VOC diary for the week beginning 28th October 2013

Greenwich Mean Time

Monday 28th October:  VOC in Leo from 12:25

                                         

Tuesday 29th October: VOC in Leo end at 03:44

Wednesday 30th October: *******************

                  

Thursday 31st October: VOC in Virgo from 02:48 to 12:21

                                                 

Friday 1st November: ************************

Saturday 2nd November: VOC in Libra from 12:46 to 17:34

Sunday 3rd November: Solar Eclipse in Scorpio at 12:49

Hong Kong Time

Monday 28th October:  VOC in Leo from 20:25

                                         

Tuesday 29th October: VOC in Leo end at 11:44

Wednesday 30th October: *******************

                  

Thursday 31st October: VOC in Virgo from 10:48 to 20:21

                                                 

Friday 1st November: ************************

Saturday 2nd November: VOC in Libra from 20:46

Sunday 3rd November: VOC in Libra ends at 01:34
                                         Solar Eclipse in Scorpio at 20:49

Image courtesy of Bandrat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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.....

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Neptune Transits

Image courtesy of Supertrooper/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Howard Sasportas mentioned in his 'Gods of Change' that one of the purposes of Neptune transits is to dissolve boundaries.  No matter how rigid your thinking, how stubborn your personality or how stable your structure, Neptune can dissolve them all.  Maybe not instantly or suddenly like Uranus, but its gentle effect will slowly melt down any obstinate barriers.

The reason for Neptune's overwhelming splash is not to punish us.  The Sea God merely wants to get rid of any inflexible components in the psychological make-up so that we can move one step closer towards our solar destiny (as depicted by our Sun's sign, house and aspects).  Another reason, which resonates strongly with me, is the issue of seeking approval.  Neptune may dissolve away a job opportunity, melt away the bond of a long-term relationship or liquefy your material wealth, leaving you feeling hurt, empty and worthless.  However, the Neptunian lesson is for the individual to understand that happiness is sought internally and not externally.  Neptune does not want us to rely on a job, a house or a relationship to supply us with a source of happiness or to give us approval.  You are perfect, whole and complete as you are NOW.

I'm about to receive my 3rd (and final, thank god!) Neptune conjunction to my Mars.  Mars has an innate drive to achieve, to make a mark on the world.  Mars is self-centred.  Neptune is selfless.  So what happens when such two opposing forces meet?  Well, if I insist on asserting myself regardless of others, then the chances of succeeding are fairly low.  I need to shift my focus on 'How can I serve others while exerting my energy?' instead.  However, Neptune asks us to be emotionally honest - is our motive really to help others or to gain recognition and power in a roundabout way?

Sacrifice is another Neptunian theme.  Under a Neptune transit, something may have to be given up, or sacrificed, in order to move on to the next step in life, for example,  a spouse's job relocation may mean the sacrifice of one's own career in order to keep the marriage intact.  

Addiction, substance abuse, victim/saviour relationships are other possible manifestations under this transit.

Where is the Sea God traversing in your chart?

Transiting Planets in Water Houses

12 years ago, around August 2001 (when Jupiter first entered my 12th house), I watched a Japanese animation called 'Spirited Away'.  I got to the scene where Haku was comforting a tearful Chihiro (watch from 48:27 to 50:25 http://www.veoh.com/watch/v21054405yE2t9Mna ).  He said 'If you can't remember it (your name), you'll never find your way home.'  I found Chihiro's sobbing absolutely heart-wrenching.  It hit a nerve in me.  I suddenly felt rather lost too, and so I made a wish to the Universe to find out who I truly was.  Almost 2 years later, around July 2003, I thought I had the answer.  I was filled with confidence.  Life was great.  A series of events then happened in August 2003, which totally took that optimism away.  This coincided with Saturn entering my 12th house.  I then spent the next 2.5 years digging into my psyche, attempting to clear out whatever I needed to get rid of in order to eradicate that negative feeling........unfortunately, I was never able to fully expunge it from my system.  I restored an adequate amount of optimism and happiness in my hardware so I just accepted that these things happen in life and you just have to move on.

12 years later, with Jupiter back in my 12th house, but this time, Saturn in my 4th and Neptune in my 8th, I was led to plunge into the depths of my psyche and see what monsters still lurk down there.  Under the current Mercury retrograde in Scorpio in my 4th house, I somehow found myself re-watching 'Spirited Away'.  I got to the heart-wrenching part again and the same lost feeling returned.  However, this time round, I feel less naive - if I manage to find the answer then great, if not, that's fine too.  You get shown whatever you are meant to be ready for.

Living Astrologically: Mercury retrograde in Scorpio 2013

Mercury is due to make its final retrograde motion this year on 21st October at 18 degrees 23 minutes Scorpio.

Timeline

30th September/1st October - Mercury enters shadow period 

21st October - Mercury goes retrograde at 18 degrees 23 minutes Scorpio

11th November - Mercury goes direct at 2 degrees 31 minutes Scorpio

26th/27th November - Mercury leaves shadow period

The first 10 days of a Mercury retrograde period is often filled with confusion and challenges.  We then reach the midpoint, i.e. when Mercury conjunct the Sun, signalling the delivery of the Mercury retrograde message.  This will occur around 1st-2nd November. 

I looked at my own chart and found that the Trickster will activate my angles under this retrograde. Starting with forming a fixed grand cross with my ASC-DSC axis and Chiron, then conjunct my IC for 4 days as it slows down to move direct again.  At least all this will happen after the midpoint message. I have a feeling that this may bring another PET or two into my life once again.  It is likely to be the start of a new chapter, especially with these aspects occurring shortly after the solar eclipse in Scorpio.  Since it involves my IC, perhaps it will bring an opportunity for me to build a new foundation (IC) in my life. However, old structures might have to be demolished first in order to make room for the new.  Well, I'm due to attend more psyche-digging workshops during that time, quite apt for the Scorpionic energy......

Where will the Scorpion be pinching/stinging in your life?

Image courtesy of Nuttapong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Living Astrologically: Transiting Jupiter in 12th

It's rather uncanny how transiting Jupiter in Cancer is playing out in reality while traversing in my 12th house.  

Last month, I've had my first taste of family constellation.  It's a group workshop which explores (Jupiter) your family history (Cancer).  It involves a lot of digging (12th) into one's family unit (Cancer).  

12th house is also associated with hidden talents and forgotten dreams.  When transiting Jupiter first crossed over the threshold of my 12th house cusp, my interest in hypnotherapy was revived.  I recalled my initial fascination with the subconscious, which eventually led me to embark on a degree in Psychology.  Unfortunately, it didn't turn out the way I expected so I switched career upon graduation.  I have no regrets as I had a fabulous time in my first job as a teacher in Japan, but my original wish to be a hypnotherapist got put on the back burner.  Transiting Jupiter is certainly stirring up a lot of forgotten memories in my 12th house.  Luckily, with its benevolent effect, I'm traipsing down into the abyss of my psyche with optimism and curiosity.

Image courtesy of Pakorn/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

VOC diary for the week beginning 21st October 2013

British Summer Time

Monday 21st October:  Mercury goes retrograde at 11:28
                            VOC in Taurus ends at 17:13

                                         

Tuesday 22nd October: *****************************

Wednesday 23rd October: VOC in Gemini from 01:34
                                       Sun enters Scorpio at 07:09

                  

Thursday 24th October: VOC in Gemini ends at 04:35

                                                 

Friday 25th October: VOC in Cancer from 21:30

Saturday 26th October: VOC in Cancer ends at 17:11

Sunday 27th October: *************************

Hong Kong Time

Monday 21st October:  VOC in Taurus from 05:01
                                           Mercury goes retrograde at 18:28

                                         

Tuesday 22nd October: VOC in Taurus ends at 00:13

Wednesday 23rd October: VOC in Gemini from 08:34
                                       Sun enters Scorpio at 14:09

                  

Thursday 24th October: VOC in Gemini ends at 11:35

                                                 

Friday 25th October: *************************

Saturday 26th October: VOC in Cancer from 04:30

Sunday 27th October: VOC in Cancer ends at 00:11

Image courtesy of Bandrat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net