The Astrology Blog 29 February 2016
You can scroll down past the blog for info updates on all courses here in Greece and the forthcoming London astrology and tarot workshops.
What’s happening this week?
All times in GMT
As usual start by noting that if you have natal planets or angles at or close to any of the signs and degrees featuring this week then unfolding events will be especially significant for you. Here are the usual links for checking the position of your own planets and angles:
http://www.alwaysastrology.com/birth-chart-calculator.html
You can also try this calculator, which lists all your planets and angles rather than bringing up the visual of the horoscope, so for non astrologers it’s easier to use.
http://astro.cafeastrology.com/cgi-bin/astro/natal
Last week Mercury was the prime mover, linking into Saturn and Uranus. This week it’s Venus’ turn as she is also moving through Aquarius and repeats exactly the same pattern –
• Tuesday Venus 16 degrees Aquarius sextile Saturn 16 degrees Sag (01.08)
• Thursday Venus 18 degrees Aquarius sextile Uranus 18 degrees Aries (01.14)
Firstly a reminder that slow moving Saturn and Uranus themselves are both in fire signs but they don’t actually make an exact alliance until Christmas Day, when they both reach 20 degrees of their respective signs. However at the moment they are in trine (harmonious) to each other but a couple of degrees apart. If the above degrees are relevant for you then unfolding events may well be part of a much bigger picture that will be connected to longer term plans or which will culminate at the end of the year.
For now, and as noted last week, the sextile is a harmonious aspect that happens when planets are exactly two signs apart. Last week I commented on how fast Mercury is moving now (up to full speed of nearly 2 degrees a day) and the same applies to Venus who is also moving at her swiftest (just over 1 degree a day). What does that mean? As I’m always saying, remember the “as above, so below” mantra which reminds us that astrology is not causal – the planets don’t make us do things. Rather astrology enables us to look into that huge celestial mirror that reflects our lives back to us, showing us how to stay in synch.
With regard to these Venus aspects then, note the things happening quickly in your own life, matters that can be dealt with immediately or the input of others that make a significant difference. In particular note the events that link into Venus symbolism, planet of love and money, but also of all the sweet things of life, the things you can buy and the things that you can’t that both bring their own kind of pleasure and enjoyment. Saturn is good for closure or for putting things in order, Uranus by good aspect is associated with brilliance, the unexpected that works in your favour or, again, things happening quickly or suddenly.
Mercury and Venus are currently travelling through Aquarius, the sign which in turn is ruled by Saturn (traditional ruler) and Uranus (co-ruler), so these aspects have an extra clout. Aquarius is also an air sign, element of the mind, and all the air signs love to talk and philosophize, and Aquarius in particular is brilliant at lateral thinking, objectifying and list making. More precisely Aquarius is one of the fixed signs, so is the sign of fixed air, so the word of warning is that we may need to guard against rigid thinking and categorizing, or be “on to” those who are trying to box us in. The links to Saturn and Uranus symbolize ways in which we can get out of the “thinking about it” mode and into the “doing something about it” mode, ways in which we can link up with others and find the help or answers that we need. If you’ve been deliberating over a love or money issue then this is the week to swing into action and get results. It also feels important to invite opinions, to consider them, to do research and to check our own spin on things.
The end of the week is more complex as Mercury clashes with Mars before they both change sign. Here’s the sequence –
Saturday
• Mercury 29 Aquarius square Mars 29 Scorpio (05.44)
• Mercury ingress Pisces (10.25)
Sunday
• Mars ingress Sagittarius (02.30)
Tough Mercury – Mars aspects are the classic war of words. As this aspect happens at the end of their respective signs look out for closure on a matter but in a way that may be acrimonious. Mars by difficult aspect often signals pain of some kind. If at all possible try to avoid those who are argumentative, angry or hyper critical. Last word freaks also come to mind! However, if you have to play hard ball to get a matter sorted then you may have to bite on that bullet as this aspect is a “last chance” scenario. Otherwise, at a more general level, Mercury- Mars crossing swords is a warning against saying anything that will be hard to take back, think before you hit that “send” button, to avoid risk taking, to kill your speed when driving, to guard against injury to the hands or fingers (eg Mars rules all things sharp) or not to take on tasks that are beyond your own expertise. Don’t create your own headaches, especially if you often find it hard to say no.
Mercury and Mars then embark upon new journeys and open new cycles, and I’ll be talking more about this next week, especially as this coincides with the beginning of the next Eclipse season. For now note that this difficult transition is followed by two more tough aspects –
Sunday
• Sun 16 Pisces square Saturn 16 Sagittarius (06.05)
• Jupiter 18 Virgo quinqunx Uranus 18 Aries (11.48)
Saturn under a difficult aspect always equals “no” in some shape or form. Barriers, blocks, delays, disappointments – they are all there for a reason, even if that reason is not apparent at the time. So this coming weekend is not the time to force any square pegs into round holes. It’s also a time for rest rather than overdoing things as the Sun is the life force/good health and Saturn is the opposite, being the enemy of “the Lights” (the Sun and Moon) as shown by being in detriment in their respective signs of dignity (Leo and Cancer). Slow down. You’re only human.
This is heavily underlined by the “blind” aspect between Jupiter and Uranus, the quinqunx which is formed when planets align exactly five signs apart. Any tinderbox situation will be highly sensitized at this time and, again, it’s a no to risk taking or playing with fire. Love issues and triangles are top of the list as Venus is also quinqunx Jupiter earlier in the week (Thursday 12.05)
Other possible takes on this aspect link to “blindness” in terms of not being able to find a solution or a way out (both these planets are linked to liberation), disputes of “ne’er the twain shall meet” variety or somebody forcing your hand or taking you unawares. Any situation that relates to subterfuge or secrecy of any kind is now the classic pressure cooker waiting to blow its lid but that may be just what is needed.
So the second half of the week is not easy, but unfolding events that culminate at the weekend will at least be decisive.
Until next week
With love from Greece
Joanna
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
THE GREEK ISLAND SUMMER SCHOOL 2016
23 May 2016 – Tarot & Astrology
(6 of 20 places available)
Suitable for all levels – How to combine the two crafts and develop your psychic skills
We start 2016 with a visiting tutor, tarot expert and psychic medium Avril Price. I will be teaching how to use astrology as an extra string to your interpretative and divinatory bow, adding fine tuning timing to your reading without the need to draw up the whole horoscope in advance.
If you want to do this course please note that it is nearly full with new enquiries coming in almost every day – you can secure your travel package and your place on the course with deposits, you don’t have to pay everything in full up front.
This week’s top deal is from Monarch Holidays – Avra Beach Hotel
http://www.monarch.co.uk/offers/holidays/greece
• Avra Beach Hotel £337 – incl breakfast
• Yiannis Hotel £351
• Athos Hotel 375 – incl breakfast
All have ensuite shower rooms and private balconies. The price is for single person occupancy (it’s less if you’re going to share) for the week, including flights, transfers and baggage allowance. No hidden extras! Note that the Avra Beach hotel is about 5 minutes walk from the village, Yiannis and Athos Hotel are the other end of the village and just a couple of minutes walk to the main harbor.
6 June 2016 – Talking Tarot
Suitable for all levels
This was previously advertised as the Discovering Astrology week which has now been moved to mid September – see below.
Talking Tarot is ideal for beginners or intermediate, taking you through the meanings of the 78 tarot cards, learning different spreads and teaching you how to conduct a reading. You’ll need to bring a pack of tarot card with you. I use Rider Waite but you can bring any deck of your choice. Fun, easy and inspirational!
(8 of 10 places available)
Avoid Thomas Cook for this week as their prices are currently astronomical. The best deal on offer for this week at the moment is with Monarch Holidays –
http://www.monarch.co.uk/offers/holidays/greece
• The Avra Beach hotel is, naturally, on the beach with beautiful sea views across to the stunning mainland mountains and the former Onassis island of Scorpios. For single person occupancy the price is £421, with an on line booking discount if £74. If you are sharing the price is cheaper, £364 per person, on line discount £63 per person.
• Also if you are sharing there is Costas and Sophie’s hotel £346 per person or the Athos Hotel £410, with the same on line discounts.
If you want to do flight only the destination airport is PREVEZA (PVK). The airport is on the mainland but we are joined by a causeway so the transfer time is 45 minutes, with no ferry links involved.
The best deal at the moment is with British Airways from Heathrow, special offer of return flight for £248, incl 20k of luggage allowance, with Charter Flights, and friendly flight times. NOTE THAT these are still charter flights, not scheduled, so you won’t find them on BA website.
Sun 5 June, Heathrow to Preveza
09:40, land15:15
BA9130C
Sun 12 June, Preveza to Heathrow
16:15, land 17:45
BA9131C
http://www.charterflights.co.uk/flights/greece/preveza
Or speak to Barry or Joanna on 0208 714 0010
I can arrange transfers from and back to the airport for around €20 per person each way, and accommodation for between €30-40 a night (£20-£30 a night).
9 Sept 2016 – The Astrology of Relationships
Intermediate level
(4 of 10 places available)
PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE OF DATE for The Astrology of Relationships in September. This was originally planned to start on the 12th but will now start on the 9th. This is because by Sept we have the option of Thursday flights and packages (flying out 8th Sept, return flights the following Thursday 15th), which have turned out to be literally half the cost of the same holidays linked to Sunday flights.
The travel bargain is with Olympic Holidays, accommodation at Demetra Studios, a small block of lovely rooms set in their own gardens, on the seafront and just a few minutes walk to the main harbor.
http://www.olympicholidays.com/greece/lefkada/lefkada/demetra-studios/
Just £367 covers your flights, luggage allowance, accommodation (single person occupancy with ensuite bathroom and private balcony) and transfers to and from the airport. There is only this one flight coming to the island on Thursdays so if you want to do this course it’s advisable to book immediately. You can secure your package with a deposit with Olympic Holidays.
Astrologically the change of date is perfect. This course was planned to celebrate the beginning of Jupiter’s 12 month journey through Libra, the sign of partnership, and in fact Jupiter arrives in this sign exactly on the 9th. What does your horoscope tell you about the nature of your relationships? How to locate your love life in your chart, everything from meetings to marriages. How to interpret synastry, the comparison of two horoscopes that reveals the chemistry – and the issues! We’ll be working with transits and progressions. Suitable for intermediate level.
16 Sept 2016 – Discovering Astrology
(8 of 10 places available)
PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE OF DATE for Discovering Astrology. This has been moved from the second week of June which is now a tarot week (see above).
Lift astrology out of the Sun sign columns and discover the fascinating world of horoscopy. You’ll be exploring your own horoscope as well as working with examples from my own practice and the world of celebs. Suitable for beginners and refreshers.
http://www.olympicholidays.com/greece/lefkada/lefkada/demetra-studios/
This course starts on a Friday, flights on Thursday, and the deal with Olympic Holidays is even cheaper than the previous week. Just £331 covers your flights, luggage allowance, accommodation (single person occupancy with ensuite bathroom and private balcony) and transfers to and from the airport. There is only this one flight coming to the island on Thursdays so if you want to do this course it’s advisable to book immediately. You can secure your package with a deposit with Olympic Holidays.
LONDON WORKSHOPS
These workshops are designed to be fun as well as intensive. We cover a lot of material and you’ll have the chance to give and receive a reading. Additional tutors will be joining us so you don’t have to worry if you’re a beginner – there’ll be lots of help and input to guide you.
Suitable for beginners to intermediate
Saturday 2 April
(11 of 20 places available)
Be a Better Tarot Reader – exploring card meanings, choosing and using the best spreads, and how to conduct a reading. Please be sure to bring a pack of tarot cards with you. I work with Rider Waite but you can bring any deck of your choice.
Sunday 3 April
(9 of 20 places available)
Understanding Astrology – you have a horoscope sitting in front of you, but what does it all mean? How to make accurate interpretations re personality and destiny in life, love and vocation. You’ll be exploring your own horoscope in this workshop so please have your data to hand when you book – your date and place of birth, and time of birth as accurately as possible – so that I can prepare your chart in advance.
Venue for both workshops
The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place W1U 8EA
Hours – 10am-5pm
Cost – £85.00 per day, or £150.00 for both
PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS
1 of 4 slots available for private readings the week beginning Easter Monday, 28 March. Do get in touch asap if you’d like to book.
Finally, if you live in the north west of the UK here’s a date for your diary:
THE BOLTON ASTROLOGICAL SOCIETY
SPRING CONFERENCE 2016
SATURDAY 9TH APRIL
10.30AM – 4.30PM
Over Hulton Conservative Club
St Helens Rd
Bolton BL5 1AA
£35 INCLUDING LUNCH
FRANK CLIFFORD
10.30-1.00
AWKWARD PLANETARY COMBINATIONS
2.00-4.30
HUMOUR IN THE HOROSCOPE
For more information contact –
Jennifer Staveley-Hall 01942 810743
boltonastro@yahoo.co.uk
Recommended Reading
Binary Stars – the Astrology of Marriage and Divorce
by Karon Meakin
If you’re coming along to the Astrology of Relationships week in September or if this is an area of astrology that interests you, this is the book for you! As Karon writes in her introduction –
It is a reasonable bet that the subject of human relationships has consumed more ink, celluloid and guitar strings than were ever spent in disseminating the wisdom of all the philosophers and the biography of all the generals who have shaped the world.
Her book addresses the following –
What do the birth charts of people who are happily married look like?
How do they compare with the charts of the divorced?
Is there a difference in their wedding charts?
How does what we already know about astrology help us understand what makes a relationship work?
How does what we already know about two sets of real life relationships help us to improve our astrology?
Is there any hope if your chart looks more like the ‘wrong’ sort?
Find out more or download free pdfs on Karon’s site –
https://karonmeakinbinarystars.net
