Steller Revolutions, This is What Astrology Looks Like!

I spend a lot of time focusing in on the individual.  How can we take what we can from the stars and apply them in a personal way to a personal life, in order to get the best results (This may be translated as " In tune with the Harmonies of Nature/the Universe).  This is because it is my earnest and heartfelt belief that positive change to the big us, must happen first in the small us, (Sun- as relayed to us by our moon) transform the way we think and communicate (mercury), transform the way we enjoy, and want (Venus), seek and amass (Mars) one-on one personal relationships.  And that these one on one relationships will challenge and remake the way we expand those relationships into the greater society (Jupiter) and the expectations we place upon others, our laws and our economic systems (Saturn).  This will challenge the notion of rules and expectations (Uranus), Which will establish an open place to seek Mystery and transcendental freedom on a scale never before seen (Neptune) which will recreate power structures to serve the individual universally as the masses (Pluto), and all it takes to start, is listening for what your true self is telling you, and allowing your thoughts and words to reflect that truth... then just follow the current from there!


This of course is the absolute most noble pursuit imaginable, it is the dream of every true revolutionary, and it is the cause of every true mystic.  The grand march of creation, and the conscious choice of joining it.  It is at times such as these that it can be both easiest to feel and easiest to miss!  And ain't that the way!


So let's do something slightly uncharacteristic, and shine the light from the opposite angle.  Would it help to know that the difficult changes that we are going through now are a reflection not of how bad things have gotten, but how much better we long for them to be?  Does it help to remember that we have been rising for quite sometime, and we have barely begun?  That the stress we feel is from holding onto a world (socio-political) that we know was never as good as we wanted it to be, and is now so behind the curve that we cannot be shocked that we are restless, and it has all become unstable!


Rise up oh beautiful butterfly and fear not!  Do not morn the cracking of the chrysalis as if it is the breaking of a true skin!  We sit at the edge of the aeoins!  Timidness will not serve us.  Only fearlessness and assurance that when we jump really hard and beat our wings with all we have in us- it is the only way to fly!

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Chattering Monkeys: Avoiding Lunar Mercurial Loops and Manifesting our Desires

This is the third part of a series exploring the planet Mercury.  In this and following entries we discuss the way in which Mercury interact with his fellow characters in the sky.  These entries are not a discussion of a current situation in the sky, but rather are included to expand the readers understanding on the subject of astrology in general, and how it applies to creating and maintaining a happy expansive fulfilling life in general! Previous discussions on Mercury include:  More on Mercury, Venus-Mercury

Understanding the balance between Sun Moon and Mercury is key to both keeping our moods in key, but also ultimately how we manifest what we want.  Because these are the 3 fastest moving bodies, they are also the 3 easiest pieces to intervene and adjust!  When mercury is out of balance with the moon we may find a great deal of self-talk that damages our mood, or even self deprecation.  Out of balance with the sun our thoughts and self expressions work against our own identities!  These things are so closely interlinked that I can not imagine discussing them apart from each other!

When we go to the universe to get what we want it is important to visualize exactly what we want.  It is important to picture it as clearly as we can, and then to feel emotionally, even physically as if we already have it.

Then it is important to hold onto the feeling while walking away from the thought.

When we focus and focus and focus on something we often actively end up pushing it away.  This is because mental focus (mercury) is in some ways designed mostly for determining what we want, and thus has a tendency to pick away at things, because it has a naturally analyzing nature (when analysis is left ungrounded it devolves into simply being critical)  When we allow the pick-pick-pick of Mercury we tend to make ourselves feel worse and worse.

The process of creation may flow comfortably like this:

First our sensitivities (moon) react to a situation we don't like, this means we're off course.  Our sun (identity) defines what we would rather have.  Our Mercury articulates ourselves and the world that we desire (articulates in all senses, both spoken, and just generally working out the specifics)  We release this to Venus who simply desires and feels the beauty of what we want, and begins its attraction to us.  Mars responds by directing our actions in alignment with what we want (if we're doing it right these things happen without thought).  Jupiter then allows us to open to it through optimism and trust that the universe provides.  Finally Saturn defines it nails it down and gives us manifestation and the responsibility of that manifestation.

When we fail to step away from the mental, the mercury of the situation, we end up doing a mercury - lunar dance in which we think and critique.  That critique leaves us thinking that we lack, which feels off course, so we critique again, and now we feel more off course than the last... this can spiral downward pretty quick, and in this process we get further and further from what we want... and its obvious because our lunar guide keeps telling us so, and our mental assessment keeps proving it, which again makes our emotions respond in kind!

When we find ourselves in this place focus on the Sun.  "I am" that is enough. Let those thoughts defuse our discomfort fear and worry.  Approach nothing when you are in the "dark spiral" because it creates nothing, and drives away what we want.  Once we feel centered in ourselves (and picturing/envisioning a bright sun filling us with light sitting at our solar plexus while breathing in and out slowly is an excellent way to do this) then we may step away from this loop.  
Since mercury has already done its job, we can just embrace how good what we want feels and how nice it feels that we are creating what we want.  This engages Venus and the process moves forward.


Intro Article for this Series on Mercury:
Mercury:Wandering Conversation, Wandering Mind 

The Follow-up Articles Deal With How Mercury Relates and Balances with Other Planets/Bodies:

• Mercury-Sun/Moon 
• Mercury-Venus
• Mercury-Mars 

Other Mercury related Stories

• Mercury-MarsMercury, The Sun and Worry

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Cancer: As Your Sun Returns, Consider Where You Go From Here

This is the first in a series of articles focusing on progressions and growth for each of the 12 solar signs.

As we begin the Solar stint in Cancer for the year, I want to do something that we do not take enough time to do. There are plenty of chances to read the characteristics of this sign in so many different places.  I want to look at something much more useful, I want to look at the lessons a Cancer should be learning over the course of their lives.


When I start this conversation I am, of course speaking of that laudable idea, the progression. [For more info on progressions]  A progression is simply put the natural place that the characteristics of a planet grow into.  This, of course, never implies the loss of old abilities, simply the gaining of new energetic tools in our tool belts.  This growth is of course dependent on us being active participants in our own lives!


Planets in Cancer are naturally progressing into first Leo then Virgo and eventually Libra...  The sun sign is the easiest progression to follow.  A progressed placement may be calculated beginning with the natal chart, then for every year a person has been alive you just add exactly 24 hours to the chart you are looking up (even easier, most programs and websites will also do this for you).


Since the sun moves approximately 1 degree a day and each sign has 30 degrees, one can easily estimate both the approximate natal degree and progression simply by knowing a date of birth and knowing what year it is now (other planets will actually require either fun with the ephemeris, a web sight, or astrological program).  so you assume (in the case of Cancer) the 22 of June is the 0 degree, every day after add a degree.  BOOM! you got a good estimation of the solar degree in the natal chart.


One can then take that number, subtract it from 30 and SHAZAAM! You've got the number of years till your progressed sun progresses into Leo!  (obviously this process may be generalized to any sign... but this is Cancer's time so ha-ha!)  For example lets say someone was Born on July 9th (most of the best people are).  When we count the days from the 22 of June to the 9th of July (June 22 - June 30 = 8 days + 9 days in July) we come up with the figure of 17 degrees.  Then when we subtract 17 from 30 we get 13.  Which means that a natural progression will enter into Leo at around age 13. We could then add 30 years per sign and see that it would progress into Virgo at 43, and Libra at 73.  (If the individual lived long enough this could be continued indefinitely).


It is important to understand that just because our progresses sun may be in Leo or what have you, it only implies that this is something we reasonably could have learned if we have been actively living our lives, paying attention to our hearts and engaging.


Sometimes, we define an idea of ourselves and stubbornly refuse to learn, or just become obliviouse to our hearts desire as it evolves.  Often we sink into a numb unhappiness that we are barely aware of.  The solution?  FOCUS ON YOUR PROGRESSIONS!


The first goal of every Cancer is to master the realms of Leo, after that Virgo etc etc!  Here's the trick the cycle flows in a very particular way, if we have become stagnant for too long we cannot simply jump in and try to learn an earthy constructive attention to detail coupled with a rational introspection (Virgo) if we have not first learned Leo's playful magnanimous generous stagecraft and dare I say vanity?


So in case it aint obvious always stop where you left off, and don't ever be limited by ANYTHING!  If you feel you have mastered Leo and it does not appear your progressed sign is Virgo- who cares!  The progression to my mind only marks a sort of average healthy marker... Flowing forward always lends new tools to your belt, gives you a greater reach of balance, and empowers you to do more! This is because you have a greater scope of possible tools!

SO, gentle Cancer, as we enter into your solar returns, (birthday to the uninitiated) let me offer you some thoughts!

First love everything about who you are.

Then:  Learn to feel good about taking the stage.  Learn to feel great actively requesting attention and acknowlegement, without apology (this part is hard- I know).  You deserve to be the center of attention sometimes.  Also learn to play and be less serious.  These are your first lessons, the Lesseons of Leo.

Next:  Learn to analize from a simple practical point of view.  Love the order of a straight line, and the elegence of the notion of intellectual and constructed perfection.  Embrace a focus on personal health and fitness.  Embrace speaking softly and straight to the point.  These are the lessons of Virgo.

Next:  Learn to negotiate.  Learn to plan for no winners and no losers.  Find what it means to create a good solution for the "USes" in general rather than the us and them's or the me and hims.  Learn to feel light and graceful.  These are the lessons of Libra.

If you have gotten far enough in your personal growth to need the next step after Libra, you deserve at least enough of a break to weight for the beginning of Leo and my blog on her progressions!

Good luck, great growth and much much  much Love!

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Love Without Freedom is Not Love at All: Affirmation For Sun Sextil Jupiter Sextil Neptune Sextil Pluto

Love without freedom is not love at all.  Freedom without honesty is not Freedom.  Honesty without self awareness is Surely a deceit. Self Awareness is the Awareness of love in the Self.  A single step torwards any of these in ernest is a single step to all of these in practice.

I Open my heart to the honest value that I deserve love given freely and with full knowlege and intent.  I know myself well enough to know that I am fully worthy.
This Affirmation goes excellently with Todays reading (the substance of which is in effect through July 6th)
A Reading For 6/22-7/6/11 but is a good thing to remember and repeat always.

Transform your Life through Self Awareness and Integrity (Jupiter-Neptune Sextil/ Grand Cardinal Cross)

Q: Sun-Cancer, Uranus-Aries, Pluto-Capricorn, Saturn-Libra? 

R: Sun-Cancer, Jupiter-Taurus, Neptune-Pisces, Pluto-Capricorn

SO we got this CRAZY Cardinal cross weighing on us?  The trick?  Remember the Neptune Jupiter sextil I may have mentioned (like 5000 times... are you even listening?) Well, Really its that interaction I suggest you begin with.  Neptune in its own house of Pisces speaks as earnestly and truly of a transcendental experience of letting go of expectation and embracing spiritual non-physical values.  Jupiter in Taurus speaks of an expectation of slow comfortable optimism and expansion, establishing growth one step at a time.  When these sextil, we look to spiritual values to lead our slow building growth!  


From this focus we may key into 2 other important sextils.  1st is a Jupiter Taurus Sextil to the Sun in Cancer.  If we pay attention to our self intent toward building nurturing relationships that encourage growth of a parental or mentoring nature, we can use this to build off of the previously mentioned Jupiterian Taurus slow steady reliable optimism and expansion!  


Then we can utilize the Neptune Pluto trine which speaks to seeking a spiritual value to reset power relations in work business and practical life!  The key to all of this?  Clearness with self which becomes clearness with others, and vice verso.  You see honestly and self awareness are a building process!  It is often not easy to be honest because we are not self aware, and hard to be self aware because we are not honest.  


But when we make a small step one way or the other it will free us to find a bit of truth on the other side.  Step by step we grow our integrity and the clarity of our intention.  We thus claim our power, and become clear in what we want.  With commitment to this process things tend to build exponentially!


When we become clear in what we want, and step away from what we don't, our worthiness becomes easier to be aware of, and this allows us to expect things in direct clear honest ways... moreover it makes us ONLY want them like that.  


When we can know that what we want the universe wants to give us, that is high high holy magick!  Right now it is time to balance our internal (Jupiter and Neptune) spiritually, because these 2 are poised to do it if we merely put a little effort to listening.  That balance may be pulled to balance self identity (the Sun) and Power relations (Pluto), under this great positive energetic force, bringing a sort of cosmic harmony to the moment, will allow us to begin to get an understanding of the lessons of the Cardinal cross, and allow it to be a good thing, and the transformational impetus it should be!
"I take a step toward integrity, which gives me a view of more self awareness.  I take a step toward self awareness which allows me to take a step toward integrity.  As I know more of who I am and what I want, and accept that all that I want is only valuable to me when i get it honorably and honestly, I embrace my worthiness before and as part of the universe, and manifestation flows through me from the font of creation!"

For More Reading on:

Pluto:  http://rebelastrology.blogspot.com/2011/04/pluto-dark-deals-personal-power.html

Neptune: http://rebelastrology.blogspot.com/2011/05/neptune-depths-of-mystery-voyage-of.html

Jupiter: http://rebelastrology.blogspot.com/2011/06/jupiter-expansion-in-and-out-forward-to.html

A Midsummer Night's Dream, Standing in our Souls Reaching For the Stars

Pop Quiz: 

Midsummer is: A. The point between Cancer and Gemini B. The longest day of the year

C. a great excuse to get ripped with Swedish friends  D. a day that also resonates with the Imun Coeli in the personal chart E.  All of the above

And yes, the answer is e.  For those of you who have the good fortune of getting ripped with Swedes today you might want to bookmark this and give it a read later (and Skol!)  The rest of you may be wondering what the heck I mean by the Imun Coeli etc etc... (those drinking at this point probably couldn't get this far into the articdle with any luck).

The Imun Coeli is the point in the chart exactly opposite the midheaven, and represents that place that is held deepest into ourselves. Often things along the Imun Coeli are hard to consider as they are almost subconscious.  This is of course reflective of this time of year.  Truly the midsummer is a time for doing not considerring.  It is the season of toil in the field.  

The energy of midsummer runs deep tho, so deep we may not even notice it!  And the message of this high holy day of the ancient Sun, as the Sun reaches the height of its power, and thus begins its cyclic decline, is all about the way we choose to do the things we do not think out.

The message is that all process is cyclical, but we must pay attention to what we do by rote if for no other reason than to be aware of the motivation behind what we barely notice we do!  So, at this time with such a powerful Neptune in the sky, and the sun straddling the Universal Imun Coeli (because thats what midsummer means) and in fact Pluto conjunct to the Universal Midheaven (the point opposite the Imun Coeli and representing our aspirations).  I propose we seek a midsummer nights dream, seeking out the mysteries of our collective unconscious, and coming clear on how we give take and use power (yup that's Pluto to you bub!)

To really do this I feel I need to explain a little thing or 2.  In terms of the standard form of astrology we deal with most of the time in this column, known as "Tropical" astrology, the positions of the planets are determined by standardised segments of the sky over the Earth that were set around 2,000 years ago.  At that time on the day of the Spring Equinox the Sun was positioned precisely at the cusp of Aries and Pisces, at Midsummer the Sun was Positioned precisely between Gemini and Cancer, the Fall equinox on the Virgo Libra cusp, and the Winter solstace Sagitarius Capricorn.  

Standardized Tropical astrology continues to read the chart precisely this way, and in general I find this to be quite useful, and straight forward.  However the literal stars in the sky have not remained quite so fixed and have slowly migrated in relation to this model over the course of thousands of years.  As the position of the Spring equinox's Sun has migrated across the sign of Pisces, for the Last 2,000 years (until recently) we have said that we were in the age of Pisces.  As of recently this position has moved into Aquarius.

And in Sidereal astrology these positions are the way the chart is read.  In general when considering the ages, and the positions of the Solstices/ equinoxes, I find it useful to understand them as another layer of information layed upon any chart.  I tend to think of it as a sort of "Universal House System" speaking to how we as a larger group in this space and time arrange energies and ideas. 

So when it comes to a personal chart such considerations may not be useful, and I would choose to just take Tropical astrology into account for the sake of simplicity.  However, when working with somthing like the actual date of the midheaven, and finding a spiritual connection to this ancient procession of the sun, then the sidereal position becomes important.  At this point our Midsummer lies at the cusp between Gemini and Taurus- moving deeper into taurus with each year.  Our deep collective uncoscious is one that seeks increasingly Taurun Values, of slow comfortable stability, while our aspirations (represented by the winter solstice) moves deeper into Scorpio representing the quest to claim our own individual power and come to grips with our mortality as an empowering move.

Right now with Pluto opposed to the Sun, we are given a fascinating moment to question power, and our attitudes torwards it form a safe solid comfortable space.  To lazily lye under a tree enjoy our midsummer night's dream, question the power of kings in the manner to which only a fool or a child is permitted, and maybe find the the head that wears the crown is a Jack-ass, or at least he wears no clothes.  Then again maybe thats what it means to wear a crown.  Its time to dance through the fog of our dreams, face our own mortality and know that we are the only authority we need, and the only place to put the blame.

Oh ya and SKOL!

"On this day of kings i speak truth to power and claim myself as center of my life.  I am the active force and Love and Own all that I am"

for more Reading:  Pluto:  http://rebelastrology.blogspot.com/2011/04/pluto-dark-deals-personal-power.html

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