The Astrology Blog 10 September 2018
Perfect Timing
This weekend my new website was unveiled. Enormous thanks to Lynne Stainthorpe who brought it all together and for Elizabeth Cura for her beautiful photos. Both of these lovely ladies have done several courses at The Greek Island Summer School so they knew exactly what needed to be conveyed.
It was an amazing reminder about timing too. We’d talked about the new website for a long time, but so many things got in the way. And even now as it was ready to go live, the first optedfor date, 19 August when Mercury turned direct, couldn’t happen. It then did happen, and not consciously, on the exact day of my Jupiter Return (Jupiter ruling travelling and learning, returning to his natal position only once every 12 years) and within hours of the New Moon (conjunct my Midheaven, angle at the top of the chart ruling career and how we make ourselves visible in our professional world).
Astrological events tell us when “the time is right”. This doesn’t mean that we sit back and do nothing. For example, websites still have to be written. But we can put in the work, for anything personally or professionally important in our lives, and trust that it will all materialize when it is supposed to.
What’s important now in your own horoscope?
If you want to check the sign and degrees in your own natal chart here’s the link to Astrotheme. Enter your data into the boxes provided:
https://www.astrotheme.com/horoscope_chart_sign_ascendant.ph
The Astrology Blog 10 September 2018
All times given are stated in BST
Turning points, new cycles and progress have been major themes over the last few weeks and the beginning of this week keeps the momentum going as Mars – who turned direct two weeks ago in the late degrees of Capricorn – now re-enters Aquarius.
Tuesday 11 September
- Mars ingress Aquarius 01.57
Mars has a 2 year cycle, so would normally change signs approximately every two months, but his retrograde period slowed everything down. Mars first entered this sign 16 May but got only as far as 9 degrees before going into reverse. So here we are four months later with Mars starting the journey through Aquarius for the second time.
So look out for repetition, or expect to return to issues that have their roots stretching back into last spring. Also note that first ingress happened less than 24 hours after Uranus had moved into Taurus, so they immediately formed a square (both being in Fixed signs). This square repeated 2 August and will happen for the third and final time early next week.
It will be Mars’ first aspect after changing sign and potentially It’s disruptive stuff, especially if you have planets or angles in the first 2 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius). This week that square is simmering … so any rocky situation is heading for a finale. If you’re hanging by your fingernails onto a relationship, a job or anything that’s wrong, simply too much trouble or unhealthy for you then you can expect something to tip the balance, especially as Venus will also clash with Uranus in the middle of this week.
Never forget the practical issues too! Looking back in my diary the last Mars-Uranus square was a problem with my car battery. After calling out my mechanic friend for the fourth time in a week for a jump start in various different locations I finally gave in, accepted it was beyond repair and bought a new one. Uranian antics often reflect electrical or technological problems. This time I’m hanging onto my computer that is playing up. I’ve known for weeks that it needs to go in for an MOT but I’m so totally reliant on it for work that of course there is never a good moment …
Anyway, that is running ahead into next week, so back to this one. Hard on the heels of the Mars Aquarius ingress we have some amazingly powerful astrology unfolding as the Sun lights up Jupiter and Pluto, two major planets who are themselves heading for their own finale –
Tuesday 11 September
- Sun 19 Virgo sextile Jupiter 19 Scorpio 13.11
- Sun 19 Virgo trine Pluto 19 Capricorn 16.29
Wednesday 12 September
- Jupiter 19 Scorpio sextile Pluto 19 Capricorn 08.38
This is the third alignment by sextile (two signs apart), the first one being at 16 January also at 19 Scorpio – 19 Capricorn, and the second one 14 April at 21 Scorpio – 21 Capricorn. In a nutshell Jupiter is Mr BIG and Pluto is change of the total and usually irreversible kind.
As I often say Jupiter loves to sow seeds while you’re not looking, so for some many of this year’s frustrations could well turn out now to be the proverbial blessings in disguise, but here are the main themes to look out for:
Jupiter – main principle is expansion, anything that makes our life bigger and better, he’s the Greater Benefic, he’s good for us, creating opportunity, luck, good fortune, liberation, travel and anything to do with overseas, learning, truth and justice.
Pluto – main principle is endings/beginnings, often starting with loss but in the spirit of death of the old and birth of the new, starting from scratch, transformative processes, deep healing, determination, resourcefulness, empowerment, wealth and control.
Decisive changes, especially ones that have been building up for a long time, are therefore on the cards. This includes recognizing what you have to give up in order to change and move on.
Implacable Pluto demands 100% and for any rebirth scenario we have to be willing to sacrifice the little things that bring short-term pleasure in order to achieve the BIG blessings (Jupiter) that require long term vision, commitment and fearlessness.
It’s life changing stuff for beginnings and endings, which of course are inextricably intertwined. For example, if you’re in the process of ending one job and starting another, ending or starting a major relationship, the Jupiter – Pluto combination symbolizes either total closure or personal – emotional – sexual resurrection.
When one thing is laid to rest, another is brought to life. When looking back on this time from your “new life” it’s likely to bring thoughts along the lines of “that was the best thing that ever happened to me”, even if it was really challenging at the time.
Venus the love and money planet is also in the picture, her first aspect to Uranus being almost exactly at the same time as the Jupiter – Pluto finale, and her aspect to Saturn also within 24 hours of it:
Wednesday 12 September
- Venus 2 Scorpio opposite Uranus 2 Taurus 10.03
Thursday 13 September
- Venus 2 Scorpio sextile Saturn 2 Capricorn 04.59
Uranus also has two sides – things happening suddenly or unexpectedly, either way. In natal astrology work he rules splits and rifts in personal relationships, but he’s also the stuff of whirlwind romance.
Saturn is the steadying factor, the “get real” message and putting things onto a firmer footing. And as Saturn has only just turned direct (last Thursday) new personal or financial commitments or arrangements are underlined and in bold.
Mercury takes over at the end of the week and is also the dominant player throughout the coming weekend. He is currently at his strongest, being “dignified” in his own sign of analytical Virgo and also at full speed.
In essence, Mercury brings news and highlights communication in all guises, everything from emails to heart to hearts. The opposition to Neptune comes first, which is highly emotional. It’s the stuff of confusion, sadness or manipulative behavior, but it’s also about escapism (clinging to old fantasy, refusing to face reality, drowning your sorrows) or fudging the issue. In fact, it’s the polar opposite to crystal clear – it’s like looking through a window streaked with raindrops.
Whatever the scenario, it will take a couple of days for the weather to clear. Mercury then moves on to re-invoke the Jupiter – Pluto messages, and note that when the Moon arrives at 19 Scorpio she’s doing exactly the same thing, and is therefore paving the way:
Friday 14 September
- Mercury 15 Virgo opposite Neptune 15 Pisces 02.33
- Moon 19 Scorpio sextile Pluto 19 Capricorn 05.00
- Moon 19 Scorpio conjunct Jupiter 19 Scorpio 05.34
Sunday 16 September
- Mercury 19 Virgo trine Pluto 19 Capricorn 03.53
- Mercury 19 Virgo sextile Jupiter 19 Scorpio 12.52
It takes courage to be clear or to make big decisions, especially when you know that you’re going to meet resistance from others or that someone else will be upset, but you are on your own journey and they are on theirs. It’s absolutely vital to stick to what you know is right for you.
Summary
It’s hard to understate the importance of this week, it’s our chance to address what is really important, our chance to seize the opportunities that we need in order to grow and achieve.
Self worth is also a crucial component. Do NOT make personal sacrifices for the wrong reasons – for example, being afraid to “rock the boat” or worrying about what others might think. This week’s astrology is picture perfect for ending with an article that I’ve posted before (see below). It will make a deep and lasting impression on you if you haven’t already read it – or even if you have!
5 Top Deathbed Wishes
written by a hospice nurse about her terminal patients …
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me
This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.
It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings
Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.
We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends
Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years.
There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying … It all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier
This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives.
Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When, deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again. When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.
Until next week,
With love from Greece
Joanna