The Capricorn Full Moon and Mercury in Cancer

Crater Apollodorus and part of Pantheon Fossae on Planet Mercury

(photo credit: Messenger Spacecraft - NASA, JPL, Johns Hopkins Univ Physics Lab, Carnegie Institute of Washington, July 2011)

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With July’s Full Moon being in Capricorn and that Capricorn Full Moon occurring a mere day before  Mercury enters Cancer, we might well think these two items are connected.

After all, everything happens for a reason, right? The unfolding of life, the inter-meshing of schedules and cycles... ultimately they all have a purpose for we are what we have come to be in this very moment.

You know... this moment when we’re looking ahead a couple of days to July 12th, when at 11:26 in the morning (UT/+0) a Full Moon at 20 Capricorn signals the cresting of some effort or the fullest monthly extent of solid, dependable growth. The Full Moon is always a ‘high tide’ time emotionally, whether good or bad. We cry, we rejoice, we mourn, we wonder...

...and then the moment ends. The Moon moves on, as do we, proving in that procession of processes how all things, all moments, all thoughts are but phases of much larger, longer passages.

Crucial, even pivotal though they may be, moments are transitory. That we know that as humans reflects in how hardly a soul born of this Earth will pass through the whole of a full-phased life without pausing to recall... reminisce... to for one moment be engulfed in some vivid robe of memory which like a spell falls upon us in that moment when we lift our eyes and behold the poignancy of the Moon in one of uncounted moments when as we stand reflecting on it, the Moon rides high in the sky positioned exactly so that for that short time we are able to witness the full reflection of our stellar Sun - astrology’s image of life, consciousness and our very capacity to be and become aware.

The Full Moon at 20 Capricorn (glyph chart)

July 12, 2014 - 11:26 a.m. (UT/+0)

The Full Moon at 20 Capricorn (text chart)

July 12, 2014 - 11:26 a.m. (UT/+0)

As for the concept of connection, that’s relatively simple: as Mercury enters Cancer (on July 13th at 4:46 a.m. UT/+0 time), because the sign of Cancer is ruled by the Moon, that connection becomes not just automatic... but axiomatic.

And knowing the difference between those two things - especially as that may (or may not) apply to your personality and tendencies of choice, that is likely to make a difference not just during these couple of days, but either through the whole of this next day-to-day lunar cycle (July 12-August 10)...or during the whole of the time that Mercury transits Cancer, which would be from July 13th until late on July 31st, UT/+0 time.

The thoughts and all the choices to do, not do, do this (then that) or that (and then this) - all that is the Mercury side of this equation. And let’s not forget, we’ve already felt Mercury’s influence in Cancer this year. Back on May 29th (of this year) Mercury entered Cancer as Venus entered Taurus. In that ‘first part’ of Mercury’s 2014 Cancer transit we mostly just got time to focus and get mentally directed...and then Mercury went retrograde. That was back on June 7th, with the theory being that whatever we came into that period focusing on...that by working on, working past and through the details of life in general over the next few weeks (of Mercury retrograde) we would come to a better perspective on what our choices are, what they entail, why they work the way they do...

...and through that a clearer understanding of our own (Mercury) thinking (and like as not our Venusian values) will have emerged in a more clarified and precious or viable...even enduring state.

So these cycles would seem tied together - and not only in that their horoscopes, being but a day apart are not going to vary by much.

And yet, they do vary some - so we should start there.

The Full Moon itself is positioned at 20 Capricorn, a degree which by decanate - in being part of Capricorn’s last ten degrees is without reservation about our world, how we react to that world and how what we put out into our world affects or fails to affect us...with the specifics of this degree being focused on where we have all failed our own expectations (not the task - our expectation of our own ability with the task) with for better or worse some ‘degree’ of self-critique being encountered along the way.

This is not to say this degree is about failure - it isn’t. The tangible result may well result...and yet we thought it would be more. Or better. Or more satisfying.

And it’s generally not.

With the Moon the functional symbolism of our feelings, the Moon in a grand cross well may be (if I may be pardoned this untoward reference) our feelings are ‘hung up’ on something, with the other three corners of the cross being undecided, un-reconciled factors we must contend with.

On one hand we have the Aries effort - the willingness to make the effort to hold onto [Pandora] hope while dealing with the [Eris] untoward and unexpected occurring in [Industria] connection with some effort, be ours or someone else’s. It will surely feel [South Node] simpler...even convenient to stand our ground and know only our own position. Yet in beneath the hardest of hard veneers there will be anywhere between an inkling and a certainty that there is a reason for the actions, statements and positions [Mars-Ceres-Vesta] of [Libra] others.

We [Spica] know we [North Node] should consider the other side of every coin. We know that the person we [Arcturus] would like to know we were being would do that.

And yet, there is another side of things to consider...the [Sun] recognition that sometimes we have to pay the [Castor] cost, whatever that involves and in spite of all the reasons in the world. It’s our passion - and here I refer not to the passion of lust but rather those many [Amor] passions ignited by the simple emotional [Cancer] experience of being alive in this life. Plus or minus, this life as well as our life has an effect on us - and in that, spurs us to learn from the experience and the emotions experienced during the experience as both data and motivation.

That’s just Cancer. And into and through every life, a bit of Cancer will wash, time and time and time again.

As the Moon has phases, Cancer manifests through the display of moods others see and which we appreciate ourselves being impressed by.

Seen from the lunar cycle ‘side,’ July-into-August is a time for achieving - and indeed, considering the reputation of Moon in Capricorn for promoting haste, we may reach for the stars and at least arrive at the top of some very tall mountain.

But when we get there...how will we feel? Will we want to be there?

Less than twenty-four hours after the Full Moon - a highlighting of our feelings - Mercury moves into Cancer, initiating a more thoughtful... even analytical examination of why we feel (or have felt) the way we do. What do such things mean to us... and why do they mean that personally and culturally (which may be two very different things)?

By the time Mercury reaches Cancer, the Moon will have reached 0 Aquarius where, in conjunction with Medea it represents moments and situations where  though we know ‘should’ from ‘preferred,’ not all of us will opt for doing not that which is hardest but hardest for us... and not all of us will hold ourselves to being worthy of our own ability to find and work through all the challenges which lie between us and those [Aquarian] all-encompassing and most universal (and/or universally responsible) of all solutions.

Our reactions to such things - in the most general sense will be the source of most frustrations and feelings of restraint during Mercury’s three week transit of Aquarius... and perhaps because of this,  some of us will divide our time between ‘things of the world’ and a natural here-and-there contemplation which examines why things affect us as they do - and how useful it may be to understand ourselves in the context of others (and our world) as within our design for our life.

As for the grand square created by the Full Moon, that will have faded in every effect apart from memory by the time July 12th becomes the 13th. However... given that the Sun will still be at 20 Capricorn as Mercury enters Cancer, the Sun will still be in opposition to charismatic fixed star Vega - an emblem which is evidencing its ongoing conjunction by Plutonic obsession through disruptions and displays throughout our waking world.

As Pluto ‘transforms’ the norm, so Pluto coming upon Vega in an era when Vega has long shone as a conceptual light of inspiration will naturally turn many a positive to negative... and some negatives to positives. History is rife with such tales.

And perhaps - as with so many things Mercury - it’s all about our choice. Will we combine our [lunar] feeling intentions with our [Mercury] thoughts and work to mesh their purpose? Will we be so frustrated as to refuse all overtures of kindness?

Things are [Arachne] neither simple, nor uncomplicated - but they’re not impossible, although [Vesta now at 24 Libra], we can expect to encounter flecks of defensive-aggressiveness either in our Self or others. Such feelings (and the attempt to bluff your way past them or avoid them altogether) are basic... they’re just about how vulnerable humans feel when - in short - they’re made to feel their Self feeling.

Given current [Mercury in Cancer] dynamics, the easiest fallback point is ‘protection’... or perhaps ‘self-protectiveness,’ depending. From there, some of us will recognize that our approach (the challenge of the t-square, a figure which requires that personal ego be subjugated to a greater-than-personal purpose) has been too limited and too ‘exclusive’ to ourselves and ‘our own’ - and among them, some will step forward and make the leap from the exclusive identified as ‘mine’ to the all-embracing which acknowledges no boundaries.

For those who come through this period having grown, their reward will be the opportunity to try.

Meanwhile, those who don’t grow will interrupt.

One other thing to be aware of over these next few days in particular: Jupiter is about to change signs, and because of this is currently resident at 29 Cancer, a degree deeply enamored of beliefs, traditions and perspectives of substantial heritage. Spoken of in the Sabian Symbols as ‘A Daughter of the American Revolution,’ there is a side to this influence - as typified by Dane Rudhyar - which well may be typified as ‘glorification of the past,’ regardless of our national origin.

Over the next few days we will all experience, witness and be exposed to many things which reflect Jupiter’s ‘expansion’ principle. Will we grow only in our [lunar] personal sense where will (ego) is our divining rod...or will we summon our native strength of belief to the task of bettering our life through a [Mercury] thoughtful embracing of the whole of life, however that is defined?
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Happy Parent's Day!

Here in the United States, July 25th is Parent's day - which strikes me as a good time to discuss the astrology of parenting versus parented. 

And let's just start with a little comment on how interesting it is that this day falls under Sun in Leo, not Sun in Cancer. 

Why interesting? Because Cancer is the sign of families and 'childhood' as a life period. Leo is the sign of 'things I do for my own pleasure' and creatvity - both of which seem to mesh quite happily with the idea of having kids. 

But then there's that Leo question of risk. Every sign has challenge and one of the big Leo challenges is that pesky question of risk. And no question - having kids is risky!

 You have no idea if your little bundle of joy is going to turn out to be a darling or a pain in the very (very!) low back. You don't know what life holds for you as the adult in charge: will you continue to be able to support them? Will something in your own personal life (say a divorce or whatnot) totally disrupt your child's life?

 When we look at the horoscope wheel and its twelve parts (each called a "house")...

...the 4th house is family and YOUR childhood, the 5th house is having kids. 

What does this tell us astrologically? Well, there's a given order of the zodiac. And when we have a horoscope where the 1st house is Aries (corresponding to Aries as the first sign of the zodiac) and all follows right around, that's known as a 'natural (horoscope) wheel.' This isn't to say this format is better - it just corresponds to natural zodiacal order. 

Granting that most people have something other than a natural wheel however, the 4th and 5th houses of any horoscope still carry an 'underlying flavor' or identity which is closely allied with the natural sign associated with said house. 

Given that Cancer rules the 4th house of family, memories, habits and your own childhood - and that Cancer is an innately emotion (water) sign, good or bad, treasured or despised, hardly any of us are neutral about family. 

As for the 5th house, as we said, it's natural ruler is Leo. Leo is a fire sign and fire signs are all about the ideal and everything we can possibly imagine - the good and the bad, the highest heights to which our kids may ascend (and how scrumptuously wonderful we think they are) to the dangers they may face, the angst we may endure as their parents and the dashing of our hopes kids can deliver in any of a thousand ways.

We may want grandkids - they may not want kids.

We may want them to be an opera singer and they want to be a gardener. The vision was ours - it was our idealized (fire sign) image.

The reality? That's so often something else entirely.  And reconciling ourselves to that reality is not exactly what we want (Leo) to do, especially when it comes to our kids.

You know...those Leo creations of ours. 

Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is a respository for memory - and the habits which are the psychological form thereof, too. Cancer is about culture and heritage, our homeland and how/where we live. Thought of symbolically as the surf zone and tidal surges which are driven by the Moon's phases, Cancer and all things 4th house are a pretty good description of our the daily doings of family life, the classic family squabble and yet how that same family pulls together like a well-trained army when approached by any external entity.

Cancer builds on the past and looks to the future, figuring out what it takes to get where you want to go. Leo meanwhile, is all about what we make in the present. Leo hones its skills. Leo practices its art - whatever the artwork of the moment may be. Leo lives for the moment and makes the most of it. Leo envisions, but the practicalities of that vision and what it takes to get there? That's not a Leo problem. What, you want greatness and brilliance and operative parameters too? 

If you're looking for doing, Cancer is the cardinal sign. Cardinal signs do. Leo being a fixed sign describes its 'fixation' in the moment; don't ask the child to move on, they're busy having fun! They haven't seen where the ladybug is going yet! They haven't finished their imaginary story! 

Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is feeling and nurturing. The Moon being a reflective body, Cancer should reflect on what it does, though let's be real - at times the high tide just sends parents barreling on their way like some giant storm surge. And there are also those moment of New Moon darkness when parents feel emotionally lost and without a guiding light.

Given all that, I guess it's not all that surprising that Parent's Day falls under Sun in Leo. The Sun(ny) side of parenting is all the fun we have playing with our little ones - the way having kids lets you relive your own carefree moments of childhood. So what if the Sun's in your eyes and you're not getting the whole picture? It's a holiday!

So I say enjoy it...that's what holidays are for!

Happy Birthday, Disneyland! Thanks for Keeping Us All Young At Heart!

Map of Disneyland

At 2pm on July 17, 1955 Disneyland's main gates were thrown open to eleven thousand 'invitation only' visitors...which somehow turned out to be just over 28,000 visitors invited and uninvited.They all showed up and they all got in.

And frankly, it apparently turns into a bit of a fiasco. They ran out of food and in a park which at the time only contained twenty attractions, the place got pretty much overrun.Then came a fuss over Pepsi sponsorship of the event. And the sections of the park which had to get shut down. 

In general, it was one of those days most corporate executives would absolutely  shudder at.

But not Disney! In a truly magical display of PR and showmanship, park officials decided that the visitor overrun was something to celebrate. To them it was proof of how much the world needed Disneyland - how wonderful everyone though Disneyland was...and how Disneyland was going to be totally dedicated to doing everything to make the dreams of guests truly come true.

That was the beginning of a tone and trend which has carried Disneyland through five decades and more. So enormous is the public love for this park that it's profits have even at times carried the studio through periods of red ink. And then of course, came all those 'other' Disneylands: Disney World in Orlando, Disney Paris and Disney Tokyo.

But to some, nothing equals the first and original as is proved by Disneyland's ever-increasing attendance. The park which saw a million visitors in 1955 saw some 15.9 million visitors caper in through its gates during 2009. That's a whole lotta cheese to feed one big (and very famous) mouse...Mickey Mouse, of course!

Astrologically, all businesses have two basic and important charts: the date of founding (or incorporation) and the chart for the day that business opens its doors. Those which go public (as Disney did on November 12, 1957) have a third chart worth perusal. 

But who cares about that right now? It's Disneyland's birthday! So let's just have us a peek at the grand opening chart - what does it say?

A few things jump out right away, the most prominent of which is the giant group of planets in the 9th house of adventure, exploration and fantasy. There are so many of them that I'd have to skew the chart drawing to get them all stuffed in there (and that just wouldn't look pretty.

Just take it from me - no less than seven important celestial objects inhabit this house. And four of them are in the sign of family (Cancer). So are we surprised this works as a family destination? Heck no! Certainly not with four being in family prone Cancer and the other three in Leo, sign of kids, fun, entertainment and (yes!) theme parks!

Put it together and this makes Disneyland a great place for families, kids and (my favorite part!)...the kid in each one of us.

And back to that great PR thing...the 9th is also about teaching and advertising. So with all that power there it's no wonder Disneyland turned a stumble into a cupcake on that very first day - AND why it's gone on to be one of the great marketing giants of all time.

There's another side of this 'kid in all of us' thing of course - that's Disney's legendary G-rated attitude. Disneyland (and all films issued under the Disney banner) are  supposed to be squeaky clean wholesome. Yet when we just look at the chart, it has Scorpio on the Ascendant. How could that work, you say? Isn't Scorpio simply all about sex?

Well, yes and no. Scorpio isn't about sex. What Scorpio is about anything which we choose to do which forces us to risk our personal values or self worth. And the secret here in the Disneyland chart is two-fold. 

Part one is that the Disneyland chart has a Scorpio Saturn (in an emotional degree) sitting in the 'what am I?' themed first house of the chart. Saturn being notoriously a 'fear' or 'stoppage' in the first, when we see it in Scorpio we know Disneyland refuses to risk anyone's values. 


Nothing cheesy for Mickey! No sirree...Disneyland doesn't want to leave us with anything of a bad taste in our mouths - that we know because Polyhymnia (the muse of happiness) is exactly conjunct Lachesis (duration) right inside the Ascendant - funnel for action. The simple message is that Disneyland wants to do everything it can to keep us in our (Polyhymnia) 'happy' for however long (Lachesis) we're inside those park gates. It's Disneyland's mission! 

Yet people will be people. With Lust at 5 Taurus exactly conjunct the Descendant there's bound to be the occasional breaking of the rules - especially when we stop to think how many hot summer dates take place at the park all through Anaheim's hot summer season.

But remember, the astrological meaning of lust is "fixation." And since 5 Taurus brings in all sorts of excitement and enthusiasm, that fits what most people feel once they arrive at the park and abandon all the stuffiness of society in the pursuit of fun, rids and fireworks. 

With Pluto (the power of persuasion) in the house of the world, a Libra Neptune in the 12th (fantasies for the masses), an Aries Sedna in the 6th (care for children, young and old) all in aspect to the societal Nodes, this chart is the very picture of the magical place we know and love which charms and entertains folks of all ages.

So with that all said....what's up for Disneyland now that it's turning 55?

Here's the chart...

According to this, our iconic Anaheim theme park is in for some updates.The Cancer Sun (will) conjunct Juno (leadership) in a 6th house of necessity colored by expansion (giving us 'expanding necessity') right at that degree we just talked about representing squeaky-cleanness and the security thing argues both for tightening of the reins and the necessity to let up now and again.

The curious part here is that it's all ruled by a Libra Moon in the 8th. Conjunct Panacea (making peace) this suggests Disneyland is suffering from internal conflicts. It wants to provide families with a place to get away from an increasingly R (and X)-rated world.

But they also know that the times, they are a'changin'.

With the 8th house cusp twisted in tightly with Typhon's primal urges and this matter of 'what to do...oh what to do?' defined by Mercury (thought), Sphinx (patience) and Bali (good times) all positioned at the 'what we offer to the world' Descendant, it's an easy bet that Disneyland feels it has to keep up the shiny image.  

But they're probably also 'waiting' for something - or waiting something out. That Libra Moon looks a whole lot like some sort of business deal. Or maybe a law. We'll just have to see.

And there's also a Saturn at a critical degree of Virgo - the 'I need to get it done but I'm not sure what I have to do' thing. Conjunct asteroid Lilith (the thing I really don't want to know) in a fiscally interactive house, we can bet that internal memos and balance sheets are flying.

Like as not, things can't going as they have been - something's got to give. Since I happen to have an ancient book of Disneyland tickets (yes, I actually have some "E" tickets!) I did the inflation math and the park isn't really any more expensive than it was in 1964 (hard to believe, isn't it?). But what with public tastes changing and public belts tightening, that critical Saturn/Lilith plus the Libra Moon conjunct Panacea (placation) suggests some hard decision. Given the Moon's specific position (8 Libra) there is the indication of a loss - 8 Libra is known as the "widow's degree" and indicates living on after something dear is gone.


Gosh...is something wrong with Mickey and they haven't told us?

More realistically, what may be up for grabs are some of the 'old ways.' Like all other such attractions (and entertainment in general), you're only as good as your latest hit. Disneyland has to keep evolving. Changing. Growing. So...what to do? And what not to do?

Uranus/Jupiter in a 2nd house seems to say that Disney is still devoted to its idea of wholesomeness but having problems with the limitation. At the film studio the solution was pretty simple: R and NC-17 films are made by divisions which don't use the actual "Disney" name. But what to do about a park? How can the park change and yet hold true to form? What should Disney to do continue its to-date highly profitable efforts to tie films to park rides (like the Pirates' series) in this ever more factionalized and rowdy  modern day and age?

This chart poses questions. And given how certain astrological cycles are common to all charts we can assume some new 'thrusts' will arise in a year or so, but not really come to fruition for maybe five or six years.

In the meantime, we have Goofy and Cinderella and Space Mountain and Mickey, Donald and all the rest.

Personally, one of my favorite Disneyland moments was when I went to the park with some friends one fine (hot) summer's day. We had been there for going on twelve hours (hence my personal term "Disneyland feet." when at about closing minus forty that night we split up, each wanting to hit one more ride before heading home.

I can't tell you why, but I headed off to "Small World." Yes, the ride with that maniacal song you can't get out of your head for days and days and days after you hear it.

So I'm pelting towards the back of the park and I arrive at the rows of rails through which lines file politely only to find the place deserted. A boat's just leaving the dock, heading into the exhibit.

Darn! I thought I had absolutely lost my last ride.

But no! Glancing down, the ride operator beckons. I'm not supposed to, but...she glances at her watch. What the heck....she motions me to a boat and tells me to climb in. 

Then I wait. And...wait.

Some minutes later the boat I'd seen go in exits on schedule. It's all yours! The operator grins, pulling back on the lever. I'm going to slow it way down...have a great time!

Away my boat went. And somehow knowing I was all alone made me bold. No sooner was I inside that I started signing along. Then I started playing grand conductor. I talked to various figures and even did the great no-no of momentarily standing up in the boat (to take a bow, I seem to remember - I'm not sure for what).

Yes, I knew they were watching me, but I just didn't care. I was having such a good time and aside from that three-count of being on my feet I mostly just enjoyed the  grand feeling that the whole place - the entire multi-million dollar intricacy which is Small World...it was singing just for me.

It was my Small World. And that was magic.

When I got back to the dock the operator steadied the boat as I happily clambered out, thanking her effusively. 

You have a good evening, she sent me on my way, laughing at my glee.

I'll guess that what she did for me she had done for many others, but in my life that's a very special gift which I have smiled at ever since. For those few minutes she gave me the space and opportunity to simply abandon myself to play.

It was awesome. It was freeing.

And that's my Disneyland story...at least one of them. How about sharing one of yours? I hope you will - just click on the 'comment' link below and type your heart out.

And who knows...maybe if we all get together and open ourselves to sharing our tales the joy of the Magic Kingdom will in all that sharing, become each of ours yet again.

Happy birthday, Disneyland!

The Solar Eclipse at 19 Cancer of July 11, 2010

  

 Total Solar Eclipse - source: NASA

 
When someone says Cancer is about life's 'basics,' most of us think about where we live (home, real estate), what our life is based on (lifestyle, family, culture, heritage, nationality, upbringing)...and who we go about being (habits) even when we don't realize it (subconscious).

Those are indeed all very Cancer things, and tomorrow's Solar Eclipse in Cancer signals that some of these 'basics'...at least how we experience them...is in flux.

The Sun itself is giving us some metaphysical input - at this moment, there's sunspot number 1087 which is growing like a weed (okay, so that would be one seriously crispy weed...) But according to a report released just today from the folks at spaceweather.com, this sunspot is so active that come tomorrow, eclipse chasers may actually be able to witness explosions jettisoning huge amounts of solar material (energy) into the cosmic coronal sky.

For that, we will have to wait for the photos. But considering how astrology regards the corona, there may be some fascinating conjectures to be discovered in days to come. Like I say - for that, we have to wait.

In saying this, it's worth remembering yet again that any solar eclipse as seen from Earth is truly an 'earthly' event - 90% of the astrology you hear about is geo-(Earth)-centric(centered). In many senses this is why astrology should be treated more like a metaphysical science than anything else - we are looking at moments in unfolding time as the flow of time/space (energy, celestial magnetics, etc.) unfolds as they affect us here on Earth. We aren't looking at the universe as a whole - we're looking at the solar system and cosmos vis-a-vis Earth using wisdom drawn from data accumulated over literally thousands of years. 

It's as if astrologers are saying "1+2 equaled 3 back then, so 1+2 will equal 3 again this time around." In essence, that's exactly what science does - it replicates data and predicts based on replicated data. So why is astrology so hard for so many to accept?

I suspect it's mostly a matter of three basic issue categories:

1. Those who would like to feel in charge (in both the secular and sacred realm) of the world really hate the idea there's anything bigger and more powerful than they are...particularly if they don't control it...and heaven forfend it should be freely available to everyone. In other words, social ignorance is the ruling class' bliss.

2. Since the advent of science, everybody has gotten in the habit of wanting everything to be proven and backed by data - a point of view which definitely has its pluses and minuses. I've blogged about this before (link if you dare to read that little tale...) but basically, though we don't know what gravity is (but accept that it makes water run down a hill) and though we don't know exactly how aspirin works (we'll take two anyway and hope our headache goes away) we draw the line at astrology. Why? See point #1.  

3. Up until recently, astrologers have done a seriously poor job of organizing themselves as a profession complete with proficiency and ethical practice exams. There is still a lot of arguing going on in the rank and file since many people were attracted to astrology because they didn't have to get a degree and a license and sign on for malpractice insurance and the like.

But never mind how you feel about that...let's get on to the eclipse at hand. The mechanics of an eclipse are the same as that of a New Moon: the Moon comes to a point where it lines up between Sun (life-will-consciousness) and Earth (reality - daily life). That happens every month.

So what makes the eclipse an eclipse? 

The answer to that question would be the Nodes of the Moon, aka the lunar nodes. And just what are lunar nodes? Nodes are where the Moon's orbit around Earth intersects the orbit of Earth around the Sun, like in this diagram...

diagram by Boots Hart, CAP

...and yes, any planet which has a moon (or moons) has planetary nodes. What's  metaphysically implied by a planet having more than one moon? Well, gosh...that's a whole other blog. And pure postulation. But which I'll be happy to muse about in public sometime during the next couple of days, if you like.

(Hey, after an eclipse an astrologer has to do something, right?) 

The meaning of the nodes is drawn from the idea that the Moon is Earth's 'personal' satellite. And one which provides us with light, but light which is 'reflected' - or in human metaphysical parlance, reflective....from which we draw part of our local Luna's emotional reputation, adding to that the whole Moon/tide thing, that the Moon's rotation actually pulls on Earth's inner liquid mantle and...you know, all like that.

As for the Sun, it represents life and light. And where life meets light on a philosophical basis we get....consciousness. The Sun is 'in your face,' and proactive (which may well argue for intellectual sunscreen, but that's a whole other thing) while the Moon is reflective and thus represents all things which are generated in reaction to something else - as, for instance, feelings are.

And where the Moon's orbit around Earth times the month, Earth's orbit around the Sun times the year. This is the classical micro/macro-cosmic image - in this case that of daily life against the whole of our life or life itself.

And where does our daily life (the errands, chores, routines, etc.) intersect with the greater scope of our life? It intersects that greater life in our relationship to our world, via our functionality in society and through interactions with those around us.

And that is the exact symbolism assigned to the lunar nodes.

So when Earth/mankind's lunar nodes (societal connections) get mixed up with the New Moon "start of something" equation, then we get an eclipse. But being that we are already in our life and living our life, that 'newness' isn't physical rebirth, it's more like being 'reborn' in our awareness of what (our) life is about. Much as what is implied by the French term 'le petit mort' (sexual orgasm as a 'letting go' of psycho-physical control, if even for a minute), when a solar eclipse aspects our chart with any degree of specificity it signals a 'letting go' or something we're used to living with or enduring. A tension, if you will - within ourselves. 

We all get so used to living with something which works 'well enough' without availing ourselves of our full potential. So along comes the eclipse and we eclipse the life we have lived up until then. That's what eclipses are all about.

What 'goes away' may be something we're very used to. Something we have depended on. Something we don't know even how to really live without.

And yet, because that thing was there - whatever it was - we weren't focused on working to become our better selves.

Good or bad, whatever the shift in life situation or necessity comes with an eclipse, that may be difficult to adjust to. But this infamously famous cycle (the 19 year Metonic (eclipse) cycle) is one which repeatedly forces us to renew our efforts on  personal growth.

Which yes, just proves how inertia-prone human beings really are. We like to think we're productive, but in the greater life/cosmic/karmic sense? Maybe not so much.

That tomorrow's eclipse is in Cancer - a water sign all about emotions - tells us that the shift will be one all about how we feel about our place in the world and our life in particular. Occurring in the 2nd decanate of Cancer identifies this as a change taking place in the very nature of those connections or activities which are made because of emotional need or habit.

As a degree, 19 Cancer is a complex melage: we want to understand what's going on simply because we can't know what our life's parameters are unless we do. And yet, there is some inability to understand fully - which brings us to the duration of an eclipse, that being 36 months (3 years.) Often we don't really know what an eclipse is really about. And we don't really recognize what it's about until nearly the end of the prescribed three year cycle.

Which yes, at the moment may feel just entirely and totally ugly.

There's also an element to 19 Cancer all about things you have designed for yourself and which you are doing (or have been doing) as a matter of personal dedication. To whatever degree and through whatever aspect this eclipse hits your chart you will
experience upheaval with regards to that design. The question of what to be dedicated to and 'what's right' comes up for grabs, and that's not comfortable.

To say nothing of what life is like when everyone is going through this self same process.

But that's what this moment is. And we may have no answers for what or why we've done what we've done - or even why it means so darn much to us. It just does - and when dealing with someone strongly aspected by this eclipse (you'll know, trust me!) it's wise to proceed with caution as they're likely to explode with all the energy of that sunspot if you threaten what they define as their core vulnerability.

Which is a highly important point: YOU don't get to define someone else's soft spot. Not ever - and particularly not at the moment! So take care. The metaphysician's prescription is to proceed with due kindness. Even undue kindness, lest an undue unkindness be done unto you!

The actual eclipse occurs at 19:34 to 19:42 (7:34 - 7:42PM) Greenwich, England (GMT) time...please adjust to your local time zone from there. It will be visible only in the southern Pacific region, but since astrology tracks many events connected with longitudinal positions corresponding to the apex points of any eclipse, those are interesting to note as well.

If you're interested in the geo-politics here, look up astrologer Bill Meridian. I hear he has a new book coming out - it'll probably be a goodie!

As for tomorrow's eclipse, it starts at 172 West in the South Pacific and ends in western Argentina (at longitude 71 West) - which otherwise corresponds to a start in far western Alaska and an end around Boston, Massachusetts as in this diagram:

And that's a big chunk of the globe, people!

(And yes, I will work on how to make bigger maps. I'm new to this blog thing.)

Anyway...just so we're on the same page about just how global and primal such an event can actually be, a last note: as I write and as you read, physicists are working on a new idea. Protons may actually be smaller than ever thought. (article) This data is coming out of Europe, where some heap big accelerators have been built in order to study what's known as QED (quantum electrodynamics). Very cool stuff (said the science geek).

But from that, here's the question...if protons are smaller, what is taking up all the space we used to think they occupy? 

And what does that say about the very nature of existence?

You know, YOUR existence? The very YOU of it all?

THAT's so very primal! When it gets down to contemplating whether, or how, or at what level we actually exist, that's about as bedrock emotional as it gets, don't you think?

And yes, it is uncomfortable. After all, if we are just so much more space and so much less reality of matter...

...that not only provokes us to want to know the truth and to learn how to live in all that new space in which we grasp what we cannot grasp. 

And that, my friend, is what it feels like to be eclipsed. Life eclipses us at every turn, no question.

And it will continue to do so because we humans are curious and ever-curious beings.


 .

The Immigration of the Body Politic and the Personal Mind

As we move from the Lunar Eclipse of June 26 past the Uranus station (a couple of days ago) and head for the Solar Eclipse on the 11th, everybody's feeling restless, worn out and yet....totally ripe for a new chapter of life. 

And yet...there are problems on the outside and quandaries on the inside.

The 'big picture' version of this is rather well put by a little matter which arose yesterday (the 6th) here in the United States with the federal government launching a suit against the state of Arizona for the bill passed not so long ago. It was a little provocative number...Bill 1070. And it was on the totally, entirely, really touchy subject of immigration. Here's the chart...

 Signing of Arizona Bill 1070

 

The bill itself was about Arizona announcing that it was taking on the issue of illegal immigration. Of course technically, immigration (legal or not) is a federal matter - Los Feds are in charge of national borders and all which have to do with same.

Basically, Arizona said 'you're not doing the job, Washington, and we can't stand around waiting for your to get your house(s) in order. So you just go about your bureaucratic way - we'll take care of things out west here out own way.' 

Los Feds in Washington (DC) didn't like that much...hence the lawsuit.

So let's review....there was a big cosmic punctuation mark dolloped on us last month - the lunar eclipse at 4 Capricorn on (June 26). Then just a couple of days ago (July 5), we had Uranus go retrograde in Aries - we're just now at the end of the station.

This Sunday there's a solar eclipse at 19 Cancer - and as we know, solar eclipses sort of announce themselves coming in. They're sort of like the flood you know is happening in the kitchen because as you approach the kitchen door you see the water leaking out all over your (formerly) nice (formerly) clean floor.

Putting this in biggest, broadest strokes, it's all very emblematic. Cancer is very cuddly and homey and about protecting one's personal realm. Capricorn is all about pragmatism, practicalities, the big wide world and the rules by which the game is played. Aries is about life. It's about having a life, pursuing your life and what we do to be a person or to our person. Or any person, as far as that goes.

Seeing that this blog started out with a long piece on the bill itself (link here), I won't belabor that. But that it's about immigration and personal rights and protection of state resources and the right of a state to regulate what happens inside its own borders...and now this whole state-versus-federal 'who-trumps-who' stuff.....that SO very Cancer-Capricorn-Aries.

Not to mention how vividly it recalls one of the prime arguments underlying the Civil War (shudder, shudder). And it's been pretty much exactly a half-Deucalion cycle since that particular piece of hidiousness?

Oh - did you read the in's and out's of the astrological Deucalion? If you want to, be my guest - you'll find it here. 

What I'm trying to say here is really how the big picture echoes the small picture. We're between eclipses. The US states and their federal government are trying to sort out who does what lest the problem of immigration fall between them. It's all sort of a 'what and who's right here?' problem.

Sound familiar? I know all sorts of people going through these kinds of 'this or that?' 'them or me?' 'am I right or are they right?' questions about jobs, relationships, priorities, responsibilities - and those many daily issues we all find on our plates.

And that's the point. We're ALL between one thing and the other. And in each and every case, solving the problem means letting go of our certainty.

Yes, and maybe our ego too.

The reason is because when we let go of our certainty, that's when we learn. In this case, it's a time for learning - yes. But the process is so not comfy. It doesn't feel practical. And yet it involves real people. Real human concerns.

That would be the lesson of the moment.

And no, there is no test at the end of the period. But I'm going to go sharpen my #2 pencil all the same.

Signing off for today,
Lady Ticonderoga 
(and my yellow pencil)

INGRESS TRANSIT ALERT/JULY 2ND and 3RD

 "Dog Star" Sirius - source: NASA

Positioned at 12 Cancer at the seasonal ingress, the south Lunar Node told quite a mortal tale about what we want…or at least what we think we want.

The degree here is the part of the story which says it’s about working towards something. Or wanting something. Maybe a lifestyle. Or a relationship. Or a plush retirement. Or….

But when you get there, when you get the thing or achieve the goal, it doesn’t satisfy. Maybe not even vaguely.

That’s 12 Cancer as a specific degree. And as we consider the lore of the degree, let’s also remember that Cancer is an emotional sign representative metaphorically of the surf zone. High tide, low tide, ebb and flow of tides, big waves, little waves, stormy times eroding the ground you stand on, maybe forcing you to take refuge in some “reef” like Cancer’s totem animal – the crab – does.

On top of this is the decanate. Signs are divided into thirds, and the second group of ten degrees (the second decanate, degrees 10 thru 19) are all about feeling. How we feel. The process of feeling.

So this degree is all about how we feel about the tides of life. Our ‘standing’ in life. What we face in any given moment – focusing on those things we work towards. Or don’t work towards. That’s right – 12 Cancer can be as much about the thing we work towards which doesn’t satisfy as the task we avoid, maybe because we fear failure, maybe because we fear being disappointed, maybe because we are afraid of the responsibilities which would come if we got what we think we want (which amounts to an inner knowledge that the dream isn’t always the reality).

Into all this comes the South Node thing. Lunar nodes are always about interactions with the life around us. It could be with society, groups, friends, the job market, our thinking about what to do with our lives, our situation, this world…there are a zillion ways to go here.

The North Node is the ‘should’ part of this equation – it’s about what we should do. Nobody likes the North Node (and that’s the BIG ‘nobody’…as in NOBODY, NOBODY, NOBODY!) We don’t like North Node things because they entail hard work which is specifically outside our comfort zone. So I reiterate: nobody likes North Node stuff.

Conversely, the South Node is what we do like. It’s what we feel totally equipped to do. We get it. We like it! We’re into it.

Unfortunately for us, life apparently wants us to do the North Node stuff. In fact, the lesson is that if you will just DO your North Node thang, you will “automatically” get all the South Node “riches” you might want. But if you cling to doing the South Node thing ignoring the North…then you encounter problems. Specifically, problems associated with the house and natural sign which rules the house in which your South Node resides, which would be the universal and symbolic way of lighting a firecracker under our fannies so we get off our duff and get on with doing what we should do instead of amusing ourselves….uh….well, doing whatever it is which we amuse ourselves doing. (Clear enough?)

At the time of the solstice/seasonal ingress, (fixed) dog start Sirius was right close to the South Node at 14 Cancer. So to the above we need to add Sirius’ message, a comment on the nature of charisma. Charisma is a lovely thing. It can help get you where you want to go. But particularly when associated with the South Node, it can undermine your determination to do what you should do.

Another part of the Sirius message is about understanding that with charisma comes a certain kind of power which means that small choices or actions on your part can have enormous repercussions in the lives of others. So you have to be careful what you do. Connected with the South Node, this thus represents how things you do maybe fairly casually (or without thinking them through) can have big – and maybe unintended consequences. It may even mean that during this season you will deal with coming to a better understanding of how your charisma works – maybe through having to sort out something you’ve already done which has had all sorts of unexpected repercussions.
 
All that comes into focus as on July 2nd, the Sun conjuncts the transiting South Node – which is now at 11 Cancer, arriving at 12 Cancer (the degree of the ingress South Node) on the afternoon or evening of July 3rd (depending on where you are).

The 11 Cancer part of this still has the native ‘surf-zone’ Cancer vibe and that second decan emotionalism – all expressed in a degree which speaks to various kinds of naïveté and lack of/under development which can get a person into trouble. Given that both parts of this equation are colored by the South Node, the real question is whether the lack of ‘savvy’ (if you will) is about actual innocence or simply not having thought things through (charisma-wise). Situations, relationships, encounters – they all will raise these questions and considering human nature, projection is the easy way out. And let’s be real…with the South Node so prominent in this two-day equation, we’re all going to want the easy way out!

But there’s another side to this formula…namely that 11 Cancer is about ‘getting/giving another chance.’ And when we either get or give such chances now, the results are generally happy so long as we learn better and don’t just take the easy way out because it’s easy. The North Node in the solstice picture is in effort/self-discipline/responsibility-honoring Capricorn. All those things we do to actually build that satisfying life we obviously want…those are Capricorn. But we can’t be selfish, narrow minded or dictatorial about this – as noted by the solstice North Node being conjunct asteroid Amphitrite and fixed star Vega. Vega can make even a tyrant sound good, but if in the end they’re still a tyrant, they’re still a very negative influence.

And Amphitrite? Amphitrite asks us to look deep within for our truest feelings, our emotional worth, worthiness and to own up to the difference between being overwhelmed, overcome and filled with satisfaction. They often look alike, but aren’t…and over the next couple of days we can expect that life will give us plenty of reason to reflect on same - in our own lives and in the doings of the world around us.  

Mercury in Cancer

 Mercury transiting across the Sun - source: News/CNET

Mercury moved into Cancer today. 

So what, you say?

Well, granting that this may not be earth-shattering news, it does signal a change in attitudes. And tone. Which is valuable to you because it says a lot about what's going to come up for discussion...and what approach is most likely to work whether you're in a negotiation or just some garden variety conversation.

Being a water sign, Cancer is automatically emotional. This tells us that as of today, the emotional approach works better than it would have, say....yesterday.

Yes, things do change just that darn quick - not to mention universally.

So where yesterday's appeal to logic might have gotten you where you wanted to go, today (and for the next while), getting into how others feel...or appealing to them in feeling or heartfelt terms is more likely to get a point across. Or - as they say - win friends and influence people.

With that said however, how you feel about 'things Cancerian' may make you more or less receptive to emotionalism in general, emotional appeals, or discussing feelings - yours or anyone else's...which may make you a card carrying member of the Bah, Humbug! club.

Then again, it may just be something far less dastardly and distinguished (sounds like a law firm, doesn't it?) People with air sign Moons are notorious for not liking how it feels when anyone tugs on their heartstrings. They tend to feel 'played'...you know, like a harp. And when Mercury transits any water sign, talking to someone with a water sign Moon may tap into some sort of emotional geyser. 

Obviously we can't cover every contingency about every person you may meet up with here. Nor do I expect that you have the chart on everyone you know - heck, I don't even have that! And we're never going to know the data on people we run across  during the average roustabout day. That's just a given! 

But we can say a few conceptual things about Mercury in Cancer which may be rather useful. 

First of all, water signs vary. Cancer is associated with the surf zone - which may explain to you why it's associated with the Moon, seeing as it's the gravitational pull of the Moon which causes tides. From this we draw that the conversational or situational Mercury in Cancer is also going to have not just tidal rhythms, but waves.

How will this work? Well, rather like the surf itself. While Mercury remains in Cancer, every day is going to have surges and ebbs. But apart from that, there's a 'rising tide' to the entire transit of Mercury through Cancer - a transit which begins today (June 25th) and runs to July 9, when it moves into Leo sometime during the day depending on where you be at that time.  

From June 25 through June 29, the emphasis is on what you do, what you're going to do, or what you've done. This may be a testing, or testy time.

Between June 29 and July 4, Mercury will be in Cancer's most emotional decanate (degrees 10 thru 19) which added to the Sun being in Cancer signals an emotional high tide.  Expect feelings and the expressing of those feelings to be more frequent, more fervent, more exultant and more moody during this time.

From the 4th to the 9th, Mercury moves through Cancer third and last decan (degrees 20 thru 29). The third decan of any sign being where others see what we've been up to, now efforts play out  and you see where you stand...or what you yet need to rise to. 

There's another quirk to throw in here too, namely that the Sun and Mercury will be running in conjunction from June 25 through July 1st. And when the Sun and Mercury are positioned close together, the Mercurial thought process gets a bit...well, let's just say 'drowned out' - that works in a water sign, right? 

And if you don't get why this would be? Look at the photo heading this lovely blog piece. That little, itty, bitty dot is Mercury - the whole Mercury and nothing but the Mercury. The Sun is HUGE! It's hard to remember how large the Sun really is. But it is...gigantic, I mean. 

Anyway, during these periodic Sun/Mercury conjunctions, a bit of personal myopia tends to be going around. So during this time - overlapping from the 'doing' sector into the 'feeling' sector, try to think long term. It won't be easy, but try anyway.

To this we should add just a few more thoughts, the most basic of which comes from the idea that Mercury rules two signs: Gemini and Virgo.

Gemini is an air sign all about the 'idea' of the thing and our ability to think, choose and manage life as effectively or badly as we will.

Virgo is an earth sign all about practical, tangible things. With Virgo, the thing works or it doesn't. There's a practical and pragmatic way to get things done and a proverbial means to the end. That doesn't mean that we always do it that way, but Mercury's association with Virgo is all about the search for the effective method, even if we ignore it once we've identified it!

Put these ideas together and you get why Mercury represents curiosity and a need to understand. Thus in Cancer, Mercury sorts through the basics and finds out what works, and what doesn't work. Given its natural position at the bottom of the zodiac wheel, Cancer is about foundations, thus Mercury in Cancer focuses on really basic values, asking what they're 'worth' to you.

This is where the negotiating comes in. Maybe something is worth it to you...maybe it isn't. And since there are always two parts to any conversation (and since Mercury is associated with pluralities) this makes for a lot of questioning. And answering. And asking why someone wants to know.

Hey! What's it to you, bud?

Considering Cancer rules families, real estate, cultural and national heritage, populations (of any size - civic, familial, national, ethnic, etc.), the homeland, end of life issues, childhood, memory, traditions and in families, particularly the father - and that both the Moon and astrological water are metaphors for money (liquidity, one might say), these subjects are likely to be focal points for discussions.

And don't just take this as a finite list - do a little (Mercurial) conjugating!  What do I mean by that? Well, real estate + money = home financing and home loans (or the need for same). Family + end of life issues = wills, trusts, funerals and probate matters. Childhood + memory (or tradition) can equal simple nostalgia or taking a trip half way across the globe in order to explore your personal roots. 

A last few words. There are two big 'general' groups of us right now...those for whom life may be a little odd, but basically stable - and those whose lives have either been totally tumultuous or which have begun 'shifting' through influences beyond control since...(oh....say,) early May. The former group is not being affected by the July 11 solar eclipse at 19 Cancer - the later camp is being affected by said solar eclipse. 

If you're in the first group, Mercury in Cancer may have it's up and down moments (high and low tide with a few particularly large waves) but basically it's just one of those months.

If you're in the second group, Mercury in Cancer may feel like someone is pressurizing the life vessel you happen to be encased in. And while this isn't fatal, it sure is likely to be uncomfortable.

Whoever you are, expect a lot of emphasis on 'how it looks,' many an assumption being made before all the facts are in (much shooting off of mouths) and a lot of things becoming public knowledge which in calmer moments might have been contained or gone unnoticed.

To paraphrase Bette Davis, it's going to be a bit of a bumpy ride. But not necessarily a bad one!