Tag Archives: Chiron

Saturday Extra!Random Musing

We 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,

Pat

Full Moon in Sagittarius, June 7, 2009

The Full Moon in Sagittarius on June 7 makes a mutable T-square with Saturn in Virgo, reminding us to make sure our thoughts (Sun in Gemini) and ideals (Moon in Sagittarius) are in line with what is going on in the real world (Saturn).

This is a good time to review the ease with which we as astrologers slip into attaching values to certain aspects, i.e. squares are “bad” and trines are “good.” I know I benefit greatly from a natal Sun-Saturn square, because it helps keep my Sun-Uranus trine grounded. Hard aspects, like pain, get our attention and tell us to pull our hand off the hot stove.

During those times when the sky is full of trines and sextiles, it is very easy to be grasshoppers and not ants. Saturn in Virgo has been excellent at reminding us how valuable those ants are. Personally, I see a need for recognizing and accepting boundaries and limitations as stepping stones on the path rather than obstacles.

Another square reminding us to keep our feet planted in the dirt is Mercury in earthy Taurus square Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron closely conjoined in airy Aquarius. Since Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo, we are being called to pay close attention to our thought patterns. Between the mutable T-square and this fixed square, we are very likely to be called on instances of sloppy thinking. So remember to take your time and make sure all of your facts are in order, every document has been proofread by someone else, and your due dates are double-checked. Saturn is not called the lord of karma for nothing. We could set ourselves up for instant unpleasant karma if we aren’t careful!

By this time both Mars and Venus are together in Taurus trine Pluto in Capricorn, inviting exploration of our passions and sensuality. From now until Venus exactly conjoins Mars on the summer solstice, June 21, is a great time to celebrate life through the physical senses. This can be anything from enjoying the warmth of the sun on our skin, spending time with a lover, or going deeper into our understanding of the cycle of death and rebirth. It is definitely a time to consciously slow down and appreciate rather than rushing full-tilt ahead.

The Sabian symbol for the Sun at 18 Gemini is, “Two Chinese men converse in their native tongue in an American city,” with the keyword INSULATION. Finding a likeminded person to share thoughts and ideas with is always a treat, especially under circumstances where we least expect it. This is an expression of the mutual reception of Uranus in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius, now exactly semi-sextile as well. The internet serves as the medium for many such conversations in this day and age.

For the Moon in Sagittarius, the Sabian symbol is, “Children play on the beach, their heads protected by sunbonnets,” with the keyword PROTECTIVENESS. What is preferable, being sheltered and protected to preserve our innocence? Or seeking to know the truth, no matter how painful it might be? I know what my choice would be, and that is to know the truth. As long as Neptune and Jupiter are traveling with Chiron, we will be reminded again and again that in order to heal our wounds we must be prepared to settle for nothing less than all the facts. No pretty sunbonnets to shield our eyes from the light.

By September 4, when we have another lunation in the mutable signs with the Full Moon in Pisces, Saturn and Uranus will be almost exactly opposite each other again. The wakeup call we are getting now is telling us to stay focused and on task despite the lofty promises of Neptune & Co. I will be spending many hours between now and then doing “ant” type things such as harvesting and preserving fruits and vegetables from our garden. Saturn repays our willingness to do the work now, putting off playtime until after we’re done. And it doesn’t give us A’s for effort . . . only results.

posted by Neith . . .

**Please read Pat’s weekly forecast for this week, June 1, for her thoughts about what’s happening in the sky.

Image: When I saw this photo of the boat with the full moon, all I could think about was sailing away to distant shores . . . every Sagittarius’s dream.

Weekly Forecast May 25: Jupiter Conjunct Neptune, Mercury Direct

BREAKTHROUGH 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,
Pat

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.

New Moon in Gemini, May 24, 2009

New Moon in Gemini Although the New Moon in Mercury-ruled Gemini is always a good time to work on our communication skills, this particular one focuses more attention than usual on the fastest-moving planet.

As of the New Moon, Mercury is still retrograde in Taurus but is less than a week from stationing direct. Those of us who prefer to take our time with the decision-making process are far less likely to be frustrated than the serious multi-tasker who depends on a variety of fancy technological devices to connect with their peers. Keep in mind that slow can be good and far less stressful.

Mercury is squaring the triple conjunction of Chiron, Jupiter, and Neptune in Aquarius. What this configuration says to me is pay special attention not only to what you are saying, but also to your listening skills. Jupiter and Neptune together can be idealistic to the point of insanity, and it is very easy to put our personal spin on what we hear and conveniently forget the rest of the message — you know, the part where Chiron tells us how much it’s going to hurt when the bandage is ripped off. This square also highlights the differences between our personal values (Taurus) and the dreams of the collective (Aquarius), thus opening the door to reconciling those conflicting goals, but this will take serious effort.

The bright spot for Mercury is the sextile with Uranus in Pisces, supporting compassionate and original thinking. This is the second pass of a three-part sextile. The first happened at the New Moon in Taurus on April 24, while the third and final pass will occur on June 9, just after the Full Moon in Sagittarius. The final sextile will coincide with Mercury’s return to the degree at which it went retrograde, and we will have an opportunity to start applying our ideas at that time.

Pluto in Capricorn is inconjunct this New Moon, presenting an interesting set of challenges. Gemini and Capricorn really don’t have much common ground, to put it mildly. Gemini loves to dart around collecting bits and pieces of information to play with, while Saturn-ruled Capricorn wants its data organized, with an emphasis on practical application. This aspect reinforces the same differences between the personal and the collective as Mercury in Taurus square Neptune & Co., and in a dissonant way. As much as we would like to ignore the larger universe at times, I doubt if we will be allowed to.

Venus and Mars are both still in Aries but are no longer traveling quite so close together. The only aspect Venus makes is another of those pesky inconjuncts to Saturn in Virgo, and I can hear the whining already. Just about the time Venus thinks she’s going to able to go and have some fun, Saturn will nag her about taking care of unfinished business first.

Mars in sextile to Neptune & Co. is easier to deal with, as it provides energy and enthusiasm to follow your dreams. Interestingly, Mars falls on the midpoint of the sextile between Mercury and Uranus, helping fuel manifestation of your brilliant ideas. Keep in mind the need for practicality, though.

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon at 4 Gemini is, “Holly and mistletoe reawaken old memories of Christmas,” with the keyword RITUALIZATION. This represents a gentler way of looking at the richness of traditions (Capricorn) with a childlike delight (Gemini) in them. Perhaps we all need to take a moment to view our lives with a childlike sense of wonder.

As a Libra person, I am very aware of maintaining a sense of balance and proportion, so I feel it is very important to make reality checks a part of our lives now. The triple conjunction of Neptune & Co. can bring new and delightful possibilities, but my gut instinct says double-check all the facts before signing up for the magical mystery tour. If it looks too good to be true, it is. This is the perfect time to practice forgiving ourselves and others, too.

posted by Neith . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

Weekly Forecast March 2: Venus Retrograde

Two major themes run concurrently through this week, which I’m sorry to say may be trying for many of you but productive as well, especially if you work with these energies instead of fighting them.

Venus slows to a station this week as she prepares to turn retrograde on Friday. Venus isn’t at her best in Aries to start with, and her power to attract will be impaired during her retrograde period, which lasts until April 17. Along her retrograde path, she’ll go back into Pisces for a bit, where she’ll meet up with Mars next month in what I hope will be a happy ending for all of us.

In the meantime, what (and who) you want may require some rethinking. How many times have you caught yourself striving blindly toward some goal or desire, not stopping to think about whether it’s good for you or even what you really want? As with so many other dilemmas, knowing yourself is key. Venus in Aries is perfect for focusing on yourself, so work it to the hilt for the next five weeks and watch for solutions to your thorny dilemmas to start presenting themselves.

Throughout the week, Mercury, Mars, Chiron, and Neptune fuse into a powerful current of healing energy. Mercury in Aquarius generates inspiration and innovative ideas. With Chiron in the mix, you may need a painful experience to call your attention to the source of a problem. As much as we might wish it weren’t so, we humans generally don’t stretch and grow when life is easy. It takes a challenge to get us to rise up to our potential.

Neptune’s role here is to bring out our highest ideals and to get us to think beyond ourselves. That doesn’t mean putting everyone before yourself, but to start practicing enlightened self-interest. A small example of this might be changing your food-buying habits to include more sustainably grown products. Action-oriented Mars provides the physical motivation.

Now, it’s true that Mars and Neptune generally don’t get along very well. That’s because Mars is all about ego — “me first” — whereas Neptune is about merging into the One, which requires losing the ego. This tug-of-war normally might be unproductive and even disruptive, but since Aquarius is the sign of the collective and humanitarian causes, I think Mars will come through as a defender of higher ideals.

Indeed I see a real possibility that this four-way conjunction will bring more people into the sphere of enlightened self-interest, and that in turn could have far-reaching implications for the planet. One way I see this energy manifesting is in the recent announcement that several labor unions (ruled by Aquarius) are in negotiations to heal a four-year rift and reunify into a potentially more powerful voice for workers. Of course, the corruption in trade unions is legendary, and this is a perfect expression of the dual nature of Neptune. The new organization can use its increased power either to improve the lives of working people or to consolidate more money and influence in the hands of the union bosses. Enlightened executives will know that their wealth and happiness depends on unerringly dedicating themselves to the good of the collective.

After he’s finished playing negotiator, Mercury leaves Aquarius on Sunday and enters dreamy Pisces. Depending on where you have Pisces in your chart, you might notice a sudden fogginess in your thinking. Shortly after that transit, the Sun in Pisces opposes Saturn in Virgo, pitting the need for creative self-expression against forces concerned only with whether the job gets done, in the fastest and cheapest way possible.

The Sun’s opposition to Saturn also is the opening salvo in a highly charged Full Moon on Tuesday, March 10 (March 11 in the Eastern Hemisphere). Neith will have more on Saturday, so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, Sunday is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time in the United States. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward!

Love and light to all …
Pat

Image: A Study in March, by Maxfield Parrish. Spring is just around the corner!

Ask Real Astrologers: A Direct Hit from Neptune-Jupiter

This week’s question comes from Jan in Brisbane, Australia:

The triple conjunction of Chiron, Jupiter, and Neptune is happening on my Ascendant at 25 degrees Aquarius. What do I need to do?

Pat’s response:

This is a great question, Jan, as it allows us to talk a little bit about this year’s Jupiter-Neptune conjunction. The Saturn-Uranus opposition has been getting all the press, but this very important conjunction — which, as you note, also includes Chiron — has some serious implications, and with your Ascendant at the hub of the activity, you are going to witness the effects firsthand.

Like most outer transits, this one will have three parts. The first pass occurs on May 27 at 26 degrees Aquarius. The second falls on July 10 at 25 degrees, and the third and final pass is on December 21, the Winter Solstice, at 24 degrees. The first conjunction occurs just as Neptune and Chiron are turning retrograde, making this conjunction all the more powerful and far-reaching. The second two passes occur with the Moon also in conjunction, so their energies will be further amplified as well.

How this conjunction will affect individuals depends on where it falls in their charts and whether it forms aspects with key natal planets. In your case, I see no cause for concern and every reason to be hopeful. I’ve written a lot about the conjunction of Neptune and Chiron being a powerful healing agent, both for individuals and the collective. Jupiter’s energy promotes expansion and growth, so we can expect that deep healing will lead to personal growth. In your case, there even may be opportunities to help others heal and grow.

I see two ways that you can take advantage of the positive side of this conjunction. First, if you have any unresolved issues from childhood or from your family’s past (we do carry these in our energy field), you can work on them during this time with a minimum of disruption. Those of you who have undertaken deep healing work know that it can interfere with your normal day-to-day activities. I see less chance of this happening with Jupiter in the mix.

Second, this is an ideal time to help others. If you are in a healing profession, you could have an extraordinary influence on your patients or clients. If you aren’t in a healing profession, find some way to do community service work. This could be anything from donating food or time to organizations that help the poor, to tutoring students who are behind in their studies. Or, find some other way to use your skills and talents to help others along.

This also is a great time to study astrology and other metaphysical subjects. Just take care that you don’t get involved with any groups that promise results such as money and love without having to do anything to earn it. Sitting on the couch visualizing money won’t cause any great harm to anyone in the long run, but it would be an unfortunate waste of the good you can do with this powerful energy that will be channeled directly into you.

Stay in touch and keep us posted!

Neith’s response:

Hi Jan, what I see as the greatest challenge with this transit is keeping some perspective because Jupiter is likely to inflate Neptune’s wonderful ideas for the betterment of all, and your Taurus Sun likes consistency with solid, well thought out plans.

Neptune transits to the Ascendant can be tricky to navigate due to a lack of clarity about how others see us, and how we see others. Projections and expectations can crop up unexpectedly and leave all parties shaking their heads and wondering what the heck just happened. Frankly I don’t believe Jupiter will be of much help with these issues and may even add to them. I’m of a mind Jupiter acts more as an amplifier than as a beneficent.

Chiron’s role here may have to do with bringing to the forefront the uncomfortable differences between who you are at home (your Taurus Sun in the fourth house) and the way others see you out in the world (Aquarius rising). Once those issues are highlighted, then healing is possible. You have already experienced your Chiron return, and during July 2009 when Chiron is conjunct your Ascendant, Venus will be conjunct your Chiron by transit – sounds favorable to me!

As someone with a preponderance of earth and water, Jan, staying calm and focused in the moment may be the ticket. The rulers of your Ascendant and your fourth house, Uranus and the Moon, are trine in earth signs giving you a natural sense of how to handle the unexpected.

Hey, please let us know how this transit goes for you! We always love feedback on the real world events in people’s lives because that is how we all learn more about the inner workings of astrology.

Good luck!

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. Reminder: Please tell us where you’re currently located!

Weekly Forecast February 9: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Leo

Penumbral eclipse of March 14, 2006. Photo by Tom J. Martinez of Cleveland, MO.

No, it wasn’t the most heart-stopping event, and if you didn’t know there was an eclipse, you might not even have noticed. That’s the nature of a penumbral eclipse, in which the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow but is not hidden, as with total and partial eclipses.

My eyes popped open at 6:30 this morning, and I hobbled outside just in time to see a very dusky Full Moon through the trees, about to set behind the Olympics. Not long afterward, the sky clouded up, so this was a rare treat indeed. It looked much like the lovely image here, of the penumbral eclipse in March 2006 (photo credit below). You can find more astronomical information — the scientific nuts and bolts — on NASA’s eclipse page.

Regardless of whether an eclipse is total or whether it’s visible where you are, it’s still astrologically significant. Not all astrologers agree with this, but from my own personal experience and from working with clients, I’ve observed that there are almost always developments in an individual’s life before or after an eclipse in a sensitive area of their chart.

Most of you probably have read Neith’s excellent Full Moon post, but in case you missed it, check it out now! As she noted, Monday’s eclipse falls at 21 degrees Leo, opposite the Sun and Chiron at 21 degrees Aquarius and Neptune just shy of 24 degrees Aquarius. This Full Moon brings to fruition projects started at the solar eclipse on January 26 or, in some cases, it brings events that began around that time to a head. It may take a few days for everything to fall into place, although it could be a month for some of you, as eclipses don’t always deliver results right away.

That said, I do believe we’re in for a lot of action and more than a little mayhem this week, as a cosmic dam of sorts finally bursts. It had been held back at the New Moon by retrograde Mercury and Mars in Capricorn. Mercury is now moving forward again and returns to Aquarius on Saturday, which also happens to be Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile, Mars has entered Aquarius and is inching ever closer to conjunction with Jupiter next week.

I’ve written a lot here and on my personal blog, The Pisces Chronicles, about old wounds that are healing, individually and collectively. Pay attention this week to how healing may be happening for you. In my case, I recently experienced a new injury, not related to any existing physical or emotional wounds, but I am seeing that the remedies for the back injury are spilling over into general healing as well. I’ll write more about this as developments arise and I gain some clarity as to the overall direction and meaning.

On Wednesday, the Moon conjoins Saturn in Virgo and opposes Uranus in Pisces. Saturn is the traditional ruler of Aquarius and still is considered its co-ruler by many modern astrologers. Pisces, meanwhile, is co-ruled by Neptune and Jupiter, both of which are in Aquarius. So you can see how all of this Aquarius energy is being amplified on one hand but constricted on the other. Wherever Uranus is transiting your chart is where you are being urged to be more authentically yourself, while Saturn’s position indicates where you may be limited in some way, perhaps due to practical considerations, pressure to “play by the rules,” or fear of trying something totally new and different.

The Sun conjoins Neptune on Thursday, raising the possibility of confusion, delusion, and foggy thinking. However, there’s also a positive, idealistic side to Neptune, and I’m betting that this mood will prevail. Sure, Aquarius can be naively idealistic, but it’s also a rational, intellectual sign. We might even find some creative solutions to thorny problems if we tune in to this higher frequency.

Ideas and innovative solutions get still another power surge when Mercury re-enters Aquarius on Saturday. There’s a continuum here; you may notice that an idea or project that began in early January and then got delayed is not only back on track, but better than ever.

As for Valentine’s Day, Saturday’s aspects aren’t the most romantic, with Venus in me-first Aries and Mars in commitment-phobic Aquarius. It doesn’t take an astrologer to predict how that energy mix could send a lot of dates south. The Moon in Scorpio squares Mars later in the day (Sunday in the Eastern Hemisphere), adding to the potential for arguments or, more likely, passive-aggressive behavior. I don’t think I need to lecture any of you on what not to do!

Much love to all…
Pat

Weekly Forecast October 20: Sun in Scorpio, Chiron Direct

The Sun enters Scorpio this week, heralding the time of year (in the Northern Hemisphere) when we turn inward and start thinking about the long winter nights ahead. At the same time, Chiron goes direct this week, just as Mercury is forming a trine, the third and final pass in a three-part transit resulting from Mercury’s recent retrograde. (Post continued below.)

Jason and his Teacher, by Maxfield Parrish

First, let’s look at the Sun’s entry into Scorpio on Wednesday. With Mars and Venus ahead of the Sun, we’ve already had a good dose of Scorpion energy over the past few weeks. Venus moved on into Sagittarius last week, but Mars remains in Scorpio until November 16. Mars is the traditional ruler of Scorpio, which is ruled by Pluto in modern astrology, but the Warrior is still potent here.

Both Mars and the Sun are ego-affirming bodies, and in Scorpio, they will go after what they want without apology. This isn’t a bad thing, especially for those of us who either have been taught to defer to others or who believe that the Universe, God, Spirit, Source, or some mysterious higher power will provide for us. How far would über-Scorpion Bill Gates have gotten if he had entrusted his garage business to the Source?

Most of us aren’t comfortable in such ruthless shoes, and yet we don’t like not getting what we want, either. Scorpio is often described as a sign of tests and challenges. When we go after what we want, we typically meet with obstacles, as though someone is asking us, “How bad do you want it?” As the Sun moves through Scorpio, we’ll find out…

Chiron turns direct on Saturday and is stationed direct on Sunday when the trine by Mercury is exact. I’ve written here and on The Pisces Chronicles, my personal blog, about the significance of Chiron and Mercury, with the lunar North Node and Neptune in conjunction. Mercury, Chiron, and Neptune all went retrograde within hours of each other in late May. Mercury was in Gemini, in a close trine with Chiron, and now here they are again, in a trine as both go direct.

My take on this is that we have had a rare and precious opportunity over the summer to revisit old wounds, some of which go to our very foundations, perhaps even carried with us into this incarnation. In some cases, we have had to relive those old wounds, and now we have a chance to move forward with the next step in our healing. If your issues are with another person, this weekend will be a good time to talk through where you’ve been and where you want to go from here. Or, it simply may be time to move on in your own mind.

Do keep in mind that Mars will square Chiron next Monday (October 27), and you could feel the effects of salt rubbed into those wounds. If you’re still open and raw, this will be a test for you. If you’ve done a good bit of healing over the summer, you may be surprised by how well you can take a hit and not be fazed.

Also on Sunday, Mercury squares Jupiter in Capricorn, which likewise is a third pass in a three-part aspect. This is good for long-range planning and also for correcting errors in your thinking. After all, what we believe does affect our external circumstances.

Much love and courage to all,
Pat

Image: Jason and his Teacher, by Maxfield Parrish, 1908. In classical mythology, Chiron was the wounded healer who mentored gods and heroes, including Apollo, Achilles, and Jason.

Saturday Archives: Healing in the Now

What we bring with us from past lives is a big topic in spiritual circles. As astrologers, we often look to the lunar South Node and the fourth and twelfth houses for clues about what may have happened to us in previous incarnations and how that may be affecting us in our current tour of duty on the physical plane.

I don’t believe in past lives per se. I believe that we have an energy imprint, and that while this imprint is not uniquely our own, the way it manifests as an individual human incarnation is unique. This may seem like splitting hairs, but it’s an important distinction, because it recognizes the underlying energy (spirit) and means that through conscious awareness of this energy, we have the power to change not only our own karma, but the collective karma as well.

We have the power to heal.

A couple of years ago at a NORWAC conference, I met Kim Marie, a teacher of a relatively recent branch of astrology called evolutionary astrology, which is very much concerned with past lives. I owe to her the discovery that I was born four hours before Neptune went retrograde, which for evolutionary astrologers is a very big deal. I meditated on that concept for weeks before reaching the conclusion that it provided me a lifelong door to what’s beyond the physical plane. Indeed, my whole approach to astrology is based on observing how the invisible energies in the universe manifest on the physical plane.

In previous posts, I’ve written about the current series of eclipses in Leo and Aquarius and how the conjunction of Neptune, Chiron, and the North Node opened a pathway to deep healing. As I noted, this healing can include wounds we brought with us into this lifetime. Think about that for a moment. By healing your own deep wounds, you are in essence healing the “wounded” underlying energies of the universe.

One of the deepest wounds we face in our time is the split between the masculine and feminine. It is a deeply disturbed relationship, and I believe that the split happened several millennia ago. For us, it seems like forever, and we seem to take for granted that “that’s just the way it is.” I’ve lost count of the latest scientific studies “proving” why men want multiple sexual partners, why women cling, why women fall for jerks, and so forth. There’s nothing scientific about it, and it’s not a given. It is not what we are about, and it is not what we ultimately want.

But I digress. What I really want to say here is that we have the choice to heal, and there is no time like the present, with this astrological window wide open. We want to believe that we are somehow victims of “bad karma.” Well, each time we let an opportunity to heal pass — whether because it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient, or we’re afraid of change or afraid of whatever — we compound that wound, not only in our life and the life of anyone else involved, but the collective wound of humanity.

We desperately want to be whole (heal and whole come from the same root), we crave it. Make that leap of trust and faith. Choose to heal.

Wishing you much love and courage…

Posted by Pat

Image: Chiron and Achilles, by John Singer Sargent, c. 1925.

Weekly Forecast June 9: Pluto Back in Sagittarius, Friday the 13th

Twin Geminis Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen I’m feeling all jumbled up, and I’m getting reports that others are, too. It’s hard to maintain our balance when planetary energies are this chaotic.

The week starts out well enough, with Venus conjunct the Sun in Gemini. We feel the love and want to express it, but with Mercury retrograde, our attempts may be clumsy at best. At worst, they backfire, and the person on the receiving end may hear something quite different from what we intended.

The Moon in nitpicky Virgo won’t help. “You could stand to lose a few pounds, but I love you anyway” and similar backhanded compliments obviously aren’t going to go over very well. Resist the urge to be critical, and instead channel that Virgo attention to detail into getting your work week off to an organized start. You’ll be glad you did, especially if you’re on an emotional roller coaster.

Mercury just passed the halfway point through his retrograde cycle and, as Jeff Kishner noted on Astro-Twitter, it’s getting “suckier” by the day. Speaking of which, Twitter appears to have fixed everything but the flash badge, and we can’t get Astro-Twitter back up without it. I can still see your twitters, though, so go ahead and post. Ironically, Neith and I figured out that Twitter was launched during Mercury retrograde. No wonder they’re experiencing so many technical difficulties.

The Chiron/North Node/Neptune conjunction remains active, and this week it will be triggered by planets in Gemini. Self-image and ego both get a boost on Tuesday and Wednesday, when Venus and then the Sun trine Chiron. On Friday and Saturday, Venus and the Sun trine Neptune. Merging with a romantic partner is a powerful experience, and it will be even more positive if we go in with a good sense of who we are.

Friday is the 13th, of course, which is a little eerie, but only because we’re programmed that way. Friday is named for Venus – Freya in the Norse mythology for which our days of the week are named, and the number 13 was sacred in ancient Earth religions. Somehow, we’ve got to retrain ourselves to think of this day as exceptionally lucky!

Also on Friday, Pluto returns to Sagittarius, where he’ll stay until November 26. This is the biggest news of the week. Most people won’t feel this transit individually, but we’ll see the effects on a social and political level. Pluto’s entry into Capricorn in January brought some bad news, especially in global financial markets, and so we should get a brief reprieve, just in time for summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Neith and I both will be writing more about this on our blogs, Neith.net and The Pisces Chronicles.

Sunday is Father’s Day, and there is an intense buildup of energy as Mars conjoins the lunar South Node, exactly opposite Chiron and Neptune on the North Node. Mars rules cutting implements and surgery, and he also represents the universal masculine. Individually and collectively, it’s time to open up old wounds that are deeply embedded in our psyches and to allow toxic energy to drain out. Healing “father issues” could be a common theme.

I’ll have an in-depth post about this on PiChron in a few days for anyone who’s interested. Meanwhile, remember to breathe, and give yourself all the space you need to heal. If you need extra rest, take it and don’t agonize over what’s not getting done. It’ll still be there next week.

Love and blessings,
Pat

Remember, if you need help sorting through challenging life events, Neith and I are here to help. Check out our exclusive forecasts and synastry readings.

Image: Happy birthday to Gemini twins Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, who celebrate their 22nd birthday this Friday.

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