Astrology Trends for January 2014 – “A Month for Innovation and Relationship Building”

A typical example of a Grand Cross configuration.
This month's Grand Cross is in
the cardinal modality, however.

We kicked off the year with a glorious New Moon in Capricorn on the 1st.  If you haven’t started your list of goals for 2014, get started now. Capricorn is a cardinal sign.  Cardinal signs are all Zodiac signs that come at the beginning of each season.  Capricorn (winter), Aries (spring), Cancer (summer) and Libra, (fall). Pay attention to the names of these cardinal signs because they will be popping up for the next several months to come. Cardinal signs carry traits such as independence, originality and  seeking the new. These are the signs for fresh starts and the astrological patterns for January 2014 are inundated with cardinal signs.

Capricorn's tarot association is
#15, The Devil – Enmeshment and
enslavement to the material. Check your
priorities From "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©
by Ciro Marchetti

January’s tempo is set by a Cardinal Grand Cross composed of four planets at ninety degrees to one another, forming four astrological squares and two oppositions.  Whew! Heady stuff. Grand Crosses can carry very challenging energy – particularly in the cardinal modality. On January 11th Mercury bows out of Capricorn, but that still leaves us with Uranus in Aries (about the self), Mars in Libra (about relationships), Jupiter in Cancer (about home), Pluto in Capricorn (about the workplace) and Venus in Capricorn (more workplace, but with an emphasis on professional relationships). These planets share a central theme (I’m big on themes this year) of cardinal energy. Get used to the components of this Cardinal Grand Cross (hereafter known as CGC) because they will be recreating this formation off and on for the next several months.  

Those of us who’ve decided to change things up this year will be assisted by all of this CGC energy as long as we pay attention and take positive action. Action is the keyword here.  Get off the couch and turn off your electronic pacifiers. Cardinal energy hates to stand still.  It must be put to work. Create, strive, tap into your potential and make significant changes to your life. Stagnant cardinal energy causes your life to run amok and can give you feelings of anxiety, even depression.

The Empress is tarot's card for Venus, a highly
influential planet this month. From
"Steampunk Tarot"© by Aly Fell
and Barbara Moore

Venus is in retrograde until January 30th.  During this time we have the opportunity to review all of our relationships – not just the personal ones.  Venus Retrograde asks us to review our values, our business relationships and our finances as well.  Expect to see some underlying issues surface in our personal relationships. Old amours may return in person, or via the emotional baggage they left stored at your place.  Focus on the lesson in the Two of Cups.  What, or who, are you bringing to the relationship and what are you looking for from your partner?  Initially, each person only brings to a relationship what is stored in their cup.  Therefore, its important during this period to ask yourself if the contents of your partner’s cup is satisfying to you and if some of the items in your cup need to be left behind. Work to discover how both of you can add, or subtract from your own cups. Look for a great opportunity for communication when Venus is conjunct Mercury on January 7th.  

Also, Mars’ warrior energy comes off more dashing and debonair under Libra’s influence.  Ruled by the planet Venus, the sign, Libra is where we house our primary relationships and our partnerships. See how all this folds together this month? Mars pulls balancing energy from Libra and while it makes us more fair-minded, we may also bend over backwards to accommodate our partner and then resent them for it.  Be sure to balance the scale fifty-fifty.

Several tarot cards symbolize our relationships with money

The 6 of Pentacles asks us to make
decisions about finances, but also to
question our relationship with money
From Ciro Marchetti's "Legacy of the
Divine Tarot"©

and the material.  Probably the most significant during Venus’ retrograde in January will be major arcana’s #15 The Devil, Capricorn’s tarot card (enmeshment, enslavement to the material and conflict between higher goals and baser desires) and the Six of Pentacles ( judgments about money, your relationship with money).  Focus on these cards and what they symbolize in your life when it comes to reviewing issues with money, finance and the material.

Also this month we have a Full Moon in Cancer on January 15th, Sun in Aquarius on January 21st. and another New Moon in Aquarius on January 30th.  A twofer this month.

I’ll have more on these and other transits later.  In the meantime, don’t forget to meditate, goal-set and use this powerhouse of energy from the CGC to make the changes you want to see in your life.

LADY ORACLE

Houses of the Zodiac - “Living in a Cosmic Subdivision”

Astrology, like any other field, has lots of buzz words and jargon. 

The Star, from
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's
Steampunk Tarot©

Understanding the concepts represented by these words not only deepens our understanding of astrology, but also our appreciation for the three demential form of the Zodiac.  As we know, there are twelve signs that represent thirty degrees of the Zodiac’s wheel.  We also know that there are twelve houses and each one of them is ruled by a particular sign.  For example, Aries rules the first house and Pisces rules the twelfth.

Each house governs a specific area of life and is grouped into one of three categories: Angular, Succedent and Cadent.  Angular houses show us the strongest influences on our lives. Succedent houses represent our resources such as our friends, skill set, possessions, etc.  Last, but certainly intriguing, are Cadent houses.  These houses represent our human experience in terms of relationships, growth and transitions.

Ciro Marchetti's depiction of The Star
from Legacy of the Divine Tarot©

These house categories also correspond to the three modalities of signs: cardinal (first sign of each season), fixed (mid-season signs) and mutable (the ending or transitional sign for a season).  All this sounds pretty complicated, doesn’t it?  Many of us are content to simply know our birth sign and to read our horoscope every now and then.  Nothing wrong with that at all. Still, isn’t it nice to understand just a tiny portion more of what astrologers take into consideration when mapping a birth chart? 

Below is a handy, dandy chart of houses, their category, ruling sign, sign modality, ruling planetary body and tarot associations.  Check you out and enjoy!

LADY ORACLE

Exciting News!  The ever amazing and always inspiring Baba Studio announced they are working on a third re-print of their astounding "Bohemian Gothic Tarot"© . Some minor changes will be made, but with Alex and Karen you know it will rock.  Stay tuned for updates!


(Keep scrolling down for  2nd chart with 11th and 12th houses
Click the images to enlarge!)

New Moon In Taurus, May 9, with a Solar Eclipse Chaser - Boiler Maker or Pressure Cooker

Do you remember the guy on the 9 of Wands, RWCS version?  He has a bandage on his head and he’s using a wand to hold himself upright. He’s beat up, exhausted, but still standing there admiring the way those wands of his form a straight line. Welcome to the landscape of May’s New Moon in Taurus.  There are two keywords you need to know to navigate the 9th; perseverance and self-worth. Okay, so technically that’s three words, but you get the idea.

Taurus has a marvelous, focused energy that sees things through to a successful completion.  Slow and steady.  New moons bring fresh emotional cycles and eclipses work as planetary reboots.  The Annular Solar Eclipse of May 10th will alter our energy dynamic for the next six months.  The things to keep in mind, however, are that Saturn in Scorpio is in opposition to the Sun in Taurus (see blog “Sunday, April 28, 2013 - Saturn in Opposition To Sun in Taurus”) and Uranus and Pluto are building up to a perfect square.  What that means for us as individuals is that Saturn loves to teach us lessons about our inner strength by challenging us, so you may experience more than your fair share of stumbling blocks this coming weekend.  Should that happen, lean on Taurus to keep you focused, grounded and moving forward while you deal with the situation.  

A Uranus/Pluto square is a force to be reckoned with.  It lays the groundwork for revolutionary change on a global level.  If you don’t believe me, check out history.  The radicalism of the 60’s was birthed under a Uranus/Pluto square.  Hitler rose to power during a Uranus/Pluto square. Uranus is a planet of revolutionary process and swiping change, while Pluto is known for transformation and rebirth.  Will you wake up this Friday to a new world order?  Doubtful, but you might discover some, “mystic crystal revelations” to use in your own life. Use the square’s energy to create lasting, positive change. Know your value to yourself and to those around you. Stick with the goals you started during the Sun in Aries.  You may feel as if you’re butting your head against a brick wall right now, but Taurus has horns and if you are persistent, you will make the necessary progress.

This is your time to learn something about yourself, win, loose or draw.  It’s your belief in yourself that matters, as well as your commitment to your goals.  Keep an eye on your financial situation.  The Universe is on the in breath this week. I’m sure you’ve already felt the sense of tightening around you. Financial growth may seem nonexistent, but hold your course.  Every bit of that hard-gained ground you capture now, will become rich and fertile towards the end of the month.  Analyze your personal values, your financial resources, your possessions versus your self-worth. Strive to bring the tangible and the intangible into balance within your life.

LADY ORACLE

Below are two tables, one for tarot Major Arcana Cards and their planetary significance and one for he Uranus Pluto exact square dates.

Tarot Cards :

The Moon   -     #2, The High Priestess

The Sun      -    #19, The Sun

Taurus         -   #5, The Hierophant

Saturn         -   #21, The World

Scorpio       -   #13, Death

Uranus       -   #0, The Fool

Pluto          -   #20, Judgment

Uranus Pluto Exact Square:

May 20, 2013

November 1, 2013

April 21, 2014

December 15, 2014

March 16, 2015

Full Moon in Scorpio and A Partial Eclipse April 25, 2013 - No Need To ‘Duck and Run’

There’s no shortage of names for April’s full moon.  We can call it Full Pink Moon, Full Sprouted Grass Moon, Full Fish Moon, or Full Egg Moon. There are no shortage of planets and signs involved in this month’s full moon either.  On the 25th our full moon is in 5 degrees, 46 minutes of Scorpio. Scorpio is keeping company with Saturn until 2015.  Saturn, the teacher of the Zodiac, gives us challenges designed to hone our strengths and prompt us to excel.  The Scorpion is about transformation; the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.  This month’s Full Pink Moon gives all of us a chance to use Scorpio’s phoenix mode and rise from the ashes to reinvent ourselves and our lives.

Many astrologers say this is a full moon of reckoning.  Uranus and Pluto, who are in transit together, are building up for another power square in mid May.  Uranus is the planet of revolutionary thought and social change, while Pluto is all about emotional subtext.  Hidden issues come to light under Pluto’s influence. Once in the open, they can heal, but it’s not always a pleasant process.  On the 25th, Uranus will be in Aries. That’s a fiery, ‘me first’ energy, but it’s also an energy that does not fear change. The Ram embraces forward movement, particularly if gets gets him what he wants. Emotional Pluto on the other hand, is in Capricorn.  Capricorn’s ruler is Saturn, the ‘enforcer’ of the Zodiac.  Saturn teaches us responsibility, resourcefulness and regulations. Capricorn rules the tenth house of finance, big business, banking and power deals.  Take stock of your finances before splurging. Watch out for impulses to randomly invest. Financial responsibility now translates to a bigger budget later this summer.

This moon can also push your relationship buttons.  Be aware of power struggles with your partner.  Don’t play games. Prioritize everyone’s needs in your relationships, both personal and professional. This is good advice all the time, but even better advice now.  Most importantly, give yourself and your partner room to expand this week.  This is not the time to draw lines around anyone, particularly yourself and say, “stay put and don’t change.”  No one is advocating infidelity here. This is all about personal development and attaining goals.

The last player on the field for the Full Pink Moon is none other than the Moon herself.  We have a partial penumbral eclipse.  We won’t necessarily notice it visually, but we will feel its power.  Use it to goal set, to assist you in accessing Scorpio’s transformative power.  The Sun in Taurus will help you ground and focus our intention.  This moon is extremely strong.  There’s really no need to ‘duck and run.’ Just use all that lunar energy responsibly to become the person you were meant to be.  

LADY ORACLE

Tarot Planetary and Sign Associations

Mars - The Tower, sudden, unexpected change

Pluto - Judgment, rebirth and decisions

Saturn - The World, fulfillment and integration

Uranus - The Fool, a fresh start (divinely protected)

Aries - The Emperor, rules and structure

Taurus - The Hierophant, group spiritual structure, spirituality

Scorpio - Death, end of a cycle transformative rebirth

Capricorn - The Devil, conflict between higher self and enslavement to the material

Moon - the High Priestess, unconscious thought and intuition

Please forgive the over simplified meanings for some very complex cards, but I think it’s important to see the astrological correlations without ten more pages of blog. 

L.O.

Here's a link to the scientific info for the 4/25 lunar eclipse

Astrological Trends for April 2013 - "This Joint is Jumping"

Spring is in the air and so is love.  Venus remains in Aires until April 15th (Naturally. Nothing kills romance like taxes.).  The planet of love provides lots of sparks the first two weeks of this month.  Astro experts say you can expect some delightful new romantic opportunities as well as a fresh perspective on existing relationships.  

Our new moon on April 10th is in 20 degrees of Aries. New moon’s are about new cycles and don’t be surprised if you receive an across the board power boost during this one.  Do you remember the power surge we got during The Full Worm Moon a couple of weeks ago?  We had Mars, Venus, the Sun and Uranus in Aries.  The power grid is still open for business.  Mars, Aries ruling planet, stays in house until April 20th.  Take advantage of this energy configuration to hone a competitive edge on the job.  Yes, there will be fresh challenges (this month is all about fresh) but you have a greater ability to focus until the 20th and that increases your confidence quotient.  Watch for conflicts and anger issues as Uranus (Sudden change and revolution) flexes its muscles this month.  To put it bluntly, keep your head in the game and out of Uranus.

Mercury parts company with Pisces on the 13th, but until then expect to have some peak moments of insight and intuition.  There will be a strong emotional subtext due to the energy of watery Pisces, however, this also adds lots of colorful imagery to your imagination.  Let it flow, but keep a handle on your emotions.  

There a lot more to say about April.  We have the Lyrid Meteor shower on April 21st, a full moon with a partial eclipse on April 25th and Saturn at opposition on April 28th.  I’ll be talking about these events a little later in the month.  Take your cues from the planets this month.  Keep it fresh and stay proactive.

LADY ORACLE

Full Moon, March 27, 2013 - "The Worm Turns"

March’s Full Worm Moon occurs of Wednesday, March 27th at 2:27 a.m. PST.  This particular Full Moon derives its name from the spring thaw which allows worms to move to the surface to be devoured by robins. Is anyone else having a Wes Craven moment with this?  Perhaps Robin Moon would be a more picturesque name, but somewhere in the annals of time someone thought worms should be given their due.  I’m biased having been born and raised in Vermont, but I like the other name for March’s Full Moon - the Sap Moon.  It sound’s much more appetizing than Worm Moon.  As the weather warms in March the tree sap runs and this is the time of year for tapping maple trees.  It’s a truly amazing process and one you should check out on YouTube.

This year, our Sap Moon occurs in Libra.  Libra carries a lovely equity energy and has a strict policy of maintaining fairness and balance in just about everything.  Very harmonious - accept when you happen to have the Sun in Aries and three, count ‘em three, planets aligned within the same sign.  Venus, Uranus and Mars will be joining our Sun and hanging out in Aries in opposition to our Full Moon in Libra.  These planets will also be squaring Pluto.  What does this mean is simple language?  We have a relationship moon on the 27th and Libra, who is fair and balanced will be overpowered by Aries energy.  The Sun in Aries receives a super charge from a visit by Mars, its ruler and Venus, the relationship planet.  

Aries energy is based on self-interest.  First sign, first in line.  In terms of a relationship, that means making certain your needs are not only met, but that they come first.  There’s only one, first place in a relationship and there will be two people vying for the top spot during the Full Moon period.  You can see the problem.  The days leading up to the 27th and the few afterward may take all your communications skills, candor and ability to compromise to negotiate with your partner.  While you’re elbowing for position to have your own needs met, it’s crucial to remember that everyone’s needs are valid in a relationship.  One partner’s needs should never be considered more important than the needs of the other partner.  For your own sake this Full Moon, learn the difference between importance and immediacy.  Also remember the four Cs of relationships: Commitment, compassion, consideration and compromise.  

LADY ORACLE

Aries, March 21st - April 20th - Living With the Ram Without Getting Fleeced

Aries' tarot association is
#4, The Emperor from
"Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen

Aries the Ram is a cardinal sign, meaning it is the first zodiac sign of a specific season.  In this case, the season is spring. Cardinal signs are highly motivation.  Aries, doubly so, because it's not only the first sign in springtime, but is also the first sign of the zodiac year.

Aries people are optimistic and gregarious. They jump into a new venture or situation with both feet and usually with a high degree of success. They make excellent friends because of their caring, generous natures, as well as their leadership skills. Aries’ natural enthusiasm draws people to them. You want to do things for Aries just to see them smile and do their happy dance. Use caution though, because you don’t want to spoil an Aries. They are born with the knowledge that they are the first sign and in their minds that gives them an entitlement to the things they want. Standing between an Aries and their goal can be darn right foolhardy.

Ram people are easily offended. Notice I didn’t say they are overly sensitive. They are not. Aries is a fire sign ruled by both Mars and Pluto. Gee, can you say moody? Mars carries aggressive energy and Aires isn’t one to shy away from confrontation. Unfortunately, they are also known for becoming childish or even throwing full blown temper tantrums when they are thwarted. Aries best relationships are with other fire signs (Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius).

The tarot card for Mars, ruling planet of Aries, is
#16, The Tower. From "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©
by Ciro Marchetti

The natural leadership and energy of Aries makes them very good at heading up new projects or endeavors.  When they are focused, they are focused. Rams are what I refer to as ‘first string’ people.  They insist on being in the starting lineup and are never content to warm the bench.  In their world, team is definitely spelled with an I.  However, ram people are easily bored. While Aries is great at getting the ball rolling, halfway through the game you’re likely to look down the field and find that they’ve headed off to the snack bar. 

Aries birthstone is diamond.  Hard head, hard stone.  In tarot, their ruling cards are # 4 The Emperor (hardness, authority, rules and structure - hmmm I sense a theme here) and the ever dynamic and irresistible, Queen of Wands (creative action, achievement, self assurance).

Aries of a special, charismatic people and life around them is rich and vibrant.  Celebrate the Aries in your life this month.

LADY ORACLE

Astrological Trends for March, 2013 - Wondering Where the Lions Are

The thing about old sayings in that sooner or later we discover there’s some validity to them.  I learned that I can’t teach my 14 year-old dog tricks, new or otherwise.  March is said to either come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, or come in like a lamb and out like a lion.  This year, astrologers are using this simile to describe the astrological patterns of the month.

At the moment, we have a Mercury Retrograde in Pisces and it’s comparatively mild, as Mercury Retrogrades go.  Perhaps it’s all that whimsical Pisces energy.  The first two weeks of March are colored from our emotional palette.  However, we need to take care that we don’t paint in broad, sweeping brush strokes.  The key here is to stay centered and exercise some control.  The first half of March also gives us a chance to explore our creative side.  Meditations will be deeper and more rewarding. Mercury remains in Pisces until April 13th, making our thinking more magical.  This is a perfect opportunity to create your own reality. There’s a vibrancy to our intuition and a natural “joie de vivre” attached to the things we undertake.  Can’t you just see those little lambs frolicking across the meadow?  

Venus is visiting Pisces until March 21st.  The Goddess of Love not only makes us optimistic in romantic pursuits, but also gives us the urge to hug the world. (Watch some 60’s stock footage of Haight Ashbury, or the East Village) We will be more tender, compassionate and forgiving towards our partners.  The downside of this lovefest is that we may have a few border disputes when it comes to establishing and maintaining our personal boundaries.  Selfless acts too easily develop into victim-martyr scenarios.  Wishful thinking turns to self-delusion and when our behaviors are pointed out, we will most likely cover our ears and dawn our favorite pair of rose-colored glasses to evade the issue.  

On March 11th we have a New Moon at 21 degrees of Pisces. Also on the 11th, Uranus enters Aries and Venus travels parallel to Mercury.  These configurations signal March’s turn from lamb to lion.  On the 12th, Mars joins Uranus in Aries and we will feel the urge to throw out the old, restrictive patterns in our lives and start afresh.  These feelings will intensify through the Spring Equinox on March 20th.  On March 22nd Mars is conjunct Uranus, drawing in a restless and discontented energy.  Where you may have experienced dissent in the ranks before, you could see open rebellion.  Think of it as Spring Fever on steroids.  This is a good time to align yourself with the physical world.  Garden, clean house, hike, fly a kite, etc.  Being part of the physical world literally grounds you.

On March 27th we have a Full Moon in Libra.  Thank Heavens!  Libra’s influence grants us a respite from rebellious Aries.  I’ll have more on this month’s full moon later in the month.  Just remember your lion taming tricks.  The whip and the chair are optional.

LADY ORACLE