Archive for category: Astrology

Mars is free at last. After eight intense months—much of which was spent in a heated battle with restrictive Saturn—Mars orbited out of Scorpio in mid-September toward a new-found freedom in the less turbulent cosmic atmosphere of Sagittarius.

Mars normally does very well in its home sign of Scorpio. But during most of the year it was forced to share Scorpio with Saturn—which, like Mars, is a malefic planet. By nature, Mars and Saturn are polar opposites. Mars, the warrior, is combative and driven by dynamic action and unfettered forward movement; Saturn insists on reasoned reflection, introspection and plodding discipline. When two malefic planets of such opposite natures come together the resulting tension, friction and explosive display of fireworks can disrupt our lives and our world. This was certainly evident in the social turmoil we witnessed—terrorist attacks, mass murders and political mudslinging—in the months leading up to and following the August 24th Mars-Saturn conjunction in Scorpio.

Now that Mars is in Sagittarius with Saturn slowly disappearing in its rearview mirror, we can all breathe a little a bit easier—things are likely to be more peaceful on that front, allowing many areas of our lives to open up again.

Sagittarius is ruled by the expansive, beneficent planet Jupiter, and Mars is good friends with Jupiter. That friendship allows Mars to adopt, defend and assert many of Jupiter’s virtues—tolerance, noble ambition, positive thinking, personal dignity, spiritual development and the promotion of constructive humanitarian pursuits. No longer preoccupied with battling Saturn’s controlling and limiting influence, Mars can now take a wider world view and champion righteous causes . . . it can become the noble, protective warrior instead of the bloody and ferocious combat-ready soldier.

Mars’ fiery temperament also resonates perfectly with Sagittarius, which is a fire sign. The heat created by this combination will ignite within us a renewed passion and optimism for life, as well as an enthusiasm to move forward in our personal endeavors while helping others to do the same.

In fact, we may become so enthusiastic about performing good deeds and supporting causes during Mars’ sojourn in Sagittarius that we must be cautious not to become impatient, self-righteous, or lose our tempers if others fail to share our eagerness, gusto or ideals. We must also be careful to maintain our equilibrium and not get carried away while pursuing our goals. Sagittarius can instill in us so much fervor that we can easily overestimate our own strength and end up overexerting ourselves, exhausting our energies and becoming discouraged when we are unable to accomplish as much as we would have liked.

So, as long as we don’t bite off more than we can chew and conduct ourselves with discernment, the next weeks promise to be a positive and productive period—and a welcome change from the stressful and difficult months we’ve endured since Mars began its prolonged encounter with Saturn in Scorpio this past February.

If you would like help benefiting from the energy of Mars in Sagittarius, give us a call at 866-428-3799, or click here to book a consultation. We are here to help.

We’d love your input on this story, please feel free to leave us your comments.

If your world has been turned upside down over the past few weeks, get ready to breathe a sigh of relief—Mercury retrograde is almost over! Mercury has been retrograde since August 30th and will, at long last, go direct this Thursday, September 22nd.

Mercury retrograde generally occurs several times a year when the planet Mercury moves between the Sun and the Earth and, due to an optical illusion, appears to reverse its orbit and travel backwards. Even those who don’t believe in astrology pay attention when Mercury is retrograding because the strange, highly disruptive occurrences that take place during this turbulent planetary period are too many and too frequent to ignore.

What can go wrong during Mercury retrograde? Well . . .  just about anything and everything—and for good reason. Mercury rules every form of human and mechanical communication, including our thoughts and how we express them. When Mercury is retrograde you may have noticed that your thinking becomes muddled—you are unable to say what you want or you say something you wish you hadn’t. During retrograde, emails have a habit of disappearing, brand new computers crash, flights get canceled, trains run late, taxis pass you by, rent cheques get lost in the mail, keys disappear, smart phones become dumb, job offers are rescinded, misunderstandings abound and petty arguments can turn nasty among the most loving family members and between the very best of friends.

This is why astrologers advise clients to avoid signing contracts, making big life decisions, making major investments or starting new projects during Mercury retrograde—the pervasive aura of misunderstanding and confusion can undermine any or all of these undertakings. This well-founded advice applies doubly during the current Mercury retrograde period as it coincides with last Friday’s Lunar full-moon eclipse—the after effects of which we are still feeling.

Some speculate that Mercury, which is thought to have the densest iron-core of any planet in the solar system, causes so much chaos in our lives because it is, in essence, a huge magnet floating though space. The theory is that because it is at its closest proximity to Earth during retrograde, Mercury’s magnetic force interacts with and disrupts our own planet’s magnetic field, as well as all electromagnetic machinery operating within that field. This includes the human brain, which recent scientific study strongly suggests is subconsciously and intimately linked to Earth’s magnetic currents.

Regardless of the cause, Mercury retrograde challenges us mentally and emotionally, and our responses to those challenges can teach us a lot about ourselves and show us the lessons we need to learn to better cope with life when things don’t go as we hoped or expected.

So when Mercury goes direct on Thursday, we should not only celebrate the end of Mercury retrograde, but reflect upon the obstacles and experiences we’ve struggled with over the past few weeks. Mercury direct may take several days before it snaps things back into place, giving us the opportunity and perspective to calmly examine our thoughts and behavior during the past retrograde.

This reflection can lead to a greater wisdom and help us develop the tolerance and patience to succeed in future endeavours. It will also prepare us to deal with the next three-week-long Mercury retrograde beginning on December 19th, ensuring we will have a Merry Christmas, but not a Hectic New Year.

You would like to understand how Mercury is affecting you and your chart, give us a call at 866-428-3799, or click here to book a consultation. We’re here to help.

Do you have a Mercury retrograde story? We'd love to hear it! Feel free to comment on our blog.

The term “squaring off” was coined by a sports commentator in the 19th century describing the fighting stance boxers adopted when encountering their opponent in the ring. It is a stance rife with tension and tightly coiled explosive energy as both boxers prepare to exert their dominance, ward off the blows of the other contender, maintain the upper hand and assure their own victory.

A similar situation occurs in astrology when two planets face each other at a 90-degree aspect—an aspect referred to as “the square”. Like fighters squaring off in the ring, the two planets in an astrological square are wary of each other, highly charged with internal tensions and external pressures, are inclined to block the opposing planet’s individual strengths and continually attempt to preserve their own dominance. The results of these celestial encounters can be bruising and have an enormous impact on all our lives.

At this very moment (September 1st-15th 2016) one of the most powerful astrological squares in the Cosmos is taking shape, and it is an event you want to be prepared for.

Saturn square Neptune is a major aspect that, without exaggeration, is nothing less that a battle between reality and illusion. This is because Saturn’s energy represents structure and truth while Neptune’s energy is illusory and changeable; where Saturn demands restrictions and boundaries, Neptune is amorphous and refuses to be contained. Saturn focuses on practicality and purpose; Neptune is freewheeling, ethereal and idealistic. In short—the two planets are polar opposites. The interaction and struggle between their vastly different energies can call into question everything we believe we know as fact and all we consider to be true and secure—our careers, our relationships, our social structures, even our sense of personal identity.

During this transit we may find that many things we have held to be true—both in our personal lives and on the world stage—are dragged into the light of day to test their validity. Just to give a few examples, British actor Emma Thompson is working with Greenpeace to expose the extensive seismic testing in the ocean in Nunavut as the underwater blasts will harm and chase away the marine mammals the people depend on for food. WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, promises to release more damming material concerning the U.S. elections. After many years of request from the aboriginal people to the Canadian Government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is launching a nationwide investigation into murdered and missing aboriginal women. And more and more we are discovering how man-made climate change is fueling extreme weather events.

Consequently, both personally or globally, our view of reality may be challenged or even shattered, which—as major aspects often do—can trigger major life changes. And as change is always difficult, and the naked truth often hard to accept, the next two weeks could be a period in which we experience and/or witness a great deal of confusion and possible turmoil.

The good news is that the intense planetary energy driving this change, although initially uncomfortable or painful for us to endure, is filled with positive potential and opportunity. The power dynamic of Saturn square Neptune can spur us to action, forcing us to abandon long-held illusions and misconceptions that may have silently hindered our progress. If we have the courage to accept what we learn and the fortitude not to avoid retreat into denial or delusion, this transit offers us the chance to break with the past, make a brave new start and venture forth to a more truthful and enlightened future.

If you would like help navigating this period, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 866-428-3799, or book a consultation by clicking here.

It has been a turbulent and stressful month. Violence, bloodshed and the politics of fear and division have erupted across the globe. We’ve witnessed the horrific terrorist attacks in Nice, Munich and Normandy; a bloody escalation in the Syrian civil war; a deadly attempted coup in Turkey; rising racial tension and mass shootings in Texas and Louisiana; millions of Britons exiting the EU to stop job-seeking refugees in Eastern European from entering England, and right-wing politicians, such as France’s Marine Maréchal-Le Pen and U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, publicly decrying entire ethnic groups—promising to banish some and build walls to keep others out.

There is an unsettling surge in conflict and crisis from Baton Rouge to Istanbul. Are these seemingly isolated events related? Might that relationship have something to do with our planets? The answer is yes, on both counts.

As it happens, Saturn and Mars—both malefic planets—are in conjunction, meaning they have drawn close enough to each other for their energies to interact. And when two malefic planets with opposite natures conjunct, the interaction can be explosive—they can’t see each other’s point of view and find it extremely difficult to compromise. Mars is action and Saturn is reflection; when they work in tandem they can be a dynamic and highly productive duo . . . but not when they are facing off in Scorpio, as they are right now.

Scorpio is Mars’s home sign, a home in which it is truly formidable, fueled by powerful emotions, churning desire and a strength of will capable of accomplishing practically anything. But while conjunct Saturn in Scorpio, Mars is a rogue player, unguided by Saturn’s sagacity and discipline. Saturn is unhappy and surly in Scorpio. While the positive aspects of Saturn provide us with the wisdom to overcome and evolve through challenge, it is a malefic planet and can be individualistic, calculating and cold. Saturn becomes impatient and intolerant in Scorpio and uses its wisdom in a shrewd, manipulative manner to ensure it comes out on top in any situation. It is driven by an intense emotional energy stemming from deeply buried feelings; when hurt, it will strike back ruthlessly and without mercy, seeking vengeance at any cost.

This galactic clash between action and reason—between Mars, the god of war, and Saturn, with its uncompromising and ultra-personal views—can spell disaster. With no common middle ground, it is very hard for them—or humankind under their influence—to discuss the issues that divide us, be they human rights, inequality, poverty or religion. The Mars-Saturn conjunction both highlights and aggravates these divides: instead of peace talks, there is terrorism; instead of dialogue, there are drone strikes, instead of neighborly conversation, we build walls.

Mars and Saturn began their long conjunction in February in the sign of Scorpio; they have been drawing nearer to each other ever since. They will be at their closest—at 17 degrees Scorpio—on August 24th and remain close until September 2nd.  During this period, we must avoid interiorizing the bitterness this conjunction can generate; we must be tolerant and carefully reflect upon the consequences of our actions, whether on the world stage or in our personal lives.  The universal principle ‘as above so below’ is a reminder that whatever is happening in the world is also happening inside of us.

This is a stressful and challenging time for all of us. If you would like professional guidance to maintain your balance and make the most of the Mars-Saturn conjunction, contact us. We’re here to help.

This week marks the beginning of a major celestial transition: Jupiter—which has been in the sign of Leo for the past year—is moving into Virgo, where it will remain for the next twelve months. Astrologically, this is a big deal: Benevolent Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and has a powerful influence on human behavior and earthly affairs. Ancient astrologers revered Jupiter and referred to it as Guru, the dispeller of darkness. Guru is an apt moniker for a planet that is associated with the most enlightened aspects of our being—an open and flexible mind; a peaceful and inclusive world view; a proclivity towards tolerance and compassion; the drive to find a purpose in life; self-confidence; magnanimity and the urge to expand one’s consciousness through philosophy, faith and devotion.

These lofty Jovian attributes were well nurtured during Jupiter’s year-long sojourn in Leo. Leo, the regal and courageous lion, is ruled by the Sun and is in perfect attunement with Jupiter’s noble disposition. Jupiter and Leo’s relationship is extremely harmonious and Leo provided the ideal environment to accommodate, support and enhance Jupiter’s expansive nature.

Virgo, however, is detail-oriented and meticulously focused on the minutia of current events and personal relationships. Virgo is happily ruled by Mercury, where its insights can be astute, precise and perceptive, but Jupiter is not so happy to be in Virgo.

Jupiter is in its detriment in the sign of Virgo, meaning it is in direct opposition to Pisces, which it rules and where it feels comfortably at home. This weakens Jupiter’s strengths, curtailing its expansive view and making it susceptible to Virgo’s negative aspects and intense attention to detail. For Jupiter, entering Virgo from Leo is like a dolphin leaping from an ocean into a goldfish bowl—and the impact can create a ripple effect across our own planet. Jupiter’s narrowing perspective is capable of limiting our own vision of the world and the people around us. We may start to second-guess everything we believe to be true, undermining our self-confidence, making us overly critical, self-righteous and easily drawn into petty arguments or bitter disputes. It is a major challenge for planets in detriment to maintain spiritual equilibrium and inner peace; the 180-degree aspect requires us to balance the negative qualities and weaknesses of the detriment by embracing the strengths and positive qualities that are their polar opposite.

Jupiter officially enters Virgo on Thursday, August 4th, before then it will be travelling through the final degrees of Leo—including the critical 29th degree, where it will be briefly suspended between Leo and Virgo, drawn toward both of them simultaneously. During this transitional tug-of-war, we may feel as though we are being yanked in opposite directions as well. This friction between dueling signs of the zodiac can create a great deal of inner-tension, emotional turmoil, confusion and frayed nerves—so it is advisable to remain as calm and collected as possible over the next few days; avoid doing or saying anything you might regret later.

As of Thursday, we’ll all have to adjust to the new cycle of Jupiter-in-Virgo energy, which will be with us until Jupiter leaves Virgo next summer. So, for the next year, we must make an effort to minimize the negative influences of Jupiter-in-Virgo by embracing the best characteristics of Jupiter—and those of the gentle, Jupiter-ruled Pisces. Strive to remain open-minded; avoid getting bogged down in details; avoid senseless arguments; be more tolerant of others; practice kindness and generosity; be curious about the world around you and meditate as often as possible to center your energy.

This is especially important for those with Jupiter-in-Virgo in their birth chart—these people are experiencing a Jupiter return, which occurs approximately once ever twelve years. A Jupiter return will be a period in which you are more keenly aware of what you have not achieved instead of what you have accomplished. So don’t be too critical with yourself. Stay positive, focus on your achievements, connect to your intuition and spiritual self, and most importantly, be grateful for all you have. Gratitude forges a coherence between heart and mind—a sure route to happiness and a well of inner strength we can draw from in the months ahead.

We must remember that there is plenty to look forward to in the coming year. When a planet moves into a new sign of the zodiac we are presented with the opportunity to begin a new chapter in our life, a chapter filled with new possibilities, challenges and lessons to be learned. Best of all, because astrology and palmistry are sister sciences, we can witness all the positive changes taking place in our lives in the palm of our hand!

So, take advantage of this Jupiter transition to dispel the darkness, learn new life-skills and stretch your personal horizons! Enjoy the new year!

If you would like help making the most of this planetary transit, give us a call at 866-428-3799, or click here to book a consultation.