The Astrology Newsletter - Lunar Eclipse Edition, November 2022
Darlings,
The New Moon and partial solar eclipse in Scorpio is behind us, and as Luna waxes, we prepare for a Full Moon total lunar eclipse, taking place on 8 November 2022 at 1.00pm SAST at 16'00 degrees Taurus.
Let's do a little refresh on eclipses:
Eclipses ONLY occur at New Moon or a Full Moon, when the Moon is conjoined to one of the lunar nodes (The nodes are points in space where the plane of the Moon's orbit intersects the ecliptic, which is the path of the Sun)
A solar eclipse occurs at New Moon, when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth
A lunar eclipse occurs at Full Moon, when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon
The degree at which an eclipse occurs remains sensitive to transits of planets in the months after the event
Eclipses are not rare phenomena: they occur every six months, and we can have up to 7 eclipses in a year
Eclipse cycles return to the same signs every 18-19 years - so think back to around 2003 for clues
THE TAURUS/SCORPIO AXIS
The North and South nodes of the Moon occur in signs that are always directly opposite each other. An eclipse series - like what we experienced with the New Moon on 25 October and will experience on the Full Moon on 8 November - ushers in an earnest invitation to bridge polarities. Taurus and Scorpio are fixed signs - meaning they correlate to the middle, more consistent or stable parts of (northern hemisphere) spring and autumn respectively. This is their only common ground. Taurus' element is earth, while Scorpio is a water sign. Taurus is ruled by Venus; Scorpio is ruled by Mars. Venusian Taurus is concerned with stability and the generative, sensual abundance of earth and materiality. Mars ruled Scorpio is concerned with razor sharp discernment, truth and getting beneath the shadows. Feeling the contrary vibes yet? Sue Tompkins provides the following keywords and explanation for this Taurus/Scorpio dichotomy in Aspects in Astrology: "The builder vs. the saboteur. Placidity v. Emotional storms. Security v. temptation. The status quo v crisis. Sex v. taboos. Both these signs are concerned with attachment and desire, and in particular with sex, money and power...Scorpio is concerned with consummating deep psychic contact with others and one's own soul; Taurus is more rooted in the physical, in security, in food and the accumulation of possession."
With all that said, Earth and Water need each other - and can complement one another. The call - especially during eclipse season - is to subtle awareness of the (opposite) extremes that we can be pulled towards. One is no better than the other. Each requires a deep honouring. Sometimes it will be necessary to relinquish something - an attitude, a belief, a situation, a relationship - another time it will be beneficial to cultivate and lean into such.
Perhaps what's most important to remember too, is that eclipses form part of their own cycle. If you really want clues as to what the eclipses across the Taurus/Scorpio axis is about, cast your mind back roughly 19 years. What echoes are reverberating now of who you were then, the experiences you had, the opportunities that presented themselves, the situations you were in? Can you weave a common thread that ties the present moment to nineteen years ago?
VENUS IN SCORPIO IS HBIC OF THE FULL MOON LUNAR ECLIPSE IN TAURUS
The Full Moon in Taurus is ruled by Venus, so we want to get a feel for what the Goddes of Love is up to in the heavens. Venus, recently reborn as an evening star following her cazimi with the Sun, is travelling through Scorpio. This is a prickly placement for Aphrodite: she is more sensitive; somewhat fixated on power issues, she feels the need to protect her vulnerability and she will wield her power for better or for worse. Venus in Scorpio is also the high-priestess of kink who needs to get to the core of often what's considered forbidden fruit. Regenerated in the shadows, no taboo is off limits if it serves the truth. She will not suffer fools; she has no interest in being a diplomat either. Distorted, Venus in Scorpio is unforgiving, ruthless, manipulative. In short, Venus in Scorpio is on a 'be kind, but take no sh*t' tip, and you want to get on the right side of her.
As the moon waxes, two significant Venus aspects occur:
1. Venus in Scorpio makes an opposition to Uranus in Taurus on 6 October 2022 at 17'03 degrees at 00.20am SAST. This is a signature for disruption - in relationships and socially. It brings the tremors of deep, earth shattering change and the tensions of the wild desires for freedom.
2. On 7 October 2022, at 6.28am SAST, Venus in Scorpio squares Saturn in Aquarius at 18'47 degrees. Following the opposition's rumbles of rebellion, this square reigns Venus in. Saturn is stern, restricting, authoritative and aloof. It's a clue that boundaries in relationships could be tested, or needed. The weight of responsibility and the burdens of reality make Venus a serious and possibly lonely girl, and throws a real curveball to her liberation struggle of the day before.
These are the tensions that get pulled into and amplified at the Full Moon lunar eclipse the next day at 1.00pm SAST on 8 November 2022 at 16'00 Taurus. Full moons are often about culmination, fullness, completion - and you really can't miss them - all pregnant with lunar light. The Full Moon in Taurus (and lunar eclipse) occurs conjunct Uranus: the times they are a-changin'. This is the ultimate restless Full Moon, ripe with impatience and impulsiveness. Uranus wakes up the usually steady and slow Taurus skies with a lightning bolt shot of chaos to break through any long-standing inertia. Frazzled nerves or full-blown anxiety may punctuate the moment. As the full moon occurs, we also have Mercury cazimi the Sun in Scorpio. This placement primes us for breaking news. It’s as if Hermes himself dives into the underworld bringing a missive from Hades. What secrets may get blurted out? What truths simply must be brought into the light of day? This moment is ripe for big reveals.
In short, we are compelled to examine our deepest desires and cherished values. We are being nudged to take a risk in shaking up stagnant anything - beliefs, systems, frameworks, behaviours - that keep us bound in the shadows, silenced, secretive and married to old ways. This moment has a now-or-never quality. The eclipse energies linger for weeks, sometimes months after they occur. On a mundane/political/collective level, we have seen the themes of this full moon's energies play out quite vividly: Women (Venus) uprising (Uranus) against oppressive patriarchal structures (Saturn) in Iran. Continued urgency around the climate crisis and the health of the Earth (Uranus in Taurus). These are just a few examples, there are certainly more.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Read your full moon lunar eclipse in Taurus horoscopes for your rising sign:
ARIES RISING - Your notions about what security means may shatter even more than they have already. Your money story is begging for a retelling -or recounting - as you untangle from beliefs, values and relationships that have kept you bound or in debt. Heatherash Amara writes: Power does not come from who you know, what you do, or how much money you have in the bank. It comes from blossoming into unconditional love for yourself and embodying joyful faith in your gifts". You have probably been grappling with a creative project - or perhaps a love affair or a literal conception of a child - which is linked to your financial freedom and how you manage your resources. You of all people need to remember not just the energetics of wealth, but the importance of switching gears to a plan that's abundant, generative, dynamic - and totally original.
TAURUS RISING - This is a critical moment in your re-birth journey. It's a coming out of sorts - where the Cosmos is conspiring to present situations that allow you to self-express and self-define in the bold ways you have been dreaming about, even if the conditions aren't quite perfect. While you may not be liberated from your responsibilities and worldly duties, freedom is an inside job. Untying yourself from stale relationships that have passed their sell-by date and committing to the deepest honesty to live in your truth brings a thrill. Gabor Mate said:"Safety is not the absence of threat. It is the presence of connection." Adventure is around the corner as you're less risk averse to greet the world in new ways. Leap into new life, you are your own safety net.
GEMINI RISING - It's a cosmic imperative to take some time alone. While insights breaking through to consciousness may feel spiritually and mentally destabilising, giving yourself time to integrate new learning can become invigorating once the dust settles. You may have been struggling with certain beliefs, religious or philosophical, that have pushed you to recognise and unearth underlying patterns and motivations. Maybe you were just working too damn much trying to quell that uprising in your psyche. But now is the time to stop and catch yourself before you default into self-undoing. Your capacity for healing is groundbreaking. As bell hooks said: 'Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving.'
CANCER RISING - Your social life and sense of connectedness to the collective has certainly gone through ups and downs lately. Flashes of good fortune and opportune friendships are balanced by upheavals in certain relationships. You are realigning your alliances and shaking up your social life. For a sensitive soul like you, this may all feel unpredictable. You want to find your freedom in the delights of friendship and group dynamics, because maybe your one-on-one partnerships and parenting (if you are a mom or dad) have felt oppressive or duty-laden. Toko-pa Turner talks about the need for reciprocal leadership in building community. She says: "The time of the lone wolf is over. Our future depends on us learning how to move as an ecosystem does, in harmony and collaboration" Whatever stirs your hopes and dreams, remember belonging is your birthright.
LEO RISING - "What is my purpose and where am I going?' is something you may be asking yourself repeatedly, as you pivot from pillar to post to get a sense of this new direction your life is taking. The impacts to your primary partnership are significant as you juggle your commitment to another and your ties to home and family. Your Leo courage is required right now as you're visibly shattering glass ceilings and gaining a reputation for what you do in the world. Success can mean many different things, but most importantly for you at this moment, it is to boldly go and innovate in your sphere of influence. A reminder from James Hollis: "We may choose careers, but we do not choose vocation. Vocation chooses us. To choose what chooses us is a freedom the by-product of which will be a sense of rightness and harmony within..."
VIRGO RISING - Your faith journey makeover has been a few years in the making, but this full moon moment is a huge up yours to either a religious establishment or teacher that has deeply impacted your worldview. Ani Tenzin Palmo advised: "...if you do happen to meet a perfect master...good for you! In the meantime, just get on with it...in the final analysis, we are all our own gurus." You're carving out your own 'way' and that could mean either turning towards a particular tradition or rejecting it. Your sense of duty and service may have held you back and delayed you finding your own sacred path or pursuing studies to enhance your faith goals. It could be as simple as getting on a plane after a long time of staying put, that reboots your outlook and infuses you with a sense of devotion to life's higher meaning.
LIBRA RISING - Rumi said: "Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes around in another form" Joining forces with another means your fate is tied with theirs, their wins are yours but so are their losses. The full moon spotlights your shared resources - material and energetic reserves - that come to you by way of others, as well as your debts. The secret is not to view dependency on others as a snare. Paying your dues can be a necessary step towards the agency you seek. Your independant streak in matters that require compromise and understanding shouldn't be shunned. New and unexpected collaborations may bring some jitters, but also yield surprising gains.
SCORPIO RISING - One-on-one collaborations are being totally redefined, facilitating the foundations for intimacy, joy, abundance but also security and trust. You're rapidly finding new ways to do partnership. Sobonfu Some writes: "There is a need to periodically cleanse our relationship with our partner...the growth of a relationship is enhanced by constant compromise, letting go and healing". The changes that are sweeping in may create tension on the homefront. Not only may your family just not get it, it may be that inherited patterns around relationships are the very things that you're unearthing now and discarding, hence the shock and horror! Reciprocity is an innovation you're championing as you seek renewal in love in all its forms.
SAGITTARIUS RISING - Health crises are sometimes the only way the Cosmos gets our attention and allows us to stop overworking. You're being compelled to find new ways to be of service that don't compromise your wellbeing. There could be changes in the workplace with colleagues. The lunation for you may have something to do with animals or pets in your care. Either way, it's as if your daily surroundings and overall environment has been a bit at odds with you getting your routine on track, but this is all going to change from this moment on. A wake-up call doesn't have to spell disaster at all. Caroline Myss says: "Biography becomes biology" - what may feel like a shattering may be the call to healing and wholeness.
CAPRICORN RISING - Money worries and financial responsibility can be a real buzz-kill, and yet levity and luxury are the exact elixirs that the full moon is highlighting. The shock of being brought to your senses - and I mean that literally as in remembering that life is a sensual journey - may steer your path in unexpected ways. You're releasing suspicions and inhibitions around giving yourself the full and unbridled permission to embrace life with the openness and innocence of a child. Thomas Moore writes: "We make the mistake when we think of sensation as a purely physical experience. Like everything human, sensation cannot be separated from imagination.'' In fact, study the ways of children, they will show you how to innovate and romance life again.
AQUARIUS RISING - This full moon eclipse is shaking up lines of lineage forcing us to retell ancestor stories. Family dramas are coming to light and home is a hotbed of disruption. Domestic chaos is enough to feel like the literal foundations beneath you are falling apart and yet this is a moment to embrace uncertainty as you re-orientate your roots. Moving home or renovating bricks and mortar could be a theme as you grapple with important core issues around where you come from and where you belong. The tensions may have been brewing already, as you feel yourself having matured and taken on a lot more personal responsibilities. You may have relinquished certain public roles or career advancements in order to tend to the earthquakes on the home front. Iyanla Vanzant writes: "We all start out in the basement of life. This is where we are first programmed and indoctrinated about worldly affairs...willingness is the spiritual cleanser you will need to make your way out of the basement."
PISCES RISING - Your everyday environment and the places you frequent, all the circles you move in, your local community and extended family are getting a reshuffle. It would be best to try to go with the flow, despite any latent fear or impulses to control the situation. The upside is that a new broom sweeping clean in this area of your life means you can step into new ways of learning and innovative ways of communicating. You're primed to receive messages of inspiration and clarity, to release yourself from teachers or teachings that no longer have any knowledge to impart. Trust that you have a message to share and that you're in the right place at the right time. Deepak Chopra calls this synchrodestiny and says: "Although we think of them as extraordinary, miracles also streak across our consciousness everyday"
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The Astrology Newsletter - Mars in Gemini Edition, August 2022
Darlings,
In true Mars fashion, I'm getting straight to the point: astrological Mars tends to get a bad rap.
Known as the God of War, the ancients referred to Mars as the lesser malefic (since Saturn is the greater malefic). Malefic planets have 'the power to negate, destabilise, or corrupt the significtion of other planets in the chart...[they] have the special power to say "no'' to things', writes Chris Brennan in his tome, Hellenistic Astrology - The Study of Fate and Fortune. Of course, the benefic/malefic binary exists on a spectrum so that even a malefic planet - in a certain position in the sky, at a certain time of day or night - could offer benefits, or have its malefic nature modified. But like I said: Mars gets a bad rap.
BAD BOY, BAD BOY, WHATCHA GONNA DO?
By nature, Mars is masculine, hot and dry. The Babylonians referred to him* as Pyroeis, 'The Fiery One'. He rules the zodiac signs of Aries and Scorpio. Mars signifies violence, conflict, rage and rebellion. Mars represents our drives, sexual desire, competition and battle. Mars brings fever, inflammation, agitation and irritation. Mars also corresponds with soldiers, snipers, murderers and leaders. Surgeons and their instruments, metal workers and sharp objects and sports people are all the domain of Mars.
Mars is red, Mars is blood. Mars is virile. If we understand Venus as feminine - representing the principles of attraction, receptivity, relationship and union - Mars is the opposite. Mars likes to initiate and act. He defaults to severing, cutting away at whatever may obstruct his target. Mars is an independent agent. It takes Mars - generally speaking - about two years to complete his cycle around the zodiac. Which roughly means that when we turn two years old, Mars gets to about the same place in the sky that he was when we were born. Anyone want to guess then why they call it 'the terrible twos'? It's easy to malign Mars, but let's remember Mars' virtues: valour, protection, defence, decisiveness, passion, willpower and athleticism. There are circumstances in life that call on martian qualities and behaviours, often linked to our very survival. Engaging Mars brings us very close to our primal, wild natures. This can be for better or for worse, of course.
*I refer to Mars as 'him' (and I tend to refer to Venus as 'her' - my gendering of the planets a topic for conversation perhaps another time).
A WARRIOR IN THE TEMPLE OF HERMES
Mars enters air sign Gemini on 20 August 2022 at 9.56am SAST. In Mercury's domain - Gemini - he brings speed to thoughts, ignites ideas, warms confidence - or arrogance - and animates expression. Gemini, as a double-bodied sign, will always offer multiple options - infecting Mars with choice and encouraging Mars' sharp discernment. When Mars is in Gemini, we expect our concepts to get a burst of action behind them. We also expect arguments, tongue lashings with words-as-weapons and deadly wit. It's a season for ruthless dealmaking, for spontaneity, for winning, for going with your gut. We can move on impulse with this placement. We have intellectual muscle. Brawn with brains.
THE NOT-SO-SECRET 7-MONTH RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARS & MERCURY
Mars spends the next seven months in Gemini! This is an unusually long transit in one sign for Mars. It's because Mars goes retrograde in Gemini, that this sojourn is lengthy. Mars' retrogrades are not as common as, say, Mercury's which occur between three to four times per year. We take note of what Mercury, ruler of the sign Gemini is doing while our ruddy rabble rouser cuts a path through Gemini, because this is the planet to whom Mars answers while in the sign of the twins. Let's take a minute to track the movements of Mars and Mercury over the next few months. From this we will get a more nuanced feel for the shifting quality of this entire period.
MARS IN GEMINI, MERCURY IN VIRGO - The itchy and scratchy show
Mars begins its ingress into Gemini boosted by a strong Mercury in Virgo. Mercury, ruler of Gemini, is in Virgo from 4 August 2022 until 26 August 2022. In Virgo, Mercury is super-strong, it being the sign it both rules and exalts in. Here, Mercury can be thorough, detailed, precise and organised at full volume. Mercury can craft, communicate and calculate LIKE.A.BOSS when in Virgo. While the planets are far apart by degree, they witness each other because of the 90 degree angle between the signs they occupy. Expect six days of nit-picking, sharp opinions and heated words. Insults could fly, for sure. The air is charged with determination and the potential for disagreements.
MARS IN GEMINI, MERCURY IN LIBRA - Inhale, exhale: you cannot breathe deeply and worry at the same time
The minute Mercury enters Libra, there is a possible vibe shift. The first few days of Mercury's stint here, there is a supportive trine between it and Mars. Both planets are now in air signs and there is a resonance as a result. What you may see, is a detente in relations; a cooling down; a willingness to negotiate. But it won't last. Why? Because Mercury will turn retrograde in Libra and travel back into Virgo. Retrogrades delay and make us course correct. They force us to go back to the beginning. Retrogrades can reverse things. Mercury retrograde may destabilise the tenuous peace. What was feeling stable, gets a ripple of uncertainty as Mercury travels backwards and reminds us of the importance of taking things slowly, not acting on impulse and reviewing accords, deals, contracts. I feel this is also a foreshadowing of Mars' own retrograde in Gemini coming in October.
MARS IN GEMINI, MERCURY IN SCORPIO - What goes around comes around, baby
On 29 October 2022, at 3.25pm SAST, Mars in Gemini stations retrograde at 23'36 degrees. Just hours later, Mercury ingresses into the sign of Scorpio. What we now have is Mercury in a sign Mars rules, and Mars in a sign Mercury rules. This, friends, is called mutual reception, and tends to strengthen each planet. During the Astrology Podcast (Ep 70), Chris Brennan, Austin Coppock and Nick Dagan Best discuss the Mars retrograde periods saying the cycles are 'an anomaly'. Unlike other planets whose retrograde cycles are predictable, symmetrical and pattern-like - Mars' is not. Austin Coppock explains how, in alignment with Mars' very nature to disrupt and bring discomfort, Mars retrograde 'ain't pretty...it's a rupture with normal' I feel that this early moment in the Mars retrograde saga will feel pronounced**: Expect the uncovering of cover-ups, digging deep for information, wounding with words and brutal honesty that brings catharsis. It's a time for mental resilience coupled with authentic expression as a way to resolve conflict. We will be reminded that we can, and must, do hard things.
**(Just as an aside, put a sticky note on your calendar to mark the date of the New Moon in Scorpio on 24 October 2022, which our soldier, Mars, rules. It's a solar eclipse, with Venus cazimi the Sun. Mars in Gemini, just before he stations retrograde, is running the show.)
MARS IN GEMINI, MERCURY IN SAGITTARIUS - Bi-polarisation disorder
Mercury's entry into Sagittarius, may complicate the backstory on 17 November 2022. Now Mars' landlord is in detriment, in the sign of its exile and opposing Mars in the sky. Basically, it's not a good look for Mercury. During these weeks of the retrograde, mental stress could intensify. Rivalries mahy come to the fore. Actions will speak louder than words. Ideas will require effort and differences of opinions should be expected. The impulse to see things one way will be tempting, but the opposition between these two planets suggest that as hard as it may be, compromise should be the goal: cultivating the holding of all possibilities as opposed to a tug-of-war of opinions and ideologies. In short, use all your strength to integrate perspectives before making decisions or taking action.
MARS IN GEMINI, MERCURY IN CAPRICORN - Mental muscle is patience's reward
When Mercury crosses into Capricorn on 7 December 2022, things turn serious. Capricorn is the sign of Mars' exaltation - and with this reception between Mars and Mercury again, this could be a time where we can tap into the more beneficial qualities of Mars in Gemini. Depending on where your Gemini house is, you may find you can confront the affairs of this house with stamina and persistence. Battling with impatience is likely to be a signature of the Mars retrograde, but this is a moment when we can start to access endurance, patience, and resilience. We may also experience the consequences of our words and deeds. It's during Mercury's stay in Capricorn that Mars stations direct, on 11 January 2023 at 11.56am SAST at 8'08 degrees Gemini. During the Mars retrograde, we delved into the past, reviewing, recovering, discerning, cutting through. We're about to get an opportunity to take all we have experienced over the almost three month retrograde period and integrate it. It's an important moment for future orientation. When Mercury goes direct on 17 January 2023 at 3.11pm SAST at 8'12 degrees Capricorn we can expect more clarity and forward momentum.
MARS IN GEMINI, MERCURY IN AQUARIUS - Thinking, and acting, out the box
Mercury enters Aquarius on 11 February 2023 at 1.22pm SAST. Once again both Mars and Mercury are in the same element, providing support between the planets. Even though Mars is in its post-retrograde shadow, there is a hint that the pace may be picking up; innovation is top of the agenda, thinking out of the proverbial box; finding solutions in off-beat or unexpected places. A great time to engage stamina and forge ahead expressing your individuality.
MARS IN GEMINI, MERCURY IN PISCES/ARIES - There's no logic to finishing strong
As Mars clears its shadow on 16 March 2023, Mercury is now in Pisces. In fact, the two planets are applying a square aspect, which means that things may turn tense. Mars in Gemini wants sharp one-liners - and fast! Mercury in Pisces is giving poetry in its own dream time. Frustration is the result of working at cross purposes. Effort must be applied to find the middle ground. Just days later, when Mercury enters Aries on 19 March 2023, Mars is supported to access his mojo, as Mercury must answer to him as ruler of Aries. Mars' final week in Gemini therefore oozes verbosity, confidence, swagaliciousness and large-and-in-charge actions showcasing boldness. There is energy and an appetite for achievement. This is a good week to plump up your feathers, gather your data, go for what you've been aiming at, take a calculated leap, spit your truth and maintain a sense of humour all the while.
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LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
Need to know in what area of your life this transit may manifest? Read for your Rising Sign
ARIES RISING - Animating the local circuit
As someone ruled by Mars, working with this planet's energy is familiar to you. Matters of communication and all forms of exchanges go into overdrive - until they don't. Trading, deal-making, delivering sales pitches, giving presentations, learning and teaching are all accelerated or emphasised during this transit. You may find yourself zigzagging across your neighbourhood, seeing friends, having dealings with siblings and extended family too. Your mind is on the accelerator until the retrograde reminds you: life is a marathon, not a sprint. Stops and starts are par for the course, u-turns and roadblocks too. In the end, you have an innate ability to always bring yourself back on track and cross the finish line. Enjoy a meander once in a while.
TAURUS RISING - Animating resources
You work hard for the money, so hard for it, honey! Taurus Rising, you're scheming big-time to reach your financial goals. You may be willing to work hard and put the energy in, but don't be surprised when delays hit. You may feel like making maverick money moves, but be wary of impulse investments, schemes or spending. Rather, put your enthusiasm into drafting realistic budgets and trust you have resilience to push through obstacles, setbacks and worry. Brave conversations about your wealth - or lack of it - will either bring clarity or conflict. You may juggle various types of work or income streams, fuelled by sheer determination. In the end, remember that your mind is your biggest resource.
GEMINI RISING - Animating your whole damn self
The good news is that you may get a huge burst of energy. The bad news is that you may get a huge burst of energy. You see, Gemini Rising, It's tempting to over-exert yourself when you feel invincible. Such is the double edged sword of the Mars transit to the place in the sky that signifies YOU, your physical body and your attitudes. Mars' transit amplifies your wit and drives you to win every argument. Others may perceive you as extra Extra. Be aware of how frustration and anger are experienced in the body, and find ways to assert yourself or stand your ground. You're going to be learning about how to harness your power. Take care of your mental health; find ways to ground your excess energy and practice presence techniques - moving mediations like tai chi may appeal, otherwise some weight lifting may do the trick!
CANCER RISING - Animating the unconscious
It's not always obvious to you the depths at which you are stirred. This transit may deliver vivid dreams that pierce the veil bringing messages from distant realms, awakening an impulse to heal. You may cloister yourself, hermit-like, away from the social buzz so that you may access what's bubbling up to consciousness. As someone who is anyway highly sensitive, this transit will enable you to cut a path to the root of the things that trip you up. You are loaded with courage to stare into the abyss and do battle with the shadows. Strategies for dealing with unexpressed rage may get a revision as challenging thoughts and emotions come up for air. You are well poised to make breakthroughs and find just the right words to say things that have long been unsaid. No stranger to crabbiness, you may find yourself feeling restless, reactive and agitated. Armed with awareness, intentionally unplugging from your triggers will do wonders to reset your mind and mood.
LEO RISING - Animating good fortune
Not that you need much encouragement to win friends and influence people, this transit really puts the pep in your social step. You're a fast mover when it comes to networking and you have ample vigour to get out there and fetch your life. You will experience waves of confidence in setting goals for the future, however you may quickly realise that certain surgeries may need to be performed in order to prune the action plan. Certain allies can become thorns in your side and honest communication may be required to iron out differences. You're about big boss energy and this transit may be teaching you a thing or two about the leadership roles you fulfil in your communities. This is not a time for gossip or playing any part in malicious rumour-mongering. Instead, cultivate your dazzling wit to endear others to you and stay curious. If a competitive spirit fuels you to reach for your dreams, go for it, remembering that ambition doesn't need to be ruthless nor driven by temper tantrums.
VIRGO RISING - Animating your mission
Vocational pursuits are turbo charged, as your determination grows to attain your highest goals and potential. You're wired for wizardry as you conjure strategies and winning ideas to move you forward on your path. The wind is in your sails as you power forward. Your mind is agile, able to hold multiple ideas, business plans, facts and figures. The pressure may feel invigorating, but it's all eyes on you, so don't lose your cool. Your reputation is at stake, so angry outbursts and extreme displays of passion may invite others to start throwing their toys. You want to lead by example and that doesn't mean being infallible, but it does mean knowing when to apply the brakes. This is the invitation. Blazing a trail is not about being popular, but about being authentic and being able to make tough calls. Winning at life means having the grace to learn from a fall from grace.
LIBRA RISING - Animating faith
As a dilettante of spiritual philosophies, you are vigorously flirting with ideals that give your life meaning. It's a season of study and apprenticeship, taking on new information, challenging old beliefs, cutting a new faith path. Noticing your hunger to broaden your horizons, this could manifest in becoming impatient with HERE as you desire to be THERE. Your appetite for adventure is piqued, and jumping on the next flight out may seem like the quick fix for your burning restlessness that will make everything make sense. Everything will come under scrutiny - teachers, philosophies and world views. As you power forward, you may become evangelical about whatever truth you slice deeply into. You may ruffle some feathers as you begin to express your higher mind and principles to live by. This transit is here to remind you that the journey of faith and meaning making requires travelling inner space. No guru or exotic environment - while obviously nice to have - is the replacement for wisdom and faith cultivated over time.
SCORPIO RISING - Animating shared resources
There is a growing desire to benefit from resources shared with others. You may feel the urgency growing along with a sense of entitlement to your share of the bounty. Confronting these issues may be exhilarating or anxiety inducing. Either way, you're compelled to assess your indebtedness to others and what the impacts are of your legal and contractual entanglements. Collaboration always comes with the potential to do more together, but also requires deft negotiation and conflict resolution skills. It's quite the double edged sword that requires dexterity, maturity, intelligence and confidence to handle. If you suspect someone is keeping secrets, this is the time to gather all the data and piece together the true story. It may save you from explosive arguments down the line. Receiving support is wonderful, but often comes with Ts and Cs. Read the small print and don't be impulsive.
SAGITTARIUS RISING - Animating partnerships
It takes two to tango, they say - and what a dance of passion this season hosts. Asserting yourself in a relationship can oftentimes shake up the status quo. You and your partner may find yourselves going in different directions or bumping up too close to each other, as you each vye to get needs met or express your opinions. Speak your truth with confidence and intent about the direction you want your relationship to go, without being ruthless or overbearing. Misunderstandings happen, and this transit is going to see you pivot from pillar to post as you refine the art of compromise and healthy disagreement. Don't allow your communication toolbox to become an arsenal. The temptation to resort to sarcasm and insults may be great. Just don't do it. The upside is that on the other side of conflict is the ability to start again, and collaborate with new understanding and renewed passion. Lean into that.
CAPRICORN RISING - Animating hard work
It's all systems go! You're plugged into effective structures that keep you organised and allow you to dive into multiple work pursuits. The trick is to merge speed with efficiency as the duties and commitments double. Your worker-bee work ethic is second nature and you expect those working with and for you to bring their A-game. But you need to pace yourself. Overzealousness to attack the to-do list may land up draining you physically and mentally. While you're generally competent at juggling tasks, this transit cautions against it. Also, it may take others some time to catch up to your rhythm, so try not to be impatient. It may frustrate the **** out of you that no one on your team is thinking as fast as you'd like. Get used to stop-start motion and enjoy the pauses. You can't be of service when you're burnt out.
AQUARIUS RISING - Animating pleasure
Passion projects are multiple as your creative juices spike. It may be hard for lovers and loved ones to keep up with you and you may butt heads on the playground, so to speak. Manifesting your creative ideas is a driving force and a way to channel pent up anger. Dance furiously, paint if feeling provoked, connect with your inner child and transmute tantrums into glee. Acknowledge that the energy that moves through you needs constructive expression and form, it's part of your vital life force. You may experience a creative block and while this may feel urgent and desperate, the Muse won't be forced. Set attainable goals only if this helps you gather momentum for creative output. It's not a competition to design your masterpiece, even if the energy feels urgent. Remember to have fun. Experiment with joy.
PISCES RISING - Animating roots
Clean house comes clean! Clean those cupboards, repurpose old furniture, donate a bunch of unused items to charity. Nothing like a home detox to jig you into feeling organised and clear headed. But you won't want to stop there. You will avidly want to dust residues of any toxic family fallouts that are keeping you stuck in old dynamics. Sutures may come undone, exposing generational wounds. Find the support to hold you as you process difficult emotions like grief or rage that may stem from your origin story. Perhaps no-one can vex you quite like blood family, despite your loving them fiercely. For home and family to be the sanctuary that it promises, you will need to learn to become protective of your inner and outer space: saying NO can be an act of kindness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Darlings, may this Mars in Gemini transit bring you energy, passion and determination to bravely confront any resentments that may be poisoning your vision. May you meet set-backs with Grace, understanding that delays and redirects are part of the cosmic plan. May you grow confident in protecting your boundaries and limits in all situations. May calm endurance find you on the other side of impatience and may you - throughout this transit - find the best words and ways to self-express. I wish you peace of mind.
The Astrology Newsletter - April 2022
Darlings,
It's the fourth month of the Gregorian calendar, but astrologically, we enter the first month of a new zodiacal cycle. April 1, 2022 (if you are where I am in the world), sees a New Moon at 11'30 of Aries at 8.23am SAST.
This moment makes me pause - not quite so Aries, I know - because it was at the Aries New Moon of 2021 that I announced I'd be starting a monthly astrology newsletter. Thirteen moons later and I'm amazed at how the practice of writing about astrology monthly has become a kind of devotion for me. I've become disciplined at tracking transits and committed to spending time reflecting on the planets with regularity. I also have an excuse to fully express my astro-nerd self: writing this newsletter allows me to dis-engage from Netflix in favour of mini-research projects; it has even prompted an upgrade to my prescription lenses, perfecting my astro-studious aesthetic as I float down deep, occultish and ancient rabbit holes, collecting scrumptious information and brain inspiration. Let's just say this kind of tending to my journey with Astrology has fuelled the astro flames to bonfire level.
FIRE, WALK WITH ME - AND MAKE IT QUICK!
An Aries New Moon initiates us into April. Aries is a cardinal, fire, masculine sign - concerned with beginnings, action, speed and spontaneity. Ruled by Mars, Aries energy seeks dynamism and friction - think of a match that ignites a fire. During this Aries lunation, the Moon's ruler, Mars, is applying to conjoin Saturn in Aquarius, which tones the New Moon with a throwback to 31 March 2020 - the last time these two planets conjoined in Aquarius. (Does the word LOCKDOWN evoke anything?) Saturn in the mix always brings the threat of limits and the whiff of fear, while Mars enflames and irritates. Mars is impulsive, wanting to act first then think; while Saturn says 'no', demanding slow and steady contemplation and caution. Feel any tension yet? That said, this is a good time if intense discipline, persistence and herculean determination are required. Proceed with caution, because the Aries energy of the Sun and Moon conjoined carries the impulse to throw caution to the wind.
Mercury in Aries will be in the heart of the Sun, on 3 April 2022 at 00.57am SAST at 13'10. When in Aries, the Sun is in its exaltation - like a person who is not at home but a VIP guest in someone else's abode. Therefore, as an honoured visitor, the Sun gets the 5-star treatment here, encouraged to do his solar things - but on steroids . So the Sun in Aries is not just reminded of his brilliance, he is enabled to be both royal and victorious. Think of all those Aries people you know (particularly Aries Sun people, and especially if they were born during the day). You probably have experienced their bold, courageous, instinctive/no-filter vibes and passionate, action-orientated natures, right?
Aries makes a badass out of the messenger planet (take a moment to recall the very recent Will Smith/Chris Rock #oscarslap - Mercury had just ingressed into Aries and the Moon was applying to conjoin Mars). Mercury was, in fact, combust as it moved towards the Sun so opinions and self-promotion vibes got really loud. Creative thinking is at optimum and enthusiasm can reach new heights too. However, as the #oscarslap showed us, Aries and Mars-ruled things can tip into aggression or violence. Fortunately, the cazimi on 3 April 2022 may just elevate that hot lipped Mercury from a fire spitting molten trickster to a golden consciousness illuminator.
FREE LOVE: VENUS ESCAPES THE MALEFICS
So I mentioned above how at the New Moon, Mars is nearing Saturn in Aquarius. As these two malefics meet in the sky, you may shudder and grit your teeth - but make sure to whisper to yourself too: We Can Do Hard Things. This conjunction becomes exact on 5 April 2022 at 3.51am SAST at 22'24. Since the New Moon these energies have been building but worth noting is that at 5.17pm SAST on the same day, Venus leaves Aquarius and enters Pisces, the sign of her exaltation. THIS. IS. BIG. For several reasons:
1. Venus has been in Saturn dominated signs since her entry into Capricorn back on 5 November 2021 - that's 5 whole months!
2. When in Capricorn, she went through a retrograde period, descending into the underworld and transforming, becoming a morning star.
3. Before leaving Capricorn for another of Saturn's domains, Aquarious, she conjoined Pluto (again).
(Can we just concede that this on its own is all rather hectic stuff for Our Lady of the Rose)?
4. For most of March, Venus was besieged by Mars and Saturn in Aquarius, meaning that she was enclosed - in the middle of - the two malefic planets.
5. While Venus and Jupiter have met many times over the eons in Pisces, it was in 1856 when Venus, Jupiter AND Neptune were all in Pisces together at the same damn time! {Many astrologers have pointed out that this was when the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the Crimean War. Here's a little context, thanks to Wikipedia - forgive - it's my quick-because-Mercury-is-still-in-Aries go-to: "...In 1783, Crimea was annexed by the Russian Empire as the result of the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774). Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, Crimea became an autonomous republic within the Russian SFSR in the Soviet Union...In 1954, the Soviet Union transferred Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR from the Russian SFSR...Ukraine was reestablished as an independent state in 1991...The status of Crimea is disputed...In late February 2014, Russian troops were deployed to Crimea, occupying government buildings. The Republic of Crimea declared its independence from Ukraine following a disputed referendum on 16 March, deemed illegal by Ukraine and most countries, which was held on the issue of reunification with Russia; its official results showed over 90% support for reunification, but the vote was boycotted by many loyal to Ukraine. Russia formally annexed Crimea on 18 March, incorporating the Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol as the 84th and 85th federal subjects of Russia. Despite its annexation, Crimea was considered by most countries of the world in a UN resolution of March 2014 to remain part of Ukraine..." On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. As I write this, with Venus out of her besiegement, Putin and Zelensky are in talks...}
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE
Venus is exalted in Pisces: here, she is a VIP in Jove's temple. In Pisces, Venus fuses beauty with glamour; love with devotion; riches with luxury; art with poetry; diplomacy with generosity; peace with hope. Co-present with Jupiter in the sign he rules, these qualities are amplified ten-fold. And with Neptune in the mix - an overflowing of spiritual ideals and an acute attunement to the mystical. Truly, what better balm than this on the same day that Mars conjoins Saturn in Aquarius. It may be tempting with this Pisces pile-up to bliss out and escape, sure, but I read this transit as a cosmic reminder that in the face of hardship, struggle, loss, violence, delays, frustration, pain (Mars/Saturn in Aquarius) we can and must simultaneously hold or seek exquisite joy, deep hope, abundant pleasure, tender beauty, delicate peace and limitless faith. (Venus/Jupiter/Neptune in Pisces). There is a place and an imperative for what adrienne maree brown terms pleasure activism. In her book of the same name, she asks, 'How do we make social justice the most pleasurable human experience? How can we awaken within ourselves desires that make it impossible to settle for anything less than a fulfilling life?"
As Luna grows in light, Mercury, roots in the fertile soils of Taurus on 11 April 2022 at 4.09am SAST. After raising all hell in Aries, this troublemaker is suddenly concerned with pursuits that can be foundational and sustaining. When Mercury was in Aries he was prone to giving out tongue lashings, but in Taurus, it's more like free licks and French kisses. With the ruler of Taurus, Venus, in Pisces, clemency is king: Mercury in the sign of the bull wants to connect through creating and building concrete alliances. Forgiveness is the blueprint. Furthermore, Mars enters Pisces on 15 April 2022 at 5.15am SAST. Here, the God of War is released from Saturn's rulership and gets to power paddle across Jupiter's friendly oceans. The very next day, on the 16 April 2022, is a Full Moon in Libra at 8.53pm SAST at 26'45. The lunation is ruled by the exalted Venus in Pisces and Mercury's proximity to Uranus in Taurus, sextiling the Full Moon, makes this a supportive time to find innovative solutions towards peace, harmony and accord.
HOLY COW! IT'S TAURUS SEASON!
On 20 April 2022 at 4.24am SAST, the Sun enters Taurus - the fixed, feminine, earth sign ruled by Venus, who is still luxuriating in Pisces. Ten days later, the Moon gets up close and personal to the Sun, marking the second New Moon in the calendar month, this time in Taurus. What's significant about this one is that it heralds in eclipse season. We have a partial solar eclipse during this New Moon on 30 April 2022 at 10.27pm SAST at 10 '28 Taurus. Let's not forget Uranus is hanging out with this lunation too, to add a tale of the unexpected.
A quick refresher on ECLIPSES:
- Eclipses ONLY occur at New Moon or a Full Moon, when the Moon is conjoined to one of the lunar nodes (The nodes are points in space where the plane of the Moon's orbit intersects the ecliptic, which is the path of the Sun)
- A solar eclipse occurs at New Moon, when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth
- A lunar eclipse occurs at Full Moon, when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon
- The degree at which an eclipse occurs remains sensitive to transits of planets in the months after the event
- Eclipses are not rare phenomena: they occur every six months, and we can have up to 7 eclipses in a year
- Eclipse cycles return to the same signs every 18-19 years - so think back to around 2003/4 for clues on themes that could play out.
Venus is having a ball with Jupiter in Pisces during this Taurus New Moon eclipse, softening any drama that an eclipse invariably brings. What's more, the Moon in Taurus is exalted - able to flow and nourish because there is a sense of fundamental security and stability. What can we expect to surface during this first Taurus eclipse of 2022? Uranus, the wildcard in this Venus ruled earth sign together with the North Node being of the nature of Jupiter, augments and amplifies issues of land. The literal Earth, agriculture and food will be highlighted. But also, financial systems, money itself and issues of wealth will be impacted too. Women's issues could also be given a stir.
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LITURGIES FOR THREE LUNATIONS
In a calendar month that sees three lunations, here goes for three little prayers that can be uttered or used as a springboard into deeper contemplation. Read for your rising sign:
ARIES RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, grant me a mission, for I speak and act in valiance. Up the tempo, warm my blood, tickle my instincts for I'm hungry for a life of vigour.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, reflect silvery beneficence in my relationships; may I absorb tact in considering my partner's boundaries so that togetherness is that beautiful balance of sweetness and spaciousness.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, for some time I've felt the quivers of change around my material security. I crave predictability and surety around my financial resources and recognise that alignment of my values is the nutrient for growing wealth.
TAURUS RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, grant me searing privacy to commune with my secrets for in there lies a salve for ancient wounds. Let me burn karma in this season so I may be initiated into the ways of healing.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, reflect silvery vitality so I can rejoice in full health and a pain-free body; may I joy in work, in having a routine that pleases my soul so that I have capacity to be of service to others.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, I've felt for some time the pangs of rebirth, the exhilaration of reinvention. I crave a new plotline in this story called life and I'm steadily embodying my new reality.
GEMINI RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, ignite my humility to receive blazing blessings of good fortune. Bring friends into my social sphere whose zest for life and passion for great times are a source of inspiration.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, make me a vessel of creativity, of poetry and of joy, so ease flows through me. May I birth projects that contribute pleasure and conviviality, giving expression to my inner-child.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon; in the liminal space of my dreams my psyche experiences the tremors of awakening. I crave the shadowy places to incubate, recover from losses and tap into healing that is generative.
CANCER RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, let sparks fly as I blaze a trail for all the world to see. Let me tend to my mission like a holy fire. May I be recognised as a source of inspiration as I strive to achieve my goals with relentless passion.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, irradiate my home so it becomes the indwelling for blessings. May harmony be my foundation. Let all who claim me belong and be counted as kin.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, shakeups in my social life and my sense of luck are the new normal. I crave kindred spirit friends who are my allies for the long run; comrades with staying power who want to build new worlds with me.
LEO RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, kindle the flames of my spiritual path, lighting a path of teaching and learning. May I always be a zealous pilgrim, fuelled by passion and belief for a life of meaning and adventure.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, reflect silvery peace in my daily interactions within my community. May there be an equilibrium in my daily exchanges; a consistent flow of accord as I move through my immediate world.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, my direction in life has experienced flux, but I'm learning to trust its rhythm. I crave leaving a legacy where I'm known as someone dependable, with a practical creativity that fosters beauty and sustainable development.
VIRGO RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, I know what it's like to walk through fire, I have the courage of a thousand phoenix birds. May intimacy make a warrior of me as I learn and re-learn the art of sharing.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, let me always appreciate the value of things. May money magic envelop me as I learn that saving my shekels will allow me to share abundantly in the future. Relationships and their quality too are measures of wealth.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, events may have disrupted my world view, yet my faith remains unshakeable. I crave a true religion that engages my mind, body and soul. May my spiritual journey take me on a sensual odyssey steeped in beauty and meaning.
LIBRA RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, I've got this burning, burning, yearning feelin' inside me, oooh, deep inside me and it hurts so bad. May my beloved be seeking me for a union that's as committed as it is passionate.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, let me move through the world as the embodiment of love and charm. May I radiate from within, so that the way I shine teaches the art of compromise and inclusion. My existence is beautiful.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, I've felt the oscillations of disruption when it comes to being dependent on others for security. I crave stability for my partners and collaborators, so that I may trust fusing our destinies.
SCORPIO RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, let motivation pump through my veins infusing my day-to-day grind with passion and dynamism. May the glow of good health and physical wellness bring renewed energy for work and working out. I want to be useful.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, reflect only peace and calm equilibrium to me in my meditations. May I find joy in solitude and rest, delighting in behind-the-scenes problem-solving that contributes to the wellbeing of all.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, I know the twists, the turns and the shocks my partnership has borne. I crave a safe space of my beloved, so let me cultivate an atmosphere of stability and become that which I desire.
SAGITTARIUS RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, fan the flames of ardour and inspire me in my quest for pleasure. May my instincts be honed for play as I create a life of fervent leisure. Life is a game to be won. While alone I can go fast, I can go further with another.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, I claim my career rewards, rejoicing too in love received. May I be kept company by friends and connections as I realise my dreams and continue to cast hopes for a future of good fortune.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, there's been sudden changes in my work situation and even my health of late. I crave a schedule that is dependable, doing work that connects me to people and land. I release stress and invite beauty into my every day.
CAPRICORN RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, renew me from the ground up, initiate me in the ways of the land. Let me acquaint myself with my more-than-human family, the rocks, the soil, the minerals so that I may protect them as fiercely as I would my family.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, reflect a silvery spotlight along my path. May I find peace in knowing that recognition finds me when I honour the call to contribute my gifts in co-creating a just world, a beautiful world. I stand in love.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, revelation after revelation has got my nerves a bit frazzled of late. I crave lightheartedness. I think of children, how they love messy, tactile play. I will schedule massages, prioritize my pleasure practice and draw outside of the lines.
AQUARIUS RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, like a firefly, I emit energy and light as I flit about here, there and everywhere. Let ideas and inspiration flashes dart through me, energising my exchanges. Every environment I move in, is a classroom. I sharpen the sword.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, I am drawn to far away places but also to relationships that teach me something. May I flourish as a disciple of Love - cultivating a belief system that fosters connection. Amen.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, the ground has moved beneath my feet and my foundations have been shaken up. I crave a real belonging, a soft but secure place to fall; a piece of land that can be a forever place and a family of choice or of origin to call home.
PISCES RISING:
Aries New Moon: O crescent light, sometimes I've been prone to burning a hole in my wallet. May I maintain my enthusiasm for and creativity in acquiring material means. While I value spontaneity, I recognise my need for security. Cultivating wealth is a marathon.
Libra Full Moon: O bountiful light, I honour that I am no stranger to grief and have grappled with untangling the knots that come from embracing intimacy. May I benefit fairly through my unions with others, so that their blessings are mine, and mine theirs. Reciprocity is the key.
Taurus New Moon partial solar eclipse: O twilight moon, what a choppy season it's been - so many interruptions. I crave the steadiness of a familiar environment, the safety of extended family and a local community. May I be free to express my longings and act on my ideas to centre exchanges that are nourishing.
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The Astrology Newsletter - March 2022
Darlings,
It's Pisces season. As I write this, Russia's nuclear forces have been ordered into high alert. WT ACTUAL F??!!! Where I am on the tip of Africa, it's late summer. Days are full of sunshine, nights are balmy, yet the light is changing ever so slightly. In the northern hemisphere, winter is in its last throes and the hint of spring is close. That human urge to make sense of time and place always makes me think of my first astrology teacher, Rod Suskin, who explained that '...astrologers map space and call it time'. There is something acutely poetic to me about how we have a multitude of ways of relating to time; understanding it; recording it; segmenting and tracking it. With a palpable sense of calamity in the air, there is also something deeply therapeutic to me about philosophising about time.
WHAT TIME IS IT?
The ancient Greeks had two words for marking the differences between the experiences of time: kronos and kairos. Writer Marney K. Makridakis writes in her book 'Creating Time', "...Kronos (or cronos in the English spelling, from which we take our word chronology) is sequential time. Kronos is the time of clocks and calendars; it can be quantified and measured. Kronos is linear, moving inexorably out of the determinate past toward the determined future, and has no freedom. Kairos is numinous time. Kairos is a time of festivals and fantasies; it cannot be controlled or possessed. Kairos is circular, dancing back and forth, here and there, without beginning or ending, and knows no boundaries.."
March - and Pisces season - is a moment when these two meanings of time meld: sequentially, Pisces is the 'last' sign of the Zodiac. When we get to March, we have about three weeks before Aries season commences, the start of the astrological New Year. Conceptually, these weeks before the Sun's ingress to 0 '00 degrees Aries is the 'dark moon' phase of the zodiacal calendar, tied to the Northern hemisphere end of winter. It's the end of the end, so to speak, before new light and new life can spring forth. Pisces from the lens of kairos, is associated with the liminal space between last darkness and first light; an otherworldly place incubating the seeds of new creation for a new season. The Pisces vibration is receptive and porous, absorbing all that has gone before and knows no boundaries. Kronos is our linear understanding that Pisces follows Aquarius and precedes Aries in the zodiac. We also experience Pisces' temporality as kairos.
Practising Astrology binds one inextricably to kronos and kairos. Astrologers depend profusely on organised, calendrical time - inceptions also known as katarche - for divination. We always insist on a date and accurate time (and place) in order to cast a chart. But also, divination depends on what Geoffrey Cornelius expresses in his book 'The Moment of Astrology' as "..that experience of reality that is essentially and of its nature irreducible to quantification..." which to me speaks of that subjective, circular, eternal and mysterious quality of time, which prompts relationship to a living cosmos, to a sky in perpetual motion offering celestial bodies and their myths as the symbolic language to explain the stories of our lives.
We have undeniably entered into an epoch of crisis, the roots of which we try to trace and whose themes are a progression of crises from previous generations from which we attempt to extrapolate what the future may hold. Astrology helps us straddle past, present and future, but while astrology is divine, it's not The Divine. Astrology helps us decode some of the mysteries of time, but it is not The Mystery. What better moment than Pisces season to grapple with this, to live kronos and kairos, to hold duality, collectively and personally. It's also precisely in this season that we are grappling once more with devastation: news of war, violence, invasion, suffering and fear. How could a contemplation of time be a panacea for the magnitude of facing what feels like a world in decay, an end of times? Karen Attiah, journalist, put it best when she tweeted "The thing about history is...these times we are living in are very, very precedented." Planetary transits remind us of how the ages repeat themselves - indeed the energies and archetypes of the planets are precedented too. The gift of Pisces season, especially this year's edition, is HOPE.
TWO FISH SWIMMING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS JOINED BY THE THREAD OF CONSCIOUSNESS*
This lunar cycle is seeded in Pisces - the double bodied, feminine water sign that is ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter currently in domicile in Pisces strengthens this lunation. Neptune is also co-present, sprinkling its mystical flavoured mist. I almost want to say it's Pisces vibes on steroids, but I think psychedelics would be more like it. The Moon, the Sun, Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces have the potential to usher in an amplification of creativity, sensitivity, compassion, hope and healing. This is Christ consciousness with a capital L-O-V-E that is the perfect companion to staying with the trouble. You see, Pisces' infinite benevolence - especially with Neptune so close to the Moon - can sometimes be the slippery slope to slipping away. It's all fine and well to traverse other realms, to seek escape and exquisite inspiration especially when we feel close to the apocalypse, but how about we try to bring Heaven down to Earth this season? Prayer, meditation, dreams, music-making, painting, poetry, pottery, peaceful protest, acts of kindness, being of service - all very Piscean practices to help you raise your frequency and feel plugged-in to your highest good.
On 2 February 2022 at 7.35pm SAST, we have the New Moon at 12 '06 Pisces. This comes just one hour after Mercury's exact conjunction to Saturn at 18 '58 Aquarius. Venus and Mars are partile conjunct Pluto at 27 degrees of Capricorn, with Mars conjoining Pluto at exactly 27 '50 Capricorn on 3 February 2022 at 10.39am SAST.
*This is the symbol for Pisces, reminding us of the mutable (changeable) triplicity of this sign, and also its spiritually attuned quality.
KEEP THE FAITH
With Mercury conjoining Saturn in Aquarius, there is great potential for common sense to permeate; for tackling issues with great tact and caution. While it also indicates worry and negative thinking, it could counter any gullibility or deception that is part and parcel of the lineup of planets in Pisces at the New Moon. Venus and Mars edging closer to Pluto, with Mars the God of War in the lead, suggests intense assertions of power - think ruthlessness and rage and taking by force. As I write this, Russia is bombing the Ukrainian capitol city. Venus closely follows Mars in conjoining Pluto, speaking to intense power plays in relationships (and politics), manipulation and the deep stirring of passions. As the potential for an escalation of aggression grows, we see the Sun culminating to conjoin Jupiter in Pisces at 14 '58 Pisces on 4 March 2022 at 3.55pm SAST. Jupiter at the heart of the Sun is elevated to benefic regal status and calls in the dichotomy between optimism, goodwill and exuberance (Sun/Jupiter) and destruction and violence (Mars/Pluto). I would hope, however, that Sun/Jupiter signifies a visionary leader, someone powerful and influential who perhaps can mediate this crisis.
The next day on 5 March 2022 at 8.23am and 8.29am SAST, Mars and then Venus, respectively, ingress into Aquarius. Expect a vibe shift: Mars is no longer in his exaltation and the Aquarian breeze may cool him down and chill him out. Interesting to note too, is that Mars and Venus conjoin at 00 '00 degrees of Aquarius, the same degree of the Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in December 2020. This hints at a new beginning, an opportunity to start afresh, particularly in terms of relationships (and politics). In addition at 00 '01 degrees of Aquarius on 6 March at 9.12am SAST, Venus overtakes Mars. With Venus gaining in speed and leading the way, it may indicate emphasis on diplomacy, inclusion, agreement and accord.
AS THE MOON GROWS IN LIGHT...
At the first quarter Moon in Gemini on 9 March 2022, Mercury, the moon's ruler, moves into Pisces at 3.32am SAST. The first quarter of the waxing Moon is a time of definite action. Mercury in Pisces is in fall, debilitated. The messenger planet is slowed down here - scattered - needing to work harder in finding ways to express itself clearly. At this point in the lunar cycle, it could feel a bit mercury retrograde-y - there is the impetus to act and express, but there may be delays, so watch for frustration. The rest of the week, the Sun applies to Neptune, becoming exactly conjunct on Saturday, 12 March 2022 at 22 '52 Pisces at 1.33pm SAST. The potential for visionary leadership continues, but with Neptune involved, it's good to keep your bullshit radar on high and be cautious of god complexes and delusion. Stay woke!
By the time we get to the Full Moon in Virgo on 18 March 2022 at 9.17am SAST at 27 '40 Virgo, Venus finds herself besieged (a traditional term used when a planet is between two malefic planets) by Mars and Saturn in Aquarius and applying to a square with Uranus in Taurus. Relationship (Venus) limits may be tested (Saturn) due to conflicts (Mars). Expect relationship breakthroughs and disruptions (Uranus). The Virgo Full Moon brings us back into fact-checking (or nit picking) territory. What better time to try to create some order out of the chaos - both 'out there' but also within us. The Moon's ruler, Mercury, now in Jupiter's sign of Pisces, is helpful in centering thoughts of hope, expressions of kindness, while the Virgo Moon encourages an outpouring of pragmatism, attention to detail, no-nonsense analysis and reminder to stick to the FACTS!
AN EXALTED SUN & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
On the 20 March 2022, the Sun enters Aries at 5.33pm SAST and a New astrological Year commences. Aries season unveils one of the 'transits-to-watch' of 2022, when Venus enters Pisces, its sign of exaltation and is co-present with Jupiter in domicile and Neptune. It's abundant refinement, deeply attuned inspiration and compassion. It's aching beauty and belief beyond all borders. But more of this next month!
The remaining week of March looks a little like this:
21 March - Mercury conjoins Jupiter at 7.52pm SAST at 18 '44 Pisces = an optimistic and expansive outlook with a tendency to over-promise or exaggerate
22 March - Mars in Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus at 10.30pm SAST at 12 '26 = think back to April 2020, the last time these two planets in the same signs butted heads. There's an electric feel in the air; the revolutionary impulse ignited and an impatient desire for freedom can spark.
27 March - Mercury ingress into Aries at 9.44am SAST = After Mercury's wade through the Pisces fog, this ingress into cardinal, fiery Aries gives our communications some heat and spice! Messages are clear, concise and direct, words are sharp. Verbal wrangling is the new art of war.
28 March - Venus conjoins Saturn at 9.16pm at 24 '44 Aquarius = Venusian matters like love, money or relationships require integrity and a responsible approach. In Aquarius perhaps a negotiation of separateness in togetherness. Addressing fear and loneliness in partnership.
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