Astrology and Self Understanding

Mercury seems to be as ready for forward movement as I am, the last few moments of the cycle unravel with as much chaos as could be expected. Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending an astrological workshop presented by astrologer Austin Coppock, as he presented in such depth and detail about the decans in astrology. The history and evolution and inspection he offered on each we can was graphic and so accurate. If I were to break it down, the basic premise is that it matters if a planet, such as the Sun, was at the beginning, middle,or end of a sign, and this has hearing into  how those traits filter into the personality. I've always noticed that the Virgo energy passing through someone that is early August Virgo is diferent than someone late Virgo/almost Libra, for example. For me, it is another way of seeing astrology as a journey, as we mimic the evolution through the signs over the course of our lifetimes. I like to think that we have all 12 signs within us...just to varying Wrees. Our task is to understand and embrace all facets of the signs and to attain a balanced expression of each.
I recently saw a beautiful documentary called The Secrets of Water. I learned about how vital water is for our survival and that it has import beyond beingbeing liquid...it also holds and emits energy. Our planet and our physical forms are filled with water. As water is impressionable and holds memory, so too does ths body. Delicate microbes in the human gut become more active just prior to a solar flare, as if they are aware of the impending surge of energy of the sun. And parasites that take up residence in the human form are more active in the wee small hours of the morning and during a full moon. In astrology we talk about the profound impact of prenatal eclipses on the developing human.
This deepens for me a tense of awe of the human form, as well as for those divine, sometimes unknown cycles of the Universe and cosmos.

secretsofwaterthedocumentary.com

Voice and Expression

Hello and happy New Year! 2016 brings forth images of a clean slate and new beginnings, despite the impending Mercury Retrograde that begins on Monday. We may have an opportunity revisit our actions of the last few weeks for greater clarity and to re-examine the energy we put into certain conversations or practices.

I recently saw a movie called Suffragette; it is a period film set in the early 1900's in Britain, and shines light upon the early women's movement of that time, when women were struggling for the right to vote. This movie deeply impacted me. As a female living in a "free" country with full voting rights, I realize I have taken it for granted in my lifetime that I have a voice, that my voice and my vote count for something. I have a vague awareness of the women's movement and that somewhere along the line women were not able to vote in the United States and at some point that changed. But i had never really studied how this came about. In my mind's eye, there were maybe a few conversations were women pointed out their need to vote and men acquiesced.

Suffragette provided details of women really went through, the lives they had that led them to the need to vote, the abuse at the hands of men in power, the plight of the poor and disadvantaged. I learned that the women who came before me had to fight tooth and nail to change this outdated power structure, one in which only men had a say. Women that I don't know marched in the streets, set the world on fire, took a risk, and some lost their lives: in short, it was a fight. The old adage,
I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, has been burned in my mind since viewing this film.

I realize I have made a mistake in making it something casual that I have a say and can vote. At the end of the film, there was a powerful credit reel at the end where it lists various countries and the year in which women received the right to vote; at the tail end is Saudi Arabia, where women are still in the struggle.

This being an election year, blogging about this film and this issue feels timely. As a woman I recently met said, "this is the best time and place to be alive as a woman." I am feeling more deeply what this means: the right to own property, to be protected from harm, to have creative expression, to Love God in whatever way one feels drawn - to have one's voice be heard. I plan to take more action on this in 2016, to make my voice heard, to make my life matter. Of course, it goes beyond a shameless plug urging you to make your voices heard through the vote: there are a lot of ways to self express and make your voice heard.

Because, as the saying goes, I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me.

Namaste,
Jane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=056FI2Pq9RY

Summer 2015 Activity

As I write this blog, summer is winding it's way toward the end of it's days. Children are returning to school, students are again filling the collages, and in the desert we have high hopes for eventual cool weather. Each summer seems to have it's own theme unique to the person or group of people experiencing it. For me, it was a summer of new beginnings, a few needed endings, connections with nurturing friends, and conscious rest. I say 'conscious' because my normal tendency is to keep the to-do list full, my schedule hopping, and then at the end of the summer feel resentful that I didn't really 'do' anything (besides work!). This summer I made sure I had time for pleasure, spaces in my calendar, time for activities that are refreshing and fun. I even made a trip to Michigan to do spiritual service and connect with old friends.

Astrologically, my attention goes toward this as the summer of retrograde planets; normally, the outer planets are retrograde during our summers, but for some reason, this summer I actually saw and felt that as support to slow down, re-evaluate, re-think my plans, and rest. Uranus, the planet of revolution and change, retrograded on July 26 in the powerful, action-oriented sign of Aries. Did you feel any cues to slow down? Neptune, which brings us mystical cycles that augment our daily realities concurrent with choices to stay clear headed or move into addictions or ways that we fool ourselves, went retrograde June 12th in it's home sign of Pisces. Pluto, planet of transformation, change, and restructuring, has been slowly moving retrograde since April 16, offering a second chance with our plans to revisit existing foundations. And finally, Saturn, planet of discipline, motivation, and rewards from hard work, has been backtracking in Scorpio since March 14.

We live in a world where technology allows our psyche to be tethered, tamed, timed, and teased 24/7. Entire self-help books and workshops are being formed around teaching people how to slow down and how to un-plug. I feel that with these retrogrades, the Universe offers the support that can only be located through slowing down, reflecting on our words before they are chosen, revisiting ideas that are not working as they should. As my Teacher as coached, without slowness, we cannot really feel who we are and we miss out on the present moment.

This fall, planetary momentum will again build as planetary cycles move toward forward motion. The combination of full moons and solar flares and eclipse activity will serve as triggers to move us forward. The Pisces Full Moon of August 29th will send ripple effects into our psyches through the dream time and other realms; pay attention to your intuition! The eclipses of September 12 and September 27 will bring changes of their own.

The direct motion of Uranus will not occur until December 25th, so Uranian energy may not be as full as it has been; this will impact especially those born under Aquarius, as this is your ruler. The direct motion of Pisces will occur on November 18th, allowing for more clarity and insight; this will especially impact Pisces, as this is your ruler. Pluto moves forward on September 25th, allowing the transformation to move with better alignment; Scorpio will feel this movement the most as it is your ruling planet. Saturn's recent movement forward on August 2nd will impact everyone, but especially Capricorn, as this is your ruling planet. We may be visiting a few issues or ideas left over from the last Saturn cycle until Saturn moves back into Sagittarius on September 17, where it will remain until September 2017.

Planning and doing are important aspects of keeping the world afloat and progressing in evolution. I encourage you to consider adding spaces into your lives for rest, reflection, time in nature, doing things that bring you happiness and allow you to unplug. May you all have a beautiful remainder of summer and a brilliant and creative fall.

Namaste,
Jane

Mercury Retrograde: working positively with the Cycle

Mercury, planet of communication and transportation, will retrograde from May 18 to June 4 in the sign of Gemini. This could be perceived as a double-whammy as Gemini's natural ruler is Mercury. Typically this cycle is related to setbacks with communication, articulation, snafus with computers and phones, and glitches in transportation. Certainly, a cursory review of this transit could likely result in viewing the planet and it's 'backward' motion as something that will be challenging, but there are gifts as well.

Mercury takes an apparent look backwards about three times per year. I like to look at Mercury retrograde cycles in terms of their relationship to the last Mercury retrograde, in this case, back in January/February 2015 in the sign of Aquarius. Usually, if I examine the issues in my life in the previous retrograde cycle, there is something relevant that is continuing or being adjusted in the new Mercury cycle. Case in point: during the last cycle, I was hired on to work for a particular company. A bit dismayed, I realized I was beginning something new on a retrograde and that's not always the best energy to ride in on. I simply entered with the best enthusiasm that I had, knowing if there were glitches with email and computers and that I could just be patient and work them through, and they would resolve. I was in a new position and laid the groundwork for it during that time. I had a new commute, new employer, new way of relating to the world, and new class of living.

Now that we visit the second retrograde, the job is again shifting gears, and requiring my patience as my daily duties shift. congruent with the last retrograde are the same computer and email issues I faced in my first few weeks! This gives me a chance to be patient, check my energy, pause, and engage my meditative practices. I would venture to say that because of this, the retrograde feels somewhat good, as I am more mindful and more slowed down than usual! This new switch brings me a new boss, a new office, a new commute, and a different set of duties. Somehow, Mercury feels to have had a role in this movement, and I am in awe of how astrology works. I am excited to see what happens and shifts for the next retrograde, which will be in September/October in the sign of Libra.

May the movement of the planets create awe in your heart as it has in mine...Namaste.

Astrology of March 2015

Hello to all! March promises to be a busy month astrologically! New energies, new beginnings, and the closing of a long and perhaps challenging chapter. This month we have the final of 7 squares between Pluto and Uranus: in plain talk, the planets tend to have conversations with each other - these conversations have an impact on us as human. The conversations can be pleasant, challenging but with deeper results, and sometimes frustrating, but all of them push us toward growth. To understand the final square this month, we have to look back at the past to understand the present. The conversations between planets took part in segments, as follows:

6/6/12 to 7/9/12
9/18/12 to 10/1/12
5/15/13 to 6/1/13
10/17/13-11/15/13
4/12/14 to 4/29/14
11/26/14-12/27/14
3/11/15-3/28/15

 As is the case with change, it does not happen overnight. We may rise in the morning, have thoughts about a change we want to make in our lives, and then forget it. We may rise in the morning again, have those same thoughts, have a few conversations with people. We may be in the middle of our day when those thoughts come in again, we may do some research, have more conversations. And then finally, one day, we look back, and see that change has occurred. Think of this planetary aspect, or conversation, as contractions toward change. If you were to reflect on these time periods in your life, what was happening? What changes were you trying to make? I feel these aspects were helping us to restructure some way of thinking, being, or relating. Each piece of the conversation has taught us about ourselves, each other, the world. A foundation has been set forth from which we can make future plans. Assisted by planetary cycles of deep cleansing and self examination, we are able to set forth a new path.

Balance is needed as we move forward, a slowing down of the body and mind through yoga, meditation, the addition of supportive herbs or teas into our lives. It helps during times of change to see the bigger picture at play while in the midst of change, especially during those times when things seem stuck and we may doubt that change is occurring.

Other aspects to consider this month include the upcoming eclipse on March 20th at 29' Pisces. This is a planet at the end of it's rope, humanity at the completion of one cycle, poised for the beginning of another. It occurs just prior to the beginning of the astrological year at 0' Aries, celebrated as the welcoming of spring in the northern hemisphere.

So as we see global changes continuing to occur around us, the restructuring of governments and systems, so too do we see this reflected in our own lives, as our own systems and defenses are dismantled. I feel really excited at the closing of one cycle and the beginning of another. Best wishes to you all on your journey.

Happy New Year Everyone!

To me, it felt like the New Year began at the Solstice on December 21st. I celebrated by doing a fire ceremony, letting of what is no longer needed by writing things down and tossing them into a fire, and then writing affirmations to bring in the new. This year, for me, is going to be about expanding my horizons in terms of my social networks where I live. I also plan to have more excellent adventures to post!

We are winding down now the Capricorn energy that was ushered in on the 21st, preparing to move more into Aquarius. This sign has so long been associated with revolution on the planet, so needed in order for change to happen. It is also associated with new inventions and ideas and global justice. We can see these issues playing out around us, nationally and globally. The time for healing is here! On Tuesday we welcome Aquarian energy via the movement of the Sun, as well as a New Moon in this sign. This is a great time to write intentions! On Wednesday, Mercury, planet of communication, begins to roll "backwards", offering a cycle that is well-suited to second chances, reviewing revising and re-examining existing plans and projects. We may see people from the past arrive again at our door.

As I attempt to bloom where I am, so to speak, I have been joining different groups and organizations. I've linked to a wonderful and inspirational group of women via a monthly book group, have joined two healing circles, located an astrology group, and began hiking Sabino Canyon.  In an effort to have more beauty and art in my life, I finally went to the DeGrazia gallery, which has been on my wish list for so long. Both DeGrazia and Sabino Canyon are in my backyard - and perhaps yours, too. I especially loved the signs of the zodiac.

for those who may be interested: http://degrazia.org/

An annual parking pass is only $20 and helps sustain the park: http://sabinocanyon.com/

Welcoming Saturn in Sagittarius next month!

We are quickly closing in on the tail end of 2014...can you believe it? Two years past the famed 2012 possible-end-of-the-world, and yet here we are all...still dancing on this little blue planet. Today I found myself reflecting on the planet Saturn, and it's movement through Scorpio, which began in October 2012 and will wind down on December 23rd, 2014. At that time, Saturn will slip into Sagittarius, an unlikely dance partner, as Saturn and Sagittarius are opposites in many ways.

Saturn is all about lessons to learn, discipline, and the rewards of hard work. Did you hear what I said? Not punishment for no reason at all, but rewards from work that has been done. Sagittarius rules religion, philosophy, matters at a distance, higher education, and long distance travel. It also relates to our sense of freedom and beliefs in God.

To me this cycle upcoming feels like it may root out more scandal and unhealthy patterns from religious and other leaders, exposing what has happened for many years, not creating something new to be upset about. When these issues hit the news, I give out a big yahoo, knowing this is the exposure of an undercurrent in operation for a long, long time, now coming to light, to be healed. This is good!

I feel this cycle will bring balance into our lives. Anyone else out there have difficulty maintaining work-relationship-life balance? These cycles teach us the beauty of having aspects of our lives come into balance with each other - a work in progress. I see an opportunity for hard work to be balanced with creative expression, the sense of release from a job well done and the release of play and creativity with friends. A balance of relationships with others and time alone for ourselves for reflection. From my perspective, the planets draw us toward health, balance, creativity, and love, through the cycles that we share together.

Another thing I am feeling about this cycle is how critical it is to play, especially adults. To consciously make time and create space for the engagement of play, putting it on the calendar the same as you would any other appointment.

As we move through fall and head towards winter, I wish you balance in all things, and much much happiness.