Category Archives: About astrology

Saturday Archives: Sex, Lies and Biology from a Scorpio Perspective

Scorpio It must be the t-square with Pluto in Capricorn, Mars in Cancer and Mercury in Libra that drew me to this particular article from my Archives. Enjoy!

To be blunt – we’ve been had. Humanity as a whole is born hard-wired to reproduce and once we hit puberty, we’re at the mercy of changes in blood and brain chemistry unless we learn to pay attention to what the heck is going on. And you better believe that this has not escaped the notice of the Powers That Be all through out history.

One way or another, often in the guise of religious rules and regulations or greedy folk making a buck off sex through the sale of pornography and/or prostitution, humanity in general has a history of being lead by their gonads. Not pretty, people, not pretty!

With my Mars-Mercury in Scorpio plus a strong Pluto influence in my chart, I have observed how this has played out all my life. That being said, it wasn’t until I was close to forty that I started putting some of the pieces together and it was the advent of the crone phase in my life when the picture became even clearer. Some of the research done in this area really opened my eyes. For instance, studies have found there are biological aspects to what draws us to certain people. Here is a link to an article “The Biology of Attraction” from the Psychology Today website.

Many cultures, especially those with strong religious views, encourage early marriages with an eye to controlling through the distraction of sex. We’ve had a big dose of abstinence promoted in this country the last several years for instance. What better way to muddle the thinking of young, healthy people in this sex drenched culture. What’s the best way to make someone focus on something? Deny them access to it!

There are two periods in a woman’s life when the drive to reproduce is almost overwhelming – the first 5-10 years after menarche and the last 5 years before perimenopause. If we are allowed to acknowledge this driving force represented by Pluto and the eighth House, then we can gain some perspective and objectivity – tactics familiar to anyone who is working with Pluto. Men reading this can draw on their own experiences when it comes to the drive to procreate.

There is another facet to this puzzle that’s tied into brain chemistry. Dr. Helen Fisher has a quote that I really feel is true: “Don’t copulate with people you don’t want to fall in love with because indeed you may do just that.” This is the other side of how we are hard-wired to stay together long enough to reproduce. Read this article from McMan’s Depression and Bipolar Website on “The Brain in Love and Lust” and draw your own conclusions.

For those of us with the Plutonian signatures in our charts – lots of Scorpio, loaded 8th House and natal aspects involving personal planets and Pluto – paying attention to this kind of information can save us a lot of heartache because we tend to take the bonds we form with other humans very seriously. We just don’t do casual very well and I see this as a good thing. I have another post in the back of my mind about the pitfalls of so-called “casual” sex but that’s for another day.

Libra with Scorpioposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast August 31: Full Moon in Pisces

Sunset in Bucarest. Photo by the AP.Most of this week should be fairly quiet. I, for one, will be very grateful for the break, but I’m betting that most of you will be, too.

Of course there are always exceptions. If you have personal planets or chart angles in early degrees of the cardinal signs — Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn — you may start feeling Mercury retrograde a week before the rest of us, thanks to a square between Mercury and Mars on Thursday. Arguments, equipment breakdowns, and delays could try your patience and make you feel downright paranoid.

Even if you don’t have these sensitive points in your chart, you should be wrapping up business and getting major purchases out of the way before next Monday, the sooner the better. We’re well into the shadow period, and most of the rules for Mercury retrograde apply. It would be OK to submit job applications early this week or to pitch your latest creative project to an agent, but then be prepared for it to sit on someone’s desk until late September. Indeed, hope it does sit there. The last thing you want is to be presented with a contract to sign while Mercury is retrograde.

For the fixed signs — Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius — you may feel a little edgy this week. This likely will have more to do with our friends Neptune & Co. than with Mercury’s station. The Moon is in Aquarius from Tuesday through Thursday, and she aligns with Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune in turn on Wednesday and Thursday. This happens once a month, so you probably won’t be blindsided by some horrendous situation. Rather, you simply may be reminded yet again that you have some important healing work left to do.

Mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces — you get your turn at the wheel on Friday, with the Full Moon at 12 degrees Pisces. Anyone with major planets or chart angles near this degree will feel this Full Moon acutely, but even if you don’t, this is the one-month follow-up appointment for the Full Moon lunar eclipse in Aquarius Leo on August 5. Sometimes eclipse-related results are delayed until the next lunar cycle, so keep your antennae up.

As usual, Neith will have a full report, which we’ll post in place of this week’s Wednesday poll.

In the meantime, start planning ahead for Mercury retrograde, and also be mindful that the Saturn-Uranus opposition is closing in. There won’t be a lot we can do about it, other than to maintain our awareness and vigilance. In a way, we might be glad for this Mercury retrograde period, as it allows us a chance to slow down, catch our breath, and visualize our next move.

Wishing you all strong hearts,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Dog days: Sunset outside of Bucharest, Romania, after a hot day in August. Photo by Vadim Ghirda for The Associated Press.

Saturday Extra! Saturn-Uranus Opposition by the Numbers

Photo by Michael Buholzer for REUTERS

Lightning over the Swiss Federal Palace in Bern, Switzerland. Uranus rules electrical storms, while Saturn is associated with political hierarchy. This amazing photo was taken on July 17, 2009, by Michael Buholzer for REUTERS.

Since we’ve started talking about the upcoming Saturn-Uranus opposition, we’ve received many questions asking essentially, “What does it mean for me?”

In this column I’ll attempt to give you a quick rundown of what you might expect given where Saturn and Uranus are  transiting your natal chart. To see how this might work, check out yesterday’s Q&A. 

Most of you have enough knowledge of astrology to know your Ascendant and house delineation. If you don’t, I suggest going to Astrodienst and getting a free chart. It takes a few minutes to sign up, but it will be worth the effort. You can find out which of your houses Saturn and Uranus are transiting by clicking on the option “natal chart and transits.”

This article is very basic and doesn’t take into account whether you have key planets or chart angles being activated, nor could I possibly cover every foreseeable set of circumstances. This is just a starting point. The usual caveat applies: There is no substitute for a thorough reading with a professional astrologer.

First and Seventh

The first house is the most personal area of the chart and represents your physical body. The seventh house concerns one-on-one relationships. If Saturn is in your first house, you are carrying a heavy load and may be experiencing increased responsibilities. This is a maturing transit, and often relationships fall apart during this time, simply because you are changing. Uranus in the seventh house suggests radical changes in your close relationships.

With Saturn in the first house and Uranus in the seventh, you probably are going to experience some shakeups. As upsetting as this may be, it is a prerequisite to forming relationships that meet your needs better and are more fulfilling. Knowing your needs is a good start, and Saturn can help you with that. Remember that your needs are not simply physical, but spiritual and emotional as well.

With Saturn in the seventh house and Uranus in the first, you are in a period of extreme change. This is an exciting time when you can express your individuality and show the world who you really are. However, Saturn in opposition in the seventh house suggests that you may be under pressure by someone you love to stay as you are. Our loved ones don’t like it when we change, because it changes the dynamics of the relationship and in some cases can mean they lose you. You will need to find a balance, but if you try to sacrifice your growth to make others happy, circumstances will arise that ensure you follow your own path.

Second and Eighth

The second house is associated with money we earn through our work and with our material resources. It also represents our personal values. The eighth house is about resources we share with others. For example, if you’re married or living with someone, you probably have joint finances. It also is associated with income we get from sources other than a salary, such as rental income, return on investment, insurance payouts, and so forth.

With Saturn in the second house and Uranus in the eighth, you may have taken a cut in pay recently, or you could have experienced an increase in expenses. Perhaps you had to sell some of your valuables to make ends meet. Uranus is a wild card and indicates a total lack of predictability in other forms of income. If you’re married or living with someone, your partner may have a sudden change in income, and this may cause you to have to shoulder a greater share of your household expenses. If you’re not in a partnership, this opposition could indicate a deep personal transformation that causes you to reexamine the value you place on material things.

If Saturn is in the eighth house and Uranus is in the second, you may be struggling with whether to work for yourself despite the financial risks versus working for an established company that will provide you with health benefits and stability. The latter has great appeal in economically uncertain times, but it may mean that your talents are vastly under-utilized or that you have to put up with a corporate attitude that is totally at odds with your value system. It’s understandable that you’d want the security, but Uranus demands that we give the world our unique gift. Your challenge may be finding a way to do that without ending up living under a bridge on the wrong side of the tracks.

Third and Ninth

The third house rules how we communicate with others, as well as siblings. It also represents our immediate surroundings — our “own little world” — whereas the ninth house is about everything beyond, the great big world out there and all the wonderful things to be discovered. It is traditionally associated with higher learning, travel, and spiritual growth. Of all the places for Saturn and Uranus to be opposed, this is probably the easiest.

With Saturn in the third house and Uranus in the ninth, it may be time for you to explore how programmed behavior you learned as a child is preventing you from personal growth and spiritual awareness. Alternatively, you may be itching to travel or go back to school, but for some reason find that you are limited. You may have to wait more than a year for the obstacles to clear, but they will eventually go away.

The ninth house is actually a good place for Saturn to be. You may be in school or learning new job skills, or perhaps you are advancing in the “school of life.” If you’re distance learning, upsets in your surroundings may be impacting your study time, or maybe your pesky little brother keeps interrupting you. Alternatively, you may be overextended in terms of what you want to learn and are so scattered that you can’t focus on one subject.

Fourth and Tenth

The fourth house rules home and family and also can represent our childhood and “foundation.” By contrast, the tenth house rules our public persona, usually in the context our career.

Saturn in the fourth house and Uranus in the tenth is a classic setup for being on the verge of a career breakthrough or wanting to surge forward with your work but being held back by family expectations or obligations. These limitations can include the “tapes” in your head from childhood, telling you can’t or shouldn’t do something that allows you to follow your heart. Sherry has Saturn in the fourth house and Uranus in the tenth, so you can check out our answers to her yesterday for more information.

With Uranus in the fourth house and Saturn in the tenth, you may be faced with unpredictable circumstances at home or with your family, but you’re not able to deal with them because of work piling up on your desk. It may be so overwhelming that you feel constantly exhausted and disoriented or even depressed.

Fifth and Eleventh

The fifth house is traditionally associated with love affairs and children, while the eleventh house concerns friendship and your social life.

With Saturn in the fifth house, you may be having some difficulty with a child. Or, you may be in a romantic relationship that feels heavy for some reason. At the same time, Uranus in the eleventh house is shaking up your social life, which may be quite active and exciting. You can see how these two sets of circumstances would be at odds with one another. Indeed, when we’re deeply involved in an affair, we often withdraw from our friends and social life, even though going out would help us stay more balanced and healthy.

When Uranus is in the fifth house, our love lives can be exciting but erratic. It’s also a time when we are at our creative, innovative best. Saturn in the eleventh house demands that we work with others and meet our social responsibilities. Once again, you can see the conflict inherent here.

Sixth and Twelfth

The sixth house rules your health, daily routine, and service to others. The nebulous twelfth house concerns your deep psyche, spiritual beliefs, and solitude. Since it represents confinement, it is associated with mental institutions and jails. Hopefully none of you will find yourself there!

Saturn in the sixth house often corresponds to a time when you are working like a dog and not getting any credit for it. If that’s your case, then during this opposition you might suddenly rebel and cop an attitude. Be careful here, because you don’t want to subconsciously get yourself fired! Another possible interpretation is that repressed emotions may be bubbling to the surface as a medical condition. This is often the case for many people, but it may be more obvious than usual to you now.

Likewise, with Saturn in the twelfth house and Uranus in the sixth, you may be inclined to rebel against your daily grind, and you could get yourself in trouble if you don’t stop to think about what you’re doing. Saturn is asking you to think carefully about what hasn’t worked in your life so that you can make the necessary changes. If you can find a balance between these two opposing energies, you have the potential to make some very positive, creative changes, and in a much faster timeframe than you otherwise could achieve.

Much love and courage to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Ask Real Astrologers: What Can I Expect from Saturn and Uranus?

This week’s question comes from Sherry in Pennsylvania:

On September 15, transiting Saturn will be in my fourth house opposing my natal Chiron in the tenth, and transiting Uranus will be in my tenth house conjunct my natal Chiron. Do you have any thoughts on what I should be expecting?

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Oh, Sherry, you’ve got one whopper of a Saturn-Uranus opposition! As I’m sure you’re aware, this opposition is not only conjunct your natal Chiron but also involves your natal Pluto and Uranus, and it’s on your Midheaven and IC, to boot! This is all way too complicated to address here, though, so I’ll stick to your simple question (and thanks for keeping it to that) and recommend that you get a full reading with an astrologer for the rest.

With Saturn heading into your fourth house as this opposition peaks, you may feel more “stuck” than some others, and this could take the form of literally being stuck at home. Or, you could be stuck in some way with your family, perhaps due to caring for an aging parent. This would be challenging under the best of circumstances, but Uranus in your tenth house suggests that you are entering a period of changing careers or a big career breakthrough, and so being limited because of home or family problems is not going to sit well with you at all.

There are several ways to interpret Chiron on the Midheaven. It may simply mean that your calling is in one of the healing professions. Or it could indicate challenges in finding the right career or in how you come across in public (or your perception of how you are seen). Uranus has a reputation for blasting us out of complacency and the same old, tired patterns. So if you’ve been banging your head against the wall over and over trying to become “successful,” you could get an awakening now.

Of course, you’ll be trying to accomplish this with the above set of limitations. However, Uranus moves more slowly than Saturn, so eventually these obstacles will clear, and you’ll be able to advance with much less resistance.

Good luck with it all, and keep us posted!

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

This past summer, when Uranus was stationing opposite your natal Uranus, must have been a tough time for you, Sherry. While we Libras are typically perpetually seeking balance in ourselves and our lives, Uranus transits can feel like we’re running from one side of the seesaw to the other instead of strolling. Fortunately the last pass of this transitional transit will happen much more quickly in March 2010.

Your natal Chiron is also part of a Yod, or Finger of God, with your Libra Sun and Taurus Moon. Anytime we experience a major transit triggering a Yod, it will bring to the surface all the issues represented by the planets involved. Both your luminaries are ruled by sympathetic Venus, and your Chiron is in Pisces, another sign noted for avoiding confrontations. It would not surprise me to find out you have been placed in situations where you have had to stand up for yourself in a very public way recently.

Uranus at its best helps those of us who need it in looking out for our own best interests. With your Sun in your fourth house and Moon-ruled Cancer Ascendant, you are probably more comfortable at home than out in the public eye. The natal trine between your Moon and Uranus in Virgo does suggest you do have the ability to go with the flow, much needed right now.

Be brave, Sherry, and have faith in yourself. Once the dust settles, I believe you will find you like where you are. Even though it seems like the turmoil goes on forever, it doesn’t – honestly!

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Weekly Forecast August 24: Mercury, Venus, Mars Change Signs

Venus in LeoMercury, Venus, and Mars all change signs this week, and with the Sun newly arrived in Virgo, it’s as though the sands are shifting under our feet as we walk … just as we have to start walking a lot faster.

Overall, we’re in a period of shifting and swift change, and this can mean temporary disorientation and discomfort. Those of us with a lot of fixed signs in our charts will have a more difficult time, whereas the cardinal signs should be quite happy for things to get moving finally!

Mars enters Cancer on Tuesday, with Mercury entering Libra just a few hours later. This means they are square one another, and they both engage Pluto in challenging aspects on Wednesday — Mars by opposition and Mercury by square. Most of you know enough about astrology to know that when Mars and Pluto face off, we end up in power struggles. These can be with another person, or groups can oppose one another. Or, we may face internal conflicts. Perhaps we struggle with an addiction.

Normally, Mercury in Libra would be a good antidote, as Libra is the sign of peace, harmony, and conciliation. However, attempts to intervene between opposing parties could backfire this week, even with the best of intentions. If you find yourself in the middle of an argument or conflict of any kind, step back and think about what’s at the root of the problem. Unfortunately, since Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are all cardinal signs, there’s going to be a whole lot of talking and action without thinking first.

Complicating matters is that Mercury is in pre-retrograde shadow. He’ll be retrograde September 7-29, during which he’ll return to Virgo for three weeks. During that time, we’ll get to reflect on any issues that come up this week and perhaps revise how we want to handle them. But there may be breakdowns in communications first. As always, when life is moving this fast, the best approach is to stay in the moment and not think too far ahead. There is a potential for rapid change now, and we’re going to have to stay in the flow.

As I mentioned in my Saturday Extra! post, the Saturn-Uranus opposition is creeping up on us. It’s within four degrees, which is enough for us to start feeling the effects. Most of you probably know by now where these two are transiting your chart. If not, look at the houses in which they’re opposed in your natal chart for clues. For example, if they’re located in the fourth and tenth houses, situations at home or with your family may be interfering with your effort to get a new job. An opposition in the fifth and eleventh houses could bring conflicts between caring for children and your social responsibilities, or perhaps you’re in a situation in which someone is transgressing boundaries between friends and lovers.

The good news is that Venus enters Leo on Wednesday, which brings some festivity into our lives. She’s out of synch with Mars, but she’ll be in a bright sextile with Mercury on Friday, and since Mercury is in her sign, this will be a good night for patching up disputes. Go out and have a good time together, and enjoy the moment.

Just don’t let it interfere with your obligations and responsibilities, because there’s no forgiveness this week for not meeting your commitments. I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but I need to let you know that failing to keep promises and commitments will be met with a swift reminder on Saturday, when the Moon in Capricorn triggers the Mars-Pluto opposition.

Much love and courage to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Venus in Leo is the party girl! Here, she’s wearing a beautiful beaded mask as she gets ready for a samba parade at Carnival in Sao Paulo earlier this year. Photo by Mauricio Lima for Agence France-Presse.

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Don’t I Feel Like Moon in Pisces?

This week’s question comes from Jean in Nicaragua:

I do not feel like a lunar Piscean, more like an Aquarian. I’m also not sure when my Sagittarius Ascendant will progress to Capricorn. For the first question, is it because Uranus is close to my Ascendant?

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Jean, I am going to field your question on the progressed Ascendant and let Pat, our resident expert on Moon in Pisces, address your Moon issues.

The “year for a day” method of progressing a chart is easy to use for the planets, because all you need is an ephemeris and good eyes. Just count off the days starting from your birth date equal to your age and read the position of the planets on that day. For progressing the chart wheel, it helps considerably to use astrology software, especially for those of us who are not math whizzes.

Your Ascendant progressed into Capricorn in December 2002, joining your progressed Sun and Venus. By the middle of 2004, Mercury moved into Capricorn also. Since your natal chart is heavy to optimistic Sagittarius, this gradual shift to a preponderance in Capricorn does suggest you found yourself taking a far more pragmatic approach to decision-making than before. My own experience with progressions has led me to believe the influence is fairly subtle (unless your newly progressed planet is hit with a major transit, like being conjoined by Uranus for instance).

By the way, the Moon changes signs about every two and a half years by progression, and yours moved into Capricorn in August 2007. By December 2007, it had crossed the Ascendant. Did you notice any changes in the way you presented yourself around that time? For instance, choosing different colors to wear?

Jean, this is a great opportunity for you to learn about the effect of progressed planets, because this is a first house event for you. I would love to hear more about the changes you have seen, if any. When my Sun and Ascendant progressed into Capricorn, I noticed I gradually started choosing more browns and neutrals to wear after all the brighter colors of my Sagittarius years. Good topic, thanks for bringing it up!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

I guess Neith considers me the “resident expert on Moon in Pisces” because that’s where my Moon is. I also happen to have Aquarius Sun and Rising, so I can indeed help you with this confusion, Jean.

First of all, I have to ask what you think Moon in Pisces should feel like. No two people experience their planets in exactly the same way. A lot depends on house placement, but you are right to consider other planets in the chart as well. Perhaps having Uranus on the Ascendant gives you some traits of an Aquarius, although for my money, I’d place my bets on Jupiter. As a Rising Sagittarius, you have Jupiter as your chart ruler, and he’s in Aquarius.

I also see that your Moon is square your Sagittarius Ascendant and also Uranus, and this may be inhibiting your tender Pisces Moon. Pisces is very adaptable, and your Moon may be “giving way,” as the Fishes often do, to more assertive factors in your chart. That said, never underestimate the strength of Pisces!

I have to tell you that I wasn’t aware of my Pisces Moon until well into my 40s. I had an intellectual job that fit very well with my Aquarian Sun. Still, I seemed to have a “nose” for certain things, and that is something that Moon in Pisces people often experience. Sometimes we “just know things,” even though we don’t know how we know. If this sounds like you, it’s a good sign that your Pisces Moon is hard at work, even if you don’t feel it consciously.

I hope that answers your question, and thanks for writing, Jean!

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Real Astrologer’s Poll: Post-Eclipse Evaluation

The Summer of the Eclipses is behind us, Jupiter is pulling away from Neptune and Chiron, and the next Saturn-Uranus opposition is about a month away.

We have a few moments to catch our breath before heading back into the fray, and I’m wondering how everyone is doing. Life around here is slowly easing back into a less stressful place, and I am so hoping it will continue to do so. I don’t need any more turmoil, thank you very much!

In this week’s poll, we’d like to know if you are planning your next move or still dealing with the fallout from the past few months. As usual, feel free to leave us a detailed comment.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Libra loves balancetposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast August 17: New Moon in Leo, Sun Enters Virgo

Sun in VirgoThere are a couple of trouble spots this week, but overall it should be quite lively and a lot more positive than the past several weeks.

On Monday, the Sun sextiles Mars, with both making exact contact with Neptune — the Sun by opposition, and Mars by trine. A Sun-Neptune opposition alone would suggest confusion and possibly difficulty speaking up for yourself, but with Mars in on the act and at a favorable angle, I don’t think this is going to be a problem. With the downside of Neptune’s energy mitigated, I am hopeful that this will be a good day for increased spiritual awareness and new insights.

Communicating these thoughts with others could be difficult, however, as Mercury and Saturn are conjunct. Some of you may feel alienated and isolated for a few hours. The best antidote will be to throw yourself into a project that requires a lot of mental focus. Journaling may be a means of gaining new insight, and this could have some practical, real-world application.

Tuesday is potentially troublesome, with Mars square Uranus. These two in difficult aspect can indicate accidents and explosions, especially in shipping or transportation. Likewise, conversations could be incendiary, so if you’ve got a potentially loaded subject you need to discuss, wait until the end of the week.

On Wednesday, the Moon in Leo opposes Neptune & Co., which will set the stage for Thursday’s New Moon at 27 degrees Leo. Neith did a full report on Saturday. My take on the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction is that it has opened a rare window for healing, even though it may not feel like it for everyone right now. Often, getting worse before you get better is part of the healing process. In homeopathy and natural medicine, it’s called a healing crisis. Typically, a healing crisis lasts for a few days. Because we are healing very deep wounds, some of which are embedded in the collective, the healing crisis in this case could take weeks and even months. As a result, we are very unsettled and disoriented.

I think we’ll get some clues this week, so be sure to leave comments and let us know what’s happening for you.

Otherwise, this New Moon may contain a new beginning connected to recent eclipses.

Mercury opposes Uranus on Friday, and communications suddenly will pick up. Still, the Moon’s conjunction with Saturn could leave us feeling a little down and fatigued, and I’m betting a lot of you will bypass happy hour and head straight home after work.

Saturday night looks a little brighter, with a trine between Venus and Uranus. This aspect often brings little surprises in love, and since these two are in water signs, unexpected emotional outpourings could be part of the scenario. Ah, but the Sun enters Virgo a few minutes later, and suddenly the party’s over and it’s cleanup time. If you drink Saturday night, take care, because the price on Sunday morning may be way too high.

Sunday’s Sun-Pluto trine is good for rolling up your sleeves and tackling that project you’ve been putting off all summer. Gardening, accounting, and cleaning out closets or the garage will seem less daunting, so seize the day!

Wishing you much love and many blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Get to work! What better symbolism for the Sun in Virgo? The sixth sign of the zodiac represents your daily grind, especially if you work in a service industry. These two are migrant workers at a construction site in Shanghai. Photo by Aly Song for REUTERS.

Ask Real Astrologers: Is South Node in Scorpio Recipe for Disaster?

This week’s question comes from Rafael in Brazil:

I know the north node is a difficult energy to channel, since it’s about letting go of the south node for contrast to the other side of the equation. But does Pluto in the 10th house in Scorpio and the south node also in Scorpio in the 10th house indicate a kind of public self-destruction in a potent way or what? It’s hard for me to know exactly the south node implicates in my life, because astrologers say you have to let go of your past life, but still, is the primitive force of Pluto in Scorpio telling me to master this area? I am really confused.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Rafael, one of the places I start when determining how large a role the Moon’s nodes play in a natal chart is to look for planets conjoining them. Since this is not the case in your chart, this reduces the impact they have.

I also checked to see what aspects Pluto made to your personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars). It is widely trine your Moon and is square your Sun-Mars conjunction by the numbers. I would take this to mean that overall you are comfortable with the intensity of Pluto in Scorpio. It may be that you are more attracted to living on the edge (South Node in Scorpio) than the quiet orderly life of the North Node in Taurus.

Something else to keep in mind with any opposition is that the signs involved are always in compatible elements. Taurus and Scorpio are comfortable partners with a great deal of respect and appreciation underlying all their exchanges. You have your Sun and Moon in a water sign with earth on the Ascendant – all harmonious with your nodal axis.

As for Pluto in your tenth house, perhaps you are on your way to becoming someone to be reckoned with or you come in contact with many intense, powerful people in your public life.

Please relax and trust your feelings, Rafael. You have the chart of a well-grounded, practical person – very helpful for navigating the rough spots!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Rafael, since your lunar nodes are very near the end of the fourth and tenth houses, I would interpret them to be in the fifth and eleventh houses. This gives yet more distant between your natal Pluto and the South Node, which actually is closer to your natal Saturn.

The idea that the South Node represents what we need to let go of is not universally shared by all astrologers, but if you want to use that interpretation, then your “past life” is more influenced by Saturn in the eleventh house than Pluto in the tenth house. Saturn, of course, is very powerful, too. Perhaps there is something about the groups your parents belonged to or ancestral affiliations that you need to overcome in order to express your true self, which is what the North Node in the fifth house suggests.

Because your North Node is in Taurus, you may also have a desire to make money and create a comfortable, even luxurious life for yourself, and perhaps something is holding you back from this. Breaking free of constraints in order to pursue your dream is one thing, but then you have to have the discipline and motivation to stick with it until you achieve your goal.

As always, I strongly suggest a complete reading with an astrologer you can trust. This column is not a substitute for that, since we are limited in space and can’t explore all the complex factors that go into a natal chart.

Best of luck to you, and thanks for writing!

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Weekly Forecast August 10: Mars Transits

Bridge repair, photo by WSDOTThe eclipses are over, but they will continue to have a ripple effect for weeks and, in some cases, months.

But at least we’re out of the inter-eclipse period, and the dust will start to settle. It may not feel like it early this week, though, as Mars in Gemini squares Saturn in Virgo. If you’re grumpy and slow, or if you encounter others who aren’t being very kind, chalk it up to these two, who in traditional astrology are the Big Meanies of the solar system. Actually, they called them malefics. They definitely put a crimp in my writing this weekend (Mars is transiting my fifth house).

In modern astrology, we make allowances for grumpy old planets and try to find the good in them. If you’ve followed Neith, you know that she attributes lots of good qualities to Saturn. Likewise, Mars has a positive side. He rules muscles and blood, and when he’s behaving, you can get an energy boost and a strong dose of motivation. Just not when he’s square Saturn.

On Thursday, Mars trines Jupiter in Aquarius, and it’s a whole different ballgame. You may feel an energy surge, and depending on where these planets are transiting your chart, you could feel motivated to move mountains.

The Sun and Mars are moving in a close sextile, so the two of them are transiting the same set of planets, Mars by trine and the Sun by opposition. On Friday, the Sun in Leo opposes Jupiter. This is one of the “good” oppositions. It’s energy is cheerful and optimistic. On the downside, you might overestimate you capabilities and do something stupid. Think before you dash across five lanes of traffic to get a latte. Or before you tell your boss that you can get through all that paperwork by 5 p.m. in order to pick up the client at the airport and check out all the catering arrangements for dinner at 8.

Over the weekend, Mars and the Sun both aspect Chiron. Normally, I would issue a cautionary note about this, but since we have to look at the chart as a whole, this is really about a Sun-Mars combination aspecting Neptune & Co. On the whole, I think this is conducive to deep healing that will clear the way for a leap in spiritual growth. But, as with all healing, sometimes you have to reopen a wound first, and Mars trine Chiron could do that. I don’t think it will be extremely painful, though, and the post-op recovery should go very fast.

Looking at the lunar cycle this week, we start out with the Moon in impulsive Aries, adding a bit of impatience to Monday’s Mars-Saturn square. Stifle the urge to do anything rash. By Wednesday, when the Moon enters Taurus, you’ll wonder why you were so irritated. The Moon squares Neptune & Co. all day Thursday, sending us a little reminder that we’re still wounded in some way. Many of us will say to that, “Thank you very much for telling me what I already know.”

On Friday and Saturday, the Moon is in Gemini, where she’ll conjoin Mars and amplify his trine to Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune. Again, I see this is as a healing balm, and since Gemini is an air sign, this combination of planets is conducive to greater understanding of what ails us. If you’re not yet aware of the repeat patterns in your life, spend some time alone this weekend in quiet meditation. For those who are having repeated “failures” in love, think about how each successive relationship contained the same pattern. Likewise, if you’ve had similar experiences every time you get a new job, think about the pattern and see if you can detect its underlying source.

We’re on a fast track of expanded consciousness, and part of the process may be tearing down and reconstructing. That’s actually more Plutonian than anything happening this week, but it all goes into the same pot.

Wishing you all much love and courage,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Bridge repair. Washington State Department of Transportation workers repair a bridge over the Naches River after a collision. I like the symbolism here. Repairing internal structures after a collision. The delays and stops in traffic during repair. Bridges as our means of connection and communication. I’m sure you can think of more metaphors. Photo courtesy WSDOT.