If You Liked Earth Then You Should Have Put A Ring On It

There’s a cool video if you’re interested in re-shaping the world. And re-shaping the world is an apt description of the current Saturn-Pluto square. Personally, I don’t know if underscoring it with Franz Schubert’s Ave Maria was the most appropriate choice (especially since the sing cuts out at the end), but there is an interesting connection: Schubert was an Aquarian; and Saturn, the ringed planet, is the classical ruler of Aquarius. We’re also in the season of Aquarius right now. Okay it’s a bit of a leap, but that’s what Aquarius is all about, right? Making leaps. So why not leap over a few rings and enjoy this video of What Earth Would Look Like With Rings Like Saturn.

Life On Mars

Mars may be retrograde but the little red planet is still making news. Not a surprise really; after all, Mars is in look at me Leo, and has been the engine in a celestial locomotive pattern for weeks now. Here's a brief video that sheds some light on the warrior planet's ancient upheaval.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to a new year and decade on Planet Earth. Please enjoy this video of Eric Idle singing a light-hearted ditty about the Universe as we know it. Blessings and Peace to all.

Five Little Questions

Neeti Ray at Astrology Expressed has introduced me and her readers to a fun interview-style game in which she answered five astrology-related questions posed to her by Fabienne Lopez at Astrology Unboxed. The format is from a meme that was originally posted by Sunday Stealing and then modified for astrologers and astrology-lovers by Learning Curve on the Ecliptic. If you’re a blogging astrologer or astrology lover who wants to play, ask me to interview you. I’ll then ask you five different questions, which you will answer by posting them on your blog. In the meantime, here are the questions Neeti had for me, along with my answers. Enjoy!

1) Quick! Quincunx or conjunction? Why?
I’ll take the conjunction function, please. I have quincunxes aplenty and they just make me feel like everything I do or say is absolutely cringe-worthy. Don’t believe me? Here’s a sample of the inner monologue with Mercury in Aquarius quincunx Mars in Virgo: I say something rather witty (or so I believe) only to torture myself with recriminations afterwards for being such a smart-ass or saying something that was ill-timed. Granted, if my Mercury was conjunct Mars I’d be prone to aggressive speech, but I probably wouldn’t beat myself up afterwards. Ignorance is bliss.

2) If you would change one thing in your chart what would it be?
This may come as a shocker but I’d lose my grand air trine between 4th House Libra Moon, 8th House Aquarius Mercury and 12th House Gemini North Node. True, there are some intuitive gifts, but there’s way too much time lost from being in my head. I also need more than an average amount of privacy – emphasized by Cancer Rising. Too many ideas; not enough action.

3) Moon in Taurus or Mercury in Virgo?
Oh, I’ll have me one of those Taurus Moons, please. I’d eat and eat with gusto and I’d never be cranky. (Sorry, Virgo.)

4) What synastry aspect would you like with a boss?
Well you know, technically I am my boss. But I can play the imagination game (see question 2!) and pretend I have a boss. I’d like a Moon-Mars trine so that I could intuit (with my moon) what my boss wants me to do (boss’s Mars) before being asked to do so. Such a keener.

5) Is there a Sabian symbol or a fixed star that resonates for you?
6-7 degrees Pisces (where my Saturn is): Illumined By A Shaft of Light, A Large Cross Lies On Rocks Surrounded By Sea. This speaks to me of the Mystery at work in our lives; that spiritual quality or entity that cannot be named or contained within dogma and scriptures alone. It must be felt and experienced as a calling within.

Who wants to play? Add your name, website and email to the comments and I will respond by emailing you 5 questions. I get to pick the questions. You will update your blog with answers to the questions and a link to this blog. You will include this explanation in your post and offer to interview someone else . When others comment, asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.

New Moon Meet-Up at the Scorpio Cafe

(Seated at a large rectangular table are assembled the following characters: Sun and Moon beside each other; Venus at Moon’s right side; Mercury at Sun’s left; Earth; Saturn; Uranus; Mars at 90 degrees from Venus; Pluto; Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune, directly across from Mars.)

Mercury in Sagittarius: Alright Lords and Ladies, shall we call this meeting to order? The first item on our agenda pertains to the continuing theme of change for the masses. Sonny, do you want to speak about that?

Sun in Scorpio: Thank you. Luna and I have come together in order to add greater energy to the shifts taking place on planet Earth. We will open up a new lunar portal on Monday, November 16.

Venus in Scorpio: Can I just say that I feel somewhat hurt that you left me out of your alliance with Mistress Moon? I mean hello, we’re practically neighbours. I have just as much to do with the shifting tides as you or anyone else.

Moon in Scorpio: Shifting tides are my domain.

Venus in Scorpio: It was a metaphor.

Sun in Scorpio: We all have our roles to play in the unfolding destiny of our universe. Venus, your close proximity to me and Luna offers grace to people in fear of losing everything they hold dear.

Venus in Scorpio: It’s nice to be acknowledged. Thank you.

Mercury in Sagittarius: So, new change: Sonny, Luna - do either of you want to expand on what you mean by that?

Moon in Scorpio: We want to assist the humans in their transformations. But they’re terribly stuck. They’re so fixated on possessions that they can’t make room for anything new.

Sun in Scorpio: Exactly. So we need to impress upon the people that they need to make a sacrifice.

Neptune in Aquarius: You know I appreciate a good sacrifice, but didn’t we ban sacrificial offerings sometime after the Age of Taurus?

Pluto in Capricorn: Sweetheart, where have you been? I’ve been forcing people to make sacrifices for eons.

Neptune in Aquarius: But your methods are cruel. Ripping loved ones apart, debilitating people’s health.

Pluto in Capricorn: You’re one to talk. Helped anyone climb into a bottle of Jack Daniels, lately?

Mercury in Sagittarius: So anyways, getting back to our actual topic…What kind of changes do you anticipate, and what kind of sacrifices are you looking for?

Saturn in Libra: I can speak to that. One of the most sweeping changes we expect is the way in which humans inter-relate with one another.

Mercury in Sagittarius: Meaning?

Venus in Scorpio: Lord Saturn means romance. He just hates to use that word.

Saturn in Libra: Nonsense. There’s more to relationships than fluff. Need I remind you that all commercial transactions are founded on right relations?

Venus in Scorpio: Obviously I know that. You forget that relationships and finances are the very energies that I embody.

Pluto in Capricorn: Reforming human relationships? That’s pretty small potatoes compared to what I’m up against. I’m single-handedly trying to change the entire fabric of human society.

Uranus retrograde in Pisces: What am I, chopped liver? I’ve been trying to wake these humans up for years.

Pluto in Capricorn: Right, while you smoke another fatty.

Neptune in Aquarius: Did someone say something about smoking a big fatty?

Mercury in Sagittarius: Please come to order!

Saturn in Libra: Thank you. Back to what I was saying, for you’re missing a crucial point, Lord Pluto: you can’t expect to change the fabric of society solely by tearing it to shreds. As much as I appreciate steady progress, your tactics are somewhat ruthless. There needs to be a bit of balance or people will simply give up and accomplish nothing as a result.

Venus in Scorpio: Very well said.

Saturn in Libra: Moreover, what are societies built on, if not a series of relationships?

Pluto in Capricorn: Not that I couldn’t hang out here for years, but what’s your point?

Saturn in Libra: My point is that, if we’re going to help the humans evolve beyond their petty egos –

Mars in Leo: Hey, what do you have against egos, all of a sudden?

Saturn in Libra: (shoots Mars a look) If we’re going to help the humans evolve beyond their petty egos in order to build decent societies, then we’re going to have to teach them how to build relationships that can withstand the tests of time. And that starts with admitting that some things must change if two people are going to grow old together.

Mars in Leo: (under his breath) Well, you know all about growing old.

Venus in Scorpio: So you are talking about love relationships.

Mercury in Sagittarius: Then I suppose our happy couple here (indicatingVenus and Mars) should be involved in directing some of those relationship changes.

Mars in Leo: No way, man. I’m with the Prince of Darkness over there (nodding to Pluto). All of this relationship babble is making me edgy.

Uranus retrograde in Pisces: Whoa, you think you’re edgy?

Venus in Scorpio: I agree with our winged messenger. Since the humans place faith in our ability to get along, we ought to set a loving example of how to cooperate.

(Mars groans.)

Venus in Scorpio: What? Too attached to your precious identity to share anything real or meaningful with me?

Mars in Leo: I’m not interested in getting swallowed up by your emotions.

Venus in Scorpio: Love me, love my shadow.

Mars in Leo: I want to get out there and make my mark on the world!

Sun in Scorpio: Mars, seeing as you’re already holding the bucket that we currently find ourselves in, I want you to lead the people. But no ego trips, okay? Move from your heart.

Venus in Scorpio: Nicely said, Sonny.

Mars in Leo: Is that all you have to offer? A few “nicely saids” here and there?

Saturn in Libra: A little decorum, please. Let’s return our focus to the agenda of change at this lunar portal.

Pluto in Capricorn: Seriously? The keeper of the status quo is suddenly the champion of change? Does anyone else see the irony here?

Jupiter in Aquarius: I’ll tell you what I see: Because Mars is still the loudest man on campus, he gets the honour of playing leader, yet again. I have a problem with that.

Moon in Scorpio: Are you jealous?

Jupiter in Aquarius: What? No! But let’s face it: Mars is good for short-term tactics – but putting him in charge of a long revolution? I don’t think he’s got the stick-to-it-ive-ness to handle the job.

Mars in Leo: Hey man, I’m hanging around Leo ‘til, like Summer. That’s a really super long time.

Neptune in Aquarius: You should spend a day with me, my dear. That ought to alter your perceptions of time just a bit.

Jupiter in Aquarius: (to Mars) And, more to the point, your annoying need to be special completely invalidates anyone else’s abilities.

Mars in Leo: Well, I’m totally unique. And I’m not interested in getting lost in your mob. I’m a force to be reckoned with.

Jupiter in Aquarius: You think you’re the only force for change around here? What do you think we’ve been doing all year long (gesturing to Chiron and Neptune)?

Mars in Leo: Dude, you totally inspire like everyone...to hit their snooze buttons. Which makes my job of rallying the peeps into action kinda tough.

Jupiter in Aquarius: It’s the barbaric nature of your action that disturbs me. Love the work you’re doing in Afghanistan. How’s that war in the name of democracy working out for you?

Mars in Leo: Democracy’s your world, not mine.

Uranus retrograde in Pisces: Uh, technically democracy’s part of my portfolio.

Mercury in Sagittarius: Look guys, uh, how are we supposed to assist the humans through these next few years if we can’t even get along?

Mars in Leo: We could all come together and wage a war against war!

Uranus retrograde in Pisces: I like a big upset as much as you, but enough with all of the wars. There has to be a peaceful solution. I can’t very well awaken the masses to Spirit just to send them off to battle, can I?

Neptune in Aquarius: Agreed. It’s time for a revolution of a more spiritual nature. We want people to lay down their guns…

Jupiter in Aquarius: …to have faith in a new Brotherhood of Man…

Venus in Scorpio: …and Sisterhood of Woman…

Saturn in Libra: …for all men and women to recognize that their equality with each other cannot extend into the greater social arena until they live it in their personal relationships.

Sun, Moon, Earth, Venus, Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune, Uranus: Hear hear!

Mercury in Sagittarius: Containers. Give the people containers.

Earth: Please, no more damn containers; they all end up in land-fills - and I’m bursting, as it is. I feel like a pregnant cow that can’t give birth.

Mercury in Sagittarius: No, I mean: big ideas need a container if they’re going to manifest, right? We need to get people thinking about who or what the safe containers are in their lives. For some folks it’s their relationship; for others it’s their bank accounts. But either way, we need to show them who or what to invest more time in if they’re going to hit their targets.

Sun in Scorpio: Humans need to invest in themselves, right at the core of their radiant beings, and forfeit their concerns for material ambition.

Saturn in Libra: But, they’re only human. Their material concerns are a necessary foundation upon which to grow spiritually mature.

Chiron in Aquarius: So then, we need to help people build a bridge that connects them to their cores, to their material reality, to each other, and to us. That bridge will lead to the new world they’re already trying to inhabit.

Pluto in Capricorn: Well you know I’ve always said that bridges are for burning.

Mars in Leo: Need a light? I’ve got a match here.

Sun in Scorpio: I am the light. And, as dark as the days ahead may appear to some, I am always here, through all of these changes. I am the one sure thing upon which the human race can count.

Pluto in Capricorn: Well, so am I.

(Everyone shoots a look at Pluto.)

Pluto in Capricorn: Hey, at least I don’t collect taxes…

Everything Must Change: Week Of November 2

Welcome to a tense week on Planet Earth. It begins with a potent Full Moon in Taurus. Full Moons can set your teeth on edge to begin with, but this moon has the added weight of being a bit of a monster. Kind of appropriate on the heels of Halloween, dontcha think?

This Full Moon sets up a planetary configuration known as a fixed grand square. Sun and Moon are opposite each other in the skies (which results in a full moon), and are at square angles with Mars and Jupiter, also opposing each other. The tension created by a Grand Cross is pretty strong and will challenge each of us as demands come at us from all sides. The trick this week is not to scatter your energy with too many projects at once. If you’re juggling multiple balls, one of them is bound to drop in a moment of confusion or forgetfulness.

Yet, as much as it feels like the friction comes from an exterior force, it’s actually an internal process. It’s the tension inside you that’s building up, and it requires an appropriate release. If you try to control your world through defensive postures you’re going to get stuck in a groove that leads to nowhere but the ditch. If you perceive an attitude of antagonism coming from others, it’s a sign that you yourself may need to find another way to express yourself. Defense mechanisms aren’t going to be tolerated by too many folks this week, so word to the wise: take responsibility for yourself and save the excuses.

If the grand square can be harnessed effectively, the natural outcome will be strength and success. Venus trine Jupiter helps to dispel the tension if you’re involved with any type of creative collaboration, or if you practice compassion or largeness of spirit. It’s about getting in the flow of equanimity, compassion, healing, mentorship, and benevolent leadership. This is all the more pronounced because Chiron in humanitarian Aquarius has resumed direct motion after months in retrograde, and Neptune in Aquarius is about to follow suit this Wednesday.

There’s added complexity to the cosmic energy in play: cosmic tutor Saturn has moved into the sign of Libra after spending two-and-a-half years in Virgo. Each of us, in our own way, will begin the process of examining all of our relationships, be they personal or professional. As if to highlight some of the sicknesses that we engender in relationship, Venus in Libra is currently quincunx Uranus retrograde in Pisces. This can point to the possibility of wanting a certain relationship so badly that you lose sight of the need for balance between you - a balance of give and take, and a balance of responsibility and power. Now that Saturn in Libra has moved into square aspect with Pluto in Capricorn, the comic imperative is that relationships must change or they will be changed. And, of course, it all starts with the man in the mirror.

As you stand under the light of the Full Moon tonight, perhaps you might consider one meaningful way that you could improve the state of a relationship that now requires your loving attention. Blessed be.

Mantra for Week of October 5

This week Neptune retrograde (spiritual awareness) is the release point of a destiny-like configuration known as a yod (or Finger of God). Mercury in Virgo (the pen) and Mars in Cancer (the sword) are part of the configuration, resulting in a drive to mental and physical battle for the underdog. The mantra for this week’s energy:
“I will not cease from mental fight, nor shall my sword sleep in my hand ‘til we have built Jerusalem on England’s green and pleasant land.”
(William Blake, "And did those feet in ancient time")

Namaste.