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Astrology

Happy Birthday Ms H

The Solar Return (SR) chart gives a brief snapshot of the 12-month period (birthday to birthday). Predictive techniques like this are necessarily short and sweet giving ample opportunity for the individual to fill in the details herself.

New home?
Summary – Solar Return – Ms H / 2019/2020

The year ahead will probably see some significant domestic changes – possibly you will move to a beautiful new home in a completely area of the country.  Possibly, such move is also tied up with a change on the romantic side of your life – expect the unexpected – and whatever happens, give it plenty of freedom.

Ms H Solar Return 2019/20
  • Your SR Moon (located in your SR 3rd house) is making a nice, easy aspect to your 1st and 7th house cusps. This suggests that you’ll be making an emotional investment in consciously bringing your personal surroundings in line with your outlook on life.
  • Because your SR Sun and Mercury are in the SR 8th house, such changes could well result in a complete life-style change. Common with placement is, for example, a move from the city to a rural community or vice versa. It’s also worth considering therapy of some sort to understand why, at this particular moment, such changes are necessary. 
  • Interestingly, these changes more likely than not have been long overdue. This is shown by SR Saturn (reality principle) and SR Pluto (evolution) forming a tight (and heavily weighted) group in your SR 4th house. Major themes involving  the SR 4th house include moving/renovating/repairing your home or office. 
  • SR Return Saturn is especially powerful in this chart because it is the exact degree of the SR nodal axis, which adds a fated quality to the mix. What will be, will be; reality is making itself manifest and pretty much the only thing left now, is adjusting your attitude to it. 
  • Because you also have SR Venus in very close aspect to SR Uranus, these domestic changes might be the result of a surprising change in your romantic relationships – perhaps a stable partner suddenly leaves or someone who was once just a good friend, becomes your lover. If the later were to be the case, then ensure you give the relationship plenty of room to evolve on its own – with this kind of aspect, the relationship will not respond well to be ‘pushed’ along.
  • Whatever might happen on the romance front will also impact your personal finances and more than likely, for the better. Who knows but that this might well tie (favourably) back into those domestic changes?
coaching

The Art of Calm

Imagine that you’re about to commence a difficult conversation with a colleague or friend. Are your shoulders starting to tense? Is your stomach knotting up? Do you feel like you’re bracing for a fight?

Instead of being at the mercy of your emotions in a stressful situation, why not choose to feel calm?

Not only is this possible, but probably easier than you think. It’s all down to moving off auto-pilot and developing the habit of paying attention to what’s going on with your body. 

It’s not difficult to notice when you’re in the grip of an extreme emotion like intense anger. But it’s not so easy to notice your lesser emotions, the general run-of-the-mill emotions that you experience every day. But you should. Because every emotion that you experience impacts how you will behave.

Try this – right now:

  • Sit back. 
  • Close your eyes. 
  • Notice how you’re breathing – fast/slow – shallow/deep? 
  • Silently scan your body starting with your feet and then move on up through your legs to your face and neck – don’t forget your arms, hands, and fingers – did you find some discomfort? Where? What does it feel like?
  • How would you describe your mental state at this moment – tired/alert – open/preoccupied?
  • What’s the connection between your bodily discomfort and your state of mind?

Jot down your observations in a notebook and then in a couple of hours, repeat.  With practice this exercise should only take a minute or two and if you’re to become master of your emotions, you’ll be doing it, at a minimum, several times a day. Once you’ve established a track record with your practice, you’ll soon start to spot unhelpful emotions as soon as they arise.

OK, now what?

There are several options. The least helpful, is to ignore your feelings. The most helpful is to actively choose them using anchors.

How does it work?

Some triggers, like the knotted stomach, make your feel tense and anxious. But other triggers, like seeing a friendly, familiar face, make you feel excited.

All triggers are external stimuli that lead to an emotional or behavioural response and that response will usually be automatic.  

But not all triggers are naturally occurring like the familiar face. Some triggers will be self-created using anchoring in order to experience the emotion that serves you best.

Managing difficult emotions is as easy as relaxing in the bath

Try this – right now:

  • Sit back.
  • Close your eyes.
  • Think back to a time when you were feeling really relaxed – maybe you were soaking the bath – was the water warm – what music, if any, was playing – what fragrances were lingering in the air?
  • As you let yourself go, allow the feeling of calm to pervade your whole being and when that feeling is at its most intense – ANCHOR IT – physically, by touching the tip of your nose or pressing together your thumb and forefinger.
  • Stop.
  • Wait.
  • Repeat.

Now, back to start a difficult conversation with your spouse or colleague. Are your shoulders starting to tense? Is your stomach knotting up?

USE YOUR ANCHOR – exactly as you’ve been practicing – if you’re now feeling calm, great!  If not, keep practicing and in no time, you’ll be ready to handle stress-inducing situations of all kinds with the same calm and ease as taking a relaxing bath.

coaching

The Art of Communication

Communication is an artform; it’s also a two-way street. 

But before you even open your mouth, do yourself a favour and pay attention to the person you’re about to address and gain some crucial insight into how he or she processes information. 

We can each process only 5-9 chunks or nuggets of information at a time and so we use ‘meta-programs’, or unconscious filters, to ‘select’ them from the shower of stimuli we constantly receive. These patterns run behind the scenes in our brains. They are so automatic that we usually don’t even realise they’re there. But they are there. So, if your favoured ‘meta-program’ differs from that of the person to whom you’re about to speak, you’ll want to adapt your communication style.

match your meta program to theirs for best results

Research suggests that there are six basic ‘meta- programs’ that most of us use to varying degrees. Here’s how best to approach them:

  • First decide your own patterns and preferences.
  • Next advance to the person with whom you are desirous to communicate and test them out.
  •  If you meet with enthusiastic nods, you’re on the right path but if you get a stern-faced response or anxious questions, try something else. 
  • This approach works equally well at work, at home, and with friends/neighbours/acquaintances.
  • The focus is always on having whatever it is that you wish to convey enjoying a good reception and being understood.

The Six Metaprograms

  1. General/Specific– this pattern controls how much information should be given and how best to be deliver it.
    • People running with a ‘general’ program, are likely to respond well to a conceptual overview but people running with ‘specific’, need lots of details so they can build their own view up step-by-step.
    • Research shows that about 60% of people are ‘general’ whilst only 15% are ‘specific’. This leaves about 25% responding equally to both.
    • To discern which you’re dealing with, ask the person about a  project or hobby with which he’s currently engaged. A response with lots of detail (he said/she said, I feel, they did), provided in specific steps with plenty of adverbs and adjectives tossed in, suggests he/she operates on the ‘specific’ program. Alternatively, someone operating on the ‘general’ program will probably give you a brief, comprehensive overview and/or summary often presented in short sentences delivered in random order.
    • Beware that context matters. Even someone usually operating on the ‘general’ pattern will, from time to time, need details.
    • Equally, you can tell much from someone’s written communication – emails, for example. If their usual style is to keep it short and sweet, then match it and do the same. If not, adjust your own electronic missives accordingly.
  2. Proactive/ Reactive– this pattern deals with how best to channel energy during the communication.
    • Some people are more inclined to initiate things than others – and so when you’re dealing with a ‘proactive person’, you need to always be pushing forward. These folks do not like delays and want to get started at once.
    • By comparison, a ‘reactive’ person wants to consider all the options/implications of situation presented to him/her before doing anything. These folks are great at research/analysis as well as fire-fighting and problem-solving.
    • 60-65% of people have a mix.
    • Spot the ‘reactive’ person by his or her ability to sit for long periods of time. Also, he or she will tend to use long, incomplete, and convoluted sentences. They will use passive verbs and conditional words like should/could/would/might.
    • Give the ‘reactive person’ plenty of time to think – if you push, they will not respond well. Use the alternative strategy for the ‘proactive’ types who are ready to get started right away. 
  3. Toward/Away-From– this pattern is key when trying to motivate someone to do something.
    • People take action primarily for one of two reasons – they want to move ‘toward’ something (like a target or goal) or they want to move ‘away from’ something (escape).
    • The ‘away-from’ folks are problem solvers – they look for potential problems and thus can avert crises.
    • The ‘toward people’ tend to be self-starters – give then a goal and they’re on it.
    • Each of these polarities tends to judge the other poorly – ‘away-from’ people think that ‘toward’ people are naïve or sloppy because they don’t see potential problems and the ‘toward’ people think their opposite is negative or cynical.
    • A few questions will help you to tell the difference – when asked what is important to them and why, they’ll reveal their type in their answers – do they want to succeed or not to fail.
    • About 40% of people are ‘toward’ and 40% are ‘away-from’. This leaves a grey area of about 20% in between.
    • To motivate the ‘toward’ people, use words like – get – attain – achieve – accomplish – advantage – obtain.
    • For the ‘away-from’ people, use words like – fix – avoid – prevent – wrong – solution – remove. 
  4. Sameness/ Difference– this pattern is key when it comes to selling change especially in a fast-paced environment.
    • Those with pure ‘sameness’ (5%) feel comfortable in a highly stable and unchanging environment – consistency their mantra.
    • The ‘difference’ folks (about 20%) thrive on change and love to switch jobs frequently as well as reinventing and reorganising their environment/organisation.
    • About 65% of people are ‘sameness’ with allowance for some minor changes/improvement that are more evolutionary than revolutionary. Some of these folks (10%) can tolerate even more difference as long a major change doesn’t happen too frequently – every 3-4 years is good for them.
    • To tell where someone sits on this spectrum, ask them what is the relationship between something important (for example, their job) between last year and this year and then listen carefully:
      • the ‘sameness’ person will tend to focus on things that haven’t changed – although he may toss in a few difference and make comparisons like more – less – improved – better – fewer.
      • The ‘difference’ person will point out all that is new and different and may even be surprised you asked the question.
      • Other people will mix and match the differences and those things unchanged – listen to their emphasis and their assessment of both sides of the equation.
    • When explaining to people about ‘change’ – adapt your weighting of ‘sameness’ and ‘difference’ according to their preferences.
    • Choose words ranging from – as usual – similar – better – identical – improved – revolutionized – upgraded – more – fewer. 
  5. Options/ Procedures– this is about how one tackles his/her work – do they rely on the tried and tested approach or look for new, improved alternatives.
    • ‘Options’ folks (40%) like choice and variety – and are great for deciding how something should be done but not necessarily doing it themselves. New projects are started with zest but following through to finish is less predictable.
    • ‘Procedures’ folks  (40%)  believe there is a ‘right’ way to do something – start with point A and move through these procedures to get to point B. Too many choices are not helpful. 
    • About 20% of people are a mix.
    • The ‘options’ folks says things like  I can or I could whilst the procedures folk say I must or I should.
    • To influence the ‘options’ folks use words like – possibilities – choice  – play it by ear – options  – break the rules – variety.
    • To influence the ‘procedures’ folk, use words like – right – tried and tested – first, second, and then (this or that).
  6. Internal/ Eternal– this is about giving/receiving feedback  – there is an optimum approach and amount.
    • ‘Internal’ folks tend to believe they’ve done a good job regardless of what others think. Their own judgement of their work (measured against their own standards) is what matters most.
    • Give these folks much space as possible to make their own decisions and when that is not possible, negotiate the standards to be used for measuring in advance. Generally, these folks don’t want feedback and when they get it, they tend to ignore it.
    • For ‘internal’ folks, a set of advance instructions is informational only.  Use words like – you may wish to consider – only you can decide – here’s a suggestion – up to you – what do you think?  
    • By contrast, ‘external’ folks love lots of feedback – they need to know on a fairly consistent basis ‘how they are doing’. Use words like – I’ve noticed – word in the street is – statistics show – opinion is. 

Astrology

The ME generation

Yesterday, I met a young lady who had never heard of the ‘baby boomer’ generation!

My Pluto in Leo pride was damaged, possibly beyond repair. 

We are the post-war group born roughly between 1946-1960. We caused no end of trouble whilst growing up; new schools and universities had to be built to accommodate us and luckily the economy was booming along with the birth rates. We continue to be trouble as we age, bringing economic chaos in our wake with chunky claims upon ‘social security’ and ‘old age pensioner’ benefits and, of course, the requirement of expensive health care.

During the period most of us were born, Pluto was in Leo.

Astrologically, Pluto describes the ‘evolutionary task’ of a generation and the task of Pluto in Leo is to reform our sense of personal identity. Even if our parents were willing to conform to cultural norms of individuality, we could not. The name of our game was creative self-expression, personal power, and puffed up pride mixed with complete and utter self-confidence.

The ‘Me’ generation – Pluto in Leo
Most baby boomers also have Uranus in Cancer.

Astrologically, Uranus speaks to one’s ideologies especially in regards to where he or she must break free of tradition and forge a new way forward. Cancer is about home and family as well as motherhood. It should not be surprising, then, that so many of women of my generation did not have children in favour of pursuing a professional career.

Finally, many baby boomers also have Neptune in Libra.

Astrologically Neptune represents trends in fashion; the clothing, hairstyles, music, food, or films which (for no apparent reason) is ‘all the rage’, that without which we simply cannot live.

Neptune is tricky because it’s not so much an ideology (that’s Uranus) as it is emotional surge and one that spreads like wildfire straight across the board. It’s also about illusions of perfection. Given that Libra is about relationship and marriage, it’s no surprise that along with many little girls my age, I found my perfection in paper dolls cut from Bride’s Magazine.

Later in life, many of my generation suffered severe disillusionment (i.e. illusion unfufilled) in their real-life marriages. There are probably many reasons why the divorce rate among baby-boomer is statistically higher than with with other generations, but certainly the generational signature card of Neptune in Libra is an important one. 

According to one article, the surge in divorce rates among those in my generation also has to do with us seeing our personal ‘self-actualisation’ as the most important goal in our lives and if marriage gets in the way of that then… ah, yes, back to Pluto in Leo again. 

Astrology

Happy Birthday Mary

The Solar Return (SR) chart gives a brief snapshot of the 12-month period (birthday-to-birthday). Such predictive techniques are necessarily short and sweet, giving ample opportunity for clients to fill in the details.

SUMMARY

Expect an interesting year ahead with some challenges to your more intimate partnerships and relationships. Changes have been long overdue. A break-up is not necessarily in the cards but you can still expect some anxiety and tension.

The key to making the best of what this period has to offer (as well as avoiding the worst) is to consult both your head and your heart. 

honest communication = head +heart

By contrast, your tendency will more than likely be to turn whatever happens into an intellectual challenge; that would be a grave mistake. Honest communication lies at the heart of a successful outcome – words have power, yes, but so do non-verbal messages especially when (as is more likely than not to be the case), you’re involved in some kind of personal power play.

Finances are also highlighted – if you’ve had trouble in the past, you’ll probably have trouble again. 

Despite all the challenges, the year ahead holds great potential – for now it is time for the ‘real you’ to shine through.

ANALYSIS

2019/20
  • Solar Return (SR) Uranus (1 Taurus 08) is close to your 7th house cusp and even closer (in sextile) to your solar return (SR) Venus. This suggests that in the next twelve months, you can anticipate some significant (and perhaps unexpected) changes in your partnerships, both personal and business.
  • Although such changes are perhaps long overdue, they are still likely to create some anxiety, not the least because they seem to be out of your control. Expect these to be accompanied by feelings of restlessness and tension; this is not likely to be a comfortable time. In one sense whether such changes are instigated by you or your partner(s) doesn’t matter for in so many ways they are absolutely right and necessary for you both.
  • A break up is not necessarily in the cards, however, and the way in which the necessary changes manifest could take many ((perhaps mutually agreeable) forms.
  • That some changes in your life (relationship or otherwise) will be as profound as they are inevitable, is emphasised by your SR Pluto being in the same degree as your SR nodal axis. 
  • Your SR Pluto is in your SR 3rd house along with SR Moon and SR Saturn. The 3rd house is all about communications as well as how you cope with everyday matters. A  high intellectual involvement with events as they unfold is indicated. Will you interact with these events on an emotional basis or will you keep you emotions strictly under control? If you don’t do both, there’s a real potential for you to miss subtler meanings – not all that is being communication (in either direction) is consciously and purposefully verbalised. Whilst it is true that words have tremendous power, so do non-verbal messages especially when you’re involved in some kind of personal power play.
  • The midpoint of your SR Mars/Saturn is in close square aspect with your SR Jupiter. This suggests you may be faced with events/situations upon which you will be tempted to concentrate all your energies at the expense of other interests. Beware. If you do, you seriously risk sapping your vital energy.
  • Because your SR Jupiter is involved in the SR 2nd house, this concentration could revolve around finances, which could manifest as events either good or bad. True, you may have more money available than expected during this period but equally there is a temptation to overspend. Which way this plays out has much to do with your own personal history re: finances. Take outside advice as needed.
  • Finally, with your SR Sun in your SR 5th house, you are more likely than not going to be treated to the opportunity to watch your personality bloom. This is a wonderful placement, especially for those who have compromised themselves in the past. Your mantra during this period might be along the lines of ‘to thine own self be true’. 
Astrology

Pie in the Sky Propaganda

Let’s face it. 

At the moment, politics in the United Kingdom is up the spout and our fragile future is under siege in Europe. Will the situation get any better in the next calendar quarter with the ingress of the Sun into Aries (20 March 2019)? 

what you see/hear is not what you’ll get

Not likely.

Expect ‘pie in the sky’ propaganda as more is promised than could possibly ever be delivered. What you see (or in this case, what you hear) is not what you’ll get. Old stuff gets rehashed over and over and little real progress will be made. This sorry state of affairs is not lost on the general public however it might well be lost on the government which, self-absorbed, is completely of sync with the reality of the situation. Some economic surprises are in store and are likely to play out in the National Health Service. 

Outlook from March – June 2019 in the United Kingdom
  • Jupiter (23 Sagittarius) is in the same degree as the nodal axis, which gives the whole situation a ‘fated’ quality. We’ve been on this path before.
  • Jupiter suggests tolerance, good, will and moderation. Somewhere in the mix is also a sense of noblesse oblige. But Jupiter can also be interpreted as wrangling and disputes, as well as the inflation of the national ego and ‘imperialism.
  • This Jupiter is tied up with the nodal axis and the likelihood is more the later than the former. In principle, we’d like to expect the focus on adaptability and harmony but what we’re more likely to is a lack of good fellowship and the tendency to look out for one’s own gain first.
  • It should not be surprising that this plays out in the 2nd(national wealth), 9th(foreign relations), and 3rd(trade and communications) houses. 
  • That all these imperialistic negotiations are taking place in contravention (square aspect) with popular opinion (symbolised by the Moon at 27 Virgo), should come as no surprise.
  • That the government (represented the Sun at 0 Aries) is completely out of sync with popular opinion as well as anything else (the Sun makes no aspects whatsoever to any other planet), should also come as little surprise. The Sun is in the 5thhouse which linked the national economy to financial speculation. This suggests, at least to me, that the government is playing dice with national wealth.
  • Mercury (communication especially re: political speeches and official communiques) is retrograde (i.e. peddling backwards) and closely conjunct to Neptune, planet signifying (amongst other things), confusion, delusion, and/or outright subterfuge. All this is happening in our own backyard (the 4thhouse).  
  • It’s fair to note that Mars, the forces that hold the country together by force (i.e. aggression) is also in the same degree as the nodal axis. Put these two together and there will be a lively exchange of ideas but again, very self-focused and with Mars in the 7thhouse, this will play in foreign affairs – i.e. the UK’s partnerships with other nations. This in itself is not necessarily bad but again, the fated quality imparted by the nodal axis suggests that whatever happens now, has been long in the cards. 
  • Finally, Uranus has just entered Taurus which promises so economic surprises all around. That this Uranus is in the 6thhouse of this chart suggests that these economic surprises are more than likely to play out in the National Health Service or NHS. 
Astrology

Relationship Challenges for Ms ABC in 2019/20

The Solar Return (SR) chart provides a snapshot of the 12-month period, birthday-to-birthday). This is a predictive technique that is short and sweet, leaving the individual concerned as ample opportunity to fill in the details. 

In addition, from time to time, transits to the natal chart are also used in order to gain confirmation of a certain theme (or themes) and/or more information especially about specific timing. 

The following is for Ms ABC– 2019/20:

Relationships under pressure in order to get better

A challenging year lies ahead especially in regard to your closest relationships/partnerships. You must be diligent at all times to avoid having the proverbial wool pulled over your eyes.

Yet however much a hardship all this may appear, it is for good purpose. If you stick with it, then by the end of this period, you’ll have developed a more realistic way to relate to others as well as having built a more solid and constructive sense of self. 

ANALYSIS:

Solar Return Chart 2019/20
  1. SR Neptune is closely conjunct the DSC (7th house cusp) suggesting confusion and anxiety in regards to your closest partnerships, both personal and business. These partnerships, both good and bad, will tend to seek their own level. It is best to let situations ripen and evolve and go with the flow.
  2. Trying to force choices during this period will not be productive not the least because misunderstandings are rife. There’s a possibility that you’re being lied to or deceived by a partner but this is more likely if you choose to allow yourself to be fooled.
  3. On a more positive note, increased sensitivity, caring, and compassion in your closest partnerships are real opportunities. This, however, is only possible if you are willing give careful consideration to your partner’s side of the story.
  4. SR Neptune is also opposite the ASC (1st house cusp) suggesting that confusion regarding your partnerships will prompt confusion over your sense of self. This could be good news. SR Saturn is making a positive aspect to the ASC/DSC axis. SR Saturn is the ultimate ‘reality principle’, providing opportunities for positive growth. The key to making this work in your best interest is to move out of your comfort zone. It no longer serves you well.
  5. That SR Saturn is also in the exact degree of the nodal axis strengthens the above. It is through Saturn (discipline and honesty) that you will find good solutions. The more creative these solutions, the better.
  6. Because SR Jupiter is closely square to the ASC/DSC axis, you might expect the proverbial little ‘bit of luck’ in your efforts. But this works only if you’re willing and able to recognise and seize opportunities that come your way. 
  7. None of this will be comfortable (SR Moon closely conjunct SR Mars). Expect contradictory feelings about which way to proceed. But hard work (and sticking up for yourself as needed) will pay off.
  8. Transiting Saturn crossing the 7th house cusp (DSC) serves to emphasise all of the above. Your partnerships are evolving and soon enough, you’ll have built new and more constructive ways to relate.
Astrology

An Excellent Year Ahead

The Solar Return (SR) chart provides a snapshot of the 12-month period, birthday-to-birthday). This is a predictive technique that is short and sweet, leaving the individual concerned ample opportunity to fill in the details.

In addition, from time to time, transits to the natal chart are also used in order to gain confirmation of a certain theme (or themes) and/or more information about specific timing.

An excellent year ahead with only one warning

The following is for Mr GAM – 2019/2020:

An excellent year lies ahead for personal development both on the home front and in Mr GAM’s career. Opportunities for positive change are likely to present themselves and be grasped to maximum advantage. 

Now is the time to work closely with partners (both personal and business) to polish up communication and leadership skills. 

Changes are indicated in work routines that are likely to lead to increased control and power. The only warning for Mr GAM is not to overextend himself. Changes in routine regarding personal health are also indicated so make them beneficial. 

Solar Return Chart 2019/20

ANALYSIS:

  1. SR Sun is sextile/trine to the MC/IC axis (10thand 4thhouse cusps). 
  2. Because the Sun is the most significant planet in the SR chart, this suggests that a great deal of energy and effort will be expended to improve both home and career.
  3. Because the SR Sun is in the 7th house such energy and effort will not be expended alone, but in conjunction with partners, both personal and business.
  4. Major themes include cooperation/negotiation and mutual benefit. 
  5. SR Mercury is widely conjunct the SR Sun (and also in the 7th house). This emphasises that active communication will play an important part in the unfolding of this year’s themes. 
  6. SR Jupiter is also sextile/trine to the MC/IC axis and as such, implies a touch of ‘good luck’ in these endeavours. 
  7. When opportunities fall at our feet it’s still a choice whether or not to embrace them. Because SR Jupiter is also closely sextile to SR Sun, the suggestion is that such opportunities will not only be embraced but also lead to successful expansion of both personal beliefs and goals especially as relates to home life and career.
  8. SR Pluto in the 6th house is also tightly square to the MC/IC axis suggesting a growing understanding of the way in which power operates in furthering or blocking goals. Such understanding could come with some significant upheaval in daily routine. Common manifestations include changing bosses, departments at work, or being given different and new assignments. Changes in routine regarding personal health might also be expected. 
  9. The SR Jupiter/Pluto midpoint is closely conjunct SR Venus. This suggests a successful push for power that results in improved leadership skills. Greater creativity in personal self-expression is also highlighted as well as in increase in self-confidence. 
  10. Transiting Saturn will conjunct the natal Mercury on and off for the entire period. This transit occurs once in 28 ½ years and suggests increased seriousness in personal learning and development especially in regards to communication skills.
  11. The key to making this work out to maximum advantage is NOT to overextend oneself. 
Astrology

All Change – Solar Return for Ms CE

The Solar Return (SR) chart gives a brief snapshot of the 12-month period (birthday-to-birthday). Such predictive techniques are necessarily short and sweet, giving ample opportunity for clients to fill in the details.

From time to time, transits to the natal chart are also used to gain more information.

The following is for Ms CE – 2019-2020:

change

All change.

You’re in for an exciting (if not bumpy) ride during this period. Although it’s impossible to say how things will turn out, it is more than likely to work out to your benefit as long as you resist the urge to get engaged in power struggles in regards to your partnerships (both business and personal).

EMILY SR 2ANALYSIS:

  1. SR Pluto (21 Capricorn 48) is conjunct your 7th house cusp and also sextile/trine to your MC/IC (4th and 10th houses) axis.This means that as far as your next twelve months are concerned, you can anticipate a profound change in your partnerships, both personal and business (7th house). This could  result in a power struggle – but if so, you most certainly are not guaranteed to get your way.
  2. Whether or not change is instigated by you or your partner remains to be seen however, because of the aspect to your MC/IC axis, this is likely to effect both your career and home life.
  3. The most beneficial way to use this energy is to honestly face whatever is at the base of the need for change. Do not give in to the urge to fall into ‘old ways’ of relating, whatever they may be. They will not serve you well this time.
  4. Another suggestion of huge change is your SR Sun in the 8th  house. It is common with this placement for a complete life-style change – for example,  quitting work or returning to school full-time. Equally possible, is moving house. The purpose of all this is for you to gain control over your life especially so as to prevent others from (emotionally) manipulating you.
  5. Planetary transits to your natal chart also suggest a significant change in your home and personal circumstances:
    1. Transiting Uranus conjunct to your Natal Moon– home and family situations (as well as relationships with women) are likely to prove highly unstable during this period. They may change abruptly and in unexpected ways. New emotional commitments may be established and old ones terminated. Whatever happens this is bound to be an exciting (if not bumpy) ride that is more than likely to work out in your favour – This is a once-in-a-lifetime transit.
    2. Transiting Uranus opposition your natal Uranus– classic mid-life crisis transit – expect the unexpected –all change and for the better – this also a once-in-a-lifetime transit.
    3. Transiting Saturn conjunct your natal Venus– getting very serious about relationship and partnerships – light and airy will no longer do. Commitment is the name of the game, at least from your point of view. It remains to be seen if you get it.
    4. Transiting Neptune square your natal Mars– getting anything accomplished during 2019-20 may prove frustratingly difficult, at least in the sense of getting them to turn out as you’ve planned. One potential manifestation of this is men in your life being confused especially in regards to your relationship. Try to keep everything as clear and above-board as possible and do, please, take care of your health.
    5. Transiting Pluto conjunct natal Mercury – this is a unique chance to come to grips with the hidden meanings and motivations behind your own words and those of others. Travel abroad may also leave you profoundly affected. Take what you can from such circumstances and use it to your advantage.
Alchemy

The Daemon of Carl Jung

In Plato’s Republic(The Myth of Ur), souls cue up to choose their next life and are assigned a daemon – an overseer for that life. In classic astrology, daemon could be determined using one’s natal chart and as the result, it was incumbent upon the individual to establish contact with (or invoke) his or her daemon. In many respects, this was exactly what Jung was doing whilst writing and illustrating the Red Book, which he considered to the ‘prima materia’ for his life’s work.

Daemon can be understood as fate – but not fate in the sense that it comes from outside us. Instead, daemon is our personal unconscious pushing through the creative impulse to encourage us to accomplish that which we are meant to do. Naturally, you may choose to reject or ignore Daemon (or your fate) but there is a price to be paid. Equally, following Daemon (either eagerly or begrudgingly) does not guarantee you an easy ride.

Carl Jung had Aquarius rising. This means that Saturn, the ruler of Aquarius was his daemon, or at least it was in his eyes although not all astrologers (classical or modern) might agree.

When it comes to daemon, it isn’t so much that Saturn the planet was running the show but instead the symbolism surrounding Saturn. According to the 3rd century Neo-Platonist, Iamblichus, symbols are the footprints of the gods, wondrous tokens sent down from above. In this sense, a symbol can never be a man-made design. Symbols pre-exist and hence carry energy that exerts power over us not unlike Jung’s archetypes.

Jung

Jung believed it was vital that he understand his daemon – no, more than that – he was determined to establish a personal relationship with his daemon and it is highly likely this was accomplished through magical ritual.

To that end, the Red Book, Jung communicates with several different Saturnian figures (Elijah, The Old Scholar, The Anchorite, The Librarian, and the Professor) that culminate with Philemon (whose name, Jung always wrote in Greek, most probably for magical reasons).

Several key points are of significant interest regarding these Saturnian figures and as ought to be expected in many respects they are all deeply paradoxical.

  • The Saturnian figures in Red Book are all associated with rocks and stones – imperishable – belonging to and of the earth – present in the beginning of time on earth and presumably present at the end. It is not surprising that this stone/rock motif comes up often in Jung’s writings. He had been fascinated with them since youth.
  • Jung’s Saturnian images are all old men – SENEX – they are also thinkers –seekers of wisdom (as opposed to knowledge). Philosophers. They are magicians, too. This is in keeping with the writings of Marsilio Ficino, a 15thcentury Italian scholar who appears to have heavily influenced Jung’s work.
  • All Jung’s Saturnian images are recluses and sad. These are in keeping with traditional associations with Saturn.
  • Several of Jung’s Saturnian images are associated with religion and more specifically, religious experience. Not all of them are complimentary or supportive of religion. Indeed, Philemon is always shown as lame and this might well be suggesting a connection with the devil. Philemon, after all, did always have a serpent hanging around.
  • Philemon was also connected with Mercury, the hermetic figure and the philosopher stone. Hermes Trismegistus, who controlled both the sun and the moon was semi-divine and he is, in essential ways, very much like Philemon (who was also a magician – possessing his own grimoire). This highlights the importance of the ancient art of alchemy. Saturn is lead, the metal of transformation and redemption.

In The Astrological World of Jung’s Liber Novus, Dr Liz Greene suggests that because Philemon drew together Saturnian ideas and images from a number of ancient disciplines and cosmologies, he allowed Jung to build a workable bridge between the pagan and Christian aspects of his own world view.

Those  of us who are interested in similarly understanding the complexity of our own daemon, or chosen ‘fate’, might be well-advised to perform similar invocations and explorations. Dr Greene reminds us that during that difficult period in Jung’s life, his work with Philemon and predecessors gave Jung a connecting thread of meaning that helped him to understand his situation. Likewise, we may also turn to our daemons for help when things get tough.

Never forget, however, that working with daemons is not for the faint of heart. Jung’s daughter reported that things ‘went bump in the dark’ in the house when Jung was working with Philemon – things that we might well call supernatural.

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