The Astrology Blog 25 November 2019
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Checking Charts
If you want to see the sign and degree of the planets in your own or any other natal chart, to check against the signs and degrees important this week as outlined in the blog, here’s the link to Astrotheme. Enter your data into the boxes provided:
If you’re new to astrology I recommend you make a list of exactly where all your planets are – ie which sign and which degree. I can do this for you if you’re stuck, free of charge when I have a spare minute!
https://www.astrotheme.com/horoscope_chart_sign_ascendant.php
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”
“Happy people build their inner world. Unhappy people blame their outer world. Happiness is a choice, not a result.”
– Buddha
Yesterday (Sunday 23rd) we had two major aspects, the most important one being the Venus – Jupiter conjunction that happens once every 11 to 15 months. (The last one was 22 January 2019 at 16 Sagittarius, the next one will be 11 February 2021 at 12 Aquarius)
- Jupiter – Mr Big, his principles are expansion and liberation, and he’s therefore linked to abundance. He rules luck, opportunity, travel and all things foreign
- Venus – love, money, life’s pleasures and all things sweet and delicious
This conjunction fell at the end of Sagittarius (Jupiter’s own sign and therefore especially poignant) and coincided with the day of the 25th anniversary lottery in the UK with a “must be won” jackpot of 25 million. It fitted neatly into Jupiter’s principles of fairness and generosity that no single person won the jackpot and therefore the fund was shared out. Four people became millionaires overnight, 92 people won over £18,000 each and nearly 6 thousand others won £863 each. Nice early Christmas presents!
The second major aspect followed a few hours later, the Mars – Uranus opposition which is also quite rare, happening approximately once every two years. As a general rule the conjunction is the most important aspect but the oppositions mark the halfway point of a planet’s cycle so are also weighty (the next Mars – Uranus conjunction will be at 6.44 Taurus 20 Jan 2021).
Mars is now strong in his own sign of Scorpio – determined, resourceful, intense but sometimes unforgiving or seething with resentment. Feelings run deep with this Mars, good and bad! Uranus is the wild card – shocks, surprises, upheavals, divorce, the “you couldn’t make it up” moment.
Because these two aspects fell within hours of each other I expected to hear separate stories that would describe one or the other, or stories that would somehow combine the two, even though they were clearly opposite in symbolic nature. It was the latter that turned out to be the case and my client work has been full of examples of these two aspects working together. A mum desperate to reclaim her own beautiful home, space and sanity (Venus/Jupiter) which meant evicting her nearly 30 year old son (Mars/Uranus) who’s been treating her and home with no care and even less respect for years. Another woman left a long term relationship a year ago but had done reasonably well in maintaining friendship “for the sake of the kids” was left in total shock when her ex suddenly exploded over the weekend with old and new resentments, ending with breaking off all contact. The real “divorce” moment was unmistakable.
But the top story goes to my niece Sara who recently moved house from the west country to down south. Both her cats seemed to settle fine until Lucy went missing just as Mercury was turning retrograde. Lucy is in fact one of my sister’s cats, who was adopted by Sara when her mum died, so she’s already well travelled. This weekend Sara was surprised to hear from old neighbours whom she had hardly had the chance to get to know, but who had moved at the same time as Lucy disappeared, saying that it had taken them a while to twig that the super friendly cat in their new barn in Scotland was the same cat as the one on the “missing” poster that Sara had personally given them. They had moved their household in a large rather cosy horsebox and of course Lucy was the stowaway. How they didn’t hear her all the way up to Scotland is a mystery, she’s pretty vocal, but my guess is that she just went to sleep. So that’s a story with a very happy ending, they just have to work out how to get her back! But it fits exactly with Mercury turning direct (we find what we have been looking for is one of the things on my checklist, see last week’s blog), Jupiter (travel/distance), Venus (that which is loved) suddenly being discovered, but with the disbelief and hassle factors of being literally at the other end of the country.
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?
All times are in GMT
This week’s astrology isn’t quite as dramatic but there are still a lot of factors in play that reflect themes of ongoing changes, along with closure or implementing information that is now making a difference. Firstly Venus is changing sign, entering Capricorn just after midnight tonight –
Tuesday 26 November
- Venus ingress Capricorn 00.30
- Sun 3 Sagittarius quinqunx Uranus 3 Taurus 02.00
- New Moon 4 Sagittarius 15.07
Venus in Saturn’s sign is all about taking love seriously or being in a position of responsibility for those we love, such as those who need care. It’s also about the “tough love” of boundaries and your own relationship rulebook, such as what works with regard to domestic arrangements and what doesn’t, what is acceptable behavior and what isn’t – and so on.
Venus in the previous sign of Sagittarius is happy go lucky, friendly, flirtatious and fiery, but a bit “don’t fence me in” skittish. Venus in Capricorn is opposite in nature, more reserved, all about not jumping into any relationship too quickly, and quietly knowing that true commitment is a big deal and for the long haul. If you’ve committed to the wrong person then that’s another matter, you may need to look carefully at where your duty really lies and the real reasons for why you stay. The right relationship however can now thrive with shared goals, reassurances and earthy passion, and new relationships started at this time carry the hallmarks of longevity.
This is followed by a minor aspect between the Sun and Uranus, which may well link into this weekend’s Mars – Uranus opposition. Fix what needs fixing even though it may disrupt other plans or be a logistical nightmare – like getting your cat back from 500 miles away! But at least it’s followed by the New Moon in Sagittarius which is auspicious for all plans and issues connected to distance or overseas.
Fresh starts in attitude are also part of the picture, and our visions for our future can now be seen from the perspective of much wider and happier horizons when we choose optimism and decide to be open to all possibilities. Sag is also a truth freak and Sagittarians have a reputation for honesty, up to the point of tactlessness, but often their arrows hit the bullseye.
Neptune is also marking a major turning point, turning direct after being retrograde in Pisces since 21 June!
Wednesday 27 November
- Neptune turns Direct 16 Pisces 12.34
The tide is turning so tune in to your deepest feelings and instincts. Whatever has been flowing in the wrong direction, wherever you’ve been kidding yourself or wherever a dream has consistently eluded you, now’s the time to regroup. Psychologically, this also echoes the Venus in Capricorn theme of boundaries. Neptune – Poseidon, god of the boundless seas – in his own sign of Pisces has difficulty with boundaries. When he’s retrograde he has none at all. It’s not our job to rescue or make sacrifices for those who are perfectly capable of sorting out their own lives if they could just get their act together – eg grown up children who treat home like a hotel, partners who operate on emotional blackmail, anyone who says you owe them, or who reminds you what they’ve given up for you. If you’re locked into any situation where you suspect you have “doormat” imprinted on your forehead, or if you’ve slid into any kind of victim role – anything that smacks of “poor me” – the time is right to start swimming the other way. The water is lovely.
MERCURY CLOSING CIRCLES
All the aspects Mercury made to the three slower moving planets of Saturn, Neptune and Pluto in October got repeated mid November when he switched to retrograde and went back again. Mercury turned direct last Wednesday and is now picking up speed in the right direction, so the third and final aspects are now being formed. The very last one will be to Pluto in the early hours of next Tuesday and that in my view will be more like the official end to Mercury’s retrograde cycle than last Wednesday was. Along the way we have the third and final aspects to Neptune and Saturn –
Thursday 28 November
- Mercury 16 Scorpio trine Neptune 16 Pisces 09.53
- Moon conjunct Jupiter 29 Sagittarius 10.51
Saturday 30 November
- Mercury 18 Scorpio sextile Saturn 06.14
Here’s a reminder of the previous dates –
- Mercury 14 Scorpio sextile Saturn 14 Capricorn – 14 October
- Mercury retrograde 16 Scorpio sextile Saturn 16 Capricorn – 13 November
- Mercury 16 Scorpio trine Neptune 16 Pisces – 15 October
- Mercury retrograde 16 Scorpio trine Neptune 16 Pisces – 13 November
If you have planets or angles between 14 and 16 degrees of Scorpio, Capricorn or Pisces then these sequences will be of especial significance to you. The opposite signs of Taurus, Cancer and Virgo can also be taken into consideration. Look at how any situation or issue that started about six weeks ago is now heading towards resolution.
These closing aspects coincide with the Moon conjunct Jupiter. This happens once a month but, as Jupiter is about to change (next Monday), this is the last time for another 12 years that this conjunction will fall in Sagittarius. Be extra aware of a last chance opportunity, give something important one last shot. It could be well worth it.
PRINCE ANDREW
I’ve finally decided to say something about Prince Andrew’s horoscope. To echo astrologer Barry Goddard who has recently interpreted and commented on Boris Johnson’s chart in his Facebook group, this kind of astrology is not about our personal opinions. As Barry wrote, ” This has nothing to do with whether you agree with him, this is about Fate…. the transformation from lightweight clown to ruthless man-on-a-mission has been quite remarkable, it has been like a new person. Again, you don’t need to agree with him to see this.”
(UK Astrologers https://www.facebook.com/groups/480066222094861/)
The same applies to any celebrity in the news, and to any client! We need to see from an objective position of craft how the astrology is showing and our own views or projections have to be suspended.
If you want a clear example of how Mercury going backwards and forwards, creating a sequence of repeating aspects, can drag something out then look no further than Prince Andrew’s disastrous TV interview. These have played into his natal Saturn at 15 Capricorn so, even more importantly, he’s having his second Saturn Return (with an orbit of 29.5 years we all experience our first Saturn Return in the run up to our 30th birthday and the second one when we’re 59). These mark life events, characterized either by struggle or by “growing up”. The 1st Saturn Return is often a time when people are marrying, having children, buying a first property, putting down roots, building a career and so on.
Andrew’s 1st Saturn Return fell in Dec 1989, three months before his second daughter Eugenie was born. With Saturn in the 6th House (where we locate the armed forces) he also had career developments, serving from September 1989 – 91 as a Flight Commander.
The 2nd Saturn Return tends to bring the tougher side to this planet known in traditional astrology as the “Greater Malefic”. Saturn is a tough taskmaster and is, amongst all his more constructive and growthful jobs, the bringer of struggles, blocks and limitations. Andrew’s Saturn in the 6th House of work and duty has, on this second Return, seen him lose many of his official causes and he’s been forced to step down altogether from his royal obligations and appointments. And there’s something pathetically childlike in the news that the Queen has cancelled his 60th birthday party. He’s been a very naughty boy. Only now is he facing the consequences of not recognizing his limitations, only now it seems is there something about “growing up” really happening.
The truth issue is reflected in an ongoing Neptune transit over his natal Mercury in Pisces, the sign in which Mercury is said to both in “detriment” and in “fall” –
- Neptune transits conjunct his Mercury 17.08 Pisces 1 April – 16 September 2019 – 2 February 2020
As I’ve written before this is a fabulous combination for caring or creative work, full of empathy and soaring imagination, but the flipside is all about smokescreens. From my book Be Your Own Astrologer –
The tricky side to this detrimented or fallen Mercury is distortion of the truth, from white lies to outright deception. Jeffrey Archer, with the double whammy of Mercury in Pisces opposite Neptune, is a textbook example. Here is the weaver of tales, the consummate story teller, the man whose books have sold 250 million copies, but whose political career was blighted by scandal eventually leading to imprisonment for perjury. When is it “right” and when is it “wrong” to smudge the line between fact and fantasy? It’s all about appropriateness. In a work of fiction it’s a gift, in a courtroom it’s a criminal offence with dire consequences.
It remains to be seen if Prince Andrew will be taken up on his assertion that he would allow himself to be legally questioned if necessary. Note that his synastry with Epstein is also on this degree as Epstein had a Venus – Mars conjunction at 16 Pisces. But if there were ever an example of how a disaster could have been if not avoided then at least mitigated had an astrologer been consulted, this is it. Can you imagine – um, should I go on national TV and try to defend myself to the whole world about sexual allegations while Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio, sign of sex, power and mystery?
Oh yes, great idea – NOT. This is so basic that it makes you want to scream. And astrology aside, the stupidity is also beyond belief. No wonder Princess Beatrice who was allegedly involved in the project has apparently not stopped crying since, poor girl. What a mess.
VENUS’ FIRST ASPECT
In the middle of Mercury’s closing aspects Venus makes her first aspect as she starts the journey through Capricorn –
Thursday 28 November
- Venus 3 Capricorn trine Uranus 3 Taurus 18.28
So Uranus is in the news yet again and by now you must know off by heart the checklist words for this planet – surprises, shocks, the unexpected etc – but this time combined with the love planet Venus, so sudden makes or breaks in relationships, eyebrow raising news, spontaneous or planned group events especially involving women, changes with money or financial concerns of all kinds, help from an unexpected quarter or unforeseen expenses, Uranus really can work either way! And with this aspect falling so close to Mercury’s finale you may also hear of news that seems sudden but which has actually been in the making and kept under wraps for some time.
If nothing else, it’s an interesting week. And it’s all paving the way to Jupiter’s change of sign which is the Big Event next week,
Until then, with love from Greece
Joanna
The Greek Island Summer School 2020
There’s a greater than ever choice of courses for next year, including three visiting tutors. Click on the links below to read the course descriptions.
There are 10 places on each course
Most flight info is now available and prices have settled to sensible amounts – at the moment! Some are better value than others, contact me direct for the latest updates.
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Astrology
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All flights from the UK are Wednesdays, return flights the following Wednesday, so all courses start on Thursday mornings. The Greek Experience is all about enjoying the combination of a study holiday so every week includes two full free days – beach time, boat trips, exploring the island, private readings or extra tuition time by arrangement.
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