The Astrology Blog – w/b 28 April 2014
As above, so below, the astrological picture has been totally nuts for the last couple of weeks so for many people life has been at full stretch and many situations have reached that “elastic band” moment that I talked about on the 14 April blog in relation to the Grand Cross. To quote:
The bigger picture message is that whatever is at full stretch will now snap. It’s like an elastic band – you can’t stretch it forever. At some point it will ping back in your face. Tension cannot build and build without something eventually happening.
I’ve heard so many difficult stories that amply bear this out but in many cases the actual results are positive. There’s a definite theme of people clicking into action mode, to stop tolerating something that is in fact intolerable, to admit where help is needed and to set new wheels in motion. It’s a reminder of the old saying that you may not be able to change what happens but you can change your response. Even recognizing what you don’t want is a good starting point.
The final event of this rollercoaster is now unfolding as tomorrow morning brings the Solar Eclipse in Taurus. From an astronomical point of view this will be visible only in parts of Australia and Antarctica. From an astrological point of view it is, as ever, the symbolism that counts. If you have planets on or around 9 degrees of Taurus, or in the other fixed signs of Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius, this eclipse will sensitise a specific issue. We had a Lunar Eclipse two weeks ago and, again, to quote:
Some astrologers refer to eclipses as power points, others as omens of disempowerment. Either way, they tend to play a role in revealing new pictures. A shadow is thrown but lifts again and some changes may be linked to bringing things out of hiding. Triangular setups, such as affairs, also feature as eclipses are about the intricate relationship between the three bodies of the Sun, Moon and Earth. Someone may be overshadowed while another emerges in a new light.
To add, in traditional astrology the Sun and the Moon are called The Lights – the Sun being the light of the day (Lord of the day) and the Moon being the light of the night (Lady of the Night). In the physical body they rule the eyes. The Sun rules the right eye in a man and the left eye in a woman, and the Moon vice versa. This underlines the theme of vision. What is it that you haven’t seen (known about or understood) until now? How does this change your landscape?
The next eclipses won’t happen until October so this week’s eclipse is very much the final link in the chain of all the recent feverish activity. Interestingly the communication planet Mercury is on the act too, so the suggestion of new information/answers coming to light is stronger than usual. Here’s the sequence, all times in BST:
Tuesday
07.15 New Moon/Solar Eclipse at 9 degrees of Taurus
15.08 Moon conjunct Mercury
18.30 Mercury trine (harmonious) Pluto
Wednesday
09.44 Mercury sextile (harmonious) Jupiter
Some of the stories of the last couple of weeks have been examples of how quickly life can change. With this final sequence unfolding in a period of just over 24 hours it’s a theme that could easily be repeated or ongoing. Also take note of what is offered to you as the week kicks off, especially if you are on the search for something. Whether it’s a job, a home, a relationship, a creative challenge – the above picture is of the sort that introduces new factors/people and encourages you to move forwards. New seeds are being sown.
Probably one of the biggest Eclipse messages is that there is no future in the past and the old order changeth. Rather than kicking against natural endings of any kind, or dwelling on what might have been, it is more helpful to work with the idea that everything has its allotted time. Mercury now in stoical and hands-on Taurus feels like the chance to bring yourself down to earth, to recognize your own resilience and work with your resources. Money making ideas, or how you use your money, are part of this picture.
However, this is not to say that everything will proceed without a hitch. Mercury moves off Jupiter – good news, luck – to an opposition (challenging, inharmonious) to Saturn, an aspect that will be exact in the early hours of Saturday, 01.57 BST. By tough aspect Saturn signals blocks, barriers, delays or depression. In essence, Mercury – Jupiter is Yes, Mercury – Saturn is No. You may get good news on one matter, bad news on another. You may decide against something you’d previously thought to be a good idea or your weekend plans could be changed through cancellations. Or you may just have a bad day! Mostly it’s a picture of taking the rough with the smooth and being realistic. Try not to get bogged down with anything out of your control.
The last aspect of the week is harmonious, the Taurus Sun trine Pluto in Capricorn, exact in the early hours of Sunday at 01.35 BST. Given that Pluto has been playing such a powerful role of late, notably as part of the Grand Cross, by switching to retrograde a couple of weeks ago and by teaming up with Mercury this week within hours of the Solar Eclipse, this feels extra weighty. Pluto likes to wrap things up, underlining the earlier theme of the week of out with the old and in with the new, so look out for endings of the grand finale type or solutions/results that are linked to healing and empowerment.
UK WEEKEND WORKSHOP
Here’s an interesting idea….
Judy Hall is a well known astrologer, specialising in karmic work, and a prolific author. She’s running a weekend workshop in June in Glastonbury called Write Now. Astrology is one of the tools she’ll be using to help you get your creativity in flow:
13-15 June 2014 Write Now weekend at Glastonbury with Judy Hall
Have you always wanted to write? Is there a story waiting to be birthed? Are you suffering from writer’s block? Does lack of confidence hold you back? Or is it lack of inspiration? Do you want to write for fun, or with a view to publication?
This practical workshop will help you to write more freely and creatively, silencing your inner critic. Whether you are a beginner or an experience
Using astrocharacters is a great way to write your book – the last Booker prize winner was astrologically based. And being in the sacred surrounds of Glastonbury Abbey will inspire your imagination no matter what you’re writing about. Whether you’re a complete beginner or need an extra boost to get your writing moving join us for a weekend that will ignite your creativity. Fiction or non-fiction authors welcome.
Further details of this and other Judy Hall workshops: http://www.judyhall.co.uk/workshop/glastonbury-write-now-retreat/