MERCURY + PLUTO

detective

intense

probing

researcher

unrelentless

persuasive 

extreme

persistent

surgical 

mysterious

powerful

obsessive

destroying information

secrets

punished for information

compulsive questioning

depression

skillful retaliation

news of death

deep thinking

drastic gestures

Mercury is conjunct Pluto in Capricorn until Saturday Dec 18th. Are you feeling it?

When the Moon is Void

When is the Moon really void of course? 

Many Western tropical astrologers consider the Moon to be void when she's made her final Ptolemic aspect (conjunction, sextile, square, trine, opposition) to any planet from the sign she's currently moving through. Most Western astrologers use the outer planets as well (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto). 

Many Traditional astrologers don't consider the Moon void if she is in an applying aspect to a planet within 13 degrees. Some others even extend this out to 30 degrees! Traditional astrologers also don't use the outer planets when taking something like void of course into consideration. Though some may use outer planets for character delineation or for other reasons.  

If you're a modern Western astrologer, I encourage you to experiment with your astrological practice, and use only the traditional seven "visible" planets for a time - Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn. See what this experiment does to your practice. You'll likely find it enhances it!

If the Moon is void take some time to meditate. Of course mediation, even if only for 15 to 20 minutes, is good for everyone, but these void periods are especially nice for retreat and contemplation. 

The Unbearable Lightness of Being + POSEIDON

I have always loved the title of Milan Kundera's book: The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and I like to think about meanings behind such a phrase. 

Today it brings to mind Poseidon...

In light of the current position of Poseidon: it currently sits antiscia to Mercury, ruling news and communication. Antiscia refers to the symmetrical arrangement of planets and points around the cardinal axis (aka the solstice/equinox points) - the cardinal axis is "the world's stage". And in light of the Sun Poseidon conjunction yesterday, it feels like a good time to talk about the TNP (TransNeptunian) Poseidon.

I am personally in the midst of a long period of Poseidon-time, as it transits my Node, Midheaven, and Moon for the next couple of years. As I understand it, this should be a time of grasping or comprehending things with greater clarity. (I hope so.) Certainly I am literally seeing things more clearly now, as I'm resigned to the fact that I must wear glasses...

Poseidon is like a higher octave of, or more positive, Neptune. It rules light and so enlightenment. It signifies interest in spiritual matters, spiritual people and places. It has to do with seeking truth, clarity, perception and understanding. It is like turning on a light bulb. It can also represent odd or unusual matters, or people. More mundanely, it has to do with propaganda, advertising, television and media. It rules religion; and rules psychic vibrations and mediumistic tendencies. It reflects and refracts light as a mirror or window does.  

Lately these things seem to be increasing all around me. 

I have more frequent premonitions. I've connected (or maybe I should say: re-connected, as the transit involves my Node and the Node signifies our connections, karmic, fated, or otherwise) with people who could be described as odd, enlightened, psychic, or spiritual. Propaganda abounds. And the light seems to be making its way into many creaks and crevices of my mind; some of which I may have preferred to leave in the dark a while longer.

This time is meant to be enlightening, I'm sure. But as healing goes, being made more aware of things, it doesn't always feel so good.

Does it make sense that being uplifted could make one feel so ungrounded, sometimes quite disoriented?  

Coming out of the dark into the light does make you squint, it makes your eyes hurt. So as I continue to work with this sometimes tiring time of Poseidon, I've come to accept the fact that I must have faith and trust it will all work out okay. Poseidon rules faith and wisdom. Wisdom = Insight = the Light.

Faith + Wisdom - Truth = Poseidon

Capricorn Moon in the Facies

The Moon may be in the zodiac sign of Capricorn today and tomorrow, but she is actually making her way through the constellation of the centaur and great archer Sagittarius.  In fact, later today she'll pass right through a cluster of stars (a nebula) named the Facies.  This cluster is located right in the archer's face and is thought to correlate with penetrating vision. 

Facies has been viewed as one of the most difficult and possibly more violent bodies in the heavens, however it can be a source of great focus and achievement if used correctly.  

The Facies is located at about 7-9 degrees Capricorn.

Venus Rx

A prescription for Venus? Sort of... Venus turned retrograde today and will remain so until the 18th of November. Retrograde means a planet appears to move backward; and symbolically it is a time for us to re-evaluate and reconsider what we love, need, and value (Venus). 

Venus rules relationships, pleasure, beauty, and art. Venus is the poet, the sage, the counselor, the friend.

It is a time to re-think what these things mean in our lives. Are we truly getting what we need? Are we giving what we could? What do we value most? What or whom do we appreciate, should we tell them more often?

A retrograde period is not necessarily a time to act, it's a time for re-evaluating. For instance with relationships making adjustments or improvements in an existing one is great, but hold off on making any major decisions (like breaking up or getting married). Instead use the time to assess - what needs are being met; what areas could use improvement?  

It's also a good idea to avoid major financial transactions if you can, though if things go on sale (as they often do during Venus Rx) it might be a good time to make smaller purchases. And though it may sound silly, you probably want to hold off doing anything dramatic to your appearance, as you may regret it later on. 

Re-work a painting. Rearrange furniture. Re-mortgage your house. Remind your partner you love them. ;-)