Sedna Direct

A bird, flying at sunset

(photo in public domain)

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From year to year, Sedna’s stations change by just a day. Last year (2014) saw Sedna go station-direct on February 5th (UT/+0). This year it’s February 6th.

Nor does Sedna travel very far much in terms of date. Last year it went direct at 23 Taurus and this year ... it’s going direct at ...23 Taurus.

That’s right - again.

In the world of zodiacal motion, Sedna is the proverbial snail’s snail. It may be zooming through space as quickly as any other celestial object, but from where we are on Earth ... from wherever you’re reading this post ... Sedna is way, way out there. 

courtesy of NASA-JPL, a diagram of Sedna's orbit with the rest of the

solar system we know as huge drawn as a small series of concentric

circles at one end of Sedna's 11,000-plus year orbital loop

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Yes, very far out.

And that’s the point - the astrological point, that is, and it’s no joke, neither. Several of them, actually. The first would be about how all of astrology is in some way a matter of perspective - and though we naturally think of orbiting objects as objects which orbit our Sun, astrology isn’t generally helio(Sun)centric. It’s geo(Earth)centric - in other words, astrology really is about the perspective which connects any celestial object and Earth.

We time it from here on Terra Earth. But the metaphysical effects function from the perspective of the object, which as noted - in the case of Sedna is very far out. Though to be accurate, here’s another Sedna orbital diagram - a ‘closer up’ version summoned from the depths of the JPL computer as calculated for our particular place in time:

a section of Sedna's orbit in relationship to the central solar system

(diagram courtesy of NASA)

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Down in the lower left hand corner you’ll see some somewhat fuzzy numbers in the 85-86 AU (astronomical unit) range ... a notation which tells us that as Sedna moves through its station it will be just over 85 AU from Earth and 86 AU from the Sun - which makes total sense, sports fans, when we  remember that an astronomical unit IS the distance from the Earth to the Sun.

(This leaves us a moment to marvel at the obvious.)

The greater point here is that Sedna’s perihelion (that point where it’s at it’s closest to the Sun) is at 76.156 AU, and in case you’re interested, Sedna is moving towards us - which means that we are all going to spend all, or at least the better part of our lives in a year-by-year, personal experiential cycle by personal experiential cycle through which we come to be more of who we should be in this life through seeing what isn’t true about life.

It’s all about perspective. As humans we have these images of how things are ‘going to be’ or how they ‘could be’ or ‘should’ be - all of which have their genesis in things we’ve heard. Or things we’ve been taught. Or things we’ve been impressed by.

And yet ... and yet our life experiences would seem to say such things aren’t - and aren’t going to be - true.

What do we do then?

Well, being humans, we deny the whole thing for a while. But then there comes that moment, a day, a situation which when we ‘see’ what we haven’t wanted to know.

That’s Sedna.

And one more note on the idea that we’re all going to be spending our lives - or at least the best part of our lives learning ever more about our Self and the relationship between that Self and the world that Self inhabits. That 76.156 AU point where Sedna will be as close to the Sun as it will ever get (a point known as its ‘perihelion’) - that isn’t going to happen until January 31, 2080. Once that point is passed (which with Sedna takes a bit), then Sedna will be headed away from the Sun (and thus us of Earth) for the next ... oh, 5,700 years or so (give or take a smidge), meaning that from the perihelion on, humans will be capitalizing on the perspective we are now all working to diligently gain on ourselves as a race, and one-by-one on who we are as individuals.

Or not working to not so diligently gain, depending.

It really is all about perspective - just not on others, which is what we tend to be focused on when Sedna comes along.

Sedna direct (glyph chart)

February 6, 2015 - 3:59 (GMT/+0) - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific) 

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Sedna direct (text chart)

February 6, 2015 - 3:59 (GMT/+0) - Aries Wheel (Location Not Specific)

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So with Venus in Pisces and the Sun and Mercury in Aquarius (with Mercury retrograde) our being hither and yon with ourselves and our aims being just out-of-reach enough to be comforting and dismaying all at once (which in itself isn’t all that satisfying), with Uranus and the South Node having just parted company but certainly still in orb enough to represent the option to turn discomforts to self-discoveries which in turn will help us grow in our regard to our place in the world (not grow the place, grow our regard for the place)... against all this, Sedna goes direct at 23 Taurus. And since 23 Taurus is a degree which references everything from intuition to spirituality as testing grounds for our ability to balance our faith in what we can’t prove against facts and necessities of an everyday (and often less than exciting) life ... the degree mixes and matches rather well with Sedna’s purpose.

Uncomfortably on our part, to be sure - but well, in the metaphysical sense, which means we’re bound to be dealing with things where we can see the truth, but because we don’t like the truth we stay married to our lie.

And then that doesn’t work.

-link to post-

The Sedna Conflict

As for this station, there are two t-squares involved:

Now you may be looking at that diagram and wondering why we care if Sedna isn’t involved. And that’s a fair enough question, if one I’d answer by saying Sedna’s station is in Taurus, and Venus rules Taurus - and Venus IS involved in both of these t-squares ... which is true, if a little hard to indicate by color in a single diagram. But if you take a look, with Venus at 11 Pisces and Neptune at 6 Pisces, Venus and Neptune are within the five-degrees of orb allowed by the standard conjunction.

And through that Venus-Neptune connection (and that Black Moon Lilith is similarly conjunct the Moon at 10 Virgo), these two t-squares are connected.

Which means ... well, given that all t-squares go in zodiacal order, this one starts at the top (in Virgo) and is challenged at a Sagittarian “t” which is composed of two things: Photographica conjunct Saturn (which equals something about looking bad or how something might-or-does look) ... and as a somewhat separate issue, Antares conjunct Pallas - a very certain, irrevocable, logic-driven understanding that unless we deal with something without getting all obsessed about it (or whatever is being dealt with) ... that unless we can do that, we will not succeed.

Whatever that means to you.

As for those ‘linking points,’ they would seem to be of somewhat particular focus. So what do they represent?

With a Moon at 10 Virgo ‘bridging’ to/through Black Moon Lilith at 7 Virgo the ‘ability’ to relate becomes of concern - as does our ability to deal with whatever it will take to be moral, honest and pragmatic instead of dodging, relying on excuses or looking for ways to blame others. One is us, one is the ‘them’ (or ‘that’) we will be focused on - and this is what is challenged by our ability not just to understand the implications of Pallas conjuncting Antares (as above), but to see our Self as an example of that which is itself part of the problem.

Maybe someone else’s problem, yes. But a problem, nonetheless.

Moreover - that this is a t-square says that some part of this ... be it the Virgo pragmatism or realistic morality part or the reality versus what someone (us or others) wants to think is true ... this is either a universal issue (or) part of a greater and very much Antares-Pallas issue we need to cope with within OUR Self.

That that’s some part of some entirely different thing than Photographica-Saturn, the issue of image, or how something ‘looks’ - which may refer to perceptions, be they ‘theirs’ or ours. And yet that issue also hinges on some sort of Moon-Black Moon issue; the quality of what we feel against that we don’t want to feel, know or take into account.

As for Venus, Venus ... or rather Neptune-Venus is the object here, and with Neptune in its sign of rulership (Pisces) and Venus in a sign of exultation (Pisces) there is an interesting implication given by this ‘chain conjunction’ by its beginning with Fomalhaut at 4 Pisces and its end at Chiron (plus) fixed star Achernar at 15 Pisces, a mélange of symbols which may well end in a ‘spilling’ of something long contained which becomes informative, if fatal to some previous assumption.

As far as Sedna is concerned, the Taurean aspect of everything is what we’re going to be/begin feeling now ... and that sense is likely to become even more acute, whether internalized or as part of (or a result of) things happening in the moment throughout Sedna’s station, an event we give an ‘allowance’ to by looking at the station which occurs on February 6th as being more or less operative (certainly on the metaphysical level) from February 4th through 8th - even from the 3rd through the 9th in some cases (i.e., in situations where a nativity emphasizes 23 degrees of any sign, with particular emphasis on Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius). And in that sense, there’s really two sides to everything which occurs now - with the individual question perhaps being how closely they do or don’t align. After all, there is the Sedna side of things ... the what we should be looking at and which we indeed may now gain perspective on - and there’s the Venusian side of things, that being what we have (or are) making an effort to ‘make gains’ on because we’ve already decided what we want out of some situation, effort, relationship or period of time.

During Sedna’s station we would guess the Sedna side of things will be uppermost - and with Venus in a-t-square ‘goal’ position we know the natural Sedna tendency to want things to be as you’ve envisioned them, or as you learned to think they would be if all was ‘good’ is going to take center stage, complete with the mandatory struggle we go through as Sedna’s stations call our attention to the difference between youthful dreams and mature capacity (and the maturing of abilities) on a regularized, twice-a-year schedule.

And let’s not forget ... that schedule has Sedna making its station pretty much as eclipse effects begin. And that means there’s some greater (bigger picture) level in which our Sedna struggle is purely and obviously about growing life from within, and how that’s process which is not without those scary personal moments when we find ourselves having to face up to being a more mature human being than we’ve been - not in our own mind, but in life and through whatever it is we do, offer and take part in, for with Sedna it is that which provides for all which elevates us in any moment ... and perhaps for all time.
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The Ceres Side of Sedna

NASA artist's impression of our solar system from the Sedna with

the Sun in a very great distance

(photo credit: NASA, ESA, Adolf Schaller, September 2012)

Not but a couple of weeks ago did we hear from the movers and shakers in science that Ceres has an atmosphere and real, Earth-type water but Ceres moves into Scorpio.

The date: February 3, 2014

The time: in UT/+0 time zone terms, 8:20 in the morning…which would be just in time for Ceres’ activation of Scorpio principles to overlap with dwarf planet Sedna going on station.

Sedna’s station/direct date: February 5, 2014

Time: 6:40 in the morning (UT/+0).

Sedna going direct in late Taurus is an image which under all conditions has to do with knowing we have value: intrinsic value as a human, value in this world and value to others in terms of what we do with our life or what we bring to our interactions.

link to: The Sedna Conflict

It also says that we can only have, utilize or fully realize our potential value without letting go of some image in our head about how things are ‘supposed’ to be. Or what they ‘should look like.’ Sedna transits teach us how our true success lies beyond getting past what we’ve ended up adopting as our measurement of ‘acceptable’ (or successful) and the resulting ‘gold standard’ we think we need to measure up to in order for our life to be a good one.

Sedna represents the psychological mechanics, the energetics which move through our lives trying to teach us the difference between trying to match life to what we have in mind and accepting life on its own terms.

In going direct at 23 Taurus, Sedna gives us perspective on a degree typified in the Sabian Symbols as ‘an Indian warrior riding fiercely, human scalps hanging from his belt’ – an image which at first thought comes away as plainly violent. But considering this is Taurus (the 2nd sign of the zodiac) this is more about our early experiences with security and perhaps about how many of us don’t survive that challenge.

But some of us do. And what we learn from that…that would seem to be what Sedna, which at this zodiacal juncture stands in opposition to Saturn at 22 Scorpio, seeks to teach us.

The degree 22 Scorpio is known for a ‘scattering’ of Scorpio’s focal intensity which here – in being combined with structural and structuring Saturn can either be the ‘scattering’ of one’s efforts or how some sort of Saturnine ‘barrier’ is being scattered.

Or rather, how it might be scattered depending on whether or not we own our (Sedna) independent nature. There is no ‘good’ and ‘bad’ here, so individual cases will vary – one person will scatter their power through alliances and another will scatter their power through not having any worthy or worthwhile alliances.

Plus since this is Saturn, such questions surely have to do with growth, or the lack thereof. They stand for what we stand for, even if that’s nothing.

But we stand or fall by that. And since 22 Scorpio is also known for a rather sorry lack of moral courage, to act or not act is either our bane or blessing.

So…how would we know which is right and which is wrong? Probably the modifiers to this opposition answer that question, though before the modifiers it seems sensible to add how in all these discussions, such modifiers will be stronger or weaker depending on where they are in your natal chart, what house the transit occurs in - and of course where you are at the moment.

Still, as for modifiers, Saturn is conjunct Mnemosyne and fixed star Toliman in Scorpio while Sedna is conjunct Niobe, Capulus/Kleopatra and fixed star Algol in Taurus.

The Taurus side of this ‘recipe’ (if you will) starts off by asking whether we are simply proud…or whether we take pride in getting things done, and done to our own best ability. Niobe/Sedna can be overbearing …and then again, it can represent that moment when the sheer power of insight breaks through someone’s hard outer shell, producing humility and  gratitude amidst an outpouring of personal capacity.

When combined with fixed stars Capulus (as the sword which can cut both ways) and Algol we know there’s raw Algol passion aroused during these days – or at least the image or idea of passionate potential which if either succumbed to or used selfishly does damage, and which can achieve great things when focused on some greater good or as an addition to that which is available to all in a group dynamic or societal sense.

Against this, Saturn, Mnemosyne (memory) and fixed star Toliman (personal learning and/or teaching/s, often of an inspirational nature) is a challenge to learn through others – or through difficulties you have with relationships or the challenge of interacting with others.

Saturn is the precept of earning and how we only receive or achieve what we work for. In opposition with Sedna, the barriers are ours even if we think they’re put there by others.

What are we going to do? What are we against doing? What efforts will we scatter because we are refusing to let go of old or immature perspectives? Or is the sheer determination born of such an ingrained belief be that which carriers us through?

 Constellation Perseus, with fixed star Algol at center

(screen snap taken from Stellarium)

 

The Sun being at 16 Aquarius as this station and opposition takes place gives us this description as the image of this moment: ‘A watchdog stands guard, protecting his master and his possessions,’ which astrologer Marc Edmund Jones typifies as ‘the development of the capacity to protect oneself and to safeguard one’s individual rights under complex social pressures.’ That the solar energetic is Aquarian suggests Sedna’s station will function (in the greater perspective, of course) as a source for gathering and seeing how something works. And where there is sufficient potential – however presented – a breakthrough is likely to result.

But exactly when that breakthrough will happen…?

That’s the question. Considering how Sedna, Saturn and the Sun are all in fixed signs here, the ‘modality’ of result is unlikely to be instantaneous.

And if it is immediate, it is likely to be explosive – not because of strength, but because of weakness.

That all this comes as Ceres moves into Scorpio raises the specter of a lot of things we all went through during the period between September and November 2013. Whatever unfolded during that time will have aroused deep feelings. Some of us haven’t gotten past what provoked us, some of us are still dealing with repercussions and some of us are still in denial that how others act with or to us is totally about them and not ever about us.

That’s a large part of the question here. What about us sets others off is not their responsibility to not react to. It’s our responsibility to own, understand, utilize responsibly – and certainly not to do harm with.

And how that functions…how that plays out in our lives – how well we accept (Saturn) responsibility for ourselves and what we do or don’t do (and how we go about doing or not doing it) – that now begins to solidify at some emotional level which well may cause us to rework our personal plans. True to Scorpio nature, what we come to comprehend now isn’t finite. It’s nothing you can draw a schematic of.

But it’s real. And it deserves our attention here, as we approach a Mercury retrograde which in its own way will reflect our worldly concerns. Ceres attentiveness is  analytical and yet also tends to be grounded in all needs human and universally humane. In Scorpio it represents a time when our awareness of others asks us what we think life is really worth - and where we're going, and why.

To the extent that we want to achieve anything in life… to the extent that we want to get along with others or at least want others to tolerate us as we go about our daily doings…

That, thematically, is this Ceres side of Sedna, against which Sedna asks who we are in reality...and whether that person differs from who we think we're entitled to be from the perspective - correct or otherwise - offered us by our mind.
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Mercury enters Pisces + a 10 Aquarius New Moon

There’s definitely something about Mercury in Pisces which heightens our ability to relate…maybe to our own situation, maybe to the plight or words of someone else. Technically defined astrologically as being ‘in detriment’ Mercury in Pisces may not be the ‘typical’ crisp defining force and mental sorting tool we tend to think of when thinking of Mercury, but that doesn’t mean this incoming influence is weak or unworthy of consideration.

As a matter of fact, probably nothing could be farther from the truth. Planets in signs of detriment often represent attributes which are every bit as dynamic as a planet in rulership – it’s just that the energy is acting atypically.

In other words…the Mercury which in Virgo often speaks to precision, technique and getting the job done in Pisces becomes lingering in the moment, reveling in the feeling and allowing ourselves to dream.

Astrological dignities in two tables

 

Just don’t get too comfortable. All this loveliness comes at a price – which is the other issue with detriments. Any Pisces influence - at some level – relies on a little Virgo earth-bound practicality and pragmatism to keep things in line. So if the planet being influenced by Pisces is Virgo’s ruler (which is to say, Mercury) then we could get a bit off base.

Even a lot off base, off schedule or off point…which would be why Mercury in Pisces tends to be a time when we may ‘color outside of the lines.’ Those may be our lines…in which case we may exceed or fail our standards – we just won’t be hitting them. Or maybe we’ll be becoming involved in is taking us beyond our previous experiences.

Or even ‘out of bounds,’ whatever that may mean in any given situation, in your community or in your life.

The Mercurial awareness implied here is that of emotionality…which is to say our feelings, how we feel about things specific or general…and what our feelings lead us to think about in that ‘imagining it’ sort of manner which gets us ever closer to who we really are…or our willingness to move past our dreams to seeing and doing things in reality.

So there we all will be…January is ending, and Mercury moves into Pisces on the 31st (UT/+0 time). We’re all in the middle of some sort of powerful Venus process which by April will have forced some sort of inspiration to know ourselves better than we ever have. It’s not easy. It’s not  subtle. Things which are inescapably true about life and equally true in our life in terms of who we really are – that’s all becoming ever clearer.

As are (unfortunately) the gaps between that inner and outer world – the individual (personal) and interactive world. In this moment, and going forward, something about us which pertains specifically to what we really value – is getting exposed. For some of us this will represent a goal. For some, the errors of choices past will surface in a morass of complications, most of which will be suffered in personal moments of questioning.

Mercury enters Pisces at 2:30 in the afternoon of the 31st (UT/+0 time) with Venus not actually going direct until 8:50 p.m. (with all of this being dated February 1st for those in Oriental longitudes).

And all of this will occur just after we get a New Moon – an Aquarian New Moon at 10 degrees of this most systemic of the zodiac air signs. In Aquarius we consider the whole idea…the big picture…how things will work if XYZ happens – or doesn’t. Under Aquarian influences, perspectives broaden, but they may be far from flexible.

There’s a curious quality of brittleness some might even call fragility often elicited by Aquarius. And with this being the New Moon, that may manifest physically. Known for its symbolic connection to electricity and ‘electrical systems,’ Aquarian physicality issues include matters having to do with how “power” functions in our body, whether that involves exhaustion, ambition, anxiety, any of the neurological systems and (on occasion) issues having to with vision, muscle function, circulatory issues and/or sleep disturbances.

Of course issues of “power” may also have to do with power grids. Or your “power” to be effective (as an individual in a greater social system)…the concept of “buying power” (which brings in matters of income) and all things digital, technological, universal and separatist.

As a sign which alternately unites the disparate, separates through improvement and judges nothing based on gender, beauty or any of the “usual suspects” Aquarius dares us to be human… which may just be the crux of current doings and that which unfolds as we move away from all of those things we were forced to contend with under Venus retrograde while not liking a one of them.

Yet it’s not like we’re out of the personal woods just yet. The Sabian Symbol for 10 Aquarius being as follows… DURING A SILENT HOUR, A MAN RECEIVES A NEW INSPIRATION WHICH MAY CHANGE HIS LIFE… it would seem that we have some thinking to do. So to start with, isn’t it handy that we’re about to go into a Mercury retrograde?

No…don’t groan. I know how difficult Mercury retrograde can be – and considering how this one is going to quickly move back into Aquarius, a word to the wise here: do your mechanical and tech maintenance. If you drive a car and have been putting off some ‘little thing’ …do yourself a favor and don’t put it off. Get those important letters, emails and phone calls made. Tend your site, blog or whatever else you have.

 
Mercury will go retrograde on the 6th – which means its station effects begin on the 4th (use February 7th and 5th respectively if you live in Middle East longitudes or east from there). What this amounts to is a pretty narrow window, but it seems worth mentioning.

(I’m feeling very pragmatic today.)

For those prone to dismissing responsibilities, you may be tempted. In fact, with dwarf planet Sedna going direct on February 5th, there’s a distinct aura of ‘wanting to play the game our way’ now which isn’t likely to get us anywhere.

Will we get the message? Some of us will, but only when it hurts enough to get us to let go of our armor-clad positions.

Getting back to 10 Aquarius, the fact that it’s the degree of a New Moon speaks to something which begins here and continues to evolve – maybe dynamically…or perhaps subtly – until March 1st, the date when Mars goes retrograde.

That tells us there is work yet to be done. Not that we may be in the mood to do it. Mercury in Pisces isn’t known for its dynamism, though it is known for faith, artistry and confidences which touch us so deeply as the create vulnerabilities while healing hurts. Mercury in Pisces can represent a time of dissolution or dreams or effortless prowess, depending on how we use it.

The essence is all about ego. Or more precisely, letting go of ego and trusting that who we are and what we are is enough – and that we are in the right place to do what we need to do next, even if we aren’t quite ready or still need to work through a few details about this or that.

Moreover, this New Moon comes with a Yod – that most peculiar of astrological images:

 
With Pallas at 10 Virgo we may be tempted to ‘sit’ on something, often to our disadvantage. The position at the ‘point’ of a Yod describes the tact or tactic we think will ‘control’ some problematic situation – the situation represented by the “Y” or double inconjuncts built into this formation.

And that would be wrong. Though yes, we do have to adjust, what we have to adjust is not to the situation but our thinking on whatever situation(s) arise now…or as the Moon ‘trigger’s each of the Yod points (dates: February 4th; February 16). Where Pallas does come into its own here is in the idea that as the Moon reaches these points it is the information or perspective we achieve or become privy to which ‘develops’ the doings of the month. Sun/Moon sextile Uranus is a description of innovation which ‘seconds’ the Sabian given for 10 Aquarius in saying there is newness to be and to be done this month.

And that will require some (Pallas) perspective. 

Unfortunately Pallas is positioned in a degree which can be difficult as it’s known for being a focus for when we don’t know ‘friend from foe’ and indeed can go along with someone to our personal detriment.

 
This may argue that we need more Aquarian individualism (and maybe some better personal boundaries or thicker skin). Then again, maybe this may be the moment when you realize you have been getting towed off course by someone who may love you all to pieces, but who isn’t living your life.

Again…maybe more (Aquarian) individuality is being called for. Then again, since the ‘solution point’ for a Yod is the degree immediately opposite the ‘pointer’ of the Yod (9 Pisces) maybe all that’s happening is about us. Maybe the ‘other people’ are reflecting our indecision. Maybe we haven’t decided who friend and foe really are and they’re just playing along with us… a thought which carries us on to the other image which is part of this New Moon – namely a magic square which includes Venus stationary…and no, I don’t mean writing paper.

Any planet on station can be considered to be potent in the utmost degree. With Pluto conjunct this stationary Venus there is an enormous amount of power which we will be tempted to use or utilize for our own purposes.

That would be questionable. Venus-Pluto connections are often obsessive, and as part of a magic square, whatever you’re obsessing about at the moment may hold huge potential and longevity, but there is a danger – namely that we will take the good for granted and in doing so, destroy that thing which carries us to such heights.

That’s not an immediate or mandated danger here, though it is a possibility – and when the ‘magic’ experienced through a magic rectangle ‘breaks’ we tend to feel hopeless and helpless about putting things back together. It’s sort of like we didn’t earn something through challenge and travail to begin with, so we end up floundering instead of simply taking the task on as a task and getting on with it.

Jupiter opposition Pluto/Venus spells huge potential and an equally huge desire to achieve or get something done…and the possible cost of doing so. Here ‘cost’ is described as emotional, but the cost is not to us so much as it’s with or in us.

In other words…we come into this time with all sorts of (Venus-Pluto) ambition and desires. Chiron-Juno in Pisces speaks of deep emotions and overwhelming emotionality as well as some sort of lack of understanding when it comes to why things have to be as they are.

This is a lunar month rooted in what we think of others and what others think or think about, with or without us.

There is distance described here, and that distance, that gap, that difference between the “I” and “thou” of life – whether that’s personal or societal – exists so that we can grow…learn…find our way to that which allows us to fulfill our destiny and potential through taking the time to take ourselves seriously.

Under Aquarius, as under Pisces, our passions can’t be solely about what we get. Only by seeing ourselves as a resource which in giving to others powers life inclusively do we achieve both a clarity of identify and the fostering of acceptance… that which ultimately grows our satisfaction in humanity personal and global – and thus our gratitude towards life itself.
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