Weekly Forecast March 8: Mars Direct

Judith and Holofernes by Franz von Stuck

Judith and Holofernes, by Franz von Stuck, 1927. This biblical story has been painted by many artists over the centuries. What could more perfectly depict Venus in Aries? Mars is even sleeping, which is how astrologers often describe retrograde planets.

Finally, Mars turns direct this week. It feels like he has been retrograde forever.

Actually, it’s only been since Dec. 20, but when the planet of anger and aggression is out of sorts, time has a way of dragging. I’ve had him in my seventh house all this time, and he returns direct just a degree shy of my Descendant. Needless to say, I’ve had some challenges in the relationship department.

Mars also rules physical energy, so many of you may be feeling tired and beaten down. The effects for you individually depend on where Mars is transiting your natal chart, which house he rules, and whether he’s making aspects to natal planets.

With Venus newly arrived in Mars-ruled Aries, we can expect some fireworks in our close relationships, especially romantic partnerships. Venus is in her detriment in Aries, but fortunately she’s in a lovely trine with Mars, and both make contact with stabilizing Saturn. This gives me hope that any arguments and temper tantrums that may erupt will lead to productive discussions about what we can do to improve relationships with our partners. After all, conflict is often just an indication of an imbalance that needs to be corrected, and Saturn in Libra, even retrograde, is good for this.

If you find yourself in these circumstances, the first half of the week will be the most active. Venus opposes Saturn on Tuesday, with the Moon in Saturn-ruled Capricorn throwing more cold water on feelings of love and affection. You may be able to see through to the source of the problem, but try not to be overwhelmed to the point that you want to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Mars turns direct on Wednesday. For a couple of days on either side, you may get absolutely nowhere. This could apply literally to your travels, or it could manifest as a conversation that keeps going ’round and ’round in a frustrating endless feedback loop. Should that happen to you, drop it and come back to the subject in a few days or, better still, a week. By that time, Mars will be creeping forward, and your discussion will be much more productive.

In the case of romantic partnerships, sexual fireworks will enter the picture, with Venus squaring Pluto on Thursday. This could complicate matters, or it could help resolve them. Many couples find their “solution” in the bedroom, and while Venus-Pluto aspects have a reputation for lust, they also carry the potential for a deep soul connection. Many times when we’re unhappy in a partnership, it’s because we lack the feeling of a strong connection. When it is restored, the relationship can move forward.

On Sunday, the Sun conjoins Mercury in Pisces, with the Moon in Pisces conjunct Jupiter. This is wonderful for sleeping in, resting, and connecting on deeper levels as we head into the New Moon in Pisces on Monday, March 15. For some, it will be a chance to find some much-needed quiet time and solitude. If you live in the United States, don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour!

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

Saturday Extra! Mars Retrograde and Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods. Photo courtesy official website.Back in mid-December, when Mars went retrograde in Leo, I had a discussion with a friend about how this might manifest in the collective. We agreed that we needed to watch the news headlines for big egos being brought down.

Mars is the quintessential ego planet and symbol of the universal masculine, and Leo is the sign of pride. It made sense that male pride would be wounded in some dramatic way with Mars retrograde in Leo, and we wondered whether there would be some accountability and perhaps, ultimately, deep healing.

U.S. President Obama, a Leo, certainly has had his share of humbling moments in the past few months. But no one has had a more dramatic public shaming than pro golfer Tiger Woods, who has been making news headlines since late November, when a minor car accident at his home in Florida led to a full-blown scandal involving the revelation of extramarital affairs with several women.

There are plenty of things going on in Tiger’s chart to suggest major challenges, especially involving his marriage. For starters — and this alone would account for just about all of his troubles — the past year’s Saturn-Uranus opposition has been taking place tightly conjunct his Ascendant and Descendant, the most important angles in the birth chart. When Saturn crosses the Ascendant, it can feel as though our lives are falling apart, especially if we have been ignoring deep personal issues and neglecting the well-being of our soul.

Mars has been transiting Tiger’s eleventh house, which rules the collective. On February 19, with Mars closing in on an exact conjunction with his natal Saturn at 1 degree Leo, he bit the bullet and issued a public apology. Opinion polls showed that most of the television-watching public believed he was sincere, but a majority said that if they were his wife, they wouldn’t forgive him.

The tabloids, of course, have been having a field day speculating on the response and inner turmoil of Tiger’s wife, Elin Nordegren, a former swimsuit model born in Sweden. By the way, they are both Capricorn, the sign of responsibility and obligation. Capricorns are noted for being able to endure pain and suffering in order to reach their lofty goals. On the downside, Capricorn can be entirely too fixated on material success, to the exclusion of spiritual growth.

There are times when our personal story is no longer our own, and I believe this to be the case for Tiger and Elin. Their personal relationship is making headlines not just because of the public fascination with lurid details, but because it is a story that everyone can identify with. And because this story is now deeply embedded in the collective, how the couple handles their problem holds great potential for healing a collective wound caused by the separation of the divine masculine and feminine. A public apology and a commitment to enter family therapy is a good start, and it’s entirely consistent with the energy of Mars retrograde in Leo.

It will be interesting to see what happens once Mars begins moving forward again, with Venus, symbol of the universal feminine, in Mars-ruled Aries. I have a feeling he’ll have to meet some personal demands, and he has a lot of work to do before he’s out of the woods. And, they are young (he’s 34 and she’s 30) and are surrounded by a lot of pressure to equate success with material possessions, when success as a couple depends on something entirely different.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Ask Real Astrologers: What Is My True Purpose in Life?

This week’s question comes from Helena in Florida:

I currently work in insurance, and the job is stable but dreadfully boring. I’m trying to figure out what my purpose is. Do I need to go back to school? I’d really love to study astrology, but the few astrologers I’ve spoken to say you can’t make a career out of it. I thought about psychology, but spending the next three years or longer in school seems daunting. I feel so impatient. Any advice?

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Helena, as you noted, transiting Pluto is sitting on your Ascendant, and Saturn is transiting your ninth house. You also have a very lovely trine from transiting Neptune and Chiron to your Midheaven, which is the cusp of the tenth house of career.

I love this combination for you and feel very positive that you will find the right career move very soon. Saturn transiting the ninth house is especially wonderful news. It means that you are moving toward a new career high. The next couple of years are ideal for going back to school, and while it might seem daunting to you now, there’s nothing like Saturn in the ninth house to bring you the discipline you need to get through.

That said, the square between transiting Pluto and Saturn does suggest challenges in finding the right career move, so it’s no surprise to hear that you are experiencing some uncertainty and confusion. Also, you are going to be heavily impacted by the cardinal energy that’s building over the next couple of years. At some point, the changes in your life may start snowballing out of control, taking you toward your new career faster than you may be prepared for.

In the meantime, my advice is to go with your heart, and the rest will follow. Your “boring” job may be just the ticket to allow you to pursue a career that, admittedly, is not going to rake in the bucks. You might want to check out Kepler College (www.kepler.edu), which is mostly an online program. There are other online astrology courses as well. If you view your day job as supporting your eventual move to a more fulfilling vocation, you may find it less of a drag.

Best of luck to you, and let us know how it goes.

Libra ponders . . .

Diane’s response:

Helena, with Jupiter in Scorpio natally in your tenth house, it is no surprise to see you working in the insurance business and doing very well, but all of us need to make a change once in awhile. Your natal stellium in Taurus is going to make sure if you do set off down a new path, you will have the wherewithal to do it.

I always like to look at the sign on the Midheaven and aspects to the ruler of the Midheaven in helping to determine the best fit for career choices. For you, this is Libra, which is ruled by Venus. Now your Venus is very happily placed in Taurus, closely conjunct your Mercury, Moon and Saturn, but this stellium is about a strong preference for staying with the known.

However, your Venus is also the apex of a Yod, or Finger of God, with Neptune in Sagittarius sextile Uranus in Libra as the base. This configuration might be the reason you are drawn to astrology, which is associated with Uranus. The conflict inherent in this particular Yod is between Taurus, who always prefers the status quo and its comforts with the outré, adventurous energy of the base planets and signs. Sagittarius is often found pursuing something new and different, especially in aspect to eclectic Uranus in Libra located in Sagittarius’ home base of the ninth house.

While Venus in Taurus enjoys working in the financial world, you may want to consider Libra vocations related to making life more beautiful in some way. Do you enjoy making improvements around your own home? Are you interested in designing gardens or home interiors to make other people’s lives richer through beauty?

Please remember you have a very strong emphasis in your chart on the fixed signs, so change of any kind is not exactly a walk in the park. Not only that, but earth is far and away the dominant element. Take your time and explore all your options carefully before initiating your next move, but once you have chosen your new course, jump right in. Fixed signs do best getting changes over as quickly as possible so they can settle into their new routines.

As Pat noted about your Saturn and Pluto transits, Helena, you are a good place to set your new course. Best of luck to you!

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Recommended Reading: A Love Alchemist’s Notebook

Love Alchemist's NotebookBy far the most frequent question astrologers get is about love, mostly from women who want to know when they will meet their soul mate and whether someone they just met is The One.

Some see this as a sad state of affairs. After all, we’re in the new millennium, and women should be seeking to fulfill their highest potential, right? Well, I love it when I get questions about love, because I know that love is hard work, and anyone, male or female, who seeks true love has taken the first step on the path to higher consciousness.

Jessica Shepherd gets it. In her first book, A Love Alchemist’s Notebook, she tells you how to do the work, and a lot more nicely than I generally do. That’s the difference between a self-described “pain-averse” Cancer and a give-it-to-me-straight Aquarius. If you need a little sugar coating to get you through love’s hard lessons, this book is for you.

Many of you already may know Jessica through her blog, Moonkissd. If so, you know that she’s a good astrologer, and that’s what makes this book different from other books on using the law of attraction to find your soul mate. Timing can make a big difference, and astrology is an invaluable tool in that regard. She also gives a comprehensible explanation of the Venus principle and tells you how to put your Venus sign to work for you. It’s a bit oversimplified, but a good start and right on the money.

Speaking of money, Jessica hints at the connection between finding love and attracting abundance in your life in general. It’s no coincidence that astrologers use Venus both as a love planet and as a major financial indicator.

That said, this isn’t really an astrology book. It’s more about manifesting what you want in life, and toward that end contains magic rituals and “love spells,” in the tradition of practical magick, for which the publisher, Llewellyn, is well-known. This is the fun side of doing the work, certainly more enjoyable than sitting in front of a blank journal confronting your Shadow and inner demons!

Overall, this book has a lot of heart, despite the inconsistent voice. Jessica is at her best when dispensing time-honored wisdom, not so good when she lapses into affectation and self-congratulation. But that’s easily forgiven in a first-time author, especially when she has so much to offer. I especially like her discussion of the difference between soul mates and “karmic mates” and her advice for exiting bad relationship karma.

You also have to get past the cover. It gives the impression that this is fluff, when in fact it’s a solid guide to doing the work necessary to get the kind of relationship you want. Then, the marketing people (who usually are responsible for book covers) know what sells, and if women who normally wouldn’t consider magic and astrology read even a few chapters of this book, the world will be a better place. It’s a welcome antidote to all that silliness of The Secret and a good introduction to the real principles of manifestation … starting with the one thing that millions of women most yearn for.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

A Love Alchemist’s Notebook: Magical Secrets for Drawing Your True Love into Your Life
By Jessica Shepherd
ISBN: 978-0-7387-1964-1
January 2010/Llewellyn Publications
US $17.95 CAN $20.95

Weekly Forecast March 1: Venus Trine Mars

Sunset in Pisces

Sunset in Pisces. A rare sunny day in February ends on the Washington Coast. Photo by James A. Weythman, all rights reserved.

This week is all about Venus … well, mostly about Venus. And that means love, desire, and what makes us happy will be major themes.

As the week begins, we’re still in the wake of Sunday’s Full Moon at 9 degrees Virgo, and the Moon has advanced into late Virgo, opposite Venus and Uranus in Pisces. Moon transits tend to be fleeting, and many of us may not notice them at all. Monday’s lunar transits may be an exception, however, thanks to the impending Venus-Uranus conjunction on Wednesday. Take note of developments in your love and social life on Monday, as you may get some advance news of what will happen when the love planet pairs up with the planet of surprises and sudden change.

Also on Monday, Mercury enters Pisces — great for creative work and leaps of the imagination, not so good for clear thinking and concise communications. On Monday and Tuesday, Mercury is at the apex of a Yod with Mars and Saturn, a position recently held by Venus, Jupiter, and the Sun. The difference this time is that Mars is stationing to return direct on March 10, and that makes him a more powerful influence. If your thinking is confused, if you don’t know where you’re headed or how to get there, you’re not alone. You may be forced this week to think out of the box in order to resolve a dispute or to find the solution to a problem that seems not to have one. Sometimes, all it takes is asking the right question.

Speaking of Mars, I’d like to point out that he is out of bounds until March 15. Planets are out of bounds when they travel north or south of the celestial latitude of the Sun at the solstices, and they tend to “misbehave,” just as the term suggests. The last time Mars was retrograde and out-of-bounds, a tiger leapt out of her cage at the San Francisco Zoo and mauled a young visitor to death before being shot and killed by zoo officials.

Obviously, conditions are different this time, but an out-of-bounds, stationing Mars should be handled with extreme care, especially in the sign of the Lion! Avoid provoking anyone, and stay out of harm’s way to the extent possible. Err on the side of caution and consideration.

On Wednesday, Venus meets up with Uranus, which for the most part should bring pleasant surprises. Any unpleasant fallout may be from our own failure to stay in touch with reality. Should a bit of luck come your way, jump on the opportunity, but spend the next week or so doing the math. Admittedly, this will be harder with Mercury in Pisces and Mars slowing down to a halt. Fortunately, we’ve got calculators.

On Sunday, Venus enters Aries, and it’s a whole different game. No longer warm, fuzzy, voluptuous, and chocolate-loving, the love goddess is demanding, hard-bodied, and very active. Right away, she forms a trine with Mars, just as he’s waking up out of a sound sleep. It’s kind of a reverse Sleeping Beauty story. Instead of the prince gently kissing the princess awake, the sleepy guy gets a whack on the head and an order to get his sorry ass out of bed.

I’m hoping this energy will propel couples everywhere to wake up and smell the coffee. Love doesn’t just “happen” all by itself. You have to work at it, and it takes two. Apologies and promises go only so far. At some point, words have to lead to action.

Speaking of all words and no action, Mercury conjoins Jupiter later in the day. If ever there was an aspect for solving all the world’s problems over a bottle of wine, this is it! If you do come up with some great ideas, write them down and come back to them later, after the glitter has settled. In the meantime, just enjoy the feeling.

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

Ask Real Astrologers: What Is the Significance of the Sun-Moon Midpoint in Synastry?

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

There does not appear to be much info on the Sun-Moon midpoint in synastry out there. My midpoint is conjunct his North Node, and this guy’s midpoint is conjunct my South Node. In addition, his midpoint is conjunct my Jupiter. We certainly have a strong connection and have been in “deep” contact for 18 months, but bizarrely have never met in person … I would be very interested to know what your take is on this.

Libra ponders . . .

Diane’s response:

Kerry, I tend to weight all the calculated points in the chart much less than the planets or the chart angles (Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven and Nadir) in synastry. Other calculated points used frequently in synastry are the Vertex and the Moon’s Nodes. They all can add depth to the interpretation, but not much more.

It is easy to see the attraction you have for each other, with his Sun in Gemini conjoined your Sun-Venus in Gemini in your seventh house. We always enjoy interacting with people whose Venus is conjunct our Sun. Plus, his Mars exactly conjunct your Ascendant is wonderfully energizing for you.

However, I highly recommend figuring out some way to meet and chat in person, because there is no substitute for face time in learning about another person. Remember, your Moon in Capricorn is closely square his Moon in Aries, meaning the two of you respond quite differently on an emotional, intuitive level. Fiery Aries is often in too big a hurry for reserved, careful Capricorn.

Uranus in Pisces will conjoin his North Node and your Sun-Moon midpoint from March 8 to March 24, and that’s about as powerful a transit as there is. Uranus is great for immediate results and should be good for illuminating this synastry aspect!

Let us know how this goes, Kerry, because know I’m curious about these aspects too.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Kerry, I always look at the Sun-Moon midpoint in synastry readings, as it can be a strong indicator of a close and long-lasting romantic relationship. However, there has to be a tight conjunction of one partner’s Sun-Moon midpoint and the other person’s Sun, Moon, Venus, or chart angles. It’s interesting that your Jupiter is conjunct his Sun-Moon midpoint, but I wouldn’t attribute your feeling of a deep connection to this.

Likewise, the lunar nodes can be powerful indicators of a karmic connection, but they also have to be closely conjunct a personal planet or chart angle to carry much weight. It’s certainly rare to see a double midpoint-node conjunction, but I wouldn’t consider it an indicator of a strong love match, although it does suggest some kind of karmic tie. That said, not all karmic connections are positive. Some of them fall into the “watch what you wish for” category.

There are a couple of big red flags in your synastry chart that are markers for obsession. Like Diane, I think you need to meet as soon as possible. Although many people these days are meeting via the Internet, many find, when they finally meet, that the fantasy was far better than the reality … not that this is necessarily bad. You may learn a great deal about yourself, and that will only increase your chances of finding someone who is perfect for you.

I have a special place in my heart for people who are searching for true love. I truly hope that you find it, Kerry, and thanks for writing.

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.” NEW: You can also use the drop-down menu above under “About Us” to get to the question form. THANKS!

Full Moon in Virgo, February 28, 2010

Jupiter conjoins the Sun in Pisces at 9° 58′ on the Full Moon February 28, encouraging everyone to think big and sending our imaginations into overdrive. We may all be very, very thankful for the Moon in pragmatic, well-grounded Virgo by the time the influence of this lunation passes.

The Sabian symbol for 10 Pisces fits quite well, “an aviator in the clouds.” Transcendence, peace and love are marvelous ideals, but even better if applied with large doses of common sense. Otherwise we risk being lost in the clouds.

We can draw on the duality of the Sabian symbol for the Moon at 10 Virgo, “two heads looking out and beyond the shadows,” for help. But here again there is a possibility of not seeing clearly, because Mercury, Virgo’s ruler, is in Aquarius, closely conjunct Neptune and Chiron. It will not be easy to find true perspective now, so we may be better served by writing down our best ideas to implement at a later date.

There is help available for those who wish to keep their feet firmly planted on terra firma in the form of Pluto in Capricorn. Pluto is sextile the Sun and trine the Moon, offering organizational skills and a willingness to explore all aspects, both dark and light, of any given situation or problem. In fact, the help Pluto offers can be invaluable for laying the groundwork for future projects, translating the heady atmosphere into concrete results over time.

Venus in Pisces is closing on a conjunction with Uranus in Pisces, which will be exact on March 3. Hang onto the remnants of your sanity, because this combo is perfect for “love at first sight” — or, more accurately in my opinion, lust at first sight, since genuine love tends to develop over time as we get to know and appreciate the other person. There will be even more illusions and expectations than usual hanging around on this Full Moon, because the Venus-Uranus conjunction is also semi-sextile Neptune, Pisces’ ruler. Makes me very glad to be old and very married . . . argh!

Keep in mind that Mars in Leo is slowing down in preparation to station direct on March 10, and frustration levels will be rising all over the place. Saturn in Libra, also retrograde, will offer assistance in managing increasing stress levels via a sextile to Mars. Please do your best to think before you launch attacks or get behind the wheel of your vehicle. Patience is needed over the next several weeks, and it is likely to be in short supply.

This lunation offers an interesting mix of pure, unadulterated romance and high-minded ideals, with an undertow of the deeply practical approach. My thought is this: It is a great opportunity to draw down creative inspiration and ideas and take plenty of notes for the future. Once the shine has worn off either your red-hot romance or that totally brilliant idea, then it will be possible to decide whether it is worth running with. In other words, enjoy the moment but don’t sign on the dotted line.

We need to practice patience, being kind to all we interact with and taking time to find beauty in our daily routines. Be well.

Libra always seeks balanceposted by Diane . . .

Image: Seeing the Full Moon against the trees is very appropriate for a Full Moon in tree loving Virgo.

Weekly Forecast February 22: Sun Conjunct Jupiter, Full Moon in Virgo

Pisces 'stellium'

Pisces 'stellium' and going for the gold. Goldfish in an aquarium at a market near Tehran, photo by Behrouz Mehri for Agence France-Presse.

The period between the New Moon on February 13 and the Full Moon on February 28 is an important one for our individual and collective healing.

Sorry if I sound like a broken record. Many people I know are doing deep healing work and, as a result, are entering new spiritual and emotional territory. It’s happening … quietly, in the background, without a lot of fanfare. But the implications are enormous, for us as individuals and for our collective society.

If you’re doing this kind of work, I know how hard it has been for you, and I know that you’ve felt like giving up many times. But I’m here to tell you to hang in there and keep working. It does appear that some rewards are on the way for your diligence.

Taking the week in order, the Sun sextiles Pluto on Tuesday, a positive aspect for getting to the source of problems in order to find real solutions. This applies especially to the collective, so watch the news headlines for breakthroughs in longstanding issues. It’s a good day for housecleaning, too, physically and emotionally. Having a clean environment supports our spiritual and emotional health. However, with Mars inconjunct both the Sun and Pluto, finding the energy to finish the job might be a challenge. Do as much as you can, do a little more beyond that, and then call it a day. If you’re embarking on a detox program, don’t be alarmed if you experience a severe energy drop.

The Moon is in her home sign of Cancer on Wednesday and Thursday. As long as Saturn and Pluto are in a square, the Moon in Cancer forms a brief cardinal T-square once a month. I wouldn’t consider this a big deal if it weren’t for the building cardinal energy this year, which will peak in July. Small changes mid-week may have deep long-term ramifications.

On Wednesday, the Moon trines the Pisces stellium of the Sun, Jupiter, and Venus, giving us a bit of sweetness and comfort. Just watch the calorie count, unless you’re one of those infuriating people who can inhale pizza and beer and not gain a pound.

The real action comes this weekend. On Saturday, Mercury conjoins Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius, all opposite the Moon in Leo. Healing often requires tears, and I suspect there will be a lot of weepy discussions and quiet grieving. You may need to set your ego aside more than once in order to break through to higher ground. This could pertain to your personal healing, or it may involve a relationship, your career, or something else you’ve been dealing with for the past several months. You probably won’t be at your most rational, and this is OK, provided you understand that.

Sunday is the Full Moon and the culmination of a process that began in earnest at the New Moon on February 14 but that has been ongoing for more than a year. I’d date it back to early February 2009, when there was a lunar eclipse opposite Neptune and Chiron.

As usual, Diane will have a complete report on the Full Moon, complete with Sabian symbols and her unique observations. Check back in a day or two.

In the meantime, wishing you all much love and courage,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Saturday Extra! Year of the Tiger

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Lanterns are the traditional decorations for the Chinese New Year. Also called the Spring Festival, the celebration goes on for two weeks and is marked by special foods, much as we celebrate the winter holidays. Photo by Alexander F. Yuan for The Associated Press.

With all the activity in the sky lately, I totally forgot about the Chinese New Year, which always begins at the New Moon in Aquarius.

As you probably know, this is the Year of the Tiger. In Chinese astrology, there are twelve signs, all animals. Each lunar year has an animal associated with it, along with one of five traditional Chinese elements. This year, the element is Metal.

What you may not know is that each of the Chinese animal signs has a counterpart in Western astrology. The Tiger is associated with Aquarius, and it’s no coincidence that traits associated with the Tiger mirror many of the characteristics of the Water Bearer. I’m not an expert in Chinese astrology. For the most part, I rely on Theodora Lau’s classic Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes. Here is what she says about the Metal Tiger:

He approaches his problems in a direct or even a radical way and is never in doubt about what he wants to accomplish. The problem is that he wants too much too soon. He tends to be overoptimistic about expected results.

When Metal is combined with his native lunar sign, it could produce a Tiger who is sudden, unorthodox and drastic in his actions. He is a person who is faithful only to himself and his desires, and doesn’t mind stepping on a few toes along the way. Easily stirred by both good and bad influences, this Tiger will tend to act independently, as he hates having to get permission for anything or having his freedom curtailed in any way.

The last time we had a year of the Metal Tiger was 1950. Among the events that year were the Korean War, construction of the hydrogen bomb, and the beginning of Sen. Joe McCarthy’s anti-communist witch hunts.

Tiger years traditionally are associated with social upheaval and sweeping change, events that Western astrologers associate with Uranus, the modern planetary ruler of Aquarius. Although Chinese astrologers don’t cast ingress charts as we do in the West, it’s interesting to note that the Year of the Tiger began with the New Moon conjunct Neptune and Chiron. I fervently hope that the sweeping changes we experience this year have to do with healing and connecting with others to help bring about much-needed changes on the planet. Of course, this may not be easy or comfortable.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Congratulations and be prosperous!)
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Can’t I Heal My Back Pain?

This week’s question comes from Wendy in Hobart, Australia:

Why can I not heal my chronic pain in my lower left side back? I have worked on this on all levels, spiritually, mentally and emotionally, for years.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

I can really sympathize with you, Wendy, as I injured my back a year ago, and I have chronic pain, a lot of it in the lower left side. In my case, however, the pain is directly related to an injury, which is different from chronic pain that persists for years.

Astrology is indeed a useful tool for dealing with this kind of pain, as it informs us of your energetic imprint and helps us detect where you may have built-in weaknesses. You didn’t give us a birth time, so I constructed a sunrise chart for you. This gives us an idea of planetary aspects but not house placements, which are very important in doing this kind of detective work. That said, a couple of things jump out at me in your chart.

First, you have a fixed T-square with Mars and Venus on one side, opposite Jupiter and the Moon, with Saturn and Pluto conjunct at the apex in Leo, which rules the heart and back. There are strong suggestions here of issues with mother and father. I know that sounds kind of Freudian and cliché, but our parents have such a huge impact on us, in ways we’re often unaware of, that many people do end up with lifelong issues as a result of their early childhood experience. Since you’ve already been doing emotional work, you’re probably aware of this.

Second, Mars currently is retrograde, and he’s sitting right on your natal Saturn-Pluto conjunction, which means he’s also activating your fixed T-square. If you’re having a major flare-up right now, it’s no surprise.

It’s beyond the scope of this column to explore all of the details. I strongly suggest that you find a good medical astrologer, who not only will dig more deeply into your chart, but who will help you find the best approach to heal. Bodies are different, and some respond better to certain treatments than others.

I literally feel your pain and wish you the best in finding relief.

Libra ponders . . .

Diane’s response:

Wendy, Pat covered the essentials for you, and I concur about consulting a good medical astrologer.

I would like to note a couple of other important aspects in your chart. One is an aspect to Mercury, the planet that rules your Gemini Sun, and the second is an aspect to your Sun itself.

Your Mercury is widely conjunct Uranus, gifting you with an exceptionally quick and agile mind. If you are used to being able to think your way around just about any problem, this is why. Pluto in Sagittarius opposed your Uranus and Mercury from sometime in 2004 until it moved into Capricorn in 2008 – a very important transit for you. Pluto transits have a way of making us review all sorts of uncomfortable issues in ourselves and our lives.

The second aspect is the natal trine between your Gemini Sun and Neptune in Libra. While this aspect is wonderful for any type of creative work, it also gives one a dislike for unpleasantness of any kind. Neptune in Libra is noted for choosing peace at any price . . . I know this, because my Libra Moon conjoins Neptune.

Sometimes hidden stressors are the source of physical aches and pains, and we are reluctant to acknowledge them, knowing how difficult they will be to deal with. As Saturn in Libra closes on your natal Neptune in Libra in September and October 2010, you may have opportunities to explore that possibility.

Best wishes on sorting this out, Wendy. Take advantage of Saturn’s transit through Libra over the year or so trine your Gemini planets and you may solve this yet!

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