by Pam Younghans
Aspects of Note This Week
All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.
MON: Mercury conjunct Sun, Mars conjunct Eris, Pluto semisquare Ceres
TUE: Mercury quincunx Saturn, Venus sextile Uranus, Leo New Moon 7:41 p.m. PDT, Sun quincunx Saturn
WED: Mercury enters Virgo
FRI: Mercury sesquiquadrate Jupiter
SAT: Sun enters Virgo
SUN: Mercury opposite Ceres, Mercury sesquiquadrate Pluto
FINDING OUR BALANCE may
be especially challenging this week, with so many waves crashing about
us. Uranus just stationed retrograde on Saturday, so we are still
working with its heightened energies for the next week or two.
Uranus
is known for being unpredictable, and when its influence is strong,
surprising events occur that can throw us off center. These events are
cosmically purposed for a variety of reasons.
One
of those purposes is to shift our center of gravity so that our minds
can open to new perspectives. If we are living our "normal life," which
has set routines and expectations, our human brain tends to fire the
same electromagnetic impulses over and over again. This creates a
tendency for our thoughts and beliefs to likewise follow the same
familiar pathways day after day, year after year.
But the changes that Uranus brings create new neural connections, opening our minds to new ideas and insights. In
addition to its role as god of Chaos, Uranus is also the planet of
Higher Consciousness and
Enlightenment. When its energies are strong, we have greater access to
insights and a multidimensional perspective, if we choose to open our
minds to the higher realms.
DURING THESE TIMES of
great transition, is vital to maintain connection to our higher self,
to stay in touch with our core of inner peace, and to observe events
from a spiritually-aware perspective. In
addition to maintaining our own internal stasis, we are also called to
radiate light and love out into the world, in whatever ways resonate
with us personally.
I
received two channeled newsletters by email yesterday that I found
especially powerful and helpful. I've shared the text from both on my
facebook site, and invite you to read them there. Both channels wrote of
the higher purposes of these pivotal times we are living in – but,
more
importantly, they also offered effective techniques to help us not
only stay in balance and at peace ourselves, but also to strengthen the
light and harmony on planet Earth.
Here are quotes from each of the newsletters:
"You
have more power within your being than you can ever imagine. Practice
being at peace, and you will experience peace, no matter the external
conditions... Right now, the world needs your peace. We are rarely so
urgent in our requests, but now is the time to be the change you wish to
see in the world." - Ann Albers and the
Angels
"Each
and every time you shift your limited perspective to a perspective of
wholeness, you are raising the collective consciousness. Every time you
heal or transform a stale limited belief, you are adding to the light of
the collective consciousness. Every time." - Peggy Black and the 'team'
MONDAY is
the last full day of the lunar cycle that began back on July 20.
According to the Moon, this is a time to complete, release, and clear in
preparation for the new moon cycle. However, we have two planetary
alignments on Monday that speak of beginnings rather than endings.
The
first is a fairly innocuous Sun-Mercury conjunction, which happens
several times a year. But, given the current political climate, and the
fact that this alignment is in the proud sign of Leo the Lion, we can
anticipate at least some impassioned speeches and perhaps some loud
roaring as well. Exchanges and communications under this Sun-Mercury
alignment will set the
stage for future developments.
THE OTHER alignment
on Monday, between Mars and Eris, is one to take special note of. As
these two warriors join forces in the sign of Aries the Ram, their
already assertive natures are made even more potent. As with all
astrological energies, this can be put to good use, as the two planets
can inspire courage and confidence.
However, neither Mars nor Eris is known for the ability to play quietly
or cooperatively. They are often headstrong and act without considering
the consequences of their actions.
On
an individual level, we can use this influence to make a new start,
especially if we've been waiting to feel more energized and fearless
before taking a risk. On a global level, this alignment may indicate new
protests against injustice. The main caution is to be careful of acting
on impulse or instinct, especially if motivated by anger or the desire
for
revenge.
Mars
and Eris will align three times this year, due to Mars going
retrograde. The dates of the three conjunctions are August 18, October
4, and December 22 (the day after the highly-anticipated Jupiter-Saturn
conjunction). Events this week represent step one of a process. They
will give us some hints as to how the other alignments – steps two
and three – will play out.
THE NEW MOON on Tuesday occurs at 7:41 p.m. PDT, when the Sun and Moon align at 26°35′ Leo.
Mercury is very close to the two lights at the time of the lunation,
indicating that communications, mail services, commerce, news sources,
and travel concerns will be in the spotlight for the next four weeks.
This stellium of Sun-Moon-Mercury in Leo can be very helpful for those
who wish to begin a new creative project, especially one that involves
writing or speaking.
The
New Moon is in harmonious trine aspect with both Mars and Eris,
indicating that the new lunar cycle will be highly charged with
forthright, courageous, confident energies. We are more willing to take
risks with this influence, and also act more spontaneously. Personal
fulfillment is the priority.
HOWEVER,
the planet Saturn forms a strong quincunx aspect with the
Sun-Moon-Mercury stellium. Saturn always provides a reality check, and
reminds us of the need to apply the brake from time to time, if we are
to successfully reach our intended destination. Because the energies of
this New Moon are otherwise quite impulsive – a bit like driving down a side street at twice the speed limit – I feel that Saturn's involvement will ultimately be helpful.
A
quincunx such as this requires a mental adjustment. With the planets in
Leo receiving Saturn's teaching, we are called to observe where we
might be expressing the shadow qualities of that sign. Leo is very
generous, creative, and affectionate, but its shadow can be a too-strong
need for recognition and approval, or a tendency to be overly dramatic,
prideful, or
arrogant.
With
this Saturn quincunx woven into the New Moon chart, some of our
creative efforts may be frustrated. If this occurs, Saturn encourages us
to do a better job of focusing on the practical components of the
project, reminding us that inspiration is only part of what is needed to
make our ideas come into form. We are also called to differentiate
between what is realistically possible and what
is mostly wishful thinking.
A SUBTLE SHIFT occurs
over the course of this week, as first Mercury (on Wednesday) and then
the Sun (on Saturday) move into responsible Virgo. This annual change of
signs indicates a transition from focusing on personal fulfillment into
a greater
readiness to be of service to others. This is also the "back to school"
energy, which some may feel happy about and others may not. Basically,
Virgo asks us to get down to work and to find renewed satisfaction in a
job well done.
All
signs do have their shadow side, however. With Virgo emphasized over
the next four weeks, we will need to watch being overly analytical or
too critical. And, when Virgo is stressed, nervous energy and worry are
heightened, and we can judge ourselves (or others) as not being "good
enough." It can be easy to turn selflessness into self-sacrifice if we
try to live up to a
perceived ideal. Because of this, make sure that self-appreciation and
self-care are at the top of your daily "to do" list – in addition to building your skills of centering, balance, and inner peace.
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: In
the year ahead, you are more focused than usual on speaking your truth,
and on whether or not you feel heard by significant others. If you are a
writer or speaker, this can be a very inspired year, as long as you
keep your feet on the ground and
take care of the practical steps needed to bring your ideas into form.
You may feel particularly motivated by current social movements designed
to bring greater equality to those who have been disenfranchised. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Mercury, semisquare Venus, trine Mars, quincunx Saturn, trine Eris)
Pam
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