Category: Amelia’s Blog

“The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shadows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight…

I love people who harness themselves, as an ox to a heavy cart,
Who pull like the water buffalo with massive patience,
who strain in the muck and the mud to pull things forward,
who do what has to be done again and again.

The work of the world is as common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.” Marge Piercy

Wednesday’s Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Leo is in the sign of leadership and where you shine in the world.  Sometimes and under certain circumstances you can be “called” into a leadership position before you feel you are ready. It can feel like an initiation that you must step into –  in a personal or professional way – not fully prepared or with alot of unanswered questions.

This is the case for many people now who feel called to work to create a more just world.  And it’s important with the South Node involvement to remember that activity like this can have its daunting moments and unanticipated problems and that’s okay. Just make sure to provide appropriate downtime in order to restore and reinvigorate.

The Nodes in astrology – prominent players in eclipses- are associated with life path and life purpose. It’s wise to be conscious of where you intend for your life to go during these time frames – this one extending through late February. With the powerful influence of Mercury, Pluto  and Uranus now, do  be attentive to signs and signals of an unconventional nature that can point the way forward in unexpected ways.

“And all the obstacles along the way
Sometimes may feel so tremendous
There are guides and spirits all along the way
Who will befriend us.” Van Morrison 

 

“I have made this,  I have forgotten
And remember …
Between one June and another September,
Made this unknowing, half conscious, unknown my own.

This form, this face, this life,
Living to live in a world of time beyond me, let me
Resign my life for this life, my speech for that unspoken,
The awakened, lips parted, the hope, the new ships. ”

We are now in eclipse season when time can feel distorted  Eclipses are evolutionary in nature and and  present opportunities for personal growth and evolution. The first eclipse is a Full Moon Lunar eclipse at 11 degrees of Leo on January 31. The effect of eclipses can be felt building up to and after the event.

Lunar eclipses are about the past and the unconscious.  In the old texts they would say that during a lunar eclipse the power of the unconscious mind would overtake the conscious mind. In our time it would be explained more as a time when – if you are tuned into it- there can be glimpses of unconscious thoughts or feelings which can drive behavior in old, unproductive ways. The pull of the forces can be habitual and strong but the opportunity lies in seeing things more clearly to contain these influences in order to move in a wiser way going forward.

The Tarot Card of the Sun is associated with the sign of Leo. The card depicts a  joyful, small child riding on a white horse. The horse has no saddle or bridle. This happy duo is moving away from a very tall and thick  wall.  Behind the wall grow sunflowers which symbolize happiness. The idea behind the card is that the child is moving away from things that feel constrictive or limited and moving in a direction of  freedom and happiness because she can see the unnecessary limitations (symbolized by the wall)  that held her back. The limitations can have to do with assumptions that are no longer necessary. The child is naked implying  trust and innocence. Riding away from the wall does not mean leaving boundaries behind but rather leaving overly limiting boundaries or restrictions  (thought or feeling patterns) behind or in the appropriate perspective.

Lunar eclipses can also bring forward the influences that come down from the ancestors or are inherited through the bloodlines. There are evolutionary wishes on the part of the ancestors but there are also similar pitfalls about attaining those aspirations that we can fall prey to – such as addiction in its myriad forms. Addiction often has an inherited component to it.

It’s best if these kinds of influences arise now to take a good look and them and choose which of the traits you would like to carry foward and which of the pitfalls you need to avoid or would be best left behind.

The second eclipse is a Solar eclipse at 27 degrees of Aquarius on February 15.

In early November  of 2016 there was a significant station of the centaur planet, Pholus.  The meaning of Pholus is “the lid blows off” and it speaks of something that is uncontainable or has  trouble with containment. We are in many ways entering a new age (the dawning of the Age of Aquarius)  with the many changes we see around us. The sign of Aquarius is that of the enlightened or spiritual warrior who values collaboration and innovation and brings about change that way.

The  Sabian symbol for the upcoming eclipse is,”An old sea captain rocking on the porch of his cottage.”

Sabian symbol by Lynda Hill.

“In a circle of friends,
In a circle of sounds,
All our voices will blend,
When we touch common ground.” Paul Winter Consort 

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing
There is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When we lie down in that grass,
The world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase each other
doesn’t make any sense.” Rumi

The Sun in Aquarius is moving up to a conjunction with Venus this week.  This is the sign of the collaborator who seeks alliances along lines of common interest.

The Age of Capricorn which we are  now leaving, was a time of top- down or power- over leadership. Capricorn rules the institutions of big business and “the way business is done.” It is associated with the patriarchy and patriarchal rulership. There is a movement afoot with the Age of Aquarius and the re-emergence of the Feminine (in both men and women) that has the potential to bring about a more just, egalitarian and sustainable world.  Needless to say in working towards the transition to a new paradigm from an old one, there will be resistance and push back.

In building alliances this week and going forward it bodes well to focus on common interests rather than the stark differences which are so prevalent in the world these days.

It is a good week for forging collaborations, making agreements and business deals- keeping in mind the benefits to others involved.

Mercury is conjunct Pluto and making a positive aspect to Jupiter, the planet of expansion and wisdom.  Mercury/Pluto  is often found  in the charts of investigators, private detectives and people who do research. It has a laser-like in focus and intensity and is able to quickly and accurately penetrate the outer layers of information. It is also an aspect of deep thinking. So if you are in the process of making some kind of alliance or negotiation the best to enter full prepared and having thought it  through thoroughly. And then speak or act with a great deal of  clarity.  Important things can be accomplished under these terms now.

It can be a time of working towards healing fragmented relationships as long as there is clarity and the cool headed detachment of Aquarius which can be open to the opinions of others without getting  caught up in heated discussions about the differences. Best to have appropriate boundaries in place when entering this kind of situation.

It’s best to practice diplomacy and build bridges to the future now.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A Hindu healer glows with a mystic healing power.”

Sabian symbol quote from Lynda Hill

 

“Our highest business is our daily life.” John Cage

from Aslan, “You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you.”  CS Lewis 

There is a very powerful cosmic alignment this weekend boding well for considering or reconsidering relationship commitments – and by this I mean relationships of all kinds.
The Lunar Nodes – associated with life purpose and life path are an integral part of this combination along with Venus, The Sun, Juno, Ceres and Pluto. This alignment speaks of  the teachings  put forth by many spiritual traditions  – that love is a spiritual force in the world and that by our actions we make the world a more loving or less loving place.
With the South Node conjunct the asteroid of traditional commitment, Juno, it is wise to consider the commitments in your life that may be related to the past and to tradition.
With Ceres conjunct the North Node is is wise to consider which relationships in your life in general that  you would particularly like to nurture going forward.
The ability to do this while remaining a loving person or loving force in the world requires appropriate personal boundaries – i.e. the knowledge of how to protect yourself  so that your inner life may flourish and grow. It speaks of the ability to surround yourself with people who support growth in that direction while keeping others who are not like that at an appropriate distance.
The highest card in the Tarot deck is the World Card which shows a woman dancing inside a laurel wreath. The laurel wreath symbolizes victory and the woman dances naked – meaning she has created a temenos – a sacred space both within and outside of herself where she might safely evolve and flourish.

The South Node at this time is at 14 degrees of Aquarius and the Sabian symbol for that placement is, “Two lovebirds sitting on a fence and singing happily.”

Sabian symbol reference  from Lynda Hill

 

“Well the first days are the hardest days
Don’t you worry anymore
‘Cause when life looks like easy street
There is danger at your door.” Robert Hunter

“To change something build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” Buckminister Fuller  

Venus is now in Aquarius through mid February and the Sun will enter Aquarius Friday 1/19.  The sign of Aquarius has two rulers – Saturn and Uranus and often people with this signature placed strongly in their charts are bridge builders between the past and the future.

Aquarius is the sign of our common humanity. Uranus, its ruler governs cyber technology and we have seen how it can – with its accelerated speed- bring  about a new awareness of the interconnectedness of the world community.With the transitioning of the Sun and Venus into the sign of Aquarius it bodes well to put your energy into collaborating with others along common lines of interest. The sign of Aquarius can have a measured and moderate detachment. It is an air sign – governed by the thought process. Best to be open to new and innovative ideas and consider options in working by yourself or with others. Keep an open mind.

The Sabian symbol for Venus entering Aquarius is,”An unexpected thunderstorm.”

Sabian symbol by Lynda Hill

“Intention is infinite.” Carlos Castaneda

The Moon waxes new Tuesday January 16 at 26 degrees of Capricorn.  The symbol of Capricorn is the mountain goat – which tenaciously aspires and perseveres  to reach the heights at the top of the mountain. If you have ever been around goats you probably know it is best not to get in their way. They can be very strong willed and determined animals.

Capricorn is Saturn’s sign and as Caroline Casey has written, “Saturn lays the tracks for the Reality Train to follow.” The New Moon bodes well for intention setting while committing to the work , discipline and self restraint required which will result in a positive long term outcome.

At the time of the New Moon Mars will be making a harmonious aspect to Chiron – the asteroid of the Wounded Healer. This indicates that the ongoing  process of healing inner fragmentation and moving towards a more whole inner vision can be a powerful asset in actualizing your aspirations.

One of  Sabian symbols  for this New Moon is, “A mountain pilgrimage.” Another is,” A nature spirit dancing in the mist of a waterfall.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

“Children born of fairy stock
Never need for shirt or frock
Never want for food or fire
Always get their heart’s desire…
They live on cherries, they run wild-
I’d love to be a fairy’s child.” Robert Graves

This weeks’s powerful planetary line up of Pluto, Venus and the Sun sextiling Mars and  Jupiter can bring you closer to your “heart’s desire” if you are clear in your visualization of it, willing to walk through the terrain of inner transformation to attain it  and if you are willing to be patient.

The Peruvian shamans believe that the earth is a living being and that in the time we are living,  the earth- like a serpent – is shedding her skin. In a certain respect this is true of individuals as well. Transformation is a difficult and profound process which takes time and effort and which engenders push back internally and externally.

There is enthusiasm now which can fire projects and initiatives with new energy. Just be careful not to get too ahead of yourself or overshoot the mark and end up feeling depleted.

One of the  Sabian symbols for Sun/Pluto/Venus alignment is, ” A general accepting  defeat gracefully. ”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“The world will change less in accordance with man’s determinations than with woman’s divinations.” Claude Bragdon

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly.” Richard Bach

The Mars/Jupiter conjunction which is at 17 degrees of Scorpio is exact Saturday January 6. This is a highly energetic and optimistic combination which has been in effect since 12/25. It is the signature symbol of “the big moves.” Among other things Jupiter governs publishing and the legal system.

One  the personal side  this aspect bodes well for moving forward energetically with intentions and aspirations. If there are personal goals you have which will expand,  improve  and evolve your life now,  the wind is at your back for taking steps to further them. Just one caveat – Jupiter and Mars when combined can contribute to “overshooting the mark” so do take into consideration that energy needs to be metered out over time rather than overcommitting, overdoing or burning out at the beginning.

Jupiter and Mars together can be a fighting- for- justice type aspect as well. One of the asteroids involved in this cosmic alignment is Egeria. In mythology Egeria was akin to Artemis – the goddess of  the wilderness, wild animals and the hunt. Artemis loved freedom and would be possessed by no man. Egeria was a goddess with the gift of prophecy. She watched over sacred wells and sacred groves. She advised the king on matters of law and ritual.

Much of what we are seeing now in the planet’s evolutionary process  has to do with the re-emergence of the Feminine in both men and women. This is a component in the effort to move the world in a more just and holistically oriented directed.  It is akin to a birth in consciousness- and birth is not an easy process.

The asteroid, Eris,  the goddess of discord, continues to be a strong influence as she stirs up trouble about what has unjustly been repressed in the sphere of women’s rights and the Feminine.

The Sabian Symbol associated with this alignment is, “Woods rich in autumn coloring” and the keyword for it is,”fulfillment.”

“What seas, what shores, what grey rocks and what islands
What water lapping the bow
And scent of pine and the woodthrush singing through the
fog
What images return
O my daughter.” TS Eliot

“Fill us with gladness for the work that must be done.” Joanna Macy

The Moon waxes full on January 1 at 9:24 PM EST at 11 degrees of Cancer. This Wolf  Moon is on the Cancer/Capricorn axis with the Cancer Moon opposing the Sun in Capricorn.

The sign of Cancer is about home, roots and ancestral inheritance.  The symbol associated with this sign is the crab – who carries her home on her back and retreats inside when  sensing danger. Crabs inhabit the ocean as well as the land  and the symbol speaks of the depths of our lives – the roots of our lives – and what we need to feel safe and secure as we implement our mission out in the world.

People define security in different ways. Gloria Steinem, one of the catalysts of the feminist movement in this country, was raised in a  nomadic environment. She and her parents lived in a trailer and migrated north and south according to the seasons. As an adult her lifetime passion was to travel, speak and write and to organize groups of women to advocate for their rights. She did not have her own apartment until very recently when she settled in NY.

The sign of Capricorn governs our responsibility and duty to the outer world.  It demands we grow up and take responsibility for our actions and commitments. It can now be a time when it feels like something is building that must be expressed.

The Moon opposes Saturn, Venus, Pluto and the Sun at this time. There can be mood swings related to neediness and  independence and these are good issues to explore under this influence. The Moon is also forming a harmonious aspect to Neptune – the sometimes stormy sea god. It is wise to look at where you source of inspiration comes from when you are feeling unloved, unappreciated or without what you think you need. In general it is a good time for deepening inspiration when facing challenges.

Uranus the planet of the unexpected is stationary in the sky now in preparation for the direct station on 1/3. This is likely to contribute to sudden and surprising events and occurrences. It is wise to attend to and nourish the nervous system. Best to make sure important information is backed up now.

Uranus is one of the major significators of the many changes and upendings we are witnessing in our time. It governs the many of surprising events we witness regularly concerning the use of the internet. Uranus is the planet of the future and governs technologies that are ahead of their time. Often because of this futuristic nature, laws and regulations have not kept up with the technology and safeguards will need to be put in place to prevent further misdeeds.

One of the Sabian symbols for this Full Moon is,”An Asian woman, nursing a baby whose aura reveals him to be the reincarnation of a great teacher.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“I have heard the mermaids singing each to each.
I do not think they will sing for me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.
We have lingered in chambers of the sea
By sea girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Til human  voices wake us and we drown.” TS Eliot

“The Pacific Ocean was overflowing the borders of the map. There was no place to put it. It was so large, wild and blue that it didn’t fit anywhere.That’s why it was left in front of my window.” Pablo Neruda 

The planet of the sea god, Neptune is strong in the sky this week as Venus, the planet of love and desire, moves into a harmonious aspect to it. Neptune rules dreams and when combined with Venus can speak of muse-type relationships. As the well known Irish writer, Edna O’Brien once noted people have to be in love to write.  Artists throughout time who have been inspired by a muse type figure often have a Venus /Neptune aspect in their charts. It also rules the divine nature of love that is expressed in the work of the ecstatic poets like Rumi and Sappho.

This influence bodes well for endeavors of a creative, imaginative or mystical nature. It bodes well for romance too.

Also Mercury is moving up to an exact trine to Uranus.  This bodes well for inventive, innovative thinking. Uranus is the planet of  sudden awakening and the planet of the future. It governs all things cyber.

People with a strong Uranus in their chart can have a restless nature and  be ahead of their time.

One of the Sabian symbols associated with the Venus/Neptune aspect is, “Men and women travelling a narrow path, seeking illumination.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill