News Flash: Solar Explosion! Ejection Heads Towards Earth!

 The Sun ejecting a prominance - source: NASA

A spew of solar energy is headed our way. In fact, it's due to arrive any hour now.

What does this mean? Metaphysically, we would expect this to be an exacerbation of solar properties: life, will, the 'spark' of realization or recognition. This can be a very 'heated' effect - heating up situations and relationships for better or worse and certainly anyone with a birthdays would want to take note as your whole next 'birthday year' would be astrologically marked by this event.

Since none of the science labs are giving us a precise time (as yet) for when this effect will first hit Earth's magnetosphere, we can't pull a chart. But sometimes we just watch goings on around us and listen to news in order to learn how life works.

And who knows - that may be the whole karmic point of the event: to 'spark' our attention and 'get us out' of our own 'life skin' into paying attention to the workings of the world and universe and others around us.

For more science on the subject (and some cool charts and pictures), click HERE.

 

Out of Saturn's Shadow, Into Venus' Mire

Saturn - source: NASA 

Come September 5th, two seemingly opposing things happen: Saturn exits the shadow of the retrograde it went into back on January 13, 2010....and Venus enters the shadow of a retrograde it will go into come October, 2010.

On the fact of it, this closes out an entire cycle of structuring and shedding of life structures/commitments dating back to January 13th of this year - that being the Saturn part. Occurring at 4 Libra, we know this is a first decan physical/action concern with the lore on 4 Libra being about the missing of opportunities due to concentrating so much/too much on yourself. Allegedly, thus we become vulnerable to those who will exploit our self absorption. At the core of this situation is a glitch in one's personal self worth system - said glitch necessitating the attention on self which then someone exploits or otherwise exacerbates. 

Saturn being about what we take on (commit to) or what we wall ourselves off from (get rid of, separate from), the real question is whether you are now settled into whatever it is you committed to then, are done with your 'separation anxiety' incurred at the time...or possibly you've realized that what you let go of shouldn't have been let go of? Or what you took on is not the Cinderella's slipper good fit?

Something has run its course. Does that mean you simply up and dance off into the sunset? Or even (considering this is Saturn, and therefore a bit more sober, upright and sedate) set off with head held high?

Well...not exactly. Yes, we have the gist of the thing now in hand or mind, but there are evidently some ancillaries to be attended to. And this would be the Venus part. 

You remember Venus, right...?

 Venus - source: NASA

And that other Venus - remember her...?

Venus de Urbino by Tizian

Metaphysically, these two images have everything in common. Yes, I know - hard to imagine, right? But the secret is in the details: Venus the planet is (on the average) a very hot place...about 464 C (867 F) degrees hot, give or take a hotfoot. And what we think of Venus the goddess is that she was (to use the vernacular) so very smokin' hot that she could get whatever she wanted.

So as you see, like goddess, like planet.

What is to remember here when we think of Venus (either planet or goddess) in our own life is it is the what we present (the "package") which others react to by wanting to please, cater to, gift to, etcetera. And this is why Venus rules Libra, sign of the mentality of interaction... the what we think of each other and how our ideas affect each other. Venus in Libra is the presentation, the effect we have on each other with the 'mode' of how this operates being airy (since Libra is an air sign) which means what they think of me or what I have to offer.

Saturn is also powerful in Libra - and potentially, very powerful to the positive. But that just means we can structure things, not that they're going to be fine or upstanding in nature. Or even that they'll pay off well. 

And why would Saturn be what astrologers call "exalted" in Libra? That would be because so much of life is based on what others think of us, the connections we make, the relationships we build, how we present ourselves and our abilities - all that. In Libra, Saturn is all about the time and diligent attention it takes to build a good relationship with someone, be that relationship of the business, romantic or platonic type.

Also highlighted by Saturn in Libra is discernment - the ability and willingness to sort good from bad, profitable from not profitable and lie from truth. And it's this part of the Saturn/Libra thing which we can easily relate to the nature of 4 Libra and thus perhaps, to the Venus quality of what has happened over these past months.

This is thus a moment for sort out good from bad and realizing how what we've done has affected others - and thus our reputation or relationship to the world. It's also a moment for discerning what yet needs to be done - which is where Venus moving into the shadow of it's upcoming retrograde comes in.

This Venus cycle is founded in Libra. It's therefore always about who we are to others and thus how we are received by others.

It starts in Libra's 3rd decanate at 27 Libra, a degree about stability which promotes safety , with the 3rd decan part of this being that we don't ourselves get to decide what's stable or safe. No...much as we might like to, much as we might have our own opinion on the subject, this is about what others think of you or what you've done - in conjunction evidently, with what you've done, built, been through or otherwise neglected, jettisoned or eliminated (for positive or negative) during these months since January 13th.

Along the way, Venus will move into Scorpio - and this is the real crux of the niggle. Venus in Scorpio is power and power plays incarnate. It's about an all-or-nothing, rather myopic focus on winning and losing, without much regards for the rules of how you play the game. Famous for feelings of manipulation, swindling, meanness and other various kinds of disparagingly unpleasant attitudes, the thing to remember about Venus in Scorpio is that at its heart it's not about the feeling, but why you feel that way. So if someone cheats, it's about what makes them feel cheating is necessary. And if you call them on it, what that means to you and your relationship to them or whoever is bearing witness to this event. Venus in Scorpio is sometimes when things get 'covered up' and sometimes when very sticky, icky issues get uncovered. 

And that's just Venus in Scorpio direct!

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Right now the issue is to recognize what you've been through and to properly discern what that means. Who and where you are is one part of this. What you're doing and where you think you're going, another. Then there's your reputation and what you're doing to give as good as you get.

This is a moment for assessing and getting your life in perspective. But it's just a moment; then we move on, which is so very Saturn, our cosmic, human lifespan, solar systemic timekeeper....

 
...which isn't supposed to be alarming. It's supposed to be motivational and empowering!

September's Dateblog

 September - from Les Tres Riches Heures de duc de Barry

Considering that the Sun changes signs around the 20th of every month, that means that it's just finishing moving through the first ten degrees (the 1st decan) of whatever sign and is moving into the 2nd ten degrees (the emotional 2nd decan) around the first of every month.

So as September begins, it's not any surprise to find the  Sun at 9 Virgo, making the 1st a day of practical considerations, decisions and efforts. Yet with Mercury (ruler of Virgo) in retrograde, most of us are in a rather  'internal' mode. That may be 'internal' as in home versus work...or it might be really-o, truly-o internal, like thinking things over or mulling on some decision. 

So the month begins. We're sorting through things...or sorting things out.

September 1-September 3: With Mercury retrograding back through emotional degrees, the image is 'taking an emotional step back.' This may afford you greater perspective. Then again, it may be out of necessity. 

With the Sun moving into Virgo's emotional degrees on September 2nd, there's a whole aura of supportiveness-versus-critique in the air. Always a Virgo biggie, this may be you deciding how to act, or being concerned with how others will respond to something you've said or done.

Given Saturn and Jupiter sitting in 1st decan degrees of opposing signs, there are also Big Picture/Large Scale issues on the table. And whether or not you want to deal with them, they do need dealing with. Remember, Mercury's retrograde. So move cautiously. Find out all you can before you make serious decisions. It's not just the 'what' which counts here, but the 'how to.' 

With Mars and Venus ever-so-slowly beginning to part from a conjunction they've been running in since early August, a new sense of perspective is dawning. For some, this will manifest as 'reluctantly moving on.' For others, it will be emerging from some self-focused dream. Neither good nor bad, this is merely a signal that things are - and will be changing.

Uranus and Neptune semi-sextile at high numbers in respective signs also tells us how the world is in a tizzy but not very distinct about definite solutions. The resulting fog bank is likely to prompt most folks to throw up their hands in a 'who can deal with that?' gesture.

Of course there will be a few crafty types who use this mood for flying under the radar. And that just may work...at least for a little while.

September 3-September 9: As Mercury retrogrades  back into Virgo's 1st decanate degrees, the thoughts cool, ideas relax...we all become more pragmatic as we consider what to do and how to get it done. And that's a change indeed, seeing as there's been something of an emotional swirl in the air since oh...around August 5th. Setting things up in the right order (prioritization) makes it not just possible but practical to take new steps forward as Saturn exits a retrograde shadow begun last January (2010).

But as we take that step forward, wanting to push past our own sticking point, Venus crossing into the shadow of it's upcoming retrograde makes us consider exactly what our aims are. What we're hoping to achieve. And since this shadow entrance occurs in late Libra? That says there is the 'us' and the 'them.' Or an action and reaction. Or something you're hoping to get from matters at hand as opposed to what the matter is in and of itself. Recognizing that there are two parts of the situation and that both things have merit is important. And it may be very important to keep things separate in your heart or mind in order to get where you ultimately want or need to go. 

Building, rebuilding and refining support/support systems is also in the mix here. As are questions about arranging (negotiating) your way to some end, some starting point, or into position to effect a vital change.

One other note here: the lunar nodes. As they move from 2nd into 1st decanate of Capricorn and Cancer, the general fervency we've all been living with settles out, leaving everyone considering more practical, basic, even vital matters.

September 9-September 11: Much is in the works and feels at stake as Venus moves into Scorpio; its less about relating and more about abilities, values and what any given person or entity is bringing to the table. 

Since Uranus retrogrades back into 29 Pisces (hitting the position of fixed star Scheat) just as Venus makes its transition, instability and dissatisfaction are likely to be heard far and wide. Is it deserved? Maybe. Then again, this is one of those moments when you could present someone with their heart's desire and they well might say to you 'is that all you have for me?' 

All seems somewhat bewildering and burdensome as  Mercury slows to go station/direct (on the 12th, meaning station effects stretch from the 10th to the 14th) dealing with commitments and paying attention to execution are important. Listen for clues, news and information which fills in your missing pieces.

September 12-September 13: As Mars finishes transiting Libra and the Sun moves Virgo's most worldly degrees, decisions, statements and efforts get 'put out there.' In return, responses begin to generate.

Mars in Libra not exactly being Mars in full-blown moxy splendor means we shouldn't be surprised indecision or insecurity surfaces. It's a time of 'letting go' of control and for realizing through our own lacks how real someone's plight can really be. Oversights or neglect on the part of those who could do better but who haven't lived up to their word or reputation feel particularly distasteful now, though they may be pretty much nothing new. The issue isn't them; what we put up with and don't bother to confront is what's really leaving the  bad taste in our mouth - courtesy of Pluto being currently on station.

Tension and resistance now either yields to honesty or misuse of power begins to implode on itself. Everyone gets to make their own call; it's a karmic, potent moment.

September 14-September 20: Moving from weak (Libra) positioning to a position of not just strength but possible aggression, Mars shifting into Scorpio either brings liberating determination or prompts simple testiness (frustration, arrogant dismission ), depending on whether you have a decently productive outlet for your assertive energies.

With Pluto going direct on the 14th, it's a classic 'turn of the table' moment: those who have held their tongue, speak. Those who have tried to wait things out wait no more and those who have put up with bad situations up and leave. This doesn't necessarily indicate nastiness by any means, but we should all count on opinions getting voiced!

Yet as in all things Scorpionic, it's the calm and factual approach which tends to win. State your case, then be quiet and wait. Once the dust settles, you'll see the truth of things. More importantly, so will everybody else!

September 20-September 22: Mercury moving into Virgo's evocative degrees raises the specter of critique and need for care. Dealing with problems constructively with an eye to making things work is important, but be careful: with Pluto still on station, violations of rules and standards (or cutting corners) makes you your own worst enemy!

September 23-September 24: The Sun's shift into Libra marks a change of seasons. Known as an 'equinox,' we are asked to bring all things - including ourselves - into balance, recognizing what we are capable of doing for ourselves as well as for or to others.

September 25-September 27: As Venus slides into Scorpio's 2nd and highly intense decanate (degrees 10 - 19) desire, determination, panic, yearning, greed, desperation, craving, adoration, obsession, passion, control, loathing...all the fat juicy extremes of feeling get put on display. 

This is the other side of Scorpio's ultimate lesson to us about the value of calm: 'loss of control' is really about our needing to be honest...most of all with ourselves about the risks and responsibilities even a simple life normally entails. It's a moment for recognizing limits moral, maybe philosophical...but for all their less defined nature maybe even more important than more obvious physical or financial risks.

What we do right now takes time to pay off. What we do wrong now we repent at leisure.

And what about not doing anything? That may be right. Then again, that may be wrong. Neither action nor inaction are pre-defined defense here, only dealing with the moment counts.

All this is made a bit more of a quandary now too, what with Mars and Venus getting back together for a little push-pull fest which will continue well into October. Venus being closer to the Sun, it's by far the faster moving planet. So you would think that once their tandem run through Libra - that August heightening of relationship dynamics we all experienced - you'd think once Venus got ahead of Mars in Libra (breaking free of the 5 degree conjunction orb) we'd have seen the last of these two in cahoots for a while.

But nooooo! Venus is slowing down to take a turn into retrograde next month. And that's allowed Mars to catch up with it - with both now in Scorpio. Given that Mars is choosy and assertive in Scorpio (read: wanting its own way) and Venus is reticent and often touchy or self-protective in Scorpio (read: testy - often magnificently so!) ...this can make for hot romance, collusion and manipulation, out and out conflict or just a lot of (excuse the expression) emotional constipation.

And let's not forget - it can be all things in a single life: one person may exhibit one trend and one a total other. Or you may feel yourself flip from one mode into the next. The alleged 'solution' here is to stop and think about how everybody getting a bit of what they want is really going to endear them all to you. But will we get that far? That would seem to be the question.

September 28-September 30: With Mercury entering Virgo's worldly zone, actions are undertaken and results roll in. These days are in a strange way sort of like getting a report card covering these past few months. The good news is that if things aren't up to snuff yet, this is also a time to regroup and reinvest yourself in developing your ultimate goal. 

Tempers may flare right at the the end of the month, but Mars fires can generally be subdued with honest, responsible humility. So when in doubt, own those  errors! Like it or not, they're just as important as your  your successes. Either you're learning from them or others are learning that you're human and not so thick headed or egotistical that you're totally obnoxious.

Yes, it's annoying - even painful. But by feeling your humanity and owning up to it, you motivate love, support and respect which makes all the hurt go away!

 

  The Forget-me-not, a traditional flower of September...perhaps

because much of the month has Sun in Virgo, the sign

of responsibilities to others ruled by Mercury, symbol of all things thoughtful?