|
|
With all the planets in Neptune ruled Pisces at this time, I decided to pull out this post on growing up with a natal Neptune in relationship oriented Libra.
During the time Pluto was in Leo, Neptune was in Libra from 1942 until 1957, approximately fifteen years and the most quintessential Boomer years. Being born fairly early in that cycle when Saturn in Leo conjoined Pluto, I have observed this generation from the inside and we are a mixed bag – especially when it comes to romantic ideals.
As most people who have read my blog know I am not a fan of romance with a capital ‘R’ and the reason I’m not is due to my own experiences living with a Moon conjunct Neptune in Libra. Neptune’s natural inclination to romanticize is exacerbated by being in Libra. I wasted more time and energy on men who had amazing potential – unmanifested but amazing. Many of them had major problems with drugs and alcohol, sometimes related to PTSD from crawling through the jungles of Vietnam. I was so convinced I could “rescue” them and we could live happily ever after. WRONG!
I believe I owe my recovery from an addiction to romance to Saturn because it was my first Saturn return when the illusions started coming apart and reality came crashing in. My Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Leo is sextile my Moon-Neptune, giving Saturn an opening to work with. Unlike others of my generation who managed to return to a blissful state of denial after their Saturn returns, I also had a Pluto transit conjoining my Moon at the same time and the combination stomped on expectations hard.
An alcohol and drug counselor introduced me to the concept of co-dependency and reading Anne Wilson Schaef’s books, “When Society Becomes an Addict” and “Women’s Reality” furthered my education. I was able to spot my mother’s co-dependent behavior patterns showing up in mine and in true Plutonian fashion, excise them slowly over time. Donna Cunningham’s gem of a book, “An Astrological Guide to Self-Awareness” opened my eyes to the astrology of what was going on and gave me some simple but effective tools to use in this process.
What didn’t help was growing up reading romance novels. Because while the prototype for today’s romance novels has been around for a long, long time, it took Neptune moving into Libra sextile Pluto in dramatic Leo to turn this genre into the multimillion dollar business it is today. Neptune in Libra folks grew up reading these, convinced we had a soul mate out there somewhere who would sweep in and rescue us from our boring mundane lives. Sad to say, there are plenty of wonderful, kind men and women who were passed over because of the expectations raised by this genre.
One other thing . . . I consider myself very, very fortunate to have managed to come across the right information at the right time which I attribute to a strong twelfth house chart with Jupiter in Scorpio conjoining my Libra Sun-Chiron. This gives me some ability to navigate through Neptune’s illusions, pretty as they are. Pluto transits taught me lessons on the realization all change must come from within.
I am a firm believer in love and the wonderful changes loving another can make in us. Treating ourselves in a loving manner is one of the keys to being able to genuinely care for others too. It is just the nebulous concept of Romantic Love that leaves me cold. The upside of Neptune is the ability to feel compassion and take a genuine interest in other people’s comfort and well being – no small thing. Neptune is marvelous source of inspiration but it sure helps to have Saturn backing him up!
 posted by Diane . . .
The New Moon at 25°10′ Pisces on March 15 is a critical moment to focus on doing what is necessary to bring old ways of thinking and being to closure before stepping forward onto a new path.
The Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Uranus are all in the last sign of the zodiac. Neptune, ruler of Pisces, is closely semi-sextile Mercury and Uranus, adding its subtle and compassionate influence. The period between this New Moon and the New Moon in Aries on April 14 is an excellent time to get serious about our internal and external housecleaning.
The Sabian symbol for this lunation dovetails in an amazing way, because it includes the image of a New Moon: “Watching the very thin moon crescent appearing at sunset, different people realize that the time has come to go ahead with their different projects; a keen appreciation of the value of individualized responses to any challenge of life.”
This symbol obviously underscores and amplifies the usual New Moon timing for launching new projects in a significant way. However, it would appear we also need to recognize the possibility that we may need to strike out on our own or with new partners.
The Mercury-Uranus conjunction in Pisces is the ultimate tool for helping us come up with a new way of looking at the baggage most of us are still lugging around, holding us back from achieving our full potential as human beings with open hearts and souls. Pisces is naturally inclined to view life in an inclusive manner, and we desperately need help to do this in today’s polarized atmosphere. I am a firm believer in always looking for solutions that benefit the greatest number of people rather than those that pit “us” against “them.”
Saturn is still in Libra, but it is also moving closer to returning to Virgo and the next opposition to Uranus in Pisces, which will be exact on April 26. Between this strengthening opposition and the ongoing square to Pluto in Capricorn – and the fact Saturn is still in Libra – it is likely to be our one-on-one relationships feeling the most pressure. If there are already stress fractures and it is time to let go of the relationship, you may find the courage to move on at this time.
Mars is finally direct in Leo — a day some of us Mars-ruled types thought would never get here! Aided by the sextile to Saturn in Libra, Mars can get cracking on the backlog of projects put on hold last December. Saturn’s influence will help him steer a steady course forward, step by step. Impatient people will be frustrated by the pace, but please hang in there, as Mars will eventually get back up to speed.
Jupiter’s conjunction with Venus is Pisces on the New Moon in Aquarius has now become a far less exciting semi-sextile between Jupiter in Pisces and Venus in Aries. The bloom is off those red-hot romances of a month ago, but things still are not looking all that bad. It is important to respect each other’s need for space and keep expectations in check when Venus is in impatient Aries, because she knows where the door is and will use it if pushed.
Please remember the lessons we can learn and apply from compassionate, caring Pisces. We don’t have to agree on every point to treat others with respect and kindness each and every day. It is never a waste of time to seek out commonalities over our differences. Be well, and live each moment fully.
posted by Diane . . .
Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.
Image: This photo seems to imply possibilities emerging from the mist on the water. Perfect for a New Moon in watery Pisces.
Jupiter conjoins the Sun in Pisces at 9° 58′ on the Full Moon February 28, encouraging everyone to think big and sending our imaginations into overdrive. We may all be very, very thankful for the Moon in pragmatic, well-grounded Virgo by the time the influence of this lunation passes.
The Sabian symbol for 10 Pisces fits quite well, “an aviator in the clouds.” Transcendence, peace and love are marvelous ideals, but even better if applied with large doses of common sense. Otherwise we risk being lost in the clouds.
We can draw on the duality of the Sabian symbol for the Moon at 10 Virgo, “two heads looking out and beyond the shadows,” for help. But here again there is a possibility of not seeing clearly, because Mercury, Virgo’s ruler, is in Aquarius, closely conjunct Neptune and Chiron. It will not be easy to find true perspective now, so we may be better served by writing down our best ideas to implement at a later date.
There is help available for those who wish to keep their feet firmly planted on terra firma in the form of Pluto in Capricorn. Pluto is sextile the Sun and trine the Moon, offering organizational skills and a willingness to explore all aspects, both dark and light, of any given situation or problem. In fact, the help Pluto offers can be invaluable for laying the groundwork for future projects, translating the heady atmosphere into concrete results over time.
Venus in Pisces is closing on a conjunction with Uranus in Pisces, which will be exact on March 3. Hang onto the remnants of your sanity, because this combo is perfect for “love at first sight” — or, more accurately in my opinion, lust at first sight, since genuine love tends to develop over time as we get to know and appreciate the other person. There will be even more illusions and expectations than usual hanging around on this Full Moon, because the Venus-Uranus conjunction is also semi-sextile Neptune, Pisces’ ruler. Makes me very glad to be old and very married . . . argh!
Keep in mind that Mars in Leo is slowing down in preparation to station direct on March 10, and frustration levels will be rising all over the place. Saturn in Libra, also retrograde, will offer assistance in managing increasing stress levels via a sextile to Mars. Please do your best to think before you launch attacks or get behind the wheel of your vehicle. Patience is needed over the next several weeks, and it is likely to be in short supply.
This lunation offers an interesting mix of pure, unadulterated romance and high-minded ideals, with an undertow of the deeply practical approach. My thought is this: It is a great opportunity to draw down creative inspiration and ideas and take plenty of notes for the future. Once the shine has worn off either your red-hot romance or that totally brilliant idea, then it will be possible to decide whether it is worth running with. In other words, enjoy the moment but don’t sign on the dotted line.
We need to practice patience, being kind to all we interact with and taking time to find beauty in our daily routines. Be well.
posted by Diane . . .
Image: Seeing the Full Moon against the trees is very appropriate for a Full Moon in tree loving Virgo.
 If there ever was a time to check our expectations and assumptions about love and romance at the door, the New Moon on February 13 is it (February 14 in the Eastern Hemisphere).
The Sabian symbol for this New Moon, at 25°17′ Aquarius, is “a garage man testing a car’s battery with a hydrometer.” This image is very descriptive of what we need to do to find our way through the pitfalls of our expectations of others and how we think our beloved should behave on Valentine’s Day. Is it so hard to simply tell our sweeties what would please us the most?
By communicating our wishes, we can reduce the possibilities of a breakdown considerably due to a dead battery in the romance department. For example, my husband knows I can’t eat chocolate anymore but that I do love flowers, and I know he appreciates a nice card and a homemade Valentine’s gift.
The stellium of the Sun, Moon, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius closely semi-sextile Uranus in Pisces puts a strong emphasis on all matters related to Aquarius, the eleventh house, the collective, and thinking outside the box. Allies, associates, peer group, and our favorite charities and organizations are the focus now.
This also is a wonderful time to search for original solutions to existing problems or puzzles, and perhaps we will see some innovative ideas emerge in the near future to resolve issues facing us as a whole. That said, don’t forget to double-check your facts before launching your grand crusade for the betterment of humanity, because it is easy to overlook the practicalities under Neptune’s influence.
On the Full Moon at the end of January, Venus and Mars were opposing each other aligned with the Sun and Moon. This time around, Venus has moved into Pisces inconjunct Mars in Leo, and both planets receive extra attention as the apex of two different Yods. Suggesting that there are plenty of pitfalls on the path to true love is an understatement.
Keep in mind that Saturn in Libra is still squaring Pluto in Capricorn. Saturn is sextile Mars with Pluto sextile Venus, creating little to no wiggle room when it comes to commitments. The Saturn-Mars sextile is the base of the Yod, with Venus conjunct Jupiter in Pisces at the apex. Pluto sextile Venus and Jupiter is the base of a second Yod, with Mars retrograde in Leo at the apex. I could go over this in greater astrological detail, but the essence is this: Pre-nuptial agreements will come with the engagement ring, conservative marriage vows will be back with an emphasis on respect, honor and fidelity, and being less than honest in any way will be dealt with ruthlessly – all of this played out against the candle-lit, rose-colored background created by Venus and Jupiter closely conjunct in romance-loving Pisces.
Mercury in Aquarius opposes Mars in Leo and has a role to play, too, because it falls midway between Pluto and Venus. Having Mercury as the release point of a Yod (the point directly opposite the apex) in this case suggests that the best way to handle disagreements and conflict is through very carefully worded communications. Cool, rational Aquarius will help up to a certain point, but since both Leo and Aquarius are fixed signs, if no compromise can be found, it may be wiser to wait and give all parties a chance to cool down.
My suggestions for making this a New Moon Valentine’s Day one to remember happily is to take time to talk over your plans with your sweetheart and listen closely to what they have to tell you. Listening with love, your complete attention and willingness to compromise is recommended for a happy ending.
For those who do not enjoy Valentine’s Day and prefer to ignore it altogether, this New Moon is also an excellent time to launch new projects, especially those benefiting humanity as a whole. Just apply all the above to working with friends and colleagues!
Good luck, and remember always to be kind to those who cross your path.
posted by Diane . . .
 After the intensity of the past two eclipses, the Full Moon at 10°14′ Leo on January 29 will be much easier to live with (January 30 in the Eastern Hemisphere).
The chart for this lunation has three main conversations – one between the Moon conjunct Mars in Leo opposing the Sun conjunct Venus in Aquarius, Jupiter in Pisces sextile Pluto in Capricorn, and Saturn in Libra exactly squaring Pluto. Mercury in Capricorn, Neptune in Aquarius, and Uranus in Pisces form only minor aspects and are content to mutter quietly in the background.
I find it amusing the way Venus and Mars are aligned with the Sun and Moon. Ultimately, they balance each other out nicely. Traditionally, Venus and the Moon have more in common, as both are more receptive in nature, while Mars and the Sun are both more assertive and outgoing.
On one hand, pairing Venus with the Sun in cool, cerebral Aquarius tones down the exuberance of Sol, ruler of Leo, and gives Venus a decidedly independent streak. On the other, Mars in Leo is still retrograde, reducing his normal force and bluster to a whisper for now, making it much easier for him to find common ground with the Moon, whose normal fluidity is firmed up in fixed, fiery Leo.
What this gives us is better-than-normal opportunities to sit down with partners of all types and work out any issues creating problems. Our differences will be easier to define under the brilliant light of the Full Moon, and since the atmosphere is less divisive than usual, we stand a better chance of finding points of compromise.
Be warned, though, it is essential to be as honest and equitable as possible, because the second of three squares between Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn is exact on Sunday, January 31. I know I sound like a broken record on the subject, but right now unscrupulous behavior will bring us to grief in the end. Pluto does not take prisoners ever, and Saturn in Libra is backing him up on this. Consider what has and is happening to Capricorn Tiger Woods and his Capricorn wife, Elin, if you will.
Jupiter is now in Pisces and is making a waxing sextile to Pluto in Capricorn. This aspect softens the edges and introduces a deeper sense of compassion and caring to the collective than we have experienced in awhile. I am still maintaining a “wait and see” approach to Jupiter in Pisces, because Pisces is very good at faking us out – it is a much more powerful sign than it is often given credit for. Think oceans and tsunamis . . .
Mercury in Capricorn is semi-sextile the Sun and Venus in Aquarius and seems very intent on catching up on the backlog left from the days it was retrograde. Mercury ruled types like Virgos and Geminis are very busy right now from what I’m hearing. Even after Mercury moves into Aquarius, the first thing it will do is trine Saturn in Libra – taking care of business will still be in order.
As for the ongoing mutual reception between Neptune in Aquarius and Uranus in Pisces, it does provide an excellent backdrop for the Sabian symbol of 11 Aquarius, “During a silent hour, a man receives a new inspiration which may change his life.” If we take time to quiet our minds each day, we can tap into the rich world of the imagination to renew our creativity.
For the Moon, the Sabian symbol is 11 Leo, “Children play on a swing hanging from the branches of a huge oak tree.” What a wonderful image to inspire us to take time to play and renew our acquaintance with what it means to be joyous. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m ready for a break from the intensity of the past month or so.
Take time to laugh and play with family and friends on this Full Moon, if you can. Sharing joy heals places within ourselves that we often didn’t even realize needed it.
posted by Diane . . .
|
|
I have my natal Sun in Libra, the sign of relationship, conjunct Chiron in Libra and have spent many years analyzing what makes us tick when it comes to relating to others.
