This Week in Astrology - 26th July until 1st August 2021 – Flexibility

This week begins rather quietly, and there will be no new aspects on either Monday or Tuesday, and it's only in mid-week when the action will begin. This will see Mercury which has been moving through emotional Cancer shift into brash and bold Leo early on Wednesday 28th July. As it does so, it will immediately pick up on an inconjunct aspect to Jupiter, and here we may have an issue of being too forthright for our own good, before suddenly realising that we have rather overstepped the mark. It is possible that we may have to retract what we say, or express our ideas and feelings in more measured terms. Decisions we make in the heat of the moment we may come to regret, and the landscape will change further later on in the day, as Jupiter moves out of Pisces and back into Aquarius. What started out as a good idea, may end up being a total misjudgement, so be prepared to make last minute changes, if needs be. If you are making a trip today, watch out for unexpected delays, or things going wrong en-route.

This Week in Astrology - 19th to 25th July 2021 – From the shadows into the light

The week begins with a bit of a jolt, as Mercury in Cancer moves today (19th July) into a testing square to Chiron. This could be a moment where our words or decisions come back to haunt us, and we may have to swallow a large chunk of humble pie. You may be on the end of a sharp rebuke, or instead this may be a time of a learning experience as you start to realise the impact of saying something out of turn has had on someone? Sudden matters linked to education, local issues or travel may crop up in the news wires today.

Britney Spears – Freedom on the way?

In an empassioned plea to the court, Britney Spears yesterday stated her case to be released from a conservatorship that she has been living under for the past 13 years. She has been effectively controlled by her father because she was judged to be unable to look after herself in the past. Now she has gone to court to get those impositions revoked.

The Grand Jupiter & Saturn Conjunction – A New Age Begins

So to the grand conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter on 21st December 2020, the day of the winter solstice at 0 degrees Aquarius. This conjunction has been widely anticipated as it it brings forth the advent of a brand new cycle, as this major conjunction occurs in the air signs for the first time in the best part of 600 years. Just to give you some perspective, the last time these two planets met in the early degrees of Aquarius to start a new cycle or grand conjunctions in air signs was the year 1226. This particular conjunction is likely to be far more significant than that one was, as it lands on the solstice. Jupiter is the great expansive influence in the heavens, as the bringer of wisdom and knowledge. Saturn is the great restrictive influence on us, holding us to account, giving us responsibilities to carry out, and bringing patience when it is sorely needed. This conjunction convenes every 19 to 20 years, as a marker point for the next chapter in the evolution of the world around us. I believe that this particular grand conjunction will mark the beginning of an even greater age - the Age of Aquarius.

The New Moon in Scorpio on 15th November – Making A Silk Purse Out Of A Sow's Ear

Hello everyone. It's a really busy time astrologically and the next act in the changing times that we are experiencing comes with the Scorpio New Moon tomorrow. Scorpio season is the most polarising one of all, as the battle for survival comes to a conclusion. For any Scorpio, their biggest fear is just this, survival, and any Scorpio will do literally anything to preserve what they have, and for it not to die. Paradoxically, change and rebirth is what any Scorpio absolutely needs, and as fixed and stubborn as they are, without transformation and change they would remain stuck permanently in the past. Scorpio is a water sign too, and so all Scorpios feel this fear deep in their soul, and it creates extreme worry and anxiety. Being a sign of strength though, they will never betray these feelings to anyone except their closest partners, and that is never a given anyway, lest it be a sign of weakness. That would never do for a Scorpio.

A Significant Moment - The Final Chapter Begins

This week is a very, very important one astrologically as for the last time in Capricorn, two of the three planets that have been responsible for so much of the grief and trouble around the world make contact. Also this week, the retrograde nightmare that has been blighting us all since mid Spring ends.

The planets above us now - Opportunity, idealism and danger

Hi everybody. We're in the middle a very interesting set of aspects at this moment in time. First up, Mercury as you'll probably realise is the fastest of all the the inner planets, and it whizzes through all the connections with the other planets at an incredible rate, sometimes these are very fleeting, lasting maybe one day or even less. That's certainly the case when Mercury is moving at full speed, however when the quicksilver planet slows down before a retrograde period, it is moving much slower, and so its influence on us is much greater.

Pluto goes direct - The start of something new...

I've been waiting for this day for months now. Today, well actually this week, as Pluto moves so slowly. The Lord of Transformation finally brings a shift in the overall energy that we are travelling in at around 13.30 GMT today, as it turns direct. The words "power shift" comes to mind, as since mid-late spring, we have been caught up in an almost never ending cycle of retrograde frustration.

The movements of the outer planets and how are they affecting you in 2018?

Ok, I've had a quick look at the movements of the outer planets and the degree zones that they are moving in during 2018, and these equates to birth dates in regards to your Sun. They might be helping you or hindering you and this will affect if you will have a positive year or one where it will be more challenging. I hope this quick handy list will help you prepare for 2018…

Pluto - 19 to 21 degrees Capricorn - The transformer

This equates to 2018 being a year of fundamental change for those with birthdays between 11-13 January, 9-11 April, 12-14 July and 12-14 October.

A year of adjustment and adaptation for those born with birthdays between 10 - 12th June and 12 to 14th August

Year of opportunities and possibilities for those born 12 – 14 November and 10 -12 March

Those with birthdays 10-12 May or 12-14 September will see positive transformations empowering them in 2018

Neptune - 13 to 16 degrees Pisces - The disintegrator

A disorientating year and one of potential struggle awaits those with birthdays  between 4-7th March, 4-7th June, 6-9th September and 5-8th December

A year of sacrifice and disillusionment for those with birthdays between 6 – 9th August and 6 - 9th October

A year of creative opportunities for those with birthdays between 5 – 8th January and 4 – 7th May

A year of imagination and fulfilling dreams awaits those with birthdays 5-8th July and 6-9th November

Uranus - Uranus the disruptor is active in 2018 moving between 24 Aries and 2 degrees Taurus.

A year of sudden change and upsets is the pipeline for those with birthdays between 16 – 23rd January, 14-22nd April, 17 – 25th July and 18-26th October

A year of unexpected adjustments and separations for those born between 16th and 25th September

A year of unforeseen opportunities for those born between 14th and 22nd February and 16th - 24th June

A year of positive unforeseen change and moving ahead quickly is waiting for those with birthdays between 17-25th Leo and 16-24th December

Saturn the great teacher is moving between 0 and 9 degrees Capricorn in 2018

A year of hardship and difficult lessons learned await those with birthdays  from 22 December to 1st January, 21st - 30th March, 21st June to 1st July and 23rd September to 2nd October

A year of difficult adjustments and learning the hard way for those born between 22 – 31th May and 23rd July and 1st August

A year of opportunities to make your life stronger and more stable for those born between 24th October and 2nd November

A year of constructive change and rising reputations is predicted for those with birthdays from 20th -30th April and for 23rd August to 2nd September.

Jupiter is helping all Sun sign Scorpios all year promising a year of growth, optimism and positivity.

If your birthday isn’t mentioned that’s potentially a good thing as you aren’t being impacted by the important outer planets and you can consolidate in 2018, although there are so many other factors that could be affecting you such as eclipses, transits and the like. If you would like to know more, go to my 100% totally free Ascendant horoscopes for 2018, follow the link below…

The Ultimate Ascendant Sign Horoscopes for 2018

The 15th degree of fixed signs – The “Avatar Degrees” and their significance to us all as 2018 begins.

This is a significant day in astrological terms as the Lunar Nodes now have reached the middle degree point of the fixed signs. In Astrology and in spirituality there is a mythical reputation about 15 degrees of any of the fixed signs, and right now and in the next couple of weeks they will be playing a huge part in all of our lives.

Now for those of you who don't realise, the 15th degree of any fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius) is significant because it's exactly midway between the cardinal equinox and solstice points. These degrees have been known as “The Gates of the Avatars” and as you may know, an avatar is a free spiritual being or soul with magical or god like powers. There is a special melding of energy here and throughout history, it has been noted that these degrees have produced people with unusual gifts and talents that have a transcendental quality about them. These are fixed signs too and you often find enormous determination here to beat the odds stacked against you, in both good and bad ways. With the transiting planets there can be amazing coincidences, lucky breaks, the ability to achieve when it was thought impossible to do so.

Now obviously you need some examples and I have many. The late David Cassidy had Pluto at 15 degrees Leo in his 2nd house of making money (ruling his creative 5th house) and the fame and fortune he received because of his talent to charm a generation sent him on a path of personal destruction. Serena Williams has her Mars, the planet of sports on the same degree in her 5th house of sports and games, and she has taken women's tennis to a new level. Pablo Picasso had his natal Neptune at 15 Taurus, and his imagination to create and make things (Taurus is a sign of building) knew no boundaries. Stevie Wonder has his natal Pluto in his 10th house of career and he has overcome tremendous odds since going blind soon after birth (he has disintegrating Neptune the planet of music retrograde conjunct his Ascendant sextile to Pluto) to become one of the music geniuses of any generation. Carlos Puidgemont, the Catalan leader in exile has Neptune at 15 degrees Leo and he has causes chaos and disruption in Spain, and he himself has sacrificed himself for the dream of Catalan independence. Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany has her Moon in Aquarius opposite to Pluto and she has become the most powerful woman on earth for many years now. Facebook was launched with the Sun at 15 degrees Aquarius, the sign of networking and the internet and it has become probably the most successful website ever. John Paul Getty had his Jupiter at 15 Taurus opposite to Saturn, and he amassed a huge fortune and was notoriously frugal with it. Both Willie Nelson and Diana Ross had the sign of communication Mercury at 15 Taurus, Marvin Gaye his Uranus at 15 degrees Taurus trine to Neptune, the planet of music and imagination, Leslie Nielsen had his Venus at 15 Aquarius conjunct to Mercury and opposite to Neptune. Alice Cooper has his Sun conjunct 15 Scorpio, and he has made his name through a complete transformation of his persona. Finally Marcel Marceau, the mime artist had Neptune at 15 degrees Leo, the planet of imagination in the sign of performance. I think I've proved my point.

We also have another influence at 15 degrees now, Jupiter at 15 degrees Leo sitting at the North Bendings of the transiting Nodes. The North Bendings is the square point to the Nodes (there is a South Bending Point too) is a position of taking things a little too far and with Jupiter in this position there is a potential for total excess now, or going over the top. The US tax bill was signed on 22nd December with the Nodes at 15 Leo Aquarius and Jupiter square to them, and the general consensus is that the US Senate and President Trump have gone too far in pleasing their own rich and wealthy followers at the expense of the majority of the population. Punitive oil sanctions were voted on against North Korea at the UN security council, banning 90% of exports to that country, however that won't stop the Koreans and President Kim. Why? North Korea has Pluto, the nuclear planet natally at 15 degrees Leo and it is now conjunct to the transiting North Node and square is transiting Jupiter at 15 degrees Scorpio. Remember what I said about beating the odds and having a special mystical quality. North Korea has it too, secretive, utterly brutal and determined. These sanctions won't deter North Korea, indeed I think they will make her even more determined to prove a point.

In this regard I would be very wary in the next week or two, especially as military Mars gets to 15 degrees Scorpio conjunct to Jupiter and sextile to Pluto promoting a dangerous risk taking attitude in the pursuit of power and control. Remember Mars will still be closely square to the Nodes at the “going too far point” of the North Bendings. All this happens as the planet of disruption, shocks and rebelliousness Uranus slows to a halt on 2nd January 2018, stationing direct. You know something unexpected always happens at a Uranus station. I fear the new year may come in with quite a bang!!!

Kevin Spacey – Having to defend himself against lurid allegations.

Kevin Spacey has come into the news after a historical altercation with child actor Anthony Rapp (who was 14 years old at the time of the meeting) leading to an uncalled for sexual advance. Today he made a full and frank apology for his actions, and it also lead the former Oscar winner to admit that he was actually gay.

The Jupiter/Neptune/Saturn t-square of April to June 2016

Ok, this is another big astrological theme now developing in the next few weeks, reaching a peak one month from today on 26th May 2016.

We have a Jupiter Neptune opposition that is closing up as Jupiter in Virgo moving retrograde and Neptune in Pisces in direct motion close in on each other. As ever when the planets collide (or oppose as in this case) I return back to Reinhold Ebertin and what he wrote back in 1940. He says that a difficult aspect between these two planets leads to “impressionability, a person easily seduced, dreaminess, conflict between reality and the virtual ideal, a tendency to revel or idolise, a state where one is misunderstood by others, an inclination to speculate and gamble and wastefulness”. In the wider world, Jupiter is the planet of faith, law, learning, international affairs and expansion and Neptune rules the creative world, medical world, oil and gas, drugs, escapism, anything to do with water and the seas, the collective and those who are suffering, and it has a degrading effect on anything it touches.

This is an opposition that in general highlights the more difficult sides of all of these subjects and promotes a lack of discipline. For example, Jupiter and Neptune in opposition is the ultimate “do not gamble aspect” as huge losses can be accrued. Matter of spirituality and faith generally come to the fore and people can get so totally wrapped up in their ideals and beliefs that they fail to realise what is really going on in the world around them. The expansion of drug use, alcohol and illegal behaviour follows this opposition and medical matters and in particular medical spending tends to go through the roof. The influence of unions and collective bargaining organisations also increases and international migrants, refugees and displaced peoples are highlighted. One positive note is for those who are generally creative and/or disruptive and don't live life by the rulebook. They can flourish and expand now and artists and musicians can do well. At the same time this will generally be a time of extremism and terrorism on a much wider scale, and maybe floods and freak weather could occur.

All this mind you will be kept in check by Saturn in Sagittarius, the planet of loss and limitation which squares this opposition. Saturn is restrictive and will try to administrate and keep these expansionist and troublesome Neptunian and Jupiterian tendencies at bay by creating rules and barriers to stop the excess and the lack of organisation and structure engendered by them. In the next two months as this t-square is operative you may see government crackdowns on and crisis points reached with drugs, medical services, terrorism, belief structures, unions and collectives, naval and weather connected incidents, refugees and migrants and the flow of people across borders. This could be an inspirational time for putting dreams into practice as Saturn in square provides the structure and stability to make any creative ideas into reality.

In short, those who have expanded beyond their means or have tried to cut corners will ultimately fail, where as those who have been careful and wise in the use of their resources and have planned sensibly will be able to grow...

The Grand Fire Trine of October 2014 – Jump in the rocket and reach for the stars

 

Just starting to form above us is one of the most enthusing and exciting planetary formations in 2014, a grand fire trine of rather epic proportions. Grand trines see three or more planets spaced 120 or so degrees apart in the sky and the angles that they make allow the planetary energies to flow more than any other formation that is possible. This grand trine is occurring in the three fire signs, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius so we should look out for dramatic and dynamic action in the next 2 to 3 weeks to come.

Full Moon in Capricorn on 12th July begins a week of change for us all.

This has been a very active year and the next week sees several shifts in direction and signs of the major planets.  These movements involve Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus all in the next week and a half preceded by a Capricorn Full Moon so in Astrological terms is going to be a a very, very busy one.

Jupiter conjunct Procyon - Brief opportunities and fleeting success.

This connection begins on Tues 24th June lasting through until 2nd July at 25.59 degrees Cancer

The star Procyon is the alpha star in the constellation of Canis Minor, the small dog. Procyon rises just before Sirius, a star of immense talent, and this star shows a quick rise in stature but one where the gains will not be held for very long. Like a shooting star, it may wonderful to look at but the spectacle is over just after it's begun. The lesson here is to grab onto anything good you can before it has faded away. In the transition from Procyon to Sirius (the next major star in line) Procyon is also a star of changing from one situation to the next.

This star has generally been held in good regard by the star-watchers of old, and Elsbeth Ebertin followed the idea of Procyon being a star of promise but not very long lasting when she said that it heralded "a rise and successes, but a fall from high position later". Robson in his look at these two bodies together indicated that it brought "many journeys, trouble through relatives and the Church or law, help from friends".

This star does suggest that whatever opportunities and luck that does come along now will be fleeting in nature, however if you grab hold of it while it is there then you may be able to do really well. I think this combination is all about seizing a chance and making the most out of every ounce of talent and fortune that arrives. For example if someone offers you the prospect of doing something new now take them up on it as chances are that you won't be offered again. Just be aware that anything you will achieve won't last forever, so live and enjoy for the moment.
A prime example of someone born with Jupiter conjunct Procyon was Jimi Hendrix. His Jupiter was square to his Midheaven, so the gifts he was given were connected to his career which as everyone knows shot him to worldwide fame for a short while, but as we also all realise his life was cut very short indeed.

In the world around us, the politicians and leaders of the world may get a moment or two make a big difference to affect their nations, however the window of opportunity to make a difference will not be a long one and even if they do make progress and gains now, how long lasting they will be is open to question. Anyone who gains fame and fortune now will be someone who will be in the public eye one minute, then pretty anonymous the next…

The Grand Healing Water Trine of May 2014

Have you been through the mill in the past 4-6 weeks? Have the pressures of the cardinal cross and the eclipses weighed really heavily on you? Fear not now as we are now past the worst of the tension that caused so much grief, yes, salvation is coming. Good vibrations are on their way, if you wish to grab hold of them !!!

The Grand Cardinal Cross of April 2014 - Fireworks are coming…

The year 2014 has already been a very interesting one with three consecutive periods of retrograde planets coming along to dominate the early months. First up was Venus throughout January, then Mercury in February and now Mars that turned retrograde at the start of March and it will remain moving backwards for the next two and a half months. Also in the past month, Pluto Jupiter and Uranus have been in a tight t-square formation and whilst this was forming the Ukraine revolution took place and Russia sensing a power vacuum in her smaller neighbour dived in to take effective control of the region of Crimea. In the next month this t-square with the aid of Mars will turn into a grand cardinal cross. This formation will dominate the spring of 2014 and will drive the agendas of the world. How is it going to affect us. I give some thoughts on the matter…

Jupiter conjunct Sirius - Feeling better and more optimistic, for now...

This connection is now active and lasts through until 22nd January 2014. It occurs at 14:17 degrees Cancer.

Sirius is the brightest star in the sky apart from our own Sun of course. Sitting in the constellation of large dog, Canis Major, Sirius is often known as the shining one or the scorcher. This star has always had a reputation for being associated with linking humble personal action which suddenly propels one into the spotlight for a brief moment of time. It is also connected to selfless actions taken in doing something sacred and worthy or in making a sacrifice for the betterment of people around you.

Jupiter is a very expansionist, beneficial and international influence and the combination of this bright star and the largest planet in the solar system will bring a ray of optimism which is much needed in these difficult times. Under this connection you can possibly achieve much more that you think is possible, especially if you are putting yourself out for other people and doing something out of the kindness of your own heart. This is a lovely couple of weeks at the start of this year which can bring some inspiration, creative impetus and an increased desire for physical activity and exploration. This is a favourable time for business and commerce in general and if you are involved in any kind of work or project that involves travel, faith/beliefs, publishing or legal work then you will likely do very well.

In the world this connection lands on the Greek Ascendant so maybe this is a time when the Greek economy will get some good news, mind you saying that the expansionist and reckless attitudes of the past will have been responsible for much of the waste and problems that this country suffered. The same can much be said of the United States in regard to spending and using resources way beyond it's means. This star is not called the scorcher for nothing, remember Greece got burnt big time and the US may feel the same way in the months to come as their financial woes finally come home to roost.

However for the moment, the US Sibly chart (4th July 1776) now receives this conjunction on the US natal Sun, so watch out for an optimistic mood in the White House, in the administration and in the country as a whole, especially as the people show willing and good spirit to help each other out to recover after the appalling weather and storms in the recent week.

Jupiter conjunct Canopus - Setting sail for pastures new.

This conjunction is active now until 14 January 2014. It occurs at 15:09 degrees Cancer

Jupiter is just moving into a conjunction with the fixed star Canopus, the star in the constellation Carinae, the Keel, which forms a part of the great southern ship of the skies, the Argo.The keel of a ship is the part which determines the direction it will go in. Canopus as suggests from this description was known as the navigator by the Egyptians. Canopus is also connected to the concept of time as well as strong leadership. Ptolemy said of the whole constellation of the Argo that it brings prosperity in trade and voyages, and strength of mind and spirit.

Jupiter in line with Canopus is a wonderfully exuberant connection and the idea of travel and exploration and the promotion of faith is very strong with this link up. As the new year starts up and with all the pressures of the cardinal cross and the potent new Moon at the beginning of 2014, I think that the progressive nature of going on a journey is something that we must all do, and when better to set out our intentions than right now?

Whatever your position, whether it be good or bad, the optimism and hope instilled in this conjunction is something we must all grab hold of. The thing is, rather than a physical journey, this is one of the mind as Jupiter is retrograde, so this conjunction is looking for you to change your ideas and your attitudes rather than actually starting something new and tangible. We can plan now and act when this aspect comes around again with Jupiter moving direct in late April.

So here's the plan. Raise the anchor, hoist the mainsail and set your course through the choppy waters of 2014. Make it an exciting journey everyone xxx

Venus opposite to Jupiter - Let the good times roll...

We have an lovely opposition in the skies today and tomorrow between Venus the planet of love, money and relating with people and Jupiter the planet of optimism and expansion. This is a good time combination in the skies and it brings jovial moods and a desire to let go and to enjoy oneself, but there will be just a hint of a temptation to take things just a little bit too far. This could be through eating and drinking a bit too much or being overly generous or spending more than you can afford. This is a lovely time for going out, socializing and meeting new people and generally letting your hair down a little. One slight downside might be that everyone will be in a more forgiving mood now and you might let someone off the hook who quite frankly does not deserve it.

All in all, these times don't come along so often in the skies above us, so do take advantage of the planets in a good party mood. This aspect comes along just in time for all of you in the United States who are celebrating Thanksgiving. From London best wishes to all my American readers at this time of year. Enjoy...