Soul and Spirit Magazine Annual Awards
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The way that these awards are designed has created some confusion still so just to clarify –
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Round 2 – this is what’s happening NOW – if you want to cast your vote for me TO WIN this category, here’s the link –
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I’d be thrilled if one of my voters were to win one of these prizes, so good luck!
The Astrology Blog – 13 July 2015
All times posted in BST
I’ve had a lot of very positive feedback from last week’s blog which focused on the Greek situation – here’s a taste of what readers have to say:
Thought your update on Monday was marvellous – for the first time I was able to get a handle on the situation. Sam
Yours is about the only ‘take’ – astrological or otherwise – on the situation that I have even remotely come close to understanding, and it was well done indeed! Steph
Thanks for your latest blog in which you discuss the Greek situation vis a vis astrology. Loved it. Absolutely fascinating. Chris
Brilliant piece. Am awaiting the follow-up with baited breath. Janice
Thanks to everyone who has written in. Your feedback is important as it tells me what everyone wants to read about, and also reminds us of the power of astrology in terms of understanding the bigger picture of the world around us.
As you read on you’ll see that this week’s astrology is tough, and continues to reflect the nature of difficult negotiations, power struggles and deadlocks. On Sunday Tsipras said, “We can reach an agreement tonight … IF all parties want it.”
They did all want it, but it took 17 hours to hammer out the next part of the deal. It’s easy to think that the referendum was a pointless exercise if the Greek government were only to agree to the things that, just a week ago, were unacceptable, but was it?
The BBC quotes Dimitris Tsoukalas, general secretary at the interior ministry:
“We, the government, thought we could convince them that a country in this mess could take a completely different path. But it wasn’t possible… We couldn’t overcome the bankers and northern European elite who have absolute power in this continent.” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33492387
The bottom line is that everyone, fundamentally, does not want a Grexit, including Alexis Tsipras, as along with his pledge to reverse budget cuts was also a pledge to keep Greece in the eurozone. This he has done, at the expense of a climb down. It’s reported that he came very close to walking out of the all night talks, saying that if he agreed to one more condition the Greek people would label him a “sell-out”. Nevertheless he won some concessions on the debt restructuring, securing a “growth package” for Greece of €35bn (£25bn). He had said prior to the talks that it was his responsibility to keep his nation alive.
He also fought for the Greek pride – we all hate to be humiliated or humbled but find me a Leo who wouldn’t deem that to be the worst form of attack – so it wasn’t just about the money! But it’s not over and it could still all fall apart. Tsipras has returned only with the proposal. The Greek government will now have to pass the reforms demanded by the eurozone by tomorrow (Wednesday), in order to meet the terms for the third bailout – just as Mars and then Mercury line up opposite the power planet Pluto.
There is likely to be a huge division, the opposition literally symbolizing those who oppose us, and Pluto symbolizing absence, loss or obliteration in addition to power battles. If Tsipras is ever going to resign – whether it’s to jump or be pushed – he will come dangerously close to it now.
From the Political to the Personal
What situation in your own life would you treat differently if you could take the money factor out of the equation? Interesting question? The sensible solution isn’t always the best or the right one. Many years ago in my former life I went along to the London School of Meditation. I was hopeless – never have learned how to switch off my mind in that way – but I had a wonderful teacher. Her name I’m afraid escapes me, but she was in her 70’s, and I was telling her about wanting to go to Italy to see a friend for Xmas but couldn’t afford it. She said – find the money – when you’re my age you’ll know that the only thing you regret is missed opportunities… I’ve never forgotten her face or her words, and they’ve served me well. I went to Italy and had a wonderful time.
The week starts with the Sun now separating from the square to Uranus – drama abating, ruffled feathers settling etc – and arguably the best aspect of the week was last night –
Monday Mercury trine Neptune (20.15)
The mind and communication planet Mercury in harmony with Neptune is ideal for agreements, meeting with/connecting with likeminded people, talking about your dreams and exploring ways to make these happen. As noted last week Neptune, even by good aspect, still tends to flag up reality tests, so it’s a good time to sort out the dreams that can be worked on and the ones which are based on total fantasy. Spot the difference between those who genuinely support you and those who simply tell you what you want to hear.
There are some big challenges ahead and an uncompromising picture in the making even before we get to midweek. Venus is a key player this week but, again, in a tough way. The planet of love and life’s pleasures – also ruling money – is hitching up with Saturn for a long, awkward dance. These two will be treading on each other’s toes for the next three months, as this aspect will repeat on 5 August and 11 October.
Tuesday Venus square Saturn (07.49)
Anything in square to Saturn, planet of denial, delays and obstacles, marks the tempo slow. In this case, the tempo may even be “grinding to a halt”, as Venus is now very slow moving as she’s getting ready to turn retrograde on the 25th of this month. Matters will be especially sensitive at the end of this week when Venus changes sign –
Saturday Venus ingress Virgo (23.39)
Note that she’ll be stuck on 0 degrees of Virgo for two weeks (the degree and sign of Tsipras’ Mars) before reversing back into Leo, and I’ll be talking more about this in the coming weeks. For now this first square happens with Venus in the end degrees of Leo, and Saturn in the end of degrees of Scorpio – and retrograde. If you have planets at or close to 28 degrees of these signs – or the other fixed signs of Taurus or Aquarius – then this sequence will be of especial significance for you. (Tsipras’ Moon – the people – is at 26 degrees of Scorpio).
Here’s the usual link for checking the position of your natal planets:
http://www.alwaysastrology.com/birth-chart-calculator.html
Venus square Saturn puts the work/effort/staying power factor into love or money issues, or throws the rule book in your face if you’re dealing with any kind of authority. Whatever you’re taking on at this time be prepared for a lengthy battle and check your principles. If a fight is worth taking on then it’s definitely time to set out your stall and focus on what you want the outcome to be. Saturn rules time itself and Rome wasn’t built in a day, but whatever or whoever you value (Venus), whatever your goals or ambitions may be (Saturn), the starting point is to recognize your desire and state your intention. I might add, be careful what you wish for… If you’re nursing a broken heart be kind to yourself and be patient. Just because someone was unloving doesn’t mean that you’re unlovable. Lick your wounds, don’t go rushing into a new romance until you can look in the mirror and honestly say I LOVE YOU, and relish the benefits of the single life. There are many who would swap places with you right now – pleasing yourself, doing what you want when you want – and having total control over the remote controls.
Midweek brings the Pluto face offs, at 14 degrees of Cancer and Capricorn respectively – (conjunct Tsipras’ natal Mercury and Merkel’s natal South Node both at 15 degrees of Cancer).
Wednesday Mars opposite Pluto (15.09)
Thursday Mercury opposite Pluto (00.39)
One of the things I teach, and my students will vouch for this, is not to fall into the trap of glamorizing the outer planets, and Pluto is usually at the top of this list. In the tarot he correlates with the Death card – and there isn’t a tarot reader breathing whose heart doesn’t sink when this card appears. Pluto/Death card – the “glamorized” version is “rebirth” and “transformation”. It’s so easy to seize on these interpretations but it’s so much more effective if we think of these symbols as “transformative”. Pluto transits for example usually last around 9 months – the period of gestation – and birth is the ultimate outcome but even then can be long and painful. Yes – sweeping away the old makes way for the new – but it’s a process rather than an overnight sensation.
The important thing to remember when Pluto is throwing his weight around is not to hand over your power to others – as far as possible. As I’m always saying, when it comes to bringing astrology into your life, always work on the “as above, so below” principle. The Greece situation is reflecting the current astrology in a big way – astrology doesn’t MAKE us do things, it’s the celestial mirror which reflects back to us the state of affairs – and just because someone or something is all powerful doesn’t mean that you can’t fight your corner or stand up for yourself. If you’re in any situation that smacks of emotional or psychological terrorism then unfolding events this week will dictate the shape of things to come. Ultimately, if you need to walk away, do it. You’ll be ok. If you need to take on a battle, do it. It’s better than waving a white flag from your window and sinking into depression (oppression).
What else does this week of challenges have in store?! As I mentioned last week this week’s New Moon falls exactly conjunct Angela Merkel’s Uranus – and it’s swiftly followed by a Mercury – Mars union –
Thursday
New Moon at 23 degrees of Cancer (02.25)
Mercury conjunct Mars at 14 degrees of Cancer (05.15)
In terms of psychological astrology, as I mentioned last week, this smacks of the passive – aggressive approach. As I wrote in my recent book (Be Your Own Astrologer) –
Note that any Mars – Moon combination is tricky as signaled by their conflicting signs of dignity/exaltation (strength) and detriment/fall (weakness):
• The Moon is dignified in Cancer, Mars’s sign of fall, and is in detriment in Capricorn, Mars’ sign of exaltation.
• Mars is dignified in Scorpio, the Moon’s sign of fall, and is in detriment in Taurus, the Moon’s sign of exaltation.
Mars prefers to move in straight lines but Cancer is depicted by the sideways moving crab. Mars is direct and pointed, Cancer is cautious, inward looking and prone to avoidant behavior.
I should add that the sign of Cancer is also about tenacity. When those crab’s claws get hooked into something it’s virtually impossible to prise them off again. The Sun and Mercury are travelling through Cancer until the 23rd, and Mars until the second week of August, so there’s a lot more of this particular modus operandi to come. The New Moon is a glimmer of light amongst Pluto’s darkness but new cycles – and especially those linked to home/property/family – are unlikely to start on the easiest of footings.
The week finishes on a volatile note – the Sun has already played into the Uranus-Pluto square, as we’ve had Sun opposite Pluto and then square Uranus. Midweek we have the Mercury opposite Pluto and here’s the square to Uranus (Mars will make the square in a couple of weeks time, in fact at the same time as both Venus and Uranus turn retrograde on the weekend of the 25th/26th)
Sunday Mercury square Uranus (02.08)
This square happens with Mercury at 20.29 degrees of Cancer and Uranus at 20.29 degrees of Aries – who is currently stuck on that degree in readiness to turn retrograde. It’s a brave astrologer who predicts anything with certainty when Uranus is in the picture in this way – he is your ultimate loose cannon, being the planet of unpredictability, unforeseen changes, shocks, rebellion and revolution.
For now the best advice is to treat this week as if Mercury were retrograde – and here’s the usual checklist for a coping strategy –
• Keep options open
• Assume nothing, double check everything
• When in doubt, check it out – second hand opinions are a dead cert for getting hold of the wrong end of the stick – and don’t believe everything you hear
• Keep a close watch on all belongings – especially keys or anything linked to communication such as phones, laptops, tablets, cameras etc and don’t even think about buying new ones for the time being
• Plan any journey with extra care and don’t trust to luck
• Kill your speed when driving – allow extra time for getting there slowly but safely
• Take extra care with form filling/signing on dotted lines
• No matter how certain a situation might seem there is a good chance that it will morph into something else over the next couple of weeks – the “x” factor is at work
I don’t normally mention the minor aspects but to end this blog on an upbeat note –
Friday Sun semi-sextile Jupiter (18.04)
This minor aspect happens when two planets reach the same degree but one sign apart. This one happens with the Sun at 24 Cancer and Jupiter at 24 Leo, picking out Friday as the best day of the week for socialising – say yes to invites – or for things going right through a little luck or as the result of someone else’s kindness or generosity. Pay special attention to anyone playing a minor yet benefic role in your life, and look out for travel bargains if you want to get away without breaking the bank. There are plenty of fantastic deals for Greece – but please bring your Euros with you!
Last word goes to Sally Kirkman – I didn’t get around to looking at all the Wimbledon astrology but Sally does sports stuff a thousand times better than I do anyway, and if you’re interested in her brilliant write up on the horoscopes of the contenders for the men’s singles, here’s the link –
http://www.sallykirkman.com/blog/the-mens-tennis-wimbledon-2015
Until next week, with love from Greece
Joanna