Storm’s Blog

Lunar Phases

So, I am going to start with something that everyone is familiar with, and that’s the lunar cycle. Everyone has stood in the evening sky and looked up at the Moon, which is always changing – no night will ever be exactly like the one before it. Essentially, the Moon today will be different than the Moon tomorrow.

The phase of the Moon is dictated by its angle to the Sun. The New Moon begins each month as the Sun and the Moon conjoin in the same sign of the zodiac. Of course, during the New Moon, the Moon is not visible, and the heavens are completely dark, which is eerie and a bit foreboding. The Moon then travels at the speed of approximately 13 degrees a day until it forms a 90-degree angle (square) to the Sun, and this is known as the first quarter moon stage. The Moon continues to increase in light until she forms a 180-degree angle (opposition) to the Sun. This angle is known as the Full Moon stage, and when you look up into the sky during this phase, the Moon is huge and in all her splendor. The Moon continues its trek through the zodiac until it reaches the last quarter moon when it forms another square (90-degrees) to the Sun. Finally, she continues to wane, decreasing in light, until she conjoins the Sun again during the next New Moon and completes its circular cycle.

The lunar cycle has fascinated people for thousands of years. She appears in numerous stories of the undead in both literature and film, and several songs have been written about her. Luna (the Moon’s name) is also a central figure in several children’s stories. Her cycle changes constantly and it’s unpredictable, yet predictable nature reflects an archetypal image associated with the feminine principle.

There are a few mythic images that I feel reflect this ever-changing cycle, and myth, which in its original context means ‘a scheme or plan,’ often describes archetypal imagery more eloquently than we can.

The first figure that I want to explore are the Fates. These are the three daughters of Mother Night. In Greek Myth, the Fates were said to be born without a father, which interpreted psychologically means that the Fates reflect natural laws that exist beyond human consciousness and the control of the ego. The concept of the Fates can be terrifying because it involves the mysterious parts of life that cannot be controlled or harnessed in any rational way. In many ways, the Fates are ‘Mother Nature’ who rules over natural processes including our biology because no matter who we are or our position in life, the reality is that we will all one day die.

Besides the Fates, there are other mythic figures that are part of a lunar trinity that are relevant – The Graea, the Stygian Witches, the Erinyes, and even the bearded ladies in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. But, perhaps, the three most important figures connected to the lunar cycle are the Goddesses Persephone, Demeter, and Hecate.

Let’s begin with Hecate because she is the mythic image of the New Moon. There are some conflicting stories of her parentage. In some mythic stories, she is the only child of the Titans Perses and Asteria, and other sources say she is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. However, all mythic sources agree that she is the Goddess of Witchcraft, magic, and ghosts (Theoi). Hecate is a mysterious figure who often appears at the crossroads, in tombs, and is a revered goddess of the Underworld. Additionally, Hecate had an association with childbirth. So, this enigmatic force, like the New Moon reflects endings and beginnings.

The most important story in which Hecate appears is in Homer’s Hymn to Demeter. Demeter who is grieving for her daughter Persephone, is guided by Hecate to discover Persephone’s abduction by the God of the Underworld, Hades. Symbolically, we can say that Hecate helps process unconscious potentials and birth them into the light of human consciousness. Likewise, the New Moon landing in a sensitive area of the chart acts as a trigger for events that bring the unconscious forward to birth new potentials and possibilities.

We can now move on to Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She is symbolized by the crescent moon, which is ready to ripen and fulfill its potential.

Persephone’s story is one of the most famous Greek myths. Persephone lives with her mother Demeter on Earth. The two were constant companions and bound by their love for one another. However, Aphrodite found this relationship unnatural and stirred up the underworld god Hades to fall in love with Persephone.

One day, while Persephone was out picking flowers, Hades burst out of the underworld through a passage created by Gaia, whose an older undifferentiated version of Demeter. Hades abducts Persephone and brings her to his underworld kingdom of the dead.

Predictably, Demeter becomes distraught over her missing daughter, and she travels the earth looking for the young goddess. Eventually, with the help of Hecate (an older version of both Demeter and Persephone), Demeter finds out that Hades abducted Persephone. Demeter pleads with Zeus to return Persephone, but the god refused her. So, Demeter goes berserk and scorches and burns the earth and lets the living suffer from starvation and disease because of her overwhelming grief.

Zeus finally relents and orders Hades to return Persephone to her mother, but before he does, Hades cleverly knows that Persephone ate of the food of the dead (a pomegranate), which binds her to the underworld. Since Persephone ate six seeds, and since the laws of the underworld supersede the powers of Zeus, Persephone must live six months of the year with Hades and six months with her mother, which is a mythic allegory for the change of the seasons.

Persephone is an image of promising potential. Her nubile youthfulness is innocent and unformed, but beneath the surface, the budding growth to womanhood persists and is ultimately her fate. Likewise, the crescent Moon, which begins as a sliver of light, continues to grow day by day to blossom into its fullness eventually. Just like Persephone goes through experiences in her growth process, so does the Moon as it ripens into fullness.

Let’s now take a look at Persephone’s mother, Demeter. Demeter is the eldest daughter of the Titans Chronos and Rhea. She is an earth goddess and is often referred to in myth as the goddess of the grain or agriculture. Primarily, she governs growth and fertility, and many of her stories involve the cultivation of crops, which symbolizes her connection to the life cycle in its numerous phases.

Besides the Persephone myth, Demeter is a significant figure in the story of Prince Demophoon, the son of King Celeus and Queen Metaneria of Eleusis. Demeter arrived in Eleusis, disguised as an old lady (again a connection with Hecate) and was invited to be a wet nurse for the young prince.

During her stay in Eleusis, Demeter was insulted by Abas, the king and queen’s older son, which she turned into a salamander. Demeter feels guilty for her actions and decides to do a favor for the king and queen and grant their newborn son immortality. Every night she slowly burned off Demophoon’s mortality over a fire, but on the night before the transformation is completed, Metaneria enters the room and catches Demeter in the act, disrupting the process. Moreover, Demophoon dies, and Demeter reveals herself in all her glory.

Upon finding out that another one of his sons died, King Celeus falls into deep grief. Demeter offers him comfort and informs the king that she would grant gifts upon his remaining sons, including Triptolemus, who assists Demeter in ultimately finding Persephone.

Demeter reflects the ripening potential of the Full Moon. She is a goddess that governs the growth process, and despite her attempts to keep Persephone frozen in childhood, it is through her laws that Persephone must grow and become a woman in her own right. Natural laws connect Demeter with the Fates, whose rules are irrevocable. Everything must grow, ripen, and ultimately whither, and even the mother goddess cannot stop or override her decrees.

The story of Demophoon is a powerful metaphor for the disruption of the growth process. Although the story is filled with alchemical imagery, the myth reveals the implications of attempting to ‘interrupt’ the process, which ironically Demeter was doing to her daughter. We all go through cycles where our growth is necessary as part of the process of our evolution, and myth warns us of the complications of attempting to skirt nature. In many ways, like the Full Moon, Demeter reflects that something has ripened in our lives and for us to enjoy the fruit, we must embrace and respect the process.

Finally, after the Moon reaches its peak performance, it slowly shrinks in light, and we enter once again into Hecate’s mysterious realm, and a new cycle begins again.

Now, this is a lot of mythic material, but understanding the lunar phases is essential in astrology because all planetary aspects have phases that they go through. They conjoin at the conjunction, face obstacles at the first square, challenges at the opposition, and a final hurdle at the last square only to begin the process once again. For some planets, this process happens monthly or yearly, but in the case of the social or outer planets, this process can last decades or centuries, but the patterns regardless of the planets remain the same.

A valuable way of noticing the Fates at work is through examining our own lives. Everything, regardless of whether it’s a relationship, friendship, job, or profession, has a beginning and an end. We can look at situations in our lives and see the defining points, and when things changed. Although we may not like what is happening when it happens, and even at times resist change, when we get beyond our emotional attachments and reactions, we can see how our experiences have ultimately helped us grow.

I want to discuss eclipses before closing this blog on ‘Lunar Phases,’ which are often misunderstood or dramatized to epic proportions. Like Mercury retrograde, I feel that eclipses are often cast as celestial villains. I don’t think that is particularly helpful and doesn’t give us much of a chance to work with them productively.

If you don’t know what an eclipse is, let me give you a quick rundown.

The astrological year begins when the Sun moves into Aries, which is the beginning of spring in North America and the beginning of autumn in South America. Astrologically, this is 0 degrees of Aries. During the astrological month, the Moon travels through all the signs and will conjoin the Sun, which as we discussed is the New Moon, and the Moon will oppose the Sun, which is the Full Moon.

Twice a year, we enter into eclipse season. An eclipse occurs when the lunation conjoins the lunar nodes. This happens approximately every six months. Eclipses are supercharged new and full moons that are significant when considering transits and progressions, and they are often triggers that activate slower moving planetary transits.

You can track eclipses in an ephemeris, astrological calendar, or with software. If the eclipse (and to a less extent new and full moon) is in a hard aspect to a planet (use a 3-5 degree orb) then that planet will be eclipsed, and if that planet is in a problematic configuration, then the entire configuration will be activated. Especially if that configuration is already being aspected by a slow-moving transit, the themes can easily become triggered.

There is a lot of disagreement regarding how long eclipses sensitize the chart. Some astrologers state years, some a couple of weeks, and others use Saturn as an indicator as to when the eclipse concludes. For example, if an eclipse happens at 2 degrees of Taurus and Saturn is at 4 degrees of Cancer, then the eclipse would be active for about 2 ½ years until Saturn gets to 2 degrees of Leo. Astrologers that use this method use only the hard aspects (conjunctions, squares, and oppositions). Since I am a psychological astrologer, and I am concerned with natal astrology for life-coaching purposes, I use the six-month window between eclipse seasons for their activation and sensitivity. So, when one eclipse energy begins, then the other eclipse ends. In other words, the Fates spin their web elsewhere within the chart.

Make sure you check out my other articles in the series: 2019 Summer Eclipse Season, Eclipsed Houses, Eclipsed Planets

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2019 Summer Eclipses

So, typically, I would start this type of content with an examination of the eclipse season and how the eclipse(s) influences are going to affect us in our personal lives.

I mean that’s what everyone wants to know, right? How is this going to ‘affect’ me?

Well, I’ll get to that! But let’s begin with what is happening in the sky because eclipses often act as triggers for existing planetary configurations and this eclipse season is no exception. I am not going to go over technical stuff on the lunar phases because I did that in my lunar phases portion of this web series, and you can read that at your leisure. It does give a backdrop to the information that I am covering here.

The first thing that I think everyone will notice is that through most of eclipse season, Mercury will be retrograde. On July 7^th, 2019, Mercury reverses course in fiery Leo and travels back to 24 degrees of Cancer, which is the same degree as the lunar eclipse that occurs on July 16^th. Mercury turns direct on July 31^st and retriggers the eclipse.

Mercury goes retrograde three to four times a year, and since the explosion of social media, the trickster planet has made its way into pop-culture. Almost everyone knows about Mercury retrograde, and they groan when they hear the cycle is coming. However, because of the focus on mishaps, miscommunication, and general trickery, the practical side of the retrograde often gets lost.

In July, Mercury will retrograde in Leo. Mercury is how we understand life, and in fiery Leo, we understand life through the imaginal realm that we experience the most in childhood. Have you ever seen a child fascinated by the mythic world of unicorns, fairy princesses, handsome princess, magical kingdoms, and even the monsters that ultimately must be dealt with to save the kingdom? This mythic reality is alive and well for Mercury in Leo, and on the inner level it’s not the imaginal world that’s important, it’s the creative function that develops and the individuality that forms. Mercury in Leo gets to create its own world, cast its own actors, and write its own endings.

When Mercury goes retrograde, Mercury works on the inner level. A keyword I associate with Mercury retrograde is ‘reflection,’ and I feel this is the easiest way to work with it. So, instead of just projecting Mercury onto mishaps and communication problems, it’s more productive to look within. In Leo, the creative world and fertile imagination turn inward, and it’s about creating oneself and defining one’s individuality and values. During eclipse season, it may be helpful to focus on how you are writing your own script and how you are ultimately in control of your own destiny.

There are a couple of aspects that are also active in the heavens – Jupiter in Sagittarius square Neptune in Pisces and Saturn conjunct Pluto in Capricorn.

Let’s start with Jupiter square Neptune. Jupiter is currently moving through its own sign of Sagittarius and Neptune is moving through Jupiter ruled Pisces, a sign that has a strong affinity with Neptune. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and tends to expand any planet he aspects. Neptune is a planet that reflects the collective dreams and visions in search of redemption and has a particular idealization of life colored by his sign in the zodiac. In Pisces, Neptune idealizes unity, equality, and being part of a broader community. You can easily see Neptune alive, and well in politics, ideas and individual values seem to be less important than being part of something with other people whose life experiences may be similar to your own, and this is happening on both the left and the right.

Jupiter in philosophical Sagittarius strives to have an understanding of life, and in aspect to Neptune, Jupiter expands Neptunian idealisms, yearnings, and dreams. On the positive side, Jupiter-Neptune aspects are great for creative work and spiritual purposes. While this aspect is active (until November 2019), you will feel more charitable, empathetic, and compassionate. In its more challenging mode, Jupiter-Neptune can be unrealistic, easily swept away by movements and trends, and has an intense need to be part of the collective group regardless of the potential cost. There is a tendency to ignore the obvious and logical for the redemptive vision.

I didn’t want to slide into politics, but it’s the easiest way to see this aspect at work. There has always been a divide between idealisms and since the 1970s political discourse has increased into a blood sport. The social and outer planets seem to color Neptune’s quest for redemption, and the tone slowly distills through the collective.

The current political vision is group-oriented and individual desires, and agendas are sacrificed for the greater good of the collective – and this is on both sides of the political spectrum. The current collective quest for redemption is not concerned with the personal quirks and dishonest behaviors of its leaders, it is concerned with leveling the playing field regardless of how difficult that may be to maintain, and despite the current political actors on the world stage, many of whose motives are questionable. The pursuit of the redemptive vision is all that matters.

It is tough to provide an antidote for a collective vision. On one level or another, we tend to get caught up in the movement. After all, we all participate because we are all part of the collective. The only thing we can do is ask questions, do research, and stay true to our values.

Next up is Saturn conjunct Pluto in Capricorn, which will be active through early 2021. There has been plenty of content written on Saturn conjunct Pluto, and I will be releasing my take later this summer, but it is so significant to this eclipse cycle that I’ve decided to discuss it briefly here.

Saturn and Pluto conjoin roughly every 35-40 years depending on where Pluto is in the zodiac. The last conjunction occurred in Libra during the early 1980s and it led to a geopolitical realignment. Relationships between countries radically changed and worldly opponents became viewed as ‘evil’ or ‘diabolical.’ Remember, the Soviet Union was once known as the ‘evil empire.’

The dynamics of relationships also changed. As women entered the workforce in increasing numbers, their financial needs were no longer male-dependent. Although women were grossly underpaid (an issue we still deal with), they had their own money and capacity to make more. Not surprisingly, the divorce rate increased dramatically, and financial security and survival were no longer the primary reasons two people got married.

Saturn has been moving through Capricorn, his sign, for about 1 ½ years. Capricorn is an extremely conservative position for the ringed planet, and he tends to want to preserve the status quo, the traditional order, and making sure everyone stays in their lane. He is authoritarian, likes to control, and can be repressive towards anything that may shake sturdy foundations. Pluto also likes power, but he gains it by uprooting and bringing to the surface anything that is spoiled and past its shelf life, by amputating it to survive. In Capricorn, Pluto uproots governmental corruption, cooperate malfeasance, and religious authorities and exposes them in the light of day, which you can see daily in your news feed. While this aspect is active, you may feel powerless, at the will of a governmental or worldly structure that cares little about your plight, and at the mercy of corporations that take advantage of you with little recourse. However, Saturn-Pluto can help remove structures from our personal lives that may be corrupt or no longer working and rebirthing ourselves through more practical life management.

Now these are severe issues, and it’s often difficult to face the ways we have contributed to our participation in life’s difficulties, but it is essential if you want to make the most of this aspect. I have long believed that Pluto in transit likes to enter through the other planet’s weaknesses. In the case of Saturn, he tends to work through our fears. The things we hold onto in life, whether that be a low paying job, complicated relationships, or even self-defeating behaviors, we cling to because of fear. Saturn-Pluto asks us to challenge these fears to create a more meaningful life and gives us the ability to build more solid structures.

I am now going to move to the first eclipse that occurs on July 2, 2019, at 11 degrees of Cancer. Now, if you have planets or angles between 6 degrees and 16 degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn), then your chart will experience the eclipse stronger than other people. Additionally, you will need to note the house the eclipse lands in because the sphere of life the house represents will often be the stage the eclipse walks out on.

There is good news about this eclipse. The eclipse is a North Node eclipse, which reflects new energies coming in, meaning that this new moon is excellent for intention and magical work to bring in new opportunities and start new ventures in your life. So, get those candles and vision boards ready to go!

The solar eclipse occurs in watery Cancer. You may notice an emotional sensitivity to the environment, and family concerns may crop out of the blue. Cancer rules the home, domesticities, countries, and one’s heritage. This energy is an auspicious time to consider home repairs, redecorating, discovering your familial roots, and even repairing damaged familial relationships.

The eclipse does form an opposition to limiting Saturn in Capricorn, which could limit or slow down the promise of the eclipse. There may be unexpected obstacles and concerns, but it doesn’t mean you can’t proceed forward, it just means that you should be cautious (especially with Mercury going retrograde later in the week). Remember, sometimes slow and steady wins the race.

The next eclipse happens on July 16, 2019, and is a little more troublesome. It’s a lunar eclipse that occurs at 25 degrees of Capricorn. If you have planets or angles between 20 degrees and 29 degrees of cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn), then your chart will be sensitive to this eclipse, and like the solar eclipse, take note of the house the eclipse falls in.

There is not a lot of good to say about this lunar eclipse; it is incredibly challenging and is a South Node eclipse. The South Node has a rather nasty reputation in astrology and points towards being forced to let things go, and resisting the energy usually makes matters worse. So, this eclipse is easier to manage if you are willing to take an in-depth look at your life and let go of things that no longer serve you.

Capricorn is an earth sign, and it is concerned with practical matters such as money, career, social standing, and reputation, and these themes could quickly surface over the next six months. The eclipse is conjunct Pluto, which can bring intense emotions to the surface, and often before we are willing to make the changes necessary, we need to learn to stand in our power and take the reins. Usually, with this eclipse, we are required to slowly climb up the mountain, facing the obstacles that stand in our way head on, and eventually getting to the top. For some, it might even require finding a new mountain to climb that is more aligned with your purpose and ultimate destiny.

That’s it for this blog post; there are two more in the series that dig deep into the personal chart and how eclipses affect the planets and houses.

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Eclipsed Houses

The bulk of articles that are available on eclipses mainly discuss the worldly impact of these potent lunations. And, you will notice the news explode during eclipse season. In this post, I am going to bring eclipses down to the personal level by exploring the meaning of eclipses in the personal houses of the horoscope.

If you do not have a copy of your horoscope, you can get one from astro.com. You can enter your data, and the site will generate one for you.

I want to begin with a bit of general information about houses. Houses are the 12 stages of life in the chart that cover everything from your personal identity to your relationships, and everything in between. Now, you will notice that some of the houses in your horoscope do not have planets in them, and that is ok, each house has a ruler based on the sign on the house cusp. You can look to the house the ruler is in to get further information about the eclipse.

Since the bulk of my work involves natal astrology for life coaching, I am going to gear this article towards self-improvement and using an eclipse as a tool. Remember, eclipses are potent lunar phases, meaning they are still New and Full Moons. New Moons reflect new beginnings, new opportunities, planting new seeds, and the beginning of a new cycle; whereas Full Moons reflect things that come to a culmination or climax, revelations of circumstances that are hidden from view, and the completion of a cycle. So, not surprisingly, eclipse seasons can be a powerful month for intention and magical work.

Before we begin, I want to let you know that eclipse cycles have a 19-year span. So, an exercise you can do to see the themes of this eclipse for you is to look at what was happening in your life 19 years ago. The themes will repeat themselves, even though the events may be different.

Now, let’s dive in…

First House:

The first house of the chart is all about you. It is the way you look at the world and the way you want to be seen by others. An eclipse in the 1^st house is going to color your identity for the next six months, and you may need to embrace the general themes of the eclipse. If this is the solar eclipse that lands in the first house, then you will want to start new things, create a new you, or reinvent yourself. If this is the lunar eclipse in the 1^st house, then you may be forced to change some things about yourself that are no longer working or are causing you pain and discomfort.

Second House: The second house of the chart is about money and resources. Money is a symbol of what we value, and the things that we spend our money on can often reveal where our priorities are. An eclipse in the 2^nd house is going to highlight your values. If this is the solar eclipse that lands in the 2^nd house, then new financial opportunities, new investments, and new resources are on the way. If this is the lunar eclipse that happens in your 2^nd house, then you may need to look at how you are spending your money and managing your resources.

Third House: The third house of the chart is about ideas. This house reflects how you formulate your thoughts and how you implement them into the world. So, an eclipse in the 3^rd house is going to highlight your intellectual capacity and your ability to voice opinions to others. If this is the solar eclipse that lands in the 3rd house, then new ideas and education may be your focus over the next six months. If this is the lunar eclipse, then you may need to re-evaluate the way you think and how you express your opinions to the people around you. Since the 3^rd house also deals with siblings, issues surrounding your brothers and sisters may surface.

Fourth House: The fourth house is about your home and family. This house describes your early childhood and relationship to one of your parents, usually the father. If this is the solar eclipse that lands in your 4^th house, it is a great time for remodeling, redecorating, or even making a real-estate purchase. If it is the lunar eclipse, then past familial issues that are unresolved could ripen and need to be dealt with to clear up matters once and for all.

Fifth House: The fifth house of the chart is about love, appreciation, your ability to shine and be an individual, and your ability to experience happiness in your life. If the solar eclipse lands in your 5^th house, it’s time to bring new experiences into your life that add to your personal joy and make you feel that life is worth living. If it’s the lunar eclipse in your 5^th house, then you need to focus on the things in your life that are not making you happy and are adding to your personal misery, and ultimately letting them go. Since the 5^th house also rules children, issues surrounding your children, real or potential, or a child, in general, may surface over the next six months.

Sixth House: The sixth house has to do with day to day living, the rituals, and ways you manage your life. An eclipse in the 6^th house can reflect that there are areas of your life that need to be repaired or managed more effectively. If this is the solar eclipse in your 6^th house, then it’s a great time to begin a new diet, focus on a healthier way of life, and even taking on new hobbies. If this is the lunar eclipse in your 6^th house, old ways of living may no longer be effective, and you may need to make some changes. Since the 6^th house also has to do with jobs, issues surrounding your work could be highlighted.

Seventh House: The seventh house has to do with your relationships, not only who you love, but people you are partnered to, and even people that you loathe. An eclipse in the 7^th house will bring your relationships front and center for good or ill. If this is the solar eclipse in the 7^th house, then opportunities to build new relationships and connections to new people may surface. If this is the lunar eclipse, then you may need to let go of relationships that are no longer working for you.

Eighth House: In traditional astrology, the eighth house is the house of death and taxes. However, modernly, we interpret the eighth as the house of crisis and change. An eclipse in the 8^th house will often bring endings to situations in your life that have been stagnant or that you have refused to change despite knowing that you should. If this is the solar eclipse in the 8^th house, opportunities for renewal and transformation will be highlighted. If it’s the lunar eclipse, you may need to look at your self-defeating behaviors and transform them into something useful to you.

Ninth House: The 9^th house is about beliefs and higher education. If an eclipse happens in the 9^th house, then you may be interested in new forms of learning or expanding your mindset. If this is a solar eclipse in the 9^th, then new opportunities for education, workshops, and belief systems are on the menu. If this is the lunar eclipse, then you may need to look at how your current beliefs are serving you or whether they are limiting your growth. Since the 9^th house is the house of teachers, you could find new people entering your life that will play a powerful role in the formulation of your beliefs.

Tenth House: The tenth house has to do with our vocation and our reputations. An eclipse in the 10^th house often brings us face to face with people that have authority over us and affect the way we present ourselves in the outer world. If this is the solar eclipse, you may need to look at your attitude towards the authority figures in your life because your relationship with them may define you in the eyes of others. If this is the lunar eclipse, then you may need to do some reputation repair or try to repair work relationships that may have been damaged over time. Since the 10^th house does have to do with your career, this could be a point where a new career path or opportunities is presented to you.

Eleventh House: The eleventh house is the house of the group. An eclipse in the 11^th opens us up to people we have in our lives that are bonded to us through an idea or like-minded attitudes. If this is the solar eclipse in the 11^th, then new opportunities to expand your social circle or network may be a good thing to focus on in the next six months. If this is the lunar eclipse, then it may be time to let go of groups and organizations that are no longer of use to you. If people don’t make you feel good, then it is time to move on. Since the 11^th house is also the house of friends, then issues regarding your current friendships could surface.

Twelfth House: The twelfth house is the house of self-undoing. An eclipse in the 12^th house reflects unconscious issues that may be controlling or creating chaos in your life. However, since the 12^th house is connected to the collective unconscious, it’s a potential reservoir of intense creativity. If this is the solar eclipse landing in your 12^th house, then new creative expression is possible, and you may want to find a medium (such as art or music) to channel your inspirations. If this is the lunar eclipse, then it is time to let go of the past that may be unconsciously holding you back and begin to create new patterns that are more viable in your life.

That’s it for this post. Make sure you check out my post on Eclipsed Planets!

Eclipsed Planets

Welcome to the final post of my Eclipse web series. In this post, we are going to focus on eclipsed planets.

If you do not have a copy of your horoscope, you can get one from astro.com. You can enter your date, and the site will generate one for you. If you do not know the time of your birth, you can still get a copy of your chart. Use noon as your time of birth, and although we can’t depend on the location of the Moon, the rest of the planets will be accurate.

I want to repeat something I put in my article on eclipsed houses:

Since the bulk of my work involves natal astrology for life coaching, I am going to gear this article towards self-improvement and using an eclipse as a tool. Remember, eclipses are potent lunar phases, meaning they are still New and Full Moons. New Moons reflect new beginnings, new opportunities, planting new seeds, and the beginning of a new cycle; whereas, Full Moons reflect things that come to a culminate or climax, revelations of circumstances that are hidden from view, and the completion of a cycle. So, not surprisingly eclipse season can be a powerful month of intention and magical work.

Now, let’s dive in…

So, pretty much everyone knows what sign they are. For example, I’m a Leo. This really means that my Sun is in Leo. But there are several other planets (and some asteroids, dwarf planets, centaurs, and other debris) in the solar system, and each one of them has a location in your horoscope, and they represent dynamic archetypal patterns in our lives. To state this more simply, the horoscope is our personal feature film, and the planets are the actors.

Every day the planets are in constant motion. Some of them move very quickly through the zodiac, like the Moon, which moves through every sign in about 28 days, and some of them move very slowly, like Pluto, which moves through the entire zodiac in 248 years. This movement through the heavens in astrological terms are called transits. While planets are transiting, they come into contact by making angles to other planets in the sky, and these angles are called aspects. For example, if Venus is at 19 Aquarius and Saturn is at 19 Taurus, then this angle is 90 degrees, and this is known as a square. Furthermore, the lunar phases move through the horoscope relatively quickly and constantly form aspects to different degrees of the zodiac, and occasionally these aspects occur during an eclipse, which supercharges the planet, or in astrological terms, eclipses it.

I am going to go through the planets, but I am only going to use the two luminaries (the Sun and the Moon are called planets in astrology for simplicity), the inner planets, the social planets, and Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

The Sun:

The Sun is the CEO of the chart, the big dog. He is the center of personality, and it is through the Sun that you work out your destiny. If your Sun is eclipsed, then important issues that correspond to your personal development occur. It can be a new job opportunity or a new path in life, but it’s usually a period in which you are called to become your Hero in your journey. If your Sun is aspected by a solar eclipse, then new opportunities for you to shine will develop. You could get a promotion or recognition for your efforts. Doors easily open for you that may have been closed previously, and you seem to level up in the game of life. If your Sun is aspected by a lunar eclipse, then you may question yourself, experience self-doubt and feel like you are wandering down the road to nowhere. It can be extremely crippling and force you to look at your personal path and direction. As we go through life, we often fall off the track, but lunar eclipses help us get off the road to nowhere by forcing us to find the right path once again.

The Moon:

The Moon in astrology is how we express our feelings, but it is also how we feel safe and secure. She reflects our early childhood and our connection to home and family. If your Moon is eclipsed, then changes to your living situation or situations with family members become a significant focus over the next six months. If your Moon is aspected by a solar eclipse, then opportunities to change homes, build a stronger safety net, or become more open to your true feelings may occur. If your Moon is aspected by the lunar eclipse, then you may need to let go of your emotional attachment to things, including family members. I have seen on numerous occasions issues surrounding family members health conditions become a major concern when the Moon is eclipsed.

Mercury:

Mercury is how we understand life. He is our connection to learning, communication, how we view and process our experiences in the world, and how we think. When Mercury is eclipsed issues surrounding ideas, thoughts, and the mind, in general, become activated, and often, this can lead to feelings of great optimism or tremendous anxiety. If your Mercury is aspected by a solar eclipse, opportunities to learn, engage in the process of the mind, or develop new interests are possible. If your Mercury is aspected by a lunar eclipse, it may be time to change course or take continued education classes. Further communication could become an issue, and you may need to watch what you say very carefully. Since Mercury is the natural ruler of travel, be careful if you are taking vacations or trips because the trickster planet creeps up in the most unexpected ways.

Venus:

Venus is the planet of love, and in the horoscope, she seeks relationships and connections with others. When Venus is eclipsed, relationship issues are bound to surface. If your Venus is aspected by a solar eclipse, this could reflect new relationship opportunities. If your Venus is aspected by a lunar eclipse, relationship problems could occur that leads to reassessments in the relationship. Relationships that are dysfunctional or existing solely for security purposes could go through a crisis or possibly end. Since Venus also rules money, financial issues could potentially surface.

Mars:

Mars is the action planet of the horoscope. He reflects our will and desire. When Mars is eclipsed, we tend to like to fight for what we want. If your Mars is aspected by a solar eclipse, then conflicts may lead to an ultimate win as you overcome obstacles that are preventing you from getting what you desire, or it could lead to success after a long struggle. If your Mars is aspected by a lunar eclipse, then you may need to learn the art of compromise and realize that getting part of what you want is still a win. Since Mars rules accidents, be careful of taking any unnecessary risks over the next six months.

Jupiter:

In astrology, Jupiter is considered the great benefic. He is deemed to be lucky and helps us renew our faith in life. An eclipsed Jupiter could easily mean a change in luck and that our fortunes may vastly improve, or it could mean time in life in which we need to expand our place in the world. Often, during an eclipsed Jupiter, we need to pursue spiritual matters because expanding our belief systems is also highlighted. However, since Jupiter is expansive, it could reflect that you have taken on too much and need to reanalyze your commitments. Since Jupiter rules the law, legal issues could surface and need to be resolved over the next six months.

Saturn:

Saturn is the last planet in the solar system that we can see with the visible eye, and with his large rings, he represents boundaries in the horoscope. These Saturnian boundaries can often occur through frustrations and obstacles that teach us patience and to have the willingness to take life more seriously. An eclipsed Saturn can bring trials and tribulations into your life, but these trials, if you are willing to work through them, offer enormous rewards. Issues surrounding career and business concerns could surface, but once you get through them, a more permanent structure can be relied upon. Saturn also rules our fears, and eclipse season is a good time to let go of ones that are not realistic.

The Outer Planets

I want to discuss the outer planets as a group before I begin delineating their eclipsed meaning. The outer planets are beyond Saturn and are generational planets that reflect collective urges and are not concerned about personal issues or motivations. You need to look at the other planets that the outer planets aspect to personalize them. Otherwise, an eclipsed outer planet may trigger concerns of a generational group that we filter through their connection to the personal planets.

Uranus:

Uranus reflects an urge to break free of conventional norms based upon a particular political vision of the times. An eclipsed Uranus can be exciting because it creates a sudden change in your life. Often things that you hold onto too rigidly are blown apart or fall apart at the seams, which could include career, relationships, financial matters or even your health. The warning here is to try to embrace the change that occurs even though it may provoke anxiety. Further, an eclipsed Uranus could trigger increased interest in politics and political affairs.

Neptune:

The keyword to associate with Neptune is idealization. Idealization is when you imagine things to be perfect, and then you are emotionally let down when the fantasy fades. An eclipsed Neptune can bring idealizations into your life, especially in relationships, which could lead to co-dependency issues. On the positive side, an eclipsed Neptune can foster creative inspiration and spiritual interests. On the negative side, an eclipsed Neptune can lead to self-deception, drug and alcohol abuse, confusion, and uncertainty. It is essential to stay grounded during the six-month window if your Neptune is eclipsed. Additionally, you should be wary of individuals who are too good to be true; it is easy to be scammed while this eclipse cycle is active.

Pluto:

Out of the three outer planets, Pluto is probably the most difficult to personalize. He reflects deep collective issues of survival, and perhaps an activated Pluto in your chart will bring forth the collective survival issues of your generational group. Pluto in the horoscope tends to reflect issues that need to be amputated for growth to occur, and as a result, permanent changes are often required. The necessity for change could lead you into the underworld to understand yourself on a deeper level. However, eclipsed Pluto’s can also lead to relationship issues, power struggles, jealousies, and bitter resentments if it is ignored. In the case of an eclipsed Pluto, it is always best to work with the energy rather than ignoring it, because ignoring it tends to project it into the outer world in destructive ways.

I want to discuss one more thing before closing out this blog post. The eclipse degree is highly sensitive, and if the eclipse is in hard aspect to one of your natal planets, then any transit to the natal planet will retrigger the urgency of the eclipse.

“Everything that has a beginning must also have an end.”

The Oracle, Matrix Revolutions

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Jupiter in Sagittarius – The Age of Hope and Optimism

Jupiter in Sagittarius

So, in February of 2007, then-Senator Barack Obama announced that he was running for President of the United States. During his announcement speech, he uttered a phrase that would reverberate over the next eight years, “Yes, we can!” Now, whether you agree with former President Obama’s politics or not, his phrases, his taglines, his demeanor, his promises, and his amazing oratory reflected the optimistic spirit of the times – Jupiter in Sagittarius.

Jupiter is one of the big guns in astrology. Whereas Saturn transits through the heavens are often feared, Jupiter is not only welcomed but seen as “cosmic Santa Claus’ bequeathing his gifts. Jupiter gives us a bigger, better, and brighter glimpse of a potential future that if we are willing to believe enough, have certainty and hope, will ultimately happen.

One of the keywords associated with Jupiter is the curious word ‘luck’, and when Jupiter transits one of your natal planets, good stuff can happen, and usually does; however, according to the mystical Kabbalah, luck is not given simply because of happenstance, luck happens because you are intuitive enough to notice opportunities and turn them into reality. In many ways, luck is our ability to leap from our secure porch of the now and have the certainty to leap into an unknown future.

Surviving Venus Retrograde

So, we have another planet that’s going retrograde.

Yes, I know, after retrograde mania this summer many of you are going through retrograde fatigue, but it’s not over yet.

On October 5^th through November 16^th, Venus the love planet goes retrograde in Scorpio. And, like her brother Mercury, she can be troublesome, especially in relationships. Do not be surprised if you see relationships breakups on social media. It’s just going to happen, and with Venus being in Scorpio, it’s going to be more intense than normal.

I think the key is attempting to understand how Venus operates and using it as a tool to achieve the results we desire rather than just allowing Venus to do her thing unfettered. So, let’s dive in…

Scorpio

Now, Scorpio is a deeply misunderstood sign. Its symbols (snakes, spiders, crocodiles, and scorpions) are intimidating, and it is difficult for good-natured people to stomach. However, Scorpio is not evil; it just represents the side of human life that most of us would rather not deal with and we attempt to hide this side of life from public view.

One of the primary keywords associated with Scorpio is transformation, which is a tricky word on its own. Dictionary.com defines it as a metamorphosis during the life cycle of an animal, and I feel that this is a telling definition. Scorpio has to do with change and eliminating things that are no longer working by actively working to create something new and more durable. It is a necessary sign that gives us the capacity to have experiences that move us to the next level – even if this is sometimes painful and difficult.

On to Venus…

Venus rules love, money, and values and is the planetary ruler of Taurus and Libra. Venus is about peace and harmony with a dash of physical pleasure thrown in for good measure. However, every planet has its dark side, and that is no exception for Venus. When Venus is not working properly in a chart she can be vain, domineering, jealous, conniving, deceitful, treacherous, and a vamp, and I believe we need to understand Venus’s duality to get a full grip on her retrograde cycle.

Signs in astrology are like adjectives. They describe how a planet is going to operate. In watery Scorpio, Venus likes her relationships to be deep, intense, and all-consuming. She is extremely loyal and will often sacrifice her desires to devote herself to her partner fully. She is idealistic and has a particular vision of what love is supposed to be. She seeks relationships that will allow her to grow and develop, even if those relationships are dysfunctional and painful. However, she demands all the same qualities out of her partnerships, and if her partner fails to oblige, she can become dark, possessive, paranoid and jealous. She is fearful of alienation and being abandoned by those she loves, so she will often attempt to bind someone she loves to her, which often leads to its own set of problems.

Now, this isn’t a Venus in Scorpio hater blog, many people with this placement are capable of healthy relationships that are strong and filled with love and makes them a different person as a result of their relationships. But I think that both sides of the placement need to be explored to understand her as a transit and to use her as a tool we can all use to make our relationships better.

Venus Retrograde

Whenever Mercury goes retrograde you get a straightforward list of things that could occur including communication difficulties, avoid signing legal paperwork or documents, avoid buying and selling, the possibility of mechanical problems, schedules go awry and avoid starting anything new.

Rightfully so, Venus has her own set of warnings:

Avoid getting involved in a permanent relationship. Yes, you will meet people that are exciting, and the sex may be off the chart, but wait and see if you feel the same way about the person after Venus goes direct.
Avoid engagements. I know, your man (or woman) asking you to marry them is exciting but try to avoid saying yes until Venus goes direct. Frequently, engagements that happen during a Venus retrograde will end.
Avoid breakups, if you can. This one is the hardest, especially if you are in a dysfunctional relationship. However, breakups that occur during a Venus retrograde (even the most toxic abusive ones) tend to reconcile afterward.
Avoid getting involved in a new business partnership. In case you did not know, Venus rules Venus partnerships, and business partnerships that begin during a Venus retrograde could quickly end.
Avoid going to war. Strangely enough, Venus retrograde likes to spawn wars. Since Venus naturally rules the 7^th house and Libra, she also governs adversaries and enemies. You may be goaded or baited into going on the offense but avoid doing so. The person that begins the conflict tends to lose. Stay defensive and keep it classy.
Avoid making any large purchases, financial expenditures or investments. Venus rules money, and you should keep yours in your wallet until Venus goes direct.

Now let’s get into the good stuff:

Remember the deepest issue of Scorpio is one of the most important factors to working with Venus proactively. Venus in Scorpio seeks relationships on a deeper level. What does this mean? Simply put, society has a collective view of relationships. It can be extremely superficial, materially driven, and people often get married for the wrong reasons, such as getting married for material security rather than love. Venus in Scorpio looks for a relationship based on depth of emotional feeling and connection, enduring loyalty and devotion.

While Venus is in retrograde, we first need to review our relationships honestly, and if our expectations about relationships are unreal, unobtainable, or overly idealistic, then problems may begin to occur. We need to view our partners as human beings with all human frailties and imperfections, and we need to allow them to be that way. Sometimes we need to open dialogue with our partners and find out what they need out of the relationship and come to some form compromise so that both parties are happy. In severe cases, couples’ therapy is always an option. Finally, we need to be real about our financial situation and create a financial plan if needed.

These suggestions are to help you avoid some of the more difficult problems associated with the retrograde and by working through the issues proactively you will learn about yourself. You will transform (Scorpio) your relationships into ones that are lasting and are more prepared to take on the struggles of ordinary life.

How Venus Retrograde Affects the Signs

Although Venus rules love and money, she lands in a house in your solar chart. The house is the stage or backdrop for Venus to do her work, so pay attention to the other areas of your life that Venus may influence.

Aries (and Aries rising): Love is a battlefield. That will be your theme throughout Venus retrograde. Intense feelings may erupt that will cause difficulties. Not addressing these problems could cause feelings of suspicion. Conflicts with your friends could happen around October 10^th and resolving them proactively could be your best bet. Towards the end of the retrograde cycle, you will have an opportunity to repair relationship difficulties, but it will require compromise.

Taurus (and Taurus rising): Like your Aries neighbor, relationships are under the gun. Although problems are sure to surface, listening to your partner and considering their needs is the simplest resolution. Part of the difficulty may be that you are so busy being focused on your goals and objectives that your partner feels pushed aside. On Halloween, Venus slips into Libra in your solar 6^th house, and your relationship with your body will become your focus. Venus in your 6th is a great time to review your fitness program and take care of yourself.

Gemini (and Gemini rising): Make sure to book a spa day during Venus retrograde because you may need a bit of pampering because internal focus will be part of your Venus cycle with your ruler Mercury conjoining Venus on October 15^th. You may be forced to make changes to your daily schedule, which could prove annoying. New insights into yourself could prove important around October 26^th, and you may need this knowledge when a prior relationship tries to reopen a closed-door around Halloween – proceed with caution. If you are in a relationship, be careful of reacting to shake-ups that occur because old issues may resurface.

Cancer (and Cancer rising): Venus retrograde will transit through your solar 5th house of romance and pleasure. You will begin to question whether your romantic needs are being met or satisfied. Venus in the 5th could lead to some interesting solutions, but at least the sex will be good, especially around October 10^th when Venus squares Mars in your 8^th house. Difficulties and disagreements with friends could occur towards the end of the month. Try to resolve any problems proactively. Listening to others is always the key.

Leo (and Leo rising): Do you need to do some home repair or redecorating? Beautifying your life could be a major theme throughout the retrograde cycle. You may be interested in doing some interior changes around your home to spruce it up a bit, especially in Venus’ natural abode, the bedroom. Also, relationships may need a bit of remodeling when Venus squares Mars on the 10^th. You might want to try spicing things up a bit and do something different or focus the attention on your partner rather than yourself for a change. Relationships at work could prove problematic towards the end of the month.

Virgo (and Virgo rising): Communicating your needs in relationships may prove important with Venus retrograde in your solar 3^rd house. Normally, during this transit of Venus, it’s easy to ‘feel the love’ in your daily life, but during Venus retrograde, you may feel disconnected. The best way to resolve this is to reach out to those around you and try to be more social. You may need to express to the people that are important in your life how much you love and need them. Towards the end of the retrograde cycle, you may need to re-examine your values because many of them may have changed.

Libra (and Libra rising): Your relationship with money will be your primary focus throughout this retrograde cycle. Difficult financial news will get you to examine your purchases and whether they are necessary. It is best to keep financial purchases practical through this cycle. Try to circumvent financial negotiations until after Halloween because they may not be favorable for you. Additionally, avoid borrowing money, and you may need to invest in your everyday life. On Halloween, Venus will slide into your solar 1^st house, and a little bit of self-focus may be necessary.

Scorpio (and Scorpio rising): Normally, Venus moving through your first house would make you feel social and connected to others, but you may feel the need to isolate yourself during this retrograde cycle. Conflicts with others could easily occur, and you may have little stomach for it, especially with family members. You may feel manipulated by others towards the end of the month, and it’s best that you stand your ground or defend yourself. As Venus returns to your 12^th house on the 31^st, you may need to reach out to your close friends or siblings to resolve any problems that may occur. Since Venus retrogrades in your sign, you will experience it stronger than everyone else – proceed with caution, but you will understand yourself on a deeper level when it is over.

Sagittarius (and Sagittarius rising): Venus moving through the 12^th house is usually one of the best 12^th house placements because Venus is naturally exalted. However, Venus retrograde in the 12^th can be problematic. Normally, Venus is rather self-sacrificing when moving through the 12^th, but Venus retrograde can make you feel victimized by the people you are helping. You may need to set some solid boundaries lest you fall into co-dependent behavior patterns. Towards the end of the month, shakeups may occur that can be difficult to manage, but the resolution of these problems will occur in November. Standing up for your values may be important for you to navigate through this retrograde cycle.

Capricorn (and Capricorn rising): In traditional astrology, the 11^th house is the house of hopes and wishes, and with Venus going through the 11^th you may feel that luck isn’t on your side and that situations in your life are not working out for you the way you would have liked. Just remember, this cycle is only temporary and before you know it things will turn in your favor. Since the 11^th house is also the house of friends and your social network, you may need to do some pruning and decide who holds value in your life and who doesn’t. Later in the month, Venus moves into your 10^th house and conflicts may occur at your job. It’s not recommended to be reactive when dealing with others while this placement is active.

Aquarius (and Aquarius rising): Your career is your primary focus during Venus transit through your solar 10^th house. You may feel disconnected at your job and question whether your current career path is bringing you joy and contentment. Towards the end of the month, sudden changes in your career may make you feel a bit disoriented and could create unintended conflicts with others. The 10^th house is also the house of success, and your self-esteem may take a hit. However, once Venus moves into your solar 9^th house, you will begin to see your big picture objectives once again, which will release some of the pressure. Stay in a goal-oriented mindset.

Pisces (and Pisces rising): Normally, Venus moving through your 9^th house encourages personal growth through your relationships. You would feel that your love experience is opening new horizons. However, with Venus retrograde, your difficulties in relationships or finances may make it difficult to get beyond your day-to-day life to experience something life altering. Venus retrograde in the 9^th could make you feel frustrated and uninspired. On Halloween, Venus will slip into your 8^th house, and you may need to revise your credit strategies or repair any damage. Be careful of overly expressing rigid opinions that do not consider other people’s points of view. If you do, people may feel alienated from you and cut off communication.

Looking for personalized insight into your Venus retrograde cycle? You can schedule a consultation with me at anytime or use my on demand service.