Chiron: Station/Direct in Pisces

 The Tetons and the Snake River by Ansel Adams (1942)

It's to be suspected that there are at least two very different perspectives from which we can view Chiron’s transit through Pisces.

As a sign, Pisces is all about our need to confront not just what we feel about things….but how we feel about feeling about them as we do.

And Chiron is that thing we have to learn before we can really be effective in this world (and in our lives)…but which we are likely to forget about now and again. And when we do, we take a hard hit for having done so.

So together, they spell soul-prodding times. Emotionally trying, even painful times. Situations are going to set us off. We’re going to get confounded, disappointed and frustrated. People are going to do things which cause us to confront our vulnerabilities, hurts and ego-glitches.

And apparently it’s all just part of the natural process. Of course you’re going to feel those provocations most of all in whatever sign your natal Chiron is posited in. (And yes, the house and aspects to your native Chiron count to.)

But this isn’t all bad news. Not by a long shot! Ever hear the expression ‘healer, heal thyself’? When Chiron times are trying times, that’s when we get maximally confronted by our own feelings.

And that’s when we learn the most about our Self – if we don’t just do that Pisces denial-avoidance-rose-colored-glasses thing, that is.

So to my thinking, Chiron in Pisces is (yes, I’m going all Dickensian now…) the very best of times…the very worst of times.

If we face why we feel the way we do and where those feelings come from and maybe even discard the stuff which has been ‘ruling’ our psyche without our even having consciously signed off on it, then we can clear our mental decks of things which end up wounding our feelings. We can heal a bit and be more successful because we’re in a better place with ourselves – we’re being more about who we are when we’re not being driven by compulsions we’re trying to run away from by doing or saying or trying to believe X-Y-Z.

 In this painting called 'Dickens Dream' by Robert William Buss, Dickens is depicted as sitting at his desk surrounded by the haunting images of his characters (1875)

But in the meantime? Yes, Chiron’s passage through Pisces can be a mucho giant headache.

(And yes, you can choose a different body part if it seems more fitting. I’ll leave that up to you.)

So Chiron is going direct at 4 Pisces on November 15th at 8:35 in the evening UT/+0 time….which among other things means it’s going direct on my Sun. Part of me can’t wait to see Chiron be off and about its way. Then again, I’m also highly aware that this is a time to find those places in my (Sun) life and consciousness where I'm afraid to really feel. Through finding those things, through requiring of myself that I brave my own vulnerabilities and whatever fears I may have, through being willing to BE me more thoroughly, Chiron says I will find my higher, better, more fulfilling human path. 

That brings me to a problem with blogging about astrology. Chiron is going direct on November 15th. And we know that planets and asteroids and such deserve ‘station allowances’ which we’ve “shorthanded” to two days prior and two days after the event. During this time, the precepts of the stationing point (in this case, Chiron) will be particularly strong. But that doesn’t mean that you reach the station and the Chiron switch gets flipped. Especially since this station is occurring within a couple of days of a solar eclipse, the eclipse’s six-to-eight week ‘breakdown’ period prior to the eclipse will have been making us ripe for Chiron’s station. In fact, many of us will have been doing a lot of our Chiron work during this time.

Those who have been doing their Chiron-in-Pisces work will, come station time, begin recognizing a change and reaping the benefits. Those who don’t will begin feeling Chirotic circumstances arising in their life and through their relationships.

So…does this mean I should have said something like this two months ago? That’s the blog problem I was alluding to – there’s no way to say everything you might want to say as an astrologer, and have it seem pertinent to someone tuning in to the blog.

I used to post blog data on the date of a celestial event. Then I got prodded by some worthy soul (whose email I can’t dig up at the moment, sorry!) who pointed out how useful it would be to get notifications of events prior to their occurrence.

But how far in advance should I go? If Chiron is going direct here in November, would anyone really take it seriously for me to talk about it in mid-September? And for those who just check in now and again, wanting to see ‘the latest news’ know to look back at a September post in November?

You understand the challenge, no doubt.

I’ve settled on something nearer to the mark – the actual date, that is. But that doesn’t mean I’m not aware that many people (including myself) got a definite ‘Chiron note’ in daily doings-ville ever since the eclipse window opened.

Or maybe even before.

In going direct at 4 Pisces, Chiron evokes the essence of Sabian Symbol 335: A CHURCH BAZAAR, which Marc Edmund Jones refers to as The value of giving a spiritual or transcendent sanction to even the most commonplace interchanges between social persons and individual minds. 

Now that you know my Sun is at 4 Pisces, my belief that all is connected and that all gives rise to all else probably makes sense. Astrologer Dane Rudhyar regards this degree as one which “stresses the possibility of the ‘Presence of God’ in even the most material human activities”…with its influence being where societal ‘wholeness’ is achieved by treating that society as ‘holy.’

The mundane as sacred. If anything is important, all is important. If anything counts, everything counts.
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As Chiron is going direct, it is doing so in a perfect trine to Saturn at 4 Scorpio, a degree imaged as A MASSIVE ROCKY SHORE RESISTS THE POUNDING OF THE SEA. This representation of a Scorpio degree as a ‘rocky shore’ is particularly interesting as in the water (emotional) triumvirate, Scorpio is the sign of fixed water.

The three water signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Cancer is of the cardinal modality: Cancer acts and learns from the results. Pisces is mutable: it tries, learns from that effort, adjusts its aim and tries again or a bit more.

Of the three, Scorpio is fixed. And like any fixed sign, Scorpio strives to know all before it makes a move. We thus delight in intimacy just as we are afraid of baring our soul.

To put this more physically, what is water when it’s ‘fixed’ in real life? We call that ice, right?

There’s a saying in astrology…if you find a chart which has no planet positioned in an earth sign, look for planets in Scorpio.

The reasoning there is that ice can bear weight. Think about the polar ice caps. True, ice can be deceptively thin. And when it’s thin, it can be dangerous.

 A brave little fox talks on a frozen lake by Melton Hall

(Matt Buck, February 2012)

But so is the Scorpio nature and Scorpio risk. I have come to think that those who seek control the most, those who demand, threaten or are the most abrasive or abusive…they’re probably just trying not to fall through thin ice.

It can be darn cold inside that there psyche, y’know?

Water has been said to be the strongest element of all: it can put out fire, when mixed with air it can obscure…and it can wear down the tallest mountain, which brings me back to the Sabian Symbol for Saturn’s position at the time of Chiron’s station (4 Scorpio). That ‘massive rocky shore’ and the pounding wave are both part of that degree.

They’re both part of us.

Saturn being at 4 Scorpio therefore suggests that this Chiron station – and the period around it – are times when reality (Saturn) ‘hits home.’ Or maybe when we stand strong against a pounding. Or what we learn about ourselves (Chiron in Pisces) because we can deal with that disappointment, that hurt, that betrayal, that abandonment, that loss.

Because Niobe is with Chiron at 4 Pisces, this may be the time to take some personal pride in your ability to have faith – most of all in your Self and its ability to grow, cope and evolve. The caution would, of course, be not to fall afoul to the self-defeating sort of pride which brought the mythical Niobe to emotional ruin. She dared brag that her children were more beautiful and more talented than those of Leto – Apollo and Artemis. Niobe also bragged that the sheer number of children she had borne (she had seven sons and seven daughters) made her a better mother than Leto.

Apollo and Artemis slaying the children of Niobe

by Abarahm Bloemaert (1591, oil on canvas)

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In essence, Niobe made the assertion of quantity over quality while setting her very mortal self up to be the equivalent of the Sun and Moon and that which had made them – that which in today’s world we would call Eternity, Divinity, Existence, God…

In the myth, Niobe’s children and all shot down to teach her that sternest of lessons, that we are not made to measure ourselves by external trappings, but by the essence of who we are and how we go about doing what we do.

And yes, I could sit here and say my Sun is at 4 Pisces. I could sit here and say I have seem many things in my life which bear out these ideas. I think we all have.

And that is really the point. The history of humanity, the tale of society, it all tells us that quality trumps quantity. That’s why money doesn’t buy (or guarantee) happiness. That’s why when people feel empty on the inside they so often try to cover that pain up with work or sex or money or drugs or shopping or alcohol or religion or….

…Or simple denial.

If there is an inference to be drawn from Chiron turning direct not but a couple of days after the first of a series of Scorpio solar eclipses we’re going to have, it would seem to lie in this direction.

Above all, we need to be honest with ourselves about who we are. Not who we think we ‘should’ be…not who our parents dreamed we might be…who we are.

Chiron will be in Pisces until April 2018, when it starts transitioning into Aries – a shift which will not be complete until February 18, 2019. And it’s worth noting (particularly because we’re going to be spending the next couple of years going through solar eclipses in Taurus and Scorpio) that Uranus will be shifting into Taurus in May of 2018 – just under a month after Chiron first crosses into Aries.

If you have not done your Pisces work, the combination of Uranus in Taurus and Chiron in Aries will manifest as events and circumstances which rattle your security. If you have done your Chiron-in-Pisces (and Uranus in Aires) work, you will arrive at that time having done the difficult task of freeing yourself from projections, personal misconceptions and emotional evasion, deflection, denial (etcetera) in favor of accepting who you really are.

You know…that You which exists deep down in your soul. That You which frets in the dark of night and when you think nobody’s looking.

That this really can happen to everyone on the planet all at once is brought home to us by knowing that Chiron takes around 50.5 years to go once around the Sun and Uranus takes 84 years to complete one solar circuit. So nobody under 84 years old has even been through Uranus in Aries yet. And those over 84 years old? Well, may you live 84 more years, but you were but young’uns the last time Uranus transited Aries.

The point here is that the last time Uranus was in Aries was the end of the 1920s. A world which wanted to live the bon vivant life…(and who could blame them, what with the world having just survived WWI)…that world stumbled and fell into the Great Depression.

Sound at all familiar?

Crowd gathered for free food outside the McWhirters' building in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

(Qld) on Christmas Day 1933 (Daily Standard, December 27, 1933 p. 5)

Those people learned a huge and devastating lesson about money and what’s truly valuable in life. As we are learning now. They went on to become a group known today in America as ‘the Greatest Generation.”

Is this what difficulties make of us as people?

Maybe.

As for Chiron, the last time Chiron was in Pisces was back in the 1960s. There was a lot of soul searching and a lot of people looking for ways to ‘find themselves’…and just as many looking to escape any semblance of same.

In short, it’s a choice. One we all make once or twice (or a half dozen times).

Where I stand with myself is merely me. What matters to you is where you stand with that You that you may not yet even know how to be.

As Chiron goes direct, the level of self-questioning will go down and the prompting will become more external. With Chiron having gone retrograde back in June of this year (between the lunar and solar eclipses, while Venus was still retrograde), we’ve had about four months to reflect and – more or less – be on our own.

Now we re-engage with external forces. Or more likely, they return to take us on precisely in those areas which we find most difficult to face.
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Ask the Astrologer: The Nessus-Venus-Mars-Sedna (September 26/27, 2012) Edition

Hello Boots,
Any ideas the significance of Nessus, Venus, Mars and Sedna at 23° Fixed signs, representing a Grand Cross, on or about September 26,27 2012?

Signed, Anonymous

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This question was left by someone calling themselves “Anonymous” (they write a lot of posts all round the internet) with regards to a blog post on Sedna which you can find HERE

Let’s start the ‘think it through’ moment with a diagram…

For one thing, friend Anonymous, I can thank you for bringing up the subject of Algol. I’d already put it on my calendar to discuss Algol next month, as October 15th is the date when the South Node will conjunct Algol.

You’ve heard me discussing Algol on and off: it’s a star which is often referred to as ‘the power of the feminine’ which ISN’T a reference to gender, but rather to our ability to contain ourselves and/or to respond thoughtfully (at least sort of thoughtfully) instead of just going whole-hog emotional.

There’s a greater confluence here too – with Sedna in the mix, there’s a sign of ‘not wanting to let go’ which in the ‘my values, my money, my perspective, my…my…my whatever’ sign of Taurus we are seeing expressed everywhere by just about everybody.

Oh yes – and Sphinx? As an abstract symbol, Sphinx translates to patience and endurance. But time and again I’ve seen Sphinx in active little knots like this when there are problems in the middle east – a term I tend to use liberally when it comes to the geographic concept.

The positive side of this ‘grouping’ would be to work on your own thing, paying attention most of all to those abilities which will help you make your way in the world. Sedna/Algol is tough enough as a marker in time; it’s a prime signature of all the selfishness ‘so long as I get mine, to heck with everybody else’ sort of thinking. Now that the lunar nodes have backed into Scorpio (North Node) and Taurus (South Node) this is playing out more and more on a personal and relationship level. The most insecure among us will act the most ‘me-me-me’ and are the most apt to take without regard to what the cost is.

Such people should remember…my aunt is still out here.

Who’s my aunt?

It’s a joke, but I do often make references to ‘Aunt Karma.’ Why? Because I see karma operating so clearly in people’s lives that it may as well be a family member I’m listening to the nefarious (if grievously fair) doings of!

Truthfully, I rather love the idea of karma. It’s an Indian (east Indian) term which enfolds the idea that in what we do…or what we don’t do is enfolding the result of that action or act of action. It’s a spiritual and metaphysical way to say ‘cause/effect’ without referring to the parts. All is one. I’ve heard psychologists speak of this when they say ‘choosing the action is choosing the consequences’ (which also holds true whether you act or don’t act).

 It Shoots Further Than He Dreams - a 1918 war cartoon by John F Knoll

which pretty much describes the nature of karma rather well

Those who are most apt to act without thinking or who blame others for what comes of their choices…I tend to think they are students of my aunt. After all, they seem to structure their lives as to spend so much time in relationship with her…

Anyway…while that’s happening, Venus is making its way through Leo. The up side of Venus in Leo is ‘worthwhile creative development’…of ourselves, or maybe some situation – or even others. Or some ability. With Achilles here, this might be physical strength or a physical skill, which could be athletic…or then again the ability to nail the nail into the wall without hitting your thumb with the hammer. Maybe you’re trying to master some sort of drawing skill? Or baking? Those are physical too. Sharpening our skills to some definite purpose is very Venus/Achilles in Leo.

Adding in Eurydike/Agamemnon however….? Now we get to the cost (Eurydike) of maintaining a stance (Agamemnon). So are you sharpening your skills at some cost? Are you doing one thing when you know you should be paying more attention to something else?

Combining the Taurus quotient with the Leo quotient we are seeing a theme of wanting to do something our way. Algol and Achilles/Agamemnon both lend and edge here which can be useful if you’re doing something productive…and not so useful if all you’re trying to do is have your own way.

I’m going to skip over Scorpio for a minute and go right to the Aquarian Nessus/Lilith quotient. This is ‘denying you have any feelings about’ or ‘denying you aren’t being realistic’ or ‘denying that you’re responsible for repeated problems’ which happen in a distinctly social (or) societal (and/or) income deriving area of life.

In opposition to Venus, this may speak to what you haven’t learned to do. Or what you don’t want to have to know how to do.

And yes, it can also be the not wanting to have to do it, no matter what.

Having said all that, wherever we find the North Node, we know we are heading in the direction we should be heading. In Scorpio, the way to work things is to negotiate and to own your responsibility (and ability) to contribute while understanding and being fair with others. Everyone should come out with an equal amount of satisfaction wherever a Scorpio dynamic is concerned…but it’s a whole lot easier to aim for either your own goal first and last (or at least first, with whatever remains being left for others) or to do something to distract yourself or “cover up” if or where you’re having problems. The Medusa quality in this grouping speaks to the uncomfortable or disquieting or anxiety provoking or seemingly frightful, frightening, even futile thing-person-situation you don’t want to deal with.

Then we add in Mars and when we do act we may go overboard, and when we resist we’re iron clad.

But then there’s that North Node thing. And you know what the North Node says?

DO IT ANYWAY.

Whatever it is you don’t want to do because it’s so uncomfortable, because you swore you never would give in on this point, because you just don’t want the hassle…do it anyway.

 Maria Spelterini walking a tightrope across the Nagara Gorge (from the United

States to Canda) back in July of 1876

(photographer George E Curtis, 1830-1910, Niagara Falls Public Library)

And that’s really the ‘solution’ to this whole grand cross puzzle. The basic dynamic of the grand cross is one which is challenging to the utmost. Most of us consider a ‘grand cross-type’ situation and just turn our mind to something else because the whole subject is so complicated, disquieting, challenging…call it mentally exhausting.

Or maybe it just ticks you off. (That too.)

Fixed signs linger and linger and hold back and don’t do and won’t budge and often won’t even talk about it. I know one person with fixed Sun, Moon and Rising who has decided that life is “fate” simply because he doesn’t want to deal with standing up for himself, his own opinions, his personal outlook and what he might have wanted to do with his life before he bought into a list of ‘shoulds’ which haven’t made him happy, haven’t played out the way he thought they would and which as time goes along become more and more complicated and internally confining.

(Yes, Aunt Karma knows about him. I happen to know he’s on her ‘to do’ list.)

The thing about fixed signs is that they are ‘last minute’ folks. These are the people who did all their homework and studying the night before the test or due date for that report. These are the people who freeze like deer in headlights, who vanish when times get tough but who (often) pull it together once they realize for real and sure that nothing but being who they are will work.

It’s a lesson, this fixed sign thing. We all have fixed signs in our charts and we all go through it.

Bottom line, the clue here is the North Node. Everything else is a variable – the North Node is an instruction.

So whatever that uncomfortable, icky thing is? Do it anyway.

Oh yes – two other things:

1. This Algol-Sedna-South Node ‘entitled not to care’ thing is going to (alas) go on yet for a while. Call it at least until February 2013 and in all likelihood through mid-April 2013.

2. If you decide to ignore everything said in the course of this blog (which considering all the fixed signs involved, wouldn’t be shocking!)…you should at least know that the Moon enters Aquarius on September 24th at 11:34 p.m. UT/+0 time and it remains in Aquarius until the wee hours (3:34 a.m.) of September 27.

That means that on about 14 hours prior to that time (call it 3:30 or so in the afternoon of September 26th, UT/+0 time)…the Moon will be moving through the early part of Aquarius’ 3rd decanate: degrees 20, 21, 22, 23….
And that will set a lot of this energy off.

So don’t be surprised. Third decanate energy is energy that comes at us from the world, so this could be anything. It could be commentaries you’re expecting or out-of-the-blue events such as you haven’t ever anticipated.

If you see my Aunt Karma, say ‘hi’ for me – will you?

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Yes, I am always happy to answer questions! So long as they're general/generic or about transiting figures, ask me - chances are, if you're wondering, so are oodles of other folks. (For personal matters, I work with private clients, too.)

But questions? I love hearing questions!

So go ahead...(you know you want to, right?)...share your curiosity!

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Mars enters Aquarius

 

Mars in Aquarius can be very different things. It can represent a dynamo of energy which gets all sorts of things done. It can represent incredible insight as to what is needed, and the courage to do that which is right and necessary, even if it’s not very popular.

Branching off from there, Mars in Aquarius can be that inexorable, unquenchable quality which causes us to embrace something we would otherwise reject. Or to reject everything we originally thought or accepted...or that which the majority, our 'group,' even our society accepts (the "system," social order, legalities, manners, rules, rights.)

Everything we think of as civilized and/or ‘civilization,’ because it's a 'theoretical collective' (or to the extent that we conceive of it that way) ...it's Aquarian. And as Mars enters Aquarius, it serves to separate that which does...or doesn't fit. What is or isn't acceptable. Or accepted.

Mars in Aquarius also speaks not just to personal energy, but to energy systems - and particularly any and all things electrical. Aquarius being the sign of ‘modern technology,’ Mars in Aquarius is the land of innovation and invention, cyber attacks and both implementation and/or interruption of all which is ‘transmitted’ or carried by computer networks, electronic media-networks-systems.

With Aquarius representing the greater marketplace and income, Mars entering Aquarius equals jobs and commercial activity (as opposed to ‘commerce’ as a business sector). Obviously a pretty dynamic combination, right? Too true – which would be why Mars entering Aquarius, especially just after Lilith has entered Sagittarius is something of a commentary on social dynamics.

 View of Manhattan taken from the Empire State Building

photo credit? Mathew Spolin (2006)

Oh, who are we kidding? It’s a HUGE comment on social dynamics!

(Mars in Aquarius allows for no pussyfooting!)

Aquarius is an interesting sign which is both about the individual and the societal collective. It represents the dynamic of freedom and universal equality and egalitarianism…and yet at the same time represents anarchy, elitism, tyranny and separatist instincts, actions and attitudes of any kind.

The concept here is integration - which makes sense as the polar opposite of Mars in Aquarius as the act of separating that which works or doesn't work. That Aquarius is one of three signs ruled by two planets tells us the whole sign (and everything it touches) involves a process...and the accepting of the idea that processes take time, take effort, take diligence - and that they sometimes need changing or refining along the way simply because they take time to enact or reap the benefits of.

Everything Aquarius begins with Saturn precepts of realism, facts, time and taking the time to dedicate one’s self to knowing what the realistic facts are without wasting time or procrastinating. Saturn being the first or primary ruler of Aquarius, it lays the foundation for Aquarian successes and failures, all of which are symbolized by Uranus.

Uranus represents change. Whatever the status quo is, Uranus changes that. If you are informed, Uranus affords you the chance for discovery. Where you are well integrated or well integrated in a system – or where a system itself is well integrated – the result is accomplishment, output, advancing of the cause and discoveries of new and interesting kinds.

Without having a basis in Saturnine patience, dedication, perseverance and the self-discipline which learns the rules, works to understand the rules and understands the structural limitations of various rules, the result is anarchy, disruption, rejection, lack of integrity, and ultimately, destruction.

 Bethesda Fountain, Central Park

photo credit: Dan4th Nicholas (2007)

There’s an obvious stewing sort of restlessness which can erupt from the desire to discover and be free (or freed) associated with Aquarius. Even the urge to excel which Mars in Aquarius may well signify and be squandered by haste – or otherwise hampered by the fact that Aquarius is a qualitatively ‘fixed’ sort of sign.

Here ‘fixed’ refers to the sign’s “mode” of action, with the zodiac having three: cardinal, fixed and mutable. Cardinal mode is direct and directed: do first, and learn by what happens. Mutable mode is try a little, correct course, try a little more, refine by what you learn – and so on.

Fixed is either hesitant, cautious or well equipped to excel through its willingness to size things up and  prepare. The hard part is knowing which is which – and as I’m sure any friend with personal planets and/or Ascendant in fixed sign will tell you, though the fixed sign inner conviction tends to be ‘this is necessary’ or ‘this is the right way to be/right thing to do’….as the old song says, ‘it ain’t necessarily so’!

Where Capricorn is the sign of achievement per se, Aquarius is the sign of advancement in the world. It’s not the job or the title, it’s the sense of belonging and relating to the world around you.

Mars being the will to do and the urge to get it done wants to be part of this world…or means we’re angry at the world…or means we are compelled to deal with and take on the world because it’s in our personal ‘Mars space.’

Given that, what notes on Mars in Aquarius do we get from the ingress chart?

Starting with the fact that Mars enters 0 Aquarius on January 15 at 10:42 pm (UT/+0), next we add that with Mars at zero, asteroid Hel is at 1 Aquarius, Ceres is at 4 Aquarius and Sappho at 29 Capricorn - just passed up by Mars.

Sappho by Leon Bazille Perrault (1832-1908)

That means Sappho, the ‘universal and poetic’ qualities of life is now being left behind as Mars plunges into Aquarius. And that may well signal our tackling Aquarian challenges – or the need to! Certainly some of us will carry the ‘Sappho vibe’ with us as a ‘reason to be doing all this.’ And for many, that will function well - particularly as a motivation). Others will try to be philosophic.

But with Hel at 1 Aquarius, there may well be the temptation to fly off the handle. Or to take off on some flight of fancy which gets you into trouble. This moment may arrive in your life as a provocation - something which you feel 'dares' you to prove yourself.

Should you? That depends. And what does it depend on? Probably why you're doing what you think you need to do. Mars/Aquarius works best when the effort or thought is for the benefit of many or for the defending of one's personal rights. Just watch the pure ego thing!

Oh yes - and don't be surprised if these next weeks feel like you're saddled with the chore of working through some difficulties. If things are particularly challenging, though you can fight, this is no time to fight bad behavior with bad behavior - integrity counts!  

With Hel at 1 Aquarius, this transition is marked as one where dreams might be shattered; such is the transition from the earthy, tangible-orientation of Capricorn into the airy world of Aquarius where determination gets overexposed to heady theory. Suddenly everything seems so complicated!

Answer: don't try to conquer Everest in a single bound. Make a plan, be realistic. Don't lose it - prove to yourself that you can do this thing you know you want to do!

With Mars taking about two days to move through one degree (on the average), the latter part of the 16th and on into the early part of the 18th (adjust roughly to local time) will thus like or not feel tedious or trying. Apart from that, Mars entering Aquarius with Hel just ahead gives the whole of this Mars-in-Aquarius transit something of an ‘it isn’t quite what I expected’ quality.

Remember – the rule with Aquarius is that offered by its rulers: be realistic (Saturn) and flexible (Uranus) those who surf the days between here and when Mars enters Pisces early on February 23rd will have more kowabunga to their credit and less black and blues from personal wipeouts along the way.

The Ceres at 4 Aquarius part is an intriguing note as it stresses all which is platonic and humanitarian. This is ‘friend of the world’ mode mixed with the Ceres understanding that you have to work today for that you harvest months from now.

(Implied by Ceres being at 4 Aquarius: four months from now.)

 

 Ancient Greek temple statue of Ceres

That Ceres adds such a marked note of nurturance required (the giving of as an investment in the future) with a distinct underscoring of thought through thoughtfulness, as opposed to emotionalism…?

This is a clue that Mars in Aquarius is best worked through with an air of consideration (of the situation, of everyone involved and of consequences down the line) rather than by taking the tact that we have any right to be a Mars bull in the world’s Aquarian china shop.

After all, Aquarius may be an air sign but its token symbol is that of the water-bearer. And since water is consistently a metaphysical reference to money (hence air sign Aquarius as ‘theoretical money’: economics and income) …with all that being true, it doesn’t pay to gore the water-bearer that feeds you!

Self Worth to Worldly Worth: The Fixed Sign Process

 

 

 Force of change evolution by Ade McOCambell (2010)

 

 

 

This is part of an email I wrote to a friend having a hard time. Since it seems to fit with a lot of what a lot of us are going through, I thought I'd copy it onto the blog. 

 

 

 

The metaphysics of money are all about self worth. That won't fix things in the moment, but it's something to add to the pot which may turn out to be constructive.

 

Take a few words - like "worth" We think of it as money (“how much is your worth?”) but the reality of it is that how much we acquire is one way of pointing out/at how much we think we are “worth.” My favorite saying on this was spouted by The Donald (Trump) who said “money is a scorecard. It just shows you how well you’re playing the game."

 

Of course you have to also be playing the right 'game' - meaning, for who you are.

 

There are four parts to the equation – astrology calls this the “fixed sign process.” All cycles are start/finish in the same place because they are circles (cycles). So the first is worth-resources as talents-values (start)/satisfaction-security-resources as money in the bank, car in driveway, etc.

 

In other words, you have to start with having some (Taurus) regard for yourself. You have to be okay with that Self (self worth). Then you size up what you really believe in and really love and that you have an aptitude or talent for (Taurus) – which is why I asked you about getting a job (in that section of town where you felt so at home) 

 

Step two is Leo: developing your skills. During this process we explore the heck out of the skills and in time we also start thinking about what we could do (in the big world) with them. We scope out a niche. We develop ourselves or our talents as a “product” with one little piece of our mind thinking about what will/won’t work in the world (and why it will or won’t work).

 

Step three is Scorpio: putting yourself or your product out there to be critiqued, judged, earn support from others or whatnot. This is the submitting a book to a publisher, apply for a job, showing others that ‘you got the stuff’ and so on. Here we have to be our best person but make an appeal based on what the values of everyone are. When we ignore the everyone, we get bounced. This is notoriously the hardest part in many a human process for most of us. Some of us are just plain risk averse. Some of us are so Self-oriented that we find it hard to think in terms of pleasing everyone including us.

 

 

 

 

 Representation of different elementary forces within man

or woman by Ade McOCampbell (2009)

 

 

 

 

Some of us refuse to learn/observe the rules of “the game” whether that’s a community’s standards, an industry’s rules, a nation’s laws, a gender’s natural tendencies. Scorpio is the land of dominance and submission for many, but it’s not SUPPOSED to be about dominance and submission (or acceptance and rejection, approval and critique, etc.)...it’s supposed to be about merging, joining together and creating “joint ventures” where everybody has a chance to get what they want from the pot.

 

In Scorpio, the object is to earn the regard and cooperation of others so that they will join with you and give your talents/abilities a place to function and a forward path to follow. This is the getting the job, the having your project accepted, the group taking you to its heart. Scorpio is a “gatekeeper” through which we pass from the realm of “I/me” to “us/the world” in which Scorpio is the “us”...which yes, is why so many people who have control issues have problems in any worldly Scorpio endeavor.

 

Step four is the Aquarian “the world” where we put ourselves or our product out into the ‘world’ whether that world is a community or a society or an international market. Aquarius is the marketplace – the free wheeling world of ‘some will love you, some will like you, some could care less and some won’t be bothered with you.’ The object in the Aquarian world is to earn acceptance – one measure of which (the Donald Trump 'scorecard') is money.

 

That money (support), acceptance (support) and knowing how to work this world, which is plainly ‘self-supportive’ is what gets us back to and fulfills the Taurus drive for security and satisfaction.

 

There is no substitution for any of these steps. Where we falter, we falter generally not because we are out of order with ourselves (we go in a Scorpio door without having done the Taurus and Leo steps) or we don’t build our lives from strength to strength.

 

 

 

Here's hoping that what I wrote to him also resonates with you. He'd like that - he's just that kind of a really nice person.

 

Doesn't mean he doesn't have problems...we all do. Doesn't mean he's perfect...no one is. But he is the kind of person who hates to complain and who confided in me today because I was sad - and felt devalued, or like I hadn't tried hard enough - because he hadn't shared when he had a problem a couple of weeks ago.

 

So if you find this of interest or worth, you have a really nice guy named Michael to thank. Just look up and say - 'thanks, Mikey!'...He just may hear, and for sure he will feel better knowing he has done something caring and useful for others.

 

 

Venus Retrograde 2010: The Sticky Wicked?

Venus going retrograde on October 8th (at 14:46 UT) puts all of us on notice that the things which have been slowly taking shape on the outside for the past few weeks are now going to begin affecting us more personally and to our core.

Because Venus is symbolizes our ability to realize things or bring them into our life as a 'tangible reality,' for Venus to go retrograde means two things. One, that our concepts of tangible reality and what things are worth are going to come up for review. Maybe even get challenged. For instance, during retrograde would be a likely moment for you to 'get' something you've really been wanting, only to realize you don't like it (or want it) all that much.

This 'the excitement is in the chase' thing is likely to be all the more pronounced (and apply in many more areas) since this retrograde is happening in Scorpio, sign of all interactive desires. And though we think of such (interactive desires) greatly in the intimate relationship arena, it's really far more basic than that. If there's you in your world and there's something you want to bring into your world, find an outlet for, acquire, manage, parlay into more, even repair or get rid of, that's interactive. If you don't have it and you want to achieve or secure it, that's interactive.

If you're want to work on or repair some factor of your life, you're wanting to do so for a reason - that's interactive. In fact, that's literally inter-active, considering you're choosing to act in the cause of fixing, growing, changing, or eliminating some portion of your Self.

In all of this (or any of these) the fact that there is a motivating urge is the key to why Scorpio is said to be first ruled by Mars. The changes which come out of what you choose and how well you choose - that's the Pluto-as-'outcome'-ruler part of Scorpio. And considering that the orbit of Pluto (the celestial object) is governed by Neptune, that gives us a clue as to why 'Pluto moments' (and periods) are filled with reveling in success, wallowing in disillusionment, feeling idyllically fulfilled or haplessly, helplessly crunched.

Neptune (source: NASA/JPL)

Bearing all this in mind we come to the degree at which Venus will go retrograde - which would be 13 Scorpio, a degree which has a reputation for 'loneliness' coupled to 'stubbornness' and 'willfullness.' 

The 'up' side of this combination is its ability to 'create' safety or a 'safe zone' in which to operate. Does this make the Venus station possibly a good time for negotiations? On one hand yes - the days surrounding the station of October 8th (stations having a 2-day leeway in either direction) may find 'opposing factions' finally sitting down to converse in a more-or-less direct manner.

 Venus Station/Retrograde

October 8, 2010 - 7:06 (UT/+0)

With this station occurring as Venus stands in exact conjunction with TNO Huya (link to article on Huya) gives an additional parameter here...namely that those who carry on (stubbornly) doing for the greater good (Huya) will eventually make the greatest gains (Venus as reaping rewards + Huya in its 'rainmaker' function).

But all is not peaches and cream here. In the picture of this station, Venus is conjunct Mars, with Mars positioned at 15 Scorpio. Known rather broadly as a 'lesser developed' Scorpio degree which seems doomed to merely 'do' but never achieve, the probable secret to using 15 Scorpio on the plus side involves recognizing that this is one of the zodiac's 'cross quarter' degrees.

  Cross-quarter points occur at 15 degrees of each

fixed sign. Because fixed signs are the 'middle'

signs in each quadrant of the 'natural' zodiac wheel,

that means cross quarter points bisect each of the

zodiac's 'natrual' quarters.

Fixed signs being notoriously...sticky when it comes to matters of moving on (which can be as good as bad and everywhere between depending on how its used!), the cross-quarter degrees thus become demarcation points. At these points, or as symbols move past these points, we meet the division between 'controlling/managing/gathering facts' and 'releasing, acting on and making  forward thinking decisions' become important. Even vital.

So Venus is at 13 in this picture. And given that we are talking here about it's station/retrograde point, Venus it isn't moving towards release or decision or even really acting on anything. Quite the contrary...with 13 Scorpio being the position of a Black Hole, it is at this point that there is a perception of that Venusian 'wanting it, working on making it real' in life...the it could be true, or I was hoping I would be well received which gets to this point then backs away.

Part of the question thus is...what are we backing away from? The real truth? That which we had hoped for which we now see isn't workable or isn't really what we wanted to begin with? Are we backing away from some sort of effort required to get into some sort of interactive situation? What is being asked of us in that situation?

It being Mars which is standing at the cross-quarter point, the question is plainly how or if to move ahead. Conjunct desirous Eros, the question is whether we 'want it enough' to be willing to do (Mars) whatever is needed so that we are prepared (Venus) to be successful (Venus) as we go (Mars) through the metaphysical 'education-by-interactive application' (Mars moving through the balance of Scorpio and the whole of Sagittarius) in the effort to get where we want to go and emerge lusciously and victoriously satisfied (Mars/Venus).

All while (oh yes...) remembering that for us to 'win' what we want, we have to harness the Huya lesson: to be the rainmaker is to use who and what we are (and know how to do) to help others raise themselves up, producing the abundance of harvest which then spills over in abundance into our own lives. 

Whenever we talk Huya, I suggest thinking of people like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey and assembly-line maestro Henry Ford. These are people who took what they understand to give others the tools to have a better and more productive life. And though we often think only in monetary terms, Huya can operate through any means or medium. So here seen in conjunction with Venus, the medium could be money. Then again, it could be love. Or satisfaction. Or security - whatever that means to you personally.

With the Mars of this moment conjunct a pulsar, we should all not only expect moments of brilliance, but moments when we have no idea...when we wonder what we're doing or why on earth we're doing it. Given this chart as the 'picturing' of the entire Venus retrograde period, we should expect that theme to carry through - and for progress (such as it will be) to be sporadic. Or spotty. Or achieved by anything except the most direct route.

And that may be where the Venusian stubbornness - aka determination - shown by Venus taking station at 13 Scorpio really comes in.

But with that said, don't think you're waiting entirely on others. It may be tempting to do just that, but that certainly isn't the point of this - or any retrograde cycle. Particularly this one, as Venus' present turn to retrograde is happening just as this year's Orionid meteor shower is beginning.

The Temptress - by Raile

Planets in direct motion are about growth which we experience through the people around us and things which go on in and around our world. Planets in retrograde are about internal growth. So with this one coinciding with a moment in which we are being 'showered with points of light' (meteors as momentary illuminations) recognitions, realizations and gettings of 'the point' are evidently on the menu.

So! Depending on what you've been doing and how much you've already done, this may be a period of  consolidation - when you 'solidify' gains made and really get straight on what you have achieved so far. This is a common concept in military campaigns - you can only extend your supply lines so far before they become so strung out as to be vulnerable.

Where we have 'overstretched' ourselves, life will now make that evident - and from that we will have to consider how to proceed. At the very least we have to hold on for a moment to pull our proverbial pants up. And at the other end of the spectrum, maybe we have simply 'gone too far' in one sense or another: financially, physically, emotionally, in terms of any basic ability to keep up with things. A lot of people will probably come into this station period feeling vengeful, hassled, marginalized,  overwhelmed, bogged down, critical/criticized, hurt (sad, remorseful, insulted, etc.)...or simply boggled.

OR....or they may have been avoiding feeling all those very things.

Whatever is on your plate now, as you go into this Venus retrograde which will take us all the way to mid November, there will be a sense of waiting. But the person you are waiting for first and last is you. This time is about internal growth. It's about getting straight with you about who you are, what you are capable of, what you need to learn how to do - and it's all about how you operate in the world, in the company of (or with) others. That we know because this is all taking place in a  zodiacal 3rd quadrant sign - Scorpio.

We also know that the highs and lows of Scorpio, from elation to despair, from anger and frustration to rejection, denial and bliss born of ignorance...the whole cavalcade of hopes, dreams, demands, disgusts will be on display. If you're someone who doesn't what to 'see' or feel that, that's your call for sure, but then you're just choosing the Scorpio denial/ignorance/abandonment route - which is no better than anything else and often more harmful than most.

In the end, this cycle is about allowing ourselves to learn more about ourselves. It may be prompted by things which will happen now and going forward, or it may be a mixture of that and what has happened up until now. That when Venus goes direct it will go direct in tandem with Jupiter moving back into forward motion is a distinct signal that we have much to gain by being realistic and everything to lose by living in our own world, our own fantasy, our own closed mind, walled off heart or narrowness of spirit.

Where Scorpio is concerned, we serve to filter the good out - we accept all and from that make something good; we are the filter...we are the process of transmutation and metamorphic transformation. That the underlying rule for handling all things Scorpionic is to acknowledge the emotions or feelings at hand then proceed and choose based on facts and the basic Mars/Aries understanding that what you undertake you need to have the courage to see though...that is very much the key to the next six weeks or so.

One more note here: with the Moon of this image at 22 Libra conjunct Child and Spica/Tantalus yet opposition Eris/Edisonia is all about knowing yourself and knowing others. There is a temptation to foist one's childish, tantrum 'I want it!' sort of craving onto others - and where that isn't present, you're likely to have others act out on you.

Twenty-two Libra being all about the choice between careless self-indulgence and the truth of knowing, the primary separation here seems to be one between childish and childlike - and after that between true innocence of conviction/truth-of-innocence and plain immaturity, lack of ability/capacity and those various kinds of ego/self priority of focus which will not play well interactively going forward.

Planet Venus  (source: NASA/JPL)

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