Amelia’s Blog

Mercury Stations Direct and a Busy Week in the Starry Heavens

“One must choose in all things a mean, just and good. Error and confusion dwell in the extremes.” Pythagoras

“Living in balance is living in a state of grace, of delicacy, of gentleness. Only by being balanced within ourselves can we hope to balance the world.” Anodea Judith

This is considerable activity in the starry heavens this week.

Mercury  in Capricorn and Mars in Gemini will be in a challenging quincunx aspect this week indicating a time that bodes well to practice balance and moderation in speech and thought. This duo is easily irritated and can be associated with increased conflict.

There can also be more confusion about with Mercury’s station on Wednesday.

Mercury  is slowing down to station direct on  Wednesday at 8 degrees of Capricorn. This is the second planet to station direct recently – joining Mars. Uranus will make the third on the 22nd – the day after the Full Moon on the 21st. Projects and things that have been delayed or held back can start to move forward now.

The Sun in late Capricorn will be moving up to a conjunction to Pluto on Wednesday although it will be in influence all week. This is a good time to work on plans related to improving the structure of your life.

The Sun enters Aquarius on Friday with the Moon following shortly thereafter- signalling the New Moon at 1 degree of Aquarius on Saturday. More about the New Moon later in the week.

One of the Chandra symbols for this week is,”A woman strolling in a garden. She in unaware that she is watched by elves.”

 

 

Mars Stations Direct on Thursday

“Thought is action in rehearsal.” Sigmund Freud

“Negative actions always bring about suffering, and positive actions always bring happiness.” Dalai Lama

Mars stations direct on Thursday January 12 at 8 degrees of Gemini – ending the retrograde transit which began October 30. Mars, the fiery god of action and desire is not happy when retrograde as it symbolizes energy being held back and the nature of Mars is impulsive and action- oriented. The retrograde period has been a good time to look at how we use our power and implement it to attain aspirations. It’s wise for the next few days to heed any information that may surface which is related to this.

It’s a busy time in the starry heavens now  as  Mars. Mercury and Uranus  all move direct this month – Mercury on the 18th and Uranus on January 22 joining Mars on the 12th. If possible it bodes well to postpone any important decisions until the very end of January into February.

For the next few days Mercury will be forming a favorable alignment with Uranus – an excellent time to let your mind be free and open to new ideas and insights.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A medieval archer stands with the ease of one wholly sure of himself , bow in hand, his quiver filled with arrows.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

 

 

Friday’s Full Moon in Cancer

“I believe in intuitions and inspirations…I sometimes feel that I am right, I do not know that I am.” Albert Einstein

“Like the wolf, intuition has claws that pry things open and pin things down. It has eyes that can see through the shields of the persona, it has ears that hear beyond the range of mundane human understanding.”Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Friday’s Full Moon, the Wolf Moon, is at 16 degrees of Cancer at 6:08 PM EST. This is an emotional time and bodes well for inner reflection.

The Sun is conjunct Mercury opposing the Moon which indicates a good time for intuition as opposed to linear thinking. The Moon will also be forming a positive alignment to Uranus indicating the potential for flashes of insight that can provide solutions.

The first part of this month – until the 21st or so provides in general, a good time for reflection. It’s best to heed intuition and let thoughts and ideas emerge organically.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”The seed grows into knowledge and life.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

This Week in Astrology

“Last night
the rain spoke to me
slowly, saying,
what joy
to come falling
out of the brisk cloud
to be happy again
in a new way
on the earth!” Mary Oliver

“Dreams are the best evidence that we are not as firmly shut in our skins as we believe.”Fredrich Hebbel

Many spiritual traditions believe this time of year (from 12/25 to January 6) to be a time when the veils are thin and it’s possible – with attention- to access higher levels of  spiritual guidance. This is particularly true in the beginning of this week as retrograde Mercury in Capricorn  will be forming a beneficent aspect to Neptune in Pisces. This alignment creates an excellent opportunity to build a bridge between higher aspirations, dreams and visions and  pragmatic methods of working with them in new ways. The early part of the week -in general- is a good time to provide extra downtime for this reason.

One Monday the Sun squares Chiron. This, in addition to the Mercury/Neptune alignment can bring to light more clearly the areas where evolution away from old programming would be beneficial.

Venus moves into Aquarius on Monday. Venus is Aquarius is a lover of freedom and authenticity in friendship and relationship- moving away from the more traditional ways of Venus in Capricorn.  Venus is moving up to a sextile with Jupiter – making this a good week  for socializing and getting together with friends. This is an expansive aspect that can bring  optimism and good luck.

Also this week the Sun will trine Uranus in Taurus – a great time to add innovation to your thinking about things you are trying to accomplish. This can open the door to a new cycle where new alternatives and approaches can be accessed. It’s a good time to allow your mind to explore new ideas and stay away from limited thinking.

The Full Moon is Friday January 6 at 6:08 PM at 16 degrees of Cancer. More on this later in the week.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”An unexpected thunderstorm.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

Hello Mercury Retrograde!

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall.
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun;
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast…
Before I built a wall I’d ask to know
What I was walling in  or walling out .
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall.” Robert Frost

“A new paradigm comes along because it solves problems that couldn’t be solved under the old paradigm. Create your own vision of what we might become as the old paradigms slip away and new ones coalesce.” Michael W. Munn

Mercury, the fleet footed messenger, stations retrograde Thursday December 29.  Mercury will station conjunct Venus, the planet of love and beauty,  at 24 degrees of Capricorn. Mercury and Venus will square Eris at this time. Eris is associated with disruption. It provides an excellent retrograde period (through  January 18, 2023)  to think about where  thinking has become too rigid or too aligned with unproductive patterns that have outlived their usefulness.

It’s a good time to assess how matters of love and finances are handled.

It’s an important time for personal evolution that helps to create critical mass for a more healthy sustainable future.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A mountain pilgrimage.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

Jupiter Enters Aries, The Winter Solstice and Mercury Retrograde

“Keep a flowering branch in your heart and the singing bird will come.” Proverb

“My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.” Robert Frost

Jupiter leaves the sign of Pisces and enters the fiery sign of Aries on December 20- the day before the Winter Solstice. Jupiter in this sign increases personal courage and brings alive  a sense of adventure. It is a good time for renewing inspiration, vitality and hope. Jupiter will be in Aries until May.

The Winter Solstice, when the Sun enters Capricorn is December 21. This earthy, grounded sign helps us manifest our goals and dreams through responsibility, pragmatism and commitment.

Mercury will station retrograde on December 29 at 24 Capricorn. The retrograde period lasts through  January 18 when Mercury will station direct at 8 degrees of Capricorn.

It’s wise as always during the retrograde period to anticipate possible delays and miscommunications. Best to make sure all important info is backed up.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A nature spirit dancing in the mist of a waterfall.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

Venus in Capricorn and a Look at This Week

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” Maya Angelou

Venus is now in Capricorn. This is a serious sign for Venus. In relationship Venus in this earthy sign  is concerned with serious commitment. She favors  pragmatic planning for a stable, long term foundation.

This   provides a good time to review financial plans and reevaluate your work and relationships from a long  term, pragmatic perspective.

The sign of Capricorn is ruled by Saturn and in relationship charts between two people, if there are Saturn/Venus aspects it can indicate longevity in relationship and is regarded as the “glue” that holds relationships together.

The Sun is sextiling Saturn early in the week. At the same time the Sun is squaring Neptune for much of the week. This indicates a good time for the imagination and creative visualization. But it’s best to wait til next week before acting on any newly hatched plans due to Neptune’s foggy influence.

Venus and Mercury in Capricorn will form a dynamic square to Chiron, the asteroid of the Wounded Healer. Chiron’s influence here can help with transforming what are regarded as old wounds, into new strengths. The square alignment in astrology calls for action and often, overcoming something in the process. Mars retrograde in Gemini can also help with this process as it forms a beneficial alignment to Chiron this week.

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

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

Wednesday’s Full Moon in Gemini

“A wise old owl sat in an oak.
The more he saw,
The less he spoke.
The less he spoke,
The more he heard.
Why aren’t we all like
That wise old bird.” Nursery Rhyme

“I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.” Oscar Wilde

This week in general it’s wise to take care in conversation. It’s a good time to be patient when communicating and listening to  others.

On Tuesday Jupiter in Pisces will form a challenging square to Mercury in Sagittarius  at 29 degrees. The 29th degree is associated  with fate and destiny. There can be a tendency -with these two signs in this alignment- for conversations to become contentious and overly dogmatic.  It offers a good time to observe moderation in speech,  as words spoken during this time may  have long range consequences.

Mercury will move out of Sagittarius into Capricorn in the evening. Thinking and speech can become less expansive and more grounded and serious under this influence.

The Moon waxes full Wednesday December 7 at 11:08 PM EST. This Full Moon is at 16 degrees of Gemini – conjunct retrograde Mars at the same degree. Both the Moon and retrograde Mars are opposite the Sun at 16 Sagittarius.

Retrograde Mars can stir up anger and repressed anger especially when in partnership with the Moon. It can be  a more volatile time when tempers and impulsiveness run high. It can be a bit accident prone as well so it’s wise to take extra care when moving around or driving.

On Friday Venus in Sagittarius will square Jupiter in Pisces at 29 degrees. This combination is good for socializing and having fun – just one caveat – to watch for overdoing as Jupiter’s influence is associated with excess on the eating and drinking front.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”An Easter sunrise service draws a large crowd.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

Retrograde Mars in Gemini Trines Saturn in Aquarius

“What I saw among the Amish was the amazing amount of energy available to people who get pleasure from what they are doing and find meaning in the work itself. But they are practical people who want that can of beans at the end of the day and sixty six jars of relish. To them it’s all connected.” Sue Bender

Retrograde Mars at 19 degrees of  Gemini forms a harmonious trine to Saturn at 19 Aquarius Monday and is in influence throughout the week.

This is a very positive alignment. Saturn adds grounding and focus to the energy and ideas of Mars. This can be a time when progress can be made on long term aspirations as the trine brings along clarity, pragmatics and vision. Where blockages have been, solutions can appear.

It is also a time when  ineffective or outgrown thought and communication patterns can be seen more clearly.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A cafeteria with an abundance of choices.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

Venus Quincunx the North Node

“The back porch is more secure, but the fun is in jumping the fences.” Marjorie Holmes

Venus is quincunx the North Node of destiny and life path for the next couple of days. This is an awkward aspect – the quincunx – indicating the need for constant adjustment.

If you are drawn to a new endeavor involving a relationship or financial opportunity,  it’s best to slow down now. Venus in Sagittarius can indicate wanting to move forward with a great rush of energy and enthusiasm. Venus in this sign loves adventure and is not averse to risk taking.

But the North Node is in  Taurus now, indicating the most effective  path to the future is slow, steady and well planned. Best to take your time  (especially with Mars retrograde) and reconsider to make sure any plans are solid.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A vast panorama of sand and time is unfolding; the pyramids and sphinx in their glory rise before the eye.

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill