The Astrology Blog 8 February 2016
What’s happening this week?
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
There’s been some really tough astrology recently and I have to say that by comparison this coming week feels like a breath of fresh air. We start with the New Moon –
Monday New Moon at 19 Aquarius (14.40)
This feels very uplifting for Sue and me as our natal Chiron is at 18 Aquarius. In particular, Sue was diagnosed two weeks ago with an underactive thyroid and has just started the meds, and is already making a noticeable recovery. The problem was discovered two weeks ago when Mercury turned direct, which was textbook astrology – hidden issues coming to light, and Mercury rules the thyroid. So at the time of this New Moon it’s worth also remembering the usual checklist of things to expect as Mercury gets back to business, and especially as he’s now getting back to full speed –
• Breaking news, expected or unexpected, that affects us or someone close to us
• Important information comes to light or secrets are revealed
• Light bulb flashes of insight
• We stop talking/thinking about something and realize that we need to make decisions
• People get back to us re decisions
• We get back in touch with someone, or they get back in touch with us
• We feel more courageous or determined to make something happen
• We stop pretending
• We stop avoiding
• We tackle/say the things we’ve been putting off
• We get back to a matter that was first important three weeks ago
• Memory kicks in and we deal with what or who has been off our radar
• Disputes or areas of miscommunication are cleared up
• We find the right person to deal with the problem beyond our own expertise
• Computer glitches/communication technology are solved/sorted
• Rumours are squashed when the truth outs
• We find what we have been looking for – from lost objects to spiritual needs
So, New Moons are fantastic for fresh starts of all kinds and this time Mercury is helping out. In the sign of Aquarius look for things ruled by this sign – groups, friendships, picking up your social life, getting involved with a cause that matters to you and taking an interest in your community. A recent happiness survey showed that those who felt a valued part of their community were at the top of the list for general life satisfaction.
Mercury is also on his way into Aquarius –
Saturday Mercury ingress Aquarius (22.44)
This too will herald a new chapter, especially as this is “take 2”, ie Mercury first entered Aquarius on 2 Jan but then almost immediately turned retrograde and retreated back into Capricorn. I’ll be talking more about this next week, but for now note that the sign of Aquarius is also linked to objectivity, the intellect and the rational mind. This would suggest that problem solving now really needs the head rather than the heart. If you’ve been through any kind of emotional storm the conditions are now settling and the time is right to start processing. Probably a good time to remember the trauma chain –
1. Trauma (anything upsetting)
2. Denial (this can’t be happening…he/she didn’t lie to me…I’m not lying to myself)
3. Feelings (identifying and acknowledging what they really are, such as rage, guilt, shame, resentment, grief etc)
4. Acceptance (it’s happened, it’s over)
5. Resolution (moving on)
The speed at which each individual can work through this chain obviously varies enormously, as so much depends on the nature of the trauma and the nature of the individual personality. But the sooner we can work through it, the better for us. Many of us are quite capable of staying stuck at base number 2 or 3 for a long time (sometimes years…) and if you recognize yourself in that then this is an ideal time to get to work on that stuckness!
This is strongly supported by the fact that the other key player this week is Jupiter, whose main principle is expansion. Jupiter’s job is to make our world a bigger and better place, hence his link with luck and opportunity, and anything that points us towards emotional or geographical wider horizons. Mr Big of the skies is all about possibilities and optimism, and this week he aligns harmoniously with Venus and Mars –
Wednesday Venus 21 Capricorn trine Jupiter 21 Virgo (07.55)
Saturday Mars 21 Scorpio sextile Jupiter 21 Virgo (23.00)
Venus and Mars are traditionally the love planets so these aspects bode well either for resolving love issues, including escape from a relationship that is unhealthy, limiting or just plain wrong for you as Jupiter is also The Liberator, or for getting a new romance off the starting blocks. Also pay close attention to people you meet this week as Jupiter tends to introduce those who are good for us, from helping hands that lighten our load right through to benefactors and life changing teachers. In addition, Venus rules money and the sweet things of life, and Mars – strong in his own sign of Scorpio – is your “can do” attitude and approach to life.
The aspect to Mars is highly relevant for me with my Ascendant at 21 Scorpio, and Jupiter being the ruler of my Sun sign Sagittarius. I already have a handle on what this is about as the Asc rules the 1st House of the physical body, Jupiter is in Virgo sign of health, Mars is energy and Scorpio is linked to regeneration. For me I think this is about processing grief, recovering from what I can only describe as an emotional battering that has definitely taken its toll on my physical well being. Anyone who’s suffered a major bereavement will vouch for how it knocks you sideways and even the simplest of tasks require a huge effort. Recovery and getting back to work both fit the bill, especially as Jupiter rules both education and long distance travel – so flying back to the UK (which for me is abroad!) and sorting out travel for those who are booking for the Summer School here in Greece.
Wishing you a great week and may Jupiter bring you what you wish for,
With love from Greece
Joanna