The Astrology Blog 30 April 2018
Onto the astrology, usually the week ahead is either good, bad, indifferent or a mixture of all of these. This coming week doesn’t really fall into any neat category other than “a bit odd”. There are no major aspects until next weekend, but there are three minor ones that are worth noting.
Firstly though we’re starting the new week under the light of a Full Moon at 9 Scorpio. This was exact in the early hours of this morning (Monday) – here’s a reminder from the end of last week’s blog –
Scorpio is the Moon’s sign of “fall”, her most troubled placing … all sorts of deep emotional, control and health issues can come clambering into the light under this Full Moon. There’s an “all or nothing” mood and feelings will be running extremely high. Tread carefully. Amongst the most destructive scenarios will be those fuelled by jealousy or revenge seeking, but the world of psychotherapy teaches us that such impulses are linked to not recognizing or claiming our own power or worth. The good news is that this Full Moon at 9 Scorpio falls sextile (harmonious) to Saturn at 9 Capricorn. So stay grounded, stay centered and don’t exert or give in to emotional blackmail in any shape or form.
Scorpio is a witchy sign, not to mention the sting in the tail, and Full Moons in any sign are also witchy and always carry a bit of a crazy factor – ask your local A & E or police station – so it’s helpful that Saturn is acting as some kind of anchorage. Use your personal power wisely and take your own instincts and insights seriously. In the physical body Scorpio, as the sign of the life and death cycle, rules the reproductive system so get your checkups. Find me a person who likes going for a pap test, mammogram or prostate check – they don’t exist. But this Moon – Saturn combination reflects your responsibility to your own body.
Tonight is the monthly Moon – Jupiter conjunction –
Monday 30 April
- Full Moon 9.39 Scorpio 01.59 BST
- Moon conjunct Jupiter 19.24 Scorpio 20.13 BST
This shows you just how fast the Moon travels (about 12 degrees a day) so her conjunctions with the major planets symbolize special “moments” and can act as “testimony” to the bigger picture. For example, if you have planets/angles at or close to 19 degrees Scorpio, then Jupiter is now transiting those planets/angles. The moment the Moon makes her conjunction to Jupiter at the same degree, then the corresponding events will be highlighted or intensified. As above, so below. If you have clear skies tonight you’ll see Jupiter blazing away beneath the Moon. It’s a glorious sight. If nothing else, make a wish! Jupiter is all about good fortune and generosity.
The rest of the week is something of an obstacle course, as reflected in these minor aspects –
Wednesday 2 May
- Venus 9 Gemini quinqunx Saturn 9 Capricorn 03.25 BST
Saturday 5 May
- Mercury 19 Aries quinqunx Jupiter 19 Scorpio 12.06 BST
This aspect is sometimes also called the Inconjunct and occurs when planets are five signs apart. Even though it’s considered to be a minor aspect it’s an extremely awkward one. It speaks of a misalliance and incompatibility, being up against someone with whom you have nothing in common or can’t get through to, being out of sorts physically or mentally. It’s a big blind spot and therefore often associated with secrets, illness or accidents, the thing you can’t see or which you’re not prepared for.
My top advice for this week is to tend to your health, to get as much sleep as possible – as everything is overwhelming without it – and not to force anything. For the Venus – Saturn one this relates primarily to love and money matters. For the Mercury – Jupiter one this relates primarily to decisions or acting on uncertain information. For the 24 hours leading up to this aspect I would operate as if Mercury were retrograde – in trouble mode! Don’t put yourself under any unnecessary pressure and remember that you don’t actually have to understand everything or everyone.
Happily the third minor aspect falls in the middle of these two and is a lot more helpful –
Thursday 3 May
- Mercury 16 Aries semi-sextile Neptune 16 Pisces 01.05 BST
This aspect occurs when planets are exactly one sign apart. Even though they have nothing in common they still find a meeting point and work side by side. As the aspect is exact in the early hours of Thursday it’s at its most obvious on Wednesday evening. So circle that period of time if you want a heart to heart or if you need to ask for help of any kind.
Mercury out of Shadow
There’s the frustrating Mercury – Saturn aspect on Saturday to come, so it may not be quite full steam ahead, but the Mercury – Neptune alliance is especially important as it falls on the 3rd, the same day that Mercury moves out of shadow. This means that Mercury arrives back at the degree at which he turned retrograde (16.50 Aries on 23 March). This moment is especially associated with green lights or getting the true picture. You can also return to anything that’s been on hold or say the things that you’ve been wanting to say for a long time.
Overall, however, the general mood and tone is one of caution or subtlety. This is definitely not a time for going in with all guns blazing. I enjoyed reading Anita Moorjani‘s newsletter this morning, entitled Living Life from the Inside Out. She’s a spiritual leader, not an astrologer, but her words resonate with the current planetary themes.
“Life is not supposed to be so hard. We are not supposed to be so depressed and miserable. But when we are feeling these things, it means that we have lost touch with our inner self, and have become firmly entrenched in the problems of the outer world. Do what it takes to get back in touch with your inner world. That’s what will lead you out of depression. When we look outside for answers, or when we try to change the outer world, it leads to more depression and frustration. The only way out is to go in.”
Letting things unfold in your outer world then, whilst gently getting back in touch with your inner world, is a healthy recipe for this week. This message comes home at the weekend –
Sunday 6 May
- Sun 16 Taurus sextile Neptune 16 Pisces 14.58 BST
The Sun in earthy Taurus harmonizing with watery Neptune in his own sign is a beautiful alliance. It’s a perfect symbol for finding the balance between the practical and the emotional and/or spiritual. Choose the company of those who are steady and peaceful to be around, stay away from drama. And clock how materializing your dreams springs from effort combined with patience and faith, rather than over thinking them or rushing headlong into your challenges in a blind panic. It’s a testing week, but focus on your wellbeing and what you want an outcome to be.
Until next week,
With love from Greece
Joanna