Storm’s Blog

Jupiter conjunct Saturn in Aquarius — The King is Dead, Long Live the King!

So, one of my longtime readers recently contacted me. Like many people, 2020 has been a rather difficult year, and she is desperately trying to find meaning and understanding in the upheaval that has occurred in her life, and all of ours as well.

2020 can be divided into 3 parts: Winter Eclipse Season + Saturn-Pluto conjunction + Jupiter-Pluto conjunction, Summer Eclipse Season + Jupiter-Pluto conjunction, and then Mars Retrograde + Jupiter-Pluto conjunction + late Fall Eclipse Season that ends with the ultimate finale of Jupiter conjunct Saturn (that is a LOT of stuff for one year). I have written at length about Saturn conjunct Pluto in my monthly articles for Coventry Creations, and now is the time for me to write about Jupiter conjunct Saturn that occurs on December 21 in Aquarius.

I need to mention at the beginning of this article, that there is a tendency for us to look at these massive conjunctions and just make note of them as occurring on a certain date, and then just accept whatever happens is going to happen. We tend to then move onto what is next on the astrological horizon. However, these powerfully potent configurations are active for an entire cycle and in the case of Jupiter-Saturn, the cycle lasts for approximately 20 years. So, the opening square, the opposition, and the closing square all will trigger the original conjunction, just like the Quarter and Full Moons are part of the lunar cycle.

One of the challenges with major configurations is simply where to begin. Of course, the best way to understand any planetary conjunction is through amplification and normally I would begin with the mythology of Jupiter and Saturn (and I will get there), but first I would like to travel back in time to January 1961.

January 1961 was the beginning of a decade that addressed many issues including racial discrimination, sexual discrimination (gender and orientation), war protests over Vietnam, space exploration with the United States landing on the Moon, and a second wave of social entitlement programs during the Johnson administration. However, despite how socially altering were these issues, most of them coincided with the Uranus Pluto conjunction that occurred later in the decade, so it was the election of John F. Kennedy and his subsequent assassination that echoes the feeling tone of the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction that occurred on February 18, 1961 in Capricorn.

The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Capricorn is concerned with hierarchy and social standing. Capricorn naturally rules the 10^th house of the chart, which has a lot to say about our reputation and ‘designated lane in life’ as it does about our career. I don’t think that there is any image more glamorous to Capricorn as the symbolism of Camelot that emerged out of Kennedy’s tragic assassination.

I recently watched the film Jackie, which I highly recommend if you want an understanding of the social idealisms prevalent of the time. The film centers around Jackie’s obsession with the short term of the young President and his subsequent legacy after his death. Although Kennedy was not President long enough to enact numerous policies, and although many of his ideas were passed on to the Johnson administration (racial discrimination rights and social entitlements), the biggest event of his administration was the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Jackie Kennedy invited Life Magazine journalist, Theodore A White, to the Kennedy compound to be interviewed about her husband’s Presidency. It was during this interview that the former first lady said, “Don’t let it be forgot, that for one brief, shining moment there was Camelot.” It was this quote that she borrowed from the musical Camelot (a favorite of President Kennedy) that cleverly reimagined the first family as American Royalty and created a mystique out of the tragedy of his death that still exists today.

Curiously, the 1961 conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn was not the only time in American History when the President elected close to a conjunction of the two social planets died in office, although Kennedy’s and Lincoln’s are the most recognized. From the 1840 election and subsequent death of William Harrison to every Jupiter-Saturn President until Kennedy, died in office, this includes Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Harding, and Roosevelt. President Ronald Reagan and President George W. Bush both had assassination attempts, but neither died in office, and President-Elect Joseph Biden doesn’t take office until January 2021.

The symbolism of leaders dying in office is a symbol that goes back several millennia. In ancient astrology, the only planets that were known were the seven inner planets, so the conjunction of Jupiter-Saturn reflected a major event and often coincided with the death of the ruler (usually a king) and the installation (often a coronation) of someone new.

In the Jupiter Saturn Conference Lectures, Liz Greene had the following to say about this transfer of power:

“In historical terms, an interregnum is always accompanied by revolution and riots and conspiracies and general chaos, because all the social groups which have been repressed for so long go berserk. Armies go berserk, and every organization and structure feel as though its disintegrating, because the thing which has been restrained has broken down.” (pg. 192, CRCS)

Perhaps, we are witnessing an interregnum now as political factions around the world are more akin to the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s than groups with opposing views. Further, politicians have become as adept as celebrities in adapting “stan” culture and utilizing their base both productively and destructively.

After the conjunction of 1961, the next conjunction occurred three times in Libra in 1981. The sign of Libra is associated with relationships, all sorts, including relationships between business partners, countries, and even enemies. Further, the conjunction occurred with a Pluto copresence which was also shaking up our collective views of relationships.

The most significant relationships that occurred around the time of the conjunction was the marriages of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, and the fictional relationship of Luke Spencer (you can’t make this up) and Laura Webber on ABC’s General Hospital. Both weddings were viewed by millions and the envy of the world, but neither lasted despite their fairytale qualities. In the case of Charles and Diana, the marriage ended in divorce in 1996, and although Diana gave up her title of “Her Royal Highness”, she became a worldwide icon figure. As for Luke and Laura, well that’s television.

In worldly affairs, the 80’s saw a complete realignment of countries. After 20 years of a Cold War between The United States and the USSR, tensions began to simmer and ultimately towards the end of the decade they began to end. Additionally, as the Soviet Union began to fracture, we seen communism slowly wither and die throughout much of the world, and currently less than a handful of these countries remain.

Culturally, relationships throughout the 80’s and 90’s slowly began to change. Women began to enter the workforce at greater numbers and became less reliant on men for financial security. Divorce was no longer a ‘dirty word’ or a scandal as the dissolution of marriage became commonplace. Marriage equality also moved closer to becoming reality as LGBT activists ramped up equal rights in all relationships, not just heterosexual ones. And I can’t ignore the ‘self-help’ movement of the late 80’s that brought us terms such as codependency and love addiction. These terms became an active discussion in therapy offices and recovery from love obsessions became as popular as recovery from drugs and alcohol.

At the end of the 90’s, the computer industry led by Silicon Valley and the potential commercialization of the internet laid the seeds for the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction of 2000 in the sign of Taurus. The tech bubble had started to burst by May of 2000, but the themes of the conjunction – money, wealth, and acquiring resources – became noticeable. Throughout this Jupiter-Saturn cycle, ideologies such as the Law of Attraction and wealth workshops became more accessible to the common masses, and towards the middle of the cycle thousands of courses became available by internet gurus with offerings in entrepreneurship, buying and selling stocks and bonds, and how to leverage internet influence. Many websites, most notably Google (and its YouTube product) began to monetize, which created avenues for people with large enough platforms to make money and further grow their audience if they had some way to entertain their base.

Of course, Jupiter-Saturn in Taurus had its dark side.

In 2001, corporate giant Enron filed bankruptcy after investigators learned that it had cooked the books with fake revenue and reduced its liabilities by pushing debt to side companies, which resulted in inflated company stock value. Enron became the highest bankruptcy filing in US history and still experts have trouble understanding how exactly Enron ended up so out of control. Next up, in the summer of 2002, the United States federal government filed criminal charges against executives of WorldCom for accounting fraud for approximately 11 billion dollars. And, in 2007, the subprime mortgage scandal resulted in millions of people losing their entire life savings as banks across the United States began filing bankruptcy including Lehman Brothers.

In each of these cases, many individuals who had invested money in these companies lost everything. Retirement plans were wiped out. However, in many cases, even those convicted of multiple crimes, profited off their company’s demise. WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers drove himself to a Louisiana prison in a Mercedes, while many people that experienced great loss and economic hardship were at home feeding their families ramen noodles, hot dogs, and boxed macaroni and cheese.

Another notable side-effect of the conjunction in Taurus were the massive tax cuts during the Bush and Trump administrations. Corporations like Amazon, Netflix, General Motors, and Jet Blue Airways used tax loopholes and paid $0.00 in federal income tax, whereas the middle class was paying up to 33%. Income disparity became a frequent topic of protestors that spawned Operation Wall Street, as well as the candidacies of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. Democratic socialism became an increasingly popular ideal (especially with millennials) and the desire for universal healthcare, living wages, and climate control became hot button issues. Although many of these ideals have not yet become actualities, the seeds have been planted.

Now, before we get into the details of the upcoming conjunction Aquarius, it would be helpful to look at the planets Jupiter and Saturn.

Earlier, I discussed the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction coinciding with the death of the king, a crisis period (or as Liz Greene calls an interregnum), and the birth of the new king. This was a major part of the medieval astrological tradition, and they didn’t just decide this out of the blue, it was passed down from earlier astrological traditions and Greek and Roman mythology.

In myth, Kronos (Saturn) was the king of the Gods and he married his sister-wife Rhea. Kronos became the king when he defeated his own father Ouranos (Uranus). However, like all good myths, once defeated Gaia and Ouranos informed Kronos that he too would be overthrown by one of his sons. Of course, this made Kronos extremely paranoid and every year when Rhea gave birth, he would devour his offspring.

Rhea becomes enraged and like her mother (Gaia) devised a plot to overthrow her husband, and when her son Zeus (Jupiter) was born, she hid him in a cave and handed over a rock wrapped in swaddling clothes to Kronos. Meanwhile, Zeus was raised by nymphs, suckled by a she-goat, and protected by his foster brother Pan until he was ready to battle his father.

At the right time, Zeus receives a potion by the Titaness Metis and takes on the role of Kronos’ cupbearer. Zeus mixes the potion with Kronos’ favorite honey drink and he proceeds to vomit up his siblings fully grown and ready for battle.

The war between the Titans and Olympians lasted for 10 years (half a Jupiter-Saturn cycle), and Zeus banished the male Titans to Tartarus, yet allowed the female Titans, in honor of Rhea and Metis, to remain free. Zeus then becomes the King of the Olympian Gods and gives his brother Poseidon dominion over the sea and his brother Hades dominion over the underworld.

On the psychological level, the battle of Jupiter and Saturn is another story that reflects one generation giving way to the next one. However, there is one major difference between the stories – in the battle between Saturn and Uranus, Saturn battles Uranus alone, and in Jupiter’s battle with Saturn, Jupiter receives aid from his siblings. In symbolic terms, this reflects the power of “unity,” which according to many religious traditions is the most powerful magical force in the universe.

Astrologically, Jupiter and Saturn are opposites. Jupiter wants to expand, and Saturn wants to restrict. Jupiter likes the world of potential, possibilities, and the expansive creative spirit, whereas, Saturn is conservative, a traditionalist, and likes the world of form and reality. So, it’s easy to see the conflict that occurs when these two planets conjoin. Moreover, as I said earlier, when these two planetary principles come together, they reflect the end of something, a period of adjustment, and the beginning of something new. Whether that ‘something new’ is beneficial or not is in the eye of the beholder. This conjunction is in the sign of Aquarius, which is more concerned with group thought, social ideals, and the progression of the species, which can all mean different things to different people including the groups they belong to.

Now, let’s look at several of the keywords associated with Aquarius – reforming, progressive, tolerant, humanitarian, and inventive – these keywords are helpful, and possibly that will be the result of the conjunction. However, considering the current cultural climate other keywords such as anarchist, fanatic, deviant, and antisocial are deeply concerning.

The sign opposing Aquarius is Leo, and Leo is concerned with individual self-expression, and when that urge toward individual pursuits is quashed by social influence and political correctness, it can erupt in violent protests, authoritarian urges, and endless conspiracy theories whose undercurrents are born out of the suppression of individual thoughts and motivations. We must find a way to straddle the line between both signs, and give meaning to both the progression of the group as well as individual ingenuity.

Finally, let’s discuss how this is going to affect personal charts because all this understanding of the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn is meaningless if it’s not rooted in everyday people and everyday life. Jupiter and Saturn will not only conjunct in the heavens but they will also conjunct somewhere in your chart.

I recommend that everyone gets a copy of their chart and understand the basic components: Your sun, moon, and ascendant. There are several basic astrology books that I recommend, but my personal favorite is “Astrology for Yourself,” by Demetra George. Astrology for Yourself is in workbook form and is excellent for the novice. Also, here is a cheat sheet if needed.

In personal astrology, the Jupiter – Saturn conjunction works the same way that it works through worldly events, except in this case the world is going to be your own. Something in your life is going to come to an end, a period of transition is going to occur, and then something new is going to be born. Saturn will remain Saturn and the stronger of the two planets because he is in his own sign of Aquarius, whereas Jupiter will remain Jupiter (although he is considered peregrine in Aquarius and weaker than Saturn), but his expansive optimistic qualities may be diminished by Saturn’s tendency to restrict and limit. Likewise, Jupiter’s tendency to expand every planet that it transits can increase Saturn’s qualities. Together, these two planets reflect an urge to grow beyond who we are now and ultimately through the process innate within these planets, more mature.

One of the first factors that you need to consider is the natal placements of Jupiter and Saturn. This would include the signs they are in, the houses where they reside, and the aspects they make. For example, if you have Venus trine Jupiter or Sun square Saturn, then the innate experiences of Jupiter and Saturn will also be experienced as Jupiter and Saturn transit the chart. So, regardless of the transit, you will bring the natal signature with you and you will further unfold your natal placements through transits of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as transits to your natal Jupiter and Saturn.

Next, you need to look at the house that the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction lands. The conjunction occurs at 00 Aquarius. Find the house in your chart where this occurs and make note of it and its meaning because that house will be the stage of action for the Jupiter-Saturn show. If Jupiter-Saturn land in the first house then issues around self-expression, personal identity, and the persona you project to the rest of the world will begin to go through changes. You may begin to take matters more seriously and find a sense of urgency in your actions. If Jupiter-Saturn lands in your tenth house, you may make the decision to change careers or find something that is truer to your nature, especially if you have felt stifled or restricted in your current profession. If Jupiter-Saturn lands in your 7^th house, relationships will take center stage and need to be evaluated.

The last chart factor to look at is if Jupiter conjunct Saturn aspects any planets in your chart. The planet being aspected will be the archetypal principal the conjunction will work through. If Jupiter-Saturn aspects your Sun, then your sense of individual identity will go through changes or if Jupiter-Saturn aspects Mars, then your drive and determination to get what you want will go through adjustments and a new strategy will emerge.

In closing, I would like to introduce you to a Greek deity that gets little mention. Caerus is the youngest son of Zeus and was the personification of opportunity and favorable moments. He comes and goes, and his influence is fleeting. Caerus reflects the brief moments when we can take advantage of opportunities.

Every astrological transit, whether it involves Mars, Venus, or Jupiter conjunct Saturn, presents us with an opportunity to use its energy to our advantage. In the case of Jupiter conjunct Saturn, the letting go of the old and embracing the new provides us with the gumption to release stagnant energies that have blocked our forward momentum. If we are willing to grasp ‘Caerus’ and work with these ‘fleeting moments’ with an open mind, we will experience great fulfillment and inner authenticity.

Storm Cestavani, December 2020

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Jupiter in Capricorn

It’s that time of the year – Jupiter, the big kahuna of the cosmos is about to change signs. On December 2, 2019, Jupiter will leave his own sign of Sagittarius and move into Saturn ruled Capricorn, the sign of Jupiter’s fall.

Jupiter is the planet of optimism and expansion, which are naturally fire based keywords. He amplifies everything he touches in the chart regardless of its nature. In Capricorn, Jupiter’s optimism and expansion becomes earth based. Jupiter becomes concerned with traditional values, institutions, hierarchies, status, ambition, and as if we haven’t had enough of it since the 2016 election, politics.

That is some list isn’t it?

Jupiter has spent the last year in Sagittarius, which is about the amplification of one’s world views, higher minded ideals, one’s opinions about life, and our beliefs. During this transit of Jupiter through the sign of the archer, increased interest in alternative forms of spirituality, Buddhism practices such as mindfulness became significant concepts in psychotherapy, and of course, the explosion of political opinions on social media, which have all been enhanced by Neptune in Pisces, and Pisces is ruled by Jupiter.

Sagittarius is a sign concerned with potential and possibilities and a bright tomorrow, but that focus is about to change as Jupiter moves into Capricorn.

You would think that the “Great Benefic” would usher in a new era of improvement in government, small business, and economic concerns that will make life easier – and we may see attempted improvements. However, Saturn and Pluto are also in Capricorn and reflect the end of a way of life as we know it, which will also be amplified by Jupiter.

So, in other words, before things can become better, they may just become a lot worse.

On a more practical level, Jupiter in Capricorn requires us to take a deep look at what we would like to achieve in our lives, and then actually BEGIN to make them a reality. No more just dreaming about it, you need to do it. Jupiter in Capricorn is about GOING HARD OR GOING HOME and making something enduring and lasting that gives you meaning. For example, if it has been your dream to write the great American novel, then get to it. It may require learning some writing skills or improving ones you already have, perhaps you need to attend workshops, putting forth a lot of effort, along with a bucket load of personal sacrifices, but in the end, Jupiter rewards you for your struggle. So, take some time to look within and find your personal calling.

Now, I don’t suggest that you take all of this on board at once. You can mix large goals with smaller sub-goals that are quickly achievable. I have found this very effective with people that want to lose weight or stop a bad habit, if they make smaller goals that are achievable, then these achievements give you the momentum to push forward. Smaller goals accomplished one on top of another and spread out over time can lead to big RESULTS! The most important thing is making your dreams a reality, which will restore your faith in life.

Finally, it’s time to take responsibility. While Jupiter is in Capricorn, you need to put away your excuse and blame lists and take responsibility for your own destiny. We often get very caught up in what we can’t do or how we have been limited by events or other and make it our permanent reality. It’s time to let all that go. You are who you are now, not who you were yesterday, or even who you will be tomorrow. Your future and what you can achieve is solely up to you. Moreover, if you are willing to put forth the effort and have tenacity (such a lovely Capricornian word), Jupiter delivers!

Your Personal Jupiter Transit (read for both your Sun sign and your rising sign):

Aries: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 10^th house. In astrology, the 10^th house describes your career and position in the world. Jupiter transiting this house is considered favorable, improves and increases your reputation, and often prompts you to be all you can be. During this cycle, you can take advantage of Jupiter’s benefic energy to advance your career, begin new businesses, or receive long-deserved recognition for your accomplishments. If you have struggled to get to the next level, this year could be your breakthrough. However, it is necessary to avoid being overbearing, dictatorial, and keep your ego in check because problems could occur at the end of the transit if others perceive a haughty attitude. Finally, you can expect to see promotions at work, financial increase, and inner self-confidence while Jupiter transits this house.

Taurus: This year, Jupiter begins his yearlong transit through your solar 9^th house. For you, this is a great position because this is the house Jupiter naturally rules. Your desire to learn is important because Jupiter’s transits through this house are normally associated with higher education. Your learning experiences will broaden your mind and your perspective, and your ideas will change and mature. This transit is associated with wisdom because your quest to learn will often give you deep insight into aspects of your life that you have either ignored or found trivial. Often when this transit is active, a need to understand the arcane sciences, religion, or philosophy are typical because interest in esoteric and teleological subjects reflect the need to expand your worldview. Finally, you will be interested in foreign cultures, and may take vacations to foreign lands to broaden your experience. The one thing to expect while Jupiter transits through your 9^th house is that your view of life will change and always for the better.

Gemini: This year, Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 8^th house. The 8^th house is like the 11^th and the 12^th houses, which all have a mysterious and confusing aura. Traditionally, the 8^th is associated with death, inheritance, and taxes and I have seen these descriptions to be relatively true. Jupiter in the 8^th can mean you will receive an inheritance or an unexpected tax refund. But, what does this house really mean? After 30 years of doing astrology, I am convinced that the 8^th house has to do with inheritance, but not just financially; it reflects our psychological inheritance, as well. While Jupiter is transiting through the 8^th house, issues from the past that need healing will rise to the surface, and the healing of past familial trauma begins. This can come from powerful changes or healing psychological wounds, but these changes will be to your benefit. On the more mundane level, this is a great time to begin a business partnership or apply for loans because Jupiter in the 8^th house makes it easy for people to share their resources.

Cancer: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 7^th house. The 7^th house is associated with partnership, marriage, competitors, and legal matters. Perhaps, it would be creative to define it as the ‘not you’ house because the 7^th describes your relationship with other people. When Jupiter transits through the 7^th house, Jupiter can increase your relationships and expand your experiences of society by widening your sphere of influence. Jupiter, in this house, is great for business alliances in which your partnerships are mutually beneficial. Of course, Jupiter in the 7^th will be a favorable influence on your love relationships, and any difficulties in relationships should be smoothed out or resolved during this cycle. Finally, the 7^th house also pertains to legal matters. Any legal issue (especially civil cases) should resolve in your favor since Jupiter casts a protective shield over everything he influences.

Leo: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 6^th house. The 6^th house pertains to your job, day to day activities, your rituals, health, and your responsibilities. Of course, this can be rather drab and far from exciting for the king of the gods, but it is one of the houses we see the most benefit. Jupiter likes to expand your consciousness and provide a ‘higher’ meaning to the day-to-day grind of the 6^th house, which on its deepest level is the house of personal growth. This is a great year for you to put your life in order and you will notice an improvement in your job, satisfaction with your responsibilities, and overall health. Do not be surprised if you take on additional responsibilities because people will be rather pleased with your performance. Further, Jupiter in the 6^th could signify new job opportunities and promotions for a job well done. However, there is one warning with Jupiter in the 6^th, Jupiter expands the house it transits and since the 6^th house represents your health, there can be a tendency to gain weight. It would be ideal to maintain (or even begin) a regular fitness regime and a balanced diet at this time.

Virgo: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 5^th house. Over the next year, the focus is on personal growth and expansion of who you are as an individual. You will begin to understand your life with great wisdom, and despite past frustrations, will perceive the big picture. Your creative juices will flow like never before, and if you are artistically inclined, financial gain is likely to occur through your craft. Since the 5^th house rules children, your relationship with your own (if you have the) will take center stage, and a deeper emotional bond will naturally occur. Finally, your relationship with others around you will go through great improvement throughout the year. As you tear down your walls and barriers and begin to express yourself with courage and tenacity, you will notice the important people in your life will respond favorably.

Libra: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 4^th house. The 4^th house is mysterious because it rules your private parts – your innermost self, and governs your home, family, personal life, and familial past. While Jupiter is transiting your solar 4^th house, you may find the need to seek inner peace and meaning. In the outer world, this is a year to focus on real estate, whether that is purchasing a new home or doing repairs and renovations. Further, you will find your relationship with your family enhanced, and Jupiter’s benefic influence will provide an opportunity to resolve old family issues and feuds. On the inner level, Jupiter moving through your 4^th is a cycle of personal focus, and this is a natural time to withdraw from the outer world and its trappings to focus on creating a secure future. If you do not have a secure inner world of peace and harmony, it is going to be difficult for you to find true happiness.

Scorpio: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 3^rd house of communication. In most textbooks, the third house governs communication, early education, and siblings. However, after working with charts for the past 30 years, I have come to understand the 3^rd house as the place where we process our experiences. I believe one of the most undervalued resources one can have is experiences felt via events, circumstances, and people we have encountered that help formulate who we are as individuals. While Jupiter is in the 3^rd house, the ‘social butterfly’ will emerge and the number of people in your social circle will expand. This transit provokes an urge to learn and express yourself so that you can formulate your unique opinions about life. Further, you need to experience more of the world to expand your consciousness, so you will have an interest in a vast number of subjects. A mind is a terrible thing to waste, and with Jupiter transiting the 3^rd, you are likely to find it working overtime.

Sagittarius: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your value-oriented 2^nd house. In traditional astrology, the 2^nd house governs money and resources, but in modern astrology, money and resources are symbols of what you value. I have long believed that the most powerful book of revelation is your checkbook. Your financial ledgers provide you with clear and concise information about what you truly value because it reveals where you spend your money, and ultimately what is important to you. This is not to say Jupiter in the 2^nd house will not expand your resources; it will. It will expand everything you give value – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Since the 2^nd house does involve financial resources, this is a great time for investments. However, you must be careful with Jupiter in the 2^nd house not to overindulge, overspend, or mismanage your money. This placement can often lead to spending money that you may not have. In the case of the 2^nd house, too much anything can be as difficult as not having enough.

Capricorn: This is your lucky year because Jupiter will transit through your personal-oriented 1^st house. Doors that seem closed and opportunities that have been denied will open for you with minimal effort throughout the year. The main thing for you to focus on is this being a major cycle for growth combined with an opportunity to express who you are by shining (and sharing) your inner light. Further, you will notice people drawn to you like never before (or at least since 2007) and are more than willing to help you achieve success. Use your increased self-confidence and charisma to your advantage. Moreover, do not waste this year. Christmas in the astrology world only happens once every 12 years, and this year Santa delivers the presents to you.

Aquarius: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 12^th house. Out of all the houses of the horoscope, the 12^th house may be the most confusing. Traditional astrology has labeled it as the house of self-undoing, and its association with hospitals and prisons always raises an eyebrow or two. In modern astrology, the 12^th reflects patterns, drives, and compulsions that operate beneath the level of conscious awareness, but not in the personal sense; instead, it’s the habits and dysfunctions passed down from generation to generation. So, Jupiter in the 12^th house can be a blessing or a curse.

On the one hand, this transit augurs a time when you begin (often for the first time) to see your inner truth. Circumstances, situations, and events begin to have deeper meaning, and you begin to acquire insight. On the other hand, Jupiter’s transits in the 12^th represent where you begin to seek the truth, and the truth always lies within yourself. If you do not have the inner courage or current capabilities to face your truth honestly, you may begin to see your truth through escapism – sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling, food, relationships, or other forms of reckless behavior. Simply put, Jupiter in the 12^th house is a year for you to do inner work by accessing the real you and not being shackled to heredity and ideas from a past that may no longer be valid.

Pisces: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 11^th house. Traditional astrology has described the 11^th house as clubs, friends, hopes, and wishes, and similar to the 12^th house, these descriptions are not very helpful. In many ways, the 11^th house reflects your need to be bigger than who you are by being part of a group or collective that shares common values. Jupiter in the 11^th reflects a cycle where your social circle (friend, associates, or tribe) can assist you in achieving your hopes and wishes for the future. You will notice a need to change your world for the better with Jupiter transiting through this social house. In most cases, the changes you make will also benefit those around you. Finally, Jupiter is the planet of expansion, and you will notice your social circle and sphere of influence expand over the next year.

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Cosmic Weather Forecast — Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

I’ve got a secret.

Wait for it…

I dread when Mercury goes retrograde, and not because of the annoying little problems that occur during the period when the trickster planet decides to backstep through the zodiac as they are bound to happen.

No, it’s the endless memes, complaints, and everyone blaming every problem on earth on Mercury. In many ways, it reminds me of people that blame Satan on every single problem in their lives – even the ones they CAUSED. It’s exhausting for astrologers, and unfortunately, the information that is shared on social media is more Cosmo and Allure magazines than anything that resembles astrology.

Yes, Mercury is going to retrograde, and it happens on Halloween at 27 degrees of Scorpio. Mercury will reverse course and go back through the sign of Scorpio before stationing again at 11 Scorpio on November 20^th. You may want to check your charts and see if you have anything in the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius because your chart will be highly sensitive to Mercury’s movements.

Mercury in Scorpio is not the trickster he usually is in more fiery and airy signs, instead he probes beneath the surface, and often brings up the sewage of our past in order for us to challenge, integrate, and transform past traumas and compulsions that may plague you. Mercury as the psychopomp is about revealing the truth, not in a literal sort of way, but instead provides you with personal truths that can ultimately change your understanding of life.

However, the biggest benefit of Mercury retrograde involves his reflection capabilities. Over the next three weeks, you have an opportunity to look at the events since the last Mercury retrograde (end of July) and see if you need to make corrections or modifications to the choices that you have made. Mercury retrograde periods give us a chance to alter course and define what we can personally do to make improvements in our lives. So, if you have had some major upsets or major challenges that have frustrated you, if you do the inner reflective work, you can see where your personal choices have led you down the wrong path, and how you can get headed down the right one once again. Remember, this is not about judgment, we all make mistakes and we can all course correct, it’s about learning from experiences and using that information in order to live the best life we possibly can.

Mercury Transits

Here are some hot spots to look for while Mercury is retrograde:

November 9, 2019 – Mercury sextile Pluto – Pluto gives you the ability to dig deep and reveal the root of problems that may be nagging you. This aspect gives us the ability to become our own personal detectives and get to the truth. It’s also a great time to do trauma work or to explore areas of your life you would ordinarily avoid.

November 11, 2019 – The Sun conjunct Mercury – The Sun is about our sense of individuality and our destiny. When Mercury retrograde conjoins the Sun, we can often get intuitive flashes of what our destiny is meant to be, and it just comes out of the blue. I once had a client who struggled with her job for months and months, and when Mercury retrograde conjoined the Sun in her 10^th house, she realized that she was bored with her job and that her own boredom and happiness with her line of work was unconsciously creating her struggles. Watch the events that happen between November 10 – November 12 closely.

November 13, 2019 – Mercury sextile Saturn/Mercury trine Neptune – We get a two for one special that will be active from November 12-November 14. First up is Mercury sextile Saturn, which is great for business activities and analyzing your business and career status over the past few months. It’s also a great time to make new plans to implement once Mercury goes direct. Next is Mercury trine Neptune, which will get your creative juices flowing, which you can use on business or personal related projects. Spirituality and inner work can be done while Mercury and Neptune are doing their cosmic dance.

November 20, 2019 – Mercury goes direct – This can be as challenging as when it first goes retrograde. Expect communication problems, technical snafus, travel issues, and other general annoyances to occur. Yet, also look forward to things slowly improving in time for the holidays.

Your Personal Mercury Retrograde

Read for both your sun sign and your rising sign, if you know it. You can get a free copy of your chart on astro.com

Aries: Mercury is going retrograde in your solar 8^th house. The 8^th house is traditionally associated with death, taxes, and other people’s money. Mercury in Scorpio likes to dig deep and in the 8^th house, it likes to dig even deeper. You may notice that your conversations with others are more intense than normal including mysterious subjects that may intrigue you. Since Mercury is retrograde, joint finances may become an issue including coming up with a plan to make them better.

Taurus: Mercury is going retrograde in your solar 7^th house. Relationships (of all sorts) will be your primary focus during Mercury retrograde. Old partners may resurface and need to be dealt with or problems beneath the surface of your relationships may need to be addressed. Further, this is not the best time for you to get involved with anyone new, so avoid investing in anyone that comes on the scene until Mercury goes direct on November 20^th.

Gemini: Mercury will retrograde in your solar 6^th house. You may need to put a watch on your tongue because you may be more critical than usual, and this could lead to complication and potential problems especially on the job or with work-related matters. Since the 6^th house governs our work environment, this would be a good time to resolve any long-standing issues and grievances – just remember to keep your ego out of it.

Cancer: Mercury will retrograde in your solar 5^th house. Traditionally, the 5^th house governs children, romance, and casual sexual encounters. I would recommend avoiding the later since Scorpio is associated with diseases, and who wants one of those? However, it is a good time to explore your romantic life and whether you are getting your needs met out of your encounters. Issues with your children or children in general surface during this retrograde season.

Leo: Home is where the heart is, and this will prove to be true as Mercury retrogrades your solar 4^th house. You may feel the need to withdraw in order to recharge your batteries, and you may feel drained, both physically and emotionally. Issues surrounding your immediate family members may surface during this retrograde season, yet despite frustrations and annoyances, this gives you an opportunity to repair familial relationships. If problems from the past resurface, deal with them rationally and responsibly so that they no longer influence your future.

Virgo: Mercury will retrograde in your solar 3^rd house. In astrology, Mercury naturally rules the 3^rd house so you may feel the usual problems associated with the retrograde more intensely. Worries and anxiety may leave you feeling scattered and your ability to focus may be limited during retrograde season. It’s also recommended that you avoid travel because complications may occur. On a more positive note, this cycle could prove useful if you need to get facts and ideas together for business-related activities once Mercury goes direct on November 20^th. Make your plan so you can implement it effectively.

Libra: Mercury will retrograde in your solar 2^nd house and financial concerns will walk onto the stage. This is a great time for you to analyze your financial situation and get a clear perspective on how to proceed moving forward. Further, new financial investments or purchases are not recommended until Mercury goes direct. If someone owes you money, they may be more likely to repay you this retrograde season or further delays could possibly occur.

Scorpio: Mercury will retrograde in your solar 1^st house. This retrograde season could prove to be more frustrating than usual. You may feel deeply misunderstood and have difficulty expressing yourself to others, and this could lead to unwanted insecurities surfacing. Since the 1^st house governs how you see the world, Mercury being retrograde could lead to a fragmented view of reality. However, this is a positive time to explore yourself on deeper levels and reveal potentials that may ordinarily be hidden.

Sagittarius: Mercury will retrograde in your solar 12^th house. Like your Leo brethren, retrograde season may be a time to withdraw and do some inner work. You may not feel the need to express yourself to others and may not want to be encumbered by other people’s problems or realities. Meditation and spiritual work are strongly recommended. Further, avoid old grievances with adversaries during this retrograde cycle because nothing good will come out of dredging up the past.

Capricorn: Mercury will retrograde in your solar 11^th house. In astrology, the 11^th house is associated with friends and groups. During retrograde season you may need to look at your social network and decide if you are getting your needs met. If your circle is not feeding any of your personal needs, then you may need to adjust them accordingly when Mercury goes direct. Further, communications with friends and associates could prove to be problematic. Avoid unnecessary conflicts and arguments throughout retrograde season. Practice proaction rather than reaction.

Aquarius: Mercury will retrograde in your solar 10^th house. In astrology, the 10^th house governs career and reputation. During this retrograde season, you may need to look at the current state of your career and make adjustments when they are necessary. It may also be time to look at new career opportunities and changing positions, locations, or even your profession. However, do not make any abrupt changes because you may ultimately regret them or potentially damage your reputation. Although it’s fine to plan during retrograde season, make changes after Mercury goes direct.

Pisces: Ordinarily, Mercury in your solar 9^th house tells you to look at the big picture rather than the day-to-day events or frustrations. However, when retrograde season occurs in your 9^th house, it’s time to take your eye off the prize and pay close attention to details that may prevent you from getting to your goal. Additionally, at this time, you may feel more pessimistic and moodier than you usually would. Avoid foreign travel if possible until Mercury goes direct on November 20^th.

I hope you have an easy retrograde!

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The Good Tarot by Colette Baron-Reid

The Good Tarot

“The Good Tarot doesn’t shy away from the truth of our sufferings. Instead, it gives us hope that no matter how many times we stumble, we nevertheless find immense treasures as we discover our true natures as spiritual beings expressing ourselves through the art of living in the realm of form.”

From the Good Tarot by Colette Baron-Reid

So, let me say upfront, I so did not want to like this deck.

The title of it annoys me, just a little bit…

I mean, if there is a ‘Good Tarot’ does that mean that there is a ‘Bad Tarot’? If so, could someone direct me to the bad deck? Further, what are the qualifications for a good tarot and a bad tarot?

Is this like Good Witches and Wicked Witches? Are ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ real or simply in the eye of the beholder?

The good news (or could it be bad news?) is that I decided to give the deck a chance. After all, I have several decks by Colette Baron-Reid, and I have thoroughly enjoyed them.

Before I read through the LWB (that’s tarotspeak for Little White Book that usually comes with a tarot deck), I looked through the deck. It’s a beautifully designed deck that features mystical, feminine empowering, and fantastical imagery. There are a few changes that have been made to the card names. Lovers is now Love, Death is now Transformation, Temperance is now Patience, The Devil is now Temptation, and Judgment is now simply called Call. Further, the traditional swords, pentacles, cups, and wands have been be replaced with their elemental correspondences air, earth, water, and fire, and there are some minor tweaks to the titles of the court cards. Otherwise, the deck is easy to understand, and the cards are easy to designate for people that are more familiar with the cards.

After reading through the LWB, I loved the approach that CBR (Colette Baron-Reid) uses. Instead of designating cards to traditional meanings, she uses simplified keywords and affirmations. If I am understanding her correctly, she wants to empower the client and instead of showing archetypal trends that normally may be challenging, she wants to help the end-user see how challenges can be opportunities. I feel that this is very creative and is a rather productive use of the deck. This deck could be used by traditional tarot practitioners, but opens itself up to life coaches, psychologists, or other modalities that do not ordinarily use cards.

Let me give an example.

The 5 of Air (5 of Swords) is a card that is associated with strife and arguments. In the ‘Good Tarot’, CBR’s keywords are still tension and conflict. However, here is the affirmation that she uses:

“Conflict is a good way to see my motives and intentions. I can use this experience to grow into a more authentic version of myself. It’s not important to win. It’s important to have integrity. Other people have different ways of thinking and may not always be in agreement with me. I open to this opportunity to live and let live.”

Usually, conflict occurs when two people have differing ideas about a situation. This can be personal, social, or political. When someone steps over the line of wanting something that you believe you should have or should be able to attain problems can occur. Of course, the key to all of this is whether the conflict is worth it or not. If it is worth it, then strife should not be something that consumes you and you should be able to proceed forward with confidence. However, if you do not feel its worth it, then let it go and fight for something you feel strongly about.

I feel that the most powerful part of this deck is giving the querent (a fancy word for a person that is asking questions) the opportunity to choose how they wish to proceed. If you choose to fight the good fight, then obstacles or outside influences shouldn’t matter. You are either all in or you are not. If you choose to walk away, then you have learned how to pick your battles. Either way, you are more psychologically sound for making personal choices.

In the back of the LWB CBR gives a bit of insight into spreads. She recommends only doing one card or three-card spreads with the deck but emphasizes that they can be used to do larger spreads. Her main point that she pushes throughout the LWB is that this oracle is used to co-create with the universe in a constructive way rather than just being passive to its energies or messages.

Here is one of the spreads:

Three Card Reading: (From the LWB)

Card 1: Represents where you are now and what energy is affecting the situation.

Card 2: Represents what is coming in to influence the situation

Card 3: Represents the energy that will come into the situation if you continue along the same path you are on.

I decided to do a reading of my own with this deck.

My question: Should I work on the project?

Card 1: 10 of Earth Card 2: 10 of Water Card 3: 9 of Air

The Reading:

I have recently pondered whether I should work on a new project. Although this is not part of my career as an astrologer or life coach, I still have been drawn to this type of creative work before. I will admit that I was gob smacked when I drew the 9 of Air, which has a notorious negative connotation.

Card 1: 10 of Earth: Affluence, material abundance, mastery, financial security, inherited wealth and knowledge

Affirmation for 10 of Earth: I am now able to step back and observe the results of what I built through my dedication and hard work. I claim ownership of the castles I built that have taken form in the material world. I have achieved mastery and inherited treasures of knowledge and experience thanks to all I have been through. I smile appreciatively at my run of good fortune.

This card made a lot of sense. I have been in my profession for 30 years and have built a sizeable practice and have been able to do astrological/intuitive counseling exclusively for 3 decades. It’s home to me and I have a vast knowledge of the industry and how to market within it. However, this can also be a bit scary because working on another project might take time away from my business practice and I need to figure out whether I would like to take that type of risk.

Card 2: 10 of Water: Serenity, peace, good fortune, well-being

Affirmation for 10 of Water: All is well with the world and with me. Well-being is my natural state. Everything I need comes to me easily and effortlessly. I feel joy and express it to others as I look around and see all the love that we share. I take pleasure in all I have accomplished. Whatever attention I receive or don’t receive, I am serene, for I know good well what it took to get where I am. I celebrate myself and all who traveled down this road with me and feel grateful to Spirit for being my companion always.

Card 2 represents what is coming in to influence the situation. I feel that this card reflects that I am happy and content with what I am doing and that I should realize that even if the project that I work on doesn’t produce much fruit that I need to do it because I already have accomplished a lot with my career and profession. There is much to celebrate. Not many people have the luxury of working in the same profession for three decades. I feel that this card also reflects a positive support system that will be around me as I travel this new path.

Card 3: 9 of Air: Shifting negative self-talk to self-compassion, from fear to possibility, a call to faith.

Affirmation for 9 of Air: With a gentle, mellifluous voice, I tell myself that I will be okay, that I am okay, and that any fear is merely false evidence appearing as real. I forgive myself because I know I am a human trying the best I can and need only call on Spirit to remember that I can and will do better as new possibilities begin to gather on my horizons.

Card 3 represents the energy that will come into the situation if you continue on the same path you are on. Traditionally, the 9 of air is associated with fears, phobias, nightmares and other nasty mental situations that may plague me. Starting a new project is difficult and challenging, and I have already experienced some of the 9 of air elements. However, using this affirmation technique, it tells me to attempt to push past the thoughts and call upon my spiritual beliefs in those moments when fears may overwhelm me. Ordinarily, this card might encourage someone to abandon ship, and focus on the tried and true safety of the 10 of earth. However, the Good Tarot encourages me to press in and press on.

Conclusion:

After spending some time with this deck, I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants to seek gentle clarity that offers you options and positive self-talk to push you beyond your problems. It’s a great deck for people that are going through struggles and need a little extra boost. I’ve already made a list of people that I feel would benefit from this deck and will purchase several copies as gifts during the holiday season. My only complaint is that I wish CBR had created an actual book to go with the deck rather than the LWB, it would have given her an opportunity to really flesh out her ideals, which are highly creative, yet could have been so much more.

Great job, CBR. Keep them coming!

Here is where you can get the deck — The Good Tarot by Colette Baron-Reid

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Debunking the Mercury Retrograde Myth

I recently got a phone call from a client. She was horrified.

She just spent several thousand dollars on a new business she planned to start in 2016. She maxed a credit card, took tons of online business courses, worked many an 18-hour day writing content, designing webpages, and working her regular muggle job.

And, now she thinks her business is doomed because her release date of her website is January 5^th – the day Mercury went retrograde.

Oh noes!

I’m going to tell you exactly what I told her:

“Mercury retrograde IS NOT BAD!”

Trick or Treat Divination

Trick or Treat Divination (Top 5 Creepiest Halloween Candy Remixed)

I just love Halloween! Out of all the holidays, this one is especially meaningful to psychics because our connection to the “other” world is heightened. On Samhain, a veil is pierced that allows the spirits from the other side to whisper into our ears if you listen closely. Also, it is a time for spooks, ghouls, ghosts, goblins, and just good old fashioned “trick or treating”.

A Bit of History:
Although the tradition of guising and wearing seasonal costumes stretch back to the Middle Ages, the first appearance of “trick or treating” (warning of the homeowner/resident of a trick if a treat is not given) began in 1911 in Kingston, Ontario. Eventually, the practice spread to other parts of Canada and ultimately made its first American appearance in Chicago in 1920. By the 1930’s, the practice of trick or treating became a widespread practice in the United States, and eventually permeated the media in 1939.

In the 21st century, Halloween and “Trick or Treating” remains popular, and each year more events occur to celebrate the magical Eve. Over the years, candy and other assorted edible goodies have been created specifically to cater to children who dress up in costumes and visit neighborhood doors to collect their loot. Inside bags across North America, assorted chocolates, lollipops, candy corn, and the occasional piece of fruit are enjoyed by many young and old. However, in certain cases “the trick” might be played on those individuals who are ‘souling’ (the medieval practice of the poor going door to door on Hallowmas receiving food in return for prayers for the dead) when they receive unusual treats.