Amelia’s Blog

Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Uranus

“Freedom is necessary for choice, and choice is necessary for wisdom and growth…the sacred world of love and wisdom, fiery intelligence and passionate will, imagination and delight- is a world of freedom. It is liberating. But it is also binding and connecting.” David Spangler 

Mars is moving up to a square with Saturn this week. This can be a good aspect for getting things done with the caveat that often there can be frustration, obstacles and impatience. Saturn and Mars together are sometimes described as driving with the gas and the brakes on. Mars is the planet of action and does not like being held back by Saturn’s influence – Saturn being the stern teacher about “the rules of the road.”

Approaching this week with patience and realistic goals is a good strategy. And as  some shamanic traditions advise – trust the timing and assume that the explanation for current events will become clearer in the future.

Jupiter is opposing Uranus now and will be an influence for the next nine months or so. This opposition is correlated with surprising and sudden events. We are seeing this kind of thing in the news with greater frequency these days and it is good to assume – here as well- that a clearer understanding  of the meaning of events will emerge  over time.

On a personal level this transit provides a good time to break from patterns in your life that have restricted your freedom. The opposition is occurring in the relationship signs:  Libra the sign of partnership and Aries the sign of autonomy and independence. Under this influence there may be shifts in relationship dynamics. People in existing relationships may want more freedom or room to move. People who have not wanted to be in a partnership  may be entertaining the idea and finding new opportunities. It applies to legal partnerships and work partnerships as well.

One of the Sabian symbols for the Jupiter/Uranus opposition is, “A child giving birds a drink at a fountain.”

Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill

Full Moon in Cancer

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Dr. Martin Luther King

The Moon waxes Full this Thursday at 6:34 AM EST. The Sun and the Moon activate the energy of the Pluto/Uranus/Eris/Jupiter configuration forming a Cardinal Cross. In general the Cardinal Cross symbolizes the need to take take action and implement change on your evolutionary path. Eris – the female Warrior Goddess – is associated with advocacy for the soul life and mission.

The configuration formed by Uranus/Eris/Jupiter and Pluto is in effect throughout the month – it is continuing to bring unexpected change and events.

Under the influences it bodes well to work on the clarifying your mission – as you see it at this point – and to strategize how to implement internal and external structures which nourish and support your journey
forward in times of great change.  Courage and commitment to courage over time is a key element in this process. Saturn is harmonious aspect to Eris – bringing fiery energy, support and stability.

The influence of Neptune in Pisces is strong now as well and throughout time when Neptune has been in this placement there was an increase in spiritual growth and awareness. It is a good time to grow in higher consciousness and to bring that awareness into your everyday interactions.
One of the Sabian symbols for Eris at that time of this Full Moon is,”A woman in pastel colors carrying a heavy and valuable but veiled load.”

 

sabina symbol quote from Lynda Hill

More on Mercury Stationing Direct

“Let us be silent that we may hear the whispers of the gods.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is always a good idea to heed any information that emerges two or three days before or after a Mercury station – the current station having been today – 1/8 – in the wee hours EST. Mercury stations are associated with a culmination of knowledge.
It will bode well also to put this practice in place at the end of the month when Mercury in direct motion forms a conjunction to Pluto on the 29th. Mercury stationed retrograde conjunct Pluto and so in a certain sense not all the information is in about the meaning of this retrograde period- personally and collectively. More information is likely to surface at that time if you are open to it.
Pluto and Mercury together symbolize taking an approach like a detective. Pluto is associated with mining – going under the surface to find hidden things. In mythology Pluto inhabits a dark, shadowy realm. When it is aligned with Mercury it can bring hidden knowledge to the surface.
The alignment at the end of the month will occur at 17 degrees of Capricorn. One of the Sabian symbols for that degree is,”A hidden choir singing at a religious service.”

Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill

Mercury Stations Direct

“Without our dreams we would not be able to step outside ourselves and transcend our limitations.” Diane Mariechild

This Mercury retrograde period comes to an end January 8 at 4:43 AM when Mercury stations direct at 28 degrees of Sagittarius.  The powers of rejuvenation are strong at this time if you make a conscious effort to harness them.

The Sun is conjunct Pluto at the time of the station. Pluto has been a strong theme during this retrograde period (since 12/19/16) as Mercury stationed retrograde conjunct Pluto. The next few days it bodes well to reaffirm any intentions for the New Year and to think about areas of your life that could improve if you instituted a more positive and expansive way of thinking about them – and set intentions to do that as well. One of the Sabian symbols for The Mercury station is,”A splendidly built bridge, a heritage of unknown ages, still spans the beautiful and wildly primal stream.”

The Moon at the time of the station is at 22 Taurus making a favorable aspect to Pluto and the Sun. This adds to the powers of resurgence and rejuvenation. One of the Sabian symbols for the Moon’s  placement is.”A white dove flying straight and fearlessly over troubled waters.”

Venus is conjunct the South Node now – do watch for a tendency to drift back into unproductive habits. It does bodes well however for musing about long forgotten dreams and visions for your life that might be brought to life in a new form.

 

Mercury Retrograde and the New Year

“Small things like reasons are put in a jar
Whatever happened to wishes wished on a star?” Jefferson Airplane

Traditionally it bodes well to set new intentions for the upcoming year by or on Jan 1. This year though,  with Mercury traveling retrograde, it is wise to reset or reaffirm resolutions after it goes direct in the wee hours of Jan 8 EST.
Mars – the planet of power and action continues to be under Neptune’s gossamer spell early this week and pulling in the influence of the South Node. This combination can indicate difficulty discerning reality from illusion – leading to a fair amount of confusion. It’s better to postpone any important decisions until after Mercury’s station direct on the 8th.
On the positive side the Mars/Neptune/South Node influence bodes well for thinking about bringing an old dream or vision into your life in a new form. This also applies to spiritual aspirations and creative projects. Again better to start any initiatives after the 8th.
The 9-15 bode well for financial planning.
One of the Sabian  symbols for Mercury’s direct station on the 8th is, “A splendidly built bridge, a heritage of unknown ages, still spans the beautiful and wildly primitive stream.”

Sabian Symbol quote from Lynda Hill

New Moon in Capricorn

“Hope is a memory of the future.” Gabriel Marcel

The Moon waxes new at 7 degrees of Capricorn on Thursday at 1:53 AM EST. Saturn, the ruling planet of Capricorn is a strong influence a this time which bodes well for reaffirming or setting new intentions.

Saturn is sometimes called Father Time – appropriate now particularly because this New Moon references both the past and the future. With Mars and Neptune both joining the South Node in Pisces it bodes well to review what customary mental an emotional patterns inhibit and block growth. It is a good time to commit to reframing them and to break the pattern of referring to them – particularly patterns related to feeling victimized.

Chiron, the asteroid of the Wounded Healer is in Pisces and with Pluto conjunct the retrograde Mercury at this time there is an ability – with Pluto’s laser-like depth of perception- to rewrite stories of the past from a more evolved, more empowered and more aware perspective. Saturn is also about maturity.

Clarifying issues from the past will help with forward movement as this New Moon is very much about opening the gate to a more expanded perception of the future by closing the door on roadblocks from the past. It is time to move in a freer, more autonomous and innovative direction in your life. The wind is at your back for this kind of activity now with Mercury and the Moon making good aspects to the North Node. Do heighten awareness for several days after this New Moon as more positive opportunities and options may become visible. The North Node is associated with life purpose and life path.

One of the Sabian symbols for this New Moon is,”Birds in the house singing happily.”

Sabian symbol reference from Lynda Hill

The Winter Solstice

“Can one be passionate about the just, the ideal and the holy and yet commit to no labor in its cause? I do not think so… Be ignited or be gone.”Mary Oliver

“You are not the oil, you are not the air- merely the point of combustion, the flash-point where the light is born.”  Dag Hammarskjold

The time leading up to the Winter Solstice- throughout time and across the planet –  has had an anticipatory nature to it – awaiting the return of the light. In many religious traditions this time honors the rebirth of the inner light as we move from “the darkest evening of the year”- as Robert Frost wrote- to a time when the light is reborn.

The Winter Solstice – December 21 at 5:45 AM EST -marks the time of the Sun’s journey from Sagittarius – the sign of broad horizons and aspirations – into the concrete, pragmatic sign of Capricorn. It bodes well under this influence to commit to grounding aspirations for the upcoming year and to be willing- like the mountain goat, the symbol of Capricorn – to persevere, be undaunted by set backs  and take it step by step.

One of the Sabian symbols associated with this time is,”The human soul in its eagerness for new experiences, seeks embodiment.”

Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill

 

Mercury Stations Retrograde

“That day I saw beneath the dark clouds
the passing light over the water
and I heard the voice of the world speak out,
I knew then, as I had before
life is no passing memory of what has been
nor remaining pages in a great book
waiting to be read.

It is the opening of eyes long closed.
It is the vision of far off things
seen for the silence they hold.
It is the heart after years
of secret conversing
speaking out loud in clear air.” David Whyte 

Although this time of year can be very busy,  it is wise – especially with the Mercury station on 12/19- to set aside some to to reflect and further integrate the meaning the many fast moving events that have taken place in the past year or so.
Mercury will station retrograde on 12/19 providing a good time frame (through Jan 8)  to review and rethink matters – particularly those related the structure of your life, its foundation and the amount of responsibility you commit to in order persevere and make things happen. With Pluto closely aligned there is the opportunity to get to the bottom of things in a way that might not ordinarily be possible.
It is also a good time to look at how you use your mind and direct your will forces.
It’s wise to leave extra time when traveling and anticipate possible delays- throughout the retrograde period but especially within a day or two of the stations when effects can be stronger. Plan to have more patience if snafus with mechanical and cyber things occur. Double check the meaning of any emails or messages received before jumping to conclusions.
Mercury stations at 15 degrees of Capricorn and one of the Sabian symbols associated with this time is, “A young woman surreptitiously bathing in the nude.”

Sabian symbols refernce  from Lynda Hill.

 

Full Moon in Gemini

“Come to the edge,”He said,
They said,”We are afraid.’
“Come to the edge,” He said
They came. He pushed them
and they flew.” Guillaume Apollinaire

The Moon waxes Full Tuesday at 7:05 PM at 22 degrees of Gemini. At this time the Sun is conjunct Saturn – the planet of the status quo-  and making a harmonious aspect to Uranus the planet of  the future and of innovation. This combination is good for moving  your life in a new direction. If you are not sure how to do this more information may emerge under the light of the Full Moon if you ask for and are open to guidance.

If you have been considering a class or course of study that would provide useful tools in moving forward, this is a good time to sign on.

This Full Moon is also about walking your talk and taking steps to align the actions and interactions of your everyday life more closely with your higher philosophy or belief system.

In general it can  continue to be a nervy, surprising and restless time as there is an attempt to build a bridge between the past and future. Mercury is preparing to station retrograde. Best to anticipate the possibility of delays, confusion, reversals and and the need to review or revisit information at that time – particularly around the 19th when Mercury stations retrograde. The upcoming Mercury retrograde period (through Jan 8) is a good time to rethink, review and reconsider what represents security and stability in your life.

One of the Sabian symbols for this Full Moon is “Three fledglings in a nest high up in a tree.”

Sabian symbol and other quote from Lynda Hill’s 360 Degrees of Wisdom

 

 

Venus in Aquarius and Saturn Conjunct the Sun

“Under a sky the color of pea green soup,
She is looking at her work growing away there
Actively, thickly like grapevines or pole beans
As things grow in the real world, slowly enough.
If you tend them properly, if you mulch, if you water,
if you provide birds that eat insects a home and winter food,
If the sun shines and you pick off caterpillars,
If the praying mantis comes and the ladybugs and the bees,
Then the plants flourish, but at their own internal clock.”
                                                               from The Seven of Pentacles by Marge Piercy

Venus enters the sign of Aquarius this week moving from Capricorn – a sign associated with tradition, security and stability into the more innovative sign of Aquarius. This sign – also associated with the Age of Aquarius which we are entering now – speaks of a new paradigm for relationships – based on friendship and collaboration along lines of common interest – and a more evolved, holistic model for the use of resources.

Aquarius is the sign of brotherhood and sisterhood and in its highest form advocates for the good of all rather than from perspective of purely individual gain.

It is a good time now to consider partnership of all kinds from an innovative, evolutionary perspective.

Mercury moves up to a harmonious trine with the North Node making this a time to broaden your vision of the future and recommit to your life’s path – paying particular attention to pragmatism and the details as far as you can see them. As Martin Luther King so eloquently said, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just the first step.”

The Sun moves up to a conjunction with Saturn this week also. Be willing to commit to the work that needs to be done and the time it will take. Build a strong foundation and take it step by step.

The Sabian symbol for the Venus ingress  into Aquarius is,”An unexpected thunderstorm.”

Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill