Thursday, November 5, 2015

Radical Reposts: Astrology - Pairings with Other Topics





Posts © Joyce Mason


There’s still much to share in this year of Radical Reposts. As we get closer to Thanksgiving, feast on these! Astrology pairs with many other topics like a good combination of wine and cheese. These are appetizers as we build to that big, annual gratitude feast day celebrated with gusto in the USA.

Following this batch, we’ll return to a November tradition on The Radical Virgo —prayer and Thanksgiving month. You’ll find both reposts and new ways to take a moment and connect with All That Is. Astrology Pairings are in alpha order by topic, highlighted in black.

Smorgy

(12-Sep-12)
I've never hidden my age on The Radical Virgo, but I haven't highlighted it, either. Time to come out of the closet and celebrate my Medicare card—and to talk a bit about the how increasing longevity affects us, astro-wise and otherwise.

Children often express astrological energies in a very pure form. If you get a chance, observe your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. Their little friends, too. Do their charts and watch how they express their star maps in an uncomplicated way.

Ruminating on fear and courage led me to a lot of questions about how astrology plays into our expression of these two opposites of paired emotions and action. Fear stops while courage acts. For fully functioning human beings, fear and courage are an ongoing balancing act.

Composite genre novels that feature astrology and other metaphysical tools have started to crop up more often. When I began The Crystal Ball, I had just fallen in love with Chiron, a composite planetary object, part asteroid and part comet. Chiron taught me the value of hybrids. Composites often beat putting things into tidy boxes, a principle that applies to book categories, too. Introduction and mini-reviews to a number of novels featuring astrology.

(15-Feb-13)
Auntie Mame, the fictional character of movie, book and stage, has been my heroine and role model for decades. Just thinking of her makes me smile. No wonder. She tells us without reservation to “live, live, live!” Mame Dennis is the brainchild of author Patrick Dennis, the nom de plume of Edward Everett Tanner III, who was nicknamed Pat by his father at an early age. His novel Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade (1955) was one of the bestselling American books of the 20th century. What are their horoscopes like, real or imagined?

Astrology and Humor (16-May-11)
As thoroughly modern students of astrology, we like to call the “hard” aspects stressful, but by whatever name we call these tensions, they are a hotbed of hilarity. Just watch …

Our natal astrology charts will reflect our basic independence orientation. Aquarians might be happy living in an individual pod on the Planet Far Out, as long as everybody got together for group fun and games now 'n' then. The most typical Cancer might be happy never to leave home in the first place.

I am saddened when I see bright people holding back in astrological conversations what they know for fear of being wrong, looking ignorant, not knowing enough or a whole host of other concerns that deprive us of their gifts—and deprive them of the joy of giving. How do we create an atmosphere that turns this around?

The Role of Feelings, Inklings and Hunches in Conversations about Astrology Charts. Intuition was my partner in my astrology practice from Day 1. It's important to remember that astrology is also a very left-brained pursuit with timing and grace notes as complex as any symphony. To make the best music requires playing with both precision—hitting of the notes exactly—made more beautiful by right-brained interpretation.

The Nodal Axis: The South Node and Where We Come From
Guest post by Lana Wooster
For 21 years, I have combined Past Life Therapy and Astrology. I realize there is more I don't know about karma than I do! But working in both mediums enables me to get past conjecture. In some cases, too, I have the privilege of seeing karma working out or dissolving.

While I usually do Quotes for the Signs, I find these Quotes about Astrology to be inspiring, reflecting how many well-known voices speak out in support of Looking Up for guidance. These quotes are handy reference points when talking with people who are new to astrology or skeptical about it.

For many of you reading this article, your relationship with astrology is a long-term love affair. Mine, so far, has been life-long, except for the brief time I was not exposed to the subject in the earliest years of my life. Like any long-term relationship, astrology needs to be nurtured and its place in your life is likely to change over time. 

Celebrating … seasonal changes brings astrology, spirituality, and the cycles of life down to earth for me where I can hug them in community. I have a special resonance to the Autumn Equinox, because I was born on cusp of Fall. Basic elements for creating your own eclectic solstice and equinox ceremonies.

When it comes down to a choice of following astrology or my instincts, my answer isn’t always that simple. It isn’t always the same, either. Some food for thought based on my personal experience and the discovery of the opening of the Sirius Vortex every July 23rd.

This post is for the purpose of sharing my visions about astrology—and asking you to share yours. How would astrology look in the best possible world? Be prepared to be thought provoked in the nicest Neptunian way.

Astrology and Other Healing Tools

 Astrology and Dreams (07-May-10)
#1 of 3 in the Astrology-Plus Trilogy
As my post Boundaries 101: A Course for Neptunians illustrates, our dreams can enlighten us about our astrological profile. Dreams can dramatize natal aspects or transits. What’s happening when you’re sleeping “under the stars?”

#2 of 3 in the Astrology Plus Trilogy
My post on Astrology and Dreams got a lot of nods from readers who like the interface between the stars and their night movies. As an eclectic practitioner over the years with a lot of different tools in her trick bag, I admit that my all-time favorite kind of consultation is the “astro-tarot” reading. It’s the best of both words, a Chironic and composite look at what’s happening in your life that can go way deeper in my experience than astrology alone.

#3 of 3 in the Astrology Plus Trilogy
Astrology is mental. Understanding the relationships between planets and their meanings sometimes requires Olympic-class gymnastics of the mind. The personal growth challenges in your astrology chart, on the other hand, are usually emotional. That part’s not a head trip whatsoever, especially when it comes to thorny natal issues or challenging transits. One of the most useful tools I ever discovered for shifting emotions is pairing astrology with flower essences. Suggestions to support each of your planets.

An interview with Vedic astrologer Wes Brown
Learn more about Vedic astrology and pairing your planets with tea remedies. If you can’t afford your Vedic gem, here’s another fascinating approach. I think you’ll agree; Wes is visionary.

Complementary Oracles

A Primer on the Use of Tarot and Other Oracles
Like any tool, oracles can be used for higher good or dubious intent. Think of a knife. In the hands of a skilled surgeon or premier chef, this tool can perform miracles of healing or nurture. In the hands of a serial killer—not.

While your choice of an oracle is very personal, just like choosing a practitioner for an oracle “reading” (see Oracular Spectacular), recommendations are great starting points. If you like what I write, you might like what I “read” hen it comes to oracles. With that idea in mind, I’m sharing my faves—and others you might want to explore.

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Photo Credit: © vakabungo - Fotolia.com



Sunday, November 1, 2015

Radical Reposts: Aspects, Aspect Patterns--and Aspects and Timing




Posts © Joyce Mason



Aspects

Guest post by Donna Cunningham, MSW
Have you read or been taught much about the semi-sextile?  I’m guessing that you haven’t—in most astrology writings, it tends to get shrugged off as a minor aspect after a half-hearted sentence or two of description. 

It’s a 30° aspect, plus or minus 2-3°. For instance, a planet in Aries may form a semi-sextile to a planet at approximately the same degree of either of the two adjacent signs, Pisces or Taurus. 

When I was a young and eager astrology student, I used to view every trine in a chart as a kiss by Lady Luck. It was like getting one of those Community Service or Chance cards in Monopoly. “Bank error in your favor. Collect $200.” Trines seemed like marks of grace on a nativity. Now I’m not so sure


The Outerplanetary People Series was written for people with close aspects to personal planets from the outer planets. I call us PUNCs for Plutonian, Uranian, Neptunian Chironics.

Outerplanetary (Extraordinary) People, Part 1 of 5, Chiron (19-Oct-10)
Author's Note: This is an update of a five-part series originally published in the 1990s in Mark Lerner's astrology magazine, Welcome to Planet Earth. The Outerplanetary (OPP) People series has been a timeless favorite ever since.

We live in extraordinary times. I call them Outerplanetary Times, marked by the discovery in 1977 of a new outer planet, Chiron. Chiron is trans-Saturnian. It acts like any other outer planet with a similar level of impact.

Outerplanetary (Extraordinary) People Part 2 of 5, Uranus
(25-Oct-10)
In Part 1, we explored the unique role of evolutionary pioneers—people who have the outer planets prominent. We started with Chiron, the “bridge” between the inner and outer planets; now we’ll stop to explore Uranus.

(07-Nov10)
With Neptune, a boundary is always the point — knowing when something is too much or when have we gone too far. It's the point, beyond which we ruin our effectiveness to help others and ourselves.  Includes tips for activating positive Neptune.

Outerplanetary (Extraordinary) People, Part 4 of 5, Pluto (12-Nov-10)
Pluto asks more of Outerplanetary People than any of the trans-Saturnians. He asks to let go and trust while everything we value is ripped away from us, often down to the barest bones: home, hearth, spouse or lover, job, family. What good is all this loss? Find out.

(23-Nov-10)
The importance of Chiron to outerplanetary people can hardly be overstated.  Chiron is the thread that weaves together the tapestry of the outer planets as a living aggregate in our charts. Chiron is the glue that makes outerplanetary people solid and capable of handling the strong energies that they are asked to bring down to Earth day by day—first for ourselves, then for others.

PUNCs E-volve! (04-May-11)
Announcing the Outerplanetary People eBook.



Want an even more up-to-date version of the Outerplanetary People series? One you can print out easily, make notes on and maintain in your computer or device for easy reference? Purchase the PDF eBook version here for $9.99 or in the sidebar. See link above for details.


Aspect Patterns


These posts refer to what I call a series of big change transits in recent years.

Whadda ya say we all lighten up a little on the Big Change Transits?
For years, I’ve written that the discovery of Chiron in 1977 heralded a new species. I call our new evolutionary line homo improvement. I don’t think anyone would argue that we could use a new and improved human race, considering the havoc wreaked by the people in the really “off”-shoot species, homo asinine. You know, the Missing Their Link. The folks who destroy their home, wage bloody wars in the name of the divine, and collapse an entire global economic system out of personal greed.

(11-Jul-2010)
Are you ready for the “second Harmonic Convergence?” If you were gathering with large groups of like-minded, cool and cosmic people on August 17-18, 1987, it’s time, once more, to focus our minds on a single intent. Time to jumpstart a new level of inner evolution and its impact on an Earth in metamorphosis.

What supercharged change feels like.

Uranus Square Pluto: Seven Exact Aspects, Seven Chakra Realignments (05-Jul-12)
At UAC 2012, Aleksandar Imsiragic said that the seven exact hits of Uranus square Pluto, the first on June 24, correspond to realignment of our seven chakras. I deeply resonate to this idea, and it seems too important a concept not to share.

Planets in square create a tension of initial incompatibility that nags to be worked out in some way to bring a workable energetic mix to the person or situation it represents. Better said, squares evoke creative tension. It takes creativity—the God stuff, if you will—to find your way out of the standoff. When the squares make a Grand Cross, you have to find your way out of an enclosed box. Whew!

(01-Feb-14)
The first two articles of the year on the Radical Virgo speak to the winter retrogrades and how they help prepare us for the spring Cardinal Grand Cross. In capsule, the winter retrogrades are for reviewing relationships, desires and direction.

We're heading toward a Cardinal Grand Cross. Winter 2014 asks us to pause and reconsider what's important to us—what's working and what's not in our personal lives. Spring 2014 emboldens us to take action in an even bigger way than the usual Aries charge into the natural New Year, as the sap rises in the trees rises and human energy starts picking up with it.

Rebirth the Earth (24-Jun-2010)
A Prayer for the Cardinal Grand Cross, Lunar Eclipse and Related Skyworks. Drawn and quartered on the Four Cardinal Points I offer myself up to the earth and cosmos. There is no more vulnerable position …

Aspects and Timing


(29-Apr-2010)
Guest post by Joanne Hampar
Electional astrology is the art of timing, and its purpose is to give you the advantage by selecting the most appropriate time to achieve a successful outcome. The date and time selected are intended to strengthen the planets and the houses associated with the subject of the election. The Moon carries the most weight in electional astrology. She should always be strong, free from difficult aspects, and favorably aligned with the planets ruling the election matter.
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 Photo Credit: © Maxim Pavlov - Fotolia.com