This is a copy of the free newsletter that is now back on track in terms of coming to you fortnightly. Everyone on my mailing list receives this newsletter straight to inbox every other weekend, while the Astrology Teaching Blog continues to go out every Monday, but now only to subscribers.
If you’ve been missing the weekly blog and thinking of subscribing you can receive the blog for the coming week free of charge. This is so you can see the difference between the general newsletter and the more detailed work offered in the blog for the astrology of the moment, how it’s showing for nations and/or those in the news, and the astrology for your week ahead.
If you’d like to take up that offer just send me an email joannaw@otenet.gr with “Yes I would like to receive next week’s blog” and I will add you to the mailing just for that week.
If you want to carry on receiving the weekly blog you can then find the PayPal links on the home page of this website – https://joannawatters.com/
Or again just email me if you’d like to request bank details. The subscription fees are designed to be affordable for everyone –
- Monthly subscription of £5.95 – or £1.37 a week
- Annual subscription £57.00 – or £1.09 a week
TODAY’S LUNAR ECLIPSE
There’s been a lot of interest in the current Eclipse season, and tragically not least because both of the Eclipses align with the horoscope for Israel –
- 14 October – the Solar Eclipse 21 Libra, conjunct the Ascendant of 23 Libra
- 28 October – the Lunar Eclipse 5 Taurus, square the Moon (the people in a country’s horoscope) at 4 Leo. Exact this evening at 21.25 BST
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Israeli_Declaration_of_Independence
You can follow a discussion on Facebook with astrologer Peter Burns –
https://www.facebook.com/peter.burns.9469
My own comment this morning on that thread –
In my early student days I was fortunate enough to be taught by Derek Appleby and his book Eclipses is a valuable addition to any astrology bookshelf. He quotes extensively from Lilly, with a full Appendix. Lilly writes that a Lunar Eclipse in the first decanate of Taurus is ruled by Mercury and yesterday I read that the internet is now down in Gaza. Derek also taught that the Moon in the chart of a nation represents the people but I can’t find a reference for that, but it’s a tragic example of how being eclipsed is to be silenced and thrown into darkness, until the shadow lifts …..
News reports this morning tell of the heaviest bombardments yet and “blackouts” through loss of power – chillingly clear Eclipse symbolism.
NATION v INDIVIDUALS
It’s important to make the point that for those of us lucky enough not to be caught up in war then Eclipses work out in all kinds of other ways. It’s too easy to feel freaked out, especially when you read a lot of the scaremongering on social media, a great deal of which is speculation with no research to back it up.
Eclipse related events can unfold on the run up to the exact moment or in the following days, sometimes weeks. My own experience is that the most powerful Eclipse events tend to show within days, either side of the exact time of the Eclipse.
So you may find that you’re currently having events or experiences in your own life, or in the lives of those closest to you, that reflect the Eclipse symbolism – such as themes of loss, no going back to old ways or your old life, tipping points of inevitable and irrevocable change, sorting winners from losers in any competitive triangular situation eg affairs, a sense of being kept in the dark, dealing with revelations or knowing that these are imminent and that there’s more to come.
These kinds of examples are more likely if you have natal planets or Angles close to the Eclipse degrees – ie within about 5 degrees. Both Eclipses linked to my own horoscope. The Lunar Eclipse falls exactly opposite my Neptune (grief, nostalgia).
This is the kind of thing I would normally share in the weekly blog but as I want to move away from Eclipse issues next week – if I can! – I’ll include this story here.
Two days ago I took my car to the electrician’s only to find that he wasn’t there, his daughter was holding the fort and told me that he’d gone to a funeral. The garage is immediately opposite the apartment where I used to live (for 12 years) and I knew instinctively that it would be my old landlady Tasoula as she’d taken to her bed earlier in the year when her husband died. They were both in their 90’s. I used to see them every day as they lived downstairs and I was practically part of the family, their own daughters being the same age as me.
Things happen fast here in Greece, funerals take place the day after the death, and the news is spread by the community. On this occasion I was out of that immediate loop. I had just enough time to get back in the car and drive to the church.
Talk about a day not going according to plan – or rather, to my plan. The universe had a different one. As I stood at the back of the church, listening to the bells and the singing of the priest, the tears flowing, I knew I wasn’t crying just for Tasoula, but for my old life, when my sister was still alive and we were in and out of each other’s homes all week.
The story I reported in last week’s blog (the Mercury Scorpio – Saturn Pisces aspect) was the loss of my last cat – Sue and I used to have ten between us, Teeny was the last one. And no I can’t get another cat because I still have Sue’s dog who refuses to accept any newcomers. Which in some ways is just as well as I feed my band of strays, who are all desperate to move in but they know not to venture into the garden.
So, I’ve had a very sad week but, eclipses aside, it’s that Scorpio time of year, so read on for the lowdown on this sign.
Last word on eclipses is from last week’s blog –
This is an important Eclipse as it’s the second one of the current Eclipse season (its twin, the Solar Eclipse, fell at 21 Libra 14 October) but especially because it falls at 5 Taurus, which has been one of the most sensitive degrees of the whole year.
5 & 15 DEGREES TAURUS – SCORPIO
Here’s a reminder of the importance of the degrees of 5 and 15 Taurus and the opposite sign of Scorpio this year –
- 7 April – Mercury enters shadow 5.52 Taurus
- 21 April – turns retrograde at 15.36 Taurus
- 5 May – first Lunar Eclipse of the year at 15 Scorpio
- 15 May – Mercury turns direct at 5.52 Taurus
- 16 May – Jupiter enters Taurus
- 31 May – Mercury gets back to 15.36 Taurus – out of shadow
- 4 September – Jupiter turns retrograde at 15 Taurus
- 28 October – second Lunar Eclipse of the year at 5 Taurus
- 31 December, New Year’s Eve – Jupiter turns direct at 5 Taurus
ALL ABOUT SCORPIO
Here’s a copy of the Scorpio chapter taken from my book Essential Astrology (previous titled Be Your Own Astrologer) which has just been relaunched under the new title by Cico Books –
Ruling planet: Mars
Co ruler: Pluto
Symbol: The Scorpion
Element and Mode: Fixed Water
Key Phrase: I regenerate
Spot the Scorpio
Scorpios exude a powerful charisma but this goes hand in hand with being mysterious and secretive. As the sign of fixed water they are either the “still waters run deep” type, bewitching but unfathomable, with dark brown or nearly black eyes, or they present the frozen, glacial front, often with startling light or ice blue eyes. Many Scorpio women in particular have that “ice-maiden” type beauty. Both types and both sexes are expert at the deadpan expression that gives absolutely nothing away. In the rare moments that you catch them off guard, or without their beloved sunglasses, you’ll notice that the Scorpio eyes are piercing and mesmerizing, even hypnotic. Many exude a sultry sexuality and favour the colour black. In social situations they tend not to take the lead, preferring to observe and test the water first. First impressions are of someone restrained, thoughtful, private and unreadable.
The Scorpio Nature
There is nothing meek and mild about this sign. Even if they come across as easygoing or flippant don’t be fooled. Emotional intensity is the hallmark of the Scorpio nature and they rarely register indifference, to anything or anyone. You can often sense hidden depths and an iron will behind the mask, and when they fix you with that intense, probing gaze you have good reason to feel slightly uncomfortable. Very little escapes their notice and if you feel as if your every word is being analyzed it’s because it is. A Scorpio loves nothing better than to find out what makes you tick but at first it’s a one way street. It takes time to get to know a Scorpio to the extent of being allowed into their private world in return.
What about that famous scorpion’s sting in the tail? There is a vengeful side to this sign, but it’s usually saved for when their jealousy is inflamed or when they feel deeply wounded or wronged. The whole gamut of feelings from love to hate runs deep and they can be fiercely loyal or unforgiving with equal purple passion.
Love & Relationships
Scorpios have a reputation for being sex mad and this sign tends to have a higher than average libido. Scorpio rules the whole life and death cycle, hence the connection to regeneration and procreation, and in the search for a mate they are not beneath exploiting their sex appeal to the full. The men of this sign have a highly charged sexual magnetism and many of the women are straight out of the classic “femme fatale” mould. Think Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind. As one Hollywood documentary described her, “She taught us how to flirt”.
Scorpios take everything seriously and their love life is no exception. Generally there are no half measures. They may be capable of strings of affairs but, when it comes to genuine commitment, they are the least likely sign to settle for anything less than the real deal. The same applies to friendships and they are more likely to have a few select and very close soul mates than a wide circle of superficial acquaintances. They would rather stay single than get hitched to someone they cannot love with mind, body and soul. This is fortuitous as the wrong relationship for Scorpios can be the source of utter misery. Conversely, any kind of unhappiness or rejection can trigger their own capability of becoming destructive, controlling or cruel.
Vocation
Traditionally ruled by Mars, planet of action and war, this sign is forceful, determined and extremely persistent. Power and control are central issues for Scorpio and they get a massive kick out of achievement, especially of the “against all odds” variety. Tell them that something can’t be done and they will be the first to set out to prove that it can. This may sound supremely competitive but in truth Scorpios are often more in competition with themselves than with anyone else.
Scorpios are at their best when doing a job they feel passionate about but they also need a long leash. They don’t thrive when constrained by rules and regulations, particularly those that are designed to keep them in the position of humble employee. Scorpios do not do subservience. They would rather be broke.
Scorpio’s redemption is to be found in the nature of their co-ruler Pluto, commonly referred to as the planet of transformation, which is also captured in their symbol of the phoenix. In real terms Scorpios embody this death and rebirth imagery through their endurance and survival skills. It is not uncommon for a Scorpio to end one way of life, to walk away and start again, often totally from scratch and often more than once. They are not unduly attached to their material world, although they are quite capable of amassing wealth if only because money is power.
As god of the underworld Pluto also links Scorpio to the realms of the unconscious and death. Depth psychology, psychoanalysis, detective work, healing and psychic practices all belong to this sign, as does the work of surgeons, forensic scientists, hospice workers, bereavement counselors and undertakers.
Health
Scorpio rules elimination and all bodily outlets, the reproductive system and the sexual organs, and all illnesses or afflictions associated with these parts of the body. Promiscuity is problematic for this sign, not just because of their susceptibility to STD’s but also because of their emotional vulnerability that they hide so well. The women often struggle with problems related to menstruation, fertility and menopause.
Stress management too is important for this sign. They are prone to taking the kind of risks that most people would avoid like the plague and also do not suffer fools gladly. Scorpios have to learn and acquire the “live and let live” tolerance of their opposite sign of safety loving Taurus.
In a nutshell: determined, forceful, thorough, intense, passionate, resourceful.
Textbook Scorpios
Entrepreneur and Harvard University drop out Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, which has made him one of the richest and most influential people in the world. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donates millions to charity and research.
Hollywood actress and cool beauty Grace Kelly who retired from acting at age 26 to embrace a new life of power and prestige as Princess of Monaco. An early and tragic death secured her iconic status.
Surgeon Christiaan Barnard made medical history when he performed the first human heart transplant on 12 March 1967, braving unknown territory and transforming the face of life saving surgery forever.
MOON SIGNS
Taken from the same book I’ll serialise the Moon signs, starting today with Aries –
Moon Glyph:
Sign of Dignity: Cancer
Colours: Silver and white
Day of the week: Monday
Metal: Silver
In traditional astrology the Sun is Lord of the Day and the Moon is Lady of the Night, known together as the Luminaries or the Lights. The masculine Sun symbolizes our day world, the essential self, consciousness and the life force, whereas the feminine Moon symbolizes our night world and the power of the unconscious. She also rules women, mothers and babies, our childhood and fertility.
The Moon symbolizes our emotions, instincts, needs and habitual responses, along with our home as well as early family life. Often she will describe the mother’s nature and character, and therefore the kind of mothering and emotional imprinting we received. If you want to understand the feeling nature, to find the little boy or girl within the man or woman, then the Moon’s sign is where to start.
Moon herbs and foods:
Lunar herbs and foods are cooling, drying or sleep inducing. These include cucumber, coriander, moonwort, pumpkin, cabbage, lettuce and watercress.
Moon in Aries
As the first sign of the zodiac and ruled by the action planet Mars being “top” is what Aries does best. This Moon symbolizes the pioneering nature, the need to lead – and excel. Both Bill Gates of Microsoft and the late Steve Jobs of Apple have this Moon and their work has changed the face of technology forever. Top supermodel Tyra Banks moved beyond the catwalk and started her own production company, which went on to produce America’s Next Top Model, the X Factor of the modelling world. Tyra acted as host, judge and executive producer.
Aries rules the self and psychologically this is a young and “self”-ish “me first” Moon. Its problem side is the child or teenage ego state which is preoccupied with its own needs. The self esteem pendulum swings from an egotistical sense of personal entitlement to a deeply ingrained and powerful self belief. When the balance is found and the Aries fire is channeled into true autonomy the full power of this Moon’s awesome single mindedness comes into its own.
As with the Sun in Aries, many Aries Moon women go through their “red phase”, such as Piscean Rihanna. She constantly reinvents her image but one of the most memorable is that cascade of red curls.
In a nutshell: efficient, impatient, assured
Other Moon in Aries celebs include –
Angelina Jolie
Cardi B
Celine Dion
Daniel Radcliffe
Ed Sheeran
Ellen DeGeneres
Jackie Kennedy Onassis
Joaquin Phoenix
Marlon Brando
Russell Brand
Selena Gomez
Whitney Houston
