NorthPoint Astrology Journal: Your weekly guide to planetary influences May 11 to 17, 2020 by Pam Younghans

NorthPoint Astrology Journal Your weekly guide to planetary influences May 11 to 17, 2020 by Pam Younghans Aspects of Note This Week   All times listed are Pacific DaylightTime. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.    MON: Mercury square Mars, Mercury enters Gemini TUE: Mercury trine Pallas Athene, Mercury trine Saturn, Mars enters Pisces, Venus stations retrograde WED: Sun semisquare Chiron THU: Jupiter stations retrograde, Mercury square Ceres, Sun trine Pluto FRI: Mercury sextile Chiron SAT: Mercury sesquiquadrate Pluto  SUN: Sun trine Jupiter, Mercury sesquiquadrate Jupiter WE ARE ENTERING a new phase in this experience of transformation that we call the year 2020. The inner fears and outer restrictions have eased just a bit, leaving the emotional space for us to ponder developments over the last few months, and to reflect on how our values may have shifted.   Holding the space for us in this regard is the planet Venus, which goes retrograde on Tuesday, May 12, at 11:44 p.m. PDT. Currently several degrees ahead of the Taurus Sun, Venus is in Gemini and appears in the sky as our evening star. During this period of backward motion, it will cross paths with the Sun (on June 3), rising and setting with the solar orb for a few days. After that, Venus will become our morning star and will return to forward motion on June 24.   MOST OF US are familiar with Mercury's retrograde effect, which occurs three times a year. We are less acquainted with what happens when Venus goes backward, which happens only every two years. In essence, the themes are similar: review, reassessment, reprioritizing; but since we're working with Venus, we'll be applying this awareness to areas that the planet rules: relationships and alliances, finances and values, amusements and the arts.   It's not hard to imagine the kinds of issues that we will be reevaluating over the next six weeks as social realms begin to be more available. Recent circumstances have put heightened pressure on relationships, on resources, and on the availability of entertainments and artistic offerings.   As we weave our way through this Venus retrograde period, we of course will be considering ways to rejoin these areas of life – but the more important questions to answer are, do we want to reengage, and if so, how fully? Do we want to reconnect with a certain person, job, or activity in the ways that we had become accustomed to? Or have our values changed at such a deep level that some of these prior manifestations are no longer a vibrational match with us?   OUR ANSWERS to these questions cannot be forced, but must slowly reveal themselves through introspection. On a cosmic timing level, we are advised to wait until Venus is once again moving direct before we make concrete decisions in these areas. We also need to take into account that for the first three weeks of its retrograde period, Venus is in square aspect to Neptune.   Venus is the planetary representative of the human heart and its capacity for love. Neptune symbolizes the higher heart of oneness and compassion. Even when the two planets are in hard aspect, they provide opportunities for growth in both of these areas. We are more likely to see the good in people, and less likely to focus on their flaws.   HOWEVER, there are also hazards involved with a Venus-Neptune square. We may not see another person clearly, and can over-romanticize, over-value, or take on martyr or rescuer roles. Common symptoms of this problem would be excusing abusive behavior because the person was "under a lot of stress," or stepping in to save someone who really would benefit most from learning how to save themselves. In the material realms, a Venus-Neptune square corresponds with spending too much on an item or making an investment without checking on its actual value. In other words, it's a good idea to be intentional during Venus retrograde. It is time best used by going inward, by listening to the voice of our true heart. Every day, we can sense into our answers to these questions: "What fills me with aliveness and vitality?" "What interests me?" "What can I truthfully say that I love, as compared to what is merely habit?"   And, with the Venus-Neptune square active, we will also be asking ourselves: "How can I best express compassion in the world?" "How can I use my mind and my heart to make a difference?" "How can I open my heart so that I am a better channel for unconditional love?"   THIS IS a good time to remember the "new" definition of unconditional love, as brought into our collective awareness by Abraham-Hicks. In the past, we may have defined unconditional love as the capacity to deny our own needs and to live solely to support others – even at best, an unattainable and inadvisable goal. This kind of self-denial is usually not unconditional love, since it tends to leave self-love completely out of the equation.   According to Abraham, unconditional love is "feeling in alignment with Source regardless of what’s going on around you." When we are in that state, we cannot harm others or ourselves. We can only express love, because to do otherwise would disconnect us from Source.   A lofty goal! We have our marching (dancing?) orders ...   ASSISTING US with this directive, Mars enters compassionate Pisces on May 12 at 9:17 p.m. PDT – the very same day that Venus goes retrograde. Since Mars is named for the god of War, and Pisces is a sign of non-aggression, this journey can be a bit complicated.   At its highest frequency, Mars in Pisces awakens our capacity to act on our ideals. We find it easier to align our actions with our spiritual principles, to go with the flow, to let go of anger, and to be inspired by our creative Muse.   BUT there are cautions about this placement of Mars, too. Mars is a fiery planet, while Pisces is a water sign – and as we know, water extinguishes fire. The assertiveness of Mars is dampened in Pisces, resulting in a tendency to not face issues directly, or to be passive-aggressive. And, the impulse of energy we usually associate with Mars can come and go like the tides, leaving us feeling moody and inconsistent.   As the twelfth sign of the zodiac, Pisces relates to a process of completion and spiritual realignment, in preparation for a new beginning. Mars in Pisces is a time for releasing old desires and old angers so that we can start anew with a clean slate when the planet enters Aries in late June.   It's intriguing to see that Mars is in Pisces until June 27, almost exactly the same period that Venus is retrograde. Methinks the Cosmos has a plan.   BUILDING on these themes, Jupiter also goes retrograde this week. Astrologer Bil Tierney writes that Jupiter's retrograde phase can be:   "...a marvelous time for gaining insights into spiritual or philosophical matters, as wisdom can flow easier from the superconscious and make contact with the conscious self ... We may find it easier to develop inner faith and a more hopeful outlook due to self-inspired contemplation ... We may feel detached from what is socially expected of us during this period and may reject such pressures in favor of listening to our own inner calling ..."   While Jupiter is retrograde, we will benefit from maintaining many of the new habits we've developed during this quarantine time, especially if we've allowed ourselves to spend more time in contemplation. Our priorities are to meditate on our beliefs about reality and on our dreams for a more meaningful and spiritually fulfilling future. Jupiter will be moving backward until September 12, at which time it will become easier to then take action "while remaining true to the needs of our spirit." (Tierney)   FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY influences we're working with this week, here's a quick list of the most notable aspects: Mercury square Mars (Monday): Disagreements, stubborn resistance, rebelling against the rules. Mercury enters Gemini (Monday): With Mercury in Gemini until May 28, we enter a two-week period of increased information exchange and social activity. Mercury trine Saturn (Tuesday): A better day for communications and intellectual pursuits, as Saturn in Aquarius provides both stability and the determination to make progress. Sun trine Pluto (Thursday): A stronger sense of empowerment, as we direct our energies in productive ways. Mercury square Ceres, sextile Chiron, sesquiquadrate Pluto, and sesquiquadrate Jupiter (Thursday-Sunday): Differences of opinion that challenge our perspectives and push us to be more clear in our communications, while also keeping an open mind. Sun trine Jupiter (Sunday): A day to enjoy nature and new adventures, as we are able! FOR THOSE who are tracking important lunar aspects, here is this week's watch list, in Pacific Daylight Time: Moon in Capricorn conjunct Pluto: Monday, May 11, 11:14 p.m. Moon in Capricorn conjunct Jupiter: Tuesday, May 12, 3:30 a.m.  Moon in Aquarius conjunct Saturn: Tuesday, May 12, 12:18 p.m.  Moon in Aquarius square Uranus: Tuesday, May 12, 10:52 p.m.   IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: The year ahead brings many opportunities for new adventures and a stronger knowing of your own capabilities. At the same time, you are encouraged to take the time to go within, as there are spiritual and creative gifts awaiting. The primary challenge appears in the form of an impatience or restlessness that interferes with your ability to focus on one step at a time. Find a physical outlet for this tension, so that it doesn't compromise the other positive potentials. Solutions include power walking or gardening, or more concentrated activities such as martial arts. (Solar Return Sun square Mars, trine Jupiter, sextile Neptune, trine Pluto)   In Gratitude and Light,   Pam   NorthPoint Journal © 2020 NorthPoint Astrology. All Rights Reserved.  About the NorthPoint Journal   Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this NorthPoint Journal based on planetary influences and insights received. Her hope is to offer perspectives to assist you in utilizing current energies to enhance your life experience and accelerate your spiritual and personal growth.   Feel free to share this issue of the NorthPoint Journal with others who may enjoy it! When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including all contact and copyright information. To learn more about private astrology sessions with Pam, please visit the "Personal Readings" page at www.northpointastrology.com. To schedule a reading, please email pam@northpointastrology.com. http://www.northpointastrology.com/northpoint-journal.html   Copyright NorthPoint Astrology 2020. All Rights Reserved. NorthPoint Astrology, 15000 Block 75th, Kenmore, WA 98028, USA

Sarah Varcas: July 2018 Astro-Energy Report Truth Found in Darkness

July 2018 Astro-Energy Report
Truth Found in Darkness
By Sarah Varcas

All dates are UT so may vary in your time zone

July is a month of deep inner movement which, like a quake far below the earth’s crust, may well shake foundations, but is less likely to bring the structures of our lives crashing down. With up to six retrogrades throughout the month, two eclipses (one also a Supermoon) and Mars still on the South Node, our internal world is in the spotlight while the external one may disappoint. This is a time of profound and sometimes hard truths; of unrelenting forces of change which penetrate our psyches to reach the most intransigent parts of the shadow self. If we cling to falsehoods for security or resist the current evolutionary arc which emphasises the fertile complexities of darkness, we will struggle. But when we allow that darkness to deepen and enrich us, we can know peace like never before. Sometimes we must simply be endarkened, not enlightened, to know the truth.


This month emphasises the correlation between inner and outer. Shifts in perspective will bring about changes in circumstance, revealing just how deeply the observer impacts the event. There is no such thing as a ‘pure’ happening, only experience to which we assign meaning that makes sense of a complex world. But that ‘sense’ isn’t necessarily true. A semi-sextile between Chiron in Aries and Uranus in Taurus throughout July provides ample opportunity to observe the impact of our attitude upon life’s unfolding. Chiron demands an assertive response to challenge. It doesn’t have time to wallow in self-pity or detach into premature transcendence. It simply wants us to get over ourselves and move on! Combined with Uranus’s unremitting assault on the most inflexible parts of the psyche (which often harbour our deepest fears), this is a potent alliance which fosters new ways to respond to old problems and awakens the possibility for change where it’s long overdue.


Throughout July we can look fear in the eye, stand firm and refuse to be diminished. It’s okay to feel it. Everyone does. It’s completely natural. But it helps to know it as well as feel it. Notice its truths and its lies. Feel its heightened senses or its feathery fingers around your throat. Know that fear is part of you, not an external invader. We create fear with the stories we conjure about life, ourselves and other people, so pay attention to its triggers now. Where do you feel it in your body? Which thoughts and beliefs generate it and which help it subside? What’s the difference between healthy fear that protects your boundaries and diminishing fear that reduces your ability to make decisions and take an active part in life? Do you fear fear itself, acting obsessively to avoid encountering it at all?


Self-doubt may also be rife this month. We may feel lost or devoid of direction. But again, it’s okay to feel this way. It’s all part of the internal recalibration taking place. Doubt is often characterised as a hindrance, a limiting weakness. But right now it’s a subtle force of change, calling into question false certainties, and challenging assumptions. It introduces the new by dissolving investment in the old. Doubt creates space and the opportunity to look again at something so familiar we barely see it at all.


July begins with Mercury on the North Node until 5^th, opposing Mars on the South Node. Interaction will get us a lot further than insistence! If you don’t like what’s happening around you, open lines of communication and begin a dialogue rather than stubbornly digging in your heels, insisting you know best. Be clear about what you want but stay cool when others seek different outcomes. Mercury turns retrograde later this month, providing plenty of opportunity to review and rethink. Whilst there might be a sense of urgency as the month begins, there’s actually more time than we think to reach an agreement that serves everyone, not just the few.


On 3^rd July Chiron in Aries and Saturn in Capricorn form a square which lasts until the end of September. This square initiates us into deep time, where change takes as long as it takes and occurs in an instant; where all is perfectly whole and forever fragmented. Saturn in Capricorn oversees the passage of clock and calendar time, delivering outcomes and consequences from one moment to the next. Chiron in Aries steps outside of time, delivering rectification in the blink of an eye and new beginnings before the old has become dust. We arrive in this deep time of Chiron – which brings lightening-strike deliverance from long-term pain – by grace, not will; by faith, not intention. Saturn keeps our feet firmly planted in the ‘real’ world of responsibility, work and effort. It holds us to account, insisting we take charge of our lives. Chiron points to the mystery beyond Saturn’s pragmatism. We enter this mystery when we soften around life’s challenges, release the need to be in control and surrender to a universe which disregards our personal plans in favour of its own. The world still has its call upon us and we remain beholden to this human realm, but our spirit is free to connect across time with deeper truths that initiate us into a more vital relationship with the essence of life itself.


As the energy of this square intensifies in the coming weeks we’re drawn into the complexities of time and its evolutionary impact beyond the everyday. We may, for example, go to bed one night profoundly different to the person we were when we awoke. The very fabric of our life may be torn asunder by inner shifts that occur in a single day. Or a long-standing situation of great challenge may, in the blink of an eye, reveal its own solution hidden in plain sight just waiting for eyes to see. This square offers both challenge and hope: the challenge of stepping outside our ordered existence into no time and all time, and the hope of release from the twists and turns of our tiny mind which can make our days interminable and our nights hard to endure.


Chiron begins five months retrograde on 5th July, bringing the number of retrograde planets to six (Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto being the other five). With so many retrogrades our energy is best invested in our inner life and not the outer world. Whilst we must still keep the plates of our lives spinning, we can be in the world but not of it for a while, allowing its hooks and seductions to fall away while we attend to the well-being of our soul. Between 5^th and 11^th July Neptune lends its support through a trine to the Sun, encouraging a gentle and compassionate response to life, softening us as we bump against its hurdles, helping us yield and in doing so stay strong.


Between 6^th and 12^th July Jupiter squares Mercury. In Leo, Mercury identifies deeply with personal opinion and engages with the world in a highly subjective way. Jupiter in Scorpio demands deeper exploration of the inner drives underpinning personal perspective. During this square we cannot get away with ‘because I said so’ or ‘don’t do as I do, do as I say’. Rigorous honesty is required, as is unflinching attention to our deeper motivations. With Mercury entering its retrograde ‘shadow’ on 7^th July, consideration of what we say, why and how we say it becomes increasingly important, continuing to be so until the beginning of September.


Pluto opposes the Sun between 9^th and 15^th July, replacing the yielding energy of Neptune’s trine with something altogether more intense! Occurring as an eclipse season begins on 10^th, we’re challenged to both own our power and relinquish it in equal measure. When action is needed, take it. When surrender is necessary, do it. The key lies in knowing the difference, for the times we need to surrender often feel like we should act, and sometimes when we need to act we’d rather surrender and let life (often in the guise of other people!) make decisions on our behalf. Pluto opposing the Sun confronts us with the issue of power, how we use it, where and why. Do we struggle to maintain control over others to stop them changing us? Do we deny our power, preferring a victim stance that absolves us of all responsibility, leaving us forever disappointed but always ‘blame free’? Do we focus so intensely on controlling the physical realm that we forget everyday life is a metaphor for something altogether more mysterious? This opposition confronts us with our influence on the unfolding of life and the extent to which we create our reality versus reality shaping us.


Also on 10^th July Venus enters Virgo and Jupiter turns direct in Scorpio. This Venus finds joy in small things easily overlooked: the nuances of a single moment, the subtle dynamics that change the shade of an experience. She finds beauty in the minutiae so often missed and helps us do the same, while Jupiter illuminates the interplay of conscious and unconscious forces in our lives. Jupiter in Scorpio knows no fear. It simply seeks penetrating truth and passionate experience to foster deeper roots and more expansive aspirations. Each in their own unique way, both Venus in Virgo and Jupiter in Scorpio appreciate the necessity of light and dark, shadow and illumination, making them valuable allies during the eclipses to come.


13^th July sees the first of them: a solar eclipse in the 21^st degree of Cancer opposed by Pluto and occurring at a supermoon. This promises to be an intense eclipse with the power to shake deeply our internal foundations, especially those upon which we rely without a second thought. Emotional sensitivity will be greatly heightened as we encounter aspects of the self previously ignored or denied. Events may bring them to the surface, but they’re just as likely to emerge of their own accord, as consciousness expands to embrace the shadow self. Solar eclipses often augur unexpected events and this one is no exception, but this time the events may be largely internal. Our sense of identity, purpose and meaning may shift dramatically and with little warning, if not around the actual eclipse, during the months to come. What was, not so long ago, worth fighting for may lose its seductive charm to reveal an empty core. We may discover our motivation is not our own but instead co-opted from those who’ve left their footprints in our psyche without our being aware. Previously enjoyed kinship may feel a lot less like home, threatened by the emotions and impulses arising within.


A concomitant Grand Trine in Earth formed by Uranus, Saturn and Venus between 11^th and 14^th July will anchor us amidst any eclipse storms. Facilitating pragmatic responsiveness, it provides the resilience needed to shift intransigent emotions and behaviours when it’s their time to go. If the unexpected strikes stand firm, stay strong and know there are forces all around that will help you endure even the most dangerous and intimidating storms right now.


A quarter Moon in Libra on 19^th July marks the halfway point between the solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse on 27^th. Forming a T Square with the Sun and Eris, it affirms that the strongest relationships are built on a foundation of emotional independence coupled with courageous intimacy. We do not surrender to the other but to the relationship itself, whatever form it takes, allowing it to shape and change us even as we bring our own unique spirit and vitality to its formation. In the midst of an intense eclipse season, taking care of relationships is paramount, for in them we find and provide strength, even as it is equally vital that we stand apart when necessary and face life alone.


The Sun begins its month-long journey through its own sign of Leo on 22^nd July, lifting us out of heavy emotion into a more buoyant state of mind. On the same day, together with Uranus and Mars, it begins to form a T square which remains until 28^th. T Squares always come with pent-up energy. All the more so when Uranus and Mars are involved! They augur both intense creativity and destructive frustration, so we have an important choice to make: Do we respond to life’s provocations with stubborn assertions of our right to call the shots, or do we allow the unassailable force of life itself to take charge, flooding us with creative potential we could never conjure simply by sheer force of human will? Uranus in Taurus, at the apex of this T Square, is mobilised to shift the most obstinate aspects of human nature which block the current evolutionary flow. We cannot stop it. To try is simply a waste of time and effort. What we can do is surrender to it, allow ourselves to be immersed within its revolutionary power and become part of evolution, not its enemy! The personal is now as vital as the collective and how we respond to the minutiae of daily life is just as influential as events lauded on the world stage. Everyone has a part to play and no one is inconsequential in this unrelenting march into a future still balanced on the brink.


Mercury is retrograde in Leo between 26^th July and 19^th August. Aspecting Eris and Black Moon Lilith as it changes direction, it augurs intense exchanges and exhilarating insights in equal measure. There may be battles a plenty as we strive to uncover previously inaccessible and potentially life-changing personal truths. If you’re seeking honesty and openness at this time, be prepared to receive them full blast whether you like what you get or not! Truth may storm through our lives like a hurricane now, ripping all from its anchor. Once out of the box it won’t be neatly folded up and put away. But rest assured, we’re ready for this even though it may not feel like it! Whatever is revealed needs to be known. And if we’re hiding the truth – from ourselves or another – it may come crashing through our deceptions like a tsunami if we won’t let it bubble gently to the surface to be known.


A lunar eclipse in the 5^th degree of Aquarius on 27^th July (conjunct Mars in the T Square mentioned above) reveals the inner cause of outer conditions. Whilst we may rail against the unfairness of life, we experience nothing which is not characteristic of who we are. Which doesn’t mean we’re directly responsible for everything that happens to us. But it does illuminate the mysterious correlation between our inner world and outer experience which, as we live life more deeply, reveal undeniable reflections each within the other. This eclipse fires our passion whilst reminding us that objectivity can be a refreshing break when life is intense. If emotional storms abound, take a step back and breathe deeply. Remember, we are not in the eye of the storm forever and finding the still spot when turmoil reigns is a very handy skill to have in times such as these!


Around the time of this eclipse and in the months to follow, revelation of our deeper motivations will continue. If we’re pursuing agendas introjected from others or presiding social mores, this will become abundantly and undeniably clear. Childhood patterns, familial expectations so deeply rooted they feel like our own, dictates of society, religion, spiritual teachings past and present, all may shape us aside from our authentic spirit. This eclipse season, and especially this lunar eclipse, opens Pandora’s box of influences to reveal what’s really going on. It may not look pretty at first, but in the long run it will foster greater awareness and understanding, diminishing our capacity to be influenced by externals to serve agendas not our own.


Of course, it works both ways! Others may awaken to our influence and begin to resist what once felt like minds and hearts in accord. Offering space to each other to process and explore these internal upwellings will be a compassionate gift of great value now, although not one easily given. It can be deeply unsettling when the ground of significant relationships begins to shift and swell. Patience, with ourselves and each other, as we all navigate a changing interior will go a long way to reducing potential conflict that could do more harm than good. We still have one more eclipse to go (a solar eclipse in Leo on 11^th August) so this process of unveiling is not yet complete. And with Mercury retrograde until the middle of next month, there will be plenty of opportunity to get to the root of things and recalibrate perspectives accordingly.


On 31^st July, asteroid Vesta completes a retrograde journey begun on 9^th May. This feels significant and supportive. Vesta, keeper of the hearth fire and the sacred flame, imbues us with hope and devotion to those causes which matter. She completes her retrograde passage in Sagittarius, the sign of faith and optimism, reminding us that attitude and perspective are crucial to how we experience life. If we decide there’s no hope, nothing will change (or too much is changing!), we can’t get what we want, we always mess up or everything is everyone else’s fault, we’ll reap difficult outcomes now. But if we embrace Vesta’s message – that even in the darkest hour, the tiniest flame of faith in life’s restorative power can light our way– we may be surprised at just how much changes in ways deemed impossible before.


It will be tempting to take life very personally at this point! And who wouldn’t? I mean…. life is a very personal experience! But it’s also an impersonal one, unfolding around and through us without consideration of individual needs, concerns and desires. The more we can appreciate the achingly intimate and expansively impersonal maelstrom that is life, the better we can act with power when necessary and relinquish control when we must, led by the innate intelligence of a life whose mysterious ways are forever beyond our understanding and yet seeded deep within our soul.


Sarah Varcas

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Tagged as: Asteroid Vesta, Black Moon Lilith, Chiron in Aries, Chiron Retrograde, compassion, conscious and unconscious selves, Conscious Evolution, Conscious Relationships, Coping with emotions, creativity, deep mystery, deep time, Deep Truth, divine timing, doubt, Eclipse Season, Ego & Essence, embracing the shadow, Eris, Eris in Aries, facing fear, Jupiter in Scorpio, Lunar Eclipse, managing change, managing the mind, Mars, Mercury, Mercury in Leo, Mercury Retrograde, Moon cycles, Neptune in Pisces, North Node in Leo, patience, Personal healing, personal truth, planetary healing, Pluto in Capricorn, present moment awareness, releasing ego identification, Saturn in Capricorn, self-acceptance, self-doubt, shadow work, Solar Eclipse, Spiritual development, Sun, Uranus in Taurus, Venus, Venus in Virgo, Vesta in Sagittarius, working with the shadow, working with the unconscious

NorthPoint Journal:  Your guide to planetary energies for March 5 to 11, 2018 By Pam Younghans

NorthPoint Journal 

Your guide to planetary energies for

March 5 to 11, 2018

By Pam Younghans

Highlighted Aspects this Week
MON: Mercury enters Aries
TUE: Venus enters Aries
WED: Pluto semisquare Juno
THU: Jupiter stations retrograde
FRI: Last Quarter Moon 3:19am PST (11:19am GMT), Mercury trine Ceres
SAT: Venus trine Ceres, Mercury square Saturn
SUN: Mars trine Uranus, Sun sextile Pluto

HAVING COMPLETED their journey through the heart-opening realms of other-worldly Pisces, both Mercury and Venus enter the vivid landscape of forthright Aries early this week. This move from the twelfth sign to the first may be the most abrupt of all sign changes, taking us from water to fire, from lessons of compassion and completion into learning about courage and initiative.


As Mercury makes this shift on Monday, it will inspire many to take action on their words. The upcoming "March for Our Lives" set for March 24 in Washington, DC, is a prime example of the type of activity supported by Mercury in Aries. In general, communications are more direct and less conciliatory under this influence; words can fly from our lips before we realize what we're saying.


Although it may be hard to do so in the middle of a proclamation or a diatribe, we are advised to remember that Mercury will be going retrograde on March 22. Anything we say off hand in the next few weeks will quickly come back to haunt us. Boomerang karma, anyone?

WITH VENUS entering Aries on Tuesday, our values and priorities also go through an adjustment. Instead of letting Piscean sensitivity and understanding motivate our interactions, we are driven by the Arien desire for excitement and immediate gratification.


This shift will affect all areas that are ruled by Venus -- love relationships, what we do for pleasure, our aesthetics, financial dealings, partnerships, and alliances. In other words, over the next three weeks while Venus journeys through Aries, we are more inclined to spend money spontaneously, and to fall in love just as quickly.

JUPITER stations retrograde on Thursday, which means the planet is basically at a standstill throughout the coming week. Whenever a planet pauses in preparation for changing direction, its influence is heightened, so it will be interesting to watch what unfolds.


We've already seen some striking examples of the effects of Jupiter's journey through secretive Scorpio, as the planet holds its magnifying glass on all that has been hiding in the shadows. Since Jupiter entered Scorpio last October, the deluge of revelations has been stunning, giving birth to the #MeToo and Time's Up movements. In other arenas, investigations into the misuse of power and influence continue, with new truths being revealed on an almost daily basis.

ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, Jupiter's retrograde phase, which will last from March 8 to July 10, calls us to enter a time of reflection on what we believe in and what motivates us.


In his book Dynamics of Aspect Analysis, Bil Tierney writes that when Jupiter is moving backward, it is "a marvelous time for gaining deeper insights into spiritual or philosophical matters, as wisdom can flow easier from the superconscious and make contact with the conscious self."


Jupiter's four-month retrograde phase may have consequences on a broader social level, too, as Tierney goes on to describe:


"By turning within for greater understanding, we may now gain a greater perspective concerning social values. We may feel detached from what is socially expected of us during this period and may reject such pressures in favor of listening to our own inner calling. By examining our social affairs more carefully and deeply, we may judge and evaluate the rightness of such activities according to our own personal, unique guidelines for living. Hopefully, when Jupiter finally turns direct again, we will adopt fresh, new attitudes concerning how we can enrich and elevate our associations with others in our community. Our participation can become more purposeful and fulfilling."

A SERIOUS NOTE is struck next Saturday, when the Moon aligns with Saturn in Capricorn and both square Mercury in Aries. This may be a time of reckoning for some, coming to terms with the reality of a situation. It is not a good day for negotiations, as communications will feel stilted and unproductive, and there is a tendency to negative thinking.


The atmosphere shifts considerably on Sunday, however, when Mars trines Uranus and the Sun sextiles Pluto. These are very liberating, energizing, and empowering aspects, inspiring us to take risks that may very well transform the course of our lives.


IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Your inner vision is your guide and greatest ally this coming year. To take advantage of the wisdom that is available to you, first connect with physical reality in some way -- through working in the garden, playing music, creating art, or doing another activity that engages your physical senses and enables you to lose track of time for a while. As you emerge refreshed from these experiences, your thinking will be clearer and you will more easily be able to assess the situation from a practical viewpoint, while also accessing your higher knowing of best action.

In light,
 
Pam
 

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NorthPoint Journal: Your Guide to Planetary Energies for June 12 to 18, 2017 by Pam Younghans

NorthPoint Journal

Your Guide to Planetary Energies for  June 12 to 18, 2017

by Pam Younghans

Highlighted Aspects This Week 

TUE: Mercury semisquare Uranus, Mercury trine Jupiter, Pluto quincunx Ceres, Mercury square Neptune
THU: Sun opposite Saturn, Venus sesquiquadrate Saturn, Mercury quincunx Pluto
FRI: Neptune goes retrograde, Mercury conjunct Ceres
SAT: Last Quarter Moon 4:32am (11:32am GMT)
SUN: Sun sextile Uranus, Mercury opposite Saturn

THE COMING WEEK sees us being strongly influenced by both Neptune and Saturn -- a complicated scenario, given that these two planets have such different lesson plans. Neptune's intention is to help us transcend the dramas and difficulties of the physical plane through developing stronger trust, faith, and compassion, and by spending time in meditation, surrendering to the flow of our lives, and letting go of the ego's need to always be in control.


On the other hand, Saturn provides a reality check, with the goal of helping us see more clearly what is and isn't possible in practical terms. The Ringed Planet wants us to work hard, to establish concrete agendas, and to learn discipline and patience. Saturn is the "Dr. Phil" of the solar system, always asking, "And how's that working for you?"


This is like trying to meditate while the news is on in the background, or like trying to write an essay when you can barely keep your eyes open. It also reminds me of when I was in college and taking courses in both Spanish and German at the same time -- with the classes back-to-back, I found myself answering in Spanish while I was in German class, and vice versa.


THE MENTAL CONFUSION may be strongest on Tuesday, as Mercury makes challenging aspects to both Uranus and Neptune. With Mercury also in aspect to over-the-top Jupiter, we'll need to watch a tendency to say, "Whatever -- I'm just going to do this crazy thing, even if it makes no sense."


Caution is vital, because on Thursday, Saturn opposes the Sun in Gemini, so we'll quickly see the consequences of any missteps, ill-advised decisions, or miscommunications. A second wave of realism hits on Sunday when Saturn opposes Mercury, and another layer of "inconvenient truth" reaches our consciousness.


CONTRAST those "real-world" concerns with the fact that ethereal Neptune's influence is very strong now. The watery planet is virtually at a standstill this week, and will reverse direction on Friday to begin its five-month retrograde phase.


At its best, Neptune can help increase our intuition, sensitivity to others, and receptivity to the subtle realms. We more easily access higher guidance, travel the inner planes, and trust in the support we receive from nonphysical when Neptune is strong.


But Neptune is also associated with disillusionment, carelessness, escapist tendencies, and being easily fooled due to wearing too-thick rose-colored glasses. Perhaps, though, we can be grateful that Saturn is also strong this week, since a more objective approach may be of benefit.


A PLANET is actually closest to the Earth when it appears to be moving backward, so with Neptune retrograde until November 22, we can consider the planet's influence to be enhanced over the next few months. This effect is pretty subtle, which means it may not knock us over with new spiritual awareness. But it does mean that we can benefit by spending more time in contemplation and creative activities during this period, so that the seeds of spiritual awakening have every opportunity to grow.


Astrologer Bil Tierney writes these words about the opportunities of Neptune's retrograde phase:


"Hopefully, retrograde Neptune enables us to feel more unified and whole from within once we have wrapped up loose ends internally. We are encouraged to dissolve distorted impressions accumulated from our past that have become too crystalized. In doing so, we are able to renew ourselves spiritually.


"On a constructive level, while Neptune is retrograde, we may take the time to explore the fertile world of our untapped imagination, allowing inspiration to lead us to greater awareness about our latent abilities. It can be an excellent time to further strengthen one's powers of visualization and imagery, and therefore can be very beneficial for those who want to advance their creative talents in whatever field they show promise. Self-discipline is still needed where Neptune is concerned if we hope to receive the emotional enrichment this planet can grant us during its retrograde phase."


JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS until my teleclass! I'm calling it "Choosing a Star" based on the profound time of personal and planetary decision-making we are entering.


Think of this class as a 90-minute "NorthPoint Journal" that you can use to plan for and navigate the energies that will be working with us over the next six months. I'll start off with an overview of planetary influences for the remainder of 2017 and then spend a good portion of the time walking through the energies week-by-week.


The class will air live on Wednesday, June 28, and will be recorded for replay for those who cannot attend at that exact time. Here's the first part of the class description:
 

Choosing a Star Astrological guidance for July through December 2017 Live Broadcast on Wednesday, June 18 4pm PDT | 5pm MDT | 6pm CDT | 7pm EDT | 11pm GMT Most of us are aware of the upcoming “American Eclipse” in late August, a Total Eclipse of the Sun that will be visible in a 70-mile-wide path across the United States, from Oregon on the Pacific Ocean to the Carolinas on the Atlantic. This powerful eclipse occurs in the sign of Leo the Lion, activating inner courage and inspiration, and initiating creative action. But many may not know that this pivotal eclipse is activating the influence of two fixed stars: Regulus, whose name comes from the Latin for “little king,” and Muhlifain, which means “the bright star of the oath” in old Arabic. This dual activation challenges us to make a personal vow as to our intentions going forward. We can commit to expressing the truly regal qualities of Leo the Lion– generosity of spirit, joy, openheartedness, and childlike appreciation. As we hold these energies, we are a part of creating the New Wave that will carry us into a deeper spiritual connection toward the end of the calendar year. On the other hand, if we waver in our daily commitment, it will be easy to be drawn into the drama, power struggles, and childishness characteristic of the lower end of the Leo spectrum. In this teleclass, we’ll talk about the karmic implications of this Total Eclipse and the many other astrological events in the last half of 2017, and explore how they may impact us on personal and social levels. We’ll also walk week-by-week through each month to see the opportunities and challenges we will be working with collectively and individually. Before the class, you will receive a pdf of calendars showing planetary aspects for the next six months, so you can print them ahead of time and take notes during class. After the class airs, everyone who registered will receive a link to the replay and access to the slideshow. If you'd like to learn more or register, here's the link: https://choosingastar.eventbrite.com I hope you can join us! IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Important decisions are on the agenda for you this year, ones that require you to take a good look at your long-term goals and overall expectations for your life. The choices that you make have the potential to open your life to new possibilities, if you are flexible and willing to take an educated risk. Your thinking process will be strongly influenced by your emotions, and family issues will come into play as you determine your best course of action. In peace,   Pam How to subscribe to the NorthPoint Journal: If you have been forwarded this issue of the NorthPoint Journal and would like to receive it by email every week, please fill out the subscription form on the "Journal" page of Pam's website.

Kari Samuels: June 2017 Energy Forecast - Be joyful!

June 2017 Energy Forecast - Be joyful!
by Kari Samuels
posted 1 June, 2017
https://youtu.be/DimZHZgdlHY

Joyful June is here! The soulful energies this month will teach you to be true to YOU.

June 2017 in numerology is a 16/7 Universal Month. This number teaches you how to listen to the voice of your soul, tune into your intuition, and align with your soul's path.


If you have steered off course in any way, it will be made clear to you now.


In our astrology, we've had a lot of retrogrades the first few months of the year. Now we're free and clear!


You've spent the first part of the year discovering what you really want, and now it's time to put your plans into action. You can have the most peaceful blissful month if you are listening to your soul's purpose.


If you have been ignoring or denying your soul's calling, it's time to change course.


In this forecast video, I show you how to navigate the soulful energies this month so you can align with the divine.


Tags:
astrology numerology Energy Forecast energy update energy report spiritual astrology

Dana Mrkich: Five planets retrograde - time to clean house and power up

Five planets retrograde - time to clean house and power up

April 19, 2016 | Dana Mrkich

 

 

 

For the first time in a decade, we have 5 planets retrograde at the same time. You might be reading a lot about how this time is all about pausing and not being able to get much done, but actually from a Soul perspective this is going to be a hugely productive time. Whenever a planet goes retrograde, it offers an opportunity to review, re-visit, remember, re-wire, re-do, re-claim, release.

            Imagine a building that had an original blueprint of glorious architecture, stunning interior design, unique features. But over time, we see the effects of wear and tear, of outside influence, of other people’s contributions. Bricks have been built over the original sandstone. Rooms have become cluttered. Original wooden floors covered in carpet. The building we see today is a far cry from the creator’s vision, and from what actually still exists at the core – were we to remove the bricks, outdated carpets and clutter.

            The combination of all of these retrogrades happening at the same time are like sending in a bunch of restorers, renovators and cleaners to bring the building back to its true glory, to what it has really been all along, this time with even more sparkle and shine.

Let’s start with Mars. He is all about action, energy and assertiveness. Now, you might think that with him in retrograde we would have less of those things than usual. And in some cases, where less is needed, that will be true. If you need to slow down, if you need to chill out, if you need to look before you leap into any situation, then absolutely Mars retro will ensure you do that.

However if energy is needed in a situation, where there is usually no energy or low energy, if the waters need to be stirred because they have been dormant or inactive for too long, if an old issue needs to be brought to the surface, addressed and cleared out, then Mars will not be shy about adding some of his fire and ‘get things done’ gusto to the equation. Mars can come along like the assertive big brother, shake you by the shoulders and say ‘Snap out of it, here’s what you need to know, here’s what you need to do, let’s go!”

If go go go is your usual tempo, then you will likely get some messages to take a breather. However if standing back is your norm, if being passive is your uncomfortable comfort zone, if procrastinating is a bad habit, then you will likely get a very clear insight into how that’s (not) working for you. Allow yourself to open up to whatever Mars is wanting to tell you. Much like George in Seinfeld when he decided to do everything opposite to usual and suddenly found himself succeeding in every area, so too Mars retro can influence you to do things opposite to the usual way you express your energy and it may just lead to the breakthroughs you have been hoping for.

            Remember, a planet is not actually going backwards during a retrograde. It just looks like it is from our Earth’s perspective during particular times. It is like when you are overtaking a car. You are both travelling in the same direction but in that moment of overtaking, the car could seem to be driving in reverse. All of this retrograding over degrees business is actually an illusion from our perspective. An illusion with influence, but an illusion nonetheless which means the energy of those planets are still present and in effect. It is just the way in which they are influencing us that is different, due to our temporarily changed vantage point. Which brings potential for a lot of positive shifting. Seeing things you wouldn’t usually see. And yes – not seeing things you usually would which is why the motto during a retrograde is be cautious in whatever you do/buy/sign. Do your homework. Check out the contract/car/house inside out.

Speaking of illusion - how big a role does our perspective play in creating illusion upon illusion in our life? Answer: A HUGE ROLE.   

     

Our thoughts, beliefs, memories, subconscious issues, ancestral DNA, social conditioning and more, all murky the waters of our perception, influencing what we see on the movie screen of our life and how we interpret things. Drop certain beliefs, drop certain thoughts, release certain issues, and boom, the images on your movie screen change. Sometimes situations literally change, other times the way you see them changes. The point is: how we see what we see is so often an illusion based on our cloudy perspective.

Life events, cosmic shifts and planetary transits come along from time to time to literally clear our head and sweep away those clouds, allowing us to see ourselves, our lives, and life itself more clearly.

Onto Pluto, head honcho of transformation. Pluto doesn’t muck around. If he sees that something in your life or within yourself needs shifting, he will demolish or renovate without waiting for permission, without apology. I see the female equivalent as being the great goddess Kali, and in these times of the awakening (with a roar) Divine Feminine she is more present than ever in our lives, especially wherever radical transformation or Soul awakening is due. I can’t talk about Pluto without mentioning Kali because it feels like her energy is right alongside his in any Pluto transit, if not taking the reins herself while he’s busy making calls to book in demolition experts.

Kali embodies power and authenticity, and goddess help us in those areas of our lives where we are not being true to those qualities within us. She can be ruthless, as is Pluto, and for good reason. We did not come here to be less than who we are, and if our ‘building’ needs serious overhaul then you want the best of the best coming in to ensure that happens.

So while Pluto going forward might activate power within us, Pluto retrograde will ask us: Do you see what has been activated here? Have you realized what you have to let go of? Have you accepted what is happening? Are you letting in the new energy that wants to emerge from within you?

You may feel Power as a major theme, confronting the ways in which you are in your power, and the ways in which you aren’t. You may get clear messages regarding what you are doing that is sapping your power, and what you could be doing to give you more power. We are not talking here about egoic power, rather authentic heart and soul power.

Pluto loves a good detox, be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. So if you feel compelled to go on a health-kick, release old habits, purge some issues, go on retreat, do some hard-core healing, go on big clearing out spree of your house or wardrobe, follow that inner guidance.

The influence any planetary movement has on you depends on where it is occurring in your natal chart. If it’s on, or aspecting, a natal planet or significant point then you’ll feel the affects more than someone who doesn’t. Some people might barely feel a blip in their waters, while others will feel they are jumping on tip-toes through a land-mine filled paddock, just praying they don’t step on yet another one. The signs that these retrogrades are occurring in are all listed below. You can go to www.astro.com to get a free natal chart to see where the retrogrades will most be affecting you, or have a consultation with an astrologer to gain deeper insight.

Next we have Mr Mercury. Mercury Retrogrades every few months, and every few months for a few weeks we feel the following more than usual: issues with phones, computers, electronics, communications going haywire. On a positive note, we might get a second chance of communicating with someone where things didn’t go well the first time around, or we unexpectedly bump into someone from our past and get some closure or receive a message that helps us on our path. You’ll hear a lot to not sign any contracts or buy anything electronic (including cars) during a Mercury retrograde. Go with your own gut feeling with this. There are some people who purposely sign contracts during retrogrades because they know they will more than likely get the opportunity down the track to re-negotiate.

The thing with retrogrades is, there is no such thing as a ‘one rule fits all’. One person’s ‘in reverse’ healing remedy may well be to pause and take stock, while someone else’s might be to rev up once and for all. If you are on a roll with something and it starts slowing down, or obstacles or delays keep coming up, it’s handy to know “Okay, we are in a retrograde period. This is happening for a reason. Let me take a closer look here. Or let me relax a bit while things go slower than I anticipated.” Likewise if you are on a roll with something, and it keeps rolling, and it is flowing, and it is lighting up for you, and the momentum is carrying you forward with green lights all the way, don’t read an astrology article and think “Oh no, I better stop all this forward motion, a planet is retrograde!!” That retrograding planet may well be the boulder pushing you along. As with anything, keep tuning in to your own inner truth: How does this feel? What am I feeling guided (from within) to do? Is this lighting me up?

Jupiter will be first cab off the rank to move into direct motion on 9 May after having been in retrograde since just after New Year’s. Jupiter rules good fortune, expansion and abundance so if you feel like those things have taken a while to kick in during 2016 so far, you might start to see a turnaround once Jupiter does. It has been a good time to have an extended period of pondering your New Year’s Dreams and Goals list for the year ahead. Jupiter retrograde may have really urged you to get clear on: What areas of your life do you want to see expand? Where do you want to see positive growth? What needs to shift/change/acted on in order to make that happen? Where are you ready for your next level, and what ceilings are you done done done with?

If you are reading this thinking this seems to be a lot of pondering/shifting/clearing all happening at once you are right, it is. It feels like a major period of Karmic Cleansing and Purification. Well, any day from now into the next few years is that! But here we have a very condensed 4-5 months where it feels like a lot of people will go through a huge amount of profound, lasting shifts.

A lot of the stuff that will come up for us will do so via the mirror of other people. So if someone or something is particularly triggering us, that is a fantastic opportunity to ask ourselves: “What am I feeling here and why?”  You might realise that this person is really owning some energy that deep down you wish you could own – and the retrograde is here to tell you, you can, and now is the time to own it! You might realise, I don’t like this behavior I am seeing and my opportunity here is to finally honour my truth/self-value/feelings and walk away from this situation/person/relationship/job.

Sometimes in the spiritual scene people will put up with things a lot longer than necessary because they think they have to stay to ‘get the lesson’. It is great to have the conscious awareness that we learn things from everyone, and yes definitely we learn some of our most significant lessons through some of our most challenging, difficult situations. However, if a situation is repeatedly using and abusing you, or a pattern keeps repeating itself via different people, it is safe to say that ‘the lesson’ has probably appeared and re-appeared many times. At some point, it is okay to say: “I have learned what I had to learn here, and now my current, new lesson is learning when to walk away, learning when to let go.”

Finally, Saturn who is in his first month of his 5 month retrograde. Saturn is the father of the zodiac. He loves discipline, commitment, hard work, structure, stability and support. He is the foreman walking around the building site making sure the foundation is strong and everyone is working according to the right codes of practice. During retrograde, he might make some people feel restricted because he doesn’t just let you go forward with a song in your heart, on a wing and a prayer. He, like any good father before setting their child free out into the big, wide world, will want to make sure you know how to take care of yourself especially financially, materially and structurally.

Whether you have your own business, work for someone else, or are a work-at-home mum or dad running the family and household, retrograding Saturn will want to know your house is in good, running order, pardon the pun. How is your day to day routine? Is everything running as efficiently and productively and feasibly as possible? Are there financial or energetic leaks anywhere, draining you or your business or family? If a part of the brickwork doesn’t look sturdy enough to hold up over the next decade or so, Saturn will ask you to rebuild it, brick by brick. Wax on. Wax off. It can be tedious work but you will see the fruits of your labour as time goes by.

So there we have it, a whole lot of re-adjusting taking place over what is essentially a relatively short period of time in the grand scheme of things. Dealt with consciously, this can be a really rewarding time where you feel more and more connected to your truth, or at least are aware that things are happening to get you connected.

Dealt with unconsciously, there can be a whole lot of projection happening, with unowned emotions and issues flaring up, manifesting as anger toward others and erratic behavior. If you feel strong emotions coming up in you, take a big deep breath before exploding onto someone else.

Know that people who are resisting the rise of their inner truth will go into drama. Unless absolutely necessary, (eg protection of someone’s wellbeing if they are in immediate danger) it is wise to not get caught up in the middle of someone else’s karmic explosion/resistance/demolition process/purge. If you find yourself in the midst of drama check in with yourself to see what feels right be it to listen without judgement, walk away until they calm down, or just observe without getting emotionally attached to the ‘story’ being played out.

All of our stories are right now attempting to be unraveled, like balls of wool that have been in tight balls for a long time. Attaching to stories and illusions that are in the process of unravelling will only create more knots and make the whole process take longer.  

It would be really beneficial at this time to take some time to meditate each day. For myself I’m finding night time just before going to sleep works best. Sometimes it’s only a few minutes, other times it goes on for much longer. Length of time doesn’t matter. It’s mainly about closing your eyes for a few moments, and breathing in and out at least a few times. It gives your body, mind and soul a chance to stop, get back to its centre, and regain perspective on everything it has experienced and absorbed that day.  

You don’t have to say anything special or consciously go through any particular process. If the only thing you do is just close your eyes and focus on  your breath, you can trust the wisdom of your body, your soul and your subconscious to do what needs to be done.

How are you all feeling?

Mars Retrograde:  April 17, 9 ° Sag – June 29, 23 ° Scorpio

Pluto Retrograde:  April 18, 17 ° Cap – Sep 26, 14 ° Cap

Mercury Retrograde:  April 28, 23 ° Taurus – May 22, 14 ° Taurus

Jupiter Retrograde:  Jan 7, 23 ° Virgo – May 9, 13 ° Virgo

Saturn Retrograde:  March 25, 16 ° Sag – Aug 13, 9 ° Sag

© Dana Mrkich 2016

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