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The Astrology Blog – w/b 5 May 2014
All times stated are in BST.
It’s a cheerful start to the week as the Sun aligns with Jupiter by sextile (harmonious) on Tuesday (10.55). Jupiter is traditionally the “Greater Benefic” and he rules good fortune, learning, legal concerns, travel and all matters related to overseas. Say yes to any opportunity or listen to any advice linked to these themes. A turn of events could point you in the right direction, make a plan possible or introduce the people who can help you or who will be good for you. Things tend to come together easily under this aspect, so deal straightaway with any jobs or issues that are a top priority.
Mercury is also in supportive mood as he moves into his own sign of Gemini on Wednesday (ingress exact at 15.58). Winged messenger Mercury rules communication and information in all its guises and the sign of the Twins signals duality or even multiplicity. There’s more than one way of doing things and so often our outlook can be affected by our perception of choice. Mercury’s change of sign is a real mood lifter, reminding us that we have options rather than being stuck with something unchangeable, even if it’s only a shift in attitude. At a more practical level this new cycle is also brilliant for decision making or agreements that involve either one other person or a group. Business wise think sharing. Reciprocal website links, social media, anything that spreads the word and gets people talking is the way forwards.
The second half of the week is harder going as the Sun starts travelling towards an opposition with Saturn (exact Saturday 19.29). The Sun and Saturn are never a comfortable match which makes sense when you think of their traditional roles, the Sun as the life force and Saturn as the Grim Reaper. As always, think symbolically. The Sun wants to breathe life into something but Saturn’s nature under a difficult aspect is to end, block or obstruct. Don’t bash your head against any brick wall at this time.
The love picture is interesting as Venus is now on her way through Aries and will be travelling through this sign until the end of the month, while Mars is in the middle of an epic voyage through the opposite sign of Libra. He is currently “stationing” – slowing down in order to switch from retrograde to direct motion in a couple of weeks time. Here are two more planets travelling towards a standoff, opposing each other at the weekend, exact on Sunday (10.28).
Oppositions are challenging by nature and tend to signal times of conflict, if only because your differences are staring you in the face. Difficult Venus/Mars aspects are classic for relationship spats, those moments when you may even struggle to remember what you really have in common. On this occasion the two planets are both in “detriment” (weakened by being opposite to the signs they rule). In traditional astrology Venus rules Libra, sign of relating and partnership, whereas Mars rules Aries, sign of individuality and ego, so at some level this is all about face and the wrong way around. There’s a big push-pull feel to this opposition, the different natures of the two planets are being underscored, and issues of compromise or equality will be especially sensitive.
The helpful bit is that the two planets are in “mutual reception”. What does that mean? Mutual reception is when two planets occupy each other’s signs – which is the case now with Venus in Aries (Mars’ sign) and Mars in Libra (Venus’ sign). The reception signals that there is a move that can be made, that you can in fact step into each other’s shoes and look at a matter through each other’s eyes. This applies to all relationships and to all matters that are troublesome in terms of generating conflicting points of view. New romance may carry the hallmark of opposites attract with the issue of compatibility up for further investigation!
Re the bigger picture note that Venus opposing Mars is the beginning of Venus’ journey through the Grand Cross that is still “in orb”. In other words, the four planets creating the Grand Cross – Mars opposite Libra, Jupiter opposite Pluto – are still occupying roughly the same degree but in four different signs. Venus will aspect the other three planets next week, just as this formation starts to break up as the fastest moving of the four is currently Jupiter who is picking up speed and will be out of the formation by the end of next week. I’ll be talking more about this next time but for now look out for the signs of a conflict reaching a conclusion or changes happening in a way that, up until now, you would never have thought of. You might also want to question who/what you have given too much power to.
Finally, the Venus – Mars opposition coincides with Mercury square Neptune just a few hours later (Sunday 13.36). Back to the scenario of personal differences this aspect certainly doesn’t help. Under a difficult aspect Neptune mists the lens and distorts the truth so this is a bit like having a retrograde Mercury and the same guidelines apply, such as not believing everything that you’re told or expecting to deal with something highly confusing or upsetting. Mercury/Neptune is an extremely sensitive combination and a classic for misunderstandings and crossed wires, so tread carefully and check your facts.
Here’s the link to the new Facebook page – I’d love a LIKE and thanks to those who’ve already done so:
https://www.facebook.com/tarotastrologycourses
Apart from doing a tarot or astrology course, Lefkada is an idyllic place for a holiday. If you want somewhere special to stay check out the beautiful Palm Villas in Sivota, about twenty minutes drive out of Nidri. They’re now on Facebook and you can contact me direct for special rates:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palm-Villas/1418300018426376
And if you want to read more during the week, make comments or share your own stories why not join my Facebook Group – The World of Astrology. Here’s the link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/131108987086161/