The Astrology Blog – 1 February 2016
As above, so below – in individual lives and in world events. The day that Mercury turned retrograde (5 Jan), and square Mars (war) Kuwait announced the decision to recall their ambassador to Iran as a regional row over the execution of a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia deepened. Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran had been ransacked and set alight and they broke off diplomatic ties with Iran in response.
On the same day a friend (Gemini, Mercury ruled) turned up at hospital for her long awaited hip operation only to find that the surgeon had had a family crisis and his list for the day had been cancelled. I was relieved, I didn’t want her to have the op under such inauspicious skies, but as so often happens the astrology showed itself in a way that we couldn’t foretell – just that the plan went wrong! The reason for mentioning all of this is that this same friend is back to the hospital today for op take 2 – so good luck Mary.
What’s happening this week?
All times stated in GMT
As usual start by noting that if you have natal planets or angles at or close to any of the signs and degrees featuring this week then unfolding events will be especially significant for you. Here are the usual links for checking the position of your own planets and angles:
http://www.alwaysastrology.com/birth-chart-calculator.html
You can also try this calculator, which lists all your planets and angles rather than bringing up the visual of the horoscope, so for non astrologers it’s easier to use.
http://astro.cafeastrology.com/cgi-bin/astro/natal
The difficult aspects to Mercury are clearing (the ones that have been ongoing since the middle of December). We had the last square to Uranus in the early hours of this morning (Monday). Mercury is now starting to pick up speed again having turned direct a week ago, and his next aspect is to Jupiter which, again, is the last of a series of three. Here’s a reminder of the sequence –
Mercury trine Jupiter (harmonious)
• Friday 25 December 23 degrees Capricorn/23 degrees Virgo
• Friday 15 January 23 degrees Capricorn/23 degrees Virgo (Mercury retrograde)
• Saturday 6 February 22 degrees Capricorn/22 degrees Virgo
Any ongoing matter/discussion that aligns with or close to these dates, and in particular in relation to subjects ruled by Jupiter, is headed for its finale. Jupiter matters are education, publishing, travel, all things foreign, justice and all things legal, and anything/anyone that makes your world a bigger and better place. The combination of Jupiter with Mercury generally spells good news, often of the kind to celebrate, Jupiter being the “greater benefic” of the heavens.
Generally we can stick the word BIG before Jupiter aspects but the spoke in the wheel is that Jupiter is currently slow moving and only three weeks into his long retrograde journey through Virgo (Jupiter’s sign of detriment). Therefore final answers and outcomes are more likely to be characterized by the following –
• They may not be perfect, in terms of what you ideally wanted
• They may not be immediate
• Or you have the chance to resolve something that has been necessarily time consuming or already on the back burner for too long
So, go with the best you can make of a matter, simplify and avoid taking on unnecessary slog, and get those irons in the fire, especially the ones you want sizzling by the spring (Jupiter turns direct early May).
What else is happening this week? Midweek promises to be productive, especially in terms of things that have been difficult to deal with –
Wednesday
• Mars 16 Scorpio sextile Pluto 16 Capricorn (10.48)
• Sun 14 Aquarius sextile Saturn Sagittarius (18.19)
Mars is currently dignified in his own sign of Scorpio, and is in harmonious aspect to Pluto, co-ruler of Scorpio. This is also what’s called a “mixed reception”, as Mars is in Pluto’s sign and Pluto is in Capricorn, Mars’ sign of exaltation. It doesn’t get much more powerful than that! If you’re self employed this is wonderful empire building stuff, and it’s also great for anything that falls into the “needs to be changed or transformed” category. This includes jettisoning anything that no longer serves you – Pluto in particular rules endings. However, the mixed reception also signals that Pluto’s rebirth imagery is waiting to be tapped into and that there are moves you can make, such as enlisting help. But step into your own authority too and note that determination of the one last ditch attempt variety could swing something your way. If there’s anyone who can pull strings for you then ask. This aspect is also packed with emotional and physical healing potential. If you or a loved one has a health issue, and if you don’t feel as if anyone has got to the bottom of it, now’s the time to find a new practitioner. The Mars – Pluto combination is all about digging under the surface and using all your resources to maximum capacity.
The Sun – Saturn sextile on the same day carries much of the same symbolism, as Saturn also rules endings as well as resources, but is also about the work ethic, putting things in order and dealing with authority or with those who are authorities in their own field. These two planets together also carry a lot of weight for health concerns and bode well for finding answers that can be implemented long term.
The rest of this week’s astrology is packed into the end of the week, from Friday to Sunday.
Saturday
• Venus conjunct Pluto 16 Capricorn (01.13)
• Sun 17 Aquarius sextile Uranus 17 Aries (16.40)
• Mercury trine Jupiter (18.46) – see beginning of blog
• Venus 17 Capricorn square Uranus 17 Aries (22.04)
Sunday
• Sun 18 Aquarius square Mars 18 Scorpio (12.09)
• Venus 18 Capricorn sextile Mars 18 Scorpio (15.02)
Working on the as above so below principle, when a lot of aspects create a pack like this it indicates a lot of things going on at the same time or a lot of people being involved in a situation and battling for position. In fact, every planet with the exception of Neptune is having a say this week. It’s a very mixed picture so we can expect the emergence of many different stories, some representing closure as the third and final Mercury – Jupiter is in there too. Venus is a leading lady, playing into the (now separating) Mars – Pluto sextile, and also making a square to Uranus, before harmonizing with Mars. So, for example, a drama that starts on Friday night could be resolved by Sunday afternoon. Whatever your personal context, love and money issues are touchy, and the unexpected is in the mix, so keep your wits about you. Next week is a lot easier, starting with a New Moon, so no matter how fraught things might get just remember that they will get sorted pretty quickly.
Until next week, with love from Greece,
Joanna
