Astrological Winds for Week of 3/19/12

Once again last week we got a couple very poignant “proofs” of astrology in the larger world. On the day of the exact Venus/Jupiter conjunction in Taurus we get the highest day the stock market has had in months led by bank stocks! Venus is financial investments and Jupiter is expansive risk taking with them – two benefic planets come together and you get a beneficial result with banks leading the way, which are ruled by Taurus (which is ruled by Venus, and thus Venus gives reception to Jupiter also). Also, the Rush Limbaugh saga of Mercury (now retrograde) conjunct Uranus in Aries of the belligerent rogue shooting off his mouth and getting more defensive and losing face to the community, continued to unfold with multiple advertisers abandoning him and even radio stations pulling him off the air for what seems an “insincere” apology, and the news that he’s getting sued for defamation of character by his victim.

Late Monday/early Tuesday is the Vernal Equinox, as the Sun ingresses into Aries, the time of spring and activity blooming in the Northern Hemisphere. A quick look at the Equinox chart set for Washington, DC shows an Ascendant of 12* Sagittarius, which is pretty significant, as it conjuncts the ascendant of the Sibly Chart, one of the most commonly used birth charts (myself included here) of the United States! Also, the North Node is conjunct the Ascendant and rising in the 12th house, plus Pluto is in the 1^st house also. It seems a change in the USA’s destiny/dharma could be in store soon. Retrograde Mars in Virgo is exactly square the Nodal Axis in the 9^th house (the house “naturally” ruled by Sagittarius!). I’ve blogged about retrograde Mars significance in mundane astrology before. Mars represents the military, enemies, workers, and internal strife. The military is in a weakened position now under the microscope (Virgo) for their acts of aggression in foreign places (9^th house). This is a very weak Mars: retrograde, cadent, square nodes, opposite Chiron – the military could end up looking bad here. Also, the continued use of force against students (9^th house) and workers in their protests/”riots” against Wall Street and government, as the 99% and other movements are likely to flare up again in these next few months of warmer weather (and Uranus/Pluto square reaching 1^st exact hit in late June). Mars ruling the 12^th house shows hidden agendas by large institutions are the source of much of this tension. Jupiter, the ruler of the Equinox chart is still conjunct Venus in Taurus, although it’s getting wide (5*), in the 5^th house, and still in a Grand Trine in Earth with Mars in the 9^th house and Pluto in 1^st house. I believe this rally of stocks and the economy will likely continue for awhile – at least 5 weeks anyway, but possibly longer if not interrupted by other outside forces that can influence the market/consumers psychological state. Jupiter ruling the 4^th shows real estate prices should slowly and steadily rise too. The Sun is conjunct Mercury Retrograde and Uranus in the 4^th house: issues about the use of land, agricultural practices, nationalism, socialism, and women’s rights could reach shrill pitches with many off-the-cuff remarks, words and acts of rebellion, severe misunderstandings, frayed nerves, etc. This also shows that the communication/technology networks are vulnerable now to natural disasters or terrorist/rebellious acts (also Sun ruling 9^th and Uranus co-ruling 3^rd – the communication/education axis). This is also the signature of the intellectual revolution spurred on by the internet/technology. The Moon, representing the people, is conjunct Neptune in the 3^rd house, indicating that the people are in a vulnerable state these days and could easily be being deceived, led by the mainstream press. There is an innate sense of idealism here and it shows that many are ready to open dialogue on a more socialist society, but it also shows our addiction to oil, war, and fashion of the pop culture are used against us to keep us in a world of illusion and fascism. Retrograde exalted Saturn in the 10^th house but conjunct the 11^th house cusp gives the hope that perhaps the Executive and Legislative branches of the government may be able to work together and get some bills passed. I would not be surprised if the US is forced to deal with some significant changes to its collective destiny during this next quarter and year based on this chart.

Wednesday is the exact conjunction of the Sun and Mercury retrograde (inferior conjunction), usually a time of increased inner reflection, however with the conjunction in Aries, this may not be as much so. People will be full of their own individualistic ideas and may not be able to resist firing them off – with Mercury semi-square Venus too, feelings could be hurt and arguments could ensue.

Thursday’s New Moon in Aries conjunct Mercury Retro and Uranus and square Pluto can be a powerful turning point. This has the potential for explosiveness in terms of actions and words. In Aries, this New Moon is asking us to take a first step to a new beginning, but Uranus/Mercury retro want it to be something different/alternative. This is a time of being a Warrior – a time to fight for yourself and your rights and to not let others or your own self deter you/stand in your way (square to Pluto). This is a time where each person must figure out for themselves where they stand and what they can contribute toward a new world. Look in your chart where 2* Aries is – that house will be the one most activated by this New Moon for you personally – any planets making aspects to this New Moon from your chart will also color the energy for you (1-2* orb).

Friday, Mercury retrograde backtracks into Pisces – we may be ready to finally settle our minds down a bit and contemplate/chew over/look for spiritual significance in all that’s gone on lately, or we may take our agitated ideas to another level by declaring war on all of those who oppose them and locking into a faith driven zeal with those who support them. Retrograde Mars opposite Chiron shows a strong need to assert one’s self and it may be driven by some hidden wound coming to light to teach us some new lesson. However, it can also drive us over the brink and have us take harmful actions toward others – this is especially possible when combined with the blind fervor of Mercury retro in Pisces, so be very aware of your thoughts and actions today! Venus semi-square Uranus may give us odd attractions to persons or things that we ordinarily aren’t interested in.

Saturday, the Sun has its annual exact conjunction to Uranus just adding to this whole Mercury/Uranus in Aries energy of this week – this is a week of possible large natural or man made disasters. Rebellious acts by individuals can reach an apex today too, as people just reach for more freedom/independence in assertive to aggressive ways – expect many protests and riots across the world this week too. Juno also goes retrograde on Saturday giving us time to re-assess partnerships and how they are working for us.

Sunday the Moon triggers the Grand Trine in Earth again (conjunct Jupiter in Taurus and trine Mars and Pluto), but this harmonious flow is interrupted by two bumpy quincunxes: Sun quincunx Mars shows our actions may be off/awkward today or our energy may be jagged coming in fits and bursts. Mercury retrograde quincunx Saturn can also give labored thinking/communicating – it may be we are just tired out/worn out both physically and mentally from all the hyper-activity of the week and just need a day to relax and not be under any pressure/deadlines/schedules.

Next week the Sun locks into an exact square to Pluto keeping the Uranus/Pluto square very active.

Astrological Winds for Week of 3/12/12

Mercury retrograde is upon us again come Monday stationing at about 7* Aries. The Winged Messenger will backtrack to about 24* Pisces on April 4^th before returning to direct motion and not emerging from its retrograde shadow until April 24^th. The shadow period is important on a personal level when experiencing Mercury retrograde. Whatever planets or points in our natal charts that is in that shadow period is subject to 3 exact hits from transiting Mercury during that time. So instead of the normal Mercury transit that lasts 1-3 days, the energy of the one in the shadow period will be in effect for most of the shadow period. So if you had transiting Mercury conjunct your Saturn this past week, it will be retrograding back over that point in a week or two and after going direct on April 4^th, hit it again a couple weeks or so later. In the mundane world, this will be Uranus at 4* Aries: the energy that I blogged about last week on the Mercury/Uranus conjunction will be in effect through most of this Mercury retrograde period. Mercury retro in Aries conjunct Uranus is liable to jump to conclusions mentally way too quickly. This is also the energy of nervous tension/stress/scattered mind that can be harmful to one’s overall well-being. This is also acts of individual independence taken to the extreme and perhaps backfiring (that’s you Rush!). Those with mental instabilities may have a very difficult time trying to control them during this period. There’s also the possibility of taking sarcasm/wit too far and turning people off, or getting aggressively defensive of your logic.

Monday also has the third and final trine between Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn, the first hit being last July 7^th. This is an aspect that shows that tremendous leaps of progressive change can be made – it is one of the aspects of the whole 99% Movement of the last six months or so. On an individual level, great leaps psychologically and spiritually can be made under this aspect. It is the world looking for a new vision/breakthrough, a time of reformation. Individuals can also find great success under this energy. In earth signs, it shows meticulous steps are required – to maintain a certain discipline/value system.

Tuesday and Wednesday have the other big event(s) of this week: go outside Tuesday night and see the spectacle for yourself as Venus and Jupiter are conjunct in the western sky and exactly trine fiery red Mars in the eastern sky. All three of them are trine Pluto (see Monday above on Jupiter/Pluto) in a Grand Trine in Earth together – four of the eight planets in a harmonious aspect (Pluto’s square to Uranus and the Sun’s semi-square to Jupiter also bring in their energy to the equation). This should give a pleasant boost to interactions with others and a deepening of relationships at same time. The earthen element will allow us to take this harmony within, and our actions out in grounded, well proven ways. It is time to put our talents into action in detail and welcome in controlled expansion that can move mountains. A time to commit to your values, correct procedures to attaining them, connecting with others who feel the same, and transforming our physical reality. This energy can also spark romantic relationships, allow you to become a master of efficiency, a hard and diligent worker, and give you some rewards you deserve.

Thursday has now become the day of the week that the Moon is locking into the Uranus/Pluto square (weekly) in hard aspect, as the Moon in Capricorn squares Uranus and conjuncts Pluto, so this will be the most emotionally tense/stifling day this week, where we may make chaotic jumps for independence from what bothers us most inside.

The weekend is quiet, however Mercury retrograde is in exact conjunction with Uranus again (see above on Monday and last week’s blog for more on this) ratching up nerves and chattiness, etc. The Sun is also quincunx Saturn, which can bring up issues with authorities/older people. Self-confidence may take some kind of blow today and you may practice some self-denial. Circumstances or others may limit you somehow, or you may feel tied down by some rules/duties. It may be best spent alone or quietly.

Next week is the Vernal Equinox when the Sun (and New Moon) gets to join the Mercury retro/Uranus party in early Aries and Mercury retro slides back into Pisces on the weekend.

Astrological Winds for Week of 3/5/12

First an announcement: I will be part of a panel sponsored by the Tucson Astrologers Guild (full disclosure: I’m Vice-President) on “What’s Up With 2012?: An Astrological Perspective.” Three of us will be giving short (20-30 minute) talks on aspects affecting 2012. My part is entitled “2012: Choosing Hope or Fear?” This event is free of charge and all are welcome. It will be held at the Bio-Touch Center at

5634 E. Pima St

on Friday night at 7:30 PM. If any group is interested in having me give this lecture in a longer format, contact me.

Some pretty heavy retro Mars in Virgo/Sun in Pisces opposition energy this past week – just 3 examples:

1)    Huge storms in Southeast/Midwest USA fueled by hot/cool air mix (Sun in Pisces – moist/warm air, stationing Mercury in Aries – excessive hot air movement, retrograde Mars in Virgo – over land that is cooled off).

2)    Rush Limbaugh losing his mind in ultra judgemental/hypocritical/aggressive/egotistical ways over contraceptive belief systems.

3)    Here in Tucson, the aggressive use of force to break up Occupy encampment by the police.

There are two distinctly different energies in play on Monday, as Venus ingresses into Taurus, a sign it rules and is extremely comfortable in, where it will remain until April 4^th. In Taurus, the Goddess loves the pleasures of earthly life: the planting and spring and the Earth coming to life in the North, and the harvest time of Earth’s delights in the south. Venus in this placement stabilizes relationships and creative output – if anything the danger is getting too static or possessive and closing off other things. This is a month of enjoying the finer things in life, however you define that nowadays. However, the much more poignant energy felt on Monday will be the perfection of the Mercury/Uranus conjunction (on the heels of Saturday’s Sun/Mars opposition) that we likely have been feeling building the past couple days already. This is a joining of the higher and lower mind in Aries – this is throttle to the floor mentally and get nervous systems wired and minds scattered/overwhelmed by all the processing necessary. Ingenious ideas will come and go quickly, so if you have any Einstein-moments be sure to stop and jot down the details or all could be blown away rapidly by the next brilliant idea that strikes you. If nothing else, the mind will be fully engaged/active in whatever it’s being used on. This is a good day to work with science/math/technology/intuitive ideas/R&D/solutions/experimentation that can lead to new revelations/understandings.

Tuesday is a sweet Venus/Neptune day as they sextile one and other and have aspects to the Moon. Together, they blend conditional/unconditional love in a harmonious mix and can bring a pleasant/dreamy/romantic day if the opportunity is taken. Dispositions should be pleasant/agreeable and complaining should be minimal or non-existent. Artistic inspiration is quite possible too. The danger with this day is it may be easiest just to let it float along and not really progress so much, and to rest on our laurels and indulge in fantasy or escapism instead. Mercury is conjunct Vesta also today, giving the opportunity for assertive group communications or actions together. In fact with Mercury slowing down and becoming stationary by the weekend, this conjunction will remain tight all week (as will Mercury’s conjunction to Uranus), so this is a great week for group collaborations.

Venus semi-square the Sun continues Tuesday’s theme into Wednesday, while the Moon locks into the increasingly tighter Grand Trine in Earth among Mars/Pluto/Jupiter. This should be another day that’s in general more harmonious/easy to flow through.

Thursday is the Full Moon at 18* Virgo. This Full Moon will trigger issues of service like service to self versus service to others, work issues, the caring for others, health issues in self or others, relying upon others some way, etc. Tension arises from the emotions wanting something exact/precise/correct/doing what it claims it does, while the true self knows that life is not as exacting as that, and that being in the flow and finding inspiration is the path of least resistance and at times the only answer to some of our deeper questions/tensions/decisions – that having some belief system to hang on to when all our attempts to micromanage life fail is very important for our outlook/attitude. Of course, it is important to balance this with the mind and intellect, so that’s what this Full Moon is asking us to do in our lives: to blend mind and feeling, procedure and belief, in a properly harmonious balance. Look to the houses in your chart it falls into to see what areas of life will be affected most for you personally. Any planets or points in your chart that make tight aspects (1-2*) will also flavor its energy for you personally. Virgo’s ruler, Mercury, is stationary in Aries and about to turn retrograde, so the emphasis will either be to let go more with emotions or to use some intellect to ground yourself depending on who you are or the circumstances in front of you. On a spiritual level, this Full Moon asks us to let go of harsh judgments of others when we feel triggered emotionally, and to examine how our own belief systems can also become overly judgmental of those who don’t agree with them. Taking an honest look at the internet shows how we all push our own opinions as beliefs and actually believe we can push others into seeing it our way. Indeed, much to reflect upon for us all as Mercury goes retrograde next week and eventually returns to Pisces.

The weekend is actually pretty quiet astrologically as it leads to next Monday’s Mercury retrograde, which keeps the Mercury/Uranus conjunction in tight orb all next week. Saturday has Venus sextile Chiron, which continues to bring out opportunities for service to others in loving/caring ways, especially to family/friends/lovers. Sunday, once again, has four pleasant Moon/planetary aspects that should make it an enjoyable/relaxing day with self/others, but easy to get excessive in our indulgences with.

Next week: Mercury retro and how it affects you on personal levels – what to look for.

Astrological Winds for Week of 2/27/12

On Monday, a Grand Trine in Earth among Moon/Pluto/Mars and Sun sextile Pluto makes it a great day to do some deep inner core work by taking a steady look at what needs purging/cleansing/tidying/combing over/fixing in our lives. Things that are hidden from us or embedded deeply within us from deep past emotional experiences may arise to the surface and be looked at today with a balanced view and thus an honest assessment and an opportunity to break free/release and replace/repair some of this old baggage. We can also get help from others today in doing so. Creative change can be released today in a grounded way.

Tuesday is pretty quiet – Chiron conjuncts Pallas Athene, which may bring us some intellectual lesson or gift of knowledge that could lead to a new path. The Moon’s sextile to Mercury should lend a hand in learning and understanding.

Wednesday’s first quarter square of the Moon in Gemini to Sun in Pisces can be tricky – it’s as if the will and emotions have traded places. It may be challenging to get life to cooperate with you today. Nervous systems may be stressed and escapism may prevail.

Thursday Mercury quincunx Saturn can block/impede thinking/learning/communications,  especially with those with some type of authority over you. Negotiations/understandings bog down and are just plain difficult, as the ability to see eye to eye intellectually seems to have disappeared and suspicion and narrow thinking obscure things.

Friday, Mercury heads off to Aries, where it will slow down and turn retrograde soon. Thoughts come quickly now and remarks can be off the cuff and start hard feelings if too tactless. Battles of wits with a prankster like attitude may ensue. Impulsive decisions and reasoning can lead to some problems later. It’s also easy to fall into the trap of taking others’ comments as challenges to you too personally. These manifestations can occur all through the time of Mercury in the sign of the Ram.

On Friday also, Mars is semi-square Saturn, frustrating/slowing down our actions. Be careful of overstraining self physically and getting injured or in an accident. We may just have to accept we may not be able to get it all done today. Also, once again, authorities can come down on us, and the worlds’ governments/military can get heavy handed/thuggish under this aspect with crackdowns and operations. We may also be forced to do things we would not choose to under this aspect, much like a soldier ordered to battle under questionable circumstances. This is also the day this week when the Moon hard aspects the Uranus/Pluto square, so a challenging day emotionally.

All of this leads into a rather intense weekend with the Sun opposite Mars retrograde on Saturday with Venus sesiquadrate Mars and Sun sesiquadrate Saturn. This could end up being a very frustrating day as restrictions can reach an overload point and have you or others explode in anger. There may be some very difficult decisions to be made.  Misplaced physical energy can get things chaotic, painful, overblown rapidly. Competitive energy wins out over cooperative energy. It’s best to use this energy to do some physical work/project with detail, full immersion/attention, clean up as a theme. Ego energy is turned up to highest setting, so battles with others are likely.

Sunday has a Venus/Saturn opposition locked into a Cardinal T-square by the Moon in Cancer , which is likely a hangover response to confrontations on Saturday. We may be feeling conservative in our dealings with others and with decisions we make with finances/resources. Most dialogue occurs within ourselves and it may be just best to stay around home and have alone/quiet time today. It’s very easy to see the negative traits in others or feel restricted by responsibilities within relationships. It’s also easy to fall into the “poor me”/victim trap today attitude-wise.

Next week, Venus moves into Taurus, where she loves to be, while Mercury in Aries conjuncts Uranus for the 1^st of 3 times over the next several weeks, and there’s a Full Moon in Virgo. Stay tuned!

Astrological Winds for Week of 2/20/12

A pretty quiet week this week.

Tuesday is the New Moon at 2* Pisces conjunct Neptune/Chiron/Pallas Athene. If there ever was a calling card astrologically built for spirituality and dissolving the illusion of perceived differences into the recognition of the connectedness of all then this is it. Over the past two years, many of the clients I've had are having similiar mundane issues in their personal lives surrounding the loss of money, resources, jobs, careers, etc. This, of course, is a sign of the times. Many of them are looking for something else to try/do. What has been remarkably interesting to me is that almost every one of them that has gotten to this point has a desire to find something that will help heal the world somehow and themselves at the same time and they have had the transiting Neptune/Chiron conjunction right on some personal planet or significant point in their charts! Well, consider this New Moon a calling to every person on Earth to do the same now. The reality is our own ignorance/blindness is what keeps ourselves and our world in pain and suffering and misery. Until we come to the realization that all life is connected and actually live that, we will remain at the mercy of our ignorance personally and collectively. Pisces, the final sign of the zodiac, knows this truth deep inside, yet the two fish swim away from each other by seeing differences in the world of maya that build up stubborn belief systems that ultimately enslaves self and others. The higher octave of Pisces/Neptune is to dissolve all perceived differences into the ocean of oneness. In order to do this we must dive deep within spiritually, rather than trying to push stuck belief systems upon others externally in order to fulfill a sub-conscious need to be right. The past 2000 years has been the Age of Pisces and because of humanity's ignorance, the Shadow side of this archetype has dominated via clashing belief systems leading to non-stop war. In order for this to end, people must go within and realize oneness first and then bring that out in every action towards others, not by preaching, but by our own actions and words of kindness/compassion/empathy. This is what will help complete the cycle of Chiron and turn our wounds and pain into healing and teaching. This is what we are all being called on to do now - to go to a place of non-judgement, to trust in our intuition/heart feelings, to connect with our version of the godhead, to break the cycles of illusion and addiction. The New Moon also sextiles Jupiter, the ruler of Pisces, allowing the greater beneficiary planet to lend a hand in making this transition, and Venus semi-sqaures Neptune also, allowing us to focus love into higher octaves/expressions today. During this New Moon take some time to meditate/contemplate upon these matters and resolve to bring what you sense inside, more into your daily actions outside. Look to what house this New Moon falls into in your chart to see what area of life it will affect the most for you. Also, any planets from 1-3* in your chart will be making aspects to this New Moon and add to its flavor to you on a personal level. Mercury is also sesiquadrate Saturn today, which can be difficult for ordinary communications, however with Mercury in Pisces also, perhaps it will help facilitate inner communications.

Wednesday has Venus quincunx Mars retrograde. This can be a bumpy day for lovers, or how you express your sexuality, or own creativity. Actions in these areas are off/awkward. Also, it may be hard to control emotions, or you may be attracted to someone who's not the best choice for you.

Thursday's Mercury opposite Mars Retrograde is normally ornery, but with the two of them in yin signs and debilitated, their normal energies are not likely up for a big knock-down/drawn-out tangle. Still, we may find ourselves at odds with others over decisions needing to be made or opinions on how to move forward. Be careful with you words or arguments will ensue - ego will be heavily involved. Also, rash actions can lead to accidents. With the Sun square Juno, the battle may end up being with a partner/SO.

Friday is Moon/Pluto/Uranus day this week with the Sun Conjunct Chiron on top. We may be licking our wounds this day possibly from any rows under Mercury/Mars yesterday. The Sun/Chiron conjunction should help us learn some lesson and possibly open up some new frontier for you possibly only in attitude, but one that can gets us thinking out of the box and re-assessing goals.

Saturday's Sun sextile Jupiter and Mercury semi-square Jupiter can get us in a very optimistic/Big Picture frame of mind. A day that you can allow yourself to dream "what if?" You may get some lucky break, opportunity, be at right place at right time, windfall that will have you feeling satisfied/good. A great day to spend with friends, with groups, or dealing with authorities. Not a good day for dealing with details however, as they can seem pesky to you. Venus semi-square Chiron could have you realizing that some relationships may be best with more distance between them. Asteroid goddess Vesta ingresses into Aries also today, asking like minded groups to take actions together as peaceful warriors to help ensure the survival of our species (and many others!) and planet. She may also may be asking us to recognize that even the most roguish/prodigal of our brothers and sisters, are still our brothers and sisters, and should be recognized for their individual contributions to the tribe/family.

Sunday is quiet and has 3 positive Moon aspects to Neptune/Jupiter/Sun and should be a harmonious, relaxing day for most part.

Next week, Mercury dashes off to Aries where it will come to a standstill and start retrograding a week or so afterwards. The Sun also gets to its oppostion with Mars retro.

Astrological Winds for Week of 2/13/12

First, a couple observations on the tightening Uranus/Pluto square and the current Mars Retrograde period.  Remember last summer when we had the Cardinal T-Square being stressed every week whenever the Moon locked into a 4^th harmonic aspect weekly with it, seemingly setting off the most stressful day of each week? I followed the budget talks in the US between President Obama and the Republican House, and each week the Moon locked into the T-Square it seemed that was the day that week that tempers reached a pitch, so to speak. I bring this up now because I’m noticing as we draw ever closer to the first exact Uranus/Pluto square on June 25^th, each week on the day the Moon is forming a T-square with them or conjunction to one of the two of them and squaring the other, it is the day that seems where all the week’s pressure reaches some climax and all kinds of unexpected events, both positive and negative and many times simultaneously, just start exploding around us. So it’s good to be aware of this each week now. This week Friday is that day, when the Moon in Capricorn will be squaring Uranus and conjuncting Pluto – check in with your own emotional intensity that day and compare it and see how events prior led up to it. We should be able to observe this in world events too, especially ones being rocked by the

Cardinal Square

. An example is Syria, which I blogged on several weeks back, and how tightly its current crisis is being driven by the

Cardinal Square

. This past week when Moon opposed Uranus and squared Pluto on Friday and Saturday the rebellion reached new heights with an assassination of a general in the capital of Damascus and larger terrorist suicidal bombings in public areas.

            The second observation on Mars retrograde in Virgo: so far I’m noticing a more muted effect than the last few ones – perhaps with Mars already in Virgo, its normal effects are tempered down already, so it’s not making any big moves. One thing it is coinciding with is increased diseases seemingly at least locally here in Tucson, perhaps reminding us to take care of our bodies with diligence.

On Monday, Mercury first trines Saturn giving a brief reality check and sharp mind before it ingresses into Pisces, the sign its normal energy is most dysfunctional in. Mercury prefers intellectual acuity, an active mind, a restless spirit, an individual’s viewpoint, but in Pisces everything is opposite that. We may find our thoughts wandering/daydreaming/fantasizing much in the next few weeks, and our normal precise mental abilities may be in a bit of disarray. Details we’ve forgotten may come back to haunt us; emotional responses may overload logic circuitry; things may be lost; communications may be unclear; you may be easily swayed by others. The best way to use this energy is via enriched imagination – if you are a writer or artist, you should be able to access some new ideas now. Mercury’s conjunction to Neptune immediately after its ingress just doubly enhances this Piscean effect for the early part of this week.

Tuesday may not be the best day for financial news and resources, as Pluto squares Ceres and there’s a 3^rd quarter square of the debilitated Moon in Scorpio to the Sun in Aquarius. Revelations found out this day may set us back in some way and could get us quite angry, in power struggles with others, and just feeling (in)tense. The aspects for this Valentine’s Day in general are ones of stress, so many of us may end up disappointed ultimately that our fantasy did not come to the exact fruition we desired. Jupiter’s sextile to Chiron may allow us to use the opportunity of disappointment to learn new things about ourselves and what we truly value.

Relationships get even more intense on Wednesday as Venus squares Pluto. We may be ready to strike back hard at those who hurt us, let us down, victimized us in some way. Relationships that are unsteady could easily breakdown today in a Valentine’s hangover. Those that are on solid footing may reach deepening levels of intensity that could illicit some very strong emotions/responses. This is also a “stalker” type energy that can bring up intense feelings of envy/jealousy/obsession/possession, so be aware of these feelings in self and others. Mars is also sesiquadrate Jupiter today – we may be feeling super-energized and it may be driven by the Venus/Pluto energy, however our actions for the most part may be seem to be bound for frustration and stoking our anger even more. We can easily get some uncontrollable urges under these influences combining! Careful!

Judgment is off and behavior can easily get reckless and domineering. This is also an aspect you can overstrain yourself physically under and end up with an injury.

Mercury is active on Thursday with a conjunction to Chiron and sextile to Jupiter. The conjunction to Chiron in Pisces could actually be quite beneficial, in the sense that with Mercury perhaps able to access normally hidden information through feelings or on imaginative levels that contributes to the mind the ability to go beyond its normal realm of thoughts and reactions to pain, fear, faith, wounds, ways of learning, etc and actually can bring some deeply moving healing experiences. Mercury’s sextile to Jupiter just re-enforces this opportunity to expand the mind through new ideas, plans, goals, plans, etc.

Friday is the day I mentioned above when Moon starts hard-aspecting the Uranus/Pluto square carrying over into Saturday. Saturday can truly be a “Saturn’s Day” with the Sun trine Saturn in the morning and the Moon in Capricorn all day. This is a great day to get projects done – if you are off from work, it’s a great day to take on some big project at home as you’ll have the patience and attitude to get the job done and get it done well. This is also an excellent day to deal with issues from those in authority/superiority as you will find them agreeable, or just working in your career in general. Getting advice, especially from older and wiser people, is favorable also. Mercury sextile Pluto will actually lend a hand by giving the mind the ability to focus on details/ get to the bottom of things well. This is a good aspect for deepening connections with others through deep forms of communications also. This is also an excellent day to work the mind via studying/learning/taking classes/reading/collecting and analyzing info, etc. Saturday night, the Sun joins Mercury, Neptune and Chiron in Pisces heralding the last third of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. A time of endings of cycles, yet with the seeds of new ideas in our hands/minds and the plan for our next planting ready to go. A time of deepened connections with others especially on emotional planes; a deepening sense of faith and idealism; a desire to merge with something larger than our self.

The Sun’s conjunction to Neptune on Sunday is perfect for a day of relaxing, revival, spiritual practices, contemplation, deep thoughts, artistic inspiration, etc – really this is the theme of this whole week – a Neptunian/Piscean energy brought down to our personal worlds via Mercury and the Sun. Next week, this continues with a New Moon in Pisces and the Sun joining Chiron and sextiling Jupiter, as Mercury will this week.

Astrological Winds for Week of 2/6/12

The Sun and Mercury are doing the tango together to start off this week and in effect are conjunct all week in Aquarius perfecting on Tuesday. The biggest problem when these two are conjunct is to seriously over-identify with our egos this week and get our tongues wagging in extremely subjective/self-centered ways. In Aquarius, we can really cop a self-righteous attitude of “my way or else”, or just stubbornly refuse to let any other’s perspective in. However, this does make the mind very sharp/acute and will give us the chance to merge our ideas/ideals with others who have similar ones. This will be a week full of networking and is good for starting new ventures, travel, and making plans. This energy will get jump started on Monday when they both semi-square Uranus. This could be a day of odd thoughts and encounters. It could end up easily wiring our nervous systems to overload and getting us irritated and agitated mentally. This could end up being a day where everything comes at us too fast to really get a handle on anything solid, so we may waste a lot of time chasing our tails. The Moon in Leo’s trine to Uranus and square to Jupiter will add to this expansive/overloaded energy. By the end of the day, what seemed like much promise, may leave you just scattered or feeling half-empty, like you missed something important but could never quite get a grip on what it was. There may be points during this day when we may just rebel against it all and strike off in some independent way. This could also be a day of technological issues/problems also.

Tuesday is when the Sun/Mercury conjunction perfects and the Moon opposes them (a Full Moon in Leo). Here, we must examine the emotional need to display ourselves in some way – to get some individual recognition so that we feel good about who we are,  to be inspired from our heart, versus the need to be part of a group working together towards one common goal with the power of the mind. Thus, the challenge is to align these two disparate needs – the heart versus the head, you versus us, and to be sure that everyone’s unique talents/light can shine and be added to the Collective for the benefit of all in equal ways. With Mercury involved too (and Mars opposite Vesta), there can be many long heated conversations/discussions/arguments on how to proceed, and many decisions may have to be made now despite them putting you possibly into uncomfortable territory. Look to which 2 houses this Full Moon falls into in your chart to see what areas of life will be most challenged for you personally by it. Saturn in Libra also makes its annual retrograde turn on Tuesday and it will remain so until June 25^th giving us time to once more re-assess imbalanced relationships and how they cause inequality/disharmony/injustice, and what we need to get down to seriously to correct these imbalances both in our personal lives and in society. Venus also gets into the act on Tuesday as the Goddess of Love zips off into Aries where she can be much more assertive/aggressive in her pursuits of love, relationships, and self-expression through creative endeavors. People can get sassy when Venus is in Aries and desire their own freedom in relationships, yet at the same time attempt to “pursue and capture” others. There is a certain roguish charm that we can exude now too that is attractive to others. But before, she can get really going, she will have to first deal with a quincunx to stationary Saturn, who will be wagging a finger at her, reminding her to be responsible within relationships and think of others too. Relationships may just be difficult today between others’ disapproval of your approach, or perhaps your own inner feelings of unworthiness or an awkward mixture of both. This could also be a day where duty must just trump pleasure and that’s the way it is, period.

The residuals of this bumpy ride are likely to continue on Wednesday as Mercury quincunx Mars.  This is usually an indicator that our nerves are stretched thin and could easily snap into some off-kilter verbal barrage against unsuspecting (or perhaps not so much so) victims. Try to slow yourself down and think before talking or you could do some damage today. It’s almost as if you are looking/daring someone to disagree with you today, so you can just go off on someone – if you need to, find someone who understands and won’t take it personally or will listen willingly. I’d say the best use for this energy is to tackle some mental work/paperwork/etc.

Venus can really light a fire under our butts on Thursday when she conjuncts Uranus. This is the ultimate freedom seeking urge within relationships.  It will test any existing relationship that you are feeling constrained under. You could easily be attracted to someone new and different than your normal crowd. Relationships started under this aspect are short lived and action packed and quite possibly eccentric. You may also have the urge to buy some odd new piece of art or item that is out of the ordinary for your normal likes/habits. New forms of pleasure are exciting/inspiring. This is also a day you could gain or lose a lot of money based on some risky venture.

Sun quincunx Mars on Friday shows our actions may be off target today. Our energy may come in impulsive fits and bursts and may go askew when it does.  We can be very out of control with our will under this energy and easily get others angered at us or others can act like this towards us. This is a “think before you act” aspect. Be careful of overstressing body or repressing anger and getting ill or in an accident as a result. Mercury semi-square Pluto today also can give the mind a sharp edge that nothing/no one  can get over on – you can see the real meaning/hidden meaning behind the words. Unfortunately, today, that may just irritate you with others and their ways, and it will be easy to intellectually rip them apart and leave everyone walking away with a bad taste in their mouths. It’s best to use this energy on doing some real focused mental work or plumb the depths of your own mind/psyche, or to study the occult/psychology/other depth subjects.  This is the compulsive/obsessive disorder mind kind of day!

Saturday, the Asteroid Goddess, Pallas Athene, ingresses into Pisces, where she will immediately conjunct Neptune. These two have a history together and it’s not a good one! In the Greek mythology of Medusa and Poseidon (Neptune), these two lovers were caught by Pallas Athene, a goddess of chastity, having defiled her sacred temple on Crete through a night of ecstatic love making. Poseidon basically ran away and allowed Medusa to face the wrath of the enraged goddess alone, who cursed her by turning her long beautiful hair into a nest of serpents. Last week’s blog explained how Neptune is very similar in energy to Pisces – that is why it co-rules the sign. Pallas, being a very intellectual/mental/logical/the good daughter type archetype feels quite uncomfortable in the water and emotions of Pisces. However, relationships between humans have a way of allowing emotions to creep in despite our best efforts to sometimes keep things purely mental/intellectual. This may be a time when those boundaries are tested. One area perhaps where Pallas would feel comfortable in Pisces is spiritual/religious ritual, so perhaps that will be another area of life that will be deepened/enriched now by the confluence of intellectual genius/idea and emotional depth it may illicit. Another danger here would be the warrior archetype that Pallas sometimes displays also stoking the religious/idealistic fervor of Neptune/Pisces I blogged about last week here.

Sunday, the Sun, now slightly behind the speedy Mercury, semi-squares Pluto. In a way, this is a continuation of the Mercury/Pluto energy I wrote about above. We may add to that possible frustrating power struggles/stand offs today that may be temporarily without resolution. Some minor conflicts with others this weekend may just be inevitable. This is a good weekend to actually assess what your own part is in holding yourself back, as it’s there to access near the surface. Old behaviors need re-hashing – think it over – what can be purged? Issues with those in power can be quite irritating too. Mechanical issues may arise also this weekend.

Next week Mercury enters Pisces and catches up to Neptune and Pallas adding to that storyline and then the Sun follows suit by end of week. Meanwhile, Venus continues her ventures with the Uranus/Pluto square.