Storm’s Blog – Page 21

Jupiter in Scorpio

“Does this mean we are going to have tons of more sex?” My client asked me without blinking an eye.

I mean what do you say to that, even if the ‘king of the gods’ is going to move into Scorpio?

But, I found it interesting that the client asked me this on the same date that the Harvey Weinstein story blew up.

Sex. Sex. Sex. It’s become a national obsession!

Now, onto the meat…. (no pun intended)

On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Jupiter moves out of the love and relationship sign of Libra and dives in deep into Scorpio.

And, to answer my client’s question, sex is a part of it.

However, I think we need to realize that sex is the ULTIMATE form of intimacy that two people can share, and it strikes us on several levels – the physical, the emotional, and the biological. Sex feels good, it allows us to feel close to another individual, and it is the driving force of procreation (well mostly).

Now, tons of adjectives are used to describe the planet Jupiter – improvement, enrichment, futuristic, expansive, generous, benevolent, and optimistic. All of this can be summed up as our need to renew faith in life.

Life just happens – we go through experiences, and we deal with difficult and upsetting circumstances, but luckily, we have a cosmic “Dr. Feel Good” mechanism that comes to the rescue to make life a little bit better.

While Jupiter is in Scorpio, the areas of life that are going evoke Jupiter are encounters with the emotional depths, which is psychological code for emotional involvement with others. Each encounter (even the sexual ones), despite their trivialities, provide us with meaning and purpose.

Let me give you an example:

I recently had a client who went through difficulties in a romantic relationship. Her partner was constantly ghosting her, and she didn’t understand why he was doing it. Well, she eventually found out he had ailing parents and didn’t want her to be burdened by it. Despite her being conflicted about it or hurt because he hadn’t revealed his parental issues with her, she realized that he put others needs before his own, and she valued this characteristic in a partner. This is how Jupiter operates in Scorpio. He reveals to us the deeper level of the situation than what is apparent on the surface.

As Jupiter moves through Scorpio, he expands the energies of the sign he transits – for good or ill. Over-emotional sensitivities are heightened, and so are our instinctual responses. Jupiter brings out the best in people or the worst, yet beneath each experience, we will understand the complexities of life and glimpse a more optimistic future.

How Jupiter in Scorpio Will Influence You?

Below I give you the tea on how Jupiter will influence all the astrological signs. This guide gives you an area of focus on how to work with this energy in your life over the next year. You can read this for your sign, and if you know your rising sign, I would suggest you reading that description as well. If you need a copy of your chart, you can get one for FREE including a tutorial on how to read the chart.

Aries: This year Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 8^th house. The 8^th house is similar to the 11^th and the 12^th and has a rather mysterious and confusing aura around it. Traditionally, Jupiter in the 8th 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 25 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^thhouse, issues from the past that may need healing will rise to the surface, and the healing of past familial trauma begins. This can come from powerful changes or psychological wounds, yet these changes will be to your ultimate 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 makes it easy for people to share their resources with you.

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

Gemini: 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, yet it is one of the houses we see enormous benefits. 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 refers to your 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 good health. In fact, do not be surprised if you take on additional responsibilities because people will be 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 and the physical world, there could be a tendency to gain weight. It would be a good idea to maintain a regular fitness regime and balanced diet at this time.

Cancer: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 5^th house. The next year for you is going to focus on personal growth and expansion of who you are as an individual. You will begin to understand your life with greater 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 through your craft. Since the 5^th house rules children, your relationship with your own (if you have them) will take center stage and a deeper emotional bond will naturally occur. Finally, your relationships with others around you will go through great improvement throughout the year. As you tear down walls and barriers and begin to express yourself with courage and tenacity, you will notice the important people around you responding favorably.

Leo: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 4^th house. The 4^th house is mysterious because it rules our private parts – our innermost self and governs our home, family, personal life, and our past. While Jupiter is transiting your solar 4^th, 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 unresolved family issues or feuds. On the inner level, Jupiter moving through the 4^th is a cycle of personal focus. It is a natural time to withdraw from the outer world and its trappings and focus on creating a secure future. If we do not have a secure inner world of peace and harmony, it is going to be difficult for you to find happiness in the outer world.

Virgo: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 3^rd house of communication. In most textbooks delegate the third house to govern over communication, early education, and siblings. However, after working with charts for the past 25 years, I have come to understand the 3^rd house as the place in the horoscope where we process our experiences. In fact, I believe one of the most undervalued resources we have are the experiences felt via the events, circumstances, and people we have encountered that helps formulate who we are as individuals. While Jupiter is in the 3^rd, the ‘social butterfly’ will emerge and the number of people in your social circle will expand. This transit provokes an enormous urge to learn and express yourself to others to formulate your unique opinions about life. Further, because you need to experience more of the world to expand your consciousness, a return to school, taking a trade course, or expanding our education is likely. A mind is a terrible thing to waste, and with Jupiter transiting the 3rd, you are likely to find it working overtime.

Libra: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your value oriented 2^nd house. In traditional astrology, the 2^nd house governs money and resources. In modern astrology, money and resources are viewed as symbols of what you value. I have long believed that the most powerful book of revelation is a checkbook. Your financial ledgers provide you with clear and concise information about what you truly value because it reveals where we spend our money. This is not to say that Jupiter in the 2^nd house will not expand your resources; it will. In fact, it will expand everything that you give value to – 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 have to 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 of anything can be as harmful as not enough.

Scorpio: This is your lucky year because Jupiter will transit through your personal oriented 1^st house. Doors that have been closed and opportunities that have been denied will open up for you with minimal effort throughout the year. The main thing for you to focus on this being a major cycle of growth combined with an opportunity to express who you are by shining (and sharing) your inner light. Further, you will notice that people are drawn to you like never before (or at least since 2003) 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 astrological world only happens once every 12 years, and this year Santa delivers the presents to you.

Sagittarius: 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 the house of self-undoing and its association with hospitals and prisons always raise a curious eyebrow or two. In modern astrology, the 12^th house reflects the patterns, drives, and compulsions that operate beneath the level of conscious awareness, but not in the personal sense, yet those habits and dysfunctions which have been passed down from generation to generation. Jupiter in the 12^th can be a blessing or a curse. On one hand, this transit augurs a time when one begins (often for the first time) to see their inner truth. Circumstances, situations, and events begin to have meaning and one begins to acquire insight into their lives. Often this opens the doors to a spiritual journey of self-discoveries. On the other hand, Jupiter’s transit represents where we begin to seek the truth and in the 12^th house, the truth lies within oneself. If one does not have the inner courage or current capabilities, one will seek “their” truth through escapism – sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling, food or any other reckless behavior. Simply put, Jupiter in the 12^th house is a year for you to do inner work and access the real you.

Capricorn: 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 like the 12^th house, these descriptions are often not helpful. In many ways, the 11^th house reflects your need to be bigger than who you are and to strive towards improving your life. You will do this through becoming involved with individuals beyond your familial structure. Your friends, associates and like-minded individuals fulfill these requirements and assist you by providing networks to encourage your success. Jupiter in the 11^threflects a cycle where your social circle can assist you in achieving your hopes and wishes for the future. In fact, you will notice the need to change your world for the better with Jupiter transiting this social house. In most cases, the changes you make will also benefit those around you significantly, and your goals will be achieved. Finally, Jupiter is the planet of expansion, and you will notice your social circle and sphere of influence expand over the next year.

Aquarius: Jupiter begins its yearlong transit through your solar 10^th house. In astrology, the 10^thhouse describes our careers and position in the world. Jupiter transiting this house is considered favorable, improves and increases your reputation and often prompts you to be all that 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 an inner self-confidence while Jupiter transits this house.

Pisces: This year Jupiter begins his yearlong transit through your solar 9^th house. For you, this is a great position because Jupiter naturally rules the 9^th house. Your desire to learn is magnified as Jupiter transits the house normally associated with higher education. Your learning experiences will broaden your mind and your perspective, and things 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, interest in the arcane sciences, religion or philosophy are typical because interest in esoteric and teleological subjects reflect the need to expand your worldview. Finally, you may find yourself interested in foreign cultures or taking vacations to foreign lands to broaden your experience. The one thing to expect while Jupiter transits your 9^th house is that your view of life will change and always for the better.

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Bible Magic — Attack of the Bu$y Bees

Can you believe how synchronicity works?

I mean, I have been a student of Jung for a very long time, and it still just makes me fall out of my chair when it happens.

You see, a few weeks ago I decided to do some bible magic. I do not see nearly enough discussion of it in the pagan community with a few exceptions – Star Casas (who is amazing) being one of them. But, the Bible is one of the most powerful magical tomes that exists and should be used more frequently.

I know what you are saying, “Well, it’s part of fundamental Christianity, and I really do not want to be part of that.”

I understand. But, fundamental Christians do not own the bible – PEOPLE DO!

Much of the Bible has been misinterpreted and misaligned for centuries. I plan to do some writing on that as well.

But, I digress.

Anyways, a few days after I decided I was going to do Bible magic as a regular new feature of my website, Dorothy Morrison let me have a sneak peek at some of the new stuff she is working on. Her latest “Bu$y Bee” product line fits perfectly into where I planned to begin with the Bible.

So, if you possibly can put any preconceived opinions that you have about the Bible on a shelf (and if you have problems doing that, check out Rob Bell’s book, “What is the Bible?”) and just try it to let it work its magic.

Before Dorothy wrote to me, I decided to begin my Bible Magic series with the book of Psalms. It’s one of the most famous books of the Bible, and it is probably the most accepted by magical practitioners.

Let’s dig in.

To work with this spell, you are going to need the following:

1 Jar (mason jar or baby food jar)
1 bottle of honey (enough to fill the jar ¾ of the way filled)
1 packet of seeds (anything that grows over and over like grass or dandelion)
1 bottle of Bu$y Bee Oil
1 bottle of Bu$y Bee Spray
1 green birthday candle (you can use white if you don’t have green, but green is the color of money)
1 petition sheet (I use green ‘post-its’ for any money or client based spell)

Open the jar, and if it has any contents dump them out and clean the jar. Try to remove the label if possible. Use warm soap and water and then if it is a problem grab a teaspoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of baking soda and mix it together in a small bowl. Spread the mixture onto the label remains and let it sit there for 20-30 minute, and then wash it again.

Next, take a packet of seeds and dump them into the jar.

Now grab your Bu$y Bee Oil and put 20 drops of it into the jar and then fill the jar with honey until it is ¾ of the way full.

Write the following on your petition:

Your name 3 X followed by the following Psalm verse:

“And I will be like a tree firmly planted (and fed) by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; its leaf does not wither; And in whatever I do, I prosper.”

Now fold up the petition towards you, and then place it in the jar with the materials.

Seal up the jar and light the birthday candle and let it drip on the cover. It does not have to be perfect and fancy; this is magic, not Martha Stewart.

Now every day until the spray is done, spray the room that you work in the most with Bu$y Bee spray and shake your jar. Keep your jar close to you when you are working – like on a desk or a shelf near you.

You can purchase Bu$y Bee products on Dorothy Morrison’s website, Wicked Witch Studios.

Happy Casting!

Astrological Forecast for Libra 2017!

Welcome to Libra Season

Why do we need a crisis to change?

I’ve thought about this a lot, and believe me; I am just as guilty as anyone else.

We all seem to coast through life when there is no conflict. It’s like nothing in the world is going to affect us, and we are just going with the flow.

Then, all hell breaks loose, and the entire world comes crashing down around us.

And, that my friends, is the energy of the month of Libra this year.

Now, I am not someone that believes that we should just stick our heads in the sand. Instead, it’s time for us to get to work!

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and do this.

The chart for the month of Libra – despite its difficulties is rather instructive. Its primary focus is on our insecurities setting our reality.

As many of you know, I start ingress charts with the 4^th house because I believe it describes the emotional weather forecast for the month, and its energy can completely dominate a chart.

The sign of Taurus sits on the 4^th house cusp. The sign of Taurus is conservative and does not like change. It likes to protect its territory and security and foundation is very important to the sign of the bull. It signifies that the next month is going to involve focusing on the ‘basic ground’ that matters to us.

Saturn makes an interesting aspect to the 4^th house cusp – an inconjunct. Inconjuncts are aspects of crisis (they correspond with the 6^th and 8^th houses). Saturn sits in the group-oriented 11^th house and rules the 12^th (self-undoing) and the 1^st. Saturn signifies that outside influences could frustrate our sense of security, and we may need to let go of some things that we have been holding onto, which is not going to make Taurus all that happy. Taurus likes to hold onto EVERYTHING. However, Saturn also questions whether what we are holding onto is based upon a real desire or because of our insecurities.

The ruler of Taurus – Venus – sits in the 7^th house in Virgo. Venus in the 7^th house gives us our first clue on how to deal with Taurus: How do we manage (Virgo is a lovely management sign) our day to day lives and how are we participating in our relationships.

I mean how often do we look at these things?

I am often amazed when I talk to people that they consider these things when they are going through struggles and difficulties. I think it’s universal, we start to think about managing our time more effectively or who in our life has meaning to us. We start to think about whether our careers are sustaining us or whether we should spend a little less. The main thing is that we attempt to bring order into our lives.

Venus forms a conjunction to Mars, which rules the 3^rd house of communication. This conjunction reflects that we may need to communicate what we want more effectively, and this dovetails into Venus’s opposition to Neptune, which means that we may not necessarily be in touch with our real values. So, this gives us another clue – what do we currently value in our lives? What is important?

The next part of the ingress chart that I analyze is the Ascendant. The Ascendant reveals the path we are going to take over the next month.

The sign of Capricorn is rising. Capricorn is about ambition and how we are going to achieve something in the world. When the sign of the goat is rising, our focus is on giving our lives some form of meaning where we feel that we are participating and adding something to our lives.

There is nothing wrong with this, and in fact, its encouraged. The difficulty with it this month is the Moon and Uranus square the Ascendant. The Moon signifies changes and Uranus signifies disruption, which can easily lead to being sensitive to obstacles and feelings of frustration. This is complicated by Saturn (the ruler of Capricorn) being in the 11^th house. Saturn in the 11^th likes to do things alone and often has difficulties reaching out and accepting help from others, and since Mercury forms a square to Saturn, this energy is amplified because the aspect is not known for its communication savvy. In fact, Mercury square Saturn often leads to feelings of depression and insecurities.

Now, let’s get to the Sun in Libra.

The Sun in Libra likes harmony and balance. In the sign of the scales, the Sun is considered in detriment, and the reason is that Libra is the sign of the ‘other,’ which causes our focus to be on our relationships, partnerships, competitors, and even our open enemies.

The Sun is in the 8^th house and makes no aspects. I recently attended a webinar by Liz Greene on Pluto, and she described planets that are unaspected in the best way that I have ever heard. She said, and I paraphrase, that these planets are like tenants tied up in a basement. They have little contact with the outside world, and once they are trigged (by something or somebody – italics mine), they tend to burst out into consciousness and often in ways that throw us into crisis, which I find rather fitting with this Sun hidden in the dark of the 8^th house.

The Sun’s purpose in the chart is to encourage us to grow. Now, we have a choice. We can look inside and do this on our own, or the will set up circumstances that will force us to grow in one-way other another. I think it is encouraging us to take a deep look at what is going on in our lives right now, and make changes accordingly – especially if we are dissatisfied with the current state of our lives. We can use this Libra season to make active changes in our lives and begin to get on the right path.

In other words, happiness is an option!

The Universe Has Your Back:

I pulled a card from Gabrielle Bernstein’s new deck, “The Universe Has Your Back,” to help us with Libra season. I find it self-explanatory.

Journal Prompts:

What am I holding onto because I feel insecure about letting it go?

What do I currently value in my life?

Should I reach out to others for help?

Am I being plagued by negative thoughts?

Do I feel stuck and blocked by outer circumstances?

What can I do to move my life in the direction I would like it to go? What changes can I make to feel in control of my life?

See you next month!

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Curses & The Great American Eclipse

I’ve been thinking a lot about the state of the world today, and I wonder if we are under some form of curse. And no, not something performed by a tricky magician with his own personal motives. Instead, this is something deeper.

Making the Upcoming Mercury Retrograde Work For You

Yes, it’s Mercury retrograde time again.

(waits for the moans and groans to subside)

… and yes, we can expect all the problems that normally occur during a Mercury retrograde – electronic device issues, travel plans have gone awry, communications with others go crazy, and more socks than ever seem to slip into the vortex of the dryers 4th dimension.

(waits for the moans and groans to subside)

But this year, I have the best Mercury retrograde option for you and it couldn’t come any sooner – Coventry Creations Crossroads Candle.

Now, before I get into how to work with the candle, let’s get into the Mercury Retrograde chart, and figure out how we can get the most out of it.

Mercury is the planet that helps us understand life. It’s kind of our little computer/phone app that lets us see what is going on in the world, and integrate all the bits of information into something that is useable for us as we navigate through our day to day lives.

In Greek Myth, Hermes (his Greek name) was a peculiar God. Let me give you the areas of life he was the god of: commerce, messages, the link between mortals and the gods, travel, and he was the protector of travelers, thieves, and athletes.

Mercury was the only god that did not have temples and shrines that were erected in his honor – and with the people he trafficked with, you can see why. Instead, he had ‘herms’ that were erected at crossroads in his honor. This would be where travelers that were lost or people that needed Mercury’s assistance would rest to get guidance from the god.

So, you can see why this years ‘Crossroads’ limited edition (meaning Jacki doesn’t make them often) is perfect because it gives us something tangible to work with during this retrograde cycle.

On with the chart… (yes, there is always a chart for everything)

Mercury goes retrograde in the sign of Virgo on August 12 at 9:00 PM EST. Virgo is an earth sign and is associated with order, discipline, structure, foundation, and natural law.

To look at the trends of the Mercury retrograde chart, we set the chart for Washington, DC for the United States. These trends will be more potent for anyone that has planets between 7-15 degrees of a sign, with a stronger emphasis in the signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces.

Let’s begin with the 4^th house. This house is enormous power because it reflects the current emotional weather of the collective at the time Mercury goes retrograde. There are no planets in the 4^th house of the chart, but the sign of Gemini is on the cusp. This reflects a lot of conflicting emotions. We may be torn about the current state of our relationships or need to decide whether our jobs or careers are giving us what we need. Additionally, Gemini is ruled by Mercury retrograde and sits in the 6^th house on the cusp of the 7^th. So, we have a clue that our day to day life, our habits, and our relationships (personal and business) are going to be high target areas of concern during this retrograde.

Our next area of concern is going to be the Ascendant of the chart, which has Pisces on the cusp and Neptune, Chiron, and the Moon in the 1^st house. Neptune in the 1^st reflects that we may need to think things out and possibly be very patient because all the information is not available. Many of the decisions and choices we need to make right now might also involve past problems or decisions that have come back for us to reflect on and possibly make future adjustments. Chiron in the first implies that we may view things now through the lens of spoiled luck or unfortunate situations that have occurred that have not really been our personal fault or the faults of those in our day to day life. Chiron’s influence is amplified in this chart, and it might be necessary to work through any anger or rage that you may have towards the collective. Additionally, the Moon in energetic Aries in the first implies that we need to take control of our own thoughts and ideas, and our pathway to security (Moon) is doing things on our own and forging our own path. We need to embrace change.

The traditional ruler of Pisces is Jupiter. Jupiter lands in the 7^th house of the chart. The 7^th house has to do with our relationships with others. This reflects that we can learn more about our path by being open and receptive to the ideas and opinions of others. This does not mean that we should do it their way, but it does give us an area that we can look for answers.

Now, let’s analyze Mercury itself:

Mercury lands in the 6^th house of the chart straddling the 7^th house cusp. As I stated earlier, will influence our everyday lives and our relationships. So, the areas most affected will be our jobs, our hobbies, rituals, and possibly put a strain on relationships. This retrograde could even activate our adversaries.

Mercury always indicates a period of reflection when he is retrograde, and we can use its energy to analyze the areas he will influence and gauge whether they are giving us what we need.

Here are some meditation and reflection points:

Am I happy with my job situation?
Am I getting enough exercise?
How am I feeling physically and emotionally?
Have I had a health check up recently?
Have my pets visited the vet recently? How are they doing?
Am I getting enough rest?
Is there anything that I am doing habitually that may be causing a problem?
Are there any new hobbies I wish to pursue?
Am I happy with my current hobbies?
Am I happy with my relationships?
Are there people I need to make amends with?
How are my business partnerships going and do I need to make other strategic alliances?
Do I need to end some business relationships?

Mercury forms several aspects that I mentioned earlier in conjunction with the 4^th house. The most significant is Mercury opposed Neptune. You can expect to feel confusing during the retrograde. Areas of your life may seem muddled and you may need to put off ANY decision making completely until the retrograde is over – especially if this is making you anxious. This could be amplified by Mercury sesquiquadrate Uranus. Mercury and Uranus bring forth feelings of anxiety on their own and likes to make plans and have a scheme on how to resolve things, especially when this is combined with Neptune’s influence. Uranus is the ruler of the 12^th house past and could indicate that we need to analyze the decisions and choices we’ve made that may have led to our current confusion. This could be difficult and force you to dig deep, yet the rewards of reviewing the past will be many.

The second difficult aspect is Mercury square Saturn. This is an extremely frustrating aspect because we often feel thwarted, limited, face any obstacles, and this could lead to depression. This is not the greatest time to engage in social activities because social gatherings could make us feel even more alienated – especially since Saturn is the ruler of the 11^th house group. The key to working with this aspect is realizing that sometimes you should do things slowly and with purpose and that only through going through the frustrations and limitations, you get to the other side. Mercury square Saturn, when worked with consciously, can bring forth solid and endurable results.

Mercury does make one positive aspect: a trine to Pluto. Mercury-Pluto aspects let you dig deeper. Mercury trine Pluto lets you get to the bottom of situations and see the underlying issues and problems. Pluto is the ruler of the 9^th house big picture and Mercury trine Pluto will allow us to see the larger scheme of things and put them in their proper perspective eliminating circumstances that may no longer be good for us.

Now, we all know that Mercury retrograde is difficult, and I have written extensively on its purpose. It’s very easy for us to get caught up in the physical manifestation of this cosmic event. However, Coventry Creations has released a limited-edition Crossroads Candle – and it has arrived at the right time.

The Crossroads candle is an elegantly designed candle that comes adorned with a key. Now for those of you that are Lenormand fans, then you know that the key card signifies opening doors, and usually indicates a yes answer when he appears in a spread.

The text on the candle says:

“What wonders await when you unlock the door to your true self? Magic is not from an external source, but from deep within. We designed this candle to help you find your inner wisdom. Lighting this candle and visualizing your goal is a commitment to your success.”

This candle is perfect for working with Mercury retrograde. It helps us receive inner answers that we can then implement once Mercury goes direct on September 5^th.

Here are ways you can use the candles:

Career – Are you at a point in your career where you are not getting what you need? Do you not feel creative enough or that your career is feeding your spirit? The crossroads candle can be used to help you receive clarity on what direction that you need to take, and what path is more aligned with your spirit.

Finances – Are finances a problem? The crossroads candle can be used to help you get clarity on your financial situation. Do you need a stricter budget or do you need to find a new job to make more money? Do you need to pay off your debt? Are you spending more than you need to spend? This candle will bring you clarity on your financial needs.

Relationships – Relationships are important to everyone. However, there are times when we need to take a deep look at how our relationships are feeding us, and whether or not they are fulfilling us on an emotional level. Additionally, this applies to business relationships. You can use the crossroads candle to help show your relationship path and guide you in the choices that you need to make.

Here is an amazing video that Jacki Smith has done to show how to perform a crossroads ritual.

To get more information on the crossroads candle please visit http://www.coventrycrossroads.com

.. and Happy Retrograde

Storm Cestavani, August 10, 2017

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The Not So Talked About Lunar Eclipse — and Yes, It’s Important Too

I am still shocked!

I have had a difficult time since the election. It’s been hard to understand the current state of the United States. The division and the backbiting. The derision on social media and people being bitterly antagonistic to any belief and anyone that differs with them is a difficult and bitter pill to swallow.

I disconnected. I pulled back. I had to once again learn about boundaries, limits, and creating my space.

I’ve been angry. REAL ANGRY.

I’ve been depressed, more depressed, and lost interest in everything – even astrology.

I would try to force myself to write; pen on paper, fingers on the keyboard, buying new notebooks and pens that I thought would trigger my desire to write, but words just wouldn’t come out.

I was frozen.

I tried to make sense of it all. It hasn’t been easy, and ultimately, I have had to surrender and just focus on what I am good at – helping other people take control and make the most out of their personal lives.

This eclipse article is going to be a bit different than ones I have written in the past. Yes, I will have to write about collective trends and how those trends have influenced politics, but this is going to be more about people using the energy in productive ways to make the most out of it.

It’s REALLY (and everything) is about you.

Before we get to the eclipse though, we need to look at some of the larger collective currents, which are running the show.

So, get a cup of something, this is going to be a wild ride.

Saturn square Neptune Redux

For the past two years, we have had Saturn in Sagittarius squaring Neptune in Pisces. Saturn is the planet that represents foundation, structure, the rule of law, and our psychic skin. It’s our defense mechanism that protects us (constructively or dysfunctionally) from the outer world. Neptune, on the other hand, is concerned with redemption from ordinary mortal sins and the vision of a perfect world. When you combine these two planets together, you get a whiff of the populist tidal wave that has possessed both the United States and Western Europe and was apparent on both sides of the aisle in the 2016 US Election.

Saturn square Neptune makes us painfully aware of the areas of life where we experience internal disappointment and frustration. It tends to manifest in the belief that things could be so much better if circumstances were different. In many ways, it is a battle of entitlements: Saturn feels entitled to what it possesses because it has worked hard for it, and Neptune feels entitled because certain things should be guaranteed to all humans and seeks a messianic figure to redeem us from suffering. It’s a conundrum, and perhaps, both planets are right from their perspectives.

The current Saturn square Neptune has manifested both of these conflicting ideas. The rich and powerful are seen as the enemy of the people and the general population is seen as crybabies who are petulant and self-indulgent. The 1% believes that people should work a little more and take responsibility for themselves; whereas, the 99% believes that rich people should pay a little more and quit being selfish.

Another manifestation of this aspect has been ‘group think’. You can see across social media platforms people lining up on one side or the other sharing like-minded posts and battling the other side like never before. The need to belong to a familiar collective is highly Neptunian and it allows us to elect our heroes and enemies. It also allows us to be easily duped by information that is not factual and in many ways, is the fantasies and dreams of those caught up in the groups. It also loves a good slogan – a future we can believe in, make America great again, or even stray hashtags such as #fakenews.

All Hail Eris

The other major planetary aspect currently active is Uranus conjunct Eris in the sign of Aries, and both planets have been in square to Pluto in Capricorn.

I have written extensively about Uranus square Pluto over the past 7 years, and I am not going to do so here – but you can read it my other blog posts. Instead, I am going to focus on Uranus conjunct Eris.

I have not written much about Eris up to this point. It is a peculiar planet (dwarf planet) and has not really been part of the astrological toolkit for too long.

Eris in Greek myth is the goddess of strife and discord. She has a rather nasty reputation and is probably one of myths greatest villainesses. But, no archetypal figure lives without necessity, and it is necessary to probe beneath the surface of the Eris myths to understand what she is all about.

The most famous myth that Eris appears in known as the Judgement of Paris. A story that revolves around a young man who is forced to decide a beauty contest between the goddesses Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite and his decision (of Aphrodite) leads to the Trojan War. However, I believe that Eris simply throwing an apple on a table is insufficient in understand her overall purpose in the myth.

The myth begins when an Oracle informs Zeus that if his brothers or he ever impregnate the goddess Thetis, the spawn of this union would eventually overthrow the Olympians. So, being like most gods that want to retain their power, Zeus sets to form an arranged marriage between Thetis and mortal named Peleus. Of course, Thetis resents the marriage and tries to get out of it by transforming herself, but Peleus continues to hold on to her and eventually Thetis relents. Here is the deal: we have a woman who is relinquishing her personal power to satisfy masculine principles and ideals – which like any resentment it builds up over time and eventually seeps out in curious and destructive ways.

The story continues…

Hera agrees to put together the reception for the wedding, and she decides to do it at the full moon. This part of the myth is fascinating because the honored guests at the wedding were the 12 Olympians, and in mythology numbers matter. Twelve reflects the solar calendar of 12 months that is based on the sun moving through the signs of the zodiac. Solar ideals are based on individual destiny, purpose, and meaning. However, Hera schedules the reception during a full moon, which is based on lunar needs – comfort, emotions, security, attachment to family and roots, and survival. And, let us not forget that Hera is the wife of Zeus, who received the Oracle originally, and how many women are going to want to arrange a reception for another woman that their husband may or may not be interested in?

Of course, we know that Eris (the unconscious repressed feminine) bursts through the door and tosses an apple down the table that is inscribed “to the fairest” and all hell breaks loose and you have a rivalry begin between three goddesses that ultimately leads to the Trojan War.

In another myth, there is a wedding between Perithous and Hippodaeia. Perithous invited the Olympians again, except for Aries and Eris – because he remembered the mischief Eris created at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. This reminds me of Einstein’s famous quote, “Insanity is repeating the same mistakes again and again, but expecting different results.” Yet, on a deeper level, we can begin to see that ‘solar’ principles were favored over lunar needs. Of course, Eris retaliates and we end up with the feud between the Lapiths and the Centaurs.

We can get a lot of keywords for Eris through myth – the obvious is strife and discord. But, I think using keywords for Eris that are already part of our planetary pantheon gives great disservice to her (strife and discord are already covered quite well with Mars), and of course, we know Eris will strike back if she is insulted. Instead, I think we need to look deeper and understand what causes strife and what causes discord? Is there a deeper element to the myth?

Let’s dig a bit deeper…

There is something that occurs at the beginning of each of the major Eris myths. Someone has pushed the gods to their limits. It is either through some form of trespass or insult against the gods, but regardless, a slight has occurred and the gods are looking for revenge. This is called hubris.

According to Mr. Webster the definition of hubris is as follows:

Excessive pride towards or defiance of the gods, which leads to Nemesis.

Nemesis is the Greek term for one’s inescapable fate that leads to their downfall. She was also a rather feared goddess.

In many cases, we all commit hubris. We become too big for our britches or we do questionable things to succeed. We push the limits of what is permissible and sometimes blow back occurs. Sometimes we even ignore the warnings of the gods, and one thing they dislike is being ignored. Eris seems to appear at the point in the myth where everything is so blown up that a major event needs to occur to settle scores or level the playing field for things to return to their natural order.

Over the past few years transiting Uranus has been conjoined to Eris in Aries. Uranus is a political vision or plan and Eris is the balance of hubris and the rectification of natural laws. Additionally, the sign of Aries is the need to be independent and get our personal desires met.

Adding all of this together, you can clearly see how it’s been very easy for us to get the point we are at. For far too long, people have been suffering at the hands of governmental structures who have disregarded the will of the people and have been more concerned with their personal careers and donations from special interest groups. There is race inequality, gender inequality, sexual identity inequality, and perhaps most importantly financial inequality. Rebellions and protests have erupted throughout the world, and the will of the people is as elusive as ever. Hubris has been adding up over time as seen through our treatment of resources and the environment. But, perhaps the greatest hubris overall is handing over our personal responsibilities to others – whether that be politicians, our communities, or even our families.

The Lunar Eclipse:

Now that we have put the big picture together, it is time to bring this back down to our personal lives. Yes, most likely we will see large events during this eclipse cycle that could potentially be game changers on the world stage. So, expect some rather heated news over the next few weeks. But, what about how the eclipse is going to affect our personal lives.

Any collective based chart (including eclipse and ingress charts) can be used in understanding the individual – because we are each part of the collective. These charts can be read to show areas of life where we need to be reflective and areas where it may be easy for us to fall prey to collective trends.

The first thing that we are going to look at is the 4^th house of the eclipse chart (since most of my clients live in the US or Canada, I have customized this article more for them, but the general energy of the eclipse is relevant for everyone). Planets in the 4^th house are going to have enormous power because they reflect the current emotional weather within the collective. Neptune and Chiron are in the 4^th and both are retrograde indicating a lot of energy of this eclipse is connected to the past. Further, both rulers of the 4^th house (Saturn and Uranus) are retrograde confirming that the answers are found by deep reflection on how we got into our current situation.

Neptune in the 4^th house implies that the collective is confused and emotionally yearning for redemption. It usually elects people to be messianic figures that will save us from the sins of ordinary living. In this case, we are currently dealing with issues around health care, equal rights, and environmental concerns. Unfortunately, Neptune can often lead us towards charismatic figures that often promise a lot, but deliver very little. This is further amplified by Chiron. Chiron reflects wounds caused by life’s unfairness. Our current economic situation, health care problems, equality issues, and pollution have been caused by many generations of failing to address these potent issues. These wounds can often (especially when partnered with Neptune) take over and practical sensibility is superseded by anger and deep resentments.

The ruler of the 4^th house (Saturn) lands in the 2^nd house of house of personal values. Saturn forms a sextile to the Moon and a trine to the Sun. As lord of the eclipse, Saturn urges us to look at our values, seek our own identities by focusing on our own beliefs and ideals (Saturn also rules the 3^rd house), and find ways to get our needs met.

Are we currently getting our needs met by the group or have we simply fallen into ‘group think’ and catering to others because it’s easier than facing potential conflicts that may occur because of differing opinions? Has our reliance on the group to solve our problems increased them?

The Ascendant of an eclipse chart and planets in the 1^st are considered energies that we need to integrate into our personality. The sign on the 1^st house is Scorpio, which reflects enforced change. Circumstances have reached a point where we can no longer continue the way we have been, which is confirmed by Pluto being in the 2^nd house of values. Pluto in the 2^nd shows how our values may be outdated and we need to let go of beliefs that may not be useful to us and diminish our lives rather than add to them.

Two planets make aspects to Pluto: Mercury and Venus.

Mercury is the planet through which we get ideas and how we understand life. It lands in the 8^th house of the horoscope and forms a beautiful trine to Pluto. Since Mercury is retrograde in the eclipse chart, it gives us the ability to reflect and deeply probe our own nature. This is extremely useful to get to the bottom difficulties you may face, which are often covered up by deep seated issues. It’s also a wonderful time (since the 8^th involves our psychological inheritances) to deal with family of origin issues.

Whereas Mercury rules the mind, Venus rules values and relationships. Pluto forms a sextile (opportunities) to Venus. This provides us the opportunity to really look at our relationships with others and see what we get out of them. If relationships are not working well, Pluto can provide us with the personal power to manage them by dealing with the issues that are causing problems. Venus rules the 7^th, 11^th, and 12^th houses of the chart – all of which deal with relationships with others, on one level or another. This is a great time to explore what are our own values and what values we may have inherited through our relationships (7^th), our friends (11^th), or even our ancestors (12^th). We can then keep what values that we hold dear, and perhaps, release those that are no longer viable or no longer resonate with us.

Since Mars is the co-ruler of Scorpio, we need to analyze his placement and aspects. Mars is located in the 9^th house of the chart. The 9^th house has to do with higher education, beliefs, and the big picture. Mars forms a conjunction with the Sun (ruler of the 10^th) an opposition to the eclipse Moon (ruler of the 9^th), and a sextile to Jupiter (ruler of the 2^nd). This is a powerful combination which puts our own values and beliefs at odds with others. It may be necessary for you to stand your ground and use better negotiation skills to get what you want, but overall, the conjunction with the Sun gives us all a dose of individual potency that lets us go our own path and forge our own destiny.

The striking thing about this eclipse chart is its consistent theme of our personal values. Many of us go through our lives living out other people’s values and the eclipse states that it is time for us to stand on our own two feet and become truly individual. After all, the sign that opposes Aquarius (where the eclipse occurs) is Leo. We may need to value those like-minded individuals who support us and strengthen our personal positions, but the eclipse tells us that those personal values need to be uniquely our own.

Now that we have covered all the collective stuff – which is important. Let’s dive into the personal.

If you know your own chart look at planets that are between 10-20 degrees of a sign and the closer to 15 degrees the stronger the eclipse will be for you – especially if those planets are in the signs of Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, or Aquarius.

An eclipsed planet signifies that the nature of the planet affected will come up through this eclipse cycle. Although, I am giving a guide map of general areas that will be influenced, getting an eclipse reading might help you understand its full impact better.

Here is how the eclipse will affect your personal planets:

The Sun – The Sun reflects our personal destiny and the core of the individuality of the personality. The eclipsed Sun signifies issues that arise that may ultimately change our course and put us on a new path. This can come in either a new vocation, creative or artistic endeavor, and since the Sun is the natural ruler of children, they are not out of the question.

The Moon – The Moon is our emotions, connections to our physical bodies, and our families. She is known as the archetypal mother and like nature itself, she changes constantly. The Eclipsed Moon signifies emotional issues that can either complicate our lives or breakthroughs (in the material and emotional world) can easily occur. This can come through relationship or familial problems, sudden endings and beginnings, and fluctuations within our day to day life. The Moon is the natural ruler of the 4^th house and when she is eclipsed it can signify a change of residence can occur.

Mercury – Mercury is the planet of ideas and helps us understand life. It is the information processing center of the psyche. The eclipsed Mercury can influence how we think about things, change our opinions, and issues with electronic devices or automobiles are common. Since Mercury is the natural ruler of the commerce, issues surrounding business, buying and selling, trade, or our job may arise. If you have an eclipsed Mercury, it’s auspicious for you to consider your health and exercise regime and this energy can be used to effectively break bad habits.

Venus – Venus is the planet of relationships and values. She brings people together – in every sense of the word. The eclipsed Venus can influence how we relate to others. At this time, relationships can either move to the next level or they can suddenly end. Additionally, our values can come under fire and we might find ourselves in circumstances where what we once held dear suddenly comes under fire and forces our values to become more malleable or change. If you have an eclipsed Venus, it’s necessary to view your relationships in an honest light and decide whether it is something you should continue to invest in. You might meet new people and start new relationships that are extremely important over the next 6 months.

Mars – Mars is the planet of desire, warfare, and willpower. He is the planet that goes out into the world and gets us what we want. Of course, any time we use our own will there is the potential of conflict with others. An eclipsed Mars often brings your personal agenda forward, and this could lead to opportunities and complications. It’s always best to be assertive and stay true to your vision while Mars is triggered. Try to avoid arguments and confrontation because they will usually only frustrate you further. Since Mars is the natural ruler of the 1^st house, this eclipse season is all about you – so take advantage of it.

Jupiter – Jupiter is the planet of expansion. He loves to make everything bigger. Everything! Sometimes expansion is not a good thing, especially when it involves our waistline. An eclipsed Jupiter brings expansion into the areas of your life, and it’s a time that traditional astrologers consider ‘lucky’. Now, luck is a pretty tricky word that even the least skeptically minded question, and perhaps what occurs when Jupiter is activated is that we become more attuned to potentials and possibilities. Jupiter gives us a glimpse of what can happen, but it’s up to us to take advantage of it.

Saturn – Saturn is the planet of restriction and fears. Unlike Jupiter, Saturn likes to make everything small and often comes with a dose of depression. Restriction is not necessarily a bad thing because Saturn teaches us how to live within our limits and often is the knee-jerk response to too much Jupiter in our lives. An eclipsed Saturn brings restriction into your life and often is accompanied with roadblocks, frustrations, anxiety, and long-standing fears rise to the surface. Saturn teaches us that we must do things methodically, with careful consideration, and tons of patience. If you have things you need to accomplish and finish, an eclipsed Saturn is the perfect time to get off the couch and do so.

Chiron – Chiron is the planetoid of life’s unfairness. Yep, sh*t happens and sometimes it’s not anyone’s fault and just part of living. Chiron tends to be angry and bitter when it is activated. Why? Well, usually there is no one to blame and it tends to act like an abscess that refuses to heal. It’s painful and tender to the touch. An eclipsed Chiron tends to bring up areas of our life where we have experienced life’s unfairness. The pains of the past come back to haunt us, and many times, it’s the areas of life that we think we have overcome that creep back to the surface. The key to working with Chiron is acceptance. It doesn’t take the hurt away, but it allows us to move on.

Eclipsed Outer Planets:

Uranus – Uranus is the planet of rebellion and sudden changes. He is a generational planet, so you will find that many people in your age group will experience similar issues at the same time. Uranus breaks up things that have remained stagnant and unchanging over lengthy periods of time to create a new scheme or a new plan. This can be extremely difficult for people with a lot of earth and water in their charts. An eclipsed Uranus reflects a period where old ideas and philosophies that you have held dear, come to an abrupt change. This can come in sudden changes in your life – including relationship and career changes. The key with Uranus is that if you hold on too tight to outdated ideas, the more difficult it will be. It’s best to surrender and go with the flow.

Neptune – Neptune is the planet of redemption with a good ole fashion dose of delusion. On one hand, he can bring forth intense artistic creativity, yet on another, he often seeks redeemers to save us from the ills we suffer. Unfortunately, those redeemers end up being human with their own frailties and can lead to feelings of victimization or deception. An eclipsed Neptune augurs a time for you to be cautious about choices and decisions that you make or people that you meet. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is. The key to an eclipsed Neptune is realizing that the only person that can be your savior is you.

Pluto – Pluto is the planet of death and regeneration. He tends to amputate the things in our life that are past the sell by date and are spoiling on the shelf. This often leads to endings (and new beginnings) in areas of our life that can lead to some rather dark feelings – including depression and rage. An eclipsed Pluto tells us that something in our life needs to change. It needs to be let go of so we can begin to prosper once again. It reminds me of the gardener who has to prune shrubs so that they can continue to grow, and Pluto tends to point out the areas of our life where dead wood exists. The key to an eclipsed Pluto is just giving in and letting go, fighting it is simply futile.

Aspects:

There is a lot of controversy over aspects with eclipses. Some astrologers only use the conjunction and opposition, and others add the squares. Sextiles and trines are usually ignored.

In my experience, nothing in astrology should be ignored. Yes, an eclipse conjoined, opposed, or squared to your natal planet can be felt more strongly and often the more difficult sides of the eclipse can occur. However, sextiles often provide opportunities, if you are willing to work with them, and I have found trines can make things flow relatively easily. For example, a squared Venus could bring forth difficulties in relationships that are hard to manage or bring forth emotional pain, but a trine to Venus could show that those difficulties will be resolved easily and without much effort.

The Houses:

In addition to planets, the house that an eclipse lands in is important. Houses show the area of influence while the eclipse is active.

1^st house: An eclipse in the 1^st hour reflects a changing identity. It might mean that you become more malleable or that you suddenly take a different path in life. Finally, the aspects of femininity might need to be integrated now.

2^nd house: An eclipse in the 2^nd house means that our values and our sense of self-esteem might come under pressure. We will find evidence of this in things we attempt to birth into the physical world.

3^rd house: Siblings, short communication, ideas, and simple communication. An eclipse in the third house might reveal changes in how we understand life.

4^th house: An eclipse in the 4^th house brings changes to our home, family, and sense of security.

5^th house: The 5^th house traditionally is the house of children and recreational activities. However, psychologically we view it as the house where we tend to shine the most. An eclipse in this house can often bring new talents and the experience of joy into our lives.

6^th house: Since the 6^th house is our day to day activities and jobs, it is also the house of what we are working on. This is the spring cleaning house and an eclipse occurring within this house could reflect the need for us to make changes in our life and immediate environment. Health and small pets could also be a concern.

7^th house: Relationships – both romantic and business. Additionally, this is the house of open enemies and issues and conflicts with others can peak while the eclipse is active.

8^th house: In traditional astrology, the 8^th house is the house of death, sex, and regeneration. It’s where circumstances change and when an eclipse occurs within this house, it often reflects that enforced changes happen that are difficult to deal with. Also, issues that have been inherited psychologically become apparent.

9^th house: The 9^th house is our teacher. It’s where we learn things and form our opinions. An eclipse occurring in this house reflects the need for us to learn from our experiences of life and look at the big picture rather than small personal concerns.

10^th house: The 10^th house is our governing principle. It is how we govern ourselves and how we adapt to the outer world. An eclipse occurring in the 10^th could reflect changes in our reputation and position.

11^th house: The 11^th house is the house of the group. It shows where we are influenced by others and how we fit into the larger fabric of society. An eclipse in the 11^th could reflect changes in our network and social circles.

12^th house: The house of retreat. An eclipse in the 12^th house augurs a time where we need to reflect deeply on our lives and make changes accordingly. Self-defeating behaviors could easily come to the surface, but also the change to change them and heal our past.

Storm Cestavani, August 6, 2017

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