Saturn and Neptune Are Conjunct in Aries, Venus and Jupiter Party and Mercury Retrograde in Pisces

 

This is it.  Today, on February 20, Saturn and Neptune are finally conjunct in 0 degrees of Aries. Saturn and Neptune are only conjunct every 36 years, so this is a really big deal for the entire world, both collectively and personally. The themes of a Saturn-Neptune conjunction involve testing faith and dissolving structures.

The last time we had a Saturn-Neptune conjunction was in 1989 in Capricorn, which is also a cardinal sign.  In 1989 the Berlin Wall fell, the Cold War ended, the Tiananmen Square protests occurred, Nelson Mandela was released in 1990 and the World Wide Web was invented.

This conjunction is at 0 degrees of Aries, which is extremely rare.  It denotes a whole new beginning and the end of an era.  We are bidding farewell to a collective story.  It's time to reimagine our future, but we need to be responsible about creating it.  Structure and dreams are hooking up.  Saturn is the planet associated with structures, restrictions, delays and responsibilities while Neptune ins the planet of idealism, intuition, imagination and compassion.  They are strange bedfellows, to say the least.  Saturn and Neptune have not been conjunct in Aries since 1702.

What can we expect from this Saturn-Neptune conjunction? There should be major technological advances, especially with AI. We should utilize this energy by becoming more disciplined about our spiritual practices and trust our intuition more.  But we need to be mindful that we will probably experience a crisis of faith.  Aries is a cardinal fire sign, not exactly known for its patience or ability to exercise self-control.  It runs on impulse.  Saturn is considered to be in fall in Aries, so we really need to learn how to bridge the gap from blind leaps to calculated risks.

On February 22, Venus in Pisces is trining Jupiter in 15 degrees of Cancer.  This transit represents a welcome respite from the frenetic pace of February as the two benefic planets, each in their sign of exaltation, have a very friendly meet-up.  Feel free to indulge in whatever  nourishes your soul.  It's also quite favorable for socializing and feeling more optimistic about the future.

The first Mercury retrograde of 2026 commences on February 26 when Mercury stations retrograde in 22 degrees of Pisces.  It remains retrograde until March 20, when it goes direct in 8 degrees of Pisces.  Let's face it, Mercury is not that comfortable in Pisces to begin with since Mercury rules Virgo and Gemini.  Clarity is kind of missing in action in Pisces even when it is direct.  Our thinking and decision-making is less rational because we are relying on intuition and emotions.

So what can we expect when Mercury is retrograde in Pisces?  There will be deep emotional processing, blurred boundaries and creative revisions.  Be prepared for lots of reflection and over idealism in additional to the usual technological glitches, communication and transportation delays.  Try not to make any major decisions if you can help it.  Mercury has been in its retrograde shadow since February 11 and although it goes direct on March 20, it won't fully clear the retrograde shadow until April 9.  The mutable signs of Pisces, Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius will take the biggest hit from this Mercury retrograde.  I am a Scorpio, but my Moon is in Gemini, so I am definitely in the line of fire on this one...

I am no longer posting on X (formerly known as Twitter), but I am posting daily on Blue Sky Social as danceofphoenix@danceofphoenix.bsky.social. There is an astrological community starting there called AstroSphere. The link is: 

 https://bsky.app/profile/danceofphoenix.bsky.social.

If you are curious as to how all of this planetary action is affecting you, please consider getting an astrological consultation with me. I offer consultations on Zoom too. Check out my menu of services at:

https://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

I am also offering private astrology lessons by telephone or video, such as FaceTime, Skype or Zoom.  Please feel free to contact me at lindasim54@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about astrology.

I have been doing more work with tarot readings, which I love, so I decided to create a combination reading which offers the option of a 30-minute astrology consultation with a one-question tarot reading for only $50. There is something for everyone and my menu of services can accommodate any budget. I also have a one-question tarot reading for only $15. 

My site also offers the opportunity to provide a donation in the amount of your choice to demonstrate your support for my blog and daily astrological insights on Blue Sky Social at: 

https://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

A contribution in any amount is deeply appreciated as gratitude is a daily part of my spiritual practice. If you prefer to send a donation through Venmo or pay for a reading through Venmo, my handle is Linda Simons @Linda-Simons-7.  Or you can send a contribution using Zelle and my phone number 617-304-2205.

Additionally, I am available for tarot readings by telephone.  I use the Celestial Tarot Deck, which I love because it contains so many astrological symbols.  A tarot reading is another great option for obtaining insight and clarity. I offer a 24-card tarot card reading for $50 which incorporates the twelve houses of the horoscope.

I am still experiencing technical difficulties with the Buy Now buttons on the Services Offered page of my site.  In the meantime, please feel free to send payments through PayPal to my email at lindasim54@gmail.com. Just let me know which type of consultation you want with your birth date info.  Or you can send a payment to my Venmo account at Linda Simons @Linda-Simons-7 or Zelle using my phone number 617-304-2205.

In 2020, I added a Monthly Horoscopes section to my website. February horoscopes are up now and I have a link to my monthly forecasts at Horoscope Junkie.  Check it out at:

https://thehoroscopejunkie.ca/monthly_horoscopes.html

I have also joined Facebook.  I don’t post as frequently as on Blue Sky Social, but I am on Facebook now at https://www.facebook.com/linda.simons.75098

The coronavirus outbreak caused me to increase the number of distant Reiki sessions I do because people were concerned about the spread of the infection. I have decided to suspend my in-person Reiki sessions until further notice, so all of my Reiki sessions will be distant Reiki sessions for the foreseeable future. But a distant Reiki session is the perfect opportunity to safely build up your immune system and if you have contracted coronavirus, you can be treated safely from the comfort of your home. My procedure is to have a conversation with a client about what they hope to achieve from a session, we set up a time for the session to take place when they will be in a state to receive healing energy and I follow up with a telephone conversation to discuss their experience and my perception of their blockages. I do miss seeing my clients, so I am now offering Zoom consultations/intakes before the session so that we can see each other. I have also incorporated a new technique with my distance Reiki treatments since I don’t always have a photo of my client.  I use a teddy bear so that I can scan and focus the healing energy where it is needed. If this appeals to you, please feel free to contact me by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205. The cost for distance Reiki sessions is based on a sliding scale of $30 -$50. For your convenience, I accept Venmo and Zelle for payment. Zelle payments can be sent using my telephone number 617-304-2205. I have also written an article about distance Reiki, which is available at:

 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-distance-reiki-can-help-you-during-coronavirus-linda-simons

If you are interested in learning more about how Reiki can benefit you, please feel free to check out my Reiki site at:

www.reikiwithlindasimons.com

 

 

 

 

Mars Enters Capricorn, Mercury Stations Retrograde and the Sun Sails into Pisces

Get ready for another week of planets changing signs and the first Mercury Retrograde of 2020.  The fun starts on February 16, 2020 when Mars enters the earth sign of Capricorn at 6:33 a.m.  Mars remains in Capricorn until March 30, 2020.  Mars is actually considered to be exalted in the sign of Capricorn, so this can be a very positive influence in our lives.

When Mars is in Capricorn we tend to be more deliberate, persistent, stable, reliable and likely to consider future ramifications before taking action.  This is a big change from Mars in Sagittarius, which is very impulsive and has a tendency to fly off the handle because it is a fire sign.  But Mars in Capricorn is still capable of being very assertive and accomplishing a great deal.  Mars in Capricorn will be favorably trining Uranus in 3 degrees of Taurus on February 21, 2020 and this aspect is a real blessing in terms of pursuing our goals as we may be on the receiving end of some unexpected opportunities. There is a reason that the goat is a symbol for Capricorn—it is persistent, steadfast and able to climb up that mountain.  Mars in Capricorn is slower to anger, but it can become frustrated and its shadow side is becoming too rigid. 

But we could be facing a wild card vibe with part of this Mars in Capricorn transit. Mars has been out of bound since February 9, 2020 and will continue to remain out of bounds until March 2, 2020.  A planet is considered to be out of bounds when its declination is more than 23 degrees and 27 minutes north or south of the sun.  The energy of the planet tends to be a little over the top and out of control.  It has a wilder, more erratic quality. Mars in Capricorn will be conjunct the south node in 6 degrees of Capricorn on February 25, 2020 and this could manifest as some power and control issues surfacing in relationships and existing structures in our lives.  Don’t forget that Capricorn is also associated with government and financial institutions.  Mars is the planet associated with passion, desire and aggression so there could be some over the top reactions in the next few weeks.

Mercury stations retrograde in 12 degrees of Pisces at 7:54 p.m. on February 16, 2020 and stations direct in 28 degrees of Aquarius on March 9, 2020.  But we all know that Mercury entered its retrograde shadow period on February 2, 2020 in 28 degrees of Aquarius and won’t clear it until March 29, 2020 in 12 degrees of Pisces.

What can we expect when Mercury is retrograde in the water sign of Pisces?  Mercury retrograde in Pisces can enhance our creativity and spirituality as it infuses us with an urge to delve deeply into our spiritual lives to achieve a more altered state.  It’s a perfect time for music and meditation as well.  But the shadow side of Mercury retrograde in Pisces is a tendency towards deception and denial in communications.  And then there are the usual manifestations of Mercury retrograde: delays in communications and transportation, caution against signing contracts or taking a new job and breakdowns in electronic devices.  Try not to purchase a car, cell phone or computer when Mercury is retrograde unless your current one literally dies on you.  The best way of utilizing the energy of Mercury retrograde is to review and do research.

The sun enters the water sign of Pisces on February 18, 2020 at 11:57 p.m.  I know that I say it every year, but I always love the transit of the sun in Pisces.  Part of it is because I am a water sign and it’s nice to know that I will have the sun trining all of my Scorpio and Cancer planets, but another reason is that the Pisces sun starts in my 5^th house and it seems to give me a creative boost during the winter.  The sun in Pisces is a time of idealism, altruistic feelings, heightened imagination and creativity as well as intense dreams that provide more intuitive guidance.  And it does make use more compassionate and empathetic towards others.  But the shadow side of the sun in Pisces is self-pity, feelings of victimization and elusiveness.  Don’t let yourself fall into the martyr role when the sun is in Pisces.

The Pisces energy is amplified even more on February 20, 2020 when Jupiter in Capricorn forms a supportive sextile to Neptune in 17 degrees of Pisces.  These two planets are associated with expansion and spirituality, so when they align favorable we have an opportunity to get in touch with our personal beliefs and our higher power.  It’s an extremely favorable aspect for creativity, new possibilities and an overall feeling of interconnectivity.  It has a strong theme of idealist at work for the greater good.  And the good news about this aspect is that we get to reap its benefits three times this year: it repeats on July 7^th in 20 degrees of the two planets respective signs and on October 12^th in 18 degrees.

If you are curious as to how all of these planetary changes will be affecting you, please consider getting an astrological reading.  I have recently revised my menu of services and am now offering a Saturn Pluto Conjunction reading for $25 which will offer you some insight and guidance into how this major astrological event that occurred on January 12, 2020 in 22 degrees of Capricorn will impact you.  It’s not too late to purchase this reading because its effects will be felt for most of 2020. It can be purchased through my site at:

https://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

2020 is a game changing year and the start of a new decade. Be prepared and find out how it will impact your life by purchasing a reading with me: https://t.co/CvAZB7Fyvr #astrology

— Linda Simons (@danceofphoenix) January 15, 2020

I have also added a new reading to my menu of services, a Clues to Compatibility reading, which is designed primarily for non-romantic relationships and utilizes synastry to determine your connections with friends, family members and business associates. Additionally, I have also decided to offer private astrology lessons in person or by telephone.  Please feel free to contact me at lindasim54@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about astrology.

I have been doing more work with tarot readings, which I love, so I decided to create a new combination reading which offers the option of a 30 minute astrology consultation with a one question tarot reading for only $50. There is something for everyone and my menu of services can accommodate any budget.

My site also offers the opportunity to provide a donation in the amount of your choice to demonstrate your support for my blog and daily astrological insights on Twitter at:

https://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

A contribution in any amount is deeply appreciated as gratitude is a daily part of my spiritual practice.

Recently I undertook an intensive life purpose coaching training program and became certified as a Life Purpose Coach.  It was an intense, eye-opening experience that changed my life as it caused me to reflect on the story of my life.  But I left it with feelings of hope and light for the future that I want to share with others.  To that end, I am now offering Life Purpose Coaching to my menu of services.  You can read more about it at:

https://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/life-purpose-coaching-service.html

As an astrologer, I have decided to include an interpretation of the north node by sign. If you are feeling stuck and need some help in getting from Point A to Point B in your quest for making positive changes in your life, please email me at lindasim54@gmail.com to schedule a complementary telephone consultation to discover if you are a good fit for this program.  I look forward to hearing from you.

I am also available for tarot readings in person if you are in the Boston area or by telephone if you are unable to travel to my home in Newton, MA.  I use the Celestial Tarot Deck, which I love because it contains so many astrological symbols.  A tarot reading is another great option for obtaining insight and clarity.

If you are in the Boston area, please consider getting a Reiki treatment at Acupuncture for Everyone in Copley Square to destress, revitalize and remove blockages to healing.  It’s a perfect way to start your weekend off and can also be described as a spa for the soul to boot!   Reiki is the most profound treatment for stress relief because it concentrates on CALMING your body.

For more information on my Reiki services, please see this page on my site:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_19.html

For my clients who can’t fit Friday into their schedule for a treatment or have difficulty traveling, I have also recently begun doing distance Reiki sessions for them.  I have a conversation with them about what they hope to achieve from a session, we set up a time for the session to take place when they will be in a state to receive healing energy and I follow up with a telephone conversation to discuss their experience and my perception of their blockages.  I have also incorporated a new technique with my distance Reiki treatments since I don’t always have a photo of my client.  I use a teddy bear so that I can scan and focus the healing energy where it is needed. If this appeals to you, please feel free to contact me by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205.  I am also offering Reiki treatments at my home in Newton, MA on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and in the Coolidge Corner section of Brookline on Sunday afternoons.  Recently I have added online booking for my Sunday clients on my site.  Check it out at:

www.reikiwithlindasimons.com/book-online

If you are interested in learning more about how Reiki can benefit you, please feel free to check out my Reiki site at:

www.reikiwithlindasimons.com

I was also featured in the July 3, 2017 edition of Boston Voyager, an online publication that runs a section called Inspiring Stories about local entrepreneurs on its home page.  The Scorpio moon was trining the Cancer sun and Neptune in Pisces on that day, so my story certainly debuted under fitting aspects.  Please feel free to check it out:

http://bostonvoyager.com/interview/meet-linda-simons-reiki-linda-simons-coolidge-corner-brookline/

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights.

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Mercury in Pisces Retrograde

Venus went direct last week, but now it is Mercury‘s turn to be retrograde.  DO NOT PANIC.   Mercury entered the sign of Pisces on January 31^st and stationed retrograde in 3 degrees of Pisces on February 6^th.  But it won’t stay in Pisces for the entire Mercury retrograde transit; it will slip back into the sign of Aquarius on February 12, 2014, station direct at 18 degrees of Aquarius on February 28^th, move back into Pisces on March 17, 2014 and emerge from its shadow at 3 degrees of Pisces on March 21, 2014.  If you feel like Mercury has been retrograde for awhile, you may have been feeling the effects since Mercury entered its shadow period on January 23^rd at 18 degrees of Aquarius.

Mercury in Pisces is considered to be in the sign of its fall because mental energy doesn’t work well here.  Thoughts can be intuitive and reflective, but they can also be incorrect and depressing.  Mercury in Pisces will also be trining the north node in Scorpio and for Scorpios like me, this will facilitate the process of the heart opening and healing. This theme was reinforced by Jupiter in Cancer trining Chiron in Pisces. Mercury in Pisces is also forming a conjunction with Neptune in Pisces from February 5-8, 2014. This is an extremely psychic and sensitive transit which can be accompanied by vivid dreams, fantasies and a general desire to escape the real world.  I can certainly relate to this because Mercury is conjunct Neptune in my natal chart in the 1^st house.  It is an out of sign conjunction, with Neptune in Libra conjunct my ascendant and Mercury in Scorpio. This aspect contributes to my intuitive ability and my extreme sensitivity.

During this Mercury retrograde transit, Mercury’s entry into the sign of Aquarius on February 12^th will bring more logical thinking.  It will be an excellent time to review and reflect on past issues.  And when Mercury re-enters Pisces on March 17, 2014, we can navigate between the two worlds of the rational and intuitive that reside in our soul.

Mercury retrograde’s benefit can be to make us more aware of behavior patterns by being more mindful of them when they arise.  And trust me, Mercury retrograde has a way of bringing people, situations and patterns back for review.  This is a fabulous opportunity to drag out that journal.  I came across a really inspiring site on how to make the most of this Mercury retrograde by retracing steps and balancing karma at:

http://empoweringastrology.com/self-development-and-ritual-for-february-2014

How is Mercury in Pisces impacting me?  Well, like many people, I was shocked and saddened to hear about the death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman on February 2, 2014.  Addiction is a very personal issue for me; I lost a brother to alcoholism and many people that I have known over the years have struggled with addiction.

I heard the news on Twitter and followed many astrologers who wrote about what was going on in his chart on the day of his death.  Many said that his time of birth was unknown, but I found a time of 2:39 a.m.to accompany his July 23, 1967 birthdate in Fairport, NY on Astro-Databank.  This gave him a Cancer sun in 29 degrees, a Gemini ascendant in 17 degrees and a moon in 20 degrees of Aquarius.  The Gemini ascendant made perfect sense to me because he was so versatile and really had the ability to connect with the characters he portrayed.   I read that on the day of his death, transiting Pluto in Capricorn opposed his natal Mercury in 12 degrees of Cancer.  Transiting Pluto also squared his natal Saturn in Aries and this must have contributed to intense strain and the feeling that the foundations of his life were collapsing.  Transiting Saturn was also conjunct his natal Neptune in Scorpio in the fourth house, which represents beginnings and endings in life.  Additionally, transiting Mercury in Pisces was transiting his 10^th house, making his death a very public event and also trined his south node in Scorpio. This transit of Mercury to the south node put the focus on insecurities and allowed old mental habits and patterns of communication to continue even when they were negative in character. There was a tendency to become mentally stagnant and bound by the inertia of mental preconceptions.  Transiting Uranus in Aries was conjuncting his natal Saturn, making his death such a shock.

Philip Seymour Hoffman’s chart indicated a great deal of sensitive water placements in addition to his sun: his south node was in 2 degrees of Scorpio conjunct his Mars in 1 degree of Scorpio, his Neptune was in 21 degrees of Scorpio and his Chiron was in 29 degrees of Pisces.  That wide trine between Neptune and Chiron may have predisposed him to a tendency for craving substances, but it also allowed him to live in a fantasy world and contributed to his acting talent.  The exact trine between his sun and Chiron probably manifested as a wounded sense of self. 

Last summer I began working with the Black Moon and I couldn’t resist looking at Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Black Moon to see where his shadow and deepest fear lie.  The Black Moon reveals our personal shadow side, the primary fear that blocks and undermines us in life, and the fundamental way we judge ourselves and others.  It really represents our own personal saboteur.  He had the Black Moon in the sign of Aries, and that shadow’s theme is success.  His greatest fear was unworthiness and he may have had a tendency to unfairly compare himself to others.  I read that Philip Seymour Hoffman had a tendency to wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety over his work in films, feeling that his performances were inadequate.  That is the shadow side of Black Moon in Aries.

I also looked at his progressed chart on the day of his death.  His progressed moon was in Scorpio in the 4^th house conjunct his south node and Mars in Scorpio.  This transit triggered intense emotion and brought him into contact with the darker side of life and the ultimate change in residence. Transiting Chiron in Pisces was also opposing his progressed sun in 14 degrees of Virgo which signifies contact with the soul.

Let’s hope that the message of Mercury’s transit through Pisces at the time of his death encourages others struggling with addiction to get the help they need.

On a lighter note, Valentine’s Day and a Full Moon in dramatic, romantic Leo is approaching and I would like to remind you of my special Valentine’ Day promotion for the first two weeks in February.   I am offering a 20% discount on my Composite Couples, Healing Your Love Karma and Black Moon Lilith Shadow reports. You will need to contact me directly by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205 to receive this special discount.

Please go to this link to learn more about this special offer:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/valentines-day-promotion_30.html