Horoscopes – Page 16

Jupiter in Capricorn

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

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

That is some list isn’t it?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Cosmic Weather Forecast — Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

I’ve got a secret.

Wait for it…

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

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

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

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

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

Mercury Transits

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

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

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

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

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

Your Personal Mercury Retrograde

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope you have an easy retrograde!

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Eclipse Survival Guide

So, imagine if you will, that it’s 1500 BC and you are the astrologer to the Babylonian king. Yes, you can wear any outfit you like, so feel free to get crazy.

As the king’s astrologer, it is your job to predict events that will be useful or of extreme importance. You do your calculations (sorry it’s going to be longhand because computers were not yet available), and you conclude that there are two upcoming eclipses – a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse.

What would you do?

Well, in ancient times eclipses were ominous warnings. Eclipses seemed to coincide with wars, floods that ravaged the lands, earthquakes, dangerous weather and volcanic eruptions, attempted coups, and the death of the kingdom’s ruler. Your job is to convey the will of the gods, and every ruler wants the favor of the deity because their reign and the allegiance of their citizens depended upon it. So, you enter the king’s office to inform him of the future to avoid future calamities.

Now, let’s imagine that you are the astrological advisor to the President of the United States. You are sitting in your corner office with all the amenities a job in the 21^st century provides including a computer with ‘high end’ astrology software. The chief of staff has asked you to map out the transits for the next six months, and you notice that the solar eclipse is within orb of the Sun in the United States chart landing in the 7^th house of partnerships and open enemies.

You quickly glance at the latest headlines and notice tariffs with China, problems with Mexico due to immigration issues, and potential conflicts with Iran. The eclipse is opposed to Saturn, which intensifies your concern. You pull out your laptop and write a memo encouraging caution because any action could have potential consequences leading to citizen hardships. In other words, the gods have spoken, and it will be up to the President as to whether he will listen.

I am sure that you have correctly guessed that this web series is about eclipses. I have seen a lot of fantastic articles that have explored the mundane application and the effects that eclipses have on world events. However, there is very little that is written on using eclipses energies in our personal lives, even though worldly affairs ultimately affect us all personally.

I am going to break down this web series into digestible chunks that you can go through at your own pace. I recommend that you get a copy of your chart so that you can follow along. If you have little knowledge of astrology, many sites provide basic horoscopes, and most of these have daily planetary guides. I will leave it up to you to decide what sites you prefer. Further, you can also check out my Astro 101 series for further information.

Let’s dive in…

The Lunar Phases
2019 Summer Eclipse Season
Eclipsed Houses
Eclipsed Planets

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 with 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!