Notes on Venus Transits

Venus, the planet symbolizing desire, represents those things that we want in life - and will get - whether in a healthy or unhealthy way. Venus moved into a square with expansive Jupiter this morning (3:56 AM PT), bringing a little more desire than common sense into the environment for all of us.

A few days from now, Venus squares Saturn. This is a very different influence, requiring a firm handling of boundaries for each of us. Those with Pisces and Cancer influences, and to some extent Gemini, will observe the most impact - along with folks who are influenced by Virgo, Capricorn and Sagittarius. In addition, Saturn and Jupiter are opposing each other - which is sort of like driving with the gas and brake pedals engaged at the same time.

Over the next week, Venus will square Uranus, Trine Chiron and Oppose Pluto. Venus in mythology, was the only god/goddess who could calm Mars. We are invited to bring a Venusian touch to liberation, compassion and transformation this week.

These aspects will contribute to a Grand Cross, two sets of oppositions that square each other. The signs I mentioned above are the signs that will likely experience the effects described by the aspect.

We have been going through the Saturn/Uranus Opposition, and the final opposition for this pair will occur later this summer. The characteristics of an opposition are – stalemate, polarization. Our individual charts provide more detail about where and how these transits will affect us personally – whether we will pick a side or watch others engage in debate or conflict, for example.

The Grand Cross, being constructed of two sets of opposition, suggest that we may be tempering ourselves in repeated experiences of frustration and by facing obstacles in our lives, in our society.

For now, the focus is on what we desire, in all its small pleasures and deep-set needs. Over the next week, you may feel the impulse to spend more than what's necessary, for example. While the dance is in full swing, invite yourself to describe what your desires look like. It would be a good time to see how that changes, if you ask yourself each day of this week.

Sensory Processing Disorder: Day two of a three day workshop

For the last two days, I've been in a workshop led by Robert Scaer, author of The Body Bears the Burden and Ana do Valle an Occupational Therapist who specializes in self regulation with infants, children and adults. There's one day remaining.

I've attended two continuing education classes for therapists/counselors so far. I've been impressed by the commitment these folks have to restoring clarity and good health to their clients.



My job, as an astrologer, is to provide information about the content of your astrological chart. I interact with other astrologers, often consulting with peers and mentors to evaluate how I can improve my practice. I also attend classes to deepen my knowledge of the patterns in the chart.

During a reading, it's possible that the information I'm providing is a source of agitation to a client. It's not unusual for a client to be excited, to make notes, to share personal details - and there have been clients who have been emotional.

When a client is impacted by the information in the reading, if the client is in a place where the support they need goes beyond a once a year consult, it's possible that the right next step is to make a referral to a liscenced therapist, bodyworker or similar. A workshop, like the one I'm attending this weekend, is a wonderful way for me to identify where that line exists - and when best to refer a client.

For more details on the content of the workshop, please see my previous post - Fight, Flight or Freeze....

Taurus New Moon

This evening, the Sun and the Moon appeared in the same location in the sky. As a result, the moon is not visible. Within 25 hours, a thin crescent will appear in the sky.



Now is the time to plant seeds for a harvest at the full moon (May 27). The idea is that intentions set now will quickly grow in the growing light of the full moon.

As the darkness subsides, give yourself time to sense your intentions, to sink into a sensuous state or listen to music - all proper Taurean responses to this Taurus New Moon.

Mercury Direct: 8 hour count down

Mercury is slowing down, turning around like a big ship in the sea. Energy is building, like a rocket getting ready for lift off. In this time of "just before something happens" I think about how this month is full of transits that suggest we are positioning ourselves (or not) for the change that keeps licking at us like flames in a fire. In the next month, and through the summer, change is coming. Little bits for now... the transits that are happening in the next few days are useful enough to focus on now.



Following Mercury's return to apparant forward motion, we enter the Balsamic Moon phase. This is when the Moon does not appear in the sky, preceding the New Moon phase.

In the Balsamic Moon phase, things fall apart (think small-scale, this transit happens every month). The opportunity in the next few days is to actively get rid of things you no longer need/want to play such a large role in your life. Every garden needs weeding after flowers fade and greenery returns to the ground as decay.



The New Moon, May 13th here in the Pacific Northwest, begins like the Balsamic Moon ends, dark as pitch. Even though the energy moves us forward, we cannot see our path. We have our plan in place, we are moving in the right direction - and the potential for stumbling remains. Slight changes to the plan may be necessary at the beginning of the process, are to be expected, even. This month's New Moon in Taurus is an opportunity for us to embrace the change that is best for us, that fits us best, underscoring stability as we move into the a summer of change.

Soften

We're in the last 5 days of Mercury's apparent backward path through the sky. One of the manifestations for Mercury Retrograde is a sort of nostalgia - whether people return from your past, circumstances conspire to remind you of your past, or spring cleaning kicks up memories.

The opportunity, when faced with a recurrence in your life, is to complete (or re-complete) the cycle. Sometimes, the opportunity is to bring closure - when spring cleaning, you throw away or give away items that you thought you'd never leave behind. Sometimes, the opportunity is to repeat an experience, perhaps with more objectivity, perhaps with a better outcome.

What's also possible, is a reaction like "Why is this happening again!!". Anger, vulnerability, confusion - all of these emotions could erupt in response to returning experience. Frustration with a feeling of falling backward could create an impatient response, a possibility of a negative result.

Saturn and Uranus are continuing to generate tension between what is expected and what is possible. This configuration, depending on where it falls in your chart, could create a great deal of frustration.

The art of navigating to a positive outcome while structures fall and inspiration only barely suggests new opportunities is not easy to execute. Focus on what you want to see next year, it may help alleviate a tendency to react.

Through the looking glass

May 2010 - starts off slow, gets busy in the middle and launches us all into a glimpse of the future by the end.

Starts off slow:
As of today, we are out of the exact opposition of Saturn and Uranus. This transit will still be in effect through most of the month and plays a significant role this summer. As a reminder, the energies associated with this opposition are a polarization of rules and freedom. We can start feeling an attraction to rules that outshines reason or a rebellious embracing of freedom that leaves the structure of our lives appearing meaningless. One way to use this energy is to acknowledge our limitations, make note of our discomfort and orient ourselves toward positive change. This will stand us in good stead as the change continues for us all, throughout the summer & even into the fall.

For 10 more days, Mercury appears to move in reverse through the sky. During this time it is important to do your research for any contracts, tech purchases and business partnerships. It's a good time to finish outstanding business, in fact you may find that business erupts all over again , giving you an opportunity to clear it out of your way.

Gets busy in the middle:
We are 13 days away from the new moon in Taurus. This new moon, occurring two days after Mercury returns to direct motion, signals beginnings. New Moons are a good time to freshen up your wish list, plant seeds, or even cut your hair, if you want your hair to grow faster according to old school almanacs.

Launches us into a glimpse of the future:
I'll write more about this in the next few weeks, but wanted to touch on this idea now - as Uranus moves into and out of Aries this summer, it will mirror the energy that will take hold next March.

Specifically, on May 27, Uranus moves into Aries, where it will stay until mid-August. Then it will go back into Pisces until mid-March 2011. Uranus will be in Aries from 2011-2018. This will also add electricity to the Full Moon, also on May 27th.

The effect of a Uranus transit depends on where the planet is placed in your chart. The general interpretation of Uranus for an individual is that it's where you exhibit eccentricity, unique ideas, rebellion and/or genius. This planet moves slowly, because it moves slowly it can have a very deep impact.