August 21, 2013, Uranus Squares Jupiter - “Dynamic, Transformative and a Tad Scary”

Recently, the web’s been abuzz about the T-square formed

Jupiter's ruling tarot card,
#10 Wheel of Fortune from
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's
"Steampunk Tarot"©

between Jupiter and Uranus, with Pluto in opposition. Small wonder when you consider recent international news.  Jupiter's proximity has activated the power of the ongoing and notorious, Uranus/Pluto Square.  (See blog "September's Full Harvest Moon 2012") August 21st marks the shift of this T aspect into a Grand Cross configuration between Jupiter in Cancer, Uranus in Aries, Venus in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn.  This is one of those times to consider investing in a metaphysical Kevlar vest.

A Grand Cross is an extremely active, if not stressful, astrological configuration between four planets, in two sets of opposition.  Opposition refers to an angle of 180 degrees between the planets within each set.  The planets of this Grand Cross are all in cardinal signs of the Zodiac; signs that mark the beginning of each season and denote leadership and a fresh start. That’s a good thing – powerful, but good.  

#7, The Chariot rules Cancer
Self-Assertion - from Corrine Kenner and
John J. Blumen's "Wizard's Tarot"©
"

The keyword for this Grand Cross is ‘transformation.’ Jupiter in Cancer is captain of the pep squad, so to speak, encouraging prosperity and life expansion.  (See blog "Astrological Trends for August 2013") Uranus in Aries casts off the conventional in favor of ground-breaking ideas.  Social reforms are the hallmark of Uranus in Aries. Unfortunately, there’s also a tendency to jump in before considering all the ramifications of sudden change. Venus in Libra is our love child; romantic, creative and nurturing.  She works with Jupiter to balance the rashness of this configuration.  Then there’s Pluto in Capricorn – evolutionary and revolutionary energy that shapes both the soul of man and the world around him. Pluto and Uranus are squaring off until 2015, causing sweeping and revolutionary societal change. 

#11 Justice rule Libra, Sign of Balance
Karma, balance from Ciro Marchetti's
"Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

This Grand Cross influences us from August 20th through the 30th and peaks on August 27th when it becomes exact.  As with any astrological influence – it’s what you make of it.  If you’ve been reevaluating your goals and systematically releasing the situations and people that don’t support your chosen path, you have a chance to make great strides in your life right now. It is vital that we stay grounded in each moment under this type of influence. Meditate. When things get bumpy, ask yourself, “Am I viewing this situation through my heart or through my ego?”  Get into curiosity, as we say in motivational speaking. Learn about the dynamics of a challenging situation, or the motivations of difficult people.  What are they afraid of? What are you afraid of?  Look for common ground and avoid all or nothing scenarios. You don’t have to accept them.  Our ability to compromise for the greater good rather than for self interest is one of the things that makes a society evolve.

LADY ORACLE

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Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You - An Update for June 2013

Mercury's ruling tarot card,
The Magician from Corrine Kenner's Wizard's Tarot©

The astrological theme for June has been communication and Mercury, the planetary ruler of communications has been camped out under the sign of Cancer this month.  Many of us received messages from our higher selves insisting we get rid of our baggage and get serious about establishing meaningful dialogues with ourselves, our co-workers and in our personal relationships as well.  For those of us who've listened and worked hard to clear the channels, the Universe, in a master stroke of irony, developed a litmus test for the end of this month.  Mercury Retrograde.

If you're not familiar with Mercury retrogrades, I'll take a minute to explain.  Each year as Earth orbits the Sun, it overtakes Mercury three to four times.  When we pass Mercury, it creates the optical illusion that Mercury is actually reversing it's orbit.  This optical illusion is a metaphor for the mishaps and misstatements that punctuate our lives during this period.  Mercury goes into retrograde on June 26th until July 20th.  Afterwards, we have only one more Mercury Retrograde period to deal with this year.  It runs from October 21st to November 10th.

Have you tried planning a fun, last minute get-away this week

Cancer the Crab's ruling card,
The Chariot from Corrine Kenner's, Wizard's Tarot©

only to find your reservations have become a big, red, tangled ball of yarn?  Has your computer or smart phone suddenly refused to function for no particular reason?  Did your carefully worded text or email ignite a volley of controversy?  Welcome to the joyless pit of Mercury Retrograde - bad communications, emotional quagmires and missed connections.

This month's Mercury Retrograde may be a breeze, but on the other hand, we're still feeling the effects of our Super Moon on June 23rd.  If you had a rough patch during the Full Moon it may be continuing, but don't despair.  There are several quick fixes you can do to get things back on track.

The key to a successful Mercury Retrograde is preparation.

1) Know your yearly retrograde dates, relax and breath into them.  Meditate more often.

2) Keep you expectations low during this time, both personally and professionally.  Try not to enter into new contracts or negotiations.  Don't decide to have air-clearing discussions with friends and family.  

3) Remember your  "R" words.  Renew, revisit, rest, re-plan, re-figure, renovate.  Things that are already in progress can benefit from a Mercury Retrograde revision.  Those are safe to do.

4) Keep your favorite tarot deck handy and plenty on sage and sweetgrass incense about for cleansing as needed.  Swords caution you about over-thinking or living in your head.  Cups point out over-indulgence of angst.  Pentacles keep your feet on the ground and Wands remind you to revise ('r' word) your game plan.

Follow these steps and while life won't necessarily be a breeze, it will be much easier. And if all else fails, invest in a vat of liquid smudge.

Lady Oracle

The exceptional tarot deck, "Wizard's Tarot,"© by Corrine Kenner and illustrated by John J. Blumen is available for purchase at my website  www.ladyoracle.net

An amazing deck! Click here to purchase!