Zodiac Compatibility Chart

Admittedly, this is a rather simplistic way of looking at the 12 zodiac signs and how they are compatible with one another.  To get a more accurate picture, the whole birth chart should be taken into consideration when looking at compatibility (synastry).  However, I noticed that too much information can be rather overwhelming, especially for beginners.  Therefore, I put this chart together with the intention of looking at each sign individually.  Start with the personal planets of one chart (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) and match it to the personal planets of another chart.  Then extend to the social planets (Jupiter, Saturn) and outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto).  Finally, angles (ASC/DSC, MC/IC) and nodes can also be included.

Excellent match = conjunction/trine

Both signs are in the same zodiac sign (conjunction) or in the same element (trine), giving them a sense of familiarity (conjunction) or harmony (trine).

Amicable match = sextile

Both signs are in the same polarity: masculine (fire & air) or feminine (earth & water).  There's an understanding between them, despite being slightly different.

Spark - square/opposition

The tension (square) and conflict (opposition) between them can bring a spark to transformation, or the spark up a flame of destruction.

Uphill journey - quincunx/semi-sextile

The inability to see eye-to-eye (quincunx) and to recognise one another's values (semi-sextile) can feel like a pebble in the shoe, bringing irritations with every step.  Transformation can be achieved via joint effort and sheer determination from both parties.

The Mirror of Opposition Part 1

In astrology, when 2 planets are facing one another, i.e. 180 degrees apart, it is called an opposition. 

It has been described as both parties wanting the same goal but approaching it from opposite directions.

The word 'opposition' is understood as something or someone standing against you. The nature of an opposition in astrology is very similar - a part of you is being reflected to you in the external world. Ever had the experience of getting annoyed by someone? Sometimes you know why, but other times, you simply cannot stand that irritating git!  The key is to work out why you have attracted that person into your life and is able to trigger you emotionally.

An opposition is formed when 2 planets are in opposing signs.  With 12 signs altogether, we have 6 pairs of signs in opposition, each have the same goal, but approaching it from a different perspective.  Try to work out the role of the other person you have attracted and identify the part you play in this tug of war:

Aries - Libra

This is the axis of 'me' against 'you'.  Aries is concerned with the self, me me me, whereas Libra is about putting the others first.  However, they are both at the extremes.  

Is the other person being selfish? (Aries) Or are you annoyed by their inability to stand up for themselves and allow others to walk all over them? (Libra)

Common goal:  Relating to others

Incorporate both signs:  Relating to others cooperatively (Libra) but without losing oneself (Aries)

Taurus - Scorpio

Taurus is hoarding material possessions, whereas Scorpio is holding onto emotions.

Is the other person being Taurus (hoarding, being stubborn) or Scorpio (vindictive, jealous)?

Common goal:  Building/creating something that will last

Incorporate both signs:  Building steadily out of love (Taurus) and not go to the extremes (Scorpio) , e.g. being destructive and annihilate when the going gets tough 

If you could bear to take a moment and ask yourself why those people annoy you so much, you will often find that those irritating souls are merely mirroring a part of you that you have disowned.

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Saturn in Capricorn - Timeline

Saturn has ingressed into Capricorn, the sign of its rulership, on 20th December 2017.  The Taskmaster will remain there for 2.5 years.

Saturn is about commitment, consolidation, discipline, stability, maturation, persistence, determination, concentration and endurance.

Where Saturn transits in your chart is the area of your life where you can expect some hard work, challenges, delay, restriction or extra responsibilities.  Check the aspects transiting Saturn will make to your natal planets, especially planets in cardinal signs:  Capricorn (conjunction), Cancer (opposition), Aries and Libra (square).  

Planets in earth signs (Taurus, Virgo) will receive a lovely trine from this transiting Wise Man, who is ready to provide a framework to turn your plans into reality.  

Planets in water signs (Pisces, Scorpio & Cancer) will also be conversing with Saturn amicably via sextiles.   The support is there from the Time Lord for those who would like to manifest their dreams into existence.

Where is transiting Saturn in your chart?  

Timeline

20th Dec 2017 - Saturn enters Capricorn

17th April 2018 - Saturn goes retrograde at 9 degrees

5 September 2018 - Saturn goes direct at 2 degrees

29th April 2019 - Saturn goes retrograde at 20 degrees

17th September 2019 - Saturn goes direct at 13 degrees

22 March 2020 - Saturn enters Aquarius

2nd July 2020 - Saturn re-enters Capricorn

17th December 2020 - Saturn leaves Capricorn

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Oppositions: Reuniting with Oneself Through Others

Oppositions are when two planets are 180 degrees apart.  It is a polarity whereby the native could hop from one side to the other.  The key is to balance between the two forces.  Very often though, one part is owned by the native while the other is projected onto another person.  Through social interactions, we come face-to-face with these disowned parts of ourselves.  

I have a traditional and strict father.  I first noticed 'my father' in my personality when I first became a teacher.

During my Saturn Return, a Saturnian figure stood before me in the role of a colleague - a highly critical and judgmental character.  It wasn't until I had moved on to the next place of work that I discovered 'her' in me.

Natally, I have a Sun-Saturn opposition.  I have always identified with the Saturn side, albeit the negative traits, for example, being fearful, pessimistic and rigid.........

Through interacting with others, I gradually learned to appreciate the positive traits of this supposedly malefic planet.  Besides diligence, maturity and being dutiful, Saturn also wants us to claim our authority - which I've been struggling with for as long as I can remember.

This year, the presence of a Sun-Pluto opposition in my progressed chart filled me with dread.  Natally, Saturn is a familiar figure but Pluto is almost a stranger.  Moreover, my progressed Mars entered Aries last month.  I knew then there would be battles to fight and power to retrieve.  I didn't really want to think too much about that though, no point in scaring yourself, right?

Just when this piece of info floated to the back of my mind, Pluto ambushed me.  That was last week.

It's been a while since I had my ego bruised.  I did not like the feeling at all.  

All of a sudden, a voice sounded within,  'Take charge of the situation!'  it barked.  

I rose up to the challenge.  I found my inner power.  Just as well as I need an outlet for my progressed Mars in Aries.....

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Make the most of your chart

Many astrologers have discussed the concept of freewill in astrology.

In a natal chart, we are given many different routes of expression.  

We tend to side with one end of an opposition while disowning the other, or we could hop from one side to the other.  

Internal struggle can find its way to our system with a square, while the intensity in a conjunction can act like blindspots to aspects of our personality.

We can't rid ourselves of the oppositions and squares in our chart, but we do have freewill in how we can deal with them.  'Consciousness' is the key.  I can't even remember where I had read this but if you have a square or opposition, e.g. Venus square Saturn, frustrations may arise in love relationships where the native ultimately needs to learn to love him/herself.  The blockage can be ameliorated by becoming conscious of this psychological tendency.  With this awareness, the individual can learn from the expression of a trine and/or sextile between Saturn-Venus, e.g. to develop a realistic view of what to expect from others and to be cautious without being suspicious.

Currently, I'm grappling with my Moon-Uranus opposition.  I'm forever hopping from one end to the other:  craving intimacy one moment (Moon) and yearning for freedom the next (Uranus).  It's driving me nutty at the moment, though I know this is merely a learning opportunity - for me to learn to express it as if it is a Moon-Uranus sextile or trine.

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Living Astrologically: Balancing the Virgo-Pisces polarity

Think positive!

Stay calm!

Everything is OK!

Now apply them in the REAL world.

How can you stay positive when you have people in your life shedding tears before your very eyes because members of their family is dying?  How do you stay calm when you are struggling to make ends meet?  How can you bring yourself to say 'Everything is OK' when clearly it isn't?  

As a Pisces Sun, Mars and South Node oppose Saturn and North Node in Virgo native, I have taken on the lesson of balancing the Virgo-Pisces polarity: to make spirituality practical and relevant in our daily lives.

It is so easy to remain positive and calm when you are in the comfort of your own home, with your nose behind a new age book, teaching you mantras to chant to keep your mind focused on 'what you want'.  Don't get me wrong, I truly believe in the power of positive thinking but the real test comes when we integrate ourselves back into the real world.  How do we convince people of the value of positive thinking when disasters befall them?  This reminds me of James Redfield's second novel in the Celestine Prophecy series, The Tenth Insight:  Holding the Vision.  How do we hold the spiritual vision (Pisces) in reality (Virgo)?

This is how I attempt to utilise my Virgo-Pisces polarity:

• Step behind the Virgo mask and stabilise your emotions
• Listen with the Pisces heart
• Access the spiritual teachings (Pisces) embedded in your brain (Virgo)
• Articulate (Virgo) the spiritual wisdom (Pisces) as appropriate

Yes, easier said than done, but I believe wholeheartedly that everything happens for a reason.  

No matter how tough the lesson, there is a gem buried in there somewhere.  

Your heart might be breaking but the cruel reality is - the world keeps on moving whether you like it or not.  

Have a good cry, extract the lesson within and move on.  

We are all here for a reason.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Mars in Libra 2012

Mars entered diplomatic Libra on 3rd July and is due to leave on 23rd August.
During this 7-week sojourn, Mars, representing our driving force, is acting through the Libran goddess energy.  While this is traditionally known to be in detriment, it merely means that the natural Arien energy of Mars is 'me-oriented', driving us to assert our personal will, to urge the ego to become an individual and to stand out from the crowd boldly.  In Libra, however, we put the focus on other people instead.  In modern astrology, Mars in Libra is about being fair and diplomatic; it is about asserting yourself without upsetting others (i.e. keeping the harmony), you are urged to fight for justice, especially on behalf of other people, so instead of 'me, me, me', it is about 'you & them'.

Mars is Mars, even if it is in peace-loving Libra.  Mars asserts, aggresses and acts.  With Mars in Libra, it focuses the energy on relating to others.  We are given 'opportunities' to get irritated and annoyed by others so that we can experiment with a different way of dealing with our anger.  There is no need to be violent about it.  You can still get your point across without getting red in the face and slamming on tables.  In Libra, upsetting the balance is not encouraged.  So what do we do with the pent-up anger?  Whatever you do, package it in a socially presentable way.  If you really can't or don't want to suppress it, then at least be kind, express your frustration in a way that reduces damage to the minimum.

Mars in Libra gives us a touch of beauty to our actions, even if we do get angry, the foremost thought is to think about the other person.  Why are they being provocative? And why do I feel aggravated?  Is it because I/they do not feel appreciated?  Or that I am/they are not being treated fairly?  It is about expressing our anger in a harmonious way, so that we can get the message across in an agreeable way that is more socially acceptable, though some of us may get overwhelmed and end up being indecisive on what to do.

Wherever Mars is traversing in your chart indicates the area where we are asked to exert our energy fairly,  beautifully and collaboratively.  During this period, Mars will conjunct Libra, oppose Aries and square Cancer and Capricorn so look out for these signs in your natal chart.  Also check out your natal Mars and the house with Aries on its cusp.


In mid July, transiting Mars in Libra will tighten its opposition to Uranus and square to Pluto, i.e. the Pluto-Uranus square. Will this allow the Goddess energy to enter some global conflicts and resolve issues by identifying a common goal and aim for a win-win outcome?


Although transient, Mars will aspect the following outer planets in the natal chart during this period, triggering tension which is also felt by those in your generation.


By conjunction:  Uranus in Libra (1968 - 1975); Neptune in Libra (1943 -1956); Pluto in Libra (1972 - 1983)


By opposition:  Uranus in Aries (1927 - 1935); (2010 - 2018)


By square:  Uranus in Cancer (1948 - 1956); Uranus in Capricorn (1988 - 1996); Neptune in Capricorn (1984 - 1998); Pluto in Cancer (1914 - 1939); Pluto in Capricorn (2011 - 2022)


N.B. Due to retrograde motions, please check individual charts to determine the exact sign in these outer planets.

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Full Moon in Virgo 2012

The moon is under full illumination on 8th March at 9.41am (GMT).  Full Moons are culmination points and great times to adjust your plans and review your New Moon wishes.  

With the Sun in Pisces and the Moon in Virgo (at 18 degrees 13 minutes), we face the need to balance the polarity between these two mutable signs.  How can we make practical use of our spiritual pursuits?  What spiritual teachings can be readily immersed into our everyday living?  James Redfield's 'Celestine Prophecy' comes to mind.  In particular, in his sequel, 'The Tenth Insight', he mentions the need to 'hold the vision' of our spiritual thoughts/teachings and apply them into our mundane lives.  

Easier said than done.  

Initially, I found it next to impossible to have compassion and be non-judgmental when come face-to-face with unsavory souls.  I personally have quite a number of natal oppositions between Pisces-Virgo so I know one of the my life missions is to balance out being spiritual without losing my groundedness.  As Teihard de Chardin said, 'We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.  We are spiritual beings having a human experience.'  The way I see it, we have incarnated onto the physical plane so we are required to satisfy our practical means first, e.g. food to eat, place of shelter.  However, spiritual teachings can support us mortals, making our 'human' journey easier to understand and tolerate.

Being practical and spiritual are just as important as one another.  This theme is further reinforced by Neptune (modern ruler of Pisces) in Pisces trine Saturn in Libra (out-of sign).  Injecting compassion into our social interactions may require some extra effort but it's worth taking that extra step to iron-out individual differences and to understand where the other person is coming from.

In addition, we have Pisces' traditional ruler, Jupiter, in Taurus trine Pluto in Capricorn.  We are urge to be realistic with releasing past hurts and burdens.  Do what you can manage at this point in time.  With Mercury in Aries, we may get impatient and push ourselves too far, but Mercury is gradually slowing down its pace as it approaches its retrograde motion on 12th March.  Keep the motivational energy within you but consider tapping into the grand earth trine among Jupiter, Pluto and Mars (which is in retrograde and in mutual reception with Mercury).  Try your best but be realistic with your goals. 

This full moon conjunct my North Node and makes various aspects to my outer planets so this is likely to be a time to get pushed outside my comfort zone.  I can already feel it!

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Mercury in Aries 2012

Maybe I'm biased, but I'm looking forward to having Mercury transiting in Aries from Friday 2nd March (11.40 GMT).  Natally, I have Mercury in Aries, but in the 8th, so the Arian energy rarely gets unleashed without having lots of strings attached.  Luckily, with transiting Uranus in Aries, which conjunct my Mercury, I'm beginning to feel those 'strings' loosening under the pressure of that Arian energy.

In Aries, Mercury is ruled by Mars, which is currently retrograding in Virgo, so the two planets are in mutual reception.  We have a theme of communicating fearlessly - but not bluntly, because let's not forget we have Saturn and Mars in retrograde (Mercury will join the 'Retrograde Party' on 12th March).  Uranus in Aries, though, is likely to inject unconventionality wherever possible, balancing out the 'retrograde quality'.  It is interesting to note that during this period, retrograding Mars will physically be the closest to Earth on 3rd March, as if to say, 'Look at me!  Look at me!  Be assertive, not aggressive!'

Astrologically, there are 2 grand trines on the day when Mercury enters bold Aries.  Both of which contain a retrograde planet: an air/water grand trine with Saturn in Libra, Moon in Gemini, and Neptune-Chiron in Pisces (out-of-sign aspect) and an earth grand trine with Mars in Virgo, Pluto in Capricorn and Jupiter in Taurus.  Each grand trine is like a circuit of positive, enclosed energy.  In the air/water 'circuit', we have Saturn retrograding in Libra linking up to the Moon (the past) and Neptune-Chiron (healing) so the past may be catching-up with us,  either as a fleeting thought or an physical re-encounter, urging us to let something go. In the other earth closed circuit, we have Mars retrograding in Virgo (repeating the 'thoughts and ideas' theme from the other grand trine with the Mercury-ruled Moon).  With Pluto and Jupiter,  again, we have the theme of bringing up something from the past, this time, from the depths of our psyche (Pluto, ruled by Saturn - the other retrograding planet from the air/water grand trine), but instead of being forced to come out into the light, we have Jupiter, gently coaxing the junk out.

Then, moving away from the grand trines, we have Mars (in retrograde) oppose the Sun and Saturn (in retrograde) oppose Venus.  Are you ready to face up to your life mission and re-set your belief system?  External stimuli, in the forms of male authority figures, may challenge your present beliefs and if you have been sitting around, feeling confused, it's time to get up and get moving - even if only mentally, don't let procrastination get the better of you.

Mercury begins its retrograde motion from 12th March.  Mercury retrograde is not just about miscommunications and computers going haywire.  It's a time for us to wake-up from our groggy states and introspect the goings-on in our lives - slow down and look carefully at where you are going.  What needs to stay, what needs to go?  In Aries, the focus is on ourselves.  It is not about being selfish, but about being proud of who we are, being honest with who we are and what we want to achieve in life.  It is about getting in touch with the warrior inside of us.  Be bold.  Be brave.  A turning point will be reached on 21st March, when we have a tight Sun-Mercury conjunction in Aries.  Look out for any messages/insights we may receive around this date.  I'm particularly fond of the work of an intuitive archetypal astrologer, Robert Ohotto, whose interpretation on retrograde cycles are rather insightful and pioneering.  You can find out more about his work and listen to his radio shows on www.ohotto.com.

Timeline of transiting Mercury in Aries:

2nd March - Mercury enters Aries

12th March - Mercury retrograde begins

23rd-24th March - Mercury re-enters Pisces

4th April - Mercury goes direct

17th April - Mercury re-enters Aries

8th May - Mercury leaves Aries

Transiting Mercury in Aries will traverse my 8th and 9th houses, conjunct my Mercury for most of March due to its retrograde motion and will conjunct my Mercury for a second time in the latter half of April, so I will get plenty of opportunities to unleash my thoughts and ideas and not be afraid to speak my mind,  but without being impulsive and hurting others with my words.

Happy Mercury tracking!

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Full Moon in Leo 2012

What did you wish for back on 23rd January under the Aquarius New Moon, favouring long-term goals, benefiting the masses?  On 7th February (9.54pm GMT), under the Leo Full Moon (18 degrees 31 mins), we get a glimpse of our progress so far.  Besides bringing a resolution or reaching a culmination point, full moons can also bring light to a situation, showing you what you may have missed before.  The two-week period between the full moon and the next new moon is an optimal time to release things which no longer work.

With this Full Moon (Sun in Aquarius and Moon in Leo), we are reminded that even though we are part of a whole (reinforced by Neptune entering Pisces on 3rd February), we must also leave our own mark and incorporate our passion in what we do (Leo).  It is about gaining a balance between selfishness & selflessness.  We don't want too much of either one.  With a tight conjunction between the Sun and Mercury in Aquarius, there is a strong tendency to focus on the group mind.  Believe it or not, we are all going after similar goals - peace and happiness.  Identify what makes your heart sing and focus on that.  God has created someone else to help those you cannot reach - it merely is a division of labour; embrace your uniqueness (Sun semi-square Uranus) and overcome obstacles (Sun quincunx Mars in retrograde).  

The Aquarius New Moon was immediately followed by a Mars retrograde.  This Leo Full Moon is preceded by a Saturn retrograde.  There is a collective need to introspect - to go within and work out what our life lessons are, to understand the need to relate/interact with one another and to be amicable without being a doormat (Saturn in Libra quincunx Venus in Pisces).

Where is this Leo Full Moon illuminating in your chart?

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Welcoming the Aquarius New Moon, T-Square and all, with open arms

This afternoon, I received the shocking news of the demise of a relative.  My heart goes out to her family at this time.  May you rest in peace.

Every time when I hear of such losses, particularly of people I had personally interacted with, however transient, it feels as if the Universe is giving me a hard slap on the face, saying 'Life is too short, ANYTHING can happen.  Do what you need to do before it's too late.'

Today, even before hearing this piece of sad news, I felt like I was being trapped in a pressure cooker.  Well, transiting Mercury is exactly square my Pluto and transiting Sun is now exactly oppose my Jupiter.  

My poor Jupiter in Cancer, hiding away in the 12th house.  It wants to stay there, but it's being pushed and shoved about by the current Jupiter-Saturn opposition and soon the Aquarius New Moon will march right across it, hands on hips.  This afternoon, I suddenly realised that one of the personal influences this opposition has on me is to balance the need to distribute my time.  With the Jupiter-Saturn opposition falling in my 3rd/4th house cusp and 9th/10th cusp, I want to retreat into the safety of my home but I need to be 'out there' as culturally expected of me during this festive season (imagine feeling the need to isolate oneself during Christmas!).  But to be fair, I do want to be out there too (it is an opposition after all, so one does tend to flit from one side to the other).   As they're both ruled by Venus, I should balance both sides as amicably as possible and not allow my fiery Mercury in Aries to run amok - it won't because it's trapped deep down in my 8th house, it'll just seethe with anger, keeping the irritation boiling at the bottom of my psyche.  Luckily, transiting Mars is slowing down, getting ready for its retrograde on Tuesday 24th.  That sounds great to me.  Switch down a gear, slowly does it...

How are you feeling as we approach the Aquarius New Moon?

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Living Astrologically - Jupiter-Saturn Opposition

Jupiter expands, Saturn restricts.  They have been playing tug of war with one another, on and off, since 2010.

Superimpose that onto my chart, and you'll find my natal Jupiter fitting in nicely in-between them as the focal planet, forming a T-Square with this Jupiter-Saturn opposition.

Since December 2011, when these two giant planets fighting out there began to tighten the orb in relation to my natal Jupiter in 12th house, I have been feeling the urge to come out of hiding, to be true to myself and not be afraid to tell the world what I truly believe in.  I'm still not quite there yet.  There are still people around me whom I don't feel comfortable with being honest to.  I'm getting there......but the Universe is sick and tired with being kind to me.  Next Monday, the Aquarius New Moon will form a T-Square with the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction - superimpose all of that onto my chart and now we have a grand cross!  I don't know exactly how it's all going to work out, I'll give you the lowdown after next Monday.  However, I'm certainly feeling the holiday stress leading up to Chinese New Year, which I have never experienced before.  I blame it on the current T-square and the approaching Grand Cross.....

Where does the Jupiter-Saturn opposition fall in your chart?  

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Nodal Problem

The North Node (aka Dragon's Head) symbolises the life experiences which can help us grow spiritually, i.e. what we need to develop in this lifetime.  The South Node (aka Dragon's Tail) symbolises the path of least resistance, i.e.the traits we have over-developed and tend to fall back on during challenging times, which can prevent us from reaching our full potential.

FAS Summer School 2008

To illustrate, I have my North Node in Virgo and South Node in Pisces.  Therefore, I need to develop Virgo qualities and avoid falling back on my Pisces tendencies.  In reality, procrastination affects me greatly so I need to have more self-discipline and focus more on my goals.  This laziness can, at times, encourage me to adopt a 'I can't be bothered' attitude, allowing me to excuse myself from participating in social events, so I need to put myself out there more as 'participation' is part of the Virgo North Node lesson.  

The houses your nodal axis straddles across will add another layer to your interpretation.  For example, my North Node is in the 2nd house and South Node in the 8th house so I need to develop my own self-worth and not put others' needs before mine at the expense of my own self-development.

I found other FAS students near me

The ruling planets of your nodal axis should also be considered.  For example, my Virgo North Node is ruled by Mercury, where my natal Mercury is in Aries in 8th.  Virgo North Node tells me that I need to have clear goals in my life and that I need to put myself out there more.  Its ruling planet, Mercury, can tell me how I can go about achieving that.  In this case, by communicating boldly and not being afraid to speak my mind on topics which may be considered taboo, I can reach my potential denoted in my Virgo North Node.  In reality, I'm attempting to achieve this  through astrology (and other forms of New Age healing methods). I have attended astrology classes, joined an astrology club and through this blog, I'm in connection with fantastic astrologers from all over the world.  I'm motivated to reach out and share my passion with other like-minded people.  However, I need to watch out for the ruling planets of my Pisces South Node - Neptune and Jupiter.  With my Neptune in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Cancer, I tend to avoid participation by hiding away into the safety of my shell and become unfocused on my future plans, especially the finer details.  I tend to get blindly optimistic and assume that everything will just work out in the end, but not doing anything in a concrete way to bring about the change.

I have one problem with my nodal axis - if the South Node denotes what I need to move away from, then what should I do, with a Pisces Sun, when your Sun sign is what you need to work towards in your lifetime?  I guess my Pisces South Node is related to the negative Piscean traits (e.g. escapism, procrastination) and I need to develop the more positive Piscean qualities (e.g. compassion, creativity) as part of my Sun's lesson.

What are your life missions?  What's preventing/hindering you from reaching them?

I strongly recommend Jan Spiller's Astrology for the Soul for those who want to gain further insights on this topic.

Oppositions - reflections of your inner soul

I have quite a number of oppositions in my chart:

- Sun oppose Saturn
- Sun oppose North Node
- Mars oppose Saturn
- Moon oppose Uranus
- Jupiter oppose Venus
- Venus oppose Ascendant

With oppositions, we tend to identify with one side and disown the other.  The Universe then brings people with those hidden/disowned traits to annoy the hell out of us.  We then get extremely pissed off and moan to our friends about those irritating sods.  However, if you calm your mind and take an objective stance, you're likely to find that those jerks are merely mirroring a part of you that you have disowned.  For example, during my first Saturn return, I met some unsavory souls who challenged my self-esteem to the core.  I found them highly judgmental and critical.  I then discovered (through a mutual associate) that they are jealous and insecure on the inside hence they put on the mask of a bully to hide their own insecurities.  After some self-reflections, I honestly can admit that I too possess those negative qualities, just that I've buried them deep within me.  After that, I went through a phase of catching myself displaying those qualities on other people (i.e. judging and being critical of other people).  I'm still finding it an art to balance between being nice (Pisces) versus being stern (Virgo), but hey, that's what life is all about.  It certainly keeps me on my toes!

Oppositions are like see-saws, besides owning one side and projecting the other, we might jump from one side to the other.  This is how my Moon-Uranus opposition, straddling across the 4th-10th axis, is turning out in reality.  One minute I just want freedom and focus entirely on my career, and the next, I see all my married friends, some are even mothers, around me and I crave to have my own family too.  Recently though, I've been in close contact with a number of working mums - ones with high powered jobs or their own businesses to attend to.  It's amazing to see how they balance both sides with ease (on the surface of course) but it's rather inspirational to see them having the best of both worlds.  However, they do tend to lean towards the family side more as they are willing to stunt their career growth in order to allow more time for their children.  I see people like them and think - how can I effectively use my Moon-Uranus opposition?  Can I achieve that too?

The Jupiter-Venus opposition is an aspect which took me the longest time to understand.  I once consulted a professional astrologer and I specifically asked her about that aspect.  Her reply was 'Jupiter is a beneficial planet, Venus is too.  So you have lots of good things opposite each other - too much of a good thing is not so great.'  End of explanation.  Oh, thanks for that analysis, it's as clear as mud!..........Last year, I met a fantastic astrologer - Lilian, who is one of the founders and the current president of Hong Kong Astrology Club.  I discussed my Jupiter-Venus opposition with her, which to be fair, is really a quincunx (out-of-sign aspect).  Her answer was surprisingly insightful.  She said just by looking at the planets, I should have lots of love opportunities but I just don't see them that way (very true!).  Then she said I should focus on the signs too - Cancer versus Aquarius, flipping between wanting freedom and independence on the one hand but craving emotional support on the other.  I've always given that interpretation to my Moon-Uranus, but my Jupiter-Venus actually reinforces that delineation too.  What she said was pretty basic but it's like asking a hair stylist to cut his own hair, you can only do so much before you come to unreachable places/blindspots and are unable to continue.  I like sharing my chart with other astrologers, I always hear something new every time.

What have you disowned/projected?

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Out-of-sign aspects - don't judge a book by its cover

As if astrology is not complex enough, we have the added complication of out-of-sign aspects to deal with.  This is when 2 planets are in aspect with one another but the signs involved do not match that aspect.

When I first began studying astrology, I read that these out-of-sign aspects function by switching between the two aspects involved.  For example, I have a Mercury-Jupiter trine but between Aries and Cancer, therefore, sign-wise, it's a square.  The planets relate to one another in a trine but the signs are in a square.  According to those sources, this aspect flips between functioning like a trine and a square, so sometimes it's great, sometimes it's not. 

Besides this out-of sign aspect, I also have 4 more:

- Ascendant in Leo conjunct Jupiter in Cancer in 12th (semi-square sign-wise)

- Venus in Aquarius in 6th oppose Jupiter in Cancer in 12th (quincunx sign-wise)

- Moon in Taurus 10th sextile Mercury in Aries in 8th (semi-square sign wise)

- Moon in Taurus in 10th square Mars in Pisces in 8th (sextile sign-wise)

The way I see it, these out-of-sign aspects are like being teased by the Universe.  On the surface, it might be a trine or sextile, but deep down, it's actually a square or semi-square.  Trines are natural talents, often go undetected by the native.  In the case of my Jupiter-Mercury trine, I spent the first 2 decades living it as a square.  I felt highly uncomfortable with sharing my thoughts and ideas and talking in general.  I knew this had to be overcome, so bit by bit, I took the necessary steps to push myself to develop more confidence.  Luckily, I was blessed with beneficial transits which gave me massive support (in the name of Jupiter!).  Then, in my 20s, I began to receive positive feedback on my Mercury (e.g. presentation skills, public speaking), which I found difficult to accept at first.  But having put in a lot of effort to release that trine, I can honestly say that I can finally 'feel' it and beginning to own it.  Same for the Moon-Mercury sextile and Ascendant-Jupiter conjunction.  

On the other hand, for the Jupiter-Venus opposition and Moon-Mars square, I don't feel the harshness as much.  It's the opposite - they are not as bad as they look.

Overall, I would say that from my personal experience, these out-of-sign aspects are like cross-stitch kits or DIY kits, i.e. a 'trine kit' or a 'sextile kit'.  You need to 'make' the aspect yourself.  All the necessary components are provided for.  All you need to do is have the motivation to transform them into the final product, which matches the picture on the original package (i.e. work through the differences between the signs involved to claim or own that aspect).  

Do you have any out-of-sign aspects?  How are they turning out in your life?

Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net