Venus conjunct Aculeus and Acumen – Being hurt by those closest to you.

These connections are starting to occur now and will last until 4th November 2013. The conjunction to Aculeus is at 25:56 degrees Sagittarius occurs over 31st Oct and 1st Nov, and the one to Acumen follows on during 3rd and 4th Nov at 28:55 degrees Sagittarius.

The stars Aculeus and Acumen are both stars to be found in the sting of the Scorpion in Scorpio. The sting of a scorpion is used for attack and this star brings attacks of a kind that tests your strength of character. Any connection with Aculeus suggests that you may have to face criticism of some sort that tests your resolve, or perhaps events will happen that cause you a type of hardship that you have to overcome. Life will not be easy, but you find a way to battle through. Acumen is very similar in nature and is linked to the wearing down process of one’s resistance to constant criticism and attacks on one’s credibility. Think of someone who snipes at you all the time, is annoying and does not shut up, and eventually you either give in just to get some peace, or you fight back to hold your own. Do you know what I mean by this and do you know people like this?

I combine these two stars together not only as they have similar meanings as but also as both of these two are part of nebulae, star clusters that have traditionally been linked to blindness and problems of seeing. Where as I am sure that actual eyesight may be compromised in those of you who have difficult connections to these stars, I like to think that the effect of nebulae are to cause a type of blindness that precludes one from seeing the truth of the situation.

Ok, Venus entering the sting of Scorpio and combining with these stars brings with it the influence of love and relationships to the table. There are many possibilities that may come out of these conjunctions. Maybe you are going to find that some painful words will be uttered or deeds will be carried out right now by a current or former lover or partner that will affect you and will  you to the core? Maybe the actions that happen now are going to hurt and wound and will test your patience and resolve? Maybe you or someone close to you will be totally blind to the truth, will not have a hold on reality and they will be deluded or unable to see that you don’t have the same feelings for them as they have for you?

I expect that matters surrounding love and emotions connected to these themes will be very much heightened in the next week, especially as we also have the Solar Eclipse on the 3rd November too. Also expect conflicts or tensions heightened over the matter of money and possessions, what you value and with whom you share these resources with.

This double conjunction is one where you will get stronger if you can adjust and cope with the difficulties that may come your way. You may have to take a different attitude, you might have to change tack and go in a new direction. You might have to leave someone behind as you forge ahead. It’s time to be true to your values even if they are different than the ones that others are expecting or want you to follow, and if you are then I think you will benefit greatly.

Uranus Pluto Square November 2013 – Major changes are on the way.

A critical few days are awaiting many of us now, especially if you have any planets at 9 degrees of any sign (or generally between 8-10 degrees for a slightly less potent effect). If you do have any at these degree on your chart, then it is highly likely that your life is going to be turned upside down, in either a good way or a bad way in the next couple of days.

Lou Reed – Forever taking a walk on the wild side

You may or may not know that aside from being an Astrologer, music has always been a huge love and passion of mine. One of my abiding memories in my life was meeting one of my heroes Lou Reed at Heathrow Airport, and I didn’t even realise it at the time. I was suppose to collect and assist an unnamed band flying in from Switzerland who were coming in to do a few small gigs in the UK, and one of the party was this aging American guy in a dark scruffy leather jacket. He asked me to help him out to buy some bottles of water before I escorted him to his transportation. After a lovely chat and a warm handshake, he looked me in the eye and thanked me before getting on to his tour bus. When I talked to my colleague afterwards that I had sort of recognised him, he told me “Oh blimey, didn’t you know you were meeting Lou Reed !!”. Actually, I am glad I never knew, and I treasure the 5 mins that I oh so briefly got to chat with the great man. It is therefore with great sadness that I heard today that he passed away, aged 71.

Mars conjunct Thuban – Protecting with all your might what you hold dear.

This connection is just forming and is active through until the end of 28th October 2013. It occurs at 7:39 degrees Virgo.

The star Thuban sits in the constellation of Draco, the dragon and for thousands of years this part of the sky has always been seen in terms of a snake, serpent or dragon, as is now the case. This constellation sits high in the northern skies and Thuban as a star never sets below the horizon, and thus the dragon in the skies also got the reputation of never sleeping. This constellation sits close to the pole star and is seen as protecting it, and as you may be aware, Dragons in legend guard treasure and jewels and that are sacred.

The basic premise of the star Draco then is to strongly guard that which is precious to you and also to hoard your own treasures and values, the things that are dear to your heart. Connected to active and forceful influence of Mars, this Dragon star in the skies becomes very defensive, and will strike back if the objects being protecting are threatened.

I ask you the question. Is there something precious that you desperately want for yourself, something that you want to control or have power over? Is there an idea that you jealously guard, is there a possession you have that you keep for yourself and you will never let anyone anywhere near? This weekend your protective instincts will be very strong and woe betide anyone who tried to take, steal, borrow or use anything that you rightly feel is yours. You also may feel or sense some fear that you will lose something precious.

In the world protectionism will be very strong now and the idea of defending what is yours. The spying row between the US and several prominent European states and leaders around the world is a classic example of Mars conjunct Thuban, as something precious and classified has been infiltrated and compromised, and the need to fight back and defend privacy and confidentiality will be very strong indeed. Watch out for international relations being very strained for a while to come. Countries will now start to be stronger at their borders, they will defend their rights and beliefs, and will act to strengthen and promote any good economic news that now comes out.