'Tis the season to be jolly

Venus enters the unconventional Aquarius, squaring Jupiter in greedy Taurus.  There is a tendency to overindulge ourselves leading up to the festive season, whether it be Christmas shopping, dining-out or partying with friends.  

Excessive spending, eating, drinking.............................

Merry Christmas everyone:-)

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Jupiter in Taurus going direct

Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion, first entered the sign of reliable and patient Taurus on 5th June 2011.  Jupiter brings us a feeling of joy, confidence and faith in what we do, but we can equally be overwhelmed by this expansive energy.  By 30th August though, it began its backward motion, giving us almost 4 months worth of introspective time to dialogue with our inner voice, and to work out how to utilise this wave of abundance in practical and sensible ways.  On Christmas Day this year, Jupiter will go direct again and will stay in Taurus until 11th June 2012.

Personally, I have my transiting Jupiter in my 10th house of professional life and public status.  Every time when Jupiter enters Taurus, I'm endowed with a feeling of hope and that whatever happens, it will all turn out to be fine in the end.  You can interpret this as blind faith, I guess!

Where's Jupiter in your chart at the moment?  What is it bringing you?

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New Moon in Capricorn

This year's Christmas Eve marks another potent time to make your wishes and to sow seeds in your garden of desire.  The New Moon in Capricorn at 2 degrees 34 minutes asks us to be our own authority and choose the path that YOU want to be on.  With Uranus in Aries in a tight aspect (square) to this New Moon, it is easy to give in to external pressure and to blindly follow the advice from those around you, whom may think they have your best interest at heart, but at the end of the day, you are your own boss.  By all means, listen to their words of wisdom, but whether you execute them is at your discretion.  Luckily, this New Moon is also in a relatively close aspect to Jupiter (trine), bringing opportunities and an atmosphere of harmony and good will to the area of life that Jupiter falls in your own chart.

Aries
Feeling confident with what you have to offer in your career, you are toying with the idea of adding another dimension to your professional life.  As much as you want to leave a blazing trail and be the envy of your colleagues, the extra workload and responsibilities would mean less time to enjoy life.

Taurus
This New Moon ushers in a wave of philosophical energy, encouraging you to explore the big wide world through travelling or expanding your mind in a higher education setting.  Regardless of the step you take to review what life means to you, you are imbued with a positive outlook on life.

Gemini
The energy of this New Moon is highlighting issues surrounding your relationship with your intimate partner, whether it be the assets you share together or taking the relationship onto a higher level.  This may elicit the fear of losing your freedom and individuality.  However, consider taking the time-out to listen to that inner voice of yours in order to reach a decision.

Cancer
Relationships, both romantic and business, are under the spotlight during this New Moon, whether it be the progression onto the next level or a total elimination.  You are likely to have reached a point where tolerance is not an option.  Like-minded friends could provide you with tactful and sensitive ways to handle the situation and deal with the people involved.

Leo
This is a time to review your current state of employment and how you are serving in this world.  Opportunities present themselves in your career, from extending your professional network to captivating a larger clientele.  Spiritual teachers or gurus could offer you words of advice, but you are the director of your life in the end.

Virgo
Some of your deep-seated fears may surface from the depths of your psyche, hindering the true expression of yourself.  However, if you take a step back and see the bigger picture of life, you may find these 'scary monsters under the bed' are not so terrifying at all.


Libra

Home life is under scrutiny during this New Moon.  Although family members may be testing your patience, you are feeling rather forgiving and can tap into your creative pool to find excuses for their negative behaviours.

Scorpio
This New Moon reminds you that it's time to update your knowledge bank and acquire new skills to remain competitive in the job market.  You may also like to consider communicating your needs openly at work, as your boss and colleagues are not mind-readers.  Offload your worries to a significant other, after all, a problem shared is a problem halved.

Sagittarius
As much as you crave freedom and spontaneity, there comes a time when life's practicalities have to be taken care of.  This New Moon highlights the need for financial stability, even at the expense of curbing your creative nature.  A feeling of contentment surrounds the possibility of expansions at work, whether it be the physical location or your workload; it's all taken in good spirits.

Capricorn
'Working hard' is your life mantra but the New Moon is opening your eyes to explore the possibility of 'playing hard'.  This is also the perfect time to redress your work-life balance - Have you been neglecting your family because of your workaholic tendencies?

Aquarius
Always thinking about other people, Aquarians are asked by the New Moon to take a break and have some 'me' time.  Ask your mind to shut up for a moment.  Go deep within and get in touch with your inner self.  A renewed sense of self-understanding can bring clarity to your next step in life.

Pisces
Friendships are under the spotlight during this New Moon.  Perhaps you feel the need to widen your circle of friends or to detach from friends who are stifling your creative soul.  This could also be a time to acquire new skills and be receptive to new ideas.

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The Energy of 2012 - Pluto

After 76 years of being a planet, Pluto was redefined as a minor planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006. Despite this relegation, Pluto still holds significance in the astrological world since astrologers analyse minor planets such as Chiron, Ceres and Lilith anyway.

In astrology, Pluto symbolises transformation, elimination, endings, new beginnings and rebirths. This minor planet first entered the sign of Capricorn in late January 2008 and then re-entered it in late November of the same year. It will leave Capricorn for good in November 2024. The energy of Capricorn is practical, reserved, ambitious and disciplined, but it can be negatively expressed as rigid, pessimistic and calculative. Pluto is considered to be a transcendental planet; therefore, its influence is exerted over a generation of people rather than selective individuals. Since its entry in Capricorn, we have observed huge upheavals in the financial world, beginning with the credit crunch, bringing a knock-on effect on the rest of the globe. Fear ripples into every aspect of our lives. All of a sudden, we are faced with the prospect of elimination (job losses, bankruptcies). Those who prove to be indispensable can remain in the game. Otherwise, out you go. These are some of the manifestations of Pluto in Capricorn in the collective world.

In 2012, Pluto will traverse between 7 to 9.5 degrees in Capricorn. Individuals born under the Sun sign of Capricorn will continue to feel the pressure to express themselves, to get in touch with their inner will and authority, and to face challenges head-on. In particular, those born between 28th December to 2nd January will feel this stress the most as Pluto will conjunct their Sun during 2012. It is a time to go deep within and to release those parts of you which are preventing you from moving forward. You are likely to feel a need to spring-clean an aspect of your life depending on the position of the Sun in your chart.

Aries and Libra, especially those born between 27th March - 1st April and 29th September - 4th October respectively, will feel the resistance to any possible changes around them. 2012 is a significant year for growth for these people, but only if they are willing to let go and have trust in the Universe. What appears to be 'losses' on the surface may well be blessings in disguise. The deeper the fear, the harder it is to release these outdated beliefs and habits. Detach, accept and embrace the transformation.

Those born under the sign of Cancer, particularly between 27th June - 3rd July, will also feel the stresses like Aries and Libra. Other people may appear to be controlling or undermining you, or you may be doing that to others as a way of holding onto the status quo. Again, it is a time to allow the hidden parts of yourself to surface to the light and to redefine your life values and goals.

Gemini, Leo, Aquarius and Sagittarius may also feel the resistance to the power of Pluto, though the intensity is likely to be less than that of the cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn). The key is to resist the temptation of remaining stagnant. What happens when you don’t take your rubbish out? Your house will stink!

On a more positive note, Pluto is in a more favourable aspect to Pisces and Scorpio, especially those born between 25th February – 2nd March and 29th October – 4th November respectively. Changes are more internal and are more readily accepted. Old beliefs and habits are released with ease, leaving behind a sense of empowerment.

Taurus and Virgo, especially those born between 26th April – 1st May and 29th August – 3rd September respectively, are also likely to feel focused and vibrant, having got rid of attitudes which have long expired. They may adopt a new approach to life and start a new hobby, a relationship or a health regime, depending on the position of their Sun and Pluto in their charts.

Besides the Sun, other planets in cardinal signs between 7-9.5 degrees (allowing an orb of 1 degree) will also feel Pluto's exertion.

Which planets in your chart will Pluto visit in 2012?

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Total Lunar Eclipse in Gemini 2011

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west daily. Mortals all over the world go about their daily businesses, of earning a living and providing for their families, or to simply be carried away by the motion of their regular routine, because 'that's life, that's the way it is'.

Mercury in Sagittarius going retrograde two weeks ago (24th November) gave us an opportunity to stop rushing around for a moment and go within ourselves in order to ask more profound questions of our existence, 'Why am I here?' 'What do I need to do with my life?' 'What do I REALLY want from life?' This was quickly followed by a solar eclipse, also in Sagittarius, where it was a powerful time to plant a seed in the area of life where this New Moon falls in your chart (Sagittarius at 2 degrees 36 minutes).

Now, two weeks later, we are about to welcome the lunar eclipse in Gemini at 18 degrees 10 minutes. We are still in the midst of the Sagittarian Mercury retrograde, however, having pondered on the bigger questions of life, we now need to release our old beliefs - just like deleting unwanted files from your computer and updating your software. Keep what is working well and discard outdated ways of thinking. Look in your chart and see which axis this powerful full moon straddles across. Coupled with Uranus going direct in Aries on the day before this lunar eclipse, we are encouraged to be bold and to move forward fearlessly. Not everyone may see eye-to-eye with you, but remember, people used to believe that the world was flat and that Earth was in the centre of the Universe. As Brian Littrell said 'Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.'

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Polar Opposites

I was in the middle of preparing a blog entry on the similarities and differences between opposition pairs (Aries-Libra, Taurus-Scorpio, Gemini-Sagittarius, Cancer-Capricorn, Leo-Aquarius, Virgo-Pisces) when I came across an article in the latest issue of Mountain Astrologer, written by the British astrologer Frank Clifford, also discussing opposition pairs, but in relation to the purpose of Sun signs. The article made such an impact on me for it systematically answered one of the queries I have had since studying astrology - What does it really mean when you're not typical of your Sun sign?

It's very well hearing 'You're not typical of your sun sign' as an answer to not behaving like a typical Virgo or Aries. I have even mentioned this in a previous blog entry ('Why Astrology Doesn't Work') possible reasons for that. Those were valid reasons, but somehow, they felt incomplete. However, Clifford neatly filled in the gap for me.

The Sun sign is what you are here to develop into (I have heard this many times too). You pick-up the traits of Aries by being thrown into situations where you are forced to be assertive and have to 'find' the courage within you to stand up to others and extract the leader in you. Clifford went on to explain that if you are not in touch with your solar energy, then chances are that you are displaying shadow qualities of the opposite sign. Hence, in the case of our Aries, s/he is acting like a Libra (Clifford termed it 'the polite Aries'), wanting to please others and keeping the peace wherever s/he goes. Even though other chart factors do affect the expression of the Sun sign, it is well worth considering the corresponding polar opposite sign too.

(Destiny = purpose of the Sun sign in question; Shadow = negative traits of the polar sign)

Aries/Libra

Aries

Destiny - to develop courage and leadership qualities, fight for the underdog and walk where there's no path

Shadow - afraid to upset the balance, people-pleaser, retreating into a subordinate role, following in other people's footsteps instead creating own path

Libra

Destiny - to develop diplomacy, to play the role of the mediator ('middle person'), to act like bridges between people, removing disharmony with fairness and justice

Shadow - feeling superior, being insolent, disruptive, a 'stirrer' (i.e. creating conflicts in order to be the one to resolve them)

Taurus/Scorpio

Taurus

Destiny - to provide a platform for others to depend upon (Clifford described it as the 'rock'), creating objects with material value which will stand the test of time, to appreciate the luxuries of life

Shadow - appreciation of beauty turns into an obsession, using other people's dependency on them as a way of controlling others

Scorpio

Destiny - to delve deeply into the mysteries of life by becoming a healer/'alchemist', to investigate the meaning of life and to explore the darker side of life

Shadow - getting stuck in a comfort zone, unwilling to take risks and see the bigger picture of life, building security on material wealth, fearful of codependency from self and viewing weaker individuals with contempt

Gemini/Sagittarius

Gemini

Destiny - to connect people through communication, to identify patterns in life, to offer own perspective on life by amalgamating an assortment of existing philosophies

Shadow - embracing superstition instead of hard objective facts, being a 'know-it-all' equipped with answers to everything

Sagittarius

Destiny - an eternal student to learn all there is to know about the meaning of life, asking big questions and being open-minded to their possible answers

Shadow - becoming superficial and getting caught-up in gossips, overlooking the true underlying meaning of life

Cancer/Capricorn

Cancer

Destiny - helping others (and self) to appreciate one's own past instead of falling victims to it, providing love and nurture to those in need of emotional support

Shadow - using emotional blackmail to get what they want, disregarding the past, becoming jealous of other people's success, resenting own bitter past

Capricorn

Destiny - to climb to the summit of their life target/chosen field of career with sheer determination, pushing aside obstacles strewn in their path, fighting against adversaries while holding firmly onto their morals and principles

Shadow - pitying the self, losing sight of their goals, afraid of achieving success

Leo/Aquarius

Leo

Destiny - to allow their individuality to blossom, to get touch with their inner child and being creative (e.g. via music, art, healing)

Shadow - seeking external approval, being envious of attention received by others, rejecting arts over science

Aquarius

Destiny - to be aware that everyone is equal in society, to be comfortable exerting one's authority over others without becoming egocentric, 'to provide a clear, original perspective on social issues of justice and responsibility'*

Shadow - craving attention, wanting to be the 'special one', fighting for a good cause but secretly feeling superior

Virgo/Pisces

Virgo

Destiny - to create order from chaos, to work out the crux of problems, to filter out the junk and extract the essence from situations, to gain a healthy body-mind-spirit balance

Shadow - to be 'lost at sea'; drifting aimlessly; not knowing where to go or what to do, to run away from life's responsibilities, to feel victimised

Pisces

Destiny - to be on the spiritual path, offering help and compassion to those in need, to be aware of the interconnectedness of life

Shadow - disrespecting other people's religious/spiritual faith, making mountains out of molehills, becoming ritualistic

* Clifford, F. C. (2011) What Lies Beneath: The Hidden Side of Your Sun Sign; Mountain Astrologer; Issue #160 Dec/Jan 2012 p10-11

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Mars transiting Virgo 2011-2012

Mars has begun its transit in Virgo and will be traversing back and forth until early July 2012. This is a rather long period to have Mars, the planet of action, motivation, aggression and assertion in skilful, service-oriented Virgo.

(Other keywords for Virgo: critical, attention to detail, health-conscious, organised)

This Mars transit from 11th November 2011 to 3rd July 2012 can manifest in a myriad of ways. From being motivated to start a new exercise/diet regime to perfecting a skill through diligent practise, or being irritated by external criticisms to offering one's service to help others, the exact nature varies from individual to individual depending on the sign and house placement of natal Mars, which is further complicated by aspects to other planets in the chart.

I looked up the dates for transiting Mars in Virgo for the past 15 years and found that, for me, every time when Mars transits Virgo, issues relating to the assessment of my skills would crop up, from sitting major exams as a student to being inspected by Ofsted as a teacher! In recent years though, the emphasis has shifted to my health, from researching food and beverages which are beneficial for my physical body to hunting down beauty products to improve my skin. With Leo rising, Mars transits my 2nd house of income, material possessions, self-worth & physical body. For some with Virgo on their 2nd house cusp, money issues could surface, but personally, it affects my self-worth the most (which can just be as devastating as not having material security). I also become extra sensitive to criticisms on my skills.

Life is never straightforward. I also have Saturn in Virgo in the 2nd house so having t. Mars conjunct this solemn planet once every two years is not something I particularly look forward to. However, Saturn does become 'easier' to handle with age and I can certainly begin to understand that. Getting old isn't so bad after all.....

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