The Astrology Blog – w/b 4 August 2014
All times stated are in BST.
You may remember that last week I dedicated this blog to a very close friend Paul who passed away unexpectedly 24 July. So this has been a very sad time for our community here in Greece. Some astrological feedback which I know Paul (he loved the blog) would appreciate ties in with the Mercury – Jupiter conjunction which was exact on Saturday. Last week I wrote: This picks out Saturday night as the best time of the week as Mercury/Jupiter contacts are lucky, sociable and the bringers of good news.
In Greece burials happen immediately but in Paul’s case matters have been delayed as the police were unable to find his brother, his only remaining next of kin. Finally Interpol got involve! And so his brother was found – on Saturday. Mercury (news) and Jupiter (all things international) is such a symbolically appropriate showing for results via Interpol and I know that Paul would have found this hilarious.
Mercury is a key player again this week starting with the awkward quinqunx to Pluto on Wednesday (12.43). This aspect happens when two planets are five signs apart, in this case Mercury at 11 degrees of Leo and Pluto at 11 degrees of Capricorn. Although the aspect is listed as “minor” I have found that it can still throw a pretty major spoke in the wheel. This particular combination feels a little like a retrograde Mercury so don’t be caught out. Keep your confidences for those whose trust is beyond doubt, allow extra time for travelling, back up your computer work (Pluto loves black holes!) and keep a close watch on all personal belongings when you’re out and about, especially keys, phones and cash cards or personal documentation of any kind.
Thursday brings Mars, now in his own sign of Scorpio, trine (harmonious) to Neptune also in his own sign of Pisces. So, a powerful trine in water signs (exact at 13.15) bodes well for your emotional life. For me of course it’s a wonderful omen for giving Paul the best possible send off – Neptune is grief, but he also rules the oceans, alcohol and Neptune/Pisces often feature strongly in the horoscopes of those who are musically or artistically talented – and we are holding the wake at our house with a view of the sea, live music and lots of wine! Paul had Moon in Pisces, had lived on a boat for most of his life and loved his theatre work.
This water trine is super sensitive so if you’ve got the “urge to merge” with someone now’s your chance. It’s all about connecting with others at a deeply empathic and emotional level, so there may be tears of either sadness or joy, both being therapeutic and healing. If you want to get your message across to someone about how you’ve felt, or vice versa, this is the time to let down your guard and let those feelings flow. Even if you worry about being confrontational or feeling uncomfortable, just think about the end result. There is absolutely nothing more bonding than sharing feelings. Even if you are pulling someone up on something that has upset you then you are giving the message of, “this matters to me, you matter to me.”
The end of the week brings an intriguing pattern that involves a complex dance between four planets – the Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Uranus:
Friday – The Sun conjunct Mercury (17.22)
This in itself is an easy and obvious aspect, especially with the Sun being in dignity in his own sign of Leo. As with the Mercury conjunct Jupiter this can signal a sociable time and good news, possibly in the shape of announcements. Leo loves an audience and a fanfare. As the Sun’s nature is to illuminate, this aspect is also brilliant for insights and understanding – possibly a chance to uncross wires that may get tangled up in the first half of the week. Light bulb moments or surprises are also signaled by the fact that this conjunction aligns with Uranus –
Friday – Mercury trine (harmonious) Uranus (21.15)
Saturday – Sun trine Uranus (01.37)
Again, these aspects are also great for your social scene as Uranus rules groups and gatherings.
The more difficult part of the picture is both Mercury and the Sun moving on to square up to Saturn –
Saturday – Mercury square Saturn (03.51) and Sun square Saturn (16.12)
Saturn throws up barriers or puts the brakes on. This clash with the Sun/Mercury can show as falling out with someone or paying for the night before in terms of hangover or absolutely no energy/bad mood/nobody talk to me etc. Or they can signal travel disruption or disappointments, such as cancelled/postponed arrangements or not hearing from the person you particularly wanted to hear from. Don’t force anything at this time. This whole configuration moves into a new frame on Sunday as we have the Full Moon at 18 degrees of Aquarius.
This is significant as it means that the Full Moon aligns with Saturn and creates an aspect pattern called a T Square. The Full Moon every month is when the Moon is exactly opposite the Sun, receiving all the light, and is therefore always in the opposite sign to the Sun. Mercury is also in the picture, by then at 20 degrees of Leo so still conjunct the Sun. The Moon and the Sun/Mercury all make a square to Saturn, producing an alignment in the shape of a T:
Moon 18 degrees Aquarius ¬¬¬¬opposite Sun/Mercury 18/20 degrees Leo
Both square to Saturn 17 degrees Scorpio
What does a T Square signify? As you might expect they are not easy, especially when they are formed in the fixed signs (immoveable, stubborn, inflexible) as this one is and especially when the third planet forming the leg of the T is a malefic – as we have here with Saturn. As the Moon and the Sun are known as the Lights in astrology – the lights of life, ruling the night world and day world between them – and Saturn is the “enemy of the Lights” there is obvious conflict. Look out for situations that involve three people – such as love triangles – or for situations that you cannot control/change or which are coming to a natural end. Some frustration or sadness will probably be inevitable but so often what is blocked to you turns out to be the very thing that sets you on a different path.
Finally, even without Saturn in the picture, remember that Full Moons are “lunations” and notorious for lunacy. Avoid domestics. If you’re dealing with any kind of volatile picture the weekend signals some kind of “full stretch” finale that is best met with dignity and acceptance.
Next week opens new cycles as the Full Moon wanes and both Mercury and Venus will be changing sign, and I’ll be talking more about this next time.