The Astrology Blog 15 February 2016
You can scroll down past the blog for info updates on all courses here in Greece and the forthcoming London astrology and tarot workshops.
What’s happening this week?
All times 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 main event is that Mercury has just changed sign. Any planet’s ingress into a new sign is linked to new cycles but this one is especially important as it also coincides with Mercury coming out of shadow. In other words, Mercury has just returned to the sign and degree at which he turned retrograde, and here’s the sequence –
• 2 Jan Mercury ingress Aquarius
• 5 Jan Mercury turns retrograde at 1 degree of Aquarius
• 25 Jan Mercury turns direct at 15 degrees of Capricorn
• 13 Feb Mercury ingress for the second time
• 14 Feb Mercury reaches 1 degree of Aquarius for the second time
As above, so below. Pay close attention to events unfolding for you as this week gets underway as they hold the potential to make a significant difference to your future. You may remember from earlier blogs that I said that the New Year would be a false start for many, and that that real New Year would start 25 Jan when Mercury turned direct again. Mercury coming out of shadow is also fabulous for new resolutions and is a breath of fresh air.
In particular, Mercury ruled concerns (communication in all forms and guises, such as news, information, decisions, paperwork) are absolutely crackling. Also note Aquarius related themes – such as groups, friendships and technology. Great time to buy that new phone, tablet, computer, car etc. You may also find that you return to issues that had to be put on the back burner early January and that you can now tackle them with a fresh head or with the right information or help that you need.
Some textbooks will tell you that Mercury is “exalted” in Aquarius – ie his best sign – although traditional astrology says that Mercury is exalted in Virgo, one of his own signs. But generally Mercury is happy in the air signs, element of the mind and intellect. Am indebted to Ronnie Lloyd – one of two people to whom Be Your Own Astrologer is dedicated, the other being Paul Hitchings, both amazing therapists – who pointed out an omission in the trauma chain that I talked about last week. I mentioned the five phases of trauma, denial, feelings, acceptance and resolution. Ronnie reminded me that the latter stages are very much connected with finding meaning – why did this happen, what does it mean, what am I supposed to be learning, what does it tell me about me/my life/my relationships etc. This is a vital component. As an astrologer I of course find meaning for myself primarily through astrology, and it’s the search for meaning that is partly the reason that people seek readings. Mercury emerging from the shadows and into a sign in which he’s strongly placed bodes extremely well for making sense of events in your own life, to the extent of getting a new handle on an issue and finding that moment of resolution.
The love and money planet Venus is also heading into Aquarius –
Wednesday Venus ingress Aquarius (04.18)
If you’ve ever wanted to try internet dating the conditions are perfect (but please practice the usual safety measures, such as arranging first dates somewhere safe and letting friends or family know where you’ll be). Otherwise Venus’ change of sign is ideal for meeting new people through groups and clubs, or for letting a friendship blossom first. Make having things in common a top priority. If you have financial matters to put in order now is the time to do so, or to seek financial advice if you’re in a muddle and need to get new systems in place. Aquarius is the most systematic of all the signs and loves a plan!
The Sun is also changing sign, moving from Aquarius into Pisces at the end of the week –
Friday Sun ingress Pisces (05.35)
This underlines this week’s main theme of progress and transition. We’re reminded that nothing stays the same forever and even something that has felt hopelessly stuck or impossible to resolve could now start moving. Alternatively, it may be a matter of dropping something that has already taken up too much time and energy, and realizing that your best interests lie in the direction of brand new cycles (characterized by the arrival of new people, resolutions, decisions, outside events etc).
Again, this is underlined by the fact that the Sun’s first aspect after changing sign will be the Full Moon early next week –
Monday (22nd) Full Moon at 3 degrees of Virgo (18.21)
Full Moons occur when the Sun lines up exactly opposite the Moon, which is why they’re always in the opposite sign (New Moons are the Sun and Moon conjunct in the same sign). I’ll be talking more about this event next week but for now note that the Full Moon’s job is to illuminate or to bring a matter full circle. Events unfolding over the coming weekend may well pave the way.
Until next week,
With love from Greece
Joanna
COURSES AND WORKSHOPS 2016
An update on all forthcoming events – and some amendments to note, starting with A CHANGE OF DATE for The Astrology of Relationships at The Greek Island Summer School in September. This was originally planned to start on the 12th but will now start on the 9th. This is because by Sept we have the option of Thursday flights and packages (flying out 8th Sept, return flights the following Thursday 15th), which have turned out to be literally half the cost of the same holidays linked to Sunday flights.
The travel bargain is with Olympic Holidays, accommodation at Demetra Studios, a small block of lovely rooms set in their own gardens, on the seafront and just a few minutes walk to the main harbor.
http://www.olympicholidays.com/greece/lefkada/lefkada/demetra-studios/
Just £367 covers your flights, luggage allowance, accommodation (single person occupancy with ensuite bathroom and private balcony) and transfers to and from the airport. There is only this one flight coming to the island on Thursdays so if you want to do this course it’s advisable to book immediately. You can secure your package with a deposit with Olympic Holidays.
9 Sept 2016 – The Astrology of Relationships
(4 of 10 places available)
Astrologically the change of date is perfect. This course was planned to celebrate the beginning of Jupiter’s 12 month journey through Libra, the sign of partnership, and in fact Jupiter arrives in this sign exactly on the 9th. What does your horoscope tell you about the nature of your relationships? How to locate your love life in your chart, everything from meetings to marriages. How to interpret synastry, the comparison of two horoscopes that reveals the chemistry – and the issues! We’ll be working with transits and progressions. Suitable for intermediate level.
ALSO ON OFFER AT THE GREEK ISLAND SUMMER SCHOOL 2016
23 May 2016 – Tarot & Astrology
(9 of 20 places available)
Suitable for all levels – How to combine the two crafts and develop your psychic skills
We start 2016 with a visiting tutor, tarot expert and psychic medium Avril Price. I will be teaching how to use astrology as an extra string to your interpretative and divinatory bow, adding fine tuning timing to your reading without the need to draw up the whole horoscope in advance.
This week’s top deal is from Thomas Cook – Borsalino Studios
Offering £189 discount per person!
https://www.thomascook.com/holidays/greece/
This is a small hotel set in its own gardens, across the road from the beach, and a few minutes walk to the main harbor where you’ll find all the tavernas and shops. As with all Greek hotels the rooms are not huge, but they all have ensuite shower rooms and private balconies. It’s next door to the Bel Air, where Avril herself and a few others are staying, and close to a couple of lovely tavernas that end of the village too, ones that I often use for group meals in the evenings so it’s an ideal location. The price for single person occupancy is currently discounted by £189 – so it’s £351 for the week to have your own room, including flights, transfers and baggage allowance. No hidden extras!
6 June 2016 – Discovering Astrology
(8 of 10 places available)
Lift astrology out of the Sun sign columns and discover the fascinating world of horoscopy. Suitable for beginners and refreshers.
There are no package deals on offer as yet for this week, although they will happen as this is the week after half term. For now the cheapest way to do this week is to opt for flight only. The destination airport is PREVEZA (PVK). The airport is on the mainland but we are joined by a causeway so the transfer time is 45 minutes, with no ferry links involved.
The best deal at the moment is with British Airways from Heathrow, special offer of return flight for £248, incl 20k of luggage allowance, with Charter Flights, and friendly flight times:
Sun 5 June, Heathrow to Preveza
09:40, land15:15
BA9130C
Sun 12 June, Preveza to Heathrow
16:15, land 17:45
BA9131C
http://www.charterflights.co.uk/flights/greece/preveza
Or speak to Barry or Joanna on 0208 714 0010
I can arrange transfers from and back to the airport for around €20 per person each way, and accommodation for between €30-40 a night (£20-£30 a night).
LONDON WORKSHOPS
I made a mistake in last week’s mailing re course info with regard to places available! These workshops have only just been announced so there’s still plenty of spaces, and time to book if you want to come along and meet likeminded people, learn more about tarot and astrology, and have the chance to give and receive a reading. Additional tutors will be joining us so you don’t have to worry if you’re a beginner – there’ll be lots of help and input to guide you.
Suitable for beginners to intermediate
Saturday 2 April
(14 of 20 places available)
Be a Better Tarot Reader – exploring card meanings, choosing and using the best spreads, and how to conduct a reading. Please be sure to bring a pack of tarot cards with you. I work with Rider Waite but you can bring any deck of your choice.
Sunday 3 April
(13 of 20 places available)
Understanding Astrology – you have a horoscope sitting in front of you, but what does it all mean? How to make accurate interpretations re personality and destiny in life, love and vocation. You’ll be exploring your own horoscope in this workshop so please have your data to hand when you book – your date and place of birth, and time of birth as accurately as possible – so that I can prepare your chart in advance.
Venue for both workshops
The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place W1U 8EA
Hours – 10am-5pm
Cost – £85.00 per day, or £150.00 for both
PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS
1 of 4 slots available for private readings the week beginning Easter Monday, 28 March. Do get in touch asap if you’d like to book.
