October 29, 2013 – November 3rd – “The Yod Nod”

The name for astrology’s Yod pattern comes from the Hebrew

letter of the same name.  The letter, yod, is one of four characters used in Hebrew tradition to symbolize the name of God – only one of the many reasons astrologers nicknamed those giant isosceles triangles is the sky, “The Finger of God.” Yod aspects form all the time and we can use their particular energy pattern to reach conclusions, or make decisions.  These aspects hold a note of destiny in them and how you choose to use or ignore their energy can determine whether or not you achieve your goals.

Yods are powerful, yet uneasy aspects between three or more basically, incompatible planets.  These planets form a giant stellar triangle. Two sides of the triangle are equal in length and form an aspect of 150 degrees, or quincunx . The planet(s) at the shorter side is at a sixty degrees aspect, or sextile.  While sextile aspects are easy–peasy, quincunx aspects are the geometrical problem children of astrology.  Energies don’t mesh well between planets sharing quincunx aspects. Their energy is unstable.  So what does all this mean for you during the next few days?  Good question.

The yod pattern for October 29th through November 3rd is formed by the Sun conjunct (same place, same time) Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio, quincunx Mars in Virgo with Uranus in Aries at the apex.  The most important part of a yod configuration is the apex, because this is the direction the finger of fate points.  This particular yod pattern is a great build up for November 1st when the Uranus/Pluto square goes direct. (see blogs:"Taking the Sting Out of Mercury Retrograde ; "The House That Passion Built"; "Keeping An Eye on the Prize)

Yods ask us to make decisions that move our lives forward.  It’s important to consider that we all have a tremendous opportunity to review and rework our personal strategies during Mercury Retrograde.  The information we gather should naturally lead us to conclusions that, in turn, help us make informed decisions.  Do your homework this week.  Uranus carries energy for unexpected, sweeping change that challenges the status quo and the authority that maintains formal structure.  Whew! That sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? Think of it in tarot terms as The Emperor butting heads with The Tower.  Sure, the whole sweeping change thing can be unsettling, but in terms of personal development, this is exactly what you’ve been striving for this year.   

College graduates labored long and hard so that one day they could step into the workplace and take it by storm.  Artists and scientists alike have break-through moments that change the direction of their lives.  Each of us gets to experience pivotal moments of destiny where we can choose the course of our life.  All we need is the courage to make the decisions that move us forward with honor and distinction.  

LADY ORACLE

New Moon in Libra, October 4, 2013 - "A Roadmap for Change"

Our New Moon in Libra occurred at 5:34 PDT today.  Lots of us

#11, Justice is Libra's tarot card
from "Dreamingway Tarot"© by Rome Choi

felt the energy surges from this New Moon well before it took place and as it turns out, we had good reason.  October's New Moon is considered by some astrologers to not only be the most powerful New Moon of 2013, but also the most important.  Some consider it to be warning shot for the astrological configurations coming up in our winter skies.  Others view it as a rather bumpy, by necessary jolt that forces us to confront issues in our lives and deal with them.  All from this one little New Moon. 

#2, The High Priestess represents
our Lady Moon. from Rome Choi's
"Dreamingway Tarot"©

In previous blogs I've explained the cosmic dynamics of the notorious T-Square and Grand Cross/Square configurations. ( See blogs: September 2013 "The Flying Wedge" and August 2013 "Dynamic, Transformative and a Tad Scary")  These blogs basically describe what we have occurring  on this New Moon.  Astrologer, Bill Herbst, in his paper on this year's astrology, explains that a T- Square (August blog) is actually a four-legged stool with only three legs showing.  Our New Moon in Libra forms the powerful fourth leg.  We have four planets (okay, one satellite, three planets) all in the cardinal modality (first astrological sign for a given season)  form a Grand Square.  Square configurations are extremely challenging – this one in particular.  Don't panic, though.  You simply need to pay attention to the life lessons you are being shown.

Libra rules the seventh house of relationships and partnerships.  Communication is essential to any healthy relationship, both personal and professional.   Where New Moons in Libra are normally easy-going, intellectual and gracious, this one isn't.  The other members of this Grand Square are Jupiter in Cancer, Uranus in Aries and (drum roll please) Pluto in Capricorn.  That's right, the notorious Uranus/Pluto square is alive and well.  It's also on another power build up for November 1st when their square goes direct.  Revolutionary energy and pivotal, societal change.  You read the news, you draw the parallels.  

The Fool from "Dreamingway Tarot"©
by Rome Choi represents Uranus      

This Grand Square gives us the opportunity to lurch forward, granted, a little awkwardly, but forward none the less.  Here's where we can do a diagnostic on our lives and review our decisions to date.  (Mercury Retrograde later this month gives us the opportunity to seal the deal.) In order to move into a successful 2014 it's important to complete and turn it your homework.  Rule #1, do harm to none – especially not to yourself.  Rule #2, if you keep repeating the same pattern in your life, you'll get the same results.  Change the pattern, change your life.  October is all about redesign and New Moons are about new emotional cycles.  It's time to clear away the situations and thoughts that no longer serve you so that you successfully navigate the transitions coming this winter.  Stay grounded,  clear your space and get to work.  You will be brilliant.

LADY ORACLE

Astrological Trends for September, 2013 - “The Flying Wedge”

Tarot's #20, Judgment is the ruling card for Pluto
from Ciro Marchetti's "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

We start the first 9 days of the month with the astrological version of a classic Chinese/American dish called, “Happy Family” – a blending of sensational tastes that holds something great for everyone at the table.  Jupiter remains in Cancer, Mars is in Leo, the Sun is in Virgo, Mercury is in Virgo and Venus is in Libra.  Jupiter is exalted in Cancer, which means it’s high-functioning (life-enriching, expansive energy, home and hearth).  Mercury and Venus are both in their home signs and are also particularly powerful.  Mercury in Virgo offers us better communication and clearer thinking, while Venus is all about social graces and romance.  Mars in Leo, well, think of John Travolta’s strut at the end of “Saturday Night Fever.” This is a very pleasant energy combination that keeps us motivated in a positive way.

Our Virgo New Moon on the 5th asks us to analyze our emotions. Details, details. Mercury moves into Libra on September 9th and turns over-analysis into an art form.  Every aspect of every situation is weighed and calibrated.  The problem is that we can get bogged down in the details, particularly if you have Mercury in Libra in your birth chart.  Venus enters Scorpio on the 11th where she will have us all seeking our fiery, passionate soulmate.  The Pisces Full Moon on the 19th is a dreamer’s moon and I’ll have more on that later this month.  The big story for the month, however, is the activation of the (now infamous) Uranus/Pluto square by the Cardinal T-square that’s been occurring since July. This square will continue through September.  

Tarot's # 10, The Wheel of Fortune
rules Jupiter's expansive energy
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's
"Steampunk Tarot"©

In honor of the football season (college or NFL) let’s think of the T square as an astrological ‘flying wedge.’  At the base of the wedge Jupiter in Cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn which squares Uranus in Aires at the apex.  Astrologer, Bill Herbst likens T-squares to a four-legged stool with one missing leg.  If you draw a line from the apex to the opposite side of astrological wheel, you arrive at the missing leg, or other effected sign (in this case, Libra).

Square aspects hold a tense, challenging energy.  A T-square with Cardinal signs (first sign of each season) pushes issues, brings them to a head so that they can be resolved.  We’ve talked about the revolutionary energy for grand scale transformation that emanates from the Uranus Pluto Square.  The T-square, or Flying Wedge, with Jupiter brings the need for change down to a personal level.  What needs expansion and change in your life?  

During the Moon’s visits with each Cardinal sign (Libra, Aries,

Tarot's Fool rules Uranus - the
epitome of the fresh start
Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen's
"Wizard's Tarot"©

Cancer and Capricorn) this month, we will all feel prodded in one direction or another.  That’s okay as long we use the energy released to productively change our lives.  This is Rose Bowl energy, folks, and you’ve got to drive that ball straight down the field to make your goal and get the three point conversion.  Let your creative drive flow, meditate, control your attitudes and respond rather than react.  I’ll post more about the Moon’s journey this week and later discuss the Equinox on the 22nd.  In the meantime, celebrate your opportunities and the seasonal change.

LADY ORACLE

Here's a link to Bill Herbst's paper on the 2013 astrlogical configurations.  I think he goes a great job of explaining complex formations.

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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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