Neptune Stations Direct and a Sagittarian Love Fest

Neptune is stationing direct in 13 degrees of Pisces on November 24, 2018 after having been retrograde since June 18, 2018 but Neptune direct is not quite the blessing of having Mercury direct.  When Neptune is retrograde, we find it harder to escape reality as many things become painfully clear to us.  Of course, a planet’s strength is always enhanced when it makes a station, either direct or retrograde.

Neptune direct is rife with themes of deception and denial because it has a way of encouraging us to live in denial as we choose fantasy over reality.  Don’t forget that Neptune is the planet associated with imagination, dreams and delusions. When Neptune is direct, it can enable us to go too far and delude ourselves into doing the wrong things, such as staying in relationships or jobs that are toxic for us.

But while Neptune is associated with deception and denial, it is also associated with idealism, compassion, imagination and spirituality.  Every cloud has a silver lining, so to speak and Neptune is indeed a cloudy planet.  The best use of Neptune being direct is to take the necessary steps to make our dreams a reality.

I have to confess that I am heavily impacted by this Neptune station.  Neptune is squaring my Gemini moon in my 8^th house and trining my Saturn in Scorpio in my 1^st house.  It could definitely be an emotionally challenging time with that square to my moon and even though Neptune is trining my Saturn, I’m still not totally sold on its benefits.  These two planets are not actually the most compatible playmates. I have Neptune in Libra in my 1^st house as well as Saturn in Scorpio at the end of my 1^st house.  I have always felt like this placement has existed as a system of checks and balances for me.  Saturn in the 1^st house has always given me a sense of responsibility and a reserved manner which probably offsets that 1^st house Neptune conjunct my ascendant that makes me so sensitive to others and contributing to my empathic nature.

There is a party going on with Jupiter, Mercury and the sun all in Sagittarius.  On November 19, 2018, Mars in 2 degrees of Pisces squared Jupiter in Sagittarius, inspiring me to tweet:

Mars in Pisces squaring Jupiter in Sagittarius today has a tendency to make us try to do much or overestimate our abilities. But with both planets in mutable signs we can easily adapt and course correct. #astrology

— Linda Simons (@danceofphoenix) November 19, 2018

But the Sagittarian love fest really begins on November 26, 2018 when the Sun, Jupiter and Mercury start the hugs and kisses.  On November 26, 2018 the sun and Jupiter are conjunct in 3 degrees of Sagittarius.  This aspect will promote a sense of happiness, optimism, well-being and expansion.  The only potential drawback to that day is the fact that Mercury in 6 degrees of Sagittarius will be forming a challenging square to Mars in 6 degrees of Pisces, which can result in sharp tongues wagging.

All is good on the next day, November 27^th, however when Mercury in 4 degrees of Sagittarius conjuncts Jupiter in 4 degrees of Sagittarius.  This aspect can make it very easy to make up for any transgressions that occurred on the previous day when Mercury was squaring Mars in Pisces.  Adding to the mix is the fact that the Sun and Mercury are conjunct in 4 degrees of Sagittarius.  This should really rejuvenate our communications.  It’s really nice to see these three planets playing so nicely in the astrological sandbox and will hopefully bring more light and hope after a difficult few months.

If you are curious as to how all of these planetary changes will be affecting you, please consider getting an astrological reading.  I am also offering short telephone astrology consultations for 15 minutes or 30 minutes which are available for purchase on the Services Offered page of my site. These are extremely affordable at the cost of $25 or $35 and would make a great holiday gift. I even offer the option of tarot readings. There is something for everyone. 

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:

http://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.

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 in the Coolidge Corner section of Brookline on Sunday afternoons.

But the big news is that I have created and launched a new website devoted exclusively to my Reiki practice. Please feel free to check it out 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/

I have also revised my package deals and I am now offering two options for package deals: Silver and a Tarot special for my tarot clients. Please check it out at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/package-deals.html

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

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

Neptune Direct and Farewell Scorpio Season

Neptune stationed direct in 7 degrees of Pisces on November 18^th at 11:31 a.m.and we are still feeling the repercussions of that station.   In addition to being a Scorpio, I am also very much a Neptunian with Neptune in the first house conjunct my ascendant.  I tried to inject a positive spin on this astrological event when I tweeted the following on November 18^th:

“There is more potential for dreams to become a reality today as Neptune in Pisces stations direct after 5 month retrograde.”

I also loved the way fellow astrologer Kristin Fontana described Neptune going direct:

“The emotional fog will dissipate and you can see the truth for what it is no matter how bitter the taste at times.”

Neptune’s station has the unnerving quality of making you wonder if you’re blessed with divine insight or losing your mind.  Self-deception can prevail when Neptune is about to make a station as we question reality.  It’s a common theme that I have heard from my clients recently—why is this happening to me and is it real?  But Neptune can also generate compassion, and I am trying to rely on that to get me through the adjustment period of Neptune stationing direct.  We all know that when a planet stations direct or retrograde, the energy of that planet will be intensified for a few days until it settles into its new direction.  Neptune has been retrograde since June 12, 2015 and I know that it has been an intense time for a lot of people.

On November 19^th the moon moved into Pisces, inspiring me to tweet a sentiment that seemed to resonate for many of my followers:

“Moon enters Pisces today and conjuncts Neptune tonight.  Expect to feel either inspired or delusional.  Still adjusting to #NeptuneStation.” 

The theme of a reality check emerges big-time on November 26^th when Saturn in Sagittarius forms an exact square Neptune in Pisces in 7 degrees of both signs.  This is Thanksgiving Day in the United States and it is also a full moon.  It should be an interesting day and time will tell if that 7 degrees is lucky or not.

In the meantime, the Sun is preparing to exit the sign of Scorpio.  It will enter the sign of Sagittarius on November 22^nd.  The Scorpio Sun conjuncted Mercury in Scorpio in 24 degrees on November 17^th, inspiring me to tweet:

“Sun conjunct Mercury in Scorpio bodes well for in-depth communication.  Last call to get to the root of the matter.”

That aspect conjuncted my natal Venus in Scorpio in the second house.  I did find myself engaged in conversations about my values and had an interesting telephone consultation with a new astrology client which proved to be very illuminating for both of us. It was definitely a day when mental adjustment about our reality was in order.  But Mercury will leave Scorpio on November 20^th at 2:43 p.m. and enter the more open, free-wheeling sign of Sagittarius.  I sense that the Scorpionic energy will still dominate that day because we also have Venus in Libra squaring Pluto in Capricorn in 12 degrees at 9:02 p.m.  Relationships may very well experience a lot of obsessive energy, which is Scorpio at its core.

Scorpio is an extremely complicated sign and experiencing it at its fullest can be exhausting because of the depth and intensity that it entails.  It is the only sign in the zodiac that has three animal symbols: the Scorpion, the Eagle and the Phoenix.  The Scorpion dwells in the darkness and holds onto negativity and resentments.  It is renowned (or reviled) for its venomous verbal sting.  Yet the Eagle soars higher in the sky and closer to the light by trying to attain a higher perspective.  It is a balancing act between the light and the shadow, which is not always comfortable or easy.

And then there is the Phoenix, which is all about embracing the process of transformation, which is an integral part of the Scorpio persona.  The Phoenix sets it nest on fire and is consumed by the flames in order to be reborn.

Personally, I can attest to the fact that I have had the full blown Scorpio experience in the past few weeks.  I have been forced to confront my own negativity and feelings of resentment recently while trying to heal and make peace with these shadow sides of myself.  It doesn’t help matters that I also have Mercury in Scorpio, so I am definitely not immune to the tendency towards lashing out verbally.  So I have been down and dirty with the Scorpion, attempted to soar like an eagle to rise above the fray, and am also embracing the concept of transformation and rebirth embodied by the Phoenix because deep down I know that rebirth is necessary. But as I have often said, rebirth ain’t pretty.  Letting go is hard work.  I am very grateful that my astrology, Reiki and psychic work is a constructive outlet for me because I tend to attract clients with similar issues who help heal me as much I help heal them.  It never ceases to amaze me what I can learn about myself from my clients. Like most people, I struggle with the ego trying to rule my life, when the bottom line is that sometimes you have to let go of that ego and face your shadow side

I think that facing our shadow side so that we can transform our lives into something more positive and healthy is the mission of the Sun in Scorpio.  But it is an intense ride, so most of us tend to welcome its departure.  Sagittarius has a much lighter, open vibe and is just what we need to usher us into the holiday season.  Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers in the United States!

The nodes of the moon changed signs last week with the north node entering Virgo and the south node entering Pisces.  I am channeling that north node and Jupiter in Virgo energy by offering my Reiki services. 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.  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

I am also offering my holiday Reiki special again this year of three Reiki treatments for $50.  It will run through December 2015 and makes a great gift for your loved ones.  Who couldn’t use a little calm, relaxation and sense of peacefulness?  If you are in the Boston area and interested in purchasing a package, please feel free to contact me at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205.

If you are contemplating an astrological reading to obtain more insight in your life after the recent cosmic roller coaster of planetary activity, you can learn more about my menu of astrological services at:

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

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

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

 

Mutable Moving Planets - Focus on Sagittarius and Pisces

This has been a rather difficult transitional week as the Sun winds up its last days in deep watery, fixed Scorpio before it enters the mutable fire sign of Sagittarius on November 22nd combining with a new moon in Sagittarius that also conjuncts Venus in Sagittarius. The emotional heaviness of Scorpio will give way to a lighter, more cheerful tone for the next month and a more carefree attitude will prevail, but beware of Neptune in Pisces. Neptune went direct in 4 degrees of Pisces on November 16th. Neptune direct has the ability to dissolve old structures that are no longer viable, but the lower manifestations of Neptunian energy include confusion, depression, victimhood and anxiety. We need to remember that the higher manifestations of Neptune's energy include imagination, compassion and empathy. I mention Neptune because while this new moon in 0 degrees of Sagittarius offers fresh perspective on the path ahead and infuses us with faith for the future (and who couldn't use that right about now), both the Sun and Moon in Sagittarius are squaring Neptune in Pisces. This can manifest as our dreams proving to be bigger than we can handle because Sagittarius is prone to exaggeration and doing things in a big way.

Transiting Saturn in Scorpio has not exactly been contributing to a life of the party feel this week, either. On November 18th, Saturn conjuncted the Sun in 25 degrees of Scorpio, inspiring me to tweet:

"Reality check today as Saturn in Scorpio conjuncts Sun for last time in 2 1\2 years. Last call for unfinished business."

Most people that I have talked to this week experienced this aspect as creating frustrations, irritations and delays in their lives. I was in the same boat myself. I rose early on that morning to attend an important meeting, but encountered delays on public transit, a store opening late requiring me to make a second trip and the water in my apartment being shut off for most of the day. Call me a control freak, but I like to be able to decide when I want to leave my dishes in the sink!

On the following day, November 19th, the moon in Libra was squaring Mars in Capricorn, so there was still a residue of irritation and tempers flaring. I tried to focus on the positive aspect of that day with the Libra moon sextiling Jupiter in Leo. On that day I tweeted:

"Libra moon sextiling Jupiter in Leo today is nice energy for enjoying the arts and social activities but don't overindulge."

How did that day play out for me? Well, a friend and I attended the Goya Order and Disorder exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts and then she treated me to a scrumptious, leisurely lunch at the museum's restaurant. Goya lived in a time of tumultuous social and political change and struggled with illness, dizzy spells and deafness. His work highlighted some very dark themes of war, death, illness, aging, violence and fantasies and nightmares of the insane. Hunting and bullfighting were also featured predominantly in his work. Over lunch my friend and I agreed that the show was very intense. I wouldn't exactly call it uplifting, but after my weekly meditation group that evening, I realized that for me personally the Goya exhibit was a metaphor for what the last days of the Sun in Scorpio felt like. So the universe had a plan in having me see that show on that particular day.

On November 20th Neptune in Pisces and Saturn in Scorpio were at it again. On that day I tweeted:

"Venus in Sagittarius squaring Neptune in Pisces today can add tones of deception, escapism and delusion to relationships today."

I was also blown away by Michael Lutin's quote "Don't be Afraid of the Dark" on his site, www.michaellutin.com that day. He went on to say:

“When Saturn lies between the balsamic Moon and Sun, it can seem pretty scary. You can get the all too real experience of being cut off from your own core. There's a stone lying between you and your emotions and it can seem empty. Actually it is only during this day or two when you need the most patience and quiet to recharge your very drained battery. Some people love this period, because they can finally get away from everybody. Others panic and feel trapped, and freeze, and that can be dangerous. Actually, it is only within this kind of darkness that intimacy and creativity are born. So hunker down, go inward and wait for the magic to happen. It always does."

This really hit home for me because transiting Saturn in Scorpio is currently squaring my natal Pluto in Leo. This transit manifests as a very difficult time with many obstacles on my path. I know that I need to detach (I swear that is the hardest lesson of my life) and conserve resources as I strive to eliminate the unnecessary elements in my life.

Saturn will give us one last hit of its rather depressive energy when it conjuncts Mercury in 25 degrees of Scorpio on November 25th.  But as a special Thanksgiving treat on the 27th, Mercury enters the sign of Sagittarius. And don't forget that Chiron goes direct in 13 degrees of Pisces on November 23rd, so healing is indeed possible. It's time to go with the flow of these mutable Sagittarian and Piscean planets.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

If you are feeling confused during these challenging times, please consider getting an astrological reading to obtain more insight and assistance. I have also added a one question astrology reading to my list of services for $40 that is an even more intuitive approach based on your natal and progressed charts with transits to both.

Check out my services page on this site at:

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

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

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

New Moon in Sagittarius

We had a new moon in 11 degrees of Sagittarius on Monday, December 2^nd and I had been eagerly anticipating it.  Sagittarius is well-known for its qualities of optimism, honesty, sense of humor and search for knowledge and wisdom.  I was looking forward to seeing the bigger picture after weeks of all that heavy Scorpio energy, courtesy of the north node of the moon, Saturn, and Mercury in Scorpio.  And let’s not forget that solar eclipse on November 3^rd.    I was also hoping that it would amplify my sense of humor. 

But the day just did not pan out that way.  It simply was not a feel-good day for me.   I discovered that I needed a new prescription for my eyeglasses at my routine eye exam, which was an unanticipated expense.  I had sensed the possibility of that because it has been getting more difficult to read but obviously on some level I was in denial.   Thank you, moon square Neptune!  The result was that I needed a stronger reading prescription. And I was told that I still had to come back in six months to monitor my risk for glaucoma.   In order to see the bigger picture, I would need to shell out more money.  I failed to see the humor in that one.  OK, I have to admit that this new moon was in my 2^nd house opposing my natal moon in the 8^th house of shared resources.  It appeared that the only thing being expanded was my expenses, not my income! I was definitely feeling the effects of that new moon squaring Mars in Virgo by being upset about finances.  The fact that this new moon also squared both Neptune and Chiron in Pisces triggered my victim mode even more by opening up old wounds and insecurities regarding my health and finances.

The next day I received an email that I would need to attend a hearing to resolve a financial legal matter that I had been dealing with privately for the past three months.  It was scheduled for December 19^th, which would be two days after the full moon in Gemini in my 9^th house.  As an astrologer, I should have been better prepared for the anything can happen energy of a Sagittarius new moon.  But more importantly, I was nearing a resolution in a matter pertaining to my finances and that was the purpose of this new moon’s influence on my chart. Ironically, I had to reschedule a doctor’s appointment for my annual physical that conflicted with the hearing.

But I did have a couple of a-ha moments.  Michael Lutin made me laugh again when I read his site on December 5^th urging us to stay in the light of the new moon in Sag and resist the urge to fall into deep pessimism, which is pretty much my natural state of mind as a Scorpio.  I swear that my moon in Gemini keeps me laughing and alive during the worst of times. His site even featured a photo of Gene Kelly from the movie Singin’ in the Rain.  As Michael so aptly stated, in true Sagittarian fashion, you can remain focused, face the music, and still dance in the rain.

I also started thinking about the concept of planets in mutual reception.  While Saturn and Pluto are not known for being astrological “lightweights” (structure and transformation) , they are considered to be in “mutual reception” these days because Saturn rules the sign of Capricorn, where Pluto will be residing until 2023 and Pluto rules Scorpio, where Saturn will be for roughly another year before it enters Sagittarius on Christmas Eve of 2014.  Basically, mutual reception means that the two planets that are in each other’s signs of rulership will have their energies strengthened and provide assistance to each other.  

I thought back to my first Saturn Return when Pluto was in Libra and that was not the case.  While I cannot honestly say that I enjoyed my second Saturn Return this past year, I will confess that my first Saturn Return was far more difficult.  Until my early 50’s, I referred to my first Saturn Return as the worst year of my adult life.  So I realized that this week’s new moon in Sagittarius was in mutual reception with Jupiter in Cancer.  The moon rules Cancer and Jupiter rules Sagittarius, so it looks like hope can spring eternal! And Saturn in Scorpio is trining Jupiter in Cancer, which is a good thing because restriction and expansion don’t play well together if they are making harsh aspects. It’s like having the icing on the cake with Saturn trining Jupiter and Saturn in mutual reception with Pluto.  I didn’t miss out on that optimistic Sagittarian new moon energy after all.

As I prepare for the holidays—I even bought some Christmas cards this week on sale, I would like to remind you that I am offering a 20% discount on all of my services during the month of December.   An astrological reading is a thoughtful, unique gift and the insight it imparts can keep giving throughout the coming year.  Please review my Services Offered page and go to this link to learn more about this special offer.

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_719.html 

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.