Some of the biggest news this month has to do with the eclipses (starting this Friday!). But that’s not where I want to begin. I have a few pointers for them, but I’m personally more interested in the applying opposition between Jupiter-in-Libra and Uranus-in-Aries that is closing all month long until they meet in the same degree on February 27th. The symbol for Jupiter-in-Libra opposite Uranus-in-Aries is a person ‘swearing in’, as if to ‘testify’ (or ‘ovarify’, as the case may be! I have to reference Emily Trinkaus’ Venus Revolution for that fun play on words!). The word that goes with this image of ‘swearing in’ is: Accountability. So, there is an impending theme of accountability and truth-telling this whole month as we approach the exact opposition between expansion of justice (Jupiter in Libra) and personal revolution (Uranus in Aries)! To me, this is the umbrella energy the whole month, into which fall the two eclipses.

Symbols for Mercury Retrograde periods of 2017

For the first three of these ‘events’ there is a common theme having to do with a shifting of the elements. The first three Mercury Retrograde periods begin in an earth sign, transgress back for a dip into fire (giving us a chance to recover something we forgot? and/or prepare us for the next round of Mercury Retrogrades that are all in fire signs starting this winter!), and progress back into earth to ground the inspiration and passion (and ‘spice’!) that the fire signs offer.

Symbols for the Major Aspects between the Outer Planets

I’m excited to share these symbols because the aspects between the planets are even more telling for the signs of our times than the pure planet placements. There is an ongoing dance of archetypal interaction at play as we move through time (not just figuratively, but as we hurtle through space in our constant twirling cosmic helix). A complex ballet that ultimately, never repeats (though, you might say that it theoretically does, about every 17,000 years!). As each of these aspects begins applying and comes more into play, I will publish blog posts about how to work with these symbols representing planet placements and their interactions, so stay tuned! Now, for the major aspects... (click below to read!)

You are already an expert at symbols. Whether we are talking about a red rose or a red octagon, you know what they mean without even thinking about it (also notice how color plays a role and has something to add to the flavor of a symbol!) At the same time, they may have slightly different nuances for you, personally, than they do for the broader community. Much of the meaning of symbols is based on our personal experiences. So, if you do not immediately identify with or understand the symbols that are presented here, you may find that if you give them time and lean into them as you go through the experience that they symbolize, you may discover your own version of their relevance (sometimes it is great to have a bit of a question mark going into an experience that suddenly becomes an exclamation point when the revelation takes hold. See? There you are using your innate symbol wisdom again!). Alternatively, you may wish to work at finding your very own symbols. If you have worked with symbols before and know how to do this, carry on! If you would like to learn how to do this, you may be interested in some of my ongoing online classes and even my live in-person workshops.

In Part One of this series, we will look at the planets in the signs. Let it be known that some of the symbols for this year are the same as what I got for last year since many of the outer planets are still in the same signs. However, a new addition this year (to ‘spice things up’, which you will see is a theme throughout the Mercury Retrograde periods) are symbols for the following: major aspects between outer planets, Mercury Retrogrades, and subsequent installations focusing on each aspect or placement as it comes into focus over the year.

All of the symbols are rich with potential and some do seem quite telling. We shall see what comes of them throughout the upcoming year together! Without further ado, let’s begin. (Click below to read more!)

I do this thing where I close my eyes and ask for symbols for different astrological happenings. When I asked for a symbol for Jupiter in Libra, I got an image of a jolly fellow with arms spread wide in welcome to his friends who were near. It turns into a nice little rhyme, actually:

“Arms spread wide, with friends by your side”

Well, my dream of hosting a podcast has finally been realized! And, may I say that it would not have been so timely (nor, perhaps, even POSSIBLE!) without the support of Kristen McKee of Insideout Savvy.

Not even Astrologers

Astrology is neverending.

How could it be otherwise?
With time marching on like it does:
Spiraling ever forward, outward, onward.
Where are we coming from? Where are we going?
Not even astrologers can answer these distant questions;
the ephemerides not having been written,
the calculations uncalculable.

May 9 Marks a special point in this current Mercury Retrograde when we get a fantastic little breather! How nice. :) The reason for this is what is called an occultation (explained below- easier than it sounds). Meanwhile, there is a juicy Grand Trine in Earth and some other things going (including a powerful New Moon in Taurus this weekend) that all align to mean big power potential in Earthy matters (money, health, body, wealth, food, etc.). There is so much going on! I won't go into all of it, here, but below is an article of mine that was published in the Astrological Association's January/February issue of The Astrological Journal. Check out the horoscope section to see how YOUR May 9 is shaping up (note: if you know your rising sign, look for that, but if not, your sun sign will still give you some insight!). Without further ado....

I wasn’t sure what to expect with Mars retrograde, but when I checked in for a personal symbol (again- as I mentioned in my last piece about Jupiter in Virgo- this is a super simple exercise which I will walk you through in another blog- I promise!), I saw the image of a woman standing strong with a big spear or staff in her hand - only it was actually a paintbrush! To me, this symbol clearly means to stand my ground for my creative work (a benefit of being the one who comes up with the symbol is having the author-ity to say what it means, as well!). Point taken, Mrs. Mars, point taken.

I have about a bazillion creative projects underway at any time, and many of them fall to the wayside in favor of the myriad other things vying for my attention. (Zee life, she is bizzee, no?) Well, this wild-hearted warrior woman is clearly telling me to stand my ground (don’t let the myriad other things run off with my attentions and energies!) and to get down and dirty and finish up all of those back-burner projects! “Yes, Ma’am!” I say!

In my last post, I mentioned how Sagittarius rules the rump. In this post, it’s all about the tum. Virgo rules a large portion of the body, all through the stomach area, including all of the digestive organs. Back in January, when I was considering what to expect with the different planet placements of the year, I had thought Jupiter’s expansive energy in Virgo would possibly have the effect of expanding my health regimen (Virgo rules health). I hadn’t taken into consideration the even more literal translation of this position (at least as far as medical astrology is concerned): my tummy has been expanding! Yes, that’s right, I’ve put on a pound or so in the middle region. I’ve been wondering if other people have experienced something similar (and if so, perhaps you’d like to join me in considering the expansive energies of Jupiter in Virgo as having an influence!).

Let me just go ahead and say that this whole Venus thing is not panning out as initially imagined. I had thought that it would be a Project (note the capital P), but it turns out to be more of a personal practice (lowercase... twice). At any rate, it continues to delight and inspire. If it is true that things continue as they are begun, then this Venus project is right on schedule! The very first ‘event’ was an invitation broadcast to many, though it was only myself, my child, and my close, witchy friend who also has Venus in Leo who showed up! It was a delight. Perfect! Though, considerably different from what I had imagined. No matter. Venus doesn't seem to mind. She keeps on working.

So, though it has not been the outreach vehicle that I had first imagined, it has certainly fed me and my friends!

With this ‘confession’ out of the way, let’s move on to the latest couple of signs Venus has gone through and how it showed up for me (and maybe for you, too? Let me know! I’d love to hear YOUR Venus stories!!!).

You have an interest in de-cluttering, but: Where to begin?! And: How to know what to let go of? Let me share with you my fun little secret. It's so easy and fun and feels a bit like playing with a Magic 8 Ball back when you were a kid! ;-) Only this tool is one you can make yourself, or probably even already have, in some fashion or another! It may be considered a woo-woo, new age, magical, witchy thing, but let me tell you: IT IS TOTALLY PRACTICAL!! and available to ANYONE!! :)

Have you guessed what it is, yet?