There are still a few places left on Judy Hall’s course The Crystal Zodiac next week at The Greek Island Summer School. Scroll down past the blog to find out more about the travel bargains to Greece next Sunday 10 May.
The Astrology Blog – 4 May 2015
How does astrology really work? Holding the “as above, so below” principle – the macrocosm of celestial activity reflecting the microcosm of life here on planet Earth – it soon becomes apparent to the astrological student that we are not in the realms of clairvoyance. Accurate prediction takes place when astrological symbolism is placed within the context of a life, a relationship, a situation, a country, and so on. Such is the nature of horoscope work (the particular) as opposed to any kind of column or blog (the universal) but for both there is always a limit on how much we can “know” in advance.
I would go so far as to say that the better you are at interpreting symbols, the better astrologer you’ll be. Symbolism gets “fatter” as the moment of an astrological event moves closer (applying), the actual unfolding events putting the flesh on the bones. They get “thinner” once they’re past their point of exactitude (separating). This applies to the minutiae of life as well as the big issues. So, as an astrologer I would know for example that Sunday (yesterday) morning wouldn’t be the best of times for writing with a Mercury (words) opposition (challenge) to Saturn (delays). But I couldn’t “know” exactly what shape this suspected writer’s block would take.
As it happened it took shape in tiredness as we were woken early by a 7am church service, complete with the clanging of bells and wailing priest, which didn’t help with inspiration, then wasting time by trying to fix something on my website and giving up in frustration (definitely should’ve known better on that one), constant interruptions, including my poor little dog flying into the study and fixing my gaze appealingly. Mercury – Saturn is muteness – oh if only they could talk – but fortunately she’s white and I saw immediately that she had a wasp stuck in her coat. She’d obviously been stung but she was fine, just freaked. Something important that was posted to me ten days ago and supposed to take three days still hasn’t turned up but will hopefully turn up, along with one of my sister’s missing cats, now that the Mercury – Saturn opposition and the Full Moon have passed and are getting “thinner”! To the question, do you live your whole life by astrology, the above illustrates that knowing the astrology helps you to make sense of things or find the timing, but so often transits signal things that are out of our control anyway – such as wasps!
I ended last week’s blog with talking about the Full Moon that was exact in the early hours of this morning:
Monday 4 May
Full Moon at 13 degrees of Scorpio (04.43)
Sun square Jupiter (10.03)
To recap, I posted:
This is arguably the most difficult Full Moon of the year as Scorpio is the Moon’s sign of “fall” – the sign in which the softer and receptive lunar qualities struggle for expression. Scorpio belongs to Mars in traditional astrology, and any Moon/Mars combination is difficult (as indicated the other way around too, the Moon is “exalted” in Taurus, which in turn is Mars’ sign of detriment). This Full Moon falls in square to Jupiter (at 13 degrees of Leo) which is a classic “over the top” hallmark.
Two of Jupiter’s big concerns are religion and all things foreign. This tricky Full Moon/Jupiter symbolism is reflected in the rescue of thousands of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean and also in the shooting of the two gunmen in Dallas at a conference on cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed, organized by an anti Muslim group with the aim of making a stand for free speech. The stupidity and hypocrisy of this is hard to believe.
Another top story over the weekend that fits this rather “out of control” symbolism is Nepal. Scorpio is traditionally the sign of “death and rebirth”, and the news stories have moved from the shock and horror aspect of the massive quake and the death toll to the challenge of reconstruction and bringing aid into the country. The square to Jupiter – the Greater Benefic – fits the sadly all too common problem in disaster areas of receiving overwhelming amounts of aid but not having the means to distribute it fast enough. The rebuilding from the rubble (Scorpio/Pluto) is also an overwhelming task. Jupiter also rules all things large and all things related to long distance travel – the larger aircraft are unable to land because of damage to the airport runway.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could predict earthquakes? I looked at the horoscope for Nepal (all countries have their own charts, just as individuals do) and you can’t help but be immediately struck by the fact that Uranus is conjunct the Ascendant – the “front door” into all the houses and arguably the most sensitive part of any horoscope.
http://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Nepal
Nepal’s chart has an Ascendant of 26.08 Aries, Uranus is at 25.19 Aries. This is an apt symbolic showing of a country on a fault line – Uranus rules shocks and splits of all kinds (physical, mental and emotional) and is the obvious astrological significator for quakes. Nepal also has a long history of volatile political instability.
All planets have their own cycles, how long they take to travel through the 12 signs, and Uranus’ is 84 years. Looking at Nepal’s history the worst earthquake happened on 15 January 1934, right in the middle of a Uranus Return – ie when Uranus had completed an 84 year circuit and had returned to his original position and the Ascendant of the Nepal horoscope. Currently Uranus is approaching 18 degrees of Aries and so the next exact Return is yet to happen (May 2017 – March 2018) but at the time of the quake Uranus was at 17.30 Aries, exactly square the other main angle of the chart, the Midheaven, at 17.24 Aries.
What else is happening this week?
All times are stated in BST
Here’s the usual link for checking the signs and degrees of your natal planets. If you have planets or angles at 13 degrees of Scorpio – or the other fixed signs of Taurus, Leo or Aquarius – then this Full Moon in square to Jupiter will be especially significant for you. If you don’t already know the context, you soon will! Look for the hidden subtext and keep a sense of proportion.
http://www.alwaysastrology.com/birth-chart-calculator.html
The next aspect this week also features the Sun –
Wednesday Sun trine Pluto (08.09)
This harmonious aspect happens at 15 degrees of the earth signs of Taurus and Capricorn respectively. The latter is important as 15 degrees of Capricorn is the position of a fixed star called Vega, considered fortunate in nature and associated with artistic talent – and luck in politics! If I could muster enough interest to check out the charts of all the candidates for the UK general election I might make a stab at prediction – but at a rather cursory level I’ll just point out that Ed Miliband is a Capricorn with a Taurus Asc and his Midheaven (career and status) at 16 degrees of Capricorn … in other words this Sun – Pluto trine is playing into his horoscope. On the other hand David Cameron’s Sun is at 15.27 Libra and on the day of the election transiting Pluto is at 15.26 Capricorn, which rather spells goodbye to power.
Politics aside, what else might the Sun – Pluto trine signify? It’s an especially potent aspect as it follows hard on the heels of the Scorpio (Pluto’s sign) Full Moon. Any lingering issues from the weekend may well be resolved at this time. Pluto rules endings of the total kind – from slamming the door shut behind him to change of the transformational kind. If you’ve got loose ends of any kind to tie up, or if you have emotional issues to deal with, this aspect signals closure and acceptance. Personal power and potential is important too so, if you need to reinvent your life, yourself, your lifestyle, your relationship and so on, now’s your chance.
My favourite article in the news this week captures the Sun – Pluto message to perfection. This resonates deeply with me as I’ve recently taken the decision to let go of the guaranteed income of media work and to follow a very strong pull towards more travelling and teaching –
“Let go of the need to know how you will achieve your vision. You likely do not know how you will create your dream, your business or your next promotion, especially not in the beginning…instead of focusing on the how, focus on the who. Get a clear mental picture and a sense of who you need to be to achieve the goal.”
“Start with why you want to achieve the goal… Let yourself get excited… This reminder of why your vision is important to you can help you set that doubt aside.”
“Make a decision and a commitment. Once you define your dream or goal, decide that you want to live this way. This may seem basic but many people never decide and commit fully… Make a commitment to yourself.”
“Be a witness to the voice of self-doubt. As you notice the voice of doubt coming up, watch the thoughts that come up like an observer rather than participating in them… Recognise that it is the voice of the part of you that wants to keep you the same and to keep you in familiar territory… simply allow the doubt to be expressed and move on. Recognise that you are not your fear.”
http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20150430-smart-ways-to-trounce-self-doubt
The second half of the week brings a change of sign –
Thursday Venus ingress Cancer (23.53)
This isn’t recognized as one of Venus’s stronger placings but I do like this combination. Venus exiting Mercury’s rather flighty sign of Gemini and entering the Moon’s sign bodes well for putting all love and emotional issues onto a more committed and authentic footing. It’s out with just talking about things, or squabbling about them, and in with showing that you care.
Finally, Mercury moves back into the picture for the coming weekend –
Saturday Mercury square Neptune (17.10)
Mercury is now in Gemini, his sign of dignity, but as already noted has had to get past Saturn’s roadblocks last weekend, and now has to struggle through Neptune’s mists. Make a point of being crystal clear in your communications and arrangements. Mercury – Neptune squares are notorious for crossed wires, the wrong information or even deliberate deception. Note that Neptune rules alcohol – listen to what comes out over a few drinks – in vino veritas! Forgetfulness is in there too – if you’re travelling (my first group of students!) don’t forget your travel paperwork and your phone chargers!
Until next week,
With love from Greece
Joanna
Fancy a week of sun, fun and astrology?
11 May 2015 – The Crystal Zodiac
The Greek Island Summer School welcomes visiting and internationally acclaimed mind-body-spirit tutor and author Judy Hall. In this course Judy will be teaching how crystals and astrology can help you to understand and heal the past and move forward into the life your soul has planned. All course material is planned around your own horoscopes.
Suitable for all levels. 6 of 20 places available
THIS IS THE WEEK THAT THE REAL LAST MINUTE TRAVEL BARGAINS GO ON OFFER – YOU DON’T NEED TO SPEND HOURS FINDING THE BEST DEALS. CONTACT ME DIRECTLY FOR ALL INFORMATION AND HOW TO BOOK – VIA THE CONTACT BOX OR ON joannaw@otenet.gr
Does this (the next exact Return is yet to happen (May 2017 – March 2018) mean the possibility of next earthquake again in Nepal?
Sorry for the delay in seeing this comment and for the reply – but yes, I think the astrology does indicate the possibility of another big quake for Nepal. I hope I’m wrong though.
hi im interested in your astrology classes and courses pls keep me on ur list
im 6/7/62/dublin ireland 606am
i love astrology
tks