Aries New Moon Mandala painted by Sarah Berry

Line Mandala from Mandala Colouring Book by Barry Stevens available at http://www.mandalas.freeserve.co.uk/colouringinbook.html

This is the fifth of an occasional series written about the expertise of each Sun Sign. I am still looking for the Capricorn who can write a guide to Ambition. The articles will be found under the category “Zodiac Masterclass” so that eventually there will be 12 such articles, e.g. “The Gemini Guide to Communication”, “The Leo Guide to Leadership”etc. by someone who has the Sun Sign in question.

Here guest blogger Deborah Wade lets us into the mysteries of being a straightforward Aries. As Aries is about individuality, we all in a sense need this process of becoming ourselves.

She is currently in that multitasking phase of her life known as motherhood-juggling-career, but combines left brain and right brain activity in an amazing way. I am glad for you to meet her!

A word about the mandala: I often give blue as a colour for Aries because it is the supreme balancing colour for their hotheadedness (Debs is an exception because of other factors in her chart). The fluorescent pink in the mandala represents the combination of red and white, both colours of the spiritual 1st Ray of Will and Power associated with Aries.

The Aries Guide to Authenticity

by Deborah Wade

“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

˜  William Shakespeare

Who am I?

I’m a nearly 40 year old woman who has spent much of her life trying to be as unArian as possible. More on that later.

I divide my time as a Mum, a Software Engineer and a Bowen Therapist/Kinesiologist and I enjoy all of them. I have learned that I get bored quite easily and timeslicing and switching roles and activities works well for me. I also knit, spin wool, play the guitar and ride horses. I’ve also been known to paint the odd mandala.

What is authenticity?

To me this means walking your talk. Treading the path that feels like the right one.

The dictionary definitions include: undisputed credibility, genuine, real, free from pretense or hypocrisy, sincerity. The word “authenticity” comes from the Greek authentikos meaning author or origin.

Arian Authenticity

I am an Aries with Taurus ascending. You would think that with both Ram and Bull influencers and not a single water planet to be found in my chart that I would be strong a resilient and a leader of people and not in the least bit drawn to healing modalities. The truth is that these explosive, dominant and headstrong aspects only emerge when I am pressured. On the whole people find me to be balanced, gregarious, generous and philanthropic if a little tactless and unfluffy.

I have shared Arian experiences with other Rams and we concur that Aries tend to be actually fairly accepting of faults, mistakes and being given a hard time up to a point, but that is a point of no return and once this is passed the archetypal Aries explosiveness can be seen. That said, Aries tend not to bear grudges once the air has been cleared.

Most Arians don’t need a guide to authenticity; they need help in not being quite so authentic. Authenticity is all very well when it comes to following your own path, and the conversations and workings in your own internal world but when it breaks out into the wild then offense may ensue, albeit unintended.

I was visiting a good friend a few weeks ago and I complimented her on her awesome cardigan that she had crocheted herself. I particularly thought the colour suited her skin tones and I told her as much. She thanked me for my compliment and said how pleased she was that I liked it because I was personally responsible for the change in her wardrobe palette. I was reminded by her that over a year previously I had said that I liked her lime green top that she was wearing because it made a nice change from the dark browns and drab colours that I remember seeing her wearing!

I was of course mortified (but not totally surprised) at hearing my words repeated back to me. Those words, which could have been interpreted in a hurtful and unkind way, were not intended as such. My friend assured me that she hadn’t received them in that way and I wondered if it was as much a reflection of the temperament of the recipient as the deliverer. I don’t remember saying the exact words but I do remember thinking the thought. The problem with authenticity and Arians is that once a thought has occurred it’s pretty tricky to keep a lid on it.

And there you have it in a nutshell; the reason for the authenticity or more accurately, blatant tactlessness. We are quite straightforward uncomplicated people on the whole, and we expect the same from others. Deceit and untruths do really complicate life. This goes right from little white lies about how great your friend is looking in her new bright orange marshmallow dress right up to big blatant whoppers like lying on your tax return. Keeping track of what you said or what you didn’t say is pretty stressful. Better to be upfront and honest and then everyone knows where they stand.

I think it’s hardest for Aries to be Aries when they are children. As youngsters we are taught to be polite and speak when spoken to and do things we don’t want to. Aries are rebellious by nature and this when combined with childhood impetuousness makes for quite a difficult child to parent. I have always had a strong sense of ‘fairness’ on all sides and I think this is one of my primary drivers. Unfairness in any situation is something that does not sit comfortably with me. Unfortunately as a child lots of things don’t seem fair and on occasion I was left feeling quite hard done by.

In my early teens and with friendships both shallow and meaningful and through my dealings with teachers and relatives, what I learned as I grew up was one overwhelming message: “People like you better if you are nice”. It might occur to the sharp reader that this is very much at odds with being an authentic Aries. No matter, I didn’t really care about that at that point. Being nice opened doors, made situations easier and less stressful for all involved. On the inside I had to learn to swallow strongly negative thoughts and was careful not share insights I had that might upset others. I had to learn to integrate with humanity because teenagers are some of the cruelest and least tolerant people on the planet and standing out could have been social suicide. I wasn’t always successful on this front, my Arian tendencies to blurt out thoughts in my head would sometimes get in the way of being pleasant and unchallenging to people but on the whole this was how it was.

I carried this belief through University and my early career as a Software Analyst continuing to be overly nice to people but not respecting my own feelings or boundaries. I allowed boyfriends and friends to treat me badly and I forgave them. I eventually settled down in a cosy relationship with someone who I loved, there were frayings around the edges in this relationship but I glossed over them.

A changing point in my life in my late twenties was after being ill with a mystery illness for over a year I discovered a kinesiologist. She explained to me what my body had indicated the problem was (candida overgrowth) and what could be done about it. The treatment of candida did not just involve nutrition and diet, but also an extensive foray into Chinese traditional medicine, things called chakras and also examining many aspects of my way of being that I’d just never considered. Aries dive in with both feet when presented with a new challenge. I learned about boundaries in relationships and how it was actually OK to not put myself in a situation that I didn’t want to be in because I was no longer a child and could finally make my own choices. Quite a revelation, but in seemingly direct conflict with the ‘be nice to people’ lesson of my earlier life. To my surprise this approach worked brilliantly; it made me well again and gave me a thirst for more along the path of self-knowing.

I since trained in Kinesiology and I have met and helped many people with all sorts of issues but one of the things that comes through is that if you are living or repetitively behaving in a way that is at odds with your true self then it will manifest as some sort of malaise, be it physical, emotional or mental. This has helped me to make peace with the awkward and tactless inner Aries. This persona is trying in its way to help me to stay well by keeping me on the path made by my own paradigm for life.

How I came to blend these too oppositional concepts ‘be nice’ and ‘be true to yourself’, well I’m still working on it but I am getting there, slowly but surely.

For further information about Deborah’s work:

info@CambridgeBowen.co.uk http://cambridgebowen.co.uk/

The Special Relationship

President Obama and David Cameron “chose” the momentous Jupiter-Pluto trine to see if they could get their Special Relationship going, both in need of raising the quality of their profile at the moment, though not everybody found the energy of this huge trine so comfortable or manageable.  They had several issues to discuss, the Guardian assessing that the economy was top of their list, but Afghanistan was also high up there.

Is there a Special Relationship between the U.S. and the U.K.?  The historical link is undeniably unique, and the Astrological link between their charts is quite compellingly in favour of its existence.  The U.S. Uranus is exactly conjunct the U.K. Ascendant, which is symbolic of the breakaway nature of their original relationship history, as is the exact square between their Uranuses.  There are a couple of good sextiles in their synastry (astrological comparison), plus the U.K. Mars is conjunct exactly the U.S. Moon, so there is an emotional connection.

Can Obama and Cameron forge a relationship in the best tradition?  They may not have long, if Obama were to lose the November election (I hasten to reiterate my hope that he will obtain a second term).  It certainly was well staged, with David Cameron munching a hot dog with ketchup alongside Obama at the baseball game – an iconic image.  The male bonding is reflected in their synastry by David Cameron’s Mars being exactly conjunct Barack Obama’s North Node which is O.K. as long as Cameron keeps his Mars in check…Cameron’s chart receives a good link from Obama’s Jupiter, plus their Saturns are in sextile (promoting some sensible and co-operative behaviour e.g. in Libya, unlike some previous special relationships) but their Jupiters are in exact opposition (and some wild behaviours – more ketchup please!).  That may reflect their different politics – Barack Obama having his Jupiterian enthusiasm in cool and liberal Aquarius, opposite David Cameron’s more hedonistic and luxury loving Leo Jupiter.  One usually looks to Saturn for politics, but the opposition between their Jupiters may be more telling.  It is a reasonable match but not heart-stopping like some previous special relationships.

Not all serving Presidents/Prime Minister combinations are special.  For example, Gordon Brown was not accorded the same welcome as Cameron’s recent reception on the Jupiter-Pluto trine.

But notably, at least two relationships were!  Thatcher and Reagan were memorably portrayed as a “Gone with the Wind” style romance on a poster.  This week we touchingly saw doodles of Reagan’s from the Ottawa meeting, which Margaret Thatcher had handbagged.  Their karmic link is shown by Reagan’s South Node/Jupiter conjunct Thatcher’s Ascendant/Saturn (softening the dourness of her personality) opposite her Descendant and his North Node/Moon.  That does indicate a close connection, and they have several points of contact.  In their time, they are mainly credited with the achievement of having thawed out the Cold War.  But an aspect which is often overlooked in synastry is the aspect between the Parts of Fortune, and theirs are exactly opposite each other, which can signify a completion of happiness.  According to the Martin Schulman theory of Parts of Fortunes, this would mean that her Part of Impersonal Consciousness would be conjunct his Part of Fortune, and vice versa.

The other special relationship was that between Messrs. Bush (GW) and Blair, who are portrayed as having prayed together.  They gave us Afghanistan and Iraq.

Here is something I wrote earlier, in a blog of 5^th July 2009 on their interaction regarding war:

“When he [George W. Bush] came to power, this karma was re-activated, setting the stage for the Second Gulf War of 2003.  He enlisted the help of the sympathetic U.K. Prime Minister of the time, Tony Blair, through the magnetic attraction of Tony’s Pluto being exactly conjunct with George’s Venus.  The extra karmic and compulsive element was provided by Tony’s Pluto sextile George’s North Node.    In the chart of the Second Gulf War (20 March 2003) Pluto was exactly conjunct George Bush Junior’s South Node.  It was therefore an obsession that George could not ignore, to go to war.  Operation Shock and Awe was instigated, the successor to Operation Desert Storm designed to finish off what his father had started.”

Only time will tell how David Cameron and Barack Obama’s relationship will proceed, and whether Obama really will learn cricket.  But Barack Obama has transiting Neptune trine his natal Venus, which would make him sensitive in his attentions to foreign dignitaries at this time.

Hot Aspects

Today’s aspect we met only recently: Mercury conjunct Uranus. It has come up again because Mercury turned retrograde soon afterwards. So we have another opportunity to re-visit sparky/sparkly communication, surprise phonecalls, unusual journeys (not foreign travel) and original ideas. As Mercury is retrograde, communications at the same time may have an element of disruption. Tomorrow is a good day for exploring warrior past lives, with retrograde Mars square the nodal axis, e.g through civil war re-enactments, if that is your cup of tea…group activities need to be well -organized in terms of avoiding the strife getting out of hand or health and safety loopholes. If you are living purely in the now you may find it difficult to remain in your usual flow and keep coming up against obstacles, or find yourself getting irritable. Keep your Ekhart Tolle book available near you if this happens. Tuesday (20th) is the Spring Equinox, as the Sun enters Aries. If the weather is not co-operating by producing suitably spring like conditions (I may be able to predict a riot, but am not so good at predicting weather), you will need to nudge yourself into the requisite mood, by picking daffodils or visiting new born lambs.  If you are gathering with others for earth healing or other purposes, to establish intent and a plan for working in the new season, you should be able to sense and work with this renewal of energy from 5.14 a.m. onwards (U.K. time).  Wednesday (21^st) brings a conjunction between the Sun and Mercury in Aries: new thoughtforms and projects get the green light in line with the momentum of the Spring Equinox, providing a good start to your Spring initiatives, whether you’re a gardener sowing seeds, or an office worker taking stock of stationery.  New life may also spring forth in communication, but all that head energy may be starting to give you a headache, literally.  You may have been overdoing things or working too hard, and may need to take some pressure off yourself.  Factor in some relaxation, give yourself some space, and cut yourself some slack if this is the case.  There is also a minor aspect of a semi-sextile between the Sun and Neptune later that day, which may remind you to make sensitive adjustments to your bold plans – pausing for a slight dent in the momentum!  Thursday (22^nd) brings a New Moon in Aries, continuing on with the momentum again.  No tea breaks up to then – it will still be full steam ahead, but you should have the energy to match.  The energy will turn the next day, so if you are bent on achieving something, use the first half of the week to get it done, and in your diary schedule in some me time for Friday (23^rd) when Mercury retrogrades back into dreamy Pisces, and you may wonder where all that  oomph disappeared.  Here at last is a natural tea break, and proper time to ponder this week.  Communications may be less direct, and may need some gentle coaxing.   If you have a big day on Saturday, Friday may be a dress rehearsal, at least in your mind.  Finally, on Saturday (24^th) the Sun conjuncts Uranus, re-igniting the spark, e.g. in your own enthusiasms, in local issues, or in Syria.  You’ve had the rest day, and now it’s time to show them what you’ve got, especially if you’re an Aries or a Leo. Maybe you have an audition for a talent show, or a job interview. It’s time to showcase your panache, pzazz and va va voom, for tomorrow there may be a completely different aspect!

I am hoping to post the latest in the Zodiac Masterclass series on the Spring Equinox, or soon after, if you would like to renew your Inner Aries.

The Week in Bullet Points:

• Today – sparky minds, again
• Tomorrow – organizing inner warriors
• Tuesday – welcome the Spring
• Wednesday – bright new mental focus; minor adjustments
• Thursday – more enthusiasm and new projects
• Friday – dissipation of mental energy
• Saturday – re-igniting the spark

Our first aspect this week occurs tomorrow morning.  It’s that Mercury Retrograde again, so use today for catching up with communication.  Technically it’s not an aspect, it’s a planet turning round, and it’s a well known phenomena even to those who have minimal knowledge of Astrology.  I have long yearned to rehabilitate its reputation, as I think the negativity attached to it actually contributes to poor results.  Joyce Mason (The Radical Virgo) has written a splendid blog trying to rouse us to a new outlook on the subject, entitled “Down with Mercury Wrecko! Up with Mercury Respecto!”.  If you have any negative thoughts about Mercury Retrograde, click here to read her article:

http://www.radicalvirgo.com/2012/02/down-with-mercury-wrecko-up-with.html

Two pillars of the fabric of our society ruled by Mercury are currently under attack by a government that seeks to save money but may end up destroying them, which will probably end up costing more.  One is the National Health Service, and the other is the rail service, both dear to my heart (in that order).

National Health Service Bill

I haven’t written about the National Health Service since before the Coalition came to power, and at that time I did not dream that any government could seek to dismantle it in the way that our Coalition seems to be doing, although credit to some Lib Dems for trying to oppose the changes.  I innocently blogged in September 2009 that the N.H.S. was “a national treasure on which we have relied, and often taken for granted”, little knowing what would happen when the Coalition came to power.

More recently I was horrified to hear Rick Santorum, a Republican candidate in the U.S. heats for an opposition leader use scathing words about our N.H.S.

I am currently reading the third book by a young doctor named Max Pemberton who also writes a regular column in the Daily Telegraph.  He is a talented and compassionate writer, and wrote on the defence of the N.H.S. on 26 February:

“There are few pieces of legislation that have caused such debate, furore and confusion as the Health and Social Care Bill. Since I started writing about it more than a year ago, I have received many letters and emails about it. Readers are concerned – but also deeply confused. They are not alone. Fellow medics, managers and nurses have cornered me in the hospital canteen and quizzed me about it. I have even been invited by members of the House of Lords to meet and explain it to them.

… My only concerns are that access to health care is affordable for all and that it is equitable. For me, it is a fundamental part of living in a fair, just society that all members are free from the fear of destitution should illness befall them. When a cohort of people live in the shadow of the fear of sickness, society is impoverished and weakened. The reason I support the NHS is because countless pieces of international research have shown it to be the fairest and cheapest way of providing health care…”

To read the whole article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/9106880/Read-this-and-prepare-to-fight-for-your-NHS.html

Rail Changes

While the government plans a high-speed railway at exorbitant cost which will benefit relatively few people, rail ticket prices continue to rise and the services do not improve despite promises.  Now it has been announced this week that the government seeks to close ticket offices, and remove the safety net of station guards.  Commuters face even higher charges for peak time travel, and the allure of rail travel is to be dented even further.  Contrast this nightmare unfolding with a charming film series being shown on television about the London Underground and the current project of reconstruction, entitled “The Tube”.  The series has covered many different aspects of life and work on this network, all entertainingly and fascinatingly presented.  Some of the issues covered have been serious (such as fatalities on the line) and some more lighthearted (if you can call the things that binge-drinkers get up to on a Friday night lighthearted), but all the staff interviewed have been natural and nice.  I have found it riveting, as a regular user of this service.

Tomorrow’s retrograde Mercury may make it easier for the government to de-rail the N.H.S. and make unhealthy changes to the rail service during the retrograde period, which lasts until 4^th April.

After Monday, it’s a good news week (!) – I can hear the dissenters now, and the patter of feet to the Customer Service desk…Tuesday (13^th) morning brings the most important aspect we have had for a long time: Jupiter trine Pluto.  I have blogged separately about it, and covered the unsavoury outcomes of the Jupiter-Pluto square of July 2010, and the hopes for the trine, which I have dubbed “Hope plus Courage”.  Read it, and work with it, and hopefully allow its gifts into your life.   It’s not often an Astrologer gets to give out good news, and as always it’s not even all good news (the Health bill could go through – an example of power being used to a destructive end unfortunately) but just better news than usual, so allow your positive imagination free rein.  It is a good day to get together in groups for meditation, or to work constructively on a personal or wider project.

We are in for a treat Wednesday (14^th) morning, with three trines and a conjunction that link into the Jupiter-Pluto trine, and also create a Grand Trine. In order, they are:- Venus trine Pluto, Venus conjunct Jupiter, Venus trine Mars, and Mars trine Jupiter:

Venus trine Pluto – Feelings and relationships are fully functioning, though at the same time in the throes of change.

Venus conjunct Jupiter – There are social connections bringing pure pleasure, even celebration.

Venus trine Mars – Sensuality and enjoyment of the Arts are favoured.  If the young lass who tripped up in her proposal on Leap Day wants to try again, the stars are with her.

Mars trine Jupiter – All energy is available to you for personal and wider projects.  A day of implementation.

An extra trine occurs on Thursday (15^th) in the shape of Mars trine Pluto, so efforts to act in constructive ways are favoured, but keep an eye on subconscious patterns which may act as the Inner Saboteur, or the weak link in a group chain which may have destructive subconscious patterns.  Though a trine is favourable, when Pluto is involved (as it is with the Jupiter-Pluto trine) you need to be super-aware of unconscious drives which may be countering what you are trying to achieve.

Having said that, these are the best set of weekly aspects we have had for a long time, or are likely to have for some time, so make hay!

Customer Service Desk opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm, Monday to Friday

The Week in Bullet Points:

• Monday – Communications starting to unravel
• Tuesday – Excitement, and achievement
• Wednesday – Social Whirl, very positive morning
• Thursday – A deepening of your work and activity, but be cautious

Jupiter trine Pluto, Tuesday 13^th March 2012, 4.43 a.m. in the U.K.

I have been encouraged to write about Jupiter trine Pluto since my blog of Jupiter square Pluto in July 2010 proved to be one of my most popular blogs. My focus was on the schism in society between atheism and religion, dark and light, as represented by the tension (square) between Jupiter (Religion) and Pluto (Atheism).  I thought therefore I would look now at what developments have taken place since then, and other applications of this astrological power struggle.  I will be updating the Jupiter square Pluto blog, looking at other implications of power issues which were learned from that square, glancing at some global issues, sketching what you might personally expect to experience, and finally looking at the Jupiter-Pluto cycle generally.

But first, a personal apology to any reader who has Jupiter square Pluto natally and does not consider themselves to be power-hungry or may have been offended by the term.  It may be that you have used power with integrity, and turned the square into the trine.

Atheism vs Religion

How far have we moved on since July 2010?

I wrote in my Jupiter square Pluto blog about the atheistic movement, spearheaded by Richard Dawkins (Sun in Aries, 26^th March) and Christopher Hitchens (Sun in Aries).  The latter has since passed away, and the religious landscape has changed.  With North Node (karmic mission) conjunct Neptune (spirituality!), Richard Dawkins now finds himself as the head of an anti-spiritual movement.  The two men were very close, and helped each other in their cause.  Why would two Aries men originate such a movement?  Firstly Aries is a warrior sign through its ruler Mars.  Secondly there is the faith in the self which Aries represents.  There is also a sense of life stripped to its bare essentials, symbolized by Dawkins’ seminal work “The Selfish Gene”.  Dawkins recently conducted some research concluding from his results that religion “is largely irrelevant, even to those who still label themselves Christian.” A recent Guardian editorial stated: “Richard Dawkins has rattled the cage.  He has succeeded in creating just the polarization that he was warning against.  The curious thing is that it already seemed he had pushed his argument too aggressively.”

The starkness of the dark vs light of Jupiter square Pluto as time has moved on towards the more constructive and transformative trine has brought more voices to the fore, so that the argument is less simplistic.

Enter Alain de Botton (Sun in Sagittarius, the sign of Philosophy), a philosopher of agnostic persuasion who seeks to balance the religious and anti-religious forces of society more peacefully.  He proposes a temple to atheism in the heart of London.

Enter Baroness Warsi (Sun in Aries, 28^th March) a Muslim, who recently went to see the Pope with her anxieties about what she called “militant secularism”.  Stirring up, perhaps, something which doesn’t need to be stirred…possibly the Aries warriorship at work, but also displaying the Aries quality of leadership.

George Cary, former Archbishop of Canterbury, agrees with Baroness Warsi that there is a threat, but from his Christian perspective says “there are deep forces in western society, hollowing out the values of Christianity and driving them back to the margins.”

Countering this paranoia the Rt Rev Vincent Nichols was quoted in the Guardian last month as saying: “Christians are not persecuted in Britain and should not claim they are, I personally don’t feel in the least bit persecuted.  I don’t think Christians should use that word.”

The writer Philip Pullman (Sun in Libra) seems to have taken up a Humanist position, and Humanism is also gaining ground in our society.  He asked “What does militant mean?  It means taking up and bearing arms, shooting, bombs, throwing stones.  No secularist I have ever met or heard of is doing that.”

The issue now emphasized is how far we are a Christian state, and the question being asked is whether we should be a secular state.  Even the Queen remarked on the importance of the Church of England in the first diamond jubilee event.  The debate now seems to be about separating religion and the politics of the state, which is something both sides ought to be able to agree on as it doesn’t actually harm anyone.

The Jupiter-Pluto trine will support interfaith work and the resolution of Atheism vs Religion.  Giles Fraser, the former canon chancellor of St. Paul’s Cathedral, has urged an attitude of “live and let live”.

Information as Power

What happened when Jupiter squared Pluto? We woke on the day of the aspect in July 2010 to find that Wikileaks had published a huge wealth of information which had been hidden (where Jupiter = Truth, and Pluto = that which is hidden).  This both shocked and delighted different spheres of society, depending on their stake in the information and on their beliefs about freedom of information.  There is no doubt that this unleashed power (Pluto) could be used in different ways.  Julian Assange (Sun in Cancer), at the helm of this power, is now facing extradition to Sweden, so his fate is still in the balance.  Governments and institutions were red-faced and forced to work more openly.  But other, more vulnerable people, have suffered because of this act.  At the first leak (Jupiter square Pluto) Uranus was trine Julian’s natal Neptune supportive to his surprise move.  As Jupiter trine Pluto Assange faces two hard squares: Neptune square his natal Saturn, and Pluto squares his natal Uranus, compounding the effect of the prevailing Uranus/Pluto square which all of us are now dealing with.

During the intervening period, another manifestation relating to power and information occurred a year later when Rupert Murdoch’s empire began to crumble with the phone-hacking scandal.

Power is a general theme for Pluto, and in the Arab Spring and elsewhere would-be tyrants or bullies such as Putin (Jupiter square Pluto) and Bashar Assad need to see they are part of the whole and not separate from their minions or victims.  They cannot rule indefinitely, at least not beyond this lifetime!

What transpired at the time of the Jupiter-Pluto square was non-divine revelation, or certainly uncomfortable revelation.  Jupiter represents truth, but Pluto represents truth which may be festering and in need of being revealed.

The American Scene

America of course has a huge religious force, some of the more rigid and dogmatic elements of which is helping to power the Republican opposition to Obama in the current Presidential race. The Democratic option and Obama himself, is on the level of higher spiritual principles – altogether more humane, upholding of freedom, and less judgmental in its values, if it had only been allowed to implement its policies in its first term by the opposition.

On the religious divide, the Observer has pointed out that “Dawkins is one of the stars of a group of thinkers sometimes dubbed ‘The New Atheists’ whose number includes the American thinkers Daniel Dennett and Sam Harris.”  We do not have a birth date for Sam Harris, but Daniel Dennett is another first decanate Aries, born 28^th March.  It is the early first decanate of Aries which has been stirred up in the last couple of years by the transit of Uranus and its square to Pluto.

The Personal Experience

This is a hopeful opportunity, which will prove lucky for some.  Jupiter in trine relationship to Pluto equals Hope (Jupiter) plus Courage (Pluto).  If Jupiter square Pluto represented a shock of the unpleasant kind, could Jupiter trine Pluto produce a shock of the pleasant kind?

For the personal application, you will need a project, and the chances are that the Universe has already handed you one!   Connect the balancing of these two principles which occur in two different areas of your life with what is going on for you.   The area of your life (House, in astrological parlance) containing Pluto will be one which is challenging you deeply, and the area now containing Jupiter will be assisting you and encouraging expansion. In working with the project and the planetary energies, hold the best possible outcome in your mind.  It goes some way to building some force in your life which could act as a bridge of positive energy during the year, to combat to an extent the difficulties of the Uranus-Pluto square which none of us are escaping at the moment.  New life can be kicked into touch, and reconstruction after old forms have been released.  The trine may enable the resolution of a problem or conflict which has occurred, particularly on a group scale.  The resolution may not entail one party winning over another, but rather a balance of needs and forces being achieved.  The day it occurs may or may not be marked by an actual outward event, but should entail psychological gain and philosophical change.

The resolution of your own personal problem may bring you to link in with a wider project, which is in the community, or even global.  You may then shift to working with others who may be undergoing the same fears, for instance.

Remember this is an Earth trine, with Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn.  Anyone born around the third point of this triangle in Virgo (1^st September) will hit the jackpot.  If your birthday falls on the Jupiter point (29^th April) the day may be lucky for you.  If your birthday falls on the Pluto point (31^st December) then it will be an opportunity to recognize and use your power wisely.  Unless Pluto is squaring one of your personal planets, people should feel the benefit, and even if it is you may still feel the benefit.

Babies born under this transit would have powerful personalities.  According to the Astrologer Alan Oken in Complete Astrology, for anyone having this in their natal chart “This is an excellent aspect for the type of philosophical mind which is constantly turning over the various contributions of the teachers of the ages and coming up with personal understandings.  It indicates a very lively mind, ever eager to dig deeply for truth.”

In the same way that Jupiter-Pluto in square brought revelation (see Information as Power, above) Jupiter trine Pluto can bring some experience of divine revelation, according to one’s own belief system: (e.g. through Maitreya in Buddhism, the Messiah in Judaism, and the Age of Aquarius in Astrology, or simply the experience of divinity within the heart).  When miracles occur, as they undoubtedly do, their revelation of divinity can convert skeptics.

Jupiter-Pluto Cycles

The last Jupiter Pluto trine occurred in March 1999, a time when fear was building up to the Millennium and the predictions of Nostradamus and the Millennium bug, just as we now have fear in society about the end of the Mayan Calendar, so dealing with apocalyptic fear is a theme common to both periods.  You may be able to recollect whether in your own life it was a year which defined your beliefs about life.

Since I started this blog in January 2007, I have covered the conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto, the sextile between them, and the square, prior to this endeavour.  And in August 2013 God(dess) willing, I would like to blog the next Jupiter-Pluto contact, which is the opposition.

To read Jupiter square Pluto click here:

http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2010/07/jupiter-square-pluto/

Later today Vladimir Putin is likely to cement his position at the helm of Russia. He was President for two terms, 8 years between 2000 and 2008. For constitutional reasons he was not allowed a third consecutive term. His protege Medvedev took over as President for 4 years and Putin became Prime Minister.   A reversal of roles is now the expected outcome of today’s election.  In his natal chart Putin has the power-hungry aspect of Jupiter square Pluto.  His natal Mars (Inner Warrior) is at the galactic centre, magnifying his power and emphasizing warriorship.  His South Node is in Leo, indicating that he would be accustomed to power in past lives.  Jupiter trine Pluto this month may benefit his efforts to acquire power. Currently, transiting Neptune is squaring his natal Moon, bringing emotional illusion e.g. about the level of support he has from people.  Putin is often referred to as Medvedev’s mentor. Medvedev is a Virgoan, and that is the sign of service,  though we do not know how willing he is to serve Putin at this time. He may have other plans…Pluto is currently trine his Mercury, heightening his mental power at this time, and he would have a psychological grasp of his current situation. There is very interesting synastry (astrological comparison) between them, based on a pattern of Putin’s planets leading Medvedev’s by one sign, showing a symbiotic teacher-pupil relationship, and the capacity for close collaboration. The ability to collaborate is borne out by a trine between Putin’s Uranus and Medvedev’s Neptune, but although they have collaborated in the past there has to be the continued will to do so.  They may have drawn up a Soul Contract before incarnation, but may renegotiate it in their next lifetime, and reverse their power roles.  Venus opposing Saturn today will produce a sense of flatness or even disappointment for politicians trying to win hearts.

But generally, you will need to be realistic about relationships today. Where you might have expected romance, you may need to settle for friendship.  Where you might have expected excitement, you may need to settle for loyalty. Where you may have been hoping for spiritual growth within a relationship, you may need to settle for the limits of what the other person or persons can give you, remembering it is always an exchange.  It may seem you are the giver (the Venusian) or the receiver (the Saturnian), but it is good to look at how the relationship is perceived by the other party, and the whole package. The resultant feelings comes back to expectations.  Monday should be easier, especially for Venus types (Taureans and Librans), who may have found Venus going through Aries (since 8th February) quite tough.  Venus entering Taurus on Monday is cosy, in her element and in her comfort zone… Her power of attraction is heightened, whether in romance, or material wealth.  She will feel well looked after and pampered.  Bring on the Taurean foods of mushrooms and wild rice (according to Sabra Ricci’s book, reviewed last week!).  Mercury also conjuncts Uranus tomorrow.  Sparky mental contacts can be made and flashes of genius displayed.  Make a note of any ideas that come to you as the cosmos will be working hard to give you the ideas you need. For Aquarians, there may be a need to attend to the detail of health matters.  For Mercurial types (Geminis and Virgos) you may need to make changes, for example  in the way you think, but you may also be very inventive.  Again, it’s worth recording any whacky impressions you receive.  Some ideas may seem way out, coming from the future.  A gentle sextile between Venus and Neptune graces Tuesday (6^th) at lunch time in the UK.  Where you had to be circumspect in relationships on Sunday, you can afford to dream a little on Tuesday.  It’s also a good day to write poetry, or paint in a fantasy style.  On Thursday (8^th) the Moon is full in Virgo, and opposing the Sun in Pisces. There’s an element of balancing fantasy (how much is useful?) and reality (how much time can you spare off from housework?).  The tedium of routine may get you down and you may dream of holidays on desert islands. With Jupiter and Pluto working towards a trine mid-month you may need a pet project if you are not yet involved in one, to soak up those constructive vibes.  Whatever it is, whether it’s planning a holiday in the sun, a local environmental project, or a plan for world peace, it’s a good time to be musing…up to the big day of 13th March. I will be blogging Jupiter trine Pluto next week – that’s my project.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – measure your expectations
• Tomorrow – cosy feelings and sparky minds
• Tuesday – poetic and dreamy
• Thursday – balance between practicality and fantasy

Last Tuesday evening we could not help but be moved by a news report from a woman in an eye patch in Syria, telling us of a baby who died that day. As always when watching these foreign correspondents, we marvelled at their bravery. Tragically, it was to prove her swan song, whilst also ensuring that no one forgets what she was highlighting: the unspeakable cruelty of the Syrian regime.  The world took note.  It seems to me that Marie Colvin’s death brought about a surge in rescue efforts and international deliberations, at least in the short term.  With the Sun in Capricorn, Marie Colvin had an acute sense of responsibility, and Kate Adie this morning called her a “serious journalist”.  The Guardian obituary stated:  “She was not interested in the politics, strategy or weaponry; only the effects on the people she regarded as innocents. ‘These are people who have no voice,’ she said. ‘ I feel I have a moral responsibility towards them, that it would be cowardly to ignore them.’ ”  She had a very interesting chart, and her extraordinary courage is shown natally by Jupiter/Pluto squaring Mars/Saturn.  At the time she lost her eye in Sri Lanka in 2001, Pluto was transiting her natal North Node.

[Well my printer did a strange thing just now.  It printed a copy of Marie Colvin’s chart without my involvement or intention!]

Where was I?  Marie Colvin’s karmic mission is represented by her North Node in Sagittarius (representing the Foreign Correspondent) and Pluto transiting that point not only represented the losing of the eye (also transiting Saturn opposing her Mars = eye) but the choice of whether to go on, and she chose to go on.  The current question is why are Russia, China and Iran supporting the terrors of the Syrian regime, and how can the rest of the world put a stop to the suffering of the Syrian people?  And Turkey seems to have a key moderating position.  But that’s another blog, maybe for a specialist Mundane Astrologer to figure out…

The aspects this week are few and far between.  They start on Tuesday (28^th February) with the Sun sextile Pluto.  We will be asking ourselves serious questions, and possibly receiving serious answers.  So it is a good day to meet up with your local think tank in a coffee shop, and brainstorm.  It is also a good day to get clear on issues around nuclear power (the television programme this week on the Fukushima nuclear plant was most illuminating) and if you have decided that you would not like such an event on our British island, then perhaps link up with Greenpeace or Friends of the Earth.  The following day (29^th) is Leap Day, and any brave maiden who decides to pop the question in the time honoured tradition will have to go it alone without the support of a Venus-friendly aspect, or any major aspect at all.  There is an emotionally uneasy semi-square between the Moon and Venus near midnight, which is no help at all.  So hats off to your romantic bravery, if you are about to take the leap and you are reading this!  I saw this week a 1978 performance by Steve Forbert of his song “It isn’t gonna be that way” which might be worth seeing if it doesn’t go your way, but good luck because your own personal birthchart may support your move.  Mercury enters Aries on Friday (2^nd March) which may add to mental tensions, partly because your inner Mercury sensor will know that it’s about to meet Uranus in the near future. But your inner sensor may be relieved to find that Mercury will stop short and start returning before it reaches a square with Pluto.  But there is a certain amount of vigour and renewal about Mercury’s ingress to Aries, and an atmosphere of “Let’s get on with it”!  Make a list, even if like me you are not a list person, and resolve to at least honour the first item on the list, or at least talk about it (you never know the ripple effect that could have).  Mercury at the beginning of Aries is like striking a match, and that can precede all sorts of action, such as singing Happy Birthday to a special Piscean.  Mercury at the beginning of Aries is a special announcement of intention, so it’s good to mark it.  It’s a hot Saturday (3^rd) with the fiery planets Sun and Mars in opposition.  They cannot fully express their fire, because Mars is in an Earth sign (Virgo) and the Sun is in Water (Pisces), so there may be some passive aggression shown or hidden.  Psychological homework: keep control of your own Inner Warriors, and let others do the same.  It is not likely to be the day of the hoped-for breakthrough in diplomatic relations with Syria’s leader, and indeed may be a day of escalation of tensions, so work to minimize fall out once you have maintained control of your Inner Warrior.  Think of the efforts of the Red Cross, especially that day.

Book Review

On a lighter note, fortunate enough to be in line for a review copy of “Lobsters for Leos, Cookies for Capricorns” I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived in the post (from Thomas Dunne Books, New York) and on looking inside I found a fresh approach to cooking astrologically.  The book is written by Sabra Ricci, astrological chef to the stars of the Hollywood variety (Jim Carrey: “Sabra is an alchemist.  She cares deeply about everything she creates and lives in service to all of us – breakfast, lunch and dinner).  The premise of this book is one of  healthy foods assigned to each sign of the zodiac, and  selected on the basis of the health weakness of each sign.  So for Gemini the foods assist easier breathing (e.g. cantaloupe melon), and for Scorpio the foods are aphrodisiac (with the proviso that you don’t eat them all at once).  As a Sagittarian, I should be eating beetroots and avocados to cleanse my liver (the bodily organ associated with Saggies and those who like alcohol, sometimes both).  In that chapter, there is information about what I am like in the kitchen (“You will soon think your friend has lost track of the recipe, but not to worry, he doesn’t use one, but cooks from a place of intuition”), and what Sagittarian guests are like (“Archers are the heart and soul of a dinner party as they long for all things social”).  Each chapter also suggests optimum ways of serving (whether on the floor, or more formal styles) and gives a clear breakdown of what is contained in the selected foods that benefits us (like luteolin in artichokes which inhibits brain inflammation for Aries).  Then we are presented with recipes which combine these ingredients, and which Sabra has tested on her celebrities.  Some of the ingredients are unknown to me, or have different names here.  As with television programmes, I have to translate them into vegetarian recipes in my head.  But there is at least one vegetarian recipe per sign (the Sagittarian one being “Warm baby beet salad over grilled portobellos with brie”, which sounds appetizing and lovely, and appropriate for me when I am not trying to occasionally veer towards veganism).  All in all, I find Sabra’s approach to combining medical astrology and cooking very refreshing, a useful addition to my bookshelf, and a fun approach to dinner partying.

The Week in Bullet Points:

• Tuesday – Profound
• Friday – A vigorous mental approach
• Saturday – Explosive; try damage limitation

Further to last week…Falklands Blog 2

 Scene 1 – Tea-Time in Argentina

[Enter Sean Penn]

In his capacity as Ambassador for Haiti (?) he meets Cristina Kirchner, President of Argentina.  She makes an impression on him, having Pluto on his Uranus and Neptune sextile his Jupiter.  They both have Jupiter rising.

Kirchner: “I wonder how my appeal to the U.N. is getting on.  You couldn’t put in a good word, could you?”

Penn: “”I know I came in a very sensitive moment in terms of diplomacy between Argentina and the UK over the Malvinas islands. And I hope that diplomats can establish true dialogue in order to solve the conflict as the world is not going to tolerate any kind of ludicrous and archaic commitment to colonialist ideology. The way of dialogue is the only way to achieve a better solution for both nations.”

Kirchner: “That will do nicely.”

Penn:  “Had you thought of inviting Prince William to tea?”

Kirchner: “Don’t push your luck.”

[Exit Penn]

 Scene 2 – The U.K. At the Houses of Parliament

Tory MP Patrick Mercer O.B.E.: “What on earth has this got to do with Sean Penn? He’s neither British nor Argentine and seems to know nothing about the situation judging by this moronic statement.”

Ben Fogle: “Here Here!”

Scene 3 – Uruguay – Tea with President Jose Mujica

Mujica:  “Well, you know Sean.  We South American States like to stick together.  More tea?”

Penn:  “Thank you for your opinion.  I will make another statement.”

Mujica: “How did I get involved in this anyway?” [Mars is squaring his Mercury]

Penn: “It’s unthinkable that the United Kingdom can make a conscious decision to deploy a prince [William] within the military to the Malvinas, knowing the great emotional sensitivity both of mothers and fathers in the United Kingdom and  in Argentina who lost sons and daughters in a war of islands with a population of so few….”

[The South Node (past life karma) is currently transiting Penn’s Mars in Gemini representing his warriorship, and Uranus is currently transiting Penn’s I.C. which is unsettling his sense of security about the world]

The Sun enters Pisces early today, and you may rise in a befuddled state.  If you have a chance, go back to bed and have a lie in until you are feeling clearer.  However, this is not likely to happen, and you may be having a generally foggy day because by the evening the Sun conjuncts Neptune.  If you found the similar aspects with Mercury last week befuddling, then you may go through a parallel scenario today, but less mentally-focussed and more soul-focussed, i.e. a reorientation on that level, aligning the personality with the Soul, or attempting to.  You may be finding it hard, for instance, deciding what you think about a particular issue, even though you may be pressed to make your mind up.  My advice is: If in doubt, don’t.  Give yourself an extra day or so if you can, to be absolutely sure of where you stand, if you have the luxury to do so.  Tuesday (21^st) is much more suitable for aligning the Soul and personality, and deciding where you stand on an issue.  For Tuesday brings a New Moon at 2 degrees Pisces, a chance for a real spiritual re-orientation, and an evaluation of complex personal and global issues. Thursday (23^rd) is more confrontational, with Mercury opposing Mars.  A war of words, or at the very least carelessness, are on the cards.  Sean Penn may make another statement about the U.K. and the Falkland Islands.  If you feel like getting involved in a conflict, check whether it is in fact your conflict – that’ll give you a chance to pull out, and fewer people may get hurt. We have a happy ending on Saturday (25^th) with Sun sextile Jupiter, optimal positive thinking, possibly yielding successful results.  All smiles.

If you are up before 10 a.m. you might catch Flick and I in the studio audience of The Big Questions in Cambridge, televised on BBC1.

The Week in Bullet Points:

• Today – Fog
• Tuesday – New Spiritual Order
• Thursday – Confrontation
• Saturday – Smiles

Those born around 19^th February have, as was mentioned in a recent blog, a great deal of confusion going on at the moment.  An example of this is the President of Argentina, Cristina Kirchner, who has Neptune transiting her Sun at 0 degrees Pisces right now.  Astrologically her state of mind would be described as confused, although she may not think so.  It certainly seems to have a touch of Neptunian paranoia…She has gained ground politically in recent times, with Neptune and Chiron forming trines to her Neptune and Saturn in the last decanate of Libra.  As well as her Neptunian process, she also has Pluto squaring her Mars at the moment, firing up her desire to act, which is resulting in the current move to rekindle the Falkland conflict.  The original conflict in 1982 was a vehicle for Margaret Thatcher’s Inner Warrior because she was experiencing a Mars Return at the time!  This Mars Return was exactly trine the U.K. Ascendant. Cristina Kirchner followed her husband Nestor Kirchner into power as President.  During his term of office, he managed to turn the Argentinian economy round from its parlous state.  He then became Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations.  The South American States (including Brazil and Chile) are now behind Cristina in her endeavours.  Nestor Kirchner died of a heart attack in 2010 but some say his wife is an even more powerful political force.  This week she announced that she would appeal to the U.N. over the matter.  Certain points of the zodiac are particularly sensitive in connection with the Falklands conflict, though I do not have a chart for the Falklands themselves.  Karmic involvement is shown by the Sun/Mercury of the U.K. chart being conjunct the South Node of the Argentine chart.  Individual entanglements include Margaret Thatcher’s Nodal Axis square exactly the Argentine Jupiter, and certain aspects to Prince William’s chart.    People in the U.K. tend to feel passionately one way or the other on the issue of whether we should keep the Falklands: I remember arguments with friends 30 years ago on the subject, and indeed this household is currently split on the issue!  But in a poetic twist Prince William has been cast as the knight  in shining armour, flying to defend the area, and incredibly his natal Mars is exactly in the same position as Margaret Thatcher’s, and therefore in the same relationship to the U.K. chart.  However, he has more harmonious natural links with Argentina.  And at this point in time Neptune is forming a Grand Trine with his natal Jupiter trine Sun (very apt for connecting with foreign islands).  So hopefully his presence there might prove more constructive than it looks.  It would be good if President Kirchner invited him to tea and found him to be a nice boy.

Tomorrow a trine between Mercury and Saturn which occurs at tea time favours ventures which have been well planned or thought through.  So if you’re reading this today, Sunday, if you haven’t already done so get yourself a plan! And if you already have a plan, think it through.  It’s a good day for serious and realistic communication, so if you are sitting face to face in discussion, have your bullet points ready and don’t waste each other’s time. This marker of the story so far and where you’re at is especially vital and poignant in relation to events and aspects later in the week which complicate matters.  For in the early hours of Valentine’s Day Tuesday (14th) Mercury enters Pisces.  The collective mindset will change more radically than on the usual annual ingress of Mercury to that sign around this time of year, because Neptune ruler of Pisces is at that early stage of the sign.  Usually, it would indicate a change from crisp, progressive thought, to a more mystical and imaginative understanding. Instead we find ourselves going from mental flights to being plunged into depths of emotion which are then to be processed through our mental equipment, and some might have difficulty with that.  Unless you have insomnia this is likely to take place during hours of sleep and may infiltrate through dream symbolism, e.g. flying and swimming dreams…Then, unless you are an early riser, just as your consciousness is surfacing for the new day Mercury conjuncts Neptune, and intensifies the new process.  No longer are you in a transition, with access to the previous mode of thought – instead, you are fully immersed and merged in the world of the emotions and imagination.  Again, some might find this overwhelming, but stick with it.  The third feature to note on Valentine’s Day is Jupiter sextile Chiron.  This lifts the vibration to an extent.  It brings about a focus on healing, miracles and manifestation.  If you are considering Valentine gifts for a loved one, I would recommend preparing two gifts, a material one on waking and a spiritual surprise one later in the day.

Having got through the astrological schedules for Tuesday, we are faced with a square between Venus and Pluto on Wednesday (15^th).  All that hard work on your relationship on Tuesday, then a depth to plumb on Wednesday (take it slowly).  The mental submergence in emotion of the previous day may leave you vulnerable or depleted for Wednesday’s challenge, unless you have managed to rehabilitate through the Jupiter-Chiron miracle-process.  So really, give yourself TLC on Wednesday, as you can’t give it to anyone else in a depleted state.  And someone may ask you for it, by teatime [Apologies for mealtime fixation on which to hang aspects].  You may feel more confused or overwhelmed than ever.  You feel you’ve done your best, but your relationship(s) and/or your finances (also Venus) don’t look or feel how you’d like them to!  They are as they are, but you need to work a little more on your own process, remembering you can only do what you can to at any given time.

Thursday (16^th) brings the opportunity to look at things in new ways and see more facets of the picture.  Though Mercury is still immersed in Pisces and conjunct with Neptune, it now joins with Chiron in Pisces to look at mental health and psychological issues you may not have considered.  This may initially be challenging or even shocking, but by afternoon tea you have the confidence and mental buoyancy to deal with this new angle, through a sextile between Mercury and Jupiter.

At the end of the week on Saturday (18^th) we have two helpful influences to lift us from the pressure encountered earlier in the week.  In the afternoon, Sun trines Saturn and the plans initiated at the beginning of the week can flourish – you can put your whole heart into them.  Then in the early evening Mercury sextiles Pluto and everything you’ve struggled with over the week can come together in useful and meaningful productivity – the emotional depth combining with constructive communication: while you thought you were drowning, you were learning the tools of success.

If you’ve always admired Aquarians and want to emulate them, please read the latest in the Zodiac Masterclass series:

http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2012/02/the-aquarian-guide-to-being-ahead-of-the-game/

This morning we are saying goodbye to Whitney Houston, whose health struggles are well-documented in her birthchart.  But my abiding fond memory about her is the song “I will always love you…” which was put on replay very loudly by our next door neighbor for about three months when we first came to live in Norfolk twenty years ago.  It reminds me that she is the champion Valentine balladeer.

This Week in Bullet Points:

• Tomorrow – planning and thinking through
• Tuesday – emotional and mental overwhelm; healing
• Wednesday – new deluge just when you thought you were coming up for air…
• Thursday – new healing perspectives; bright communication
• Saturday – cementing plans; consolidating resources

Aquarius New Moon Mandala painted by Sarah Berry
Line Mandala from Mandala Colouring Book by Barry Stevens
available at http://www.mandalas.freeserve.co.uk/colouringinbook.html

This is the fourth of an occasional series written about the expertise of each Sun Sign. I am still looking for the Libran who can write a guide to Relationships. The articles will be found under the category “Zodiac Masterclass” so that eventually there will be 12 such articles, e.g. “The Taurean Guide to the Inner Artist”, “The Cancerian Guide to Parenting”,”The Aries Guide to the Authenticity” etc. Each article will be written by someone who has the Sun Sign in question.

Here guest blogger Felicity Cook writes about being a futuristic Aquarian. She is no stranger to this website and blog – indeed, she is one of the people in my life without which it would not have come into existence and have kept breathing.

She is a top vocal teacher in the U.K., and is currently in training as a Body Psychotherapist as well as having a huge following on Facebook. I don’t know where she finds the time – she has probably borrowed it from the future!

A word about the mandala: it is one of my very favourites, and somehow conjures up for me an embroidered Tibetan flag or wall hanging (thangka).

The Aquarian Guide to Being Ahead of the Game!

by Felicity Cook

“You just don’t get it do you?” asked a workshop leader of me a very long time ago.
What he didn’t realise and what I was too lacking in confidence to say was that my Aquarian mind was already a few light years ahead, piecing his information together with the material I was already working out for myself about the physiology of the voice and the link with the psyche. I knew I couldn’t make public my thoughts as it was ground breaking work over which he had already implied was nonsense once before, dismissing my ideas verbatim.

We Aquarians are built to be in the kitchen creating Heston Blumenthal sci-fi menus, metaphorically speaking, but don’t ever suggest we get out if it gets too hot because we simply won’t! Could we be aloof? Maybe, but perhaps it’s more that our airy heads (I said airy heads, not air heads, thank you!) that we know we’re on to something. Mess with a Uranian and you could just be tampering with the blue touch paper, so I suggest you step back until invited to light it! The ideas can zoom in from nowhere. For example: 7.30 (or earlier) in the morning when their partner is sleeping, they may suddenly wake up and pose some ethereal philosophical view about the world and or vocalise how unjust it all is. In the meantime, you feel you’ve been run over by a steamroller and on a Sunday morning! Sigh…..

Part of the charm of the Water Carrier, though an air sign, is that they live up, way up in the clouds…. they know what every particle is that makes up that cloud and therefore don’t let any scientist try to challenge them…. the thing is, their cloud is made up of more than small droplets of water or ice crystals that are spread out from each other, they know theirs is the ‘real’ world and have little or no concept that others see it any other way. However, should they realise they or someone else has wronged a fellow traveller, then they would be the first to speak up for justice!

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

~ Martin Luther King

A person with an Aquarian Sun is not a straight forward beautifully transparent individual. Anyone who takes on such a person could well be in for an interesting journey with them….. Eccentric, exuberant and usually outgoing, their other side is often hidden; this is the deeper thinker. This is one reason why it can be quite challenging living with an Aquarian….. their ideas have wings and if they haven’t done much in the way of personal processing, you may find it hard to keep up with them as they will leave you at the starting post! When the personal development work has been done you will find yourself with a considerate (usually… and don’t quote me to your stubborn Aquarian lover!) and compassionate individual who has found a way of being able to fly without having to fight the constraints of the establishment and is also able to be pragmatic about their actions too.

So….. how do you learn from the Aquarian? How do you allow yourself to be ahead of the game?

1. Don’t throw the rebel out of the classroom because she/he doesn’t fit what the establishment want….. LISTEN to them instead. They may have something a bit off the wall to move things forward. YOu could develop that too!
2. Don’t take it to heart if they appear aloof. They are just off on their latest non conformist idea and getting a real buzz from it….. they’ll get a kick out of telling you about it if you can show you don’t reject their eccentricity! What would be so wrong if YOU also allowed your wackiness to come forward and be creative?
3. Do allow the Aquarian space to be an individual as their habit is in the Heavens not hemmed in on the ground…. they could help you fly!
4. If you want to know the direction the fiscal health of the world is going, ask an Aquarian….. they can tell you, so you might want to listen!

That’s all folks …… I have a Light Beam to catch…….

Here’s an interview Felicity did earlier:

http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2010/02/interview-series-no-2-felicity-the-voice-cook/

The Neptune in Pisces watershed in the U.K. seems to have been marked by a surreal covering of snow.  Rather like at Christmas time, people were coming home early to bunker down, carrying armfuls of supplies from supermarkets on the way.  I was urged by my mother to hurry home from Salisbury to Norfolk before the curfew.  On the way, I left my handbag on the train, then ensued a mad dash to the rail terminal where my handbag was waiting, everything left in it.  An old gentleman had handed it in.  Within an hour, the blizzard had started here.  So as I sit typing here with fingerless gloves, I am still dazzled by how lucky I was (transiting Jupiter is currently square my natal Jupiter).  Yesterday, 4^th February, may have been lucky in a different way for someone who believed in the power of the number 4.  Astrologer Linda Goodman assigned the number four to Uranus, but I wonder if it has a resonance to Neptune, given its current prominence.  In the lottery numbers yesterday, not only did the number 4 come up, but four of the other five numbers were in the forties.  I am making a supreme effort not to make mention of reality TV this week, as one of my customer complaints was about that.  Therefore I will plough straight on with the week’s aspects.

If you wish to achieve clarity in your thinking about an issue, you have 2 days to mull it over, then turn it over to the conjunction of the Sun and Mercury in Aquarius on Tuesday morning (7th) for crystal clarity to zap your brain and connect your synapses. It would be ideal for you to be up and conscious, e.g. over a breakfast coffee, to be eligible for and open to its benefits. You need to be up in a reasonable time on Tuesday as you have 3 astrological features to attend to during the course of the day. Just after lunch, Saturn is stationary prior to turning retrograde. If you felt a sense of relief that it was leaving Libra, the sign of relationships, you will need yet more patience (it seems an age ago since I wrote the blog ” Saturn in Libra – Karmic Dilemmas”). Saturn just gets to the brink of Scorpio, and turns back. So there is more to learn and negotiate about relationships, it seems…we are now going over old ground in our relationships, including our relationships with ourselves. Creativity and individuality will be the issue at the Full Moon in the evening. Best deal cleanly with the other 2 features of the day before the evening, then you may be able to meditate on the Full Moon at a higher level in the evening, without all the emotional baggage, i.e the mental issue of the morning, and the relationship issue of late lunchtime. The issue of Full Moon in Leo is that of holding your individuality within a group you are a part of ( it can be the family) as the Moon opposes the Sun in Aquarius. The individual and the group both need to be honoured.  At this point, Venus will still be in Pisces, and its unconditional universal love vibration is still available as a prominent resource in your process.  Wednesday (8^th) sees the entry of Venus into Aries, which could be a slightly uncomfortable passage for Taureans and Librans.  Naturally peacemakers, they will need to dust down and brush up their Inner Warrior for a while, which is easier for some than for others (try summoning up your past lives on battlefields, if you’re stuck).  There’s a little test that day to limber up: Venus semi-sextile Neptune – last chance to slough off any baggage resulting from illusion around relationships or a relationship (that maybe is currently high on a pedestal).  By Friday (10^th) you’ll all be ready for a more substantial test: that of Venus conjunct Uranus.  If you’re ready for some excitement and unpredictability in your social encounters, you’ll take to it better than most.  In the Arts, originality will flourish.  And a final test for Venus exam week occurs on Saturday (11^th) with Venus semi-sextile Jupiter, which could bring a pleasant, though maybe superficial interlude of socializing and smiling…which could be just what you need – a good laugh, with no strings attached.

The Week in Bullet Points:

• Tuesday – Mental Gymnastics; Old Relationship Issues; Individuality versus the Group
• Wednesday – Peacemakers out of their Comfort Zone
• Friday – Too Exciting on the Social Front
• Saturday – Light Comedy