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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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.

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Saturn Stepping into Scorpio - Part 2

Scorpio is about anything hidden, anything tucked away somewhere....  

For the next 2.5 years, it is a time for us to:

•  stand face-to-face with these raw emotions and other 'aches and pains' in the realm of feelings 

•  master the lesson of managing our unconscious motives and emotions

Seeking the truth

What have been hidden is likely to surface to the light.

Globally, we are likely to see more secrets being exposed and infrastructures being remodelled. What's been questionable in the past is now demanding attention, e.g. the dispute between China and Japan over Diaoyu Islands.  

We're no longer in the territory of diplomatic and elegant Libra, where we put on a nice facade to interact with others.  Now it's the time to demand the truth - even if it's dark and ugly.  The truth is dying to come out and there is no stopping it.

Natally, where transiting Saturn is in your chart is the area of your life that requires anything from de-cluttering and restructuring (see Saturn Stepping into Scorpio - Part 1) to facing the truth on matters related to the house in question.  Also look at your natal Saturn and the houses with Capricorn and Scorpio on its cusps (signs ruled by Saturn) for a fuller interpretation.

The Scorpionic energy can be transformative or destructive.  We have the power to use it or abuse it.  The regenerative power of Scorpio cannot be underestimated.  The task master, Saturn, may force us to face up to some ugly truths about ourselves and/or the world, but the elimination of unwanted materials can be surprisingly therapeutic.  Healing cannot take place until we are willing to acknowledge the problem and then release the associated pain.

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Saturn stepping into Scorpio - Part 1

Saturn entered into the secret realm of Scorpio on 6th October.  

The stern reputation of Saturn stepping into the mysterious territory of intense Scorpio has aroused some fear, particularly among those with an abundant amount of planets in fixed signs (Scorpio, Taurus, Leo, Aquarius).  It's not all doom and gloom though.   There are plenty of ways to utilise this energy positively.

De-clutter 

Saturn is about structure. Scorpio goes deep, so deep that you probably have forgotten about half of its contents.  This is a great time to de-clutter your physical living space and your emotional depth.  Anything that you have been holding onto for too long, and is hindering you from moving forward, needs to be cleared from your system.

Transformation

If you don't want to part with your junk,  then the next best thing to do is transmute them.  Physically, anything you don't want to throw away can be made into something else, e.g. from old clothes to a patchwork quilt.  That way, you still get to keep the original product but instead of it taking up wardrobe space, you can derive some practical use from it.  Donation is another fantastic way to get rid of your junk - you transfer your items onto someone else who can make more use out of them than you.

Emotionally, anything hurtful that is floating in your psyche is likely to re-surface or be triggered by an external event.  Transform it into something useful by being willing to view it from a different perspective.  Instead of feeling victimised from a past trauma, thank the person for giving you the opportunity to become a stronger, a more forgiving person - remember, as cliche as it may sound, the Universe only gives you what you can handle.  

Emotional Landscape

Use this time to restructure your emotional landscape. Confront your past emotional trauma in an authoritative and structured way, possibly with the help of a professional therapist if required.  You're the boss of your emotions, you own them, not the other way round.

This is also a time when you are more aware of the hidden motives of others and become more sensitised to non-verbal ways of interacting with them.

I quite like Elsa P's interpretation of this transit:  http://www.elsaelsa.com/astrology/2012/10/21/saturn-in-scorpio-spider-senses/#more-33617

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VOC diary for the week beginning 1st October 2012

British Summer Time

Monday 1st October:  VOC in Aries from 23:31

Tuesday 2nd October:  VOC in Aries ends at 00:26

                                         

Wednesday 3rd October:  Venus enters Virgo at 07:58

Thursday 4th October:  VOC in Taurus from 08:44 to 12:46
                                 Jupiter goes retrograde at 14:18

Friday 5th October: Mercury enters Scorpio at 11:35
                              Saturn enters Scorpio at 21:34
                         VOC in Gemini from 22:08

Saturday 6th October:  *********************

Sunday 7th October: VOC in Gemini ends at 01:45
                                  Mars enters Sagittarius at 04:20

Hong Kong Time

Monday 1st October:  **********************

Tuesday 2nd October:  VOC in Aries from 06:31 to 07:26

                                         

Wednesday 3rd October:  Venus enters Virgo 14:58

Thursday 4th October:  VOC in Taurus from 15:44 to 19:46
                                Jupiter goes retrograde at 21:18

Friday 5th October: Mercury enters Scorpio at 18:35

Saturday 6th October:  Saturn enters Scorpio at 04:34
                                 VOC in Gemini from 05:08

Sunday 7th October: VOC in Gemini ends at 08:45
                                      Mars enters Sagittarius at 11:20

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