Venus-Moon Underworld Gate - Moving Deep Fears into Passion

November 14th, 2017 is when the Moon entered the Balsamic Moon phase, the last phase of each Moon cycle. Here is where we RELEASE, emotionally, that which needs to go, that which we have held onto far longer than needed. Here we CLEANSE ourselves, emotionally (and sometimes physically!) of the toxic thoughts, feelings, beliefs and fears that have been holding us back in some regard until now.

Poles for a Tipi? Sheep River, AB Nov 2017

The Balsamic Moon phase occurred at 07 degrees of Libra 22' at 6:13 a.m. MST - Libra asks for renewed balance, peace and harmony Within and Without - within the WE - our relationships with others, and ourselves. A re-balancing act of release to make room for more light, love and beauty to enter Within and therefore Without. Like attracts Like - energetically if we are desperate for a relationship we'll attract desperation from others or attract nothing and no one. If we are at peace Within Self, content with our Inner and Outer lives, then we will attract more of the same. Whatever is going on Inside, we'll attract more of the same, from the Outside - via people, relationships, issues, situations. All in aid of awakening our awareness of where we sit Within ourselves, first.

The Moon met up with Venus, our Desire Body, as a Star Gate, on November 17th at 1:17 a.m. MST at 12 degrees of Scorpio 22'. We have successfully completed our descent into the Underworld, begun April 23rd, 2017, releasing distortions from each of our Chakras (Crown to Root) monthly during each Balsamic Moon phase along the way! The Root Chakra was our final challenge - all about our sense of stability, security, survival instincts. Considering the economic climate here in Alberta, and Calgary and area, these themes have truly hit home for most of us, connecting with our deepest and darkest Fears!

From THIS Balsamic Moon phase (November 17th) until early February 2018, Venus has disappeared from the skies and is considered to be in the Underworld. We are all now experiencing our respective Inner Death, dying in some regard as we release everything we thought we knew about our truest Desires. We are undergoing a mission - to be at our most vulnerable, naked and basic Self - to truly 'see' ourselves as we discern what we desire to hold onto to, and that which we desire to let go of.

Ask yourself: "What are MY True Desires, for ME? Are my Desires Truly MINE? Have I Desired what Others wanted for me, rather than what I wanted? How do I KNOW My True Desires are Mine? How do I unearth Mine?"

Lean-To, Sheep River, AB Nov 2017

The answer to some of these questions can be found in the House of Life Experience within your natal chart that Scorpio resides within - at the 12th degree and 22nd' of Scorpio. This is the House from which your deepest-held fears to Desire your deepest passions this lifetime reside! Scorpio is the Scorpion, stinging self and/or others, out of fear, if we get too close to the Truth of the matter before our Ego-self is comfortable to look at it. I see Scorpio as digging deep, getting to the root of the matter, over and over and over again! And it takes as long as it takes - for each of us - we have our own process of Time and Belief and Letting Go. It takes as long as it takes. Period.

Assisting Venus this time is Jupiter (!) our planet of expansion beyond current boundaries set in place by our Ego-self. Jupiter brings forth LOUD and CLEAR messages, encounters, conversations, relationships and experiences to create AWARENESS of what it is we're afraid to 'see', let alone feel (Scorpio is the fixed deep water sign of the zodiac AND the MOST PRIVATE sign!). As we each experience our respective Underworlds, we will begin to understand that which has been a barrier or blockage, emotionally, so high and wide we were unable to 'see' or 'feel' past it. It's been deeply overwhelming in fact.

Navigating this Underworld phase:

• Scorpio brings forth our investigative/research abilities and skills. How far down are you willing to go to excavate your deepest-held fears/emotions/feelings that have buried your deepest desires?
• Deep Waters of Emotion - here it is most important that you seek support - professionally or otherwise - someone to help you navigate the mine-field of an emotional roller-coaster ride and tsunami wave(s) of fear/emotion/feeling along the way. 
• Breathe your way through this Inner Journey as you walk through it. The Ego-self will be very creative, along the way, to distract, resist, escape and/or run completely away from this journey. Be gentle with yourself and others. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we all undergo the cycles, together.
• Having Jupiter within Scorpio for the next year, we'll be assisted to keep on keeping on to find our Higher Truth - what's my purpose, why am I here, what do I have to offer? Again, after releasing the distortions we felt comfortable dealing with during the previous Balsamic Moon until this Balsamic Moon (all about our basic securities, safety and stability to feed, clothe and house ourselves) it is amazing timing to delve deeper, now, to see another perspective, another way to DO work, have a job that brings income that pays our way forward now, despite the current economic realities.
• Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, brings forth the death/rebirth cycle, over and over - the do-overs - to keep chipping away at those fears our Ego-self throws our way in the hope we give it all up! That power/control struggle Within that is mirrored Without from our key relationships, situations, events and experiences we draw to ourselves. 
• We are all learning to MASTER our respective Ego-self, to allow ourselves to work WITH our Higher Self/Future Self/Divine Self more by listening to our INTUITION and how we FEEL every step forward. What deep insights are you receiving? Are you spending time with them? Add it to your investigating To Do list, do the Inner research, dive deeper, listen closer, take action accordingly.
• Interestingly, Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the sign where the current Mercury Rx (retrograde) timing will occur! Here we will be MINDFUL (Mercury) of how and where we're seeking that Higher Purpose, who we communicate with about it, how we connect and partner with one another, out in the global arena. Both Jupiter and Sagittarius rule the 9th House of WE SPEAK - what are you saying, and what am I receiving from your message? The 9th House represents how we seek out the Higher Truth of what we BELIEVE to be True, for each of us. And we seek out Others to connect with, discuss between, decide on next steps from. We've been in the pre-Mercury Rx Shadow timing since November 14th until December 2nd, slowly coming up to the Rx phase. The actual Rx timing is December 3rd - 22nd. Thereafter, until January 10th, 2018, we experience the coming up and out of Mercury Rx as the post-Rx Shadow timing. I will write another post of more of the details soon.
• In the midst of all this, Venus is still with us, within the Underworld, showing us the way forward, casting off Desire that need to die, Within, psychically, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. It can be that complete if we are willing, ready and want to. Note: these Desires can be ones held onto from other lifetimes and past lives, not just dreams and wishes from this lifetime. Take note of this. 

Dive deep. Be truthful with yourself in order to be truthful with others. Let go. Allow room and space for your True Passions to pop on up, having been deeply buried under all that fear and need to control life/others etc., before now. We are only aware of what we're aware of at any given moment. Breathe. Love your Self (Venus = self love!) and give yourself at least one hug a day! See you on the other side!

Blessed BE! Namaste!

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff Astrologer | Teacher | Writer | Speaker | Facilitator

Photo Credits: Laurie Rae Rezanoff, November 2017

Venus-Moon Underworld Gate - Moving Deep Fears into Passion

November 14th, 2017 is when the Moon entered the Balsamic Moon phase, the last phase of each Moon cycle. Here is where we RELEASE, emotionally, that which needs to go, that which we have held onto far longer than needed. Here we CLEANSE ourselves, emotionally (and sometimes physically!) of the toxic thoughts, feelings, beliefs and fears that have been holding us back in some regard until now.

Poles for a Tipi? Sheep River, AB Nov 2017

The Balsamic Moon phase occurred at 07 degrees of Libra 22' at 6:13 a.m. MST - Libra asks for renewed balance, peace and harmony Within and Without - within the WE - our relationships with others, and ourselves. A re-balancing act of release to make room for more light, love and beauty to enter Within and therefore Without. Like attracts Like - energetically if we are desperate for a relationship we'll attract desperation from others or attract nothing and no one. If we are at peace Within Self, content with our Inner and Outer lives, then we will attract more of the same. Whatever is going on Inside, we'll attract more of the same, from the Outside - via people, relationships, issues, situations. All in aid of awakening our awareness of where we sit Within ourselves, first.

The Moon met up with Venus, our Desire Body, as a Star Gate, on November 17th at 1:17 a.m. MST at 12 degrees of Scorpio 22'. We have successfully completed our descent into the Underworld, begun April 23rd, 2017, releasing distortions from each of our Chakras (Crown to Root) monthly during each Balsamic Moon phase along the way! The Root Chakra was our final challenge - all about our sense of stability, security, survival instincts. Considering the economic climate here in Alberta, and Calgary and area, these themes have truly hit home for most of us, connecting with our deepest and darkest Fears!

From THIS Balsamic Moon phase (November 17th) until early February 2018, Venus has disappeared from the skies and is considered to be in the Underworld. We are all now experiencing our respective Inner Death, dying in some regard as we release everything we thought we knew about our truest Desires. We are undergoing a mission - to be at our most vulnerable, naked and basic Self - to truly 'see' ourselves as we discern what we desire to hold onto to, and that which we desire to let go of.

Ask yourself: "What are MY True Desires, for ME? Are my Desires Truly MINE? Have I Desired what Others wanted for me, rather than what I wanted? How do I KNOW My True Desires are Mine? How do I unearth Mine?"

Lean-To, Sheep River, AB Nov 2017

The answer to some of these questions can be found in the House of Life Experience within your natal chart that Scorpio resides within - at the 12th degree and 22nd' of Scorpio. This is the House from which your deepest-held fears to Desire your deepest passions this lifetime reside! Scorpio is the Scorpion, stinging self and/or others, out of fear, if we get too close to the Truth of the matter before our Ego-self is comfortable to look at it. I see Scorpio as digging deep, getting to the root of the matter, over and over and over again! And it takes as long as it takes - for each of us - we have our own process of Time and Belief and Letting Go. It takes as long as it takes. Period.

Assisting Venus this time is Jupiter (!) our planet of expansion beyond current boundaries set in place by our Ego-self. Jupiter brings forth LOUD and CLEAR messages, encounters, conversations, relationships and experiences to create AWARENESS of what it is we're afraid to 'see', let alone feel (Scorpio is the fixed deep water sign of the zodiac AND the MOST PRIVATE sign!). As we each experience our respective Underworlds, we will begin to understand that which has been a barrier or blockage, emotionally, so high and wide we were unable to 'see' or 'feel' past it. It's been deeply overwhelming in fact.

Navigating this Underworld phase:

• Scorpio brings forth our investigative/research abilities and skills. How far down are you willing to go to excavate your deepest-held fears/emotions/feelings that have buried your deepest desires?
• Deep Waters of Emotion - here it is most important that you seek support - professionally or otherwise - someone to help you navigate the mine-field of an emotional roller-coaster ride and tsunami wave(s) of fear/emotion/feeling along the way. 
• Breathe your way through this Inner Journey as you walk through it. The Ego-self will be very creative, along the way, to distract, resist, escape and/or run completely away from this journey. Be gentle with yourself and others. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we all undergo the cycles, together.
• Having Jupiter within Scorpio for the next year, we'll be assisted to keep on keeping on to find our Higher Truth - what's my purpose, why am I here, what do I have to offer? Again, after releasing the distortions we felt comfortable dealing with during the previous Balsamic Moon until this Balsamic Moon (all about our basic securities, safety and stability to feed, clothe and house ourselves) it is amazing timing to delve deeper, now, to see another perspective, another way to DO work, have a job that brings income that pays our way forward now, despite the current economic realities.
• Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, brings forth the death/rebirth cycle, over and over - the do-overs - to keep chipping away at those fears our Ego-self throws our way in the hope we give it all up! That power/control struggle Within that is mirrored Without from our key relationships, situations, events and experiences we draw to ourselves. 
• We are all learning to MASTER our respective Ego-self, to allow ourselves to work WITH our Higher Self/Future Self/Divine Self more by listening to our INTUITION and how we FEEL every step forward. What deep insights are you receiving? Are you spending time with them? Add it to your investigating To Do list, do the Inner research, dive deeper, listen closer, take action accordingly.
• Interestingly, Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the sign where the current Mercury Rx (retrograde) timing will occur! Here we will be MINDFUL (Mercury) of how and where we're seeking that Higher Purpose, who we communicate with about it, how we connect and partner with one another, out in the global arena. Both Jupiter and Sagittarius rule the 9th House of WE SPEAK - what are you saying, and what am I receiving from your message? The 9th House represents how we seek out the Higher Truth of what we BELIEVE to be True, for each of us. And we seek out Others to connect with, discuss between, decide on next steps from. We've been in the pre-Mercury Rx Shadow timing since November 14th until December 2nd, slowly coming up to the Rx phase. The actual Rx timing is December 3rd - 22nd. Thereafter, until January 10th, 2018, we experience the coming up and out of Mercury Rx as the post-Rx Shadow timing. I will write another post of more of the details soon.
• In the midst of all this, Venus is still with us, within the Underworld, showing us the way forward, casting off Desire that need to die, Within, psychically, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. It can be that complete if we are willing, ready and want to. Note: these Desires can be ones held onto from other lifetimes and past lives, not just dreams and wishes from this lifetime. Take note of this. 

Dive deep. Be truthful with yourself in order to be truthful with others. Let go. Allow room and space for your True Passions to pop on up, having been deeply buried under all that fear and need to control life/others etc., before now. We are only aware of what we're aware of at any given moment. Breathe. Love your Self (Venus = self love!) and give yourself at least one hug a day! See you on the other side!

Blessed BE! Namaste!

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff Astrologer | Teacher | Writer | Speaker | Facilitator

Photo Credits: Laurie Rae Rezanoff, November 2017

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!