September 25, 2014, Jupiter Trine Uranus – “Santa Claus in a Rocket Pack”

The Fool represents Uranus. This
depiction (my personal fav) is from
"Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©
by Ciro Marchetti

Trines are a harmonious menage caused by an aspect of 120 degrees between planets.  They are a favorable aspect, although too many of them at once can makes us rather complacent – not something we need be concerned by with today’s trine between Jupiter in Leo and Uranus retrograde in Aires.  Good things, people, novel and innovative things.

Jupiter is the planet of expansion. It brings in fun, vitality, as well as opportunities for success.  The sign, Leo, enhances Jupiter by boosting the planet’s confidence and charm but also by lending the lion’s ability to inspire people.  This is the combination of great leaders, blending charisma with self-determination and generosity of spirit.  Today is a day to harness forward momentum and accomplish those tasks that may have felt too difficult to undertake mere days ago. Leo always enjoys a spotlight and Jupiter wants everyone to join the party. It’s time to reach beyond the goals you’ve set for yourself.

Uranus carries breakthrough energy that creates sudden and

Jupiter's card, The Wheel of Fortune
perfectly expressed by Kris Waldherr
in her deck, "The Goddess Tarot"©
(Lakshmi is another fav)

sweeping change.  It is revolutionary thought paired with passionate action.  Historically, when paired with Pluto, these planets inspire revolutions, dictatorships and societal shifts in consciousness. Uranus’ job in the duo is to question authority and challenge the status quo. In retrograde, the planet of rebellion turns its eye inward, making us question our intentions towards society as a whole.  Have we engaged? Are we part of the process? Put this energy into the fire sign of Aires and you unleash originality coupled with determination to create change within ourselves and in the world as well.  

During this Jupiter and Uranus aspect accomplishing the impossible feels as if it’s no big deal.  New concepts are welcome and we enjoy exploring them.  This is a trine of joyous individuality and freedom of expression. We can expand our vision of ourselves. Use this fantastic energy to create, to reinvent and to explore the adventure of being you.

LADY ORACLE

New Moon in Libra Delivers Balance and Drive

#11, Justice, or Breakthrough from
"OSHO Zen Tarot"© by Deva Padma
gives us the sense of how to work with
New Moon in Libra

This month's New Moon in 1 degree and 8 minutes of Libra continues the theme of establishing balance throughout our lives and in the world around us. New Moons set the emotional tone for the month and Libra provides an excellent tuning fork. Moon in Libra is a charming, romantic moon, with a strong intellectual component. Romance is a big factor, but our intellect decides where our boundaries are and any attractions we feel must engage our minds, as much, or even more so than our hearts.  Libra's energy creates a highly social dynamic, where our interactions are about honest communication and the drive to build harmony by deepening our understanding of others. That's a fairly intense combination. 

Venus, the ruler of Libra gives this New Moon a glamorous

OSHO's #14 Integration also stands for
Temperance, Sagittarius' card

and sophisticated flavor.  This is a time to appreciate the arts and enjoy some of the finer things in life, to indulge in free thinking while staying grounded. New Moon in Libra is not an overly emotional moon. It is a moon of balance though, connecting equal parts for a sum much greater than the sum of the whole.  We have an equal connection to the elements of earth, sky, fire and water – more so now with the cosmic push for balance.  Air signs will likely see a greater increase in their mental keenness than other signs, while earth signs experience a stronger creative flair coupled with feelings of intense resolve.  Water signs draw on the moon's intuition while firmly grounding their imaginations through their intellect.  Fire signs, cry out for action – not for its own sake, but action with an eye towards completion.

OSHO Zen Tarot's© #16, "Thunder Bolt"
shows us the positive power unleashed
in an adaptation of "The Tower"

There are other factors to take into account during this New Moon.  Venus, ruler of Libra is residing in Virgo where she boosts the romantic flavor of this month's New Moon. There's also Mars in Sagittarius who carries a bold energy that's always on the lookout for an adventure. Left to its own devices Mars in Sagittarius remains a little unfocused. However, all the balancing and focusing power from Libra gives Mars a boost in the adventure department. One that will likely increase on September 25th when Jupiter trines Uranus (more on that later). 

Consider the astrological significance of the following cards should they appear frequently in your readings:

The High Priestess      -  The Moon     

Justice                          -   Libra

The Magician              -   Mercury (also in Libra now)

The Empress               -   Venus

The Hermit                  -   Virgo

The Tower                   -   Mars (let's watch this planet during the next few days)

Temperance               -   Sagittarius

Wheel of Fortune       -   Jupiter

Uranus                         -   The Fool

Enjoy the benefits of a strong Moon in Libra. It's here to facilitate our artistry as well as our intellect, our imaginations, as well as of practical natures.  This is a time to balance and restore order so we can prepare for the power surges of October.

LADY ORACLE

All featured decks available for purchase through Lady Oracle Tarot!

Pluto Turns Direct as the Sun Moves to Libra, September 22nd – “A Planetary MacGuffin”

#11, Justice is tarot's card for Libra
this depiction from Ciro Marchetti's
stunning, "Legacy of the Divine Tarot" ©

Fiction writers use three hints, commonly referred to as beats, to introduce a plot device and explain what makes it significant to the protagonist of a story.  Alfred Hitchcock referred to this plot device as the ‘MacGuffin.’ The MacGuffin’s sole reason for existing is to motivate the hero and get the story moving. While the first beat, or hint is seemingly innocuous, the second and third beats are designed to snag the reader’s attention, giving them clues to the developing plot.  Catching these beats gives the reader a big payoff once the complete plot line is revealed. We all love to say, “Aha! I knew it,” don’t we? 

On September 22nd we will witness the first two of three significant beats for a planetary MacGuffin.  The MacGuffin for September is balance. It’s been a recurring theme of late. Libra is the Zodiac’s sign of balance. It is also the only sign depicted, not by a creature from mythology, but by an actual device. In this case the device is a set of scales. The Sun enters Libra on September 22nd. The first beat.  When we add up the numbers for the date September 22, 2014 we get eleven. Tarot’s #11 is Justice which is also tarot’s card for the sign, Libra. The second beat. So, where’s that third beat? Wait for it.

Pluto, the planet of transformation leaves retrograde (See

blog: "Pluto Retrograde April 14th to Sept. 23rd" ) and turns direct on September 22nd as well. The third beat, you ask?  No, but it is definitely a plot twist. Pluto rules Scorpio and the 8th house of the Zodiac where we store our joint resources, our sexuality, our powers of transformation and our indebtedness (Yikes!). Pluto, a generational planet, (See Blog: "Typecasting" ) is presently in the sign of Capricorn.  The last time Pluto was in Capricorn a group of malcontents hammered out something we call, “The Declaration of Independence.”

The key to Pluto’s power lies in its ability to simultaneously destroy and create. The planet of the underworld delights in bringing hidden things to light so they can be examined and either redesigned, or tossed aside.  Pluto’s transformative power may effect entire generations, but we can also tap into this massive energy to create positive changes in our own lives.  For all its high octane dramatics, Pluto likes positive outcomes.  

Pluto direct in Capricorn says out with the old and in with the new, particularly when it comes to financial and political systems. This transit demands fairness and a reckoning from those who don’t play well with others. Tarot’s #11, Justice, also stands for karma and karma always returns home. Let your eyes open a little wider as you view the world around you. Ask questions.  Pluto remains in Capricorn until 2023. During this transit we have the chance to notice, not the differences that we have from one another, but rather the common ground we share, the similarities in our day to day existence.  Pluto’s tarot card is #22, Judgment.  Remember, that does not mean being judgmental, but rather making decisions. Pluto hands us the opportunity to make new decisions – informed ones, better ones that benefit the whole instead of a select few. This transit is our chance to stand as one, past borders, past personal ideology and adopt basic principles of fairness and decency for all humanity. #22, Judgment also means rebirth.

Capricorn, the goat hosts Pluto until 2023

Have you figured out the third beat for our universal plot line yet?  September 23rd, the Autumnal Equinox – the equal balance between darkness and the very light that gives our planet life.  We are often besieged by rhetoric designed for emotional impact but which rarely conveys useable information, engages our intellect, or our sense of fair play.  As we take the turn into Autumn, consider the meaning of the concept ‘to balance.’  It’s a phrase we commonly use, though its universal relevance is something we frequently overlook. 

LADY ORACLE

All featured decks available for sale through Lady Oracle Tarot!

Mars in Sagittarius, September 13th to October 25th, 2014 – “Genghis Khan Meets Dora the Explorer”

On Saturday Mars, our fiery, warrior planet, takes up

Ciro Marchetti's depiction of #16, The
Tower, from the legendary
 "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

residence with Sagittarius, the Archer.  We’ll develop the attitude of the conqueror, but with the attention span of a gnat.  It’s not quite as bad as that.  We will have moments of pure gold where we gain extraordinary ground in our lives – surmounting obstacles, seizing the day until we succumb to the tangents presented by the roads less traveled.  Mars in Sagittarius marries the mind of a conqueror

 with the heart of an explorer.   

This is a transit for risk takers and there’s a significant up tick in our competitive natures. We greet life enthusiastically and with idealism.  The Martian fire is still present, however. Sagittarius simply points it in the direction of moral principles and concern for the human condition.  Ethical behavior and staying true to our convictions becomes more important during this transit and we don’t allow a great deal of flexibility in either one.

#14, Temperance, as envisioned by
Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen
is their deck, "The Wizard's Tarot"©

During Mars in Sagittarius we can demonstrate quicker wit and embrace bold plans for overcoming challenges.  Ideas flow fairly easily and while we have the warrior spirit to execute these plans, we often lack the focus necessary to stick with them to completion.  Mars in Sagittarius produces scattered energy making us easily distracted. Focus, people, focus.

Tarot’s card associations for this transit are #16, The Tower, (swift, unexpected change) for Mars and #14, Temperance, (carefully blending the components of your world, spiritual, emotional and material, for balance) for Sagittarius.  They nicely sum up the exchange between the warrior and the hunter.  If you find yourself missing out on opportunities due to lack of focus during this transit try meditating on some of tarot’s ‘follow through’ cards to ground yourself and narrow that energy beam to where it does you the most good. 

Here are some helpful cards for meditation: Queens of

The powerful Queen of Wands from
"The Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen 

Wands (creative action, confidence and skill), Knight of Pentacles (steadfastness to duty and tasks even when you’d rather not), 9 of Wands (perseverance, going the distance though difficulty) and 7 of Pentacles (tending to tasks which will yield longterm results).  There are certainly other components to these cards, because tarot is a marvelous blend of both simple and complex concepts. ( See Blog: “Lights, Camera, Action” for using the suit of Wands for motivation.)  However, you get the idea and if you’re a tarot reader you probably have your own favorite cards to motivate yourself. In any case, have fun and try pulling tarot energy to guide you through this transit.

LADY ORACLE

All decks featured are available for sale through Lady Oracle Tarot - ladyoracle56@yahoo.com

September 8, 2014, Full Harvest Moon in Pisces – “A Moon of the Imagination”

September’s Full Moon is called the Full Corn Moon, but this

The Moon, tarot's card for Pisces
by "Shadowscapes"© by Stephanie
Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore

year it has the designation of being our Harvest Moon as well. The title of “Harvest Moon” is given to the full moon closest to the Fall Equinox, which occurs on September 22nd.  This year September’s full moon occurs fourteen days before equinox while October’s full moon occurs sixteen days afterward. Good to know, huh?

This year’s  Harvest Moon occurs on September 8th at 6:38 p.m. PDT, in sixteen degrees and nineteen minutes of Pisces.  It is a moon of compassion, spirituality, great intuition and above all, imagination.  Full moon in Pisces enflames of our creativity. It is idealism coupled with romance – a moon that asks us to view the world and its occupants with unvarnished optimism.  That may not always be the wisest view, but it is one that consistently entertains positive potential.

The High Priestess as depicted in
MMark Ryan, John Matthews and
Will Worthington's fabulous deck,
"The Wild Wood Tarot"©

Pisces is a mutable water sign meaning that people born under its influence (either as a birth sign or one featured prominently in their chart) can change their nature to match their environment, or to match the people around them.  Fish folk are highly intuitive and empathetic. This full moon, coupled with Mercury in Libra’s (See blog: Astrology for September 2014 Part 1) penchant for balance and diplomacy, allows us bridge gaps between ourselves and others.  If your job requires the use of diplomatic skills and empathy, Monday should be a particularly productive day for you.  

Venus in Virgo also gives a power boost to our creative side during this full moon.  Pisces’ idealism helps us move past our self-limiting behaviors to listen to our intuition and let our creativity flow. Venus, strongly positioned right now in Virgo, is the essence of creative energy.  In tarot she’s represented by The Empress, who is the very embodiment of abundance and creation.

The things to watch out for during this full moon period is the

The Empress is tarot's association for
the planet Venus - the essence of
creative abundance From "Steampunk Tarot"©
by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

‘thin skinned’ effect from Pisces  emotional makeup rising to the surface, and our heightened empathy and intuition with those around us.  Keep your boundaries with others firmly in place. When you feel overwhelmed take a moment to determine whose emotions you're actually feeling – your own, or someone else's.

Full Moon in Pisces is a gift to our spirit.  It is dreamy and mystical just like Pisces ruling planet, Neptune.  September's full moon is a time for fresh awareness and for tapping into our own creative process.  Enjoy this lunar period and make something magical happen.

LADY ORACLE

LUNAR VOID OF COURSE INFO FOR THE FULL MOON

Void begins: Sept. 7th @ 10:20 a.m. PDT

Void ends:    Sept. 7th @ 4:48 p.m.   PDT

Void begins: Sept. 9th @ 12:11p.m.  PDT

Void ends:    Sept. 9th @  4:34 p.m.  PDT

For more information on what the term 'void of course' means, see blog "A Void is a Void, of Course, of Course"

Astrology For September, 2014, Part 1 – “A Question of Balance”

Tarot's card for Sagittarius is "Temperance"
a reminder for balance this month.
From "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©
by the amazing Ciro Marchetti

September is a time for us to seek and find our personal balancing points. On September 2nd Mercury gives us a focused and diplomatic frame of mind as it enters the realm of Libra, Sign of Balance. Mercury, ruled by the sign Virgo, is represented by the tarot card, “The Magician.”  This card teaches us about the power of creative energy wielded through conscious, directed thought.  The elements of earth, air, fire and water are blended through The Magician’s skills.  He is an informed mind balancing and transforming nature through the sheer strength of his will.  That’s a pretty heady image to kick off September’s astrology. It’s also extremely accurate. During Mercury’s stay in Libra we can likewise use our own of knowledge, coupled with focused intent to realize our goals.

Mercury’s magician receives an extra boost of creative energy on September 8th from Full Moon in Pisces.  Put your natural artistry in gear September 5th through the 10th.  Use Mercury in Libra to ground the Moon’s emotional components while you let that mystical and creative lunar energy flow.  I’ll have more information on working with Full Moon in Pisces later this week.

On September 5th, Venus swans into Virgo where she turns

The Magician represent the planet
Mercury. This depiction is "The Shaman"
from "The Wildwood Tarot"©
by Mark Ryan, John Matthews beautifully illustrated
by Will Worthington

sincere, yet somewhat nit picky.  The goddess of love finds nice, emotional depth in Virgo where she is also artistic and creative in her own right. The thing to watch out for during this transit however, is Venus’ tendency to focus on small details about the people she finds attractive, details that in the scheme of things, don’t carry significant weight about a potential relationship. In fact, too much attention to small details obscures the big picture and masks some glaring deficiencies in current heart throbs.  Access Mercury’s energy to help you choose wisely.

Mars, the warrior leaves the transformative lessons of Scorpio behind him to move into Sagittarius on September 13th.  Tarot’s association for Mars is “The Tower.”  The Tower represents the winds of change that sweep into our lives causing momentary chaos, but also bringing with them unexpected opportunities.  Mars in Sagittarius heeds the call to bold adventure. Our inner warrior is all energetic, visceral experience, spontaneously seizing life.  He is also honest, but without much of a filter to his speech.  Whatever Mars perceives as truth about a situation comes directly from gut to his mouth.  Sagittarius’ tarot association is “Temperance” – a good reminder to balance all things.  Again, focus on Mercury in Libra’s diplomatic energies to counterbalance Mar’s lack of finesse.

From Kris Waldherr's stunning deck
"The Goddess Tarot"© come this depiction
of The Fool, Uranus' tarot card.

Also on September 13th we have Mercury in Libra in opposition to Uranus in Aires. This adds a strong, breakthrough energy to the days just before and just after the 13th.  If you are struggling to learn new skills, or adapt to new systems expect a helpful push from this configuration.  Uranus in Aires is about “out of the box” thinking that takes us beyond conventional pathways into new and progressive territory.  Meditations during this time yield answers to your inner most questions, as well as reveal some startling insights. There’s a certain amount of impulsiveness with this energy, but by now you know the drill – use Mercury to balance that impulsivity.  

This is only the astrological trends for the first half of September.  We also have an Equinox, a New Moon and Sun in Libra coming our way.  Great stuff.  I’ll talk about those things later, but for right now work with our lessons in balance to ensure a productive month.

LADY ORACLE