9 posts from September 2008

I love it when they say, "Don't start anything in MR!" We start SCHOOL here during MR.

Here:

I’m going to touch lightly on Uranus/Mercury aspects because these show up in the charts of those with lots of intelligence, occasionally bordering on genius. These individuals can operate at such a different level than most people it’s hard for them to find something to talk about over coffee or drinks. The “common” touch is often missing making it hard for them to relate to others. Their challenge is to find someone who can talk their language.

Venus and Mars in aspect to Uranus operate similarly – Venus functions by drawing others to us and Mars is how we pursue. Both of these planets when aspected by Uranus can make our love lives very exciting or make us feel like we are caught in a revolving door with lovers coming and going unexpectedly. There is a decidedly selfish element here especially if Uranus is conjunct, square or opposed to your natal Venus or Mars. This can be moderated by awareness of what’s going on. The sextile and trine are often found in charts of creative sorts who are good at thinking of original ways to enjoy themselves.

If you have an accurate natal chart based on a good birth time, Uranus aspecting the Ascendant and Descendant are strong clues to your relationship style too. Obviously a person with Uranus conjunct the Ascendant will project an aura of independence and originality – a “one of a kind” vibe. For those who are interested in this person, they may have to get to know them well enough to move past the public image. With Uranus conjunct the Descendant, we draw partners who are often brilliant and unpredictable. The challenge here for someone who desires a stable, durable relationship is to incorporate those qualities into themselves . . .

Hidden Faces of the Asteroid Goddesses: I like this bit on Juno in particular.

Juno is after heirogamos, or sacred marriage. Her placement shows more specifically than Venus' does how one expresses the desire to be a significant other, no matter what the sexual orientation. A person with Juno in Capricorn would prefer a relatively conventional marriage; Juno in Scorpio would lead a person to place more importance on the sexual bond than on the legal aspect of union. Actual engagements and weddings and moving-in-togethers and divorces often correspond to Juno transits. Zip Dobyns finds that synastric connections of Juno make her clients think of marriage even when nothing else in the comparison would seem to indicate it. 

Juno is the one among the four asteroid goddesses who represented steadfast loyalty to relationship-for-the-sake-of-relationship. It is she who offers the teaching for modern spouses trying to find ways to live as a unit without losing themselves in co-dependency. Like all the lunar deities, Juno had three facets: in this case, the maiden, the bride and the widow, which described the cyclical state of a committed union. In the myths, we see Juno and Jupiter separating for some reason, usually an infidelity of his; she goes into solitude or a wandering phase, then she bathes herself in the sacred spring, and goes right back into the relationship. This asteroid is about the natural rhythm there is in uniting with and separation from and reuniting with a mate. 

It is possible to read Juno as being merely about bridal showers and couples counseling. But looking beneath this level, we find a more subtle perspective on committed partnership. 

To understand the archaic inner face of Juno it may be necessary to dispense altogether with the modern term "wife", and resurrect the ancient notion of a consort. Giving this asteroid both Scorpio and Libra rulership, George posits that Juno represents the concept of a union of intimate equals: the craving to fully merge with another human being in order to find the perfect balancing of masculine and feminine energies. On a secular level, this could be seen as the mutual respect and support a happily married couple would have for one another's work, emotional well-being and creative projects, as well as their commitment to mutual pleasure in bed. On a spiritual level it could be seen as committed lovers in meditation, exploring the psychic sharing and the raising of the kundalini life-force that transpires in conscious sex, as practiced in Eastern tantric traditions. Ultimately, Juno's goal is not the marriage itself but the ego transcendence the marriage can offer. Though pleasure may be part of it, this kind of coupling has more to do with religious ecstasy. The union becomes a means to get beyond the separateness of the self by joining forces with another at the deepest levels--the original meaning of the heirogamos --leading to healing and spiritual consummation.

There’s no way around it: astrology is based on the premise that each of us has a pre-incarnate soul identity that chooses this incarnation, of which our natal chart is the script. Saturn is the code within that script which specifies the exact type of challenges to be encountered, so as to induce a very particular type of growth (everyone gets challenges, and growth, but not the same kind). From this perspective, each of us does indeed choose the hurdles we will face, as surely as if we’d signed up for them in a race. And like the reneging runner, we forget we chose them.

But if one opts to pursue astrology, the belief that we did “sign up” for Saturn’s (and all the other planets’) lessons is – not to put too fine a point on it – part of the program. It is not that astrologers seek to cajole clients into a leap of faith they don’t want to make; it is simply that astrology wouldn’t work if it weren’t so. And what sense does it make to waste your time on a philosophy whose most basic axiom you don’t believe in?

I'm sick of political stuff lately, but this one actually interested me:

"Sarah Palin's North Node is in Cancer; her South Node is in Capricorn. Even if her birth time in inaccurate, these remain true. Because astrologers recognize that the North Node is the direction the Soul longs to go towards in this life, and the South Node represents what it longs to leave behind (or its default mode that it wishes to outgrow) then there is a potential crisis or serious challenge here.

A Capricorn South Node implies that this Soul is familiar with positions of power in public places. Earlier in this life, or in other lives, she's been immersed in issues around money, power, reputation, and stressing the goal or end-point, rather than the means to the end. Politics and ruthless ambition has been the norm. Now, the suggested direction of her destiny, if she went to an astrologer, would have been that she move away from these Capricorn South Node tendencies, to move in the direction of her North Node destiny--which points to all things Cancerian. This would put an emphasis on empathy, process, and nurturing, rather than goal directed behaviors such as helping to "win a war." Motherhood or caring for others with special needs would be perfect. Sacrificing one's personal life for politics and running a country is not the goal of a North Node Cancer, such as Sarah Palin. She may have lots of public ease as a revolutionary reactionary this time around, since she's done it before, but there's a hint here that the more she sacrifices her feeling nature, and the feelings and nurturance of her family, the less likely the Universe will be in supporting her in the long run. This doesn't mean that she couldn't win the VP position; she should be very good at all the political behavior involved, but if astrology has truth, then the family and personal karma created could be tragic"

Here.

I stopped watching Project Runway awhile back, but I had to read this on astrological fashion. The question is, what does this have to do with the sign it's designed for?

"Suede and Jerry worked on this hideous "Libra" outfit."

Ehhh... other than too much droopy and looks more like I Dream Of Jeannie, it could be a lot worse. It's dreamy-Libra-ish.

"Leanne and Emily designed this "Scorpio" ensemble together, and seemed to "get" the concept of "avant garde."

Not bad for a Scorp. The colors are right, anyway. Not sure what's with the Black Widow drape, it looks awkward.

"Korto and Kelly made this beautiful "Aquarius" dress that was even prettier in the back."

That's definitely Aquarian.

"Joe and Daniel worked on this volcanic "Aries" gown, which actually is not terrible, considering the competition."

Well, the colors seem right, anyway. I do wonder if she can walk in the meringue. Aries needs to do some steppin', fast. In short, skirt needs pruning, top is nice.

"There was a part in the episode when Kenley said, "I'm just having fun and some girls don't like that." But what Kenley needs is a heaping spoonful of shut the fuck up. She is so argumentative on the runway, it's embarrassing. Because it's ultimately disrespectful! Anyway, this dress is "Aquarius." See the water-bearer influence? Me neither. Unless the sleeves are canteens."

I second this. It ain't Aquarius. It's like Virgo from hell. Also, UGLY.

"Jerell and Jennifer worked together on this "Sagittarius" outfit. See the arrow in her hair? Previous ProjRun contestants picked this as the winner. Desperate times."

Okay, it's a little reminiscent of a horse. Otherwise....no. Bad fabric on the skirt, the sparkly looks like shit, high waist looks good on no one.

"Blayne's garment is like a Cirque du Soleil performer had a terrible accident and fell in a vat of cotton candy. Bye, bye, Blayne."

I don't even know what this is, and couldn't guess. What's Barbarella's sign?

"I actually liked Terri's "Leo" ensemble better when it had a fur collar on it, but maybe that's because I like The Wiz. So long, Terri. Ease on down the road."

Well, that is pretty Leo-ish. I can't argue with that.

I would vote Aquarius #1 for the win.

This is a fun one. You KNOW I've been there with the Aquarians.

Taurus Astrology Zone:

This may be a baffling month, with all sorts of shocks, surprises, and mixed messages, so you'll need to take time to sort out all you hear. Things may not be quite as they seem, and should you feel a little overwhelmed at times, step back and take time to think.

September will be neatly sliced in two, with love and friendship to be your focus during the first half, and your work and your health and fitness the focus in the second half. In a way, it may seem like two months rolled into one.

Let's start at the top of the month. The new moon that arrived late last month on August 30, in your house of true love, will still be strong in the first week of September and will turn your thoughts to a person you've been dating. If you've not dated lately, then you'll be motivated to change the ways you've tried to meet people. If you are single and hope to meet someone new, you will have the edge at that new moon, doubly so if your birthday falls within five days of April 27.

This new moon appeared very close to Saturn, so that suggests you are about to make a serious, long-term decision about your love life. If you have been dating, then it will be about the person you've been dating. If you are single and not dating, then Saturn will make you discriminating, yet practical and realistic, about whom you start to date. If you sense the person isn't really serious about a long-term alliance, you may leave.

On September 3, Saturn will conjoin the Sun, a rather sobering influence. This is not an easy aspect, for icy Saturn will move over the Sun's fire in your house of true love and children. If you are dating, you will know instantly if you've been realistic about your current relationship, for that's Saturn's job - to make you practical. If you've been living a fantasy (and it's easy to do that in love - which of us has not at times?) then it will seem as though someone turned on the fluorescent lights in your life - the glare may be hard to take.

The Sun also rules your home in the solar Taurus chart, so you may have to make a decision about where to live or about whether you can afford to buy a house or renovate, or concerning other domestic, family, or home-related questions.

If you are single and dating and had planned to move in with your lover, you may have second thoughts about doing so on September 3. Saturn wants you to have contingency plans, so it may not be wise to give up your present apartment, even for economic reasons. Keep your place empty or rent it to a friend (if allowed). Or, don't move at all. You can still be together a great deal without moving in.

The fifth house, where Saturn will meet the Sun on September 3, also rules creativity. You may find that someone in authority has harsh words to say about one of your artistic projects. That's always tough to hear. If you don't agree with the criticism, let the words roll off you and remain true to your own instincts. If, being honest with yourself, you feel you might benefit from all or part of what is said to you, take it and use it to your benefit. Don't become crushed by it - in a few days you probably won't even remember this episode.

There is one other possible manifestation of Saturn's influence on September 3. The fifth house rules pregnancy, so if you have had problems with conception or pregnancy, be sure to get plenty of rest. Listen to all your doctor's advice too, as it would not be the time to deviate - follow all the advice to the letter.

The very next day, September 4, Jupiter and the Sun will be at lovely angles. Jupiter will be in your travel sector, and the Sun in your creative sector. You may get a call from an overseas client about an opportunity to export your talents abroad. Or, you may travel far on this day. If the latter is the case, you'll do very well, and your cup of good fortune will runneth over!

Difficult aspects will hit at mid-month and I am sorry to have to say this. This time, on September 12, you may hear a shocking surprise about a lover or child when Uranus will oppose the Sun.

On the heels of this, at the full moon on September 15, Uranus will conjunct the full moon, directing your attention to a friend. These two aspects, falling so close, will overlap and could be quite jarring. When it comes to Uranus, you can never accurately predict the outcome. 

A friend may be in crisis and need your urgent help, or you may find that the board members of a club you belong to (or hope to join) will act erratically or strangely for some reason. It is also possible that in an extreme manifestation of this trend, a friend will betray you. Let's hope this aspect won't apply to you.

The moon in any chart also rules home, family, and the overall domestic condition, so a situation may arise there and will be part of the discussion, too. Again something seems to happen suddenly, without warning.

As you get into the second half of September, your office, store, or studio - your workplace - will be very busy, for Mars will circulate in your sixth house of new assignments all month. If you were hoping to take a vacation, it seems not to be possible, for your boss will need all hands on deck.

Mercury will retrograde in this same work assignment house, so you may find you have to go over completed work and fix flaws.

You can expect even more assignments to arrive once the new moon arrives September 29.

Co-workers will be very cheery and helpful during the first three weeks, bless them, so at work you should feel none of the tension that you might be feeling in your personal life. If you like, you can ask a pal in the next cubicle for a favor on September 11 and expect a positive, caring response. On that day, your ruler, Venus, will contact Mars - that's lovely. In fact, you may even discover a flirtation with a co-worker, and it may even last!

The month holds more intricate twists and turns than a Hitchcock movie and you'll have to use a scorecard to keep up. When at one point it looks like things are going to the dogs, the next minute you'll turn optimistic and feel as though you are headed to the top of the world again. To say your emotions will be all over the place is an understatement.

You won't be alone. A host of dramatic planetary alignments will be having a similar effect on just about everyone. With everyone feeling a bit manic, you can imagine how wild September will be at times!

Oh joy.

Let's have a look at the month from the top. The new moon that occurred last month, on August 30, will still be exerting a strong pull on you as the month opens, and this new moon will focus you strongly on your friends. You will be meeting many new people, and you have the option of making a new friend or two and to strengthen the bonds with friends you have now.

If your birthday falls on October 31, plus or minus four days, you will feel this expansive new influence the most and will be in the best position to take advantage of it. People you cultivate now will open up new vistas. Working to help a charity, club, or other organization or special constituency will help you to develop leadership skills.

There is one day that may prove to be somber as the month opens, September 3. The meeting of the Sun to Saturn will occur then, and is considered a very weighty aspect. At that time a friend may face a very difficult situation and ask for your help. It won't be a problem that's easy to solve - you will need to listen closely so you can help research options.

Alternatively, on or near September 3, you may volunteer for a very complex and responsible position on a club, charity, or board (such as the condo or tenants committee). Heading this committee would raise your status substantially, but you may be very concerned about whether you can handle all the responsibility you have taken on. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to committee members to see how you can best divide the work.

At the very same time, near September 3, you will be hit with a great deal of work at the office, and juggling both could be quite a task. Your professional profile seems very high these days, so naturally you'll want to keep your output as polished as possible. Juggling all will be very difficult, and you may find you return home exhausted and depressed. Get rest - you will be seeing life through a dark filter on this day, and with adequate rest you will soon be your old self again. If a boss criticizes you on September 3, you're likely to go to pieces - everything will take on greater proportions on this day - but try to keep perspective.

There is one other possible outcome of September 3 that I hope will not apply to you. You may have a problem with a friend that distresses you deeply and that could put your whole friendship in jeopardy. Words said now could have very lasting effect. Let's hope this is not the way things play out.

Both planets hold sway over your finances, so with both turning on their wattage, you will now move into a much more successful phase, one that will allow you to achieve more dramatic and gratifying progress in weeks and months ahead. If you've been frustrated about how little progress with cash flow you've made over the past months, you know why. Now you have reason for an improvement.

Watch for signs of a financial breakthrough, whether large or small, in the days surrounding September 8. You may also get to schedule a trip you had delayed for a long time - you may have put it off to save money!

Tensions will begin to build in your personal and professional life, however, as you get closer to the full moon, September 15. Your first signal that something is up will be on September 12, when Uranus opposes the Sun. This aspect often produces a powerful, jaw-dropping effect, so whatever you think will happen won't - something else will, and it will be something you could never have anticipated.

On that Friday, September 12, a creative project could bring an unexpected obstacle or sudden change of direction that requires your immediate, urgent attention. You'll feel your reputation is at stake, and it is in a way, so you will need to show how resourceful you are in your response. Alternatively, a major boss or client may suddenly leave, creating havoc in the office. The news will be jarring.

It is also possible that a rather wonderful creative opportunity will arise out of the blue for you and that you'll similarly need to roll rapidly. You seem to be very centered on what has developed all weekend, for the situation will be ongoing Monday.

With changes going on at the office, you'd appreciate a stale romantic life at home but that seems unlikely. At this very same full moon, a romantic relationship or friendship could also bring more surprising, even shocking, developments.

For clarity, if you are married or in a long-term established relationship, you are not likely to feel the effects of all this - the house under consideration will focus more on new love than committed love.

The full moon, on Monday, September 15, plus four days, seems to be tied with events that begin to surface on Friday. On Friday, you have Uranus opposition the Sun. On Monday, Uranus will conjoin the full moon. This time the full moon will culminate in your fifth house of love, creativity, and children, so a personal matter seems to be at the epicenter of your attention.

Whatever occurs will be so unexpected as to knock you off-kilter. With Uranus you never know what to expect, and that's why it's so hard for me to prepare you. It looks to be a shock you don't like involving a lover or friend, but with Uranus, I can't be sure. Certainly I would never describe these aspects as soothing or calming. Electrifying and jolting would seem a more appropriate description. Your job seems bound up with what is going on too, and I can't quite figure out how - but you will see this play out as events rapidly unfold before your eyes.

A lover may be cause for real concern and deep disappointment, or the matter may involve a surprise pregnancy. If you are not dating, however, and this full moon doesn't center you on a creative project or creative people, then you may meet someone new at this time. I am not sure that's good - this person may disappear, only to show up again later, next month. Anyone new you meet at this full moon I am afraid would be quite erratic. Yes, I know, this month you'll need nerves of steel.

On or near September 19-22, a career development may come up that will allow you the opportunity to work with someone from your past and it seems that you would package yourself as "partners" to the new company. This will be an intriguing offer, one that would allow you to increase your authority in the industry - see what happens near these dates, and be content to allow talks to play out slowly and gradually.

Mercury will go retrograde in your twelfth house of solitude on September 23 until October 15, so if you need to make a big decision or initiation, you need to either do so in the first week of September or wait until the new moon in Scorpio on October 29. I vote for next month for many reasons - that's your ideal time to act.

With Mercury out of phase, there's a good chance you will change your mind about a relationship, project, or other big endeavor important to you. Give the matter all the time it deserves. Rushing won't make anything happen any sooner. Mercury in this state indicates that things are in flux and are likely to change in a dramatic way soon. Be smart and wait for the dust to clear. Never plan your initiations to be too close to the start and end dates of the retrograde period, for that's when Mercury will act in his most mischievous ways and produce the most chaotic results. Mercury rules communication, objective thinking, and negotiations - all areas of life that you need to operate in top form. Delays you experience now will benefit you. Trust in that to be true!

Why are the start and end dates of the Mercury retrograde periods the worst to initiate actions? Let me give you a visual example. Imagine a big ocean liner trying to do a u-turn and you will sense how hard it is for a big planet to switch gears and go in the opposite direction. Moving from retrograde to direct creates an enormous energy drain on Mercury, and a lot of static swirls around the planet as he musters all the energy he has to affect the change. That's not a time to do anything important. So don't run up too close to the day Mercury retrogrades, and don't be too quick to jump on activities the day it goes direct.

All month, Mars will be in your most secluded part of your chart, so you'll want to keep to yourself most of the month, thinking, planning, and strategizing about the future. Your time to "go public" will occur next month when Mars goes into Scorpio. Use this month to study all your plans and to root out flaws.

The new moon at month's end will fall on September 29 and have a magical effect on your artistic and imaginative efforts. The twelfth house, which will be so strongly emphasized this month, rules creativity that stems from the very depths of your soul. If you are paid for your ideas, or have a solitary artistic pursuit that is important to you, this new moon will help you come up with highly original ideas.

This new moon will also help you end a habit you've long wanted to end, or to seek help from a professional, friend, or coach about a matter that has troubled you (if that applies). Your dreams may become very vivid over the coming weeks, and if you find this to be true, you'll want to talk those dreams over with a friend to dissect what they might mean. Dreams can be very revealing!

Romantically, this month things could go into the extreme - either very good or very bad. See what happens at the full moon, September 15, plus or minus four days.

If you are single and hoping to meet someone, you might want to be open to a special introduction by a friend or an Internet meeting. Plan your first date, even if it's for coffee, on the very best day of the month for romance, September 11.

"If you are someone with a strong sense of destiny, can you describe how it feels?  When did you realize the direction you were going to take? Did you encounter opposition?"

"For quite a while now, I’ve felt like I’ve been flailing, unsure where I need to be and what I need to do, only knowing that what I’m currently doing isn’t fulfilling me. Some months ago, I sat down and really took a long heart-looking, soul-searching moment and determined what I NEED in order to feel fulfilled — once I really looked at that, the decision to go in this direction was so painfully obvious that there was no way I could miss it. And when I said, “This is what I’m going to do…” well, like I said, it was like I stopped fighting against the current, and things have been falling into place with stunning rapidity."

"I’ve been called to serve in whatever capacity life needs me. It’s frustrating because there was never an epiphany: “Thou shalt be a lawyer” or a nurse or an artist or what have you; it’s never been that clear-cut. But you know, since I accepted that I’m just an on-call, generally smart and skilled person here to serve, I’m never at a loss of random situations to rescue. So at least there’s that."

"yes. but following it is like searching out bread crumbs. every once in a while i get a strong need to go do one thing or another. and i follow it."

"Speaking of hearing your calling, the soldier told me this weekend that he was called to soldiering similarly to how priests are called to the priesthood.  He described how he tried to avoid it to appease other people but every time he tried to get away he was thrown back to it. Eventually he quit resisting and his relationship with me has followed the same arc.

Yeah, some years ago I used to do all this writing and then recoil from it and react by taking every single thing I have written (1000’s of blogs) down and disappearing for weeks at a time. Each time that was going to be it! Enough of this shit. People attack you, they target you, they hate you, I don’t make so much as a dime doing this and blah blah blah.  I must have thrown in the towel at least 20 times if not twice that.

I have also ran off to the circus a few times (remember when I wrote on Salon?). I’ve also made various threats for various reasons only to have HQ reel me back in before finally coming to terms with what I now feel is my destiny, this writing and the other things I do having to do with astrology both seen and unseen.

My relationship with the soldier? Well that’s obvious. We threw each other back 50 times. We both swore each other off. I tried to kill him with a motorcycle helmet, we both married other people.  I also cut off his email, put his most cherished uniform in the trash, took his pictures off my computer told him he was a lousy bastard and for what?  All to try to avoid what is absolutely inevitable.

I am not sure if everyone has a destiny so specific. If you have a stellium in your chart or a major configuration (like a T-square or a Grand Cross) it’s possible this would indicate a life more hard core, but I don’t know that.  What do you think?

Can fate be avoided?"

"I don’t know if fate can be avoided. I think it goes back to one’s purpose. If you can avoid it, I think it comes at a high price. You can close your eyes and ignore it but it will be a constant battle. It will keep coming back to you. You’ll have spent all your time working at not doing what you were supposed to do. And then you haven’t really lived your life at all."

"I don’t think you can avoid what you are supposed to do or be, but we have free will and you can make it harder, like I always seem to do, by trying to get out of it."

"I think fate can be avoided, and in the process your personal fulfillment can be avoided, too."

"I believe that fate, like the lessons we need to learn, can be avoided, but not indefinitely. We cannot choose our lessons, only the time when we are finally willing to learn them. I think fate is like that. We can put it off, but eventually we will have to embrace it. This is, of course, just a belief. How can we really know?"

"No idea the answer to this question, except that when I set about avoiding the voice/universe/signs get noisier, louder, start to clatter . . . sometimes I’m not ready to pay attention to them, but when I do, they’re all right there, and they have been all along."

"I can’t think of a single instance in which I’ve avoided my fate and gotten away with it. It always comes around, just a matter of time. And the time I spent avoiding is riddled with obstacles/problems that all point to the path I was supposed to take but avoided. It’s akin to the voice inside me going from a whisper, to a two by four, to a club over the head."