Why should this matter to us?
WHEN A PLANET
prepares to change direction, to either go backward or forward, it must
first come to a standstill. In astrology, this is called their
"station." In the week or two before the day of their station, the
planet moves more and more slowly. This
increases its influence on our experience.
I
like to use the analogy of an old-fashioned train station to illustrate
this effect. Imagine that you're standing on the platform, and hear a
train in the distance. As the train gets closer, you begin to feel its
vibration under your feet, and the sound gets louder. By the time the
train is in the station and has stopped right in front of you, the
vibration is intense and the sound
of the engines fills your ears. Once the engineer puts the train in
reverse, it slowly pulls away from the station, and the vibration and
sound gradually recede.
The
stationary effect of a planet can be felt a week or two before and
after its day of station. With both Jupiter and Uranus stationing on
August 11, their effects are beginning to build in our awareness--we are
standing on the platform, with two trains coming in.
TAKEN AS INDIVIDUALS, these two
planets each have their own signature effects. Jupiter, as the largest
known planet in our solar system, magnifies whatever it touches.
Essentially, we might see Jupiter as our cosmic cheerleader, encouraging
us to take risks,
to expand, to explore. Jupiter's tagline might be "Go Big or Go Home."
When Jupiter's influence is strong, we can feel more optimistic, whether
or not it's realistic to feel that way.
Uranus
is our electromagnetically "weird" planet, with its spin axis tilted by
an amazing 98 degrees, and its magnetic field tilted by another 60
degrees. Unique Uranus is the great liberator and initiator of
change--especially the type of change that will help us live more
authentic lives. When we work with Uranus, we work with the unknown, the
unexpected, the unpredictable. Uranus also
inspires revolutions and rebellions--so we might find ourselves
singing, "Don't tell me not to fly, I've simply got to--If someone takes
a spill, it's me and not you!"
(And now Barbara Streisand's voice is going to be running through my head for the rest of the day ... )
WITH BOTH of
these planets at highest energetic impact for the next three to four
weeks, what can we expect? New experiences, certainly. More risk-taking.
Outlandish exaggerations. Greater flashes of insight. Breakthroughs and
breakdowns that propel us into
the future at a very fast pace. The sense that things are somehow
different and unfamiliar, but with an underlying sense of hopefulness.
Physically,
magnetic fields will be affected--those around our bodies, and the one
around the Earth. Electronics may be unreliable. For those who use
healing techniques that use electromagnetic energies, it will be
interesting to watch what happens. Are the methods more effective? Are
they harder to control? Do they seem to have a consciousness of their
own, beyond how we direct
them?
Also,
with Uranus in the sign Taurus, which rules Mother Nature and the
environment, we could potentially see more earth changes over the next
few weeks--events such as the recent eruptions of Mount Etna and
Stromboli in Sicily and Sakurajima in Japan.
AMONG THE OTHER planetary
energies in play this week, the one that stands out the most to me is
the ongoing square between Mercury and Eris. The aspect is exact on
Monday, then Mercury stations direct on Wednesday, and the square
perfects again on Saturday.
In essence, the two planets are in square aspect throughout the week.
Mercury
is the Messenger Planet, in charge of communications and all verbal or
written exchanges. Dwarf planet Eris, named for the embittered goddess
of Discord, approaches most situations with a chip on her shoulder. The
ongoing square between these two amplifies any wars of words that may be
currently underway. Those who feel disrespected and
disregarded--especially women--are angry and ready
to do combat.
Is there solution to this tension? Perhaps, if we draw upon the higher vibrational qualities of both planets.
Mercury
is now in Cancer, so under stress is likely to respond in a very
crab-like fashion--either withdrawing to hide under a rock or bringing
out the claws to attack. If we feel under pressure this week, we will do
well to remember that a crab can also sidle--walk sideways. This
response is one that allows us to step away, out of the line of fire, to
calm our nerves and get a new perspective.
This is different than withdrawing, because once our pulse returns to
normal and we have a more objective view, we can return to the situation
and address the problem with greater courage and self-confidence,
without having to default to being defensive.
And
what are the higher qualities of Eris in Aries? This planet embodies
courage, assertiveness, and self-will, and in forthright Aries, all
those traits are fortified. And yet, those positive qualities can go
awry if they are not balanced by an awareness of others, if all we can
see is our own needs, our own desires. The highest expression of Aries
is enlightened self-interest, which means we
have the willpower, courage, and assertiveness to blaze new trails, but
that we do not become so willful, headstrong, and selfish that others
suffer for our actions.
ALSO THIS WEEK, both
the Sun and Venus form confrontational square aspects with Uranus. As
we know, Uranus' influence is heightened now, so these aspects may bring
about even more disruption than usual.
The
Sun-Uranus square occurs on Monday, the same day as the Mercury-Eris
square. Together, these two squares up the ante on combativeness, and
make it very difficult to find common ground. People may be very
hot-headed and stubborn, unwilling to soften their stance. With the Sun
in dramatic Leo, some will use roaring and posturing to intimidate. This
is also a time of surprises that
can set us off course, at least temporarily. It's a good idea to stay
flexible in our expectations.
Much
of this can also be said about the Venus-Uranus square that perfects on
Friday--the day before the second Mercury-Eris square. By adding Venus
to the mix, we add themes of personal relationships, values, and
finances. This is not a good time to try to control another person, or
to expect others to behave demurely. Since Venus, like the Sun, is in
determined Leo, a friend's or loved one's
response is not likely to be very accommodating. With this aspect, we
want to have our own way, and we will rebel against being told what we
should do.
PARTNERSHIPS of
all descriptions are in the spotlight for other reasons as well next
weekend. Mars aligns with the asteroid Juno on Friday, and both are in
hard quincunx aspect with Pluto on Sunday.
Juno,
as wife of Jupiter in Roman myth, represents commitment to significant
others. Her alignment with Mars can awaken a new level of passion within
such a relationship, as well as a desire to protect a loved one.
However,
Pluto's involvement means that it's not all smooth sailing, that along
the way we become aware of the need for an attitude shift. It may be
time to address any residual resentments or power inequities that could
get in the way of our taking this next step. We may also need to come to
terms with latent jealousy or a lack of trust that would interfere with
our ability to fully commit to
another.
LAST WEEK! There's
still time to buy the replay of my "Coming Into Focus" webinar, which
covers the planetary influences over the next seven months--including
the all-important Great Alignment in January 2020! If you're interested,
please send an email with
"Webinar Replay" in the subject line to pam@northpointastrology.com, and I'll reply with details.
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: You
are conscious of an underlying restlessness this year, a desire for
something new--even if you're not fully aware of what that "new" might
be. You are more willing to take risks now, and a stronger
self-confidence is growing as you heal old wounds that
once held you in a place of fear. This year relates back to 1997 or
1998, when you were also redefining yourself, and marks a next step in
the process of living an even more authentic life. Relationships are of
primary interest to you this year, and provide the means by which you
gain even greater self-understanding. Be ready for surprises! (Solar Return Sun conjunct Venus, trine Jupiter, square Uranus, trine Chiron)
Pam
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