Aspects of Note this Week
All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time.
For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.
TUE: Sun quincunx Mars
WED: Venus quincunx Neptune, Sun enters Virgo
FRI: Sun quincunx Chiron
SAT: Sun trine Uranus, Jupiter sequiquadrate Chiron, Sun trine Saturn
SUN: Full Moon 4:56 a.m. PDT, Venus square Pluto, Mercury quincunx Neptune
THE WAVES of
emotional energy have been profound since the Solar Eclipse on August
11. The Jupiter-Neptune trine (exact today, August 19) has been fueling
the swells -- and our sensitivity to the ebb and flow has been
heightened due to so many planets currently being retrograde.
This
week, the lunar cycle that began with that New Moon eclipse continues
to unfold, reaching its crescendo with next Sunday's Full Moon in
Pisces. Leading up to that event, we have plenty of planetary activity
to keep us busy.
THIS APPEARS
to be a week of adjustments, given how many quincunx aspects are in
effect. A quincunx occurs when two planets are 150 degrees apart and in
incompatible signs. The aspect is like having one foot on deep sand and
one on pavement, and trying to walk with an even gait. Since it's
virtually impossible to accomplish that, we must figure out new ways to
ambulate.
For instance, on Tuesday, we have...
we have the Sun in Leo quincunx
Mars in Capricorn. The Leo Sun wants to move like fire -- dancing,
dramatic, expressive, and living in the moment. But Mars in earthy
Capricorn wants to move slowly and purposefully, with the focus on the
goal that lies ahead. And, being retrograde, Mars is actually quite
reticent to move forward at all right now. Our challenge is to somehow
incorporate the best of both approaches, without ignoring either or
getting sidetracked by the conundrum.
ASTROLOGER
Bil Tierney explains that "The quincunx pinpoints how and where we tend
to drain forces in a haphazard, non-productive fashion. Its basic role
is that of breaking down and removing those non-effectual attitudes that
interfere with our ongoing growth."
With quincunxes spread throughout the week, it seems we'll be adjusting our attitudes in more than one area:
- The
Venus-Neptune quincunx on Wednesday brings relationship themes into the
mix, with the question being how to both insist on fairness (Venus in
Libra) and yet let go of demands (Neptune in Pisces).
- Friday's
Sun-Chiron quincunx reveals the need to be productive and
efficient (Sun in Virgo), while also giving ourselves the time for
important personal healing (Chiron in Aries).
- And
with the Mercury-Neptune quincunx next Sunday, we'll need to figure out
ways to honor our desire to make an impact with our words (Mercury in
Leo) while surrendering our expectations for specific outcomes (Neptune
in Pisces).
NEXT SATURDAY, the
Virgo Sun forms an earth grand trine with Uranus in Taurus and Saturn
in Capricorn. This can be a stabilizing influence -- greatly needed
right now! -- that can help us create new, inspired forms that support
healing and growth.
At the
same time, however, there's a challenging Jupiter-Chiron aspect in
effect. This aspect increases emotional reactivity and may cause us to
question everyone's motivations, including our own. Plus, the influence
of a Venus-Pluto square is building on Saturday (exact midday on
Sunday), which is also suspicious and even jealous in nature, but can
ultimately bring us to places of greater honesty and intimacy in our
relationships.
SUNDAY'S FULL MOON
occurs at 4:56 a.m. PDT (11:56 a.m. GMT), at 3°12′ Pisces. With this
being the Full Moon following a Solar Eclipse, it has greater import
than most such lunations. It is aligned with two fixed stars: Sadalmelik
and Fomalhaut.
Fomalhaut
is the better known of these two stars, being the Watcher of the South
and one of the four Royal Stars of Persia. Astrologer Roderick Kidston
tells us that this is "a contradictory star, sometimes very helpful but
sometimes not so much; when ornery, it can play out as exaggerated
emotional responses. It is at its best when expressing altruism and
goodwill, and assists people to make truly inspiring achievements. It
tends to work out most constructively when manifesting in spiritual
ways; its finely balanced sensitivities don't always work easily in the
material realm."
KIDSTON
describes the star Sadalmelik as the "magic elf or Santa's helper" to
the mighty Fomalhaut, and says that this lesser-known star helps us
manage the powerful emotions that Fomalhaut can evoke. He writes that
"Sadalmelik connects with the ancient virtue of prudence. The quiet
caution, acumen and self-discipline of this star combine to offer
splendid help in turning around the variable fortunes ascribed to
Fomalhaut, and bringing out the best in both stars."
It
appears we will continue to work with heightened emotions over the
coming week, and that these will be woven into our Full Moon experience.
But, keep in mind that guidance is telling us that we will best use
this energy to inspire our spiritual practice and in service to others
-- very Piscean answers to the question of "What do I do with all of
these feelings?"
THE OMEGA/CHANDRA symbols
for this Full Moon confirm this advice from the fixed stars. Channeled
by John Sandbach, these are symbolic images for each of the 360 degrees
of the zodiac. Here are the ones for the degree of next Sunday's
lunation:
- Omega: "Rustic folk gather many types of wildflowers for a celebration":
A blending of the energies of nature that manifests as a lushness of
expression. Everything done and entered into with a feeling of great
abundance of possibility and opportunity.
- Chandra: "Mushrooms springing up everywhere": Many
problems can be solved simply by seeking out the exact type of
environment needed. This principle is how so much negativity has come to
be accumulated on planet earth – these negative forces have been
carefully and systematically cultivated. And so, positive, spiritual
forces may be cultivated in the same way.
Sandbach explains our solution when working with this degree of Pisces:
"Make
changes or modifications in various aspects of our reality, rather than
allowing too many questions to cause doubt and hesitancy. Approach
everything indirectly. Be, in a sense, more concerned with the
atmosphere around a thing rather than the thing itself. The results of
this can be immensely fruitful."
I FIND
the Omega symbol to resonate with the exuberant influence of Fomalhaut,
and the Chandra symbol to be reminiscent of Sadalmelik’s ability to
ground that energy in positive ways.
Being
"more concerned with the atmosphere around a thing than the thing
itself" is an exercise in maintaining a spiritual perspective. It
also reminds me of Fomalhaut's counsel that "It tends to work out most
constructively when manifesting in spiritual ways." And it's vital to
remember that just as negativity has accumulated on the planet, so can
we cultivate and grow a more positive spiritual perspective.
The playlist is set, and we have our (spiritual) dancing orders...
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Your
self-concept is going through many adjustments this year, as you become
increasingly aware of what attitudes work and don't work in your
life. This is a time of heightened self-awareness, which you can use to
good advantage as you shift perspectives and alter the ways you have
typically approached certain areas of your life experience. As you move
through these changes, you will create greater stability in your life,
and find inventive solutions to old issues.In light,
Pam
http://www.northpointastrology.com/northpoint-journal.htmlCopyright NorthPoint Astrology 2018. All rights reserved.
• Meditation with the Transpersonal Pla...
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