The Astrology Blog 27 March 2023
All times in BST
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”
Joseph Campbell – 26 March 1904, triple conjunction Sun, Mercury, Jupiter at 6 Aries
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Joseph_Campbell
“‘Born this Way’ is about being yourself, and loving who you are and being proud.”
Lady Gaga – 28 March 1986, Sun Aries square Mars, Moon Scorpio
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Lady_Gaga
If you’d like to receive the weekly blog straight to inbox on Monday mornings, it’s free, and you can either send an email address to me joannaw@otenet.gr to be added to the mailing list or anyone can sign up from the website. Here’s the link for the sign up box –
Unlocking the Secrets of Medieval Astrology – with Chris Mitchell
WEDNESDAY 17 MAY
4 of 10 places available
Suitable for all levels
Chris Mitchell is coming to Greece and will be running this fascinating course in just 7 weeks time! Chris’s area of expertise is the history of astrology and he’s a tutor on the Cultural Astronomy and Astrology MA course at the University of Wales.
As you’ll see from Chris’ own words and course description this is not academia but a wonderful opportunity to take part in a hands on course, aimed at teaching you how to apply this knowledge to any horoscope.
This includes your own so please make sure that you send your data when booking – your date and place of birth, and time of birth as accurately as possible – as Chris will be drawing up everyone’s chart in advance of the week.
Chris writes:
As modern astrologers, we’re used to drawing up charts in seconds on a computer, and using numerous techniques, outer planet transits and a psychological language to work with our clients. Ours is a rich and subtle art. How, then, did medieval astrologers manage with just seven planets and five aspects? Was theirs simply a limited cut-down version of what we have available to us in modern astrology? How did a society rife with political intrigue and power struggles, and the Black Death, do meaningful astrology without Pluto?
In this course, we’ll discover some of the richness of medieval astrology. Despite the lack of outer planets and modern techniques, medieval astrologers had a surprisingly large toolkit of methods lost to modern astrology. The recent resurgence of modern translations of ancient texts mean these fascinating methods have been rediscovered and can be adapted to our modern lives too. Join us and find out how you can incorporate these rich techniques into your own studies or practice.
Here’s an outline of what we’ll be exploring – there are plenty of hands-on practical sessions in an informal and friendly setting:
DAY 1
Stories of the Sky – where does our astrology come from?
The Sky is our Canvas – find your way round the night sky, and why the zodiac is so important.
The Medieval Theatre – meet the cast: the planets.
Who’s in charge around here? Finding your strongest planet. Essential dignities, and a practical session.
DAY 2
Friends and enemies – medieval friendship, aspects, and orbs.
How did I end up in this situation? Accidental dignity, and a practical session.
Working together – Reception and a practical.
Welcome to my humble abode – medieval houses.
DAY 3
Give us today our daily bread – Arabic Parts. Find your Part of Fortune.
What’s round the corner? Medieval prediction: profections and solar returns and practicals.
DAY 4
Mapping out your life: Firdaria, and a scary-sounding technique
Putting it all together: How to do a medieval chart delineation for yourself and others.
JOSEPH CAMPBELL – quoted above
Campbell’s work covers many aspects of the human experience. His ideas regarding myth and its relation to the human psyche link to Freud but more particularly to Jung and the Jungian method of dream interpretation, which is heavily reliant on symbolic interpretation. Hence the interest in links to astrology.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell
Campbell has an extraordinary horoscope, having been born at a time when three major conjunctions in Aries fell in rapid succession, the Sun – Mercury, Mercury – Jupiter and then Sun – Jupiter all formed within the same 12 hour period.
He therefore has all of these three planets at 6 Aries. When any other planet falls conjunct the Sun to within 17 minutes of arc (just over a quarter of a degree) it is said to be “cazimi”, drawing strength by being in the heart of the Sun rather than being burned up by it. With Mercury and Jupiter being the mind planets (Mercury links to early learning, ideas, language while Jupiter planet of the higher mind links to higher education, philosophy and religion) these planets cazimi the exalted Sun are a brilliant showing for a brilliant academic with mind expanding ideas.
PLUTO’S NEW JOURNEY
Without doubt one of the best ways to learn the language of astrology is to follow the news, either world events or to see what’s happening in the lives of those in the public eye. Especially follow the events in the life of anyone of particular interest to you and you’ll see their astrology coming to life. Thousands of celebrities are listed in the archives of astrological sites such as astrotheme, and many of them have accurate birth times too.
Last week I paid special attention to the news on the day that Pluto changed sign and moved into Aquarius, last Thursday. How did it show? It was immediately obvious that Aquarius was showing as the collective in terms of large numbers or groups – the thousands in this world seeking asylum or the mob incited by Trump who were responsible for the Capitol riots.
In these contexts the tough face of Pluto came through loud and clear – the uncompromising wielder of power, the master of endings, authorities taking control and doors slamming shut. The US and Canada agreed stricter border controls and the first jail sentence in the Capitol riots was for 23 year old Riley June Williams who was sentenced to three years.
In court on Thursday she apologised for her actions, saying: “I barely recognise the stupid girl who was yelling at police.” Whilst this is obviously an extreme case, hands up anyone who didn’t do something stupid in their early 20’s, or who has a child who did something crazy at that age. Not exonerating her but, while she gets locked up, Trump walks free.
No showing of Pluto in this week’s aspects but the week after, Monday 3 April, Mercury will move into Taurus and immediately make the square to Pluto, Taurus and Aquarius both being Fixed signs.
Which is a reminder that while Pluto is crawling forwards and then backwards through 0 degrees of Aquarius (from now to 11 June) then any planet changing sign will automatically form an aspect to this planet. As covered in last week’s blog 0 degrees is considered to be a critical (important) degree. If you have any natal planets or Angles at 0 degrees then this is a big year for you with a series of ongoing changes and adjustments.
Here’s a reminder of Pluto’s journey that will take the whole year –
- 23 March – Pluto enters Aquarius
- 1 May – gets as far as 0.21 Aquarius and then turns retrograde
- 11 June – retrogrades back into Capricorn
- 10 October – turns direct again at 27.53 Capricorn
- 21 January 2024 – Pluto enters Aquarius for the 2nd time, and will not return again to Capricorn
MARS NOW OUT OF GEMINI
After a tortuous journey of 7 months instead of the usual 2 months Mars finally changed sign over the weekend and moved into Cancer on Saturday. In last week’s blog I said that he might not go quietly, and he didn’t. The red planet rules action and all things hot. I’d literally just sunk into the bath last Wednesday, after putting dinner in the oven, tight window of time to eat and get ready before going out …. and the power went off.
We’ve been having nonstop power cuts because of major roadworks in the area, involving phone lines (Gemini) which have been driving us all mad, so I just thought, oh great, not again, and at 5pm?? After getting out of the bath I realized that my mains switch had tripped, put it back on, put the oven back on, and everything immediately tripped out again. So the problem was in the house. Had to abandon the uncooked dinner!
When the electrician came he took the back off the oven, and out came the main cable – burned, twisted and in two (Gemini) pieces. The oven is only 5 years old and there were disparaging mutterings about things made in Turkey lol. I had to do a lot of thought stopping about the fire risk I’d unknowingly been living with all the time that Mars was “in shadow”.
Last week I commented on Emmanuel Macron, with Mars transiting opposite his Sun – Mercury both at 29 Sagittarius, plus Pluto starting the backwards and forwards journey over his Ascendant. Mars as the god of war clearly showing in the riots in France. And Gemini Boris Johnson had to swear on the Bible to tell the whole truth about Partygate before getting a grilling. I think both would agree that Mars did not go quietly.
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?
It’s not an especially busy week in terms of lists of aspects being formed but we have two of the personal (fast moving) planets Mercury and Venus catching up with slower moving bodies, conjunctions that happen only once a year so these are big events. Mars and Saturn also align at the beginning of their respective new journeys and the end of the week brings minor aspects –
Tuesday 28 March
- Mercury conjunct Jupiter 18 Aries 07.52
Thursday 30 March
- Mars 2 Cancer trine Saturn 2 Pisces 20.05
- Venus conjunct Uranus 16 Taurus 23.36
Saturday 1 April
- Mercury 25 Aries semi-sextile Neptune 25 Pisces 06.41
Sunday 2 April
- Venus 19 Taurus semi-sextile Jupiter 19 Aries 05.20
MERCURY CONJUNCT JUPITER
Mercury the Winged Messenger often signals news or information, especially as he’s so fast moving now, at full speed through Aries who is also associated with fresh starts, immediacy and directness. Pay close attention to the things that arise for you as the week gets underway, especially in your conversations or correspondence.
Any Mercury – Jupiter combination is good news as Jupiter is the Greater Benefic, he benefits us or brings in those who are helpful to us, benefactors. Jupiter is linked to luck and opportunity, sometimes in the shape of blessings in disguise, but the message of “go for it” is ringing out loud and clear. Being expressed through Aries the sign of Cardinal Fire means don’t try going all around the houses. Just do things quickly and in straight lines for fast results. Aries rules the Self and independence, so take personal responsibility for anything that’s being going wrong in your life or with anything that’s been in your procrastination box.
Anything linked to Jupiter’s concerns gets a huge tick – foreign travel, learning, legal matters or anything that will ultimately make your life bigger and better. In your relationships focus on giving and generosity, it will bounce back to you tenfold. Jupiter’s top principle is expansion, whether it’s your mind or your social circle or creating a better future. Remember that Jupiter rules Sagittarius the Archer, so take a leaf out of this book and fire your arrows. At least one should hit the mark.
MARS TRINE SATURN
This is a different mood, with the so called “malefics” aligning in water signs, which can show in things like sensitivity, painful emotional matters or having to say no. Mars is out of volatile and changeable Gemini but into Cancer who is Mars’ sign of fall, his most difficult placing. Makes sense when you think that Mars naturally rules Aries, the planet of action favouring that straight line energy, but can end up going around in frustrating circles in cautious or protective Cancer.
However Cancer is the sign of home, family and property so if you’re in the process of things like trying to buy or sell, looking for somewhere to rent or coping with any family demands then this alignment is encouraging for getting things in order. Saturn favours projects that come with a definite plan and purpose, even if changes don’t sit well with everyone concerned. There may be a “for your own good” tag with those who are your responsibility.
The combination of Mars as work and Saturn as discipline is also helpful for those on an ambitious career path, changing job or deciding to work from home. Get focused and envisage what you want to achieve, not just now but much further down the line too. I personally have never been able to get fired up about where I see myself being in say 5 years time, but that has sometimes worked against me, but for some people it’s a real motivation. But whatever motivates you then zoom in on that and build around it. Joseph Campbell of the quote at the top of the blog talks about the vital importance of following your bliss.
VENUS CONJUNCT URANUS
Uranus is very slow moving, an 84 year cycle, so if you have planets or Angles at or very close to 16 Taurus or the opposite sign of Scorpio then you are going through once in a lifetime Uranus transits. The hallmarks are change in the shape of shocks – of the omg or pleasant surprises variety – suddenness and the unexpected or unusual, the things you couldn’t possibly have seen coming. As am fond of saying Uranus is unknowable but when he arrives you will know him.
Venus getting in on the act brings the Venusian concerns into the picture – the top ones being love, romance, money, girlfriends, children and anything that comes under your umbrella of life’s pleasures. That surprise bunch of flowers or gift, the spontaneous girls night out, any benefits that come through groups, snap decisions to do something you’ve secretly longed to do, online dating, meeting someone new in the least expected place, a financial windfall, these are the kind of things to look out for.
On the flipside, and all the planets have one but Uranus can be a bit of a drama King, is eyebrow raising news, including sackings, resignations or separations as Uranus is the divorce planet. The parting of the ways under Uranus activity can be swift and usually irrevocable. Unforeseen expenses are in the mix too so don’t buy anything without reading the small print or agree to anything until you’ve done your sums.
THE MINOR ASPECTS
The semi-sextile literally means half a sextile (two signs apart) so happens when two planets are at the same degree of consecutive signs. As the two at the end of the week involve Mercury and Venus, planets that already feature in the earlier major aspects, then there may be links or further benefits to events already unfolding.
These aspects are considered to be harmonious and reflect things like news that may not be life changing but will be at least welcome or pleasurable. Don’t underestimate the value of things like little treats, taking the time to talk to someone or asking for help. A sympathetic ear or another pair of helping hands will count for a lot.
And throughout the week don’t forget that we’re in the Aries time of year, hence the quotes at the top of the page, including Aries Lady Gaga. Tap into your self confidence, it’s there even if you’ve buried it, and don’t apologise for being yourself. A healthy adult ego state also leads to less wishful thinking and a more positive and proactive (Aries) approach to life, instead of the teenage ego state – look after me, someone else will sort it out, nobody understands, it’s not my fault, and so on!
We all slide into this victim mentality from time to time, the important thing is to catch yourself at it, and smile. And order a copy of the mind changing Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (of Eat, Pray, Love fame). When she talks about the courage to be creative she recognizes the ever present passenger of Fear and personifies him with, “you can come along for the ride, my old familiar friend, but you are absolutely forbidden to drive.”
Next week as already mentioned earlier Mercury will change sign and move into Taurus, and will make a series of three aspects all wrapped around the Libra Full Moon, that will fall exactly opposite Chiron the Wounded Healer, so more on all of this next time,
Until then with love from Greece
Joanna