“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.
Is Mercury direct today or will there be a shadow period? Is Mars something to consider in terms of agreements, and if so, when is that out of shadow/ retro and direct?
Mercury is now direct, as of this morning. However, he is stationary, in the same degree or so for a couple of days before gaining momentum forward, possibly bringing some intensity to all Mercury related things (thinking, communication, commerce, travel, etc) as they become “un-stuck.” Mercury is still in his “shadow,” in that he will be traveling over the part of the zodiac that he traversed while moving “backwards.” But this time he is moving forwards, without needing to go back over this same ground again after this. So although Mercury will not reach new territory, so to speak, until about Apr 23rd, this post-retrograde shadow is not the same as the pre-retrograde shadow. This period may still include working through some issues that arose in the past, but final resolution is more likely now. Whatever is agreed upon from this point forward will most likely not need to be redone or revised, as is often the case with agreements made during the pre-retrograde shadow and the retrograde period.
Though Mars is still retrograde in Virgo through Apr 13th, Mars retrograde may not affect the agreements per se, as much as Mercury does. Rather, Mars affects the actions that need to happen in order to follow through on those agreements. This just suggests that the actions to fulfill the agreements may still take more time while full analysis is completed during the end of the retrograde cycle... In short, moving forward on agreements is supported, while patience for the fulfillment of them may still be needed.
A week of internal new beginnings and “seed moments”
We have a New Moon each month as the Moon conjoins the Sun. This moment marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle. When the Sun meets up in this way with any planet, it marks a new cycle, a sort of new birth, for that planet. So in addition to a New Moon we could have a “New Venus” or a “New Jupiter”. The conjunction with the Sun is said to be a “seed moment” for the planet. This week has been full of new beginnings and seed moments: Read more...
The Spring Equinox on 3/20 — when the Sun enters 0º Aries, it is the astrological New Year, an opportunity for overall revitalization.
The seed moment of Mercury on 3/21 — A New Mercury is an opportunity to grasp a new perspective and create new mental patterns and thought-ways.
The seed moment of the Moon on 3/22 — A New Moon marks an opportunity to discover and honor where one’s heart is in the now.
The seed moment of Uranus 3/24 — A New Uranus signifies an opportunity to embrace change, which will support underlying soul longings for freedom from bondage.
Yet these new beginnings are happening mostly on a deeply internal level for now, as Mercury is retrograde (Mar 7-Apr 4) and Mars is also retrograde (Jan 23-Apr 13). Although the excitement of change and newness is brewing, I am reminding myself that there may be little decision-making, external proof, or action that needs to take place just yet. These transitions are all still occupying the inner realm of intention and will unfold with more clarity and drive after Mercury and Mars go direct.
On Feb 3rd, after going back and forth over the cusp in 2011, Neptune entered Pisces ♓ to stay for approximately 14 years (Neptune hasn’t been in Pisces since 1848-1862). Neptune and Pisces, sometimes referred to as “the 12th principle” in astrology, (i.e., Pisces is the 12th sign) share many of the same archetypal significances: numinous dreams, mysticism, unconditional love, and the melting away of boundaries between self, other, and the Divine into an oceanic Oneness. This is a beautiful, cosmic experience. Yet Neptune and Pisces both also correspond with challenges such as confusion, unending nebulousness, delusion, deception, addiction, and difficulty separating fact from fiction. With Neptune and Pisces together like this, I imagine this archetype will be strengthened and emphasized in a quantum way. It will be interesting to watch how the felt experience of it will unfold over time, individually and collectively.
Mars represents an aspect of the inner masculine. He is the archetype who initiates, assertively and confidently. Mars is the drive to go after what you want, even to fight for it if necessary. Mars is active, dynamic, and decisive. When Mars is retrograde, this natural drive is turned inward. Instead of acting on a desire, we may find it is a time to simply “be with” the impulse. This part of the Mars cycle is supportive of observation, stillness, and analysis (♍) of one’s motivations — as opposed to hasty behavior or unconsidered action. Also, the nature of one’s desire might undergo a change in direction or object — toward fulfilling an inner need that has been on the back burner for awhile, but now calls for an avenue of expression. Contemplation during this period will create greater clarity about what to pursue, what to let go of, and the wisest, most efficient (♍) way to take action that will serve (♍) the greatest good.
All planets are direct, but Mars ♂ is slowing down...
Although all planets are direct now, helping us to move forward without obstruction, Mars ♂ is traveling slower than usual in preparation to stop and turn around for his retrograde cycle (1/23-4/13). So the drive forward may not be going as quickly as hoped... Or the current phase could be welcomed as a time for deepening exploration and clarity. Actions taken from mid Nov 2011 (when Mars entered its shadow) thru mid Apr 2012 (when Mars goes direct again) may be reviewed and analyzed in the coming months as Mars retraces his steps backwards and then forwards again. Mars is in Virgo ♍ during this process, supporting us to assert ourselves methodically and conscientiously.
The Sun is conjunct Pluto tonight (2:41am EST on 12/29 at 7º Capricorn ♑). If it’s lighting up your chart, this aspect can correspond with powerful, compelling emotions, and primal fears or wounds coming up to the surface. Pluto has a unique way of digging through the unconscious and bringing up that which is ready to be seen, loved, and healed.
On Christmas Day, expansive and benevolent Jupiter ♃ goes direct (at 5:09pm EST, after about four months of being retrograde), beginning a rare few weeks where there are no planets retrograde. This opens a window in time where there is little or no resistance to moving forward with projects, plans, hopes, and dreams.
On Christmas Eve there is a New Moon in Capricorn ♑ (at 1:06p EST). The New Moon is the phase of the cycle when a seed is sown. And during this time of year, around the Winter Solstice, it is the deepest, darkest, and most fertile time within. One might find oneself designing new aspirations and visualizing new beginnings.
Venus is in Aquarius ♒ from Dec 20-Jan 13. The modern ruler of Aquarius is Uranus ♅. Uranus rules flashes of intuition that come with sudden clarity. Venus rules all things to do with love, relationships, beauty, and art — so the intuitions that come may be especially connected with these Venus areas… One way to discern whether it is a well-founded intuition is if it feels like it came from outside of your ordinary mind and if you have a sense of knowing that accompanies it (despite any resistance to it such as fear). Read more...
Also, Venus loves to please, but in Aquarius one must be true to oneself, for the good of all, despite what others think or feel about it...
Dec 21-22 is the Winter Solstice, as the Sun shifts from buoyant, arrows flying Sagittarius ♐, to grounded, efficient Capricorn ♑. The Sagittarius archetype persistently aims for high goals. This persistence develops into the Capricorn archetype, where one brings the process down to earth and climbs the mountain one step at a time.“While each sign seems to be an antidote to its immediate predecessor in the zodiac, each one also comes equipped with the capability to take the gift of the preceding sign to the next level” (Kimberly Maxwell & Jim Schultz). Capricorn “gives stability and substance to the metaphysical, religious or social enthusiasm of Sagittarius… Capricorn puts to practical use what Sagittarius has released” (Dane Rudhyar). Read more...
Most people are ultra busy this time of year, but during the next few days until the New Moon on Christmas Eve, deep rest may be needed (both the longest night of the year and the end of the moon cycle are quiet, hibernation-like times).
