-estimations of
ability and a desire to ‘dictate’ or ‘design’ what gets said and thought about
things, with efforts to project the desired ‘effect’ only growing more intense
if, when and where external facts reveal flaws in our methods or thinking.
One other comment on Jupiter’s shift into Libra, that being
about how once Jupiter is in Libra that makes Virgo the derivative 12th
sign (or 12th harmonic) to Jupiter’s position, indicating something
of a symbolic ‘energy eddy’ quite capable of further destabilizing (or)
bringing to a head things which though challenged by the recent Virgo solar
eclipse, didn’t get fully exposed, understood, brought out or faced - - at
least not in terms of the full list of details and consequences. Being
obviously not always in zodiacal position to be leaving the sign of an eclipse
in that eclipse’s wake, Jupiter’s shift here is a somewhat special thing which,
depending on our individual chart may be felt during these days as a ‘bump in
the road’ … or something akin to life ‘pulling the rug out from under’ us (or) or
something we are doing, observing or involved in/tied to.
We all will gain in some way from this experience, and some
may find themselves ‘freed’ of some feeling, obligation or false impression as
Jupiter’s shift occurs, even though the benefits of same may (as yet) not be in
obvious evidence, particularly while Mercury remains in retrograde. Given how
there is a super-massive black hole (M87) just inside the Libra doorway at 1
Libra, ‘alternatives’ or some ‘alternative perspective’ may have begun
formulating out of the unexpected cosmic mists as far back as the latter part
of August (when by reaching 26 Virgo on August 21st Jupiter came
within orb of aspect of said black hole.
Not to put too fine a point on it, this would have marked
the onset of a ‘buildup’ of energies which are one part Jupiter expansiveness
(which sometimes speaks to ‘going too far’) in a sign (Virgo) which doesn’t
tend to our easiest of times, an one part black hole M87, which like all black
holes represents a sudden ‘fluctuation’ or ‘flexing’ of circumstance,
perception and/or realities.
Messier 87 (M87) as photographed by NASA and Caltech
.
And all of that, by being just inside the Libra doorway at 1
Libra speaks on one hand to our
relationship with Self, and on the other to our relationship with others
- - which is the classic Libra embodiment.
Given Jupiter’s reputation for being far more ‘friendly’ (to
our aims) in Libra as opposed to Virgo, this shift will also end just about a
year of ‘lack of comfort’ which began back in August, 2015 - - and that alone
may indicate feelings like weights being lifted off our shoulders, for reasons
which stem from wherever early Libra - - and Jupiter - - natally fall in our
chart.
Recognitions are welcome now - - going overboard however,
may not play out as we now think in the long run – and not just because of
Jupiter being in orb of M87 until October 7th, either.
No, there’s something else in the works – and that
‘something else’ is called Saturn square Neptune.
September 10
Having gone direct last month in square to Neptune, Saturn
perfects that square (and then moves on) as of 13:11 (1:11 p.m.) UT/+0 time on
September 10th. Often a signature of addiction - - whether to an idea, a
substance, a habit, a lifestyle or anything else, Saturn squaring Neptune from
10 Sagittarius in particular poses questions about what abilities we really
have, and whether they are real and effective … or possibly something we are
just so ‘addicted’ to we can’t bear to give them up. Manners, mannerisms and
our regard for, as well as our ability to deal with (and/or) communicate is
highlighted here, with any tendency we have to fool ourselves being as likely
to work against as for us, leaving us unsure as to whether things are going
‘our way’ or not in odd moments (and) for reasons we are unlikely to pinpoint
in advance.
Saturn represents reality, in all its’ most finite and
durable senses. And Neptune? Neptune represents all which can never be
quantified and everything we don’t know, and therefore have to trust - - which
leads either to all having faith or being afraid, however that surfaces in
life. Never a graceful pairing under any circumstance, the square between
Saturn and Neptune represents an increase in the number of (and) consequential
nature of challenges we will face which require us to weigh reality against
ideals and beliefs, seeing which is viable and which is merely an allure,
preference or hope without falling
prey to the desire to believe that which in fact is an ideal can actually be,
become, or avoid becoming a fact.
Saturn’s current transiting square to Neptune came into
force (this time around) back in mid-April, about the time Mars went retrograde
on the 17th, which suggests some things which may be coming around
(again) about now first arose as challenges to our conceptualization(s) as to
‘how things work’ back then. How long will it last? Saturn will continue being
in orb of square to Neptune through November 7th - - which if you
recall, means Saturn square Neptune effects will end two days before Saturn’s
square to the Lunar Nodes also ends (on the 9th), with the U.S.
presidential election sandwiched right between.
Neptune by Werner van den Valckert (1619)
.
Does any of that (or all of that) say anything about the presidential election? That
the end of these lingering transits is so
exact when it comes to the presidential election does tend to say Saturn’s
square to Neptune and (separately) to the lunar nodes is a ‘prime feature’ of
this year’s elections, which means the campaigns (in case you haven’t noticed)
are likely to be contentious, loaded with statements of fact which aren’t
exactly fact - - and how all sorts of people are going to want to believe what
they want to believe in spite of what facts may or may not actually be.
People tend to think of this transit as one about ‘weakness’
or vulnerabilities, which it may be in terms of preoccupation, but Saturn square
Neptune does not speak to ‘weakness’ as in any incapacity to act. Far from it -
- Saturn square Neptune often has us ‘acting’ or ‘choosing’ out of some
personally perceived necessity which makes us feel like we need to be or act
strong (or with strength) when nothing of the sort is necessarily true.
Ultimately, Saturn squaring Neptune describes a period when we are particularly
susceptible to the split or ‘gap’ between what we really, really want and what
our reality really is.
On one hand, this period will tend to inspire and get us to
move past previous limitations, even as it reveals some personal shortcomings,
particularly those which have us acting on (or from) a position of unmerited
bias which focuses on our Self. On another, with this transit occurring less
than a week in advance of a Lunar Eclipse at 24 Pisces, this transit is also
likely to coincide with situations and dynamics (particularly those which have
an effect on how we feel about things) which ‘stir’ us to act (or) which ‘stir’
us or our feelings, for any of a plethora of reasons.
September 15
With Photographica going retrograde at 15 Taurus here at
mid-month, the ‘look‘ of some things (or) how we tend to ‘see’ them, or our
reaction to seeing them is likely to
‘take a turn.’ Or, given Mercury in retrograde, we may change our mind about
liking (or not liking) something/someone, causing us to alter our approach,
attitude or aim. For some, this will be a simple matter of needing to ‘turn’
our attention to something else, with no harm, no foul and no effect other than
that which goes with a simple change of focus. Yet for others among us, having
Photographica go retrograde speaks to a ‘change of heart’ about something or
someone, whether that’s merely a matter of changing our mind about what we want
to have for dinner - - or whether we like, believe, love or trust someone,
something, or even what we are doing with our life.
And because Photographica is going retrograde in one of the
zodiac’s four ‘cross-quarter’ points, such ‘changes of mind’ - - should they
happen, or even should they come up for consideration - - we also know that this moment could have
a lasting effect on any of us and our attitude about ‘what things’ (or people)
‘look like’ on the whole.
The zodiac's four cross-quarter points
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As a reference, the zodiac’s four cross-quarter points refer
to points in time and personal development where what we have been learning
either turns into application (or the need to apply what we have been learning)
either directly, through decisions and choices we make going forward based on
what we’ve learned, or in terms of moving from a position of ‘following’ or
‘being the student’ into a more pro-active or self-motivated mode of
development, activity or assessment. And in being in Taurus, this cross-quarter
point (the first one) taps into our instincts and instinctive reactions,
whether those instincts are right or wrong and whether it seems right or wrong
that feelings (anyone’s feelings) may be getting involved.
Known as a degree which tests our capacity to convey intent
through means other than the spoken (or written) word, the general 15 Taurus question
is one which asks ‘do you know what you know?’, prompting moments when we come
into conflict with our Self and/or how we feel about that Self in light of what we are now being shown
we do not yet know or have not yet experienced.
Essentially 15 Taurus is therefore not about what we can do
or not do, but whether we are sufficiently ‘matured’ in our thinking. So what
do things ‘look’ like? And what are we likely to ‘look like’ (in our own regard
or that of others) depending on what we do, or don’t do?
Our feelings may well be worth getting emotional about now.
Then again, with Photographica going retrograde a day prior to the September 16th
Pisces lunar eclipse, we may well be reacting to something very real - - or that
we are coming to realize, in spite of all.
September 16
Having asteroid Chaldaea go retrograde at 16 Taurus - - one
degree beyond the 15 Taurus cross-quarter point we were just talking about - -
on the same date that we experience a Lunar Eclipse at 24 Pisces may well
suggest that we are ‘stopping and turning around’ (or retreating from)
something, someone, some situation or stance now, though why we would be doing
that is entirely individual. The degree of Chaldaea’s station Is said to
promote the sort of situation which challenges determination(s) of every type,
helping to discern between that which is real and/or worthwhile and everything
else - - which when we add Chaldaea to the mix may mean we need to ‘take a step
back’ - - or which may mean things are now supporting a preference for (or)
calling on a need to ‘fall back’ on something/someone which is reliable in
terms of capacity, stability or worth.
As for the Lunar Eclipse, the eclipse which occurs at 19:06
(or 7:06 p.m., UT/+0 time) will, like all lunar eclipses, set us up for an
emotional moment - - or even an emotional few days, with the relative strength
and/or weakness of what is felt having a good deal to do with whether this
eclipse (or any astrological event) at 24 Pisces aspects our chart.
.
So, what do we know about this lunar eclipse? We of course
know its’ position, which at 24 Pisces speaks to things we may well already be
involved or invested in (as opposed to totally ‘new’ subjects which arise in
the moment) which we are learning about, coming to understand the ramifications
of - - or which we are coming to see in a different light.
As for 24 Pisces in particular, typified by the Sabian
symbol ‘A religious organization succeeds
in overcoming the corrupting influence of perverted practices and materialized
ideals’ this is a degree known for an association with ‘intimacies’ and
secrets of every kind. More specifically, 24 Pisces has something of a
reputation for causing us to be (or get) ‘exposed’ to whatever will trigger
some sort of ‘avalanche’ of emotionality or recognition (which we might well
get emotional about), with the eventual karmic or metaphysical aim being an initial
release of internalized pressure (whether that refers to internal emotional
pressure or ‘being pressured’ by someone or something) which leads to a release of toxicity, whether
that refers to toxic circumstances, allegiances, beliefs, feelings, convictions,
obligations or stances.
What else do we know? Well, on the Moon’s (Pisces) side of
this equation we have Moon in conjunction with Chiron (in retrograde) at 22
Pisces, a degree which has a peculiar reputation for causing reputation
problems, particularly as that concerns personal and intimate relations and/or
relationships (meaning either the act of relating
or the nature of the relationship itself). That which is at stake here seems to
be the nature (or) quality of whatever we have placed our faith in, with
incidences of ‘defending the indefensible’ being not uncommon where 24 Pisces
is concerned. Having Chiron appears in this degree suggests that there is an
element of falsehood or perhaps some form of ‘false valuation’ involved in
whatever arises now, with the Chirotic problem being a.) how we are unfamiliar
with ‘what to do about it’ … and, b.) we really don’t want to have to tackle learning ‘on-the-fly’ (or) as we go along.
Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) at 24 Pisces (glyph chart)
September 16, 2016 - 19:06 (7:06 p.m.) UT/+0 - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) at 24 Pisces (text chart)
September 16, 2016 - 19:06 (7:06 p.m.) UT/+0 - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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Is that reluctance the indefensible issue? Possibly, though
with the Moon (not Chiron) also conjunct fixed star Scheat, rejection on some
larger or possibly even ‘mass’ scale is likely to be involved - - at least as a
consideration.
On the other side of the lunar eclipse, the Sun at 24 Virgo
in conjunction with Pandora speaks to some quality of ‘hope’ being held onto -
- or which needs to be held onto - - which with the Sun in trine to Sedna (aka
Sedna + Algol) speaks to some sort of high energy emotionalism or emotional
reaction which is part of some overall ‘picture.’
Not in direct aspect to the eclipse but certainly of
interest in the whole of the eclipse picture, having Jupiter at 1 Virgo (the
heart of black hole M87) says a lot about alternatives and consequences, be
they ours or those being felt or experienced by someone else. With Sappho and
Arachne conjunct this Sun, that may indicate some situation where ‘many’ (or
‘everyone’) is facing such a problem - - or it may be that ‘many’ or ‘everyone’
is facing what has to be done about
some situation.
Whatever it is, with Mars at 22 Sagittarius and therefore in
position to create a lunar eclipse t-square, things are likely to be far from
quiet.
.
The degree 22 Sagittarius has a polarizing effect - - which
when added to the naturally polarizing quality of the lunar eclipse says things
may get ‘driven to extremes’ or reach some point where they can no longer be
ignored, which apart from everything else, given current events may say
something very interesting with regards to the U.S. presidential election as 22
Sagittarius is exactly in opposition to Donald Trump’s Sun at 22 Gemini.
That aside, the degree - - apart from anything which may be
positioned in this degree - - is known for high energy and the kind of
conviction which leads to revolutionary actions, insights and choices. Given
that, and given Jupiter’s rulership of Sagittarius, should we think in terms of
some ‘alternative’ to such attitudes? Or does the high energy native to 22
Sagittarius refer to energy being exerted in order to create or ‘find’ some
alternative?
And complicating this more than a little bit is how Mars is
not alone at 22 Sagittarius, but rather how Mars, a symbol of energy,
assertion, motivation and action is involved in a ‘degree of closeness’ with Plutino
Ixion and fixed star Ras Alhague, both of which are also going to be lollygagging about at 22 Sagittarius come the
moment of the eclipse.
And that pair - -
with or without Mars - - ain’t just whistling Dixie. Wherever we see Ixion, we
know there is some ‘habitual sense of entitlement’ which is going to be in
play. Someone somewhere is thinking they ‘don’t have to’ because they can get
away with something, and with Ixion the basic question is whether this will be
the moment when they get ‘burned’ by the very arrogance of their very mortal if
entirely unacceptable choice.
To all of this we then add the concept of Ras Alhague, a
fixed star which speaks of the capacity to ‘heal (or) harm,’ which in
Sagittarius begins with questions about whether what we are saying is true,
legal, viable, responsible, workable, ethical, far-seeing enough, humane,
productive, educational, appropriate to the moment and beyond all that, popular
or not.
The way t-squares work, whatever is at the ‘t’ (in this
case, Mars + Ixion + Ras Alhague) represents something in our way, with the
t-square tending to say that our solution lies in seeing the problem from a far
more ‘universal’ and less personal point of view. The principle of the thing, rather than the details of the thing (or how it is affecting us individually) is
generally what is at stake - - which means our answers like in those solutions
which take on the principle behind
the problem and not just ‘who is doing what’ or who is ending up where in what
condition as a matter of consequence. Moreover, because t-squares work in a
direction dictated by zodiac order (the order of the signs), this t-square starts at the Sun’s end of the eclipse,
making Moon + Chiron the ‘goal’ we are wanting to reach.
Does this mean we are working very hard in the hopes of
being able to (Moon + Scheat) deny something? Are we ‘going into battle’ with others
or some set of facts, or are we fighting with our Self about the truth of who
we are (or) the validity of what we think (or want to think) is true?
As a combination, Ixion-Mars unfortunately tells us that we
are likely to insist on something, someone or some method until we more or less
‘kill’ any hope of success, however the end of that tales comes about - - and
lest anyone jump to their feet twirling their villain’s mustache shouting
‘AHA!’ in a fit of evil glee, in being a Plutino Ixion always gets us, is always about
us, and the more we try to project its effects onto others (or assign
‘error’ to the other side), the more likely it is that the error is ours … and
that if we pursue that which we believe we are ‘entitled’ to do (have, say,
etcetera…) we are going to end up paying for it.
That said, there is so much of a personal intent nature
here, with heaping helpings of conscious (or unconscious) emotional demands as
to make not falling afoul of some sort of overly self-concerned (ego-oriented)
perspective about now a bit difficult, as in this moment the mere notion of ‘because
I can, I should’ or ‘because I can, it is perfectly all right’ or any other
form of ‘ability equaling permission’ is exactly what we’re likely to go for
while also being exactly the thing
which is likely to cause further complications either immediately or in rather
short order.
Like all lunar eclipses, the ‘direct’ effects of this
eclipse will tend to ‘hit in the moment’ and after a relatively short time,
taper off. Unlike the effects of a solar eclipse, the ‘evolution’ of which will
continue for a full three years (with a ‘twist’ coming at about 2.5 years into
the process), lunar eclipses tend to become part of our ‘history’ within the
space of about three months. This does not
(by any means!) mean feelings associated with the eclipse will be forgotten,
or that events which may occur now may not be something we learn a big lesson
from. Such ‘highlighted moments’ may even be part of a greater process, as we
might see if a marriage is proposed (and accepted) at a lunar eclipse. Soon all
the details of the wedding and the life yet to come will take precedence over
the moment of the proposal, though that moment itself will never be forgotten.
September 18
Venus conjuncting fixed stars Spica and Arcturus is not a
major event. But as Spica is said to have a creative, ‘Venus-Mars’ sort of
flavor, having Venus basically ‘double-up’ on this Venusian vibe as planet
passes both on September 18th speaks to moments when we either will
… or may be given an opportunity to ‘make gains,’ whatever that may mean to us
in the moment.
Generally thought of as a positive influence, some people do
seem to have problems with Spica. This tends to happens when this star is
natally placed close to (within a couple of degrees of) any of the four axis
points of the chart - - the Ascendant, IC, Descendant or Midheaven - - or when
Spica is in a natal conjunction with Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune or Pluto.
The Moon, Mars, Venus Spica in a night sky over the city of Nashville
(photo credit: Goddard Space Flight Center)
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Arcturus differs from Spica in that it is said to have more
of a Jupiter-Mars quality, an expansive and pro-active combination which
functions well when and where there is an opportunity to excel and ‘take the lead’
or be/become a leader in some field of endeavor, whether that means we rise to
some position of responsibility for and leadership of others, or whether we
‘take the lead’ in our own life.
Combined - - as these stars tend to be because of degree
position (it’s hard to aspect one and not the other), by placement Spica +
Arcturus work as indicators of our ‘how’ we lead (style of leadership) and
where in life we tend to take charge (or specifically not take charge).
Positioned in late Libra, Venus’ passing over these stars is an opportunity to
be rewarded or do something rewarding, but by itself not likely to indicate
anything remarkable.
Remarkable on its own or not however, being how this
Venus-Spica moment also a mere four days shy of Mercury going retrograde in
Virgo, there is some chance that things which are put forward or started now
may end up being delayed - - or possibly set aside because of something of
higher priority.
September 22
The Sun entering the sign of Libra being one of our planet’s
yearly equinox points, many have long thought of the Sun’s Libra ingress as a
moment of ‘balance’ - - when the more accurate way to see Sun in Libra may be
‘seeing if everything IS in balance,’ with an understanding that those things
which are not ‘in balance’ or ‘on the metaphysical level’ being that we will
learn about or through during the Sun’s next solar month.
Sun in Libra (glyph chart)
September 22, 2016 - 15:22 (3:22 p.m.) UT/+0 -- Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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Sun in Libra (text chart)
September 22, 2016 - 15:22 (3:22 p.m.) UT/+0 -- Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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Sun in Libra is a
time when whether we agree or disagree with others, it stirs a reflexive
reflection on Self. And that in turn may drive us to pay attention to how we
affect others and how they affect us - - even to the point that we become
involved in a (Libra and air sign) theoretical discussion (or debate) focused
on how things are being done as opposed to the purpose or need motivating the
doing. Or, considering how Sun in Libra is also a time when what we do gets
responded to in kind (even when such responses aren’t kind in and of
themselves) this month may bring us into closer alignment, to the triggering of
a dispute, to a ‘negotiation table’ … or to a decision to avoid something or
someone, thereby “divorcing” yourself from “that.”
And that “that”…? That could even be our Self.
But is this an ‘active’ trend - - or just something which
weaves in and of all else?
If Mercury (which has been in retrograde thus far all month)
- - if that Mercury was to stay in
retrograde, we might say we would be spending some significant amount of time
having to confront imbalances, at least
on a mental basis. However!! Lucky for us, as the Sun enters Libra at 14:22 (2:22
p.m., UT/+0) on September 22nd, Mercury will have already turned
direct (at 14 Virgo) as of 5:32 that morning.
That means we’re starting into our month of Sun in Libra
with Mercury in the sign behind the
Sun - - which particularly after Mercury’s retrograde suggests some form of
‘catching up’ with something (or someone), all of which may or may not have
anything to do with our personal priorities or individual focus. Beyond that, having
Mercury emerge from retrograde in the sign behind that which the Sun is in (technically known as having Mercury in
the derivative 12th sign to the Sun) … that also suggests a chance
for ‘sloppy,’ mistaken or unworkable methods, ideas, choices, stances and
statements resulting in problems (or which have resulted in problems) now
getting ‘cleaned up’ or otherwise mended.
Does this indicate yet another time when Mercury going
direct indicates something ‘finally’ coming together or becoming clear? And is
this what we are ‘turning around’ or otherwise getting ‘straightened out’? It
certainly could be. Then again, having the Sun cross an equinox point while in
the sign just in front of Mercury at the time of Mercury’s station-direct turn
(which would otherwise be known as the Sun being in the derivative 2nd
sign to Mercury’s station) places (and) indicates a value or sense of ‘worth’
coming from an awareness and consciousness of others - - both in the sense of
who and what they are in this life, and as pertains to what they mean to us
individually, whether that’s something cuddly and loving or something which has
taught us a difficult but valuable lesson.
Mercury Direct (glyph chart)
September 22, 2016 - 5:32 a.m. (UT/+0) - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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Mercury Direct (text chart)
September 22, 2016 - 5:32 a.m. (UT/+0) - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
. As for the degree of Mercury’s station - - 14 Virgo - - that suggests a moment of working on things as they are, rather than looking to create something new. ‘Fine points’ and other kinds of details matter here, though why they matter may well vary, with efforts being made to serve, service, comply with or provide explanations (or) “proofs” to others being just as suitable to the moment as anything we may doing for our own purposes.
Fairness matters now, both that which we ‘bring to the
table’ in the present and as a matter or reference to that which has been done
in the past. Libra being the sign of the scales, equality, balance, negotiation
and however we are ‘connected’ to others, honesty and the clarity of facts are
paramount, lest all come to nothing in the end. Under Sun in Libra, we all have
our aim(s) and we all have our priorities. Yet rich or poor, mighty or
vulnerable, we also must (inevitably) contend with the needs, goals and whatever
sense of Self is present (or) presented to us by others, as the premier Libra
tenet involves learning about our Self
through Others … which necessitates knowing and learning about them, (no
matter how much we may not want to).
As for specifics, the Sun is entering Libra with Jupiter
just ahead at 2 Libra, which may simply indicate many people (or) much to do
and say, an ‘enlargement‘ or ‘enlarging’ of something (or) some relationship
between parties, something being ‘blown out of proportion’ or the raising of a
substantial notion, issue or situation which needs attention. And let us not
forget that black hole M87 is sitting between the Sun and Jupiter 1 Libra, so
suggestions and alternatives ranging from the brilliant to the ridiculous are
also to be expected. With Mercury taking its station (at 14 Virgo) in
conjunction with the ‘should do’ North Node (at 12 Virgo), communications - -
in particular - - require or merit attention now, with the functional,
responsible, pragmatic and/or utilitarian taking’ precedence over that which is
fun or entertaining. With Neptune, asteroid Child and the South Node in a
Pisces opposition (Neptune is at 10 Pisces, Child is at 11 Pisces and the South
Node is at 12 Pisces) … though having fun is (South Node) easy, and though those
who are (Child) ‘offshoots’ or supportive of our aims (which can even refer to
a division or ‘offshoot’ of a company or organization), apart from asteroid
Child as the concept of ‘immaturity’ whether that refers to immaturity of the
emotional or physical (or any other) kind, with Neptune present we are likely
to not be seeing the whole picture (and) we are equally likely to be functioning
more from a mix of preference, emotionalism and ideals than we would like to
admit.
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With Neptune in opposition to Mercury at a moment when
Mercury is on station, that which is untrue or which ‘does not hold water’
gives way to necessity. Lies, whether of the moment or told prior to now need
to be faced, lest confusion or miscommunication disrupt support, leaving us
feeling like we’re on our own (whether we actually are or not) and in many
cases, creating some form of temporary ‘loss of control.’
Having the nodes involved also puts an emphasis on
relationships, our ability to relate (to others, things and situations)and the
notion of whether anyone is ‘relating’ to where anyone else is coming from in
terms of their positions, needs and efforts. So whatever we are going through
at the moment, it does not concern us alone, even if we are going through
something in isolation. Furthermore (and I’m sure you’re getting tired of my
saying this, but …) as has been true since last March, with Saturn squaring the
lunar nodes ALL of our relationships (and our willingness or capacity to have
or function within the parameters of those relationships) are going through
some testing times, some amount of re-evaluation and for most of us, some
measure of reorganization, pruning and reassessment.
Mercury by Peter Paul Rubens
(1636-1638, oil on canvas, Prado Museum)
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With Venus (ruler of Libra) in a peculiarly confining ‘in-sign’
semi-sextile to the Sun from 28 Libra at the moment of the Sun’s Libra ingress,
things may not be going entirely as any of us might want at the moment, though
if we are being fair, we will admit we had been counting on (or at least hoping
that) things would ‘be easy’ (or easier) by now - - which means things may not
be ‘bad,’ whether or not we’re fabulously enthralled by the prospect of having
to continue our efforts, work or personal perseverance.
All that aside, with Mercury’s station (at 14 Virgo) occurring
in a perfect trine to Pluto (at 14 Capricorn) speaks to a depth of effort or -
- for some, a trying or contentious sort of struggle. With what? Well, with
Pluto conjunct Vega (at 15 Capricorn) and asteroid Lilith (at 18 Capricorn)
there is every reason to think we are questioning why things which we think should work aren’t working, which with
Lilith is at 18 Capricorn is a reference to something we deny about our Self
(that’s the Lilith part) with 18 Capricorn defining some sort of ‘lie’ which is
itself a cover-up for cowardice or some form of irresponsible or stridently
angry disposition.
And all of this is
stirring up Plutonic energies but four days in advance of Pluto’s station - - a
station which, like all other things Pluto, are going to test our ability to
remain calm and to know the facts we
are standing for (or on) before we say a thing.
Sounds like fun, right?
September 23
As part of that developing Pluto station and perhaps adding
a bit of ‘spice’ to same (as if Pluto stations require spicing?) Venus will
exit Libra and enter Scorpio at 14:52 (2:52 p.m., UT/+0) on Friday the 23rd,
even as TNO Chaos is going retrograde at that presidential election-watcher
degree known as 22 Gemini.
(And for the record, Hillary Clinton’s Sun is at 2 Scorpio.)
Venus in Scorpio (glyph chart)
September 23, 2016 - 14:52 (2:52 p.m.) UT/+0 - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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Venus in Scorpio (text chart)
September 23, 2016 - 14:52 (2:52 p.m.) UT/+0 - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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In opposition to Taurus (one of Venus’s two signs of
rulership), Venus in Scorpio represents a period where we either are not
‘comfortable,’ or when we are faced with adapting to things which are not our
first choice or preference. Where Libra speaks to the fine and airy art of
negotiation, Scorpio speaks to the equally fine art of compromise - - that
being the emotional version of negotiating, and one which beyond all else tests
our ability to deal with conflict(s), whether within our Self (or) between
ourselves and others, which speaks to Scorpio as the sign of hurt feelings,
conflicts and war along with the rebuilding which inevitably results from
mankind not being able (read:
willing) to deal with conflict, choosing killing and death over compromise and
life, foolish as that may be.
Sex and conception are Scorpionic. So are war, death and
murder. It says a lot about this sign, and about the very old saying ‘just because you can does not mean you
should’ which is more or less its warning.
With all this duly mulled, Venus is entering Scorpio in
opposition to Ceres at 3 Taurus, a degree which supports Ceres’ ‘planning
energy’ with its capacity to think ‘long term’ in very practical and pragmatic
ways.
Does this mean we are having to decide between what we (Venus) want and
what we should do in terms of long-term success, profit or comfort? It may.
Might this mean that at this point we are learning or discovering how things could change - - and might we
be reacting or responding to that, either in ‘pro’ or ‘con’ mode? We could
indeed. Whatever we are meeting up with in this moment, it is likely to reveal
whatever ‘gaps’ or dichotomy exists in our mind, soul and gut, forcing us to
choose between our ‘want’ and whatever our ‘should’ quotient may be - - OR
finding a way to compromise (in our own mind) between those two things,
considering what we’re facing (which is always going to be individual).
Vénus Astarté by Emile Jean Baptiste Philippe (1894)
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In also making this Scorpio ingress in a trine to the Moon
in its home sign of Cancer, what we
are contending with is likely to be something basic, or which will become
‘basic to’ some effort or ‘cause’ yet to come.
As for TNO Chaos, in Chaos being a Cubewano (a Kuiper Belt
object the orbit of which is not controlled by any planet) it expresses a
certain degree of independence (or) ‘aloneness,’ whether that quality of being
‘alone’ speaks to uniqueness, exile, self-separation, a difference of
definition or isolation … a quality which is particularly interesting when we
consider Cubewano Chaos as a symbol of ‘endless fertility’ or ‘source’ from
which things ‘always’ come, or from which there is always a potential for
‘more’ of something, whether wanted, needed, or not particularly desired.
As for 22 Gemini, as one of Gemini’s third-decan degrees,
that which originates under the 22 Gemini vibe tends to apply broadly or in an
‘across the board’ manner, with success or failure often coming from whether
parameters are correctly (or aptly) chosen, designed or otherwise planned.
Known also for a very Gemini-like ‘very good, very nice’ versus ‘very bad, very
nasty’ duality, having Chaos going retrograde in 22 Gemini may well produce a
higher rate of suggestions (which may be good or bad, depending) and many an
idea or suggestion, some of which may be pure gold, and some of which will
probably qualify as manure.
In combination with Venus’ entering Scorpio, this suggests
moments in which something we thought would be good turns out badly (and)
moments when, in need of ideas, we get presented with what we have asked for,
only to find out they aren’t what we want, or that usage of same requires
changes we either had not anticipated, or are not particularly inclined to
make.
Would this be (in its own right) … or be feeding into matters about to ‘take a turn’ or
be ‘transformed’ as Pluto goes direct on the 26th, or is this
totally separate?
Hmmm….. that is worth pondering.
September 26
Any day which starts off with the Sun conjuncting Jupiter at
6:19 in the morning is, pretty much by definition, a ‘big’ day. And though
obviously the Sun won’t be doing this Jovian act at 6:19 in the morning for
everyone (that’s a UT/+0 time, so adjust to your own time zone), this
Sun-Jupiter effect speaks to an ‘enlarging’ of things and a definite chance of
expansiveness - - along with the possibility of going ‘overboard’ in some way
during the 24-hour period surrounding this transiting conjunction.
Probably far more of interest however, is the idea that as
of three o’clock in the afternoon (UT/+0), Pluto is going direct at 14
Capricorn.
Pluto Direct (glyph chart)
September 26, 2016 - 15:00 (3:00 p.m.) UT/+0 - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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Pluto Direct (text chart)
September 26, 2016 - 15:00 (3:00 p.m.) UT/+0 - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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The degree being cited here, 14 Capricorn, has a reputation
for a capacity to confront that which is incorrect, not working, unstructured
or which is not working well, with its Sabian symbol “In a hospital, the children’s ward is filled with toys” speaking
not just to societal ‘ills’ and ‘injuries,’ but the responsibility society has
to help the innocent and vulnerable, to care for the vulnerable and innocent,
and to whatever efforts need to be made to create situations which make
enduring those ‘ills and/or injuries’ is a little bit easier (read: bearable)
while also (hopefully) supporting the innate creativity and future potential of
such people (whatever their age, as the metaphysical term ‘children’ is one of
quality, not of age) - - or even the flora and fauna of this world.
With Pluto taking station in this degree, the ideal would be
a ‘transforming of’ dark, difficult or even dangerous circumstances (or things
which pose a danger of making things ‘dark’ or ‘difficult’) through a measured
(read: neither emotional nor emotion-driven) response.
But let’s face it, Pluto isn’t always known for
well-planned, carefully thought through, measured sorts of responses. It just
isn’t. Namesake for the entire Plutino class of astronomical objects (which includes
such illustrious members as Ixion, Huya and Orcus) Pluto exemplifies the
Neptunian ‘tug’ on our individual emotional status and all forms of societal
emotionalism (individual and en masse)
by representing everything which we become obsessed with, everything we try to
persuade others (and importantly, our Self) of, and every form of desire,
insecurity, longing and fear which can, by driving us into an emotional state,
cause us to not think clearly or not work through our challenges sensibly
and (oh, by the way) successfully.
One wonders if anyone of the U.S. political ilk is caring
about this too, as the date of Pluto’s station is also the date of the first
scheduled presidential debate, an event where one’s ability (or inability) to think clearly, choose calmly and thus be (or) become effective (in truly Plutonic style) is very much ‘on display.’
And no doubt of concern to the candidates and their supporters, but that would be their personal chart issues being (or not being) set off here.
And no doubt of concern to the candidates and their supporters, but that would be their personal chart issues being (or not being) set off here.
In going direct in conjunction with Vega, Pluto speaks to
the changing tone of societies around the world - - and our changing view of that world in which we live as we and the world continue to evolve rather 'nakedly' before our eyes. Associated with the idea of
appeal and charisma (which is hardly limited to politics or political campaigns), having had Pluto and Vega playing astrological footsy with
Vega over the past couple of years during difficult and less-than-charitable
(or mannerly) times, though not much fun, is also apt. With Vega currently at
15 Capricorn, there is a systemic and world-wide challenge to the idea of being
“supportive” being described here, with 15 Capricorn specifically points to two
things: a lack of dedication and qualities
of ‘softness’ which prompt a lack of respect. Questions of manipulation and
martyrdom may arise in connection with this degree, as does a need for the kind
of skill which is typically gained through doing something many times
(experience).
Does Pluto going direct in conjunction to Vega at 15
Capricorn indicate a change of attitude? An accepting or rejecting of some
standard or idea of how things should - - or can be done? It may. Then again,
with Pluto going direct not just in conjunction with Vega, but also with
asteroid Lilith (at 18 Capricorn) and Niobe at 11 Capricorn, questions of pride
and what is or isn’t true (or true about us in particular) are also likely to
be topics of current discussion or thought.
In going direct at 14 Capricorn, you may have noticed Pluto
is also going direct in a perfect trine to Mercury’s station back on the 22nd.
Does this tie the two events together? It may, though the trine between the positions
of these two stations may also simply indicate the days between the 22nd
and 26th as being particularly critical to efforts and matters of
the moment - - which could be good to know in case you get into something now
which seems like it’s going to ‘go on forever.’ (Isn’t it nice knowing you can
use astrology to see when that ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ is going to
appear? That’s one of my favorite uses for astrology!)
With Mercury now at 16 Virgo and conjunct the North Node,
Pluto is trining both at this station, indicating a change of parameters,
priorities, responsibilities and/or methods is under consideration, in progress
or coming to pass. And given Mercury’s conjunction with the North Node, the
question of having a ‘plan,’ sufficient or correct ‘instructions’ or some sense
of how things work (or how they should be done) and what happens now depends
greatly on whether our basis for operation is moral, sound, responsible,
workable and whether it takes the ‘whole of the need’ (which may differ from
what we want to deal with) into
account.
That last bit is important - - a lot of us are going to stub
our toes (or worse) on the fact that we have only been dealing with the things we want to deal with, as
opposed to the whole of the problem, responsibility or ‘assignment.’ Plus that
when Pluto trines the North Node it also automatically sextiles the South Node
speaks to a chance to change our ways - - and in this case, possibly ‘ways’
which we have grown accustomed to which have become ‘habit’ over time, whether
they fit us or not. That the South Node at 12 Pisces is conjunct fixed star
Achernar (at 15 Pisces) and Euphrosyne + Charybdis (at 16 Pisces) also suggests
this as a time when some sort of ‘outpouring’ may be stilled - - or when a
‘mask’ (or something which ‘masks’ some truth) falls away as the underpinnings
of some part of our ‘status quo’ begins to change.
Pluto’s station is also in sextile to a bubbling
astrological coffee klatch in the middle degrees of Scorpio. That said klatch
includes Juno at 16 Scorpio, Black Moon Lilith (at 14 Scorpio) plus Nemesis and
Deucalion (both at 15 Scorpio) speaks to a lot of existing resistance to
certain aims which we now have an opportunity
to change or affect, though the nature of the outcome is going to be
individual, depending on where all these objects fall both natally and by
transit in your individual chart.
Last (but certainly not least) by virtue of the Moon being
at 13 Leo as Pluto goes direct, that Moon is in an inconjunct (or quincunx) to Pluto, indicating a need for - - and
a sincere chance of adjustments coming about now, regardless of what we (or
others) want.
Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto by Caravaggio (c. 1597-1600)
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So how does this work? Thirteen Leo indicates a good deal of
‘digging in’ and refusing to budge, change or listen, which when funneled
through the Moon may well speak to the Niobe ‘pride’ we may be showing now, or
our (asteroid Lilith) determination not to admit or accept we are responsible
for things because to do so would
distract us from some personal purpose we have which is bent on gaining
something we either want for our Self, or that we want to be accepted for (or
as) by others.
Put simply, none of that stands a chance where an inconjunct
from Pluto is involved. We will change
(or be changed) now - - and the more closely Pluto (or any of its aspects)
affects our individual chart, the more ‘energy potential’ there is going to be for change in our personal life. Those
of us whose charts are not being
aspected directly will ‘feel’ and hear about changes going on in the world
around them - - and they too will (over time) evolve.
But right now? Especially with Mars sitting at 29
Sagittarius (a sign of things being ‘pushed’ if there ever was one) we can
expect a few people to shoot their mouths off - - and a few surprises as well.
With Mars having just passed Lachesis (the Greek Fate who measures the ‘length’
or ‘duration’ of things) it’s likely some note of urgency or desire to hurry
influences things now, with Mars’ position in an out-of-sign square to
Sun/Jupiter (both at 3 Libra) suggesting an overshooting of one’s ‘mark’ or
simple haste being the cause of many a mortal mistake.
In going direct on September 26th, Pluto’s
station ‘colors’ our decisions and life’s offerings. Inherently connected with
every form of that which is ‘mysterious,’ things and events which happen around
the time of a Pluto station speak to growth yet to come, the ‘purification’ of
what we are (or) have been dealing with and every form of ‘taking the trash
out’ or removing that which is disruptive, dangerous, toxic or a ‘drain,’
whether such effects are visible or not. Any planet at 29 degrees of any sign
indicates an effort and real feeling of conviction about our ability or need to
achieve something, whether that ‘something’ is some desired goal or the kind of
understanding which supports our
achieving our aims.
So to have Mars at 29 Sagittarius as Pluto goes on station …
is that a sign of things working out - - or coming apart?
Whatever happens now, remember that wherever Pluto is, while
feelings and considerations of feelings is proper and often useful, emotionalism itself is frequently
problematic - - as is the idea of making decisions based on feelings, hunches,
yearnings and desires, as opposed to facts.
September 27
Being that there are thirty (30) degrees in any given sign
(with each sign starting at zero), and if, as of September 26th,
Mars was at 29 Sagittarius, it’s just not surprising to think that as of
September 27th (at 8:08 in the morning, UT/+0 time), Mars would be entering
Capricorn.
Said to be strengthened merely by being in Capricorn
(‘exalted’ is the astrological term) the just-shy-of-six-weeks of Mars in
Capricorn (which ends November 9th) is a time when determination and
determinations (verdicts, some of
them) are to be an expected and necessary part of life. What causes those needs
(or the need for determination) will differ with each of us, and it should be
said straight away that the nature of Mars in Capricorn strength is far more
considered than demonstrative.
Mars in Capricorn isn’t particularly ‘showy,’ in other
words. This is not a time, in other words, for a ‘scattering’ of energies of
efforts, but one when life asks us to prove (at least to our Self) that we are
capable of getting something done. Why that may be is individual, of course.
However, being how we are not yet out of ‘solar eclipse month’ (the lunation
begun by the September 1st solar eclipse does not end until October 1st),
Mars moving into Capricorn does signal some degree of calming of particularly
‘choppy’ waters. This does not necessarily mean problems are getting solved,
but Mars in Capricorn is known for a less fractious and excitable levels of
energy with less of the ‘hair trigger’ effect.
What gets done now, in other words, is generally intended -
- more likely to be meticulously planned and less likely to be of an off-the-cuff,
spur-of-the-moment or spontaneous nature.
Mars in Capricorn (glyph chart)
September 27, 2016 - 8:08 a.m. (UT/+0) - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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Mars in Capricorn (text chart)
September 27, 2016 - 8:08 a.m. (UT/+0) - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)
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As for aspects to this Mars ingress, there are two of them.
The first is Mars trining Ceres (aka Mirach, Ceres, Tisiphone + Byblis) in
early Taurus (Ceres is retrograde at 3 Taurus) … and the second is
Sun-conjunct-Jupiter in Libra, with the Sun now at 4 Libra and Jupiter still at
3 Libra - - which if you know your aspects means Ceres (in Taurus) is
inconjuncting Jupiter and the Sun in Libra, speaking to an adjustment in plans with,
or in regards to others (plus) what we (personally) need to do in order to
satisfy some personal want, whether those two ideas are connected or not. (And
they may well not be connected. In fact, that may be the problem - - two
different things which both need attending to.)
Strictly speaking to the Mars aspects, Mars trining Ceres
invites or sets us up for situations and situational dynamics which test our
ability to plan, and which test the viability of our plans (current plans which are in progress, that is). And
with Mars squaring Jupiter and the Sun (with black hole M87 lurking nearby), we
may or may not feel we have any alternatives - - or we may feel ‘too committed’
to one thing to change.
Or maybe that’s just the problem. Any Mars-Jupiter square is
likely to speak to an ‘overage’ of some kind, which with Capricorn and Libra
being involved hints at problems with ‘others’ and their involvement, or how
any ‘move’ on our part might either ‘upset’ something or someone or present us
with a situation so thoroughly energized that we are unequal to the task - -
one small tugboat faced with needing to turn an entire fleet and get it safely into
port, one might say.
With Tisiphone and Byblis on the Ceres side of this equation
and Ceres in opposition to Venus, something which is ‘insupportable’ (i.e., not
to be tolerated) or lacking in support (i.e., vulnerable or hapless) is asking
to be faced, and as Venus is in Scorpio, this may come up as a result of
lackluster results or as a result of some lack of understanding.
Once Mars enters Capricorn, life will take on a more strident
and goal-oriented tone. Standards are going to seem more important, whether
that means we agree on what ‘the standard’ is or not. Never known as shy,
retiring or mealy-mouthed, our weeks of Mars in Capricorn will include events
and opportunities which show us who we are - - and who we’re not (and maybe
never were going to be). With Mars having finally exited the shadow of its 2016
retrograde during the latter part of August, we are all now moving into a
period of building something new, whether that’s something entirely new or merely a ‘new’ phase of something we’ve already
been working on, with the months between now and late January 2017 holding a particular
potential for connecting with others in
the world (and on a ‘worldly’ basis) particularly enhanced as Mars moves
through Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces - - the signs of society, civilization,
interconnected systems and the overall ‘marketplace,’ be that local or global.
Not that anything is guaranteed … but then, is it ever?
September 28
In the short run, having Phaethon retrogrades into Cancer as
the last act of the month - - and more importantly just after Mars moving into
Capricorn puts the bit of determination into our mouths - - that would seem
something of a warning not to ‘bite off more than you can chew.’
The Fall of Phaethon by Peter Paul Rubens
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A figure of insistent energy, Phaethon either represents a tendency to be headstrong, immature and, on
occasion, just plain pig-headed (no offense to pigs meant, of course) with an
emphasis on over-estimations of our own ability and/or understanding of what’s
at stake … or it represents some force, idea or event which ‘gets through to us’
in spite of some barrier, or maybe
even in spite of our Self.
The story of Phaethon references two other entities in
particular: Apollo and Helios, two Greek gods which both speak to the idea of ‘enlightenment.’
Helios is the god of the sun - - the actual disc of the sun, and thus ‘the
power of enlightenment,’ in all its glory and incandescence. As opposed to
this, Apollo represents the ability to be
enlightened, and all which we do with the knowledge or understanding that
we gain, which includes the idea of truth, as on this level to lie is to
corrupt a gift we have been given (i.e., a mode of self-destruction).
So the basics of the myth go like this: hot-shot, headstrong
teenager Phaethon gets a chance to make a request of Apollo. And what he asks
for is a chance to ‘be Apollo’ by driving the Chariot of the Sun across the
sky, a request which when granted end goes (predictably) very, very wrong, leading
to Phaethon’s death.
This question of ‘death’ may be applicable now in the sense
that the sign of Cancer speaks to ‘foundations’ upon which we stand, and in
having rock comet Phaethon retrograde out of Leo back into Cancer suggests
taking a step back from the ‘birthing’ or bringing something new into being - -
at least for the moment - - which, being in virtual opposition to Mars in
Capricorn may well indicate indecision, delays and a need to not fight the
inevitable.
And that, in turn, suggests a need to be ‘measured’ about
what we take on our jump into here at September’s end - - perhaps for reasons
we as yet simply do not know.
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