transits

Mars’ full steam ahead

O.M.G., what a huge breath of fresh air this Mars-out-of-retrograde-shadow is, particularly to Mars-centric folks like myself.

We have all been dealing with Mars' retrograde themes since Mid-May, when it entered this stretch of the zodiac that it then tripled-back over, forward, retrograding, and then forward again. 

During that time, our drive, passions, courage, willpower, sense of momentum and energy, our sexuality, our  ability to take decisive action forward, our very sense of vitality, have been under review and critique.

We had many opportunities to examine and rewire our reactions to social and global events, to consider the effectiveness of our will in helping to create and change realities for ourselves and our world, to become more conscious of what our desires to fit into and/or stand out of the crowd were about.
We may have been pushed back to the drawing boards of our ambitions again and again, considering and reconsidering our action plans and what truly drives and inspires  us to feel truly alive and motivated (and what doesn't).
Any fears we had about any of that, got brought to the forefront of our awareness so that we could really consider how we go about going after what we want (or defending against what we do not).
And through it all, our attempts to actually apply and experience that sense of vitality and momentum towards anything any forward actions and any new terrain, were feeling limp and unsupported. Until now!

As of this afternoon (EDT), it's Mars is finally, FINALLY outta that stretch!

And I for one can feel the difference as thoroughly as a switch being flipped back on. I have drive I can feel again. I have passion I can access again! I have some forward momentum again!
 

Whew! This one was quite the ride on this end!
How about on your end?

 

Not everybody would have had this Mars cycle activating key parts of their charts,
and obviously not everyone has strong Mars themes in their charts/personalities/lives (those who do, would have felt this period, and any other Mars activity more intensely) ; we've also each had this Mars transit moving through different areas of our charts and lives, activating different themes.
Either way, I'd love to hear about your experiences with this Mars retrograde cycle(Mid-May till now). Are you feeling this shift today?

Social injustice, and the road to reform & healing

Black moon lilithFor a good chunk of today(March 24th, 2016), the transiting Moon joined forces (conjoined) with Black-Moon-Lilith, the voice of the wounded, angry feminine, in a sign of Libra, well-known for its' connection with the scales of justice.
For fellow Ontario residents, who's eyes are open, we certainly saw those themes activated today. :-/ And I am certain this was by no means only in Ontario!
In so many ways, the world these days is crying out for greater fairness, and a legal system which we can have faith in to point the moral compass true. (Saturn in Sagittarius)

With Chiron (the wounded healer) conjoining Ceres (the feminine nurturance principle) and south node (old outdated attitudes and traditions) in Pisces (deceptive, emotional, victim/martyr archetype) , it's easier than usual to lose the urge to improve things, heal things and change things for the better (North node in Virgo), when it still seems the past has a painful hold on the very things which wounded us to begin with.

And with Pallas (asteroid of feminine warrior power) in Aquarius (social justice archetype) positively working with this Moon/Lilith combo, the natural response to injustice seems to be social activism and ripple-making- which is thoroughly appropriate.

And yet, lest we turn this into ungrounded action, the growth that must occur- that North Node in Virgo asks for- is steady, consistent effort towards improvement and healing, for those who have been wronged and wounded, as well as that which needs to change socially to dismantle corrupt power dynamics (Pluto in Capricorn) and bring real healing to personal and social levels.

It's easier than usual to slide into dejection, depression or victim/martyr states at this state of affairs in the world... and heightened compassion, its' healthier sister, is certainly vitally needed-
and through compassion, we can come back to what may prove to be most important of all: the steady ground-work for change-agency, starting from within, and the willingness to turn outbursts of activist/social outrage, into lasting workings towards change, and healing.

To borrow a rather popular quote these days- "all men(people) must serve". Serve the change we wish to see, that is. Each in our own way. But serve we must. And serve, we shall. Let our frustrations, and our sadness, breed compassion- and let compassion light the way.
Happy transits, folks.

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In the wake of the Mercury Retrograde…

As old things rot, new ones grow from the wreckage.Oh, would you look at that- anyone else noticed how the social systems are showing even MORE cracks in their foundations of integrity this week?

It's not really in direct scandals.It isn't always right there in the open with all its' facts, but there are all these stories coming up lately, of things which give you pause, which make you wonder what's REALLY going on beneath it all.

That is Pluto's way- Pluto's "voice" you're hearing echo. And the Mercury Retrograde we've all trudged our way through (January 5th-25th, 2016), started and ended fused (and is now "in cohoots")  with that Pluto in Capricorn I've been talking about since 2008 (when it moved there).

It's kinda like the journalist (Mercury) who went undercover as a crime boss' (Pluto) lackey, and now has the scoop, which it's starting to leak to the presses.
Mercury got our conscious minds in touch with some of that dirt underneath it all... and it's blowing the whistle as much as it can now.

From where I'm sitting, it's like watching a train-wreck, that you know will lead to repair of the whole of the desperately-rusty train-tracks.
Can see it coming, can decipher its' timings and themes, and can't look away for morbid fascination; but also can neither stop it, nor truly wish to- because the change is needed. Oh, so very needed!

The systems are showing their cracks, and being called-out for it more and more.
(Big Pharma, Politics, big oil, Monsanto... I could go on.)
And they're GOING to have to purge their corruption, or crumble (Pluto's slow-building effect, which nothing can escape from).
And, as trust in "the system" (Capricorn) wanes, the grassroots businesses (Cancer, it's polar opposite) and solutions are going to be more and more needed, to step up and support the world. From the heart (Cancer) , with integrity (Capricorn), balancing the two polarities for all our sakes . Everything missing those two key components, will ultimately fall. Will never get past Pluto's slow-building transformational energy.

So what can we do? well, for me,  my goal is to work with it, not against it. By tapping into the best of Pluto's healing transformations, and accepting that vital need for a slow purging reform in our systems, my wish is to work with people directly. To "minimize the wreckage", and support the process from the solution side of things.
Through the readings I offer, and through applying all I can offer to myself as well, my aim, is to spread clarity- to minimize the quiet panic in the hearts of those feeling the changes slowly coming-  and be there for anyone I can help support, in figuring out and adjusting their own lives, to personally be more in-sync with their hearts, their, truths, their emotional integrity.
As we become part of the solution- are leading our own, conscious, personal transformations and lives- we become paragons. Quiet leaders of a new way of being, living, and organizing reality.
The very grass-roots the world would need, more and more, as we keep on truckin' on.

As we strip away thick layers of social-system rot, we will find the healthier, and most vital parts of society... and of ourselves.
And we will breathe all the better for it.

Happy transits, folks.

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The Pisces full moon & its’ effects on me (as well as you?)

Why, do you ask, has this astrologer not been writing about this upcoming full moon before now?! Why, it's because I'm busy wrestling with it more privately, in the quiet caverns of my mind which are filled with echoes on a night like this, of past disappointments and fears, of vulnerabilities and anger, of the deep desire to let go, coupled with the strong desire to hold on and shmoons_by_spontaneouspotato-d5dig6i - safe for reuseake what you hold wildly, until it yields the results it promised you.
 
Why have I not written about this full moon? Because I'm embedded in its' grasp, trying to shake free.
 
Perhaps, that is what people need to hear right now though?! that we are not alone in our grappling with what this full moon reflects from deep within us- the emotional desire for peace- to let go and let God, vs. the Egoic desire to critique and organize and micromanage things into a sense of (impossible, none-existent, yet strangely appealing) perfection.
The answer, of course, is in the balance point- something this astrologer shows is not enough to just know; it's something to practice. Or perhaps, if the Pisces full moon is to be heard- to simply let go, and fall into.
Happy navigating the waters, dear ones. 
 
*Note: the astrological full moon in Pisces isn't actually at full tilt until 2:36p.m. EST on the afternoon of the 29th. Its' effects, however, are already felt, as full moons tend to be.

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How to stay balanced during Virgo season

Strive for balance and progress, not "perfection."

Strive for balance and progress, not "perfection."

With Virgo season increasingly upon us (starting with the Jupiter ingression into Virgo on August 11th, and continuing from there with other players joining the field), my own personal motto right now has been "progress, not perfection".
Why? well, to reap the best that Virgo season has to offer, of course.
As any healthy Virgo-type should be able to tell you,perfection doesn't really exist, and undoing the previous work of loving our humanity and living in compassion for self and others, isn't going to serve anyone.

There's a balance being struck between the Virgo/Pisces natural polarity (Neptune and Chiron in Pisces; not to mention the past few years'-worthy of work on self nurturing and self-love which Jupiter in Cancer, then Leo, have been teaching us). It is seeing, and loving, the imperfect human-ness of something or someone, and finding the compassion for them/ourselves, which leads to the kind of sacred service, and improvement with love, which is the best of Virgo.

Miss that point, and you may find yourself either escaping from working on something which matters to you(and/or scares you), drowning in cynicism which has its' roots in an underlying feeling/sense of victim-hood or martyrdom, or being so hard on yourself that you're basically being self-abusive, leading full-circle to the avoident escapism which people drown their sorrows in, such as overindulgence in substances and other escapist behaviors.

On the plus side, healthy mixes of the Virgo/Pisces energies could look like having music playing while puttering around on manial tasks, keeping yourself busy yet still putting time aside for a movie or a drink with a friend, working on anything artistic or humanitarian which takes you beyond yourself and lends your hands and heart towards a greater picture etc.

Most importantly, let inspiration and a deep sense of vision inform all you do, and let your efforts be in service to that vision. That is the key to an imperfectly perfect balance.
Happy transits, folks!

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7 ways to ground happily into Taurus season

Taurus seasonIts Taurus season! In many parts of the world, spring has sprung, the flowers are blooming, and it's time to relish in what this season is all about.
And that means Astrologically too!
Here are some ways to make the most of Taurus energy, during this season, and at any other time:

1. Delight your pallet
Take the time to really taste your food, & fill your diet with things that delight as well as nourish.

2. Get back to nature
Go for a walk in a park, go for a hike, or camping, visit some place where you can just sit and enjoy the sunset; really look around to admire this beautiful time of year.

3. Reconnect with music
Turn up some beautiful tunes, and really listen- and maybe even sing along or dance to them.
If you're a musician of any level, dust off that instrument and have a little jam (or even a big one!)- this is both a great time for singing some cherished oldies (Taurus likes the familiar and classic), or even write something new which celebrates where you're at these days (the Jupiter in Leo these days will sure help with creative self-expression!)

4. Get tactile
Wear or wrap yourself in some soft, luxurious fabrics. Take a bubble bath. Get a massage! (or ask your lover for one, and see where it leads?!)
Taurus is a sensualist. During this season, why not let yourself be one too?!

5. Expand on your valuable skills
We all have talents aren't utilizing; something you make or offer, which can become an extra revenue of spending cash, if you just took a few more steps? Taurus knows its' skills are valuable, and that it is deserving of stability and abundance. Whether it's opening up an Etsy account to sell your crafts, or a Facebook page for your talent or skill, or finding a little store to sell things on commission, Taurus would find a way to allow others to value their skills, and let prosperity come out of the transaction.
Not feeling quite ready for that? start small- give your crafts or skills as gifts, and let yourself be appreciated for them. And maybe even ask for a testimonial. 😉

6. Honor traditions
Whether you have family ones, ancestral ones, religious ones, or just a "Friday night drinks with a friend" kinda tradition, lean on what is solid and stable for you, and find security in what you have already established. Taurus likes the established sense of order and purpose, and is well-served by knowing what they can rely on to always be there. You can be served by focusing on that a bit more too.

7. Realize your worth
You're an incredible, valuable human being with so much to offer the world.
How often do you stop and really think about that? can you own your inherent worthiness? That's the first step to having others appreciate you more, too. So start within, meditate on how worthy you are, and then go ahead and allow others to appreciate you more- ask for that raise you know you deserve, request to be taken out by your sweetie etc. Or, just take yourself out, because you're worth it!

Happy transits!

About the Author:
Bella V. Vid has been practicing Astrology since 1999. She specializes in one-on-one counseling, with a clarifying, supportive and empowering tone to all she offers.Check out the personal reading types you can book with her , and contact her to book one.

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The Mars transit and the cycle of life

 

In order for the vital parts of us to bloom into being, the old must be shed to make room for it. What parts of the past are you ready to release? don't fight it!

In order for the vital parts of us to bloom into being, the old must be shed to make room for it. What parts of the past are you ready to release? don't fight it!

Holy unfurling, like the petals of a rose opening to the sun; like the dying and crumbling of old leaves, to make room for the bright and fresh new growth of life. There is no newness without the shedding of the old. There is no growth without decay. 
In this time of Mars' long-awaited streak through its' home-sign of Scorpio (which we have another 3 weeks of) , that truly is the focus which serves us all the most: what needs to die & transform in your life, so that your most vital self can keep on living, growing, unfurling in the direction you are most served to move towards?
With Mars' challenge of Venus in Leo, the desire to be seen for our creative and brilliant selves, to be adored, romanced, wined-n-dined, and otherwise to truly enjoy ourselves and our sense of being alive is undeniable, and though it can feel like this need to look over our shoulder and deal with the old, sad, deep and crumbly parts of self are getting in the way of it, it truly is a case of sloughing away old skin to reveal the inner glow. Creative catharsis, and artistic simplicity, may just be your best friends these days.
With Mars fusing with solid core Saturn right now, we are all also served by commitment to that which truly, deeply matters to us (and identifying what that is, which Mars should make it easier to note lately, bringing it in your face if you've been avoiding it)- find the thing that puts the sparkle in your eye and the passion for life in your heart, have at it, and remove all that's in your way!
Let things go. Let old ego habits, old possessions, old attitudes, old excuses, old toxic relationships, old thoughts that dis-serve you fall away, as gracefully as you can, these days. Make room for the new. Make room for that in you which is most vital and alive, and prepare to be filled up by it, as you surely would with an attitude like that!
Happy transits!

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The current Saturn/Uranus dance…

Saturn d Uranus rxWith Saturn finally turning direct last Sunday afternoon, followed closely by Uranus going retrograde on Monday, it really looks like it's time for all of us to clarify our visions from the core of our beings, to make sure all that we're building is coming from the centered space within; our inner truth, and nothing less.
All around me, I see all manner of glitches and cold-feet-syndromes, frustration and concern, and this feels like it's at the core of all that.
It's a re-attunement to the inner voice. Are you listening?

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Mercury Retrograde s̶u̶r̶v̶i̶v̶a̶l THRIVAL Guide

Mercury Rx bulbAhh, the Mercury Retrograde, a topsy-turvy time often given a bad name, viewed with annoyance and trepidation by anyone stuck in traffic, or experiencing “unexpected” technical difficulties with their communication tools. :-p But really, a Mercury Retrograde isn’t so bad. It’s just a little misunderstood.  To help you make the best of this period, I’ve come up with a quick guide to get you though with a smile.       1- Rushing won’t work. Accept that. In a society built around moving ahead, accomplishment and a “time is money” mentality, it’s no wonder that a period of reflection isn’t always wholly welcomed. But that period is here, review is needed, and either way it ain’t over before it’s over, so you might as well work with it. Who knows, you might just have some fun along the way. 😉 Either way, give yourself extra time now. You’ll be glad you did.
  • Set your alarm clocks early.
  • Leave well ahead of time.
  • Have a plan B for transportation ideas.
  • Give yourself time to think about things carefully before you speak or act on important stuff.
  • If you’re writing anything during this time (e-mails, reports, essays or whatnot), write a first draft (and SAVE IT, often), and give yourself time to RE-READ the final copy before you send it off into the world.
  • Don’t be in a hurry to act upon any new ideas; let them ripen in your mind first.
2- Use a review time to catch up on things, and (surprise surprise) review! Ironically enough, a Mercury Retrograde, and all it entails, is an important part of a productive lifestyle.  You know all that stuff you’ve had piling up for a while, which you’ve been meaning to get to but haven’t had the time. This is the time. Get to it! During a Mercury Retrograde, stuff that WILL flow is the stuff that didn’t flow well before! Now’s the time to…
  • Answer unanswered e-mails
  • De-clutter your inbox or mail bin, and sort other piles of papers gathering dust.
  • Have talks which you’ve been putting off.
  • Write essays or reports which you’ve procrastinated.
  • Read books, reports, e-mails etc. which you’ve put off till later.
  • Catch up with old friends, especially if you’ve wondered for a while how they are.
  • Take a trip you’ve rain-checked.
  • Study (as in, review what you’ve learned), especially if you’re enrolled in any formal education.
  • Ponder whatever’s been on your mind lately. You might see new angles you’ve never noticed till now.
  • If you’ve failed an exam before, now’s the time to try taking it again!
  • Consider your ways of thinking and speaking, and if they’re really working for you. Let go of old ideas that don’t work for you, drop negative or disempowering self-talk, and think about how to speak your truth, and understand/be understood better by others.
  • Try meditating—either to quiet your mind or to explore it more, whatever works for you.
See how this is about trying it again, not trying something you’ve never done? that’s an important difference right now. 3- If it ain’t broke, don’t replace it. If it needs upgrading, upgrade it. If it seems to break, don’t throw it out yet…   One thing about the Mercury Retrograde period which can seem tricky is the technological issues which are more common than usual during this time. Sadly, there’s no trick that can safeguard you against strange cellphone reception signals (or lack thereof), or an unexpected flat tire, but, the above rules of thumb are good to consider during this time. Basically…
  • If you don’t need to get your new Cellphone, car or bike right now, then don’t. Postpone till afterwards. Mercury retrogrades are on average about 3 weeks long. Not the end of the world. Use this time to compare prices and research differences between models.  Pick it out afterwards. This also applies to the period BEFORE a Mercury retrograde—2 weeks ahead or so, things can already start to get wonky. This is not a rule, but it is an observable astrological trend. Why risk it if you don’t have to?!
  • If a vehicle or communication device has been awaiting an upgrade for a while, this is the time when it’s more likely to “remind” you that such an upgrade is really needed. Don’t fight it—it needs upgrading anyway, and if it’s just not functioning how you’d like right now, you might as well…
  • If such a device or vehicle DOES break, especially if it’s one of those mysterious “it just won’t work” scenarios, don’t throw it out just yet. Give it up to a month after the Mercury retrograde has passed, and then check it again. You’d be surprised how sometimes these things just “fix themselves” afterwards. Strange, but, true story! Same goes for similarly uncharacteristic malfunctions—if it doesn’t need immediate replacing and you can live without it or borrow  a replacement until about a month after the Rx ends, try that. Sometimes it literally seems to “fix itself”. Go figure.
Of course, like everything else in the intricate system of astrology, how exactly each Mercury retrograde affects you personally can only be figured out by studying your personal chart, but this should be a great general guide for just about anyone during the 60 or so days of the year when the winged messenger planet demands reviewing of its’ themes. Those most likely to be strongly affected during any such period, are people with Virgo or Gemini rising, and/or other strong emphasis in those signs. In many cases, strong emphasis in your 3rd astrological house will do it too. Either way, remember that any time is only as good or as bad as you make it. Hope reading this helped you make it a good one. Happy transits, folks. © Bella V. Vid NurtureAstrology.com https://www.facebook.com/NurtureAstrology You're welcome to share and distribute this article however it feels right to. To keep the integrity of it intact, please link it back to NurtureAstrology.com About the Author: Bella V. Vid has been practicing Astrology for over 16 years. She specializes in one-on-one counseling, with a clarifying, supportive, enriching and empowering tone to all she offers. To book a private reading with her, please connect via the Contact Page.