The Astrology Blog 20 May 2019
Jupiter Joy, Gemini Fun and the Power of Releasing – plus bargain flights for Discovering Astrology week 5 June
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”
– Gerard Way (9 April 1977, Sun Aries/Ascendant & Jupiter Gemini)
Having a really special week here at the Summer School with Elisabeth Brooke and a group of amazing women doing her Astrology & Magic course. The weather has really settle down and it was a beach taverna for dinner last night and several of the group captured stunning pictures of the Scorpio Full Moon rising up behind the mountains and shining down onto the sea.
If by any chance you missed the weekend’s mailing re course info and updates the big news is that flight prices for 5 June, the Discovering Astrology week, have plummeted to an amazing 89 quid return. I can’t remember the last time I saw flights anywhere close to this price and it appears to be just that week – I have no idea why!
You can read more details about the next course Discovering Astrology here. I’ve long, long gone past the point of asking does astrology work? I know it works, because I’ve seen it in action thousands of times. The more fascinating question is, why does it work? How come the heavens reflect our lives back to us so accurately? If you want to tread this path, of seeing astrology in action and starting to understand how it works, then this is the course for you, no matter how little you think you know. You’ll be working on your own horoscope throughout the week. You’re the expert on your own life, and I will show you how to locate all your key life events in your chart, and how then to cast that light on the path forwards – the exciting world of prediction!
What’s Happening this Week Commencing 20 May 2019?
Check out your own natal chart at astrotheme.com
As the Moon travels through the 12 signs once a month this means that she joins up with all the other planets throughout that time. These conjunctions are minor details in some ways but they’re well worth noting as they can act as what are called “testimonies” to the bigger picture. In other words the Moon’s conjunctions can indicate “hotspots”, especially if the slower moving planets are currently transiting your natal planets or angles, ie if they’re in the same sign and at the same/opposite degree. This week starts with the monthly Moon – Jupiter conjunction, all the more propitious as Jupiter is not only the planet of good fortune and opportunity but is currently “dignified” in his own sign –
Monday 20 May
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Moon conjunct Jupiter 22 Sagittarius 18.06
So this is a lucky spot universally but if you have planets or angles at or within 2 degrees of 22 Sagittarius then you’re having Jupiter transits and the Moon is now highlighting the message. Lucky breaks or opportunities may be obvious or serious seeds can be sown.
The main news is that we’re now heading into the Gemini time of year, the quick and lively sign of Mutable Air, symbolized by the Twins. Mercury rules this sign and follows the Sun less than three hours later, and they then meet up to form a conjunction at 0 degrees. Here’s the sequence –
Tuesday 21 May
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Sun ingress Gemini 09.00 BST
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Mercury ingress Gemini 11.53 BST
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Sun conjunct Mercury 0 Gemini 14.08 BST
Anything at 0 degrees is powerful – it’s the proverbial clean slate, the new cycle and the fresh start. So look out for beginnings in relation to Mercury/Gemini themes – news, climbing out of ruts, writing, getting your message across, multi-tasking, meeting like minded people, breathing new life into your social scene, anything that involves choices or diversifying, anything that carries a theme of duality or even multiplicity. In business work on the idea that if you sling enough paint at a wall some of it has to stick. It’s a numbers game. But above all Gemini is associated with a slapstick sense of humour and likes to have fun! Make a point of picking up your neglected pleasures, the things that you really enjoy doing and the people you love to spend time with.
Cazimi
Any planet conjunct the Sun to within 17′ of arc (ie just over a quarter of a degree) is said to be cazimi. In traditional astrology this indicates great power, with the idea of the planet drawing great strength from the heart of the Sun instead of being burnt up by it. As the Sun “moves” at a constant rate of 1 degree a day this means a rate of 5 minutes of arc every 2 hours. So the cazimi is operational 6 hours either side of the moment of exactitude. Pay close attention to what unfolds for you during that time, especially if you have anything at 0 degrees in your own horoscope.
Here’s a flavor of this Mercury from Be Your Own Astrologer. This is an interpretation as a natal placing but it also gives us an idea of the hallmarks to look for in evolving situations, projects or relationships –
Mercury in Gemini (dignity)
Mercury and the air sign of Gemini between them rule everything to do with communication and the function of the mind. The talk-talk planet in the sign of the Twins is therefore the perfect double act. This Mercury loves nothing better than to talk and speech is quick, animated, amusing and often excitable. Here we find the hyperactive nature, or the ultimate butterfly mind, effortlessly hopping from subject to subject, or the socially skilled person who can talk to anyone about anything. Skill with language can also show in being bilingual, like Heidi Klum whose Mercury is one of five personal planets in this sign, or even multilingual. Sometimes there is a fickleness but this is often in response to being controlled. This Mercury thrives on diversity and, like air itself, needs to circulate.
Talent with the written word is also a feature and this placing is extremely common in the horoscopes of novelists, journalists or prolific songwriters, such as Paul McCartney and Billy Joel. The most famous diary in the world was written by Anne Frank, with the Sun and Mercury conjunct (strengthened by sitting next to each other) in Gemini. Ian Fleming is also a Sun Gemini, along with Mercury conjunct Pluto, planet of mystery and the underworld, and found fame through his creation of secret agent 007 James Bond.
In a nutshell: vivacious, clever, creative.
Mars
You may remember from last week that Mars has also just changed sign and midweek brings Mars’ first aspect on this new journey –
Wednesday 22 May
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Mars 4 Cancer sextile Uranus 4 Taurus 15.47
In recent weeks I’ve been writing quite a bit about the combination of slow moving Uranus now on his way through the Fixed Earth sign of Taurus. In traditional astrology the outer planets don’t have official signs of “exaltation” but modern astrology gives Uranus as being exalted in Scorpio. This means that the opposite sign of Taurus would now be considered as Uranus’ sign of “fall” – ie his most difficult placing. I can see the logic in this and there is definitely a clash of natures here, Uranus being the loose cannon, the free spirit and the rebel, Taurus being grounded and associated with fixity, familiarity and a risk averse approach to life.
Mars is now also in his sign of fall (being exalted in Capricorn) so, even though the two planets align by harmonious sextile being exactly two signs apart, there is still a sense of difficult differences, such as one person wanting changes and another being fiercely resistant, or family problems. Tread carefully. And on that note this is also the stuff of accidents so look where you’re going, slow down, buy that slip mat for the bath, take extra care with knives and remove everything hazardous from the reach of children.
Psychologically this combination also feels important in terms of releasing – something that Elisabeth Brooke has talked about a lot during her week here teaching Astrology & Magic. Don’t cling to grievances or spend too long licking your wounds. Bitterness or resentment are acid to relationships, and can play a big part in how we end up only hurting ourselves. Let things go, as gracefully as you can. One way of doing this is to ask the question, What is my part in this? Because when we do that we take responsibility, we see how we co-created something, instead of making it all someone else’s fault.
Wishing you lashings of Gemini fun, creativity and lessons in keeping life interesting!
Until next week
With love from Greece
Joanna
Enlightening. Educational. Fun! Would definitely recommend any of Jo’s courses. They are life changing. Mo
The perfect balance of focused work and relaxed social time. Expert teaching, supported by clear handouts. All was in flow and Nidri is a healing place. Stella
You’re an excellent teacher Jo. This course has taught me so much in a practical hands-on way which was just what I needed, giving me the confidence to get out there and do more readings. I would definitely love to come back again! Kathy
The course was enlightening, fascinating to see how magic and astrology can work in partnership. Meeting others from all walks of life and Jo’s hospitality was all part of this wonderful experience. Recommended. Nicola
A great setting, fantastic group and brilliant teaching. Lots of practical useful tools to take home and start applying straight away. Loved the relaxed teaching style of the wonderful Elisabeth Brooke, sprinkled with wisdom and pragmatism. Henrietta
Idyllic, lovely, quiet and serene place and a fascinating course. Everything was well organized and ran smoothly, a truly magical experience. Jill
Great energy and atmosphere, and the course was a real journey of discovery. Now I understand so much more about affirmations in connection to my natal chart, and how to use these throughout the year. Lynne
A totally enjoyable week. Elisabeth served up an interesting and fun course, I’ve learned things I didn’t even know about and have a lot to take back with me to put into practice. Joanna’s constant care for us all also very lovingly appreciated! All pure magic. Julie
This experience has been fantastic and really informative. The setting and location is perfect and the week has been interesting, relaxing and refreshing for the soul! It was wonderful having the opportunity to work with a great group from all walks of life, especially working with Full Moon magic, something that up till now I had only ever done solo. Laura
Powerful, motivational – this course was beyond my wildest dreams. Elisabeth is an incredible teacher and ensures that each student is heard and understood. These courses are simply a must for anyone wishing to learn or hone their astrological or tarot crafts. Mo
Life changing. I’ve had a phenomenal time. Not only has this course helped me grow spiritually and as a witch, it has helped me grow as a person and opened my mind to parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. Joanna