Sun Enters Scorpio

The world of Scorpio is where we'll encounter power struggles, intense emotions and cathartic transformation, but we'll also find deep acceptance of ourselves and the door to unconditional love. In Libra, we're challenged to acquire the fundamental skills of relating to others on a one to one basis. We learn how to interact, how to compromise and how to balance who we are with what we perceive in the other person. While Libra focuses on the surface topography of relationships, ensuring that we dance together in symmetry and grace. Scorpio, on the other hand, delves into the deeper, messier issues that inevitably arise. In Scorpio, we deal with power struggles, deep psychological dynamics, control urges, and the aspects of ourselves and others we'd rather not know about. Scorpio navigates the undercurrents, the hidden and unspoken.

  The water sign of Scorpio is fixed and by modern Astrology, ruled by Pluto. Pluto, the moving emissary of Scorpio energy, is associated with power issues, elimination, death, rebirth and deep transformation. It transforms by forcing us to peer far below the surface, with eyes open, to behold what lurks there. But this can be difficult for the average person. Most people don't exercise their Pluto energy on a fully conscious level and some avoid it at all costs. It is not a journey for the weak, although it can ultimately strengthen those who undertake it. Transformation, the utmost Plutonian agenda, is essentially the process of evolutionary change based on new information and experiences. Repeated, continual change and adaptation gradually produces a fundamental shift in who we are because the process forces us to frame ourselves and the world differently. This can be an upsetting, frightening or painful experience, since it tends to shine light into dark corners that have remained happily hidden for some time. It can force us to acknowledge and deal with aspects of ourselves, others and life that we'd rather not know about.  Pluto demands that we learn to look upon these secret parts of ourselves without flinching, but also with compassion and understanding. One is never the same after taking the pilgrimage. One emerges scathed but renewed, with a fresh picture of the complexity and the simplicity, the fragility and the resiliency of the human soul. We often have a new appreciation of ourselves as neither flawless nor defective, but as simply human.   It is this deceptively simple realization that opens the door to a more compassionate realism and unconditional acceptance of oneself and others. This does not mean we must condone malicious or maladjusted behavior; rather, we have a more grounded awareness that we all do the worst things for the most poignant of reasons. Scorpio and Pluto challenge us to bring light to the depths of who we are, so that we can know our true inner reality, the truth of what forms the bedrock of our human experience.

Sun Enters Scorpio

 

The world of Scorpio is where we'll encounter power struggles, intense emotions and cathartic transformation, but we'll also find deep acceptance of ourselves and the door to unconditional love. In Libra, we're challenged to acquire the fundamental skills of relating to others on a one to one basis. We learn how to interact, how to compromise and how to balance who we are with what we perceive in the other person. While Libra focuses on the surface topography of relationships, ensuring that we dance together in symmetry and grace. Scorpio, on the other hand, delves into the deeper, messier issues that inevitably arise. In Scorpio, we deal with power struggles, deep psychological dynamics, control urges, and the aspects of ourselves and others we'd rather not know about. Scorpio navigates the undercurrents, the hidden and unspoken.

The water sign of Scorpio is fixed and by modern Astrology, ruled by Pluto. Pluto, the moving emissary of Scorpio energy, is associated with power issues, elimination, death, rebirth and deep transformation. It transforms by forcing us to peer far below the surface, with eyes open, to behold what lurks there. But this can be difficult for the average person. Most people don't exercise their Pluto energy on a fully conscious level and some avoid it at all costs. It is not a journey for the weak, although it can ultimately strengthen those who undertake it. Transformation, the utmost Plutonian agenda, is essentially the process of evolutionary change based on new information and experiences. Repeated, continual change and adaptation gradually produces a fundamental shift in who we are because the process forces us to frame ourselves and the world differently. This can be an upsetting, frightening or painful experience, since it tends to shine light into dark corners that have remained happily hidden for some time. It can force us to acknowledge and deal with aspects of ourselves, others and life that we'd rather not know about.  Pluto demands that we learn to look upon these secret parts of ourselves without flinching, but also with compassion and understanding. One is never the same after taking the pilgrimage. One emerges scathed but renewed, with a fresh picture of the complexity and the simplicity, the fragility and the resiliency of the human soul. We often have a new appreciation of ourselves as neither flawless nor defective, but as simply human.   It is this deceptively simple realization that opens the door to a more compassionate realism and unconditional acceptance of oneself and others. This does not mean we must condone malicious or maladjusted behavior; rather, we have a more grounded awareness that we all do the worst things for the most poignant of reasons. Scorpio and Pluto challenge us to bring light to the depths of who we are, so that we can know our true inner reality, the truth of what forms the bedrock of our human experience.

Sun Enters Libra

On September 22, 2014, the Autumn Equinox, the Sun enters Libra.  Libra is the seventh sign of the Zodiac is a Cardinal Air sign, ruled by Venus and marks the midpoint in our journey around the zodiac, peering at Aries from the opposite side. The Sun enters Libra around the time of year as the Autumn Equinox and the origin of the word Libra derives from the Latin meaning, “balances” or “scales”. Libra is the natural ruler of the Seventh House of the Zodiac, commonly referred to as the “House of Marriage and Partnerships”.

Libra represents our ability to relate to other people, but this is actually a very complex task. Before we can relate to others, there must be a sense of self to relate from. In Aries we saw the emergence and formation of our spirit essence in the form of the conscious ego, the basic building block of identity and ground that spirit essence in the physical world of Taurus.  We developed self-awareness through mutual communication with our immediate surroundings in Gemini.  The next building block of relationships, the basic ability to bond with another was accomplished by our work with Cancer and provided the foundation needed to express oneself as a separate entity through Leo.  Having a strong sense of self enabled us to reach out beyond that Self, to others and thereby stretch the potential of who we can be was explored in Virgo. Now we arrive at Libra, in which we continue the exploration of our relationships with others from a more objective perspective. Libra teaches us that we are both connected and separate beings, being both intimately attached to others and isolated as distinct individuals. However, distances can also be deceiving and we must ask ourselves if we’re really seeing what we think we see. The danger to avoid is what we perceive is the other person, can often be what we project our own desires, needs, issues and agendas onto that person. This can mean we’re seeing only a glimpse of the real person, while filling in the blanks with our own hopes, fears and expectations. In Libra we must learn to navigate through this and decipher which is the reflection and which is the real thing. The best way to do this is to keep relating to others until we find a way that works.

Ultimately, we must honor and experience both sides, just as the scales of Libra must be balanced from both sides. Libra represents this kind of objectivity, based on distance and separation. When we view other people as separate beings, we can see them clearer than when we’re up-close and intertwined.

Sun enters Leo

The Sun moves into Leo on July 23rd until August 22nd.  Leo is the fifth sign of the Zodiac, is the sign of the Sun, the central heart of the solar system. In ancient times the Sun came to its full glory and reached the height of its annual ascent as it joined the stars in the constellation of the Lion and ever since, lions have been portrayed as powerful symbols of solar strength, supremacy, glory, light and brilliance Located in it’s natural fifth house, the sign of Leo, will describe how and where you will be affected by influences of optimism, capacity for enjoyment and self-expression.  Your Sun is arguably the most powerful energy in your whole chart. It represents your central sense of purpose and identity. The two luminaries, the Sun and Moon, together form the inner and outer dynamics of our most personal, conscious connection to the Universal Spirit. The outward thrust of the Sun's identity and purpose and the inward receptivity and sensitive feelings of the Moon. They also reflect our experience of mother, Moon and father, Sun since we parent ourselves and others in much the same way as we were parented as children. The Fixed quality of Leo can center us in self-esteem or keep us trapped in a limited view of who we are. On one hand, Leo represents our self-esteem, playfulness, love and self-affirming purpose. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Leo is also the experience of feeling shame, humiliation, self-loathing and aimless cynicism. Which end of the spectrum we're better acquainted with tends to depend on what was affirmed about us in our formative years.  The Sun is a dynamic energy that responds to whatever we fuel it with in adulthood. Just as it's essential to take in love, praise and applause, it's also important to acknowledge and accept our mistakes and human shortcomings.

In Leo, we encounter a more crystallized sense of personal identity. This is different from the Aries form of identity.  Aries is the outer personality through which we interact with the world, whereas Leo is more the person who is doing the interacting. Aries provides the outer layer of who we are, but doesn't always reflect the fiery, molten core that lies within. Leo is our own experience of ourselves, as opposed to Aries which is what we show of ourselves to the world, which is not always the same thing. Think about all the thoughts, feelings, instincts and observations you keep to yourself and don't share with the Leo is that part of us that inherently feels terrific about ourselves and the world. In its purest form, this internal spiritual flame knows no bounds, no inhibitions, no limitations and no blockages. It is endlessly loving, curious, playful and joyous. That playfulness is at the center of our creativity in the broadest sense of the word. We tend to think that creativity applies only to painting, music or other forms of artistic talent, but creativity is more an approach than an activity. Creativity, quite simply, is the ability to take two separate things and combine them to create a third; it is the ability to create something that wasn't there before. Creativity is ultimately the expression of the Self. When you take a creative approach, you make a statement of some kind that comes from you. It says something about the creator as well as the created. Even if you're just putting together components that someone else originally created, the way you put them together can be yours alone. Without creative self-expression, we are automatons living monotone lives of blind obedience, interchangeable with every other brick in the wall. When you deny your creativity, you reject or take for granted some of the unique essence of who you are.

Uranus Retrograde in Aries

 

"Freedom" is the word to the wise as rebel planet Uranus goes retrograde from July 21 to December 21, 2014. Now is the time to look at life from a fresh perspective, toss out the old ways of doing things. Basically, Uranus Retrograde just wants us to get real. It's time to face our fears and change the things that aren't working so we can become who we really want to be. Uranus represents non-conformity and idealism and it is in Aries the initiator.  While now is a good time to let our inner child run free, we must do so with caution to avoid shooting first and aiming later. When Uranus is retrograde, the focus/energy turns inward. How do I attain/re-attain the personal freedom I seek/I've lost? How do I gain/regain my individuality? How do I exact the changes necessary to move me closer to my goals? In Aries, Uranus is a trailblazer and is assertive in communicating one's ideas and pushing for one's objectives. At best, engaging, a leader, entrepreneurial, creative, independent and impassioned. At worst, callous, abrasive, selfish, opinionated and non-committal. So if you're in a bad relationship, stuck in a job you don't like, living in a place that doesn't feel right or spending time with the wrong people, Uranus will alert you to this in coming months. The realization may dawn on you slowly, and it may involve an uncomfortable period of anxiety, but when you do have those epiphanies, pay attention. Make the needed changes. Get real about what you want, be brave and embrace your freedom to go after it.