So long, Mercury retrograde in Scorpio...

Mercury goes retrograde three times a year, and every time, my friend Flo would dread its approach and complain during its backward motion.

Admittedly, I have been quite fortunate, in that, the usual hiccups associated with Mercury retrograde had been keeping its distance from me.  This is largely due to the lack of aspects it makes to my natal chart.

Not this time.

Transiting my 4th house, retrograding Mercury conjunct my Uranus oppose Moon. The past month (include the shadow phase from 18th October 2012) has been an intensive lesson for me emotionally.  My emotions have been taken on a roller coaster ride.  I'm glad that since the early hours of today (Hong Kong time), Mercury has finally resumed its forward motion.  However, we're not out of the woods until 14th December.

For me, I also have Saturn transiting my 4th house.  It conjunct my IC around the time when Mercury entered its shadow phase.  It is now approaching a T-Square to my ASC-DSC axis as we head towards the lunar eclipse in Gemini (which, luckily, makes a sextile to my ASC).  I do feel emotionally challenged, dealing with family matters, and also, reacquainting with all those deep and dark emotions I have long shoved to the back of my mental cupboard.  While dealing with these negative emotions, I had a temporary shock on realisation that I didn't loathe them at all - does that make me a bad person?  No, at least, I don't think so.  It makes me more aware of my tendency to use my head to analyse my feelings and emotions - something I didn't think I had been doing (since I'm a water-earth individual).  I become conscious of using the aloof Uranus (oppose my Moon) to help get a grip on my fluctuating feelings.

I welcome the direct motion of Mercury with open arms;  it is as if the fog finally clears, taking away my mental confusion.  The lunar eclipse in Gemini, ruled by Mercury, is likely to give us some guidance on our present projects - what needs tweaking?  Hidden information may also come to light.

With Venus conjunct Saturn exactly around the middle of this week (week beginning 26th November 2012) sextile the Mars-Pluto conjunction, we may experience the need to be in charge of a situation.  The Venus-Saturn conjunction also trine the Chiron-Neptune conjunction in Pisces, allowing us to realise and appreciate that there are matters which are beyond our control and we should consider letting go and permit the Universe to intervene instead.

By the way, if you feel you haven't sussed out the lesson behind this Scorpionic/Sagittarian Mercury retrograde, don't worry, we have another one (completely in Scorpio this time) next October-November (2013)......

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VOC diary for the week beginning 26th November 2012

Greenwich Mean Time

Monday 26th November:  Mercury goes direct at 22:47
                                  

Tuesday 27th November:  VOC in Taurus from 00:57

                                         

Wednesday 27th November:  VOC in Taurus ends at 00:58
                                              Full Moon in Gemini at 14:45

Thursday 28th November: VOC in Gemini from 01:04
                                                 

Friday 29th November: VOC in Gemini ends at 13:54

Saturday 30th November:  ********************

Sunday 1st December: VOC in Cancer from 06:54
                               

Hong Kong Time

                 

Monday 26th November:  *******************
                                  

Tuesday 27th November:  Mercury goes direct at 06:47
                                       VOC in Taurus from 08:57

                                         

Wednesday 27th November:  VOC in Taurus ends at 08:58
                                               Full Moon in Gemini at 22:45

Thursday 28th November: VOC in Gemini from 09:04
                                                 

Friday 29th November: VOC in Gemini ends at 21:54

Saturday 30th November:  ********************

Sunday 1st December: VOC in Cancer from 14:54

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

                                 

Mars in Capricorn; Venus in Scorpio 2012

Mars enters Capricorn on 17th November at 02:36 (GMT).  

Act in an ambitious and disciplined way.  

Be organised and plan ahead.  

Like a mountain goat, have the courage and stamina to climb up the mountain by putting down one step in front of the other, surely and steadily.

During the approximately 5-week period, Mars will tighten its conjunction to Pluto by 26th/27th November, thus energises the existing Uranus-Pluto square.  Governments and organisations (Pluto conjunct Mars) may fight back by presenting concrete evidence (e.g. documents, statistics) to support its previous decisions, and this is likely to be met with more anger by the people (Uranus in Aries conjunct Moon on 23rd/24th November).  

Mars is also in mutual reception with Saturn in Scorpio.  Mars will tighten its sextile to Saturn around 25/26th November. Lessons being presented, however hard, can act like fuel to eliminate crap from the system. This can free up some space on the psychological terrain, allowing something new to take its place.  However, with Mars in Capricorn, there is no need to rush, plan first; even though Mercury is due to go direct around 26/27th November, it is still within the shadow period until 14th December.

Just to add to the astrological cauldron, Venus enters into Scorpio on 22nd November and will tighten its conjunction with Saturn around 26/27th November.  Maybe it's time to let go of some deeply-held values that are not serving you anymore (Saturn conjunct Venus in Scorpio trine Chiron), or to remove yourself from any unhealthy relationships.  

We have quite an intense mix as we approach the end of November...

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VOC diary for the week beginning 19th November 2012

Greenwich Mean Time

Monday 19th November:  ************************
                                  

Tuesday 20th November:  VOC in Aquarius from 14:31 to 16:54

                                         

Wednesday 21st November:  Sun enters Sagittarius at 21:50

Thursday 22nd November: Venus enters Scorpio at 01:19
                                        VOC in Pisces from 06:31
                                                 

Friday 23rd November: VOC in Pisces ends at 01:11

Saturday 24th November:  VOC in Aries at 01:34

Sunday 25th November: VOC in Aries ends at 12:18
                                 

Hong Kong Time

                 

Monday 19th November:  ************************
                                  

Tuesday 20th November:  VOC in Aquarius from 20:31 to 16:54

                                         

Wednesday 21st November:  VOC in Aquarius ends at 00:54

Thursday 22nd November: Sun enters Sagittarius at 05:50
                                            Venus enters Scorpio at 09:19
                                        VOC in Pisces from 14:31
                                                 

Friday 23rd November: VOC in Pisces ends at 09:11

Saturday 24th November:  VOC in Aries at 09:34

Sunday 25th November: VOC in Aries ends at 20:18
                                   

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Solar Eclipse in Scorpio 2012 - Part 2

Solar eclipses are super-powered new moons, with a longer-lasting effect.  With a shadow period of 3 hours and 13 minutes, this solar eclipse in Scorpio at 21 degrees 56 minutes will have an after-effect of up to 3 years.

This eclipse aspects the following Sun signs:

•  conjunct Scorpios born between 10th - 17th November
•  oppose Taureans born between 8th - 15th May
•  square Aquarians and Leos born between 7th - 14th January and 11th - 17th August respectively

The effect of having your sun eclipsed is likely to have an impact on your confidence level.  Depending on the exact aspect involved, it could act as a boost or a kick to your self-image.  Male figures could feature significantly at this time.  It is likely to be a time when you get noticed or recognised (positive aspects).  Celeste Teal's Eclipses goes into greater detail and those of you who are proficient in reading the degrees of your planets will be able to find out more about what it means to have different natal planets eclipsed.

The point of '21 degrees 56 minutes Scorpio' has been sensitised by this solar eclipse, so subsequent planets transiting this point will 'activate' the energy of this eclipse.  In a previous post, I mentioned that this eclipse in Scorpio, in conjunction to the North Node, is a time of rewards and opportunities.  However, in Scorpio (plus Saturn in Scorpio), we are asked to work for the 'gift'.  We are urged to bravely admit and release what's no longer required.  In the next 3 years, the following planets will transit over this point, which act as a 'reminders' for us to cleanse and remove debris from our systems:

Transiting Mercury will conjunct this point on 20/21st November and transiting Venus will follow suit on 9th December.  However, these fast-moving planets only have transient effects.  Watch out for Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in the coming 3 years instead:

Mars - spurs you into actions and brings possible conflicts

22nd Jan 2013   in Aquarius (square)

19th May 2013  in Taurus (opposition)

1st Oct 2013  in Leo (square)

1st Sept 2014 in Scorpio (conjunction)

1st Jan 2015 in Aquarius

11th Sept 2015 in Leo

Jupiter - brings expansion, good or bad

Due to its retrograde motion, Jupiter will square this eclipse point on 17/18th November 2014, 29th December 2014 and 2nd July 2015.

Saturn - brings restructuring and constraints (especially conjunctions and oppositions); development tends to be slow; the final one is said to bring closure to the situation (that is, if the native has been working on the task throughout the period in question, as denial impedes progress.  However, with this number conjunctions, one has to be rather obstinate to ignore the Saturnian lessons).  

Saturn is due to exactly conjunct the eclipse point on the following days:

• 20/21st Jan 2014
• 13th Apr 2014
• 14th October 2014 (this brings closure to the situation)

In Scorpio, the effect is likely to be more psychological in nature, or at least, not visible to the outside world.  For example, you are living in the same house and working in the same company but you are struggling with your co-workers/boss (office politics is under the realm of Scorpio).  Unless you voice your concerns, no-one will be aware of your inner turmoil.  

Ruled by Pluto and Mars, Scorpio is a harsh yet regenerative sign.  It forces you to face your fears.  You lose your job, your spouse, your family but as one chapter closes, another one begins - think of the phoenix rising from the ashes. (I'm just giving examples and not suggesting these things will happen to you under the effect of this eclipse, it could....).  As a mortal, you may see the situation as deadly, but Scorpio has other plans for you.  I once saw a local astrologer wrote:  Scorpio is kind.  It pushes you to the cliff's edge then pulls you back.  Really?  Not the Scorpio I'm familiar with!  Shouldn't it be 'pushes you over the cliff's edge (thinking you'll die from it) and then you land in the expansive ocean below, where you find yourself enjoying the swim?  (i.e. life after 'death', you still live through the crisis and then realise that what you had perceived as 'death'/the end was just a doorway to a new chapter.  A chapter that you did not believe existed.  OK, depending on your chart, you may find yourself swimming for a while before you encounter a shark  (i.e. another challenge), but don't forget that you have signed up for whatever you have in your birth chart so have trust in the Universe that you are equipped to deal with it.  This is what I am saying to myself currently as I meet one baby shark after another.  And yes, I'm fearing the big one but there's nothing I can do about that.  Land is far away.......just deal with it (positive manifestation of Saturn) instead of deferring authority and act out of despair (negative manifestation of Saturn).

NB:  All dates given are approximate.  Check out the actual degree of each planet is the accurate option.  Interested parties can go to astro.com to get a free copy of their birth chart (birth time required).  Dates given for planetary transits are exact conjunction to the eclipse point, +/-a few days to take into account of the 3-degree orb for solar eclipses.

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

VOC diary for the week beginning 12th November 2012

Greenwich Mean Time

Monday 12th November:  VOC in Libra from 05:13 to 11:10
                                  

Tuesday 13th November:  Solar Eclipse in Socrpio at 22:08
                                   VOC in Scorpio from 22:08

                                         

Wednesday 14th November:  VOC in Scorpio ends at 10:51
                                                  Mercury enters Scorpio at 07:42

Thursday 15th November: ************************

Friday 16th November: VOC in Sagittarius from 09:44 to 10:35

Saturday 17th November:  Mars enters Capricorn at 02:36

Sunday 18th November: VOC in Capricorn from 05:54 to 12:10
                                   

Hong Kong Time

                 

Monday 12th November:  VOC in Libra from 13:13 to 19:10
                                  

Tuesday 13th November:  ***************************

                                         

Wednesday 14th November:  Solar Eclipse in Scorpio at 06:08
                                                     VOC in Scorpio from 06:08 to 18:51
                                                  Mercury enters Scorpio at 15:42

Thursday 15th November: ************************

Friday 16th November: VOC in Sagittarius from 17:44 to 18:35

Saturday 17th November:  Mars enters Capricorn at 10:36

Sunday 18th November: VOC in Capricorn from 13:54 to 20:10

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Saturn Stepping into Scorpio - Part 3

Saturn is approaching 4 degrees Scorpio as I write this.  How has it been for you so far?

For me, Saturn is moving away from a conjunction to my IC.  It is now officially transiting my 4th house.

The 4th house is traditionally associated with one of the parents, your home, your roots, your heritage, a sense of belonging to a tribe, endings, the past and your emotional needs.

For the past 2 weeks, a huge amount of fear (of the Scorpionic kind) has been aroused by the health concern of one of my parents.  Thankfully, it is not as sinister as I had first feared.  I thank the Universe for the early warning signals so we have now transformed the way we eat and live (Pluto transiting my 6th).

Ugly emotions - jealousy, suspicion, lust and guilt lurking in the Scorpionic cauldron

I have always been aware of my dark side (with most of my personal planets in the 8th) and with Mars in Pisces, I consider myself to be pretty forgiving.   Lately though, I'm feeling battered by those intense emotions.  

Spending a weekend away at an astrology camp last week has really opened up my emotional channels - not that I wasn't aware of my emotional presence, but rather, it gave me the courage to face them head-on.

Here goes with de-cluttering my emotional junk.

• I've been holding a grudge against someone for almost a decade because of some hurtful words she uttered to me.  In an attempt to console me over a break-up, she said to me, 'He may be the one for you but you may not be the one for him'.  I was speechless.  My heart is breaking here and you give it another stab?!  It may be the truth but it was not what I wanted to hear at that moment.  I've kept my distance from this individual since that episode and have stopped confiding in her.  I'm NOT proud of this at all.  Normally, I can at least forgive but this time, I can neither forgive nor forget.  I don't know if during the 2.5 years of Saturn in Scorpio, or even, in the upcoming Solar Eclipse in Scorpio (as it conjunct my Uranus and oppose my Moon), I will be given the opportunity to sort this out.  If the past wants to catch-up with me, then I'm open to it but don't expect me to go after it voluntarily.

• In recent weeks, I'm particularly feeling pressured to act and behave in ways that are culturally accepted and expected of me.  Conformity is not my strong point, especially with my natal Uranus in my 4th oppose my Moon in the 10th, at least not truly.  I pretend that everything is fine externally when I am fuming inside.  How appropriate that I came across a news article on BBC News today which talks about the exact same topic I'm about to embark on:  Why are people so mean to single people? (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20219349) I was pretty much minding my own business when I first arrived in Hong Kong four years ago, then gradually, thanks to my tendency to be a sponge, I began to absorb all the judgmental criticisms dished out by the people I meet here - just for being single.  Would you go up to someone and ask, 'Why are you fat?'  or 'Why are you short?' or 'Why are you so ugly?'  Of course you wouldn't.  So why challenge someone for not being in a relationship?  Now, I just reply with, 'I don't know where he is,'  because that is the truest answer I can muster.  I see red when people in dysfunctional relationships begin to attack me on this issue.  But what can one do when we live in a world where people would rather stay with an unfaithful partner and pretend nothing is wrong than be single.  I know for a fact that infidelity is an issue among many of the married couples around me, but they merely turn a blind-eye to it - that is absolutely fine with me, but please don't go around giving me an earfull when you are not perfect.            

OK, rant over.  To those people who have verbally abused me:  Sorry; Please forgive me; Thank you and I love you.....this is something I've picked up at the Astro Camp, even though what I really want to say is:  Piss off; Get out of my sight; Go to Hell and Stay there (couldn't resist that!).

A song for any wounded emotions in your system:

Territorial Dispute

The dispute between China and Japan over Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands is triggering a surprisingly immense amount of discomfort within me (probably because it is a 4th house issue!).  As a British Chinese, I've always been oblivious to what goes on in China.  However, since my relocation back to Hong Kong 4 years ago, my feelings have changed.  My knowledge in Chinese History is almost non-existent.  I just know that China somehow lost Diaoyu Islands to the Japanese a long time ago.  I have never questioned about it. My Chinese friends can openly express their disapprovals towards the Japanese but I can't make myself do that.   Twelve years ago, I took up employment in Japan as an English assistant teacher.  For three years, I have met some wonderful individuals whom I am still in contact with.  I simply cannot stereotype the whole nation.

What is the truth behind this controversy?

The only thing I ask for is the truth, nothing but the truth.  This is rather appropriate with Mercury in retrograde, first in truth-seeking Sagittarius, then in secret-exposing Scorpio.  My 8th house Mercury along with my Pluto in 3rd only ask for the truth to be unearthed.  

Last night, I came across the following article, siding with the Japanese on this issue:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/9636139/Senkaku-Islands-setting-the-record-straight.html

Then I encountered the following article with opposing evidence:
http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/the-inconvenient-truth-behind-the-diaoyusenkaku-islands/

I pray for this conflict to be resolved as peacefully as possible.

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Solar Eclipse in Scorpio 2012

The new moon in Scorpio on 13th November at 22:09 (GMT) is the second solar eclipse this year.  This time, it is visible across the South Pacific Ocean. With  a shadow period of  3 hours and 13 minutes, the effect of this solar eclipse is likely to last for approximately 3 years thereafter.  (http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/TSE2012/TSE2012.html,
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot2001/SE2012Nov13T.GIF)

For the technicalities behind eclipses, take a look at my blog entry on the previous solar eclipse: http://cosmicpotential.blogspot.hk/2012/05/solar-eclipse-in-gemini-2012.html

This eclipse sensitises the point at 21 degrees Scorpio 56 minutes, so any subsequent transiting planets passing over this degree will re-activate the message of this eclipse.  (Allow an orb of 3 degrees for eclipses.)

This solar eclipse conjuncts the North Node, which traditionally symbolises a positive new beginning, bringing hope and good fortune.

With a strong Scorpionic background (Sun, Moon, North Node and Saturn in Scorpio), the essence of this eclipse is: To begin a chapter, one needs to close another.

This solar eclipse in deep and profound Scorpio is encouraging us to bring light to the dark, to become aware of the hidden aspects of life and be willing to face and release our demons lurking down in the abyss of our psyche.

If you are willing to release your demons and make room for the new, then this solar eclipse can support your spiritual journey in your mundane existence on this planet.  After all, we have Neptune (becoming direct 3 days before this eclipse) trine Saturn, and Chiron (becoming direct a day after this eclipse), sextile Saturn,  so we are encouraged to make practical use of spiritual teachings to restructure your everyday living. 

Mercury, retrograding in Sagittarius, conjunct the North Node, which further emphasises the need for introspection, but in Sagittarius, be optimistic and adventurous about it.  This jolly Mercury is also sending a trine to the Uranus-Pluto square, injecting a touch of optimism into the ongoing global disturbances, at least we are beginning to see the philosophical side to it all.  

VOC diary for the week beginning 5th November 2012

British Summer Time

Monday 5th November:  VOC in Cancer ends at 19:39
                                  

Tuesday 6th November:  Mercury goes retrograde at 23:03

                                         

Wednesday 7th November:  VOC in Leo from 15:26

Thursday 8th November:  VOC in Leo ends at 04:34

Friday 9th November: ***********************

Saturday 10th November:  VOC in Virgo from 00:27 to 09:35

Sunday 11th November: Neptune goes direct at 07:52
                                     

Hong Kong Time

                 
Monday 5th November:  ***********************

Tuesday 6th November:  VOC in Cancer ends at 02:39
                                             Mercury goes retrograde at 06:03

                                         

Wednesday 7th November:  VOC in Leo from 22:26

Thursday 8th November:  VOC in Leo ends at 11:34

Friday 9th November: ************************

Saturday 10th November:  VOC in Virgo from 07:27 to 16:35

Sunday 11th November: Neptune goes direct at 14:52

                       Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net