The Greek Island Summer School
23 May 2016
Combining Astrology & Tarot
Suitable for all levels
I’m very excited to announce that medium and tarot expert Avril Price will be our visiting tutor for the first course at the Summer School next year. Avril is mostly based at The College of Psychic Studies in South Kensington but also travels extensively. We’ve had a couple of meet ups in London during the last year and found that we’re definitely singing from the same hymn sheet in our approach to divination and psychology. Avril is warm, friendly and down to earth, passionate about her subject and extremely knowledgeable. Her mentoring is designed to teach you how to be a better tarot reader and also how to develop your psychic skills. You can find out more about Avril’s work on her fabulous new website:
http://www.avrilprice.com/
I’ll be teaching how to add the string of astrology to your bow for extra depth in your readings, in a way that is easy and effective to do, and doesn’t involved drawing up the whole horoscope in advance.
Final numbers to be decided but we’re taking bookings now so do get in touch if you’d like to put your name on the list.
The Astrology Blog 24 August
All times posted in BST
Overall this week’s themes are positive and potentially highly productive but, as I’ve been saying for the last few weeks, don’t forget that we have a backdrop of Venus currently in retrograde motion, and still with another two weeks to go.
Venus turns retrograde approximately every 19 months (October 2010, May 2012 and December 2013 were the most recent retrograde dates) for approximately 6 weeks at a time. She also repeats her retrograde patterns every 8 years – so in July 2007 Venus turned retrograde in early Virgo, returned to Leo and spent most of the retrograde period in this sign. This current retrograde period will end on 6 September. So before looking at the main astrological features of the week ahead here’s a checklist reminder, first posted a couple of weeks ago, of what to expect or how to honour while the love planet is in reverse:
• In a difficult or failing relationship? The fault lines are likely to be under extra stress and strain
• Try not to pretend that things are ok when they’re clearly not
• Deal with the key issues before the cracks widen past the point of repair
• This applies to all loved ones, not just partners
• Love difficulties – relationship not necessarily lost, but under review
• Single? Avoid the any relationship is better than no relationship trap – it’s worth holding out for the real deal
• New romance likely to start with hesitation or secrecy on one or both sides
• Any issue linked to affairs will be highly sensitized
• Unfolding events and experiences throughout the six week period of Venus’ retrograde journey are crucial to the outcome with regard to relationship decisions of all kinds
• No matter how sure you may be about a new attraction, try not to rush – there is a lot that you don’t know about this person, and vice versa
• Venus also rules money – watch the power balance around money in key relationships
• If there’s a major purchase or investment on the cards it’s a time for very thorough research, not impulsive buying that you may live to regret
• Be extra vigilant in all your financial dealings
• Balance the books – retrograde is great for “re” words such as repayment if money is owed or owing
• Venus also rules beauty – any major work not advised, such as plastic surgery
• Get “back” in touch with those who’ve been on your mind, especially women, and make sure they’re ok
• If you can help, financially or emotionally, just do it!
The most obvious retrograde Venus story in the news at the moment is the hacking of website Ashley Madison, which is all about encouraging people to have affairs. With a slogan of Life is Short – Have an Affair this company has built up a membership of a staggering 37 million people around the world, and continues to sign up new members at the rate of 35,000 a day. In keeping with classic retrograde symbolism the identity of the hackers remains unknown, other than that they call themselves the Impact Team and seem to have been formed purely to target this particular website.
Noel Biderman, the CEO of the company, is born 1 January 1971. Unfortunately there is no other birth data but you don’t really need to look any further than the date as he’s born on a triple conjunction of Venus and Mars (the love and sex planets) and Jupiter (expansion) all in Scorpio (the sign of sex, secrecy and all that is taboo). This is text book symbolism for a man who’s made his fortune through the infidelity of others. In my book Be Your Own Astrologer I give “takes” on the planets through the signs, and here’s the interpretation of Jupiter in Scorpio:
Jupiter expands whatever he touches. With Scorpio that means feelings, the good and the bad. There are no indifferent ones. These Jupiter people live life intensely and tend to take huge risks, emotionally or in pursuit of a goal. They can be immensely successful when they follow their passion. Sir Cameron Mackintosh knew he wanted to be a theater producer when he was 8 years old and emotional spectacles of power, sex and death such as Les Misérables are Jupiter in Scorpio personified.
So, back to the 37 million … As an astrologer it’s not my job or my place to sit in judgment. It’s my job to capture the “as above, so below” astrological symbolism, whether it relates to world events or an individual’s horoscope – or both. The next layer is to unravel the message. It’s worth remembering that this guy didn’t invent infidelity – it’s as old as the hills – but why are so many millions of people so dissatisfied with their sex lives that they would resort to this kind of subterfuge? Apparently the women members in particular have mostly cited the need for passion/feeling special in their lives – as captured in one of the website advertisements which showed a couple in the throes of passion, commenting that they are married – but not to each other. I’m venturing into territory here that could keep me going for another few thousand words so I’ll just wrap this up with the obvious – if you want to give your relationship a shot in the arm then check your passion levels! Psychotherapy teaches us that top of the list for a stagnating sex life is unresolved resentment, but laziness/lack of imagination are in the mix too. Venus (love and sex) in the fire sign of Leo (adoration, passion, confidence, vital sense of self) retrograde (withholding) – the astrological writing is on the wall.
What else is happening this week?
Mercury is a key player this week, finishing his journey through his own sign of Virgo and making a harmonious aspect to Saturn. This is the last aspect for both planets before they change sign, Mercury moving into Libra this week and Saturn moving on into Sagittarius in the middle of next month.
Wednesday Mercury sextile Saturn (17.09)
Thursday Mercury ingress Libra (16.46)
Note that Mercury will start to slow down once he enters Libra as he’ll turn retrograde in this sign mid September and will be going backwards and forwards through Libra until 2 November. I’ll be talking more about this in the coming weeks but for now this aspect to Saturn takes place at the end of their currents signs (28 degrees of Virgo and 28 degrees of Scorpio respectively) and therefore has all the hallmarks of finales, conclusions, important agreements or major/irreversible decisions. Any matter that has been dragging on can now be sorted so seize any opportunity to wrap up outstanding issues or tie up loose ends in either your personal or working life. Positive Mercury – Saturn aspects are generally great for list ticking, finding the answers and signing on dotted lines. Think closure.
Here’s the usual link for checking the sign and position of your natal planets:
http://www.alwaysastrology.com/birth-chart-calculator.html
When you enter your data – date, place and time of birth – you’ll then be able to pull up a visual of your horoscope. You don’t have to understand this in its entirety – just note if you have any planets at or close to any degree and sign that is currently significant. You can do this by hovering your mouse over each planet, and the information will show in the box at the top.
Midweek also brings a fabulous major aspect that happens only once a year, as the Sun takes a year to travel through all the 12 signs, whereas Jupiter takes 12 years –
Wednesday Sun conjunct Jupiter (23.08)
This conjunction falls at 3 degrees of Virgo (the last one was 24 July 2015 at 1 degree of Leo, the next one will be 26 September 2016 at 3 degrees of Libra) so if you have planets or angles on or close to this degree, or in the opposite sign of Pisces, then this is definitely a day for your diary! Jupiter is the planet of expansion as noted earlier and therefore tends to signal the things that make our world a bigger and better place. He rules luck, opportunity, education, travel, optimism and generosity. Take special note of the people you meet at this time or of those who go out of their way to help you with their time, love, money or expertise. People who come into our life under Jupiter’s auspices are good for us, they can teach us things or make things happen in a way that would otherwise have been a struggle or even impossible.
This major conjunction falls just three days before the Full Moon – in other words the Full Moon itself falls opposite Jupiter. Also the Full Moon is in Pisces, one of Jupiter’s signs –
Saturday Full Moon at 6 degrees of Pisces (19.36)
If you have planets between 3 to 6 degrees of Pisces – or in the opposite sign of Virgo or the other mutable signs of Sagittarius and Gemini – then this Full Moon will be some kind of milestone or highlight. Anything connected to Jupiter’s themes – the main ones being listed above – is likely to gather speed. Social events also tend to feature strongly under Jupiter aspects but these come with a word of warning! Pisces rules booze along with sensitivity so tears can all too easily flow along with the wine! Watch out for the Jupiter/Pisces theme of inflation – things getting blown up out of proportion – and remember that Full Moons are not associated with lunacy (lunar) for nothing. As I’ve commented many times before those who work in security related professions or in A&E departments know to get ready for the domestics and expect extra work at the times of the Full Moon. Otherwise though this line up is fun and if you need to let your hair down – now’s your chance!
Have fun, stay safe,
With love from Greece
Joanna
Soul and Spirit Magazine Annual Awards
Just a quick reminder that the closing date for these awards is mid September so there’s still time to cast your vote. I’ve been nominated for the Best Loved Astrologer category and a big thank you to everyone who’s voted for me so far – I really do appreciate your taking the time.
The way that these awards are designed has created some confusion still so just to clarify –
Round 1 – a couple of months ago you were asked TO NOMINATE people for lots of different categories, and it was your vote that got me into the category of Best Loved Astrologer.
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 –
http://www.soulandspiritmagazine.com/awards/
It’s very easy to do –
• Just click on the link and it will take you to the Awards page of Soul and Spirit magazine
• You’ll see a bright pink bar saying CLICK HERE TO VOTE. This will take you to a page that lists all the categories
• YOU DON’T HAVE TO VOTE FOR EVERY CATEGORY. However, if you don’t want to vote for any of the other categories, you must choose the option “Other” and write n/a
• The second page is for your personal details so that they can contact you if you win a prize!
What can you win?
When you vote you’ll be entered automatically into the prize draw to win one of 8 giveaways, worth more than £2,600, which are all prizes well worth winning –
• a 7 night trip to Bali
• Bach Original Flower Essences kits
• a place on a Cosmic Ordering Workshop
• an AromaWorks Beauty Bundle
I’d be thrilled if one of my voters were to win one of these prizes, so good luck!
http://www.soulandspiritmagazine.com/awards/
There are two big events still to come for this year, the first in Greece the week beginning 7 September and the second in London over the weekend of Halloween, 31 October/1 November
The Greek Island Summer School 2015
Synastry – The Astrology of Relationships is running the week beginning 7 September – just as Venus turns direct! Flights in Sunday 6 September, flights home Sunday 13 September. This course is designed to show you –
• How to assess the nature of relationships indicated in an individual horoscope
• How to compare two horoscopes to reveal areas of compatibility or incompatibility
• How to describe the type of relationship someone will experience
• How to use the timing measures of transits and progressions to map meetings, marriages and also times of stress or possible separation
• You’ll have the chance to work on your own horoscopes and others of your choice
There are 2 of 12 places remaining, and for the first time since the Summer School started 14 years ago there is a discount on offer, from £295.00 to £250.00.
The course fee includes 17 hours of tuition, all course materials, transport and a fabulous buffet lunch on the four study days. Let me know asap if you’d like to find out more and you can also go to the end of this newsletter for more info about the course. You can reply to this newsletter or start a new email joannaw@otenet.gr
Astrology workshops London
Lust, Love, Loss and Longing
Saturday 31 October & Sunday 1 November
10am-5pm
£85.00 per day, or £150.00 for both
Venue – The Astrological Lodge of London, 50 Gloucester Place W1U 8EA
If Greece is too far for you to come the good news is that I can now confirm an exciting weekend of relationship astrology in London, running the weekend of Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November. Suitable for all levels.
The two days are completely different but are designed to complement one another. This means that you can choose to do either day, or both. I’ll be joining forces with Ingrid Hoffman – astrologer and Imago Practitioner, founder of Trueheartwork, for this magical weekend http://www.trueheartwork.com/
Ingrid will be leading the therapeutic Saturday workshop, designed to explore Venus and Mars through the signs, and to show you how to:
Understand the wondrous duality of male and female, within yourself and in your relationships
Revisit and connect with the powerful attractive energy of Venus in your psyche
Step into the assertive Mars energy that is being sapped by stress or financial worry
Bring attraction and assertion into balance so you can begin to manifest the love you desire
Learn new ways of connecting and communicating with you partner or partner-to-be
I will be leading the Sunday workshop, in which I’ll be teaching how traditional horoscopy lies at the heart of assessing and understanding the synastry between two individuals:
What kind of partner do you attract and why?
How can astrology tell you when an attraction is mutual and beneficial, and whether or not you are compatible?
What is a “cosmic marriage” and how do you know if you’re with a true soul mate?
Why can you live easily with one person but not another? How to compare the all important Moon signs in terms of emotional natures and needs
How to use astrology to answer all types of love questions, including how to handle conflict
How to use the timing measures of transits and New/Full Moons to predict dates for meetings, marriages and significant milestones within a relationship
You’ll be working on your own horoscope on both days so please have your data to hand when booking – your date, place and time of birth. Your own chart will be drawn up by me in advance but you can also bring along one other horoscope of your choice, either a partner or a key person in your life, if you wish.
email joannaw@otenet.gr for all enquiries or bookings – with thanks.