Category Archives: About astrology

Weekly Forecast June 15: Summer Solstice, Venus Conjunct Mars

summer-solstice-in-southern-hemisphere.jpgThis week begins with Jupiter at a dead stop as he shifts into retrograde mode, while Mercury returns to his home sign of Gemini and begins to pick up speed. The result could be the kind of agitation we feel when our minds are spinning out of control but we’re too tired to move a muscle.

I could barely get off the couch yesterday, except to bake a batch of oatmeal cookies. I could have eaten them all, but fortunately got sick after the second one. With Jupiter in the first house, just looking at a cookie will make you gain five pounds. A friend said it felt like her body had been “unplugged.”

Seriously, though, this means that Jupiter, Neptune, and Chiron are all retrograde until early November. Our healing processes will continue, but on a more subtle level. On one hand, we may be better able to go all the way back to the source of our wounds, thus allowing healing at a deeper level. Or, for some, there may be resistance to the initial wakeup call or escape into denial. I see that happening with a couple of people I know who have the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction in a sensitive place in their charts.

It’s safe to say that many of us are going to feel a little discombobulated this week. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but our minds and bodies may need a few days to adjust to the energy shift.

As for that “something big is coming” feeling, several of you left comments on my Saturday Extra! post saying you felt it, too, but your point is well-taken that we’ve heard this before, and nothing happened. With Jupiter now retrograde, I’m wondering how this unfold. Jupiter retrograde periods aren’t associated with the frustrations, delays, and relationship difficulties we tend to experience when Mercury or Venus are retrograde. It’s simply that the growth and expansion halt or slow down. If you’ve been in a period of sweeping change, the break might feel good. A pause may even be beneficial for those who are resisting growth. For some people, especially fixed signs, the more they feel pressured, the more they resist. If this sounds like you, the pressure is off now for several months, which should help you more easily assimilate new information.

We should know more on Wednesday about how retrograde Neptune & Co. is going to affect us, as the Sun will form an easygoing trine with all three planets in turn. If we need to assimilate new information, this will give us a boost, as the Sun can have broad-spectrum healing abilities. Perhaps this will manifest as a sudden awareness of what needs to heal and what we can do about it.

Of course, since Uranus is traveling in a semi-sextile with Neptune & Co., this also means that the Sun will square the Magician, and that could mean that awareness comes as a result of a disruption or upset.

I am happy to report that the rest of this week’s aspects are much lighter and happier. Mercury comes out of shadow on Tuesday and moves into new territory, so wherever he is in your chart, you may experience increased activity or communications. This past Mercury retrograde has got to be one of the weirdest I’ve ever experienced, so it will be interesting to see what happens next.

On Saturday (late Friday on the West Coast of the United States and later time zones), the Sun enters Cancer, which is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Whether you live north or south of the equator, the moment when the Sun stands still is a gateway to higher consciousness. The Sun rules the heart. Open yours and see what good things flow in.

On the same day, Venus conjoins Mars, their third and final meeting in less than a year. This time, they are in Taurus, which means they are in her territory. In relationships, love and desire prevail over lust and the need for conquest. With our hearts already opened to the energy of the solstice, I think this could be a day filled with magical memories for many of us.

Wishing you all open hearts brimming over with love,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: This magical photo was taken at last year’s Summer Solstice at the Kokino megalithic observatory in Macedonia. The observatory was discovered in 2001 and is estimated to be 3,800 years old. Photo by Ognen Teofilovski for REUTERS.

Saturday Extra! The Big Wait-and-See

Photo by Wong Maye-E for The Associated Press.As I sit down to write this morning, the Moon is exactly conjunct Chiron and Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius and moving toward conjunction with Jupiter. The feeling that “something big” is happening is very strong.

I’ve heard these words from several of my “plugged in” friends, and I’ve certainly had the feeling myself. Jupiter, of course, is Mr. Big, and he’s about to turn retrograde. Neptune and Chiron recently went into “reverse,” too, so we’re in a powerful time.

I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but the healing potential in the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction has been huge, and when we heal from the inside out, we begin to see corresponding changes in our external world. Bigger still, as more of us heal individually, we correct imbalances in the collective, and that makes our world a better place.

The only caution is that many people are just opening to this potential, and while they’re going through the initial shift, they are in internal chaos. If more people are at this level of consciousness, then I think the world could descend into extreme chaos before balance is restored. I have no idea what the numbers are.

What I’ve also observed is that people who are just opening up to this healing power initially resist. They either don’t trust it, or it feels scary and ominous. Sort of like a dog must feel going to the vet. He doesn’t know that it’s going to help him feel better. He just knows that the last time he went into that building, somebody did something to him that hurt, and his dog brain never put two and two together (there are lots of days when I feel like I have a dog brain!).

So this is a big wait-and-see. Unfortunately I’m not able to reveal any details here about what’s happening with me, but there is no doubt that it is really big. My life is changing. If any of you are observing shifts in your own lives or in the lives of those around you, please leave a comment.

Love and blessings to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Is it real or is it La-La Land? This furniture arrangement, called “Phantasy Landscape,” was designed by Verner Panton of Denmark for the National Museum of Singapore. Photo by Wong Maye-E for The Associated Press.

Ask Real Astrologers: Should I Fear the July 7 Eclipse?

This week’s question comes from Janet in New Jersey:

I’m afraid of what is going to happen at the next eclipse on July 7, 2009. I’m afraid I’m going to lose someone or that something bad might happen to me. My sister’s birth info is [info deleted for privacy] and she has some heavy aspects at the same time – something is definitely going to happen.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Janet, you aren’t alone in thinking of eclipses as ominous events. Although it is true that major developments often happen around eclipses, they are not always negative, and their impact depends on where they fall in your natal chart.

Before we get into the specifics, let me just say for those who don’t know that we are about to enter a new series of eclipses on July 7, when there will be a lunar eclipse in Capricorn. This will be followed by a solar eclipse in Cancer on July 21, and then another lunar eclipse on August 6, the last in the Aquarius-Leo series. Usually there are four eclipses in a year, but 2009 is an extremely rare six-eclipse year. This alone tells me that many of us are going to experience sweeping changes this year.

Because the first eclipse in the new Capricorn-Cancer series is a lunar eclipse, and because the following eclipse takes place at the 29th degree of Cancer, I think we may see some doors closing before new ones start to open. This can be uncomfortable, but it is not necessarily bad. And for some people, it simply may be leaving a job or geographical location to go somewhere else.

I do not see anything alarming in your chart, Janet, although this eclipse takes place exactly on your Vertex, which is one of the “destiny” points in a chart. So I think it’s fair to say that something major will happen. If you were single and looking, I might think that you were going to end one relationship and start a new one. If you want to know what all the possibilities are, I recommend getting a full reading with a professional astrologer (sorry to sound like a broken record here, but there’s only so much room in this column).

The new eclipse series falls in your sister’s sixth and twelfth houses. It does sometimes happen that when eclipses fall in these two sectors of the birth chart, a serious health problem comes to light. This is only one manifestation of a sixth-house eclipse, however. A thorough study of your sister’s chart (with her permission, of course) would help give you a better idea of the range of possibilities.

It would be nice if astrology could tell us exactly when bad things were going to happen to us and those we love, but unfortunately, it is just not that precise. So the best we can do is to go forward in confidence, as living in fear is not a positive or productive.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Janet, I agree with Pat on not seeing the eclipse on July 7 as aspecting your chart in a profound way. Generally speaking, a transiting planet has the greatest impact if it conjuncts an angle (Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven or Nadir) or one of our personal planets.

Transits to the Vertex often indicate an important shift in our lives but since the Vertex is a calculated point, its value depends on the accuracy of the birth data especially birth time. If you do experience some type of breakthrough in fifth house matters (creativity, love affairs, children), that would be a good reason to believe your Vertex is accurate.

It looks to me like the source of confusion for both you and your sister is Neptune & Co. This stellium in Aquarius is squaring your Mars in Taurus from the cusp of your seventh house, and her Mars-Jupiter conjunction in Taurus from her eighth house. Neptune transits to Mars are often experienced as draining our energy, and when we feel tired all the time it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Having just gone through this transit myself, I am very well acquainted with this phenomenon.

Please remember to give yourself credit for the good choices you’ve made in your life, too. If you have a favorite method of relaxation such as yoga, getting a soothing massage, or walking in a beautiful area, do so. There is a good reason I frequently suggest forgiving ourselves first and foremost too.

Best of luck to both of you.

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 June 8: Mercury Square Neptune

big-illusions.jpgWe begin this week in the wake of the Full Moon, and just as we start feeling our stomachs settle, Mercury squares Neptune & Co., forcing us to face any remaining fears.

If you are feeling the shift that has taken place, you also may feel the pace speeding up. Energy moves into matter in a set process, and I sense it happening, although so far I’m mostly seeing hints of results, but not much that is tangible.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been feeling old energy patterns clearing out. This may involve letting go of people, places, or possessions that are dear to us, which can be a painful process. The Full Moon is a good time for endings, so get rid of what no longer supports or feeds you, and clear that space for something or someone who does.

Venus is now in her own sign of Taurus, and on Monday she trines Pluto in Capricorn. Venus-Pluto contact can bring out jealousy and possessiveness, but trines are among the easiest aspects to deal with. In earth signs, the more sensual nature of this combination will be felt. You may have noticed it over the weekend.

Other than that, the rest of the week is mostly about the ongoing conjunction of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Mercury forms a square with all three, the third and final pass in a three-part aspect that began on April 25, before Mercury went retrograde. With the Messenger now direct and gathering speed, this square to Neptune & Co. should feel very different than the last two. If we’ve been operating without all the information we need, the facts finally will come to light. For some of us, the truth that emerges may be unpleasant or uncomfortable.

Still, there is a good chance that these new facts may just as easily liberate us, as Mercury also sextiles Uranus, the planet of freedom, which is in mutual reception with Neptune. For many people, holding onto a dream can become a burden. We also can cling to just plain wrong ideas about people and situations, which may in turn cause us to act in a way that isn’t consistent with reality. We may have to eat our words or apologize profusely, but once it’s over with, we’ll feel lighter.

The Moon enters Aquarius on Thursday and goes back over this same territory on Saturday. However, whereas Mercury is more rational and logical, the Moon looks through the lens of emotions. Thoughts and feelings are two different perspectives on the truth. Honor your own feelings and those of others.

My advice to myself during this internally turbulent period has been to remain as detached as possible from any particular outcome, and likewise not to fear a certain outcome. When we brace ourselves for being hurt, we close up our hearts and shut out the good that can come. Or we fail to see the blessings in disguise. Sometimes losing something turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to us.

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

Image: This mighty big illusion was created by the reflection in a window of a man passing a giraffe Lego sculpture in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Maya Hitij for The Associated Press.

Saturday Extra!Random Musing

susan-boyle-finals.jpgWe are going through an energy shift, there’s no doubt. Signs of the change stream in constantly. I thought I’d take this opportunity to share a few random thoughts and observations with you.

The predominant astrological signature for this shift is the conjunction of Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune, with Mercury in a square just as he’s coming out of retrograde. Chiron and Neptune have just turned retrograde. The ongoing mutual reception between Neptune and Uranus, with the latter moving toward a second opposition to Saturn later this year, tells us how there is connection between seemingly unrelated issues in our lives.

My take on all of this is that those of us whose wounds are near the surface and ready to clear out have been helped enormously by this healing window. I’ve heard several stories from friends and clients confirming this trend. Once this deep healing is assimilated, we will experience corresponding shifts in our external world.

For those who are only vaguely aware of the deep wounds or who are actively suppressing them, this is the wake-up call. The next Jupiter-Neptune conjunction may be the crisis, and then the final one hopefully will bring about the shift. Mercury’s square to Neptune & Co. is helping to identify the issues. This isn’t always pleasant, especially for people who don’t make the connection between what they’re carrying around with them and the situations they keep getting into. It’s really hard to process this without feeling guilt and blame.

As I was pondering this development, I read the news that Susan Boyle came in second in the final competition of the reality TV show Britain’s Got Talent. Part of Susan’s appeal was the idea that dreams can and do come true, even for people who don’t seem to have a snowball’s chance in hell. The day after her loss to a group of young male break dancers, headlines screamed about broken dreams. I didn’t see it that way.

In her exuberant audition, Susan said her dream was to become a professional singer. As a result of her overnight fame, she was hounded by the media, which led to a breakdown in her apparently fragile mental state. She was admitted the following day to an upscale mental health clinic in London, where hopefully she will be able to learn to cope with fame. She obviously is a sensitive person, and this means she will need to learn to protect herself, as many sensitive celebrities must do in order to keep their sanity. So, the way I see it, this is her opportunity to heal a very old wound, which in turn will help her realize her dream of earning a living with her angelic voice. The sad part is, her voice was not nearly as inspirational while she was under stress. What grabbed us in the first place was her singing directly from a pure heart, but the pressure she was under caused her heart to close, and we couldn’t feel that connection anymore.

Neptune and Jupiter together are about big dreams, but often we are blocked by something inside us. It could be a wound that we are not aware of, and most of the time, there’s an element of fear involved. Before we can move into the dream, we must overcome that fear.

For many of you, the wound and fear have to do with a love relationship. I’ve written a lot about this theme and about the connection between the Chiron-Neptune conjunction and healing our relationships. I’ve received some incredible e-mail over the past couple of weeks from people who are going through intense relationship healing. And just look at the comments on this blog over the past two weeks. I want you all to know that I am reading every word and in empathy with you all, as my own experiences are similar.

To those of you who are suffering in relationships, I want to throw the possibility out to you that the person who appears to be causing this reaction may have come into your life precisely to bring your deepest wound to the surface. To heal, we often have to re-open those old wounds. Emotionally, we often have to relive them. If someone has brought your wound to the surface, send up a note of gratitude to the universe, because you are blessed. The wounded energy can be released, freeing you of a load you’ve been carrying around for many years, perhaps all of your life. New patterns can now enter your existence.

I also want to second Mem’s comment this morning about what a supportive community this blog has become. That was always our intention, and we are grateful to all of you for making it so. When Mem and others are brave enough to talk openly of their fears, it creates an opening for healing.

Finally, I’d like to leave you with a song I heard on the radio the other day. I started laughing at the lyrics and went online to look them up. The song is called “Incomplete,” by Alanis Morissette. It seems like a fitting anthem for these astrological times.  (I tried to embed the video in this post, but for some reason WordPress doesn’t like it and keeps changing the code. So just click here for the video and lyrics. )

Much love and courage to you all,

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Ask Real Astrologers: Astrology Says I’m Doomed, Now What?

This week’s question comes from Ellie in the U.K.:

After a lifetime of terrible times and disappointments in love, I met someone wonderful. We have been together nearly a year and are very close, happy and there is a lot of laughter. I got worried because astrology seems to state that I’m just not supposed to have this sort of love in my life. So many aspects state that this currently lovely relationship is actually doomed. First, my Saturn in the seventh house is also in fall in Aries, I understand that to mean there will be no long-term happiness for me in relationships. In addition, my partner has Uranus in his Rising Sign Cancer, which I learn means he does not commit, has unstable emotions, and will eventually leave me out of boredom or need for freedom.

I’m determined not to make this a self-fulfilling prophecy but this all points to the fact that I’m probably setting myself up for the worst heartbreak of all time. This has really affected my feelings towards my partner who I love dearly because I’ve been through enough sadness already. Is there any hope? Can I change this at all?

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Ellie, first I’d like to note that your question was much longer, but we have to edit for length. Also, you did not provide your birth data, which we must have in order to answer questions. I would just like to ask everyone please to follow the instructions and provide your birth data and current location.

We decided to make an exception for your question because of the general concept you pose, which is that the astrological outlook for your love life appears to be unfavorable, and therefore you are depressed, even though you appear to have found a very nice relationship.

My advice to you is going to sound harsh, but I feel the need to make this point very strongly. If astrology is making you depressed, then you need to stop using this tool and find something else that works better for you.

Astrology is meant to be a tool for self-discovery and growth, and predictions are not hard and fast. There are always many possible outcomes. There are some things we can’t change, but just as we learn to live with certain genetic and environmental handicaps, we can work around our energetic makeup (which is what your natal chart describes). I like to use the metaphor of sailing. What you come into this world with corresponds to the boat. You put it out to sea and navigate according to the currents and weather conditions. If your boat is small and slow, you can still arrive at your goal, but it may take more skill and planning. In extreme cases, you may be limited in how far you can get with your particular boat, but even then, you aren’t doomed. Diana, the former Princess of Wales, wanted to be a ballet dancer, but she was too tall. Instead, she ended up becoming one of the most beloved and influential women in the world.

Usually, when a reader presents a complicated question such as yours, we recommend a complete reading with a skilled astrologer. However, going into a reading with this many preconceived notions would not be helpful or productive. My advice to you is just to enjoy your relationship and forget astrology for now. Once you feel solid ground under your feet, then if you wish to explore the various facets of your personality and relationship with this special man, you can give it another go.

I hope this doesn’t sound too critical. I just want you to have the best chance of success with your relationship possible.

Wishing you much love and courage.

Libra ponders . . .
Neith’s response:

Ellie, I have to say the first thing that came to mind after reading your plea for help was to wonder why are you going there? Is there some reason you believe you are not loveable? And if so, perhaps that is where you need to start.

Earlier this year I was talking with a very good Libra woman friend of mine who had started seeing a man who treated her with the appreciation and respect she deserved. She had spent many years in counseling to overcome a difficult childhood and is in the process of regaining her self-respect. She and her sweetheart ran into a typical communication glitch and it threw her. My question for her was similar to the one I have for you: “Why are you tearing yourself down and starting to sabotage your relationship? Don’t you realize you are a loveable person and it’s OK for you to be happy?” She agreed with me.

What you have run into with what you are reading about astrology is a very common experience. It takes an experienced astrologer to see the whole picture because taking aspects out of context can be very confusing and misleading. I agree with Pat about forgetting about the astrology and going back to enjoying your relationship with a man you obviously care for.

My suggestion would be to find an astrologer you trust to give you honest feedback and get a second opinion before throwing away what sounds like a great situation.

Good luck!

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 June 1: Venus Enters Taurus, Full Moon in Sagittarius

Darcy and LizzieAre we still on the same planet? This week has a very different feel to it.

To start with, Mercury is now direct. Even though he’s not moving very fast, his forward motion has a ripple effect on Saturn, who recently went direct in Mercury-ruled Virgo. In a way, it’s as though both of these planets have gone direct at the same time. This week, we should see movement on many fronts. Indeed, it may be faster than is comfortable, depending on where these two are transiting your chart.

As Mercury gathers speed this week, he’ll return to an exact square with Chiron and Neptune, the third and final pass of a three-part aspect. If you’ve been dealing with confusion, or if you’ve felt that someone was withholding important information from you, it should come out soon. Keep your antennae up, but be careful with things you pick up intuitively, as Neptune messes with that particular skill in us. We can feel things quite strongly, only to find out that we had our wires crossed big-time. Your intuition is a good guide, but wait to act on it until the hard facts surface.

Neptune and Chiron have just gone retrograde, so this is a particularly powerful time for messages of healing old wounds. I received several reports of people feeling lighter after last week. I certainly feel like my load has been lightened. With clearer channels, we can more directly and powerfully affect our external circumstances.

At the same time, we might feel a little lazier than usual, with Mars in Taurus. Maybe you’ve seen the bumper sticker slogan, “My get up and go got up and went.” Well, that pretty much describes Mars in Taurus. Many of us need a rest, though, so don’t fight it. Grab your remote and watch back-to-back reruns of your favorite television serial. For me, it will be the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. I’ve been known to watch all six episodes in a night!

Speaking of romantic relationships, this should be an interesting week, as Venus and Mars are in mutual reception. That means she’s in his sign, and he’s in hers. This is a rare opportunity to put yourself in the other’s shoes, which could go a long way toward healing rifts between you and a loved one. If you experience any major developments with a romantic partner, leave a comment here, as I’d love to have your feedback. And thank you, by the way, to everyone who shared their observations and experiences in last week’s forecast.

On Tuesday, Venus sextiles Chiron, Neptune, and Jupiter. This is such an easy aspect that it may go unnoticed for many of us. However, those of us who have been going through internal healing may notice some ripple effects in their relationships. Even subtle internal changes can significantly affect how we interact with others.

On Thursday, Mars trines Pluto, adding more fuel to our personal and collective transformation. This is a good time to examine your motivation, especially when it comes to others. It’s human nature to want to control the circumstances around us to some degree, but manipulating others to get what we want can backfire. Practice the fine art of being bonded to another person without being attached to any particular outcome.

On Friday, the Sun squares Saturn, and we may feel some tension for a day or two on either side. This aspect typically involves authority figures, such as your boss or parents. If you are the boss or a parent, you may be in a situation in which you have to exert your authority. If you must, be kind and be fair.

Venus enters Taurus on Saturday and begins winging her way toward her third conjunction with Mars in less than a year. This one is going to be very different than the others, and I think we all will be pleasantly surprised. Much of the tension we’ve been feeling in our romantic relationships should lighten up so that we can enjoy each other. As I see it, sensual pleasures are the reason we incarnate. I don’t know about you, but if it weren’t for sex and chocolate, I’d prefer staying in a disincarnate state in another part of the galaxy.

Sunday is the Full Moon in Sagittarius, and this should be a big one, with delayed results from the New Moon on May 24, while Mercury was retrograde. As usual, Neith will have a full report, so check back mid-week.

Wishing you all much love and courage,

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in the outstanding BBC production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I love this story as a metaphor for Venus and Mars in mutual reception. Then, I just plain love this story!

Ask Real Astrologers: Venus Needs Help!

This week’s question comes from Fumi in London, England:

I have the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction squaring my Venus/ Ascendant, whilst Uranus trines my Venus/Ascendant for the rest of 2009. I am quite confused as to how this is likely to play out. I also am dealing with the ongoing Pluto square to my natal Moon. I am hoping for a fresh and liberating start romantically (Uranus) but am weary of the Neptunian illusion that the square indicates.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Fumi, it is understandable that confusion reigns now, with Neptune & Co. sitting in your third house. Also, the sign on the cusp of your seventh house, Taurus, is ruled by Venus, and Neptune & Co. are creating a T-square with your Ascendant-Venus and transiting Mercury (retrograde for another day) conjunct your Descendant. This is not favorable for clear thinking about romance.

After Mercury makes the final square to Neptune on June 10, the Neptune fog will thin some, and Uranus will remain at 26° Pisces until the second week in August. The biggest drawback of Neptune squaring your Venus-Ascendant may not be your lack of clarity, but the expectations others are projecting on you. You can either forego romance this summer or relax and have fun with this.

Pluto in the second house squaring your Moon in the tenth has to be bringing into focus what is truly of value to you. Do you still enjoy your career? Does it bring you the emotional satisfaction it did initially? If not, are there changes you can make, even if it means living more frugally for awhile? Many times when we spend time making do with less, we find it is not the hardship we thought it would be.

Perhaps the best thing for all of us who have been struggling with Neptune & Co., including myself, is to look at the lighter side of things and to keep in mind that the fog will lift eventually.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Fumi, confusion is not always a bad thing! Or, as an old friend of mine used to say, “I don’t know” is a good place to be. How many people do you know who are quite sure of themselves … and wrong?

The key thing to remember about Neptune transits is that your ego boundaries are dissolved, and this is particularly true when Neptune squares your Ascendant. It’s also important to keep in mind that Neptune is traveling with Jupiter and Chiron — what Neith is referring to with her shorthand “Neptune & Co.” Chiron and Neptune together provide a powerful opening for healing deep and ancient wounds, while Jupiter amplifies this effect and helps us expand into greater spiritual awareness.

The combined effect for you and for many others will be to heal an internal wound that has made it hard for us to connect on a soul level with a romantic partner. There are many things that keep this from happening. Two of the biggest obstacles I see are attachment to a particular outcome and trying to control another person. It’s easy to fool ourselves into thinking that we aren’t controlling when we’re just doing so on a very subtle level.

Because you also have Uranus trine your Venus and Ascendant, a surprising new romance could come into your life, and this will be an opportunity for you to observe your behavior and response. I don’t believe it’s bad to become attached to someone; in fact, I totally disagree with this notion that we somehow can love with all our hearts and yet not be attached. Again, the key is to be bonded with that person and yet to resist controlling them or where the relationship goes. These are fear responses, and fear is the enemy of love.

This is not a personal judgment of you. To the contrary, I believe that we suffer from a collective wound in this regard, and I find it deeply gratifying that more and more people see it and want to work on it. Aquarius is the sign of the collective, and Neptune & Co. in Aquarius means that we have an unprecedented opportunity to do personal growth work that will have a huge impact on the collective. That is our mission, if we choose to accept it.

You, dear friend, are sitting in the catbird seat. I wish you much love and courage. Keep in touch with us, and let us know how it goes.

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 May 25: Jupiter Conjunct Neptune, Mercury Direct

air-castles-by-maxfield-parrish.jpgBREAKTHROUGH ALERT!

I have a feeling that, for many of us, life won’t be the same after this week. Maybe you have a sense of this already.

As the week begins, Mercury is still retrograde but is heading down the home stretch. He stations direct on Saturday (Sunday in the Eastern Hemisphere). In the meantime, we should start seeing the effects of the New Moon in Gemini, even though the results may be delayed by a week or so. Good news is always welcome.

On Tuesday, Mars in Aries forms a rapid-succession sextile with Chiron, Jupiter, and Neptune in Aquarius, providing still more fuel for this turbo-charged three-way conjunction. Mars in Aries is a strongly masculine force and represents action, initiative, and forging into new territory. In last week’s forecast, I wrote about the unprecedented healing potential of the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction. Mars helps you boldly go where few have gone before but where more and more of us are headed.

Jupiter conjoins Neptune on Wednesday, the first of a three-part conjunction that is one of the most significant astrological aspects of 2009. The next will occur on July 10, and the third and final pass takes place on December 21, Solstice Day. Typically, the first pass of a three-part aspect coincides with a new issue or set of circumstances in our lives. The tension builds at the second pass, and often we experience an obstacle or challenge. We find resolution at the third and final pass, or sometimes the problem simply fades away.

Stories from friends and clients tell me that we are going through a subtle but very powerful shift, and we have started seeing the signs of it over the past few months. Deep changes usually don’t happen without accompanying turmoil as our body/mind readjusts to accommodate the new information. I liken it to rearranging furniture. You tend to trip over it in the dark until you get used to where it is. Once that happens, you can relax into it and enjoy the new way of being.

Many of the stories I’m hearing have to do with relationships. I don’t know what made me do it, but I gave in to one of those cheesy ads for relationship help for women and ordered an e-book. I’m sending it back, but I’m not sorry I took the chance on it in the first place. There were a couple of good points about taking responsibility for your own baggage and not attempting to manipulate or control the other person — all advice that Neith and I give consistently.

What I didn’t like about it was the implication that women have to get themselves totally together, resolve all their issues and essentially heal themselves before they can expect to get and keep a man, and they shouldn’t expect any help from men. The author described how “most men” are wired emotionally, and I guess if I were a man, I’d be insulted. It was sad, really, and I was left wondering why a woman who had herself that together would even give this type of man a second thought. The kind of man who would interest her wouldn’t be so insecure as to need to keep her in a box with so many rules for acceptable dating behavior.

The fact is that both genders have deep wounds that go back to ancient times, and we need to help each other heal (regardless of your gender preference). Just as you have to jump into the water to learn to swim, you have to dive into the emotional messiness of a relationship to learn about yourself and your partner. The key, of course, is that you both have to be willing to go there. My best advice to anyone having relationship challenges is to talk to your partner and be very clear about whether he or she wants to do the work with you. If not, you can’t force it, or you risk deepening the wound, both yours and theirs.

On Friday, Neptune turns retrograde, with Chiron following on Saturday and Jupiter just a couple of weeks from turning retrograde. For the conjunction to happen while all the players are in slow motion makes it all the more powerful. We might actually be able to see what is happening rather than experiencing it as a big blur.

Mercury returns direct on Saturday as well, which I expect will unleash a torrent of delayed activity — if not this weekend, then next week.

Last but not least, Mars enters Taurus on Sunday, which means he will be in mutual reception with Venus for a week, until she enters her own sign. I like this configuration for working through relationship issues, especially between opposite sexes. She’s in his shoes, and he’s in hers. There’s no better way to understand another person.

Wishing you all hearts with wings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Air Castles, by Maxfield Parrish, 1903. Jupiter and Neptune may help us realize our dreams, but they might burst a few bubbles, too. It’s all part of the healing process.

Saturday Extra!When Life Hands You Lemons

Well, it’s not Hollywood calling, but we’ve received a Lemonade Award.

lemonadeaward.jpgI tried to figure out how this award originated and can’t seem to track it down. So it will have to remain a mystery. However, it is supposed to go to sites that show “great attitude and/or gratitude.” Neith is our local gratitude expert, while my expertise is in giving the Big Pitcher. Sometimes I have an attitude to go with it.

Part of the deal is that you have to nominate 10 sites to pass on the award to. Our nomination came from the mystery gal behind Out the Comet’s Ass. Now, I didn’t see anywhere in the rules where is says you can’t re-nominate the site that nominated you, so we are going to do so. There is no doubt that she would have been in our 10 picks anyway — Neith and I are in agreement on that — so to hell with the rules. We did find 10 nominees, though!

Here are our 10 picks:

1. Tseka ~ One Dance. Our dear friend, mentor, and an amazing artist. Please, if you haven’t checked out her galleries, go to her site. Unfortunately, despite the high quality of the images, you still don’t get the feeling of seeing her work in person. I have, and it has an energy that you feel in every cell of your body and every spark of your spirit. She also has started making gorgeous, reasonably priced talisman pendants. I predict that these are going to be the next big fashion trend.

2. Astrodispatch. Where would we be without Elsa’s daily astro-aggragate? She’s one of a kind.

3. Out the Comet’s Ass. She has more attitude than anyone we know, and she often is right on, in the most off-beat way. Of course this appeals to the Aquarius in me, but Neith loves her, too.

4. Julie Demboski’s Astrology. Always lots to chew on with some of the best insights into the asteroids around.

5. Astrotabletalk. Everyone loves Dharmaruci. And he’s a fellow Aquarius.

6. Ralfee Finn’s Weekly Frequency. I’ve been following Ralfee for years. She’s another Big Pitcher gal.

7. Astropol. Just what it sounds like. Astrologer Terry Lamb decided to blog on astrology and politics. Yay!

8. Love is stronger than pride. Devil Mood, author of this blog, has created a wonderful blend of images and words imbued with a deep love of music. She is also an astrologer.

9. Chrispito’s Astroturf. This is a very personal blog where Chrispito shares her thoughts, photos and images of her artwork in a real, honest way.

10. The Slow Cook. Last but certainly not least, I highly recommend The Slow Cook, hosted by master gardener Ed Bruske, whose urban garden is just a mile from Michelle Obama’s famous plot. This is one of the many blogs sprouting up around the slow food movement, a worldwide effort put fast food in its place. I don’t know how long it would take to grow the lemons to make lemonade, but you’ll sure have fun in the process, and isn’t that what life is all about? Caution: Reading this blog may make you fat. Check out his to-die-for bunless burger recipe.

The terms for the Award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Nominate your favorites and link to this post.

Much love to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat