The Owl in the Moon

Saturn enters Sagittarius

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:11:00 +0000

There are so many powerful occurrences in the skies right now, but what leapt out to me is Saturn, after 2 years, moving into a new sign on the 23rd. Uncomfortable bedfellows it seems. Saturn - strict, authoritarian, and suffering no fools. Sagittarius- optimistic, generous, and idealistic.

Yet Saturn here offers a very powerful foundation for our notions on freedom and our dreams. He calls for a mature and practical focus. We have the opportunity to take our free-spirited ideals and make something concrete from them.

Sagittarius is no wishy-washy dreamer, but the ability to look into horizons can create a perpetual reaching outwards that struggles to achieve anything tangible. Saturn here says - I see your ideals and I raise you pragmatism.

1 medium, 1 brush, 1 colour = truth

The centaur is all about higher purpose, meaning, and truth. Now we are asked to first reality-check our visions and hopes, and then manifest our personal philosophy.

Saturn has been deeply rooted in Scorpio - digging up our darkest fears, forcing us to face them. We'll return to this theme for a short while in June 2015 when Saturn retrogrades, but the next 2-3 years will be the experience after the abyss.

We are all already reaching out, spreading our arms out wide and reaching up to our dreams, and we will continue to do so. Anything less than authentic, anything less than from your highest truth and moral compass, will not fly with Saturn. I have learnt that, amazingly, it's possible to find freedom within restrictions. In fact, for some of us, possible to find our most centred freedom.

We can also not hand over our personal authority to others. If we do so we will struggle during this period. It's one thing to ask for support, it's another to give up your power, or to play the victim.

Put aside your 'brand', your 'style', what's trending, and all those varied directions you are pulled in. Centre yourself, breathe, look within, and you will find your truth... then take charge of it.

horizons {Sagittarius New Moon}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 09:03:00 +0000

Many of our thoughts or experiences have been, and continue to be, shadowed by a strong Scorpio influence. For some of us, it may be deep losses, for others it's nostalgic endings. Either way, we have been undergoing transformations.

The New Moon, in the sign of expansion, optimism, and 'reaching for the stars', gives us hope.

If we are open, we can see the purpose of the endings, or the healing after the losses. We can accept the sacrifice of one thing for another. Often what we deem as sacrifice is something that was finished anyway, or that on some level we knew was never right for us. Scorpio tells us what is necessary, no matter how dark, how sad, or how fearful.

Sagittarius is on the other side of the river, ready with an outstretched hand out a smile. Reminding us that life goes on. That the purpose of life is to be itself. To realise itself.

We are to fully be who we are meant to be. And loss and all that hurts is part of the wholeness of experience. Beyond that, there is beauty, adventure, new goals, endless possibilities.... new horizons. We are not completely out of the dark, but it's an important first step.

So feet up onto the bank, out of the murky waters, say goodbye, walk on, and don't look back.

Scorpio days

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:51:00 +0000

Our days have and continue to be intense. Hidden feelings and thoughts rise to the surface, and nothing feels light and airy at all. The Sun, Mercury and Venus are moving through Scorpio.* The general energy, our thinking, and our relationships.

This past couple of weeks I have experienced some of the worst emotions and some of the worst fears. It threw me into a spiralling hole of suspicion. All well-founded I might add. It's these types of situations, where we have grounds to think what we're thinking, that can be difficult to escape.

Scorpio is about survival, and doing whatever it takes to do so. If you have been passive or complacent in the past, you can discover a hidden impetus to do what is necessary. Personally, I have a tendency to Aware Naivety. I am aware of a situation turning sour or a person's true unkind motives, and yet I want to believe that honesty, goodness, and truth will prevail.

Instead, in this situation, Scorpio has pushed me to uncover truths and information that will arm me, to share old lies, and to survive.

Inside the hole we blame others, we claim that life is unfair, we obsess about what might happen, we are stuck in Black&White thinking, we take extreme measures, we are paranoid, jealous, possessive, and spiteful.

It is no use drowning in fears of what could happen. Instead, we let go of complacency, prepare ourselves, and deal with the worst when and if it happens at all. Like a scorpion, if it's attacked it's ready.

Let's take the best of what the scorpion can give us;

be prepared for the worst
but
hope for the best.

Scorpio is about death and rebirth - transformation. What is happening right now in our relationships is ensuring that things will never be the same again.

* Sun until Nov 22nd, Mercury until 27th, Venus until 16th.

The Semi-Sextile

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Learn Astrology

In my experience, the Semi-Sextile is not a 'weak' Sextile. It's also neither a soft/harmonious or hard/disharmonious aspect. Likewise, claiming that it's a 'lesser' Sextile is like saying a child is a lesser adult, completely unhelpful.

Many astrology students reasonably suggest that as the two planets are in signs with nothing in common, it makes sense that they do not 'get along'. However, their position as neighbours is a vital relationship. Also keep in mind that planets are neutral to each other, and all points need to be considered to discover how they will work together.

When I think of the Semi-Sextile I think of the neighbour relationship.
Neighbours are in our immediate environment.
We can't really avoid them - we still hear them or have to deal with their dog barking at night.
We often make a point of getting along, whatever we might think of them.
They come to our parties by default.
Our children are friends by proximity.
It's a default relationship no matter how unlike we may be.

Two neighbouring Semi-Sextile planets are part of our immediate character.

While they don't share Element, Modality, or Polarity, they are in a relationship of immediate development - one immediately preceding/following the other. At the very least, (if this cyclic approach doesn't gel with your idea of a static natal chart) it's a relationship of immediate proximity/contact.

The most important point about the Semi-Sextile is that it's a seed, an innate potential. It could be seen as karmically working it's way toward the Sextile and then Trine. However you choose to view it, it's a starting point that is readily experienced in our lives.

What can be challenging about this aspect is that two very different styles of functioning are involved. There is friction and stress - but both these words need to be properly understood.

What is easy about this aspect is that it lies in our conscious minds (unlike Chironic wounds for example), and with self-awareness, it's readily accessed for further growth.

Seed Card, Linnea Vedder Shults

•

Example:

Susan M
Jupiter in Scorpio 7thH Semi-Sextile Uranus in Libra 6thH.

Susan is easily drawn to intense, meaningful, and passionate relationships. She seeks to be of use in instigating transformation and is unafraid of unorthodox methods.

At best, her ability to see people's potential and her enthusiasm to be of help, is a profound asset to all her relationships, including those in her career. She is able to adopt a generously relaxed attitude and a truly open-minded perspective, allowing everyone their personal truth. She walks her talk and thereby offers transformation by osmosis

At worst, she believes that she can be the agent for change and directly transform the other person into the best person they can be by her efforts. She tends to refuse to see the reality of a failing relationship because she is determined, blindly faithful, or gullible, believing that everything will turn out fine. She may subconsciously choose the chaos of volatile relationships to get her fix for transformative work, in herself or others.

The wonderful point here is that Susan has the potential power to bring out that infinite transformation in herself and others.

It will best occur when she can deal with her tendency to approach others too intensely, self-righteously, or dogmatically, as well as her tendency to choose to remain ignorant of a failing relationship. In other words, she needs to detach enough to see people for who they are rather than for who she believes they could be.

Her personal relationships will benefit from a foundation of mutual respect and love, rather than a guru-disciple imbalance - empowering others rather than controlling them.

The Semi-Sextile as a seed, means that we normally begin at the level of fumbling child who can learn the better expression of the aspect. This easily accessible personality-work, opens up an avenue to deeper soul-work with Chrion, Pluto, Square aspects, and the other truly challenging points.

•

Semi-sextile points from others (in agreement):

Arroyo, S. - persistent, constantly interacting.
Meyer, M. - initial emergence of self-awareness
Hone, M.E. - slightly stressful

Resource article - comments closed.

© The Owl in the Moon 2013

Meeting Aries-Libra Descendant

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:25:00 +0000

Aries Ascendant - Libra Descendant

This is the impulsive persona, becoming the assertive persona, who is developing the diplomat.

This person is instinctively; forthright, competitive, blunt, an initiator.

The Descendant asks this person to integrate peace into that assertiveness, to incorporate co-operation into competitiveness, to accept social harmony as a tool for action, and to fully actualise into a leader of integration.

Libra Ascendant - Aries Descendant

This is the indecisive persona, becoming the co-operative persona, who is developing the pioneer.

This person is instinctively; other-orientated, relationship focused, appreciative, a peace-maker.

The Descendant asks this person to integrate assertiveness into that co-operation, to incorporate a sense of Self as an aspect of partnership, to invite courage alongside appreciating, and to fully actualise into a self-reliant diplomat.

•

Caress by Katarzyna Wolodkiewicz

When the Aries Asc person is not whole, they often view Libran characteristics as frustrating. Likewise, the Libran Asc can view Aries characteristics as a great nuisance. Subsequently, each will attract, and be attracted to, people who express those very qualities.*

This can play out by meeting someone we're consciously attracted to for various reasons, only to find clashes later, and those clashes often bring out the once hidden qualities in the other person. Those qualities were always there, but we were blind to them.

It can also play out by attracting people to us unconsciously, and clashing instantly.

So a Aries/Libran Ascendant will be attracted to another person who is also dynamic and instigators, like they are. There is chemistry between them and there are many shared interests. Over time, Aries Asc begins to find the other person wishy-washy, passive-aggressive, indecisive, ineffectual, too submissive, unadventurous, and lazy. Libra Asc begins to find the other person brash, careless, impatient, selfish, childish, pushy, and inconsiderate.

What each sign can get out of the failing or failed relationship, is...

what the other person represented.

A non-evolved Aries is a petty tyrant. They often want to do things their way for no logical reason whatsoever. They can grow by learning to take other people's needs into consideration. By learning that standing up for oneself is not the same as stampeding over others.

A non-evolved Libra is passive-aggressive. They choose peace on the surface, but seethe inside. They can grow by understanding that being tactfully honest can enhance a relationship. That one needn't give up a strong individual identity for the sake of a relationship.

Each Ascendant is brought face-to-face, literally, with these issues. When the opposite qualities enter our lives in the form of another person, our buttons are pushed. We are triggered and we react with anger, frustration, irritability, criticism, or superiority.

An emotional reaction to another person
is a sure sign that the universe
is offering us a place of awareness.

I would enjoy hearing if you or someone you know have these Ascendants and how they have played out in your lives.

* It doesn't mean you attract a person with the actual opposite Ascendant. It's about attracting the qualities. It does often happen though, that, if you're an Aries Asc, for example, the other person has a personal planet in Libra (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Venus, Asc). But anyone who seems to have Libran qualities will trigger you.

Related:
Descendant Introduction

Retrograde planets: re -everything

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 11:21:00 +0000

Whenever I read an article that includes phrases like, 'your computer will malfunction', or, 'don't sign contracts', in regards to Mercury Retrograde, I tune out.

Retrograde planets have so much to offer us, and the idea that this apparent motion is detrimental is misleading.

•

In a Nutshell

We all go through periods of feeling reflective, introspective, distanced from others, and generally requiring mental space, quiet, or creative meandering. When we feel like this, it's understandable that it's better to; take some time out, engage in artistic play, daydream, ponder life's options, watch some good films or sink into a good book, and relax.

If our brain is asking for Time Out, and instead we push ahead and attempt to focus or initiate action, things are less likely to 'take'. Not because some external energy is giving off bad vibes, but simply because we fight against the natural inclination of our current emotional/mental state.

This is the Retrograde experience.

The Retrograde planet simply turns inwards, so to speak. Take the Re from Retrograde and apply it to your life - re-view, re-vise, re-think, re-focus, re-mind, re-arrange, re-adjust, re-consider, and so on. The planetary energy isn't going to cause any problems, it's simply in an inward-focused state. If we attempt to go against it, we're just choosing the more difficult path for ourselves.

In fact, I firmly believe that when things 'go wrong', it's a sign that we are taking the wrong approach or putting our energies into the wrong area. We can use mishaps as a reminder to re-align ourselves.

•

Mercury Retrograde

So then, is such common advice to not sign contracts relevant for the planet of communication going Retrograde?

It's relevant, but misleading. And after all, sometimes you have to get a contract signed. The point to understand is that Mercury Rx naturally thinks more loosely and openly rather than in a focused way. In our modern societies, we're just not very good at slowing down.

In such a loose state of mind you may miss vital details. However, if you're able to go over a contract with a fine-toothed comb, without rushing, or have done so already before the Retrograde period, then there's nothing wrong with signing up.

Instead of focusing on what a Retrograde period doesn't support, it seems many times more useful to focus on what it does.

No planetary energy is 'good' or 'bad', it simply is. It's how we work with it that makes the difference.

Benefits

Mercury Retrograde supports thinking and communications that go deeper, inward, un-rushed, with looser boundaries, and with a foot in the past.

The trick is to channel this beneficially. Thinking like this probably won't benefit throwing yourself into a new financial investment. But it would support picking out the useful old methods and brainstorming new ways you might invest in the future.

Also, if we've been rushing forward recently, now the energy supports a time for slowing down, recouping, and realigning. It supports the activities that take place internally and behind-the-scenes; rearranging book shelves, day dreaming, de-cluttering, revising written work, sifting through old records or photographs, sifting through recent thought patterns, editing, proofreading, meditating, deleting unused bookmarks/favourites, closing off unused social media accounts.

Tidy things up (mentally, emotionally, literally), without actually pushing for conclusions, to be better prepared for the next period of outward-focused action.

Currently

As I write this article, we've entered Mercury Retrograde in Pisces and will remain there until March 17. I see enormous potential for creativity, in all its forms. We're able to see into directions we never even knew existed!

Mercury Rx in Pisces supports a wide-reaching, flexible, open, and very creative, style of thinking.

Your thoughts and ideas know no boundaries.

Also, consider whether the direction you emotionally or spiritually initiated recently is exactly where you want to continue heading.

Tie up loose ends.
Stay open to your intuition.
Consider possibilities and new directions.
Understand that others are feeling vulnerable and tender as well, or more so.
When working on something new, walk away from it, return to it, reconsider it.
Remain receptive.
Merge compassion with all your thinking.
If communications require clarity, get things down in writing.
Enjoy emotion-based (but non-confrontational) chats with loved ones.
Take closer notice of your dreams.
Keep pen and paper nearby - your ideas will come fast.
Know when to stop.
Recognise when remaining quiet or stepping back is the highest potential for the moment.

Appreciate the depth and far-seeing energy right now, and recognise that you're in this place to ponder but not remain. Perhaps find an anchor of some sort, to help you remain grounded enough. Pisces wants to float away, forever.

•

Life works in cycles, and we need reflective time as much as action-orientated time. Get the best out of a retrograde planet in the same way that you get the best out of yourself. We can rant and rave at a planetary energy, while we choose to swim against the tide. Or, we can recognise, accept, honour, and work with, the ebb and flow.

Resource article - comments closed.

© The Owl in the Moon 2013

Unique Disease ▲ Chiron Uranus aspects

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:42:00 +0000

My ~~obsession with~~ interest in Chiron has merged with my holistic approach to body dis-ease. It's been interesting for me to feel how Chiron aspects could manifest as illnesses in the client. Chiron, in myth, was a great healer who suffered two wounds, an emotional one (rejected by parents) and a physical one (arrow wound). The latter is the one usually considered, and while it's a metaphor for soul-pain, we often manifest unexpressed/unresolved soul-pain through our bodies.

⚷

When Chiron aspects Uranus, there is an underlying wound around being unique.

This Chiron has a deep fear of being lost in the crowd, of offering nothing unique to the world, of having something unique to offer but feeling stuck on how to get it 'out there', of being bland, being mediocre, of being ordinary.

The longer the person holds these fears and beliefs, the more the body takes into itself this energy -

I
HAVE
to be unique.

So how would a body deal with this? What manifests?

The individual in the hard grip of these Fears could manifest a disease that has something Uranian about it - shocking, rare, completely new. Perhaps their ordinary eczema is the worst case seen in that Dr's office. They want to photograph it for scientific study!

The illnesses could be mundane but somehow 'special' in their duration, complications, or debilitation.

This person has physical problems that health professionals just can't pinpoint. When one answer is found, everything is turned on it's head and it's discovered that diagnosis was completely wrong, or another issue has cropped up.

All manner of treatments have no affect on an otherwise ordinary illness. Complicated alternative treatments are sought.

The less the person has worked through these issues, or the less they are living an authentic life, the more extreme would be the manifestations - such as rare diseases or symptoms.

♅

Chiron-Uranus is usually so busy in trying to be unique that the wonderful unique gifts within them aren't being utilised. The Fear whispers that, if they share those gifts, there's a risk that they'll be ultimately considered quite ordinary.

Better to rattle and rail at the world, they think. Causing dissension amidst groups, proclaiming the specialness of the social or personal problems around them, or, developing original health issues, than just get on with living their purpose.

Chiron-Uranus is often so busy looking for that 'better' way to shine, that they don't see what is at their fingertips.

Healing

Healing of body comes of course with supportive physical treatments, plus healing of soul.

What exatly is so frightening about not standing out in the crowd?
How many projects have not seen the light of day, have not been gifted to the world, because you deemed them not unique enough?
Can you embrace that you are unique simply because no-one else is you?
What are you trying to force into uniqueness?
How much joy in the doing have you missed out on by neglecting anything not special enough as a result?
And what truly unique talent within you is neglected?

Thoughts:

I am unique because no-one else is Me.
.
What I have to offer can never be offered in exactly the same way
because it comes through Me.
.
The process and the journey are of greatest worth.
Doing offers bliss.
.
The most important universal energy is also the most common/ordinary one
- Love.

Resource article - comments closed.

© The Owl in the Moon 2013

{image source}

Through Others: the Descendant, pt1

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:49:00 +0000

Do you keep attracting a certain type of friend or partner into your life? Do see patterns in interactions, such as stalkers or bullies? Guess what? Until you take in what they have for you, you'll continue to do so.

•

The Ascendant, also known as the Rising Sign, is well known. The Descendant is an important marker, but is rarely discussed.

The circular birth chart works in polarities - axes of characteristics and experience. So every point has an opposite, that through examination offers greater depth to the chart.

As the Ascendant is generally considered to indicate the personality that you wear, the Descendant is generally considered to indicate what you seek in others.

However, I want to offer a slightly more profound approach.

Firstly, while most astro sites state that your Ascendant, Asc, describes your personality, I consider the Ascendant as a place of becoming (well, the whole chart really). We are marked at birth, but not everything is stamped and unchanging. We are constantly developing and evolving, the Ascendant is no different.

Likewise, the Descendant is a similar point of evolution.

We are called to become the Ascendant, and to develop the Descendant.
I will get into the depths of the Descendant, as well as the relationship between the two, in future articles. For today, I want to bring some of that depth in an accessible manner.

•

The Descendant

With your chart in front of you, take a look at the cusp of your 7th House. In the 14th Dalai Lama's chart below, the 7th House cusp (red arrow) indicates a Capricorn Descendant, DC.

astro.com

The Descendant indicates what you tend to seek in others, many sites say it's the type of partner we look for.

However, this mostly unconscious desire for the Other, is really about a deeper soul-need to move into the social arena with a purpose. Your Soul Purpose is found in other areas of your chart, but your DC will indicate one vehicle towards wholeness, through relatedness.

What this means is that other people in our lives, our relationships especially, indirectly teach us great lessons about ourselves. People are our mirrors, our personality challenges, our projections, our missing parts.

We need others to fully self-actualise, and to fulfil our Life Purpose.

When we can accept the unity of life - that I am you and you are me - we can appreciate all the people who enter our lives. Yes, even the irritating, annoying, and hurtful ones. Many astrologers would suggest, especially those. This doesn't mean we have to like them or accept hurtful behaviour. It's about being willing and able to look behind the person, the Ego in front of you, and understand what they represent for you.

We can then stop the futility of hating, blaming, self-pitying, or judging, and instead ask - for what purpose has this person entered my life?

Yes, the Descendant can shed some light on who your soul seeks out, but it does this because it's seeking certain traits to integrate into your Self.

The DC is the life lessons and insights that are brought to you through others.

The 14th Dalai Lama's Ascendant is Cancer. This is the sensitive soul who is becoming the nurturer. Yet the Descendant in Capricorn asks of him - integrate detachment into that sensitivity, and incorporate structure into the nurturing.

Can't you just see that for this man?

If he wallows and loses himself in Cancer's emotionality, over-sensitivity, and lack of containment, he'll continually attract authoritarian types who are emotionally aloof and restricting. If he integrates the Capricorn qualities, he can become an authority for nurturing.

•

In following articles I will summarise the rest of the signs, as well as discuss possible shadow manifestations when we don't integrate our Descendant. I'll also leave comments open in those posts so you can chat about your own Descendant.

Resource article - comments closed.

Tangible Intentions (Capricorn New Moon)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 09:09:00 +0000

Never mind January 1st for setting resolutions. If you want some universal oomph behind pragmatic hopes for the year ahead, this New Moon is your mountain from which to plant your feet and shout out your intentions.

The Goat will be your support towards solid achievements that will actually flourish within boundaries.

For some of us, this not only seems a contradiction, but sounds quite frightening. However, no matter how enticing, infinite freedom can be the worst scenario for our creativity or success. When we work within certain lines, we can find a laser penetration into our truth, into the authentic need.

With Pluto hanging nearby, uncovering the deep soulful urge behind our intentions is paramount.

Although many people see all New Moons as perfect for new projects, I feel that it really depends upon the Moon sign and other aspects.

This Capricorn energy (5 planet stellium!) says to me - strengthen what already exists.

only Ballpoint Pen on Paper 53.5 x 44cm
Boo Saville

This New Moon*, ask...

What if I were forced to par down, simplify, cut my time, restrict my workspace, narrow my options, reduce my materials, bring in nothing new....

what could I produce?
what could I manifest?
what could I become?
.
Can I discriminate between the wrong restrictions and the right boundaries?
.
What, that already exists, needs rearranging, redefining, or transforming?
.
Who needs to hear about my deep intentions?
and
What is better kept close to my heart?

▲

This New Moon will take seed in my 9th House, a great time to set real goals for my studies. On a deeper soul level, I've been experiencing the need to blossom my most authentic creative desires, releasing the wrong restrictions (what will sell? is this real art? am I wasting?) and working within beautifully self-made boundaries.
I also have Lilith going over my Asc and this is a clear warning to not abandon the old for the new, as the desire to do so will be strong. Don't I know it!

* Exact: 7:43pm (GMT) | 11:44am (PST), 11th Jan

Vulnerable Boundaries (Cancer Full Moon)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 07:39:00 +0000

The nurturing sign of Cancer is sitting amongst rather crazy planetary energies. With Uranus and Pluto doing their thing, this Cancer Full Moon has a particularly intense vibe about it. The questions are really hitting some vulnerable spots.

What came to me was the concept of Home, either literal or metaphorical, and even Home within ourselves.

This Full Moon...

Have you figured out what personal sanctuary means to you?
.
What in your home needs to change?
.
How are you asked to change in your home?
.
Have you given up your uniqueness for Home?
.
What nurturing do you no longer need, what must you find?
.
Are you bringing your 'higher calling' into your mundane life?

Artist: Shawn McNulty

We are asked to be vulnerable yet to retain boundaries. To be wild and go deep, yet bring that into the realm of our everyday lives. There is an energy around that has been lifting and pushing us, but there is also a tendency to push further than what is authentic or safe.

Put emotional ideals into practice.
Find independence within your boundaries.
Remain true to your Self.
Retain beneficial structures.

A Full Moon shines light on the weak spots, the cracks, whatever we have yet been blind to. This one will make us feel exposed indeed. We can retreat from the harsh light back into the cosiness that we have created, and perhaps that's what you need right now, or we can use it as a window of opportunity.

What do you see?

astro ▲ Chiron's Two Wounds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:57:00 +0000

Chiron, known as the Wounded Healer, is almost exclusively discussed in terms of his physical wound, and how that myth translates astrologically as an emotional wound in the person.

You can't read a Chiron article without reading about the wound. The wound, the wound.

Chiron actually experienced two wounds.

Firstly, he was a child of rape - Saturn/Kronus raped the nymph Philyra. Worse, his mother was so disgusted with his animal form that she rejected him. Rejected him so deeply and fully, that she even had herself changed into another form to be anything other than his mother. Kronus simply had no interest in him.

So there is a deep-seated, subconscious, emotional wound. This wound is 'hidden' because it's an energy a child picks up rather than a conscious awareness. A pain that becomes ingrained and actually shapes the persona. This is the fodder of psychoanalysis.

Some might find the Karmic or past-life wound here.

Artist: Jakki Oakes

Secondly is the physical wound from the poisoned spear. This is a very conscious wound. Both the realisation that it occurred, and also its implications - an immortal with a wound that never heals is a sorry state of affairs! Chiron actively searches for a cure, a solution. This is the thorn of our daily frustrations.

So Chiron indicates deep subconscious wounds - where our Shadows form? As well as more surface, but no less formidable, wounds.

Chiron could also signify the bridge between both - the surface manifestation and realisation of something that goes much deeper.

Aspects to Chiron and it's House placement indicate which is most prominent, just how hidden it is, and how challenging it/they will be to 'see' and heal.

The other vital point, is that when we honour the physicality of the second wound rather than translate it immediately into a metaphorical emotional wound, we can begin to find insights into a client's physical illnesses.

Body dis-ease is a mirror of mind/heart/soul/spirit dis-ease. I believe Chiron is a big signpost here.
For many clients, examining a surface wound - physical illness - may be an easier path towards emotional healing.

Resource article - comments closed.

Break Free (Uranus direct)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:12:00 +0000

One of the most difficult periods of a creative person's life is when ideas are only bubbling, when motivation and desire for action are there, but nothing seems to move forward.

It's all under the surface.

If we do manage to move something forward, it's an uphill struggle, or it feels like we're forcing it to happen. Yet these periods of ideas-more-than-action, are utterly essential to the creative spirit (in the broadest sense).

Uranus moving retrograde supports our bubbling.

When this mighty planet of change, upheaval, and chaos, lurches forward today, in impulsive Aries no less, and alongside a New Moon, oh boy do we need to step out of our own way!

Artist: Katy Stone

I've definitely been in that baking stage these last few months. Having to remind myself whenever the frustration hit hard, that action will happen. I know I've come to a breaking point a few times. Here I find myself on the threshold of launching this blog!

Uranus has been visiting my 11th House of groups/organisations/community for some years, and it's retrograde action didn't help a recent involvement with a new group. Fingers crossed for a positive way forward! I've already felt the shift starting.

I'm wondering, if you have felt frustrated and bubbling underneath the surface, whether creatively, emotionally, or spiritually, and if you suddenly feel ready to unleash onto the world? It's important to keep in mind that what lurches forward with Uranus is often not in our control.

Be prepared for the unexpected.

Have you come to understand that the creative process includes dormant, quiet, or bubbling times?

Finally, how are you with change in general?

Emotional Support with Sagittarius Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:28:00 +0000

If we are fortunate, we have various people in our lives to which we can turn to for support during our troubled times, whether these troubles are small grievances or large crises.

Often we choose the person by default - s/he is our best friend, sister, or closest neighbour. Yet sometimes we gravitate, consciously or not, towards people not necessarily our closest buddies or family. Or perhaps we turn towards a specific person with certain types of problems.

Somehow we know, or feel, that his/her response will be just what we need at that time.

You might have a very good friend who cares about you but in times of trouble rarely tells you what you want or need to hear. Also, our needs differ even as we move through the same problem.

One of the reasons for how a person responds, is their moon sign placement.

The Moon governs emotions, among other things. The sign in which our Moon is placed will indicate

our emotional needs
as well as
how we respond emotionally.

This can sometimes clash with our Sun Sign way of dealing with the world!

Understanding your own moon sign is very helpful because in times of emotional turmoil, it is these characteristics that take over.

In this series, I take a basic look at what each of us has to offer emotionally, as well as what we need, through our Moon Sign. You can use the information for self-awareness, and if you know the Moon Sign of someone else, who best to turn to in times of need!

Read my FAQs about working out your own planetary placements. Or jump straight to astrodienst or cafeastrology for a free birth chart wheel.

▲

Moon in Sagittarius

Key words: Enthusiasm, optimism, idealism, freedom, honesty.

If your Moon is in Sagittarius, you have an innate emotional need:

To feel that you are growing/evolving.
To view problems philosophically.
To feel unrestricted.

Deep dives of ennui can be regular and are cured by trying something new in the realms of travel, creativity, or study. They struggle when feeling stifled.

Nothing deflates a Sagittarius Moon more than the feeling of stagnation. During low moods, it's vital to move forward - literally or figuratively. Dig out an old reference book and read up on theories in one of your many favourite subjects. If you can't travel yet, make some holiday plans, even if it's far into the future. Take the area of your life that feels stuck and consider the wild, idealistic, enthusiastic, and far-reaching possibilities. Find old hobby materials and see if you can muster up renewed enthusiasm, even for a short while. Search for a new hobby.

The person with a Sagittarius Moon is the one to turn to when you need:

A philosophical perspective.
To see the bigger picture, when you feel overwhelmed with the details.
A serious shot of optimism.
A travel buddy to 'get away for a while'.

Best not to turn to this person if you just need sympathy, need to process negative thoughts for a length of time, or aren't ready for, or dislike, a tell-it-like-it-is approach.

Resource article - comments closed.

In this Series:
Emotional Support with Aries Moon
Emotional Support with Leo Moon

information

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Where does information clash with intuition? Do I know when to let facts go, to release details, snippets of the written word, spouted truth?

So dominated by information, we've tricked ourselves into believing it's the only means to knowledge. In the process, we've forgotten about intuition, cosmic connection, mystical awareness.

I notice the tightening of my gut. I listen to the skips and jolts of my heart. I taste my feelings as food for thought..... like a muscle, using my intuition enough, it becomes a source of strength.

The sage observes the world but trusts his inner vision.
He allows things to come and go.
His heart is open as the sky.
Tao te Ching, Chp 12

The lunar eclipse today asks us to balance details and information, with the bigger picture and trust.
Do you ever become stuck in one or the other?

{Full Moon in Gemini}
❍ ♊
Nov 28th

Emotional Support with Leo Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:14:00 +0000

our emotional needs
as well as
how we respond emotionally.

▲

Moon in Leo

Key words: independent, proud, creative, generous, strong, loving, dramatic.

If your Moon is in Leo, you have an innate emotional need:

To feel appreciated.
To be followed.
To be given undivided attention.

A theatrical, yet constructive, outlet can help release emotions.

Being creative is a useful way for you to release emotions. Even if it's just rearranging the furniture! A day of pampering, or sprucing up your appearance can do wonders for you. On a higher spiritual level, giving generously of your time in a charitable way is soul-filling.

The person with a Leo Moon is the one to turn to when you need:

A generous and open heart.
A warm and comfortable emotional landing pad.
To rant and rave a bit.
Hugs and loyalty.

Best not to turn to this person if you need rational advice without melodrama, or if you tend to refute advice.

Resource article - comments closed.

In this Series:
Emotional Support with Aries Moon
Emotional Support with Sagittarius Moon

lunar eclipse

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:26:00 +0000

We're all about to cross a bridge, in darkness, and alone. See it, don't see it, run across, walk slow and hold tight, jump, refuse and turn back. The choice is always ours.

I will lamp-light this for you - this is a chance to stop replaying a drama of pain, one you initiate, or one of which you always seem to be getting into the firing line. I'll be removing myself from the latter.

Do what necessitates doing, otherwise, choose the safety and integrity of silence and withdrawal.

If you're connected with your intuition, trust it!

Emotional Support with Aries Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:47:00 +0000

our emotional needs
as well as
how we respond emotionally.

▲

Moon in Aries

Key words: action, immediate gratification, impulsive, enjoys conflict, independent.

If your Moon is in Aries, you have an innate emotional need:

To have an immediate release for pent up emotions.
To come to an immediate or quick solution.
To feel heard.

Being creative is a useful way for you to release the continual build-up of emotional expression. Even if it's just rearranging the furniture! A physical outlet can help. Hitting a pillow, going for a run, screaming. Starting something new and fresh will fill you up. Buy a notebook just for ideas - honour their worth without feeling that they need manifesting.

The person with an Aries Moon is the one to turn to when you need:

Someone to match your own enthusiasm.
Quick-fire ideas for how to change a situation.
Someone who will tell it like it is.
A fire under your butt. When you feel apathetic, unable to get emotionally riled up, or need to get angry.

Best not to turn to this person if you're not ready to hear the blunt truth, if you need a calm listening ear, or are not ready for change.

Resource article - comments closed.

In this Series:
Emotional Support with Aries Moon
Emotional Support with Leo Moon
Emotional Support with Sagittarius Moon

Ordinary depth (Taurus Full Moon)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 09:06:00 +0000

The balancing point of mundane pragmatism and soul abandon. A full Moon ripe with sensual creative urges that can be brought into our day-to-day life.

Our daily moments can often seem plain, dull, uninspiring.
How can we find the depth again, in the simple moments?
How can we infuse the ordinary with magic?
What can we get our hands doing, that will bring something forth that is
juicy, meaningful, profound, or fulfilling?

If we've been swirling with complex or aching desires,
how can we channel them into something both beautiful and useful?

Are our values aligned with our actions?
Have we fallen into a habitual way of moving through our days,
or of responding to others?
Does what we do fit with our heart's intentions?
If not, what great transformation, within ourself, needs to happen?

The secret to the possibilities right now is profound inner change propelled by, not meditation or deep thought, but rather by small tangible changes in our daily walk.

into the depths

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:10:00 +0000

Did you notice how many people stretched themselves in the last year? Took on big projects, challenged themselves further, began studies, travelled, started businesses, moved home. I can count at least six people who moved home and that includes me.

That phase has now left us and the next is significantly different.*

Diving, digging. Seeking not upwards but into the depths.
A place that many of us fear. The level of deep we plunge depends on our character and our soul-needs, but even the most superficial dip will be underneath the surface - what is normally behind the scenes, financial and emotional debts, sexual relations, fears, compulsions, power, intimacy, resources we share, are issues that will crop up one way or another.

I see the Full Moon today as a doorway. We're experiencing it in the sign of deep collective consciousness.^† If we can allow vulnerability, acceptance, humility, compassion towards others and to self, we can deal with the next 18 months of depth and restrictions. We have the opportunity to find our love-based inner power and transform it into our gift to the world.

All transformation means loss, release, change, even pain of some sort. How it manifests in our lives depends on how much we're willing to soften our hearts, let go of our wounds as shields, and lean into the challenges.

When you know your most vulnerable place,
you aren't startled when it's touched.

Take some quiet time today to be real with yourself. To acknowledge your arrogance, impatience, selfishness, vanity, weakness, need for perfection, hunger for praise, jealousy, tendency for self-pity, greed, people-pleasing ways, need for control, reliance on material security, compulsion to fix people..... whatever it is, it serves a purpose, don't hate, just accept, and then open your Self to change.

* Scorpio NN, Saturn in Scorpio
† Pisces

rising passion ▲ Mars in Scorpio

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:35:00 +0000

Directed passion can achieve wonders.

Mars' rising energy has started building*, and like kettle steam, pressure works best when channelled. I established my focus and already run with renewed zeal.

Such intense feeling will either unfold beautiful results, or twist into joy-killing obsessing. If our self-worth isn't too bruised, and if our vision remains in sight, we can avoid jealousy, manipulating tactics, or self-flagellation, and instead, ride the vapours into sublime creativity.

How will you use this energy?

* until Oct 6th.

cour·age ▲ Sun Leo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 08:56:00 +0000

noun
1.the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear.
dictionary.com

No.

Courage is what you do when your knees quiver and your mouth runs dry but nevertheless step unto the rope or into the dark, with a strong heart and a bundle of trust, sensing that choosing otherwise is a whole other dying anyway.

We're moving out of Sun Leo today, and I consider, what courage have I found?

Despite the constrained environment, the weight of conservative expectations, closed ears, walls of tradition and disapproval.... I established the courage to live my life my way. I dropped in a few loved ones' esteem, a reluctant but willing price paid for a Whole life. Ultimately, the only one I have.

•

Tell me of your recent courage?

communicate within [Mercury Retrograde]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 07:50:00 +0000

I know, tell me about it, there are several ideas running wild in your head, so much to get done, new paths to take. How do you wait instead? Why should you!?

Fact is, sometimes it's time for a more internal focus. (and of course there's that whole misdirected desire for change going on)

During Mercury retrograde (until 8th Aug), anything related to study, communications, or quick travels, is going to do well at the thinking stages. Focus on plans rather than actually starting new projects, settling on decisions, or making bookings/purchases.

Artist: Corey Drieth

Make sketches, collate your notes, scribble out ideas, revise learning, organise, chart a route, make a list of wishes/ideas, push pins into a map, organise, delete unwanted bookmarks and emails, clear out cupboards, read, watch films, sort through old magazines, arrange the donations and recycling, do research, take more nights in, study at home, back-up data, and imagine.

You get the idea.

Importantly, sort out the clutter in your head - just leafing through and throwing out what is not serving your true purpose. In this period especially, rid yourself of confused thoughts connected to; love, children, creativity, expression, and aspirations. Or if there has been a lot going on in those areas, leave off thinking about them for now. Give your head and heart a break.

astro 101 - Natal Wheel (part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:13:00 +0000

Why the Revolution

In part 1 I talked about how the skies revolve around the earth, and thereby the Signs on the outer ring revolve around the inner circle of Houses.

This revolution is set by time. Specifically, by the time of birth.

The time of birth sets up the entire chart. We'll return to this in a minute.

Cusps

In part 1, I mentioned how Aries was actually straddling 2 Houses. However, what creates an impact is the Sign on the cusp of a House.

In the chart above, the arrow indicates the cusp of the 2nd House.

That cusp is within the boundaries of Aries. So we say that this person
- has Aries on the 2nd House.

Ascendant

The 1st House cusp is a super important marker, it's the Ascendant, also known as the Rising Sign. This is established by your time of birth.

In our example below, the time of birth for that day and year, placed the Ascendant somewhere half way through Pisces.

So you can see that the time of birth sets up where the Signs will be found around the entire wheel. That's why, to me, a chart without the correct time is close to useless.

Check your understanding

Scroll back to Gandhi's chart at the top.
Check
- which Sign is in his 9th House.
- which Sign is his Ascendant.
(answers below)

Resource article - comments closed.

In this series:
astro 101 - the Natal Wheel

Answers:
9th House cusp - Gemini ♊
Ascendant - Libra ♎

astro 101 - the Natal Wheel

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 09:23:00 +0000

Astrology begins with a Birth Chart, or Natal Wheel. As you can see with the one below, there seems to be a whole lot going on. Once we dissect the parts, it's not so overwhelming. Trust me.

source: astro.com

Imagine the earth, and us on it, as the inner white circle, which you can see clearer in the image below.

In astrology, we consider the 'skies', our solar system, and how it affects us here on earth. Although technically everything moves around the sun, for the purpose of astrological understanding, we think of everything as moving around the earth (that's the revolution of the earth itself really).

Imagine the blue ring as the skies - the solar system engulfing us.

The skies aren't static of course, but the Natal Wheel is.

As the solar system revolves around the earth, a child is born, and the Natal Wheel is like someone taking a telescopic photograph of the sky. It freezes that celestial moment in time. It becomes a record of what the stars and planets looked like the moment that child was born.

The skies continue revolving, another child is born, and when their snapshot is taken, it would all look quite differently. I heard that one person’s birth chart is not duplicated for another 25,000 years!

Houses

Astrology recognises 12 areas of life. Although those 12 do cover various experiences.

So the earth is divided up into 12 areas, called Houses.

Signs

As you can see above, the outer ring of sky has also become divided. Those 12 sections correspond to the constellations, that is, the 12 Signs of the zodiac.

If you imagine again that outer ring, the skies, revolving around the earth, you can see how the Signs can end up at any point around the inner sphere.

The Wheel below shows that Aries ♈ , naturally paired with the 1st House, has now revolved down (the Signs revolve counter-clockwise) to the 2nd House. In fact, it's actually straddling two Houses, Houses 1 and 2.

Check Understanding

Now scroll back up to the first chart and see if you can spot the Sign (or which symbol at least) is in the 1st House, to check your understanding. (Answer below)

Resource article - comments closed.

In this series:
astro 101 - the Natal Wheel (part 2)

Answers:
Scorpio ♏ is just under the 1st House line and has also entered the 2nd House. Guess what? That's Mohandas Gandhi's birth chart.

misdirected rebellion {Uranus in Aries}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:34:00 +0000

You ought to be told that Uranus is about to enter a retrograde period until mid December.

Uranus ignites the rebel in us. When it's retrograde it can support an inner need to change unwanted conditions, but it can also become misdirected rebellion. It's important to question, and question again, what we're fighting against during this time.

Are we rebelling against a true foe?
Or is it simply for rebellion's sake, or an unrecognised discontent?

All sudden needs for change and risk-taking need to take a step back. Retrograde planets tell us that a desire for something, such as change, needs to be examined carefully. Right now, any efforts are likely to be halted or paused, or become chaotic anyway. Rather than fight with frustration, we can take the cue and, slow down, re-examine, wait.

We're going to feel discontent (and likely are already feeling it) in a particular area of our lives, no doubt about it. What matters is that we recognise it and make no rash decisions. The chances of this are high what with Uranus passing through impatient Aries. Put that need-to-do energy towards planning, for changes later.

Finally, change has already been occurring, now is the time to ascertain if we have changed within, in line with those external changes.

True discontent runs deeper than any surface changes could help.

So...
Have we grown?
What needs further change within us?