the notion that the universe is an interwoven fabric. The astrological concept of a celestial-terrestrial connection has been with us throughout the ages, reflected in diverse spiritual traditions the world over and epitomized by the Hermetic maxim, "As above, so below."
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The Better Angels of Our Nature
THE GEMINI FULL MOON November 22, 2018
We are swiftly approaching the culmination point of the current lunar cycle, the Full Moon, when the Sun and Moon form a perfect, dynamic opposition emphasizing two complementary signs. An opposition signifies just what you might presume: potential conflict, clashing values, contradictory and sometimes incompatible urges that can pull in entirely different directions. Yet oppositions are also complements, magnetically attracted to one another and ultimately seeking balance through some kind of creative integration and synthesis.
This fundamental balance between separation and integration is encoded in astrology through each oppositional pair on the zodiac wheel which fall in elements that are compatible (either a combination of water and earth, or fire and air). The two signs also share the same yin or yang polarity as well as the same "mode of energy" — a basic building block of the zodiac, expressed in three variations: cardinal, fixed and mutable. This phenomena of opposition and integration is demonstrated in all six polar zodiac pairs, one pair highlighted every month at this culmination point in the lunar month.
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Benedicto JUPITER ENTERS SAGITTARIUS November 8, 2018
Tomorrow, Jupiter will emerge from the deep waters of Scorpio, dry off and enter his very own sign: "sunny-side-up" Sagittarius, represented by that hybrid creature, half-man, half-horse, the Centaur-archer, a symbol of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment.
Sagittarius and Jupiter both represent the search for the meaning of life, but in a horizon-expanding, active and adventurous way. Where Scorpio finds her answers in the deep caverns of the soul, Sagittarius meets them like a friend on the open road. The Archer rules all hope-filled and inspiring, vista-widening experiences, including religion in its higher function as a source of divine guidance. Sagittarius is the eternal traveler, in mind and body, the ever-restless spirit, Odysseus taking the long way home.
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At the Mirk and Midnight Hour
SAMHAIN: A CROSS-QUARTER STATION OF THE SUN October 31, 2018
We're fast approaching another turning of the wheel of the year: dark Scorpio's own solar festival, Samhain, is upon us. Marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter here in the north, at Samhain (pronounced SAH-win or SOW-in) we dive into the darkest months of the year.
One of four Celtic solar festivals, or "cross-quarter" days, along with Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnassadh, as the year gives way to the dark of winter here, conversely, those south of the equator are celebrating the beginning of their growing season: old Sol is reaching higher and higher in the sky, the days are lengthening, the hawthorn, fairy thorn, is in bloom.
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The Better Claim THE NEW VENUS GRAND CROSS October 26, 2018
Lovely Venus, the planet associated with all things we treasure and value above all else, the astrological body that represents beauty, harmony, love, and justice, is swiftly approaching a critical turning point. Tomorrow, Venus will conjoin the Sun to mark the beginning of a brand new Venus cycle seeded in the deep waters of Scorpio. When a personal planet such as Venus retrogrades, unresolved issues arise relative to what the planet and sign represent. And Venus, as an important force for growth and development in our lives, while in retrograde reveals the discrepancies between our inner values and the outer structure of our lives. What needs to change so the two can be brought into better harmony? What aspects of your life are no longer important, and yet to which you still bind precious time, resources and energy?
Feminine, receptive Venus as a planetary "trigger" is much more subtle than the other personal planets, Mercury and Mars, even in direct motion. When she touches our chart while in inward, reflective, soul-searching retrograde motion we feel it more on a psychological level. When any planet is in retrograde motion, it is closer to the Earth, therefore, "closer to a person's center," as Robert Hand noted. Although he was referring to retrograde planets in the natal chart, the same is true for the effects of transiting planets in retrograde motion. They tend to effect us in deeper, less obvious, less outward ways, but those inner ripples are no less important or powerful. Right now we are meant to pay closer attention to these inner ripples!
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Into the Depths THE SUN ENTERS SCORPIO October 23, 2018
Our central star will soon shift signs, leaving the harmony-loving, cardinal air sign of Libra for Scorpio's deep, fixed water.
Scorpio symbolizes the process of death and rebirth, rules the time of year, here in the Northern Hemisphere, when the wheel is turning toward the darkest days of winter. The leaves are falling, the days are shorter, and the nights are long. It is a time for rest, winter's long slow preparation for a new growing season come spring. All around us are the undeniable signs that life is beating a fast retreat. Hades has burst forth from the Underworld, standing strong in his dark chariot with his smoldering good looks. He's found his love, Persephone, and they are off to their winter timeshare. Mother Demeter will have to wait until spring to see her daughter again.
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On Closer Inspection VENUS STATIONS RETROGRADE Oct 5, 2018
Venus is the star of the moment, at station standstill in the fixed, water sign of Scorpio. Venus doesn't retrograde every year, there are 19 months between cycles. So, unlike Mercury, which seems to be nearing yet another retrograde all the time, when Venus begins her backwards waltz through the zodiac, it can be disorienting — in Venusian ways, which, by and large, have to do with relationship: thinking about them, longing for them, longing to get out of them, longing to improve them. Whatever your romantic situation, when Venus stations retrograde, the beginning of a major contemplation project regarding love has begun.
Venus is more than just the planet of love and relationship however. Personal values and aesthetics also fall under her rule. Our Love Goddess also denotes what we consider worthwhile and beautiful, what brings us pleasure — not just who, but WHAT we treasure. And in this sense, as the late, great astrologer Howard Sasportas pointed out, Venus serves the Sun — that solar urge to be exactly Venus is an important inner compass, for if we lack a strong sense of what we personally value, how can we make appropriate choices? prioritize adequately? effectively direct our lives?who we are: to grow and develop into a unique individual. Venus is an important inner compass, for if we lack a deep understanding of what we truly value, how can we make appropriate choices? prioritize adequately? effectively direct our lives?
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A Better Way MARS STATIONS DIRECT August 27, 2018
As I write, Mars is currently moving at snail's pace inching its way to station direct. A mere two minutes of zodiac arc (one degree = 60 minutes) separates the God of War from station standstill, but it will take Mars two days to get there.
Gliding in retrospective, retrograde motion since June 26th, Mars has brought frustrations, irritations, and an omnipresent, vitamin-deficient lethargy. Like a furnace shut down with only the pilot light burning, a healthy portion of our normal heat and fire has been lost; for Mars represents the stamina and energy we need to compete effectively, to be active and assertive, to blow through obstacles, run the course, and deal effectively with our adversaries. The outward pulsing vigor and courage that this "planet of success" symbolizes is absolutely fundamental to life.
But here we are! Forward Ho Mars! We've made it through the swamps and bogs of a two-month, slogging-backwards God of War. We now stand at another major turning point in this long and arduous uphill retrograde process. While energy levels will gradually return to normal from this point onward, and you won't feel so much like you're driving with the parking brake on, the retrograde work, however, is not yet done.