Monday, December 1, 2014

The Fire Within: Know NO Bounds!

December launches the Season of Light, illuminating dark spaces in our lives to show us the way, the truth and the paths of possibility.  This December shines particularly bright as it marks the shift of taskmaster Saturn from Scorpio into Sagittarius.  For the past two and a half years, Responsible Saturn has cycled through heavy and intense Scorpio requiring each of us to do a LOT of inner work.  Now, this month, Saturn’s move into fiery, adventurous Sagittarius is timely and natural but will feel nothing short of remarkable.  Saturn's shift is especially notable as it occurs on Christmas Eve no less, only three days after the New Moon on a highly attention getting degree of Capricorn which takes place on the winter solstice. 

A rare event indeed.

The combined effect of this sets the stage for 2015:  dense, wet internal energy evolving into fire, action, motivating external energy.

As December opens, we already have a taste of the positive shift to come as four planets are in the sign of Sagittarius:  Messenger Mercury, the Sun (our will), Nurturing Ceres and Vivacious Venus.  Blazing the trail, adventuring forth the first week, we already itch for freedom.   After Thanksgiving, did you find yourself to be more curious, interested in larger, broader questions about life?  Want to know the why and how of the world, provoked by November’s Scorpionic deep dive into life’s mysteries…what actually lurks behind the curtain of life’s illusions?

Sagittarius and Jupiter which rules it are generous and expansive energies.  They want the good life for us.  And yet both are at once philosophical, spiritual and intellectual.  No shallow force is this.  The Great Humanitarian, Sagittarius asks us to think as much about our fellow man as we do about ourselves.  Step out of our limited vision and think, act inclusively.   So it is no surprise that Sagittarius is the Educator of the Zodiac.  Insatiable wonder best describes Sagittarius. 

So with four planets tightly conjoined in this sign from the outset of December, you may very well step out of yourself.  Study anything, a foreign language, new books, a course, choose to travel, engage people who broaden you and your views.  You will feel nurtured by any, all and more of the above.  The sky is the limit, says Sagittarius.  Know no bounds.  Freedom-loving Sagittarius says Don’t fence me in…and with Venus in the mix, you’ll feel a surge of self-confidence to take risks with relationships and new ventures, especially as Venus makes a very beneficial angle to Jupiter in Leo on December 4th.

This is an “I can do/be anything!” energy.  And super for heading into weeks of holiday revels, festivities and parties, which is particularly pronounced under the spotlight of the Full Moon on December 6thCan you say F-U-N?  With the Full Moon in chatty Geminii, socializing, talking, variety-is-the-spice-of-life takes center stage.  We’ve been sooooooo cooped up and weighed down by the intensity of 2014 that is more than OK to let your hair down.  You have full permission to let go, go for it, take a walk on the wild side.

A number of helpful alignments further enhance this witty and engaging Full Moon.  First, the Sun (our will) and Moon (our emotions) beautifully align with the lunar North Node in artful Libra.  Art, beauty, relationships, attractive people and surroundings figure into this equation.  People who impress and change your mind, open you up to new ideas, connect you to other people who will help you.  In short, this is an amazing time for networking, growing and developing yourself and projects. With the Full Moon directly opposite Messenger Mercury and the Sun, we consider possibilities and opportunities that either hadn’t occurred to us, were not available before or that we dismissed out of hand as completely impossible.  If you thought you were too small, too insignificant, or your goal and vision too far fetched to even think about accomplishing:  Not Now.  Revisit all of yourself and your dreams.   December entices us forward, onward.  Feel the fire?

Bating us on is the final element in this Full Moon equation, radical Uranus.  Building toward its next to last challenge with Pluto at mid-month, we are virtually dared into action.  With its incredibly supportive angle to the Moon, Sun and Mercury, the Great Awakener Uranus shows us what we may never have thought of before.  It asks:  what have you got to lose?  Your pride?  Time to say goodbye to that!  Consider this moment your engraved invitation from the Cosmos.  Leap!  There is a magical signature to this Full Moon.  Any changes you have been working toward especially on the home front come to fruition now.   There is a fated and destined quality to this Full Moon.  You may feel inexplicably drawn into situations.  The right circumstance, person, place, timing come together at exactly the intended moment.  It is very exciting.  Opportunity is nigh.

Just after the Full Moon, Abundant Jupiter turns retrograde motion in Festive Leo until April of 2015.  Creativity burns inside of us, neither dormant nor full throttle forward.  Think of this as a more considerate and thoughtful form of creativity and invention.  By December 11, Venus enters pragmatic Capricorn where she gradually joins Pluto for the remainder of the month, lending solid practicality to our desires and grounded realism to our goals, like devising a how-to guide for accomplishing what we want to achieve.  Venus softens the edges between Pluto’s challenge to Uranus on the 15th, reminding us that as much as we don’t like to admit, hard work and elbow grease, good old-fashioned ingenuity are the only ways to get anything done. Capricorn is the Great Manifestor.  When Messenger Mercury also enters Capricorn on December 17th, aligning our thoughts with our desires (Pluto), it is an excellent time to vision forward:  what do you want to manifest in 2015?

Around the same time mid-month, Motivating Mars cycles through early degrees of Aquarius.  The unusual, the inventive and ingenious feel right to us now, whereas in other days and times it would have felt weird, too strange.  Mars in Aquarius heightens our intuition as well.  We may not be able to put our finger precisely on why…we just know.  Trust your gut.  This only serves to open us up to those people and situations we haven’t considered before.  Fresh, out-of-the-box energy, concepts, draw us out just as we are drawn to them.  Apply these new approaches to your 2015 plans.

All of this constructive and intuitive energy is perfect to build what you seek in your life.  And as the planets would have it this magical month, they leave no stone unturned.  Because just think about the timing:  how amazing is it that the winter solstice occurs exactly on the New Moon at a spotlight degree of Capricorn?  Don’t just stand there, says this New Moon.  Build, baby, build.   And if this energy doesn’t catalyze and galvanize us into action, Uranus, the Great Awakener in fiery Aries turns direct motion on the same day to kick us in the pants.

WOW.

Significantly helped by its flowing angle to Motivating Mars, Uranus shows us the answers, the possibilities, our greatness.  EurekaWhy didn’t I think of that before?  Why didn’t I realize, understand earlier?  It is OK.  You are meant to learn when the time is right.  As they say:  when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

Only two days later, Responsible Saturn finally enters sagacious Sagittarius.  Just in time for Christmas and Kwanzaa.  Sagittarius rules spirituality and we may connect to Source and The Force in ways that have eluded us until now.  Remember, you and the Source  are One.  The Force is within you, just waiting to be discovered….

Leading into New Years, the Moon enters earthy, sensual Taurus forming a healthy aspect to the Sun conjoining Pluto.  This first quarter and later waxing gibbous Taurean Moon deliciously invites us to plant the seeds we wish to grow and watch unfold in the coming year.  With several planets shifting from intense water signs into hot, fiery action signs over the next few months, 2015 promises excitement, the bold and brand new, enticing us to really live and to understand precisely what that truly means.

Of special note:

A big shout out to Lees Yunits and Patricia Murphy:  Thank you for inviting me to discuss astrology on Easton (Mass.) Cable TV’s “Yoga Talk”.  It is wonderful to share the amazing gift of astrology with a larger audience! I will post the link to the video on my website as it becomes available.  To learn more about these incredible yoga instructors and healers, please visit their websites:  www.leesyunits.com and www.yoga.justiceofthepeacene.com!

Also, please MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  I am presenting a workshop on Saturday, March 28, 2015 on Creativity, Moon Cycles and Self-Expression at The Sanctuary for Yoga and Reiki in Watertown, Massachusetts.  Once again, I am truly indebted to the super talented Susan Jenness for opening her studio so we can come together for learning.  This workshop focuses on the origins of self expression and how you express yourself.  It will be especially helpful for artists at any stage of development.

  





Friday, October 31, 2014

From Water to Fire: Feisty to Fearless.

                            
November is typically a feisty month.   This month is no exception.  However, after the rock ‘em sock ‘em ride of October with Mercury retrograde and its double eclipses, November 2015 will feel relatively calm.

To be clear, this month has the characteristic Scorpio intensity.  You will feel the bite.  Never one to lay low, lay back and refrain from sharing its opinion, Scorpio pushes us to dig into our core to find new, better methods of responding to people and life. 

What was initiated on the New Moon eclipse last October 23rd, continues into November.  The first week of the month the Moon’s North Node (what calls our name to pull us forward) pairs with Messenger Mercury in Libra.  You will be heard just as others will make their voices heard.  This duo happily aligns with Giant Jupiter in Leo.  After October’s seemingly endless deliberations and negotiations, the time has come to decide, act decisively, choose sides.  Think creatively and speak your truth.   

Just as the people will surely speak on November 4, when, under a heavily waxing Moon, the United States holds mid-term elections.  Not for the faint of heart or those who prefer the status quo, this election has something to sayAnd LOUDLY.  With Messenger Mercury still bound to the lunar North Node in Libra, equilibrium, balance, fairness and justice are key notes of this election cycle.  It is the voters' turn to speak.  This election, they are sending an unmistakable message.  They are sick and tired of the stagnation and quagmire in Washington DC.  What is wrong in Congress and our government must be righted, say the people.  With Venus (women) at a highly attention-getting degree and wedged between the Sun (our Will) and Saturn (our Responsibility) all in power packed Scorpio, Warrior Women take center stage.  It is their spotlight moment to make their mark with an indelible stamp.   I am woman hear me ROAR! 

Not only is our will and sense of responsibility aligned to create change, motivating Mars and transformer Pluto conjoined in Capricorn (government) further incite voters as this pair squares off with the Moon (homeland) and radical Uranus (surprise!).  Ready for a little Congressional upheaval?   This is it.   The upset of GOP darling Eric Cantor who lost in the primary is just a taste of what the November 4th election has in store.  Watch for shake ups, shake downs and radical shifts.  Prepare for major upsets, the loss of long-held seats and stunned silence.   Out with the old, useless, blockheaded establishment and in with the new challengers.  Make way for the possible.  Does it make you feel uncomfortable?   Think of it like a giant change in air mass.  More than just a breath of fresh air, an entire continental front rolls in.  Stale, hot, stifling air switched for invigorating, delicious, energizing winds.  It is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.  There is no more time to dawdle.  Dare we lead?

The election occurs only two days before a Full Moon on November 6th.  Voters catch the waxing tide which strengthens their message that much more.  Individually and collectively, Full Moons bring to fruition and culmination what has been building energetically.   What is coming to the forefront of your life asking you to pay attention?  The Moon and Sun oppose each other in super strong degrees of Taurus and Scorpio.  These are the money signs of the zodiac, one personal and the other collective, or shared.  The Moon is exalted in the earthy sign of Taurus making tremendous nurturing energy available.  Take advantage!  Taurus is about personal property, our money, inner resources, in short:  our values.  The Full Moon asks what do you value?  Earthy Taurus also asks how we treat ourselves and especially our earth, the environment around us.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, Venus (love and money) and Responsible Saturn are tied to the Sun in Scorpio at Full Moon time.  Scorpio rules desire.  Values.  Desire.  Values. Desire.  Are yours in balance? 

Are your values and desires limited to possessions, what you can touch, own, hoard…OR, is there something missing, something more to life that you desire?  A lot more?  Perhaps relationships, connection with Mother Earth, yourself, to be valued, nurtured, taken care of and repaired so one may adequately be shared with a harmonious give-and-take?  On a personal level, what do you possess that is being called forth to share for the greater (and your own) good?  This Full Moon is hardly shy.  Its bright light calls us out from our shadows where we’ve been hiding.  You have talents, resources, hidden or not, that the world needs now.   Say yes.  Agree to share all you have and all you are with those who will benefit from your knowledge and power.  Yes you.  Powerful you.  Let others draw light from you.

We won’t have much choice by November 10th when Mars joins Pluto in practical Capricorn.  Both challenge radical Uranus and oppose the Moon, our emotions.  Strong stuff this.  Look for dramatic or sudden shifts in family circumstances, dynamics, landscapes and politics.  Yes, you read correctly:  family politics.  Our family of origin is the first place we learn the rules of politics, or, how to get along and how to get attention.   Each family member has an agenda.  The baby cries to be fed, the older children learn to juggle homework, peer pressure and activities while the parents balance work, paying bills and quality time with their children.  Each member vies for attention, to be heard.  To get their needs met.

The planetary combination on the 10th indicates change on the family front.  Property, inheritance, MOM, female family members, caretakers, food all come into play now. Babies arrive, creating parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins for the first time.  Elders pass away causing siblings to take stands, switching sides, alliances over estate or property concerns.   It is the kind of cosmic signature where the cousin you hardly spoke to leaves you an inheritance.  Or a child.  What will you do? How will you respond?  Share the windfall of good fortune?  Adopt and nurture the child? 

 With the Moon tied to the asteroid Hygeia (health) as part of this configuration, look for physical, emotional and psychological shifts.  The health of your mom, how your family is cared for, how and what you feed your family, yourself (the most basic form of nurturing).  Dysfunctional systems and patterns will breakdown.   Sometimes things have to fall apart before they can fall together is a catch phrase of this period.  Uranus, the Great Awakener, breaks apart what is broken in our lives.  Once broken open, the Light shines in to make way for new, functional, and healthy patterns of being. 

An extreme example of how Uranus can suddenly strike is the recent case of a Massachusetts mother of four children, two of whom she kept secret, as in, no one knew about them, hiding the youngest even from her own live-in partner.   They were only discovered when the continual cries of the five month old baby alerted neighbors who called the police.  In the house, they found utter squalor beyond description, the two youngest children in profound states of neglect among filth and debris.  All four children were removed and the house demolished.  Through the cries of a child, Uranus broke open an untenable situation.  Complete chaos and upheaval in the short term, yes; but the possibility for health and healing in the long run for sure.

While events in your own life will hardly be so dramatic or dire, shifts nonetheless abound to clear the path you are to walk.  Just in time for Neptune to turn direct motion on November 16th.  Soft and subtle especially in its own sign of Pisces, Neptune washes away the debris.  Cleans, bathes and soothes.  She invites us to dream a little dream while we soak in her warm waters.  The same day, Venus moves into Sagittarius stirring our interest in adventure, spirituality, education and travel.  This is a great time to take a class, plan a trip, travel, learn what you never thought you could (but what you always wanted to!), discover new parts of the world, of yourself…

Inspiring us to greater heights of discovery and adventure, Venus is tightly bound to the Sun and New Moon on the 22nd, all in Sagittarius.  Not only are we enticed to travel now, we’re assured our adventures will be most fortunate.  By the last week of the month, Mercury joins Saturn in Scorpio to challenge Giant Jupiter.  Create.  Go BIG.  Grand says Jupiter in Leo.  Saturn-Mercury in Scorpio can be testy, cranky, throwing water on Jupiter’s fire.  Watch the bank account this duo warns.  Be careful not to throw your heart away on someone who won’t love you back.  Yet with Venus (love and money) happily aligning with radical Uranus and the lunar South Node, shared resources of any kind, major gifts or investments, large stock market shifts in either direction, significant risk taking, gambling, are all in the mix.  It is truly a moment in time:  ALL IN, all or nothing at all.

Fortunately, Mars is exalted in pragmatic and practical Capricorn which tempers our hand.  It picks apart the pieces of our prospects to help us make a calculated risk, educated guess, practical bet, estimated and measured venture.  Live with no regrets.  The most common deathbed regret is the chance not taken.  Be sure to seize your chance now.  Break through and say I love you to the one you never thought you could.  Take out that loan to start your new business.  Trying is something you will never say you wish you had done.  The final days of the month, Mercury joins the Sun and Venus in Seeking Sagittarius.  As we enter the Season of Light, seek the truth in another’s reflection.  Seek as much from yourself as from loved ones.  Each of us is a multifaceted complex little world unto our own.  What I am, so are you.





Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now.

We barely step foot into October when Messenger Mercury turns retrograde motion on Saturday the 4th.   The last week of September we already felt the effects of communications snafus, slower-than-usual responses, technical glitches.  And travel, yes indeed, travel mishaps are occurring too such as the recent Chicago airport debacle which continues to set back airlines.  Since Mercury is in retrograde motion for most this month, please Remember all of the Re words:  review, restore, relax, read, renew, etc.

October usually brings a focus on all things Libra with the Sun directing our will in this sign of the scales.  Balance.  This year with the lunar North Node cycling through Libra, October pulls our focus that much stronger toward these arenas:  relationships, art, peace, beauty, diplomacy, harmony, negotiation.   In short:  getting along.  Come on people now, smile on your brother...

Years, perhaps centuries, in the making, Arab countries divided along Sunni and Shiite lines are now drawn into a common alliance along with really strange bedfellows:  Iran and the United States, to destroy a common enemy, ISIL.  Such is the effect of Libra.  With Messenger Mercury gradually backing into a tight formation with the lunar North Node for the balance of October, we are individually and collectively invited to turn negative emotions into healing energy, find the positive balance in the equation by releasing anger, resentment, guilt, or other feelings that do not serve you, your neighbor, or loved ones.  Helping, perhaps forcing, out the negative vibrations is Radical Uranus as it conjoins the lunar South Node in Aries.  This forms the point of polarity to the Libra North Node and a powerful one at that.  With intention, you can harness its strength to shed whatever holds you back.

Softer but equally agile support also comes to our aid when Venus, ruler of Libra and planet of love and money, conjoins the Sun, our Will, for most of October.  At its best in its home sign Libra, Venus fosters peace and tranquility to open the way for dialogue and eventually understanding.  The Beatle's John Lennon was a Libra.  His song Imagine paints images of peace, understanding, getting along...

Imagine all the people, living life in peace...  

Libra is the sign of the artist.  As John Lennon or any artist will tell you, the hardest part of their job is objectivity.  To stand back at a distance from their creation, separate yourself emotionally and evaluate, weigh (think Libra scales) our work, our lives, our families, our contribution and effect on all of it.  Emotional detachment is where Libra shines.  Detaching doesn't mean you do not care.  Libra cares passionately.  So much so it is willing to let go if need be so that the creation, situation, other person may find a life of its own, pursue the life, meaning and purpose, it is meant to have.  Now that is maturity.

Therein lies the trap for Libra:  peace at any price.  The willingness to sacrifice their own happiness so the other may do as they please.  So as the Sun, Venus, Mercury and the North Node all converge in Libra this month, a word of caution.  All of the weighing, evaluating and consideration leads to a great deal of fence-sitting.  Inevitably, we are called to make a decision.  To choose.  Sitting up there on that fence post looking at how green the grass is on either side, Libra can hesitate interminably from making up its mind.  Choose we must though.  How to proceed, get on in our world.

First, a tall dose of patience is in order.  The time to act, make a decision, choose, will arrive soon enough. And if ever there was an October to harness Libra's talent to weigh and evaluate, this month is it.  Because until the last week of October (after the 25th) there is a cosmic mine field to navigate. In our harried and hurried 24-7, 365 world, we are now offered a chance to slow down.  Take a nice, long, thorough and objective look, to study of all the facts, impacts, details swirling around us.  If you can hold off, continue to weigh decisions and choices, delay signing contracts until the last week of the month, do it.  Here's the celestial scoop why:

On the 4th, not only does Mercury turn retrograde but the Sun directly challenges both transformer Pluto and the radical Uranus/South Node pair.  With all but Mercury in cardinal or catalytic signs, you may very well feel forced, blasted, to act or choose.  Libra (Sun-Venus-North Node), Capricorn (Pluto) and Uranus-South Node (Aries) do not like to sit still.  Only days after this stressful configuration, the first of two eclipses occurs on Wednesday, October 8th, a total full moon lunar eclipse.  As a reminder, eclipses serve as markers of time, opportunity and chapters of our lives.  Since the Moon is wedged tightly between unpredictable Uranus and the South node opposite the Sun-North Node, any Cancer the Crab concerns strongly come into play.  Look for shifts in relationships regarding family matters, children, parents, siblings, or house/home, food/cooking, family property, inheritance issues.  These may be sudden, abrupt or catch you off guard.

Again, under Mercury's retrograde motion, if you can review these sectors rather than acting immediately, think about and process information, time really is on your side this month.   This lunar eclipse has significantly helpful aspects.  Both Mars and Jupiter form incredibly beneficial angles to the Uranus-Moon-South Node, known as a grand fire trine.   If an eclipse could be called creative, this one is it.  With Uranus-Moon in the mix, breakthroughs will occur.  These include but are not limited to emotional and family relationship breakthroughs. Ideas in science and art POP. Puzzles solve. Think, believe:  Creativity unleashed.  Channel and release it!  Mercury and Neptune also align beautifully bringing clarity and pristine insights.  This eclipse has enormous Eureka! potential.  How exciting.

So dive right in as Motivating Mars in Sagittarius pushes us out of our comfort zones to educate ourselves, expand, broaden and stretch our horizons; take a philosophical approach. Meanwhile Jupiter in playful Leo suggests trying different and alternative angles to same-old-same-old situations.  Allow opportunity. Walk through doors, chances opening up to you.  Try different flavors and methods.  Step out of yourself.   Hear the rah-rah-rah cheerleader of the grand fire trine, its infectious enthusiasm enticing us to make play out of our work, to have fun.  You can do this.  Yes you can! Rah-Rah-Rah!  Fun and play go hand in glove with the vibe of Mercury retrograde:  Re-lax.   All that artful Libra energy encourages us to stroll through a gallery and see what current artists are creating.  Invite the new to inspire your world.    This is an excellent time to take a vacation if you already have one scheduled, OR, to plan a stellar get away in the future.  Make like Mercury Retrograde and Re-search. Do your homework.  Design the ultimate itinerary.  After October 25th, go ahead and purchase the tickets.

Partaking in research, relaxation and restoration/renewal is about as active as we'll want to be around mid-month.  Yes, life must go on, with work to be done and bills to be paid.  But the window between eclipses is, let's just say, a notoriously infamous dead zone.  The giant black hole of cosmic activity where energy spent, tasks to accomplish, etc, fall into an endless, irretrievable void.  With Mercury now backing into Libra for the rest of October, slowly pairing with the North Node, Sun and Venus, weigh, evaluate, objectively study decisions and choices to be made.  Libra is about justice, equilibrium, what is fair.  In mid-October, consider:  are you receiving a fair shake?  Getting your fair lot in life?  Are you treating others fairly? Giving them the benefit of the doubt?

As decision time draws nigh, remember, there really is no wrong decision.  When deciding, be sure to take yourself into account.  Libra is famous for extreme people pleasing; thinking of the other, the "I like it if you like it" mentality.  Just remember to factor you into any decision.  How will you feel with the end result? As Katharine Hepburn said, "If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased."  So go ahead.  Choose.  Without regret.  You will follow the path you are meant to walk, take the journey you are meant to travel.  When your decision is rooted in love and compassion, for yourself as much as others, you can't go awry.  Hear that brotherly love echo of John Lennon...?

Imagine all the people, sharing all the world...

Then, on the 23rd, the veil lifts.   Like fireworks going off one after another, planetary shifts mark the time for action, kicked off by the New Moon solar eclipse in Libra on the 23rd.   Rev your engine.  Prepare to strike, launch, make your move.    The eclipse is very tightly bound with Messenger Mercury as it pauses about to turn direct motion on the 25th.  Its strength, speed and energy are strong.   Voices will be heard loud and clear now. The people, politicians, our partners make themselves known.  With its highly helpful angle to Jupiter in unabashed Leo, expect large, loud and proud announcements.  Another voice heard from...Voices from the peanut gallery, those previously too shy to step into the spotlight now unashamedly claim their own, their right, their just due.

If you have overstepped your bounds, stepped on toes, OR, have been stepped on, over, infringed upon in some way, the Libra scales ensure what has been unaligned, out of alignment, or mal-aligned is now corrected and evened out.  The score is settled.  The slate cleaned.  Justice meted out and served.  Think: the NFL domestic violence issue...  Especially with Saturn making is final passage through heavyweight Scorpio, this time is not for the faint of heart or those looking to hide.  By the end of 2014, Saturn in Scorpio gets to the heart of the matter, righting karmic wrongs once and for all.  There is no more evasion or avoidance.

When Sun and Venus join Saturn in Scorpio on the 23rd, we will feel the sting.  Only days later, Motivating Mars enters pragmatic Capricorn on the 26th.  Here Mars drives the point home:  without integrity and honor, what else do you have?  Act responsibly, do the right thing, live honestly and honorably, says Mars (and Pluto) in Capricorn.  For without integrity and honor, our reputation, our lives, mean a whole lot less.






Monday, September 1, 2014

Repair, Heal, Balance, Repeat...

September opens with a powerful combo:  Saturn and Mars conjoined in heavy Scorpio.  It doesn't get any stronger than this.  Big money, psychological and mental health matters, deeply embedded emotions stir and are called to the surface to be dealt with; ideally healed for the long-term.  Not to be forgotten or left behind, Scorpio rules power.   Saturn-Mars ask us to stand tall, be powerful, walk the talk.

Intense as this duo is in Scorpio, Venus hovers, challenging and provoking both.   Normally, the planet of love and money Venus softens situations wherever she appears.  However, in fiery Leo she strikes a daring pose and throws down the gauntlet:  do you love me? Do you love yourself?  How much?  Show me.  Now.  Leo loves drama and Venus in this placement bates the Scorpio duo and raises relationship stakes.  She lures us toward creativity, to dive deeper than ever to reach into ourselves and bring out, display, what we're really made of.  Grand (Leo) transformation (Scorpio) is at play now and truly possible if we give our higher selves a chance.

But how do we go about tackling such big change required of us?

The lunar nodes point the way.  Now halfway through their 18-month cycle in Libra and Aries, ask yourself:  what is out of balance?  Are you being treated fairly?  Are you treating others fairly?  Are you being fair with yourself?   Where do you need to be brave and release who or what is not equitable?  Libra is about relationships, diplomacy, art and beauty.  Grace.  Whereas Libra's polarity Aries is the Warrior, calling us to fiercely face challenges.  For the remaining nine months of this nodal cycle, we are to bring relationships and pieces of ourselves into alignment.  Think:  chiropractic adjustment.  Stop stagnating, clinging to outmoded patterns. Step forward. Helping us identify what is out of kilter, Mercury enters Libra on September 2, bringing thoughts and communication into balance, decide what is fair, and negotiate solutions.  Libra is prone to sitting on the fence, unable to make up its mind.  Careful not to let opportunity or right timing pass you by.

The key to seizing the moment lays at the opposite end of this nodal spectrum:  the moon's south node, which serves as the purge and release valve if you will (like food, for anything that comes in, something must go out!).  The south node in Aries is tightly conjoined with change agent Uranus for the next several months.  Fiery Aries energy operates quickly, often impulsively causing already speedy Uranus to move that much faster.  The theme here:  change and change now.  Go for it and don't look back.  While daring us to get rid of what we never thought we could live without, a word of caution:  try not to throw the baby out with the bath water.  Whether you have impulse control issues or not, it is time to weigh (think Libra scales) decisions carefully, sort through what to keep, that which is helpful to discard, the unhealthy parts and people taking up too much time, space and energy.

Helping our grand efforts to change, Jupiter aligns beautifully with Uranus and the lunar south node.  The enormity of possibilities that this energy bears is difficult to overstate.  It draws us toward reinvention; you will actually feel inclined to create and create BIG, make like the Starship Enterprise and boldly go where you've never gone before.   There is also immense potential for huge energy to be unleashed now with this combination and since Uranus is involved, radical and unpredictability are watchwords.   Uranus rules lightning, earthquakes and anything sudden.  If you live in an earthquake zone, do what you can to be prepared.

So it is particularly convenient to have the Sun firmly embedded in Virgo, the planner of the Zodiac, joined on September 5th by Venus.  Where the above mentioned Jupiter-South Node/Uranus combination says get rid of all that junk cramping your style, the Sun-Venus duo enable us to discern HOW.  With pristine clarity, this pair outlines what is no longer necessary in our lives; what to save and integrate, what to toss out. Virgo is all about health, work and efficiency.  Where the Sun in Virgo harnesses our will to analyze, pulls apart what must be done and prompts us to roll up our sleeves and get to work, soothing Venus in Virgo makes accomplishing our task lists that much easier.  This duo is incredibly skilled at taking stock, cutting through waste, disorder and confusion to break down into manageable pieces what needs to happen and in what order so we can live healthier, more productive lives.  In short, September is incredibly good for healing and repairing the uneven pockets of our lives.

Healing cannot arrive soon enough.  2014 has offered more than our share of unfair, out of whack/balance/kilter (insert the word of your choice) circumstances beyond our control.  It has been difficult for so many. This year has wrought unimaginable loss and pain and blown apart long-standing ways of life. The seemingly nuclear effects playing out on a variety of fronts (Ferguson, Ukraine, Iraq and Syria, Israel and Gaza, as well as epic drought in California) demonstrate on the macro stage what is happening on micro levels for individuals. Pluto (the transformer) and Uranus (The Brand New) continue to shake our lives, breaking up old patterns, routines, traditions, the expected, as Saturn in Scorpio demands responsibility and essential change.   Change where we have stubbornly clung, been far too comfortable, have stagnated thus stifling our evolution. Bear in mind that through the cracks of our lives, new growth and possibilities are emerging already delivering some to higher levels of creativity, ingenuity and prosperity.  Let's follow their lead.

Look for syncronicities where you can find them.  At mid month, one such aptly timed arrival is fiery Mars (our focused energy) entrance into Sagittarius for the next six weeks.  This is perfect for many heading back to school as Sagittarius pulls our attention toward education, the law, spirituality, philosophy, literature, metaphysical arts and long-distance journeys/travel.   Take a class or course, educate yourself where you need to learn and grow.  Around the same time, Messenger Mercury joins the lunar north node in Libra making this an optimal time to claim your voice and be heard, especially teachers, students as well as the rest of us life-long learners.  Time to get your message across and bring your life into balance, share your knowledge in addition to feelings about any and all relationships, but particularly where partners are concerned.  And, don't forget to hear messages driven home about yourself!   Mars in Sagittarius is about vivid truth telling and the Mercury-North Node pair will not let you or others escape hearing what must be said out loud.

By the 23rd, the Sun moves into Libra applying our will to establish balance, beauty, harmony and peace. We will need every bit of this energy since the very same day, Pluto (transformer) turns direct.  The god of the underworld turns forward motion revealing parts we've never seen before or have turned a blind eye toward.  In Capricorn, Pluto says:  matters of honor, integrity, big business, government, and any long-held facets/functions of our lives require our attention.  Capricorn is essentially the code of responsibility.  Revisit this aspect of your life and update it where necessary to make sure you are in compliance.  Are you acting in accordance with the highest standards of your workplace, community, your family, your self?

The 28th Mercury moves into Scorpio where, if you haven't heard or told the truth, you will really feel the sting.  Messenger Mercury in Scorpio has a take-no-prisoners quality to it, cuts straight to the chase. Prepare to give or receive ultimatums.  You will know exactly where you stand financially and emotionally with yourself and others.  Scorpio's laser like vision offers crystal clarity into people or situations whether at home or in your career that heretofore befuddled or confused.

The final day of September, the 30th, Venus enters its own sign of Libra where she joins the Sun, softening relationships in spite of Mercury's Scorpion thrust.  Venus-Sun in Libra is graceful and eager-to-please. Their diplomatic energy lends amicable and harmonious tones to those we work and live with and cultivates our artistic sides, our interest in the attractive:   drawing attractive people and aspects around us, being attractive.  When was the last time you got a new haircut, (or changed your hair color), visited a museum, invested in stylish new clothes or home decor?   Beauty is essential, say the Libra Venus-Sun, not just for those who can afford it.  It does not have to be expensive.  Lord knows each of us, the world, could use a spot of color here, a splash of contrast there....a wee bit of effort and, voila, your world is suddenly a little lovelier...

CONNECTIONS...

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, March 28, 2015, for a workshop I am offering in Watertown, MA:   Creativity, Moon Cycles and Self-Expression.  This workshop is for anyone interested in learning how to effectively tap goddess and moon energy for more productive creativity and self-expression.  It will be especially helpful for those experiencing creative blocks.  For more information on the workshop: please contact me at hilary@hilaryharley.com.

If you live in the Boston area, I highly recommend two healers.

Susan Jenness owns and operates The Sanctuary for Yoga and Reiki in Watertown, MA.   Not only is Susan a highly gifted yoga teacher and Reiki healer, she is now certified in crystal therapy.  Please see her website:  www.sanctuaryforyogaandreiki.com.

With equal fervor I recommend Annemarie Seidenberg of Celestial Beginnings in Natick, MA.  Annemarie is an exceptionally gifted intuitive and spiritual healer who offers a plethora of healing modalities.  Her new office is located at:  154 East Central Street, Suite 201, Natick, MA.  Please see her website:  www.celestial-beginnings.com.

On a personal note:

A big THANK YOU to all of my blog readers!  I am truly indebted to each of you who follow my blog and have provided wonderful feedback, support and encouragement.  It is hard to believe that I have been writing my monthly message for four years now!  Wow.  You have helped me to grow both as a writer and astrologer.  Every year I have watched my audience increase and expand to greater reaches to where I now have an international readership.  Many, many thanks and blessings to you!
Hilary

To schedule a personal astrology consultation, please contact me at:  hilary@hilaryharley.com or visit my brand new website:  www.hilaryharley.com








Thursday, July 31, 2014

August Adjustments

I hope you are enjoying the summer so far.   Like the rest of 2014, it has not come without its challenges.   Now that joyful Jupiter has moved into rip-roaring Leo, we are invited to enjoy all life has to offer.

And August opens with gusto.  A planetary trio entices us to take a chance, live passionately, romantically, creatively.  Messenger Mercury (how we think and speak) joins abundant Jupiter and the Sun (our will) through the first week of the month.  Think:  opportunity.   What have you never done that you have always wanted to do?  Do it, says this group.  Leo is very, very generous.  Are you living generously?  Are you giving to others?  To those in need?  Giving to yourself as much as you are to others? Think generously.

Generous healing is ours now too for the asking.  Venus (love and money), heavyweight Saturn and healer Chiron form a beautiful angle to each other August 1-8.  Generously heal yourself; be generous with those in need of healing and caring, especially children, the elderly, family; clean out and heal your financial house as well as your actual house.  If your home requires any repairs, maintenance or updating, the first week of August is an optimal time to take care of these tasks.

Supporting our efforts to clean house either literally or emotionally and psychologically, Mars aligns helpfully to watery Neptune.  If you have a leaky roof, windows, plumbing repairs or appliances that use water needing replacement, this duo gets the job done.  Water sports and activities, vacations near bodies of water are ideal.  More personally, bodily cleanses, mental health check ups including psychological and substance abuse treatment, meditation, yoga retreats, will yield amazing results this first week.  So if you are thinking to sign up for an alternative vacation at a health and wellness center, book it for early August.

One tricky aspect at this time is a waning angle between Venus and Uranus.  Expect surprises, the unexpected in relationships...it might feel like an earthquake or lightning strike, shock, between you and others, again, with Venus in family-oriented Cancer, relatives may deliver unpredictable behavior, ideas, decisions.  Roll with the punches and be prepared to practice understanding and forgiveness. Lessons learned at the aforementioned health and wellness centers may very well be tested and, come in handy now...

Percolating beneath all of this activity are Saturn (karma and dharma) in Scorpio and unpredictable Uranus in fiery Aries.  For a month now they have been doing an awkward dance and will continue throughout August. Visualize a person on tilt, or at an odd angle.  There is an adjustment to be made, arenas of our lives to correct, bring into alignment.  With Saturn in Scorpio, issues to focus on include shared resources (the family bank account/property/possessions, taxes owed), sexuality (how is your sex life?), addiction/substance abuse, hidden realms and processes:  the psychological and psychic, deep/intense research, and death/transformation.  The caterpillar emerging as the butterfly... Uranus in Aries catalyzes this metamorphasis, shakes us down, strikes us to think out of the box, apply ourselves in radical, whole new ways regarding any of the above.  It is a complicated, angular dance, push and tug, pull and twist between Uranus and Saturn. If you don't make the effort, do the work, Saturn will force your hand while Uranus cattle prods you forward.  Count on both.  So try not to drag your feet.  The work is hard, yes I know, but no pain, no gain.  And you will be better off for the investment in change, adjustment, growth work...

August 8th matters are drawn to a giant head with both messenger Mercury and the Sun at an attention-getting degree of Leo.  We are put on notice and get noticed.  Look at me, look at me, this pair insists, especially as they form a wonderful angle to Uranus.  If you have a message to deliver, this is the time! Strut.  Work it. Display and demonstrate.  Show off.  Go ahead. You can do it.  It is OK.  You have Universal permission.  But a word of caution:  avoid drama, creating drama, drama queens or kings and crazy makers of all varieties.  Since this pair is precisely challenging Saturn, you may have to dig deep to ask for what you want, stake your claim, draw a line in the sand.

Conversely, those receiving messages may have to dig deep to hear what you have to say so along with this combination comes denial, denial, denial (Denial is not a river in Egypt) and avoidance, projection back on to you, etc.  Still, if you have something to say, deals to seal, works of art, projects of any kind to share in a large way, August 8-10 is it.  Especially as we head into the Full Moon on Sunday, August 10th.  Under the bright spot light of this Full Moon in Aquarius, with its difficult angles to the Sun and Saturn, expect strong effects, reactions, moods, statements.  Look for the unusual, avant garde, radically new, and wildly inventive.  In an creative mood?  Tired of the same old:  habits, vicious cycles, etc., there could not be a better time to change your mind, reverse gears, do something new, announce to (possibly shock) others:  that you are moving to Africa, dying your hair purple, choosing an alternative lifestyle....You get my drift.  No, most of us will not be experiencing nearly anything so drastic but there is an earthquake/lightning strike quality to these few days so we will all feel it somehow.

The silver lining enveloping our shake down comes in the form of two asteroids, Juno and Hygeia, moving into nurturing Cancer.  Let's look at Juno first.  Mythologically, she is the wife of Jupiter.  As the principal female goddess, Juno relates to all things marital, partnership, and female.  That is a broad swath to cover. Hygeia concerns health and wellness matters.  Its glyph is the medical symbol of the intertwining, winged snakes pierced by a lighted scepter.  When both Juno and Hygeia move into the first, critical degree of Cancer as they do beginning August 9th, powerful healing, caring and nurturing are available to us.  Think:  Florence Nightingale, Mary Poppins, Mother Teresa arriving on your doorstep to bandage the wounded, mind the children and feed the poor.  Watch for family female figures (these do not have to be blood relatives but may feel like family) coming to aid in crises stoked by the Full Moon fever.

August 12, Venus moves into Leo, a more comfortable fit for the goddess of love, turning up passion, romance and creativity.  From the 12th through the third week of August (around the 18th/19th) she gradually joins Jupiter already in fiery Leo.  Woo-hoo!  Party time.  If you have something to celebrate, especially marriage or an anniversary, these two will charm you into a super fun, fabulous time.  Even if you are not in a relationship, this is the time to shamelessly be yourself.   [Caution, please note:  be shamelessly yourself, not shameful.   Think about having to surface at work or around the neighborhood after parading naked at the party the night before.]

Curbing our excessive appetite for fun and merriment, Mercury enters analytical Virgo on August 16th. Virgo puts health, safety and work before anything so you will feel the brakes applying themselves to your life.  You might feel twinges of guilt too for the excesses encouraged by Jupiter/Venus in Leo, as guilt is also Virgo's domain.   Good to know then that any overindulgence or guilt you may suffer will find a healthy outlet as Mercury aligns beautifully with Pluto.  With both of these planets (how we think and speak, Mercury, and our desires, Pluto) in practical, down-to-earth Capricorn, we can apply our urges in methodical ways and useful purposes.

It is key to harness the helpful Mercury-Pluto energy as the heat gets turned up around the third week of August (21st). Mars reaches a highly attention-getting degree of Scorpio where it joins Saturn in its awkward, angular dance with Uranus.  If you were not listening, heeding the call, and making necessary adjustments and changes, you will have to now.  Go on, give it a try.  Just one small step, then another, and another.   The Sun (your will) greatly enhances our practical efforts when it enters Virgo on August 23rd.  If nothing else, Virgo is very the elbow grease in hard work.   Apply, adjust, gather steam, build, feel the wheels of progress churning forward.

Use this pragmatic energy on the New Moon of August 25th.  You will need it to blast through difficulties involving relationships and money.   Venus in Leo makes a sharp challenge to the Mars-Saturn pair in Scorpio.  She doesn't want to stop spending lavishly, wants to party, be sociable, romantic, while Mars-Saturn throws down the gauntlet:  stop the over-the-top spending/partying and get a grip. Mars-Saturn in Scorpio can turn ugly, violent and deadly on a dime so really take care. Life can totally careen out of control with this trio.   This applies to the Israel-Palestine and Ukrainian-Russian struggles.   Personally, watch your mouth and actions.  Turn all that energy (and you will have a LOT now) toward healthy and productive outlets/uses. Exercise.  Go see a show, movies. Create art and work on projects meaningful to you. 

Take heed as emotions only heighten while we move toward the end of the month.  On the 31st, the Moon moves toward that same attention getting degree of Scorpio (15) where it joins Mars and Saturn. At its root, Scorpio is about transformation.  Human beings easily get lost in all the goodies, alluring mystery, Dr. Feel-Good disguises pulling us away from our true callings for growth and change.  Sex, drugs, alcohol, money and power, deceive us into feeling cool.  It is imperative now to pay attention, focus and discern:  what is real and what is not. What is truth and what is a lie.  Truth is love.  Power is gentility.  The rest is just shadow and ego.







Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Jupiter in Leo says: Express yourself! Time to Live, Love,and Laugh!!

2014 has certainly shaped into a challenging year.  Most if not everyone I know has significant life concerns to manage.  It feels as if we no sooner come up for air than unrelenting forces push our head back under water.  If I've learned anything, it is to feel grateful for a day or week that passes relatively uneventful.

So I am truly happy to write that July offers us a whole-hearted reprieve from the mayhem.  Time to let loose, have fun (maybe you've been working too hard and forgot what fun feels like...?), laugh and play like you mean it, and, make room for a little romance.... This month the big news is that beneficent titan Jupiter switches out of maternal Cancer where it has been for a year and moves into party-hearty Leo.  The cosmos is saying, "come on now, give the kids a break!"  And if you are wondering why I am posting this blog a few days before July 1st, I am taking my own break:  vacation with family, and will be off line at my regular post time. Hooray!    

To move us right along into a brand new head space, the very first day of July messenger Mercury turns direct motion in Geminii.   Messages we need to hear and deliver will no longer get caught in life's cross hairs (or wires).  Ease into July, away from the stress and stranglehold of the daily grind.  In America, the July 4th holiday weekend looks particularly joyous with the Sun (our will) making a beautiful angle to dreamy, fluid Neptune.  Get thee to a lake, ocean or river!  For water activities or simply sitting and walking near water will be highly enjoyable, not to mention healing and relaxing as Saturn helpfully aligns with healer Chiron, both in water signs Scorpio and Pisces.

Whether at home or away, take advantage of Mercury's beautiful angle to the North Node of the Moon in Libra to smooth out relationship wrinkles with accurately aimed words to friends and family.  Aiding our relationships is the super helpful angle between Venus (love and money) and Mars (action) that shifts into place for most of the month.  This duo's energy perfectly supports our efforts to initiate relationships, launch conversations you have either avoided or been reluctant to start, as well as heal relationship rifts and conflicts. Additionally, the first weekend of July, Venus moves toward a helpful angle with radical Uranus igniting out of the box, unusual approaches to our people problems.  Venus-Uranus jump starts our ability to try fresh tactics to break out of and break free from same-old-same-old patterns.  Remember, these patterns can be in our own relationships to ourselves as well... inviting us to do as Louise Hay instructed:  change your thoughts to change your life.  Where have you been holding off discussing difficult topics or doing your own internal work?   Now is a great time to apply fresh ideas, insights and strategies you may not have thought of before, that come to you out of the ether, OR by really hearing the words from others....So try to make time to access all of the cosmic support available now.   It is in your best interest.

When the weekend is over, life kicks into high gear the first full week of July.  It is an excellent time to push forward with contracts, documents (legal or otherwise), major purchases and projects.  Go for it!  We can feel our efforts growing stronger every day; building on the waxing moon energy and culminating with the Capricorn Full Moon on July 12th.   Capricorn's practical magic boosts any step-by-step changes we seek to make in our lives.  It is excellent for growing business ventures, projects, or life plans.  Capricorn also rules government so hopefully the US government can get its act together to solve the many pressing problems facing our nation!

The second week of July finds the Jupiter-Sun pair squaring off with mighty Mars for the rest of the month.  Jupiter is finishing its tour through nurturing Cancer.  Joined now by the Sun in Cancer, family life takes center stage and when Mars in Libra challenges this pair, our interest is heightened in all things regarding home life, food, cooking, house concerns (repairs, construction), MOM, relatives, property and real estate. Be mindful now of how you want relationships to be versus how they actually are...  especially in family/spousal relationships.  Ask yourself, is it the other person(s) who needs to change or is it you?  Has the other person changed, changed again, changed yet more and still you are not happy/satisfied?  Or conversely, have you done all the changing to no avail?  Look at your options.  What are they?

Helping us now is Mercury's shift into Cancer on July 13th.  Cancer likes slow...takes life in slow, measured paces so our thoughts and words operating via Mercury in Cancer lends a cautious, thoughtful approach. Slow down, deliberate and consider your words before speaking.  Ask, how will your message be best received?  What is the most honest path?   For all involved?

And then, as the planets turn, a ray of sunshine....

Just when we thought fun would never find us again, on July 16th Jupiter shifts into buoyant, effervescent, magnificent, magnanimous LEO.  Much needed; most welcome.  Crawl out of that shell you've been hiding in while Jupiter passed through Cancer.   Let down your hair (remember Leo the Lion's mane?) and express yourself!  Because Jupiter in fiery Leo says it is time to strut your stuff.  The genesis of creation, creativity itself begins with Leo.  Let yourself be heard and be seen.  There is no time like the present to put on your party hat, your party dress and get down!  If you don't have something to celebrate, create something to celebrate!!    Throw a party for party's sake.   What is stopping you, asks beneficent Jupiter?  I've given you all the the fixings, now get going!  You've survived the seriously heart-stopping, gut wrenching past six months;  if that isn't reason enough for a little joy, I don't know what is.  Enough of the doldrums already. Live life as if today were your very last.

If there is one thing that is truly lacking in our world right now, it is humor.  Comedy.  Hearty and heartfelt laughter.  The ability to laugh at ourselves. So:  Laugh out loud!  Love and romance are also Leo's domain and Jupiter in Leo does love in a BIG way....What the world needs now, is love sweet love.... Planet of abundance, Jupiter wants us to have a good time.  And in good-times Leo, Jupiter shows us how.  Leo rules festivity, creativity, drama, entertainment (performance) and entertaining (parties), FUN, risk taking/gambling, Romance with a Capital R, and thus naturally, procreativity....you know what I mean, Leo's glyph after all looks like a, well, a sperm...HA!  Leo wants you to enjoy and be merry.  And Jupiter in this merry sign makes sure we have ample opportunity.

Just as Jupiter gets going in Leo, Venus shifts into home-loving Cancer on July 19th where it joins Mercury.  Both align with intuitive Neptune.  Have a gut feeling?   Follow it.  This trio tells us:  Easy, does it. You are long overdue for fun but remember, Jupiter will be in Leo for a whole year.  Why not start with family fun or some long postponed self care?  This stretch of July is superb for vacation, holidays of any variety, getting away from it all, family or not.  Venus-Mercury in Cancer wants to take a slow boat to somewhere just to see where the voyage leads while Jupiter in Leo leads the parade and Mariachi band on board.

Setting off a cosmic game of tag team, the next day, July 20th heavyweight Saturn stations direct motion at a critical degree in Scorpio.  Time to get your karma on.  Buried issues surface in a big way.  Time to hit the jackpot or get a shock with your shared resources.   Saturn in Scorpio deals with sex, death, taxes/shared resources (bank accounts, property, etc), the psychic realm, what is hidden...  And with planet of surprise! Uranus turning retrograde two days later on July 22, buckle up and be fully prepared for some earthquakes and lightning strikes, inter-personally and/or on the actual earth plane.  Since Uranus challenges messenger Mercury now, expect miscommunications and misunderstandings.  This sliver of time acts similarly to Mercury's retrograde periods.  Make sure you have all your I's dotted and T's crossed.

Raising the stakes is activator Mars when it enters serious Scorpio on July 26th and continuing its challenge to Jupiter and the Sun.    This fun pair in Leo wants us to play.  However, Mars in Scorpio says, just don't do anything stupid while you're at it...unless, that is, you want to have a brush with possibly permanent consequences, dance with death.  So before heading off to the party, designate a [sober] driver.  Have fun AND stay safe.  You can do it.  Venus-Mercury in maternal Cancer are very helpful reminding us how... you can almost hear your mom and dad's voice in your head, come home in one piece, be careful, watch out for yourself...

It is essential to hear words of caution and care this last week of July as Venus, Pluto and Uranus move into a tense arrangement.  Let's start with Pluto-Venus first.  As they oppose one another, people will show their true colors, show themselves for who they truly are.  This duo is very revealing.  Including self-revelations. Observe your reactions.  Especially during power struggles incited by this uneasy pair.  Emerging from the melee and chaos you will see parts of others, and yourself, that you did not see before and/or parts you chose not to/did not want to see.  Then, like a match to gasoline, Uranus forms a challenging angle to both Venus and Pluto the final days of July, causing accidents in relationships, unpredictable [surprise!] behavior particularly with family members (oops, did you catch your loved one/child/spouse/parent in a compromising situation?), as well as accidental relationships...think:  people you are intended to meet.  

It can be a highly exciting time, to meet brand new people, to blast out of ruts or routines, relationships and relationship habits-grown-old, meeting a true agent of change who will challenge/alter/progress your life in unimaginable ways; someone or some many who introduce you to new worlds, confront your ideas and entrenched ways of being.  With Mars closing in on Saturn in Scorpio, be mindful of shared resources (taxes, joint financial accounts and property) especially involving relatives.  Windfalls from long lost family members or long lost pots of gold can surface too now.  Through it all, keep an eye on the Radical side of Uranus. Avoid bridge burning and saying things you might regret later on; refrain from being baited into an argument.   Remember to go at your own pace, a tempo that makes sense for you.

As July draws to a close, the New Moon in Leo on July 27th is exceptionally powerful.  Access this highly creative planetary energy to invoke wishes and prayers for how you want to be in this world, what career, relationships, home life you desire.  Create what you seek.  Make like Leo the Lion and ROAR.  

Of special note:

Please visit my fabulous new website at www.hilaryharley.com.  Huge thanks to Debbie Steinberg at Computer Breakthrough for her help redesigning my site.  Please contact Debbie for all of your website needs at www.cbi.net.  Also, if you are on Facebook, please visit and "like" my new Facebook page, Hilary Harley Astrology where I will be posting links to my blog along with relevant astrology articles.

Raves and recommendations:

Susan Jenness owns and operates the Sanctuary for Yoga and Reiki in Watertown, Massachusetts.  I mentioned Susan in an earlier blog post for her amazing Reiki treatments which I highly recommend.  Recently, I had the pleasure to attend one of Susan's yoga classes.  She is a truly gifted instructor and if you are in the Boston area, I cannot recommend her enough.  Susan also is a healing crystal practitioner. Please visit her website at www.sanctuaryforyogaandreiki.com for more information about yoga class times and reiki or crystal healing appointments.




Saturday, May 31, 2014

Zen and the art of SLOW. June says: Think, be, do, live slowly.

Like the opening bars of a great symphony, June begins softly at first, hinting at where we're to point our focus this month.

June 1st, Jupiter joins the Moon in its home sign of motherly Cancer.  Expand your love, compassion and care, they prompt.  These two form a grand water trine (visualize a giant triangle of uber beneficial energy) to Saturn in Scorpio and healer Chiron in Pisces.   Even as the moon shifts away from this troika,  Saturn and Chiron remain aligned with Jupiter for the balance of June, asking, Can you feel the love tonight?   Remember the strong family bonds among the pride in the Lion King?  That same base of energy supports us now. Amidst life's hullabaloo, they remind us about what truly matters:  Love.    Matters of family, food, and mom blend with shared resources (money/property) and healing at the deepest level offering comfort and rich love when we open our hearts to it.   This energy serves as a strong building block of the firmest foundation on which to create the rest of your life. 

In the wake of April and May's unsettling energies, this bedrock of support enables us to take off our armor and flop down on a beloved sofa or bed, home at last, after surviving the war outside.  Where there is healing work to do, we are offered no finer time to engage in what has lingered far, far too long, festering, nagging for attention and resolution.   May you find peace.

Aiding our quest for peace and healing during the first week of June are deliciously helpful angles between messenger Mercury (how we think and speak), Venus (love and money) and Neptune (universal mind/consciousness itself).  Turn on.   Tune in.  But do not drop out, as Timothy Leary said.  Because you won't want to miss the messages being delivered now; or conversely, for you to deliver important words by acting as messenger.  Be an earth angel.  Especially as messenger Mercury winds down, preparing to turn retrograde motion in empathic and empathetic Cancer.  Slow down your hearing, talking, thinking...Cancer likes slow.  Gentle.  Tender.  Like scrolling through a radio dial for the just the right station, the first week of June affords opportunities to really hear and understand what is essential to know now.   What lesson or message are you missing?  Like Einstein's defnition of insanity, do you keep repeating the same path/task [mistake] over and over expecting a different outcome?  This week you can jump off the merry go round, feet firmly planted on terra firma (thanks to Venus in earthy Taurus), listen, change directions, act.

Remember, the Universe speaks constantly to us if only we pay attention.  Most often, it talks through the mouths of others.  And as I mentioned above, often you are employed by the Universe to deliver the right words to the right person at the right time.  Do not discount the power of your presence and voice.  Sometimes you know when you are dispensing key phrases.  Often, though, we do not realize the power and impact our words can have on another.  What you say (or do) doesn't have to be lofty or a grand gesture.   The simplest and most humble of words and deeds is all it takes to shift the energy.  That is why we tend to overlook what passes right under our noses, "in one ear and out the other"!  In our rush and insistence to seek something BIG to point the way, we ignore the little words, deeds, what already exists, patiently knocking at our door...out of the mouths of babes...

BIG is in fact built on small, sometimes infinitesimal details.   Jupiter and Mercury in maternal Cancer remind us to think:  mom. Since that is what moms (and dads) do everyday in everyway:  tend to the details, the background, yet backbone of life.  Without them, life hangs unhinged. 

Unhinged.  Not a good much less solid space to be.  So it is really helpful to have the above aspects as our lead-in and base for June as saber-rattling, unsettled angles between Mars in Libra (relationships), Uranus in fiery Aries and transformer Pluto heat up for another round, a la April's grand cardinal square, this time, without Jupiter in the mix.  Think of a square table without the fourth leg and you now feel a very uneven energy to the entire month.  The second week of June (5-10) we are given the opportunity to use our ingenuity as the Sun aligns with Uranus.  Think outside of the box, use the unusual or out of the ordinary opportunities to your advantage.  Make things work for you as this offers a tremendous outlet for the discordant energy between Mars, Uranus and Pluto.  Try making a three legged triangular table out of that once square table.  Whittle down the square peg so it does fit through the round hole.  

Again, it is important not to dismiss those signals, voices, signs pointing you along the way as this uneven planetary energy builds throughout June.  As Mercury slows to a halt on June 7th and turns retrograde for the rest of the month, ask where you need to dig deep, revisit or re-work established patterns, relationships, business endeavors, projects (artistic or otherwise) routines and habits that you've outgrown?  For a while now we've been asked to break in new shoes to walk the steps of life.  There is no better time than this month to re-member the RE words of Mercury Retrograde:  re-visit, re-think, re-tool, redistribute, redo, etc.  Re-lax into it all because Mercury's communication snafus will slow you down anyway.   Better to warm up for summer and practice re-charging yourself, your mind, which Mercury rules.  The balance of June is a terrific time to plan, re-hearse, re-wind.  Then after the July 4th weekend, jump into life full till:  book your trip, make the downpayment, launch your relationship/project/business, buy the new car or appliance.

Mid month is rife with planetary movement.  June 10th finds Neptune also turning retrograde while Venus in Taurus opposes Saturn in Scorpio.   Taurus and Scorpio both concern money:  the first personal, the latter shared.  In the wake of both Mercury and Neptune's shift into retrograde motion, be particularly careful of any spending you do, especially those involving family/spousal relationships.  Best to re-view ideas for expenditures, not commit.  I get it:  reality does happen.  So if the fridge breaks down and it costs just as much to re-pair as to re-place, then do what you need to do to make life work.  But please understand:  where you have a choice, re-frain from spending if you can.  Re-search the best kind of product to buy, money market fund, property or job to invest in.

The Sagittarian Full Moon on June 12 will certainly help your research!  Sagittarius is all about studying, learning and reading.  So allow the full light of the moon to shine brightly on what direction to take, how best to spend your money.   The Archer loves to travel and take classes making this week an excellent time to plan trips and adventures later this summer or year.   When July rolls around, then buy the tickets, book the trip or launch business/artistic projects.  The Sagittarius Moon will put ants in your pants to get going so it is helpful to know the Archer also rules philosophy, spirituality and the higher mind.  Direct your focus toward this philosphical side of the Archer as it lends itself really well to slow thinking so key to this month.  Ponder.  Be of a Zen mindset: 

Do one thing at a time.
Do it slowly and deliberately.
Do it completely.
Do less.
Designate time for certain things.
Devote time for sitting.
Make cleaning and cooking become meditation.
Think about what is necessary.
Live simply.

Supporting our efforts to put a little more Zen in our lives, Mercury passes back over a critical degree of nurturing Cancer from June 14-16.  Make like a crab and sidle up slowly. Feel your way. Your attention will be drawn to mom, your role as a parent, food, family matters, home, children.  The next day, June 17th, Mercury moves back into Geminii bumping into the Sun during the third week of the month.  This duo drives us to get our message across so be sure you do your share of listening and hearing what others are telling you.  Mercury in its natural sign of Geminii can make us quick witted and sharp-tongued, spewing words at lightning speed.  Use caution and think before you speak this week.  Strap on a solid filter.  Compassion and empathy are never too overrated!

The Sun's move into gentle Cancer helps our sympathetic efforts, especially where family is concerned.  We will need all the compassionate strength for ourselves and loved ones as Mars heats up its struggle with Pluto and then directly opposes Uranus the final week of June.  Each of us will be impacted by this trio differently depending on where they fall in your chart.  Given the planets and signs involved, surprises are a safe bet, especially in the relationship and established arenas of our lives both individually and collectively.  As I mentioned earlier, Mars-Pluto-Uranus at odds with each other lends an uneven, unsettled tenor and tempo to our lives.   Use Mercury retrograde and the warmer temperatures outside to their best advantage:  practice relaxation techniques; expend that unsettled, excess energy through plenty of exercise and taking in lots of fresh air.  Nature is a natural healer.

Giving us flexibility to handle the challenges tossed at us, Venus enters versatile Geminii on the 24th.  In this mercurial air sign, we find and apply different solutions to our relationships and ability to earn a living.  Then the New Moon on the 27th in Cancer makes a gorgeous angle to intuitive Neptune.  Be still for a moment.  Close your eyes.  You know what to do.  That is the beauty of this duo.  Now just follow your instincts. 

Jupiter tilts at the lunar nodes from the 24th through the end of the month taunting us to balance myriad facets of our lives:  taking good care of ourselves, our family, plus integrating new strategies at work, in relationships (especially the elderly, children or family) together with harmony, beauty, grace and creativity.  A tall order for sure.  As Mercury slows down preparing to turn direct motion on July 1, reflection and thoughtful consideration are the best tools to learn how to even out the bumps in our lives, fill the potholes if you will, for a smoother rest of 2014.  God speed.




Thursday, May 1, 2014

Checks, Balances and Plot Twists: Finding our Way

We survived April's grand cross and two eclipses.  Hooray!  Life just feels...lighter.   We are not quite out of the woods just yet.  The effect of April's activity is still at play, lingering on.  Significantly reducing the sting from last month, however, May opens with one of the kindest celestial aspects:  the Sun (our will) makes an incredibly helpful angle to transformer Pluto, both planets in earth signs Taurus and Capricorn.  Also mitigating the havoc of last month is the Sun's lovely aspect to Jupiter (abundance) giving us a soft pillow to land on during the first week of May.

Where the grand cross pushed us out of old patterns, stretching us to the breaking point, Jupiter, the Sun and Pluto offer us the most fertile soil possible to plant our desires (Pluto).  Sow now what you seek to reap later on; especially on the heels of the New Moon eclipse, it is a highly powerful time to manifest desires in spades during the coming months.

At the same time, we are cautioned by a "be careful what you wish for" pair.  Mercury in earthy Taurus opposes Saturn in Scorpio.  We are asked to think and evaluate our values.  Mercury rules words, how we think and communicate.  Scorpio Saturn drives to the root of the matter, insists we look deeply, be absolutely sure of our desires.  Language, words, the right language are at play here.  As are the correct use of verbage, language that can be heard, messages sorely needing to be delivered, feeling our language is insufficient or inefficient, making mistakes with words until we get it right.  Try, try again to make your point, get your message across.  There is a Mercury retrograde feel to this aspect as we are cautioned to be positive about what we really want before putting words into place, planting for permanence.  When you are sure, go for it!

Egging us on to get down to the business of the life we really want, is Venus' entry into Aries on May 3rd.  Where Mercury and Saturn plod along in fixed signs, all discipline and diligence, Venus in fiery Aries stokes our hearts, inflames and burns a fire under our feet to get going.   Leap, seize the day before it disappears, impatiently says Venus in Aries, signaling a check and balance to our lives.  Over analyzing details and facts (as Mercury opposing Saturn is prone to do) prevents us from grasping what lies right in front of us, beckons Venus.  Take hold of the very solutions you seek to deeply embedded concerns.  There are distinct advantages to Carpe Diem (seize the day), leaping first and figuring it all out later on;  letting pieces fall where they may, sorting out and working through details over time.  This is one of those moments.  Grab the brass ring and hold tight to it.  See where the magic carpet ride carries you.  Satisfy Mercury-Saturn by writing it all down as you go so you can discern the meaning when the time comes.

Life really shifts into high gear when Mercury enters Geminii on May 7th.  In its home sign, Mercury (how we think, speak and communicate) operates at warp speed.  Your mind now clicks on all cylinders.  Ideas, thoughts, conclusions and solutions that felt sluggish, out of reach, or intangible, now miraculously seep into our minds.  For the brave and courageous who do seize chances and opportunities, Geminii Mercury delivers the how to part of the equation:  how to make it all work, how to do it, like a veritable operations manual, suggesting, "try it this way or that way..."

The second week of May, the Sun slides into opposition with stalwart Saturn, testing our will, making sure we do not make rash decisions, continuing to monitor the checks and balances of our lives to counter Venus in Aries and Mercury in Geminii.  This is particularly helpful as Messenger Mercury challenges hazy, dreamy Neptune.  Illusion, disillusionment, deception are watchwords with this pair.  Under their spell, it's best to ask:  what is real versus what is illusion?  Make sure you do not buy something that sounds too good to be true (it probably is), over commit yourself, or buy into a fantasy you cannot afford.  The flip side of Mercury-Neptune offers a moment to stop, harness clarity and pristine insight instead.  Know what you are getting yourself into.  Take on only what you can manage.  At the same time, Mercury makes a beautiful angle to Mars in Libra bolstering our energy to tackle what is on our plate, especially in the relationship arena.  Creative ideas and solutions emerge to cut through the fog and disillusionment Neptune wields.

We will need all the help we can get via Mercury-Mars on the relationship front as mid-month gets particularly dicey.   Venus challenges Pluto asking, "Is this the kind of person I want to be with?"  Or more incisively, "Is this the person I want to be?"   Thunderbolt insights and awakenings, surprise relationships occurring or surprises IN relationships and plot twists extraordinaire ramp up exponentially as Venus conjoins Uranus (planet of surprise, shock and awe), both challenging Pluto.  You may feel the cosmos is pulling a massive joke on you but there is no escape under the intense  glare and emotional gymnastics rendered by the Full Moon on May 14.  Wow.  Trigger happy comes to mind.  Expect explosive moments now both on the individual and collective level.  Rash, brash, unpredictable acts and incidents, relationship "accidents" (you know what I mean:  affairs uncovered and/or unclaimed relationships emerge, etc) all come into play.   At a minimum, mid month delivers relationship change.   Think:  band-aid ripped off a wound.  This can be wildly unforseen or erupt after boiling under the surface for a long time.  Bear in mind too that there is also an amazing quality to this time:  meeting the man/woman of your dreams, huge money found/recovered/won, lottery winnings, hitting the jackpot, business deal bonanzas....

The Venus/Uranus-Pluto challenge also warns of fire, war and accidents.  Around your home or office, take extra precautionary measures to ensure appliances are off before leaving and smoke detectors are in workng order. Slow down your motions.  Take your time.   This troika incites a tug-of-war with time.  Ask:  what is the hurry, where are you rushing to?   The Russian front...?  This threesome could very well incite a surge in the Ukranian-Russian conflict.   Better to apply this immense energy to ask yourself the hard questions:  "Am I bringing honesty and integrity to this relationship/situation?"  Most cannot be bothered with introspection; rather, will feel compelled to pull the trigger now.  Before you snap the trigger (or allow another to pull your trigger), take a breath.  What will happen if you wait an hour, a day before acting or responding?

Giving tremendous ballast and long-term consequences to any of our actions, the Full Moon also conjoins heavyweight Saturn in Scorpio.  Remember:  our emotions trigger our thoughts which trigger our actions/words.  If you can control and effectively maneuver your emotions, you can control your thoughts and deeds.  Once you pull the trigger, there is no going back, no escape and no return to where you were before that moment.  Be sure to act in accordance with your highest good as there will be significant consequences and repercussions from your words and actions at this time.

That said, those in untenable circumstances (the oppressed, abused or vicimized) have a pivotal opportunity to break free and reach safe haven now.  Think:  freedom, especially emotional freedom.  Rarely has a better chance surfaced to stand up for yourself and your loved ones.  Once you land safely (and a net always appears to catch you), you can stop, breathe, make plans for the next hour, day, week, month.  Chart a new, healthier life now.  There is no need to be victimized any longer.

As the Venus/Uranus pair challenges Jupiter (abundance), relationship clashes (particularly on the home/family/mother front) can escalate.  Homeland/country, family, property, inheritance or estate matters can spiral into motion.  For those escaping abusive situations, stand your ground.  Do not give up.  You may feel that a mountain of obstacles stands in your way.  Remember, these are to be worked around and through.  In terms of global unrest involving our human family, the effects of the Full Moon on May 14th are still much at play, as Mars, god of war turns direct on May 20th.  The next day, the Sun enters communicative Geminii.  A war of words may ensue; what Putin began in Ukraine back in March as Mars turned retrograde, could be undone.  But not without a fight.
Ukrainian Russians (those that grew up under the old Soviet regime) are vying for position, will claim a stake of the Ukrainian homeland.  They remember the relative security of a communist blanket and fear the uncertainty engendered by free market competition and a democratic system.

At the same time, big solutions are at hand with Jupiter in Cancer (motherland, mothers, food, family, nurturing, home and country) making a wonderful angle to Saturn in Scorpio (long-standing, deep-seeded matters).  If we want them, solutions are available to us now and may be successfully applied.   Hunger abated, homes bought and sold, property exchanged, inheritance gained, homeland defined and defended.  It all depends on our willingness to open to possibilities.  And then apply some elbow grease.

The Sun's challenge to Neptune during the final week of May can help us with this.  The Sun represents our Will and Neptune is the Unifier.  The offer us a question:  will you remain closed, shut down and turned off, or are you able to soften, become inclusive, seek answers you have not considered before.  A word of caution here:  this duo lends itself to fantasy.  Be careful of sly temptation in all varieties, especially being talked into [staying in] unhealthy situations or relationships, whether at work, partnership, family.  Turn Sun-Neptune's potential into healthy, imaginative solutions when problem solving rather than pressing the escape button.  Deal with the underlying cause.  Be realistic.  Think about what you can actually accomplish in a certain time frame.  Try not to bite off more than you can chew.

On May 29th, Venus moves into its own sign of Taurus and Mercury shifts into maternal Cancer.  These are highly complementary energies and will promote self-care and nurturing for those people and projects we are invested in.  Our friends, our family...even if your family is not defined by blood relatives.  And make sure to include yourself on that list.  Venus-Mercury enhances and enriches our imagination:  how do I best take care of myself?  How do I most effectively nurture the people, ideas, career, home that I love?

A walk along the water's edge helps enormously to promote imagination.  In the hustle-bustle of modern life, we've come to believe that taking time off is a waste of time.  Au contraire.  Venus-Mercury reminds us otherwise.  A walk in the woods, near water, alone anywhere, is the most valuable time of all, to re-charge, let go, dive deep, explore, discover the wonders of our world, most especially our self.   Fresh insights gained deliver magic solutions to what once befuddled and confused.  Walk in good health.


Sunday, March 30, 2014

Game Change: Two Eclipses and The Grand Cardinal Cross

Astrologers are a vast and diverse breed.  So it is a rare event indeed when consensus occurs among our community as it does around April's heavyweight planetary events.    For those of us in the business of explaining cosmic effects, we have asked ourselves how to break the news, gently. I have yet to hear of an astrologer who believes anyone will be left unchanged by the movements taking place this month.  That is how significant a month lies ahead.  It is one of those times when even the least introspective among us will shake their heads and ask, "what on earth is happening?"

As the days come flying at you, and they will, many rattled to the core, remember two words:  brace yourself.   Those born under the cardinal  (action) signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will feel April's punch the strongest.  That said, nearly everyone has planets (or rising signs) in one or more of these signs so expect some part of your life to shift.   April taunts us to live each day as our last.  But do yourself a favor while you are living life at full till:  spend some time putting your affairs in order.  Mars now in Libra sparks us to find balance. 

Joining fiery Mars in the center of this challenging mix is radical Uranus causing sudden shifts and changes, dramatic, seemingly out of nowhere.  Uranus is nicknamed "The Great Awakener" for this reason...jolting and shaking us out of our human slumber to pay attention.  Where have you or the human collective passed by/ignored what we must focus and work on?   Do it now, rattles Uranus.  With Mars right behind lighting the match, these two change agents take center stage and guarantee April will not be subtle.  Nothing short of a seismic month, April is highly volatile...but also affords extraordinary opportunity.  It is a hope for the best but prepare for the worst kind of month. 

As a person and astrologer, I am not one who leans toward negative projections as I firmly believe there are silver linings, hidden treasures and opportunities in every moment.  So I have no doubt April will bring its share of untold breakthroughs, wildly creative solutions to stubborn problems and impossible dreams coming true.  Foreshadowing great possibilities to come, the scientific Big Bang theory was recently confirmed via a series of experiments.  What better way to lead into April than with validation of the very discovery of our Universal origins?  What was once merely conjecture has now solidly earned a place in the Science Discovery Hall of Fame.

In whatever direction your life turns, one thing is for sure:  the planetary coordinates point to a tremendous amount of energy about to be unleashed.  So here's the deal:

The stage is set on the New Moon in Aries on March 30, when the Sun, Moon and radical Uranus  all conjoin in Aries to form highly stressful angles to Jupiter and Pluto.  The great beneficient energy, Jupiter in maternal Cancer opposes transformer Pluto in traditional Capricorn.  Both Cancer and Capricorn have ties to the status quo, security, and established order.   So as you can imagine, when Uranus literally shakes things up (Uranus rules lightning strikes and earthquakes), these two stable-minded energies are not happy.  Change is afoot, says the March 30 New Moon.  Uranus' very tight pairing with the Sun (your will) and the Moon (your emotions) says:   expect the unexpected.  How will you respond?

Those born in the 1960s will be shaken hardest by April.  For the Sixties Pluto-Uranus in Virgo generation (read:  hyper-planners, helicopter parents, the driven) now at mid-life, a thorough dislike for unpredictability is an understatement.  Hatred, contempt and paranoia of not knowing the future is more like it.  I belong to this group so I can accurately speak to this.  However, April is our teacher, says it is make-or-break time, where the rubber meets the road in terms of learning life lessons.  Surrender and surrender now.  Key to surviving April is the Yiddish phrase: We plan, God laughs.  Planning will only get you so far.  This month, allowing, flowing, yielding are watchwords.

Each of us must go about our lives the best we can, doing what comes naturally.  The business of your life must be taken care of.  Still, if you have dragged your your feet anywhere, now is the time to heed the call, pay attention, attend to what you have ignored.  Supporting our efforts in the first week of April is a harmonious angle between Venus in Aquarius (read: love and money) and action-oriented Mars in Libra.  These two rule our male and female energy and in air signs we find unusual, out-of-the-box ideas and strategies for relationships as well as finance/how to earn money.

Also, Jupiter in nurturing Cancer aligns helpfully with Neptune in watery Pisces to clear away and clean up matters concerning family, food, inheritance, house/property/home and Mom.  Be it your own mother, grandmother, maternal figures or your role as a parent.  Beneficent Venus joins Neptune and further assists us in these arenas the week of April 7th. 

The North Node of the Moon aligns with the Neptune-Venus pair, aiding relationhips, bringing clarity and pure understanding to those we may have difficulty with or deliver new heights of joy and love with those we cherish.  At the same time, the Gang of Four, the planets involved in the Grand Cardinal Cross, (picture a square with each of four planets, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto in separate corners) start moving into place for their exact positions on April 23.  This is a Grand Planetary Stand-off.  Transformer Pluto is at 13 degrees Capricorn, Jupiter at 12 degrees Cancer, Uranus at 12 degrees Aries as Mars slowly cycles backward in retrograde motion at 19 degrees Libra.  Can you feel the Great Shift occurring?  Uranus rules anything sudden, including accidents, what jars you, so we may see a spike in surprise events.  We may be particularly challenged when the Sun opposes Mars from April 8th through the 11th.

Uranus also instigates revolutions and with its very stressful position to Pluto in Capricorn (The Establishment) we could see governments threatened (even toppled), big businesses collapse, stock markets plummet.  Figuring squarely in the center of this storm is Vladmir Putin.  Curiously, Putin is a Libra Sun sign, meaning:  he seeks to please.  Clearly, his life lesson is to learn diplomacy and negotiation.  The G7 (formerly known as the G8) just kicked him out of the group.  Their message:  you can't just march into a country and land grab.  After Putin claimed the Crimea last month, the G7 agreed to shut down financial access between their countries and Russia as well as terminate passport visa approval for Russians. The days of totalitarian takeovers are over.   Economic allies won't be bullied.  If you want to play at the Big Boys Table, you have to play nicely.  Cooperatively.   Or else suffer isolation.  The former KGB mastermind is learning a hard lesson that the old ways of operating just do not work in the New World Order.  The G7 message must be working, because as I write, Putin surprised President Obama with a call yesterday "seeking resolution to the Crimean situation."  His phone call tees up precisely what's in store for April:  game change. 

Sit back and watch it all unfold as Mars continues its reverse motion, tightening the sharp angle to Uranus, Pluto and Jupiter leading into the full lunar eclipse on Tuesday, April 15th.  This is the Full Moon eclipse many have talked about.  It occurs smack in the middle of the Passover/Holy Week, between Palm Sunday and Easter.   As a reminder, eclipses are cosmic windows that blow fresh air into our lives where we need to grow and develop.  Picture electronic doors that open before you when you step on the magnetic mat.  Open, you may enter.  Depending on where eclipses occur in your chart, you are called to focus on that segment of your life.   The April 15th eclipse occurs at 25 degrees Libra, affecting the areas of relationship (including with ourselves), art, beauty, diplomacy, balance.  Time now to bring us, and the world, into balance.   Often, lunar eclipses bring aspects of our lives to culmination, full fruition, so that we may turn to new chapters and frontiers yet to be explored.  The composition of this full lunar eclipse truly serves as an immense catalyst to bring one cycle to conclusion in order to push humanity forward.  As goes the individual, so goes the collective...

Giving tremendous gravitas to this particular eclipse is Pluto's retrograde turn the day prior.  We are forced to dig really deep if we haven't already.  Yes is the only acceptable answer now.  Definitively, squarely, firmly.  Refusing or resisting is futile.  We must journey down the rabbit hole, like it or not.  You know where you need to do the work.

Lessening the strife that arises is healer Chiron's supportive angle to Responsible Saturn.  Where there is emotional and healing work to be done, this duo rushes to the scene like an emergency trauma team.  Additionally, Venus in Pisces joins Chiron and Saturn reducing pain with ample love, money, empathy and understanding as we begin exploring the black holes of our lives.  The plot thickens and the stakes heighten.  Eclipses occur in two's and three's and this month we have two:  the second, a solar eclipse, on the 29th.  Sandwiched between the two, is something akin to The Twilight Zone, an abyss where whatever you seek to put into motion falls flat.  The days between eclipses are notorious voids. 

During this particular straight, it is especially true, driven home.  Because on April 23rd, planetary configurations reach critical mass.  Life comes to a gigantic head via the Grand Cardinal Cross.  Remember the square I mentioned earlier with Pluto, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus?  Well it is now a boxing ring, a perfectly formed square as Mars moves into exact position to challenge the other three.  All four planets now stand off at 13 degrees of cardinal (action) signs Capricorn, Libra, Cancer, and Aries.  Let the games begin.  Whatever you start may be completely interrupted now.  It is not a time to make bets, seal the deal, gamble the family fortune, sign vital documents, take a job, or initiate relationships.  Instead, hold on to your hat.  Literally.  We are pushed and pushed.  Think Cosmic Labor Pain.  Wow.  Divorces spin into high gear, relationships that are not meant to be terminate, the food supply is squeezed due to the unending California drought, long established entities and traditions break down...all to make way for the new... people, jobs, efforts, habits/routines, and creations which are in alignment with who you really are and are intended to be.

A solid strategy for the weeks of April 14-30 is to observe and stand guard, for you can be sure there are multitudes who will act, react and overreact now.  Lay low.  Tread lightly.  As well-known astrologer Michael Lutin has said:  "When something is over, all you are left with is how you handled it."  If ever there was a time to think before you speak or act, now is it.   It is not an overstatement to say that the immense potential for huge force to be emitted, wielded and projected may spawn rebellion, upheaval, earthquakes, and breakthroughs.

Breakthroughs...that is the very image of an earthquake.

Seismic activity is in full swing already.  California's recent shakes are symptomatic of the entire ring of fire activated from Chile through the Asian Pacific region.  The good news is that the rattling and shaking, lightning strike energy will dissipate the final week of the month as we head into the New Moon solar eclipse on April 29th.   The Sun (our will) and Mercury (how we think and communicate) move into stable Taurus, cooling off emotions fired up by Aries.   Calmer heads prevail especially as the Sun and Mercury helpfully align with Jupiter in Cancer the last days of April.  Some may wake up this week and find themselves in an emotional wasteland or mental post-apocolyptic state asking was it all worth it?  Where do I go from here?

The finest period to stretch your wings and plant seeds for a fresh start is Springtime.  The New Moon on April 29th in earthy Taurus affords plenty of fertile ground. "Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge," says Eckart Tolle.   Choose love, not fear.  Say a prayer; make a wish; light a candle.  Go.