Conventions, Contentions, Contests And Considerations

You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair. Chinese Proverb

I hope you love birds, too. It is economical. It saves going to Heaven. Emily Dickinson

In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we’re pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker’s praise without anxiety. A. W. Tozer

We are involved in a life that passes understanding and our highest business is our daily life. John Cage

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore, When he beats his bars and he would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee, But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core. Paul Laurence Dunbar

The heart of a woman falls back with the night, And enters some alien cage in its plight, And tries to forget it has dreamed of the stars, While it breaks, breaks, breaks on the sheltering bars. Georgia Douglas Johnson

The full Moon each month marks a time of heightened energies and events. It often marks the culmination of the energies released at the new Moon. Emotions can be supercharged as the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the zodiac and illumination is increased – it’s like we can see in the dark – and we can be hyper-aware as well as being hyper-awake. The effects of a full Moon can be major or minor, depending on how they interact with your own chart. Sometimes, realisations or events that are unleashed, or unlocked, can stretch their meaning months into the future. A lot can be learned at the time of the full Moon and whether it’s lunacy or illumination, or a combination of both, there’s magic unleashed with every full Moon.

July’s full Moon in Capricorn occurs on July 19 in the United States and the United Kingdom, and in the morning on July 20 in Australia. This full Moon is smack on Pluto of the US 4th July chart. And, the last new Moon was smack on the Sun of that chart. With the Democratic and Republican conventions happening in the next week or so, the election fevers are set to go up a notch, particularly with the degree of the Sun at the opening of the Republican convention on Cancer 27: A Furious (or Violent) Storm In A Canyon Filled With Valuable Homes (the convention starts the day before this full Moon).

The recent astrological energies have been rather gnarly, especially just lately, and, for many, it feels like a powder-keg of emotions, desires, drives, arguments and disagreements, etc. etc. It’s almost like the energies could not get any more peaked. But, I think they are set to. However, at least now, Mars is moving forward after being retrograde for weeks and weeks in Scorpio (BTW – Mars sat for a few weeks on Scorpio 24: Crowds Coming Down The Mountain To Listen To One Inspired Individual). The movement of Mars will bring some relief, although, it needs to be realised that Mars is traversing the last degrees of Scorpio and the early degrees of Sagittarius – zones that both Mars and Saturn have been highlighting. In other words, Mars still has some clearing of it’s path ahead to do, and, those late degrees of Scorpio, in particular, can be rather challenging with Mars there retracing it’s steps.

Some people will want to make changes in their lives, but, there could be some frustration around how those changes could (or would) come about. This is largely due to the degree of Mars, on Scorpio 26: Indians Making Camp In New Territory, which is, for several days, quincunx Uranus on Aries 25: A Double Promise Reveals It’s Inner And Outer Meanings (I call the quincunx The Itch That Is Hard To Scratch). Mars is, however, in a nice grand-trine aspect with the Sun on Cancer 28: An Indian Girl Introduces Her College Boyfriend To Her Assembled Tribe and Chiron on Pisces 26: A New Moon Reveals That It Is Time For People To Go Ahead With Their Different Projects. Very soon after the full Moon, Chiron, retrograde, moves onto Pisces 25: The Purging Of The Priesthood. This can speak of moving on in many ways:- physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. There can be a real need to remake or rework our lives with this going on. Still, as mentioned above, there can be frustration, especially if things don’t seem to be moving quickly enough. A ‘purging’ of issues, memories, belongings, relationships, friendships, etc, may be in order. If there is an imbalance of power in play, there may need to be an adjustment of expectations from someone, whether you or another. Mars is also sextiling the full Moon. This can add energy to the ‘when push comes to shove’.

Venus and Mercury are trining Saturn, and this can be great for getting clear on your plans or the things that you want. We can formulate our thoughts and ideas, and, for some, commitments can be made to relationships, work, getting things done, clearing out things to allow a more free-flow of space (and time). Still, Venus and Mercury are quincunxing (there’s that ‘Itch’ again) Neptune, it’s a kind of push-me, pull-you kind of energy that may not be going anywhere particularly useful fast.

A further nudge of letting go is Neptune and the south node moving towards a conjunction, so this is a further impulse to rewrite, change, let go and grow. The trick can be the need to get past addictions that keep us firmly rooted in the past. Meanwhile, Saturn and Neptune are still in a square aspect with each other, so, this can, in some instances, have us dreaming about what we want more than we have the ability to actually make it happen. I finding myself saying more and more often “one step at a time – one day at a time”.

 The Full Moon is on Capricorn 28: A LARGE AVIARY – I feel that this degree, particularly now, at this full Moon, speaks largely of the media; the press, social media, people sharing their thoughts, ideas, political leanings, etc.

This Symbol shows being able to take in a lot of information, to be social, yet have some time alone. The “Large Aviary” has a lot of citizens, all buzzing around, all interacting and full of life. There is a lot of chattering and flitting from one thing to another going on and while there is no harm being done, perhaps, sometimes, there’s nothing much really being achieved. Is this because there is a level of mental confusion happening? At the least there is likely to be a feeling of brotherhood and not being alone, in fact, finding time alone can be difficult.

Keywords: Clairaudience. Hearing many inner voices. Having a huge entourage or crowd. Tinnitus. Enormous activity. Many people living their individual lives in one space. Blocks of flats and units. Housing estates. Birds, aviaries, bird seed. Perches. People chattering. Girls sharing. Lots to say. Little true content. Confined living spaces. Communicating solely with those in the immediate environment. Living in a world of one’s own with no thought of the realities of how other people live. Having to get along with others. Caged birds.

The Caution: Mental confusion bringing a lack of discernment. Chattering, not doing. Gossip and intrigue. False sense of freedom. Abandoned living spaces. Caged birds.

The Karmic Degree for the Moon is Capricorn 27: A MOUNTAIN PILGRIMAGE – this degree can be about ambition, and, I often see it in charts to do with being president, prime minister, leader, etc. This is about striving for the top. It can be about the ‘top office’, or, it can be about climbing to one’s own ‘mountain top’ in a spiritual sense.

This Symbol shows being able to climb high, to rise to occasions, perform well, have a mission and, probably most importantly, to embark on spiritual journeys. Many people travel, but more often than not it implies a spiritual striving; an ascent in consciousness and the ability to transcend earthier, more immediate matters. There is always the desire, or the need, to strive further, to learn more on the path to understanding and transcendence. You may want to follow those that have gone before to achieve a true sense of inner fulfillment. Work towards your own ‘mountain top’. The effort may be great, but so are the rewards.

Keywords: Ascent in consciousness. Spiritual, material, corporate or political striving. Having an entourage of people (or wanting one). Aloneness and separation. Setting off to somewhere else. Going on a mission. Finding one’s spiritual grounding. Getting back to the purer elements of life. Ambitions to get to the top. Wanting the highest office in the land.

The Caution: High moral stand with no depth of feeling. Feeling “high above” others. Cutting off. Aloneness and separation. Haughtiness. Intellectual snobbery. Untouchable.

The Quest Degree for the Moon is Capricorn 29: A WOMAN READING TEA LEAVES – the need or the desire to ‘know’ can be incredibly strong now. We might find ourselves ‘looking for the signs’ more than we might normally. People are itching to know what’s going to happen.

This Symbol shows being able to see things that others miss or using the intuition in order to receive the gifts that divination can bring. While others just see something simple like a tea cup, you can have the ability to weave a story for yourself and others about how life will, or can, be. One has to put aside skepticism and embrace trust and intuitive knowing in order to be able to listen to the messages that are around. Be open to seeing meaning through the catalyst of the simplest of everyday events. You will receive messages, if you are open to ‘seeing’ the signs. You may have to deal with skeptical people.

Keywords: Symbolism opening pathways to the spiritual center. Seeing the signs. Seeing signatures in small things that others miss. Intuition and clairvoyance. Creative visualization. Tea leaves and coffee grinds. Non verbal cues. Rituals. Tea and sympathy. Fathoming the depths of simple things. Predicting the future. Seeking guidance and changes of fortune.

The Caution: Reliance on esoteric advice. Not trusting gut feelings. Looking for confirmation of fears. Taking things literally, not symbolically. Excessive tea or coffee drinking.

The Moon symbolizes: Emotions, moods, mother, family, clan, domestic issues, relationship to home and country. Feelings, sentiments, nourishment, emotional nurturing, monkey chatter mind, lunar and menstrual cycles, clarity of emotions or lunacy. Female energy – yours and others.

 The Sun is on Cancer 28: AN INDIAN GIRL INTRODUCES HER COLLEGE BOYFRIEND TO HER ASSEMBLED TRIBE

This Symbol implies that you may find yourself bridging the gap between situations or people that are inherently foreign to each other or previously unknown and unexplored. By bridging the worlds between people, you invite richness into your life and the lives of others that may not have been possible if you’d stuck to your culture, your ethnicity, your own side of the tracks. It is your deeply felt understanding of both situations and the respect with which you are held in both situations that makes their mutual acceptance possible. This is about opening your heart to find the rewards that are waiting.

Keywords: Challenging or going against the status quo. Bringing in a new, more intellectual, element OR bringing in a more natural, earth-based attitude. Being the odd one out. Revealing strange, foreign situations or truths to others. Accepting people without judgment. Being welcoming and loving. Clans. Tribes.

The Caution: Upsetting people with alternative behavior. Choosing people who won’t fit in. Ignoring tradition. Judging people by social standards. Prejudice. Barriers. Rebellion.

The Karmic Degree for the Sun is Cancer 27: A VIOLENT (OR FURIOUS) STORM IN A RESIDENTIAL CANYON FILLED WITH VALUABLE HOMES – in the last week or so, we’ve had Venus and Mercury traverse this degree. It’s been a time where we can feel that we can’t contain ‘The Furious Storm’. This, as mentioned above, is the degree of the Sun for the opening of the Republican convention. I hope that common sense prevails and that things don’t get as riled up as they are looking from this vantage point.

This Symbol implies that you may find yourself much deeper in situations than you had planned, but you find yourself restrained by the walls about you and the turbulence happening in and around you. Strong emotions or events may be unleashed and there may be no escape from the turbulence that is around. The best thing to do is wait it out and protect your self the best you can. In fact, endeavoring to contain the energy could result in more damage. Things will settle down and peace will reign once more. Arguments and emotional confrontations emerge as a result of the ‘pressure cooker’ environments in modern-day living.

Keywords: Arguments and emotional confrontations. The “pressure cooker” environments of modern-day living. Psychic energy unleashed. Furious emotions. Changing the status quo. Bad weather and its consequences. Rebuilding from the foundations. Living in canyons. Being surrounded by mountainous peaks. The awesome power of nature.

The Caution: Wrongly believing that you are in control of an uncontrollable situation. Enjoyment and promotion of emotional storms and turmoil. Whipping things up. Storms.

The Quest Degree for the Sun is Cancer 29: A GREEK MUSE WEIGHING NEW BORN TWINS IN GOLDEN SCALES

This Symbol shows the ability, or the necessity, of being able to weigh up seemingly similar things and being able to make distinctions between them. In a creative or intuitive way you may be pressed into making judgments and decisions, but the elements of your judgment are, in many ways, exactly the same. The choices can be confusing because they essentially lead to the same result. This situation is probably brand new; maybe the answer lies in taking an intuitive ‘punt’, or waiting for the solutions to become more clear-cut.

Keywords: Comparisons and similarities. Weighing things up. The law and lawyers. The Scales of Justice. First communion. The value of new beginnings. Grand gestures. Ceremonies. Looking for subtle aspects. Balances. Using the intuition. Weighing up pros and cons. Hesitating before making decisions. Subtle discriminations of differences. Measured responses. Inspiration. The gift of prophecy. Patrons of the arts. Ponder. Fairness. Equality. Meticulous attention to detail. Evaluations.

The Caution: Judgmental opinions about things that are essentially equal. Being nit-picky. Constantly weighing things up instead of just accepting them. Tipping the scales.

The Sun symbolizes: One’s core center, spirit, heart, issues to do with father, men, self, ego, your male side. How you radiate your sense of being. What others see, how you are recognized or remembered, sense of identity and connection with male energy – yours and others.

 Mercury is on Leo 12: AN EVENING LAWN PARTY OF ADULTS

This Symbol shows having fun, relaxing and socializing with people, usually in an informal setting, although this can sometimes imply formal ones. Give the rigors of the work routine a rest. Having a drink, eating some food, sharing a chat and gossip, meeting new people, networking and catching up with friends is good for the soul. Relaxation is great, especially where there is no need for pretense. Of course, you may be the host of the party and you may have to provide a venue, food, drinks and entertainment. Still, you should get to enjoy the moment and mix with people.

Keywords: Rising above superficiality into receptivity and peace with others. People mixing in a social setting. Sedate and conservative celebrations. Formal events vs. impromptu gatherings. Gossip. Leisure time. Political correctness. Enjoying socializing. Being a good conversationalist. Drinks and food on platters. Knowing who to invite.

The Caution: Superficiality where things are known but not said out loud. Appearance and social standing too important. Ignoring or evading issues. Political correctness.

Mercury symbolizes: Mind, thought, communication, memory, expression, intelligence. News, exchanges, chatting, conversations, short journeys, connections with others, telephones, emails, siblings, neighbors, the reasoning mind. Day-to-day activities. Cars, keys, small animals.

 Venus is on Leo 10: EARLY MORNING DEW SALUTES THE SUNLIGHT

This Symbol shows the relief, joy and motivation that can come from going through cold and difficult times, even dark struggles, and waking up to things being “sunnier”, warmer and full of promise. This is a time when the “air” (the newly awakened mind) is crisp and the “ground” (the refreshed and renewed body) readies itself for a new round of activity. The rewards may be transitory, so enjoy the good times and salute the more difficult periods as times of testing and learning. The nights may seem very long but there is always the reward of dawn as the sun rises again on a brand new day.

Keywords: Refreshment after periods of “the long night of the soul”. Dawn meditations bringing new starts and new inspiration. Dew. Water dripping from trees. The dawning of a new day and the relief that it can bring. Changing of the guard. Natural progression. Inheritances. Exhalted feelings of release. Droplets on spiderwebs.

The Caution: Not letting go of difficult situations. Persisting with problems that have been solved. Feeling that the worst is going to happen all the time. Depression.

Venus symbolizes: Relatedness, cooperation, what attracts you. The experience of sweetness, beauty or delight. Social interactions, love, friends, how you reach out to people. Feminine persona, relationship with mother and females. Money, possessions, sense of values.

Mars is on Scorpio 26: INDIANS MAKING CAMP IN NEW TERRITORY – Mars on this degree (a Scorpio degree) can be rather confrontational, or, at least, there can be a feeling of not being ‘safe’ or ‘welcome’ in one’s new territory. Migrants and/or refugees would tend to have a rather tough time with this going on, and, some who are not migrants nor refugees may almost feel as though they are (in some sense).

This Symbol implies being able to, or having to, be in “New Territory”. Once a new place has been found, there is the need to acclimatize, adjust quickly and settle in. This new territory can be in a physical, emotional or spiritual framework. Whichever, you need to feel at home in an inner and outer sense. You may feel a creeping sense of unease if you find it hard to relax in the new environment or that the rug may be pulled from under your feet. You may also be someone who moves often in life, sometimes before you were able to get a sense of belonging or having friends. However, there is likely to be a pioneering or venturing spirit.

Keywords: Settling in. Walk-ins. Having to learn the rules of being in a new environment. The need for freedom to live one’s life as one wants. Concerns with territory. Immigration. Migration across countries. Gathering things together for family and community needs. Tents. Shelter. Co-habitation. Revering and protecting the environment. Setting up camp. Going walkabout. Squatters. Respecting boundaries. Reservations.

The Caution: Moving into or invading people’s territory. Putting up with things when one should move. Barging in. Having to compromise living space. Arriving unannounced.

The Karmic Degree for Mars is Scorpio 25: AN X RAY PHOTOGRAPH HELPS WITH THE DIAGNOSIS – with this degree around, we definitely want to look into things to find answers. On top of that, this Symbol can show a feeling, or the reality, of being ‘spied on’… someone observing, taking notice, snooping around, etc. Investigations into situations can bring answers, although, vested interests may not want to admit or own up to what is being found out.

This Symbol shows being able to see into areas or realms that others generally don’t take any notice of. You may find yourself looking for a deeper understanding of situations and you need to peel away the layers in order to get to the truth of the matter. You may need to employ both the emotions and the intellect. Ask yourself: what do you want to find and what is being done to reveal the structure or the nitty gritty of situations? Looking inside for clues. Being able to see through layers into the reality of things helps you to be able to make a “Diagnosis” – dia which means “by”, and gnosis which means “knowledge”

Keywords: Penetrating insight. Piercing through external appearances. Pure understanding. Incredible insight and revelations. Having the eyes to see. X-ray machines, spying, detective work. Reaching conclusions. Evaluations. Photographs. Negatives. Radiation. X-ray vision. Expensive and up-to-date equipment. Chemotherapy. Mammograms. Scanning equipment. Finding causes. Paparazzi.

The Caution: Disregarding the truth. Invading people’s mental, physical or psychic space. Being intense and meaningful. Not knowing when to relax. Undressing others.

The Quest Degree for Mars is Scorpio 27: A MILITARY BAND MARCHES NOISILY ON THROUGH THE CITY STREETS – with all that’s been happening, I imagine that this degree is rather self-explanatory.

This Symbol shows the need for occasionally making a show for society to remind ourselves of our successes and achievements, whether they are collective or personal achievements. The “Military Band” can make an enormous amount of noise as it “Marches Noisily”, but sometimes we need to be woken or reminded of the cohesion that a military band can show. Likewise, this can show someone that likes to bang their own drum or to make a big noise about themselves or for the establishment. As long as the audience is ok with this display, one can contain the reaction from others. Sometimes, though, people get annoyed by people banging their drums a little too loudly.

Keywords: Making music to rouse people from complacency. Noisy announcements. Demanding attention. Trumpeting achievements. Reminders from the authorities that individuals are often not in charge. Celebrations of past battles. Corporate advertising. Peace rallies or war marches. Marching and drills. Precision movements. Baton twirling. Drums and trumpets. Spit and polish.

The Caution: A lot of volume that’s too pompous. The message getting lost in the noise and fanfare. Demanding to be heard. Propaganda. Threats to peace. Banging one’s drum.

Mars symbolizes: Drive, determination or agenda, how you get to your goals. How you express and handle anger, ambition, assertion of self and ability to step forward. The male principle, sexuality, the ability to step up to the plate when one needs to. Fight or flight.

 Jupiter is on Virgo 20: A CARAVAN OF CARS HEADED FOR PROMISED LANDS – the desire to move on. 

This Symbol shows the desire of moving on to new thoughts, new lands, new ways of doing things, possibly even on to a new way of life. Setting out on a venture can lead you to “Promised Lands”, even if it’s sometimes somewhat risky to leave the safety and stability of home to strike out for unfamiliar destinations. Whether you are with someone or going alone, you are probably not really alone as there are likely to be others who share the same impulses. Having a map of where you’re going helps, as will a willingness to meet new people. The trick is often in deciding where the “Promised Lands” are and what you’ll do when you find them.

Keywords: Venturing into life with like-minded companions. The support of others in a quest for the future. Seeking new territory. Rallies and caravans of cars. Exchanging money. Commerce. Buses, caravans, trucks, etc. Leaving behind the known for the unknown. Gypsies. Hollywood. California. “Boom” towns. The “magic bus”. Conferences.

The Caution: Forsaking the individual path in favor of the less satisfying, but more secure, common path. Ever perpetuating restlessness. Crazy goose-chases..

The Karmic Degree for Jupiter is Virgo 19: A SWIMMING RACE – running one’s race seems to be a rather lonely pursuit. However, it is by not looking left or right that we have the opportunity of performing our personal best. Ambition is in the air with this degree around…

This Symbol implies the nature of competition, wanting to win and doing one’s best. Whether it’s working hard to achieve the win for rewards in the larger picture – your school, club, country, etc, or winning the race for your own personal ends, this Symbol shows that if you put your head down and go for the objective, you have a good chance of winning, or, at least, of being in the race. You may find yourself in competition over emotional issues or working through things to do with relationships and hoping to win, or come out on top. It is through training, practice and the controlled use of your physical energy and emotions that success can be achieved.

Keywords: Looking sideways to see how others are coping with the strain of competition. Competing with one’s emotions. Capitalism. The striving for first place or greatness. Swimming, sports, competition. Wanting to be first at everything. Learning how fit one is. Concentrating on the goal. Medals and awards. Training and practice. Showing your abilities in front of others. Of all human powers operating on the affairs of mankind, none is greater than that of competition. Henry Clay

The Caution: Allowing the competitive spirit to dominate emotional sensitivity. Always going for “the win”.

The Quest Degree for Jupiter is Virgo 21: A BASKETBALL TEAM – after the ‘Swimming Race’, we now have the need to play for the rules of ‘the team’. We have to pull together, to throw the ball at the right time so others may score the goal. Just being in things for personal gain may not work so well in the days ahead. Teamwork is needed, otherwise there may be a feeling of having dropped the ball.

This Symbol implies joining with others and working as a team to achieve common aspirations. You may be into doing things by yourself, but you’ll still have interactions with others who will mould how you do things and how you’ll perform. There is a need to cooperate and play by the rules of the game to achieve your goals. Friends and those with similar interests will be able to join with you to achieve a mutually desired end. Are people hogging the ball, not passing it on to others? If so, that won’t secure a ‘win’ for you or for the team. How would a referee call that?

Keywords: The give and take of unity and equality. Everyone getting to play the game. Joyful participation. Friendship and sport. Fast footwork. Winning and losing. Being in the team. Playing fair and square. Coaching and practice. The need for a level playing ground. Uniforms. Codes of behaviour and play. Locker room antics. Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. Vince Lombardi

The Caution: Forcing others to compete on the same level without regard for differences. Finding it difficult to play by the rules or cooperate with others.

Jupiter symbolizes: The big picture, expansion, exploration, aspirations, religious and philosophical ideals, issues to do with traveling, foreign lands, people and traditions, culture, education, generosity, luck, abundance, support, optimism. Insight through knowledge and wisdom.

 Saturn is on Sagittarius 11: IN THE LEFT SECTION OF AN ARCHAIC TEMPLE, A LAMP BURNS IN A CONTAINER SHAPED LIKE A HUMAN BODY

This Symbol implies seeing the body as being ones “Temple”; something to be honored and given respect, exercise and good nutrition. It also pictures linking the spirit and the body. Logic is not always involved in this equation – this mostly speaks of emotions, spirit and physicality. Sometimes we need to remember to be ‘in our bodies’ and this shows the rewards that can come from regarding our body as our temple. There’s a need to sleep and exercise when we need to, to eat when we need to; to be alive and happy. However, if taken too seriously, one can forget to nourish their mind, preferring to concentrate on physical attributes and forgetting about other possibilities.

Keywords: Connecting the left and right sides. Working out, physical fitness and exercise. Yoga. Grounding reality. Sexuality. Realizing that body is the same as spirit. Remembering to be in the body. Light workers. The acceptance of the body and its functions. Sport and its physical rewards. Metabolic rates. Oil burners. Gas lamps. Aladdin’s lamp. Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being. Albert Schweitzer

The Caution: Being caught up in the illusion of the “physical self”. Worshipping the physical body at the expense of the intellect, psyche or spirit. One’s fire going out.

Saturn symbolizes: Authority, rules, discipline and obligation The heavy stuff. What we fear, loss, karma, aging, the establishment, orthodoxy, tradition, status, the concept of time, walls, boundaries, limits, older people, restrictions, patience, conquering difficulties.

 Uranus is on Aries 25: A DOUBLE PROMISE REVEALS ITS INNER AND OUTER MEANINGS

This Symbol shows that what at first appears to be may reveal itself to actually be something else. Simple promises can be more complicated than first thought. The rational and emotional responses can conflict with each other; one wants something, the other wants something else. However, this can be the way to really view things, from an inner and outer perspective. Also indicates the choice that arises – of the heart and of social obligation. Realize the implications of expectations and promises.

Keywords: Rewards, but what do they bring with them? The possible implications of or reasons for any promises. Something that may look good on the outside, but prove to be difficult. Looking for consensus. Possibilities and promises. The ins and outs of situations. Not turning up. The need to look at situations from all sides. Internal vs. external realities. Catch-22 situations. Contracts.

The Caution: Fickleness, insincerity and two-facedness in human relationships. Promising more than can be delivered. Not turning up. Having hidden agendas.

Uranus symbolizes: The unexpected, things that are individual or ‘different’. Charged, energetic dynamics, electricity, light, lightning bolts, sudden changes, those who live on the fringe of society. Sudden turns and twists of fate. Rebellion, surprises, liberation, freedom.

 Neptune is on Pisces 12: AN EXAMINATION OF INITIATES IN THE SANCTUARY OF AN OCCULT BROTHERHOOD

This Symbol shows passing the tests that life, other people, spirituality or karma throws at you. You are likely to find at times that you are being judged by those above or around you. It is difficult to see what their qualifications to judge you are, but this is often the nature of progression through the ranks. People being critical of one another can lead to better behavior, better performances or the like, or it can lead to feeling judged, violated and intruded upon. It can seem as though our lives are like lessons; we are periodically “Examined” to see how we are doing on our course. Be careful not to shut yourself away to avoid being seen or having to endure criticism.

Keywords: The ordeal that comes to any initiate for entrance into higher realms of being. Hermits. Tests, examinations, having to prove oneself. Being judged or being judgmental. Being crossexamined. Rarefied atmospheres that demand personal sacrifice. Initiations. Proving courage and purity. Trials. The attainment of knowledge. Apprenticeships. Being a candidate. Finding out how and where one fits in. One-eyed dedication. Trial by media. Cults. Rituals.

The Caution: Refusing advice. Arrogance. People saying ‘I told you so’. Invading other’s space. People assuming they know the truth about someone. Failing. Scandals. Stories.

Neptune symbolizes: Mystical, “out there,” spirituality and con artists. Dreams, mysteries, mystics and religious issues. Intuition, clairvoyance, seeing into the invisible. Addictive, chaotic, charming, deceptive, illusory, co dependent, sensory awareness.

 Pluto is on Capricorn 16: SCHOOL GROUNDS FILLED WITH BOYS AND GIRLS IN GYMNASIUM SUITS

This degree shows being vibrant and alive and in the physical body with enthusiasm and excitement about life and the future. The “Gymnasium Suits” shows the need to get active and to stay active, to have time in your life to drop into the physical body and enjoy it. If you’ve been neglecting your physical well-being, it is good to reestablish that affinity with your vitality. Spontaneous enthusiasm and the joy of being ‘alive’ can regenerate and revive and bring about carefree contact with like minded people. The trick is to bring some form of physical discipline into your life while enjoying it and not feeling forced to do what you don’t want to do.

Keywords: Developing muscular coordination. Sexual energy, attraction or satisfaction. Playing, marching, competition, rivalry. Singing songs of unity. New anthems for the young. The search for identity. Being able to accomplish things on the physical level. Physical fitness. Uniforms and uniformity. Gymnasiums. Exercise equipment. Conscription. Being one of many. Learning how to get along with the opposite sex. Bodybuilding. Level playing fields.

The Caution: Showing off. Relationships based on physical or sexual attraction. Feeling only one of the many. Being forced to do things. Rote performances. People that disdain the intellectual.

Pluto symbolizes: Unconscious motivations, depth psychology, history. Sex, procreation at a deep level, intensity, profound emotions, taking hold of one’s power. Being king or queen of one’s underworld. Strength, survival mode instincts. Big money. Big power. The Plutocracy. Power vs power struggles.

Chiron is on Pisces 26: A NEW MOON REVEALS THAT IT’S TIME FOR PEOPLE TO GO AHEAD WITH THEIR DIFFERENT PROJECTS 

This shows being able to see, or to accept, when it’s time for people to move on or to part from each other. They need to “Go Ahead With Their Different Projects” – their focus has changed and, quite possibly, they’ve parted ways. There’s a picture here of new beginnings. People will have their own response to situations – not everyone will react in the same way. It can be a good idea to direct some energy into your desires or projects at the time of the new moon. Light a candle and state your intentions with honesty and love.

Keywords: Diversifying. Applying talents in a different direction. People splitting up and splitting off. New opportunities and potentials. The beginning of a new age. Letting go of the old and outworn. Separations. Embracing one’s future without the need for others. Coming to a fork in the road. Divorces. New jobs, directions and destinies. The dawning of a new era.

The Caution: Not giving emotional support. Feeling split off and alone. The fear and loathing of separation. Failing relationships. Overthrowing the old too quickly. Fickleness. Having no choice but to let go.

The Karmic Degree for Chiron is Pisces 25: THE PURGING OF THE PRIESTHOOD– this, also, is interesting in the light of the political machinations in the United States, the United Kingdom and in Australia. It’s all happening. ‘The Priesthood’ has seen a lot of musical chairs happening.

This shows seeing through those who hold important positions yet abuse trust or those who make great claims but don’t live up to them. At this time, you’re likely to find yourself leaving others behind, kicking them out, or experiencing falls from grace. Periodically, there is a need to examine moral and spiritual sincerity. It is easy to allow those who don’t really belong to stay because of familiarity or habit. We can lose sight of the ideal through our rationalizing intellect, ego and emotive passion. There is a need to cleanse and purify your life, leading to better spiritual values. What side of the “Purging” are you on? Are you the one with the ‘right motives’? Who’s in charge?

Keywords: Revealing the truth of people for who and what they truly are. Cutting people off. Throwing out things that don’t measure up. Forced retirement and redundancies. Payouts at the end of employment. Dismissals. Opting out for moral reasons. Being fired. Holes left where someone took up a lot of space.

The Caution: Battles over spiritual direction. Abusing authority. Whistle blowing. Damning others. Deceiving, lying or misleading. Corruption and scandals. Burning books.

Chiron symbolizes: Our wounds, Chiron is known as The Wounded Healer. The wounds are really The Stories That We Tell Ourselves, it is where we have to focus on healing, it can show things that are out of shape or misplaced or in need of repair. What are the stories that you tell yourself?

 The Moon’s North Node is on Virgo 14: FINELY LETTERED NAMES AND MYSTERIOUS LINES ARE SEEN; IT IS A FAMILY TREE – healing around family issues can be key here, as can additions to families with new people being introduced, babies born, finding long-lost cousins, etc.

This shows deep and abiding connections that come from families and their ancestors and individual family trees. There is a need to feel somehow linked with ancestry, a place or belonging. However, this can speak about you belonging to the larger human family – we are all related. Being able to call upon the deeper inherent knowledge within yourself and what’s been learnt from past experience, possibly from one’s ancestral roots, will help you find great strength. This implies a strong family heritage, but it may come from having a deep connection with people or things that you are not actually related to, but are in your “Family” nonetheless.

Keywords: Strength in tradition. Belonging to a lineage. The story of where one comes from. Issues of pride of heritage. The importance of parents and family. Branches in databases. Having strong and secure roots. Origins and their relevance to today’s life. Ancestors. Calligraphy. Fine pens. Filling in the gaps. Adoptions. Step families. Pedigrees. Kin. Genealogy. Inheritance. Family Bibles.

The Caution: Disassociation or disconnection from family history. Feeling like an alien. Not belonging. Orphans.

The Karmic Degree for the Moon’s North Node is Virgo 13: A POWERFUL STATESMAN OVERCOMES A STATE OF POLITICAL HYSTERIA

This Symbol shows the ability, or the necessity, to be able to calm situations, to solve a crisis, to have a steady hand that shows others that someone is in charge. If this is not operating on a positive level in your life you may want to assess where you need to be doing it. Sometimes our thoughts get out of control, even “Hysterical”, however this is not much use as emotions and events just get whipped up, leading to useless energy flying around. It is through control and the power of your personality that you can resolve situations and bring back a state of equilibrium to all involved.

Keywords: The power to sway the mob. Having the charisma and talent to turn situations around. Elements of personality that get out of control and take over. Pulling the rope tight. Mind control. Political savvy. Knowing what to say and when to say it. Keeping your mouth shut and ears open. Rhetoric. Putting out spot fires. Being motivated. Issues of success.

The Caution: Misusing charismatic energy to sway others to personal advantage.

The Moon’s North Node symbolizes: This is known as quite a ‘karmic point’ (although all planets and points in a chart can be’karmic’). One’s destiny in this life. The things you are meant to integrate, move towards, become. Destined relationships and relationship issues can show up here.

 The Moon’s South Node is on Pisces 14: A LADY WRAPPED IN FOX FUR

This shows being able to present an image that shows intelligence, cleverness, glamour and beauty, along with knowing how to move in social circles. The “Lady Wrapped in Fox Fur” is someone who’s sure of themselves, able to bend to situations and have situations bend to their own desires. It often shows getting out of, or into, anything they want. You can present an image that enhances your position in society. Intelligence and wit will probably see you through, with others noticing your beauty, grace or intellect. If, however, the guise was stripped away, would you still express the same qualities? You may have to display your capabilities because of negative prejudice, chauvinism, or being underestimated.

Keywords: Outer expressions of real inner worth. Animal magnetism and attraction. Intelligence and its display. Cloaks of feminine wit and sexuality. Beguiling minds. Animal totems and furs. Perceived beauty. The sense of having class and money. Beauty, fashion and talent. Being forward and upfront. Sense of personal style. Grace and composure. Elegance. Knowing what to say and when. Dressing up. Money spent on beauty. Tempting others with sexual signals. Perfumes. Pheromones. Taxidermy.

The Caution: False fronts and expressions of wealth. Selling out. Scoring points through charisma. Doing anything to win social position, money or fame. Under or overdressing.

The Karmic Degree for The Moon’s South Node is Pisces 13: A SWORD, USED IN MANY BATTLES, IS NOW IN A MUSEUM

This shows knowing when to stop battling in life, when to lay down one’s “Sword” and take up a higher position that reflects a more intelligent or spiritual way of being in the world. Sometimes, when reminded of the battles of the past, we are influenced towards actions that ensure peace. We are uplifted by the symbolic memory of past deeds of valor, although stings of defeat may be part of the story. You may be faced with the choice of fighting or reasoning which is confused by your lack of training or experience in the ways of “Battle”. Don’t go down with the ship. It helps to lay down one’s ‘sword’ – not in order to surrender, but to stop the ‘warring’

Keywords: Willpower. Martial arts. Putting aside thoughts of vengeance and revenge. Hanging up or laying down one’s ‘Sword’. Trophies of conquest that remind us of the past. History. Aging and maturing. Retirement. Remnants of battles. Souvenirs of the past. “Words as swords”. The Spear of Destiny. The Sword Excalibur. Disarming weapons. The search for truth and justice. Suits of armor. Peace at last. Sexual impotence.

The Caution: Lack of sensitivity. Pretense of one’s abilities. Falling on one’s sword from defeat. Sexual impotence. Domestic violence. Giving up. Grudges. Wanting to go into “Battle”.

The Quest Degree for The Moon’s South Node is Pisces 15: AN OFFICER DRILLING HIS MEN IN A SIMULATED ATTACK – this degree can show ‘false flag’ attacks on any level. We can imagine that things are going to happen, are happening, need to happen, etc, when, really, the real story is different from that which we might have thought.

This shows being well rehearsed, prepared and ready for anything that life throws at you. When
you’re well rehearsed, you are able to spring to attention when situations warrant it. You may feel that you need to rehearse or prepare for difficult situations. There is wisdom in practicing to reduce the chance of error or failure. However, are you going over and over possible positive or negative outcomes thereby losing the joy that can be found in relaxing and letting down your guard? Sometimes the things we think are going to happen don’t happen at all. Choosing where, when and how to be ready and willing to go for objectives is half the battle.

Keywords: Taking orders to better respond to situations. The higher self training the lower self. Exercises. Marching and going through the motions. The need for defense. Seeing ahead. Planning strategies. Fire drills. Smoke alarms. Being prepared. Issuing orders and expecting them to be followed through. Discipline. Martial arts of all kinds. Going over and over possible outcomes. Safeguards put in place. Gas masks and bomb shelters.

The Caution: Rigid routine for no real purpose. Overreactions. Seeing threats or attack everywhere. Going over things too much. Not knowing what to do or how to act. Drills.

The Moon’s South Node symbolizes: Past karmic patterns to be overcome, can be habits that are good, but can describe things, relationships, issues that you need to let go of, or, hold you back from manifesting your true destiny. Relationships that feel karmic and difficult, memories from the past.