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16 March 2024
First thing that struck me this morning as I sat down to write is that suddenly we’re only 4 days away from the Spring Equinox. The Sun will move into Aries on Wednesday at 03.08 GMT and I have to say I’m really looking forward to it. As a fire sign I tend to fare better under fiery skies!
For me this particular Pisces season has been intensely characterized by being up close and personal with a lot of suffering, through my client work and those close to me, experiencing vicariously how life becomes totally overwhelming when there are no boundaries in place – sign of the seas is boundless – or when illness takes over, and an unmistakable increase in plumbing and water related problems.
Just yesterday the guy delivering wood threw the logs into the covered area next to the house as usual but this time managed to hit the water pipe on the outside wall (waste pipe for the kitchen and the washing machine in the storeroom at the back of the house). The result was an immediate high pressure fountain. Everything was soaked, wood and cat beds. The mains had to be switched off while the pipe was fixed.
Before we actually get to the Equinox then, bear in mind that the Sun has four days of Pisces left to go and also has to cross the “critical degrees” of 29 (endings) in order to reach 0 (beginnings). This doesn’t automatically signify a crisis, although it can do, but generally look out for themes of transition.
We went through the same thing last week as Venus moved from Aquarius to Pisces, and here’s my social media post for that event –
VENUS IN PISCES
FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM POST from Tuesday 12 March
Venus arrived in Pisces last night (21.52 GMT) and it’s always interesting to watch what happens as a planet makes that transition from 29 degrees of one sign to 0 degrees of the next. These are known as “critical” degrees, which doesn’t have to signify a crisis but often does. There are several going on around me, vulnerable people are even more vulnerable, sensitive types are picking up on a lot of undercurrents, feelings are running high.
Just because Venus is now in her sign of “exaltation” doesn’t mean that it’s one big romantic walk in the park. This is Jupiter’s feminine sign with tons of compassion, empathy and imagination but Pisces is also co-ruled by Neptune, god of the seas. Venus in Pisces natives have feelings that are positively oceanic and personal boundaries are a struggle.
Escapism can blossom into phenomenal creative achievement when channelled into the arts, but the other extreme is to anaesthetize pain through alcohol or drugs. Both Heath Ledger and Kurt Cobain had this Venus.
In a man’s chart in particular this Venus often speaks of his relationship with “the feminine” on a broad spectrum. Either he is at ease with his own feeling self, often with a marked preference for female company, or his emotional nature is walled off and projected onto the “over sensitive” women in his life.
Venus will be travelling through Pisces from now until 5 April. The best expression of this combination is building relationships that are based on mutual sustenance. As I was writing this made me think of the famous St Exupery quotation – Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction. I think that’s one of the best descriptions ever of soulmates.
VENUS/JUPITER
Part of the backdrop now is that Venus in Pisces (Jupiter’s feminine sign) and Jupiter in Taurus (Venus’ feminine sign) means that they’re in MUTUAL RECEPTION – ie they’re in each other’s signs. This is positive as any reception indicates a swapping over, a theme of mutually beneficial arrangements, and even more so as this reception involves both of the “benefics”.
In traditional astrology Venus is the “lesser” benefic and Jupiter is the “greater” benefic. They’re good for us and can bring blessings and benefits. This particular combination feels especially helpful for/with those we love or in connection to money matters. I’ll be writing more about this with examples in the weekly blog, mailed out every Monday.
THE SPRING EQUINOX
Back to the journey to the Equinox, for now just note that this is an especially tricky time of change as 29 Pisces is the position of a Fixed Star called Scheat, recognized as being malefic and associated with great sadness or disasters, especially in connection to water or drugs. Marilyn Monroe had Uranus (shocks, the unexpected) at 29 Pisces in the 8th House, where we locate death.
So the write ups about Scheat make for scary reading but no need to panic. If you’re dealing with a crisis, or helping anyone else through a crisis, then it’s important to remember that it’s not forever, it just feels like it. The Sun crossing these degrees is an extremely powerful feature for moving from “lost at sea” to reclaiming personal fire and energy. In other words, we see what we can do about a situation or solutions/fresh starts simply present themselves because the time is right.
FIXED STARS
The astrology of Fixed Stars came up in last week’s blog in connection to Piscean Michael Caine’s horoscope. I pointed out how he also has Venus (love and women) in Pisces, a sweet placing in a man’s chart, often indicating a natural affinity with women and the feminine.
Also his other feminine planet the Moon is in Libra, natural sign of the 7th House of marriage, and at 23 Libra is conjunct the benefic Fixed Star of Spica. Michael Caine has a famously fantastic marriage, married to the stunning Shakira since 1973.
A partner from a different culture is indicated by the sign of Jupiter ruled Sagittarius on the Descendant, the super sensitive Angle marking the beginning to the 7th House of marriage.
Deborah Houlding writes –
Spica is a brilliant white binary star marking the Ear of corn in the maiden’s left hand … As was generally the case in ancient astrology the principle star characterised the entire constellation, which was known to the Egyptians as the ‘most dedicated wife’.
Deborah’s website Skyscript is a top resource on all the Fixed Stars –
https://www.skyscript.co.uk/stars.html
NEW BOOK – THE ASTROLOGY TAROT with cards
Regular readers will know that over the last six months I’ve been writing a book which is now finished and at the printers. I really enjoyed the writing, interpreting the 78 cards and matching their symbolism to the signs and planets.
These combinations can be very powerful in their reach and accuracy, such as describing significant people or explaining the milestones on your life’s journey. The book also explains how to shuffle, deal and choose the right spreads.
The Brazilian illustrator Bárbara Tamilin was especially commissioned for the artwork, she’s done an amazing job with a wonderful use of colour.
https://www.barbaratamilin.com/
PUBLICATION DATE – 13 August
The book and cards are available for pre-ordering on Amazon or you can wait until nearer the publication date to take advantage of my reader offer. This is for those based in the UK and includes free P&P. If you want to make a note of the offer here are the details but I’ll be posting a reminder nearer the time –
UK readers can buy a copy for the special price of £15 (RRP £20). To order go to www.rylandpeters.com and use code ASTROLOGYTAROT05 at checkout. Offer valid from 13th August 2024 until 30th September 20th 2024.
FREE READINGS
So with five months to go before the book comes out I’ll be focusing on building up my mailing list. Bárbara Tamilin also has a big following, especially on Instagram, so between us we have high hopes of the book doing really well.
If you would like a free 30 minute astrology/tarot reading here’s the offer –
IF YOU’RE ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER TO THE WEEKLY BLOG –
Sign up two new members to the mailing list for the Weekly Blog, one of which must be for an annual subscription, then book in for your reading.
IF YOU’RE NOT YET A SUBSCRIBER TO THE WEEKLY BLOG –
Sign yourself up and become a subscriber to the Weekly Blog, along with one other new member, who can be a monthly or annual subscriber, then book in for your reading.
The weekly blog has now been going out every week for over 15 years, following current astrology and relevant horoscopes, and how to make sense of the week ahead. Every Monday, minimum 3k words, suitable for all levels.
Annual subscription £57 works out at £1.09 a week
Monthly subscription £5.95 works out at £1.37 a week
You can skip signup boxes and contact me direct for the fast track option, or anyone can sign up via the PayPal box on the home page of my website https://joannawatters.com/
READINGS, HOW & WHEN?
I do all readings by phone call on WhatsApp. I can send a photo of your tarot spread after the reading. These slots will be scheduled for mornings in the last week of April/first week of May, not quite sure how many I can commit to doing atm but first come first served.
At the time of booking a reading you will need to send me your data – date and place of birth, time of birth as accurately as possible – so that I can also prep your horoscope.
SUMMER SCHOOL
5 JUNE – TAROT & ASTROLOGY
4 of 10 Places Available
I’ll be teaching this subject on my Summer School week in June. This is two months ahead of publication date but of course I have all the material from the book, so I’ll be prepping some sneak preview handouts for those attending this course.
https://joannawatters.com/course/tarot-and-astrology/
12 JUNE – HORARY ASTROLOGY with Elisabeth Brooke
4 of 10 Places Available
https://joannawatters.com/course/answer-questions-horary-astrology/
My Tarot & Astrology week is immediately followed by Elisabeth’s week on Horary, the astrology of asking questions. If you’d like to get a flavour of Elisabeth’s work here’s the link to her latest blog –
https://elisabethbrooke.com/2024/03/10/wondrous-women/
Elisabeth writes – My new book, Goddess Astrology discusses the lives of women looking through their astrology. They form examples of the Greek Goddesses which represent the planets and signs. It was such a fun book to write, reading about the amazing women from all walks of life and time periods. Seeing how they triumphed through adversity, misogyny and racism to make their mark on the world.
FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM
If you’d like to follow me on social media I try to do daily posts but usually manage about three or four a week!
https://www.instagram.com/
You’ll also find these posts on my Facebook group The World of Astrology –
https://www.facebook.com/
MOON IN AQUARIUS
Taken from my book Essential Astrology I’m serializing the Moon signs, continuing today with Aquarius.
Essential Astrology (previous titled Be Your Own Astrologer) has been relaunched under the new title by Cico Books. Here’s the link for the paperback or kindle version on Amazon –
The Moon in Saturn’s masculine sign, with innovative and new age Uranus as co-ruler, is a mixed bag. The Saturn type is deadly logical, objective and sometimes distant. The Uranus type is more avant-garde with progressive or unconventional ideas about relationships. Both types, especially when struggling through adolescence, are not sure if they should have feelings at all. They tend to over rationalize or minimize their emotional needs and reactions, and consequently those of others.
Early upbringing experiences are often about a family culture that places huge value on academic achievement or the “stiff upper lip”, parenting that provides the basic needs of survival but goes no further, or parents who operate by a strict rulebook. The best case early scenario for this Moon is parents who walk the talk, who practice equality and fairness, and who are their child’s best friends.
In spite of Aquarius being the sign of groups these individuals often struggle with shyness and differentness. They need to fit in yet they often go through periods of being head in the clouds loners. In love possibly their biggest challenge is to heal the split between the theory and practice of personal relationships.
However, this Moon is low on drama and, as confidence grows, they usually find happiness when the focus is on friendship and a true meeting of minds. At a wider level they need the company of those who share their intellectual interests.
Moon in Aquarius is also about the collective and the needs of a country. Many successful politicians have this Moon, including former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair and Angela Merkel, former research scientist and Chancellor of Germany.
In a nutshell: brisk, brilliant, humane.
Other celebs with Moon in Aquarius
- Billie Eilish
- Britney Spears
- Bruce Willis
- Denzel Washington
- Diana Princess of Wales
- John Lennon
- Kate Bush
- Marilyn Monroe
- Morgan Freeman
- Pope Francis
- Russell Crowe
- Sophia Loren
- USA Declaration of Independence
- Vivien Leigh
- Woody Allen