“My evenings are taken up very largely with astrology. I make horoscopic calculations in order to find a clue to the core of psychological truth. Some remarkable things have turned up which will certainly appear incredible to you.”
~Carl Jung in a letter to Sigmund Freud (June 12, 1911)
Astrological Counseling
I offer astrological counseling for psycho-spiritual exploration, understanding, and transformation. Astrology utilized in this way can be a missing key for deep inner work and can shed light on the path towards greater harmony with the natural rhythms and cycles of one’s life journey. My approach to astrology is to share the potentials and opportunities I see while exploring how the symbols and archetypes are manifesting uniquely for each individual. Astrology is a wonderful tool for self-knowledge and a help in times of challenge or transition. It can facilitate tremendous insight and peace, as well as provide timelines for certain archetypal or energetic influences reflected in our lives and inner states of being. Consultations available for birth chart exploration, current influences, relationship dynamics, and timing for important events.
Venus (love) is opposite Chiron (the wound) today. There may be a feeling of vulnerability — a tangible tension between the expression of love or going towards what one desires — and the memory of painful wounds and debilities, or a fear of getting hurt because of them. But there is power in vulnerability. The sheer courage it takes to come face to face with our vulnerabilities is part of living wholeheartedly.
With Venus and the Sun opposite Neptune, the urge to escape from ordinary reality may be strong. Anything from fantasy and glamour, to deception, delusion, and addictive behavior, to mystical love and deep communion with the Divine through art, nature, and contemplation is available... And we can use our inspired imagination for conscious creation.
Venus opposes Neptune Sunday at 9:41am EDT, and the Sun opposes Neptune on Monday at 7:28pm EDT. The influence may be felt for a day or two on either side of the exact times...
“What is the source of true satisfaction in life? Take attention away from thinking and sense the ‘beingness’ underneath it.” (Eckhart Tolle). This quote is in honor of the current Taurus ♉ Moon, as it captures an essential facet of Taurus wisdom and tranquility.
The Sun has one more day in the sign of fixed fiery Leo before moving into mutable earthy Virgo tomorrow. Every sign of the zodiac has its own unique path to happiness. For the Leo archetype, winning your love and adoration is paramount. So of course they must look their best and put on a good show, but an authentic one, which comes from the heart.
“A finer octave that emerges from this theme is Leo’s innate sense of themselves as being a living role model of truth, nobility, and all that is highest, finest, and truly beautiful — at deep soul levels. We all have Leo somewhere in the chart.” ~Diane Applebaum
The Sun, Venus, and Mercury (retrograde) join in radiant Leo
Today the Sun, Venus, and Mercury are closely aligned together in Leo. The Sun is all about creative self-expression, Venus desires [or demands] love and affection, and Mercury needs and must communicate! This is a potentially sweet combination of energies. With these three celestial bodies in the extravagant sign of Leo, the archetype ruled by the radiant Sun itself, there may be a strong pull to share one’s unique expressions of love and beauty that pour forth from the heart... (But with Mercury still retrograde, and an extra long Void-of-Course Moon yesterday and today, patience is helpful to deal with possible misunderstandings, confusion, and delays.) Read more...
One side of Leo is the playful, spirited child who expresses love innocently and freely. Yet another side of Leo is the noble king or queen who expresses love in a dignified manner, and only to those who truly deserve it. Who is deserving to the Leo king or queen within us all (everyone has Leo ♌ somewhere in their chart)? Those who see and honor our authentic, divine selves. To those special ones, the Leo king or queen bestows with fervor the rare gifts residing in the precious inner heart.
Aug 13: There is a Full Moon at 21º Aquarius at 2:57pm EDT... The Moon presides over emotions. Though emotions tend to be at their peak of intensity during the Full Moon period, it is also a time to observe with objectivity what is coming into focus in order to gain clarity and awareness... The Full Moon may be a time of fulfillment of something initiated in the past. Or it may be a time of realizing what needs to be adjusted.
One may ask: What is now flowering from the seed that was planted at the time of the New Moon in the same sign 6 months ago? (Kelly Lee Phipps). The New Moon in Aquarius was on Feb 7. Certain things you were beginning at that time - and it is often more of an internal process - are now coming to fruition... in the area of the chart where you have Aquarius ♒.
Also, the Full Moon in Aquarius sheds light on the needs and feelings of our communities and humanity at large. The archetype of Aquarius asks us to remember our connectedness and unity with all beings, and to seek that which serves the higher good of all.
Mars ♂, the warrior archetype, triggers the Uranus/Pluto square this week. There may be volatility in the air, as we actively struggle, internally or externally, for the freedom and change that is needed (Mars square Uranus on 8/9). Also, there may be awareness now that a powerful process of death and rebirth in the deep psyche, personally and/or collectively, is happening (Mars opposite Pluto 8/11).
Every time I have an especially difficult, intense day, where some life crisis/ challenge comes up, I check your site to see if there’s some astrological thing going on, and there almost always is. Amazing! It’s so helpful for me to feel that there’s some larger collective experience going on that I’m part of.
Aug 9, 2011 10:26 PM
From: Marlena
I am very glad, Mindi! Yes, I too find astrology so comforting because it helps me to feel all is as it should be and to trust the process, even in the challenging times! Thanks for reading and commenting :)
Aug 9, 2011 10:29 PM
August 7, 2011
A life saved
It’s true that travel plans may be delayed during Mercury Retrograde — but perhaps there is a good reason for the change, as was the case for my friend’s father who had a heart attack on the day he could have been in the middle of the stressful journey to India — if his trip had not been delayed! His life depended on getting urgent care quickly, and now it appears he will be fine because of it.
Here are a few gifts I have observed over the last few days since Mercury turned back to review old ground. They say these kind of things happen during Mercury retrograde, and it’s true - they really do!
Reconnecting with people to communicate about and resolve old issues originating in the past.
Reconnecting with people to communicate truths and feelings that were left unsaid in the past.
Becoming aware of and fixing logistical, technical, business-related, or other glitches originating in the past. (This is the one that can be frustrating, but the good news is that the awareness of the problem is what provides the opportunity to fix it!)
I love all the ways you explain the positive potential of Mercury Retrograde! I’ve never seen anyone do this before. I’m now keeping a list of some of the crazy things that come up in my life during this time, so that I can try to see the patterns and what I need to learn. I feel like it’s a time when it’s better to be right-brained. If we have to be left-brained, the logistical stuff will get messed up a lot, so I guess the best we can do is reflect on our attitude and learn to flow with it better.
Aug 9, 2011 10:29 PM
From: Marlena
Exactly!! :)
Aug 9, 2011 10:37 PM
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Oct 30, 2011 1:41 PM
August 3, 2011
Tips for how to have Mercury retrograde savvy:
#1 Flexibility
For instance, I had multiple requests for schedule changes the moment Mercury turned! No problem - I’m flexible and can go with the flow :).
#2 Double checking everything for mistakes
A stereotypical Mercury retrograde experience happened to me today - I found two sources of data for void-of-course Moon times different from my ephemeris (a calendar of the calculated positions of celestial bodies), making me think my ephemeris was wrong, only to later discover that the two other sources, though consistent with each other, were both incorrect!
#3 Patience and trust when it comes to important communication
Mercury retrograde corresponds with revisiting and reviewing... The information, clarity, or opportunity to clarify — that you’ve been waiting for — may very well arise now as Mercury goes back for a second look.
That’s a good start. I would love to hear your experiences or tips!
