Tag Archives: Mars

Solar Virgo: What Will You Harvest?

By Amanda Painter

Tomorrow the Sun enters Virgo, at 6:02 am EDT (10:01:52 UTC), and begins the last sign of the current season. Speaking as one living in the Northern Hemisphere, I am wondering where the hell summer has gone. I’m not quite ready for the cooler nights we’ve had lately where I live, or for the Sun to be setting closer to 7:30 than 8:30 in the evening. But ready or not, here we are — along with the benefits of this part of the season, namely the harvest.

Bumblebee on a bachelor’s button; photo by Amanda Painter.

Along with the literal harvest of vegetables, grains and fruits, the sheaves of wheat in the arms of the Virgo virgin also symbolize what Frances Sakoian and Louis Acker describe as “the wisdom that is harvested in the fields of experience.”

They add that one lesson of this sign is that “although the body must serve the mind, ultimately the mind must serve the spirit.”

I wonder if this idea about Virgo relates to its association with healing professions and processes — not simply in the sense of one part of Self being ‘in service’ to another part. But rather, in the sense that when we get those various parts of ourselves working together in such a relationship, healing occurs. With our own inner healing and harmony, we’re able to hold space for others to do the same and can model how it feels and what it looks like.

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The Day of the Standout: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 21
The Day of the Standout | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

If you’re in the mood to get things accomplished this year, you could well cover a lot of ground. The current conditions are ripe, firstly for big changes, and secondly for bringing ideas to life. A little enthusiasm will probably go a long way; so be bold, and focus on goals that carry real meaning for you. It may be advisable to take the view, in fact, that you can accomplish whatever you have a mind to. Actually, this is probably not too far from the truth.
— by Amy Elliott

Do you have a Leo Sun, rising sign or Moon? Your last couple years may have left you reeling trying to figure out which path forward is best. Hear Eric’s thoughts on expediting your post-eclipse process in your 2019-2020 Leo Astrology Studio reading.

Written in the Planets

One of the first things astrologer Debbi Kempton-Smith says about Venus in Virgo is that it “sees sex as a healthy function, something one does in order to be a tension-free, well rounded-person.” This approach could feel particularly resonant this week: Venus enters Virgo today, on its way to a conjunction with Mars on Saturday. Often Venus-Mars conjunctions spell “sex” — and this one very well could, too. But there’s something about these ideas of “healthy” and “well-rounded” that is coming to the forefront of this week’s overall trajectory, and it looks more internally focused.

That is, rather than seeking out sex with somebody else, you might want to consider the ways you actually contain all of what you may seek — giver and receiver; active and passive; sensual and sexual; male and female. In any way that you tend to see yourself on one side of a polarity or dichotomy, see if you can find the place in yourself where the other half of the equation lives — without criticizing yourself for not seeing it before, or for not developing it, or for projecting it onto others. How can you bridge the gap and relieve some tension?

With the Moon moving through Taurus today and tomorrow, there’s some solid, relaxed emotional support that you can likely access most easily the more in touch you stay with your physical senses. What would feel good to your body?
— by Amanda Painter

It is difficult to feel good these days; it’s challenging to focus on your growth and self-care, or even to relax. We are pulled out of ourselves constantly, and often distracted from our core purposes. IN THESE TIMES, the Planet Waves autumn reading, will help.

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The Day of Endurance: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 18
The Day of Endurance | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

Gradually you are coming to view yourself and the ideals you cherish most in a new light, and with Mars changing signs early on your birthday, this is likely to be an ideal period for bolstering your self-confidence. As part of this, be wary of any mindset that involves variations on shame, embarrassment or self-doubt. Try exchanging these emotions for “I want to…” and “I can…” and see how that feels for you. It would help you to start with the understanding that nothing, in fact, is forbidden.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Mars leaves Leo and enters Virgo today. This should offer some down-to-earth energy as you get focused on the workweek ahead or on household tasks. Mars in Virgo tends to be ingenious, practical and industrious, but also prone to over-focusing on details and non-essentials. Over the next three days Mars moves into a conjunction with a point called Transpluto in early Virgo, suggesting extra reason to guard against fussiness and narrowness of effort.

Mars will also be square Ceres in Sagittarius. That may describe all the nudge you need to balance your actions and mental energy, since it seems to describe the bigger picture of what feeds you spiritually — and what you can offer people that will nurture them, too. Mars in Virgo has an inclination to be very helpful toward others. Just ask those close to you whether they desire assistance in solving the puzzles of their lives; sometimes people just want a kind ear, or a hug, or a little warmly held space to sort themselves out.
— by Amanda Painter

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Aquarius Full Moon (and Friends)

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By Amanda Painter

Mercury leaves its post-retrograde shadow phase this morning, freeing up thought patterns and communication just in time for today’s Full Moon in Aquarius. The Aquarius Moon opposes the Leo Sun and Venus at 8:29 am EDT (12:29:08 UTC), which means the aspect will be separating and the energy beginning to dissipate during the day.

A sunflower demonstrates the Golden Ratio; photo by Amanda Painter

That could translate into any seemingly stuck situations starting to resolve — though this appears to be a Full Moon with less of a conflict/tension signature compared to many other Full Moons.

This one looks more social, with the energy peak having come Wednesday night. Yet even as the Moon moves along from this opposition, the Sun and Venus will still be closely aligned — offering warm, heartfelt social vibes for a few days. Mercury finally treading new ground in Leo describes lively and possibly even dramatic communication of ideas — the bigger the audience, the better.

That said, if you’re in a funk or not feeling as social as everyone around you seems to be, there are elements in the Full Moon chart suggesting that a ‘fake it till you make it’ approach could be worth trying. That would be the asteroids Achilles (false confidence or false lack of confidence) and Icarus (a desire to escape restrictions, exuberance of youth; also potentially reckless actions) conjunct the Moon in Aquarius.

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The Day of the Roleplayers: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 8
The Day of the Roleplayers | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

At essence, you possess an innate understanding that originality and self-expression mean having the courage to seek out the unfamiliar and the uncomfortable. Many people, especially now, are too frightened even to contemplate this. Yet bravery is not the absence of fear; it’s being afraid and still doing what you intended to do. Exploration is a crucial component of being awake and conscious; it can also feed your soul in unique ways. Stoke your sense of wonder this year.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Underscoring the potential for pleasantness mentioned yesterday, today’s Venus-Jupiter trine could describe contentment and beneficial social encounters, or a much-needed respite from stress this week. It also can relate to self-indulgence and inertia. Either way, if you’re able to perceive a pattern in your experience, you might also be able to use this energy to reap some kind of reward for related past efforts. Keep expectations low on that score, to guard against disappointment — astrology describes potentials of all kinds, but never offers guarantees — but keep an eye out for the opportunity.

Today’s square between the Scorpio Moon and Mars in Leo is brief (and early — 5:16 am EDT), but could kick up some irritation, or defensive reactiveness born of stubbornness. It should pass quickly; though notice what it may be telling you (if anything) about larger or longer-standing circumstances. Anything seeming like a persistent, unsolvable issue may be coming due for some movement or resolution. This appears particularly likely if it’s an inner situation being mirrored by someone you’re interacting with. Apparent blocks to creativity might fit this bill, and could benefit from hands-on playful exploration, possibly in a group environment.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Guiding Light: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 4
The Day of the Guiding Light | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

You may be feeling as if you want to break out of your current daily life and do something completely unfamiliar. This is likely to be based in deep-seated, intimate sensations connected with your development and healing on a fundamental level. Said another way, this is about something you need to grow toward, and behind it is an abundant well of energy waiting to be channeled. That’s where you come in: you set the direction, then steer into new and exciting territory with the wind at your back.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Is there some phase you’re trying to move through in a relationship, or a corner you’d like to turn in how you share your heart? Venus in Leo making a square to Albion in Taurus may describe the impetus to move some energy in that way. Think in terms of thresholds you’d like to cross and the doorways open to you, for another visualization of the steps you can take.

With the Moon in Libra, this is less likely to come through in an edgy way; there could even be a spirit of diplomacy, or wanting to be sure a sense of cooperation and teamwork are present. Venus in Leo can be bold and affectionate — though what counts as bold and affectionate for you will depend on your usual settings. Your dial may be turned up a lot or just a whisker at the moment.

The Libra Moon vibe stands in contrast to the Mars-Juno energy that’s been prevalent this past week. That conjunction in Leo is beginning to separate, but slowly. Again, the Libra Moon could help temper the more competitive side of this aspect in relationships, though the effect will vary depending on the people involved and the specific situation.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Dangerous Quest: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 3
The Day of the Dangerous Quest | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

If you want to make more of a positive difference in the world, this year’s astrology suggests you have the resources — whether it’s money, time, energy or ideas. You might need to use some discernment prior to making a firm decision, though do be sure to consider the opportunities offered you. Part of this exercise seems to be about finding your present vocation, and building on your self-confidence. Few things can do that like knowing you’re in a position to help someone, or several someones.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Mars and Juno make an exact conjunction in Leo today, though they’ve been moving in tandem for a while now. Primarily this constitutes a reminder to keep tabs on scorekeeping, one-upmanship, boasting and selfishness — especially with people of the opposite sex, and particularly in intimate relationships, though this could crop up anywhere things get a little competitive or ego-driven.

Ego is not a bad thing, inherently; a healthy ego is necessary to getting almost anything done, and to having a sense of oneself in the world. Yet when the ego feels threatened, it tends to get over-defensive. You may need to be the one to offer gentle reminders that help to keep things functional if a situation gets heated, and that could take extra effort.

On the other hand, there’s something about Juno and Mars in Leo that suggests the kind of assertion in love and sex that could fire things up in an enjoyable way. If you can throw some flames and your partner or prospect can serve it right back in the spirit of saucy competition, the playful rather than prideful side of Leo might come out.

Mars and Juno conjunct in Leo also speaks to me of something else: a very creative type of partnership, where the activeness of one person fires up the courage of the other. Or, perhaps, the type of inner frisson (caused by some metaphorical fission?) that accomplishes the same thing — with Neptune nudging things along in imaginative (if sometimes awkward) ways. Mercury being in the position it is suggests the continued need to ‘be real’, and to keep treading carefully with communication. Watch your assumptions, and notice the emotions behind them.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Versatile Signature: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 2
The Day of the Versatile Signature | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

You’ve gained a number of skills over time, and the year ahead will probably provide an opportunity to use them all. Changes are happening. Using your gifts wisely should help you steer matters in a useful direction, and navigate through any difficult areas or sudden plot twists. You have more versatility than you may think, and resources you can use even in the thickest of briar patches, if needed. You also possess a certain innate charm at this time, which might help open some interesting doors.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

The Moon entering Virgo this morning could describe taking a slightly more cerebral or analytical approach to emotional issues and responses that have cropped up recently. In fact, solving problems and putting things in order might actually offer some emotional satisfaction, especially if doing so helps someone else as well as you. Just keep the lines of communication open — which generally means asking lots of questions and then really listening to the answers, or saying what you plan to do before you do it. Mercury is still stormy after stationing direct Wednesday night (and rules Virgo), so it’s a little early to try and charge ahead full-throttle.

Both Venus and Mars are in Leo, and both are making aspects that could translate to some level of relationship disruption or intensity. So a Virgo-style approach may help to balance any possible flare-ups, as long as everyone feels heard and empathized with. Flexibility is key here: remember that minds need not be set in stone, and even emotions are far more subject to our ability to choose them consciously than people often realize. Yes, you feel how you feel; but not all reactions belong in the drivers’ seat. Sometimes they’re just signposts telling us where we are and why, and point the way toward a new understanding of ourselves. If we’re willing to read them thoroughly, that is.
— by Amanda Painter