The Astrology Blog – w/b 19 May 2014
All times stated are in BST.
Mars is our main man as the week gets underway. Regular readers will know that I’ve been referring to Mars’s epic journey through Libra – so why is it epic? Mars has a two year orbit which means that at normal speed he would take two months to travel through a sign. However, he entered Libra on 7 December last year, got as far as 27 degrees of Libra and then turned retrograde on 1 March. This week, having backtracked to 9 degrees of Libra, he turns direct again. This is called “stationing” – the planet apparently stopping in order to switch direction – and Mars is stationary direct on Tuesday at 02.32. He will take a while to pick up speed again but he is now heading in the right direction and will eventually move on into Scorpio at the end of July. This means he will have spent nearly 8 months in one sign as opposed to the usual 2. Epic.
This station is astrologically significant for two reasons. As above so below, so as Mars is the god of war – weakened by being retrograde and in one of his signs of detriment – he now has a chance of getting back to business. No more Mr Nice Guy, or at least not in a way that smacks of inertia or subservience. If you are involved in any situation which requires fight, and especially if you’ve been hanging back and waiting for it to be resolved in other ways, the gloves are now off, but in an assertive sense rather than in an aggressive one. Mars in Venus’ sign of Libra still requires diplomacy and negotiation but this time you will really mean it. It’s time for answers. Enlisting the help of someone who has your best interests at heart could be a very smart move.
The same applies if you’ve been guilty of talking about something ad nauseam without actually doing anything about it. Libra, sign of the Scales, is all about umming and ahing but it’s also the sign of partnership so an extra pair of hands, or the idea of two heads being better than one, is the way forwards.
The second reason that Mars’ switch of direction is significant is because he turns at 9 degrees of Libra which is the position of a Fixed Star. What’s the difference between a planet and a fixed star?
To quote the eloquent Rob Tillet on Astrologycom.com:
“The Fixed Stars were so called by the ancients to distinguish them from the Planets, or Wanderers, which are heavenly bodies moving perceptibly across the sphere of the Zodiac. Fixed Stars do not move across the ecliptic in the same way as planets do and in classical times were believed to be fixed to a gigantic celestial sphere, which twirled in a stately dance around the Earth every single day. Fixed Stars appear to be stationary, relative to the Earth and to each other, and are grouped into symbolic patterns called constellations.”
At 9 degrees of Libra we find a Fixed Star called Vindemiatrix, which traditional astrology calls the Widow Maker. This star is considered to unfortunate or mischievous and is associated also with falsity and stealing. Beware alarmism – if you have a planet or angle at 9 degrees of Libra this does not mean that you are about to be bereaved or burgled! As always think symbolically. With Mars firing up on this degree it could in fact be the opposite. Very close to home this degree is important for my sister and my Libran brother in law has just been given his second all clear from cancer. Considering he was at death’s door this time last year that is joyful news indeed. He has another lease of life.
Another story that is unfolding for a client for whom 9 degrees of Libra is significant involves a long running business feud in which falsity and stealing are major issues. So I am watching Mars’ turnaround with a great deal of interest. A retrograde Mars does feel very much like subterfuge, the things that are happening behind your back, so now that he is turning so will this kind of activity be called to account.
Overall, however, Mars turning direct is simply good news for getting a plan or relationship back on track or for helping someone else to do so. If you have anyone close to you who has been bereaved, ill or depressed then you can expect things to start picking up. Often planets switching back to direct motion signal that the time is simply right for life moving on again. You don’t necessarily have to DO anything as events will conspire to open a new chapter but note that you will capture the Mars energy if you are active rather than passive.
The livelier theme is echoed by the fact that the Sun changes sign this week, moving from the earth sign of Taurus into the playful air sign of Gemini. The ingress is exact on Wednesday, at exactly 04.00. Look out for things that capture the Gemini vibe:
Ruled by Mercury, planet of the mind – ideas, decisions, news, information
All forms of communication – the written or spoken word
Invitations/seeing old friends, making new ones
Themes of duality or multiplicity
The Peter Pan of the zodiac – quick, elusive, clever or crafty
The New Moon will fall in this sign in the middle of next week so any of the above themes that are meaningful or currently especially relevant to you are likely to be at their strongest then.
The third and final big event of the week is Jupiter trine (harmonious) Saturn on Saturday 18.49. This is important as it’s the third and final alliance between these two giants – the first two being in July and December of last year. Even by good aspect these two are not the best of bed fellows. In essence, Jupiter is expansion, Saturn is contraction. In other words, Jupiter likes to branch out and trust to luck, Saturn likes to narrow things down and find out exactly where he stands. Jupiter is Yes. Saturn is No.
So, all Jupiter stuff is being tempered and harnessed by the reality checks of Saturn. Jupiter stuff is – learning, all things foreign, the entrepreneurial spirit, optimism and plans for the future. Saturn imposes structure on all of this, which is no bad thing. Take the Saturn lessons to heart – work, effort, maturity, authority and proper planning. This applies especially to any plan, project or relationship that has been work in progress for the last ten months. The Jupiter – Saturn alliance can be brilliant for getting it together, deciding on a course of action, deciding on what will work and what won’t, for committing to some hard work in order to reap the kind of benefits that don’t get handed over on a plate.
Don’t forget that Saturn is the Lord of Time. The clock is ticking loudly but in your business dealings be sure to set realistic deadlines and be honest with yourself about what you can deliver and when. In your personal life, if anyone has been moving the goal posts, now is the time to move them back again. If I had to sum up this week in one phrase it would be, don’t be a victim. Love yourself, stand up for yourself, go for what you want. When you are happy, clear, focused, firm and centered this has amazing “rippling” effects on everyone and everything around you. If you have something to say, something to do, there is no time like the present.
Wishing you a sociable and constructive week. There are links above to the website for more info about the astrology and tarot courses on the Greek Island Summer School or visit the new Facebook page – I’d love a LIKE and thanks to those who’ve already done so:
https://www.facebook.com/tarotastrologycourses
Apart from doing a tarot or astrology course, Lefkada is an idyllic place for a holiday. If you want somewhere special to stay check out the beautiful Palm Villas in Sivota, about twenty minutes drive out of Nidri. They’re now on Facebook and you can contact me direct for special rates:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palm-Villas/1418300018426376
And if you want to read more during the week, make comments or share your own stories why not join my Facebook Group – The World of Astrology. Here’s the link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/131108987086161/