Venus Retrograde in Scorpio: The Crisis and Catharsis of Emotional Renewal

"Venus" photo art by Terence Arpino

Venus stationed retrograde in Scorpio today, and the Divine Feminine pauses to recapitulate the wisdom of her journey which began in Aries in March 2017. In what ways has the Divine Feminine within each of us (no matter our gender identity) grown since then? This was the journey of the Dauntless Warrioress...instinctually guided to protect and lead. We have seen this archetype emboldened on the world stage in female-initiated movements, speeches, and projects. And now Venus asks us each to look within to find how this journey has transformed you as an individual. What trail did you blaze with the spark of Aries fire? In what ways were you emboldened to take action in this time? And as we reach the end of this Venus cycle and begin anew in Scorpio (when Sun and Venus Rx meet in the 4^th degree of Scorpio on 10-26)...what transformations in your own understanding of the feminine principle have occurred?

Scorpio is a deep dive into the unknown to explore beyond our usual boundaries and into the shadows that must come to light. For almost a year now, it has been Jupiter in Scorpio enlightening us through the dark underbelly of society. But last month, Venus joined in this Scorpio experience to light up the darkness in an even more personal way.

The shadow of this Venus Retrograde began on September 3^rd, when Venus entered 25.14 degrees of Libra (where Venus will station direct on 11-16). Since Kavanaugh has been a disturbing focus in the U.S. lately...you might remember that his Supreme Court confirmation hearings began in that first week of Venus’s retrograde shadow. The shadow period of retrogrades (especially for the inner planets) are often a time when important things to do with the theme of that planet are being overlooked. When we go through the retrograde period, then, we have an opportunity for a closer look as well as an opportunity to pick up those pieces we may have missed while we were trying to forge ahead. Though these things are often easy to see play out on the world stage, it is also important to look at our individual experience of these energies and movements. Key points from our own experience between Labor Day and now will be revisited twice more between now and 12-16 (once through the lens of Venus Rx, and once more after she moves direct again). Venus’s retrograde lasts from now until she stations direct on 11-16...and the post-shadow period lasts another month after that.

Here is a list of some of the main events of the transition from the end of Venus’s Evening Star phase to the beginning of Venus’s Morning Star phase. I have included the Sabain Symbols to highlight the story within the story, as well as my own keynote about what we can expect from each part of this journey.

Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus'

9/3- Venus in Rx shadow (Libra 26: ‘an eagle and a large white dove change into each other’)

The appearance of balance between opposites, but something is overlooked.

9/8- Venus square Mars (Libra 30: ‘three mounds of knowledge on a philosopher’s head’ and Capricorn 30: ‘a secret meeting of men responsible for executive decisions in world affairs’)

Clash between what the Feminine Principle knows and what the Masculine Principle wants.

9/9- Venus enters Scorpio

The Divine Feminine investigates the truth under the surface.

10/5- Venus stations Retrograde (Scorpio 11: ‘a drowning man is being rescued’)

Venus Rx to the rescue, the pause we all need

10/10- Venus Rx square Mars, 2^nd pass (Scorpio 11: ‘a drowning man is being rescued’ and Aquarius 11: ‘a man who had become, for a time, the embodiment of a popular ideal is made to realize that, as a person, he is not this ideal’)

Humanity, drowning in a focus on desperation, is humbled by a saving grace.

10/15- Venus Rx conjunct Mercury (Scorpio 9: ‘a dentist at work’)

Repair after decay.

10/26- Venus Rx Cazimi (Interior Conjunction with Sun)/Venus becomes Morning Star (Scorpio 4: ‘a youth carries a lighted candle in a devotional ritual’)

The light of hope and renewal in the darkness. The phoenix reborn. New cycle of Scorpio Venus- The Shamaness.

10/30-10/31- Venus Rx in height of Fixed Grand Cross with Moon’s Nodes and Uranus Rx in the 1^st degrees of Fixed Signs (Venus Rx in Scorpio 1: ‘a crowded sightseeing bus on a city street’, North Node in Leo 1: ‘blood rushes to a man’s head as his vital energies are mobilized under the spur of ambition’, Uranus Rx in Taurus 1: ‘a clear mountain stream’, and South Node in Aquarius 1: ‘an old adobe mission in California’)

A forceful period of challenges to activate necessary change through resistance.

10/31- Venus Rx re-enters Libra

Reviewing equality in relationships

11/6- Nodes enter Cancer/Capricorn axis, Uranus Rx re-enters Aries

Dramatic shifts in world perspective, reviewing self-improvements.

11/16- Venus stations direct (Libra 26: ‘an eagle and a large white dove change into each other’)

Retrieval of the missing piece to achieve greater balance in opposites.

11/28-11/30- Venus in height of Cardinal Grand Cross with Uranus Rx and Moon’s Nodes (Venus in Libra 29: ‘humanity seeking to bridge the span of knowledge’, North Node in Cancer 29: ‘a muse weighing twins on golden scales’, South Node in Capricorn 29: ‘a woman reading tea leaves’, Uranus Rx in Aries 30: ‘a pond, a duck, and ducklings’, and Venus in Libra 30: ‘three mounds of knowledge on a philosopher’s head’)

Key period in the process of integrating Venus’s medicine, a collective identity crisis where we must pull ourselves back to center to implement necessary changes.

12/2- Venus re-enters Scorpio

The Shamaness returns to heal

12/17- Venus moves out of Rx shadow (Scorpio 11: ‘a drowning man is being rescued’)

One more rescue effort

1/7/19- Venus moves from Scorpio to Sagittarius

Divine Feminine Vision Quest

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi

Full Moon in Aries: New Perspectives on Humanity

Full Moon in Aries: New Perspectives on Humanity

Moon opposite Sun @ 9:51pm CDT on 9-24-2018

As we greet the Harvest Moon just after Equinox, abundance is met with temperance. What seeds of this harvest do you want to save for future harvests? What is no longer needed? The Libra energy of the season helps us to weigh these options as we build our relationship with our Mother Earth, and with all of her children.

So close to the September Equinox (Mabon, as I celebrate it), the Sun in this Full Moon opposition is aligned with the Super Galactic Center. SGC is the core of a larger cluster of galaxies forming a super galaxy. This super-massive black hole can both evoke the void unable to be filled as well as a source of immense healing. As with everything, it’s all in how you work with it. In my view, these places are portals where we can be granted access to light codes far beyond our current awareness...helping us to heal old relationships and bring in new ones with an expanded sense of who we really are. To others, maybe it’s a deep dark hole of nothingness that makes them feel nothing is ever enough. I certainly hope not.

The Aries-Libra axis of this Full Moon always brings up the theme of Self and Other. The common thread between You and Me is...”Us” (or, “We”). When the luminaries light up this axis, the highest expression is one of Namaste (an acknowledgment and appreciation of the light within each of us being the same light, even with our individual expressions). Aries is that spark that ignites the individual’s journey and holds integrity with our purpose...while Libra is the acceptance and appreciation for and from another being on their own journey who joins paths with us in any way (from a brief encounter to a committed partnership).

And no, it’s not always peace and harmony. There can seem such a stark contrast between Self and Other. One might feel they got the short end of the stick somehow. Demands for equality often arise when a lack is recognized. Or, one might feel above another in some way. And the wound of separation deepens and widens. Keeping things balanced is a constant effort.

This Full Moon is conjunct Chiron Retrograde at the beginning of Aries. I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate other astrologers who want to move away from linking Chiron with wounding. I can respect that, because the conversation around Chiron can get so singularly focused there. However, when I speak or write of the wound revealed by Chiron, it is not the incurable injury he suffered at the end of his mythic storyline...it is the original wound of separation he carried from both his parents as well as other centaurs. What Chiron teaches, by his example, is how our original wounds become our greatest gifts. Chiron became a great teacher and healer because he found that wound was not a lack, but the source of his unique medicine. And in this initial phase of our current Chiron in Aries cycle, we are to re-member ourselves as healers. As I’ve mentioned before about Chiron in Aries, the message here is: “Know thyself to heal thyself”. And this Full Moon is another chance to deepen our experience of this wisdom before Chiron dips back into Pisces waters for a closing lesson there.

Chiron’s father, Saturn (Kronos), is in a 90 degree square with this Aries-Libra axis...so that original wound may get tested at this time. If you have natal planets at the beginning degrees of Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn)...they will be activated with this Cardinal T-Square transit to varying degrees of personal expression. However, keep in mind that these transits also have an affect on a global scale...in which case we may witness anything from stressful clashes to inspiring activation happening all around us. Again, it depends on how each person works with the energies. If more of us could see the gift of inspiration for necessary change within the dynamic force of square energy, rather than simply focusing on the stress and holding it there, we could come to meaningful resolutions. But that’s not the widely accepted experience of things. Still, what I see is more and more people holding a higher frequency of expression. It’s only a matter of time, Saturn says, before such responsibility catches on. Until then, whatever lesson is necessary.

Moon in Aries 2

The Sabian Symbol for Aries 2 is “A comedian reveals human nature”. The Astro-Wizard, Rick Levine, recently brought to my attention the Terence McKenna quote: “Levity is the opposite of Gravity.” Just the quote made me laugh to myself as I remembered my dad making up the word ‘Levitious’ as a way to describe someone (like himself) who intends to add levity to serious situations. The Comedian/Jester/Fool/Clown/Trickster/Heyokah archetype may come into play at this time. Human nature will be best revealed in this way of teaching through opposites and humor. Think of how you respond to some of your favorite comedians as they point out the absurdity of our human experience. Somehow they can get you to grasp that message without holding you in anger at the gravity of our situation...because they simultaneously lift you out of it by making you laugh (at yourself as well as the situation). And laughter can inspire courage...the courage to face the dark and transmute it to light.

Chiron Rx-Hygeia Rx in Aries 1

In conjunction with the Full Moon is a double dose of Healer energy from Chiron Retrograde and Hygeia Retrograde. Many of us know of Chiron by now, but who is Hygeia? She is the asteroid named after the Goddess of Health and Prevention of Illness (the word ‘hygiene’ comes from her name). With Moon in the Comedian degree, Hygeia joins her to remind us that ‘laughter IS the best medicine’. And Chiron joins in to teach the gift of levity. The Sabian Symbol of these two Healers is “A woman rises from the ocean; a seal embraces her”. This degree is about creative beginnings. This is a reminder from Chiron (as he first ingressed Aries on April 17^th this year) that each individual has the potential to arise from the collective and actualize their destiny in society and in the planetary organism of the Earth. Now, in this retrograde pass, the message is that we will soon need to return to the Piscean Ocean because there is some medicine there to retrieve before we can fully embrace our own emergence as healers. With every new beginning, something is often left behind. This was a step out of the collective unconscious (symbolized by the ocean) and into individual consciousness…but not a separation. There is a need to soon return. But first we must remember this impulse to become, so we can return to it again in the third pass. This image speaks of mermaids and the Selkie myth…where the woman is of two worlds. It is about our potential. Finding your feet and reaching solid ground is part of the process, and it takes some time to get used to as we step in and out and back again to this new arena. What transpires now in this process of becoming is not a setback...it is a necessary return to a lesson that still needs some closure.

Sun in Libra 2 (Super Galactic Center)

The Sabian Symbol for Libra 2 is “The light of the sixth race transmuted to the seventh”. This is one of the more esoteric symbols, as it indicates the threshold between spiritual dimensions. Dane Rudhyar preferred the translation, “The transmutation of the fruits of past experiences into the seed-realizations of the forever creative spirit”...which has a similar feeling to the first degree of Aries that alludes to the germination of the seed which breaks through the crust of the soil still covered in the remains of the past. The symbol has to do with the evolution and expansion of consciousness through the planetary ascension process. The challenge is to let go of our limiting thought processes so that we can reach new levels of awareness. Ascension to higher levels can be like an insatiable hunger to so many New Age Seekers...like a black hole, we may consume whatever information (light) is available to us...trying to fill a void of what we, again, assume we lack. The SGC degrees (between the end of Virgo and Libra 6, where Mercury is now) challenge us to get out of our own way and stop attracting more of the feeling of lack and unhealthy hierarchy that we want so desperately to be free from. So Chiron Retrograde in Aries will soon bring us back to Pisces for whatever lesson we need to more fully integrate before we can emerge anew again. In the meantime, what does Mercury have to say about what is needed for our collective mind?

Mercury in Libra 6

The Sabian Symbol for this degree is “a man watches his ideals take a concrete form before his inner vision”. This symbol directly relates to the Law of Attraction. Thoughts and imaginings take form, like attracts like, and whatever we wish for can be realized. It’s so simple, yet it is something we so often get in the way of realizing. We’re often more prone to worrying, obsessing over things that don’t matter, amplifying thoughts that make us feel unworthy or unappreciated, etc (ad nauseam): a perpetual loop of attracting more of what we don’t need. How do we break such habits? Saturn and Vesta agree, ‘Routine practice. Make it part of your sacred work.’

Vesta and Saturn in Capricorn 3

The square energy from Vesta and Saturn pool the focus of the opposition to this point of Capricorn. The Sabian Symbol here is “a human soul, in its eagerness for new experiences, seeks embodiment”. Themes from the other symbols mentioned in the Aries-Libra axis bring us to the core here of what we need in order to attain the balance between levity and gravity: embodiment. What are your embodiment practices? Vesta and Saturn both have much to do with dedication, commitment, and responsibility…and in this Cardinal Earth sign, they focus their efforts (and incline ours) to the most tangible manifestation of our identity as human beings: the body. The Comedian within may refer to it as our ‘meat suit’ or our ‘monkey suit’...and as long as we also remember that our body is our Temple, we can wear that suit well. Is it possible to ascend to a higher state of consciousness while still remaining grounded in our bodies upon the body of our Mother Earth? Absolutely, yes. In fact, it is that perfect alchemy of Spirit, Soul, and Matter that makes us who we are and allows us to actualize the purpose of humanity. So, go outside...get your bare feet on the Earth...and appreciate the season we’re in right now. Remember, the experience of what is new begins with you.

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi

Full Moon in Pisces: A Bridge Between Worlds

Full Moon in Pisces: A Bridge Between Worlds

Moon opposite Sun @ 6:53am on 8-26-18

This week, in between Mercury’s Station (8-18) and this Full Corn Moon (8-26), has been one of processing all the new information we just gleaned from this Summer of Retrogrades and Eclipses. As we return to the forward-thinking of the collective mind (Mercury Direct), we are preparing ourselves for a few ‘third time’s the charm’ experiences (with Neptune Rx, Jupiter, and Pluto Rx). But first, a Full Moon to illuminate the integration theme and transform the seeds of the eclipsed New Moon in Leo to an abundant field of promise. Mars, still retrograde until the following day, is stationed at Capricorn 29 (Sabian Symbol: “a woman reading tea leaves”) this weekend as well...so be aware of whether your actions are aligned with your truest desires at this time, and what your intuitive instincts are bringing into focus.

What the Virgo-Pisces axis of this Full Moon brings to light is how we can best be of service at this time. Virgo Sun illuminates the necessity of getting down to brass tacks about what is essential, while Pisces Moon boosts the empathic sense of where our love needs to flow. It’s not meant to be an either/or issue...though many of us have been conditioned to separate the two forms of service between the physical and the metaphysical. At this Full Moon, it’s all about bridging between worlds...clearing out the clutter so we can allow the spiritual to manifest in the healthiest ways throughout our everyday lives.

Moon in Pisces 4: Heavy car traffic on a narrow isthmus linking two seashore resorts

This symbol has to do with convergence...bringing together what appears to be separate. With this lunar influence, there is a pull toward service that helps others create beneficial links...either to each other or within their own experience...to keep them from feeling alienated or to try to ease the heaviness within them. The interchange of ideas and interplay of activity is something that keeps us all interconnected. However, if we don’t keep things balanced, confusion can ensue and traffic jams may result. Moon in Pisces reminds us, ‘you can be the builder of bridges (or, better yet, teach others how to build those bridges) without having to carry the weight of being the bridge yourself.’ For many of us who identify as healers, we may be called upon at this time to help people with the clean-up work of ‘heavy traffic’ after the triple eclipses and the integration of what Mercury’s Retrograde restored in us. This is as much a reminder to myself as it is for the rest of you: keep in mind that one of the themes this summer has been self-care. For many of us, it helps us to help others...and that’s a good thing, in moderation. Remember that losing yourself in the process of helping others discover what they’re searching for can result in the kind of energetic traffic jams that confuse interactions and halt progress. Pisces can stir up confusion, or it can provide a limitless flow of inspiration...it’s all in how you use it.

Sun in Virgo 4: Black and white children play together happily

This symbol has to do with humanity. The true essence of humanity is in our brotherhood, sisterhood, and the creative play we engage in together that builds relationships with each other and with our world. The many contrasts of our outward expression all come to our unified essentials within...it is what we share with each other in our interactions (a meeting of minds, hearts, and souls) that is most important. So where the inspiration to come together is anchored in the intuitive knowing of Piscean waters...the tangible manifestation that earthy Virgo brings is one of joyful play.

Go Fly a Kite

Okay, maybe not literally (but you could, if weather permits). But this Full Moon holds a harmonious opportunity within an aspect pattern known as the Kite. This combines a strong Grand Earth Trine of Uranus Rx in Taurus, Sun in Virgo, and Saturn Rx in Capricorn with Moon sextiling both retrograde planets and opposite the Sun. All of that creative potential stored within the Grand Earth Trine receives a gentle push from the Pisces Moon to make something of it. An opportunity may arise for each of us tomorrow to more fully engage in the promise of this Full Moon. It may not be something you expect, or even something very obvious...but it will be there, waiting for you to rise to the occasion.

Mercury’s Post-Shadow Period:  The Collective Integration of Leo Wisdom

(Excerpt from a previous post about our week ahead:) About 11 hours after the Full Moon on August 26^th, Mercury meets Neptune Rx for their third and final inconjunct…and our first opportunity for integration of Mercury’s medicine arises. 

About 13 hours after Mars stations direct on August 27^th, Mercury meets Jupiter for their third and final square…and we may be ready to take action to change something that wasn’t previously working toward our collective enlightenment. 

Then on the 29^th, Mercury meets Pluto Rx for their third and final inconjunct…and our opportunity to integrate that final piece of soul wisdom occurs.  

After 4 more days, on September 2^nd, Mercury returns to that ‘unkempt yogi’ degree and actualizes it in a more substantial way.  We may realize a more healthy self-expression by focusing less on appearance and more on the Leo way of shining our own medicine with heart and mind aligned.

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi

Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius: Disentangling our Consuming Past

'Rahu Eating the Moon' by Bloodink6

Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius:  Disentangling our Consuming Past

Moon opposite Sun @ 3:20pm CDT on 7-27-18

A triple eclipse season.  A summer of multiple retrogrades.  So many rare alignments that astrologers can hardly keep up.  Can you imagine the state we would be in if there weren’t all these retrogrades to provide us the pauses to reflect and rethink?  Consider this…it may just be the retrogrades that are saving us from complete burnout this summer.

When it comes to my experience of retrogrades, I tend to rebel against the old ideas of how unfortunate they might be.  Why?  I was born with 6 planets retrograde.  Without going into full-on AstroGeek mode on the stats…I’ll just say that 6 retrograde planets at the same time happens very rarely.  Those who have researched and wrote about such retrograde accumulations couldn’t find enough case studies of individuals to remark on much of a pattern.  Interestingly, most of them studying people with multiple retrogrades weren’t born with many retrogrades themselves.  Let’s just say that those of us with multiple retrogrades are not only here to provide the ‘pause and reflect’ we all need from time to time, but we are sifting through all the accumulated conditioning of society to get to the roots of our issues and retrieve the medicine humanity needs.

This is a cleanup period.  Issues from the past resurface to be dealt with, and that’s why many people blame retrogrades for issues that confront them.  But the retrogrades don’t create the problems…these were issues that were already there but we didn’t have the time to work on them (or, it was easier to just put them on the back burner and move on).  Well, now is the time.  Especially from August 8-18, when Uranus turns retrograde at the end of Mercury’s Retrograde…all planets but Venus and Jupiter will be retrograde in that 10 day time period.  At that rare time of 6 retrogrades (which last occurred in the early 80s), the undeniable problems have been accumulating…and the retrogrades accumulate to provide us the medicine we need to finally work out those issues.

'Full Eclipse' by Donna Lilly

That being said, we’re right in the middle of a triple eclipse season…and this total lunar eclipse (visible in the eastern hemisphere) is a dramatic one with a long duration because it is in the middle of a Saros cycle.  Something that eclipses tend to do is they bring a feeling of things accelerating.  Multiple timelines seem to occur simultaneously.  Again, it seems beneficial that there are currently 5 planets retrograde to help us contemplate this acceleration in a way that can more clearly focus on what timeline is most beneficial for us to advance toward later.  How do we make the best decision?  By examining the past.

This particular eclipse belongs to the Saros cycle 129, which began in 1351.  This was after The Black Death had wiped out a large section of the population.  Labor shortage was on the minds of those in power in those areas at the time…as well as attempts to suppress the bargaining power that gave to the laborers.  That was the beginning of Saros 129, when Moon barely clipped the edge of Earth’s penumbral shadow.

Fast forward to 1910, when Saros 129 first began its series of total lunar eclipses.  That year, Henry Ford implemented the production line for greater efficiency.  This changed the way corporations operated, the way workers were treated, and created the ‘necessity’ of conditioning the public to be more ‘efficient’ consumers.  The issue then, for more efficient producers, was “How do we manipulate demand to increase with our accelerated supply?” 

Since, we’ve been dealing with the shadows of how our planet has been corrupted through accelerated commodification and over-consumption of human beings.  And that’s where the eclipse shadow brings us to now…to a time when corporate powers are both out-of-control and still somehow in control.  Such corrupted drive to control the masses is on full tilt…and it’s the people that have the power to flip the script.  But the corrupted powers-that-be are working feverishly to keep us in the dark about that.  We must decide…are we powerless to turn things around, or are we the force to be reckoned with as karmic justice comes back around to force us to rethink what we thought we knew about our trajectory?

As you may have noticed, I love symbolism…and the specific Sabian Symbols at play always seem to provide a deeper look into the larger theme of what’s being highlighted (as well as what’s being shadowed, in this case) during this Blessing Moon.

Leo- The Medicine of the Present Moment

Sun:  Leo 5- rock formations tower over a deep canyon

'Zion Canyon' by Danny Shrode

With all these timelines converging to contrast the light with the shadow of humanity’s relatively small experience on this planet…what has endured through all of our accelerated change?  Elemental forces…those forces that gradually shape the world around us over great periods of time.  But what are the shadow forces that have been shaping us over time?  What has created a deep chasm between where we are now and where we need to be?  To bring this shadow fully into the light, we may just have to take a giant leap into what seems impossible…a leap into the unknown.  We don’t have to stay stuck between a rock and a hard place.  This symbol is essentially about evolution…and it encourages us to trust in the enduring powers of Mother Earth.

North Lunar Node:  Leo 6- a conservative, old-fashioned lady is confronted by a ‘hippie’ girl

Here, the cultural values of the past are confronted with what is now being championed in younger generations.  Women alive today who’ve lived through most of these Saros 129 total eclipses grew up in the societal conditioning of consumerism and convenience culture to be ‘efficient’ housewives.  Women like Christine Frederick were helping men sell their products to “Mrs. Consumer” through the Ladies’ Home Journal…and women have been buying into that kind of marketing ever since.  Some time ago, ‘keeping up appearances’ seemed like the best thing to do.  But such ways are impermanent, because each successive generation holds the code breakers for the conditioning of the past.  We must be aware of the shadow here, though…as corporations, marketers, and media are always looking for ways to change up their strategies to appeal to the values of younger generations (which is why products that say ‘green’ or ‘natural’, appealing to those environmentalists among us, aren’t always what they appear to be).  Just because we feel less susceptible to what older generations fell for, doesn’t mean we won’t fall for re-vamped manipulations of our values.  Ultimately though, the Sun and North Node are showing us what we are moving toward, and what will nourish and sustain us as we call these shadows into the light.

Aquarius- The Release of Past

Mars Rx:  Aquarius 4- a yogi demonstrates his healing powers

If you read my Mercury Retrograde post, you may remember that Mercury has recently paused at a degree with a symbol (the ‘unkempt yogi’ degree) that is reminiscent of the one Mars is currently highlighting.  Mercury is still there, but not making as many waves as Mars Retrograde is right now.  What is it about this time that keeps bringing up symbols of the ‘yogi’?  Well, we’re obviously in a deep healing process, for one thing…as eclipses tend to bring up karmic associations to address.  And, with Mercury joining the retrogrades…we’re not meant to solve everything through the rational mind.  This is a distinctly spiritual journey.  I like what Dane Rudhyar wrote about the keynote of this degree: “the disciplined use of spiritual energies in restoring the natural harmony disturbed by man’s inharmonic attempts to transcend nature through mind”.  So, essentially, Mars Retrograde is working with the Moon at her South Node to release old corruptions and restore some harmony.  He has a more disciplined, spiritual approach than just charging forward with his sword and calling for war.  And since Mars is out-of-bounds and rebelling against what we might expect his actions to mean…it might even be appropriate to relate this disciplined, spiritual approach to a line from a Beastie Boys song:

“Pass me the scalpel, I'll make an incision. 
I'll cut off the part of your brain that does the bitchin’. 
Put it in formaldehyde and put it on the shelf, 
And you can show it to your friends and say "that's my old self".”

-‘Make Some Noise’ by the Beastie Boys, from ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part Two’

Weren’t expecting that from the Yogi degree, were you?  Good.  Mars out-of-bounds is full of surprises.  My point is that the Warrior so far south of the ecliptic, retrograding through perigee, and in this yogic healing degree might not just lay down his sword and chant bijas.  Spiritual bypass is something that has been necessary to confront as the South Node has been passing through Aquarius and challenging our urge to ‘detach’.  He might just be trading in his sword for a scalpel and laying down his gauntlet for some nitrile gloves…providing some metaphorical brain surgery to get right to the root of the imbalance.  After all, this symbol is about providing healing, not about a specific way in which we facilitate that healing. 

Moon:  Aquarius 5-  a council of ancestors is seen implementing the efforts of a young leader

With moon here, close to her apogee, we may have been feeling bound by ancestral or past-life karma.  Old issues may have been resurfacing since the New Moon opposite Pluto Rx…and much shadow work is still upon us.  But Moon means to show us, in her farthest reaches, that we are supported by our ancestors in clearing this karma.  After all, we are the hope for future generations.  One day, we will be the wise elders, and then part of the council of ancestors who support the next generations.  We are meant to lead by example.  All efforts in harmony with the whole are backed by those who came before us.

South Lunar Node:  Aquarius 6- a masked figure performs ritualistic acts in a mystery play

A larger story is playing out here…one that releases transpersonal forces through dramatic ritual.  Ritualistic drama was often performed to appease the gods and ensure a society’s survival, or to guide initiates into the Mysteries.  The plots were derived from the myths of the God or Goddess who was being honored in the performance (such as the initiation rites of the Eleusinian Mysteries, depicting the story of Demeter and Persephone).  The sacred rites of pagan mysteries were later replaced by mystery plays of biblical stories in medieval times.  Such mystery plays were performed in public for the masses and not as secret initiatory rites.  We are likely to see, on our world stage, one or more of these stories playing out.  The Abduction of Persephone?  The Fall of Man?  Something will likely bring up themes from ancient storylines.  Are you watching?  Or are you part of the show?  The figure in this symbol is masked because they represent an archetype that is like a conduit for the magic.  With the Earth’s shadow in play, we are also likely to see some hollow performances on the world stage…going through the motions, wearing the mask of deception.  As if we haven’t seen enough of that.

Gifts from the Magi

In aspect to the Sun-North Node, Chiron Rx, Uranus, and Saturn Rx are creating two aspect patterns called ‘Mystic Triangles’.  The Mystic Triangle is also known as ‘Magi’…so they can be considered as Three Wise Men, bearing gifts. 

Chiron Rx:  Aries 3- the cameo profile of a man suggests the shape of his country

In beneficial aspects to the luminaries, Chiron Retrograde is still at the degree where he squared the luminaries and Saturn Retrograde during the last full moon (the degree where he turned retrograde on July 4^th).  The aspects are easier now with the luminaries…but the square with Saturn Rx is now even more defined.  This suggests the healing work is still difficult, but gaining some ground now through the retrograde.  This Mystic Rectangle holds the gift of establishing trust…in ourselves, in others, and in the larger plan.  This trust is the healing fire that guides these journeys we’re on.  In my last full moon post, I wrote of Chiron at this degree:  “We might combine two age-old pieces of wisdom to create what Chiron might be telling us here:  “Know thyself to heal thyself”.  Chiron in this ‘cameo’ degree of Aries teaches us that we are the true authority of our lives, and that we have a significant role to play within the bigger picture.”

Uranus:  Taurus 3- natural steps lead to a lawn of clover in bloom

Uranus is currently direct, but in the degree where he will station retrograde on August 8^th.  He is at the apex of a T-Square now with the luminaries (as Chiron was during the last full moon), which is where the stress of the opposition pools through at 90 degree angles.  Uranus here feels the need to be spontaneous and respond to the stress in the moment.  However, the retrogrades incline us to hold back on such immediate responses as there is focused work to be done now.  Uranus doesn’t want restriction.  Dissatisfaction and impatience with all these entanglements we’re working through will likely be the cause of additional issues that could have otherwise been avoided.  Soon enough, Uranus will be retrograde too…and then we may have some more clean up work to do with whatever we’re too hasty about at this time.  Uranus is also in a trine with Saturn Rx, so even if we’re feeling anxious and stressed now, staying grounded and taking measured steps can alleviate some of the anxiety.  Of course, we want to get up to the lawn of clover in bloom…but we’re not quite ready to go all the way up yet.  The retrograde will soon take us back for something we missed.  However, the Magi of this Mystic Rectangle with Uranus holds the gift of promise.

Saturn Rx:  Capricorn 4- a group of people in a large canoe beginning a journey

Saturn is a key player in these two Mystic Triangles.  There is a journey of initiation we are embarking upon now.  Saturn guides us toward tasks that are both essential and responsible.  He’s been preparing us for this in his retrograde so far.  The canoe is fully outfitted.  We have some shadows to release and some medicine to retrieve. 

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi