Sagittarius 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 third 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 Piscean Guide to Compassion”, “The Gemini Guide to Communication”,”The Aries Guide to Authenticity” etc. Each article will be written by someone who has the Sun Sign in question.

Here guest blogger Marion Kobylinksi writes about Optimism and trusting the wisdom of the Universe. I had to scout around for another Sagittarius to write it – I couldn’t write it myself, could I?

Marion is a well-loved Alexander Teacher who practises in Salisbury, and has been an enormous help to my family. Her piece is short and sweet!

As a Sagittarian myself, I would not be able to add anything. However cynical a sign you may be, there are times you just need to look at life in the Panglossian way of a Sagittarian.

A word about the mandala: I think you’ll agree it is stunning and beautiful. It reminds me of a Sagittarian poem or song (whose authorship I have never been able to establish):

Three rings has the circus, the color of hullabaloos, jumping Jupiter things, yellow and red turquoise bands, plus, Sagittarius! Ah, Sagittarius! Bringing laughter to the clowns, tumbling with the acrobats, telling fortunes to the gypsies. Walking with the wire-walkers, Sagittarius looks down and applauds the crowd for being brave.

The Sagittarian Guide to Optimism by Marion Kobylinski

The word optimism comes directly from the Latin optimus: best.

That quintessential optimist the Dalai Lama was speaking in the Albert Hall some twenty years ago, and his wonderful advice has never left me “Always prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best”.

Optimism is ‘looking on the bright side’ – knowing there always is a bright side. It doesn’t mean not seeing the dark side, the possible unpleasant outcomes, it just seems more practical not to focus on them. It means appreciating that there is always more than meets the eye and knowing that everything works out for the best in the end, however bad it may seem at the time.

At least that has always been my experience all through my life. Certainly the worst things have taught me the most – and after all we are here to learn. Somewhere I have come to acknowledge that the many mistakes I have made (and annoyingly seem to continue to make) really have been, and are, blessings in disguise. Granted, the disguises can often be fairly heavy and convincing! Yet without the inconvenience, pain and suffering, I being on the somewhat obtuse side, would not have had the spur to wake me up a bit.

Isn’t it best to be as awake as possible – and perhaps not miss “the many splendoured thing”?

The Sun is always shining whether we can see it or not – when it is cloudy it is easy to forget that fact: the clouds don’t prove that the sun isn’t shining. The clouds have a vital function – they are part of this amazing creation – they hold the rivers and seas and will fall as rain to water the earth so that it brings forth food to nourish and sustain all of the living creatures on it.

The light of the Sun and the compassion of the clouds are but a reflection of the unity of things. When the optimist in us remembers the whole picture we know that all is well – or if it doesn’t seems to be at the moment it will be; that everything works out for the best in the end!

Saturday evenings lately have been a marathon roller-coaster of television viewing: Strictly Come Dancing, through X-Factor, through I’m a Celebrity (get me out of here).  I am even completely indoctrinated by the adverts, to the extent that I truly believe that you need to go to Iceland for your party food: Stacey Solomon’s ecstatic bopping has won me over.  This is the shadow side of my lifestyle.  The light side, during the week, is travelling up and down the country constantly on the train between Norfolk (home), Leicester (grandson), Cambridge (post-retirement day job), Salisbury (family) and London (leisure), while trying to fit in astrological work, meditation and Christmas shopping.  My astrological musings yesterday were about the X-Factor panel/judges/mentors.  Louis Walsh, still standing from the original institution, is a Leo but has North Node (karmic mission) in Aquarius, the sign of boy bands.  Since he lost his last remaining act, it has been good to see him champion other acts, including the last girl band standing, “Little Mix”.  He may have been traumatized in his past lives (e.g. in the Irish potato famine) with Pluto on his South Node.  But show business is in his blood, with 4 planets in Leo.  He loves a power struggle though, with Jupiter square his Pluto and Nodal Axis.  Next in order of seating, is Tulisa Contostavlos, whose musical genre is hip hop.  She has not had an easy life, with her mother suffering bi-polar disorder.  She has a lot of stress and conflict in her chart, which has forged her strong personality, resulting in an edgy persona, willing to fight for her little muffins (“Little Mix”) in her maternal 4-planets in Cancer type of way.  Mentally, she is used to stress (Mercury conjunct Chiron, square Mars).   Kelly Rowland, who sits next to Tulisa, is an Aquarian, but her warmth comes from a strong Piscean empathy: Venus conjunct Mars in Pisces, and Sun sextile Neptune.  She has a psychologically strong Sun trine Pluto, but may have some indecisiveness with a conjunction of Jupiter/Saturn – witness her letting Amelia Lily go in the first round (not without tears) then welcoming her back with open arms as a possible potential winner a few weeks later.  However, this indecisiveness is a two-sided coin, the other side of which is measured judgement, assisted by a sextile of Jupiter/Saturn with the North Node.  Karma is often on her side, and she has 3 acts left in the contest.  I remember thinking in the boot camp phase that the girls were a really strong category this year, and she was fortunate to land this category.  Gary Barlow, the replacement for Simon Cowell, has come in for a lot of criticism in this competition, but I like him in the role.  His original and prolific song talent is shown in his chart by Venus in Sagittarius (prolific) sextile Uranus in Libra (original songwriting).  That same aspect is responsible for his successful involvement in the legendary boy band “Take That”.  The only contestant I have a chart for is Scorpio Janet Devlin (with the characteristic red mane).  She has been ill this weekend, and recently had poor song choices, but with 5 planets in Scorpio plus the North Node and Sun exactly square Mars, as one of the judges put it yesterday she is a fighter, and will have courage and strength even if she goes out in tonight’s results show.  Today’s Venus square Uranus could produce strange results and quirky art forms and unusual meetings.  Venus also sextiles Chiron, so there is an underlying healing thread in physical terms, and in art and music, even though Uranus is causing disruptions (the disruptions have a reason).  Later tonight Venus trines Jupiter, so party like a celeb.  Put those nibbles out as you watch the telly.  Actually, to be serious, you may have reason to celebrate – don’t miss the opportunity by being a couch potato.   On Thursday (1^st December) Venus conjuncts Pluto and it’s time to get serious about your relationship(s).  Focus, perhaps, on its higher purpose.  Or on any lingering psychological issues which are blocking its potential and commitment.  There may be endings to outworn ways of relating which are not working, but hopefully your relationship(s) can emerge more strongly.  The Sun squares Mars on Friday (2^nd) so you will be feeling the heat, in some way.  You may be hot-headed, or incident-prone, for instance.  Watch other motorists on the road: men and cars could clash, and dogs could also be hot-headed.  The last aspect to work with this week is Friday’s conjunction between Mercury and the North Node.  This involves Mercury Retrograde so the karmic reward flavour of the aspect which potentially could bring brisk business, sales, and significant communication and information, could be skewed by the retrograde aspect.  Keep on your toes if making a deal, keep ahead of the game, and keep your integrity.  You could even outwit the notorious Mercury Retrograde, that way!

The week in bullet points:

• Today – emphasis on art, music and relationships and improving through the day
• Thursday – deep relationships
• Friday – high energy difficult to manage.  Karmically, watch the detail

Uranus has returned to 0 degrees Aries, where it initiated the Arab Spring.  The Arab Spring has the energy of Uranus in Aries, as does the Occupy movement.  We are in the throes of inner and outer revolution.  As a human race we now demand freedom from slavery, and also in our personal relationships.  This is supported by the current placement of Saturn in Libra, because we cannot find refuge in relationships or clinging to others: we have to find everything we need within ourselves.  We are thrown back on our own resources, and from a possibly new bargaining position we are renegotiating our close relationships (Saturn in Libra).  In the Eurozone, Papademos has now replaced Papandreou in Greece, and Monti has replaced Berlusconi.  Both replacements have strong Chirons in their chart and certainly have been drafted in as healers for the economy and the morale of their respective nations.  Papademos has Chiron conjunct his Mercury, so has the ability to think outside the box, and Monti has Chiron conjunct his North Node in Leo, so it is his mission to lead in a new way with a healing intent.  Interesting that they have both appointed non-politicians to serve with them.  Sunday is a reflective, charitable day, not without illusion or paranoia, with Sun square Neptune.  For karmic reasons, you may be drawn to involvement with Neptunian places and institutions such as churches, hospitals and charities. There is a sense of surrendering, with a compassionate view of the world, and fundraising may be involved.  On Tuesday (22^nd) first Venus from the Galactic Centre sextiles Saturn, so there is some quiet re-evaluation of a long and loyal friendship.  You can meet quietly to take stock of your lives. With the emphasis on the Galactic Centre, the love at the heart of the Universe can be received and transmitted, the cosmic love that connects everything together.   Also on Tuesday, we leave behind the emotional wrangling we have been occupied with in the last month as the Sun leaves Scorpio and enters Sagittarius.  Instead, we will be turning our emotional experiences into philosophical understanding about life over the next month.  Sample conversation over coffee in the corner of a library:

Friend A: (sporting a poppy, and a plastic red nose)  “You know, it’s difficult being a spirit having a human experience.”

Friend B:  (sounding weary) “Oooh, I know what you mean.  I have trouble giving up my addictions.  Take smoking – it was O.K. in my Native American lifetime…I am really truly searching for the answer.  Do you think it’s easier to deal with addictions after you have retired?”

[We’ll meet them again later]

In fact, over the next week there will be a lot of that sort of discussion.  Even doers will become thinkers this week.  The thinking (a la Sagittarius) will be laced with humour, and if your Inner Clown has been in a closet for the last 11 months, now’s the time to dust him or her down, and take him or her out into the party season.  If Ricky Gervais can be asked to host the Golden Globes again for the third time your own Inner Clown can be welcome anywhere anytime, even if you are a shy Sun sign. Ricky is a Cancerian, and famous for his crab dance.  He has the controversial planet Uranus square natally to his ruling Moon, but is currently empowered by a transit of Pluto trine his natal Pluto, linking his life in with the Grand Trine described last week (which is currently still active).    But the Sun squares Chiron on Wednesday (23^rd) and the poignant side of the clown comes out (you might have tried the positive-thinking-only line, and the shadow comes up as a backlash).  Just adjust your philosophy accordingly, realizing that your Inner Clown is a work in progress and needs some healing and some bringing into the present.  Once the tears are out of the way that day, there are two trines to bring out the smiles.  The first is a trine between the Sun and Uranus, bringing out original creativity and inventiveness, and then Mars trine Pluto.  Mars trine Pluto affords the chance to heal past hurts, victimhood and self-harm.  It is a powerful energy, and can be mis-used, but can also be used to move on.  On Thursday (24^th) – uh oh!  It’s the bane of astrological life – Mercury Retrograde, again.  If you have been keeping that Mercury Retrograde workbook, you may have evolved your own strategies and patterns with it, but if not just keep in mind the mantra “clear communication” and keep  writing and referring to your insights.  Friday (25^th) brings us a smooth sextile between Venus and Neptune.  Love is on the agenda again, and this time it’s ideal love, and inspired expression of the Arts.

Cut to the supermarket,  next to the veggie food cabinet:

Friend C:  “Hiya!  How are you?  If you don’t mind me saying so, that red nose is a bit out of season…Oh I’m so busy these days.  Trying to choose which brand of veggie sausage is best – they’ve stopped doing my favourite.  (Sigh) Would love to find the time to do something more creative.”

Friend A:  “Funny you should say that!  It’s a point I was making to B on Tuesday.  Would our lives flow better if we were doing that, instead of being a the beck and call of errands, demands, events and duties?”.

Friday also brings us a New Moon at 2 degrees Sagittarius, more discussion of life, philosophy, freedom, and global affairs.  And finally, Saturday (26^th) Venus enters Capricorn, and we feel that we have to ground some of our ideas into reality, e.g. by becoming more politically active on behalf of society.  Start an Occupy movement, anyone?  Work your way through the charity Christmas catalogues?  Put your name down for the marathon?  Stand for your local council?  Or clear your clutter first.

Last sample discussion:

[In a railway carriage]

Friend A:  “Well if it isn’t B!  That’s twice in one year I have seen you, what a surprise! Guess who I bumped into in the supermarket the other day – C, another member of our Soul Group!”

Friend B:  [moving her luggage] “Here take a seat.  I was hoping to continue our conversation.  I was thinking over what you said, and I have decided to turn myself in at the local gym.  By the way, that purple skirt doesn’t really go -”

(to be continued…)

The week in bullet points:

• Sunday – Tread softly

• Tuesday –  Quiet catch-up; mind-broadening and heart-broadening

• Wednesday –  Healing crisis, and healing resolutions

• Friday –  Love and inspiration; new ideas

• Saturday – Getting real

If you felt supported and buoyed up by the Universe on 11:11:11 it may be as much to do with the Kite forming in the sky (more of which later) as the numerology, which is not to detract from the beauty of the number.  It is just that the meaning of the number is still a mystery to me.  People gathered for all sorts of reasons on Friday, for the past, the present and the future.  Even the birds gathered, at the beach, where we meditated and linked with other groups around the globe.  It was a special day.  This morning, the Sun has come out for the first time since our Solar Panels were fitted, and the dial shows that we are not using electricity – we have lift off!  Inner and outer bliss…Seemingly, everything feels right in the Universe, and on the planet… Meanwhile, nuclear threats are gathering in the Middle East in remembrance week – the U.S. and Israel are in a quandary about what to do, or whether to do anything, about Iran’s gathering nuclear capability. Let’s hope they choose the way of the Tao, rather than the way of Blair-Bush  (Pluto is approaching a trine to Iran’s Saturn next year, which will support its nuclear plans).  And the Eurozone…oh dear, two leaders have toppled within the space of a week (Papandreou and Berlusconi) and coalitions are on the increase (Saturn in Libra).  It seems fitting to give Berlusconi as much space this week as Papandreou last week, so here goes.  Firstly, his reputation as a womanizer is linked with his natal Venus square Pluto, though it must be said that not everyone with that square behaves as he did.  That Berlusconi is going now, after such a lengthy reign (though not as long as Mubarak’s or Gaddafi’s) is due to Pluto currently exactly squaring his Sun, definitely the end of an era in his life.  In the chart of Italy change is indicated with three significant squares: Saturn square its natal Saturn, Uranus square its natal Mercury, and Pluto square its natal Neptune.  Though Italians are rejoicing at the exit of Berlusconi, these squares indicate that they will be going through a period of discomfort in the immediate future, and that the situation will not be solved overnight by a magic wand.  But the country itself, as one who hasn’t much experience of international travel, is one of my favourite countries in the world (based on brief sojourns in Florence and Venice) and I heartily wish them well (as I do for Greece, and the next country).  I will leave the commentary for Strictly Come Dancing as a dessert for the end of the blog, and now plough through the upcoming week’s aspects.  Today, Venus is conjunct the South Node.  It is a good day to take stock of your karmic interrelations, and to radiate love to your friends and non-friends alike!  Tomorrow, it is Mercury’s turn to conjoin the North Node, and for the mind to contemplate what the heart contemplated today.  You can do both days together, combining the heart and mind, LOL :-}  On Wednesday (16^th) Mars trines Jupiter (high energy!) and you will feel the full force of the Kite shape, which has been formed in the sky by a Grand Trine between Jupiter in Taurus, Pluto in Capricorn, and Mars in Virgo, skewered to earth (and water) by the opposition between Mars in Virgo and Chiron/Neptune on the cusp of Aquarius/Pisces.  It is a day when you (and your colleagues) can really get your act together, and bring your highest ideals down into practical reality, if you have been working on  something of that nature.  If you are highly intuitive, then it can all come together in your consciousness quite quickly, and be implemented, if you are feeling on good form and are used to working instantly.  A note about this pivotal position of Mars in early Virgo: those with Ascendant in Virgo will be intensely activated by the sojourn of Mars in Virgo until next July (only then will it move on to Libra).  If you have Sun in Virgo, you will be especially activated when Mars transits your Sun at some point or points during this period.  Alternatively, you may be someone who has several planets (a satellitium) in Virgo, in which case you’ll be on the go almost constantly (and Virgos like to be on the go).  Now to the Strictly Come Dancing report (you can switch off if you are not a viewer) – there has been drama, since I last reported!  Artem Chigvintsev injured his spine – Pluto squaring his Mars in Libra (back injury).  Holly Valance was left without a partner but managed to acquire a fellow Antipodean substitute in Brendan Cole, with Artem as choreographer (Mars was sextile her North Node in Gemini – lots of karmic male attention). For Brendan?  The Sun was transiting his North Node – a karmic opportunity (but at the same time he had been knocked out of the contest with Lulu).  What of Lulu?  If she hadn’t been knocked out Brendan’s substitution wouldn’t have happened.  Their body language on the couch on our breakfast TV screens early last week was quite frosty.  Pluto is trine her Saturn, which may be why she has been so serious over the whole contest (note this is the same aspect currently responsible for Iran’s nuclear frown).  The North Node is trine her Pluto – karmic lessons here!  Her shock exit was down to Uranus squaring her Uranus.  The results show is tonight, and I sincerely hope that my beloved astrological clown Russell Grant will stay in to entertain us further.  Actually, I wish I had been able to draft in Bruno Tonioli to write this Strictly section – he is a Sagittarian and a half!  Quoting his colourful language after Harry’s Judd’s Argentine Tango: “It was moodier than a thunderstorm in the pampas!”  I wish I’d said that.  Lastly, retaining the lighthearted tone, take my fun quiz “What Astrological Level are You?” if you have reached an impasse on the Sunday cryptic crossword…

http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2011/11/what-astrological-level-are-you/

The week in bullet points:

• Today – Oneness
• Tomorrow – analyzing the Oneness
• Wednesday – bringing it all together (make it last till next week)

This blog was inspired by a friend, to whom on first meeting I asked the question: “On a scale of 1 – 10, what level of Astrology would you say you’re at?”

She replied confidently “A Six”.

Since then she has gradually lowered her level to a Three.

So here, at current understanding, are the 10 Levels.

1.  You don’t take interest in Astrology, except to occasionally read your newspaper horoscope for fun.
2. You know your Sun signs, and sometimes ask people theirs.  You can come up with some startling psychological insights on this basis.
3. You have had your chart done, and know the rudiments of how a birth chart works.  From listening to and reading Astrological articles, you can make theories of your own and you feel connected with what is out there in the Cosmos.  You play it safe by using only the Equal House System, otherwise you would get confused.
4. You have jumped in on Astrology through the psychic route, perhaps from tarot or palmistry or mediumship, and can almost read a chart just by placing the palms of your hands on the chart while looking at someone’s face (or without even looking at them).  You may feel like ignoring some of the unnecessary details and new-fangled theories, as they interfere with your mental images and the messages from your guides.  Sometimes you just look at the aspect patterns in the middle of the chart and see the interpretations visually.  A type 4 can rise through the ranks very rapidly, but often finds a new primary path.
5. You see Astrology as part of your philosophical research, and may be a Psychiatric professional, a Philosopher or even a Scientist, and it becomes part of your tool kit in a wider practice.  You sense the potential of Astrology, but see it as an adjunct to your main Profession.  Nevertheless, you have a very proficient grasp of the subject, and at the back of your mind you sense that you may give it a higher profile in your work some day.  You see yourself as an intellectual liberal.
6. You are a serious student of Astrology, perhaps reluctant to see yourself as an Astrologer, but soaking up information and learning and theory at a prodigious rate.  The study of the subject fills you with confidence that the Science/Art can potentially solve any question.  You take on a few clients in order to help you with what you see as an eternal research.
7. You maintain a private Astrological practice, but do not feel yourself to be very adventurous.  You are quietly contented with your level, and happy to carry on as you are.  You have, however, gone beyond the classical textbooks in examining the role of Chiron since it was discovered in 1977.  You are a bit wary about Ophiuchus theories, though.
8. From starting on the basics years ago, and possibly taking a qualification in Astrology, you have learned through experience and a computer-like memory which can compile statistics mentally, plus a steady private practice, to apply Astrology all the time to everything in your life.  You might even have a blog, too.  You may be a bit daunted by all the advanced Astrological software, and therefore are unable to fulfil its potential.
9. You work with all the asteroids, mid-points, harmonics, Solar Arc, and embrace all the latest theories, with a flexible bendy astrological mind, and can evaluate, co-ordinate and contrast all of these approaches confidently and communicate them articulately.  In addition, you are a whiz with all the computer software available to the Astrologer in the 21^st Century , regularly skype your clients and publish your latest research in e-books.  You earn a living wage through Astrology.
10. You are the teachers’ teacher in Astrology, and regularly contribute to Astrology magazines, lecture at meetings, and are a published author of several books.  Your books are regularly referred to in articles and lectures by others.

Feel free to quarrel with these descriptions, and the order in which I have placed them and to let me know if you come outside these categories.

Please note, I may alter this blog from time to time; indeed, we may create this together, reaching towards an accurate representation of the picture.  You might want to print out this article as a starting point.

Interesting synchronicity that Joanna Lumley was finishing her Greek Odyssey on our screens as a Greek drama unfolded on the Eurozone scene,  in the crescendo of the week.  In the final programme of the series, Joanna was told that the series would be successful by an elderly Greek lady who was reading her coffee grounds.  Unfortunately, she did not pronounce on the future of the Euro.  The same evening Nicolas Sarkozy was telling the G20 summit “We cannot accept the explosion of the euro, which would mean the explosion of Europe” at the same time as George Papandreou of Greece had threatened a referendum, which he later described as a shock tactic, saying he didn’t mean it really… George Papandreou the Prime Minister of Greece has Mercury (his mental equipment) at 4 degrees Cancer, which squares the Pluto of the natal chart of Greece (bringing mental strain to his natal equipment).  The current square of Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn form a T-square with his natal Mercury, increasing that mental strain to the hilt.  Some questioned his mental state in engineering the brinkmanship brought about by his announcement of a referendum, and political positions are still being worked out in Greece now.  Meanwhile, almost at the heart and helm of the Euro crisis (Angela Merkel being the heart and helm) according to the Astrology, Nicolas Sarkozy has an instinctive understanding of the European Union (and therefore has easily built up an image of how his role should be within it).  His Mercury is sextile the European Union Mercury (giving him a facility with ideas related to it, business and economic issues within it, and communication channels).  His Neptune is also conjunct the European Union Jupiter, so there is almost a sense of religiosity in the way he feels about the European Union and its potential.  His Jupiter squares the Euro (as distinct from the European Union) Nodal Axis, so he has a karmic role to play at this time, and one of keeping up its profile in some way.  His Pluto trines its Jupiter, so he is totally involved in trying to make it work.  His Neptune squares its Uranus however, so his own illusions may complicate its destiny further.  But there is no doubting his commitment, in saying: “The euro is at the heart of Europe”.  I took a break from all this yesterday, and had a great time at the Brian Weiss workshop in London yesterday. Brian Weiss is the most popular of past-life therapists and author of such classics as “Many Lives, Many Masters” and “Same Soul, Many Bodies”, and I booked my place months ago. Apparently the event was an almost instant sell-out.  People came from all over the world (except for the U.S.) to see this psychiatrist from Florida.  They came from places as far flung as Trinidad and Portugal, bringing translated editions from exotic locations such as Iran and Malta.  Dr. Weiss has the slowest speaking voice I have ever heard, as befits someone who has been doing past life therapy for 30 years.  He has a GSOH, in fact an acutely and unusually teasing sense of humour that doesn’t come across in his books!  I wonder how that persona comes out from his birthchart…We do not have a birthtime and so cannot divine his Ascendant and Midheaven, which often contribute to the persona.  He is a Scorpio, which is the sign of Psychiatry, and in fact it’s his birthday today.  The humour may be linked with his Jupiter being exactly sextile his North Node, which has given him a karmic grace in his work and mission.  I spent most of the day pleasantly semi-comatose (he gave 4 meditations – tremendous value!), surfacing occasionally to make notes.  I don’t know how it was for the rest of the 900-strong audience.  That might just have been my pattern because, not comparing the two in any intrinsic sense, I admit to always falling asleep whenever I have been in the presence of the Dalai Lama.  A few years ago, my hubby complained that I was meditating too much, but I have got it down to once a day now.  Enough about me, let’s look at the aspects for the week ahead.  Today is a good day for tying up small but important loose ends, with the minor aspects of Mercury/Venus semi-sextile Pluto.  It is another week with a dominant theme by Neptune, as tomorrow we face an opposition between Mars and Neptune.  Whereas last week’s Neptune issues were emotional and mental confusion, tomorrow’s opposition could bring instinctual confusion.  Well if your instincts are currently wading on shifting sands, what can you trust?  You can go to a higher level, to your intuition (via meditation, but don’t overdo it like me).  The work you do on this will pay off by Wednesday (9^th) because Neptune is stationary prior to turning direct (what a relief) and you will be able to see that a spade will look like a spade.  It always was a spade, but you had your doubts, lately.  A Full Moon in Taurus on Thursday (10^th) adds some more earthiness and practicality to your outlook, but not everyone finds the Full Moon energy easy, and it has to be balanced with the intensely searching Sun in Scorpio.  So if you are immersed in gardening, some part of you still has to engage with the angst going on in the world or in your personal affairs.  The same day Chiron (which has been travelling with Neptune in recent years) also turns stationary prior to direct, which benefits healing efforts, healing projects, and uncovering the associated mental causations, which may or may not be derived from the past.  And on Friday (11:11:11) Mars means business, leaving its performance-based urges in Leo, for the quieter conscientious working mode of Virgo.  We’ll be knuckling down to some real work schedules, and health and safety projects.  Many of us will be earth healing, or marking the impressive numerology of the day in some way.  The week ends on Saturday (12^th) with an opposition between Mars and Chiron: energies could be awkward that day, and there may be minor healing crises or opportunities to put into practice what we have learned this week or recently.  What were your learnings, and how can you apply them? I have learned about synchronicity, and moderation in meditation, and deepened my interest in the scope of the human mind.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – housekeeping
• Tomorrow – examining your own Achilles heel
• Wednesday – spiritual reorientation
• Thursday – balancing; healing initiatives
• Friday – interesting numerology; getting down to things
• Saturday – the square peg in the round hole

(Apologies for the slightly altered blog format this week – you can put it down to Neptune)

Aries

This week could turn your head around.  All week Mercury will be chasing Venus but never quite catches her.  Why is Mercury trying to catch Venus?  He wants to have a dialogue with her.  Why does he want to have a dialogue with her?  The mind wants to swap notes with the heart, to co-ordinate the new-found wisdom. Many of us have experienced evolutionary shifts recently, and need to upgrade our everyday practices to match this incoming energy.  You may be finding that the new energy doesn’t sit well with your old circumstances.  Uranus this week from your sign harmonizes with the near conjunction, so you may find your words sprinkled with stardust.

Taurus

Mercury and Venus are like brother and sister in the family of planets around the Sun, and when they do meet they can catch up with family news, and you can take stock of issues in your personality development, such as the role of your ego.  How is your ego looking?  What is the state of your self-esteem?   Taureans have a tendency towards modesty and playing the supporting act, but you need now to find balance along your ego/self-esteem spectrum.  With Mercury sticking close to your natal planet all week, you will be buzzing with ideas.

Gemini

You may literally need a conflab with a sibling, or with someone who acts as a sibling for you this week.  A neighbour may pop their head over the fence at just the right moment, for instance, to lend an ear.  What happens when your ruler Mercury and Venus meet is that writing and articulation of the arts can take place.  Although Mercury spends several days trying to catch up with Venus he doesn’t actually make it.  The journey is the goal, and the thrill is in the chase.  You may need to accept that.

Cancer

This week snatches of poetry can be written,  a chapter or two of a novel,  a few brushstrokes on a canvas, and short tete a tetes snatched in cafes overlooking riverbanks;  contributions towards the major oeuvre – remember that Cancer is a literary sign.  Not a week to achieve earth shattering stuff, but stuff that makes ordinary life pleasant and harmonious, and cosy in the way Cancerians like it.  Your ruler the Moon runs the gamut of Sagittarius to Pisces this week, via Capricorn and Aquarius.  So you will start out adventurous, then draw in your claws conservatively.  In the second half of the week you’ll be networking, and then end towards the end of the week retreat into shyness and sensitivity.  Try to plan events accordingly.

Leo

Your sign is creative, and your natural art form is drama.  So you may question, in this week where writing is emphasized, whether we still have a use for poetry as an artform in this modern world?  It may yet be the best expression for the soul, I wager, and some of the best dramatists have been poets too.  Of course not everyone is even inclined to the Arts – you may have an Ascendant which contrasts with your Sunsign,  and which inclines you to have a different lifestyle and work as an Accountant say, a Scientist or an Engineer.  If so, it could be a week when the Arts could impinge on your lifestyle, and reclaim you.  Or you may have ideas that benefit the planet, and combine scientific expertise with ecological devices.   Untypically for you, you may stay out of the limelight this week and play a supportive role, like a benevolent uncle.

Virgo

Tomorrow it’s Happy Halloween, and many will favour or even seek out the scary vibe.  Any poetry written early in the week could appear uncharacteristically fanciful.  You could just let it out uncritically, in the manner of Julia Cameron (whose books include “The Artist’s Way”, “The Right to Write”),  writing for writing’s sake.  Let go of the perfectionism you are known for, and see what happens.  Writing for you tends to be a studious affair, but your sign has undeniable ability in this craft.  With Venus close to your natal planet all week, you will be involved in some warm exchanges.

Libra

A full blooded Halloween would ideally have a square from Pluto, but tomorrow’s square between Venus and Neptune can do paranoid at least.  So a paranoid Halloween to those who would like a bit of scaremongering.  For on Tuesday (1^st November) Monday’s emotional paranoia gives way to mental paranoia resulting from Mercury’s square to Neptune, or mental evaluation of the previous day’s emotional paranoia.  You know you love it.  Sometimes we just have to go through and examine the paranoia, before we can progress.  Paranoia and scaremongering are out of the natural comfort zone of Libran pleasantness, but Neptune’s square to your ruler can bring a little edge to your normal way of being.  Let out some tension.

Scorpio

The Sun is still in your sign, and you may have the other zodiac signs riveted with fascination.  They may be trying to work out how you function.  What they may not be able to connect with is that deep underground watery well of emotion, unless they have a strong Plutonian streak or another way of resonating with your nature.  You may prefer to be silent this week, not to write or perform, but just to observe life, and keep on collecting your reservoir of wisdom.

Sagittarius

Any poetry written on Tuesday (1^st November) could be incomprehensible to your fellow man or woman, very Joycian (James Joyce had Sun/Venus square Neptune).  You know that book they say is residing in each of us?  This may be the week that it almost surfaces.  Keep your pen poised, and notebook handy.  Hold off actual writing ideally until Wednesday (2^nd), when it is safe to write and the muse could come out of the closet, with Venus entering your adventurous sign.  The Sun’s opposition with your ruler Jupiter may have recently brought a power struggle and you may have lost a battle, but Pluto’s recent trine to Jupiter supports an enduring victory.

Capricorn

Are you a soft centre with a hard shell, or the reverse?  You can start to pursue a romantic ideal this week, or a love of the outdoors.  Fashion note: deerstalker hat, country brogues and Burberry jacket (unless, like me, you never wear them).  The morning activity of Wednesday 2nd will maintain a profound quality, with Mercury still in Scorpio, and those born at the end of Capricorn will be especially mentally acute.  You put judgementalism on the back burner this week.

Aquarius

In the afternoon of Wednesday 2^nd, Mercury enters Sagittarius, spicing up your taste for adventure – both for inner journeying and outward bound travel.  At close of play on Wednesday, Venus squares Chiron, so someone may criticize your fashion sense as being just too out there.  A brief healing crisis could result, but remember who you are – the original rebel!  On Thursday (3^rd) you may actualize some poetry, novel  writing or painting and surprise even yourself in the process with a fever pitch of ingenuity , for Venus and Mercury trine your natal ruler Uranus.  These aspects are also good for relationships and inventions, and higher orders of thought, while also taking in scientific invention and design.  It could be your week.

Pisces

Mercury squares Chiron on Thursday (3^rd November), so there could be some nervous tension and self-questioning, or nail-biting.  Some meditation would be advised in order to tap into the universal consciousness, and your connection with it.  If plaudits are what you seek, the Booker prize is spoken for this year, having gone to Julian Barnes…He does not have Mercury conjunct Venus, but J.K. Rowling does have.  She started writing in cafes, and so may you this week.  You may start the week confused, with your ruler Neptune playing up, but feel yourself becoming clearer as the week goes on.  Spookily, as I finished writing this blog, highlighting this week’s connection with poetry, I learned that a Poet had just become the new President of Ireland…

(Back to normal next week, including the bullet points)

Scorpio 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 second 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 Sagittarian Guide to Trusting the Universe”, “The Cancerian Guide to Parenting”, the Taurean Guide to the Inner Artist” etc. Each article will be written by someone who has the Sun Sign in question.

Here guest blogger Jeanne Essex writes about accentuating the positive, which I think is a rebranding of Scorpio, my favourite Sun sign by the way. A word about the mandala: Sarah painted it on the last Scorpio New Moon, and it seems quite gentle and soothing in waves of green. Maybe it’s an antidote to lull those who find Scorpio energy difficult.

I have known Jeanne since University days, when she was reading English at Nottingham University, and she is an experienced writer. Her Scorpio credentials take in a square from Pluto to her Sun in her natal chart. In my life, I have always learned from Jeanne, who has taken life’s rites of passage before me and dealt with them so well.

The Scorpio Guide to: Accentuating the Positive

by Jeanne Essex

You want me to talk about being a Scorpio?

Hang on. Let me just put down my riding crop, come up from the dungeon and slip out of this black leather corset and these high-heeled thigh boots.

Relax, everybody! Just teasing. I simply cannot cope with the high heels any more at my time of life and with my arthritis. In addition that plus-size corset absolutely kills me nowadays.

Seriously though, it often seems to Scorpios that astrology unfairly concentrates on our dark side. How we envy those lucky Librans, of whom the worst that is ever said is that they tend to sit on the fence about issues. I mean would you rather be thought of as merely wishy-washy and indecisive or a potential sadistic serial killer, likely to have a torture chamber in the cellar?

We poor Scorpios often feel misunderstood and that does bring out our undeniable dark side, because, it is true that we can be jealous, obsessive, suspicious and resentful, but we are like that because we feel so passionately and deeply about everything. We just don’t do ‘casual’ in relationships or life in general. We are really, really deep. Okay?

The intensity of our feelings may frighten people of a nervous disposition; hell, it even scares us at times. However, because of this intensity, we are extremely loyal friends and lovers, but never, ever betray our trust, because we will never forgive or forget. Once lost, our trust is impossible to regain and we have such long memories that elephants come to us to check on what they were doing twenty years ago. This is the way that disputes tend to go in our house:

Me : “You said, in the summer of 1973 – it was a Sunday afternoon and raining at the time, I had on that pale blue dress and we were having strawberries and cream for tea – ….”.

My poor, bemused husband: “Er…Well if you say so.”

After over 40 years of this stuff, he can only ever concede the point, because he can’t even remember what I said half an hour ago. Hah! (Did I mention that another of our faults is that we need to win?)

In addition to a prodigious memory and the inability to forget a slight or betrayal, we are armed with the ability to flay with the tongue and wound with cutting sarcasm. This form of attacking defence is known in our family as ‘Scorping’ somebody and I plead guilty to having used it in the past and would like several hundred cases to be taken into consideration, although I try hard to curb it nowadays.

Some of us bear grudges to the extent that we will go so far as to try actively to get revenge, which is a very scary prospect for anybody in the path of an avenging Scorpio. This is an aspect of the Scorpio in which I have never allowed myself to indulge, but I shamefully admit to the love of a bit of poetic justice and schadenfreude about my enemies’ mishaps, when they occur in the rough and tumble of life.

Evolving

I firmly believe that the key to being an ‘evolved’ Scorpio is working hard to control the negative aspects of our character. (Ah, control! That’s another trait dear to the Scorpio heart.) For every negative there is a related positive, which Scorpios need to develop. When channelled, that famous passion can be a formidable force for good. We can get involved in causes and contribute to making real changes in society. There is never an issue that we don’t care about and we can love very deeply and faithfully.

Those negative qualities of never forgetting a supposed betrayal also have a positive side, because we also never forget a little act of kindness or thoughtful gesture and we will continue to repay for ever. Once you have our love, trust and respect, we will never let you down.

We are said to be manipulative and to set about seducing people, but those talents can be utilized positively in aid of good causes and are handy in recruiting helpers and fund raising. Because we like to win and secretly fear failure, we tend to set realistic and achievable goals and we are very flexible in our approach and willing to change direction, to adapt and overcome. Add to these qualities our resourcefulness and dynamism and we are very useful people to have on your team.

That secrecy we are famous for means that you can also trust us with your own secrets and you can tell us pretty much anything, secure in the knowledge that you cannot shock us. One good thing about being aware of one’s dark side is that a Scorpio can accept the less palatable side of human behaviour in others. Nobody knows as well as a Scorpio that given the right circumstances we are all capable of anything.

We have an ability to face up to the hard things in life and because we are in tune with the cycles of birth and death, those transitional times hold little fear for us. These qualities can be helpful in supporting other people, through bereavement counselling, for example.

To sum up, I have come to learn that I cannot stop myself from feeling twinges of jealously and suspicion, of resentment and bitterness, but I can own them and refuse to let them dominate my life or affect my behaviour. I have spent my adult life learning to let go of things, ‘accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative’, as the song goes.

In my own case, it is probable that all that intense Scorpio energy is tempered by my fluffy Cancer ascendant, but having the Cancer influence sure as hell doesn’t curb any of the emotionalism and reinforces the ability to care deeply and love unconditionally.

It does mean that after a tough session in the dungeon you are likely to get a nice cup of tea and a cuddle, though.

Sadly, Jeanne passed away on 6th November 2013

Before looking at what is a busy week for aspects, I will take a look at the serious news item of last week Libya, and a lighthearted survey of some of the Strictly Come Dancing acts, for balance. Gaddafi met his end last week.  Muammar started out thinking of himself as a liberator.  As the Guardian Obituary tells us: “With Nasser as his idol – he too later titled himself colonel – the 14 year old Gaddafi was caught up in the surging pan-Arab emotions of the time, in the ideals of Arab renaissance…Expelled from school for his political activities, he continued his secondary education at Misrata, on the coast, and there, with some of his classmates, he decided to join the army as a means of overthrowing the monarchy”.  Without knowing his birth time, it seems that Uranus (revolution) has played a strong role in shaping his life (e.g. it may be on one of the angles of his chart), for at the time of his coup in 1969, which created the Republic of Libya, Uranus was trine his Uranus.  At his demise, Uranus in Aries (the spirit of the Arab Spring) is exactly sextile with his personal Uranus (which has played itself out).  It is the Uranus opposition of the Republic, the Counter-Revolution.  The original 1951 chart of Libya (pre-Gaddafi) is the beneficiary, both on the day of his demise, and as the foundation for its future, with a treasury of aspects:  Uranus squares Libya’s Sun (extreme change), Neptune trines its Moon (aspirations for the people), the North Node trines its Mercury (a new constitution karmically demanded), the North Node sextile its Mars (a change of military focus, again brought about karmically), Pluto squares its Jupiter (a dramatic transfer of power, out of control), Saturn conjuncts its Neptune (traumatic stress to be worked through), Saturn sextiles its Pluto, and North Node squares its Ascendant (a completely new karmic order).  Though the future seems uncertain, astrological indications are that this could actually be the liberation of Libya, but with a lot to be worked through in the future, and no magic wand.

Continuing my survey of the lighter side of life: The still-new Strictly Come Dancing series seems to have thrown up some real talents this year: one of which is Holly Valance.  Like Anita Dobson, who is also doing well, she is a Taurean trooper.  She has the North Node (karmic mission) a few degrees away from the Gemini Sun of partner Artem Chigvintsev, and more significantly, her South Node in Sagittarius is almost exactly conjunct his Neptune (planet of dance) indicating they may have danced together in past lives, especially Latino ones.  Meanwhile, Latina Nancy dell’Olio is at the other end of the leader board, and may not survive tonight’s results programme.  As far as I know, Nancy has not revealed her birth date to the world, but we know that she is Cancerian, and Anton has 3 skilful planets spread out in the sign of Cancer to cover any of her moods.  It was not enough to control her feather boa in her first dance though, and now that Edwina Currie has gone, it does leave her vulnerable with the viewing vote.

This week begins with the entry of the Sun into Scorpio at tea-time in the U.K.  If you are reading this before 6.30 p.m. you are in the last throes of the Sun in Libra – take advantage of any last minute opportunities for diplomacy and negotiation, any olive branches coming your way and any fly pasts by doves.  At 6.30 p.m. you will need to be more on your mettle, more alert to what is going on in your life, and less dreamy and idealistic.  If you feel you need to bring out your inner warrior, assemble your tools: your pet scorpion, your hypnotic laser eyes, and your will to overcome any obstacles.  I am hoping to post the second Zodiac Masterclass around that time, which has been written by a real Scorpio with real life experience (not just a theoretical Scorpio), if you feel you don’t have enough Plutonian energy to rise to the occasion.  The Sun trines Chiron tomorrow, and to the new Scorpio influx of energy are added the healing rays of Chiron.  This is an excellent aspect for regeneration, and coming back from a difficult situation or health issue.  Wednesday (26^th) is the most eventful day, starting with a sextile between Mars and Saturn, representing controlled and steady action, the precision of the surgeon, at the start of the day, which sets a helpful tone.  A New Moon in Scorpio comes along later in the day, which again represents the regeneration of life force, and a new understanding for us in terms of the mysteries of life and the life cycle.  Finally that day Mars squares Venus, so if you are at a party in the evening you might need to watch for inappropriate social behaviour, the inappropriately intimate pinch, or leer…!  It seems to me it happens all the time on Strictly.  On Friday (28^th) Mars squares Mercury and there could be all-round general irritability, and carelessness, especially in relation to Geminis and Virgos.  Drivers be extra vigilant when parking.  The biggest aspect of the week, Jupiter trine Pluto, also takes place on this day, so there is an important balancing of power, and one which may have been an on-off feature for you this year.  People will need to take accounts of rights and wrongs, and they will need to form a group to evaluate the situation, as this is not an aspect where one person can act alone without consequences.  But within yourself, you may come to a special place of integrity, where you know that your actions will be right when you carry them out into the world.  The next day, Saturday 29^th, that integrity can be carried through with others as the Sun joins this trine, opposing Jupiter and trining Pluto.  Others may be interested in your projects, and the only drawback may be overconfidence or over-enthusiasm – you need some boundaries or even structure, because Rome was not built in a day.

The week in bullet points:

• Today – switchover from mild manners to more gutsy ones
• Monday – healing processes can begin
• Wednesday – precision, regeneration and flirtation
• Friday – nerves on edge, but getting it right in the bigger picture
• Saturday – working with others on the bigger picture

“We can change the future, but…
…we must perceive it first”

So says Dr. Bruce Goldberg at the frontispiece of his book “Past Lives  Future Lives”.  This time last week I was completing the Future Life Progression practitioner training course with the leading edge future life teacher Anne Jirsch, which you can imagine was amazing. What you can also imagine are the debates I had when I got home to my scientist hubby. “Well” he said “I can see how you can travel back to the past” (I have been a past life therapist for 21 years) “But I can’t see how you can travel to the future”. To me, it’s equally logical.  Great fun! And time will tell, but from where I stand now future life progression looks to be life-changing, and a wonderful tool for problem solving and raising consciousness, needed now as much as ever.   More soon, but…back to the present.  In the U.K., Defence Minister Liam Fox left us dangling this week as to when he would resign, over the enigma of aide Adam Werrity’s role in political life.  Fox himself has a very interesting birth chart, with Venus conjunct Uranus hinting that he has unusual relationships.  There is a lot that he’s balancing in this lifetime, with Mercury conjunct Mars in Libra (excellent for defence and diplomacy work) squaring Jupiter conjunct Saturn (checks and balances).  He is a follower of Margaret Thatcher, and the relationship is shown in their charts by Thatcher’s Neptune (inspiration) sextile Fox’s Mercury (ideology).  When he took his appointment as Secretary of State for Defence, there were three oppositional transits to his chart: Uranus opposite his Sun, and Neptune opposite his  Venus and Uranus.  This might suggest it was not an easy balancing of interests.  At the time of his resignation of Friday, Neptune had returned to the same position in relation to his Venus-Uranus, reinforcing his personal difficulties and the spectre of scandal which was undetected for a considerable time.  Adam Werrity’s Saturn lies on Liam Fox’s Venus, and this can mean loyalty in a relationship, but can certainly in this case be seen to have brought about Fox’s downfall.  Both were thoughtless about the consequences of their political and personal arrangements.  In Fox’s case personal need was involved (Venus/Uranus) and in Werrity’s status (Saturn) was a consideration.  Could Future Life Progression have saved them?  Common sense or the intervention of a helpful friend would have easily nipped the problem in the bud.  But certainly Future Life Progression would have picked it up.  What problems this week can be nipped in the bud with a little foresight from the knowledge of planetary aspects?  We only have three, and they are reasonable ones to work with.  Today Mercury sextiles Pluto, so it is a good day to look at issues from a deeper perspective, and talk them over.  If you are working this weekend, much can be accomplished, and determination and focus will be intense, and one of the keys to success.  Tomorrow Mercury is opposed by Jupiter, and minds will be more scattered, and you may need to travel to communicate your interests.  This aspect is not too problematic, but holds the tendency of overstretching resources.  Geminis and Sagittarians may find their interests opposed, with Geminis recognizing the need to focus and Sagittarians wanting to diversify.  If they can resolve this, they’re in business!  And, lastly, just before midnight on Friday (21^st) the week concludes with a trine between the Sun (at the end of Libra) and Neptune (at the end of Aquarius).  This is a fine aspect for realizing dreams and wishes, and firming up your ideals.  It’s also creatively and artistically inspired.  If you’re having lunch with friends, talk about your hopes – they may be eavesdropped by light beings helping you create your future.

Bullet points for Busy people:

• Today – Accomplishment
• Monday – Mental and physical travel
• Friday and Saturday – You’ve got to have a dream