A Potent Full Moon in Libra and Venus Goes Direct

 

The month of April is definitely kicking into high gear after a brief respite last week that featured Saturn and Mars sextiling Uranus in Taurus and Mars in Cancer trining Saturn in Pisces.  And Mercury stationed direct in 26 degrees of Pisces on April 7, which was cause for celebration.  Just be mindful that it might take a little while for us to fully feel like Mercury is direct as it clears its retrograde shadow, which will happen on April 25, 2025 when it hits 9 degrees of Aries.  Mercury will enter Aries on April 16 and Mercury is much more comfortable and direct (pardon the pun) in the sign of Aries.

On April 12, we have a powerful Full Moon in 23 degrees of Libra.  This Full Moon features a T-square involving the Sun in 23 degrees of Aries, the Moon in 23 degrees of Libra and Mars in 27 degrees of Cancer.  T-squares cause tension, friction, and confrontations but they do have a way of motivating us to make changes.  Mars in 27 degrees of Cancer is also widely opposing Pluto in 3 degrees of Aquarius, which raises the ante for potential brute force to emerge.

Healing is a major theme of this Full Moon in Libra due to Chiron's presence.  Chiron is in 23 degrees of Aries exactly conjunct the Sun and opposing the Moon in Libra.  This is bound to bring awareness of old fears, wounds and insecurities.  We are offered the opportunity to step out of our victimhood and move into authority as we heal that wound.  People who were born during 1974-1975 are undergoing their Chiron Return, so they will feel this Full Moon quite acutely.

There is also an extremely karmic note to this Full Moon because it also features a Yod.  A Yod occurs when two planets or points sextile each other while being inconjunct a third planet. Sometimes a Yod is referred to as the Finger of God. So, yes fated events can happen. Venus in 24 degrees of Pisces sextiles Uranus in 25 degrees of Taurus and they are both inconjunct the Moon in 23 degrees of Libra.  We could quite literally experience a spiritual awakening with this Full Moon in Libra.  Venus is also conjunct the North Node in 26 degrees of Pisces, further underscoring the karmic theme.  A Full Moon in Libra is also associated with unconditional love, but we need to be careful not to give too much to others.  Libra does have a tendency to be a people pleaser.  Social justice can also be a major theme of this Full Moon.

Venus sextiling Uranus can see us craving more fun and excitement in our social life, while creating opportunities for new friends and lovers to come into our lives.  It can also spur our creativity because Venus is exalted in Pisces. Venus is also conjunct Saturn in 25 degrees of Pisces and that aspect was exact on April 7, which probably served to provide major reality checks in love and finances.

The most positive feature of this Full Moon in Libra is the fact that Venus is stationing direct in 24 degrees of Pisces at 9:02 p.m.  Venus stationed retrograde on March 1 in 10 degrees of Aries, so it has been a long siege.  Venus also rules Libra (as well as Taurus), so relationships are going to feel the effects of this Full Moon in a big way.  Venus will move back into Aries on April 30 and will officially clear its retrograde shadow on May 15 when it hits 10 degrees of Aries.  So we should start to see some relief in love and finances within the next few weeks.  I am one of the rare 7% of the population born with Venus retrograde, but I am not always that comfortable during a Venus retrograde transit.  Some are easier than others for me, but this one was not so easy.  It was complicated because it occurred in two signs: Aries and Pisces.  Venus is considered to be in detriment in Aries (a fancy way of saying it is not comfortable) while it is exalted in Pisces.  Venus was previously in Pisces in a direct motion from January 2 through February 4, 2025, so I suppose we should be grateful that we will get another shot at experiencing the benefits of Venus direct in Pisces again.  Venus was retrograde in Pisces from March 27 through April 7, 2025.

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. April 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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

  

Prepare to Surrender for Maximum Healing as Mars Retrogrades

I think that many of us are still reeling from the effects of the Aries New Moon of April 7^th in 18 degrees of Aries.  It had quite a buildup earlier in the week, especially on April 6^th when the Sun in Aries squared Pluto in Capricorn.  On that day I tweeted:

“Aries sun squaring Pluto in Capricorn today has the potential for major power struggles.  Past conflicts could reemerge.”

I know that I have been pretty emphatic recently about how change is coming and that we need to embrace it. But the Sun Pluto square on April 6^th also set off the infamous Uranus Pluto square of 2012-2015, so issues of control are bound to surface.  Uranus will also play its part in triggering the Uranus Pluto square on April 9^th when it conjuncts the sun in Aries.  Those seven squares ruled the astrological climate for the first five years of this decade, and their effects are not going away anytime soon.

I think that I finally had an AHA moment this week when I realized that as much as I want change, I have no power to control how it will manifest in my life.  And that is one tough lesson to learn. I don’t do unpredictable very well, and a preponderance of planets in fire signs, especially a new moon in Aries aspecting both Uranus and Pluto tends to rock my fixed Scorpio core.  Saturn in Sagittarius was prominently featured in this new moon because it trined that new moon.  Trines are easy, flowing aspects, so it was definitely a good thing.  Saturn’s grounding influence should allow us to adapt to the massive changes that are coming a little easier.  But Saturn is also known for its delays and its endless need to test our faith.  

During the past week I have sensed a general slowing down of energy in my business.  I am still getting inquiries, but people are taking their time to consider what I have to offer them. This is not a new occurrence and in the past people have subsequently booked either Reiki sessions or astrology and tarot readings after an initial inquiry.  I’m trying not to take it personally, as I am well aware that Mars will be stationing retrograde on April 17^th. It stations retrograde in 8 degrees of Sagittarius and winds up back in Scorpio on May 28^th.  Mars stations direct in 23 degrees of Scorpio on June 29^th and reenters Sagittarius on August 3^rd.  The Mars retrograde is in my 2^nd house, so no wonder I am feeling this way.  My values in addition to my finances are already feeling the hit. We all know that planets tend to slow down before the retrograde actually occurs which encompasses the shadow period.  When Mars stations direct in August it conjuncts my Venus in the 2^nd house, so I expect that I will reap the harvest then.  I have implemented some changes in the services that I offer but I was very mindful to do so before Mars retrogrades.

Mars only retrogrades every two years, so it literally is a big deal when it happens.  What are the themes of Mars retrograde?  Well, the most important thing to remember is that when Mars is retrograde it tends to deplete vitality, so it is definitely not a good time to initiate new ventures.  Mars retrograde also cautions against buying anything mechanical if you can help it.  So don’t be surprised if computers break down or office machinery malfunctions.  Since Mars rules both Aries and Scorpio, these signs and anyone with planets in these signs will feel the effects.  But I would surmise, based on my own personal experience of coming to terms with the need to slow down and reassess, that Aries and Scorpio natives will find themselves having a little more patience to wait on circumstances, sitting back and reviewing matters in a more detached way.  This is where the concept of surrender comes into play.  It’s time to slow down and reevaluate so that healing can occur to pave the way for change.  There will be plenty of time and a sense of renewed vitality to initiate changes when Mars stations direct this summer.  If you don’t have a lot of Aries or Scorpio energy in your chart, conversely, you may feel more impatient to force matters to a conclusion.  This is NOT a wise move because if you do, things may fall apart.

Healing is very much on my mind these days because I am also attending a Celebration of Reiki conference on April 10^th.  The moon will be in Gemini that day and I am looking forward to some lively conversation with a diverse group of healers.  I am certainly open to learning new things about Reiki and the healing process.

I would also like to include a post that resonated big-time for me from fellow astrologer Robert Ohotto’s site www.ohotto.com

“Healing has to be understood as a verb:

It is a constant process of retrieving our spirit from where it has been frozen, locked in a time warp, then releasing it into the moment, and that’s when you recover.”

Healing is a big component of my soul’s path and after undergoing a challenging Chiron square transit to my moon during the last couple of years, I am now able to feel more empowered by having transiting Chiron in Pisces trining my natal Venus in Scorpio and sextiling my natal Chiron in Capricorn for the next couple of years.  So I do think that Robert Ohotto definitely captured the zeitgeist of the current astrological climate. 

The north node in Virgo has an underlying theme of service to others.  In that spirit of pursuing my path as a healer, 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 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

I have also recently become a member of the Fellowship of Massachusetts Energywork Practitioners.  It is a great resource for those seeking energyworkers.  Please feel free to check out this site at:

http://www.maenergyworkfellowship.com/

The link to my profile is below:

http://www.maenergyworkfellowship.com/#!directory-page-2/qp4zw

If you are contemplating an astrological reading to obtain more insight in your life, especially with the recent eclipses in March and all of the action in April with the new moon in Aries, and Mars, Pluto and Mercury going retrograde, you can learn more about my revised 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

The Pisces Party Continues During the Aftermath of the Solar Eclipse

The solar eclipse on March 8, 2016 in 19 degrees of Pisces is still being felt and that Piscean energy is ramping up its intensity.  On March 8^th I posted two tweets on Twitter that seemed to resonate with a lot of folks.

“Powerful #solareclipse today in Pisces conjuncts Neptune.  What do you need to surrender to or release in your life to move on?”

“Saturn in Sagittarius squaring #solareclipse in Pisces today represents obstacles to be overcome for spiritual growth. Hang in for payoff.”

I don’t know about you, but I felt extremely emotional and somewhat anxious, but in a good way, about whatever changes this eclipse would bring to my life. That might very well be caused by Jupiter in Virgo, which is still conjunct the north node and its opposition to the eclipse.  I choose to interpret it that as an incentive to have faith that letting go will pave the way for more positive changes. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and that in itself is indicative of an ending on some level before a new era can be ushered in.  Pisces is all about surrender to a Higher Power and letting go so that we can experience more freedom and growth.  But Saturn was featured pretty heavily in this eclipse because of its square aspect.  We need to let go, but Saturn craves structure while simultaneously testing us to take a leap of faith.  At least it was a mutable square and not a fixed one; we need to be grateful for small favors.  But Saturn is also engaging in a square to Neptune which will be exact on June 17^th.  Neptune’s veil is being pierced by the reality of Saturn in Sagittarius, the seeker of truth.

Pluto was not one to lie idle during this eclipse, either. It was in 17 degrees of Capricorn forming a favorable sextile to the sun and moon.  How sweet is that?  It’s like a cosmic boost from the universe cheering us on to ride the wave of transformation, no matter what obstacles Saturn throws our way.

Chiron in Pisces conjuncted the moon shortly after midnight on March 9^th and this added fuel to the healing fires. It may have also led to some incredibly healing dreams as well.

Mercury in Pisces conjuncts Neptune on March 11^th, empowering us to go even deeper in our spiritual quest for deeper realities. Intuition will soar.  And we can still anticipate the conjunction of Mercury to Chiron in Pisces on March 17^th.  Then we can really heal those old wounds by communicating in a more compassionate manner.

Venus joins the Pisces party March 12^th when it enters the sign of Pisces.  Venus is reputed to be exalted in Pisces because of its compassionate, forgiving, dreamy quality.  But it does have a tendency to long for the hard to reach or sometimes just plain unattainable things. Pisces is a dreamer and sometimes those dreams can be impossible, but you never know until you try.

That grand water trine the Pisces solar eclipse formed to my Cancer midheaven and Sun and Venus in Scorpio in my 2^nd house has helped to increase my business this past week, for which I am very grateful.  And so far, knock on wood, having a solar eclipse in my 6^th house got me a clean bill of health on my annual physical.

Jupiter in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn, who featured prominently in this solar eclipse, are forming a nice little trine in 17 degrees of their respective sign on March 16, 2016. This augurs well for finances to improve on a global level.

On another note, I was reflecting this week on how the Downton Abbey finale on March 6^th perfectly encapsulated the themes of the solar eclipse in Pisces.  I joined the Downton Abbey fan club a little late, in its 3^rd season, at the urging of a couple of friends.  The Neptunian side of me (Neptune in Libra in the 1^st house) quickly became addicted to the glamor and sense of escapism that it provided.  But as a Scorpio, I always sensed an underlying Plutonian theme to the show in terms of the characters trying to navigate the changing times.  The world saw massive changes between 1912 and 1926, which is the time period that the PBS show spanned.  Transformation (Pluto’s theme song) was unavoidable, although there were certainly many characters who did their best to try to cling to the old ways.  

But by the final episode, several characters managed to let go of behaviors that no longer served them, take risks to overcome their fears and adapt to a rapidly changing world.  Sisters Mary and Edith let go of their toxic sibling rivalry and made amends to each other. Talk about a dose of healing Pisces energy! Their relationship was transformed in the process as it embarked on a healthier path.  Edith conquered her fear that telling the truth would cost her happiness based on past experiences when she told her future mother-in-law about her illegitimate daughter.  She wound up gaining her respect .and the marriage took place.  This was such a clear example to me of trusting in your Higher Power.  She took a leap of faith, and trusted her intuition.  Edith freed herself from her self-defeating behaviors and got her chance to be happy.  Even the Dowager Countess let go of her animosity towards her daughter-in-law Cora by telling her that she was doing a fine job as head of the hospital board, a position that she had previously held.  The Dowager still hinted that she’d like to be given the choice of going back, but even she knew she had to adapt to changing times.  Cora embraced change in her role as head of the hospital board.  This is just another emphasis on the healing energy that Pisces embodies.  Julian Fellowes managed to brilliantly depict the transformation of his characters and show the redemptive power of letting go of what no longer serves us.   

The north node in Virgo has an underlying theme of service to others.  In that spirit of pursuing my path as a healer, 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 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

I have also recently become a member of the Fellowship of Massachusetts Energywork Practitioners.  It is a great resource for those seeking energyworkers.  Please feel free to check out this site at:

http://www.maenergyworkfellowship.com/

The link to my profile is below:

http://www.maenergyworkfellowship.com/#!directory-page-2/qp4zw

If you are contemplating an astrological reading to obtain more insight in your life, especially with the upcoming eclipses in March, 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

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Full Moon in Taurus Delivers a Punch of Healing Energy with Grand Earth Trine

The last supermoon of 2015, the Hunters Moon on October 27^th in 4 degrees of Taurus, delivered a potent punch of healing energy that received a boost from a grand earth trine and a heavy emphasis on Virgo energy.  The major themes of this powerful full moon were healing and completion.  I loved what Jessica Adams tweeted on that day:

“Horoscope update.  For so many people, one door is closing and another one is opening.  This door is marked 2017-2018 and it’s huge.”

I know that I have long felt that 2017 would be a lighter, brighter more promising year and I strongly concur with Jessica Adams.  By 2017 I believe that we will all be through processing the changes and, for many, accompanying turmoil, of the Uranus in Aries Pluto in Capricorn squares that ruled the astrological landscape from 2012 through 2015. 

Venus is the ruler of Taurus and on October 27^th it was in Virgo conjunct Jupiter and Mars in Virgo while simultaneously opposing Chiron in Pisces and inconjunct Uranus in Aries.  Is it any wonder that many of us experienced sudden opportunities to heal old wounds as a result of this full moon?  My tweets on October 27^th reflected these aspects and themes:

“Venus in Virgo opposing Chiron in Pisces and inconjunct Uranus in Aries on #fullmoon can suddenly bring up old emotional wounds for healing.”

“This is going to be one intense full moon, but it may be ultimately be very cathartic.”

The healing energy that went down was probably more spiritual than physical due to Chiron’s presence in Pisces.  Chiron in Pisces has a way of bringing up old issues regarding trust in a rather direct contrast to the Virgo energy of practical effort to resolve problems.  The wounds that Chiron brought to light were undoubtedly deep-rooted in childhood traumas that were still unresolved.  On October 28^th that Taurus moon sextiled Chiron in Pisces, which continued the theme of deep emotional healing.  When Chiron in Pisces is involved, you really can‘t escape deep emotional healing.

The Taurus full moon also activated a grand earth trine with Pluto in Capricorn on the 27^th and then with Mars, Jupiter and Venus in Virgo in the wee hours of October 28^th.  All of this earth energy supports setting plans in motion and focusing on the big picture.  It gave a stamp of approval for getting to work on something that was deeply meaningful.  Jupiter in Virgo was a huge player in this configuration.  I know, Jupiter is not exactly a barrel of laughs in the sign of Virgo the way it was in Leo, but I concurred with a reading client this past week that the true measure of the benefits derived from Jupiter in Virgo come from helping others.

Obviously this full moon was very intense for the signs of Taurus and Scorpio.  If money issues arose during this full moon, chalk it up to the Taurus/Scorpio axis of personal finances versus joint finances.  Taurus may have literally felt obsessed with income and scrutinized their investments due to the emphasis on belongings and values.  Since Venus was so heavily involved in this full moon courtesy of that grand earth trine, Scorpio experienced it regarding the issues of the ability to love and be loved.  A major lesson for Scorpio was to figure out how to assert oneself while affording a loved one the same opportunity.  It literally felt like walking a tightrope in terms of trying to balance personal needs with relationship needs.  Scorpios may also have felt compelled to transform a deeply complicated situation and examine their need for stability.

I have my moon in Gemini in the 8^th house, which is Scorpio’s domain.  I dealt with issues of stability and security thanks to the Venus in Virgo Chiron in Pisces opposition squaring that moon.  It triggered some painful wounds that I thought had healed when transiting Chiron in Pisces was squaring that natal moon in early 2015.  It felt like a sucker punch coming out of left field, but obviously these issues weren’t completely resolved or I wouldn’t have been so blown away or felt so vulnerable.  Sometimes even astrologers don’t see it coming, but we have to roll with the punches and adjust, just like everyone else.  As a bona fide recipient of an inconjunct to my moon from Saturn, I have experienced that lesson many times in my life.

The plot thickens and the Scorpio intensity ramps it up a notch on November 2^nd when Mercury enters the sign of Scorpio.  Mercury was retrograde this fall, so it has taken a little longer to cruise into Scorpio.  Be prepared for a very different style of communicating than when Mercury was in the air sign of Libra that loves to socialize in a light, breezy manner.   Mercury in Scorpio likes to observe from a distance, take its time processing information and communicate later.  Deeper conversations that are intensely focused are favored.  The time is ripe to probe the hidden and uncover it.  Investigation rules and it’s an optimal time to play detective.

I am channeling that Jupiter, Mars and Venus 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

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

I am also offering a special Twitter Halloween offer of a 20% discount on astrology readings at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix/status/659449979304595460/photo/1

Happy Halloween, everyone and don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour on Halloween night before you go to bed!

Eclipse Season is Here and the Game Changes

They’re BAACK—the eclipses, those game changers, are creating massive changes in the month of September that will keep us hopping. We will have a solar eclipse in 20 degrees of Virgo on September 13^th and a lunar eclipse in 4 degrees of Aries on September 27^th. The last set of eclipses occurred on March 20^th and April 4^th of this year.  Whatever story began back then will continue at a frenetic pace.  You may need a score card by the time this month is over.

Eclipses are very Uranian by nature because they have a tendency to bring sudden changes and unpredictable events.  The effects of a solar eclipse can be felt up to three months before and up to one year afterwards.  A lunar eclipse has a shorter shelf life because their effects are generally felt for up to six weeks before and after they occur.  Eclipses also have a way of distorting reality and things can get blown out of proportion.  Fair warning, OK?  Don’t shoot the messenger.

A solar eclipse is literally a new moon on steroids and can bring new beginnings.  The solar eclipse on September 13^th involves many complicated aspects.  The Uranian quality of eclipses is amped up even more by the fact that the eclipse opposes Chiron in Pisces and inconjuncts Uranus in Aries.  Uranus is a major player in this eclipse, no doubt about it.  We are going to need lots of flexibility and adaptability to deal with whatever comes our way. Jupiter is also in Virgo and it opposes Neptune in Pisces, so reality blurred may be a strong theme.

The big story of this eclipse is that Chiron in Pisces inconjuncts both Mars and Venus in Leo which are sextiling Mercury in Libra.  This forms an interesting aspect called a Yod, which has often been referred to as the Finger of Fate because it is a very challenging aspect.  Yods have a very Uranian feeling, as they tend to create situations which come up out of the blue and make a person wonder “Why is this happening to me?”  Trust me, I know all about this one as I have a yod in my chart involving my north node in Capricorn that sextiles my Saturn in Scorpio and inconjuncts my moon in Gemini.  My moon is in the 8^th house and a major theme in my life has been deaths in twos of family members in close proximity.

This solar eclipse is in the sign of Virgo, which is very health and service oriented.  Its opposition to Chiron in Pisces is bound to bring up themes of healing, forgiveness and the potential for falling into the victim role.  The most practical way to deal with this eclipse (Virgo is a practical earth sign, after all) is to focus on health, organizing and establishing new routines and schedules and trying to put relationships in order. Virgo is mutable earth, so we have a saving grace with that factor; it allows us more flexibility to roll with the punches.  Mercury is in Libra, but it is about to go retrograde on the 17^th, which will definitely put the emphasis on reevaluating communication in relationships.   We have our work cut out for us!

Remember last week I commented that the solar eclipse in Virgo would be sextiling my Sun and Venus in Scorpio in my second house as well as my Cancer midheaven while Uranus in Aries would be squaring it?  And that Mars in Leo would be trining Uranus in Aries on September 8^th?  I had absolutely no idea how the Mars Uranus trine would play out for me, but I sensed that the eclipse might bring some changes to my work life.  Well, on September 8^th, I received news that a new more, lucrative time slot would be available at the clinic where I practice Reiki and I was able to obtain it.  Starting in October, I will be practicing Reiki on Fridays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. instead of Thursday mornings.  I feel that this will be a boon for my business, as it is such a convenient time for people to receive Reiki after a stressful work week.  In addition to the Mars Uranus trine on September 8^th, the Cancer moon was also trining Saturn in Scorpio.  I had been hoping for an early evening time slot and it suddenly opened up.  Thank you, Uranus and Mars!  I love it when astrology lives up to its potential!  I will be focusing on healing work and if you are in the Boston area and in need of some Reiki, please feel free to contact me for an appointment at the Acupuncture for Everyone clinic in Copley Square.

I will cover the September lunar eclipse in Aries in another post as we get closer to it.  Don’t forget that on September 17^th Mercury stations retrograde in 15 degrees of Libra and Saturn moves into Sagittarius until December 2017.

Venus is still in Leo until October 8^th due to the retrograde. If you are curious as to how this extended Venus retrograde in Leo period affected you, please consider getting an astrological reading with me.  A little insight is always a powerful tool.  Just ask for the Venus Retrograde Special, which will be $25 through the month of September 2015. Contact me directly at lindasim54@gmail.com.

  

If you are contemplating an astrological reading to obtain more insight during this shaky month of September that includes two eclipses, Mercury retrograde and Saturn moving back into Sagittarius, 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

Ceres Dominates -The Dwarf Planet Rules for Valentine's Day

Ceres, the former asteroid reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006, is presiding over and ruling the action for Valentine's Day this coming weekend. In a week where the only other major astrological activity going on was Mercury resuming direct motion on February 11th, Ceres became the key player.

Ceres is currently in the sign of Capricorn, and this placement has a tendency to align our self-worth with our latest accomplishments, but on February 12th it squared Uranus in Aries. This could have definitely triggered a rebellious attitude in this area and a strong desire for change.

What exactly does Ceres represent astrologically? In her groundbreaking book Asteroid Goddesses written in 1984, Demetra George said:

"Ceres describes the ways in which we face the issues of self-worth and self-esteem, relationships to our parents and children, attachment, dependency, loss and separation, rejection, grief, sharing, work and productivity."

She also says that the multitude of psychological traits Ceres governs make it impossible to rule just one sign. As the ruler of Cancer, Ceres addresses the issues of how we give and receive nurturance, develop feelings of self-worth, how we provide and care for others and how we respond neurotically if these needs are not met. Ceres also rules the Taurus-Scorpio polarity, which involves lessons of attachment and aversion, the pathology of loss and rejection, the capacity for grief and sorrow and the principle of sharing. And finally, Ceres' rulership of Virgo addresses the issues of productivity, growth, self-reliance and work. I don't know about you, but I think that calling Ceres a dwarf planet is kind of a misnomer with her workload!

Ceres was once thought to be part of Pluto and on February 15th, Ceres will conjunct Pluto in 15 degrees of Capricorn. How is this aspect going to play out? For starters, it will demand that we release goals and attachments that no longer serve us. We will also need to accept that our fear of loss might very well represent a necessary death on some level which precedes a rebirth.

Ceres is becoming a major player in the ongoing Uranus Pluto square, which will be exact on March 17, 2015 in 15 degrees of Aries and Capricorn. But many of us are already feeling its effects now, especially in the area of relationships. I don't think it is a cosmic accident that Ceres formed major aspects with both Uranus and Pluto around Valentine’s Day. It is preparing us for the final round of changes the last Uranus Pluto square will deliver. Changes in relationships are a huge issue for many folks these days.

Naturally, this prompted me to examine my own Ceres. I have Ceres in 27 degrees of Scorpio conjunct my natal Venus in the 2nd house and squaring my Pluto in Leo in the 11th house. I'm sure this placement has a lot to do with my love of harmony and beautiful things (Venus conjunct Ceres knows no bounds when it comes to self-nurturing through shopping), but it also explains my desire to nurture others, provide for them and be an agent of healing and transformation. Ceres squaring my natal Pluto is not so easy to deal with, however. This is definitely where the power struggles and negotiations for nurturing comes from. It also contributes to my frequent inability to let go--I can be like Ceres negotiating with Pluto for Persephone!  But the positive side of Ceres squaring Pluto can be the ability to nurture others back to health and transform them through nurturing. I sense that my becoming a healer is a more constructive use of that aspect.

I also have Ceres trining my natal Uranus in Cancer, which has led me to pursue a path of spiritual growth in some rather unique ways. After all, I am an intuitive astrologer, psychic and Reiki healer. The other piece with Ceres trining Uranus is that it makes me cherish and appreciate the need for both intimacy and space in relationships.

I am also pondering how transiting Ceres in Capricorn will be affecting me during the Uranus Pluto square in March. It won't be in the middle degrees of Capricorn then; it will be closer to the end of Capricorn and conjunct my natal Chiron in the 4th house. I am no stranger to Chiron transits, having recently survived Chiron's long-term square to my moon, which was not exactly a day at the beach, despite the waterworks it triggered.  But it did manage to achieve a great deal of emotional healing. Hopefully, this upcoming transit will require a less painful form of surrender for any more healing to occur.

I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day by engaging my Ceres with a special Valentine's Day promotion. During the month of February to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Venus being exalted in Pisces, I am offering a 20% discount on my Healing Your Love Karma and Composite Couples reports.  You can learn more about this special offer at:

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

 You can also read about my other 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

During the month of February to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Venus being exalted in Pisces, I am offering a 20% discount on my Healing Your Love Karma and Composite Couples reports.  You can learn more about this special offer at:

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

You can also read about my other 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

Super Full Harvest Moon in Pisces

Get ready for the most inspired and intuitive full moon of 2014! Yes, folks, we have a full moon in the uber-dreamy sign of Pisces on September 8, 2014 at 16 degrees. Pay attention to your dreams because they may be offering you opportunities for healing.

Many of us may be already feeling the effects of this full moon. On September 5th Venus entered the sign of Virgo, where it will reside until September 29th. Venus is considered to be in the sign of its fall in Virgo. It is a very different vibe from Venus in Leo, which demonstrates its love in grand romantic gestures and playful activity. It is definitely a party sign Venus. The theme of Venus in Virgo is showing affection in more practical ways by performing service to others. Virgo is, after all an earth sign and earth is all about practicality, tangible matters and restoring order.

The themes of this full moon include pursuing our dreams and healing. Don't forget that Virgo is the sign associated with health and the Sun is in Virgo. This full water moon will feature lots of intensity but will also provide opportunity for closure if necessary, clearing and support for attaining our goals. It sextiles Pluto in Capricorn and trines Mars and Saturn in Scorpio. And those are very beneficial aspects to have on our side. It is a good thing to have a full moon playing nice with such heavy hitters as Pluto, Mars and Saturn. But be prepared for some volatility because that Pisces moon also inconjuncts Mercury in Libra. This can unleash more unjust actions in the world while simultaneously stirring more global conscience and mindfulness.

On September 7th the Sun in Virgo opposes Chiron in Pisces. This aspect can set the stage for taking us to the root of our spiritual pain by putting us in touch with old childhood wounds. It does give us tremendous opportunities to tap into powerful sources of healing. The full moon on the 8th will also conjunct Chiron in Pisces, allowing for the possibility of hope and healing. This Pisces full moon also trines Saturn in Scorpio, further reinforcing the theme of healing old childhood wounds that are inevitably stirred up by this full moon. The dreamy feel of this Piscean full moon is evoked once again on September 10th when Venus in Virgo opposes Neptune in Pisces. The moon may have moved on to the sign of Aries but there is no escape from its energy with both Neptune and Chiron firmly ensconced in the sign of Pisces.

Personally, this full moon is falling at the tail end of my 5th house, so I have no doubt that the time is ripe for healing and dissolving creative blocks, especially since it trines my Scorpio Sun and Saturn. It also squares my natal Gemini moon in the 8th house. This is bound to round up the usual gang of 8th house issues in terms of death, transformation, rebirth and financial considerations.

If you are feeling confused during these challenging times and curious as to how Saturn, Mars, Uranus, Chiron or the Black Moon Lilith are affecting you, please consider getting an astrological reading to obtain more insight and assistance in the healing process. 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