JD’s Weekend Forecast: Smart Material Moves

We can make some great material moves this weekend (some of which may allow us to take advantage of the upcoming Venus/ Pluto square (Points to ace reader Duse for reminding me this is a sextile, NOT a square–and about that I have to say, Relax! No wonder I thought we should relax!) but our ability to turn energies to our profit is available only if we’re willing to be flexible. The good thing is that we have the smarts, the knowledge, and the skills to create what we want; the bad thing is that if we cannot be open to new information, or to a better-informed source, and if we are unwilling to recognize the actual present physical situation, then we will have problems (Pallas quincunx Earth). Saturn (material reality, Self-discipline, boundaries and rules) is the apex of a Fist of God with the arms a Jupiter/ Earth square (expansion, the social scene, and reaching out v. our surroundings and material resources–Earth in Taurus); this Fist will not allow us to ignore the status quo, but will allow us to change this if we can play within established norms. Our desire to expand is already facillitated (the square–no, sextile!) and if we are not heeding Pallas’ request to defer to wisdom above all else, then both reality and boundaries will present insurmountable difficulties. The reward here (Venus sextile Pluto), if we make smart moves, should materialize early next week, and will involve a transformed financial or asset situation (and this could come about as a result of changes to relationships, rather than directly to our income or assets).

The South Node quincunxes Neptune; could we have a more clear warning that nostalgia may mislead us, or at the very least, distract us and make us yearn for the past? The indication (the quincunx) is that we must adjust our rose-colored glasses so that we bring to mind a more realistic memory-picture. To succumb to fantasy is to perhaps set us up for future misjudgment, as we may mistake the past for something it wasn’t.

Mars square Ceres says that the ego may be ripe for confrontations with authority or maternal figures; we can re-purpose this impulse to assert ourselves by measuring our urges against those of authority. This allows us a yardstick in asking, ‘Who do I want to be?’ and gives a little perspective that can be very helpful.

Mercury square Jupiter suggests we may not be able to trust communications, on a personal or a societal level. What we hear seems to contradict what is apparent; what’s broadcast may run up against what’s logical. Here’s where our ‘internal Pallas,’ active in the quincunx to Earth, is vital; access her wisdom and we’ll know the truth of things, who to listen to, who to brush aside.

Venus is the body of latest degree for the next two days. This will inevitably bring a tension and focus to all Venusian matters–be sure not to narrow the focus too much, and to remember how important both wise choice and the material reality of things are to a successful weekend.

Whatever you do, have a great one!

And here’s an insightful real-life example of some of Neptune’s effects at direction http://astrologymundo.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/neptune-direct-and-the-fort-hood-shootings/

The Saturn-Pluto Square

A conflict aspect between two serious heavyweights such as these, not surprisingly, has stirred a great deal of concern, but really shouldn’t. It’s a clash of the titans, a rough meeting of forces with ancient origins–and as such, it will affect most of us as significant background, rather than up front pressure or confrontation. It brings to bear on the life general energies that require discipline and effort (and if we don’t discipline ourselves, circumstances come along and do it for us! Such is the influence of Saturn) and that will require the utmost seriousness and honesty–as Pluto will rile the depths until truth be told.

No wonder many people are worried about this! But, not to fear–it’s an excellent long-term opportunity to make significant, down-to-the-roots changes that can immensely better your world. Will it take work? Yes, Saturn’s involved; Will it be dramatic and messy? Yup, Pluto can bring forward the secrets and question the theatrics that have been protecting them like no other. Is this bad? Only if you don’t want to do the hard work–but this doesn’t have to be especially hard, with the difference between difficult and relatively smooth being one’s willingness to address what comes forward. It’s that simple.

Parsing out the effects of this square over time is best done in two ways: an inspection of the ways it contacts the natal chart, naturally, and in watching what through transit touches the square. This latter will give a tenor to the square, giving the energy clash a certain flavor–and right now, that happens to be provided by a sesquiquadrate formed by Jupiter in Aquarius. This stimulates a strong desire to understand the square intellectually (but the majority of its energies are more primal than that–sensing them works better), and it makes us prone to project the effects outward, into our social sphere or society at large. Tensions generated by needed change will find expression in one’s role or interaction in the group arena–which could be unsettling, as everyone changes partners and shifts position, drawing lines in the sand, demanding the bare-knuckles truth, and overall looking to reflect inner changes in significant change to the surroundings.

The Slingshot Full Moon

The Full Moon today at 11:14 AM PST acts like a cosmic slingshot, loading two tense configurations that we’ll be hard pressed to escape: a T-square with the Sun (10 Scorpio 30) conjunct Ceres and Mercury at one end, the Earth/ Moon conjunction (10 Taurus 30) at the other, with an arm formed by Mars in Leo; and a Fist of God with the same Sun/ Mars square, both sides sesquiquadrate the Juno/ Uranus conjunction.

Perhaps the most effective way to look at this is by defining each energy cluster; when we do this, and examine the Sabians related to the Full Moon degree, we find something unusual: that these tense aspects will bring a sense of relief and productive serenity. What a surprise! The Sun/ Ceres/ Mercury group in Scorpio brings a blending of the identity with a sense of authority and a natural ease of communication; in Scorpio this promises depth and intensity, the possible involvement of secrets, the desire to clear the air (and we’ve been seeing this for some time; we can assume this is, logically, the culmination, at least of this phase of development). The Sabian for this degree (courtesy of cafe astrology http://www.cafeastrology.com/sabiansymbols_degreemeanings.html) is, ‘A drowning man is being rescued.’ This promises the process has already begun; the conjunction of energies adds that our own capacity to embrace who we are, to believe in ourselves, and to communicate this is instrumental to the realization of the ‘rescue.’ This presents a challenge of its own: if we don’t, in some fundamental way, know ourselves and our identity, we will be at a disadvantage; the rescue may not be a success, our message may be garbled, our identity unclear.

The Moon/ Earth conjunction is at 10 Taurus 30, the Sabian for which is, ‘A woman watering flowers in her garden.’ This image is in radical juxtaposition to the one for the Sun, and suggests the serenity found both in the process of drowning (at a crucial stage the mind takes one elsewhere, to the memory of something calming and earth-bound) and evokes the flashes coming to the rescued: I will stay home in the garden from now on! It represents the natural reaching toward the polar opposite (water to land) that is the logical result of a land creature (humans) overwhelmed by an element where he or she is only temporarily comfortable (water)—and that brings us to the idea that what we may be rescued from by our sure knowledge of ourselves is the emotional, intuitive, and subconscious influences that have seemed to be overcoming us of late (Moon, manifested–Earth).

The Leonine Mars arm of the T-square suggests that the tension inherent in exercising the ego’s prerogatives (and these are keyed to the Soul’s needs, Leo) will bring about the rescue and resolution, which puts us in a position to tend and enjoy our metaphorical garden, the results of all we’ve been nurturing–in other words, we’ll get what we deserve by our actions that resolve this tension-need.

The other configuration, the Fist, takes the Sun-Mars square, bringing forward the productive tension of the ego/ identity energy mix, and puts both parts into a situation calling for adjustment to empowerment needs and the need to express the uniqueness (or, for some, the need to show themselves within a group). Though tense, this too allows us to resolve a pressing need, and to access some of our most vital Self-expression energies; these are certainly, as well, some of our most original.

Creative types should benefit enormously from this Moon, as will anyone dealing with boundary and empowerment issues, and so will those who have been stuck, in some sense, within the process of creating the life–they will be rescued by the coalescence of their own most typical energies and impulses, and placed in the ‘garden’ of their own creation.

Look to the House of the natal chart where the Sun influence is present (Leo cusp, natal Sun placement, transiting Sun) for ideas as to what areas might offer you the reflection your identity needs to recognize itself, and to the Full Moon House for the life area where the need to resolve the tension has been manifest (and accept that this is where the relevant tension shows–this elaborates on what we’re being rescued from). The dynamic across the House axis where the Full Moon falls is one of material renewal and spiritual resurrection. Where Mars in Leo falls in the natal chart is where the ego can act to end the crisis–but don’t expect this to go forward without some upset and conflict, particularly internally–that’s just the nature of all those squares and sesqui-s!

The Juno/ Uranus conjunction draws on the entire cosmos (Pisces) for empowerment and creative ideas–so even the sky isn’t the limit, in terms of what you can access! The slingshot quality of all these components is that tension, movement, and release will propel us toward the goal–just aim as carefully as you can!

Fun Fact: have any of your heard of this before? The built-in dictionary that comes with Works says:

na·tal [náyt'l]
adj
 of buttocks: relating to the buttocks 
[Late 19th century. < Latin natis "buttock"]
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

What??

Greetings from the Future!

Friday's fashions are nothing like today's

For the past two days I’ve been feeling like we’re two days farther into the week than we are; yesterday I thought it was Thursday, and today feels like Friday–so I’m just going to give up and go with the (time) flow, and tell you a little something about what it’s like here and today, Friday, October 30th, 2009. I hope you weren’t expecting anything flashy; it’s really pretty much like it was Wednesday, with gray skies and cool, late Fall weather where I am. The world is still spinning (or at least, that’s what the media tells me) and life is still a piquant mix of tragedy and sorrow and joy and hilarity and nonsense. So, why did I bother to write to you, you ask? Because of this Fist of God, formed by a Sun/ Ceres conjunction, square Mars, all these sesquiquadrate the Juno/ Uranus conjunction. We really should be ready for it; it may come out swinging, not in a bad way, but in a challenging one, and if we’re on top of the energy, we can use it.

First, though, if any of the elements of the Fist touch anything in your natal chart, pay special, close attention, for God may be thinking of reaching out and poking you, just you, with this fist–or at least, that’s what it may feel like, like you were singled out for a special drubbing by the capricious powers-that-be. Sun/ Ceres at 7 Scorpio, Mars at 6 Leo, and Juno/ Uranus at 21 and 23 Pisces, respectively, are the points to watch, and if your contact is with Juno/ Uranus, be especially alert, as you will be at the apex point of the energy–and so receiving the brunt of the Sun/ Ceres -/Mars square. For myself, I have my natal Moon sitting smack-dab between Juno and Uranus, making my emotional state, my intuition, and my subconscious wide open to receive the energy of the square (in empowerment of the individual form, I hope!) You have to wait two whole days to experience the effects for yourself; I only have to wait until later this afternoon

Overall, the picture is one of possible individual empowerment (or group empowerment) via the conflicts between powerful authorities (Sun/ Ceres) and pure action (Mars). This suggests that the energy generated will arise out of authorities’ choices in the face of actions observed–and it may lead to opportunity for the individual, the rebel, the intellectually engaged, the innovator, the avant garde Artist, the modern, the revolutionary, the reformed. The Uranian energy is, somewhat strangely, keyed to both hope and cynicism–if we can maintain a balance between the two, while remaining poised to strike while the figurative iron of opportunity, choice, and chance is hot, we can make outstanding use of the energy offered by this Fist of God.

No worries; I’ll wait here (Friday, that is) ’till you catch up!

See the latest ‘What You’re Asking’ featuring Eros on the MC, stalker synastry, and what to do about emotional isolation in relationship, here http://askjulie.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/what-youre-asking-eros-in-public-an-emo-ghost-and-stalker-synastry/ and see and purchase my books here http://dogandsunflower.wordpress.com Thanks!

Picture is from http://davidszondy.com/future/fashion/future_fashion.htm a site that has everything you’d want to know about fashion in the ‘future’!

See the Pretty Fishies

Must pop in and recommend you download the latest X-Ray Mag (a diving magazine–download is free) to see the undersea portfolio of prima astrologer Jude Cowell  http://www.x-ray-mag.com/  Stunning pictures with lush color, expert rendering, crisp detail–a must see! And don’t neglect to check out Jude’s work here http://shop.cafepress.com/jude-cowell The holidays are coming!

Fly Girls: Earhart, Coleman, and Co.

Swank as Earhart

In honor of the new Hilary Swank biopic on Amelia Earhart (and the controversy surrounding its star, who has recently been criticized for sleeping nude and allowing her boyfriend’s young son to see her this way), let’s look at the chart of the pioneering aviatrix and of her rival, another female pilot who could’ve easily outshone Amelia, if not for the efforts of Earhart’s husband–more on that later; first, we’ll peek at Swank’s chart, and see if there’s anything in the natal chart that might indicate the chance of winning two Oscars before age 29, as well as the affinity for sleeping naked. We have no time of birth, but we do have a date and place for Swank (30 July 1974  No Time Known  Lincoln NE USA). Without angles we’re frustrated in connecting energies to the public image, but we are able to see the Leo Sun trine Sag Neptune, a creative and extremely outgoing Soul urge; add the Moon and Pallas each at 29 degrees (Sag and Cap, respectively) and we have the emotional necessity to express the skills–this really is the signature of someone who in just being alive will be compelled to express express express the creative and imaginative nature–and it’s the kind of energy that draws the attention (and admiration, via the skills) of others–and their projections, as well, through the strong Neptune/ Sun contact–really perfect for a performer. No angles takes away a main timing element, but we do notice that the natal Saturn, Mercury, Venus conjunction did, by Solar Arc, contact the Sun at the ages of 18 (Mercury), 25 (Saturn–the year of her win for ‘Boys Don’t Cry’–see? Saturn brings good things to those who work hard!) and 26 (Venus–the point when the paycheck likely soared), so it’s not hard to image major accolades coming in early adulthood to this Leo lady. As to the stir over sleeping habits, Hilary’s Vesta/ Uranus conjunction says that the individuality and uniqueness (as well as the urge to be different) of the Self is sacred to her, and the exact Chiron/ Uranus opposition suggests that the expression of one’s freedom could be a way of refusing to succumb to wounds to the Self-esteem or fears (and that there’s not an ounce of lasciviousness in her penchant for nudity). Not at all a surprise, then, that this Leo should be chosen to portray another Leo, aviatrix Amelia Earhart (24 July 1897  11:30 PM  Atchison KS USA) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelia_earhart. Rather than concentrate on what every schoolchild already knows about ‘Lady Lindy,’ as she was called (after Charles Lindburgh, another ambitious pilot), I’d like to point out two lesser known facets of her life, the first being her involvement with nursing and social work.

Amelia trained as a nurse in response to the flu pandemic of 1918, and at her Saturn Return, after she’d already earned her pilot’s license and garnered a reputation as an aviator, she began work with Dennison House, a resource for disadvantaged families. We see this in the natal Saturn/ Uranus conjunction in the 7th (the need to do something concrete, progressive, socially relevant, for others); possibly, too, in the Moon/ Pluto conjunction in the 2nd, suggesting deep empathy out of personal experience, and the Grand Square of Sun/ Earth axis and Pallas/ Chiron opposition (this latter across the 12th/7th axis), showing a serious need both to show the skills for personal fullfillment and glory, and to heal wounds, both personal and of the Collective (in this instance, Chiron taking on transpersonal expression, attempting to alleviate some of the darker suffering of others–Scorpionic Chiron in the 7th).

Amelia on the wing, George on the ground

The other thing about Amelia we might not be aware of is that she wasn’t the only famous aviatrix of the time (notably Beryl Markham–read about her interesting life http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_Markham and Bessie Coleman, about whom we’ll talk in a moment), but it may have seemed that way to many in the US, as Amelia’s marriage to George Putnam of Putnam publishing fame in 1931 put her firmly in the limelight–not because her exploits were more impressive than anyone else’s, but because Putnam not only published and promoted her book, ‘The Fun of It’ very successfully, he knew how to work that era’s publicity machine as few others did. The reality was that though others were known for feats just as exciting as Amelia’s at the time, we chiefly have her disappearance, while trying to complete an around the world flight with co-pilot Fred Noonan, as well as her husband’s tireless pre- and post-disappearance promotion, to thank for her status as legend.

The last radio contact with Earhart and Noonan occurred at 8:55 AM local time near Nukumanu Island on the way to Howland Island in the Central Pacific Ocean. If we look at the chart for the time of last contact as it relates to the natal chart, we don’t see a lot of bang-up contact, and to me this suggests that Earhart likely landed her plane on an atoll, rather than plummeting to her death in the ocean (and this is supported by the spotting of old wreckage by satellite in 2001). What we do see hints at some possibilities: the 29 degree Ascendant suggests that at this point, her fate was sealed–whatever was wrong had already cascaded into a determined course; natal chart ruler Venus in transit shows a semi-sextile to the natal Part of Fortune (dubbed the Part of Misfortune by Richard Houck, who found it involved often at points of fate determining events), square to Juno, and opposition to Saturn and Uranus, signalling a moment when the individual is challenged in many significant ways; T Neptune square N Ceres (with T Ceres and Juno at 00 degrees, calling for adaptablility to the ‘new’ vibe), suggesting perhaps that Earhart’s natural sense of earth and sky, so vital to a flyer, may have been confused, or that she may not have recognized a ‘natural’ problem of some kind; and the transiting Moon sextiled natal Pluto–an emotionally charged glimpse into the abyss, certainly echoing the natal situation (of the loaded 2nd House, containing Moon, Pluto, Ceres, Neptune, Venus, Part of Fortune).  Another note on the natal chart: the Mars/ Jupiter conjunction in the 5th, endowing the individual with the romantic view of exploration and pioneering efforts, and connecting the ego and animus to these, with Jupiter ruling the 8th and 9th, bringing in the need to garner others’ support and to explore what’s ‘foreign’–certainly a signature for Earhart’s efforts as a flyer.

Bessie and her plane

Another female flyer, Bessie Coleman, gave Amelia a run for her money–if Amelia hadn’t been married to Putnam, it might have been Bessie who would be the stronger presence in the national consciousness–especially considering that Coleman was the first licensed Black pilot, male or female, in the world. ‘Queen Bess’ (26 January 1892  no time known  Atlanta TX USA) was inspired by returning WWI pilots to take to the air–and when she couldn’t get anyone to teach her how to fly in the US, she went to Europe, where she studied with some of the best flyers in the world. Coleman performed around the country as a barnstormer, a flyer who astounds crowds with daring feats and acrobatics; she became a celebrity, known for her ability and willingness to perform the most difficult stunts. Unfortunately, Bessie didn’t live long enough to fulfill her dream, which was to establish a school for young people of color who wished to fly. It was in 1926, while up with her mechanic and publicity manager at the stick, that Bessie was thrown, unsecured, from the open cockpit to her death. A (literal) wrench in the gears caused the controls to jam and the plane to plow into the ground–and in many ways this rings true to the chart, where great talent and drive is shown as being challenged at every turn (the many squares).

We see Bessie’s spirit loud and clear in the natal chart. A Sag Moon shows the need to reach out, explore, and the willingness to go far to fulfill the emotional needs; Uranus forms a T-square with the Sun/ Earth axis, suggesting that dynamism of the individuality acted to energize (and also present challenges to) the Soul expression and identity and material situations; Vesta is quincunx Saturn–this struck me as an expression of the need, or even insistence, of ‘getting off the ground’–quite literally, in this case! The Nodes create a T-square with Pallas apex, implying that intelligence ran the destiny–but also presented plenty of challenges to moving forward successfully (such as through the desire to do something she at first was unable to find co-operation or support for); Sedna quincunx Uranus, epitomizing perhaps the form many problems took, but also an ‘engine’ that helped drive accomplishment, in that she may not have seen how her own rebelliousness to the system, individuality, innovative spirit, and intelligence served to both hinder and propel her accomplishments; Venus trine Uranus=treasuring the uniqueness of Self, something any groundbreaker needs; and I see bravery in the ‘chain reaction’ conjunction of Venus (at 7 Pisces), then successively Ceres, Jupiter, and finally Juno (at 22 Pisces)–this combo epitomizes a very strong, capable, and confident individual with both the ability to empower herself and an ultimate faith in the Universe (Pisces) that supports her independent path. Read about ‘Queen Bess’ here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_Coleman and here www.bessiecoleman

Here’s an excellent update on Amelia’s status http://ameliaearhart.com/news/2009/10/earharts-final-resting-place-believed-found/, with thanks to Jude Cowell’s http://www.starsoverwashington.com/ for pointing the way

Saturn in Libra: Let’s Get Serious

Saturn is exalted in Libra; this suggests a sweet, almost secret affinity between the hard-nosed, no-nonsense Saturn surface presentation and the touchy-feely, appearance-is-All, relationship orientation of Libra. So how do they connect? The link may exist through the concept of judgment; not discernment (that’s Virgoan), but a deep and serious assessment, the kind that brings pronouncements of one kind or another: this is good, that’s bad, you’re right, I’m wrong. This dynamic inherent to Saturn in Libra creates immediate tension, as the inclination to partner up and co-operate leads to a desire to make rules and set boundaries in the most nicey-nice way–and everybody wants to be their own authority. When Saturn enters Libra (the 5 AM hour Pacific Standard Time October 30th) we’ll see the Saturnian urge for order trying to express through relationship, attempting to nail down particulars by considering the viewpoint of others (“What do you think?” “Oh no, what do you think?”) and initially we experience what may be the unproductive theme of Saturn in Libra: frustration.

So what about that exaltation of Saturn when it’s in the Cardinal Air of Libra? Frustration is only the result while Saturn continues to try to be diplomatic, concerned with others, treating the aesthetic as if it’s as important to the Old Man as is the bottom line–as long as Saturn tries to bend itself to stereotypical positive Libran expression, none of which comes naturally, there will be friction. The nature of Saturn’s exaltation in Libra is expressed when the two allow the inherent qualities of Saturn to express through the most compatible expressions of the sign, without the pressure to steer them in the direction of artificially ‘correct’ attitudes; and those attitudes that are most compatible may bring forward some of the less flattering Libra facets, which is why Saturn works so hard initially to avoid them.

What does this mean? It means that Saturn, when it embraces the totality of the Libran experience, will manifest like this: when the effort to be uniformly, rigidly beautiful is abandoned, Saturn in Libra will become The Judge, the natural and appropriate arbiter of situational assessment and, ultimately, balance. The question of what is fair, right, equitable will take center stage, as will the implications of the status quo, boundaries and rules, repression/suppression, and constructive effort for the individual within relationship. This will manifest for each person in the matters of the House where Saturn transits while in Libra; contact to natal planets, especially hard contact, will bring this to the issues and expression of the natal energy.

There will be struggles over what is allowed and allowable in relationship (here locally we’ll be asked just after Saturn enters Libra to vote on whether to continue support of the extension of rights to same-sex partners–unfortunately we’re still not at the point of allowing everyone true equality, a sad statement after we’re almost a decade into the 21st century), and there will be questions of what is fair in terms of rules, structures, authority, responsibility. It all seems a bit dour, but what it can bring is a renewed license to enjoy and experience both interaction and aesthetics; when we know where we stand, we’re free to be ourselves in relationship, to create Art that’s Soul-inspired, and to make life choices that are informed as to what actually supports us, and what is suppressive. The beauty of Saturn in Libra is in the capacity to judge with authority, and to structure our world to reflect the beauty within.

Where do we Find our Talents? (Reprint from April ‘08)

I thought this might be a good subject for contemplation during this Dark of the New Moon in Libra–I think many of us are feeling the need to re-focus on talents and assets; too much energy scattering and distraction of late have left many feeling just a wee bit ragged.

In assessing talents I go straight for Venus and Chiron in the natal chart. Venus represents our assets, sometimes quite literally; these are traits and abilities we can pull out of our pockets and use, the best examples being Venus-ruled gifts such as singing ability or artistic talent. Venus attributes always carry an undefinable je ne sais quoi that shines through and designates the result as talent, rather than mere effort. Venus is like ability currency we can spend as we like; it draws admiration, and marks us as naturally skilled, whether we work to develop that ability or not.

Chiron is another kind of attribute entirely, a much more subtle ability that is highly unique and personalized to our Beingness and experience. The Chirotic skill has the quality of being channeled through us, and because of this it’s an asset we can freely offer to others, while this specific aid remains unavailable for our own use. We can profit from Venus; the profit we derive from Chiron is personal and spiritual, for the most part, with the goal being to take the Chirotic experience from a personal to a transpersonal level.

We can make the most of our total assets and abilities when we find a way to make Chiron and Venus work in concert; this doesn’t necessarily involve them working together in the same area–in fact that rarely produces success, instead fostering a confusion of purpose and values–but rather calls for each to be prominent in its proper domain, dictated by placement and aspects.

We have a fine, subtle example of the two working in concert in actress and activist/ ambassador Audrey Hepburn (4 May 1929, 3:00 AM, Ixelles Belgium). She began life drawing strongly on Venus, studying ballet, but after a move to the Netherlands in hopes of sheltering from the Nazis, she and her mother weathered the occupation, where young Audrey carried messages, hidden in her ballet shoes, to resistance fighters. This duality of gifts continued throughout her life, as she became an international movie star and UN goodwill ambassador, visiting and advocating for those experiencing some of the harshest conditions on earth.

She has Venus in Aries retrograde in the 1st; the 1st spans from the 28 Aquarius ASC to 26 Aries cusp of the 2nd, and also contains Pallas and the Moon in Pisces, and Uranus in Aries. Venus rules the communication 3rd and the 8th of support from and resources of others/ life and death issues, and she has six Taurus placements: Ceres, Chiron, the Sun, Jupiter, the North Node, and Vesta. Her Chiron, as mentioned, is in Taurus, and thus concerns the Venusian outlets of Taurus, in this case perhaps the food supply, as that was the focus of the UN activity. Her wound in this regard may have shown in the circumstances of the occupation, with food scarce and stability and security non-existent, and her gift may have been the appreciation of these very things–many of her movie roles show a woman who moves her focus from appreciation of the material to appreciation of the fabric of human relationship.

Venus in the 1st in Aries suggests a personal leadership role that has value to herself and to others. She was out front as both a fashion icon (and lifelong friend of designer Givenchy) and as a celebrity advocate–she was one of the first to visit the places in need of aid and interact with the inhabitants for the camera, in the hope of inspiring the world–this in itself says she was able to elevate Chiron from personal to transpersonal, as a world stage (depending, of course, on the size of your world) where one’s actions have a large ripple effect is one of the signs Chiron has been maximized.

Venus ruler Mars is in Cancer in the 6th–this was everyday work for her, suggesting she was living her values, very much a ‘what you see is what you get’ position. Mars ruler Moon is in the 1st in Pisces, giving the personalized connection to the Collective welfare. Moon ruler Neptune is in the 6th in Leo, just at the DSC–helpful for an actress–and Neptune ruler Sun is in Taurus in the 2nd of talents and Self-worth–and we’re back to Venus.

We see Chiron swept up in the Venus energy flow in this chart, and get a further hint as to how it works in concert as Taurean Ceres sits at the midpoint of Chiron/ Venus; this draws a picture of how important nature and personal authority would be in this life, suggesting that these areas would bridge the manifestations of both Venus and Chiron as she sought to bring aid and comfort, by using her personal authority, to others.

See my books on Chiron and on personal relationships here http://dogandsunflower.wordpress.com

Dark of the Moon Practice, New Moon Expectations

Dark of the Moon begins late evening of the 14th, Pacific time (approx. 10:30 PM). A passive meditation on relationships (New Moon in Libra) may be in order over the days preceding the Sun/ Moon conjunction. Though a meditation in motion is recommended (this is a practice of being, with the meditation an attitude carried throughout the day) it may not be easy, as the Dark period likely keeps us thinking about relationships almost obsessively; for some, the obsession may concern one’s Art or one’s efforts at diplomacy, judgment, or fairness of issues. Even as we look to other subjects, those interactions that need attention or resolution continue to intrude. Putting attention on these subjects is very appropriate, but don’t pressure yourself to come to some decision or resolution. The period preceding the New Moon is a time for contemplation and passive consideration of what the relationship or issue needs–it’s not a time to leap into action, come to conclusions, or make pronouncements.

The New Moon of the 17th occurs at 24 Libra 58 at 10:31 PM Pacific, and the only aspect within one degree is a Grand Cross created with the Earth and Nodes. This suggests a dynamic start-point, a birth, a decisive energizing that affects the life direction. The Sabian symbol for this degree (courtesy of http://www.cafeastrology.com/sabiansymbols_degreemeanings.html) is “The Sight Of An Autumn Leaf Brings To A Pilgrim The Sudden Revelation Of The Mystery Of Life And Death” The image, too, suggests the importance of the moment in terms of a new understanding that affects the life destiny in major ways. Now, this doesn’t mean we should each expect our own personal lightning bolt–instead we may do better to approach the New Moon with the idea that we cannot know ‘the big moments,’ the turning points in our lives, in all cases, as sometimes they are quiet instants of reflection that quicken the intelligence and open our spiritual eye to some vital truth never before seen. This is what the degree promises: that the faithful seeker (the Pilgrim) will be given the spark of knowledge and comprehension that applies to key life energies, forces, or experiences. Not a bad promise, at all, and likely to be lived out over the time between this New Moon and the next.

It’s of note that the New Moon will occur exactly conjunct Fixed Star Arcturus (24 Libra 22), which long-time readers will know I use as Psyche, per Michael Munkasey’s persuasive suggestion. This may bring the issues Psyche dealt with (love of one she doesn’t completely know, curiousity that wounds the relationship, the jealousy and vindictiveness of other women, the opportunity to listen to the spirit and accomplish ‘impossible’ tasks, the awakening or resurrection to a ‘new,’ more powerful Self) to the forefront, especially for women.

Twitterific Identity Theft and a Little Bit of Fate-y-ness

Today my twitter identity was stolen just as the transiting Moon conjuncted my natal Vertex. I don’t have a great deal of experience using the Vertex in interpretation; the most I’ve ever gleaned that seems to pass the smell test is that this is a point of fatedness, that events in conjunction with the Vertex are in some way unavoidable. Obviously, as identity thefts go, this was minor, and anyone who knows me (or has been around longer than five minutes) will be unlikely to respond to the ‘making money’ message. What’s more interesting is how they got my info, as I’m usually very careful and wary of anything hinky. This morning an individual I trust sent me a direct message through twitter asking if the person in a video was me, and included a link. Possible phishing went through my mind, but knowing that someone had put a video link on the internet some time ago claiming it was me (supposedly giving a talk on Juno, I think it was), I felt compelled to check it out, as I didn’t want anyone to be led into a scam in my name–ha!–and I mistakenly assumed that the individual who (I thought) sent the DM had already seen it–in this case, that little voice that usually helps me avoid problems urged me forward–and maybe that’s in a small way what fate really is, something that the guardian voice pushes you toward, that you wouldn’t normally choose to do but which, for any number of far flung reasons, must be done.

The rest of the story is this: I clicked on the link, which seemed to take me to the twitter sign in board. I had a moment’s pause, as I’d already been on twitter this morning and thought I was still signed in, but, knowing that there are glitches (in both the system and my memory) I signed in–then when I wasn’t taken to the (now I realize, imaginary) video, I realized my mistake. The worst part was that I tried to re-set my password immediately (in a new screen, of course) but twitter’s ability to handle capacity is so touch and go that I soon gave up for a while–until I started getting told that I was spamming people–and one of the people who told me so apparently didn’t know that his DM had the same spam message attached!

So, my apologies to everyone who was inconvenienced by this. I am dismayed by the way twitter is overly hands-off on issues like this, with no easy way to notify administrators in a situation in any timely way. Recently one of my favorite twitter friends was rudely and abusively harassed using what I would describe as ‘hate language,’ and her frustration at the difficulty of notifying Twitter and trying to get them to take action was understandable, especially because no avenue existed where she could establish actual contact with anyone in charge. I’d like to say to Twitter: sometimes you’ve just got to have contact with the masses, no matter how unpleasant you believe it will be, if you want to keep them coming back; one too many experiences like this, and it won’t be seen as such fun, anymore.