Full Moon in Virgo Plus a Quick Look at Mars into Taurus

wracaj by kieubaska

Back from warm and sunny Florida and now preparing for a nor'easter snowstorm this week! Yikes!

What did I miss? 

OK, Mars moved into Taurus on Friday (until April 21st). Mars in Taurus slows us down and steadies our actions.

With Taurus this isn't so much about doing anything new - this is about building on and taking action with "what we already have". Things won't move quickly, but the things we take action on now will be longer-lasting. 

Success comes to the turtle and not the hare. Whatever we are doing, we need to be prepared to keep on doing it. It may take some time. We have Venus retrograde in Aries - Venus rules Taurus and Mars rules Aries, making these planets in what astrologers call - mutual reception - and making both more powerful. With Taurus this will be about our security and stability - stuff Venus already has us focused in on.

People will have a tendency to be more stubborn and unmovable now - we will all be digging in our heels and refusing to change course (hence the slow down). Remember the KISS acronym - keep it simple stupid (except change stupid to sista' - why the hell would we call ourselves stupid?!). That crazy, complicated thingamajig we were thinking about doing - nix it. That thing that looks just too basic to work - yeah do that thing. This is excellent energy to get out in nature and get our hands dirty, too - if you have the weather to garden - we apparently do not - get on with that!

Today we have a Full Moon in Virgo (22 degrees). Virgo is so precise and committed to perfection this is a good time to feel overwhelmed. 

This tension of what is real and what is ideal is the fundamental tension of the Virgo archetype. 

Traditionally Virgo is the sign of the servant and healer. Virgo is also the skilled crafts person - the archetype of being good at something, of taking the time to learn and do something well.

(when Martha says "it's a good thing" she is channeling her inner Virgo, which is probably her sun sign or her Venus, have to look her up)

So in Virgo we gain dignity and self respect from being good at something that is useful to other people.

If you were born with your sun in Virgo this is the basic way you process life, moon in Virgo; the basic way you experience your feelings about life and if your ascendant is in Virgo; the basic way you appear to others - the mask you wear.

(people who think Virgos are fussy or nitpicky are totally missing the point and also forgetting we all have Virgo in our charts)

The Virgo Full Moon reminds us we all have right work. This right work may not be something we will be paid to do. It's not about the money. 

This is about being good at something that is valuable to other people.

It's not about having other people recognize this 'wonderful' thing we are doing though - Virgo is the leg of our hero's journey that comes after Leo where we took center stage and got our applause. 

Virgo is the next space - the one where we release, at least a little bit, our need to be recognized.  Of course at the time of the Virgo Full Moon we don't want to be hiding our light under a bushel - to quote my grandma.

Full Moons bring culminations and 'things to light'. With the Pisces Sun sitting with (wounded healer) Chiron and both opposing the Moon - something hurts here.

I missed writing a post last week when I was away but the whole week was building toward tonight's Full Moon.

Saturn is squaring Mercury - there could be a "no" here or news that sounds like more hard work or some kind of stop sign. This Moon is all about living up to our responsibility. And doing our best. The light will shine clearly on what needs to be done or what isn't going to work out. With Virgo's perfectionism there is bound to be pressure (internal and external) - the key will be putting on our big girl pants and getting on with things. It won't be easy because it will feel like whatever we are doing isn't enough and that we are suddenly all thumbs and elbows. Something isn't quite working out the way we expected here. Mars in Taurus will help. Be a grown up. Know that when we know better we do better. So now we know better. Let's release the idea of perfection - kick it to the curb - it doesn't exist.

I'll do the weekly post in the a.m. Mercury is heading into Aries on Monday so lots of conversations, communications, errands and sibling stuff. xo all

Venus Retrograde in Aries | what really belongs to us plus a blog break

the black by kosmodisk

Venus stations retrograde today at 13 degrees Aries. She will travel back to 23 degrees Pisces before she turns around and heads back on April 14th.

(we also have Jupiter and Saturn retrograde now)

I've written before about how uber important the position of Venus is this year.

We have Saturn in Sagittarius and Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter so Saturn is answering to Jupiter. And we have Jupiter in Libra and Libra is ruled by Venus so Jupiter is answering to Venus. So we have Saturn and Jupiter both answering to Venus. The buck stops with her. She is QUEEN.

The learning and growth we experience this year both through expansion (Jupiter) and through constriction (Saturn) come through Venusian energy. AND even after Jupiter moves into Scorpio in October and begins answering to Mars - Mars will be in Libra and answering to Venus. She has 2017 pretty much under her spell.

She came to a complete stop a couple days ago (in Aries), but Mars is still in Aries pushing things along. Once Mars moves into Taurus at the end of next week - action will slow down quite a bit.

Since Venus rules love, money, women, beauty and our values - these areas will be impacted by her retrograde as well as the themes of our early Aries/ late Pisces natal house(s). Check you chart here.

Something within the theme of our Aries/Pisces houses - or involving the Venus themes of love, money, or values - could (to use Pisces terminology) "drift off course", "evaporate" or "fade away". 
 
Something/someone that looked like a sure thing or our next big thing may turn out to be anything but and something/someone we had written off as over might "drift back into our lives", "re-awaken" or "re-appear".

First she moves us through Aries - the sign of me, myself and I. It will be clear to us what needs to happen to make ourselves a priority

or maybe this feels more like - I must have this my way. Whatever we are dealing with we are going back over it. There will probably be delays. The delays are important.

This is not the time to start a brand new relationship or launch a new business. It's not the time to do anything permanent or long lasting connected to beauty - no new tattoos, nose rings or elective surgery. It's not a good time to invest money in something new or buy something new and expensive. Whatever you do don't run off and get married - unless you are marrying someone again whom you were married to before.

If we meet a new love (person, thing, idea, situation) now, take things VERY slowly and be prepared for stuff to reverse course later. If someone from our past shows back up it doesn't mean "this is meant to be" - it's possible it could work out, but more likely there is just some unfinished business - so we'll finish it.

At the same time Venus stations retrograde (today) we have the Sun, Mercury and Neptune all huddled together in the middle of Pisces. Maybe something we thought we knew for sure, turns out to be an illusion (external) or delusion (internal). Or maybe something we had written off as a fantasy turns out to be actually real.

If the events of 2016 and early 2017 haven't shown us that anything is possible but not everything is real, I can't imagine what would need to happen for us to believe this! It's like we are characters in a video game and a shaky handed grandpa has appropriated the controls from his steady handed grandson. I am honestly not so sure this is far from the truth. Up is down and down is up and we are on a wild ride!

On April 2nd Venus moves back into Pisces - the sign of the imagination; the ethereal realms. Here's where the energy of "my way" (cue the Sinatra soundtrack, or is it only people like me from New Jersey who have this on their desktop?) shifts into a focus on the bigger picture - the space where we all come together. It could be a time when we have to let go of what we want (for now, maybe not for always).

In Pisces, a retrograde Venus will ask us to further define and refine what we value by clouding the situation. And before we complain about the unfairness of that situation we are reminded by Venus that she actually rules fairness (so couldn't be unfair if she tried) and to consider how focused a driver we become when forced to confront that heavy morning fog.

Maybe we have to make a sacrifice, maybe our dreams are so close we can almost touch them, maybe we do. Venus is exalted in Pisces - we'll look at the other aspects as she gets closer for a better idea of how this might all play out.

On April 14th Venus will station direct at 23 degrees Pisces. When the fog lifts she will be conjunct Chiron and squaring Saturn while the Sun is conjunct Uranus and Mercury is retrograde. That should be one hell of a day. Call out sick right now - ha!

Venus is showing us what we really want - what we really value. The opportunity is here now for us to figure out if what we are attempting to do next is something that even belongs to us.

Relationships are tested. The way we handle our money (and other resources including the planet Earth) is tested.  

I was trying to get up one more post - next week's - before going on vacation, but it's just not meant to be!

I will be back in a week, March 12th - if you miss your astro fix Elsa Elsa is a great blog to read and Satori's weekly forecast is excellent.

xo all - going to Florida for a few days- have a great week everyone!

Jupiter Opposite Uranus | disruption

underwater by semansis

Today is the second of three exact Jupiter (Libra) and Uranus (Aries) oppositions. We had one back on December 26th at 20 degrees. This one is at 22 degrees. The next (final) one is in late September. If you know the polarity

(warning shameless plug here - have you seen my polarity lockets)

of your chart's Libra and Aries axis story - you could be better prepared for how this will all play out this year (what houses do the late degrees of Libra and Aries reside in your natal chart? Google what those houses are all about or ask me).

If you have planets or points in your natal chart in cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) from about 16-29 degrees you will feel this energy most strongly this year.

For this week, maybe something from December comes back around for another go. Maybe something culminates or moves to another level. Whatever it is now, it won't be brand new, since Jupiter is retrograde and re-traveling previously traveled degrees but it will be disruptive.

Some people will have itchy feet as the need for personal freedom increases. Probably the more caged a situation has us feeling, the greater the intensity of upset any changes will bring. Libra vs Aries is a kind of 'break-up' energy. Me vs the other person.

If someone's need for personal freedom is clashing with someone else's need for security - the need for freedom could be greater this year. If you are parenting a rebellious teen with planets(s) at these points you would be best to parent them by finding ways for them to express this energy - travel, new experiences, positive new groups and new education, so it doesn't express in more radical ways.

The need for personal freedom can't be stopped (in any healthy ways) and shouldn't be - it can sometimes be directed. Do something else.

It could be with Jupiter vs Uranus that our way of thinking or beliefs (Jupiter) will change (Uranus) and this will impact our circumstances. If we have been a lone wolf (Aries) there could be opportunities to partner (Libra).

Trust (Jupiter) that unexpected and disruptive (Uranus) changes will work out well for us. I usually find with Jupiter transits they either work out to be all about nothing (that planet of gases thing made manifest I think) or they are positive. 

The status quo will be challenging to maintain if this transit is affecting us ... or a partner. Keep this in mind. xo all

(see the weekly for more info about the energies at play this week)

Sun Conjunct Neptune | aligning ourselves with ourselves, feeling inspired

imagination by katrin-elizabeth

The Sun hooks up with Neptune today at 11 degrees Pisces.

Neptune has been in Pisces (the sign he rules) since 2012 (thru 2023). Once a year while Neptune is in Pisces, the Sun will catch up with him in a slightly different space of the Piscean skies.

If there is a way for us to let the day to day chores slide for a bit, this is excellent energy for dreaming and inspiration - for connection, compassion and healing; for aligning ourselves with ourselves.

It's our annual meeting of ego and spirit - our inner focus in strengthened. The more we fail to do this (touch base with ourselves, stop) the more confusion and chaos result.

Look around us - there is so much to feel good about. Our imaginations are wide open today. What do we really see?

A dream (Pisces) could become clear (Sun) now (we can also feel ourselves connecting with the dreams that never came true - they are ripe for release and ready to make way for something new). A light is thrown on imaginative, inspirational work. A light can also be thrown on the things we are hiding.

As we use our imagination and spirit and detach ourselves from this time and place, we can tune into all times and places. Our compassion and sensitivity is heightened - our awareness of the connection we have with each other and how one of us affects all of us becomes clear.

The Aries Moon makes multiple planetary contacts, so as we move through the day we could find ourselves more emotional than usual or more emotionally connected with unusual things, people or situations.

(the fly in the ointment is an increased ability to be susceptible to lies and delusion now - keep this in mind - this is not a good day to invest money, sign a contract or deal with facts and figures - use this energy for something else)

xo all

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of February 27th - pace yourself and stay sober

you are behind the wall by elif karakoc

Sunday's New Moon Solar Eclipse will strongly impact this week's energies.

If there is something we need to "eclipse" out - some thing, belief or expectation in our way that is preventing us from moving forward, this would be the time to take some action to move this energy.

Know there is alot of Piscean fog now (imagination, illusion, delusion).

This is not a good week to make an important decision or sign a contract. Facts will be blurry.

One day we'll be thinking one way and things seem in order - the next day everything will be flipped on its head (kind of like the Oscar's best picture announcement!).

On Monday, Mercury conjuncts the South Node in Pisces. Information surfaces that connects with the past. There could be a significant conversation now. Keep in mind this week's theme of releasing something and separating truth from illusion.

Mars (war, initiative, anger) conjuncts Uranus (sudden, out of the blue, rebellion) and opposes Jupiter. This one is "revolution/freedom at all costs". The spaces that have us feeling caged in and ready to bolt will be activated. It is best to channel this energy toward our goals - try something new, work with something else. The opportunities here come from unusual and unexpected places. We probably don't want to meet this energy in the outer world in the form of accidents and unexpected things happening to us. Use it or be used by it. Practice caution when driving, working with tools or fire.

Keep a cool head. People can be angry. Our own temper could flare as suddenly as a fire grows out of control. Take care in crowds. Avoid alcohol and drugs - their effects will be GREATLY enhanced. You have the wisdom of astrology - use it. Don't over-react.

With expansive Jupiter urging Mars "let's just do it" toward action - not much is needed to compel Mars to act anyway - and with Uranus "let's just do it NOW" electrifying the situation there is also the potential for great leaps forward here. Maybe no one ever crosses any great distance between who we are and who we want to be without that leap or stretch that at the very least risks back injury. Could you toss your back out or land on your ass - of course. Maybe pace yourself.

Activist efforts would be a good use of this energy and we will see increased activism this spring.

On Tuesday, the Moon and Venus connect and have us focused on their themes - home, family, the public, real estate (Moon) and/or love, money, values, women (Venus). Expect increased emotions.

On Wednesday, the Sun conjuncts Neptune (in Pisces). Expect waterworks. Embrace compassion. Meditate. Maybe a light is thrown on a deception. Keep your eyes open. Creative work is favored now.

On Thursday, we have the second of three Jupiter oppositions to Uranus. The first one was around last Christmas. Whatever happens here could be sudden (Uranus) - maybe a sudden ending or conclusion, but just as likely a second chance at whatever was going on back in late December. With Jupiter retrograde this time around it likely won't be about something brand new and there is an increased chance of a more positive result.

On Friday, the Moon is void pretty much all day (starting 10:20 am EST until midnight) - don't start anything new that you want to amount to anything. This would be a good day to connect with authority figures or work with existing plans or goals. As with any long Void Moon plan light as unexpected situations could surface.

On Saturday, Venus stations retrograde in Aries (she will then continue backtracking through Pisces). I'll do a post about this. I've already written on it some HERE. The start of this retrograde being in Aries - the sign of me, myself and I - will make it clear to us what needs to happen to make ourselves a priority. For some of us, it won't be pretty. Mercury also conjuncts Neptune on Saturday - making conversations compassionate, imaginative, blurry or deceptive - which I realize is a broad range of adjectives - we'll narrow this down in a later post, too.

xo all

(remember I am writing about aspects on the days they are most exact - we could feel the energies most intensely as they begin to move into aspect or at the point of disconnection - making the days a bit flexible - keep this in mind - also note I only mention void moons during working hours, there are others this week after 6pm EST)

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Pisces | back to the future

waterworld eclipse by nethskie

This morning's New Moon at 8 degrees Pisces is a solar eclipse (the only annular eclipse in 2017 - instead of the Moon blocking out the Sun totally it will leave a visible ring of fire around itself).

The Sun will, of course, be at 8 degrees Pisces, too. This concludes the Pisces/Virgo eclipse cycle that started in 2015 (last cycle in 1999, next one in 2035).

We also have Mars meeting up with Uranus in Aries, a hair's breadth away from Eris. It's a powerhouse combination and strongly impacts the entire week ahead!

First the Moon. New Moons are times of fresh beginnings - the very tiny beginning, the first impulse. Often the beginning that only looks like a beginning when we look back from a smarter, later vantage point. The seed is planted.

Pisces rules endings. This month's new beginning (New Moon in Pisces) is more about what we have to let go of first. Plus the South Node of the Moon (what we are collectively releasing) is still in Pisces. Something needs to shift.

Find 8 degrees Pisces in your natal chart. What house is it in? What does that house rule? Google - 3rd house astrology (for example), or ask me. In my chart 8 degrees Pisces is in my 4th house and I have Chiron (the wounded healer) at this exact degree. The last eclipse was exactly on my Midheaven and the next one is exactly on my Sun. Big changes coming for me personally and you know how much I like change?!

Within the collective - and everyone has access to this energy - this fresh start energy is about Pisces themes - imagination, spirituality, charity, loss, escape, addiction, healing, release, illusion, delusion, the unconscious, things/people/situations that have been put away. There will be 6 celestial bodies in Pisces today - this is a whole lot of water people! It could be time to purchase that water proof eyeliner you have been thinking about - if you aren't crying at some point over the next week, I'll eat a donut (yes, I've given up sugar ... again ... so if you do not cry this week please let me know because I really, really want a donut). Sniffle.

With Mars (initiative, anger, courage, war) meeting up with "anything can happen, out of the blue, rebellious" Uranus in Aries (ruled by warrior Mars!) and sitting so close to Eris (discord, righteous outrage, Goddess of the angry and powerless) we need to take some caution now. This is great energy to have an accident. If there is a situation we feel angry and powerless about (the more I read about Scott Pruitt the more I channel Eris!) this is the energy to do something about it. Remember the people with weapons who feel angry and powerless have access to this energy, too. We could have flashes of sudden insight now. This is so much like the power of a dam breaking!

(has anyone else connected the Oroville Dam's leak and Trump's 'leak' talk - no, not that leak talk, the Russia/Flynn leak talk - with all this Pisces energy - and the prefix "oro" means gold and is the root of the word orange - both words that make me think of Trump - or have I just become totally unhinged that this is how my mind works now - ha!)

With so much seductive, illusive Pisces - not much is as it seems now. We'll talk more in the weekly!

There is a very big week ahead and I'll write about it tonight. For now, I have to clean my house since I am having company for dinner! Don't forget to set your intentions - powerful energy for fast changes accompany this New Moon - so if you need it, it's right here.

NEW MOON INTENTIONS

This is an excellent time for energetic support to make changes with things ruled by Pisces including our imagination, compassion, peace, releasing victim-hood, spiritual healing, sensitivity, trust, addictions, lymphatic system, colds, feet, toxicity (if you know your Pisces natal house themes you can use those, too!).

AFFIRMATION TIPS: get into a positive frame of mind - always make affirmations from a positive place (and the combination of both definitions of positive is where the magic happens - certain and favorable) - write your affirmations down by hand in script, speak them out loud - this month I'll write my affirmations on strips of paper and burn them, releasing the ashes into moving water - then release your attention from these things knowing that your intention is known.  

Know these things are already yours. xo