Tag Archives: self-awareness

The Day of Unpredictable Fate: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Sept. 6
The Day of Unpredictable Fate | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | All Other Signs

As you explore new creative and imaginative territory, you may at times come across some mental or emotional barriers. These are often formed in our youth, possibly in the guise of safeguards or stabilizers. However, if they prevent you from understanding and exploring the full range of your potential, you no longer need them. Be gentle with yourself as you clear your path, though also be firm in your determination. You need to be free to run where you will.
— by Amy Elliott

If your Sun, Moon or rising sign is Virgo, You are heading into a most unusual solar year, set up to do the thing Virgo is designed for: integrate the elements of your being, find your direction and purpose, and act on it. Eric will lay it all out in your 2019-2020 Virgo Astrology Studio.

Written in the Planets

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” You’ve probably heard these words by French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin — or a paraphrase of them — at least once in your life. But have you ever thought much about the inherent tension in this concept? To acknowledge that one is first a spiritual being is also to recognize how limiting the human experience can be: the density level; the literalness; the pain and separation. Yet there are also moments when we get a sense of how vast and full and connected we are, and we can infuse daily life with moments of that truth.

Today Mercury in Virgo squares Jupiter in Sagittarius (tomorrow it opposes Neptune). Also, the Sun is making these same aspects — along with a trine to Saturn in Capricorn, and a square to the Great Attractor in Sagittarius. There is a combination here of the tension and contrast of the literal, earthy, rational, limited experience and the imaginative, visionary, compelling, grand potentials that characterize the “human” and the “spiritual.”

If you’re feeling at all frustrated in trying to express something huge, long-range and inspiring in very literal, detailed or earth-bound ways, this is the related astrology. Flesh out your vision for the future in broad, vivid strokes; see what practical parts of it you can organize. Maybe don’t jump in the deep end yet; but know that it is there, waiting for you — and that the water will likely only get clearer in the coming weeks.
— 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 the Fanciful Sovereign: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Sept. 5
The Day of the Fanciful Sovereign | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | All Other Signs

This is likely to be a busy year for you, potentially involving lots of action. Any project you have particularly in mind could very well take off; things appear set up so that effort put in will yield proportional results. Just be mindful of your physical and emotional limits, however broad. Watch for burnout, and set some time aside to relax and to make contact with your deeper thoughts and feelings. We all need to wind down occasionally, and it helps keep your ideas fund in credit.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Mercury is in the process of making a series of aspects from Virgo, one of the two signs it rules. So there’s extra emphasis currently on thought processes, communication, and what you do with an idea once you’ve thought of it. Under normal circumstances, Mercury’s current trine to Saturn in Capricorn would describe an ability to organize the details of your environment methodically. Mercury’s square to Jupiter would suggest the optimism and broad vision needed to plan a long-range goal.

Those statements are still true; they just come with a twist right now. That twist is being provided by Neptune in Pisces. Is Neptune enhancing the idealism you need to achieve an important dream? Perhaps. Is Neptune obscuring certain details and truths that could impact your pursuit of that dream? Maybe.

Yet today Mercury is also making squares to the Great Attractor (a deep-space phenomenon in Sagittarius) and an object called Altjira (in Gemini). There’s something here, I think, about the need to think beyond simple polarities (yes/no, good/bad, black/white, possible/impossible); and also about understanding who stands at the gate of your dreams (hint: it’s you). You could certainly get caught in minutiae and easily forget to look up. But it might be just as easy today to push against the details of reality and let your mind expand toward a vision of what’s possible. It doesn’t matter if you never reach it; the point is to let its potential suggest new pathways forward from where you are now.
— by Amanda Painter

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Navigating an Impressionistic Sea

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By Amanda Painter

Have you ever seen an image of an outrigger canoe? Attached to the main portion of the boat is a smaller hull (without seating) that sets out a ways from the primary hull. These boats were developed by early Austronesian-speaking peoples of the Southeast Asian islands for sea travel; the design — and its offshoots, such as catamarans — continue to be popular.

Fire engine abstract; photo by Amanda Painter

Something about this week’s astrology reminds me of an outrigger canoe.

Mainly, it’s that the Virgo planets opposing Neptune are receiving some stability from Saturn in Capricorn. The relationship from Virgo to Capricorn is a trine between earth signs: a relationship of harmony and support, but not great power.

In an outrigger canoe, all the power to move the boat comes from the people in the main hull, paddling. Nobody is paddling in the second hull; it has no seats for people. It’s strictly to help keep the boat balanced and afloat on ocean swells.

The outrigger part of the boat offers stability, but not a guarantee. As we know, the ocean is vast, deep and very, very powerful.

You could say the same about Neptune, particularly in Pisces. It might not be a ‘stormy’ placement. But it can describe a high probability of disorientation. Without landmarks or literal stars visible — such as on a dark, cloudy day — early ocean navigation (pre-compass and sextant) could be incredibly difficult.

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The Day of the Builder: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Sept. 4
The Day of the Builder The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | All Other Signs

You may feel you want to pursue a particular set of goals, though unsure as to how some people might respond. Where possible, you could seek clarification; there’s certainly nothing wrong with taking other people’s viewpoints into account. However, ultimately you are the arbiter of your own life, and everyone else is in a peripheral role. Therefore, start by being clear within yourself, and prioritize what you feel and know to be right for you in any decision. — by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Thinking, communicating and feeling could all feel rather fuzzy today, and for a good several days more. Venus is exactly opposite Neptune, and Mercury is moving into the same position. This is classic ‘wait and see’ astrology. As in, wait and see if the person turns out to be who you think they are; or, wait to make permanent decisions and commitments based on your current perceptions.

This does not mean you must cease all activity and cocoon yourself. More like, go about your business and relationships, and appreciate everything about them, but with the understanding that you might need to adapt to further information down the road. The Scorpio Moon could be intensifying emotions, making them especially compelling. This Moon could also describe greater ability to read between the lines. Even so, you might consider holding in confidence what you think you’re intuiting until late in the month.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Mold Breaker: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Sept. 3
The Day of the Mold Breaker | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | All Other Signs

Perhaps more than anything else, the truth of your word is the foundation of your honor and character. This year’s astrology seems to be calling on you not merely to practice honesty, but to keep it at the forefront of all you say and do. Be especially wary when you feel absolute certainty on any point that isn’t as obvious as 1+1=2. That’s a signal you may need to slow down and examine your understanding. In many cases there’s more to a situation than what we think we know.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Today’s sky describes a high degree of mental energy. It will be up to you to direct it toward productive tasks, constructive communication, and other ways of expressing the ideas that are most important to you, and with which you identify most strongly. We’re currently experiencing a triple conjunction in Virgo of the Sun, Mercury and Mars. This could bode very well for engaging any kind of intellectual work that requires stamina or confidence.

Yet you’ll want to give all this energy a clear job to do, ideally in the service of some larger good (that is, not just for your own satisfaction, or to prove to someone that you were right after all). This could also be a good time to fulfill any outstanding promises you’ve made to others. Without these kinds of clear focus, it’s possible to take yourself and what you have to say a tad too seriously. If you feel like debating for fun, choose your sparring partners carefully — for example, someone who’s already used to playing with this side of you.

Also, notice if you begin feeling like your very existence is on the line, or a similarly high-stakes level of urgency. Step away, literally or figuratively. See if you can get some perspective on what — if anything — you really need to defend here.

With these Virgo planets opposite Neptune and the centaur planet Nessus, there may be a degree of mirage or displaced emotion involved. That is, you might not be arguing about what you think you are; or your emotions might relate to a situation or person from your past more than to the person at hand. If you feel like you’re on the receiving end of someone’s defensiveness, see if you can draw them out with questions to help clarify what’s up. Chances are that process will benefit all involved.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Businesslike Attitude: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Sept. 2
The Day of the Businesslike Attitude | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | All Other Signs

You have the determination and energy to succeed, regardless of any obstacles you perceive to be in your path. You know what you want to attain, and that perseverance is key to getting past any moments of self-doubt. This is a gradual but steady growth process that begins with you planting the seed of desire, and then gently nurturing it as it matures, strengthens and blossoms. Yet notice how that requires your action. The courage to seek for what you want is a crucial ingredient.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

If you’re at work today, you may at least encounter a congenial atmosphere with coworkers. That may be especially true in the later part of the day, though self-discipline is likely to be hard to come by, thanks to a square between Venus in Virgo and Jupiter in Sagittarius. This aspect could also describe overindulging, such as at a holiday cookout or sale.

With Neptune in the picture, don’t be surprised if daydreams are hard to shake — just take off the rose-colored glasses when it comes to romance and financial transactions. Both of those could be especially slippery this week. Are your head and your heart really in the same place, or are you trying to rationalize your dreams?

Note also that the Sun and Mars in Virgo are opposite the centaur Nessus in Pisces today. Pay attention to any power dynamics showing up in your relationships, particularly (but not only) when it comes to sex. Can you relate any interpersonal patterns you’re seeing now to past inner emotional patterns (such as around being desired and who you desire), or to certain old thought patterns from earlier phases of your life? If you can locate where a particular feeling and train of thought comes from in your past, it may be easier to separate your personal ancient history from present events and people.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of No Nonsense: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Sept. 1
The Day of the Rock | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | All Other Signs

When you consider your strengths and abilities, do you acknowledge their entire worth, or do you tend to join those who underestimate themselves? This year, there is an opening for you to count yourself in fully as a valued participant in society. You are already cherished more than you know by friends and loved ones. Your charts are calling you to step forward and offer your views, your ideas and your works, and to let go any shyness or reticence. The spotlight awaits.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Today looks like another good day for making an effort at something that matters to you a lot, or with which you closely identify. The more physical it is, the better; and you may find that when you’re really focused on this project or task, it feels best to work solo. Even so, deciding details by committee might simply be the situation you’re in. If that’s the case, keep tabs on any sources of irritation or annoyance so you can strategize how to work around them as needed. Following your intuition in the process is likely to yield unexpected or unusual ways to resolve an issue.

A trine between Venus in Virgo and Saturn in Capricorn describes stability in relationships. Yet be aware that Venus is also opposite Neptune in Pisces. There could be more of a rosy glow coloring your view of a partner or prospect than what you realize. Keep checking your fantasies against what the other person has actually done and said. People usually let us know who they are, if we’re willing to see it.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Public Appearance: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 31
The Day of the Public Appearance | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | All Other Signs

Have patience with yourself when it comes to fulfilling your aims. You may be progressing faster than you realize, and to some extent at least this is a slow and steady kind of game. Gradually, you’re bringing to life a concept that is unique and meaningful, from within the fundamental depths of your being, and thus a part of you. Be careful not to underestimate its significance, and grant yourself whatever time, resources or permissions you feel are needed.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

This weekend ends with the Labor Day holiday in the U.S. But no matter what country you live in, you’ll likely find that getting down to business on a project and getting physically active — rather than lounging around idly — will feel better. The Sun is currently conjunct Mars in Virgo (exact Monday). In any sign, a Sun-Mars conjunction describes a need to occupy yourself with creative and constructive pursuits. In Virgo, however, the potential increases for un-channeled energy to manifest as irritability, or as mental restlessness and insecurity. So get busy.

Additionally, Mercury in Virgo is in aspect to Uranus in Taurus and Ceres in Sagittarius. This also describes stimulation and activity. Maybe try tackling a problem with a new solution; consciously step out of routines (including mental habits) and explore new interests and locations. If you find yourself becoming bored, whether with an activity or whoever’s in your company, seek out those with unusual opinions and new insights.

There will be a day to stick with the tried and true, but this might not be it. That said, there is a difference between adventurousness and recklessness. Sometimes that difference is a matter of the role your ego is playing in your urges and responses. Are you really in disagreement with someone, or do you just want them to recognize who you are and what you’re doing?
— by Amanda Painter

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