May 19, 2014, Mars Goes Direct – “Giddy–up”

Mars' tarot card is "The Tower"
This depiction is from Ciro Marchetti's
stunning "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

Mars turns stationary direct today in nine degrees of Libra.  Thank Heavens – literally. Although Libra isn’t always the most harmonious sign for Mars, we now have the chance to cease angst-filled internal dialogue and put our thoughts, and most importantly, our actions to use in the world around us.

Mars in Libra loves justice and strives for balance.  We’ll find ourselves more willing to do something about our personal struggles with inequality.  We’ll also find it easier to take action against the inequity suffered by others.  Mars retrograde in Libra gave us plenty of time to think about the human condition.  Whether your concerns are for bettering your local school, improving relationships on the job, or leveling the playing field for society in general (remember that the Uranus Pluto Square wants societal change) you’ll be ready to organize and take action.  

While our creative endeavors normally flourish under Mars in

Libra's card from Corrine Kenner and
John J. Blumen's "Wizards Tarot"©

Libra you can expect them to take a startling leap forward during the next few days.  You’ve been banking the fire of your inner muse during Mars retrograde.  Now the creative spark bursts into flame and you emerge with a plan, as well as the drive to carry it forward.  We are ready to resume our normal physical activities as well.  If you’ve been a little sluggish following your exercise regime or with your commitment to train for upcoming athletic events you’ll find yourself suddenly back on track. That is the wonder of Mars direct.  Dynamic movement, the strength of will needed to achieve and warrior energy; those are the hallmarks of the Red Planet’s influence.  

The Ace of Wands starts the show
Seen here from Ciro Marchetti's
"Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

Whether you have causes or creative projects to work on, or are launching a new series of personal goals, it’s time to get moving again.  Make a conscious decision to pull in the energy of Mars in Libra.  Focus on the lessons of the suit of Wands and use Wand imagery (See Blog: "Lights, Camera, Action" )ring mediations to help jump start your action, or to stay motivated when the going gets tough.  You have the opportunity to put your goals back on track while giving something back to the cosmos.  Don’t let this chance pass you by.

LADY ORACLE

Astrology Trends for May 2014 – “Basking in the Glow”

Basking – to lie in the warmer and more subtle energies of

May’s astrology after the torrential power storms of April’s skies.  Yup, that’s where we are. Right now the astrological template makes us feel as if we’re eating a strawberry ice cream cone while watching a basket of cuddly kittens play with a spool of ribbon.  The planets are sending out homing beacons this month, but before I get anymore lost in metaphoric imagery lets take a look-see at this month’s astrological energy trends.

Venus enters Aires on May 2nd. That’s a giddy, love at first sight sort of energy.  While it’s easy to follow your heart during Venus’ cohabitation with the ram, there are still standards to be met.  Earthy and lusty does not mean cheap and vulgar.  Venus in Aires loves being in love whether it’s the love for a newly discovered fine wine, an investment opportunity or potential soul-mate.  Look for your relationships to bloom between now and May 20th.  Which leads us directly into the big story for the month – Mars turning direct.

Mars has had a case of arrested development in Libra since

it began its retrograde cycle on March 1st.  Libra is a challenge for Mars at the best of times, but during a Martian retrograde cycle there are a few tide rips.  Mars retrograde asks us to curb our aggressive tendencies.  It’s a time to reevaluate our past actions and strategically change our path, or even detour over old ground to repair damage caused by Mars’ forceful warrior.  During retrograde our drive focuses on internal issues.  When Mars turns direct of May 20th it will be time to turn our ambitions and desires outward again, so expect to feel a power surge as the planet’s normal, forward energy comes back on line.  You’ll not only feel empowered, but also have a stronger sense of universal time and place – a sense of destiny.

Libra has been hosting Mars since December of 2013.  Libra

Mars' card from "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

is a highly social sign and Mars in Libra seeks just and balanced relationships.  If there’s been lots of contention, or one-sidedness in your primary relationship look for that to ease.  However, Mars in Libra also carries a quixotic note.  While Venus in Aires brings in new love, Mars direct in Libra can cause new passions to start and end abruptly and according to whim.

The Cardinal Cross has been reduce to a T-Square this month.  That’s still a challenge, but comparatively to April’s Grand Cross, this will be a breeze.  Mercury enters Gemini on May 7th and Jupiter trines Chiron on May 14th.  Trines are wonderful aspects that assist our personal growth.  Jupiter is a planet of expansion (Jupiter in Cancer equals terrific) and Chiron carries healing energy.  Where Pluto Retrograde may have pulled off the bandage from old traumas, Chiron trine Jupiter delivers true healing medicine and your life will take on a fresh and healthier glow.  Continue to bask.

We also have a Full Moon in Scorpio later this month,

#3 The Empress is the card association for Venus

alongwith Jupiter trine Saturn, Venus in Taurus and Mercury in Cancer.  I’ll have more about these later as the month moves on.  It looks to be a positive and powerful May, a time to sweep up and discard the shards of any struggles from April’s challenges.  It’s a new astrological game this month, so get started and stay active. 




LADY ORACLE

Full Pink Moon in Libra, April 15th, 2014 – “Blood on the Moon, or Miss Scarlet in the Conservatory With A Candlestick”

Blood on the Moon.  Again. Predictions about this month’s Full Moon with eclipse vary from multiple natural disasters to a full-blown apocalypse.  If any of you saw the 2011 movie, “Red Riding Hood,” you know that catastrophic events are supposed to occur when the Moon turns red.  Must be – I mean, did anyone else read the reviews for that movie? Talk about a career killer. There’s no doubt this is a powerful, yet touchy Full Moon cycle coming up – not going to lie about that. However, the edginess we’ll feel during the eclipse is more likely to have us seeing red rather than foretelling certain doom.  

The Full Pink Moon occurs at 12:42 a.m., PDT on April 15th, in twenty-six degrees of the sign, Libra. Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow.  When this happens, the Sun’s light disburses through the Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the Moon. The higher spectrum lights, such as violet, blue and green fade out and the colors left are orange and red. This is the same effect that gives us big, orange Harvest Moons and pearly, pink Moons during moonrise. There’s no way to actually determine how red the eclipsing Moon will get. It could be anything from a bashful blush to a deep crimson. In either case, the effect only lasts a few minutes, so watch closely. The eclipse begins at 10:58 p.m. on April 14th and reaches its climax at 1:07 a.m. on the 15th.  

Even the most upbeat astrologers suggest that we pay close

attention to the world around us during this volatile month.  On the outset, our Full Pink Moon in Libra is a partnership moon filled with charm and social grace. There’s a naturally empathic element that comes with Libra and this instinctual connection with people lends itself to greater success in relationships. In our personal lives, Libra likes close, balanced partnerships where everybody wins. Expect a boost to your people skills during this Full Moon cycle. However, this Full Moon can also make you feel needy, or as if your partner is sucking all the air out of the room. Relax. It’s a temporary effect brought on by the energetic ebb and flow of Lady Moon.

Eclipses act as an energy reboots for the entire planet, setting the tone of our planetary energy field for the next six months. During the eclipse cycle you frequently feel charges of energy coursing through you, almost more than you can handle. This effect is most intense two days prior to the eclipse and for the three days following it. Channel these high voltage surges into productive, positive actions. Focus on releasing any feelings of pressure that have built up in you this month.  Remember your positive mantra.  If you don’t have one, write one.  You are unique, you are enough and you are love. Pull in and use the energy from the stars of fortune and glory, Arcturus and Spica.  These guys are contributing their energy patterns to the lunar eclipse mix.  Arcturus is the stronger influence, combining good fortune with a powerful need for justice.  Use directed, conscious thought to set positive intentions (#1, The Magician) Again, stay grounded and don’t let chips form on your shoulders because someone will knock them off.

While a Full Moon lunar eclipse is already a powerful

Typical Grand Cross configuration

energetic force, this particular eclipse also heralds the exact squaring of that rare astrological event that’s been hovering over us, the Cardinal Grand Cross.  Remember that a Grand Cross forms when two sets of planets, in opposition (at an aspect of 180 degrees to one another) form two squares (aspects of ninety degrees).  ( See blog : "Cardinal Grand Cross"  )The planets involved in this Cardinal Grand Cross are: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto.  The word, ‘cardinal’ simply refers to the type of signs each of these planets currently occupies, or in this case, Libra, Cancer, Aires and Capricorn, respectively. Cardinal signs are the signs at the beginning of each season.

"Osho Zen Tarot"© reminds us to seek
the silence with ourselves to achieve balance

Cardinal Grand Crosses carry very unsettled and challenging energy.  Uranus and Pluto want to sweep all the chess pieces off the board, even if they create wreckage along the way.  Jupiter in Cancer wants to help you rebuild with glorious results, while Mars in Libra wants to charm people into his way of thinking – the quintessential smooth operator. This is great energy, however, don’t hang onto things that no longer serve you, because this energy can metaphorically pull your arms from their sockets if you do. Also, watch out for Jupiter in Cancer’s expansion giving you too much of a good thing while Mars puts those he can’t sway to the sword.

As with any astrological patterns there are highs and lows. You simply need to make adjustments for working with this month’s power flow. Proceed mindfully, stay grounded and you will be brilliant.

LADY ORACLE

Astrological Trends for March, 2014 – “Full Throttle, Reverse”

March started backwards. Why? It’s because on March 1st,

#16, The Tower is tarot's card for Mars
depicted by Ciro Marchetti for
"Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

Mars in Libra went retrograde, swiftly followed by Saturn in Scorpio on the 2nd.  Retrogrades are designed to make us slow down and take stock of the world around us. The effects of planetary retrogrades differ according to the planet involved, its characteristics and the sign it occupies during the retrograde cycle. Strong retrogrades, such as Mars and Mercury, are not good times to start new ventures.  However there’s still plenty of work to do to move your life forward. All you need is patience.

#11 Justice is tarot's card for Libra
depiction from Rome Choi's
"Dreaming Way Tarot"©

Forceful Mars calls for subtler, more inward action while in retrograde. Spend time reviewing your desires and ambitions, as well as your previous deeds. Is your current path creating more conflicts than you’d like? Do you react more aggressively in situations than is necessary? Mars’ charm falls a little flat during retrograde and unresolved issues frequently resurface.  Reacting aggressively when this happens can cost you hard-won ground. Conflicts right now will test not only your patience, but your integrity as well.  Although Mars in Libra carries an innate sense of justice, during retrograde it becomes important not to bend justice to suit your wishes. Let painful feelings fall away. They are in the past. They cannot hurt you unless you choose to let them rule your present actions.  

Saturn in Scorpio turned retrograde on March 2nd and now

#21, The World is tarot's card for Saturn
depiction from "Tarot Of Pagan Cat's"© by
Lo Scarabeo

nobody gets to sleep.  This is the perfect time to re-tool organizations and bureaucratic systems. Talk about the need for patience. Streamlining becomes a way of life under Saturn’s retrograde in Scorpio. Review policies and procedures.  Work within systems to change them. Yes you can, because you have the personal power needed to undertake these types of challenges, exhausting as they may be.  Scorpio’s intuition gives you tremendous insights into over-burdened, poorly functioning areas of life – not just in business, but personally as well.  When tapping into the power of Saturn in its home sign, Scorpio, use the energy wisely and with a sense of higher purpose.

Jupiter's tarot card is #10, The Wheel of  Fortune
depiction by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell for
"Steampunk Tarot"©

Jupiter turns direct in Cancer on March 6th. Hallelujah! Combine this expansive energy hit with the revisionary power of both retrograde planets.  What an opportunity to transform your life.  Don’t want to transform it?  No problem. Refine is another ‘r’ word (Retrograde are about using ‘r’ words after all: Revisit, review, refine) that helps you utilize life’s holding pattern common during retrograde energy.  If revision isn’t required in your life see what area needs to expand in your consciousness to support your vision.

This month also brings the return of the Grand Cardinal T-Square, Venus’ entry into Aquarius, Full Moon in Virgo, Sun in Aries combined with the vernal equinox and another New Moon on the 30th.  Whew! I will be covering these events as we go.  This month will be fast and furious, my friends, despite the temporary stagnation patterns of ongoing retrograde cycles.  Use caution and remember to respond this month, not react.  Be brilliant!

LADY ORACLE

Astrology Trends for December 2013 - “The Light Fantastic”

#11, Justice (Karma) is Libra's card
from "Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen - Mars in Libra 12/7

Many astrologers say that this December is a month for soul-searching and change.  While that may be true, it’s important to remember that you can have plenty of soul-searching without angst.  Sagittarius’ energy likes pondering deep and profound questions, but angst bores the heck out of it.  When something shiny appears on the horizon, Sagittarius asks us to hear the call to adventure and be on our merry way – particularly if there’s a party involved. The majority of December is influenced by Sun in Sagittarius and while this month will have its thrills and chills, (plenty) it will also be comparatively light on its feet.  

Alien Fossil on Mars (Cool!)

On December 4th Mercury, the planet of travel and communications, joins the Sun in Sagittarius.  Talk about the Knight of Swords – blunt, outspoken, but also open-minded.  Mercury in Sag invites us to find joy in learning something new.  Guard against a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude, though.  Everyone catches on at their own speed and they have a right to an opinion, even if it isn’t yours.

Mars charms his way into Libra’s seventh house on December 7th, ( 7 and 7!) where he takes up residence until mid-summer.  Social Libra joins with Mars’ intense, fiery nature, seeking fairness and balance. Think of them as Caped Crusaders, bringing justice to the streets of your very own Gotham City.  They work well together, laying groundwork that establishes important connections in both your business and social worlds.  

#21, The World is tarot's card for
Saturn, from "Steampunk Tarot"© by
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

Jupiter in Cancer trines Saturn in Scorpio December 9th through the 15th.  This is a blissful configuration.  Trines carry very harmonious energy and this one marries the expansive energy of Jupiter (pleasantly slowed and refined due to Jupiter’s retrograde) with the transformative and resourceful energy of Saturn in Scorpio.  Use this boost wisely and you will not only make great strides in releasing issues that have been holding you back, but also receive a nudge in the right direction. 

Venus goes retrograde in Capricorn on December 21st – just in time for Winter Solstice.  Venus in Capricorn is a steadfast heart whose energy builds enduring relationships.  During Venus retrograde, there may be friction between what comes first, career, or relationship – particularly if this is an ongoing issue for you. You might also find yourself second guessing the compromises you’ve made for the sake of harmony in your home.  Which leads us directly to one of this month’s main events – a Cardinal Grand Cross between Pluto in Capricorn, Uranus in Aires, Jupiter in Cancer and Mars in Libra. This configuration influences us from December 23rd to January 8th. Lot’s of challenge with this one.  Tread lightly.

Some of the stellar influences this month mean business, but

#3, The Empress represents Venus in all her
creative splendor - from "Steampunk Tarot"©
by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

they are also grounded in optimism and excitement for the road ahead.  Sure, our Cardinal (Cardinal signs are the first Zodiac sign within a given season.) Grand Cross is going to make things a little edgy, but take the usual precautions. Don’t talk politics at work, during parties or at Christmas dinner. Go easy on the sibling rivalry and release your resentments.  Think before your speak and let the open road to 2014 beckon you.

December is jam packed with all sorts of goodies.  I’ll have more about the Cardinal Grand Cross later this month, as well as, Winter Solstice, Yule, Full Moon in Gemini, the Jupiter Neptune connection, Sun in Capricorn, Uranus/Pluto square, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.  Whew! December is a tarot/astrology bloggers dream!  Can’t wait.

LADY ORACLE