Do Virgo's Bloom Late?

This is a question dear to the backbone of this Saturn in Virgo rising. Out of all the zodiacal signs, Virgo and Capricorn are considered by astrologers to be late bloomers. One astrological writer believes that Saturn in Virgo probably spends too much time and energy on seemingly minute and ultimately insignificant details. I would see it in a different light, and I feel any time spent laboriously on the details is not time wasted, and it helps to perfect the craft. Images of Virgo will include anyone involved in a craft, or some sort of technical achievement. However, I must ask the question: What do people mean by late bloomers? Is it about finding our true calling later in life? Is it getting married when we are 40? Did we miss the parade passing by? To help me with the definition of a “Late Bloomer” I looked up the meaning of the term on Wikipedia:

A late bloomer is a person whose talents or capabilities are not visible to others until later than usual. The term is used metaphorically to describe a child or adolescent who develops more slowly than others in their age group, but eventually catches up and in some cases overtakes their peers, or an adult whose talent or genius in a particular field only appears later in life than is normal - in some cases only in old age.

It’s often found that late bloomers are kind of bookish, with their heads buried in their work. I wouldn’t necessarily call Virgo’s late bloomers, but they don’t show off their gifts and there is a quiet humility which exists in them. It’s difficult to pin down what is meant by late bloomer. Development in any area of life happens when an individual is ready. Whether it’s the flowering potential of new writing skills, marriage, or finding a new vocation in life. Anyone can become a late bloomer, and there is always room for more growth in our lives.

Astrologically Virgo’s are discriminating, and they are categorists and like to know where everything fits by labelling, sorting, and classifying it. Virgo is ruled by Mercury and the accumulation of knowledge is important. Virgo’s acquisition of knowledge and skills ensures that time is not wasted, and that the results are useful for others. In fact, writers (Mercury ruled) usually are hermits for some period of time, in order to work they need to stay away from distractions, and allow the process to unfold naturally, and undisturbed. It is believed that many writers don’t publish their first major work until later in life.

Virgo’s are realists and they want to live a useful life, and they can put aside the things in life which are not considered to be practical. Liz Greene says that Virgo can throw away romance, and tragically life is full work and drudgery. In Virgo’s world everything is carefully studied; analysed and improved, and some would say that this kind of saps the enjoyment out of life.

The more introverted Virgo suffers from shyness and lack of social ease and confidence. A sense of inadequacy can create an inferiority complex, but they also have an intense need for privacy, and being opposite to the boundlessness of Pisces, they hate their own boundaries being violated. However, some Virgo people who have the sign emphasised in their charts may find that their strong need for privacy leads to isolation. In this case, it could be believed that Virgo creates its own sense of separation through their fear of others invading their boundaries.

Virgo also needs security, and this prevents them from taking risks in life. Therefore they may put themselves in limiting situations, and prefer the safety of a 9-5 daily routine. Guaranteeing their future is a more practical option for all earth signs. The stage which Virgo represents in the sequence of the zodiac is that of the completion of the individual. In Latin the word Virgo means unmarried or self-possessed. Virgo is not a dependent sign, they are learning about self-sufficiency, and belong to no one. The symbol for Virgo is the Maiden or Virgin, and she is endowed with the gifts of womanhood and she can remain independent and whole.

Virgo represents the time for harvest when the entire crop is cut and gathered after it has matured. Harvesting is the most labour intensive activity of the season. The myth of Demeter and Persephone has always been connected with Virgo but it also has its Scorpio undertones. At one time it was believed that Virgo and Scorpio were once joined, because the sign Libra had not been introduced to the zodiac. The Persephone myth involves the transformation of a young maiden into a wiser, more mature individual by the fruition of the harvest.

Sometimes it is necessary for Virgo on their journey to becoming whole, to live alone for some time. Virgo is, after all, represented by the Hermit in the Tarot Card spread. The Hermit is the card of introspection, analysis and study. In a reading the card signifies that it is not a good time for socializing, and during this time in solitude, one learns wisdom. The Hermit’s time of withdrawal helps them to develop a firm sense of their identity and to grow into an individual who is integrated within himself. There is a lot of inner work that Virgo needs to do, and in some sense they are always preparing for something.

Jungian astrologer Arthur Dion phrases Virgo’s penchant for detail in a powerful way. By focusing on a small flaw Virgo can miss out on the whole picture.

They are like the woman who wanted to discover the secret of beauty by plucking the petals from the rose, until of course there was no rose left to look at.

It could be Virgo’s all work and no play attitude which means that they miss out on some of the more spontaneous fun to be had in youth. In later life, there may be that feeling that they could have experienced a whole lot more, but other indicators in the natal chart may overcome the natural urge for solitude. Nevertheless, it may simply be part of Virgo’s journey to do the essential inner work. When these people are ready to give themselves, they do it by choice and not by a sense of obligation. Virgo’s have integrity and always stay true to themselves, but they might need to recognize that they will need frequent intervals in which to be alone. Virgo can be considered the quiet beauty of the zodiac, they may not be showy, over-colourful or out there like some of the other signs, but they possess an incredible wisdom and down to earth practicality.

June 2011 Horoscope

The June 2011 horoscope is based on the general planetary action of the month. I have also detailed the partial solar eclipse which falls in Gemini. The Full Moon in Sagittarius and the upcoming cardinal grand square.

On June 1st - There is a partial solar eclipse which falls in Gemini at 11 degrees. The Moon comes between the earth and the Sun so that sunlight is blocked either partially or fully. Eclipses have a more intense focus, and so expect this energy to be heightened. The Sun and Moon is also trine Saturn symbolizing a disciplined, mature and practical nature. We fulfil our goals steadily and there is a nice balanced feel to this energy and it’s a great time for organizing our lives, we also feel happier accepting responsibility. Relationships with the government, men and our father may be beneficial at this time. Saturn also signifies teachers, authority figures and older people. This energy can stimulate something new in the business world.

There is a massive focus on communication, and there is a whole lot of air going on. Astrologically the air element represents our need to gather information. Communication shouldn’t be lacking and with a trine to Saturn we may have a more stabilizing and serious tone to our lives. The Moon trine Saturn can be a positive learning experience and relationships with women may feel more stable. We might organize something with our siblings or talk more seriously about our security. When there is a solar eclipse is represents a time of new beginnings, excitement and stimulation.

On June 4th – Jupiter enters Taurus and takes about a year to travel through each sign. Jupiter in Taurus represents the expansion of our values, discovery of inner strength and self-sufficiency, and Jupiter in an earth sign represents new opportunities to achieve our material and intellectual goals. Jupiter in Taurus forms a sextile with Neptune in Pisces, and I am totally in love with this combination. Nature, beauty and the pleasure of art and music will inspire us right now. There are strong feelings of peace and the world feels more rich, colourful and stable, and our imaginations will be heightened. Neptune is glimpsed through trends in fashion, films, spiritual movements and psychic phenomena.

On June 7th – Mercury is trine Saturn, so we care about accuracy and concentration is improved. Feeling secure in our mental realizations and thinking about security and tradition are all part of this positive trine effect. It represents a good time for planning and organizing, and we find it easier to think about practical solutions to our problems. The ability to see projects through is strengthened. This influence is helpful in educational pursuits and seeing good results for our efforts.

On June 10th – Venus is square Neptune which is revealing a sensitive and idealistic approach to love. We may be disillusioned easily and there may be frequent fantasising about the ones we are attracted to. With Venus in Gemini and square to Neptune in Pisces the energy can be quite evasive, changeable and mutable. So affections are unstable, but some of these yearnings can be expressed through art, music, or creative writing.

On June 12th – Sun is conjunct Mercury in Gemini and it underlies our need ask questions, exchange ideas, send messages, run errands and learn. The Sun conjunct Mercury shows our will is focused through the intellect, but there can be some difficulty in separating from our opinions, ideas and views. However, this conjunction can also give strength to the mental faculties and we recognise the importance of learning and education. We enjoy talking and expressing our views, and we need constant mental stimulation and new experiences.

On June 15th – The Lunar eclipse falls in Sagittarius at 24 degrees and it puts a focus on higher learning, travelling and legal matters. Matters come to a close at the time of the Full Moon. On the negative side it can represent legal troubles and difficulty in travelling if it throws difficult aspects to our natal planets. However usually matters are resolved and come to full fruition under this influence.

On June 18th – Venus forms a trine to Saturn and we take a more realistic approach to expressing our feelings, talking about love seriously and being attracted to people who can give us security and steady support. We are less inclined to be over emotional about relationships. However, it is good time for working on love and friendship; emotions are steady and somewhat cool.

On June 21st - The Sun enters Cancer bringing a more emotional and vulnerable energy, and powerful attachments to the past. The Sun forms a trine to Neptune, enhancing imagination, colour, creativity and great sensitivity. Mars enters Gemini and squares Neptune so be careful what type of people play on our sensitivity. Straightforward confrontations are not always favoured under this influence. Be aware of deception, fraud, trickery, and exploitation. We are more susceptible to drugs and alcohol especially if ordinary life seems drab and boring. We may feel guilty about asserting our will, and lack that competitive edge. On the positive side it activates the imagination, and expression through art, music, and dance. We are motivated to live out our fantasies to do the things we always dreamed.

On June 28th – The Sun forms an opposition to Pluto, so we may see the misuse of power, and dealing with dominating, pushy or manipulative types. The energy is compulsive, obsessive and we feel more vulnerable to feelings of jealousy and possessiveness. Oppositions tend to manifest in relationships, and we may be more competitive with other people. Although it is a good time for self-transformation, and the Sun forms a positive aspect to Jupiter indicating the ability to attract success and build self-confidence. The Sun is also forming a square to Saturn and Uranus. Consequently we have a cardinal grand square formed around this day, and she is the mother of all tension, but it will fuel plenty of activity and it can be used as a tremendous resource. The difficulty with this rebellious, authoritive and power hungry energy is that the grand square is pulled from all sides. It forces a great deal of activity on earth. Something is usually initiated and there is a sense of urgency. It can be an explosive, unruly and serious period. Every cardinal planet wants to speak and express itself, so there may not be much room for negotiation.

The Air Signs

The 12 signs are divided according to the four classical elements – fire, earth, air and water. Astrologically, the elements represent the division of the zodiac by triplicity, because each of the elements contains three signs, they are also referred to as the triplicities. The three air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, and they represent collecting information, logical analysis and the development of theoretical understanding. The air signs rule social relationships and so they need freedom to make contact with others, but air doesn’t relate to the realm human feeling, and this is quality that is given to the water signs.

Air types are a friendly bunch of people, they often have interesting topics to debate, are approach communication in an intelligent and witty manner. These people are good listeners and like to take in all sorts of different viewpoints. The air signs are represented by either human forms or inanimate objects, and this gives us a clue to their civilized nature. Through the air triplicity man becomes more rational, and helps  us to reason, judge and make decisions, and by doing these things it takes us farther away from our more primitive instincts.

Air signs particularly like systems, and some sense of structure to the universe, and these laws and patterns in nature must fit into some kind of logical order. Air sign people treat everyone as equally and fairly as possible; they are humane, courteous and have a deep awareness of others, seeking out thoughtful discussions. According to Jungian astrology both Air and water are complete opposite elements. For example, the air signs could display a dispassionate rationality and may give the impression of being cold. However, according to psychological astrology the emotions of the air signs act unconsciously, and run very deep.

Air is light, breezy, and graceful, and if you can imagine and they have their head above the cloud, but being so high up in the air they are not close enough to pick up on the mood in the atmosphere, or the subtlety of emotional clues in the environment. Rising above ground level all they do is simply observe life. The object of thinking is represented by our minds, and air is usually well educated, and try to understand things logically rather than blindly reacting. These people are the scholars, scientists, writers, journalists and objective thinkers in our world. It is thought that with the advent of the Aquarian age that we are returning back to the values of the mind, rather than the heart, and human ingenuity and inventiveness will take a stronger hold on the world at large. This will bring great changes in social and political structures, but it will also create a greater emphasis on logic and technology. On the Aquarian level such new perceptions immediately threaten the old order, and such a shift in energy, initially reflects the beginning of conflict. The Age of Aquarius represents a tremendous amount of new energy to pour out into life.

In the tarot cards the swords represents the mind, and the applications of logic. It also signifies the human capacity to form ideas and  to also understand the consequences of our actions on a broader level. It rules our strategies, wisdom and intellect. "Irrational" passions like jealousy, anger, and hatred don’t fit into the Air signs ideal view of life. When we get hot-headed and feel emotionally heavy we often need to clear our heads and take a walk outside and breathe in some fresh air, and this often help us to get some perspective on a troubling situation.

The Air signs are famous for their abstract thoughts, but they are also said to have their heads in the clouds and are incredibly idealistic. The only danger with such idealism is that they lose touch with the real world. Both Libra and Aquarius are considered to be the signs that most crave perfection, and as a rule they are focused on ideas which have not yet materialized. Air likes to hover above the ground and they need freedom and space, allowing them to exercise their highly inventive minds.

Mutable Gemini is constantly on the move gathering and distributing information. Gemini’s airy nature utilizes itself through the ability to communicate facts. Our earliest social relationships are formed with our siblings and school friends in this sign. Gemini rules the nervous system which reacts to every stimulus in the environment. The Mercury ruled sign also represents a dualistic nature, which is needed when examining all sides of a situation, but they often switch positions, and rationalize one perspective, before switching to the next. Gemini's are insatiably curious for knowledge and enjoy making many connection between one thing and another.

Cardinal Libra directs its energies towards unification by smoothing out conflicts and intervening diplomatically. Libra creates harmony by using fair logic and reasoning, and they have the ability to make comparisons, to weigh and to balance. The seventh sign represents active relationships with others, and they have an innate sense of justice. When things are out of balance, he or she will do their very best in order to achieve equilibrium. They have a talent for diplomacy and persuasion and have the ability to value both sides of an argument.

Fixed Aquarius creates the theoretical background for social ideas and connects groups of people, and have a natural inclination for working on behalf of humanity. Aquarius’ airy abilities appear through their ability to understand universal principles. Aquarius represents the brotherhood of humanity, and intellectual thinking combined with intuitive inspiration makes Aquarius a natural scientist, inventor and innovator.

Scorpio's Withdrawal

Scorpio’s are famous for their full on intensity, concentration and passion. They are intriguing, mysterious and unfathomable, and falling for a Scorpio can be quite the addictive experience, and one that may leave you feeling intoxicated by the power he/she has over your feelings. However, such a relationship will also leave you feeling the withdrawal when they pull all of their powerful emotions away and act as if you don’t exist.

I once dated a man with Sun in Scorpio conjunct Pluto and have been under the Scorpion’s intense gaze, magnetic pull and compelling personality. He really did have that famous stare; the one that astrologer Liz Greene describes as the man with x-ray vision. The Scorpio person doesn’t just look at you, they see right through you. Unfortunately, I have also felt those same painful feelings when he withdraws totally from the relationship.

A Scorpio who feels scorned is not easy to deal with, and trying to get information out of them is like working for a super intelligence agency. It’s all about the subtleties, and the silent cues, and the meetings that follow can be incredibly uneasy. I will be honest in saying that my particular experience with Scorpio left me running for the door, and I wasn’t willing to put myself through a battle for emotional and psychological survival in the relationship. This Scorpio was the stereotypical “bad guy," who on our first date revealed his sordid criminal past. Although it's not that this Pisces lady couldn't see past all that and I have dated complicated men before. Astrologer Liz Greene describes this watery complex in our nature.

To water things aren’t that simple. Good guys often have a secret bad streak, and bad guys are capable of nobility. To water, people are complex and must be taken as they are, not as one would ideally like them to be. In this way, the water signs are the most realistic of all – that is, about human nature.

Scorpio’s may withdraw for various reasons in a relationship, but their feelings run deep so it is never a light decision. They can be forceful personalities with much seriousness and depth, but they are also secretive. Scorpio’s give their love selectively, and need to develop a deeply meaningful relationship with people before allowing them to get close. They have enduring affections and loyalty, and become passionately and permanently attached when they fall in love. Scorpio's do not love lightly, and hate any kind of superficial bond. It becomes incredibly difficult to fathom Scorpio out because their feelings are deep and silent,  and this makes them difficult to know, unless you can reach the level of intimacy they seek, and gain their trust. Plutonian people have the best camouflage of all the signs, which covers up the fact that they have the most sensitive and profound feelings underneath.

Scorpio has a problem letting go of control, and they have too much pride to let it show how much they are really suffering. Some Scorpio’s have been forced to see the other side of life at a young age, and have developed deep mistrust, especially if they have suffered from an early trauma such as abandonment, abuse, betrayal, and death, leaving emotional scars. It can be very difficult for Scorpio to fully trust life, and their psychic sensitivity senses when there is the possibility of being wounded, and so they withdraw into that safe place within, and so it takes a long time for them to trust and to forgive.

Astrologer Linda Goodman said some interesting things about Scorpio:

Some Scorpios, instead of seeking the ruthless revenge of their stinger scorpion’s – or rising above such bitterness like the eagles -they bitterly withdraw in tangled hatreds at each minor injury, hoping fate will punish their enemies, almost unconsciously willing destruction without direct action.

Most water signs find it difficult to verbalize their emotions, but Scorpio’s feelings are intensely felt, and there is an all or nothing approach to everything in life. Water signs tend to withdraw as a protective measure when they sense danger or the likelihood of being deeply hurt. Nobody can hurt Scorpio when they are shielding themselves, and because of their ability to feel more deeply than any other sign, they also cut deeply. No other element holds a candle to water’s mystery, subtlety and long kept secrets. However, water people are not constant in the expression of their moods. Both Scorpio and Pisces are best known for the secretive qualities, but even Cancer is deeply private.

Scorpio is also famously known for skulking away and brooding over past hurts and the funny thing about Scorpio’s withdrawal – is that they hate any form of coldness. The nonreactive Scorpio, the one who has withdrawn, is actually in disguise and is covering up the fact that they feel rejected. They disguise their intensity and great sensitivity in order to protect themselves from hurt and humiliation. They need a great deal of emotional closeness, but Scorpio may also withdraw when they feel someone is being false or insincere.

The Angular Houses

The angular houses are those that have one of the four angles – ascendant, midheaven, immum coli or descendant on the cusp. The angular houses are houses 1, 4, 7, and 10. They correspond to the signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. These are the signs which have one thing in common; they are all cardinal in nature. The cardinal mode is known as the “initiating” or leading signs, and they create primary experience. The cardinal signs also mark the change of the seasons. The term cardinal comes from the zodiacal position of these signs (Aries – east, Cancer – south, Libra –west, Capricorn – north). Astrologers believe that if you have many planets in the angular houses, you may display some of the cardinal qualities. In traditional astrology the angular houses are said to indicate action.

The four angular houses represent the four primary areas of life, and connect us to the greater world. However, out of all the angular houses the fourth house is the most hidden, private and secret. Nonetheless, the house of the family home is a very active area for many people and there are always lots of comings and goings, and plenty of activity happening. Marriage and family (4th and 7th) are often two primary areas in any person's life. The 7th and 10th house are the most public orientated of the houses, and planets in these houses may bring the individual prominently into the public in some way. In fact, astrologers say that many planets in the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th house indicate a prominent position in the world. Astrologer Carol Rushman believes that having the nodes in the angular houses is an indication which also bodes well for success.

I have found that having either the north or south node in the 10th house is favourable for success. Having the nodes in the first and seventh houses seems to be good too. The seventh house talks about patronage, and when a node is there, it can promise lots of clients or business for that person. When the nodes, which are destiny points, are in angular houses, success is meant to be. If a client had the North Node in the tenth, it is his or her destiny to have a great career.

The 1st and 10th house relate to the self and also to the individual’s personal ambitions, personal authority, and advancement in life. There was study done which correlated that if there was conflict in the family or origin (4th) it would lead to low self- efficacy in career decision making, low individuation, and dysfunctional career thoughts (10th). Therefore addressing issues in the family background would have a profound impact on the person’s career. The balance between the demands of family (4th) and career (10th), is highly stressful for most people, and it is thought that a career requires more time and energy than a regular 9-5 job.

The Ascendant is the house of the self, and here is we can see a person’s body language, mannerisms, and approach to life. The first house shows how we are perceived by others, and how we see ourselves. It’s represent how we view life, and describes the social mask we wear. The Ascendant represents the external appearance and physical body of the person. It is also thought to represent the early conditions of a person’s life.

The fourth house represents our roots, family of origin, and shows the foundation of our lives. It rules our sense of belonging and includes family, home, country, tradition and heritage. It also relates to our inner sense of security and relates to all past conditions.

The seventh house represents others and is connected to our partners, associates, and the public in general. This house represents how we relate to others and serves as a mirror that reflects facets of ourselves that are unknown to us.

The tenth house represents the social status of the person and where the individual contributes to society. It symbolises the person’s professional image, and represents all those in authority

The four angles are considered to be the main doorways of the astrological chart. Planets making a conjunction with an angle in the horoscope are called “angular” planets and these are said to have a powerful hold over the horoscope. Any planet on an angle needs to be expressed, and planets placed in these houses are strengthened, whether positively or negatively, depending on the nature of the planet and the aspects formed. Planets on an angle exercise the greatest influence over a person’s life. Most astrologers tend to use an orb of up to 8-10.degrees for planets conjunct a house cusp.

Rising Sign: Life Journey

I was thinking about how we evolve and grow with our natal chart, and how far we have each come individually with our own journey. The word “journey” is overly used and it is a bit cliché to even refer to it. Nonetheless it doesn’t’ make our journey any less profound.

Our journey begins with our birth, and the date, time and place of our first emergence in the world is very important. Astrologers use this information to cast a birth chart and position the signs and the planets in the twelve houses of the horoscope.

The sign rising at birth describes the way we express ourselves out into life. How we perceive life, and how others see us. The Ascendant is the journey we must make and describes the task and qualities we need to develop which will take us on the road to becoming whole (Sun). Indeed, the journey of life from birth to death is something that is common to all human beings. How we reach our destination, accomplish our goals and realize our destiny is dependent on our ability to navigate the contours of our horoscope chart. On the way we meet successes and obstacles and we cope with a myriad of events that cross our path.

Astrologically we seem to move towards the ascendant throughout our lifetime, and we need to integrate the qualities of our ascendant sign into our life. Some people don’t relate to their rising sign in the least. However, as life progresses they will meet the challenge of the Ascendant in some shape or form. And learning how to navigate our world through the traits described by the ascendant is our pathway to realizing who we are.

The rising sign represents a new phase of growth, so although we may constantly analyse the traits of our sun sign, we really need to look closer to home. Through examining the characteristics which need to be developed first on the Ascendant, we learn how to cope with life’s challenges. I believe that at some point in our life it becomes evident what we have to do, but it may take some people longer than others to reach this realization.

Many astrologers believe there is a greater intelligence behind why we are born at a particular time. In beginning to assess the Ascendant, you could start by looking at the element of the sign and assess whether you are charting an earthier, practical and real-world view of life (EARTH) and taking on the practical tasks which will help you achieve your goal. Perhaps you are charting the watery domain of feelings, intuitions, and your deepest emotions (WATER). Whatever the case, the Ascendant says something about the path you need to follow.

The Big Bang Theory

In my last post I touched upon the electrical impulses of Uranus when I said that Uranian people are more prone to electrical items acting strange. I find Uranian electrical energy to be quite interesting. I am not Uranian, and my natal chart leans more towards Saturn and Neptune. However, I do have Mars in Aquarius square Uranus. I have had a computerized psychological report written by Liz Greene. In this report my natal Mars-Uranus is considered to be an unconscious aspect in my personality. The kind of aspect that gets locked in the basement and isn’t allowed any sunlight, food, or any avenue for expression. I have a Piscean chart with an emphasis in the 7th house. I like to keep nice relationships, and I am sensitive and kind to others. However, Mars-Uranus is the aspect that gets least expression in a chart so focused on others.

Mars-Uranus seems to burst out of the basement at times and either acts rebelliously or my electrical items around the house go funny. For example, I have had a toaster burst into flames, a microwave sparking and acting weird. One time I heard a loud bang upstairs, but no one was up there except my baby son who was asleep in his cot. I immediately rushed upstairs to see what had happened, but could see nothing. All of the sudden the light bulb above my head blew and the glass shattered, and no I didn’t have a bright idea (but I do have Uranus in the 3rd house ;-p). I screamed my head off for my partner to come upstairs and was quite unnerved by the whole event. Pans have also broken on the gas stove, and I have electrocuted myself on the fridge. However, these events are not weekly, and have been spaced out over the years.

Do you ever think strange events in your life are some aspect of your own chart acting out? It’s like Mars-Uranus will be heard, even if he makes a very loud bang and disrupts the peace. I always thought I lived out this natal aspect through my interest in astrology, but apparently this is not enough. Mars-Uranus is described as self-willed, highly inventive, and it often acts out erratically, it is thought of as a lightning bolt of energy. In fact, in a small research study I found all three lightening victims had either a natal Mars-Uranus aspect or had Mars-Uranus in transit when they were struck and killed by lightening. The keyword for Mars-Uranus is the rebel. Mars is independent and Uranus wants to try the untried. These people have original self-expression. Sometimes it means an explosive temper, and sudden outbursts of violence which puts everybody on edge. There was another man with Sun in Aquarius at 11 degrees (Aquarius’ degree) square Uranus who was electrocuted while he was screwing a light bulb in the bathtub.

When I think Mars-Uranus is acting out in my environment it reminds of this quote by Liz Greene: I believe blocked energy does have the power to affect external objects.

Audience: Since we are on the subject of the supernatural, could complexes have anything to do with poltergeist activity.

Liz:That is another area in which the psychoid nature of complexes may be evident. The energy of the complex is operating independent of the individuals physical body. The complex is running loose, autonomous and telekinetic. On a subtler level, the same principle is in operation when someone prangs your car on the day transiting Mars is square to your Uranus. The other driver may also have a transit of Mars to Uranus, or a natal Mars-Uranus square. Where has that person come from? How did they wind up just behind you in the traffic queue?

Audience: But poltergeist activity is much more dramatic.

Liz: Yes, but I think it is the same dynamic. The most popular theory of poltergeist activity seems to focus on “disturbed” adolescents, whose powerful emotional energies are in some way connected to the moving objects. No one knows how this happens, but it is generally agreed that there is a young person, often pubescent, at the centre of all this activity. Do any of you remember the film Carrie? Sexual energy in an adolescent can be incredibly powerful. If it is totally blocked from consciousness, it may well have the power to affect material objects. I cannot “prove” what I am saying. It is merely speculation. But if anyone has a better suggestion, do let me know.

A Narcoleptic Chart

Looking for strange medical conditions in astrology charts can be quite fascinating. Yesterday I came across the chart of a Narcoleptic. Narcolepsy is defined as a chronic sleep disorder, and is characterised by excessive sleepiness. Narcolepsy means that the person is prone to sudden daytime sleep attacks and there may also be an onset of paralysis, night visions and hallucinations.

I personally found this topic interesting to explore because of it leading to sleep paralysis. This is something I have experienced as a teenager, but luckily it only happened once. What happens in sleep paralysis is that your body remains in sleep mode while your mind becomes aware, and this usually happens when we are falling asleep or waking up. It can last for a few seconds or a few minutes, but it is a terrifying experience. I was a teenager when I awoke one morning and my body was still asleep, but my mind was screaming at my body to WAKE UP. I was paralysed all over and couldn’t move any part of my body.  Apparently most adults will experience sleep paralysis at least once in their lives.

The Nervous System

It is not known whether this man suffered from sleep paralysis. The narcolepsy caused him to fall asleep for 18 hours a day while he was at college. Astrologers look for sleep disorders through 12th house afflictions and challenging Neptune aspects. However, if anything affects the central nervous system we would look to the mental rulers in the chart. In Astrology, Mercury is associated with our state of mind, and influences the nervous system. However, the real planet to rule our brain and its function using electrical signals – is Uranus.

If there is a fault in our wiring the whole bodily system can break down.The nervous system links the mind with the body, and this all sounds as if the body is run by one big computer, but the brain is often considered a computer-like organ. For example, a person with Uranus powerful in their chart may suddenly get overloaded with information and know the answer they have been searching for; this is the type of Uranian spark which brings flashes of inspiration. Uranian energy makes us feel restless, mentally overloaded, and it can create shocking and disruptive behaviour.

Uranus in the 6th House

Uranian people tend to make electrical items go funny, and this is due to their overloaded energy, and so things around them cut out. I was thinking along these lines for the narcoleptic, because something kept shutting down his system. In his natal chart he has the Moon in Aquarius opposite Mercury in Leo and both form a T-square to Uranus on the cusp of the 6th house. Uranus is conjunct the 6th house cusp opposite the 12th house cusp. A Narcoleptic’s experiences disturbed (Uranus) nocturnal sleep (12th) and develops an abnormal daytime sleep pattern.

The 6th house rules what we do on a daily basis and represents our day-to-day routine. Uranus in the 6th house is likely yo disrupt normal routines, and there is sometimes difficulty in establishing a stable working life. On the one hand, it could show someone who is an innovative worker, works with technology, and is a visionary in the workplace, they may take a revolutionary approach to health and medicine. Mathematics, technology, or scientific skills may also be highly developed, and this is because the 6th house rules the acquisition of knowledge and skills. The 6th house rules everything we do on a ritual basis. On the other hand, when Uranus is challenged in the 6th house it can bring sudden chaos and disruption to the individual’s daily routine, and it may signify someone who hates following rules and regulations in the workplace. It may also show somebody who requires freedom and space on the job.

On the health side it can signal unusual medical conditions which are difficult to diagnose. In Eugene’s chart Uranus on his 6th house cusp is disrupting the cycles and rhythms of his physical world. He would also need to learn how his body functions on a cyclical basis (6th) because of his unusual condition (Uranus). With Uranus in the 6th house normal habits and routines tend to go awry, but I think there has to be some acceptance that his daily life may not always run smoothly, and even though most people have a structured routine, Uranus is prone to “instability”. I guess we shouldn’t take a “normal” sleeping pattern for granted and count ourselves lucky if we do have a workable pattern of sleep.

Money, Money, Money

I had a charming email from my W3 stats counter this morning which read:

Good news, your website has become very popular! W3Counter's free accounts are available to websites receiving up to 5,000 page views per day. Yesterday, your site received 5,981 views. While we logged all of your traffic as usual, if you exceed your account limit for several days, it will be disabled. The counter on your site will stop displaying and you will lose access to your web stats.

Since larger sites require more of our resources to track and analyze all your visitors' activity, we limit free accounts to 5,000 page views per day. Our PRO plan allows up to 1,000,000 page views per month across up to 10 websites, and costs just $9.95 per month or $39.95 per 6 months. You also get access to PRO features such as invisible trackers, e-mail reports of your stats, and SSL secured tracking code.

To avoid having your account disabled, sign in to your account, click the My Account link at the top of the page, then choose Upgrade in the menu. If you will not be upgrading, please remove the tracking code from your website so that you do not exceed the plan limits again, and you will retain access to your archived stats.

Thank you for choosing W3Counter for your website stats. Feel free to reply to this mail with any questions you may have about our service or the upgrade process.

I know we have the current planets in Taurus trine Pluto in Capricorn (money, money, money) and the Sun is square Neptune (gullible), but I am not paying out money for increased page views. I still use a free blogger account, and I know this is seen as unprofessional, but have told myself that if I am still blogging in the next couple of years, I will buy the domain name. In the big scheme of things, it’s not a big problem because there are plenty of free stat counters out there.

This morning my partner and I had to stretch a couple of pounds to buy some extra food. Talk about being super resourceful. We hit a bad patch when his wages got hit, and for the last two months 40% of his pay packets have been taken. We fell behind on the mortgage payment, and got behind on the council tax, we are struggling to survive. The company does not take into account the child we have to provide shelter, feed and clothe in our house before they take such large amounts of his pay.

I can understand why in the Myth of Adam and Eve they both wanted to stay in Paradise Garden (Neptune) forever. Saturn is the earthiest of the planets and describes the earth plane and there is a split in all of us with the longing to go home (Neptune) and escape the gravity of life on earth (Saturn). The name Adam means ‘earth’ and Eve means ‘life’, and it said that we suffer two burdens which all adults have to struggle with: Working for a living and becoming a parent.  When we hit hard times, these are the two things that make life really difficult.

Saturn also represents the skeletal structure, and my 5 year old son loves to make his mum laugh. He tells me that without a skeleton we would be as flat as a pancake. With Saturn transiting through my 2nd house (money and resources) it feels as if all my financial structures have fallen flat. Finances will only increase once we learn how to organise money, and build a more secure structure. My little Moon in Capricorn has a lot to teach his Neptunian parents.

The current planets in the sky - Mercury, Venus, Mars in Taurus trine Pluto in Capricorn (money, money, money), but there is no law against dreaming (Sun square Neptune) ;-p

Psychic Indicators

Psychism Is what lives beyond physical science, or knowledge, and represents the immaterial and irrational side of life. A psychic person usually signifies someone who is highly sensitive to supernatural forces.

Psychic indicators in the natal chart are frequently shown by planets in water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces), and their corresponding ruling planets (Moon, Neptune and Pluto) and houses (4th, 8th, and 12th).

The water signs represent feeling and sensitivity. Many astrologers tend to give the water signs psychic attributes, and this is usually because water has a feeling for things, and they see below the surface of life. Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces can also readily enter into the feelings of others, and these signs are easily stirred emotionally by what they like and dislike.

Cancers have powerful gut instincts, and a key phrase for Cancer is “I Feel”. They tend to respond to what they feel is right and true. To the air signs it is a funny response to say “ I feel” something is true, but Cancer tends to respond to the world with their feelings and not their intellect.

Cancer is ruled by the Moon, and their emotions are changeable and moody, they also have a tendency of absorbing all the emotions around them, and this makes them susceptible to the moods of others. Cancer can detect when others are upset, and they retain feelings connected with the personal emotions.

Cancer’s feelers pick up information from their environment, readily sensing the psychic atmosphere, and everything that is invisible and unsaid. The Moon can tune into the natural cycles of life, and so they have an excellent sense of timing and know when things are about to change.

Scorpio's have deep instincts on a psychic level. Plutonian people can see behind reality to the invisible world. Scorpio’s association with death and the underworld implies that they feel the reality of dying, death and reincarnation. In the month of Scorpio the earth is dying and the veil between this world and the next is said to be at its weakest. Therefore Scorpio’s are drawn into the mysteries of life and death, and the never-ending cycle of life.

Halloween is also celebrated at this time; ghosts, demons and other supernatural forces come out to play. Scorpio’s have deep psychological insights into human behaviour, and they love to explore the psychic debris, hidden secrets, and deeper levels of reality. The ability to see in the dark gives them heightened awareness of what lies behind reality.

Scorpio’s tail often represents its super laser like ability to get to the heart of the matter. Pluto also rules possession and there is a great emotional force behind them which is intuitively connected to life’s mysteries. Scorpio’s ability to burrow deep means that they excel in research, detection, and the occult.

Pisces and Neptunian people are said to have high intuition, and mediumistic abilities. Mercury-Neptune aspects are often indicated as a psychic marker because of the pairing between the conscious and the unconscious. Neptunian people usually absorb everything which is around them, and these people feel the pain of others as if were their own, and are naturally attuned to worlds that others don’t have conscious access to.

Some Pisceans are described as “spaced out” or weird and they tend to have powerful imaginations and vivid dreams. They usually need some place where they can withdraw from reality and be at one with themselves. They probably are the most paradoxical of personalities, and the two fishes swimming in opposite directions represent this strange duality.

Pisces has weak boundaries and moves in and out of doorways as if they didn’t exist. They also seek to merge with everything around them. The 12th house represents the final stage of man, and also the beginning. Part of Pisces' magic is their ability to dive into the sea of the collective unconscious and bring up something inspiring for the rest of mankind.

It is said that Neptune’s psychic connectedness is really a secret sense of fusion with another world beyond this one. According to astrologer Liz Greene, the glamorous side of psychic manifestations become glamorous, rather than the basis for intellectual questioning when there are astrological significations such as Moon-Neptune, Mercury-Neptune and Jupiter-Neptune, along with a birth chart in the element of water, or Neptune strongly aspected in the 4th house, 8th house or 12th house.

Astrologer C.EO Carter points to Neptune for clairvoyant abilities:

When spontaneous at any rate, come chiefly under Neptune, although they may undoubtedly be coloured by influences from other planets and Neptune conjunct Sun or Mercury, seems a very common indication. Uranus probably has more to do with consciously acquired clairvoyance. "Astral vision” is certainly connected with the watery element, and, most of all, with Cancer, which is extremely sensitive to conditions of all kinds.

Out of the fire signs Sagittarius and its ruler Jupiter have a future orientated vision of life, and see possibilities far off into the distance. The sign is usually linked with foresight and is mostly concerned with “hunches”.

Some astrologers associate the planet Uranus with psychic ability, but Uranus is very much an intellectual planet. In astrology, the planet relates to human consciousness and represents a kind of intuitive knowledge, but not of the “psychic kind”. Uranus’ revelations are much faster than the human intellect; Uranus has the ability to plug into the larger system, and signifies all things that arrive full-blown into consciousness.

A prominent Uranus is said to bring flashes of insight and understanding. It signifies inventiveness especially when combined with Gemini planets and Mercury. A scientific psychic investigator may have these combinations with water signs, and planets in the corresponding houses, along with Neptune and Pluto aspects.

I came across an interesting piece of information from the book Cult Watch; it is about Astrologers having some sort of psychic power. Now as we know we also have very straight down the line, almost Saturnian type astrologers who would scoff at the idea that most astrologers use intuition or psychic power to arrive at their conclusions.

There are astrologers who categorise themselves as purely scientific, but even they can’t deny there is an element of mystery involved when interpreting astrology symbols. On the other hand, we also have astrologers who claim that their spiritual gifts help them to interpret charts more accurately. The authors raised some interesting points about some of the misconceptions that the public have about astrologers having some sort of divine power.

The question that must be answered is, “Are all astrologers psychic?” Truthfully, even though all astrologers practice an occult art, this does not mean every astrologer is psychic. It is common knowledge that there are standard “cook book” methods for astrological interpretation of charts that anyone can buy. But some astrologers do openly classify themselves as “psychic astrologers.” And one astrologer even went so far as to tell us all genuine were psychic by definition. Yet some astrologers never develop psychically, and others may require years to become psychic. However, we believe the vast majority eventually do. One former astrologer believe that because of their abilities, all true astrologers are sooner or later subject to spiritistic inspiration, whether or not they are conscious of being psychic. By Cult Watch, John Ankerberg & John Weldon

Still, astrology is ruled by Uranus which represents these kinds of intellectual revelations:

Sometimes Uranian revelations seem wild and cranky to “sane” folk. People use pendulums or dowsing rods, or the perform mental exercises which seem to have a direct effect on apparently solid and immovable matter. Or they peer at funny astrological symbols and seem to know everything about you. It makes no sense to the earthbound mind – how they are coming up with these answers? – but it is a faculty of the mind which can move backward into the past or forward into the future with equal ease, and achieves its conclusions through insight into the whole system. It isn’t really foresight, in that sense; but the rational ego experiences it as such.” By Liz Greene

Blog Update

I have only recently changed the template, and so I haven't changed the slideshow images in the slider at the top, or the links on the menu page. I will have to look in the HTML and change the pictures and links. Hopefully it will be fixed by the time the weekend is over.

Julie.

The Full Moon in Scorpio - Murder, Rape, and Exposure

Medusa's Head

I was discussing psychic powers with my partner and he thinks that I may have some psychic leanings. I had written a post about the Full Moon in Scorpio on April 27th, and it was about the Full Moon which was occurring on May 17th. I chose a Medusa theme for this post and thought the imagery went well for the full force of emotions that could be experienced under Scorpio. However, a few days before the Full Moon occured in Scorpio a British woman was decapitated in Tenerife.

A crazed lunatic entered a supermarket, grabbed a knife inside the store, and stabbed the woman 14 times before proceeding to cut off her head. The assailant left the store shouting that he was god’s avenger and that he had come to mete out justice. The man ran out of the supermarket carrying the woman’s head, and some people thought it was a fake head.

The Full Moon in Scorpio Medusa theme was only chosen because her image flashed in my mind for this Scorpio’s Full Moon. I told my partner that the imagery I had selected was more coincidence and it’s not like I had a prophetic vision of what was going to happen. I personally found the story to be the most horrific account of murder that I have read in a long time.

The Full Moon in Scorpio really did bring out the enraged and humiliated woman, and a maid accused international Monetary Fund head, Dominique Strass-Kahn of rape. And another television celebrity was involved in many t.v interviews around the time of the Full Moon in Scorpio. The ex-Big Brother star Imogen has been exposed as a married footballer’s mistress. However, he has a full injunction against Imogen naming and shaming him. Naturally she is enraged over this abuse, and she has not been given the same anonymity. The Full Moon in Scorpio revealed some powerful emotions,  exposed sex offenders and lunatics.

I will follow this up with a psychic post and find out what astrologers say are the psychic indicators in a natal chart. It will be a fascinating investigation, and I am trying not to freak out my partner with any more psychic premonitions, he might think I know more about him than I am letting on Lol. I think a psychic post is timely for the current Sun square Neptune aspect in the sky, we can open up some boundaries and discuss the strange and the stranger. Time for some twilight music...

Casey Anthony

 

Last night I came across the news about 22 year old Casey Anthony. The young woman is accused of killing her three year old daughter, Caylee Anthony. The toddler went missing in June 2008, and 5 months later she was found dead. The little girl was reported missing by her grandmother who had asked repeatedly to see her granddaughter over a month, but Casey stated that she was too busy. At first Casey was spinning a story about not letting anyone see Caylee because she didn’t want to disturb the babysitter. However, she then began another story that the babysitter had taken Caylee and she hadn’t been able to find her for four months.

The grandmother called the emergency services, but the supposed baby sitter has never been traced. There are many inconsistencies in Casey’s story and what kind of a mother doesn’t report her child missing for four weeks. It could have been longer if the grandmother hadn’t intervened, and there are other stories that Casey has been pictured out partying while her three old daughter is missing. I don’t know all the ins and outs of the story and only read up on the details last night. However, Casey’s account sounds really suspicious and she is either a very bad liar, or a confused young woman. The court case is happening right now, and so a verdict will be on its way.

I was interested to see her chart and form some conclusions, and the first thing that jumped out at me was the aspect between Mercury in Pisces square Mars in Sagittarius, this is an aspect I have seen quite frequently in the charts of mentally unstable people. I am not a traditional astrologer, but have noticed the “lesser malefic” (Mars) to be in difficult aspect with Mercury in the mutable signs indicating something about the individual’s mental state. Astrologer C.E.O Carter specifies that planets in Virgo-Pisces around the 22nd degree show possible signs of insanity. Casey has Mercury at 23 degrees in Pisces. Furthermore, Mercury also forms a square to Uranus (mental rulers) and this does make me wonder about her erratic (Uranus) mentality (Mercury).

Mars conjunct Uranus in Sagittarius gives a somewhat over-excitable personality, and she is someone who badly wants freedom, but it also suggest accidents through reckless behaviour. The Sun is also square Uranus which again shows a self-willed personality, someone who is rebellious, and somebody who hates limitations imposed on her life. I know the details of the case have deeply coloured this interpretation, and having these aspects doesn’t make you insane. Many people are born with similar configurations and are perfectly fine.

Still, I think when we match up the chart with the person, there is something about Casey’s chart that fits for someone who could be a little bit crazy. In reality, I couldn’t take an anonymous chart and tell if someone had committed a crime or if the individual's mental faculties were all in check. However, from what I have read online some of the astrological jigsaw pieces fall into place. If she really didn’t kill her daughter, her behaviour before and following her disappearance show someone who is very reckless.

Taurus/Scorpio Musings

deleted post

Pisces Weekend: Movie Rundown

I was supposed to be posting over the weekend, but I felt tired and zombied out in front of the television watching movies instead, in true Piscean style. My partner took my little boy out for the day and so I had plenty of time to relax. I ended up crying in all the movies, apart from Possession. We can blame my Pisces planets for my weeping, or my pregnancy hormones.

I watched Possession with Sarah Michelle Gellar, and it has a Plutonian theme. The aspect of Mercury-Pluto is also releavant  because it involved two brothers (Mercury), but there was also some heavy mind games and hidden agendas going on. Pluto is called a watery planet in astrology, and so its motives are not always straightforward, but it also has some fiery undertones. To live with Pluto you have to live with total INTENSITY, and the full force of Pluto is like a possession, because of its total mobilization of life. Some astrologers believe you have to allow Pluto to possess you, but without being totally possessed. I think they mean we need to keep hold of some ego (Sun) control. Although it sounds more like a demonic takeover, but I am sure they mean it's our ability to hold Pluto and be transformed by its energy. However, nearly everybody fears the powerlessness that comes with Pluto and its hard to let go of that fear completely.

I also viewed Win a Date with a Tad Hamilton which had a Venus-Neptune feel to it. We have this fantasy (Neptune) man on screen, in magazines and television shows, and the unreal projections. The story is about a young woman who wins a date with a superstar. However, it sets up a love triangle with her male best friend who has always been in love with her. Who will she choose? The man from the movies? The real-life man she has known growing up? Venus-Neptune symbolises intense idol-isation, and it could be the aspect we  find in the charts of some of the most crazed fans, and the ones who represent the overt-hysteria. If they don't have this aspect they might have a heavy dose of Neptune. The type of fans who are TOTALLY devoted to a pop star, group or actor, similar to how a priest is completely devoted to his religion. These people often believe they really are in love with this person, but they don’t really know the person warts and all. Until they see behind the mirage, they can't have a real relationship, but I don't believe they have to sacrifice their romantic ideals. Venus-Neptune describes unfulfilled fantasies, disillusionment in love, and the promise of ideal love.

I watched Here on Earth which had more of a Uranus-Pluto feel for the sudden turn of events, and Pluto with its fatalistic twists. I still think Pluto tops the list of the most feared planet in astrology. Pluto brings endings we are unprepared for, but how can we ever feel ready to say goodbye to the people we love. I would suffer those same feelings of betrayal by life if it happened to me. You finally find happiness and it can all be torn away. I said in another post, never take what you have for granted, and this is at the core of Pluto. The Uranus-Pluto cycle rules radical transformation, sudden crisis, and upheaval. On a mundane level, astrologers believed that the Uranus-Pluto conjunction of the 60’s would manifest globally as soon as the planets reached their first square. That time is right now and into 2012, and we can see the same social upheaval. On a personal scale, our own lives evolve at a much faster pace, and events can be extreme.

I also watched August Rush which is a charming love story, and it’s about a young boy separated from his parents as a baby. However, he feels his musical background (Mum is an accomplished musician and Dad is a singer and guitarist in a band) inside of him and believes that music will bring his family back together. It felt more like a Neptune film, because it is filled with longing, inspiration, and a little bit of magic. Listening to music is a longing to be taken out of ourselves. Some astrologers believe music is the highest of Neptunian arts. The deep connection which the boy had with his parents is represented by Neptune’s psychic sensitivity, and creative imagination. The movie had an almost unreal feeling to it, but it had me gripped all the way through, and I really enjoyed it.

Pisces: Serve/Suffer

One of the popular phrases which astrologers use for the sign of Pisces is that they are born to either serve or suffer. I was born under the sign of Pisces and this does sound rather fatalistic. I have read astrologers who assert that if serving others is not Pisces goal, they will suffer all sorts of calamities which will only lead to destruction and ruin. This is all a little too extreme, and the interpretation is heavily weighted on service of some kind. Based on these readings it feels as if Pisces is weighted with a heavy obligation, and if they're not serving the “greater good” in some way, Pisces is doomed to a life of suffering. Pisces is represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions and astrologers believe that these natives either swim upstream towards a meaningful life or are pulled downwards into the undercurrent, and into a wasted and sorry existence. I believe Pisces is filled with plenty of inner confusion and they feel pulled in a multitude of directions, but it comes with the territory of being a Pisces.

Pisces do move in ways which are difficult for others to fathom, and nothing is ever simple or clear. This is something I would personally resonate with, and I have often wished I was born under the earth signs or “rational” ones at least, only so my life could be more straightforward. I struggle terribly in the material world, and I have often wished I wasn’t so “Neptuninan”. It’s a label I stick on myself, but one which other astrologers would also pin onto me. I am not altogether happy being a “Neptunian” in such a Saturnian world. However, with the transit of Neptune into Pisces it might make some of our Pisceans feel more at home.

It is also said that Pisces has a gift and has access to the unconscious, dreams, and fantasies. Many Pisceans keep these things to themselves, we are also known to be frightingly introverted and withdrawn creatures, and we can happily slip away into our imagination and never return. The main consensus of astrologers seems to agree that Pisces needs to give from the heart, but I disagree with astrologers who believe Pisces should put less energy into their own personal concerns. Often this very behaviour leads them into sacrificing their own happiness which leads to “suffering”, unhappiness, and misery.

Astrologer, Liz Greene, in her book The Outer Planets and their Cycles, talks about the signs which the outer planets rule, because they are not easy to understand when only considering them from the old traditional rulerships. The author believes that Scorpio (Pluto), Aquarius (Uranus) and Pisces (Neptune) need to be involved with the collective in some way, and because of their connection to the outer planets they are bound to issues larger than the personal. She also believes the average kind of life doesn’t take into account these broader needs.

At any rate, I feel there is a necessity in Scorpio, Aquarius Pisces to find someplace in reality that extends beyond the purely personal sphere. Otherwise I think these signs can become terribly negative. They have the worst reputations of all the zodiac. The classic charge against Pisces is that of drugs and alcohol, and as far as I have seen, this is perfectly true. A great many Pisceans drown in that water, not because the sign is innately alcoholic, but because they are thirsting for something beyond a wholly material perception of reality.

The opening of the door might come through a strong religious aspiration, or a creative outlet such as music or poetry or acting, or an experience of the unity of life that comes through service of some kind. But if the door is never opened, the only way to the spirit is through spirits, if you will excuse the horrible pun. Even if Pisces wants to go and study computers or become a civil servant, he must have some place in his life for the myths and the music and the poetry and the imagination.

There are a good many pathetic Pisceans wandering about trying desperately to become good accountants or stock brokers or insurance agents wondering why they feels hopeless and depressed and lethargic while their Taurean and Capricornian compatriots really enjoy their jobs. By Liz Greene, The Outer Planets & Their Cycles

As a Pisces I think Greene is right and we have to find something in our lives which gives life to our imagination, dreams, and feeling nature.

Blogger Issues

I couldn’t log in into my blogger account yesterday morning, and had only recently changed my template to a gallery one. However, I think blogger has had some technical problems because my template has reverted back to the old one. I am not too concerned, and was just testing different looks and ad placements. None worked particularly well, but you never know unless you try (says my Uranus – Mr experimental). Saturn would stick to what works, but I can’t stop tinkering with the blog lol.

I will have a look at answering some search engine questions this weekend, and see what needs editing around the blog.

Hope you all have a nice weekend, Julie.

America: The Individualistic Nation

Astrologer Liz Greene has some interesting opinions on the chart of America and the lack of Neptune in the horoscope. America has come under an intense spotlight over the killing of Osama Bin Laden. The whole event took some of the limelight away from the British Royal Wedding, and it will always be remembered as an eventful weekend. America is leading the way in the fight against terrorism, but many people disagreed with the way in which it was done. While others felt his murder was justified, and that those people who were killed in the Twin Towers were also vulnerable and unarmed when terrorists struck.

I am sure we have all read enough opinions regarding this highly charged subject matter, and we know where we stand. However, after reading Liz Greene’s interpretation of America’s chart it had me wondering about their gun culture. If another country had captured Osama, would it have turned out differently? Perhaps he would still be alive now, and waiting for trial. Feasibly, America was the only country who could carry out such a mission successfully.

President Obama has transiting Neptune square his Moon in Gemini and this whole mission has created quite a scandal in his life (Neptune). Neptune is also the planet of redemption, sacrifice, confusion, aspiration and disillusion. You have to wonder how Neptune is influencing his life right now, and how it will continue to influence him in the coming years. According to Greene – America lacks Neptunian values. Although transiting Neptune in Pisces will eventually square America's Sagittarian Ascendant. America is viewed as an individualistic country which holds on to their right to own a firearm. A Russian American poet once said that “the surest defence against evil is extreme individualism.”

Here is the interpretation below:

The Neptunian longing may not be a major factor in a national birth chart horoscope, just as it may be relatively obscure in the individual horoscope. Thus Neptune’s dreams may not dominate overall collective values. A good example of this relative “absence” of Neptunian vision is the horoscope of the United States, in which Neptune neither aspects Sun nor Moon. Neptune here is widely conjunct the M.C from the 9th house, and squares Mars in Gemini in the 7th. I would not call this a Neptunian chart, especially since there is no Sun-Neptune contact and therefore no inclination to expect salvation from government or to perceive the leadership as semi-divine.

American aspirations are Jupiterian rather than Neptunian, as might be expected from a Sun-Jupiter conjunction and a Sagittarian Ascendant, and are focused not on the submergence of the individual in the mass psyche but on equal opportunities for every individual; health, wealth and the pursuit of happiness. There is no collective philosophy of suffering and sacrifice in the name of the public good. Any nation which so ferociously protects its citizens’ right to possess firearms can hardly be viewed as Neptunian. Although the U.S.A has more than its share of fanatical religious cults (Neptune is after all, in the 9th house of the national chart)…The powerful and rather frightening influence of fundamentalist Christianity on political decision making is Saturnian rather than Neptunian in nature.

Mars in Sagittarius

Those born with Mars in Sagittarius express their will and desire in an enthusiastic and impulsive way. Mars in Sagittarius tends to be direct about everything. However, their many interests and projects, tend to flow into different areas, and difficulties may be experienced in situations that require discipline, patience, and attention to the practical details. Although they are the least focused in their energy of all the fire signs, they have the largest perspective on life.

Mars in Sagittarius is motivated by their ideals, and work best when allowed physical, mental and spiritual freedom. They have strong religious and philosophical convictions, and have intense feelings about morality. Mars in Sagittarius is the crusader of its personal beliefs, and they will actively defend their ideas and ideals. The individual will also act on their beliefs. Mars here can be a leader in law, religion, and teaching, and have the desire of bringing knowledge to others. Mars in Sagittarius is motivated to discover the truth, and they want to do something with their understanding. An active interest in higher subjects and passion in education is common with this placement.

Mars here is physically energetic, and they are extremely restless and hate sitting still for very long. Mars placed in the fiery sign of Sagittarius may have a volatile temper, and act self-righteous when they feel frustrated. Mars in Sagittarius is like a wild bushfire, and their anger can spread pretty fast. Although Mars here can give enthusiasm and spark to more introverted charts, they also don’t like limits imposed on personal freedom and pleasure. Sagittarius is roused to anger by injustice and will fight for a good cause.

Mars in Sagittarius will not refract until they have made their point, and is fond of debating; especially when they think something is wrong! They can be frank, candid and even blunt. If Mars is challenged in the chart there could be quarrelsome, and there is also a danger of accidents, through a careless and reckless nature. It may simply be because they have their sights set on the far distance that they don’t always look at what is in front of them.

These people strongly defend their beliefs, and are ever hopeful against all odds, and they inspire others to courage and expansion. Mars in Sagittarius needs a quest, vision, and a sense of purpose. They are aspiring people, open and generous. Mars in Sagittarius is adaptable and changeable in their enthusiasm, and can happily indulge in many activities at the same time. They love to explore and are always seeking adventure and excitement to spice up their lives. They have a need for constant variety, stimulation and movement.

Mars in Sagittarius needs honesty, friendship and fun in an intimate relationship. Someone with a good sense of humour is a must. They enjoy sharing adventures and involving themselves in exciting and sometimes heated philosophical discussion. This expansive Mars often drives people into sales, lawyers, travel, teaching, or philosophy. There may be a love of sports and outdoor activities; they could also be interested in working with animals. They also do better as freelancers, and they have lots of enthusiasm for new projects.

Neptune Dreaming

The unconscious contents floating about our heads in the night time are given to the power of Neptune. The more I think about Neptune, I believe we should give more respect to its influence. The watery god is ruler of the ocean and the unconscious and everything that is washed upon the shore. This often involves those things that our minds have consciously forgotten. For example, have you ever had dreams about people that you have never even had a conversation with, and they are not even someone you think about daily? But then you go to sleep and this person arrives in your dream. We can have several events and people actually separated by years combined together in our dreams, placed in a  new yet strangely familiar setting.

Astrologers call Neptune a “forgetful” confusing, and vague planet, but I don’t think we have forgotten anything at all, and it’s all stored away in our unconscious mind (Neptune). With Neptune we tend to have more trouble remembering day-to-day things, like paying the bills, coping with reality, holding down a job. Most of these things are generally considered to be Mercurial, earthy in nature, and they relate to how we deal with the physical world..

Mercury is opposite to Neptune and is good at categorising, labelling, and travelling “short distances”. It involves everything else we need to do in order to organise our mental thoughts and daily routines. Our more rational selves (Mercury) mock all un-rational things, and reduce everything to a more coherent, intelligible, and lucid explanation. Neptune is the modern ruler of the 12th house (secrets and dreams). Neptune has difficulty remembering things in our daily lives, but its strength lies in going much farther back in memory and possibly to another time and place. This is probably why Neptune is associated with hypnotism, and the ability to fall so easily into the unconscious is because of Neptune’s lack of boundaries and OPENNESS to the intangible.

Neptune puts aside the rational mind, and allows symbols, images, and signs to communicate. When dreaming we are completely fused in this inner world, and since Neptune rules acting, we often see a colourful cast of characters acting out different roles in our dreams, and they sometimes change costume, character, and scenery, or they are not who they appear to be. It is the unconscious psyche which speaks to us through dreams, but try and decipher your dreams and it can be a confusing exercise, and very challenging.

Neptune rules the Ocean which is a prolific symbol of the unconscious, and represents the deepest emotional level of the individual. Under hard Neptune transits I think it becomes much more difficult to contain what is beneath the water, and Neptune stimulates our imagination, dreams, psychic experiences, artistic inspiration, and mystical tendencies. The oceanic pull is very seductive for many Neptunian people, whether its falling in love, listening to music, seeking solace in a bottle, or living as an artist, there is something completely intoxicating about Neptune’s world, and we long to quench its thirst. Neptune transports us to a realm beyond the ordinary, and the dream is always preferable to living in the real world.

Eating Problems: The Anxious Parent

I used to watch The House of Tiny Tearaways with Dr Tanya Byron. It is a fascinating programme created to put child behaviour and parenting problems under the professional spotlight. It was set up in a Big Brother style setting, with families coming to live in the house with their “problem children." Most of the child’s problems involved deep family issues, sometimes the parents were dealing with grief, or had other worries that couldn't be discussed openly, and the child was acting out. One of the problems highlighted was the issue of anxiety in a parent, and the worry was unconsciously transferred to the child.

At the root of almost every child’s eating problem that I have experienced is an anxious parent who is also obsessively clean and tidy.” By Tanya Byron, The Tiny Tearaways

I remember when  I visited my grandma’s house as a little girl, and she gave me a biscuit to eat. All children tend to be messy when they eat, but when I spilled some crumbs on the carpet she raised her voice in a frightening way. I never wanted to visit her house again, and I didn’t go back. I never developed any eating problems, but I can understand why it would leave a child feeling anxious.

I was thinking about the astrological signs which would represent someone who is obsessively clean and tidy. Virgo has been accused of being obsessively tidy, but this is not always true. Sometimes they are mentally tidy, or their books or clothes are arranged in a systematic order. Some of them are probably fussy around the house, and may be neat freaks. Capricorn is a sign that is prone to anxiety, and they can have high standards. According to C.E.O Carter polarity signs of earth and water, Pisces and Virgo can be messy people.

Carter says tidiness comes from good configurations between the Moon, Venus and Mercury, while bad aspects to these, especially from the cadent houses or the Asc, destroy tidiness. Too much Venus makes a person lazy and careless, Sagittarius is slap dash, Pisces confused and muddled, while Mars is careless and hasty. Saturn strong always denotes method and the ability to take pains. You can imagine the most punctual people (clockwork) having Virgo and Capricorn emphasized in their charts, or Mercury in aspect to Saturn.

My little boy has Moon in Capricorn, but as his mother (Moon) I am not overly strict, tidy and can be messy. However, I do care when the house is messy, and this is due to Saturn rising in Virgo opposite my Sun. This gives me a sort of Virgo and Capricorn personality. Still, I have a polarity with Pisces and Virgo and have enough Neptune squares, and so I do get chaotic, but it bothers me. I will eventually sort it all out, but then let it go messy again. I am poor with routines and structure in my life and this is probably highlighted by the Sun-Saturn opposition.

One of my favourite songs when I was a teenager was by Alanis Morrisette called Perfect. All of her lyrics are self-penned, and I call her the psycho (Scorpio) babble (Gemini) queen, because of her Sun in Gemini and Moon in Scorpio. Alanis also has Mercury conjunct Saturn (critic) in self-protective and overly sensitive Cancer. As an artist she does tend to over-analyse (Mercury-Saturn) her emotions (Cancer) a lot. In her teen years she did have an eating disorder, and was considered to be anorexic.

Karen Carpenter has Sun in Pisces opposite Saturn in Virgo, and she died from anorexia, she also had Moon conjunct Pluto in Leo (stubborn, powerful emotions) and Uranus the planet of perfection was rising right on her Asc (body). I have the same Sun-Saturn opposition in the same signs, and although I can be hard on myself, I have never developed an eating disorder, I probably have too much Neptune. I did go on a strict diet once in my teens when transiting Saturn (which rises on my ASC) was opposite Pluto in the 2nd house. I cried when my mother tried to put too much food on my plate. I have never been that obsessed since, but I do associate this compulsive control with Saturn-Pluto. Now, I am pregnant with Pluto trining Saturn on the Asc from my 5th house of children, and so my body is transforming, but through pregnancy.

As a teenager I could eat everything in sight but I am tall and could get away with it, most of the time. I was a big lover of cheese, which isn’t a low calorie food. I love spaghetti bolognaise and Shepard’s pie loaded with plenty of cheese on top. I don’t care about the calories and could eat those foods all day. This post is me hungry, but it might give some food for thought. Lately in the U.K every channel is about cooking, and so I have been watching a lot of food programmes lately. We are obsessed with food right now.

The Saturn Factor

Fields of Gold

Yesterday I was writing about Gordon Ramsey, and it got me thinking about the critics and judges in life that we try ever so hard to please. Most of you have watched programmes like X-Factor and American Idol with Simon Cowell as the judge. After the contestant/s has finished singing they line up ready to receive feedback back from the three judges. It’s not hard to work out which judge scares the contender the most and which judge they long to receive positive praise from. The individual may receive wonderful comments from the other two judges, but what matters most is what Simon Cowell thinks.

In each Judging panel you will always find a harsh judge, he/she is the one who is the hardest to please, and who won’t give back positive feedback just for the sake of it, or to be nice. However, this type of judge has the contestants quaking in their boots, and desperately hoping to receive approval. By now, and by the title of the post, you know that this kind of astrological judge in our own chart is Saturn. Yep, Saturn fills us with fear, dread, inadequacy, failure, doubt, uncertainty and insecurity. Unless we get daddy Saturn’s’ approval we feel less than, disappointed, and let down.

Saturn is called a teacher in astrology, but he is not the fun teacher like Jupiter. Saturn is a misery guts, hard task master, and doesn’t give praise easily. Saturn is a fair judge and we often get what we deserve, if you have really put a lot of hard work into something the results will eventually be rewarded. Saturn is the teacher we all fear and dread, but in the end he may be the teacher who really made us pull up our socks and get down to work. Saturn does not treat us like a baby, and expects us to take the criticism on board, and to improve on our failures. Wherever Saturn is placed in the birth chart it represents one of our biggest exams in life, but we are afraid that we just don’t make the grade.

Saturn’s location in our birth chart describes where we feel inferior, lesser and lower. We don’t receive anything for free in this house. Saturn teaches us to go out and get what we need for ourselves. Saturn represents our need to develop as self-sufficient adults, and this may involve handling some necessary criticism. Rather than acting like frightened children looking for someone to help us, Saturn wants us to step up to the plate and show him what we are made of.

There is no doubt that we will have many failures with Saturn. Wherever Saturn falls in our chart is where we have to do it alone, without any external support. If we look back on our childhood we will probably remember issues around our Saturn house and painfully remember that we did not receive any support, praise or encouragement from our parents in this area. Maybe we just felt our life lacked what other people take for granted.

Imagine if everything we created was always praised, celebrated, and applauded. After a while we would become complacent and wouldn't try any harder to improve ourselves. Saturn represents the part of us that is always seeking approval and the place we feel we are harshly judged. Yet, Saturn also rules the responsibility you have to yourself to improve. We can all cry and wail about our Saturn on a daily basis, and believe me with Saturn rising opposite the Sun in her birth chart, I am usually at the front of the queue snivelling about my Saturn.

In Saturn there is gold to be found, but sometimes we have to reach our pain threshold, before we decide to work with our Saturn, and improve our lives. Saturn takes two and a half years to move though a sign; so many people close to your age will have the same Saturn sign. However, we all have Saturn in a different house and forming aspects to other planets in our birth chart. The Saturn judge in our birth chart will always continue to be feared and revered, no matter how much we have achieved in that area of life.

In psychological astrology Saturn is the shadow part of ourselves, all those parts that we stuffed away in childhood because they were never approved of by authority figures in early life. Saturn is the planet of work, duty, discipline, and responsibility. Saturn also rules delays, and it feels like we are held back in life by our Saturn. Saturn teaches us to do what we are supposed to do, and to work hard, take accountability for our failures, and take firm charge of our life. Saturn rules over Capricorn and the 10th house and we know what great managers these people make. The same managerial attitude has to be carried over to Saturn’s house, not in an overly controlling, limiting and restraining manner. We need to develop qualities such as self-sufficiency, self-reliance and self-support in this area.

The sternest, strictest, harshest and firmest teacher is the one who’s opinion we respect the most, because their praise doesn’t come easily. And that goes for our own self-opinion and how we feel we are doing in Saturn’s house. All we can do is learn from our experiences, take stock, keep trying and assume our responsibilities, and it’s not going to be easy, but the gold at the end, our freedom and self-determination, is well worth the struggle.