THIS WEEK’S BLOG
If you’re missing the weekly blog you can start your subscription from last week and still get the 3rd and 10th July issues today. Topics covered in last week’s blog include –
- Horoscopes for Mick Jagger, Sarah Ferguson, Madonna, Donald Trump
- Saturn transits in health or accountability issues
- Relationship Astrology – the nuts and bolts, how to locate the astrology in individual horoscopes to describe the type of partner and relationship experiences
- The vital role of House Rulership – how astrology really takes off when we start asking not just what is this planet, but who is this planet?
- Emmanuel Macron and the French crisis
- This week’s astrology – Full Moon in Capricorn opposite Mercury
- A fast-moving Mercury with four more aspects to make on his last leg through Cancer
- Mars tangling with Neptune and Pluto before changing sign next Monday
WHAT’S COMING UP THIS WEEK?
This coming week is important as both Mercury and Mars change sign and embark upon new journeys. Mars will enter Virgo on Monday and will travel through this sign until 27 August. Mercury will enter Leo in the early hours of Tuesday, is still at top speed and will whizz through this sign 11 – 28 July.
In direct contrast to that fast moving picture there’s a slower thread in the weave as Venus is slowing down, also in Leo, in readiness for turning retrograde on 23 July. This happens approximately every 18 months so it’s a much rarer event than Mercury retrograde (3 times a year).
I’ll be talking about the symbolism of a “stationing retrograde’ Venus and how to see where this is positioned in your own horoscope. At the same time Chiron will be turning retrograde in Aries so there’s a theme in the making between these two planets, both on a go slow in fire signs.
I’ll also be talking about the monthly events of the Moon’s conjunctions with Jupiter and Uranus who are both in Taurus. The Sun aligned with Jupiter last weekend and is now heading to repeat that sextile aspect with Uranus next weekend. Lively stuff!
GREEK ISLAND SUMMER SCHOOL – SEPTEMBER COURSES
WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST – The Astrology of Relationships – with Joanna
2 of 10 PLACES AVAILABLE
Level – Beginners/Refreshers, but this is a fast moving course, so even if you’re a higher level you can still learn a lot and plug your gaps!
Any practising astrologer will tell you that it’s virtually unheard of to do a reading that doesn’t include questions about love, marriage or affairs. So the focus will be on putting theory into practice, working on plenty of horoscopes including your own.
WEDNESDAY 6 SEPT – How to Make Predictions – with Sally Kirkman
Suitable for all levels
1 of 10 PLACES AVAILABLE
Sally Kirkman’s course, originally scheduled 2 years ago but delayed for pandemic reasons, is now confirmed and is definitely going ahead. Sally is brilliant at prediction work in connection to events – eg she got all five categories right for the last Oscars!
WEDNESDAY 13 SEPT – Cards & Charts on the Table
Refreshers/Intermediate Tarot & Beginners Astrology with Joanna
2 of 10 PLACES AVAILABLE
A repeat of the June course but with more focus on the tarot, especially in relation to card meanings and how to interpret your cards within the context of specific spreads. Introducing astrology to enrich your understanding of the cards and to assist with timing measures.
FLIGHTS
Prices change all the time. The best way to keep track is to use Skyscanner. Here are some of the prices as of this morning –
These are for a return flight for a week to our local airport Preveza (PVK), 40 mins transfer to Nidri on the island of Lefkada.
- Wednesday 30 August – £00 BRISTOL, £171.00 GATWICK
- Wednesday 6 September – £00 BRISTOL, £185.00 GATWICK
- Wednesday 13 September – £00 BRISTOL, £217.00 GATWICK
THE ASCENDANT – or RISING SIGN
What is it?
The Ascendant (or Rising Sign) is not a planet but the sign rising over the eastern horizon at the time of our birth and it marks the beginning of the first house. This crucial angle can be calculated to exactitude only if the time of birth is known, which is why time is so important to an astrologer. Without a birth time it is a little like looking at a clock with no hands so, in essence, the more accurate the birth time, the more accurate the horoscope.
All twelve signs of the zodiac rise over the eastern horizon in any 24-hour period. Owing to a phenomenon called Short Ascension or Long Ascension some signs pass over the horizon more quickly than others but as a rough rule of thumb the Ascendant changes sign approximately every two hours.
What does it symbolize?
The Ascendant is the face we present to the world, the personality traits we exhibit and the lens through which we filter all information and experiences. It is the first thing that others see about us or that we see about others.
Think of it as the cover to a book. It is not “the whole story” but a flavor of what is to come and an indication of how we come across, how we engage with others especially in first encounters, and how we approach life in general.
As the angle of the First House of the physical body the Ascendant also has a big say on how we look. All the Sun signs have their own physical characteristics and these can be replicated when the sign is rising, OR when that sign’s planet is posited in the First House. For example, an Aries Ascendant OR Mars in any sign in the First House may manifest physically as red hair or sharp features. Physical appearance is summed up as a combination of the characteristics of the Ascendant, Sun sign, Moon sign and any planet in the first house so the following descriptions will be modified accordingly for each individual.
Similarly, with the Ascendant’s link to the physical body this angle also has to be taken into account for health concerns. Again, these factors originate from the Sun signs and can be replicated through the Rising Sign.
Regardless of the Sun sign the ruling planet of any horoscope is the planet that rules the sign on the Ascendant. This planet acts as the native’s particular “significator” and is of primary importance in both natal and predictive interpretation.
Aries Ascendant/or Mars in any sign in the First House
With an Aries Ascendant, regardless of the Sun sign, the ruling planet of the horoscope is Mars. This planet’s sign and house will be a primary consideration in the process of interpretation.
Physical characteristics: long face and neck, sharply delineated features, often thin-lipped, an aquiline or Roman nose, a pointed or pronounced chin, red hair or red tones to the hair either natural or added, arched eyebrows, ruddiness in the complexion.
Manner and speech: can come across as aggressive, direct, authoritative or vigorous. The approach to life is generally enthusiastic but impatient, with the focus on action and initiative rather than deliberation.
Individuals with this rising sign or a First House Mars tend to snap into “how to” solution finding when faced with a challenge. Language is usually brusque or quick fire, initially failing to factor in other opinions or practical red lights.
Intentions are either self serving, or well meaning and humane for someone in need of their warrior spirit.
Health: Life’s demands tend to be handled with powerful bursts of energy, followed by the reaction of exhaustion. Prone to headaches and sinus problems, or injuries to the head or face.
Famous Aries Ascendants:
- Barbra Streisand
- Bette Midler
- Heath Ledger
- James Dean
- Jeff Bezos
- John Lennon
- Kourtney Kardashian
- Martina Navratilova
- Rihanna
- Shakira
Taurus Ascendant/or Venus in any sign in the First House
With a Taurus Ascendant, regardless of the Sun sign, the ruling planet of the horoscope is Venus. This planet’s sign and house will be a primary consideration in the process of interpretation.
Physical characteristics: strong or jutting chin, square face, neck variable – either short and wide, or long and slender especially in the women – broad shoulders, a muscular frame, a full sensuous mouth, often a concave “ski slope” nose, a gracefulness in movement even if big framed or overweight. A notable sensuality.
Manner and speech: can come across as pedantic, deliberate, thoughtful or seductive. The approach to life is cautious with a tendency to hang back, inwardly running a safety check as an initial response to a new person, problem or situation.
Individuals with this rising sign or first house Venus generally resist being coerced into any course of action and can therefore be stubborn, but they know what they want and have particular likes or dislikes. I
n personal relationships they are the masters of patience, reassurance, humour and kindness and thrive when receiving the same in return.
Health: Usually exceptional stamina. Prone to problems with the throat or thyroid. Often a slow metabolism and a tendency to gain weight easily.
Famous Taurus Ascendants –
- Billy Crystal
- Cate Blanchett
- Charlene Princess of Monaco
- David Beckham
- Elle MacPherson
- Mariah Carey
- Melanie Griffith
- Rita Hayworth
- Serena Williams
- Stevie Nicks
Gemini and Cancer Ascendants next time!