The Astrology Blog 17 January 2022
All times in GMT
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
Albert Einstein
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Albert_Einstein
“Whatever worked in the past, build on it; whatever didn’t work in the past, break the chain that binds you to it.”
Marianne Williamson
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Marianne_Williamson
THE CAT SANCTUARY
Readers of this blog have now raised 628 Euros to help save the cat sanctuary, my retrograde Venus campaign. A really huge thank you, obviously from me but especially from Evie who runs it, at the expense of her own needs.
Bill the kitten who I featured last week is doing really well. Your donations have paid for subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics, eye treatment, kitten food and his own blanket. Aww. Obviously he’s an indoor cat at the moment, but loads of bedding is needed at this time of year as we hit night temperatures of minus degrees. Yep, sadly it’s a Greek myth that we have warm weather all year around!
A Fiver Feeds a Feline for a Fortnight. Minimum donation is 1 Euro. It all counts, it all adds up –
https://gogetfunding.com/?p=7429131
RETROGRADE MERCURY – DJOKOVIC
Mercury turned retrograde at 10 degrees Aquarius on Friday at 11.43 GMT. This happens three times a year for three weeks at a time. Dates for your diary –
- 14 Jan – Turns retrograde at 10 Aquarius
- 4 Feb – Turns direct at 24 Capricorn
- 10 May – Turns retrograde at 4 Gemini
- 3 June – Turns direct at 26 Taurus
- 10 Sept – Turns retrograde at 9 Libra
- 2 Oct – Turns direct at 24 Virgo
As the planet of communication, winged messenger of the gods, switches direction then the first thing to expect is things not going to plan, and breaking news that carries the hallmarks of retrograde symbolism – anything “going back”, into reverse, up for review, returning, revoking and any other “re” word you can think of.
On this occasion this came true with bells on, as the saying goes! The headlines on Friday morning started with Novak Djokovic and the announcement that Australia had cancelled his visa for the second time. A judge had initially ruled that he did meet the requirements for vaccine exemption and had ordered his immediate release from the quarantine hotel.
That initial decision in his favour coincided with the Sun conjunct Venus (currently also retrograde) at 18 Capricorn, on his Ascendant of 16 Capricorn. This was the “heart” of the Venus retrograde cycle which often brings moments of reprieve or vital help in the shape of key information or other people’s input. Venus after all is a benefic.
But it didn’t last. As Mercury then also “stationed” (appearing to come to a standstill in readiness for making the backwards loop that as always with this planet will last for three weeks) that permission to stay in the country was revoked and it was back to the courts, and not tennis ones.
Retrograde Mercury and Venus can also link to things coming back to haunt you. Djokovic certainly hadn’t helped his cause with his past behavior, having to admit that he met with a journalist for an interview and photoshoot after testing positive for Covid. Idiot.
So his visa was revoked on “health and good order” grounds, at least partly it seems as a way of showing respect to the thousands of Australians who’ve made so many sacrifices during lockdown, and then finally cancelled yesterday (Sunday) and he was deported.
As Venus has been retrograding in Saturn’s sign of Capricorn (authority, hierarchy, The Rules) there’s been a huge and unmistakable theme of the law applying to everyone. No immunity, no special treatment, regardless of status or wealth. In Ghislaine Maxwell’s case as I explored last week this has in fact gone to the other extreme with a chilling dehumanizing.
Of course, the exception to the rule is Donald Trump who incited a riot with deadly consequences, he just did it in a way that didn’t render him culpable, through the use of rhetoric that is the hallmark of his record of being connected to incitement to violence, mostly racial, (military Mars conjunct his Ascendant) see his Wikipedia page for the research details that go back years but here’s the report on the Capitol riot –
“The rioters assaulted law enforcement officers, vandalized property, and occupied the building for several hours.[32] Five people died either shortly before, during, or following the event: one was shot by Capitol Police, another died of a drug overdose, and three died of natural causes.[19][33] Many people were injured, including 138 police officers. Four officers who responded to the attack died by suicide within seven months.[34] “ (Wikipedia)
And yet he walks free. But the Full Moon picks up his Venus – Saturn (25 – 23 Cancer) conjunction this week so some kind of reckoning may yet be in the making, especially as Mercury will turn direct (at 24 Capricorn) opposite those planets and in turn Venus will turn direct (at 11 Capricorn) opposite his Mercury. He’s facing at least four civil lawsuits by more than a dozen police officers for physical and emotional injuries. Watch this space.
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Donald_Trump
THE ANGLES
Before commenting on other horoscopes, in terms of the Angles here’s a recap of their significance and how it helps to see the wheel of the horoscope as a 24-hour clock. The sign and the degree on these four compass points in any given horoscope are determined purely by the time of birth (which is why the time is so important to an astrologer, without it you wouldn’t know if you were looking at the chart the right way up, upside down or somewhere in between) and are super sensitive to any planetary activity.
Apart from the fact that the royals are very much in the news at the moment their horoscopes are a goldmine of learning for the astrological student simply because they all have accurate to the minute times of birth.
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The Ascendant – 6 am – sunrise (WEST)
Arguably the most important part of the horoscope, the Ascendant – or rising sign – is the sign rising over the eastern horizon at the time of birth. It therefore marks the beginning of the 1st house, the self and the physical body, and is the front door into any horoscope.
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The Descendant – 6 pm – sunset (EAST)
This angle marks the beginning of the 7th house and is always exactly opposite the Ascendant. If the Ascendant is “I” then the Descendant is “you”. This is where we locate any significant other in terms of partnership, personal or professional.
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The Midheaven – or MC – midday (NORTH)
MC stands for Medium Coeli, which is the Latin phrase for the middle of the sky. This angle marks the beginning of the 10th house. In some horoscopes you will find this angle drawn as an arrow, pointing up towards the heavens. So the Midheaven points to what is above us, where we are going, symbolizing our vocation, status and aspirations in life. It also rules those in authority over us and one of the parents.
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The IC – midnight (SOUTH)
IC stands for Imum Coeli, which is the Latin phrase for “bottom of the sky”, the sky below us. This angle is always exactly opposite the MC and it marks the beginning of the 4th house, where we locate home, property and the other parent. It symbolizes our origins, where we have come from.
PRINCE ANDREW
So, the second news item on Friday as Mercury was making the turnaround was Prince Andrew, whose astrology I detailed last week in connection to Ghislaine, including the fact that Mercury was turning retrograde (10 Aquarius) almost exactly conjunct his Descendant (11 Aquarius), one of the highly sensitive four Angles of the chart that is the domain of all “significant other” one to one relationships.
There’s no question he’s in deep shit as his “Randy Andy” past catches up with him. I can remember his being labeled that when I was in my 20’s, but of course in those days nobody attached any sinister implications to it. On the contrary, the nickname was funny and indulgent, with the idea that any girl should consider herself lucky to be a lover of the handsome single Prince. How times have changed.
The consequences are now far reaching, starting with his titles being revoked and returned –
The Duke of York’s military titles and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen, Buckingham Palace has said. On Thursday, a letter – released by anti-monarchy pressure group Republic – was signed by more than 150 Royal Navy, RAF and Army veterans asking the Queen to strip Prince Andrew of his eight British military titles… He will have to defend himself against Virginia Giuffre as a private citizen, there will be no more His Royal Highness in this court case.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59987935
This is a big week for Prince Andrew with Mercury stationed on his Descendant, the Full Moon falling exactly opposite his Venus – Mars conjunction, and stationing Uranus (shocks, separations, the rug puller) opposite his Neptune in Scorpio, a dramatic lineup for the sexual scandal that won’t go away. This feels like nowhere to hide from something that happened over 20 years ago.
Thanks to Eileen Richardson who last night posted a time of birth for Virginia Giuffre –
https://www.astrotheme.com/horoscope_chart_sign_ascendant.php?r=32
I haven’t had the time to study this chart in depth but the astonishing factor that immediately jumps out is that she has exactly the same Ascendant – Descendant horizon as Andrew, 11 Leo – 11 Aquarius. In normal circumstances that would be considered textbook synastry for genuine attraction and she’s on record as saying that she “got to sleep with Prince Andrew” and wasn’t upset about it.
Virginia has already sued Ghislaine Maxwell who settled out of court with her in 2017, reportedly paying her “millions” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Giuffre) and the news coverage so far is suggesting that she’s now not so much focused on a settlement with Andrew as justice. In other words, her motivation is for this to go to trial.
Mercury’s journey is crucial to developments –
- 14 Jan he turned retrograde conjunct their shared Descendant
- 26 Jan will then slide back into Capricorn
- 4 Feb will turn direct and then gradually pick up speed again
- 14 Feb will reenter Aquarius for the second time
- 24 Feb will reach their shared Descendant of 11 Aquarius
That last date will be crucial if a deal is to be made. If it’s not, the ongoing Saturn and Pluto transits in both of their charts (too much to go into here) spell heavy retribution/witch hunt depending on your point of view. I find it deeply disturbing that not condoning what was done has ended up being others also taking the rap for Epstein the real perpetrator, to the extent of life imprisonment.
BORIS JOHNSON
The third item of news on Friday as Mercury turned was Boris Johnson and the lockdown parties fiasco that just gets worse and worse. Although he has apologized it’s clear that saying sorry is nowhere near enough. Was there any genuine remorse? Mmm. If there was, it wasn’t terribly convincing. Somehow this made me think of that Rhett Butler line to Scarlett in Gone with the Wind, “You’re like the thief who isn’t the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly sorry he’s going to jail.”
Is he going to be able to reverse out of this one? Astrologically he’s not in the direct firing line of retrograde Mercury or Venus but these also work at a universal level (ie regardless of whether or not you have planets or Angles at the relevant degrees).
It’s clear that he’s another one that’s caught up in past but more recent events coming back to haunt him. And the fact that this all unfolded on a retrograde Venus and is now exploding on a retrograde Mercury indicates a lot more to come. My own feeling is that he’ll probably find a way of passing the buck – again – for now.
But ultimately his natal picture indicates that this will be his undoing, if not sooner then later – astrology can be very literal sometimes!
- Saturn in Pisces (sign of wine), retrograde, in 5th House (fun and parties)
- Saturn involved in a Kite formation – in a Grand Trine with Moon and Sun/Venus, and opposing the Uranus/Pluto in the 11th
- 11th House – where we locate our peers and wider circles of contacts, such as constituents. Here’s the likelihood of a vote of no confidence/people not voting for him next time
PRINCE HARRY
Another horoscope with a Capricorn Ascendant, this time 11 degrees. This is in fact the exact degree at which Venus will turn direct again on 29 January. Apart from love stuff and life’s pleasures (parties lol) Venus rules money.
Harry was in the headlines yesterday as it emerged that he’s seeking a judicial review against a refusal of the Home Office to allow him to personally pay for police protection when in the UK.
Venus also rules women. Echoes of Diana who died because of the lack of professional security after her divorce, so this is a massive issue for Harry. Also Harry’s daughter, Lilibet, is now seven months old and has yet to meet her great-grandmother the Queen. Venus turning direct on Harry’s Ascendant at the end of the month indicates success financially in connection to his womenfolk.
BACK AT THE RANCH …
Regular readers know how I always say pay close attention to what unfolds for you on major turning points, as these matters will prove to be extra important or long running. For those of us lucky enough not to be caught up in catastrophic eruptions, tsunamis or public scandals these turning points are the stuff of life, linking to either major or minor events.
As Venus started retrograding the mouse infestation and the dead washing machine came to light and thank you to everyone who’s sympathized with me! It now turns out that I haven’t had mice, I’ve had rats … which is somehow a hundred times worse. No wonder the washing machine wires and cables had been chewed to bits. To cut a long story short I had to shoo my big dog Zindzi away from a dead one (fortunately I’d been warned about “secondary poisoning”, another animal eating poisoned vermin, thank you Linda Neale). I then triple bagged the dead rat to take it to a bin on the bypass so that none of the local strays would be at risk. Got in the car. Guess what, the car was also dead. Great. Textbook retro Mercury, “problems with transport and communication”. Thank you Mercury, very funny.
Nothing I could do, it was getting late and dark and freezing cold by then. Couldn’t live stream UK tv as the internet had been down all day, although mysteriously the email and Whatsapp were still working … turned out it was the connection to the whole village and it’s now fixed.
So got a jump start the next day, ie Friday, almost exactly as Mercury was turning, and drove straight to the garage and am waiting to hear. But in terms of what unfolded for me as Mercury turned, at 10 Aquarius and in my 3rd House (one of Mercury’s Natural Houses, where we locate local transport and all means of getting around) the message is clear – Jo, your car is ancient and you need to buy a new one. Damn. Cars here are astronomically expensive, even second hand ones, and this has turned into a colossally expensive month (Venus retrograding through my 2nd House of money, it was never going to be good!)
So the hunt is on. Am pinning my hopes on the cazimi Mercury next weekend for info and the fact that when Mercury turns direct again at the beginning of next month it will be in Capricorn in my 2nd, so maybe I’ll find a bargain. Fingers crossed.
In which House in your own horoscope did Venus and then Mercury turn? You’ll almost certainly find that this info yields further info for you.
It’s also rare btw for these two planets to be retrograde at the same time. I looked back through the Ephemerides and the last time we had anything close to his was in July 1999 when Mercury turned retrograde on the 12th followed by Venus on 30th, but their turning direct dates were five weeks apart. This time they’ll be within five days of each other, Venus turning direct 29 Jan and Mercury 4 Feb. Dates for your diary in terms of answers and outcomes.
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK?
Here’s your at a glance list of the aspects being formed this week –
Monday 17 January
- Retrograde Venus 13 Capricorn semi-sextile Saturn 13 Aquarius 19.45
- Full Moon 28 Cancer 23.50
Tuesday 18 January
- Uranus turns direct 10.49 Taurus 15.27
Wednesday 19 January
- Mars 26 Sagittarius semi-sextile Pluto 18.26
Thursday 20 January
- Sun ingress Aquarius 02.40
Saturday 22 January
- Retrograde Mercury 5 Aquarius semi-sextile Jupiter 5 Pisces 04.01
Sunday 23 January
- Sun conjunct Mercury (cazimi) 3 Aquarius 10.29
So the week starts with the only Venus aspect, a minor one to Saturn –
Monday 17 January
- Retrograde Venus 13 Capricorn semi-sextile Saturn 13 Aquarius 19.45
- Full Moon 28 Cancer 23.50
It’s worth noting as Venus is retrograde and also in Saturn’s sign of Capricorn and within hours of the Full Moon. The half sextile is formed when two planets are exactly one sign apart and indicates the two working together, side by side in a mostly positive way. But with retrogrades in the picture nothing is a safe bet.
My day started with something that tragically fitted the symbolism exactly – a friend calling to collect my donation (Venus) of my surplus linen/towels to a family (Cancer) in Lefkada who lost everything (Saturn) in a fire at the end of last week. I also had upsetting family news.
Apart from family issues being in the spotlight don’t forget that all Full Moons are also notoriously crazy, ie lunacy (lunar) and warn us that feelings will be running high. Tread gently.
The same minor aspect repeats midweek between Mars and Pluto –
Tuesday 18 January
- Uranus turns direct 10.49 Taurus 15.27
Wednesday 19 January
- Mars 26 Sagittarius semi-sextile Pluto 18.26
Again, this is worth noting for other reasons, firstly because it’s Mars’ last link to any other planet before changing sign and moving on into Capricorn next Monday, so it’s finale stuff, especially as Pluto is about endings too and slams the door shut after him. Secondly, it coincides with Uranus turning direct, so we have another turning point.
The outer planets stay retrograde for months at a time but it’s worth noting the turning retrograde/direct dates. On this occasion I wonder if this is like the last hurrah of the huge Saturn – Uranus square that dominated last year and which finalized on 24 December. A huge explosion (Tonga) that has been building up or simmering for months.
If you have planets or Angles between 10 and 15 Taurus then look back to what was unfolding for you last summer when Uranus turned retrograde 20 August at nearly 15 Taurus, and how that compares to the picture now with Uranus turning direct at just under 11 Taurus. Anything that is already untenable is almost certainly on its way out, ready or not. Look out for the Uranus hallmarks, such as the unexpected playing a surprise role.
The second half of the week is much better, especially as we go into the weekend –
Thursday 20 January
- Sun ingress Aquarius 02.40
Saturday 22 January
- Retrograde Mercury 5 Aquarius semi-sextile Jupiter 5 Pisces 04.01
Sunday 23 January
- Sun conjunct Mercury (cazimi) 3 Aquarius 10.29
The Sun enters Aquarius, followed by Mercury making that same minor aspect, but to Jupiter (the Greater Benefic) and culminating with the Sun – Mercury conjunction. Any Mercury – Jupiter combination is good news, but on this occasion there’s the retrograde price tag to be aware of, such as info that is welcome but not yet useable.
And whenever Mercury is in a retrograde period there’s always an exact conjunction with the Sun somewhere roughly in the middle, and the same happened with Venus as explained last week.
Any other planet conjunct the Sun to within 17 minutes of arc (ie just over a quarter of a degree) is said to be “cazimi” – defined as being in “the heart of the Sun”. The symbolism of this is about the other planet drawing strength from that heat instead of being burned up by it. It’s a window of opportunity, the stuff of light bulb moments, vital information or having the chance to get your point across exactly in the right way and at the right time. In that hot spot is a golden nugget of truth or a lifeline of help.
- The Mercury cazimi lasts approximately for 8 hours, about four hours either side of the exact conjunction
- This cazimi will therefore be from approx 6am through to 2pm on Sunday in the UK. Adjust to your own time zone – eg Greece 8am through to 4pm
- Look out for that Mercury moment, especially things that shine a light into your understanding, help you to make a decision, negotiate a deal or find the right words to get an important conversation started
- As this falls just 6 days before Venus is due to turn direct also look out for love and money decisions/issues taking a more definite shape. Whatever unfolds for you will have a significant impact on how your life, plans and goals will start moving forwards again
This all applies at a universal level but will be especially noticeable if you have planets or Angles in the early degrees of Aquarius or in the opposite sign of Leo.
Until next week, with love from Greece
Joanna