New Moon in Taurus: Sense and Sensuality

On Wednesday, April 26, 2017 the Sun and Moon will come together at the same cosmic longitude of 06 degrees of Taurus 27' at 6:16a MDT.

Each New Moon gives a hint of what will be revealed, Within, as the Moon cycle progresses. At Full Moon we will know, on some level, exactly what this Moon cycle brings out of the Darkness, out of our subconscious/unconscious, to know and learn and to heal.

Taurus is the fixed earth sign - signifying the true growing arena of Spring. It will (fingers crossed!) truly start feeling like Spring (here in Calgary we have had rain, thunder and lightning, hail, fog and snow all within the last several days!). The trees will leaf out, the grass becomes greener, the blossoms will follow the seeds we see now, and more of the Spring annual flowers will bloom.

Beach Estates Park 2012

As a fixed sign, Taurus concentrates on creating...something...that we were excited about as the Sun moved through the cardinal fire sign of Aries (March 20 - April 19). Now we will create something tangible, something we can truly put our hands on (or work with our hands) to manifest into the physical. Not just a bright idea or inspiration - we are now being asked to manifest it somehow.

Venus rules Taurus, bringing out the following themes:

• Values: what are you values? What do you value in life? How have they changed since the last time the Sun moved through Taurus (this time last year)? If you are curious to find out more about personal values, check out Dr Demartini's website: https://drdemartini.com/value_determination/determine_your_values
• Self-Worth / Worthiness: do you have worthiness issues? Were you clicking along with the fire of Aries feeling strong, energetic, and free to be me, then wham! Now you feel like a mouse, quaking and feeling like all that confidence just went out the window this past week? Hhhhmmm...Taurus is getting your attention in this area. Both the Moon (Emotional Body) and the Sun (your vital/Soul self) will be showing and guiding you along this Moon cycle to see all the ways you may be feeling less than marvelous. Here the Ego-self gets in the way - why? Ask yourself, "Why? What do I need to learn about myself in this regard?"
• Net Worth: this time of year is when we check our bank accounts, see how those investments are doing, and perhaps plan to buy/sell a home, a car, a vacation - you name it. Have you set those short-term goals of saving money in order to do so? And to pay down/off those debts?
• Self-Esteem / Self-confidence: Here the Ego-self can get in the way too. The illusion of not being confident with the esteem needed to move forward on an idea that came forth so clearly during the Aries path of the Sun. The Ego/brain can be second-guessing, wondering, "Do I really have what it takes to manifest a physical aspect of that bright idea?" Why guess? Do!
• Senses and Sensual Pleasure: Just as all those Spring flowers and blossoms delight our senses, so too will our innate sensual natures be ignited. Enjoy those sensual moments: the smells of Spring, the wind on your face, the Sun's warming rays, the birds twittering, the rain falling, a lovers touch, smile and kiss.
• Money / Income: Where are you at with Lack Mentality beliefs? How do you do Lack? Taurus is NOT about lack! Taurus is full of the growth of something new! Attract your worth! Energetically, physically and with ALL your senses in play. BE that worth. What are your thoughts/feelings around money and income? Any Ego-self fears, frustrations, and/or anxiety?
• Personal Resources: aka all those skills, talents and experience we each have that in turn assist us in doing the work that pays us the income, which in turn gives us the money to buy those things we value, feel worthy of, is worthwhile spending on. What are yours? Do you want to upgrade them or take an inventory of them to use in a brand new resume? Perhaps it is time to change direction in how you USE them!
• Patience: Taurus is represented as the Bull, chewing its cud, lazily enjoying his nap in the sun, surrounded by nature. The Bull knows there's work to be done - I'll get to it when I get to it. With the Moon now in Taurus too - do you FEEL like doing the work? Or perhaps want to hang out on the couch instead? Graze from the fridge rather than cook a full meal? Ah, Taurus.
• Stubbornness / Fear of Change: This happens when that Bull stays way too long under the Sun. He'd rather BE than DO. The key here, now, is to BE as you are DOing! Creating an 'AND' world of both. The Ego-self will rear up to show you where Within you fear lies. Watch for it, feel it and honour it. Don't try to pretend it isn't there. Consciousness comes awake at the most odd times - and while Mercury Rx is still happening - Expect the Unexpected tantrum, resistance, refusal to budge! The Moon in Taurus is all about feeling/emotions. Feel them, notice them, then move along. Emotional eating doesn't get you out of this either! Ask yourself, "Why? What is the root of this? Where is this coming from?" This is why I love watching the Moon cycles - each turn of the Wheel of the Year, via the Moon, brings new awareness of not only how we feel and listen to our intuition. It brings awareness of how stubborn that Ego-self can be, afraid to move into new territory - of anything! There is always a reason WHY to the resistance. Ask. Wait for the answer - patience is your friend.
• Physically, Taurus rules the Throat, Thyroid gland, chin and neck, our voice and vocal cords and coughing. These are the areas of the Physical Body that will speak to you if you aren't honouring any or all of the above! Laryngitis, sore throats, frogs in the throat - what are you NOT expressing, sensually, emotionally, physically? An extreme sore throat means you want to scream about something - give voice to what you are swallowing! Say it, be it and do it. Use this Moon cycle in Taurus to say what you mean, need, want, DESIRE (Venus)!

Speaking of Venus, I have been working on a multiple-part series to post in the days and weeks to come regarding her Synodic Cycle. We began a new 19-month cycle March 31st as Venus rose as the Morning Star at 01 degrees of Aries. Stay tuned to read about how this Aries Overtone is bringing forth, for both women and men, the Wild Woman Warrior archetype for the next 19 months! Venus asks us, "What do you Desire to Deserve?" What is your answer?

As I researched this new 19-month Venus journey, I realized I now have a new reading in play too! What I call the Venus Return Journey reading. I will create a new page describing it soon within The Heart's Desire Room of my blogsite. Look for it.

If you are curious to know your birth chart so you can follow along with my posts about the Moon cycles and other Cosmic Weather, give me a call and make an appointment!

Laurie Rae can be contacted as follows:

Phone: 587-353-8085 in Calgary, AB Canada

Email: myhouseofastrology 'at' shaw.ca

Check out the Rooms in my blog: https://laurieraeshouseofastrology.blogspot.ca

I look forward to hearing from you!

Nanaimo Harbour, Vancouver Island

New Moon in Taurus: Sense and Sensuality

On Wednesday, April 26, 2017 the Sun and Moon will come together at the same cosmic longitude of 06 degrees of Taurus 27' at 6:16a MDT.

Each New Moon gives a hint of what will be revealed, Within, as the Moon cycle progresses. At Full Moon we will know, on some level, exactly what this Moon cycle brings out of the Darkness, out of our subconscious/unconscious, to know and learn and to heal.

Taurus is the fixed earth sign - signifying the true growing arena of Spring. It will (fingers crossed!) truly start feeling like Spring (here in Calgary we have had rain, thunder and lightning, hail, fog and snow all within the last several days!). The trees will leaf out, the grass becomes greener, the blossoms will follow the seeds we see now, and more of the Spring annual flowers will bloom.

Beach Estates Park 2012

As a fixed sign, Taurus concentrates on creating...something...that we were excited about as the Sun moved through the cardinal fire sign of Aries (March 20 - April 19). Now we will create something tangible, something we can truly put our hands on (or work with our hands) to manifest into the physical. Not just a bright idea or inspiration - we are now being asked to manifest it somehow.

Venus rules Taurus, bringing out the following themes:

• Values: what are you values? What do you value in life? How have they changed since the last time the Sun moved through Taurus (this time last year)? If you are curious to find out more about personal values, check out Dr Demartini's website: https://drdemartini.com/value_determination/determine_your_values
• Self-Worth / Worthiness: do you have worthiness issues? Were you clicking along with the fire of Aries feeling strong, energetic, and free to be me, then wham! Now you feel like a mouse, quaking and feeling like all that confidence just went out the window this past week? Hhhhmmm...Taurus is getting your attention in this area. Both the Moon (Emotional Body) and the Sun (your vital/Soul self) will be showing and guiding you along this Moon cycle to see all the ways you may be feeling less than marvelous. Here the Ego-self gets in the way - why? Ask yourself, "Why? What do I need to learn about myself in this regard?"
• Net Worth: this time of year is when we check our bank accounts, see how those investments are doing, and perhaps plan to buy/sell a home, a car, a vacation - you name it. Have you set those short-term goals of saving money in order to do so? And to pay down/off those debts?
• Self-Esteem / Self-confidence: Here the Ego-self can get in the way too. The illusion of not being confident with the esteem needed to move forward on an idea that came forth so clearly during the Aries path of the Sun. The Ego/brain can be second-guessing, wondering, "Do I really have what it takes to manifest a physical aspect of that bright idea?" Why guess? Do!
• Senses and Sensual Pleasure: Just as all those Spring flowers and blossoms delight our senses, so too will our innate sensual natures be ignited. Enjoy those sensual moments: the smells of Spring, the wind on your face, the Sun's warming rays, the birds twittering, the rain falling, a lovers touch, smile and kiss.
• Money / Income: Where are you at with Lack Mentality beliefs? How do you do Lack? Taurus is NOT about lack! Taurus is full of the growth of something new! Attract your worth! Energetically, physically and with ALL your senses in play. BE that worth. What are your thoughts/feelings around money and income? Any Ego-self fears, frustrations, and/or anxiety?
• Personal Resources: aka all those skills, talents and experience we each have that in turn assist us in doing the work that pays us the income, which in turn gives us the money to buy those things we value, feel worthy of, is worthwhile spending on. What are yours? Do you want to upgrade them or take an inventory of them to use in a brand new resume? Perhaps it is time to change direction in how you USE them!
• Patience: Taurus is represented as the Bull, chewing its cud, lazily enjoying his nap in the sun, surrounded by nature. The Bull knows there's work to be done - I'll get to it when I get to it. With the Moon now in Taurus too - do you FEEL like doing the work? Or perhaps want to hang out on the couch instead? Graze from the fridge rather than cook a full meal? Ah, Taurus.
• Stubbornness / Fear of Change: This happens when that Bull stays way too long under the Sun. He'd rather BE than DO. The key here, now, is to BE as you are DOing! Creating an 'AND' world of both. The Ego-self will rear up to show you where Within you fear lies. Watch for it, feel it and honour it. Don't try to pretend it isn't there. Consciousness comes awake at the most odd times - and while Mercury Rx is still happening - Expect the Unexpected tantrum, resistance, refusal to budge! The Moon in Taurus is all about feeling/emotions. Feel them, notice them, then move along. Emotional eating doesn't get you out of this either! Ask yourself, "Why? What is the root of this? Where is this coming from?" This is why I love watching the Moon cycles - each turn of the Wheel of the Year, via the Moon, brings new awareness of not only how we feel and listen to our intuition. It brings awareness of how stubborn that Ego-self can be, afraid to move into new territory - of anything! There is always a reason WHY to the resistance. Ask. Wait for the answer - patience is your friend.
• Physically, Taurus rules the Throat, Thyroid gland, chin and neck, our voice and vocal cords and coughing. These are the areas of the Physical Body that will speak to you if you aren't honouring any or all of the above! Laryngitis, sore throats, frogs in the throat - what are you NOT expressing, sensually, emotionally, physically? An extreme sore throat means you want to scream about something - give voice to what you are swallowing! Say it, be it and do it. Use this Moon cycle in Taurus to say what you mean, need, want, DESIRE (Venus)!

Speaking of Venus, I have been working on a multiple-part series to post in the days and weeks to come regarding her Synodic Cycle. We began a new 19-month cycle March 31st as Venus rose as the Morning Star at 01 degrees of Aries. Stay tuned to read about how this Aries Overtone is bringing forth, for both women and men, the Wild Woman Warrior archetype for the next 19 months! Venus asks us, "What do you Desire to Deserve?" What is your answer?

As I researched this new 19-month Venus journey, I realized I now have a new reading in play too! What I call the Venus Return Journey reading. I will create a new page describing it soon within The Heart's Desire Room of my blogsite. Look for it.

If you are curious to know your birth chart so you can follow along with my posts about the Moon cycles and other Cosmic Weather, give me a call and make an appointment!

Laurie Rae can be contacted as follows:

Phone: 587-353-8085 in Calgary, AB Canada

Email: myhouseofastrology 'at' shaw.ca

Check out the Rooms in my blog: https://laurieraeshouseofastrology.blogspot.ca

I look forward to hearing from you!

Nanaimo Harbour, Vancouver Island

Full Moon in Libra: Spotlight on Relationships

Tonight, at 12:08a MDT April 11th, the Moon sits full in opposition to the Sun's light - reflecting our Soul's (Sun) unconscious desires that have been 'coming to light' for each of us since the New Moon begun March 27th.

This Full Moon's cosmic longitude coordinates: 21 degrees of Libra 33' - with the Sun sitting directly opposite at 21 degrees of Aries 33'. The Full Moon also brings 'to light' the following:

• Full Moon in Libra + Jupiter Rx (retrograde): together, Jupiter is showing us, inwardly (the Rx inward energy) how to Expand past our usual emotional boundaries to EMBRACE new relationships/partnerships now. Huge Ego-Self fears will surface if our Ego is either in denial or resistance to this new change coming out from the darkness we've been working on since the New Moon this Moon cycle. Jupiter will make it LOUD and clear what's missing in our lives, what our Emotional Body is crying out for. 
• Libra is all about relationships, love, partnerships, beauty, balance, harmony, and how we each can BE our true authentic selves within all of the above. Come out of your restricted independent stance (noted at New Moon in Aries) to create a renewed position of relationship / partnership. This is the gift of this Full Moon.
• The Sun sits opposite this Full Moon, with Eris and Uranus, in Aries. Eris, the sister to Mars, will do battle to stand up for what she needs to ensure her independence - no matter what. Uranus brings our need for our true authentic self to show itself - in unexpected ways. Here's where the usual Full Moon issue ensues: go with the Emotional Body (aka Full Moon) of needing equal harmonious relationships/partnerships OR go with our Soul's (aka Sun) unconscious desires for standing True to Self? The true tactic, for all of us, is to create an 'AND' - how about BOTH?
• These two major players (Moon + Sun) within this Full Moon timing reside in two of our cardinal signs - requiring we initiate a NEW change within our Self (Aries - fire) and partnerships/relationships (Libra - air). Each New Moon phase initiates something NEW for us too. Within the current Moon cycle that began March 27th, we've been learning to embrace ALL the cardinal signs. 
• The other planetary players, activating the other two cardinal signs are: Juno + Pluto in Capricorn (earth) and Vesta + the Vertex in Cancer (water). Squaring off with the Moon + Sun, we have what is called a Cardinal Grand Square formation - whereby FOUR areas of all our lives are being activated with NEWNESS all at the same time! Despite possible Ego-Self fears, denials, and resistance to that end.
• Juno brings the Sacred Marriage - our need for equal, loving relationships/partnerships. Pluto brings forth Empowerment vs. Ego's need for power and control over/from others. Within Capricorn, we bring all of this 'materially' or physically into our lives. Let go of greed, lack of integrity, and the need to have power over someone/something. That something being relationships/partnerships. Create win-win situations/relations whereby everyone is empowered, loved and accepted for being the true individual beings they are.
• Vesta brings the ability to focus - upon a goal, piece of work, etc. The Vertex brings forth something or someone Fated/Destined into the mix. Within Cancer, ruled by the Moon (!) here our Emotional Body brings forth what we FEEL and INTUIT about all of this. Cancer is all about family, mothering/fathering, nurturance given as children and how we do nurturance now as adults. Can you focus on your feelings/emotions, listen to your intuition, and move forward into this Grand Square of NEW Change?
• The challenge here is to create yet another 'AND' - empowerment + equal, loving relationships and partnerships AND focusing upon how we truly feel/intuit to create fated/destined change. Are you up for it? With faith and trust to take the leap into something new?

The other interesting piece of planetary formation within the Full Moon chart is the Yod, or Finger of God that is pointing directly to the Full Moon (Moon in Libra) from both Chiron + Venus Rx in Pisces and Mars + Ceres in Taurus. Here we have some old patterns of conditioning to let go of to allow full equal, loving relationships/partnerships:

• Chiron brings healing of old wounds and Venus, our Desire Body, in Rx (inward motion) personalizes how we IMAGINE our true, desired reality. If we still have roots/connections to that Drama Triangle (Pisces) containing those old, worn-out roles of being a Victim or Rescue Me/Rescuer or Bully/Feeling Persecuted…and a true healing of how our relative addictions keep us within these roles. Emotional eating, drinking, drug use, shopping, gambling - you name it, we do it. To what end? How do any of these help us within relationship?
• Mars brings assertive action (or aggression or anger/frustration/impatience) and Ceres, our need for nurturance and how we find it, within the realm of using all our senses, skills and talents to create that which we value, is of value, to manifest physically within our lives (Taurus). Taurus can be stubborn, fixed and unwilling to change. Contented to stay with the same-old, same-old, you ask, "What's in it for me? Why should I go to all this effort - there's no guarantee that if I ASK for what I want, STAND up for what I need, that magically it will be given." Or words to this effect. RISK is part of taking that leap of faith - into the Unknown, creating NEW CHANGE. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Need I go on?
• Letting go of our old patterns of how we've normally worked with the first two points above brings the energy for a more balanced, peaceful and loving relationship Within AND Without. It is up to each of us to answer this call to CHANGE our daily habits (Moon). Or, we can wait for yet another Moon cycle and opportunity to jump on the bandwagon…all about Choice, Free Will and wanting something more and better.

Enjoy the fullness of this Moon phase. Look Within for the Light of your Soul's Unconscious Desires - and take that leap of faith towards something better, new and Unknown. Sip from the Cup of Courage (Aries) to bring balance (Libra), then position your sights on those highest goals (Capricorn) and listen to how you feel and what your intuition is telling you (Cancer). Create CHANGE that IS for the better - Within Trust and Faith.

Photo Credits: Full Moon, by Laurie Rae Rezanoff; Cardinal Grand Square + Zodiac - Google Images

Full Moon in Libra: Spotlight on Relationships

Tonight, at 12:08a MDT April 11th, the Moon sits full in opposition to the Sun's light - reflecting our Soul's (Sun) unconscious desires that have been 'coming to light' for each of us since the New Moon begun March 27th.

This Full Moon's cosmic longitude coordinates: 21 degrees of Libra 33' - with the Sun sitting directly opposite at 21 degrees of Aries 33'. The Full Moon also brings 'to light' the following:

• Full Moon in Libra + Jupiter Rx (retrograde): together, Jupiter is showing us, inwardly (the Rx inward energy) how to Expand past our usual emotional boundaries to EMBRACE new relationships/partnerships now. Huge Ego-Self fears will surface if our Ego is either in denial or resistance to this new change coming out from the darkness we've been working on since the New Moon this Moon cycle. Jupiter will make it LOUD and clear what's missing in our lives, what our Emotional Body is crying out for. 
• Libra is all about relationships, love, partnerships, beauty, balance, harmony, and how we each can BE our true authentic selves within all of the above. Come out of your restricted independent stance (noted at New Moon in Aries) to create a renewed position of relationship / partnership. This is the gift of this Full Moon.
• The Sun sits opposite this Full Moon, with Eris and Uranus, in Aries. Eris, the sister to Mars, will do battle to stand up for what she needs to ensure her independence - no matter what. Uranus brings our need for our true authentic self to show itself - in unexpected ways. Here's where the usual Full Moon issue ensues: go with the Emotional Body (aka Full Moon) of needing equal harmonious relationships/partnerships OR go with our Soul's (aka Sun) unconscious desires for standing True to Self? The true tactic, for all of us, is to create an 'AND' - how about BOTH?
• These two major players (Moon + Sun) within this Full Moon timing reside in two of our cardinal signs - requiring we initiate a NEW change within our Self (Aries - fire) and partnerships/relationships (Libra - air). Each New Moon phase initiates something NEW for us too. Within the current Moon cycle that began March 27th, we've been learning to embrace ALL the cardinal signs. 
• The other planetary players, activating the other two cardinal signs are: Juno + Pluto in Capricorn (earth) and Vesta + the Vertex in Cancer (water). Squaring off with the Moon + Sun, we have what is called a Cardinal Grand Square formation - whereby FOUR areas of all our lives are being activated with NEWNESS all at the same time! Despite possible Ego-Self fears, denials, and resistance to that end.
• Juno brings the Sacred Marriage - our need for equal, loving relationships/partnerships. Pluto brings forth Empowerment vs. Ego's need for power and control over/from others. Within Capricorn, we bring all of this 'materially' or physically into our lives. Let go of greed, lack of integrity, and the need to have power over someone/something. That something being relationships/partnerships. Create win-win situations/relations whereby everyone is empowered, loved and accepted for being the true individual beings they are.
• Vesta brings the ability to focus - upon a goal, piece of work, etc. The Vertex brings forth something or someone Fated/Destined into the mix. Within Cancer, ruled by the Moon (!) here our Emotional Body brings forth what we FEEL and INTUIT about all of this. Cancer is all about family, mothering/fathering, nurturance given as children and how we do nurturance now as adults. Can you focus on your feelings/emotions, listen to your intuition, and move forward into this Grand Square of NEW Change?
• The challenge here is to create yet another 'AND' - empowerment + equal, loving relationships and partnerships AND focusing upon how we truly feel/intuit to create fated/destined change. Are you up for it? With faith and trust to take the leap into something new?

The other interesting piece of planetary formation within the Full Moon chart is the Yod, or Finger of God that is pointing directly to the Full Moon (Moon in Libra) from both Chiron + Venus Rx in Pisces and Mars + Ceres in Taurus. Here we have some old patterns of conditioning to let go of to allow full equal, loving relationships/partnerships:

• Chiron brings healing of old wounds and Venus, our Desire Body, in Rx (inward motion) personalizes how we IMAGINE our true, desired reality. If we still have roots/connections to that Drama Triangle (Pisces) containing those old, worn-out roles of being a Victim or Rescue Me/Rescuer or Bully/Feeling Persecuted…and a true healing of how our relative addictions keep us within these roles. Emotional eating, drinking, drug use, shopping, gambling - you name it, we do it. To what end? How do any of these help us within relationship?
• Mars brings assertive action (or aggression or anger/frustration/impatience) and Ceres, our need for nurturance and how we find it, within the realm of using all our senses, skills and talents to create that which we value, is of value, to manifest physically within our lives (Taurus). Taurus can be stubborn, fixed and unwilling to change. Contented to stay with the same-old, same-old, you ask, "What's in it for me? Why should I go to all this effort - there's no guarantee that if I ASK for what I want, STAND up for what I need, that magically it will be given." Or words to this effect. RISK is part of taking that leap of faith - into the Unknown, creating NEW CHANGE. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Need I go on?
• Letting go of our old patterns of how we've normally worked with the first two points above brings the energy for a more balanced, peaceful and loving relationship Within AND Without. It is up to each of us to answer this call to CHANGE our daily habits (Moon). Or, we can wait for yet another Moon cycle and opportunity to jump on the bandwagon…all about Choice, Free Will and wanting something more and better.

Enjoy the fullness of this Moon phase. Look Within for the Light of your Soul's Unconscious Desires - and take that leap of faith towards something better, new and Unknown. Sip from the Cup of Courage (Aries) to bring balance (Libra), then position your sights on those highest goals (Capricorn) and listen to how you feel and what your intuition is telling you (Cancer). Create CHANGE that IS for the better - Within Trust and Faith.

Photo Credits: Full Moon, by Laurie Rae Rezanoff; Cardinal Grand Square + Zodiac - Google Images

Saturn Turns Retrograde April 5 - August 25, 2017

Whenever we experience either a planetary change in direction, or a change of sign, there is a responsive change within our respective worlds too.

Today's change in Saturn's direction, from Direct to Rx (Retrograde) within the mutable fire sign of Sagittarius, brings home (deep Within or inward or up close and personal) a related change down here on Earth beginning at 11:06pm MDT April 5, 2017.

How many of you have noticed a slowing down of time this week, whereby the hours seem to have slowed way down, leaving lots of TIME to deal with tasks, thoughts, conversations, etc? I keep looking at the clock thinking I've lived more than one day already today! LOL! This is Saturn, Father Time, at play.

Saturn's themes, gleaned from Liz Greene's "SATURN: A New Look at an Old Devil" 1976, are as follows:

• Saturn's process is via the psyche + experiences we undergo to learn more about Self via pain, restriction and discipline. We use these experiences for greater consciousness and Self-fulfillment.
• Psychology plays out within the individual psyche as a motive or compulsion toward Wholeness or Completeness, symbolized as the archetype of SELF - showing all facets and sides of human qualities to be contained in a harmonious way within the Whole - what we are all striving for throughout our respective lifetimes.
• Saturn's psychic process shows how we realize our Inner experience deep Within via the psyche - what we LEARN from those painful experiences and the difference between External Values (that which we acquire from Others) and Internal Values (those we've worked to discover Within Self, over TIME).
• Consider Saturn's archetype/mythology to be like Beauty and the Beast, whereby it is only when the BEAST is loved for his/her own true sake can he/she be freed from the spell and become the Prince/Princess that has always existed deep Within.
• Saturn's Virtues = self-control + tact + thrift + caution.
• Saturn's Vices - operate through the emotion of FEAR!
• Saturn is considered the Bringer Of: Limitation, Frustration, Hard Work, Self-Denial, Wisdom and Self-Discipline, usually without Humour!
• Saturn's position via Astrological Sign and House within your birth chart shows the area of Life Experience where you feel thwarted in Self-expression, most likely FRUSTRATED or met with difficulties throughout your life.
• Saturn as the "Lord of Karma": means Saturn seems to NOT be connected with any weakness or flaw within you, rather it is more CIRCUMSTANCES (be they Fated or Destined) that seem to 'just happen' to you.
• The Ancients called Saturn the "Dweller at the Threshold" or "Keeper of the Keys to the Gate" - it is through Saturn alone that we may achieve eventual freedom through Self-understanding - which to me totally explains WHY Astrology works so well and naturally as a tool for ONGOING and timely (!) Self-awareness!
• Frustrating experiences (especially those that keep repeating themselves within our life) connected with Saturn are necessary to TEACH us in practical and psychological ways. As humans, typically, we don't attempt true Self-discovery until things become SO PAINFUL that we have no other choice but to DO something about it! And the GIFT is that there can be JOY in the finding the root cause of said pain...just saying!
• Having a STRONG Saturn influence in your life means experiencing: repeated delays, disappointments and fears. And each of us has our own unique PROCESS of how many TIMES we need to learn what we need to learn from those PAINS (could be 5, or 500). It is truly different for each individual on the planet. Along the way we LEARN Patience + Self-Control and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE...in the end! And also to ask, "WHY?!" along the way. Each delay, disappointment or fear can be used for GREATER insight into our respective mysteries of the psyche - why we all tick the way we do!
• Repressed Emotions: within the world of the Unconscious, we create our reality due to the thoughts we think - As Within, So Without - bringing forth reality that is expressed outwardly as patterns of experience. Our unique processes of HOW we learn about ourselves. These experiences can come via people and/or circumstances/experiences that seem synchronistic, where our Inner Life is mirrored/reflected by the Outer Life.
• It is up to each of us to make an effort to EXPAND our consciousness to understand our true natures, as it unfolds, and to cooperate with it. Otherwise we may feel to be a "pawn of fate" with no control over our lives.
• LONELINESS can be a channel of Saturn in our life - whereby only "I" can undergo this journey to the WHOLE SELF that is ME - and where we feel we are the ONLY ONES undergoing this process - suffering in silence so to speak! Hence why Astrology works so well with my clients and students and followers - we all learn that "I'm not alone in this process! Yay! And here are some tools to use! Yay!" along the way...
• Saturn, as an Alchemist of Change, tells us to: Be Persistent, Look for the Gold (aka Gift), Find the Wisdom AND Humour along the way!

Saturn has been travelling through Sagittarius since September 19, 2015. Look back to 'see' where your life was at then, compared to now. Saturn in Sagittarius, ruling the 9th House of Life Experience (of the natural wheel of the Zodiac) brings forth the themes of:

• Symbolically, the House of Long Journeys - physically and the increased consciousness and broadened perspective of the mind - aka Seeking Your Higher Truth - through travel, other cultures, philosophies, religion, and the esoteric studies/mysteries. Nothing is taken at face value - be it a person, thing or experience - there is always another layer of meaning to be found. Therefore a dual awareness of seeing the larger meaning within the smaller experience.
• Sagittarius rules the 9th House with Jupiter as planetary ruler, and its opposite sign, Gemini, rules the 3rd House of gathering information with Mercury as its planetary ruler. Jupiter pertains to the discovery of meaning that emerges when the information discovered through Mercury/Gemini in the 3rd House is put into perspective via the mind and any physical journeys we take as we visit other cultures and their histories and philosophies aka Spiritual Laws - not usually well understood due to their reflection in human behaviour - archetypes - the reasons for life here on Earth.
• Jupiter is the symbol for the intuition whereas Mercury is the symbol for the mind. Non-logical vs. logical in other words. "As Above, So Below" the ancient Hermetic phrase expressing the meaning of life as a whole.
• Therefore the 9th House is connected to the intuition and perception of meaning in broader areas of religion and philosophy - our search for "Why am I Here? What's my Purpose?"
• Saturn moving through Sagittarius effects how we all view life and perceive our reason for being here. How we find meaning for being here. Faith, trust in an entity beyond the physical - or not. Temporal or spiritual authority - which do you believe to be true? Whatever it is - is true for you.
• FEARS we are processing and hopefully healing since September 2015 will surface re: disillusionment of authority in our respective pasts - whatever this means in your world - be it persons, institutions, God/Great Spirit - there may be a rebuilding of what this truly MEANS in your life since 2015. Fears of being rejected for BELIEVING what you truly believe to be true - for you - and speaking out about these beliefs. As in "yes! I am intuitive and spiritual rather than logical and dogmatic or religious!" or vice versa! Either are okay as long as they are your true beliefs. Walking your talk in other words. Be TRUE to your faith/beliefs.
• Be aware of crystallization of those beliefs - have you outgrown the dogma? Is it just habit now? Is it time to upgrade how and what you truly believe re: the how/why of your reason for being? Guilt, structure, punishment and law vs. an emphasis on life, quality, inner meaning and individual growth - what is truer for you, now?

The previous time Saturn journeyed through Sagittarius was from November 18, 1985 to November 13, 1988. Think back to what age you were back then, what did you believe to be true for your philosophy of life - and was it YOURS or what you adopted from your family of origin or culture or society? And is it still TRUE for you today? What's changed? And are you due for another upgrade from where you've journeyed since 1985-1988? Ethical values, faith, and beliefs are all part of this too.

March 25, 2016 until August 13, 2016 was the last time Saturn was Rx within Sagittarius during his current journey through Sagittarius. Whenever a planet supposedly goes backward or Rx (Retrograde) the usual outward/Direct energy is now more inwardly focused - personalized - and somehow "in your face" with people, events, and circumstances making it LOUDER for us to take notice and listen, think and talk about. What was LOUD and CLEAR to you during this timing?

Take TIME and compare it to NOW, as Saturn turns Rx tonight until it goes Direct again August 25, 2017. Interestingly, the cosmic longitude shows Saturn at 27 degrees Sagittarius and 48' Rx - right on top of the Galactic Centre of the Milky Way! Saturn's been hovering back and forth over the Galactic Centre since February, peaking now, and will continue to activate it until early June. The Rx motion of Saturn causes all of us to SLOW down, take TIME to contemplate all of the above-mentioned themes and FEARS preventing us from expanding our consciousness in some way. What are your fears?

Being so directly connected to the Galactic Centre tells me we are all re-evaluating our beliefs about God/Creator/Great Spirit - whomever you believe to BE, beyond your physical world. And deeply so. We will not be able to steer away from it. It is fascinating that the movie, "The Shack" is playing in theatres here in Calgary right now too - and I was given the book to read over the weekend! Check both of them out - makes for interesting conversations, thoughts and inner reflection of HOW we're DOing our journey while BEing human! And what you believe to be TRUE about all of it.

Turn your fears into faith, belief and ethical values - in some way. Saturn IS Father Time - so take your time doing so. Let go, surrender in some way to what is TRUE for you!

Saturn Turns Retrograde April 5 - August 25, 2017

Whenever we experience either a planetary change in direction, or a change of sign, there is a responsive change within our respective worlds too.

Today's change in Saturn's direction, from Direct to Rx (Retrograde) within the mutable fire sign of Sagittarius, brings home (deep Within or inward or up close and personal) a related change down here on Earth beginning at 11:06pm MDT April 5, 2017.

How many of you have noticed a slowing down of time this week, whereby the hours seem to have slowed way down, leaving lots of TIME to deal with tasks, thoughts, conversations, etc? I keep looking at the clock thinking I've lived more than one day already today! LOL! This is Saturn, Father Time, at play.

Saturn's themes, gleaned from Liz Greene's "SATURN: A New Look at an Old Devil" 1976, are as follows:

• Saturn's process is via the psyche + experiences we undergo to learn more about Self via pain, restriction and discipline. We use these experiences for greater consciousness and Self-fulfillment.
• Psychology plays out within the individual psyche as a motive or compulsion toward Wholeness or Completeness, symbolized as the archetype of SELF - showing all facets and sides of human qualities to be contained in a harmonious way within the Whole - what we are all striving for throughout our respective lifetimes.
• Saturn's psychic process shows how we realize our Inner experience deep Within via the psyche - what we LEARN from those painful experiences and the difference between External Values (that which we acquire from Others) and Internal Values (those we've worked to discover Within Self, over TIME).
• Consider Saturn's archetype/mythology to be like Beauty and the Beast, whereby it is only when the BEAST is loved for his/her own true sake can he/she be freed from the spell and become the Prince/Princess that has always existed deep Within.
• Saturn's Virtues = self-control + tact + thrift + caution.
• Saturn's Vices - operate through the emotion of FEAR!
• Saturn is considered the Bringer Of: Limitation, Frustration, Hard Work, Self-Denial, Wisdom and Self-Discipline, usually without Humour!
• Saturn's position via Astrological Sign and House within your birth chart shows the area of Life Experience where you feel thwarted in Self-expression, most likely FRUSTRATED or met with difficulties throughout your life.
• Saturn as the "Lord of Karma": means Saturn seems to NOT be connected with any weakness or flaw within you, rather it is more CIRCUMSTANCES (be they Fated or Destined) that seem to 'just happen' to you.
• The Ancients called Saturn the "Dweller at the Threshold" or "Keeper of the Keys to the Gate" - it is through Saturn alone that we may achieve eventual freedom through Self-understanding - which to me totally explains WHY Astrology works so well and naturally as a tool for ONGOING and timely (!) Self-awareness!
• Frustrating experiences (especially those that keep repeating themselves within our life) connected with Saturn are necessary to TEACH us in practical and psychological ways. As humans, typically, we don't attempt true Self-discovery until things become SO PAINFUL that we have no other choice but to DO something about it! And the GIFT is that there can be JOY in the finding the root cause of said pain...just saying!
• Having a STRONG Saturn influence in your life means experiencing: repeated delays, disappointments and fears. And each of us has our own unique PROCESS of how many TIMES we need to learn what we need to learn from those PAINS (could be 5, or 500). It is truly different for each individual on the planet. Along the way we LEARN Patience + Self-Control and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE...in the end! And also to ask, "WHY?!" along the way. Each delay, disappointment or fear can be used for GREATER insight into our respective mysteries of the psyche - why we all tick the way we do!
• Repressed Emotions: within the world of the Unconscious, we create our reality due to the thoughts we think - As Within, So Without - bringing forth reality that is expressed outwardly as patterns of experience. Our unique processes of HOW we learn about ourselves. These experiences can come via people and/or circumstances/experiences that seem synchronistic, where our Inner Life is mirrored/reflected by the Outer Life.
• It is up to each of us to make an effort to EXPAND our consciousness to understand our true natures, as it unfolds, and to cooperate with it. Otherwise we may feel to be a "pawn of fate" with no control over our lives.
• LONELINESS can be a channel of Saturn in our life - whereby only "I" can undergo this journey to the WHOLE SELF that is ME - and where we feel we are the ONLY ONES undergoing this process - suffering in silence so to speak! Hence why Astrology works so well with my clients and students and followers - we all learn that "I'm not alone in this process! Yay! And here are some tools to use! Yay!" along the way...
• Saturn, as an Alchemist of Change, tells us to: Be Persistent, Look for the Gold (aka Gift), Find the Wisdom AND Humour along the way!

Saturn has been travelling through Sagittarius since September 19, 2015. Look back to 'see' where your life was at then, compared to now. Saturn in Sagittarius, ruling the 9th House of Life Experience (of the natural wheel of the Zodiac) brings forth the themes of:

• Symbolically, the House of Long Journeys - physically and the increased consciousness and broadened perspective of the mind - aka Seeking Your Higher Truth - through travel, other cultures, philosophies, religion, and the esoteric studies/mysteries. Nothing is taken at face value - be it a person, thing or experience - there is always another layer of meaning to be found. Therefore a dual awareness of seeing the larger meaning within the smaller experience.
• Sagittarius rules the 9th House with Jupiter as planetary ruler, and its opposite sign, Gemini, rules the 3rd House of gathering information with Mercury as its planetary ruler. Jupiter pertains to the discovery of meaning that emerges when the information discovered through Mercury/Gemini in the 3rd House is put into perspective via the mind and any physical journeys we take as we visit other cultures and their histories and philosophies aka Spiritual Laws - not usually well understood due to their reflection in human behaviour - archetypes - the reasons for life here on Earth.
• Jupiter is the symbol for the intuition whereas Mercury is the symbol for the mind. Non-logical vs. logical in other words. "As Above, So Below" the ancient Hermetic phrase expressing the meaning of life as a whole.
• Therefore the 9th House is connected to the intuition and perception of meaning in broader areas of religion and philosophy - our search for "Why am I Here? What's my Purpose?"
• Saturn moving through Sagittarius effects how we all view life and perceive our reason for being here. How we find meaning for being here. Faith, trust in an entity beyond the physical - or not. Temporal or spiritual authority - which do you believe to be true? Whatever it is - is true for you.
• FEARS we are processing and hopefully healing since September 2015 will surface re: disillusionment of authority in our respective pasts - whatever this means in your world - be it persons, institutions, God/Great Spirit - there may be a rebuilding of what this truly MEANS in your life since 2015. Fears of being rejected for BELIEVING what you truly believe to be true - for you - and speaking out about these beliefs. As in "yes! I am intuitive and spiritual rather than logical and dogmatic or religious!" or vice versa! Either are okay as long as they are your true beliefs. Walking your talk in other words. Be TRUE to your faith/beliefs.
• Be aware of crystallization of those beliefs - have you outgrown the dogma? Is it just habit now? Is it time to upgrade how and what you truly believe re: the how/why of your reason for being? Guilt, structure, punishment and law vs. an emphasis on life, quality, inner meaning and individual growth - what is truer for you, now?

The previous time Saturn journeyed through Sagittarius was from November 18, 1985 to November 13, 1988. Think back to what age you were back then, what did you believe to be true for your philosophy of life - and was it YOURS or what you adopted from your family of origin or culture or society? And is it still TRUE for you today? What's changed? And are you due for another upgrade from where you've journeyed since 1985-1988? Ethical values, faith, and beliefs are all part of this too.

March 25, 2016 until August 13, 2016 was the last time Saturn was Rx within Sagittarius during his current journey through Sagittarius. Whenever a planet supposedly goes backward or Rx (Retrograde) the usual outward/Direct energy is now more inwardly focused - personalized - and somehow "in your face" with people, events, and circumstances making it LOUDER for us to take notice and listen, think and talk about. What was LOUD and CLEAR to you during this timing?

Take TIME and compare it to NOW, as Saturn turns Rx tonight until it goes Direct again August 25, 2017. Interestingly, the cosmic longitude shows Saturn at 27 degrees Sagittarius and 48' Rx - right on top of the Galactic Centre of the Milky Way! Saturn's been hovering back and forth over the Galactic Centre since February, peaking now, and will continue to activate it until early June. The Rx motion of Saturn causes all of us to SLOW down, take TIME to contemplate all of the above-mentioned themes and FEARS preventing us from expanding our consciousness in some way. What are your fears?

Being so directly connected to the Galactic Centre tells me we are all re-evaluating our beliefs about God/Creator/Great Spirit - whomever you believe to BE, beyond your physical world. And deeply so. We will not be able to steer away from it. It is fascinating that the movie, "The Shack" is playing in theatres here in Calgary right now too - and I was given the book to read over the weekend! Check both of them out - makes for interesting conversations, thoughts and inner reflection of HOW we're DOing our journey while BEing human! And what you believe to be TRUE about all of it.

Turn your fears into faith, belief and ethical values - in some way. Saturn IS Father Time - so take your time doing so. Let go, surrender in some way to what is TRUE for you!