Saturn is currently sitting at 15 degrees in Sagittarius, and for those of us in our 50s who have natal Chiron in Pisces, this is another testing time as transiting Saturn is - or has been - making a tight square with this asteroid named after the mythological half-man half-centaur, from the Greek pantheon to be the healer of our wounds.
Wounds, did I say? The legend of Chiron has it how Chronos seduced a woman named Phillyra, and both changed to horses so their illicit affair wouldn't be seen. Phillyra fell pregnant, but unfortunately for the baby, he was born as half-human and half-horse. The baby was abandoned by his mother, who took her own life in shame. Chiron was left to fend for himself, and over time, came to be a great healer and teacher. Chiron's wound was abandonment, something I share, as my siblings and I were brought up by our father after our mother left.
Lately, this personal wound has reared its head again with Saturn - currently in my 7th house - squaring off with my Chiron. Chiron also sits alongside my midheaven in the 10th house at 16 degrees, while the midheaven is at 15. Saturn is the God of time, of our fears and limitations, forcing me to address this particular wound of my past, including rejection, abandonment, sorrow and grief. This has been especially painful as I have felt a terrible guilt at moving away from my family, even though it was necessary. I did what I could to be the best mother for my kids, because I love them and remained committed to them, even in the more difficult times. They're grown now and it was inevitable for them to have sprouted their wings. My daughter had already moved out and started her own family life. I forced this decision onto my sons because I knew they wouldn't move with me down the coast, and fair enough. I'm on my own for a lot of the time nowadays and there is too much time to think. Life isn't the same without my kids, even though part of me initially welcomed the change and new opportunities. The new area I've moved into has shown its ugly side and I have felt uneasy and vulnerable for it, even though nothing has directly happened towards me. It's more to do with neighbourhood disputes which I couldn't help but overhear, making me even more uncomfortable. Ironically, my house is comfortable and I feel safe within it. Over time, though, I have felt a deep seated anger from around me but was unable to put my foot on it exactly. The neighbours aren't very talkative to each other, they keep to themselves. It was quiet, and yet I sensed a disquiet. I tend to feel things this way and pick up on the emotions of others. Now that I've seen for sure what it's really like, I have to detach from it.
So in effect, the 7th and 10th houses are in friction, by nature of the square. Add to that the sort of planets I'm dealing with - as archetypes of course - and there are more cans of worms to be opened. The next few weeks are going to see Saturn in the 15th and 16th degrees before it hits the 17th degree and make a harmonious aspect to my natal Sun by way of a trine. This aspect couldn't come soon enough. What's really happening is how my fears - such as they are - could also be an illusion in its irrational appearance - I have to see through the crap and work through to the other side. It's not easy, as I have been dwelling on what and who I left behind, the neighbours who were nice and dependable, the home in which I raised my family for 20 years and put down my roots. Life was stable, and yet there was a frustration at knowing that the family home wasn't mine. I was merely the custodian after the marriage breakup until my youngest son turned 18 and the house finally sold.
I'm not normally the sort of person who lives with regret, but this hasn't just been about me. My decision to move affected everyone in various ways, and I felt (irrationally) that I abandoned my kids. So there is guilt and separation anxiety which I've found very hard to shake. The plus side right now is that I've enrolled in a design course and my time will be devoted to that, without any constraints or distractions. I guess it's simply a matter of time, a settling in period that's needed in order to adjust. I also printed off photos of my granddaughter and put them inside a frame, hanging them up in the living room so I can see them. If I still feel like this in the leadup to the silly season, I may need to seek counselling. I hope that by writing this today, I can unload my feelings and put one foot in front of the other again.
I have no idea what really brought me here to this area, as everything seemed to happen at once in this last year. My youngest turned 18, my granddaughter was born, I had painted and decorated the old house and yard for sale, went house hunting, dealt with the legalities of buying and selling, and finally moving. The area felt really great initially, and I'm involved with the local spinners and weavers group, local market stalls and the like. I have since come to the realisation that I'm alone, and for the first time in 23 years since my oldest son was born. So much has happened and it's hit me like a cement truck. Life brings many valuable lessons, and this is one of them for me. There's no such thing as me doing anything by halves, and I will one day see the funny side of it all.
Till next time, Wassail!
Monday, 7 November 2016
Sunday, 30 October 2016
When the veil thins...
A curious thing has happened to me today. I borrowed a friend's lawn mower as mine is out of action and when I returned to do the back yard, I noticed something on the ground outside the garage. Before I moved in, the previous owner had erected a Snoopy pilot in his plane, because the street I live in is named after a plane. Unfortunately for Snoopy, he lost his head and it smashed to pieces. I initially thought it to be a shame, as I rather liked it quirkiness. I soon came to realise that this is a sign, and I'll attempt to explain why.
I moved into a house which had been owned by others. The last house I owned was built and my family and I lived in it for 20 years, so it was our own energy which went into the place. Ever since I've moved into this house, it's felt like a battle of wills in that I had to not only seek co-operation with the house spirits, I've had to remove residual energy - much of it negative! It's been a real learning curve for me to live in a house that once belonged to somebody else. Houses are objects which store a lot of energy over time, be it positive or negative. This house is over 40 years old and at this stage, I have no idea how many occupants have resided here. I know about the last occupant, who I met when I looked the house over before buying it. He is a very sick man with a lot of emotional issues who would refuse to see himself for who he really is, and I had a lot of that negativity to deal with. In fact, not long after I moved in, someone wrote behind the stove, calling this man an arsehole. Said a lot, really, as I found negotiating with him difficult at the time.
Anyway, the moon is in its final balsamic phase before it moves into the new phase of Scorpio tomorrow morning. I enjoyed a chuckle at the thought of a headless pilot in the lead up to Hallowe'en (or Samhain to mark the onset of Winter in the northern hemisphere), or Beltaine (the start of Summer in the southern), which is where I live. Here is a photo, simply because it appeals to my warped sense of humour.
I have slowly, but surely, been able to appease the spirits (I hope so!) here, to accept me as the new owner of this property. I bought this place because I saw its inner beauty and I would give it the cosmetic makeover it deserves, mainly some painting, replace the kitchen and bathroom eventually, and put in a nice garden. I feel that this house has mostly been owned by men and not much had been done. Thankfully, it's structurally sound, with no evidence of termites. Since I've moved in, the roof needed to be repointed and filled with mortar, a gurni taken to it so it can be cleaned, and then repainted. I also had both the front and back doors replaced, and a termite barrier around the house. I also ran out of money and this period of my life has been very difficult. I really needed to convince the house that I'm here to look after it and do what I can.
So, as funny as the headless pilot is, I had taken it as a sign for the "Out with the old and in with the new" ditty. It was past its use by date and I think we're all settling in with each other now. What once belonged to the previous owner is being phased out at last. I was able to take it down and put it in the bin, and I already had an idea about erecting a witch on her broom instead, just for a hoot.
Whatever you're celebrating over the coming days, may it be a merry time!
Wassail!
I moved into a house which had been owned by others. The last house I owned was built and my family and I lived in it for 20 years, so it was our own energy which went into the place. Ever since I've moved into this house, it's felt like a battle of wills in that I had to not only seek co-operation with the house spirits, I've had to remove residual energy - much of it negative! It's been a real learning curve for me to live in a house that once belonged to somebody else. Houses are objects which store a lot of energy over time, be it positive or negative. This house is over 40 years old and at this stage, I have no idea how many occupants have resided here. I know about the last occupant, who I met when I looked the house over before buying it. He is a very sick man with a lot of emotional issues who would refuse to see himself for who he really is, and I had a lot of that negativity to deal with. In fact, not long after I moved in, someone wrote behind the stove, calling this man an arsehole. Said a lot, really, as I found negotiating with him difficult at the time.
Anyway, the moon is in its final balsamic phase before it moves into the new phase of Scorpio tomorrow morning. I enjoyed a chuckle at the thought of a headless pilot in the lead up to Hallowe'en (or Samhain to mark the onset of Winter in the northern hemisphere), or Beltaine (the start of Summer in the southern), which is where I live. Here is a photo, simply because it appeals to my warped sense of humour.
I have slowly, but surely, been able to appease the spirits (I hope so!) here, to accept me as the new owner of this property. I bought this place because I saw its inner beauty and I would give it the cosmetic makeover it deserves, mainly some painting, replace the kitchen and bathroom eventually, and put in a nice garden. I feel that this house has mostly been owned by men and not much had been done. Thankfully, it's structurally sound, with no evidence of termites. Since I've moved in, the roof needed to be repointed and filled with mortar, a gurni taken to it so it can be cleaned, and then repainted. I also had both the front and back doors replaced, and a termite barrier around the house. I also ran out of money and this period of my life has been very difficult. I really needed to convince the house that I'm here to look after it and do what I can.
So, as funny as the headless pilot is, I had taken it as a sign for the "Out with the old and in with the new" ditty. It was past its use by date and I think we're all settling in with each other now. What once belonged to the previous owner is being phased out at last. I was able to take it down and put it in the bin, and I already had an idea about erecting a witch on her broom instead, just for a hoot.
Whatever you're celebrating over the coming days, may it be a merry time!
Wassail!
Monday, 17 October 2016
The Three Main Lunar Phases
As we've moved through this latest full moon in Aries, I'm inspired to write this particular blog, because my patience about full moon memes on social media has well and truly worn thin, and I will do my best to explain why.
As a practising Astrologer of more than 10 years, while I'm not an expert by any means, I've had plenty of time over the years to study the interplanetary patterns within our solar system - at least from an archetypal level - and in particular, the phases of our celestial luminaries that we call the sun and moon.
Technically, the sun is the luminary, while the moon is its reflector, giving light at various times in our night sky, depending on its phase. While the lunar phases can normally be broken down to eight phases from new to balsamic, for the purpose of simplicity, I'm explaining the three main phases in the meantime and I will expand on the eight phases at a later date.
New Moon:
The new moon is a time for new ideas, concepts and planting seeds. The moon is yet to appear in the sky at this stage, although it can still be felt on an energetic level. This period is for recognising what you want from your current situation, and/or long range goals. Set the wheels in motion by planning, forecasting and focusing. The work begins here. For example, you would love to have a garden in and around your home. For the discerning gardener, planting and sowing can be determined also by which sign this is carried out, as there are fertile and barren signs to look out for, but that's for another time. Think about the plants, understand the soil content, whether the plants require full sun or shade. Another example is getting a small business off the ground and finding the right network in order for you to succeed, good advertising and quality stock. No success is ever overnight, and some projects may take longer than others, How the foundations are laid in the beginning will determine the best outcomes in the long run, even if your best efforts appear to be barely noticeable at first. Perseverance eventually pays off.
Full Moon:
The full moon has long been the stuff of legend and myth. Plenty of TV shows and movies have churned out tales of superstition and horror based around this phase. Think of werewolves and hounds and you'll get the idea. I know that I grew up watching a lot of these shows when I was a kid. My siblings and I would sit in the dark and jump out of our skins every time some unspeakable horror would occur, and I loved it. A lot of anecdotal evidence supports claims that people tend to act a wee bit crazier than usual, and it's from the word luna that we get lunacy. Acts of crime are meant to spike during this time, and stories about patients in institutions would always suggest that they go off on the deeper end than usual.
The full moon is also a time for many animals to go through fertility rituals, like going back to the same breeding ground during this time so they could spawn. It's well known that the full moon affects the tides around the world, especially when in its own sign of Cancer, around the time of either Summer or Winter Solstice in December.
As an archetype, the full moon is also a time of harvest, of reaping one's rewards from the hard work that they've initiated from the time of the new moon. Matters of the heart that have simmered for a while can also come to a head at this time. Not everyone reacts in the same fashion around a full moon, and this all depends on the aspects of your horoscope, or natal chart, as it does around the other phases also. You can be sure, though, that the full moon will trigger an emotional reaction in one form or another. It must also be borne in mind that no one month is the same, and anything that requires redress can take months or even years to manifest from its starting point. Which is why Astrologers tend to have a long range forecast if they're observing something that unfolds.
The time of the full moon is not a time for getting things started, or ending matters, as emotions are heightened at this time. The moon's fullness and reflecting light allows you to see in the darkness and throw a spotlight on that particular moment. There is also a sense of illusion which may skew how each of us are feeling so it's normally a good idea to ride the period out and see how you feel when the dust settles.
Dark Moon:
This phase brings about the time for letting go of what no longer suits us, spring cleaning if you will. For the magical practitioners, this dark phase is usually a fortuitous time to perform spells and rituals as a way of ridding the old in order to make way for the new, although these can be practised during the other phases. People who were in your life may suddenly move away from you, and the reasons for this are many and varied. Relationships may come to an end and depending on the circumstances, it may move smoothly through as a natural ending or it could bring about resentment for a person who refuses to let go. It may be time to relocate from an area which has been stagnant and restricting you in the way of growth and development. Old items that have long outlived their use-by date are cleared out at this time also. The crux of this period is always about release, and when we really think about this phase, the moon goes into darkness, it can't be seen in the sky during the night at this time. Some would call this the darkest hour before the dawn. What may have come to a head during the full moon phase is now in readiness for resolution and moving on from, in whatever form that takes.
While there are some who can relate to this narrative, there are others who probably aren't affected by this at all, and that's fine. What can't be denied as a stargazer is the moon's beauty as we watch in awe during the various phases of each monthly cycle. It's always a beautiful sight to behold as we allow ourselves a moment to enjoy watching this luminary move over our skies.
Till next time, Wassail and happy stargazing!
As a practising Astrologer of more than 10 years, while I'm not an expert by any means, I've had plenty of time over the years to study the interplanetary patterns within our solar system - at least from an archetypal level - and in particular, the phases of our celestial luminaries that we call the sun and moon.
Technically, the sun is the luminary, while the moon is its reflector, giving light at various times in our night sky, depending on its phase. While the lunar phases can normally be broken down to eight phases from new to balsamic, for the purpose of simplicity, I'm explaining the three main phases in the meantime and I will expand on the eight phases at a later date.
New Moon:
The new moon is a time for new ideas, concepts and planting seeds. The moon is yet to appear in the sky at this stage, although it can still be felt on an energetic level. This period is for recognising what you want from your current situation, and/or long range goals. Set the wheels in motion by planning, forecasting and focusing. The work begins here. For example, you would love to have a garden in and around your home. For the discerning gardener, planting and sowing can be determined also by which sign this is carried out, as there are fertile and barren signs to look out for, but that's for another time. Think about the plants, understand the soil content, whether the plants require full sun or shade. Another example is getting a small business off the ground and finding the right network in order for you to succeed, good advertising and quality stock. No success is ever overnight, and some projects may take longer than others, How the foundations are laid in the beginning will determine the best outcomes in the long run, even if your best efforts appear to be barely noticeable at first. Perseverance eventually pays off.
Full Moon:
The full moon has long been the stuff of legend and myth. Plenty of TV shows and movies have churned out tales of superstition and horror based around this phase. Think of werewolves and hounds and you'll get the idea. I know that I grew up watching a lot of these shows when I was a kid. My siblings and I would sit in the dark and jump out of our skins every time some unspeakable horror would occur, and I loved it. A lot of anecdotal evidence supports claims that people tend to act a wee bit crazier than usual, and it's from the word luna that we get lunacy. Acts of crime are meant to spike during this time, and stories about patients in institutions would always suggest that they go off on the deeper end than usual.
The full moon is also a time for many animals to go through fertility rituals, like going back to the same breeding ground during this time so they could spawn. It's well known that the full moon affects the tides around the world, especially when in its own sign of Cancer, around the time of either Summer or Winter Solstice in December.
As an archetype, the full moon is also a time of harvest, of reaping one's rewards from the hard work that they've initiated from the time of the new moon. Matters of the heart that have simmered for a while can also come to a head at this time. Not everyone reacts in the same fashion around a full moon, and this all depends on the aspects of your horoscope, or natal chart, as it does around the other phases also. You can be sure, though, that the full moon will trigger an emotional reaction in one form or another. It must also be borne in mind that no one month is the same, and anything that requires redress can take months or even years to manifest from its starting point. Which is why Astrologers tend to have a long range forecast if they're observing something that unfolds.
The time of the full moon is not a time for getting things started, or ending matters, as emotions are heightened at this time. The moon's fullness and reflecting light allows you to see in the darkness and throw a spotlight on that particular moment. There is also a sense of illusion which may skew how each of us are feeling so it's normally a good idea to ride the period out and see how you feel when the dust settles.
Dark Moon:
This phase brings about the time for letting go of what no longer suits us, spring cleaning if you will. For the magical practitioners, this dark phase is usually a fortuitous time to perform spells and rituals as a way of ridding the old in order to make way for the new, although these can be practised during the other phases. People who were in your life may suddenly move away from you, and the reasons for this are many and varied. Relationships may come to an end and depending on the circumstances, it may move smoothly through as a natural ending or it could bring about resentment for a person who refuses to let go. It may be time to relocate from an area which has been stagnant and restricting you in the way of growth and development. Old items that have long outlived their use-by date are cleared out at this time also. The crux of this period is always about release, and when we really think about this phase, the moon goes into darkness, it can't be seen in the sky during the night at this time. Some would call this the darkest hour before the dawn. What may have come to a head during the full moon phase is now in readiness for resolution and moving on from, in whatever form that takes.
While there are some who can relate to this narrative, there are others who probably aren't affected by this at all, and that's fine. What can't be denied as a stargazer is the moon's beauty as we watch in awe during the various phases of each monthly cycle. It's always a beautiful sight to behold as we allow ourselves a moment to enjoy watching this luminary move over our skies.
Till next time, Wassail and happy stargazing!
Wednesday, 5 October 2016
As A Reader and Healer...
As a reader and healer, I personally feel it to be of great importance to focus on the person who wants a consultation with me, from start to finish. What do I mean by that? Unfortunately, I myself have paid good money for a consultation with a reader, only to find that the attention shifts onto them, when they start to go on about how their lives are and what the cards mean for them, making comparisons to my current scenario.
Excuse me? I don't pay to hear about your life! I pay to be advised, in the best way possible, about what the cards mean for me at this point in time, and what I can do with this information. When a reader wants to go down that road, I can't help but get the feeling that they have a problem with interpreting the cards in front of me and use it to move away from this stumbling block and hope that I don't notice. I then question their empathy and authenticity, instead believing that the ego is at work - along with the dollar signs.
What can be done? If you're the more ballsy type and you've paid for your reading through a shop, then you're well within your rights to request a refund, because of dissatisfaction. On the other hand, if you feel that's too uncomfortable for you to undertake, make a point of not ever returning to that reader. Word of mouth has a way of getting around if many of the same customers aren't satisfied with their desired outcomes.
In saying that, I don't want to go to a reader who doesn't show any degree of empathy towards me, so the occasional sympathetic remark is fine. I make it my business to make the querent comfortable and give fully of my engagement to them. It's their time, and it's also their money. If I'm stuck with how a particular layout of cards may not be giving me what I'm looking for, well, it's no trouble to turn more over to get a clearer picture.
Another problem can be applying pressure on ourselves because it's assumed that we should know everything about the person in front of us and what the cards are telling us. This isn't fair, either, as we should enter into dialogue with the querent. Sometimes, there is that crucial point in the dialogue which allows us to get a clearer picture and the momentum of the reading can continue. I've had to learn this lesson myself, and I'm glad to have learned it. Dialogue allows me to relax, and provides a more authentic reading.
We don't want to blow our money by going to the reader who's going to disappoint us, although sometimes, choosing the right person is a case of trial and error. There are those times when, by going blind and not knowing who the reader is until afterwards, do we find that we're very happy with that choice and will go back, so it's worth the risk if you're happy. I used to do a market stall where I previously lived (and the only time I gave readings back then every year), and one woman would come back every year when she saw that I was there. It was good to know that I came across to this woman as being somebody worth her while enough to see me every year.
Conversely, I have gone back to the same readers over time, because I was happy with how they read for me, happy with their engagement and readiness to enter in dialogue. It proves to me that we're all human, we're not going to know everything and it doesn't matter. It's how we approach the person in front of us which counts, and the more genuine we are, the happier everyone is.
Until next time, Wassail!
Excuse me? I don't pay to hear about your life! I pay to be advised, in the best way possible, about what the cards mean for me at this point in time, and what I can do with this information. When a reader wants to go down that road, I can't help but get the feeling that they have a problem with interpreting the cards in front of me and use it to move away from this stumbling block and hope that I don't notice. I then question their empathy and authenticity, instead believing that the ego is at work - along with the dollar signs.
What can be done? If you're the more ballsy type and you've paid for your reading through a shop, then you're well within your rights to request a refund, because of dissatisfaction. On the other hand, if you feel that's too uncomfortable for you to undertake, make a point of not ever returning to that reader. Word of mouth has a way of getting around if many of the same customers aren't satisfied with their desired outcomes.
In saying that, I don't want to go to a reader who doesn't show any degree of empathy towards me, so the occasional sympathetic remark is fine. I make it my business to make the querent comfortable and give fully of my engagement to them. It's their time, and it's also their money. If I'm stuck with how a particular layout of cards may not be giving me what I'm looking for, well, it's no trouble to turn more over to get a clearer picture.
Another problem can be applying pressure on ourselves because it's assumed that we should know everything about the person in front of us and what the cards are telling us. This isn't fair, either, as we should enter into dialogue with the querent. Sometimes, there is that crucial point in the dialogue which allows us to get a clearer picture and the momentum of the reading can continue. I've had to learn this lesson myself, and I'm glad to have learned it. Dialogue allows me to relax, and provides a more authentic reading.
We don't want to blow our money by going to the reader who's going to disappoint us, although sometimes, choosing the right person is a case of trial and error. There are those times when, by going blind and not knowing who the reader is until afterwards, do we find that we're very happy with that choice and will go back, so it's worth the risk if you're happy. I used to do a market stall where I previously lived (and the only time I gave readings back then every year), and one woman would come back every year when she saw that I was there. It was good to know that I came across to this woman as being somebody worth her while enough to see me every year.
Conversely, I have gone back to the same readers over time, because I was happy with how they read for me, happy with their engagement and readiness to enter in dialogue. It proves to me that we're all human, we're not going to know everything and it doesn't matter. It's how we approach the person in front of us which counts, and the more genuine we are, the happier everyone is.
Until next time, Wassail!
Sunday, 2 October 2016
To Live In The Moment
I write this after having taken my granddaughter to Huskisson beach this morning, while she is enjoying an afternoon nap. I hope that this post doesn't come across as patronising, like a lot of memes about living in the moment tend to do. In saying this, there has been nothing more important for me at this time but living in the moment, and I will endeavour to write from my perspective.
It's been nearly five months now since I moved to the Bay and Basin area. From the word go, I had been doing as many of the local markets over the winter months as I could. Not much money had been earned and sometimes, I even went home at a loss, which made me rather despondent. I was lucky enough to have had some money to live on after the sale of my previous home but this money has since dried up.
I had played the patience game, looking at markets like a reconnaissance mission in order for people to get to know who I am and what I do over a period of time - and I was doing that throughout Winter, when trade of any sort slows right down in an area reliant on tourism. Trying not to panic when bills start to stack up and everything possible is being done to avoid falling behind. What hasn't helped was feeling ill. I have had a raft of medical appointments to try and find out why I kept having dizzy spells and headaches. I also had infected ears, which, thankfully, have come good since they were last irrigated. I have also had my eyes checked, and while my short sight is seeing better days (please pardon that pun!), my long sight is much improved, and to the point that I no longer need to wear glasses while I drive. Very pleasing! Blood pressure is fine, no sign of thyroid or diabetes, although my cholesterol is slightly up. Reassessing my diet should change that. None of these have explained my dizzy spells and I'm still none the wiser. I mention my illness because looking for work has brought me unstuck, and not allowing me to earn money the way I want to at the moment.
Now, I just think "Fuck it." I can't change what's happened in the past and I can't afford to look too far ahead in terms of what I want to happen because it causes more despondency for me by believing that I've somehow failed in my achievements. There is also no point for me in looking too far ahead because there are no guarantees beyond putting one foot in front of the other. That's it! It's a tough ask for somebody like me because I like to make plans and set goals. I've never been in the situation that I'm in now, to chase the money without having had anything else to fall back on - and this is precisely why my perspective has changed.
While I still want to know what the cause of my headaches and dizzy spells are, I believe that worrying about my current scenario has caused more of them. Since I've been minding my granddaughter over this long weekend, my focus has been on her and in the moment. I live some distance away from my family now and seeing them isn't as regular as it used to be. So while I have my granddaughter this weekend - and catching up with my other family members at other times - I'm making this moment count and enjoy it for what it really is. Everything else can be sorted when it needs to be. When my granddaughter goes home, I can focus once more on what I want and narrow it down to a point in time that I can cope with - without that feeling of losing control and getting scared of the future. It's not worth the worry. It's not about ignoring my situation, by any means. It's about focusing on what lies ahead, step by step, and turning my fortunes around in this fashion.
I hope that by sharing my current situation, it inspires you, the reader, to simply enjoy the moment. While I don't know what your moment is, I know how it has felt for myself.
Till next time, Wassail!
It's been nearly five months now since I moved to the Bay and Basin area. From the word go, I had been doing as many of the local markets over the winter months as I could. Not much money had been earned and sometimes, I even went home at a loss, which made me rather despondent. I was lucky enough to have had some money to live on after the sale of my previous home but this money has since dried up.
I had played the patience game, looking at markets like a reconnaissance mission in order for people to get to know who I am and what I do over a period of time - and I was doing that throughout Winter, when trade of any sort slows right down in an area reliant on tourism. Trying not to panic when bills start to stack up and everything possible is being done to avoid falling behind. What hasn't helped was feeling ill. I have had a raft of medical appointments to try and find out why I kept having dizzy spells and headaches. I also had infected ears, which, thankfully, have come good since they were last irrigated. I have also had my eyes checked, and while my short sight is seeing better days (please pardon that pun!), my long sight is much improved, and to the point that I no longer need to wear glasses while I drive. Very pleasing! Blood pressure is fine, no sign of thyroid or diabetes, although my cholesterol is slightly up. Reassessing my diet should change that. None of these have explained my dizzy spells and I'm still none the wiser. I mention my illness because looking for work has brought me unstuck, and not allowing me to earn money the way I want to at the moment.
Now, I just think "Fuck it." I can't change what's happened in the past and I can't afford to look too far ahead in terms of what I want to happen because it causes more despondency for me by believing that I've somehow failed in my achievements. There is also no point for me in looking too far ahead because there are no guarantees beyond putting one foot in front of the other. That's it! It's a tough ask for somebody like me because I like to make plans and set goals. I've never been in the situation that I'm in now, to chase the money without having had anything else to fall back on - and this is precisely why my perspective has changed.
While I still want to know what the cause of my headaches and dizzy spells are, I believe that worrying about my current scenario has caused more of them. Since I've been minding my granddaughter over this long weekend, my focus has been on her and in the moment. I live some distance away from my family now and seeing them isn't as regular as it used to be. So while I have my granddaughter this weekend - and catching up with my other family members at other times - I'm making this moment count and enjoy it for what it really is. Everything else can be sorted when it needs to be. When my granddaughter goes home, I can focus once more on what I want and narrow it down to a point in time that I can cope with - without that feeling of losing control and getting scared of the future. It's not worth the worry. It's not about ignoring my situation, by any means. It's about focusing on what lies ahead, step by step, and turning my fortunes around in this fashion.
I hope that by sharing my current situation, it inspires you, the reader, to simply enjoy the moment. While I don't know what your moment is, I know how it has felt for myself.
Till next time, Wassail!
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
Spring Is Arriving!
This coming Friday - at least in the Southern Hemisphere - marks the Spring Equinox, when the Sun makes its ingress into Libra. Pagans and Heathens are also inclined to call this Eostre (Ostara), after the Germanic goddess of the springtime. While this is a generalised time for marking the Equinox - Spring or Autumn - across the globe, the exact equinoctal time is dependent on location, and here is where it differs. I like looking at sunrise and sunset forecasts and I noted that in my part of the world, true day and night being equal had actually occurred two days ago, at 5.49am and pm. Owing to the earth's tilt towards the sun at this time from my location, this is when it occurred. So a small plate of food was offered on Monday night while I will still mark the official Equinox on Friday night to honour Eostre.
The name Eostre itself gives the name to Easter, which is normally celebrated after the full moon, and falls anywhere between the end of March to mid-April, in line with the Northern Hemisphere's springtime. Nowadays, and for a while now, the Easter celebration marks Christ's crucifixion and resurrection for Christians. For the rest of us, though, it is a marker for something more significant - especially the moving out of Winter and into Spring. This passage of time is even more important in the Southern Hemisphere, when our seasons are in reverse to the Northern. For the Pagan mindset, we honour the seasons, wherever we are in the world.
So now that we Southerners are approaching Spring, what does this time mean? Seasonally, it's the promise of warmer and temperate weather, and for a time, there is an equal period of daylight and night, until the days start getting longer and the nights shorter before Solstice. The flowers are starting to sprout new growth and show off their best colours and fragrances. If we listen to the birdsong, there is a lot more chatter in the early hours of the morning. It's their time for finding a mate and feathering their nest before the arrival of their young. While the same can also be held true for humans, it's really a metaphorical outlook for new beginnings which are coming our way. The worst of the cold weather has generally passed over, the sun's arc is starting to climb from the east and making its trajectory across our northern skies before reaching zenith and setting in the west. After the Equinox, the Sun rises towards the south-east and sets in the south-west, marking the longer days to come. People naturally wish to hibernate in the wintertime and now it's time to be out and about in order to get things moving again. We may have a project or goal that we want to take off and we start sowing the seeds in order for those goals to sprout. Relationships may form, or established ones rekindled. Whatever is happening at this point in our lives, longer days take on a new meaning, bringing with it a promise of better days to come.
What also happens is a period of reflection, a time of looking back where we've been throughout the previous months, especially if we have experienced a period of great difficulty. I live in a town where it's pretty dead in winter because it's heavily reliant on tourism, and a deep sense of isolation was felt, especially because this was my first winter and I very quickly learned to appreciate that it it's important to go with the season's flow, despite knowing that at the same time, my budget has been rather tight and I had to lay the groundwork for putting my name out there in order to gain a steady stream of work in the long run. I was fighting against the natural order of the seasons, even though it was very important for me to do. Perhaps next winter will allow me to relax more and take it easy, now that I know what it's like, but enough of that. Let's reflect on what we've learned about ourselves over this period of time and look ahead in respect of what we want from our lives next. The turning of the sun and seasons follows a predictable pattern and we recognise how we flow with this, even though daily circumstances change. Let's enjoy the longer days, the time we spend with our folk and family - those people who are near and dear to us - forming new friendships and alliances, and capitalising on the opportunities which present to us!
As for our Northern cousins, the Summer is passing, and the days are getting shorter. Those days would've been spent doing what we're getting ready to do, and preparing for bringing in the harvest, to reap the rewards from the Spring sow, and this is the crux - we reap what we sow. So let's make good of our goals and aspirations.
As I've been writing this, we are experiencing another wet day on the coast, so this is Old Man Winter giving us one last show of a cold and wet day before we move on. Mercury retrograde is also getting ready to station before moving forward again, so the wheels are in motion.
I wish everyone a merry Equinox, and a merry Ostara! Wassail!
The name Eostre itself gives the name to Easter, which is normally celebrated after the full moon, and falls anywhere between the end of March to mid-April, in line with the Northern Hemisphere's springtime. Nowadays, and for a while now, the Easter celebration marks Christ's crucifixion and resurrection for Christians. For the rest of us, though, it is a marker for something more significant - especially the moving out of Winter and into Spring. This passage of time is even more important in the Southern Hemisphere, when our seasons are in reverse to the Northern. For the Pagan mindset, we honour the seasons, wherever we are in the world.
So now that we Southerners are approaching Spring, what does this time mean? Seasonally, it's the promise of warmer and temperate weather, and for a time, there is an equal period of daylight and night, until the days start getting longer and the nights shorter before Solstice. The flowers are starting to sprout new growth and show off their best colours and fragrances. If we listen to the birdsong, there is a lot more chatter in the early hours of the morning. It's their time for finding a mate and feathering their nest before the arrival of their young. While the same can also be held true for humans, it's really a metaphorical outlook for new beginnings which are coming our way. The worst of the cold weather has generally passed over, the sun's arc is starting to climb from the east and making its trajectory across our northern skies before reaching zenith and setting in the west. After the Equinox, the Sun rises towards the south-east and sets in the south-west, marking the longer days to come. People naturally wish to hibernate in the wintertime and now it's time to be out and about in order to get things moving again. We may have a project or goal that we want to take off and we start sowing the seeds in order for those goals to sprout. Relationships may form, or established ones rekindled. Whatever is happening at this point in our lives, longer days take on a new meaning, bringing with it a promise of better days to come.
What also happens is a period of reflection, a time of looking back where we've been throughout the previous months, especially if we have experienced a period of great difficulty. I live in a town where it's pretty dead in winter because it's heavily reliant on tourism, and a deep sense of isolation was felt, especially because this was my first winter and I very quickly learned to appreciate that it it's important to go with the season's flow, despite knowing that at the same time, my budget has been rather tight and I had to lay the groundwork for putting my name out there in order to gain a steady stream of work in the long run. I was fighting against the natural order of the seasons, even though it was very important for me to do. Perhaps next winter will allow me to relax more and take it easy, now that I know what it's like, but enough of that. Let's reflect on what we've learned about ourselves over this period of time and look ahead in respect of what we want from our lives next. The turning of the sun and seasons follows a predictable pattern and we recognise how we flow with this, even though daily circumstances change. Let's enjoy the longer days, the time we spend with our folk and family - those people who are near and dear to us - forming new friendships and alliances, and capitalising on the opportunities which present to us!
As for our Northern cousins, the Summer is passing, and the days are getting shorter. Those days would've been spent doing what we're getting ready to do, and preparing for bringing in the harvest, to reap the rewards from the Spring sow, and this is the crux - we reap what we sow. So let's make good of our goals and aspirations.
As I've been writing this, we are experiencing another wet day on the coast, so this is Old Man Winter giving us one last show of a cold and wet day before we move on. Mercury retrograde is also getting ready to station before moving forward again, so the wheels are in motion.
I wish everyone a merry Equinox, and a merry Ostara! Wassail!
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Dear Mercury Retrograde
Dear Mercury Retrograde
How are you doing today? I have noticed that since you went into retrograde motion - about two weeks ago now - you were sitting at 28 degrees of Virgo and all but moving into Libra, when you decided to pull another one of your retrograde surprises! Now, Ive been onto your game for a long time now, but in saying that, you never cease to surprise me in this fashion. Direct relation to Loki? There has been a lot of mischief, but mostly, there has been confusion in recent weeks. Having had migraines doesn't help. To be perfectly frank, it makes my head fuzzy and I rely on my head a lot in order to think clearly.
When you reached 28 degrees of Virgo, you sat in an exact inconjunct position to my natal Jupiter (150 degrees apart). This awkward position is normally a reminder that a period of adjustment is needed. Unfortunately, I haven't taken this entirely into account and for the last two weeks, I've been in this migraine fog. I can't directly blame you for this, as I should've realised what's been going on. You see, there's been a period of desperation, and when you've all but run out of money, one can't help but feel despair at these times.
Then today, I've had this revelation, and it's been hinting at me these last two days. I was at a local market when I came upon this lovely tarot reader who was accepting donations for payment. So I thought, why not? I could do with some idea of where I'm really heading. The cards spoke of choices, change and taking chances. Among the Celtic Cross spread were five major arcana cards, with the Lovers as my significator, Death, High Priestess, the Moon and the Fool telling me where my path lies.
How are you doing today? I have noticed that since you went into retrograde motion - about two weeks ago now - you were sitting at 28 degrees of Virgo and all but moving into Libra, when you decided to pull another one of your retrograde surprises! Now, Ive been onto your game for a long time now, but in saying that, you never cease to surprise me in this fashion. Direct relation to Loki? There has been a lot of mischief, but mostly, there has been confusion in recent weeks. Having had migraines doesn't help. To be perfectly frank, it makes my head fuzzy and I rely on my head a lot in order to think clearly.
When you reached 28 degrees of Virgo, you sat in an exact inconjunct position to my natal Jupiter (150 degrees apart). This awkward position is normally a reminder that a period of adjustment is needed. Unfortunately, I haven't taken this entirely into account and for the last two weeks, I've been in this migraine fog. I can't directly blame you for this, as I should've realised what's been going on. You see, there's been a period of desperation, and when you've all but run out of money, one can't help but feel despair at these times.
Then today, I've had this revelation, and it's been hinting at me these last two days. I was at a local market when I came upon this lovely tarot reader who was accepting donations for payment. So I thought, why not? I could do with some idea of where I'm really heading. The cards spoke of choices, change and taking chances. Among the Celtic Cross spread were five major arcana cards, with the Lovers as my significator, Death, High Priestess, the Moon and the Fool telling me where my path lies.
I realised that after I took this photo, the missing card alongside the crossed four of swords is nine of Pentacles, which, fortunately, is in the past position. Looking at the rest of the deck, there has clearly been uncertainty and a feeling of entrapment in my situation - feelings of my own making. What I really want to do with my life should be at the forefront of my mind now, not muddled up somewhere in the back of it! I was warned once that I've been dragged kicking and screaming to my life's path, and looking back on it, I have indeed! What's been the cause? Fear? Lack of confidence? What other people think? Well you know what, Mercury? Thank you very much for where you currently sit, retrograde at 16 degrees of Virgo, sitting on my natal Nadir (4th house angle of home, where I wish to work and utilise my talents from the comfort and safety of my environment), which, of course, would have you oppose both my midheaven (10th house of public recognition and vocation) and Chiron in Pisces. Your position is giving me more food for thought in that I should push this public persona in the area of healing and spirituality. Lets not also forget how you're sitting at an inconjunct angle with my natal Sun in Aries and my 11th house of networking, as if you're reminding me of my needing to rework this strategy and networking power. Add to that is how it sextiles (60 degrees apart) my natal Neptune in my 6th house of work and health. Chiron makes a nice trine (120 degrees apart) with Neptune, and while I've recognised this, I've allowed myself to get caught up with other areas of my life. Those doors I thought I wanted open hadn't and the one I've ignored for so long should be. I have a Gemini ascendant, which at times makes me a bit flighty. I was told today about keeping one area of my work in the forefront of my mind and allow the rest to fall into line, which makes perfect sense now. I'm not mutually exclusive with my creative passions, as to have one thing only would do my head in. Now, it's about what's really important - for myself and others!
And you're not finished with your retrograde motion yet! Five more days before you turn direct once more and hit those aspects again before moving on, and making those aspects again. At least now I'm awake and aware!
This full moon in Pisces has moved through my 10th house and now I must captitalise on what I really want to do and how best to make it work for me.
Till next time, Wassail!
Sunday, 21 August 2016
At the Darkest Hour
Previously written on 23rd June 2016
In Australia, and
the Southern Hemisphere in general, we have passed through the Winter
Solstice, the shortest day of the year. In the leadup to this time,
there has been a period of shedding, a letting go of what no longer
serves me in my life. This particular shedding has been a long time
coming, ,and has brought with it some cost. The worst part has been to
be without my family nearby, like they were for more than 20 years since
I first became a mother. The kids have all grown and carving out their
own lives, as it should be. I have been in Jervis Bay now for going on
six weeks now, and although the timeframe itself isn't terribly long,
the reality of being an empty nester in a new area, a new house, and a
complete change of existence, has sunk in. The weather gods haven't
always been kind, either, as there have been some torrential rainfall
and gale force winds which have effectively made me feel even more cut
off. Luckily, I do know people in the local area and I'm not completely
alone, but this darkest period before the onset of winter is always
hard.
The shedding had already begun when the house in Helensburgh was sold and I eventually found the house that I now call home. This was a precursor to a divorce settlement - something else which has weighed heavily upon me for some years, because I lived in the marital home with the kids while they were growing up. Once my youngest child turned 18, it was time to get the ball rolling in my bid for freedom. I have no real personal issue against the ex, and the split was amicable. Having said that, the time for moral obligations were over. The house was sold, I bought the new place, moved away, and filed my divorce papers recently. Last Saturday, I went to a women's circle honouring the cycles and seasons. I must say, there was a lot more shedding involved than I had expected. It took quite a bit out of me, although at the same time, it was a blessed relief to finally own up about how I was feeling to other people. After that, I received an invite to dinner from a friend who lives nearby and a great night was had. I spent the following day at home wanting to hibernate, despite being invited to another event. It was as well that I did stay home, because the weather had once again turned for the worse.
Monday was moving into the full moon phase of Gemini/Sagittarius and I set about making a roast pork feast to honour the Norse God Freyr, along with the other Gods and Goddesses, and my ancestors. The full moon came out long enough for me to serve my feast and raise the horn in honour before the rains came again. So, despite the bad weather, I had been blessed with timing so that I would uphold my midwinter ritual. Tuesday was Yule proper and the whales are currently migrating north. I had hoped to see them by the water but there was no sighting at that moment. What I did, instead, was walk along Huskisson beach and found one particularly pleasant surprise. The photo below reminds me of what I would call a water henge, rocks by the water's edge, and while not forming a full circle, it certainly resembles that of a henge.
The shedding had already begun when the house in Helensburgh was sold and I eventually found the house that I now call home. This was a precursor to a divorce settlement - something else which has weighed heavily upon me for some years, because I lived in the marital home with the kids while they were growing up. Once my youngest child turned 18, it was time to get the ball rolling in my bid for freedom. I have no real personal issue against the ex, and the split was amicable. Having said that, the time for moral obligations were over. The house was sold, I bought the new place, moved away, and filed my divorce papers recently. Last Saturday, I went to a women's circle honouring the cycles and seasons. I must say, there was a lot more shedding involved than I had expected. It took quite a bit out of me, although at the same time, it was a blessed relief to finally own up about how I was feeling to other people. After that, I received an invite to dinner from a friend who lives nearby and a great night was had. I spent the following day at home wanting to hibernate, despite being invited to another event. It was as well that I did stay home, because the weather had once again turned for the worse.
Monday was moving into the full moon phase of Gemini/Sagittarius and I set about making a roast pork feast to honour the Norse God Freyr, along with the other Gods and Goddesses, and my ancestors. The full moon came out long enough for me to serve my feast and raise the horn in honour before the rains came again. So, despite the bad weather, I had been blessed with timing so that I would uphold my midwinter ritual. Tuesday was Yule proper and the whales are currently migrating north. I had hoped to see them by the water but there was no sighting at that moment. What I did, instead, was walk along Huskisson beach and found one particularly pleasant surprise. The photo below reminds me of what I would call a water henge, rocks by the water's edge, and while not forming a full circle, it certainly resembles that of a henge.
I
found some shells, and while I'm not able to collect from that part of
the bay, I put them in the henge as an offering, and gave one of my own
crystals to the local water spirit. Huskisson is my happy place,
somewhere I go when the chips are down, and I always feel a sense of
peace afterwards. That's when I remember the reason for moving down
here. I wasn't getting a lot of work back at the old place, the kids
have grown, my life had become stagnant and there was this need to move
on.
Last night saw me use up the rest of my mead in an offering to the Norns, the Wyrd sisters to whom I converse now and then about my lot in life and where I go to next. I also had some memories that I wrote on a piece of paper and burned afterwards. Cold and windy as last night was, it was nonetheless achieved, especially since the normal yule fire I would burn wasn't viable. Burning the papers in some sage was as close as I could get to lighting a fire.
The final bit of shedding in relation to my former home life was destroying old papers today. What a relief it was to finally be able to do that! For me, it was another step to moving on towards the next phase of my life. While shredding paper may not seem like much, it was significant for me, allowing me to finally remove that excess baggage I no longer need, the gorilla which rode on my back for so long can finally be gone! I'm finally on my way to achieving the independent lifestyle I had craved for so long. And that's a good thing! Till next time, Wassail!
Last night saw me use up the rest of my mead in an offering to the Norns, the Wyrd sisters to whom I converse now and then about my lot in life and where I go to next. I also had some memories that I wrote on a piece of paper and burned afterwards. Cold and windy as last night was, it was nonetheless achieved, especially since the normal yule fire I would burn wasn't viable. Burning the papers in some sage was as close as I could get to lighting a fire.
The final bit of shedding in relation to my former home life was destroying old papers today. What a relief it was to finally be able to do that! For me, it was another step to moving on towards the next phase of my life. While shredding paper may not seem like much, it was significant for me, allowing me to finally remove that excess baggage I no longer need, the gorilla which rode on my back for so long can finally be gone! I'm finally on my way to achieving the independent lifestyle I had craved for so long. And that's a good thing! Till next time, Wassail!
Saturn Pluto Square
Well, it's certainly
been a while between posts! Since my last post, I had a biopsy on my
right breast to rule out any cancer, and thankfully, it did! My
daughter was pregnant and I'm now the proud first time Nanna of a most
beautiful seven month old girl who I love to absolute bits! I have also
sold up and moved away from my old home for the last 20 years, now
calling the Jervis Bay area of New South Wales my home. I moved there
on Friday 13th May, and while there was a slight delay with the keys
being collected from the real estate, owing to settlement being
finalised, I finally collected them and moved in.
While this has been a most exciting time in my life - and a necessary move so that I may begin again - it hasn't been without its challenges. The last two or so weeks in particular have been tough, and I have been looking at the slower moving planets to see what may have been going on, and from where I would find the answers I needed to have any understanding. In the end, the answers have been revealing themselves by way of dear old Father Time Saturn, making a retrograde square with my natal Pluto, planet of exposure and destruction, making way for rebuilding and regeneration. These two planets in this formation want redress with our past, shaking us at the very core of our foundations to the point that there is no choice but for us to demolish what no longer works for us so we may start again.
Now, for those of us born in the generation between 1956-1971, when Pluto was making its transit in the zodiac sign of Virgo, transiting Saturn has been squaring off at various times with natal Pluto since it began its move into Sagittarius on 19th September 2015. How it plays out for an individual will vary, depending on house placements and aspects with other planets. For the moment, I will focus on this very significant aspect between Saturn and Pluto.
Saturn is the faster moving planet out of the two, taking approximately 2 1/2 years to transit through each sign. It is also the last of the personal planets which can be seen with the naked eye in the sky. Saturn is about solidity, laying foundations, the square, the rule of law and order, limitations and restrictions. I referred earlier to Saturn by calling him old father time. In the seven ages of man, from the Moon through to Saturn, life is about our birth to our eventual deaths. Saturn also imparts great wisdom on to us, should we seek it and be prepared to know and understand the lessons that life would teach us. Memories and fate would also play out here, as we reach the age of looking back through our lives more, knowing that our mortal path will take us on a different journey. We become the elders who would teach the younger generations what we learned and practiced so that traditions may continue to thrive before we pass.
Pluto was discovered in 1930, during the time of the great depression, and what a time that was for its discovery! After the stock market crash on Wall Street in 1929, shares were wiped off, devaluing currency, causing widespread unemployment, families to fragment and fall apart after becoming homeless and destitute. It was felt the world over, a world which was barely recovering from the aftermath of World War I. Pluto is the planet of sitting in the depths, waiting for things and situations to fester and build, like a volcano which is ready to erupt. Eventually, the switch is flicked and all hell breaks loose. It especially breaks loose when foundations are built on lies and deception, the double cross which comes from corruption. Cracks appear in the foundations, and still the foundations are piled on and built up until it can't take any more. This is the "Enough is enough!" moment. Pluto doesn't act like the sudden shock and movement which can be seen from Uranus. It builds, and takes years before it finally takes hold, becoming more widespread. Pluto on its own speaks about how generations are affected
Back to the aspects between these two powerful planets. As aspects to be looked at without adding anything else to the mix at this point, we see how these two play out. The staunch and immovable attitude of Saturn doesn't want to be shaken up by Pluto. Saturn likes being where he is and isn't keen on change. But change must come, as that's the only certainty in our lives. Order brings with it a stagnancy, the mundane and acceptance that can be downright boring, waiting for something to stir the pot, so to speak. Pluto can wait patiently in its deepest, darkest recesses of the world until the right time comes for the monumental shakeup, to bring forth what's no longer acceptable for us, tear down those foundations which were once solid, those foundations which no longer hold true, because change is on its way. I speak metaphorically, although it can sometimes physically occur in this manner. Saturn and Pluto truly collide with this square aspect, and if we continue to stand rooted to our spot, refusing to accept what needs to change in our lives, then what occurs can be truly catastrophic. While change can't be avoided, the better that we prepare for it in the best way that we're able, the lesser the fallout and damage will be wrought.
I'm going to offer a brief overview on where and how these planets will be redressed through the respective houses in the square aspects, although I will cover a more detailed explanation in relation to how that plays out for me at this moment, and what I can expect over the next few months.
If your natal Pluto in Virgo is in your first house, Saturn in Sagittarius will form a square in the fourth house. The first house is about yourself and how you want to present yourself to the world, while the fourth house is where and how secure you feel in your home environment. There may be the possibility of having experienced restrictions and limitations placed on you in your home life, or else you crave solidity and security. You would present yourself to the world as someone who is secretive and mysterious, how you are to the world and what your home life is are two very different things, and if you're not careful, something that you've taken great pains to hide can run the risk of being exposed for everyone to see. Is there a denial of who you really are, the fear of not being accepted for who you are and you feel the need to present a mask? That mask will come off sooner than later. If it's not a mask, it may be about striving to find the right balance with who you are and what restricted you from being so in the past, thus redressing that in order to move forward.
If Pluto is in the second, Saturn squares in the fifth. The second house is about our material worth, the pleasures we seek from our material wealth and what we have accumulated, while the fifth house speaks of love affairs, creative endeavours and children.
While this has been a most exciting time in my life - and a necessary move so that I may begin again - it hasn't been without its challenges. The last two or so weeks in particular have been tough, and I have been looking at the slower moving planets to see what may have been going on, and from where I would find the answers I needed to have any understanding. In the end, the answers have been revealing themselves by way of dear old Father Time Saturn, making a retrograde square with my natal Pluto, planet of exposure and destruction, making way for rebuilding and regeneration. These two planets in this formation want redress with our past, shaking us at the very core of our foundations to the point that there is no choice but for us to demolish what no longer works for us so we may start again.
Now, for those of us born in the generation between 1956-1971, when Pluto was making its transit in the zodiac sign of Virgo, transiting Saturn has been squaring off at various times with natal Pluto since it began its move into Sagittarius on 19th September 2015. How it plays out for an individual will vary, depending on house placements and aspects with other planets. For the moment, I will focus on this very significant aspect between Saturn and Pluto.
Saturn is the faster moving planet out of the two, taking approximately 2 1/2 years to transit through each sign. It is also the last of the personal planets which can be seen with the naked eye in the sky. Saturn is about solidity, laying foundations, the square, the rule of law and order, limitations and restrictions. I referred earlier to Saturn by calling him old father time. In the seven ages of man, from the Moon through to Saturn, life is about our birth to our eventual deaths. Saturn also imparts great wisdom on to us, should we seek it and be prepared to know and understand the lessons that life would teach us. Memories and fate would also play out here, as we reach the age of looking back through our lives more, knowing that our mortal path will take us on a different journey. We become the elders who would teach the younger generations what we learned and practiced so that traditions may continue to thrive before we pass.
Pluto was discovered in 1930, during the time of the great depression, and what a time that was for its discovery! After the stock market crash on Wall Street in 1929, shares were wiped off, devaluing currency, causing widespread unemployment, families to fragment and fall apart after becoming homeless and destitute. It was felt the world over, a world which was barely recovering from the aftermath of World War I. Pluto is the planet of sitting in the depths, waiting for things and situations to fester and build, like a volcano which is ready to erupt. Eventually, the switch is flicked and all hell breaks loose. It especially breaks loose when foundations are built on lies and deception, the double cross which comes from corruption. Cracks appear in the foundations, and still the foundations are piled on and built up until it can't take any more. This is the "Enough is enough!" moment. Pluto doesn't act like the sudden shock and movement which can be seen from Uranus. It builds, and takes years before it finally takes hold, becoming more widespread. Pluto on its own speaks about how generations are affected
Back to the aspects between these two powerful planets. As aspects to be looked at without adding anything else to the mix at this point, we see how these two play out. The staunch and immovable attitude of Saturn doesn't want to be shaken up by Pluto. Saturn likes being where he is and isn't keen on change. But change must come, as that's the only certainty in our lives. Order brings with it a stagnancy, the mundane and acceptance that can be downright boring, waiting for something to stir the pot, so to speak. Pluto can wait patiently in its deepest, darkest recesses of the world until the right time comes for the monumental shakeup, to bring forth what's no longer acceptable for us, tear down those foundations which were once solid, those foundations which no longer hold true, because change is on its way. I speak metaphorically, although it can sometimes physically occur in this manner. Saturn and Pluto truly collide with this square aspect, and if we continue to stand rooted to our spot, refusing to accept what needs to change in our lives, then what occurs can be truly catastrophic. While change can't be avoided, the better that we prepare for it in the best way that we're able, the lesser the fallout and damage will be wrought.
I'm going to offer a brief overview on where and how these planets will be redressed through the respective houses in the square aspects, although I will cover a more detailed explanation in relation to how that plays out for me at this moment, and what I can expect over the next few months.
If your natal Pluto in Virgo is in your first house, Saturn in Sagittarius will form a square in the fourth house. The first house is about yourself and how you want to present yourself to the world, while the fourth house is where and how secure you feel in your home environment. There may be the possibility of having experienced restrictions and limitations placed on you in your home life, or else you crave solidity and security. You would present yourself to the world as someone who is secretive and mysterious, how you are to the world and what your home life is are two very different things, and if you're not careful, something that you've taken great pains to hide can run the risk of being exposed for everyone to see. Is there a denial of who you really are, the fear of not being accepted for who you are and you feel the need to present a mask? That mask will come off sooner than later. If it's not a mask, it may be about striving to find the right balance with who you are and what restricted you from being so in the past, thus redressing that in order to move forward.
If Pluto is in the second, Saturn squares in the fifth. The second house is about our material worth, the pleasures we seek from our material wealth and what we have accumulated, while the fifth house speaks of love affairs, creative endeavours and children.
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