Tag Archives: astrology

In Search of Positive Momentum

Gotta Be Good

There’s an old fable about a tribal ruler and his servant. The servant had a habit of saying “this is a good thing” no matter what happened. One day, the ruler lost a finger in an accident. When the servant said “this is a good thing” while attending to the injury, the king became so annoyed as to fire his faithful retainer on the spot.

Some months later, the king was kidnapped by a hostile tribe who intended to make him a human sacrifice to their god. When the kidnappers noticed the missing finger, however, they changed their minds rather than tender an imperfect offering to their deity.

Instead of being sacrificed, the kidnapped ruler was returned to his own tribe alive in exchange for a ransom. It was then that the king realized the wisdom of his former servant’s perception, and the two were reunited in an even greater mutual appreciation than they had before.

This is a fable you might want to keep in mind when the Sun enters Virgo shortly before 12:39 pm EDT (16:38:24 UTC) on Monday. It’s not because the solar ingress to Virgo foretells you losing a finger, or any other incident in particular. It’s because the Sun’s annual tour of Virgo this year will begin with implications that there is something more to the moment than what is immediately evident.

You would be justified in wondering what could possibly upstage the Sun changing signs. After all, without our local star, we would have no solar system, no daylight and no life on Earth. The Sun is the ultimate point of reference for astrologers, and along with its apparent path across the sky (the ecliptic) and its luminary complement (the Moon) the Sun is the core of astrology.

Far beyond the scale of a solar system, however, there is a similar organizing principle of much greater magnitude: the galaxy. Just as with our solar system, our galaxy has a core around which all of its stars (including our Sun) move in their orbits.

So far as our ability to observe the cosmos can tell, a galaxy is the largest example of an axis, and all which a center implies. Outside the galactic level there are no perceptible points around which everything else moves in a cyclical way. In a very real way, the core of our galaxy is the ultimate symbolic expression of all that the Sun represents. That’s how awareness of the Galactic Core’s existence (and its location on the zodiac) has meaning for astrologers. That’s also how it is meaningful that humanity has only recently attained that awareness.

When you look up at the night sky with the unaided eye, every star you see is part of our galaxy. Other stars in other galaxies are too far away to be perceived without some means of magnification. It is only in the last 400 years or so that telescopes have allowed us to see farther, and it is only in the last century that we have been able to see far enough to even begin discerning other galaxies from our own.

Your awareness of all that humanity’s recently improved powers of observation have revealed means that your consciousness represents nothing less than a huge evolutionary leap in the history of our species. In other words, by benefit of simply being alive and aware now, you and your life must necessarily be included in any astrological interpretation of the Galactic Core. That’s a powerful thing. Of course, with great power comes great responsibility.

The responsibility that comes with your unprecedented awareness of the universe will be astrology’s most powerful theme on Monday. Currently, the Galactic Core is located in the 28th degree of Sagittarius. It so happens that exact degree will be repeatedly, meaningfully and precisely in aspect when the Sun enters the first degree of Virgo on Monday.

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At the moment solar Virgo begins this year, the Moon will be precisely in the 28th degree of Aries, forming an aspect with the Galactic Core that astrologers call a trine. When you consider that the Moon moves around the zodiac at approximately one degree every two hours, such precision cannot be without meaning.

In addition, at the same moment of the Sun entering Virgo and the Aries Moon precisely trine the Galactic Core, Jupiter and Mercury will be sharing the 27th degree of Virgo, precisely 90 degrees away (or in “square” aspect) to the center of our galaxy.

So what does all that mean? Consider this: The Sun rules one sign: Leo. Mercury rules two signs: Gemini and Virgo. Jupiter, for its part, also rules two signs: Sagittarius and Pisces. Finally, include the Moon’s rule of Cancer and you get a picture of how nearly half of the zodiac’s 12 signs will be focused with laser-like precision on the core of our galaxy through the auspices of their planetary representatives when the Sun leaves Leo behind and enters Virgo. The implications of that picture are nothing less than profound.

Implicit to the Sun entering Virgo tomorrow is a much bigger picture that would have gone unnoticed by even the most aware of your grandparents, probably even your parents. The beginning of solar Virgo this year is an indication of your unprecedented grasp of and involvement in something going on beyond what your senses can apprehend.

Monday’s astrological scenario indicates that the light of your very consciousness (which the Sun represents) is only part of your awareness, and that you know it. It is a tableau indicating that your mind (represented by Mercury) has undeniably expanded (Jupiter) so as to raise a potential only previously dreamed of (Moon) by previous generations into common knowledge.

In other words, you and the rest of humanity have made it to a new level of human being even if you and most of the rest of us don’t know what to make of it. We cannot profess to be ignorant any more. You cannot deny that you are aware of what your eyes cannot see. You can only either change so as to manifest (mutable earth sign Virgo) what you are, or leave those of future generations to wonder how you could possibly deny your evident power and potential glory

Like it or not, you now have the power of a king — albeit an injured one — compared to previous generations. While the organizing principles of your reality are the same as ever before, the magnitude of your responsibility is undeniably as never before. It may be intimidating, frustrating and even painful to become what your ancestors did not even know was possible, but (as your faithful servant is now reminding you), this just has to be a good thing.

Offered In Service

What’s Up With Trump? Let’s Check his Progressed Chart

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Dear Friend and Reader:

Usually I avoid the charts of presidential candidates, or at least I prefer not to dwell on them. The whole cult of personality around the American presidential election is difficult enough to stomach. Covering the elections, I generally stick to mundane astrology to get the clues and the news leads.

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Mars and New Moon: Be Real, Be Bold

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This week is shaped astrologically by several events; the main ones being the New Moon in Leo, which is aspected by centaurs Chiron and Pholus, and Mars re-entering Sagittarius following its retrograde phase. Both take place Tuesday, just a few hours apart; this might precipitate a sense of cramming, which would be decidedly reflective of our times.

Photo by Roy Luck.

Leo is known for its association with creative works, leadership and a sunshiny benevolence. The astrology of this year’s Leo New Moon seems to work with these ideas, but at a deeper level.

That is, you may wish to consider your desired contribution to the world, and the steps involved in getting there, in the context of what you and your generation intend to leave to the next.

You could benefit from checking in with your younger self, and earlier dreams and aspirations; if some of these ideas still speak to you, how might you begin putting them into practice? What kind of occupation would represent the purest (as in most sincere) expression of yourself? Of course, practicalities must and will intrude at some stage; but you still need an idea or theory to begin with.

Eric suggested that Mars ingressing Sagittarius involves a “be real” moment, and discerning between true spirituality and bullshit. I would include in that: if you’re feeling anything approximating relief now that Mars’ sojourn in Scorpio is over, be careful not to throw away the lessons of that period. They’re significant and substantive. It’s crucial that you remain connected with yourself and your body, rather than floating away into cyber-somnolism, which is really a kind of denial.

As Neale Donald Walsch put it, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” I think it’s safe to say that innovation and real growth begin there, too. If you keep that edge in sight this week, you could take some important forward strides.

Sun in Leo: Keeping House in Your Heart

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By Amanda Painter

“Let Love Rule” is a catchy slogan, and the title of an old Lenny Kravitz song. Yet putting it into actual practice belies its surface simplicity to reveal how much work and adjustment and self-awareness it can take.

The Capricorn Full Moon rising over Casco Bay, Portland, Maine, on July 19, 2016. Photo by Amanda Painter.

On the one hand, we humans are designed for it; on the other, we often do not choose to let love rule.

Or we try to, but so much can get in our way, not least of all ourselves.

As we head into the weekend, the astrology seems to suggest both that we let love rule, and that we do the requisite ‘housecleaning’ and adjustment to allow that to happen. We just experienced a beautiful Full Moon on Tuesday with the Sun in Cancer and the Moon in Capricorn, each late in their signs. So domestic cleaning/restructuring might already be in the works for you, though that might only be a metaphor.

The Moon is currently in Aquarius, and on Friday at 4:35 am EDT (8:35 UTC), it ingresses Pisces — a sign of deep emotion and sensitivity. Just less than an hour later, while the Moon is still in the first degree of Pisces, the Sun will enter Leo at 5:30 am EDT (9:30 UTC).

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Behind the Veil

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By Amanda Moreno

Well, my dears, the surreality continues. Sometimes I wonder if there actually is a man sitting behind a curtain somewhere, perhaps named Oz, who is orchestrating this whole show — and that I have a chance to interview him some day to find out what the hell he’s been thinking during this massive puppet play.

Photo by graywacke/A Landing a Day

Speaking of curtains…a wise woman recently wondered aloud to me if perhaps what we’re experiencing now is the lifting of ‘the veil.’ She mentioned the thought to me in direct to response to either the Pulse Nightclub shootings or one that happened shortly after.

I was kind of shocked at the thought at first. I’ve always kind of thought of ‘what’s behind the veil’ as a mystical-romantic concept or otherworldly reality. Home of intuition and goddess — the High Priestess’s realm.

I like it when someone says something that sparks an insight that makes me cringe or otherwise question my assumptions. Her remark made me realize: we really don’t know what’s behind ‘the veil.’ That’s the whole point, really, whether it’s referred to as the process of transitioning into death or the division between this world and the other, or whatever. Furthermore, it is perhaps technological advances that will illuminate the other side of the veil far faster than, say, an initiatory, esoteric or magical system, prayer, religious lineage, ecstatic dance work or any of the other systems that have been passed down through the ages.

All at once, events hit closer to home for each of us; partially because they’re happening in seemingly more rapid succession, but mostly because they are broadcast instantly, permeating our consciousness all the time through television and internet, and with even more impact through social media. Our faces are constantly being smashed up against a ‘reality’ that is at times shocking and maddening in its inhumanity, and at other times punctuated by flat-out ridiculousness; it’s bringing a constant state of incredulity to consciousness for many.

As our faces get smashed time and again, our defenses are being stripped away by rapid-fire social media inundation. Are our filters strengthening or disappearing? Is our discernment increasing or being dulled?

In the face of everything it seems like people are fumbling, stumbling and reaching for meaning — perhaps to mediate such rapidly increasing consciousness and awareness — in increasing amounts, at the same time as rampant, violent racism, sexism and hate are exploding into view all around us. Has the increase in both facets just always been there and is now projected more? Or are they increasing?

I think about the world immediately surrounding me. I’ve been teaching “AstroCircle” workshops once a month for about two years now. I recognize the increasing enthusiasm and wonder of the participants as we sometimes sit around a built, three-dimensional zodiac wheel with images and symbols laid out so that people can, for example, ‘sit where there Mars is’ and see the full wheel and corresponding images laid out in front of them. I recognize that I taught an intro to Shamanic journeying workshop recently that brought in a host of new (to me) participants who were buzzing about what they learned after the class ended, sharing phone numbers with each other. Reportedly they were heard around the neighborhood the next morning talking about how excited they were to learn such a thing.

I posted something on Facebook yesterday, acknowledging the emotional intensity of the current Moon cycle, with the reminder that it is in fact a cycle, and drawing people’s attention to that. So many people ‘liked’ it and thanked me for the reminder or validation that I had to double check and confirm — it wasn’t just the usual fans of astrology acknowledging the simple statement, it was people who I often think of as total science/atheistic types.

I’m always careful not to put too much emphasis on ‘blaming’ the Sun and the Moon for reactions and events. There’s plenty going on in the world other than an intense Moon cycle that might cause an emotional reaction or twelve. But seeing life in terms of interlocking and interconnected cycles has always been helpful for me, and sharing that with others seems appropriate.

Our exciting new Midyear Reading on forthcoming astrology, including Jupiter in Libra, is now available for pre-order — and you can get all 12 signs for just $47.

What an incredible tool this astrology thing is for transitions and initiations — a construct and map that helps us navigate the revelation of what’s behind the veil. Because of that, I’m increasingly coming down more firmly in my belief that to be effective and relevant, astrology does indeed need to be rooted in a spiritual belief system of some sort.

It isn’t mundane. It is magical — and practical.

I’m really just pondering some things in free-flow form here. But if I bring it back to my wise friend’s comment, to the cringe-worthy notion that perhaps for some of us, exposure to things like racist homicide is akin to a lifting of the veil — of delusion and illusion perhaps — there is a shock element that compels me. It’s almost as if I’m grasping a new understanding of what it is to die ‘unconsciously’ — to be taken into some weird bardo, purgatory or nightmare state from which I have no idea how to escape and in which I have no idea how to navigate. Stunned into disbelief.

There’s an often-paraphrased notion that goes something like: when the darkness seems to be getting darker it’s only because the light is getting brighter. It’s been an intense few weeks. But I reflect on the seeming increase in people using tools like astrology to understand and orient, and I see some light.

I read Fe’s column this week, so beautifully and humbly real and yet optimistic, and I can’t help but re-state and reaffirm something she closed with: it’s time to throw ourselves into the magic that is our lives — our art, our music, our sex. Our self-awareness and growth. Question, express, dissect, live as honestly as we can as our filters change and our hearts get torn open time and time again. Dance through it, love through it, cry through it, tear down walls that need trampling and continue to question and revise.

Something huge is in fact being revealed, and I do believe our best course of action is to live from the heart and embody the passionate, compassionate qualities of our incredible human hearts — even when the process of opening them feels unbearably painful.

Role With It

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As discussed in this column on Friday, today’s Full Moon is rather unique because it takes place in the degree of Capricorn where Mars is exalted. Nonetheless, today’s opposition between the Sun (in Cancer) and the Moon (in Capricorn) has at least one thing in common with all Full Moons.

When the Sun and Moon share the same degree of the same sign during a New Moon, any trend initiating at the same time (and seeming to correlate to the New Moon) will tend to elaborate for weeks on end. Not so with a Full Moon. In contrast, any energy corresponding with a Full Moon will often taper off rapidly.

When a Full Moon takes place late in a sign, the usual tendency towards the ephemeral is even more pronounced because both participants (Sun and Moon) move on to other signs soon after. That’s a big deal.

In mundane astrology, a celestial object changing signs is one of the biggest deals of all. One metaphor that might help you to understand the significance of a sign ingress is a theatrical one. Think of the object in question as the actor, and the sign as a costume. Although there are some notable exceptions to the rule, most of the time the same actor in a new costume represents a different role.

A bit more than four hours after today’s Capricorn Full Moon, which occurs shortly before 7 pm EDT (22:56:31 UTC), Luna will doff its Capricorn costume and don Aquarius raiment. If you are awake for the occasion, you might well note a more intellectual detachment taking over. If you are asleep when the Moon slips into Aquarius overnight, you could very well experience a difference in dreams as compared to the few nights before.

Because the Sun is likewise in the latter days of its role in the costume represented by the sign Cancer, you can also anticipate a new solar role coming up. That will come on Friday shortly after 5:30 in the morning EDT (9:30:08 UTC), when the Sun comes home to the sign that represents its astrological dominion: Leo.

As Robert Hand succinctly noted in his book Horoscope Symbols, the astrological symbolism of the Sun is rather straightforward. The Sun’s emblematic role in astrology corresponds directly with the role of the actual Sun in your life. As Mr. Hand put it, the actual Sun is day and light at its most fundamental. Correspondingly, then, foremost among the Sun’s astrological correlations is the illuminating light of consciousness.

Hence, the annual tour of the Sun in its home sign of Leo represents a time when one might be best able to be more consciously aware as compared to other times of the year. Of course, that role is also yours to play.

The process of raising your understanding from just below the level of explicit awareness and into the daylight will differ depending on who you are. Nearly everybody, however, has the experience of a light ‘coming on’. Sometimes the experience happens in the process of being educated when a teacher says just the right thing and you ‘get it’. Other times after a long process of persevering in solitary study, a metaphorical bulb will appear over your head. Either way, you get the idea. The impending role of the Sun in Leo is to set the stage for you to get any idea that has been eluding you up to this point.

Your role after today’s Capricorn Full Moon is thus to do a bit of costume changing on your own. In all probability, your part will consist of putting on a proverbial thinking cap and persisting through whatever conundrums you are facing right now. There may be some significant work involved. You may need to extend the Sun’s light into the night by putting some so-called ‘midnight oil’ to use. On the other hand, clarity could come rapidly (in which case you might want to double-check to make sure that your brilliant insight is indeed correct).

No matter how it works for you, the hours and days to follow today would be a good time to be proactive in achieving greater awareness. If there is anything to the astrology (and if you do your part to bring it about) a dawning of some sort could be just over the horizon for you.

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Planet Waves TV: When In Doubt, Go Within

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This week’s aspects deliver one message above all: when you’re feeling doubt or fear, check in with yourself. Find your inner sanctuary. The world, particularly news from the United States, has been painful and stressful. Yet if you’re in contact with your feelings, you will lessen the effects and make some helpful discoveries.