COURSES
If you want to explore the fascinating subject of astrology for yourself, and enjoy a week on this beautiful Greek island of Lefkada, I am running:
· Astrology Week for beginners/refreshers, starting Monday 23 September – 4 of the 8 places available.
· Tarot Week for refreshers/intermediate, starting Friday 6 September – 1 of the 8 places available.
· You can contact me direct on joannaw@otenet.gr
If you want to go straight to the columns here are the links for the weekly and monthly horoscopes:
http://www.avonconnects.co.uk/docs/DOC-5930
http://www.networkshe.co.uk/category/horoscope
What’s happening this week?
As I said last week the second half of August is packed with activity. We start with the unusual phenomenon of the Full Moon falling in Aquarius for the second month running. The first one fell at 0 degrees of Aquarius on 22 July, this one falls at 28 degrees in the early hours of Wednesday (exact at 02.46 BST). Any aspect pattern or lunation (new or full moon) that involves planets at 0 degrees is especially potent as it speaks of a brand new beginning – a clean page. Similarly, the last degrees of a sign signal a completion. So whatever particular issue/wish/event that started a month could reach a rapid conclusion.
This is underlined by Jupiter squaring up to Aquarius’ co-ruler Uranus just a matter of hours later. This is a major aspect that will repeat next February and April. For now look out for sudden changes as Uranus rules the unexpected. Like The Tower in the Tarot he is often the bolt from the blue, the thing you couldn’t possibly have seen coming, but he is also progress and innovation. The square is a challenging aspect but Jupiter is the Greater Benefic – he is good for us – and sometimes we have to have the rug pulled from under our feet to move us on. So this can be an exciting time if we’re willing to roll with a few punches, to embrace the new and not run from a bit of risk taking.
Love dramas will be part of the picture for some as Venus is now travelling through her own sign of Libra and on Thursday she reaches 6 degrees of this sign. This means that she is then the 4th planet in a major aspect pattern called a Grand Cross – four planets all 90 degrees apart. This Grand Cross is formed in what are known as the cardinal signs:
· Uranus at 12 degrees of Aries
· Jupiter at 12 degrees of Cancer
· Venus at 6 degrees of Libra
· Pluto at 9 degrees of Capricorn
One of the traditional interpretations of this aspect pattern is “a cross to bear” although this rather suggests a burden that can’t be lifted. I feel that it is more a case of a situation reaching its ultimate stalemate first, the real issues locking into place, the unfolding of events that show us where “something’s gotta give”. Venus as the fastest moving planet of the four will work her way through the Grand Cross between Thursday and the middle of next week. So, for many, it will be a case of making or breaking a relationship, or thrashing out a debate, or working out the terms of new arrangements, personal or professional – and so on. The bigger picture message is that we need some tension in order to grow, and that there’s rarely change without some kind of conflict.
In the middle of all the drama the Sun and Mercury slide into analytical Virgo at the end of the week, and unite on Saturday evening. This feels like “the voice of reason”, a moment of pure insight and a clear understanding of “the heart of the matter”. If the end goal is acceptance then doing away with any kind of pretence is probably the best possible point of reference and our strongest life line.
