Venus and Jupiter Rally to Give Us a Boost of Optimism and Hope



Venus in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Virgo have been doing their best to cheer us up this past week to combat the travails of Mercury retrograde and the rather complicated New Moon on January 9^th that conjuncted Pluto and squared Uranus in Aries.  This is no small feat, considering that Jupiter is considered to be in detriment in Virgo and it is retrograde to boot.  Let’s face it, if you want expansion and growth with Jupiter in Virgo, you need to work hard and have a strong ethic.  No free rides or parties with this Jupiter placement!

 

But on January 12^th, Venus in Sagittarius trined Uranus in Aries, inspiring me to tweet:

 

“Venus in Sagittarius trining Uranus in Aries today can bring unexpected financial gains, love and creativity.  Nice fire energy.”

 

On January 13^th, Jupiter in Virgo trined the Sun in Capricorn, boosting our self-confidence by assisting in the grounding process as we attempt to make our dreams a reality.  Venus in Sagittarius also squared Chiron in Pisces on January 13^th and we all know that squares are not exactly the most fun aspects.  But this square may very well have forced our hand for change in relationships, values or finances because my money is on the healing piece of this rather challenging aspect.  On the following day, January 14, 2016, Jupiter in Virgo trined Mercury in Capricorn.  This easy flowing aspect provided a jolt of optimism and humor to our communication and thinking, despite the fact that both planets are retrograde.  We probably felt more supported in presenting our ideas as a result of this aspect. The Sun also conjuncted Mercury on January 14^th and this favored reexamining our long-term goals but cautioned us against taking action because of Mercury being retrograde.  It’s referred to as an “inferior” conjunction because of Mercury’s retrograde position and is bound to bring up issues from the past.  But sometimes introspection is not such a bad thing…

 

Jupiter in Virgo is also favoring us during January and February of 2016 with its close conjunction to the north node in Virgo.  The north node represents our soul’s path, so when Jupiter conjuncts it, it’s a big deal.  Jupiter conjuncting the north node gives us a green light to pursue our path.  Of course, the hitch with Virgo is that you have to work for it, but isn’t it nice to know that our efforts will be rewarded?

 

I am by no means an expert on numerology, but it is common knowledge that 2016 is a Universal 9 year numerologically.  A 9 year is a year of endings, completion, and is considered to be very karmic.  It is indeed a time of revisiting the past and offers the potential for spiritual growth.  I mention it here because of the effect of Mercury and Jupiter retrograde.  Both of these planets are aspecting my Chiron and facilitating my healing process.  I wish the same healing path be open to all of you.  

 

Think back in your own life to what began for you in 2008, the last 1 year numerologically.  On a larger scale, it was the year that Obama was first elected president and the year of the stock market crash.  If anything is no longer serving your highest good, don’t be surprised if situations manifest that release you.  Don’t try to resist these changes and try to have faith that a new beginning will emerge in 2017, the next Universal 1 year in numerology. 

 

In 2009 an astrologer told me that 2017 would be a wonderful year for me and I groaned at the thought of having to wait so long for it due to my natural impatience, but now that it is within reach, I can see the wisdom and merits of that prediction.  She predicted that on the basis of my progressed Saturn being conjunct my Sun in 2017.   She also predicted that I would probably leave my job in 2013 to pursue my real work as an astrologer and psychic, which did happen.  But the point is that back in 2009, it was a Universal 2 year and that was a time when I sorely needed patience as I was slowly developing awareness of patterns of behavior in myself and others.  It has been quite a journey and it appears that for all of us 2016 will be a year of tying up loose ends and taking care of unfinished business to prepare for a whole new cycle of growth in 2017.

 

I  am sure that I am not the only one who was saddened to hear about the death of David Bowie on January 10, 2016.  As an astrologer, I couldn’t resist looking at his chart.  What was happening in his chart on that day?  Plenty.  For starters, his progressed moon was in Aquarius conjunct his Aquarius ascendant, symbolizing a rebirth period for him.  Transiting Mars in Scorpio was conjunct his natal Chiron in Scorpio in the 8^th house, and transiting Pluto in Capricorn was conjunct his natal Mars in Capricorn in the 12^th house.  All of these themes were present in the lyrics of his haunting song Lazarus:

 

“Look up here, I’m in heaven.”

 

“I’ve got scars that can’t be seen.”

 

“I’ll be free.”

 

While David Bowie may not have had control over the time of his death, he did manage to convey its message with Lazarus.  His Neptune in the 8^th house allowed him the opportunity to use his art to deliver a final message about his impending death and rebirth while his progressed Venus in Aquarius in his first house ensured that he will long be remembered and respected for his artistic work.  The musical Lazarus at the New York Theatre Workshop in the East Village is serving as a memorial to David Bowie.

 

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.  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

 



 



Venus Moves into Leo for an Extended Stay

Venus is changing signs on June 5^th, which is not unusual, but it will be spending the next four months in the sign of Leo, which is pretty unusual.  How can this be?  Venus will be in Leo through July 18^th, briefly enter Virgo on July 19^th, station retrograde at 0 degrees of Virgo on July 25^th, and re-enter the sign of Leo on August 1^s..  On September 6^th, Venus will station direct in 14 degrees of Leo, where it will stay until October 9^th.

Why is Venus retrograde such a big deal?  Trust me, as someone who was born with it (albeit in the detrimental sign of Scorpio), it is a very big deal.  If someone has Venus retrograde natally in their chart, they will face delays and frustrations in their love life.  And the native with Venus retrograde takes a long time to bond with someone because there will probably be karmic trust issues.

When Venus is retrograde, we can expect relationship stress and may need to develop new approaches to existing relationships or risk losing them.  Emotions will run high and it is more prudent to reflect than to act.  This may be easier said than done! Venus retrograde will also affect financial affairs; it is an optimal time to review one’s budget and spending habits.  Creative projects can also veer off in different directions.  But one perk to having Venus retrograde is that it bodes well for slowing down and pampering ourselves.  The fact that Venus is in the sign of Leo, a sign associated with summer, makes this pill a little easier to swallow.

Venus will be spending its retrograde period in the sign of Leo.  Leo rules love, romance, and money. It symbolizes summer fun.  Venus in Leo heightens creativity, pleasure and prosperity.  Leo craves attention, drama and is prone to too much of a good thing.  But let’s not forget that Leo is also generous and warm-hearted, so this Venus retrograde may not be that difficult to take this summer.  It is fire energy and should add some inspiration to the mix.  I know that we are all waiting with baited breath for Mercury retrograde to end.  Officially it ends on June 11^th, but I always caution my clients to be mindful of the shadow period.  Mercury’s shadow retrograde period began on May 4^th and it leaves the shadow on June 27^th.  So we are dealing with two retrograde planets that pertain to communication, finances and relationships.   Remember the “re” in retrograde—time to review and research before making important decisions.

This particular transit of Venus retrograde starts out in my 10^th house, enters my 11^th house on June 28^th, returns to my 10^th house on August 22^nd for a month and then re-enters my 11^th house in late September.  When Venus enters Leo on June 5^th, it will be trining Saturn in 0 degrees of Sagittarius.  Saturn is currently transiting my 2^nd house (fun times, LOL), so I am hoping that Venus in Leo will provide some support for my finances and professional reputation.    Another thing to remember about retrograde planets is that they provide second and some time third chances for us to get it right.  I frequently tell my clients that many of us just don’t get it on the first hit from a transiting planet, so the retrograde gives us another chance to learn the lesson and get enlightened when it hits our chart for the second or third time.  I have Pluto in Leo in my 11^th house, so I will be feeling that hit in July and then again in October before it leaves Leo.  I am hoping for some beneficial group associations and support for my goals to manifest during the Venus in Leo transit to my 11^th house.  But I know that I have to take responsibility for that to happen.  Venus and Jupiter are known as the great benefics in astrology because they bring good things into our lives, but you have to be proactive.  A nice Jupiter transit can indicate winning the lottery, but it won’t happen if you don’t buy that ticket.  And an easy flowing Venus transit won’t bring the love of your life to you if you if you don’t engage socially.

If you are curious as to how this extended Venus retrograde in Leo period will affect 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 confused about other matters during these challenging times and need some guidance in empowering you to move forward, that is yet another reason to obtain an astrological reading.  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

Mars and Saturn Retrograde Mercury Direct

  

This is a very big week astrologically.  Mercury, which has been retrograde since February 6^th, is moving forward, stationing direct at 18 degrees of Aquarius at 9:00 a.m. on February 28^th.  While many of us are heaving collective sighs of relief at the end of this Mercury retrograde transit, we need to be mindful of the fact that Mercury will not officially be out of its retrograde shadow until March 21^st, when it hits 3 degrees of Pisces, which is where it stationed for this retrograde transit.  But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

But Mars is stationing retrograde at 27 degrees of Libra on March 1^st and Saturn follows suit at 23 degrees of Scorpio on March 2^nd. Mars in this extended stay in Libra will definitely put the focus on relationships.  Mars is retrograde until May 19^th, when it will resume direct motion at 9 degrees of Libra.  So we will get the full treatment of reviewing and realigning relationships.  A focus on pleasing others is definitely up for consideration.  I liked what Michael Lutin had to say about this Mars retrograde: that it would be like a time machine because the station of Mars would take us back to the feelings of 1983 and 1984.  What was going on then?  Plenty—Pluto was in the late degrees of Libra transforming relationships and the Mars station will be passing right over that.  Pluto has a tendency to transform the area of life governed by the sign it transits.  And Pluto in Libra was all about relationships.  Pluto in Capricorn is transforming business and government now.  He commented that it would also trigger feelings from that rare Venus transit back in June 2012 which helped usher in a shift in relationships.

This station of Mars is right on my Neptune, so it is definitely personal and pertinent to relationships.  I have Neptune conjunct my Libra ascendant, as well as my Juno, aka the marriage asteroid.  I am not one prone to substance abuse, but I suspect that my dreams and creativity will be heightened as a result of this transit.  And I have no doubt that this transit will have a huge impact on my relationships.

And then there is Saturn.    The themes of Saturn are patience, discipline and responsibility.  Saturn retrograde will probably cause many of us to feel that there are delays in progress towards personal goals.  Strong Saturn transits to personal planets between 16 and 24 degrees of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) will feel it the most.  Saturn’s initial station on March 2^ndwill conjunct my Venus.  In addition to relationships, this brings up financial issues for me.  I will need to be investing some money for business with the hope that my investment will pay off in terms of attracting new clients. And in June and July transiting Saturn will be conjuncting my Black Moon.  This transit will not be pretty because Saturn and the Black Moon are not exactly BFFs. It is known for encapsulating the struggle between the polarities of masculine and feminine.  I suspect that it will either propel me to take more action in the outside world or let go of my feminine tendency to rescue others.  Balance will need to be restored.  When Saturn goes retrograde on March 2^nd, it will be squaring Mercury in Aquarius for a couple of days, undoubtedly causing more glitches.  So if you need to set anything in motion, it is prudent to wait until at least March 4^th to proceed.  I know that the best advice for dealing with Saturn frustrations is to make adjustments, but for many of us, that is a bitter pill to swallow.

Basically, I am trying to believe that in spite of the fact that these two planets are appearing to move backwards with their retrograde motion, we are moving forward, even if it takes some major reviewing and reassessment to get us there. Hasn’t history shown us that you need to learn from the past in order to have any progress?

On the plus side, we do have a new moon in Pisces this weekend to look forward to.  The new moon will occur in 10 degrees of Pisces at 3:00 a.m. on March 1^st.  We can anticipate a reenergization of our inner journey.  This new moon will also trine Jupiter in 10 degrees of Cancer and I like Molly Hall’s interpretation of this aspect—go for the inspired path!  With a new moon in Pisces we may feel lost because everything is changing, but give yourself plenty of space to deal with it.  This is still Pisces season and we need to be mindful of its particular energy.  This new moon falls in my 5^th house, so I am eagerly anticipating a surge in creativity.  And to add some frosting to the cake, Jupiter in Cancer finally goes direct on March 6, 2014.  I can hardly wait!